#the one time i faced these dudes was to get the rakuyo

[ukaiknowsbest]

Tae Shimura's Involvement with Odd Jobs Part 1

This are my notes where I investigate the question of "consistency in writing Otae."

In this post I will focus on Otae and her dynamics with the Odd Jobs. I will avoid mentioning Shinsengumi and the other girls as much as possible.

My methodology for this is keeping track how Otae bumps/runs into Odd Jobs every time she appears and see if we can establish a pattern. Her actions in the particular lesson are also evaluated when necessary.

Depending on the circumstances Odd Jobs can mean

Gintoki himself

Gintoki/Shinpachi/Kagura/Sadaharu

THIS WHOLE SERIES INCLUDE

PART 1 LESSONS 1-362 : ESTABLISHMENT OF CHARACTERS/EARLY ARCS

PART 2 LESSONS 372-410: ODD JOBS- CENTRIC ARCS AND BE FOREVER YOROZUYA

PART 3 LESSONS 437-550: MISC. ADVENTURES AND FAREWELL SHINSENGUMI ARC

PART 4 LESSONS 575-669 RAKUYO AND SILVER SOUL ARC

PART 5 LESSONS 670-704 TIMESKIP AND FINAL ARC

PART 6 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Lessons 1-28 OTAE AS CLIENT AND THE SHIMURA NEESAN

L1 Meeting Otae was literally how the current Odd Jobs started. Gintoki had been working alone for years until Otae stopped him from escaping on his motorcycle. Otae made him take responsibility for causing Shinpachi to lose his job. Loansharks interrupt them to demand the dojo be given as payment for the Shimura family's inherited loans. Otae agrees to work to a loansharks' seedy barplace in order to save their dojo, much to Shinpachi's shock and disappointment. Gintoki's the one who encourages Shinpachi to take back his sister and then he assists Shinpachi in the quest. After they get Otae back, she allows Shinpachi to work with Gintoki.

L2 Shinpachi tells Gintoki about Otae's new job as cabaret girl.

L7 Gintoki finds out that Shinpachi is the leader of Otsu-chan fanclub and tells him to apologize to his sister.

L8 Otae ask Gintoki for help in fending off her stalker (Kondou). Gintoki defeats Kondou in an embarassing public duel. Gintoki proudly cheated to score the easy win which made Shinpachi and Kagura beat him up. Otae is amused and then remarks that she "gets" the Sakata Gintoki as a person.

L17 Odd Jobs join the Shimuras for Hanami by Shinpachi's invitation. Otae shows off her cooking skills.

L28 Otae asks Gintoki for help in catching the pervert who keeps stealing her underwear. Odd Jobs + Otae + Kondou work together at Shimura dojo to catch the thief.

notes: L8,L17 Otae was strictly their client, discussed her concerns in cafes by offering Gintoki and Kagura restaurant meals. Her concerns also revolve around perverts, whom she as a woman, has a hard time getting to back down. Gintoki is the only dude Otae really trusts (other than her brother) at this point.

Lessons 36-64 MEETUPS NOW IN SHIMURA DOJO, NOT CAFES ANYMORE

L36 Otae surprises Odd Jobs in the convenience store that they were working at to bring them food. She tells Shinpachi how to be a good friend, causing Shinpachi to go after Taka-chin and make him leave the gang. Odd Jobs + Otae follow Shinpachi and help him by becoming a mini gang themselves. Basically Otae assisted her brother bring back his friend with the help of the other Odd Jobs.

L45 Otae and Kagura walking with each other near the Kabukichou bridge/riverbank

L48 Shinpachi invites Gintoki and Kagura to have nabe (hotpot) with him and his sister in the Shimura dojo/estate. Odd Jobs wait for her to come home. Kagura had added Otae's Baagen-das into the hotpot. Gintoki tries to fish it out barehanded but accidentally whisks the mess straight to Otae's face. She then makes Gintoki and Shinpachi buy her replacement and additional Baagen-das in the conbini. Otae had brought home with her a cabaret girl who had become suicidal called Hanako. She questions Hanako and learns that she has money problems after being swindled by cult. She convinces Gintoki / Odd Jobs to help the girl. Together they all infiltrate the cult by posing as new members.

L49 Gintoki / Kagura act like they've been influenced by the cult. Shinpachi / Otae and Hanako look for a way to get Hanako's money back. Shinpachi / Otae + Hanako are found out by the enemy because the roof part they were standing on collapsed. They overheard the cult leader's true schemes and that he's working with a ninja. Otae and Hanako are caught, tied up and presented to the other cult members. Otae accuses the cult leader of being a fraud and that he is pathetic. She declares the she believes in their friends more. Gintoki shows up on the roof in time for that. Gintoki and Kagura expose the ninja that had been helping the cult lader. Shinpachi explains to the crowd how the cult leader had been tricking them. Otae and Hanako kick the cult leader off the platform.

Note: Since Otae is also broke, she also just wants the money. Otae consistenly misremembers names and is the boke to shinpachi's tsukkomi.

L50 Odd jobs bring amnesiac Gintoki to Otae in the Shimura dojo to see if he could remember anything. She gets mad that he doesn't remember her so she'd rather (1) have Shinpachi hit her so that she will forget Gintoki too (2) hit Gintoki in the head so he'll remember. Lastly she suggested for Gintoki to just move on and face the future. Because amnesiac GIntoki seemed to be drawn to Otae's Baagen Das, Otae forcefeeds him burnt fried sweet eggs. Gintoki collapses from the burnt food. When he wakes up he decides to just live a new life and not try to regain his memories anymore.

Note: She has the most different solution to this problem.

