Career Opportunities 6

[LawOhki]

“This is a horribly bad idea and I will be saying I told you so.” Ranma told Washu just before he and his former roommates were transported down to Earth, specifically to Nerima.

On the other side of the brief lightshow, Ranma found himself on a reasonably familiar street near to Furinkan. The local populace was going about their daily business, and since it was a school day that eliminated at least six people who could cause a disturbance. Ukyo, Akane, Nabiki, and the two male Kunos would be at Furinkan. The female Kuno would be at her own school and likely wouldn’t be skipping just to track Ranma down for a random encounter. That meant aside from one such random encounter, he only had to worry about Ryoga, Shampoo, and Mousse.

His wrist computer beeped, drawing his attention as Washu’s happily smiling face appeared on a viewscreen. “Oh and since you’re out around normal Earthlings, I can’t have your little problem leading to injury.” She explained a second before he felt the limiting garment kick in. “Have fun!” Washu waved before cutting the connection.

“Washu!” Ranma yelled at the blank viewscreen. “That!” He sputtered in rage.

“Don’t worry, I’ll protect you if any wild animals attack.” Corina patted him on the shoulder.

“This isn’t the wild.” He replied with a deadpan look at the Seniwan girl. “And it’s not wild animals I’m worried about, though Ryoga could probably be called one.”

“Are you really that concerned with being attacked?” Adilynn asked, her eyes inspecting someone who was walking by and making a point to ignore the trio. “Is this planet lawless?”

“Just the people I know.” Ranma groaned. This had to be a big elaborate plot of some sort. Washu, Seto, some other shadowy figure waiting in the wings? It didn’t matter, he now had to play tour guide to two aliens, and was limited to being a normal human. At least he didn’t have to do it as a girl, though looking down at his wrist, he finally remembered that he hadn’t given Washu back to disguise field.

“Lighten up.” Corina rolled her eyes. “This is the first time we’ve ever been near a developing world. So come on, show us what life is like here.”

“I would be interesting in seeing some of their computer systems.” Adilynn added.

“Well-- I think there’s a shop that has some computer stuff nearby.” Ranma tried to focus on the positives. He was back on Earth, he could explore some old haunts, and the people he was showing around were still his friends even after finding out that he been a guy the whole time he had been living with them. There were probably others, but he just wanted to keep things simple, and not think too much.

Several hours later, Ranma was starting to enjoy being a tour guide for the two aliens. Corina had done it for him the first night he had been at the academy, so now he was returning the favor. The orange haired Corina was enjoying everything with muted excitement. Adilynn was caressing some old circuit board from a computer like it was some kind of precious item, and not something she had simply picked up in the trash. The two GP cadets did receive some looks for wearing the pink and white uniforms but nothing more than a passing glance.

“I’m sort of sure that if someone throws something like that out, it’s not worth anything.” Ranma tried to tell the girl.

“No way!” Adilynn protested. “Circuit boards like this are a collectors dream! It’s all soldered together; there are transistors, capacitors, resistors, all these ancient microchips. No one makes anything like this anymore, not for thousands of years.”

“Alright.” He held up his hands in defeat.

“Is there any place to get a drink around here?” Corina asked while wiping from sweat from her forehead.

Ranma glanced at a vending machine that was serving drinks before writing that off because he didn’t have any money. It was a warmer day out and it would be nice to spend some time out of the sun. He was noticing the lower quality air as well, going from the perfect air out in space, to the quiet wilderness at the Masaki shrine, and now to a highly populated city made it very noticeable.

“There is one place.” He said slowly. School was just getting out for the day so Ukyo wouldn’t have her shop open for another forty five minutes or so. The only place where he might be able to swing free drinks and it had air conditioning was the Nekohanten. He could head over to the Tendo’s, but surprisingly he reasoned that visiting Shampoo would be the less volatile alternative. Corina and Adilynn should be able to handle the Joketsuzoku girl if she tried anything violent since they were both body enhanced, while Cologne had stayed out of the action for a long time now, and never made any threatening moves towards Ukyo or Akane.

