The big one: Character discussions!

[Anastasia]

Ikkuko Stuff

OOC, Ikkuko is probably my favourite NPC to interact with. She has a knack for bringing out the worst in Usagi - the ditzy argumentative and tactless girl who provides me with so much amusement. Obviously Usagi and Ikkuko love each other, but it's a long suffering love that withstands the occasional juvenile outburst/unfair ultimatum (depending on who's viewpoint you side with).

It does bug Usagi that Ikkuko is all sweetness and light to everyone else, but it's part of their relationship, and she does slightly enjoy baiting her mother for amusement value - though it's a tricky balancing act not to push her too far.

It is!

It's pretty much a tightrope of love, triumph and hope, all mixed in with the times Usagi should've just shut up. See the recent parent/teacher conference for a great example of that. When she gets pushed past the line, it's time for USagi to whimper and batton down the hatches.

Also worth noting that despite your comments about Ikkuko not being that supportive here, she was 100% behind Usagi nabbing Mamoru, right from when she first met him. At least I hope it's support of her daughter, and not a more sinister interest in Mamoru... Regardless, it is nice that on the topic of her love life, Usagi can speak freely with her mother<Snip>

It is  nice, yes. I felt that Usagi needed that support, and that her mother wouldn't sabotage her there outright. That would've been just cruel.

- she might even be understanding of lesbian Usagi if recent events are any indication!

Not that I intend to go there, of course...

It's just nice to know.

Allow me to summarise!

<#mk> o-o

I do wonder how things will go with Serenity in future, though. The two appear to have hit it off really well so far, but will it last after a few vocal fights between Ikkuko and Usagi if Serenity speaks up on Usagi's behalf? Serenity's so nice it seems unthinkable, but I almost wonder if she might start breeding resentment in Ikkuko if she gets too close to Usagi. I hope the fact that mother and daughter make up as quickly as they fight will forestall that - things never brood between them enough for it to seem like a wedge can be driven, but you never know what the future holds.

It'll be interesting to see how that goes. There is certainly the potential for that to happen. If anything, Serenity is too perfect. It would be easy to start to envy her, wouldn't it?

Anyway, in conclusion I once again emphasise how much fun I have with Ikkuko. She's just perfectly played for Usagi to go on uber-dramatic 'I hate you!' speeches without them actually causing real fallout. As the game's gone on, Usagi's gotten a bit better at holding her own when they argue, but Ikkuko still has an undefeated record...

Usagi'll win one day. Maybe. <_<

[Asrana]

"Pervtaru! Anyway, that is amusing, even if I really feel bad for poor Janna now. You're going to hound her to death, you know that? But mmm. It's an interesting application of Hotaru's intellectual curiosity springing up."

Yes, Hotaru probably WILL hound Janna right up until somewhere in the ninth month of sleeping with Makoto, whenever that happens. >_>

"Yeah, Janna is 'that friend', isn't she? Mmmm. Good for her."

I'd almost make an Usagi/Unazuki comparison, but Hotaru and Janna aren't that close. Just more casual friends, but you can guess the dynamic drift. Well, and Janna actually knows what she's talking about. >_>

<Reiko> "Really now," Reiko rolls her eyes, "Maybe I can see it for MAkoto. The girl looks sixteen already! But what about Hotaru - and she'll get into it, mark my words." A little knowing smile there, "I can see her saying, 'Mah, is THAT what it is?'"

<Fuuko> Fuuko smirks, a hand on her hip as she puts the toy down on her lap. "Good for her! A girl has to learn somewhere, and it's better than from her first crush! Besides, that would so ruin all of your nice plans for her college years, wouldn't it?"

This suddenly is very applicable... Just wait for spring cleaning. JUST YOU WAIT.

[Anastasia]

Character Entry #30

Junki

Source Material(s): None. Pure creative gusto, even if it wasn't a ton of it.

General: Junki was designed to be a one shot. Her application was very direct - innocent victim hurt by Jadeite in the name of the Beast Lord. Something designed implicity for Hotaru, yet able to rile up the other girls just fine, too. The fact that she survived and Hotaru was willing to heal Junki earned Hotaru a real friend that day.

