#evil diagrams...evil market structures...

  You felt uneasy as you walked about town. For the last few weeks, someone had been following you and it was making your stomach turn. You had seen him in the woods by your house, in the town and even on the roads. A man, in a long dark cloak. He had a top had and kept it low so you couldn’t see his face. You had been walking around the market when you saw him again. But this time, he was only about 30 feet away from you. You immediately left the market, and kept looking over your shoulder. You didn’t want to walk home on your own, so you had went to Lisa’s. The children were staying with her sister, so you were glad they weren’t around to see you so worked up. You sat on their sofa, your head in your hands as you tried to think of what to do. “I can take you home.” Laurence says as he stands, going to sort out the horse and hook her up to the cart. “Thank you.” You smile gratefully as Lisa takes your hands and gives it a reassuring squeeze. He walked out the front door, then you heard him yelling. “Get off my property!” Laurence sounded angry, and you had never heard him shout like that, not even when James had nearly taken his foot off with an axe. Running to the window, you saw the same man speed walking down the path, his head ducked. “Is that him?” Lisa asked, her voice shaking slightly. “Yes.” You breathed, feeling less safe than you had done. “Can Laurence and I come and stay with you? Make sure you and Adam are okay?” She asked, rubbing your back. Lily and James were staying with her sister for the weekend, so it would be easy enough. And you were truly thankful for the offer. “Yes, please.” You nod, your eyes lingering as the man disappears out of sight. Lisa packed a bag and when out to tell Laurence, who had apparently had the same idea. Once at your home, Adam greeted them with friendliness but you could see the worry in his eyes as to why they had came to stay the night at such short notice. So you told him about the man. You had mentioned about him before, and every time, Adam seemed to shrink back into himself, to the point he no longer went outside at all. “That man again. He actually followed me to Lisa’s.” You told Adam as you unloaded the bag. You saw Adam faulter out of the corner of your eye. Looking up, you saw him deep in thought before he turned on his heel and quickly went upstairs. You looked to Lisa and Laurence, who were just as puzzled as you. But you followed him upstairs. “Adam?” You walk into the bedroom, your voice shaking slightly. “I wont put you in harms way anymore. I shouldn’t have stayed, it was selfish.” Adams voice was shaking as he went to his side of the room. “Lisa and Laurence will keep you safe. I will try lead him away from you.” Your eyes trailed to the bag on the bed and your heart stopped. He was leaving? “No, please don’t do this.” You race forward, grabbing his arm to stop him pulled out a shirt. Tears streamed down your cheeks as you feared the worst. He glanced at you and immediately recoiled. “Dont look at me like that.” He breathed, his eyes falling shut as he backed away from you. “Like what?” You stepped closer, unsure what else to do. “like I am breaking your heart. I am doing this for your own good. To keep you safe.” He shakes his head, unable to raise his eyes from your feet. “Adam?” You reached up and placed your finger under his chin to draw his gaze to your eyes. “This man, do you know him?” Adam nods, and you can see the pain in his eyes. “A ghost from your past?” you ask, your fingers tracing the scars around his jaw and he nods again. “then let me stay by your side. I’ll fight your monsters with you, Adam. You don’t need to live in fear anymore.” Your words broke him as his arms locked around your waist and you were pulled against his chest. Adam sobbed like a child, clinging to you as he shook. “Shh.” You soothed, running your fingers through his hair to calm him. “I do not deserve you.” He breathes. “You deserve to be happy. And you seem happy here.” You pull back. “I am.” He nods, closing his eyes. “if you get hurt, I would never be able to forgive myself.” “I wont. I can defend myself. I lived by myself before you came along. I can still wield a knife if I need to.” You giggle and immediately Adam chuckles, the tension lifting from the air. “I am here for you, no matter what.” You press your forehead against his own as if sealing the promise. But the moment was interrupted when you heard Lisa calling up the stairs. “[y/n]! Theres people coming up the lane!” She yelled before you heard the door open and her and Laurence stepped outside. Racing to the window, you saw people coming up the road to you house. You counted 6 people in total. The bishop Marcus, the butcher whos name you only knew as Henry, the town doctor Green and the towns law enforcement (a single officer) Mr Jones. And the man who had been following you. He rode on the front with the butcher Mr Jones. The carriage they had was one used for transporting criminals, with a lock and iron bars encaging it.  