Ahem. <taps mike> This thing on? Good.
I've passed on all comments to Hitomi about her story, _The Youngest
Goddess_, and for reasons I don't pretend to understand, she regards me as a
friend. (unlike most people who've met me in person, after which they tend
to regard me as a severely disturbed person. ^_^)
Anyway, it seems there's been some fuss over the other story she's helping
with. Jessica's _Ranma's Father_, where Jessica uses the Wishing Sword story
arc to begin her fic that crosses over with Batman:The Animated Series.
As a result, Hitomi has, in order to help Jessica, summed up the content of
all the replies she and Jessica received over _Ranma's Father_, and replied
to them in a single post. Said post she passed on to me to forward to the
list.
Now, this is Hitomi's reply, not mine. Keep in mind that yelling, flaming,
or insulting _me_ won't hurt Hitomi. She won't see them because I tend to
delete the really insulting ones that come into my mailbox.
Unlike The Lost Lurker, I don't yell at people. Probably because after the
death of my mother, the stroke I had, the high blood pressure I _still_
have, and the financial difficulties my father has burdened me with via his
unending series of rubber checks has cause me to reach a point where I
_have_ to ignore insults, or the stress simply sets me up for another
stroke. One that, most likely, will be the LAST stroke I will ever have.
After all, dead people don't get strokes, folks.
Kindly keep that in mind. My blood pressure and I will thank you for it.
Tybalt, I realize that this could be considered a flame (albeit a most
polite one), and I humbly beg your pardon. But I'm doing this on my doctor's
advice. And that's NOT a joke. I was just informed that the current stress
I'm
under has caused my bp to rise to potentially dangerous levels even WITH the
drugs I'm taking. So I was _officially_ advised to stop holding the
frustration in, and if I feel like yelling, then yell. It would help me relax.
My sincere apologies if it came out like an ugly rant.
Anyway, that's all *I* have to say on the matter, and hopefully I've headed
off a few of the flames in advance. Now over to Hitomi, and her reply to the
list about _Ranma's Father_.
Cordially yours,
Ed Becerra
<cut here>
Hitomi's reply to the list.
********************************************************
You know, at this point in time, I'm really annoyed.
All of you offer advice, and are more than willing to offer help, but in
what way?
Constructive critism?
Except for a few people, not really.
People saying they know what's right and to rewrite the whole story?
A slew of you have done so.
You know, it's so bad that Jessica was going to give up doing the Ranma's
Father series?
Now, I myself have a fairly thick skin. I have to, given the number of
comments I've received over the years, the insults from various people, and
the way I end up hearing about it. It's not too bad for me, but I would
think that you would want to encourage a new writer, especially given that a
lot of you are new writers yourselves.
Now, perhaps _I_ can answer some questions, which have come in to Jessica as
complaints saying that she should rewrite everything to reflect what these
people think.
First, Batman is a lot better than a lot of people think. In the comic
books, he spent several YEARS travelling the world in order to learn martial
arts. All types of exotic techniques that would beat out ANY that Ranma
learned, even at the end of the series. He started his crusade, in the
comics when he was 35.
In the Animated Television Series, Batman started his crusade when he was
28. According to the story, he still spent many years learning exotic
techniques from around the world. Swordsmanship, Akido, Jujitsu, various
styles of Kung-fu, etc. He even received training in how to handle all
types of weapons from Alfred, who was a former SAS officer and later an
agent of MI6. In the Ninja storyline, he learned to kill with just a touch,
although he never used the technique himself. Remember, among his skills is
the ability to seemingly disappear in seconds. That's something Ranma does
NOT know.
In the first chapter of this story, Jessica had put down Bruce was a STUDENT
of Cologne. If he was a student, and for a longer time, of the same person
who is training Ranma, who do YOU think would be better? It would not be
Ranma from where I sit.
Also, this story DOES NOT OCCUR at the end of the series. Why so many
people are telling Jessica it is, is beyond me. Especially since the
wishing sword story arc occurs in the first half of the series of books.
Besides, who said that this is following the exact storyline of the books.
Did anyone actually READ the first chapter and find some clues to what was
going on or did it go over ALL of your heads?
