Comment on The Path

  1. Account Deleted on Chapter 5 Tue 27 Mar 2018 07:52AM UTC

    Ok, well, when I first read the “Nasir makes the hard decisions” tag, part of me KNEW what it meant, but I totally put it from mind because I just didn’t want to believe it!! AHHH, but that just as he would never turn Agron from purpose, Agron would never try to sway him and they just understand and respect and love each other SO MUCH and omg, beautiful!! (Also, Duro being just short of a tantrum because this is so NOT how it’s supposed to be...I LOVE DURO)

    OH GODS VIPIO PLANNING TO EXCHANGE THEM ALL FOR HIS OWN SAFE PASSAGE... Agron will seriously NEVER let anyone live this down, he picked that guy!

    NASIR STANDING UP TO SPARTACUS! They have different objectives here and Nasir will not bow or compromise and he will help these people see their choices to fruition because this is why he fights and ahh, SO MUCH LOVE. (And then that he doesn’t even heed the one thing Spartacus does ask of him) ok I LOVE Nasir challenging Spartacus, because Spartacus has literally no idea how to handle him at any time and whenever they stand opposed Spartacus is at such a loss and Nasir is all hardened resolve and I LOVE IT.

    THAT AGRON ASKS! Does not order or whine or rage, just asks to see if he’ll change his mind and when he doesn’t, just supports him instead.

     

    I have a special love for Duro checking his neck but Nasir would never draw blood from his German pup. Of course not. (I might have got a little teary here, I love their relationship) ALSO, from last chapter where you mentioned how aware Duro is that Agron and Nasir want him included in their lives while he’s just trying to give them space and oh gods I love it! And I can just see him trying to give them space and being all “no, you guys are a THING now, I’m fine, seriously” and they’re all “DURO, OUR BROTHER, THINGS ARE CHANGING AND WE MUST ALL LAY TOGETHER AND CUDDLE AND REAFFIRM OUR BONDS RIGHT NOW!!”

    “I have never been prouder to know a man”
    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (That’s a silent scream, this chapter has just about ruined me - I loved every second)

    THAT DOCTORE HAD THREATENED FACING AGRON AS A PUNISHMENT!!! A MAN ABSENT SENSE!!!!!!!!!!!

    OK AND CALIUS, SWEET PRECIOUS BEAUTIFUL CALIUS WHO I WAS SO HESITANT TO LIKE - I LOVE HIM OMG. AND THAT HES BEEN IN SERVICE TO MARIUS’ FAMILY HIS ENTIRE LIFE AND NOW HES WIELDING A SWORD WITH PURPOSE AND OMG SO HES TOTALLY NASIRS RIGHT HAND YES?? Like, he doesn’t follow Spartacus, he follows Nasir and he defers to Nasir and he trains with Nasir and just the love and respect and AAGHHHHHHHH, THESE RELATIONSHIPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Oh gods I’m actually so in love with Nasir portraying a slaver though, because it allows all those more savage little traits of his to come out and he’s such a rounded character.

    AND THE WAY HE SELLS THEM!! Ok but I love that and the humour and that it just allowed him to say goodbye without saying goodbye and let each of these people (some of them former friends) know what he admires most about them and where he sees their strength and it was actually so lovely??

    AND OK BUT THIS IS WHAT I LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR STORIES AND IVE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO PROPERLY PUT MY FINGER ON IT BEFORE BUT!!!!!! There are Z E R O modern day hang ups and you’re just telling the story as it deserves to be told and accounting for everyone and there is a reason that this story is the absolute love of my life!!!!!!

    AND HE SAVED THE BROTHER AND SISTER TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY AND THEY GET TO REMAIN CLOSE TO THEIR MOTHER AND MAYBE ONE DAY HE CAN DO MORE FOR THEM BUT OHH, Nasir is a precious angel.

    ZARIA AND PEIRASTES ARE HEADED FOR FREEDOM AND OMG LOVEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    OK BUT THAT BIT AT THE END WITH JUSIX AND IF YOU CANNOT TRUST NASIR THAN WHO CAN YOU TRUST?? Really?!!! Like, he kept quiet about who was conspiring even though he KNEW, because he also knew the immediate reactions, then when it eventually came out, he stole them from harms way and set each of them to path for the life they desired and managed good homes or notable standing for all who desired to return to that and NASIR IS A GD GEM AND I LOVE HIM AND THIS AND YOU AND A FUCKING BRILLIANT UPDATE!

