#viktor could hurt him now and he does not care bc he just needs him to hear this

[taiturner]

So... if you're bullshitting me, I don't care. If you're hiding out here and don't want to be found, I understand. I just came here to tell you that I'm sorry for my part in what happened.

The Umbrella Academy 2x02 | The Frankel Footage

[goddessofroyalty]

would u be willing to write a short drabble where jayce is pregnant? maybe he has trouble sleeping bc of the baby and viktor helps soothe him back to sleep?

I am so sorry this took me so long, I didn’t even post a prompt receipt for it because I thought I’d get to it within ‘a handful of days’ and then did not.

This ended up slightly as an exploration of para-social relationships instead.

Tags: mpreg

--------------------

“Boy or girl?” asks the woman who Jayce doesn’t even know the name of because she hadn’t introduced herself before going for his stomach. Her hand resting on the swell of it as she smiles up at him like it’s perfectly fine and normal to go around touching people who don’t even know you.

The worst bit was it was starting to become a common occurrence.

“I don’t know,” Jayce answers instead of telling her to stop touching him because he knows he would be seeing as the bad guy if he did.

“Oh? Surely you’re far enough along for them to be able to tell.”

 “I want it to be a surprise.” It’s a boy. But Jayce wanted to have something about it that was just between him and Viktor. Something to prove that the baby was theirs and not all of Piltover’s like so many acted like he was.

“Ah, you’re going the traditional route,” the woman says, her hand now rubbing against Jayce’s stomach. “That’s good. So many rush to know everything about their baby. Builds too much expectation really.”

She laughs like it’s an inside joke between them.

Jayce forces out an awkward chuckle to not seem rude.

“You’re not working yourself too hard?” she asks just as Jayce thinks he might be able to excuse himself and escape the conversation and her hand.

“I’m not,” Jayce promises despite it really not being any of her business.

“Good, good. I know what you do is important for us all but I do worry. Too much stress is bad for the baby you know.”

“I would never do anything that might hurt my child.” Jayce really wishes that he could include public appearances in it.

Maybe he could argue the stress of being constantly groped was bad for his health. Viktor would back him up on that. Mel and Cassandra probably wouldn’t buy it though.

“Good, good,” the woman says before looking across the crowd. “Oh! There’s my son. I’m sorry to say I have to leave you.”

“That’s okay.” It really was.

The woman gives him a bitter smile like it is a massive shame to leave him and Jayce returns it with the most ‘I’m fine’ smile he can muster so she hopefully doesn’t change her mind.

She pats his stomach twice as if for good luck and then walks off. Jayce letting out a sigh of relief when she does before glancing around the room to try and fine someone he can glue himself to the side of that will hopefully stop everyone he meets from thinking his stomach is fair game.

He stars moving as soon as he spots Cait. Grateful to reach her before anyone else manages to grab him or his stomach.

“Jayce?” Cait asks as he rests his head on her shoulder.

“Tell me you can get me out of here,” he asks. “I don’t care what excuse you make, just – please?”

“I- alright,” she says, gently grabbing his arm and leading him through the back end of the building until they reach the street.

“Thanks. I owe you one,” Jayce says feeling the relief of the quieter atmosphere wash over him almost immediately.

“I’ll remember that,” Cait jokes but her expression is worried. “Are you okay though?”

“I will be. I Just need to get back to the lab.” And Viktor. And away from all the people expecting him, and his not even born yet child, to perform for them.

“Alright,” Cait says, still eying him cautiously. “I have to go back. They’ll notice I’m gone soon.”

“Of course – thanks again.”

[practicalmagicintuitions]

“The fates lead the willing and drag the unwilling”

I was thinking about that last MT podcast HC had when he mentioned stoicism and a book I have but I haven’t read yet. So I decided to deep dive in a little bit because I studied philosophy at the university at a very basic level but I always wanted to know more, so this seems a good occasion. I am also interested in what HC could see in this philosophy school. I think we all know at this point he is interested in things that interest his people, not necessarily him or he is dropping ideas, new things fast. So one part of this will be a summary of stoicism because I feel many people have misconceptions or don’t know what is this just saying this is sh*t even don’t have the slightest idea about it. The other part will be a little HC armchair analysis by me throughout this topic. And I also decided to read the book he mentioned - Viktor E. Frankl Man's Search for Meaning - and maybe I will walk through it or give you a summary if you interested. 

Bare with me, because this turned out to be long, but I had to get out his from my system.

