#constantine/madam z

[fishareglorious]

I wonder what exact chain of events happened to make Z have this mug. Did she buy it herself? Did she design it? Make it? Was it a gift from. Consantine? Also how and why does she keep bringing it around to places (see: first img is in a car in green lake campsite) is it her arcane skill😭

[algoney]

[socoolinmypajamas]

when Madam Z said in Nouvelles et Textes pour Rien that she would never agree with Constantine's plan (a.k.a. the whole "fucking up with Vertin and her friends" thing during the break-away incident), she replied with "that's only because you don't understand politics"

then, in El Oro de los Tigres, Madam Z spent over a month beating Constantine at politics for the sake of Vertin and her friends

this, in my opinion, was very sexy of her

[sleeplesssmoll]

Smoltin has me on a chokehold rn so can i ask you this

Smoltin and madam z headcannons?

IT'D BE MY PLEASURE!

Be warned, all my HCs are just fanfic ideas that I kept caged in my noggin. They're more like drabbles!

First Contact

Madam Z first met Smoltin after the frog incident. She was intrigued when she heard a student experienced the Storm and suffered no consequences. She asked to meet the child one on one since she didn't want to intimidate her.

She wasn't sure what to expect, but a frog was definitely not on her list. Vertin begged her not to tell anyone after it hopped out of her pocket. She wanted to show it to her friend first. Madam Z helped her catch it, surprising the little girl. She gently handed the frog to her and told her to be more careful. She kept Vertin's secret. This is their first secret amongst the many they'll share in the future, but neither of them knew that at the time.

And after Vertin was deemed fine, they sent her to time-out on the hourglass where she eagerly awaited for her friend to finish class.

While in the main Story, Madam Z mentions Vertin as the “a girl named Vertin” to Constantine, they both knew exactly who she was talking about. That Vertin that caught their eye since she stuck her arm into the Storm and remained unharmed. I think they kept tabs on Smoltin.

Mug

Madam Z has a special mug with her face on it. It was actually a gift from Smoltin. Vertin also brings her back tea from her travels for Madam Z. Madam Z saves those for her bad days when she needs to lift her spirits. When Vertin was forced into a coma, she finished her entire collection.

A Mother's Instinct

Sonetto was promoted because of her hard work. However, her assignment to Vertin was a calculated move by Madam Z. She knew Vertin was up to something (sneakily recruiting arcanists) but she didn't know what. By assigning her an assistant who happened to be their ace, she's telling Vertin she has an eye on her. However, she also knows that whatever Vertin is up to, Sonetto is more than capable of protecting her. While the two have a complicated history, they're friends. They'll look after each other.

In other words, she's not trying to get in Vertin's way but she wants her to be more careful and honest.

Coats

One of the reasons Vertin loves coats and jackets is because the women she admires in her life (Madam Z and Tooth Fairy) also wear them. Her perfect posture, her elegant mannerisms, she does her best to reflect the values they taught her. Tooth Fairy was quick to correct her posture and Madam Z can't stand wrinkly uniforms. You can wear whatever you want but respect your clothes and belongings.

She'll roll around on the grass with the kids but the suit will be washed and pressed afterwards.

Echoes

Madam Z, Constantine, and Tooth Fairy all see echoes of each other in Vertin. Madam Z sees Tooth Fairy's sense of humor and her compassion. Tooth Fairy sees Madam Z's empathy and sharp mind. It also makes them appreciate each other more. However, when she gets into trouble, one of them will say "she learned that from you!" As for her charisma...they have no idea where this Critter chasing child got it from.

Constantine sees Madam Z in the way Vertin carries herself and she hates it. The way Vertin crosses her legs and drinks her tea. The way comes up with logical solutions without ignoring their emotional consequences. The gentle way she talks and the subtle head shakes and nods she does when speaking.

Vertin is supposed to be a pawn, not a player.

Golden Years

During her training as Timekeeper, Madam Z traveled alongside Smoltin as her mentor. While she liked the quiet of her lab, spending time with Vertin and watching her grow up are remembered as some of the best years of her life. Meanwhile, Constantine thinks of them as some of her worst because no one can do anything right and her best employee was nowhere around to help her.

And she was bored.

Camera

Madam Z wasn't into photography, but after Vertin became the Timekeeper she learned as much as she could so she could teach Vertin. It also became a bonding experience for them. On that note, her favorite subject to photograph was Smoltin, like a parent who's chasing after their kid with a camera. She even demanded copies of Vertin's baby photos (Vertin was taken in at 1 month old and they took pictures to monitor her development). Constantine approved her request, but she didn't understand why Madam Z wanted such a thing. However, it's rare for Madam Z to ask her for things so she obliged.

Motorcycle

Some of the Foundation soldiers have really cool, arcanum based motorcycles. An enthusiastic Investigator chatted Smoltin's ear off about his motorcycle Vertin eagerly listened like always. Madam Z nearly spat out her tea when Vertin asked if she'd get one too someday.

