The Taste of Peaches (Worm AU)

[kairuf]

well known and respected fact: "Ends don't justify the means", for example, If a soldier commits a war crime that results in victory for his nation, he is still a war criminal, and he will be tried as such.

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Well known maybe. Respected? Oh I wish.

All of those questions are irrelevant; the important question is 'was it enjoyable', and clearly for most of us the answer is yes, so maybe this just isn't your kind of story and you should stop following it.

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And if you read further along you would see that I figured out what my problem with it was which was greatly appreciated because otherwise have been bugging me for weeks.

Hazing is not a harmless joke. It's bullying, and anyone who says otherwise is either a grade A asshole or covering for one.

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I don't have a problem if it's a one time, We do this to everybody that joins the club, and they kind of know what to expect, ("hey when you come to the first club meeting wear something that you don't mind getting stained" etc.) sort of a thing. But anything past that I will agree with you.

 

[Uncle Chips]

Hazing is not a harmless joke. It's bullying, and anyone who says otherwise is either a grade A asshole or covering for one.

Or at least, that's my opinion.

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Nah, it used to be FAR worse back in 2004, thay threw freshmen in an inflatable pool filled with rotting stuff and more memorably, made them kiss a severed pig's head so the fresmen could get their stuf back, the worst part of all was that it was a known phenomenon across every university in Chile and nothing was done about it because no one got REALLY hurt, it's f'ed up I know and I agree with you, THAT kind of thing is not a harmless joke, thankfully it got stomped out when some dipsh*t tossed muriatic acid in one of those pools back in 2008-2009 (not sure about the date) and someone almost DIED, since then, the abolute WORST they could get away with (not now because of the pandemic) was messing up the fresmen's clothes and force them to collect a certain amount of money to get their stuff back, it was on the morning news for christ's sake, and the news anchors were like: oh look, they're at it again.
What I got was NOTHING like that, they didn't take anything from me and all that they did was shower me in glitter, if you ask me THAT is a harmless prank.
should you or anyone else want to know more about the subject, head on over to whatever search engine you use and look up "cachorreo en las universidades", the last tidbit on the subject I will ad (as to not derail the thread) is the reason behind the word "cachorreo".
In the US a new student of a university is known as a freshman, be they male, female or other, here in Chile we call them cachorros, if they're male or identify as male, cachorra if they are or identify as female and cachorres for anyone that didn't identify as one or another.
Jesus christ what an absolute wall of text.

 

[jmcdavid]

Honestly, Emma and Sophia need to face their own inner darkness before they can become functional members of society.

 

[FaerieKnight79]

I don't have a problem if it's a one time, We do this to everybody that joins the club, and they kind of know what to expect, ("hey when you come to the first club meeting wear something that you don't mind getting stained" etc.) sort of a thing. But anything past that I will agree with you.

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As I said, it's my opinion.

Then again, for most of my childhood I was a victim of bullying due to being 'different'. I was bullied for wearing glasses, for enjoying reading, for always wearing a shirt (until I was around 25 I was ashamed of having a colostomy), and many other things. It lasted up into high school, and only really stopped because by that point I had developed an unthinking reflexive action of "attack bully". I got bullied by other kids in school. I was bullied during the summer by other kids. And I was bullied by family at Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings. I do not consider hazing to be funny, amusing, or even mildly acceptable. And I consider the vast majority of pranks others might find amusing to be mean spirited at best, and actively malicious on average.

EDIT: Sorry about the rant there. I often get a bit melancholy at this time of year. Memories of too many a Christmas unable to see my family while growing up. And now of too many loved ones who passed away this year that I'll never see again. The stark reminder that my parents too are getting ever older, and one day far too soon they too will be gone, is hitting me harder then usual this year. Merry Christmas, and I hope everyone has a much better new year.

 

[TheUnicorn]

Secondly, seems like you didn't look for what I responded:

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I misread it as "How screwed up Emma is".

Overall, I think Sophia responsible for how exactly did Emma's personality/mind have twisted itself. And, likely, how much, to lesser extent.
And she don't realize it. At least not yet.

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For the first, Sophia contributed but I don't think she is responsible. For the second, I disagree.

Are we reasonably certain that her mother did know about the attack?

