Duo or Trowa? (Vote for future chapters of Around This Life)

[Kanya Barton]

I can't make a very good choice because it seems as if she likes both of them! So, overall, she could be happy with either one of them. It's too complicated to really be able to make the choice. I think that Trowa is hot and mysterious and overall just sexy to the bone, but Duo holds her heart...ACK! I can't really vote! I'll just vote as if Relena were me...TROWA BABY ALL THE WAY!!!! LoL
Peace out!

[Silent Moon Sphinx]

Hi hi! I'm sooo happy I've finally had a chance to read all of the fic so far **curses piles of schoolwork** It's so very "edge of your seat", wondering who Relena will end up with, but since you've given us this nifty opportunity to voice our opinions on which man she'll choose, I'd thought I'd give it a go.

Ok, so I voted for Trowa. I realized I'm particulary biased towards Trowa, but I've really tried hard not to let that influence me too much by concentrating on the way you've portrayed him. His character in this story is still a mystery to me. I can't wait to find out about his past and hope very much he is connected to Relena in some cool way we'll soon find out about. Also, I truly think chemistry is important in relationships. Relena's reactions towards Trowa are first class signs that there is definitely a connection between them, albeit a steamy one *wink, wink*. I just don't see this passion with Duo. Relena and Duo have a very sweet relationship, but it just doesn't seem capture my interest as much as the Trowa/Relena does. I see what Relena and Duo have as being a first love type of thing, and they seem to have grown very comfortable. The problem is, they still aren't done growing...and I think as Relena is maturing, she may find that Duo just isn't what she needs.

Trowa, on the other hand, is the perfect man she can grow with. He's wise and challenges her. He appreciates her uniqueness and respects her (even though he does like to tease her ). I just really love the way they interact with each other. It's soo Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth from Pride & Prejudice (which I am obessed with, btw--I loved how you included that in there, Litia-sama). Even though we still don't know that much about Trowa, already I see the potential of the perfect match. And I also feel that, in time, Trowa and Relena will certainly develop a relationship that is based less on the smoldering stares, and more on the kind of warm and complete feeling you get with being with someone you love, sort of like what Relena and Duo have now, but deeper and still containing good doses of suggestive glances. And I also think Trowa's gentleness is just what Relena needs to balance her own fiery spirit, not to mention soothe the stress her Mother inflicts upon her.

So in conclusion, I guess it comes down to what Relena's really after. She needs to stop letting people make decisions for her and find out what she truly wants and feels. And she needs to find out...soon. The way I see it, Duo allows her an escape from the horrid world of her Mother and propriety, but Trowa offers her true freedom. With Duo, she could run away, but would she ever really be free? Racked with guilt, haunted by her past, basically disowned by her mother?

If Relena does discover she loves Trowa, he allows her to endure her mother's wishes one last time with marriage, but then grants her the freedom to get away from her mother and even the confining society Relena dispises (as Trowa doesn't seem to be the most conventional gentleman himself). He also respects Relena's independent nature and would probably continue to encourage her to follow her heart and make her own decisions after their marriage. (Damn, he would make a great husband.) The only person that would be really hurt is Duo. But as a fellow author, I can attest to the fact that it is possibly the hardest thing in the world to make everyone happy...and have your story still be believable. Someone's feelings are going to be hurt. And I know you want to please your public, but I think in the end, Litia-sama, it's all up to you. And I'm sure we'll enjoy it no matter what, because you've done it up to this point, and that there is the magic of a great author.

Sorry for the long-winded answer. Keep up the wonderful writing.

~Sphinx

[bookworm]

OK. If I have to choose between the two, it would be Trowa. I'm a 2xH and 3xM person, but for this alt. fic, I want 3xR. Hilde is seen a lot in the anime while Midii is only in the manga. That is how I came into my decision.

[WhiteWindRRose]

ok. after a mental debacle, i've decided to choose Trowa. It's not just because he's the more compassionate and mysterious of the two, but also, I have an feeling that Trowa's selflessness will set Rel free. Just a wee feeling. And it just tears my heart.
In any fic where you pit Heero against Trowa [over Rel] you expect such maturity and understanding from the later. Barton's just ABSOLUTELY LOVEABLE like that. It's easier for me to relate to him also, and I feel pity for anybody who has to give love up for love's sake.
But I sense more passion (the non-breathing, tingling, pleasantly surprising moments) from the 3xR relationship in the fic. I dunno. It's just feels like more of a thrill, while 2xR seems like... old news, you could say. Did you do that on purpose??
Lita-sama, if you REALLY want to torture us, as I know you do , make us love Duo a bit more.
I'm all up for being torn!!!!!! anybody else?
Otherwise, I really don't mind who she ends up with cuz I see her happy both ways. Time will heal any and all wounds.
It's a wonderful fic anyway. You've done a marvelous job, and I'd love it whichever way it flows.

