-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher J Olsen <GAMERS@prodigy.net>
To: Kaoru L. Shimitsu <kaoru@mosquitonet.com>
Date: Tuesday, May 04, 1999 2:57 AM
Subject: Re: [FFML][R1/2][FRAGILE CLAY] Episode 4

All in all, a very moving piece.  There is too much here to comment

briefly on, but I'll try to sum it up in a few words.  Ranma is, I
believe, out of character, if not for your backstory, which, of course
is your explanation.  I can understand if magic, and fate, and destiny
had a hand in Ranma's change of personality.  If this was all come about
without all of that, I'd have to say it was too quick.  Ranma, even with
all the things that have been pushing him in the direction you've taken
him, loving Hiroshi, wouldn't come to accept it this quickly.  The
dreams, the dragons, light and darkness, the

images you are giving us of some source of Ranma's change beyond the

obvious events.  That is what makes it believable.  Not to say that I
enjoy those parts all that much.  They are the least interesting part
of, what is to me, a very enjoyable story.  Never-the-less, those parts
are Necessary, for without them, this story would lose most of it's
meaning.  Taking it all into account, I find this story consistent, and
real.  I was glued to my screen until I finished reading, and never did
I say, "No!  This is false!"  It wasn't, it's real, it breaths.  It's
alive.  Congratulations, have a cigar, it's a

story.

        The backstory is very important, and I don't plan on leaving it
at JUST those few backstories... side stories will sprout up to fill in
gaps.  As for Ranma accepting Hiroshi's love.... who said she did?? I
never said it... sure, she loves him, she's said it.  Words are
words.... coping is something ENTIRELY different.
        Welcome to the madness, it won't be easy to write but I shall
write it.  Ranma's acceptance is something entirely different from the
realization... and even though the love for Hiroshi is strong, that is
conflicting with how she was INHERANTLY raised.
        The dreams, the visions, the flashbacks.. all of them are part
of a larger story... which I am taking with patience and perseverance
until I reach that point.  This sort of thing isn't one to be rushed, or
you will FEEL that it has been rushed.
        Any COMMENTS on the fiction are welcome, and I thank you for
your short reply, I am more surprised that I haven't been mobbed by the
KTF on the list.  Are they all asleep??? I really expected a mob.... of
course, what I got was a Lurker.

P.S.  On your little pre-sending demand, Please don't take this the

wrong way, and I know you've taken a lot of flak, but I nearly ended up
deleting your story unread, forgetting how good it was.  Anyway, your
apology is accepted, and I hope everyone drops the subject.  Everyone's
entitled to one small mistake, right?


        If I upset someone, I try and apologize for it... I also try and
explain WHY this or that happened the way it did.  Perhaps too
analytical of me.

        Once again, thank you for the comments... I would love to hear
more about what you thought, whether on the FFML or in private.

--
Sincerely....
Shimitsu Kaori.
Lost "Dragon-Gal"
of Shimitsu-Ryuu.
Princess of Chaos.
"What makes a curse is simply the view, a blessing to some is a curse
unto you, But
acceptance can conquer that fear you hold high, through acceptance comes
peace.....
are you willing to try?"
   -Quote from Kaori Shimitsu.
My Homepage at!
http://members.xoom.com/Shimitsu/chaos.htm
ICQ UIN: 28514115