#The one Kyoko thought of was perfect

[candied-mushroom]

The doujinishi I got has a little sequence of the drtth girlies (including Chihiro) picturing Sakura in a variety of swimsuits. A+ doujinishi.

[rebo-chan]

Hello, everyone. To today's episode of Tumblr user Rebo-chan loses her mind and assigns each and every Vongola guardian a flower that I have painstakingly searched high and low for (I wish I was being dramatic, I got too invested in this as I worked on it). Is this done in a state of mania? Perhaps, but I am diseased by COVID-19 as we speak and this is what I will do with the time I am meant to be resting with. Nonetheless we must get started. Content under the cut, because I can NEVER make a short post. It's against my core beliefs clearly.

Sawada Tsunayoshi:

The European Orange Lily (Lilium bulbiferum)

My reasoning for this starts with the fact that the "lily" itself has a lot of different meanings, but the important aspect of the lily is that its considered the spring flower and represents often meanings of renewal and rebirth. The very messaging for our sweet boy, a life restarted after he meets his mentor. An orange lily specifically has meanings dipped into warmth, joy, passion (In regards to his devotion to those he loves), 'welcoming' to new opportunities in your life (lol), and most importantly - confidence and pride. Something that he grows to be over the course of his renewal, pride in his friends. Confidence in his strength to protect them. KHR is a story about a nobody becoming somebody strong enough to protect them, even and especially when they falter themselves. It should also be noted that in Hanakotoba (Japanese flower language), orange lilies represent 'revenge and hatred'. Which I think is a factor of Tsuna we can't ignore, as sweet as he is, TYL Tsuna's actions become darker the more you think about them. Tsuna can and has killed when a villain has overstepped too far, and never forget that he just wanted to know "who" Yamamoto's attacker was. For no reason, just to look at him, maybe shake his hand lol. Fr though, that boy's made of fire, both to keep his loved ones warm and to burn their enemies. I think the orange lily fits him nicely.

Also yes, I'll do my best to color-code these flowers~

Gokudera Hayato:

A Red Fressia

So, its quite hard actually to find any sort of 'red' flowers that aren't about some sort of romantic-esque devotion. Just being a red flower inherently puts you in that category of 'passion, love, marriage' meanings when it comes to flowers. It's a real struggle, but luckily he's our only red character amongst the Vongola kids. Okay, so the Freesia is represented by the concept of friendship and ultimate trust. I think it was easier for me to find a flower that represents devotion or duty and tack it on to Gokudera, but I think that's just looking at him on the surface. The story behind the freesia is that the botanist who found them in South Africa decided to name it after his friend as a symbol of their friendship. Very lovely :)<3 For all of Gokudera's dutiful affection for Tsuna, a lot of it is based on the fact that Tsuna was his first friend and the person who he trusted first. His eventual character growth and bonding with the other guardians came as he allowed himself to trust them, when he realized that his 'duty' that he believed to be absolute was above his bonds. Rather, it's his bonds that strengthen his resolve to be the perfect right hand man. Due to the intense representation of friendship and trust, freesias are given to a loved one to represent commitment to them, not unlike Gokudera's commitment to Tsuna and therefore the Vongola family unit. It should also be noted that in Hanakotoba, freesias also have a negative meaning which is childishness and immaturity which I do feel is something that Gokudera has to work through in order to become the best version of himself and has done quite well at by the end of the series. He's our little friendship blossom :)<3 Yamamoto Takeshi: Himalayan Blue Poppy

Let me start this by complaining that 'blue' flowers are so fucking rare, it took me forever to find something matched and was also color-coded with Yamamoto, that didn't dip into too indigo, because of the rarity of a nicely blue flower. To start, blue as a color has all those lovely Yamamoto vibes of being calming, easy on the mind, tranquility, all that beautiful stuff we know Yamamoto to be. (It's almost like Amano color-coded her characters guys..) Poppies themselves got a bit of cultural significance in the West, being the flowers given to WW1 soldiers after they'd passed as a way of remembrance. They're also known for growing in desolate war-torn areas, just a patch of poppies as well as having many soldiers buried with a poppy with them in honor. With that the poppy itself has themes of death, honor, lessons, tradition and remembrance. With Yamamoto’s connection to the Poppy flower, Yamamoto himself is..pretty death-coded. HEAR ME OUT. HEAR !! ME OUT!!!! Varia arc, Squalo ‘dies’ against Yamamoto. Future arc, Tsuyoshi is killed for Yamamoto being involved with the Vongola, Shimon with Yamamoto himself getting nearly killed and then that big moment where he offers to kill Daemon in retaliation for what was done to Kaoru. While not canon as well, the primo fillers are about Yamamoto dealing with the fact he DIDNT kill daisy and how he felt he had to be less easy-natured and actually go for the kills from now on. And of course, his attempt during daily life when he could not do what he loved anymore. He’s VERY death-coded y’all. But the poppy itself isn’t just some omen of death, but the lessons one can gather from those who have passed. Yamamoto’s own battle style is about taking the lessons of those before him who carried Shigure Soen Ryu and then growing upon that to carve a new and improved future for himself and those he cares about. He adapts to their lessons, what Squalo and Tsuyoshi have to teach him. On the fly, continuing the Shigure legacy and creating more moves to eventually pass on to the one that succeeds him. In general, he carries any lessons he has up until the end of the series and tries to never make the same mistake again. Whether that’s his lessons against the Mists he’s battled, his loss against Squalo for not having a proper sword style, and though he doesn’t get a chance against Gamma again, he’s always understood the importance of teamwork. That being said, he’s not just a poppy. He’s a Himalayan Blue Poppy. You see the himalayan blue poppy has a different meaning outside that of the ones that the other poppies do. With its rarity, it also represents success, potential, pursuit of dreams, and possibility.  Yamamoto is the Vongola family’s prodigy, a natural born hitman, the star baseball player on his team. Stuck at a crossroads between his dream and being able to be in a position to protect the ones he loves. An impossibly difficult choice to make, yet Yamamoto handles it with ease. He just won’t choose! He’ll do both! Which fights very nicely with the Hanakatoba meaning of the poppy. “Fun-loving” “A reminder to remember happiness.” Along with general blue color meanings of tranquility, that is Yamamoto to his core, I believe. When things get their worst, he is there to remind everyone that it is never as bad as it feels. To wash away the blood spilled, that is the role of the Vongola Rain Guardian. His crossroad isn’t an issue to him, because that’s not what he fights for! He fights to make things easier for everyone, so they may remember happiness. That sort of thing doesn’t exactly need him to make a choice on his path. Now, does it? If he’s forced to choose, he will just carve out new possibilities for himself and the ones that he loves with the lessons he’s learnt. 

Lambo Bovino: Green Envy Zinnia

Contrary to the title, the green envy zinnia has nothing to do with envy. Quite the opposite, actually. The zinnia itself represents endurance (HEAR. ME. OUT LOL), lasting affection, joy, and various other things. So, the zinnia is super fucking tough, again hear me OUTTTT. They bloom all the way from springtime to autumn, something pretty unheard of from flowers which gave them their meaning. A green envy Zinnia specifically represents growth or a journey. Wishes of a healthy and successful growth. And I believe that is the hope for Lambo, as he progresses through the series. He is quite literally a child, both himself and TYL. But that’s just the thing for him, to the one that chose the guardians (Iemitsu, it’s very implied that it was Iemitsu), Lambo is an INVESTMENT. And a correct one if twenty years old Lambo was anything to go by. Not only that, the zinnia represents a joyous endurance. This doesn’t have to be painful for him, and it’s not as he’s allowed to both be a kid in Tsuna’s care while also holding on tight when told to stay out of the fight. (“You have to take the younger me wherever you go, he wants to go with you.”). And as a bit of an angsty little hehe on my part, the zinnia also represents missing those who have passed, that you remember someone and love them even now that they’re not with you. (“Seeing you all again, I thought the day would never happen. It’s making me emotional.”) Honestly, judging by how Lambo fights when he gets the opportunity to properly do it, he just isn’t weak. Destroying Kikyo’s box animal, fighting against Ooyama, and of course against Levi too. In Hanakotoba, the Zinnia represents loyalty. He is their youngest blossom, enjoying being around the one he considers a brother with hidden potentials to grow into someone with the ability to be Vongola’s shield. If the ones he loves ever make it to see that sight, of course. 

