[Day 1 LA] Comicon for two (Expecting)

[Yori Hakamada]

"Yeah, uh sure at first" Richard had to be more careful to be specific with Yori.

"Well, I think he did it because someone had to stand up to the demons, normal people were hardly able to do that and as a character he put the good of everyone above his own good, not everyone would do that, especially because you run the risk of losing your soul and yourself. From the author's point of view, this should probably show us how willing Kentaro is to sacrifice and what role his selflessness will play in the further course of the story."

Yori nods and like any normal person, pulls out her commpad to start taking notes, typing rapidly away.
"I see. So he begins the story already a hero, one willing to sacrifice for the greater good. Maybe that is why I find him compelling, I am not sure I could do that."
Thinking
"But if he is already a hero as the story begins he is not going on a journey of self-discovery, but is instead a fulcrum around which other characters develop? Such as in those side stories where he helps new characters with their problems, often demons and monsters, and then they grow and evolve themselves?"

[Richard Winter]

" The supporting characters are important, but I personally think it's a story that's more about how far a person can go and put their own needs and dreams behind the good of everyone and what price it costs to be such a person. Especially in later chapters you realize how much it pulls at him that he tries to save his daughter, although that is strictly against his previous nature. For me it is a fable about egoism and altruism". he philosophized, ""But I'm not sure I could do that either," he agreed with Yori.

[Yori Hakamada]

" The supporting characters are important, but I personally think it's a story that's more about how far a person can go and put their own needs and dreams behind the good of everyone and what price it costs to be such a person. Especially in later chapters you realize how much it pulls at him that he tries to save his daughter, although that is strictly against his previous nature. For me it is a fable about egoism and altruism". he philosophized, ""But I'm not sure I could do that either," he agreed with Yori.

"That..is not a reading I had considered. I was too interested in the scene where he used a giant sword to fight the tree cyclopean demons on the rope bridge to realise the deeper themes at play."
Rapid typing continues but she looks up at Richard and nods.
"Thank you, that viewpoint does develop Kentaro more. What do you believe, is it more virtuous to be on a quest to save his daughter? Or to abandon his flesh and blood to focus on the greater good?"

[Richard Winter]

"The action scenes are wonderful, the details are to fall in love with. You can tell how much love and effort went into the drawings," he said with a grin.

"Pffff" he blew out some air and leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling for a moment to think before taking a sip of coffee and sitting back down normally.

"I don't think I have a good answer for that. If I put myself in the situation, of course I would try to save my daughter, but is it right for society or the greater good? It's easy to look at something from the outside and say if it's right or wrong, but to experience it yourself.... well that's different."

"What do you think?" he returned the question, "Would you save your child even though much of society is against it, or would you sacrifice it and serve the greater good, but destroy yourself in the process?"

Goose bumps spread across Richard's skin. For him, Yori was someone who acted rationally for the most part, and he was eager to hear her answer.

[Yori Hakamada]

"The action scenes are wonderful, the details are to fall in love with. You can tell how much love and effort went into the drawings," he said with a grin.

"Pffff" he blew out some air and leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling for a moment to think before taking a sip of coffee and sitting back down normally.

"I don't think I have a good answer for that. If I put myself in the situation, of course I would try to save my daughter, but is it right for society or the greater good? It's easy to look at something from the outside and say if it's right or wrong, but to experience it yourself.... well that's different."

"What do you think?" he returned the question, "Would you save your child even though much of society is against it, or would you sacrifice it and serve the greater good, but destroy yourself in the process?"

Goose bumps spread across Richard's skin. For him, Yori was someone who acted rationally for the most part, and he was eager to hear her answer.

"Hmmm, I should probably have anticipated the question being turned back on me. One moment while I think."
She takes a looong sip of coffee, eyes staring off blankly.
"When I was younger I would have said the greater good without question, that is how we are raised in the Combine, no sacrifice is to great to assist the Coorindator in bringing order to the Inner Sphere. I was prepared to lay down my life for our nation."
Turning slowly and her eyes focusing on Richard
"I do not have a child that I know of. But if someone came after my lancemates and I had to choose between allowing them to fall for the greater good or sacrificing myself and everything I know for them, then the choice is obvious. Nobody is more important than my team. It's what I told my commanding officer in the DCMS and it's why I am a mercenary now."
Pause
"To clarify, it's a familial relationship, not a sexual, friendly, indifferent or enemy relationship I have with my lance."

[Richard Winter]

Richard's first thought was: How can she not know if she has a child?

"So you resemble Kentaro more than you might realize." he gave her as an answer.

Maybe he had misjudged Yori so far, but he was happy that she was, after all, a bit more... more human than it made the first appearance.

[Yori Hakamada]

Richard's first thought was: How can she not know if she has a child?

"So you resemble Kentaro more than you might realize." he gave her as an answer.

Maybe he had misjudged Yori so far, but he was happy that she was, after all, a bit more... more human than it made the first appearance.

"I...maybe? He certainly has the singlemindedless. But people like Kentaro, well, except for those who turn out to be villains. I think I am more one of the character in the background who thinks he is doing him well and maybe lends him a map if he needs it."

[Richard Winter]

...

"Does it really matter that many people like you? At the end of the day, we are mercenaries. We'll do just about anything for money, and that's why we attract the displeasure of many. I think it's more important that a few people like me, but like me sincerely," he said, taking a sip of coffee and pausing for a moment.

