Alyson Serena Stone's Blog, page 13
April 15, 2023
New Medium Article: Eren Yaeger's Fall From Grace
Hello everyone! I just posted a new article on my Medium page. It's an in-depth look into Attack on Titan's main character, Eren Yaeger! Link to the full article is down below, as well as a sneak peek.
Have a Happy Saturday!
Serena
Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: This article contains spoilers for both Attack on Titan manga and anime.
Attack on Titan continues to be one of the bestselling mangas ever created. From its intense action scenes to incredible character work, there is something in it for everyone. This dark fantasy manga is set in a world where humans are kept behind walls to stay protected from the Titans. The Titans are mindless beings who only exist to eat humans. Only a few brave humans venture beyond the walls. Humanity is at its breaking point and on the verge of extinction. As long as the walls hold strong, there is hope for them. This all changes the day the Armour Titan breaches Wall Maria. No one is safe. The most haunting thing though is that this Titan does not appear to be a mindless man-eater. This one has intelligence.
At the time of the fall of Wall Maria, Eren Yaeger is a child with dreams of joining the Survey Corps and seeing what is beyond the wall. He spends his days with his best friends, Armen and Mikasa. He admires the Survey Corps. Everything changes during the breach of Wall Maria. He sees his mother being eaten alive by a Titan. This fuels his hatred for Titans and vows to end all of them. This hatred for the Titans drives him throughout the course of the series. This desire to kill Titans and protect those around him is what keeps him going. We see this whenever he is training and failing to join the Survey Corps. He wants to make a difference in the world.
What is ironic about Eren’s character is that he ends up turning into the very thing that he hates. Early on, Eren turns into a Titan. He has no idea how this has happened and no one around him knows either. It is by watching and studying Eren that the Survey Corps comes to realize that Titans that show intelligence are human. Later on, they come to discover that all Titans were humans at one point. This discovery drives everyone to discover what is beyond the walls.
What about Eren though? How did he come from being the protagonist to the antagonist? Is Eren evil? To find the answers to these questions, we must look deeply into the series’ events and see what drove Eren to the point of no return. Why did he make the choices that he made? Where did this change in his character come from? After reading through the manga and watching the anime, it became clear to me that there were signs of Eren’s turn that were justified in his mind.
The first thing to consider is that Eren has always had a rather short temper and is reckless. These two things make him not always think everything clear through. This also means that he is not afraid to use violence, even when it may not be needed. He disregards everyone around him. A prime example of this is when he first meets Mikasea. Her family has just been killed in front of her. The attackers are still there. Rather than trying to get away from them, Eren turns to kill them. This may come across as a heroic move. In a sense it is. However, he encourages Mikasea to help him kill these men, despite everything that she has been through. He does not stop and consider for a second that she may want to get out there and this whole experience has been traumatic for her. Another example can be found in how willing he is to fight in civilian areas. Now, I understand that there are many times that this cannot be avoided. However, even when it can be, Eren does so and does so without question. Never once does he stop to consider how many lives could be lost.
His desire to kill Titans means that he is not afraid to destroy the world if need be. If the world must exist with Titans in it, then, in his eyes, it is not worth existing. This goes back to him being violent. He is not afraid to destroy anything and anyone who gets in his way of creating a Titan free world. We see this in his Titan form. After he has brought down the enemy, he will continue to punch them. A prime example of this is after he has brought down the Female Titan. Annie is knocked out, but Eren continues to come after her even though she is clearly out of the fight. Those around him try to stop him, but he does not. Annie is still alive and, in his mind, is still a threat. He frequently loses control, even though he doesn’t see it that way. His Titan is a source of power. If he happens to lose control, it is for the best. After all, he is getting rid of Titans. This justification allows him to think that he is still doing the right thing. This may not seem like a big deal, but he doesn’t want to stop. He wants to keep committing these intense acts of violence. Even when others start to question if he can be controlled and is a danger, he doesn’t see it as a problem. He views himself as a protector. He wants to be the hero. Again, he does have good intentions. However, the way he carries himself and his goals do not allow for these intentions to be executed as they should. All it does is create warnings that one day this is all going to come to a boiling point.
Have a Happy Saturday!
Serena
Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: This article contains spoilers for both Attack on Titan manga and anime.
Attack on Titan continues to be one of the bestselling mangas ever created. From its intense action scenes to incredible character work, there is something in it for everyone. This dark fantasy manga is set in a world where humans are kept behind walls to stay protected from the Titans. The Titans are mindless beings who only exist to eat humans. Only a few brave humans venture beyond the walls. Humanity is at its breaking point and on the verge of extinction. As long as the walls hold strong, there is hope for them. This all changes the day the Armour Titan breaches Wall Maria. No one is safe. The most haunting thing though is that this Titan does not appear to be a mindless man-eater. This one has intelligence.
At the time of the fall of Wall Maria, Eren Yaeger is a child with dreams of joining the Survey Corps and seeing what is beyond the wall. He spends his days with his best friends, Armen and Mikasa. He admires the Survey Corps. Everything changes during the breach of Wall Maria. He sees his mother being eaten alive by a Titan. This fuels his hatred for Titans and vows to end all of them. This hatred for the Titans drives him throughout the course of the series. This desire to kill Titans and protect those around him is what keeps him going. We see this whenever he is training and failing to join the Survey Corps. He wants to make a difference in the world.
What is ironic about Eren’s character is that he ends up turning into the very thing that he hates. Early on, Eren turns into a Titan. He has no idea how this has happened and no one around him knows either. It is by watching and studying Eren that the Survey Corps comes to realize that Titans that show intelligence are human. Later on, they come to discover that all Titans were humans at one point. This discovery drives everyone to discover what is beyond the walls.
What about Eren though? How did he come from being the protagonist to the antagonist? Is Eren evil? To find the answers to these questions, we must look deeply into the series’ events and see what drove Eren to the point of no return. Why did he make the choices that he made? Where did this change in his character come from? After reading through the manga and watching the anime, it became clear to me that there were signs of Eren’s turn that were justified in his mind.
The first thing to consider is that Eren has always had a rather short temper and is reckless. These two things make him not always think everything clear through. This also means that he is not afraid to use violence, even when it may not be needed. He disregards everyone around him. A prime example of this is when he first meets Mikasea. Her family has just been killed in front of her. The attackers are still there. Rather than trying to get away from them, Eren turns to kill them. This may come across as a heroic move. In a sense it is. However, he encourages Mikasea to help him kill these men, despite everything that she has been through. He does not stop and consider for a second that she may want to get out there and this whole experience has been traumatic for her. Another example can be found in how willing he is to fight in civilian areas. Now, I understand that there are many times that this cannot be avoided. However, even when it can be, Eren does so and does so without question. Never once does he stop to consider how many lives could be lost.
His desire to kill Titans means that he is not afraid to destroy the world if need be. If the world must exist with Titans in it, then, in his eyes, it is not worth existing. This goes back to him being violent. He is not afraid to destroy anything and anyone who gets in his way of creating a Titan free world. We see this in his Titan form. After he has brought down the enemy, he will continue to punch them. A prime example of this is after he has brought down the Female Titan. Annie is knocked out, but Eren continues to come after her even though she is clearly out of the fight. Those around him try to stop him, but he does not. Annie is still alive and, in his mind, is still a threat. He frequently loses control, even though he doesn’t see it that way. His Titan is a source of power. If he happens to lose control, it is for the best. After all, he is getting rid of Titans. This justification allows him to think that he is still doing the right thing. This may not seem like a big deal, but he doesn’t want to stop. He wants to keep committing these intense acts of violence. Even when others start to question if he can be controlled and is a danger, he doesn’t see it as a problem. He views himself as a protector. He wants to be the hero. Again, he does have good intentions. However, the way he carries himself and his goals do not allow for these intentions to be executed as they should. All it does is create warnings that one day this is all going to come to a boiling point.
March 9, 2023
New Youtube Video: Vlog: Seven Springs 2023
New Youtube Video: Vlog: The Seven Springs Vlog 2023
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/pUyY8KEdDEA
Description:
Today I am taking you with me to Seven Spring, Pennsylvania for a ski trip!
Subject: Vlog, Ski Trip
Topic: Vlog, Field Trip
Grades: N.A.
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/pUyY8KEdDEA
Description:
Today I am taking you with me to Seven Spring, Pennsylvania for a ski trip!
Subject: Vlog, Ski Trip
Topic: Vlog, Field Trip
Grades: N.A.
