thefourthvine: Two people fucking, rearview: sex is the universal fandom. (Default)
Keep Hoping Machine Running ([personal profile] thefourthvine) wrote2005-01-04 04:47 am

Slashy Nominations 102: To Laugh Is Natural to Man (and Woman)

I appear to have a lot of rec'ing stored up inside; if you started reading this LJ recently enough that two posts a month seems normal to you, rest assured that it isn't, and neither is two posts a day. I hope to rediscover my happy medium soon. In the meantime: look! Stories to read!

Best FF That Records a Conversation I Am Morally Certain Takes Place in Gotham Very Regularly. Actually, Now That I Think About It, This Story Documents Two Such Conversations. Just Desserts, by Smitty, aka [livejournal.com profile] smittywing*. D.C. Universe, and, really, that's all I'm going to say about it, except that it involves Dick Grayson (as Robin I), Bruce Wayne, and Barbara Gordon. And also that the memory of this story still makes me giggle at red lights. This is such a perfect short piece, and not just because I could email Te tonight and by tomorrow have eighty scans that support this view of the daring duo, or whatever they're called. It's also the language ("Holy ropetricks!" "Chum!"). And the cameo appearance of the Robin panties. And most of all it's the conversations that Barbara overhear, because I think we can all admit that there must've been a lot of talk just like that over the years, and keep in mind that I'm still talking about both of them. You can read this as long as you know who Batman and Robin are - a trailer from the movie should be enough canon background, really. So don't let me keep you.

Best FF That Answers the Question "What Do You Give to the Man Who Has Everything?" And Definitely the Best FF to Answer That Question with "Scary-Ass Space Rock." Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, by [livejournal.com profile] mahaliem. Smallville, Clark Kent/Lex Luthor. And, no, it is not cheating to have a classic DCU story in the same set as a future SV one. Because, see, they're different canons, really different, even if the characters are sort of the same, and - look, fine, whatever. It's cheating. I'll include an extra rec in this set to make up for it, OK? But don't expect me to be sorry, because this story is another one that makes me laugh every time I think about it. And this despite the scary title, despite the post-rift ([livejournal.com profile] fanofall: am I getting the SV terminology right?) setting, despite the fact that it contains the heart-breaking line "we should have other nemeses." This story should be read by every DC hero, because apparently plotting to destroy the world (and thwarting plots to destroy the world) is a symptom of repressed lust, which means there's a much easier solution to the villain problem than Arkham Asylum (working motto: "You catch 'em, we completely fail to keep 'em!"). Although, for the record, this does not mean Batman should get it on with the Joker anytime soon, because I do not want to see that. I'm willing to read about him doing Poison Ivy or Harley Quinn, fine, but please god not the Joker. Ew.

Best FF That Contains Mention of What Just May Be the Scariest Damn Piece of FF Ever Imagined (but Please Please Please Not Actually Written) by Woman, Man, or Evil Extraterrestrial Planet-Destroying Robot). Downtime Discoveries, by Eli, aka [livejournal.com profile] elishavah. Stargate SG-1, if that's the actual name of this damn fandom, Jack O'Neill/Daniel Jackson (Reasons to Read SG1 #11: two kinds of jack! Three if the FF is rated PG-13 or higher!). So, I have this serious weakness for dialog-based stories, possibly because (as was conclusively proven to me during what we will in future delicately call the Yuletide Season, aka the Yuletide Panic, aka the Jesus God Get Her Some Medication and Take Her Computer Away Before Someone Gets Hurt Festival o' Yuletidy Goodness) I can only write, or indeed think, in dialog. No, really. Other people get visions of scenes that inspire them to write; I hear voices, which is probably why my characters always argue more than they fuck. Um. Getting back to this story. So, yeah, it's in dialog, and it's really fucking funny, and there's that scary FF mention, as promised. You want to read this. You do. And I don't think you need to know the canon at all to do so; I mean, I sure as shit don't. I should probably warn you, though, that the FF mentioned in the text might rivet revolting animated images in your mind for all eternity. But don't let that stand in your way - I mean, if you've been in fandom for longer than a month, you've probably thought of worse yourself. Or maybe that's just me with the perverted imagination. God, I hope it's not just me.

