yahtzee

First up: It's after Christmas, but I can reveal that I wrote "Xmas In Connecticut" for Kaydeefalls in the Secret Mutant holiday exchange. She asked for a fusion -- any fusion -- so I put the characters in the 1940s movie "Christmas in Connecticut." The synopsis:

In December 1944, the entire nation loves Rebecca Lawrence - "America's Most Beloved Homemaker." Her columns about leading the ideal life in the country help lift people's spirits on the home front during World War II. But when her publisher asks her to host a war hero for Christmas dinner, the world is in danger of learning the truth ... which is that "Rebecca Lawrence" is imaginary. Really, she's a combination of Raven's snappy writing and Charles' knowhow in the kitchen.

However, this war hero, Erik Lehnsherr, is headed to Connecticut, so Raven and Charles have no choice but to find a way to make the imaginary real - at least, just for Christmas. Charles thinks they can pull it off, at least until he opens the door to see Erik and falls in love at first sight.

I participated in Yuletide again this year - so far, I've been aboard in every year, though I had to default that time I slipped on the ice and banged my hand up beyond the ability to type. My story is flying under the radar, though at least one of you has found it, which made me happy. :) But more importantly, you all need to read my gift story, which is AWESOME. "Duplicity" is an "Orphan Black" story, Paul/Beth & Paul/Sarah, looking at the many lies and truths hidden within each relationship. And while it focuses in tightly on those three, there are great insights into the other characters, especially Felix and Art. It's made me tremendously happy and is well worth checking out, if you love OB as much as I do.

In the WIP category I have "Pantheon", a Roman Empire XFMC AU that, in its own weird way, is closer to canon than most of the XMFC stuff I've written in the past year and change. The synopsis:

In the year 96 AD, all Rome is aware that their gods have begun to Mark certain people with their gifts -- the healing power of Apollo, the metal control of Vulcan, the deathly touch of Pluto, or the mental powers of Minerva. When those gifts fall to slaves or barbarians instead of the Romans themselves, strict control is necessary.

Then a gladiator from Judea meets an enslaved scribe from Britannia, and the repercussions will shake the Empire itself.

I've posted 9 of the 12 chapters; the rest is plotted out, but ultimately I had to take a break over the holidays, as work/travel/holiday/fic exchange obligations were absorbing so much time. However, I plan to resume publishing in mid- to late January, and should wrap up very shortly thereafter.

My holidays have been lovely so far. Right now I am doing a house swap in the Bay Area, which has been a fascinating experience. I had NO IDEA I could clean my house like that. I mean, I cleaned out every drawer and wiped down the insides. THAT kind of clean. Happily, she was just as meticulous with her own apartment, which is adorable and perfectly situated. Have been catching up with old friends, seeing the sights, and eating chow mein. What's not to love?

Hope all is well with all of you.

ETA: Just saw "American Hustle," which is terrific. Jennifer Lawrence's performance merits all the hype and then some, but everyone is excellent across the board. Check this out if you possibly can.

Not one but two new fics for your perusal, should they interest:

"Death Before Dusk", an Elementary fic, Sherlock/Joan, and yet not as romantic as you might be thinking. 15K words. The synopsis --

The bad news: In 111 days, an asteroid will strike the Earth in a cataclysm that promises to destroy human civilization as we know it.

The good news: There's been a murder.

Also, I recently posted "Born To Rule", which is not so much a sequel to my XMFC AU story "Anarchy in the UK" as it is a brief, 5K coda, shamelessly written/posted to coincide with the birth of Wills & Kate's kid. The AITUK universe should get to have royal babies too, right?

Movies I have seen and liked: "The Great Gatsby" (so sue me, I thought the acting was amazing and made up for some extra Luhrmann); "The Heat" (freakin' hilarious); "Pacific Rim" (my friend Steph and I are considering costuming as jaeger pilots for Halloween) and "The Bling Ring" (sort of style over substance, but I think that's the point?) Still hoping to check out "The Wolverine" and "World War Z."

Have just posted "Persephone," a fic that takes place just after the ending of the movie "Prometheus."

Summary: Elizabeth repairs David - but slowly he begins to realize he is malfunctioning in a way she can't fix.

And he doesn't want her to.

Also, needing some light and happy fun one fine day, I wrote an epilogue to "Appropriate Boundaries," a.k.a. "the one where Erik is Charles' massage therapist." You thought it couldn't get any fluffier? WELL, THINK AGAIN.

The luminous podcath has recorded a lovely podfic of my XMFC story "Sacrament," i.e. "the one where Charles is a priest." She's done a wonderful job, as always, so this is well worth checking out --

Appropriate Boundaries: The Podfic.

Headed to Scotland, the better to go hiking with the intrepid rheanna27. Will attempt to update fic from small islands off the northern coast. I'm sure that will go well.

First of all, I'm currently posting not one but two XMFC fics:

1) "Appropriate Boundaries", in which Charles has been having serious problems with back cramps in the year and a half since he's been in a wheelchair. His doctor prescribes massage therapy. But when Charles meets his masseur, Erik, in some ways they begin to heal each other. So how do you cross the boundaries between professional touch -- and the personal?