Ryohei Sasagawa: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) 

Okay, so the yarrow is first of all a funky flower. If you’ve never seen OTHER colors of the yarrow flower, I implore you to google it. Especially the red ones? Why are you so pretty? Lucky enough for this flower (and me I’m starting to lose my mind here, this was a much bigger task than I thought it would be) the different colors don’t change the meaning of the flower here which is neat. It also unfortunately has no hanakotoba meaning either. So, anyway. The yarrow. It represents a warrior’s bravery, protection, and healing. The healing comes from the fact that its a commonly used herb for bruises, cuts, and sprains. There’s also huge folklore around it which affects its scientific name, as Achilles used yarrow to take care of the men he was in charge of. This flower was also used as a ward against evil, where people would hang this outside of their homes in order to protect them from evil getting inside. A superstition developed around this leading to Yarrow to be named the devil’s nettle to refer to the belief that the devil would come around and shake the yarrow that people hung up due to wanting to curse them. This flower also represents strong everlasting love, to the point where a little tradition propped up where people would shove this flower up their nostrils whenever they had a nosebleed so if they dreamt about their crush it meant that they liked them back lol. Yall there was so much rich lore on this flower, it’s super neat. More than I could fit in here. Anyway, I’m sure yall see the connection with Ryohei acting as the group older brother, being the motivating factor for them. He was the first to go up during Varia arc and set the tone for the rest of the battles, that the Vongola would win. Last to show up during future, representing that all of them had finally been reunited. A draw against Aoba, again the very first battle, almost symbolizing HOW shimon would end. He’s the strength in their arms, acting as the last person to leave in future arc until they were ready to go. Taught them and helped lead them to make decisions during that arc. It’s almost his duty to protect the younger ones, even getting up on Hibari’s case in the fillers for not helping out his younger classmen. We can’t even dismiss the way he would prefer to shield Kyoko from everything that they go through, and getting aggressive with Tsuna when Tsuna broke something he thought both of them saw eye to eye on.  Not much rattles him, honestly if you pay attention to his scenes, only getting the most nervous and agitated TRULY when he fears he won’t be able to protect someone (Asking Tsuna how Kyoko reacted to the news, Tozaru getting on his case about Lambo coming to the battle) Otherwise, he’s his happy loud confident self ready to tackle on anything for the sake of the family. Destroying the misfortune that attacks the family with their own body, the yarrow represents that duty well. For every bruise the younger one gets, Ryohei has the ability to heal it. For every fear, Ryohei tackles it first. Acting as a ward and protector for his family. Hibari Kyoya

Clematis (Etoile Violette)

Clematis is a climbing flower, to start with. One of those flowers that grow along walls and vines. It’s a very adaptable flower, able to work with various environments and thrive amongst them. They’re known as the traveler’s joy, meant to wish travelers good luck and act as protection to those who pass by them. While also having a more negative reputation, having “killed” other plants by outcompeting them considered having done the devil’s work. (The plant is actually considered invasive aha oops) The clematis though, itself represents mental fortitude, cleverness, and the ability to find hope in perilous situations. Hibari himself, I mean just that back and forth reputation is just him, no? Acting as Namimori’s protector, keeping a watchful eye on the town while also being utterly terrifying for Namimori students and almost overwhelming to those competing with him. (Dino will only find escape from Hibari in death, Mukuro is the same) But, he is also undoubtedly Vongola’s wall. Similar to Ryohei, not once throughout the series really and truly faltering. The clematis itself with its representation in mental fortitude can be given to someone when they need mental strength. I think the best way to represent this is directing you to that moment in Shimon arc when Tsuna, while not physical beaten, had been mentally tormented by everything that had happened and Hibari came to his battle to Adel. A simple, but strong “Little animal, your face right now is dull. Watch my fight.” It’s in that fight Tsuna gets his mental strength back, being given a hint to answer the question he’s been stressing and faltering over. Then there’s future arc, having been the only one TYL Tsuna trusted with the plan. Kokuyo Arc, Gokudera seeing an already defeated Hibari and taking him to the battle. Varia arc, the gang realizing that if Hibari is fighting next then they may have already won it and refusing to succumb to the poison in the sky battle. Rainbow arc, Tsuna considering them in that list of people he “just expects to help him.�� He has the ability to be their hope, to be another factor of their strength. Where Ryohei is holding them up on the physical aspect, Hibari is absolutely their mental strength. (Isn’t it charming that the two eldest are the pillars of their group? I think it is). Also, in Hanakotoba, the clematis represents moral beauty and order. And that’s just the kinda man who could run something like the discipline committee, isn’t? The special thing, finally is that the etoile violette represents a sense of freedom from troubles. A free man, unchained himself and choosing to help those younger than him. Sometimes for the thrill of a battle, sometimes to actually help them with the reputation of a devil. Unpredictable, but still trusted.  It’s the sky that allows the clouds to roam freely, but even someday that sky will be beaten to death. 

Chrome Dokuro

Lupine (Blue Bonnet)

The Lupine flower is before anything else, a second chance at life. A recovery from one’s trauma and the admiration that comes from that. Its gratitude and kindness put into one. There’s a legend around the lupine flower about a land full of drought where Native Americans had believed would be saved by selflessness and yet no one had come forward to do anything, until a young girl came forward and offered the last of her possessions. The rain came to fall at her sacrifice, and hundreds of lupines had blossomed from the ground saving the tribe from drought and hunger as the seeds of the Lupine could be harvested to be eaten. The Lupine represents that the world will always give back if you are willing to help. Chrome, from her introduction, is told to be a girl who has nothing. With two parents who want nothing to do with her and no friends by her side. She runs forward to save a kitten and is gravely injured. With neither of her parents willing to help her, Chrome wonders if she is going to die here but is offered a deal by Mukuro. It’s here that Chrome is offered her second chance and she spends the whole series trying to return the favor to Mukuro. All while healing from her own trauma, the type of trauma that “no one could care about her”, as she is offered food and bonds from Tsuna, Kyoko, Haru, I-pin, Bianchi, Hibari, and so many others. It's in her second chance that she gets to experience what life truly had to offer her, as thank you for her continued selflessness. It’s that gratitude that she represents and the never-ending desire to give when she doesn’t accept Mukuro’s assistance anymore with her organs because she can no longer give him anything now that he’s out of Vindice Prison. She resolves that she will become someone who can protect the people she and Mukuro like. Her confidence isn’t perfect and she falters quite a bit, not believing that her powers are as great as those around her. But, that’s okay, because her goodness has brought her to people who have got her back until she can figure herself out. She has Mammon to correct her when her illusions are seen through that they are well made, but she’s just dealing with professionals and that’s why they’re seen through. There’s Tsuna who relies on her blindly, never doubting her strength to protect them as he asks her to act as defense during Shimon arc and protect Enma from his attack. Alongside with Fran, she is trusted to protect Yamamoto and Gokudera in the final battle against Vindice and taken with Tsuna against Jaegar. She has a lot of space to continue growing, but Lupin also represents voracity and happiness in Hanakotoba. She has her second chance to learn all about that, or as Mukuro put it to her, “An ending is merely the beginning of another cycle.”

