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#just giev it to me already!
divorcebf · 2 years
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just learned how 2 do tiny braids in ur hair that don't require an elastic btw it's gna b life changing i think
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innerchorus · 2 months
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Arslan Senki Chapter 126 (Part 2)
And unlike Kmanga you don't even have to pay twice for the privilege of having it split into two. SPOILERS for this chapter, I can't stress enough that the ending is a huge fucking cliffhanger so if you don't want to get spoiled please don't look.
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That's a piece of the (Un)Holy Master's cloak...
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Nicely dealt with by Andragoras!
Anyway, this is proper confirmation that Team Zahhak's clothing has magical properties / a life of its own and can potentially be dangerous even when separated from the wearer.
Given how fast the Master can dodge (or more correctly this is a teleportation style of evasion that I mentioned before where he reappears behind them) it's impressive that Andragoras actually landed a blow, though it's not even close to being a fatal one. Still, he looks like he's aiming to finish the job until the Master tries to regain control of the situation by attempting to blackmail Andragoras with the location of his child!
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These panels of a shocked Hilmes in the background just watching all this drama unfold, lol
Anyway, it turns out Andragoras cannot be blackmailed and he'd rather renounce his child than be manipulated like this, which is... very on brand for Andragoras, regardless of what the truth about the child turns out to be in Arakawa's manga.
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The Master: tch! Hilmes: Yikes
(Is anyone of the Parsian royal line a good father? Doesn't seem that way in recent generations. Hilmes, please reverse this trend with Irina by your side, I'd love to see you both happy with a family!)
Anyway GUESS WHO'S KNOCKING AT THE DOOR IN THAT LAST PANEL? THAT'S RIGHT, IT'S ZANDEH, PUPPY BOY TO THE RESCUE! And he's still got that little guy who was one of Kharlan's soldiers with him, and that warms my heart for some reason, I hope he gets to live.
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Hilmes... 😭
I wonder what Zandeh thinks? It's clearly not 'nothing at all'.
Anyway this makes me really sad because where we saw Arslan open up to his followers and receive their support, Hilmes... can't bring himself to do that. Personally, I feel that at this point, Zandeh would support him regardless (as would Sam, who unbeknownst to Hilmes already knows the truth) but Hilmes can't bring himself to admit it, to admit the fact that he's based his whole life around a lie. Without his claim to the throne, who is he?
It's sad that he can't see that the right to rule and the qualities that might inspire loyalty and love are based on so much more. I'm not saying that he's a worthy ruler right now, unlike Arslan he hasn't even thought about how he'll govern the country for the better, but I do find it sad that his mindset leaves him so isolated here when it doesn't need to be that way.
(I'm going to need an Irina mention soon. At least show that Hilmes is thinking of her, even if he feels he can't speak with her.)
That's it for Team Hilmes content this chapter, anyway.
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Who should Team Arslan bump into on the way to Mount Demavant but the Zot with a leashed Don Ricardo, still clinging on to Rukhnabad! So while Arslan did deliberately set out to get the sword, in the end it looks like it's going to happen via a chance encounter (well, if anyone can ever persuade Don Ricardo to let go of it).
Gieve recognising Rukhnabad is a great moment! Even he is so shocked that it seems like he's struggling to form the words as he processes what he's seeing.
I feel pretty sorry for Don Ricardo, he hasn't really recovered mentally from his encounter with Zahhak, he doesn't look to be in a great state, and while the Zot are merely intending to hand him over to Arslan, they can't communicate with him so presumably all he knows is that he's their prisoner, he has no idea what his fate will be and nobody to reassure him. Likewise, they don't know what he's been through.
Team Arslan try to figure it out thanks to Estelle, but Don Ricardo is too distressed, so they decide to find a village to stay the night. It's at this point that alarm bells started going off in my mind.
Narsus says "It's too quiet." (I start thinking of the village he stayed in with Alfarid where Arzhang had killed all the villagers.)
The horses start freaking out (we know they react this way to Team Zahhak)
Team Arslan find bodies of villagers with only their brain eaten (and who do we know of who has an appetite for brains?)
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OH FUCK, OH SHIT, OH FUUUUCK
A weird mist begins to seep into the scene; Zahhak in the novels was described as exuding a miasma of sorts, I think it provoked fear in those who were close to it?
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PANELS THAT FILLED MY HEART WITH PURE DREAD
Gods, I hope everyone survives this encounter. I don't know how it's going to go down but it strikes me that this could be it, this could be the actual deciding fight as far as Zahhak is concerned, because we have Rukhnabad on the scene right here, it could really be happening in Arakawa's manga right now, and I'm not sure I'm ready?
My head is ringing with questions. What does Zahhak's full form look like (we see the snakes clearly but not what they're attached to)? Is he fully resurrected or are the shoulder snakes just operating on the instinct of hunger? What happened to Kaykhusraw's body? Are any members of Team Zahhak here with the Snake King? If Team Arslan do fight Zahhak here, how do they go about it? One on one? As the strongest warrior, will Daryun take him on? Will Arslan (with Estelle's help) manage to persuade Don Ricardo to hand over Rukhnabad, and will he opt to take on the Snake King himself with the sword's powers?
Man I wish Kubard were here... I've always said he'd set everyone straight about the notion of taking on a being like the Snake King in single combat... Just kill it, any way you can.
Part of me feels like Zahhak won't be defeated yet and this encounter will serve its purpose mainly in showing Team Arslan that he truly has been unsealed, so now they'll know what the sorcerers were working towards and they'll know what they're up against. But will they come through this unscathed? I'm not ready for character deaths!
My working theory as of this post: Zahhak is not fully conscious and is mainly being driven by the snakes' hunger; he is heading for Ecbatana for some sort of ritual involving the head jars where he will truly return in full. The final confrontation will take place after matters in the capital with Andragoras and Hilmes have been resolved, and may involve entering Team Zahhak's lair beneath Ecbatana (ArAkAwA sHoW mE tHe DaRk TeMpLe).
Guys... I am utterly exhausted, this chapter has wrecked me. I'll keep an eye out for raws / somewhere to read the simulpub for free and post a link if I see it.
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So, uh...
Fellt a little silly today and thought I share some of my "Funny Dialoug Prompts with my Characters" with yall. (Will contain new ocs.)
Credits to the rightfull owners, who came up with most of these!
Azar: “I’m surrounded by idiots.” Gieve: “But at least we’re hot!” Arslan: *skeptical* “Are we?”
