Ranma CMO Post

[nerdietalk]

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Stupid 90s aesthetic romance central.

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[phoenix_temple]

[She pulls back, only because her legs feel weak. She has to find the bed to sit on.]

... I think... almost every night... that I should have gone in her place. We had talked about it. I could have persuaded her to stay. None of this would have had to happen if it had been me...

But we can't hold that weight. We can't change what already happened... I don't want you to swear yourself to a cause or a person because of guilt. It isn't fair to you or I... and it isn't fair to Kuu. There shouldn't be any more suffering in her name. There's been enough already.

[fluidgender]

[Ranma's kept a sturdy posture for the most part since she's been able to walk again but. Exhaustion takes over. She slumps to the floor, leaning against the wall.]

That's why... I don't want you to risk yourself. These duties, the way that survivor attacked you...

There's so many small villages and villas, away from the capital and the center target of power. Wouldn't something like that... be better?

[phoenix_temple]

I'm not going to run. Genma Saotome wants us to be afraid, to lose hope.

I won't. And in order to make sure no one else does... I'll stay. I have the power to change things now, more than before. I'll just have to be more careful, be more guarded when I go out.

[fluidgender]

Its not as easy as that... You don't know what to look for.

And... and I don't know if its good if do start looking for it.

[phoenix_temple]

If someone wants me dead, they'll find me no matter where I am. Kuu was at one of those towns, further away and safer.

I'm not afraid. [It's a lie. She's kind of terrified.]

[fluidgender]

[She covers her face in her hands, stress dripping down her face with the tears. She lets out a shaky, struggling breath.

And then when she looks up, her eyes are steely and harsh again.]

Alright. As you say. No guilt should determine my oath.

Pitch me your cause.

[hououji]

[ There’s something that frightens Fuu in that look. Like she’s looking at someone else entirely. ]

My… cause?

[fluidgender]

If you stick on this path, you're going to be taking over the throne someday. What are you going to do with that power?

[hououji]

[ she balls her fists in the skirt of her nightgown. And then she closes her eyes with a deep breath.

It seems like Ranma is seeing something she isn’t. Like she’s looking into Fuu and passing a judgment more than serving. ]

… I want to unite the noble houses. Bring them all under the same rule of law, so that none can go mad with power like Genma Saotome.

I want to enshrine rights for the people that allow them the same privileges and care as those with noble birth, and create a form of governance with them, where they will have fair representation. I’ll limit the powers of the church and inquisitors to grant them privacy and safety.

I want to put more effort into studying firstborn magic, to see if it’s a gene or a blessing that has been passed down. And if I can find and isolate it… I want to make sure it’s no longer just firstborns and nobles.

[fluidgender]

[She listens, carefully. Patiently. Without interrupting.]

...Its a good cause. A reasonable cause. It could change the land for the better.

[She doesn't say it gently. Just matter-of-factly.]

How will you do these things?

[hououji]

[ Her resolution wavers at that. ]

I don’t know. I’ve only just inherited this power and position.

But… I’ll build allies and experts. I’ll reach out a hand of friendship and alliance where I can.

I can’t promise you it will work, but I’ll do my best. I’ll work until my dying breath for peace… and I swear that on the memory of my sister. She left me with her power… so I have to use it for my good.

[fluidgender]

[She's still on the floor, but her posture changes, straightening.]

There are many who would betray hands of friendship. Nobles who would revolt rather than give up power, to you or peasantry. And the church will side with them when their own power is threatened. They might pay the knights better wages to support their own interests?

If you don't have the support of nobles or the church or the knights, how will you protect the rights of the people?

[hououji]

[ She doesn’t know. She has no idea and that scares her. ]

There are more people than nobles, knights, and the church combined.

I’ll have to earn their loyalty.

[fluidgender]

Loyalty... for many people, it might extend as far as how much you can provide for them. It might require power to keep providing those things, and showing off that power.

[hououji]

… I don’t have all the answers yet. I have… much to learn.

I’m sorry I can’t give more. I won’t hold you to your oath if this isn’t enough.

[fluidgender]

[She’s quiet for a long moment.

She… moves across the floor, ungracefully. And she reaches up to hold Fuu’s hands.]

It’s a good cause. Managed by a good person with good intent.

…What do you want me to do, for you or your cause?

[hououji]

[ She’s quiet for a long time. And then resolve returns to her eyes. ]

If you’ll stay by my side… make sure I never lose sight of that. Do everything in your power to make sure I never betray that cause.

[fluidgender]

[The resolve and steel behind Ranma’s eyes just. Shatters.]

H-huh? What… are you saying… I’m the one who’s supposed to offer you everything I can to achieve your goal… whatever you do or don’t want to know, I could do it to help your dream come true. I’m supposed to be sacrificing myself here, not keeping you in line…

[hououji]

Oh, Ranma… [ She smiles softly and raises a hand to her cheek. ]

That would be the worst betrayal of the cause. I’d fail right from the start.

[fluidgender]

[She keeps surprising her in all the strangest ways.]

...I can't do both, Fuu. I can serve the cause or I can... I can be your friend. I'm not... I'm not smart enough to do both. They'd conflict...

[hououji]

But why? I don’t need a soldier. I need someone I trust.

[fluidgender]

But if I'm your friend, I... I couldn't stomach hurting you...

[hououji]

You’d rather me ask someone who wants to hurt me?

[fluidgender]

Haven’t I already hurt you enough…?

[hououji]

You’ve done the exact opposite. You saved me yesterday.