#e.g.o

This Abnormality admittedly stumped me. It's tied with Pink Shoes, and the idea that you're being possessed to giving into your desires. I think it fairly made sense to give to Rodya and Chetwyn, as they have in the past fallen to temptations of short term relief to catatrosphic results. But I think the underlying motive that's being exploited here is the desire to temporarily shut out everyone else. "It's my shoes and I deserve to wear it", to justify the mistake you made. It's erasing everything about you, defining you only by its will to inflict more violence and cause bloodshed. You merely wanted a pretty pair of shoes, and you were so willing to put it on that you didn't care of what was going to happen.

Still here? Cool! I'll briefly talk about a few aspects of the E.G.Os first: All of them are based on a specific song, which is the name of the E.G.O. itself, and are accompanied by a small phrase - A short lyric of the song itself which best fits the Musicling of choice. While normally Base E.G.O. are a room, I felt like making them mostly expansive landscapes fits better with music. Unbound. That being said... Cacau's E.G.O. has her reflecting upon a pond and crying her heart out, with a seemingly vast landscape surrounding her as she takes shade from the sun. In the distance there is someone else by a tree, waiting for her, although the scenery is only being projected to her on screens - You can see their faint lines cutting through space. The scenery and her Wires are also glitched and failing to keep up the perfect illusion. "Andy"'s E.G.O. has them being kidnapped by aliens while on a straight jacket, as their padded cell is deconstructed and ripped apart, revealing the forest and the stars high above, where they seemingly are being forcefully taken to. They also have no footing, as they're lifted off the ground. Aurafarmer Calliope's E.G.O. has her in a vast red desert, Mars itself, with three planets on the back - A white planet with a ring of gold, a black planet with a small green moon and a pale planet being torn apart by a black hole, which itself eats away at the Wires. On her feet lies a small wooden horse, and a farmer's scythe buried into the land behind her. She's wearing a knight's armor and wielding a black-hole blade, standing watch and waiting for the right moment. Anyway, into the Cantos.

--//--//--

1# Cacau — Born in District 2 / B-Corp — In her Late 30’s The Late Blooming Canto XI Carla Rosa, A.K.A. Cacau was born in the backstreets of District 2. Despite her harsh upbringing, her intelligence and quick wit always got her through the worst of situations, alongside a very bad trait to have in The City — Compassion. The inability to let go of others, while often getting her into severe trouble and grief, was the only reason she managed to grow older in the first place.

Tônia, a dear friend of Cacau growing up, helped and inspired her to move away from the Backstreets and into the B-Corp Nest, wishing the two of them could live a life of luxury away from the Backstreets, the Syndicates and the struggles of The City. Despite Tônia’s wishes, Cacau can’t help but feel uneasy, going alongside her friend’s desires. (“Paisagem da Janela”)

The two passed through rigorous exams and tests to properly join B-Corp’s Nest. Exams which Tônia failed, but Cacau, using her talents, helped Tônia cheat her way into passing the exams, supposedly tricking the exam staff. This act was identified by the Nest, but not acted upon — Cacau also did not tell Tônia about it, not wishing to hurt her feelings, but also leading Tônia to believe she was more skilled than she really was. (“Paisagem da Janela”)

As time passes, Cacau and Tônia begin a relationship, now as Feathers inside B-Corp, and slowly Tônia starts to wish for something other than a good life — Purpose. To help the City function at a higher level and to become a better place. Cacau doesn’t share the feeling, the work done for B-Corp slowly dulling her compassion, but her desire for Tônia’s approval causes her to go along with her lover’s ideas, the two pursuing more and more recognition within their nest. And eventually, the two come under tutelage of Vincent — A high agent within B-Corp. (“San Vicente”)

Tônia, however, simply isn’t at the same level as Cacau. Cacau can go after and collect taxes from higher and higher value targets, while Tônia still struggles with the basics, especially due to her more emotional nature, skirting any sort of punishment due to Cacau’s influence over Vincent. In Cacau’s pursuit of becoming someone greater, she becomes more and more ruthless, all while shielding Tônia from the truth. Cacau lies and kills indiscriminately, hiding it to maintain her image towards Tônia. (“O Trem Azul”)

However, Vincent pushes her further. More violent collections. More intense augmentations. Slowly, Cacau hardens her heart, becoming indifferent even to her lover, causing them to drift apart slowly, but never truly separate. While simply going through the motions of B-Corp and doing a simple Tax collection, Cacau ends up meeting with Tônia, which immediately bursts into a heated argument upon realizing the carnage Cacau is causing. (“Os Povos”)

