Breeder

First Timeskip (4.5)

HELLO <3

Please don't leave, this is an important update regarding the story.

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Long story short, I've received lots of panicky(?) comments regarding bits and pieces in the last few chapters (LOL).

Yes, these are teeny weeny nine and ten-year-olds discussing having kids with each other.

IN THE FUTURE.

They don't explicitly say it (that was an error on my part, obviously) but whenever they mention or discuss the topic they're talking about their future selves. When the topic of having kids comes up between Ray, Norman, and/or Erica, they mean "in the future", "should the escape attempt fail and we are left with no other choice". Not right now when they're legit children.

They're thinking ahead and planning ahead. Plan B, you know? With Plan A being "escape".

If this were to actually happen, (according to the plot setting that I've set up regarding Breeders and Partners) then Norman and Ray will be paired off with Erica when they turn eighteen and the trio will be placed in a house of their own (within the Breeding Farm/village).

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So far in this story, Erica and Ray (and eventually Norman, Emma, and the others as well) know very well where they stand on the social hierarchy of the Demons' society.

Erica is a Breeder that is stuck with the fate of having kids from the moment she turns eighteen and until her death.

The others are livestock.

Seeing this from the hierarchy POV, the others are lower in the societal ladder than Erica. The others can be replaced at the drop of a hat, as long as there are one-year-old newborns available. But in order for a Breeder to be replaced, it takes years of training and waiting.

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So when Ray says that he "won't mind" having kids with Erica, he means that if the escape attempt fails and he's shipped, he would do what it takes to survive (becoming a Partner in order to lengthen his lifespan and prevent getting killed) and wouldn't have many emotional problems going down that path.

Of course, he does have a minor crush on Erica and the emotional attachment plays a role in him saying that he "won't mind". But emotions aside, Ray would like to survive if he's given the choice.

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Please keep in mind that becoming a Partner is Ray's safety net. It becomes one for Norman too, later on. The kids choose such extreme measures and choose to risk their future because those are the cards they're dealt.

Between death and having kids with your childhood friend, they'd choose the latter.

Normally, if any of the children find out about the secret, then they are harvested immediately. But if one of them is a Partner, then they are left alive because first off, they're necessary. Second, all Breeders and partners know the secret. They were bound to find out one way or another.

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Let's talk a bit about the different circumstances between Norman and Ray.

Ray knows the truth about Breeders and Partners- what they do and what kind of lives that they're subjected to- what he'll be subjected to should he choose that path. He chose/made a conscious decision to become a Partner not because he wanted to have kids with Erica (in the future; although he doesn't mind), but because it was a necessary move to ensure his life should their escape attempt fail.

Unlike Ray who knows what it really means to be a Partner, Norman chose to become one without knowing anything. (He just accepted a bouquet of weeds from the new girl and was suddenly shoved into the life of a Partner)

Because of this, Norman developed a more emotional attachment/emotional relationship with Erica. He sees her personality, actions, morality, etc. He sees her as a person, that has sentimental/emotional value to him.

Compared to Norman, Ray is much more calculating. He does like Erica. But he makes his choices much more heavily based on the position, benefit, and choices that Erica (and her position as a Breeder) provides him.

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We don't get the complete story (unless you read the manga) as the anime doesn't do much to explain the characters' thoughts and actions in the story. It's the same here. I can't explain every single reason for every action they choose to take (if you leave a comment and ask, though, I can answer ;) ). It's on you, my dear readers, to come up with the answer.

When the characters say or make a questioning move, ask yourself: Why would they say that? Why would they choose to do what they did? What would they gain in the long/short run? How does this affect the original plot? etc.

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All in all, don't be fooled by the melodramatic romance between the characters. Their words are surprising and confusing at first glance, but there are a number of reasons why they choose that choice and say what they say. With both logical and emotional reasoning.

This is a story about a bunch of kids in a horrible, cruel world trying their best to survive with the cards they've been dealt.

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So STAHP freakin' out, man!

As much as I love getting funny, freaked-out comments from all of you, I need y'all to think calmly and cooly! The anime is highly psychological- and if you think about the characters' actions and words and the reason why- then things will start to make more sense.

Never hesitate to leave a comment and ask things if you're confused.

I love explaining (if you couldn't tell from this chapter LOL)

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I hope this cleared up some confusion out there if any.

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I spent my entire morning writing this instead of taking notes for Calc-

But that's ok. That was a conscious decision on my part and I'm happy. (LOL)

3/26/2021

3 pages, 980 words