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----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher J Olsen" <GAMERS@prodigy.net>
To: <ffml@fanfic.com>
Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2000 10:37 PM
Subject: [FFML] [Ranma/Saber Marionette J]Strangers in a Strange Land:
Chapter 12
All the characters in this story are the creation of Akahori Satoru,
Kotobuki Tsukasa, and Rumiko Takahashi... or practically all of them,
anyway. The title is stolen from Heinlein... with one letter s added.
Strangers in a Strange Land
Chapter 12
Lorelei sat there, holding her teacup in front of her, as if she was
paralyzed, following Nabiki's revelation. "Oh. Oh my." She said
quietly. "Oh dear."
Nabiki laughed shakily. "Heh... that's just about what my big
sister would say in your shoes, Lorelei-san."
]] My thoughts exactly.
...
Nabiki frowned slightly. "Do you think I wanted this?
]] Interesting point.
I've never
felt anything like it before in my life, but I'm positive that I am not
ready for it.
]] Huh? I'm not sure what she's trying to say.
I've tried to deny how I'm feeling, but it's useless."
...
"Here we are." Lorelei explained, gesturing. "Now, you'll have to
take off your shirt."
Nabiki pulled her new shirt over her head without hesitation, a wry
smile suddenly gracing her face. "Is this how you treat all your
patients, doctor?"
Lorelei raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Nabiki winked. "You know, getting them to take of their clothes and
lay down for you to... inspect?" She stressed the last word enticingly,
and Lorelei nearly jumped.
]] Uh... Of course, I could easily see Nabiki doing this.
"Nabiki!" Lorelei said disapprovingly. "Are you teasing me?"
Nabiki nodded smugly. "Absolutely."
]] :)
Lorelei tried to hide a smile, then pointed at the table. "Your bra
too, then lay back. I'll let you see what I'm doing on..." she pointed
"that monitor." Nabiki glanced that way and waited. Lorelei went to a
computer console and turned on the monitor, then wheeled over a complex
looking diagnostic device. She turned it on and let it boot up, then
turned back to Nabiki. "Alright, I can do this with the tools we have
here, or if you want, I can show you how to do this yourself."
Nabiki hesitated. "You mean opening my chest? You can show me how
to do it to myself?"
Lorelei nodded. "Yes, if you wish."
Nabiki looked thoughtful then nodded. "Alright, show me. I might
need to know this later."
]] Hard to imagine a scenario where she would NEED to.
...
Nabiki whistled. "So that's what it looks like. That's it, isn't
it? My Maiden Circuit?"
Lorelei nodded. "Yes it is... and everything looks fine so far.
You're operating perfectly."
Nabiki sighed. "Somehow I'd feel better if you told me I had just
caught the flu."
]] Hard to do in her new body.
...
Lorelei glanced back at Nabiki, then at the monitor again. "Well,
it appears my theory was correct. Your Maiden Circuit is functioning
properly... and you were right as well. Your Maiden Circuit has
bonded. From the data I've received from it, it's clear that you've
bonded yourself to me."
Nabiki sighed and lay back. "I knew it." She turned her head
toward Lorelei again. "I know this isn't something you wanted, Lorelei,
so... so just reverse it. Do whatever it is you do to switch the thing
that's making me... feel like this about you... off. I don't want you
to have to put up with a love sick Nabiki Tendo." She laughed sadly.
"For that matter, I don't want to have to put up with a love sick Nabiki
Tendo."
]] True enough. Good characterization.
...
Lorelei came around the table to stand next to Nabiki. "I didn't
say there was nothing I could do... just that there is nothing I can do
scientifically." She reached out and gathered Nabiki into a hug. "I
won't let you suffer alone, Nabiki." Lorelei whispered into her ear
softly. "I can't stop you from feeling the way you do, but I won't turn
you away."
Nabiki returned the hug hesitantly, suddenly acutely conscious of
her state of undress. "I.... Lorelei... you don't love me... you're in
love with Otaru. It isn't fair to you...."
Lorelei pushed away slightly to look Nabiki in the eyes. "I didn't
say that I would end up falling in love with you. This is just as
strange to me as it probably is too you." She smiled faintly. "But
]] to you."
that doesn't mean I can't be your friend.
]] Love of course has many forms, one being friendship.
