This account of Reyson’s imprisonment is really gripping. I feel the chilling horror of his captivity, as well as his fierce will to escape, even at a big cost. Great work!

oh man I just played this section again the other day, and I couldn't help but wonder how many attempts Reyson tried to make. (Did you know toothbrush is apparently abrasive enough that it can be used in prison escapes? Might've been more useful than the knife in some ways, lol) But yeah - part of me was wondering how on earth Oliver was going to show him off in Miamal given it'd be "unseemly" (guh) to have him in chains and there's too many chances for him to fly away - so it makes sense that Oliver would be the type to want to make sure he's subdued psychologically first. And then of course he botches it because stupid is as stupid does.

And gah, man, you got across Oliver's kind of filth far too well. May have mentioned this to you before but I was slightly disturbed at how comedic Oliver was played (having him playable, oddly, didn't bother me *quite* as much as some of those tasteless RD support convos, imo; FE's had a long history of utter villains being on your side, but it's the fact that they didn't establish some sort of consequence for what he did, you know?)

Here, though - you can see it, and then some. Folks always underestimate just how ... debasing infantile language can be, but you made it cut very well especially for Reyson who is always going to be somewhat insecure in that facet with the hawks. (Especially feeling like he's in debt, and espeeeecially with that 'useless' bit, hoo boy that cuts deep.) I also like the fact that he connects the dots that it's his looks and the 'purity' of that that gives him the best leverage - there's not too many that can analyze themselves as well as that.

Ironically I think I agree with Ammie slightly with her last two comments regarding time and places. :P Agreed that more than a month seems a bit long for him given that the game makes it seem like it's less than a week iirc, then again, i like this story best as a character study and a more realistic slight-AU that sheds 'canon tone' for 'actual consequence and pulling the happy-go-lucky tapestry of FE9' back for the wtf-ery underneath.

An oldie but a goodie for sure. Thanks for writing this as always.

Awesome story! The way you write Reyson's emptions its just heartbreaking. I don't know it you have abandoned the story by now, but a follow up on how Naesala would try to make up for what he did would be an amazing read. :D Anyway, you have real talent as a writer, it was a most wonderful read :)

This is amazing... How did you come up with this? I could never do it! The way you made it so sad, and traumatizing for Reyson is just so creative. Poor guy.

This... coming from Reyson... I never expected such ruthlessness (but, what do I know? I still need to get PoR), and it was fantastic. This really gives me the inspiration to write my story! Thanks!

I like the picture you painted with this story. I mean it's been a while since I played PoR, but I hated Oliver and this really increases that loathing of him. I could almost call him perverted the way he strokes Reyson's wings in this.

I like how you characterize Reyson in this. You can really feel how much he hates to be kept locked up, and just how much it takes a toll on him. I'd say it does his character well.

I do have to agree with one of the reviewers who pointed out some clashes with the canon, but it's a minor issue. It's your story after all.

Well done.

This story was amazing. I don't think I've ever seen one like this before.

That's all I can say. I'll go back to being stunned into silence now.

The way this fic handles spirited Reyson's introduction to captivity is excellent. His resentment of the little things, like conceding to Oliver what makes him uncomfortable, brought a great sincerity to the table. His plotting about how and when to lash out is so driven and intelligent, and it's awful but wonderful to see that transform into desperation. I thought the characterization of Reyson was pretty excellent too, considering how this situation really should affect his, ah, body issues.

(Dude, now I want Tumblr AU transhawk Reyson.)

As far as the storytelling is concerned, I think Crush was probably stronger. Aside from the great build directly into the climax, something about the story doesn't quite cohere. I think part of it is the long wait between the pointed acquisition of the knife and its use. Given the trigger warnings, it's clear to the reader what its ultimate use will be, but I feel like the story leaves us hanging on after he gets it. I was almost expecting him to imagine stabbing some people with said knife, especially given the analogy to hawk talons.

Another strange aspect was the eleventh-hour introduction of Naesala. Reyson expressing his retrospective anguish, especially juxtaposed against the flippant way Naesala treats it, is a good note to hit. Simply, I found it a little weird that almost all of the story was about the pain of captivity alone, and then suddenly it shifts to asking questions about trust or social perception or something.

And ending the complaint train, some tiny canon gripes:

- Time: If we're to believe that we're shown all events in chronological order in PoR, Reyson was only imprisoned for the time it takes to travel from the Grann Desert to Sienne to Tanas. Of course, we lack an absolute time reference, but it apparently takes two months to sail from Crimea to Begnion. Travel by water is usually smoother than by land, but that's a trip easily three times the distance. So I'd wager to say that Reyson wasn't there for months - I'd be surprised if it was even *a* month - which I think substantially changes the tone of Naesala's statement that he was planning to drop by and rescue him soon.

- Place: Reyson is explicitly kept in a windowed room at the end of his captivity. (Quoth Mist: "Ike, I saw him! In a room on the top floor of this building, I saw someone-I think he was one of the bird tribe! He looked like he was trying to jump out a window, but he was forced away from it and back into the room.")

Canon arguably doesn't give Reyson a stay nearly as traumatizing. But I like the version of events here, because I think the game very much does pass over the topic and doesn't explore the soul raping of being owned nearly enough. I think this fic takes a look at something that definitely helps complete Tellius.

I loved this! The emotion was just stunning and the details were amazing! I could feel Reyson's inner tumult as I read this. Wonderful job with this! :D