Talk:Chapters: Difference between revisions

→‎[[Chapters/10|{{C10}}]]: Mai -> Konoko, some additions
(→‎[[Chapters/09|{{C9}}]]: Mai -> Konoko (she's not Mai yet, really))
(→‎[[Chapters/10|{{C10}}]]: Mai -> Konoko, some additions)
Line 136: Line 136:
'''Added Value'''
'''Added Value'''


Something deep links Mukade and Mai. That much is fact. But what is the source of their connection? Two main possibilities present themselves:
Something deep links Mukade and Konoko. That much is fact. But what is the source of their connection? Two main possibilities present themselves:
*That somehow they are related. Mai does do a lot of thinking about her Dad while tracking him: "That data file contains information about my past. About my dad. I guess I knew I had a father at some point but I don't remember him. Now I want to know everything about the man I tried really hard not to think about..."
*That somehow they are related. Konoko does do a lot of thinking about her Dad while tracking him: "That data file contains information about my past. About my dad. I guess I knew I had a father at some point but I don't remember him. Now I want to know everything about the man I tried really hard not to think about..."
*That Mukade also has a Chrysalis. This is a less dramatic revelation, and frankly, less soap-operatic. It would also explain his superhuman abilities (teleportation and the Devil Star). It doesn't explain why, if Barabas also had a Chrysalis, she didn't feel the same when she fought him. But then again, her Chrysalis likely wasn't as far along in developing as it was after she killed him and had an über-spike. There is also evidence for this that can be read into their brief conversation. Let's break it down:
*That Mukade also has a Chrysalis. This is a less dramatic revelation, and frankly, less soap-operatic. It would also explain his superhuman abilities (teleportation and the Devil Star). It doesn't explain why, if Barabas also had a Chrysalis, she didn't feel the same when she fought him. But then again, her Chrysalis likely wasn't as far along in developing as it was after she killed him and had an über-spike. There is also evidence for this that can be read into their brief conversation. Let's break it down:


Line 148: Line 148:
     * 11_40_03 Mukade: Does your blood burn when you kill? Mine does.
     * 11_40_03 Mukade: Does your blood burn when you kill? Mine does.


Is this exchange implying they are related? We now know that Mai can have an über-spike after killing; this could well be the experience he is referring to, to show they have something in common.
Is this exchange implying they are related? We now know that Konoko can have an über-spike after killing; this could well be the experience he is referring to, to show they have something in common.


     * 11_40_04 Konoko: Stop it...
     * 11_40_04 Konoko: Stop it...
Line 154: Line 154:
     * 11_40_05 Mukade: We writhe inside as we are torn apart to make way for what we will become. Surrender to it. <br>                      Let the bliss of oblivion free you of all your doubts and fears...
     * 11_40_05 Mukade: We writhe inside as we are torn apart to make way for what we will become. Surrender to it. <br>                      Let the bliss of oblivion free you of all your doubts and fears...


This also makes sense in retrospect when we learn that the Chrysalis replaces its host from the inside out. However, Dr. Kerr's explanation assures Konoko that she will not truly change in personality. Mukade views his transformation as something that will kill him, and, believing this to be inevitable, welcomes it. Mai, of course, has no way to respond to this intelligently, not even knowing what he's talking about.
This also makes sense in retrospect when we learn that the Chrysalis replaces its host from the inside out. However, Dr. Kerr's explanation assures Konoko that she will not truly change in personality. Mukade views his transformation as something that will kill him, and, believing this to be inevitable, welcomes it. Konoko, of course, has no way to respond to this intelligently, not even knowing what he's talking about.


     * 11_40_06 Konoko: You are one of Muro's thugs, nothing more.
     * 11_40_06 Konoko: You are one of Muro's thugs, nothing more.
Line 160: Line 160:
     * 11_40_07 Mukade: We shall see...
     * 11_40_07 Mukade: We shall see...


Mai is clearly trying to distance herself from him; she's seen how evil Muro's men are, and she hates to think that she has something in common with at least one of them. So she belittles him as a 'mere thug'. Mukade promises to show her what he is capable of.
Konoko is clearly trying to distance herself from him; she's seen how evil Muro's men are, and she hates to think that she has something in common with at least one of them. So she belittles him as a 'mere thug'. Mukade promises to show her what he is capable of.


Mai's unnecessary killing of a clearly-defeated enemy brings into question just how good Mai is. We know how evil Muro is from plenty of evidence, but we've also been assuming that Mai is basically a good-hearted victim. Her killing of Mukade seems a desperate, self-defeating attempt to show that she's not like him.
Konoko's unnecessary killing of a clearly-defeated enemy brings into question just how good Konoko is. We know how evil Muro is from plenty of evidence, but we've also been assuming that Konoko is basically a good-hearted victim. Her killing of Mukade seems a desperate, self-defeating attempt to show that she's not like him. Of course, Konoko is without a real identity at this point. Killing Mukade could be seen as a total rejection of the identity that Mukade offers her, one of nihilism and death. An identity that has a lot in common with Muro's.


Note: For an alternate interpretation of these events, [[Oni2:Truth_Number_Zero|Truth Number Zero]].
Note: For an alternate interpretation of these events, [[Oni2:Truth_Number_Zero|Truth Number Zero]].