posted
I kinda brought this up on the ol Profem thread, but I'm interested to hear from the people who feel like they know a particular character very well. How do you think your favorite character would have reacted to learning that Proty's mind/personality/soul inhabited Garth's dead body, then carried on as if he was Garth, marrying and having children with Imra?
Nura is one of my favorites, so I'll speculate on how she might have reacted...
My first thought is that she'd want to support Imra. They were never really close, but they had a great respect for each other. Nura would be a really good one to offer advice on how to reconcile making physical decisions regardless of your mental ability. By that I mean that Nura is extremely intelligent and has powerful (mental)precognative ability AND very strong will power, yet she still puts a lot of energy into her physical appearance (even though she gained weight), basically, all because she likes MEN. She even acts silly and vampy for men's sake. Nura would tell Imra that it was okay for her to not realize that it wasn't really him in there, because his handsome face and bright eyes and muscular body were right there in front of her, alive and even pretty darn nice. Pretty darn affectionate, and wanting to get married, to commit! Nura could relieve Imra of some of the guilt and ignorance she must be feeling now that the news has broken.
That said, I think that Nura would reccommend that Imra seek guidance on Titan about all this, but with the goal in mind, to stay with Proty as Garth. To keep calling him Garth, to accept him as a whole entity, not as two different beings in one.
I think Nura would be somewhat angry with Proty, but would admit that he's conducted himself pretty well considering his charade. He's designed a good life. In my vision of this scenario, Nura would tell *Garth* not to go public, to keep this secret only amongst the closest to the Legion. I'd have her say that she'd never had a vision of him "exposing himself" (pun? maybe!), but she'd be a bit surprised/annoyed that her power never gave her a hint of this.
Nura'd then go back to her own life, and check in on Imra regularly. Their preboot relationship would grow stronger now that they are both more mature.
posted
Maybe I'll also quickly give some other ideas of how Legionnaires would react....
Dawnstar- Well, she'd be furious with Proty, especially considering what she'd just been through with the Bounty entity. She'd probably not want anything to do with him, and would avoid the whole Ardeen/Ranzz family. Of course, she also has to deal with the fact that Drake Burroughs has taken over the burnt dead body of Dirk Morgna... but that's another thread...
Vi- Another appalled person! By late TMK, she still seemed pretty uncomfortable with Yera, so the whole "impersonating another being" concept doesn't seem to sit well with her. Ayla was on record as being pretty understanding with Garth, so maybe she could help ease Vi through handling the situation. OR it could cause a rift between them!
Coz- He'd be understanding because he'd be in the midst dealing with how to be both the Time Trapper and Cosmic Boy! Oh boy.
Reep- He'd be furious with Proty! Embarrassed. He'd work REALLY hard to keep this information quiet, to not let it become a media frenzy or become fodder for why changelings like Proteans or Durlans are so untrustworthy.
Jo- He'd be impressed with the acting performance. He'd let Garth know that this is no reason for them to stop being friends. He'd wish him luck and offer support.
Tinya- It would be just another bit of news for Tinya to let sink in after her absense. The old Tinya would have been indignant about all this, but this returned Tinya knows that the details can be let go. That the big picture is most important. That Garth and Imra's love and family are more important than the impact of his confession.
posted
Brainy would say "Interesting" or perhaps even "Fascinating" and, if further pressed, might make some comments about mind vs body and planes of existence.
I don't think it would bother Reep that much, although he would be disappointed that Proty hid the whole business. As a shape changer, somewhat Protean himself, he may have a better understanding of Proty's motives - and the idea of being absolutely what you physically appear to be might be unimportant or irrelevant to him.
posted
I agree that Brainy would be fascinated. In fact, this could be a new arena of study for him, because he was so surprised by Yera's impersonation of Vi. Maybe he'd develop a changeling detection device? Again, I think he'd want to be supportive of Imra, to assure her that even the best minds can be fooled. I don't think he'd have any particular grudge against Garth.
