#✗ hellfire fibrillating beneath his skin (iv)

[sasorikigai]

Difficulty vs Likeable Test

As expected, Hanzo/Scorpion scored high on risk-taking and aggression (refer to MKX storyline), and honesty and kindness (his general characteristic as Grandmaster Hasashi). While he may not look happy or positive in outwardly demeanor nor the mostly friendliest or approachable person, he likes to hold these principles in order to continue to be a reliable mentor, dutiful leader of the Shirai Ryu, and one of the most formidable and well-known warriors of Earthrealm.

Tagged by: @hexsreality

Tagging: @sonxflight, @somniaxperdita, @kuroyrii, @sunsctfcde and YOU

[sasorikigai]

@indulgentia, @sonxflight

Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

[sasorikigai]

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 || Get to Know : “Hanzo/Scorpion”

three  things  he loves  :  honesty, being courageous, intelligent

three  things  he hates  :  arrogance, dishonesty, immaturity  

three  things  he  needs  :  sleep, rest, normality of life (without all the disorder and chaos)

three  things  he  wants  :  world peace and peace of mind, sanity, eternal love

three  things  that  scare  him  :  inadequacy, failing, his family (them appearing in his nightmares)

three  things  that  thrill  him :  kombat, sparring, physically being affectionate

three  favorite  foods  : sukiyaki (japanese hot pot), onigiri (with fish and pickled plum), omurice - prefers simple and clean foods

three  favorite  smells  :  metal (particularly when taking care of his daishō), leather, hearth fire (burning wood)

three  favorite  holidays  :  N/A (doesn't particularly care for them, except New Year)

three  favorite  people  :  sub-zero (kuai liang), takeda takahashi, kenshi takahashi

[sasorikigai]

Assigned Character Arc

redemption arc

your story had a pretty rough start and you did some things you're not proud of, but you made the choice to change. i won't go through how important it is to accept responsibility and keep striving to improve or whatever because you know that already. what i think you should know is that your fuel does not need to be shame. you don’t need to stand over the bathroom sink with your blood in your hands until you can no longer make out your reflection. you will look at your face and you will see the person you used to be, but that person no longer exists. today, you are looking, and that makes all the difference.

hero arc

well done - you did things right. this may seem like a boring answer, but i promise it isn't. you believe in goodness and you believe in doing good, and through everything, you work to keep that goodness. you have seen so much blood, and your instinct is always to stitch. you grew and fought and won, and i'm glad you did, because someone had to. i'm glad you kept believing in the world you were trying to save. you are far braver than most could ever be.

corruption arc

so. you got worse. and i'm not entirely sure i can blame you for it. maybe it was in you all along, hidden and waiting, or maybe someone planted it in you and watched it grow. either way, it's there now and you hold it in your fist like a second heart - this blood, this hunger, this thrill of having teeth and using them. perhaps you are right to. you are a mirror for the hardness of the world, and a mirror that we could all stand to look in more often. it's hard to watch the bleeding bring about more blood, but it is undeniable that you are very good at wounding.

Tagged by: @somniaxperdita

Tagging: YOU

[sasorikigai]

Anyone can be consistent for a few days, but it is harder to be consistent for years upon years, through ups, downs, and everything in between. Here are some ideas that resonates with Hanzo/Scorpion the most when it comes to what it takes to stay steady amidst challenge and grow from change as his character showed throughout the years, most importantly through MKX-MK11.

View life as a continuous cycle of order, disorder, and reorder; while he may crave order and stability, but he knows that stability is a moving target - it's always something new. It doesn't come from resisting change, but it comes from working along with it. He knows he is always somewhere in the cycle of order, disorder, and reorder.

His expectations shape his reality; If he is strenuously training for a mission and expect it to feel easy when he is never pushing beyond his limitations, he will be in for a rude awakening. If he expects it to feel terrible, he will be prepared to grind; perhaps on a good day, he will even be pleasantly surprised. He knows this is true for all hard things.

Lasting progress requires him to be rugged and flexible; To be rugged is to be tough, determined, and durable - it is about showing up over and over again. To be flexible is to adapt and bend easily without breaking - to make adjustments and be fluid when needed. He adopted a mindset that embraced both, and he utilizes the positive aspects of them.

Embrace tragic optimism; acknowledge, accept, and expect that life will contain hardship and hurt, and then do everything he can to trudge forward with a positive attitude nonetheless (further explained in this post). There is a huge space between toxic positivity and despair, and he tries to live in that space.

