Blissful Ignorance

Kaname Fan Whipper wrote:OMG OMG OMG!!! Finally the last chapter. Im so excited.. I think I should read it again! Yay!

^__^ Thanks so much for your excitement!

Kaname Fan Whipper wrote: I was wondering when you were gonna finish it up, but I'm actualyl glad you took your time (I think)

Yeah, I was kinda wondering when I'd finish it up, too. Stella sent it back to me probably a month ago, but I always have to obsess over it one more time because, to me, things were still missing. I'm glad I waited, too, because that last part with Kalinin's thoughts...They were kinda hazy to me. I thought up this part of the chapter before finishing ch 2, actually, which is why it ended up 4 ch's instead of 3, but the wording of the thoughts didn't come across right. It wasn't until last night that I got it to all fit together. *shrugs* Who knows...

Kaname Fan Whipper wrote:unlike me whos a big rusher to get things done.

Well, don't tell anyone, and we won't know.

Thanks for reading, Re-lee!

Shinobi wrote:Huzzah! It's here! The cheesecake worked!

I thought I told you not to give away all my secrets! I can see it now, I'll weigh like 300 pounds because people will be offering me cheesecake to finish Missing, and cheesecake to finish Enemy, and... O.o

Shinobi wrote:I especially liked Kalinin's motivations. As a former member of the military I have to agree the qualities that make a good soldier don't make you a good person. That was very cool how Kalinin 'nudged' Sousuke into learning how not be a soldier.

Thank you! I'm very glad to get that sort of feedback from you, since I did know you have that military experience. I don't, but I try the best I can to "be authentic" with my fics. It has never been as closely examined in GW fanfic land, and I imagine that's for a number of reasons, but in FMP! land, these gun bunnies... It's good, though, because it makes me work harder as a writer. But I still get a little worried that I'll screw something up and my honest attempt to get into Kalinin's head, in this case, will end up seeming trite and insincere because I miss the part of him that's a soldier. Does that make sense?

Shinobi: Ummmmm, no. Now, tell me more about Kaname's bikini...
Rose:

*hugs* Yay! It's done! I can finally catch up on my fic reading.

O.O

CHAPTER 16???? Yeah, and we say that Rose gets wordy.

Love,
Rose

elyra-chan wrote:Yay!! More absolutely amazing writing from the one and only blackrose!!! I just can't get enough of our writing style.

^__^;; Thanks! That's really much too kind, but I'll use the praise to inflate my ego. *inflates*

Stella: *pops Rose*
Rose: Thanks. But for those 2 seconds, I felt really good. ^___^

elyra-chan wrote: This is the most realistic 'first-time' story that I've ever read.

^___^ I tried really hard to imagine what it would be like for the two of them. Of course, on the rare occasions he has some free time, I think it'll be a lot easier to get the two of them into bed, but that first time...

elyra-chan wrote:The characters are just the way they should be and the storyline is great, not to mention the wonderful clarity and flow. This story is easily one of the best Full Metal Panic! fics I've ever read. I am begging you to write more like this! Please!?

How can I resist the pleading and bouncing? But thank you. I do appreciate the feedback, and I'll be happy that it's one of the best, although...it's a fairly new anime, so there's a lot less competition.

Shinobi: Mine's better.
Rose: Yeah yeah. We'll see about that.
HELLFIRE: Mine rocks!
Rose: geeeeeez. Okay, okay, she just said ONE of the best. There's room for yours, too.

I do have one other FMP! fanfiction in the "works" called Falter. It's...troublesome. I do have more written for it, and have recently gotten somewhat of a plan for the romance/romantic comedy part (which was a good portion of the hold up), so, I hope to make some progress on it, soon. Thanks so much for reading!

necowaffer wrote:I thought maybe you forgot about this wonderful story. I'm actually sad to see it end. This chapter was a perfect closing.