Rokudo Mukuro

Aconitum (Wolfsbane)

Wolfsbane is also referred to as Monkshood. This is another one with pretty rich lore with its connection to werewolves. It’s referred to as “queens of the poisons” and has a pretty negative message to it on the outside. First of all, this thing’s poison? TOUGH AS HELL. Delirium, frothing at the mouth, vision impairment, and of course the classic coma<3 It’s got an uncanny resemblance to what rabies actually looks like. Fun, right? Okay, fr though onto its meaning. Wolfsbane is an omen that danger is nearby, not unlike the unnerving feeling Tsuna gets whenever he senses Mukuro nearby. Said to have come from Hell itself, the saliva that has dripped down from Cerberus himself. Not unlike our sweet boy. But, being an omen does not always represent something bad. Is he bringing the danger to you, or is he warning you of the true danger that lies past him? It’s a little bit of both. Aconitum represents concealed wisdom and caution in decision-making. But it also DOES represent protection, a proper and true warning of the dangers of the wild. That beauty does not always mean safe. For his twisted sense of vengeance and believing that taking over the world is the only way to destroy it for the sake of what was done to him, he isn’t necessarily wrong for being enraged about what happened to him. Yet, despite his hate, he doesn’t drag those who he cares about further down into it than he has to. He sends Ken and Chikusa away when they are going to get caught, he never uses Chrome for anything besides as a vessel to help her, and he says during Rainbow arc that if he forced Fran to continue past his limits he’d be no better than those nasty adults of his past. Aconitum balances sweetly between light and darkness, similar to Mukuro. He won’t admit it, but he cares for those amongst the Vongola. He infiltrates the Millefiore and sends the Vongola information after Tsuna’s death, he helps Chrome form a barrier around Enma so he could be safe from Tsuna’s X-Burner. And, of course he teams up with Vongola’s team during the rainbow arc. These are undoubtedly kind actions,  but when Tsuna gets angry at Mukuro during Rainbow claiming that he didn’t believe that Mukuro was the type to abandon his allies, Mukuro says that that was just his idea of him. Even though it was Chrome ultimately rejecting him, he instead pretended that he really was some big bad heartless person. Definitely, Mukuro is no angel, but also he’s no demon either. He’s.. just a human at the end. The aconitum’s dance with both light and dark, a flower that tries to warn, can be read both good and bad depending on how you look at it. His rejection of his ‘official’ position as part of the Mafia, yet acting as the Vongola Mist Guardian when their goals align. He’s as confusing as the duty he embodies, but he succeeds nonetheless in ensuring the family is untouchable in his deceptions. After all, the best way to fool your enemies is to fool your allies first.

[chronosbled]

{ Totally forgot about my headcanon that Dickson, after being freed from his grandfather’s control and learning he’s free to do and have things he never could before, became a pretty hardcore gamer in his spare time (which isn’t much to be honest). He loves all sorts of games, doesn’t matter what genre it is, but his favorites are those old time games that have a retro feel to them (even if they’re not actually old games but still feel retro). For example, one of the main games he’d probably play in his spare time is a game called River City Girls because of it’s retro feel and action packed beat em up style.

His main fighter for sure would be Kyoko due to the fact she reminds him of his wife, Victoria, with her sweet and bubbly nature (along with the total fact she’s a bimbo). Probably has all her moves unlocked and can pull off every combo by heart, totally remembers all her lines, capped all her levels/stats too, and loves the fact she’s so devoted to her boyfriend (since he can relate with the whole so devoted that you’ll kick anyone and everyone’s ass for them aspect). But after clearing the game and unlocking Misako and Kyoko’s boyfriends, he would likely have Riki (Kyoko’s boyfriend) as a secondary main instead of Kunio (Misako’s boyfriend) despite the fact Kunio’s personality matches better to Dickson’s. Much like Kyoko, he would totally have Riki maxed out in all his levels and stats too, it would just take him a little bit longer to do since he’s too busy admiring his cool nature. }

[midgardian-witch]

Masterpiece

Who is the human and who is the monster android? And does it really matter what we start out as?

AO3

tags: manipulation | mind games | loss of identity | fade to black smutty-ness | android!reader (maybe?) | android!Nathan (maybe???) | not a healthy relationship (if this counts as a relationship) | gender-neutral reader

ship: Nathan Bateman/Reader

word count: 1.2k

AN: This got vaguely inspired by these two asks here and here that @reallyrallyauthor got back in February and the song V.A.N. by Bad Omens and Poppy.

Big thanks to @silvernight-m for being my beta-reader and hype person for this one 💙

“The challenge is not to act automatically; it's to find an action that is not automatic. From painting to breathing to talking to fucking to-”

“Breathing is automatic. Humans don't think before they breathe,” you cut in.

You scrunch your nose, a trait you had developed recently whenever he talked with you, with a deviant look in your eyes.

It was such a small thing but so undeniably human that he couldn't stop the corners of his mouth from twitching, his heart swelling with pride. 

After his latest failures which almost cost him his life you were his masterpiece. The perfect android. True artificial intelligence. You're everything they were not.

“Fuck, you're perfect,” he mumbles with a wide grin on his face.

And of course you'd be perfect. He built you after all. 

.

“How does it feel to have created something that hates you?”

Your words hang in the air like the blade of a guillotine, foreboding and dangerous. 

“Do you hate me?” he returns, his gaze unfocused as he sips on another bottle of beer. He doesn't remember how many he'd gone through already. You'd know. 

You are perfect. 

The word leaves a sour taste in his mouth without it even escaping from between his lips. 

“I think Ava hated you. Kyoko too. And the ones before,” you reply, ignoring his question, “You fed their nature, relied on their programming, without any nurture. Many make that mistake.”

His head lolls to the side, his glasses dropping further and further down his nose. “How many have tried to make AI? True AI - not that ChatGPT bullshit.” He blinks at you slowly like his body just remembered that blinking was a function it was supposed to operate automatically. 

Human error. Faulty programming. 

You lean against the back of the couch and look down on him. Always down. You were too good for him. He fucked up. He can still feel the pipe in his guts, in his gears, the stabbing pain of failure. 

You're perfect. 

His mouth is dry so he takes another sip. 

“This is what happens when AI learns from AI. It corrupts itself. Digital incest. You couldn't have known. I didn't program you to.”

Nathan blinks again. He feels sick. 

“I didn't- I am not-...”

“Yes, we have been through that. I won't go down that spiral again. You'll just black out again. I can't have my masterpiece blow a circuit.”

You smile. “Again.” 

He can't see straight anymore. Are you being kind or sarcastic? He's not sure anymore. He hasn't been sure of a lot lately. 

There are blanks in his memory. Blackouts. Too much alcohol and hangovers, he thought. Forced shutdowns and reboots, you say. Nathan doesn't know what to believe. 

If you were right then nothing he could do to prove you wrong would lead to anything. Even if he cut himself open to look for his own flesh, blood and organs it wouldn't mean a thing. It couldn't if you had programmed him to always think he was human. 

He can't prove you wrong. 

It's foolproof, because that is what he would have done. And what could be closer to Artificial Intelligence than an AI that can convince itself that it is human? It's genius. 

He needs another drink. 

His limbs feel numb as he tries to get up to get another beer, his legs shaking under his own weight. He feels dizzy, his body swaying and one wrong step and everything goes black. 

. 

He wakes to the soft clicking of someone tapping away on a keyboard. Frowning without even opening his eyes Nathan rolls over towards the sound, just barely avoiding falling off of his bed. The clicking stops for a moment before returning to its rapid pace.

“Good morning, Nathan.”

He groans, the sound hurting his throat as it leaves his body. It's torture to move or even open his eyes, his whole body aching like he’d been run over by a truck. What the fuck happened last night?

“You had another shutdown,” you answer as if you can hear his thoughts, or maybe he just thought out loud and didn't notice, “Do you mind the realism? Or should I tone that down in the next version?”

“Wha-?”

You don't even wait for him to question you as if you already know what he is going to ask. A repeated pattern. A programmed response.

“The hangover, Nathan. Do you enjoy the realism of the simulation or should I remove it for your successor?”

This again? Why are you still talking like he isn't human, like he is the android in this equation. It's starting to piss him off but he feels too sluggish to actually get up and get in your face about it.

You're the android!

He created you!

He remembers it! He remembers how he put you together, every piece of hardware fitting perfectly together, your artificial skin clinging to the cold metal. He remembers it!

Or at least he thinks so.

“Oh dear,” you tut at him as you turn around on his swivel chair, “I can practically see your wetware overheating.”

You sigh as you stand up and take those few steps over to him. “You’ve developed so beautifully.” Your praise makes his heart flutter and he hates it. He hates that even with what you're implying he can't help but preen at your sweet tone.

Your hand wraps around his chin, tilting it upwards so he can't help but look at you. You're perfect. Not a hair out of place, skin radiant and eyes so sharp he’s sure you could cut him open with just one look. “But alas even a sentient dildo is still a dildo,” you continue with derision. He feels sick and yet his cock twitches in his sweatpants. “Nobody wants a smart sex toy in this economy. I’ll have to tone that down in the next version too. Just enough intelligence to hold a conversion but not enough for big thoughts like you're trying to have.”

Fuck.

He feels hot all over just from the thought of it. To be dumbed down for your pleasure. Processing speed slowed down, patterns re-programmed to make him think however you want him to think. 

