And Finally, the Perfection of Man - Chapters 1- 5
In my previous post regarding Google translation of French fics, I name dropped another user by the name of Kalincka. Her fic, co-authored by Moody Disorder, was one I remembered to this day - and not for any positive reasons. Her fic which takes place after the Dead Kings DLC is also one I remember, and that will be reviewed after this one.
This fic earned me one-sentence snarky responses, and one of the co-writers in another story is seemingly unaware that Napoleon was Corsican and not French. Imagine being an ethnic French person and not knowing this aspect of your history. For shame.
Unlike 'The Sleep of Reason', this fic does have Arno act more like an Assassin - to a point. Where he ceases being an Assassin I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to decide.
The seduction continues:
There's a trend here among the few writers of this pairing, and they don't seem to like it when someone like me points out how deceptive and unhealthy this is.
For once, I agree with de Sade. Arno is actually acting incompetent here. These people wouldn't pose much of a threat to him, yet they are.
Amidst the dialogue between Arno and Leon, de Sade makes himself known - and he's none too happy about not being the centre of attention.
'Complex' isn't the word I'd use. Arno is just being a potato.
As is usual, Arno has to act like a virgin, blushing bride whenever his sexual escapades get brought up. This is used as a weapon by the Marquis so that Arno can get over his reluctance and have sex with him. Let's forget his threat to Leon earlier - Arno certainly has - and go with this for a moment. de Sade is stripping in the carriage for no reason but to turn Arno on, and when Arno says he is uncomfortable de Sade defies his wishes and pulls out a piece from Arno's personal history.
I wouldn't be blushing at this. I'd be pissed - more so because this person was manipulating me to like something/do something I wouldn't otherwise do. It's emotional and sexual coercion, something this pairing is based on. The authors don't seem aware of this (they are seldom aware of anything), but sexual coercion doesn't make a sexy story. It makes a maelstrom of dysfunction and mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
Nothing like breaking a man down with constant sexual innuendos, threatening the kid he adopted, and bringing up his sexual history while also wanting him to spread his legs so you can Poz that neg hole. All we're missing is a goat and Rainbow Dash to play spectator.
I don't know who the Hell Charlie is, but Chapter 3 definitely continues with the bullshit.
Vidocq, the private investigator/muckraker, decides to hijack the carriage these two are in. The following exchange takes place:
Of course 'Arno would be on his knees'. All you've wanted is to have Arno suck your dick and swallow, de Sade. That's all he's ever good for. He's a good, submissive twink who is never in control of his sexuality and is little more than a prude. I'm glad this 'romance' is based around a guy threatening another guy's adopted kid and thinking about the guy sucking his cock 24/7. Stunning character development, very brave.
Chapter 4 mostly has de Sade wandering around Arno's rooms, but as inane as it sounds, there are worthy snippets to include here.
- You get my drift. Of all the places to keep the Marquis de Sade, Paris is not one of them. Robespierre may be dead, but the authorities are still looking for him.
Newsflash: no one is entitled to sex. You earn that privilege. And you don't earn it by looking through someone else's letters and thinking their body is yours all because you think the person they slept with (or didn't) is unworthy and you are.
I don't care who you are or what you're attracted to. Burning someone's belongings all because they expressed something you didn't like in private is a shitty - if not one of the shittiest - things to do. You are destroying something they hold dear to their hearts all because you cannot own their heart. It's a destructive personality which does this, and de Sade possesses it in droves. And yet the authors want me to believe this is a sensual, sexy love story and that this pairing is UWU so perfect.
Yeah, no. If it wasn't Marjolys's date rape drug reference that turned me off, burning someone's belongings all because you think they fucked someone else is another turn off.
You get a crude delight in confusing Arno. If I were him, I'd see right through this façade. de Sade is deliberately confusing Arno to get a reaction, and by getting him to react, he can say, 'Oh well you were the one who sprang my trap!'
What self-esteem? What capacity? You wanted to burn down Arno's home all because he wrote letters to someone other than yourself. Now, you want to provoke him because you like seeing him mad? Get outta here.
Also, protip Kalincka and Moody Disorder: don't call your work 'beautiful' when it is undeserving of the word.
It says something when police, who usually ignored prostitutes at that time, were willing to believe them in a case like this.
This fic earned me one-sentence snarky responses, and one of the co-writers in another story is seemingly unaware that Napoleon was Corsican and not French. Imagine being an ethnic French person and not knowing this aspect of your history. For shame.
Unlike 'The Sleep of Reason', this fic does have Arno act more like an Assassin - to a point. Where he ceases being an Assassin I'll leave it up to you, the reader, to decide.
Living a refugee life was not easy, if one took into account the fun aspect of the situation. Admittedly, spending time for dead in order to draw attention away from him was something funny, knowing that it would have been enough for a few high-ranking people to check if his head was beautiful and well fallen in the basket to ruin his plan - but none of this had happened. France still as chaotic. So much the better for him, but distractions were scarce. The village of the ancient kings was small, populated with the most common misery, much less colorful than that of the Court of Miracles: he had to admit it, he missed his old kingdom. Paris, as dangerous as it was, was teeming with agitation, little secrets to use in the grandest way possible. And Franciade… Franciade was good at being forgotten, something that Sade did not intend to accept in the long term.I cannot see how de Sade would ever be a refugee, considering he's been in and out of prison most of his life and he does own substantial properties outside of Paris. He had no issue avoiding capture when the DLC happened, and he had no issue blending in with the Cours des Miracles (sic). As silly as this sounds as first, it's minor compared to what happens later.
Admittedly, Arno was not the most pleasant (euphemism not to say that he only spoke to him once or twice a day, and again) but his company kept a feeling of old complicity which brought him back from the years back, when he still let himself fully embark on the murderer's escapades.And here the seduction begins.
"Arno, my friend. Not that I'm starting to get tired of your pouting pout - don't believe that, it remains entirely to my liking - but I would like to see from time to time a smile brighten up your face. We still have to spend a few days with each other. If you already start to regret your decision, what will it be in a week. ""Smile for me. You will when I fuck you."
There was this touching desire, at Arno's, to pretend to be in control when it was nothing; and, even years after having wiped out a style of speech that he should have grasped since the time, he still found himself tripping at the slightest hint as if he were meeting him for the first time. Beyond finding this incredibly funny attitude, the writer thought that it was a proof of almost moving, poetic naivety.Right, Arno has to act like he's a virgin whenever he's around de Sade; as if he doesn't know what he's doing. He's naive and he needs a mentor, and who better than the licentious writer himself?
The seduction continues:
"You ..." Yet another coughing fit shook the young man. "I don't know what's holding me back from cutting your throat."
de Sade is already rubbing himself against Arno - metaphorically speaking. For now. He uses Arno to get the Condorcet manuscript and when the job is done, de Sade has to flirt with Arno to lower his defenses so he can get what he wants."Arno… Since time, I thought that our friendship was obvious… Even if it is not very platonic. "
There's a trend here among the few writers of this pairing, and they don't seem to like it when someone like me points out how deceptive and unhealthy this is.
De Sade was playing with fire, and he knew it. Arno was a magma of formless passions, dangerous and showing fangs at the slightest approach; however, the animal side he could show made him all the more attractive in the eyes of the Marquis. Arno represented all that was most complex in humans. Elusive. Proud. And terribly fascinating.Were this plot not ridiculous or self-serving and de Sade not a manipulative son of a bitch, this is actually a great piece of writing. This is Arno Dorian. But like any caged animal he's primed for slaughter and whatever is left goes into a glue bottle.
They stayed there, without another word. Contrary to public opinion, the writer did not speak constantly; how many times had he seen certain collaborators marvel at his silences? In reality, he found the latter much more conducive to the study of his interlocutors. The body language was deafening, less camouflaged by the words, and it only needed a few glances to anticipate those that were going to be served. Admittedly, handling the dialogues was fun, and he didn't mean to brag about saying that he often got what he wanted by opening his mouth, but Sade knew when to shut up. It was all a matter of time.Again, were this not a shitfic I would actually love this description of Arno. Even shitfics have some excellent pieces of dialogue, writing or sex and it all gets wasted in the end. This is one of those moments.
It was for example obvious that Arno, despite his meeting with little Leon and the woman of the orphanage recently, was still mourning over him. Here and there, at times, a ghost passed through his darkened eyes, and if Sade tried to chase him away with some salacious remarks, he often saw him reappear in moments like these. Arno had recovered a semblance of will by bonding with the child, having clearly understood that he had things to do in the country, but memories sometimes took him without warning; so he found himself there, his eyes drifting through a window, and he looked more like a soul trapped between the two worlds than a man.I do in fact love this; it captures Arno very well. But his feelings, his will, and his character arc are and will be superseded by this plot Moody Disorder and Kalincka craft. All of Arno's inhibitions are worn down, and de Sade eventually takes the place of Leon as being his source of motivation. All things start off well, until they devolve into insanity.
Far from being ashamed of it, Sade then devoted himself to a meticulous observation of his person. His posture, in particular: slightly arched, curled up on herself in a state of visible emotional relaxation. And yet, there was in these tense muscles and these broad shoulders a force ready to leap, to be tensed at the slightest threat, vestige of a rigorous training within this little Brotherhood, surely. His face sagged a little, just enough for the Marquis to make out his mouth, nose and cheeks despite the hood, with this scar that extended to his left eye still in the shade.
Anyone who entered the room could have thought they were in a picture: the assassin sitting on a window, motionless in the same position for years, and the writer in his chair who was peering at him without moving, his eyes darted on him with a burning fascination.I am sighing at this, because this is one of the few times I actually see and feel Arno as an Assassin. I screen-shotted these few pieces because they weren't bad at all. But as the story moved on it got progressively worse, and when I told the authors this they didn't like it at all. They wrote the story in French, yet can speak English, so there wasn't a language barrier there. I knew they could understand me, but they simply decided not to provide and adequate response. So, on I go.
