#cleon ii

[brotherconstant]

Foundation 1.01 "The Emperor's Peace" 2.09 "Long Ago, Not Far Away"

[deliciousdietdrpepper]

Family photo

This is my favorite son cleon I, cleon ii, cleon iii, cleon iv, cleon v, cleon vi, cleon, vii, cleon viii, cleon ix, cleon, x, cleon xi, cleon xii, cleon xiii, cleon xiv, cleon xv, cleon xvi, and this is my dipshit son cleon xvii. And cleon xviii is somewhere I guess

[minuiko]

Another Tortall sketchdump!

[threetrenchcoatsinatrenchcoat]

one of the big stagey things the Warriors album doesn't have is an act break. i like the idea of putting one being between the tension of Still Breathin' and the energy of Quiet Girls, but we can ramp it up. maybe Cleon's and Masai's argument is intercut with vignettes of other crews (Hurricanes, Rogues, Bizzies, Furies) getting the call to go to war like echoing "What do you do when they kill everything you believe in"

and then start of act ii but before they reach the Hurricanes' platform, maybe Cochise gets a moment to summarize what's happening. this would both give Cochise an actual moment to shine, and fits with her being the only historically minded Warrior, citing Wilma Rudolph later

[puppetdaily]

Sexy Puppet Tournament Round 2 AUDREY II vs CLEO LION

Audrey II (Little Shop of Horrors)

The powerhouse, the plant of the hour, the mean green mother from outer space herself, it's Twoey. Murderous, powerful, with a voice that could kill, Audrey II has been a horror mainstay for decades and an unsurprising favorite amongst monsterfuckers. The voice! The lips! The tenta- um, vines.

Cleo Lion (Between the Lions)

Goofy? Check. Educated? Check. Absolute MILF icon? Also check. Cleon Lion is truly all that. Reader, singer, storyteller, childhood icon. She's taught us a lot in our lives, but I still have one question for her... How well is that marriage with Theo going? Like... do I have a shot?

I hate to pit two beautiful ladies against each other, but the question remains...

[asthedeathoflight]

The Warriors have such interesting personalities especially since LMM and Eisa confirm that they share some quirks with their book and movie counterpart somewhat.

What's interesting about Rembrandt is that despite being queer herself he tends to try to go along with the more heteronormative members and vibes with whatever they say, but when she's actually put into the environment she gets incredibly uncomfortable and tends to focus on the greater picture of things.

Cocohise is actually a former soldier and despite being stoic quickly switches up her persona to for whatever the situation calls for.

This was most likely the Vietnam war she was a part of so I can only imagine what kind of PTSD she must have for her to go from being incredibly playful with cowgirl to probably trying to kill a potential enemy on the spot .

Cleon used to be a part of a gang call to destroyers which was predominantly male and the leader was incredibly abusive and a alcoholic then it got so bad that she and vermin had to flee and for what would eventually become the Warriors.

I imagine out of anybody seeing Cyrus's death most of traumatized her doubly because she likely feel guilty for even bringing the girls to the summit because the way she talks in Derailed is so detached, almost like she's reliving that moment where she had to kill her old leader after he tried to kill her for leaving the gang.

This might sound a little weird, but Fox strikes me as the newest member of the group that likely didn't take the fact that she was a part of the actual gang all that seriously.

Her opening Cypher is pretty boastful and she talks about the Magnavox was it something that was incredibly popular with teenagers back in the seventies.

I definitely think she's the latest member to join and probably doesn't fully process just how dangerous things can get which is probably why she likely idolizes Swan and Ajax the most since they're the go-to fighters.

There's just so much you can dig into and it's cool sharing ideas with newer members of The Warriors fandom with this new interpretation of them

Ooooh I love all these backstory tidbits. Rotating them in my mind so hard.

Okay so i do love that you've identified Rembrandt going along with the Bizzies as being her being more comfortable with heterosexuality purely bc I think it's a really funny contrast with the fact that Ajax is kind of heterophobic and so Rembrandt being like aw maybe straight people deserve rights and Ajax being like. absolutely not. is a very fun image to me. Rembrandt is an ally guys.