    Last Edited Tue 27 Mar 2018 08:24AM UTC

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    1. NotRoman (Manniness) on Chapter 5 Tue 27 Mar 2018 09:06AM UTC

      Hey there, you!! (^_~) Again you spoil me with ALL THE COMMENTS. HUGS!!!

      Since I KNOW you check the tags -- each and every one -- I actually left off a couple of them. Might add them at the end of the fic because I don't want to ruin anything for you... or torture you... but I think I maybe kinda failed because it sounds like you've been bracing yourself for that "Nasir makes the hard choices" tag. Whoops.

      So, I actually wasn't very excited about writing Nasir's convalescence at the villa and was super tempted to skip it entirely, but then I thought, "No, no, wait. This is a chance to explore the gladiator/house slave dynamic and what if some people DIDN'T want to be freed... what are the rebels gonna do with them?" And if writing this fic has taught me anything it's not to be afraid to explore an unanticipated concept at the cost of slowing the pace. Yes, maybe the pace of the story slows down a bit... but not as much as I expected, actually. So that was a fun thing that I learned.

      Do you remember -- way back many chapters ago -- when we discussed the possibility of Agron, Duro, and Nasir encountering serious friction in their relationship? I mean, Duro is not the same little brother that he was in Germania and Agron KNOWS this, but now he has to live with it. Also, Nasir is his own man. And in this chapter, Duro clearly thinks Agron should be trying harder to convince Nasir to leave this mission to someone else, but this is a source of pride for Nasir and like hell Agron's going to try and take that away. So they're all upset about something and they're all right to feel the way they do and yet none of them have the same perspective. I promised you friction -- I hope that delivers!

      Spartacus cannot deal with Nasir except on Nasir's terms. You are totally right and I LOVE IT.

      I am also super glad you've finally fallen in love with Calius. I think he's earned it. (^_~) I can't wait to hear your thoughts on him in the coming chapters!

      I included Rabanus in the list of dudes who test Nasir's fitness -- I dunno, I think Rabanus has Older Brother feels for Nasir and LIKE HELL his trainee is walking out of that gate without his approval! Thoughts?

      My Agron muse insisted that Agron would not be Satisfied with Nasir's fighting skills if Nasir didn't draw blood. Of course, different standards apply for Duro! (^_~)

      Doctore totally needed a mention here because I miss him. Besides, I still haven't shown you what "a man absent sense" looks like, have I? Hopefully, you can sense that Agron is really exerting some serious effort in keeping it together so he can support Nasir's choice and recognize that it's Nasir's right to do this thing. Still, walking away from that villa is way harder in APMF than it is in the TV show because Agron knows exactly what he's leaving behind and he doesn't have any huffy, self-righteous anger to distract himself from it.

      Nasir the slaver: I love him and I hate him. He uses whatever tools he has to in order to get the job done. He sneers at the marketplace staff. He spits on Spartacus' name. He charms customers with humor. But then he buys the brother and sister because he's still Nasir and his heart is still his and damn it HE CAN'T NOT DO THE THING. I kinda like that the brother clues in to there being more to Nasir than a slaver.

      Writing this series guts me for so many reasons but the "no modern day hang ups" is definitely one of them. Like, yes, Nasir saves the brother and sister from the mines, but we already know that the temple priest isn't a shining pillar of virtue. The brother and sister probably know this as well. And even though we can guess what kind of services either or both of them will be required to perform for their dominus, they consider themselves "saved." That sounds so half-assed by today's standards and I hate that I can't just give them roses and rainbows, but the ONLY reason Nasir isn't cool with leaving them there is because there is a fighter in that boy (maybe in the girl, too) and he can't provide the means to see where THAT leads.

      Jusix -- kind of a dick, but yeah. Not everyone's a Calius. (^_~)

      Of course Zarastes gets their "happily ever after." Of course!!

