herr_bookman (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
herr_bookman) wrote2013-03-15 12:08 pm
herr_bookman) wrote2013-03-15 12:08 pm
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OOC: Set sail on the S.S. Headcanon
[Spoilers for all of Princess Tutu yadda yadda. Credit to rymenhild and haleysings for refining a great many of these ideas!]
Autor recently engaged in a tell-all chess game with Charles Xavier, most of which comes straight from my headcanon. It occurs to me that other people in Milliways who have seen "Princess Tutu" are probably wondering what the hell I'm doing with Autor.The truth is, I have no idea; please don't shoot me. Here, have a dissertation.
I will try to post blatant non-canon stuff in blue.
Is Autor a Prodigy?
Probably not. Mendelssohn's "Spinnerlied", the piano piece he was playing to greet Fakir in Akt 21, is the only composition in the show which is poorly performed. He's very good, but not great, and likely picked that piece specifically to show off. If we're going with the theory that time stopped for years between the first and second season, what he really had was not smarts so much as persistence with his research--and a ton of lonely time to fill. Autor even warns Fakir not to take Drosselmeyer's power lightly, probably because he has read up on a great many people who wrote themselves into a crap situation (just like baby!Fakir). Which leads us into...
What About Writing?
When it comes to Story Spinning, he may be related to Drosselmeyer, likely because his father married into the family after becoming obsessed. Autor is the only one to recognize that the story was doubling-back, and he sees princess Tutu as a ballerina, not a swan. Some of his knowledge is actually useful--not all of it, obviously--but some, though he focuses too much on the logical processes of rituals to actually get any benefit out of them. He's a man-child, clearly lacking the experience and--dare I say it?--the heart to use any powers he might possess. Drosselmeyer would call him too responsible, though probably not for the same reasons as Fakir.
A Story About the Body
It is a credit to the creators of this show that even a character who has less than an hour of screen time is just as detailed as the mains. At first, he's cocky: he has his hands on his hips and a smirk on his face. Later on, when he's feeling threatened, he slouches and folds his arms, pouting. As the show progresses and things start to crumble, he becomes more and more vulnerable--and thus open--with his arms at his sides and then reaching out to people. We even see him trembling. He stops adjusting his shiny, evil-eye glasses when he starts accepting his true role. Just to show how humbled he gets, they're even knocked off his face twice.
What About His Family?
Okay, so, I might be reading into this, buuut.... Autor actually shares a lot of the characteristics of a neglected child. Think about it: Isolation from others. Low self-esteem/massive inferiority complex. Inability to relate to others. Depression? Emotional problems. Control issues. Withdrawal from real life into an alternative reality (his just happened to be right!).
Taken straight from the Wikipedia article on the topic: "...neglected children in foster and adoptive populations manifest different emotional and behavioral reactions to regain lost or secure relationships and are frequently reported to have disorganized attachments and a need to control their environment. ... These children have apparently learned to adapt to an abusive and inconsistent caregiver by becoming cautiously self-reliant, and are often described as glib, manipulative and disingenuous in their interactions with others as they move through childhood. Children who are victims of neglect have a more difficult time forming and maintaining relationships, such as romantic or friendship, later in life due to the lack of attachment they had in their earlier stages of life."
He also manages to build a shrine to Drosselmeyer and keep Fakir there as a chained dog for three days straight without anyone noticing. Even with the Groundhog Day effect, someone had to have not been paying attention.
Wait, is he Really Neglected? Where is Everyone?
Good question, and headcanon ahoy! Autor's father was saved by someone from Drosselmeyer's line (likely by Spinning powers?) when he was a boy. The man became obsessed with Drosselmeyer, and passed on the research to his son, demonstrating the rituals about the oak tree. Unfortunately, he also broke when he realized, finally, that he wouldn't be of any use to the Spinners. Now he's a useless, angry drunk. He also teaches Autor piano with flagrant use of a ruler. Like any good pianist in the 19th century, the kid has knuckle pads and plenty of odd little scars on his fingers.
Autor's mother, on the other hand, is too busy running the family inn to pay attention to any of this stuff. She's loving and caring when she's around, and he likes her pastries.
In Millicanon, Autor also has a sister. He considers himself responsible for her care, and as a result tends to favor kids. I have no idea where that come from, but I'm running with it!
Well, What About His Friends?
Hahahaha. Ha. I genuinely can't imagine him with any, outside of Milliways. Maybe the bat kid from the library? If time did actually stop for him, then no one would remember the conversations he's had with them. I can easily picture him questioning his sanity without any sort of a foothold, and having people call him crazy for his ideas about Drosselmeyer just adds puncture wounds. When time starts again, he's desperate to get the attention of the main cast, particularly Fakir, who he sees as a potential companion in his work--and someone to boss around. He has been stalking these people, showing up in cameos from Akt 15 to his introduction in Akt 20.
Things change, of course, when Fakir is acknowledged as the Chosen One. Autor's worldview shatters, and he tries--unsuccessfully--to get the Bookman to acknowledge him. When he storms out, it's clear that he doesn't feel he has a purpose in his life without a pat on the head--which he'll end up snarling at, because screw you and your pity.
Fakir then asks him for his help, which shocks him. Autor's visibly upset, and we're never told why he chooses to go along with the Story Spinning. But by the end of the series and despite his reluctance, Autor has assumed Fakir's role in the first season: asshole protector. He proves his worth and is never seen again, except for a brief flash in the credits where he's working on another family tree.
