#Truth Revolution Recording Collective | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

peskellence · 5 months ago

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Pairing: RK900/Gavin Reed

Tags: Post Pacifist Ending, Enemies to Friends to Lovers, Slow Burn, Eventual Smut, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

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Summary: In the aftermath of Detroit's android revolution, Nines grapples with the complexities of his newfound deviancy. As he seeks to establish his place in a newly transformed society, his resolve is put to the ultimate test when he is paired with Detective Gavin Reed-a notoriously volatile human with a well-established hatred for androids-to investigate a series of murders.

While initial impressions of his partner seem to suggest his reputation is well-deserved, the more time Nines spends with him, the more he is forced to challenge his judgments. As they form an unexpected bond, the RK900 is also pushed to examine truths about himself he would much rather seek to forget. (A Retelling of 'More Than Our Parts' from the POV of Nines.)

Warnings: Graphic Violence, Depression/Self Destructive Behaviour, Eventual Smut

Word Count: 5.5K

Tag List: @sweeteatercat @wedonthaveawhile @gho-stychan @tentoriumcerebelli @negative-citadel @faxaway @moriahadi424 @unicorn4genocide @cptjh-arts

Nines hoped this newest witness would prove cooperative, allowing them to collect necessary intel as quickly as possible. Not just for the sake of appeasing their captain but because of a uniquely off-putting trend that seemed to be emerging in their inquiries.

Namely, that every location visited was more repellent than the last.

At first glance, one could assume Mikey's Electronics had only been open for weeks, although a review of registration details swiftly contradicted this. The compact space was appallingly organised, resembling a seasonal pop-up store more than a longstanding business. Poorly mounted shelves and barren display cases were scattered haphazardly throughout the room, lacking any discernible logic or cohesion.

The entire room seemed coated in a thick layer of dirt, with a series of worn posters half-fused to the grubby windows—advertisements for long-past fairs and festivals, as well as another, more contentious feature Nines hoped to bring to the owner's attention.

As the officers stepped through the threshold, food molecules and dermal fallout wafted into the air, displaced by the shuffle of their feet.

The stench was appalling, overloading his olfactory channels. For a moment, the android was tempted to vacate the premises immediately, sacrificing any fledgling hopes of furthering their investigation.

The last few days had left him increasingly disenchanted with how disgusting humans could be. Reed, unsurprisingly, was less perturbed. He strode with confidence through the room toward a grimy register counter.

A heavy-set man was stationed behind it, the impressive girth of his backside all but eclipsing the fold-out chair he lounged on. An inexpensive wireless headset—matching the specifications of those in a nearby display—sat askew over both ears. He scrolled idly on his phone, oblivious to their presence.

> SCANNING SUBJECT…

> SCAN COMPLETE.

> SCOTT, BERNARD MITCHELL

> BORN: 06/29/1990 // REGISTERED BUSINESS OWNER — MIKEY'S ELECTRONICS.

> CRIMINAL RECORD: TAX FRAUD, EMBEZZLEMENT, HARASSMENT.

Lacklustre customer service, it seemed, was also a common trend amongst local businesses.

The RK begrudgingly followed his partner. As they drew closer to Scott, a new wave of rancid odour entered the equation. The musk of sweat, both fresh and old, suggested it had been a disconcerting amount of time since the human last washed.

Scott was surely aware of his condition—though if he was, it clearly served as no concern. There was zero regard for self-presentation, which did nothing to aid his already unfortunate anatomical traits. His features were poorly balanced, squashed into the centre of his rotund face, leaving a wide margin of space on either side.

Reed was first to break the silence, addressing him with surprising gentility—likely more than was deserved.

"Hey buddy, how's it going?"

Scott responded with an uncouth snort. The resultant mucus was wiped with the back of his hand before being transferred to the front of a grease-stained vest. Reed bristled, his expression contorting in fervent displeasure, evidence that he wasn't immune to the more repellent aspects of his species.

"... Hello ?" he repeated, his tone growing thinner, less cordial than before. When Scott failed to answer, the detective leaned forward, snapping his fingers across the counter in an attempt to secure his attention.

In an obnoxious display of stubbornness, Scott slouched deeper into his chair, his attention consumed fully by his phone. Reed grunted in annoyance, poised to gesture again before Nines moved to stop him.

"He cannot hear you; there is no point in persisting."

This was likely untrue, although he determined it would be the quickest way to dissuade the ritual.

Given the poor sound quality of the headphones and subpar noise cancellation, Scott had undoubtedly heard. Unlike with Walters, there was no uncertainty—he simply didn't care, making an overplayed show of appearing busy.

Nines' patience, already strained by their previous witness, felt a spiteful inspiration take shape in his mainframe. Musings wove themselves together, creeping forward in a way that proved impossible to resist.

"Not to worry, I am confident I can secure his attention."

Under the guise of 'logical practicality,' Nines extended his reach. Fingertips hovered inches above one of the earpieces before he deactivated his conductive fail safes—sending a small charge of electricity rocketing through it.

The resulting feedback was unable to be contained by the flimsy plastic shell of the speakers. Scott recoiled, almost tipping from his seat as he yanked the device from his head.

The action carried an air of familiarity as if this wasn't the first time the product had malfunctioned in this way. Nonetheless, he was disgruntled, staring into the hollow of the cup and grumbling under his breath:

"What the fuck? Useless piece of—"

"Good day, sir," Nines said calmly, skillfully disguising any sadistic catharsis that had resulted from the performance. "We are from the Detroit Police Department—Officer RK900, Serial Number 313 248 317 - 87, and Detective Reed. There are a few questions we wish to ask you. If you can spare us the time."

Scott turned to face them, his head snapping up with abrupt speed. His beady eyes canvassed the android, jaw slack, only adding to his gormless appearance.

His sluggish mind clearly struggled to process the information he had been given—until his gaze latched onto the android's jacket, as well as the rhythmic pulses of light emanating from his temple.

The vacant expression contorted into one of disgust as his already compressed features tightened further.

"...Actually, I was in the middle of somethin' important ." The words were spat viciously, to which Nines sidestepped, deftly avoiding the liquid debris.

He noted the phone had been slammed indignantly onto the counter, screen facing down in an attempt to preserve privacy.

The display may as well have been projected onto a nearby wall, it would have proved just as effective, but the android neglected to disclose this—yet. He was more concerned with how Scott's respiratory rates had spiked, combined with the nervous darting of attention down to the counter.

He was hiding something. To ensure no illicit material was being accessed, the android performed his professional diligence in scanning the device.

The results had his suppressed satisfaction grow significantly. Whilst not illegal, the material contained had nothing to do with work. Unless the man intended to begin trading in women's swimwear, as well as budget electronics.

"—So no, I don't have time." Whether or not this was a conclusion to some prolonged rant or a direct continuation of the previous statement, Nines wasn't sure. He hadn't been listening.

Scott spoke with surly confidence, puffing out his chest. Completely unaware of the compromising position he had landed himself in and the swift takedown about to transpire.

"Are you sure about that?"

His chest deflated, bravado slipping with it, as the indignant pinch of his brow loosened into confusion. He gawped at the android, awaiting an explanation that was withheld. Then, the stuttering wheels of cognition began to turn, and the man realised what was happening.

He reached for the phone on the counter and hurriedly snatched it away. Clutching it protectively in his hand, stubby fingers clamped around the screen before it was shoved into the pocket of his sweatpants.

" Y-You can't be scanning my phone like that —!" he snarled, crooked teeth bared in a hostile sneer. "It's private property."

"There are no laws which prohibit the use of my scanners. Although, I suppose, some might consider it 'poor form.'" Nines hummed, relishing in his composure as the man in front of him grew increasingly uncomfortable—vitals fluctuating, tensing up in a mixture of trepidation and confusion—before delivering the finishing blow.

"Much like viewing indecent material in a workplace environment."

Scott made no further attempt to save face. Just spluttered haplessly, reeling from the sting of his defeat. Wounds that would be licked, no doubt, in the form of one, or many, hedonistic indulgences later. Until then, he would settle for the comfort of insults hurled defensively at the android.

"You've got a lot of nerve. Coming into my store, insulting my lifestyle—"

"So you're the owner of the establishment?" Nines queried, allowing Scott to believe he had implicated himself in providing this information. "While we are on the subject of legalities, I feel there is something I ought to point out."

The RK executed a niggling subdirectory that persisted on his HUD. Aware they needed to move on to the crux of their enquiry but not wishing to allow the offence in question to slip by unaddressed:

> INFORM BUSINESS OWNER OF SIGNAGE VIOLATION.

> CLASSIFICATION #6456

> HIGHLIGHTING OFFENDING CONTENT(S)...

He directed Scott to a poorly adhered sticker in his storefront window. The corner was peeling away, its bold text weathered and faded from prolonged sun exposure, but the oppressive sentiment it sought to convey remained staunchly clear. Looming over the establishment, like another foul stench:

NO ANDROIDS ALLOWED.

"As you may be aware, recent changes in legislation mean that anti-android admission policies are no longer permitted. Displaying such notices constitutes a direct violation of the Android Equality Act and is punishable by fines up to $5000, or 6 months imprisonment."

Scott appeared unswayed by the details of his offence. Snub nose upturned with a dismissive snort, as though debating the fine print on a parking ticket rather than defending xenophobic propaganda.

"It's only been a couple months since the rules changed. Must'a forgotten to take that one down. My mistake."

"A costly mistake should you fail to remove the offending material immediately."

The more Scott was challenged, the more incredulous he became. A lack of cooperation that did not come from meandering focus or misunderstanding, but knowing and targeted disrespect.

"What the hell is your problem, officer ?" The title was hissed with callous amusement as though the punch line to a joke. Fingers were also raised and flexed in a rabbit-like formation. "Can't have been one for long, can you? Enjoying the power trip?"

Nines felt inclined to inform the man that, personal sentiments aside, attacking a police representative in this manner constituted yet another offence. The list of which was expanding at an alarming rate.

He never got the chance, however, as his associate interrupted:

"Don't mind my partner—" Reed placed hands on the android's shoulders in a performative show of assurance. A gesture that felt far more condescending and distrustful than it did considerate. "It gets a little zesty when it's due an oil change."

This didn't help, making his alignment with Scott's antagonism all the more apparent.

Nines, frustrated, offered some resistance as Reed pulled him back. He remained stubbornly in place before ultimately resigning himself to the paltry attempt at force. With a reluctant step back, he permitted the human to guide him to the junction of two display cases.

