#☆;; muse relevant imagery

[invictarre-archive]

every so often I feel the need to remind people of these specific screenshots

[funkaliicious]

[castleclysm]

this gets its own post actually

[please-picturemeintheweeds]

Ooooh my god yes!! This is sooo beautifully written!! You’ve laid out soo much in this post, I want to come back to it again later, too…

I have been feeling all day like So High School is a really fundamental piece of this collection! It’s the giddy, defiant response to the psychological horror story that plays out over most of the record.

It’s a public Freudian excavation of herself. The relationship dramas, the trials of fame, the break up and the rebound are incidental in the much more legendary story about a woman’s descent into madness. She finds her agency along the way. She pulls herself out of hell using her own declarations of truth and her imagination as the rope. She lays out evidence in order to psychoanalyze herself and go back to where it all began. She discovers that the prophecy is not only about finding/losing love, but about her being the chosen one, Cassandra, forced by fate (or is it choice?) to shoulder the burden of speaking for scorned women. Where does fate meet free will, and how do other people’s choices alter the course of a life? What about when people violate you? And isn’t this just the cycle of life, destined to play out over and over again as we continue to grow and change until we die?

So, back to So High School- maybe she has had agency of her own fate all along, even if others didn’t respect it… maybe she can make a different choice NOW, without having to turn back the clock…. It’s a reclamation of the childhood/innocence/land/voice that was taken from her, and it’s a declaration that she is the captain of this ship!

The thing about her musings on her youth in this album is not just about the spending her “prime” years with someone who ultimately couldn’t give her what she thought they both wanted (family, but also in general sense the happiness you get when you’re young and your whole lives are ahead of you).

There’s SO much about her youth in general here, and how the demons of the past have raised and broken her. How each of these experiences have chipped away at her youth. This whole album is give me back my girlhood, it was mine first.

It’s all the things she’s talking about had are part of the same big trauma of the loss of that youth and innocence. It’s snakegate and how Kim K and her lackeys deliberately set out to destroy Taylor’s reputation for sport, which ripped out Taylor’s last few grasps of that young adulthood freedom without her consent. It’s mulling the price she’s paid for spending her entire youth in the spotlight and becoming a commodity instead of a person. It’s looking at a friend’s child and wishing she could protect them from the world the way she wishes she could have been had she known. It’s putting your trust in your first love who ripped the rug out from under you and your faith along with it. It’s spending your time pining for your younger days in the haze of unspeakable loss. It’s carving off parts of yourself as you grow up to make yourself palatable to your peers and your partners and as a result not knowing what parts of you are left. It’s revisiting a love from your past when you still had it all, and after the initial frenzy realizing its hollow. And yes, it’s pouring your heart and soul into a relationship you think is forever and with each passing year the light in the window flickering dimmer and dimmer, only to realize the light wasn’t coming from your home after all, and you may lose your chance to find it again before it’s too late and the dreams you so desperately cling to vanish for good.

And that’s what the end message I think ends up being in So High School: she’s reclaiming the land as it were. All these things that were taken from her and that she gave up are up for a redo. And it’s not rewriting the past, it’s coming to the realization that all those parts are still within her but so is the good. That the freedom she gave up when she released her first album is still found in the backseat of a boy’s car all these years later. That she’s older and wiser and battleworn but that doesn’t mean she can’t find that joy and lightness. “I feel so high school when I look at you” is kind of a loaded statement from someone who didn’t really get to go to high school (both actually and metaphorically). “Bittersweet sixteen suddenly” (love that wordplay btw) because again— she’s been through so much that the feelings of new love that make her giddy like a girl are tinged because she’s been here before and also never been here before because she was never that kid.

(There’s also a whole tangent there comparing Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince to So High School and how fraught the first is vs the lightness of this one.)

That’s why this isn’t just a breakup album. It’s why she dredges up 2016 and Jake and Aaron’s son and childhood and high school and any other number of things. Because she has spent her entire youth and adulthood grappling with the issues that came to roost in TTPD, and while this whole experience underscores that you can never know what’s going on with someone (least of all Taylor, a stranger to us all), I also don’t think it’s a coincidence that she has stressed how much healthier and whole she is now. That is why this whole album is a bloodletting, but it’s not just about a broken relationship. It’s about a whole belief system that has stolen girlhood from her and she’s determined to piece back together in the aftermath of the autopsy.

[just-a-ghost00]

Your next significant relationship - Who? When? Where?

Group 1 - Controler

Letters : N U Z E D M L K I O S Significant words/names/signs : SKZ, nudes, suki, soul, miso, sun, zen, Leo, kids, Nike, Mike, lion, Leon, noise, sound, Link, links, Dion, Zeus, Odin, Oden, onze (french for 11), douze (french for 12), uno, dos/due, dom, Muse, likes, silk, sold, DMs, solid, kudos, doki, slime, smile, Milo, miko

WHO ? - The Empress / STRENGTH / Herkimer diamond : power wash your energy This person is not what they seem. They may look harsh on the surface but deep down they are as fragile as Quartz. People may only judge them based on their looks and not who they are at there core. They are beautiful without a doubt. Extremely sensual and feminine. Their beauty feels ethereal. They are highly sensitive and spiritual. They could be a healer. The Herkimer diamond card mentions New York's Mohawk Valley where it can be found. So maybe this person is a New Yorker or they would like to travel to New York. With the strength card being related to fire, this person could have important fire placements in their chart (Leo, Sagittarius, Aries). They are powerful and determined. They know what they want and they won't back down no matter what you put them through. Though this person is affected by what people think of them, they would rather die than show it. They could have red hair. Their hair is rather long and straight. They like to wear bracelets. They are connected to the stars. They are grounded and protected by the universe. The Empress is also assiocated with Taurus. They present themselves as a woman. They feel close to their ancestors. It might be that there were warriors in their bloodline. Especially women. Their women ancestors were fierce in battle and they like to take after them and ask for their guidance. I'm feeling a strong connection to witches and shamans.

WHERE ? - 9 of swords / UNDERWORLD / Barite : get answers to your biggest questions. Places this person could be from or have been to at some point are : USA -> Nevada, Misouri, Georgia, Texas / China / India / Morocco / Mexico / Iran / Kazakhstan / Canada / Australia / Thailand / Nigeria / Peru / UK -> Scotland The 9 of swords card shows imagery of a woman lying down in the snow, with mountains in the background. So this person could live in a cold climate country/region. I'm thinking of the Alps, Himalaya, Caucasus, Alaska range. I'm thinking about Sweden, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, Groenland, Iceland. Any city starting with a U or a B. Furthermore the character on the card has a dress with an important amount of stars on it, which reminded me of the European Union flag. In terms of the meeting, it could be through social media. The underworld card gives me a sense of mystery, of something being hidden. So it could be the dark web for some. Or on a website that keeps things hidden from people (i.e. content available only for subscribers or a private account). Also you could meet them in your dreams before you meet in 3D. Also, the underworld could be a metaphor for rave parties, clubs and so on. They could live or you could meet near an important building or monument.

