#psycho pass zine

[pearlsephoni]

To Paint a (Still) Life

Can also be read on AO3!

Rating: T

Fandom: Psycho-Pass

Pairing: Gen

Characters: Tomomi Masaoka, Nobuchika Ginoza, Akane Tsunemori

Word Count: 2.2k

Summary: In a world that grows bleaker with every passing year, Masaoka does what he can to immortalize the little joys.

A/N: This was written for In Time: A Psycho-Pass 10th Anniversary Tribute zine. It was such an honor to be included amongst so many incredible creators in this tribute to an incredible series! Thank you to the mods @/temporarilyunstable and @/shikkokans for organizing everything! The zine site went live on November 12, 2022, and this fic was originally published on AO3 on June 26th, 2023. Further author's notes can be found on AO3.

———

Every good still life must first have a subject.

The flowers on the bedside table were starting to wilt, the edges of their petals turning brown and brittle despite the still-vibrant colors clinging to the rest of the satiny surface. Masaoka let his fingers brush the dry edges, a wry smile curving his lips.

“I’ll have to remember to bring you new ones next time, hm?” he asked.

He received no response, nor did he expect one. These visits usually found him speaking into the air, his words falling on unhearing ears.

But still, he came. There was no fixing their family now, he knew that, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t do…something to ease the damage. And he wasn’t the only one.

“I wonder where Nobuchika found these tulips,” he mused, his fingers wandering back to the red petals. “They’re awfully pretty. I’m glad he still appreciates beauty in the little things.”

A soft sigh came from the wheelchair parked at the large window. The sound drew Masaoka to its side, where he took a look at his wife’s—former wife’s, he corrected himself sullenly—blank features. To his surprise, there was an almost-imperceptible upward curve to the very edges of her lips. The small difference was enough to bring some light to her face, and for a single bittersweet moment, she looked like the vibrant woman he had fallen in love with all those years ago.

“You always did love red flowers,” he murmured, unable to resist the urge to brush a wayward strand of hair back behind her ear. “I never would’ve expected him to remember. Our son is more thoughtful than he likes to let on.”

Another soft sigh, and the feeling of her leaning just the slightest bit into his gentle fingers. “He got that from you, Sae.” There was a hitch to his voice, almost imperceptible to his own ears, but the sight of her thumb tracing a small curve along the back of her clasped hands told him she’d heard.

His eyes wandered from her gentle features back to the flowers, the source of her quiet joy. Perhaps he should immortalize them somehow.

———

Draw your chosen objects onto a canvas, taking care to get their shapes accurate.

“Ah, Ginoza.” Masaoka tried and failed to keep his surprise out of his voice. He had more success in biting back the smile that nearly rose to his lips at the sight of Ginoza’s mouth twisting. “To what do I owe the honor?”

“No honor, just news.” Ginoza’s green eyes flickered over his shoulder before snapping back to him. “Well? Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

That was more like it. Masaoka never knew what to do with the brief glimpses he caught of his son’s deep-buried insecurity, and the quiet manners it brought out. This, though, this show of superiority and power that he’d put on ever since he entered the PSB as an Inspector, was something Masaoka was much more familiar with. “Of course. Come in.”

He didn’t wait for Ginoza to step in, simply left the door open behind him as he made his way back to the windows, where he’d set up a new canvas and his sketching pencils in front of a chair. He sat just as he heard the door clicking shut and Ginoza following him. “Well then,” he said as he took his pencil back up, “what is this important news?”

Silence fell where he’d expected a curt answer. He looked over his shoulder, and found Ginoza staring at the photo of Sae’s flowers that Masaoka had taken and was now projecting from his communicator. “…Ginoza?”

“Ah.” Ginoza blinked as though he’d been dragged out of a dream. Masaoka could easily read the way he shoved his glasses back up his nose, knew that it was a way to stall, but he didn’t say anything. He simply turned back to his canvas, and sketched.

“…Our division has been issued a new Inspector,” Ginoza finally announced. “She will be starting in a month, after she has completed her pre-work training.”

“I see.” Masaoka finished sketching out the petals of the second tulip. “And have the other enforcers received this news?”

“That’s none of your concern.” Ginoza’s voice sounded tight, and Masaoka almost felt bad about his gentle teasing. “What matters is that you will all know when she gets here, and you will all treat her with the respect that a superior deserves. I’ll have enough on my hands showing her the ropes as the only other Inspector. I don’t need to worry about your basic manners.”

With his face safely turned to his canvas, Masaoka finally let a small grin pull at his lips. “Understood, Inspector.”

“…Good.” Another beat of silence, then the sound of business shoes clicking back to the door.

“I’m sure she’ll be an excellent Inspector,” Masaoka suddenly spoke up, just before Ginoza reached the door, “especially under your instruction. You don’t have anything to worry about, Nobuchika.”

“I don’t need an Enforcer to tell me how to feel about this,” Ginoza bit out, “I know I’m capable of doing my job.”

That was about the response Masaoka expected to get. What he didn’t expect was the soft, “…I’ll see you Tuesday,” that came right before his door opened and closed.