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      1. Account Deleted on Chapter 5 Tue 27 Mar 2018 09:44AM UTC

        OMG THERES MORE TAGS??!!!
        Ok but no you came up with them in your own brain and tags can be hard and I know how much you love doing the Good Tags and you definitely shouldn’t hide them - I’m totally fine, and I was super looking forward to seeing what the hard choices would be (even though apparently a part of me knew it meant Nasir was leaving)

        Oh gods, Duro’s Brotherly loyalty is So Strong. Like, he is willing to abandon everything, anytime, just to remain with his brothers. So the fact that Nasir wouldn’t do the same, and that Agron won’t even FIGHT it (when Agron is the type of guy who would literally fight his shadow for walking too close) and like, Duro gets it - he does - but that doesn’t change the fact that were he in Nasirs position he would allow the company, or if he had the sway of Agron he would have FOUGHT the decision and Gods he’s probably feeling all kinds of betrayed by his brothers and annoyed at himself for feeling betrayed by them because he DOES GET IT, he just doesn’t want to. Oh Duro. (You deliver in spades!! This chapter was utter brilliance)

        Ohh!! The final test!!! Ok so I DID love that Rabanus was in there - and I feel like he was the ACTUAL test? Ok but how I see it is:
        +Nasir fights Rabanus, a very worthy gladiator and one of his original mentors, to a draw. He’s proven himself fit for task. Final test complete.
        +Nasir fights Spartacus because Spartacus is desperate to change his mind. But Spartacus cannot deal with or control Nasir and it shows because Spartacus RUNS OUT OF MOVES and must step aside.
        +Nasir fights Agron and Duro because they are totally pissed and resigned and they will provide their own test. And the fight ends in kill blows because Nasir is the only one in charge of his destiny and there is no argument left to be had. Nasir stands as his own man with his own path and there is no turning him from that.
        -does that translate? That’s the sort of vibes I got, but I’m a sappy mess so I could be reading too far.

        Aw man, Agron is trying So Hard here and I have some serious love for it. But he’s totally that guy who Steps Up and moulds to purpose and this is what Nasir wants and Agron is not going to get in the way of that, just as Nasir would never get in the way of Agrons purpose.

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        1. NotRoman (Manniness) on Chapter 5 Tue 27 Mar 2018 10:14AM UTC

          Dude. I totally wrote a thing where Nasir goes to bed on a cold, hard pallet and wakes up surrounded by his Agron-bear. I AM NOT GOING TO CALL YOU OUT FOR BEING A SAPPY MESS. (Pot, meet kettle.) (^_~)

          I actually totally LOVE your analysis of Nasir's fights and have adopted that logic as canon. BOOM. (^_^)

          Yes, there is one more tag that I left off and I'm glad I did because it really would have given too much away. But given how many fics there are/will be in this series, I'll probably add it for the sake of clarity. Y'know, so people can be all, "Ooooh, right. This is THAT fic. Gotcha."

          So, Nasir is all "Agron is not my purpose" and this results in Nasir putting physical distance between them. Obviously, the story's not over yet, but feel free to comment on Nasir's logic, assumptions, and choices there. (And I adore how you totally get Duro's turmoil!!)

          And another thing: Nasir asking Peirastes to kill him if they get caught and captured. Nasir doesn't detail the rationale behind that request because he thinks it's self-explanatory, but I'm wondering if you wanted to yell at me (or Nasir) over it? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE. (^_~)

          Plus -- damn it ONE MORE THING! -- Nasir realizing that Zaria is taking off (and not following Spartacus) and he's all, "DAMN IT THIS IS GONNA ADD WEEKS/MONTHS TO MY TRIP" and he doesn't even think about, you know, running after Agron and Duro to TELL THEM. Hell, even I wanted to smack Nasir then!

          But also, Nasir automatically assumes that Zaria is leaving Rome and not seeking a new dominus (because I don't think she actually says) but yes, he's right, but he assumed and that seems like a big deal?? Maybe I'm reading too much into it now. Heh. (^_~)

          Surprisingly, I did not want to smack him for helping Vipio even though Vipio only would have helped himself. Does Vipio deserve Nasir's consideration? Hell, no. But it isn't about Vipio at all (or so my Nasir muse insists), it's about Nasir staying true to himself.

          OK, feel free to throw your thoughts and feels my way. Or, y'know, not. I just really appreciate the chance to chat about all the details with you! Thank you so much for all the love and comments you've sent me, sweet thing! HUGGLES!!!

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          1. Account Deleted on Chapter 5 Thu 29 Mar 2018 11:07AM UTC

            OK SO YES I DID HAVE A COUPLE OF THINGS!!

