The big one: Character discussions!

[Anastasia]

I prefer trying to get her to elaborate on it, Mako-chan. A good part of the reason there was for her to marshal her thoughts and reply in kind. I was curious(Even if I expect I know what it'll be) to her answer to that.

[Anastasia]

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.

That's also quite true. To refer to something else a moment? If, say, you got into a relationship with Kotono in Arc 2, it would have to change so she's at least stepping up a little more. While I think you'd maintain some of the 'sis' aspects in that dynamic, she'd have to change as well.

So yeah, everyone needs to be held by a soft, warm set of...mmm. Anyway, yeah, I get the point.

[Asrana]

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.

We're past a line where intent matters at all to Hotaru. Accidents happen, okay, if someone crossed the line and she has clear evidence it was just a one time fumble, little chance to happen again, she'll let it go with a grump. Balder on the other hand, was a repeat offender. You don't stay your judgement of a serial killer because they were abused and dropped on their head as a child. Hotaru's wilder imaginations build intent behind it, but the focus of her entire attitude on it is thus: Balder's repeated it, and by evidence doesn't look like he won't repeat it yet again.

She's not a judge, or a jury, she watched one person hurt her friend twice over, and then exhibit behaviors indicating he might do it again. His personal intentions are irrelevant, his active effects on Makoto are all that matter to Hotaru. She's more important than compassion or understanding.

[Anastasia]

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!

Pretty much, yeah. Admittely the moral question here hit Usagi the hardest, and I'm glad to see it shows.

Then he kicked Mamoru's ass on one of our few dates!

I regret that in retrospect.  -_-

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!

Exactly. While the battle was dramatic, it was entirely clear shit was hitting the fan in a way that wasn't going to end well.

I don't have a lot to say on your points here, honestly.

[Anastasia]

We're past a line where intent matters at all to Hotaru. Accidents happen, okay, if someone crossed the line and she has clear evidence it was just a one time fumble, little chance to happen again, she'll let it go with a grump. Balder on the other hand, was a repeat offender. You don't stay your judgement of a serial killer because they were abused and dropped on their head as a child. Hotaru's wilder imaginations build intent behind it, but the focus of her entire attitude on it is thus: Balder's repeated it, and by evidence doesn't look like he won't repeat it yet again.

She's not a judge, or a jury, she watched one person hurt her friend twice over, and then exhibit behaviors indicating he might do it again. His personal intentions are irrelevant, his active effects on Makoto are all that matter to Hotaru. She's more important than compassion or understanding.

This probably rubs me the wrong way for a few reasons. One of the underlying themes of Redux is redemption and change, or the lack thereof. Balder being redeemed in this manner speaks of a principal; the chance to reform no matter how great your crime, if one is willing. This underlies a lot of what Queen Serenity says - there's always a chance to make better. If you don't believe that, hope becomes a far more elusive beast.

With that said, Makoto is your most important thing. Yet if you take it to that extreme, does that make you any better than Jadeite's obession with Metallia? Not entirely a fair question, but humor me for the moment. I'm not saying things need to be flowers and sunshine. That would just be stupid. However, the active denial of redemption chances can strike me as bad as the acts of evil in the first place.

---

That said? Two points. One, I'm sure you can pretty much repeat your last paragraph in reply to that. Two, I'm not trying to pick on you or anything. I'm simply taking the line of thought to it's conclusion, and also pinning down some of my own views on the matter.

Food for thought, since this turned into an examination of philsophical principals more than a character post. Doh?

[Asrana]

This probably rubs me the wrong way for a few reasons. One of the underlying themes of Redux is redemption and change, or the lack thereof. Balder being redeemed in this manner speaks of a principal; the chance to reform no matter how great your crime, if one is willing. This underlies a lot of what Queen Serenity says - there's always a chance to make better. If you don't believe that, hope becomes a far more elusive beast.