Otaru-kun will never see me
as anything more than a friend. He has Lime, Cherry and Bloodberry to
occupy his attention. I never had any intention of competing against
them for his heart." She shrugged. "And I have yet to find anyone else
I was willing to give my heart to."
...
Nabiki chuckled quietly. "I'm sorry, I was teasing you again. You
make it so easy sometimes."
]] Nabiki finally gets the chance to do all those things she never
]] got a chance to do to Kasumi.
...
Baiko nodded back. "With her bonded to Lorelei, she is no longer a
possible threat to her."
Tamasaburo looked thoughtful. "With proper training, Nabiki could
serve as an acceptable bodyguard for Lorelei, thus increasing her
possible range of activities without decreasing her level of safety."
Baiko nodded again. "Agreed. As Nabiki's actions are those of a
human in most ways, we should see that she is trained as a human would
be."
Tamasaburo blinked. "Ranma and Akane were to inherit a martial arts
Dojo in their past, correct? Due to their connection to Nabiki, I
recommend we request that they begin training her at once."
Baiko nodded a third time. "Agreed."
]] Well, I guess she won't have to sneak in next time.
**************************
...
She smiled to herself. "Looks like Ranma is as popular as ever. I
hope they haven't let Akane near the stove yet."
Cherry's voice came ringing through the door to her suddenly.
"Akane, no! That's cooking oil!"
Sorry. They have.
A sudden tumult followed the flash of
fire, but before long things had settled down and there was another
round of good-natured laughter from the restaurant.
Nabiki crossed her fingers. "Don't hit anyone, don't hit
anyone...."
...
Nabiki rolled her eyes. "Is a disaster in the kitchen? I know."
Otaru shrugged. "At least she doesn't think gunpowder makes a good
flavoring. Lynx has some very strange ideas about food."
Nabiki blinked. "Well, that's a new one."
]] Don't tell Akane, she might ask Lynx for her recipe book.
...
Inside the restaurant, Ranma was acting as hostess, serving drinks
and food, and not quite flirting with the customers,
]] Ranma's good at that.
who were warming up
to her very quickly.
...
The man interrupted, turning to Nabiki with a lecherous smile. "Is
this one yours as well? She's a cutie too, ain't she?" He patted the
stool next to him. "Why don't you sit down next to me and keep me
company? What do you say to that?"
Nabiki's expression was icy calm. "I really don't think so." She
glared at Otaru once, then walked around to sit in on an empty stool to
the right of the stove, well out of reach.
The man blinked. "Hey, Otaru, what's wrong with your new one?
Don't tell me you're going to keep them all for yourself, are you?"
Otaru shook his head. "No, you don't understand, I...."
]] Quite the orator, isn't he?
Nabiki interrupted, her right eyebrow twitching dangerously. "I am
not HIS!"
The man eyed her in confusion. "Eh? Not Otaru's? Who is your
master then?"
Nabiki's eyebrow twitched again, more violently. "I belong to no
one." She stated with deadly stillness in her body. "No man is my
master!"
]] Interesting choice of words. Now she puts the man's eye out
]] and he says "No Man is... Sorry, that was Homer.
]] Doh! Donut.
]] However, can then be assumed that she considers Lorelei her
]] master?
She stood up, staring down the quickly sobering man in front
of her. "Don't you ever forget that." Nabiki turned away and walked
out of the room, leaving silence behind her.
...
"So where are they from?" The man asked curiously. "Why does that
one say she doesn't have any master?"
]] No, just that no MAN is her master. Now THAT narrows the field
]] a bit.
Otaru hesitated. "Well... that's a bit complicated really. It's a
long story."
...
>From what Lorelei says, they're practically human."
Ranma frowned slightly. <Practically?> She shrugged and turned
slightly away. <I guess that's what we are... almost human, but not
quite. We're marionettes still, after all.>
Akane stared at the stove, trying not to react outwardly. <We're
just machines. What does it matter what we feel?>
]] Ouch.
Otaru missed their reactions
]] My guess is he's good at missing things like that.
...
Otaru blinked. "Oh, really? I hope I didn't say anything that
would offend them... I guess I don't know how real human girls think.
I wonder what I said?"
Cherry frowned slightly at that, then brightened. "That's right!
They are real girls. At least they have the memories and personalities
of real girls. Perhaps they don't like being reminded that they're not
human any more?"
]] Bingo.
...
"I guess it must be
very strange remembering being human, and then waking up as a
marionette."
