"Acceptance" by Darren Demaine

Solid writing here.
I'm inclined to pause at how rain is used as an ongoing metaphor for
gloom and impending death, especially in the line "The sky continued to
cry down upon the land." If it can be read as parody, it's pretty cool;
but if it's serious, then it's a little too forceful. If each section
didn't end with a reference to the rain, and if the rain were frequent
rather than constant, this metaphor would not hit with such
sledge-hammer force, and then it would be a very fine element of the
story.
If the author isn't a regular viewer of _ER_, well, how surprising.
Aside from there being less medical jargon, he has written the death
scene just like it happens on _ER_. This isn't exactly a weakness, since
_ER_ is such a good show, but the author might wish to differentiate the
scene a little more so readers don't get the impression he tries to
defuse in his disclaimer, that he has directly copied it.
This is certainly nothing like "Ranma 1-100-1." Mr. Demaine indeed shows
his versatility, as intended.

"The Gift" by B. Kiyoshi Holmes

Kiyoshi doesn't want too much C&C, so there won't be much. I don't think
the scene on the roof, with the men fighting the women, works, because
it is OOC for these men to fight against women for real. Kuno wouldn't
attack his sister; Ryoga wouldn't fight Ukyo; Mousse always attacks
Ranma, not Shampoo. There are some definite laughs in the piece;
however, the plot is sufficiently similar to other fanfic plots that I
would suggest he go on to another story, developing his abilities with a
different set of situations, rather than revise this story.

"Lesson in Love Ch. XV:  Obsessions" by Marisa Price

Very well-detailed, carefully planned, meticulous. This is not how I
interpret these characters, yet the author's power was such that I got
drawn into the story anyway, and could have read a lot more of it at a
sitting than was available. My quibbles:  Kuno started off interesting,
but got more wicked and piggish in the garden scene than I felt
comfortable with. Has this story accounted for Kodachi in an earlier
chapter? If not, she should be some sort of force at the dance. It's OK
with me if Ryoga and Ukyo get together, but reading this piece all by
itself, I didn't sense how the bond formed between them, or what
sustained it. Another scene or two on this subject would be welcome.
Notwithstanding these quibbles, good work indeed.


DRM

-- 

My signature file, attending all mails:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this (and all is mended,)
That you have but slumber'd here,
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend;
If you will pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck,
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends ere long:
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.
                --Shakespeare, Midsummer Night's Dream