Not soon after the pandemic and the lockdown started in 2020 Penguin Random House said the print sales of Marcus Antonius’s Meditations are up 28% for the first quarter of 2020 vs 2019, while print sales of Letters from a Stoic are up 42% for the same period. The ebook sales rose by 356% . This boom was because of the pandemic but the popularity of modern stoicism has been an upcoming thing for a while especially since people like Bill Gates or Warren Buffet allegedly used stoicism in their business and Thomas Kaplan is supporting a Stoicism Course at Brown University. But unfortunately, modern stoicism has become kind of a ready-made lifehack, a self-helping method, that’s why books like Ryan Holiday’s one could be published and becomes a success. This is where I see modern stoicism’s faults. 

Stoicism seems a good school to support or to follow in the pandemic because this is about we have to accept the things we have no control over. Probably that’s why the sales went up. This is about don’t letting uncontrollable things or events messing with your judgment and clarity. Fear, screams, panic, rages don’t help. And I think we can agree this is true. Aurelius wrote his Meditations in the middle of a battle when his men were dying not just because of the fights but because of a pox epidemic and top of that he was an Emperor. So to maintain his sanity he had become a stoic. He didn’t have an influence on the epidemic so he just accept it and didn’t spend his energy raging about it. 

Stoicism was founded by Zenon around 300 BC. And it was a thriving and popular school without huge wars or pandemics or anything. Back then it was not a reaction to something but a preparation for something. More directly prepare yourself the thing you cannot be prepared for. And probably this is the OG stoicism most valuable teaching that there are events in this world we simply cannot control. What we can control however how we react to those events. Are we remain calm or think this is a catastrophe. Let see a very basic example. We are mortals, we will die no matter what. This is a sure event we have no control over. What we can control that our view on this. Will we panic? Refuse to even talk about death or refuse to make a will because “OMG I will die then!!” Like spoiler alert, it will happen, will or no will. Or we understand our time is limited and try to enjoy it and not see smaller inconveniences are tragedies. I am sure we all know people who think if they spill themselves over with coffee or the handle of the grocery’s bag comes off it’s a pure tragedy and they are capable of thinking about this all day as something it is happening with them always an exclusively. 

Until this, I think it’s all good we can use this in our daily life. What is dangerous in the OG stoicism is that the stricter wing of it thought emotions as a whole or almost all of it cause confusion so you basically should eliminate emotions to have that clarity on life. That’s why Diogenes wrote that the wise is emotionless. And this is the main and very valid criticism again stoics, that with taking away the emotions they basically ripping of humans from something very unique valuable, important, because our emotions make us humans. And because living totally emotionless is kinda impossible this goal is not realistic, so it causes many frustrations ( oh my... even more emotions!) Because think about it, who are described as emotionless? Psychopaths. 

You have cases, events, when your emotions, even overflowing ones are right and acceptable and suppressing them, could be dangerous. Because realistic or not Marcus Aurelius and Seneca and the other stoics idea was not just watching the world and letting things happen, shrugging a shoulder and say nothing, no! Their philosophy and aim were to eliminate the bothering things which not let you think calmly. And since we are talking about philosophy the reality of this in practice is secondary. Critics also think ( and maybe the modern stoicism is going in this direction) that a hardcore stoics care only about themself and their egos while Seneca says friendships are important and in general most stoics accepted positive feelings (to a certain extent).

Stoicism comes back to life mostly in psychotherapy around 1900 by Paul Dubois ( before him there was another new wave of stoicism in the 16th century) and that’s where Victor E Frankle is connected to this topic. I haven’t read his book yet but I know his method is called logotherapy (logos= meaning) and this was born in the deepest existential crisis when his whole family was killed in a concentration camp and he felt he had remained only one personal freedom, the way how he reacts to the circumstances. Frankle invented his own method so he is not just planted some ancient in the modern world but he in fact thought Socrates and his philosophy is his inspiration. I won’t talk about this more until I read his book. 

* I wanted to listen to the whole podcast again, but I couldn’t so I just went to the part we care about now.

So they are talking about morning routines and he mention that one of his teachers in primary school said to him “Always expect the unexpected” This is pure stoicism and while I am not suggesting he is lying I noticed he likes to blend his current interest with his childhood memories like when he said at the WitcherCon how they had to build a fantasy castle in the school (or something) and this was such good preparation for him because he has a fantasy series now. Convenient right?

So he mentioned the teacher and a little later hinting that he is into stoicism lately. Question is, which comes first? The teacher with the stoic idea or the stoicism as a new interest somehow repainted his childhood memories? 

Then he again is talking about the stoic’s way of control. Or does he? 

“ focusing on the thing you can control and make yourself better to control them” 

This was never part of the OG philosophy because that is not about being a control freak. It is actually the opposite. If you cannot control something let it go, not force things to go on your way and if you failed then you let go. 

The next part it’s not about this topic but I have to mention it because I kinda overlooked it when I listed this at the first time.