I do love the backstory bit of Cochise having been in the military that's very interesting to me and I hadn't connected it to her hitting one of the Bizzies with a chair but you're so right that is kind of brutal of her. That's gonna be awkward at the future Bizzie/Warrior friendship dinners Cowgirl and Lance try to organize. I'm really interested in what the military ties the Warriors have look like now that they're all women.

I know it's established somewhere that guy Cleon actually founded the Warriors but I think it would be really interesting if the Warriors were established during World War II when women in general were taking on more masculine roles due to the war. However I also know that black men weren't subject to compulsory service like white men were so I don't know if communities of color saw as stark of a shift in gender roles during that period. I just like the idea of the Warriors having been around for a while and that weighing on Cleon that she's both got a legacy to uphold but maybe wants to do things differently than her predecessors. Also I have a lot of thoughts about the circumstances under which Cleon became leader and specifically Ajax and Cochise deciding they needed to make things happen behind the scenes to put her in charge which Cleon still resents a little bit because she didn't necessarily want that responsibility.

I do agree with you that Fox seems like the newest member. I think in the video game it's mentioned that Rembrandt is the newest member which is an idea that's fun to think about but just going off the album as a source material Fox definitely seems like the baby of the group in age and experience. I think Fox seems like she's a teenager from Coney Island who joined up with the Warriors because she thought they were just soooo cool and strong, and despite everyone's attempts to get her to understand the reality she's still kind of got stars in her eyes that night. Until Reunion Square in which she suddenly understands what it really means to be one of them.

Anyways. Much to consider. Would love to hear everybody's thoughts.

[lionofchaeronea]

Tetradrachm minted 364-363 BCE by the city of Amphipolis, at the mouth of the River Strymon in Thrace. On the obverse, the head of Apollo, wearing a laurel crown; on the reverse, a race torch surrounded by a square bearing the inscription AMΦ-IΠO-ΛIT-EΩN (="of the people of Amphipolis").

Formerly an Athenian colony, Amphipolis was lost to Athens during the Peloponnesian War as a result of the Spartan general Brasidas' brilliant northern campaign; an attempt by the noted demagogue Cleon to recover it ended in his defeat and death (though Brasidas was killed as well). Thereafter the polis remained independent, enjoying great strategic importance for a number of reasons: the nearby forests supplied vital timber for shipbuilding; local silver mines offered vast wealth to whoever controlled them; and the city was in a prime location to facilitate--or interfere with--grain shipments to Athens from the Black Sea region. However, only a few years after this coin was minted, the expansionist Philip II of Macedon conquered Amphipolis and consolidated his hold over Thrace. Amphipolis would remain an important Macedonian stronghold until the kingdom's defeat by Rome in 168 BCE.

Photo credit: Classical Numismatic Group, Inc. http://www.cngcoins.com

[sychik-personal]

fall is the perfect time to arrange a hunt - a suitable pastime for the men of the imperial family. Pyrus and Lucius, too young to participate, had to stay home.

the hunt began in pleasant agitation. Vas stalked and chased the game along with Celer, leading the way as if he was a hound himself. unfortunately, all his strength was unable to save him in a fight with the furious beast. in that very moment, Clematis managed to pierce the boar with his spear, but it was too late. the victory turned irrevocably sour when Clematis heard his father, Vaio, collapse to the ground behind him. witnessing his brother die was too much for the old emperor.

Orchideus Thyrsus

the news broke Tara's heart, and she soon followed her husband. it felt weird to step into the title with no time to mourn his parents, and Clematis was in no mood for proper celebrations. he gifted money to the patrician families, though, attempting to secure his position and to restore the dignity of the noble houses.

to cope with this sudden loss, Clematis and Nona renovated the garden, both being nature enthusiasts. it is now a light and vibrant place, ready just in time to welcome their firstborn, Narcissus. Nona wants more children, but she is quite frail, so it might be too dangerous for her.

Orchideus Flosculus I [No stinky hermits: they've been to the baths exactly once because of all the children]

Verus returned home to find their servant, Elpis, dead as well. Sipesiye only shrugged, repeating she had no idea why her health got so bad all of a sudden. in truth, having discovered Elpis's pregnancy, the princess brewed a special tea for her in a display of false sympathy. she was buried modestly, and for two seasons of service, 2000 simoleons were sent to her son, Cleon.

fate is unfair: Sipesiye gave birth to not one, but two healthy children. they were named Akhraten (a boy) and Kaditede (a girl). Aktisanes has grown up, so now they have two toddlers and two babies to take care of. they took Ursa Ferus as a servant to help with this horde.