L53 Shinpachi / Kagura / Sadaharu / Otae wait for Gintoki in the Shimura dojo so that they can eat New Year's Oden together. Meanwhile Gintoki is out trying to buy Jump. Gintoki ends up fighting it out with Zenzou Hattori for the last copy of Jump. Shinpachi / Kagura / Sadaharu / Otae go to the temple together to pray for New Year's blessings.

L64 First time Otae shows up in the Otose Snack house and become acquainted Hasegawa, Otose and Catherine (and also stalker Sa-chan).

Lessons 74-85 VISIT EACH OTHERS' PLACE OF WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME

L74 After Otae visit Snack Otose, she invites Gintoki and Hasegawa to HER place of work with the purpose of helping increase her sales.

L77 Otae starts spotting Gintoki in town (Infant Strife). She even offers him ice cream and the chance to relax and hang out a bit.

L81 Yorozuya + Otae + Sadaharu hang out at Kodoukan dojo in the summer while eating watermelons (chapter title page)

L82 Otae and Oryo visit the dojo where Odd Jobs were helping out in a haunted house attraction.

85 We also find out that Gintoki talks to Otae a lot about Shinpachi's behavior.

L82,86 Odd Jobs and Otae start to be in the same place at the same time. (haunted house attraction, park)

Notes: Gintoki and Otae start having a lot of skinship even in these early chapters btw. Ex., Otae clutching Gintoki's arm while pretending to be his fiance and while trying to book a love hotel room, Otae riding behind Gintoki on his Vespa while only wearing a hakama and sarashi. Otae grabbing Gintoki's hair when he's being an idiot or when she's frustrated, Gintoki covering her mouth to stop her from ordering domperi, Gintoki preventing her from interrupting shinpachi's date by grabbing her shoulder.

I'm noting this dynamic of theirs not just because I ship it but because there's a certain level of familiarity and comfort to how they interact with each other.

Lessons 90-98 BENIZAKURA ARC

L91-92 Shinpachi asks his sister to treat and guard a severely wounded Gintoki. As others have pointed out, this is where Gintoki started trusting Shinpachi and Kagura better. Shinpachi, especially got a boost of courage and character development in this arc.

should be of note:

Shinpachi didn't bring Gintoki to the hospital but to Gintoki's own house. He enlisted his sister's help to stand in for him and watch over his boss. Btw Otae has never been seen in the Odd Jobs office until these chapters. Shinpachi entrusted his job to his sister in time of crisis. He did not leave the task to Madame Otose/nor Catherine/nor Madao/nor Sarutobi/nor anyone else but Otae, the sister he loves and respects the most. Before this arc, Otae has only ever appeared in peaceful episodes and as a client/Shimura big sister. Shinpachi got his sister involved with them in an actual dangerous mission this time.

Otae mentions to Gintoki how "Shin-chan and Kagura-chan will be very sad if something happened to you."

-> take note coz this will come back much much later. We know Gintoki at this point (post Harusame and Umibozu arc) already treasure the kids as important people in his life but we don't know if he has internalized what Otae said to him yet. Ergo, Otae realized this long before anyone else. Otae already knew this just by spending lots of free time and one crisis moment with Odd Jobs. She was able to call out Gintoki on his recklessness and remind him that the people he cares about also want him alive.

This is also where we see how Otae also understands Gintoki's personality and motivations on a deep level. She actually lets him go and rejoin Kagura and Shinpachi to complete the job despite her warnings to him. She also subtly added that he must come back alive or else by preparing his clothes and lending him her umbrella.

L98 Arc ends with Gintoki spending more time to heal up in the Shimura dojo under Otae's careful watch. Shimura estate smh becomes temporary Odd Jobs extension.

Lessons 103-123 YAGYUU ARC

L103 Odd Jobs and Otae/Cabaret Club participate in the Kabukichou Snow festival event organized by Otose.

L110 Shinpachi tells Gintoki his concerns about his sister not coming home at the usual time. Gintoki tells him to be prepared of cooking sekihan even while crying.

L111 Yagyuu arc. Odd Jobs end up working for the place where Otae was also at. Shinpachi walks in on Kyuubei forcefully kissing Otae. During the standoff between the siblings and Kyuubei, the scuffle between Gintoki/Kagura and Bubbles/Kondou end up crashing into the room Shimuras/Kyuubei were at.

Otae tearily says goodbye to Odd Jobs + Kondou as she has accepted to being the fiance of Kyuubei who is the Yagyuu daimyo heir(ess). Gintoki tries to stop her from leaving just as Bubbles goes on a rampage and then Kyuubei whisks Otae away.

L112 Gintoki/Kagura brood about seeing Otae in tears. Shinpachi moves on his own and infiltrates the Yagyuu's Edo estate with Kondou, while Gintoki and Kagura decide to take matters on their own hands and go there too. Eventually Odd Jobs (and Shinsengumi top 3) all end up in Yagyuu estate to "assist Shinpachi" and his quest to exercise his right as Shimura family dojo head to take his sister back.

L118 Otae runs away from the female quarters when she hears that Shinpachi and the others have intruded on the Yagyuu estate.

L119 Shinpachi arrives in his sister's location and confronts her while Odd Jobs and Shinsengumi are facing their respective opponents.

