Difference between revisions of "Shinjiro Aragaki"

"Everything we do has consequences."

Shinjiro Aragaki is not your average Persona-User. One of the founding members of SEES, he nonetheless distanced himself from the group for three years after an incident in which he lost control of his power and accidentally killed an innocent bystander. A rather infamous member of Darkside, he has a wide array of contacts of varying legitimacy, though he makes a point of keeping his own activities beneficent. He blames himself for the death he caused, and tries to avoid using Personae because of this... even though he has rejoined SEES as an active member. Many of his underclassmen have come to see him as a mentor figure, despite his obvious issues.

Killing Glare, Lecture, I Have A Particular Set of Skills, Best Senpai, Kohai Army, Gangland Hero(?), Self-Loathing 101, Angry Young Man, Skipping School, Don't Be Like Me, Knowledge: Underworld, Knowledge: Cooking, My Feelings Will Not Be Repressed, SEES 'Nam Vet, Less Doomed

• Weapon: Heavy axes, maces, hammers, zweihanders, stop signs. Anything that looks like he shouldn't be able to wield it one-handed the way he does. Current choice is a double-bladed axe about half his height.
• Body: Dark red peacoat. Sometimes, a leather jacket.
• Feet: Boots. Well-worn, with a slight heel.
• Accessories:
  • A badly-made twine bracelet, worn hidden under his sleeve. He doesn't talk about it.
  • A heavy copper-and-steel braided ring given him by Ran. It is occasionally worn on the hand, but more often worn on a chain around his neck (due to not wanting to break it on someone's deserving jaw).

• Courage: 5 - Fucking Iron
• Diligence: 5 - Suicidally Stubborn
• Expression: 0 - Goddamn Rude
• Understanding: 2 - Depends On Topic
• Knowledge: 2 - What's 'Attendance'
• Street Smarts: 5 - Undisputed Alpha

• Intimidate: Armor-piercing glare.
• Ignore: Walked away five minutes ago.
• Lecture: "Back in 'Nam, we didn't TALK to demons..."
• Dere: "Fuckin useless goddamn... hey you. C'mere."

• Shinjiro has charge of the SEES armory (where all the weapons gotten from Officer Kurosawa are generally kept and maintained). It can be generally assumed he will provide rudimentary training on their use to SEES members who ask.
• Due to the TV experience, Shinjiro no longer needs his Evoker to summon Castor (though he still requires it for any other Persona). It'll be a sad day for all those around him the moment he notices this.
• Shinjiro isn't full-blooded Japanese. His mother was Japanese and his father was a Russian. He doesn't really know this for sure himself, since he was orphaned at such an early age and since not that much is known about his parents. It's not obvious in his features, they're more Asian than anything else, but nonetheless he still looks 'different' enough (especially in bone structure, eye color, and height) to make his life more difficult than it strictly had to be (being teased, not being adopted because he was visibly not a pure-blood, continuing discrimination, etc.).
• Due to his time in the street, Shinjiro is preoccupied with cleanliness. Having seen and endured some of the most horrible conditions possible, he's gotten somewhat freakish about keeping clean now that he's returned to proper civilization. That shit isn't something he needs to experience again, now that he can avoid it. It drives him crazy to see people living in untidy squalor, not taking full advantage of their posh living environments. As such, he can't stand Junpei's room.
• He supported himself doing the absolute bare minimum in order to stay alive. This included working(??) just enough to have money for food: whether legitimate work, illegal work, or supplementary gambling on the side (it is typically unwise to play mahjong against him). Life was fairly horrible early on, but after hitting a stride and cleaning up a little, he was able to get work in kitchens. He's known (and generally well-liked) by many proprietors along Iwatodai and Paulownia. This is also, incidentally, how he got quite so good at cooking; he always had natural talent, but working in kitchens and watching the cooks helped refine it.
• His connections with local businesses also helped in terms of basic shelter, cleanliness, necessities; the more kind-hearted of his erstwhile 'employers' eventually came to trust him enough to occasionally help him out. Some have even let him grab a shower and a spot on their floor to overnight when it's cold or raining.
• Shinjiro also haunted a lot of net cafes over the past two years. It's probably how he got to know about Darkside.
• Shinjiro's "accident" wasn't quite as simple as "Castor jumped out of his head against his will, without being called, and started going nuts." The reaction he has to it-- to ostracize and kill himself-- seems a little extreme if he wasn't even directly responsible for his Persona being out in the first place. Here he has a little more culpability; he made a conscious decision to summon his Persona, even in tight quarters, in the hubristic belief that he could handle it and that he would prove himself, his control and his competence by being the one to chase down the Shadow.
  Probably, something had happened a few days before that implicated his self-confidence-- maybe he was thinking about his upbringing as an unwanted orphan, maybe he'd just argued with Akihiko about his lack of full control-- and he wanted to prove everyone wrong and show what he was worth. So he brought Castor out, and pushed him, and while he was being reckless he lost control and killed somebody. Hence why he punished himself so hard and insisted against it when people told him it wasn't his fault. This was all in his head, so no one else knew that this was how it really happened; which is why no one understood his extreme need to punish himself.
• Shinjiro gets migraines occasionally, usually caused by dissonance between himself and his Persona.
• Shinjiro's Evoker holster is a black leather concealment holster, designed to be worn at the hip. It was a gift from Mitsuru back when Shinjiro first joined SEES. It's one of his more treasured possessions due to the fact of who gave it to him.
• Shinjiro fucking loves Pochacco. Shinjiro will also kill your fucking ass dead if you ever find out he does.