In rage, he knocked on the corpse of a wardrobe, smashing the rotten wood of his carcass a little more. De Sade could be anything. In prison or on the roads, it would take weeks for the assassin to search every corner of Paris to find him.
If he's not dead , his unconscious whispered slyly.
He couldn't help the chills. He couldn't help the waking nightmare casting a shadow on his soul. Again and again the same mistakes. And after ? Who would be affected by his incompetence again? Leon? Bonaparte? Hadn't he spread enough misfortunes around him? Hadn't he given enough to the Reaper?Why is Arno so concerned about de Sade? He's not beholden to him, and he honestly doesn't give a shit whether he lives or dies. de Sade isn't important to French politics. What, is he afraid the authorities have gotten to him? de Sade can bribe them. Why is Arno blaming himself for an incompetence he doesn't deserve?
(Arno did not know if he wanted to embed his smile in the wall or kiss him under the emotion.)
" How you…"
"Do not look like that, your beautiful face is ugly. "I don't know why Arno wants to kiss de Sade all of a sudden. Does he get mega-boners at a whim?
Arno tensed immediately, seeing the reproach coming before the sour lips even opened again, the same reproach from years ago, when he pushed open the doors of what had once been his house to explain himself on the death of Monsieur De La Serre. The irrepressible need to justify himself made him take a few steps towards the writer, with hasty control.
" It was not me. I didn't say anything to anyone, and ... "
He was silent when Sade stared at him suddenly. For a few seconds, the latter displayed a frankly bewildered expression, and he replied in a puzzled tone:
"Of course it wasn't you, Arno. Why cite the obvious? "So, the room got ransacked because the authorities were looking for de Sade. Arno panics for whatever reason and feels guilty of his supposed incompetence in not protecting de Sade enough. de Sade is much cleverer than this; he's only dragging Arno along to make him feel guilty on purpose.
The Marquis' jaw contracted. Arno did not dare to continue. De Sade's phlegm was something he had so well accommodated that he suspected that under this mask of patience was hiding a lion that nobody - and absolutely nobody - wanted to wake up.
"I suspect so, Arno. But I can't leave this city, you need me too much. And then, these stockings are of course not found in the countryside. "And this is where the sadism part comes in. Anyways, de Sade had no issue taking the Roi des Thunes place while being a wanted man. He's resourceful. And he owns a castle in the countryside. What does Arno need of him, aside from getting information from the streets?
Leave Paris ? I was only fooling. Franciade was already as rude as possible, but that was nothing compared to the behavior of the peasants. He missed his kingdom, his freedom. He couldn't stop running away, always running away from this damn prison that kept chasing after him. He had already known the cold bricks of the Bastille; his head was still on his shoulders but at what price had he paid for it? Between these walls, he thought he was going mad.So? What's stopping you from going back? Just go back there. They can't do shit with an army of beggars, and it's the least likely place they'd expect a Marquis to be.
Poor Arno. He was mistreating this tormented young man. His concern had touched him, he was not ashamed to think so. But say it , God it was another matter. Perhaps one day, Arno would understand that despite the clouds that could darken his heart, he kept shining with brighter light than all the diamonds in the world.You're tormenting him on purpose, my dude. Don't tell me you did this out of the kindness of your own heart.
"I ... could help you. You may be unbearable, for you, I can make an effort. "
Was it the shyness he could discern in his voice? If the situation permitted, he could have laughed. Arno, the proud murderer, the one who had seen everything, fought from the top of his young age, did not look him in the face, observing in a falsely distracted manner the tapestry peeling off the wall.I don't know why Arno is acting shy at all. What does he owe de Sade? There is nothing stopping de Sade from going back to the Court of Miracles or forming a new base. Nothing.
"Oh, look at yourself, Arno. Beautiful sentimentality for an assassin. "
Immediately, the man tensed, pretending to ignore such a remark; and as he was about to answer, a thud was heard in the street, carried by the window which had remained open - perhaps the murderer's reflexes were not that stupid. The two residents immediately turned their heads towards the door, but it was Arno who reacted first.I really have to wonder what the Marquis did for his house to get ransacked or for the authorities to come charging in after him. He had no issue wandering around Franciade. Why didn't he just stay there and lay low? Who knows. In any case, Arno has to rescue him amid all the flirtations.
He did not even master the deployment of the Vision of Eagle, which was triggered automatically under approaching danger. Immersed in blue reflections, he heard the conversation taking place within the Templars, who were debating the usefulness of searching the house a second time. The silhouette of Sade, in the midst of bluish blurs, stood out in a bright yellow that almost burned his eyes, which sometimes turned green, and he heard his answer as if he were speaking aloud:
"I didn't send you to find that damn manuscript to lose it because of skimpy ones," hissed the writer annoyingly.It's so nice that Arno can't even master Eagle Vision like a cuck. This poor guy just can't catch a break. And why are Templars getting involved?
For once, I agree with de Sade. Arno is actually acting incompetent here. These people wouldn't pose much of a threat to him, yet they are.
In the living room downstairs, Arno heard the Templars tramping on broken furniture, and one of them stepped on a step. If the assassin attempted an elimination, even stealthy, all the others would be warned of their presence because of the crunchy wood. If he did nothing, the sentry would eventually reach their level and give the alert without hesitation. And if they tried to go to the other end of the room, where the window was (their only way out), they would be irreparably seen.This literally isn't an issue for Arno. He'd have no trouble doing this. Stop making him look like an idiot, you two.
A smoke bomb.
The assassin fixed the bomb while hiding his surprise very badly - Lavoisier had assured him that this model was only intended for the Brotherhood, how could he ...? Cutting short his internal questions, with the adrenaline that quickly reminded him of the situation, he grabbed their almost providential salute, and aimed at the room below. We had to be quick.Oh for God's sake. Arno used smoke bombs all the time in-game. He knows what they are. Ezio used them back in the 1400s! Nothing stopped Arno from using the rest of his equipment when he was expelled from the Brotherhood. Why is this bothering him now?
Obviously, his back creaked in contact with the ground. Arno could not restrain the groan of pain that escaped from his lips, for a moment, unconsciousness took him. In shock, he barely discerned his enemy, slumped on him and crushed him with all his mass. Arno didn't have time to parry the first shot, nor the second. Blindfolded, he tried to parry, grabbing the third blow in flight, but his other hand was blocked under his back, forcing him, once again, to take yet another load of pain.You can't fight, you can't use smoke bombs, and you get pinned by a dude who beats you in the face. No wonder you get fucked in the ass.
"Given the number of times you yearn for physical contact, Marquis, you're going to be able to have fun," he said sarcastically, placing a hand on the rope.
"Far be it from me to criticize this escape, my dear," retorted Sade in a falsely light voice which hid a real annoyance, but it seems to me to be a dead end.
"Keep your hand on the rope."
"And how will it help me, please? "
Arno held back a frustrated groan, drawing his secret blade when he heard the cries of their pursuers echoing in the nearby alleys.
"Right. Please don't let go. "
The "please" seemed to have a big effect on Sade, who smirked in obedience. Arno put one foot on the wooden table, grabbing the rope in his turn, and he let go with tired resignation:
"Hang on. "Yeah, I'm sure de Sade is eager to wrap you with a rope counterweight, Arno. Look at you, already flirting and readying your ass. And all in the first chapter!
"It was definitely something," purred Sade in his ear.
Immediately, Arno broke the embrace, quickly freeing his arm from his waist, clenching his hands.
"Don't think it will become a habit," he said coldly.
Only the first chapter. Le sigh."Come on, Arno. It is however a very romantic setting that you found us there. "
Arno wasn't sure, but he would have sworn the man had just winked at him. What he decided to ignore, whether it happened or not. Still breathless from the chase - just like Sade, who, even if he pretended to be in control, couldn't hide the repetitive uplift of his chest - he lowered his head, watching the drops of water slide from his hood towards the tiles by crashing into his field of vision. Arno breathed for a long time, thinking about the result.You can't even fight, you motherfucker. Now you can't take a hint? Get outta here.
He only knew one place in Franciade, apart from the cathedral and the inn. And it was not even certain that we accepted the man he wanted to help survive.
Bringing Sade to an orphanage was not the brightest idea, but it was all he had.I like to think Arno is a smart man. But never go full retard. You think bringing a man with de Sade's reputation to a place where orphan kids are housed is a good idea, Arno? Wow. You're not only an idiot, you're bringing a predator in a place where vulnerable kids live. The fuck do you mean this is 'all you have'? 'All of Paris' is looking for de Sade, so you're going to place him in an orphanage all because you trust the owner? How. Fucking. Stupid. Can. You. Be. When I first read this, I thought Madame Margot would offer some sense. Turns out, even her will is reduced to shambles all because Arno gives her his pouty look. But before we get to that, observe this little gem:
Already, because the Marquis did not seem able to let the slightest opportunity pass to compliment his way of bending down or sliding along the gutters with great reinforcements of innuendoWhy? Just why? You just escaped a room full of Templars who are after you for no reason and all you can do is flirt by twerking your ass? Get the fuck outta here.
"I need your help," he said in a voice he hoped was neutral.
"In the middle of the night ?"
"It's ... Really urgent, ma'am."
"Explain yourself. "
At the same time, Sade joined him in front of the gate, and Madame Margot's distrustful eyes suddenly darted on him, staring at him in a strange calm. Internally, Arno noted that she seemed genuinely reserved, and understood that she would not let anyone enter the building that housed her children.This is where we begin to go Full Retard. Of all the places you have to pick, you choose an orphanage. With a guy known for improper sexual relations with underage girls and boys. Do you have room temperature IQ, Arno?
"I know this man. "
Arno had a hard time not wincing. The old woman's timbre was cooler than he had ever heard it, and her brows had frowned now that she had recognized the face so often crunched on the scandalous newspapers. Sade did not take offense, tilting her top hat with a small grin to greet her (the water accumulated in its edges flowed to the ground, digging the mud in a not very graceful "sploch").
