Comments | kenazfiction: Lay Your Sleeping Head Human on My Faithless Arm

kenazfiction

Lay Your Sleeping Head Human on My Faithless Arm

Jan 08, 2009 11:25

Title: Lay Your Sleeping Head Human on My Faithless Arm
Fandom: Mary Renault, The Charioteer
Author: Kenazfiction (kenazfiction@gmail.com)
Characters: Ralph, Alec
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The characters and settings herein belong to the estate of Mary Renault.
Summary:"There are times," Alec said, peeling back the corner of the blackout curtain to peer outside ( Read more... )

the charioteer, yuletide

Comments 14

eumelkeks January 8 2009, 17:51:03 UTC

I love this, especially the dialogue, because it shows the familiarity between Ralph and Alec that is only implied in the novel. Well, 'implied' may be the wrong word but they never really have a conversation on page that isn't influenced by the people around them.

By the way, the link you left in the comm didn't work. I used your tags.

kenazfiction January 8 2009, 18:07:02 UTC

Ack! Fixed it-- thanks!

So glad you liked it. I always liked the relationship between Alec and Ralph, the implication (hey, there's that word again!) that they remained close after they split, which is more than can be said, I imagine, for their other relationships. Makes you wonder why it didn't work out in the first place, but for Laurie's sake (and Ralph's), I suppose I'm glad it didn't.

fawatson January 8 2009, 18:48:57 UTC

Very nice - and points out so clearly the different approach Ralph had to his relationship with Bunny (where clearly he could expect no constancy) in comparison with the relationship he wanted with Laurie (note: he moved out from Bunny's place almost as soon as he met Laurie again).

As to why it didn't work out: I suggest you try another of the Yuletide 2008 offerings as there is one story there which tackls just that issue.

kenazfiction January 8 2009, 20:40:30 UTC

Oooh, I just read it-- gorgeous! I can completely imagine it happening that way. An offer made with the best of intentions, of course, but at the same time cutting Ralph's pride to the quick.

trueriver January 8 2009, 19:09:02 UTC

Thanks for posting this at the comm as well - it's beautifully written - fills in some backstory very nicely indeed ;) I've loved the Auden poem for years - what a wonderful idea to weave it into the storyline! :)

kenazfiction January 8 2009, 20:41:59 UTC

Thanks so much! I'm glad you like it.

Could there possibly be a more appropriate poet for these men?! I felt a little guilty double-dipping in the Auden pool for titles, but they're just so perfect... they speak volumes.

lady_elina January 8 2009, 21:47:00 UTC

Lovely. I was dying to know more about the relationship between Ralph and Alec when I was reading the book, and this reads like a missing scene from canon, true to Renault's style and characters. Great dialogue, too.

Thanks for sharing!

kenazfiction January 13 2009, 16:38:23 UTC

I love Alec, in spite of the fact that he's a total cad. Then again, there are so few characters in this book that I don't like. I like to think that he and Ralph had a special bond, even if it ultimately wasn't a romantic one.

heartofoshun January 8 2009, 23:31:31 UTC

I've already told you (at least once, maybe more times) how much I like this story. And how well it fits with your previous one, "Always: Time Will Bring Their Hour," and fills some missing spaces in canon on Ralph and Alec. So glad you posted the poem as well; I've wanting to look it up and not getting around to it.