Junki was meant to at least allude to Rei having a social life off camera. She does, but being an NPC makes this far more difficult to show than for a PC. She's very much a casual friend for Rei, nothing more. Enough to add emotional anger at the murder attempt, but not enough to make it endless drama.

It's interesting to see her try and be integrated into the main T*A senshi group. Messy due to circumstance but interesting.

Notes:

Hotaru seems to see her as a prototype lesbian fling with minimal strings. She's not gay! ...I think? She rather likes Hotaru and Kotono as well as Rei, even if she was a bit offput by the first Supernatural Club meeting. She feels resiliant to me, however.

[Asrana]

Junki was meant to at least allude to Rei having a social life off camera. She does, but being an NPC makes this far more difficult to show than for a PC.

Well, that might change if Hotaru gets her way and ends up in Rei's class next term. >_>

Hotaru seems to see her as a prototype lesbian fling with minimal strings. She's not gay! ...I think? She rather likes Hotaru and Kotono as well as Rei, even if she was a bit offput by the first Supernatural Club meeting. She feels resiliant to me, however.

That actually branched out of a handful of jokes about 'gratitude' for saving Junki's life. More like gratuitous, amirite? For the small pinch of times it got used, it was mostly a 'break the cliche' kind of thing.

And yeah, we need to show her a better time...we have, actually cafe coming to mind. So maybe she'll learn to just dodge it.

[Anastasia]

Character entry #31.

Balder.

Source Materials: Some slight inspiration from the fanon Sailor Sun. Balder returns this with a slight parody on the concept. By and large he's original material, however.

General: When I began to fill in the concept of Gaia, I wondered. The concept of being held for years and years would imply Princess Serenity was into middle age. So I thought further - what if she had a bit of a life before Jadeite got to her? What if she had a child? A son, just to mix things up a little more?

The idea gelled from there. A male Chibi Usa was a comment I made to myself in passing. This hit another gold mine. Once I finished laughing, I considered - how would a Prince of the Moon turn out with someone like Jadeite. Someone, who on thinking about it, would do nothing more than pervert him into a mockery of what he should be? To turn the gentle light of the Moon into the burning agony of the uncaring Sun - the very Sun that normally gives life every day - was too good to pass up.

Balder's powers reflected this MO. Instead of merciful powers like Serenity or Usagi? His attacks were burns, one of the most intense and crippling pains known of. Instead of being a shining beacon of hope, his face was too bright to look at; yet he could remove himself from sight only to then turn them to ashes. His movement through the world was agony to the universe around him.

Jadeite fed the hatred Balder held for him. He pushed him further into obession, tormenting him at every step. Much like Metallia so long ago? Fighting this feebly, he came to his actions. The Crystal, no matter what. The mere humans in his way are of no note to one such as him.

He only failed and was saved because someone cared enough to break the cycle. He was unable to do so alone. Ultimately, he was helpless to his own despair, anger and loss. Of course, it wasn't an easy road to recovery. He has only really begun it at the end of Arc 1. The sailors lived with the roughest period of his life, but hopefully he'll begin to recover now.

Notes: Balder is one of my relative mixed bags. I'll toss out a few statements about him:

I feel I RPed Balder very well and hit all my goals with him.

RPing Balder was hard as hell.

Balder grated on me at times, and was draining.

I'm ultimately proud of him.

All of this ties into the fact that he's still a child underneath his body. His development was stunted, leading to his relationships with Makoto and Usagi.

I really feel bad for the guy. He's had the ultimate bad life in ways that most couldn't even imagine. It doesn't give him a free pass on what he's done, but it certainly makes him a tragic character.

I had minor hopes and interests on the Makoto angle working out at first. It wouldn've been interesting, but I wonder now if it would have been good for either of them.

I wish I could've done more with him and Hotaru. There was some interest there, but I think both of us weren't sure how to proceed on. I didn't have the foggiest!

[Bean Bandit]

Balder, as a male, hit on all the right notes with Makoto for all the wrong reasons.