Best FF That Reminds All of Us in Long-Term Relationships to Ask Ourselves an Important Question, Namely: Have I, as a Loving, Caring Being, Done Everything I Possibly Can to Increase the Chances That I Will Have Sex on the Couch or Other Upholstered Item of Furniture Today? Seven Years, by Speranza, aka [livejournal.com profile] cesperanza. Due South, Benton Fraser/Ray Kowalski. So, confession time: over the Long Hiatus, I got a lovely gift from [livejournal.com profile] nigeltde, who I have (shamefully) not yet thanked. (Persons who sent me gifts: they were received and much appreciated, and expect to be hearing about that very soon now that I've overcome my fear of my computer.) Said gift was season 3 of dS, plus selected season 1 and 2 episodes. Best Beloved went through all of it in about two days, and is now jonesing pathetically for season 4. Even more astonishingly, I actually watched a number of episodes. It's good, folks. It's surprisingly good, and you should totally see it, even if you don't like TV at all. The only downside is that actual canon knowledge is causing me to re-evaluate a couple of my FF-inspired dS beliefs, which means - quelle horreur! - rereading a bunch of the stories I found yonks ago, including this one. (Yes, we're back to talking about the actual story. Celebrate with me.) Turns out this is not a story I needed to re-evaluate. Hell, it's better now, because I can actually hear the characters saying these things. (Which, believe me, they would. I think the third season of the show is actually slashier than most of the FF written about it, which shouldn't even be possible. Due South: the canon that violates known physical laws in pursuit of slashiness.) But I did need to reread this, because it is funny. Just really hysterically funny; almost every line makes me, at minimum, grin. (This is even funnier if you know who David Duchovny is, so if you don't, you might want to head over to the IMDb before you read this.)

Best FF That Proves That, in the Right Hands, Infidelity, Potential Squick, Terrible Hangovers, and Tragic Technology-Induced Body Part Loss Are All Absolutely Hysterical. That Tongue Thing, by [livejournal.com profile] makesmewannadie. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and there's sex in here, but I refuse to tell you the names of the party or parties involved. The veil of secrecy must be preserved, and if anyone actually got that reference, know that I love you beyond my ability to describe it. So. Is it bad form to rec a story I beta-read? Because I'm doing that here and now, so you are formally invited to send me a sternly-worded note. (I'm sure Emily Post outlines the appropriate form for properly ticking off a fan fiction recommender via email; check her index.) But note, please, that I was by no means the only beta for this, which might be an exculpating factor. And whether it is or it isn't, I'm damn well going ahead with the rec, because this story is exactly as funny as you'd expect (HGttG: the fandom that's located several thousand light-years from angst!). Plus, you know, there's explicit sex and so on, which is a bonus. Also, this story will teach you about weapons of musical destruction, which I bet you didn't even know existed, and if you think I'm finishing this summary with a reference to current events, you are clinically insane. Instead, I offer an injunction: Go. Read. Laugh. You'll thank me later.

* Thanks, [livejournal.com profile] liviapenn!

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
Well, she, actually, but otherwise - yes. There's a lot of tragic twitching and shaking going on in these parts, and the cries of "season 4...please...4...season...oh, the pain" are just pathetic.

Curse you, due South! *shakes puny fist in the general direction of the DVDs*

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
Well, she, actually

Oops, my bad...

*hides*

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
No, no, no. You come out of hiding right now. We dS-addicted SN fans have to stick together.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:54 am (UTC)(link)
We dS-addicted SN fans have to stick together.

*emerges from hiding*

I have to admit it is a rare clique. SN and dS. A very odd mix indeed.

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 06:19 am (UTC)(link)
*welcomes [livejournal.com profile] laylee*

SN and dS. A very odd mix indeed.

No! That is heresy we must refute! Because, see, both fandoms involve OTPs and good fic and lots of snark, and both canons are humor leavened by drama, and they do focus on two people but in both cases there's an ensemble of excellent supporting characters that are totally fic-worthy in their own right. SN and dS have a lot in common and fans of one should try the other. It is written! In the...holy book of fandom! Yea, verily!

