Springie. LB- I didn't like the words he used either with Ken in trying to "Toughen him up" They were a bit self edifying rather than addressing the issue at hand. I didn't expect him to give him a hug thats for sure.

(I found his manner annoying, thats the main thing that grated on me about RI and Cronus.)

Fair enough being both fighters they might have had a more physical argument and be on more equal standing during it. Ken wasn't a defenceless child in that scene but a trained and very skilled fighter able to hit back just as hard. I felt that with the kind of skill Ken has....I figured he could have easily gotten in more hits than he did and not so easily defeated.

My dad would have just said something that was more like..."Get up dust yourself off and do as you're told." And left no room for arguments. He had a hot temper and he only apologised once in his life for losing it.

But he was a Union leader too in the 70's...lol explains a lot.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.

Amy, great thread and a great debate on both sides!

I've never been an RI "hater". I never thought that, as a father, his character would ever win "Father of the Year", but I definitely don't despise the man.

I believe RI did what he thought was right and the best thing for his family when he first left. As time went on, how would he explain all the untruths he lived and told over the years, especially to his young son, who was being trained to do the same things, militarily, that he had done? And ITA with James about why not to tell Ken as time went on. It would have completely clouded his perceptions and ability. His entire world would have crashed down around him, and just think of the resentment he would have had towards Nambu (and even RI to a degree). Chances are he would either take an extended leave from the team and/or leave it altogether, which wouldn't have sat well with Nambu or RI (ooh! Think of the fic fodder for that!)

Anyway, I again don't necessarily agree to all that RI did when Ken was young, or even when he was older, but weren't RI's character flaws needed to make him a tragic hero too? Plus, I think with his dedication to duty, staying quiet about being alive, etc, helped establish that Ken was his son and inherited some of his traits. As for the RI team always coming in and saving the day, and for RI himself treating Ken so poorly, well, I always thought of that more as a reminder to us that, no matter how smart and how well-trained the SNT are, they are still teenagers - and apt to make mistakes. Maybe I've been viewing that dynamic with too much simplicity, but those have been my thoughts.

As for sympathetic RI fics, there is one that does paint him in a more favorable light, though it is not an "RI fic" per se. The plot had something to do with "traditions" and how and why they were instilled in Ken. Hmmm, I wonder who could have written that fic??

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Hinotori
Eagle in Charge

There is the thing of males in a family with one maturing and needing to prove his worth. Look at nature, the nature response is to show strenght through a fight. We still have some of those primal instincts hardwired into us for survival. For younger male to assert himself and prove he's a man who can take of his own flock.

I feel in times of war it comes out very strong. The difference is we as humans have more decision making abilities than an animal. We aren't meant to just act without any thought to consequences. I think he did see the consequences in a way, and then worked to tune out emotionally over time. Just the way Ken does.

I have to admit, i see both sides, and at times have trouble with sympathy for RI. He was very unemotional in some ways. But I did like that he admitted he couldn't be a parent to Ken considering the commitment he was about to undertake. There are people in the world who would never do that and hold on no matter what, even when its not good for the child.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.

Is it canon or fanon that says the war came earlier than "expected?" (Or is that BOTP I am thinking?

I was just thinking if it is canon then maybe Nambu and RI planned on telling Ken after his training and before their first mission. Then Ken would be able to "take off" without it affecting the team as much.

I suspect part of the reason Ken raced off when he was told, is because it had been kept a secret from him for such a long time. He felt betrayed and needed to find the "truth" for himself. If he had been told earlier it would not have been as big a situation. (The longer you hide something the bigger that issue gets.)

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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

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TJ is correct. I can not imagine why someone would want to get away from others when you are happy? But maybe that is just me, when I am happy I want to be WITH others so I can celebrate with them, or at least tell them my good news.

Granted, the rest of the team just heard the news before Ken leaves them, but Ken does not even stick around for a "congratulations" from any of them.

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Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

Hi all!

On the Ken running thing...I feel it was his anticipation at all of his dreams and ideals were real and not a figment of his imagination. Running was a natural response for him since it was a emotional build up.

Often when people learn of news like that they need time alone to digest it and comprehend it...allow it to sink in. Especially after years of trying not to get excited or allow the hope of what you want badly to take over every thought and fibre of your being, an internal longing for it to be really happening, and yet at the same time the habit of self preservation kicks in as well. Like stopping and starting. A lot of high emotions to get control over and still function as a person at the same time.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.