The Demiurge Of Destiny

"To nurture is to grow, and to grow is to conquer."

The following poem is a tribute to my parents, who have worked to the bone for my sister and I, who have loved us and made us capable enough to make our decisions, making us the people we are today...

Mid-day Memories

Like sentenials they stand, like palisades they preserve,

No wound the barbarous realm causes them, they deserve.

They fight for our rights, for my sister and I,

They fight for our future, so that no-one can deny.

She sits through the ephemeral daylight hours, she sits deep in thought,

Worrying for our battles, many gray hair which have brought.

Like gentle whispers of gales that thread the mellow fields,

Her hands, they soothe the cracks that materialize at the confidence we refuse to yield.

The path he voyages invites many a foe,

To heal he journeys, to dispel all woe.

Like the midnight moon, he stays awake,

Enduring all the afflictions for our sake.

Like the wolves that howl at the plenilune,

He plays for us his sweetest tune.

They sit alongside till our sorrows fade,

Stories they spin together to distract, endlessly cascade.

Sings tirelessly each note the way a nightingale,

They mould us for the world, guide us in the way for the sightless, the brail.

The Unsung Heroes

He lifts on his shoulders,

The weight of all our sins.

He does not know where his journey began,

Nor how it would end.

He wraps his arms around his sister,

He lifts her off the ground.

Promising to return safely.

A silent wish to which he felt bound.

He kisses his mother's wrinkled forehead,

Cherishing each moment,

Like an extraordinary treasure,

He had just found.

For, far away he would be,

From his family's loving embrace.

Staring at the snow-capped hills,

Or the depths of the sea.

He thinks aloud on peaceful nights,

When the winds lull him to sleep.

'Honor I'll bring to my mother,

The promise to my sister, I'll keep.'

A broken promise, an open wound,

He lies on the ground.

The sanguine hue of his blood,

Cakes the mud around.

I pray for those who stay awake,

In the darkest hours of the night.

Who live and fight for our sake,

Regardless the pain and the plight.

The silence cries, it cries for them,

Those who left behind their names.

A soldier dies, he dies condemned,

Becoming a distant face in a wooden frame.

His sister asks why her brother,

Was mercilessly slain.

His mother's screams echo,

As she screams in disdain.

Heavy breathing, bloodshot eyes,

Where did they go wrong?

Clutching his badge to their chests.

Walking on their own.

After the war, he didn't return,

And they were left alone.

Oh, mighty warrior, our fearless protector,

Never were you wrong.

In the hearts of those who love you,

Always will you belong.

I just finished watching Pretension, and it was phenomenal. While the episode soothed many of my worries, it also left me with so many questions. Yet there were things that were undeniable.

There was only one thing that the episode outlined crystal clear... CHOICE or the lack of it.

Gabriel promises Tomoe that he will regain control of Adrien... which is why it hurts when Adrien is unable to stand by Marinette's side as it's the first time he realizes that something is wrong. It's not that he is scared of betraying his father... it's that his body won't listen to him.

The fact that Gabriel literally offered Marinette the equivalent of an 'envelope of cash in exchange for leaving my son'.

Felix's words about sentibeings really broke me...but they held power, they truly reflected the oppression faced by him, Kagami, and Adrien... if you brink life into the world, you owe them a certain responsibility.

What truly horrified me were the ironies of the whole thing...

The way Gabriel gives Tomoe the ability to grant herself the power of choice only to take the very same away from her daughter...The way both Tomoe and Gabriel were shown to have a choice while Kagami and Adrien and even Felix weren't... as if they were less than living beings.

And finally, the way Gabriel said that he dictates what people buy.

The one thing I LOVED was Marinette standing up to our local uncooked prawn (gabe)

My other mlb rants:

Passion l Emotion l Perfection l Illusion l Transmission pt1 l Transmission pt2 l Protection

HotD episode 8 reminded me of thunder; when quiet, it's easy to forget it's there, but one must never mistake it's silence for weakness.

The entire episode was raging, in it's own subtle way. Littered with silent imagery and all in all was breathtaking.

We see that Rhaenyra, once again wears Daemon's necklace but only in his company, she always chose to wear a different one when in court as if change into battle gear.

