Reboot Fic: Fire Dancing 2/4 (Draws VIII)

[syredronning]

Title: Fire Dancing (Draws VIII)
Author: Acidqueen
Series: Reboot aka ST:XI aka AOS - Draws Series
Codes: Pike/Kirk/McCoy and other pairings; several original characters of various genders
Rating: NC-17 for some hot scenes; warning: teacher/student relationship
Word count: complete 41.000, this part 9.500

Thanks for helpful comments goes to madelf

Comments

[shagungu]

Interesting developments with Farnham -- there has been quite a lot of development of his character. I didn't like him -- and I guess I still don't -- but very interesting!

Most amusing moments --
the great explanation for why this Pike isn't into Orions :)
and dancing with Caren Cho and finding out that they are in the complicated intimate network together via Dr. Ochi and McCoy.

I also like the discussion with Barnett. I think it might be hard to really pull apart to what degree he is uncomfortable due to Pike's homosexuality, versus his polyamory. Pike is quite sure it is the former, even though Barnett only voiced intolerance of the "promiscuity" Homophobia isn't allowed in Starfleet it seems -- but what about intolerance of polyamory? As a poly person myself, I have often thought about whether poly should be thought of analogously to sexual orientation, or mere personal choice.

I'll be checking in again for chapter 3 tomorrow afternoon.

[syredronning]

Thanks a lot for your feedback!

I tried to tie up a lot of loose ends in this story, and I was bothered about having overlooked original Pike's obsessions with Orions, so I felt obligated to find an explanation *G*

You made me think about Pike, great! So here my meta: I think Pike takes Barnett's anti statement as homophobia because he identifies as gay (strongly, and I'll get into that in the next sequels). Pike doesn't identify as poly and he isn't really, it's more that the poly happened by getting involved with Kirk and Bones and all else develops from there.

Hope you'll like chapter 3 :)

[shagungu]

That makes a lot of sense -- being gay is a core part of Pike's identity, whereas being polyamorous is not. Pike's behavior right now is poly, but if he hadn't started a relationship with Kirk/McCoy he could just have easily ended up in a monogamous relationship. Opposite to me -- being poly is part of my core identity, but being bisexual isn't (I just realized one day that I was bisexual, shrugged my shoulders, and moved on

[syredronning]

Interesting. I wonder where this statistics "bisexuality is rare, men are almost always either gay or straight" comes from, because there seems to be a whole lot of hidden male bisexuality around. My husband is in a gay web community and there are many "straight" men looking for m/m sex without telling their wives.

So my assumption would be that most such men in such a survey would check "straight" even though they e.g. meet men for blow jobs, because they don't see themselves as bisexual (much safer for them, their straight relationships and their brain).

OTOH, one could argue with that that the survey is correct and that "real" bisexuality (as in: "would have true relationship - and not just sex - with any gender") is rarer among men. Hmmm :)

[izzyfics]

I still really really like Dael--excellent character you created! I look forward to seeing more of her.

And the confrontation with Barnett makes me think Pike hasn't exactly won this one yet. *is nervous*

[syredronning]

You make me very happy with your statement about Dael. I put really lot of work into her.

Barnett, well, no plans yet, but I'm sure he will pop up again ;)

[illariy]

Cool development of your OCs, I'm enjoying them quite a lot. And whee, what a fun explanation of Pike's fondness for Orion girls or lack thereof.

Woah, what a revelation about John Farnham! But what he said rings quite true to Pike in this 'verse... am so curious about where that'll lead now. :D

And, erm, my inner fangirl would like you to know that she deeply appreciates the references to Pike's workouts and expensive clothes. *blush*

[syredronning]

Pike in a sweaty shirt pressing benches was too good to pass, so I'm all with your inner fangirl *G*

Glad you like my OCs, I know this story has very little Kirk/McCoy inside but hell, they are so far away :/ Stupid job!

Thanks for the feedback!

[lindmere]

You really give Pike his due as a fascinating and complex character, whose interests, whether they are intellectual or sexual, aren't easily reducible. The OCs are great and I enjoy seeing Pike's world in SF fleshed out. As always your writing style is elegant and assured. I'm looking forward to the next part (and to catching up on the last one)!

[syredronning]

Thank you for your great feedback *blush* I try hard to write everyone fleshed out in this series, so I'm glad it worked for you!

[severinne]

You make me love this brilliant, damn-sexy man even more every time you write something new about him. You know that, right? I think it's something that really hit home with Farnham admitting he's in love with Pike and getting to see him through the optic of someone who might largely be an asshole but is also utterly besotted with someone who he's known for longer than the reader has, flaws and all. I almost felt bad for Farnham, but then I remembered that Pike's in love with those two gorgeous blokes on the Enterprise anyway. *g*

And I just realized that this series is probably responsible for whatever made me off-handedly decide that Pike doesn't get along with Barnett in my own series. I really must stop internalizing your 'verse, but it's just too damn compelling. ;)

[syredronning]

Thank you so much for your continuing feedback *happy*

Farnham got more interesting all the time, he absolutely didn't want to stay away from a front row seat. Damn bastard :) and still "poor guy" for suffering from unrequited love.

Re Barnett - LOL! As you're the one guilty for all my Pike/McCoy love(!), I know all about internalization :P