<Hega> ...I *so* need to get that girl a boyfriend.

Want for knowledge is a dangerous thing. Very nice characterization

She's absolutely insane. o.o

Not exactly, but she's driven to find an answer. Everything -- everything -- that her reasons for leaving the Purist camp and coming with J hinged on basically boiled down to her wanting to discover for herself what 'strength' really meant.

Issen showing up has thrown her entire belief set for a loop. She still holds onto the concepts of control, humility and focus, but at the same time she sees that under all the Shadow, Issen has *\something*\ she doesn't understand, and it's this terrifying and beautiful art that she wants to badly to at least try and wrap her head around. Depending on how things play out, she'll either end up going without, getting burned badly... or worse. There's no way to tell what will be what at this point.

The funny thing is that Karma, at least how I intended her to be, has amazing potential and could very well be an Issen, given some years, actual league experience and a much darker backstory, but she's set to be something else. I think Mel put it best -- Karma is kind of Ryu, while Issen's basically Akuma. Similar in most regards, but in things for two totally different reasons.

I am going to have FUN when Karma does get around to really showing what she's made of.

Wow. o.o Okay, that's a good analogy. I would think, though, that even if she's in her own mind and getting beat by Issen, that should tell her something. I mean, not that she's got no hope, but looking at this mind-Issen as a subconscious image of what it is that she's searching for, her defeat may very well be her mind telling her, "Knock it off, it's not worth it/you'll just end up like him."

Except, wait, isn't Akuma Ryu's father? <.< Not that I have any clue, mind you.

But yes, it's funny where characters can go once you let them. :P