Astakar333
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An Asymptotic Approach to the Universe by DiamondJackdaw
Fandoms: 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game)
15 Oct 2024
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“You might want to review your contract,” Aventurine said, with an easy smugness that evoked pure Schadenfreude. “Funny little thing called a spontaneous travel contingency clause. Up to 80 hours of on-site consulting—paid, of course—if the asset liquidation specialist deems it economically valuable.”
When the IPC’s newest Stoneheart drags Ratio along on a debt case seemingly for no reason other than his own amusement, Ratio wastes no time adding Aventurine to the list of people he’d strangle if it wouldn’t jeopardize his career. Upon their arrival on Xin-41, however, Ratio begrudgingly deems his contempt for the planet’s intellectual oligarchy stronger than his contempt for his insufferable colleague. Even more begrudgingly, he finds himself drawn in by the web of mysteries lurking not just within the Slinkans’ ivory tower, but within the depths of Aventurine’s dangerously inscrutable mind.
Through deadly equations, volatile spices, and the ‘warning’ of a brutalized corpse left out under the summer sun, Xin-41’s insolvency reveals itself as something deeply sinister, with threads tying back to the early days of the IPC... and to one of the Intelligentsia Guild’s most infamous scholars.
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“What if,” Aventurine mutters, “it isn’t zero, then? I could bet on it being nonzero. And maybe I’d win.”
“Ha!” Ratio scoffs. “You do not believe that.”
Anger. He can work with anger, he can work with provocation. Manipulation. Ignorance. Anything but the unsteady, trembling emotion that is weakness, that is the one monstrous thing he can never address—
Steady, steady breaths.
“Why,” he returns, “do you even ask, Ratio? Are you here to gloat at my defeat? Ah, yes—finally, a gamble that I will certainly lose. A perfect time to—”
“Is it impossible for your diminutive neurons to connect,” Ratio’s book shuts with a resounding snap. It echoes like a bullet, ricocheting between the walls of Aventurine’s chest, until it descends into the heaviness itself. “And suppose that others do not truly wish for your death?”
Aventurine is stricken by Hanahaki disease. For the first time in years, he finds himself unable to gamble his life.
Bookmarked by Astakar333
12 Jun 2024
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a study on innovative approaches to mitigation and elimination of some hanahaki bullshit by Dr. Veritas Ratio, Ph.D. by profligate
Fandoms: 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game)
24 Jun 2024
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“Ah,” Aventurine said, rubbing his arm, “so that’s why they had us refresh all our vaccinations before this trip. We’re not in any danger of falling ill, are we? I’d hate to ruin such a nice vacation.”
“It’s unclear,” Ratio said. Aventurine side-eyed him, looking less relaxed now. But if those folktales had any merit to them at all, “more likely, no.”
They were approaching the town now, inclined turquoise shingles peeking out over the edges of the treeline. It seemed like every building here was overgrown with flowers—flowers burst from the vines on white stucco walls, bouquets hung from the bucket-laden stalls at every corner, and almost all the windows were decorated with boxes abundant with blooms.
“It’s beautiful, but,” he grimaced, voicing Ratio’s thoughts aloud, “a little morbid, isn’t it?”
To a scientist, mythology and fairy tales are simply veneers that warp and obscure the truth. And to a doctor, diseases are problems that can be solved with logic rather than love.
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Bookmarked by Astakar333
10 Jun 2024
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The bad luck of living by enigmaticfool
Fandoms: 崩坏：星穹铁道 | Honkai: Star Rail (Video Game)
20 Mar 2025
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Behind the eerie calmness, behind the reckless arrogance, there was vulnerability. Aventurine longed for death, for release from the horrors and deals he's had to make. Beyond that, though, Ratio almost felt like the man was longing for hope.
Even if that flicker of hope exists within Aventurine, it is obvious he intends to destroy it. The gambler will endlessly pursue higher and higher stakes until finally one of them takes his life. He said that he would be the final victor, but Ratio can only assume that he will only consider himself victorious once he finally dies.
Even if those enamoring and enigmatic eyes permanently remain etched on the inside of his eyelids; even if the ache of having their hands guiding each other to discovery and death perpetually itches his skin; he knows when the risks are too high to justify the pursuit. Dr. Veritas Ratio doesn't gamble, he only takes calculated risks, even if right now he really wants to.
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Aventurine tries to throw away his life; Ratio tries to not fall in love with a man who yearns for death. Aventurine eventually learns to love himself and to love and be loved; Ratio learns that logic is not truth and that emotions are not a vulnerability.
Bookmarked by Astakar333
10 Jun 2024
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"What's the game, then, Doctor? What do I need to do to get out of here?"
"I'm afraid I'm not actually on your side. As a member of the Intelligentsia Guild, you've made yourself my enemy with what you did on Egyhazo."
The prisoner's eyes sparkle with sudden enthusiasm. "Did you believe it?"
"Believe what?"
"My ruse."
"Of course not," Veritas scoffs.In the aftermath of the Intelligentsia Guild and IPC's fumble in Egyhazo, a new Stoneheart rises to prominence. Veritas hesitates to believe that this "Aventurine" intends to make good on his promise of 'mutually beneficial collaboration.'
Bookmarked by Astakar333
09 Jun 2024