" Mrs. Nice to see that my reputation precedes me. "
The applicant totally ignored her introduction. She turned her hard eyes on the assassin.
Margot is right to refuse de Sade entry. You don't let a guy who was arrested for sexual brutality with prostitutes in a place where there are vulnerable kids. Do you think Margot will stick to principles and keep that perverted motherfucker out? Nope. Just wait and see:“It is out of the question for me to host this man in my orphanage. I'm sorry, Arno. "
" Please ! I vouch for his behavior, I don't know anyone else except you ..."
"If you know him so well," retorted Madame Margot coldly, "then you must certainly know what crimes this individual is accused of." And by that you will understand my reluctance to feed him under the same roof as my children. "
The spark that lit her eyes at the words made her cold in the back.You see, this is called internal logic. It's where the authors admit that such a thing wouldn't happen under normal circumstances. Internal logic addresses the concerns of the reader where things may not make sense and solves them before things like plot holes emerge. However, this objection is reneged when Margot decides to let de Sade in anyways.
Arno took a step back, defeated. He had neither the strength nor the urge to argue against someone he held in high regard. Arno was just exhausted, the extreme emotions he had felt throughout the day had drained the little energy he had left. He no longer even had the courage to turn to De Sade, to endure yet another of his harsh remarks or questionable innuendos.
"Well ... So many adventures for so few results. It will have been a great adventure. "
The sentence too many. Caught by a sudden overflow of will, Arno turned quickly, ready to let go of all the negativity accumulated on this smile of Hell and finally make the Marquis understand how much he was an absolutely detestable human being.
"Arno, wait! The young man froze in his gestures, the soft voice of Madame Margot ringing like a chime in his ears. " Two o'clock. And you watch it. That's all I can offer you. "Look, dude. You fucked up. Why did you choose an orphanage of all places, and why do you feel emboldened to put de Sade there? The only thing you're concerned about is de Sade's sexual innuendos, not the fact you chose a place where there are vulnerable kids where you can keep the pervert 'safe'. It doesn't matter, though. Margot gives in and allows de Sade to stay for whatever reason.
The assassin did not let go of his sole, almost grabbing him by the collar to prevent him from rummaging through the whole building. It was almost by dragging him that they landed under the dusty threads of the attic. Arno's gaze was hard; De Sade had understood perfectly well that if he opened his mouth only once, he would no longer be of this world. While the assassin landed on the ground, his hood folded over his face so as to doze for an hour or two (we did not sleep with such a rascal at his side), the Marquis landed gracefully on a ripped Voltairean seat , wedging in the middle of the cushions as dull as softened.No shit. You're in a building full of orphaned kids. Arno was an orphan himself, he knows what they're going through. It's a shame Arno never actually breaks de Sade's neck or punishes him for any of his sexual impropriety because of muh romance plot.
The two men did not say a word until the sun rose; the faint golden light caressed Arno's rested face in delicate harmony. The scene seemed drawn from a painting, so much the colors, the pose, the expression of the young man were in perfect harmony. The Marquis could have watched him for many long hours, just enough time to contemplate every detail of his handsome protege, every mole, every scar, every imperfection which in no way disturbed the sublime of the moment.
This is yet another one of those moments where I can actually appreciate the writing here. This perfectly captures Arno's character. As much of a bitch I can be, even I can appreciate the few times where the authors have some form of clarity and craft such wonderful descriptions. But - and there's always a but - Arno is not de Sade's protege. He is not his pet and he is not his thrall. The whole part of him being naive about himself deviates from what was written in the previous chapter about Arno being a 'wildcat' and a skilled killer. It's akin to putting a nice, delicious bait in the water and when the fish finally manages to bit into it, discovers it's just BPA plastic.Arno probably did not consider the glow emanating from him. He lived, flying from one place to another without realizing the impact that his charisma had on others. All Paris had already seen the shine of his coat and heard the powerful octaves of his voice, all Paris had already been bewitched by this form undulating in the crowd, but no; Arno continued to convince himself that he was only one among many, that a simple, tiny part of an immense humanity. Arno knew things, many things even, but his knowledge of himself testified to a touching naivety which had never ceased to fascinate the Marquis.
A strangely suspicious attitude, which he had often seen on Arno when he did not want to use his armband, but too clumsy, giving the impression that the child had copied it onto someone. After a while the latter walked to the middle of the room, curiously watching the sleepy assassin on the floor. His face finally lights up recognizing him, and Sade chooses this precise moment to reveal his presence.Ah, here's little Leon. And wait until the part comes up when de Sade uses him as leverage to make Arno do what he wants.
Sade observed Arno who had not moved, his head still buried under his hood, but who had spoken as if he too had heard the child enter the attic. Slightly disappointed that his little game was over so quickly, the Marquis rolled his eyes in annoyance. All this suspense gone up in smoke, a real mess.You're talking about a guy who is a master of stealth and can pinpoint a target from a mile away - Eagle Vision notwithstanding. Seriously. Stop cucking his abilities.
Leon lowered his sword, and a big smile crossed his face when Arno opened his eyes to look at him in turn. Without hesitation, he rushed to the assassin, kneeling at his height with a joy to burst the ceiling. And for the first time, Sade saw her man lower his hood to reveal the same sincerely happy expression.
(...)
Sade had never known him such a smile. Arno ran an affectionate hand through the boy's short hair, listening to him babble without showing the slightest sign of annoyance. Leon sat next to the assassin, moving his little arms at a speed that only children were able to achieve. His large eyes shone with excitement and admiration for the adult in front of him, he almost seemed to have forgotten the third presence which brought a shadow to the picture.A shadow indeed. de Sade eventually grows jealous at Arno having affection - genuine affection - that is non sexual towards another human being and connives to ruin Arno with this bit of vulnerability.
By observing them meticulously, Sade understood why they got along so well, and especially why Arno had taken the young orphan in affection. Leon was exactly a younger version of the assassin; fearless, courageous and extremely hotheaded. If he followed Arno's invaluable advice, the kid could go far despite his current situation.I wouldn't say Arno is hot-headed - that's more of Edward's and Ezio's route. Arno can be cocky and arrogant, sure, but he's far more cautious than he lets on.
Amidst the dialogue between Arno and Leon, de Sade makes himself known - and he's none too happy about not being the centre of attention.
"He's tenacious, this little one. It strangely reminds me of someone. "
At the intervention of the Marquis, Arno rolled his eyes and finished cleaning his jacket, while Leon stared at him with suspicion, his expression sharply cutting with the smile that had previously lit up his face.
"Who is it?" The little boy muttered, hiding behind Arno's stature. " He is scary.
"Leon-"
"Leave it, Arno. This young man seems very ... interesting to me. "
It didn't take Leon any more to hurtle down the stairs in a little frightened cry, fleeing the presence of the Marquis as best he could. The assassin's gaze became, well, assassin. Sade replied with a smile.No shit. He was making an innuendo. Maybe if Leon was a little older de Sade would give him the bridle before preparing him for his little 'creative bouts'.
"Are you taking me on a romantic trip?" Where are we going? I hope you don't plan to go down to Toulon. A horrible city. An unbearable prison. "
Internally, the assassin began to wonder if he was going to deliver the Marquis himself instead of trying to save him. He ignored his questions, hurrying towards the roof, but he didn't hear Sade's heels snapping behind him. Intrigued, he turned to take a look at him.
" You coming ?" He impatiently said in a tired voice.
The writer gave him a strange little smile, but didn't answer him. He just obeyed him, which he found incredibly relaxing.Everything, and I do mean everything, has to be about romance with de Sade. He doesn't even have enough respect for Arno to know to put his own damn feelings aside when it comes to his safety. It's always about setting up Arno for his ass-blasting destruction and manipulating him at every turn so Arno doesn't feel guilt or regret for sleeping with him. It speaks volumes when de Sade is hitting on Arno after getting a spot in an orphanage - because Madame Margot has morals, or something - and comparing Leon to him. All I have to ask is: is Leon too old or too young?
"Thank you," Arno said, turning away from his inner observations. Thank you very much . "
The word took on a very special meaning on his tongue, he thought so much. There was not enough gratitude on Earth to express what he felt when he saw the generosity of this woman, who swelled all the more when she knew who she had agreed to host.
"Be careful, Arno. "
The widowhood concerned only him.Look, Arno. You're being an idiot. You shouldn't be thanking Margot for this idiotic decision. Of all the places in Franciade you had to pick that specific location. As said before, de Sade had no issue blending into crowds and evading the authorities. For whatever reason, the Templars want him and the co-authors never address this. They just wanted the pairing and for the eventual fucking, that's all.
"Marquis, we're going to make a deal. Until I find you a car, I don't want to hear a single word come out of your mouth-"
"I hope I will always have the authorization to release something else… ”
This time, there was no Madame Margot and no holy word to stop him in his follies. He was lucky that the Marquis pass did not tear when he grabbed it with both hands. All the accumulated tension shone with rage in his darkened eyes: Sade had never been afraid of Arno despite all he had seen of his abilities, but in this precise moment, the cold sweats which flowed along his back was too close to that feeling.
I don't know why the police are chasing de Sade, to be honest. The authors never think it important to explain that essential fact. Anyways, I don't blame Arno for getting irritated here. de Sade is always flirting with him, wearing him down, and mocking him for the sole purpose of getting Arno submissive enough for their eventual fuckfest. Whenever Arno has had enough and tells de Sade he's had enough, de Sade twists it to make himself look like the innocent victim. True to form, Arno always submits and goes on with the flirtations. It doesn't make sense, but the authors don't care." The farm. The farm. I can't take it anymore. You're getting on my nerves, Marquis. You are no longer king here, you have nothing left; well, the police are chasing you. So stop being clever, stop pretending to be nothing and obey me. "
He felt like he was wasting his time, wasting the little energy he could accumulate in a series of stupid, useless and psychologically overwhelming events. The only touch of light he had had in recent months was his previous interview with Leon; the little boy was like bubbles of joy that clouded the muddy water in which he had been mired throughout his life.Are we having a self-awareness moment here? Gee, Arno. If you were serious about all of this you would've left the Marquis on the curb. Damn right it's all useless. So why are you doing it?
