Stolen- Bel's ? about Tessa

[Belisarius]

Personal experience on the trust/feeling thing, Jae. Especially when its true.

When you and your superior goes after the same girl and he makes the duty roster, ........................

[Jae]

Uh, I was talking about Sergeant Sagara...

But, you inspired a silly scene:

A crack in glass. That's what it had to have been. That faint sound was now identified. With a possible margin of error, of course, but he was now positive it had been cracking glass.

He then recalled that Mardukas had removed his eyeglasses when he wiped his brow. That was possibly a questionable action, but Sousuke had never worn eyeglasses and perhaps there was something about sweating profousely while wearing them that Sousuke could not imagine. Since Mardukas had remained silent and not raised an alarm, it could not have been possible that his eyeglasses had broken because of a malicious attack. Since Mardukas had not been hit in the face by a projectile, the mystery of the cracked glass, most likely his eyeglasses, was not yet solved.

Everything else had gone as expected. Mardukas' behavior was easily within the normal limits of reaction that should be expected when one is being told something that is hard to hear.

That is what Sousuke held firmly in his mind and tried to believe. His sense of self-preservation, however, kept insisting that that shade of deep purple was biologically impossible.

Kalinin coughed. "Sergeant, there was a matter you wished to discuss?"

Yes, indeed there was. He had spent too much time considering what must be said, had, in fact, already rehearsed it, said it to Mardukas, and had now left Kalinin waiting for it a minute too long. Sousuke took a breath.

"Sir, you obvious paternal feelings for the Captain are inappropriate, given your relative rankings. I demand that you cease all functions and actions designed to shelter and protect her from what is her own natural duty. She has responsibilities, and you must allow her to perform them. If you continue to behave in an inappropriate manner towards the Captain, I will alert your superiors to the situation, and request they take corrective and disciplinary action against you. That is all."

XD

[Gabb]

I don't get the scene Jae, post the whole thing

[Gabb]

bah fine no one answer me

[Teletha Testarosa]

Go tessa tessa tessa!

Cheers

[Charles Phipps]

Because she's sweet, honest about her feelings, and frankly I deeply pity her. She's lonely and frankly needs a stand up guy likes Sagara. If she doesn't get Sosuke she'll be alone forever!

[Teletha Testarosa]

Because she's sweet, honest about her feelings, and frankly I deeply pity her. She's lonely and frankly needs a stand up guy likes Sagara. If she doesn't get Sosuke she'll be alone forever!

LIES!! LIES!!! SHE'S GOT ME!

Anyways, let's throw a switcharoonie. So, Jae, some info about Kaname?
Zy, this is ur chance to SHinE!!

[woman22980]

I don't dislike her as a character at all, however I want Sousuke with Kaname for two reasons - First, I just like Kaname more, she might bash him around, but usually I do agree with Kaname doing so (firing off guns in a zoo, pulling up someone's shirt in public, generally blowing things up, torturing and threatening to torture people, etc.) Second, though I deeply sympathize with Tessa's situation, it must certainly be very lonely, I could never condone her either using her position to get close to him or having a relationship with him. Superior officers should never be so involved with underlings. I can understand how she'd fall for him, if for no other reason than they have much in common - same age, being alone at that age, great responsibility, and military life. But that does not excuse the behavior.

I think that once Sousuke makes his choice clear to Tessa, and she's older, wiser, and more able to respect it, she'll be fine. I think she and Kaname could be friends since except for Sousuke they seem to get along well. So, I guess I'd really like to see Tessa happy, just not with Sousuke. It's unfortunate that her position leaves her with few people she can talk to that are not her inferiors in rank. But who knows, maybe a medical doctor, or better yet another whispered boy.

[Andrei Burnside]

Wasn't she involved with the designer of the ARX-7 system at one point? Bunny Moriata? Or did he just have a crush on her? Not sure...but Souske and Tessa just don't click. I could go into additional reasons...and will if asked...but seeing as the points have been brought up many times...I won't.

