The Yuletide Squee Post
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contentmusic: Nebelhexë – Wake to Wither
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yuletide has been to me this year.I got two gifts, both completely and utterly wonderful, exactly what I wished for, and more.
Maybe some of you remember that I wished for Reign of Fire fanfic with Quinn/Van Zan slash in last year's Yuletide challenge, and before that at
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tausch_fiktion. From the Ashes granted my wish, while staying so true to the movie end time atmosphere. I admit I had to read the story a second time until it really clicked; I guess there was a certain unspoken expectation in my head (which I didn't really know about myself), and when the author of 'From the Ashes' handled my request a bit differently, I first had to adjust my vision. But after I'd done that, oh, it was glorious.
It's the story of what could have happened, had Van Zan survived at the end of the movie, of destroying and building, and of remembering, personally and collectively. There's dirt, ashes and bodily fluids, Pirates of the Caribbean stories, centuries old stone and makeshift machinery, and even a touch of poly relationships (although I might have imagined that, but I don't think so). Go read it, and comment! You don't have to like Quinn/Van Zan to enjoy the story, because there's much more to it than that relationship.
"Life as a superhero: day one. Mission objective: find tea. And a name. I really need a name."
The second gift I got is Five Times Faiza Hussain Meets a Superhero. It's a very different story than 'From the Ashes', and I love it for entirely different reasons, but oh, I love it, I love it so much! It completely nails Faiza's character, showing different episodes of her life before she became a superhero, and directly after it. Kelsey Leigh (the female Captain Britain), Nocturne, Pete and Brian all make an appearance, and the secret author managed to characterize them each perfectly in only one or two short sentences. The humour, the tone, the subtle references to characters' personal and cultural background - it's all so brilliant and shiny, and makes me so happy, just like Captain Britain and MI 13 in its great moments.
Warning: If you read this story, be careful, it will make you want to read the comic. And the comic will make you want to read other comics. Costs time, but is so worth it.
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In the end my own stories (I wrote two, my original assignment and a treat) seem to make me almost as happy as my wonderful gifts. At first I wasn't altogether satisfied with what I had written, but surprisingly I got lots of lovely comments (a total of 11, I think, which is a lot more than I usually get for my German fic, and they are all so nice!), and re-reading my stories I found I actually quite liked them. I'm even content with my English there.
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Interestingly, I'm content all around. I've been feeling rather thin-skinned and unhappy for one or two months, and I was really getting annoyed by that. I have no patience for bad moods. At least for the moment my state of mind has changed for the better, and it's almost (almost!) worth the whiny times because thinking about them makes me appreciate my cheerfulness even more. If that makes sense.
I can see fandom and internet as fun again, not only as an obligation. *takes a deep breath* Thank you, Yuletide. Thank you, iaido. Thank you, world.
happy
giddy
excited
hungry