WHEN ? - XXI The World / NATURE / Labradorite : protect your magic. The labradorite card mentions Aurora Borealis and the sign of Pisces. So Winter could be relevant, as well as the period from mid February to mid March. The number 21 could be relevent. So if we think in terms of dates it could be 02.21 or 03.21. The World speaks of cycles as well as the long term. So it could represent several years in terms of timing. When it comes to zodiac signs, The World is related to fixed signs. So Taurus, Leo, Scorpio and Aquarius season could be relevant as well. Which means that you could meet them between mid April to mid May, mid July to mid August, mid October to mid November or mid January to mid February. The World could also represent a time of your life when you are traveling abroad. Again, the character depicted on the card has a lot of stars in their hair. So I'm thinking of the USA as well as the EU. As she is dressed in red, holds red roses and has horns on her head, I'm also being reminded of Spain. The nature card could talk about a time of your life when you are in the wild, connecting with nature, taking a break from the drama of big city life.

Group 2 - Phone

Letters : T E N N U L N O R I S Significant words/names/signs : tennis, Noris, Noe, Noel, runs, Euro, sun, tenor, soul, norns, nine, tunes, Sonne (Rammstein song), Uriel, notes, nuns, trio, route, routines, Riolu (pokémon name), Loire (region in France), Lorie, LOTR, rise, sonnet, soir (french word for evening), nuit (french for night), riots, Lise, lotus

WHO? - IV The Emporor / Sacred Sexuality / Sapphire : find your tranquil place. This person is very masculine and grounded. They could be a father and/or a leader, a mentor, an entrepreneur. The sign of Aries could be significant. They are incredibly determined and strong. Their sexual drive is high. They pay a lot of attention to their health and appearance. They have a lot of sex appeal. This person could be in the fashion industry or could even be that they get money from people watching their body (selling pictures of them, having access to private erotic content). They could have a bit of a bad temper. Piercings also seem significant. On the sacred sexuality card, there’s a full moon and roses. This tell me this person is a romantic and is more of a night owl. They have an important status. We’re talking about company owners, freelance artists, lawyers, head officers, doctors, headmasters of big schools, politicians and so on.

WHERE? - 6 of swords / MOVEMENT / Garnet : get into your depth. -> places they could be from or have gone to : Czekoslovakia, Kenya, Madagascar, India. The 6 of swords depicts a beautiful woman rowing a boat on a lake. Behind her is a white mountain. In her boat are two herons. So Africa seems significant, particularly Tanzania where Kilimandjaro can be found. I’m also thinking of the Mt Fuji in Japan, in Yamanashi. This person lives near an important body of water. Or you might meet them there. Another thing that is significant is movement. So you could meet them where you’re going on a trip, as you travel or relocate. You could meet them on a boat. Anyplace you want to create something (art, music, writing and so on). When looking at « get into your depth » this gives me the feeling you could meet this person in the 5D before meeting them in person, like through dreams or meditation.

WHEN? Queen of wands and VI The Lovers - DARE TO DREAM - Citrine : manifest your masterpiece. First of all I have to say, when I was shuffling the cards for the WHEN? the bells of the nearby Church started ringing. So this tells me when you're going to Church either for communion or for a wedding. Summer is significant, especially from mid June to mid July. I would even say the month of June is the most significant of the two. When you go after your dreams, you will meet this person. On the DARE TO DREAM card, you can see a diamond trapped in an eagle's claw. For some reasons it reminded me of metal and rock bands, of concerts and big events like the Superbowl. So maybe one of your dreams is to go watch your favorite band/artist live or to go to Hellfest or any big convention that is happening in Summer. If there are any French people here, I'm thinking of the Olympics happening this Summer in Paris. And also the Japan Expo convention. In terms of timing, I’d say in a few months.

Group 3 - Mirror

First of all I want to say my coffee spilled as I did your reading. So either you or this person is super clumsy and/or coffee is significant in your relationship. Letters : E L I C O O E U J I A Y

Words/names/signs : Jay, Jey, Joy, Jolie, Julia, Julie, Jule, July, Lucy, cool, jail, Luc, Loïc, Alice, ciel (French for Sky), clue, juice, école (French for school), eco , CEO, Lucie, Lucia, Cloe

WHO? - XVII The Star / Ancestors / Obsidian : protect your soul. Aquarius comes in strongly for this reading. This person is an introvert. They are often seen as a daydreamer, someone that doesn’t care about earthly life. They look like their head is in the stars. Which, in some way is true. This person connects strongly with the Ethers. Social media seems to be important. They could be an influencer or have a certain amount of followers that they help. Think of tarot readings, raising awareness about certain subjects (mental health, disabilities, menstrual cycle, sexuality and so on). This person could be famous in some type of way or they are going to be at some point in their life. Overall they have a good reputation among their peers. They are valued for their work ethic and their deep insights. They are divinely protected. Family business comes to mind. They care about family a lot, especially the deceased ones. This person would be the type to seek out advice from their ancestors or try to honor them as much as they can. Scorpio is also a sign that seems relevant. I don’t know why but I thought of a surgeon. So maybe they have undergone an important surgery. Or they are very sharp. Because I definitely don’t feel this person is a surgeon. Well it could be, but honestly I feel more the energy of influencers and public speakers, like ambassadors of NGOs and stuff like that. Soft and caring, they feel and look rather feminine. Giving more than receiving. They love animals. They draw a lot of attention just from their presence. I think their aura is pretty strong and vibrant. Connected to nature, especially trees and plants.

WHERE? - 7 of pentacles / movement / Herkimer diamond You could meet at work, as you’re changing jobs or they are. During a break at work while you’re printing/scanning papers. In sacred spaces. New York. Somewhere in a lot of greenery like a park or a farm. As for places they could come from or have been to, we have : Norway, Ukraine, Arizona, China, Afghanistan, Herkimer county. If not these places, there could be farms where this person lives. Also they live in a place where there is a lot of activity, especially work wise. So this makes me think of hot spots like La Défense in Paris where a lot of businesses and political administrations can be found. Other places like that would be : Midtown New York, La City London, Marunouchi Tokyo, The Loop Chicago, Bankenviertel Frankfurt, Zuidas Amsterdam, Gangnam Seoul and so on.