L120 Shinpachi learns of the truth of the situation from Hijikata, Kyuubei and Otae. This is happening while Binbokusai and Gintoki fight and confront each other. Binbokusai actually accuses Gintoki of being in love with Otae, which Gintoki ignores. Shinpachi and Gintoki attack Kyuubei and Binbokusai respectively for their shtty beliefs. Gintoki and Shinpachi end up back-to-back on the roof while Otae watches in shock. Kagura arrives along with the rest of the fighters

L121 Shinpachi/Gintoki fight against Kyuubei/Binbokusai combo in a bid to break the opposing team leaders' plates. Gintoki keeps protecting and guiding Shinpachi against the Yagyuu's advanced attacks. He also defends Shinpachi against Kyuubei's harsh words and says that Kyuubei has no right to say that Shinpachi is weak.

L122 Gintoki breaks off Kyuubei's plate while Shinpachi breaks off BInbokusai's using the bokuto Gintoki threw to him. After the Yagyuu samurai were defeated by Odd Jobs + Shinsengumi in their game, Gintoki was the one who confronted Otae about her self-sacrificing tendencies. He also reminds her that it was just going to hurt the people who love her (the same thing Otae warned him about in Benizakura). This confrontation helped mend Otae and Kyuubei's friendship and remind Otae to go for what she truly wants in life and stay with her friends.x

note: multiple mentions of Odd Jobs being a family has been mentioned up to this point

L28 title: "Our Family is Really the Best" (Panty Thief Arc where Odd Jobs trio + Otae kept bickering with each other)

L63 After Gintoki bares his want for a dad like Umibozu, Shinpachi declares that he'll "always be by Gintoki's side and that Gintoki can treat him as family."

L109 Gintoki: "THIS IS THE SAKATA FAMILY DINNER TABLE!" referring to Odd Jobs Trio

L111 title: "Watch the Sakata Family Drama at 7pm, Tuesday Evenings!" Odd Jobs + Otae + Shinsengumi all affected by Otae being whisked away to get married to the Yagyuu.

Lessons 127-172 HANGING OUT

L127 First time Odd Jobs are asked to do a job in the cabaret club to assist Otae. They all meet the Shogun for the first time.

L133 Tae continue to show up unexpectedly where the Odd Jobs are even in zombie apocalypse.

L138-139 Gintoki/Shinpachi asks Otae's cooperation to help them gather girls for a group date to convince Kyuubei not to become a man.

L157 Kagura asks Otae for advice about managing her weight since Otae was a "more experienced woman." Otae had gained a lot of weight herself. Sarutobi join in with the same problem and they all go to a fasting dojo. In the dojo they encounter Kyuubei, Otose and Catherine who also need to lose weight. They all fight and bond with each other because of this.

L168 (Shinsengumi Crisis arc) Bansai taunts Gintoki about being a living ghost who has lost everything he swore to protect (the nation). Gintoki exclaims that he never cared about the country nor the samurai. What he cared for in the past and in the present has never changed. Flashbacks of memories between Odd Jobs + Otae + Shinsengumi fill up the mangapanels. Gintoki to Bansai: "Clean the snot from your ears and listen well. For that kind of nationalistic ideal, I have never fought a single battle. All that bull about the collapse of the country or the extinction of the samurai, I don't care. For a long time already, whether now or in the past, there has only been one thing I want to protect! It has never changed!

L172 While using the umbrella Gintoki bought for her, Kagura regularly visits Otae at Shimura dojo.

Notes: Kagura becomes closer to Otae and visits her often. Otae gets to bond with Otose Squad on a personal level.

Lessons 174-181 RYGUYU ARC: OTAE LEADERSHIP

L174 Odd Jobs unexpectedly meet up with the boat Otae and Kyuubei are in. GIntoki notices boat first. It's the first boat they run into.

L175 Gintoki also the one who notices her embarrassingly singing on the beach.

L177 While the others say GIntoki has changed since inhaling ageing gas, Otae says he's still the same.

Otae lets herself be taken to the villain since Gintoki is handicapped. Otae leaves the others to Kyuubei and Shinpachi. Otae confronts Otohime by herself.

L178 Otae confronts Otohime on her own and even while tied up. Otae is released to be fed to the sharks but Kyuubei and Kagura save her and kill the sharks. The three of them then attack Otohime and her guards. Otae and Otohime try to beat each other up.

L180 Otae and Otohime still trying to beat each other up. Otae is surrounded by her soldiers. Ageing gas then turns Otae old too. Otae expresses her trust and belief in Gintoki and Katsura.

L181 Otae expresses her trust and faith in Gintoki and Katsura. Everyone work together to undo the damage of the ageing gas. Otohime is defeated and they all help her to escape from being trapped under the debris.

Note: Gintoki and Otae say the same things to Otohime in separate occasions about keeping the soul/beauty intact no matter what happens to the body by living on and facing the present.

Lessons 187-196 SOULS TOGETHER

L187 Hasegawa invites everyone from Snack Otose + Odd Jobs + Otae for to eat sushi at the shop he was working for.

L195 Shimuras and everyone from Snack Otose are in Gintoki's picture collection.

L196 Otose invites Odd Jobs + Otae to stay in haunted ryokan.

L198 First Instance of Odd Jobs + Otae souls getting separated but still returned to each other and working towards a common goal.**

L201 Odd Jobs + Otae souls clutch to each other to avoid being destroyed.

Lessons 203-246 WE ARE FAMILY

L203 Otae discuss with Gintoki at Shimura dojo to investigate Shinpachi's weird behavior. (correspondence arc)

L221 Snack Otose Squad (Otose, Catherine, Tama) and Club Smile Cabaret Girls (Otae) are briefly mentioned by Gintoki as places with women he'd rather be in since these are places where he can laugh and have fun with them.

Gintoki: Even if it's just that old hag's shop 'Snack', we can drink and have fun. I'm fine with that. Even if it's the cabaret girls scheming to get in my wallet, I can still laugh out loud, I don't mind that at all. (compared to Hosen's Yoshiwara which is a place of women's tears.)

