Difference between revisions of "Shinsuke Kusagawa"

• Weapon: Sword Rapier - A heavier rapier that can be used both for pointwork and for slashing.
• Body: Designer Coat - A black coat from a fashionable Aristocrat boutique.
• Feet: Black Leather Boots - A pair of fine tall leather boots.
• Accessory: Ice-Blue Contact Lenses - The perfect finish to his impeccable wardrobe.

• Courage: 1 - Better Part Of Valor
• Diligence: 5 - Driven and Determined
• Expression: 4 - Extremely Eloquent
  • Charm: 5 - This Stat Is Now Diamonds
  • Socialise: 2 - Can I Go Home Now
• Understanding: 4 - Favorite Subject: People
• Knowledge: 5 - (Polite) Know-It-All
  • Academics: 5 - Future Valedictorian

• Shinsuke's personal name means "true helper", but can be poetically translated as "sincere assistance".
• Shinsuke's family name, Kusagawa, means "grassy river". He finds the similarity between it and Itsuka's surname fascinating -- Mizuhara means "flooded plain".
• Shinsuke's father, Dr. Kusagawa, works at Tatsumi Memorial Hospital, where he may or may not now be appraised of the true nature of afflictions such as Apathy Syndrome. That's why they're in Tatsumi Port Island in the first place.
• Shinsuke dresses primarily in designer Gothic Aristocrat fashions.
• Shinsuke's ice-blue eyes are indeed colored contact lenses. His eyes are actually brown -- cinnamon with gold flecks, to be precise. Lately he's taken to showing them off more.
• Though he doesn't plan on becoming a music student when he gets to university, Shinsuke plays both piano and violin quite well.
• Similarly, Shinsuke has been fencing at the national level since middle school.
• Because he learned it from a British tutor (and from reading a lot of Sherlock Holmes), Shinsuke's English is the Queen's English, and he does have an accent (which is likely being amplified by Kay) when he speaks it. He's not fluent, though.
• Shinsuke's favorite color, obviously, is blue.
• Shinsuke loves food and is an accomplished chef. Being alone 75% of the time and hating processed food will do that to you.
  • His hatred of processed foods stems from the fact that they remind him of being alone.
• Shinsuke also loves people. So much.
• Shinsuke has a large library, most of which he's brought to the dorm. It includes classics of both the East and the West (a great deal of Western works, actually), as well as a fairly prodigious amount of manga.
  • Yes, that includes Captain Rebellion.
• Thanks to his father's position, Shinsuke has an inordinate amount of money at his disposal. He mostly uses it to buy clothes, books, and food.
• Though he doesn't need the money, Shinsuke is now working as a pianist at Chagall Café. His main job is to look elegant, though he can actually play (thus eliminating the need for a recording or automated piano). Free cake is part of his salary.
• While he has many flaws, one in particular really upsets Shinsuke: He is terminally unable to keep any sort of plant alive, and gardening is right out. This bothers him both because Itsuka has always been good at horticulture and because his Velvet Room is a garden. Way to drive the point home, Collective Unconsciousness.
• Shinsuke likes collecting things. Things, mind, not people.
• Shinsuke is fascinated by death. This is not limited to physical death, either.
• A side effect of confronting his Shadow in the TV is, apparently, that Shinsuke no longer needs an Evoker to summon Personae. More importantly, it's solved his control issues.

• Charm: "*kisses hand* My, Nekomata, but aren't you lovely!" - Shinsuke effusively charms the demon, which may provoke happy or interested reactions.
• Inquisition: "How fascinating! Please, tell me more about yourself!" - Shinsuke asks the demon a series of flattering yet pointed questions. May provoke happy, interested, or angry reactions.
• Snark: "Well, I suppose it can't be helped. I ought to have known better than to try and engage a Python in civil converse." - Shinsuke cattily insults the demon. May provoke angry, interested, happy, or sad reactions.
• Brook No Argument: "Take us to your mistress. Now." - With a coldly authoritative gleam in his eye, Shinsuke issues orders to the demon. May provoke angry, interested, or frightened reactions.