2) "One Last Kiss At The End Of The World," in which Raven gets mixed up in a mutant cult, and Charles infiltrates the group, pretending to be a true believer in the hopes of getting her out. What surprises him is the charisma and uncanny wisdom of the cult's leader, Elisha Ammon -- the emotional power of this isolated group of mutants working to create a home together -- and his powerful connection to Ammon's right-hand man, Erik Lehnsherr. But Ammon's fear of humanity, and of the future, makes him desperate for control ... and when the bond between Charles and Erik can't be contained, Ammon's reaction proves deadly.

(Elisha Ammon is being played by Imaginary Benedict Cumberbatch, who had a window in his schedule.)

These are both being posted as I write; I'll update again when they're done.

Also! I very negligently neglected to inform the world that an absolutely marvelous podfic of my XMFC story "Undone" has been made by the equally marvelous podcath. I am guilty of both neglecting the wonderful podficcer and not sharing her awesomeness with the world, though I think most of you know she's great already. If you haven't heard it already, take a listen!

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Book rec! Those of you who read my journal back in the day will remember my Former Coworker Who Looks Like Michael Vartan But Who Unfortunately For Me, But Not For Him Or His Husband, Is Gay. Well, now I can add, And Is Also An Author. If you would like to read a literary novel about the gay scene in Manhattan and the complicated romances and friendships interwoven within, then may I point you to his novel? Read and enjoy!

I do not normally wander off into radical AU series, but there's a first time for everything, I guess. The third installment of the "Father Charles" series is up now, complete: "Faith."

"Grace", the sequel to "Sacrament" -- in which Charles used to be a priest and is now working on building a life together with Erik. But while Charles is looking toward the future, Erik remains haunted by the past.

5 characters or couples you wish could have gotten a happy/happier ending.

1) Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, most X-Men canons -- given the fluidity of comic book canon/alternate timelines/etc., it seems just possible those crazy kids might work it out eventually, at least in some dimension or another, but by then they will have done their time tearing each other apart while simultaneously yearning to be on the same page. Also the same bed.

2) Jack Bristow and Irina Derevko, "Alias" -- who make Charles and Erik's story look SUPER HAPPY by comparison. So much angst, so much hotness, so many contract negotiations with Lena Olin getting in the way. Still the alpha couple for my personal bulletproof kink, "Hot Angry Old People."

3) Jean-Luc Picard and Beverly Crusher, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" -- You know, I never even saw the last movie. But so far as I can tell, they get married after 15 years of the most anemic courtship ever? And are destined maybe to get divorced? Beverly, I like you and all, but I would've jumped Jean-Luc Picard no later than "The Big Goodbye." Canon has yet to provide one compelling reason for all the damn delaying, and I'd believe their romance had a better shot if Beverly hadn't been so inexplicably reluctant for so long. Maybe this is a case where I'm wishing for a happier ending, or rather a happier beginning.

4) Jadzia Dax and Worf, "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" -- Now, this is more like it. Jadzia started flirting with Worf about 90 seconds after she laid eyes on him, and unlike virtually any other Trek couple, they pretty much just went for it. Seriously refreshing. And then Terry Farrell didn't re-up her contract, and -- alas. (For the record, I was fine with Ezri Dax not taking up with Worf in her turn -- they had zero chemistry -- but the same could be said of Ezri and Julian, which was just ... you know, it made oatmeal look enthralling.)

5) Josephine March and Theodore "Laurie" Lawrence, "Little Women" -- you know, in the 1995 film version, I can just buy Jo/Bhaer. Gabriel Byrne turns Bhaer from an almost farcical father figure into a guy worth the wanting; his advice feels more judicious and heartfelt, less censorious. But Laurie/Amy? COME ON FOR SERIOUS. One of the most painful parts of this is that Jo's initial refusal only makes sense if you read it as her rejecting marriage itself, and the limitations on her freedom she might realistically have dreaded in that era, despite Laurie's optimistic promises that they could choose how they wanted to live. But when she marries Bhaer instead, she accepts lectures and corrections ... instead of the guy who wanted her to travel and write and take just as big a bite of life as she'd ever dreamed. As I think of it I am making grumpy face.

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For such as may be interested, I have written a story for "Tangled" -- "A Princess And A Guy Like Me." As the title indicates, I may have imprinted strongly on princess/ruffian relationships circa 1977.

Also, here lies the latest XMFC story: "In Shadow and Silence."

First, the fic meme:

( the year in fic )

Otherwise this year: I went to Spain. I went to Colombia. I bought a house. I moved cross-country. I got mugged. I spent some time in NYC. I finished one book and, while not quite finishing another, expect to get gone by Jan. 3 or so. I bought my mother a chihuahua. Big drama! Next year will hold its own adventures, but I suppose I am hoping for something a bit quieter. At least after I get back from three weeks in Australia.

Now, the joy of Yuletide! My fabulous Yulegoat wrote a "Revenge" story, "The Stony Path," which asks us just how Amanda/Emily began down the road of becoming STONE COLD BADASS, provides some cool fannish answers and quotes the great masters of the art of vengeance, such as Machiavelli and the Corleones. Some others I've read and enjoyed: ( the recs )

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Festivities beckon tonight, though I'm actually not feeling terrific -- not sick, just really tired. But it's a low key party, they claimed, so we shall see what we shall see. Should get some work done first. Happy New Year to all!