Bloody Petals Musings Part 3
May. 7th, 2021 09:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
madimpossibledreamerSome discussion of the Chase Cult, so warning for cultish things & similarities/differences to real-world cults (violence, control, harrassment).
Akiyama’s hair is actually red. Many rumors abound. Some suggest she’s the child of gaijin—possible, given the Celtic world change—while others say she dyes it herself. One rumor probably originating from Akiyama herself is that she is the daughter of a kitsune. There is no real indication about the truth of the matter, especially since she cut off all ties with family once she joined the yakuza. If Natsukawa or Miyamoto know, they’re not telling.
Along with Westernization came a huge trend in figureheads (male) or illusions, since they figured out that Westerners were uncomfortable speaking to, for example, a female CEO. Along with this came the misconception that bishounen actually existed outside of anime.
Maki-san was also interested in Kanemoto Hiroka but broke it off at Kimiko’s request. (respectively: Giles, Joyce, Jenny)
Hiroka gracious empress Kanemoto lives near where metal is found
Suna goes by Sunao, written as ‘obedient’ or ‘meek’ when acting as a male (often shortened to Nao-kun).
The Chase cult backstory is kinda based on Zed’s (Constantine's) backstory, so as expected it gets kinda dark. The cult starts off slow with those not already born into it, offering an escape or even a way for you to get everything you ever wanted—via magic. They don’t sexually abuse minors (at least, not to the actual point of having sex)—a high-up official was actually arrested once, only they managed to convince the official it was just the one. If it’s over 21, obviously it’s consensual. That being said, there is grooming, predatory behavior, and probably more sketchy stuff. Cordy hadn’t reached The Age of Joining or whatever bs name they used for it yet when she’d escaped. It’s unclear whether they’re actually sacrificing virgins at this point or whether it’s a more typical this-world cult thing.
Women weren’t used as labor, but men were certainly overworked if they were considered “lesser” by the cult (or it was simply their time to be looked down on). Those without magic were treated the worst. Magic skill was highly valued (because he is kind of raising his own army), while physical labor is thought of as lesser (but it is useful for discipline, meditation, learning one’s place). The end result, of course, was world domination. Magic training was grueling and a few died.
She’d actually managed to reach her 21st birthday on the run when she’d met Sunao for the first time. She didn’t know that Japan was run by the women, while it’s a pretty common fact known these days. Giving up everything to move into the compound is “the highest honor”. World domination through magic is not heavily advertised. Mandatory fasting was used as punishment, and Sunao noticed Cordy is malnourished and has a rather unhealthy relationship with food, which can alternate between what is essentially binge eating and a lack of even noticing hunger. Cordy was treated as the princess…most of the time. Actual stuff was given all the time (but could be taken away, too). Refusing to use her “gift”, questioning, or other acts of “rebellion” led to punishment. No one could leave. Not only was there an instilled fear and hatred of the outside world, some of his elite troops already existing would retrieve or kill runaway members. Cordy wouldn’t have made it if she didn’t realize being able to chameleon her aura essentially made her blend in. No one could ever reach the level of the leader. They are always disciples, though some may reach the “highest level” (under the leader of course)—only the ones who are the most “loyal”. Those who couldn’t reach the same level of fervency would feel guilt. Entirely superior (even the worst are “higher level” than those outside), outsiders are unthinking, worthy only if they see the light as the cult conquers all and otherwise as best described as cattle to be herded and culled if necessary. Rewards and punishments were common. Scolding, praise, giving gifts (and taking them away), and giving or withholding food happened. Isolation was also used as a means of control for those “acting out”. Lack of privacy was a given. A few exist on the outside, but you’re either new or extremely loyal. Controlling people via magical brainwashing was something that happened. Obedience and loyalty were demanded. Mr. Chase could do no wrong. They already had assassins out in the world killing those who were considered enemies of the group. Questioning or doubt was met with punishment. Military-type behavior including training was enforced. To ensure no one used their powers against the group, psychological blocks were put in place, both through the usual methods and actual magical mental manipulation.
And yes, he didn’t pay his taxes in this universe, either.
Cordy started becoming aware of the outside world at age 10, when she first started developing her powers. If she reached outside the compound, there really was a world out there, and the auras weren’t terrible and dark but complex. She couldn’t see what they saw or recall thoughts but she could essentially paint herself with someone else’s aura and feel what they felt, surface impressions and surreal thought-connections. She ended up with a few favorite auras she liked to wear often, and would often go to sleep like that because she would dream mundane dreams she craved, or fantastic ones she loved.
She really liked Sunao-kun and really, really likes their aura, but some of the yakuza practices hit a little too close to home. But then she’ll see the Miyamoto clan volunteer at the food bank, encourage her women to be themselves, within the complicated lines of honor and reputation of the Clan (and, to some extent, how her own wackiness and taking the hit for her women actually allows them to be more themselves than anyone else), interact with the community and encourage her ladies to do the same. That doesn’t stop some disconnect.
She loves shopping, but sometimes it leads to panic. She swaps between eating as much as she can and not feeling hungry for days. Sometimes when she’s not paying attention she’ll accidentally take on someone’s aura, because that’s how she hid her rebellion and escape. She’s not used to genuine praise. The only reason she can trust the situation as is because it’s not entirely through the goodness of Miyamoto’s heart. Self-interest mixed with good intentions she can understand.
Cordy somehow stumbled across CaptainAwkward and AskaManager (probably in that order unlike me) and now voraciously reads. She’s not entirely sure how Suna’s “managership” would be viewed, because on one hand yakuza culture in general is highly dysfunctional and the level of workplace violence is high—but on the other hand Suna respects her subordinates more than most, works to earn their loyalty, and listens and tries to fix their concerns (should they actually bring them to her in the first place). That’s honestly a large part of why Hayama (Aura) is a Captain; she has absolutely no fear of her boss and won’t hesitate to bring up things like Inoue would. Reading the blogs helps her feel more normal and she’s definitely taking notes for running the cabaret. (In that universe, the user IWorkedOnaHellmouth would probably be IWorkedinArkham, referencing Batman and Lovecraft, or IWorkedinDunwich or something similar. Seriously, go read the posts. And then be a little afraid that people I know and people on the board who have worked in real estate say that sounds only a little worse than what they normally deal with.)
