Ranma CMO Post

[nerdietalk]

(Source)

Stupid 90s aesthetic romance central.

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[hououji]

The wheel of fortune is always spinning. You could be you and bring all of us great luck. Nothing is set.

[fluidgender]

If nothing is set, you'd have any choice for the future, right? So what's yours?

[hououji]

A happy one. Where my people are safe and prosper.

[fluidgender]

[She glares.]

That’s the country’s future, not yours. What’s the future you want for yourself?

[hououji]

Those are intertwined now. If the country does well, I will too. I’ll be the head of the kingdom…

It’s still a new idea to me. For now, that’s what I have to focus on.

[fluidgender]

That's the problem. If future isn't set, you don't have to rule it. But it sounds like its your only choice. And that's not a choice.

[hououji]

Then… I’ve made the choice not to run away. This is my responsibility.

[fluidgender]

Its your responsibility. But is it what you want?

[hououji]

I want the people around me safe and happy. And if I abdicate the throne, that won’t happen.

It’s the only way for me to be at peace.

[fluidgender]

So the family into which we are born decides everything after all.

[hououji]

I don’t think that’s it. If I wanted, I could turn my back on my family and responsibilities.

But I don’t want to do that.

[fluidgender]

So saying no means hurting your family…

[hououji]

Saying no means hurting people I love. And that’s something I try not to do.

I know what it is to regret things undone.

[fluidgender]

[Intellectually, she understands that her family experience is unique in bad ways.

But she doesn’t know what good parenting looks like and it’s hard for her to recognize it in the Queen.]

Lady Saotome said that disobeying the family was a lot like killing her and her husband. Saying no was a knife in her heart.

[hououji]

That’s awful! How manipulative…

[fluidgender]

I don't think... anyone in the Saotome house was used to thinking that there was any other decision to make. Until it was too late.

You should have options too.

[hououji]

You must understand… this is what I choose. I’m happy to do this. I want to be a good ruler—no matter what that means.

[fluidgender]

Still... doesn't sound like much of a choice...

[hououji]

I’m happy to serve my people. [ She takes Ranma’s hands in hers. ]

You made the choice to stay by my side, to swear your life to me, even though you have an entire life ahead of you. I have to be the kind of person who deserves that. I want to be someone who deserves that. That is the future I choose.

[fluidgender]

[O-oh. Oh god.

Tears spring to her eyes.]

Y-you don't know what you're saying... I didn't swear to serve because of who you could be... I wanted to serve who you already are...

[hououji]

And who I am is a person who wants to make sure the future is safe and happy for everyone.

[ She lifts her hand to wipe away any stray tears. ]

I accepted your choice. I think you could do much better for your life, but… if this makes you happy, I won’t argue it further.

So do you understand why I want this?

[fluidgender]

But I-I can't. [She shakes her head, desperately.] I can't get a better life, I don't deserve that. The only thing I can do is...

I want to protect you. I.. I owe you that. I owe your sister that...

[hououji]

You don't owe us, Ranma. You didn't kill my sister, regardless of your family status or who you worked for.

You can't take on that responsibility.

[fluidgender]

But I could have. I could have stopped... I could have saved...

[The tears only get more pronounced.]

I was there, Fuu.

[phoenix_temple]

[Fuu's normally so unflappable. Nothing seems to get under her skin, even in the short amount of time that Ranma has known her, even in her sadness, she seems... prepared, ready, regal, all the time.

That is not the case right now. Her eyes widen and her face just... falls. It's one thing to know your sister is dead. It's another entirely to be speaking with someone who was present for the event that changed your entire life.]

... What?