Betrayed: Chapter 21
Jun. 24th, 2011 10:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ZeldaQueen: In which we see a rather pointless ceremony
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
Chapter 21
ZeldaQueen: Zoey starts off the Full Moon ritual, and all she goes on about is how pissed off she is at Neferet, how Neferet is clearly up to no good, etc. Summarizing never really does this thing justice, so let's take a look, shall we?
"Not only would no one understand, but also no one would believe what I was beginning to see: that there was something dark and wrong about Neferet. And why should anyone understand or believe me? I was, after all, just a kid. No matter what powers Nyx had given me I was totally not in the same league with a High Priestess. Besides that, no one except me had witnessed the little puzzle pieces that were fitting together to create such a terrible picture"
ZeldaQueen: Uh huh. You know Zoey, your having the pieces isn't really that helpful either, seeing as you seem totally incapable of actually remembering them. And again, this all would probably have a lot more impact in other circumstances, but now it just comes across like Zoey's saying "Neferet stole my ideas! How evil! Why can't anyone but me see what a bitch she is?"
Also, I have nary a clue where that "I'm just a kid, no one will listen to me" thing is coming from. This is honestly the first time that Zoey's age has factored into her decision-making process in this regard thus far. In fact, the only time I've ever heard her talk about how she's just a kid and it hinders her progress to her goals is when she's trying to get it on with Blake...ew. Never mind.
Anyway, Zoey realizes that the only person who would understand and believe her is Aphrodite. I'm still not entirely certain why she can't tell her friends. Yes, I know the excuse she gave, that Neferet would read their body language and learn that they know, but how is that different for Aphrodite? In fact, given how Neferet is trying to make sure that no one knows about Aphrodite's visions, you'd think she'd be under more scrutiny.
Jack whispers to Zoey to tell him when to start the music. Apparently he's a tech guy, so he's in charge of the audio equipment. Zoey moves forward and has all eyes upon her and...Loren Blake shows up. *dully* Oh goody, I was missing that creeper. He surprises Zoey, prompting her to cry out "Crap, Loren! You scared me so bad I almost peed on myself!" *rubs head* I guess the vast number of students watching her just didn't hear that remark, because I find it hard to believe that no matter how reverent they are, a group of high school students can stay totally quiet and respectful when someone giving a presentation says something like that.
Loren starts to be all seductive andsleazy sexy and touches her arm and Zoey starts yammering to the readers about how it probably looked like an innocent gesture, but it totally felt like a caress and might I remind the jury that her boyfriend is standing not two feet away and she was just angsting over her behavior while he was gone and how much she regretted it? Oh no, she remembers that Erik's watching. She remembers it while she gives Blake a flirty smile. *head desk*
Blake tells her that he's going to recite a poem for the ritual, much like how he did for that one time he showed up in Marked. He goes off to inform Jack about this slight change in plans and Zoey wonders if anyone else noticed their flirting. She looks at Erik, who cheerfully winks to her, and decides not. Oh, and we're told that Shaunee and Erin are openly staring at Blake's butt. When they see that Zoey notices this, they waggle their eyebrows. That's...charming.
At this point, Blake returns and starts to open the ceremony. Zoey compares his ability to get people to listen to Erik's ability. Am I the only one a little disturbed that she's constantly appraising and comparing her boyfriends? Anyway, Blake implies in his speech that it was, in fact, Zoey who had the ideas and not Neferet, and Zoey instantly goes gaga because oh look at what a kind and wonderful person he is!!! He then turns the mike back to Zoey, and has Jack start up the music for the ritual - Aldebaren, by Enya.
ZeldaQueen: Yes, because lord knows, nothing screams "deep-rooted tradition" like a 1987 Irish piece.
I mean, yes she says she picked it because she liked it and in any other circumstances I'd be fine with that, but Zoey was previously slamming on Aphrodite for using more modern aspects and wanted to go way, way back for her ritual. I mean, I know 80's music isn't the most modern stuff there is, but it's also hardly traditional ancient Greek. Given how it was praised so much in Marked, I'm wondering if it's just personal appeal for one of the Cast ladies.
Oh but wait, Zoey has other justifications for using it. Aldebaren is also the name of a star and that really relates to the Full Moon Ritual. Yeah that makes sense, because the moon is totally a star, right?
No, wait, that's actually very stupid.
I'm serious. I can't think of any way the star Aldebaren relates to ancient Greece, Nyx, vampires, darkness, or the full moon. The only thing it has in common with that last one is that they both are things in outer space, and if that's all the justification needed, Zoey probably would have done better to use Holst's Jupiter. At least that would also have the justification of fitting better with her desire for tradition and given that Jupiter was the Roman name of Zeus, leader of the Olympians, it would fit with the general Greek mythology and Zoey's leading of the fledglings.
It's kind of depressing to think that I'm putting more thought into this thing than the Suethors who were paid for it.