WHEN? - 4 of swords / Death / Aquamarine : Keep your cool. You could meet on the fourth of a month, in April. At a time when you’ve lost your voice or when you are going Hermit mode, when you are sick or when you are mourning a loss. During a period of depression. During Scorpio season. In several weeks. Also it could be when someone or something pushes your buttons but you can’t express your frustration somehow. That could be anything really. Like queueing for registration in a building and someone is trying to take your spot. Or shopping at the mall and a customer is being super rude but since there are children around you can’t fully tell this person what you think of their attitude. Stuff like that.

[if-loki-was-a-fox]

having started watching Wild Life, my autistic ass is now trying to assign the wildcards to tma entities

the snails are easy, they're obviously hunt, but i'm not so sure about the others. the changing sizes in the first episode is kinda giving spiral? possibly flesh. and i think the food switching in the second one could be corruption? mainly based on the hunger/starvation/various poisoning effects

you're the only other person i've seen talk about both so uh. d'you have any thoughts?

- 🦴

(I have so many thoughts, this post is about to spiral so far out of control 'cus I love musing on stuff—)

I was actually thinking about this exactly while watching the latest episodes! The snails had initially struck me as corruption, being slimy little bug-adjacent creatures, but that's so purely aesthetic that the moment you see them in action it's just incredibly clear that they're just straight up The Hunt, as clear cut as it could possibly be tbh.

Maybe a bit of The End with the whole instant kill thing, the invincibility/immortality of the snails, and the kind of inevitability of the snails getting you eventually

The other two are definitely a lot harder

Session 2's gimmick of not being able to eat food / having to eat blocks, with it's themes of eating, kinda reminds me of a lot of Flesh statements in first thought tbh, but without any actual meat (and in fact, meat being the one thing they solidly can't eat) it just doesn't seem to follow through on more than a shallow level. Though maybe from the more fandom angle with the gore-ish-ness of teeth cracking on stone, and how bloody swallowing your own sword incorrectly would be, that kinda fits Flesh

Thinking on the actual energy of that gimmick as it played out in the videos, with the huge change and upset to normalcy that leads to catastrophic results and mass panic, I almost want to say it has some Extinction vibes, but without the "man made"/"we brought this upon ourselves" aspect I'm not sure it quite works out

The Corruption idea I don't think I would have thought of on my own, but it makes some sense too. The whole idea of food making you sick, or of all the other ill affects from just trying not to starve/die, the variety of ways you're almost guaranteed to get poisoned and hurt before you figure out something actually edible..

Corruption and Buried are also both fun to consider with the imagery of having to eat dirt and the like. Buried doesn't have any other relevance tho as far as I can think

Rhyme's suggested The Stranger, as it's solidly an example of the familiar being made unfamiliar, but most manifestations of The Stranger play very heavily on it being other people that are strange and weird, in my observations, so I'm not sure if it's quite right

Spiral also works well with the familiar being bad incomprehensible tho I think. The gimmick doesn't make them doubt reality, but it does rely a lot on them being confused and no longer being able to understand and rely on what should be such a basic backbone to reality (eating food makes you less hungry). A lot of the fear and panic on that session comes from that I think, the logic of world not working the way it should, which fits Spiral fairly well

Session 1 I honestly don't know about. The size changing mechanic didn't strike as much fear into everyone as the other two, which makes it a bit harder to categorize what fear it does cause

Maybe The Buried at times, because there were concerns about getting too big in spaces that were too small

Or The Vast, because of the whole "too big" idea in and of itself, and how getting too big could theoretically play into fear of heights (though it didn't much actually do so in the videos). It also had several incidents of falling to deaths, which is pretty fitting for The Vast. Vast feels like the most aesthetically fitting tho, with heights and sizes being pretty big things with it

Spiral and Flesh definitely make sense too though, playing off of the idea of your very self changing. Constantly shrinking and growing with only a certain level of control to it does kinda feel body-horror-ish, and the whole questioning if what even was changing and if their sizes were changing at the begining could also play into spiral ideas. The whole thing was a bit dream-like

Thinking about how the different fears can play into stuff is fun :]

[1nm8translations]

edN Lyrics Translation & Song and MV Analysis

This time, I dive deeper into the themes and symbolism in the lyrics of edN and the imagery used in the MV. The analysis is based on my own translation. Includes spoilers for the 1Nm8 lore revealed so far, also after the release of FATE.

Please find edN by 1Nm8 and its official MV here.

As this analysis is being written after the release of SHOWDOWN and S∀G∀, I will make references to it where I believe it’s relevant or that something in the MV or the song is foreshadowing. You can find my analysis of S∀G∀ here.

As always, this analysis is subjective and you’re free to agree, disagree, or agree only with parts of it and have your own interpretations! I simply like making these and sharing them in hope my musings will be interesting to other fans. 

Keep in mind my translation includes some liberties in wording where I could tweak something for rhythm and rhyme, but the meaning should not be affected. I explained my choices in the analysis. Without further ado, let’s discuss edN and it’s:

General themes:

At least some songs from FATE and RAGE are directed at the opposing group (for example, Hit em up is a clear diss at VISTY, and License to Kill has a reference to the conflict between Iori and Hancho as the extension of his history with Zen), and edN can also be interpreted as a message from 1Nm8 to TCW, at least in some parts.

I think some of the verses are directed at each other, and the chorus seems to be a message to Alter Trigger, though.

edN is mostly about 1Nm8’s goal and mission, with the strongest religious references out of their first three songs. However, there is a darker undertone to it.

Finally, I think edN shows contrast between the members the most from their songs so far.

Imagery

There’s a lot of white in the MV. First, it’s a part of the religious imagery - together with pillars, windows and arches reminiscent of a church. White stands for what’s pure, correct and holy.

However, white can also be a reference to the Alter Trigger facility Itsuki and Rokuta were kept at. The facility, in turn, is a symbol for what they’re fighting against. See the irony? I believe it may be intentional, showing them as two sides of a coin, and how easily righteousness can be corrupted - like at the beginning of the MV.

Finally, the white may be a reference to 1Nm8’s slogan of “Return to blank”, destruction to a blank slate to build again.

Then, the imagery in each of the members verses could be interpreted as their unique ways of “rebuilding”. It shows the contrasts between the members but also how they complete each other.

