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Goddess' Shooting Star (Black★Rock Shooter X Persona 4)

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[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "Fun? We almost died!"

As I argued somewhat, and think only maybe barely half-the-thread saw because of how little attention discussion gets after people have thrown their votes in, there is merit in treading water.

Mato's got something new to settle in and while some things are good to keep going once you have momentum, dealing with any kind of trauma isn't. That's a slow and steady kind of work.

I don't disagree with having those votes there either though, she's having thoughts and feelings on the matter but isn't really ready to even acknowledge they exist. Personally I think she could use another couple of talks with Rock, a bit more character development, and another romp in the TV world... maybe with something she can actually hurt and feel like she's doing something against.

There's exhilaration in winning a fight, but most of Mato's strikes bounced off of this one. Give her something she can sink her teeth into and really win against before having her admit to exulting in it I feel.
 
[x] [Yosuke] "It's okay Chie, we're friends right?"
[x] [Mato] "…Yeah… I guess we kinda did…"
 
[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "Fun? We almost died!"

I agree with ShadowAngel, lets give it some time and development before we get too far down this path.
 
One or two three thoughts. Mato is getting stronger a lot faster then the persona crew it seems. She was one of the heavier damage dealers in the fight, to the point the sword broke before she even got tired. She's also fast as hell, and is only going to get faster. Only Yu was doing more damage than her, and he was casting magic. This bares spelling out, Mato was doing some real damage with just physical attacks on a foe that was resistant too such attacks. It's impressive no doubt, but all that blue text makes me wonder if such quick power is something that should be easily trusted.

And maybe this is just me, but I don't like bailing on the rescue mission halfway through. Yes, they'd been at it awhile and yes, Mato was down a weapon, but that's still leaving someone who could end up dead soon for all they know for another day, longer even from their perspective. Doesn't sit right with me. And kinda odd Mato would just go with it, given her history with kidnapping.
 
Nottheunmaker said:
And maybe this is just me, but I don't like bailing on the rescue mission halfway through. Yes, they'd been at it awhile and yes, Mato was down a weapon, but that's still leaving someone who could end up dead soon for all they know for another day, longer even from their perspective. Doesn't sit right with me. And kinda odd Mato would just go with it, given her history with kidnapping.
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The other world is draining to exist in, Mato is doing better than the others at the end but she's still pretty worn out, mentally and physically.

If I didn't capture that, then I apologize.

Moreover, she isn't in an emotional spiral nor is she merged with Black Rock Shooter at the moment, which means her thoughts are more measured.

EDIT: Not to mention that this is sort of their modus operandi. You guys haven't voted for Mato to get in with the proto investigation squad much, so while she's distressed at the similarities and definitely understands where Chie is coming from emotionally, she's more likely to defer to their lead.
 
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Nottheunmaker said:
And maybe this is just me, but I don't like bailing on the rescue mission halfway through. Yes, they'd been at it awhile and yes, Mato was down a weapon, but that's still leaving someone who could end up dead soon for all they know for another day, longer even from their perspective. Doesn't sit right with me. And kinda odd Mato would just go with it, given her history with kidnapping.
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Right now, the Shadows are literally only attacking the team because they can sense their Personas. As long as the fog is around, the Shadows are supposed to be in a docile state. Thanks to Teddy, they know the fog in the other world only lifts when it becomes foggy in the 'real' world.

So the gang actually has a general idea of how long their target will be safe in the other world.
 
Nottheunmaker said:
One or two three thoughts. Mato is getting stronger a lot faster then the persona crew it seems. She was one of the heavier damage dealers in the fight, to the point the sword broke before she even got tired. She's also fast as hell, and is only going to get faster. Only Yu was doing more damage than her, and he was casting magic. This bares spelling out, Mato was doing some real damage with just physical attacks on a foe that was resistant too such attacks. It's impressive no doubt, but all that blue text makes me wonder if such quick power is something that should be easily trusted.

And maybe this is just me, but I don't like bailing on the rescue mission halfway through. Yes, they'd been at it awhile and yes, Mato was down a weapon, but that's still leaving someone who could end up dead soon for all they know for another day, longer even from their perspective. Doesn't sit right with me. And kinda odd Mato would just go with it, given her history with kidnapping.
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The blue text implies to me that BRS might have been lending some amount of aid, or perhaps that Mato's athletic ability boost inherited from her fusion with BRS spikes under conditions similar to those that BRS is able to put her full effort behind. It was quite the impressive display, and while it's not guranteed to last, Mato's endurance is of more interest to me.
The first hit she took was actually the lightning bolt, and while she took it like a champ, she still was knocked about a fair bit by it. Needing to brace herself on a knee to keep from falling down isn't exactly a good sign. Thankfully, I'm fairly certain that BRS did actually intervene there with the parry. The fact that the sword broke on the second parry suggests that Mato didn't actually break it purely on her own strength. Direct parries are always tough on blades, and Mato was pitting her own strength against that of an opponent who was likely near her own strength level.
 
[X] [Yosuke] "It's okay Chie, we're friends right?"
[X] [Mato] "I don't know about you…"
 
[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "Fun? We almost died!"
 
A little bit has been added to the very end of the fight. Unmaker did raise a good point that I'd rushed that part, so now it's expanded to the tune of another hundred or so words! Enjoy.
 
[X] [Yosuke] "It's okay Chie, we're friends right?"
[X] [Mato] "Fun? We almost died!"

Honestly, i'm half expecting BRS to laugh that almost dying is half the fun, lol
 
[X] [Yosuke] "It's okay Chie, we're friends right?"
[X] [Mato] "Fun? We almost died!"

Mato is still a teenager, and liking violence =/= being okay with almost dying. The invisitext option is interesting, but it feels rushed. I don't think Mato is at that point emotionally, and to be honest I'm not sure if she even should reach that point.

Sorry Rock, but building a relationship is a two-way street. Mato's reaching out to you and admitting some of her buried personality traits and traumas, but you need to be willing to meet her halfway and accept there are reasons why some of those things aren't front and center.
 
[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "…Yeah… I guess we kinda did…"

Looking at the update, any other answer would be a gross lie.
 
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[X] [Yosuke] "It's okay Chie, we're friends right?"
[X] [Mato] "Fun? We almost died!"
 
I'm really tempted by the sarcasm option. Speech is also a form of combat, and Rock had better get used to not getting everything her own way.

It seems like the sort of thing that could nevertheless bring them closer, while not giving an inch. So in fact, why not?

[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "Yeah! Bruised, Tired, and with more questions than when I started! So much fun!!"

It seems perfectly in character for a Mato who's less desperate than she was in canon.
 
[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "Yeah! Bruised, Tired, and with more questions than when I started! So much fun!!"
 
[X] [Yosuke] Say nothing, let those two do their thing.
[X] [Mato] "Yeah! Bruised, Tired, and with more questions than when I started! So much fun!!"
 
You know what? I'm switching over to snarky Mato.

[x] [Yosuke] "It's okay Chie, we're friends right?"
[X] [Mato] "Yeah! Bruised, Tired, and with more questions than when I started! So much fun!!"
 
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