“But if this purple haired girl challenges you to a fight or tries to wash your hair it’s best if you say no to both.” He explained to the pair.

“Wash our hair?” They both asked before Ranma started to explain.

[frice2000]

“I would be interesting in seeing some of their computer systems.” Adilynn added.

'It would be interesting to see some of their' or 'I would be interested'

No other comment I haven't really kept up with this one.

[Spokavriel]

The way Ranma is limited is just not right. Its understandable but if it wasn't school hours I'd call that a death sentence.

Can you pretty please get this Tech collector a Texas Instruments Calculator? All of them are solid state construction and more primitive than what she probably just got from the trash. Plus its inexpensive and would be Fully Functional!

[LawOhki]

Think of it as an exercise in diplomacy. Seto does want to groom Ranma to be basically another her. Well, he's now in a situation where he has to get out of things non-violently but has two guards more than capable of stepping in if he's about to be hurt. Of course he wouldn't want to have either of them protect him, so it's a good trial by fire that also ingratiates Adilynn and Corina to Seto for being so generous. (She does have her sights on them changing allegiances.)

[Spokavriel]

The whole Gender thing is the strongest attack to their bond with Ranma I can see in this situation so it is a good time to test that.

[LawOhki]

Might as well post something since I haven't in forever.

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“So how was your trip Shampoo?”

“Oh too too fun great grandmother.” Shampoo gushed as she sat with her relative. Having been in China for the past week to see a cousin who had recently had a baby, she was happy to be back in Nerima, and would be tracking down Ranma later. “Epil’s baby is the cutest. I have pictures.” She produced the pictures from her travel bag and handed them to Cologne.

“I should visit as well.” The elderly woman smiled at the pictures. “But someone has to be here to make sure Son-in-law doesn’t get himself in too much trouble.”

“Maybe invite Airen?” She suggested. It would give her time to show her betrothed the village since he hadn’t had a chance to see much the first time.

Cologne laughed to herself. “If you could get him to go.” The elder turned towards the entryway. “Speaking of Son-in-law.”

“Airen?” She asked hopefully, spinning on her seat to see him entering into the restaurant, she smiled brightly, and was off her chair to bound over to him. “Airen!” She cried happily and glomped on to him, nearly bowling him over from the force. “You come visit now I back from trip?”

“You were on a trip?” He asked and her smile quickly evaporated. “Since when?”

“For last week.” She squeezed her arms tighter around his neck. “You no notice Shampoo gone?”

“I’ve been gone for the past two weeks, no one told me anything about a trip, so how could I know you were gone?” Ranma asked incredulously.

“Shampoo forget tell you?” She asked and he nodded. “Oh.” Cuddling up to him again, she sighed happily. “No problem then.”

“Ranma you seem to have a gift for overstating things.” A girl that Shampoo was just noticing spoke up. She had orange hair, her skin was tanned, triangle shaped ears, and was very tall. She was wearing a pink and white uniform of some sort along with a second but normal looking non-Asian girl standing off to the side.

“Who you?” Shampoo asked, gripping Ranma possessively.

“Interesting clothing you have there, Son-in-law.” Cologne hopped up to them on her staff. “And your two friends.”

“How bout I explain it over something to drink and maybe some ramen?” Ranma suggested.

“If it’s interesting enough.” Cologne looked over to her. “Go put your things up in your room while I get Son-in-law and his friends something.”

X x x x x x

‘I knew this would work.’ Ranma thought to himself as Cologne quickly poured them all a glass of water. Corina was sitting next to him and Adilynn was on the far side.

“So what have you been doing these past two weeks?” Cologne asked while taking a seat on top of the table. “I thought it was kind of quiet around here after you had that fight with your father.”

“How’d you find out about that?” He asked after taking a drink.

“I have my ways.” The elderly woman answered with a smirk on her wrinkled face.

‘Probably a certain duck or cat.’ He thought morosely, wondering how much Cologne actually spied on him.