The nearly dying from his attack was a horrible note to start out on, but Makoto's nature came to the fore there, and rescued it...Once he was on our side, all was forgiven/forgotten.

After all, I can't afford to be looked down on by anyone who can get a good hit in, right? If I keep obsessing about it, I'll just weaken myself. Gotta concentrate on getting my own punches in...and if I don't need to, then I don't have to worry.

I was kind of uneasy when Serenity-sama asked me to visit him, though. I mean, he's cute, but he was always mad all the time, and back when I challenged him on the rooftop after he attacked Ami-chan, he seemed really pissed when I came pretty close to letting him see his own intestines, Y'know?

Still, Serenity-sama's Serenity-sama. No one in their right mind can refuse anything she asks for nicely. So I went to visit him...and the High and Mighty attitude kinda got under my skin...So I just kinda picked at it, like a scab on your knee when you're little?

He surprised me when he wasn't too stubborn about it, and he was cute and kind of endearing. Like Kenta-chan from my classes at the dojo. He likes to pretend he's tough, but bad things go on at his house (I think his parents might be divorcing)...so I just give him a hug every now and then, and it messes him right up, but he smiles more after! *Snickers*

It's the same thing I tried with Balder. Mako-Oneesan tried to be as sweet as she possibly could, but utterly firm when he was wrong, or just being bratty...and it seemed to work. We got to be friends...still are, I hope.

I should have guessed something was amiss when he barged into the bathroom when I locked myself in after he hit a nerve, but it didn't really click in. Despite me treating him like a little brother, He's really mature looking. More than Mamoru-san, even. It didn't even dawn on me that he might be interested until he kissed me when I was singing to him.

It bothered me a little bit...I thought I might have encouraged it somehow-and, I have to admit, it bothered me even more that I even entertained the idea. (I didn't exactly shove him away, did I? I shouldn't have let him finish the kiss, but it -was- good.) But after a good look at it in my head, I knew it wouldn't work.

Even if I let my hormones run away with me, I'd be settling myself in for being a girlfriend that acts like a mother. And that would be really sad. A boyfriend is supposed to be strong for you, too, and Balder's just not even close to ready, in his heart. He needs to grow up straight, like a pruned seedling, first. Whoever DOES get him will be a lucky girl (Or boy. There's no telling about his preferences just because he thought he liked me, after all.) But it won't be me.

[Asrana]

Hrm. Balder...

He started off as just another general. aA more serious threat possibly than the others, but just another one of Jadeite's cronies meant to be dispatched.

Serenity made things messy. Very messy. But...she was Serenity. Hotaru kept her wishes in mind, wanted to fulfill them as best she could, her own predictions of viability aside.

On reflection, Balder crossed a lot of lines. He was using our own people for this, not just hostages, but literally posessing and turning them to fight their own planet. That's an ideological offence more than anything, not honestly unexpected considering the par so far at that point.

Threatening the unconscious grandpa Hino? Strike two. That was a hostage, threatening to out of handedly kill on of our own people, and a magically talented one at that!

All of that feels kind of flat, though, and looking at Hotaru's mental richter scale, it is quite flat in retrospect. Not quite anything she hadn't faced before, just more dangerous. We all know what happened next though, and THAT certainly isn't flat. Hotaru, like we've said earlier in this thread, considers her friends...inviolate. After a certain point in the game, threatening their lives was like signing your own death warrant. And Balder nearly killed Makoto in one single attack.

That's it. Gloves off. Serenity's blood or not you DIE.

He was too close, he was hovering right over her, he had her at his mercy, he was bearing down on everyone else, didn't seem to think Usagi (Miss Macross Cannon) was worth much thought power wise, so drastic measures were quite obviously necessary. Perhaps some of that was justification. The driving, burning motivator I've always had since I took him seriously as an individualized threat was as a threat to Makoto.  So I picked up my glaive, and advanced. I was going to make him hit me. He was sensitive to insults, he'd already shown he thought he was superior. So I wanted to get in his face, and scream the most demeaning, horrific, insulting things to his heritage, to his person, to everything about him that I could. I wanted him focusing on me, I wanted him attacking me, I wanted all the pain he could bring, because he'd certainly already brought terror into my world. If I could make him come after me, he'd forget Makoto laying on the ground helpless, he wouldn't pay attention as the others poured on their attacks, he'd be heedless of everything except who I wanted him to try and kill: Me. And he'd get close. I WANTED that. My nightmare scenario was coming true all on its own, I'd play my part, I'll drown him in my nightmare, wring his pitiful hateful life from his very soul, tear his body to pieces, annihilate every last single speck of his existence and the threat it posed to my happier life, my sanity, and all that I loved.