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Farangis: “You hurt?” *leaning forward* Azar: *sitting on the ground* “No. I normally spurt blood from my rib cage.” Farangis: “You seem to be just fine.” *walks away* Azar: “Help me up at least!”
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Azar: “Do you think-” Narsus: “All the time! I’m a good thinker, you know!” Azar: “Sometimes I think you don’t. Anyway-” *queue Narsus offended face and Daryun die laughing in the corner*
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Farah: “You’re … alive…” Azar: “Great observation, genius.” Farah: “But, you were dead!” Azar: *spitting out blood* “Well luckily you really are a failure.”
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Gieve: *to Azar* Ten years of friendship and this is the treatment I get!” Azar: “I met you yesterday!”
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Chabik: “You know, I really feel like we aren’t seeing eye to eye.” Mehrin: “It’s because you’re taller than me, asshole.”
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Aleksi: “You know, I may be an idiot…” Arslan: “...but?” Aleksi: “No ‘but’, that was it.”
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Mehrin: “... Just to be sure we’re on the same page.” Vahriz: “Page? We’re not even in the same library!”
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(this was made by me) Gieve: “You wished you’d be like me~” Azar: “No, I don’t.” Gieve: *with a cocky smile* “Why not? I’m lovely~” Azar: *deadpan*  “If I’d ever be like you, I’d be six feet underground by now.”
----
Daryun: *gently taps table* Narsus: *taps back* Jaswant: “What are they doing?” Azar: “Morse code.” Daryun: *aggressively taps table* Narsus: *slams hands down* “YOU TAKE THAT BACK-!”
BONUS:
From a discord conversation with my friends (translated) Friend A: *talking to their roommate* "Close the door, that will be better. Me: *thinking he was talking to me* "But… my door is already closed." Friend B: "Close it further. " Double Bonus: Friend A: "I was not talking to you, you Idiots!"
Tell me if you want more! (and @tired-reader-writer, you wrote that you are not feeling well. Hope this brightens your day a little!)
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tired-reader-writer · 7 months
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I had the bright idea to make this entry in the reread series a celebration of my birthday but as of the time I'm typing this it's already past 1am so it's technically the day after my birtday whoops, but I haven't gone to bed yet! That means it's still the 12th and therefore still my birthday, ha!
If only I could've made a post with happier material though, this part of the manga was painful to read. Oh, Hilmes...
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It's a philosophy quite similar to Guiscard's, actually, which now makes me wonder if they'll get along with each other?
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Automatic response.
Also, Zandeh looks adorable.
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This is the first time Gieve has directly referred to Hilmes as a prince right to his face, right? Of course Narsus and we as the audience have known for a while, and we were shown Gieve sitting in the meeting where Narsus reveals it, but Hilmes obviously wasn't. Wonder what he thought of this being yeeted at him. Interestingly, he does not try to sway Gieve to his side. Maybe he learnt his lesson with Narsus, maybe he just doesn't like Gieve.
I wonder if this expression is of anger or surprise/shock.
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Not much in terms of commentary here (trying to type this post immediately after studying will do that to me, I guess) except that it's interesting Kaykhusraw's statue is larger than the deities', and positioned in the center.
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Don Ricardo, my guy, were you not present at the sack of Ecbatana? Did you voice your criticism back then too? Your countrymen have not been the picture of etiquette or chivalry, let me tell you.
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Narsus 🤝 Alfarīd 🤝 Gieve
Slippery gang
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For worldbuilding purposes
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*gently puts this up as reinforcement for the Hilmes-conducts-a-ceremony-for-the-temple-of-truth-after-his-coronation(?)-as-an-apology-for-his-ancestor's-deeds idea for Wolfpack*
Also, couldn't bear to crop Zandeh out.
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You're wrong, Hilmes. You're so wrong 😭😭😭
Again, couldn't make myself crop out Zandeh. He's lookin Fine™ 👌
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It 👏 is 👏 not 👏 that 👏 simple 👏 Hilmes 👏👏👏👏
Do you know how to wield it? How to harness its magical power in a viable way? Do you know how to seal Zahhak????
No?
Then don't snatch the Rukhnabad, dumbass!
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privitivium · 1 month
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eeeeeee, happi valentine's day!(≧◡≦)⁠♡ i luvved the part 2 and i really wanna giev u a nice and pretty gift to thank you and to make u happy since it's valentine's day... but i dunno what you'd like....(⁠╯⁠︵⁠╰⁠)
:3
im glad you liked it,,, sorry it was a bit rushed,, happy valentines day!!! ignore that im answering on the 15th shhh... i'd like anything you'd wanna give me, trust me. even if its just a request,,,, teehee. ILL LIKE ANYTHING YOU GIVE ME!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ALREADY MAKE ME HAPPY RAAGHH^%!%!!!!!!
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daryun · 2 years
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Has anyone ever read the script of OVAs? I have just found something interesting on the internet: 'spoiler In the Japanese version, they actually reveal that Farangis is supposed to marry Arislan and that Arislan isn't really royalty end spoilerOh! And then there's the screw up at the end of the first movie. In the English version, Andragoras dies and magically comes back to life (kind of like Stephano from Days of Our Lives. Is he still alive or did they finally just kill him?)'
Arslan Senki Spoilers regarding character backgrounds under the cut.
Hello!
(I found your blog post, too)
I have never read the 90's OVA as scripts, but I do watch the OVA every now again because I'm rather fond of it - both the sub and dub.
Is the English OVA dub cheesy? Most certainly.
Will I defend the stage actor delivery of every line? You bet on Daryun's shiny cloak clasp I will.
As far as I know, Farangis was sent to protect Arslan, which is expressed in the OVA, part I, around the 42 minute mark:
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The English dub mentions a holy warrior and how Farangis was chosen to be that warrior. So I wouldn't know where the whole marriage thing would come from just watching the OVA alone.
(Farangis' backstory is covered in this post)
~~~
That Arslan is adopted and is not royalty by blood is worth looking at. Let's have a look what the OVA reveals to us without the context of any other Arslan Senki media.
(I already knew Arslan was adopted, but I'm not sure where I picked that up anymore. It was probably from the family tree in the Sachiko Kamimura artbook I bought, NOT from the OVA itself)
Admittedly, I first thought of part II when Bahman is killed, but the resulting conflict here is not that Arslan isn't of royal descent, but that Hilmes has a claim to the throne. The viewer is led to believe this is the narrative twist for a long time.
