Betrayed: Chapter 14
May. 27th, 2011 06:11 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zelda_queenZeldaQueen: In which this story someone gets even more offensive and idiotic
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
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Chapter 14
ZeldaQueen: About half an hour later, Zoey and Friends are watching TV when the news channel starts broadcasting about the bomb threat. Chera Kimiko chirps perkily about it and it might be me but the whole thing feels rather...subdued for a bomb scare. Cue live footage from the bridge, which definitely has been closed down.
Aphrodite, who snuck up behind the group, comments on how the bomb scare was a smart idea and nods her head respectfully at Zoey. So, of course, Stevie Rae snaps "What do you want?" and the Cast ladies remember that Aphrodite is supposed to be unlikable, so she replies "From an ex-refrigerator? Nothing!" Cue an infodump on the whole refrigerator thing which, given how pointless it is, just comes across as horned-in. It also cues Shaunee and Erin nastily insulting Aphrodite. I think we're supposed to see it as comin to Stevie Rae's defense, but given that they call Aphrodite a ho nine million times and force several jokes about how they need a refrigerator but oh wait, she's not good enough to be one for them, it just comes across as horrible.
Zoey notices that Stevie Rae is going all pale and upset from this all, so she cuts in. She tells Aphrodite to never call Stevie Rae a refrigerator again and tells Shaunee and Erin that they aren't having refrigerator's anymore. The Twins look shocked and hurt that Zoey tells them off like that.
First of all, they really needed to be reminded that Zoey was doing away with the refrigerator business? Is it just me, or does that kind of imply that they don't see anything wrong with it? And they definitely don't see why making a ton of refrigerator jokes in front of Stevie Rae is something not nice because they're hurt, hurt I say, that the great Zoey would tell them off for it. What charming people.
Zoey tells them that they're all on the same side and thus should stop bickering. Aphrodite says that there's no way they're on the same side, but winks at Zoey before leaving the room. This causes Zoey to muse about how "She'd looked almost playful, like we were friends and just kidding around. But that wasn't possible. Was it?" Stevie Rae says that Aphrodite is creepy and Zoey replies that Aphrodite just has issues. "[T]he three of them looked at me like I'd just said Hitler really hadn't been that bad". I'm serious, they just don't leave up on her
"'You guys, I really want the new Dark Daughters to be a group that brings people together, not one that's stuck-up and so exclusive that only a few from a chosen clique can join.' They just stared at me. 'It was her warning that saved my grandma and several other people today.'
'She only told you because she wants something from you. She's hateful, Zoey. Don't ever think she's not,' Erin said.
'Please do not tell me that you're thinking of letting her back into the Dark Daughters,' Stevie Rae said.
I shook my head. 'No. And even if I wanted to, which I don't,' I added quickly, 'according to my own new rules she doesn't qualify for membership. A Dark Daughter or Son has to uphold our ideals by her or his behavior.'
Shaunee snorted. 'No damn way that hag knows how to be authentic, faithful, wise, earnest, and sincere about anything except her own hateful plans.'
'For world dominance,' Erin added.
'And don't think they're exaggerating,' Stevie Rae told me.
'Stevie Rae, she is not my friend. I just … I dunno ...' I floundered, trying to put the instinct that so often whispered to me and goaded me to do, or not to do, things into words. 'I guess I really do feel sorry for her sometimes. And I also think I understand her a little. Aphrodite just wants to be accepted, but she goes about it all wrong. She thinks manipulation and lies mixed with control can force people to like her. It's what she saw at home, and that's what made her like she is now.'
'Sorry, Zoey, but that's bullshit,' Shaunee said.
'She's way too old to be acting a fool because she has a screwed-up mommy.'
'Please. Just please with the blame-my-mommy-cause-I'm-a-bitch crap,' Erin said.
'Not to be mean or anything, but you have a screwed-up mama, too, Zoey, and you didn't let her, or your step-loser of a dad, mess you up," Stevie Rae said. 'And Damien has a mama who doesn't like him anymore because he's gay.'
'Yeah, and he didn't turn into a hateful slut hag,' Shaunee said. 'Actually, he's the opposite. He's like ... he's like ...' She paused, looking to Erin for help. 'Twin, what's the Julie Andrews character's name in The Sound of
Music?'
