Okay so having some time to mull over things (and because I mainly think things through by being an inherently argumentative person who gets really stubborn about something and then thinks it through for a bunch of hours afterwards?), some thoughts.
I think I've been focusing on the fighter stuff for a number of reasons, but I think the biggest of them is that, well...
If I'm being perfectly honest, I always feel a bit uncomfortable around characters whose defining trait is their selflesness and kindness, because I see that as something where its very easy to slip into lacking self worth. This is debatably the case with several of Mariana's actions: The Ruin Stakes are something she sees as a duty, and whilst she wants to take care of them, she'd probably still do it if she didn't. Class Rep is a position that Mary never really wanted, but she also feels guilty about not doing a good job at it. Heck, we've already seen that you can attempt to kill her, and she'll just brush it off if she thinks you need help- though of course another person putting themselves in that position (theodora considering Lokix as a partner) is something she sees as incredibly reckless.
This isn't all bad. Empathy is core to Mariana's character and I wouldn't want her to lose it, and I think it does drive her and helps her connect even with individuals who have trust issues like Renne. But I think it's clear that her mentality could easily become something very self-destructive if she only acts for other people. However, there is one exception.
For better or worse, the Nemona Rivalry is something Mariana wants to do for herself. She wants to try to keep up with her, even when it would be incredibly reckless, like attempting a 2v3 of her very first gym. Roland explicitly notes that he sees this ambition of hers as something worth protecting, and that seeing it almost be smothered when Katie sent out Cutiefly was painful to see.
And we know that it's an ambition that is impossible to see to completion.
There's a bunch of other reasons I want to see Mariana develop into someone who focuses on dealing with situations like the current one - I want to get more involved with the plot, develop our own fighting style, surpass Nemona in a specific and relevant area, and have a reason to make our team strong enough to maybe get a champion rank in the meantime. But I think the reason I've mainly been beating on this drum constantly (besides adhd hyperfocus) is that without a personal ambition, Mariana feels... i dunno. Hollow somehow. Obviously we'd still control her actions, but I just feel that it would be a lot less satisfying personally.
urgh, I gotta stop letting my hyperfixations take hold and make me write word salads like these. I barely know why I'm throwing this out there. Stupidity i guess.