Blake starts to recite a William Blake poem and Zoey starts doing an impromptu dance. Being a Sue, she of course does it perfectly, even though we've never been told that she has any sort of dancing experience or similar things. And yes, I know it is possible, but it's certainly not so easy to do a nice, graceful dance without any sort of practice or forethought.
Zoey makes it to the center of the room next to Nyx's table, takes up an ornate lighter, and lights the elemental candles. There's all of this description about how the elements are extra-powerful because Damien, Shaunee, Erin, and Stevie Rae are all so excited and giggly and it's really pointless and I'm skipping over it. Oh, and apparently they're just so powerful and awesome after making all of two elemental circles thus far that they now get silver beams of light connecting them. Gah!
Addressing the students, Zoey tells them how they're changing everything about the Dark Daughters "from the type of
incense burned, to the abuse of our classmates".
Cast ladies. Yes. We freaking well know that you mentioned once in the first book that pot was used as incense and that it's the most evilest thing ever. We know that you think that smoking a joint is the worst thing a teenager can do. For the love of fuck shut up about it!
I'm sorry, I know it's a little thing, but that really pisses me off, how they have Zoey lump the bleeding and abuse and bullying of students with using pot as incense! How are those two things even worth uttering together? I...GAH!
Anyway, there's a bland speech from Zoey about the full moon and starting over, blah, blah, blah. She then starts to introduce the other people in her circle, and how they represent their elements.
She starts with Damien, "My friend Damien is the most authentic person I know, even when being true to himself has been a hard thing to be. He represents air well". If by that you mean he never shuts up about how he's gay, then yes, yes he is. Shaunee "is the most faithful person I know. If she's on your side, she's there whether you're right or wrong—and if you're wrong she'll tell you about yourself, but she won't desert you. She represents fire well". *snorts* Oh, just keep that one in mind for the fourth book, ladies and gentlemen. Erin is described as "My friend Erin's beauty sometimes fools people into thinking she has great hair, but no brains. It's not true. She is one of the wisest people I know, and Nyx proved that she looks to the interior when she chose Erin. She represents water well". Yes, "wise" is what I'd certainly call someone who thinks the word "propensity" is overly difficult. Lastly, Stevie Rae "always knows when I'm happy or sad, stressed or relaxed. She worries about me; she worries about all of her friends, sometimes she is too empathetic, and I'm glad that now she has the earth she can draw strength from. She represents earth well". Erm, is it just me, or did that not actually explain how Stevie Rae represented Earth well?
And then everyone goes on about how Zoey represents spirit well and she's moved to tears, and so on and all that noise
Onward to: Chapter 22
Back to: Chapter 20
Back to: Table of Contents
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
Chapter 21
ZeldaQueen: Zoey starts off the Full Moon ritual, and all she goes on about is how pissed off she is at Neferet, how Neferet is clearly up to no good, etc. Summarizing never really does this thing justice, so let's take a look, shall we?
"Not only would no one understand, but also no one would believe what I was beginning to see: that there was something dark and wrong about Neferet. And why should anyone understand or believe me? I was, after all, just a kid. No matter what powers Nyx had given me I was totally not in the same league with a High Priestess. Besides that, no one except me had witnessed the little puzzle pieces that were fitting together to create such a terrible picture"
ZeldaQueen: Uh huh. You know Zoey, your having the pieces isn't really that helpful either, seeing as you seem totally incapable of actually remembering them. And again, this all would probably have a lot more impact in other circumstances, but now it just comes across like Zoey's saying "Neferet stole my ideas! How evil! Why can't anyone but me see what a bitch she is?"
Also, I have nary a clue where that "I'm just a kid, no one will listen to me" thing is coming from. This is honestly the first time that Zoey's age has factored into her decision-making process in this regard thus far. In fact, the only time I've ever heard her talk about how she's just a kid and it hinders her progress to her goals is when she's trying to get it on with Blake...ew. Never mind.
Anyway, Zoey realizes that the only person who would understand and believe her is Aphrodite. I'm still not entirely certain why she can't tell her friends. Yes, I know the excuse she gave, that Neferet would read their body language and learn that they know, but how is that different for Aphrodite? In fact, given how Neferet is trying to make sure that no one knows about Aphrodite's visions, you'd think she'd be under more scrutiny.
Jack whispers to Zoey to tell him when to start the music. Apparently he's a tech guy, so he's in charge of the audio equipment. Zoey moves forward and has all eyes upon her and...Loren Blake shows up. *dully* Oh goody, I was missing that creeper. He surprises Zoey, prompting her to cry out "Crap, Loren! You scared me so bad I almost peed on myself!" *rubs head* I guess the vast number of students watching her just didn't hear that remark, because I find it hard to believe that no matter how reverent they are, a group of high school students can stay totally quiet and respectful when someone giving a presentation says something like that.