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
March 3, 2023
New Medium Article: I Tried Using a Power List and This Is What I've Learned
Hello everyone! I just posted a new story over on my Medium page. It is a lot different from the content that I normally post. You can find a sneak peek, as well as the link to the full article below.
Full Article: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
The to-do list….It’s can be the most daunting and overwhelming aspect of a person’s life. People have advised me not to write down everything I need to do because it can be overwhelming. Others have told me to write everything down, cross it off, and not stop until everything is done. Others had recommended using an app to keep track of everything you must get done. Others have said not to worry about it because everything will get done.
No matter how you want to approach it, everyone has a to-do list. However, finding a way to conquer it comes about in different ways for different people. The trick is to find a method and means to finish their necessary tasks. What works for some people, will not work for others. You have to find a system that works for you and your needs.
Over the past year, I have been using a power list. What is a power list? It’s taking three items from your to-do list and completing them in a single day. The goal is to make your to-do list more manageable and doable. Now, it may seem like you are putting off tasks that you don’t want to do until another day. When I first saw this on Michelle Emerson’s Pocketful of Primary’s Youtube channel, this is exactly what I thought. (By the way, if you are in the education field or thinking about going into the field, I highly encourage you to check out her channel.) Using a power list allows you to pick and choose what tasks you are going to complete on a certain day. I can already hear some of you saying this “you are just delaying tasks that you don’t want to do.” Don’t get me wrong…That may very well be the case. However, the goal of the power list is to keep you from becoming overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list.
The first thing I noticed by using a power list is that it allowed me to set dedicate certain tasks to certain days. I am a teacher. During the school year, I pick certain teaching jobs to do on certain days. For example, Monday is dedicated to reviewing lesson plans for the week, creating curriculum, and editing student work. I would use Fridays to finalize lesson plans, turn in the week’s paperwork, and set up anything in my classroom for the following week. Now, when I’m not in the classroom, my list looks a lot different. Dedicating certain days of the week to specific tasks, allows you to plan for that day. For example, you may have a day that you are going to clean your living space, go to the grocery store, or pay bills. Knowing what you are going to do each day allows you to go into the day with a much clearer head and allows you to complete more tasks.
Now, life can get in the way and sometimes you may not be able to complete those tasks. For example, last night, we had severe thunderstorms roll through and it knocked out my internet. Today happens to be the day that I do my internet work, which is why this article was posted on an odd day and time. Instead of panicking, I just flipped my posting and writing days around. You may also experience family or personal emergencies. You cannot control everything and things will get in the way of your to-do list. You just need to calm down and remember that things always find a way of working out. Things will get done and will be okay.
Full Article: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
The to-do list….It’s can be the most daunting and overwhelming aspect of a person’s life. People have advised me not to write down everything I need to do because it can be overwhelming. Others have told me to write everything down, cross it off, and not stop until everything is done. Others had recommended using an app to keep track of everything you must get done. Others have said not to worry about it because everything will get done.
No matter how you want to approach it, everyone has a to-do list. However, finding a way to conquer it comes about in different ways for different people. The trick is to find a method and means to finish their necessary tasks. What works for some people, will not work for others. You have to find a system that works for you and your needs.
Over the past year, I have been using a power list. What is a power list? It’s taking three items from your to-do list and completing them in a single day. The goal is to make your to-do list more manageable and doable. Now, it may seem like you are putting off tasks that you don’t want to do until another day. When I first saw this on Michelle Emerson’s Pocketful of Primary’s Youtube channel, this is exactly what I thought. (By the way, if you are in the education field or thinking about going into the field, I highly encourage you to check out her channel.) Using a power list allows you to pick and choose what tasks you are going to complete on a certain day. I can already hear some of you saying this “you are just delaying tasks that you don’t want to do.” Don’t get me wrong…That may very well be the case. However, the goal of the power list is to keep you from becoming overwhelmed by the never-ending to-do list.
The first thing I noticed by using a power list is that it allowed me to set dedicate certain tasks to certain days. I am a teacher. During the school year, I pick certain teaching jobs to do on certain days. For example, Monday is dedicated to reviewing lesson plans for the week, creating curriculum, and editing student work. I would use Fridays to finalize lesson plans, turn in the week’s paperwork, and set up anything in my classroom for the following week. Now, when I’m not in the classroom, my list looks a lot different. Dedicating certain days of the week to specific tasks, allows you to plan for that day. For example, you may have a day that you are going to clean your living space, go to the grocery store, or pay bills. Knowing what you are going to do each day allows you to go into the day with a much clearer head and allows you to complete more tasks.
Now, life can get in the way and sometimes you may not be able to complete those tasks. For example, last night, we had severe thunderstorms roll through and it knocked out my internet. Today happens to be the day that I do my internet work, which is why this article was posted on an odd day and time. Instead of panicking, I just flipped my posting and writing days around. You may also experience family or personal emergencies. You cannot control everything and things will get in the way of your to-do list. You just need to calm down and remember that things always find a way of working out. Things will get done and will be okay.
February 14, 2023
New Youtube Video: Weathering and Erosion: Earth Science Video Lesson
New Youtube Video: Weathering and Erosion: Earth Science Video Lesson
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/lTCRwEJ5obU
Description:
Today I am doing a short Earth Science video on weathering and erosion. This short video will walk students through weathering and erosion, as well as the different types of weathering and erosion. This video is great for distance learning, virtual learning, and/or remote learning.
Subject: Earth Science, Science, Geology
Topic: Weathering and Erosion, Earth Science, Science, Geology
Grades: 3rd-8th Grade
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/lTCRwEJ5obU
Description:
Today I am doing a short Earth Science video on weathering and erosion. This short video will walk students through weathering and erosion, as well as the different types of weathering and erosion. This video is great for distance learning, virtual learning, and/or remote learning.
Subject: Earth Science, Science, Geology
Topic: Weathering and Erosion, Earth Science, Science, Geology
Grades: 3rd-8th Grade
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
February 4, 2023
New Medium Article: How Attack on Titan Nails the Battle Sequences
Hello everyone! I just posted a new article over on my Medium page. Below is the link to the article, as well as a sneak peek.
Article Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: This article contains spoilers for both Attack on Titan manga and anime.
Attack on Titan is one of the most popular manga ever written. With its complex world and characters, this series never fails to disappoint. Despite all of these things though, what makes the series stand out the most for me is its battle sequences. It only makes sense for Attack on Titan to have epic battle sequences. After all, this is a world at war with the Titans and death is the only winner.
Attack on Titan delivers on high stakes. What I mean by this is that there is never the sense that everything is going to be okay and that our favourite characters are going to make it out in one piece. Hajime Isayama is not afraid to put his characters in danger and even kill them off. Time and time again, we are shown that no one is safe, no matter how powerful they are.
In the battle with the Female Titan, we see the Scouts withered with losses. Some of them are characters who were just there for the sake of filling up the panels and giving us a larger cast. However, these are not the deaths that I am talking about. Eren is a member of the Levi Squad, which is composed of the strongest warriors ever. These people are not supposed to die and are supposed to be able to stand up against anything. They have the highest kill records. However, they are no match for the Female Titan. You can see in the artwork how badly things are going through both the characters’ actions and expressions. They still give it their all and launch a highly coordinated attack. If this had been a different Titan, the attack would have worked. It does not. The Female Titan kills them all, but Levi. This shows us that even the strongest of the strongest is not safe. The death of the Levi Squad rattles the rest of the characters. This squad was supposed to be unkillable and, in the blink of an eye, is gone.
The loss of the Levi Squad changes the course of the series. First off, again, this makes the manga stand out from others. The strongest of the strong is not unbreakable. Even the most perfect of attacks can go wrong. The attack that killed the Levi Squad should have worked, as this attack style has worked time and time again. The Female Titan, though, is not a normal foe and, therefore, the Survey Corps are going to have to change how they fight. The enemy is always changing. To face this new foe, tactics are going to have to change. This is not the only thing that has to change. The Survey Corps still needs an elite squad and now has to rebuild this squad. Rather than turning to more experienced members, they turn their attention to the recruits.
The idea of using people so inexperienced in battle is something that should not sit well with people. However, they have been handpicked by Levi, who is considered to be one of the strongest soldiers of the time. People put their trust in him. He is known for picking people who can act quickly and make difficult decisions in the face of grave danger. This brings up back to the original idea of picking such inexperienced fighters. While all of the new members have been in combat, they are just that, they are still new to the game. However, it all comes back to one thing. The Scouts are still trying to push Eren. Putting Eren’s friends on the front lines is a work of genius. Putting them in such danger is going to force Eren to reach his full potential or this is the hope anyway. However, if you examine each of their strengths, you could also argue that they do have something to add to the squad. Armin is a genius and Sasha is an amazing tracker, just to name a few examples. Another thing to keep in mind is that they were all in the top ten of their class, which means that they are all skilled. It also can be said that because they are such great friends they will go to extremes to keep each other safe and alive. This goal will allow them to focus on what they are supposed to be doing, which is killing Titans.
