#headcanons.exe

@misercordiis

⛧ Lilit

Lilit asked Mina once what her favorite Lipgloss flavor is and Mina, without missing a beat, replied "Hold on, let me apply it," before eating Lilit out.

Perfume is one of the most subtle ways they mark each other. Mina likes to leave a little spritz of hers in Lilit's bedroom as a sort of reminder of her. And she can/will get off to Lilit's lingering scent.

It's cheesy but Mina bought Lilit a cigarette case engraved with a skull and flowers. That however doesn't stop them from sharing ciggies that come straight out of Mina's special hiding spot (her tits).

Besides the club, cafe meetups are a regular thing for them. Mina has Lilit's usual order memorized.

⛧ Sylus

It's not uncommon for him to come home and find her lounging about his abode; usually nude. Sometimes though she'll be dripping covered in pieces of jewelry from his collections. Of course while she looks good in jewels, she looks even better with a pearl necklace.

Wrestling/boxing/sparring that turns into something more, be it just makeouts, humping or full on fucking. She totally licks the sweat and blood off his skin.

Honestly she likes helping him get dressed just as much as undressing him. Will rake her sweet time buttoning each and every button on a shirt. She just can't/won't tie any ties for him.

He's one of the few people she'll trust to drive her motorcycles. And quite frankly, no matter which one of them is driving, she loves being on a bike with him. Not that she'd easily admit it.

⛧ Caleb

Their competitiveness isn't just at the shooting range, but also sometimes in bed. They try to see who can make the other cum the most and/or the hardest.

One of the ways Mina plays with him, so to speak, is hiding a pair of her underwear somewhere he's likely to find it. In the pocket of a pair of pants, cupholder in his car, briefcase/backpack.

The most low key, domestic thing she enjoys doing with him is watching movies or reading. Particularly while laying ontop of him.

Mina finds it hot when partners are possessive of her & with him that's no different. And she'll purposely try and provoke that attribute; either because she's being pissy, bratty or even jealous.

@kckuhaku

⛧ Maddie

Despite their rocky beginnings and slowly warming up to one another, once deemed an ally Minako does hold some sort of loyalty to her. Included in that is being protective; not that Maddie isn't capable of holding her own. Besides the more serious scenario of taking a hit for her (or throwing one if needed), anytime Maddie rides on the back on Mina's motorcycle, Mina makes sure she wears a helmet (even if there is only the one).

Food. It sounds very odd but it seems like something they would bond over. Perhaps because while Mina is still distrustful of Maddie, she insists they meet up in restaurants. Parks too but even then Mina has some sort of snack. Might even buy Maddie one too if she's in a good mood.

Like the jokester (jackass) that she is, at one point Mina asks Maddie if she wants to see a picture of her son. The picture in question is of her sphinx cat, Nibbles, curled up in a laundry basket wearing a sweater.

⛧ Isaiah

While their time in an EVER facility is memorable, something that he probably won't forget is a time Mina tried to bite off a scientist's fingers while fighting back. Eventually she'll ask him about all the details she doesn't remember or the blanks she needs filled in.

One time while a bit buzzed, a bit high, Mina tells Isaiah about her rivalry with Lumiere — how she's gonna either collect the bounty on him or become more infamous than him (including accruing a larger bounty on herself than he has). Of course when sobered up she'll deny it.

When she finally warms up to him, banter becomes their love language. However, she knows sometimes she takes things too far. Apologies are not something she hands out to just anyone. But for the times when she does make an ass of herself to him, she will offer a genuine one up.

About three sketchbooks. Two medium sized and one small. They're filled with a variety of sketches, finished pieces, doodles and some random notes. Most common mediums were ink, color pencil, graphite and watercolor. The subject matter ranged from landscapes & stylized portraits to insects to more silly, almost kawaii doodles. And of course, mythological beings; mainly yokai.

A small stack of photocards of his favorite idols (male & female). Some are in decorated top loaders.

A prayer bead bracelet; the beads a swirl of midnight and sky blue.

Several omamori and ofuda — a couple of which were obtained during outings Mina took with him.

A small box of photos. A portion of them are artistic photographs he took. There's only one of him with some of his high school friends. Her favorites are: one from a New Year's trip to a local shrine, one from their last trip — the Osaka aquarium trip, and one where Kaede is 11 years old and Mina is maybe a month old (he put her in a cute, albeit fancy dress like his own personal babydoll).

The photos and some of his artwork Mina has digital copies of. She has a tendency to look at these items from time to time and does what she can to preserve them or keep them in good condition. The only thing she may show people are the photographs; copies are displayed in her apartment. The other items feel too sacred to show anyone else. That, but also there's the chance she starts crying when she looks at them. And the last thing she ever wants to do is cry infront of ANYONE.

In its most positive form, The Hierophant Reversed reminds you that you are your own teacher. All the wisdom you seek comes from within – not from some external source or power. You are being guided to follow your own path and adopt your own spiritual belief systems rather than blindly following others’. It may feel unsettling at first as you make your own way, but over time, you will learn to trust yourself and tap into your inner knowledge. Others may question your motivations to go against tradition, but you know deep within that now is the time.With The Hierophant Reversed, you no longer need external approval to succeed. You are ready to go it alone and do it your way, even if that means going against convention. Give yourself permission to trust your inner guidance system as you create your own path forward. The Hierophant Reversed is also about challenging the status quo. You see alternative ways of viewing the world and are ready to test the very ideas and concepts you were taught were the ‘truth’. You no longer accept the rigid structures, tradition and dogma surrounding you; instead, you seek out opportunities to rebel and reclaim your personal power. If you feel restricted or constrained and have lost your sense of freedom and flexibility, now is the time to make your own rules. The Hierophant Reversed encourages you to examine ‘the way we do things around here’ and ask yourself whether it aligns with your values. You may have been running on autopilot so far and following the crowd, but now you see that changes need to be made. Taken further, The Hierophant Reversed is like a rebellious teenager who begins to question society and take part in anti-institutional activities. There may be a run-in with authorities or conflict with a parent or authoritative figure.