Dr Green and Bishop Marcus rode up in a normal horse drawn carriage, although neither were speaking. Adam staggered back from the window, seeming to gasp for air. “Stay up here.” You told Adam, trying your best to quickly calm him. “I’ll deal with it.” You heard Mr Jones greet Lisa and Laurence but with a tone of uncertainty. You had to leave Adam, but you made sure to close the bedroom door behind you. Rushing out your front door, Lisa and Laurence already stood on your porch. “What is going on?” You felt a deep sense of dread as you watched the group approach your house. “Fear not.” The man who had been following you stepped forward and you had some incline to slap him. “I am here to help.” “you can help by getting off my property!” You call back, not bothering to hide the venom in your voice. “[y/n].” Marcus stepped forward, his hands raised to calm the situation. “This man has come to us worried for your safety. He speaks of an evil which haunts you.” “Yes; him.” You pointed at the man with a shaking finger from anger. “He watches my home at night and follows me around!” You glare at the man, fighting every urge you had not to spit on his feet. “Its true. He followed her to my house this evening. My husband had to tell him to leave.” Lisa placed a hand on Laurence’s chest as he nodded. “Please, may we step inside?” Marcus askes, and you couldn’t say no but you did want to know something. “Why so many people?” Your eyes dart to the people you had known all your life. “Witnesses.” The man spoke with arrogance. “For what?” Lisa asks, stepped forward from behind her husband. “The demon.” The mans eyes darted past you into your house. “The only demon I have known is the one who follows me like a shadow then turns my town against me.” You snap at him. “I aint against you. Just making sure you’re safe.” Henry puffed out his chest. “And you didn’t say you’d been following Miss [l/n] around.” He turns on the new man. “Please, I have some information you might find useful about the beast.” The man steps away from Henry and walks right up to you. You instantly back away from fear. But Laurence steps in front of the mans path, stopping him from proceeding. “My name is Victor Frankenstein.” He stands tall, pressing a hand to his chest as he introduces himself. “What do you want?” Laurence says, his voice dripping with annoyance. At least you weren’t the only one to take an instant disliking to the man. “He came to us with a journal. And he says you have a man living here that he bought to life.” Mr Jones walks up. your mouth fell open as you stared at the man. “He has a journal he claims proves it.” Dr Green walks past both of them to you. “Perhaps we better step inside.” “Okay.” You nod, unable to refuse the good doctor. Everyone filled into your sitting room where the fire was roaring. “So, wheres this journal?” Lisa asks, shooting Frankenstein a dirty look. “Right here.” He produces a black, leather journal from his inner breast pocket. “Firstly, is there a man living here?” Marcus asked you, and you felt embarrassment rush over you. In truth, you and Adam lived in sin, but you didn’t care until you came face to face with someone who held such a high seat in a religious structure. “Yes, there is. But hes a good man.” You immediately defend yourself and Adam, but you saw no hint of disgust or judgement in Marcus’ eyes. He simply nodded and gesture to Frankenstein. Again, Frankenstein tried to walk up to you with the journal in his outstretched hand, but Laurence blocked the path and took it. He then passed you the book and you saw the worry in both his and Lisa’s eyes as you took it. walking to your table, you placed the journal down and, with shaking hands, you opened it. You never expect to see what you saw in the book. You flick through the book and you felt sick to your stomach. How the parts had been taken from graves and used in ways not known to man. The procedure was documented in horrific detail. Every body part, every organ, every blood vessel was accounted for. It even had a diagram of a faceless body showing where the stitches were to be done. They lined up with most of Adams. and then, it documented how he had bought the body to life again and how he had abandoned it when it followed him. He had created a creature, something which was not of this world, and ignored it. You thought of Adams lack of knowledge for things you considered basic, like the inability to use a