When Viserys walks into the throne room, we see his hunched, bent figure which gives us a glimpse of Rhaenyra standing ahead, head high, in front of the throne. We see this again when Viserys steps down from the throne.

We see how Alicent stands outside Viserys' bedpost, only coming in to feed him milk to poppy, to Weaken him. While Rhaenyra sits beside him, to assure, to strengthen. The way Rhaenyra silently weeps while thunder roars behind her.

I LOVE how all the men around Rhaenyra know that the women are strong and capable but never hesitate to defend them. The way Viserys wanted Vamond Valarion's tongue but Daemon claimed his whole head as revenge for speaking against Rhaenyra, how Jace was ready to attack- no, tear apart Aegon for how he disrespected Baela but also, respected her enough to stop when she said so.

The episode also carries several ironies on various fronts.

The way alicent described the star symbols as a sign of presence of higher authority but in the end, after her conversation with Viserys, convinced herself to be the higher authority.

The way the entire scene with the toasts started as seeming genuine to becoming malevolent until the room boiled over with the words 'each of then handsome, wise and strong'

And finally, the way Viserys reach out to the heavens on his deathbed, seeming reaching for Aemma having only two words on his mind... my love.

I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely in the show.

The awakening movie was so impactful, but its strongest aspects were its subtleties.

The way it starts with Master Fu saying that together Ladybug and Chat Noir possess something stronger than death and in the end Gabriel says the only thing that is, is love.

How the movie uses symbolism to highlight Marinette's connection to Plagg and with extension Adrien AT EVERY STEP. From Alya calling her a catastrophe magnet to her hearing a cat before entering the alleyway where she first meets Tikki to EVEN REVEALING HER IDENTITY TO ADRIEN BY WEARING A BLACK MASK!

How Marinette uses a book with a black cat cover to hide herself from Adrien but at the same time reveals a glimpse of his future to him!

The one thing that truly broke my heart was when Chat asks Ladybug to "give it time to grow" as if he has always expected love to gradually arise and never to be loved instantly. Like he looked at his father, every day, hoping that if he keeps being dutyful, keeps listening and obeying, his father will grow to love him.

HotD episode 7 was frightening in its approach. It resonated a single message loud and clear... fire will reign.

The entire episode carried the strength of fire is such a subtle manner that it left me stunned and at a loss of words. Each conflict was illuminated and outlines by bright, raging flames.

The first time we see the symbolism of separation by fire is during the conversation between Viserys and Daemon.

We see it again, when Raenys calls Corlys out for desiring the throne for himself, ending his delusion of righteousness.

We see it behind Alicent and Rhaenyra when Allicent loses control and goes feral as the dam of her patience breaks.

We even see it behind Laenor's 'death' and his end in flames itself.

Another aspect which consumed me was the blood and the comparisons drawn by it.

While on one hand we see Rhaenyra bleeding alone, without Laenor by her side.

We see Rhaenyra and Daemon bleed together as he binds himself to her by marriage.

We also get a beautiful parallel of Daemon and Rhaenyra walking on the same beach where Laenor and Rhaenyra once started their relationship. A new start and perhaps a better one.

In the end, only one thing stands true:

Fire is a prison. The Targaryens are made of fire, meant to burn together.

I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely on the show.

HotD episode 9 was bewildering. Being the first episode solely about the greens, I was apprehensive regarding how it'll be carried by the audience... in one word? Powerful.

What truly made the episode were certain quotes which blew my mind.

"We do not rule, but we may guide the men that do."

"And yet you toil in your service to men... you desire not to be free but to make a window in the wall of your prison."

The words which truly sparked the desire to break free in Alicent. Free from the clutches of her father, free to make her own decisions.

We see this particularly during the coronation when:

Alicent is the one on screen, between the swords when the words 'A new king' are spoken.

Alicent stands between Meleys and Aegon. A dragon facing another desiring equal standing. Two queens who never were facing each other.

"It is our fate, I think, to crave always what is given to another. "

Helena's words overlapping with Alicent's meeting with the lords to establish Aegon on the throne. And in the end Alicent and Aemond craving it for themselves.

And finally "There is no power but what people allow you to take."