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We are resonably certain that her daughter showed up with he hair hacked off, clearly having had a very traumatic experience and that even weeks later she has very strong reactions to people mentioning her hair. We can also be resonably certain that Alan isn't a perfect actor and thus she should realize something happened with him.

The only way she could avoid realizing something was seriously wrong here is if she ignored her family for weeks at a time, and if she realized something was wrong and didn't dig into it and get Alan and Emma the help they need it's no less her fault than if she knew what was wrong and left it alone to fester.

There's a non-zero chance that the law firm that he and Carol Dallon work at has a corporate culture that disdains psychotherapy. This is not confirmed in canon, IIRC, but there's no evidence against it, either. If the author decides that this is the case for this fic, that's someone else that can be blamed for Emma and Alan Barnes not getting help.

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Sure, but official therapists aren't the only way to get help and doesn't make the issues any less the parents fault.

Hazing is not a harmless joke. It's bullying, and anyone who says otherwise is either a grade A asshole or covering for one.

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Hazing is a bunch of harmless jokes, the problem is it's often used as a cover for bullying. The main difference between hazing and bullying is like the difference between BDSM and rape - in the former if you say No, stop...it actually stops. Might get other people annoyed you aren't going along with what they had planned, but it stops with no consequences. In the later it gets you beaten.

 

[JumperPrime]

I'm also wondering if get the bright idea that "Taylor is now stronger than me, but that's because she has powers. The Obvious solution is that I need to get powers!" and start putting herself into danger in attempts to trigger (which, unless she has the Carona-thingy, is futile as well as reckless)

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That's a bad idea, a waste of time, and possibly her life. IIRC, if you're hoping to trigger, you won't, because the hope of possibly getting powers prevents you from reahcing te mandatory level of Absolute Despair.

another place i can see if than She find Taylor being a Trump and tries to make her give her powers, she don't do it and when she finds on the Party about how Vicky got her powers she takes panacea (faking being nice) and "arranges" an accident repeat the accident, if she manage to do it...

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That's an even worse idea! Not to mention possibly suicidal.

Hazing is a bunch of harmless jokes, the problem is it's often used as a cover for bullying. The main difference between hazing and bullying is like the difference between BDSM and rape - in the former if you say No, stop...it actually stops. Might get other people annoyed you aren't going along with what they had planned, but it stops with no consequences. In the later it gets you beaten.

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But, IIRC, a lot of hazing is done to people trying to get into organizations such as fraternities or sports teams. They submit to the abuse because they believe that if they don't they'll be shown the door, and they're probably right, meaning the guys doing the hazing have control over the Pledges, much like a rapist brandishing a weapon to encourage compliance.

 

[hakunoX]

That's almost a certainty Hakuno, Emma has the moral of a stone (NONE whatsoever), and she ignores a well known and respected fact: "Ends don't justify the means", for example, If a soldier commits a war crime that results in victory for his nation, he is still a war criminal, and he will be tried as such. Emma will get her just desserts, one way or another.

As for the glitter in hair problem: over here in Chile it is tradition for the oldest students in the unversity to mess with the freshmen, which has happened to me ,I got possitively SHOWERED in the stuff, and when I got home I just washed it out off my hair with hot water (hot enough to bathe in) and shampoo, assisted with VIGOROUS scrubbing, the rest of me was just a matter of taking a bath and scrub myself with a loofah and soap.
hopefully this helps you as well

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i will pass the message

but Hakuno can't answer today or tommorrow.

my little cousin is getting grounded for leaving me with Pink Glitter for all the day,

i will try anyway.

and if anyone has suggestions of how i should punish her (if it's something dirty i will bury you, she is fourteen!) i will gaddly acept.

and while i don't know a lot of worm (cousin is the one who read it most) what she has told me about this Emma Barnes character would be of one person who don't take a no for answer, my own experiences with criminals like this (i am a lawyer) indicate than she would probably not quitting until someting happens than makes this girl Taylor lose her cool (and patience of a saint) and get her hurt; maybe Floffied and chained.

now say good bye to Hakuno for the rest of the week, she will not answer anything.

XenahortX

PD: yes, she is my cousin and yes i am her legal guardian, and yes, she though than throwing me Glittle was a good idea for a game, i don't care if it's like she were Sailor Moon, i had to go to the Church with pink glitter on my hair and face.