spoon. It made sense. What Frankenstein was saying was true. The man upstairs was his ‘monster’. You shook the words away. Adam wasn’t a monster. You knew that. But if the world knew he was what Frankenstein claimed, not even you could protect him. Adam deserves a chance. No, he had had his chance and he had shown you he would do anything for you and for the life you had together. Adam had only known pain and rejection, and you weren’t going to let it ever touch him again. You knew what you had to do. You had to protect him. Firstly, you needed to discredit small things. “You truly are a sick man, Mr Frankenstein. And wrong. My Adam is not who you are looking for.” Your words cut through the silence of the room like butter. “Doctor.” He snapped at you, making your eyes snap up. “Its Dr Frankenstein.” “No, you said yourself you were a university student. You hold no doctorate. You cannot simply pick up a title you have not earned.” You shoot back, letting your eyes fall to the journal again.   “regardless, the monster you have in your home was created by me. By my hands.” He raised then as if it were some kind of proof. “And when was that?” You asked, simply trying to buy yourself some time to think of your next move. “4 years ago. 4 years this has haunted me and-“ He started to dribble on, apparently about to go into a monologue but Lisa suddenly cut him off. “Then it cannot be Adam. We have known him for 6 years.” She suddenly said, stepping forward. You were completely confused as you looked at her. She was backing you up in a lie. The room looked to Laurence to confirm. “No, my love. You are mistaken.” He places his hand on her lower back and you felt like you will faint, until he continues. “Its 7 years. Remember? He helped me convert the attic for James when Lily was born.” You felt an overwhelming gratefulness as Laurence looked up and smiled at you. They were trusting your judgement even if they knew Adam was this creature. “Then why haven’t the rest of your town known of his existence?” Frankenstein asks, the anger building in his voice. “Adam was in a dreadful accident when he was younger. He has a lot of scaring and disfigurations. He was an outcast for a long time, chased and beaten for his differences. When I found him, he was timid and terrified. It took a long time for him to trust me, and then to trust Lisa and Laurence.” You gestured to the couple who nodded. “But he was terrified of people.” “And your children?” Mr Jones asked Lisa. “James use to cry when Adam was around. So he stopped seeing my son till he was old enough. But Lily adores him. I shouldn’t trust either then with time. They think I am 10 years old and Laurence is 100.” She giggled, looking to Laurence with a smile at their childrens lack of understand of years. You smiled, grateful for their support and help. But you needed to move this quicker. “Mr Jones, have you read this?” You asked the deputy, gesturing towards the book. “I only glanced through it. I wasn’t given that much time.” He confesses, seeming a little annoyed and embarrassed to admit it. “Its rather disturbing. He admits to digging up peoples graves and taking body parts.” You frown, looking back to the book. “Does he?” All eyes fall onto Frankenstein who was now in the hot seat. “Bring my monster down here. See how the markings line up!” He points to you, then to his book. Perhaps he hoped that if everyone saw Adam, they would forget his own crimes. You looked to Mr Jones, whos sympathetic eyes told you that yes, you would have to. “Okay, I will speak to him.” You nod in defeat, heading to the stairs. You felt a dread build in your chest as you walked to the bedroom. How could you force someone to face the person who could have caused them so much grief? You didn’t know what to expect as you stepped inside and closed the room behind you. Adam was in front of you in a heartbeat. “[y/n]?” Adams voice sounded broken as he fell on his knees at your feet, clinging to your skirt. “I am sorry. forgive me?” You felt your heart break at his pleas. He had heard almost everything and knew that you knew how he was created. “Forgive you for what? You have don’t nothing wrong.” You shake you head, combing your fingers through his hair to sooth him. “I should have told you long ago. I am a monster, a curse. I never meant to deceive you.” He was shaking violently, his voice breaking. You fell to your knees in front of him and cupped his face. Before he could do anything, you kissed him. Slowly and passionately. You didn’t care. You didn’t care what he was or how he came to be this way. You loved him, and that was all that mattered to you right now. You feel his shaking hands leave your skirt to grab your arms just above your elbows. Not aggressively