"In a way, you might say so." The Wizard sighed. "Look, Ranma, were you really happy with your life the way it was? Satisfied with the way things went? You had one fiancee who was insanely jealous but was as likely to sabotage a tender moment as you - and didn't have ignorance as an excuse. Your father raised you to be a weapon, but a flawed weapon. In a real life-or-death struggle against evil, you'd die before you started fighting at your full potential. You had a girl who had to marry you by the laws of her village, or she will face permanent exile or death as her other two choices. And yes, she takes that as seriously as your seppuku pledge. Your mother wants you to act like a rabbit with viagra spiked carrots. Your father wants you to meet his own standards. Your 'cute fiancee' either has to kill you or marry you to reclaim any shred of honor herself. Naked pictures of your girl side are being sold on the internet by Nabiki. Kodachi sees you as the only chance she has to rid herself of the Black Rose persona. Need I go on?"
Ranma had flinched for most of the list. "Uhm. No."
"You have no real friends, Ranma, and when was the last time you were really happy? I don't mean enjoying a meal or on an occasion like regaining your strength after the moxibuxtion point. I mean actually genuinely happy."
"Well..." Ranma started looking around the room.
"Each of those outfits represents a new chance," said the Wizard honestly. He'd kick someone when they weren't looking. Trick them into not reading the directions. Delight in any number of situations where he could be seen as evil and manipulative as that guy over at the 'Needful Things' store. He didn't kick crippled puppies however, and there was something of that about Ranma - particularly now. "Step out the door with one, start a new life. Changing room is over there." With that the wizard turned his apparent attention to a magazine.
Ranma looked over the clothing. Odd girls outfits, normal girls outfits, halloween costumes, and other things.
Finally, almost as if compelled, she took one of the outfits and headed for the changing room.
The wizard grinned and flipped a page. Then wiped the smile off his face. Whether Ranma continued to wear it or not, once she tried it on, it was hers. She'd be altered by the magic. It wasn't so much how Ranma would handle it, it was the rest of Nerima that would be interesting.
A few moments later, Ranma stepped out of the dressing room and inspected the new her in a mirror.
Of course she didn't know yet that she was now a:
(Posted Sun, 27 Oct 2002 13:51)
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