Verus also suffered an injury at work, but his health score is so good that the minor penalty isn't even worth mentioning.

Orchideus Flosculus II [No hermits - active social life documented in the pictures]

this is the only household that wasn't touched by death this season. Marcus and Ivy are now adults, but they haven't been able to conceive new children - not that they need to. the matriarch, Terra, helps with the three toddlers. Caius has just become one, while Vitus and Tullus will soon be able to start school.

~~~

posing so many sims is a nightmare

dogs are almost uncontrollable even with the cheat

RIP Celer, you were a dog I created solely for the purpose of appearing in the pictures

the "old" emperor was about 46 years old but whatever…

technically, "fall" is the second summer and "winter" is fall, but I'll stick to this proper naming from now on

it took so much time to play through that I now hate myself

also, Nephrite Neomenia for some reason has gone insane to the point EVERYONE notices there's something wrong with him. I don't remember what's wrong. dude, you have fathered EIGHT children, isn't it enough to be happy if you're a Family sim? but maybe it's all the deaths in the hood (there will be even more).

[myupostsheadcanons]

Myu's Reading List from 2024.

I haven't been able to read as many books as I did in previous years. So this year, i didn't sort them out, but instead listed them in order of when I read them, linked to the book, and left a personal score. Because, always remember Dumb Fun > Boring Navel Gazing.

Previous Years' Lists: 2023

2022, 2021, 2020. 2019, 2018, 2017

A Canticle for Leibowitz - 5 / 10

Relic of Sorrows: Fallen Empire, Book 4 - 8 / 10

Cleon Moon: Fallen Empire, Book 5 - 8 / 10

Arkadian Skies: Fallen Empire, Book 6 - 8 / 10

Perilous Hunt: Fallen Empire, Book 7 - 8 / 10

End Game, Fallen Empire, Book 8 - 8 / 10

Back to One: The Bad Guys, Book 7 - 7 / 10

Trick of the Night: The Bad Guys, Book 8 - 7 / 10

Tale of the Dead Town (Dramatized Adaptation): Vampire Hunter D, Volume 4 - 6.5 / 10

The Stuff of Dreams (Dramatized Adaptation): Vampire Hunter D, Volume 5 - 6.5 / 10

Pilgrimage of the Sacred and the Profane (Dramatized Adaptation): Vampire Hunter D, Volume 6 - 6.5 / 10

Mysterious Journey to the North Sea, Part One (Dramatized Adaptation): Vampire Hunter D, Volume 7 - 6.5 / 10

Mysterious Journey to the North Sea, Part Two (Dramatized Adaptation): Vampire Hunter D, Volume 8 - 6.5 / 10

Darktown Funk: The Bad Guys, Book 9 - 7 / 10

Implacable - 7 / 10

Neverwhere - 6 / 10

Classical Mythology - 6 / 10

Preceptor: Spellmonger, Book 16 - 7 / 10

On a Throne of Lies: The Bad Guys, Book 10 - 7 / 10

Esrahaddon: The Rise and Fall, Book 3 - 9 / 10

The Talented Mr. Ripley - 8 / 10

Assistant to the Villain: Assistant to the Villain, Book 1 - 6 / 10

The Last Echo of the Lord of Bells: Mage Errant, Book 7 - 8 / 10

The Case of the Felonious Faire: 5-Minute Sherlock, Book 3 - 8 / 10

The Shattered Path: The Cycle of Galand, Book 9 - 8 / 10

Metropolis - 7 / 10

Smuggler Ship: A Sky Full of Stars Prequel Novella - 8 / 10

Bambi (Classic Tales Edition) - 6 / 10

The Emerald Circus: Stories - 6 / 10

How to Fracture a Fairy Tale - 6 / 10

Illuminatus! Part II: The Golden Apple - 8 / 10

Illuminatus! Part III: Leviathan - 8 / 10

Mona Lisa Overdrive - 7 / 10

The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman Burglar [Classic Tales Edition] - 7 / 10

Volume IV: The Minority Report - 6.5 / 10

Volume III: Upon the Dull Earth - 6 / 10

Volume V: We Can Remember It for You Wholesale - 6.5 / 10

The Rogue Prince: Sky Full of Stars, Book 1 - 8 / 10

Angle of Truth: Sky Full of Stars, Book 2 - 8 / 10

Stolen Legacy: Sky Full of Stars, Book 3 - 8 / 10

Aliens: Phalanx - 9 / 10

The Vanishing Girl: Daphne and Velma, Book 1 - 6 / 10