'Maria. And you're right, Twin. Damien is like that goody-goody nun. He needs to loosen up some or he's never gonna get any.'
'I cannot believe you guys are discussing my love life,' Damien said.
We all jumped guiltily and muttered, 'Sorry.'
He shook his head while Stevie Rae and I scooted over so he could sit beside us. 'And I'll have you know I don't just want to `get some' as you guys so nastily put it. I want a lasting relationship with someone I really care about, and I'm willing to wait for that.'
'Ja, fräulein,' Shaunee whispered.
'Maria,' Erin muttered.
Stevie Rae tried to hide her giggle in a cough"
ZeldaQueen: Oh my aching head...
I have to wonder, what is with these people? They make absolutely no attempt to see Zoey's point of view at all. She made several very nice points. If they want to improve the Dark Daughters, they can't just turn around and discriminate in the opposite direction, and instead must work to look beyond petty squabbles to form a stronger group. Aphrodite did come forward and tell Zoey about her vision which, silly me, was what I thought they were hating on her for not doing? Aphrodite hate a shitty home life and was brought up being told that power was all that mattered in life, and began to live accordingly.
And how do these people react? They stare at Zoey. They mock Aphrodite. They tell Zoey to her face that it's bad and wrong to feel sorry for someone like Aphrodite and Zoey had just better stop being so nice and forgiving. Please Cast ladies, tell me, why should I like these people? Why should I care about a bunch of self-righteous assholes who are so completely loathe to do something like forgive?
Which brings us to another point. I realize what the Cast ladies are trying to do here. They are going for the idea that there is a limit to how far Freudian excuses go to pinning bad behavior on. And that is a valid point. There are plenty of villains in media who cite or have terrible backstories but still go beyond what can be excused by them. I understand that.
Except...it doesn't work with Aphrodite. Quite simply, this is because what I noted in Marked - she's a terrible villain. Besides the refrigerator thing, which while dickish is still technically something allowed by the school, and a variety of childish insults, she doesn't really do anything to earn this level of scorn. And given what we know of her home life and what we will learn about her later, dickish behavior and not understanding how to interact with others sounds reasonable. Voldemort murdering his father, parents, and uncle for abandoning his mother is a case where the bad home life excuse doesn't fly. Being a general bitch because of eighteen years of being hated and manipulated by one's parents? Yeah.
I'd also like to ask, why doesn't Zoey bring up her points from before? You know, back in Chapter Two when she pointed out how she had sixteen years of love from her mother and her grandmother's constant love and support, neither of which Aphrodite had. But nope, she just stays quiet and doesn't bother to contradict them because that might lead to an argument and her friends not slobbering over her every word and we can't have that, can we?
Finally, and this is on the part with Damien, isn't that just lovely how these people gossip and tease Damien about daring to save himself for a monogamous relationship? I mean yes, it was delivered in the most soap-boxy way possible, but there are plenty of people who do want to save themselves for a deep, loving relationship as opposed to having a lot of flings. And do these people respect that? Nope, they just tease Damien about being an uptight nun who needs to loosen up to "get some".
I hate these people.
Oh, and the bit where Damien stands up to them? It doesn't last long. Zoey promptly cuts in and tells them that oh lookey, the bomb threat worked and thus the crisis was averted. Damien says great, and now it's time for them to go to the rec hall and set up for the ritual tomorrow. Zoey says that she completely forgot about that because she's just been so busy. I wasn't aware at all that it needed to be done, personally.
You know, a thought just occurred to me. Have all classes just disappeared? Because besides Neferet's one class and the one horse-riding class, I don't think there's been a single mention of them going to class. And besides that essay, there's been nothing about homework. Why am I bothering?
They head over to the rec hall, and there's a lot of stupid dialogue where Stevie Rae acts like a five-year-old because it looks like it's about to snow. Shaunee and Erin are materialistic airheads over a pair of jeans they saw in a Victoria's Secret catalog, and Damien talks about sewing and reminds us that he's gay.