His small grin broadened into a smile as he sketched out the smaller branches of leaves. “You’re welcome, kiddo.”

———

Paint in the base colors, working from the darkest colors to the palest.

Akane Tsunemori proved to be a little bundle of contradictions. Where Masaoka had expected a no-nonsense Inspector, he saw the walking embodiment of nerves and an eagerness to please. Where he anticipated her to crumble under the pressure of having such a gruesome first case, she instead stuck to her morals and shot down their most intimidating Enforcer. And where he expected her to flee the PSB after a hellish first day, she instead dug her heels in and worked to adapt. And she did so remarkably well. He just wished that didn’t include her stubborn attempts to understand one Shinya Kogami.

It was unnerving how much she reminded him of both Kogami and Ginoza when they first began working as Inspectors. She was determined to make a difference, wanted her work to be for the greater good, and not just the preservation of Sibyl. And just like before, Masaoka could already see the signs of their work hardening Akane’s skin like armor.

But there was something else. She wasn’t becoming tough to the core. Somehow, she still held on to her sense of justice, still wanted to believe in the inherent good of both the people and the system she worked to protect. Her determined optimism was achingly familiar to Masaoka—he remembered seeing it light up his son’s eyes when he was first assigned to the PSB, remembered seeing it flicker behind Kogami’s smile back when he was still an Inspector…remembered feeling it burn hot in his own chest when he was still a detective with a happy wife and a newborn son.

It never lasted long, not in this line of work, and especially not with Sibyl breathing down their necks. He knew it was only a matter of time before it faded from Akane as well. And yet…he still found himself wanting to protect it—protect her—for as long as he possibly could. If that meant discouraging her from lingering too long on her fascination with Kogami, then so be it. He’d seen first-hand the way Kogami’s dangerous mix of charisma, intelligence, and focus could tempt those around him into the same destructive habits.

“If you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you,” he told her, only to earn furrowed brows and a small frown in response. Ah, he realized, she really is cut from the same cloth. It didn’t matter what he said to her—she’d already made up her mind. Her wide eyes and gentle voice couldn’t hide her fierce curiosity and immoveable stubbornness.

Well…if he couldn’t convince her to protect herself, maybe he could find some way to keep her safe himself.

———

Add details to the foreground and background, deepen the shadows to add more depth. This will help your subject stand out.

The door shut behind him with a soft click. Just like that, he was alone, isolated in his own home—or, cell…he really couldn’t tell the difference anymore—and left with no distractions from the mess he’d just made.

He’d thought he was so much older and wiser, thought that he had left behind the wide-eyed idyllicism that had drawn him to this god-forsaken career. But here he was, down one pistol and one set of keys to his safe house. He had just sent Kogami on what was essentially a suicide mission, and now he would have to face Tsunemori and Nobuchika and all the others, and watch them figure out what he’d done.

He knew giving Kogami a gun and refuge was a mistake. He knew it. And yet…he couldn’t find it in himself to feel any regret. The fool was always going to pursue Makishima, no matter the personal cost. At least Masaoka could tell himself he’d done what he could to lessen that cost, just a bit.

His eyes burned with exhaustion and his stomach burned with bourbon, but he didn’t move towards his bedroom. He instead found himself wandering into the moonlit living room, flicking on a lamp on his journey to the easel that was still set up by the windows. There was no way he was going to sleep. He might as well get some other work done while he could.

———

At last, you can add the final details to your piece, such as brighter highlights. But be careful—less is more.

“Thank you for helping me with this.”

“Of course, Ginoza-san.” Akane was growing used to the grief that had settled in her chest like a rock. It felt like her days were a never-ending parade of sorting through the things her loved ones had left behind—Kagari’s vintage tech collection, Kogami’s books, and now, whatever secret interest Masaoka had stashed away.

And yet, for all that she was getting “used to” the process, she still felt her eyes sting when she stepped into Masaoka’s old living quarters and breathed in the familiar scent of bourbon and paints. She could see the effects of being surrounded by his father’s presence weighing on Ginoza, and no amount of wry grins could keep her from noticing his curved-in shoulders.

“No need to use ‘-san’ with me,” he chuckled as he led her further into the salon. “You’re the superior, now.”

“I still learned everything about this job from you.”

“Not just me.”

The quiet words pulled her eyes from wandering around the room back to Ginoza. He was standing by a covered easel near the window, holding up one edge of the fabric to peer at the painting underneath with a small, sad smile. “He never finished.”

“Finished what?”

“This.” It was surprising, seeing how carefully Ginoza unveiled the painting, but not as surprising as what awaited underneath. Akane’s breath caught in her throat—she...she knew that painting. She could distantly remember watching Masaoka lay down the base colors so many months ago.

And the strangest thing was, it looked finished to her. The vase looked almost real from how detailed the reflections were, and the flowers looked like they could bloom straight from the canvas. “It looks done to me.”

“It’s not. The flowers, they…they look too alive. They were starting to go brown at the edges when he started painting them.”

“How do you—?”