[woman22980]

Wasn't she involved with the designer of the ARX-7 system at one point? Bunny Moriata? Or did he just have a crush on her? Not sure...but Souske and Tessa just don't click. I could go into additional reasons...and will if asked...but seeing as the points have been brought up many times...I won't.

Yes, though I'm not sure if Bunny Moriata's character is actually fannon or cannon. Reading about Bunny and Tessa having a relationship rings bells, but the only place I can remember it from is one of dave_d's stories... I think... Is he mentioned in the novels? *doesn't remember*

As for why Sousuke and Tessa don't click, what's the fun of having a discussion topic if you don't discuss! I guess if all a person feels the urge to say at the time is "I agree" then yeah... but if you have a way of putting it in your own words you should!

[Andrei Burnside]

It was mentioned in End of Day by Day.

As for my reasoning...this was my first post in this forum.

I'm just saying, those Tessa fans can have her. Because she doesn't really love Sousuke. She's got more guts than Kaname in admitting "her" feelings. Why?

Whispered Resonance. They share part of themselves. Kaname was worried about Sousuke during the exchange between Tessa and Kaname. She cared about him deeply. This was shared with Tessa when they did the whole Resonance thing. So Tessa is actually feeling what Kaname feels about Sousuke (not as deep of course). BOOYAH!

Sousuke is completely oblivious in regards to Tessa feeling anything besides superior/inferior. To him it's unprofessional. When he blushes in EP 13...it's out of discomfort. Kaname made him blush in Episode by showing a generous amout of her leg and he was trying to look because his eyes were averted downward.

In episode 1, Sousuke misses the point of Melissa's remark in regards to Tessa, he cannot consider it to be anything but mission protocol.

In episode 24, Tessa is badly shaken up by events occuring on the TDD-1. Yet sousuke takes not action. Kaname directs him to hug Tessa. He is much more quick to comfort kaname is several crisis eps. He also seems to have less reservations about touching her. Kaname serves somewhat as Sousuke's emotional compass. Tessa could do no such thing.

Aside from that, their personalities are too similar. Sousuke may be no pushover, but he tends to be passive. Kaname is reactive. Tessa is passive. Earlier on Jae mentioned Tessa being catty. I'd agree, and sousuke's social developement (lack thereof) would make understanding such behavior difficult. At least Kaname is blunt.

Most of this is self evident, or has already been said. That's why I had reservations. As always feel free to delete post for being redudant mods.

[Charles Phipps]

The whole superior-office/inferior officer thing is completely bogus. Its a merc outfit first of all and second of all they are in different areas of command.

Also Sosuke is much more attracted to Tessa than Kaname. Sosuke can hardly keep his hands off her. He notices her as a WOMAN while he notices Kaname like a little sister.

Plus Tessa isn't using her position to GET Sosuke. She makes romantic overtures WHILE doing things with him but they do WORK together so that kind of goes with the territory.

Sheesh

[Jae]

The whole superior-office/inferior officer thing is completely bogus. Its a merc outfit first of all and second of all they are in different areas of command.

Sorry, its not bogus. Maybe if we were talking about a pretty normal guy, but we aren't. Prior to the Tokyo mission Sousuke didn't live two lives, he lived one. The life of an extremely professional, ethical soldier who is only an extremely professional, ethical soldier. He does not yet have any sort of personal life in which he might carry on an affair with anybody, much less someone who is his superior (a superior in his command chain, no less).

Realize this- Sousuke's concept of military is his stand-in for everybody else's concept of family. He's no more likely to be comfortable kissing his captain then you would be kissing your aunt.

Don't fall into the easy trap of imagining yourself in his place- it doesn't work becasue as we're shown repeatedly, he doesn't think like a normal guy, he doesn't act like a normal guy.

Also Sosuke is much more attracted to Tessa than Kaname. Sosuke can hardly keep his hands off her. He notices her as a WOMAN while he notices Kaname like a little sister.

Where? Where is he grabbing her, assaulting her, feeling her up? I missed that part.