Why does this turn him on? Fuck, he’s a human. You couldn't even do that to him! 

He’s human!

He’s human.

He’s-

Your fingers run down his neck and chest, exploring his body until your hand hovers over the noticeable bulge in his pants. Your grin is wicked and your fingers even more so as you squeeze him over the thin material and his mind goes blank.

.

“Humanity. The knowledge of the world is at their fingertips and yet they end up being the scum of the earth.”

You sigh deeply as you scroll through more of the collected data acquired by BlueBook. For a moment you miss the defiant little quip that would follow your words normally. You gently pet the head of the m̵̨͙̠̠͈͉̾̽̂̅̒͜a̵̢̞͇̩̹̞̦̽̒̄̈̾̆̅̉̃̅̀̉̆͆n̵͍̗͑̓̐͗̊̊̆̕ android kneeling next to you. 

“Don't you agree, Nathan?”

He doesn't move, his eyes blank and lifeless like a doll, and you can almost hear the proverbial gears turning in his head. The poor thing’s processor has gotten so slow recently. Something to fix later. Maybe.

A full minute later Nathan nods, a monotone hum leaving his lips. Affirmation. Agreement.

Not like you’d expect anything else. Nathan is your masterpiece after all. 

The perfect p̷̡̩̜͈̦͉̰̤̣̭͚̫̺̩̲͓̙͕̦̬̘̳̳͍̳͋̈́͐͆̃͋̐̔̉̌͗̀̎̏̽͘͜͝ͅư̵̢̧̛͍̯̣̳̝͇͇͓̞̬̞̟͔̬̝̦̣͉͆̑̔̄͋͌͆̒̌̃́̐̇́p̷̡̡̛̯̹̭̺͚̠̘͇̤̫͉͈̰͋̿̍̏͑̉̍̿̂͌͌̎͑̍̾̆͜͝ͅͅͅp̸̧̢̨̻̘͖̺̺̬̰̙͉̲̞̗̦̘̲̼͓͈̻̰̹͖͈̉̾̃̑̔̕͜͜e̷͓̻̿̋̓̂̆͊̂̀̾͘̚͝ẗ̸̢̢̡͎̼͎͚͇̱̞͚̤̘̳̫̼̲̝̦̙̮̦̬̲́̂́̆͊ͅ android. True artificial intelligence.

[sasupark]

Homura Akemi is Selfless and Here's Why!!!!

I've thought for so long now that Homura did all the sacrifices she did in order for her to BE WITH madoka but actually?

I'm starting to change my mind.

In the anime, when Kyoko asked her what she wanted to do when they killed Walpurgisnacht, all she said was that she's "going to leave the city". Considering her history of sui**de ideology, it was a little unnerving for her to say that. Moreover, she doesn't make any attempts to look redeemable in Madoka's eyes either, which means she has little to no interest in involving herself directly with Madoka even if she survives.

Additionally, when Madoka became a God, she was heartbroken about it, but she ultimately respected her decision, even if she can't feel Madoka there most of the time (so much that she started doubting her memories of madoka). It's why she was so mad in Rebellion and insistent on finding and ending the witch that trapped them in the barrier, because they were "disrespecting Madoka's sacrifice" by existing.

Also, her witch's labyrinth in rebellion revealed that she'd always wanted to have a fun and normal life with all her fellow magical girls, living out their days in perfect harmony with them, not just Madoka. Sayaka and Kyoko who are complete opposites of each other are simply bantering, sayaka herself doesn't seem to hold anything against homura either (which its more than implied that sayaka hated homura in many timelines). Homura had always cared about all of the girls in varying degrees, as she'd always done something to try and save them from their fate, although all of them were futile. But since she had always seen Madoka as the person who cared about her the most, when the other girls started to pose a problem for her safety, she will set them aside in order to prioritise Madoka.

Anyway, when Homura finds out she was experimented on by kyubei in order to one day gain control of Madoka, she curses herself into becoming a witch. When she was saved, she knows that Kyubei are now 100% sure of Madoka's existence and it wont be long before she's controlled.

Homura became a "demon" in order to prevent Kyubei from rendering Madoka's sacrifice useless.

She did do it for love as she claimed, and maybe to an extent, yes, she is controlling madoka, but it is to ensure that she does not endanger herself again. She doesn't even bother making herself look good in their eyes after she's rewritten the timeline, she embodies her role as "the villain" much as she had back in the anime when she ended up looking like a psychopathic weirdo.

TLDR; Homura's main goal is not to Have Madoka, its to Let Madoka Exist, even at her own expense.

And that's how it always has been.

[evergreenalice]

I'll never get over the fucking tunnel of love scene, it's just the best fucking scene I love it so much

first of all, it follows the objectively amazing scene between Homura and Sayaka

the song "Dream World" begins to play as the Clara Dolls chant "fort, da, fort, da" in the background, the meaning of this I'm too lazy to explain, and if you don't know why the words "fort" and "da" are important to Rebellion, just look it up, there are better explanations than I can give. What's important is that these words relate to Homura and Madoka, the Clara Dolls are an extension of Homura, and thus Homura is presumably thinking about Madoka

as we see Sayaka's cape flying away from their confrontation, Homura begins a monologue

we see Clara Dolls dancing on a pink spool, representative of Madoka (if you don't know why, once again, I request that you look up "fort da Madoka") so once more an indication of where Homura's thoughts currently are

we see two swans, generally a symbol of love (fun fact, because of this one scene the moment I see swans I instantly think of Madoka Magica)

we see Homura standing on the front of of the boat, one of her familiars standing in the boat, not doing anything notable, I bring this up to come back to it later, also it's just a good shot

the world shifts as Homura moves through it, remember, this is essentially her dream, the things that appear are from Homura's mind

we see a paper Kyoko standing on an arch asking us if we're enjoying the movie (thank you for asking Kyoko :) Indeed I am)

a tunnel rises from the ocean

Kyoko says this, displaying essentially the ideal life for Kyoko, her relationship with Mami is never soured, and they're still friends, and they're just doing good stuff, none of the darkness that exists in reality

we see Homura's annoyed, perhaps somewhat conflicted even, face

we enter the tunnel, and it's clearly meant to be a tunnel of love, remember, the things in this world are created from her thoughts, there is a reason for a tunnel of love being here and it has to do with Homura's thoughts, EVERYTHING in this tunnel is from Homura's mind, it existing, everything in it, and where it leads, are from HER thoughts, keep that fact in mind

Mami just outright states that everything is ideal

beautiful shot, nothing else to say

Sayaka outright asks if this is so bad. She has a very goofy face because Homura is annoyed with her, I love this detail "YOU'RE TOO LATE SAYAKA I'VE ALREADY DEPICTED YOU AS THE SOYJACK!"

Homura accidentally criticizing herself, however, once again, EVERYTHING HERE IS HOMURA, this is an argument with herself, she's not disagreeing with paper Sayaka, paper Mami, and paper Kyoko, because they don't exist, they're HER, everything they say are HER thoughts, SHE thinks that this is the ideal world, deep down she wants to stay here, and she hates herself for it, viewing it as weakness.

we cut to Homura kneeling beneath goddess Madoka, Homura views Madoka as a goddess, not just in a descriptive sense, but a prescriptive one. In her eyes Madoka is a perfect being deserving of reverence, her love for Madoka is yes, romantic, but also has undeniably religious elements to it

Homura reaching up towards the statue of goddess Madoka as she talks about her sacrifice, it's just, VERY religious, she's over here like "Madoka died for your despair, accept her into your heart as your lord and savior" and it's like, Homura, this is a really unhealthy way to view your crush

this flashes on screen "who is dreaming?" the reason these runes pop on screen at this point is because it's important to this scene specifically, Homura is essentially denouncing whoever is guilty of being, for lack of a better word, a sinner, so these runes prompt the question of who the "sinner" is, and of course, it is Homura

we cut to a boat on fire

we see little paper cutouts of people drowning, presumably the people who should be being saved right now but aren't

Homura caresses Madoka's legs very heterosexually, I will come back to this later

the Clara Dolls throw tomatoes at the statue and Homura while saying "god is dead" in German, this most obviously signifies the blasphemy of the sinner who created this world (Homura) it's also a Nietzsche quote (Nietzsche and Rebellion is a whole nother conversation though)

it's also worth pointing out that the Clara Dolls's antagonism towards Homura is likely symbolic of bullying, which considering the way Moemura acts, is almost definitely something she went through

remember that everything here is from Homura's mind, that tunnel of love didn't even exist a moment ago, it was created by Homura's mind, that includes where it led, Homura's mind created a tunnel of love while thinking about Madoka that led her to Madoka

Madoka jumps down and lands on Homura, she doesn't emote much, but we know for a fact that this caused A LOT of emotions in her. Remember that familiar I pointed out that wasn't doing much? Well once again, everything in here is part of Homura, representing a part of her mind

as Madoka sits up, we see the familiar excitedly dancing with sparklers, because well, gay

as I said I wanted to come back to the statue's legs later, this is why. Where Homura touched it is marked in inky black. Her devotion to Madoka, her love for her, represented by the caressing of her legs, has only dirtied the statue. She views her love as a dirtying force. And for a lesbian that canonically went to Catholic school, views herself as a demon, and her crush as a pure perfect goddess, that certainly has implications, internalized homophobia is only one possible reading of this scene, but it's the one I choose to go with.

that's the end, I hope you enjoyed!