Nodoka STATED that she had already met Ranko and Panda-chan. Something that
did not happen until LATER in the books.
Now, doesn't that clue tell you that something else is going on? Perhaps
the fact that the story is not following the series exactly? Maybe even
that the change was somewhere further back in time?
How many of you people follow the EXACT storyline without making your own
changes. I've always wondered how people can combine the Manga and the
Anime in strange combinations, say they are following cannon, and then not
saying how because they are too busy deciding that they know what cannon is?
Like say a were-cat from a cat curse when combined with the spring of the
drowned man when it is CLEARLY stated that if the spring of the drowned man
is used, the conditions of the original curse would disappear.
Also, as to Nabiki's intelligence, and her ability to make money. I don't
think ANY of you know the cost of living over here, so please refrain from
doing a price comparison based upon what you have in America. Also,
considering that she is virtually the SOLE support of the Tendo Dojo, AND
given how much the upkeep is on land, the cost of wood, and so on, I would
suggest a number of you revise your estimates of how much she makes.
Currently, it is about 122 yen to the dollar, which means that in the first
story, she made about 24 dollars for five photos. Ok, we know Kuno is an
idiot, but Nabiki does have MANY contacts according to the manga. She KNOWS
how to save money. As to investing, I KNOW that you now have Internet
investing over there as well as Day Trading. In America, you need
$100,000.00 to start on the Nasdaq exchange, and it cannot fall below
$50,000.00 or you are off. In Japan, providing you live here, the amount
you need to start investing is much lower. Trades are on a standard fee,
not a commission, since the brokers and traders make their money by crossing
the spread. You can start by buying only one stock of a company and then
trade it for a profit.
How could Nabiki make that much money?
Blank diskette machines, blank cd machines, soft drink machines, beer
machines, shirt machines, blouse machines, skirt machines, etc. Those are
not much to buy and can be run successfully. You can easily start with one
machine and work up to more providing you pay your licensing fee.
Betting pools, and other features are illegal, but if you know the system,
that can be gotten around. There are several places it is done. Pachinko
parlours and video game stores are examples of this. Trade in the tokens
for the prizes, go around the corner and redeem those prizes for the cash
equivalent. Pachinko parlours are fairly easy to set up once the fees are
paid, as well as the video game machines are becoming very popular.
Don't tell me she isn't smart enough to figure that out.
As for Batman. GIVE ME A BREAK! Anyone could have figured out who he was,
if others did not play Bruce Wayne and be in the same area at the same time
as the Batman. The clues I saw used were the most obvious, and the most
telling. Add that to the clues about the Art, and you have the answer,
especially since both Bruce and Nodoka STATED that he spent years at the
Masaki Dojo and was the designated heir.
To this, I've attached the character profile for Batman, Alfred, part of the
one for Ranma, as well as Nabiki. Now, sorry for the rant, but I personally
think a LOT of you owe an apology to Jessica for claiming you know her
story better than she does. It seems funny to me that everyone considers
the author is the LAST person to know what she is writing.
Ichinohei Hitomi
Batman:
Real Name: Bruce Wayne
Alias: Matches Malone, Tsukino Ran, numerous others
Background:
Bruce Wayne lost his parents when he was ten and wanted revenge. Starting
to train himself in all areas of criminal investigation, he became
pathologically unable to deal with real life. Alfred, noticing this,
decided that it was time that young Bruce was sent where he could learn
properly, and arranged for him to leave for Tokyo when he was twelve, making
sure that if a trail was followed, it would lead to several schools in
Europe. There Bruce discovered that he was taking on the identity of
Tsukino Ran, a young half Japanese boy who was being apprenticed to Master
Masaki, a well known martial arts instructor.
As Ran, he became one of the best young martial artists the dojo had ever
produced, living there with the Masaki's. In his spare time, he spent going
to the schools labs, reading books on investigative techniques, and
perfecting many forensic skills. At other times, he went and visited with
various scientist and learned how to build, miniaturize, and look for answers
with technologies already available. His entire pursuit while there was
towards becoming the best detective he could be.
Unfortunately, he neglected to take psychology.
As for a social life, if it hadn't been for Nodoka, who had taken an
interest in him, he would never have had a life outside of this.
