Scene: Agent Phoenix and John Juniper are sitting side by side on a bench in the local park close to headquarters. John is feeding popcorn to pigeons, and Phoenix is wholly absorbed in playing a Nintendo DS.
John: So... Uh...
Phoenix: ...What's up?
John: ...you see that lore drop video?
Phoenix: Nope. What was it about?
John: Uh, some... revelations...
Phoenix: *muttering to himself* (Fucking ultraball bullshit catch rate, I knew I should have just spent the money on timer balls...) Er, sorry. Anything interesting?
John: ...(•᷄_•᷅;)
It is a beautiful spring day. Flowers are blooming, birds are calling, the pigeons bustle around their ankles with gentle coos. A soft breeze wafts over the park carrying the scent of wood-fired barbeque from a food truck in the parking lot. A young child pedals by on a bright yellow tricycle, a balloon tied to the handlebars.
"You're far from home, agent." The same robotic voice honestly made Phoenix want to sigh as she looked at her restraints. It's a struggle but it could still be picked.
"Not now, Zor." Phoenix sighed, trying her best to break out of the restraints. Her wrists will be rubbed raw by the end of this encounter.
She made sure to look around for anything else. But alas, there's nothing in this room except for the chair she's chained to.
Her eyes narrowed at the sight, just trying to stay calm under pressure. She has another appointment and there's no way she's going to miss it.
She'd already missed enough of them already.
"How do you know where I live anyway? Stalker." She muttered under her breath as she picked at the lock with offense.
"I have connections." Zor's voice was filled with the all too familiar amusement.
Phoenix clicked her tongue as she sighed. "Then you know what day it is. Well, from where I was supposed to be."
"Well, it is quite unfortunate. Mother's day. Seems like the date passed before you can get home. But it is still the day here."
"Let me go, Zor. I don't have time for this right now. You and I both know why that is."
There was silence for a few seconds before the "good doctor" sighed. "Fine."
Phoenix freed herself and checked the damage on her wrists. "... You're still the worst, you know that?"
"Just tell your child I sent my greetings."
Phoenix glared at the most window-like indent at the wall before sighing.
"... It's already too late for that. The only reason I haven't told the agency who you are is because I'm grateful for what you did."
"It's just to spite a board member. Don't think much of it."
"... That's... not exactly true, is it?"
Zor remained quiet before the sound of a chair leaning back echoed.
"The only reason I haven't targeted your civilian identity is because I don't want to reset my work."
Phoenix got out the door, feeling eyes staring back at her. "Keep telling yourself that. It's working."
"The only reason I haven't called you a homewrecker is because that place was already broken before you came."
She paused, choosing to continue walking away. "... I know. I shouldn't have even been there in the first place."
Her pace remained the same. If only she didn't get taken. If only she could quit.
But alas, it's too late for wishes like those.
She has to hurry back home. She's been out of her child's life long enough.
Bro this took 5 hours. Don’t ask how. AHHH MY TRAGIC LITTLE BLORBOS!!!
Real talk… I need a sequel so bad. I know the sequel thing was a joke… plus it’s been ten years… BUT BRO I KNOW THAT HIS ARC IS DONE!! BUT I NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE WORLD. YOU CANT JUST DROP CHIMERA ON ME AND JUST LEAVE. NO.
I KNOW THAT ITS NOT EVEN SUPPOSED TO BE THAT SERIOUS BUT IM TAKING THEIR STORY SO SERIOUSLY. I NEED LIKE.. AN ANIMATED SEQUEL SERIES OR SMTH.
I NEED MY GAY SON BACK. I WANT SIERGO TO BE A REOCCURRING CHARACTER.I NEED SUSAN AND CYNTHIA SHENANIGANS.
I NEED TO FLESH OUT TATIANNA AS A CHARACTER AND EXPLORE HER AND CURTS FRIENDSHIP. I WANT TO SEE HER REUNITE WITH HER FAMILY!!
I NEED TO KNOW WHAT CHIMERA SHOWED AND TOLD OWEN TO MAKE HIM HAVE THAT DRASTIC OF A CHANGE IN MORALS.
