A Storm's Lullaby Page 75

That is...correct! He's Black Hoof's half-brother.

I wonder if Rusty is a illegitimate son of Black Hoof’s father, as he is the only pony in Thistle’s relative family with doesn’t have some form of blue coloring (I think). Perhaps that is why he’s also a Pegasus versus his mainly earth pony family.

Palichor

Not the first time, no.

Does that mean you take it back :(

Ah, you'll see. I'll post inks on Sunday. Tardis would do as well :]

Oh, you are reading it all correctly. Right now Tempest is the monster here. And perhaps I need to rewrite my post to make something clear. What I meant to say is that I am not trying to "force" anyone feel sorry for him. What I am trying to do here - and this is what I need to make clear - is to provide context for readers to make their own conclusions. And if you end up feeling sorry for someone who has been subjected to endless bulling, then it only means you have emapthy.

It's not supposed to make us feel sorry for him? You're sure? Because I'm feeling kind of bad for Rusty. How would it be, to walk in his hoofs? How will he react to being re-exposed to the childhood trauma? Will he lose his mind in a rage, and become extra dangerous? Will he stoically endure the torture without much of a reaction at all, showing us just how calloused he has become? Will he enter a depressed state and give in, falling apart before everyone's eyes? Will he have a panic attack? There's so many different possibilities. Everyone reacts to trauma differently. How will Rusty react? Is my perspective off, or does it seem that Rusty really has endured the harshest fate of all whom we've met so far? Tempest was injured and permanently disabled in 1 traumatic ACCIDENT. Nobody's fault. Just an accident. She made her choices to walk down the wrong path in an attempt to cope. Thistle was forced to find her own path earlier than intended when she was cast out for pursuing a different path than working the traditional family farm. She lost her father before she had a chance to re-establish contact. Lullaby comes close behind. Losing her family, and having a crappy adoptive family that didn't care for her... Then there's Rusty. Rusty grew up in a place where he was rejected and tortured for being different. The abuse flipped the switch, leaving him cold, warped, twisted... He doesn't think like other ponies do. He has an internal thirst for conflict, the need to fight. He has a reduced sensitivity and compassion for the suffering of others. In some cases, he feels the need to fight with others. Tempest has caused his family a loss, and further hardship as they struggle with the grief. Rusty is attacking the problem in the only way that makes sense to him: To find and attack the one who caused the mess, Tempest herself. He's confrontational and cold. He's unpredictable. But also, despite his lack of compassion for the suffering of others, it seems he also still has a degree of loyalty for those he recognizes as his own. He did rashly attack Thistle earlier, but not to any serious harm. He was betrayed, but even then he only lashed out in an effort to save his own life. He is not trying to inflict suffering on anyone other than Tempest. Is my perspective off, or is Tempest starting to look like more of a Monster than Rusty? Rusty seems like a troubled soul that just can't help but to keep getting it wrong. But he doesn't seem overtly evil. Just troubled. But Tempest... she has a JOY for the carnage. She takes some delight in making others suffer. Don't get me wrong. I would try to keep my distance from Rusty, and wouldn't stop checking over my shoulder if I had to work near him. But I don't see the EVIL in Rusty. Am I reading all of this wrong?

Which is what I thought at first. Oh, and sorry for the compliment awhile back.

And though I don't like him and don't forgive him (because that's a choice only his victims can make), I do feel sorry for him here. Getting your feathers pulled out is no fun and judging by the last panel this isn't the first time it happened. :(

Myrkin

Interesting and make sense too. Make me wonder if Rusty will have some nice flashback with a panic attack when Tempest starts pulling them off. Maybe that will save him? Damn it, I hate the wait... Where is a Delorean with a flux capacitor and some plutonium when you need one?!

It shows that violence and abuse can perpetuate themselves into next generation. Unfortunately.

Myrkin