“I gave these flowers to my mother. He must have taken a photo of them and painted them to let her enjoy them forever.” Something around his eyes hardened, and his fingers tightened in the fabric he was still holding. “He…he had plans and projects and now—”

His voice broke. The next thing Akane knew, the fabric was fluttering to the ground as Ginoza pressed his hands to his eyes, shoulders drawn up tight around his ears.

Akane had never seen anyone in the PSB cry. In fact, the last person she’d seen cry was Kaori at Yuki’s funeral. So she did what she’d done for Kaori: she stepped up to Ginoza, gently wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and didn’t let go, not even when she felt him stiffen. “Don’t,” she murmured firmly, “don’t apologize. We have to grieve for him. We have to remember him. We’re the only ones who can, Ginoza-san.”

He was frozen for a moment, his only movements coming from his shaking sobs. Then, like a drifting boat in search of a mooring, his hands fell from his eyes and clutched at the back of her shirt as his forehead came to a rest on her shoulder. “...Thank you, Tsunemori,” he whispered, his voice rough from his tears.

“Of course.”

Ginoza gave himself a few more breaths before he pulled away, granting Akane a look at his reddened eyes. “Um,” he murmured, rubbing at the lingering tear tracks on his cheeks, “would you…be willing to help me take this to my mother? I don’t know how well she remembers him, but…I think he was painting this for her in the first place. She should be the one to have it.”

“Give me the time and place,” Akane agreed with a smile. “I’ll be there.”

[pan-gya]

meow meow baby girl

Please Reblog

[lucidink]

My entry to the Phycho-pass Zine, In Time! Somehow I got to snag S1 Kogami for my entry, and was teamed up with the lovely @oatbrew!!! PLEASE read her fic if you somehow haven’t yet, it’s so well done and technically(?) matches up with the pic!

I haven’t painted backgrounds since uni, so it was a welcome challenge! Also I’m not sure how I forgot to post my entry for this long on my tumblr LOL... I hope you enjoyed the zine, and PP providence!!!

[mochidoodle]

finally sharing my contribution for the Psycho-Pass 10th Anniversary zine! I had the lovely job of illustrating the season 3 cast ✨

[naometry]

My preview for @akeshuakeauzine ft. my Psycho-Pass AU, Anubis's Scales!

The zine drops on the 28th of April, so keep an eye out!

[tact-and-impulse]

This was my contribution for the Psycho Pass Zine! The prompt I chose was Season 1 Akane, and the word “justice”. I hope you enjoy my take on our brave, compassionate protagonist and her relationship with the Dominator. Available under the cut, on the zine website, FF.net, and AO3!

In the Hands of Justice

Akane fires, and the Dominator kicks in her hands. It’s more powerful than she expected, and the recoil sends a wave through her whole body. The blue flash fades, revealing his incredulous stare. For an agonizing moment, all she hears is the shaky sound of her own breathing, before Kogami limply falls to the ground.

I shot him. Part of her is numb, horrified. This is nothing like training, where the plastic model only clicked when she pressed the trigger. Not an hour has passed with the real thing, and she’s already paralyzed an Enforcer, her coworker. What is she doing on her first day?

But she doesn’t let go, even as her knees buckle. She can’t relax yet; there is still someone she needs to save. And she will, without the violence of a weapon.

***

Her parents sympathize with a rough workday, but she doubts they truly understand. It’s not like she can fully tell them either; she was told in orientation to keep details vague and to withhold information until a case was closed. For the good of the public’s mental health, silence is not only gold, but white-gold.

So, her parents reassure that tomorrow will be a fresh start and she should sleep while she can. They do not ask what it’s like, to carry a Dominator.

Her grandmother tries a different tactic. Instead, she opens a book, which is a physical copy of paper and ink. “Acchan, do you recognize this picture?” Through the video call, she holds up the image. A blindfolded woman, with an antiquated set of scales in one hand and a long sword in the other.

“Yes. That’s how justice used to be represented before the Sibyl System. The blindfold to prevent bias, the scales for measuring the weight of evidence, and the sword for final execution.” The Dominator has replaced them all. “But it’s still a person who bears the responsibility for using them.”

“Exactly.” Her grandmother smiles, and just like that, she feels a little lighter.

***

She notices how the others carry their Dominators. Ginoza keeps it forward, ready to lift and scan immediately. Masaoka has a similar grip, although more relaxed and the Dominator is at a lower angle. Kunizuka is steady, keeping it at her side while she coolly assesses first. At a glance, Kagari seems careless, but he’s actually an eager, unflinching draw.

And Kogami…she remembers how he looked in the factory. Like a wolf cornering his prey at last, and the Dominator was both claw and fang.

Still, she can’t bring herself to wield it with one hand. It’s probably for the best, since she’s the newcomer and experience will only come with time. Unit 1 is focused on the current case, and this upcoming Holo-Cosplay party is their best chance to find the imposter.

She’s caught in the practice room, to her embarrassment. The training Dominator is in her back pocket and her fingers have just wrapped around the handle when the door opens.

Thankfully, Kogami’s expression doesn’t crack. “Practicing for tonight’s raid?”