"I like you Yori, even if you are a bit strange from time to time. You may have a bad reputation, but it doesn't do you justice."

[Yori Hakamada]

"Does it really matter that many people like you? At the end of the day, we are mercenaries. We'll do just about anything for money, and that's why we attract the displeasure of many. I think it's more important that a few people like me, but like me sincerely," he said, taking a sip of coffee and pausing for a moment.

"I like you Yori, even if you are a bit strange from time to time. You may have a bad reputation, but it doesn't do you justice."

Yori just looks at Richard for a long moment

"That is not bad advice. As you say, a few close friends are worth more than hundreds of sycophants. Not that I have ever had hundreds of sycophants, but I can extrapolate outcomes."
The lieutenant looks slightly...pained? At Richard's last sentence, staring down into her now empty cup.

"I believe that is very kind of you Lieutenant Winter, but that reputation is deserved...unless it has somehow got even worse, in which case then you are correct."

[Richard Winter]

...

"Is it? I can't really judge, I've only known you for three months. But we all carry around demons that gnaw at us, and sometimes it's hard to see beyond them." he stated.

[Yori Hakamada]

"Is it? I can't really judge, I've only known you for three months. But we all carry around demons that gnaw at us, and sometimes it's hard to see beyond them." he stated.

"...That is a line from the manga."
She looks up slightly and sides.
"But it is very fitting for this occasion, so I will allow the lack of citation to pass unremarked. I think you are quite kind as well Lieutenant. Maybe you will grow to dislike me more in the coming months? But I hope not."
Pause
"Ideally that would be because we do not dislike one another, not because one of us dies in this current operation."

[Richard Winter]

...

"You got me there," he said and laughed.

"But I don't wish you to die either. Although in your case it's less likely than in mine. After all, you have a Crusader and I have a Vulcan" he said and put down his cup.

[Yori Hakamada]

"You got me there," he said and laughed.

"But I don't wish you to die either. Although in your case it's less likely than in mine. After all, you have a Crusader and I have a Vulcan" he said and put down his cup.

"It is a good mech, but I am reasonably likely to die if I suffer an ammunition explosion. After all, my mech contains several hundred active warheads."
Although...she nods
"At least it would be quick. You might die the same way if your machine gun ammo is hit, but that is at least slightly less likely."

[Richard Winter]

...

"A lucky shot will kill any MechWarrior" he said looking at her. "But we can try to make the best stategy and tactic to ensure the best result for our site"

[Yori Hakamada]

"A lucky shot will kill any MechWarrior" he said looking at her. "But we can try to make the best stategy and tactic to ensure the best result for our site"

"Yes...yes we can. That is what I used to do, and what I still enjoy doing when I have the chance."
Looking at his collection
"That sort of thing, analysing positions, considering friction, the centre of gravity and shape are what I enjoy as much as you enjoy all of this, or at least I hope you do."

[Richard Winter]

"I saw what you conjured up on the Whiteborad this morning, it was pretty impressive. I've been looking into strategy a bit too, not really deep, the basics, so to speak. Maybe you can teach me something sometime?"

[Yori Hakamada]

"I saw what you conjured up on the Whiteborad this morning, it was pretty impressive. I've been looking into strategy a bit too, not really deep, the basics, so to speak. Maybe you can teach me something sometime?"

"I was just struck by a quick thought, if my lance hadn't been present I would not have been able to record it properly. Even if nobody else acts on it, it was...enjoyable to be pursuing it again."

Slowly turning back to Richard
"The basics is acceptable, it would not due to be looking into advanced theory if you were not confident with the building blocks. I can attempt to teach you, if you wish. I might be interesting to see the differences in approach between Lyran strategy and Draconis. I seem to recall a number of your strategies beginning and ending with 'overwhelming force', it can be effect if achieved."

[Richard Winter]

...

" Well the basis of the Lyrian Art of War is: Throw Heavy Mechs at the problem until there is no problem".
He laughed, "But it has more nuances than that, of course. I think we Lyrans tend to resolve things with as much force as we can. You don't need great tactics when you're shooting everything up with big guns and heavy mechs. Of course, that makes it easier for recruits to follow orders, especially when the commanders don't go any further than that: Attack there head on! I think that's one reason why we have quite a few Lyrans here, those who have something in their head and survive the first encounters or campaigns don't want to end up in the meat grinder.

[Yori Hakamada]

" Well the basis of the Lyrian Art of War is: Throw Heavy Mechs at the problem until there is no problem".
He laughed, "But it has more nuances than that, of course. I think we Lyrans tend to resolve things with as much force as we can. You don't need great tactics when you're shooting everything up with big guns and heavy mechs. Of course, that makes it easier for recruits to follow orders, especially when the commanders don't go any further than that: Attack there head on! I think that's one reason why we have quite a few Lyrans here, those who have something in their head and survive the first encounters or campaigns don't want to end up in the meat grinder.

"It...does allow soldiers to more easily understand their orders. Making up for their quality with the size and weight of their mechs. That reasoning applies to you, correct? You did not want to be ground down?"

Continuing neutrally
"Combine tactics are slightly different, we value speed far more as well as the individual skill of a mechwarrior. A fair duel, mech to mech used to be one of our most honourable pursuits, but that practice is changing."

[Richard Winter]

...

"That's one of the reasons, yes." he replied .

"Duels seem epic to me, at least in comics, manga and literature, but a bit old-fashioned from a tactical point of view."