With that said, Makoto is your most important thing. Yet if you take it to that extreme, does that make you any better than Jadeite's obession with Metallia? Not entirely a fair question, but humor me for the moment. I'm not saying things need to be flowers and sunshine. That would just be stupid. However, the active denial of redemption chances can strike me as bad as the acts of evil in the first place.

---

That said? Two points. One, I'm sure you can pretty much repeat your last paragraph in reply to that. Two, I'm not trying to pick on you or anything. I'm simply taking the line of thought to it's conclusion, and also pinning down some of my own views on the matter.

Food for thought, since this turned into an examination of philsophical principals more than a character post. Doh?

There's the clear exception though--"continued exhibiting behavior that indicated he would continue the destructive behavior". She's more on edge because of repeat offence, but she gave him a chance with the sibling advice. That Balder seemed to not be taking it set her once again ready and expecting a repeat performance. She's fully willing to forgive if he becomes a non-threat in behavior and result, and given time; but he's continued to be a possible threat.

She gave him the opportunity to put the safety on, instead he racked the slide. She's not about to holster her own gun under the circumstances.

[Bean Bandit]

This probably rubs me the wrong way for a few reasons. One of the underlying themes of Redux is redemption and change, or the lack thereof. Balder being redeemed in this manner speaks of a principal; the chance to reform no matter how great your crime, if one is willing. This underlies a lot of what Queen Serenity says - there's always a chance to make better. If you don't believe that, hope becomes a far more elusive beast.

Again, falling out of character to look at this-Hotaru did say that it wasn't the mistakes that made her angry, it was the repitition.

Secondly, We need someone to look at things like this with a more cynical eye. Frankly, that was one of the things about the anime that never quite settled right. The near mindless optimism about everyone having a good side doesn't find a solid footing with people that treat humans like cattle, or worse, batteries.

Makoto is probably a nice midway point between Hotaru and Usagi. The Paranoia isn't present, but neither is the innocence.

Some people are Evil. Simple as that. Trying to be better should earn them the benefit of the doubt, not a get out jail free card. And I think the balance of opinions between all the senshi affords Balder exactly that.

[Anastasia]

Secondly, We need someone to look at things like this with a more cynical eye. Frankly, that was one of the things about the anime that never quite settled right. The near mindless optimism about everyone having a good side doesn't find a solid footing with people that treat humans like cattle, or worse, batteries.

I don't disagree with the cynical part. Helps keep you a bit more focused.

Now this is where I do disagree in part. The anime is rather hopeful, yes. I like to think Redux took that part of it and applied it in more realistic(sic) situations. It takes the assertions therein and applies them to a more gray world. The only person to truly have no good side was Arieta, and look at what she was. Even Jadeite, the biggest bastard of them all? He came from a good man striving to do a very good thing.

So you have the core assertions therein meeting a different spread indeed. The bright principals meet the very dirty world. You see different shades of evil change or refuse to - and yet all but one are shown to have good or bad sides. Two of the darkest are merely victims of a bad life - one wishes to change sincerely, the other doesn't.

That poses a question that society still struggles with: What do you with with the man who was once a monster but is no more? Do you throw him in a cell for his life? Do you put a needle in his veins? Do you try to continue redeeming him? Even if, as Hotaru asserts, he still may make mistakes on a lesser scale?

Makoto is probably a nice midway point between Hotaru and Usagi. The Paranoia isn't present, but neither is the innocence.

True. Mako-chan can be a refreshing middle ground at times.

Some people are Evil.

Some people choose to be evil. Some people are raised to be evil. Some people are hurt/damaged/disturbed to be evil. I really dislike saying that categorically.

---

Since this is really turning into a debate removed from actual characters, I'm going to post another character soon instead. If you wanna pursue it in PM or another topic, feel free, but this is getting onto a page long disgression. God knows I'm starting to ramble.

[Anastasia]

Character Entry #32

Kenji Tsukino

Source Materials: SM canon. This isn't a surprise!

General: He's pretty much his canon self - he's a photographer, makes good money and takes care of his family. A very nice man with a nice wife, who likes his daughter but suffers a bit of a gap with her. He's just normal.