“Y-yes.” Akane hurriedly returns to a neutral stance with the model. “I have to be quick when we’re at Exoset. Did you want to use the target range?”

“Kagari invited me; he wanted to blow off steam.” He walks over, the scent of tobacco traveling with him. A press of a button, and the holographic range powers up. Then, he glances back at her. “Since he’s not here yet, you can join me.”

She hesitates for a moment before taking a step closer. Then, she inhales and tries to be fluid, bringing the model around to aim at one of the rendered targets. A current of self-consciousness runs through her, even as her accuracy’s confirmed. “I’ll do it again.” She says aloud and starts from her usual posture, as if she’s already in the club.

With each repetition, she can envision the actual Dominator with greater clarity. Her focus sharpens, on what needs to be improved for the next attempt, and the weight of Kogami’s gaze subsides. And she feels…more at ease.

Then, she remembers herself. “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude on your own practice.”

“Again with the apologies, Inspector.” But he doesn’t sound annoyed. “It’s fine, as long as you feel capable. I’ve spent more than enough time with Dominators.” He lifts his own model, almost casually, and his eyes are flinty when he hits the target row in a chain of shots.

She wonders where the line is, between confidence and aggression.

“Eh, Ko-chan, you didn’t tell me Akane-chan was joining us!” Kagari’s indignant voice cuts in, and a moment later, his slender arms wrap around the two of them. He’s grinning from ear to ear. “Now, I gotta look good. Come on, best out of five rounds, and loser buys dinner for the whole unit!”

It’s a close margin, but Akane earns second place. Kagari gripes at having to finance a last-minute burger run and coaxes them into tagging along for the ride. As they leave the building, the city lights are beginning to brighten with the approach of dusk.

“You better steal first place soon, so we can eat anything else.” Kagari mutters to her.

“I think I was just lucky.” She demurs. “I’ll probably pay next time.”

“You never know. Kagari might continue his streak.” Kogami jabs a thumb his way, and as the younger man protests, he says. “Good work, Inspector. Are you ready to catch an imposter?”

“I am.” A breeze ruffles her hair, and for this short hour, the tension’s fled her.

***

The Dominator is the only thing she can hold onto. Her pulse resounds inside her head, and the air tastes like iron. Alone in the dark depths of this maze, she has to tell herself to breathe. For the first time as an Inspector, she is acting solo. She’ll have to apologize later, after the culprit is arrested.

She sees Yuki first, and her fingers tighten on the Dominator upon realizing her friend is still in danger. The white-haired man looks down when she orders him to stop, his expression pitiless.

Crime Coefficient is 79. The trigger locks, and a flicker of panic follows her heartbeat at how strange it is.

But he doesn’t try to escape; Makishima readily introduces himself. He talks leisurely as if they’re having tea, and even laughs as he brings up familiar names and points a large gun to Yuki’s back. Another scan, and she stares at the number in disbelief.

Under 50. The words slip out of her. “What…are you?” She barely hears his answer, her thoughts have split into different tracks. How long it will take for the others to arrive, how Yuki can get away safely, the wait time for another measure of his Psycho-Pass. She scans him again…he’s even dropped a point?

Then, the shotgun lands in front of her. And Makishima declares. “I’m going to kill this woman, Funahara Yuuki, right before your eyes.”

…32. How is it even lower? Why isn’t the Dominator working? Why hasn’t the Sibyl System judged him to be a threat, when he’s just hurt Yuki?

But Yuki’s shriek of pain is real, and even though she doesn’t understand how Makishima’s Hue has never clouded, she moves her feet forward. The gun is so heavy, and she struggles to lift it. But she can’t drop the Dominator; it’s the only way the Sibyl System will allow this at all, to judge her at the very least.

“Let her go now!” His Crime Coefficient is below 20 now. To the System, he is invisible. Her hands are jittering, from cold and turmoil and dread. What if she hits Yuki? What if he’s tampered with the gun? …What if she does kill him?

She clenches her teeth, and shoots. Pure noise fills her ears, and the recoil is worse, forcing her to step back. When she looks past the acrid smoke, Makishima remains standing. Numb, she automatically squeezes the trigger a second time. But she’s missed again.

I can’t do anything.

Her ears ring, decompressing, just as Yuki cries out. “Help! Akane!”

Makishima holds her in place, staring directly at Akane. “You disappointed me, so I’ll have to punish you. Regret your helplessness, and despair.” And he lifts the knife.

The Dominator is still in her hands. She doesn’t know what else to do, other than try one last time. Despite the burn of tears, she screams. “Stop it!”

In this nightmare, she cannot look away, cannot blink for a fraction of a second. She has to know why the Dominator reads him as a flat 0. She has to memorize Makishima’s face because he absolutely will not escape the law again. His eyes are jarringly tranquil as Yuki’s throat opens in crimson-

***

The next time she holds a Dominator, she doesn’t activate it immediately. This is a different one, though there was nothing wrong found with the previous. Nevertheless, she hesitates. The Enforcers walk on as she stares at it, inevitably remembering.