Did I say in my earlier post that just because a teenage guy has very normal physical reactions to a practically naked, dripping girl it doesn't mean he wants to hold her hand? I was thinking it but don't recall and won't scroll back. And I'll add that raw, sheer, hormonal lust is not exactly the most reliable way to determine relationship compatibility?

(and the whole 'does he lust for her' thing is debatable, even.)

I really fail to see the 'he sees her as a WOMAN' thing. You said before you were just sharing your interpretation, but now you again seem to expect this to be taken as fact.

If you mean the respect he shows her, she's due it because of her rank, not her gender, and its in his own personality to give it just like he does to his other superiors.

And while I'm replying in this thread after I thought I wasn't going to again, let me just add that I really personally dislike the 'She needs his protection' position. A person who is dependable does not require someone who is dependant. Tessa doesn't need his protection anymore than he needs to protect somebody- and that would be a lousy reason to develop a romantic relationship anyway.

Plus Tessa isn't using her position to GET Sosuke. She makes romantic overtures WHILE doing things with him but they do WORK together so that kind of goes with the territory.

I'm not going to get into the later storyline where Tessa isn't quite as pure as the freshly driven snow.

Just based soley on the anime, in everyday situations they acutally don't work together. Tessa's first close encounter with Sousuke is in his apt in ep 9? and that was a unusual circumstance. Her next close encounter with him was in the girls' duel ep- when she commanded his help in training. (Recall he asked her to please remain formal and call him 'Sagara-san' and not 'Coach')
Then later, she isn't shown having any interaction with him at the sub's birthday party (other than standing near him), in fact they aren't shown having any 'normal' interaction at all. They appear to rarely socialize. They have a few moments twice at the end of the series- when she's unconcious (he leaves her with her bridge crew), and when Kaname tells him to go say something to her.

Not the greatest basis on which to declare them perfect together.

Now, I don't make this post to say 'Don't fantasize about them'- if you're inclined to, you're supposed to. If you want to say why you think they'd be great together, you're welcome to. Others will come in and say why they agree or don't- or get into why Kaname is perfect or isn't.

I make this post because you've made some strong statements that you seem to expect us to agree with, and personally I don't.

[Charles Phipps]

I fully expect my opinion to be taken as controversial but I mislike everyone automatically assuming that by necessity Tessa doesn't have a snowballs chance in Hell. I also think that they personally work better together...like Megumi and Akito vs. Akito and Yurika...sometimes the couple aren't the best.

Sometimes its even outright stupid like Hero Yui and Relena but that's another series. I like Kaname, I think she's a busty, brawny, fun, smart, and charismatic young girl....much like many a Gonzo heroine.

I am also biased towards Tessa because she combines my favorite aspects of Hilary Hagg's little sister characters (mischevious imps) with Ruri Hoshina's good looks.

Please take these into account.

I will rebuttal your points because I sincerely believe Gonzo has animated a potential romance here along with some very strong motives

Sorry, its not bogus. Maybe if we were talking about a pretty normal guy, but we aren't. Prior to the Tokyo mission Sousuke didn't live two lives, he lived one. The life of an extremely professional, ethical soldier who is only an extremely professional, ethical soldier. He does not yet have any sort of personal life in which he might carry on an affair with anybody, much less someone who is his superior (a superior in his command chain, no less).

You are correct that Sagara is the perfect soldier archtype but another thing to realize though is that he is not the perfect United States soldier archetype either. Sagara grew up in Afghanistan where the line between civilian and military blurs. The ranks of Afganistan militia are very informal ones and aside from the lack of female soldiers, its not a drilled in "by the book" kinda army.

Just like a perfect US soldier would hate a child soldier. Sagara would no doubt find nothing wrong with it.

Mirthil certainly changes Sagara and gives him a rule book to live by but again we have no evidence that Mirthil is against fraternization. Give me that at least. It's unlikely he's been exposed to the concept that romance is a big no no....why? Because he'd normally not think of it

By your logic I want to point out Sagara can't be with Kaname either. She is his charge and it is his duty to protect her. He'd be brought up on charges for using his position to gain sexual favors. The military is all about stoppng the abuse of one's position.

