[Fanfiction] Pale Snow

[whitesin]

Title: Pale Snow (4 of 4)
Fandom: Axis Powers Hetalia/Good Omens
Genre(s): Angst/General
Character(s)|Pairing(s): China, Pollution
Rating/Warning(s): PG-13, gruesome imagery, mentions of drugs
Word Count: 877
Summary: Part of a series, crossover with Pratchett's/Gaiman's "Good Omens." China knows filth and he is soon acquainted with a poisonous

Comments

[dmajor7th]

My two favourite stories. Combined. And executed with the grace and elegance of a gifted bard.

The analogy is astounding. I love how Pollution's and China's need-hate relationship is illustrated so subtly (The grubby notes, etc).

From my point of view, lots of people in the West seem to think that the Chinese don't actually care about the pollution and are money-crazed. This fic counters that by exploring Yao's thoughts, rather than just giving a stated social commentary.

Seriously, I love it. *mems*

[whitesin]

Oh, you're too kind, truly. -blushes tomato red- I am absurdly fond of odd yet plausible crossovers. Personifications make things so much fun.

I made pains to ensure that I didn't point fingers in this story. Social commentary was the last thing from my mind while I was writing. Incidentally, China was the last country from my mind when I started brainstorming this story. The two immediate choices were England and the U.S., but I'd already written England in this series and the U.S. just didn't work out quite right. Besides, it was far too fun writing a recovering drug addict and China's rampant mood swings.

Thanks for your very sweet, very encouraging comment. ^_^

[mithrigil]

This entire set is very powerful--especially the first two installments. I loved seeing Russia's decay beside Famine and the depth of England's entrenchment (ha) with War. But the quiet of this piece and the lyricality of Italy's round out the set very well.

[whitesin]

No pun intended, I'm sure? ^_~

I never really realized that I was using different voices and different tones until I took a break and actually read through these proper. Somehow the Oscar Wilde mode latched on and didn't let go. It was rather fun writing all of these, albeit I was writing in a fever daze.

Thanks so much. It's always awesome (Prussia level) to get complimented by one of the major authors in this fandom. ^_^

[thecurtain]

Oh YAO. T.T All four of these are lovely but I think this one's my favorite. His quiet fury-resignation-sadness all mixed together here is absolutely beautiful. Making his finest tea for a guest even though he knows it'll be ruined. Noticing all the little marks Pollution leaves behind (oh, and your IMAGERY with that--! Glorious!). I really feel for him here T_T Great job!

[whitesin]

Admittedly this was one of the harder ones to write (though Italy gave me some trouble at first because I've never written him before but then once I got going, he came pretty easily). I had a few misgivings before putting this one up, actually and I made a few last minute, inspired additions to it, which worked out pretty well. Pity is indeed what Yao rouses but if you ever did attempt to show pity for him, he will be very, very angry at you (stubborn pride that he still has). Thanks. ^_^ This was a fun cycle to write.

[whitesin]

I always fuss over characterization, so I'm glad to hear that. ^_^ Imagery is one of my favorite literary devices; I'm a very visual person and I like trying to portray that in my writing.

It was definitely a trial writing these at times though the sides of me that love melodrama, angst, and tragedy were absolutely thrilled. The saddest part was doing the research for these, particularly for Russia, though I had a lot of fun researching the Spanish Flu pandemic. Crossovers are quite fun for me because of all the possibilities.

Thanks a lot!

[penumbra369]

i only know pratchett and gaiman by reputation, never read their works, but with your fic i don't feel like i'm missing out. from you i'm reading china with a depth of characterisation that seems largely missing from hetalia canon (i mean, he's adorable in canon, but...). the poetry of your style brings a beauty to his melancholy...this guy really has been through a lot, and rightly so.

in short: i'm mem'ing this fic too. :D

[whitesin]

I do recommend "Good Omens," particularly if you like wry British humor and interesting contemplations on human nature as well as religion. Even if you don't like either of them, it's an excellent book (in my humble opinion).

Tragedy is something that is remarkably easy to write, at least for me. I too am a little surprised that people don't cover this aspect of China quite as often.

I'm not an expert in Asian poetry at all but I do like the style, as well as the imagery they evoke, a simple but potent beauty and emphasis on nature (somewhat unlike the very baroque and less nature-based style I wrote Italy's tale in, which I based heavily on Romantic poetry).

^_^ Thank you! It's nice to get such nice and sweet comments like this!