Pen and Paper
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KAKASHI! You're still 26. (...wait, um, how does that work? Oh right, anime world, anime world, I'll just keep repeating that to myself.)

Paper and Ink
"Of course I wanted to see you. I just didn't want to see you down here."
"Why ever not?"
"Because now, my precious, we're more or less kind of trapped. I can't climb out of [this steep ravine] and bring you with me without it taking all day. I can get out myself, most likely, without it taking all day, but with the addition of your lovely bulk, it's not about to happen."

Y'know, every time I read The Princess Bride (William Goldman, go now, BUY, READ, ENJOY, or be labeled as an uncultured fuddydud. :p), the like/detest ratio I have for the character Westley increases. And that isn't necessarily a compliment or an insult.

In this scene, Westley and Buttercup have just fled their pursuers, but, as a matter of unprecedented circumstance (or self defense), they find themselves at the bottom of a deep ravine. And Westley is being completely unsarcastic and very loving in his statements (the first and third spoken lines), although I must admit his words are tingled with loving humor (albeit a little strained at this point).

In the beginning, God created--
whoa, whoops, wrong dissertation. =^^=

A-HEM. In the beginning of the novel, Westley is (ok, spoiler spoiler SPOILER for you people who still demand to be in the dark about this story) a nearly silent farmboy and Buttercup (who I'll say right now, I really don't like her at any point of the book, really I don't, and I can't imagine why Westley does except for one other point I shall bring up soon) is a snotty...ah, female dog. Unprecedented circumstance injected into their daily life and suddenly, SUDDENLY, she falls madly in love with him.

"OK, thanks, see ya later."

Seriously. They discover their passionate love for each other, and he leaves not even five minutes after it's finally aired out. Yes, go ahead and argue how he went to America to make his fortune, but come ON, if I just discovered my life mate, I'm not going to blow them a quick kiss then run off to another continent, with or without the premise of working to make my love absolutely and completely ha--
Well FUDGE. Fine, I'll just move on to the next argument. (Hrhm, guys, ladies still don't like it when you leave them hanging, even if you ARE bringing them back the moon, so THERE.)

Intermittently, I just discovered a flaw in my second argument, in that I was going to argue that Westley was only in love with Buttecup's looks, but seeing as how they grew up together and he had watched her every move, tear, scream, laugh, and so on, he already knew her and still loved her. And in spite of what she's like, I guess he gets bonus points for that.

OK, I'm NOT wavering from my third argument, but I can allow for certain circumstance. When Westley SPOILER poses as the Dread Pirate Roberts SPOILER, he's awful rough on Buttercup. Yes, part of it was to keep up appearances, but there are times when it's just the two of them, and he still keeps up the charade, to the point of slapping and threatening her. Now, whether he was venting his anger out from her getting married to another or trying to learn if she still loved him, I know not. But if my second argument follows that he knew her backwards and forwards (thus allowing him the knowledge that he could safely leave her and come back to her, without her touched by another), then WHY be so awful to her? Why think her unfaithful? Had he "matured" in his naive-ness during his years at sea and felt it necessary to test her?

I just don't agree with it. But despite his human flaws, Westley is still likable and honest, and gosh darn it, if he isn't really every girl's dream.

'Cept mine. It's difficult to desire fiction when you got the real thing.

*suddenly feels the chilling presence of an English teacher* Holy STUFFERS, why didn't I have this kind of analytical prolificy back when I was actually in school?! Beh heh.

~~~~
"God loves each of us as if there was only one of us to love."
I really like that thought. It makes it easier to take on the world.

Luv ya all and have a great day!