They go into the rec room and Neferet's there. She starts pouring attention on Zoey, and Zoey starts gushing about how Neferet is just so wonderful and kind that she's like a mother to Zoey. I've...really seen no evidence for that, truth be told. Whatever! Neferet says that she'll provide anything needed at all for the ritual and will stay long enough for it to give her support before leaving it all to Zoey. She also has a new kid with her, who she wants to introduce to the gang
"She motioned, and a kid I hadn't noticed till then stepped slowly forward. He was cute, in a studious kind of a way, with tousled sandy blond hair and really pretty blue eyes. Clearly he was one of those geeky kids who is a dork, but a likable dork with potential (translation: he bathes and brushes his teeth, plus has good skin and hair and doesn't dress like a total loser)"
ZeldaQueen: Don't you love how judgemental Zoey is?
Anyway apparently this kid is a, poet and a writer and his mentor is Loren Blake. And because of how sleazy that guy's been, my immediate reaction is that he should not be given any sort of guardianship. Anyway, he immediately is shoved to Damien for explanations and tours and we're told that this new kid's name is Jack Twist.
... Jack Twist?
Are you...are you serious, Cast ladies?
I...I just...Moving on, then.
Zoey gushes some more about how Neferet is just a much better mother for her than her own mother is, and this instantly pisses me off most of the extent of Neferet's caretaking is kissing Zoey's ass and going on about how special she is. Also, considering how Neferet is constantly telling Zoey how humans are inconsequential and ought to be cut out of her life as soon as possible, it's just chilling that Zoey is casual saying things like "[I]t looked like I wouldn't be seeing [my mother] again soon. Like I cared? No. Not when I had good friends and a mentor like Neferet to be there for me".
This all is interrupted when a kid named Drew shows up. We're told how he's all blond and athletic and in Zoey's fencing class, which would be great if fencing had actually shown up more than once in this series. He clearly has the hots for Stevie Rae, which just comes across as naturally as Jessica pairing up with Mike in Twilight. He asks if they need any help setting up and Zoey is all amazed because Damien is right there but look! The jock kid is not making fun of him for being gay! Imagine that! Zoey tells Damien to tell Drew what needs to be done and Damien comments on how Hell must surely be freezing over for a jock like Drew to be working peacefully with a gay guy like him. Good God, how I wish I was exaggerating this all.
Shaunee and Erin promptly start going on about how "Damien has died and gone straight to gay boy heaven", and then mention how Jack Twist is gay. Stevie Rae and Zoey scratch their heads over that one, and I have to agree because Jack's been here for all of two pages or so. How the flip do you divine his sexuality from that little time? But no, they totally know it's true because "Jack Twist is yummy Jake Gyllenhaal's totally gay cowboy character from Brokeback Mountain" and "Anyone who chooses that name and who looks all geeky cute like that is totally, completely playing for Damien's team". Well GEE, WITH LOGIC LIKE THAT, HOW CAN ANYONE POSSIBLY ARGUE? I mean, it's not like someone could just be geeky and likes the movie or something!!!
And yes, Jack Twist is gay. Apparently this book is set in a world where the chain of logic is missing a few crucial links.
Stevie Rae is all confuzzled because that movie never played in the one movie theater in her little hick town. Shaunee says that they'll have to get the DVD for her, and Stevie Rae's brain breaks down at the thought of guys in it kissing.
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Onward to: Chapter 15
Back to: Chapter 13
Back to: Table of Contents
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
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Chapter 14
ZeldaQueen: About half an hour later, Zoey and Friends are watching TV when the news channel starts broadcasting about the bomb threat. Chera Kimiko chirps perkily about it and it might be me but the whole thing feels rather...subdued for a bomb scare. Cue live footage from the bridge, which definitely has been closed down.
Aphrodite, who snuck up behind the group, comments on how the bomb scare was a smart idea and nods her head respectfully at Zoey. So, of course, Stevie Rae snaps "What do you want?" and the Cast ladies remember that Aphrodite is supposed to be unlikable, so she replies "From an ex-refrigerator? Nothing!" Cue an infodump on the whole refrigerator thing which, given how pointless it is, just comes across as horned-in. It also cues Shaunee and Erin nastily insulting Aphrodite. I think we're supposed to see it as comin to Stevie Rae's defense, but given that they call Aphrodite a ho nine million times and force several jokes about how they need a refrigerator but oh wait, she's not good enough to be one for them, it just comes across as horrible.
Zoey notices that Stevie Rae is going all pale and upset from this all, so she cuts in. She tells Aphrodite to never call Stevie Rae a refrigerator again and tells Shaunee and Erin that they aren't having refrigerator's anymore. The Twins look shocked and hurt that Zoey tells them off like that.