In having enough fights, due to his 'half-breed' status, Ran started to
wear clothing that allowed him full movement. Usually loose black pants and
sports tops and pull overs. He also started to learn how to hide small
items on himself, such as fishing line, and small flare and smoke bombs
which he hid in pockets he placed into his belt. Unfortunately, the first
few times he did this, they blew up in the belt, and he redesigned it so
that it would be harder to damage his materials. This new belt he began to
hide under his shirts and pullovers.
During his seventeenth year, he made an enemy out of one of the older
students at the dojo who knew who he really was, and was jealous, both of his
ability and the fact that he had money. Bruce stopped him from stealing a
priceless set of swords that could be sold on the underground market for
millions, since many true, old swords had been destroyed when Japan was
first taken over by the Americans. This man became a Ninja after being
forced away from the dojo.
In the last week Ran spent there he discovered that Nodoka wanted to marry
him, which he had no idea of before.
In China, he discovered the tribe of Chinese Amazons, and stayed there for
six months learning from Mistress Cologne. He learned of the fighting codes
of the Amazons, but was exempted from it when Cologne learned of his private
passion. Bruce, in turn promised to do what he could to provide a measure
of freedom and economic resources when he came into his inheritance.
After learning some techniques from yet another person, he went back to
Japan to find Nodoka and propose to her. Unfortunately, when he came back,
he discovered that she was married to Genma, a person who he didn't trust.
He left back for China and learned some more techniques.
After two more years, he went to Gotham and Alfred signed over all the
documents to ensure that Bruce had what he needed to continue. Bruce,
however, did not want him to leave, and since Alfred did not want to be a
bother, and have young Bruce be his own man, refused to be on the Board of
Wayne Enterprises. Proposing a separate idea, which Bruce accepted, Alfred
became the Wayne butler, and started to set up the cave underneath the house
according to the plans that Bruce had developed.
In the following year, Bruce had to go to Japan to attend an economic
conference, and ran into Nodoka once more. Neither knew of the Joker being
in the country, and they ended up losing their inhibitions due to the drug
that the Joker used. During that time, they made love. The next day Batman
appeared, and provided an antidote to the others that were affected in other
ways. Batman captured the Joker who left on an American Forces flight to be
held in Arkham Asylum in Gotham City.
Alfred Pennyworth:
Real Name: Alfred Pennyworth
Alias: Several dozen
Background:
Alfred grew up after the second War to End All Wars and attended Oxford at
a young age. Sponsored by some friends of the government, Oracle and
Delphi, he soon joined British Intelligence and distinguished himself both
as a field agent and in the new field of computers. Travelling the world,
he came into contact with several important people, and became one of the
designers for the British Missile Defense and Offence system.
Sent to Japan on the advice of Oracle, he met Master Masaki, one of the few
Martial Artist left after the war, and became the godfather to his child,
Nodoka. While there, he came across the ways of several new criminal
organizations that were trying to gain a foothold in the country and managed
to help to contain them for a time. He was also instrumental in helping the
government against the incursions of the Japanese Red Army and their
terrorist activities. Soon after, he retired from the service temporarily
and left for the States in order to meet with the Wayne family with whom he
was introduced to by Oracle almost ten years previously. Helping to set up
Wayne Enterprises, he also created several 'black' divisions in the company
with the approval of Thomas Wayne, who was concerned that terrorist could
also strike at America.
After the Waynes were gunned down in the street, he decided to stay and
take care of Bruce, becoming like a father to him. When he realized what
Bruce needed, he sent the young man to Japan to learn what he needed. In
the meantime, he had the black operations groups do work for British
Intelligence and materials seemingly disappeared from time to time to the
cave underneath Wayne Manor.
After getting involved in a case with Oracle and Delphi, and discovering
their abilities and powers, he followed their advice in making several
unmarked additions to the city, one of which is the area where all of the
vehicles that Batman, Batgirl, Nightwing, and Robin use are made. He also
started to prepare the underground cave as a secret lair for Bruce's return.
Returning to the British Intelligence Service, renamed the British Secret
Service, for a while, he made additional contacts with various weapons
intermediaries under the 'assistance agreements' to several friendly
nations. These people know Alfred under different names, and know that he
is connected to the British Government, being brought in on occasion as an
observer.