Sade, opposite, had frozen. For what seemed like an eternity, he did not move, motionless, and the features of his face hardened like marble. While still holding him in both hands, Arno saw a shadow pass in his eyes, and he relaxed slightly, surprised to see the situation go from explosive anger to cold tension. The Marquis then spoke slowly, and all his annoyance was reduced to nothing in a few words:
That is a threat. That is de Sade threatening to do harm to the little boy who brought life back into Arno. This is because de Sade is unhappy Arno is defying him, so what better way to get back the reins than make a threat against an innocent person Arno cares about? Not only is this low, it's sadistic. If Arno knows this, he doesn't really act on it:
"I think it would be wise to remind you of what I can do, and what I have done in the past. Particularly for your little person, Arno. "
At the time, he was unable to open his mouth to respond, millions of sentences spinning in his head - services, on the part of this man? When he was the one who had applied himself to facilitate his daily life during previous missions? The assassin remained banned, and the incredibly dangerous spark that lit in the dark pupils a few inches from his own cut him off.Do you think Arno would have a normal human reaction to such a base, awful threat? No. He just ignores it and goes on thinking the Marquis needs to be saved. It's for the plot, you know.
The order was released with so much authority that it obeyed. Incredulous, he then saw Sade's face suddenly light up, going from a closed expression to a satisfied smile, and he took several steps back when the man tilted his head towards him, passing him so close that he could feel his breath on his face.
In his eyes, the storm still rumbled.
"And now where are we going?" Asked his companion in a falsely playful tone.I don't think you can be playful, even falsely, after threatening the man you have a wonder boner for that you're going to fuck up (literally and figuratively) the kid he adopted. No one with a sane mind would see this and go, 'Yeah, I really think this is a healthy, sexy relationship'. We're entering 'Nope' and 'Fuck outta here' territory big time.
It was as if nothing had happened, yet the killer felt like the whole situation had been turned upside down by a violent kick from fate. Not that he feared the Marquis, but he had been caught off guard; and he made a mental note never to be surprised again. Persistent discomfort was now sticking to his skin, and he couldn't disguise it like the other did.You're uncomfortable, yet you do nothing about it. The Marquis made a violent promise and you chose to ignore it. I have a hard time sympathizing with Arno here because he keeps making the dumbest decisions and doesn't have a lick of self-awareness. Why are you being taken off guard? The guy just threatened the kid you adopted if you didn't obey him!
Arno looped the Marquis's words over and over, looking for an answer, a clue behind these words full of meaning that he couldn't grasp. In his memories, the last time he had asked for help from this character dates back a few years already; he had absolutely no idea what the purpose of all this spilled hatred was.
The Marquis was definitely too complex for him. (Arno felt like he was only gathering people of the same caliber in his life. He must have had a certain fascination for what he couldn't decipher.)Of all the words you loop around in your head, the 'Think of what I can do to your little boy' doesn't roll around like a brick in a washing machine. The fuck do you have a 'certain fascination' when the guy has made it clear you're disobeying him and he doesn't like it?
'Complex' isn't the word I'd use. Arno is just being a potato.
Without really realizing it, Arno had slowed down, his eyes vague and his mind in the fog. A series of inconsistent thoughts, a superposition of faces, of end of sentences which returned in a loop, without him being able to control them. Clear, metallic eyes followed much darker, much warmer eyes, each time retaining that peculiar radiance, that hidden thing that he had dug for hours and hours without ever putting words into it.Again, this wouldn't be a bad piece of writing IF there wasn't so much idiotic shit before it. Inconsistency is right. I don't even think the authors were even aware of the contradictions they were laying out on the page.
The assassin's silence had not gone unnoticed in the eyes of the Marquis. Arno, his Arno never stopped plunging back into the abyss of his memories. No matter what time of day, whether the sun is shining high in the sky or whether the moon is revealing the secrets of its craters, Arno ended up once again becoming that touching mystery that it had always been. The Marquis couldn't even get angry with him anymore; amazing how the assassin could influence his feelings in spite of himself.The Marquis did get angry with him, though. Why? Because Arno called him out for this threat against Leon. Not that that would hold any purpose, because Arno goes right back into the 'Eh, this guy's alright. I'll let him fuck my ass' mentality.
His salacious remark died with a certain annoyance on his tongue.
Quietly, the Marquis placed the stockings on the free bench seat within reach, before bending over to loosen the loops still in place on his shoes. Even in such a position, he imagined very well the forbidden look that Arno threw at him:
Gotta love how de Sade is ready to strip in front of this 'naive virgin' Arno." What are you doing ? "
" This is out of the question."
"Come on Arno, don't do that face. You already like what's looming."
"Hey, I just threatened the boy you adopted not half a page earlier with sodomy and violence. Hope you don't mind me stripping next to you because I know you're in denial with your love of me.""I don't- Marquis, you have no interest in-"
He was already leaning over to remove the rest, and if Arno's hand rested on his shoulder for a moment - in vain - to prevent it, it quickly disappeared when its owner almost broke his neck to look at it. the window, a furious red on the cheeks. If it hadn't been for his main occupation, Sade would have stopped to admire his expression.That doesn't matter. You're already breaking down his reluctance with your insistent flirtation and strip tease.
"Arno, finally. Don't pretend to be embarrassed. You like me know very well that nudity does not bother you that much ..."
"Marquis stop."
"Come on, I know you like it. Quit denying that you don't. You'll love me eventually. If I keep molesting you or make you uncomfortable, you'll welcome my cock in your ass.""You know what they say about the military, once they drop the shirt ... Finally, this is an area that you seem to master more than me ..."
There was nothing innocent about Sade's sneer - neither was her jealous undertone. The subtlety was so lacking in the call that Arno took only a few seconds before understanding the discreet message sent by the Marquis.
How to react to such a subtext? Arno did not know what was most disturbing in the Marquis' words; the fact that he was literally aware of his whole life or rather the fact that Sade was… jealous? Yes, jealous, that feeling that Arno never thought he would discover in the character.I thought Arno was 'mysterious' to de Sade, and now it's been ret-conned to show de Sade knows everything about his private life. As expected, de Sade is jealous of Arno choosing others over him, so he has to ramp up his strip tease and grinding so Arno can come to love him instead.
"My relations with Bonaparte do not..."
"Who tells you I was talking about him? "
In this fic, Arno has had relations with Napoleon. When or why that occurred when Elise was alive is unknown, but I can assume Arno happened to be a dick chaser while claiming his undying love for his redhead.If he had been able, the Marquis would have grabbed a glass of wine just to sip his overwhelming victory. Arno blushed as he had never done before, his mouth ajar in an expression of surprise and ultimate embarrassment, not knowing how to counteract Sade's piercing remark, seeking any help with his gaze while fleeing from that of his neighbor.
As is usual, Arno has to act like a virgin, blushing bride whenever his sexual escapades get brought up. This is used as a weapon by the Marquis so that Arno can get over his reluctance and have sex with him. Let's forget his threat to Leon earlier - Arno certainly has - and go with this for a moment. de Sade is stripping in the carriage for no reason but to turn Arno on, and when Arno says he is uncomfortable de Sade defies his wishes and pulls out a piece from Arno's personal history.
I wouldn't be blushing at this. I'd be pissed - more so because this person was manipulating me to like something/do something I wouldn't otherwise do. It's emotional and sexual coercion, something this pairing is based on. The authors don't seem aware of this (they are seldom aware of anything), but sexual coercion doesn't make a sexy story. It makes a maelstrom of dysfunction and mental, physical, and sexual abuse.
Pot calling the kettle black. You made a threat that you'd do a bunch of nasty, violent things to Leon, an innocent kid, all because he had Arno's affection and not you."You disappoint me, my friend. I thought you tasted better, especially that Corsican people are not known for their good character… ”
To say that he thought he was discreet with his little stories. Of course Sade knew about the general; it was obvious that such information could not have escaped him.
Bonaparte, only that name inspired him with contempt. A haughty being, ridiculously too ambitious, lost in the ideals of power and power proper to human nature. Bonaparte was not detestable, oh no. He was a demon, a perfect smack that deserved to be made aware of reality.Again, pot calling the kettle black. You're in no position to judge, de Sade. You're haughty, lost in the ideas of sexual libertinism, and are content sexually abusing others to get what you want. You're far more of a demon than Napoleon, and you don't just need a smack. You need hot, molten lead poured down your throat Ancient Roman style.
The assassin gave him a sidelong glance, and in a fraction of a second, Sade saw him soften in his actions. It did not last long, a tiny fraction of the time he had captured in an almost miracle, since his man continued with strong determination:
"I know a place to hide. And once in the capital, I could find out who is the man who revived the idea of your conviction."It's true, historically, that de Sade was wanted by authorities for what he published. Yet this was never an issue to him in-game, because he managed to evade the authorities and bribe his way out. This plot revolves around him - a literal nothingburger in the wake of the Revolution - getting 'freed' and finding out who wants him in prison. Arno, of all people, is going to help him. Why? Because fuck you, that's why.
"Did you know that you will also have to find a pretext for any miscarriage of justice? Just like burning the papers that condemn my existence?" Insisted the Marquis innocently.
He supported his remark with an amused, almost touched look.
"It is a lot of trouble that you give yourself for my person, Arno. "
The man sketched an annoyed pout, bored of always coming back to the same innuendo, and Sade reveled in it with very special satisfaction.