First of all, they really needed to be reminded that Zoey was doing away with the refrigerator business? Is it just me, or does that kind of imply that they don't see anything wrong with it? And they definitely don't see why making a ton of refrigerator jokes in front of Stevie Rae is something not nice because they're hurt, hurt I say, that the great Zoey would tell them off for it. What charming people.
Zoey tells them that they're all on the same side and thus should stop bickering. Aphrodite says that there's no way they're on the same side, but winks at Zoey before leaving the room. This causes Zoey to muse about how "She'd looked almost playful, like we were friends and just kidding around. But that wasn't possible. Was it?" Stevie Rae says that Aphrodite is creepy and Zoey replies that Aphrodite just has issues. "[T]he three of them looked at me like I'd just said Hitler really hadn't been that bad". I'm serious, they just don't leave up on her
"'You guys, I really want the new Dark Daughters to be a group that brings people together, not one that's stuck-up and so exclusive that only a few from a chosen clique can join.' They just stared at me. 'It was her warning that saved my grandma and several other people today.'
'She only told you because she wants something from you. She's hateful, Zoey. Don't ever think she's not,' Erin said.
'Please do not tell me that you're thinking of letting her back into the Dark Daughters,' Stevie Rae said.
I shook my head. 'No. And even if I wanted to, which I don't,' I added quickly, 'according to my own new rules she doesn't qualify for membership. A Dark Daughter or Son has to uphold our ideals by her or his behavior.'
Shaunee snorted. 'No damn way that hag knows how to be authentic, faithful, wise, earnest, and sincere about anything except her own hateful plans.'
'For world dominance,' Erin added.
'And don't think they're exaggerating,' Stevie Rae told me.
'Stevie Rae, she is not my friend. I just … I dunno ...' I floundered, trying to put the instinct that so often whispered to me and goaded me to do, or not to do, things into words. 'I guess I really do feel sorry for her sometimes. And I also think I understand her a little. Aphrodite just wants to be accepted, but she goes about it all wrong. She thinks manipulation and lies mixed with control can force people to like her. It's what she saw at home, and that's what made her like she is now.'
'Sorry, Zoey, but that's bullshit,' Shaunee said.
'She's way too old to be acting a fool because she has a screwed-up mommy.'
'Please. Just please with the blame-my-mommy-cause-I'm-a-bitch crap,' Erin said.
'Not to be mean or anything, but you have a screwed-up mama, too, Zoey, and you didn't let her, or your step-loser of a dad, mess you up," Stevie Rae said. 'And Damien has a mama who doesn't like him anymore because he's gay.'
'Yeah, and he didn't turn into a hateful slut hag,' Shaunee said. 'Actually, he's the opposite. He's like ... he's like ...' She paused, looking to Erin for help. 'Twin, what's the Julie Andrews character's name in The Sound of
Music?'
'Maria. And you're right, Twin. Damien is like that goody-goody nun. He needs to loosen up some or he's never gonna get any.'
'I cannot believe you guys are discussing my love life,' Damien said.
We all jumped guiltily and muttered, 'Sorry.'
He shook his head while Stevie Rae and I scooted over so he could sit beside us. 'And I'll have you know I don't just want to `get some' as you guys so nastily put it. I want a lasting relationship with someone I really care about, and I'm willing to wait for that.'
'Ja, fräulein,' Shaunee whispered.
'Maria,' Erin muttered.
Stevie Rae tried to hide her giggle in a cough"
ZeldaQueen: Oh my aching head...
I have to wonder, what is with these people? They make absolutely no attempt to see Zoey's point of view at all. She made several very nice points. If they want to improve the Dark Daughters, they can't just turn around and discriminate in the opposite direction, and instead must work to look beyond petty squabbles to form a stronger group. Aphrodite did come forward and tell Zoey about her vision which, silly me, was what I thought they were hating on her for not doing? Aphrodite hate a shitty home life and was brought up being told that power was all that mattered in life, and began to live accordingly.
And how do these people react? They stare at Zoey. They mock Aphrodite. They tell Zoey to her face that it's bad and wrong to feel sorry for someone like Aphrodite and Zoey had just better stop being so nice and forgiving. Please Cast ladies, tell me, why should I like these people? Why should I care about a bunch of self-righteous assholes who are so completely loathe to do something like forgive?
