CHARACTER RELATIONS @ Soul Campaign

[alastinglight]

		Kawakami Bansai Weapon: Katana ♚ bangtothebeat Technically speaking, Takasugi's first encounter with Bansai happened before he even ever knew the man, which had been a strange experience in itself. He had not understood how his future self could have ever chosen to associate with someone so obviously morally stunted and quite possibly evil. The fact that Bansai seemed to know him so well (right down to the darkest parts of him) only made things more complicated. He understands now, of course, but that does not help in the slightest in light of the fact hat he also remembers his initial stay in Death City. They're hitting a point in their relationship that is dangerously like their very first fallout, and unlike that time, Takasugi isn't sure of his ability to come back from the edge.
		Katsura Kotaro Meister: Soul Leader ♚ wignamed Takasugi's feelings for Katsura are a little less complicated than what he has for Gintoki. The two of them have always gotten along better, if only because he had less of a reason to be jealous of the other boy in the past, and the two of them tend to reach an understanding much faster due to the things they have in common, even if those common points also become points of tension during their less than stellar encounters. Still, Katsura was a part of his support system in Death City, and later, when he went on to live through the war and the fallout, the other man was still around for him the longest out of the other three. Their last meeting was bitter, yes, but few things could change the fact that he had, for better or for worse, stayed. The only thing that ended up breaking them apart for real was Nizou and the Benizakura, and - given the path he has chosen to walk - Takasugi saw no need to correct the other man's assumptions. Better that he lose him now than have to cut him down himself later. Now, though, they're stuck in Death City together, and Takasugi's been forced to shoulder the burden of remembering a better time. The temptation to reach out to Katsura is great, but Takasugi knows that the man's bond with Gintoki is strong. If that isn't a real conflict of interest, he doesn't know what else could possibly qualify.
		Sakata Gintoki Weapon: Lake Touya ♚ silvershamurai His comrade in arms, and the one among the three that Takasugi admires the most, to an almost self-destructive point. Gintoki, in his eyes, has always been the strongest and best, the one who had everything he did not have, and the one who could be everything that he was incapable of being. Suffice to say, Takasugi had been rather jealous of him, and it definitely wasn't just because he was the closest to Shouyo. These feelings faded quickly during his first stay in Death City, though, as Gintoki soon became one of the two people who kept Takasugi stable. Now, however, those memories conflict with what he went through during the war (being abandoned by his brothers-in-arms, losing himself to despair), and the immense bitterness that led him towards a path much different from his comrades. Losing Gintoki, he figures, is going to hurt, but Takasugi's prepared to keep his secrets close to his chest and cut him off it it means protecting Gintoki from himself. He also fears that if he lets his brother know what he's really up to and what he's thinking, he'll start to doubt. Doubt will make him waver, and he's too far gone to let that happen to him. The world responsible for taking Shouyo and ruining all that he loves deserves to burn down, after all.
		Aqua Meister: Soul Levitate ♚ blue_wayfinder And where does he begin with this one? Aqua was his first friend, someone that Takasugi - young and confused and lonely as he had been in his initial weeks in Death City - had felt an almost instinctive bond with, as though both of them knew what it was like to lose people, to have to stare darkness in the face and still manage to get up in the morning and fight. They fell in love before either of them really realized it, and became a team, ready to face the war with the witches together, and support each other throughout everything. Back then, he had felt, in some ways, that he could trust more of himself with Aqua than he could with his own comrades, or with Bansai. So where does that leave them now, where barely two weeks based for her, and years had passed for him? How does one deal, when one has become a broken shell and a beast without history, facing someone who represents everything that he can no longer have? He's intent on keeping Aqua away. It's for her own good. (But he can't deny the fact that he needs her, and can't actually cope with the idea of losing her for good.)
		Hitsugaya Toshirou Weapon: Sword ♚ frozenheavens Takasugi had been wary of Hitsugaya in the past, and rightfully so - the other boy had been partnered to Sougo back then, as he is now. Interestingly enough, they slowly began to realize that they had things in common, and decided to become friends regardless of Okita's disapproval As things stand, Hitsugaya might be one of the few 'friends' Takasugi has left.
