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#Anime Ending Theme
frostfires-blog · 11 months
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SNK FINAL ED: ITTERASSHAI
HANAKOTOBA ANALYSIS
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-> White Cherry Blossom
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White cherry blossoms are the first flower featured in the final ending theme song credits. The cherry blossom (Prunus serrulata) is also known as the Japanese cherry and is the unofficial national flower of Japan. Its Japanese name Sakura (桜) has been derived from the word “saku” which means “to bloom”.  Its meanings in hanakotoba are “beauty of spirit”, grace, chastity, excellent beauty, gentleness, good education and the “transience of life”. In Japan, cherry blossoms are also a symbol of the “beauty of impermanence”—a Shinto concept better known as “mono no aware” (物の哀れ) as their falling petals are a reminder that although life is short, it is beautiful and should be savoured. The Japanese concept of “natsukashi” (懐かしい) likewise emphasizes the fleeting nature of cherry blossoms. This concept refers to the happy-yet-wistful nostalgia for times and things that we will never be able to go back to. We will never get to experience those moments again, just like the ephemeral cherry blossoms, which makes them even more significant. Cherry blossoms bloom from March to April which is the start of the new fiscal year in Japan. As a result of this cherry blossoms have also come to symbolise new beginnings and springtime. Given that feudal Japanese soldiers associated cherry blossoms with honour, discipline, and dignity—falling flowers were thought to be symbolic of a Samurai's death. In Western floriography, cherry blossoms herald the changing of the seasons and symbolise renewal and rebirth. They also symbolise the fleeting nature of life, tenderness, forgiveness, strength, beauty, love, confidence, peace, friendship and gratitude. White cherry blossoms, in particular, represent purity, innocence, and simplicity, as well as hope and rebirth. White cherry blossom blossoms convey joy in the celebration of new beginnings. “Utsukushiki Zankoku na Sekai” (AOT ED1) depicts a young Mikasa rushing about looking for Eren in a dark, gloomy landscape before shifting into her older self. “Akuma no Ko” (AOT ED7) depicts a young Eren wandering around on his own in a dark cage until he breaks free into a colourful meadow before morphing into his older self. Meanwhile, the final ending, “Itterasshai”, depicts both a young Mikasa and Eren as well as an adult Mikasa and Eren uniting in a field of flowers beneath a picturesque sunset. Given that white cherry blossoms symbolise new beginnings, hope, and rebirth, their inclusion in this montage enhances its depiction of the pair reuniting in the afterlife—effectively tying the first and seventh ending sequences together. Various concepts embodied by the cherry blossom, particularly the transiency of life, mono no aware (the beauty of impermanence), and natsukashi (nostalgia for times and things we can't return to), are also significant themes in Attack on Titan's final arcs, making the flower's placement here appropriate.
-> Red Rose
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The next set of flower featured in the final ending sequence are red roses. In Japan, red roses are called benibara (紅薔薇). In hanakotoba roses symbolise love and beauty while red roses in particular symbolize affection and passionate love; while rose thorns represent “happiness in misfortune”.  In Western floriography, roses symbolize love, passion, beauty, romance and secrecy. Red roses symbolize enduring passion, desire, affection and romance. In the visuals for “Itterasshai” four red roses are seen growing alongside a white picket fence. A white bird is later seen flying with a single red rose in its beak. Four red roses are said to symbolise that “nothing will ever come between us”. While a single red rose symbolises love at first sight. This suggests that nothing, not even death, is capable of impacting the pair's feelings for each other and that they have been in love since their first meeting as children. While red roses are an international symbol of romance, passion, devotion and long-lasting love, in some cultures they symbolise sacrifice, martyrdom, bravery, and strength.  These qualities embody Eren’s character pretty well.
-> Dandelion
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In the above panel, Mikasa holds two dandelion flowers in her hands. Dandelions (Taraxacum) are known as Tanpopo (たんぽぽ) in Japanese. Its meanings in hanakotoba are sincere love, separation and a prophecy of love. Additionally, in English floriography, dandelions represent faithfulness, hope, healing, light and happiness. They also symbolise joy, youthful thoughts, endurance, prosperity and healing. Given that the dandelion is a symbolic representation of faithfulness, happiness, healing, light, hope and prophecies of love—their use in this ending sequence further reinforces the concept of Mikasa reuniting with Eren in the afterlife.