With this new squad, we see the intensity of the battles increase. This comes back to us being familiar with the characters on the front lines. This makes every injury, every death, every victory, and every loss all that much more painful. Because we know these characters and have formed these bonds with them, we feel it all. As the manga has already shown, even the strongest of the strong is not safe. We know that not everyone is going to be okay. This idea puts fear into the hearts and minds of the reader. Whenever the reader believes that not everyone will be okay, it makes everything feel all that much more.
Article Link: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: This article contains spoilers for both Attack on Titan manga and anime.
Attack on Titan is one of the most popular manga ever written. With its complex world and characters, this series never fails to disappoint. Despite all of these things though, what makes the series stand out the most for me is its battle sequences. It only makes sense for Attack on Titan to have epic battle sequences. After all, this is a world at war with the Titans and death is the only winner.
Attack on Titan delivers on high stakes. What I mean by this is that there is never the sense that everything is going to be okay and that our favourite characters are going to make it out in one piece. Hajime Isayama is not afraid to put his characters in danger and even kill them off. Time and time again, we are shown that no one is safe, no matter how powerful they are.
In the battle with the Female Titan, we see the Scouts withered with losses. Some of them are characters who were just there for the sake of filling up the panels and giving us a larger cast. However, these are not the deaths that I am talking about. Eren is a member of the Levi Squad, which is composed of the strongest warriors ever. These people are not supposed to die and are supposed to be able to stand up against anything. They have the highest kill records. However, they are no match for the Female Titan. You can see in the artwork how badly things are going through both the characters’ actions and expressions. They still give it their all and launch a highly coordinated attack. If this had been a different Titan, the attack would have worked. It does not. The Female Titan kills them all, but Levi. This shows us that even the strongest of the strongest is not safe. The death of the Levi Squad rattles the rest of the characters. This squad was supposed to be unkillable and, in the blink of an eye, is gone.
The loss of the Levi Squad changes the course of the series. First off, again, this makes the manga stand out from others. The strongest of the strong is not unbreakable. Even the most perfect of attacks can go wrong. The attack that killed the Levi Squad should have worked, as this attack style has worked time and time again. The Female Titan, though, is not a normal foe and, therefore, the Survey Corps are going to have to change how they fight. The enemy is always changing. To face this new foe, tactics are going to have to change. This is not the only thing that has to change. The Survey Corps still needs an elite squad and now has to rebuild this squad. Rather than turning to more experienced members, they turn their attention to the recruits.
The idea of using people so inexperienced in battle is something that should not sit well with people. However, they have been handpicked by Levi, who is considered to be one of the strongest soldiers of the time. People put their trust in him. He is known for picking people who can act quickly and make difficult decisions in the face of grave danger. This brings up back to the original idea of picking such inexperienced fighters. While all of the new members have been in combat, they are just that, they are still new to the game. However, it all comes back to one thing. The Scouts are still trying to push Eren. Putting Eren’s friends on the front lines is a work of genius. Putting them in such danger is going to force Eren to reach his full potential or this is the hope anyway. However, if you examine each of their strengths, you could also argue that they do have something to add to the squad. Armin is a genius and Sasha is an amazing tracker, just to name a few examples. Another thing to keep in mind is that they were all in the top ten of their class, which means that they are all skilled. It also can be said that because they are such great friends they will go to extremes to keep each other safe and alive. This goal will allow them to focus on what they are supposed to be doing, which is killing Titans.
With this new squad, we see the intensity of the battles increase. This comes back to us being familiar with the characters on the front lines. This makes every injury, every death, every victory, and every loss all that much more painful. Because we know these characters and have formed these bonds with them, we feel it all. As the manga has already shown, even the strongest of the strong is not safe. We know that not everyone is going to be okay. This idea puts fear into the hearts and minds of the reader. Whenever the reader believes that not everyone will be okay, it makes everything feel all that much more.
January 4, 2023
New Medium Article: Does Jaime Lannister Deserve a Redemption Arc?
Hello all! I just posted a new article on my Medium page. The link to the full article is below, as well as a sneak peek to it.
Link to Full Article: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
What's It About?
Jaime Lannister is one of the most compelling and complex characters in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Despite having some redeeming characteristics, does he deserve a redemption arc or is it best to leave him as a character we love to hate?
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: For the purpose of the article, I will only be focusing on the A Song of Ice and Fire book series. This article contains spoilers for the first five books of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
George R.R. Martin is famous for writing compelling characters. Even with a large cast of characters, he gives his readers complex and dynamic characters. The deep culture and history of the world he has created adds to the experience. We see how the world has built and destroyed people, cultures, and nations. One action is capable of starting a war, changing who is on the Iron Throne, and creating new enemies. The way characters react to these situations fits what the world has made them. Jaime Lannister is one such character. In the age of redemption arcs, I cannot help but wonder if he is deserving of one.
Does every character deserve a redemption arc? Are all antagonists worthy of being redeemed? For a while now, it has been the trend to redeem all villains, especially those who have been given a backstory to explain their behaviour. While I am a fan of redemption arcs, I do enjoy stories where the villain is just a villain. The backstories also help because it allows us to see why they became whom they did. Jaime Lannister is no different. If you are familiar with George R.R. Martin’s writing, then you know that he writes backstories for most of his characters, which gives us a deeper understanding as to why they are what they are.
Jaime is a knight in House Lannister. He is the eldest son of Tywin and Joanna Lannister. He has a twin sister, Cersei, and younger brother, Tyrion. At the age of fifteen, he joins the Kingsguard and swore to protect the king at all costs. He is the youngest member and becomes a knight. He is very good at his job. He is a natural warrior. He even goes as far as saying that fighting is one of the few things that makes him feel alive. This does not mean that he is a mindless soldier and follows orders without a question.
The longer Jaime serves in the Kingsguard, the more he starts to realize that things are not what they seem. His entire life has been dedicated to protecting King Aerys II. However, the deeper he gets involved, the more he comes to realize how mad the king is. The Mad King is growing insane, burning people alive, and executing people on a whim. When Jaime starts to question this, he is reminded that he must serve and not judge. These events are so troublesome and disturbing to him that he will retreat inside his mind to escape what was happening. It works and he starts to encourage others to do so. However, there was no hiding what was happening. The final straw comes when King Aerys orders Lord Jon Arryn to send him the heads of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon. The result is war. Jaime did not jump in right away. He does his duty and did what he was trained to do. He protects the king and does not judge.
By doing his duty, it allows him to have an insight as to what is going on. He is in the background. The king does not pay much attention to him. This gives Jamie his chance to see the truth and see how corrupted things are. Aerys sees Robert as a major threat to Targaryen rule. However, he is not about to surrender to this group of rebels. Instead, he decides that it would be best to let the city burn. His closest advisors are against this plan. The King’s Hand confronts King Aerys about it and could not convince the king that this was a terrible idea. The Hand resigns, which results in him being burned at the stake. The king also does not trust the new members of the Kingsguard and prefers to rely on those who have been in service for a while. Jaime sees this. He knows that the king is officially out of control and that something is going to have to be done about it.
There is another instance of Jaime being conflicted. One night he is charged with guarding the king while he visited his wife’s chambers. Instead of this being a normal bedding, Aerys rapes the queen. Jaime doesn’t know what to do. He wants to protect the queen. He points out to another member of the Kingsguard that they are sworn to protect the queen. However, Jaime’s brother reminds him that they have no such duty to protect her from the king. The fact that Jaime was concerned about the queen’s well-being hints that he does understand right from wrong and that he does truly want to do the right thing.
Another instance that hints that Jaime may be deserving of a redemption arc are the found in the main reason why he killed the Mad King. King Aerys, as we have already seen, is capable of executing those who went against him, willing to burn King’s Landing, and raping his wife. He is beyond reason. He would much rather destroy the city instead of seeing it fall. By letting the king do this, it would not only cost thousands of people their lives, but Jaime would also have to kill his father. Jaime knows that King Aerys is unstable and unfit to rule. He decides to take matters into his own hands. He knows that Aerys has wildfire, which is unpredictable. Jaime is also the only member of the Kingsguard still at King’s Landing. This is because Aerys has ordered the rest of them to go protect the prince, Rhaegar. This is not a random act. Aerys hopes to use Jaime against Tywin. Now, Aerys still thinks that Tywin is on his side and is surprised when he begins to sack the city.
