arthurh3535 said:
Dumbledork said:
I've just finished rereading the ff.net version and there are some inconsistencies concerning Louise's haircolor. In the first chapter it's blonde, in the second or third it's pink, and from then on it's strawberry blonde.
That's because 'pink' for some reason is the transposition of strawberry blonde (which is still a blonde).
It's actually referred to as strawberry-blonde at points in the light novel translation, and to add a little something to the variety, I kind of bob between that and pink, paartly because of the negative connotations I've come to associate with pink-haired heroines (seriously, it seems just about every pink-haired heroine I've seen is some brand of insufferable and/or obnoxiousness). Though I may just settle with straight pink all around in the minor revisions, since hair color actually does play some relative importance to the character setting -- the only ones with normal colored hair are Saito and Siesta, and that's because they're both Japanese (well, Sesta's a quarter Japanese, but I digress).
BTW, anyone know if the light novels ever bring up things like ZnT toilets or water systems? I know they have bath houses, but do they have like magic drainage systems? Because a fantasy setting that can make magic nukes should totally have something like that IMO, but we pick on the author for glossing over tons of things, hitting the reset button every volume, and not taking ideas to completion.
Anyway, next segment.
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Ranma yawned as he stretched out his surprisingly exhausted body. Getting shot at point blank range with magic wind and then wake up completely healed û his hand and side looked like he had never gotten into a fight in the first place --probably would tire out a man. Strange and bizarre, sure, he thought as he checked over his bare upper body, but he wasnÆt one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The martial artist groaned quietly as growing sunlight suffused through the curtains of the room, casting a greenish glow on things. That tang was his favorite shirt û the only shirt he had from Earth. Seeing just how damaged it was, even if he could wash the blood out of the delicate fabric, he just couldnÆt imagine anyone being able to repair the two fist sized holes that streamed right through the torso section.
Luckily for him, his pants and boxers remained whole and intact, somehow managing to not join suit in becoming a bloody mess. A very fortunate thing, too, he thought, glancing over at the second bed in the hotel room.
Louise was sleeping just as soundly as he remembered her when he retired. Worn out from the excitement and devastating shocks to her reality. Ranma couldnÆt imagine how she felt, but being betrayed by oneÆs fiancÚ probably wasnÆt promoting good feelings. When she had mentioned to him when they found these lodgings that she unconsciously blasted Wardes after he came in to talk to her about something, Ranma couldnÆt help but shiver. Somehow, Louise was consumed by what had to have been his rage with the silver-haired traitor to the point, she didnÆt even know what happened until after it happened.
While it turned relatively well in hindsight and put an end to WardesÆs scheming before they bloomed fully, Ranma still didnÆt like how or why Louise was getting his unconscious feelings. Hopefully, sheÆll be able to just block it out via meditation. Last thing he needed was to be badgered by her for everything he might or might not be feeling.
Ranma switched his focus to the lone shirt Guiche had procured for him on short notice û an unbleached cut of cloth that looked made for someone with a more sizeable paunch. Holding it up to his body, it looked like an absolute sack on him. At least the material wasnÆt very abrasive.
Not that he was particularly looking forward to replacing the only clothes he owned from Japan. It was like losing some connections to home. It was bad enough he was already changing into whoever last kisses him; adopting their native wear felt like it would further devour his identity.
Then again, walking around partially naked didnÆt seem to be a good idea either; what if it suddenly rained?
He ruefully shook his head and pulled the oversized shirt down upon his shoulders. It was just a temp replacement until the local clothing shops opened in the morning and he could get something better fitting. Preferably something he could fight in, if WardesÆ act of betrayal was a portent of things to come.
=KNOCK KNOCK=
Ranma looked up from tying his black sash around his waist. ôWho could that be?ö he wondered to himself.
He glanced at the still-sleeping Louise, the corner of his mouth frowning a bit. He probably should try to wake her up, since whatever would happen, itÆd likely involve her, too. However, given everything that happened last night, Ranma didnÆt have the heart to disturb her. Not that he stood much of a chance doing that anyway, as Louise could sleep through a feverish pitched war taking place with her in the middle of it, but itÆd be better to let her rest.
It wasnÆt like she was accustomed to strange things happening in her life like he was.
His thoughts decided, Ranma opened the door.
ôDarling!ö
And Ranma blinked. ôHm?ö His eyes focused on the redhead woman before him. Academy uniform, thigh-high boots, generous cleavage exposed through a half-buttoned blouse. ôKirche?ö
She stepped into the room, her arms drawing around his body and pressing her ample bosom against him. ôDarling, I missed youàö she cooed, breathing into his ear.
Ranma instantly flushed red and tried to pull away. ôK-Kirche, what are you doing here? I thought you couldnÆt leave the Academy!ö
She chuckled, easily keeping within bodily contact. ôAnd let another have their way with you, my love? Never. IÆd sooner let orcs run free.ö
ôUrk!ö Her tenacious pressing stirred something within him, something that heÆd rather not let her onto. ôTh-this is no good!ö he protested, forcing himself to backpedal, trying to free himself.
ôMmm, seems plenty good to me, darling,ö the Germanian countered, very much not relinquishing her grasp.
ôN-not what Iù whoa!ö
ôOhh!ö
In his frantic escape attempt, Ranma was not paying attention to what was behind him and ended up falling backwards onto a bed.
=ZZZ-ZNT=
LouiseÆs bed.
Two sets of eyes snapped over to the sight of the pink-haired girl shoot upright, then glare at them though beleaguered eyes. Ranma and Kirche froze like blindsided statues, neither party daring to even breathe. The slightest movement would have spelled the end of their lives, they just knew it.