-> White Daisy
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Daisies (Bellis) are known as hinagiku (デイジー) in Japanese, and they hold the hanakotoba meanings of patience, purity, “secret love”, hope, innocence, beauty, peace, and faith. In English floriography, yellow daisies symbolise joy, and growth as well as a turning point or new beginning. Considering the daisy's symbolic connotations, its usage ending sequence once more accentuates the depiction of the pair finally getting a new start following the events of the series' conclusion. Its meanings of patience, hope, faith and secret love in particular highlight Mikasa going through the rest of her life hoping to be reunited after death.
───●◎●─── P.S. ───●◎●───
-> White Carnation
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The flowers Mikasa places by Eren’s grave are the same flowers we see her holding after her passing. These flowers are known as carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus) and are called Kānēshon (カーネーション) in Japanese. Its meanings in hanakotoba are innocent and deep love.  White carnations in particular hold the meaning “my love is love” and pure love in Japanese culture. In Western floriography, they symbolise love, fascination and distinction. Carnations are the most popular flower used at weddings in China, while in Korea they express admiration, love and gratitude. Carnations are frequently given as gifts in Japan to convey affection for loved ones or to honour those who have passed away. White carnations, in particular, represent purity and are therefore commonly utilised in ceremonies and rituals. The meaning of these flowers makes them an excellent choice for this scene and ties well into Mikasa and Eren’s dynamic. The flower’s meaning “my love is alive” perfectly encapsulates Mikasa’s feelings in the aftermath of the series and is a fitting offering for Eren’s gravestone.
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╰┈➤ Attack on Titan ED7 Hanakotoba Analysis
╰┈➤ Anime Hanakotoba Posts Directory
[I wanted to contribute something towards the fandom considering that aot/snk has finally ended but I knew that doing a full-scale review of the episode would be a bad idea. In short, I want to say a lot of things but at the same time, there's nothing I want to say... When I saw the flowers featured in the final ed I knew I had to cover them. If you guys want me to do a Q&A for the show, I'd be willing to... So, feel free to send me questions to answer...
As a side note, I didn't go into a lot of detail here and stuck to focusing on eremika since I've already done a hanakotoba post for snk/aot--where I went into greater depth on the show's general themes.]
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thanakite · 2 years
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Most Animes: Okay at the end of each arc we will change the opening and ending theme to go with the next arc
HxH: We're just going to go with the same opening theme for each Arc but we'll change up the end themes with the arcs
Black Clover: We will arbitrarily change our opening and ending themes as we want, whatever ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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maplebars · 5 months
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beyond journey's end
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crescentfool · 7 months
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reunion 🌸
#persona 3#persona 3 spoilers#minato arisato#makoto yuki#ryoji mochizuki#aigis#ryomina#lizzy does art#HELLO EVERYONE!!! march 5th is upon us again so i bring... my contribution for this year. my third year drawing for it!#i made the thumbnail for this a few weeks after last year's graduation day#i thought it would be fun to lean into the ryominaigis angle of graduation day (you could read this as minato/aigis if you like-#but i feel like most people would read it as ryoji/minato)#IN ANY CASE working on this made me very emotional over this game :') (specifically minato)#i really enjoy how p3 ends it's such a nice way of wrapping up the narrative's messages and themes#working on this. minato's kindness was at the forefront of my mind throughout the piece#and i really wanted to capture how. ultimately it was his decision to sacrifice himself- to do the great seal#while to an outsider's perspective it is. sad that minato passes. i think becoming the seal is something that minato-#actively welcomes. in the same way that death (ryoji) is a comfort to him because death was housed in him for Ten YearsTM#AND I ALSO GOT REALLY SAD OVER AIGIS TOO. i still get fucked up over how in fes's animated cutscene for 3/5 they portray-#her as human and not drawing the robot parts so i wanted to do something smilar here...#but also i am very sad on aigis's behalf because she discovers her humanity through minato and realizes what she-#wants to do and then. well. minato is like. he's ready to pass on (even if he's scared) and im like. OH MY GOD THIS TRIO GETS ME MESSED UP#this was more coherent in my head LOL BUT ough i like drawing p3 and working through my feelings about it...#anyway! happy (in quotations) march 5th. i love this game to bits. it's so fun to draw for this day every year and see how i've improved#if you've read all this thank you :) lizzy appreciates you all very much. mwah! <3
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0fps · 9 months
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SOUSOU NO FRIEREN ❖ fern vs lügner
Damn you, Frieren. How did you train this girl?