And then Serenity interrupted me.

For all that he came in useful later, I felt a few moment of snarling anger at our queen when she did that. It was only the fact that she seemed to thouroughly disable his offensive posture that kept me from doing anything. So I redirected all of it. Physical violence wasn't my only form of necessary destruction, Serenity herself had said that. So with Usagi playing good cop, I merrily took to the role of cruel, hateful, iron fisted and venomous bad cop, trying my damnedest to use what I knew and his newfound vulnerability to level Balder to the ground emotionally and mentally.

And I think together, we did a pretty good job.

I wasn't really comfortable with him from there on out. He wasn't even Setsuna, who was simply selfish on some dangerous levels, but basically mature.. He was a child, an emotional liability waiting to happen, and one that seemed inexplicably attached to Makoto. Well, perhaps not inexplicably. He was male, she was too nice for her own good, I'd seen this pattern before. I didn't like the results of the apparent trial run, and the run I'd witnessed.

I stepped down alert from Defcon 1 to Defcon 2. I wasn't going anywhere near 3 though.

Life went on, he didn't seem to be exploding just yet.

Vague moment of 'YOU IDIOTIC SHITBRAINED SLIMEMONKEY' when he disappeared on Ami, Rei, and I. No biggy, he showed up in time with the energy necessary.

We got back, we settled in at the house.. Maybe things would calm down.

No, no they wouldn't. I shouldn't have been positive, it just hit harder. I can't remember how long it was, but eventually, I found myself in a rather paradoxical position of extreme concern and boiling rage:

Makoto. Was. Crying.

Why was she crying? Because, to my perspective, he took advantage of her. She was nice, she was open, she was even caring, for someone that had nearly killed her. And not only does he give her a hard shove into the fire emotionally, but he adds physicality to it. He kissed her. He just shoved ahead and kissed her. He disregarded her opinion, even if her's prevailed, to have disregarded it in the first place...

Stepping out of character a moment, Hotaru's well known to be rather insanely paranoid. In the darkest pits of her mind, she DID formulate a profile of Balder as a rapist.

Priorities though! We must keep priorities! Priority 1: Makoto! Okay, calm down, she doesn't need to see you blow up right now, she needs support, she needs comfort, she needs Hotaru-chan, she needs TRUST. This more than anything else just steamrolled my feelings on it. Makoto is Makoto, she overrides most emotional responses. Reiko and Serenity can contest it, but it's contentious. So I stuck to Makoto primarily, I tried to calm her down, and I think I did.

Priority 2: The mission. I can't just walk out and beat Balder into a bloody mess. I have to find a way to try and protect Makoto from him without impairing his availability as either an offensive or defensive weapon. So I tried to offer and formulate what I thought might both delay him, and keep Makoto safe--I offered advice on how to get close to Makoto safely. I figured he'd jump on this, all ears, right? So I do--try to act a sibling relationship. Worked for Kotono, works for everyone, Mako-neesan is your best bud!

He never seemed to take it seriously. From my perspective, he practically leered at her at times...childish, piggish, male.

And that's about where it stopped, and where it stands. Standoff. He's not a current threat, he's safely ensconced with his mother, the pinnacle of his obsessions. I don't have reason enough to go after him, that would upset Makoto to a degree that is far more of a threat to my priorities than Balder's mental brokenness is. So I'll just hover over Mako-chan, and make sure she's alright.