Diversify his sense of identity; The more he defines himself by any one activity, the more fragile he becomes. If that activity doesn't go well or changes, he loses a sense of who he is. The opposite is "self-complexity," a term researchers use for having multiple components to his reality (for my portrayal of Hanzo/Scorpion, it is him being a warrior, leader, father, husband, poet, artist, philosopher, etc.).

During periods of uncertainty, separate what he can control from what he cannot, and focus on the former. This allows him to respond instead of reacting. He is self-confident and self-assured, because he knows he can navigate through challenges.

Stay patient: It is a nine-inning game. Give things time and space to unfold. Don't try to escape life by moving at warp speed. Don't expect instant results and quit when they don't happen. Go from being a seeker to a practitioner. Stay on the path instead of always veering off.

When life is really challenging, it's okay if his profession simply becomes showing up. It is true that he often grows from adversity (regardless of verses), but that growth happens on the other side. When he is in the thick of it, he focuses on getting through. As simple as that, that is more than plenty and enough (Hanzo/Scorpion struggles with this the most).

[sasorikigai]

@hexsreality

my home isn't my home anymore, something's gone wrong along the way

noor hindi dear god. dear bones. dear yellow.: "pledging alliegance" (via @feral-ballad) \\ andrew collins \\ athena nassar, from love is not always song, but the swelling (via @weltenwellen) \\ @holly-warbs \\ yanyi dream of the divided field: poems: "the friend” (via @dactylicreveries) \\ bartosz beda silent interior ii

kofi

[sasorikigai]

Hanzo/Scorpion is extremely good at expressing contextual cues, such as body language, micro-expressions and verbal communication, for others to gain a more comprehensive understanding of his emotions. He is also very open and candor about them, although he may use brief, involuntary facial expressions that reveal his true emotions. Such may be the case with his closest friends and significant other(s), as practice and observation would give them away more easily and effortlessly. With others outside of his close circle, they may occur in fractions of a second and are often difficult to detect without training.

Most likely, these are some common emotions that he will reveal.

Happiness: A fleeting smile or crinkling around his eyes can indicate genuine happiness. However, it's essential to consider the context, as the intensity may vary, and Hanzo/Scorpion doesn't often express this emotion.

Sadness: Brief downturned corners of his mouth or a momentary furrowing of his brow may suggest sadness. While context is crucial, as sadness can be concealed or suppressed, Hanzo/Scorpion is much more open and vulnerable with sadness than happiness.

Anger: A sudden tightening of the jaw, narrowing of his eyes, or nostril flaring can signal anger. For Hanzo/Scorpion, this emotion can be particularly challenging to mask, and micro-expressions often reveal it even when he is trying his absolute best to hide it.

Fear: Wide eyes, raised eyebrows, and a slight backward movement of the head may indicate fear. Hanzo/Scorpion may disguise fear with surprise, as he believes he is fearless (will never shy away or back down from participating in dangerous missions or even with brutal fights with disadvantageous position).

Disgust: A sneer, wrinkling of his nose, or lip curl can suggest disgust. This emotion is usually triggered by something unpleasant or offensive.

Surprise: Raised eyebrows, widened eyes, and an open mouth are typical indicators of surprise. Surprise can be either positive or negative, depending on the context. This may be the most difficult emotion to detect for Hanzo/Scorpion, as his expression may remain unchanged (from his neutral serious and grumpy demeanor).

[sasorikigai]

what ghost haunts you?

the ghost of devotion

your body was crafted to be loved and to be adored. you write with the touch of a poet, the fingertips of a lover. if you are not loved, you are not whole. you are made to be sculpted by the hands of another into something perfect. without their love, you feel as though you may crumble without the support of purpose their touch provides. when ernest hemingway wrote “it was too good to last.” when ocean vuong wrote, “i miss you more than i remember you.” when david foster wallace wrote, “everything i’ve ever let go of has claw marks on it.”

the ghost of vengeance

you ache for revenge and little else. red paints your vision, and it has grown so thick that it has grown so hard to see. somewhere within your ribs is a child longing for comfort again. you will never let them see the light of day. for now, there is blood on your hands and your teeth. before you were a human, you were an omen with a heart constructed of thorns. when audre lorde wrote, “i feel it’s my anger that helped keep me alive.” when ashe vernon wrote, “isn’t this rage so ugly? and isn’t it mine, still? good god, isn’t it mine?” you will never find peace within your own anger, but you bathe in it anyway. the way you always have.