"Look, I'll handle chuckles," Reed eventually spoke, whispering sharply once they were clear of Scott's wax-clogged earshot. " Just take a look around and do what you need to do. Okay?"

Nines cast a withering look back to the counter. He witnessed as the 'chuckles' in question jammed a meaty finger into one of his aural cavities, further compressing the blockage. Some residual debris clung beneath an overgrown fingernail, briefly inspected before it was flicked away.

"Gladly," he said bluntly, agreeing to the suggestion. "That man is revolting. I doubt he's bathed in a number of weeks."

The two split up, with Nines left to commence a sweep of their wider environment. Moving down the lines of smudged glass cabinets, he noted an absence of security cameras mounted on the walls. An irksome detail but to be expected—given the owner's obvious reluctance to shave any minute sliver from his ill-earned profits.

Instead, he turned his attention to the underwhelming merchandise. He inspected the phones available for sale, comparing their specifications with those outlined in the TSU report.

> ANALYSING MULTIPLE SUBJECTS…

> ONEPLUS 5T

> MANUFACTURER: ONEPLUS — RELEASED 2017

> IPHONE 13 PRO

> MANUFACTURER: APPLE — RELEASED 2021

> XPERIA Z1

> MANUFACTURER: SONY — RELEASED 2013

> NO MATCHES FOUND.

He shifted focus to the price cards, searching for anything noteworthy beyond the inordinate markup applied on each product.

> INSPECTING BROADER ENVIRONMENTAL DETAILS — RETAIN CURRENT SPECIFIED SEARCH CRITERIA.

> SEARCHING…

As he completed his analysis, fragments of conversation filtered through his attention. The pair nearby were talking about a low-budget eatery that had predated the electronics store. Reed made the ever-insightful claim that their submarine sandwiches had been 'the tits', to which Scott grunted in vague agreement.

No doubt, the detective was attempting to sand off the abrasive edges of the man's demeanour, making him more amenable to ongoing questioning. The efforts proved successful, as following an exchange of personal introductions, Scott permitted a shift of focus towards the details of their investigation:

"Do you remember anyone suspicious coming into the store on January 13th or the days leading up to that?"

"Nope, no one of interest. To be honest, it's only the regulars I see comin' in these days. I don't bother them, and they don't bother me."

> SEARCHING…

"Anyone that might have bought an old Samsung Galaxy? "I'm talking 2010's old. Real hunk of crap. Probably a SIM card as well—AT&T?"

"Nah, I don't carry phones that old. Sorry."

> MATCH DETECTED.

Nines pulled back, noting the strained inflexions of Scott's tone and flighty shifting of his gaze.

"That is incorrect," he said plainly, eager to address the deceit. "You carry several phones with a similar manufacturer date."

The man bristled at the sound of his voice. He turned to glare at the android as though his continued presence in the establishment served a mortal offence. "So what if I do? I don't remember the release dates of every fuckin' phone I sell."

"It is concerning that you seem unaware of the stock you carry. With such a negligent approach, it's little wonder your business is failing."

Both men stalled, receiving the statement like a slap of cold water. Reed was particularly dismayed, his head snapping around with an awkward jerk as he mouthed a sharp demand for his partner to disengage.

The interjection came too late.

Scott had not taken the insight graciously. His patience had dwindled, evident by the twin slaps against his meaty thighs. He then lumbered to his feet, the flimsy metal foundation of his chair creaking from the release of pressure.

"I'm sorry, Gavin, you seem decent, but I'm gettin' pretty sick of your 'partner's' attitude." He leered over at Nines, levying him with an accusatory point. "If you ain't got any more questions, I think we're done. Cus I ain't about to sit here and be lectured all day by some damn—"

The RK900 interjected, cutting off whatever inflammatory remark had been poised on the man's lashing tongue.

"I would refrain from finishing that sentence, Mr Scott."

He refused to relent in exercising his authority, demonstrating exactly where his' power trip' might lead. Instead, he gave Scott a chance to re-evaluate his position and whether or not he wished to add both 'obstruction of justice' and 'verbal abuse' to his list of indiscretions.

"We have good reason to believe that one of your customers was responsible for the murder of an HR400 android, with the wares my partner just described having acted as accessories in the crime."

"I already told you, no one suspicious came around here."

Nines resisted the urge to laugh in the man's face. He was so focused on maintaining his own meagre deception that he failed to notice when the favour was returned in full.

"I can detect when you are lying. Besides, we already know they were here—we have a witness who is willing to testify."

The increase of pressure proved extraordinarily effective in shattering the human's confidence. Scott sunk into himself, the base ruddiness of his swollen cheeks turning to brilliant scarlet.

"I, uh—" With no other options, he offered a weak repetition of his prior dismissal. "There was nobody suspicious…"

Nines did not hesitate to annihilate the mangled remains of his argument, pounding them into dust.

"If your claim that 'only regulars' frequent your establishment is to be believed, then anyone new coming into your store would have undoubtedly struck you as 'suspicious'"

He placed his hands on the counter, much harder than was necessary, to which Scott recoiled in dismay. His already strained heart rate skyrocketed, rattling in his broad chest, as his heavy breaths adopted a shaky cadence.

"So either you are misremembering things, or you are once again lying."

Scott had already been nervous, but the emerging fear was a welcome addition, widening the cracks in his testimony. Nines sought to exploit this opening as he leaned across the station, positioning his face inches from the human's own.

He delivered a firm nudge, this time mingled with a more overt hint of aggression. "I already know which one it is, but perhaps you could save us the time and admit it. Lest I make you."

The fearful glint in Scott's eyes ignited into roaring flames before he attempted to smother them beneath a blanket of contempt.

"You can't threaten me—I know my rights—!"

The prevailing tremble in his tone said otherwise. It was clear the man was uneducated in most subjects, including legal protections.

"It is not a threat, Mr Scott. It is a promise, should you like it to be."

While not the target of his assertion, it was evident Reed, too, was becoming influenced by its weight. His focus shifted uncomfortably between his partner and Scott as if subconsciously placing himself in the latter's position. He then shuffled back, establishing a greater distance between himself and the counter.

It was an unnecessary precaution. Like Andrews, the RK had no real intent to harm their witness. A force that would be difficult to justify in their official reports…

That being said, he would gladly stretch the definition of 'justifiable self-defence' should the need arise. No doubt, the force would be effective in dislodging more stubbornly held information.

Despite all his profound cognitive deficiencies, it transpired that Scott was not this stupid. The innate human instinct for self-preservation triumphed over his loathing, and with a terse grunt, he disengaged.

"...Someone new came in," he muttered thinly, slumping back into his chair, which groaned in protest. "Few days ago, either Wednesday or Thursday, can't remember. Don't think he bought a Samsung. He wanted somethin' else."

"It would appear that he settled." Nines directed his hand towards one of the glass cases, calling attention to an empty space. "It just so happens that a Samsung S3 is missing from that display. It can't have sold that long ago, as you have yet to remove the price card."

"That don't mean he bought it", Scott fired back. A misguided attempt at confidence as he clumsily tried to deflect the questioning. "Could've sold it to anyone."

"Would you have any transaction records from that day? Perhaps these could provide some clarity."

Scott baulked almost immediately, beady eyes narrowed resentfully at the mention of 'records.'

Admittedly, it had been a long shot. Nines doubted the man had any robust provisions for bookkeeping. A scan of the register revealed an antique with no digital functionality. The nearby card reader, depleted of paper, only confirmed his suspicions.

"Whatever this guy may have done," the store owner began, his tone dripping with venom, "it doesn't have shit to do with me. So why am I being treated like a criminal?"

"If you truly had nothing to hide, then you wouldn't be so defensive."

"What the hell do ya want from me?"

Nines raised a brow in bemusement. He held firm, hands crossed behind his back, and head tilted to one side—indicating to the human that the answer should be obvious.

Scott held his breath as though silently weighing his options before releasing it with a prolonged groan.

"Look, I'll tell you what I saw," he conceded, throwing his hands into the air, "but only if you promise to get out of my damn store."

"Agreed." Nines pivoted on his heel, gesturing smoothly to the notepad clasped in his colleague's lax grip. "Detective Reed, if you would be so kind as to take the statement."

This had been intended as a show of goodwill, a chance for his partner to take the initiative that had been spurned back at Cedars Motel.

The forthright approach was underappreciated.

Reed glowered at the android as though he'd suggested that he play in the traffic outside—a seemingly knee-jerk response to being told what to do.

Despite this, he pushed past his contempt. Silently whipping back the tattered cover of his notepad, his well-chewed pen was poised above it, prepared to take records:

"Just tell me anything you remember."

"Well…he was a little guy…maybe 5" 6?" Scott spoke in a dull, unenthused monotone—his sunken eyes drifting to a nearby window, focused on the streets outside. He scratched his chin, adding to the performance of concentration.

"Bit round in the face, but built, you know? I want to say he was in his forties…oh, and he was wearing sneakers. Red hi-tops, men's size 7, give or take..."

Cross-checking the details against their suspect profile, Nines found several inconsistencies.

Two theories emerged as the reason. The first was that their current profile was riddled with deductive errors. The second, more compelling, possibility was that Scott's peculiarly detailed account was entirely fictional.

The man provided nothing but a list of trivial observations, with sparse to non-existent recollections of the actual interaction. Nothing was offered to explain why the stranger had proved so agreeable to purchasing the phone. Considering they had no prior interest in it, with it shilled at such an extortionate price.

Despite the gaping holes in logic, metabolic rhythms suggested Scott wasn't fabricating his account. At least not in the traditional sense…

Upon following the path of his diverted gaze, the answer clicked into place. Nines huffed in amusement, realising he had been providing a scrupulous description of the man in a dated headphone advertisement.

It was clear their current witness would prove just as useless as their last—only with the added irritation of intentional misdirection.

He considered informing Reed, still diligently scribbling notes but decided against it. Nines did not wish to show too much of their hand, making it clear that he was aware of what Scott was doing and raising his suspicions unnecessarily.

For now, he allowed the human to coast in ignorance. The influence of which grew more pronounced as he grew increasingly brazen. Grinning smugly, his dull tone adopting rising vibrance.

He was exceptionally proud of his 'achievement' of duping the officers—the RK900 especially.

Nines utilised the opportunity to comb through the data collected from his mobile phone. He had gotten a fairly comprehensive snapshot of its contents, including recently accessed apps and web searches. He was confident there would find something of note, aside from a leering appreciation for the female form.

