Thoughts on Kairi

[soc_puppet]

This post contains absolutely no Kingdom Hearts II spoilers ¦D Be glad.

So yesterday I finally finished watching Skies of Memory. It was good to finally see more of the Organization and its politics, though I admit missing the actual worlds. Following that, I decided to start watching Skies of Hope today.

Once we got past the opening cutscene and the bit with the fighting shadows and stuff (mostly glossed over, due to the nature of Skies of Hope) we finally got to meet Kairi--shortly before we are introduced to Riku. As she interacted with them, I was struck by a familiar thought: why does half the fandom hate Kairi [in the first game]? She's every bit as snarky as the other two main characters, she's got guts, and yet she knows when it's better to stay on the sidelines and cheer. Why don't/didn't people like her?

My first thought is it's because she's female. Subsection A of this being: She is a female who can potentially get between Sora and Riku's Twoo Wuv and is therefore Evil; and Subsection B being: Female anime/manga/game characters get a worse time than male characters in general for Reasons Unknown.

And then I got to the pier sceene, which I had probably blocked from my mind up until that point. Oh, thought I, so that's why. Because Kairi acts like that for the first half of the sceene. I'll admit, even I was hard-pressed to excuse that. The only thing I can think of that would possibly excuse it is if she was having weird, premonitionary dreams about what would happen in the game. I'm not going to get into the possibility of this here, only mention that she would probably be denounced as a Sue if she did.

Anyway, shortly after that Kairi went back to being awesome. I mean, she rowed out to the island in the middle of the night, and though we don't know for sure why, we can at least assume it's for similar reasons to Sora and Riku. It was also at least a little stupid, but she was still cool for doing it. She needs more love.

Comments

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Okay, refresh my memory about the pier scene? It's been a while.

[soc_puppet]

Here, I'll quote the script at you:

Kairi: You know, Riku has changed.

Sora: What do you mean?

Kairi: Well...

Sora: You okay?

Kairi: Sora, let's take the raft and go-just the two of us!

Sora: Huh?

Kairi: Just kidding.

Sora: What's gotten into you? You're the one that's changed, Kairi.

Kairi: Maybe... You know, I was a little afraid at first, but now I'm
ready. No matter where I go or what I see, I know I can always come back
here. Right?

Sora: Yeah, of course!

Kairi: That's good. Sora, don't ever change.

Sora: Huh?

Kairi: I just can't wait. Once we set sail, it'll be great.

And that's it. It's at the end of the first day, after the three of them have finished building the raft and before it all goes to hell.

...

Also, Lyzz, plz to be convincing me not to try and app her DD: Because I would totally fail at expressing how cool she actually is and I don't know when to take her from anyway.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Yeah, I remember now. But... I really think she was just doing that to see his reaction, or something. I don't think she really meant it.

Also. *ignores what you just said and* DO EET. DO EET NOW. Take her from whenever you want! Between the games would be good, so you could use her newer, prettier self and still not really spoil people? CAMP NEEDS KH CHARACTERS, WOMAN.

And did you know that someone's going to app Axel???? :DDD

[soc_puppet]

The "Let's take the raft and go--just the two of us!" part I can see her doing for the faces Sora makes (let's face it, I'd say something like that just to see Sora's face!), but the rest I'm a little iffy about :/ I dunno, maybe it's just me.

I am all conflicted about when to take her from! D: And the potential Axel actually isn't helping that, because I don't know if the apper would be taking him from a time when they've met or not! DD: And! And! And! Confusion and confliiiict T-T And also I would so suck at her and worry about God Moding because of spoiler-goes-here and stuff ;_;

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

I dunno, either, actually. XD

Um, hello! This is CAMP we're talking about. Whether the Axel apper has "met her" or not, it really doesn't matter. XD

Also, I wouldn't worry about most spoilers for the first game (although, you might wanna keep the whole "princess" thing on the downlow). I really do think it would be good to take her from between KH and KH2. I have no clue what she was doing during Chain of Memories, but. Whatever.