Aerys starts to grow even more out of control. This is when he starts to deeply consider burning the city. This leaves Jaime in a very difficult position. He is not willing to let the city burn nor he is willing to kill his father. It becomes clear that Aerys has to go. However, killing him doesn’t cross his mind at first. Instead, Jaime turns to reason and attempts to talk Aerys out of it. He wants Aerys to see what he is asking Jaime to do. He wants him to pull out. However, Aerys is not about to listen. He attempts to flee and Jaime kills him. This may seem cruel. However, if you look at the core values of the Kingsguard, you will find that this does make sense. Jaime has chosen to uphold these values, which are honour, upholding their vows, and sacrifice. He is also required to protect the weak and innocent. He also believes that Aerys has broken his vow as a king. With Aerys ordering the burning of King’s Landing, he broke this vow and was unfit to rule. By knowing this, it can be said that Jaime by killing the king made a very moral choice. He saved lives and the country.
However, is this backstory enough to redeem Jaime? Does knowing this make him that much more of a likeable character? Does this make his actions later on forgivable?
In A Game of Thrones, we first meet Jaime when he comes to Winterfell with the rest of the Lannister family. Jaime is the beloved son of the Lannister family. He is talented and attractive. He carries himself like a king should, which is noted by Jon Snow. However, he is also full of dishonour. After all, he killed his king. This makes him untrustworthy.
We see how cruel he can be. After all, he is behind one of the most memorable sequences in A Song of Ice and Fire. Bran catches him having sex with Cersei. If Bran were to tell, this would cause Jaime, even more, dishonour and shame. Rather than trying to reason with the child, he flings Bran from the tower with the intent of killing him. You could argue that he did this to protect his sister’s honour. However, it still does not change the fact that he attempted to kill a child. Since Jaime is not yet a point-of-view character, we assume that he shows no remorse for this.
It can also be said that Jaime did show Ned a little bit of mercy. Ned Stark ends up being beheaded. However, Jaime did not order it. By not killing Bran’s father directly, it can be argued that he was showing a little remorse. This did not stop Jaime from murdering Ned’s friends. As you can see, from the picture we get of Jaime in the first book, he is not worthy of a redemption arc. Martin has given us this villain and person whom we are not supposed to cheer for.
However, there is still hope for his character. We see his devotion to his brother, Tyrion. Catelyn Stark captures Tyrion. When Jaime finds out, he breaks the Kingsguard’s oath of naturality. He gathers men loyal to him and leads an attack on Ned. The result is many people lost their lives. Robert orders Jaime and Ned to make peace. However, this is not an option for Jaime. He has already joined his father. Together, he and his father start building an army, ignoring all of those who question their motives. When Robert dies and Joffery ascends the throne, the Lannisters make their move. Jaime marches on the river lords takes, the Tully heir capture, and lays siege to Riverrun.
Back at home, he becomes the leader of the Kingsguard, meaning that he now has full command of the knights. Jaime is at the top of his game and believes that nothing can go wrong. However, this all changes when he and his army are ambushed by Robb Stark. Jaime knows that he has lost. This does not stop him from fighting and taking out as many of his foes as possible. He is taken captive, which is a huge blow to the Lannister cause. He is placed inside a comfortable tower and promises not to escape. The promise of not escaping keeps him alive.
In a Clash of Swords, Jaime is held captive at Riverrun. Tyrion appeals to Ceresi to bargain for Jaime’s release. He wants her to exchange Ayra and Sansa for Jaime. This, once again, hints at a brotherly connection between them. Tyrion sends a rescue party. It fails. Jaime is recaptured as soon as he regains his freedom. He has broken his promise of not trying to escape. This makes him even more untrustworthy. As a result, Edmure has him transferred to the dungeon where is starved and kept in chains.
In the meantime, Catelyn believes that her youngest sons are dead. She questions Jaime, who despite his conditions remains beautiful and has a sense of power about him. He is vile and cruel in his words, using what he knows to get a reaction out of Catelyn. He bargains with her as well, even though she reminds him that he is a captive. He still believes that he has the upper hand. Catelyn does agree to answer his questions as long as he truthfully answers hers. It is during this questioning that Jaime admits to throwing Bran off the tower and to being the father of Cersei’s children. He doesn’t show remorse and claims that if he wanted to kill Catelyn’s sons, he would have done so himself. This hints at Jaime’s sense of honour. If something requires him to get blood on his hands, he will do it himself, not someone else. He does believe though that his actions protected his sister and that this makes up for what he did. He also tells Catelyn that he is not in the business of killing children. What he did was for love, not malice. Still, whenever Catelyn mocks him for being the Kingslayer, he puts a wall up. Though his tone is light, we can tell that it bothers him.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Serena
Link to Full Article: https://alysonserenastone.medium.com/...
What's It About?
Jaime Lannister is one of the most compelling and complex characters in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. Despite having some redeeming characteristics, does he deserve a redemption arc or is it best to leave him as a character we love to hate?
Sneak Peek:
Author’s Note: For the purpose of the article, I will only be focusing on the A Song of Ice and Fire book series. This article contains spoilers for the first five books of the A Song of Ice and Fire series.
George R.R. Martin is famous for writing compelling characters. Even with a large cast of characters, he gives his readers complex and dynamic characters. The deep culture and history of the world he has created adds to the experience. We see how the world has built and destroyed people, cultures, and nations. One action is capable of starting a war, changing who is on the Iron Throne, and creating new enemies. The way characters react to these situations fits what the world has made them. Jaime Lannister is one such character. In the age of redemption arcs, I cannot help but wonder if he is deserving of one.
Does every character deserve a redemption arc? Are all antagonists worthy of being redeemed? For a while now, it has been the trend to redeem all villains, especially those who have been given a backstory to explain their behaviour. While I am a fan of redemption arcs, I do enjoy stories where the villain is just a villain. The backstories also help because it allows us to see why they became whom they did. Jaime Lannister is no different. If you are familiar with George R.R. Martin’s writing, then you know that he writes backstories for most of his characters, which gives us a deeper understanding as to why they are what they are.
Jaime is a knight in House Lannister. He is the eldest son of Tywin and Joanna Lannister. He has a twin sister, Cersei, and younger brother, Tyrion. At the age of fifteen, he joins the Kingsguard and swore to protect the king at all costs. He is the youngest member and becomes a knight. He is very good at his job. He is a natural warrior. He even goes as far as saying that fighting is one of the few things that makes him feel alive. This does not mean that he is a mindless soldier and follows orders without a question.
The longer Jaime serves in the Kingsguard, the more he starts to realize that things are not what they seem. His entire life has been dedicated to protecting King Aerys II. However, the deeper he gets involved, the more he comes to realize how mad the king is. The Mad King is growing insane, burning people alive, and executing people on a whim. When Jaime starts to question this, he is reminded that he must serve and not judge. These events are so troublesome and disturbing to him that he will retreat inside his mind to escape what was happening. It works and he starts to encourage others to do so. However, there was no hiding what was happening. The final straw comes when King Aerys orders Lord Jon Arryn to send him the heads of Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon. The result is war. Jaime did not jump in right away. He does his duty and did what he was trained to do. He protects the king and does not judge.
By doing his duty, it allows him to have an insight as to what is going on. He is in the background. The king does not pay much attention to him. This gives Jamie his chance to see the truth and see how corrupted things are. Aerys sees Robert as a major threat to Targaryen rule. However, he is not about to surrender to this group of rebels. Instead, he decides that it would be best to let the city burn. His closest advisors are against this plan. The King’s Hand confronts King Aerys about it and could not convince the king that this was a terrible idea. The Hand resigns, which results in him being burned at the stake. The king also does not trust the new members of the Kingsguard and prefers to rely on those who have been in service for a while. Jaime sees this. He knows that the king is officially out of control and that something is going to have to be done about it.
There is another instance of Jaime being conflicted. One night he is charged with guarding the king while he visited his wife’s chambers. Instead of this being a normal bedding, Aerys rapes the queen. Jaime doesn’t know what to do. He wants to protect the queen. He points out to another member of the Kingsguard that they are sworn to protect the queen. However, Jaime’s brother reminds him that they have no such duty to protect her from the king. The fact that Jaime was concerned about the queen’s well-being hints that he does understand right from wrong and that he does truly want to do the right thing.