Which brings us to another point. I realize what the Cast ladies are trying to do here. They are going for the idea that there is a limit to how far Freudian excuses go to pinning bad behavior on. And that is a valid point. There are plenty of villains in media who cite or have terrible backstories but still go beyond what can be excused by them. I understand that.
Except...it doesn't work with Aphrodite. Quite simply, this is because what I noted in Marked - she's a terrible villain. Besides the refrigerator thing, which while dickish is still technically something allowed by the school, and a variety of childish insults, she doesn't really do anything to earn this level of scorn. And given what we know of her home life and what we will learn about her later, dickish behavior and not understanding how to interact with others sounds reasonable. Voldemort murdering his father, parents, and uncle for abandoning his mother is a case where the bad home life excuse doesn't fly. Being a general bitch because of eighteen years of being hated and manipulated by one's parents? Yeah.
I'd also like to ask, why doesn't Zoey bring up her points from before? You know, back in Chapter Two when she pointed out how she had sixteen years of love from her mother and her grandmother's constant love and support, neither of which Aphrodite had. But nope, she just stays quiet and doesn't bother to contradict them because that might lead to an argument and her friends not slobbering over her every word and we can't have that, can we?
Finally, and this is on the part with Damien, isn't that just lovely how these people gossip and tease Damien about daring to save himself for a monogamous relationship? I mean yes, it was delivered in the most soap-boxy way possible, but there are plenty of people who do want to save themselves for a deep, loving relationship as opposed to having a lot of flings. And do these people respect that? Nope, they just tease Damien about being an uptight nun who needs to loosen up to "get some".
I hate these people.
Oh, and the bit where Damien stands up to them? It doesn't last long. Zoey promptly cuts in and tells them that oh lookey, the bomb threat worked and thus the crisis was averted. Damien says great, and now it's time for them to go to the rec hall and set up for the ritual tomorrow. Zoey says that she completely forgot about that because she's just been so busy. I wasn't aware at all that it needed to be done, personally.
You know, a thought just occurred to me. Have all classes just disappeared? Because besides Neferet's one class and the one horse-riding class, I don't think there's been a single mention of them going to class. And besides that essay, there's been nothing about homework. Why am I bothering?
They head over to the rec hall, and there's a lot of stupid dialogue where Stevie Rae acts like a five-year-old because it looks like it's about to snow. Shaunee and Erin are materialistic airheads over a pair of jeans they saw in a Victoria's Secret catalog, and Damien talks about sewing and reminds us that he's gay.
They go into the rec room and Neferet's there. She starts pouring attention on Zoey, and Zoey starts gushing about how Neferet is just so wonderful and kind that she's like a mother to Zoey. I've...really seen no evidence for that, truth be told. Whatever! Neferet says that she'll provide anything needed at all for the ritual and will stay long enough for it to give her support before leaving it all to Zoey. She also has a new kid with her, who she wants to introduce to the gang
"She motioned, and a kid I hadn't noticed till then stepped slowly forward. He was cute, in a studious kind of a way, with tousled sandy blond hair and really pretty blue eyes. Clearly he was one of those geeky kids who is a dork, but a likable dork with potential (translation: he bathes and brushes his teeth, plus has good skin and hair and doesn't dress like a total loser)"
ZeldaQueen: Don't you love how judgemental Zoey is?
Anyway apparently this kid is a, poet and a writer and his mentor is Loren Blake. And because of how sleazy that guy's been, my immediate reaction is that he should not be given any sort of guardianship. Anyway, he immediately is shoved to Damien for explanations and tours and we're told that this new kid's name is Jack Twist.
... Jack Twist?
Are you...are you serious, Cast ladies?
I...I just...Moving on, then.
Zoey gushes some more about how Neferet is just a much better mother for her than her own mother is, and this instantly pisses me off most of the extent of Neferet's caretaking is kissing Zoey's ass and going on about how special she is. Also, considering how Neferet is constantly telling Zoey how humans are inconsequential and ought to be cut out of her life as soon as possible, it's just chilling that Zoey is casual saying things like "[I]t looked like I wouldn't be seeing [my mother] again soon. Like I cared? No. Not when I had good friends and a mentor like Neferet to be there for me".