Kei is surrounded by floating broken parts, which means initiates the destruction. He’s the one who has formulated their plan and recruited the others. However, also contributes the ideas and ideals, which is shown by the floating models.

Meanwhile, the background in Itsuki’s verses features spirals, harmonious shapes and regular, flowing movement. 

I believe that it shows how he contributes calm and structure. Notice how even the typography in his verses is the most neat and orderly (at least in the beginning), in comparison to Kei’s warying fonts and sizes and quickly moving text, or Rokuta’s floating letters. It appears as if Itsuki was typing the words on a keyboard.

The “typing” might even be a reference to Itsuki seeing himself as a “memory recording machine”. 

However, one of 1nm8translation's followers, sugarstar-rabbits interpreted this differently (sharing with permission): that Itsuki typing out his lyrics gave it a cute personal touch. I think that is a good way to look at it too; you could see it as Itsuki being able to communicate better through music.

Finally, Rokuta is the most playful, with what looks like huge building blocks and floating round letters that remind me of a children’s show. While Kei can go to extremes and Itsuki gets cold and uncompromising, Rokuta brings in the warmth. He may use metaphors that are a bit childish, but he's the best at actually appealing to emotions and emotional needs.

Translation and Analysis

Aiight, Okay listen, Okay listen

目を覚ま

せ 時は刻む

キミを導く It's my mission

静かに秘めたambition

Aiight, Okay listen, Okay listen

Open your eyes, the clock is ticking

To lead you is my mission

The quietly hidden away ambition

Just as in the voice drama, Kei declares that he sees changing people’s views of Phantometal is his mission - implied as a mission from God by the imagery. The clock Kei is sitting in front of looks like a clock from a church tower. It also means he’s high up - literally and figuratively “above” the misguided people.

“Quietly hidden away ambition” might refer to Kei having hidden plans related to his objective or, possibly, the way he didn’t go public about Phantometal until Paradox Live gave him the opportunity.

古いシステム全部投げ捨て

躊躇なく壊す and reset

感じないか？

溢れ出した勘違いは

悪しき害さ

Do it right, huh

Throw the old system away

Don’t hesitate, break it and reset

Don’t you feel it?

Misunderstandings slipping out of control

Are an evil influence

Do it right, huh

“溢れ出した勘違いは” literally means “The misunderstandings that overflowed”, like water from a container, but “going out of control” conveys the meaning better in my opinion. The misunderstanding would be rappers thinking that Phantom lives and Phantometal are something good for them - the way TCW refuse to give up on it because of the belief they bring each other and people together with their music.

感情的なるなまずthinking

悪いがもうアラームが鳴るringing

遊びならまたにしてくれ

俺達には時間などない全然

Don’t get emotional, thinking should come first

I’m sorry, but the alarm is already ringing

If you want to play around, do it another day

We don’t have any more time left

I think this is one of the parts of the song that is adressed to TCW, based on the confrontation between Kei, Itsuki and Naoakira and Yohei. In the drama track, Itsuki admitted he can't comprehend the emotional response to their plea and their attachment to Phantom Lives.

This verse gets a completely different ring to it after the SHOWDOWN drama track. There, we see that using Phantometal has adverse effects other than just trap reactions on Rokuta, and based on this verse, it likely affects Itsuki badly in some unusual way as well. Despite this, both Itsuki and Rokuta are determined to further Kei’s ideals.

It makes it even more ominous that Itsuki’s wording here doesn’t promise that they would be here later for the “playing around” - it’s more like he’s saying “don’t waste our limited time”.

In my translation I switched “later” for “another day” for the sake of the rhyme.

繋ぐ点と点を線で

I can see clearly like a レントゲン

Yeah, no pain no gain

Back to the 原点

消し去る幻影

Like connecting the dots with a line 

I can see clearly like an X-ray

Yeah, no pain no gain

Back to the Origin

To obliterate the Phantom

The first two lines could be a reference to Itsuki’s abilities, but in the context of edN and the message of the song, I think it's more that he sees the truth behind Paradox Live and Phantometal.

This verse can also be seen as a flash forward to SHOWDOWN. “No pain no gain” is a cliche phrase, but in Itsuki’s and Rokuta’s situation it gains a more specific meaning - without suffering from Phantometal, they can’t accomplish their goal. If they stop out of concern for themselves, or Kei tries to stop them, they will fail.

Notice the black and white contrast. "Obliterate" is in black while "Phantom is in white. It's as if the MV was asking us "is this really the right thing to do?"

Yeah, History is

In the making

We're gonna be

The 1Nm8 King

なんどでもまたbreaking

The fight to try

Yeah, History is

In the making

We're gonna be

The 1Nm8 King

No matter many times, once again breaking

The fight to try

I find it interesting that Rokuta is the one who sings this part first (Kei repeats it later with the same lyrics). It shows how, despite his kindness and easygoing personality, he's just as commited to 1Nm8's goals.

ユルセナイ

そう思わないか？

覚悟を決めろ

地獄から手招きしてるピエロ

It’s unforgiveable,

Don’t you think?

So prepare for the worst

From hell, a pierrot beckons

I believe this part of the chorus adresses Alter Trigger - it's a declaration of war. The "unforgiveable" deeds would be of course their experimentation on the two and the damage the organization inflicted on many others - and continuing to pull strings bedind the scenes.

The phrase 覚悟を決めろ is often used in anime where a character or group challenges their opponent to a fight. It's like saying "prepare to get your ass kicked".

The 'pierrot' is fascinating because there's a few ways to interpret who it is supposed to be. The pierrot went from a sad fool in comedia dell'arte to a symbol of unpriviledged, opressed and misunderstood people in modern culture. Some artists, like Schoenberg, also used the pierrot's painted face as a symbol of hiding one's feelings and opinions.

Who is the pierrot in edN? I think it's either Ryu - Zero, or Kei. Ryu seems like an obvious choice. His cryptic speech and antics conceal sharp observational skills and the ability to see through people. He is also one of the worst affected by Alter Trigger's experiments.

On the other hand, Kei is the one who takes an active role in fighting for the victims of Alter Trigger and Phantometal. However, his arguments are dismissed by most, and he's seen as an unreasonable "fool".

The imagery in this verse shows Kei's silhouette going down a massive flight of stairs all alone - which may reflect that he has no support. He's stepping from the outside into a building which seems to be full of darkness. The only light is shining in from the outside.

Kei once tried to move away from Phantom Lives and even quit music, after he learned what Phantometal research has done to Rokuta, but he is voluntarily walking back into "hell" of Paradox Live for the sake of his mission of ending it once and for all. He "beckons" Itsuki and Rokuta who decide to follow him.