Kogami’s smack is more impact than anything else, and he doesn’t point out the ungainly sound that escapes her. His gaze is shadowed over. “I think I know what’s going on in your head right now. But for the time being, let’s just focus on the case.”

“Yes.” She murmurs. It’s a terrible feeling to share, but they have work to do. She sets her shoulders and joins the unit, the familiar display running in her periphery.

And it’s only the beginning. The surges of criminal activity and panic send the Bureau into crisis mode. As the Inspectors and Enforcers enter the conference room for the chief’s briefing, she overhears mutters from the other units, wondering how they can possibly subdue the chaos.

“Riots like these haven’t been witnessed for decades.” Masaoka grunts as he takes his seat. “If we’re not given equipment other than Dominators, many more people will die.”

“And how does saying that help?” Ginoza’s nerves are fraying, his words cutting deeper than usual. “You should refrain from empty speculation until the chief arrives.”

“We can only do what we’re able to. Nothing more, nothing less.” Kunizuka’s mouth is pressed into a taut line.

When the car first leaves, Akane flinches. Although nothing is visible yet, the shouts and crashes in the distance are disturbing. They drive past the remnants of violent confrontations, including bodies lying still on the sidewalk. Her stomach twists. Is this what it’s like when order completely dissolves?

And even after the realization that the riots are a decoy, she can’t forget what she’s seen. While she waits for her blood to clot, she mulls over her family, how this danger’s affected them all. Under the System, they had no idea peace was so fragile; everyone had taken it for granted.

She pushes past the dull pain, to head towards the top of the tower. Makishima is standing over Kogami, that same knife gleaming. And she swings the helmet. It’s a relief to see him collapse, that she hasn’t failed a third time.

Kogami’s face is wrecked, but he wheezes. “Inspector…kill him.”

She sucks in a breath and stands over Makishima. The Dominator is in her jacket, a dead weight. In agony, she readies the helmet.

This man is at her mercy now, like how Yuki was at his. She is the figure, wielding the sword. Blood rushes to her head, her vision blurring. Kogami would act without hesitation in her place. He cannot escape the law again…but she alone is not the law. No scales, and definitely no blindfold.

And she lets go, reaching for her handcuffs instead. She reins in her sobs, so she can speak clearly. “Makishima Shogo, you’re under arrest.”

***

In the garage, the drones’ red lights spin. Ginoza is pointing a Dominator at Kogami, that converts to Lethal Eliminator under the chief’s touch. Akane doesn’t know why it’s transformed, or what grievance Chief Kasei has against Kogami.

But she knows what she can do.

She lowers her eyes and wraps her fingers around her Dominator. The automated voice is cast into the background, as she waits for an opening. Then, Kogami turns his head, and she makes her move. She aims for his leg, and she doesn’t see his expression as he goes down.

Paralyzer mode is appropriate, and she will stand by that rationale if they ask. She doesn’t feel the recoil at all, or maybe, it’s imperceptible to her at this point. Even if the Dominator is a weapon, she can use it to save people too.

She tries to keep that in mind, even after the letter.

***

The workroom is silent. It’s almost preferable that all the other chairs are empty, instead of just two. She works late into the night, focusing on evidence. It distracts her from imagining the possibilities, of whether she’ll scan Kogami or Kagari first and what they’ll read.

That is when the paddy wagon rolls in. There is no alert, nothing in her messages calling her to a new case. When she takes hold of the offered Dominator, the inflection of the voice is different, less like a program and more like a person.

“Inspector Tsunemori Akane, I will now tell you the truth about everything.”

She can only follow the directions, to the heart of Sibyl itself. And after she emerges from the basement, her first instinct is to leave. She feels violated, exposed to the cold scrutiny of the wicked. She gladly leaves the Dominator behind, but when she gets into the car, another is simply waiting for her in the passenger seat. Grudgingly, she starts a predetermined route, so she can process what had just happened. She doesn’t touch the Dominator.

And she thinks for a long time, haunted by familiar faces. Karanomori had said. “Your heart and Psycho-Pass are two different things.” Now, she understands why they are separated.

It’s not exactly about right or wrong. A person’s heart is their own. To deliberate, to find happiness, to judge the answer for themselves!

After Ginoza’s call redirects her to Ichikawa, she challenges the Sibyl System through the Dominator. “I have a condition for what you want me to do.” She is not afraid when she presses the weapon to herself. She knows her own heart, and she will not be their pawn.

The subsequent negotiation is a tentative success, which means the System has not caught onto her true intent. When she gives the Dominator to Kogami, she believes that justice is at hand. “The law doesn’t protect people. People protect the law.” She tells him wholeheartedly. And so, they continue their pursuit, to close this case for good.

***

The Dominator is exactly where it’s been abandoned among the oats, with the intermittent glow of its idle state. She grasps it and knows the Sibyl System is reading her physiological signs, translating them into what they think is her mind. The familiar lines do not greet her. Instead, there is an echo to the words, all of the monstrous minds speaking as one. “Inspector Tsunemori Akane, we will be expecting you.” A hiss, and the lock on Paralyzer mode is released.

