FMP: Continuing On My Own Discussion *Spoilers*

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FMP: Continuing On My Own Discussion *Spoilers*

Post by orion_star »

Well I just read chapter 1a of como and would appreciate if someone who has also read it could explain something


After the part where Tessa and Leonard meet and just before the part where the students are in the gym for the elections, there seems to be this comversation between 2 people. This got me really confused who are these people that were talking (or possibly chatting over the internet)?

Since I wasn't sure if this was considered a spoiler, and couldn't find spoiler tags, I tried to hide it as best I could.
Last edited by orion_star on Mon May 02, 2005 1:59 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by sj4iy »

It's more than two people talking. It's just like an internet chatroom.
Sans la liberté de blàmer, il n’est point d’éloge flatteur - Figaro, Beaumarchais

Without the freedom to criticise, there is no true praise - Figaro, Beaumarchais

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Post by orion_star »

yeah that explain partially why it wasnt making sense

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Post by Weltall Elite »

Poor Sousuke. Things are always so complicated for him and Kaname. Looks like they're going to get tougher.

FOREBODING!

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Post by AEmer »

there's a new chapter out?

*an instant transformation takes place; AEmers eyes widen, whereupon red veins are beginning to show, his hands begins to shake, and his eyebrows get locked into a strained unnatural frown*

...this is a great day...

*...fires up the fmp soundtrack and crawls into bed with the laptop...*
Is it just me, or are there way too many talking decapitated heads around these days?

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Post by Weltall Elite »

The rest of the world: "See you next week, AEmer!"

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Post by AEmer »

Read it...I gotta say, those chapter titles go on to chain the event about to happen together pretty well.

I thought it was rather amusing he chose to give us a chatroom log to introduce us to what's happening all around Chidori and Sousuke.

Personally, I believe Gatou been pondering how to write this novel for a long time. It's quite obvious that the main drive is a setting-change that has been lingering in the background for a while now. It's almost the opposite of 'ODBD' in a way, where Sousuke also goes through a transition, and the setting changes a little, accordingly.
By the end of that, we have him recognizing his life as a high school student on the same level as his life as a mercenary; he insists on doing both.

Interestingly, back then, he did it by going against the wishes of the mithril high command, because they wanted him for themselves, so to speak. This time, the setting change is illustrated by the president telling him "Your time is almost up", in an almost melodramatical manner, shunning not only Sousuke, but kaname too, away from their life as high school students. That kind of life is not for them anymore, if they don't won't to end up getting hurt.
Here there's a parallel drawn to Tessa - Tessa who was also forced to give up that kind of life. It's subtle, but clear, that she chose to fight. It's a wonder Kaname has been content not fighting for this long, illustrating how Tessa and Kaname are opposites once more. I'm curious as to how Gatou will dig himself out of this one.

Like Weltall says, things get tough on Kaname and Sousuke - to say that things are complicated would possibly be the understatement of the year.

Something else I think is interesting is Sousukes naive words "But I like it here" - it's fairly obvious that reasoning for going to highschool, endangering other students in the process, just won't cut it anymore. Sousuke and Kaname are faced with a choice that must make them grow up - interesting, since Sousuke will now have to abandon what he fought his supperiors to get.
In a twisted way, what Sousuke has gone through, choosing the school because he wanted it really bad, then getting advised to abandon the school for the sake of himself and others in spite of wanting it, is a little similar to the experiences people go through with their parrents and their environment when they're going through adolescence.

If that holds true, this arc will eventually serve to make Sousuke and Kaname "grownups" rather than teenagers. Which will be interesting.
Is it just me, or are there way too many talking decapitated heads around these days?

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Post by Weltall Elite »

Well, like Hayashimizu said, Sousuke's not the problem. But now it's becoming clear that Kaname being in there presents a danger to everyone else, because there are people after her. Hayashimizu also said that Sousuke was adjusting and adapting well and that he could become a normal member of society.

Before, he chose between his life in Mithril and his life in Tokyo. Then he had to choose between Kaname and Tessa. Seems to me that he may now have to chose between the life he wants to live and the girl he wants to be with.

I honestly don't see the story coming to that. I can't imagine that Kaname will be permanantly forced to leave her school and Sousuke going with her as drifters. Sousuke will probably find a way to work it out. But right now it seems to me that it may be what Hayashimizu is suggesting he has to do. It'll make for good drama.

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Post by AEmer »

That is true, but without complete elimination of Amalgam and any other organization who are interested in black technology, what Hayashimizu says just makes a damn lot of sense.

I agree, the story won't be a question of him choosing between kaname and anything else, because we've seen time and time again, he's put her over everything else.

We practically already agree that Hayashimizu wording the problem to Sousuke is enough that it's something that must be dealt with.

It can be dealt with by insuring Kanames safety completely. Then Sousuke and Kaname would return, and do highschool, as somewhat more normal people. Classic happy ending.

Or it can be dealt with by them admitting that they're not normal highschool students, Kaname in particular. They recognize that there will always be someone who finds the black technology within Kanames mind to be of value. They make the adult choice to take it upon themselves to deal with it, without involving innocents. This choice is, contrary to Sousukes choice to be in highschool, unselfish. And whereas Sousuke was only faced with the selfishness of higher ranking Mithril members before as an arguement against him, now he has the safety of everyone at school. Standing up for yourself, and laying claim to what is rightfully yours shows that you're growing up, that you have the personal integrety of an adult. Choosing to do what is best for everyone, even if it is against something one would rather dislike because it isn't nearly as enjoyable for oneself, is an act that shows one does not just posses the integrety of an adult, but also the morals and ethics. It would, in a way, complete the development Sousuke has been going through.
The problem is, this ending ruins the premise of the series, namely, gung ho former child soldier and pretty pop-chick try to manage both a world of action and a world of homework... It would change the dynamic. Maybe, it would mark the end of the series, and at the very least, mark the transcision towards another part in the series.