OK, sanity returneth. But, seriously, I do think there's a lot of similarities between the two fandoms. Of course, I speak as a fan of pretty much everything, so maybe I shouldn't be talking.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
I guess I find it odd because I so totally didn't like due South at all when it was first on TV. It was only after I got into slash via Sports Night that I discovered it's potential. But you're right, there are a lot of similarities between the two and I really shouldn't post after I've had four beers with dinner ;~)

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-06 02:37 am (UTC)(link)
No, no, we like you when you've had four beers with dinner.

And, OK, this touches on an area that's pretty much a mystery, which is - why does anyone like anything when it's first on TV? Commercials, and being at the mercy of the writers and the network - waiting for DVD just seems so much safer.

But maybe that's just me.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-06 05:12 pm (UTC)(link)
I've always found my fandoms on TV then done the DVD (or video in the early days) thing. It's rare that I come into a fandom any other way, except for due South, which I came into via fanfic.

[identity profile] fanofall.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
Dude! We're RIGHT HERE! SWEAR!!!

[livejournal.com profile] makesmewannadie and [livejournal.com profile] thefourthvine can attest to that. There are ... well, maybe even dozens of us, even!

[Query: I am now having a mental image of Dan and Casey encountering a season 3 Fraser. And I'm finding it hysterical. Does this make me more or less weird than before?]

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
Less. Totally less. Because that popped into my mind, too; you have to wonder what they'd make of each other. RayK and Fraser may have their differences, but Fraser and Danny are like different species. Who happen to share a language, because Danny's fairly well-educated.

It'd be totally great to have Fraser and Casey discuss curling, too.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Query: I am now having a mental image of Dan and Casey encountering a season 3 Fraser. And I'm finding it hysterical. Does this make me more or less weird than before?]

No, I don't think so. And there is a SN/dS crossover fic somewhere, with Dan and Casey metting Fraser and RayK. Must try and find it again...

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-05 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll see if I can find it. Unfortunately the SN archive has just gone down, but it might be floating around somewhere.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:43 am (UTC)(link)
Actually, this might cheer her up. This is an email I received from Alliance when I enquired about the release date for season four:

Thank-you for taking the time to write to us here at Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Group, Home Video Department.

The anxiously awaited release of Due South Season 4 is currently going though the production process but due to some legal clearances a release date has not been set. We are doing out utmost to have it available on DVD by late 2005. I suggest contacting your local video retailer around March 2005 and inquire if a street date has been set.

I hope this answers all of your questions, any further inquiries please don't hesitate to contact us, and thank-you once again for writing to Alliance Atlantis Home Video.

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:50 am (UTC)(link)
LATE 2005?

Please tell me they're kidding. She'll be DEAD from dS DTs by then.

OK, that's it. We're storming the Alliance Atlantis HQ.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:56 am (UTC)(link)
*arms herself for onslaught*

I'm right behind you, babe!

[identity profile] thefourthvine.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 12:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Good. We will meet at the corner of Bloor and Yonge at 10:30 January 31. Weapons check at Bloor and Park. Chanting to commence as AA HQ comes in sight. (Assault on Alliance leadership is open to suggestions about the chant, but we've tentatively penciled in "due South or death.") And then, at the front door, we scream and we leap. With axes.

We will teach them to mess with bookish women who want their due South presented on DVD in a timely and respectful manner, ideally with suitable bonus material including blooper reel. We will taunt them. And we will plant an exact replica of the axe used by Gimli in the famed "cave troll" sequence square in their front desk. Fear the fangirl, for she is armed with fantastical weaponry.

[identity profile] laylee.livejournal.com 2005-01-04 05:40 pm (UTC)(link)
We will teach them to mess with bookish women who want their due South presented on DVD in a timely and respectful manner

Yeah, what she said.
(deleted comment)

[identity profile] damned-colonial.livejournal.com 2005-01-05 10:08 pm (UTC)(link)
*deletes previous comment, realising she is an idiot, and should go to sleep, dammit*

[identity profile] commodorified.livejournal.com 2005-01-05 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
I miss all the fun. But yeah, I'm there.

"Tell them we're here with a morningsta-- I mean, without an appointment."