[Litia-sama]

Ok, first, let me say that I LOVE Jane Austin, and I LOVE Pride and Prejudice, and I LOVE Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth.(My spelling may not be too great right now, but I am sick and I had to SNEAK to the computer to post this. Yes, that's right. SNEAK) Perhaps all of you noticed a little scene in chapter 4 with Trowa holding the Pride and Prejudice movie? When the time came, I just couldn't resist throwing that in. The Jane Austin fan in me will never die, no matter how hard I try to get her to take a nap somewhere...darn muse...

So! People like my poll eh? I was under the impression you were all on the hunt for me because of it. Or, maybe it's just Silent Moon Sphinx that doesn't want me dead. Yet. Since that reply was so long, I'm going to address the things on it without the blasted quote feature. It takes up so much space.

First: Quite a lot of Trowa votes, I see. *sniggers* Are my darling fic readers SWOONING, and DROOLING? All of you seem to be hitting things right on the mark with what you THINK is going to happen, which means I'm either writing this really well or really...not well. I hope it's well! Because I'm working harder on this fic than I am on certain others. *cough*VMLT*cough*

Relena and Trowa having a secret connection?

Why, what would ever make you think that? :razz:

Second: Duo is Relena's escape from her mother? You hit that right on the noggin! (It's a word, dang it.) Yes, Relena's mom is controlling, manipulating, and, in a word, evil. But Rel can handle it, without Duo, can't she?

We'll see.

You guys are so right on with your replies. I just...wow. You guys...wow. That's all I can say. There are some SERIOUSLY SCARY POWERS OF PERCEPTION at work here, and you're all just sooooooo anxious to see what happens. But you know what? There are a lot of things I want to put in chapter 8, and I don't think they're all going to fit. :-? I may just have to post two chapters next time. AGAIN.

Ashing frashin razza frazza.

Third, and last, I have to address this comment: "i've decided to choose Trowa. It's not just because he's the more compassionate and mysterious of the two, but also, I have an feeling that Trowa's selflessness will set Rel free."

Dear sweet Heaven, HOW DO YOU DO THAT? STOP KNOWING WHAT'S GOING ON BEFORE I WRITE IT!

*huffs*



Now is the time when I get all mushy. (Run if you don't want to be thanked) You have all been such a BIG help for me while writing this fic. You're all excited, supportive, and just as torn as I am! ^_^ There aren't enough words to sum up how much I want to thank you all, so I'll just say, "Thank you," and hope you'll understand.

Thank you.

All right, I'll stop now.

I really appreciate the feedback on this poll. Remember the next chapter (er, two chapters) will be pretty much all 3xR, so vote away, my evil minions.

*cackles*

*hacks and wheezes*

~Litia

[krzkid]

duo and relena...he's too good to her...trowa....hmm...no misgiving i love him to...but he belongs to someone else...hmm...either une or midii...yes? no? maybe so???

[ice princess]

Right, so I voted for Trowa, but sincerely, I love them both in this amazing fic, each for dichotomous reasons. Their personalities are so strikingly different, and it brings to mind an article I read this morning, in fact, that debunked common love myths, the first one being that you can't be in love with more than one person at a time. According to this author and her various resources, you can, in fact, be in love with multiple people, of course society prevents you, in most cases, from acting on those feelings simultaneously.

I truly believe that, based in the situation you've placed her in, Relena is in love with both men, for different reasons. Thus, her decision will be based on what reasons she believes are more important or viable to her future and/or her happiness. And if either screws up and/or becomes psycho along the way.

That said....aw, hell, I still really have no idea who'd I like to see Relena with. She has known Duo longer, at least, we suspect so, but we know based on hints that Relena has met Trowa before their 'arrangement'. She just doesn't remember him. But what does *that* tell you? Her feelings for him now...are they genuine or inspired by the situation with her mother? Or for that matter are her feelings for DUO inexorably linked to her family tension? Why does she love each man, and what does she want from each? Should she really be with either?

Even though I am wholeheartedly a Trowa x Relena supporter (they are my favorite alt. GW couple; some days I like them better than trusty old 1xR), I'd almost vote for her to escape her old life altogether and serendipitously end up in an obscure town where a Mr. Heero Yuy just so happens to live/work/run amok. Just toss out the current situation and hand her over to someone 'new', and just as hot.

Of course, he might have a tendency to remind her of Trowa, being so reticent. Damn, that leaves me where I started....*sigh*.

~*the oh-so-confused, and willing-to-console-the-loser* ice princess

[ice princess]

Screw it, when I read your *hint* of 'Pride and Prejudice' I am now thoroughly behind Trowa.

Word.

~*the happily and securely decided* ice princess