• Antiquated Linguistics
• Battle Butler -- especially in the 202X timeline.
• Big Fancy House
• Bishie Sparkle -- though he sparkles darkly because he's goth. Yes, seriously.
• Bitch In Sheep's Clothing
• Chef Of Iron -- related to Battle Butler above.
• Cruel Mercy
• Death Glare -- especially when his eyes are glowing.
• Deadpan Snarker
• Eerie Pale-Skinned Brunette
• Good Is Not Nice
• Instant Fan Club -- doesn't annoy him as fast as Akihiko's does, but he does tell them to chill out every so often.
• I Want My Beloved To Be Happy
• Kansai Regional Accent -- technically everyone in the Personaverse speaks with this, given where the game is set; it's mentioned specifically here because Shinsuke explicitly speaks in Kyoto-ben. Ironically, in anime it's reserved as a dialect for female characters due to its soft nature. :/
• Nerds Are Sexy -- it's sometimes hard to remember that Shinsuke is basically a shy, bitter nerd who also happens to be both attractive and just good enough at faking being charming to get past the first five minutes of any given conversation.
• Precision F Strike
• Seme -- specifically a seke, or someone who in Western parlance is "versatile"; in manner and demeanor, however, he's pretty much seme.
• Spock Speak
• Stealth Insult -- unless he's feeling especially douchey.
• Straight Gay
• Tall Dark And Handsome
• The Lancer ...to Shiki's Hero, of course. And yet, he's also...
• The Medic

"You can never go back."

Profile: Popular and admired, Shinsuke presents an elegant and aristocratic face to the world -- or at least, to those he keeps at arm's length. To those who know him, he's charming, if somewhat stiff and reserved, but his carefully-maintained façade is beginning to crack; he has more and more of late been acidly sarcastic, coldly critical, even bitterly venomous. The discrepancy may lead one to wonder, knowing how kind and warm he usually is, what's really going on? Even his recent attempts to loosen up haven't affected this strange dissonance in his personality...or his control issues, which have not improved despite his efforts. There's more beneath the surface, it would seem, but it may take something drastic to finally drag it out into the light.

Skills: Am I The Good Twin?, Knight In Shining (?) Armor, The Good Son, (Far From) Effortlessly Perfect, Requiem For A Dream, Strings And Piano, Out Of Eden, An Immortal Emperor In A Mundane Universe, A Little Morbid, Also Kind Of A Romantic, Sister Complex, Everybody Lies (And They Do It All The Time), Rhapsody In Blue, Death Drive, Fire In His Eyes, Sure I'll Help You With Your Homework, Just Don't Touch My Stuff, None Of Your Business, Control Freak, The Earth Is A Character Gallery, Devil's Advocate, Has Thorns, The Sunlit Garden: Illusion

Special: Saionji Special - When he feels that he has been insulted, Shinsuke takes a page out of Kay's book and backhands the one who offended him. The flame of his affronted rage informs the strike, leaving a nasty burn as well as a welt. Its name is taken from a character in the anime series Revolutionary Girl Utena who has a habit of doing this.

Shinsuke's Persona is Kay, seneschal and devil's advocate of the Court of King Arthur. He started out in the early Welsh tradition as a valiant, clever, and eloquent warrior with various fire- and water-related supernatural powers; the later tradition assigned him a wicked tongue and a decided contempt for anyone who didn't measure up to his exacting standards. Despite his villainous qualities, Kay was passing loyal to his comrades, particularly Bedivere and Gawain, and to his king (who was also his foster-brother). His pointed insults were his way of ensuring the quality of those who would call themselves Knights of the Round Table. As seneschal Kay was the master of the king's household, and was skilled in all manner of domestic tasks as well as those expected of a knight of his stature. He is also the only major knight who is not pledged to a lady, instead being more or less pledged to Arthur himself. That's not significant at all, though.

• SENSE: A feeling of safety and closeness, like sitting by the fire in a castle kitchen, and a distinct feeling of loyalty and solidarity.
• SOUND: The ring of steel against steel and the blowing of rain-soaked wind.
• SMELL: Spices and burning wood.
  
  

• 0. The Fool
  • Minako Arisato: The younger Arisato twin is on Student Council with Shinsuke, and they work together there. He occasionally finds himself baffled or bemused by her flirty nature, but considers her a friend nonetheless.
  • Joker: Joker likes Shinsuke's opinions. Oh god...

• I. The Magician
  • Shiki Ichimonji: Itsuka's ex-boyfriend and author of the acclaimed shounen series Captain Rebellion. Shinsuke finds his exuberance endearing, and his valiance worthy of high respect. Now that he and Itsuka are separated, however, their friendship is strained somewhat; Shinsuke knows the difficulties his sister faced in her relationship, showing his friend in a new light. He hasn't allowed it to impact the Eclipse Squad's teamwork, however, and the two boys are still foils for one another. Theme

• II. The High Priestess
  • Maki Sonomura: Maki stopped by the Lucky 7 one day while Shinsuke was there getting a snack before club, where Itsuka introduced them. Shinsuke thinks she's a little odd, but likes her well enough -- after all, she apparently located him with her...Persona, or something...when he went to meet Itsuka for the first time in six years at Wakatsu. She does seem to be friends with both Itsuka and Shiki, and their joint endorsement is good enough for him.
  • Fuuka Yamagishi: Upon learning of his cooking skill, Fuuka asked Shinsuke to help her improve her own. He agreed to undertake the Herculean task and, with the (semi-distracting) aid of Seiichi Miyamoto, managed to help Fuuka create an edible dish! He is fairly certain it wasn't a fluke, given that Fuuka can apparently follow directions. They are on friendly terms, so it always embarrasses Shinsuke a little when Fuuka calls him "sensei".