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yourlocalabomination · 8 months
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I am not immune to funny crackships.
+ Bonus
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chellychuu · 9 months
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Sakura 🌸🎀
Kofi // Inprnt
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canastadisastrous · 2 months
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You know what? The xmen film franchise isn’t perfect. Xmen will never be perfect. But I’m glad that it exists.
There’s something so specifically heartwarming/gut wrenching about watching the new Deadpool and Wolverine film, and seeing all of these discarded characters given another chance. We never would have gotten any of that without the shit show that was Fox’s Xmen films, and I’m happy that I got to sit through shit films like Apocalypse and Origins: Wolverine just to have glowing moments like the og sabertooth actor taking action one more time. The scrapped Gambit film became a beautiful cameo for Channing Tatum and it couldn’t have been better
I’m glad that every deadpool film lead to this, because no other character could have bridged this into the MCU in this way. I’m happy that the MCU exists, even if I don’t follow it much nowadays, because without it I would not have gotten to see yellow suit wolverine on the big screen. Thank you Hugh Jackman for coming back (even if Disney‘s gonna make you do it until you’re 90) thank you Ryan Reynolds, Channing Tatum, Jennifer Garner, Wesley Snipes, Dafne Keen, thank you to everyone involved in the making of a film which was more of a celebration of the X-Men and the insane, broken, but beautiful history they have. Thank you to every actor who ever played an X-Men character ever. Thank you to both Jubilees from different timelines even though it made absolutely no sense
Thank you for existing, X-Men franchise
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nordsea-horizons · 11 months
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🍀 shamrock by ardenight 🍀
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beaulesbian · 11 months
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✨ Happy Birthday Roronoa Zoro ⚔️(11.11)
"Until the day I defeat him and become a master swordsman, I'll never be defeated! Got any problem with that, King of the Pirates?!"
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canisalbus · 9 days
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Hey, I’m new to Tumblr, but I’ve seen your characters around the internet and I love them so much!! Everyone has so much love for Machete and Vasco and your art is so cool to see! Do you have any tips for an aspiring artist and creative writer?
Hi! Welcome to tumblr! I'm glad to hear you like my dogs :]
I'm not really a writer, and I also completely lose my confidence when I'm trying to explain my art processes. So this is probably an obvious, unhelpful platitude at best, but one thing I've realized is that you should allow yourself to be self-indulgent. If you're the primary target audience of your own work, it generates passion and keeps you inspired and motivated. I like to believe that people who see your creations are more likely to respond to them positively if they can sense that you're putting your heart and soul to them.
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frostfires-blog · 1 year
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SNK ED 7: Akuma no Ko Hanakotoba Analysis
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-> Evening Primrose
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The first flower pictured in Akuma no Ko is the white evening primrose (Oenothera speciosa). Evening primrose is known as tsukimiso (月見草) in Japanese and its hanakotoba meanings are “silent affection” and “transient spirit”. In English floriography, they symbolize mute devotion, inconstancy, and faithfulness. As its name suggests, evening primrose blooms at night thus avoiding public view. This is where the meanings of silent affection and mute devotion are derived from. White evening primrose flowers turn pale pink when they wither in the morning, this is where the flower's meaning of inconstancy and transient spirit are derived from. In the visuals of this ending, young Eren is surrounded by countless white evening primrose flowers as our focus is drawn to a single evening primrose a single drop of blood stains the flower. This could symbolize Eren being corrupted by hatred, trauma, and loss or Eren’s love for those he is close to corrupting his morals. Eren’s shortened lifespan greatly contrasts his lofty goals and immense determination which ties into the flower symbolising transient spirit. Eren has stated that he will keep “moving forward” and has greatly changed since his first appearance both physically as well as mentally. This fits in well with the flower symbolizing inconstancy. Eren has hidden his feelings and intentions from his friends and loved ones, especially Mikasa, until the moment of his death. This ties in well with the flower symbolizing mute devotion, faithfulness, and silent affection. 
