#trial 2

[kkatastrophic]

Imagine Kiyotaka and Mondo in the elevator on the way to the second trial.

---

"Hey bro I have to tell you something after the trial, i can assure you that we will bring Fujisaki-Chan to justice."

"..."

"What's wrong? I didn't know you were close with her Owada."

"Nothin' we'll... uh... we'll talk after the trial..."

"Alright! Goodluck bro. The sooner we finish this mystery the sooner we can get out of here."

"..."

---

Okay but like headcanon time:

1. Mondo told kiyotaka that he killed fujisaki

Or

2. Kiyotaka was going to tell mondo how much he meant to him (<- obliviously confessing his love) after the trial.

WHAT IF I SOBBED.

[maristelina]

Mikoto T2 Neoplasm Voice Drama Translation

Take my translation with a grain of salt. I did try my best.

Es: Mikoto Mikoto: Oh…Hey Warden, Es: You… are Mikoto right? Mikoto: Eh? What are you talking about? It feels like it's been a while, doesn't it? Have you been well? Huh? What is this? Chains? I hate these, Take them off Es: Request denied. You are too dangerous. Physical restraint is essential. Mikoto: Uh.. Um… What are you saying, capturing such a harmless person like me? Es: As I thought, you have no self-awareness. Mikoto: Well, I get it. I must have caused a ruckus while I was asleep, right? Everyone told me that I really went all out with the chaos. Es: It seems so. Mikoto: I guess it's something like sleepwalking disorder. Lately I've been feeling drowsy more frequently too. Oh man, that's troublesome, isn't it? Es: Mikoto… Mikoto: I can tell from everyone's attitude that they're scared of me. I can read the room/atmosphere… I… Es: Hmm… Mikoto: It's frustrating, isn't it? I've been confused ever since I got here. Es: You really laugh when you're in pain/troubled, don't you? Mikoto: Eh? Es: You don't get angry or yell. You laugh like you're in a bind/at a loss. Mikoto: That sounds about right. I might have that kind of trait. Usually, if I laugh and gloss it over, things go well. I'm good at that kind of thing, so I manage somehow. But, it doesn't end, does it? My head is filled with things I have no memory of doing. Orekoto: I constantly feel irritated Es: There it is. Orekoto: Seems like you haven't been beaten up enough, huh, you brat of a guard. Es: Ah… Gr….. Orekoto: Hah? Cat got your tongue? Es: Even though you got done in by Kotoko. Orekoto: That was just because I was caught off guard. We fought while you were asleep, it's not like I lost or anything. Es: Multiple personality disorder. Is it correct to understand that you, who are speaking now, are a separate personality from the Mikoto earlier? Mikoto: You're accepting this quite normally, aren't you. Multiple personalities is ridiculous, right? Es: Yes. I didn't think something like that could really exist either. Mikoto: Yeah, exactly. If it wasn't me, I wouldn't believe it either. I'd just think it's a lie to escape the guilt of killing someone. Es: However, Milgram recognizes you as such. I'm just accepting it as fact and moving my thoughts forward. So, what should I call you? Orekoto: I don't know man. Call me whatever you want. Es: For convenience, I will call you John. Orekoto: That's a dog-like name. Es: It's used to refer to a person of unknown identity. It comes from "John Doe". Do you like it? Orekoto: Is it okay to show off knowledge like that? Es: But you seem quite calm today. I thought you were a monster. I didn't expect we could communicate this well. Orekoto/John: Don't get cocky. If it wasn't for these chains your face would be smashed in by now brat. Es: Oh? How scary. I'm scared. /s Mikoto: Hmph. Es: Then you are not Milgram's prisoner. The best proof is that Milgram's restraints are not effective on you. Milgram has judged Mikoto to be the prisoner, while you, a separate personality, are an exception. Orekoto/John: Ah I see. So for you, multiple personalities has been anything but confirmed. Es: That's why today, chair creaks I thought I'd hear you out as an important witness. I'm very glad we are able to have a proper conversation. Orekoto/John: But you know, this isn't a good thing. Probably. Es: What are you trying to say? Orekoto/John: I(Boku) might be disappearing (?!) Es: gasps Orekoto/John: Clearly, the time I'm(ore) out in front is getting longer. Thanks to that, my existence is becoming more stable. Isn't that the reason we can talk properly now? Es: makes a concerned sound Orekoto/John: Maybe it would have been better if I (ore) stayed a monster. … Oh? What's with that look? Es: I'm surprised to hear you speak so rationally, contrary to what I expected. Orekoto: I have a college degree after all. How does one develop Multiple Personality Disorder?

