Something of an update.

What can I say, I've been playing FFX straight for the past few days. And when I mean straight, I mean straight. I'm using this sinus infection I have as an excuse to rest. But then I'm not sleeping much either, and again, it's not my fault that my sinus infection doesn't let me get more than four hours of sleep. But I have to get through it and possibly FFX-2 before I go back.

I'm right after the part where Home gets destroyed. But from the way the the strategy guide describe the next boss fight, I feel like I'm going to be screwed.

I want to see what happens next.

Oh yeah, and I'm babysitting. And the video just ended. Remember folks: Care Bears are good for something.

Over and out.

FFX through the fanfictioners eyes.

Note: This was actually written on Friday, so I'm much farther now. But most of what I say still applies.

If the bandwagon pulled away a long time ago, is it still a bandwagon?

Yes, I got FFX for Christmas as well as the strategy guide, which is both invaluable and frustrating as all heck. And I've gotten myself all nice and addicted. I was up until three last night, and then I woke up at 7:30 this morning playing it, and yes, I did play it until my mom kicked me off the TV around nine tonight. I'm that addicted. Yes, I adore Kingdom Hearts, but I also *gasp* think Me-chan was right. FFX owns so much more. I'm only at Mi'hen Highroad right now, just because I was obsessed with earning the Jecht Shot and winning the tournament in Luca. The lack of camerage annoys me. I need the control darn it, but I don't really have a problem with any of the technical aspects of the game. Heck, I even figured out the battle system. Anyway, the technical stuff, I'm completely ignorant on, so I'll just ignore it.

The characterization in this game, at least with the playable characters, is beautiful. The people in charge were extremely specific when assigning personalities to the major characters, and they manage to play the cut scenes showing off these traits without smacking people upside the head with them. In other words, the personality is shown through dialogue and action rather than simply telling the players the personality.

I don't necessarily adore all the playable characters as people, but I love most of them, and Tidus isn't all that bad either. I just find him annoying sometimes. Hopefully he grows up on this journey. Honestly, watching that guy during the cut scenes, I have literally done the Tidus...Tidus...Tidus forehead slap. And well, it's nice to have a main male character that is neither a little boy nor a sullen young man. Again, he just gets on my nerves. *waits for the angry phone call*

Yuna. Can I say that she actually pulls off the kind, gentle healer role well? I know way too many people who have her sort of 'oh no, it's my fault really' mentality that she seems to have in the game, and her brand of kindness and gentleness is one that I think does exist in real life, posessed by real people.

I could do the rest of them... but I won't. Let's just say that I probably most particularly adore Lulu as a character. Dude, she fights with plushies (dolls, really)! What's not to love? Personalitywise, I think she does pull off the cold-exterior, warm-interior cliche quite well. It's much more specific than just tough on the outside but nice to those who are close where 'close' is anyone who is relatively nice to her. There are reasons for her behavior, and she has a different dynamic with the other characters.

Nothing more about that, I swear.

Okay, I think I've figured out the Rikku/Auron thing that some of the more ignorant of the fangirls seem to have a fondness for. Taking away the fact that Rikku most closely embodies the typical teenage girl-type person, and Auron is just plain cool and, according to Me-chan, hot in his younger days, there seems to be a logical explanation.

The Law of Each-every.

Mostly followed by younger authors who have a profoundly shallow romantic streak, an aversion to creating OCs for any number of reasons, the lack of imagination to bring in minor characters to develop as parts of the story, and little flare for characterization, the Law of Each-Every states that each an every main canon character must be paired up with another main canon character, regardless of whether said relationships would actually work.

Obviously, it's not involiable. I hope not, anyway.

Let's look at the main characters in FFX, at least the ones that can join your party, and possible pairings.

Males: Tidus, Wakka, Auron, Kimahri
Females: Yuna, Lulu, Rikku

Disclaimer: Yes, they're all het, for the reason that this a Rikku/Auron explanation. Honestly the sho-ai types who follow this law usually don't bother with any het at all.

Tidus/Yuna. Yes, I tend to be a fan of non-canon couples. However, for once, I can't think of any reason why these two would ever go for anyone else. As much as I'm looking to incur the wrath of a specific FFX fangirl, this is a pairing that is not to be touched. So nyar.

Wakka/Lulu. Putting aside everything that says that two adults can know each other well, care deeply about each other, and not be anything more than friends, it's a pretty obvious pairing for those who seek romance. Actually, it's a pairing I can be easily convinced of if the author can handle it with any skill.

So, those are obvious. But now look at poor Rikku. She doesn't have a man in the game. And obviously, she can't continue on with her life without romance as those around her are paired up. Yeah. And the ninth circle of hell is a comfortable 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hmm... so who is there to pair her up with?

Taking this whole major canon character part of this law, there are two possibilities: Auron and Rikku and Kimahri and Rikku. Kimahri rarely talks, and he isn't human. So he's pretty much out of the picture for the fangirls. This of course leaves Auron, who has issues of his own that are just waiting for a woman's kindness and a youthful spirit to heal them, free. Isn't it a coincidence? Rikku is both youthful and a woman.

Following this logic, Rikku must obviously need the devoted protection of someone much stronger than she is. Another coincidence: Auron is a lot stronger than Rikku. And because in the part of the law that talks about the profoundly shallow romantic streak, devoted protection must mean true love.

Okay, maybe that's not it, considering that I've only just started Mi'hen by the time I'm writing this, and I have yet to stray into the FFX section of FFN, and it will only be when I've summoned my courage and banished this stomachache that I will. But looking at the other characters so far, and what I've seen with people so obsessed with romantic pairings in fanfiction, I doubt I'm completely off the target.

Oh, and I think someone went to bed, so the PS2 can now gnaw on my soul some more.

***
Pre-written entry complete.
Over and out.