Really enjoyed how you spun this legend - great portrayal of two diverse attitudes, definitely the less current male was more in tune with folklore and respectful behaviour - that saved his life
Simone--excellent fusion of traditional folk horror/folklore with your trademark dark erotica. One thing I like about your Vengeful Vampiric Vixens (sorry, I've got this thing for alliteration) and related supernatural nasties is that there's always some catch to the "happy ending." And there's always a very bad day for any rapist on the prowl, which is as it should be. That bit adds to the prickly question which has always complicated the "Problem of Evil," to wit, is the Devil (and by extension, all demons and other lower supernatural beings, whom, in traditional theology--totally biased and myopic of course--are viewed as evil in some way) an adversary of God, or an Employee? The being here tells the early modern rustic wanderer in part one that she's a creature of God, and his conduct will determine his fate. The scumbag wearing designer jeans and Italian shoes (he deserves his fate for his terrible sartorial habits alone, let alone his terrible nature!) really doesn't care--and really lacks the brain power to perceive that something's out of place--very much a Rod Serling/"Tales From the Darkside" scenario with him. Yes, I know I overthink and over-analyze, but I'm a throwback to Romanticism who'd be totally open to his being the victim of some supernatural misadventure; I recognize the possibility, and those who do I think have an edge on this sterile, techno-monstrosity of a nightmare world and those who see every answer to every problem in a pill, a circuit, algorithm, machine, or more efficient weapons system. Writers are into that sort of thing. Good job! As always.
I was a bit devious with my hidden themes in this story. The post Elizabethan man, who we tend to see through the lens of history as violent and thuggish, is in touch with the natural world, responds courteously and is rewarded. The modern misogynistic thug with all the trappings of a more civilised time but none of the morals meets a gruesome end. Such is progress.
I saw it plainly. And we have the "trappings" of civilization, but arguably, not really civilized behavior. Perfect example is the couple out on a date. Neither are looking at one another, neither speak to one another, but both are texting on their phones. Even if one is texting the other at the table (a whole other story), I submit we're very far from the notion of passionate romance here. No Byrons, no Lawrences, no Whitmans, no Millers--not to mention the art and the architecture. Nope--the brute in jeans and Italian shoes, sinking into a swamp. He probably is a big customer for Axe body spray and is an enthusiastic Bitcoin evangelist. Metaphor for "civilization."
Really enjoyed how you spun this legend - great portrayal of two diverse attitudes, definitely the less current male was more in tune with folklore and respectful behaviour - that saved his life
Simone--excellent fusion of traditional folk horror/folklore with your trademark dark erotica. One thing I like about your Vengeful Vampiric Vixens (sorry, I've got this thing for alliteration) and related supernatural nasties is that there's always some catch to the "happy ending." And there's always a very bad day for any rapist on the prowl, which is as it should be. That bit adds to the prickly question which has always complicated the "Problem of Evil," to wit, is the Devil (and by extension, all demons and other lower supernatural beings, whom, in traditional theology--totally biased and myopic of course--are viewed as evil in some way) an adversary of God, or an Employee? The being here tells the early modern rustic wanderer in part one that she's a creature of God, and his conduct will determine his fate. The scumbag wearing designer jeans and Italian shoes (he deserves his fate for his terrible sartorial habits alone, let alone his terrible nature!) really doesn't care--and really lacks the brain power to perceive that something's out of place--very much a Rod Serling/"Tales From the Darkside" scenario with him. Yes, I know I overthink and over-analyze, but I'm a throwback to Romanticism who'd be totally open to his being the victim of some supernatural misadventure; I recognize the possibility, and those who do I think have an edge on this sterile, techno-monstrosity of a nightmare world and those who see every answer to every problem in a pill, a circuit, algorithm, machine, or more efficient weapons system. Writers are into that sort of thing. Good job! As always.
I was a bit devious with my hidden themes in this story. The post Elizabethan man, who we tend to see through the lens of history as violent and thuggish, is in touch with the natural world, responds courteously and is rewarded. The modern misogynistic thug with all the trappings of a more civilised time but none of the morals meets a gruesome end. Such is progress.
I saw it plainly. And we have the "trappings" of civilization, but arguably, not really civilized behavior. Perfect example is the couple out on a date. Neither are looking at one another, neither speak to one another, but both are texting on their phones. Even if one is texting the other at the table (a whole other story), I submit we're very far from the notion of passionate romance here. No Byrons, no Lawrences, no Whitmans, no Millers--not to mention the art and the architecture. Nope--the brute in jeans and Italian shoes, sinking into a swamp. He probably is a big customer for Axe body spray and is an enthusiastic Bitcoin evangelist. Metaphor for "civilization."