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur! 

Smoltin was used as a heat-pack during their field mission in colder environments. The Investigators with them found it hilarious since Madam Z refused to let go of Vertin during a majority of the mission and she's not known to be a touchy person. Smoltin excelled at her temperature training though and didn't mind the cold or the hugs.

Food

Madam Z taught Vertin how to cook eggs in every possible way since they are the most versatile protein. Both of them suck at cooking but they make great eggs. Madam Z also eats uncooked ramen like chips by sprinkling the flavor packet inside the package and shaking it. Vertin learned this from her too, much to her dismay. Tooth Fairy can't stand them. She wishes they'd eat something with more nutrition in it, like sliced fruit or something. This is where the Fruit Critters from this post come in! Vertin also learned how to use chopsticks from Madam Z and taught Regulus and Sonetto how to use them too.

Friendly Competition

Madam Z may be a scientist, but she's still active! She and Vertin used to play ping pong against each other. The winner decided what they were having for dinner and the loser had to do the dishes. Vertin usually lost, but she definitely posed a challenge as she got quicker and predicted her opponent's moves. Vertin also prefers Go over chess, which is another game they played.

Crush

Kat introduced them to her niece who was planning on joining the St. Pavlov in the future. She was only a year older than Vertin. Madam Z had to nudge her apprentice to remind to stop staring. Vertin has a tendency to compare pretty girls to creatures she likes (Sonetto is an emerald eyed puppy, Schneider was a delicate dove. I'm basing this idea off of these very specific instances lol). She knew Vertin was getting caught up in a pretty face again the moment Vertin compared her to a sugar glider. The two became friends pretty quickly.

Pictures and Postcards

Madam Z keeps every letter and postcard Vertin sends.

I also wrote this a while back! It got lost in the Tumblr abyss but it's about Vertin noticing Sotheby growing and she goes to Madam Z and Tooth Fairy for advice.

[acesw]

Uniforms and Emblem Customs in the Foundation

The St. Pavlov Foundation & SPDM both have uniforms that are representing of the goals of the Foundation and tend to have different variations. Some officials would have customized uniforms while some do not. Every official in the Foundation, including late stage SPDM students, wear insignias that look akin to angels.

Now, this post will serve as a documentation of the uniform/uniform variations we have now, as well as exploring the possible symbolism behind them.

Insignia

The Foundation uniform is notable for having an insignia that serves as a telltale sign that the person is from the Foundation. Every official is required to wear one and it has to be visible. However, there is no say on how it can be worn for certain people.

The insignia itself is a golden emblem, with its centerpiece being an angel with its arms held out. Variations of this insignia are found everywhere, including brooches, medals, buttons, and pins.

In SPDM, once a student has reached Academic Year 6 (10-11), they will receive their own insignias, which are worn around the neck. Interestingly, they wear a cloth around the middle of the emblem. covering the head/torso area of the centerpiece. This can symbolize that the student is still training to serve for peace and humanity.

It's only when they graduate that the cloth is abandoned, which then symbolizes that they're ready for the world that they're tasked to serve for.

Such a custom is also applied to students in the School of Discipline, I think. Since Jessica wears the insignia in her graduation uniform. But because she's in Vertin's team, this requisite is excused.

(look at her, she's so <3)

Anyway, speaking of Vertin, she—alongside other arcanists in her team—are not required to wear the insignia. Why? This can be because of Vertin's status as the timekeeper. As the timekeeper, she's required to be outside a lot, and to only observe and document with no growing suspicion.

This can mean that she has to be undercover in some tasks, resulting in her not wearing the insignia on her uniform. And because the arcanists under her wing are not taking direct orders from the Foundation, they are not required to wear them as well. In a storytelling perspective, this might be for creating a distinction between Vertin's team and the Foundation; that Vertin and the suitcase arcanists are not completely on their side.

The only other exceptions to this rule is Tooth Fairy and Mesmer Jr. Tooth Fairy only works part-time as the school physician, while Mesmer currently works at Laplace, which does not make wearing the emblem a requirement.

Now that this is out of the way, I will go into the uniforms.

Main Elements

The main elements in the Foundation uniforms are that they follow a monotone color pattern (black, grey, white) while having a checkered diamond pattern. The standout colors are gold, purple/violet, blue, and occasionally the afflatus colors. (I'll show why later down)

There are also some occasional gold patterns found on the uniforms like the crowns on collars and stars on the grey sleeves.

The reason we find checkered patterns everywhere is because it symbolizes the duality of existence, balance of two sides (good and evil or light and dark). The Foundation prides itself of being the beacon of balance between humans and arcanists. Clearly, it's not like that and there is an imbalance at play.

Update: Upon further research, I found that the crossed laces are found to be also a symbol. Based on Ms. Moissan's "Foundation Heeled" boots, the crossed laces symbolize obedience.

