Ranma's life went on as usual. When he could afford to be away from the dojo, he would go and study Lathander's teachings. Ranma discovered that in order to cast the spells in the book, he had to read and learn from stories with morales, follow certain rules and actively promote Lathander's dogma. He figured it was a small price to pay for his cure.
And so, Ranma Saotome slowly changed to the growing unease of the ones who knew him.
Watch each sunrise.
Ranma now woke up each day before everyone to watch the sun rise on the horizon. The sight helped him to put things in perspective before beginning his day. That he wasn't drenched in cold water or thrown in the koi pond anymore was icing on the cake.
Perfect yourself, and be fertile in mind and body.
He didn't need the book to tell him to keep practicing martial arts, he knew he could get even better with practice and experience. For the mind part, he tried to pay attention in school. Hinako-sensei and his classmates had been traumatized by the experience. So he had to feign sleep and disinterest. Still he learned and his grades went up. Rumors and gossip raged as what was the cause of it. It ranged from private lessons from Hinako-sensei (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink and all that), a motherly threat of seppuku to a dastardly plan to show off and embarrass his fiancee (Akane's version).
Avoid negativity, for from death comes life, and there is always another morning to turn a setback into a success.
Ranma had always been pretty optimistic so that one was easy. There had been days where he had approached Ryoga-levels of depression but Pig-boy's example had been enough to dissuade him from following this way of thinking.
Wherever you go, plant seeds of hope, new ideas, and plans for a rosy future in the minds of all. Strive always to aid, to foster new hope, new ideas, and new prosperity for all humankind and its allies. It is a sacred duty to foster new growth, nurture growing things, and work for rebirth and renewal. Place more importance in activities that help others than in strict adherence to rules, rituals, and the dictates of your seniors.
It was the most difficult part for Ranma whose usual bluntness and crude speech didn't make him a good supportive person. So he started small. He laid off the insults and tried to encourage Akane to perfect her martial arts. She jumped to conclusions nonetheless and malletted him for his troubles.
Switching targets, he tried to encourage Kasumi to go out more. With his mother's help, he managed to get her into cooking contests and trips to libraries to find books on medicine, her long-time interest. The result was that Kasumi Tendo smiled more these days.
When Nabiki did photos of his female form, she suddenly discovered he was posing in each of them, enhancing the effect ! Her mind threatened to overload when Ranma came to her and gave her advice on how to become better at photography as well as volunteer for posing (in certain limits of course). When she asked why, he simply shrugged and told her that it would be a waste to not develop such a gift for art.
Shampoo was bewildered as well when Ranma asked her if she wanted to learn to better speak japanese with him as her tutor. So much that she accepted and didn't try to drug, glomp or trick him during the lessons.
A few suggestions to Ukyo and Konatsu to enlarge Ucchan's menu made her business boom.
Consider the consequences of your actions so that your least effort may bring the greatest and best reward.
He had screwed up many things by trying to help too hard in the past. Nabiki's example showed him that smart thinking can save you. It was hard at first but he rationalized that 'action without thought' applied only to martial arts fighting, not life in general. Ranma became more thoughtful and minding of others' opinions.
Reactions to the 'new' Ranma were mixed to say the least.
Nodoka was proud of her son, he was going out of his way to please all his fiancees and other girls. That meant he would be very manly soon !
Kasumi was happy that Ranma-kun was growing up at last. She didn't understand why Akane did not appreciate his efforts.
Nabiki had tried everything to learn the how and why of Ranma's recent behavior. Yes, his personnality was better now but it made her job of making money much more difficult. Her conscience was warring with her ice-queen persona.
Genma and Soun knew something was wrong with Ranma but didn't intervene. Ranma and Akane didn't fight so much with his changes. Since Ranma was no longer at fault for anything and Soun refused to see that it was only Akane that was keeping the relationship from working, they didn't know what to do.
Shampoo talked to Cologne who advised waiting and observation. Such a radical change in Son-in-Law's demeanor was troubling, to say the least.
Ukyo was too busy in her restaurant to wonder about Ranma's changes. After all, her Ran-chan had always been supportive with her, right ?
*****
Then one morning, it happened. Ranma Saotome had a divine experience with his patron deity.
"I am Lathander, the morninglord. Ranma Saotome, you have proven yourself to me. I now grant you the full powers befitting your station as one of my clerics"
Ranma could only mutter a "Yes..." He was envelopped in the heat of the Toril sun god. Never had he felt such pure love and benevolence.
"I have power over many domains. Good, Nobility, Protection, Renewal, Strength, Sun. Choose two and you'll be gifted with special abilities"
"I... I choose... Good and... Sun... Morninglord" Ranma was crying in joy but he didn't care. His path was clear to him now. He had always wanted to help others, this was his chance !
"So be it ! Ranma Saotome, you are now my Dawnbringer in this world. Stay true to my ideals and my power shall be always yours to summon"
*****
That was yesterday. Ranma was now a real cleric, with the capacity to channel positive energy and divine spellcasting. He was still a long way from removing his jusenkyo curse but he had hope. But for now, Ranma Dawnbringer had work to do...
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(Posted Sat, 09 Nov 2002 16:10)
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