Es: To be precise, it is called Dissociative Identity Disorder. Generally, it is thought to occur when another personality is created and separated in order to protect oneself from suffering, stress, trauma, etc. Orekoto/John: Hm. 多分俺は僕の受けたストレスを解消するために出てきてる。俺が長く出てるってことは、それだけ僕が強いストレスを受け続けているわけだ。 I'm (ore) probably emerging to relieve the stress he's (Boku) under. The fact that I'm (ore) out for longer means he's (boku) under more severe constant stress.

Es: Stress huh? It's probably because of Milgram, I see. Orekoto/John: Especially the verdict of "GUILTY/Not Forgiven" He (Boku) feels tremendous stress. So he leaves his heart/mind to me. Es: I see. Orekoto/John: It's no wonder. To him, he's being blamed for a crime he has no memory of. / It's not unreasonable. From his (Boku) point of view, he is being blamed for a crime they have no memory of. Es: "If that's true, are you the one who actually committed the murder?" Orekoto/John: Yes. It was me. (Ore-da)

Orekoto/John: I'm (ore) the one who killed them. Es: ん… Orekoto/John: So, I (Boku) really didn't do it. Es: Why did you kill them? Let's hear your explanation. Orekoto/John: (むしゃくしゃして。) I was frustrated. Es: Who did you kill? Orekoto/John: (そこら辺歩いてた奴。) Some guy who was walking around.

Es: How many did you kill? Orekoto/John: I don't remember. That was the first time I emerged. It's hazy. Es: You have the audacity to say that without any shame. Orekoto/John: Legally speaking, what would happen to me? Es: You might get a reduced sentence based on a psychological evaluation, but depending on the number of people you killed, you might not be able to avoid the death penalty. Orekoto/John: (いや、やったのは俺だ。僕は寝ていただけだ。) No, I (ore) was the one who did it. He (Boku) was just sleeping. Es: As if things could be that convenient.

Orekoto/John (Boku): 僕の身にもなってやれよ。僕はただストレスに耐えていただけなんだぜ。一人でじっと耐えていたんだ。爆発するまで誰かを傷つけようなんて考えてなかったんだよ。 Put yourself in my shoes. I (boku) was just enduring the stress, that's all. I (boku) was enduring it alone. I (boku) never thought about hurting anyone until it reached a breaking point.

そういうことができない奴なんだ。気を使って空気を見て、周りの顔色を窺ってばっかで、そういうことができないから、爆発しそうだったから俺が生まれたんだ。あんまりだろう。何も捨てねえんだぞ。 I'm (boku) not the kind of guy who can do that. I'm (boku) always worried about the atmosphere/the room, watching people's expressions, so I (boku) can't do things like that. That's why I (boku) was about to explode, so I (ore) was born. It's too much. I (boku) haven't done anything wrong!

Es: Even if that's how it was, even if it wasn't Mikoto's intention, human lives have been lost. Orekoto/John: Urgh… Es: Even if the one inside was you, John, there's no way to prove it. At the very least, it won't fully hold up in court. It could even be deemed as a lie.

Orekoto/John: YOU!! Es: ! Orekoto/John: (お前はどう思うんだ？) What do YOU actually think?! Es: Mine? Orekoto/John: I (ore) did it. He (boku) didn't do it. You're just going by what Milgram says. Why the hell does it matter what the justice/criminal system thinks, what about YOUR judgement?! What do you think about me? Es: ... Orekoto/John: Forgive me (Boku) already. I'm (ore) the one who did it...

Es: I can't judge right away. It's not something I can decide to forgive so easily. In fact, Mikoto's mindset/emotional landscape was far too cruel. I judged not to forgive. / I've decided not to forgive. Orekoto/John: (You're saying that because you think) That's probably because multiple personalities could be fake. I (boku) truly did nothing wrong. I (ore) was the one who killed.

Es: …

Orekoto/John: Can you be satisfied with that? Imagine waking up in the morning and finding out you've become a murderer.

Es: The act of creating you could be called a sin. / It might be said that the sin is in having given birth to you.