]] You know, that just might be it.
Cherry nodded slowly, deciding not to take offense at that. "You're
right, Otaru-sama. I'm sure they're feeling confused and sad."
Otaru smiled at Cherry. "You're the best, Cherry. I don't know
what I'd do without you around to help out." He sighed. "I'd better go
apologize to them." Without another word Otaru hurried for the stairs
and ran up.
When he reached the top Nabiki confronted him. "Otaru, I think it's
time we discussed a salary for Ranma if you intend for her to keep
working as a waitress. And if you expect me to do your books for you we
should talk about my fee for that as well."
]] Too bad. They don't do things for free.
Otaru blinked. "What? You want a salary?" He hesitated. "Well,
around here everyone just pitches in.... We buy things when we need
them, so...."
Nabiki shook her head. "Not acceptable. I understand that you've
been very generous with us, but we're not staying here forever. If we
want to be able to afford our own place, we're going to need money."
]] I wonder how the concept of autonomous marionettes will go over?
...
"Can we talk?" Otaru began, looking a little embarrassed. "I
wanted to apologize for what I said down in the restaurant." The two
girls looked up at him together, both of them with somber looks on their
faces.
Akane shook her head. "You didn't say anything wrong, Otaru-san.
We just aren't used to the idea that we're not... that we're not really
human anymore. It's not an easy thing for us to accept."
Otaru nodded slowly. "I understand... and I don't think I would
deal with it as well as you two if something similar ever happened to
me. I can't imagine what it must feel like to be... well to be so far
from the place you knew as home, to be changed into something
different.... I don't think I'd be very accepting if I was in your
shoes." He smiled at them warmly. "If it means anything to you, I
think you're two of the bravest people I know."
Otaru looked back at Bloodberry and Lime, who were getting ready for
bed, then back to Ranma and Akane. "It's taken me a while, but I've
started to realize that being a good person doesn't depend on being a
flesh and blood human. Lime and the others are some of the best people
I know, and they're machines too. I'd trust them with my life any day,
and I value their lives over anyone else I know. I don't think being a
marionette makes you any less of a person, not if you have a heart."
Akane smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Otaru." She glanced toward
Ranma. "I think I'm beginning to understand a little more about what
being changed into something different... can be like for a person. I
know now that it doesn't change who we are inside, it just makes us
different on the outside."
Ranma nodded firmly. "Didn't I tell you that, Akane? I figured
that out a while ago." She frowned to herself. "Not that what's on the
outside can't be really annoying to have to live with."
Akane shook her head. "Oh? You've never really explained why being
a girl... um, marionette was so bad."
Ranma chuckled a bit at the slip. "It's not really being a
'marionette' that's bad." She explained patiently, putting an emphasis
on the word marionette. "It's not being yourself anymore that tends to
suck."
Akane looked thoughtful then nodded. "I never really thought about
it that way before, but you're right. I don't really mind being a
marionette so much... although there are things about that I don't like,
but not being human is the problem. I don't feel like me... oh, just
about everything feels right, the sensations and everything, but the
fact that it's not really my body that I'm in is the worst part."
Ranma nodded. "That's the part you gotta get past, Akane. This is
your body now, nobody else's. You're different, but everyone changes.
You just have to accept who and what you are, and like yourself for what
you are, for what you have, rather than what you don't."
Otaru grinned. "That's great, Ranma! You really sound like you've
given this a whole lot of thought."
Ranma rolled her eyes. "Oh, I don't know, just about two years
worth."
Otaru blinked. "Huh?"
Akane giggled. "I think Ranma means it just felt like two years."
She winked at Ranma, then turned to Otaru. "Being a marionette isn't
all bad. I'm stronger and faster than I ever was before... if I get
hurt Gennai or Lorelei can fix me in no time. I'm not missing out on
much." Her smile faded slightly. "I can't do everything as a
marionette that I could as a human... but there's a lot I get in
exchange." She sighed. "If Ranma can deal with it, then so can I."
Ranma patted her shoulder. "Now that's the Akane I remember."
]] I just didn't have the heart to cut up this scene. I think
]] Ranma and Akane are well on the way to dealing with their
]] situation. I like the way Akane realizes how it relates to
]] Ranma's curse in her previous life.
Otaru smiled and nodded. "I'm glad you two are feeling OK. I've
got to go and talk to Nabiki about your salary now, Ranma. She's
looking out for you, you know."