[soc_puppet]

It could be the voice acting. Part of it, at least. ...Though part of me still wants to think that she had nightmares/premonitions ¦D

...Well, yes. But I'd still wanna know when he was taken from.

Yeah, that does seem like a pretty good time. I mean, this can be what she was doing then. Still. *worries*
DDD: Plus I have no idea what to do [with her] and my writing style does not lend itself to apps and and and...

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Maybe? XD It's entirely possible, with Kingdom Hearts.

Then hunt down Anonymouse-san? He/she replied to a comment I made in the character whoring post.

No more worries! I shall help! I will be beta and inspiration and you will be amazing and it will be fun and pleeeeasssee? Don't make me cry!emote at you. D: I'LL DO IT, I SWEAR. AND I'LL UPLOAD MY SAD AXEL IN SNOW ICON JUST TO DO IT, TOO.

[soc_puppet]

The only downside is that it would almost make Kairi too much of a Sue :/

That could work. *makes a mental note to do so whether or not she actually tries to app*

Okay, okay, you've won me over ;_; I'll give it a shot. But I'll need things like why she is going there (I'm thinking class trip maybe?), what she would do there (no clue) and some canon.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but. Well. :x

^_____^

*is a bit disappointed that she doesn't get to use the icon, but* :DDDD Class trip would totally work. And what do you mean, do there?

[soc_puppet]

Not that she isn't already practically a Sue, now that I think about it >_>

You can upload it anyway to remove any lingering doubt? Oh, good. I may go with that. *is still pondering things* And I mean stuff to do at camp. What sort of non-bandwagon activities would she do/get involved with? Stuff like that.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

That's what the :x was for. XD;

:3? Yay. :D
And uh. What's wrong with bandwagon? Although it might be cool to have something like a Blitzball tournament? Not sure if that would pertain to Kairi, though.

[soc_puppet]

...Taking serious time to think about it, Kairi just barely qualifies as not-Sue XD *is way to amused by this for some reason* *is also slightly weirded out, WTF Kairi*

...ZOMG, that is so sad ;_; Axeeeel! T-T
Bandwagoning is all well and good, but it doesn't explore the entire character. I want to know what sorts of things she can contribute to camp. ...Blitzball would be kinda cool, now that I think of it, but I'm not sure how she would actually know it or if it's actually in her world?

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

She really does. ^^; It's kinda weird.

I knoooow. ;_; I couldn't figure out text to put on it, so I left it blank. ^^;
This is true... but still, you don't have to think about that right off the bat! She can just be Kairi for a while, and then can contribute when you think of stuff~
Um. Doesn't Wakka play Blitzball on Destiny Islands in the first game? Or at least, uses one as a weapon.

[soc_puppet]

One of these days I'm gonna have to make a long essay-like post about it. ...Or include a joke about it in the canon section of the app. "Kairi only escapes being a Sue by virtue of _____ " Say, is there a Mary-Sue test out there anywhere?

Blank is fine ;_; I mean, I know there's a joke in there somewhere, but blank is definitely fine. *uses the make-Axel-and-Roxas-happy icon?*
That's true :D She can be normal!girl for a while :D
I know he uses one as a weapon :O Come to think of it, that would probably work as an excuse. Or at least enough of one for CFUD. The only problem after that would be figuring out how to play it on land... *ponder ponder*

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

For Kingdom Hearts? Not sure. I think there's a general fandom one, though.

Yeah, but. I'm weird with icons. If they don't have text, I. I. Blarg. >>; *copieslolz* Haha, I'll match your keywords too.
Normal!girls are great. :D
Seee~! And who says a Blitzball field/sphere/thing can't just fall out of the sky? I mean, I'm assuming that's how Conrad got that baseball field for Yuuri! :D

[soc_puppet]

General fandom one is fine. One for OCs in fics is also good.