The Dark Deception (Daphne and Velma #2): Daphne and Velma, Book 2 - 6 / 10

Clytemnestra - 8 / 10

Cats of the Louvre - 8 / 10

Persephone Made Me Do It - 5 / 10

The Girl from the Other Side - 9.5 / 10

Innocent & Innocent Rouge (MA, seinin) - 7.5 / 10

Chilling Reflections (Villains' Code, Book 3) - 8 / 10

[pinkertinn]

You must WIP it!

Lately, I’ve been living in a glorious bubble of free time, and let me tell you, it's been amazing. But sadly, the bubble is about to burst (cue dramatic music). So before life comes knocking and tells me to act like a responsible adult again, I’m determined to go full throttle on all my WIPs and half-baked stories.

You know the ones—the plots that pop into your head at 3 a.m. or the characters who won’t stop shouting for attention while you’re trying to live your life. Well, it's time to set them loose! I’m in a mad dash to finish as much as I can before my free time evaporates into the abyss. Wish me luck, send coffee!

In the spirit of holding myself accountable (because apparently, I need a deadline to function), I’m making a list and committing to some upcoming writing events. If you’re feeling inspired—or just need a reason to procrastinate—feel free to share your WIPs too. I love hearing what everyone’s working on!

In no real order starting with events

Cleon Week: 23rd-27th gonna try to post daily. 🫡

Kinktober: I still need a list hit me with your list! 🥊

Baby Got Backstitch II:

Leshley/ Ash is a tailor, Leon gets a suit and more 🧵

Tagging in a Friend: Sub Leon, my love 🪢

The Ashley Graham Story: Beneath The Spanish Sun: Leshley/ lifetime original movie leaks making Leon’s life much harder. Also featuring pop star Ashley. 🎤

Memory Blooms: Hope to add a few more Clerith vignettes to my ongoing collection. 🌸🗡️

Getting Ghosted: Whump for Clerith 💀🌼

[brokenangelwings22]

Hello my lovely resident evil loving miscreants! As many of you know, I’m currently writing a cleon and valenveira fic called The Weight of the World.

But my brain is stalling on finishing chapter 15 Pt II, so I’m interested in doing a short story with those pairings to kick it back into gear.

So it’s kinda a Buffy the Vampire Slayer AU. Not exactly alike, but definitely inspired by.

2 slayers, 1 vampire, 1 cop/special agent, and a few friends. They’ll all be around the same age. The vampire will have just turned, so no creepy age gaps here. If you’re interested, let’s do a poll! Who should be who in the story?

[re-diesirae]

Heyo! Faith here, authro od RevDI. If you like how I write and you enjoyed Part I, II and so far part III of this series, then you might be interested in my Death Island Reimagined (with mostly Cleon stuff) This is aDiscord Server exclusive, so come join us if you like! If you're interested, DM for the invite.

Check out my fics:

PART I and II (COMPLETED)

PART III (ONGOING)

[avengingmikaelsonlover]

Prompt Character List......

 Denny Duquette

 Clark Kent

 Lincoln [The 100]

 Nyko [The 100]

 Marcus Kane [The 100]

 Kelly Severide

 Matt Casey

 {Ethan} Hawkins {I think that's his name}

 Jimmy Borelli

 Frank Castle

 Max [The Resident]

 Klaus Mikaelson

 Wade Wilson

 Kol Mikaelson

 Bill Cadogan [The 100]

 Elijah Mikaelson

 Russell Lightbourn [7th] [The 100]

 Finn Mikaelson

 Damon Salvatore

 Logan

 Matt Murdoch

 Shane Walsh

 Rick Grimes

 Eugene

 Paul {Jesus}

 Lex Luthor

 Negan Smith

 Aegon II {House of The Dragon}

 Robb Stark {Game of Thrones}

 Jon Snow {Game of Thrones}

 Aemond “One Eye” {House of The Dragon}

 Thoros of Myr {GOT

 Steve Rogers

 Bucky Barnes

 Thor Odinson

 Loki Laufeyson

 Pietro Maximoff

 Tony Stark

 Bruce Banner

 Winn Schott

 Jack Reacher

 Andy Barber

 Henry Delarue

 Henry 8th [Other Boleyn Girl-Tudors]

 Charles Brandon [Tudors] [Henry Cavil]