L229 Otae show up unannounced in Odd Jobs Office to help with Shinpachi and Kagura's training (Katsura and Hasegawa show up after her)

L236 Otae spots Gintoki and co. first during Kyuubei's party.

Hasegawa and Katsura were also invited, maybe due to all of them bonding in Ryugu arc

L238 The Whinery. The Complaint House. A Gintoki-like character meets with HIjikata-like, Kondou-like and Otae-like characters in an Oden cart. They all complain to the owner. Owner makes the Otae-like character sit with the Gintoki-like dude and they stay together for a while even when fakeHijikata and fakeKondou leave. When the fakeGin and fakeTae leave together after the shop closes they pass by actual GIntoki coming out of a bar.

L246 sick!Gintoki/sick!Kagura trek to Shimura Dojo to join sick!Otae and be cared for by Shinpachi.

Gintok to Otae: YOU ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT TO US!

Lessons 267-294 IN TOWN

L267 Otae find Odd Jobs on the stairs, bring Kagura to her side, and openly challenge Gintoki in the character poll supremacy

L273 Otae help Kagura with Radio Exercises on the day after Gintoki helped. Odd Jobs + Otae + friends all join Kagura's radio exercises on the last day.

L276 Otae is worried about Gintoki being gone/not coming home. Otae is also the first person that Cat!Gintoki meets upon entering Kabukichou and she immediately offers him (and katsura/kondou) food.

Note: This means that either (a)Shinpachi updates her about everything or (b)Otae regularly asks how Odd Jobs are doing.

L280 Kagura consults Otae and Shinpachi about Gintoki’s complaint about Kagura always making rice with raw egg. Otae invites her to a cooking class. Shinpachi go along. Kyuubei was invited by Otae too. Sarutobi also show up.

L290 Otae, Hasegawa, Shinpachi, Kagura share Christmas dinner (Gintoki shows up as Santa to surprise them unknowingly along with Umibozu and the rest)

L294 Otae dispose both hers and Gintoki's stalkers, Sougo and Hijikata send New Years letters to Odd Jobs asking them if she had done smth to Kondou.

L295 Otae makes Kagura go with her so that she can purchase valentine chocolate easier. Otae then teaches the latter about the tradition and that Gintoki and Shinpachi would appreciate being given chocolates.

Notes:

xmas episode show that Otae considers Hasegawa a good friend whom she, Shinpachi, Kagura and Gintoki share special occasions with.

Lessons 297-311 FOUR DEVAS ARC

L301 Otae was last one to hear the news about Otose and the fate of their building and occupants.

L302 Kagura and Shinpachi drill sense into Gintoki after they catch him trying to go off into danger alone again. The two tell him that "If you die, we would never be able to live happily again." and "Why does protection have to be one sided? Why can't we protect you?"

-> confirming what Otae had been telling Gintoki as early as Benizakura arc, also reminds us how Shinpachi enlisted his sister to protect Gintoki even back then.

L303 Kagura and Shinpachi are called "Demon's Children" by the townspeople. Otae enters last among those who are aiding Otose Squad + Odd Jobs. Otae is armed with her naginata and she also brought along cabaret girls who were armed with brooms. Gintoki and Shinpachi are surprised.

L304-307 Otae shows her naginata prowess and fights for Kabukichou+Otose Squad+Odd Jobs. Otae always shown in most panels where "town" is mentioned

notes: Up till now Otae wasn't that entrenched with Otose Squad nor Kabukichou. After Four Devas Arc, we can notice that she hangs out with them more. Otae's role in the town start to shift after this because even if she wasn't the owner of her club (like Saigo and Kyoushirou), she had enough power and influence to mobilize the cabaret girls to action. Not only that, she has direct connection to Odd Jobs as well.

Lesson 314-339 GINTOKI HAREM

L314 Kyuubei ask Odd Jobs + Otae to help her name the Shogun's monkey. Otae successfully interpret Gintoki's crude words in a more polite manner for Kyuubei to understand (wow)

L322 Hasegawa and Gintoki comment on Kyuubei and Otae's swimsuit bodies without knowing who they were. Otae immediately spot both of them being pervert lifeguards and breaks their binoculars. Otae punishes them by throwing them into the pool.

L324 Otae talks to Shinpachi about Gintoki and how he should keep running with him to wherever Gintoki wants to go.

L334 Gintoki/Kagura and Otae/Shinpachi end up in the same bath house.

L339 Otae seen drinking with everybody now. Gintoki is massively pranked by the ladies led by Otose and made to think that he slept with all of them.

note: Gintoki "went after" Otae first, Otae will live with him as long as Shinpachi, Kagura and Sadaharu (basically the whole Odd Jobs) are in one house. Otae also first person to give him food when he was tied up.

Lessons 344-362 MISC JOBS

L344 Odd Jobs + Otae all hang out in a ski resort until they bumped into Shinsengumi and the Shogun. When Gintoki/Shogun and Hijikata/Kondou were separated from the group, Otae found Gintoki first in order to save him while using Shinpachi as her sled. Okita/Kagura/Katsura seemed to have followed after the path Otae/Shinpachi created by their sledding.

L347 Otae call upon Gintoki to help her fix Shinpachi's obsession with the 2D girlfriend.

L362 Gintoki called upon Otae to assist Odd Jobs with the Host Club request. Gintoki tries to appease Kyoushiro's concerns by introducing her as "Good looking guy I know in the hospitality industry who is the manly manual labor type."

notes: this is getting interesting. We start to see Otae bringing Odd Jobs together when they're apart. Also that they rely on her for things that they aren't good at.

