You know what's annoying? Not getting things you order online when they said you would. Friggin' Manga Studios for Mac. This is why we're still lacking a comic at the moment. Also, there is already a picture of Razor on ShiverMeTembers's art page, in the pimpin' out pictures. It's not the ID, but at least it's something.
YOUR DAUGHTER'S HAND IN MARRIAGE
"Dad! You know this guy?" Jatsuma asked angrily.
"Hey! I've never seen this kid before in my life!" Ranma yelled back. "He just rang the doorbell and asked if he could meet with me like two minutes ago!"
"This is your son?" Razor said in agitated surprise as he pointed at Jatsuma.
"Sadly." Ranma sighed. Jatsuma glared at them.
"WHAT is all the yelling about?" Akane yelled louder than any of them as she walked in carrying a teapot. "We have a guest!"
"Dad is being mean to me!" Jatsuma complained.
"That's mature." Daichi said as he took a seat at the table.
"No one wants your comments!" Jatsuma snapped at his brother. "Mom, what is he doing here?"
"Can't you at least try to behave?" Akane asked as she sat down next to Daichi and set the teapot on the table; no one dared pour a glass.
"Would you just sit down Jatsuma?" Ranma said crossly. "Razor just got here and I won't have you scaring off a potential student!"
"Uh…Mr. Saotome, I'm not really here to train." Razor said. Ranma looked disappointed. "I'm here on a very important task that the Amazon Council has set to me. Please, it is of the utmost importance! So take me seriously!" Razor continued with the same determined zeal.
"What the heck do you need from us?" Jatsuma interrupted.
Razor glared at him. "Was I talking to you? Don't you know anything about self-discipline?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Jatsuma asked with his eyes narrowed in distrust.
"It means you're acting very disrespectful." Razor said as he struggled to keep his anger from flaring up. He didn't want to start off looking bad.
"Hey! Are you trying to start something?" Jatsuma slammed his hand down on the table, shaking the tea.
"What is your problem?" Razor blurted out angrily.
"Jatsuma!" Akane shouted. Ranma grabbed Jatsuma's arm and pulled him down so he was sitting at the table with the rest of them. "What have I told you about picking fights with Amazons? It only leads to trouble!" He scolded.
"He started it!" Jatsuma huffed and folded his arms.
"Ranma…" Akane said threateningly.
Ranma gave her a confused look for a second before he caught on. "Oh yeah, and fighting with strangers in general is bad too."
"Mr. Saotome!" Razor caught their attention again. "Please! I have something very important to ask of you!"
"Then ask already!" Ranma said with a quick glare at Jatsuma to keep him silent.
Razor seemed slightly taken aback by this answer but quickly regained his composure, as if he had been practicing what he would do. He backed away from the table, kneeled down on both knees and bowed in respect. "I have traveled far from my home to meet with you Ranma Saotome. In deepest respect for you and your family, I would humbly request your daughter's hand in marriage." Razor stopped talking and slowly looked up at Ranma.
The four Saotomes stood with frozen expressions.
"I'm sorry, what?" Ranma asked. "I could have sworn I heard you asking to marry my daughter!"
"I…did." Razor answered.
Ranma's face fell. "Oh….you mean Makoto?"
"Makoto's not getting married!" Akane yelled suddenly.
"I told you this guy was trouble!" Jatsuma said smugly.
"Why the heck do you want to marry Makoto?" Daichi asked. "Did you meet her in China or something? Does the marriage thing work when a girl defeats a boy?"
"No, I haven't had the opportunity to meet her yet." Razor said, and seeing their expressions he continued quickly. "You see when Cologne arrived to China my family had just returned to the village after one of our training journeys. Cologne explained everything that had happened to Mascara to the Council. They did not make a final decision on that issue, but they did know that something had to be done about Shampoo."
"Shampoo? What's she got to do with this?" Akane asked.
Razor sighed. "It is a problem that has gone unresolved for nearly twenty years. Shampoo failed to marry Ranma Saotome. You may not be aware, Mr. Saotome, but that was the first time in recorded history that the ancient Amazon marriage tradition was broken. It was a great travesty for the tribe. But now we can fix everything!"
