In a message dated 2/16/99 9:29:53 PM, jct3@dana.ucc.nau.edu writes:

On Tue, 16 Feb 1999, Mike Noakes wrote:

Akane can be understanding... but those times are far and few.  From what
I've seen of the anime (my estimate -- about 75% of the ENTIRE series)
and read of the manga (all of it... ^_^)  I think the way she is written is
accutally not OOC. The only time I've seen her understanding in the
manga and the anime is when that person ISN'T Ranma and she is trying to
please Kasumi... ^_^  But to tell the truth I also think that Ranma is
a whimp.  As good of a martial artist he is, he still has no back bone. And
generally like to take the easy way out.

That's partially true about Ranma. He just simply lacks common sense and
social skills. In a way, he's a loner like Ryoga.
And like you mentioned, that Akane's not often considerate and understanding
in manga series, but the facts remain: she CAN BE and IS considerate and
understanding, once she gets over with her temper. I know she can learn to
forgive Ranma eventually, but I doubt that Ranma will ever be able to forgive
himself for a LONG time.

	But you're absolutely right -- she's not an extremely sympathetic
character at this point.  Reading your comments, I realize I'm going to
have to address that soon.  The next chapter'll probably begin with a, I
hope, convincing portrayal of what's driving her -- why what happened at
the party angered her so much, why she's been slow to forgive, what's
she's been thinking about so much -- and make her a likeable character
again.  I'm making it a personal challenge...
	<blink> And... you don't seem to like Daisuke much.

That's what I really would appreciate. It's diffuclt to understand how Akane's
feeling when you're focusing on Ranma alone and his feelings throughout the
fanfic, when the theme clearly deals with Akane as well. After all, this is
about their friendship and enagement.
I really don't like character bashings, UNLESS there's a good reason for it.
And to me, the reasons behind Akane's actions so far, is understandable (but
that doesn't mean I have to like it). I just want to see more perspective on
her.

I personally I like to see to 2 different ending to this fanfic if it was
possible. 1) Where no wants to see or willing to see Ranma's side of
things and will probably end up having a very dark ending; and 2) Where
everyone FINALLY sees Ranma sides of things and force some compassion into
their hearts especially the Queen of the Bitches, Akane. ^_^

And I don't think it would be good idea to have the ending where nobody
understand Ranma's side. That's been done far too many times, and trailing off
into darkfics. Basically, there would be no development of the story at all.
This would just turn into one of those fics where 'Akane and Ranma breaks up'-
that's far too easy to be done.
Now, about the other ending, if we can somehow make at LEAST few characters
understand Ranma's perspective, from there, we can start on a long path to
recovery and understanding among the characters. I'm not saying that it
necessarily means that Akane and others would forgive Ranma and be back to old
ways again- no that's ridlicious. What I am asking for is that everyone in the
fanfic should at least listen to Ranma's side, and make their own decisons. So
far, nobody've given him a chance.

This type of work has been very rare among fanfics, IMHO. I really can't point
out a such fanfic where similiar incident had occured and devasted both
characters (Ranma and Akane, or others) emotionally, and eventually came to
understanding between themselves. If you can point out a such one, then good.
That means it's something _different_, apart from the stereotypical endings.

And that's what I'm hoping for in this fanfic, which I've enjoyed tremoundsly
(and angsted over), and am looking forward to the next part. I just hope it
won't take another 2 years to finish both parts. Hopefully by the end of this
year (Hey, I can wish, can't i? ^_^).

Michael N.- I really did enjoy the Choice series. There's not much I can say
any more than Gary already have, but... heck, I really like it (and did
angsted over it). I'll be looking forward to the final two parts when they
come out.

Oh, BTW Jct3- on a personal note, I resent that remark about Akane. If it's
anybody who deserves that title, it's her friend Sayuri. Not Akane. Not in
this fic.


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