Ranma blinked. "She is?"
Akane sniffed and nudged her. "Of course she is. Nabiki cares too,
you know."
Ranma hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yeah, she does."
]] At least here.
Otaru
nodded and left them to go downstairs again. Ranma sighed. "I'm glad
that you're able to adjust, Akane. Otaru seems to think pretty highly
of you."
Akane blinked and turned to Ranma. "I suppose so... but you're the
one that helped the most, Ranma." She paused for a moment then
continued softly. "You always are."
]] No warm feeling? Oh well.
]] The point could be made that, since they were already
]] in love, that it might have taken little more than
]] one seeing for them to bond.
******************
...
Nabiki shrugged nonchalantly. "I thought I'd see if I could find a
job somewhere. We do need to bring in some money if we're going to move
out to our own place sometime, you know."
Akane frowned guiltily. "I guess I should be looking too. They
don't really need another waitress here, and Cherry can handle the
cooking without me. It shouldn't just be you and Ranma that get jobs."
Ranma looked up quickly. "Hey, Akane, don't worry about it. I'm
just keeping busy. It was Nabiki's idea that Otaru hire me on a
salary...."
Akane frowned. "Don't think I can't find a job. I'll get a great
job in no time. You'll see!"
]] We all wait in breathless anticipation.
...
Nabiki shook her head. "Good luck, Akane. You'll need it."
]] Well said.
She
sighed. "Well, I'm off as well. See you all tonight." She nodded to
Cherry and Ranma, then walked out the front door. Turning the corner,
Nabiki headed directly toward the palace. She reached castle Japoness
after twenty minutes and was escorted in almost immediately upon her
arrival. Lorelei was working in her garden near to the top floor of the
palace when Nabiki arrived.
"Hello Nabiki." Lorelei smiled as she stood up, brushing herself
off. "What brings you here today?"
...
Nabiki nodded in sudden comprehension. "It makes you feel like a
thing. An object of value, but not a person, right?"
Lorelei blinked. "I suppose so, in a way." She smiled faintly.
"But you would know what that feels like as well."
Nabiki shrugged. "So we have at least one thing in common."
]] Good point.
Lorelei nodded. "We do. I want you to know, Nabiki, that I
consider you to be a person, not an object. You're as much a woman as I
am, save that you're body is made slightly differently then mine."
Nabiki frowned. "Am I really? Most women aren't programmed to fall
in love with the first person they let their guard down with."
]] Yeah, that IS true.
Lorelei sighed. "I wish it hadn't happened this way... against your
will. I don't consider that a reason to think of you as any less human
though. Being in love, forced or not, is a very human trait. You know
as well as I that humans can be programmed almost as easily as
marionettes, given the proper conditions."
Nabiki blinked. "I'll give you that one."
]] Take Kunou... PLEASE!
Lorelei smiled and walked over to her. "Now what is this about you
finding a job?"
...
Lorelei hesitated. "If... if you're looking for a job, Tamasaburo
and Baiko had a suggestion that they mentioned last night that might
serve."
Nabiki looked suspicious. "Oh? And what would that be?"
Lorelei smiled. "You could work for me... sort of as a bodyguard
and personal aid.
]] aide.
They're always worried about my security, but having
a Saber Marionette built just to protect me wasn't something I would
agree to." She hesitated. "I wouldn't mind having you around,
however...."
Nabiki listened most of the way through, but as Lorelei explained
further her face darkened. "What do you think I am, anyway? Just
because my Maiden Circuit happened to bond to you in my one moment of
weakness doesn't mean I want to be your personal slave!"
]] Interesting direction for the conversation to go as Nabiki
]] proves she still is... uh... Nabiki.
Lorelei looked shocked. "I wasn't suggesting anything of the sort,
Nabiki! I was willing to go along with the idea because I thought it
would be nice to have someone around to talk to... someone near my age,
intelligent, who doesn't think of me as some sort of symbol of
everything female. I don't want a slave. I don't want you to feel like
you have to do everything I say, but given the circumstances I
thought...."
Nabiki interrupted. "You thought that I was so head over heels in
love with you that I couldn't say no? Well you can just forget it!"
She turned and started quickly started walking away.
Lorelei hesitated for a moment too long and Nabiki was through the
door and heading down the hall before she could react. "Nabiki, wait!"