"The sooner this is all over, the faster you will be out of my legs," said the assassin, looking annoyed.
"Get off your legs , Arno. Sure ... ”he chuckled to himself.Damn right this is a lot of trouble for nothing. It's also done for the most ridiculous plot purposes, because the authors needed a reason for these two to bang. Let's just forget canon, let's forget common sense, let's forget a thing called 'reason'. We'll just craft an idiotic idea and go with it because who can say otherwise?
Nothing like breaking a man down with constant sexual innuendos, threatening the kid he adopted, and bringing up his sexual history while also wanting him to spread his legs so you can Poz that neg hole. All we're missing is a goat and Rainbow Dash to play spectator.
I don't know who the Hell Charlie is, but Chapter 3 definitely continues with the bullshit.
Vidocq, the private investigator/muckraker, decides to hijack the carriage these two are in. The following exchange takes place:
"My dear Arno, if you had seen your head ..." he murmured in a last burst of joy.
Yes, yes. You're always going to respond to this insolence by not doing anything at all. You'll take it in stride because he can use the fact you banged Napoleon (despite being with Elise at the time) as blackmail. I would say you're a cuck, but you don't have a girlfriend getting the ramrod - you are.Annoyed, Arno was preparing to respond to this insolence with the excitement that characterized him so well but the car stopped in yet another sudden movement. His attention immediately returned to the new driver, and within moments, he was standing on the cobblestones, staring at the youngest wearily.
Arno sighed, running a tired hand over his face, and he wondered if he was going to be able, for once, to complete one of his missions without something, or someone, spicing up his course already well damaged. From the car, he heard Sade's voice carried by the open window, full of an irony which proved that its owner was enjoying himself madly:
I often wonder whether authors are aware that they're crafting a lampshading moment that doesn't work. They're aware none of this would fly under normal circumstances, yet keep pulling the same stupid stunts over and over again, thinking no one will notice. Of course, with the usual bout of readers/commentators (Izzy Grinch and Marjolys were some of the fans) they're not going to find anything wrong with this. I have an eye for bullshit (a blessing and a curse) and it really irritates me to see such obvious mistakes go by with not one but two authors. Even with a beta-reader, these mistakes still go on uncorrected."I don't want to rush you, my dear, but when are we supposed to be in town?"
Magnificent. He had to make the introductions.
" It's not your business. This is a discreet mission, and-"
"Did I hang on the cab roof for nothing? I heard a few words, you know. I could be useful to you! "This was never a discreet mission. For whatever reason, the Marquis has to escape Franciade, a town frequented by looters and ruffians. Ergo, it's the perfect place for a man like de Sade to hide. Yet, he has to get Arno to take him back to the capital to escape from the authorities. Why? I don't know. This is never answered. I don't think Vidocq knows himself.
Arno shot a long, very long weary look at the Marquis, then by way of acceptance, nodded slowly and returned to sit in the car. Internally, he tried to reassure himself, by saying that it was almost over, that in an hour barely the Marquis would be in a quiet place and he could go and let off steam elsewhere (as far as possible, of course).Oh, my sweet summer child. There is no escaping from this. You're stuck here forever ~~~
"This little one doesn't have such bad ideas ... He offers to pretend to be a soldier bringing me back to my cell." It's perfect, right? That way, my dear, you will no longer have to spend as much energy on me… ”Pretty sure people are going to see through that facade real quick. They know who de Sade is. Yes, he did serve a stint in the military, but that will come second to the civil shit he's landed himself in. Plus, Arno is way too big and well-fed to be a soldier. He can put on the uniform but his gait will be a dead giveaway. They'd sooner think he was a mercenary rather than a French soldier, as most French soldiers were not on the big or tall side (of course army tactics were changed once Napoleon entered the fray).
The Marquis gave him a slight charming smile and advanced his hand towards his face in an emotional impulse. Vivacious, Arno seizes his wrist with a clean gesture, stopping him in his advance with a groan worthy of the animal.
"Don't even think about it."
"You're ruining our romantic moment. "
Sade let out a disappointed sigh (he seemed almost too sincere) and resumed his place by his side, nevertheless taking care to keep a respectable distance between him and his traveling companion. (If it was up to him, Arno would still be on his knees, but you couldn't have everything in life.)You're doing this in front of a witness, you know. Vidocq may be young but he's not stupid. Kudos (not really) to Arno for taking it all like a pro. The flirtation is relentless and de Sade sees it all as a romantic conquest.
Of course 'Arno would be on his knees'. All you've wanted is to have Arno suck your dick and swallow, de Sade. That's all he's ever good for. He's a good, submissive twink who is never in control of his sexuality and is little more than a prude. I'm glad this 'romance' is based around a guy threatening another guy's adopted kid and thinking about the guy sucking his cock 24/7. Stunning character development, very brave.
"What was his face like?" "
Arno raised an eyebrow, baffled by the question, but Sade answered for him (and he didn't like the hilarity that his two traveling companions shared at all):
"A very funny expression."
"Sorry ? Interrupted the assassin with an outraged air."
The Marquis sneered, satisfied to see him go wild, and he heard Vidocq bounce with a very proud air:
"Did you really think I wasn't going to recognize a face, Arno?" When is it in half the newspapers in the city? "You see, this is what happens when a character inside a story manages to point out what the authors themselves don't see: that de Sade is not a man who can easily go incognito. Like Mirabeau, their faces are/were plastered everywhere in the newspapers and most know de Sade on sight. Taking him to the capital, where he is a wanted man and where the people are far more literate than those in the countryside, is one of the dumbest decisions you can do. It would be like Edward Snowden going to Langley to hide out.
"Let's go. Do not be so cynical, it spoils the harmony of your beautiful face. "I'm sure the Marquis would rather prefer Arno's face between his legs, because that's all that boy is ever good for.
At that precise moment, Arno realized that he knew almost nothing about this man who had nevertheless helped him so much. The brief interactions he had had with him had remained strictly professional, and it was not the police officer who was going to teach him more about this thug. (And even…)This Arno has very poor observational skills. He knows nothing about no one, which belies his inquisitive nature.
"Besides, I don't want a thief to know where my apartments are."
"But I do ? How touching."
"You, it's a ... necessity. "
A silence marked this declaration. Arno pretended to ignore him, but he felt the far too intrigued look of Sade planted behind his back, even imagining his flattered smile.First, you take de Sade to the orphanage. Now you're taking him to the Cafe, which sits above the Assassin Sanctuary. Are you nuts?
It was strange. Amidst the bluish reflections that ignored ordinary passers-by, Arno saw far more red silhouettes than the last time he had left Paris. Their number was almost equal to the blue shadows which represented the police, in an echo of danger a little too strong. An upsurge of Templars or extremists was ironically unprecedented when he remembered that their two great figures had died in his presence.I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHY THEY'RE THERE. GEE, NOT LIKE YOU KILLED THE TEMPLAR GRANDMASTER, ASSHOLE
A shiver ran through his spine, stiffening his step, which had become mechanical. Struck with full force by his own cynicism, he saw himself again inside the Temple, that night that he regretted every day a little more, and the face he had most loved squeezed his throat. His sixth sense did not go away, although slightly disturbed, but wherever he looked now, it was only blurry information, which was not worth it. A few spots of green wandered here and there, tiny compared to the proportions of blues and reds: allies he had made in the capital, and who despite his expulsion from the Brotherhood, still held him in high esteem.Oh for God's sake. I'm truly sick of this Red Herring. Every time Arno is involved in a slash pairing, people have to bring up his 'love' for Elise which clearly doesn't matter because she's a woman and fuck those bitches, right? Let's forget the whole 'love of my life' thing. The guy clearly wants to jump on some dick, because that's how normal human relationships work, right? Disregard the heartbreak, the depression, the longing, the emptiness - he's clearly asking to be sexually harassed, coerced, or raped. 100% all the time, all day everyday.
In a desperate attempt to stay focused on what he was doing, he remembered the meaning of these colors ( each time , he tried to stay focused, but his will crumbled like sand between his fingers). Bellec had taught him to use this rich gift for an Assassin. Blue: the police. Not to kill, but not to provoke either - which he had always had a little trouble not doing. Red, potential danger, silhouette that attacks as soon as it shows signs of hostility. Often extremists, almost always Templars. ( Almost. ) The white, bright, which immediately caught the eye, was for targets likely to help him in his intention of the moment. Oh, he could have named a lot of famous names that had matched or still matched that color, and didn't count anymore. It was sometimes dizzying to realize that a Condorcet had appeared to him as a light when asking for his services, or that Beaumarchais had been when he had had to infiltrate a worldly dinner.Why is Arno having such difficulty using his Eagle Vision, and why is this always a problem for authors who write him? They act as if he never learned to control it and he doesn't know what the colours me. Not only does he not know how to assassinate, he can't use the abilities gifted to him because Logic.
He did not answer once more. Internally, he wondered if the Marquis was going to complain about it, he who loved word games so much and saw himself deprived of them since they arrived in town. Instead, the man emitted a simple "Hm", the remnant of a silent reflection.
Arno then dissipated his sixth sense, resuming the road to the café-theater. It was the first time that a ramblings from the past had ended so quickly, perhaps because of the voice that had brought him back to reality, but above all driven by a detail that stuck to his retina.
Sade's figure, although mixed with yellow, was becoming more and more green.Annnnnnnnnnd the twist begins. de Sade isn't an enemy or an ally, but a future figure of interest. Why? Because this romance plot, that's why. Arno needs to bring him into his personal quarters because fuck Logic.
Chapter 4 mostly has de Sade wandering around Arno's rooms, but as inane as it sounds, there are worthy snippets to include here.
The Marquis scornfully wiped one of the many shelves that populated Arno's apartments. His eyes, altered by fatigue, could not focus more than five seconds on something as the room was full of objects of all kinds. Who knew how many secrets about his protégé this place could harbor?I thought you knew all of Arno's secrets; that there was nothing your 'beautiful boy' could hide. So why are you acting that he's mysterious all of a sudden? Once again, I have to bring up the lack of internal logic.