or painfully, but more for reassurance. “I don’t care.” You pull back, keeping your forehead pressed against his own as he nudges closer to you, desperate for the contact. Your arms gently wrap around his shoulders as you hold him close for a moment. But you needed it too. Pulling back, you take his hands in your own and hold them on your lap. Keeping your voice low so if that creep had came up the stairs, he wouldn’t hear the plan. “You need to come downstairs with me.” You see him flinch at the thought of coming face to face with his creator again. You felt a fresh wave of anger towards Frankenstein but you needed to ignore that for now. “Its okay. We’re going to protect you. Now, you are 32 years old and came here 7 years ago. You were in a dreadful accident when you were a child and youre an orphan. You’ve known Lisa and Laurence for 7 years, but James use to cry at you when he was a baby so you didn’t meet him till you had met the others. Everything else is true. Is that okay?” You give his hands a reassuring squeeze and offered him a soft smile. Adam nodded, his eyes falling to your hands. “I promise you the truth when this is over.” He whispers to you, the fear and pain in his eyes apparent but he looks at you with a newfound conviction. “Okay, but it doesn’t matter to me. You do, not your past.” You smile, giving his hands another soft squeeze as you rub your thumbs in small circles on his skin. Adam lets out a breath and closed his eyes for a moment, preparing himself. You gave him that moment, keeping your hands in his own. When he opened his eyes, he nodded to you. The two of your rose from the floor and, taking his right hand in your left, you lead him downstairs. Every step seemed to make your heart stop as you felt Adam was still shaking. leading him towards your living room, every single set of eyes were on you as you guided the giant of a man into the room. you could feel the hate from Frankenstein as if it were burning a hole in your head to get to Adam. You honestly didn’t know what to expect. “Sorry to bother you this evening, but we have some questions, Mr…” mr Jones trailed off. “I have no last name. Adam will do.” Adam spoke to Mr jones with a surprising amount of calm. “And why is that?” Mr Jones asked, more out of curiosity. “I was orphaned at a young age.” Adam offered the explanation with ease, as if he had already thought of it. “Very well, Adam.” He smiled and then introduced everyone around the room. Henry the butcher, Dr green, Marcus the Bishop then to himself and finally Frankenstein. “Do you know this man?” Adam looked at Frankenstein for a moment and shook his head. “I created you. I sew your flesh together and bought you to life with my very hands, you ungrateful monster!” Frankenstein growled at Adam. You stepped forward, your fists clenched into tight balls but Lisa grabbed your arm. “Knock him out after he’s dug himself a hole.” She whispered in your ear. “Or I might.” Laurence muttered and you noticed his own hands were clenched. You were like a sister to Laurence, and he had became very close to Adam. “Your, umm, scaring.” Dr Green steps forward, offering out his hand to take Adams free one. “An accident. I fell down a cliff edge when I was a child.” Adam gives Dr Green his hand to examine. You squeezed his other hand. “And you survived?” Dr Green glanced up over his spectacles. “Yes, but I remember very little from the time. The doctor who saved me pushed me out when I could stand.” Adam says, his voice wavering but it could be passed off as pain. “And your parents?” the good doctor asks again, inspecting the scars. “I do not remember them. My mother died giving birth and my father…” Adam faltered and swallowed. You felt your heart sink until he continues. “He was the reason I fell.” You almost jumped up and kissed him there and then but you kept yourself grounded, not allowing the relief to show in your features. “I see.” Dr Green offered a smile before turning to the group. “The scaring is old but I cannot tell you a time. The boys story is entirely plausible. I, myself, have treated children whos parents have blamed them for the death of a partner. I believe his story over this ‘doctors’ drivel any day.” You smiled as Dr Green spat the word at Frankenstein. You didn’t know if he entirely believed the story, but Dr Green had a strong sense of ethic and that idea of grave robbing for ones own personal trophies would be enough to make Dr Green (and anyone) sick. “You protect a monster? Why?!” Frankenstein suddenly shouts, pointing an accusatory finger at you. Adam immediately steps in front of you, standing at his full height, somethgin you had never truly seen from Adam. He was always hunch over in some way, so seeing him fully straighten