And just like that, LouiseÆs face relaxed, and she slowly returned back to her supine sleeping form. Still, Ranma and Kirche refused to budge until several minutes had passed by and they were absolutely certain Louise was really asleep. Wordlessly, Ranma pointed to the room door, and Kirche obediently followed instruction.
Only once they were outside did they breathe in relief.
ôThat was scary,ö Kirche spoke, wiping away a trickle of sweat.
ôGood thing sheÆs a deep sleeper,ö Ranma added. ôOtherwiseàö
They both had the same thought of what would have happened. La Rochelle becoming a smoking crater was not out of the realm of the possibility.
Ranma shook the thought out of his head. ôAnyway, what are you doing here? I thought you had punishment stuff to deal with.ö
ôThatÆs being taken care of,ö Kirche said dismissively.
ôHow?ö he asked skeptically.
---
The fiery salamander Flame slept in front of KircheÆs dorm room. Affixed to the front of the door was a message written on a page of lined notebook paper.
Feeling unwell. Please do not disturb.
-Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst
---
ôI figure itÆll be about three days before someone comes to investigate,ö she said with a smile.
Ranma just looked at her. ôThat works?ö
She brushed off his concern and hugged him, resting her chin on his shoulder. ôNow, let us be alone, my Darling.ö
The pigtailed marital artist tensed. ôUh, look, um, thatÆs nice and all, but, umà thereÆs stuff that has to be done, and we got a lot ofàö
ôZzzàö
ôHuh?ö Ranma glanced at KircheÆs face. Was sheà asleep?
---
Ranma drew the covers over KircheÆs slumbering form. ôHuhà she mustÆve been up all night getting here,ö he guessed to himself. He shook his head in confusion. What had gotten into her to come all the way out to La Rochelle overnight, he had no idea. Did she sense his intentions?
This land was strange and the girls in it were even stranger. He shrugged and let himself out, closing the door softly.
Time to venture out a bit, see what kind of eats he could get for himselfà or herself, he thought bemusedly, memories of that day in Tristania echoing in his head. He felt his face warm and shook off the rising thoughts.
CanÆt be distracted, he thought, his feet guiding him to parts unknown. No telling whatÆll happen if Louise got those kinds of thoughts.
---
ôMmmà canÆt you feel it Darling?ö KircheÆs soft, sensual voice wafted through the air. Her fingertips lightly clawed at the buttons of her blouse. Louise stared up into KircheÆs amorous face, heat suffusing throughout her body. Her small mouth lay parted, tongue slightly jutting out.
Her arms did not move, her legs could not struggle. Kirche melted into her, her plush mouth bearing down upon her dainty lips.
ôYouÆre mine,ö she spoke in the moment before their lips fused, flame sealing them together.
ôGah!ö Louise shot up, heart pounding. Sweat prickled on her forehead as she gasped for breath.
What the hell kind of dream was that? Louise shuddered all over twice.
That had to be RanmaÆs dream. That just had to be RanmaÆs dream. Because there was no way she could ever, ever, EVER come to think of her nemesis inà inà she shuddered again, trying to rid herself of the creepy remnants of the dream û no, it was a damned nightmare!
She turned her head to glare at the guy she had summoned into this world, and she nearly fainted. Kirche! In her room! But that was justù
Rationale finally caught up to Louise, and she breathed a sigh of relief. No, wait, RanmaÆs curse. Kirche must have been the last to kiss him, or he kissed her. That latter thought made her scowl. Just what did it take to get through that idiotÆs thick head that he should be staying away from that Zerbst, if for no other reason than to protect her integrity, her sanity, and now her chastity?
But why was he sleeping in her form?
Louise frowned. He really needed to get rid of that form; all it did was remind her of her troubles a hundred times over. But the only way to correct it would be toà toà
Louise gripped her bedsheet so tight, she might have ripped them.
Damned it all to hellà but if she had to do that, she might really die from shame. But there was no hot water nearby, and well, if she kept looking at him in her guiseà
ôYouÆre mine.ö
ôLike hell I am,ö Louise ground out. Stubbornness won out over pride, and she mentally steeled herself for what had to be done. Just one really fast one, and pretend she knows nothing afterward. Blame him for it, if really pressured. Justà whatever it took to get that face off of his face.
Louise geared up all her strength, willpower, and courage and slid out of her bed. One step, then another, and finally she was right beside RanmaÆs bed. Looking at KircheÆs face.
Well, itÆd be her face in a second. Just a quick peck, and dash back to bed. For pride and sanity.
She painstakingly lowered herself down to meet those temptressÆs lips, doing her best to not look at the face, and working even harder to not think about the nightmare she had just awakened from. Just one little peckà brush lips. That was enough, wasnÆt it?
Why was she cursed to have summoned a guy so cursed like this?
She had just tilted her face to peck the cursed guy when all of a sudden she found herself engulfed in a tidal wave of arms and her original plan was smooshed into a surge of smooching. Wide-eyed with terror, Louise flailed about, beating her hands on the bed, the head board, whatever she could hit in an effort to break free as things took a much steamier, passionate turn.
ôMmmà Darlingàö KircheÆs face spoke dreamily, eyes slowly opening. Green eyes that popped wide open upon making a conscious connection. ôL-L-Louise!ö
ôWhaù K-K-KIRCHE!ö
---
ôHey,ö Ranma called out to the portly innkeeper behind the counter downstairs. ôYou know of any good places to eat around here?ö
=BOOM=
He paused for a second while the innkeeper squawked and threw himself down to the floor, then slowly palmed his face. ôànevermind.ö
Just why did he get saddled with a girl whose magic was as volatile as her temper?
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