Lorelei started running after her, discarding dignity as she raced into
the hall and started to chase the short haired marionette down.
"Nabiki, just listen to me for a minute!"
Nabiki halted in mid stride and turned around, her face set as if
out of stone. "Fine. One minute."
]] Okay, the clock is started.
Lorelei stopped in front of her and panted for several seconds.
"Nabiki... please." She shook her head. "Don't think I'm trying to use
your feelings against you. On the contrary, I've very concerned about
what you've been going through. I may have inadvertently caused you to
bond to me, but I don't want you to suffer because of that. I know that
it hurts for you to be apart from me for even a day. I designed these
circuits, so I should! I wanted to give you a legitimate way to spend
time with me. If I didn't, you'd find yourself drawn here over and
over, driven by your emotions. You're very strong, I'm sure you could
resist for a long time, but it would make you miserable."
Nabiki frowned deeper. "Thirty seconds."
Lorelei rushed on. "At least if you're working for me you can
control things to some extent. You have an excuse to come here, and
you'll be well paid for your time so you can afford to get your own
place if you like. You needn't actually do anything, just be here. I
do my own cooking and cleaning, and aside from Godai I've never been in
any danger, so it's not asking a lot...."
Nabiki held up a hand. "Wait right there. You say you're doing
this for me, but why should you? We barely even know each other, and
you've already admitted that you're not sure if you could ever love me.
Why the sudden burst of altruism?"
]] I guess we're off the clock now.
Lorelei shook her head. "It's not altruism. I've already told you
how much of a prisoner I am here. If you're around, however, I could
get out of the palace occasionally, and not have to worry that my every
movement was being monitored here inside the palace. There are few
things out there capable of defeating a Saber Marionette, much less one
with a Maiden Circuit, and none of them could get to me without notice,
especially if you were around."
Nabiki frowned. "So I'm really just be a bodyguard?
]] I'd instead of I'm (I would as opposed to I am)
Despite the
body, I'm no fighter... and I've always preferred to let my brain do all
my work for me... not my muscles."
Lorelei nodded. "I understand. Listen, Nabiki, I don't wish for
you to do anything you don't want to. Forget the job offer. I should
have thought it out better before even asking you."
Nabiki hesitated. "Just a minute. How much exactly were you
thinking of paying me?"
]] Slaves don't get salaries, Nabiki, right?
Lorelei blinked. "Oh? I hadn't really considered the exact
amount. Marionettes hold most positions like this, so there isn't a
regular pay scale to compare to. We're breaking a bit of new ground
here, but I don't think it would be fair not to pay you. As I said, I
consider you to be every bit as human as myself."
...
Lorelei hesitated. "Well... how does two thousand a week sound to
you? I'll have to request it from the council, but I don't think
they'll complain too much."
]] Considering the boots cost 15, that sounds like a nice salary.
Nabiki nodded, smiling. "It's a deal." She shook her head. "I
don't believe I'm agreeing to do this... but it's more than I'd make
anywhere else... and you're right, it does give me an excuse to... be
with you." She took a deep breath. "OK, consider me hired. What would
you like me to do first?"
Lorelei smiled at her cheerfully. "How about lunch? I'll make it.
All you have to do is eat with me. Then we can go break the news to
whoever handles the money matters here in the palace. From what
Tamasaburo and Baiko told me, however, it shouldn't be any problem.
They seemed quite desperate to get you to agree."
]] Hell hath no furry like a marionette scorned.
Nabiki raised an eyebrow. "So it was a conspiracy, eh? Maybe I
should ask for more than two thousand, and get them to talk me down."
]] Sounds like a plan.
Lorelei giggled. "I promise not to tell on you. It's not my money,
anyway."
]] Typical bureaucrat.
Nabiki rubbed her hands together. "OK, lets go find out whoever it
is that pays the bills around here and find out what the market will
bear... and after I've made a meal out of them, then you can make me
lunch so we both can eat."
Lorelei nodded firmly. "It's a deal."
End Chapter 12
Please C&C, it's why I write!
]] Interesting new storyline here. It's still hard to
]] imagine Nabiki training, though. Any possibility
]] of Lorelei making some adjustments to make it more
]] effective? What about integrating Kunou's martial
]] Arts programming?
Kevin D. Hammel
========================================
khammel@mail.anime.sobhrach.com
kevinsff@pacbell.net
http://www.fanfic.net/~khammel/
========================================