Shinjiro will fuck you up.

Castor, the mortal son. One of the Dioscuri, sons of Zeus and Tyndareus. Castor was fated to die, having been born a man, but his immortal brother Polydeuces opted to share his immortality. This allowed both brothers to live one day on Olympus as gods, but the next day as shades in the underworld.

Shinjiro's lack of total control over his Persona arises from his lack of internal harmony or coherence between what he is, and what he tries to be. There is a sharp schism between the face he presents to the world, and his actual nature: which is heavily-repressed, and embodied by his Persona. Castor, when he was first manifested, was an accurate reflection of Shinjiro; however, since the accident he has found himself denied and suppressed to a psychologically-unhealthy point.

The drugs in particular have had a detrimental effect. While they do succeed in suppressing Personae, they also drive them a little mad through the damage they cause. Though Shinjiro has stopped using, Castor has yet to fully regenerate the damage. He is in near-constant conflict with Shinjiro's conscious self, and occasionally finds outlet in uncontrolled rages: typically when Shinjiro is too weakened or overwrought to properly restrain him.

Ever since recent events within the TV (Log of that TV scene) and some frank self-assessment with those who are closest to him, Shinjiro is slowly reconciling himself with his actual nature and allowing himself not only to live, but also to be the flawed and headstrong person he naturally is. As such, his Persona is growing marginally more stable... though he still has trouble truly relaxing his white-knuckled attempts to repress and control.

Castor's appearance has altered in view of the the fact Shinjiro's psychology is slightly healthier, as a direct result of IC events. In the past, the instability and suicidal self-destructiveness of Shinjiro's mind manifested itself in Castor's incomplete, lamed appearance. With a little more mental stability comes a more complete horse and rider: four-legged, stable, and alert.

Castor changes from day to day, as befits the myth. One day it's a skeletal horse sheathed in blackened barding, bearing a rider impaled upon a spear, and the beast will have control of the aggregate. The next, it's a living white horse, lightly armored and wreathed in seafoam, with a living rider that has full control of his mount.

• SENSE: Wild, impulsive, destructive, and chaotic. The first (and for most people, the /only/) thing "felt" is the impression of a fully-armored warhorse, higher at the shoulder than most men are tall, violent-eyed and only barely restrained from lashing out and breaking others beneath its hooves. Those with stronger senses, however, might be able to look past the beast to see the beneficent rider astride it.
• SCENT: Rushing horses in wet steel-and-leather tack. Sea foam, a salted wind, and the electric tang of St. Elmo's Fire.
• SOUND: Surf on the shore, broken up by the regular four-beat gait of galloping horses and the rustle of honed steel.

• O - THE FOOL
  • Tohru Adachi: The unlikeliest of BFFS.
  • Minako Arisato: DDDD:

• I - THE MAGICIAN
  • Shiki Ichimonji: One of the first kohais Shinjiro took a personal hand in mentoring, Shinjiro is quite proud (in a near-paternal way) of how far Shiki has come.

