At 2:51 +0000 8/22/98, Gary Kleppe wrote:

Nicholas Leifker <nightelf@thekeep.org> wrote:

Indirect evidence is precisely that - indirect.  There's also a lot of
evidence (again, indirect) out there that she is; for instance, the scene
where Ranma and Akane help out at the Ucchan.  Even if it hadn't happened,
why would they feel so close to her that they would help her keep her store
running?  There's also the shrine that the three of them helped out at, as
well as the Tsubasa episode - all of which tend to show some sort of
familiarity between not just Ukyou and Ranma, but Ukyou and Akane as well.
I could probably name more, but I'm sorta between lives at the moment.

And you are setting up the same straw man that Zen did. I never said R&U
weren't friends. I said I didn't see any indication that they were BEST
friends.

Ahhh... excuse Zen... but you DID.  Zen quotes:

I criticized Long and Winding Road for claiming a Ranma/Ukyo friendship
DURING the manga. Admittedly, it may have been erroneous of me to lump
BE into the same category, but I still stand by my other criticisims of
that story.

See?  Your OWN words... and no 'best' qualifier in evidence in THIS instance.

Zen is the only one who's characterizations I criticize often. Thought
that was what he meant. Yes, I do make OOC complaints on the list. Deal
with it. You are perfectly free to post differing opinions... did YOU
think that the Ranma in "The New Engagement" was believable?

<<shrug>> Zen can't really claim to object to criticisms of
characterisations... Zen may not always *agree* with those criticisms...
but they can ALL be valuable.  Zen made many changes to things based on
some of Gary's comments.  Zen made many changes based on Nick's comments.
And Richard's.  And Sebastian's.  And Scott Jamison's (though He will never
be happy with them... sorry, Scott... ^_^;;) And those of a whole host of
other people.

That's why Zen sends fics to the list.  Some people like the stories...
some people hate 'em... but the comments that anyone takes the time to
think out and send to Zen can be very helpful... whether they're in the
love group or the hate group.

For whatever it's worth, Zen hopes that people will continue to comment on
his stories, and point out flaws they see.  Zen cannot even *begin* to make
all of those people happy, but differing views often help Zen to refine a
story, and (hopefully) make it better.

Gary Kleppe
http://www.execpc.com/~kleppe/comics

Zen no Itan-sha
Apprentice to the Angels of the Apocalypse