up showed how far he had came. You rub his arm as you step out from behind him. You were not afraid of Frankenstein. “The only monster in this room is you.” You speak calmly and clearly as you glare at him. “You stupid, insane bitc-“ Frankenstein starts to come towards you, but Mr Jones grabs his arm as Henry grabs his other arm and yanks him back. Laurence and Lisa move to your side, Lisa looping her arm in your free one as Laurence stands shoulder to shoulder with Adam. “Where do yah think you’re going?” Henry growls. “Speaking to a lady like that?” “She’s bedded a monster! A common whore!” His tongue lashes at you as he struggles against the men holding him back. However, he is stopped when Henrys fist connects with Frankenstein’s cheek and he fell to the floor. “Mr Boneback? Was the necessary?” Mr Jones sighs, but sounds as though henry had just tapped the man. “Aint no need to be calling woman those names. Especially someone who’s been nothing but good to this town. I don’t care much for outsiders anyways. And, as far as im concerned, good old Adam over heres as much part of the town as [y/n]. as long as he buys his meat from me and not the butcher in the next town.” Henry shoots Adam a wink which makes you giggle. “I think the judge will want a few words with you in the morning. In the mean time, some time in the cell might help you reconsider his actions.” Mr Jones pulled Frankenstein off the floor and towards the door. “It’s a Sunday tomorrow. The judge doesn’t work a Sunday.” Marcus called to Mr Jones. “Oh well. Some more time to think things over then.” Mr Jones smirks and him and Henry haul a rambling Frankenstein out of the door. “That man should be locked up for good. Claiming to playing god.” Marcus tutted, shaking his head in disapproval. Both Mr Jones and Henry shout goodbyes through the door, but one Frankenstein is in the back of the enclosed cart then Mr Jones comes back. “Oh, before I forget. Mary asked me to invite you, Lisa and Laurence to dinner on Friday night. And, of course you have a plus one, [y/n].” He smiles at you. His wife was incredibly sweet if not for her inability to keep a secret. You glance to Adam, silently asking if he was okay with such a thing. But Adam seemed confused at the invitation. So you deicide to take a risk. If he decide against it later, you were sure Mr Jones wouldn’t mind. “Of course.” You smile. “Will she be making that apple pie?” Lisa bounces on the balls of her feet, clutching her hands together in a prayer style. “I can put in a request, if you like.” He chuckles. “we will be there.” Laurence chuckles as he puts his hand on his wife shoulder to calm her. With that, Mr Jones ducks out the house with a wave. Dr Green stepped before Adam, his eyes linger on the scars. “my dear boy, I have some oil in my office. I use it on those who have deep scaring and it helps. It doesn’t make the scars invisible, mind you, but it does help to heal the skin. Its yours in you want it?” Dr Greens offer took Adam by surprise, but he nods. “I would greatly appreciate that. Thank you.” He couldn’t help the shaking in his voice at such kindness. Dr Green smiles, his eyes filled with warmth. “Come by my office when you are in town. [y/n] knows where I am.” Dr Green looks at you and you nod to confirm, looking up at Adam to show you did. Dr Green bows slightly before picking up the journal and turning it in his hands. “Once this is all over, I think this will be burnt. We don’t want anyone getting any ideas from it.” He stuff the book ungracefully into his jacket pocket. “I agree. Although I highly doubt he will face much punishment here. Frankenstein will probably be sent back to his family in disgrace. And I do not think it would be wise to show his face around here again. Henry is a nice fellow, but he does have access to a lot of knifes.” The bishop smirks at Dr Green and the two chuckle. “How is your granddaughter? I heard her arm is healing nicely.” Dr Green and the bishop walk to the door. They had grown up together in this town, and always looked for a chance to catch. “oh!” Marcus turns back to you. “should you wish to give your last name to Adam so that he might have a last name, I would be more than willing to conduct that service.” You felt your cheeks lite up as you realised that would mean marriage. He chuckled before turning back to Dr green. they walked out the door speaking, their own horse and carriage awaited them after Henry and Mr Jones had left. That left you, Adam, Lisa and Laurence. The room felt empty and a lot larger now. “What does that mean?” Adam asks, tilting his head to the side looking after Marcus. “Well, you know how I have Laurence’s last name? normally the bride takes the husbands last name, but I think