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Marked for Death: A Rational Naruto Quest

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Langevin said:
@Dictator4Hire I definitely agree it would be healthy for Akane to have friends she can talk to when Team Uplift isn't around, and people she's comfortable being close to without idolizing as much as she does Hazou. I don't think Ino, in the context of being an active romantic prospect of Hazou's, is a good choice.

Akane says she's okay with poly stuff, but it doesn't seem like she's terribly happy about it. And I think it's better to consider the poly stuff on its own terms rather than as a member of reference class "things Hazou has suggested".

It sounds like you want poly stuff to happen, and if later in their relationship it looks like that's feasible, I'm happy to try for it. But right now both Akane and their relationship as a whole is in a pretty fragile state, and I'd rather not introduce unnecessary variance into it. Very much agree on Akane having friends and confidantes, and I'm glad Noburi got our team access to her while we're around. If there are other people we could get to visit her while we're gone, I'm for it. If there weren't romance complications with Ino, I'd say she could be a fine candidate. As it is, that could work out, there's enough of a chance of it blowing up that I'd rather not, at least not before getting closer to Akane + getting her more assured of her position with Hazou.

Are there other people we could get to visit Akane that could work out well?

We already have Lee and Gai. Nara might enjoy doing riddles/games with her, but her exuberant persona might put him off, and of course it's more troublesome than staying home. Tenten seems like she could be a really good person for this (she's been very gentle/considerate with Keiko so far, her pacifism aligns with Akane's compassion, and she might be able to talk shop about engineering). I think it'd be good to investigate her more anyway, so we could do that with an eye to this.

It'd be nice to smooth things over with her parents so their visits would be less stressful for her. And that's important to do for Hakane long term, anyway.

Are there other hospital people besides Kabuto? Some of the lower-down people might be less devious and more compassionate, and they'd be around anyway, so it wouldn't be a hassle for them to come chat with her.

Hinata might be good if she's canon-like, but it'd be tough to make that happen IC.
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If Sakura's chakra control is as perfect as it is in canon, Leaf would be foolish not to make her a medic even if she were a shitty ninja that aside :p
 
Did we vote on training plans last time? The skills on the charsheets aren't changed, but Hazou did stealth training in-story, and that's confusing me if we didn't vote to train stealth, as the charsheet suggests.
 
Langevin said:
@Dictator4Hire I definitely agree it would be healthy for Akane to have friends she can talk to when Team Uplift isn't around, and people she's comfortable being close to without idolizing as much as she does Hazou. I don't think Ino, in the context of being an active romantic prospect of Hazou's, is a good choice.
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We have to introduce them to each other sooner or later and the longer we wait the more awkward it will be. Akane is going to worry about a potential 'superior' romantic rival whether we like it or not. We need to nip such negative thoughts in the bud since Akane will inevitably blame herself for not being good enough or something. Ino is a very supportive person and while we are in town we can help them at least become friends by pointing out that one thing in common they have is that they have similar tastes in romantic partners.

Langevin said:
Akane says she's okay with poly stuff, but it doesn't seem like she's terribly happy about it. And I think it's better to consider the poly stuff on its own terms rather than as a member of reference class "things Hazou has suggested".
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I don't see why this should be separate from Hazou's previous ideas. Challenging the status quo is par for the course for him.

Langevin said:
It sounds like you want poly stuff to happen, and if later in their relationship it looks like that's feasible, I'm happy to try for it. But right now both Akane and their relationship as a whole is in a pretty fragile state, and I'd rather not introduce unnecessary variance into it. Very much agree on Akane having friends and confidantes, and I'm glad Noburi got our team access to her while we're around. If there are other people we could get to visit her while we're gone, I'm for it. If there weren't romance complications with Ino, I'd say she could be a fine candidate. As it is, that could work out, there's enough of a chance of it blowing up that I'd rather not, at least not before getting closer to Akane + getting her more assured of her position with Hazou.
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We need to introduce Ino immediately if we are going to have the best shot at a stable poly relationship. She doesn't have to inducted into the relationship right away, but she needs to be kept updated so that she does not feel left out. Also my previous first point applies here as well: Akane needs to meet the other person who has caught Hazou's eye before she worries herself to death.

To prevent Hazou from accidentally two-timing either of the girls all three of them need to have an open and honest conversation where they are all present. After that the girls can talk amongst themselves to see if they can come to a non-binding agreement of some kind. They will (probably) have months to think over what they want to do and to get to know each other. To keep an open mind is all we can ask of either of them at the moment and that's all we need for now. The shipping will continue after we return to Konoha.

Langevin said:
We already have Lee and Gai. Nara might enjoy doing riddles/games with her, but her exuberant persona might put him off, and of course it's more troublesome than staying home. Tenten seems like she could be a really good person for this (she's been very gentle/considerate with Keiko so far, her pacifism aligns with Akane's compassion, and she might be able to talk shop about engineering). I think it'd be good to investigate her more anyway, so we could do that with an eye to this.
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Gai and Lee are a bit problematic since Akane used to have (and might still have) a crush on Lee. Adding even more romantic complications probably wouldn't be good for her health. Shikamaru has already stated that women are the most troublesome things in the world. Tenten seems a bit too emotionally stunted to be very helpful for Akane, not to mention that having another prodigy to compare herself against will probably be a net loss for Akane's self-esteem.

