(Untitled)

[gabri_jade]

Thanks to the wonder and glory of Pepsi points, I just downloaded Paul Simon's Graceland album from Amazon for free. I've long since lost my cassette of this album and I never did have it in cd, so I am extremely pleased about this. I'm also pleased to realize that I still remember all the words to the songs even though it's been several years

Comments

[archaeologist_d]

I was also surprised by the death star blowing up but it made sense. He's not going to use it and I'm sure he had pressure to do so. This way, Leia will trust him, even though he may not be worthy of trust. Plans within plans.

Mara still loves him but she really needs to see that loving someone and making them do what you think is best isn't always the loving thing to do. Sometimes you have to back up what they want...

LOL. Yes, need more story.

[gabri_jade]

Oh, I doubt there was any pressure being brought on him in that area that Luke couldn't handle. The Death Star was a pretty secret project and he's been exclusively responsible for it for a long time; he probably brought in a lot of his own people even before Palpatine died. He's probably just been saving it for a good demonstration like this that furthers whatever plan he chooses. :p I still wonder about the Destroyer's crew, though. Not using it and a mysterious self-destruct are two very different things

[archaeologist_d]

Luke is very messed up when it comes to love. I agree that he's not meeting her halfway but I don't think he's capable of it at the moment. I am also seeing hints that they are getting better with it, slowly, very slowly. Your question is a good one. Not sure if it will be in time but what a ride to find out.

I'm not sure he can even relax enough to get to his goal of a viable democracy. He'll likely always be on guard, waiting for the strike. Really quite sad.

[marajade001]

Gabri, it's all your fault! I have resisted reading Blank's trilogy because it's a "Dark Luke" story (and I can rarely take the angst), but this weekend I had nothing else to do and decided to skim a little bit of it. I ended up staring at my computer until 2am reading this darned thing, and now I'm as obsessed as you people! Grrr! ;)

Seriously though it's a great read. I have to go back and really read it. I've got the gist of what's going on, but it definitely needs more attention. Thanks for recommending it!

[gabri_jade]

*cackles evilly*

It's brilliant, isn't it? These stories easily rank as among the very best I've ever read. Glad to have roped in another happy reader. :D ;)

[callmelydia]

*Hides eyes from the stuff under the cut and the other comments*

Now that Nano is nearly over, would you mind giving me the link to the start of this fabulous story? Thanks!

EDIT: Correct spelling is a good thing.

[gabri_jade]

*giggles* Anyone who's just finished NaNo is exempt from spellchecks. You've been through enough. ;)

Here's the trilogy, in order:

Into the Storm

In Shadows and Darkness

At the Brink of the Dawn and the Darkness

They are exceedingly awesome. I hope you like them as much as I do. :D

[callmelydia]

Read the first four chapters of the first story last night. And yes, it's fabulous. Can't wait to finish reading the rest.

[duncatra]

I was a little worried about how the DSII would pan out, but that was... Not what I expected. :D Now, WTF is Leia going to say to Madine?

The L/M scene was really fantastic. Man, they are so screwed up.

And Mara's Leia observation... Gah. As usual, good story make Dunc caveperson. ::flail, grunt::

Also, my imagination or were these two chapters pitch-perfect?

[gabri_jade]

I know, I've been wondering about the Death Star and how it would play in, too. And I didn't see the self-destruct coming at all, right down to the last second. Leia's just getting herself in deeper with every thought at this point - which is probably a very good thing. :D

They are! :D And I love screwed up L/M. LOVE.

Hee, I was not expecting Mara, of all people, to draw a parallel between Luke and Leia. Now I'm almost as excited to see Mara's reaction once they realize the whole twin thing as I am Luke's or Leia's. :D I also greatly enjoy watching you turn into a caveperson. Aside from these stories, I don't think I've ever seen you reduced to flailing like this. :p

They were. Seriously, these are some of the best-rounded stories I've ever read. Politics? Check. Action? Check. Romance? Check. Twisty psychology, UST, drama, angst, love triangles, strained friendships and loyalties? Check, check, check, check, check, and check. Just brilliant stuff here. :D

[gabri_jade]

You're more on the ball than me; I totally missed the Death Star angle, and when the countdown started, I had this wild idea that Luke had snapped and it was targeting the Falcon. I'm very glad that I was wrong. :p

Wouldn't it be something if Mara or Han figured out the twin thing before Luke and Leia did? :p

Yes, the flashback was wonderful. I do agree that Luke's being stubborn here, but if I was in his place, I probably would be, too. From where he's sitting, Leia's betrayal played a big role in condemning him to everything Palpatine subjected him to. She may have felt herself justified at the time - she did - but that's a huge psychological wound Luke's dealing with on that front.

Leia might just keep things from Madine entirely - or try, anyway. It'll get messy one way or another, though. Of course, being the hopeless L/M fangirl I am, I'm still more concerned with Kiria. :p

Re: Um.... hi

[duncatra]

Another welcome!

I - or rather my 37th FFN sock - have owed you an email since August. (I am the worst feedbacker, mostly I just link things.) Needless to say, I'm mucho impressed with the story. I haven't been obsessed with a fic like this since I was a newbie.

And ESB was on again a few hours ago... Spike TV is running them like mad, probably because it's a holiday weekend here.

Re: Um.... hi

[gabri_jade]

Hi! I'm glad to see you here. :D I don't expect you to confirm any of our wild speculations, but it's nice that you can at least be amused by them. ;) Seriously, these stories are way, way up there on my favorites list. I can't rave about them enough. Dunc (snarkel) recommended them to me - oh, a little before Into the Storm ended, I think, and she and I have been flailing about them ever since. Can't wait to see what you have in store. :D

As long as Luke sees Mara in the black dress, too! He needs all the reminders he can get that Mara's the right match for him, even if he is going to marry Kiria anyway. :p