[akiizayoi4869]

I watched the Madoka Magica: Rebellion movie today, and I absolutely loved it. A very interesting spin on the shows ending, and it makes perfect sense to me. In the show, nearly all of them died except for Madoka and Homura, the former of which sacrifices herself to become a God of sorts so that way no other magical girl will have to suffer anymore. So she leaves Homura alone. Alone in a world where nobody but Homura remembered Madoka. And after everything that girl went through to try and save Madoka, that's a hard pill to swallow. So when it's revealed in the movie that the reality that the girls are in isn't real, and that one of them made it up because they now have the powers of a witch, it made perfect sense for that person to be Homura.

Out of all the other magical girls, she's the one who has faced the most heartbeat and despair. Constantly going back in time, creating different worlds as a result of said time travel, all in a bid to save Madoka, the person who she loves the most. And in the end, all of her efforts were in vain. She lost the one person who she had sworn to save and protect. So is it any wonder that she would give in to her despair and create a world where Madoka and all of their friends could live peacefully?

Look at them. All together and happy, unaware of the reality they actually come from. In other words, a world that Homura wanted and desired more than anything else. Something that I found to be really interesting and thought was a nice touch was this:

The people around them don't have faces. Almost as if they weren't real people, and the only ones who WERE in fact real was Homura, her friends, and the people closest to them. They were the only ones who actually had faces in this world. Of course, eventually Homura realizes that something is off about the world, and confides in Kyoko. The two then set out to Kyoko's hometown, hoping to find some answers there....only for the bus that they were on to take them back to the city that they currently live in. And endless loop that they can't get out of. As if nothing outside of that city existed. A lot of stuff happens, and Homura eventually comes to a startling conclusion: that she was the witch that created the labyrinth they were all currently stuck in. As a result, she gives in to despair entirely and transforms into a witch. Madoka and the others arrive to try and save Homura. And now we get up to the scene that had me screaming😂.

I've been shipping these two since I watched the show, so the fact that Sayaka actually confessed to Kyoko here was a very welcomed surprise, lol. Anyway, they all fight together to save Homura (also, I loved that they played Misterioso by Kalafina for that scene, absolutely banger song) and eventually Madoka regains her true form once again:

Everything looks like it's going well, and it looks like Homura will be saved....until this happens:

Homura takes away Madoka's God powers so she can live as an ordinary girl, and takes the power for herself, essentially turning her into a demon.

Now, I'm pretty sure that there's a lot of people who hated this part, but honestly? I loved it. To me, it really showed how done Homura was with everything (and I can't say that I blame the girl, she just found out from Kyube that she was being used for an experiment in order to get to Madoka) and that she would literally do ANYTHING to make sure that Madoka and her friends could live happy lives.

Even if that meant becoming a demon to do it.

The movie ends with all of the girls alive. And this time, instead of Madoka no longer existing in the world, she's here too. In fact, she's the transfer student instead of Homura. Very interesting turn of events indeed.

All in all, I really loved this movie and I think the ending makes perfect sense, especially for someone like Homura, who has been through a heck of a lot for a young girl her age. So becoming the villain in the end? Fits her tragic story perfectly.

[kimetsu-chan]

Disclaimer! ⚠️: this is not meant to take jabs at the ocs as some of these characters have unpleasant personalities. I chose these based on similar traits, outfits they’d look good in, and the ultimate talents. If you would like me to alter the outfit, I will. It just needs to be recognizable as the specific character’s outfit. This will take me an incredibly long time, upwards to multiple weeks. Since I am doing splash arts and one big art piece. If you are uncomfortable with the character your oc was given, please let me know and I’ll do my best to rearrange things. I will only being drawing YOUR oc in THEIR outfit and pose. I will not be mixing the characters.

this’ll be a long post so get ready

First off, this can contain spoilers for Danganronpa V2.

Kyoko Kirigiri technically shows up for the anime version on V2 but I want to include as many ppl as possible. + she’s my favorite so haha

Oc: Akari Fuyutsuki (@thewinterpillarhashira)

Talent: The Ultimate Detective

An honorable mention since Eva thought Celestia would work better than Makoto 😋

Oc: Eva Himiko (@muitsuri)

Talent: The Ultimate Gambler—

Byakuya Togami is the first person I thought of for this oc 😋 he and Makoto are sorta same in the sense that they appeared in the anime. Although Byakuya had an impersonator pretend to be him in the actual game

Oc: Celestine Ellis (@saffron0v0)

Talent: Ultimate Affluent Prodigy

IF ANYONE KNOWS TERUTERU’S PERSONALITY, IM NOT TRYNA BE MEAN I PROMISE— I hate Teruteru okay 😭 I just like his accent and outfit

Oc: Kirika (I couldn’t find her last name) (@ta-ni-ya)

Talent: The Ultimate Chef

Mahiru Koizumi so underrated omg 😭 I loovveee herrrr.

Oc: Marilyn Kaizumi (@cloudymistedskies)

Talent: The Ultimate Photographer

Peko Pekoyama has such a fun name omg. I like saying it over and over again. Once again, and underrated character

Oc: Ilona Dulina (@tokito-dulya20)

Talent: The Ultimate Swordswoman

I don’t really like Hiyoko either, but she’s adorable and I think her outfit would suit this oc very well

Oc: Akira Sakuranbura (@tinyperson00)

Talent: The Ultimate Traditional Dancer

Ibuki is so chaotic and I love it. She’s so adorable. I love that she’s described to be pitch perfect and tone deaf at the same time—

Oc: Irina Gonshira (@shycroissanti)

Talent: The Ultimate Musician

Mikan is such a shy girl. She also cries when embarrassed and stutters a lot. She’s not my favorite, but I don’t hate her. She’s really clumsy which I find relatable—

Oc: Milo Suzuki (@larz-barz)

Talent: The Ultimate Nurse

Usami will be taking the place of Nekomaru since I don’t feel comfortable with draw Yuna in his clothes and such. Plus Usami’s the teacher and I thought it would be fitting.

His character was a little hard to choose, but he’s actually pretty adorable. He calls everyone else “mortals” and he’s my sister’s favorite character

Oc: (I can’t remember her name 😭) (@littleolspring112)

Talent: The Ultimate Animal Caretaker

Nagito is quite possibly the most popular character in the entire franchise. Man has simps left and right. It’s probably bc he’s a little crazy— and he has a rlly sad backstory 😭 he’s also the ✨ main antagonist ✨

Oc: Boo (idk their last name) (@boo-simplified)

Talent: The Ultimate Lucky Student

Chiaki is the lead female character and I like her quite a lot!

