lady-asphodel

[lady-asphodel]

THREE-PHASED PREMISE

[Dr. Ratio x Anaxa]

✧.* Synopsis

❝ Anaxa wasn't a man who liked to wait. He preferred to be straightforward, honest, and solve a problem at its core as soon as it presented itself.

However, it was different for romantic relationships. It was certainly the reason why he still hadn't had any proper conversation with the man he was yearning for the past two years: Doctor Veritas Ratio.

But all it took for the first step to happen was a failed work, burnt papers, and a simple conversation laced with undeniable attraction.

In other words: Anaxagoras and Veritas Ratio got into a relationship in three simple phases. ❞

Fandom: Honkai Star Rail

Main pair: Dr. Ratio x Anaxa

Background pairs: Mydei x Phainon

Implied pairs: Aglaea x Himeko

Rating: Mature, no smut

Chapters: 3/3

Words: 10k

Warnings: Explicit language, no other.

POV: Anaxa-centric

Other: Alternative Universe- Canon Divergence

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65131270

[lady-asphodel]

Rearranged this iconic moment to how it actually was. Trust me.

[lady-asphodel]

[learn your gacha: reference, explanation, interpretation- #2]

Dr. Ratio: Splash Art And Newton's Law

Mathematics are a core part of Dr. Ratio's character ! Especially his promotional elements. But what are those complicated numbers ? Because, yes, they actually mean something !

Let's dive together into the signification of one of Dr. Ratio's splash art equation !

NEWTON'S LAWS

On the top right of Dr. Ratio splash art, we can read: F= dP/dt.

This is a form of Newton's Second Law of motion.

What is it ?

Newton's Laws of motion are three physical laws about the relation of the motion of an object and the force acting on it. They originates from the Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (1687), which also contains Isaac Newton's law of universal gravitation. This book written in Latin was one of the most important work published in the history of science.

The Second Law of motion applies when forces are unbalanced, causing the object to be in motion.

The Second Law then is thus: the change of momentum is proportional to the force acting upon it.

Mathematical explanation:

Momentum depends on the matter, the speed and the direction of the object, which influences its value with time. This phenomenon in math is also called [time] derivative and can be applied to any variable.

In modern form, momentum is calculated like this: P= mv

Or: momentum = mass x velocity

Generally, mass doesn't change with time but velocity does (acceleration); thus force is calculated like this: F= m dv/dt

Or: force= mass x time derivative of velocity

[dv/dt > which is the acceleration]

So: F= ma

( ma stands for mass x acceleration )

In modern form, the Second Laws says that the time derivative of momentum is the force.

So: F = dP/dt

Note: it can also lead to incorrect results when variable mass is added to the equation ( time derivative of mass ). The variables must be included in the equation if mass changes with time.

So: F= dP/dt

And: P= mv

Thus: F= d (mv)/dt

So: F= dP/dt = ma OR F= ma

So; F is the net force. Then: acceleration is proportional to the net force and inversely to the mass of the object.

F= ma so a= F/m and m= F/a

With physic quantity, it is thus: N = kg x m/s²

Or: 1 Newton [net force] equals 1 kilograms [kg] multiplied by 1 metters per second squared [m/s²]

Ex: 1N = 1kg x 1 m/s²

Demonstration:

1)

Aventurine rolled his fucking 2 kg dice at an acceleration of 5 m/s², what is the net force aventurine applied to the dice?

F= 2x5 so....

Yes ! 10N ! He fucking won millions !

2)

Boothill throws goddamn bullets with a fudging net force of 12N at an acceleration of 10 m/s², what's the freaking mass of his bullet ?

m= 12/10 so.....

Boothill throws 1.2 kg bullets, wow ! Deadly !

3)

Sampo kicked a 6 kg bomb into the crowd of Belobog, his net force was 12N ! What was the acceleration ?

a= 12/6 so.....

Lame ! Only 2 m/s² !

Conclusion:

In other words, Newton's Second Law says:

" the lower the mass the greater the acceleration, and contrarily, the greater the mass the lower the acceleration. "

Which is why F1 cars have such low mass, so they can have more acceleration speed !

•

•

•

Wow! I really struggled with that one because math isn't my forte at all. But I did my best to inform myself, understand it and then explaining it in a simpler and more entertaining way I hope.

For those wondering, learn your gacha is a concept I came up with where I explain, teach and interpret references in Honkai: Star Rail. I'm in no way an expert in all the subjects I talk about, but I do my best to thoroughly learn about it as accurately as I can !

I hope you enjoyed it and see you for the next one !