Tagged by: @hexsreality

Tagging: @sonxflight, @somniaxperdita, @kuroyrii, @sunsctfcde and YOU

[sasorikigai]

𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 ?

the snowdrop fairy

you are resilience personified; no matter the hardships you've faced, you're still standing. you may be somewhat reserved, but your presence gives others hope. have faith in your own ability to survive, you've overcome so much — but be gentle with yourself, too.

Tagged by: @kuroyrii

Tagging: @sonxflight, @somniaxperdita, @hexsreality, @sunsctfcde and YOU

[sasorikigai]

🌠 Does your muse find meaning in their dreams? Do they try to interpret them?

sleepy headcanon questions || @hexsreality || accepting

🌠 Does your muse find meaning in their dreams? Do they try to interpret them?

While Hanzo realizes trying to interpret dreams and finding meaning in them may be a fascinating endeavor, he knows his dreams are highly personal and subjective and they are almost always originating from his past trauma. He can categorize the kinds he frequently has into a few kinds.

Re-experiencing traumatic events: Hanzo often has nightmares or intrusive dreams related to Shirai Ryu massacre and his family being killed. Whether it is from Bi-Han (Lin Kuei) himself or Quan Chi in disguise of the cryomancer, whenever Hanzo has these dreams, they are always extremely vivid, gruesome and intense, causing him distress and disrupting sleep. And as Hanzo is characterized by a person equipped with heightened emotional intensity, emotions such as sadness, anger, or feelings of helplessness may become prominent in his dreams, reflecting the emotional impact of the trauma.

Symbolic representation: His trauma can manifest symbolically in dreams rather than being directly represented. Symbols, themes, or emotions related to his traumatic experience may appear in dreams, offering a way for the subconscious mind to process and cope with the trauma. In Hanzo's case, such dreams exhibit death and rebirth - and through the image of Phoenix (through his literal death and becoming Netherrealm specter, entirely identifying himself not as Hanzo Hasashi, but as Scorpion), ouroboros (similar idea of an eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth), kintsugi ('golden joinery,' in a literal sense, but mostly in a metaphorical sense that Hanzo has deeper sense of resilience and strength. Kintsugi also reminds him of the impermanence of all things – nothing stays forever. Like a piece of pottery, his life is infused with fragility, setbacks and unpredictability), and so on.

Fragmentation and disorganization: Hanzo's trauma can disrupt his normal sleep cycle and lead to fragmented or disorganized dreaming. It also causes him to be extremely vigilant as he is a very light sleeper. Dreams may feel chaotic or disjointed, mirroring the fragmented nature of his traumatic memories. Most of his fragmented and disjointed dreams are either flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic event.

The only conclusion Hanzo can arrive at with these dreams is to simply gain insight into his subconscious (if he hasn't done that already with countless, recurrent dreams and nightmares), and better understand himself.

[sasorikigai]

Which of my favourite specific character archetypes are you?

the Lionheart. & Life/Death/Life.

The loyal one, the stubborn one, the one who fights for others. The guarder, the watcher, the brave, foolish, valiant person who is not the same person by the end of the story.

A person who represents the mysteries and inner workings of the world's forces; a person who has destiny at their back, a person wielding their understanding like a weapon. A person who cycles through rebirths and deaths, growing ever more clever.

Tagged by: @hexsreality

Tagging: @sonxflight, @somniaxperdita, @kuroyrii, @sunsctfcde and YOU

[sasorikigai]

Ninjas, historically known as skilled covert agents in ancient Japan, is depicted in Mortal Kombat universe as well. Hanzo Hasashi, obviously, is one of them and he possesses a lot of qualities of being a ninja. While there is a blend of historical facts and fictional elements associated with ninjas, some common characteristics are often attributed to them:

Stealth and Infiltration: Ninjas are renowned for their ability to move silently and operate covertly. They excel in sneaking into enemy territory without being detected. While Hanzo exhibits such stealthiness and infiltration skills, he isn't exactly the epitome of this characteristic. A huge part of it has to do with his character-defining yellow Shirai Ryu garment, but it is mostly his own personality. He isn't all the secretive nor clandestine to figure out, although I consider him to be a complex person.

Martial Arts Expertise: Ninjas are skilled in various forms of martial arts, allowing them to defend themselves and incapacitate opponents efficiently. These skills include unarmed combat, weapon use, and specialized techniques. Hanzo does have his signature weapon (a roped kunai, developed into a chained kunai that is never divulged outside of Shirai Ryu grounds), and utilizes myriads of skills, further amplified with imbued hellfire of his. He is also exceptionally proficient in swordsmanship. He is always equipped in his daishō, which he keeps at his side at all times.