Orekoto/John: !!!!!!!!!!!! … You are probably right…

Orekoto/John: I (ore) am his (boku) ideal self. I'm (ore) the one who doesn't just lie down and resign ourselves to unfairness and stress. If I (Ore) hadn't been born, he (Boku) would have surely reached his limit and broken down. Es: Then… you… Orekoto/John: It's true that I (boku) wished for an existence that could break everything. Maybe it's because of my (Boku's) weakness that I couldn't face it alone. But that's all. Is that a sin/crime?

Es: That's for us to consider moving forward. Orekoto/John: Talking with you, I (ore) understand that what I (ore) did cannot be forgiven. I (ore) accept that.

Es: Yeah, that's right. Orekoto/John: Milgram's subject of judgment is him (Boku), Mikoto. Not me (ore)… John that is. Es: That is correct. Orekoto/John: Please forgive him (boku). Otherwise he (boku) won't be able to endure anymore. Es: I see, you want me to decide that since it was another other personality that committed the crime, it doesn't count as his (Boku's) sin.

Orekoto/John: Yes. If you forgive him (Boku), then I'll disappear.

Es: !!

Orekoto/John: That's right, in the end I (ore) have to vanish. I'll take on everything and vanish. I will.

…Because I (ore) was born to protect him (boku). Es: For that purpose. You were born. Orekoto/John: If it's to protect him (Boku), then I'll do anything.

Bell Chimes

Es: John… Mikoto: Hm? What is it? A dog's name? Es: Mikoto… Mikoto: Warden, you have a pet dog? What kind of breed is it? Wait, let me think, not a Toy Poodle, but I might surprisingly like the ones that are ugly-cute. Not a French Bulldog or anything like that. Es: That's not it. (irritated) Mikoto: Then a pug? Es: It's not a dog's name! Mikoto: Ehh? Then, what is it? Es: It's the name of your friend. Mikoto: laughs No way! I don't know anyone with that name!

Es: Deep Inhale I suppose so. Mikoto: Huh? Es: Prisoner #9, Mikoto. Sing your sins…

[cielgram]

The lights flicker on and off. The familiar buzzing of a lightbulb resounds on your ears as your eyes adjust to the light.

CIELGRAM - JACKALOPE'S "SECOND TRIAL COMMENCEMENT NOTICE" BEGINS NOW.

Good morning, Warden Key. I'm assuming you had a nice sleep? I would hope that's the case.

… Hm? A nightmare? I apologise about that. I suppose the first trial took a bit of a toll on you.

Speaking of which… Your awakening means the start of the second trial. Although… I guess I never really explained something crucial… … Now, now. Don't look at me like that. Even a few details escape my mind. I'll explain right away.

After the first trial… The prisoners were treated in accordance to whether they were FORGIVABLE or UNFORGIVABLE. That is to say, those found INNOCENT were given slightly more freedom. Look. You'll notice some of their restraints have loosened up. Conversely, those found GUILTY have been… Restrained, so to say. A harder existence, so they can atone for their sins and reflect more upon it. That being said… They have not really been… Excessively punished. At least by me personally. Their freedom of thought is still left intact. Unfortunately… This has caused a few things that… I wasn't really able to interfere in.

… None of them resulted in death, Key. You can stop looking at me like that.

Sigh… I guess a status report would be better. Very well.

Prisoner #O1: Ueno Kei.

Your judgement was INNOCENT, and thus, their ideas were affirmed.

Because their ideals were affirmed… They've found even more comfort in a bit of… Self expression. Dare I say, they've been finding themselves more comfortable on their own skin?

I would say it slightly attributes to #O6 also helping around… But we'll get to her later. That being said… #O1 has also become somewhat… Self-centered? Earnestly throwing away the opinions of others. I'd say good for them, if I didn't find that mentality somewhat unhealthy.

Prisoner #O2: Hanakawa Aya.

Your judgement was INNOCENT, and thus, her ideas were affirmed.

Much like #O1, Aya has become somewhat more expressive. Almost as if she has thrown caution to the wind. Well… More specifically… She seems far more cheerful. Almost as if she has returned to her idol persona. Although… She definitely seems more genuine than before? I'm… Unsure of what to make of this.

Prisoner #O3: Hoshino Shuu.