This all is interrupted when a kid named Drew shows up. We're told how he's all blond and athletic and in Zoey's fencing class, which would be great if fencing had actually shown up more than once in this series. He clearly has the hots for Stevie Rae, which just comes across as naturally as Jessica pairing up with Mike in Twilight. He asks if they need any help setting up and Zoey is all amazed because Damien is right there but look! The jock kid is not making fun of him for being gay! Imagine that! Zoey tells Damien to tell Drew what needs to be done and Damien comments on how Hell must surely be freezing over for a jock like Drew to be working peacefully with a gay guy like him. Good God, how I wish I was exaggerating this all.
Shaunee and Erin promptly start going on about how "Damien has died and gone straight to gay boy heaven", and then mention how Jack Twist is gay. Stevie Rae and Zoey scratch their heads over that one, and I have to agree because Jack's been here for all of two pages or so. How the flip do you divine his sexuality from that little time? But no, they totally know it's true because "Jack Twist is yummy Jake Gyllenhaal's totally gay cowboy character from Brokeback Mountain" and "Anyone who chooses that name and who looks all geeky cute like that is totally, completely playing for Damien's team". Well GEE, WITH LOGIC LIKE THAT, HOW CAN ANYONE POSSIBLY ARGUE? I mean, it's not like someone could just be geeky and likes the movie or something!!!
And yes, Jack Twist is gay. Apparently this book is set in a world where the chain of logic is missing a few crucial links.
Stevie Rae is all confuzzled because that movie never played in the one movie theater in her little hick town. Shaunee says that they'll have to get the DVD for her, and Stevie Rae's brain breaks down at the thought of guys in it kissing.
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Onward to: Chapter 15
Back to: Chapter 13
Back to: Table of Contents
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 10:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 10:41 pm (UTC)Aphrodite gives a guy a blow job and it's inferred that she sleeps around (I've never seen any actual evidence of it) essentially having flings and she's a slut.
Damien decides that he wants to save himself for an exclusive, monogamous relationship with someone he loves and he's a stuck up prude.
Cast Ladies! Is there ANYWAY to make you happy?! Either people (male and female, gay or straight) can sleep around with who they want or they save themselves for that special someone! You can't have it both ways with certain people! You are just confusing your readers WHO ARE YOUNG GIRLS. Dear god, what horrible role models! This is why I'm NEVER collaborating with ANYONE.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 10:54 pm (UTC)I call BULLSHIT. I live in the damn BIBLE BELT in a little hick town and they played that movie in the theatre here! SO THE FACT THAT STEVIE RAE LIVED IN A HICK TOWN IS NO REASON WHY IT WOULDN'T HAVE SHOWN THERE.
also, lots of cursing and rage
Date: 2011-05-27 10:58 pm (UTC)FUCK YOU, CAST LADIES. I'm one of those "stuck-up prudes" that wants to save herself for a meaningful relationship/marriage. SO FUCK YOU FOR WRITING THIS HYPOCRITICAL, JUDGMENTAL SHIT. I AM DISAPPOINT.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 11:03 pm (UTC)Also, is it just me, or does the word 'hateful' get ridiculously overused whenever Aphrodite's around? I remember being kind of annoyed at its frequency in Marked, and it looks like this book is continuing that trend. I know it's sort of a petty nitpick, but it seems like the Casts' whole vocabulary is pretty limited, and it leads to an irritatingly repetitive writing style. But I don't know, maybe I'm being too picky.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 11:22 pm (UTC)"But I don't know, maybe I'm being too picky."
No, you're not. I think the word "hateful" is used every time Aphrodite's around. It's really irritating.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 11:25 pm (UTC)And you're right, there's no evidence at all that Aphrodite's been with any guy but Erik thus far. Oh yeah, she gets a second boyfriend later, but not while she's still with anyone. Which is more than Zoey can say, I might add.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 11:36 pm (UTC)"Clearly he was one of those geeky kids who is a dork, but a likable dork with potential (translation: he bathes and brushes his teeth, plus has good skin and hair and doesn't dress like a total loser)"
So to be likable and have potential, you need to look attractive to Zoey. Also, what incredible logic and grammar errors! It was revealing when she used the term "ignorant rednecks" considering the treatment our favorite Okie got. I was still in high school when this book was written, and the way Drew acted to display interest was completely stupid. Also, why does Zoey term him a jock and act surprised when he wasn't homophobic when all she knew was he was good at fencing, just like Damien?
