On Sat, 1 Feb 1997, Gary Kleppe wrote:
(BTW, I've set up a Reply-To: fanfic@fanfic.com field, just because
the two of you were asking how to do that. Check out the message
header.)
JOOC, do you know how to do that using Pine?
On Thu, 30 Jan 1997 15:59:33 -0600 (
), Nicholas Leifker <nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu> and Hitomi Ichinohei
<hitomi@terminal.autobahn.mb.ca> wrote:
Clothes Make The...
Chapter Four:
Akane looked up at her aunt, afraid of what she might see or hear
in the older woman's voice for what she had done to her son. Of all of
them, Nodoka had the most to lose since she hadn't seen her child in so
long. There were still uncomfortable silences between mother and sont at
son
(nod)
She nodded sadly, in an effort to make her own act convincing. A
tear formed in her eyes. "Understand. Bie Liao, Spatula Girl." Shampoo,
Doesn't "Bie Liao" mean "Goodbye forever"? Seems a little strong.
It is strong...but, then again, so is the situation. She is retreating
for now, to seek the wisdom of wiser heads before making any more moves
on Ranma.
"Since you are an outsider to this entire country, I have already
contacted certain people. If any harm comes to anyone here, by your hand
or any of your village, then a state of war will be declared. The Chinese
government will not defend you and will help as well, as the Ambassador
>from China is not willing to go to war with Japan, and by extension the
United States, over you and your village." Nabiki spoke with a chilling
calm, watching what little blood that remained in Cologne's face drain
away. "By applying your laws, which is what you have always wanted, you
now stand on the brink of war in which the government of your own country
will help us with."
I have a *really* hard time believing that even Nabiki could stir up
an international incident over this. It would be more believable to me
if she were to play upon Cologne's honor. If Amazon laws *were* to
apply, then Cologne's interference with Ranma would clearly be in
violation of them, so her honor might compel her to promise Nabiki to
stay away.
I doubt Cologne's honor could be trusted in this case. She tells the
truth like an Aes Sedai (no offense, John and Jeremy).
However, you may have a point with the emphasis in which the passage is
being placed, if not the severity of the situation. The Joketsuzoku are
a fiercely independent people, ones who would easily incur the wrath of
the Communist government, should they actually do anything outside of
their village. Problem is, up until now, they haven't, and the
Communists have viewed their existence as an annoyance, but not a
threat. But, if Joketsuzoku are terrorizing Japanese citizens...that
constitutes an international incident. What the Japanese would probably
do first is try to apprehend the Amazons, a futile gesture given Cologne's
abilities. Next...they would ask that the Chinese step in and handle
measures. Remember Tienanmen Square? In other words, the greatest
threat lies not in the Japanese or Americans, but the Chinese
government.
Ranma took off the rest of her clothes, and slipped into the sheer
gown. "Fortunately, I do know the answer to that one. You get in your
best dress, grab that hunk-of-a-doctor at the clinic, and take him out to
dinner. Don't worry about supper tomorrow night; I'll cook, and try to
teach Akane while I'm at it."
I like the concept of this fic, and the writing is top-notch, but I'm
starting to feel a little disappointed by the direction this story
might be taking. Things are going way too well for Ranma, IMHO. I'd
like to see more emphasis on the problems that come from her
exploration of her feminine side, and how this compounds the other
troubles in her life. I really would rather not see the now-feminine
Ranma going around solving problems for all the other characters.
Ranma and company are most interesting to me when their lives are made
difficult, and I'd like to see that in this story.
Perhaps a bit of patience is in order. After all, Shampoo and Cologne are
still around, and are ready to wreck havoc if they can. Moreover, Ryouga
and Mousse have yet to make an appearance. What will the lost boy think
of Ranma's new lifestyle? What does duck-boy think of Ranma giving his
beloved the Kiss of Death? And, let us not forget Happousai...the old
master would probably have a ball trying to feel Ranma, and to get her to
wear certain articles of clothing. One other thing: Right now, everyone
is viewing this as a temporary thing, including Ranma. What happens when
it goes on for a month or so? What is everyone going to be like then?
Are Akane and Ukyou going to be able to handle it for that long? What of
the adults in the situation, who want Ranma and Akane to marry, not be
"girlfriends"? Is Ranma going to even want to come back? If so, what's
he going to be like, given what she's experienced?
In other words, while things may seem perfect now, it's not over yet...not
by a longshot.
As for Ranma helping Kasumi, it is because, for once, she sees Kasumi in
a position similar to one she was in (circumstances had forced her to
hide a part of herself, one she longs to explore), and acts accordingly.
This is also enhanced by the closeness of their relationship, a recent
byproduct of Ranma's acts. Ranma would have a difficult time helping
someone else in the same way.
> The above, of course, is just one reader's opinion.
And we are grateful for it. Right now work is commencing on part 5, and
these comments should be useful in the future direction of the work.
Please send any replies to nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu. The people
who run the unix system here have decided to give it a split
personality, and have made it think it's a character on
"X-files". I apologize for any inconvenience.
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Nicholas Leifker
nwl9354@unix.tamu.edu
Nightelf's Elysium - http://http.tamu.edu:8000/~nwl9354
"Now the applause has died and I can dream again..."
"Anybody Listening", Queensryche
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