I never forget about them, trust me. O.O And yeah, it is kinda sad to have one end, but happy at the same time (because I can feel so accomplished...). Huzzah! It's complete! But thank you for the feedback on the ending. Endings are always difficult for me, and so I will 9 times out of 10 slave harder over the ending than just about any other part. Because I never want people to be disappointed in how something ends. That just sucks. So, I'm really glad you liked it, and thought it was fitting. Thanks so much!

KameleonZero wrote:Yare yare. I'm glad you finally released this final chapter. Now, if you don't mind..... please start on another one as soon as possible. We need more good FMP fics like this.

Another one??? Can Falter count? Pretty please? I *am* working on it. Promise...

Shinobi wrote:Kidding aside. It is a good story. Nice flow and Kaname likes to be on top. Who knew?

Oh, come on. You guessed that. You know you did....



Love,
Rose

pilot03 wrote: Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! I'm so happy you finally finished this, but sad now that it is over.

*nods nods* Yeah, that seems to be the consensus. I'm really happy, truthfully, especially because I have another FMP! fanfic series that's been wanting attention from me. I can look forward to that and not be sad that I'm "closing the book on" Dinner and Dessert.

pilot03 wrote:Nobody can be statisfied I suppose.

Yeah, you're probably right. It's okay. I'd rather people be somewhat sad it's over than have left half-way through. So, there ya go.

pilot03 wrote:Either way, excellent story as always. I can only dream to write as well as you do. Until then, great work!!

Eh, well, thank you! I think anyone can write as well as me with some effort. I still feel like I can be better, like I need to get better, but when I first started writing... Well, I like to think I've made some progress in the last three years. ^___^ So, thank you very much!

Stella: *pops Rose*
Rose: *frumps* Do you have to keep doing that?
Stella: Yeah. I do.
Rose:

ethereale wrote:I think the only phrase that comes to mind right now is, "Holy freaking crap that was good."

LOL! Thank you! I do appreciate you sticking with me, and I'm glad the ending didn't disappoint. I know I said this already, but I worry about endings more than just about anything else.

ethereale wrote:I was afraid that the ending would be a sad one, and I hate sad endings

I hate sad endings, too. I've been told that's part of the reason that my fics end up so long and I have to work so hard. But I'd rather do the work and have a positive ending, than leave people mired in angst. Geh. Angst.

ethereale wrote: Nice to see that the fic is finally finished too. It took a while, but it's worth the wait for this kind of ending.

Yes, yes, I'm slow, I know this. But all in all, 4-5 months, well, 4-5 months for you all, 6-7 for me, isn't so long. It's about typical for my 4 chapter fics, unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be. It just takes me that long to write it the way I want to.

But thank you for reading, and for the feedback. I really do appreciate it, and I'm so glad you all seemed to enjoy it.

*hugs*

Love,
Rose

hmmm, bikini... Er what? Oh yeah right!

Glad to be of help Rose and it serves you right on the cheesecake. I never got any!

You never call. You never write. I introduce you girls to some VAs and I'm tossed away like a dirty rag.

*sobs*

Why have you forsaken me?

Er...anyway moving on.
I'd never dream of claiming my story is (much) better than yours.
My greatness can be shared by all.

Our! I meant Our greatness! Honest.


and stuff.

later

*melts*

Rose, you've outdone yourself! This is such a wonderful fic. Sousuke is so much like Heero, but with that awkward side. *snickers*

I'm glad he finally got it! Slow learner, but Kaname will be happy now. Thanks for finishing this.

I hope Shameless is going alright? I understand your frustrations VERY well, and can't wait to read it!

Beautiful as usual!

Really good, Rose. I guess my poetry bribery paid off. I don't know what else to say. I know--you did a really good job portraying how Sousuke is confused. I mean, he was a soldier through and through, knowing only how to suppress his emotions, and living only for his work. Now he has to learn how to deal with his affection for Kaname, and the confusion such a large conceptional change brings with it.

I think many underestimate how confusing he finds his growing closeness with Kaname in the first season of the anime. First, he made Kaname his priority, not the hostages, as were his orders. He was even berating himself for doing it, calling himself an amateur. That's the beginning of Kaname making him act illogically.