...You're in luck because I might've just thought of one? "Dammit, Roxas... Why'd you have to go and leave me for [name of Organization member/Riku here]?" Also different keywords now.
Oh yes. Even if she seekritly isn't normal, but that's fun too :3 And she's mostly normal.
XD That would be hilarious.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

To Google! :D

Not sure that would fit with any of my fonts. XD And... somewhat matching keywords?
Yes, yes. She thinks she's normal when she loses her memories, doesn't she?
It really would. XD "Holy crap, where'd this giant, water-filled sphere come from? :OOOO" "...Camp." (Audience: "X3333")

[soc_puppet]

...Okay, as far as character traits go? It's sorta likely. But it's not written so it's hard to tell :x And she doesn't really get enough screentime.

Even if you put like the actual name in the [name goes here] part? "All alone, so lost without you D:"
...What part of loses her memories? You mean the original bit, where she can't remember stuff from before the island (and wow, now that I think about it, creepy much?)or when she can't remember Sora and stuff? And she almost is normal. Sorta. *was so gonna list stuff until the list started getting long*
XDD That should so happen. I'm thinking Kairi would have to be around for a while first, though. ...Plus I'd have to actually learn the rules and stuff to Blitzball.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Yeah. We need, like. An official novelization. Or something.

...Maybe it's just that I can't bring myself to taunt him when he makes such a sad face?
When she can't remember Sora, since it's between the games? I mean, does she forget that she's a princess? (Or did she ever know she was one? It's been so long since I saw the original game. x__x;;) Yeah, except for that whole, "I have a Nobody who's not really a Nobody and she can mess with people's memories" thing. Or something. I never really understood the explanations about Namine.
Yeah. The rules really aren't that hard, IIRC. It's basically just, kick it in the goal, don't let the other team score, right?

[soc_puppet]

Something, man...

That, too.
I have no idea whether she ever knew she was a princess o_O One of the things I'll have to decide, I guess. And I'm guessing Naminé could directly affect people's hearts, since (according to KH canon) that's where they store their memories and she also offered to seal off Riku's heart for him. Anyway, Naminé really is a Nobody, I'm pretty sure.
XD So it's kinda like underwater soccer with hands?

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

*nods*

Well. Um. Whatever. @_@;
Basically? And I'm not sure, but... I think you can attack people on the other team. I don't know if that's right or not, though.

[soc_puppet]

...You know, I think I have the canon joke now :D "And only not a Mary-Sue by virtue of having little to no angst." Because that's really the clincher for me, I think.

And Naminé is only barely Not A Sue in my mind, due to Actually Being Kairi ;)
I'll have to look it up. I think my brother has the guidebook around somewhere...

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Lol, that's good. XD

I know, seriously whut.
Mine does, too.

And yes, I will continue copying you everytime you use that icon. :D

[soc_puppet]

Thanks :D

Naminé not only has the angst for it, she also succeeds in making the two main male characters fall in lurve with her :/ (Even though one of 'em is actually a clone...) She's basically trying to take Kairi's place/become Kairi, in my mind.
...Okay, turns out he doesn't know where it is, though he claims he knows the rules ¬_¬

XD I see. I shall have to be careful not to use this power for evil, then.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Very Sue-like. (Not to mention that before her, he was gay. :/) And well... she does actually do that at one point, right? XD
Oh? What does he say they are then?

...Except in this case, because I just made/uploaded this icon and I want to use it. X3

[soc_puppet]

Very Sue-like indeed. (...Well, I was an OT3-shipper from day one, so I might disagree with you there ^.~) She takes Kairi's place in Sora and Not-Riku's lives, yes :3 'Cept then she gets a guilt complex because she was manipulated into doing it and does the Noble Sacrifce Thing, making her even more Sue-like. Anyway, if she didn't have a legit reason for being there and wanting to do that (i.e., being Kairi's Nobody) and was just a one-game character? She so would've been a Sue. As is? Not so much to me.
:/ Now he says he doesn't remember. Stupid little brother, getting my hopes up like that.