The two live a luxurious life inside a prestigious Nest. So what if they can’t change The City like they dreamed of, ages ago? They are comfortable and happy. All they have to do is go through the motions. Tônia, however, rejects that, telling Cacau she’s changed — Became worse, uncaring and cold. A shell of who she once was. Cacau readies her weapon to strike down Tônia as their argument becomes heated, only stopping due to her realization — What the hell am I doing? (“Tudo Que Você Podia Ser”)

Before Cacau can apologize, Vincent reveals himself, having set up this confrontation in the first place, and reminds Cacau and Tônia that “Only one of you is a citizen of B-Corp.” Tônia is confused and Cacau in shock, unable to say anything as Vincent reveals she never passed her exams years ago, and thus isn’t a citizen of B-Corp. She’s not allowed in the Nest. With a look of disbelief at her former lover, Tônia is killed by Vincent.

Vincent encourages Cacau, saying that she finally has no one to hold her back, but Cacau can only quietly ask him to leave, being unable to face reality. Vincent reminds her that her life in B-Corp lies in his hands and he can demote her at any moment — Luxury, power and comfort. If he wants to, he can rip it all away from her. Her only response is “Please, leave me alone.” (“Me Deixa Em Paz”)

Cacau never climbed high enough in the ranks of B-Corp to be anyone important, having rejected the final offer Vincent gave her to be someone of true importance in The City. Cacau resigns, and leaves the Nest, but not before taking a few things with her. She tricked them once, she can do it again. But better this time, without being caught. Information about events regarding the Smoke War, the Old-L Corp and the aspiring New L-Corp and the Golden Boughs. Maybe with that, she can achieve Tônia’s dream.

Cacau approaches Limbus Company with information they can’t refuse, and an idea that will get them what they want. Information on how to get in contact with a group of individuals connected to the Golden Boughs. Of how to get them together, and how to achieve greatness through it. And maybe, just maybe… Repent. (“Cais”)

Throughout the journey, each adventure makes Cacau remember more and more of why she’s doing this and everything her past cost her. She struggles a lot to think she can be forgiven, or that she can change to become a better person, but remains a steady source of advice and emotional stability for the other Musiclings. (“Girassol da Cor do Seu Cabelo”; “Um Gosto de Sol”)

The brute work of the Canto itself is: -Returning to B-Corp to retrieve Cacau’s Golden Bough, buried deep within the Old L-Corp base within the Nest, all while trying to remain under the radar. [Pt. I] -Failing to do so as Vincent inevitably tracks her down and decides to get rid of her once he realizes she stole from B-Corp. [Pt. II]

-Cacau resonates with the Bough, reliving her past work with Tônia and Vincent, eventually forgiving herself and accepting she can change and grow. And of course, the confrontation with Vincent, as he cannot be allowed to reveal to B-Corp that she has stolen information from them. [Pt. III]

Ultimately, B-Corp doesn’t care about her “stealing”, probably because they are interested in Limbus’s work.

Cacau finally admits to herself, “I want to be a part of the dream.”

Random IDs Ideas: -The Beholder’s Glimpse, Cacau -R Corp. 2nd Pack Rat Cacau -The Ring Impressionism Student Cacau -Lobotomy E.G.O:: Gaze Cacau --//--//--

4# “Andy” — Born in The Outskirts — In their Mid 20’s The Homecoming Canto VII “Andy” was born in The Outskirts, in a small village far away from The City, with only its lights being visible at night to entice their curiosity. Life in the Outskirts was rough, requiring “Andy” to learn a lot of unconventional abilities, and while everyday was fragile and simple, “Andy” felt out of place. While keeping nightwatch they’d gaze at The City’s lights and wish for an opportunity to leave for it, but their responsibilities in the village kept them from doing so, with everyone there having to play a key-role in their survival. One of them in particular deserved special recognition: The seasoned Hunter “Lucky”.