-> Wildflowers (Part 1)
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As the song reaches its chorus both the cage surrounding Eren as well as the accompanying darkness disappear as he is surrounded by a bright field of blooming wildflowers. The most notable of these wildflowers are yellow daisies and lavender. Daisies (Bellis) are known as hinagiku (デイジー) in Japanese, and they hold the hanakotoba meanings of faith, “secret love”, hope, beauty, peace, and faith. In English floriography, yellow daisies symbolise joy, and growth as well as a turning point or new beginning. Season 4 has been an immense defining moment for Eren, and his final actions have resulted in a tentative peace sort of new beginning for humanity tying into the flower symbolising turning points, new beginnings and peace. Lavender (Lavandula) is known as rabenda (ラベンダー) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings include “expectation”, “suspicion”, “distrust” and “answer me”. In English floriography, lavender flowers symbolise devotion and love in addition to distrust and silence. The tranquillizing effect of lavender and its mysteriously strong scent is what its meanings of silence and distrust have given rise to its respective meanings of “silence” and “distrust”. Throughout most of the final arc, Eren’s motivations and feelings have been secret to his friends and comrades. In the days leading up to his defection from the scouting regiment, others regarded him with suspicion and distrust whilst simultaneously having expectations for him. After his defection, his friends demanded answers from him to no avail. This ties into lavender’s meanings of expectation, distrust, suspicion, silence and “answer me”. Lavender’s meaning of devotion complements Eren’s determination towards protecting his loved ones is shown through his willingness to dirty his hands, go through immense suffering and even temporarily hurt them for their own ultimate benefit.
-> Wisteria
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We are then shown various locales in Paradise Island including Trost district and Utgard castle all of which are pictured as decrepit, uninhibited ruins overtaken by various plants. The most prominent of these is the wisteria pictured growing on the brick walls of the Trost district. Wisteria is known as fuji (藤) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are “kindness”, “welcome”, “never leave” and “intoxicated/drunk in love”. In Japanese culture, wisteria has also come to symbolize honour, wisdom, endurance, steadfastness and support. In English floriography, wisteria is associated with being steadfast, faithful and welcoming. Additional meanings include tenderness and sensitivity. Wisteria’s meanings of steadfastness and endurance complement Eren’s determination and stubbornness while its meanings of honour and kindness contradict Eren’s willingness to sacrifice the greater good in order to protect those important to him. Wisteria’s tendency to grip tightly to trees to grow up straight is what has led to it coming to mean an unwillingness to let go or being drunk in love. This concept strongly encapsulates Eren’s feelings towards Mikasa, particularly highlighting his unwillingness to see her move on after his death.