Uniforms - SPDM

There are two variations of the SPDM Uniform that we see in game. One is where Vertin and Sonetto were around 8-9, and the next is seen throughout the rest of Chapter 3.

Students are required to wear fully white uniforms, but they vary between the stages that they are in. In early stage, they wear a collared shirt or dress with a hint of gold underneath the collar. Meanwhile, for late stage/work immersion students, they wear a long-sleeved shirt under a tunic, alongside their covered insignias.  The boys are wearing shorts while the girls are wearing a skirt or a dress altogether.

When its winter, they wear black cloaks with the hood being in its checkered pattern inside. It's held together by the insignia as well.

The students have a bit of freedom when it comes to their hair as well as (in very restricted fashion) the accessories that they wear. Sonetto and Mesmer wear a headband (which was carried after graduation), The Ring wears a giant bangle around his head and a chain of rings on his belt, Isabella wears two brown clips on her hair as well as a checkered scrunchie around her wrist.

Otherwise, this is the standard uniform that's expected to be worn with modesty and cleanliness.

For the Instructors, they're expected to wear a brown coat with the insignia. Meanwhile, for monitor assistants, they wear a grey uniform with hints of red. The insignia is worn as a badge with two red tags on it.

Foundation Guards

Guards wear varying uniforms that would tend to go by functionality and tactical-ness, and the main colors tend to go with the usual color palette alongside the insignia and colors that match an afflatus. Some wear jackets, and some wear capes depending on rank. There are also patrol defenders, security guards (SPDM), and general officers who all wear additional headgear.

In 4-21 (Good Weather), the Guard Leader boss is wearing an additional suit with equipment coming from Laplace. It continues to serve the point of the practicality needed for all situations.

Investigators

Investigators from the Foundation wear a grey and white uniform that covers most of their body, and wearing a headdress that obscures the entirety of their head. The headdress of female investigators would have an additional veil at the back of their heads, while the male investigators wear a cape. The insignia is also worn around the neck.

The only person that has a variation of this uniform is Sonetto. Since she is a squad leader and thus higher ranked, she has a bit of liberty in modifications to the uniform. So with it, she abandons the headdress and wears a cape that's adorned with her merit medals. She also wears a few accessories. Truly one of the best of the best.

Foundation Staff

The Foundation staff in headquarters and the offices wear varying uniforms, especially the politicians. But we can start off with the normal staff.

The normal staff wear a standard office suit, with either a jacket or a coat to compliment it. They also wear headgear that is smaller in size compared to ones worn by investigators. The checkered pattern is more prominent, found in ties or garments worn over the dress shirt.

(These two are investigators named Adolf and Angie, I'd see them having lunch together as friends :) )

Horropedia, also being higher ranked and coming from a different investigative unit, wears a variation of this uniform. The cuffs are checkered and he wears a light grey vest. Additionally, a green clip is donned on his tie. While semi-compliant, Horropedia stands out for his wits and his eccentric-ness with his love for horror. He prides himself on his knowledge and wants to show that now that he has a taste of the little freedom he has now.

Meanwhile, as the Timekeeper, Vertin wears a different outfit entirely. She wears a suit with a color palette of indigo, purple, cyan, and black; Complimented with a cravat with an indigo gem, and a purple top hat with a cyan ribbon. On the cuff of her right forearm, there is a nixie tube watch timer that helps her foretell the storm's countdown easier. Once again, this creates her distinction from the rest of the Foundation. Indigo amongst black and white. And Indigo conveys integrity and deep sincerity. - Empowered by Color (the text is linked!)

(bonus vernetto crumbs for the gays)

Government Officials

Now, for the politicians in the Foundation. The politicians wear varying uniforms, but they are meant to be relatively the same as any other professional suit. Most of them wear coats and/or vests that are in the same monotone colors. Many wear the insignia on the left side of their chest, with the exception of Constantine and Madam Z, who wear it in the middle.

The politicians can wear formal suits for debates just like with the one between Delegate Mark Hal and Committee Member Pedra Rosa. Mark had a green and orange color palette for his formal suit, which made him stand out quite a bit. Meanwhile, Pedra wore standard blues and greys.

Now, the people that stand out to me personally are Madam Z, Constantine, Pedra, and Bernard. The reason for this is how distinct Z and Constantine's uniforms are, while Pedra and Bernard have colors that stand out amongst the monotone colors.

Madam Z wears a collared dress with a style similar to the one that the female investigators wear. She has a grey and white coat and its sleeves are pushed up by black gloves. The insignia is found to be worn as a centerpiece for a tie. She looks like she could be an investigator herself, really. As if she were one with her colleagues of lower rankings for that matter.

Constantine wears a suit with ridiculously large collar and odd-looking sleeves. Donning a grey vest and wearing the insignia as some kind of necklace. There are also a garments worn under the suit, showing the checkered pattern once again, and the diamond accessories. This really makes the distinction of her being the Vice President, no?