Reep used to be sort of Proty's *master* so I really have the feeling he'd act as a disappointed father figure in this case, despite the new respect the Proteans are demanding. I don't recall Reep ever really having any kind of discussion with Yera after her situation with Vi, but I do feel like he'd be irritated with any shape shifter who does something ....wrong. Maybe he would be understanding about the fact that Proty was trying to ease the Legion's pain. They really did want him back. Cham would also have to acknowledge that Garth has lived a good life since the resurrection.
Lessee... who else?
Chuck and Lu would be supportive of Garth. Lu especially would appreciate the sentiment. She knows what it's like to lose a body. She would have embraced her third body after the Computo incident if that body had come back. Chuck would remind Garth that their friendship is true no matter who's "soul" it is. They'd also encourage Imra to forgive and forget.
posted
If Sun Boy hadn't been killed off in this period already, I think he'd be the one to be angry. In Adventure stories he identified himself as Garth's best friend- but that friendship seemed to have dwindled to nothing special by the Levitz years. Proty-as-Garth would be one reason why.
Dirk might've spent years wondering why his bestest old bud cooled on him, maybe feeling responsible.
In fact, if Garth had remained Garth, perhaps Sun Boy would never have sunk to the depths that finally killed him.
Maybe a de-Trappered Cosmic Boy (Proty's best friend?) might come to realize this and blame Proty a bit. Or Ayla, perhaps?
Element Lad, I think, wouldn't be fazed a bit-- he, like most Legionnaires, never knew Garth as Garth in this continuity. He might be a little pissed that he didn't get to do a little more detective work to follow up his 'Violet' triumph.
I *do* think that E-Lad would be a staunch support to Imra-- maybe playing confessor/adviser to her. I think he'd accept Proty-Garth for who he'd become.
It'd be a bit more compelling if Garth and Imra had still been adventuring with the team when this revelation was revealed. Even if there was a move to censure or expel Proty/Garth, it'd only be a token, since he was crippled by this time.
Seems like somebody else would be creeped out by this, though... maybe half of Duo Damsel? Invisible KidII-- in reaction to his sister's years in Computo's thrall?
posted
Weren't the Proteans themselves chiding "Garth" to come clean? I'll have to dig out that issue, but it seems they didn't really approve of what Proty had done.
posted
WILDFIRE -- I imagine he'd have some overblown bombastic reaction cuz it's such a shocking revelation. He'd make some insensitive comment about Imra being married to a "faceless little blob" all these years, but then he'd shrug it off since this is the Garth he's always known anyway -- the one that earned his repect and friendship. Although he'd still make the occassional snarky comment about him really being Proty.
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I've been away for a few days, thanks for the repsonses!
Mystery Lad said***
***If Sun Boy hadn't been killed off in this period already, I think he'd be the one to be angry. In Adventure stories he identified himself as Garth's best friend- but that friendship seemed to have dwindled to nothing special by the Levitz years. Proty-as-Garth would be one reason why.****
Garth became very focused on Imra before they got married. This could contribute to letting go of other friendships. It's also a little creepy. Maybe Proty always had a crush on Saturn Girl, and now that he's taken over Garth's body, he has a chance with her! Ugh!
****Dirk might've spent years wondering why his bestest old bud cooled on him, maybe feeling responsible.
In fact, if Garth had remained Garth, perhaps Sun Boy would never have sunk to the depths that finally killed him.*****
Yeah, maybe if Dirk had a confidante, a friend, it would have kept him from becoming such a playa, and ultimately, such an opportunist.
***Maybe a de-Trappered Cosmic Boy (Proty's best friend?) might come to realize this and blame Proty a bit. Or Ayla, perhaps?****
Right. The real Garth would have had different relationships than this false Garth. Proty probably never thought of that. If people knew it was Proty speaking to them, would they have respected the opinions given? They thought it was Garth speaking, so a certain weight came with what he said. They even elected him leader. Would they have elected Proty leader? These are all things that would end up frustrating the Legionnaires, I'm sure.