The return flight is bleak. Kunizuka calls Karanomori, quietly updating her at the front of the plane. Ginoza is in the medical bay, partly for his injuries and partly to stay with Masaoka’s body. Akane remains in the cabin, left with the post-mortem of the case. Grief, frustration, and at last, sobering clarity. It could not have ended any other way.

She stares at her hands, and a wave of emotion overtakes her. New and tentative, but strong.

Humanity’s search for a better world led us to the Dominator. One day, it will lead us to a different path. As long as people decide for themselves, there will be a future when we are ready to move beyond the Sibyl System. A better and more righteous world.

She hopes she’ll be part of it.

***

The new Inspector watches her closely, never more than a few steps away. The frigid rain can be blamed, if Shimotsuki trembles. Akane checks on her in the periphery; it wasn’t long ago that she was the same, using the Dominator at any sign of movement.

The culprit is soon cornered, and when they approach, she scans. 230. It’s a shame, but at least, no one else will be hurt. Dominator raised, she declares. “This is the Public Safety Bureau. You’re under arrest.”

Her finger catches on the trigger and she breathes, deliberating as always. In order to protect the people and the laws that must be upheld, this judgment is fair. The eyes are eagerly watching, but the responsibility is hers. She understands fully, that it is her purpose in this world.

Akane fires.

[djnicklesanddimes]

My piece for the Psycho Pass 10th Anniversary Zine Project!

I got to choose Shion, which I was super happy with. It's nice to do something different than my usual suspects lol.

It's also nice to push myself back into more drawing this year. I hope to have things ready to post in the future!

I used copic markers, colored pencils, and digital art.

[pp10thtribute]

What's brewing...

As you may already know, the 10th anniversary of Psycho-Pass is happening on the 11th (12th in the West) of October, 2022! To celebrate this, we're organizing a Digital Zine that will showcase our love for the show and its characters!

The project is at its earliest stages: we're firming up timelines, resources, mods and of course, the overarching theme for this digital zine. Soon, we will open applications for contributors, so watch this space!

We're excited to get this going and we hope you help spread the word!

[jediofbooksandsnacks]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Psycho-Pass Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Hinakawa Shou, Tsunemori Akane, the Psycho-Pass S2 ensemble Summary:

While paying his Enforcer penance keeps Hinakawa's head above the terrible sorrow that always threatens to suck him back in, this new case strikes deep at his heart. Will he give in? Or will he find a new way to administer justice?

Many, many thanks to the mods for putting this fantastic zine together. Click the link at @pp10thtribute to download it, and I hope you enjoy!

[temporarilyunstable]

[pearlsephoni]

oh for fuck’s sake, the last thing I cross-posted to here was ch 11 of ateots 😭 what have I done 😭

that means my catch-up list includes:

• 14 ch of ateots

• 2 fics from mine and Lin’s hq hospital playlist au

• 2 ch of the kghn honeymoon fic

• 2 kghn exchange gift fics

• 1 psycho-pass zine fic

• 1 greatest decoy challenge fic

22 fics/chapters total🧍🏾‍♀️do I just…get them all prepped on tumblr and schedule one to drop daily? that’s gonna take so much time to set up, though? and idk who all even reads my stuff on here, apart from the occasional random note I’ll get on an old fic 🧐

[yohankang]

wasted more than an hour searching for anime to watch and now it's too late to start anything 😐

[la-vida-segun-manny]

Psycho-pass Au

Fue hecho hace mucho tiempo para una Kacchako zine. Espero les guste!

---

It was made a long time ago for a Kacchako zine. I hope you like it!

[teanao]

Here’s a cropped preview of the image I did for @meganezine~!! If you like cute megane boys, fantastic art & donating to charity, please keep an eye out for this zine! Pre-orders will be available late January~~

Edit: Preorders now available!! 

[narumayo-zine]

Creator Spotlight: tact-and-impulse

Social Media:

Tumblr: @tact-and-impulse

Interview under the cut!