For Pedra and Bernard's case, they're the only people that we know so far that integrate the navy blue in their outfits. I can see it representing their power as humans, in a way. It evokes the conservative and authoritative traits that they have across the Foundation and the world by extension.

There's a lot to ponder about the Foundation and the uniforms. Even with its plain colors, the game manages to bring so much depth in the Foundation's uniforms and the people who wear it. There's so many characteristics that show through the modifications our Foundation characters have, and it makes them stand out amongst the sea of black, white, and gold. Hopefully there might be more modifications in the future now that we're back in the Foundation. For now, this is all I can find about the topic at hand. Thanks for reaching the bottom here and feel free to add/ask about this. :)

[curestardust]

Reverse: 1999 Cast Posters Madam Z Constantine

[kiragyun]

꒰⠀ ⠀⠀ ೀ⠀⠀ #RANDOM ⠀⊹⠀⠀⠀୧⠀⠀

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀﹗ ׅ ⠀⠀︵⠀

[crehador]

floating park artificial somnambulism lets vertin go on a theme park date with tennant at the end of which tennant swindles the shit out of her like first of all thank you ma'am please do it again

but more importantly i'm blown away time and again by how gay this game is in a completely unsubtle way literally all the girls are in yuri with each other it's phenomenal

[hummus-birb]

(This is all based on a random reverse 1999 theory post. I don't remember who wrote it, but if you see this im just letting you know that it lives in my head rent free)

So, there’s connections between Constantine, Madam Z, and Vertin's Mom with Sonetto, Schneider, and Vertin, right?

I've seen a couple people draw lines between these characters, and from the little bit we know about them I definitely see the connection. Vertin's trio/love triangle matches up a lot with the implied trio of Constantine, Madam Z, and Vertin’s Mom (to be fair, vertins mom has very little info on her so she’s not as confirmed as the other two are for being pals).

My most confident choice is Sonetto paralleling Constantine. They both follow authorities, they both stand on the outside of things happening, and they both serve as a big relationship to Vertin. While Sonetto will almost definitely go through more character development at some point, I think Constantine is a good look at how Sonetto could have turned out if a couple things in her life were different. They’re both very analytical, but their big difference is Sonetto’s empathy and strong connection to Vertin, while Constantine is keeping herself at an arm’s reach from everyone close to her.

From the few in-game comparisons we’ve heard from a couple characters, I think the easiest connection would be between Vertin and her mother, and this also makes sense on a logical standpoint. But what if that wasn’t the case? While we don’t have as much info on Vertin’s mom, we do have a lot of info on Madame Z. Madame Z and Vertin are working towards a mutually beneficial goal throughout all of chapter 4, and they seem to be pretty close from how much they respect each other in dialogue. They both have similar values when it comes to changing the foundation, and they seem very similar even on a personality level. Plus Madame Z being shipped with tooth fairy could be connected to Vertin’s fizz at the end of 1.2 with Jessica /j

If the above claim is the case, then I think Schneider and Vertin’s mom probably have some connections to each other. While we don’t know as much about either of the characters themselves, it is important to note that both characters are important losses in Vertin’s life. The repeat loss of Madame Z and Constantine losing Vertin’s mom only for Vertin and Sonetto to lose Schneider is an interesting comparable dynamic.

In general, I think that the parallels between some of the older generation and younger generation are very interesting, especially with the big themes in chapter 3 and 4 also being about Vertin’s childhood and then the adult drama respectively. I just wanted to throw this theory out into the wild and see what happens!!!

[cumscrotesailboat]

Does anyone have any idea on who the voice actor is for Madam Z? Her voice in this part felt so off-putting. I don't know if its just the direction for her to be as emotionless as possible or not, but it really felt like AI. I can hear the accent yes, but her voice just didn't match everything that was happening. Was that an intentional part on the VA and the VD? I'm trying to find the VAs for the eng dub but the only ones that were revealed were the main cast. (If that was the intention for it, then great job bcs it actually felt so uncanny that I had to take a break for a couple minutes to research and confirm to make sure no AI was used but if its not...)

[deepfriedtrout]

Rue the day i finish el oro de los tigres because I will try and cook up the most bitter toxic divorced coworkers imbalanced power dynamic Madam Z/Constantine fic in my drafts

[fishareglorious]

Me playing chess against a 12 year old with the intent of killing her friends: Yeah i'm a total grandmasterpilled chesscel. I'm basically going chess mode and i'm giving checkmatecore vibes My subordinate Z, chief of staff: Vice President I think God should kill you

[taniahylian]

Madam Z is an arcanist

So, I've seen some debate in the fandom wether Madam Z is a human or an arcanist, and I decided to make this post because there is actually a canon answer that's been given to us two times; first in chapter 4 of the main story, and then in the Green Lake event.

