Relationship meme

[cardoperatedboy]

....okay I'll try to do one of these, orz.

Um, special request though -- I often have trouble remembering which of my characters have met which of yours, so when you reply, please be like "I'd like you to give your character x's opinion on my characters y and z" instead of like "Your characters on all my characters!". I mean, if all my characters know all of yours, that's possible, but. Also please list your relevant characters' names when you do so because i even like. Forget some of Zazzle's characters sometimes. *g*

Also, if you want to return fire after that'd be cool but not necessary.


ETA: Mine are Umeda, Marluxia, The Riku Replica, Heat, and Alec.

Comments

[cloakanddaikon.livejournal.com]

Umeda, Marluxia, and the replica probably all have something to say about Zexion. Those or any subset of the three would be interesting to see ♥

[cardoperatedboy]

Let's start with the replica as he's really the worst of it. XD

The Riku Replica's feelings for Zexion are complicated. But not unreasonably so, I think.

Obviously, he didn't expect to see Zexion alive again, with both of their "dying" things, and Zexion being tasty nutrition in his belly, and so forth. When he did, he definitely expected an enemy -- he didn't even consider the possibility of Zexion preferring to avoid him. He's too ready to be attacked for that. The initial "You" was gathering his immediate resources to prepare to fight, something Zexion obviously responded to at once with his cutting comments. Bringing up Kairi/Namine sidetracked that, and Zexion's immediate professional warnings/run-down off-balanced him. The replica, at that point, was a confused abandoned and abused dog, pretty much, who had been ready to attack and was left with its ears back and growling instead, keeping its eyes on the dangerous other. The first conversation in camp -- the first conversation after the replica killed Zexion -- was peppered with "Why do you care"s and "Why are you telling me this"s, because he was waiting all the time for Zexion to turn it into an attack. To some extent, that attitude's not completely gone even now -- he trusts Zexion now, but he doesn't trust life. That's getting ahead of myself, though.

It was during this conversation that Zexion, half against his better judgment, became the hand that feeds the angry abused puppy. It had him setting himself up to get bitten, but the puppy wanted that food -- and that's not just a metaphor; kid was hungry. And he didn't feel like he could trust anything he hadn't earned himself -- "nobody else is a reliable source" so how can he know what's what. Still, during that conversation, Zexion fed him, listened to him rant, and behaved with a professional distance (as though he were putting to side what had happened). Although that first conversation went on from there, it really culminated at the replica denying that the world was a place where people really helped each other -- when you scream, nobody comes to help. That's how it was for Zexion, and how it was for himself. Zexion agreed, but said it's not like that for everyone, and maintained that. The replica was too busy bristling to show much at the time, but that hit him hard -- both in his inferiority and in his horrible tendency to hope for things he doesn't think he can get, then get angry at himself for hoping for them.

Towards the end of the conversation, Zexion said, And no, I do not expect you to regret what happened between us in Castle Oblivion. Nor do I expect that anything this night will change either of our impressions of the other.

However, even if that night didn't, one of the things is that the replica, previously, hadn't had an impression of Zexion. Zexion had, for obvious reasons, much more of one of the replica, I'd imagine, but even with his death Zexion hadn't really registered to the replica as more than something in the background. This DID change that, even if it didn't make the replica warm to him -- he began registering as an individual.

Then, shortly after, Zexion did fulfill that hope by interfering with Axel. The replica's really definitely weak to abuse by the Organization, and whether that's a biological imperative or simply part of the "education" Vexen had implanted into his mind, I dunno -- I definiteply play him with that problem, though. He CAN stand against the Organization (as seen both with Marluxia and with Zexion), but at signs of one of them actually trying to exert power over him, he crumples. So when Axel started abusing him, he was helpless -- doubtless embarrassingly to the guy who was taken down by him, but helpless nonetheless. Zexion interfered, tried to get him to calm down, and the replica, naturally, acted like a scared dog with its back to a wall. And then Zexion ...removed his objectification and the replica's weak to that, he's needy for that, to be treated as a person. Especially, sad to say, as a person that someone else has responsibility for; he was built as a tool and educated as a tool, and one who would follow orders, and being on his own's just as scary as being abused. So he reached out. And then you know doctor drama and etc etc.