I WANT CURTS TO COME OUT TO HIS MOM, AND TO BARB. I WANNA SEE HOW THEY TAKE IT.
I WANT TO SERIOUSLY DELVE INTO CURTS STRUGGLE WITH BEING QUEER IN THE MIDST OF THE LAVENDER SCARE AND HOW MICH HE HAD TO HIDE IT WHILE HE WAS A GOVERNMENT AGENT.
It's been a while since I wrote about the Radio Host AU. And while I want to apologize, I know full well I wouldn't be able to write it at the moment.
However, I want to ramble about this AU real quick.
AU Masterpost
Content Warnings for the dangers of journalism, backstory headcanons, and discussions of censorship and prejudice, dubious historical accuracy, more of a ramble post so less structure.
But the mere thought of parallels between my Agent Phoenix—Agent 13-12/ Agent Firelight / Florian— and Dr. Prism is absolutely giving me so much to munch on.
For context, Florian is pretty much Filipino at this rate. A lot of indirect characterization has spawned from this. And a lot of... unfortunate implications if we actually know what is going down in the Philippines at the time.
If we assume IEYTD takes place in late 1967 and we kept the political structures as we have here, that would mean the country is on the track for the First Quarter Storm, which is a period of unrest characterized by protests and marches mostly organized by students and supported by workers, peasants, and members of the urban poor, from January 26 to March 17, 1970. (I have to read sources on this but due to the fact this era was filled with propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation, yeah. No. I don't think I can properly look into this yet.)
Florian, as a former student radio host, would likely know and be aware of this brewing situation. And, well. I don't think the agency would remain unaware of this either.
Florian might be second guessing herself in wondering if she's only a tool to be used by the agency. And well, I think that thought also came across Dr. Prism too.
It was not my intention but the fact that both individuals are women of color who happens to be in STEM is giving me a lot of chew on. Not to mention the fact that they likely both had to deal with institutional neglect, especially during their education.
This may be headcanon territory but I feel like Dr. Prism worked so hard to prove herself during her higher education, sometimes not having access to other resources her classmates may have gotten.
But Florian? Well, let's just say the 'canon event' (/not aff) of having a professor who wasn't even there pretty much most semester (like, only showed up to orientation and exams) happened to her.
I don't know how to describe feeling grateful for someone for the opportunity that pushed you to where you are now while also recognizing that they took something from you that really shouldn't have been taken in the first place.
According to the interview "Lead Them to Cleverness" (Around 10:45) with Jared Mason, what drives Dr. Prism is legacy. Of leaving something behind that will outlive her.
It feels a lot like "I know I've been forgotten multiple times, so I refuse to let anyone forget me this time" to me from time to time.
But if that is the case, there might have been a nagging feeling that she could be allowing the same machine that hurt her. That she's also complicit in this situation.
And... Florian might feel the same way.
Something about the equal silence about this struggle and people around them just not 'getting it'. Something about that nagging paranoia that you're complicit in the destruction. Something about that subtle questioning if you're actually walking the path you want to take or if you're still being manipulated to want it.
While the Philippines was the Pearl of the Orient, censorship has always been a messy and complicated topic to discuss. Anyone who has taken a look at what happened in the 70s to 80s martial law can attest to that. Florian would have been old enough to sorta notice the seeds of that era, considering the president behind it is already in power by the time the games take place.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines is one of the worst places to be if you're a radio journalist. While, yes, it started in the 80s, the seeds of it already started in the early 60s.
Yeah. The Radio Host AU is pretty much gonna screw over a lot of people and part of why I hesitate to write it is because I want to give this AU justice while also making it accessible for everyone else.
Side Note: Do you think this happened in the IEYTD universe, which is why there is Southern Philippines?
We need you to find some information on that pesky Agent Phoenix! They've been too much of a thorn in the side of our wonderful CEO. You better come up with something quick or you'll be banned from the Zor Fan Club! Maybe if you do well enough you could get a free Zonut voucher as incentive.
(Feel free to work through this whenever! Answer as many or as little as you would like.)
Are they a coffee or a tea person? or neither?
Dog or cat person? or other?
What was their favorite mission? (From the games)
What was their least favorite mission? (And why?)