He is a good father and a nice man - he invites Usagi out a few times, tries to be there for her when he can, that sort of thing. Overshadowed by the KO of his family. Not really his fault.

Notes: He still said he'd take you girls to w aterpark, wasn't it?

[Ebiris]

Notes: He still said he'd take you girls to w aterpark, wasn't it?

Contingent on my grades, but yes! And I'm sure that's in the bag.

Anyway, yes, Kenji is nice. But sorely overshadowed by Ikkuko. It's a shame, because he can be amusing sometimes in his zealous overprotectiveness, and I'd like more chances to try and play him off against Ikkuko when she's being difficult...

[Anastasia]

Notes: He still said he'd take you girls to w aterpark, wasn't it?

Contingent on my grades, but yes! And I'm sure that's in the bag.

Anyway, yes, Kenji is nice. But sorely overshadowed by Ikkuko. It's a shame, because he can be amusing sometimes in his zealous overprotectiveness, and I'd like more chances to try and play him off against Ikkuko when she's being difficult...

Duly noted.

A waterpark trip could be fun for you, a couple of PCs/NPCs to unwind at. I'll keep that one in mind for a free scene we could do some time. ...hey! Best chance to show off new maturity, huh, and bathing suits?

[Asrana]

Overshadowed by the KO of his family. Not really his fault.

He and Souichi should form a support group for this, it's pretty prevalent! KO EMPIRE LIVES ON.

[Anastasia]

Character Entry #33

Rei Hino

Source Material(s): SM canon and a lot of my own work. A real mixed up miko!

General: Oh Rei-chan, where to begin? I'll start at the beginning, since I'm a bastard tied to the fallacy of linear expression and thought. Once Hotaru was introed as a T*A student, I began to ponder Rei. Hotaru was the logical hook for her since they're schoolmates and all. However, while early on I had written off Panda as a PC for Rei, I still wanted to stall her al ittle bit. This was simple enough - have her appear as an innocent NPC. However, to keep her focused and prevent cat finding, I needed yet another focus for her.

This is where the Supernatural club came in. Rei's old friend Kotono would be the perfect way to have them interact and stay on target! A nice and easy way to have Rei access modified and controlled, and to keep the cats away.  I even wrote Setsuna into the club as the idea took off, but that's getting off track.

So we had Rei - poor Rei. The sane foil to the insane Kotono. A nice girl that smiled at Hotaru amid her own storm of blonde. A bit distant, perhaps, but on a fine start for Marshood. She showed a bit of color during the haunted house event, but I did underline one trait - her miko stuff wasn't that effective/played up. This was a concious decision after that, to differentiate her from Rei-1's high usage of such.

I think I regret that in retrospect, having her be more mikoly may be to my advantage.

So anyway, there wasn't a ton of note until she became Mars. This is what set the stage early on -s he began to come off as angry. Bitchy. Imperious. Haughty. Moreso than planned; a bit of spunk is an essential part of Rei-chan. I wasn't sure at first why, but I did know the arguments with Kotono tended to play these up.

On thinking about it, I believe I have an answer. I had some troubles with Rei for awhile on these lines. I wasn't sure why she was so angry, but I think it was because of Kotono. Those two are yin and yang, unplanned, and frankly, Kotono stole the spot light. I don't think this ever really did Rei-chan any favors. So...

She became the Haughty Princess we have now.

Notes: Probably the only rock hard straight Sailor. She may not even be gay for Serenity. Sorry, Hot-chan. She really does like her friends, but she's god awful at expressing it. She really enjoys her interactions with Usagi as well as Hotaru by and large. Rei likes Makoto, but that last fight was vicious so she's stills orting out her thoughts there. Like Hotaru, she thrives on conflict.

Yes, she's a bitch.  I can't deny that. She's also really not gay for Hotaru. Really really really really.

