MONTERO

### Namesake

Lil Nas X's debut studio album "MONTERO" and song "MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)"

### Stand Type

Long Range

MONTERO is the Stand of Ceci Mariposa in Fate of Zephyr.

## Appearance

MONTERO itself appears to be a humanoid figure with a short, blue and pink, curly afro. It appears to have glass-like skin that is nearly transparent.

In bug form, MONTERO appears as various types of bugs, either crawling or flying around its surroundings. When transforming the user into a swarm of bugs, it is typically

## Ability

### The Art of Realization

MONTERO allows the user to transform themselves or whatever they touch into a swarm of insects. The insects mostly function like their real life counterparts, whether that be crawling or flying around based on where the user wants them to go. Most commonly the insect used are butterflies.

When used, MONTERO can serve in both an offense and defense role. As part of the user, MONTERO can create a swarm of insects from their body to protect themselves or help the user move around with minimal suspicion or to avoid further damage. These insects can serve as beacons, allowing the user to pinpoint their location and relay very basic information of the location they are based. In addition to their body, the user can transform any non-human or non-animal into a swarm of insects to do the same bidding. When transformed, the item transformed can be reverted into normal theoretically. However, because the insects are physically still the same, damaging or killing an insect may cause the original item to sustain some injury depending on the severity of the damage.

When using a predatory type insects like ladybugs, beetle, and bees, they can be commanded to attack. Although normal insects give minimal pain when attacking in real life, MONTERO creates insects that can allow insects to go as far as eat their victims alive. This is especially seen with butterflies being able to suck liquid and nutrients from their victims when used. The bugs however, will only do this when they can sense fluids full of nutrients such as salt and iron. Any signs of these fluids, especially high concentrations of it, will cause them to be attracted and attack unless directed by the user. This becomes a major issue when someone shows signs of sweat, tears, or release their bodily fluids in any way that has these concentrations.

When used directly in combat, however, the user can direct the attacks. However, this can only be done so where there is light and if the user themselves are directly in the same area as the bugs within a a few meters. Once the bugs are out of range, they will act in their own accord until they are back in the user's range once more.

## Trivia

* The inspiration for Ceci's abilities and appearance is inspired by Lil Nas X's photoshoot shot by Filip Custic in promotion to his studio album *MONTERO*, where he is decorated with various bugs. The album itself also features images of butterflies flying around the artist.
* The use of butterflies not only comes from the album cover art but due to its symbolism. In general, butterflies represent freedom, change, and consequential actions.
	+ The use of butterflies also references *Vento Aureo* and *Stone Ocean*. In Vento Aureo, Giorno Giovanna transforms some bank notes into butterflies and is often portrayed in artwork surrounded in nature imagery such as butterflies. In Stone Ocean, the butterflies is believed to represent Jolyne herself and she wears a butterfly tattoo as well.
	+ The flesh-eating abilities comes from many bugs functioning as scavengers in the wild and how many of their diets consist of carcasses. Butterflies in particular are attracted to rotten, dead things and flutter to them as a means of absorbing their remaining nutrients like iron and salt. The Blue Morpho butterfly in particular eats rotten fruit.
	+ Blue butterflies in particular symbolize unconditional love and death, as some cultures believe that blue butterflies serve as a reminder of death if they ever appear after a loved one's passing.
* Due to Ceci's fight being on the train to Florence, her abilities are rather similar to that of the original Prosciutto, in which both powers can be mitigated if reaction to heat is taken out. The sucking of nutrients also in reference to how Prosciutto's ability sucks the youthfulness out of its victims.

## References

* *MONTERO* tracklist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxA687tYuMWiDPypxRJTDIPEIg\_8K0noW
* "MONTERO" / "Call Me By Your Name" music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6swmTBVI83k
* "Carnivorous Scavenger Butterflies Eat a Fish "Puddling" by SmarterEveryDay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApWAs9P0Sh8
* "Lil Nas X Embodies Mother Nature in Bug-Centric Photoshoot": https://floodmagazine.com/85909/lil-nas-x-bug-centric-artwork/
* Blue Butterfly symbolism: https://digestfromexperts.com/3508/blue-butterfly-meaning-symbolism-omens-and-spiritual-meanings/

"MONTERO" album cover art.Scene from "MONTERO (Call Me by Your Name). References Stand appearance.Blue Morpho butterfly. References butterflies commonly seen on Ceci.