Another instance that hints that Jaime may be deserving of a redemption arc are the found in the main reason why he killed the Mad King. King Aerys, as we have already seen, is capable of executing those who went against him, willing to burn King’s Landing, and raping his wife. He is beyond reason. He would much rather destroy the city instead of seeing it fall. By letting the king do this, it would not only cost thousands of people their lives, but Jaime would also have to kill his father. Jaime knows that King Aerys is unstable and unfit to rule. He decides to take matters into his own hands. He knows that Aerys has wildfire, which is unpredictable. Jaime is also the only member of the Kingsguard still at King’s Landing. This is because Aerys has ordered the rest of them to go protect the prince, Rhaegar. This is not a random act. Aerys hopes to use Jaime against Tywin. Now, Aerys still thinks that Tywin is on his side and is surprised when he begins to sack the city.
Aerys starts to grow even more out of control. This is when he starts to deeply consider burning the city. This leaves Jaime in a very difficult position. He is not willing to let the city burn nor he is willing to kill his father. It becomes clear that Aerys has to go. However, killing him doesn’t cross his mind at first. Instead, Jaime turns to reason and attempts to talk Aerys out of it. He wants Aerys to see what he is asking Jaime to do. He wants him to pull out. However, Aerys is not about to listen. He attempts to flee and Jaime kills him. This may seem cruel. However, if you look at the core values of the Kingsguard, you will find that this does make sense. Jaime has chosen to uphold these values, which are honour, upholding their vows, and sacrifice. He is also required to protect the weak and innocent. He also believes that Aerys has broken his vow as a king. With Aerys ordering the burning of King’s Landing, he broke this vow and was unfit to rule. By knowing this, it can be said that Jaime by killing the king made a very moral choice. He saved lives and the country.
However, is this backstory enough to redeem Jaime? Does knowing this make him that much more of a likeable character? Does this make his actions later on forgivable?
In A Game of Thrones, we first meet Jaime when he comes to Winterfell with the rest of the Lannister family. Jaime is the beloved son of the Lannister family. He is talented and attractive. He carries himself like a king should, which is noted by Jon Snow. However, he is also full of dishonour. After all, he killed his king. This makes him untrustworthy.
We see how cruel he can be. After all, he is behind one of the most memorable sequences in A Song of Ice and Fire. Bran catches him having sex with Cersei. If Bran were to tell, this would cause Jaime, even more, dishonour and shame. Rather than trying to reason with the child, he flings Bran from the tower with the intent of killing him. You could argue that he did this to protect his sister’s honour. However, it still does not change the fact that he attempted to kill a child. Since Jaime is not yet a point-of-view character, we assume that he shows no remorse for this.
It can also be said that Jaime did show Ned a little bit of mercy. Ned Stark ends up being beheaded. However, Jaime did not order it. By not killing Bran’s father directly, it can be argued that he was showing a little remorse. This did not stop Jaime from murdering Ned’s friends. As you can see, from the picture we get of Jaime in the first book, he is not worthy of a redemption arc. Martin has given us this villain and person whom we are not supposed to cheer for.
However, there is still hope for his character. We see his devotion to his brother, Tyrion. Catelyn Stark captures Tyrion. When Jaime finds out, he breaks the Kingsguard’s oath of naturality. He gathers men loyal to him and leads an attack on Ned. The result is many people lost their lives. Robert orders Jaime and Ned to make peace. However, this is not an option for Jaime. He has already joined his father. Together, he and his father start building an army, ignoring all of those who question their motives. When Robert dies and Joffery ascends the throne, the Lannisters make their move. Jaime marches on the river lords takes, the Tully heir capture, and lays siege to Riverrun.
Back at home, he becomes the leader of the Kingsguard, meaning that he now has full command of the knights. Jaime is at the top of his game and believes that nothing can go wrong. However, this all changes when he and his army are ambushed by Robb Stark. Jaime knows that he has lost. This does not stop him from fighting and taking out as many of his foes as possible. He is taken captive, which is a huge blow to the Lannister cause. He is placed inside a comfortable tower and promises not to escape. The promise of not escaping keeps him alive.
In a Clash of Swords, Jaime is held captive at Riverrun. Tyrion appeals to Ceresi to bargain for Jaime’s release. He wants her to exchange Ayra and Sansa for Jaime. This, once again, hints at a brotherly connection between them. Tyrion sends a rescue party. It fails. Jaime is recaptured as soon as he regains his freedom. He has broken his promise of not trying to escape. This makes him even more untrustworthy. As a result, Edmure has him transferred to the dungeon where is starved and kept in chains.
In the meantime, Catelyn believes that her youngest sons are dead. She questions Jaime, who despite his conditions remains beautiful and has a sense of power about him. He is vile and cruel in his words, using what he knows to get a reaction out of Catelyn. He bargains with her as well, even though she reminds him that he is a captive. He still believes that he has the upper hand. Catelyn does agree to answer his questions as long as he truthfully answers hers. It is during this questioning that Jaime admits to throwing Bran off the tower and to being the father of Cersei’s children. He doesn’t show remorse and claims that if he wanted to kill Catelyn’s sons, he would have done so himself. This hints at Jaime’s sense of honour. If something requires him to get blood on his hands, he will do it himself, not someone else. He does believe though that his actions protected his sister and that this makes up for what he did. He also tells Catelyn that he is not in the business of killing children. What he did was for love, not malice. Still, whenever Catelyn mocks him for being the Kingslayer, he puts a wall up. Though his tone is light, we can tell that it bothers him.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Serena
New Youtube Video: The Mitten Read Aloud Jan Brett
New Youtube Video: The Mitten Read Aloud Jan Brett
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/f-RFbxOmdj4
Description:
Today I am doing a read-aloud of The Mitten by Jan Brett!
Summary:
In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy’s lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure. Jan Brett’s beautiful retelling is a family favorite and the board book edition is the perfect gift for the youngest readers.
When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.
One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.
As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki's snowy outing in the borders of each page.
In her distinctive style, Jan Brett brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.
Jan Brett is also the creator of such wintery classics as The Hat, The Snowy Nap, The Three Snow Bears, The Animals' Santa, and The Night Before Christmas.
This book is also available in Spanish, as El mitón.
"Grandmother knits snow-white mittens that Nikki takes on an adventure. Readers will enjoy the charm and humor in the portrayal of the animals as they make room for each newcomer in the mitten and sprawl in the snow after the big sneeze."
-The Horn Book
Subject: Reading, Literature, Children’s Literature
Topic: Read Aloud, Reading, Literature, Children’s Literature, Winter
Grades: PreK-5th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/f-RFbxOmdj4
Description:
Today I am doing a read-aloud of The Mitten by Jan Brett!
Summary:
In this bestselling modern classic, a young boy’s lost mitten leads to a charming snowy adventure. Jan Brett’s beautiful retelling is a family favorite and the board book edition is the perfect gift for the youngest readers.
When Nicki drops his white mitten in the snow, he goes on without realizing that it is missing.
One by one, woodland animals find it and crawl in; first, a curious mole, then a rabbit, a badger and others, each one larger than the last. Finally, a big brown bear is followed in by a tiny brown mouse and what happens next makes for a wonderfully funny climax.
As the story of the animals in the mitten unfolds, the reader can see Nicki's snowy outing in the borders of each page.
In her distinctive style, Jan Brett brings the animals to life with warmth and humor, and her illustrations are full of visual delights and details faithful to the Ukrainian tradition from which the story comes.
Jan Brett is also the creator of such wintery classics as The Hat, The Snowy Nap, The Three Snow Bears, The Animals' Santa, and The Night Before Christmas.
This book is also available in Spanish, as El mitón.
"Grandmother knits snow-white mittens that Nikki takes on an adventure. Readers will enjoy the charm and humor in the portrayal of the animals as they make room for each newcomer in the mitten and sprawl in the snow after the big sneeze."
-The Horn Book
Subject: Reading, Literature, Children’s Literature
Topic: Read Aloud, Reading, Literature, Children’s Literature, Winter
Grades: PreK-5th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
December 30, 2022
Free Story: Crown
Hello everyone! It's finally alive! My side project, Crown, is going to be posted on my fictionpress page in 2023. New chapters will be added weekly! This is first the multi-chaptered story I have posted online in two years and my first fictionpress multi-chapter story in four years. The link to the story is below. This is a free story.
Story Link: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/336618...
What's It About?