Weapon Proficiency: Ninjas are often associated with a diverse array of weapons, such as shuriken (throwing stars), kunai (bladed tools), ninjatō (ninja sword), and other concealed tools that aid in both offense and defense. Hanzo used to equip himself with other numerous weapons besides the ones mentioned above, but his character-defining weaponry, along with his skillset is more than ample to protect himself and others.

Disguise and Deception: Ninjas are adept at disguise, espionage, and impersonation. They can blend into different environments and take on various roles to gather information or carry out covert missions. Ever since Hanzo has been imbued with the power of Netherrealm's hellfire, he seldom utilizes disguise and deception, since he can easily teleport not only himself, but his company. And Hanzo doesn't really utilize such qualities to his benefit.

Tactical Intelligence: Ninjas are portrayed as strategic thinkers who carefully plan their actions. They are known for exploiting weaknesses in their enemies and using the environment to their advantage. While Hanzo has his own ways, tactical intelligence hasn't been his strongest suit (with the exception of Modern! Hanzo), as he is often found to be impulsive and direct with getting what he wants, and executing his plans.

Adaptability: A common trait associated with ninjas is their ability to adapt to different situations. This includes adapting to changing environments, improvising weapons, and adjusting tactics on the fly. Hanzo does like to utilize his environment to his advantage. With him being an already an exceptional and proficient fighter, he knows how to maneuver around his environment, whether he's familiar with the territory or not.

Physical Conditioning: Ninjas undergo rigorous physical training to develop strength, agility, and endurance. This conditioning enables them to perform acrobatic feats and navigate challenging terrains. Hanzo spends immense amount of time training, whether it be in solitude, sparring, or even with numerous other Shirai Ryu warriors and apprentices. Whether in his canon or modern verse, it is imperative that Hanzo maintain his exceptional physique, for he always has been the leader who has been responsible for not only his own safety and sustenance, but of others as well.

Mystique and Secrecy: Ninjas are often shrouded in mystery, with their identities and activities kept secret. This adds an element of intrigue to their character and contributes to their enigmatic reputation. Hanzo may come across as intimidating and impenetrable in first encounter, but once the formidable wall has been breached and one gains his trust and loyalty, Hanzo isn't that mysterious or secretive. He does wield complexity amidst his profoundly definitive character.

** Loyalty and Discipline:** In many portrayals, ninjas are depicted as being fiercely loyal to their clans or masters. They follow a strict code of conduct and are disciplined in their training and missions. Hanzo is extremely loyal and disciplined. His hatred towards Raiden in the comics involving the Kamidogu, and then Hanzo turning around to aid Raiden to battle Kronika and having the Shirai Ryu Compound become the stronghold and refuge for Raiden's army constitutes this. While Hanzo may have initial conflicts and struggles with someone, he is an exceptionally passionate, stubborn, and strong-willed, so once the conflict comes to an end, he is a ride-or-die individual who will exemplify such traits.

[sasorikigai]

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 || The blood is still under his nails, soaked into his characteristic yellow and black Shirai Ryu garb. The salt burns in the wounds he has also retained, and it becomes Hanzo's dark becoming; resolute, vicious, and immediate. There had been no ounce of mercy granted at the trespassers that perpetuated to ransack the bountiful grounds of their sacred land. And Scorpion's chained kunai had been like a firestorm; wild and unrelenting in its beauty, and fierce in a way that calmed only those foolish enough to stand in his wrath. When he becomes enraptured in the harrowing conflagration of his pyromancy, the demons within him become hungry and hollow and just want something to call their own. They are the slaughterhouse, his killing floor, his morgue and final resting. As Scorpion's anger would overwhelm almost to the point of spilling, as much as Hanzo Hasashi's indomitable soul attempts to hold himself upright and still, such disgust, anger, hatred, and wrath always plough and triumph over.

Scorpion's earth often may be heavy; saturated with a sponge of his griefs, dripping of his failures and flaws. His exacted bloodbath may be of excess and extravagance, for the crimson song becomes exquisitely irresistible, consuming all that the demons in his soul desire. And how he still holds the duality of the wind; Hanzo could be such a silent, loving being who kisses gently everything he touches with warm hearthfire. How his air would finger through everything he'd touch, as would two lovers, as he had with Harumi and vice versa. However, Scorpion also has a violence though; with many mood swings, how he would go mad and fierce and uncontrollable. He may be not easily accessed, not bright and lovely; Hanzo Hasashi is a guarded warrior, clad in sunflower yellow garb, hiding the intimate depths of his soul, of his body. There is no tender flesh available for anyone to touch, for he is all shining sheaths, all crimson coats. Yet, pull him apart tenderly and try to rip through his barriers with considerable and truthful efforts, and he will finally become accessed and understood.