He is asked about the fitness industry’s mistakes and he said

“I wouldn’t be the kinda person to point my finger at anyone and say there is a big mistake there…. I wouldn’t ever want to point to finger at anyone saying there is a mistake “

So… should I insert the FO post here? And I know the question and the answer was about fitness but he clearly has no problem pointing fingers at people. 

This leads to us again to the control topic. His FO post is creaming about controlling. “ You don’t like the way I am dating? You don’t like I have a covid romance? Then I will tell you what to do and how to behave because I need to have control over my fandom”

When the host asked him about overcoming obstacles he mention the book - Victor E. Frankl Man's Search for Meaning. (he also said it’s difficult to give advice…)

While he is talking about the book (and for me, it’s clear that the host doesn’t give a damn about this) so HC’s whole tone is changed. Just compare when he is talking about MT and training and so on, he is so irritating and unlistenable but here he is calmer, doesn’t use his voice so expressively, doesn’t emphasise that much in a sentence etc. This to me shows he is actually craving after something more, something deeper, something serious. Not just talking about his ties and blueberry smoothies. I don’t think is dumb (I think he has dumb choices thought) I think he could be more both as an actor both as an individual because when he was talking about the book I felt he has a true, genuine interest and it was a one-second opportunity to talk about something interesting not just fart powder.  

I feel his interest in stoicism is an attempt to validate why he is oppressing his feelings. I am sure he does this because he is uncomfortable with his feelings, past and present. For example, I think instead of the bullying his main trauma is being sent away from home to a boarding school and experiencing cold treatment from his mom (the infamous stop calling story). But he oppressing this because I guess all of his brothers he is looking up to loves their mom and he feels he needs to be a good son but questioning his mom means he is a bad one. So instead of admitting that he is hurt and damaged by it he is saying the bullying was his worst experience. 

This means to me he doesn’t understand stoicism, ancient or modern he just wants and moreover, he needs something he can hold and cling to, something that gave himself meaning. As a book’s title says: Man’s search for meaning. And I feel HC does this maybe a little bit desperately. Searching for the answers and this moment he thinks stoicism is the key to finding what he is looking for while in reality, the main problem is he doesn’t ask the right questions. And without them, he won’t find any answer. Or meaning. 

Title quote from Seneca

[astranne]

(Natalia Romanova) Crossover Harry Potter x Marvel

So, Natalia Romanova. Daughter of Black Widow and the Winter Soldier. The Avengers are totally her honorary uncles and aunts. Since she‘s James‘ daughter she‘s a super soldier too and HYDRA did some experiments so she‘s now stronger/faster than Captain America. She is now also an empath and telepath. And since this is an AU, Black Widow is a witch (Harry Potter universe here). But she never learned magic like all the others, she never needed speels and a wand. Just like Natalia. The royal family has always been magic, so they are important too in the wizarding world. But since Natasha never has been at the magic places they think she‘s a squib and like her daughter magicless. Anyway.

So, the muggle world thinks, that Natalia goes to a private school with other rich kids, bc Natasha wants her childhood as normals as possible. They send her to Durmstrang, bc this is the perfect school for her. (In this fic, many dark wizard families send their children there, Durmstrang is almost as big as Hogwarts and a proud school. The asshole Igor somewhat is not there) And a former Red Room 'friend' of Natasha is teacher there, so she can train her daughter while school. She goes under the name Natalia Romanoff, but somehow they realize this is the princess of russia. Naturally they try to become her friend, but... her glare is really scary. And then she starts talking about her father and they are like, nooopee not with me. But someone doesn‘t recognizes her. One Draco Malfoy. His father sends him to Durmstrang, bc the school is known for the good teaching in DADA (they totally also learn some dark spells) and Lucius will not send his heir to the school where this Dumbleshit is. Draco only says once, 'my father will hear about this', but no one fears his father. They are all pretty chill and not like britain wizards. So Draco slowly changes, doesn’t become this little brat who runs to his father everytime. He’s more like: oh fuck, my mom will kill me, when he does something dumb. It‘s in the middle of the school year, when he sees Natalia in the library and they just start talking. He has no idea who she is, bc Malfoys hate the muggle world and yeah. Natalia notices that and decides, this is now my best friend. They start to hang out, prank some olders and become friends with Vikor Krum, who starts his career.

And everybody is like: boy, do you realize this is a princess? Draco is just confused until she tells him and he‘s just: why did you do this to me??? I thought we‘re friends? He takes it with humor, yk Draco isn’t this little shit like in canon, Well, he still can be, but only when necessary. Anyway, he’s totally proud, that he’s the best friend of the princess of russia.

Anyway. They become friends and Draco writes a letter, before he comes home. There he casually writes he befriended the Romanova heir and how she teached him some moves with knifes. His father pales, bc draco- how in the bloody hell did you become friends with the russian princess, who is the daughter of the most feared assassin??? His mother is proud and excited to meet this Natalia.

