On Thu, 8 Aug 1996, Mike W. Loader wrote:
GL Sandborn engraved:
I've no problem with it being a side story - loved your portrayal of
Nabiki. I think one of the things that when into this piece was a mild
dislike with a common view of Nabiki - the idea that she doesn't realize
that she's going too far, and that a talk or a confrontation or a dream
will allow her to reform. My picture has always been that Nabiki knows
exactly what she's doing, realizes that it is morally wrong, and might
even dislike doing it - but she chooses to do it anyway.
My view of Nabiki is, that she knows very well about the morality of her
doings, but weighs her actions against her own moral code. She is honest
and straightforward: None of her dates were left unknowing about how dear
it would cost them; She delivers what she is paid for; She doesn't have
hidden catches in her deals. Take the boy who dated her at the beginning
of the _Nabiki the Fiance_ storyline - He knew exactly what she wanted,
and I'm sure she would not have dated him, if he didn't. She ruthlessly
takes advantage of others' situation, but she does not steal or fraud.
She does, indeed, enjoy to annoy others, but she does not intentionally
*hurt* them. Take for example the way she tried to "sell Ranma back" to
Akane in the above storyline. To me she seemed astonished about the fact
that Akane did not accept. She had expected Akane to grumblingly pay,
and learn her lesson about not making stupid statements she will come to
regret (like "giving" Ranma to her). Also, She seemed to expect Ranma to
rebel against the works she hired him out to do. And when she found out
how hurt the two were, she seemed genuinely gilty for a moment - she had
not realized how deeply these two were in denial about their mutual love,
and had expected to just say "no" to her schemes.
All in all, I feel more sympathy for Nabiki, than hatred (like
Misa-chan). She's misguided (Nabiki, that is :) and sometimes goes to
far, but she is not *evil*.
Sebastian