A land divided by war, a world-ending, two queens, and one girl who fell down the rabbit hole...Clementine just wanted a normal life and marriage was not one of those things. While trying to escape her arranged marriage, she stumbles upon a talking rabbit in a waistcoat. From here, her adventure begins. Is it real or is it all in her head? (Alice in Wonderland Retelling)
Like what you see? Keep reading below for a look at the first chapter!
Chapter One: Dim Days of Dolor
In the great land of Jesparia, each city-state was ruled by its own royal family and governed by its law. Only in great times of war did the nation manage to come together. The two greatest cities, Lefkiliki and Prienantina, were ruled by two great families: the Netherbraid family and the Regalrider family. Both families had always intermarried and peace existed between the two families. It was just the way things were in Jesparia and it was never to change. The oracle had always foretold that as long as these events did not change there would be no war between the two great city-states.
Clementine Netherbraid pushed her way through the thick crowds of Lefkilki. So many people have come out to hear the oracle make her annual Pythia, but she didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to hear how she would have to marry Kallinos Regalrider, a man she had never met before. Her sister, Delia, had married his brother, Argos, and they both were happy. They were both under a tree just outside the city, reading and discussing what they were reading. It wasn't as if Clementine didn't want to talk about books, but she didn't want to hear about how good the match would be.
Along the shore, ships for Prienantina began to dock. While Lefkiliki provided Jesparia with the finest soldiers, it was Prienantina who gave it the navy. Within a short period, those ships would not only provide Lefkilki with goods but Clementine with her husband.
It was just downright disgusting and with her being a female, she didn't have a lot of say in her fate. Even though women had more freedoms than they did in Prienantina, her happiness had to come after the whole group’s needs.
The sea’s water nearly reached her as she headed toward where Delia was sure to be. Wouldn't that be something to show up soaking wet? Maybe it would encourage Argos to warn his brother about what a mess Clementine was. It was very tempting…
However, if she did get wet, then she would be stuck wearing that revealing dress her best friend, Axelia, was always trying to get her to wear. Clementine didn't want to stand out; she preferred not to have men looking at her.
So, no water…
The tree was just at the end of the path. Delia and Argos were right under it, reading. They looked so happy, just being there in each other's company. Clementine shook her head. She would never have anything like that. Her arranged married just wasn't going to be like that.
There was no happiness in being forced to bow down to the will of one man.
Argos had been content to stay here, but he had claimed that his brother was not. She couldn't even think about the possibility of having to move to another city with a whole set of different rules. Didn't anyone see that she was drowning? Didn't anyone care about what she wanted?
She slowed down, watching as a group of seagulls flew overhead. If only she could be as free as those birds...If only she could choose her fate...
She kept going at an even slower pace…
The low wall that lined the path allowed her to stay out of her sister's sight. The only thing that was on along the wall was a white rabbit, in a waistcoat and shaking its head at a pocket watch. Even more interesting, it seemed to be muttering something under its breath. Clementine stopped and stared at the white rabbit as it placed its watch into its waistcoat. No, this wasn't right...This wasn't normal...It caught sight of Clementine, and stared at her for a brief second, before hopping away.
"I'm late, I'm late," the rabbit muttered as it hopped away, probably thinking that Clementine was out of sight. "Oh, she's going to have my head."
Clementine shook her head, made there was something in her ears. Rabbits didn't talk; it all had to be in her head. She had to be mad...It wouldn't be the first time some accused her of such a thing.
Getting the rabbit out of her head, she kept going toward her sister. There was no need to mention any of this to anyone. Even though she didn't want to get married, it was far better than going to the asylum.
Still, every once in a while, she would catch sight of the rabbit hopping along the other side of the wall.
Delia and Argos looked up as Clementine lowered herself down next to them. "Don't let me interrupt anything," Clementine said.
Delia smiled. "Oh, don't worry, you're not."
Clementine looked over at the book. "I see you're reading about our fine cities."
Argos figured the book's cover. "Why yes! We find it very helpful to understand the cultures of our hometowns."
"I see." Clementine's gaze shifted over toward the direction where she had seen the white rabbit. "Tell me, is there any mention of a white rabbit, wearing a waistcoat, and talking in any of your books?"
Delia frowned. "No, why?"
Clementine shifted around. She knew what happened to people who spoke of such a thing. To be labelled as mad would be worse than death. "I was just wondering. I think it would make a great story, don't you?"
Delia's frown only deepened. "What you should be thinking about is your upcoming marriage."
"Oh, I am, I was just thinking about how wonderful it would be to share some stories with my future husband."
Argos opened the book, giving Clementine a hard stare. "My brother is not one for such nonsense. He lives for fact, not fiction."
Clementine just sighed. "Then, what does he like?"
"He likes people who live in reality and who understand the difference between what is real and what isn't."
"Good thing that I know the difference, then." She laid back, letting the warm grass seep into her clothes. It smelled so lovely and felt so soft, a lot softer than her bed. "Would you mind if I stayed here for a bit?"
Delia shook her head. "No, not at all. It may do you some good to learn about your future family."
Clementine tried not to roll her eyes. The thought alone almost made her sick. Still, if she stayed here, then maybe she would see the white rabbit again. If Delia and Argos saw him, they would know she was not mad.
A few hours passed and Clementine had long since toned out Argos's and Delia's ramblings. There had been no sign of the white rabbit, leaving her to believe that it all had been in her head. She knew what she had seen; she knew it was real.
However, her word didn't seem good enough anymore.
Her eyes narrowed as a shadow appeared beneath a bush to their left. It certainly did look like it could be a rabbit. It needed to come out into the light just a bit more for her to be sure. Come on...Come on...She them that I'm not mad...Show them that I'm not making this up...
Ah! There was. The rabbit carefully hopped out into the open, still looking at his coat and dressed in a waistcoat.
"Look, there," Clementine hissed, pointing right at the rabbit.
Delia followed Clementine's pointing finger. "It's just a rabbit. It probably escaped from one of the plays. Honestly, sometimes I think you live in a world of nonsense." She looked over at Argos, who nodded in agreement.
Clementine could feel the tears prickling behind her eyes, threatening to overflow. She quickly got her feet and ran toward the group of trees. She didn't want to cry, not here, not in front of them. It was one thing for Argos to put her down, but another for Delia. She had always thought that she could count on Delia to have her back, who always seemed to enjoy her stories.
That rabbit was not from the plays...Rabbits from the plays did not talk and she had heard this rabbit speak...She knew it...
She lowered herself down underneath a rather large and ancient-looking tree; finally, letting the trees fall. She was not mad nor would she marry Kallinos Regalrider. At least if word got out of her possible madness, then he wouldn't want to marry her. That would be the only good thing to come out of this. Of course, he probably would still marry her to get wealth and status. It was a good business deal.
The tears littered the ground below her, making it seem like there was a river flowing through the dirt. She wiped her face off, probably leaving an even bigger path of tear-stained damage. She didn't care that she probably looked like a hot mess. She didn't care who knew she had been crying. She wasn't going back there. She wasn't going to let them force her into something she didn't want to do.
"Oh, I'm late and I still haven't found her."
Clementine sat up. The rabbit! It was coming this way! If she could just catch it and then she could take it back to the town. Then, they would know she wasn't making it up!
Of course, that would mean she would have to go back and face them.
She got to her feet. The rabbit was heading in a straight line and it didn't even seem to notice her. If it stayed unaware, this was going to be so easy.
The rabbit kept hopping. "Off with your head...Oh, I can hear those words the moment I arrive and learns that I have failed my mission. Off with your head. Oh, dear!"
Clementine jumped out of the bushes the moment the rabbit passed her. She reached it as it kicked and tried to claw its way free from her. She tightened her grip. No way in Hades was she going to let this rabbit get away from her.
"Let me go!" the rabbit begged.
"You can talk," Clementine said, as she started to walk with the struggling rabbit back to Delia and Argos. "You are going to show people that I'm not mad."
The rabbit kept clawing at her arms, drawing blood. "You don't know what you're doing!"
Clementine kept walking. They would have to believe her now that she had proof. There would be no more denying what was right in front of them.
"Please, let me go," the rabbit begged.
"I don't know why you want me to let you go," Clementine said. "It sounded like someone was going to kill you. At least, this way you will have a chance to live."
"If you would let me go, I could correct my situation."
Clementine shook her head. "I'm not going to let you go." She paused. "Who wants to kill you and why?"
The rabbit looked up at her with disbelief, then, finally, shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you."
"Try me."