Langevin said:
It'd be nice to smooth things over with her parents so their visits would be less stressful for her. And that's important to do for Hakane long term, anyway.
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Akane's parents have been said to want their daughter to give up on being a ninja altogether. Yes we need to win them over, but I doubt we will have enough time to so at the moment.

Langevin said:
Are there other hospital people besides Kabuto? Some of the lower-down people might be less devious and more compassionate, and they'd be around anyway, so it wouldn't be a hassle for them to come chat with her.
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Any professional wouldn't have the personal touch that (I believe) Akane needs, but getting her a therapist might be a good idea if she starts getting worse.

Langevin said:
Hinata might be good if she's canon-like, but it'd be tough to make that happen IC.
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We haven't had even met her and we might be leaving as soon as tomorrow. There's too many 'if's' involved with her.

Ino is the best choice among the Konoha ninja we have talked to. She's not a trained professional, but she is a caring, thoughtful girl who can help Akane with her self-esteem issues.

E: mobile autocorrect is sometimes ducking annoying
 
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Velorien said:
"Akane, I'm so sorry about that, but please don't worry, I wasn't trying to imply anything by saying that right before I left, well, except the stuff I was implying, obviously, but no, I wasn't trying to make a statement that I like liked you or anything, which is not to say that I don't not like like you, I mean obviously I was just trying to express the deep affection I was having for you as your friend and your master, which is not to say that I was in any way denying other possibilities which may or may not be appropriate in the future and Akane why are you beating your head against the wall?"

"Was I?" Akane said brightly. "How strange. Probably just a coincidence."

"Uh." Would this be a good time to call Dr Yakushi and get Akane an emergency check-up?

"Hazō-sensei," Akane met his eyes. There was something frightening about the intensity of her expression. "Tell me why you said what you said, in ten words or less."

Hazō swallowed. His heart was beating hard against his chest. The world seemed to blur and contract a little, as if he was feeling dizzy.

"I was afraid to tell you directly that… I have feelings for you."

The die had been cast. Hazō wished from the very depths of his soul that he could have used the Iron Nerve on it.

Akane's eyes were locked onto his.

"Hazō-sensei," she breathed, "that's thirteen."
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I almost fell out of my chair, no kidding.

Aside from that:

The SS Akazino is a go YAAAS!!!one!!1!
 
Velorien said:
"Hazō-sensei," Akane met his eyes. There was something frightening about the intensity of her expression. "Tell me why you said what you said, in ten words or less."
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"I think I feel that I like you. I'm confused."

"I'm emotionally incompetent, but rationally I should like you romantically."

"I think I should and do like you. I'm dumb."

Was that so hard? :p

(Word games are fun)
 
I don't have an issue with the thread pursuing a poly relationship. I believe that Hazou pursuing a poly relationship with Akane right now is not a good idea. If having multiple partners is important to Hazou, Akane should be left out unless she no longer has an inferiority complex because there is too much power differential. Alternatively he could exclusively date Akane until she no longer has an inferiority complex, then introduce poly stuff. But Akane has been dealing with power/agency issues for a long time. Dating someone she can feasibly be ordered to murder at any given time is a lot to ask of her. Doing so while dating someone she considers a better catch while she still has those issues is a major problem.

Sure, managing poly might be a lot of fun for the thread. But it shouldn't be done at Akane's expense. I've never done the poly romance thing but I would imagine one of the worst things that could happen in a group would be for someone to consent to it who wasn't actually okay with it, and that's what it feels like will happen here. Akane will say yes to anything Hazou asks, and Hazou will do anything that the thread asks over and above what Hazou wants. The thread has a responsibility to Hazou, just as Hazou has a responsibility to Akane. I voted for a Youthsuit because I thought it was fun and misunderstood how exactly plans worked, and thus the affect it would have on the thread. Setting up for a poly romance with Akane in it feels much the same to me-something fun that causes us to overlook terrible consequences for the characters we care about.

Akane isn't ready for a poly right now. She might be at some point, but right now if the thread wants a poly relationship for Hazou in the immediate term it should look elsewhere.
 
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WheelbarrowWight said:
Akane should be left out unless she no longer has an inferiority complex because there is too much power differential
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I agree, but would argue that her inferiority complex is going to go away right fuckin quick the second she starts training again, because holy Jashin does that girl have ALL THE XP EVER right now.

WheelbarrowWight said:
I would imagine one of the worst things that could happen in a group would be for someone to consent to it who wasn't actually okay with it, and that's what it feels like will happen here.
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Hmmm. If only there were some technique that was specifically designed to aid in communicating what people want in a clear and understandable way. Shame we haven't got anything like that in our arsenal.

