burning memories all about pride and passion

...wow, I think I've really fucked up Rei's character.

In canon, she's a confident and passionate girl, right? She was a miko freak, yeah, but she never let it bother her. Her moments of weakness were rare.

I could say that the events of the story have changed her, but how does that make sense?

She was raped, yeah---that would deal a major blow to her famous pride. But it's not like her to be mopey and feel hopeless. Next to Usagi and Minako, she probably had the third strongest leadership potential in the series. She would slap Usagi for losing her way---I think my Rei needs to slapped for the same reason.

I could say that being handed her own ass repeatedly has worn down on her, but she'd just train that much harder, wouldn't she? And she has Turuya and Minako to be cheery with.

In short---sorry for fucking her up so bad, CLDR. I'm gonna try to put her characterization back on track after everyone returns from being downloaded.

((this is a capslock-relevant entry on Rei's thoughts about the mask storyline))

I guess I'm still shaken about this--don't even know where to begin really. Usagi and the others would probably be shocked to learn that I lost control that way. But I should probably start from the beginning:

Another new guy arrived in the room clutching a creepy old mask, looking lost. I tried to go over and help him, but there was a really strange power rolling off the mask. Being the annoyingly noble person I am sometimes, I had to go investigate. When I tried to use an ofuda on it, though, it suddenly came to life and fused with me painfully. I felt this strange passion take over, and I was suddenly the backseat driver in my body while this thing terrorized the room.

How much damage did I do? Let's see...I almost burned a few people with a fire snake, shamelessly flirted with Raiden and Otacon, and tried to convince Ike to make sexytimes with Snake. Not as bad as it could've been if Otacon hadn't been there, but...still pretty bad, especially considering I'd just lectured the guys about their womanizer habits.

Anyway, Otacon...he was one of the first people the god targeted. I'm not sure why it locked in on him of all people...was he just in the right place at the right time, or is there something I'm missing? He immediately realized something was wrong and decided to stay with me until it could be solved. That was really sweet of him, actually...but my possessed self took this as a signal to party. So we danced, and from what I can remember, it was actually pretty nice. He's good.

Otacon's a genius, though Snake likes to call him nerdface. And his plan was brilliant---if a little disturbing for me. See, what happened was at that point, I was trying to fight for control of my body back. If only I could remove the damn mask, but that god didn't want to let go of me. So Otacon stopped, and he was looking at me with...well I'm not sure. Concern? Determination? As I recall, he whispered my name and raised his hands to frame my face-to any outsider, it would look like the obvious, right? The god didn't suspect anything. She happily started planning her next move as I trembled, and then-

When a demon god fuses with you, separation is painful. That much I've learned. So when he'd successfully brought the god's guard down, he managed to yank the mask from my face and it hurt like hell. My entire head seemed like it was about to burst as all that passion and playfulness left in a rush. I collapsed right then, and he was there-calm and reassuring, just like when I'd first arrived. Just like Ami-chan. Sometimes it scares me how much they're alike.

The scariest part? I don't think I would have minded all that much if he'd actually...well, you know.

IN CASE ANY MEMBERS OF THE DRESSING ROOM WISH TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE LOVELY GAL IN RED THEY PLAY WITH, HERE'S WHERE I'M GOING TO WRITE THIS STUFF DOWN.

OKAY, SO I'M REI HINO. I'M A SHINTO PRIESTESS WHO ATTENDS A CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL FOR SOME REASON. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AN OUTCAST BECAUSE OF MY STRANGE SHINTO POWERS, AND A PAIR OF CROWS NAMED PHOBOS AND DEIMOS WERE MY ONLY FRIENDS FOR A LONG TIME.

EVERYTHING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN WHEN I SAW AN IMAGE OF IMPENDING DISASTER AT A FIRE READING. THE NEXT DAY, MONSTERS BEGAN ABDUCTING GIRLS WHO RODE THE BUS FROM MY SHRINE. I, BEING A SOMEWHAT CREEPY GIRL, WAS THE PRIME SUSPECT. THEN A TALKING BLACK CAT GAVE ME A WEIRD RED PEN AND TOLD ME I WAS A SPACE WARRIOR WITH POWERS OVER FIRE, SAILOR MARS. I FELT FOOLISH DOING IT, BUT I TRANSFORMED AND FOUGHT OFF THE THREAT.

SINCE THAT DAY THREE YEARS AGO, I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH MY TEAM TO PROTECT TOKYO FROM THE CONSTANT STREAM OF DISASTERS THAT THREATENS IT. I HAVE A VERY SHORT FUSE, SO DON'T ANNOY ME. THAT'S ALL THE ADVICE I CAN GIVE.