#see S.Q can’t ever stop being his dad’s weird pet son - family man to keep up appearances

[laniidae-passerine]

OH! also the way that Curtain straight up emotionally abused S.Q but is heaping all this feigned praise on Sticky is just the most perfect comparative ever because on one hand we have a scene where Curtain openly and clearly dismisses his son’s feelings and on the other we have this insidious, false adoration of Sticky and yet!!!! both boys are being used and manipulated by him but in two very separate ways tailored to keep them under his authority at all times

#see S.Q can’t ever stop being his dad’s weird pet son - family man to keep up appearances #so he erodes S.Q’s freedom and his will; constantly reminding his son that he is nothing without his dad and that he has never been wanted #and that keeps S.Q down because what is the point in rebelling if it means you’re free from the only person who can stand being around you? #who else wants him? nobody! Curtain has convinced him that he’ll be alone either way - either dad and no friends or no dad AND no friends #however! Sticky is tired of being put down! he’s sick and tired of being so so so good and getting breadcrumbs in return #he has enough knowledge of life without Curtain to have free will and a backbone - to possess strength S.Q has had berated out of him #so putting him down and calling him names by proxy isn’t gonna work. Curtain needs to try the opposite approach #he praises Sticky - offers him gifts and quality time with a father figure and gives him a respite from his anxiety with the Whisperer #he builds Sticky up shows him a world that’s wonderful - where Sticky is loved and wanted and acknowledged to be worthy of all good things! #but there will come a time when Curtain will brutally remind him that it can be taken away in a flash #he builds Sticky’s self esteem and confidence on praise only Curtain can give him and nobody else #see only Curtain knows how special Sticky is how smart he is how he’d make such a good protege and maybe even son #but! ah but that means without Curtain Sticky has no one. and you can’t expect love without conditions can you? that’s illogical! #so it goes like this. Sticky gets to feel good about himself as long as he plays Curtain’s game. otherwise Curtain will leave and Sticky? #well he’ll just be left alone. unwanted. abandoned. just like the start and just like he’s always been. does he want that? no? #then do as he’s told and it’ll all be alright. so Sticky will always stay in line and be a good little soldier. well done! #the mysterious benedict society #mysterious benedict society #nathaniel benedict #ledroptha curtain #ld curtain #sticky washington #s.q curtain #mbs #tmbs