Mysaria's words left me gaping. It truly embodied the entire scenario of power is temporary being highlighted in the episode.

I believe that we might also compare these words to Aemond's condition as he too is not able to take anything apart from what is handed to him.

(I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely on the show.)

HotD episode 6 was astonishing, I had been unsure of the flow now that the first segment was over but I have been left completely satiated.

My mind was raging by the end of the episode and I couldn't help but awe at the subte portrayals the show holds mastery over.

Once again, the main theme of how a dragon can never be subdued is reflected so calmly yet powerfully.

The true power of House Targaryen over House Valerion.

We first see this in the conversation between Daemon and Leana at the table with the other lords. Laena's wish to decline the offer is ever so silently disregarded. The frame where Daemon's hand rests on top of Laena's, wearing a ring which symbolizes royalty.

We see this yet again, when Rhaenyra has been holding back her anger (even having tears in her eyes) and finally unleashes on Laenor and commands him to remain at her side.

The episode also reflected certain cruel ironies...

Alicent's children only wearing green, symbolizing their mother's banner of war still stands proud while Rhaenyra's children wear blue... the color of Ser Harwin's eyes.

Ser Harwin's created life due to his affliction with a dragon (targaryen), yet rather than being protected by it, he was killed by fire. (I really loved seeing him as a father and I wish we could've gotten more scenes of him with the boys).

Alicent trying to bring back Otto Hightower as the hand only gave light to one cruel fact...Even partiality is fair when it's in favor of our own.

Laena's death was by no means less than that of a dragon rider. While the battle she fought was different, I'm glad Vhagar honored her command. (Her death really brought me to tears) Nevertheless, I'm glad that Daemon refused to make a choice on her behalf. Atleast in that sense, he is better than his brother.

I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely on the show.

Link to previous post:

https://at.tumblr.com/strollthroughstars29/coming-to-the-feast/hzcat81w8qxu

How far can a person bend before they break and how long can the broken be wielded before they turn double edged?

This season was so devastatingly beautiful, but ironically, the metaphorical crown wouldn't be heavy if the gemstones didn't dig into the head of the wearer.

Sometimes, the line between mercy and cruelty can be thin.

The reason WHY Claudia resonates so deeply with Aaravos' story is because it's a mirror that she finds herself in. She IS the daughter in the story but not the one who pays the price. No, that was paid by her father... her father, who was brave enough to do what Aaravos couldn't. What's heartbreaking is that she doesn't even realize what she's discarding is the same thing Viren chose to embrace in death; his humanity.

The loss portrayed was so unsettling...

To even the loss we felt as the audience, seeing what made Viren who he was... his own son, to seeing what he made himself and the loss of what could've been and how his death proved the one thing we didn't want him to show... him having a human heart. And that's what this show did magnificently... it made this audience root for people against our will.

From the unfinished story of the lovers forever frozen in time to the mournful ballad rayla sang to console the stormbringer.

The only thing left to see is how these weapons charecters are to be utilized.

How callum will embrace his darkness and if Rayla will be able to kill him if need be. Or if promises will not be the only things to be broken next time.

House of the Dragon, Episode 8:

Not Alicent thinking that Viserys was talking about her rapist firstborn while he answered Rheanyra's question on his deathbed, regarding her being the 'prince' that will unite them as one, especially mere hours after we see them being hospitable after years.

Syrax providing Daemon and Rheanyra's children with three eggs, for their three children, befitting their station as trueborn children of dragons.

Funnily enough, Daemon being a classy malewife and manslaughtering Vaemond Velaryon for badmouthing Rhaenyra (all true, by the way), screamed Will Smith Energy (not that I condone what he did in any way).

Lastly, wondering why Aemond Targaryen's actions seem so familiar, why his mannerisms are something that remind us of someone we've witnessed before? Me too! Each and every action, sly retort, and taunt, gives the viewers of Daemon Targaryen in his prime, impulsive, agitated, and having a keen taste of violence.

But where Daemon's actions reflect underlying hurt, and the urge to protect and safeguard his family, Aemond's actions are a result of his dysfunctional upbringing and the deep seethed wounds caused by the callous words of his own blood at the time he didn't have a dragon, and thus, no proper position as a dragon himself.