-> Wildflowers (Part 2)
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The final panels in this ending show older Eren walking freely in the field of wildflowers. As our focus is shifted to his feet trotting through the myriads of flora. The most notable of which are white daisies, violets, white globe amaranth, nemophila and cosmos. Daisies (Bellis) are known as hinagiku (デイジー) in Japanese, and they hold the hanakotoba meanings of faith, “secret love”, hope, beauty, peace, and faith. In English floriography, white daisies symbolise innocence. The concept of childhood innocence being corrupted by cruelties of war and discord is a central theme in Attack on Titan. Violets (Viola) are known as sumire (菫) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings include “humility”, “sincerity”, “small happiness” and “love”. While in English floriography they represent faithfulness, modesty, affection and virtue.  The meaning “small happiness” resonates with Eren’s ideology as he is willing to sacrifice many so that those he cares for (a small minority) are happy. Nemophila are more commonly known as baby blue eyes and are called rurikarakusa (ネモフィラ) in Japan. Its hanakotoba meanings are daintiness, “I forgive you” and “success everywhere”. Although Eren maintains a determined and cold persona in order to fulfil his plans, deep down he is scared and unsure which ties into the flower symbolising daintiness. In the end despite dying and being stopped partway, his loved ones are able to live fulfilling lives tying into the flower’s meaning of “success everywhere”. White globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) is known as sennichikou (センニチコウ) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are unfading love as well as timeless/eternal love. In English floriography, they symbolise unfading love, immortality, hope in misery as well as what is unchangeable. The name and meaning of this flower both derive from the flower’s long flowering period. The phrase “hope in misery” perfectly encapsulates what many of the characters including Eren have been struggling to grasp.  The meanings of unfading, timeless and eternal love describe many of the friendships and relationships in the show and encapsulate its themes of love and loss. At this point, Eren is set on fulfilling his goals despite his friends wanting to change his mind. This ties into the flower symbolising what is unchangeable. The Cosmos flower is known as kosumosu (宇宙) in Japan. Its name is derived from the Greek word "Kosmos" meaning harmony and order. This has contributed to the flower coming to symbolise harmony, beauty and peace in English floriography. Its hanakotoba meanings include humility, purity, affection and modesty. The Cosmos flower is also said to represent "the joys that love and life can bring". Ironically Attack on Titan rarely focuses on the joys that love and life can bring but instead highlights that while beautiful, the world is also especially cruel. Additionally, the cosmos flower’s meanings of peace, purity and harmony are juxtaposed with the dark themes of war, loss, corruption and sacrifice in the show.
P.S.
-> Bellflower
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Bellflowers have made consistent appearances in Attack on Titan since the first episode. Bellflowers are from the Campanulaceae family and are known as berufurawā (ベルフラワー) or kikyo (キキョウ) in Japanese. Its hanakotoba meanings are gratitude and sincerity. While in English floriography they symbolise constancy, sorrowful regret, humility and kindness. The flowers made notable appearances in the opening scene under the tree where Eren and Mikasa were sitting as well as in season 2 where Eren unlocked the co-ordinate power of the founding titan after Mikasa’s speech. In both scenes, we see characters being vulnerable after having premonitions of future loss and having faced repeated loss. This ties in with the flower’s meanings of humility, sorrowful regret, and sincerity. After Mikasa’s speech—wherein she thanked Eren for everything he had done for her—Eren gets up and is motivated to persevere once more. This ties in with the flower’s meanings of constancy, kindness, and gratitude.
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[If you liked this post, check out my other hanakotoba analysis posts here ❀]
[I didn't go into a lot of detail here because everything is very abstract and subtle and is thus difficult to explain than with other shows... Also, many people—including myself—have very conflicting views on and interpretations of the ending of Attack on Titan... So, I don't want to stir up discourse.]
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futuristichedge · 2 months
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Drill!!
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chickenstilldancing · 4 months
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Li'l princess
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flowerakatsuka · 26 days
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gay ppl @ a summer festival, what will they do??
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threepandas · 2 months
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Bad End, Eve: Part 2
Prev: <-
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He had clothes for me. And It would not have been so unsettling, had they been less... precise. Less flattering. Fit less perfectly. But they DID. A sundress, in a flattering cut. A lovely color for my skin tone. The sort of thing a man who wore only variations of the same outfits? Day in and day out? Definitely researched.
At least I had fucking underwear now.
Even if I still couldn't move under my own power, farther then an inch or so.
He didn't even have the decency to dress me like a doll. Fondly but with some detachment. A bit of distance I could cling too. No, I was the paralyzed toddler, to be cradled and cooed over as he manhandled me. Praises as though I DONE anything. Kisses pressed to bio-gel wet hair and skin.
Weren't I SUCH a good girl? Letting him do as he pleases. Unable to stop him. Weak as the newborn I was. Fuck. The echoes of pain still howled along my near weeping nerve endings. Begging for rest. For the finest pain medication cocktails money can buy. Anything.
Instead I got this.
Clingy hands and the near bitter cold of a lab.
A lab coat was pulled onto me next. It didn't match my little dress up outfit. But? At least it was WARM. Thank god. Already, the goo was making my clothes stick to me. Sucking away my heat. Leaving my... my EVERYTHING feeling gross and sticky. I wanted a shower. Not to be dressed up.