The English dub also just says "You musn't kill him, he is of royal blood."
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So I thought about part III, 11 minutes in. But even here, the conflict is still Hilmes being Arslan's older cousin, having a claim to the throne.
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The reason Gieve is sent to Mt. Damavand by Narsus is to find Rukhnabad not for Arslan's lineage, but just to strengthen his claim. Hilmes seeks out the sword for the same reason.
So where would a viewer in the 90's with not as much access to the world wide web as today get the info that Arslan is adopted?
There are hints that Arslan grew up outside of the palace with a nanny in his nightmare (part II, ca. 7 mins in), though I wouldn't call it conclusive.
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But up until the end of part VI, when Arslan gets banished to Gilan everyone is still acting within the parameters that Arslan is of royal blood.
I could not find evidence of Tahamineh asking for her child in the OVA, which is another clue given to readers of the manga or novel.
EDIT: FOUND IT, part I, minute 47.
Sub:
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Dub: “Wait, Daryun, Daryun don’t do this, let me speak. If you know what’s good for you you’ll join us. Pulsa will soon have a new ruler, stong and clever, he’s already in Ectabahana. Once he has killed Andragoras he’ll marry the queen and be crowned king!“
~(Pulsa forevaaaaaaa)~
In conclusion: if the dub OVA is all you have, you will not automatically work out that Arslan is adopted.
EDIT: Similar to how Andragoras’ death was declared at the end of part I (see below), I think this change was made because they didn’t want to introduce this plot line in the dub and then never be able to deliver on it.
~~~
"Andragoras III died of an illness, much to the disappointment of Hermes who could not carry out his vengeful threats" (end of part I, English dub)
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Regarding Andragoras being declared dead in the English OVA dub, I do not think this was a mistake. We have to look back at the time:
The first four parts were dubbed by a UK studio. Parts 5 and 6 were dubbed in the US.
I think it is reasonable to assume that only the frst four episodes were sold dubbing rights first and as a person in the 90's there was a high chance that if you caught this on a VHS tape, per chance on TV(?), or at anime conventions as a cinema experience, these four episodes were all you were ever going to see of the anime.
So I can only assume they wanted to wrap up the story as much as they could to give the overseas viewer with no other context of Arslan Senki's whole novel story a bit of closure.
That parts 5 and 6 were later dubbed must have been unknown at the time.
I'm afraid I'm not familiar with Stephano, I cannot help you with that one.
~~~
Completely unrelated to everything: Guts, is that you? (from part VI)
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mrwilliameames · 2 years
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What was the sexiest thing you ever saw him wear on a job?
Hm...that's hard to say because as you know, Arthur had impeccable taste. But I'd have to say the very striking dove grey suit he had tailor made at Gieves & Hawks.
He had a job in London some years ago and he asked if there was a good tailor someone could recommend on Savile Row and I just so happened to overhear and told him about the above mentioned tailor. He gave me a quick, polite nod and thanked me and I didn't think much of it until I saw him a few months later and he was wearing it. Mate, I was already madly in love with him, but that just sent me into a further spiral.
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lipstickbisous · 3 years
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Ooooof I am heeeere for daddy Chris. The way he’d baby you. Little touches and squeezes all the while he’s whispering absolutely filth. “You don’t even know what you need right now, do you? You gonna let daddy decide, hmm?” He knows how absolutely pliant you are like this, how you’ll do anything for your daddy. UGH.
yesss anon let's gooo! chris is definitely a very loving and cuddly daddy but he knows that you're a complete mess for him and i feel like he practically lives for that. it's even with simple things as well, if he just lovingly puts a hand on your back or gives you a tiny kiss on your cheek, you melt.
you're just a dumb baby, too, a little slut for him to fuck with whenever he wants (which he pretty much does all the time) "can't even speak, what a little dumb whore" "such a baby, but a good girl for her daddy at least, yeah?"
talk to me about daddy!chris
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chasseuses · 4 years
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reasons why i love jade leech pt.2
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so i guess I'm doing this again.
this is more of a repeat of everything I said in part one but with more sobbing and coherent words.
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Jade Leech, Octavinelle's vice dorm leader and the twin brother of Floyd. Many might say that Jade is better than Floyd, although that may seem true to people who don't know him well enough, some people were smart enough to know that Jade was just as bad.
Despite being so fucking shady and nasty, I couldn't help but slowly learn how to love his character. His shadiness is only a part of his charm ❤️ I mean— don't you want that? Don't you just want to look at him and wonder what the fuck is going through his mind right now?
He could be either plotting murder or thinking about tonight's dinner and I would still find his shady expression 🥺 oddly attractive to say the least. I'm being weirdly serious here and typing in lowercase so in a few bullets, expect me to go feral once again.
His eyes are gorgeous. I don't know about you but I get mesmerized everytime I look at them, I swear I could drown in them and never want air ever again. His mismatched eyes,, absolutely beautiful sir please shock my heart eheheh 👉👈 haha jk !!! he doesn't have to use his unique magic to shock my heart bfjfkfjfkfjkffk
His smile is breathtaking, my sun— my light in this dark world of mine. Even if his smile is practiced and insincere, I can't help but go crazy over it. Imagine if he smiled genuinely, no restraints at all as he let out a hearty laugh and a genuine smile took over his expression. I would cry on the spot, I am cryimyfjrkfjkffk.
GOF HELP ME I CAN'T TYPE IN LOWERCASE ANYMORE IM GOING IN CAPSLOCK!!!
I HATE HOW JADE CAN GO FROM HIS USUAL GENTLEMANLY FACE EXPRESSION BUT SUDDENLY SHOOTS YOU A FUCKING SMUG GRIN WHICH SHOWS OFF HIS SHARP TEETH AND SAYS HIS USUAL "Fufu~" LINE LIKE PLEASE 🗿 SHUT THE FUCK UP DON'T SMILE LIKE THAT!!
SPEAKING OF TEETH, MAN I REALLY AM CURIOUS AS TO HOW SHARP THEY ARE. A PART OF ME WANTS TO SHOVE MY HAND INTO HIS MOUTH AND JUST TOUCH THOSE TEETH AND SEE HOW SHARP THEY ARE 🤡 haha imagine if he suddenly bit down tho hahshhhshsdrijfrknfkrgntknffknflfnflffnkfnfkjfkdjfofjddlifjf ok I'll shut up.
