chrissysky:

“When I ran, you would always follow. No matter how fast I ran, no matter how willfully I ran, you were always there. By my side.  It must have been bitter. It must have been agonizing. You smiled and followed me anyway. I understand now. Though it was nearly impossible for you to keep up with my speed, you continued to smile. That’s why I… kept silent…

“You are the soldier of smiles who hides the sea in her eyes. I am the soldier of battle! I could never say it…” [x]

This scene literally had too many caps, Tumblr still has an image limit. XD

But this is exactly what I’m talking about with characterization from one version to the next. It’s entirely possible to take what is essentially the characters and do something new with it, while still making it seem like something those characters would do. 

After Michiru is turned into vampire, Haruka believes she has no other choice but to put her lover down herself. This scene is not just a goodbye, but her recognizing all that Michiru sacrificed not for the sake of being a Senshi, but for Haruka. Haruka just isn’t capable of sacrificing her duty for love. She would rather be in hell with Michiru by her side than without, and probably plans on the two of them taking each other out than possibly surviving this battle. But she’s not sacrificing their Princess and the other Guardians to be with her. Even so, Haruka is still torn because her love for Michiru and her Duty. 

It might seem cruel, but this is very typical Haruka and Michiru where they do things “their own way.” Thematically, this is very them.

Haruka acknowledging the two of them are very different reminds me very much of Xena and Gabrielle. In Season 4, Xena has a similar revelation of horror. She dragged Gabrielle through hell just for wanting her by her side, when the two of them were always very different. Gabrielle’s journey should have been toward peace, and Xena’s was always the path of the warrior. She has to accept the fact that Gabrielle would rather have all the bad, all the pain, all the fighting, than a life without Xena in it.

(There are also a couple times when they must choose between what is right, their duty/beliefs, and being together.)

When Michiru is revived as a human, they briefly reunite and promise to travel the nightmare together. It’s tacked on quickly but the revival scene itself is very quickly done. (Partly due to time and partly because it’s Mamoru doing it but hey, at least it’s there.)

[Last Dracul - Watch on Sea of Serenity]