Anywayyy. Draco comes home, his father tries his usual shit, but his son just walks past him and hugs his mother. Narcissa approves™

Uhm... probably should mention that Draco let his hair grow? Bc omg- twelve year old Draco Malfoy with a undercut and a little bun. Omg- and then some years later. You either die, bc he‘s so cute or bc he‘s so hot.

Anyway. Draco and Natalia write through the summer and also meet. James begins to teach Draco, bc you are now the best friend of my daughter. She can‘t always protect you. The Malfoys meet the Romanovas and somehow the whole wizarding world knows this.

Lucius called Natalia a half blood, bc he tought James is one.

“Excuse me, my Lord. But my father is the head of the Barnes family, an old and ancient house of America. He is a true wizard, if the muggels wouldn‘t have tortured him, his magical core still would be intact.“ James stares at Lucius, like he’s ready to kill and then mutters something in russian. Natalia snorts unladylike, while Natasha grins. (James called Lucius a little boy, (in not so nice words) bc he fears his daughter who is twelve years old. Shame on you, Lucius)

Bc Natalia is bored, she created an Instagram account, where she immediately gained millions of followers.

“Hey there! You probably think, what the bloody hell is the princess of-"

“Stop swearing, young lady!“

“And this was my father... anyway. I have summer holidays and while I still prepare for the next school year, I have sooo much time to do nothing! And- Draco, come here! I want you to introduce to Instagram.“ Natalia grins widely, while she films Draco, who was reading a book about the history of Russia.

“What now, Nat?“, he mumbles.

“Look in the camera!“

“You know, if you say that, I will especially not doing it.“

“And this is my best friend Draco.“

“Draco Malfoy.“ She rolles her eyes playfully, when he still ignores her.

“Draco Lucius Malfoy... now stop being such a brat and come here.“

“I hate it, when you call me by my full name.“

“Anyway. This is Draco Malfoy, my best friend. We met in the middle of the school year and since then-“

“Everybody has to suffer because of our alliance.“

“We are friends, Draco! Stop being such a bloody-“

“Young Lady-“

“It was Draco!“ Her fans love their interactions. Some even do competitions about Draco‘s insults at random people.

“My dad teached Draco some things and now he won‘t let this bloody knife-“

“Natalia Romanova, no cruse words in this household.“

“I swear, my dad knows everytime when I cruse. It‘s spooky.“ Draco snorts, while he still twirls the knife in his hand.

“Your father knows everything you do.“

“That‘s true.“

She gets the permission, still to post on social media while being at school. As long she doesn’t exposes the wizarding world.

“I wanted to introduce you to another friend of mine! This is Viktor-“

“Stanislav! Did you hear? I‘m friends with the princess, take that you fucking asshole!“

“We are not friends anymore, Vic! Stanislav, you are now my new best friend!“

“Hey! What about me??“

Some people are concerned, that she only has male friends, since they only met the three.

“Please. Girls can be soo dramatic, it‘s so fucking annoying. But I have some female friends. Like Daphne. But she goes to another school.... Draco? Do you think we could kidnap Daphne, so she goes with us to school?“ Draco is so done with his life. Why did he became friends with her? She only makes problems...

So yeah, Natalia is a cheerful person, but if you try to hurt her friends or family, she raises hell. Draco tries to control the chaos she creates, but is not always successful.

Uhm, fast forward I think? To fourth year, the Triwizard Tournament. Bc Draco and Natalia are one of Victor‘s closest friends, (and have powerful names) the go for a year to Hogwarts. They also meet the golden trio, who has no idea who they are, but Ron is searching for the princess. Hermione tries to stop him, but he already did the mess. Natalia begins raises an eyebrow and asks him what business he has with the princess.

“I need to speak with her.“

“And you are? Draco, is he a part of the pure blood families?“ Draco just shruggs and says: “I‘m not entirely sure, he has the looks of a Weasly and while they are a pure blood family, no one of the elite likes them.“ Harry begins to shout at Draco, Ron too, while Hermione wants to bang her head against the wall.

“I‘m sure, this is a misunderstanding. I‘m not from England, so I don‘t know the important families like Draco does. He simply said what your political position in the wizarding world is. I‘m sure you know the Malfoys, this is Draco Malfoy and he‘s my best friend. I appologies, if something we said came out wrong, but in Durmstrang you normally don‘t offend students with the political positions of their parents.“

Hermione becomes friends with the two, Harry and Ron are then pissed. Does she care? No.

So, they have their fun in Howgarts, they also befriend the Weasly twins and prank some people.

And then comes the fifth year. People loose their absolute shit, bc boy- They haven‘t seen Draco for 3 months and suddendly he‘s one of the hottest teenagers of the world. They start to ship the two, but Natalia doesn’t react to the fans about this.