First, in chapter 4-14 we get a narrator trail that clearly states that Z is an arcanist that somehow made it to the same level of hierarchy as the humans in the Foundation comitee.

Then, in the final part of the Green Lake event we see Tooth Fairy and Z in a car, and TF notices she has a headache, but Z denies it and then confesses that she doesn't want to eat tooth fairies because the texture "creeps her out", revealing that she has consumed them before (remember that TF will only give tooth fairies to arcanists, as said to Blonney). Upon this, TF says she also has human drugs, which Z accepts.

This caption yet again confirms Z is indeed an arcanist.

I don't blame anyone for not remembering these details because Z is unlike most arcanists we typically see in the story; mainly, she has no fancy powers, and doesn't seem to be facing direct discrimination for her origins.

Now, maybe she doesn't have powers; we know this is possible thanks to Kumar, who was born in a family of arcanists yet she couldn't use arcanum. She could also be a half-blooded arcanist, which we know struggle a lot using arcanum as well. She could even be the same case as Greta; having 1/4 of arcanist blood, which would mean she she'd have practically no arcanist characteristics (which is why Greta considered herself a human). However, Tooth Fairy once treated a kid with tooth fairies, and we know the only arcanist in his family was his grandma, so he was also 1/4 arcanist, yet he was arcanist "enough" to consume fairies.

Now, regardles of if Z can use arcane skills or not, I think it's likely she's not "out" to most people in her workplace. We know many of the members of the commitee are rather prejudiced against arcanists, and often are openly racist towards them, and while I don't think they'd stop themselves from saying these things if they knew Z was an arcanist, I think they would definitely use this fact against her, especially when they were trying to stop the storm reformation from being approved.

That said, I think some trusted people in the Foundation do know of Z's status. First of Tooth Fairy, since she won't give people tooth fairies unless they not only are an arcanist, but also accept themselves as an arcanist.

While this is the only confirmation we have, I'd like to think other people like Greta, with whom Z seemed at least amicable, or Katz are also on the loop. Vertin too, probably, and finally... Constantine. I actually think the whole thing with the kids and the storm was also Constantine's subtle way of telling Z "this is what happens to arcanists who rebel", so she could control her better, but of course that's only speculation.

[stari-hun]

Reverse 1999 would also be a bad world to isekai into honestly. Cause there's no good options no matter what, either you're a person torn away from your time and home to take shelter from this arcane natural disaster. If you're an arcanist you're either kidnapped by the Manus or Foundation under the excuse of protection, but hopefully you get taken by the Foundation cause they avoid killing unless your death can be a net positive. On that note even if you wanted the cliche isekai protagonist story by helping Vertin, Constantine is gonna be your biggest threat unless you watch over her from a distance like Madam Z. Constantine has killed every person Vertin has emotionally relied on that isn't Sonetto, and she can't fully her anyways cause of her loyalty to the Foundation. If you're a normal citizen not tied to the Foundation or far away from any branch the most you can do is hope and know that your death is coming, but at least it'll be painful unless the Manus is nearby. And if you reincarnate into a main character? FUCKKKKKKK, the way I'd sob myself to sleep night after night after night. I'd ruin the plot by being completely inconsolable. Let's be real is there anyone in Reverse 1999 who would even be a good choice to reincarnate as? Like I guess An-An Lee or Blonney live relatively normal lives, or Horropedia is pretty normal. But I already hallucinate badly, I couldn't handle real ghosts all the time. Then on the other hand if I was people like Druvis or Tooth Fairy I'd end up ruining their stories cause I'm literally just NOT that smart or capable.

IMAGINE WAKING UP AS VERTIN.

THE ANEURISM I'D HAVE-

[not-too-many-eyes]

A Study on Mesmer Jr.

(Also Known As: Nott is obsessed with the bigot autistic girl from the time travel gacha game and its her birthday tommorow so lets talk about her.)

(CWs: Ableism, racism, child abuse) I Love Mesmer Jr. Which isn't a secret to any of my friends who have had to listen to me talk about her at length. I cannot get her out of my head. I think she's fantastically written, fun to read about, and just an all around interesting character.

As such, I want to take a moment to pull apart Mesmer Jr, and consider her place in this story. To contemplate why she acts the way she does, and to connect to the themes relating to her character. I hope you enjoy reading this.

A Curious Impression

Mesmer Jr makes an interesting impression when you first meet her. For one, she immediately causes alarm bells to rings when she talks to Sonneto, one of her earliest conversations, who she says she enjoys talking to because of their "shared values" she feels the need to say that she would have liked talking to her more if she were a "full-blooded human."

Which is something that you see a lot whenever she's complimenting an arcanist, or considering arcanists in any positive light. Even if it's inappropriate in the context, she feels the need to assert her beliefs, to say that:

Mesmer Jr, Praise: As an arcanist, your performance really amazes me. Wish you were a pure-blood human.