Your judgement was GUILTY, and thus, his ideas were denied.

Although… Saying his ideas were denied is a bit of a stretch? If anything… It seems more like he's doubled down on them. Feeling exceedingly nervous and trying to make sure he's becoming "better". It's gotten to a point where he'll often practice and… Injure himself, due to the restraints not allowing him to move as much. It's a sad spectacle.

Prisoner #O4: Minoharu Tentou.

Your judgement was GUILTY, and thus, it's ideas were denied.

#O4 has… Definitely become more hostile towards others. Although not as badly as #O9. …No. Rather, I'd say it's become spiteful? Cursing the prison's system rather than you as an individual. That being said, #O4 is one of the few that has become apprehensive towards #O6. To them, it appears camaraderie is just some sort of trick.

Prisoner #O5: Takahashi Minoru.

Your judgement was INNOCENT, and thus, his ideas were affirmed.

#O5's change… How do I explain it…

It seems like #O5 has… Become extremely complacent with MILGRAM. Almost to a scary degree. I don't really know how to word this correctly? But he's become far friendler and a massive people pleaser. Most notably, it seems like he's also established some sort of coodependency with #O6. Of course, #O6 has taken herself to try to help everyone… But #O5 seems the most attached to her. Speaking of which…

Prisoner #O6: Dokugamori Satsuki.

Your judgement was INNOCENT, and thus, her ideas were affirmed.

#O6 has decided to take her role as a "good girl" pretty seriously. Trying to be the prison's "moral support" or "healer" in a sense. Of course, she seems to be dismissive to those who reject her. That being said… I can't really make sure that's entirely the case. Well… At least she's kept people from extremely freaking out over #O8's attacks. … Huh? What do I mean? I'll talk about it in a bit. For now, let me continue with the status report.

Prisoner #O7: Mochizuki Hikaru.

Your judgement was GUILTY, and thus, their ideas were affirmed.

Sigh… I wish I could say their ideas were denied. But it looks like they were looking forward to this. I don't think I can understand them. That being said… #O7 seems… Awfully sturdy. Guess those supposed years of delinquency paid off.

#O7, though not as badly battered as #O3, has been shielding those who were guilty from #O8's attacks. That being said, they also didn't seem to attack back. Guess they feel like they're above hurting a child.

Prisoner #O8: Inaba Rika.

Your judgement was INNOCENT, and thus, her ideas were affirmed.

I assume I don't have to repeat what I said before, right? Childhood innocence can be terrifying if left unchecked.

#O8 has decided to take her role as a hero quite seriously. She even managed to get a metal pipe to use between trials.

Of those who you said were UNFORGIVABLE, #O8 attacked #O3, #O9, and #O7. As stated earlier, #O7 taking the vast majority of blows. It doesn't seem like she was… Fully content with it though. Maybe it's the fact she saw #O3 and #O7 as sources of comfort before. Or maybe it could also be attributed to #1O's intervention. Her feeling conflicted doesn't seem to change much however. She still seems willing to enact her so called "justice".

Prisoner #O9: Itsuki Umi.

Your judgement was GUILTY, and thus, his ideas were denied.

You might call it a much needed wake up call. He definitely has taken a knock off his pedestal, and treating others a bit more…. Equally. Best example of this is #1O. …That being said… I'd argue it might have felt like the change was quite abrupt for him. He's definitely become more… Defensive. Hostile. Like a small kicked dog. That's not to mention periods of time where he seems to…. Zone off. Even I am conflicted. I did not think someone could fall this low in the span of one trial.

Finally… Prisoner #1O: Yoru Makoto.

Your judgement was INNOCENT, and thus, her ideas were…. Hm.

I'm not sure whether to say they've been affirmed or denied. Dare I say… She's doing more of her own thing. Helping others in a different way. Most notably, she's been trying to calm down #O9 as best as she can, and even intervened every time #O8 was about to hit him. And yet… It feels as if she's given away her own free will. She's become more of a puppet than anything.

Thus, concludes the status report on the prisoners. As you can see… Just their veredicts were enough to drastically change things. Their relationships, their mindsets, and so on. Ah. Worry not. Fighting will not be allowed throughout the duration of the trials.

Haa… I can see this being quite troubling, however.