But I had a feeling I wouldn't be getting what I wanted.
"There we are~ All nice and covered up. We'll get you cleaned up soon, sweetheart. Daddy promises." The madman who held me hummed. His face tucked against my gel filthy hair as his hand rubbed up and down my limp arm, as though trying to draw warmth to it. A mockery of caring. This was possession. "Now let's get out of here, hmm?"
Scooped up like a princess, I felt more like a toy too be carted around.
I was carried, for the first time, from the lab that had been all I'd known.
I wish he'd left me there. Forgotten I even existed. Instead, I got to see firsthand, EXACTLY what he had done. And... and I knew... KNEW that none of those dead around me were innocent. They all had hand in atrocities, either directly or by compliance. Inaction. But.... but did they deserve this? Indiscriminate execution?
He didn't even glance down, as he strolled through the carnage he had made.
Too the elevators, where he casually kicked the corpse blocking the door, out of the way, before steeping inside. We rode in near silence. Just me, him, and the corpses of three security gaurds and a scientist. He was humming. Soft but pleased, as though the day had turned out surprisingly well.
He had to rest me on a hood, when we reached the carpark. So he could dig out his keys. I was swept up again. Though not carried far. Fancy. Good to know being a morally bankrupt, weirdly clingy, DEEPLY fucking cracked, mad scientist pays well... I guess...
Placed down on another hood while he...
Are you kidding me?
With a near skip in his step, I watch as my "father" strolls to the trunk of his car. Pops it open. Pulls out a FUCKING KIT. An honest to God duffle bag. Several unopened plastic carseat covers. How... how LONG has he been PLANNING this?!
Numbly, I watch as he preps his front seat for me. Both protecting the upholstery while somehow making an honest to God nest of comfort for his little passenger princess. There are layers. The motions look practiced. I... I feel like I'm in a fever dream.
He does realize I'm technically a science experiment, right?
We are... for lack of a better plot device, absconding in the night? He's not PICKING ME UP FROM THE HOSPITAL. He's kidnapping me! Stealing me!! What the ACTUAL FUCK?!
I don't ask. Know BETTER then to ask. I remember that much. You don't argue with crazy. You smile, nod, and quietly get the FUCK out of there at the first possible chance. Placate don't escalate. If the madman wants to play "happy family"? Suuuuuure, "Daddy". Of COURSE.
That's EXACTLY what'll do...
You know, right up until I can fucking RUN again.
Then peace out, bitchcakes. You can take your nuttypuffs and SHOVE IT. I am sore, cold, and YOU are the one who kept pumping me full of drugs! They HURT. A LOT. I know for a FACT the world's probably gonna end. In that weirdly symbolic anime way, where there's giant hands and faces or whatever, so? Screw you!
Noooooot that I SAY that.
Because, again, we do not provoke the crazy man with a gun.
And a PLAN apparently. Dooooon't LIKE that he has "A Plan". In fact, would Prefer Not. But I'm not getting what I want today. I'm getting lifted and put, like a precious if sickly child, into the little car nest he's made for me and tucked in. Watching as he rounds the car to slide protectors over his own seat as well.
Well... at least he's self AWARE of all the blood.
He starts the car. Turns on the heater, a few taps of the console screen has music beginning to play and my seat leaning back. He leans over to grab my seat belt, as though this were all perfectly normal, pressing a soft kiss to my temple as he gets me situated.
There are straight jackets less containing.
I am trapped. Bundled by blankets, wrapped and pressed in on all sides, pillows and fancy little comforts I never wanted or asked for. All to then be strapped down by a seat belt I can't even REACH.
Great.
Just... Great.
He leaves the car running. Keys hanging, tormenting me really, in the ignition. If only I could FUCKING MOVE. I watch as he gets out. Walks back towards the elevator. He seems to think we apparently have all the time in the world. And really, according to time on the console? We kinda fucking DO.
It's barely mid-day.
Not... not even lunch.
Somehow that makes it worse. It shouldn't. I know it shouldn't. Death and massacre can happen at any time. But... the fact that he so cheerfully killed each and every one of his co-workers? Massacred everyone in the fucking building but me? In broad daylight? Makes it... worse.