-- from Biddy Tarot

When you see the Hierophant in reverse, it may mean that you are feeling particularly restricted and even constrained from too many structures and rules. As a result, you have lost quite a lot of control as well as flexibility in your life. You have a particularly strong will and desire to go ahead and regain control as well as to break free from the shackles of convention. You are tempted to try unorthodox approaches or to function in a way which defies social ties and norms. The Hierophant reversal meaning is mostly about questioning certain traditions and making sure that whatever it is that you do is the right thing for you in this certain moment.

-- from Labyrinthos

And while Mina isn't very superstitious or spiritual, the symbolism and meaning of the card really stuck with her. That and of course there is some level of being called just V that she thinks sounds cool and mysterious.

On a deeper level: In Pythagorean numerology, the letter V is associated with the number 4.  And while 4 is a number associated with order and foundation, in Japanese culture it's the unlucky number; as 4 is pronounced "shi," which sounds exactly like the word for death. Many multilevel buildings won't have a 4th floor because of the superstitious/unlucky nature of the number.

With Mina, thematically, death is a heavy part of her character and story. It's a concept that's so personally interwoven into her being. Her birthday is a double dose of bad luck you could say. April 4th or 4/4. Mina, a girl doomed to hold hands with Death since her first breath. But also a girl who takes souls/spreads death just as Izanami does.

However, oppositely on the scale of themes, one could say V as an alias is a defiance of that. For V is the Roman numeral for 5; 5 of course being the number to come after 4. Five lives on after four (shi) just as Mina has the very miraculous tendency to escape death not once, but twice (even more than that if you think about all the close calls she has during 2077/PL).

Butterflies, especially in Japanese culture, represent transformation and rebirth as well as the ephemerality of life.

Transformation and Rebirth: Much like in many other cultures, butterflies in Japan are seen as symbols of transformation and rebirth. Their metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly beautifully represents personal growth, change, and the cyclical nature of life. Ephemeral Nature of Life: In Japanese philosophy, the fleeting beauty of the butterfly is a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life. This concept, known as “Mono no Aware,” reflects an awareness of the impermanence of all things, urging people to appreciate the beauty of the present moment. Source

A side note: the phrase Mono no Aware is roughly translated as "the pathos of things," and could be considered the equivalent to the west's memento mori.

"There is beauty in life, and so long as we live, there is beauty in death. So we must truly live in every moment because life guarantees us no tomorrows. The beauty of life lies in its impermanence. Like the pink petals of the cherry blossom trees dancing in the wind, falling like snowflakes of spring in the gentle breeze, dusting the earth in a flowery grave. To be truly at peace under the cherry blossoms is to know mono no aware. Often translated as "the pathos of things," the Japanese phrase conveys a profound understanding of the impermanence of our reality and an appreciation for that beauty which lies in its transient nature. It is this very feeling that draws crowds of people every year, basking in awe of those delicate flowers, to capture their utmost beauty—lingering on the brink of death. Like the short-lived cherry blossoms—beginning to fall within a mere week of their bloom — life brings with it a sense of joyful melancholy. Take a moment to acknowledge all the beauty that surrounds us. This ahhness that grips our souls, we must awaken ourselves to it and learn its lessons. We must live as if we are going to die, not as though we never will. Embrace change as it rises with the sun, blows in the wind, and rolls with the waves, and know that every day is a new beginning and that every spring will bloom again, forever beautiful and new because we, too, are like the cherry blossoms—beautiful, though impermanent nevertheless." --prologue 1, "mono no aware" by Ashley LaBelle Source

All things in life are fragile and impermanent. Everything we love is doomed to fade... but at the same time, isn't that what makes it beautiful? --- TvTropes

The metamorphosis of butterflies, the rebirth, and the fragility of life are so deeply ingrained within Minako's character beyond just being V, yet also tied heavily to it. The events of 2077/PL reflect that. In contingency with those themes is other allegorical details such as the fact her birth was not only on double 4's, but during hanami season.

Obviously life is fragile no matter what. But dealing with the relic really puts that into perspective, even if Mina is already aware of and has witnessed the ephemerality of life. Watching someone you love die is complicated and traumatic; knowing on a deeper level that you are actively dying is equally so but in a different way. Then there's the act of taking life; an act no different than snuffing the flame of a candle yet with much meaning and weight to it. Realization of mortality comes in several different flavors, and Mina gets a taste of all of them to be frank.

It's miraculous the evolution Minako goes through even before 2077. From reclusive depression with a determination to just rot, to the illusion of freedom, to having actual freedom and a renewed lust for life & living, to having to accept and live through the five stages of grief. With that comes personal growth (another metamorphosis) which includes grappling with the deepest reflection of one's mortality.

The biggest evolution is how she handles the choice of: having a quiet life or a blaze of glory. To which I think she settles mostly on a balance between the two. She's burned brightly during the events of 2077/PL so in the end she's satisfied with the trail she blazed though still continues with work as a Solo; she just has a grander appreciation more the mundane aspects of life.

The Nihilistic views she holds don't completely go away but in a weird way serve to fuel her want to live the life she wants. There's the element of "nothing in life may matter yet I'll make it matter."