๐๐ i'm ngl I hadn't gotten too far with the hcs for like full details of all 8 but I do have a couple names: Ophelia and Aletheia
Ophelia is a persecutor who holds Ratio's self-loathing, regrets, existential dread, etc. Her goals are basically to keep the system humble, because she's afraid that with all the fame and accolades that the system will become one of those ivory tower scholars detached from the common people and ceasing to produce anything of use to the improvement of life. She never wants to be so sure of anything that she suppresses others' knowledge and expertise. but functionally this typically means ruminating on failure, recalling bad or even traumatic memories, anxiety attacks, depression and catatonic episodes...not great. She's mostly a passive emotional influence, but like the others she does come to front when her expertise is needed or blends with the person already in control. Ophelia is the doctor who obtained the Natural Theology degree.
Aletheia (or just Theia for short) was originally just a name I had picked as one of Ratio's chosen names, like when she was deciding what her new name would be while transitioning, this was one she considered. Aletheia is from what I understand, a word that also means truth...but in the sense of like experiencing knowledge unfold as we engage with the world around us (as opposed to veritas being a verifiable, certainty of truth). i could be wrong tho idk philosophy like that ๐ซฃ
Aletheia as an alter is one of the oldest parts, but she didn't really have a name or fully formed personality until well into Ratio's adulthood. She's a caretaker and she basically just helps the system do basic tasks: housekeeping, laundry, toileting, and bathing are her biggest priorities because the system struggles to peel away from school/work to make sure these tasks get done. These were also the types of tasks Ratio had to teach herself, because her parents were either too busy to help her or they wouldn't listen to her complaints (like the laundry detergent they used causing her skin irritation or the dish soap they used leaving residue she could taste). Theia usually does it by blending with the person at front and taking physical control, but if necessary she forces a switch just to get what she wants done and then leaves. Theia I think is the philosopher, mostly bc I think the reason Ratio did philosophy was to learn different ways to think about life and the universe bc the way she was approaching things got her into a feedback loop of despair and she wanted a way out. And that's how Theia differentiated, no longer just sudden impulses to clean or pee or bathe (funnily enough this is how I think Ratio got diagnosed with ocd, because Theia copes by just finding something to clean and if she can't she will just clean stuff anyway. we already went to the bathroom? too bad, do it again. and we hate the sensory feeling of toileting so we're going to have to wash up and change clothes which means more laundry which is good bc the fabric softener we use smells so good, everything smells so good now, doesn't that feel better? no? well ig a third time's the charm. or maybe we need to change the air duct filter or open the window for fresh air which also needs to be cleaned and I always get glass cleaner on our hands somehow so we have to wash our hands and we do this three times for good measure because I feel the water washes the soap away too fast and I don't really feel like we got the Stuff off our hands. the soap smells really good let's sniff our hands for a bit and maybe we'll feel better. yeah that's the stuff. we should wash our hands again bc we have nose germs on them now.) Theia contamination obsession queen.
other roles in the system are a protector (basically lashes out when Ratio is overwhelmed either bc of sensory things or emotions. this is the alter that picked up and threw that one student who tried to bribe her for good grades), an age regressor who indulges in more "childish" interests to give the system a reprieve from the stress of adulthood (and at times blocks off memories of the day, deadlines, all that stuff to prevent anyone from pulling her out of the therapeutic "session"), and a person whose job is basically to manage information and memories the system has (i think this is the either the math girl or the compsci girl)
names im considering for the other headmates are Livia (envy. maybe this is the one who is most at fault for obsessing over becoming a Genius), Athenais (another potential chosen name for transition. theophoric name honoring Athena), Marzia (in honor of Mars, god of war. maybe protector's name)
but yeah this is basically all I have ๐๐ i hope it all makes sense
I'm so sorry i took long to get to this BWAH i love these so much...
I am so honour that you shared them with me because I know these types of headcanons are often deeply personal so i appreciate it much!!
i have a special love for ophelia mostly on account of hamllet being one of my biggest special interests, so just as a name, i'm already locked in. ophelia is such a fitting name for a persecutor in that way too, based on the play even and how her stability is... So i really dig this, even if that's not intentional on your part. she's one of my favourite characters and Me when i have to make everything about (thing i like). i adore that shes more of a passive influence on everyone else for some of the same reasoning.. it just works!!!! i already know if they were real characters i would be Ophelias #1 Defender despite her persecutor-isms (who are misunderstand anyways, lets be real)
on from that, THEIIAAAAA THEIA I LOVE YOU!!! I LOVE AN OCD QUEEN NO MATTER WHAT (because me too!!) I was definitely thinking that Ratio would need a caretaker alter just in general because there is no way she is making time for herself.. But the way youve gave Aletheia personality is just wodnerful to me :) I really relate to "alters without a name that just sort of exists until later when it's Go time" I am always forever a fan for my own reasons. I can definitely subscribe to the need to check things over and over just in case resulting in OCD as well.. AUUU I love her. I love her.
im so interested in what you have here im so serious i love hearing about headcanons like this because they can vary so much from person to person. I totally love your other ideas for other headmates/alters too ;___; I would always be happy to hear more about them if you ever share + decide on the details of them! the names you have in mind are so elegant too.. Like that's exactly the women ratio would have in her head. EXACTLY. Livia will be living in my head rent free as a concept for an alter of hers forever Tbh
wahhhh im so happy to hear all of this , it makes me feel a little less shy about headcanoning the same things for characters instead of sticking with my ocs for it... maybe i shall delve into it too sometime. LOVE what youre working with so much i cannot stress it enough!!!
not to ask more question, but do you have appearances in mind for them? How theyd view themselves! or would they all just be the same as Ratio herself.. or have very minor differences between them, etc.. I personally love small differences (but thats what I did with my ocs, so ofcourse i would) so id love to hear if you had anything on them there!! if you dont that's OK too because youve shared SO MUCH
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