[Ebiris]

Rei Stuff

Being the unashamed Usagi/Rei fangirl that I am, I had high hopes for Rei. Sadly, we didn't really gel that well at first - she and Usagi sniped at each other a fair deal after first meeting, but it was just vaguely bitchy with no real heat or anything. Things did improve after the first battle with Balder - Rei being the only senshi to speak out in Usagi's defence after Balder offered to let them live in exchange for her really made a strong impression on the rabbit. Even moreso because they'd been getting along poorly.

I think the next step in their friendship was when she visited Usagi's house and the two hung out, reading manga and teasing each other - things seemed a lot more relaxed and friendly there, and after they both expressed their interest in Mamoru (oh, how the mighty have fallen...) it set up a nice 'rivals' dynamic.

Seeing her relationship with Kotono made it quite easy to write off Rei's occasional harshness as as just her way of dealing with people, and not reading anything personal into her smug attitude and condescension. In fact, seeing that was Rei's preferred way of dealing with her friends spurred Usagi to treat her the same way in kind, allowing their mutual bitchiness to evolve into a more friendly type of sparring.

After that things just seemed to evolve on the same course - Usagi and Rei are friends who constantly tease and compete with each other over pretty much anything, sometimes going to excessive lengths but never actually holding any grudge over it since they both recognise that it is all in good fun. I hope this continues into arc 2, even if I do have a odd image of the two flirting relentlessly with each other's boyfriends as a natural evolution of their competitive impulses...

[Bean Bandit]

So anyway, there wasn't a ton of note until she became Mars. This is what set the stage early on -s he began to come off as angry. Bitchy. Imperious. Haughty. Moreso than planned; a bit of spunk is an essential part of Rei-chan. I wasn't sure at first why, but I did know the arguments with Kotono tended to play these up.

Along the same lines, at first, I had high hopes for Rei as well. The bitchy parts didn't really show too badly at first, and Rei's interesting habit of matching Makoto in terms of Profanity, and the slightly jaded worldview she shares with Hotaru made me kind of hopeful Makoto and Rei could be friends. But she spent all her time with Kotono and Setsuna, and the ship kind of sailed, without anything coming of it. Rei was distant, but that's ok. Not everyone can be a friend magnet, and Hotaru likes her, so whatever.

The camping trip is where Makoto's opinion of Rei began to dim. Kotono wasn't much of a riddle to her...she sort of understood the blonde, after the initial aggravation with her manner subsided. Makoto could not for the life of her understand why Rei was so vicious. Irritation and anger, she could understand, but Rei was...well, it was like kicking a puppy, with steel toed boots.

And then came the little fight with Usagi in the stream that I had to blow up to stop. That was the real downturn, I think. Disagreeing with Usagi is one thing, but that was just plain horrible, especially since Usagi was defending Kotono. Not to mention that despite the fact that Usagi and I rarely agree, I think she's a sweetheart, and no one has any good reason to be that way to her. (Bring up Hotaru and Usagi's fights here at your own peril)

The competitive haughtiness really tamed Makoto's wilder streak. Looking at Rei being an overzealous hag made her examine herself and her moves more carefully, and settled her unease with her rate of progress. It's just NOT a competition, dammit!

Notes: Probably the only rock hard straight Sailor. She may not even be gay for Serenity. Sorry, Hot-chan. She really does like her friends, but she's god awful at expressing it. She really enjoys her interactions with Usagi as well as Hotaru by and large. Rei likes Makoto, but that last fight was vicious so she's stills orting out her thoughts there. Like Hotaru, she thrives on conflict.

Yes, she's a bitch. I can't deny that. She's also really not gay for Hotaru. Really really really really.

Makoto's eased up in her dislike for Rei a bit since that fight. She's still kind of down on her attitude, but it's more mild disapproval, now that she understands Rei's just as emotionally disabled as Kotono, in her own way.

I -would- like them to be friends, but the main bone of contention is a problem. Even people Makoto doesn't like, she tends to smile and overlook the worst of it. Life's too short to obsess on things that bug you.

Rei zeroes in on faults and flaws like a laser guided ICBM. Unless she settles down a bit, I imagine Makoto and Rei will constantly be at odds...