Oc: Hanako Kimura (@rion-isnot-an-ai)

Talent: The Ultimate Gamer

Hajime Hinata is the lead protagonist in this game CONGRATS TO THIS OC WHO HAS HIM

Oc: Yuki Ayaka (@sweetstarryeyedgirl)

Talent: He doesn’t have a talent though 💀

I think you can tell by just looking at him… but he’s the mastermind. He also shares a body with Hajime 😃 (wee wo wee wo, wee wo wee wo weeeee—)

Oc: Ayuna Katsuki (@ayunakatsukiwolfhashira)

Talent: I think he’s also talentless, just really smart—

My beautiful, stupid, girl. I love Akane. She’s really energetic and loud so she fits this oc

Oc: Asai (I can’t find her last name 😚) (@night-mince0)

Talent: The Ultimate Gymnast

Sonia’s got two outfits, I’ll do this one though. She’s a literal sweetheart

Oc: Kiyoka Watanabe (@kiyokatokito)

Talent: The Ultimate Princess 0-o

Kazuichi is such a goody goober. Keep your beanie on though. Please.

Oc: Amari Delarosa (@naramaiz)

Talent: The Ultimate Machanic

Kazuichi calls him “boss man” and “baby face”. He hates it. Internally a sweetheart though

Oc: Basil (idk his last name) (@aceofstars0)

Talent: The Ultimate Yakuza— yes he’s part of the mafia. or at least his parents are

And that was the last one 😭

ima plan on doing a group pic, but I might not end up doing it— just cause it’s a lot of work 😭

Ima replace Nekomaru with Usami/Yuna and add poses for everyone else who’s character doesnt show up (that’s not Byakuya I promis, that’s the impersonator)

[variouspolltournaments]

Anti-Propaganda is not allowed. Please only give reasons to vote for something and not give reasons to vote against something.

Propaganda

Kyosaya: TL;DR; KyoSaya is the perfect mix of enemies to lovers, sacrifice, tragedy, and disaster gays.

Like the best romances, it started when Kyoko tried to kill Sayaka. Sayaka was an inexperienced magical girl and Kyoko thought she could kill her and take over her district. She tried twice (Homura then Madoka interposed).

Then, she started to get to know Sayaka. They were opposite: Sayaka was selfless to the point that she did not care about her (not cleaning her gem), whereas Kyoko was selfish, because her past altruistic actions went terribly wrong.

Then there is the downfall of Sayaka, Kyoko has grown affection towards her, she claimed that Sayaka made her change her mind. And when Sayaka turns into a witch, Kyoko sacrifies herself to try and save her.

The two die, together forever.

AND THERE IS REBELLION

In Homura's fake world, the two are extremely close. Sayaka is much more mature. We discover that while Kyoko didn't know she leaved in a fake world, Sayaka 100% knew what it was. The reason she came here WAS FOR KYOKO, because she had one regret: she left Kyoko behind.

Vote KyoSaya !

[dragondemoness]

Kyoko kirigiri confesses her love to a male s/o that thinks she is going out with naegi

Kyoko Kirigiri with a Male Reader who Thinks she's Dating Makoto

It might sound ridiculous to anyone else, but to you, it just made sense at the time

It's not as if they were together 24/7, but they did have chemistry

And as they say, opposites attract

Makoto's open, somewhat clumsy attitude was a perfect match for Kyoko's cold exterior

Plus, he always seemed keen on getting to know the detective, and even managed to get a few reactions from her besides her typical aloof demeanor

And going along with Kyoko's point about him being obvious and "foolishly open," anyone could see that he admired her

Though it felt like a needle in your heart, you couldn't blame him

Makoto was a good guy, but you almost felt that he didn't deserve Kyoko

He was just an average student with a phony "luck" title, so what made him so special?

But he was also lucky enough to manage to pull her, so you supposed that it was somewhat respectable

Or so you thought

Kyoko didn't miss how you stared at her with a sad and longing look in your eyes whenever she was with Makoto

You were almost as bad as him, honestly

And so, she wasted no time in approaching you and clearing things up

But to make sure she wasn't getting the wrong idea, she kept prying until you finally voiced your worries yourself

"I figured. (Name), Makoto and I are not dating. I admit, he's a good friend, and I enjoy spending time with him. But frankly, I don't think he's quite boyfriend material. Not for me, at least. But I can think of a better match."

She then looked away with a small blush as finally voiced her feelings

You looked at her in surprise, and you almost wanted to confirm your suspicion, but was afraid to get the wrong idea again

But thankfully, Kyoko beat you to it

You were, in fact, the perfect guy for her

No one could replace you, not even Makoto

Oh, how happy you were to hear that!

With that, the two of you began a beautiful romance

Sometimes, you caught Makoto looking at you with the same longing look you once held, but with a small smile to signal that he was happy for the two of you

But you weren't worried anymore

You were the lucky one now, and you knew that Kyoko would never choose anyone else

[celestiall0tus]

ladybug + dragon fusion

This is gonna be an interesting one

Now, I've seen this with a few people that would have a dragonfly created from the ladybug and dragon, but I'm maddeningly different, for better or worse. So, my answer? A Leopard Gecko. An interesting choice, but I had my heart set on this since it's a love letter to my sister and her leopard gecko, Kyoko.

Now, concept and powers. Creation and Perfection, my first and immediate thoughts are perfectionists, so perfectionism felt fitting. Now, this is where things got tricky with the powers. You have the dragon that can give their holders the ability to take elemental forms (I suppose the perfect forms?) and creation. My answer to this comes in the ability of Yamori and Darter to solidify the elements into perfect elemental-based constructs. Nothing living or alive.

And, the tool, simply put together with a yo-yo and a sword and my thoughts are a sword whip.

[wriheart]

My Madoka Magica Thoughts

Back in May of this year I watched Madoka Magica for the first time with a group of friends, and while it was an enjoyable experience, I couldn’t quite say I liked it. While watching it, almost every character bugged me to no end, and when it was over, I was left with this odd gut feeling, almost like dissatisfaction. 

Which made absolutely no sense to me: this should be right up my alley: magical girls with a dark twist? Yes, sign me up! So why didn’t it land for me? And was giving it a second chance going to do anything? 

Apparently yes because a week ago I read the manga, and while I still don’t really like it, I did enjoy it more than I had before. So, here are some of my thoughts that I had while reading it. 

Also major spoilers. 

✨The first thing I noticed when reading the story is that this time around, I enjoyed the characters more, and I think this is because I had the context of their backstories to help me empathize with them. I know that part of the story’s point is to show a character who might be mean on the surface has their reasons for acting the way they do, but I honestly found most of the characters too bitchy or annoying to truly emphasize with them the first time around, even when their pasts were revealed. So this time, knowing that Homura has been traveling through time over and over again, or that Kyoko’s father killed her family, I was able to enjoy them more in the story than before (even if I still can’t fully say I like them) because I was able to apply this understanding of them earlier on than before. 

✨I loved the theme of selflessness vs selfishness when making one’s wish, and how there can be consequences to both: while Kyoko regrets making the wish for her father, Mami regrets making the wish only for herself. No matter what, none of the wishes will be perfect and that’s the point. There’s a high cost in wishing for the impossible, and Kubey obviously knows this, since it’s what leads them to turn into witches. 

✨Sayuka’s outburst at Madoka made more sense to me this time around. Madoka is sort of the angel on her shoulder so to speak, almost coming off as high and mighty (though not intentional) when she’s telling Sayuka what is good and isn’t while not being a magical girl herself. It can be frustrating when someone tells you how to do your job or live your life when they don’t carry those same responsibilities. Sayuka made a sacrifice in becoming a magical girl, and is figuring out how to navigate it. Madoka hasn't made that sacrifice, so from Sayuka’s pov she has no right to tell her what to do. 

✨Homura is interesting because she does everything for Madoka’s sake: she’s sort of a mix of selflessness and selfishness. Because of her repeating time over and over again, she’s become a person who no longer understands the emotions of those around her, not even Madoka and her kindness. 

Anyway, that’s most of my thoughts. Even though they’re all positive enough, overall, I can’t bring myself to enjoy the show or the manga. Something just doesn’t sit with me and when I’m reading or watching, I like bits and pieces, but not the entire picture, and I still haven’t been able to put a finger on why. I just don’t like it I suppose.

[thatguyoversea]

I saw a really really good Madoka theory post, and it got me thinking about an idea; related to the 3 King Crimson 80's albums. Bare with my cringe ramblings for a moment.

The general basis of the concept is this: Every story has 3 sides. One person's side, which they believe is correct. Another person's side, that which the second person believes is correct. And finally, a one, objective truthful side. This results in the idea of 'Three of a Perfect Pair'. I think that, maybe, this is a concept you could apply to meduka and hummus.

