[reaper0002000]

Fair enough! I put a lot of effort in crafting my language, so your appreciation is very welcome.

Just a quick note to those all those that happen to agree with Lupus (and it may be the large majority of readers) on finding the antihero premise objectionable:

**Spoiler**
Looking at the Mercy character, she is every bit as violent and probably even more ruthless than Esther… which is why, of course, I named her "Mercy." While The Monster as written in the series was sheer overwhelming (and often mindlessly straightforward) dominance, Mercy is a litte more fleshed out. She has more than one side to her. And that, in my opinion, makes her even more disturbing and psychotic. Her vicious sadism has a seed of reason planted in her past, and unlike her exterior, it's not at all pretty.

As I remarked to StMercy2020, the entire Esther series was not so much akin to a movie as episodes of fetish porn. Suspension of disbelief is key to this "genre", and I admit that I've stretched it past the breaking point several times in the heat of the scene.

And will continue to do so in "The Muscles of Mercy"
You've been warned…!

Regards,
Reap

[Lupus14]

Fair enough! I put a lot of effort in crafting my language, so your appreciation is very welcome.

Just a quick note to those all those that happen to agree with Lupus (and it may be the large majority of readers) on finding the antihero premise objectionable:

**Spoiler**
Looking at the Mercy character, she is every bit as violent and probably even more ruthless than Esther… which is why, of course, I named her "Mercy." While The Monster as written in the series was sheer overwhelming (and often mindlessly straightforward) dominance, Mercy is a litte more fleshed out. She has more than one side to her. And that, in my opinion, makes her even more disturbing and psychotic. Her vicious sadism has a seed of reason planted in her past, and unlike her exterior, it's not at all pretty.

As I remarked to StMercy2020, the entire Esther series was not so much akin to a movie as episodes of fetish porn. Suspension of disbelief is key to this "genre", and I admit that I've stretched it past the breaking point several times in the heat of the scene.

Your "spoiler" has really ruined it for me. Reading your first part I actually like her. Her shy nature. How she excuses herself and asks if he is o.k, how she is incapable of looking him in they eyes etc. Most of all, I love blue eyed girls. Everything seemed so perfect. And now she is supposed to get an even more rotten and twisted character than "Es". Oh no, not again!
I thought she would be some sort of hypersensitive girl which does bad things because she can't control her strength (“Sometimes I don’t think about my strength when I’m anxious,”). What a gorgeous body (her preternaturally small, impossibly narrow hips,….).
I already started to draw her.  🙁

I have nothing against gore, as long it's against the right people (misfits, criminals, psychopaths, sleazy politicians, assholes…) One can always excuse it with "just punishment". Ah well – I don't want to repeat myself and bore you to death.

PS: I somehow can't imagine this part: "Mercy awkwardly flung out a hand, which he accepted. Too late did he notice the ungodly arm that extended her hand, the bulging, pumped-up forearm that powered her fingers into a vice of unholy strength and his eyes widened as she effortlessly crushed his hand."

How can anyone not notice a person of her proportions (which you describe so vividly and beautiful) standing in the same room? If someone reaches out to give you his/her hand, you would look at the person, no? I tried to imagine some situation in which this could be possible. I can't figure it out. It seems, that she was summoned by the psychiatrist to an appointment. So he must be awaiting her. He must have noticed her at least the moment she entered his office. I'm sorry if I'm being a smart-ass, but I have this logic-tick.

[reaper0002000]

I see you haven't been to many busy doctors' offices with busy waiting rooms! So picture this (what happens before "Hi"):

The therapist is carrying some paperwork, including a new file on his new patient. From behind the reception area, he opens the door to a crowded (or say, even an empty) waiting room, and peers at the name on his paperwork, carefully looking at it so he doesn't mispronounce the name.

He says her name outloud, and Mercy quickly rises from her seat right by the door, flinging out her hand. His eyes still somewhat on the paperwork…maybe there's some information on the cover sheet, like her address or insurance info that's added… the therapist notices her offered hand out of the corner of his eye, and instinctively grasps it, like people do without thinking when someone's hand is held out there to shake.

"Hi"

…

So there you go, Lupus.
In this case, I don't think it's so much about logic as having things spelled out to your satisfaction. And you, my friend, are a sufficiently critical thinker to require a lot of gaps to be filled in for me to suspend your disbelief! Oh, there are some pretty big logistically-challenged holes in the narrative later on — but this isn't one of them. And I may not have the time to fill them in (just be forewarned)

For what it's worth, I also appreciate your sense of moral balance or outrage, if I may call it that. But Mercy… well, she was never intended to be balanced. And I'm curious as to what you draw, since Mr. Shhh has drawn, years back, a picture of a girl who basically was my visual of Mercy.

Best wishes,
Reap

[Chachibenji]

Lol I know from experience that fleshing out sociopathic personalities in original characters can be loads of fun for the imagination.

[Author]

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