WheelbarrowWight said:
Setting up for a poly romance with Akane in it feels much the same to me-something fun that causes us to overlook terrible consequences for the characters we care about.
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I can sympathize with this viewpoint. In light of that, I agree with what seems to be the general thread consensus of continuing to support Akane's recovery, being nice and flirty and romantic to her, and at the same time taking things slowly with Ino and getting to know her better as a person.

I'm very slightly on the side of introducing them to one another to make sure Akane has a non-YOUTHful friend to talk to while recovering, if we get sent out on a mission. She seems to at least respect Ino, and has shown herself to be adept at making friends in stereotypically feminine fashions (comforting Yuno after Noburi broke up with her), so I expect they would get along.
 
We could always assign Akane to deal with Ino's civilian-prejudice. Her parents are civilians, so... if that's not dealt with, I can't see them getting alon gwell.
 
Can we please please please not pursue a poly relationship or whatever the fuck it's called? We have enough problems without having to deal with interteam relationships (and don't those always end badly?).

Seriously. Let's work out the love lives of our teenage meat puppet after we've left the most dangerous Hidden Village on the continent, yes?
 
OliWhail said:
I agree, but would argue that her inferiority complex is going to go away right fuckin quick the second she starts training again, because holy Jashin does that girl have ALL THE XP EVER right now.
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173 free, and an extra 31 she can only spend on Strength and Stamina. Wow, that's tonnes more than I was expecting.

Considering that Akane has already out-rolled Mari "Mist jonin taijutsu champion" Inoue at taijutsu, I can only assume that Akane is about to ascend and become a goddess of punching.
 
WheelbarrowWight said:
I don't have an issue with the thread pursuing a poly relationship. I believe that Hazou pursuing a poly relationship with Akane right now is not a good idea. If having multiple partners is important to Hazou, Akane should be left out unless she no longer has an inferiority complex because there is too much power differential. Alternatively he could exclusively date Akane until she no longer has an inferiority complex, then introduce poly stuff. But Akane has been dealing with power/agency issues for a long time. Dating someone she can feasibly be ordered to murder at any given time is a lot to ask of her. Doing so while dating someone she considers a better catch while she still has those issues is a major problem.
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For the record, at this point in time all I want to do is introduce Akane and Ino to each other and then discuss the possibility of a poly relationship. If we have to leave tomorrow we will not have a chance to date either of them. Once Hazou has to go on a mission it will take quite some time before we can delve into this drama again. That will be plenty of time to let both Akane and Ino see if they are even compatible with each other.

WheelbarrowWight said:
Sure, managing poly might be a lot of fun for the thread. But it shouldn't be done at Akane's expense. I've never done the poly romance thing but I would imagine one of the worst things that could happen in a group would be for someone to consent to it who wasn't actually okay with it, and that's what it feels like will happen here. Akane will say yes to anything Hazou asks, and Hazou will do anything that the thread asks over and above what Hazou wants. The thread has a responsibility to Hazou, just as Hazou has a responsibility to Akane. I voted for a Youthsuit because I thought it was fun and misunderstood how exactly plans worked, and thus the affect it would have on the thread. Setting up for a poly romance with Akane in it feels much the same to me-something fun that causes us to overlook terrible consequences for the characters we care about.
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Hazou will do whatever we tell him to do as best as he is able, even if that means having a minor clothing related mental meltdown.

We also don't have to do this alone; we can ask Mari for advice and what she thinks Hazou should do in this situation. Why give up now when we haven't even exhaused all of our options to help Hazou yet?

WheelbarrowWight said:
Akane isn't ready for a poly right now. She might be at some point, but right now if the thread wants a poly relationship for Hazou in the immediate term it should look elsewhere
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Akane and Hazou have only just confessed their feelings for each other. We don't have the time to commit to any relationship, but we should see if other people IC think we can make it work eventually. None of our characters are really ready for a poly relationship, but starting the discussion amongst them is the first step to getting any of them ready.

Put the idea out there, introduce the girls to each other, and let them discuss amongst themselves whether or not they think such a relationship could work. We don't have time for dating at the moment, but we can flirt with both of them so long as they both consent to it. Baby steps.
 
faflec said:
Can we please please please not pursue a poly relationship or whatever the fuck it's called? We have enough problems without having to deal with interteam relationships (and don't those always end badly?).

Seriously. Let's work out the love lives of our teenage meat puppet after we've left the most dangerous Hidden Village on the continent, yes?
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Really this is what I'd be most comfortable with- just having Hazou never bother with romantic relationships at all unless Hidden Heaven or something occurred, but it seems arbitrarily cruel to keep that little bit of joy from him when one slip up can kill him.
 
WheelbarrowWight said:
Really this is what I'd be most comfortable with- just having Hazou never bother with romantic relationships at all unless Hidden Heaven or something occurred, but it seems arbitrarily cruel to keep that little bit of joy from him when one slip up can kill him.
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Arguably the pros of having any love life (Akane) is outweighed by the cons of increased anti-joy if (when) Akane stays in Leaf and/or dies.
 
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