“So? What have you been up to?” Cologne repeated her earlier question.

“Oh just having my life turned upside down.” Ranma responded casually. “How have you been? Still alive or did you just keep walking around?”

“Funny.” The old woman narrowed her eyes but refrained from bashing him on the head. “And your new friends?”

“We’re he-his roommates.” Corina quickly corrected her mistake.

“Roommates?” Cologne asked in amusement. “Has something happened between you and the Tendo girl? I can’t imagine her letting you live with two women.”

“It was just temporary.” He answered quickly. “And ya I’m not living at the Tendo’s anymore.”

“Where are you living then? If you’ve finally broken up with Miss Tendo, there is a place here with Shampoo.” The old woman suggested.

“It’s very far away and honestly I’m just visiting for the day to show my friends around. This is their first time in Japan.” Ranma answered after a moment of thought.

“Airen is leaving?” Shampoo asked worriedly as she bounced up to the table.

‘Whoops.’ Ranma realized his mistake in telling them any details on his living arrangements. “It’s on a special training trip. Invite only.”

“Hmm.” Cologne rubbed her chin thoughtfully while Shampoo pouted. “Your friends carry themselves well but do not look like trained fighters. What are you up to, honestly?”

“Galaxy spanning empires, political intrigue, spaceships, solar system sized schools, crazy scientists thousands of years old, psychic trees.” Ranma ticked off various things that he had encountered and it earned him a smack on the top of the head.

“Don’t let that tongue get ahead of you, boy.”

“Well if I had some food, I wouldn’t have to talk so much.” He rubbed at his head and caught sight of Shampoo coming out of the kitchen with a tray full of food, and booting Mousse back through the doorway as an afterthought.

“Here go Airen.” Shampoo announced and placed a steaming bowl of ramen in front of him while pointedly ignoring anything for Corina and Adilynn.

“Shampoo.” Cologne drew the girl’s attention and Ranma noticed a switch between what he was hearing and the words that were being formed by the old woman’s mouth.

‘She must be speaking in Chinese.’ He reasoned, the translator built into his clothing was doing it’s job.

“Don’t be petty, go back into the kitchen, and get our other two guests their food. I invited them here to find out where your betrothed has been. Do not make me or yourself out to be a bad host, it reflects badly.” Cologne chastised Shampoo who quickly vanished back into the kitchen. The old woman turned back to him and seemed to switch back to Japanese. “I hope you won’t be too busy with your food to give me a straight answer.”

“I gave you a straight answer.” He told her through a mouthful of noodles. ‘They might be nuts but the Joketsuzoku make great ramen.’ Glancing at his former roommates who were watching the interplay with amusement. “I am, right?”

“He is.” Adilynn answered.

“I’ll get the truth out of you eventually.” Cologne sighed and stepped off the table to balance on her staff. “Be sure to pay on your way out.”

“Hey! You said.” Ranma started protest.

“If it was interesting enough.” Cologne interrupted as she hopped away. “Shampoo! Is that a delivery? Quit wasting time and get to it!” The old woman yelled as she entered the kitchen.

“We never got anything though.” Corina told him.

“Hmm.” Ranma stared down at his empty bowl. “Probably won’t either.”

“So, how was it?” Adilynn asked with narrowed eyes and crossed arms.

“Uh, heh heh.” He laughed nervously. “I don’t really have any yen on me either.”

“I assume that’s the local currency.” Corina tapped a finger to her chin. “Doesn’t really seem like our problem, right Addy?”

“No, not at all. No reason to pay for something we never had.” The black haired girl stood up and pushed in her chair.

Glancing to see if Cologne was around, he stood up and hastily pushed the two girls towards the doorway. “She’s mad at me already, so skipping out won’t really matter.”

[Spokavriel]

Skipping out on a bill. Seems like something Genma would do. After all this time that is all you got to add? Well still better than nothing.

[LawOhki]

Skipping out on a bill. Seems like something Genma would do. After all this time that is all you got to add? Well still better than nothing.