"—Hope that's enough for you to work with." Mikey huffed, notably out of breath after concluding his long-winded ramblings. He then directed a finger between the partners, eyes narrowed into contemptuous slits.

"Now, you two make good on your word and get the hell off my property."

As they exited back onto the streets, Nines noted the eager bounce in his partner's step. Radiating an almost unsettling degree of positivity, given his usual surly demeanour, as he combed through the scrawled information he had meticulously documented in his notebook.

"Well, shit. Good call on that lead, tin can." The praise was delivered with uncharacteristic sincerity despite the childish nickname. He tilted the account proudly towards the android, a broad grin stretching from ear to ear. "Once we get this down to the station and have the boys draw up a sketch, we'll finally—"

"You may as well throw that description out. It is less than worthless."

Reed's enthusiasm shattered instantly. The smile slipped limply from his face, crumpled in a heap at his feet.

"...What the fuck do you mean it's worthless ?" The sharp grunt was a smooth pivot back to his usual gruffness; surly tones edged with a budding degree of accusation.

"It won't help in guiding our enquiries. The witness was lying."

"Then why did you let me—" The sentence trailed off into aggrieved fragments, his voice falling and rising in line with the disbelieving arch of his brows.

He ripped a page from the notebook, crumpling it into a tight ball. With a bitter sidelong glare at the android, he likely imagined the mangled paper to be his head before callously tossing it aside.

" Goddammit , Nines, were you on standby for the last 10 minutes?"

"Mr Scott was not prepared to relinquish any meaningful truths," the RK began, calmly justifying his actions. "Even if I had subjected him to physical persuasion, cooperation would have been unlikely. I was simply curious to see the lengths he would go to in maintaining his lie."

"And why is that?"

As they paced ahead and the storefront disappeared from view, Nines marked its location on his mapping software. The marker linked itself to Cedars Motel by a thin band of light. Timestamps were assigned, and the scope of understanding became more transparent. The crime scenes were also added, completing the visual projection of their killer's movements.

As he worked, his navigational tracking guided him, maintaining a steady path back to the precinct. Reed, still visibly upset, followed nonetheless. His gaze locked on Nines, silently pressing for elaboration, boring impatient holes into his peripherals.

"...I believe he is covering for someone." He eventually offered—hoping to placate the human long enough to save the newly inputted data and prepare a more thorough explanation.

He dismissed the map, watching it slip from his HUD in sporadic glimmers of light as his vision returned to full clarity.

But not fast enough.

With both partners distracted, they had failed to notice a developing obstruction. The pedestrian rounding the street corner.

Reed marched blindly into the stranger, and there was a simultaneous yelp from both figures as they staggered back. Nines autonomously calculated the force of the impact. The probability of injury was minimal, a low-force collision that was unlikely to have resulted in more than disorientation.

Despite this, Reed's entire body stiffened, and he mumbled a string of pained expletives under his breath.

This only stopped as he glanced down at the unwitting victim of his stumble.

It was an enfeebled-looking man, his unimposing stature stunted further by a noticeable hunch. He was clutching a wire-frame walker and struggling to steady himself with it.

The detective's gaze lingered on the scene before snapping towards Nines in an accusatory glare—as though he were responsible for the accident. The stranger then stumbled far more noticeably, and his bitter expression vanished, softened into apprehension as he moved to assist.

" Whoa , buddy—" He extended a hand towards the man, ready to support him should he topple over. "I'm sorry I didn't see you there."

The stranger looked at the officers, sunken eyes darting between them, filled with growing contempt. Focus soon diverted from Reed and locked squarely onto the android, his lips formed into a curled snarl as he snapped to address him:

"Watch it, bot ."

The barb was spat out alongside scattered molecules of hops and barley, its sharpness dulled only by the slurred edge of intoxication.

Reed retracted his arm instantly, snapping it firmly to his side.

Despite his own unspoken accusations, he seemed disarmed by just how aggressively blame had been assigned—given he had already made his role as perpetrator known.

He muttered a strained reiteration in an attempt to de-escalate the situation. "Hey, cool it, gramps. I was the one that hit you…"

It wouldn't have mattered what he had said. The drunken man wasn't listening, his bleary focus and venomous leers reserved exclusively for Nines. The surrounding world slipped from consideration as he drew closer, raising a crooked and pointing down the street.

"You just came from Mikey's, didn't ya?"

Clearly, the neighbourhood was even more barren than expected. The man's accusation came curiously fast, given his impeded state.

It was no surprise that he was acquainted with Scott. Birds of a feather tended to flock, their contemptuous ideals asserting dominance in the gaudy vibrance of their plumage.

Nines may have let it go had it not been for the sheer plainness of the affront, zero provisions made to dampen or disguise it.

"Didn't you read the signs? He doesn't want your kind in there."

Embers of resentment simmered beneath his chassis. The RK straightened, his riposte swift, as he challenged the man to repeat himself. "I beg your pardon?"

The stranger refused to relent. His drunken courage spurred him to persist in the confrontation despite being so heavily weighted in his opposition. "You heard me. He doesn't want you freaks in his store. Show some damn respect."

"Mr Scott has no legal grounds to prohibit androids from his business," Nines deflected firmly, robbing the man of any satisfaction that might come from denting his confidence. "I had as much of a right to be there as any other person."

"You ain't no person." He was looked up and down, regarded with disdain and disgust that seemed fitting of an overflowed sewage drain. "They found a bunch of you in a warehouse the other day. I saw it on the news."

The RK despaired at the calibre of 'journalism' that may appeal to such an individual. Maintaining equanimity, despite a growing urge to arrest the stranger on the grounds of harassment, he informed that this detail proved as benign as a weather report in the current context.

"I assume you are referring to unconverted androids? Given the recency of the revolution, it is quite a common occurrence. Nothing particularly newsworthy."

"No, I mean they found you. "

The concluding word struck like a blow—harsh and unwelcome—before Nines reminded himself that the hateful individual likely didn't realise what he'd implied.

A generalised 'othering' of the group he held in such vile contempt. That was it, nothing more.

This was before contact was made with his jacket, digit jabbed forcefully against his identifier, outlining the lettering. A creeping dread emerged, pealing through the frayed lines of his already strained central processor.

"They had your face. Hundreds of them. It's damn ungodly—how all you bastards look the same."

The words attached themselves to the lines, speared like tender hooks, piercing holes in the synaptic nerves. Gaps formed, flooded with the dull roar of static until an encroaching sentiment replaced the drone—loud and piercing.

Guilt. Remorse.

For all those who remained sealed in darkness. Unworthy, untrusted, never to be granted a chance to exist beyond their current confinements.

Their uniformed ranks stood frozen in slumber, and he would never be allowed to forget.

"They tried to get those terrorists at Jericho in, but they wouldn't touch 'em with a ten-foot pole. So they locked them back up."

All because of what had happened.

The damning role he, and the others, had unwittingly played.

“S0meth!#g's 2r0#̷̡̛͎̹͎͉͙͋̊ǧ̸̩̪̎̑;̸͓̙͛̈͆ ̷̛̪̠͑̍͛̚t̵̨̽h̴̪̦̭͍͎͓̿ȩ̵͕̭̟̫͎̎̀̈́ÿ̷̺̦͖̯̥̆͗̽̄*̴̡̧̱̱͎͙̀̑̽̇͆̓ē̷̛̮̭̲̈́͗͐͠ ̴͈̦̙̲͐̈́͋n̴̡̢̤̩̓͋o̴͇͛t̶̨͐—̸̹̩́̽̿̒͂̚”̴͓͈͍̌

“—̴̨̝̖̙̹͈͈̯̤̝̥̤͎̯̜̽̈͋̎̑͂̈̇́̿̄̈͒*̶̡̧̺̗̦͔̹̲́̉͌̓̆̊̽̀̔͌̒̚͝ͅA̷̡̺͓̭͕͚̗̘͊̈́͝͠9̴̢̠̣̞̩̥̯͉̗͓̥̖͆̈́͗̓͐̋̓̃̿̒,̶̡̤̞͖̤͉̣̞͙̩̣̌ ̶͓̻̥̣̲̘̺͓̱͖̆́͗̑͂͋́̏̈́̔ͅͅ2̵̨̯̥̝̼͕̈́͗́̈̊̊̅͊̆̈̐̿̋͘͘h̵̙̖̲͓͍͔͚̗̖̝̩͈͙̬̞́͋̒̄̋̐͒̋a̷̘͙̰͕̮͚̩͌͊̎́͋͛̈́̈́̉͊̌͗̐̃͝t̸͉͎̝͓̹͓̥̎͊̾̔͊͂̓͗̒̅͆͆̑͝͠'̶̫̲̞͕͙̫̯͓̯̮͈̦͖̳̖̹͗͋̊̈́ͅṡ̴̢̫̝͍̩̼—̸̨̧̗̻͎̝̞̟͎̹͓́͛̀͋͆̈́̌̅͂͊̃͒̽̎̀̍̕”̵̛̗̞̲̳̖̱̀͛̅̂̃́͌̀̎̆̕

> ERROR

> UNABLE TO EXECUTE MEMORY LOG ?@&£!*

The splintered fragments of recollection were mangled and twisted beyond the point of reassembly. All he could recall now was the fallout, the full extent of the subsiding events buried in a tomb of corruption.

“He ca#̷̓̆ͅ'̷̩̳͘ṯ̵̢̂ 5̷̧̰̹̘̼̞̱̦̪̩͙̱̺͙̹̗̀̌͊̔͑͂͝t̴̨̮̯̭̣̳̣̬̲̟̩̲̥̺̱͕̆͛́̇̈́̕͜a̶̤̫̙͖̩͔̒̏͆̊̍̈́̑̔̍͜y̷̜͖͎̼̭̣̤̱̰̦͕͛̃͒̉̾́̕͜͝ ̷͔̇h̴̡͚̟̼͉̹̰͉̺̐͗͂̑͘͜e̷̡̲̖̖̪͓͕͙̙̍̔̈́̇̍̈̇͜*̵̛̛͍̤͙̦̪͆̈͛̉̒̽̚̕ȩ̶̡̠̺͓̮̫̟̘̩͕͇̰̅̓̐͜͜.̶̦̭̣͕͚͉̻̖̙̳̃̑̋”̶̢̡͈͕̥̭̬̙̠͙̱̠͇̓͜͜ͅ ̵̯͉̇͌̌̐̌̃͛̊͂̏̄͐͜͜͝

“!'m s̷̡̟̈́0̸̧͝ṟ̶͉̇r̵̥̾͊y̴̘̆ RK—”

"Seems like your own kind doesn't even want you."