[Ebiris]

Balder Stuff

Balder had a rough start- really, to begin with, he seemed little more than a beefier and nastier version of Kensuke. Usagi didn't really expect much from him based on what Nior told them, and his actions when they finally met did nothing to impress himself as any sort of relatable person - he was just all 'Raargh, I'm evil and badass! So evil I'll even turn on my boss because I certainly don't display any motivations beside increasing my power!'. So, though it wasn't a happy thought, Usagi was quite resigned to the prospect of killing Balder. Serenity's revelations on his bloodline put a kibosh on that, but it did force Usagi to wrestle with the possibility that Serenity might be wrong - that, like a mad dog, Balder would still have to be put down for everyone's safety. She sure couldn't see any way to reason with him!

But, she was determined to try. After all, Usagi sure doesn't enjoy killing people - it's way down on her list of favourite things! So, she resolved to try and figure out what makes him tick, find a way to get under his skin and provoke him into revealing his vulnerabilities which would hopefully reveal him as an actual human being rather than an evil caricature.

Then he kicked Mamoru's ass on one of our few dates! Scared and angry (it took all of the senshi to really give him pause before, so Usagi really seemed in a dangerous situation), it was all too easy for Usagi to lose her temper and do her level best to kill him with her Crystal based attack. It gave him some pause, at least, and made him flee before the after effects of the attack caught up with Usagi, both physical and mental. The agony of having her spirit leached away at least served as an appropriate punishment for betraying Serenity and her principles, in Usagi's mind.

Still, she was determined to make amends, so when we found Balder after what he'd done to Grampa Hino (and another ruined date!), Usagi certainly gave her all to resolve things through dialogue, probing and provoking him as best she could to get under his skin. Then the big jerk goes and nearly kills Makoto. After that, all bets were off - Usagi had taken a gamble for Serenity's sake, and one of her friends paid a horrific price for it. Time to put Old Yeller down...

Had Serenity not stepped in to take an active hand, I'm pretty sure someone would have died in that battle. As it was, even Usagi hesitated to let Serenity give him another chance. Luckily, with her help, they were finally able to get through to him and settle things peacefully, even gaining a powerful new ally in the process!

Hearing from Balder of his life first hand after that did a lot to turn around Usagi's opinion of him - he's had a horrible life she can barely imagine, and she finds it hard now to blame him considering the circumstances he comes from. Their similarities in what they can do gives a frightening idea of how easily things could be reversed (nevermind that she wouldn't have any Moon powers if Balder had been raised as a nice guy on Earth). Since then she's done her best to guide and advise him without being too overbearing - letting him find his own path to redemption with a few gentle nudges along the way.

As a last aside, she does somewhat get a kick out of being his 'aunt', and it does somewhat suit their relationship, with her being there for support and advice but not in the same way as his mother, or indeed big sister Mako-chan. Yes, Usagi did feel some guilty relief when she found out he was interested in Makoto - the thought of her being targeted as part of some weird mother complex would have been quite repellent.

[Anastasia]

The nearly dying from his attack was a horrible note to start out on, but Makoto's nature came to the fore there, and rescued it...Once he was on our side, all was forgiven/forgotten.

Pretty much. Hell of a dramatic note, but also messy as fuck. I'll go into that more for the 'taru.

Even if I let my hormones run away with me, I'd be settling myself in for being a girlfriend that acts like a mother. And that would be really sad. A boyfriend is supposed to be strong for you, too, and Balder's just not even close to ready, in his heart. He needs to grow up straight, like a pruned seedling, first. Whoever DOES get him will be a lucky girl (Or boy. There's no telling about his preferences just because he thought he liked me, after all.) But it won't be me.

I ultimately agree with that, but with a few caveats. Makoto is startlingly good at a mothering role, and I could see her getting into that sort of relationship. I wonder if Makoto is the type that draws strength from being that sort of person and helping others?

[Bean Bandit]

I ultimately agree with that, but with a few caveats. Makoto is startlingly good at a mothering role, and I could see her getting into that sort of relationship.

*Blushes* I'm not sure how to feel about the way you put that, But I guess I'm happy you think I'd be a good mom?

I wonder if Makoto is the type that draws strength from being that sort of person and helping others?