For information, they are in the sixth year when they come together (somewhat)

But in the summer after the fifth year, some agency contacts Draco and asks him if he wants to do modeling. And he‘s like, why not. Then I have also a name in the muggle world and much influence.

He does a great job. He gains a fandbase, (he already has one) who are like: fucking finally-bitch, what took you so long???

He also starts social medias, mostly talks about his life. And the world meets his mother and they are like: ok wow, we understand, Draco. She‘s an angel, a badass angel. We know now, why he‘s such a perfect boy

So yeah, Draco starts modeling, his father tries to throw a hissy fit but can‘t really do anything about it.

I totally forgot about it, but Voldemort came back and James is like- fuck this shit and killed him. And destroyed all his Horcruxes. He went to all his former followers and was like: bitches, this was a half blood who wanted to destroy the wizarding world. Don‘t follow his mistakes or I‘ll kill you all.

They look at him with big eyes and he then tells, he wants his daughter save and how can she be save, when the parents of her friends follow a mass murderer?

And yeah, this is how the Winter Soldier destroyed Dumbledore’s plans and didn‘t even know it.

And yeah. Draco starts also acting (he‘s really good at it) and is a part time teacher in Durmstrang. Natalia is doing princess stuff, represents her house in the wizarding world and just lives her life.

They marry some years later (the biggest wedding of the century after Natalia‘s parents).

Masterlist

[subjectsix]

Hitman 2 and 3 theories

OKAY so I’ve been reading about Hitman 2/3 theories and thinking on the ending of the Haven level a lot and decided to make a post about it because analyzing stuff is fun dkfjghdjkfhg

Spoilers for the end of Hitman 2/the Haven level below the cut! (y’all its so much I’m sorry KJLDFHGKJFHG its Hitman Lore And Meta Time)

FIRST lemme just say. Y’all I’m very aware I’m a big Lucas Grey fan dkjgfhkdjhg BUT I did my best to make sure that wasn’t getting into my analyzation too much, I like being as objective/unbiased as possible bc the Hitman storyline is wonderful (and if Lucas is the villain oooo Drama™)

anyway this is gonna be a long ramble so here’s the TL;DR

Big point: I don’t think we can accurately piece together any sort of an answer currently, and IO wants us to doubt everyone and everything for the “hook” into the next game, and they did a lovely job at it! Thank you IO <3

My three running theories with the info we have:

None of the main four are working with the constant, and he is manipulating them all to try and turn them on each other, making them doubt each other to cause dissension among them (see: him telling Diana about the hit on her parents, the concept that he’s making Lucas out to be a traitor) which could result in Lucas’ death (or not)

Lucas is being “held hostage” in a way by the constant-- Edwards has him by some threat or pressure point credible enough to make Lucas work for him

The least likely in my opinion due to evidence and Lucas’ character, but still possible maybe: Lucas made a deal with the constant somehow (when he would’ve found the time, I don’t know) because he’s got it in his head that he and 47 should be the providence leaders-- somewhere along the way he got so obsessed/focused on this all he got his view skewed and genuinely thinks he’s doing a good and helpful thing

So what prompted me was this specific comment on a hitman subreddit theory thread:

So to me, the idea that Lucas has been a traitor from the start doesn’t seem to add up. If you look at everything we've seen from IO about him, it shows that Lucas is on a path of vengeance-- suddenly allowing The Constant off the hook seems like a massive shift in character, especially considering the comic and what we've seen of Lucas and 47 as kids (more on this in a bit)

So the only leap you can make after that to blame Lucas is the second comment on that reddit response, but that seems like such a big cheesy sci-fi stretch to me. If you look at Lucas and 47 knowing they’re clones, you can clearly see the resemblance. They aren’t just brothers, they’re like. They’re near exactly the same in appearance (save for the fact that 47’s in much better shape and like. Bald DFHFDJHG). You could argue that Lucas had his face changed to appear to be a clone, but you have to consider that they both have the hand scars from the pact they made as children, the comic confirms Lucas/6’s existence, Lucas has a lot of Ort-Meyer knowledge others don’t have, and 47 is remembering Lucas

Any leap past that gets wackier, like...

- Maybe 47 has DOUBLE fake memories from his time in the institute and this has been planned from the beginning? Doesn’t seem satisfying nor IO’s style, plus it seems rather out of character for 47.