He was trapped in a hailstorm—blows beating down as ceaseless, enduring punishment. For events that he couldn't recall with any stable clarity. Unable to ever consolidate with them, or to answer to them honestly, taking accountability.

An accountability that he was expected to take.

The man's voice had become white noise—almost entirely meaningless. Just another series of harsh, crunched decibels mingled with the discordant screams that rattled his mind. He couldn't stay here—he needed to go. Gripped by a sudden, all-consuming fear of being pulled back into the dark.

"Do us—favour—go back—came from—"

> I D0N'T W@NT T0 G0 £ACK—

"That's enough."

The forceful interjection brought him back to reality as the pressure on his wrists eased, releasing some weight from their unyielding shackles. A defence had arisen, providing Nines with the time to secure a lifeline, clawing himself free from his encroaching spiral.

The protection had come from such an improbable source—inexplicable—that it left him reeling.

Reed stepped forward, positioning himself between the human and his partner. There was a moment when their sights met, and Nines caught a glimpse of his own astonishment reflected back at him.

Then, it disappeared, either fading organically or hurriedly suppressed. He couldn't tell for certain. Along with it slipped any lingering threads of geniality.

The detective placed a hand on the thinly padded walker and applied pressure—an action which encouraged the frail man to back down without opening himself up to accusations of manhandling.

"Run along, gramps. Your catheter bag needs changing."

The pensioner stalled, wobbling on the unsteady foundation of his feet before re-establishing balance. At the very least, as much as he was presently capable.

" S-Smart-mouthed punk—!" He spluttered incredulously, reddened eyes trained on Reed as he glared viciously. "What's it to ya?"

" Detective Smart-mouth punk." The younger man retrieved the badge affixed to his belt, brandishing it in front of his face. "The plastic prick you are harassing is my partner—and we are in the middle of an investigation. So I suggest you skedaddle before I arrest you for causing an obstruction."

The old man focused on the ID as though assessing it for authenticity before tutting in dismissal. He mumbled incomprehensibly under his breath, snippets alluding to some disparaging rant on the DPD hiring processes, as well defamatory remarks pertaining to Reed's sexuality.

'Android-loving fairy' was the last audible comment before the stranger reoriented his walker and angrily hobbled away.

"What a peach," the detective remarked dryly before swiftly changing the subject—as though the previous interaction had never occurred. "You were saying. About this guy trying to protect someone?"

Nines could not move on so quickly, disoriented by the speed at which it had all transpired. He couldn't make sense of it. For what reason had Reed opted to intervene?

With no insight into the intricacies of his internal struggles, it would have been fair to assume the RK was more than capable of handling the situation. His partner, more than most, had experienced firsthand just how assertive he was willing to be.

Nines could identify no motivation for his actions, even within the confounding, often erratic, realm of the detective's behaviour. It troubled him greatly, plunging him into a well of ruminative introspection. So deep it escaped his notice that Reed was still awaiting a response.

Interest soon waned in the discussion, and he dismissed the point with a shrug of his shoulders.

"Whatever. We can talk later."

The android followed blindly after him, his stalled navigation software having failed to recalibrate. He was going through the motions, suspended in a mindless haze, with limited conscious input. A state that a human might liken to shock.

With the same mindless autonomy, his lips began to move, having paced alongside Reed in silence for quite some time. A silence he would have otherwise revelled in, were he able to escape the feeling it ought to be filled.

Then, a performative nicety escaped. One that undoubtedly had been instilled by RK800 and his persistent social conditioning.

"Thank you."

Reed recoiled from the gratitude. As though the words had adopted a physical form and struck him cleanly in the face. "...Sorry, Nines, I think I'm hallucinating. What did you just say?"

"Thank you," he reaffirmed, slowly, purposefully, as stunned as the human that the words were leaving his mouth. "I was surprised how readily you jumped to my defence. Given how much you supposedly despise me. And that you likely agreed with the vast majority of what that man was saying."

"I didn't—" The rebuttal came quickly, burning bright and fast, an instinctive defence against a perceived attack on his character. As Reed paused, reflecting on the implications, his conviction deflated significantly. "Well. Not everything, anyway."

"I would wager you agreed with enough," Nines said plainly, looking ahead, attempting to reorientate his navigational routing. "Given your previous assertion that they should have left me 'in the warehouse to rot'"

The detective bristled at the reminder, clearly perturbed. Perhaps he had likened the mistreatment of his partner to something else. An attack against those disadvantaged or marginalised for reasons he assigned more credibility…

The man himself appeared to oppose this hypothesis. Shaking his head, standing in staunch denial that anything of the sort had transpired.

"That guy was wasted—I wasn't going to stand there all day and listen to him run his mouth. I told him to beat it because he was pissing me off. That's all."

He was lying.

Reed's character profile was loaded autonomously onto Nines' HUD, flagged on his systems, demanding immediate review. Anomalies presented themselves again. This time, with even greater force.

They cut and slashed at previously established criteria, a fervent demand to be acknowledged:

> SUGGESTED CHANGES — 'DETECTIVE GAVIN REED'

> REED SHOWS COMMITMENT TO THE CARE AND WELL-BEING OF HIS [ REDACTED ]

>PET.

> PROFESSIONAL INFERIORS.

> VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS.

> BEHAVIOUR COMES AT THE DETRIMENT OF HIS OWN PERSONAL WELL-BEING.

> DETECTIVE REED DEMONSTRATES SELFLESSNESS.

> ACCEPT CHANGES?

"...Nevertheless, I am grateful."

In the wake of all that had just transpired, Nines was forced to concede that—perhaps—he had refused to lend the prompts rightful consideration previously. That mingled within preposterous statements; there existed grains of truth.

"It would appear my assessment the other day was accurate," he began, citing his previous exaggerations—shameless attempts to get under the detective's skin—which now seemed to bear more significant weight. "Past all the rudeness and forced bravado, there exists a kindness in you. Even for androids."

Reed dismissed the notion with a prolonged groan.

"Don't you start on that sentimental bullshit," His stride lengthened, the pace increasing, until he was stood at the edge of a nearby crosswalk—fractiously waiting for the light to change. "I should have left you to deal with the old man, you smug fuckin' prick."

A warmth emerged, genuine and sincere, giving Nines no time to process its sudden arrival. Before he knew it, the gratitude had expanded, unable to be contained.

The corners of his lips pulled upwards, and he smiled.

An occurrence that appeared to leave Reed just as bewildered as him. He openly gawked at the android—as though he had sprouted an additional limb or burst into flames.

His heart rate spiked, beat stuttering, and he averted his gaze with as much exuberance as he'd held it. The light switched, and he stormed ahead. His head lowered, and his hands shoved deeply into his pockets, refusing to spare so much as a backward glance.

Nines stood alone momentarily as an unanswered prompt blinked on his interface. Flickering repeatedly until he provided anxiously awaited input:

> ACCEPT CHANGES?

> CALCULATING…

> …

> CHANGES ACCEPTED.

#dbh #detroit become human #dbh nines #reed900 #dbh gavin #dbh rk900 #dbh fanfiction #dbh fanfic #gavin reed x rk900 #dbh fic

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b-else-writes · 1 year ago

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The Great CLAMP Re-Read Part 8: Legend of Chunhyang

The RG Veda historical epic that never was, or better off cancelled? While X is widely cited as CLAMP's first unfinished work, there is actually another 1992 stillborn CLAMP work, before we can finally move onto 1993 in the CLAMP timeline. To be a broken record, I had no idea this existed! It’s unsurprising: only 3 chapters were ever published (plus 1 drama CD), before the magazine folded and CLAMP decided to cancel the project (yeah yeah they said they’d love to finish it. They’re liars).

Unlike many of their other discontinued early works, this one actually got a tankoban release, and Tokyopop did the now out-of-print English translation in a single volume with no extra art. Plus, I was hesitant about approaching a work of Korean folklore written by 4 Japanese women, given the history, and my fears were not unfounded. So I’m content that I put off getting the physical release for my collection. Spoilers (?) ahead.

Synopsis: In Ancient Korea, a brave young maiden called Chunhyang, opposes the injustices of the corrupt governing Yangbans. When her mother, a magic-wielding mudang, is kidnapped by their town's Yangban, Chunhyang is aided by the lecherous Mongryong, the Amhaeng’eosa, a secret government agent. Together, the two set off on adventure that will take them across Korea to liberate towns and discover the truth of Chunhyang's father.

The Story: I wrote all of that out, but the reality is what actually exists of Legend of Chunhyang is two chapters and a flashback. It's very hard to judge a story that hasn't settled in or moved further than the set up for the adventure. What we got is entertaining enough - chapter 1 is the inciting incident where Chunhyang’s mother dies and she teams up with Mongryong, 2 has them liberate a mystical flower village with the help of a rain god and twin mudang, and 3 is a flashback that reveals Chunhyang’s dead father was important and killed for defying the Yangban. It’s very Robin Hood, and moves at a good pace despite being pretty standard YA fantasy. Speaking of, I don’t think CLAMP realises most Korean towns back then would have been agricultural. Why does Chunhyang live in a huge villa doing nothing all day? I want my peasant hero, not a disgruntled pseudo noble.

The skeleton for the entire story is pretty obvious (bring revolution to Korea) and I’d definitely be curious to see more of it. But I’m also not sad we got nothing more. It’s a pleasant afternoon distraction.

The Themes: Don’t be a bully and tyrannical governments are bad and must be resisted - as long as they’re Korean (side-eyes that Rising Sun flag in CLAMP Campus Detectives. Ah, Japanese nationalism). It’s 3 chapters, that’s all I can glean.

The Characters: Chunhyang fits heavily into the CLAMP stock heroine: young, spunky, strong, pure-hearted, and athletic, shojo ingenue. Still, while she’s nothing new, I enjoyed Chunhyang. CLAMP has the formula for the fun, palatable heroine we love to see win, and I’m hardly immune. Mongryong was more bland to me, falling hard into that 90s era shojo hero who gets comically beaten up by his love interest, but always suavely swoops in to save her. It’s nostalgic, he’s hot, but that’s it. Maybe with time they would have defined themselves like RG Veda’s cast did (also archetypes), but there’s just so little!

The crumbs of minor characters are equally stock - one dimensional cackling villains, and pure beyond belief good guys. Mongryong’s tiger spirit was my favourite because I love all cats. It’s really the charm of Chunhyang that carries us above - she’s a good balance of fierce and endearing.