Wow, you make me sound like a saint...I'm not, really. I like being able to support my friends, but I'm not like that...at least, not all the time. If I don't let people support me, I get sad, and frustrated, though I try not to let anyone see. I couldn't be with anyone who couldn't make me feel safe when I want to cry.

[Anastasia]

We all know what happened next though, and THAT certainly isn't flat. Hotaru, like we've said earlier in this thread, considers her friends...inviolate. After a certain point in the game, threatening their lives was like signing your own death warrant. And Balder nearly killed Makoto in one single attack.
That's it. Gloves off. Serenity's blood or not you DIE.

That was pretty much expected when Mako-chan ate that critical. That I don't blame you for in the least - seeing a friend turned into a cooked sausage is a helluva provocation.

I'd play my part, I'll drown him in my nightmare, wring his pitiful hateful life from his very soul, tear his body to pieces, annihilate every last single speck of his existence and the threat it posed to my happier life, my sanity, and all that I loved.

And then Serenity interrupted me.

<_<

Scaaaaaaary! No, I don't blame you, but you don't do things by halves.

I wasn't really comfortable with him from there on out. He wasn't even Setsuna, who was simply selfish on some dangerous levels, but basically mature.. He was a child, an emotional liability waiting to happen, and one that seemed inexplicably attached to Makoto. Well, perhaps not inexplicably. He was male, she was too nice for her own good, I'd seen this pattern before. I didn't like the results of the apparent trial run, and the run I'd<snipped>

Parataru.

Honestly, this is my only real gripe here. I wish you'd given him a bit more compassion, at least mentally. I won't deny his shortcomings, but I won't deny his handicaps, either.

Reading the rest of it, your situation comes off as 'best female friend over bad male, taken to an extreme'. Balder's no saint, but he doesn't deserve a lot of that PoV. Maybe I just feel bad for Balder, but eh. The closest thing I can compare it to is the Criminal Intent in the law: For a crime to happen there has to be the intent to do so.

It's something I feel Balder lacked.

[Anastasia]

*Blushes* I'm not sure how to feel about the way you put that, But I guess I'm happy you think I'd be a good mom?

You would be. You'd also be good at supporting a boy/girl friend like such.

I wonder if Makoto is the type that draws strength from being that sort of person and helping others?

Wow, you make me sound like a saint...I'm not, really. I like being able to support my friends, but I'm not like that...at least, not all the time. If I don't let people support me, I get sad, and frustrated, though I try not to let anyone see. I couldn't be with anyone who couldn't make me feel safe when I want to cry.

Oh, you're not a saint. Not if your chest and my intentions have anything to say about it! <_<

Ahem. Dodging Hotaru's Glaive a moment, I think you do. Being able to support them validates you in short. Being there gives Makoto something to do, making her feel useful and not useless. Considering Makoto's confidence problems(Especially in combat), this plays for me.

If they need you to support them, it's tacitly saying that you're needed and useful.

[Bean Bandit]

Reading the rest of it, your situation comes off as 'best female friend over  bad male, taken to an extreme'. Balder's no saint, but he doesn't deserve a lot of that PoV. Maybe I just feel bad for Balder, but eh. The closest thing I can compare it to is the Criminal Intent in the law: For a crime to happen there has to be the intent to do so.

It's something I feel Balder lacked.

Stepping out of character for a moment...I think you're execting a metric fuckton of unreasonable emotions from a twelve year old girl.

I mean, I'll sidestep the usual stuff, and point something out.

Ami held a grudge for quite some time for far less. No one calls her out about it, and Balder came a lot closer to doing us all damage close to home.

Hotaru Might be running to extremes with her dislike for Balder, but I don't think it's unjustified at all.

[Anastasia]

Honestly? I don't disagree, Mako-chan. I'm just arguing it because I guess no one else will and I feel bad for the guy. That and yeah, Hotaru doesn't do hatred by half measures.

OOCwise, I don't disagree. I'm just sayin'.

[Bean Bandit]

Mm. *shakes head* No, I understand. Balder's not a bad guy, but really, it's not fair to call Hotaru out 'cause she doesn't like him.

Eheh. You're right, I do like feeling useful, but there's a limit. A girl can be strong and still need to be held once in a while.