[lady-asphodel]

Fellow Lycahugo fans! I'm asking some of your time to check out the first chapter of my newest fanfic ! Special ZZZ x Skyrim !

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65792524

(AO3 user: Lady_Asphodel)

[lady-asphodel]

Anyone would be interested in a Lycahugo - zzz x Skyrim alternative universe fic taking place during the Thieves Guild quest with Victoria housekeeping being the Thieves Guild and, for people who know Skyrim and the TG quest, with Hugo as Kamilia and Lycaon as the TG's chief ( though different from canon Skyrim ).

So, basically, in this au Hugo is the one who left mockingbird and Lycaon was the one to continue it.

Anyone?

I already started writing it anyway but it'll take me forever ugh.

[lady-asphodel]

[learn your gacha- reference and interpretation- #1]

Dr. Ratio: Naked Truth And The Goddess Veritas

Dr. Ratio, characters bathed in truth, logic and knowledge. Walking philosophy and Greco-Roman references, the one thing that is unforgettable about him are his bath scenes!

What if I told you that his nakedness isn't just "fan service" ?

Let's dive into the meaning and reference of his first name: Veritas（cn：維里塔斯）

Etymology:

Veritas is the latin word for "truthfulness". It comes from the word verus, standing for "true" or in other cases "proper" and "real", and was one of the most important virtue for Roman citizens.

Veritas began to be often use to describe the abstract truth by Cicero, in order to translate the alatheia of Greek philosophy, which is how they ended up as counterparts. But before that, it was most of the time a word associated with the concept of "selflessness", "severity" and "constancy".

Today, the word is widely used in mottos for schools and universities, commonly for western cultures. ( Ex: Harvard university)

Off topic note: 維里塔斯 [veritas] is very similar to維里莉斯 which is a name used for Fortuna, Roman goddess of luck and wielder of people's destiny.

Roman Mythology:

In roman mythology, "Veritas" became the name of the personification of Truth, making her the counterpart of the Greek Goddess Alatheia. She is the daughter of Saturn ( Cronus in Greek mythology ) which is known to be the Titan of Time, in Rome ( while in Greece Zeus is her father ). But she is also occasionally depicted as Prometheus' creation, especially in Aesop's fables.

While many considered Veritas and Alatheia to represent equally the same concept, many also pointed out a difference in their core: Veritas is tied more closely to empiricism and objectivity while Alatheia relies more on subjectivity; as it was debated during the Enlightenment period.

Veritas is the mother of Virtus, without any recorded father. Virtus is the roman personified virtue of masculine strengths ( associated with courage, excellence and worthiness ). Originally, the concept of Virtus belonged to the nobility, but later on, Cicero proclaimed that Virtus also belonged to any deserving man (person), because Virtus is earned and not given by ancestry and familial background, and that Virtus itself should be the only factor to decide someone's worthiness.

Her common symbols were the hand mirror, white clothes and nakedness ( associated with the phrase: nuda veritas or the naked truth ). Art, especially during the Enlightenment period, depicts often Veritas leaving the pit of the well she is said to hide in ( implying that truth is hard to find ). Those artworks speak of men who tried to force her away preferring the beauty of her enemy ( falsehood ). Other works depicts her with Cronus or Time, an allegory for truth being revealed over time no matter what.

Aesop's fable: Prometheus' creation myth:

According to the Prometheus' creation myth, after Prometheus created humankind, he decided to create the personification of Truth in order to regulate people's behavior and guide them. However, Zeus demanded his presence right after his finished work, thus Prometheus asked Dolus ( trickery), his apprentice, to watch the workshop. Dolus slyly decided to create an identical figure, but run out of clay for the feet. When Prometheus returned, he claimed the phenomenon to be his own skilfully making and baked both before infusing them with life. While Veritas walked confidently, Mendacium remained stuck where she was.

"A lie can start successfully but truth will always prevail" is the main moral conclusion drawn from that myth.

Links with Dr. Ratio [interpretation]:

The word itself resonates with Dr. Ratio's character, as he is severe and constant, while his approach to knowledge can be considered somewhat selfless: as knowledge is not something only owned individually but should be shared as enlightenment for the progress of civilization. But the concept of selflessness here might also refer to objectivity.

Making Dr. Ratio an educator / professor, working in what we can consider an university, is a good mirroring the modern mottos for Veritas.

We can also associate Virtus, offspring of Truth, with Dr. Ratio and foolishness. To gain enlightenment ( and thus casting aside ignorance; "gaining virtue" in comparison to Virtus ) is earned by merit and practice, not by innate "worthiness" dictated by [social, familial or any kind of-] norms. And in the end, "value" is not a gift but something you construct by your own determination - something that somewhat relate with the message of nihility in Penacony.