Sade had obviously noticed the most visible. The portrait of the late Élise - peace to the soul of this young woman; what little he knew about her, he nevertheless admired his quick wit - books, again and again that ate the walls as there were so many. But there were also these details, shards that stirred his somewhat inappropriate curiosity.Oh, puh-lease. You don't care about her. You view her as an obstacle, as you did Leon, to Arno's affections. What de Sade later does proves this, but I'm getting a little too far ahead here.
Arno's office shone like a treasure in the middle of these rooms, and yet it was far from the appearance. Neither ornate nor decorated, he didn't even have a chair, and threatened to collapse under the tons of papers that littered him. The Marquis could not even distinguish his true form as he was covered with missives. These writings of all kinds caught his eye - who could have had such correspondence with Arno?To note, the authors played the game and spent time wandering around the Café. If we're talking about Arno's room, it may be Spartan but it's not exactly plain. And there is a chair he sits on when he reads his letters, so...
"Marquis get away right away, you have the formal ban on sticking your nose in my stuff."
Under normal circumstances, when you are a guest in someone else's home you are expected not to snoop around. It's basic polity."Do you have things to hide, dear Arno? "
The spade had hit the target; the young man stammered an initial response, but seeing that any attempt was doomed to failure, he scowled, upset like a child. The Marquis did not take offense, he contented himself with a discreet and slight sneer that went almost unnoticed. Arno was, in many ways, the perfect company. Sensitive enough to start a quarter turn at the right time, but thoughtful when it was necessary to have serious discussions, it was to wonder how we could get tired of this boy (it was impossible, simply impossible).Not only is Arno's simple wish not to have his things pored through ignored, he's overly 'sensitive', and de Sade relishes in the basic human reactions not to have their secrets spilled out. Listen, asshole, you're a guest. Respect the rules. Were this a female OC peeking through Arno's letters when he asked her not to, this would be condemned. It's a shitty thing to do.
Sometimes the Marquis had the impression of depicting Arno long, wide and cross. To dissect each of his gestures, his looks even to capture the divine essence. To observe it carefully, to seek to understand how this assassin was doing to keep such pure humanity.This sentence isn't too bad. Again it captures the essence of Arno being an Assassin. Yet, as with the previous iterations, it falls flat with the general lackadaisical effort put into this work. de Sade is fascinated, confused, knows everything about Arno and then decides he knows nothing about him and goes out of his way to seduce him.
Was Sade obsessed with Arno? Probably. Surely even, despite the opposition that his pride could emit.
This kind of obsession was dangerous, for him as well as for the subject of his torments. Obsession was the basis of all passions, and passions the loss of reason. The Marquis acted in constant contradiction; sometimes he dreamed of losing himself body and soul against the magma of feelings that was Arno; sometimes he was terribly afraid of it, staring at the only thing he couldn't control.To point 1: yes, you are obsessed. To point 2: yes it is dangerous. To point 3: no, you don't dream of 'losing yourself'. You dream about ruining Arno, violating him, and destroying his humility. You want him 'on his knees' and you make him blush like a virgin at every sexual insinuation. Damn right this is obsessive behaviour. It's not healthy obsession, either.
The two men stared at each other for a few seconds, a wandering smile on the Marquis's lips, a vein beating at Arno's temple. They seemed ready to jump on each other.This specific 'jumping' does not require lube.
No you don't, motherfucker. Reminder you threatened Leon because Arno wasn't behaving the way you wanted him to. You're calling him an infant (while the charge isn't entirely untrue, given how bad Arno's characterization is here) because...? What, because he's not doing what you want?"Do you think I'm so incapable of interacting with human beings?" I know how to behave in society. Unlike you, given your incredibly infantile ways."
"That's not it," Arno replied in a calmer tone. "But the people here know how to spread rumors. I don't want to see you on board when I finally manage to get you there."
"Better and better, Arno. I had the doubt to be a package to transport for you, now I am sure. "
The words came out slightly cooler and more serious than they should have been, and perhaps it had something to do with the writing that Sade had suddenly recognized on the letters in the office. His killer sent him a forbidden look, before displaying a frankly exasperated look:
"It's a matter of precaution!"
"So no one in this charming house deserves your trust? Am I supposed to spend my days alone, at the mercy of your good will?"
"Do you really need distraction besides the books? "For whatever reason, Arno brings him to the Café - an Assassin stronghold - in order to keep him 'safe'. He tells him not to look through his letters for one, and two, tells him not to go outside of his room where people can see him and alert the authorities that he's there. A basic premise, a basic solution. Yet this is so difficult for de Sade to grasp, because he wants to up this seduction game with Arno. Why? Logic, that's why.
The question was not hurtful, in reality, and Arno seemed to have asked himself more to himself according to the low volume he had adopted. At the time, Sade looked at him with a puzzled air, on the verge of a nervous laugh - all the tension accumulated in his voice flew away immediately. He slowly opened his mouth, amazed:
"... Is that how you imagine me spending my days? To… Read, and that's it? "
Dude, it's a basic exchange: you live there for free, all you have to do is read books. You know you can't go out where people can see you. Or, better yet, not even go to Paris at all because it's the capital of France and happens to have a high degree of literacy and is also cosmopolitan and people go there to settle their affairs with lawyers and has an active police force and -Arno seemed to realize the absurdity of his reasoning. His gaze fled.
- You get my drift. Of all the places to keep the Marquis de Sade, Paris is not one of them. Robespierre may be dead, but the authorities are still looking for him.
"Very well ! conceded Arno, suddenly turning his back on him (with some embarrassment). Take a walk in the gardens, read, speak cordially with the servants, write or I don't know-what-you-like, but don't leave the private quarters. That's all I ask of you, okay? There must be enough here to keep you busy. "You'll come to regret that decision, my boy.
Feverish, he began sorting. Things seemed obvious to him, tragically obvious. The writing came back, again and again, forming words that he barely discovered. The first letter did him strangely nothing.
The sentences were empty. No subtext, just a series of information of no real interest. Sade wasted no more time there. The missive ended its run on the ground, amidst the miserable heaps of dust. She was quickly joined by her sisters who, like her, brought nothing but a flat, dreary truth, which prevented the beast from being satiated.Remember what I said about poring through other people's letters when they specifically asked you not to, and how this is asshole-ish behaviour? It's gonna get worse.
The Marquis' annoyance grew; he needed evidence, he needed to see reality with his own eyes, to feel his heart twitch at the sight of the ink letters and-
He had found it.
Hidden under a letter of recommendation, barely differentiating from the others, she was there. With his spider fingers, the Marquis grabbed it and went back to his chair - sitting there, he hoped the fall would be less brutal. What a naive. What an idiot, even. He who always saw everything in advance, he had not prepared for this.Oh? I thought you knew everything there was to know about Arno, de Sade. And here you are, acting shocked that Arno keeps secrets from you.
Arno, my dear friend,
You're a jealous man, that's for sure. And it's for a man you have no relationship with - you simply established the relationship in your mind. Obsession isn't love - it's the attachment to something you think belongs to you yet does not in reality. When obsession is mixed with love it becomes instantly dysfunctional. Wars have been started because of it, you know.The Marquis could not restrain a mocking laugh; Finally, was it really this feeling which is transcribed through this raucous throat, almost animal?
I did not expect this refusal from you which, I must admit, made me very sad. I blame myself for not being able to find the words to convince you to stay. Your presence here in Italy is sorely missed. It must seem ridiculous to you, but it seems that you have become essential to my life, Arno.
I'll say. You don't own Arno. He is not your dog to be led around on a leash. He's a man who can make his own choices. Now, I don't know exactly why Arno has a romantic relationship with Napoleon, especially in the window when Elise was alive, but I'll roll with it just this once. No matter what happened between these two, Arno cut off Napoleon the same way he did with de Sade: he simply was not interested in pursuing a relationship. That is his choice and it should be respected. Napoleon, like de Sade, cannot let Arno go because he's so 'essential' to their lives. So much for autonomy.Sade remained blocked for a few seconds on this line. The letter was already several weeks old, if one believed the date; however, his overflowing imagination began to open a little more the wound created by these first sentences. So many questions jostled his mind, however steel, making him bend like a reed according to the wind. He was so pathetic, to be swayed for so little.
Finally. So little.
Arno. In the arms of another. Sad tragedy worthy of a romance novel.Ah, irony. Where the authors aren't aware they crafted a sad tragedy worthy of those dime-a-dozen romance novels, albeit they are using a historical character who is still controversial today even in the era of gonzo porn. Says a lot, doesn't it?
Arno. His skin, touched, caressed by the hands of another. His voice waking up moaning for another's gestures. His mouth, smiling, greedy, against the lips of another. A body that the Marquis had over and over again dreamed of possessing for only one night, lying in sheets that were not his.
Cry me a goddamn river. Arno is not your sex slave, and he is not a sex toy you can use as your disposal. You have this view of him that he is yours and how dare he have liaisons with other people. He is not yours, because you have not earned him. You have not earned his love. You are obsessed and you think you are entitled to his body. That you can possess his body.The images followed one another, without his being able to control them. Arno, his Arno, lost in pleasure. The falling letter joins the fate of the others. Arno, this Grail that he couldn't get, that he couldn't drink to the dregs. (Bonaparte was not shy, him).
Newsflash: no one is entitled to sex. You earn that privilege. And you don't earn it by looking through someone else's letters and thinking their body is yours all because you think the person they slept with (or didn't) is unworthy and you are.
