flemmings | (no subject)

So in a return to the basics I had another look at the Gaiden tank to see how Goujun talks in Japanese. The problem is that Goujun is always talking to Kenren, so it's very up-to-down = informal.

Goujun says 'na' a lot at the end of sentences, as does Kenren. Blunt in language more than formal. It's Kenren who says he's a strait-laced killjoy, basically, and that's how loose-laced Kenren registers him. But we never see Goujun talking strait-laced, so presumably I should unLatinize his language, at least when he's talking to juniors.

Goujun's called a toushin too- comes from an ichizoku of toushin, K says- which suggests interesting things. The toushin *prince* (taishi) is the designated slaughterer in Heaven, but what do we make of a toushin ichizoku? Ichizoku IME is larger than a family and a little smaller than a race: clan is about the size of it. But if all the royal dragons are toushin can they kill? Evidently not since the toushin taishi is called the *only* person allowed to kill in Heaven: but are dragons considered part of Heaven? Given the looseness of Japanese definitions in general, that are based more on (emotional) common 'sense' than logical scrupulousness, maybe not. 'Everyone knows' that Heaven means the kami and not the foreign dragons- that's just common sense. (Just as everyone once knew, and occasionally still does, that Canadians are white by definition. Even the occasional Asian-descended friend will say quite casually that their brother is going out with a Canadian girl. A matter of definition.)

The other suggestive bit is Kenren telling Goujun 'Be careful that that 'outstanding' pet dog of yours doesn't bite you some day.' That suggests to me that Goujun may have been fundamentally mistaken about Tenpou all along- which is exactly what the last installments suggest. Goujun thinks of Tenpou as an excellent soldier (that's canon) who- what? shares his own views? is completely loyal to him? is beyond suspicion? Somehow the extreme eccentricity of Tenpou's habitual behaviour doesn't translate in Goujun's mind as dangerous individualism. Goujun evidently has no doubts about Tenpou at all: he never thinks that Tenpou could ever be against him. But interestingly, Kenren /does/. I get a feel of 'I know something you don't know' in Kenren's taunt there.

Yaoistically that could be jealousy: Tenpou has feelings for Goujun- loyalty, whatever- that Kenren dislikes because he himself doesn't like Goujun. Kenren feels no such jealousy for Konzen... well, not that I can see. So I'm less inclined to ascribe the remark to jealousy than to some attitude towards Goujun that Tenpou has conveyed to Kenren but concealed from his superior officer. And the question is what? and perhaps more, why?

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I'm sort of cross-connecting with the moment when Kenren, tied to a chair, sends Gokuu after Tenpou (who's gone to see Litouten) because he's aware that Tenpou may explode. It's not so much that Tenpou will explode in a particular direction, though Kenren can predict what will set him off; it's that Tenpou may do anything at all when he explodes. Goujun thinks that while Tenpou will no doubt explode under certain provocations, he will do so through the proper channels. Kenren knows that Tenpou's response (actually punching Litouten, taking Goujun hostage, or as Hakkai, killing every single being in the fortress) may be -- disproportionate. Not necessarily will be, but may be.

So you see the remark as less personally aimed at Goujun- Tenpou might some day harm *you* nyah nyah nyah- and more as a general observation about Tenpou's potential for violence? well, let us say a general observation (He might do anything) waved in the direction of somebody Kenren dislikes (and when he does it could very easily be you on the receiving end.)

I suppose that's rational. The substance would be He's not just the superlative officer you think he is. Which the yaoifiers could translate as *I* know him and you don't nyah nyah nyah. There's still a certain sense of threat there if you want it: 'he might have reason to harm you personally.' Or is that only wishful thinking on Kenren's part? The objective fact is, as we know, that Tenpou would not hesitate to harm Goujun if he needed to: but still, Tenpou isn't angry when he does that. This isn't an occasion of him exploding, as Kenren tells Gokuu that he tends to do. It really is a quite cold-blooded betrayal of his officer for the sake of his friends.

There's certainly something about Konzen being outside their world and, by implication, one of the ineffectual bureaucracy. Kenren needn't take him seriously: just one of Tenpou's eccentricities. Whereas Goujun's senior officer status is there every day and rubs Kenren the wrong way.

Or does it? If I'm reading that construction correctly what Kenren says is that he dislikes Goujun's character and appearance, and *even though* Goujun's his superior officer he doesn't get on with him. The inference being that he'd normally expect to get on with his officer, but Goujun's puritanism and uncanny appearance makes it impossible. Which isn't quite the way Kenren's come across. If anyone knows whether '--to wa iie' is different from --demo, please tell me.

The objective fact is, as we know, that Tenpou would not hesitate to harm Goujun if he needed to: but still, Tenpou isn't angry when he does that. This isn't an occasion of him exploding, as Kenren tells Gokuu that he tends to do. It really is a quite cold-blooded betrayal of his officer for the sake of his friends.

Hm, that's true. And as you say, it does square more with "you really don't know him . . ." Potential there, but I'm not sure what to do with it.