I just got caught up on everything you've written since chapter 8 and holy cow FooPY things are happening! I especially like how Patton and Virgil seem to be heading in opposite directions than what either of them expected. Patton, who always wanted to be a hero, is starting to second guess himself, and Virgil who has been told his whole life that his power is bad and who was sure he wouldn't even pass the trials, is starting to learn that he actually *likes* using his power to protect people (and ok, confident, protective Virgil is my favorite Virgil. Honestly, you had me suckered in the moment you decided to write him that way, even if you didn't know it ;)
I also really like how Patton and Virgil are slowly strating to drift a part, even though neither of them want to. How Patton's jealous of Logan's friendship with Virgil (and I mean, isn't that something you don't see every day? Usually Patton's the one bringing the group together in these types of stories--he's almost never depicted as jealous of his friends getting more friends. *And* you're not writing him as antagonistic or "unsympathetic" with it. Like, it's something he's clearly struggling with and we the audience know it's not a healthy mindset for Patton or others, but he doesn't come across as outrageous or evil for feeling this way. Quite the opposite, he feels relatable and messy and real (all these characters do...10/10!) Although, Patton constantly thinking of Virgil 'having to' or 'being forced' to use his power (subtly showing that even though he accepts *Virgil* he doesn't accept his power as a part of him or believe he can do good with it) is making me wonder. There was a line about how the two use to play superheros when they were kids and how Virgil was always the victim and Patton was always the hero. And obviously, Patton was the hero because being a hero was his dream and like any kid, he was trying to live it the only way he could back then. But Virgil could have just as easily also been a hero with Patton and they could have worked together to save a stuffed animal or something (clearly Patton could have his choice of victims from there). Why make Virgil always the dude in distress? Did he not want to confront the notion of Virgil's power, even in a pretend game?
And Logan! Logan is powerless? I would have never guessed! I love how he's still so smart and confident despite that, though. Like, he's got his big brain (and eventually his friends), what more does he need? Weakest link? Never! We love to see it!
Roman and Remus. Ugh, I just have so many thoughts on these two. First, Roman is very clearly the favorite child, but you subverted the common trope of making him look down on Remus or making Remus seem overtly jealous of Roman. They still come across a ride or die bros (literally!), in spite of the unequal family dynamic, which yeeees! Again, love to see it! Mom seems like a jerk, though. She is putting way two much pressure on the twins and they are very clearly afraid of disappointing her, even Remus (and that's saying something). I don't know yet if her abuse is more physical or emotional or maybe both but either way it sucks and want to see the twins (along with Virge-Pat-Lo take her *down*. And then we get Janus in here to get her thrown in jail for...for something. I don't know, she's probably either doing something illeagal or she's going to...she gives off too much entitled controlling uppercrust vibes. I can totally see her doing something illeagal to try and stop Logan from being a hero or prove that Virgil's evil cause of his quirk or even just to try manipulate Ro-Re into doing whatever she wants after they get 'un-jerk-ified' later in the story. For the record, I don't like Dad, either. Dude didn't even show up to see his sons off to college. Not cool, guy. Not cool at all.
Other awesome moments are: Logan covering for Virgil wanting to move away from Ro-Re. Roman being *afraid* of Virgil instead of only aggressive. Virgil being threatening and not letting Remus downplay his power as just 'luck'. Remus hesitating, but not completely cowed by the threat (and just being Remus, of course). All the implications of the knife scene.
I am wholly invested! Can't wait to see what happens next.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad you're enjoying everything! Making the characters feel real and messy was very important to me so I'm really glad that's coming through!
Patton in this story is really fun to write because he loves and tries so hard and he's struggling anyway. He's got plenty to learn but he's 18 and doing the best he can and I really tried to emphasize that part, even as he gets jealous and makes decisions based on that emotion that he doesn't understand.
Protective overpowered Virgil is very dear to me so I can fully and wholeheartedly promise that this will continue. It's one of my favorite things to write in this piece.
I'm glad Roman and Remus starting off as antagonistic wasn't completely off-putting; I am planning on putting them through the character development wringer, but the boys have a lot to get through before they can get there.
Anyway, I'm really glad you're enjoying what I have written! Thank you so much for your comments, they completely make my day, and I hope you enjoy what's coming next!
Comment on A Society of Power (and the people inbetween)
Compass_Rose on Chapter 17 Sun 10 Aug 2025 03:32PM UTC
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F00PY on Chapter 17 Sun 10 Aug 2025 07:40PM UTC
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