Happy Holidays, unovis_lj!

[amand_r]

Title: Gods Above and Below
Author: amberleewriter, aka Why Do You Bother To Even Look Here Anymore?
Written for: unovis_lj
Characters/Pairings: Darius, Marcus Constantine
Rating: PG
Summary: "There was a time when I found it difficult to forgive him for bringing the Goths to Rome."
Author Notes:
If this fic, it hath offended

Comments

Dear Honest Puck,

[dorothy1901]

This is so, so good. It gives a real feeling of what it must have been like for Constantine, dealing with both immortality and then-contemporary issues. I also like the contrast between the Bulfinch quote, and the existence (in the Highlander universe) of people who completely belie his belief.

I also really like the writing, the way you handled the imagery of ruins, rebuilding, fire, darkness, death, and rebirth.

Re: Dear Honest Puck,

[amberleewriter]

Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed the story. I had several ideas for my assignment and when I went to do some research reading the Bulfinch assertion stuck out for me as terribly ironic. In that moment I knew I had to show that, at least in the Highlander universe, someone living still did worship the gods of Olympus. The rest just came along after.

[juniperphoenix]

Great job with two very underused characters!

[amberleewriter]

Thank you. Glad you liked the story.

[ithildyn]

That was wonderful! And I so love Constantine. Lovely story.

[amberleewriter]

Constantine was a character I found interesting as a concept but didn't seem to come off quite right in his only episode. Like most older Immortals, he has such a wealth of history to be explored. It's so much fun to write something like this as a result -- even if it does mean spending time going back over episodes, reading books, and fact checking.

I always wondered how Constantine felt about Darius' death and if he was sad he couldn't attend the funeral. I thought this about many of the immortals we were later introduced to. There Duncan was, saying goodbye, and later we found there were many who thought of Darius as a friend. Duncan didn't even know them. I wonder what all of them thought about the situation. This story gave me a chance to touch on that theme, if only lightly.

Glad you enjoyed it.

[amand_r]

Wow. This story is a powerful, historically rich piece. I love Darius, and while I never really cared for Constantine, this gives me a greater appreciation for him.

I especially liked the Author's Note.

Also, upon thinking about it, the rite reminded me of Servilia of the Junii's curse against Atia in the series Rome. One never really gets to see or hear Roman rites because they're kind of lost to time, so when they come up as actual rites they seem so strange. This was very well done.

[amberleewriter]

Thank you. You sent me this assignment and I very nearly had an attack of nerves which kept me from writing a stitch for weeks

[amand_r]

Yeah, I liked Pompey's funeral in Rome, but in some ways I've seen it so many times in so many different films, that I get used to it. OTOH, Servilia's text struck me because it was actually authentic. They dug it up for the show, and it has that chanting kind of ritual that I liked.

I will never get over how awesome the portrayal of religion in Rome is. I think the best thing it does is erase any approach to religion that might have been influenced by Christianity. Or as much of it as possible anyway, since barely any od us know what that might be like.

I'm glad that you had fun, and I'm glad that you had a chance to address something that you found intriguing. And still, your Author's Notes are delightful.

[amberleewriter]

Most authentic religious ritual is based in repetition. The chanting and tonality of the words assist in transporting you from the nominal to the spiritual. As a former religious scholar I was very impressed by the way the writers, art directors, and, in point of fact, every part of the execution of Rome, gave you a realistic impression of life being lived instead of a costume being worn. They all obviously did their homework and then used that as a basis for creative interpretation which adds to authenticity. They deserved every award.

And I'm glad you liked the author's note. I'm sure old Professor Forker is pleased in his afterlife (or next life, of heaven, or hell) that I haven't entirely forgotten my years of Shakespeare (though he might find my usage suspect).

[dswdiane]

The author's note was a quite unexpected delight, as was the exquisite use of language throughout this story. Just beautifully written and very touching. And it was good to see these characters at center stage. Thanks for a lovely and engrossing read.

[amberleewriter]

I'm an old Shakespeare geek and rarely get to stretch those legs these days. And, I was in a mood. ^_^

Glad you enjoyed the story and thank you for your kind words.