Then, when he has to negotiate for Tessa and Kaname, he is torn between protocol and the fact that Kaname could defend herself better than Tessa could. That's a sign he respects Kaname. That scene also showed that he trusts her not to overreact in dangerous situations. I think he can't really feel close to someone in a romantic sense without that kind of respect and trust.

Finally, notice how he tries to keep things "safe" for him for telling her how much she means to him by the location? First on the de Danaan, and then his secret fishing hole. In contrast, the scene at the end of the "Fire in the Homeland" arc, the safehouse doesn't feel as safe to him, hence only leaning against Kaname, but not much past that. His words that he would not go away were more for her, and a result of battle weariness, not affection. Both the sub and fishing spot are places he feels completely safe in. It's almost as if he needs the extra familiarity from the location to deal with his fear and uncertainty at the internal changes going on in his mind.

I also enjoyed Melissa's maternal role in comforting and explaining things to Sousuke. I think she tries to fill the maternal, comforting role with him, while Kalinin tries to fill the paternal wanting Sousuke to not make the mistakes he (Kalinin) made role. Actually, paternal isn't quite the right word for his relationship with Sousuke or Tessa. Maybe mentor is a better choice.

An interesting continuation to this story would be to explore how Sousuke and Kaname overcome his fears of allowing her into his heart, and the pain that his doing so may cause to her. I doubt one conversation will put his mind at rest. It would also give a peek into Kaname's mind, and her fears while he's on a mission. It's not like she can confide them in her family, her friends at school, and if Sousuke is on a mission, Melissa or, heaven forbid, Kurtz. I may be in the minority, but I think Kaname quickly developed a respect for Kurtz during the kidnapping.

*has an idea* Rose, could I write the fic, with Dinner and Dessert as prior reading? I enjoy exploring such things, and I'd be more than happy to run what I've written past you before posting it anywhere. An odd sort of beta reading relationship. If it was me, the story would be my baby, and I'd sure as the sun is covered by clouds in Rochester, want to make sure that person was taking good care of my baby. You'd obviously be listed in the disclaimer, with a link to the story on ff.net, and another link for the full version of chapter 3. Actually, you'd also get the dedication, for the inspiration.

*grumbles* So many ideas, so little time.

Sorry for the long drawn out analysis of what's going on in Sousuke's head, but I really think you captured the next step in the progression perfectly.

Samantha

THAT WAS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love the story. And you kept within the personalities of the characters. Though I want more definite details, the ending by itself is within the anime perimeters (meaning definitely an ending that would be characteristic of the anime).
Again, GREAT JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I lost the printout of this chapter and decided to read it here instead of printing out another copy. So I figure I might as well review it.

blackrose wrote:Sousuke smiled. She seemed to like being on top.
And truth be told, he didn't think he really minded, either.

*eyes light up* I don't mind either! I don't mind either!!!!!

Rose: Geez, what's wrong with you today? Oh wait, I forgot. You're ALWAYS like this...
Cheryl:

Melissa leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. "We're friends, remember? I can tell when something's bothering you. What's wrong? Is it Kaname? Did things not go well last night?"

I can really see Melissa caring for Sousuke like an elder sister would care for a younger brother.

"Is that I am Sousuke Sagara."

Yah! It finally got through his thick skull that he is a human being who is allowed to love too!!!

[/i]A brief flash of that cockroach, Gauron's face appeared in his mind.

*snickers*

"I?I miss you, too, Kaname."

*sparkles sparkles sparkles* Aww... this is so sweet! *melts* Exactly what I would expect from Sousuke.

*hugs Rose* You're the bestest for writing such a wonderful fic! Think we'll be getting anymore Sousuke x Kaname ficcies in the future?

This is another very good fic, Rose
I liked the last chapter a lot!!
Beautiful end!
and of course, as you can imagine, I've really enjoyed ALL the chapter!

ok, now, when you'll start the next one?

::sniffle:: they'll be together. ::sniffle:: yay. awww. ::squeals:: they'll be together!!! yay!!!!!