Wrote a little thing based on these tags:
'Nothing is ever mine.' - A frequent refrain.
Not the throne, not Rome, not the titles, not the jewels, not the glory, not even her love.
It had been his idea, after all, though he doesn't remember it, he was certain the idea came from him. Geta took credit for it, just like he did with most things. But it had been his, just like she should have been- or he should have been her's- no-
The sword was cool to the touch and the scent of the flower petals was sweet. It was hot, the Roman sun shining like the smile on her face when she looked at Geta; he didn't even get a smile-
A large hand clamped down on his golden cuff. Rage burned hot but quickly dissipated; the hand was too tan and worn to be Geta- Tegula, that was it-
"Caesar".
A deep voice in his ear, and suddenly his feet are stumbling as he catches his balance.
"It should be me"
This time, his own voice, and all that white hot rage and a black aching sadness fills him again and he finds himself lurching forward. The clang of the sword rings out as it slips from his grip and even Tegula's strength can't keep his free hand from swiping out, connecting with the rich fabric of his brother's robes. Yanking and pulling at the cloth, nails digging into the embroidery, he hears Geta's voice:
"Let go"
Geta is hissing in his ear and now there's another hand on him, pale and bejewelled. There's too much touch but not the right kind-
It's as if he's a spectator, watching the mirror of him, himself but something is off, not quite right- is that him? He's watching himself pulling away, straightening up and turning to Mummy- no, it can't be him, Mummy never-
"Caesar"
Tegula, again. He's back in himself, watching Geta smooth out his robes. But his own feet are kicking now, except it's no use, Tegula has him now and it's out of the room, into the airy hall and away.
He won't remember swinging the blade come morning, nor will he remember the angry tears he shed or the look of pity on Mummy's face. But he knows. He knows.
Geta always has a plan. In fact, he usually has two, three, four plans in the back of his mind. His brain is never not working; he’s always watching, always anticipating his and everyone else’s next move. He’s got it all down, he knows every exit in every room in the palace, he always has his back to the wall, he wears his sturdiest rings just in case he has to lash out. He’s thin, lanky even, but he figures he’s been on the receiving end of enough punches from his father to know how to land one himself.
Every blink, every flick of a finger, every word that comes out just a little bit off, he notices it. He sees how people watch him, but he watches them right back, and he sees it all. Things maybe they don’t even realize they’re doing. But Geta sees it, analyzes it, his mind spinning with reasons for why. Why do the senators fiddle with their robes when he is speaking? Why does Lucilla pause slightly before she answers his questions? Why does Tegula’s lip twitch whenever Geta adjusts his laurels? He’s got a million answers for each question, and not one of those answers makes him feel any better.
Geta doesn’t sleep well. He never has. He has trouble falling asleep and then staying asleep. As an adult, he grinds his teeth so badly he’s had one removed at the back of his mouth. As a child, he’d stare at Caracalla, passed out and snoring, completely oblivious to the world around him. Geta envied him for it. He still does.
Caracalla. It’s not entirely Caracalla’s fault he’s ill, Geta knows that. Geta isn’t even sure Caracalla knows he’s ill most of the time. Geta pities him as much as he loves him. If he thinks about it too much, he feels his throat seizes up and he has to close his eyes. He hasn’t cried in a long time.
Geta layers on the cuffs, stacks his rings, slathers his face with make up. Geta does not always like being himself. The thicker the eye shadow, the more elaborate his robes, the more 'Emperor' he looks, the less he sees himself and the less others can see him too, he thinks. He hopes. He doesn’t always feel that way, not when he is standing in the middle of a room, playing his part, and then something or someone goes off script and he’s left naked and exposed, a fool.
When that happens, Geta broods. He paces, he fiddles with those same rings he layered on for protection. He replays the moments over and over and over and over and over in his head, he can’t stop himself. His stomach burns and he’s found himself on the ground a few times, curled up and sweating, blinking back hot tears and swallowing bile. He’s pulled out hair before, he’s made himself bleed with his own fingernails, and so now he cuts them short.
Hey guys, I just noticed that the relationship between Felix and Oliver could be similar to the relationship between Dionysus and Satyrs in Greek mythology. Basically as Dionysus is heavily associated wine and partying in general, and is always being followed by his band of Maenads (flower hippies that are also very evil) and Satyrs which is similar to Felix as he is often described as the life of the party and is always surrounded by a group of people. Anyway, on the other hand, Satyrs are half-goat men whose actions are driven by desire, with them often being seen on vases with phallic imagery. This sort of relates to Oliver, as he is driven by his desire for Felix through most of the film.
But yeah, this probably wasn't what Fennel was going for as I know that her literary references were more modern than ancient greek mythology, but its just something funky I've noticed.
Me: time for bed…. My brain: domestic Hannigram screencap edits, but if they’d been actual murder husbands since the start
fuckwits also don't, we may be stupid, but we're not as stupid to support him.
it would seem that emerald fennell and her perfect cast created saltburn exclusively for me and 6 other people on tumblr to go absolutely bonkers, crying-in-a-corner, life-changingly insane over and for nobody else on earth to understand or appreciate fully
Feyd Rautha is a femboy by Harkonnen gender presentation standards. No I will not be elaborating.
Rumour has it, although the King of Ithaca had returned to his shores, his throne remained empty for the better part of a year.
so fucked up that goncharov is only on poob
Why doesn’t the big freak just eat the smaller one…?