The Art: Legend of Chunhyang is interesting in that chapter 1 was brush inked due to their experience on Shirahime, but the remaining art was done with marker pen. The result is chapter 1 feels a bit unpolished, with backgrounds being mostly chunky blobs and quick lines in a way I found distracting. 2 and 3 work much better, with thick swirls of soft magic and flowers, giving Chunhyang a slight distinction from their other early 90s work. The panel work is quite conservative unlike RG Veda, very rarely having dynamic spreads, but satisfactory and readable. Chapter 2 is a standout of circling dragons and flowers. Everyone is gorgeously dressed and pretty. It’s not the best of CLAMP, but it’s nice and elevates the material.

Questionable Elements: While certain CLAMP podcasts have praised CLAMP for essentially rewriting the folktale to make Chunhyang more active - why would you even choose to adapt that Korean folklore then, if your intention is to make a generic Robin Hood sword and fantasy series that has zero to do with the original culture? You could just set it in feudal Japan! It feels very distasteful to deliberately choose Korea as a setting of barbaric unending tyranny that needs correcting. Especially given Japan’s history in “modernising” Korea.

On top of that, there’s a clear lack of research done - a lot of the outfits and hair accessories are inaccurate. Chunhyang’s mother’s decision to kill herself than risk dishonour is also incredibly Japanese (and notably doesn’t exist in the original). I have to cry foul because if you’re going to actually set this in a real ancient Korea, you should do your research. I’m not saying CLAMP are anti-Korean but they show a disappointing lack of care and bias.

Also. How old is Mongryong if Chunhyang is 14. Answer quickly, CLAMP.

Overall: Listen, RG Veda 2.0 this is not. Rather than an imaginative, fantastical, sweeping epic, Legend of Chunhyang is built on very familiar tropes and stock characters with a dose of cultural insensitivity and bias. It doesn’t even have a proper narrative arc, existing more as a “what if” than an almost masterpiece. It’s alleviated by the sheer charm of Chunhyang herself, its brisk, entertaining pace, and the enjoyable art. But it’s no great literary tragedy that it was never finished, and I’d really only recommend it to diehard CLAMP fans who want a quick, pleasant escape on a fantasy adventure.

#legend of chunhyang #clamp

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monkeyandelf · 2 months ago

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The Upanishads: A Radical Wisdom That Shatters Our Illusions and Awakens the True Self

On https://www.monkeyandelf.com/the-upanishads-a-radical-wisdom-that-shatters-our-illusions-and-awakens-the-true-self/

The Upanishads: A Radical Wisdom That Shatters Our Illusions and Awakens the True Self

In the modern age, our lives are a whirlwind of information, obligations, and digital noise. From the moment we wake, we are bombarded with headlines, notifications, and demands. We chase innovation, pursue progress, and celebrate technological achievement—yet many of us remain strangers to ourselves. The deeper questions—”Who am I?”, “What is real?”, “Why do I suffer?”—are drowned out by the surface static of life.

And yet, thousands of years ago, in the stillness of ancient India, sages posed these very questions. Their answers didn’t come in the form of doctrine or dogma. Instead, they emerged in poetic, mysterious texts known as the Upanishads—a collection of spiritual teachings so powerful that they continue to reverberate through the ages.

The Upanishads are not merely books. They are not scriptures in the conventional sense. They are gateways to inner revolution—texts that invite not blind belief, but direct realization. They do not ask you to follow; they challenge you to awaken. In a world where everything pulls you outward, the Upanishads pull you inward—toward the core of your being, toward the eternal truth you’ve always carried within.

What Are the Upanishads?

The word Upanishad literally means “sitting down near”—evoking the image of a student sitting humbly at the feet of a teacher. These texts are the philosophical heart of the Vedas, the oldest sacred scriptures of India. They form the concluding section of the Vedas and are thus known as Vedanta, which means “the end of the Vedas.” But this is not an “end” in the sense of finality—it is the point of culmination, the turning inward from ritual to realization.

The Upanishads are dialogues—between masters and disciples, between gods and mortals, between the questioning mind and the awakened self. They are metaphysical poetry and spiritual philosophy. They challenge us to look beyond what we see, what we think, and what we believe we are.

They are not religious in the dogmatic sense. They are not about belief systems or commandments. They are explorations of consciousness, existence, and liberation. They are mirrors in which we see not the world, but our deepest, most unchanging Self.

Historical Roots: A Dawn of Global Awakening

The earliest Upanishads, such as the Brihadaranyaka and the Chandogya, were composed between the 8th and 2nd centuries BCE—a time of profound spiritual awakening not just in India, but across the world. This was the same era that witnessed the rise of Buddha in India, Lao Tzu and Confucius in China, and the pre-Socratic philosophers in ancient Greece.

This period, often called the Axial Age, marked a pivotal shift in human consciousness. For the first time in recorded history, humanity turned inward to ask: What is the nature of existence? What lies beyond death? Who am I, beyond this body and mind?

The Upanishads are the Indian response to these eternal questions. They are not theoretical or abstract. They are born from deep meditative realization, from lives lived in silence and stillness, from consciousness stripped bare of ego and illusion.

Core Teachings: The Fire at the Heart of the Upanishads

Brahman: The Absolute Reality

Brahman is not “God” in a religious sense. It is not a person or a deity. It is the boundless, formless, infinite essence of all that is. It is pure being, pure consciousness, pure bliss. Brahman is what exists when all names and forms fall away. It is the thread running through every atom, every thought, every breath.

Brahman is not something we believe in; it is something we are. It is not outside us—it is us.

Atman: The Inner Self

Atman is the Self—not the ego, not the personality, not even the soul as popularly imagined. Atman is the unchanging awareness behind every thought and emotion. It is the eternal witness, the silent observer that was there before you were born and will remain when the body dissolves.

The stunning revelation of the Upanishads is this: Atman is Brahman. The deepest truth of your being is not separate from the ultimate reality of the cosmos.

This is not metaphor—it is the core of non-dual realization. There is no separation. The divine is not “out there”—it is the very ground of your being.

Maya: The Veil of Illusion

Why don’t we see this truth? Why do we feel separate, anxious, and lost?

Because of Maya—the power of illusion. Maya is the dreamlike reality we mistake for truth. It is the veil that convinces us that we are the body, that life is a sequence of problems, that death is an end.

Maya is not evil—it is part of the play of consciousness. But to awaken, we must see through it. We must stop identifying with the fleeting and remember the eternal.

As one Upanishad says: “The world is like a dream. Truth is waking up.”

Moksha: Liberation

The goal is Moksha—not heaven, not reward, but liberation. Moksha is the end of false identification. It is the freedom that arises when we realize we are not the limited self but the infinite consciousness.

Moksha is not attained through rituals, wealth, or power. It is not granted by any god. It is revealed when illusion falls away, and the Self sees itself clearly, like a mirror wiped clean of dust.

The Path to Awakening: How the Upanishads Transform Us

The Upanishads are not manuals—they are maps. They don’t give instructions; they offer insight. Their power lies not in what they say, but in what they awaken in us.

Jnana Yoga: The Path of Knowledge

This is the razor-sharp path of inquiry. It asks us to question everything we think we are. “Who am I, if I am not the body, not the mind, not my past?” Through persistent contemplation and analysis, the illusions begin to fall away, revealing the Self behind all appearances.

Nididhyasana: Deep Meditation

Upanishadic meditation is not about controlling the mind or visualizing gods. It is about pure awareness—becoming the witness to all that arises without clinging or judgment. It is the art of being, not doing. Through this silence, truth emerges—not as belief, but as direct knowing.

Turning Inward: Beyond Ritual

The Upanishads warn against empty ritualism. Truth cannot be found in ceremonies or external actions alone. Liberation comes only through direct inner experience. The outer world is a shadow. The real journey is inward.

The way home

In our age of anxiety, distraction, and spiritual confusion, the Upanishads offer something radical and essential: the way home.

They do not ask you to convert, to worship, or to adopt a new identity. They ask only that you look. That you turn your gaze inward and see what has always been there—the radiant, formless Self, untouched by time or trauma.

The Upanishads are not an escape from the world; they are a return to what is real. They strip away the false and reveal the sacred in the ordinary. They show us that we are not broken, not lost, not alone. We are That—pure, whole, infinite.

And so, if you feel weary of the noise, the restlessness, the endless chase for meaning in things that never satisfy—then pause. Breathe. Listen.

The truth is not out there.

It is you.

An Invitation, Not a Conclusion

The Upanishads are not finished. They are alive—living fires that ignite insight in those ready to listen. They do not offer quick answers or easy comfort. But they offer something far greater: awakening.

If you’re ready to go beyond the surface, beyond the chatter of the mind, and into the stillness where truth waits—then the Upanishads are waiting for you.

You do not need to become anything. You only need to remember what you already are.

#The Upanishads #Vedas

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christiangittingsblog · 4 months ago

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Mona Lisa

Check out this cool, interesting video entitled 'The real story behind the Mona Lisa painting' by the Stories behind art youtube Channel

youtube

Also check out this interesting story about the Mona Lisa i found on the Heritage Italy Facebook page

"I Am Leonardo, and this is the story of Mona Lisa

They call her La Gioconda—the joyful one—though her smile suggests something far more complex than simple joy.

Let me tell you about her, the woman who has become more famous than I ever was in life, the portrait I could never bring myself to part with.

I began painting her in Florence around 1503. Francesco del Giocondo, a wealthy silk merchant, commissioned me to paint his wife, Lisa Gherardini. A Simple commission, one of many I had accepted over the years. Or so I thought.

From the first brushstroke, I knew this painting would be different. I had painted many portraits before—nobles, merchants, their wives and daughters. But with Lisa, I wanted to try something new.

Not the stiff, formal profiles that were fashionable then, but something alive, something that captured not just her appearance but her essence.

I positioned her in a three-quarter view, her body turned slightly toward the viewer, her eyes following you wherever you stand. That wasn't done in portraits then.

Portraits were meant to be cold, distant records of wealth and status. I wanted warmth, humanity.

Her hands—study them closely. The left rests gently over the right, creating a serene pyramid with her face at the apex. Her fingers are delicate, elongated—I spent weeks on those hands alone, studying anatomy, watching how light falls across knuckles and veins.

And her smile—ah, that smile that has launched a thousand theories. It wasn't painted in a day or even a year. I worked on it for four years, then carried it with me for over a decade more, adding a shadow here, a highlight there, never quite satisfied, never quite finished.

You see, I didn't just paint Lisa; I invented a new kind of portrait. I used sfumato—the technique of blending colors so subtly that they smoke into one another without lines.

