NAEGI x KIRIGIRI | "Be still with me" [
"Don't mistake my charity."
This is my entry for Round 2 of the #Twerk Tourney! I'm so excited to be posting this!
I've had the idea in my head for a few months now, but the concept was so daunting, I kind of kept putting it off. This round gave me the motivation I needed to make the video; we were each assigned a vice or virtue and asked to make a video connected to that in some way. I received the virtue of Temperance.
The idea behind the video is achieving temperance through death. In my original idea, I wanted to explore Kirigiri's dark side and the idea of her being a murderer, while also portraying Naegi and Kirigiri as a team and as victims.
When I think of temperance, I think of moderation, self-control, acceptance, an overall sense of calm. I think Kirigiri is a perfect representation of temperance. She doesn't express much emotion, and doesn't really let her feelings control what she does. She often comes across as cold, and is quiet even in her kinder moments. The "be still with me" line in this song really reminded me of her temperament, and her need to extend that Naegi for better or worse, while also attempting to form a connection between them on her own terms.
Temperance is also a Tarot card that, aside from the usual calm and accepting qualities associated with temperance, represents the blending of opposites, joining forces, and well-being. I would associate all of these with her teaming up with Naegi. Naegi is her opposite in a lot of ways. He is friendlier, more open, and positive, which counteracts her pessimism numerous times in the show. I also wanted to portray a mix of good and bad, dark and light. The song is in Kirigiri's POV, so there are benevolent and malevolent possibilities to everything she says.
I wanted to portray their teamwork as a means of healing or wholeness. Kirigiri does want him around, and feels happier when they are together even though it may not be a feeling she can justify with logic. Kirigiri can also be a constant for Naegi, a source of security or reassurance, though like with everything in this video, that has a negative side. The Tarot card also depicts an angel, which represents transcendence or death.
I think Killer!Kirigiri's temperance, her self-control and emotional distance, is one of her greatest advantages. She can spend time with everyone else trapped in the academy, letting them pick each other off, all the while calculating the right time and way to make her move. She can kill without mercy or guilt. She's calculating enough that she can deflect suspicion away from herself, or outright lie. One thing she doesn't count on is her attachment to Naegi, and the idea of killing him gives her pause for the first time.
The video is pretty much a compilation of their moments together . . . and her subtle warnings that she is not to be trusted.
-Dedicated to littlemissfiretruckx
/ littlemissfiretruckx
I can't think of a more deserving person to dedicate this to. You put up with numerous versions of this video and helped me make it the best it could be. Thank you, again, for being an amazing beta-tester, finding great fanart for me, and understanding and supporting my vision from the beginning and helping me bring it to life without wanting to break something. Plus, I know how much you love Naegeri. xD
It's not perfect, but it's as close to what I originally envisioned for this video, and I'm happy I was able to create what I feel is a unique concept for the characters and this round.. Good luck to everyone in this round! All the entries so far are amazing and I'm happy to be a participant.
All info is at the end of the video.
Thanks for watching! Enjoy!