Post by magma-rager in Adastra comments

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Alright, I have to say that I really, really like this game. However, however, there is a particular scene that is bothering me.

Also, spoilers...

Good? Good.

My problem mainly comes from the sex scene, which Marco and Amicus are having during Lover’s day. The thing that concerns me the most is Amicus’s attitude towards this. I do have to say that it is extremely cool of him to offer a position in which Mc wanted to do a sex scene, and yet there is something that I felt like it hurt my feelings.

1) There was a moment when Amicus and Marco remarked about that “Emperors can’t allow to have anything near their butts”. It makes perfect sense in the context of setting, but the fact that Amicus can let go of this rule exclusively for “lover’s day” while asking to fuck Marco many times before that means that he might be arrogant and prideful towards MC, which while also means perfect sense, can’t help but really hurt, especially after all other stuff that he did for the sake MC. I have feeling that if Marco asked Amicus whether or not he himself can fuck him instead of other way around any time previously the lover’s day (like the very first sex scene between them), Amicus would not allow it either, but if Marco had a legitimate reason for rejection, then Amicus would probably not do it because of his pride. Which means that he probably doesn’t love MC enough. And that really, really hurts. I think that if he truly loves MC, then he really should allow Marco entering inside of him whenever Mc would ask him, though, as I said, it might not be the case.

2) Considering how the “bottom” scene played out, I have feeling that there is a part of Amicus that views MC as a sexual material. I guess he can’t help it, but the fact that he takes advantage of romantic feelings of MC in order to satisfy his carnal desire is a bit blatant and repulsive. Like the way he looked at him during their sex scene, or the way he immediately pinned him down to a wall without even asking whether or not MC agrees on this seems a bit like sexual harassment. I know that their relationship is probably has evolved during this time, but it still seems a bit much.

Just to clarify: it does not mean that I hate Amicus; it is because I love him so much that I’m becoming so vulnerable to even the smallest and most inconsequential act of selfishness or malevolence towards MC, and that’s why it is able to hurt me so much.

I know that MC shouldn’t overstep his boundaries with Amicus, but the same time after their adventure I started desperately want for Amicus to fully open up to him.

But, overall, what do you guys think? I really like if somebody proves me wrong on this one, since I still love Amicus as much as anyone else.

Edit: Posted the same topic somewhere else. Hope that’s allowed. Please don’t yell at me(((

Esuriit4 years ago(+1)

With 1), I kind of interpreted that scene in the way that Amicus had moved past needing to always be top, not just because it's Lover's Day, but because he's changed his viewpoint. He's kind of gotten over feeling uncomfortable about being entered, because "Hey Marco, I love you!"

With 2), I have zero objections to being physically desired and enjoyed, especially with somebody like Amicus. I don't think there's anything wrong with Amicus being forward and wanting to get what he wants. There exists sexual attraction outside of physical appearances and seeing someone as a piece of meat -- being sexually attracted to somebody you're head-over-heels in love with (even if that guy is as homely as a mule's butt). This is a bit tangential, but I've had an experience where I was in love with a guy (or, in retrospect, it was probably more like infatuation); I wanted him more than anything. But when things didn't work out, and that infatuation passed, I had zero further desire to be with him physically. His appearance had not changed. He looked exactly the same, but I didn't have those romantic feelings for him any more. Anyway, that was just a bit of a long-winded way for me to say that I wanted that guy, but it was because of feelz, not so much seeing somebody as a toy. And in terms of pinning him, I don't really recall a point where either Amicus' or Marco's advances were inappropriate for the situation or their level of relationship... except for maybe the alcohol-fueled kiss. Making decisions while tipsy doesn't always end well.

Amicus loves Marco. He (SPOILERS TO ANYONE READING TOO MUCH INTO THIS DISCUSSION) proposed to him after researching human proposals and marriage customs and is trying to do all he can to get that fantasy of spending hundreds of years together, just as Marco is.

Pfft, look at me, defending a muscular cartoon wolf. God, I'm so invested.

Hope it gives you another perspective!

magma-rager4 years ago

It helped, actually! Thank you!

tuntau4 years ago(+3)

The game doesn't say that Amicus keeps constantly asking you to bottom, just that you had sex many times and he asked just a few times (and then stopped asking). And that the MC did not say he did not want to bottom, just that he's nervous about the size (he says "some other time," and there's nothing in the game to suggest he says that, because he can't say no to Amicus).

Adastra mirrors the sexual norms of our classical antiquity. Gay sex is frowned upon, but bottoming was seen as magnitudes worse than topping. Penetrating someone was about power and societal position. The handful of texts from that time that present gay couples positively religiously follow the rule that the older, more powerful, and more influential partner is the one doing the penetration.

So Amicus grew up in such an atmosphere. Being gay is bad and shameful enough, and he's also aware that he'd probably lose any claim to the throne, if he bottomed and that information got out to the public. So there's that, plus the fact that he just prefers topping, which is perfectly fine. He's also expecting you to say no. So he asks again, but he's mentally preparing to bottom (for the first time, btw). Even if you say yes he says "we don't need to do this at all," when he sees that you're nervous. So he's ready to do anything to be more intimate with you, since you'll be separated soon, but he puts your comfort first. Like during the first time, when he asks "is this okay," he's checking in with you throughout.

As to the second point, I agree with Esuriit. It's not like Amicus just wants to get off, he wants to be intimate with you (and no one else). I don't think there's anything wrong with him desiring you on a physical level.
The MC is a defined character and I got the feeling it was assumed that a) he's very much on board with the sex, and b) he'd prefer bottoming, but he's nervous, because of the size difference and the fact that he's never done anything before the timeline of the game other than some handjobs.

I don't know, after the fight before the second trial, I got the feeling that Amicus was nothing but considerate and respectful towards the MC.

itch.io

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