Serpentine 12/65
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Serpentine: Chapter Twelve
In Which Ser Jaime Is The Only One Who Does His Job
This chapter was ten pages of filler. The first bit is devoted to Anita describing the interior of the Circus of the Damned and how security has been set up. Theoretically, in a world where Laurell K. Hamilton is a good author instead of a best-selling one, such things would be plot relevant. Unfortunately, it is not. A good deal of drama is kicked up over the number of security personnel hired to handle the crowds and keep the aisles/doors free to comply with the fire code.
I have so many issues with how security is treated/used at the Circus it isn't funny.
Anita also comments on how she suspects she is only recognized through her status as a social media darling but I beg to differ. Anita can barely work her cell phone and eschews normal human interaction. You can not tell me she has a tumblr or twitter and is constantly updating the world with her observations. It is more likely Ser Jaime recognized her from some gossip magazine.
Ser Jaime escorts Anita & Co. past a waiting room set up like a Persian harem chamber after checking with Melanie the Lamia. Apparently people got confused when her tent was Greek themed and assumed she was the Medusa. There is some commentary about the prices for pictures and autographs from Melanie which would be interesting world building if it was relevant, but it is not, so I am bored.
As per previous conversations Nathaniel is shown the pictures since he is the one that is going to talk to Melanie. They must be using body language since his talking is more along the lines of getting groped while telling a grown damn Lamia she needs to drink more water and then Micah goes ahead and shows Melanie the pictures himself making the need for Nathaniel to see them moot. Anita gains the title of Lt. Oblivious and wonders if they had such a thing as fuck buddies in Ancient Greece. Ru seems like a history buff. I bet he would know. Too bad Anita spends most of her time ignoring him and he lets her.
Melanie proves that for all her snakey glory she's still a silly woman at heart and demands to see Anita's engagement ring before she answers any questions.
This chapter was stupid.
I feel stupid for reading it.
Serpentine: Chapter Twelve
In Which Ser Jaime Is The Only One Who Does His Job
This chapter was ten pages of filler. The first bit is devoted to Anita describing the interior of the Circus of the Damned and how security has been set up. Theoretically, in a world where Laurell K. Hamilton is a good author instead of a best-selling one, such things would be plot relevant. Unfortunately, it is not. A good deal of drama is kicked up over the number of security personnel hired to handle the crowds and keep the aisles/doors free to comply with the fire code.
I have so many issues with how security is treated/used at the Circus it isn't funny.
You don't need security to keep aisles free. If the crowds are so rowdy that you need to have your security guards maintaining line etiquette you got other problems that need correcting. See below.
Typically, security would be hired to protect the patrons. This is not true at the Circus. Security are supposed to protect Anita, Micah, Nathaniel, and Jean-Claude. This would effectively mean that if someone did try to attack Anita while she was wandering about the Circus the patrons are designated human shields.
Despite being glorified crowd control, the new hires do not know Anita and her crew on sight. They don't even recognize Nicky which is bullshit for two reasons. First, the man is so damn wide both Rodina and Ru are hidden by the breadth of his shoulders (p.103) and that is not something you would miss. Second, Nicky is the Rex of Saint Louis and as the Circus only hires shapeshifters not knowing who the leaders of your local clans/prides/packs is not only stupid but irresponsible as a professional.
When the group gets stopped for line cutting, Anita comments on how she doesn't know the guard's name and he doesn't recognize her. Anita then goes on to say that it is safer that guards remain nameless because distraction? But then we learn the only damn person who is actually trying to do his job is named Jaime completely invalidating her argument.
Anita also comments on how she suspects she is only recognized through her status as a social media darling but I beg to differ. Anita can barely work her cell phone and eschews normal human interaction. You can not tell me she has a tumblr or twitter and is constantly updating the world with her observations. It is more likely Ser Jaime recognized her from some gossip magazine.
Ser Jaime escorts Anita & Co. past a waiting room set up like a Persian harem chamber after checking with Melanie the Lamia. Apparently people got confused when her tent was Greek themed and assumed she was the Medusa. There is some commentary about the prices for pictures and autographs from Melanie which would be interesting world building if it was relevant, but it is not, so I am bored.
As per previous conversations Nathaniel is shown the pictures since he is the one that is going to talk to Melanie. They must be using body language since his talking is more along the lines of getting groped while telling a grown damn Lamia she needs to drink more water and then Micah goes ahead and shows Melanie the pictures himself making the need for Nathaniel to see them moot. Anita gains the title of Lt. Oblivious and wonders if they had such a thing as fuck buddies in Ancient Greece. Ru seems like a history buff. I bet he would know. Too bad Anita spends most of her time ignoring him and he lets her.
Melanie proves that for all her snakey glory she's still a silly woman at heart and demands to see Anita's engagement ring before she answers any questions.
This chapter was stupid.
I feel stupid for reading it.