My Gay People Are Magnets pet peeve began right here. Whenever two exist in the same plot, it is inevitable that they hook up. But the Casts compounded the sin by having it stated that Damien is in "gay heaven". I met one gay kid at my school and we could not have been more different. The "quiet, cute, geeky gay" trope irritated me as well. And comparing Damien to a nun was practically lampshading his character trope.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-27 11:47 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 12:14 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 12:22 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 01:59 am (UTC)The reason she was surprised was because this series was written with virtually everyone being homophobic. I'm dead serious. There's a part of Marked where Stevie Rae tells Zoey about how haaaaaard it is for poor Damien, what with how everyone hates him for being gay. -_-
Well, according to Stevie Rae, there are other gay guys at the House of Night but none of them are Damien's...erm type.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 02:58 am (UTC)So, they're hypocrites who have just shown their true colors. Lovely.
/isn't that just lovely how these people gossip and tease Damien about daring to save himself for a monogamous relationship? I mean yes, it was delivered in the most soap-boxy way possible, but there are plenty of people who do want to save themselves for a deep, loving relationship as opposed to having a lot of flings. And do these people respect that? Nope, they just tease Damien about being an uptight nun who needs to loosen up to "get some"./
*stares hard at the screen*
As somebody who does not want to have a lot of flings or "get some" and who does want to save herself for marriage, I would like to kindly invite you to throw yourselves off a cliff. Or, if my German here is correct (since you feel free to use it when mocking Damien and Maria), to each and every one of you: "Geh zum Teufel."
Also, it was so kind of you to compare Damien, a gay character, to a nun. Because it's not like straight guys would ever want to wait. No, they're just horny animals who are just begging to hump any stray woman with a pulse. Gay men aren't really men, you see, so they don't have any of those primal "masculine urges." Give me a break.
/Damien comments on how Hell must surely be freezing over for a jock like Drew to be working peacefully with a gay guy like him./
*head-desk*
Does Drew even know that Damien is gay? Sexual orientation isn't obvious; it isn't something that can be easily deduced from physical appearance -
/"Jack Twist is yummy Jake Gyllenhaal's totally gay cowboy character from Brokeback Mountain" and "Anyone who chooses that name and who looks all geeky cute like that is totally, completely playing for Damien's team"./
*stares at the screen and then head-desks again*
/Stevie Rae is all confuzzled because that movie never played in the one movie theater in her little hick town./
...
So, let's see...how many types of people did this chapter manage to offend?
Gays. Monogamists. Virgins. Jocks. People from small towns. Oklahomans. Straight guys who like "Brokeback Mountain." Geeks.
Did I miss anyone?
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 04:00 am (UTC)Vampires, gay guys who like "Brokeback Mountain", teenagers who where abused mentally by their parents, and bisexuals if I am anyone to judge that by. Hell let's just say everyone with half a brain!
Also get this - DID YOU KNOW DAMIEN WAS GAY!? I HAD COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN!
Didn't you know guys are supposed to whore themselves out? We're supposed to be all about sex; otherwise we're freaks - that goes double for gay guys because their is no one to say "no"; because if the scene in the first book is anything to go by this book functions under the logic that men can't be raped.
Also men have to whore themselves out to the "right" people - a.k.a Zoey's "friends"...
Although minions would probably be more accurate-
The fact that this book has me feeling sorry for a rapist is kinda disturbing.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 08:05 am (UTC)*cups hand around ear*
...huh. I swear I just heard the sound of a hundred femme-slash fics being born, but then suddenly silenced as the spork-readers realized this story was crap.
What an odd sound.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 10:06 am (UTC)I forgot to mention this under the appropriate sporking chapter, but I absolutely loved your remark on how - according to the Cast ladies - smoking pot is a capital offence, and anyone who does it should be branded on the chest with a scarlet marijuana leaf.
