On Sat, 10 Apr 1999 Ukyousama@aol.com wrote:
I suspect that, as Vince's sole fellow writer on this series,
I ought to weigh in with my thoughts on his work.
I'm glad that you saw fit to do so. I can't be certain, but the timing
suggests to me that "Cherish While You Can" probably got me thinking about
Fire Tripper fanfic enough to write one, so it's especially gratifying to
me that you enjoyed reading "Beacon."
It's really a pity how so few folks will probably end up reading
it; between the Fire Tripper header (indicating a relatively
obscure source) and the "spoiler" remarks at the beginning,
so many folks will completely skip over this little gem.
(blush) You're very kind.
I considered releasing it without a spoiler warning; after all, few
fanfics have them. In the end, I decided to err on the side of courtesy,
trusting the reader to make an informed choice. "Beacon" is really
written for readers who have already read or viewed "Fire Tripper", of
course, but I know we're in the minority.
And it really is that - so much of it has the feel of its original
creator that the reader can practically imagine Rumiko-
megami-sensei coming up with a continuance in this vein.
"Original flavor" is exactly what I was trying for. I'm glad I succeeded,
in a small way. I'm constantly aware that I can't fill Takahashi's shoes;
the most I can hope is to walk a similar path. I think that's the most
uncomfortable aspect of fanfiction, for me.
Personally, I was surprised that Shukumaru
and young Suzuko didn't actually, uh, get together
(especially given that older Suzu had apparantly
encouraged them at first) - I half-expected that when
she went back the seven years, she'd arrive newly
pregnant with Shuhei (although, come to think of it,
I'm not sure I caught the boy's age). The jealous-of-herself
concept seems odd (I can't see myself bothered in such
a situation, but I can't see myself in such a situation,
after all. Gee, if ONLY I was competing with myself for
Ran-chan's affections ^_^ ), but it makes better sense
with the ending assertion. Besides, it's certainly a
plausible interpretation.
I was trying to write a story that would complement "Fire Tripper" rather
than loom awkwardly over it, but it kept trying to get away from me. :)
It could have been much longer and more complicated in several ways: the
older Shukumaru siring Shuhei on Suzuko is one. The horrible prospect of
Suzuko's son turning out to BE the 1983 Shuhei, and hence Shukumaru,
occurred to me... but I didn't want to write that story.
The first draft ended with the reunion of Suzuko and Shukumaru implied but
not shown, leaving the possibility of more mishaps and adventures before
then open; this draft closes that... for the moment.
Time travel can be a seductive pitfall for the writer; it opens up so many
possibilities. :) Perhaps someone else will write more FT fanfic?
As for Suzuko and Suzu, well, what I wrote was what I thought would
happen. If I read Suzuko correctly, she's bright, shy, romantic, and
steadfast. That she's possessive is conjecture on my part, but it seems
to be a common trait in Takahashi heroines. The cerebral knowledge that
the other is self would conflict with the visceral feeling that the other
is other, I think, and the feeling would win.
Suzu wants Suzuko to make the fire trip that sets up her own life, and if
denying Suzuko the comfort of her husband will help pressure her into
doing that, then that's what she'll do. She's also trying to make sure
everything happens the way she remembers it, so she won't take the chance
that Shukumaru WON'T invite Suzuko for a walk... but she can't let them
make love, because she didn't when she was Suzuko. Suzu also wanted to
bring the romantic, sexual, and territorial tension out in the open, so it
could be handled. It's... tricky. If feedback indicates that I need to
underline this, then I'll make revisions.
Kudos, Vince, and best of luck in future endeavours, ne?
Thank you for your kind words; they mean a lot, coming from you, because
of the stories you've written. I'll do my best.
Ja mata!
Vince Seifert Network Analyst seifertv@csus.edu
Techie: http://webpages.csus.edu/~seifertv/
Fanfic: http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/seifertv/toth/
CSUS hired me to build their LANs, not to give away the homeworld.