 

[Malcanthet]

Pretty sure it's spelled Kumiho for both.

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Depends. Is it Chinese or Korean? Also there is a third spelling out there that makes things more interesting. As they have a seperate and mostly unrelated Myth attached that might be worse depending on whose viewpoint you are reading from. No. Kitsune was not the spelling I was talking about.

Onto other notes of the Chapter:

Are we about to see Emma get turned into a Gobbo? Also what will the atomic weight of Sophia's Excreted Bricks be?

 

[jmcdavid]

Also what will the atomic weight of Sophia's Excreted Bricks be?

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It's only eight. Nothing to worry about.

Sorry, I had the Scouter on upside-down.

IT'S OVER EIGHT THOUSAND!!!!!

 

[Norgarth]

That's a bad idea, a waste of time, and possibly her life. IIRC, if you're hoping to trigger, you won't, because the hope of possibly getting powers prevents you from reahcing te mandatory level of Absolute Despair.

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yes, but that's not common knowledge. The public knows you can get powers from having a really bad day and luck (having the Carona-thingy)

We're not suggesting any of these 'plans' are anything in the same county as a good idea, just things we think Emma might pull in order to justify/prove her viewpoint. you might have noticed that most of us think she's certifiable, bad plans/ideas are part of the package.

 

[Prince Chrom]

So I was just re-reading this and in the first chapter there is a moment where after she eats the Peach she has effects that that involve lightning, clouds, wind, water and the sun. Of these the only one not yet linked to one of her domains is the sun and combined with the gods who told her about her godhood, I suspect it very likely that Taylor does have the sun as a domain.

 

[jwolfe_beta]

So I was just re-reading this and in the first chapter there is a moment where after she eats the Peach she has effects that that involve lightning, clouds, wind, water and the sun. Of these the only one not yet linked to one of her domains is the sun and combined with the gods who told her about her godhood, I suspect it very likely that Taylor does have the sun as a domain.

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Actually there was another rather blatent hint in chapter ten:

"I see…" She glanced out the window. The sun was at the perfect angle to hit her head on. She yawned. The soft warmth was making her sleepy. She slid down to lie with her head against the pillow. She felt like a nap until her dad got home. With a yawn, she cuddled the pillow and buried her head beneath a tail. In minutes she was asleep, joined by the soft snores of Inari.

If the sunlight lingered on their spot for far longer than it should have there was no one there to comment on it.

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[Grounders10]

And comment on it no one did.

 

[Neruz]

Also didn't Taylor get drunk and set a potplant on fire? That would be Sun, as the Sun is associated with fire, life and light (amongst other things) and none of Taylor's other apparent domains (storm, sea, foxes) have anything to do with fire directly.

And comment on it no one did.

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Poor Grounders, leaving cunning little hints hidden away in the text that nobody appreciates.

*patpat*

 

[jwolfe_beta]

And comment on it no one did.

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Well it was pointed out over on SB. I guess the people here missed it or something.

 

[TheUnicorn]

But, IIRC, a lot of hazing is done to people trying to get into organizations such as fraternities or sports teams. They submit to the abuse because they believe that if they don't they'll be shown the door, and they're probably right, meaning the guys doing the hazing have control over the Pledges, much like a rapist brandishing a weapon to encourage compliance.

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As I said, it's used to cover a lot of bullying, and I think a better analogy for your scenerio is a relationship where one of the partners has a position of authority over the other like a teacher and student or boss and their employee, and there is a reason those sort of relationships are problematic.

 

[FaerieKnight79]

Didn't she also (accidentally) move the sun closer just so the laundry would dry faster when it was hung up outside?

 

[Almech_Alfarion]

And comment on it no one did.

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Well it was pointed out over on SB. I guess the people here missed it or something.

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I noticed it, but I've pointed out my theory that her "Sun" domain isn't JUST a "Sun" domain several times already.

Didn't she also (accidentally) move the sun closer just so the laundry would dry faster when it was hung up outside?

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Pretty sure that was just a side quest in Okami. I... don't really recall a "Laundry Scene" in TToP...?