(I'm pretty sure that in my high school days I would have smoked pot on purpose, just to get that adornment :D)
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-28 04:06 pm (UTC)Oh hai there Spidey Senses! Where've you been? Story's been rubbish without you ^_^
Blergh this story so far. :S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S. I'm not sure I can make that face enough times. :S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S:S. I think I need to go write something.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-29 12:22 pm (UTC)Yeah, Shaunee, like you or any of your friends possess those qualities. And by that logic, none of you should be Dark Daughters.
Gee, Stevie Rae didn't seem too fussed about being a refrigerator in the last book, or anyone else being one for that matter, Yet, because APHRODITE brought it up, it's 'omgz, baaaadd!!111' And I got the same feeling you did: people were surprised that that rule was going to be abolished, yet they're pissed at Aphrodite why???
Some friends. They won't even bother listening to Zoey's side for even a moment!
And Damien: YOU NEED TO GET NEW FRIENDS NOW. These people? Idiots! You're nothing but a punching bag for them and the sooner you get in touch with more intelligent life forms, the better. Of course, as a gay guy, he has to be incredibly flamboyant and hit on every guy he sees! How dare he want to take a relationship seriously. For God's sake, Damien, stick to your stereotype! :P And who said his mother hated him for being gay? I can understand her being confused about her son and things being tense for a while, but hate is a pretty strong word. We haven't actually heard anything about her treating Damien adversely. And, of course, only geeks can be gay!
You know what: my Dad knows how to sew, bitches! That's right, he undertook a shoemaking course and went on to makes women's shoes! :O
And since I'm here: I'm about to spork a novel for the first time real soon. The character in the first book I've read so far displays the same bitchiness and anti-humanity as Zoey, yet we're all supposed to like her as Head Sue. And My God, the stereotypes in this story BURN!!! :P
(no subject)
Date: 2011-05-29 07:13 pm (UTC)Yeah, I never smoked pot but honestly, it irks me because dude! Red-eyed vampire ghosts! People being kidnapped and murdered! Neferet being wildly suspicious! THERE'S MORE IMPORTANT STUFF THAN THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE SMOKING POT!!! >_< Sorry.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-01 01:19 am (UTC)From the way people talk, I was under the impression that the entire school or at least most of it knew that Damien is gay. Really. I know he's supposed to be open about it, but really...
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-01 01:21 am (UTC)Apparently both of his parents are extreme fundamentalists who he thought would lock him up when he came out of the closet. I'm dead serious. And yeah, that totally explains why they come to visit him every birthday with a present. *rolls eyes*
"And since I'm here: I'm about to spork a novel for the first time real soon. The character in the first book I've read so far displays the same bitchiness and anti-humanity as Zoey, yet we're all supposed to like her as Head Sue. And My God, the stereotypes in this story BURN!!! :P"
Ohhh which one? :D Or is it a secret?
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-01 03:25 am (UTC)Link: http://winki-fiction.livejournal.com/9340.html
(no subject)
Date: 2012-03-26 10:08 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-09-04 09:38 pm (UTC)Not to mention the worry that Damien must have, if he has indeed been confronted with a lot of homophobia, that anyone he's considering dating might just be leading him on. Not to mention he's kind of a second-class citizen by virtue of being male and can't even be a boyfriend to one of the dominant females.
I also am tempted to spitefic something about his dad being gay (and feeling a duty to provide a family due to religious beliefs) or bi, and the "don't understand" simply being his wanting his son to be more of a Bear or at least a three-dimensional character ("don't you remember when you liked camping, son? do you think none of the guys will hook up with you if you go back to it?") and not, y'know, this clearly-forced effeminateness.
Aphrodite
Date: 2013-11-21 11:26 pm (UTC)Re: Aphrodite
Date: 2013-11-23 03:47 pm (UTC)They spend several years like this, until Zynn finally finds a way to go back to the village to steal food and kidnap Rah. By this point, the poor guy seems to have gone insane over everything that's happened. The villagers respond to the kidnapping by rigging the island with lights, so the "shadow monsters" are out 24/7 and Zynn and his friends stay shut up in the caves for all of the day. Rah's only "compasionate" insistence is that Zynn get sent some packages of food, once in awhile. The author words this like it's far more kindness than Zynn deserves, and isn't Rah so unusually awesome for thinking of it?
Meanwhile, the whole thing might have gone over entirely differently if the villagers and Rah just sat down and assured Zynn that he was still loved and needed.