But the Tygers Come at Night (Fearful Symmetry Remix) [Sports Night; Sam Donovan/Dan Rydell; PG-13]

[gratefulundead]

Title: But the Tygers Come at Night (Fearful Symmetry Remix)
Author: phoebesmum
Summary: It's a jungle out there …
Fandom: Sports Night
Pairing: Dan Rydell/Sam Donovan
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: The characters and situations in this original work of fan fiction are based on the TV series Sports Night (ABC, 1998-2000), created by Aaron Sorkin.
Warnings/

Comments

[out_there]

Oh! This is nothing short of fantastic! This is the reason I struggle to write Remix fic, for the chance of this sensation: reading themes and ideas I almost got on paper, done so much better than I could have imagined.

Firstly, I love the themes here. The use of tigers and jungles and danger. It's worked into this whole piece so well, so subtly, and it thrilled me. I also loved how you worked the idea of being an addict into the piece, because that was the thought behind the original story: that being an addict leaves permanent marks. It's not something you simply recover from, it's something you always *are*, something you have to always guard against, which Sam does with both humour and a cold vulnerability.

Maybe he flew his Lear Jet down to Saratoga …

… no. Not that one. Not even in imagination. Gambling's not his poison of choice, but an addict can't take any chances.Secondly, I love your Sam. I love the way we get to see inside Sam like we never did in the series, the way his background is so satisfyingly fleshed out

[phoebesmum]

Thank you - firstly, for giving me so much potential to work with, which, by extension, equals a further 'thank you' for all the wonderful SN fic you've written over the years; you were one of the first writers I met in this fandom, and the first (and almost the only) one to interact with me as an equal, and to encourage me in my own writing - and, secondly, for such wonderful feedback. I am so glad that you enjoyed this, and felt it lived up to your original. I was a little worried about the slash, since the original fic really didn't go there, and I did try to rewrite the ending as gen; it just didn't want to go that way.

I had originally planned to tackle Like Sailing and Home Runs, btw, and have a couple of half-finished other-pov ficlets lying around now. They may surface at some time, possibly for next year's WiP Amnesty. Just so you know!

Many thanks again - it means a lot that you took the time to leave so much detailed commentary, and also thank you for reccing it in your own journal.

[out_there]

I'm a little amazed that I didn't pick this as you (mind you, I'm shocking at picking authors from writing styles. I truly am) but it makes sense that it would be written by someone full of love for SN and Dan.

I was a little worried about the slash, since the original fic really didn't go there, and I did try to rewrite the ending as gen; it just didn't want to go that way.

I loved that part of it. It was so organic, it made complete sense in this story.

I had originally planned to tackle Like Sailing and Home Runs, btw, and have a couple of half-finished other-pov ficlets lying around now. They may surface at some time, possibly for next year's WiP Amnesty. Just so you know!

I'd be amazed to see what you got with that because the idea of remixing something so ridiculously long (and it is, honestly) fills me with paralysing fear.

[phoebesmum]

If someone had been feeling Sherlocky and had way too much time on their hands it would've been easy to figure out by process of elimination - since I only really write SN, and the only other possibility is the Supernatural crossover. (It's an improvement on the first year I took part, when SN was represented by me and BJ remixing one another.) Luckily, no-one's that sad, other than me, and I already knew.

The Remix of Sailing ... wouldn't have been anything like as long as the original - it was going to be a series of snippets from peripheral characters' points of view: Abby, maybe Dan's dad, and so on. I might do some more with it, since Abby's bit is mostly written - or I could just spin it into an independent fic, I guess. We'll see!

[oriolegirl]

Oh wow. What an interesting take on Sam. And I love how he sees the wildness in Dan. There's not enough Sam/Dan fic in the world, so thank you!

[phoebesmum]

At one point I had all the Sam/Dan fics memorised - there are only about four - along with all the 'Dan gets his heart broken by a male athlete' fics, which are a weakness of mine, but now I can only remember Paddle to the CSC, which is the Gold Standard. I'm glad you enjoyed this - thank you so much for commenting.

[celli]

I'm just blown away by this. I'm fascinated by the way Sam thinks of himself, how he traces the way his career and his life fell apart, how he only really hit rock bottom after he stopped drinking, when his conscience came back full force. And I love the way he both likes and respects Dan and feels that deeper, more dangerous connection.

Amazing.

[phoebesmum]

Thank you.

[celli]

I knew it! I *knew* you wrote this.

Seriously, it's awesome.

[phoebesmum]

Thank you again, so much. I had excellent material to work with, but I hope my bits of embroider stand up for themselves.

That was a really bad simile, but never mind.

[kassrachel]

Oh, man, this is wonderful. Totally not my usual pairing in this fandom, but you made me believe it. I love how the original story makes Sam real, and how you take what that story gives you & you run with it. The details: Sam's empty (and broken) refrigerator, how he trusts Isaac, Dan bringing Anthony's to him. Anthony's being a dry bar tonight, apparently. and

Dan laughs. He has an intoxicating, infectious laugh, open and full-hearted and free; much like Dan himself, Sam thinks, watching him, watching the curve of his neck and the slope of his shoulders. He thinks, sometimes, that he watches Dan too much, and tries to stop himself (an addict can't take chances!). But over and over again he loses the fight, forgets he's supposed to be fighting, can't recall why he ever thought it mattered

[phoebesmum]

It's not really anyone's usual pairing, not even mine - which, alas, means it'll go largely unregarded, but never mind - but the Sam/Dan leapt out of the woodwork and would not be gainsaid. I'm glad it's believable to you, and thank you so much for your comments, which are lovely and brought me much joy.