Perhaps Hanzo still remains in a secret place; somewhere between half-light and half-darkness, between pain and tenderness, between adoration and contempt for the world, between indifference and love. How his trembling heart has been waiting to be found and touched by someone. The one in embrace touched his heart and soul; perhaps Wanda Maximoff's existence came as surprising as a fiery, fervent might of destruction and wrath, but his fierce and bright gaze saturates the dimming light of the late evening, as the embers of his warmth cast a warm and gentle light. "It is a bittersweet art I have to partake forever, as long as I am stuck in the middle ground of life and death," Scorpion barely feels the echoes of life's sweet refrain, all the grueling grit and pain and determination. He could feel excruciating pain, and yet, it will never be the same as long as he no longer wields mortal flesh and vessel, missing a crucial element humanity could hold.

"Something does feel off about how I have been feeling recently. I can feel frigid coldness thrumming throughout within the guts of this gutted house which is my vessel. The mournful shrieks of a final moment, the sheer, unhinged hunger in my eyes, as I'd watch myself fade away as the soft wisp of darkness becomes the all-consuming naught." Hanzo's expressive, visceral eyes gleam and widen, as his melancholic, fleeting smile etches, then erases as quickly as his surging emotions become the faded pencil stroke upon his lips. How the light blazes around him and he feels lifted by the genuineness of her words. He may be wet and bloody, internally screaming and externally holding himself erect, but he embodies the beating heart of simply existing; being a human despite him not being one. "But I know this is real and this is now. A song so sweet which lies between my cracked ribs." ▬▬ι═══════ﺤ 🔥 ||

☽◯☾┄─ @sasorikigai || ʰᵃⁿᶻᵒ (ᶜᵒⁿᵗ.)

Wanda hadn't been expected to be left behind by Hanzo when he had gone off to check on the village. She was left behind because he felt he had to do it because he was the protector. She had begrudgingly agreed to let Hanzo go by himself without her, but she told him if he didn't return within an hour, she would join him. Wanda had come here to do a job, and she didn't like that her job was being taken from her when she was tasked to do something. She walked around the compound to ease her frustrations and not be left to her own devices and destroy anything out of frustration.

She, of course, diligently kept track of time until the hour passed so she could fight alongside him. The minutes seemed to go by slower than Wanda liked as she stared at her phone screen. After her walk, she settled to sit down at the base of one of the Japanese maples with a book in her lap. It was a better way for her to pass the time than just standing at the gates waiting with little to no time passing. It was the best way to keep her mind occupied from her worries and frustrations. The hour dwindled by slowly, but it was down to a few minutes remaining, and Hanzo still hadn't returned from the village.

The flaming vortex of Hanzo’s teleportation caught Wanda’s attention as she had stepped onto the footpath. He came back with only a minute to spare, while she was relieved, she was disappointed she didn’t get to go to assist. Instinctively, Wanda ran to Hanzo, jumping out to take him into her embrace. She had felt that she had caused the taller man to stumble somewhat when she jumped to embrace him. He was tense as a bow string the moment her body collided with his. "I just... am pleased to see you, that’s all." She sheepishly, murmured explaining just what this sudden embrace was to him. Her arms encircled his torso, her hands on his back, gripping the material of his Shirai Ryu uniform tightly in her palms.

“I know it’s a part of your duties, but I can’t help but worry about you.” He was doused in blood, no doubt getting some of it on herself as well. Wanda looked up at him with blood smeared on her chin, she had felt of the tension in his form soften somewhat. Her violet eyes stared into his bone white irises. "It doesn't bother me, Hanzo. I'm just happy that you're here." Wanda smiles softly with a tender gleam in her eyes, she meant every word she said to him. As much as he confused and worried her, she did care about him.

[sasorikigai]

Signs of Hyper-Independence

Hyper-independence refers to individual attempts to be fully independent in all things, even when it is not helpful to do so or when Hanzo truly needs help or support from others. Although hyper-independence can manifest differently depending on the individual, Hanzo's signs of hyper-independence can include:

Over-achieving: He may over-commit to work or personal projects to the point that he is unable to manage the load himself.