RECURRING THEMES WITH OTAE + ODD JOBS AT THIS POINT Lessons 1-362

Shimura Dojo is a regular hangout place for Odd Jobs. Regular days, Off days, Sick days, Holidays, Odd Jobs and Friends will find their way to the estate

Gintoki/Kagura and Otae/Shinpachi will end up in the same place during off day. Sometimes they just really hang out with each other in vacation/relaxation places.

Otae will find Odd Jobs anywhere if she wants to bring them food.

Otae will find/bump into Odd Jobs anyway even if she isn't bringing food and even if she has other plans for the day (sometimes with Kyuubei).

Otae has the ability to spot Gintoki first no matter what.

Gintoki also has the ability to spot Otae first no matter what.

Otae can face and talk down villains on her own just like Gintoki.

Gintoki and Otae know each other well enough to assure others that the other will do what they will always do.

Otae has complete faith/trust in Odd Jobs and their friends.

Gintoki and Otae get along well and bounce off each others' ideas often.

Manzai dynamics: When Gintoki and Otae get along, they are both the boke (stupid man) especially when there are other characters. Otae always acts as boke when she's with Shinpachi too. With Gintoki, she's still the boke.

Despite having many male friends, Otae will always consult matters about men and Shinpachi's behavior with Gintoki.

Shinpachi will always consult Gintoki about his worries for Otae. Gintoki also regularly expresses concerns about Shinpachi's behavior with Otae. Like really they all check up and update on each other's well being.

Kagura consults Otae on the womanly stuff and visits her often.

Hasegawa + Odd Jobs + Otae are close friends. Sometimes Katsura joins in. im gonna ignore kondou and sachan for this coz they keep inviting themselves

Every time she appears, Otae always has her own agenda which may or may not involve Odd Jobs. It is not surprising when she runs off to do her own thing while others are following herd mentality. This becomes clearer in the next arcs.

Otae has the knack of keeping Odd Jobs together when she's around. (clearer in Part 2)

Gintoki and Otae have called each other out on self-sacrificing/reckless behavior.

up next PART 2 LESSONS 372-410: ODD JOBS- CENTRIC ARCS AND BE FOREVER YOROZUYA

[pops-and-kids]

Below is a birthday short I wrote for @mushroomgrenade who runs @ask-wbp-b! I’m late to posting it (SORRY MUSHROOM CKWEMNKFSDHG) both the mun and muse share the same birthday, so it’s a combined gift! Enjoy! (HAPPY late BIRTHDAY MY DUDE)

B looked out at the water. The evening was calm, the waters lapping gently at the side of the ship below. The sky was ablaze with oranges and reds as the sun bid the world good-night on the horizon. The only sounds for miles were the laughter and cheers of her brothers from the deck. She would be having a cigarette right now, if Jiru hadn’t confiscated them earlier. A hand on her shoulder pulled her back out of her thoughts and back into the moment.

Thatch gave her a wide smile.

“I was wondering where our special gal went! We can’t have a party without the birthday girls approval!” He said.

B huffed at that. Yes, big parties were sort of the norm for the Whitebeards, but she still felt a bit weird that they would set a day aside for her instead of just adding her to the list of clumped birthdays at the end of the month. She wasn’t a commander, but they still treated her on her birthday like this.

“You didn’t need to go overboard this year.” She said.

Thatch pouted dramatically and leaned down to her level. He clasped his hands together and looked at her as if she had just told him the saddest thing he’d ever heard.

“But it’s your day!” He exclaimed. “We’re supposed to have cake! And games! And booze! And all your favorite foods! You can spend the night with someone--geh!!”

B slapped her palms on his cheeks, a tick mark appearing on her forehead.

“What was that last one?”

“Nothing! Nothing!”

B gave another small huff and squished his cheeks in her hands. Thatch made a wine of displeasure but made no move to back away. Sometimes she wondered why she loved this dumb little brother so much, but he was always quick to remind her with those bright eyes.

“Really, it didn’t need to be this elaborate.” She said.

Finally releasing him Thatch stood up straight, his trademark smile returning instantly. He laughed off her aggravation and continued to ramble about what they had set up for her. It was all too much, just for her. She loved her idiot of a brother, but she really wanted to bonk him on the head. Birthdays were important to her, but her own wasn’t as big of a deal as the others made it out to be. She was only their dimension jumping sister who could see into the future and glitch out, nothing special about that. Totally.

Realizing Thatch had stopped his chatter she looked up at him again. He looked extremely happy, like it was his big day instead of her own. Her brother leaned down and took her hands into his own and beamed down at her.

“I’m really happy we can do this for you. I know being in the spotlight isn’t something you like, but we all want you to feel appreciated! Come on!”

He held her hand and pulled her along as they walked to the kitchen. B offered no resistance and cracked a smile to her family as they passed, they were all happy smiles aimed at her. It was slightly uncomfortable, but easily ignored. Thatch pulled her into the mess hall and released her hand finally, rushing into the kitchen. He yelled someone to the cooks while B stood awkwardly at the counter, before he reappeared with a bowl. Anticipation rolled off him in waves as he gave it to her. The man was practically vibrating as he watched her.

“Try it! It’s the same as last time, with a few differences.”

B didn’t need to ask what it was. She knew exactly what was in the hot bowl in her hands: a meal from her home. No matter how many times Thatch made it for her or she herself tried to make it, it never came out just right. He never gave up though, and it charmed her. He really wanted to give her a taste of the home she missed, even if it had taken years of trying.