XD Totally legit reason. *starts to scribble app canon* ...On that note, I probably shouldn't tell you that I actually found a Keyblade-As-SexToy fic.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

(I'm still a firm believer in Axel/Roxas OTP. Namine can watch if she wants to.) Oh, okay. I get it.
*mutters* My brother doesn't remember either. And I can't find his FFX player's guide.

Is is bad that I really wanna read it? XDDD

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

(Wait, what? I think you confused me there.)

[soc_puppet]

(XD I think I did. That OT3 I'm still not quite sold on (though if Axel was Riku's Nobody, I would've been sold from the first second). The OT3 to which I refered was Riku/Sora/Kairi. ...Name order really confuses me in threesomes.)
Bah. Stupid brothers. They lose D:

Only if it's bad that I already did XD Here. Be prepared for mental anguish.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

(Okay. I thought you were talking about Axel/Roxas/Namine, for some reason.)
They do. DDD: We could probably find the rules online, though.

...I had to stop reading at "love hole". *brain dead, wtf*

[soc_puppet]

(Prob'ly because we were talking about Naminé right there and me being an OT3-er and stuff?)
Almost certainly.

XD Isn't it terrible? I managed to read through the whole thing. ...It's even worse that I kept thinking to myself, "I could write this better."

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

(Yeah. That would be it.)
If you scroll down to "Rules" here (http://faqs.neoseeker.com/Games/PS2/final_fantasy_x_penance.txt), it's got an explanation.

Is this where I say, "omgdoit"?

[soc_puppet]

Thank you ^__^ *will look through it soon*

I dunno, is it? I mean, I write it so it would make sense and probably be relatively IC even, but I would feel really dirty afterwards o.O Do I really want to do that to Sora? Still, if you want to egg me on...

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! :D

*am I that evil?* ... *maybe?*

[soc_puppet]

...Could I get away with just telling you the details?

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

*...shrugs?*

[soc_puppet]

*would drop the striketags, but wow is this awkward to talk about without them ¦D* Right, well. The only way I can see it working is if Sora kinda accidentally rubs off on it before he realizes what he's doing. I mean, he's probably masturbated a few times, but I'm guessing he's still a little uncertain of the whole thing? So one day he's been fighting Heartless (and possibly Nobodies) all day long and just falls into bed exhausted, keyblade and all. So he rolls around a bit and kinda gets a little tangled with the keyblade. And then he's half-asleep already, and the keyblade is still warm and kinda humming from all the activity, and Sora sorta rubs off on it before he's really aware of what he's doing ¦D And that's kinda the only way I can see it working without hitting a bunch of squick buttons.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

...Hahahaha we are on crack. XD

[soc_puppet]

XD We are indeed.

On a similar note, I believe I've finished my app's canon section :D Now I just need to write the actual app part.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

*bounces* :DDDDDDDDD

[soc_puppet]

:3 I mostly need to figure out what to do. I'm thinking she can have wandered away from her class during a tour or something and got directions to camp from some strange animal--possibly Momewraths. And from there something something I don't know, but I think I'll try and end it on a joke about the lake glowing. Unless I can think of something better. *is actually sorta starting to think she can maybe do this*

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

I can beta if you want me to. Also, that sounds like a really really good idea I like it a lot. :DDDD

[soc_puppet]

Sounds good ^_^ I was actually planning to put the app (when finished) up on my LJ under a lock with the request that the CFUD-familiar people on my Flist take a look at it. And yay, it might actually work, omg freaky :DDD

In the mean time, I think I'll got to sleep ¦D Or at least to bed.

[lyzzle.livejournal.com]

Kk! ^__^

I was just about to say the same thing. XD Niiight!

[soc_puppet]

Good night ^_^