1. How long have you been in the Ace Attorney fandom? I’ve been in the fandom since Professor Layton vs Ace Attorney was released. I actually was a Professor Layton fan first and with the crossover, I became curious about Phoenix and Maya. They seemed close in the preview videos, and I began looking more into Ace Attorney. I started watching playthroughs on YouTube and was hooked. I participated in the 10 Days of Narumayo Event of 2016, and I’m very excited to be a part of this Narumayo Zine! 2. What's your favorite aspect of the Narumayo ship?  Phoenix and Maya have an unwavering faith in each other. It’s born out of unfortunate tragedy, but it’s stronger with every case, every game. Despite every challenge that comes their way, they work together, equally inspiring and motivating each other, to find the next step. Even in the quieter moments, they play off each other’s quips and there’s a natural ease and comfort to their dynamic. They’re a team. Maya believes in him wholeheartedly, and Phoenix never doubts her, throughout the entire series. Time and time again, it’s proven that they’d do anything for each other. It’s a ride-or-die intensity that caught my attention from the end of the first game. I can’t pinpoint a specific moment I started shipping but I was definitely on board by Farewell, My Turnabout. The entirety of the third game just made them a full-blown OTP. I’m hoping for more of them in the next installment! 3. What is your favourite thing to draw/write? And are you working on anything at the moment? I like making characters and exploring the bonds between people. Once I have an idea, I figure out traits, skillset, and values. My plots are largely character-driven; I want to see how they react and grow, and of course, how they relate to other people. I often write conversations first, or I’ll write in my outlines to have characters discuss a topic of interest. That’s how I build a group dynamic: in what’s said, what remains unspoken, through tonality and body language, by the actions people take, how conflict arises and how to resolve it. I really think it’s fun to throw different personalities together and discover how they interact. I’ve often heard that my characters feel true to canon or feel like real people. As for anything I’m working on, I have a number of original projects that I switch between depending on my mood. My mind’s lately been occupied with a ‘prequel’ story that was more of a self-induced challenge. The cast’s fate is already set in stone, but the feel of this group is very different from what I’m used to writing. I’ve enjoyed clarifying who they are, and how they’ll change over the events I have in store for them.

4. (If applicable) What are some other fandoms you create for? The other fandoms I’ve mainly written for are Rurouni Kenshin and Psycho-Pass. I’ve also branched out into Cells at Work, Shepherds of Haven, and most recently, Liar Game. I generally write canon or explore post-canon, and among the handful of AUs I have, my greatest fondness is for historical settings. If you’re looking for fluff, slowburn, family feels, and conversational banter, I got you covered!

5. Are there any past works you'd want to share?

Please view my Fics page for the links to my previous works! (Click here)

[dreamties]

Slashers W/ a Punk S/O

T/W- q*eer is used a few times- in a positive, self affirming kind of way. But I can add other trigger warnings if needed. :)

A/n- Literally no one asked for this, but I wanted to make more HCs like the soft pastel one...so I just went wild and made them. 

I included a little bit of punk culture into this as well, because it’s not just about the fashion, but since there’s such a vast variety within punk culture I mostly stuck with my experiences in the community, and some bits and pieces from documentaries(mostly live footage from “The Decline of Western Civilization”).

Characters: Billy/Stu, The Lost Boys, Norman Bates, Michael Myers

Will make one(s) for Brahms, Amanda, Helen or Daniel if asked

Billy Loomis + Stu Macher

so early 90s, the Riot Grrrl movement emerges

bands like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, Heavens to Betsy or Sleater-Kinney

it’s a very female-powered oriented movement, but I notice that a lot of minorities tend to be drawn to this music and community (LGBT folks, people of color, etc).

both boys, and yourself, being outside of the norm and all (polyamorous relationship, gay/bi) are sort of drawn to it!

and sure there’s a lot of really great queercore/homocore bands, and there’s probably a good LGBT+ punk scene out there somewhere, but in a little town like Woodsboro? Hell no. Sticking with this fem punk movement, while again mostly a space for women in music- it’s the most accepted the three of you have felt outside of you’re relationship. 

you’ve always been pretty into the music, stuff like Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, or the short-lived Germs- but it wasn’t until you stumbled upon Riot Grrrl that you really got into it. 

the music, making zines about local-ish political issues(probably not so much Woodsboro stuff, more Cali in general and neighboring towns) and a few ones with queer themes and hand-drawn illustrations of your partners, and DIYing all your clothes

since you’re so experienced with DIYing your clothes and sewing on patches, you’ve helped repair the Ghostface costumes on numerous occasions. they kind of adore this(Stu is the only one that will- and does, frequently- admit that)

Let’s face it, the three of you do everything together- but you especially enjoy when Stu tags along for thrift dates. 

he’s the more fashionable one, and he makes the whole experience more enjoyable- cracking jokes and just being his all-around goofy self.

Woodsboro is a very little town, so they don’t have much...but they do have a few small stores- usually you’ll make a whole day/date out of it though. driving to the next town or so over, since they have more stores and a better selection, and spending hours looking for cheap, old t-shirts, belts, clothes with funky patterns. heading out for pizza after.

Billy’s more likely to get into the music and everything with you(he’s kinda,, angsty, no offense to him)- will definitely go to shows with you.

just- imagine Billy in ripped jeans. and he’d have like one or two patches sewn on to it- one of them is your all time favorite band, and the other is a band that he found on his own time, and actually really enjoyed.

Stu is dragged along with you guys, you can’t just leave him at home- he’s gonna feel left out and sad. :(

He’s mostly there to keep y’all company- he really likes the energy of the shows though!

the two of them are such a chaotic duo though, so much so that you have definitely been kicked out or banned from a few venues. all for varying reasons. good grief these men can not be tamed.

The Lost Boys

as we all know, these vampires are total punks. so they’re gonna appreciate having a s/o who’s also into that whole scene.