they would make an exception for you two.” She smiles widely at you. “only if I get to be the maid of honour.” You swat her arm playfully at her arm as Adam chuckles nervously. “Do you still wish us to stay?” Laurence asks, and you were a little surprised. But then you realised that he would know that right now, Adam and you needed to be alone. “I think we will be fine. Thank you.” You wrapped your arms around Lisa and held her close, grateful for her support. both her and Laurence stayed for half an hour or so, letting everything die down before heading home themselves. You waved from your porch having offered to walk them out. You walked into the sitting room and saw him sitting by the fire, staring off into nothing. “Adam?” You drew him from his thoughts. The moment his eyes found your own, you saw an undeniable happiness about them. You walked up and offered him your hand to help him up. Adam smiles and accepts, then takes both your hands in his own. “I promised you an explanation.” He started, his eyes lingering to the seats by the table, but you shook your head. “when you are ready, you can tell me. For now, I think we both need some sleep.” You reach up and cup his cheek, lovingly caressing the man before you with a soft smile. He leans down and into your touch, his eyes falling close as he revels in the intimacy. You guided him to the bedroom, and he watches as you change. No in a lustful way, but admiring how strong and smart you were. In a world which he had learned to never trust anyone, you had came to him with acceptance and love. Furthermore, you had been willing lie for him to have a better life. Lisa and Laurence had been willing to lie. He felt a worry set in his stomach. By morning, everyone in the village will know if his existence. Yet, he didn’t feel the familiar worry of if they would come with pitchforks and torches. No, he felt nervous to meet them. The butcher had said he should come into his shop, Dr Green had offered him remedies that might help with the scaring and Mr Jones invited him, you, Lisa and Laurence to his home for dinner with his wife (the town gossip from what he had heard from you). Sure, he wondered if it were some elaborate trap but, for the first time in his life, a louder voice told him it wasn’t. To be not only apart of your family, but now of your community? Adam wanted nothing more. “Would you share your last name with me?” He suddenly asks you as you pull on your nightgown. “Why, Adam, are you proposing?” You giggle, trying to make light of the situation. Adam immediately goes all shy, ducking into himself. “Im kidding. Im sure you can change your last name without marriage. We can look into it, if you’d like.” Adam followed as you climbed into bed and immediately cuddle into him. “I would like to marry you.” He whispers to you, as if it were a secret he didn’t want anyone else to know. You look at him and see him gazing at you with adoration. “I’d like that too.” You smile, cupping his jaw and kissing him. But you pull back with a yawn. “Its been a long day. We have a lot to talk about in the morning. Perhaps that can be on the agenda. I am sure you have quite the story to tell me.” Adam smiles and nods, pressing a kiss to your forehead. As always, you fell asleep first. Adam didn’t need as much sleep as you but would never miss out on the chance to have you in his arms. For the first time in a long time, he thought about the first few dark days of his existence. He thought of the moments he realised how people saw him and the moment where he felt completely alone in this world. He had always felt an anger towards his creator, but that flame had been snuffed out when you entered his life. Tonight, it had reignited for a moment, but not because of the pain and suffering Frankenstein had caused him but because of the way he had spoken to you. you, who had been nothing but warm and loving to him. You; whos character was so trustworthy that the people who knew you riled behind you. You; whos kindness had changed him completely. You; who he loved unconditionally. Adam ran his fingers through your hair as you drifted off onto a dreamless sleep. He wished he could read your mind, find out why you had done what you had done to protect him. He wanted to know what you saw in him that no one else had until you stood by his side and gave him a chance. He would never work it out or understand you, but as he lay in bed, smiling at your sleeping form, he felt his chest swell with pride and love. And perhaps, a marriage to you? He could now walk along side you, hand in hand. Not a monster but as a normal man.

Vaan isn’t and hasn’t ever been the problem. The problem lies in a particular skewed (& masculine) view of FFXII, and games as a whole.