Of course, as we know, Mesmer Jr is an arcanist. She's a full-blooded arcanist. Being noted to be from a very Important family, and even being implied to be more talented than most of her family in their line of work: (The Fallacy of Idealism)

Nobody is more talented in this than Mesmer Jr. Her bloodline gives her outstanding ability and keen senses, which makes everything clear and intelligible to her.

She's also startlingly obedient. She has no noticeable outward negativity towards what Constantine has ordered her to do to Vertin, despite it seeming to cause pain or stress. Insisting that this is the normal treatment given to patients despite Madam Z's opinion, and we learn Much Later that her boss had an ulterior motive to all this.

She's even noted before we meet her to seem like a:

(Open Sandwich)

???: It is the other one- the one with indifferent outlines that makes her look like a refined machine.

Evoking images of perfectly programmed robots and droids that do what they are ordered to perfectly without question.

Of course, in the same part this line is from, the game is already nudging us to be open-minded when it comes to interacting with her. As the first thing we learn about her isn't her personality, isn't her appearance, isn't even her Voice.

It's her abuse.

Dirtied Hands

Open Sandwich is one of my favorite bits of writing in this game. It creates this incredible tension where you just waiting for the bad thing to happen, the line about how the child labor laws were turned into paper to wrap the sandwich is wonderful, and I love it.

But it's also the first time we ever actually hear about her. It depicts her having a Sensory Meltdown. Caused by her family's uh- blatant disregard for children's rights, and exposing her to a patient at age 12 because her skill was useful for the treatment. The trauma of the event marking the start of her "nightmare."

Of course this isn't the Only Thing she has gone through at the age of 12. The entire events of Nouvelles et Textes pour Rien happened during when she was 12. She might of had even more traumatic experience before that, considering she went to SPDM, a school that we know Very Well for their child abuse, and she Certainly had traumatic experiences afterwards.

She Is a 16 year old therapist taking care of The Foundation's most "unstable" patients, after all:

Mesmer Jr, Suitcase Climate: Those insane people screamed and rushed out of the guardroom. They kept meaninglessly and repeatedly roaring. Then, their blood shed on the snowy ground. I've seen that a lot.

The Rights of Children Don't Matter when there is Scarcity. Her needs are secondary to The Company's. Her welfare simply isn't important for the Foundation's Beautiful Future. Only the skills and infromation she can provide.

Constantine even manipulated Mesmer Jr into telling her the plan. Purposefully traumatizing her so that she would become scared and anxious. She Asked her to help them, trusting that Constantine, an adult she trusted, would be able to help. Constantine just lied, and made her continue to treat these people even when the experience mind numbingly traumatic for even fully-grown adults.

As a result, Mesmer Jr has developed multiple mental illnesses. Most notable OCD, but she seems to hallucinate in her Monologue.

She's not exactly a healthy person, which really compounds how much you Don't want her to be a therapist.

Of course, it's not like she would ever seek actual proper treatment for it.

For many reasons.

For one, Reverse 1999 is not exactly a kind world to the mentally ill, and she herself is a good example as to why.

Proper Treatment

Let's go back to the first thing I mentioned about Mesmer Jr. She's a bigot, she's a certified racist to every arcanist she ever talks to. She thinks humans are the superior race that will overtake arcanists.

She's also ableist. Just horrible ableist. These two bigotries are intertwined in Very important ways. Her hatred of arcanists is informed by her hatred of the mentally ill, and is further informed by what she has been taught about arcanists.

Reverse has established that the way arcanists and humans are generally viewed is that arcanists are the more emotional, unstable, immature ones and humans are the more logical, stable, and mature ones.

Now, this is a stereotype, one that has been proven wrong time and time again. There is nothing logical, stable, or mature about being so upset at a 12 year old you think killing her friends is a good idea.

And similarly, there is nothing actually inherently wrong about being a weirdo, or mentally ill. For one, uh, everyone is a bit of a freak sometimes, and two, Mesmer Jr treats it as if for the world to get better arcanists need to fully disappear and be replaced with human rationality, but Madam Hoffman says it best:

(Chapter 6 Part 15: With Hope Rekindled)

Hofmann: We have all heard it, humans are more rational and arcanists are more emotional. Hofmann: Their sensitive to the darkness of the world, so they can easily become absorbed in their own emotions and ignore reality Hofmann: But, if we put a human child in the position of an arcanist, who always takes on the world because of his uniqueness, who is never understood for his talents... Hoffmann: Maybe he too will become impulsive, sensitive immature and unstable Hoffmann: And that's why it sometimes dawns on me that if we put an arcanist child in the position of a human being who receives enough love, education, and positive feedback... Hoffmann: These 'instabilities' might be controllable. At least enough to keep them from hurting themselves or others.

But Mesmer Jr really does believe wholeheartedly that being a "freak" is bad, and that being an arcanist is to blame for why she is one.