That being said… You have more plans on how to vote, right? MILGRAM allows for many reasons to vote someone INNOCENT or GUILTY as your basis. …Though…

It would be dissapointing to see you vote based on what's best for everyone. These people are first and foremost murderers after all. Even the smallest change can have massive ripple effects.

Just because you think someone could be more benefitial… That doesn't ensure that they'll actually be in the way you expect. Humans are complicated and unpredictable, after all.

Ahem… Withthis information in mind… I hope you can continue judging without too many problems.

Do not waver. We're counting on you, Key.

Let CIELGRAM: The Second Trial…

…Begin.

[lustrumlane]

rule of law | coronis | reaction

Coronis looks around at the assembled and for once he is not smiling. His expression is cold, even haughty, although not unkind. “Some things matter. Many of you spite this place’s gods, and I do not blame you, for I myself am only pious to my own gods, but some things matter for their own sakes. Tonight Venetia has shown us it is not sufficient to be pious only to one’s self. As an oracle I cannot issue demands or edicts, but only a warning: thus ever to perjurers, thus the end of all hubris.”

[thinkin-bout-milgram]

I believe Mahiru has Schizophrenia

(Go to third paragraph if you want to skip my prefaces and meandering. I also put a fairly simple to understand DSM-5 criteria screenshot from one of my textbooks for schizophrenia near the bottom)

Admin Saturn here post Mahiru drop, I’m sure others will have either similar or very contrasting thoughts on this but I thought I’d offer my own perspective on it as a psych major and a person with a family member who has schizophrenia. She definitely shows a lot of symptoms of schizophrenia which of course doesn’t necessarily mean this is what they’re intending to portray with her, nor a good portrayal, but I want to put my thoughts out here.

I also want to say that I’m most familiar with schizophrenia and this could very easily fall into a different psychotic disorder I’m less familiar with so I’ll be doing some research into those to either rule out other possibilities or hone in more on a potential schizophrenia portrayal.

Starting with the most basic, she’s near the typical age of onset for schizophrenia in women which is mid 20s to early 30s. (although of course theres a very broad range)

Going on to criteria A. To start there are three ‘main criteria’ that are often the most telling for people with schizophrenia. These include 1. delusions, 2. hallucinations, and 3. disorganized speech. I would say mahiru definitely meets delusions and hallucinations based on this MV. 

While auditory hallucinations are the most common, and having fully formed and incredibly all encompassing visual hallucinations like the ones depicted in her MV are very uncommon, milgram depicts very specific and intriguing cases. The fact that all the prisoners hear our voices also makes it difficult to be able to tell if she might experience auditory hallucinations as well, but it’s something I’ll be looking out for. 

To say more on delusions (and keep in mind I’m reporting all this in a very simplified version sans context because theres a lot about delusions within psychotic disorders. And also this is just with just a quick refresher from a previous textbook) there are a few kinds. Mahiru would be expressing erotomanic type where you believe a person is madly in love with you and you two were meant to be together. This is most often experienced in relation to celebrities but again, milgram tries to take looks at the most ‘intriguing’ cases.

The other criteria are 4. grossly disorganized or catatonic behavior and 5. negative symptoms. Schizophrenia can be thought of as having negative and positive symptoms. Positive symptoms are things like hallucinations and delusions that add a nonreal experience where negative symptoms reduce a typical experience/self expression. (again, simplified) So some negative symptoms a person could experience would be reduced affect or a lack of pleasure from everyday activities. I don’t see her having any reduced affect but I could definitely see her having grossly disorganized behavior.

Grossly disorganized behavior includes not understanding you have a problem (specifically in a lacking insight way), another thing is cognitive slippage where a person will jump from topic to topic or talk illogically. While we haven’t seen her have these symptoms recently, the deterioration of her notebook entries could be an attempt to show the audience this.

A person must have at least 2 of these 5 symptoms.

She also def meets criteria B (worsened hygiene at the very least which doesn’t even bring in how much these actions likely impacted the other aspects of her life)

I can’t say for sure with C, D, or E, however F I can say has been met.

Something important to note is that it’s hard to tell if Mahiru would meet the criteria of experiencing this for the past 6 months. We don’t know how long she was holding him captive (although I think from the wear it looks like he experienced it was longer than the few days expressed in her journal) but it’s still difficult to know. If she hasn’t, it would be important to look into schizophreniform which is a shorter version of it and brief psychotic disorder which is an even shorter version. These can have a better long term prognosis.