I don't think I mentioned it here (i already did) but I am telling you that the idea of someone as composed and reserved as Jade starts pining, IT'S GUARANTEED TO BE SO FUCKING GOOD LIKE 🗿 OH GOD THE THOUGHT OF JADE PINING?? ABSOLUTELY *CHEFS KISS* MAN THAT IS SOME GOOD SHIT RIGHT THERE IF YOU SEE ANY PINING JADE PLEASE TAG ME I WILL START CRYIMG
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Oh my god. Have I told you how beautiful Jade's lips are? Please please please please look at them they look so nice ahahahha so irresistible and kissable UEEEEEEEEEE
The way his lips are like that 🗿his fucking smile/smirk. GOD GIEV EME THE ABILITY TO KITH THIS MAN JUST ONCE PLEASE I LOVE HIM SO MUCH I'M FUCKING CRYING.
Oh my gOD THE WAY HE LOOKS AT MUSHROOMS... THE SOFTEST GAZE... SOMEONE LIKE HE... IS CAPABLE OF HAVING SUCH A SOFT EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE.... PLEASE I WANT TO BE A MUSHROOM IF IT MEANT BEING LOOKED AT BY JADE LIKE THAT.
HE COULD FUCKING SPIT ON ME AND I'D THANK HIM.
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I'm ashamed to admit that the earliest reason why I liked Jade Leech was because of his hands. Please forgive me, Lilia-sama. I cannot help but get attracted to such beautiful hands- it was if it was sculpted by the god of sculpting himself! It's such a shame that his gloves cover up its blinding beauty- though my eyes can see through the deceit, I know that his fingers are glorious beneath that piece of cloth. My one and only wish in life is to be able to hold his hand- without the gloves, and that's all for my confession.
^^^^^ I FOUND THAT IN MY DRAFTS
I'M SORRY BUT I JUST REALLY LIKE HIS HANDS OK. LIKE 😳 haha...!! what if we held hands,, without the gloves 😳 haha jk...! unless ...?9£4(_8 UE UE UE UE UE MR. LEECH LET ME HOLD YOUR HAND PLEASE I'M GONNA BEG
UEEEEEEEE I'M NOT FUCKING KIDDING YOU WHEN I SAY I WROTE SO MUCH LETTERS FOR THIS EEL I WISH I WAS KIDDING I HAVE LIKE 12 RIGHT NOW GOD I'M SUCH A FUCKING SIMP
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st a rts sobbing
pouting jade.
pouting jade.
pouting jade.
WHAT THE FUCKBSJDJDJJ??£?£(_(3(_((_(£(£+£; WHY IS HE SO CUTE INT HSI SCREENSHOT WHAT THE FUCK I LOVE YOU SO MUCH PLEASE THE WAY YOU'RE POUTING RIGHT NOW IS SO CUTE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE LET ME SQUEEZE YOU.
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I'm fucking crying why the fuck is he so cute gof forbid this man from being so fuvking cute i cannot.
People be telling me: cute?? jade is terrifying.
and I go like: that's cute.
UE UE UE EU UEHFHRJFJJDJF HAVE U GUYS HEARD OF WHAT HE DOES TO PEOPLE HE BETRAY HIM???? I LITERALLY WENT 😳 "ahahahh mr leech i will personally betray you just to make you do that to me" you know. like a simp.
U know what I'm going back to lowercase
His extreme love for mushrooms is probably his comic relief so it doesn't completely make him seem like a shady bitch in the game- it's a surprise as to how cute and vulnerable he can get when he talks about or does something related to his precious fungi. It even goes as far as to make him completely lose his sense of surroundings, which is really rare for someone as observant as him- and usually dangerous sjfbjdbf. It's also EXTREMELY CUTE as to how they made Jade someone who really likes mountains- he even goes as far as to found his own club to appreciate them!!
He has pretty deft hands, being able to create a terrarium and care for it as a hobby is applaudable- not everyone has the ability to do just that, you'd have to be able to be extremely precise and careful, and add a little bit of extreme determination to the mix. He would probably smell like mud from all the time he spends in the greenhouse, and stays up late because of creating terrariums. It shows us that he isn't completely a shitty eel who collects dirt on people as his job and I think that's pretty fucking cute not gonna lie!
There was one voice line of him mentioning that he likes gazing at stars, which was completely unexpected for me! He didn't seem like the type to gaze up at the stars and just- watch! Though I expect him to be always alone whenever he does that- he isn't exactly the most approachable person in NRC, people tend to avoid the Leech twins because of Floyd- mostly. People are just scared of them and I don't think Jade has any friends aside from Azul and Floyd. And I don't think either of them would be willing to stay with him to do just that, Floyd's excuse would be because "it's boring~!" and Azul's would be "I have much more important things to do." And I think that's pretty fucking sad.
God please send me to their world I will watch the stars with him please i love him so much I'm—
BACK TO CAPSLOCK FJDJJEKFJKDJFKRNDKDJFKDFLDJRLFNFLDNFLDFNDLNDLDNFLFOFKDLDKDLDKDK
Look. No amount of words can actually describe my feelings for Jade Leech no words can do my love justice UE UE UE UE which is why I do the second best thing— keysmash.
Please please please I could give him the whole world and it wouldn't do my love for him justice 🗿 UE UE UE UEJFBRKFBTKNFRKFBFKFHJFHFDKHFKDBFKDHFKRBFRKBFRKBRKFBFKFNFKFJFKFJDKFK
I also uh, want him to step on me! Y',)!92+_)£_+ Y'know... He would stomp on my back and dig his heel into my back and probably hurl insults towards me 😳 man. I'd be hIS FUCKING DOORMAT IN A HEARTBEAT.
Omg this is getting long
The first part was much more 🗿🗿🗿🗿🗿 but I still do this anyways.
Anyways. Please stan Jade Leech I love him so much 💕
i would've included my brainrot but ppl would just go 🗿 "taku you really are a jade simp huh" and NO I DON'T WANT THATTTTTTTTT
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pastellig · 3 years
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Do you think Arakawa will include Jaswants encounter in the brothel and Jimsas escape from Peshawar?
General novel spoilers for you folks! If you’re unsure what anon is asking about, you can read a summary of A Frenzy of Dust here.
I feel confident that Arakawa will show Jimsa’s escape from Peshawar! It’s the kind of scene she seems to enjoy, and she’s already planted the seed: in Chapter 90, we see Jimsa sawing through the bars of his cell (and run back to bed to pretend he’s not quite so healed up when he hears the commotion of Andragoras’s return!).
