Quote:robkelk wrote:Yes, I know it took a while, but as far as I'm concerned it's been worth it so far, and a fun ride to boot. Seriously, the first part of the story is just getting all the main players together and the only real 'conflicts' (that is, bad guys show up, stuff goes BOOM!) will be the Black Moon Clan and Amalgam (via Gauron).
There we go - all nice and started off... and I see Tessa gets to show her resolve. Nicely done.
That scene leads me into a bit of speculation: What would the ladies in Zeke's life think of the "Tenchi Solution"? (It's obvious you're going in that direction, even if you hadn't already mentioned ideas along those lines.)(And are you brave enough to add Shoko Asami to the circle? She might make a good fit; she's accustomed to dealing with the conflicting needs and desires of her close family members. But would she want to join, and would Zeke want to make the offer? "Reply hazy; ask again.")
- Rei ... I'm having trouble figuring out how she'd likely react. In canon manga, she didn't like men at all for reasons you've already mentioned in the story; in canon anime, she dated Mamoru for a while but gave him up to Usagi. In this story, the Red String of Fate is tied between Rei and Zeke, and she knows it. How much manga characterization are you using, and how much anime characterization? Is this Rei the sort who doesn't like sharing what is hers, or is she the sort who would be willing to let someone else warm her man's bed? Magic 8-Ball says "Reply hazy; ask again."
- Deimos has already said flat-out that she's willing to share, and be the subordinate mate - but that was when the relationship looked to be a threesome. On the other hand, she did perform a divination, so she may already know better than the others what's going to happen; that depends on how her question was framed. I think she's the most likely of the group (including Zeke) to embrace a group marriage.
- Tessa made her feelings quite clear in this chapter. Intellectually, I can see her being willing to share. Emotionally ... she might insist on being senior wife, which she can't be. (Rei, as a direct descendant of Yosho, is the only one who could be accepted politically by Jurai as the senior wife.) There may be some acrimony in the household because of this - but not very much.
- Lum is a "pampered princess," accustomed to getting her own way - which Zeke won't let her have. Of the four (so far), Lum is the most likely to reject a group marriage ... unless she gets some character development (in the "emotional growth" sense, not the "telling a story" sense).
As for reactions to the Tenchi Solution, they will be aghast at first. But when Zeke lays it out, saying it's this or nothing, they'll start to consider their options.
- Rei will have one of the strongest reactions. It's going to be the spark that ignites what will be one of the biggest fights they'll ever have. However, that Red String of Fate will come into play and draw her back to Zeke, whether they want it or not, and Rei will find herself having to come to terms. It will be especially interesting seeing Seto trying to draw Rei into the hilarious world of 'family politics' of the Royal Families. Rei's reticence will be what causes Seto to bring in another Noblewoman as a perspective bride for Zeke.
- Regarding Deimos - I decided to cut the part where she reveals to Zeke about her divination. However, it still happened behind the scenes. What happens instead is that Rei tells Zeke to go take his bath right away, and then without him around, Phobos and Rei drag it out of Deimos. Rei swears them all to secrecy on the matter, but she already understands that the matter has been set in stone - no matter what she does, Deimos will have a child by Zeke and she must somehow find a way to make peace with that fact. As for Deimos's reaction... let's just say that she'll be biding her time. She is, after all, intended to be his closest bodyguard.
- Oh, poor Tessa doesn't have a chance at being Principal Wife - that honor will either go to Rei or another Juraian girl. But she's going to fight for it, much to Seto's amusement.
- Poor Lum is going to be completely blindsided. Neither her nor the rest of the Oni had any clue that Zeke is the Avatar of Raven, and it's a complete game changer as far as they're concerned. Zeke still can't refuse her unless she breaks it off... but given what he is, the rules of monogamy have gone flying out the window in flames - he is the vessel of a god amongst them, and certain allowances are to be made for that fact. Additionally, once the adoption of Zeke is formally announced, Lum will be expected by the Council of Warlords to marry him. As far as they're concerned, having a tie via marriage to the Royal Family of Jurai will be the political coup of the century! So Zeke will certainly be her 'Darling', but she'll have to spend some time coming to terms with having to share them.
- Regarding Shoko Asami - She will not be one of Zeke's harem. While attractive, the two definitely regard each other as being way outside the other's age bracket (she's almost twice her age). Of course, they'll probably joke about it. In reality, Shoko is gonna find herself assuming the role of 'Den Mother of the Harem', and that despite the fact that she's never been married, let alone in a relationship like this! And the best part is that it will all be something that just happens: Shoko is the only adult woman in close proximity, and because she's still single the girls assume she's gone out on dates with lots of interesting men (only half true - she's interviewed lots of interesting men, but never dated any of them). Soon enough, Shoko will see which way the wind is blowing and hurriedly find herself a Japanese edition of The Ethical Slut just so she can keep these girls from killing poor Zeke!