Taking a sip she let the flavors swirl around her mouth, warmth spreading across her body. It was delicious! Though she expected none the less from Thatch. It brought back memories of her old home, the good and the bad. But it was still missing….something. She had long accepted that some things from her world simply did not translate into the world of One Piece, but that didn’t mean she was going to dissuade her brother from trying.

Looking up she met his eyes and smiled.

“Still not close, Thatchy.” She said with a shake of her head.

Thatch’s smile gave way to disappointment. The poor man had really tried, taking all her notes into consideration for this batch, but it still wasn't quite there. B gave him a pat on the shoulder.

“It’s still amazing though. I really like this.”

Her brother perked up at that. It may not have been perfect, but few things ever were. They spent some time in the kitchen with B testing and giving greenlights to foods, Thatch practically vibrating at her approval. The two chatted until Haruta burst in, accusing Thatch of hogging the birthday girl and cuddling up to her side.

“Come on, B! We can’t start the party without you!” They said.

She didn’t get a word in edgewise before they grabbed her arm like a child and dragged her along.

“I’ll see you in a little!” Thatch called after her.

In the time they had talked the sun had completely gone, stars taking its place. The deck was packed with people. They had already broken out the alcohol, but considering no one was red in the face or laughing uncontrollably they weren’t going heavy on it. All of them were waiting on her to start them off. Haruta smiled excitedly as they pulled her in front of Pops’ chair. Rubbing her arm she tried to scold Haruta for yanking her along so hard, but the rumble of her fathers laugh drowned some of it out.

B looked up at him, silently asking for help since she would not know peace for hours tonight. Pops only smiled, love in his and peace in his relaxed form. She sighed internally. No amount of mental preparation was going to help being bombarded by loving idiots from all sides. Behind her Haruta took in a deep breath.

“Hey everybody! She’s here!” They yelled at the top of their lungs.

There was a beat of silence followed by an uproar of cheers. Smiling faces all around greeted B. The commanders, who were scattered around the deck among their family, came to the front of the crowd next to Pops, joy coming off them in waves. B put on an awkward smile, holding two thumbs up to everyone to hide how uncomfortable she was with all eyes on here. Thankfully, it only lasted a moment before the fourth division came out with the main course of food and started filling the tables up.

“It looks like the party can begin.” Pops said.

And it began with all the energy you could expect; Music blaring from the front of the deck, caring all the way across the ship, barrels of beer draining in minutes, games and dancing. The first to approach her was Vista. Her brother laughed and twisted his mustache, leaning down comically far to get somewhat close to her height.

“I believe this is the first time I’ve seen you all day! Not hiding away, are we?” He teased.

B gently bonked him on the head, returning the smile.

“No, I just knew I wouldn’t be able to take a single step without being ambushed by someone.” She said.

The two laughed and Vista gave her a pat on the shoulder, heading off to get drinks. Next was Namur, who quietly placed his hand on her shoulder and smiled.

“Happy birthday, B.”

“Thanks, fishy.” She said.

She reached up and ruffled the raven locks on the top of his head. He didn’t move to dissuade her. Namur wrapped his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer, nuzzling their cheeks together before letting go and taking his leave. Blenheim and Blamenco were next. Blenheim kneeled down and scooped B up, letting her sit on his arm like a perch.

“Happy birthday! We missed you at lunch!” Blamenco said.

“You were a ghost all day!” Blenheim chuckled.

B felt a twinge of guilt, now having a few commanders call her out. But they knew her habits, she didn’t like things to be all about her, despite the end result being the same.

“Hey you’re seeing me now. I could still go back to my room and leave you all?” She said, raising her eyebrow mischievously.

“No!” Both the men cried in unison.

She laughed and patted both of them on the head. They made brief chatter, some inside jokes and glee about the day. Blamenco joked about his pouches being sore from carrying all the gifts, promptly earning him a soft bonk for pushing his devil fruit too hard. It was a bit before she was set down and they two went off to join Vista at the drinks table, their smiles filling B with warmth.

Curiel would have burst onto the scene next--but there being no fireworks put him in a grand mood. B giggled softly and patted his back. She appreciated him holding back from the light show for her day. Fireworks always made her stressed, no matter how often they used them. Curiel setting aside explosives seemed like a miracle to the crew, but he did it for her and that’s what made it a big deal.

“If I didn’t love you so much I would have snuck up on you with a party popper by now.” He said.

“Pfft I’d knock your teeth in if you did that.”

“Yeah but it’d be funny. For a bit.”

Fossa came over, once Curiel had finished hogging B’s cuddles. The man chuckled and scooped her up not unlike Blenheim had earlier.

“Even the weather fancies you,” He said, “Third year without a single cloud in the sky on your birthday. Starting to get suspicious.”

They laughed. For a conversation starter so mundane Fossa and B had quite a bit to talk about. Simple things they both could ramble about to one another as if it were the easiest things in the world. They talked for so long Rakuyo had to make his presence known, going unnoticed behind them for an embarrassingly long time.

“Uhm, I think it’s my turn with the B?” He said, anxiously.

Fossa looked back at him, choking back a laugh.

“Kid that sentence has way too many connotations.”

“Oh fuck off!”

B wheezed at the red tint that dashed across Rakuyos face. Fossa never missed a beat, did he. The taller commanders chuckled and set her down, giving her a pat on the head and a soft ‘happy birthday’ before heading off. Rakyuo looked miserable and thoroughly embarrassed, B couldn’t help laughing some more.

“God, you’re so easy to mess with, Raky.”

“I should have stayed in bed. Fuck your birthday, I’m out.”

She smiled and opened her arms invitingly, tilting her head with soft eyes. Rakuyo sighed and slumped into her, putting all his weight on his smaller sister. B gasped and leaned back, straining at how sudden and heavy that was.