"How?" Ranma asked with narrowed eyes.
"The Council decided that I should marry Makoto. They saw her skills at our village and they think she would be a wonderful addition. I will marry Makoto, the daughter of Ranma, to make up for Shampoo's failings. Our shame will be lifted and Shampoo will be allowed to return, her banishment lifted." Razor concluded.
They were silent fore a moment. "Oh, is that all?" Ranma asked sarcastically.
"Look Razor, it's very nice of you to come and ask us first," Akane said with a grimace. "But I don't think-"
"I even brought a gift!" Razor interrupted hastily. He revealed a polished wooden jewelry box about the size of a loaf of bread. It had a pattern of interwoven trees and vines covering its surface and a golden latch holding it shut. He set the box on the table and opened the top to reveal a small horde of Amazon jewelry. Pearl necklaces, diamond encrusted bracelets, ruby studded earrings all sparkled brightly before them.
"My, my. Such extraordinary ornaments!" Soun suddenly appeared behind them. A moment later Genma was standing next to Soun. "Go for it Son! Think of what you could do with all that treasure!"
"What the? What are you two doing back all of a sudden? I thought you went out!" Ranma said in irritation. "How come you guys are only around when there's food or money involved!"
"Oh, that's a fine way to talk to your father!" Genma shouted. "The man who changed your diapers!"
"WOULD YOU GET OUT OF HERE!" Ranma kicked Genma away. Soun quickly took a seat next to Akane, not wanting to test his luck.
Ranma then fiercely directed his attention back to Razor. "Listen here Razor! When I had children I made a solemn vow, no arranged marriages! I've stuck to it this far and I don't intend to stop now! So you can take your money and go, because I won't be trading my daughter for a few trinkets!"
"You tell him Dad!" Jatsuma shouted in agreement.
"Oh Ranma." Akane looked at her husband proudly.
"No! No! You misunderstand me Mr. Saotome!" Razor assured him. "This is only a peace offering! No strings attached! I'm sorry; I didn't mean to make you think otherwise! I'm a little nervous."
Ranma blinked. "Oh…well then…I can have all this?" Ranma pointed towards the jewelry box.
"Of course."
"Hot damn! Now we can pay our insurance!" Ranma quickly grabbed the jewelry box and held it close, as if afraid Razor might change his mind and take it back.
"Ranma!" Akane snatched away the box and held it out towards Razor. "I'm sorry, but we can't accept this."
"Yes we can!" Ranma protested.
"Really Mrs. Saotome, it is only a gift to show I wish you no ill will." Razor pushed the box back to Akane, who held on to it with a somewhat reluctant look on her face.
"I think I like this kid!" Ranma exclaimed.
Jatsuma set his elbow on the table and looked away grumpily. "You would."
"Uh, hello?" Daichi spoke up. "I think you're all forgetting something. Iikiba."
"Ah, yes. Jealousy can be a powerful factor indeed." Soun said wisely. "If Razor and Makoto contracted an engagement, do you suppose Iikiba would finally come around?"
"They haven't even met!" Jatsuma yelled.
"The point is Makoto is never going to go for this." Daichi continued.
"Iikiba? You mean Mascara's fiancée?" Razor asked curiously.
"Uh, yeah. Didn't anyone tell you the reason she was in China in the first place was to find Iikiba?" Daichi asked in surprise.
"No!" Razor shouted, aghast.
"Well then…" Jatsuma smirked. "Sucks for you!"
Razor glared sharply at Jatsuma and stood up from the table. "It doesn't matter! The Council has entrusted me with this task and I will not fail them! I will just have to pursue Makoto even without your blessing Mr. Saotome!"
"You can try." Ranma said with a sigh. "Makoto is stuck to Iikiba like glue. But I much prefer you."
"Ranma! Stop encouraging him!" Akane yelled.
"Shouldn't Makoto be involved in this discussion?" Daichi asked in slight exasperation.
Right at that moment the door to the backyard slid open and Makoto stood in the doorway. Everyone turned to stare at her. "Shouldn't I be involved in what?"
Today is a good day, I think, to REVIEW!