“Lucky” was the one that protected everyone from the dangers of the Outskirts, while “Andy” kept watch, warning The Hunter when they were needed. However, one day, a devious thought crossed “Andy”’s mind: If there was no village, there would be no need to keep watch, and they could go visit The City. It was a momentary lapse — A simple hesitation to call upon “Lucky” once danger was at the gates. That single moment was more than enough for carnage to follow suit, and in a single night their small village was razed to the ground. “Andy” and “Lucky” were the only two to survive, and the Hunter blamed all of it on “Andy”, as they had a single job to do and failed. Due to their injuries, “Lucky” couldn’t chase after “Andy”, but swore they’d get rid of them. “Andy” didn’t hesitate to run towards The City. (“Paranoid Android”)

Entering The City was a long, complicated and arduous process. Exams, fees, odd-jobs everywhere, all sorts of miserable experiences entirely new to “Andy”, but they were willing to pay whatever price was required to enter The City. Eventually “Andy” is accepted into R-Corp, but only due to their experience with the Outskirts and the Corporation’s exploration of the region. Despite being a huge asset to their explorations, “Andy” is still treated poorly simply because they’re not from The City, and during one of those expeditions “Lucky” finds them. They easily kill the whole exploration squad, minus “Andy”, who escapes by pure luck by falling deeper and into the Ruins. “Lucky” follows suit, but is unable to catch up, shouting and reminding “Andy” that “Either way you go, I’ll be there.” (“Climbing Up The Walls”)

Upon returning to R-Corp territory, “Andy” decides to not show their face again, knowing they would be blamed for it, and that they are not important enough for them to go looking for. Instead they moved to the Backstreets of I-Corp, soon after it was ravaged by The Pianist. Rent was cheap, work was easy to find and nobody wanted anything to do with it, so “Andy” took a chance. Eventually they land into a simple low-end Office, akin to Yun’s Office in LoR, which pays barely enough to keep the lights on. “Andy” still feels empty, and can’t even enjoy the lights of The City. Maybe the Outskirts weren’t so bad… Before they can begin regretting their choices though, “Lucky” finds their Office, killing everyone there to get to “Andy”. Hearing of this, “Andy” begins fleeing once again. (“Let Down”)

“Andy” ends up in a forest deep in D-Corp, after who knows how long of travelling around. “Andy” collapses to the ground, unable to keep moving, as they think of the struggles they suffered in the Outskirts, The Nests and The Backstreets. There is nowhere left for them to go, and there is only one wish they have: “Won’t someone take me away…” And there, as if waiting for them, is Cacau, with an offer they can’t refuse. Unhappy with everything in their life, “Andy” sees no reason to take the stranger's offer. (“Subterranean Homesick Alien”; “No Surprises”)

During their journey, “Andy” often reminisces about their time spent in different parts of the world, having strange and unexpected insights to give, contrasting their shy and introverted nature. Their ability to also keep their nerves in check is also remarkable, rarely freaking out about any and all situations. The only time they show signs of panicking is when the return to the Outskirts is mentioned, but by the start of their Canto proper, they have already resolved themselves. (“Airbag”)

It begins with their return to R-Corp and dealing with the potential fallback of R-Corp, composing [Pt. I] of the Canto, and their departure proper into the Outskirts. Despite everyone being nervous about it, since none of the Sinners have been there before, “Andy” assures them it is not so different from the city, only for “Lucky” to appear and promise they’ll never let “Andy” feel at home anywhere. While they do fight for a brief moment, “Andy” tells The Hunter they should finish this where it all started, and that one of them will die alongside the rest of their village. No more running away. (“Exit Music (For a Film)”)

In The Outskirts, “Andy” slowly realizes that their dissatisfaction with everything comes from within — While the world is truly an awful place, there is nowhere they’ll ever consider home if they don’t make an effort to turn it into their home. Simply drifting and running away from their past will not lead them anywhere. With newfound resolve, the Sinners reach the destroyed village in the Outskirts, overrun with multiple different creatures, some of them already dead due to “Lucky”. [Pt. II] (“Electioneering”)

Finally, the Bough resonates with “Andy” and takes them to the old village, where “Lucky” and “Andy” finally fight against one another. Both of them fled from their mistakes and found different ways to deal with the grief — “Andy” literally fled and avoided thinking about it altogether, imagining a place where they’d be happy, while “Lucky” put all the blame of the incident on a person who wasn’t even entirely responsible for it, freeing themselves from the guilt of being incapable of protecting others. I think “Lucky” manifests E.G.O. during the fight when faced with the realization they are also at fault for what happened, regardless of how inevitable it was. And finally, “Andy” kills “Lucky”, becoming the only remaining member of a village that should have stopped existing long, long ago. [Pt. III] (“Lucky”)

“Andy” breathes in the air of The Outskirts, realizing it is the exact same air as The City. With the Golden Bough recovered and their work done, “Andy” is offered to break free of their contract, but they reject it. For the first time ever, they are finally where they should be. (“The Tourist”)

"Andy" looks up at the starry night sky. “It’ll be alright.”