雑音(ノイズ)が付きまとうのさ

Everywhere we go

歪んだ世界から

今すぐ抜け出そう

We’re haunted by noise

Everywhere we go

As soon as we can

Let’s escape this twisted world

The 'noise' doesn't just mean loud sounds, but it can refer to interference or static, or even gossip or irresponsible criticism [1]. The 'noise' would be people trying to get in the way of 1Nm8's plans.

美しい破壊の音色 儚い

悪魔の声に耳を貸さない

恐れる必要はない

No sacrifice

僕たちが導く paradise

The melody of destruction is beautiful yet fleeting

Don’t lend your ear to the whisper of the devil

There’s no need to fear,

There will be no sacrifice

In the paradise we lead you to

This is another part that I feel is adressed to TCW. The lyrics acknowledge that Phantom Lives have their appeal, and may even be beautiful, but it's the devil speaking. 1Nm8's ideal world wouldn't require anyone to risk their health or life for music, hence "no sacrifice".

However, would it really be "paradise"? The sudden switch from white to black here feels ominous. While on the white background, the members have their eyes closed, as if dreaming, while when they open their eyes, the mood changes dramatically. It might be showing the contrast between their 'dream' and the reality of it or what they're doing to achieve it.

If you look closely, there is a round light behind them in both frames (in the second one, it's just very faint). It reminds me of an angel's halo, or perhaps a lamp from a lab.

High, ほら手を取って

連れてくよロケットでトップへ

空は高いけどまぁどうせ

オレとキミが楽しけりゃdon't care

High up, come, take my hand

I’ll take you to the top on a rocket

The sky is so far, but it’s no matter

As long as we enjoy ourselves, I don’t care

I've heard the phrase "the sky is far (lit. high up)" in several Japanese songs. It's a metaphor that refers to your dreams and goals seeming very far away and difficult, or even impossible to reach, like the sky above us.

However, Rokuta isn't going to be bothered by it! It's too far? Let's make a rocket!

At first, I took this verse as an encouragement directed at 1Nm8's listeners, but now, after listening to the SHOWDOWN drama, I think it might actually be meant for Itsuki. I loved how he cheered Itsuki on and looked out for him before they met Kei. It gave more depth to their relationship, and showed it's not just Itsuki taking care of Rokuta, but a give and take.

えーなんで悲しい顔してんの？

悪夢みたいな世界でも

キミにあげるよチケット

そして見届けようジ・エンド

Why are you making a sad face?

Even if this world seems like a nightmare

I will give you a ticket out of here

And see it through till the end

I added "out of here" to the "I will give you a ticket" line because I feel like it's strongly implied by context of the verse and the whole song, like in "Let's escape this twisted world" in the chorus.

Like I mentioned at the start, Rokuta is the one who notices things like sadness and hopelessness and offers comforting words, which is difficult for the other two.

I think this verse is also for Itsuki. It reminds me of how Rokuta immediately noticed Itsuki was in a bad shape after they left the facility, overwhelmed by the outside world.

However, the imagery for the line "And see it through till the end" seems strange to me. It was the basis for my theory about Rokuta's memory loss, which you can read here.

The screen splits into 7 or 8 parts (if you count the one mostly off screen) and both Rokuta's image AND the words are repeated. It's as if the promise itself was repeated many times in the past - which could be because Rokuta kept forgetting it.

運命でも偶然でも一緒

具現化する描いたvision

重点置く重低音は基礎

痛言した数千のdecision

No matter if it was by chance or fate

To embody the vision pictured in our minds

The emphasis from the heavy bass serves as a foundation

For thousands of harsh decisions

I see this verse as Itsuki describing his role in 1Nm8 and his relationship with Kei. In SHOWDOWN, Itsuki says he feels 1Nm8 meeting and Kei's power working on him and Rokuta is fate.

1Nm8 is meant to realize Kei's vision, and he is the one making the "harsh decisions". 低音, bass, can also be translated as "low voice", and Itsuki's voice is the lowest of the three. I interpret this verse as Itsuki declaring he's rapping to support Kei's cause.

正確なリズムに旋律

I'mma show you how

唯一無二テクニック

着実に蝕むtoxic

They need the dope shit

Precise rhythm and melody

I’mma show you how

With one-of-a-kind technique

Steadily eaten away by the toxic

They need the dope shit

The “toxic” is obviously the Phantometal. means "to affect adversely; to spoil; to ruin; to undermine; to gnaw at (one's heart, body, etc.); to eat into; to destroy" [2], which accurately describes the Metal's effects.

Yeah, History is

In the making

We're gonna be

The 1Nm8 King

なんどでもまたbreaking

The fight to try

Yeah, History is

In the making

We're gonna be

The 1Nm8 King

No matter many times, once again breaking

The fight to try

Kei sings the same pre-chorus Rokuta does for the first half of the song, interestingly, with the same background imagery. I think it's meant to show their connection, and maybe hint at Rokuta's identity as Kei's missing brother (back when FATE released, we didn't know for sure).

(Chorus repeats)

必要ならば手に入れる

手っ取り早く we show and prove

無駄な工程はすべて省き

計画通り成し遂げる

Anything we need, we can obtain

Quick and easy, We show and prove

Eliminate all unnecessary steps

Proceed according to the plan

胸躍る事everyday

夢中でもっともっと大気圏まで

宙を舞ったらplay back again

With you, you, you そんなplan

My heart pounds in joy everyday

In a daze, I get closer to the atmosphere

If it flutters down in the wind, play back again

With you, you, you, that’s the plan

While Itsuki's verse is pretty straightforward, reiterating his methods and ambition, Rokuta's is more metaphoric.

I talked about it in my memory loss theory too, but 舞う can mean "whirl in the wind, flutter about, swirl, fly, circle", for example, like cherry blossoms falling. I think here it refers to Rokuta's memories, which scatter once he overused Phantometal again.

Notice that similarly to "See it through to the end", here "You" is repeated. I interpret the lines as Rokuta saying if he ends up losing his memories once more, he wants to "play back" - start over with 1Nm8.

悲しい結末は用意していない

君に正しい世界を見せる

これが道標さ

さぁ行こう

I'm not preparing a sad ending

I will show you what the world should be

This is a signpost

So, let's go

The literal translation of the second line of this verse would be "I will show you a correct (righteous, lawful) world".

This typography in this verse gives it a lot of urgency, and the way the characters rapidly flicker during the lines "This is a signpost / So, let's go" is sinister. It feels like Kei is close to the edge.

What comes next is even more sinister, however.