In regards to outcomes that people with schizophrenia can experience long term with treatment vary. Unfortunately, many people never make a full recovery and continue to experience symptoms, especially those who never receive treatment. Schizophrenia is typically considered a chronic disorder. They typically benefit most from a structured inpatient facility with good care and this is a disorder where med compliance is one of the number 1 things that can impact recovery. However, that definitely doesn’t mean they can’t. With med compliance, a good support system as well as coping skills and frequent checkups symptoms can severely lessen to almost disappear. Especially with schizophreniform and brief psychotic disorder, there are a lot of cases where a person can experience one case of it and never have these symptoms again (although it is also a very big risk factor for a later schizophrenia diagnosis)

Another thing to consider going forward in regards to being able to ask her questions would be asking about childhood and family history. Schizophrenia is highly hereditary and there are also some early flags in childhood that include atypical beliefs or some of the negative symptoms.

From a personal standpoint, I would also say that my family member expresses a lot of floaty whimsical type ideas. Not quite in the Mahiru love way but it has similar vibes? I don’t quite know how to describe it because it’s such a specific mannerism but it’s just another coincidence I thought I would add.

Theres always the availability heuristic and I know a lot about schizophrenia and it’s something I think about a lot more than the average person. However, I do feel that she meets a lot of criteria and I’ll definitely be looking for more signs.

[the-bisexual-bitch]

Getting high-

9:05

Trial 2:

Halved my dose.

Five min in, no effect yet

WISH ME LUCK!!

[isledolon]

low || trial start

The hours pass by, and you have to wonder if the answers to the questions you received from the mismatched gathering of items and clues you obtained will be enough to solve the murders of not one but two of your fellow Cursebearers. It has to be enough, though. It’s not as though there’s another way forward, is there? Not for you all. Not now.

A voice comes to you in your mind, and a gentle breeze picks up around you.

"Please, prepare yourselves. I will be taking us to our destination."

The petals fall away, and you’re left with the sight of the Well once again; the gentle blue light and swaying branches are still ever the same as last time. Now, two more seats will remain empty. It’s a change that you wish didn’t exist.

Eydís waves hesitantly from its perch before lowering its hand once again, weaving it into their hair.

"You are responsible for figuring out what happened to both Shidou and Aria. You will be given a similar timeframe as last time, and I will provide tokens of offering later on in the discussion for your use. For now…well, good luck, Cursebearers. Take care."

The second trial of the Festival of Libations has begun.

[colorfuldreamsmkg]

Reversed Judgment | Witch | Execution Reaction

Witch suddenly found herself back at her podium, confused and disoriented. In a matter of seconds she understood what was happening: Johann was about to die, and she was required to witness the event. All walking away had done was kept her from saying goodbye to her doomed friend. But maybe she could still say something, before—

It all happened so fast. Without any time to react, Johann sank into the water, and Kanji was left holding…

part of Johann’s arm.

Before she could process what this meant, the screen above lights up with a new image. Witch looks up to the screen reflexively, but once she realizes what’s happening she immediately squeezes her eyes shut. She doesn’t want to look. She doesn’t want to watch. She doesn’t want to see.

But she can still hear. The shrill whine of a saw, the nauseating squelch of spinning metal against flesh and bone, the dull thud of something falling away… she pulls her hat down and presses the brim against her ears with her hands. Anything to make the horrible noises stop. It’s not enough. Nothing would be enough to drown this out. Beneath the cacophony she hears Johann’s voice for one last time, begging for Miku to stop. His voice cuts out mid-sentence, and then….

…Witch doesn’t dare move or make a sound. It’s not actually over. She’s sure there will be more. And more does come: Miku’s voice, telling them all… something. It’s hard to process what’s being said with the noise of Johann’s execution still reverberating in her head. Something about trust? Then Ozzy’s voice cuts in, loud and furious. It’s the first sound that Witch actually welcomes, because someone has to say something. Someone has to make it clear that this isn’t right—

The world shifts around her. Even with her eyes closed and her hands held rigidly against her head, Witch can tell she’s back in the bunker. It’s over. For now. For a few days.

It won’t be enough.