 Richard of Shrewsbury [The White Princess]

 Richard 3rd [The White Queen]

 Cesare Borgia [Borgias-2007]

 Henry [7th] [The White Princess]

 Philip Blake [The Governor]

 Reuben Palchuk

 Glenn Morrison

 Mason Lockwood

 Scott Lang

 Hope Van Dyne

 Joker [Suicide Squad]

 Harley Quinn [Suicide Squad]

 Miles Quaritch [Avatar]

 Nathanial Taylor [Terranova]

 Lucas Taylor [Terranova]

 Eddie Brock

 Eddie Brock with Venom

 Spiderman [Peter Parker] {Tom Holland]

 Hannibal Lecter [Hannibal]

 Frederick Chilton [Hannibal]

 Raoul De Chagny [Phantom of the Opera]

 Mathias Vogel [Tomb Raider 2018]

 Johann Struensee [Royal Affair]

 Ido Dyson [Alita Battle Angel]

 Geralt of Rivia {Henry Cavil} [The Witcher]

 Dusan [Downsized] {Christoph Waltz}

 Multiple Characters [From the Same Show]

 Qaletaqa Walker [Fear the Walking Dead]

 Travis [Fear the Walking Dead]

 Daryl Dixon

 Meryl Dixon

 Alexander Grayson [Dracula] {Jonathan Rhys-Meyers]

 Vlad Dracula [Dracula Untold] {Luke Evans}

 Deckard Shaw

 Owen Shaw

 Dominic Toretto

 Luke Hobbs

 Tormund Giantsbane

 Normand Nordstrom

 Dante Reyes

 Connor Slaughter

 Stephen Strange

 Erik Lehnsherr {Magneto}

 Gambit [Remy LeBeau] {Taylor Kitsch}

Kraven {Aaron Taylor-Johnson]

 Chon [Savages]

 Ben [savages]

 Ben and Chon [Savages]

 Miguel “Lado’ Arroyo [Savages]

 Haldir

 Elrond

 Thranduil

 Fili

Kili

 Thorin Oakenshield

 Miguel O'Hara

 Troy Otto

 Hector [Troy]

 Black Adam/Teth Adam

 Superman [Henry Cavil]

 August Walker [Mission Impossible? -6]

 The Collector [Guardians of The Galaxy]

 Yondu [Guardians of The Galaxy]

 Ronan [Guardians of The Galaxy]

 Carol Danvers [Marvels]

 Grant Ward [S.H.I.E.L.D.]

 Jim Shannon [Terra Nova]

 Director Mace [S.H.I.E.L.D.]

 Barry Allen [Flash TV]

 Arthur Curry

 Peter Quill {Star Lord}

 Owen Grady [Jurassic World]

 Ajax {Francis Freeman} [Deadpool]

 Zapan [Alita Battle Angel]

 Martouf [SG-1]

 Martouf/Lantash [SG-1]

 Ra [Stargate Movie]

 Zipacna [SG-1]

 Ba'al [Stargate-Multi Appearances]

 Carson Beckett [SG-A]

 Varro [SG-U]

 Wade Wilson {Alternate Universe}

 Judge Turpin [Sweeney Todd Demon Barber]

 Severus Snape

 Lucius Malfoy

 Sirius Black

 Voldemort

 Xerxes [300]

 Aaron Hotchner [BAU]

 Spencer Reid [BAU]

 Derek Morgan [BAU]

 Luke Alvarez [BAU]

 Emily Prentiss [BAU]

 Jake Riley [Containment]

 Ichabod Crane [Sleepy Hollow] {TV}

 Jack Daniels | Whiskey [Kingsman Golden Circle]

 Sam Winchester [Supernatural]

 Dean Winchester [Supernatural]

 Crowley [Supernatural]

 John Wick [John Wick]

 Joel Miller [Last of Us]

 Ned [Pushing Daisy's]

 Cleon {Empire-All Clones} [Foundation]

 Ethan Sawyer [Those Who Wish Me Dead]

 Rafael Barba [Law and Order SVU]

 Master Chief John-118 [Halo TV 2022]

 Christian Grey [50 Shades of Grey Movie Series]

 Tequila [Kingsman Golden Circle]

 Tom Chandler [Last Ship]

 Mike Slattery [Last Ship]

 Mills [65]

 Guy [Free Guy]

 Erik Green

 Phil Constantino

 Bill Kohler

 Asmodeus

 Stolas-Blitz

 Lucifer [Helluva Boss]

 Lucifer [Lucifer]

 Adam [Hazbin Hotel]

 The Ghoul [Fallout]

 Richard B. Riddick [Riddick]

 Kaulder [The Last Witch Hunter]

 Beauregard ‘Bo’ [House of Wax]

 Vincent ‘Vince’ [House of Wax]

 Sebastian Monroe [Revolution]

 Garret [Twilight]

 Emmett [Twilight]

 Carlisle [Twilight]

 Jasper [Twilight]

 Aro [Twilight]

 Caius [Twilight]

 Marcus [Twilight]

 Paul Lahote [Twilight]

 Jared Cameron [Twilight]

 Sam Uley [Twilight]

 Billy Black [Twilight]

 Charlie Swan [Twilight]

 Dimitri Belikov [Vampire Academy]

 Lucien [Underworld]

 Vasiliy Fet [The Strain]

 Gabriel Bolivar [The Strain]

 Cyrus Grissom [Con-Air]

 Sabas [Underworld]

 Braxton [The accountant]

 Griff [Baby Driver]

 Brad Bodnick [Wolf of Wall Street]

 Matt Rayburn [Wind River]

 Kandomere [Bright]