            Re: “Agron is not my purpose” equals physical distance.
            I’m feeling like Nasir still has a LONG way to go with learning that agreeing with someone, and standing with someone, is NOT that same as ceding to the will of another. Like, he’s got all these people questioning why he’s with Agron and he makes a point of saying that they stand as equals, but then he seems to be taking every chance he can to prove this with a “see, I do not require him for protection, I don’t just follow and agree with the big scary gladiator, I follow my Own Path”
            Am I reading Too Far or is this where his head is at? Like, he feels the need to prove (at least to himself) that he is free to make these choices no matter the consequences. If so, he’s probably gonna be making some pretty bad decisions just to say he can (LIKE WHEN ZARIA IS LEAVING AND HES STRAIGHT ON THE BANDWAGON AND READY TO ADD MONTHS TO HIS ALREADY IMPROMPTU TRIP WITH A COMPLETE DISREGARD TO HOW THIS COULD AFFECT NOT ONLY AGRON AND DURO AS HIS BROTHERS, BUT ALSO AGRON AS HIS LOVE AND THE OTHER HALF OF HIS WHOLE AND OMG NASIR WTF DUDE?!!)

            (Also, gotta let you know that Agron pulling his sword at that crying woman who was trying to explain why they were leaving and garnering sympathy was utterly chilling and GODS, Nasir just not even able to look at him after asking to hear Vipio out because how do you even DEAL with that?)

            Ok, so I was totally with Nasir in asking Peirastes to kill him and not giving a reason, because I think even Peirastes Gets It... BUT OF COURSE NOW YOUVE GOT ME THINKING... And, like, Peirastes seems like quite a genuine and honourable guy, so he’d probably at least try to get word to Agron (and Duro), if not go and break the news himself... and that would be hard enough as is, but then to not be able to give a reason for it.... Agron would kill him.

            OH GODS NASIR WHY ARE YOU SO DUMB IN THIS CHAPTER? WHAT IS HAPPENING, YOU NEED A ~S E R I O U S~ BRO TALK TO REMIND YOU TO THINK ABOUT OTHERS AND ACCOUNT FOR YOUR FREAKING FAMILY.
            Ok but had Duro given him one of these back when they were in the Ludus still, or were we discussing that Duro needed to? BECAUSE DURO NEEDS TO!!

            ...I was actually super happy about him helping Vipio, because Nasir is all about second chances and doing all he can for all and (unfortunately) that includes Vipio. But also it allowed him to help many others and they all deserved it even if Vipio didn’t.

            I mean, Zaria did step forward with Libo and all the others who had no desire to return to slavery, so he probably took his logic from that?

            Anyways, obviously I still have a few feels. Heh. But yes, just drag me over to any and all things you wish to discuss all the time because I LOVE IT ALL SO MUCH AND OF COURSE I WANNA TALK ABOUT IT ALL! I just get caught up in the exciting bits (the Duro bits usually) (^_~) I LOVE THESE CHATS, YOU KNOW I DO!!

            HUGGLES!!

            Last Edited Thu 29 Mar 2018 11:16AM UTC

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            1. NotRoman (Manniness) on Chapter 5 Thu 29 Mar 2018 12:00PM UTC

              HEY!!! I LOVE YOUR COMMENTS SO MUCH. LIKE, I LOVE ALLLLLL OVER THEM IT'S INDECENT OF ME BUT I DO NOT CARE.

              Re: Nasir makes DUMB choices
              You are NOT reading too much into this. Duro doesn't quite realize that Nasir has this NEED to prove himself capable of all the things BY HIMSELF. (Though, Nasir is NOT fully conscious of doing this or how detrimental it can become.) And we can't really blame Duro for not seeing this because Duro has never not had Agron at his back. And even though Duro is ready to be his own man, he KNOWS that Agron is still there if he needs him -- all the time, anytime. Nasir on the other hand is very much trying to have his cake and eat it, too, in (1) being in a relationship with Agron (and Duro by extension) and (2) proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that CAN DO EVERYTHING BY HIMSELF AND NO HE DOES NOT NEED ANYONE'S HELP. This is a thing. Duro will clue into and step in to address... eventually. (Don't worry -- there's no way you can miss it when Duro does the Intervention Thing.)