Haltingly, she lowers a trembling hand from the side of her head and reaches into her pocket to retrieve her phone. Her hand brushes against something plastic and hard— Miku’s gift— but she pays it little mind. Witch opens an eye, taps on her phone a few times, and returns to the one and only place she feels safe: her cottage in her SEKAI.

Safe and alone, Witch crumples to the floor face down. There were tears on her face before, she could feel them, but only now does she let herself really feel them. She sobs, loudly and intensely, in a way she hasn’t in several years, and she wishes she hadn’t run away. She wishes she had stayed. She wishes she knew why this had to happen, she wishes she could have been brave enough to talk to Johann, she wishes she had tried to help him avoid his fate, she wishes she had joined Ozzy in defiance...

Her eyes drift to the spot under her bed, where a jar full of honey and other ingredients lay. The escape spell. The one Johann had helped her charge. The one that was supposed to save them all. The one that did nothing.

…above all else, she wishes…

…that magic was real.

[sashthesloth]

I love the little squad of shades who follow Mel around the Crossroads when she gets back from a win

[starii-void]

going to chb must be crazy like imagine sharing a camp with

-one of the strongest demigods ever who's saved the world like at least 3 times, fought multiple gods & titans and WON (and is a tartarus survivor)

-the literal main architect of OLYMPUS who's also saved the world multiple times (also tartarus survivor)

-THE lord of the wild who's also close friends with the first two (and has helped save the world multiple times)

-an emo kid from the 1930s who again helped save the world and is also a tartarus survivor (TWICE)

-a son of apollo who survived tartarus with nothing but cargo shorts and sheer will (pun intended)

-the main designer and builder for the argo II, also the first hephaestus kid to have fire powers since hundreds of years ago (did i mention killed gaea? no? yeah he did that too)

-a girl who somehow charmspeak-ed gaea into falling back asleep (also side note daughter of super famous actor because why not)

-pretty much everybody is a two-time war veteran

-THE GOD APOLLO who just sometimes comes down to visit in the form of a teenage boy

-did i mention dionysus, god of wine madness and theatre

-also chiron, trainer of pretty much every greek hero ever

[littlepinkgamer]

Finished trial 2

What the fuck /pos but sad

[reasonsforhope]

A new treatment combining ReCET and semaglutide could eliminate the need for insulin in type 2 diabetes, with 86% of participants in a study no longer requiring insulin therapy. The treatment was safe and well-tolerated, and further trials are planned to confirm these results.

Groundbreaking research presented at UEG Week 2024 introduces a promising new treatment approach for type 2 diabetes (T2D) that has the potential to greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for insulin therapy.

This innovative approach, which combines a novel procedure known as ReCET (Re-Cellularization via Electroporation Therapy) with semaglutide, resulted in the elimination of insulin therapy for 86% of patients.

Globally, T2D affects 422 million people... While insulin therapy is commonly used to manage blood sugar levels in T2D patients, it can result in side effects... and further complicate diabetes management. [Note: Also very importantly it's fucking bankrupting people who need it!!] A need therefore exists for alternative treatment strategies.

Study Design and Outcomes

The first-in-human study included 14 participants aged 28 to 75 years, with body mass indices ranging from 24 to 40 kg/m². Each participant underwent the ReCET procedure under deep sedation, a treatment intended to improve the body’s sensitivity to its own insulin. Following the procedure, participants adhered to a two-week isocaloric liquid diet, after which semaglutide was gradually titrated up to 1mg/week.

Remarkably, at the 6- and 12-month follow-up, 86% of participants (12 out of 14) no longer required insulin therapy, and this success continued through the 24-month follow-up. In these cases, all patients maintained glycaemic control, with HbA1c levels remaining below 7.5%.

Tolerability and Safety

The maximum dose of semaglutide was well-tolerated by 93% of participants, one individual could not increase to the maximum dose due to nausea. All patients successfully completed the ReCET procedure, and no serious adverse effects were reported.

Dr Celine Busch, lead author of the study, commented, “These findings are very encouraging, suggesting that ReCET is a safe and feasible procedure that, when combined with semaglutide, can effectively eliminate the need for insulin therapy.”

“Unlike drug therapy, which requires daily medication adherence, ReCET is compliance-free [meaning: you don't have to take it every day], addressing the critical issue of ongoing patient adherence in the management of T2D. In addition, the treatment is disease-modifying: it improves the patient’s sensitivity to their own (endogenous) insulin, tackling the root cause of the disease, as opposed to currently available drug therapies, that are at best disease-controlling.”