Note: relates to why Acheron and Dr. Ratio seemed to be on the same stance, as she explicitly said that Ratio's advice was the answer needed for Aventurine's questioning about value, nihility and life.

Furthermore, Cicero's approach to Virtus is very similar to how Dr. Ratio approached his questioning of the Genius' Society hierarchy during the 1.6 mission: "Crown Of The Mundane And The Divine".

While Dr. Ratio has no hand mirror in game, he uses its symbolism: self-awarness. Throughout the game we can see Dr. Ratio being self-aware and express an knowledge of the Self that seems more advanced than others. Which is important, if he is to be a reference of Truth itself as a concept. But Veritas' other two symbols are visible in game: white clothes and nakedness.

The myths of Veritas and Mendacium can serve as parallel to Dr. Ratio and Ruan Mei in "When The Stars Of Ingenuity Shines". [I explicitly explain how and why in my analysis post about this mission]

We can also comment on Dr. Ratio's tight relationship with time, which is a funny thought when Veritas is the daughter of the Time God/ Titan.

Finally, it may be relevant to note that while Veritas is the naked truth, and together with Alatheia, brings forth truth being "unconcealed", her myth with the well can possibly be associated with Dr. Ratio masking his own face with a woman's alabaster head ( that I think reference Veritas herself ) with most people most of the time. Outside of personal relationships, him uncovering his face may be an allegory to Veritas [truth] leaving the well = unconcealing truth.

[lady-asphodel]

Have you ever noticed these Raiden Mei references and imagery in Acheron's trailer before ?

I've seen flashes the first time I've looked at it but I noticed them more clearly recently and managed to snatch some good quality screenshots.

I love subtlety and hidden imagery in art, it's amazing!

[lady-asphodel]

Pictures I did of Acheron's trailer 💋

[lady-asphodel]

I'll never shut up about Penacony being a modern Grail Romance because that is peak artistry and I wish HSR would have been able to convey this with a better told story.

Penacony in itself shows where the treasure is and I find it fantastic that we can actually see it in game, I will make a specific post about it once I start my Penacony analysis project after I finish the Dr. Ratio one.

And it's by understanding that and realizing it that you truly see how noble Sunday's intention was but his ideal was more than flawed and actually extremely harmful. I guess it should be common knowledge already, just by playing the quest, but I've seen some interesting opinions.....

[lady-asphodel]

ZZZ - Translating Hugo's EP "my curse, my fate" lyrics"

Lyrics:

My life is insipid, like dust

My inner demon don't let me have respite

All the malicious words, leave deep scars

That remain open, what can I do ?

My life comes down to endure contempt

and to survive through pain.

Why do I have to take the blame,

While I am not guilty ?

Nobility and misery, could it be luck ?

What will be my choice,

Between the path of thorns or rose ?

And at the toss of that coin,

Will I surrender or resist ?

I am merely the puppet of my destiny

What is my role in this intrigue

Where hope is vain ? ( is vain )

Life is only pain.

Am I worthy of a happiness

and an ephemeral Warmth ?

Life torments souls with vehemence,

But it sometimes give pieces as mercy.

(I shouldn't exist)

What will be my choice, between the path

( with me )

Of thorns and rose ?

( you will have )

And at the toss

( all that you desire )

Of that coin

Will I surrender or resist ?

( how naive )

To be free from those threads

( it's impossible for me )

Is merely an utopia for a puppet

( to break these cold chains )

Follow your heart,

( I am ready )

And the blood of the Ravenlock

will bring your the answer

( to pay the price )

I refuse to hear the sound of the knell

I want the thoughts to turn to me

I believe in me, I will be my own master

I trust fate, for it embodies my will

What will be my choice,

Between the path of thorns and roses ?

And at the toss of that coin

Will I surrender or resist ?

Enough with all these pretentious tenets

I will turn and torn the page of my past

What will be my choice,

Between the path of thorns and roses ?

And at the toss of that coin

Will I surrender or resist ?

Fate will bend to my will

As for me, I am now my own master

( own master )

[lady-asphodel]

I think a lot of people went so far into debunking the misinterpretations of Dr. Ratio that they sometimes are blinded by their own idolized thought of him.

It is only my humble and subjective opinion — and interpretation of Dr. Ratio's character — but while I wholeheartedly agree that he isn't arrogant and narcissistic, Dr. Ratio is not a character made out of kindness and empathy.

No. I don't think Dr. Ratio is empathetic.

