Comment on Cynically Yours

  1. Jaybird (Guest) on Chapter 5 Thu 16 Mar 2017 03:06AM UTC

    Bleh, sorry for the late-ish reply, it's a hellish time with classes right now. But yesss, I like seeing Tadashi show a bit of his specialized training, hopefully we'll see him go on a sabotage mission or so? I'm not quite sure what it'll entail, if it's sort of an espionage type of sabotage (which is a bit unlikely considering he said he's a shit liar), or tinkering around setting traps, or feeding false information. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I just imagine him setting up explosives and having at it. Nothing can fuck up a ninja outpost or organization more than having parts of it blown to high hell every now and again, lol.

    And oh my gosh, doting cousin mode is so cute and amusing on Tadashi, plus Shikamaru's irritation that's so horribly masking his affection and respect towards Tadashi. I'm so excited to see what'll happen now that we're getting more into the canon timeline and the Sand Siblings and exams approach!

    I read the little excerpts on your blog as well, I love how Hana's so adamant that she'll love Anko no matter what, and then sheepishly has to ask for her name. Poor Tadashi though, people keep pairing up around him. Steady on, man, you'll find your soulmate soon! Will it be weird when Tadashi and Shikamaru find out that their soulmates are siblings? Oh wow, I'm really looking forward to that moment. I'm curious as well re. one of the sentences here, when Hana greets and talks to her 'brothers'. So is Kiba a twin in this 'verse or something like that?

    Oh, and I know you mentioned it a few chapters ago, but I'm glad to hear that Naruto won't be a major presence in this fic. I guess it might sound a bit mean, but I prefer it when an SI OC fic doesn't revolve around how the character meets and befriends Naruto, or is the sibling of Naruto, etc. etc. I think it's because I always feel like someone who has the memories of an adult would find it very frustrating to have to interact on the same level with a kid who is so... energetic, and attention demanding, and seeming to lack an understanding of subterfuge and strategic thinking. I don't know, maybe it's just my lack of experience around kids, but I always find it kinda weird when it's a person with the mentality of a 23 or 35 year old getting along perfectly fine with a 12 year old who seems like he's constantly high on sugar. Is that unfair? I'm not sure, maybe I'm just a crotchety old 20-something, haha.

    Thanks for updating, I always love seeing more of this!

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    1. MM_Mendell (ozbites) on Chapter 5 Sat 18 Mar 2017 12:45AM UTC

      I hope your classes go well!! (I understand that kind of pain all too clearly, unfortunately.)

      When it comes to his missions, they're kinda a mixed bag lol. In a military state like this— even one that's not currently at war, I interpreted sabotage to basically mean "get your hands on the goods and then destroy everything else". The next several chapters will be devoted to his missions (though I'm afraid that I gloss over the specifics a bit in the interest of moving the plot along). So basically, your estimation there is spot-on!

      I'm glad that you like this facet of Tadashi's character!! It's a part of his personality that I'm really trying to drive home, since it'll become important later— he is a perfectly friendly and even kind individual as long as the other person /actually tries/ to get along with him. Him and Shikamaru's relationship is the perfect way to showcase that, because they hold so much affection for each other and /understand/ one another so well. I love to write their interactions, honestly. Tadashi becomes a little more real to me each time he teases Shikamaru like that. [And the chūnin exams are coming up— expect big things in chapter 8!]

      When it comes to soulmate things... Yep, Tadashi is gonna be caught a bit off guard, I'd wager. It's interesting as a writer to balance his obvious wish for companionship with his skepticism towards the whole process and his personal demons. And, re: Hana & Kiba— in her little introduction to the team, she mentioned that she had two younger brothers, but that one of them was their half-brother. That's what the line is referring to! And it's actually not a big secret who the brother is or anything, but I like to keep the narrator's voice consistent, and well. Tadashi doesn't really care about Hana's family all that much, lol. To him, they're just a part of his teammate's life. Nothing noteworthy— he wouldn't expect them to be any different thanks to canon knowledge, after all.

      About Naruto— yeah, I have to agree with you there. Another important part of Tadashi that I've been trying to show is his indifference. If it isn't something that directly affects him or one of his (like, three) friends, he doesn't give a shit. Why should he care about Naruto? He's never encountered the boy, doesn't even know his name. Naruto isn't really Shikamaru's friend at that point either— so there would've been no reason for the two to be introduced. He has no knowledge of canon. Why should he feel sympathetic towards Naruto? That's the way that I intended to go from the beginning, though I fear that I might have accidentally given some readers the wrong impression. I had a reviewer on ff.net who said that they couldn't wait for Tadashi to "save" Naruto, and I didn't really have the heart to reply with; "ah, sorry pal, you're gonna be waiting for a long time". I suppose since Tadashi is slated to be paired with Gaara, some people just assumed that meant he would have a close relationship with Naruto? Well, nevertheless, I'm glad someone else approves of my current plans.

      Thank you so much for always taking the time to tell me your thoughts— it's a true delight, and I'm more than happy to ramble on about my fics (as is common knowledge at this point). Thanks again, and I hope you continue to enjoy!!

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