Subject: Re: [FFML] [C&C] Cut Wood, Carry Water; Prologue
From: rbarnes@moscow.com (Bob Barnes)
Date: 8/25/1997, 11:37 PM
To: KLEPPE@execpc.com (Gary Kleppe)
CC: fanfic@fanfic.com


Hi Gary!

This is the Ranma and Akane from "The Masks We Must Wear". You really
ought to mention that in this story; someone who hadn't read your
previous work would almost surely be confused without knowing this.

You are absolutely right.  To tell the truth I was wondering if anyone would
remember.  It's been a long time since "Masks" first came out. I suppose I
should have reposted "Masks" at the same time.  Well, that's easily
corrected. I'll repost it, now.

"Masks" was definitely worthy of being continued, and so far this looks
like a promising beginning. I'm not sure about the way you're handling
Ryoga. It was my understanding (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) that
he had already halfway given up on Akane and swithced to Akari by the
end of the series. He didn't deliberately try to break up the wedding,
just blundered into it by accident. Of course things may be different
here since this is an alternate version of the characters anyway.

Nope, can't take that way out. The whole point of "This is the secret
reality underlying the canon" sort of stories is that you can't fiddle with
the canon story line.  It's cheating, sort of.  At first, I simply assumed
Ryouga would vaciliate again as he has in the past.  After the wedding
attempt P-chan was with Akane, and it's an easy conclusion to jump to that
Ryouga might blame the whole fiasco on Ranma. After all, he blames
everything _else_ on Ranma! I could say that Ryouga has decided to switch
back to Akane, nobly sacrificing his love for Akari in order to save Akane
from that fiend Saotome and consequentially taking Akane for himself... or
would that be too facile.  What do you think?

This is a real problem, first pointed out by Andrew Petalik, by the way. I'm
not sure how to procede. Any opinions?

Looking forward to more!

Thanks for the support! Eagerly awaiting the next part of Hearts and Minds,
myself. Til next time...

Best,

Bob Barnes
rbarnes@moscow.com
Moscow, Idaho

When opportunity comes, the trick is to CATCH the red hat.