A lot seems to forget that he is still unconventionally self-centered and negative minded. The only reason he is so helpful is because he wishes for the success and progress of Civilization and Life. He's still human, of course, so he can show genuine care, but it isn't as occuring as some makes it seem. He doesn't help humanity, fools or others out of empathy and deep rooted kindness.... He does because his vision of life is beyond the concept of value itself: that's why he thinks all lives should be lived no matter what.

In fact, I think he doesn't really have any attachment to other people. What they are going through, what they once did or will do, anything, doesn't matter; it will never affect him emotionally or personally. But he may have a genuine 'care' for life and civilization. So, naturally, teaching and helping the ones having a part in it is the logical course, but he doesn't really "care" about them as individuals, nor does he actively despises them. The only thing that influences his behavior towards someone is based on their ignorance and foolishness.

So, while not empathetic, he isn't heartless and even less an asshole that hates everything and is mean to every walking things.

Dr. Ratio is extremely self-aware as much as he is aware of and understand his surroundings — something that heavily differentiate him with the Genius Society members. And I don't think it's because of empathy.

I personally theorize that Dr. Ratio possess the highest form of knowledge of the Self, being a personification of Truth itself.

[lady-asphodel]

It is just a thought — well, actually more than that but; it's the fact that Dr. Ratio and Anaxa actually have references closer than we imagine.

It's the fact that Dr. Ratio is heavily based on his reference to the Roman goddess Veritas, whose Greek counterpart is called Alatheia.

It's the fact that Anaxagoras has a direct reference to the philosopher of the same name whom introduced the concept of Nous.

It's the fact that in HSR itself, Nous is an Aeon. But, as we know already, Gnoticism is a major part of the world building of Hoyoverse's games, especially HSR and Genshin; as Aeons are a Gnostic concept originally.

It's the fact that Nous is also an actual Aeon that exists in Gnoticism. But not only that! Alatheia is also an existing Aeon in Gnoticism.

It's the fact that in Gnoticism, Aeons come in pairs called syzygies. And guess what? Yes, Nous' syzygy is Alatheia. May be relevant, but it is quite forbidden for one Aeon to "exist" or at least "emenate" without their syzygy (it's this flaw that actually creates the matter or material world in Gnoticism).

Aaahhhhh. They literally need to meet! I don't believe one second that they will have ZERO INTERACTION. ONE DIALOGUE I BEG. All the hints are pointing at them MEETING!

[ cross-posted on my Anatio community! Don't hesitate to check the pinned post on my profile to join if you're interested ]

[lady-asphodel]

- A little bath sketch ⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

[lady-asphodel]

ARE YOU A FAN OF ANATIO / VERINAXA ?

Well, me and my friend are, and we decided to create a community specifically for Anatio ! It's my first time doing a Tumblr community, so if you have any suggestions I'll gladly take it.

But if you are interested in joining, don't hesitate, we welcome everybody!

[lady-asphodel]

Small Rant : Dr. Ratio

There's still so much misconceptions about Dr. Ratio and the Genius Society with Nous, that it hurts my soul everytime someone had the right spirit but wrong approach to why Dr. Ratio had not been accepted in the Genius Society.

I've already kind of talked about it in my specific Dr. Ratio analysis posts, especially the one about " When The Stars Of Ingenuity Shines ". But let's focus on that here, and let's clarify that point that many people still, to this day, seems to struggle with.

FIRST- let's see what are the common reasons I've often seen that I don't agree with:

- Dr. Ratio is too kind / empathetic

- Dr. Ratio's achievements are not outstanding enough

- Dr. Ratio prioritizes others over himself

- Dr. Ratio wants everyone to have equal education (this one is a teeny-tiny complicated, because it isn't wrong, but it isn't exact either, especially regarding the G.S [Genius Society])

- Dr. Ratio is still in contact with others / not isolated (there's nuances here)

Now.

I like to use a simple sentence to show the difference between Dr. Ratio and the G.S members; " Geniuses dedicate their life to knowledge, while Dr. Ratio dedicates knowledge to life "

So. Let me put it bluntly. The only two parameters that will influence your chances to be gazed at Nous are strictly how you approach knowledge - The more extreme your relationship with it is, the most likely you'll become a G.S member - and your beliefs regarding Erudition and Knowledge.

JUST. THOSE. TWO. PARAMETERS.

Repeat after me: Morality, ethicality, achievements, empathy, humanity, and social etiquettes have nothing to do with how to obtain the gaze of Nous and be a G.S member.

