Comments | spn_summergen: The Increase of Knowledge, for steeplechasers

summergen_mod in spn_summergen

The Increase of Knowledge, for steeplechasers

Jul 28, 2016 11:03

Title: The Increase of Knowledge
Recipient: steeplechasers
Rating: PG
Word Count or Media: ~2900
Warnings: Spoilers for the end of s11. Religious themes. Passing mention that Sam was sexually assaulted in Hell.
Author's Notes: Many thanks to my beta, who made this story so much better.
Summary: Chuck invites Sam to meet him for diner food and a ( Read more... )

2016:fiction

Comments 24

kalliel July 28 2016, 15:44:04 UTC

Oh man, that last paragraph is stellar. I love what you do with Chuck's POV here--that sense of his true self lingering just outside of what of him is Chuck, pressing over his shoulders. And all of his little corrections, cased in the language of contemporary self-help as he preps for his meeting with Sam. The idea of God/Chuck being nervous for a meet n' greet with Sam is utterly charming. :D The way this straddles the celestial and the domestic is pitch perfect, from Sam's sad tomato plant to pronation to the uneven speeds of time across realms. And I love what you did with Chuck's mention of slumming it with the humans and not actually learning French/practicing guitar--your elaboration on that here is so vivid, with Chuck's place in the Village and lackluster shows put on ( ... )

balder12 October 8 2016, 02:44:55 UTC

Thanks! I find myself wondering about Chuck's true form a lot, and how it relates to the human body we see, and what his history on earth passing as one of us most have been like. That whole learning French/practicing guitar thing kind of sums him up for me--he's like the opposite of Jesus in a lot of ways, a God who wants to be human(ish) so he can avoid pain and responsibility.

steeplechasers July 28 2016, 16:18:55 UTC

oh my gosh, i love this--i love it most because it's so unassuming. there's no huge revelations or big answers because sam doesn't need those, not anymore. and i love the tiny hints of what his life is now, and i love that he's happy, and i love chuck's love of mediocrity.

thank you so much for this soft small wonderful thing. <33

balder12 October 8 2016, 02:45:42 UTC

Yay! I'm so very happy you liked it!

borgmama1of5 July 29 2016, 00:51:47 UTC

What a lovely, gentle story...I am impressed you could find such quietness in a Winchester story! Especially found Chuck to be an intriguing character as you've written him, and it ties in beautifully with the way he was portrayed in the show.

Thank you for this little gem!

balder12 October 8 2016, 02:46:26 UTC

Thank you! I'm especially happy you liked Chuck--he's an interesting character to explore.

semirah July 29 2016, 03:57:31 UTC

This was absolutely excellent. I love how you fill in the blanks the show left, making Chuck's choices make sense while at the same time never losing sight of how extraordinarily big he is. The thought of a human form forcing a human consciousness and human limitations on him was great, and I like the way this story brought Sam to a place where he didn't need to ask the big questions because he felt happy where he was. Also, with the way canon treated free will in the most recent season, it's absolutely wonderful to read a story that affirms choice and personal responsibility and growth. Lovely story and a delightful read.

balder12 October 8 2016, 02:57:27 UTC

Thank you! I feel like in a world where you know for a fact all there is to know about the afterlife, and God, and the devil, it could be very easy to be overwhelmed and lose the idea of yourself as an individual who matters, and who can still make decisions and grow. I like the idea that Sam and Cas (and hopefully Dean), could carve out a little distance from all that crushing metaphysical weight.

kribban July 29 2016, 10:04:49 UTC

This was a wonderful story. And what a relief to have a happy story amidst all the usual Summergen angst.

You do a good job peppering this story with details: Sam has a girlfriend, a dog, his own house, is a Man of Letters.

I love that Chuck was a real human being, who agreed to be reaped. I like the description of Chuck's consciousness being limited. I also really love that he still has a relationship with his sister and that he will return to her. <3 <3 <3

I also liked the passing of time - this must be 20 years in the future, at least. And the dated Bieber reference, ha!

I also like that at the end Sam goes to photograph BigFoot rather than killing it.

Also, this story was the perfect length. It neither felt rushed or too long.

Kudos! I have recced this story on Tumblr.

balder12 October 8 2016, 02:58:43 UTC

Thank you! I'm so happy you liked all the little details I slipped in. And yeah, I enjoyed the idea of Sam hunting big foot with a camera, too.