              EDIT: In answer to your question -- sorry I totally spaced on it! -- yes, we discussed Nasir's future family!fail moments a while back and how Duro might need to give him a Bro Talk, but NO DURO HAS NOT DONE THIS YET. (And this is just one reason why I wish SO MUCH that Duro had lived: I totally see him as educating Nasir on family things because it seemed pretty clear to me in the TV show that Agron does not fill this role for Nasir. In the TV show, Agron seems to swing between extremes of being overbearing (when he apparently "commands" Nasir to stay away from Castus) and determined to give Nasir so little guidance that it kind of leaves Nasir floundering (like that gaslighting you mentioned via email). THIS IS TOTALLY WHERE DURO SHOULD HAVE STEPPED IN.)

              Re: Agron shows no mercy
              OMG yeah, Agron drawing his sword while Aria is making a valid point (about how she never asked to be part of an uprising against Rome) and Agron's lack of sympathy just kind of reinforces why these former slaves thought it would be best to take off in the middle of the night while everyone is drugged. I mean, YEAH JFC WTH AGRON. But I can kind of see his point (sword point... PUN!!) -- these people intended to leave everyone defenseless. That is just Unforgivable. And then, even if we set aside Vipio's plan to kidnap Spartacus and trade him for Roman favor and we assume that everyone in this group just wants a fresh start, there's still the risk that they'll be caught and questioned and then the next thing you know Glaber shows up (or Roman scouts track them) and that easily Agron could lose Duro and Nasir. So, Agron unsheathes his sword because that is how he Nopes.

              Re: Nasir asks Peirastes
              Nasir goes into more detail on why he thought death would be necessary in the face of capture in the next chapter. But you are so right that Peirastes does NOT want to be the guy who tells Agron any Nasir-related Unfortunate News.

              Re: Zaria
              Oh, OK! Yes, I can totally see how Zaria's public support of the rebellion makes it seem pretty obvious that she's opting for freedom rather than a return to Roman life. THANK YOU!!

              I am just so tickled that you're Very Irritated with Nasir in this chapter (even though I know you totally love him) because YES I PROMISED YOU SERIOUS FAMILY!FAIL MOMENTS. Nasir totally doesn't get how family stuff works. He's... a work-in-progress. (^_~)

              OK OK hit me with any other ideas or feels or impressions/comments/concerns ANYTIME. I MEAN IT 1000%. HUGGLES!!! (^_^)

              Last Edited Fri 30 Mar 2018 04:31AM UTC

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              1. Account Deleted on Chapter 5 Fri 30 Mar 2018 04:45AM UTC

                OMG YES! Duro would have been such an asset - not only to the rebellion itself (which, as the Very First supporter of it you know he would have been amazing) BUT TO ALL THINGS NAGRON!!

                I mean, if Agron had been able to see even a millimeter beyond his ridiculous rage, he would have seen that something was amiss. But it’s Agron, and he doesn’t have the ability to do that, and YES THIS IS WHERE DURO COULD HAVE STEPPED IN AND BEEN ALL “Bro, just freaking breath for a second and approach this again”
                Also, I don’t think Agron would been as incredibly overbearing with either had he been allowed to have both. And Nasir and Duro could totally just gang up on him when he’s being Too Much and THE WHOLE THING WOULD HAVE RUN SMOOTHER MY GOODNESS!

                Re: Agron shows no mercy
                It’s so perfectly Agron though! Like, he gets a little mad about the betrayal, works himself into a silent rage about the position they were almost left in, sees Duro and Nasir there and it dawns the situation THEY were almost left in, unsheaths his sword and gets ready to start cutting down anyone who still plans to go through with this.

                Re: Nasir wants to have his cake and eat it too
                Ohh boy, that’s a recipe for disaster. (Heh - recipe, cake. Puns are fun)

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                1. NotRoman (Manniness) on Chapter 5 Fri 30 Mar 2018 04:58AM UTC

                  Re: Duro steps in
                  So, like have you read the "Duro Lives" series by SubtextEquals here on AO3?
                  https://archiveofourown.to/series/103361
                  I think it is the only fic I've read where Duro does the Awesome Thing when Agron and Nasir are on the outs. (And, well, OK, when Agron is being an Idiot, basically.) (^_~)

                  CAKE!!! Oh damn, now I wanna go out for sweets. (^_~)

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