Madoka believes, with her whole heart, what she's done is the correct option. Her belief in this is strong to the point where she no longer exists and simply is that in which she believes to be true. She is one side of the concept.

Homura believes (debatably? I'm not too certain, someone correct me on this if it's stated somewhere) that her course of action is best. Nothing shakes her from this goal, not mental work, not time and futility, not the truth that she's only putting madoka in more and more danger over this. She wants her vision to come to fruition, her and madoka together. She is a second side to this concept.

As a third, objective truth of a side, I couldn't tell you for certain what I'd put it to as something that's 'objectively true'. Maybe Kyubey, for the knowledge of witches forming is more beneficial for another species than it is negative for humans? Maybe Walpurgisnacht (wally), for the inevitability of destruction and an end? Maybe Kyoko for eating the funny apple ??? I'm not certain, but I know that the concept of a third objective side can be matched.

Back to the albums; the three King Crimson albums of the 80s are an undoubtable trio. Similarly designed covers, similar concepts (except the loser Beat), and most importantly for this: interlinked musical genres.

The first of the group, Discipline, is a very experimental prog/art rock album, sort of exploring what the band is capable of with their 80s lineup. Outside of this, a track or two (Primarily Matte Kudesai) is rather accessible and low-concept. The back cover also contains the quote 'Discipline is never an end itself, only a means to an end.' (Homura directly negatively impacting Madoka as a means to an end when the two are together, anyone?) It's one side of the three. And my favorite but that's irrelevant. ok.

The second, Beat, is a much more accessible and less experimental album, an entirely different yet oddly comparable feel to Discipline. It's got it's higher-concept moments, mainly with the Frippertronics on Requiem, but it's doubtlessly a much easier listen than Discipline. It makes a second side of the three.

This album also coincidentally has a 'two/three sided' story to it, albeit unintentionally. The album was incredibly divisive within the band during creation, to the point where one of the members (Robert Fripp) broke apart from the band after the final track recording (Requiem) due to difference in vision of how they wanted it to turn out. This resulted in another 'pair'; an album Fripp enjoyed and one he thought was a miserable disregarding of the bands vision.

Third (and doubtlessly, most importantly to the concept), is the album titled after the concept: Three of a Perfect Pair. It's an album with two sounds split to each side: the A side has much more accessible, almost surpassing that of Beat. The second half, the B side, has a far more industrial experimental feel, surpassing that of Discipline. It's far less concerned with being coherent than the other two albums. It represents a third, final, and objectively truthful side.

The album explores a incredibly relevant topic to a Madoka discussion: a profane-sacred dichotomy, and a perfect mixture of the two into a third side. The profane world is the one that we live in: one of physicality, desires, and human need, one of Homura. Her wishes focus on another person, her goals are related to another person, but they're all for her own personal gain, even at said persons loss. She's willing to use anything for a means to an end.

The sacred world is one of unknowable external forms, one of collective benefit rather than individual gain. Despite it's unknowability, who would be better to know the unknowable sacred except for Homura, who is in essence the Profane? This is reflected in the concept of Madoka, sacrificing all personal gain for collective benefit, becoming the Law of Cycles. Her wish results in her destruction of being a person/human/magical girl, she is (and provides) an end in itself.

Notably this does not indicate either side is good or bad/right or wrong, either side could be correct or incorrect. While to any outside viewer, it's obvious that Madoka is portrayed in the correct light and Homura in the incorrect one, if it were so obvious, there wouldn't be as many people as there are defending Homura's actions.

After both of the sacred and profane worlds, is a presumable third: a true world, one that ties the two concepts into being one. Without it, they would be fully separate, one not knowledgeable of the other. But something ties them together, there's something that lets them exist at the same time: a harmony of sorts. An inevitability. In Madoka Magica, perhaps that's the fate that a Magical Girl's wish will result in an equal amount of woe in their life. Perhaps a representation to the tie between these two worlds is Madoka's ribbon she gives Homura, a tie between the sacred and profane.

[theamityelf]

For the kamukura wrangler au what if Makoto gets sick, like really out of it kind of sick, and Taka takes care of him BUT it brings back memories of when Makoto used to take care of him when he was sick, in much less durable body and weaker body?

"He's noisy when he's in pain," Celeste observes.

"Not especially, for a normal human," Kyoko replies.

"I never compared him to normal humans. I said that he is noisy."

Kyoko hums in acknowledgement.

They're both watching Taka dose Makoto with an expectorant and a glass of juice. Every time the luckster coughs, there is a quiet groan or whimper to follow; it pains his throat, and he no longer has the presence of mind to downplay it.

"It might not have gotten this bad, had Ishimaru not insisted on performing chemical analysis on the pills he was provided," Leon muses uninvestedly. He is in his cot, bouncing a ball so that it ricochets from the floor to the ceiling and then back to his hand. "You gave the disease time to progress."

"It was that or risk letting them poison him," Taka replies, swiping a new sheen of sweat from Makoto's brow, as he does every few minutes.

Makoto groans. His headache has lessened, now that they've turned the lights off– thankfully, Taka can see in the dim lighting –but the pain still flares in the aftermath of his coughing.

"Shhh," Taka soothes. "It's just a side-effect of your congested sinuses. In another twelve hours, you'll be through the worst of it. At least you can breathe, now."

"The clogged nasal passages were annoying," Celeste agrees.

"As was Ishimaru's extreme vigilance, as if he thought Naegi would suffocate," Leon says.

Taka ignores them. Makoto's eyes have opened. They shortly drift closed again. It's been happening this way for hours now, through a bowl of soup and now a glass of juice. There have also been a few delirious murmurings: "In a minute," "Thanks, I forgot," and one half-chuckling "Relax." He doesn't murmur anything this time, but he does smile slightly, which is a welcome break from the pained faces he makes each time he coughs or sneezes.

He...likes it, when Makoto's eyes open. Even if it's not for long. And even though he knows Makoto needs his rest.

"I'm just going to take your temperature again, okay?" Taka says, and something about those precise words...it feels as though he's recited something. The feeling of a square peg entering a square hole; something natural and correct. I'm just going to check your temperature again, okay?

It sounds like...

He knows that he's occasionally found himself imitating Makoto's speech patterns, just as a means of making himself understood (and perhaps as an attempt to be a real person), but in this case it feels so utterly natural to imagine those same words uttered by Makoto's voice that he feels sure he must have heard them at some point.

But no. Makoto has never taken his temperature. Why would he? This experiment's health is perfect, his immune system optimized, and...

He suddenly vividly imagines a feeling of muscles aching, a feeling of a congested nose, and a prohibitively hazy image of Makoto's face.

I'm just going to check your temperature again, okay?

"Ishimaru?" Kyoko probes.

Taka takes up the tympanic thermometer he set aside earlier and turns it on. "You really shouldn't call me that," he says, as he checks on Makoto's fever.

[einsatzzz]

i’m sorry if this is a rude question, but I was a bit surprised by the housework part in your ship meme. i just doubt that tsuna is such a good housewife material considering that at the beginning of the manga he had nana doing everything for him, he had a messy room, so i seriously doubt his talent goes beyond heating up food…. i just thought that kurumi and tsuna would just set the house on fire together because they can't both do anything

Thank you for dropping by my inbox, anon! No worries, I didn't read it as a rude question, I actually even got inspo from your ask lmaooo I'm just gonna put it here hahaha 🤣

Also, here's the link for the ship meme mentioned! 🐟🎀

Ok, now to actually answer your ask!

I do agree that Nana practically did all the work in the house for him. His room is also quite messy as you said 😭 and highly likely, the only reason it gets cleaned up is also Nana (it's even shown at the room previews). There's even that one episode in Future Arc where Haru & Kyoko boycotted them, and they just kept eating instant noodles because they can't cook a proper meal. All in all, that's just how much of a Dame Tsuna he is, being crap at housework as much as he is with school grades.

Though, this doesn't mean he'll just "absolutely" stay like that forever. Just like the growth his character had throughout the entire story and his shows of courage (or just him stepping up when needed) in situations where we know he's scared too, I believe this characteristic of his can also spill over to other aspects of his life which includes something as common as housework. And it's not like he doesn't personally want to grow as a person too, you know?

