Suggested changes: {before : after}
On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 01:13:20 -0400 DB Sommer <sommer@3rdm.net> wrote:
Kachiko was the first to understand what had happened and reacted. "Yeah,
that's it, you old coot! Make yourself useful for a change and kick the crap
out of that conceited, obnoxious jerk!"
You know she wants him.
Kasumi clapped her hands in delight. "How wonderful. Mother was actually
cheering for Father. I'll have to start inviting Mr. Pantyhose over for
meals."
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be more than happy to accept that," Nabiki said dryly as
yet another day at the Tendou household got underway.
Tarou seemed more the practical sort to me. He may be very interested
in Kachiko, but I'd think he'd decide it not worth the hassle. It was
fun to see Soun handle him so easily when other characters had a lot
more trouble dealing with him.
Kachiko's eyes remained fixed to her cards, an unreadable expression on her
face. "We decided to be more open about trying to one up the other, so we're
playing games of poker to see who's the best. I'm winning." There was a
touch of pride in her voice.
That's certainly less dangerous than exchanging cursed gifts.
Still, the way Kachiko had described her upbringing, it was probably a
miracle she hadn't bolted on her own. Or perhaps she would have, save that a
bad leg prevented one from running very far.
But in this chronology, she wouldn't have had her first car accident
until after she was 17, so she could have run if it was really a
problem for her. After her injury she would have been more restricted,
but this Kachiko hasn't had to deal with that.
Nodoka left the room, humming happily to herself. It was a good day for a
change, perhaps the first since her arrival at Kasumi's insistence. She
would have to share her good cheer with her husband. Kachiko's perpetual
resistance at any womanly duties, and reflexive digs at Nodoka's age, had
soured her mood so greatly that she and her husband had not been acting like
a married couple, despite finally being together and alone. Now Nodoka was
in the mood for Genma to live up to his husbandly duties. At least those
that did not involve giving her time to herself by going out and drinking
with Soun.
Are you sure that isn't taking out the garbage?
Nodoka was in an even more delighted mood than before as she made her way to
the bath, bucket of toiletries in hand. Genma had been more than happy to
share in her good cheer, much to her delight. It had been rare they could
indulge in an hour alone, and so actively. Now she was almost as giddy as
Kachiko normally was.
Gee, they must have had a lot of ... garbage to haul.
Her actions over the last hour coloring her perceptions, Nodoka silently
prayed, "Please let it not be my son fornicating with that girl again."
Hmmm. At least it wouldn't be again.
Kachiko's recovery seemed to be {at an incredible pace : incredibly rapid}. She sounded almost
normal as she said bitterly, "Perhaps if some incredibly skilled swordswoman
hadn't dropped half the dojo on my head, I would be feeling better."
Indignant now, and, aside from the red mark on her forehead, in normal
spirits, Kachiko wrapped the towel under her arms and exited the bath in a
huff.
When she had first entered, for just a brief second, she could have sworn
Kachiko was slightly transparent.
"I do hate it when I start seeing things." Nodoka removed her robe and
prepared to rinse herself off.
Would you believe it's the third time this week?
Surly, Kachiko answered, "You weren't here. I don't trust the old hag to
serve me anything. She might decide to slip in a little poison, since
dropping a {house : dojo} on my head didn't finish me off. Nabiki won't cook. Akane
can't cook. I know better than to expect guys to be able to do more than
boil noodles. So I guess that leaves me." She paid closer attention to one
of the pots. "Just because I don't enjoy cooking doesn't mean I can't do it.
I can cook fine."
Kudos to anyone picking up on the Stepford reference.
It's only 28 years old.
And special thanks to:
Rakhal for looking up the Soun Hinako thing {an : and} Chris Horton for prereading
and figuring out the battle cry for the laughing point technique Ranma used
on Kasumi.