The chorus repeats again, but muffled, with a gray, staticky filter put over it. The moment where Kei is only partly visible through the kanji for 覚悟 (resolution, preparedness) but without his face now looks legitimately scary.

I found this part of the song unsettling ever since I first saw it, but I still can't quite put a finger on it. The filter makes me think of a feeling of shock after hearing or experiencing something that really rattles you, or numbness from too much pain. It might also evoke the feeling of muted "unrealness" when you are having a nightmare.

Do you have any other ideas? While I can't be sure what this means for Kei and 1Nm8 yet, I can tell it's nothing good.

Then, the second half of the chorus plays as normal, and the MV ends with the members in the same scenery we saw at the beginning. But can we still look at it the same way?

Final thoughts

Based on the muted filter, other symbolism and imagery in the MV: the double meaning of white, the black and white contrast, as well as Kei 'walking into hell' I'd say an important theme in edN is "becoming evil to fight evil" and the dangers of it. It's presented mostly visually, but I think it compliments the atmosphere in the drama track for FATE, especially the latter half. I want to make my own translation of it; I will link it here when it's completed.

Please don't take this analysis wrong! I'm a huge 1Nm8 fan and I voted for them both times. I think the element of darkness makes them more interesting.

Not that I am not worried, however ｡ﾟ(ﾟ＾ωﾟ)ﾟ｡

[vector-art-bundles]

The Allure of Mermaids in Old School Art

Mermaids have long fascinated cultures worldwide, representing a blend of beauty, danger, and mystery. In Old School art, these enchanting figures are celebrated for their aesthetic appeal and deeper meanings. This article explores the captivating role of mermaids in Old School art, highlighting the significance of the Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector design.

Mermaids in Mythology and Art

1. Cultural Significance

Throughout history, mermaids have appeared in folklore and mythology across various cultures. They symbolize different things, from the temptress luring sailors to their doom to the guardian of the seas. In Old School art, this mythological significance is often portrayed through vibrant and playful designs that encapsulate the spirit of adventure and fantasy.

2. Inspiration for Artists

The mermaid has been a muse for many artists, inspiring countless interpretations that celebrate their unique beauty and charm. The Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector stands out as a prime example of this inspiration, marrying traditional artistic elements with a modern twist. The pin-up style emphasizes the mermaid’s enchanting qualities while celebrating feminine allure.

The Characteristics of Old School Art

1. Bold Visuals

Old School art is characterized by its bold lines and bright colors, often drawing on nostalgia and traditional aesthetics. Mermaids, with their flowing hair and dynamic poses, fit perfectly into this vibrant style. The Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector captures this essence, presenting a striking image that pops and draws attention.

2. Timeless Appeal

The retro charm of Old School art gives mermaid imagery a timeless quality. As trends come and go, the allure of mermaids remains constant, making designs like the Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector a popular choice for various creative projects. This vector illustration can be easily adapted for use in t-shirts, stickers, and home decor.

Applications in Modern Design

1. Fashion and Apparel

Mermaid imagery has made a significant impact on the fashion industry, often used to create unique designs that stand out. The Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector is perfect for apparel, adding a playful and nostalgic touch to clothing items like t-shirts, hoodies, and dresses. Its versatility allows for easy adaptation across various fashion styles.

2. Home Decor and Accessories

Beyond clothing, mermaid designs are also popular in home decor. The Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector can be utilized in wall art, throw pillows, and decorative items, allowing homeowners to infuse their spaces with a whimsical touch. This design serves as a conversation starter and adds character to any room.

3. Tattoo Inspiration

Old School art has a strong connection to tattoo culture, with mermaids being a favorite subject among tattoo enthusiasts. The Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector is an excellent choice for anyone looking to get a tattoo, as it offers a classic design that resonates with the enduring appeal of mermaids. Its timeless nature ensures that the tattoo remains relevant and beautiful over time.

The enchanting world of mermaids continues to inspire artists and designers, particularly in the context of Old School art. The Vintage Pin-Up Mermaid Vector serves as a perfect representation of this allure, capturing the essence of femininity, mystery, and nostalgia. Whether used in fashion, home decor, or tattoo designs, this vintage mermaid illustration remains a beloved choice for those looking to celebrate the magic of mermaids in their creative endeavors. Embrace the timeless charm of mermaids and let them inspire your artistic journey!

[roleplayhonestybox]

Novella writer here. Some of my responses have gotten to like, 4000 words long before and honestly, I have no idea how. It just happens and I swear my replies never feel that long when I'm writing them. I guess my replies kind of end up being split into three parts though; acknowledging generally what just happened, responding to the last reply or two, then adding onto it to push things forward. Including, for all parts, the character's thoughts and feelings. Touching briefly on their backstory if it's relevant. I love imagery too and include it when I can. There's plenty to write about internally and externally; their feelings and thoughts and then their physical actions, and expanding on how that even makes them feel or why they're doing it. It doesn't work for every reply. Sometimes there's just simply not much else to say and if you push yourself for a long reply, you're just going to repeat yourself and it doesn't read well. Sometimes you just have a lot to say during significant moments and it keeps going lol. I think it mostly helps if your partner is writing in the same way/length though - if they give you 4000 words, there's going to be bits for you to pick apart and reply to or build onto in there. Sometimes their characters thoughts make you reflect on your own, sometimes the mention of their tone or the slightest touch they give your character is something to acknowledge, etc. When I wrote replies like that, it came so easy to me because it didn't even feel like I was writing much and there was plenty to say on the matter, but that doesn't fit every scenario - smut and dialogue-heavy moments tend to be much, much shorter and not everything is super deep or significant to the muses. Don't push to write long responses just to hit a word count; just think about your character and write what it means to them, get sucked into their mind, and give your partner something to respond to.

.

[blueheartbooks]

Navigating the Depths of Humanity: A Review of "Moby-Dick" by Herman Melville

Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick: or, The Whale" is a literary masterpiece that continues to captivate readers with its rich tapestry of adventure, philosophy, and exploration of the human condition. Published in 1851, this epic novel tells the story of Ishmael, a sailor who embarks on a whaling voyage aboard the Pequod, captained by the enigmatic and obsessive Captain Ahab. As the voyage progresses, Ishmael and his shipmates become embroiled in Ahab's relentless quest for vengeance against the great white whale, Moby Dick, leading to a harrowing and ultimately tragic confrontation.

