<3 <3 This is absolutely amazing. Coincidentally, notraffic and I were recently discussing how in the hell Celes could sing an opera out of nowhere, and this just nailed a perfectly-fitting solution. I love your characterization of Setzer; how he views Maria, and subsequently, Celes. And I especially loved your Celes; cold, focused, but deep down inside still yearning so hard to be human-- and within that, a woman. To me, the concepts you presented here highlight so much of her strength as a character. I've also been known to ship Celes/Setzer

(p.s.-- friending you. Hope you don't mind!)