****Element Lad, I think, wouldn't be fazed a bit-- he, like most Legionnaires, never knew Garth as Garth in this continuity. He might be a little pissed that he didn't get to do a little more detective work to follow up his 'Violet' triumph.
I *do* think that E-Lad would be a staunch support to Imra-- maybe playing confessor/adviser to her. I think he'd accept Proty-Garth for who he'd become.*****
Yes, Jan would certainly be with Imra, here. I'm sure he'd have spiritual advice for Imra.
****It'd be a bit more compelling if Garth and Imra had still been adventuring with the team when this revelation was revealed. Even if there was a move to censure or expel Proty/Garth, it'd only be a token, since he was crippled by this time.
Seems like somebody else would be creeped out by this, though... maybe half of Duo Damsel? Invisible KidII-- in reaction to his sister's years in Computo's thrall?
TN******
Yes, I believe that any Legionnaire who's had an issue with deception/possession would have a problem with Proty. Jacques is another example!
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: Weren't the Proteans themselves chiding "Garth" to come clean? I'll have to dig out that issue, but it seems they didn't really approve of what Proty had done.
I'd have to dig, too, but in general, I think you're right.
quote:Originally posted by DrakeB3003: WILDFIRE -- I imagine he'd have some overblown bombastic reaction cuz it's such a shocking revelation. He'd make some insensitive comment about Imra being married to a "faceless little blob" all these years, but then he'd shrug it off since this is the Garth he's always known anyway -- the one that earned his repect and friendship. Although he'd still make the occassional snarky comment about him really being Proty.
This is all especially interesting/ironic, because Drake had taken over Dirk's burnt up body. I assume that Drake would make every attempt he could to regenerate Dirk's body, to heal it. Then, he'd have his Wildfire energy AND Dirk's heat and light powers all within a human, handsome body! It'd be weird to have Dirk and Garth's bodies there, with Proty and Drake's minds/personalities working them.
...
I like that Drake would be a touch hypocritical about it. Like Proty was bad to do this, but it's okay for him to. I also agree that Drake might not be very sensitive in regards to Imra.
posted
Regarding Drake in Dirk's body-- if Drake somehow *had* managed to 'restore' Dirk's looks and powers, wouldn't it be ironic if Drake-in-Dirk remained impotent? That body *was* pretty fargone, as I remember it. Perhaps erectile dysfunction would be the price paid for an otherwise healthy(ish) body.
Imagine how SW6 Dirk would feel, though. Would Drake feel obligated to play 'big brother'?
Speaking of SW6ers, how in the world would preboot Livewire have reacted to the Proty/Garth news? I don't *think* that was ever touched upon at all, was it? SW6ers Imra and Ayla would also have interesting responses. I'll have to think about what they would be... this is a wrinkle I hadn't considered before.
And Dean- you missed Nura's obvious response. She'd conk Proty-Garth on the head, drag him behind a replica of the old HQ and change his super-lightning to another super-power.
posted
Poor Drake, all that time without a body, and when he finally gets one, it won't ...function! I'm sure there's gotta be some mighty Viagra available by the 30th century though...
Further, what would Dawnstar think of Drake in Dirk's body? Again, after all that frustration between them, not being really able to "feel" each other, he finally gets a body, but it's the very familiar, too familiar Dirk's. Would Dawny see past that?
Oh yeah, the SW6ers! I bet brash young Garth would be SUPER angry about Proty!
I also bet young Dirk would be quite disappointed with what his doppleganger had been up to at the end of his life, and would focus on Wildfire and his Legion exploits. I'd hope that Drake in Dirk's body would continue to call himself Wildfire, and incorporate all the accumulated superpowers together.
I'd like to see SW6 and adult Imra meet. It'd be very interesting. OH! What about SW6 GARTH meeting adult Imra! Wow!
quote:Originally posted by Fat Cramer: Weren't the Proteans themselves chiding "Garth" to come clean? I'll have to dig out that issue, but it seems they didn't really approve of what Proty had done.
They didn't. At least they didn't approve of the deception.
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