I’m not as sure about Jaswant’s encounter in the brothel, but I lean toward yes. It’s interesting you asked about it, because I have been wondering how she will handle this for today’s audience since a couple chapters ago. (In other words, buckle up for a long post!)
A few things make me think she will feature this scene:
1. It was featured in the shojo manga by Chisato Nakamura. Her manga ran from from ‘91-‘96, which is a few waves of feminism ago. That being said, it wasn’t enthusiastically distributed to a Western audience, which can be more conservative.
2. Arakawa’s been pretty open about sexual behavior in Pars. Two points of evidence:
Narsus is casual about Shaghad’s multiple mistresses. While he also says Shaghad lives a life of debauchery, Narsus himself is the product of his father, Lord Teos, and one of Teos’ twenty to thirty mistresses — and he still gets to be an heir and earn a position at court. I don't think it was included in the manga so explicitly, but it is implied (when Alfarid first learns he is indeed “Lord Narsus,” Narsus quickly tells Alfarid his mother was but a free woman like herself). He doesn’t seem stigmatized for this situation at all, implying it’s common enough — lots of people hate Narsus, so I’m sure they’d mention it!
Hilmes and another Parsian (I think Garshasph?) note with displeasure that the Lusitanians are executing prostitutes and mustarid in Chapter 33. Though this word actually means “homosexual man,” the official translation indicated they are male prostitutes. The man who I think is Garshasph even says, “Do Lusitanians know nothing of life’s pleasures?”
3. Arakawa’s Daryun didn’t think of Shinryan/Shin-Liang by the light of Peshawar’s silvery moon. I’ll explain:
Readers might not understand why a man with a distant ~one true love~ would have sex with someone else, especially someone as notably loyal as Daryun. Since Arakawa didn’t feature him thinking of her, he’s “free” to get down with the lovely professionals of Gilan.
4. Most importantly: She’s stuck to Tanaka’s storyline pretty closely thus far, and Tanaka’s storyline includes visits to the brothels of Gilan.
I see only one hurdle: people have Mixed Feelings© about sex workers and those who utilize their services — feelings that wouldn’t apply to the same sexual situations sans financial transaction. While Arakawa isn't making a family-friendly manga, this could still pose problems.
Jaswant isn’t the only man who visits a brothel in Gilan: Gieve, Narsus, and Daryun do as well. Daryun, Narsus, and Jaswant are among the most noble-hearted, principled, honorable men in Pars — and those characteristics are key to this story. If I were an artist or a publisher, I might worry that a modern audience with modern scruples may think less of them for being “men with men’s needs,” which is essentially how it is presented in A Frenzy of Dust. (Seeing as Gieve has pretty clearly always been a man with a man’s need, this doesn’t quite apply to his character, but more on that in a bit.)
Respectable men may seek out sex workers as a matter of course in ancient Pars, but today’s readers won’t have the same perceptions of sex workers and their clients. Even ostensibly “sex positive” people often draw a line at prostitution, and others view paying for sex as evidence that you aren't desirable.
Modern readers don’t expect adult men to remain abstinent, but we do romanticize characters we like. Depending on our own perspective and the character, we see them as the sort of fellows who’d engage in some sort of exclusive relationship (Jaswant, Daryun), have such a focus on the mission that they become impervious to the call of Ye Olde WAP (Narsus, Daryun), or be a Lothario who doesn’t need to buy sex because he can charm women the old fashioned way (Gieve). In short, even pretty liberal people often prefer their fictional heroes be "above" going to a brothel.
Personally, I hope the publisher and Arakawa will trust readers to understand the context of the setting. It's a fun scene, it illustrates that Pars’s sexual habits are just another thing about their society at odds with the invading Lusitanians, and it adds dimension to characters who are otherwise rigidly focused on their goal of crowning Shah Arslan.
Other bits from my brain:
How will Arakawa’s Alfarid react to Narsus going to a brothel — or Arakawa’s Farangis, for that matter, considering she’s been a strong advocate for Narsus taking Alfarid’s feelings seriously? Especially since Arakawa seems to be building toward the canonical relationship between Narsus and Alfarid.
Now that I think about it, Shinryan’s/Shin-Liang’s absence may give Arakawa an opportunity to have Daryun decline to join the gang on a visit to the brothel. Then he can moodily think about Shinryan/Shin-Liang by the light of Gilan’s moon, which is presumably still silvery. For fuck’s sake, just show us the badass princess.
She could also modify it — visiting a brothel is pretty within Gieve’s personality for even a modern audience, and could always be played for laughs, so maybe he drags an innocent Jaswant along. Alternatively, the gang could meet some pretty ladies in a tavern.
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concernedbrownbread · 2 years
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Aye! You replied! That makes me really happy!
Oh your fic ideas are excellent— excellent I tell you! I want to read all of them so bad. Jaswant and Arslan, perhaps on a quiet night or something, looking out a window or looking at a campfire (depending on the location), quietly enjoying the night before one of them starts a conversation— something like that? I got that sort of vibes from that idea, what is your take on the idea? 👀
Elam and Arslan getting lost in the woods could be so cute and funny, with Arslan being very eager to learn about foraging and whatnot!
OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO— ARSLAN SENKI TIME TRAVEL!! That's a first! I admit I've always wanted a time travel fic for ArSen, after reading so many Naruto time travel fics... Taking those as an example, Arslan could either travel back into his younger body or his older body travels as well and now there's two Arslans running around, in the first option ppl would definitely notice Arslan's changes while in the second option ppl would be Confused™ at this man/young man who looks like he could be related to their prince, so many ways it could go!
I'm afraid to say I have not watched Vinland Saga— but I'll take your word for it! And YES badass sassy Arslan please! He's baby but he's badass (more like he's baby AND badass— why not both?)
As for my fic ideas... I mainly have two, both heavily canon divergent! One is based on the other, sorta like a fanfic of a fanfic, an AU of an AU. I don't know if you've read Stormborn by blackkat, a Naruto fanfic where Uzushio is rebuilt, but the first AU is heavily inspired by it! Arslan has magical parents, he reunites with his mage clan and he scoops up Team Arslan on the way to rediscovering his long lost homeland— something like that. Featuring of found family, rediscovering your identity, lonely and traumatized and grieving and touch-starved Arslan (he was eleven when he left Pars)... I'd written some chapters of it but I am rewriting it because oh boy it is unsatisfactory— I haven't even finished one chapter of the rewrite but I digress.
