I really liked this: especially when dealing with alternate pairings, it's hard to find a good story where the canon or quasicanon pairing is handled by "No matter how much X cares about Y, X just doesn't Like Y Like That" -- and harder still to find one where X is quite justifiably upset and hurt by having to be in the position of turning Y down.

But what elevates this above and beyond even that is its acknowledgment of and dealing with the fact that people don't live in a vacuum: when a romance or failed romance happens among a group of friends, naturally it will affect the whole group, and I loved the way this story depicted that and the way that it showed the position of the party in a disagreement who finds the natural sympathies of most of their mutual friends going to the disagreer. (There ought to have been a less tangled way to say that last, but I can't seem to think of it.)

In short, I thought this was an excellent story about friendship and one-sided attraction, and am glad that the Seto/Anzu UST hints stayed in the background -- I haven't made up my mind whether I like that pairing or not, but in either case, since it isn't the focus of this story, I'm glad it didn't get in the way. (Also, I like the way that you're building the Seto-Anzu friendship; the former is one of the characters I tend to feel should really spend more time learning how to maintain a friendship BEFORE trying to go out with anyone.)

So I've just finished reading all your fics involving these two and there is something I need to say: DARN YOU! I'D SWORN OFF YU-GI-OH! AND THEN THIS HAPPENS! 0:

*ahem*
First found your page when I read "Tempest in a Tea Cup" and was surprised when I saw you had Yu-Gi-Oh! fics. I haven't seen that show since the first season aired... then I saw who the characters were that you chose to focus on and was just compelled to read your stuff. DEFINITELY worth it. Gosh, I absolutely love your style of writing and how you've handled their developing "relationship" makes me feel perfectly content. I'm tempted to look up this series again if only to briefly reacquaint myself with the characters (specifically 2 ;) )
All in all, nice work!

Pretty pretty pretty!~I love it!

This is really rather sweet.

I know I have read this before, but I was truly shocked not to see a review from me on here. I'm a big fan of the As Is "series" of stories, and I wanted to let you know that aside from myself and the other 11 reviewers, Scribbler (well-known general YGO ficcer and recommender extraordinaire) has recced this on her LJ. That's how I found it again.

And like she said in her recview, part of the reason why this particular "As Is" episode is so delightful is because it's so possible, so in-character. It *FITS* without being overbearing on any particular genre, so I think anyone can really read this and be satisfied. I'd hope, anyway.

That said, I laughed when I read the author's note at the end. I don't know if that was intentional or not, but I have had several people ask me if I am the reason why the 'ship is called Azureshipping, or if my name somehow comes from that. When I tell them Azurite's a real gemstone and it's been my alias for well over 10 years (before YGO even came out), many of them are quite surprised. Either way, it made me smile even more, so thank you.

ok, i NEVER read YuGiOh stories. sure i watch the show every once in a while but i read more avatar than anything else. and while reading one of your avatar stories, TITT (amazing by the way) i found these and was bored so i read them. while i don't know who EVERYone is, i still think that these 'As is' stories are really good! they all flow and don't really come right out and say the pairings but you know they're there and you can let your mind wonder. so yeah, they're really good, thanks for opening my eyes to YuGiOh fics!

Oh! I love your "As Is" stories so much!

I love the way you portrayed Mai! She's so wise and intuitive.

This story made me all warm and happy.

I love your stories! Anzu/Seto is my favourite couple. I would love to see them actually get together.

i love your stories!
i would like to see more action btw Anzu and Seto though!

Amazing, as usual. I love these "As Is" fics you have. They're simply amazing. I love them to death.

Can I worship you now? Seriously though, you almost make SetoAnzu canon.
This was good, as usual. Love the drama...and the use of the original Little Mermaid. I remember reading that when I was little...and feeling really depressed by the ending.
NEway, Keep it up. ^_^

hi i loved this story. you have written it very well! I have a few stories of my own, if you would like to read and reveiw them!

Hey, another great story I’ve read… we’re all really on form today guys.
I like this one best of everything I’ve looked at today. I love your take on Anzu and Seto and you got them very OC. And Anzu likes the same story as me! The story the Little Mermaid (Hans Christian Anderson did it well, then Disney came along and slaughtered it of course but hey, never mind… Anyway well done, best story I read all day.

Good story!

This story was great. Your writing has such a flow to it. I liked how you softened Kaiba without taking away his edge. I also like how she went to him because she knew she would have him to herself. That was a great line. I also like the fish comment. Your visuals were great and the it was totally believeable. Well done...