nerdiethings | Ranma CMO Post

[ 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.

[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?

[ 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.

[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?

[ 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.

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.

… 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.

[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?

[ 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.

[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…

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.

[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...

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

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

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

Haven’t I already hurt you enough…?

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

It ain’t enough. Not for all the ways I’ve failed…

It seems like quite a bit to me. I’m still alive.

For how long. With what my house has done- with what I've contributed to...

If you weren’t there I would have died.

If you can forgive my family for the innocents hurt and lost in the attack of the Saotome estate… then from here we must call it even and move on.

No one in their right mind could blame your family... they were dismantling a murderous militia and its mad king.

And you were nearly crushed in the rubble because we weren’t careful enough.

I want you to be at my side, as my friend, if you’ll have me. But there should be no more guilt for actions you couldn’t have prevented, even had you tried.

[Geez… there’s no fighting that kind of positivity…

She brushes at her hand eyes desperately.] …I don’t gotta like it.

[But. Trying.]

I didn’t realize I was such unpleasant company…

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