Story wise...nomatter what, there will be a change. It's just a question of how big it will be. Imo.
Is it just me, or are there way too many talking decapitated heads around these days?

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Post by Weltall Elite »

Yeah, I can see that too. Like I said, I don't see Sousuke being forced to make that choice in the end, and expect things will somehow work themselves out. But that's only because the story would have to change COMPLETELY. And I'll admit, in the last few novels, the story has been taking several new twists and going in new directions. So at this point, it's anyone's game. If it does change though, Sousuke and Kaname will probably have to live a life on the run and it'll be a much darker story.

I don't see any way for Sousuke to just stop people from coming after Kaname. Even if he completely destroys Amalgram, there will always be others who will want her unless she can find a way to simply stop being a Whispered.

Anyway, I think I understand that first picture of Sousuke holding hands with Kaname. I'm betting that after he leaves the rooftop, he'll walk home with Kaname with everything that Hayashimizu told him in mind. He'll realize that the time left for his peaceful life with Kaname at the school may be coming to an end. So he's trying to live it up while he can. Obviously confessing his feelings to her would be a bit much, but asking her to hold hands with him is a big step for him.

It's a little sad. I suppose part of his dream was to live a nice quiet life with her and he now realizes that it may not be possible. So he gets one peaceful moment of semi-intimacy with her doing what normal couples do, before, as most know by now, it all falls apart.

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Post by AEmer »

Righto, that's a good prediction there, I agree with it, is quite possibly true. It must be fairly painful for Sousuke to ask that, though, and fairly painful for Kaname to think up a good response, considering she willingly submits to his request.

There are a few other things that might be worth mentioning. What's this whole 'I don't like that song' deal?, considering Sousuke doesn't have a clue about music, he must be refering to the text, which we, as readers, are given word for word. That seems just a tad constructed.. IOW, there's definately something to that song. But why does Sousuke not like it?
*snicker*

, of course, I won't ask such a question without trying to provide an answer. There are two things inthere I think could be unpleasent to him...the notion "But time passes and we can't go back", as well as the last line "All the anger, sadness and love" -
And, of those two, I'm going with the first. I think Sousuke is afraid of change, because he's realized, he feels pretty good being Kanames bodyguard and a schoolstudent too.
I think this is a kind of...foreshadowing. I can't help match those lyrics with the title of the novel, either, it just seems too convinient a match for me not to make it.

Oh yeah, almost forgot...in the prologue, the way Tessa speaks to Leonard is interesting. This choice of words, in particular "This is your final warning. Stop helping them".

"Them" is referring to Amalgam, no doubt, but what kind of action is "helping" referring to?, does this mean that Leonard is in fact not a real member, but rather, a consultant of some sort?

This would also explain the weird meeting between Leonard and Kalinin. Leonard is not truly Amalgam, he is simply a "bussinessman", as Gauron would put it.

If this is true, then the spoilerinformation we have about what's about to happen takes on a...different...light, does it not?
Is it just me, or are there way too many talking decapitated heads around these days?

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Post by Circle »

OMG, The first chapter is out already! We might as well change this thread title to "FMP: Continuing On My Own Discussion *Spoilers*" to continue the style we've been using. :) Slap that spoiler warning on it so I don't have to use colors/quotes to hide the spoilers anymore. :p

But anyways, just read it.
That girl's an alien. She receives electromagnetic waves from the planet Vega to bring forbidden technology to Earth.
Haha, that's the first theory on the origins of the whispered I've read.

What's the NGO era? Hayashimizu is a pimp.
I... I like it here.
Emotional words from Sousuke, indeed. He's becoming so much better at expressing his feelings. Well, to everyone except Kaname.

Thanks Brandi! You're spoiling us. :-D

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Post by Pyrite »

Reading it right now... some thoughts:

That chatroom convo is funny. :lol: Reminds me of some people...

There's something more to Hayashimizu than we realised... *duh* Old girlfriend? Why don't I remember anything about that? :? And while we're at it... HAIL, IL-PALAZZO SAMA!!!!! :-D

As a matter of fact, why don't I remember Bush III getting blown up? (Or was that Bush II?) I only remember the senators... Still, :twisted:

Inconsistency: "Morigawa" in earlier parts of chapter, "Morikawa" in Sousuke-Hayashimizu conversation. Just a note. :)

Chapter titles are intruiging, and with the spoilers that we know of, we can guess what'll happen. It would be stretching things, however, to assume that the Arbalest gets totalled just after Sousuke develops an understanding with it. I vote for a severe beatdown before Kaname trades herself for Sousuke's life.

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Post by RADRAD »

I liked the 1st part myself. Just the fact Tessa knows her brother is her enemy makes it all the more interesting. Very good foreshadowing in this chapter.
"Just say it. Who am I? What's my post & rank?" Teletha "Tessa" Testarossa, Full Metal Panic: Continuing On My Own

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Post by Weltall Elite »

Pyrite wrote:That chatroom convo is funny. :lol: Reminds me of some people...
It's comforting to know that Japanese speaking Internet people aren't so different from English speaking Internet people. The world is a smaller place and now language nor distance can separate the bond that Internet communities from all races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds share: Turning intelligent conversations into crap with perverted one-liners and sexual innuendos. :cry:

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