How you meet:

you’re a baby punk, and it’s your first show ever, and you look so nervous. you’re dressed up in pretty plain clothes, a single homemade patch for your favorite band barely hanging to your jacket side(you were mid-way sewing it, when you realized you were gonna be late if you didn’t leave asap).

it’s a few local bands, ones you’d never really heard of really. you look anxious. but when they start playing? you look so unapologetically yourself, you’re so in the moment dancing- it’s completely mesmerizing to the boys. the music isn’t even that good, but you seem to be having the time of your life.

they greet you after the show, and you’re a tiny bit flustered- cause gosh, heck, they saw you. dancing. so embarrassing. 

David is the one that introduces himself and the group, and initiates conversation. Dwayne’s a pretty quiet guy, so he just listens to what you have to say. 

Marko’s pretty excited about you, and initiates in some small conversation, he may have complimented your little patch(Marko- patch jacket KING, complimenting your jacket?? more likely than you’d think) 

and oh, oh- Paul is out there being a total chatty-cathy, and is absolutely bombarding you with questions. like, okay, Paul is pretty talkative, but the other vamps are a little worried that he’s scared you off. and you had seemed so cool :(

you end up pretty engaged in your convo with Paul though, even if all the attention is overwhelming. He ends up snagging a date for the five of you the following week.

once you start hanging out/dating:

y’all just hit it off so well those first few days. they all love how sweet & shy you are- but also how much of a badass punk babe you are.

Marko helps make your patch jacket(collecting ones for bands you enjoy, how to make your own, sewing them on, etc). you probably could have done it w/out his help, but my gosh- you weren’t going to pass up this opportunity. Marko gets really soft around you sometimes, since he doesn’t really do this activity with anyone else, it’s saved for you. 🥺🥺

Dwayne likes listening to you talking about the local scene(outside of the shows you go to- mostly about stuff he can’t attend, protests and meetings during the daylight.)

all of them(especially David) are very protective of you. I mean, generally. but also when you go to shows. they let you do whatever the heck you’re gonna do, but the mere second that someone even thinks about starting shit w/ you?? well, y’know. those vampire instincts kick in.

the four of them obviously share a lot of similar tastes in music- but they all have different favorite bands, & fave parts of the community. which, they can’t even fully participate in,, but it’s okay.

they, individually, introduce their favorite bands to you. and they get it in their head that oh, they said they liked it. they must like it as much as I do. and awkwardly coming out to the four of them, as they argue about your favorite band, “Well, actually- this *insert band they’ve never heard of or barely listen to* is my favorite.” and their just kinda like, oh, okay. please tell us more about them. 

so it’s sorta like,, you’ve been learning all this cool knowledge from them, now you get to share cool knowledge with them.

idk. I think it’s cute. 💕

Norman Bates

so first off- let’s just pretend Psycho was in at least the 70s/80s for a moment. because realistically- the punk subculture didn’t really exist back then.

baby boy is absolutely fascinated by the way you dress (mother is less thrilled though)

imagine your jacket is getting a bit weathered, and needs some repairs- so he helps you to sew edges closed, and make sure the patches aren’t on too loose, etc

he enjoys hearing your stories of all the past shows you’ve gone to. you always get so excited about them, and he finds that so endearing. But he pretty much leaves the actual punk scene to you because of these stories.

he was already worried from the stories, and made sure you were well prepared for any trouble every time you left for a show.

but one time, you were able to get him to join you. never again though. he was so nervous!

the music was too loud! and he could hardly understand what they were saying- it was so confusing!

you stayed with him most of the night, standing near the back, holding his hand. he’d gently bob his head to the music occasionally. 

but you accidentally found yourself swept into the crowd, but you looked so blissed-out in the moment, that he figured it would be okay for you to dance* over there for a little bit...right?  

*Norman is still unsure if you’d even call that dancing.

Thankfully, nothing bad happened in the mosh pit.

you gotta give him lots of attention and reassurance afterwards though- you almost scared Norman half to death D:

He’s happy enough helping you out and listening to you though- and that’s okay for you, too. you still love each other lots, even if this particular interest doesn’t overlap.

Michael Myers

he thinks you’re outfits are pretty interesting. 

he’s a little worried at first, when you start experimenting with putting things like safety pins in your ears. cause like- that’s not supposed to be in your ear, Y/n, what the fuck

if you make zines at all, Michael really enjoys watching you make the illustrations for them(not that he’ll admit to it though), and helps to find newspaper and magazine clippings to incorporate into the spreads.

you always show michael the final booklet before distributing it

he doesn’t talk a lot, so he doesn’t ask questions- but he often does the little head tilt once you give it to him. since he’s not very privy to current events, and a lot of your zines are political, you spend a lot of time explaining them in depth.

he has no use for any of this knowledge, but he listens on, intently.

Important note:

dear god do not bring this man to concerts and local shows with you.

it is a nightmare, to say the least

Michael is sort of,, emotionless sometimes, doesn’t really care for people at all, and if he does? definitely not in the same way most people do. 

so imagine combining that part of michael, the fact that he’s also a giant stabby man, with super loud, energetic- almost aggressive- sounding music and a bunch of strangers that aren’t respecting any personal boundaries. 

you need to keep him at the back of the venue- lest your local scene may go missing.