On Tue, 28 Jul 1998, Jonathan Ng wrote:

At 02:29 PM 7/27/98 GMT, you wrote:

	Perhaps he should not have come here, he thought. Being in the
place posed the kind of danger that a drink did to a reformed alcoholic.

If that happened, then the alcoholic might not be as "reformed" as we would
like him to be.

Many reformed alcoholics won't even touch a drink, since just a little bit
could set them off.  It's not a question of the sincerity of the reform,
or the totality, but just how people work.

	Kodachi leapt up onto a taller building, and looked down at the
passers-by on the street below. Many years ago, she had read a story
called "Flatland". It described a people who existed only in a flat,
two-dimensional universe. The people below reminded her of the ones in
that story. They walked along, confined to their two-dimensional
sidewalks and roads, while she was free to go where she wished.

Jason: That's only one way to look at her, as we all know.  The
confinements in our society exist for reasons, reasons that guarantee our
survival.

Okay.  Whatever your opinions, it doesn't change how well this paragraph
brings across her own personal philosophy without explicitly stating it.

wahine? We wen' had parent-teacher day t'ree months ago."

What's wahine?

Ahhh!  Nothing like aged wahine!  ^_^

Not like I'd know by first hand experience, though...<grumble>

	"Yes!" Akane said to Kodachi. "I agree. And I'm NOT going to
lose."

Jason: Akane allowed herself to be provoked by Kodachi.  She'll have to
follow through and win.

That's what I initially thought as the strongest possibility.  But then,
maybe a word or two about how she gets red in the face, clenches her
hands, or something to indicate this besides dialoug?  Having her think
I'm going to say no, then having her say "YES!" with little transition
in listed moods seems slightly odd.

		In this duty, you have failed. Your daughter has been
	defeated several times this year in her martial gymnastics, and
	your son has not fared better at his kendo.

Jason: He was.  In fact, Ranma didn't knock him off the top.  Ranma hasn't
challenged him in Kendo.

Okay.  So, how has Kuno 'not fared better at his Kendo'?  Unless this
letter is before Tatewaki was in high school, but to expect someone that
young to become a master in a fighting art?

Oh, and Konu-letter? :)

Hmmm...There was a discussion about how some writers use Nibiki for
Nabiki, and Soon for Soun.  Mai-b eye just cant spel write.  ^_^

	She almost had to feel sorry for her dear brother. All those
years in training, and she still beat him as if he had been a novice.

Jason: Kuno may have strength and power, but Kendo's a pretty predictable
art.  
And who says Kodachi's stuff is *just* gymnastics?  (Still, Gary, that's
pretty hard to believe)  And besides, this is Kodachi's POV.  She knocked
him down when he wasn't thinking, and so she thinks she's won.

Kuno charges Kodachi, when she insulted the honor of Shampoo, and she
beats him handily by movements alone.  Now, Kendo may be considered a
predictable art in that it relies on weapons, and weapons limit your
potential actions.  However, keep in mind that it was designed to teach
the skill of swordfighting, and could be considered a real martial art. 
Also, Tatewaki has been training hard for years with the Amazons, a
warrior culture.

I seriously doubt that one who specialized in nothing but gymnastics and
potions could suddenly gain so much skill to be able to cleanly beat the
Tatewaki with the background that Gary has given him. 

Cybernetic implants?
Called on the power of dark gods?
Overdosed on squid snacks, and is too hyper-packed with energy?

Whatever the case, it'd have to be exceptional to be believable.  Kind of
a twist, huh?


-Natsume Ranma Ranma
-------
The sardines weren't worth the trouble.  A few more shots, then 
Ryoga-san would overheat and explode.  Ducking around a corner, 
I managed to lose him as I entered the ramshackle residence of 
my Anime supplier.

One look at his face and I knew that I was betrayed.  "Tell me."
I insisted.  He refused, so I slammed him against the wall.
"Last chance.  Where can Ranma-Ranma find good fanfics?"
"Try Jason Liao." he whispered, before he slumped to the floor.
I heard the sounds of a door splintering as I left through the 
window, one step ahead of Tendo Heavy Industries...