Random IDs Ideas: -A Hunter of The Outskirts, “Andy” -The Ring Fauvism Docent "Andy" -Lobotomy E.G.O:: Feather of Honor “Andy” --//--//--

7# Calliope — Born in District 9 / I-Corp — In her Mid 20’s The Song Repeating Canto X Calliope is the eldest of nine sisters, born and raised in I-Corp’s Nest. While we don’t know much about it, we can assume the Nest involved music in some way, and because of her parent’s pressure to help them financially and her innate talent/interest in the arts, Calliope entered the music industry of The City. Now, if our world’s music industry is rotten as it is, I can only imagine how deplorable it can get in The City. Grueling training, inhuman schedules and physical stress were something she got used to from a young age.

In spite of her suffering (Or maybe because of it?), The City enjoyed her music — Maybe not on a large scale, but enough to keep her family afloat for a good time and have a certain level of fame. She didn’t particularly care for her parents, but her sisters deserved to live a good life devoid of struggles like hers. She could do this until she fell out of the spotlight for a newer, shinier idol to show up, but an influential and famous music producer had other plans for her — Homer was willing to work with her and take her to even greater heights. Calliope’s era of fame was about to begin, but she was going to pay a heavy price for it.

Homer, being a rather powerful individual in District 9 with connections to both the Thumb and the Ring, introduced to her a lifestyle vastly different from her rigid training routines and cold, lifeless tutors — A life of extravagant luxury within the top 1% of I-Corp’s Nest. A life of excessive, needless violence in the Backstreets. Grotesque artworks and galleries of the Ring and personal performances & shows for the Capos of The Thumb. I’d like to make it very muddled as to the depth of Calliope’s relationship with Homer, but it is definitely unhealthy and toxic, regardless of how you choose to view it. All the while, Calliope prepares and records new songs to enthrall and capture the heart of The City, but more and more of her disgust and hatred for what she sees everyday drips into the lyrics. She could simply sing the material Homer gives her, but Calliope decides to write and use her own instead, a much more raw, intimate and emotional set of songs. (“Hoodoo”)

However, before Calliope can sing her songs to booked stadiums and Homer can scream at her about it in the backstage, something else happens: The Pianist. In a moment, 80% of District 9 is decimated. Only the rich and powerful manage to flee, Homer having to drag Calliope away before she too was lost in the music. The entire situation and how it was handled only served to make Calliope’s hatred grow more and more intense, with her breaking off Homer’s sphere of influence and going after her family in the aftermath of The Pianist’s rampage. Amidst the ruins, Calliope realizes these everyday tragedies only occur because of The City, and she swears she’ll find a way to deliver retribution. (“Take a Bow”)

Despite being alone, Calliope wanders the ravaged streets of I-Corp, using the little of her voice left as a beacon to save others and, hopefully, find her family. Sadly her efforts are in vain, as despite her managing to rescue a few individuals and find a lead on potentially one of her sisters, the Ring takes notice of her actions, in a frenzy about the majestic performance of The Pianist. Despite her efforts to rally the group against the syndicate, most of the survivors are killed and the Ring threatens to kidnap and take Calliope back to Homer. Calliope snaps, her hatred of The City and wish for its destruction taking over her as she Distorts into The Muse of Mars. (“Map of The Problematique”)

When she eventually comes to be, being beaten out of her Distortion by a Mysterious Fixer of the Crimson Variety, Calliope is truly alone in the ruins of I-Corp. And yet, her heart remains true — The City must pay for its sins. She now has made herself a proper enemy of The Ring, and will need to prepare herself accordingly to the hardships to come. In a sense, I imagine this is her Mini-Carmen arc — An extremely charismatic and influential woman amassing followers towards her goal. Amongst these followers is Eddie Blue, our #6 Sinner, who has left the Middle and has beef with the Five Fingers as a whole. Though Calliope’s sphere of influence is much smaller than it used to be, it is still enough to deal with minor Syndicates and slowly but surely spread the message over the course of a few months — There is a force brewing within the belly of the City. (“Assassin”)