Mesmer Jr, Hat and Hair: Thanks to it, we are all freaks now. Haven't you ever blamed your brain? Haven't you for once vomited due to the sound or whisper in your brain? How naive and ignorant.

That being an arcanist is something inherently wrong, and as a result of that inherent wrongness, that inherent "insanity," they need to be controlled by humanity.

Mesmer Jr, Chitchat II: I can only stand those arcanists from the Foundation and the Laplace. After all, their insanity is contained by humans.

She believes that humans are destined to overtake arcanists like it's natural selection. That it's only inevitable that arcanists will be overtaken by a species that in her eyes, is logical and understandable.

Mesmer Jr, To the Future: Just like Homo sapiens wiped out Neanderthals, arcanists will be eliminated as well. This is not a prediction, but a predestined fate.

This is, of course, due to the systemic part of Reverse's world constantly pushing this idea that arcanists are Inherently more immature and chaotic.

Constantine and her family deeply traumatized Mesmer Jr and then told her it wasn't actually their fault but this Other Group that She is also apart of but Don't Worry it can Be Controlled.

Mesmer Jr: It's not just about age. It was never going to be suitable for me. Mesmer Jr: Unless one day all the arcanists are gone. Pandora Wilson: Then you and I will be gone, too. Mesmer Jr: Exactly, along with the source of my pain

However, Mesmer Jr's own mental illnesses and susceptibility towards being overwhelmed by others emotions does really mean that she finds being around highly emotional people Taxing. She also finds that the unpredictable of life and other people Tiresome.

She was friends with Vertin in the rest when she was younger sure, but even then she did find arcanists overwhelming and "scary," even when she wasn't in the full thick of it, she saw them being treated and found it unpleasant and painful.

(Nouvelles et Textes pour Rien)

Mesmer Jr: But I'm not interested in arcanists. They are all mad people, and we had to treat them after all...They looked scary.

Now, usually, you grow out of this. She's not Born To Be Racist Forever.

In a better world she very much could have, I dunno-

Be able to actually internalize that arcanists aren't actually inherently a harmful thing, but that her needs sometimes conflict with the needs of others and grew up with the tools necessary to understand that this is a fixable problem that doesn't actually need a whole group of people including herself to die to be solved.

Or, something like that.

However, this isn't that world, this world thinks Mesmer Jr is a good therapist, and that her treatment is humane.

So she's seeks to create stability in the world as a result of that lack of support.

Mesmer Jr, Hobby: What you see is the alignment and tidiness. What I adore is this orderly state.

As much as she understands that it's a sign of her own "franticness" that she does this, it gives her comfort knowing that she has things that she Can Control. That her life isn't actually dictated fully by things out of her understanding. That she has the ability to direct her life in a small, maybe even insignificant way.

Cause, she really just doesn't have much control over her life.

Press the Button

Mesmer Jr, Clothing and Torso: ...Achieve the function.

A lot of Mesmer Jr's idolization of humanity comes from this idea of efficiency and simplicity. She talks so much about rationality and "tidiness," but as I've already established Reverse is full of so many instances of "human insanity" so it's plain ignorant to ascribe this trait to humans.

Which, well one she is ignorant, and also racism isn't rational and Mesmer Jr was taught human supremacy of course it's not going to be aligned with actual reality.

Which is true.

However, I do think it's interesting these traits that she idolizes are not from humans but from:

Mesmer Jr, Clothing and Torso: Humans are like machinery, simple and efficient. Arcanists are quite the opposite.

That's who she's actually idolizing here, isn't it? She's not really idolizing humans, that's just the framework she was given. She's idolizing machines and going "Wow humans are so cool."

Her Udimo is a machine.

Not just any machine, but a machine invented in part By Her Workplace, and even when she was 12 the narrator describes her as a "refined machine." Indifferent and rigid.

This is the beautiful controlled being that she is seeking! The beautiful tidy, orderly, calm being that just proceeds with whatever order is given to it. One that has...completely no control over it's life, and what to do with it.

Because, traditionally speaking, Machines do not have the ability to self-determine. They don't exist as people with conscious thought and emotion, but as Things and Tools that can Achieve Functions.

I noted way back in the start that Mesmer Jr is startlingly obedient. She does what she is told, and encourages others to do the same.

She's glad that Vertin:

Mesmer Jr, 100% Bond Conversation: ...Anyway, I'm glad you gave up on those insane plans.

Before saying that she doesn't want to be forced to Lobotomize Her, and that she doesn't actually want anyone to end up in Artificial Somnambulism.

But she doesn't say she won't do it. Just that she's happy Vertin did "give up" because it means that she probably won't have to. This seems to be her general approach. Even if she's not happy, she'll do it, her wants don't matter.

She assumes that she has no other option and that her only path forward is following orders from her boss. That the only path forward is the one set for her. There's no point in fighting it so she's just gonna continue on that path, and others should do the same or else they'll get Hurt. Learned Helplessness.