[cardoperatedboy]

From there, things have developed where initially the replica was sort of the stray that Zexion fed now and then and kept educated and not totally retarded. Over time, through this, the replica began to trust Zexion and view him as a person fully -- he hadn't exactly before, not because of the Nobody thing (given Namine, to the replica, Nobodies are more real than he is most of the time) but because of just... how he views the world, which is an essay in and of itself. But yeah. And months and months passed with Zexion hanging out with the replica, feeding him and playing with him (if ...letting the replica have a rivalry with a tiny heartless counts as playing) and encouraging the replica to be a person. As months passed like this, the replica came to trust him -- Zexion is probably the replica's most trusted person right now. Namine's his most loved, and Sora's the one he's most fond of otherwise, but neither of them are trustworthy. It's too embarrassing for him to say things like that, but the replica would follow Zexion to the ends of the world -- Zexion's pretty much his owner.

He also considers Zexion a friend, as much as the replica's capable of it -- the replica's ideas of friendship are fucked up, honestly, and his heart isn't exactly undamaged, so for him friendship comes as package deals with other things, like with rivalry (adell) etc. He wouldn't call Zexion a friend, but he does think that way, which is why he also makes fun of Zexion. He did inherit that trend from Riku -- he's cuttingly sarcastic to the people he doesn't like (as well as hysterical, more something of his own) but fondly sarcastic or mocking to the ones he does. Every time he's called Zexion wife or mom or dad or anything in front of other people? He's done it deliberately, to make Zexion's life a little rough, because that's how he expresses affection.

Of course, the terms it comes through are always familial -- "wife" isn't any object of romanticism, as I saw you pointed out to Kurogane, it's just a shortened way to call Zexion an overly domestic "housewife" type, and a way that gives a lot of people the wrong idea in ways the replica finds funny. (If he thought it was actually bothering Zexion, he'd stop doing it, though it'd be hard for him to do so). Mom, Dad, etc -- it's all ways of addressing the dual role of owner-friend which comes across as "caretaker". He doesn't actually think of Zexion as close family per se -- if asked to think about his parents, he'd be thinking about Vexen, and Zexion wouldn't come to mind. But that's not necessarily exclusive from the familial role, because the replica is, obviously, outside the normal family structure by nature. Zexion can't be "like a parent" to him, because the replica just doesn't have those bonds. However, Zexion is family and friend and caretaker, at least from the replica's side of things. The replica has threatened Zexion before with "if you betray me, I'll kill you" and he means it. I don't know if he'd be able to act on it, but I think he would. Zexion is the one person in the world who could utterly destroy what's left of the replica's heart if he tried, because he is the first person -- and only person -- the replica's come to trust utterly. Or at least, as much as he's capable of trust after everything, since he always has a deep-down awareness that the people you trust and devote yourself to can always betray you.

[cardoperatedboy]

So, into all that, Zexion... gets another family, one the replica's not a part of. CAVE MOTHER. The replica was really angry when he found out about these others, because, not all that deep down or hidden, he's pretty sure that the moment something better, more real, comes along, he'll become unnecessary. He definitely considers himself just a replacement for the real deal, and the fact that Gokudera and he are so much alike is no reassurance to him whatsoever, because Gokudera's so much more real and has so much more heart, or so it seems to him. And Gokudera's not broken, or someone who's also destroyed Zexion, that the replica's constantly terrified that Zexion's cave family will matter more, that Zexion will give it more time and care, that it'll come first -- or hell, it's not like he's unselfish, the fact that he has to move over and make room for others in Zexion's esteem hurts like hell to him. He feels incredibly overshadowed, and like they defeat him just by existing, and spends half his time fighting (deciding to have a space made for him in the cave, making demands when he's there, his automatic competitiveness with Gokudera), and half his time fleeing (hiding away, not going near there, running when Gokudera begins to look too lucky, with so many friends and people who are with him all the time...). He is, however, terrified to stay away too long because he's pretty sure Zexion won't seek him out, while Zexion lives with the others, so if he stays away, he will (in his mind) just vanish, while the others'll "keep" Zexion.