Looking ahead, the researchers plan to conduct larger randomized controlled trials to further validate these findings. Dr. Busch added, “We are currently conducting the EMINENT-2 trial with the same inclusion and exclusion criteria and administration of semaglutide, but with either a sham procedure or ReCET. This study will also include mechanistic assessments to evaluate the underlying mechanism of ReCET.”

-via SciTechDaily, October 17, 2024

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Note: If it works even half as well as suggested, this could free so many people from the burden of the ongoing ridiculous cost of insulin. Pharma companies that make insulin can go choke (hopefully).

[just-gingerkat]

Going through the apollo tag is crazy because you go from percy jackson, to hades game, to actual worship, to the moon landing, and sometimes i think you see a lawyer dude

[i-love-you-just-the-same]

going to a singles meetup and mistakeningly thinking simon riley is there for the same reason.

to be fair, he was sitting at one of the tables being used for dates. however, that was because the event staff were too intimidated to ask him to move. they assumed no one would approach him, but unlucky for them you did.

simon doesnt know what's going on around him with all these stupid couples- that's probably why this pretty bird is sitting across from him. no other seats. it doesn't explain why you're asking him all these questions about himself, though. mutters through it, thinking he's going to scare you off. simon's surprised when you respond with interest and seem charmed by his aloofness, not put off.

eventually he puts down his phone (ignoring johnny's stream of tiktoks) and starts being more receptive. offers to buy you another coffee or fruity little drink from the barista up front. compliments you for being so dressed up just to get coffee. he's surprised at his own interest in someone beyond work, let alone their cat's names. simon's ready to ask you for your number when a bell rings from the other side of the room.

he's confused (and disappointed) when you get up with your clipboard and tell him you hope to see him soon. where are you going? why are you leaving him to sit with that guy over there? simon pouts for a second before deciding he's not going to take this shit. he's imprinted on you like a stray animal.

he then takes stock of all the clipboarded couples.

simon steals a clipboard by startling an organizer. ranks you as his one and only pick. proceeds to scare any other man you talk to into giving you up.

pleasantly happy to discover you ranked him number one as well- but you're confused when a staff member said there wasn't a simon riley on file. good thing he was there to remind him of their mistake. he fucking blushes when you smile at him to ask for his number.

come on bird, there's a tjmaxx and a courthouse down the road. he'll buy you flowers while you pick out your pretty white dress.

[lustrumlane]

With a bit of rock music, everything’s fine | Victor | Reaction

Tk tk tk tk tk tk tk tk. Victor peels himself off of the floor to watch the execution. It feels wrong to look away. You're in the mood for a dance. Venetia. Margo. Venetia. Margo. Lizzy. Margo. Venetia. Victoria. Venetia. Venetia. Venetia. Her new form is stunning, hard to take the eyes off of. And when you get a chance— She’s become a machine for music. A thing of excellence. A celebrated transformation. A metamorphosis. Faceless and full of character. Still able to pierce the audience with a gesture and a turn of the head. Disgusting. The joy of the Emissaries is not lost. He hadn’t clicked together the literal song and dance they did before to what’s happened now. He didn’t click it together because it probably doesn’t matter. Songs exist everywhere and in every place. Little corners of the world fill with music. It isn’t all evil, it isn’t all bad, but the heads of their captors are starting to look like lightning poles. No one here has won, not even Venetia. The Emissaries? Perhaps, though their witnesses played new tricks. Victor hopes that the surprise makes the story more compelling than bothersome. He hopes they do not follow up with another execution of the Doctor to “correct” what was stopped. Tk tk tk tk tk. Her name… her name, of course they cut off her name with her head. The transformation is more than psychical. She won’t be a ghost. Al isn’t a ghost. They’re different. They’re different. The Consummate Detective is gone like Margo. Young and sweet. Perfection. It’s all so perfect in all the mistakes. Everything went wrong in just the right way for some soul or another, didn’t it? Didn’t it? Didn’t it? Didn’t it all mean something? To someone? To everyone? Victor grinds his jaw shut. There’s nothing to say, and absolutely nothing to sing. He knows he must leave at the first second of opportunity.

[sualne]

today's warm up doodle is t4t zosan and their triplets