The rabbit sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Şirînnaz of the Pheaqavaria Empire has sent me on this quest and if I don't fulfil my mission, she will kill me." He looked up at Clementine. "Well?"
Clementine didn't know what to say. She had never heard of Şirînnaz nor the Pheaqavaria Empire. She was assuming that Şirînnaz was some kind of a queen, but she couldn't be sure. "You're just playing with me."
The rabbit shook his head. "No, I'm not. Wiasitrura is engaged in a great civil war. The Pheaqavaria Empire and the Ugastethage Empire have been fighting each other for years for control over the continent. I was sent here to find the person who could end the war."
Clementine shook her head. "You're talking complete nonsense. There is no such thing as any of those places. We've studied the world in geography and I know we never talked about any place like that. If there was a war, we would know about it."
The rabbit went limp in her arms. "I'm telling you, it's the truth. Haven't you ever believed in what you couldn't see?"
"All the time, which is why I need you now. They want me to marry someone and I need you to prove to them that I'm not mad."
"If they believe you are mad, wouldn't that get you out of the marriage?"
Clementine shook her head. "You just don't understand."
The rabbit just rolled his eyes. "No, I think you are the one who doesn't understand." He looked up at her. "Now, I hope you accept my apologies for what I am about to do."
Clementine frowned, looking down at the rabbit. "What are you about to do?"
The rabbit sunk his teeth into her arm. She dropped the rabbit and she looked down at her arm, watching as a little bit of blood formed. "Why you little-"
The rabbit looked back at her as he ran deeper into the forest.
Clementine cursed at the already-forming bruise. She quickly gathered up her skirts as she started running after the rabbit. "Get back here!" she screamed as she picked up her pace. For such a tiny being, he sure moved rather quickly.
The rabbit ran down a dark and narrow path-the kind of path that Clementine normally would not even think about venturing down. However, today she didn't even pause and think about it.
The ground was not level and each little bump sent a round of pain racing down her arm. More than a few times, she tripped over a loose rock or branch. Ahead of her was always the rabbit; its whiteness and waistcoat stood out against the darkness of the forest.
Clementine pushed herself forward. If she could just pick her pace up a little bit, she could catch the rabbit again and give it a good talking to. It simply was not good manners to bite people.
She came to a fork in the path. One path lead down an even darker route and the other greeted her with trees so thickly grown together that no living creature could venture down. To make matters worse, there was no sign of the rabbit.
She dug her fingers into her skirt as she looked around. The rabbit had to be here somewhere.
She took a small step forward. "Where are you?"
Suddenly, the ground gave out from underneath her. She tried to grab onto the ground, only to fail. She didn't even have time to scream as she fell.
Story Link: https://www.fictionpress.com/s/336618...
What's It About?
A land divided by war, a world-ending, two queens, and one girl who fell down the rabbit hole...Clementine just wanted a normal life and marriage was not one of those things. While trying to escape her arranged marriage, she stumbles upon a talking rabbit in a waistcoat. From here, her adventure begins. Is it real or is it all in her head? (Alice in Wonderland Retelling)
Like what you see? Keep reading below for a look at the first chapter!
Chapter One: Dim Days of Dolor
In the great land of Jesparia, each city-state was ruled by its own royal family and governed by its law. Only in great times of war did the nation manage to come together. The two greatest cities, Lefkiliki and Prienantina, were ruled by two great families: the Netherbraid family and the Regalrider family. Both families had always intermarried and peace existed between the two families. It was just the way things were in Jesparia and it was never to change. The oracle had always foretold that as long as these events did not change there would be no war between the two great city-states.
Clementine Netherbraid pushed her way through the thick crowds of Lefkilki. So many people have come out to hear the oracle make her annual Pythia, but she didn't want to hear it. She didn't want to hear how she would have to marry Kallinos Regalrider, a man she had never met before. Her sister, Delia, had married his brother, Argos, and they both were happy. They were both under a tree just outside the city, reading and discussing what they were reading. It wasn't as if Clementine didn't want to talk about books, but she didn't want to hear about how good the match would be.
Along the shore, ships for Prienantina began to dock. While Lefkiliki provided Jesparia with the finest soldiers, it was Prienantina who gave it the navy. Within a short period, those ships would not only provide Lefkilki with goods but Clementine with her husband.
It was just downright disgusting and with her being a female, she didn't have a lot of say in her fate. Even though women had more freedoms than they did in Prienantina, her happiness had to come after the whole group’s needs.
The sea’s water nearly reached her as she headed toward where Delia was sure to be. Wouldn't that be something to show up soaking wet? Maybe it would encourage Argos to warn his brother about what a mess Clementine was. It was very tempting…
However, if she did get wet, then she would be stuck wearing that revealing dress her best friend, Axelia, was always trying to get her to wear. Clementine didn't want to stand out; she preferred not to have men looking at her.
So, no water…
The tree was just at the end of the path. Delia and Argos were right under it, reading. They looked so happy, just being there in each other's company. Clementine shook her head. She would never have anything like that. Her arranged married just wasn't going to be like that.
There was no happiness in being forced to bow down to the will of one man.
Argos had been content to stay here, but he had claimed that his brother was not. She couldn't even think about the possibility of having to move to another city with a whole set of different rules. Didn't anyone see that she was drowning? Didn't anyone care about what she wanted?
She slowed down, watching as a group of seagulls flew overhead. If only she could be as free as those birds...If only she could choose her fate...
She kept going at an even slower pace…
The low wall that lined the path allowed her to stay out of her sister's sight. The only thing that was on along the wall was a white rabbit, in a waistcoat and shaking its head at a pocket watch. Even more interesting, it seemed to be muttering something under its breath. Clementine stopped and stared at the white rabbit as it placed its watch into its waistcoat. No, this wasn't right...This wasn't normal...It caught sight of Clementine, and stared at her for a brief second, before hopping away.
"I'm late, I'm late," the rabbit muttered as it hopped away, probably thinking that Clementine was out of sight. "Oh, she's going to have my head."
Clementine shook her head, made there was something in her ears. Rabbits didn't talk; it all had to be in her head. She had to be mad...It wouldn't be the first time some accused her of such a thing.
Getting the rabbit out of her head, she kept going toward her sister. There was no need to mention any of this to anyone. Even though she didn't want to get married, it was far better than going to the asylum.
Still, every once in a while, she would catch sight of the rabbit hopping along the other side of the wall.
Delia and Argos looked up as Clementine lowered herself down next to them. "Don't let me interrupt anything," Clementine said.
Delia smiled. "Oh, don't worry, you're not."
Clementine looked over at the book. "I see you're reading about our fine cities."
Argos figured the book's cover. "Why yes! We find it very helpful to understand the cultures of our hometowns."
"I see." Clementine's gaze shifted over toward the direction where she had seen the white rabbit. "Tell me, is there any mention of a white rabbit, wearing a waistcoat, and talking in any of your books?"
Delia frowned. "No, why?"
Clementine shifted around. She knew what happened to people who spoke of such a thing. To be labelled as mad would be worse than death. "I was just wondering. I think it would make a great story, don't you?"
Delia's frown only deepened. "What you should be thinking about is your upcoming marriage."
"Oh, I am, I was just thinking about how wonderful it would be to share some stories with my future husband."
Argos opened the book, giving Clementine a hard stare. "My brother is not one for such nonsense. He lives for fact, not fiction."
Clementine just sighed. "Then, what does he like?"
"He likes people who live in reality and who understand the difference between what is real and what isn't."
"Good thing that I know the difference, then." She laid back, letting the warm grass seep into her clothes. It smelled so lovely and felt so soft, a lot softer than her bed. "Would you mind if I stayed here for a bit?"
Delia shook her head. "No, not at all. It may do you some good to learn about your future family."
Clementine tried not to roll her eyes. The thought alone almost made her sick. Still, if she stayed here, then maybe she would see the white rabbit again. If Delia and Argos saw him, they would know she was not mad.
A few hours passed and Clementine had long since toned out Argos's and Delia's ramblings. There had been no sign of the white rabbit, leaving her to believe that it all had been in her head. She knew what she had seen; she knew it was real.
However, her word didn't seem good enough anymore.
Her eyes narrowed as a shadow appeared beneath a bush to their left. It certainly did look like it could be a rabbit. It needed to come out into the light just a bit more for her to be sure. Come on...Come on...She them that I'm not mad...Show them that I'm not making this up...
Ah! There was. The rabbit carefully hopped out into the open, still looking at his coat and dressed in a waistcoat.
"Look, there," Clementine hissed, pointing right at the rabbit.
