From:        Kergma, kergma@sv.net.au

Ranko:  [thinks]   If that water had hit him and he'd changed
        while he's got that chain around him, he would've been
        crippled or even killed.  Or Akane would've killed him. 
        [turns back to Kodachi]  Now I've got to fight her with
        the pig *and* my arm holding me back.

touching, and a definite problem for the cursed - would they be able to 
break out of something like that.

Well, remember the neckband Azusa put on Ryoga; it appeard to be 
tight-fitting on P-Chan's neck (which has *got* to be thinner than 
Ryoga's! <g>), but it seemed to fit just as well on Ryoga's neck when he 
changed back; it didn't break, and it also didn't appear to be digging 
into the flesh. Still, not a bad passage.

This does touch on the biggest problem I had with this part, though -- 
the Ryoga/Ranko hostility here does seem pretty forced at times. The 
scuffle between Ryoga and Ranko at the training session seems pretty 
natural, but the hostility in the arena:

Ranko pulls at the chain that Kodachi has just attached to her
wrist.  At the other end hangs a little black pig with a bandanna
around its neck.

Ranko:  [grits her teeth, to P-chan]  Well, well, Ryouga.  Always
turning up where nobody expected you.

P-chan does not answer.  He is too busy biting Ranko's arm.

[...]

His little legs a blur, P-chan has circled Ranko, wrapping the
chain, that binds him to her, firmly around her legs.  Ranko
stumbles and falls flat.

...falls flat for me, especially without the 'lose to Kodachi, Ranma must 
date Kodachi, Akane free for Ryoga' incentive; the motive for Ryoga is 
lacking. I'd put at least one scene in with Ryoga before the fight 
starts, showing more of Ryoga's attitude going into the fight. That'd 
also make his reversal during the fight a little more meaningful. ;)

Amidst the applauding audience, Kodachi is stuck upside down
between two seat rows.  She is wedged between one seat and the
back of the one before it, pedaling frantically to get free.  The
man who is sitting on the seat, looks happily at the girl,
squirming almost in his lap.

Seamus:  I think I jus' died an' went to heaven.

Kodachi:  Aaaargh!  Somebody help me out of here!

Oh no.  Just be thankful it wasn't Frito ;)

Frito: <Screeching> WHAAAAT!?! Ya think I'd act'chally *want* ta get 
close ta that looney? Yah, she's cute and all, but she's *psycho*! 

Seamus of the Institut Rats appearing courtesy of Mike W. Loader.

I'd guessed.  Frito not appearing thanks to The Professor ;)

Indeed. <deadpan look>



Travis Butler
(The Professor, formerly of Myth and Magick!, Lawrence, KS;
 tbutler@tfs.net, now from the Wandering Powerbook;
 <http://www.tfs.net/personal/tbutler/>;
 Mac page <http://www.tfs.net/business/tbutler/>)

...Cats are the proof of a higher purpose to the universe.