Fifthmus Fic: The Journey (For Tarigwaemir, From Ontogenesis)

[mmmdraco]

Title: The Journey
Author: ontogenesis
Recipient: tarigwaemir ( requests)
Pairing: None
Warnings: None
Summary: Touya Kouyou's quest brings him to a tiny, remote town in China.
Notes: Much thank to my beta, aiwritingfic for her insightful help!
Word Count: 2400

Comments

[tarigwaemir]

Yaaaaaay! I had no idea who got my requests and I didn't really expect this one to be written, so you have no idea how much my breath caught when I read the summary. *_* Oh my gosh, I can't tell you enough how this fic is exactly the one I had half-imagined in my head when I thought up the prompt. I love the description of the scenery in the second part; I've never seen Yunnan even in photos but I could imagine what it must look like. The little details--the prayer flags at the temple, the rough hands of the boy who wants to be his rival--are beautiful and vivid.

It's so appropriate that Touya Kouyou especially remembers the hands of the opponents he plays. I'm also amazed by how you delved into so many complexities in this story: the sense of losing time as one grows older, the passion in chasing after a rival, Touya Kouyou's feelings towards his son.

I loved this line:

He does not regret that decision - he regrets very little he has ever chosen to do

and this:

What Kouyou does know is himself. He holds stones between his fingers and he creates the universe with his mind. He plays go because he exists, and he exists because he plays go.

Thank you so much for writing this for me! I've already put it on my list of personal fandom favorites. ::goes back to reread several more times:: <3

[ontogenesis]

http://ontogenesis.livejournal.com/41731.html I've made a reference post, so if you want a mini-crash course on Yunnan, have at it. :)

I'm pleased to hear that it matches your head-vision, hehe. It really is a gorgeous, inspiring area (which is why some speculate that there are many temples there).

:nods: I think Kouyou is a complex man - he doesn't say much, but that doesn't mean he isn't thinking constantly. I wanted to hint at his rich inner life here.

I liked those lines too. ^^ The one about playing and existing is inspired by the conversations Kouyou has with So Chan Wan and Yang Hai about Sai.

You're welcome! I'm very happy that you like it.