On Tue, 6 Aug 2002 22:42:43 -0400 DB Sommer <sommer@3rdm.net> wrote:
Note: I'm now experimenting with using the 'xxxx' to denote POV changes in
the same scene sometimes. I'd just double line breaks, but it isn't obvious
on plain text message like I usually send. If it's too distracting, let me
know and I'll try something else.
Anything except '-- ' or lines containing just '_' are fine by me. Those
can cause trouble for some email clients when trying to reply.
The muscles in Akane's back woke up in protest. Their complaints lessened
only slightly as she sat up and attempted to massage them from their
uncomfortable slumber. It had been too long since she had slept on the
floor, even with the tatami mat underneath her. It was beyond her how Ranma
could have lived on the road for so long and subjected himself to sleeping
in that kind of discomfort. The next time Akane went shopping, she would
have to purchase some additional padding for the mat he used on the floor.
She'll want more padding for her mat too, I'd imagine.
The words seemed to stir Kachiko in some way as well, and she hurriedly
removed her hand from Akane's shoulder. Turning back to Nabiki, she said,
"All I need to do is finish brushing anyway and then you can have the sink.
In fact, I'll show you my Ultra-Quick Brushing {Style : Technique}."
Nabiki said, "No thanks. I don't need to learn how to brush my teeth from
you yet again."
It was interesting to see why the older and possibly wiser Kachiko didn't
teach that technique to Nabiki the first time around.
Kachiko reexamined her garments. "I suppose you're right. I'm not used to
other guys being around. Dad used to be the only other man here, and I liked
prancing around in my underwear because he thought it was so improper. He
was so uptight it was really annoying. He never let me do anything that
wasn't absolutely 'proper' for a woman. Be happy your old man isn't that
strict. Of course's he's way more perverted than my Father {is : was}, still, I
think you've got the better end of the deal." Kachiko exited the room.
Everyone in the room could practically hear the gears of Kachiko's mind
turning.
Kasumi promptly swept up the sand that came out one ear.
"Oh." she said, then lashed out with her right {: fist : foot}, striking one of the fence's
supports just as Ranma put his full weight on it. The blow was enough to
bend the metal forty-five degrees. Gravity took over from that point, and
dumped Ranma into the water of the canal running alongside.
"No time to talk. Little Azusa is late for school." Azusa speeded along{: .}
Azusa turned on a dime, picked it up, named it Marcelle, and skated up to
Ranma. She looked at the item he held. "It's just a bottle cap."
I missed the dime the first time; that was really sick.
"And there's no concertina wire along the top of the wall either{. : ?}"
A man wearing a loud Hawaiian shirt and a palm tree on top of his head
popped up between the girls. "Dat's right. I be involved since it be my
Little Tachi we be talking about. Now, either of you little wahines want a{
:}
tattoo?"
In case anyone was wondering, no, Kachi getting a harder time this chapter
was not the result of people complaining about ANC syndrome. It was always
going to turn out this way. It's whatever has the most humor potential at
any given time, and the Hinako-Kachiko-Soun thing was planned from the
beginning.
Hinako's competition is probably one of the few things that might get Kachi
interested in Soun. She's a lot like Ranma that way, if there's a contest,
she has to compete.