On Sat, 25 Jul 1998, Krista Perry wrote:

T.H. Tiger wrote:

At 01:26 PM 7/25/98 -0500, David Lerman wrote:

At 01:32 PM 7/25/98 -0500, Mike Allen wrote:

All this debate aside, I thought the story was well-written and
entertaining; a good angst read, even if my feelings echo Gary Kleppe's
about Ranma's character.

Thanks.

But there's something else, that has nothing to do with the
gender-debate, that's been bothering me.  Cologne and Happosai are the
main suspects in the crime, because they both disappeared after Ranma
was "poisoned."  Now, I can't see them working together on this, so I'm
guessing that one chased after the other.  But what I can't figure out
is a convincing motive for either one to do this to Ranma.  Happosai may
be a pervert, and may enjoy putting Ranma in his place, but he's never
been *that* malicious.  Why would he bother locking Ranma in cursed
form, when he takes so much obvious delight in the ol' Splash and
Glomp?  And as for Cologne, even if I thought she was capable of such a
pointlessly cruel thing, stealing Ranma's manhood right before his
wedding just to *show him*, I honestly can't see Happosai chasing after
her to get revenge for Ranma.

So, Nick, what's up with this?  Normally I like your vague hints at
what's happened in the past, but this just doesn't make sense to me. 
Please explain?  ^_^

This was actually a serious problem during the writing of the work.
Initially, I had Cologne do it outright, then realized (after comments
from prereaders) that vague would be better, as Ranma wouldn't know who
to hate.

Here were the main thoughts concerning each of them.

Happi:  Happi has ALWAYS despised the fact that Ranma refuses to bow to
him.  Happi also has a... fondness for Ranma's female form.  Also, Happi
has been known to punish Ranma in the past, to literally make him kneel
before the true master of the Musabetsu Kaketou.  Remember the 'weak
point' he used in the Hiryuu Shouten Ha arc?  Malicious, ne?

What better way to bring Ranma low than to take away the things he holds
most dear?

Cologne:  This is an interesting interpretation, I know, but still
feasable, given Amazon pride.

Ranma's behavior has literally been an insult to the Nyuchiezu.  He stands
poised at the verge of being the first man in a century to do something
unthinkable to Cologne: defy their rule.  If this... man... succeeds, then
Cologne and her clan - indeed, the entire tribe - will be laughingstocks.  

What better punishment for an uppity man who views womanhood as a curse
than to render that womanhood permanent?  No longer is a man laughing in
their faces; for Ranma's skill, they give the ultimate compliment by
making him their equal.  And, at the same time, Cologne gets the ultimate
revenge for him making a fool of her.  

As for Happi leaving if Cologne did it... remember who the LAST man was to
defy their laws? ^_^  Also, Happi's experienced; he knows when the
party's over.

Ja ne,

Krista

-- Nick