Highlander / Firefly (PG)
Title: Storms in the Desert by Kristen Murphy
Pairing: Methos / River (if you squint real hard)
Length: 2,500 words
Author on LJ: juniperphoenix
Author Website: The Purple Lagoon
Why this must be read:
For my official crossover this month, I am recommending this little gem of a fic. I like Firefly/Highlander crossovers because we would expect our heroes to live that long, or at least we hope they do. How would they survive and thrive in the Firefly 'Verse?
Mal and company have stopped on a planet somewhere. Where it is and the name of it are unimportant. They find themselves attending a town festival. They join in the festivities, and River is soon drawn to one of the townsfolk. She does not quite know why. It is not an attraction, exactly, but he interests her. Their meeting as depicted in this fic is fascinating and almost lyrical. The description of their dance is the best I've seen in a fic or a book, even. The words convey their energy and exuberance and joy in the dance. To say more would give too much away.
It's all in River's POV, and her voice is perfect. As is this fic. Highly recommended.
* * *
Everyone in the tiny village seemed to be on the dance floor. Farmers and tradesmen and shop girls swung in great sweeping patterns to the merry rhythms of the local band. Dust flew up from men's heavy boots and the hems of ladies' dresses. She moved through them like a ghost, drawn by the distant rumble of summer thunder, and the dance made a space for her to pass. The revelers parted before her like tall grass blown by the wind, only to close in behind her again in a flurry of Sunday dresses. Finally the last fringes fell away, leaving her on the edge of the celebration.
The perimeter of the dancing area was marked by a long trestle table laden with food and drink, with lanterns swaying overhead. River focused immediately on a tall, dark-haired man who stood with his back to her, drawing cider from a cask. As her gaze tickled his neck, he suddenly turned, his sharp eyes fixing on her instantly.
"You're the town doctor," she realized, and blurted out because there was no reason not to.
He relaxed fractionally. "Yes. Are you in need of a doctor?"
"One is enough." She drifted closer, looking him up and down. He had hands like a doctor, with long graceful fingers wrapped around his cider mug. She bit Simon's finger once when she was very little and he screamed like a baby, already careful of his hands. Mommy sent her to her room for that. This man wore clothes like Simon's, too, but not as nice, and a long red-brown coat made of cracked old leather. He had an interesting narrow face and hazel eyes that she couldn't quite see through. Hmmm.
Storms in the Desert
Pairing: Methos / River (if you squint real hard)
Length: 2,500 words
Author on LJ: juniperphoenix
Author Website: The Purple Lagoon
Why this must be read:
For my official crossover this month, I am recommending this little gem of a fic. I like Firefly/Highlander crossovers because we would expect our heroes to live that long, or at least we hope they do. How would they survive and thrive in the Firefly 'Verse?
Mal and company have stopped on a planet somewhere. Where it is and the name of it are unimportant. They find themselves attending a town festival. They join in the festivities, and River is soon drawn to one of the townsfolk. She does not quite know why. It is not an attraction, exactly, but he interests her. Their meeting as depicted in this fic is fascinating and almost lyrical. The description of their dance is the best I've seen in a fic or a book, even. The words convey their energy and exuberance and joy in the dance. To say more would give too much away.
It's all in River's POV, and her voice is perfect. As is this fic. Highly recommended.
* * *
Everyone in the tiny village seemed to be on the dance floor. Farmers and tradesmen and shop girls swung in great sweeping patterns to the merry rhythms of the local band. Dust flew up from men's heavy boots and the hems of ladies' dresses. She moved through them like a ghost, drawn by the distant rumble of summer thunder, and the dance made a space for her to pass. The revelers parted before her like tall grass blown by the wind, only to close in behind her again in a flurry of Sunday dresses. Finally the last fringes fell away, leaving her on the edge of the celebration.
The perimeter of the dancing area was marked by a long trestle table laden with food and drink, with lanterns swaying overhead. River focused immediately on a tall, dark-haired man who stood with his back to her, drawing cider from a cask. As her gaze tickled his neck, he suddenly turned, his sharp eyes fixing on her instantly.
"You're the town doctor," she realized, and blurted out because there was no reason not to.
He relaxed fractionally. "Yes. Are you in need of a doctor?"
"One is enough." She drifted closer, looking him up and down. He had hands like a doctor, with long graceful fingers wrapped around his cider mug. She bit Simon's finger once when she was very little and he screamed like a baby, already careful of his hands. Mommy sent her to her room for that. This man wore clothes like Simon's, too, but not as nice, and a long red-brown coat made of cracked old leather. He had an interesting narrow face and hazel eyes that she couldn't quite see through. Hmmm.
Storms in the Desert