midsummer2007 fic for mickymvt

[nos4a2no9]

Title: his ghost is always silent
Author: nos4a2no9
Rating: R for adult language (of the Quebecois variety)
Pairing: Billy Tallent/Geoffrey Tenant
Length: 1,985 words
Notes: For mickeymvt, who requested “a HCL/Slings & Arrows crossover fic, where Geoffrey convinces Billy Tallent that he's more than a successful musician, he's an actor...Bonus points for Billy

Comments

[china_shop]

“It’s no way to live. That’s all I’m saying.” Geoffrey’s voice is sad and quiet, and it makes Billy thinks about stories where the hero falls in love with the only person who can’t love him back.

Oh, owwwww! Ouch! That's excellent -- I love that connection, that Geoffrey recognises himself there. This is wonderful!

[nos4a2no9]

Thank you very much, madame! It's tough to imagine these characters occupying the same space (for me, anyway) but there are many points of connection between them if you sort of tilt your head and squint. I'm delighted that it worked for you! \o/ <--- is me, being delighted

[china_shop]

*nodnodnod* And it's not the usual sort of crossover substitution thing, not for either of them. Geoffrey's never known a CKR character, and Billy's never known a PG one. So I find it particularly interesting how you found this common ground for them, in the recurring themes of creativity, madness and being haunted. So poignant.

[catwalksalone]

Oh, this hurt my heart. I love how Billy's ghost is so different from the one Geoffrey ends up with because the quiet presence of Joe is so much worse than a facsimile of Joe alive - Billy's got nothing to fight against, he just has to live with the pain and the memory and the always seeing Joe just there, out of reach.

Until Geoffrey.

I love how Geoffrey recognised Billy for what he was because of the points of connection between them and because of the ghosts that at the moment he is only carrying on the inside.

The line about the hero broke my heart but Billy's 'See you around,' made me hopeful for him.

What a great start to my day.

[nos4a2no9]

I'm very glad this got your day off to a good start! I didn't want to write something really depressing, even though that's tough to avoid sometimes when writing HCL. So it was hurty, but in a good way, right? :-) Thanks for your FB, and I'm off to read more Rays! in! Space!

[lamentables]

That is so harsh and hurty and sad and gentle. You've done a great job there.
I have no clue what Montreal actually looks like, but I've got very vivid images in my head to go with this (possibly also influenced by watching Léolo recently).

[nos4a2no9]

Thank you! I've only been to the airport in Montreal (on my way back from MJ, actually) but I think Léolo probably gives you a good sense of the city.

[grey853]

It's ironic that a obsessed Billy is advised by another haunted man. Wonder what Oliver and Joe would say to one another over to the side while Geoffrey and Billy are talking.

Heart-breaking story.

[nos4a2no9]

Yes, when I sent this off to my betas they wanted some Joe and Oliver interaction but it didn't quite work with the tone of the story. I love the idea, though, and maybe someone will pick it up. They would have a very spirited conversation, at any rate. (Sorry, I couldn't resist:-)

Thanks for your feedback!

[nos4a2no9]

Wow, thank you so much for providing such detailed and constructive feedback! I was aiming for a Gothic tone and feel, and I'm very happy that it translated. The story wasn't concieved as a conventional crossover, and it's excellent to know that you enjoyed it despite not really being a big fan of S&A. (It takes a few episodes to really get into it, but if you stick with it I promise you'll love it.)

Thanks again for such amazing feedback!