It feels like the sort of horror that should only happen during dark, moonless, nights. Someplace dark. Where you expect the wickedness of man against man, the inhumanity of so called civilized people. Not... daylight. Beneath the cheerful rays under which children play and people fall in love, life bustles around. It should be for LIVING.
It's a bias.
A naive thought.
Foolish of me to hold...
And yet? I still had it. Still found myself shocked. Guess I can be glad? That my innocence has not been COMPLETELY lost to this place. That there is still good in me. I seem to still assume the best of people, foolish as that is. How very dangerous.
My "father" is back. Wheeling boxes and boxes of hard drives. Lock boxes of things unknown. First the trunk, then the back seat. The car is stuffed. Every secret this place ever held it seemed. He's talking them. His grin has teeth. Is giddy and MEAN.
Looting the corpses of his enemies agrees with him, it seems.
The last trip is for his briefcase. A small pile of file folders. He's nearly dancing. Does a little twirl as he passes the front of the car, a slide to reach the door. Humming a showtime I don't recognize.
"Ah~ I've waited for this moment for YEARS~! Ha Ha!" Teeth flash and catch the low light of the carpark's emergency lighting, his eyes practically glow with a manic schadenfreude. "Oh my sweet Eve, you have NO idea how much I've been looking forward to the day I get to steal you away~ BURN this cesspit to the ground. And best of all? Finally get my hands on all this research! Put it to actual USE for once! No more filthy Adams. No more trying to fix the worthless and damned! Just us. Just Eden."
Well THATS not fucking ominou-...
Wait.
WHAT.
Eden. As in EDEN Eden? End game Eden? Super mega doom project Eden? Seemly perfect garden of bliss build upon horrors, that you think have to face Plot Relevant, "get one of several endings", Moral Quandary EDEN??? THAT ONE!? Oh, MOTHER FUCKER. Please tell me Crazy Daddy Pants isn't one of the Architects of the apocalypse.
I do NOT want to be ground zero for that. NOR in the Protagonist's way!
He buckles up. Pulls out of his spot. Casual as anything. The world is blinding, after a life spent inside. A depressing cyberpunk hellcity crowds the world around us. Somehow both choking the world of all color, even as it splashes itself with gaudy and neon like some sort of radioactive oil spill.
Clambering over each other like a bucket of crabs, dragging everyone else down as they claw at what's left of the sky.
A full city of Babel.
Yet? Even as I remember, lay witness, to this oh so familiar set dressing? Limp in my creator's car, as he drives. Smoothly navigating chaotic traffic worse then anything I could ever remember? My mind was faster then it had been. Processed information FASTER then I could ever have imagined.
I... I experienced time differently, I think.
It was... flexible? Slowing and speeding, depending on if I... not "concentrated"? But "payed attention"? I guess? Wanted to know. It felt almost like flexing something, yet there was no... flexing? Feeling? It was strange.
Yet...
Yet, with it...
I SAW.
A food cart. Owner sneaking a bedraggled man a few extra peice when he glanced away. Young parents, swinging their child between them. He is the center of their world. A first date. They are both widows, old grief still clings, but cautiously... they are ready to try again. There is SO MUCH. Lives and lives and LIVES.
The city is ugly, cruel, but the people are not.
They are not props in someone else's play.
The traffic dies off, as we get closer and closer to opulence. As brutalism shifts to a blend of art nouveau and art deco. Bits of greenery, kept like trophies to be displayed. I am somehow... unsurprised, when my creator pulls us into the garage of one of the more expensive but barren looking houses.
It is the sort of place that makes show room's seem warm.
Because, at least, show rooms TRY to mimic hospitality and warmth. A lived in quality. They, at least, SUGGEST that the dwelling they represent could one day be a home. This? This place hold no such illusions. This house would prefer itself to be a lab. Be left alone. The walls somehow radiating a disgust of you.
It is unbearably cold.
Scooped up again. The blankets have dried against my skin in places. So he merely takes them with, rather then (apparently) risk my poor hyper durable yet still sensitive skin. He's made me a living tank. Through agony after agony, day by day, yet NOW? Now I am treated like spun glass.