Arno and the cacophony of thoughts, feelings he aroused by his presence. Arno and all the troubles he had brought into his life since their meeting. Arno who, despite all that the Marquis had been able to subject him to, all the remarks, the inappropriate gestures, had remained by his side, and who never ceased, never again, to answer his calls for help.He's only by your side for the reasons the authors keep him there - to 'protect' the Marquis from being arrested. He's expressed his desire internally of not wanting to be there and he wonders why he's even there in the first place. Despite these doubts, Arno is written as being a guy ready to hold de Sade when he's down. It doesn't make sense, and it doesn't have to. For this romance plot, anything goes.
Arno, that angel despite himself who couldn't stop shining.
This is the classic 'If I can't have you, no one will' cliché that often ends in someone getting bludgeoned to death. Arno may be an angel to you, but you don't deserve him. He's not yours to command, and he's definitely not someone who deserves the shit you dream about.Arno, this angel that no one living on this planet deserved.
Shortness of breath, the Marquis seized the letters, one by one, and led by a corrosive madness, prepared to throw them into the mouth of the flames, to finally end his torments. In this storm, he acted coldly, in a paradoxical mastery of his gestures; he piled up the missives as if he were clearing the table, grabbing them here and there at the corner of the desk with meticulousness.I'd like to add this to the list of shitty things de Sade has done. The first was threatening Leon. The second is him looking through Arno's letters and deciding Arno has to be his. The third is, after reading through Arno's personal letters, de Sade decides he's going to destroy them because of his petty, all-consuming jealousy.
I don't care who you are or what you're attracted to. Burning someone's belongings all because they expressed something you didn't like in private is a shitty - if not one of the shittiest - things to do. You are destroying something they hold dear to their hearts all because you cannot own their heart. It's a destructive personality which does this, and de Sade possesses it in droves. And yet the authors want me to believe this is a sensual, sexy love story and that this pairing is UWU so perfect.
Yeah, no. If it wasn't Marjolys's date rape drug reference that turned me off, burning someone's belongings all because you think they fucked someone else is another turn off.
He turned, scanning the rest of the letters and the room. Arno's room was large; there would surely be enough to distract the mind of such a small ... Unpleasantly . He scanned the shelves, where there were successive novels, pamphlets and collections of fables. The floor carpets were laid out like the private apartments of a king. In this boiling of history that their nation was going through, the assassin was surprisingly well housed, and yet spent his days in the streets, helping the least individual in need. Another timeless detail.It was previously written that Arno's rooms was not 'majestic' or borderline unpleasant. Now, it's 'well housed' and it looks like the private apartments of a king. OK.
For a moment, seeing the precision with which the letters were arranged, almost sealed, and touched by the light, he thought he was dealing with an altar.
He frowned. Perhaps he had read enough for today.
Sade turned to go to the door that Arno had closed, about twenty minutes ago. It was time to stretch his legs, at least to clear his mind, and forget the correspondence that had made his want to set the place on fire.You know you are fucked up when you want to burn the place of the man giving you residence in a tumultuous time. "Oh no, this guy has had consensual affairs with people who respect him! I better read through his personal letters and then destroy everything dear to him because I can't have him!" Really, really wholesome. You are a guest de Sade. Honour it. You're not entitled to sex or someone else's love.
The ironic tone of the sentence could have made the situation extremely comical if the Marquis had not been genuinely upset and Arno genuinely exhausted by the last days he had just lived.
What, you're upset that Arno has a job to do? That he can't wait on you hand and foot? That he doesn't have time to suck your dick? Get over yourself. I don't know why Arno brought you to his abode, but it doesn't give you the right to bitch and complain.On the one hand, Sade had only been resentful for long days; he quickly went around his host's house, and after trying to read the few hundred books that Arno owned, he quickly realized that he was bored to death, that he had nothing to distract himself (he was clearly not going to court with himself, it was just terrifying).
But despite everything, his bad mood could not exceed that of Arno. The young man had dark circles wider than the Paris sewers, a pale complexion and a dark look; in a nutshell, he didn't seem to have slept since their last interview. If the Marquis hadn't fallen directly on him, Arno would probably have jumped on his dear and tender bed to honor him during a long, long night of sleep.
"Honestly, Marquis, this is not the time."Do you think he cares, Arno? All he wants is to seduce you and take your anal virginity. He doesn't care about your wants or needs. He dramatically falls into you because you spent time away from him, and damned if you actually want to sleep alone. He's already decided you're his. Damn if you have any autonomy.
"Of course. You could at least have prevented your absence, I don't know, just a letter would have been enough. I wonder who was able to monopolize all of your time like this. "
Oh, so this spate of jealousy is all because Arno didn't send you a letter? Get over yourself. You don't own him (for the umpteenth time!), and he's not obligated to send you letters every five minutes. Acknowledge that he is an Assassin, he has a job to do, and he can and will spend days away from home executing his missions and targets, and stop thinking you have the right to know what he's doing all hours of the day.It was small, it was low and it was insane, but the Marquis had spit it out with all the venom it was capable of producing. He knew that his behavior was unreasonable, even immature; however, he couldn't help it. He reveled with a morbid greed for the confusion he created within the young assassin, changing his mood as he changed his shirt.
You get a crude delight in confusing Arno. If I were him, I'd see right through this façade. de Sade is deliberately confusing Arno to get a reaction, and by getting him to react, he can say, 'Oh well you were the one who sprang my trap!'
You don't now. You will soon."Marquis. I don't care about your whims, but royally. You're not the only one having a bad week, so leave me alone for five minutes. "
Were it not for this fucked up 'romance', I would like this description. I honestly would. But in the context of de Sade being a predator, it only makes me sad to see these descriptions wasted.Arno got rid of his jacket, which he casually threw on an armchair, then removed his belt, his sword, all that could clutter it, until he undid the ribbon which held his hair in place. (the Marquis was fascinated by this movement, watching this mane of brown locks fall in halo around the face of his murderer gave him a wild side that he could only appreciate).
If he had been motivated, and above all without dignity, De Sade would have gone to hammer the door of his private apartments until Arno deigned to explode his anger. Fortunately, the Marquis had a minimum of self-esteem and capacity; he clicked his tongue against his palate in a last annoyance and left to get lost in the dusty corridors, ruminating on his dark thoughts. Arno's voice rang out through the door.Translation: I will deliberately piss off an Assassin who is struggling with personal issues until he reacts to my provocations and then I can seduce him into doing what I want.
What self-esteem? What capacity? You wanted to burn down Arno's home all because he wrote letters to someone other than yourself. Now, you want to provoke him because you like seeing him mad? Get outta here.
"Are you going to stay here and sulk all evening?"
"It's irrelevant from you. "Ironic.
Arno didn't answer, and he was going to roll his eyes heavily to signify his growing annoyance - he was bothering to reopen the discussion, more calmly, and no one would take his outstretched hand. This boy had the incredible gift of getting bogged down in despair himself to relieve his worries, but also that of pushing people to come and help him anyway.Pretty sure he doesn't want help from you, de Sade, knowing what you're doing and what you plan to do. You won't leave him alone, you get angry when he doesn't write you letters, and you demand he pay attention to you all the time. You're a pathetic, needy son of a bitch.
"As if you were really interested in what I do with my days when it doesn't concern you."
"You are confusing me with someone else, my dear. Everything about you interests me. "
There had been no acidity in his sentence, just a simple observation: the pure and simple truth, which had flowed out of his mouth with a funny effect on the heavy atmosphere of the room. At first, the assassin threw him an annoyed glance, but when he saw that the Marquis was all that was most serious, his face softened slightly.Arno is correct when he says what he does doesn't concern the Marquis. Yet the Marquis thinks he is entitled to know what an Assassin does all the time. Not only does it call into question de Sade's previous knowledge of what Arno does (he knows he's an Assassin in-game), it makes me wonder why he's even acting surprised. Then again, this is a story based on entitlement and obsession, so I'm answering my own questions.
Arno looked up, meeting the other's eyes for a moment through the fading light. Sade seemed genuinely interested, maybe a little too much, but he was at least satisfied that his attention was not on his body and more on his daily motivations. At least one advancement in this bizarre relationship that was theirs, he thought, and for once he felt like he wasn't talking to a wall.What relationship? You're pretty much bludgeoning him to accept his 'desire' for you, de Sade. None of this is organic. You're playing word and mind games with him, and Arno is too distraught and idiotic to notice.
"People ... come to see me." Ask me for services. I help them. I no longer have any affiliation with the Brotherhood, but we remember the services I rendered there. So when they need something ... They look for me. And sometimes I find them. "
While I can sympathize with Arno here, all this does is make him vulnerable to the Marquis. de Sade will see this bit of honesty and raw emotion and exploit it for his own obsessive needs. He will not actually give Arno comfort, but trick him into accepting things he might not otherwise do because he is in a bad place. It's not merely sexual coercion, but emotional manipulation.He wanted to add that it was the only survival technique he had found. That by focusing on people's needs, he no longer had to think about his own, and that for a few hours, he could pretend that he did not have to live. His only reward, beyond the money presented to him for a mission accomplished, was to see that he was able to do good, enough, enough to garner a smile or a thank you. Sometimes he was entitled to a rigid military nod, seen a thousand times, but more evocative than certain words.
Sade was silent too, scrutinizing him with a new interest, less predatory than usual. Fascinated, he had drunk the words of the assassin without hiding it. Obviously, Arno was hanging on to people; he had always known it. But hearing about it was something else: as if he finally had access to a secret room in this labyrinth that faced him and that he voluntarily offered him its operation, without him having to decode. It was simply grand. Prodigious in every way.de Sade is only accepting this information as a way to burrow his way into Arno's heart. It's not a gentle, romantic burrowing mind you, but a parasitic one. Every time Arno expresses his regrets or deep feelings (to someone he really shouldn't), he's preparing himself to be used.
"I hope you at least know how we are going to spend the night." "
This time, he heard an annoyed sigh come from Arno's lips, which gave him a blasé, slightly veiled look and tired from alcohol. Defeated, the assassin walked to the door, leaving it open in his wake so that the man could follow suit - which Sade found very pleasant.It's pretty obvious what you want, de Sade. You want to fuck him. What better way to do it than when Arno is inebriated?