So, TL;DR: Autor is a creepy, over-excitable, unapologetic jerk bent on making the world a "better" place. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. But I would be lying if I said I didn't feel bad for the kid.
...And this is why I only have one pup, as of this writing. Holy crap.
Autor recently engaged in a tell-all chess game with Charles Xavier, most of which comes straight from my headcanon. It occurs to me that other people in Milliways who have seen "Princess Tutu" are probably wondering what the hell I'm doing with Autor.
I will try to post blatant non-canon stuff in blue.
Is Autor a Prodigy?
Probably not. Mendelssohn's "Spinnerlied", the piano piece he was playing to greet Fakir in Akt 21, is the only composition in the show which is poorly performed. He's very good, but not great, and likely picked that piece specifically to show off. If we're going with the theory that time stopped for years between the first and second season, what he really had was not smarts so much as persistence with his research--and a ton of lonely time to fill. Autor even warns Fakir not to take Drosselmeyer's power lightly, probably because he has read up on a great many people who wrote themselves into a crap situation (just like baby!Fakir). Which leads us into...
What About Writing?
When it comes to Story Spinning, he may be related to Drosselmeyer, likely because his father married into the family after becoming obsessed. Autor is the only one to recognize that the story was doubling-back, and he sees princess Tutu as a ballerina, not a swan. Some of his knowledge is actually useful--not all of it, obviously--but some, though he focuses too much on the logical processes of rituals to actually get any benefit out of them. He's a man-child, clearly lacking the experience and--dare I say it?--the heart to use any powers he might possess. Drosselmeyer would call him too responsible, though probably not for the same reasons as Fakir.
A Story About the Body
It is a credit to the creators of this show that even a character who has less than an hour of screen time is just as detailed as the mains. At first, he's cocky: he has his hands on his hips and a smirk on his face. Later on, when he's feeling threatened, he slouches and folds his arms, pouting. As the show progresses and things start to crumble, he becomes more and more vulnerable--and thus open--with his arms at his sides and then reaching out to people. We even see him trembling. He stops adjusting his shiny, evil-eye glasses when he starts accepting his true role. Just to show how humbled he gets, they're even knocked off his face twice.
What About His Family?
Okay, so, I might be reading into this, buuut.... Autor actually shares a lot of the characteristics of a neglected child. Think about it: Isolation from others. Low self-esteem/massive inferiority complex. Inability to relate to others. Depression? Emotional problems. Control issues. Withdrawal from real life into an alternative reality (his just happened to be right!).
Taken straight from the Wikipedia article on the topic: "...neglected children in foster and adoptive populations manifest different emotional and behavioral reactions to regain lost or secure relationships and are frequently reported to have disorganized attachments and a need to control their environment. ... These children have apparently learned to adapt to an abusive and inconsistent caregiver by becoming cautiously self-reliant, and are often described as glib, manipulative and disingenuous in their interactions with others as they move through childhood. Children who are victims of neglect have a more difficult time forming and maintaining relationships, such as romantic or friendship, later in life due to the lack of attachment they had in their earlier stages of life."
He also manages to build a shrine to Drosselmeyer and keep Fakir there as a chained dog for three days straight without anyone noticing. Even with the Groundhog Day effect, someone had to have not been paying attention.
Wait, is he Really Neglected? Where is Everyone?
Good question, and headcanon ahoy! Autor's father was saved by someone from Drosselmeyer's line (likely by Spinning powers?) when he was a boy. The man became obsessed with Drosselmeyer, and passed on the research to his son, demonstrating the rituals about the oak tree. Unfortunately, he also broke when he realized, finally, that he wouldn't be of any use to the Spinners. Now he's a useless, angry drunk. He also teaches Autor piano with flagrant use of a ruler. Like any good pianist in the 19th century, the kid has knuckle pads and plenty of odd little scars on his fingers.
Autor's mother, on the other hand, is too busy running the family inn to pay attention to any of this stuff. She's loving and caring when she's around, and he likes her pastries.
In Millicanon, Autor also has a sister. He considers himself responsible for her care, and as a result tends to favor kids. I have no idea where that come from, but I'm running with it!
Well, What About His Friends?
Hahahaha. Ha. I genuinely can't imagine him with any, outside of Milliways. Maybe the bat kid from the library? If time did actually stop for him, then no one would remember the conversations he's had with them. I can easily picture him questioning his sanity without any sort of a foothold, and having people call him crazy for his ideas about Drosselmeyer just adds puncture wounds. When time starts again, he's desperate to get the attention of the main cast, particularly Fakir, who he sees as a potential companion in his work--and someone to boss around. He has been stalking these people, showing up in cameos from Akt 15 to his introduction in Akt 20.
Things change, of course, when Fakir is acknowledged as the Chosen One. Autor's worldview shatters, and he tries--unsuccessfully--to get the Bookman to acknowledge him. When he storms out, it's clear that he doesn't feel he has a purpose in his life without a pat on the head--which he'll end up snarling at, because screw you and your pity.
Fakir then asks him for his help, which shocks him. Autor's visibly upset, and we're never told why he chooses to go along with the Story Spinning. But by the end of the series and despite his reluctance, Autor has assumed Fakir's role in the first season: asshole protector. He proves his worth and is never seen again, except for a brief flash in the credits where he's working on another family tree.
So, TL;DR: Autor is a creepy, over-excitable, unapologetic jerk bent on making the world a "better" place. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. But I would be lying if I said I didn't feel bad for the kid.
...And this is why I only have one pup, as of this writing. Holy crap.