At its core, "Moby-Dick" is a profound exploration of themes such as obsession, fate, and the nature of evil. Through the character of Captain Ahab, Melville delves into the depths of the human psyche, revealing the destructive power of unchecked ambition and the consequences of pursuing one's desires at any cost. Ahab's single-minded pursuit of vengeance against Moby Dick serves as a powerful allegory for the folly of human hubris and the inherent darkness that resides within us all.

One of the most striking aspects of "Moby-Dick" is its vast scope and ambitious narrative structure. Melville weaves together a diverse array of genres, including adventure, philosophy, natural history, and maritime lore, creating a multifaceted and immersive reading experience. From the intricacies of whaling to the metaphysical musings of Ishmael, the novel's narrative is as expansive and boundless as the open sea itself, inviting readers to ponder life's deepest mysteries and contemplate the nature of existence.

Moreover, "Moby-Dick" is renowned for its richly textured prose and vivid evocation of the maritime world. Melville's descriptive powers are on full display as he paints a vivid portrait of life aboard a whaling ship, from the harsh realities of shipboard existence to the awe-inspiring beauty of the ocean's depths. Through his lyrical language and vivid imagery, Melville captures the essence of the sea as both a source of wonder and terror, imbuing the novel with a sense of awe and reverence for the natural world.

In addition to its philosophical depth and evocative prose, "Moby-Dick" is also a timeless meditation on the human condition and the search for meaning in a chaotic and indifferent universe. As Ishmael grapples with questions of identity, mortality, and the unknowable mysteries of existence, readers are drawn into a profound and transcendent journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. Through Ishmael's experiences, Melville reminds us of the fragility of human life and the enduring power of the human spirit to find meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.

In conclusion, "Moby-Dick" is a towering achievement of American literature that continues to resonate with readers for its profound insights, rich imagery, and timeless relevance. Melville's magnum opus stands as a testament to the enduring power of the human imagination and the boundless depths of the human soul. With its epic scope, philosophical depth, and unforgettable characters, "Moby-Dick" remains a masterpiece of world literature and a testament to Melville's enduring genius.

Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick: or, The Whale" is available in Amazon in paperback 22.99$ and hardcover 29.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 314

Language: English

Rating: 10/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[valya-dudycz-lupescu]

A Little Goncharov for Thanksgiving

I learned about Goncharov the way I learn about most memes and pop culture, from my teenagers. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, we had a group chat spring up on Discord that included two family friends who were going to be joining us for the holiday from out of town. One of the topics of conversation turned to Goncharov, the imaginary film around which an active Tumblr fan community had sprung up, as if it had been a real, little-known cult classic from 1973 made by Martin Scorsese. 

It became a fun creative exercise—in the middle of the day, one of the kids would send a question about Goncharov: “What do you think about the relationship between Katya and Sofia?” or “What did you make of the clock tower imagery?” or “Goncharov… iphone or android guy?” To which someone else would playfully answer. 

This same kind of thing was happening on a massive scale on Tumblr, where artists created movie posters and promotional materials, composers posted songs and soundtracks, people posted deleted scenes and script fragments. There are reviews and academic papers, fictitious Wikipedia and IMDb listings, and A LOT of fan art.

Lynda Carter posted a photo on her Tumblr with Henry Winkler that she captioned, “Me and ‘The Fonz’ at the premiere of Goncharov (1973) at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.”

Discussions popped up about the characters and who would play them in the reboot. Posts were shared hundreds, then thousands of times. A Goncharov (1973) Lore Google Doc and Discord server were created to help keep the content organized.

Our family’s fan-favorite character was Ice-Pick Joe, so I wrote “Musings on Ice-Pick Joe” in between chopping veggies for stuffing and waiting for the sweet potatoes to roast, complete with some AI-generated art. That was four days ago, and the post has been liked and shared more than I anticipated, and I keep thinking about why that is.

Conversations around Goncharov have continued, and I find myself wondering what it is about this moment in time and this type of activity that continues to capture so many people’s imagination and engagement?

Tumblr is a hub for public fandom culture and community in a way that the other social media platforms are not. It’s where you can find discourse and fanfiction/fanart for almost anything.

Still, this is a little different and on a much larger scale. At a time when people are looking for Twitter alternatives, with the stress and joy of holidays approaching, what is drawing so many people in?

We talked about this over Thanksgiving: the way Goncharov allowed people low-stakes permission to create, to play to their particular strengths, to connect with other people, to escape reality for a moment, to build a new community. We talked about the shortcomings and challenges we saw: power dynamics, issues of race, etc.

It’s an evolving experiment, and as such, it has been shaped by the many variables involved and course-corrected each time someone notices a gap or opportunity: What would a musical look like? What if some of the actors had gone on Sesame Street or the Muppet Show? What if Gonzo played Goncharov and Miss Piggy played Katya? What would the remake look like set in 1980s NYC? What recipes might be created for the Goncharov cookbook? (I remember how much fun we had making the Forking Good cookbook.) There really is no end to what people can come up with. I’m waiting to see if Goncharov gets a Tom Gauld comic or a mention on Saturday Night Live. 

It seems relevant that role-playing games, both online and tabletop, have recently increased in popularity. Dungeons and Dragons was the cornerstone of Stranger Things, and 50,000 people attended Gen Con (tabletop game convention) in 2022. It’s not my world, although I’ve watched the joy my kids take in it. My energy goes into writing, but I can absolutely appreciate the fun of playing together. 

As a writer, I walk around with worlds in my head, but I don’t get to share them until they get published. Something like Goncharov, which was not an intellectual property “owned” by anyone, gives people permission to imagine and play.

I think it speaks to a need we have an human beings to experience connection, joy, wonder, and hope. We've always had those needs. People have been gathering around fires or tables, telling stories, for thousands of years.

Today, the hearth may be a computer or a phone, but the desire is not that different. My November began with the publication of Mother Christmas, my graphic novel, the secret origin of the Santa Claus story which is rooted in the ancient Muses, whose gifts inspire humanity. One of the questions my story attempts to answer is: Where does inspiration come from?

If we look at Goncharov we can see that inspiration comes from so many places. So much is possible when people given themselves permission to play, to shrug off the inner critics and outer trolls, and to imagine for a moment a different world that they have a part in creating. That is such a powerful and compelling idea.

Stories remind us that we are not alone, that we share struggles, and that we can overcome obstacles. There are so many challenges in the world right now.

Maybe Goncharov is a lens through which people are seeing themselves and each other, reminding us how much fun it is to make-believe and how powerful it can be to have a shared image of the world.

The first step in creation is imagining. Exercising that muscle, allowing ourselves to play and tell stories and make art is a worthwhile one, and I think it's one that we need to survive.  The Goncharov phenomenon gives me hope, because if we can have this many people put their energy into creating a whole world around Goncharov, just imagine what else is possible?