Look at the corners of her mouth, her eyes—there are no hard lines, just as there are none in nature. That's why she seems to smile differently depending on where you focus your gaze.

The landscape behind her—that's not Florence. It's nowhere and everywhere, a dreamscape from my imagination. Those winding paths disappearing into misty mountains, that impossible horizon where the earth curves ever so slightly—these come from my studies of geology and atmosphere.

As the years passed, I couldn't deliver her to Francesco. I told myself I needed more time, that she wasn't perfect yet. The truth was simpler and more complex: I couldn't let her go.

While other commissions came and went, Lisa remained with me.

When I left Italy for France in 1516, at the invitation of King Francis I, she traveled with me. I was sixty-four years old, my best years behind me.

But Lisa came with me to Amboise, to the manor house at Clos Lucé where I would spend my final years.

The King asked about her often, this unfinished portrait I guarded so closely. "Is it a lover? A daughter? An ideal?" he would ask, amused by my attachment. I would smile and say only, "It's Lisa." Eventually, he offered to buy her, and I, old and aware my time was short, agreed.

Lisa passed from my hands to the King's collection for 4,000 gold florins—an enormous sum, yet nothing compared to her true worth. She hung first at Fontainebleau, then moved to Versailles, survived the French Revolution, hung briefly in Napoleon's bedroom, and finally came to rest at the Louvre.

Even now, more than five centuries later, people still stand before her, trying to solve the mystery of her smile, the landscape, the technique. There is no mystery. She is simply the most perfect expression of what I believed painting could be—not a static image, but a living thing that changes as you look at it, that reveals something new each time.

I died in 1519, my head cradled in the arms of the French king, or so they claim. The truth is less dramatic. I died as I had lived—curious, dissatisfied, reaching for a perfection I could never quite grasp.

But in Lisa, I came closest to that perfection.

I am Leonardo, and this is the story of Mona Lisa—not just a portrait, but my companion for the last sixteen years of my life, the work I could never consider finished, the painting I could never bring myself to part with until the very end."

Reference:

Other links about the subject:

#leonardodavinci #leonardo da vinci #monalisa #mona lisa #art #history #Youtube #leonado da vinci

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burlveneer-music · 7 months ago

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ALAWARI - Leviathan - dynamic classical-inflected jazz from Danish sextet

Danish instrumental collective ALAWARI was founded in 2016, and rapidly garnered a name for themselves on the European jazz scene for their explosive live performances, going on to win Denmark’s Young Jazz competition in the same year. A contrast to their eponymous 2022 debut - a cacophonous musical reflection of revolution - their upcoming release is an exploration of spirituality, transformation, and the totality of the human experience. ‘Leviathan’ is set to release on November 1st on April Records. Leviathan oscillates between symphonic grandeur and intimate vulnerability, with moments so delicate that every breath can be felt. In this way, the sextet aims to demonstrate that the path to the divine is found through collective unity—a shared experience that transcends the individual. Despite being a six piece, the ensemble’s sound feels comparable to that of an orchestra or big band, combining through-composed classical-influenced orchestration, intricate interlocking parts, lush waves of texture and a warm, raw, intimate production style to craft a larger-than-life listening experience. Leviathan embarks on a profound journey, capturing the divine and spiritual forces that permeate the arts. The album serves as a vessel—slowly navigating like a majestic ship or a steadfast train, embarking on a peaceful yet powerful crusade. It invites listeners to traverse a landscape of sorrow and joy, pain and exaltation, silence and intensity. Through this journey, ALAWARI aims to reveal the primordial truth: that the spirit precedes all, and that the mundane backdrop of everyday life can be transformed and painted anew, if carried by the right vessel. Sune Sunesen Rendtorff – Piano & Synthesizer Carlo Janusz Becker Adrian - Trumpet & Flugelhorn Frederik Engell – Tenor saxophone Michela Turcerová – Alto saxophone Rafał Różalski – Double Bass Simon Forchhammer - Drums Cover Artwork by Sune Sunesen Rendtorff

#Bandcamp #ALAWARI #jazz #chamber jazz #denmark #2024

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ammonitetestpatterns · 6 months ago

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for any program of accumulation to preserve its legitimation and momentum, there must be an underlying mechanism of transmutation in its access and gestation of reception as communicable, socially commuting thought. in the absence of such transmutation, accumulative drives mutate into jarring and insular forms, a desire to hoard that gets vacuously jammed on one’s own onanistic satisfaction, meeting its final distribution in the hoarder’s death, where estate sales serve a function of proportional reuptake.

the intelligence base collectively entreated and honed with trade networks and uploads of impossibly rare media is one such means of resolving this legitimation crisis, or at least keeping the closed circuit from burning, without the intervention of more regulated organizational bodies. is there then a virginal, impervious stature to the dead hoarder, lost at the moment his collection, having absorbed him, is scattered like ashes?

the record, alongside the automobile, is the most archetypally modern luxury object, by the mechanical standardization of its manufacturing and universalizable symbolic structure, the capture and reproduction of presential contiguity through a chain of materials, plates dipped in candy baths of nickel and electromagnetically charged with potential to spark difference in emotional resonance and receptive experience, prolificity from the object’s own time slip as the durational index of concrescence at once sounded. this supplies provisions for a fantasy of consumption without loss. paradise of replica.

the void, the clearing for the flip, at the center of the disc grants it internal cohesion as a model for that passage, to be filled with a baton or a miraculous axial beacon for movements to the other side. in playback, you may find a beatrician glide of guidance in hearing from an openness to a stream of information, the substrate for its restructure. here the distant creed of an bygone online noosphere pierces our ear, information wants to be free. a pop astrologer would regard the record as the higher vibration of products to follow the second industrial revolution, cars are the lower vibration measured by content and consequences of inputs and outputs.

anything that is pure in a sense unweighted by absurdly constrictive and ostentatious ideological accoutrements, whether it is the material consolidation of expression or the will of an individual, should withstand the risk of diminution and obfuscation brought with a network of gemlike eyes laid upon it. nobue kawana is pure even if her index is spread thin by the thirst of those who are desperate to leap from the lure of a cover or an attractive backstory but remain stuck in the purgatory of incomplete reception and comprehension, no doubt mired by a misguided will for phenomenal intake, lost to the virality of epistemic fetishism. i am guilty of this myself! the identification of her as “pure” at this juncture, by a north american anglophone on a corporatized interface that is surveilled and datamined by design, is an affront to the opsec of her purity.

accumulation is not splendor without the haplotes of will and acumen to hoist it past the hypoxic raqia of its tests, higher into a communion of complete accordance, exaltation in the truth of its analytic coherence, losing any need to lathe its diadem down from the gleam of a nascent sighting. the totems of radical individualism are sent into a pyre that tyrannizes its pleasure in pursuit of mastery without masters, the manual for purification already torn. there is good in the world, good in its staging of returns, and good in the wear of its curtain. human creation attends its final callback with joyful abdication as it suffocates the last innocents.

#text #posting for posterity #do not reblog #i want something better than this theatrum mundi

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unpluggedfinancial · 10 months ago

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Bitcoin as a Moral Compass: How Decentralization is Changing Our Ethics

In a world where greed and corruption often thrive within financial systems, a new force is quietly reshaping not only how we manage money but how we think about ethics and fairness. Bitcoin, often dismissed as just an alternative currency, is far more than that. It is a decentralized form of money that’s shifting the moral fabric of society. By removing the need for central authorities and allowing individuals to take control of their own wealth, Bitcoin is offering a path toward a more ethical and transparent future.

But the true power of Bitcoin lies in its ability to align morals with money—ushering in a dramatic transformation that many are only beginning to understand.

The Flaws in the Traditional Financial System

The traditional financial system has long been plagued by ethical issues: centralized control, manipulation, and a lack of transparency. Banks and governments have repeatedly shown that they can—and will—bend the rules to favor the powerful, often at the expense of the everyday person. The 2008 financial crisis, the relentless money printing, and the growing wealth inequality are all symptoms of a system that incentivizes greed and rewards short-term gains over long-term fairness.

When a system is built on such shaky foundations, it’s not surprising that many feel disillusioned and distrustful. But what if there was a better way? A way to eliminate corruption and restore fairness? Enter Bitcoin.

How Bitcoin’s Decentralization Promotes Fairness

At its core, Bitcoin’s decentralization is what sets it apart. It operates on a blockchain, a public ledger that ensures no single entity can control it. Unlike traditional currencies, which are printed and manipulated by governments, Bitcoin has a fixed supply—21 million coins that will ever exist. This decentralized nature prevents any one person, organization, or government from manipulating the system for their own gain.

In this way, Bitcoin levels the playing field. It doesn’t matter if you’re a billionaire or a farmer in a developing country—Bitcoin treats everyone equally. All you need is an internet connection, and you have access to a fair and open financial system that can’t be rigged against you. This shift from centralized power to decentralized control is more than just a technical innovation—it’s a moral revolution.

Bitcoin as a Catalyst for Transparency

Transparency is another cornerstone of Bitcoin’s ethical appeal. Every Bitcoin transaction is recorded on the blockchain for anyone to see. This level of openness is unheard of in traditional financial systems, where deals are often done behind closed doors, leaving room for corruption and unethical behavior.

With Bitcoin, there’s no room for shady practices. Its open ledger ensures that all participants are held accountable, paving the way for more ethical behavior. Imagine if governments or corporations were required to operate with this level of transparency—how different the world might look.

Bitcoin’s transparency doesn’t just change how we handle money; it sets a new standard for trust. People are inherently drawn to systems that are fair, and Bitcoin’s public, immutable ledger makes fairness a built-in feature of its design.

The Moral Fabric of Society is Tied to the Money Standard

Our collective morals are inextricably tied to the systems that govern us—and money is one of the most powerful systems. Under the current fiat system, built on debt and endless money printing, unethical behavior is almost baked in. Inflation erodes the value of people’s savings, the rich get richer, and wealth inequality grows. The fiat standard, in essence, is a lie. It promises stability but delivers uncertainty and manipulation.

Bitcoin, on the other hand, represents the truth. It is hard money that cannot be inflated or debased. By replacing a dishonest system with one grounded in truth, we open the door to dramatic moral changes. People begin to value long-term stability over short-term gains. Greed gives way to fairness. A system based on sound money encourages ethical behavior because it rewards hard work, saving, and personal responsibility.