Delia followed Clementine's pointing finger. "It's just a rabbit. It probably escaped from one of the plays. Honestly, sometimes I think you live in a world of nonsense." She looked over at Argos, who nodded in agreement.
Clementine could feel the tears prickling behind her eyes, threatening to overflow. She quickly got her feet and ran toward the group of trees. She didn't want to cry, not here, not in front of them. It was one thing for Argos to put her down, but another for Delia. She had always thought that she could count on Delia to have her back, who always seemed to enjoy her stories.
That rabbit was not from the plays...Rabbits from the plays did not talk and she had heard this rabbit speak...She knew it...
She lowered herself down underneath a rather large and ancient-looking tree; finally, letting the trees fall. She was not mad nor would she marry Kallinos Regalrider. At least if word got out of her possible madness, then he wouldn't want to marry her. That would be the only good thing to come out of this. Of course, he probably would still marry her to get wealth and status. It was a good business deal.
The tears littered the ground below her, making it seem like there was a river flowing through the dirt. She wiped her face off, probably leaving an even bigger path of tear-stained damage. She didn't care that she probably looked like a hot mess. She didn't care who knew she had been crying. She wasn't going back there. She wasn't going to let them force her into something she didn't want to do.
"Oh, I'm late and I still haven't found her."
Clementine sat up. The rabbit! It was coming this way! If she could just catch it and then she could take it back to the town. Then, they would know she wasn't making it up!
Of course, that would mean she would have to go back and face them.
She got to her feet. The rabbit was heading in a straight line and it didn't even seem to notice her. If it stayed unaware, this was going to be so easy.
The rabbit kept hopping. "Off with your head...Oh, I can hear those words the moment I arrive and learns that I have failed my mission. Off with your head. Oh, dear!"
Clementine jumped out of the bushes the moment the rabbit passed her. She reached it as it kicked and tried to claw its way free from her. She tightened her grip. No way in Hades was she going to let this rabbit get away from her.
"Let me go!" the rabbit begged.
"You can talk," Clementine said, as she started to walk with the struggling rabbit back to Delia and Argos. "You are going to show people that I'm not mad."
The rabbit kept clawing at her arms, drawing blood. "You don't know what you're doing!"
Clementine kept walking. They would have to believe her now that she had proof. There would be no more denying what was right in front of them.
"Please, let me go," the rabbit begged.
"I don't know why you want me to let you go," Clementine said. "It sounded like someone was going to kill you. At least, this way you will have a chance to live."
"If you would let me go, I could correct my situation."
Clementine shook her head. "I'm not going to let you go." She paused. "Who wants to kill you and why?"
The rabbit looked up at her with disbelief, then, finally, shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you."
"Try me."
The rabbit sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Şirînnaz of the Pheaqavaria Empire has sent me on this quest and if I don't fulfil my mission, she will kill me." He looked up at Clementine. "Well?"
Clementine didn't know what to say. She had never heard of Şirînnaz nor the Pheaqavaria Empire. She was assuming that Şirînnaz was some kind of a queen, but she couldn't be sure. "You're just playing with me."
The rabbit shook his head. "No, I'm not. Wiasitrura is engaged in a great civil war. The Pheaqavaria Empire and the Ugastethage Empire have been fighting each other for years for control over the continent. I was sent here to find the person who could end the war."
Clementine shook her head. "You're talking complete nonsense. There is no such thing as any of those places. We've studied the world in geography and I know we never talked about any place like that. If there was a war, we would know about it."
The rabbit went limp in her arms. "I'm telling you, it's the truth. Haven't you ever believed in what you couldn't see?"
"All the time, which is why I need you now. They want me to marry someone and I need you to prove to them that I'm not mad."
"If they believe you are mad, wouldn't that get you out of the marriage?"
Clementine shook her head. "You just don't understand."
The rabbit just rolled his eyes. "No, I think you are the one who doesn't understand." He looked up at her. "Now, I hope you accept my apologies for what I am about to do."
Clementine frowned, looking down at the rabbit. "What are you about to do?"
The rabbit sunk his teeth into her arm. She dropped the rabbit and she looked down at her arm, watching as a little bit of blood formed. "Why you little-"
The rabbit looked back at her as he ran deeper into the forest.
Clementine cursed at the already-forming bruise. She quickly gathered up her skirts as she started running after the rabbit. "Get back here!" she screamed as she picked up her pace. For such a tiny being, he sure moved rather quickly.
The rabbit ran down a dark and narrow path-the kind of path that Clementine normally would not even think about venturing down. However, today she didn't even pause and think about it.
The ground was not level and each little bump sent a round of pain racing down her arm. More than a few times, she tripped over a loose rock or branch. Ahead of her was always the rabbit; its whiteness and waistcoat stood out against the darkness of the forest.
Clementine pushed herself forward. If she could just pick her pace up a little bit, she could catch the rabbit again and give it a good talking to. It simply was not good manners to bite people.
She came to a fork in the path. One path lead down an even darker route and the other greeted her with trees so thickly grown together that no living creature could venture down. To make matters worse, there was no sign of the rabbit.
She dug her fingers into her skirt as she looked around. The rabbit had to be here somewhere.
She took a small step forward. "Where are you?"
Suddenly, the ground gave out from underneath her. She tried to grab onto the ground, only to fail. She didn't even have time to scream as she fell.
December 29, 2022
New Yotubue Video: Vlog: This Is Not A Christmas Lights Video But It Is
New Youtube Video: Vlog: This Is Not A Christmas Lights Video (But It Is)
Please note, it may take a few hours before the video is fully processed.
Link: https://youtu.be/muW7wqe65fE
Description:
Hello everyone! Today I am taking you on a journey to look at Christmas lights. The house I am showing you today has over 120,00 lights. I thought this would be a great way to end 2022 and welcome 2023. It’s not too late to look at Christmas lights, is it?
My Thoughts:
For Business Inquiries: Aphrodite-venus-u.k@hotmail.com
Publishers, authors, and companies-I do take requests for reviews, interviews, product endorsements, and etc. Check on my livejournal page for more information as to what content I am looking for. Dates do fill up quickly-I only like to feature on thing a day so you aren’t overlooked.
Links:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicZ...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AlysonSeren...
Livejournal: http://serenastone.livejournal.com/pr...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/u/773118...
Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2489110/...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-te...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
Medium:
https://medium.com/@AlysonSerenaStone
Please note, it may take a few hours before the video is fully processed.
Link: https://youtu.be/muW7wqe65fE
Description:
Hello everyone! Today I am taking you on a journey to look at Christmas lights. The house I am showing you today has over 120,00 lights. I thought this would be a great way to end 2022 and welcome 2023. It’s not too late to look at Christmas lights, is it?
My Thoughts:
For Business Inquiries: Aphrodite-venus-u.k@hotmail.com
Publishers, authors, and companies-I do take requests for reviews, interviews, product endorsements, and etc. Check on my livejournal page for more information as to what content I am looking for. Dates do fill up quickly-I only like to feature on thing a day so you aren’t overlooked.
Links:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCicZ...
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/AlysonSeren...
Livejournal: http://serenastone.livejournal.com/pr...
Fictionpress: https://www.fictionpress.com/u/773118...
Fanfiction: https://www.fanfiction.net/u/2489110/...
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?i=digital-te...
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
Medium:
https://medium.com/@AlysonSerenaStone
December 19, 2022
New Youtube Video: It’s The Christmas Vlog: Christmas in the Classroom 2022
New Youtube Video: It’s The Christmas Vlog: Christmas in the Classroom 2022
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/C_cVphb3wdE
Description:
Today I am doing a short video about some activities that I like to do in the classroom at Christmas! This contains STEM ideas, art projects, and activities to keep your students both engaged and busy during the weeks leading up to Christmas break.
Subject: Vlogs, STEM, Art, History, Social Studies, Christmas, Christmas Around the World
Topic: STEM, Art, History, Social Studies, Culture
Grades: 4th-8th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
It may be a few hours before this pops up. My internet is really lagging right now.
Link: https://youtu.be/C_cVphb3wdE
Description:
Today I am doing a short video about some activities that I like to do in the classroom at Christmas! This contains STEM ideas, art projects, and activities to keep your students both engaged and busy during the weeks leading up to Christmas break.
Subject: Vlogs, STEM, Art, History, Social Studies, Christmas, Christmas Around the World
Topic: STEM, Art, History, Social Studies, Culture
Grades: 4th-8th
Links:
Teacherspayteachers: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/S...
Teaching Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOpE...