Sonetto is similar to her in this sense (Mesmer Jr says so herself,) and Sonetto is shown to hold quite a lot of repressed emotions, and to deviate from the rules or what is logical when she feels something is at stake.

After all: (Is ABA Really “Dog Training for Children”? A Professional Dog Trainer Weighs In.)

We all know that we can feel angry without expressing anger. That we can smile when inside we are crying. You can stop someone from expressing an emotion, but that doesn’t make the emotion go away. A dog who has been trained not to growl is considered by trainers to be a “time bomb dog.” When you read about a dog attack that came “out of nowhere” and “without warning,” it is because this sort of method was used to handle “problem behaviours.” Studies show that dogs trained with these sorts of methods actually have an increased rate of aggression, because punishing aggressive behaviour doesn’t deal with the underlying fear and anxiety that caused the aggression in the first place.

But Mesmer Jr, in contrast to Sonetto, who has an interest in poetry and curiosity in the outside world and has the aforementioned repressed emotions. Has no real distinct personal identity. She does not own anything that shows her interests, unlike her other coworkers who usually have at least Something on them. All of her items are stuff made by Laplace and exist unaltered. Even her cute little headband is a EM amplifier is part of the uniform.

She holds no control, no identity, no agency. She exists as a machine that someone can press the buttons of and achieve whatever function she needs to achieve at the given moment.

This is her current state of existence, and it's not something that's exactly sustainable. The cracks in this machine-living have been showing since she was 12. How many more do you think have been created now that she's 16?

The Foundation

Now, this is really depressing, but that's because Mesmer Jr is just a bit of a depressing character. She can't really get away from her job. For one, her parents are horrible, two The Storm means that the world is always on the verge of ending. Where else will she go?

But, as said previously:

A dog who has been trained not to growl is considered by trainers to be a “time bomb dog.”

Similarly, a girl trained to not develop any sort of identity will crack Someday.

I have no knowledge of what could happen next in her story, nor am I interested in theorizing about it. But I do find it interesting to think about.

[sleeplesssmoll]

Character Analysis: Vertin's Deceptive Side

I don't see this trait of her's mentioned much but it is prevalent throughout the story so I think its worth looking at.

Vertin isn't a stranger to deception and lies.

Vertin convinces people to follow her by connecting with them and being honest about her capabilities/motives. Every arcanist we've met follow her knowing exactly what they're getting into.

However, she isn't above lying and tricking people as an end to a means.

She lied to Sonetto in the opening to hide her agenda (secretly recruiting Regulus). She also lied to Tommy to track down Regulus by saying they were “friends” and even used Regulus's records as “proof”. Later, she and Regulus improv together when Sonetto is summoned by the wheel and tries to take Regulus away.

She tried to cover for A Knight in Oliver's story. Oliver seems to have known her for a bit at this point and catches on because it's odd for Vertin to suggest something that she knows directly conflicts with his values.

She lied to Arcana, which makes sense but imagine Sonetto being in this position. She is incapable of lying compared to Vertin. The Timekeeper is able to lie on the spot while Sonetto freezes up when faced with difficult questions.

As a child, Smoltin was going to lie to the teacher to pin the blame (for the note she wrote) on her bullies after they tried to blackmail her. This is an interesting one because it shows she thinks ahead, like with Regulus's records, and manipulates a situation in her favor. It's deeper than a simple lie.

While these are instances driven by a reason, these examples show how comfortable she is with telling lies and she could deceive people if she wanted to. It's a trait she most likely developed in order to deal with the Foundation. Deception is an important tool in a trouble-maker's toolkit.

Aside from that, remember when they told her to be open and honest about questions she had and then threw her in the guard house?

Or how about when she was open with Sonetto about her love for the outside world only to be harshly shut down?

She was brutalized and shot as a child when she tried to be open and direct in a peaceful protest, hoping to be heard during the Parade Ceremony.

She met with Madam Z for help with a plan to help her crew because she didn't want them to end up like her childhood friends. Then the Foundation decided to break her legs and subdue her in a coma. Mind you, she went through the proper channels and was still punished for it.

It makes you wonder why Vertin doesn't lie more often.

On that note, we're lucky that Vertin is a nice person at heart. If she followed Manus or the Foundation's ways, she could use her natural talent at connecting with people to manipulate them into joining her cause. Instead, our Vertin chooses to be transparent…for important things anyway.

Vertin's able to stand on the same field as Constantine and Arcana not because she's authentic, though that certainly helps. It's because she knows how to appeal to people's desires.

Knowing what someone wants means knowing what their motives are. You know what drives them to act. It's a very powerful skill in the art of persuasion/manipulation. 

On one hand you can say Vertin has the power to see into people's hearts. On the other, you can claim she knows how to pick people's brains.

Regardless, it's a talent she has that would be useful to both Arcana and Constantine aside from her Storm Immunity.