“Raky I swear to fuck-” She croaked out from under him.

Rakuyo finally let up, standing up properly and hugging her back. He laughed a little at the redness of her face.

“Sorry I almost crushed you.”

“‘Almost?’”

They had fun with their back and forth banter. They poked fun at each other, telling jokes and watching some chaos unfold across the deck as a barrel was knocked over. A bunch of their poor brothers slipped and fell, taking some others down with them as they tried to stop their fall.

After some time Rakuyo took his leave, letting B finally get her drink. She had been talking for so long she felt incredibly grateful to the cooks for making sure she wasn’t left with scraps by now. A nice plate was set aside, just for her, with all the best things and a large mug of good alcohol. She sat down next to Pops, who was chuckling and tapping his foot to the tempo of the current song. They sat quietly, few words shared in comfortable silence. There was no need for a long chat after all.

The last to approach her was Ace. The boy looked very shy as he came over, a small box in her hand. B raised her eyebrow at him.

“Hey, the gifts go on the gift table.” She said.

The look of Ace's face immediately made her backtrack.

“But, uh, I’m not doing anything if you wanna give it to me now!”

Patting the open spot next to her she gave him a smile.

“C’mere, buddy. Let me see!”

Ace plopped down at her side and handed the small box to her. He looked at her with wide eyes, brimming with anticipation. Tearing the thin paper B was greeted with a single brown box, two letters ‘RF’ stamped on. Opening it she was taken aback. Inside was a white rabbit's foot, speckled with small patches of black fur on the back. It was quite small, the top covered in silver with an intricate design of dashing and swirls like leaves.

“I uh,” Ace started, “It means good luck, and even though you already have a lot of luck a little more wouldn’t hurt?”

B looked at him. The kid was looking at her like he was the dumbest son of a bitch across the seas, anxiously waiting for her response. She smirked, taking the charm out and holding it.

“It’s nice, Ace! Looks like it’ll fit on the action of my gun.”

“Yeah! I got it just for that! Or you could hang it somewhere in your room!”

Pops glanced over at his two children. The sight of the two most guarded people he’d ever accepted, talking at if they’d been friends for years, filled him with pride. With his signature laugh he stood up, taking his cup of sake with him. The crew paused and looked to their captain and father. Pops gave them a smile and lifted his drink up.

“To B’s birthday, and her many years to come!”

“AYE!!”

[foxingpeculiar]

Bloodborne Diary:

The thing I actually most dislike about Bloodborne's combat is the healing system. You get fewer Estus than you do Blood Vials, yes, but Estus recharges every time, whereas Blood Vials are a consumable. Which means, if you're facing a tough fight and dying a lot (or even sometimes just in normal progression), you can run out and then have to go waste a bunch of time grinding/farming out some more.

In case it was not clear from that observation, I made it to the Orphan of Kos.

The Fishing Hamlet sucked, but less than I was anticipating frankly, at least as long as I was above ground. There were a couple sections before and after the Lighthouse lantern that were just goddamn gank city, but I made it (cursing, appropriately, like a sailor all the while).

But the underground part of the village sucked a lot more. That... erm... actually I don't know WTF it is, but that thing that hurls purple skulls at you in the tunnel killed me like 5 times. The Shell Maidens are gross. And oh, just for fucking fun, there's two Winter Lanterns down there, just havin' a great time casting Frenzy on everything and sucking the life out of your face. But I got the Blood Rock in there and maxed out the Chikage (will probably use the one in Mergo's loft on the Saw Cleaver and I might use the Insight Fountain to get a third for the Blade of Mercy).

I did eventually get the Rakuyo, but--after dying like 25 times in that stupid well (and trying the Shaman Bone Blade trick, but not being able to pull it off effectively and then running out)--I did it the cheap way. Which basically involved using the Monocular and a knife to aggro the shark from the ledge just past the boss elevator, then stepping back, letting his attacks clip through the cliff in front of me and retaliating with a charged R2 hit from the Boom Hammer (god damn, that weapon's fun). It took a while, and I definitely took a few hits in the process, but I managed to kill both of them that way. I also got the key from Simon and went back and got the Bloodletter from that dude in the Corpse Pile, so once I take down the last boss and get the Kos Parasite, I'll get the weapons trophy and 100% the DLC.

But... that might be a minute. Even in phase one, this skinny little abomination is pretty relentless--all his attacks have surprising range and he's never heard of a healing window in his admittedly very short life. I'm starting to get a feel for it; I haven't quite gotten him to phase 2 yet, but I've gotten pretty close. It's not like the Lawrence fight where I just have no idea what to do--it's just a matter of being able to do it smoothly enough, without fucking up, overcorrecting, getting greedy, etc. But that's going to take some practice.

And some grinding for goddamn blood vials. Which I will do tomorrow.

[bellringermal]

Who do you think would win in an all-out fight to the death if Gehrman and Maria ever came to blows? Setting aside those pesky emotional bonds, and assuming they're both at the height of their powers. Maria has the obvious advantages of youth and combustible blood, but I feel there's something to be said for the value of experience, as well as the fact that having invented the Hunter fighting style and trained Maria himself, Gehrman probably knows her own moves and tactics better than she does.

Mmmmh.. let’s take a look at our challengers, shall we?

I think the most important thing to take into consideration is what sort of opponent they were trained to fight in the first place. I’ve always assumed that Maria was a member of the Royal Guards and thus was tasked to protect Annalise from her political opponents and hunt them down for their Blood Dregs. Before she joined the Hunters, Maria was trained to kill other humans and not beasts, since that duty was reserved to the Knights.