		Itou Kamotaro Meister: Soul Descend ♚ pawned Itou had, of course, been incredibly suspicious of Takasugi the first time they met in Death City, and with good reason: the boy in front of him was going to become the man who'd be responsible for getting him killed. Takasugi had tried to respect the man's space as much as possible, and the pair eventually befriended each other, in a way, over a course of several strained conversations and spars. All of that hard work, however, seems to have gone down the drain now that Takasugi's back, and in the form and personage of the man who betrayed Itou. Interestingly enough, he's relying on Itou to be the one to destroy him, if the need ever arises. He doubts that Bansai, Gintoki, Katsura or Aqua would have the strength to, and well. It'd be poetic justice for the older man, wouldn't it?
		Fabiola Iglesias Meister: Soul Adrenaline ♚ malandragem A girl that Takasugi hit it off with instantly, and only grew closer to over the months that he spent as his younger self in Death City. It's his positive memories of that and his desire to keep his friends out of his mess that have him currently holding Fabiola at arm's length. This, no doubt, confuses Fabiola a lot, but it's better this way.
		Okita Sougo Meister: Soul Menace ♚ sadoslash Sougo had antagonized Takasugi almost immediately, because he believed that it would have been better to destroy Takasugi before he ever became the man he was in the future. These days, Takasugi sometimes finds himself wondering if Sougo had been right all along.
		Lili Rochefort Meister: Soul Adrenaline ♚ donttelldaddy A girl that Takasugi had become not!friends with during his initial stay in Death City. They had several major disagreements, and a lot of Lili's behavior just did not sit well with him, but Takasugi had, on the other hand, been genuinely concerned for her welfare, and had helped her out on a number of occasions. He had been content, in his younger years, to agree to disagree with Lili and stand by her as a friend. As things are now, though, perhaps they'll get along even better than they used to, and have nothing to disagree over in the slightest. Only time will tell.
		Hijikata Toshirou Weapon: Mayora Canon ♚ mayotaku The only one with common sense from the Shinsengumi's core group, but that isn't saying much. Takasugi's opinion of this one remains neutral, even after all of the changes. Of course, if the man really does go after him... well, that would be unfortunate. For Hijikata.
		Demona Meister: Soul Rage ♚ pmsgargoyle A gargoyle, and a Meister that may very well be a beast like himself on the battlefield. He's looking forward to fighting with her again.
		Tsubaki Nakatsukasa Weapon: Demon Variable Weapon ♚ scentedcamellia A Weapon from Shibusen whom Takasugi had once had rather positive feelings for, because she had gone out of the way to be nice to him. Suffice to say, he doubts that she'll associate with him now.
		Rhode Kamelot Weapon: Half-pike ♚ suchselfishness Some girl whom he apparently antagonized during his first round in Death City. She probably deserved it.
		Hajime Saitou (Fujita Goro) Meister: Soul Endurance ♚ thrusts Some person who contacted him on the network recently. His antagonism was amusing, at least.
		Takani Megumi Weapon: Soul Gauntlet ♚ megitsune A woman Takasugi saved on a whim from some random sleaze on the street. She's full of all sorts of Feelings and Opinions.
		Tenjou Utena Meister: Soul Determination ♚ princelyspirit Utena approached him first, actually, because she had thought that Takasugi was injured. They had an interesting conversation, at least.
		Lau Meister: Soul Cloak ♚ dreamstick A businessman, and a self-proclaimed master of tea and spices. Takasugi might just invest in the man, if he's truly worth it. Kami-sama knows Death City is far too Western for his tastes.
		Haru Weapon: Sex Pistol ♚ quarterlynx A curious Weapon who responded to his call for a mission partner with the offer of a threesome. Rather shameless. Pretty/possibly fucked up enough for Takasugi to consider it.
		Okita Mitsuba Meister: Calming Wavelength ♚ tabasco He knew, without having to ask, that this woman's related to Okita. Why she keeps on approaching him is beyond Takasugi.
		Amaterasu Meister: Calming Wavelength ♚ motherofthesun A wolf capable of sentient communication and combat on an admirable level. How interesting.
		Leo Meister: Feral Soul ♚ lionborn A Meister he recently met during training. The self-proclaimed "King of Bad Resonance". He's got interesting features.