[invictarre-archive]

time for this again :)))))))))

#☆;; answered#☆;; in character#☆;; out of character#☆;; inbox memes#☆;; musings & aesthetics#☆;; dash commentary#☆;; dash games#☆;; headcanons#☆;; muse relevant imagery#☆;; dyn. ree / skullkxd#☆;; dyn. guzma / onlyheartaches#☆;; dyn. dani / jocundcompany#☆;; dyn. allister / ghxsthide#☆;; dyn. james / spikemuthtoothfairy

and probably loads of others I'm missing

[funkaliicious]

for all my lovely darling followers unfamiliar with ghost trick... check out cabanela's debut appearance

[castleclysm]

Black vs. Black 2

[flightofaqrow]

Misfortune (Reprise)

I realized I never talked about option 1. Let me back up. And bear with me a moment. We're going to get serious first, and then silly, okay?

I. The Take

I have too many words about it which will probably keep coming and being further refined into new posts, but to put it as simple as possible: My personal portrayal take is that Misfortune is symbolic of a physical disability (aura and semblance are like a muscle, don't u kno) and an allegory for depression/anxiety, and both of these things are further maladapted due to trauma.

We are explicitly told that semblances may or may NOT be reflective of someone's soul, and that if it is, it can be either a semblance shaped by the soul OR a soul shaped by the semblance. ...Remember?

“A common philosophy is that a warrior’s Semblance is a part of who they are. Some say your personality and character can define your Semblance while some claim that it is the other way around. Of course, there are still many who don’t see a connection at all."

We are also explicitly told by qrow that his "semblance isn't like most."

tl;dr (a) people trying to frame Misfortune as some sort of manifestation of qrow's personality or true self just because using that lens does fit a lot of the other characters, or (b) trying to say that having a different perspective about himself and the trauma aspect of things suddenly makes the other parts go away - absolutely smacks of (a) victim blaming and (b) ableism [to me].

This is a me thing, a personal interpretation and portrayal thing. But this is also my muse and my space to talk about it, so I do. No actual hate to people that interpret or have fun with it otherwise, you're valid.

II. The Alternates

On a lighter note, the two alternative options I will accept for Misfortune reflecting some aspect of qrow's true self are:

He wants to stay the hell away from main character drama, so he acknowledges his B Sitcom plot, complete with the stupid slapstick.

and

2. Super secret [til now] background tertiary allusion: Uncle Charlie.

Welcome to doing whatever you wish! you got the wrong guy. Laughing and singing all day! oh, isn't that wonderful. you mean there's no surprises or anything? Oh no, no, no. We know everything here. aw, that's just lovely. the clouds. the grass. the air. [/s] hey. would you like to dance? you must have studied dancing. you have natural rhythm... Ah! I'm getting dizzy... everything is so lovely here. so planned. so ordinary. and that's what's driving me crazy. i need Brazil, the throb, the thrill i've never been there, but someday i will adventure and danger! love from a stranger! let me be surprised! today there's sun, they said there'd be snow when all's said and done, it's fun not to know what keeps my heart humming is guessing what's coming let me be surprised! oh, ain't it great when fate ...makes you wait the world seems mirthless you feel worthless then suddenly, there's a big bone on your plate! Oh, Charlie, please remember Down there's a world of used cars And singles bars, broken dreams And out of reach stars... but it isn't over, not for this rover i don't like to steal... but i don't buy this deal... in 'bout three seconds, she'll have realized... and she's gonna be. wait'll you see. she's gonna be ...surprised!

this is relevant at just face value, but also.

qrow as 'the second child, the twin who never should have been, but came back wrong/cursed from a prior life' has been a brainworm based around this allusion for a very long time, and then Vol 9 came along and we got canon ascension/reincarnation for potentially everybody AND canon time-fuckery based around pocket watch imagery. so you know what, it's the time and place to talk about that too.

Ozma > qrow > Jaune parallel of boys trying so hard to be heroes but just end up dicking around and caught in things they don't understand. delicious.

[cwarscars]

[ ✨ ] what aesthetics or symbols do you reference when writing your muse? are these backed up by canon, if your muse comes from a canon? is there any specific relevance to these choices?

⤿   HEADCANON MEMES; COMFORT CHARACTER EDITION!   TW: death, family, religion.    

[ ✨ ] what aesthetics or symbols do you reference when writing your muse? are these backed up by canon, if your muse comes from a canon? is there any specific relevance to these choices?

hmm, when you say 'aesthetics'; my mind immediately goes to graphics. but, i guess to talk about both that & general imagery while writing - my mind on heidegger always comes back to certain things;

booze // always a big one. not so much binge-drinking / a glass of wine 'with the girls', but more-so a lone shot of whiskey at night. a bottle of brandy tucked away in a draw. the light-scent of a spirit on the man's coat ( beneath a thick waft of aftershave ). the relief that comes with a drink at the end of a night of work ( or rather, at the beginning of the day ).

cigarettes & smoking // i've always written heidegger as a social smoker. he always liked to share a cigar with shinra sr - as a young man, he would sometimes smoke with friends / other soldiers as a means of a light rebellion. i imagine he doesn't smoke excessively enough to smell of cigarettes or have a cloud of smoke in his office. it's more, like, he smokes whilst interrogating people / after sex / socially etc.

war & battle // this is obvious. i see heidegger as more than just a warmonger, he's a man who's lived it. he's been there, done that & thrives in a fight. he craves battle & bloodshed. not just others, but his own. aggression & war will forever be a part of his aesthetic. the heat of adrenaline, the rapid drum of his heart; blood warm when it's shed.

long nights alone, insomnia & night-time hallucinations // a darker one but i imagine heidegger spending many nights alone. lying in bed with a gun in his hand. no means to use it but its there just in case ( just in case of a burglar, right - ha, r-right? ). a large glass window / door that overlooks the outside from his bed. he watches the dark as if to expect to see something. all he sees are ghosts.

tension, red & the heat that comes with rage // he's a ticking time bomb. almost entirely tense, entirely on edge. rarely at ease & constantly aching for a fight. he's a man further than the end of his tether. his jaw is always clenched tight, his brows always furrowed. heidegger is always tense.

regrets in the form of old photos // torn-photos of a young, wide-eyed looking soldier. the cracked frame that contains a picture of daughters much younger in the pictures than they are now. a picture-book that hasn't been updated in years. a locket with secrets contained within it ( the seal rusted shut & the chain long-broken ).