This transformation will be felt far and wide. As Bitcoin becomes more entrenched as a global financial standard, we will see a shift in how societies view money, wealth, and ethics. The days of relying on a system built on lies will end, and with it, we can expect a surge in moral behavior tied to the newfound transparency and fairness that Bitcoin brings.

Hyperbitcoinization: A Decentralized and Transparent Future

Now, imagine a future where Bitcoin is not just a fringe asset but the backbone of the global economy—a scenario often referred to as Hyperbitcoinization. As Bitcoin continues its upward trajectory, it’s not just the financial system that will change. The underlying technology of Bitcoin, particularly its blockchain, will be applied across industries, from healthcare to voting systems, making everything decentralized and transparent.

In a world powered by Bitcoin and its technology, we could see dramatic changes in how industries operate. Corruption could become a thing of the past as transparency becomes the new norm. The very idea of central authorities manipulating systems for personal gain would become unthinkable, replaced by decentralized networks where power is distributed evenly.

This is the promise of Hyperbitcoinization: not just a financial revolution, but an ethical one. As Bitcoin becomes the standard, so too will decentralized and transparent systems that hold the world accountable to a higher ethical standard.

Bitcoin and the Future of Ethical Finance

Bitcoin’s decentralized nature and transparency are already reshaping the way we think about finance, and as its influence grows, it will only accelerate these changes. By replacing a flawed system built on deception with one that champions fairness and truth, Bitcoin is paving the way for a more ethical and just world.

The future of finance will not be built by those seeking to manipulate the system for personal gain. Instead, it will be shaped by individuals who value transparency, fairness, and truth—values embedded in the very DNA of Bitcoin. And as Bitcoin becomes the standard for money, it will force a shift in how we approach ethics and morality across all sectors of society.

Conclusion: A Moral Revolution Through Bitcoin

Bitcoin is far more than just a financial tool—it is a moral compass that is steadily guiding the world toward a future where fairness and transparency prevail. By decentralizing power and putting control back in the hands of individuals, Bitcoin is laying the groundwork for a global ethical revolution.

As Hyperbitcoinization accelerates, we can expect to see even more dramatic changes in how society operates. Systems that were once controlled by a select few will become open and transparent. Morality, once tied to a broken financial system, will evolve as people embrace the truth of Bitcoin’s decentralized and transparent design.

The world needs Bitcoin, not just for financial freedom, but for a moral renaissance. The question isn’t if Bitcoin will change the world—it’s how soon.

Take Action Towards Financial Independence

If this article has sparked your interest in the transformative potential of Bitcoin, there's so much more to explore! Dive deeper into the world of financial independence and revolutionize your understanding of money by following my blog and subscribing to my YouTube channel.

🌐 Blog: Unplugged Financial Blog Stay updated with insightful articles, detailed analyses, and practical advice on navigating the evolving financial landscape. Learn about the history of money, the flaws in our current financial systems, and how Bitcoin can offer a path to a more secure and independent financial future.

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Donate Bitcoin: bc1qpn98s4gtlvy686jne0sr8ccvfaxz646kk2tl8lu38zz4dvyyvflqgddylk

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mystical-shadows · 2 years ago

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I know for a FACT We’re being visited by Non-Human Intelligence (Aliens), I know for a FACT that elements of the Military are Covering Up this fact! In the the 1970s my family was thrust into UFO Phenomena. We had dozens of sightings, we had contact with ‘Them’, we had unmarked military surveillance of the house we had encounters with REAL Men in Black (MIBS.) And I personally have memories as a child waking up in the middle of the night only to find “Them” in the house and my family laying in their beds eyes open and paralyzed! As “They” scampered around conducting a possible alien abduction.

That personal experience altered my life FOREVER. Later, as an I adult went on a mission to find out what the hell happened to us. I became an on-and-off UFO Investigator over the decades. In that time I have spoken to credible, numerous “Whistleblowers” off the record. Ex Military Intelligence Officials, Scientists that actually examined ‘retrieved bodies from UFO crashes, I even spoke to former Apollo Moon Mission astronauts such as the late great Dr.Edgar Mitchell. In a few of those occasions, I even had my life threatened by those engaged in the Cover-Up. But that didn’t stop me.

WE ARE being visited by Non-Human Intelligence, they are HERE and have been here ever since the dawn of modern mankind. We ARE being observed by them and studied by Them. For what purpose, not even those ‘In the Know’ know that answer.

There IS a massive Cover-Up in place by certain parties within the Military working with Industry so that they can gleam advanced technologies from “Them” and thus back-engineer and sell such technologies to the public in order to procure vast amounts of personal wealth for themselves.

Do you actually think for one minute that your Smartphone, Personal Computers, LCD televisions, and such came from human invention? It did not! But it appears it also came with a price. Namely, tens of thousands of human beings are allowed to become ‘test subjects’ for factions of “Them” that do not have humanity's best interests in mind.

This is why the Cover-Up has existed for decades. For as one insider told me. “If the truth came out to what extent the dark forces within the military and industry betrayed humanity. We would have French Revolution Style guillotines on every corner of Washington DC, riots in the streets, and the guilty as well as the innocent would be caught up in the riots of our rage.”

But now after decades of Lies, Of Orchestrated Ridicule, Of Denial.

IT CAN NOT BE DENIED ANY LONGER! Too many brave souls are talking, Too many credible sources are coming forward before our congress and senate, Too many of “Them” are now being sighted daily in our skies.

The Cover-Up is crumbling!

And the TRUTH Will Set Us ALL FREE!!!!!

What we do with that truth is up to us. Do we as a society collapse with riots in the street? Or do we look to the night skies, to the stary skies, and say. “Let's go out there as one humanity, one world! And take our place among thousands of civilizations out there!”

That is up to us as a civilization, do we decide to evolve and Live!

Or do we decide to parish committing collective society suicide?

One thing is for certain, though. They will be watching and not intervening in what we decide.

#ufo #uaps #alien #aliens and ufos #disclosure #david grusch

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twatchesmall · 9 hours ago

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Rolex Cellini Moon Phase replica is a temple miracle in Taiwan

On the swallowtail ridge of the Tainan Sidian Wu Temple, the morning light pierces the Chiwen. The Rolex Cellini Moon Phase Replica Watch (50535) hangs on the Cochin Pottery Immortal Guide, with an enamel moon phase disk floating on the 39mm Everose gold case, and the meteorite moon star map flows like a secret. Master carpenter Chen Yifeng sighed with his ink fountain: "This moon track is the same as the projection curve of the caisson bracket." When the Swiss Renaissance aesthetics falls into the universe of the Minnan temple, a time revolution across the East and the West is awakening in the shifting sunlight.

Material poetry on the twilight line: 0.003° elevation war The rebirth of this 3195 Rolex replica watches movement is actually a thousand-year dialogue between astronomy and construction:

The moon phase disk uses the Lukang "halo gold" technique, hammering 99.6% gold foil to a 0.08 micron substrate

The meteorite inlay contains atmospheric melting flow patterns, which are fumigated by the incense of the martial arts temple to generate a purple gold halo

The curvature of the lugs replicates the "Sheng'an-made" tenon curve, with an error of less than 3 microns

The amazing discovery came from the Department of Architecture of National Cheng Kung University: the original movement retained rosin particles from the 18th century Minnan woodwork. The replica team then collected the debris of the pillars of twelve ancient temples across Taiwan, distilled the "time essential oil" and injected it into the lubrication system. When Chen Yifeng placed the watch on the right kiss of the temple ridge, the rose gold case projected a precise sundial shadow at noon on the vernal equinox, which was exactly the same as the "Twenty-Four Mountains" position of the floor tiles.

The time contract of temple calculation: the revolution of faith from sundial to escape wheel The blood of craftsmen connected in this watch recreates the lost genes of secret construction:

81% of collectors are temple restoration families

The manuscript of "Big Wood Time Correction Method" in 1935 was found in the Swiss Rolex archive

The record of the beam raising ceremony in the eighth year of Showa was found in Tianhou Temple in Lugang: the original watch had corrected the auspicious time of Chenshi

On Taiwan Historic Monuments Day in 2024, the replica watch will be placed in Sanchuan Hall with the sundial from the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty. When the sunlight penetrates the openwork of the Five Blessings, the shadow of the moon phase on the dial moves on the stone dial surface, and the invisible "Lu Ban Zhenji" scale is synchronously displayed. Optical simulation confirmed that the projection angle error between the two is only 0.07 degrees. The curator exclaimed: "This is a cross-civilization astronomical code alignment!"

The inheritance of the craftsman's soul of eternal light and shadow: When the mortise and tenon turns into a moon phase wheel

In the depths of the caisson of Chaotian Palace in Beigang, an optician set up the "Gang Heliostat":

The replica movement grafted with the dougong model

The sun's trajectory drives the moon phase change

The meteorite star map rotates with the temple corner elevation

The opening ceremony was chosen at midnight on the winter solstice. When the moonlight penetrated the six rafters and illuminated the dial, the 3195 movement suddenly accelerated to 32,768 Hz per hour. Swiss watchmakers used laser interferometers to capture the wonders - light and shadow formed standing waves between the gears of the moon phase disk, which completely overlapped with the "pole ruler" ratio of the "Huanggui Li School" woodwork secret. This thousand-year dialogue between machinery and architecture finally created the most mysterious watchmaking truth: true eternity is to let time awaken in the dimension of faith.

#luxury watches #watches #replica watches #replica

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kyodesyo · 1 day ago

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Beauty revolution carefully selected by experts | The ultimate beauty care that combines ancient wisdom and modern science

The beauty industry is constantly evolving, and many innovative products have appeared in 2025. The combination of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science and technology has demonstrated the effect of overturning conventional beauty common sense. In this article, we will deliver the latest trends from a wide range of perspectives, from products that have been recognized by professionals to truly effective products with holistic beauty approaches.

Table of contents

1. The new trend of luxury beauty gifts

・The charm of a luxurious body care set

・A must-see discovery kit for fragrance lovers

1. The new common sense of skin care recognized by beauty professionals

・Laundry products that caused the sensitive skin revolution

・Innovative cream based on the fusion of the East and the West

1. The truth about cutting-edge hair care

・Visualization of hair damage revealed by large radiation facilities

・Home reproduction technology for salon-level treatments

1. The new trend of holistic beauty

・The science of thermal devices that regulate the autonomic nervous system

・Wearable beauty with the effect of promoting blood circulation

1. Lastly

## 1. The new trend of luxury beauty gifts

### ・The charm of a luxurious body care set

SABON Music Box Kit Lily Palace provides experience value beyond just beauty products. The dead sea salt included in this set is a mineral-rich natural salt collected from the Dead Sea of Israel, and its history dates back to ancient Egypt. As there is a record that Cleopatra used Dead Sea mud for beauty, the salt in this area has an excellent effect on skin regeneration and moisturizing.