When Bruce came back, Alfred wanted to retire, and so signed everything
over to the young man, including the presidency of the company. Bruce,
needing Alfred, didn't want him to leave, and so offered him a seat on the
Board of Directors. Alfred counter offered that it would be best that he
serve as a Gentleman's gentleman and keep up the appearance of an upper
crust household while attending to the needed material gathering and upkeep
of the vehicles and other black activities.
He tries to keep to the background, but he is well able to fight, and is an
expert with several different types of firearms. It is his skills in
information gathering and profiling which allow Batman and the others to do
their necessary field work. While retired for the most part, he has taken
action at times flying the planes, using hand grenades and other weaponry,
and fending off saboteurs. Although he does not claim this, he is directly
responsible for the existence of Batman, Robin, and the new Robin by making
'suggestions' and then leaving them alone. His file is still highly
classified by the British Government.
Ranma Wayne:
Real Name: Ranma Wayne
Alias: Tendo Ranko, numerous others
Background:
Ranma was brought up by Saotome Genma to be a martial artist, risking his
life in pursuit of this goal. Among the techniques he has learned are the
Neko-ken, which has left him with an extreme phobia of cats and the Katsu
Tenshin Amaguriken for the Matriarch Cologne. He also picked up a curse
where he can change to female form with cold water.
Arriving in Tokyo during the fall of his sixteenth year, Ranma has had a
harrowing time ducking suitors and enemies, and has felt himself out of
place in the world. No matter what, he had to uphold honour when his father
would have put it off. He has been so lonely for friendship, he even
considers his enemies his friends.
In this universe, Nodoka visited him earlier than in the original work, and
he adopted the identity of Tendo Ranko, by which name the Kuno's know her
female form. It was the name she used when facing off against Kodachi in
competition. Nodoka was influential in teaching both Akane and Ranko how to
do Martial Rhythmic Gymnastics for the competition.
In an attempt to find a cure for his curse, Ranma went on a date with
Tatewaki and ended up with a wishing sword. Use of that sword revealed who
his real father was, and he started to wonder what would happen. Because of
this, all the engagements were dissolved.
Nabiki Tendo
Real Name: Nabiki Tendo
Alias: None
Background:
Nabiki, the second daughter of Soun Tendo, is a very smart and practical
young woman, who see's opportunities for business in virtually every one of
her endeavors.
Having lost her mother at an early age, Nabiki was old enough to realize
that her father was not in the best condition to take care of them. with
her older sister taking care of the household, it eventually fell to her to
take care of the financial side of the equation and leave the possibility of
being heir to the dojo to her younger sister who was not as burdened with
reality. Using the resources available to her at the school, as well as
getting advice from several teachers, she came up with a survivable economic
plan while looking for future ventures.
By the time Nabiki was twelve, she had succeeded in putting together a
successful drink dispenser business throughout the local schools. Although
the take was small, due to competition, she did manage to get enough to make
a few small investments in the market. She eventually decided to supplement
her income with semi-legal betting activities given the unusual nature of
one of her peers, Tatewaki Kuno. Given that activities by the Kuno family
were usually overlooked due to the amount of money and the past connections
that they had, such activities were passed over by the conservative elements
of the local police. Soon Nabiki had enough to invest in a small video
arcade using the token betting method. Keeping a rotating number of
machines, she was successful at this due to the fact that she knew what the
kids wanted.
By the time of the revelations, Nabiki had saved up enough to get through a
Japanese university course as well as make sure the family was taken care
of, even with the constant damage that Ranma caused to the property.
When she discovered who Ranma actually was, and afraid that her sisters
would not want him, she decided to go after him herself. Although she
believes that she is going after Ranma because of the money involved, Nabiki
has yet to admit that she loves and admires him. Part of this is due to the
fact that she always saw Ranma as Akane's, and part is due to the fact that
she does not want to admit who she is even to herself.
Upon arriving in Gotham, and getting her new residence ready, she has set
up an account for stock trading using the internet as well as using her
contacts for selling items and objects through a web page and online auctions.
*****************************************
<end of reply>