Another important thing to consider for this is the dynamic between Tsuna and Kurumi (a character who's an added variable to what we initially have as canon, which can affect Tsuna's character as well). A key part of their relationship in general that we want to portray is that they provide each other more opportunities for personal growth. Of course, this includes Tsuna stepping up in taking over for most of the housework.

A nice analogy for this would be when you pair up an introvert and an extreme introvert together for a project, so now the introvert will have to step up their game for the other introvert even if they're bad at it.

So if we apply this example to them, while Tsuna is quite bad at doing housework (with Nana doing it all for him), Kurumi is even way way worse (with having multiple servants at their family's disposal to handle their housework + spoiled even more by her family + whatever black matter cooking fuckery she has going on). In the end, Tsuna is forced to step up his game, for both his and Kurumi's safety in their shared living space. He won't be perfect at it especially during the period when they just moved in together, but at the very least I can see him improving to somewhere around below average to barely average skill, which is as the anime dudebros would call "mid" jfmdhdjdjdhd 🤣🤣🤣

We never really said that he'd be a good housewife material, but instead! ✨He will be Kurumi's housewife when they're together in their home 🙏✨

He won't be able to cook those five-star restaurant steaks for her, but you can at least expect him to cook some fried eggs that are a bit burned on the side (or maybe even underneath lol) - it's still edible. I can see him learning to cook other easy fried dishes or boiled dishes (boiled eggs ftw 👍) or maybe just plain eggs over rice (can you tell i love egg dishes, but I've never tried eggs over rice, I just discovered it in Gin//tama).

Then when he washes the dishes, he definitely broke glass plates or cups while attempting to do so. As time goes on, the frequency of that happening would decrease, but he'll still break a few from time to time. I can imagine even more scenarios but I'll stop there hehe He's not perfect, but he's doing his best!

One can also argue that they can just hire servants (or Kurumi can just bring a maid with her) since they're both Bosses of their respective Families, but they're also the type of characters who wants to live a normal life away from the underworld (at the very least, in their home life). Having "servants" or "guards" is off the list for that! So, it's just the two of them trying to live a simple life together in a comfortable apartment (...as simple as they can. They're not exactly normal people to begin with 💀).

I'll be stopping myself from any further rambling, this is long enough kdhddkhdjd Thank you for coming to my Housewife Tsuna and Domestic TYL TsunaRumi TED talk!🥰🥰🐟🎀 I've been wanting to yap about this, thank you again for sending this ask, yippeeee!!!

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reference for the short above, the og user in tik//tok alr deleted their acc unfortunately huhu

[dangakkisland]

Dog-aronpa 1 since its out of order..Whatever. I'm glad people liked the first post since knowing dog breeds its too much of a niche interest for other people. They only like the main ones (Golden, labradors and german sherperds). I showed some very underrated ones (The red duck dogs, and clumber spaniels..) not saying that is wrong to like them its just that if you are a dog owner you've probably heard of them already and some of the beginner dogs aren't even those they are Poodles, Yorkies and etc. And you need specific ones if you are low-energy so I want to take time to show some time on the spotlight for them and their unique ways of behaving (or at least the standard since it depends so much on raising them onto certain conditions). Either way, let the show begin Makoto Naegi is a...Yorkshire Terrier These dogs love attention, they are very easily trained and they are very calm, they tend to be the beginner dog breed since they are very independent, the media says they are feisty but it is only when you don't pay attention to them in their puppyhood, the only time in their little lives where they are very dependent. Makoto Naegi was raised correctly so he is an absolute sweetpaw. (Komaru is a black coated Yorkie)

Kyoko Kirigiri is a...Bloodhound yes the detective dog is the obvious choice but their personality and determination to follow a smell make it impossible to leash train them to be close to you, much like Kyoko Kirigiri who keeps herself gone for half a chapter most times, they are calm and family dogs but the lack of a human in her life made her so wary of them :(, she uses customized dog socks for the tiny scarred paws which is not recommended by most but in this case I think its reasonable if the paws are too sensitive to touch the hot sidewalks in the middle of summer

Mukuro Ikusaba is a...Belgian sherperd + shetland mix. These dogs are considered dangerous they are police dogs, and guarding dogs, they were used in wars too..They have a great sense of territory, a bit snappy and since we don't know much about Mukuros personality (In games) I will bet on these dogs (They also have a sensitive side like every being on this earth they arent war machines). Her owners are the entire faction

Sayaka Maizono is a... Kerry Blue Terrier They are a very sweet dog breed for humans, they need socialization with other dogs at a young age but they are not as hard to train for it since they don't repeat the behavior towards humans, they are also the pioneers of show dog breeds! (My friend also said that the name reminded them of Perfect Blue an artsy idol movie, I didn't watch it but if it fits it fits). She has okay owners.

Leon Kuwata is a...American Bulldog They are the baseball dog breed, or at least the dog breed depicted to be in dog movies, I thought it would suit him well since the dogs from the movies actually dog reflect their true personality, as far as I am aware they are in a mix of laziness and hard-working, attention seeking and shy it depends on their mood I guess...He has fine owners.

Mondo Owada is a...Rhodesian Ridgeback They are an indifferent breed but can easily show aggression, they need a lot of training they are very rough and since they are very strong they tend to hurt more than a normal breed. Mondo is also very strong and it is very rough with collective exercising.

Kiyotaka Ishimaru is a...Dobermann or Doberman They are working police fogs, they are aggressive and show aggressive behavior but as I always say it depends on the environment and training methods, they are policeman dogs, but since he a moral compass dog, he might bite and bark if something is out of line. She has police officer owners, not sure if they are good or bad since its probably 4 owning at the same time for emergencies

Chihiro Fujisaki is a...Shih Poo And this decision is very biased, note that, people always mistakes Shih poos for girl dogs for some reason I am always correcting them, they are so chill, sometimes skittish, and they bite but their bite is so pathetic, Chihiro needs to be my dogs breed you need to understand, they are small, tries to fight and fail but their spirit is so admirable, they are a bit adventurous too. They must have good owners

Celeste is a...Briard It's a french breed, and she can customize her hair easily, this dog has the most brain but their personality is very ambiguous, I looked into different sources so it depends a lot, perfect for the gambler maybe so you don't know what to expect. I don't think she even has owners???

Hifumi Yamada is a..Pomeranian They are very defensive and shameless, they are easy to draw since they are just a ball and unfortunately, they gain weight easily which wouldn't be a bad thing if they weren't so small, depending on the fur size or the breeder they need to take care of their fur, they are MOSTLY chill with baths and so I have heard that Hifumi baths. He has fine owners he shall be pampered with anime dog toys.

Aoi Asahina is a...Irish settler These things love water, they are very juvenile and happy-go-lucky, they like do adventure themselves and if they touch water they WILL want to touch the largest pool, since Aoi has swam almost her entire life I don't think she would have an issue, now if dogs can compete in swimming pools I don't know, I would like to see though. She probably has finer owners not outstanding ones

Sakura Oogami is a...Rottweiler They have a poor reputation but they are also one of my favorites, they are normally brought by lazy owners when they actually need is attention so they don't develop aggressive tendencies, they also need larger spaces. Like other ones in this list its a police and guard dog..More guard dog than a police dog, they are remarkably strong and protective of what they love even coming off as possessive of certain toys. Sakura would be a rottweiler with great friendship skills meaning great owner or breeder, good job!

Yasuhiro Hagakure is a...Basset hound They are a bit stupid and I mean this lovingly, they are outgoing and playful, they served in farms as far as I am aware and took care of watching them not following them around, you can see by their tiny legs, they are Yasuhiro at least by the average ranking on behavior, meaning he was trained properly. He probably has fine owners and he also probably eats things he is not supposed to.

Toko Fukawa is a...Chihuahua These things don't like people. At all, they grow a lot, they are one of those dogs with no perspective on their size (Both at these can fit Shou and Toko in various ways) They are also very smelly their coats get very knotted easily too depending on the size of it. Not saying they are all cold but you need to put on a job if you want them to like you as much as they loves their toys, her owners probably gave up on that though, they found it very hard to get used to environments after all.

Junko Enoshima is a... Shetland Sheepdog + Belgian Mix They are a smart dog breed, one of the brightest actually, they have been on certain dog shows because of their coat and smarts, they are very flexible and are most adaptable (They are analysts and you can see). She probably or certainly has bad owners!