Dr. Ratio's goal and mission is to assist the continuation/advancement of Civilization. The knowledge he is acquires and then spreads are solely focused on that. He is not a kind or empathetic character - careful there, he isn't malicious either - he is negative minded. But he isn't helping civilization, humanity or others because he genuinely care about them. And while he doesn't despise them either (except fools), his motives are not out of generosity. The one, most impactful, lesson Dr. Ratio values and spreads the most (yet not openly) is the one of the Self - ultimately leading people to self-awarness.

Of course, it doesn't mean that Dr. Ratio is heartless, far from that, or that he isn't capable of genuine care. But it's..... Not the core of his teaching or his motives. More like a trait that he will show from time to time, a great nuance between his almost inhuman guidance and his actual humanity.

As for his achievements. I don't remember everything to be honest, I won't be able to tell you the exact sources exact that it comes from either the game itself or hoyolab events. Saying that Dr. Ratio is not outstanding and has no achievements is......... Laughable. That man changes the advancement of humanity's knowledge universally.

He has qualifications in eight different complicated fields, developed multiple devices that saved entire planets, published papers that advanced the knowledge of specific previous mysterious of subjects 1000 years. I could go on, but even more ironic, is that even multiple Genius Society members recognized his mastery and his extraordinary qualities.

Then, joining the first paragraph, Dr. Ratio does everything but priotizing others over himself. The only way for people, in my opinion, to think that, outside of the fact he helps civilization, is his methods. Dr. Ratio is a passive teacher that doesn't want to be in the spot-light while giving his lessons (as we were able to see with Asta or Aventurine). For exemple, in Penacony, Dr. Ratio didn't help Aventurine because he cares more about him than himself (though he didn't not care either) but it was part of his personal guidance for him. I will explain it further once I get my hands on Penacony for him.

Dr. Ratio wants everyone to have equal education. Yes and no. If we want to be more exact, think more like this: Dr. Ratio believes that everyone in the cosmos is equal. Everyone can attain self-awarness= anyone can leave their state of ignorance. His education is for civilization advancement not really civilization equality. His core belief is that all life don't have inherent value, thus are worth living no matter the circumstances: in failure or success, it doesn't matter, life itself and continuing forward is what's important. But for everyone to receive the exact same education? In basics it can apply, but everyone is different and therefore can't receive the same knowledge to achieve a greater state. That's why Dr. Ratio is a a detached observator rather than a direct instructor.

As for Dr. Ratio social points.... He isn't that social with others. If anything, he's pretty isolated himself. But not because of knowledge, which differentiate him from Ruan Mei for example. His whole alabaster head is a proof of that!

But all in all, even after debunking all those points, we've seen social Geniuses, kind and empathetic geniuses, as well as banal geniuses with not significant achievements. How can we expect those points to be necessary for Nous' gaze then?

No. Relationship with Nous' vision of knowledge is the fundamental part of it.

And Dr. Ratio beliefs and relationship with knowledge are very different with what Nous (and erudition) stands for.

If you had still struggles with this, I hope this post helped you a little! Otherwise, it still mainly my own interpretation but I think a lot of my points aren't that subjective and more objective than anything.

[lady-asphodel]

I CALL ALL OF ANATIO SHIPPERS!

I began a short, three chapters story between Anaxa and Dr. Ratio. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to check it out!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/65131270

In return, if any of you write about them, don't hesitate to gift me your stories if you want, I'd love it!

[lady-asphodel]

I will dedicate an entire post to it once I do my Penacony analysis.

But.......

Dr. Ratio was an indispensable part of Aventurine's journey in Penacony. Without him, Aventurine's goal would have never been fruitful. What I'm saying here is not that Aventurine is dependent on Dr. Ratio. What I'm saying is that Dr. Ratio himself was his key to get to the Grail (so, before people are confused, one of my main interpretations of Penacony is that it was a Grail Romance (the literary genre)).

And, it is so, so much important for Dr. Ratio's role in the cosmos and what he represents that throughout Penacony, everything about Ratio has to do with Aventurine, has to benefit or not benefit him.

It was Aventurine's story, he was a protagonist and once again, Dr Ratio was but a side character whose importance was unmatched. Just like he was in Crown of the Mundane and the Divine.

And. Yes, If people ask me, I would say that I do ship aventio. But if someone asks me on a deeper level what my favorite interpretation of them is..... I would answer that Aventurine was stuck on a one-sided, near obsessional attraction for Dr. Ratio. And if we get even further, not even really attracted to him as a man only, but indirectly to Truth. The people that follows my Dr. Ratio analysis know that one of my theories is that Dr. Ratio is the personification of Truth.

Would you be interested to read a probably too long analysis about the one-sided aventio dynamic nourished by the Grail Romance genre in Penacony?