 Ransom Drysdale [Knives Out]

 John Proudstar [Gifted | X- Men] {Thunderbird}

 Warpath {John Proudstar's Brother}

 Kilgrave [Jessica Jones] [David Tenant]

 Johnny Storm [Fantastic 4] [Chris Evans]

 Miami Man [Bad Batch]

[occasionalmaven]

Thank you @brotherdusk for the tag!

My WIPs:

First and Second

The Anomaly

Clothing

Soulmate fic

I'm not tagging anyone because the peeps on my tag list are already tagged somewhere along my dash ;)

Anyway, here's lil something from the Cleon II fic that I swear I'll get to a publishable stage some day.

With one hand she guided, and with the other she shielded him from the galaxy. Every person he met, anyone he might even cross paths with, did so with her permission. This, he had known for years. You must always be surrounded by those of the highest quality, she said. His tutors and servants - the absolute best in academia and character - showered him with their adoration. They loved serving Empire and they were completely devoted to him. The galaxy loves you just as much as we do. But the Galactic Library housed truths, and some were too big for even Demerzel to hide from him.

WIP Wednesday Game

Tagged by @niennawept! Thank you, love -- you know how much I love getting tagged in these! AND I sure love a good snippet.

In a reblog (or new post w/ rules attached), post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to post!

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file. If the filename is one you can’t share from (for example, an event fic), write 3 sentences on it anyway, and then 3 more on another to share.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in, or just post. If you tag me in your post, I will send you an ask request!

WIP List:

Electric Tonight

See You How You Really Are

The Instance

Arachne

Demerzel-DaneelFic

Tagging with no pressure and all affection: @helenvader @brotherdusk @ichabodjane @lady-of-imladris

Snippet from Electric Tonight (No Warnings Apply), which is getting posted tomorrow:

It was on the hundredth day on the surface of the Maiden that Demerzel found herself having to concede her ill-suited nature for the role of a construction supervisor. Every passing hour, she was keenly aware that Brother Day had designated her to this mission merely as a pretext to banish her from Trantor. It was insulting. As the weeks on the sandy moon started melding together, it became increasingly challenging for her to feign usefulness beyond vaguely asserting that 'everything was under control and there were no discernible threats to the Empire'.

[occasionalmaven]

Alright, it’s Foundation-y thought time

Based on what we saw in Ep 3, the first clone isn’t decanted until Cleon I is rather old (if not already dead). This means Cleon II grows up trying to emulate a man he’s only seen in holos, and the accuracy of his performance is judged by a robot who used to be his template’s lover. He didn’t have older “brothers” to guide him on how to rule an empire. Heck, how many protocols were created or adjusted once the theory of having a genetic dynasty began to play out in practice?

Was he called Cleon until they decanted the Third? Was he also raised knowing the date he’d be euthanized?

Dude was essentially the guinea pig of this fucked up experiment

[snowyhobbit]

I'm reading Shakespeare's Pericles Prince of Tyre to help with my If We Were Villains hangover and if you think im dissecting every single line to work out what happened after THAT ending? You're absolutely correct. Let's dive right in.

That whoso ask'd her for his wife,

His riddle told not, lost his life

