Shane Hollander Enjoyer

Sakura Kyoko & Miki Sayaka ( Ophelia & Oktavia von Seckendorff) - Puella Magi Madoka Magica

As La Belle Dame sans Merci ( Dicksee )

It was one of the most complex drawings I’d had in mind for quite a while. I’m already starting to hyperfixate on the flaws. But more than anything, I’m happy that I pushed myself to work on it and actually finish it.

10,000 notes - well executed crowd pleaser

1,000 notes - cult classic

100 notes - uncompromising avant-garde art for those of discerning taste

10 notes - misunderstood genius that the culture is not yet ready for

Historical Map: Horse Omnibus Lines of Paris, France, c. 1830

Here’s an interesting find! This is the oldest original transit map that I’ve ever come across, showing the nascent horsedrawn omnibus lines of Paris in the early 19th century. The original source of the map – the State Library of Victoria in Australia, of all places! – tentatively dates the map to 1828, the year that the buses first made an appearance in the city. However, I’d be inclined to place it a little later for a couple of reasons. 

Firstly, the price for a single trip is clearly shown as 30 centimes, but when the first line opened in 1828 the price was only 25 centimes. Secondly, as shown in the last image above, there are eleven competing companies at the time this map was made. There were only ten such companies in 1829, and by 1836 there were 16 – so it makes sense to place the map between those dates (but closer to 1829).

Of particular note is the name of one of the companies: Omnibus – the original Paris concessionaire, following in the footsteps of a successful operation in Nantes that opened in 1826. It is from this company that all modern buses derive their name, although the precise etymology of the original article is uncertain, with one rather fanciful tale involving a hatter’s advertising signs. Perhaps more likely is that this was simply transport “for all”… which omnibus is the Latin for.

What’s really striking about this map is how wonderfully familiar it looks. Here’s a map that’s almost 200 years old, and it has bright colour-coded route lines superimposed on a geographical map of the city. Admittedly, they’re very roughly hand-painted onto a preprinted sheet, but this is essentially the very same format as modern bus maps, which I find quite remarkable.

Moreover, he is so proud of how good he is at denying himself. He genuinely feels a deep sense of fulfilment from meeting impossible standards. We see it time and again throughout the books, whether it's through his desire for men, his diet, the thrill he gets at being so good at keeping his relationship a secret; having to deny himself the smallest touch when out in public. It feeds something within him.

Then there's the entire sexual dynamic between Shane and Ilya, which builds on this. He loves handing control over to Ilya, not having to worry about what the right thing is, just having to do as he's told. He adores not having to feel responsible for his own desire. It lifts a weight off his shoulders. He thrives under Ilya's commands.

Which is why orgasm denial is such a delicious concept for them. It's honestly only a half a step removed from canon. All the clues are there.