Refusing to delegate or ask for help: He will struggle to ask others to help him when he is overwhelmed, or he will be unable to pass tasks on to someone else.

Guardedness in relationships: Close relationships are interdependent by nature, and he will struggle to let his walls down and let the other person in.

Secretiveness: He will often keep to himself or be reluctant to share personal information that could be used against him.

Mistrust of other people: Sometimes, he is hyper-independent because he worries that others will let him down or betray his trust.

Few close or long-term relationships: Because he is unable to open up to other people, it can be difficult for him to form and maintain friendships and romantic relationships (especially at the beginning of his relationships).

Stress or burnout: Because he struggles with delegating or asking for help when he needs it, he often takes on more than he can handle, leading to heightened stress or even burnout symptoms (his is mostly sleeplessness, fatigue, and depressed moods).

Dislike of “neediness”: In addition to not wanting to rely on others, he may resent or resist others relying on him.

It is Hanzo's trauma response; for his brain automatically activated his body's defense mechanism, also known as survival responses. This means that his body would choose behaviors based on what will keep it the safest at the moment. Because his brain is wired to keep him and the others safe and alive, he tends to hold onto survival mode even long after the traumatic event has passed and he feels as if if he does not process it, even if it is no longer adaptive or helpful to do so, he would lose a sense of control.

[sasorikigai]

how are you beautiful?

sunlight shining through leaves

a cool breeze blows past, billowing the leaves. the light is dappled, falling like ink on the earth. the undersides of the leaves glow golden green against the sky. the wind shifts, and the light falls through in a whole new way. everchanging and everpresent, yet always staying the same somehow.

a dry storm in the desert

powerful. it comes with the promise of relief, of peace, and then does not give it. lightning strikes out in the desert, giving an ominous glow for a moment. dark clouds above, dark sand below. the rain floats in the air, disappearing before touching soil. the sands shift in the hot wind. rumors spread in town, of strange ships that fly in the storm, of creatures roaming out in the dark. all unknown, all unknowable

Tagged by: @hexsreality

Tagging: @sonxflight, @kcnshi / @whiptrip, @somniaxperdita and YOU

[sasorikigai]

Hanzo DOES come with a relationship warning.

Part of the process of dealing with Hanzo/Scorpion's trauma is that the edges of him are rough and sharp and don’t allow a smooth approach at the beginning of the relationship. As such, people need to learn how to handle his reactivity and resistance in order to become intimate. For Hanzo, some of the hardest things to accept about himself are things that cause intense feelings of guilt and shame. Often the cover-up for these core feelings (mostly his intimidating allure and gruff and grumpy appearance) are masks that he uses to protect himself from allowing others to access those profound experiences he has lived that caused those feelings.

Resistance to change is like having a tight muscle; the more he works it out, the less tight it becomes and the more natural it feels to have more flexibility in that muscle or joint.

The feeling of freedom and loose pressure on something that used to bother him a lot is the result he gets from a lot of exposure and work on that particular issue to become less rigid and thus more flexible. Neurons and the mind are a flexible muscle as well. The more he stays in his rigid patterns, the less likely to form more flexible neuronal structures that allow him the neuroplasticity to completely reframe his entire reference systems. However, a very important aspect in the process of working out with such “tight muscles” is to give it the appropriate time to heal. Just like any physical injury, healing mental trauma has a time and pace to do it so it doesn’t overload him which ends up being the opposite of healing, but creating instead a new trauma from speeding up the process too much.

Trauma, just like an injury needs time to heal and an appropriate context in which resources are available to help in the healing process.

For Hanzo/Scorpion, the most important part of being intimate with him is the ability to share vulnerability and emotions together. As such, being able to express what he really feels without having to make a joke about it and create banter around the ideas he needs to share with his beloved. It may look more “masculine” and thus make him feel less vulnerable only creates longer journeys for discovering each other. Hanzo already knows, and as the relationship progresses, will grow exponentially comfortable and unashamed to identify what his emotional needs are, his thoughts and feelings, or to express how someone can help him fulfill these.

The practice of vulnerability is something that can’t be taught by any book. Not even therapy really enables him to get down from his head into your heart if he is not fully ready to take that commitment towards himself and work on his reactivity and get attuned to his real emotions. Mostly, the overarching message for warriors and men like him is that any weakness is shameful. And since vulnerability is often perceived as weakness, it is especially risky for men to practice vulnerability.