[Fanfiction] Dancing With Ghosts

[whitesin]

Title: Dancing with Ghosts
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia
Genre(s): Drama/Angst
Character(s)|Pairing(s): China, Korea
Rating/Warning(s): R, bloody imagery
Word Count: 3,861
Summary: A prequel/sequel of sorts for my piece “ Prisms,” taking place during the Korean War. China delves into his brother’s war and finds himself more embroiled than he had

Comments

[whitesin]

Wow... I have to confess that I had a lot of misgivings about putting this up. Not because I half-assed this (because it was rather emotionally wrenching and just a little frustrating to write this) but because I was afraid of the melodrama. I didn't want to "Tell" so much but there were some things that I felt needed to be said... and wasn't quite sure how to deliver them. But I'm glad that you think it's not overdone-

Writing Korea's "North" half was definitely very interesting. I didn't want to write him as this gloatingly wicked creature so I definitely veered towards the "cold" personality (Russia definitely had an influence there). And it was interesting driving China to this snapping point, certainly (not sure if it's historically accurate, on the other hand...).

Actually, Korea's monologue about being buried alive was the first thing I ever wrote of this story, after reading a fic which describes him as dying many times during Japanese occupation and at one point waking up in the mass graves of his people who were executed for rebellion.

Thank you! Your comments always make me smile. ^_^ Particularly on my China-based fics.

[whitesin]

I can only imagine how hard it must have been to write this, especially since it is about your roots, but being able to put a little bit of yourself into your writing makes it all the more enthralling I suppose.
I think you managed to strike the balance between 'telling' and letting us as readers understand what was left unsaid just fine. :D

I do like your take on Korea's "North" half and the cold (and slightly insane) personality fits and contrasts nicely with his "South" half personality. And as for driving China to his snapping point, just what exactly was it about Korea's behavior that made China snap?

Oh my, do you happen to have a link to this fic? It's sounds disturbingly intriguing.

You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoy my comments! Seems like my paranoia was unfounded. XD And I suppose I'm more prone to reply to China-centric fics since good ones are few and far between. (Well, that and I'm shamelessly biased. I love him, emotional baggage, flaws and all!)

[whitesin]

Nah. It wasn't that hard because it was from my own roots but because I wanted to do it right. Civil War has affected practically every nation and atrocities have naturally occurred during that time. I don't want to give the impression that this one is the only one that matters... if that makes any sense. "Telling" is always very hard for me to do during these kinds of fics because I don't want people to misunderstand.

Insane in the sense that he's become a fanatical, numbed soldier, certainly. In a way, it's an exaggeration and magnification of all of Korea's good qualities (courage, a need to make things right, respect and dedication to family) that totally obliterates what makes him himself (a galling paradox that I've always saw the personification of North Korea as). My "feeling" about the matter was just how dispassionately Korea told his story, as his "South" self. Because China could very easily deal with the "North" self, no matter how disturbingly inhuman he'd become (in my view), by viewing him as a total stranger who he was allied with. Being told of what happened wrenched China back into the present and forced him out of his numb shell and he had to realize, "Oh God, this is my brother... and he's practically dead." In a way, it also reminded him of what he himself had become, this shadow and battered wreck of himself.

I made a slight error. He wasn't actually buried alive though. But here it is, a very poignant and emotional piece that I wish I could match in terseness and succinctness: http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/3274.html?thread=4057034#t4057034

Heh. China is an absolutely fascinating character to read and dissect. I can't say that my interpretation of him is correct, being that I'm Korean and I have a somewhat... limited view of Chinese history and philosophy. ^_^; Thanks for your support!