Where? Where is he grabbing her, assaulting her, feeling her up? I missed that part.

Did I say in my earlier post that just because a teenage guy has very normal physical reactions to a practically naked, dripping girl it doesn't mean he wants to hold her hand? I was thinking it but don't recall and won't scroll back. And I'll add that raw, sheer, hormonal lust is not exactly the most reliable way to determine relationship compatibility?

Actually, I refer to the fact Sagara is giving her longing looks when she's discussing their never socializing as if he's suddenly aware. His constant blushing and the rather poor way he fights her off during their training session says to me a man who is not unhappy about his position.

I like manga Tessa too and I hope they did it in Fumoffo where she hangs around him for an entire week hand-in-pocket. He seems to be having fun but that's manga not series of course.

If you mean the respect he shows her, she's due it because of her rank, not her gender, and its in his own personality to give it just like he does to his other superiors.

I disagree its about rank with Sagara and Tessa. Tessa is someone who has saved Sosuke's ass on numerous occasions along with been there when he and Kaname needed her most. She's gone out on the limb for him many times and he has to know that.

Its more than just respect (he showed alot LESS to the higher ranking officers in Afghanistan-polite but noncommital)

Their situation is unusual but they are getting much closer and I resent the fact Fumoffo dropped the ball on this. They should have just had Tessa enroll as she went on sabbatical
[/i]

[Jae]

Please don't resent other people's opinions on this. I don't resent yours, I can't speak for everyone else but really, they're opinions. There are people who like Tessa with Sousuke, but you can't make us all agree that she has a chance.

he is not the perfect United States soldier archetype either.

No, he's not. Kalanin stresses very early in the series that Sousuke's a perfect subordinate who follows orders, and says this based on his history with Sousuke. This implies he has a very strong command/rank ethic regardless of how un-regulated his early experience was. Go back to the family analogy. And even despite his history with Kalanin, their relationship is still only very formal. No fraternizing there, either. Its clear he does make and respect a strong distinction between himself and his commanders, exhibited there and in what we are told about how, until inside the show, he's never gone against orders.

The point about Kaname as his protectee is acknowledged and has been made before. But he isn't breaking either ethic (yet)- and he's more likely to not be Kaname's protector anymore before he's likely to be equal, greater than, or out from under Tessa. I'm not in the 'he should pick one now' crowd- if he picks one, it will be eventually when he will either not be breaking a ethic or has feelings and motivations that outweigh ethic.

But his commander/subordinate ethic is most likely quite greater than his protector/protectee ethic- seeing as he has tons more experience being a subordinate than a bodyguard.

Re: longing looks- this is back to personal interpretation.
It's anime, its really hard to determine why a character is looking at another character unless its made obvious, which it isn't in this case.
He does admire her professional skills when she has an opportunity to show them, and it does show in his face. I haven't seen him admiring her bare legs, long lush hair, or wide emotional eyes, but that might just be me.

I personally thought that his attempt to push her off of him was poor in part because he's still unable to untangle his personal life from his personal. He can't dare to be so rude as to handle her physically, and he blushes like mad for the same time he sweats like mad all for the same reason- IMO he's nervous as hell when she's behaving improperly.

Re rank: sure it's about rank. He gives her the respect she's due as captain (minus that ''she doesn't run well" incident). He gives her respect due to the actions she's taken as captain- they are not mutually exclusive at all. Why should he treat those others as well as Tessa, when she does have an established history in his mind? Saying he respects her for her rank doesn't diminish his respect for her actions- it merely explains the formality and honor he shows her to be just that.

Re Fumo- it was a short series. But even in the manga bit it didn't seem to me like they were getting closer in a possible-romantic sense. Getting to know each other through shared experience isn't the same thing...

Sorry for the crude manner of this reply