What's their favorite drink? (Alcohol or otherwise)
Do they have any major scars or injuries? (And how did they get them?)
Are they a good actor?
What is their dream vacation?
What are their thoughts on Zoraxis?
How loyal are they to the Agency?
I trust you'll get results soon!
BURN AFTER READING-MISSION RECEIVED-
who the hell is Agent Phoenix?
(Thanks for playing along!)
(also- I made another account just for this! So i can hopefully keep track of my own stuff lol,,,)
They watch as a sheet of paper slowly drifts in from the window onto their office floor. Eyeing it for a few seconds, they move towards it, pick it up and squint at the text. Reading it out loud.
"What's a "zonut"?.. Wait, this is about me?"
[Are they a coffee or a tea person? or neither?]
[Dog or cat person? or other?]
"Wait, I wanna be a cat! Can I be a cat? Is it too late?"
[What was their favorite mission?]
"Which one had the most snacks again? I forgot… I also thought the mask man- Juni? He was kind of fun. I liked his monologue, it made me feel like I was in a movie! The sandwich was great too."
"Oh, and I knew something was wrong when I woke up in that room. That's not how my handy acts! He's funnier."
[What was their least favorite mission? (And why?)]
"The ones in the water…" shudders "And that Zor guy's voice sounded creepy and-- weirdly familiar? I didn't like it. Hunting lodge's second place. Something didn't feel right there. Maybe it was the smell?"
[What's their favorite drink? (Alcohol or otherwise)]
"I don't understand why people like the alcohole stuff. It tastes so bad."
"I guesss…. sweet drinks? Like soda!"
[Do they have any major scars or injuries? (And how did they get them?)]
"Hhhhmmm- nope! They always go away after a bit of time. Or I-" They cut themselves off and clear their throat.
[Are they a good actor?]
"I'm here! That counts for something, right?"
[What is their dream vacation?]
"All-you-can-eat buffet!" Basically lost in daydream land now. It took them a minute to finally snap out of it. They went over to their chair at their desk and sat down before reading the next question, enjoying this little QnA so far!
[What are their thoughts on Zoraxis?]
The agent stares at the paper for a bit longer than necessary.
"This is starting to no longer be fun.."
[How loyal are they to the Agency?]
"They haven't been mean to me so far.. As long as I get to eat, I'm happy to help!" Finally, a question that doesn't bring bad memories!
"I've had so much more fun than I could ever have before."
They glanced back at the paper and pondered.
"Why are they asking these specific questions? That's so weird. Are they thinking of recruiting me?"
They scoffed.
"No way, Not in a hundred million billion years." The paper was set frozen in mid-air and promptly burnt by use of the Agent's favorite lighter. They leaned back to watch the material burn with a smile.
Fire nice. Very nice. Feeling so much better now.
(GHGYEYGH thank you!! I was so excited when I got this QnA list. Sadly I couldn't draw for each response but this is good enough, right? Anyway!! nice gimmick btw :D)
If I had nickel for everytime I a consumed and then obsessed over a criminally underrated piece of media about spies that opens with a James bond style credits with a BANGER original theme song with a mysterious woman singing about the fate of the characters foreshadowing a protagonist's death that doesn't actually end up killing them, with the writer of said piece of media portraying a main character... then I'd have two Nickels!!
Which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice!
Finally hopping on trend of drawing my Phoenix in each of the IEYTD 2 levels!
Credit to @the-lesbian-of-too-many-fandoms for the coming up with the idea! ^-^ Her IEYTD 2 post
The glasses for Stage Freight were definitely his idea of a disguise
For Jet Set, Reggie made him wear the suit to make a good impression with JJ xD
Eaves Drop is a fairly simple/functional outfit, but probably his favourite to wear
I love the red lining on the jacket in Party Crasher ^-^ unfortunately it definitely got left behind when he escaped the cellar😅
And then yeah, looking a little rough for Safe and Sound
Rising Phoenix is a slightly modified version of that outfit - he cut off the other sleeve so it wouldn't annoy him, swapped the shoes for combat boots, and grabbed his shoulder harness
I'm so glad I found time to do this!! It's such a fun idea ^-^ I shaded it pretty roughly but it's fiiiine