"Arno… why put yourself in such states?" "
Oh, there's an ulterior motive alright. The authors seem to forget the Marquis' desire to burn down Arno's home all because he wrote to Napoleon; how they forgot how de Sade blew a gasket all because Arno wouldn't inform him where he was. He's using this opportunity to get close to Arno and touch him, and Arno, being drunk, doesn't understand what's happening.The Marquis' voice was strangely soft, in a good sense of the word. No ulterior motive, no sweet tone that promised the worst, no, just naive attention; he found it hard to believe that it was Sade's fine hands that forced him to lie down, who looked after him as if he were on the brink of death (maybe it was).
A 'desire to extract evil'? Hell no. You're grooming him. You finally moved to the realm of suggestive and affectionate touching. Doesn't it bring you such joy, knowing you're breaking down your 'beautiful boy'?These same hands passed over his forehead, in this desire to extract evil by a gentle caress. A sigh of contentment escaped him as he was in the mists; Fortunately, moreover, the tender touch - yes, this word may well be rarely adapted to the vocabulary usually used to describe the Marquis, it corresponded here perfectly to the expression displayed by Sade, sincerely concerned about the look of his protégé.
Arno was definitely not made to be alone. He needed a crutch somewhere in this world to keep him from collapsing. The Marquis was honored to play this role, to keep Arno down to earth and the confident spirit of this world. Of course, he did not excel as much as the young De La Serre, nobody could ever have reached the level of this woman and all that she had been able to bring to Arno.Despite Élise being the love of Arno's life, she is always used as a hammer to drive the nail further into Arno's head. In his despair de Sade worms his way next to him, using his vulnerability to wear him down to the point Arno will not refuse his advances. Now, de Sade won't compare to Élise, but in the future he will. Why? The authors have made it so.
Like a snake, he acted silently, sliding from one end of the room to the other, until he settled himself comfortably in an armchair, his eyes riveted on that sleeping face that hadn't known how to fight against the tiresome fatigue. .
Yes, lube him up and take him to the Ram Ranch."If you only knew what the world was ready to do for you ..."
Also, protip Kalincka and Moody Disorder: don't call your work 'beautiful' when it is undeserving of the word.
He turned from the window after a moment to let his thoughts wander. This day was essential for the new resident of his home: today, he was following the trail of the one who had the ingenious idea to claim that the Marquis de Sade was alive again. A stupid idea, the collateral damage of which had been too great - and by significant, he meant the fact that he had been forced to get involved in this whole affair.You weren't 'forced'. You chose this, Arno, because the authors think their dumbass plot works. You need to be fucked, so you're going to get fucked, boy. Deal with it.
Sitting in a small armchair, hidden in the shadows, Sade had lowered his book to observe it over an interest that had become much more than familiar lately. He did not know how many minutes the man had been waiting for his awakening, but the fact that he was about to undress had, it seemed, caught his attention enough to distract him from his reading.
Arno frowned.
"Get out of this room."
"Come on. Don't be so modest. Just yesterday, you were able to see my stocking. It's only justice that I can see ... Well, your everything."
de Sade undressing in front of Arno is to make him uncomfortable, and, over time, get Arno used to seeing him undressed so it will be easier to initiate sexual contact. This time around, de Sade was waiting for Arno to undress, because it's 'only fair' for de Sade to see him naked."Get out. From here. "
Frustrated, Arno walked to his desk, grabbing the clothes and putting them on as quickly as he could; and throughout the scene, he did not take his eyes off Sade, which, for an outside spectator, would have been of unprecedented irony. As he finally buttoned his coat, he could have sworn he could make out a mocking smile through the cover of Scapin's Fourberies .Do you regret your decision, Arno, to bring de Sade to your residence? Or are you just going to take it in stride as de Sade sodomizes you?
The assassin tried to ignore the incredibly satisfied look on his host's features, grabbing his armband to put the finishing touches on his uniform. By tightening it around his forearm and triggering his blade with a brief movement of the wrist to ensure that it worked, he was surprised to feel observed differently. When he looked up, he noticed that Sade was now fixing his secret weapon with the same glow as the day before, when he became interested in his activities as a murderer.I don't know why de Sade is interested in Arno's abilities when he knows Arno is an Assassin. He's playing the idiot Just Because, and, of course, does it to make Arno uncomfortable.
He should have guessed. Was there someone in this town who didn't know his name? He had the impression that everyone whispered to him as he passed.
"Who sent you?"
"Nobody, I act of my own free will. She ran a hand through her blond hair and took a sip from her glass, in a gesture of extreme sensuality. "You should search the Bastille archives. Her ghost is full of information… Relevant. "
Arno stared at her for a few seconds. A gift that fell from the sky. An unlikely gift, almost too good to be true.
"What do you want in return?"
"Just tell the Marquis ... Let his debt start to rise high. "This is the formation of the 'plot' the authors think will distract me from this Godawful romance. The Bastille still stands in-game, but in actuality, it was already torn down by 1794. Pieces of it were sold as memorabilia. Why Arno is being sent to find de Sade's manuscripts there when he already had them moved out of the prison is a plot hole I don't think the authors ever noticed.
Nothing to lose, really? The voice of the Marquis herself seemed to ask him the question. It was not correct, yes; there was always something that made him do it all. And he had a responsibility for the situation of his man, from the moment when he agreed to help him (and provide him with clothes, a home, company). Nothing, really? When he remained standing thanks to a few remarks, two or three different smiles, or letters with grandiloquent seals?No, you don't have any responsibility to this man, Arno. He's using you and you're too dumb to see it. He's being reliant on you for the sole purpose of sodomizing you, nothing more, nothing less. You're being sent on a goose chase because, for whatever reason, the Marquis can't blend into the destitute crowds.
Arno ran a hand over his face and let out a long, very long sigh. Honestly, he didn't know what to do anymore. It was no longer signs that destiny was sending him, it was shovels in the head.
Why are you acting shocked, Arno? You know de Sade's proclivities. You know he was imprisoned for his pornography and raunchy social criticism. You know such things sell and make controversy. Stop acting like a blushing virgin who knows nothing about sex.He touched the parchment, where a tight but elegant writing spanned its entire length (he was not going to unroll it in full, no thanks). When did you end up in prison thinking about writing? Write that? And become famous? He didn't know what stunned him the most: whether Sade would be recognized for that manuscript after he had written many philosophical works, or that others would be able to keep the manuscript as a precious commodity. He had read, his education had forced him to, but he still did not understand the attraction of such a scroll.
A file filled to the brim, from which exceeded dozens and dozens of letters with similar cachet, with as discreet and minimalist indication "Marquis de Sade". Playful by his discovery, the assassin did not waste a minute reading the letters and counts one after the other.
You'd think a normal person would see the words 'indecent assault' and go, 'Hey, maybe this guy isn't as innocent as he says he is'. But Arno, true to form, ignores it and thinks de Sade won't use said indecent assault on him. These are and were not simply 'detractions' and 'accusations', but things de Sade admitted to doing and where evidence of what he did was visible on the young women he whipped.The words "indecent assault" were chained at a crazy speed, Arno had the impression of getting lost among all these detractors and other accusers; sorting was required. Arno started by putting aside all the letters from the police stations as well as those from the prisons where the Marquis had stayed (not to say to turn the place upside down and destroy the mental health of his guards).
It says something when police, who usually ignored prostitutes at that time, were willing to believe them in a case like this.
Sade couldn't help an evil grin from crossing his face when he saw the hat.
He turned away from it, pretending that he never wanted to set it on fire. To distract himself, he had observed the rest of the memories of his murderer: the incredibly precise bust of Mademoiselle De La Serre, so alive that he believed, for a moment, to see his gaze fixed on his person. A little further on, he found a wax mask, signed Madame Tussaut; an old worn rope ladder, a murderous poem about Jacques-Louis David, a farewell message whose EFV capitals (obviously) clumsily squeezed in the margin, as if written in a hurry. When he arrived in front of the mannequin with the unknown uniform, Sade had also recognized walls and chests containing various weapons, in sufficient quantity to equip fifteen other men.While Arno is thinking nothing of the accusations against de Sade, de Sade is contemplating destroying more of Arno's belongings because Arno has a life he cannot control or degrade (for now).
If he had not yet explored the attic, it was because the writer found himself irresistibly attracted to this room. He felt like he was accessing something infinitely larger than the bedroom, being able to scrutinize every detail of Arno's past, and it was an occupation he could never get tired of.de Sade is interested in Arno's personal life and his secrets because it's a way for him to corrupt them. By breaking down every last barrier, Arno will finally do whatever he wishes because all of his faults will be exposed. Rather than form a bond and do this with affection and understanding, de Sade pries through Arno's hidden life as a way to assert his dominance. It's beyond messed up.
When he took a step, Arno did not immediately tense up, too absorbed by the air so vulnerable that the man had displayed a few seconds earlier. The Marquis, this merciless writer who played words and emotions to destabilize his interlocutors, who seeped into the slightest human fault with diabolical satisfaction, had just softened the time to observe his greatest depraved work.
Almost shocked, he only reacts when he feels a hand land just under his throat, gently gripping his accessible shirt between the two open sides of his uniform. Arno blinked, disconcerted by understanding the meaning of the sentence he had barely heard.See what I mean? Arno goes out of his way to get his manuscript, and de Sade finds and opening where he can touch him. At the end of the chapter, Arno decides to have lunch with de Sade. Why he does this after discovering the 'indecent assault' charges, or ignoring his general discomfort with the Marquis, is unknown. It is merely One of Those Things - a feedback loop of contradictions that does not end. In terms of plot the authors have no care to craft or make it remotely logical. Yet in terms of 'romance', anything goes - and their commentators are too simpleminded to point out the obvious flaws.
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