The second AU... Arslan never becomes Crown Prince because dear old Andragoras found another unfortunate family to rob... Yeesh. Instead Arslan never becomes Arslan, his parents are still magical (but they dead, just like in the first AU), it is Shapur of all people who takes in an infant Arslan because... Let's just say he's indebted to a certain weaver who happens to be Arslan's birth father. His clan comes into the picture not long after. I dunno if you've seen the ask I sent about Kazai and Ranna— it be me! This AU features big brother Isfan, good papa Shapur, Gieve and Farangis being part of the family, Alfarīd getting a chaotic girlfriend...
I want to gush about the second AU because it's the one I've been fixating on these days but my ask is already really long and I don't want to intrude! >< Have a nice day!
My take on the Juswant and Arslan fic ... well, you'll just have to wait and see ;)
I've read a ton Naruto fics a while back with time travel as well!! Arslan-raises-Arslan, older Arslan replaces younger Arslan's mind, Older Arslan projects his memories back to younger Arslan but they get a little lost in translation, someone other than Arslan travels back - SO MANY ARSLANS.
Your fic ideas sound really cool! You should keep at them! All these found family stuff will end me, and I'll gladly let them. Arslan with magical parents honestly makes a lot of sense - this boy is a literal saint.
For your first fic - I've read a bit of Stormborn actually. And I've also read Ruling Heart of Glaciers . It's a really cool idea worth exploring!
For your second fic - I had a similar premis (Arslan never becomes Crown Prince) but our ideas are very different. In mine, Arslan's sort-of "Destiny" is to rule Pars. But Arslan (with Gieve) is a musician or smth and he says a big FU to the gods. (I admit, I'm stealing a lot from a bunch of Zuko AUs at this point - some of them my own.) Big brother Isfan, good papa Shapur??? Sign me up!
And Alfrid getting a chaotic girlfriend? HELL YES.
Don't worry about intrusion lol, you're hyping me up to write my fics now. Have a nice day!
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cavalrytwunks · 4 years
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S1E11: The Road to Peshawar
I type these as I watch; bonus points if you spot the scenes that made me hit caps lock.
-- Archpriest Crazy-eyes needs to fall in a pit. King Spineless too.
-- Zuko Mask Scumbag desperately needs a redemption arc if he’s gonna regain his honor. too bad his uncle is King Angryfists.
-- Elam, what was that about? freaked out by being given credit for something? it’ll be okay, my guy, I promise Arslan is sincere
-- Really, though, the interactions between Elam and Arslan are so wholesome.
-- Okay, Hilmes has a legitimate grievance, but he's still an asshole
-- oof, who's this clown who thinks he can beat Daryun? I don't know how to spell anyone's names until the credits. He’s Kharlan Jr. for now.
-- Gieve CAN sparkle on command. and hangs out in trees when it's totally unecessary? idk, sounds pretty gay to me, everyone knows we can't sit in chairs properly
-- pro tip: don't scream "I've got you now!" as you're attacking
-- Farangis can fuckin' SHOOT
-- Kharlan Jr. has a big fat stupid sword and a big fat stupid mouth
-- he...threw...a tree? not well enough, though
-- Daryun won't kill an enemy who's already unhorsed - Farangis says "you're softer than you look", but I KNOW Daryun is also not afraid to just jump off his own horse and deliver a dirty beating
-- of COURSE Gieve fights cloak-and-dagger
-- NO! ELAM! NOOOOOOOOO, SAVE HIM ARSLAN!
-- ok, Elam's okay, but now all of you are boned.
-- Gieve giving up loot? I guess he at least understands that dead rogues can't spend gold.
-- god, it's still weird to hear Victor Nikiforov talking about killing people
-- ELAM, ARSLAN WANTS TO BE YOUR FRIEND. this is so pure, I'm going to die.
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innerchorus · 3 months
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Summoning my energy reserves to make a post before the next chapter releases. I reread Chapter 124 and was like 'that's a nice detail where the broken blade of one of Kishward's swords goes flying off and chops down the flaming torch from where it's mounted on the wall' but now that I think about it, it's more than just a neat moment in a fight scene.
It's foreshadowing.
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Here's that moment for illustrative purposes.
The torch bracket shows up again at the end of this scene, where Andragoras has just stated his intention to meet with Hilmes in order to speak with him.
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These are Sam's thoughts.
That question was what made me go 'Oh!'. Because this scene, at the opening of Chapter 124, is actually backtracking a little from Chapter 123, where we had the start of that dialogue between Andragoras and Hilmes, where Andragoras refers to him as 'brother,' so in that sense, we already know what Andragoras wants to tell Hilmes.
But the conversation's not over. There's more still to come. And Sam's question, positioned next to the remains of the torch where the wall has been blackened by its flame, is leading us towards one more possible subject matter — the truth about the palace fire.
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Andragoras, torch in hand (Chapter 25).
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(Chapter 64)
"His Majesty Andragoras is likely the only soul who knows the truth."
I don't want to derail this post with what Andragoras may or may not be about to tell Hilmes, but if that panel in Chapter 124 was intended to hint at this conversation, it's not the first time a torch has been used to indicate the palace fire and allude to a truth not yet wholly revealed.
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This how Chapter 19 ends. Hilmes reveals his identity to Andragoras in the dungeon, but it's not until the next chapter that we come to learn the reason why he hates him so much. And after hearing what Hilmes has to say then, Andragoras laughs.
So far, he's avoided either confirming or denying the rumours about the palace fire. Sam asked the question when he visited Andragoras in the dungeons, but although Andragoras imparted some details about Gotarzes that revealed the truth about Hilmes's parentage, he didn't directly address what happened on the night of the fire.
(This last thought might be a bit of a stretch, but the fight between Kishward and Sam in the underground waterway called to mind the scene where Hilmes infiltrates Ecbatana through those very same passages, especially as there was a moment there that showed us his fear of fire when Gieve hurled his oil lamp at the torch on the wall.)
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latterdaysasuke · 3 years
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Arslan x Estelle Novel Summary (Book 8)
(Estelle does not appear in 8, which picks up 3 years later, but was briefly mentioned in Chapter 4 by Narsus and Daryun when discussing Arslan's prospective marriage partners.)