 

[Neruz]

But, IIRC, a lot of hazing is done to people trying to get into organizations such as fraternities or sports teams. They submit to the abuse because they believe that if they don't they'll be shown the door, and they're probably right, meaning the guys doing the hazing have control over the Pledges, much like a rapist brandishing a weapon to encourage compliance.

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As I said, it's used to cover a lot of bullying, and I think a better analogy for your scenerio is a relationship where one of the partners has a position of authority over the other like a teacher and student or boss and their employee, and there is a reason those sort of relationships are problematic.

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The basic general concept of hazing itself (that it promotes group bonding) is not incorrect, the issue is that the term is, as Unicorn says, often used to cover a lot of shit that is not hazing, or is simply taking things too far.

It's also one of those 'slippery slope' gradients where it's very easy to escalate beyond the boundaries of reason, especially when the people doing the reasoning are already compromised in decision-making due to ongoing puberty and youth.


But psychological studies have indicated that groups sharing an emotionally negative experience can indeed demonstrate improved bonding and cohesion among the group. The theory is sound, the execution of the theory is where the problems happen.

 

[Avernus]

It's an ancient and highly effective way of manipulating people into being loyal that exploits the human tendency to double down rather than admitting to error. You get them to do something foolish or evil to join the group, and they will become emotionally invested in valuing membership in the group because to do otherwise means admitting that what they did was for nothing.

It also tends to escalate into dangerous, brutal or horrible practices.

 

[Koraan]

Honestly, Emma and Sophia need to face their own inner darkness before they can become functional members of society.

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While I agree, they need seriuos help before they'll do it, otherwise they (or, rather, their psyche), likely, wouldn't "survive" that revelation, and everything will only get worse.

For the first, Sophia contributed but I don't think she is responsible. For the second, I disagree.

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/shrug/
1) Sophia's worldview isn't healthly. And since she was (and is) one who Emma tried to emulate...
2) Without Sophia's interference, Emma wouldn't muster (insert right word here) to try to pretend everything fine, at least not as quick. That mean, her mother (or sister) would be more likely to insist on seeing a psychoanalyst / psychiatrist.
3) (kinda joke, but not a funny one) If Sophia haven't save Emma and Alan, she (Emma) definitely would've broken differently and, most likely, more. That mean Sophia's actions did affect Emma's madness. Ergo, she's responsible.

P.S. In case you missread my post: there's nothing about Sophia been only one who responsible.

The public knows you can get powers from having a really bad day and luck (having the Carona-thingy)

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Canonically, iirc, the public at large don't know about trigger events at all. Apparently, PRT somehow prevent that knowledge from spreading.
How? I have no clue. Maybe PtV bullshit.

I guess the people here missed it or something.

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I, apparently, missed that people didn't been sure about sun as Tay's domain. So, when I've read it, I just nodded and moved on.

 

[Flenser]

The Sun could also be linked to science and industry. Prometheus's fire.

 

[Neruz]

It's an ancient and highly effective way of manipulating people into being loyal that exploits the human tendency to double down rather than admitting to error. You get them to do something foolish or evil to join the group, and they will become emotionally invested in valuing membership in the group because to do otherwise means admitting that what they did was for nothing.

It also tends to escalate into dangerous, brutal or horrible practices.

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In short; it works but it's not a very good idea.

 

[Koraan]

The Sun could also be linked to science and industry. Prometheus's fire.

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Depends of how exactly domains works here.
If it's about direct links - Sun might be linked with Light, Fire, Heat and so on.
With indirect links? Through Light Sun might be linked with Hope, Exploration/(Re)Search, Life. Fire > Forge > Industry. Heat > Passion. And so on, and so forth, and so on...
I suspect Taylor can use only "direct links" since she lack experience. With time, when she will be more familiar with her domains, maybe she would be able to use indirect links.

 

[Neruz]

Generally speaking the most common meanings given to the sun as a symbol are light, fire, heat, growth, life, creation, order, good, purity, truth and power\leadership. I would expect a 'Sun' domain to have applications in at least three of the mentioned meanings, if not more.

The sun can also be pretty easily linked to 'knowledge' through light -> illumination of the unknown, and sun deities are often 'all seeing' in some capacity in reference to the omnipresence of the sun's light.