New Rome story: The First Prayers of Man

[destina]

For troyswann, a belated birthday offering. :)

The First Prayers of Man
Rome - Vorenus/Pullo
Spoilers for the entire series, but particularly Kalends of February

Comments

[jenlev]

wow. the tone of his internal voice is mesmerizing. and he's very much himself in how he responds to pullo.

this is very fine, says so much about his life and the world around him: "There was a time Vorenus might have taken these lessons to heart, learned from them the things Caesar wanted him to know, but now he has particular sympathy for those who are damaged by secrets let loose upon the world."

and this is perfect: "They both know the answer to the question; it is Pullo's business because Vorenus has made it so. "

what a lovely poignant image: "Once he tried to wash Vorenus, but this was too much, and now the wish only shows in the way his hands rise, then fall, without having shaped themselves to skin."

i love that pullo buys the wooden soldiers, the details in how you show them and what they mean are exquisite. especially with what follows, and this: "This is the child who resembles his mother, and who must be made to remember her without bitterness."

the layers of prayers in between the process of the story are so evocative. this is just wonderful and you've made me think about how the time they lived in bound them, just as we are bound by our own time. different bindings, different boundaries; but they are a very human creation and experience passed down through the centuries.

[destina]

wow. the tone of his internal voice is mesmerizing. and he's very much himself in how he responds to pullo.

It was interesting, writing the two threads; this is one of the few pairings where I hear each voice distinctly, and there are very definite differences between them.

the layers of prayers in between the process of the story are so evocative. this is just wonderful and you've made me think about how the time they lived in bound them, just as we are bound by our own time. different bindings, different boundaries; but they are a very human creation and experience passed down through the centuries.

*nod* I think this is what drew me to the show, to begin with. They are so very human; we see their daily lives, their pain, their flaws, so clearly -- it's like looking back in time at people who are just like the people in our neighborhood, complete with the lies and gossip and graffiti and bitchy neighbors and so forth, and I love that so. I love the threads of humanity that reach back over all those years.

As always you give the most fantastic feedback ever, and I'm so so glad you enjoyed it. *hug!*

[jenlev]

i love how you show that difference between them, how they hinge on each other cognitively.

also, that's a perfect description of the experience of looking back into time and seeing these complete beings....not at all different from people today. :::happy sigh:::

and thank you, it's my pleasure; really it does help to keep my mind alive to read such fabulous stories/writing. so thank *you*. :) *hugs*