• III. The Empress
  • Mitsuru Kirijo: It's taken a lot of time and personal development, but Shinsuke has reached the point where he's able to allow himself to address Mitsuru as "senpai". She means a great deal to him, and he trusts her...but he isn't sure what to make of the fact that she knows about Seiichi Miyamoto's allegiance and still seems to trust him. Somewhat less pressing is his sense that he ought to return his Evoker to her, now that he no longer needs it.

• IV. The Emperor
  • Akatsuki Enda: Their relationship has been rocky and complicated, but they've come to a good end. At least, Shinsuke has the feeling it's the end. He will always remember Akatsuki, and cherish not only his memories but also the lessons he's taken from them.
  • Sai Chiji: The only other Gothic Aristocrat Shinsuke knows, Sai seems to him to be sharp and no-nonsense -- traits he appreciates. Otherwise he doesn't know her that well; perhaps they should spend more time together.

• V. The Hierophant
  • Shinjiro Aragaki: Shinsuke respects his senpai a great deal, particularly due to Shinjiro's obvious culinary expertise (useful in rescuing Fuukas) and ability to dispense advice. That ability came in especially useful during a recent trip to Yakushima, where Shinjiro offered Shinsuke a gruff commentary on the youth's issues with Akatsuki Enda. They also spoke of TV dungeons, Shinsuke's being the first Shinjiro had attended since leaving his own...Shinsuke still wonders about what might have occurred there.

• VI. The Lovers
  • Shinsuke has not developed any notable Lovers links.

• VII. The Chariot
  • Aigis: Good robot, best pal.
  • Chisaki Tohsaki: Shinsuke and Chisaki worked together on Student Council (she and Minako Arisato are co-VPs), and he visited her in the hospital after she lost a fight to Mamoru Yasuragi. This incident is the reason Shinsuke dislikes Mamoru, even if the Kasuga student and Chisaki are apparently now friends.
  • Yoh Yamagatani: Shinsuke vaguely knew Yoh from the dorm, but defending the boy when Hinata Itoh started lacing into him over an accidental insult paid to Masumi Hayashi apparently earned Shinsuke Yoh's undying well-regard. This is absolutely fine with Shinsuke -- Yoh may not be a genius, but his heart and loyalty to his friends impresses Shinsuke greatly. He's also apparently capable of accepting constructive criticism, which is also good.

• VIII. Justice
  • Arisa Shiratori: Though Shinsuke technically first met Arisa when they went to rescue Mai Namikawa from the Abyss of Time, the two princely teens actually interacted when they went to investigate the rumors of zombies in the Sumaru sewers. It may be too soon to tell if they'll actually end up being friends, subsequently.

• IX. The Hermit
  • Kotone Nakamura: Though they haven't spoken much since Shinsuke assisted in her rescue, the Secretary is glad SEES' resident moeblob seems to be doing well.

• X. The Wheel of Fortune
  • Takaya Sakaki: During a raid on the Karma Palace, Shinsuke nearly killed the Strega leader while under the influence of a Tentarafoo spell. This lead to a frank discussion with the rest of the Eclipse Squad that revealed Shinsuke's willingness to kill to protect what he loves.
  • Ran Itoh: They haven't spoken too much until recently, but Shinsuke finds he really likes the middle Itoh sister. She's sweet, caring, compassionate -- yes, a little derpy, but she's the sort of big sister anyone would be proud to have. It bothers Shinsuke that he includes himself in that number, given the fact that he...already has a big sister. :/a

• XI. Strength
  • Masahiko Irie: They met at a sushi bar in Sumaru, and Shinsuke attended a party Masa hosted a week or so later. Other than the fact that he's apparently acquainted with Fumiko Kohaku, Shinsuke doesn't know too much about him.
  • Thora Kobayashi: Shinsuke and Thora have a...complicated relationship, owing entirely to the lover they share, Shirou Sekigawa. It's not a bad complicated, though.