However, she is obviously biting more than she can chew. Casualties still happen during these “dismantlings” of Syndicates, and even in events supposed to just rally and excite people, Calliope’s songs manage to cause enough of an uproar people end up injured or worse. She is amassing more enemies and more targets on her back. However, she is incapable of seeing that, the only thing in her mind being vengeance against Homer and retribution to The City. I also like to think her songs always end up so violent due to Carmen’s influence on her songwriting post-distortion. (“Supermassive Black Hole”; “Exo-Politics”)

During a particularly violent punk-rock performance in the Backstreets of District 21 by Calliope, a Young Brother of the Middle and a Student of the Ring, each pursuing their respective Target, “crashed the party”. Both Eddie and Calliope only survive due to Cacau’s interference alongside an already recruited member of the Music-Sinners (cough cough Giorgio). With that, Cacau offers Calliope a way to escape the heat, and most importantly: change The City for the better. Immediately Calliope agrees to join the LCB. (“Knights of Cydonia”)

Through the journey with the LCB, Calliope’s beliefs are only strengthened, and her resolve to change the City bolstered. The small changes she sees in the world and her fellow Sinners only makes her more certain of the path ahead and straighten her beliefs, even if she’s still blinded at how violent her approach to it ends up being, even if by accident. (“Starlight”)

Finally, Calliope’s turn to the chopping block comes, and she’s electric, even if her Bough is in a less-than-ideal location: In a Maestro’s Gallery within the Backdoors, and to get to it she’ll need to serve as bait, having a bounty on her head by the Ring and all that. The plan is simple: Cause enough of a ruckus in the Backdoors to catch their attention then simply let Calliope be taken, and chase after her with the Aspiring W-Corp/Wayfarer’s help. However, things immediately go astray once the Docent that steps through to collect her is none other than Homer himself, having finally admitted himself to the Ring proper. Immediately, Calliope is unable to control her emotions and clashes head on with Homer, failing miserably and being kidnapped under less than ideal circumstances. [Pt. I]

Homer explains his belief in art and how the creativity of the citizens of the City should be allowed to run rampant, regardless of how gruesome they may be —  How their art pieces should be free to affect and influence others as music does, without reprimand or consent; When a song plays, your only option is to listen. Just like how Calliope’s music was to influence the masses, before The Pianist changed Homer’s plans. That’s the justice of the City — The law of the jungle. Calliope barks back that art shouldn’t be used so recklessly, and instead should be used to elevate the masses and bring comfort to those suffering, but Homer laughs before calling her a hypocrite — All her music ever did was cause misery and suffering. To her family, to the people she tried to rescue that fateful day, to the people she tried to lead to a better future and now to her friends, following along with her song. Calliope wants to talk back, but can’t, because Homer is right. Like a beautiful black hole, she consumes and destroys everything that gets too close. (“City of Delusion”)

In the end she was Homer’s perfect muse, ending up exactly as he projected: A source of suffering. Calliope, The Muse of Mars, Distorts. Luckily, The Sinners are there to bring her back to reason, through a mixture of violence and reassurance that her voice does more than sow despair. It nurtures hope for a better future, and while people can’t unhear a song, they can choose to ignore it. Her songs and the hope they brought were not ignored. Coming back to her senses, Calliope and the Sinners chase after Homer. With her companions she feels (“Invincible”). [Pt. II]

In the Maestro’s Gallery, Calliope and Homer finally fight, with her accepting that her ideals to change The City and the songs she will bring with her will lead to bloodshed, but compared to the senseless slaughter of The City, anything is better. If suffering will be had, let it be for something glorious. Homer clings to his idea of “the strong prevail!” until he’s pushed onto the backfoot, where he’s forced to realize that there is no justice in The City, to which Calliope, remembering the atrocities she was forced to see under his wing, can only reply: “There never was.” [Pt. III] (“Soldier’s Poem”)

There is, however, a teeny tiny problem — The Maestro hosting Homer, Monet, now looming over them. However, fickle as The Ring is, LCB is simply allowed to go their way, as the performance they gave Monet was honestly quite incredible. They will be keeping an eye on Calliope though, much to her dismay. Despite having suffered a lot, she’s proud of what she’s achieved, not only by herself, but together with the LCB. Calliope laughs and stands proud. "Oh, we will be glorious!"

Random IDs Ideas: -The Ring’s Muse, Calliope -R Corp. 4th Pack Reindeer Calliope -The Middle Little Sister Calliope -Lobotomy E.G.O:: Moonlight Calliope --//--//--