One thing about Nabiki's new metallic frame, it gave her hearing perfect pitch, she found. Case in point; She heard Ranma's quiet whisper. Before the Dads could act like the fools she generally regarded them as, she grabbed the hot water (They'd tried to pour some on Akane and her at times, convinced the 'illness' was some weird Jusenkyo curse despite all testimony to the contrary) and poured some on Ranma. The Oni-cutie sat up, shaking her head. "Not now, Nabiki.. Could you get me a silver-backed mirror? The old style, with actual silver backing. I'll pay if.."
The Fathers noted Ranma awakening and promptly went into their double-act. "Saotome, your disgrace of a boy refuses to change back! He's avoiding his engagement!" This was followed by Genma's bellow of "Foolish boy! Respevct your father and marry Aka--" before the now naked (stripped as Soun started, as she KNEW the follow-up) and thus almost totally indetectible Akane grabbed a oft-repaired Colonel Sanders Statue (the Dojo wound up with it after a typical Nerima fight scene, so they found odd uses for it) and whammed Genma out the window and into the Koi pond.
As Kasumi bemusedly practiced her talent and TK'ed a old mirror to Ranma, she settled the chaos by distraction. "This is a family heirloom, Ranma, it dates back 5 generations in our family. Why do you need it?"
"Well, Kasumi, it's this Third Eye o'mine. It sees Ki, Magic, and the Invisible.." Akane made a noise indicative of shock and almost beaned Ranma, but stopped when she realised the Oni-girl had avoided looking in her direction. Hang on, there, girl.. He can SEE you! Kami be praised, you still have a chance! Akane having realised her fear of fading away and her desire to not stand out as weird in one fell swoop.. Well, it simply had her thinking introspectively. Might or might not last, but she found it a relief to not hold back her feelings behind.. her feelings. As she thought, Ranma had finished saying "The thing is, the Third Eye's sight isn't reflected, unless it's by something that is itself mystical or is known to ward mysticism, thus reflecting it. Like Silver, as a case in point."
As Ranma-chan finished that sentence, she'd been looking at herself in the silver mirror. "Yup, it's in there, it's just gotta build up to match the inherent Power of this body is all. I'm still cursed, mind you, but at least it'll unlock in a couple hours or so."
Akane came back from her room and caught the last of that, redressed in her practice leotard from that Gymnastics Match fiasco some time before. It outlined everything, but at least it was technically decent, and best of all, people could see her! "You're not locked? Great.. Um. Thanks for not peeking." She knew Ranma could see her blush, but that wasn't so bad, Akane thought privately.
"No problem, Akane. I'll admit it now, though. You tempt me." Ranma could have kicked herself at that moment, and was about to, when Akane just murmured something only Ranma (and Nabiki, due to improved hearing) could catch. "I do? uh.. Good." Akane was just glad as Hades that ONLY Ranma could see her blush, as Nabiki came out of her minor stun.
"Uh, Ranma, I've been meaning to ask, how'd you know about Silver reflecting mysticism? I mean, you're.." Nabiki had the Righteous Mallet of Subject Change out and swinging. This time, however, it didn't connect all that well..
"Nabiki, I just now got changed in a very fundemental way. Mana and other energies are literally visible to me, although I doubt I could ever describe it, save to another Oni, maybe. Trust me in my saying that I gained the instincts to go with the body. ALL the instincts, including those to do that I was too trained and brained and conditioned to do as a purely human guy. Which reminds me."
Ranma chased after and began to whomp on the still-stunned panda, shoputing "POPS! How the heck did you ever expect me to carry on the School when I *NEVER* Got aroused in any way before this virus got me!"
Nabiki waited on the explosion.. and only heard a sigh. "A-Akane?" Her sister just shrugged her shoulders (since her grimace wasn't ging to be seen) and said "It figures. The one guy I thought was the biggest pervert on Earth, and he was totally asexual. Kuso."
Kasumi frowned a bit, then mildly said "language, onee-chan. Why'd you figure Ranma as worse than.."
"Than Happosai? Look how shrivelled the old fart is! Groping's all he's got left!"
Amid the mass sweatdrop, Nabiki (who just gleamed brighter.. looks like she doesn't sweat anymore) said "That's disgusting.. and highly likely, come to think of it. Care to tell me what's got you so.. pardon the term.. changed?"
Akane just tugged a 100-yen note out of her skirt pocket (skirt worn over the leotard for reasons aforementioned of its outlining of everything) while asking Nabiki "Quickly now; What are my deepest fear and deepest desire?"
Nabiki thought on it, and just before Akane was going to take the money back, she said firmly "Fear is being considered freakish and antisocial, as well as being a nobody, all at once. Desire is to excel and be better at things that matter, but to be able to fit in in public, again all at once."
Akane paid up. "Exactly, sis, Stand tall, but not stick out, be spectacular, but not shown up and humiliated. That little mass of insecurities and pride is what I figure got me this way."
Ranma came back after pounding Genma even further out of his senses, and catching that answer, said laconically "I thought it was the disease.. or did you mean the way it affected you?"
Akane smiled, knowing Ranma alone could catch it, as she let her tone show agreement. "Yup, that's what I mean, ONI-gal. I'm certain you got changed, as a male, Ranma, but I doubt it's gonna be a Oni. Be ready."
Nabiki frowned, the Golden Gal thought she knew where this was going, but she wasn't certain yet. So she asked anyway "You're talking like the damn thing read opur minds, somehow."
Akane shook her head, then just said "No, just our hearts. I'm pretty sure the thing was engineered, if decidedly badly, and it seems to have hit our deepest subconscious feelings. Kasumi's able to handle things all around the house at the same time now, you're Golden in the most literal sense, and I'm like this. What's not to think?" Ranma-chan said "I always thought you were brainy and gorgeous. Now I know both, and I can even appreciate it." She kissed Akane deeply, all of a sudden, much to the interest of both sisters. Mostly as they of course saw Ranma's tongue as she slipped Akane said tongue. After withdrawing (as Akane kinda stood there, wondering if she should kill Ranma, screw her till daybreak, or just go to Mom's shrine and pray Ranma's still a hunk as a man) Ranma said "I'd gonna draw a bath in the Furo and soak till I finally change. Akane, there IS room for two in there.." She winked and headed out as the leotard shivered in the middel of the room. All Kasumi did as she directed the mirror back to it's proper place and set the cleaning gear to work was think More Ranma, that's all there is to it. More Ranma. Well, she was smiling and saying 'Oh My" but that's just default Kasumi.
Soun was.. just standing there. Maybe he'll react later.
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(Posted Thu, 29 Apr 2004 05:36)
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