Let’s check some extra lore facts to support this theory :3

There’s no evidence in the item descriptions that points towards the Cainhurst Knights using blood blades like the Chikage, but we know for sure that they wielded the Reiterpallasch as shown in the promotional images and in the weapon’s own description.

Rapiers are also the weapon of choice for some of the servants we encounter in the castle.

We also know that the Knights were servants and not nobles, so all of this seems to rule out the possibility of Maria being one of them since we know that she’s a relative of Annalise and consequently, a noble herself. Long story short: Maria, not unlike Eileen, is a Hunter of Hunters even if she kills in the name of Annalise and not to put blood-addled Hunters to rest. This also explains why would she become an apprentice to Gehrman and why in the cut dialogues she refers to him as “Beast Hunter” instead of just Hunter since she comes from a society where the two types of hunters are clearly distinct.

This is also reflected in Maria’s set that is a combination of Knight, Royal Guard, and Hunter gear. Her clothes are that of a beast-slaying Cainhurst Knight (but more practical), her weapon is the signature blood-blade of the nobles while her boots, gloves, and hat are of classic Old Hunters fashion.

All of this to say that, if you ask me, Maria would be way more proficient in killing another human than someone who exclusively hunted down beasts.

But, at the same time, we have no solid proof that Gehrman only did that. First of all, because the line between men and beasts gets very blurry at times and second, because we know that Gehrman delivered “mercy kills” not only to those fully transformed into beasts but possibly even to his own students if they became blood-drunk. Just like Eileen does to Henryk, and possibly, the player.

Gehrman surely saw the hunt as a dirge of farewell, wishing only that his prey might rest in peace, never again to awaken to another harrowing nightmare.[BURIAL BLADE]

Facing a rational opponent is very different from going against a mindless beast. Even us, as players, can experience this by comparing how it feels to fight a beast boss and a humanoid one. Ludwig’s boss fight alone, showcases the different pace and strategy required to fight what is basically a wild animal and an honorable swordsman.

And even when fighting Gehrman and Maria, we can experience first hand their different approach to a 1V1 duel.

Maria’s moveset is precise and elegant, consisting of charged thrusts and wide swipes. The blades of the Rakuyo are reminiscent of the hands of a clock and even some of the animations performed in order to transform the weapon (when combining the two blades back into one, for example) seem to mirror the image of a clock dial. After propelling herself into the air in her jumping attack, Maria plunges down on her opponent and deals AOE damage on impact thanks to her blood arts.

Gehrman on the other hand, deals ranged damage by “pressuring” air itself onto the hunter. (Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate that Gehrman can kill you with fucking air and Maria can kill you with her own blood. If that’s not badass I don’t know what is). Gehrman’s combat style is less refined, but that’s a direct consequence of how large and presumably heavy his weapon of choice is. Even when untransformed, the curved blade is thicker than the Rakuyo and is clearly not a weapon that you can use to poke and stab. The Burial Blade is made to chop off limbs and heads, taking advantage of the long handle to hook and drag the opponent closer before tearing them apart.

Both Maria and Gehrman perform explosive AOE attacks after standing still for a few seconds. Gehrman always faces the moon in the Hunter’s dream during this animation while Maria usually faces the player character. They both perform this animation twice during the fight and each time it marks the beginning of a new phase. Both Maria’s AOE animations are potentially deadly to the player while Gehrman’s first one doesn’t deal any damage but signals his connection to the Moon Presence. Maria’s second AOE attack sees her levitate above the ground as the blood swirls around her. This can be taken as proof that Maria’s abilities transcend those of regular Vilebloods (as if the inflammable blood wasn’t enough!) and placing her in the same league as Queen Yharnam that can make the player character levitate while dealing damage. Yharnam also conjures blood blades by stabbing herself (through the hand, with her ritual knife) just like Maria does.

Gehrman’s “supernatural” abilities on the other hand, consist exclusively in attack and speed boosts offered to him by Moon Presence. Maria’s powers don’t look nearly as situational as Gehrman’s do.

On a mere physical level, I would assume Gehrman to be stronger because of sheer size and level of strength required to lift and use a heavier weapon. But as far as mobility is concerned, I think that Maria would move way faster and have overall a superior attack speed.

Experience surely would play a part in this death battle, but that is something that is harder to quantify in a lore-friendly manner. Some people think that Gehrman was a random dude (even a farmer, according to some) with no combat experience whatsoever that improvised himself a Hunter when the beasts became a real threat, presumably during his adulthood. In my headcanons, on the other hand, he was trained since childhood and had been a Beast Hunter for about 20 years when Maria joined the Old Hunters. In any case, the age gap surely gives Gehrman a huge advantage on Maria when it comes to mere combat and survival experience.

As you pointed out, another thing to consider is how familiar Gehrman would be with Maria’s techniques since he’s the one who taught her many of her tricks and moves. The jumping attack, in particular, feels very “Gehrman” to me :P but Maria never forgot her original Cainhurst combat techniques and after so much time spent training with Gehrman she would’ve learned a few things about his weaknesses as well.

I am confident in saying that anyone who faced Gehrman would affirm that his prosthetic leg doesn’t impair his movements in any way, but at the same time it’s hard to believe that this is 100% true.

In conclusion, I think that such a duel would be rather spectacular to witness and that the outcome wouldn’t be predictable until the very end, considering how fast and vicious both Gehrman and Maria can be. But to conclude, my money would be on Maria.

She has a wider set of skills due to her upbringing in Cainhurst, natural blood abilities inherited from her Pthumerian ancestry and Gehrman himself surely did his best to teach her how to overcome her flaws.