What Would've Happened: Chapter Two

In Chapter Two, Taj was ordered to not speak unless commanded by the Master.  The Overseer begins to relate his version of what happened, thereby condemning Taj and Rasha.  Readers chose to have Taj disobey the Master's order and interrupt the Overseer.

What would've happened if they'd chosen another option?

As before, this is a spoiler-free zone.  If any of the choices affect story progression in later chapters, they will be marked as "More To Be Revealed."

As yet, we have no further revelations for earlier chapters, so you don't need to backtrack yet!

The options that didn't win:

Choice B: Taj stays silent.

This choice establishes that while Taj is unafraid to get into trouble with authority, he is also tempered with a sense of when to let that trouble happen.  He still has a deep respect for authority, and trusts that the right thing will happen (in this case, that he would be allowed to speak).  In this story option, the Master would hear the Overseer out, and then, due to Taj's obedience, would indeed ask for Taj's side of the story.  The necklace would still not have been found, however, and so Taj still looks like the thief.  The Master would have performed the questioning himself, instead of leaving Taj and Rasha to the Overseer.

Choice C: Taj interrupts the Overseer, only to insult him.

This choice takes the revelations from the first chapter (specifically that Taj is not afraid to get in trouble with authority) and dials it up.  Not only is Taj not afraid of confrontation with authority, he almost seeks it.  From this point on, Taj would speak his mind more openly and loudly.  In this particular scenario, running his mouth with the Master so furious, Taj would have had his tongue removed for his obvious disrespect.  Future chapters (again, assuming he survives the repercussions of The Tavo Debacle) would have him be more of a rebellious figure...and, of course, mute.  Taj would get into noticeably more trouble.  Tavo's relationship with Taj would strengthen (due to their shared tendency to get into trouble).

Choice D: Taj lets the Overseer finish his explanation and then appeals to the Master.

This choice shows us that while Taj has enough respect to allow the Overseer to finish, he still feels he has to take matters into his own hands and risk angering the Master, ensuring that his side of the story is heard.  He does not trust the right thing to always happen, and would be shown to have a reluctance to trust anyone other than his closest friends.  This scene would have played out much the same as the way it actually did in the chapter itself, with the notable personality exception.


The story-choice that won was:

Choice A: Taj interrupts the Overseer and appeals to the Master.

In choosing this option, Taj proves himself to not wait for fate to potentially go in the wrong direction.  His tendencies towards leadership are grown by this choice – he barrels ahead to make his point, taking the situation into his own hands, as best he can.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the next chapter of “To Embrace the Sun!”