Love is not doing one's duty and doing what one likes after that; it 
is complete selflessness, the complete purging from oneself of all desire 
contrary to the interest of the beloved and the relationship with the 
beloved. Your Ranma does not love Akane at all.

Dang!  I'm a big OMG, Belldandy and Keiichi fan, and I'm in favor of THIS definition of Love!  The "complete purging" stuff makes me think of the recent revenge fic where the author (of that fic) ended up the "brainless wifebot" of an enhanced Kasumi.

Seriously, how many people would be in love with someone who had no dreams and desires of their own?  Shouldn't each lover be a person the other can love?

Talk about the degree or lack therof of Honor or Chivalry in Ranma's commitment to Akane, fine.  I think, in the above paragraph, Mr. Corrigan has gone too far.

  It was Ranma's even considering cheating on Akane that ruined the 
story for me completely. He really does come off as a complete bastard.

Just what is the connection between Ranma and Akane at this point in the timeline?  They've "promised" their parents, but what have they said or done to each other?  Called names?  Pounded with mallets?  Kicked the other through goal posts?

I think the story succeeds in showing that Ranma cares for Akane without quite realizing it.  Does that mean he's consciously committed to her?  If Akane hadn't shown up, he might of done something he would later regret, but what conscious reason would "Ranma" be able to apply to justify pushing Ukyo away?  He's being faithful to WHO?  When she does WHAT to him most every morning and never acts like she has any liking for him to his face?

<snip>

  I wish I could say I liked your story, sir--it was quite well written-- 
but I fear that after weighing in the scales of Right Characterization 
it has been found too light. Please reconsider it before the real 
anti-Ukyo forces start moving in on you. Miss Seawright can be quite a 
punisher, far more than I am.

Right Characterization?!?!?!    I don't buy off on a Ranma who's chivalrous to Akane.  If you can't stand the thought of him being seduced by Ukyo then we need an explanation of why he'd want to avoid relations with Ukyo specifically or why "Ranma" would want to avoid sex at this time.  Not why you or I would, why "Ranma" would.  And "I'm being faithful to Akane" is right out from my take on IC.

Paul Corrigan
budgie@insomnia3.dorms.utoledo.edu

As for what I thought about the story itself, I thought it did make Ukyo look good, without taking her too far out of what I understand about her character.  I hope she gets a happy ending of her own, but maybe thats what "Lesson in Love" has provided.  It's a good match for "Red", in size and quality of feeling.  And "Red" was awesome!

Jim Nutley
jnutley@lvnexus.net