[Malkuth]

Isn't ranking oversimplifying their relationships?

Originally Posted by Clarste

Blamed by Araragi. For telling Karen on the phone where to find Kaiki. She says "I'd prefer you didn't try to act like this was my fault" which prompts Araragi to talk about how she scared Oshino by her ability to always find the answer, and to warn her that she should be aware of her own strength.

Ability? I always thought of it as simple reasoning, since she is the only character that was actually thinking before acting, rather than being blinded by emotion or conviction... Black Hanekawa being the exact opposite was the perfect opposite to her usual self. But otherwise, I see what you mean, and agree.

Originally Posted by Clarste

Hanekawa is attracted by the supernatural. She hates her life so she's looking for things that could lead her "outside". That's the whole reason she was attracted to Araragi in the first place, remember? And throughout Bakemonogatari she was always listening to his stories about the supernatural. He was her window into a different world that she's fascinated by, because it lets her forget her ordinary life. She may be forced to give up her love for Araragi, but that doesn't mean she's giving up searching for kaii, in her own subtle way. In this case she helped Karen find the source of the curse. A curse that she knew was real and Karen didn't. Her sense of detachment and thoughtless helpfulness led directly to the situation that Karen is in.

For the first part I considered it a coincidence, but now tend to think of it as either a purposeful ambiguity, like Koyomi's harem-building power, in other words it might actually be an ability/curse or plot-driving coincidence or as you suggest simple reality escapism.

Originally Posted by Clarste

As I said before, curiosity killed the cat.

I hope not in this case, afterall they have nine lives