#the-caniderp

Q. Quote three bits of writing you read this year. Can be your writing, or not.

·         “You promised dancers,” he says, his voice low, and she feels the flush spread on her cheeks.  “I only expect one.”

 – From chrio by seventhe  https://archiveofourown.org/works/10877289

“Let me give you some counsel, bastard,“ Lannister said. “Never forget what you are, for surely the world will not. Make it your strength. Then it can never be your weakness. Armor yourself in it, and it will never be used to hurt you.“

Jon was in no mood for anyone's counsel. “What do you know about being a bastard?“

“All dwarfs are bastards in their father's eyes.“

- From “A Game of Thrones” by George R.R. Martin

He laughed, and it was a cold, angry sound, but his fear crept like smoke past the laugh. And somewhere, somewhere a spark of hope that he wished he could stifle. "I failed you? I don't owe you anything. You should never have gotten your hopes up."

- From “Balance” by  CaptainArwenPond221B   http://archiveofourown.org/works/13027908/chapters/29798457

T. Themes

Themes from “The Burden of Rule”

1. Change:

How things have changed after the war, and how things have not.

Larsa wishes to change Archades into a society that is more understanding and loving towards foreigners in a post-war Ivalice, and he has visions of a multicultural Archades in the future. He wants to take the focus off of gaining status and reputation, and he wishes to decrease the class divide. (BASICALLY, Larsa wants to change everything. What an ambitious boy.)

Larsa is very different from Emperors of the past, and the Senate is having difficulty adjusting to the “radical” ways of their new emperor.

Penelo’s entire world changes when she is appointed Ambassador, of course.

2. Truth and Deceit:

Archades is a city of curious knowledge-seekers, and Penelo finds herself influenced by them, developing an investigative nature.

The news businesses twist the truth in favour of their own interests, as well as the interests of their respective districts. Rumours are spread about Larsa.

Penelo learns the balancing act of giving out the right info, while keeping the info that others can use to hurt her.

Penelo learns unspeakable truths that were hidden for a long time.

3. Unity and Division:

“In cooperation lies our hope.” – Larsa Ferrinas Solidor

Larsa wishes to strengthen Archadia’s relationship with Dalmasca, and Rozarria.

The formation of the new district, called Orbon, aka the reconstructed Old Archades, has reunited the “vulgars” of Old Archades with their loved ones in the city.

After spending the last few years isolated, Larsa finally reunites with his friends in Dalmasca, and eventually others.

The ever growing divide between Larsa’s ideals, and the Senate.

Archades is divided into districts, and each district has different opinions on Larsa. Some are heavily against, some are in support, and some are mixed (much like swing states in the U.S!) Because of this, when word gets out about Larsa’s bill, all hell breaks loose, and Larsa feels AWFUL for dividing his city.

The class and racial divides

4. Identity and Belonging:

Larsa struggles with his identity as a leader, whether he should compromise, or follow what he feels is right. As the last remaining member of House Solidor, there is no family to follow anymore, and he must make a new place for himself in Archadia’s history.

Penelo has always seen herself on the streets of Rabanastre, struggling to make ends meet, dancing with her troupe until she can dance no more. But now that the war is over, and the years have passed, Penelo finds herself at a loss for what to fight for, and grows bored with only providing entertainment. She looks to the mysterious and powerful world of government and politics in search of a purpose beyond her current understanding.

5. The Importance of Self-Value:

Larsa overworks himself in pursuit of his goals, neglecting both his mental and physical health, and Penelo will point out to him many times that he needs to remember to take care of himself.

Larsa and Penelo both feel like they are not good enough/ not worthy of their positions of power, and they each help the other realise that they are wrong.

 Themes of “The Mediator”

1.       Letting go of the past/ new beginnings

2.       Finding similarities with someone you least expect. Is that a theme? Something about bringing together two people from different nations… unity? Peace???

U. Any stories that took an abrupt u-turn from where you thought they were going?

THE BURDEN OF RULE, JFC. It was originally about the liberation of Landis, what a stupid idea right??? Lolololol  But now it makes sense why in the current incarnation of the story, I have crammed many Landisians in Archades’ new district, Orbon. Some of it had to survive - too bad my lesbian Landisian judge and her sky pirate/terrorist brother didn’t. I liked them. Maybe I can cram them into the story as minor characters Penelo gets info from. IDK.

OH. AND PENELO WASN’T AN AMBASSADOR. WTF WHEN DID I PUT THAT IN??? It’s been three years, man.

At some point I played with the idea of an impeachment storyline. I still do. I just love the idea of the Senate putting Larsa on trial for something. I get delicious shivers, and I think about the scene in FFX when Yuna is on trial.

Some things have remained: the decline in Larsa’s mental health, the panic attack scene, and Larsa vs. the Senate. Wow I am shameless when it comes to giving out spoilers.

V. Which story was the most viscerally pleasing to write? Tell us your narrative kinks.

The Burden of Rule, mainly because I’VE BEEN WAITING THREE YEARS TO FINALLY DO IT.

ANYWAYS… I’m a dialogue slut, so narrative has never been my thing. Butttt, if I had to choose, it would be INTERIOR MONOLOGUES. That’s the good shit. Any scene where Larsa is thinking about how inferior he is/ how much he hates himself, just makes me feel so satisfied.

Things like:

               Leave it to him to bore a girl to sleep.

               AND:

               “My Lord,” he warned, and Larsa turned his head to face him, “I advise we depart shortly if you wish to arrive before nightfall.”

Time is running short.

“She will be here; I am sure of it.” Larsa succeeded in keeping his voice calm, despite his increased heart rate.

Why must Basch always worry? Larsa did not need someone else to worry for him.

He directed his gaze downward so that all he could see was the floor, his own crossed arms, and his chest. He became increasingly aware of how shallow his breathing had become. Perhaps he could try to slow it down…

But there was no time for that.

She will not show.

Of course not; why would she? No one as pure as her would taint themselves in the twisted world of Archadian politics willingly. Penelo was no fool, unlike him. He was the only fool here, to think for a second that she would actually show up. The war may be over, but he was sure Penelo’s memories of it remained. He would not blame her if she wanted nothing to do with this…

 Z. If you could choose one work and immediately finish it, what would it be? How would you end it?

·         Like… with no effort? Like POOF, here’s your story? If that’s that case, then “Discreet” for sure. Ya’ll don’t know about “Discreet.” It was a sexy oneshot I made in my head about Penelo meeting a middle aged Dalmascan/Archadian woman who owns the only sex shop in Archades. (I headcanoned Archades as having a culture where sex is a dirty subject no one with respect talks about openly. Kids are taught abstinent-only bullshit. That kinda shit. The sex shop is in the new district, tucked away in some dark corner lol. Oh yeah, and it’s called “Discreet” lololol) So this had newly established Larnelo, and Penelo asks sex shop lady for advice on how to seduce an Archadian man, because Penelo is thirsty and Larsa is shy as hell and is not getting the hint. Oh yeah, and he might be demisexual. Obviously, this was gonna be femdom. Cause I love me some femdom.

AND I ACTUALLY STARTED WRITING IT, but… much like Larsa… I am shy. When it comes to. The sexy.  >___>