Carried into the house... and God, in the GARAGE was bad? This is somehow worse. I feel like tracking in a single speck of dirt would somehow get me treated to a summary execution. Literally. That nothing resides here but nutrient paste and room temperature, triple filtered water. A place where the color beige is treading dangerously close to being "too much".
Isn't this a form of torture? I'm pretty sure this was a form of torture, locking people in rooms designed like this.
Up the stairs, down a near barren hallway. The paintings probably came the house. They scream "generic and inoffensive". Where are we..? WHY are we going to the master bedroom? I do not WANT to be alone in a bedroom with you, my dude. Shit. FUCK!
I wriggle. I can twitch my feet a bit more now, but not by much.
"Shhhh, my perfection, I know. Being so filthy must be unbearable. But don't worry, Daddy's here. We're almost there." He croons at me, almost in the exact tone one uses to sooth a fussy toddler. I pray to God this isn't a sex thing. It's already weird, I don't know HOW weird I can tolerate before I snap. "Daddy's gonna get you all cleaned up, okay? Then you can take a nap while he pack everything to go. We're going on a little road trip to our new home. Growing girls need clean air and flowers, after all."
Oooooh fuck.
Fuck, he DOES plan to take me to Eden.
Ooooh ho hooo, I am gonna DIE die. Like... super mega death. Class A with sparkles Death. Eden is a seemingly utopian dream garden. A cottage core painting brought to life. Problem is? It's built on the back of endless suffering. Cruelty and blood, atrocity and hell itself made real.
You could like in heaven... so long as you ignored what it cost others.
Destroying Eden is what triggers the Apocalypse. Because it's BUILT INTO THE PLANET. Like a massive tumor. A parasite. Killing an already dying world even FASTER. But? Again. If you wanted to get YOURS and damn the rest? Beautiful beyond measure.
His bathroom is exactly the sort of rich person nonsense I expected from a house this size. Too much space. I get set down on a bench. Because THAT'S normal to just.. fucking have. How the hell does it not MOLD? No, wait, concentrate. I do NOT want this man bathing me! Yes, he's seen me naked. A lot. But that wasn't touching! No touchy!
He comes back with a pitcher.
And I discover that I am saved. Bio-gel is incredibly water soluble. He pours water over where the blankets stick to me to free me. Has removed his shoes and watch. Everything, really, that can't afford to get wet. I find out why? When he carries me straight into a walk in shower.
Fully dressed.
....at least he's respecting my boundaries?
Never VOICED them, though. So I have no idea what this is. Washing off the blood maybe? We don't stay long. Or, rather, I don't stay long. Just long enough to remove most of the gel. Then I am swept off to a fancy jacuzzi tub. Oooooh, bubbles. Warm water. Warm and comfy, massaging wat jet lined seat. Blergle....
I think my brain is melting out.
Waaaarm soup. Bubbles. Cook my muscles until I am noodle. Leave me, I wanna die here.
I am utterly blissed out. Boneless. No longer even TRYING to keep track of my surroundings. The indulgent chuckle from above me? Should probably worry about that. But on the OTHER hand... what if I just continued to doze off, here, in what is clearly heaven's water filled embrace? Hands gather my hair. Gently begin to work what smells like fancy shampoo into it.
Spa day?
My sleepy brain says it's probably spa day or something. This is nice~
By the time everything is done, my limbs are heavy and boneless. Relaxed. At least, I'm PRETTY sure that's why I can't move so good. Mmmm, sleepy. Warm now. I list to the side, only to be caught gently. The guy helping me, helps me change. Comfy new clothes. Hair ready for sleep. Even carries me to a big ol bed. Tucks me in. How nice...
I'm forgetting something...
Feels important. But I'm TIRED. I'll deal with it in the morning.
"Ah~ my perfect girl, I can't wait to give you EVERYTHING." Whispers a voice, like a confession, before a kiss is pressed to my temple. "You were made to be loved. Adored. The perfect child meant for a perfect world. I can not wait to finally bring you HOME. God's mistake was making Adam."
"All I need, is Eve."
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