So, basically, now that he actually does trust someone, and has someone who is willing to -- even seems to want to -- take care of him, he's terrified he'll lose it. He loves when Zexion asks him to do things, because then he feels wanted, and even when he's kept and taken care of, he doesn't feel wanted all that often. Not that it's healthy to expect that of any Nobody, let alone Zexion, but there it is. And, honestly, the replica's very focussed on Nobodies to begin with *g*. Although the AUs are VERY much AU -- the replica has no sexual desire for Zexion at all in camp (though not taht much in the AUs either XD) -- the big seed of what makes them plausible to me for where the replica is, emotionally, towards Zexion, is that the replica is so, so desperate to be wanted and useful. That Zexion has asked the replica to help him out in training means the world to the replica right now, because he feels useful, and like finally he's able to do something for someone in a way that he was raised to.


Now, right now, we've got a thread where Zexion's not sure he's okay, and the replica's concerned. I'm not sure where it'll go, but that's kind of its origins -- he cares, genuinely, something I don't think either of them could have anticipated nine months ago.

[bisexualorchid]

Marluxia!

...Marluxia's kind of easy because Marluxia...doesn't change. Even when he should, he really doesn't. *wg*

In Castle Oblivion, Zexion was Marluxia's enemy. It wasn't something he felt particularly strongly about -- Vexen was a good foil for that, after all. Zexion was just one of those people likely to oppose him when he tried to take over the Organization, so he'd have to be dealt with. Marluxia doesn't particularly care if he has to destroy them or if they join his side, as long as they're not in his way. However, it's perfectly obvious that Zexion wouldn't change sides, so he counted as an enemy.

In camp, Marluxia was prepared for it to go either way. Marluxia had a power base and associates in camp; Zexion, on his arrival, didn't. Marluxia knew, from hearing about it, what had happened to the Organization while they'd both been lost to darkness. Marluxia had a plan to continue on and work off of. So, he offered to let Zexion join his side, with the threat of turning his power against Zexion should Zexion not. Zexion found the threat tasteless (as Marluxia expected), and joined him (also as Marluxia had expected, though without the same surity) and Marluxia pretty much mentally cheered at having to do less work.

Of course, Marluxia is always sure to remind Zexion of the difference in position between them in little ways, like casually ordering Zexion about (sometimes even in the form of requests!) and otherwise showing off. But that's nothing new, and I rather expect that Zexion would be concerned should Marluxia stop, as it'd be a sign something was wrong, or at least that Marluxia definitely had things taking up enough of his attention and energy to not split it on his casual benevolent dictatorship.

There are a few other aspects in how Marluxia acts towards Zexion as well. Like, on one side of things, Marluxia really respects Zexion's ability to perform things in an inherently different way from Marluxia or those Marluxia usually associates with -- it's useful, and it's interesting. He WAS really glad that Zexion joined them, because with Zexion, things get done in a different way -- and not overlooked -- and more efficiently, and Zexion's really a master of things that Marluxia's still a novice to. It was a big relief, and a big help, and Marluxia doesn't push too much as a result.

On another side of things, Zexion's an excellent experimental sample! Because, of course, he was following Axel's changes in response to emotional attachment towards him, and wanted to test it on other nobodies -- and here comes along a Nobody with a far extreme lack of affect. Zexion had barely arrived before Marluxia launched into his tests, by suggesting to Kairi to communicate with Zexion and so forth; Kairi really tends to care about things wholeheartedly, being what she is, and he wanted to see where that'd go. He continues to try to encourage people (quietly and in the background; he doesn't want to draw attention to the fact he's doing it) to get attached to Zexion, up to the current day -- just a few days ago he found out Haru's living with Zexion, and told her to please continue to take care of Zexion. *g* Etc. Of course, he doesn't want Zexion to become useless, but if Zexion DID become destabalized, it'd be an excellent proof of Marluxia's developing theory. Of course, he's TOLD Zexion about his theory (though not taht he'd test Zexion as a part of it) but that's even better, in a way, as Zexion will be even more likely to notice himself losing stability than anyone else would.

And, last, but certainly not least, Marluxia's lonely. He has Larxene, of course, and Axel, but he's definitely used to a balance and a... richer environment. More competative, of course, but. Having Zexion around is also kind of comforting; he's a bit homesick in his way.

[playingdoctor]

Umeda doesn't ask.