Right from the beginning, the audience is told that, for someone to win Antiochus' daughter as their love interest, that man must solve a riddle or death would follow. What is James' note to Oliver if not a riddle? More than that, like Pericles, he is reaching out to Oliver, asking him for help. The death that would follow Oliver not solving the riddle would be James Farrow since, even if he does live, he'd remain dead to the world - but of course Oliver notices the hidden message immediately.

So sharp are hunger's teeth, that man

and wife

Draw lots who first shall die to

lengthen life

Here Cleon is lamenting the poverty of Tarsus and he notes how couples are deciding who shall die so the other might live. James made that decision withour Oliver's knowledge but, reading more into the words, we have death being treated as a means to continue living. James was suffering in his despair and he would have thought that the only way he could continue living is as someone else. He chose to let James die but, as an actor, he is practiced at letting one name go before taking up another - thereby lengthening his life.

At the beginning of Act II, Gower returns and remarks:

And he, good prince, having all lost,

By waves from coast to coast is tost:

Till fortune, tired with doing bad,

Threw him ashore, to give him glad

The relevance to James here seems pretty clear. Referring to Pericles as good prince seems notably similar to Oliver calling James worthy prince as they concluded their fateful performance of King Lear. The mention of fortune is also interesting as, in the aftermath of Richard, one way James tries to cope is to give up responsibility and blame fate. It's not inconceivable that James decided to give himself up to fate and let the waves either claim him or throw him onto a new shore to start again.

Then we get to the lines James specifically left for Oliver:

the sea hath cast me on the rocks,

Wash'd me from shore to shore, and left me breath

Nothing to think on but ensuing death:

And have no more of life than may suffice

To give my tongue that heat to ask your help;

Which if you shall refuse, when I am dead,

For that I am a man, pray see me buried.

James is giving Oliver a choice here. After the huge sacrifice Oliver made for him, he wouldn't blame him if he refused this plea for help. If he does, he only requests when I am dead...pray see me buried. James could be asking Oliver to let James Farrow stay dead to the rest of the world - even if he now suspects he may yet live. We can't underestimate the extent of James' guilt when he disappeared - he must have felt he had no right to ask Oliver for anything else whilst simultaneously knowing that he would answer his plea regardless because that's just who Oliver is - always generous to his fellow performers even to own detriment.

This was a goodly person,

Till the disaster that, one mortal night,

Drove him to this.

It is no wonder James returned to this particular play in the years of Oliver's incarceration. Helicanus is lamenting how one mortal night has driven Pericles to the shell he has become. A good man wrecked by a single tragic event. If anyone can relate to that - it's James.

This play is about a tragic figure, who thinks he's lost all, eventually being reuinted with those he loves. These lines are from Pericles' reunion with his wife, Thaisa:

O, come, be buried

A second time within these arms.

We know James has been buried once, lost at sea, and in order to go on I shall be telling myself that he will be buried a second time in Oliver's arms. Pericles Prince of Tyre ends with the joy that comes from a reunion after lovers being separated for years - 14 years to be exact which, if Oliver finds James, will be the same amount of time since the two of them first met at Dellecher.

So if, like me, you've been a little broken by unanswered questions since finishing that last page take heart because I am now more convinced than ever that James and Oliver will be crown'd with joy at last.