Loren starts to be all seductive and
Blake tells her that he's going to recite a poem for the ritual, much like how he did for that one time he showed up in Marked. He goes off to inform Jack about this slight change in plans and Zoey wonders if anyone else noticed their flirting. She looks at Erik, who cheerfully winks to her, and decides not. Oh, and we're told that Shaunee and Erin are openly staring at Blake's butt. When they see that Zoey notices this, they waggle their eyebrows. That's...charming.
At this point, Blake returns and starts to open the ceremony. Zoey compares his ability to get people to listen to Erik's ability. Am I the only one a little disturbed that she's constantly appraising and comparing her boyfriends? Anyway, Blake implies in his speech that it was, in fact, Zoey who had the ideas and not Neferet, and Zoey instantly goes gaga because oh look at what a kind and wonderful person he is!!! He then turns the mike back to Zoey, and has Jack start up the music for the ritual - Aldebaren, by Enya.
ZeldaQueen: Yes, because lord knows, nothing screams "deep-rooted tradition" like a 1987 Irish piece.
I mean, yes she says she picked it because she liked it and in any other circumstances I'd be fine with that, but Zoey was previously slamming on Aphrodite for using more modern aspects and wanted to go way, way back for her ritual. I mean, I know 80's music isn't the most modern stuff there is, but it's also hardly traditional ancient Greek. Given how it was praised so much in Marked, I'm wondering if it's just personal appeal for one of the Cast ladies.
Oh but wait, Zoey has other justifications for using it. Aldebaren is also the name of a star and that really relates to the Full Moon Ritual. Yeah that makes sense, because the moon is totally a star, right?
No, wait, that's actually very stupid.
I'm serious. I can't think of any way the star Aldebaren relates to ancient Greece, Nyx, vampires, darkness, or the full moon. The only thing it has in common with that last one is that they both are things in outer space, and if that's all the justification needed, Zoey probably would have done better to use Holst's Jupiter. At least that would also have the justification of fitting better with her desire for tradition and given that Jupiter was the Roman name of Zeus, leader of the Olympians, it would fit with the general Greek mythology and Zoey's leading of the fledglings.
It's kind of depressing to think that I'm putting more thought into this thing than the Suethors who were paid for it.
Blake starts to recite a William Blake poem and Zoey starts doing an impromptu dance. Being a Sue, she of course does it perfectly, even though we've never been told that she has any sort of dancing experience or similar things. And yes, I know it is possible, but it's certainly not so easy to do a nice, graceful dance without any sort of practice or forethought.
Zoey makes it to the center of the room next to Nyx's table, takes up an ornate lighter, and lights the elemental candles. There's all of this description about how the elements are extra-powerful because Damien, Shaunee, Erin, and Stevie Rae are all so excited and giggly and it's really pointless and I'm skipping over it. Oh, and apparently they're just so powerful and awesome after making all of two elemental circles thus far that they now get silver beams of light connecting them. Gah!
Addressing the students, Zoey tells them how they're changing everything about the Dark Daughters "from the type of
incense burned, to the abuse of our classmates".
Cast ladies. Yes. We freaking well know that you mentioned once in the first book that pot was used as incense and that it's the most evilest thing ever. We know that you think that smoking a joint is the worst thing a teenager can do. For the love of fuck shut up about it!
I'm sorry, I know it's a little thing, but that really pisses me off, how they have Zoey lump the bleeding and abuse and bullying of students with using pot as incense! How are those two things even worth uttering together? I...GAH!
Anyway, there's a bland speech from Zoey about the full moon and starting over, blah, blah, blah. She then starts to introduce the other people in her circle, and how they represent their elements.
She starts with Damien, "My friend Damien is the most authentic person I know, even when being true to himself has been a hard thing to be. He represents air well". If by that you mean he never shuts up about how he's gay, then yes, yes he is. Shaunee "is the most faithful person I know. If she's on your side, she's there whether you're right or wrong—and if you're wrong she'll tell you about yourself, but she won't desert you. She represents fire well". *snorts* Oh, just keep that one in mind for the fourth book, ladies and gentlemen. Erin is described as "My friend Erin's beauty sometimes fools people into thinking she has great hair, but no brains. It's not true. She is one of the wisest people I know, and Nyx proved that she looks to the interior when she chose Erin. She represents water well". Yes, "wise" is what I'd certainly call someone who thinks the word "propensity" is overly difficult. Lastly, Stevie Rae "always knows when I'm happy or sad, stressed or relaxed. She worries about me; she worries about all of her friends, sometimes she is too empathetic, and I'm glad that now she has the earth she can draw strength from. She represents earth well". Erm, is it just me, or did that not actually explain how Stevie Rae represented Earth well?
And then everyone goes on about how Zoey represents spirit well and she's moved to tears, and so on and all that noise
Onward to: Chapter 22
Back to: Chapter 20
Back to: Table of Contents