Background: Arslan's Prime Minister Lushan had repeatedly brought up the matter of finding a queen for Arslan.
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(In case you don't remember, Lushan, or Lucian, was this old guy.)
Below is a conversation between Arslan and Elam:
" 'Lord Lushan seems rather perplexed.'
'He was likely to have such reaction. He is constantly urging me to find a wife. But if I rush to get married, wouldn't life become quite meaningless?'
'Your Majesty don't need to consider it, just let Lord Narsus take care of everything. Shouldn't that be the case?' Elam had once heard from Narsus that the king's marriage is a political matter, not solely based on one's personal preference. If the marriage was to serve a political purpose, it ought to be with someone from among the previous royal family
....
At the same time, Narsus and Daryun are walking along the corridors of the palace, speaking softly regarding this matter.
'Narsus, in my opinion, His Majesty Arslan already has someone in his heart.'
'Are you referring to the Lusitanian squire?'
'What? You've noticed as well?'
The Lusitanian squire Etoile, or Estelle, the girl who is the same age as Arslan, met then-prince Arslan during the siege of St. Emmanuel, and left in him a lasting impression. Estelle took the remains of Lusitanian king Innocentis VII and returned to her homeland. In the three years since, Arslan has never mentioned anything regarding Estelle. What Daryun fears is that Arslan has hidden this matter in his heart. However, Narsus has a different outlook.
'It's like the hives, not yet love.'
'Is that so?'
'If that degree of affection was enough for two people to get married, Gieve would have gotten married over 500 times already.'
'Isn't your example a bit too extreme?'
'Because the most extreme example is the easiest to understand!'”
In a follow-up conversation, Narsus discusses with Arslan regarding the search for the former Queen's daughter (Since, spoiler alert, Arslan was adopted by Andragoras due to a lack of male heir):
" 'If Your Majesty finds the queen's daughter, what do you intend to do?'
'Of course I would plan to meet with the queen mother herself.'
'And then?'
'Technically speaking, she is my younger sister. So I should treat her according to the royal customs and find suitable lodging for her.'
'What of your marriage partner?'
'Narsus, you concern yourself with this way too much!'
Sensing Arslan's annoyance, Daryun steps in to explain Narsus's thinking: to have Arslan marry with the daughter of King Andragoras and Queen Tahamine so that the bloodline of the old and new royalty can be merged.
'I haven't thought of that!'
Arslan was startled. He knows nothing about Tahamine's daughter, so his response was natural. Narsus had no intention to force his will upon Arslan. Even if Arslan shares this idea, the other side may not agree, or if her appearance... or if she had an unfavorable desposition, it will be even more troublesome. On the one hand Arslan wouldn't like it, on the other hand the people would have difficulty accepting her as their queen.
'Everything we've mentioned is from a political perspective. Even if it is correct politically, but may not be so personally.'
'What do you mean by personally?'
'The will of Your Majesty is an issue. If there is someone you like, you should marry that person, that is what I meant by personally.'
'There is no such person.' (At this point I'm inclined to believe that Arslan meant there is no such person IN PARS, since he was not expecting to see Estelle again.)
'I know, but what about in the future? Your Majesty is not the kind of man who would accept a political marriage and then take the woman you love as concubine.'
'Of course, Your Majesty remaining single would serve as a diplomatic advantage. Since we can use Your Majesty's marriage to leverage other nations.' Pars will become more prosperous, and if the king remains single, what will the other nations think? If they cannot win in battle, they may seek an alliance. And marriage politics is the best way. All the kingdoms will undoubtedly make marriage proposals. In that case, Pars will have the princess from many nations to choose from.
'This is indeed a hot commodity.'
Arslan forces a smile.
'However, when it comes to that it will be difficult to choose one. The other nations will surely hold a grudge and make diplomacy more difficult.'
'Your Majesty, it seems as if we are discussing the color of a flower that has yet to blossom. We can discuss this matter at a later time.' 
Arslan nods in agreement.
'Certainly, I will consider this matter more seriously after Daryun and Narsus have both married! Isn't that the correct order? You are both older than me by more than 10 years!' "
This response draws a laughter from Elam and effectively ends the discussion.
(In a nutshell: Lushan wants Arslan to marry because why not. Narsus wants Arslan to get married for political reasons. Daryun suspects Arslan doesn't want to marry anyone who isn't Estelle. Arslan deflects the question of marriage altogether.)
(Personal sidenote: Narsus seems reluctant to buy into Arslan x Estelle as a thing, since from a tactician's point of view the King's marriage should serve political or diplomatic interest for Arslan himself and for Pars, and Arslan marrying a foreign woman of no noble status would have wasted such opportunity.)
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tired-reader-writer · 7 months
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Perhaps this was the moment something snapped within Arslan— he already related to Jaswant on some level, remember the scene where he was watching Jaswant talk to himself, and now his words resonated within him, reminding him of Kharlan. He even brings it up in a conversation with Bahman.
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Aaaaaand he stops Gieve. Even Farangis is like “?” at his decision, this was not discussed with anyone, Narsus did not tell him to do that, this is of his own accord, an unnamed something accumulating inside of him until it spills over, manifesting in his decision to spare Jaswant.
He recognizes the risks, he recognizes that Jaswant will be an enemy still the next time they meet, and he still did it. Jaswant is both a mirror and a memory.
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Everyone's surprised, but Gieve only has a knowing smile on his face, as if he saw this coming all along.
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For all that he was a spy, for all that he was working with the Parsians under a false premise, he is at heart a genuine and sincere person. A straight arrow, as Salima puts it.
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SOMEBODY HUG THIS MAN.
His expression 😭 The tears in his eyes 😭 This makes me ache so much you don't even know—
What a stark contrast between how Arslan and Gadhevi treated him! He found mercy in the enemy's camp and abuse in his liege's camp. I bet he wasn't expecting to be spared by Arslan, why would he, when Gadhevi is, well, like that? Where was I going with this? I had a point.
It's just fucking unfair that Gadhevi takes him for granted while Jaswant dedicated everything to him and Mahendra... At least the latter appreciates Jaswant—
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Like, look at this. It makes me so sad. Him, on his knees, swords brandished against him, hostility everywhere except from Mahendra... Man. Man.
