Gods & Monsters
Another Grave
by Mahurin, ShelbyThe chapter opens with Célie emerging from the trees in a disguised outfit, wearing Jean Luc’s shirt and a feathered cavalier hat, complete with a trimmed beard. Her attempt at a convincing disguise is met with laughter from Beau, who teases her for looking ridiculous. Nicholina, bound and restrained with blood-coated hands, giggles from the sidelines. Célie defends her choice by citing other women who wear trousers, but Beau dismisses her concerns, leading to a playful yet tense exchange. The group decides Beau and Célie will search for black pearls in nearby villages while Reid and Coco stay behind with Nicholina, whose unpredictable behavior makes her a liability in public.
As the group waits, Nicholina becomes increasingly disruptive, taunting Reid with rhymes and provocations. She mocks his restraint and needles him with references to his past, particularly his relationship with Lou. Reid struggles to ignore her, but her relentless chatter and grotesque descriptions of her bound hands test his patience. Coco advises Reid to disregard Nicholina’s antics, but the tension escalates as Nicholina continues to push his buttons, even feigning the need to relieve herself to provoke a reaction. Her behavior is both absurd and unsettling, highlighting the psychological toll she takes on Reid.
Nicholina’s taunts take a darker turn as she directly targets Reid’s emotions, claiming that Lou screamed his name in terror during her final moments. Reid clings to the hope that Lou is still alive within Nicholina, but her cruel words shake him. The chapter delves into Reid’s inner turmoil as he grapples with guilt and rage, his grip on the rope tightening as Nicholina revels in his distress. Coco intervenes sharply, but the damage is done—Nicholina’s words linger in Reid’s mind, amplifying his sense of helplessness and regret over Lou’s fate.
The chapter closes with Reid attempting to steady himself, taking deep breaths to regain control. Nicholina’s final taunts echo in his thoughts, reinforcing his anguish and the weight of his unresolved grief. The interaction underscores the group’s precarious dynamic and the emotional stakes of their mission. Reid’s determination to save Lou is tested by Nicholina’s psychological warfare, leaving him vulnerable yet resolved to press forward. The chapter sets the stage for further conflict, both internal and external, as the group continues their search for a way to free Lou from Nicholina’s grasp.
FAQs
1. How does Célie attempt to disguise herself, and what does this reveal about her character and situation?
Answer:
Célie emerges wearing Jean Luc’s Chasseur blue shirt, knee-high boots, and a feathered cavalier hat, complete with a trimmed beard. This elaborate disguise shows her naivety and overpreparation, as Beau points out she doesn’t need such extreme measures since her face isn’t on wanted posters. Her insistence that “Cosette and Louise wear trousers” reveals her desire to emulate strong female figures while also highlighting her sheltered upbringing. The scene underscores her transition from a protected life to one requiring caution, though her methods are awkward and earn ridicule from the more experienced group.2. Analyze the significance of Nicholina’s taunts about Lou’s death and how Reid reacts. What does this reveal about their dynamic?
Answer:
Nicholina cruelly claims Lou “screamed [Reid’s] name” in terror during her death, provoking Reid’s anguish. Though he tries to remain composed, his physical tension (clenching the rope, freezing) betrays his trauma. Nicholina weaponizes Lou’s voice and memories to destabilize him, revealing her psychological manipulation tactics. Reid’s internal mantra—”It wasn’t true. Lou was still in there”—shows his desperate hope, contrasting with Nicholina’s nihilism. This exchange highlights the chapter’s central conflict: Reid’s love for Lou versus Nicholina’s possession of her body, emphasizing the emotional torture of their forced proximity.3. Why does the group separate to search for black pearls, and what practical considerations influence this decision?
Answer:
Beau and Célie search villages for pearls while Reid and Coco guard Nicholina due to logistical constraints. Nicholina’s bound, blood-coated hands and erratic behavior make her conspicuous; dragging her through public spaces risks exposure. Coco’s blood magic neutralizes Nicholina’s movements, requiring her to stay behind. Reid’s presence is also necessary to control Nicholina’s rope. The division of labor reflects their priorities: obtaining pearls (essential for their mission) while containing Nicholina (a volatile liability). This pragmatic choice underscores the group’s resourcefulness amid supernatural and political dangers.4. How does the chapter use contrasting tones in its dialogue, and what effect does this create?
Answer:
The chapter juxtaposes Beau and Célie’s lighthearted banter (“You look like an idiot”) with Nicholina’s sinister sing-song threats (“Naughty, naughty trees”). This tonal shift heightens tension, emphasizing the group’s precarious balance between mundane tasks (disguises, supply runs) and existential threats (Nicholina’s psychological warfare). The humor with Célie provides relief, making Nicholina’s interruptions more jarring. For example, her sudden shift from mocking rhymes to graphic descriptions of Lou’s death shocks both Reid and readers, reinforcing her role as an unpredictable antagonist.5. Evaluate Reid’s internal conflict regarding the wedding ring in his pocket. How does this symbolize his emotional state?
Answer:
Reid carries Lou’s mother-of-pearl ring, planning to “marry her properly” at L’Eau Mélancolique—a vow that symbolizes his refusal to accept her possession by Nicholina. The ring’s physical weight mirrors his guilt (“I should’ve been there”) and determination to reclaim their future. Nicholina’s taunts (“She won’t see your tears”) directly challenge this hope, framing the ring as both a token of love and a reminder of loss. This object crystallizes Reid’s struggle: it represents his commitment to saving Lou while underscoring the agony of her current state, blurring lines between devotion and denial.
Quotes
1. “‘Your Majesty, please take no offense, but you are a good deal less pleasant than I would have liked to believe.’”
This quote captures Célie’s sharp wit and the dynamic between her and Beau, highlighting the tension and humor in their interactions as she navigates her new circumstances.
2. “‘We don’t just live beneath her skin, no no no. We live beneath yours. It’s warm and it’s wet and filled with short—angry—breaths—’”
Nicholina’s taunting words reveal the psychological torment she inflicts on Reid, emphasizing the invasive and unsettling nature of her presence and the emotional toll it takes on him.
3. “‘She fought, you know,’ she breathed, still grinning. My entire body went still. My entire being. ‘She screamed your name. You should have heard her in those last moments. Absolutely terrified. Absolutely delicious. We savored her death.’”
This chilling quote underscores the cruelty of Nicholina and the deep emotional wound she exploits, as Reid grapples with the horror of Lou’s suffering and his own guilt over not being there to protect her.
4. “‘She can’t hear you, pet.’ Nicholina pursed her lips in a sugar-sweet display of sympathy, and I realized I’d spoken the words aloud. ‘The dead don’t have ears. She won’t hear your cries, and she won’t see your tears.’”
Nicholina’s manipulative and mocking tone here highlights her ability to twist Reid’s hope into despair, reinforcing the chapter’s themes of loss, grief, and psychological warfare.