Michael Noakes wrote:
one part that rang somewhat false to me was
the confrontation between Shampoo and Ranma. Not that there might be some
attraction between them after so many years; sure that's fine. But during
the argument, it reads like you're playing fan-favorite with Shampoo. She
gets the good arguments, she gets the power of conviction, and Ranma loses
his footing after a few stuttered words. It just doesn't ring true.
Shampoo's arguments aren't even particularly strong, and the old 'we've been
around for three thousand years' standpoint doesn't hold many logical points
either. Ranma may not be a debater, but he's not a moron, and his counters
are pretty damn weak. Maybe the plot needs Shampoo to hold the high ground
after the discussion, but it would come off as a lot more believable if
Ranma at least -tried- to offer up a convincing counter argument.
IMHO, he did. Both parties involved had very valid and irrefutable points.
Ranma followed his heart and married the girl/woman he loved.He made what was to
him, the only acceptable choice in the situation. I don't disagree with his
conclusion, merely his means to that end. He shouldn't have to justify loving
Akane and wanting to commit exclusively to her in a perfect world. (Of course,
the Ranmaverse is FAR from perfect, but you know what I mean=)
Just as Ranma's logic, even if it is emotionally based, is indisputable, so
too to my mind is Shampoo's. She loved him, for good or for ill, and in the
source material he generally treated her like garbage, or at the very least
dismissively or an ego crutch. Does this make her arguments more valid than his?
I don't know, honestly. Shamps KNOWS he was following his heart, and that he
honestly didn't want to hurt anybody's feelings anymore than he had to. He was
not, however, possessed of all the information that he needed to make an
informed decision. I honestly don't think he would have proceeded as he did if
he was aware of what would happen to Shamps. That's not to say he would have
agreed to marry her, but some sort of arrangement would have been attempted, I'm
sure. He's too basically nice a guy to not try.
Thing is, Shamps went through a lot of pain thanks to his uninformed
decision and I think it's reasonable that she would have some resentment/anger
saved up because of it. As far as I'm concerned, both parties are equally wrong,
and equally right. I think the "soapbox" you detect isn't because Shamps is a
fave of mine (though she is one of them, to tell the truth) but because I really
get tired of Ranma's argument that he's not required to give a damn about the
laws of the Amazons because he's either a) not Chinese or b) because the Amazons
are "backward". Things don't work that way in real life. If I go down to the
'States and rip off a car, and escape punishment by making it back across the
border into Canada, I'm still guilty of the act, and could quite reasonably be
brought to trial and be made to atone for my crime. I can't simply say "well, it
doesn't matter, 'cause I'm a Canadian citizen, and besides, Americans are
'backward'. Whether I think the law is a stupid one, or if I was unaware of that
particular ordinance makes no difference to the law. Ask a state trooper. It's
always rung falsely to me, is all. If Ranma _really_ didn't wan't to marry
Shampoo, and gave a rat's ass about how his decision would affect Shamps, who
has saved his (and Akane's) life several times, he could surely come to some
sort of arrangement with either Cologne or Shamps herself that would save face
for all parties involved. He _should_ understand about loss of personal honour,
he's had ample opportunity to weather loss of face himself, thanks to Genma.
Whew. Talk about your soapboxes, eh? Well, in closing, I can 100% understand
and empathize with Ranma's POV. He wasn't interested in Shampoo that way, he was
already falling in love with Akane, he was unaware of the repercussions of his
actions. It really must have sucked for him. Conversely, Shampoo was bound by
her own set of duties and consequences, that are as equally valid in her culture
as Ranma's arranged marriage was in his. For Shampoo to disregard her duties and
feelings is just as unfair as asking Ranma to do it.
If you really want to simplify matters and get down to the meat of it.
Shampoo's had 20 years to think about what exactly she wants to say to Ranma,
whereas I doubt sincerely Ranma's given it a second thought.(He has a poor grasp
of the long-term consequences of his actions, as I see him.) Hence, her
verbosity and his lack of clever retorts.
Other than that, it was an interesting read... I might have to go back and
read the earlier bits.
Well, I hope you do, and I hope you enjoy them, regardless. (They're usually
not this preachy, I promise. =)
Thanks a lot for writing! I ALWAYS appreciate the feedback.
Dave Menard
-----------------------------------------------
Fanfiction pages : http://spghome.tripod.com/
-Mike Noakes
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