Question and Answer: chiisailammy

chiisaiilammy describes herself as a Megs/Aoshi fangirl. She writes, she draws, and she probably sings on top of it too. What isn't there to like about this authoress? Her latest story on ff.net is Happy Endings, a followup to "Water on a Glass House." She also happened to be the person who devised all these questions and which the site maintainer found interesting :-)

1. First off, let's get this monkey out of the way, why Aoshi and Megumi? In other words, what makes them work, in your eyes?

Well, I'm in the school of good looks. He's pretty, she's pretty, so why the heck not? Actually, I never imagined either of them to be with anyone, much less each other. Aoshi, especially. (I had always imagined Megumi marrying some well-known and world renouned medical researcher or something) But after reading Cherie Dee's and Eriesalia's stories, I came to the conclusion that this can work--in fact they make it seem as if this pairing was the most natural thing on the face of this earth. Even Watsuki said that they are intellectually compatible. Their characters seem to be very complementary of each other. Besides, I'm rather drawn to wit and intellect and there is some massive brain wattage emiting from those two.

2. Are there pairings or stories out there that reminds you of the relationship between Aoshi and Meg?

Er. I asked this question and i have no idea how to answer (but I stole the idea from S-girl, I think, cause I thought it was interesting). I think they are archetypes that can be seen a lot of stories. She's the seasoned, foxy siren, a gorgeous temptress with a heart of gold but questionable methods. (it's found in GTO) And he's the ultra-cool, brooding, emotionally unavailable bishounen, (weis kruez, gravitation). But rarely do these two these two ever fall in love in manga or anime. I blame the genre for this. Given the market, the stories are geared towards teens who in turn identify themselve with the younger characters (ie Misao, Sano). Both of them remind us of school-age fantasies about pretty, flirty, competely unattainable school nurses-figures and brooding, cool, slightly and completely unattainable older guy. However, I always thought that these two should get together because isn't it always true that Mr and Ms Perfect are always attached to each other?

3. Do you think that Aoshi likes pineapples? Er rather, what do you think Aoshi's favorite food is? Heck, if you feel like it, attach a favorite meal/snack for any and all RK characters! Use your imagination. (no points for people who already have favorite foods--ie Beef Hot Pot or Soba) :D

I don't think Aoshi would like pineapples too much because he seems to have very simplified, traditional and refined tastes. (he would like something like Asian pears or Fuji apples) However, Megumi might like pineapples. I think she's a bit more adventurous, so she would like tropical fruits. She probably likes to nibble on a variety of treats, so I imagine that her bento box would be full of yummy pickled vegetables and ume (plums)..

Aoshi's tastes, as I have mentioned would be simpler, more minimalist.
While he would appreciate delicacies, his tastes would be more practical. He doesn't strike me as the type to be indulgent at all. Though I'm sure he's eaten very well as Okashira, he probably allows his men to enjoy the food while he takes only what's necessary to fill him up. He probably likes udon noodles in a well made clear seaweed broth. Keep it simple, but tasty.

4. What is the most interesting or complex thing about Aoshi and Megumi's characteristics?

I've always been very intrigued by Aoshi's history but because of his characterization, his stoicism and his penchant for using very few words, I thought that it would be difficult to write him. Now, I think it comes very easily. I like exploring the many levels of brooding, the layers upon layers of angst. He's like a Rothko painting. At first you think monochromatic is boring but after a while you can see the slight variations between the shades of his colors--the difference in his moods--and that's very exciting.

I like Megs because she's not just the fox-lady archetype. She's got a history of survival that makes her interesting and flawed, and beautiful and human. I've become so protective of her now, and refuse to allow her to be turned into another tragic female character who is used and abused by the men around her. (I think we have enough of those in the history of literature) I want her to be defiant and an unwilling victim--a real person and not an idea of the damsel in distress and that type of reconfiguration or reinterpretation of a character is always fun.