• XII. The Hanged Man
  • Chidori Yoshino: Another Stregite. Shinsuke returned her disparaging comments in kind during a recent expedition into Tartarus.
  • Michiru Fukase: Michiru came with Thora to retrieve Shinsuke from the TV; otherwise, he doesn't really know her. Still, it's because she saw all of his issues laid out in a tableau that Shinsuke is willing to make her further acquaintance.
  • Tohya Kidzuki: They met during Kyo Enda's dungeon. Unbeknownst to them both, they share a love of food.
  • Rui Onishi: It was to revive Rui during the fight with Kyo Enda's Shadow that Shinsuke switched Personae for the first time.

• XIII. Death
  • Seiichi Miyamoto: Seiichi and Shinsuke are decent friends now that they've had a few more encounters, and the music student was present at Fuuka's first successful cooking lesson. Shinsuke still finds Seiichi extremely attractive, but that wasn't really ever going to change. It's just slightly awkward now that Shinsuke knows about Seiichi's ties to the NWO...though he can't really say much, given his relationship with Shirou. Theme
  • Minamo Takagawa: Shinsuke and Minamo have historically not gotten along at all. Now that he's past many of his issues, though, Shinsuke feels he ought to reach out to his sister's best friend.
  • Shirou Sekigawa: Another complicated relationship. Shirou and Shinsuke have been more or less dating, but both of them acknowledge the fact that it's essentially a relationship of convenience. Still, that doesn't make Shinsuke's commitment to saving Shirou any less serious.

• XIV. Temperance
  • Daiya Kagami: Apparently Shadow-possessed. Shinsuke was in no way surprised to discover this.
  • Naomi Suzuno: Shinsuke is fond of the Spencer heiress, holding her in high esteem despite the relatively few times they've spoken. He took a hit for her in Kyo's dungeon that resulted in his first KO, which proved mildly traumatising for the both of them.
  • Miwa Saitou: Since he contributed to her rescue, Shinsuke thought he ought to check on Miwa at the hospital. Over tea and cake (yes, really), they discussed dungeons and gardening.

• XV. The Devil
  • Itsuka Mizuhara: Shinsuke's twin sister. After the events of his TV dungeon, they still have a lot to settle between them...but now they might actually be able to. Theme

• XVI. The Tower
  • Mai Namikawa: Mai and Shinsuke get along rather well, to no one's surprise. Perhaps it's because they're both rigid disciplinarians and morbid to boot...

• XVII. The Star
  • Hinata Itoh: Shinsuke's best friend. <3~ Theme
  • Kasumi Horie: They aren't very well acquainted, but Shinsuke feels it's his duty to keep an eye out for his kohai nevertheless.
  • Hideo Aratami: Shinsuke's nemesis. Hideo has defeated Shinsuke in every single one of their three fights, the last culminating in Shinsuke's accidental trip into the TV. Now that he's been rescued, Shinsuke thinks it may be time to pay Hideo back...with help.

• XVIII. The Moon
  • Shinsuke has not developed any notable Moon links.

• XIX. The Sun
  • Kyo Enda: Akatsuki's twin brother and, apparently, what Shinsuke might have been had things gone a little differently. After aiding in Kyo's dungeon (which provoked a great deal of conflict in the Gekkoukan student), Shinsuke later aided in his actual capture -- though at the cost of his trusty blade.
  • Tatsuya Suou: As he is with most of Darkside, Shinsuke is only nominally acquainted with the Shinsengumi's leader.

• XX. Judgement
  • Nagisa Renge: They fought once and spoke once, and that's all...but Nagisa was human, and that -- for Shinsuke -- is reason enough to mourn her.

• BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger OST, Lust SIN
• E.S. Posthumus, Vishnu
• Homestuck OST, Cascade
• Lacuna Coil, "Not Enough" -- Itsuka
• Lady Gaga
  • "Just Dance"
  • "Poker Face"
  • "Telephone"
• Ladytron, "Destroy Everything You Touch"
• Madonna
  • "Into the Groove"
  • I'll Remember -- Akatsuki
• Michael Jackson, "Thriller" -- The Dark Hour
• Prof. Elemental, "Cup Of Brown Joy"
• Savage Garden, "Want You"
• Shinkichi Mitsumune
  • "The Sunlit Garden
  • "Invisible Rose"
  • The Sunlit Garden: Illusion
  • Dreaming Cells
  • Nemuro Memorial Hall
  • Scarlet Group's Dance ~ Reunion
  • Abraxas In The Sunlit Garden
  • Poison -- Shadow Shinsuke
  • Possession -- Shadow Shinsuke
• Sting
  • "Englishman In New York"
  • "Fortress Around Your Heart" -- Itsuka
• Two Steps From Hell -- Heart of Courage
• VNV Nation, Rubicon
• Within Temptation, "Dark Wings" -- Tartarus and the Shadows