- Ether antidote somehow gave him fake memories? Also nah, seems just too out there/odd/improbable 

So from here, the only thing that I can personally add up and understand in the vein of Lucas being a traitor is the concept of Lucas maybe having a bent concept of like... morality? I can see him maybe getting a bit too over the edge, too bent and obsessed on Providence and taking them down, and somehow talking himself into thinking he and 47 need to be in control of Providence because they’re the only ones that can make things “right”. From what I’ve seen, he hasn’t exhibited behavior that tells me that in full, but that makes much more sense than him being A Complete Snake™ because if he was a traitor it would defo be in the “he fully thinks he’s doing the right and good thing for 47”

ANYWAY consider this evidence in game:

- Lucas being shown repeatedly to go to great lengths to avoid collateral damage/citizens getting hurt or killed (you can overhear this being talked about on Hawke’s Bay, Columbia (and from Lucas himself in Rico’s office), and I think Colorado, but I’m not sure. I’m sure there’s other locations as well).

- Lucas' genuine concern for Olivia to the point that he gives her her whole own security detail (seen on Colorado, thank u @olliemander for showing me that!!!), as well as the fact that he met her when she was 7 (can somebody say father figure), and she's the only person in the whole militia to have both seen him and know his real name, not even Sean Rose knows his name and those that have seen him have all been killed (Viktor, the Providence member in the cutscene after Sapienza) 

- His seemingly genuine reaction to realizing he killed Diana's parents (seen in the cutscene before Sgáil)

- His seemingly genuine concern over 47's wellbeing after the ether antidote (seen in the cutscene after Whittleton)

- His seemingly genuine reaction to/at the institute (the man is genuinely emotional over it all)

- The Constant's complete bafflement at Lucas' actions-- you can overhear this on Sgáil-- and I suppose you could argue that this is just fake so Edwards and Lucas can play the long con, but that seems unlikely to me

- also this is less of a piece of evidence but still interesting, Lucas’ man on the island that gets him the info on the poison chip and the Washington Sisters comes from a genuine NPC you can listen to, who calls Lucas to give him more info and tell him their debt from their old CICADA days is repaid and to just leave him alone now AKJDLFHGKJDFHG

I mean, yeah, it could all be things to mislead us, but I don’t think so-- his behavior lines up throughout the years of his life that we’ve been shown, and 47 isn’t one to blindly trust people.

This leaves the idea that Lucas has been working with Edwards from the start, but that too seems like a long stretch to me-- Lucas seems to hate what he and 47 had to go through (as seen in the comics and just his behavior we’ve seen), and he carries that weight (like he mentions in the cutscene before Sgáil, and in the Homecoming cutscene). He seems to really struggle with survivor’s guilt over his escape from the institute. Plus Lucas doing a double side switch seems a bit Much™ (but I totally could be wrong akdljfhgkjdgh)

Ultimately tho, here's the thing: I don’t think we can solve this puzzle yet, because IO wants us to wait for Hitman 3. What good is it if we bust it before the game comes out?

They did this with the end of the Sgáil mission-- it was a big ominous cliffhanger but then we just sorta scooted along (so they could keep building the story, it was well done IMO)

My most likely theory at the moment is the idea that Edwards is trying to turn 47, Lucas, Diana, and Olivia on each other because he realizes they’re a threat. Bc If I’m real, I currently don't think any of the core group are working with The Constant, which is terrifying, because it means the constant is way more powerful than we thought and way less helpless than we thought he was in his current position. (So that means the text/phone call/whatever Lucas got in the end cutscene was from Edwards posing as someone else like Olivia). Plus, if Diana gets into contact with 47, she’s going to tell him Edwards is gone. If for some reason 47 can’t contact her, he’s going to be suspicious and on high alert.

Edwards is a scheming, smart dude and I don’t doubt him being able to do that at all. He knows Diana and 47 are close and trust each other (“in his own special way, he cares about you”) and felt the need to mention to her that 47 and Lucas were behind her parents’ deaths-- that’s not just bonus information, he did it for a reason. This also puts his line of “Do you really want to do this to me?” to the Partners in reference to being under scrutiny and needing the poison chip under a SUPER terrifying and ominous light. What sort of power does this man wield?

I would personally love to see Lucas survive these games AKJHSFJGH but I can see the story leading to 47 have to make a call to shoot Lucas (thinking he’s a traitor), playing hard against the emotions of it all, especially with the reveal that this was all a set up by The Constant, making 47 go after him with a vengeance. (also not to be angsty™ but can you imagine Lucas and 47 talking after 47’s shot him? Oof ouchy my heart) 

Another possibility I can see is like my friend Synth suggested-- Lucas wanting to go in violently and take it all out on The Constant, while 47 holds him back for tactics sake 

In terms of Lucas and Edwards working together, sans them planning it from the start, there really would’ve been no time for Lucas to talk to The Constant between his capture and the departure for the bank. I also can’t currently make sense of many reasons why Lucas would side with him and not tell 47 or Olivia

My final idea that plays into the idea of Lucas as a traitor is the idea that, somehow, The Constant is holding Lucas hostage in a way? That if by chance they got to speak to each other, The Constant lorded some threat over Lucas that was serious enough to him to agree to help him (like a threat against 47 or Olivia, etc). I’m not sure though, but the idea is interesting to me :Oc

aNYWAY big ol’ rant over! Here’s some pics of Lucas’ voice actor in Alice and Wonderland enjoy fdjgkhdfkjghkjfh

