By the time Ranma returned, Nabiki had hung up on Akane, and Genma was busy getting drunk.
Nodoka, on the other hand, was writing plan after plan for what was, in her mind, to come. Looking up, she squealed, "Oh Ranma-kun, you've come back! You've accepted, haven't you?"
Ranma eyed his mother critically, taking in the fact that she was holding a large notebook. "Yeah, I accepted."
"Perfect! Come, we have much to talk about!" Nodoka flipped through the notebook, showing that she had filled about half of it with her writing. "He have an appointment to meet with the Guild later today, so we need to fit you for a casual meeting kimono before then. Then we have to arrange for your training. I'll need to brief you on current Guild policies on magical girls, and . . .
She could only blink as the notebook vanished from her hand. It appeared in Ranma's, who just took one look at it, and then incinerated it with a blast of ki. "Look Mom, I've had enough of people trying to control my life. The Panda has done it before, and now you're doing it now. I took this job because Amaterazu was truly ready to let me leave without taking it, and without attaching any dishonor or backlash to it. The only reward she did give me is a bit of advice, and the first bit goes something along the lines of not letting anyone control my life from here on out, including you. I don't need your help!"
Nodoka recoiled, aghast, "But the guild . . . "
"Amaterasu has already arranged for somebody to help me with the paperwork and politics of the guild."
Nodoka smirked at this, "Ah, but the only person who has more experience than me in dealing with the guild's code on magical girls is a private agent of the senshi."
Elsewhere, Meioh Setsuna sneezed.
Ranma could only return that smirk with another, "Ah, but I'm working on limiting guild interaction, according to Amaterasu, and there is only one leading expert in that!"
Nodoka frowned. This was not going according to plan. "And who is that?"
Ranma closed his eyes and smiled, imitating a face that he had once seen on TV, "That is a secret!"
Ron Stoppable was just waking up when he noticed another presence in the room. It didn't feel like Kim or his parents, so he cracked an eyelid, and then forced it closed.
His visitor was far too bright for the morning. "Now Mr Stoppable, it's considered rude to keep a guest waiting."
"Maybe, but it can also be considered rude to appear in a guy's bedroom on a Saturday morning, especially at this hour."
"Touche. However, I need a favor."
This got Ron moving, "Wha . . . a favor? Funny, usually I'm the one begging for stuff like that."
"It is admirable that you'd go out of your way to cover your lover on a spiritual and metaphysical basis, but you really need to consider the fact that sometimes, we could use the help as well." Amaterasu kindly told him.
"OK . . . no offense, but what could this favor get me?" Ron politely asked.
"I'll speak to my Pantheon and Apollo about the debts you owe and clear them personally for you."
Ron whistled, "Wow, this must really be important."
"It is. Do you recall that mission you and Ms Possible had to cancel on grounds of not being able to get a ride at all?"
"That one in China? Yeah, Kim is still pretty bummed about that . . . "
"And do you recall the magical status report you received several days later?"
Ron winced, "You mean that Jusenkyo place? Yeah, I know about that."
"Well, a family under my banner, one that has raised a champion for me in times of need, has done something foolish in my name, and I'm trying to correct that. The perpetrator, one Saotome Nodoka, had arranged for her only son to fall in the Spring of Drowned Girl so that he might take up the banner of the Taiyohime. Having been lead his entire life, forced to live it by the standards of others, he wasn't very pleased with this. He, or she in this case, took it anyways, but I'd rather like for him to be able to get away from all of the controlling influences."
"So where do I come in?" Ron asked.
Amaterasu sighed, "Nodoka is currently a well-regarded client of the Guild of Calamitous Intent, and they already have their sights set on young Ranma."
"Ah . . . wait, Saotome Ranma?!? Man, you must really need the help. The Guild's been eyeing him ever since that fiasco with Saffron. I've read the report on it."
"Quite. So would you . . . " Amaterasu plead.
The blond sidekick gave a long suffering sigh, "Do you have a report or something on Ranma?" When a large manilla folder appeared on his bed, he continued, "And transportation?" A moderately small crystal appeared next to the folder.
Ron eyed both critically, and then looked at the Sun Goddess, "Fine, I'll do it."
Amaterasu sighed in relief. "Thank you, Mr Stoppable. What time should I set the meeting up for?"
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(Posted Thu, 22 Jul 2010 00:33)
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