(followed this here from dragon_age) ;_; I am almost in tears here... this was so absolutely heartbreaking and destructive and excellent. I love how you write Leliana, it's very true to her 'hardened' character. And the ambiguity about whether there's an actual demon is brilliant as well - there would definitely be the potential for mages to think they've been possessed, what with the constant paranoia and all.
Thanks! The only thing I like more than reading tear-jerkers is writing tear-jerkers, and it's good to know that the story works as such :)
It was a pleasure to write from Leliana's POV - she is a character I like A LOT, and especially her hardened version, as I enjoy seeing a strong and determinate woman who is at the same time also warm and feminine.
About the mages' paranoia - I totally think that it's possible for a poor mage to go bonkers like this, even without an actual demon. The power and the pressure can do stuff to your mind.
That was really amazing and heartbreaking (poor Zev!) The idea that mages could develop this particular type of psychosis (if he is actually delusional) was so interesting and plausible. I loved how the stories in Leliana's mind offered catharsis and a way to fulfill her final obligation to him, and the idea of a manipulative Surana, dressing flamboyantly to outrage those around him and leading on Cullen in that way were quite delicious.
Poor Zev, indeed - even though, given the circumstances of their parting, Alim was as much of a victim as Zevran was.
And poor Cullen.
Come to think of it, poor everybody.
And yes, I tried to emphasize, through Leliana's words, something that I believe in myself - true catharsis can always be reached through stories. Glad that you liked it :)
This was fantastic. I love the possibility that there are multiple sides to the truth--and that for the purposes of history and legend, it doesn't matter which is the real one.
I don't think that it actually matters whether Alim is actually crazy or there's a real demon at work - the only thing that is important in the end is the story that will remain.
Abababa...;A; <3 That was dnasldas fff no words. (Though I will admit, it is kinda funny to picture this fic since our M!Suranas are physically similar. But that kinda makes it a little more sad to imagine too D8.)
And hell yeah for M!Suranas in those awesome robes. They should totally be models.
I can imagine how awkward it must have felt, given Rhys and Alim's unbelievable physical resemblance. It's good at least that their personalities are different. :)
And about the Wings of Velvet robes, not only that they're pretty as hell, but they can also make your mage ridiculously overpowered at a relatively low level, which comes pretty handy when you're on your nth playthrough... And far as I know, the mod's author made the robes especially for her own m!Surana, so there...
This was delightful. I'm not normally a fan of elves (maybe I OD'd on them early in my fandom life or maybe I'm just tired of angsty Tabrises), but you caught me with that off-line "a play for two actors in two chairs" thing because weirdly, those are some of my favorite sorts of plays. They're always deeply deeply emotional, something about a complete lack of other things to distract you so that you're just LISTENING and WATCHING and if they're good speakers (like your Leliana and Alim are) they just pull you in.
(And for some reason I'm recalling vividly the student production I saw of Paula Vogel's "How I Learned To Drive" which to this day is one of the most emotionally traumatizing things I ever saw, and the protagonist never actually breaks into any epic emotion, yet elicits it from the audience...)
I'm glad to see that the story works as that type of a chamber play. I was ridiculously happy when my beta told me that the fic felt "very dynamic", because it is a huge compliment for a story in which nothing happens but two people sitting and talking.
I haven't had the opportunity to see Paula Vogel's play - in the part of the world where I live, we mostly have dusty classics, nebulous avant-garde plays and domestic writers of dubious quality on stage. And given that my personal "area of expertise" is French literature, I have to admit that I'm lagging behind a bit on contemporary American authors. However, you certainly got my curiosity piqued.
I'm generally deeply interested in drama theory, literature studies and laws of storytelling, and I'm trying to toy with these when I write, even when it's fanfiction.
And I am very happy to see that someone out there enjoys this type of stories. :)
Comments 15
;_; I am almost in tears here... this was so absolutely heartbreaking and destructive and excellent. I love how you write Leliana, it's very true to her 'hardened' character. And the ambiguity about whether there's an actual demon is brilliant as well - there would definitely be the potential for mages to think they've been possessed, what with the constant paranoia and all.
Reply
It was a pleasure to write from Leliana's POV - she is a character I like A LOT, and especially her hardened version, as I enjoy seeing a strong and determinate woman who is at the same time also warm and feminine.
About the mages' paranoia - I totally think that it's possible for a poor mage to go bonkers like this, even without an actual demon. The power and the pressure can do stuff to your mind.
And even I don't know is there a demon or not. :)
Reply
That was really amazing and heartbreaking (poor Zev!) The idea that mages could develop this particular type of psychosis (if he is actually delusional) was so interesting and plausible. I loved how the stories in Leliana's mind offered catharsis and a way to fulfill her final obligation to him, and the idea of a manipulative Surana, dressing flamboyantly to outrage those around him and leading on Cullen in that way were quite delicious.
Reply
And poor Cullen.
Come to think of it, poor everybody.
And yes, I tried to emphasize, through Leliana's words, something that I believe in myself - true catharsis can always be reached through stories. Glad that you liked it :)
And... thanks for adding me as a friend! :)
Reply
Reply
I don't think that it actually matters whether Alim is actually crazy or there's a real demon at work - the only thing that is important in the end is the story that will remain.
Reply
And hell yeah for M!Suranas in those awesome robes. They should totally be models.
Reply
I can imagine how awkward it must have felt, given Rhys and Alim's unbelievable physical resemblance. It's good at least that their personalities are different. :)
And about the Wings of Velvet robes, not only that they're pretty as hell, but they can also make your mage ridiculously overpowered at a relatively low level, which comes pretty handy when you're on your nth playthrough... And far as I know, the mod's author made the robes especially for her own m!Surana, so there...
Reply
(And for some reason I'm recalling vividly the student production I saw of Paula Vogel's "How I Learned To Drive" which to this day is one of the most emotionally traumatizing things I ever saw, and the protagonist never actually breaks into any epic emotion, yet elicits it from the audience...)
Fantastic narrative. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
I'm glad to see that the story works as that type of a chamber play. I was ridiculously happy when my beta told me that the fic felt "very dynamic", because it is a huge compliment for a story in which nothing happens but two people sitting and talking.
I haven't had the opportunity to see Paula Vogel's play - in the part of the world where I live, we mostly have dusty classics, nebulous avant-garde plays and domestic writers of dubious quality on stage. And given that my personal "area of expertise" is French literature, I have to admit that I'm lagging behind a bit on contemporary American authors. However, you certainly got my curiosity piqued.
I'm generally deeply interested in drama theory, literature studies and laws of storytelling, and I'm trying to toy with these when I write, even when it's fanfiction.
And I am very happy to see that someone out there enjoys this type of stories. :)
Reply
Leave a comment