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Arslan has been bottling this up for A While now, confiding in no one, and maybe what happened with Jaswant perhaps stirred it inside of him again even though the two events have nothing to do with each other. He only lets it affect him when he's alone, in front of everyone he keeps up a brave face. And he's a child! He's only a child. Daryun telling him it's no use to wonder does not work, but sincere comfort and reassurance does because that's what Arslan needs. He's a child. Gods, he's a fucking child.
I will never not love this scene and especially this panel... Something about the tenderness of it all just gets me. The scars. The comfort. Man.
Also, Azrael's lil comforting noise was too well-timed for me to believe it was a coincidence. It's as if he's telling Arslan to believe Daryun.
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Didn't notice this until now but are those bags under Arslan's eyes? He looks so sad and tired.
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Lmao what a nerd— I remember seeing some Parsian spears with tassels just like this in another chapter (a much, much later chapter, I don't remember which one only that I saw it) and at first I thought maybe it was a mistake but now I'm contemplating the idea that the soldiers copied Daryun bc they found him cool or something.
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nomanwalksalone · 4 years
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ON THE FIRST TAILOR OF SAVILE ROW
by Réginald-Jérôme de Mans
January 2006. I push the door of Henry Poole in Savile Row for the first time, a length of unusual alpaca Shetland tweed under my arm. A nice-looking young tailor courteously greets me and discusses my initial order. He introduces me to the cutter who’ll be travelling to Paris so that my orders and pattern will be handled by the same person who will be doing my fittings, and takes my measurements expertly. My other specifications – the exact color of the mother-of-pearl buttons I want, the softness of the shoulders, the touch of roping ‑‑ are noted diligently. Our pleasant yet professional interaction terminated, I amble out into the chill winter sun, only to hear an eager, “Sir! Sir!” behind me. The nice young tailor is racing up to me, the firm book he had forgotten to offer this new client under his arm. I smile. “It’s all right. I already have one.”
That was not this book, Henry Poole & Co.: The First Tailor of Savile Row.  Like Poole’s neighbor and contemporary Gieves & Hawkes, Poole has followed up a studiously dry, detailed tome from several decades ago with a heavier, flashier collection of pictures and monographs on famous customers, including their recorded lifetime spend at Henry Poole (with helpful conversion into current-day values) and signature garment. A shortened history of Henry Poole the tailor fills a couple of sheets every 25 pages or so. And just like Gieves (which has made much of its address coincidentally being at No. 1 Savile Row), Poole cannot emphasize more its own firsts: it happened to be the first tailor to have an address actually on the street of tailors, even if it is by no means the oldest tailors’ shop there.
But that factoid, like the fact that so many emperors, once-notorious swells, or legendary impresarios were once Poole customers, has little relevance to the present day, except in the daydream world certain prospective customers populate with these figures and trivia, in order to rub elbows, if only metaphorically, with so many supposed connections to some earlier exaltation.  This book’s many pictures, and its helpful tiny biographies of all various names the earlier Poole book only checked, make that clichéd dreamworld easier to realize.  So does the foreword by Poole scion and current joint managing director Simon Cundey, who recalls his father saying “a customer is not a customer until he has ordered a second suit.” Zounds! This performative crotchetiness and snobbery is perfectly targeted. It suggests a closed world of complicated codes, one that the reader is welcomed into and that awaits if he becomes a customer… but only if he can pull off the flex of ordering (if not paying for) two suits. One suit, this suggests, is just not enough to really become part of this secret world.  And author James Sherwood hints that this secret world’s broad geography, encompassing Poole itinerary points from Atlanta to Zurich (via Beijing, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Luxembourg, Monterey, Singapore and Washington) has in fact been part of Poole’s own centuries-long empire.  An empire, in fact, far longer-lived than those of many of its emperor clients: Napoleon III of Second Empire fame, who seized power in 1851 and lost it, disastrously, during the Franco-Prussian War 20 years later; or Maximilian I, executed by revolutionary firing squad not long after Napoleon III set him on the throne of Mexico, for example.
This book says little about the actual cutting process or making of a garment, and in fact has few pictures of current offerings of the house.  The earlier books about Savile Row tailors conveyed information, history, designed through its dryness to satisfy the intellectual pretentions, as well as the curiosity, of its readers. An efficient dryness, as crisp as the invoices I received directing payments to Poole at Coutts, the Queen’s bankers (of course), and as well-organized as the fittings I had in a very comfortable, very anonymous room at the Hotel Bedford, one of the expensive anonymities in a quiet side street off the Madeleine.  There, my garments took shape and form: my alpaca sportcoat into the soft but sharply cut masterpiece it still, rather more hairily, is; a single-width length of ancient McNutt Donegal tweed into a magnificently dense jacket with every gorgeous motley hue of a windswept seaside speckling forth from it; and, thank goodness, at least two suits, each wonderfully if discreetly cut and comfortable, so that I can still, despite old Mr. Cundey’s interjection, consider myself a onetime customer. There once was a saying, its meaning lost to time, that it took nine tailors to make a man.  (McCarthy-era rat and erstwhile Poole customer Adolphe Menjou borrowed it for the title of his autobiography.) Does that mean that he had to have ordered at least eighteen suits?
Today’s readers, apparently, need to be introduced to the denizens of a supposedly glittering world who can populate a set of illusions, not least the illusion of permanence Poole, and certain other tailors, try to create with books like these.  A tailor, any tailor, is only as good as its current cutters and patternmakers, as well as the associated tailors and garmentmakers involved in assembling and creating its coats and trousers, and the attitude of its management to ensuring it makes things right.  That the customer receives a garment of quality that lives up to the house’s reputation, and that the house promptly and courteously corrects oversights.  I finally got beyond the polite reserve of my former cutter, Mr. Alexander, to a laugh when I apologized for bringing a length of Holland & Sherry linen that my cat used to sleep on.  Mr. Alexander no longer travels. To stay current, Poole has created a collaboration sneaker with Adidas, among other things, whose packaging and navy blue color are designed to evoke Savile Row. I guess. Friends who have remained customers of Poole tailoring have sometimes had to fly to London to get mistakes noticed and corrected, although given the small world of luxury tailoring customers out there, all information is necessarily anecdotal.  I, too, once populated a very empty world with dead client denizens, trumpeted by former Poole customer Lucius Beebe in The Big Spenders, for instance. Dead addresses, too, as I hunted for memorabilia of the Poole Paris shop on rue Tronchet, evacuated in a hurry before the city fell in World War II.  Today, thank God, that empty world is long gone, and I can instead populate a past with my own memories of small orders and small wonders.  I already have the book.
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