...That seems like a weird place to start with, but I'm betting you're coming along with me right here: Umeda sees all sorts of contradictions and contrariness and hints of hidden things, but Umeda doesn't ask.

Or maybe it'd be better to say that Umeda doesn't push.

When they met, Umeda walled Zexion more out of fun than because Zexion's attractive -- of course, Zexion is, but he's a little on the young side for Zexion's tastes. Zexion's response was of course terrifying -- it's not like normal humans really want to be dragged into the dark realm. Of course, it freaked him out (read: put pressure on his heart). Still, Umeda's seen a lot in camp, and he's a pretty easy-going, recovering-well, blase sort to begin with, so he got over it fast -- he doesn't hold a grudge, and doesn't mind, though he's not gonna stop calling you Creepy forever.

That said, he's seen a lot more of Zexion's caring side than most people in camp, ironically. He knows that it's balanced out with the rest of Zexion's nature, but he's seen Zexion cornering Axel for the replica's medical care after Axel tormented him, and during that same conversation he saw Zexion having a discussion on power and philosophy of power, and moving into a teacher role with the replica and Namine. He's seen Zexion bring in Haganemaru despite the fact that essentially nothing could be done for that boy's future -- just something might be done for his now, and he also saw that Zexion knew that nothing could ultimately come of it, only emotional support, and that Zexion saw the strain the hopelessness put on Umeda, anticipated it, and was sorry/sympathetic for it. He's seen Zexion go far out of his way to get medical care for the children he's surrounded by on a day to day basis, when it'd be far easier to just let it be, and by acknowledging that it was putting Umeda under some pressure to see them all, was also acknowledging that it IS easier just to let them be.

All in all, between having found out quite a bit about Nobodies over the last ...year and a bit, and what he's seen of Zexion, he has the very strong impression that Zexion is a very strong, very quietly powerful and slightly sadistic Nobody who, as a person, is domestic, caring, and concerned, and that Zexion himself isn't quite comfortable with how the two sides are meshing. Because of that, although Umeda thinks that the situation is one that's developing (from what he's seen since... man, December '06), and in ways Zexion may be strained by, he isn't going to actually bring that up to Zexion unless the situation forces it. It could do that by affecting Zexion's health in a way that Umeda would feel obliged to step in, or if Zexion himself brings it up.

Now, by brings it up, I don't mean -- out of the blue, but Umeda's the sort who doesn't push for or directly ask for answers, but he does the... psychologist listener thing a lot, where he'll ask an initial question, and then lead the conversation either to get affirmations and denials with explanations. So, he wouldn't go "you care for that replica, huh, how's that working out for you", but he might go "How's that kid of yours doing?" and when Zexion says something like, "the replica's not my child", Umeda'd go "Eh, you knew who I meant." etc etc.

He does think it's something worth keeping an eye on, because he thinks Zexion's the sort of anal-retentive sort who doesn't handle change well, but he's mostly sitting back and watching. He might go "not my business" under other circumstances, but because of how Zexion's behaved around him with the kids' health (mental, emotional, and physical), over and over, and how Zexion's given him some trust in that regards as well, he's gonna keep an eye on things casually. Also, he respects Zexion a lot, and though he doesn't really think Zexion's whole, he thinks the whole that Zexion is leaning towards is an interesting one who is worthy of respect.

[negi-cure.livejournal.com]

Umeda and Clone on Dera? Remind me later and I'll reply back too.

[cardoperatedboy]

CLONE ON DERA...

The replica's feelings on Gokudera are extremely mixed. I mean, to start with, he wants to like Dera, sort of. He went into the meeting (once Zexion intervened, anyway) determined to try to like Dera, but as we both saw it immediately went into a kind of toppy competition, where he wanted Dera to see HOW MUCH BETTER he was than Dera, mostly because he himself doesn't really believe it.

Most of that I said in Zexion's, but the replica is absolutely terrified that by being like him, Gokudera's gonna end up taking away the things the replica has, because...well. Gokudera's real, and he's got "so much more" going for him. He has a lot of real, genuine friends, and the person he cares most about in the world is real, has a shared past with ihm, genuinely cares about him. And Zexion -- one of the few people the replica's come to be concerned with and seriously get his validation from -- is living with him, and wanting to take care of and train him.