That all you got to add? How bout something about the conversation?

[Spokavriel]

What's there to say?

It didn't have enough reactions to be more than just what it is sitting there. Shampoo not knowing Ranma was gone was well covered by the excitement of the baby she left to see. It was almost a non moment. They went to try to eat, Ranma got to eat. Ranma said the truth and Cologne didn't believe it. Given what the truth was it was not surprising.

Long non comment. But what was there that needed comment?

[Crescent Pulsar R]

I'd like to be more encouraging, because I'd like to see this story updated more often, but I can't find much to say about the conversation. It's just one of those "leading to somewhere" parts, not particularly bad but isn't really noteworthy, either. Which shouldn't be surprising, considering the setup in the first part of this chapter: because I'm still wondering what will happen while Ranma's strength is being limited, and a little side trip to the Nekohanten doesn't seem to factor much in the way of possibilities in regard to that.

[BonusPoints]

Well, I suppose I haven't got all that much to comment on here, either, but I am glad to see this fic updating. It's certainly one of my favourites of yours.

Ranma's managed to annoy Cologne almost as soon as he started his tour, and I can't see his meetings with anyone else going much better. I'm glad to see the truth used as the most effective possible lie. That no one believes Ranma here is the really funny part. It would crack me up for Ryoga to show up and be on his best behaviour the entire time, putting even more strain on his credibility. There's something about him pouting while being humoured that would just make my day. On the other hand, the cast of Ranma are rarely on their best behaviour, so that's probably a bust.

I wonder whether Cologne will use what very little knowledge she has to make things more complicated. Heaven knows there are plenty of people who would be just thrilled to hear about who he's rooming with.

Just... I can't get out of my mind how hilarious it would be for the girls to go away with the impression that Cologne is just a bitter old woman.

Like has been said already, this was set-up for more conflict with the amazons; it reminded me of so many other things I had been anticipating, but in and of itself didn't feel like a truly important segment. The promise of things to come? That's interesting.

[LawOhki]

Just a little something to establish this amongst the normal OVA timeline. The rest of the cast are also going to be cured.

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“So this is why you have been taking your time with Ranma’s enhancement.” Seto commented as she gazed at the ship in dry dock before her. It was certainly nowhere near the size of a Galaxy Police cruiser but large enough to be a perfect target for pirates. The hull was constructed of two sections, a white elongated octahedron made up the main body while a red outer hull formed a set of wings along the sides that curled up and over the cockpit. Seto smiled, expecting the ship to perform above and beyond the original specifications.

“Me?” Washu asked in mock indignation. “It’s hardly my fault that he has issues that need addressing.”

“True.”

“As for the ship, I had to make a few improvements to the designs.” The red head audibly preened. “And of course this is a fully joint operation between Jurai and the Galaxy Police, correct?”

“Of course.” Smirking at the thought of a united power like that, Seto turned away from the ship to look at Washu. “I will need Ranma to start his practical training soon. It’s not going to be beneficial for him in the long term to stay on Earth.”

“Agreed.”

“And when did you plan to tell him?”

“I was waiting to see his reaction. When he gets back tonight I’ll explain.”

“Excellent. Handling that would have been impossible without your assistance.”

“It was my pleasure, although I can’t take all the credit.” Washu shifted to look at a new child-like figure floating in the space to her right.

“I’d hope not Nee-sama.” Tokimi frowned cutely at the red head before addressing Seto. “Thank you for bringing that reality distortion to my attention. While I was able to restore most of the space time anomalies from the incident with Z, there are still many small ones that escape my notice.”

“I’m at a loss for words, having one of the Choushin thanking me.” Holding a hand up to her heart, she was flattered in the extreme that such a being would take an interest in her.

“Then I must be going. I have been distracted with other things and still need to correct the other anomalies that resulted from that.” Tokimi tilted her head and smiled before vanishing from sight.

“Shall we see what the children are up to?” Washu asked with an amused smirk.