[inacciaio-archive]

@warwagcd @halfvampirehalflycan @nomcther @the-direct-descendant

need to write a meta about Semira while I still have all these feels. ( warning: this applies to my interpretation of Semira and also my au where she didn’t go after David because I still think she wouldn’t be that stupid to damn herself like that bc even if she would’ve successfully killed David, everyone would know she did it because the timing of her escape was convenient and she wanted him dead )

I don't know if any of you have watched Joss Whedon's tv show Dollhouse, (Everyone should check it out by the way. This is the same person who made gems like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Firefly) but there's this character Adelle, and as a leader, she reminds me a lot of Semira. Not completely, but specifically the parts about them that are pragmatic and strategic, but also lonely. Adelle reminded me that up at the top with all that power and coldness and no one, Semira must be truly lonely. Especially with my headcanons based on the story of Semiramis, which Semira’s name is based on. 

Basically, Semiramis was abandoned by her mother, despite her mother being a goddess. Perhaps it was because Semiramis was half-mortal due to her father being human. She was fed by doves and then found by a shepherd who raised her. She married a king’s guard, but then because of her strength and courage, the king wanted her himself. So he took her as his wife, and they even had a child, but the king was fatally wounded in battle. Semiramis posed as their son to lead her husband’s army, and after he died, Semiramis ruled as queen regent for 42 years. Desirable as she was, she could’ve had any man as a husband, but she chose to stay alone, to never marry again. Perhaps to keep her power all to herself. 

Semira found herself in a similar situation. Viktor took her in as an adult though, as she spent most of her childhood life on the streets. She found herself working a job as a human in a seedy pub, and from her life without family or loved ones, and with Viktor teaching her that caring wasn’t an advantage, Semira doesn’t quite know how to love someone. Secretly she wants it, yet secretly she’s also afraid of it. 

The vampire has dedicated herself to her work, thinking herself above such a thing as forming a meaningful relationship. It gives her a weakness, she thinks. Either the person will use her trust and secrets against her, or the person will be used by someone else to hurt her. She sees caring for someone else as a disadvantage. She wants it though, so it’s why she takes so many lovers, never getting attached. They’re nothing but bodies meant to give her affection, to fill her void. Their purpose is to give her tastes of something she feels she can never have nor give; love. It’s an even greater experience if the person falls in love with her, but Semira still doesn’t love them back, she can’t. She could never allow herself to have such a great weakness. She was born with nothing, and she fought so hard to have everything, and she wouldn’t allow herself to be brought down by giving into such a pathetically human desire. Semira no longer sees herself as human, she sees her formal self as a weakling, someone who simply survived. She sees herself now as a phoenix risen from the ashes, and she would rather internally suffer than lose the power she fought so hard to gain. 

So she does. Semira longs for touch, for caring, for affection, for everything and more, and she can’t have it. She won’t allow herself. She has people to share bits and pieces with, but not a single person knows everything about her. The person who ever got closest was Thomas. He knew almost everything about Semira, but even he was never told of how incredibly lonely Semira was. Starved for attention, demanding of it, but not lonely. Semira went many years without having a confidant to tell many, many things to, and so she was truly happy to see Thomas again after so many decades. But even her closest of friends, they could not become weaknesses. 

She had to make a choice in that moment. There was a look of shock, but overall a look of disappointment. In her mind, she had been betrayed yet again. Thomas had brandished a weapon against her. Betrayed by someone she cared for most. She could rationally decide that Thomas was only protecting his son, but emotionally was different. As rational as Semira can be when it comes to battle plans, when it comes to personal things, Semira is somewhat emotionally charged. 

She had a choice to make. Let him go, stand down, don’t fight, lose a potentially incredible asset, lose her revenge against Selene, potentially lose her power when a well trusted vampire such as Thomas tells the council all about her treachery. Fight him, kill him, lose the closest thing to a best friend she’s ever had. In the back of her mind, Semira felt that she had to do this, that there was only one smart choice. What she had worked for had to take importance above all things. She wouldn’t go back to being nothing. She had clawed her way to the top and she would never go back. In the moment, she could write him off. He was just another weakness that had to be eradicated like all of her other weaknesses. That was what she told herself as she fought him. That he wasn’t a person, that he wasn’t even a pet, that he was a liability that had almost been used against her; Thomas believing that Semira would spare him because of their relationship, that the fight would only be to distract her until his son and Selene escaped, that she would simply curse him and be mad for a while for ruining her plan. No, she told herself, she would not let someone play her like that. That was what she told herself when she plunged the sword into him. She would not be played like a fool. 

