Nabiki clapped her hands twice. From the Ice Queen, that was all it took to silence the crowd and get their attention -- particularly from those with bets. "I have decided to rule that this match is a draw," she declared. No one would dare protest her, but a great wave of disappointment and anger rolled from the crowd -- no doubt Nabiki would keep every last yen in the pool.
"Everyone who bet on Ranma or Ryoga to win will receive half their bet," Nabiki continued, relishing the sudden change in her empathic sense. "Standard payouts to exotic bets. Girls?"
The crowd organized itself slightly as almost everyone was able to recoup some of their losses. Nabiki smiled pleasantly; she had still made a profit, and returning about half the pool had done wonders to soothe her peers. She looked over to the spirit hovering nearby. "You didn't lose," she said fondly.
Ranma shrugged. "The bandanna trick was new, but that's it."
Nabiki blinked. "He's always been that strong?"
"Yeah. Well, not that strong, but close."
Nabiki's jaw dropped. "You knew he was that strong and fought in close with him?"
Ranma smirked. "It's not about strength. I like ya worrying 'bout me, though."
Nabiki colored nicely. "Not much need to, way you fight."
Ranma didn't have anything to say to that, and for a moment the two empaths just enjoyed eachother's feelings. Love, confidence, adrenaline dropoff, satisfaction, happiness, worry.
"I guess we should see ta Akane," Ranma said at length.
Nabiki nodded and led them away from the crowd. "She'll go to Kasumi, first, and get her hair taken care of. Then she'll see Doc Tofu about her ankle."
Ranma frowned. "Hair first? She really shouldn't be walkin' on that ankle much."
Nabiki sighed and shook her head. "Akane has a crush on Tofu. She's had eyes on him for years."
Ranma blinked. "But he's..."
"Too old for her. And it gets worse. Kasumi wants him."
"Kasumi!?" Ranma gaped.
"Not that she'd ever admit it," Nabiki snickered.
"Wow. What's Tofu think?"
"Well, he agrees that she needs a good male role model, so he's been trying to get her to realize it's just a silly crush on her own. No one wants to drive her away from him any more than that."
Ranma nodded. "Makes sense, I guess. And Kasumi?"
Nabiki spun to look Ranma straight in the invisible eye. "Be very clear on this. Do not mention Kasumi to Doc Tofu. Do not approach him if someone else does, and if you value your life run away if she actually shows up in the same building as him."
Ranma just stared, trying to fit any behavior pattern to what she knew of Kasumi, Tofu, and these warnings. She failed, miserably. "Why?"
Nabiki smiled sadly. "Because Tofu is so head over heels in love with Kasumi that he loses all touch with reality around her."
Ranma tried to process that and failed again. On her second attempt, she felt something in her brain beg for mercy. "That ain't normal."
"Welcome to Nerima, Saotome Ranko."
Nabiki followed the gesture and rolled her eyes. "Wall."
"Oh, right."
"Can you see Tofu?"
"Umm...nope."
Nabiki frowned. "That's just odd," she declared.
"Welcome to Nerima, Tendo Nabiki."
Nabiki just groaned and opened the door. "...a light sprain," floated from the examination room.
"Doctor...do you really think it...looks good?" Akane's voice.
Ranma frowned and strained her eyes. Akane's foot wasn't hanging right...Tofu was manipulating it! Suddenly the doctor swam into focus, startling Ranma.
Nabiki glanced at her fiancee and guessed that she had penetrated whatever glamor Tofu employed.
"Short hair always did suit you better," Tofu continued. "You look very cute that way."
Ranma looked away as Akane started crying. Silently, Nabiki agreed to let her sister have the cathartic release in peace.
Nabiki smiled with obvious sympathy. "Glad to hear you sounding better."
Akane sighed and her good mood collapsed. "How much to keep this out of the rumor mill?"
"Oh, I'm not sure I can put a price on this," Nabiki said, pondering. "I guess I'll have to do it free of charge."
Akane blinked and smiled. Nabiki may be a yen hunter, but her word was unimpeachable. "Thanks, sis."
Nabiki waved off the praise and smacked the spirit beside her. "No problem. Ahem?"
Ranma scowled slightly, but she knew exactly what she had to say. "Ano...Akane?"
Akane jumped at the sudden voice and looked at the seemingly empty space by Nabiki. "Y-yes?"
"Um, look I'm really sorry about the belt an all. I shouldn'ta hit it in the sky like that with people all around. And, um, ya know, you really do look good with short hair."
Akane blinked and smiled slightly at the compliment. "Thank you, sensei," she said.
"'Sensei' is it?" came a voice from the exam room. The three girls looked to see Tofu standing there, a confused, somewhat worried expression on his face.
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(Posted Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:13)
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