• II - THE HIGH PRIESTESS
  • None of note.

• III - THE EMPRESS
  • Mitsuru Kirijo: One of Shinjiro's oldest and best friends. His feelings towards her alternate between devotion, protectiveness, and gratitude; but he is also one of the very few people who is not afraid to occasionally interact with-- and advise-- her as an equal.

• IV - THE EMPEROR
  • Akihiko Sanada: G=(e_eG)
  • Akatsuki Enda: Shinjiro doesn't understand Akatsuki very well. Though he respects the other boy, he finds Akatsuki's sensitivity and emotional preoccupation difficult to navigate.

• V - THE HIEROPHANT
  • None of note. Unless you count Ryotaro Dojima, the one male adult who can get Shinjiro to ._.;

• VI - THE LOVERS
  • Tohya Kidzuki: Shinjiro doesn't know Tohya well, but from what little he's seen of her (and what he has heard of her) he believes she must be a decent sort, even if she does like Kandori for some incomprehensible reason. He is relieved Tohya is no longer with the NWO.

• VII - THE CHARIOT
  • Aigis: Though Aigis may be a deadly battle bot, Shinjiro treats her with the same gentleness and guidance he would give any flesh and blood kohai.
  • Chisaki Tohsaki: Another of the kohais Shinjiro has taken a personal interest in (and who has taken a personal interest in him, in turn), Shinjiro is very fond of Chisaki's upbeat, frank attitude and way with weapons. They also have in common certain issues with their Personae.

• VIII - JUSTICE
  • Ken Amada: :(((

• IX - THE HERMIT
  • None of note.

• X - THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE
  • Ran Itoh: Ran has been the greatest constant in Shinjiro's life ever since she entered it. Though he initially attempted to push her away, not wanting her to be hurt by pining after his suicidal self, she never once wavered in her support or her faith. Ultimately, her refusal to let him sink alone saved his life. The closest Shinjiro has ever come to losing control enough to break his steadfast beliefs against killing, was upon seeing Ran's life threatened.
  • Takaya Sakaki: Shinjiro hates and actually fears Takaya as: 1) a reminder of his miserable existence in the streets and his dependence on the suppressant drugs, 2) responsible for the attempt to kill/enlighten him and Ran by pushing them into the Inaba TV. More than the actual man himself, Shinjiro hates thhe dirty feeling of remembering that he was once dependent on anything-- or anyone.

• XI - STRENGTH
  • Enoha Koinose: Where Shinjiro lectures kohais, Enoha lectures Shinjiro. Enoha is the closest Shinjiro has to an elder sister figure.

• XII - THE HANGED MAN
  • None of note.

• XIII - DEATH
  • Seiichi Miyamoto: When Seiichi appears as his normal self, Shinjiro has no significant problem with him save to be wary of him (since apparently things are Tense between him and Naomi), and to be somewhat competitive/threatened/protective about the way Seiichi is apparently wooing Mitsuru with delicious food!! When Seiichi appears as his masked self, Shinjiro basically wants to beat him senseless and drag him home for interrogation and neutralization.

• XIV - TEMPERANCE
  • Miwa Saitou: Despite being the same age (or year, at least) as Miwa, Shinjiro tends to think of her as 'another kohai.' Though he isn't foolish enough to think that she doesn't have an inner strength of her own, he certainly thinks of her as someone who needs protecting.
  • Naomi Suzuno: What began as a tense relationship-- with Naomi highly unsettled by Shinjiro's strong Resonance, and Shinjiro scornful of what he assumed to be another spoilt princess-- has become a trusting friendship. Though neither of them have fully revealed all their secrets to the other, they are beginning to consider one another to be excellent sources of counsel. Naomi brings out the teasing, rakish aspects of Shinjiro that have not seen use in years.

• XV - THE DEVIL
  • Itsuka Mizuhara: If Shinjiro regards Shiki as something almost like a son, Itsuka must certainly be the well-loved daddy's girl. He is aware of her devotion to him, and a desire to avoid hurting her was a predominant reason for his decision not to die. Though he can occasionally be a little troubled by certain of her tendencies, they spur him to care for her more as opposed to pushing her away.