It wasn’t until the next night that it fully weighed on her. She had Varga, but she knew that she could never allow herself to put her trust and faith in another person as she did with Thomas. In fact, she separates herself further from Varga emotionally after this. Even though they had sex, it was physical. Emotionally, she was utterly alone. Sharing her thoughts, emotions, anything with anyone else was an impossibility. She thinks of how she took Thomas’ life, but more selfishly, she thinks of how she no longer has someone. She doesn’t have anyone she can truly confess her thoughts and feelings to. She reminds herself that she technically never did in the first place, that she just feigns trusting people, that she never really does. She manipulates everyone, she lies to everyone, she blocks out everyone. She reminds herself that she wouldn’t even know how to act any differently even if she tried.

It’s this that makes Semira feel an aching knot in her throat. Her body wants to cry, but Semira won’t allow it. She wants to scream, but she won’t allow it. She just sits there on her lush bed that she earned for herself, that she killed for, that she slaughtered for, and feels all of her pain boiling up inside of her like it’s ready to burst, like her chest filling with rock hard cement, trying to break out of her and rip her apart. What’s all of it for, she asks herself. Why do I even continue? Because it was too late to stop now. Because, she knows, if she stops now it will all have been for nothing. She will be nothing again. She’s too deep now. It’s like being underground and digging your way out. So many sacrifices were made on the way up, so many mistakes made, and she had to just keep going because if she doesn’t keep going, she’ll just fall down and be trapped forever or die. 

Her throat burns, she feels like she’s choking. It’s just one person, she reminds herself. One meaningless person. Even as she tricks herself into thinking that she no longer cares about Thomas’ existence, she still knows that she is alone and that won’t change, that will never change. She wants to scream. She wants to lash out in rage. At herself, at everyone, at the world. She knows she’s nothing but power and anger. The two things that she has, the two things that she’s good at. 

It isn’t until her fall that she finally breaks down. She made so many mistakes. She realizes all at once. Only being kept alive due to either Selene’s mercy for helping Selene kill Marius, or because the council wanted to further torture her, because death would be too easy. Death would be swift, pain would be better even, Semira knew how to handle pain. But being low again, the lowest of the low, falling, being at the bottom, losing everything, Semira realized truly what she had done. What did she do it for? What was it all for? She thinks of how she practically sabotaged herself. She took Thomas away from herself. She pushed away any chance at love she had with Varga. She was a cold, heartless leader. Now she had nothing. It was in her new bedroom, a relatively smaller one, but still alone nonetheless. They didn’t trust her to sleep with the other vampires. Weeks into her sentence, her life sentence of punishment-- they wouldn’t let her die, no, that would be mercy -- Semira feels that feeling in her throat again. This time, her eyes do fill with tears. Why am I like this, she asks herself. Why am I fucking like this? Weakness was my weakness. Arrogance, pride, but above all, fear of weakness. Fear of losing. Fear of being lesser. Under all of the confidence there had always been a desire to be above and superior. Without weakness, perfect, because if she wasn’t perfect, how else could she prove that she was better than Selene, better than everyone? To be better was what Semira wanted, what she needed.

Semira finally cries for the first time in so long. Centuries worth of sadness, of loneliness, of pain and self loathing being sobbed out only when she’s sure that no one is around to hear or see her. She’s on her knees and digging her nails into the floor, screaming. She’s lost everything, no reason to keep it all inside anymore, all the rage, all the sadness. Her world was destroyed and she mostly blamed herself for it. Underneath all of her excuses, she knew it was her fault. Behind all her selfishness, she knew she should’ve been different, but she didn’t know how. She didn’t even know if it was worth trying to be any different now. She had her chances to try and she ignored all of them. Power was more important, it was always the most important and now the only way she would ever have power again is if she killed everyone with power in this coven, and even then, it wasn’t a sure thing that the rest of the coven would abide by her rule. And then what? She could force them to listen, she could kill some of them as examples, but what would it be for? Power for the sake of power? What would that be for? It wouldn’t even be for self satisfaction, because what was satisfactory about ruling people just to know they hate you? She wanted what others had so easily and she would never have it, and even with all the pathetic excuses and blaming other people, it all came down to being her own fault. She could’ve acted differently, she finds out Varga had loved her, though no longer did, she could’ve chose a different path for herself, but she didn’t, didn’t know how, and was too scared to even try. So she screams. She screams so much until her throat is sore and aching. Her eyes red, burning, wet, the tears won’t stop and for once, she doesn’t try to stop them. Semira’s on the floor, alone. 

When she’s questioned about the destroyed state of her room, she simply smirks. She hides behind her smirk, she always has, but especially more so now. Semira shakes her head and comes up with some sort of excuse to hide the real reason, she’s got millions of excuses.