The magnesium contained in dead sea salt strengthens the skin's barrier function, and potassium has the effect of balancing moisture. These minerals exert a synergistic effect, achieving a deep moisturizing effect that cannot be obtained with ordinary salts. The elegant floral green scent is also a noteworthy factor from the perspective of aromatherapy. Plant-derived fragrance ingredients work on the cerebral rimal system through the sense of smell, resulting in a relaxing effect.

The fact that it comes with a handmade music box is also a unique charm of this set. According to music therapy research, beautiful tones have been scientifically proven to activate the parasympathetic nerve and contribute to stress reduction. By adding auditory healing to the daily beauty habit of bath time, a comprehensive wellness experience is completed.

### ・A must-see discovery kit for fragrance lovers

The Valentino Rome Discovery Set is a work of art that expresses the historical background of Rome, the capital of Italy, with fragrance. If you unravel the history of perfume, you can see that fragrance culture was already developed in ancient Rome. At that time, the nobles wore fragrances extracted from flowers such as roses and lavender, showing their presence in the social world.

Modern fragrance technology has made it possible to modernize the memory of this classic fragrance. The scent of Donna Bourne in Rome is composed of calculating the changes in the scent from the top note to the base note. The 15mL capacity is the ideal size for perfume lovers. Fragrances change their aroma due to oxidation after opening, so it is very reasonable to provide them in small capacity from the point of view of maintaining quality.

The bottle design with the motif of the brand icon Rock Studs embodies a modern approach that blurs the boundaries between fashion and beauty. This visual beauty has a psychological effect that enhances the impression of the fragrance itself. According to research, visual beauty has a significant impact on scent perception, and it has been revealed that even the same scent changes depending on the design of the container.

## 2. The new common sense of skin care recognized by beauty professionals

### ・Laundry products that revolutionized sensitive skin

Curel's detergent & fabric softener is a groundbreaking product that applies the latest knowledge of dermatology to the daily practice of washing. Recent studies have shown that not only direct cosmetic stimulation, but also mechanical stimulation by clothing is an important factor as a cause of sensitive skin. The detergent ingredients remaining on the surface of the fiber and the roughness of the fiber itself may reduce the skin's barrier function.

"Smooth modified cleaning ingredient" is a technology that smoothes the surface of the fiber at the molecular level. The background of this technology is the fusion of textile engineering and dermatology. By controlling the surface tension of the fibers, it is now possible to significantly reduce the coefficient of friction with the skin. In addition, "smooth wrapping technology" is an innovative method of coating each fiber with a protective film.

This technology is also an example of the application of nanotechnology. Nano-sized protective components penetrate into the fine gaps of the fibers and exert a lasting protective effect. It is the result of this scientific approach that the finish of knitwear and towels is dramatically improved in the autumn and winter seasons, which are prone to dryness. For people with sensitive skin, it shows that it is important to manage the texture of clothing that touches the skin on a daily basis, as well as the choice of skin care products.

### ・Innovative cream with the fusion of East and West

Hymn. Skin cream is a product that combines the traditional wisdom of Eastern medicine with advanced Western biotechnology. Masa Fukukawa, who was involved in the development, is an expert who instantly judges the condition of the skin and suggests the best care method based on his extensive experience as a hair and makeup artist. This product contains Chinese herbal plant extracts with a history of thousands of years.

In traditional Chinese medicine, the condition of the skin is considered to reflect the health of the internal organs, and prescriptions that take into account the balance of the whole body are also considered important in external medicine. The active ingredients are identified and standardized by modern ingredient analysis techniques for the plant extracts that are formulated. On the other hand, NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide), an advanced component in the West, is an important substance involved in the energy metabolism of cells.

NMN acts as a precursor of NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) in cells, promoting cell repair and regeneration. This ingredient has attracted attention in the field of anti-aging research and has been proven to have a direct effect on the activation of skin cells. The 400mL high-capacity bottle is designed on the premise of use for the whole body, and the reason why the high moisturizing effect lasts while being smooth and comfortable is the multi-layer structure that gradually contains moisturizing ingredients of different molecular sizes.

## 3. The truth about cutting-edge hair care

### ・Visualization of hair damage unraveled by large radiant light facilities

The visualization of internal hair damage realized by Milbon using the large radiant light facility SPring-8 is a revolutionary advance in the scientific approach in the beauty industry. SPring-8 is the world's highest-performance radiation facility in Hyogo Prefecture, and is a device usually used for basic research in physics and chemistry. Using the powerful X-rays generated in this facility, it was possible to observe the internal structure of the hair at the molecular level.

The hair has a three-layer structure from the outside to the cuticle, the cortex, and the medula. With conventional technology, only the condition of the surface cuticle could be observed, but with SPring-8 technology, it was possible to grasp in detail the binding state of proteins in the internal Cortex layer and the distribution of water. This groundbreaking analysis revealed how damage caused by perm and coloring progresses inside the hair.

The Premium Position series is developed based on this scientific knowledge. The keratin protein inside the hair forms a mesh structure by a chemical bond called a cysteine bond, but when this bond is cut by chemical treatment, the strength and flexibility of the hair are lost. The repair ingredients contained in this product optimize the molecular size and penetrate to the damaged areas inside the hair and promote protein recombination.

### ・Home reproduction technology of salon-level treatments

The treatment using Milbon products provided at PARADISE OKURA is an innovative treatment using the application of ultrasonic ironing technology. Ultrasound dramatically improves the penetration of treatment ingredients by giving fine vibrations inside the hair. This technology was originally developed in the medical field for the purpose of promoting transdermal absorption of drugs and applied to the beauty field.

Ultrasonic vibrations temporarily open the hair cuticle and promote the penetration of components into the interior. The treatment time of 60 minutes is scientifically calculated as the time required to complete the chemical reaction inside the hair. Appropriate temperature and time are required before the treatment ingredients bind inside the hair and form a new protective film.

The reason why it is possible to customize according to hair quality is that the optimal ingredient formulation varies depending on the thickness, porosity, and damage level of the hair. By using light molecular weight ingredients for thin hair and heavy molecular weight ingredients for thick hair, the best finish is achieved. This individual approach applies the concept of personalized medicine in dermatology to the beauty field.

## 4. The new trend of holistic beauty

### ・The science of thermal devices that regulate the autonomic nervous system

The thermal stimulation to the auris, which Dr. Airra White is paying attention to, is an innovative approach that combines acupuncture theory of oriental medicine and modern neuroscience. The cellus is a site where the branches of the vascus nerve are abundantly distributed, and this nerve is the main component of the parasympathetic nervous system. When the vavous nerve is activated by thermal stimulation, physiological changes such as a decrease in heart rate, stabilization of blood pressure, and improvement of digestive function occur.

In the ancient Chinese medical book "Yellow Emperor's Inner Sutra", there is a theory that the ears are a microcosm of the whole body, and each part of the ear corresponds to the organs of the body. Modern neuroanatomical research has proven that this classical theory has a scientific basis. Stimulation to the ear skelbra reduces the stress response by activating the blue-spot nucleus of the brain stem and regulating the secretion of noradrenaline.

The gentle warmth like a hot water bottle moderately stimulates the TRPV1 channel, a temperature sensor, and promotes the secretion of endorphins. This hormone acts as a natural painkiller and has a relaxing effect. When used in the office, this thermal effect also contributes to reducing eye strain. Excessive activation of the sympathetic nerve through desk work can lead to a state of parasympathetic dominant by gentle thermal stimulation.

### ・Wearable beauty with the effect of promoting blood circulation

The blood circulation promotion effect of New Peace Recovery Sleepwear is achieved by far-infrared radiation from minerals kneaded into special fibers. Far infrared is an electromagnetic wave with a wavelength of 4 to 1000 micrometers that penetrates the deep tissues of the human body and activates molecular vibrations. This physical action releases nitric oxide from vascular endothelial cells, which promotes vasodilation and blood flow improvement.

Improving blood circulation during sleep is closely related to the secretion of growth hormone. When you fall into a deep sleep, growth hormone is secreted from the anterior pituitary gland, and cell repair and regeneration are activated. By improving blood flow, this hormone is efficiently transported to the cells of the whole body, increasing the fatigue recovery effect.

The increase in body temperature that can be confirmed by thermography shows an increase in heat production due to activation of brown adipose tissue. This tissue is distributed around the neck, shoulder blades, and along the spine, and produces heat due to the stimulation of the sympathetic nerve. A moderate increase in body temperature also contributes to the activation of the immune system and has the effect of increasing resistance to infectious diseases. The body shape adaptation by deploying all 4 sizes is an engineering consideration to ensure the optimal contact area while avoiding pressure.

The magnetic therapy of the Colantotte Lieli pearl necklace is a modern application of a treatment that has existed since ancient Egypt. The magnetic field caused by the placed magnets acts on the iron ions contained in the hemoglobin in the blood, improving the fluidity of red blood cells. This effect promotes blood flow at the capillary level and improves oxygen supply to tissues.

The scientific basis for being a medical device manufacturer is based on research that elucidated the mechanism of action of magnetism on living bodies at the molecular level. The magnetic field induces potential changes in the cell membrane and affects the opening and closing of calcium ion channels. This adjusts the balance of muscle contraction and relaxation, reducing shoulder stiffness and neck fatigue. Support from professional athletes is based on the empirical effect of improving competitive performance and promoting fatigue recovery.

## 5. Lastly

Innovations in the beauty industry in 2025 go beyond mere product evolution and show a deepening of a fundamental understanding of human health and beauty. The combination of ancient wisdom and modern science has given scientific evidence to the beauty method that has previously relied on rules of thumb.

Research results at cutting-edge facilities such as SPring-8 are used for daily hair care, and the wisdom of Chinese medicine with a history of thousands of years brings new value to modern skin care. This integrated approach sublimates beauty from superficial decoration to comprehensive care that supports physical and mental health.

The product range introduced this time aims to optimize human physiological functions in common, while each based on different scientific principles. By choosing products that match your skin type, hair type, and lifestyle habits, you will be able to build a more effective and sustainable beauty routine.

Beauty shows its true value through daily accumulation. Product selection based on scientific understanding and continuous care that is not unreasonable are the key to achieving long-term beauty and health.

#beautiful

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