So the replica goes back and forth between an almost friendly "sure, let's hang out" mindset and blind terror of Gokudera, where he feels he has to compete and chase and constantly prove himself better than. L-lulz. The fact that he's gonna be helping train Tsuna is one of the big ameliorating factors in that Zexion's gonna be helping train Gokudera.

[playingdoctor]

Umeda's is much simpler! He's pretty sure Gokudera is a punk -- a gay punk -- who's probably a good kid at heart but needs to know when to get himself checked up.

Umeda understands people not liking doctors -- he also doesn't think that's any excuse to not suffer it now and then. He enjoys Gokudera's spirit, and the fact that Gokudera's so easy to piss off. So, he'll probably swing round and do that "butting into your conversations" thing now and then.

[goodwillrising.livejournal.com]

Who do you play?

[cardoperatedboy]

Sorry! None of them have met will. Umeda, Marluxia, The Riku Replica, Heat, and Alec.

[goodwillrising.livejournal.com]

I didn't think so, this is just the journal I am currently logged in as. For some reason, I thought Aviy played the replica but the reference to Zazzle confused me. It is all clear now!

I think Umeda has met Clark -- might be wrong though?

Marluxia has met Kon, Clark and Robin.

Riku Replica has met Kon and I still really want him to meet Clark as well.

I don't think any of mine have met Heat although Minagawa knows of Heat -- that might be reciprocal?

And of course Kon and Clark have met Alec.


... that's a lot. You don't have to do all of those. ^^; Also, a few weeks back Buffy asked me to post on her behalf to the concrit comm, and when listing who she played, I forgot Lex. You are not alone!

[cardoperatedboy]

Aviy places the real thing, Riku. XD Um, for what it's worth I didn't know you played Will -- I thought Will was a new player.

I-if I can't remember them interacting i'm not counting it (Umeda and Clark XD) but I'll go with what I do know. Will get to them shortly!

[goodwillrising.livejournal.com]

Wow, seriously? That's quite cool.

I could be confusing Umeda and Ryuuken. gg me! Clearly we are memory twins! /o/

[sowhipped.livejournal.com]

... Somehow, I think it comes out to Umeda, Marluxia, and Riku Replica on Dino (Heat and Dino have talked before too, but not recently?). Clearly I need to jump you with different characters.

[blooscrnofdeath.livejournal.com]

o/ Alec on Toph! And I think Marluxia talked to Toph before too.

[durandork.livejournal.com]

Replica on Jr.!

[moobsareatrap.livejournal.com]

The Replica on Watari and first impressions for Alec on Yozak? I'll return fire later!

[fingeroflife.livejournal.com]

Alec on Francescu? Will reverse after class.

[patria-ou-mort.livejournal.com]

I have been made of fail lately when it comes to interacting with your characters, where "lately" means, like, the past months. gg, me. MENTAL NOTE MADE TO RECTIFY THIS. T-though not immediately, because busy work is busy.

Don't know if anything has changed to Umeda regarding Enjolras or Maladict, but if so.

[majorfailure.livejournal.com]

This is all going to be for Touda/Mokkun/Guren-- I think he's met the Replica once (not enough to have a real opinion of him, in any case, so don't feel you need to do this o/ since I won't be able to return the favor), but I'm curious about Alec's first impressions because of what he said, and am also wondering if Umeda's impressions from CFUW count. T^Tb

Also, I need to remember to meet the Replica under this account |D

[chibimazoku.livejournal.com]

LET'S GO WITH PICKING AND CHOOSING.

In which case, Heat on Rinali and Alec on Masahiro.

[brokenclover.livejournal.com]

Heat on Himawari! And maybe impressions from Alec and the Replica?

[healthyinstincts]

Lessee, I think the only ones are Riku Replica on Akutare, and Umeda on Raphael.

[whodoyouyiff.livejournal.com]

LET'S SEE.

Umeda >> Ticky
Umeda >> Viral

Fake >> Real Thing

[whodoyouyiff.livejournal.com]

and I will return fire on all fronts /o/

[restarttheclock.livejournal.com]

WRONG ACCOUNT o/ But uh. Repliku on Ikki? ... and first impressions of Umeda on Ikki? :D?