*long sigh*

[llybian]

These last few weeks have been the most stressful I've had in awhile--particularly the last couple of days which were exhausting. But I've shed my last tears of frustration over it and this term is finally over. ...I've just gotta keep reminding myself that because I'm less inclined to scream "FREEDOM!" and do a jig and more inclined to take a nap

Comments

[cmy_47]

Hmm. Now I think I can see why yeh have captured the character of the Cone so well...

Actually, no, I don't. I think I'll check them out now you've mentioned them.

I just feel that Carrot's wierd manner of being, let's say, negotiable and diplomatic to EVERYONE would get on Zel's nerves. If anything, Zelgadis could be even more cynical than Samuel Vimes(and that's sayin' a lot!!). After all, Vimes was never used as an experimental project by one of his loved ones.

Something tells me that should he take up temporary residence in Ankh-Morpork, Zel might end up keeping in close contact with the Watch. His numerous skills(navigation, safe-cracking, knowledge of magic, planning to gather up all the animals in a forest, etc) and enhanced abilities due to his chimera-side would make him a tremendous asset.
However, if it does happen, rivalries might grow between him and certain Watch members like Angua and Cheery(the nervous dwarf has always prided herself on her forensic skills. As shown in your crossover story, Zel has an extensive knowledge in that field as well, which was useful in incapacitating Pokota).
An idea came to me that Zelgadis Greywords, being a constant wanderer and likely not wishing to have a full-time career which would keep him in one place, might hire himself out as a Private Investigator, something which as far as I know is unheard of in Ankh-Morpork. Hired muscle, killers, thieves, yes, but hiring someone to find your missing relative or important personal belonging?
You an' I both know that Vimes would take issue with that. Imagine how he'll feel if Zel's case record begins to outweigh the Watch(watching Psych has really made an impression on me).
He would NOT like that. A single individual(with a criminal record) solving cases for people who don't want the Watch involved or who believe(or worse, discovered) that Watchmen wouldn't care, making the entire police force in the city look like a bunch of incompetents or uncaring louts(Shawn Spencer has certainly done that to the SBPD time an' time again).
Which makes me wonder how Vetinari would handle this. Note that he will not take any action against anything provided it does not pose a threat to the running of the city, so Vimes would have to carefully craft a scenario that would make Zelgadis a problem to the city(sadly, knowing ol' Zel, he might do that himself anyway).
One thing we both know for a fact is, should he come across a possible lead for his cure, nothing will stop Zelgadis from acting on it. Nothing. He would risk angering the Breccia, the Assassin's Guild, Ronald Rust or maybe even Vetinari himself if it means he could locate the means to finally ridding himself of his chimera body. His experience in Evolution-R, which I won't describe in detail so as not to spoil it for ye, might have only increased his determination to find it.

Part Two

[cmy_47]

In many ways, Zelgadis needs Amelia around him the same way Vimes needs Sybil Ramkin. Without Amelia, Zel would've permanently altered an entire ecosystem along with making a permanent enemy out of a skilled, competent and powerful Prince due to brutal interrogation. As for Vimes, I shudder to think of the number of barons, lords, diplomats and land owners he would have crippled if she had not been around to keep him calm. Plus, she was the one who helped him overcome his addiction to alcohol by replacing it with an addiction to smoking.
Huh. Come to think of it, Zelgadis and Vimes ARE alike in several ways. Which might mean that they won't like each other. Respect, definitely. Like, maybe not. In fact, Zel might even make an enemy out of the entire Watch. Lina almost certainly will(she BLOWS UP taverns, for Christ's sakes), but I think for Greywords it'll be more personal. Like you've illustrated in ALO, he's just not a people person.

Sorry about the rant, but like I said, reading the Watch books sent my brain into a frenzy. Not to mention that I've always been keen on your Detective idea.
I know you're more into writing Filia/Cone stories, and I don't discourage it(rather the opposite in fact. Make the 'young' man suffer, witches) but A Little Opposition and Oracle's Wish in particular proves that not only do you have a great concept and understanding of the characters of Zelgadis and Amelia, you are also completely capable of writing meaningful, well-paced stories that contain just the right amount of romantic moments along with humourous scenes ranging from silly grin-inducing to all-out laughing.
The results are stories that would've made Terry Pratchett proud. I especially commend your concept of the unique relationship between Filia and Xellos as well as your (very) careful handling of its development in your stories. An' this is coming from a guy who despises and distrusts one half of the pair.

Should you decide to pursue a story involving Zelgadis investigating a crime with a subplot that revolves around his relationship with the princess of Seyruun, I am certain that it will be an excellent one to read. The City Watch novels would no doubt be of help to yeh(Angua speaking to Coloneque:"Now, there's two ways this can go...", Vimes making sure to follow procedure before attempting to 'bring in' Wolfgang, etc).

But for now, in the meantime, I wish you luck in regaining your health and sanity after your ordeal in internment ca-I mean school, an' I look forward to reading an' reviewing another vignette or story update from yez.

P.S. Amelia an' Carrot working together to bring peace and Justice(with a capital J) to Ankh-freakin'-Morpork.
Please don't, llybian. Some things are too scary to even think about...