• XVI - THE TOWER
  • Thora Kobayashi: Thora and Shinjiro's relationship started off highly antagonistic, both of them being alpha personalities quick to leap into conflict. However, after seeing Thora trying to make her own bento in the wake of her mother's murder, Shinjiro's empathy was stirred enough for him to show her a kindness that Thora has not forgotten. Gentle treatment being such a rare thing in Thora's life, Shinjiro has earned the right to be the only person Thora will address as 'senpai.' It is highly likely, given Thora and Shinjiro's reputations, that no one would EVER guess this respect was won not through brute force, but through kindness.
  • Himeru Namikawa: A peer of Shiki and Itsuka's in Shinjiro's mind, Shinjiro-- in his typical gruff way-- cares for Himeru as one of his underclassmen. He sees in her an unhealthy amount of emotional repression to rival his own, and though he is hardly an adept at navigating emotional waters, he would like to relieve her of some of her crippling guilt. He knows firsthand how heavy such burdens can be.

• XVII - THE STAR
  • Hinata Itoh: Ran's little sister. Possibly... a future sister-in-law?!

• XVIII - THE MOON
  • None of note.

• XIX - THE SUN
  • Tatsuya Suou: Though their surface personalities are rather different, Tatsuya being more given to even, direct bluntness and Shinjiro more volatile and prone to moods and passions, at heart they are rather similar: delinquent gentlemen committed to the protection of others. This means they are able to get along effortlessly and communicate by delinquent telepathy.

• XX - JUDGMENT
  • Kanon Itoh: Ran's elder sister. Also possibly a future relative e_e;;

• 40 Miles From the Sun - Bush
  • I need to lose to make it right / I'll confront the stars tonight
• Fell On Black Days - Soundgarden
  • Just when everyday seemed to greet me with a smile / Sunspots have faded / And now I'm doing time / I'm a search light soul they say / But I can't see it in the night
• Show Me How To Live - Audioslave
  • Someone get me a priest / To put my mind to bed / This ringing in my head / Is this a cure is or is this a disease
• Like A Stone - Audioslave
  • And on I read / Until the day was gone / And I sat in regret / Of all the things I've done
• Rooster - Alice In Chains
  • Ain't found a way to kill me yet / Eyes burn with stinging sweat / Seems every path leads me to nowhere
• Would - Alice In Chains
  • Into the flood again / Same old trip it was back then / So I made a big mistake / Try to see it once my way
• We Die Young - Alice In Chains
  • Another alley trip / Bullet seek the place to bend you over / Then you got hit / And you shoulda known better
• Citizen Erased - Muse
  • Wash me away / Clean your body of me / Erase all the memories / They will only bring us pain / And I've seen all I'll ever need
• Ruled By Secrecy - Muse
  • Repress and restrain / Steal the pressure and the pain / Wash the blood off your hands / This time she won't understand
• The Gypsy Meets the Boy - W.A.S.P.
  • The tarot is fate, said the Gypsy Queen / And she beckoned me, to glimpse my future she'd seen / She said, do you see what I see? Be careful to choose / Be careful what you wish for, cause it may come true
• Man in the Mirror - Savatage
  • In a childlike illusion of life / He imagined the things yet to be / But they all disappeared on this night / Carry on among the forsaken
• Medication - Garbage
  • I don't need an education / I learnt all I need from you / They've got me on some medication / My point of balance was askew
• Love Is Here - Starsailor
  • I've got to leave the girl behind me / You can't love what you have not / So hold on to what you've got
• Under the Bridge - Red Hot Chili Peppers
  • Under the bridge downtown / Is where I drew some blood / Under the bridge downtown / I could not get enough / Under the bridge downtown / Forgot about my love / Under the bridge downtown / I gave my life away
• Unintended - Muse
  • You could be my unintended / Choice to live my life extended / I'll be there as soon as I can / But I'm busy mending broken pieces of the life I had before
• Bad Place Alone - Alice Cooper
  • I know about the pain / Dyin in an alley with an air-conditioned brain / I know, it's for real / Flatlined in an ambulance without a pulse to feel
• What You Live By - Harvey Danger
  • We could talk about the lives we’ve led / And count the reasons we’re not dead / Or maybe we could talk instead / About the ways in which we are