Alias fic: Collateral Damage
25 Jul 2005 11:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kangeikoThe thing is, I love doing challenges, but I am actually too shy to post them as a response. So I gave the latest ![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
alias500 challenge (regret) a go... which is why it's posted here instead.
Anyway. Please, please concrit. And, yes, I know I need to get rid of my 'impaired POV' crutch. *sigh*
Title: Collateral Damage
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kangeiko
Challenge: Regret (alias500)
Spoilers: Very vague ones for the middle of Season 3.
Summary: Being Sydney Bristow.
*
Sydney Bristow is in her kitchen and she is slicing meat with swift, sure strokes. She adds paprika, cayenne pepper and just a pinch of oregano, and rubs the mix into the naked pink flesh and pearlescent fat. The raw meat is slick beneath her fingers.
She is in her kitchen (//déjà vu//) and she is sipping wine and laughing, and the meat looks good enough to eat raw. She reaches out a hand, half-joking, and then she is slapping the reaching hand away and scolding, Jesus, Syd, how about a little patience? This is gonna be the best stew ever, I promise.
She is across the room, where she is perched on the counter and recounting the tale of the hapless Japanese client and the prim and proper English guide. She is looking down at the meat in her hands and slicing open a secret pocket to stuff it full of peppercorns and lemon rind. Cayenne pepper and lemon rind is unusual, Sydney says.
It's a secret family recipe; I'd tell you the rest but I'd have to kill you, she replies.
She adds the pink pieces of meat – slick and slippery in her hands as she drinks her wine and twirls a pen and fetches a CD from the living room and is behind her desk at work and is watching McCullough through the glass and is kissing Will/Vaughn/Charlie – and her hands are spattered with hot olive oil (extra virgin, Syd; any dish can be brightened up with a dash of extra virgin).
Across the room, her hands pantomime the elaborate dance of body language crossing cultures: forward / back ; too far away / too close; too cold / too friendly. It was the funniest thing, Francie, she says, and takes a sip of her wine.
At the frying pan, she covers the crackling heat and starts on the rice. We're out of rice, so I'm gonna have to improvise. Sydney says, and carefully cleans her long nails before reaching for a vegetable knife. Do you trust me?
Of course, Syd says, and smoothes her short blonde hair back with a gloved hand. In the corner, Will is playing with the paring knife between his fifth and sixth intercostals.
Sydney is watching herself slice up her fingers in lieu of rice. Anyway, the whole thing sounds bizarre, Syd; you meet the strangest people. She adds the fingers, piece by piece, to the crackling stew.
(Stew shouldn't crackle, Syd thinks, and almost wakes up.)
Across the room, Sydney looks concerned. You're running out, she says. Let me help you with that.
She slides the knife free from in between Will's ribs. He looks surprised.
You'll love this, she says. I call it my Julia stew.
(She grinds the bones up in the blender.)
*
fin
In other news, the current list of fics I'm working on include:
1. A Multiverse fic that is currently hurting me with quantum physics. (No. Really.)
2. Andraste's Ethan fic.
3. A long-overdue Doctor Who fic that is pretty much done - and has been betaed to boot - but which I am still massively unhappy with.
4. A Jack/Nadia fic that just unravelled in my hands and which I am going to have to start again. *pout*
5. A Faith/Remus fic that is thus far a bit too abstract even for me.
6. A Vir fic forhobsonphile.
Also a couple of others that escape me at the moment. I definitely want to do some more LoEG and Fables (maybe something set around The Last Castle?), but I'm developing this real yen for Firefly, so... *headdesk*
ETA: I was very, very brave, and posted this toalias500. You are to snuggle me for this immediately. *wibble*
ETA2: drabbles added here, because I *heart*monanotlisa so.
alias500 challenge (regret) a go... which is why it's posted here instead.Anyway. Please, please concrit. And, yes, I know I need to get rid of my 'impaired POV' crutch. *sigh*
Title: Collateral Damage
Author:
kangeikoChallenge: Regret (
alias500)Spoilers: Very vague ones for the middle of Season 3.
Summary: Being Sydney Bristow.
*
Sydney Bristow is in her kitchen and she is slicing meat with swift, sure strokes. She adds paprika, cayenne pepper and just a pinch of oregano, and rubs the mix into the naked pink flesh and pearlescent fat. The raw meat is slick beneath her fingers.
She is in her kitchen (//déjà vu//) and she is sipping wine and laughing, and the meat looks good enough to eat raw. She reaches out a hand, half-joking, and then she is slapping the reaching hand away and scolding, Jesus, Syd, how about a little patience? This is gonna be the best stew ever, I promise.
She is across the room, where she is perched on the counter and recounting the tale of the hapless Japanese client and the prim and proper English guide. She is looking down at the meat in her hands and slicing open a secret pocket to stuff it full of peppercorns and lemon rind. Cayenne pepper and lemon rind is unusual, Sydney says.
It's a secret family recipe; I'd tell you the rest but I'd have to kill you, she replies.
She adds the pink pieces of meat – slick and slippery in her hands as she drinks her wine and twirls a pen and fetches a CD from the living room and is behind her desk at work and is watching McCullough through the glass and is kissing Will/Vaughn/Charlie – and her hands are spattered with hot olive oil (extra virgin, Syd; any dish can be brightened up with a dash of extra virgin).
Across the room, her hands pantomime the elaborate dance of body language crossing cultures: forward / back ; too far away / too close; too cold / too friendly. It was the funniest thing, Francie, she says, and takes a sip of her wine.
At the frying pan, she covers the crackling heat and starts on the rice. We're out of rice, so I'm gonna have to improvise. Sydney says, and carefully cleans her long nails before reaching for a vegetable knife. Do you trust me?
Of course, Syd says, and smoothes her short blonde hair back with a gloved hand. In the corner, Will is playing with the paring knife between his fifth and sixth intercostals.
Sydney is watching herself slice up her fingers in lieu of rice. Anyway, the whole thing sounds bizarre, Syd; you meet the strangest people. She adds the fingers, piece by piece, to the crackling stew.
(Stew shouldn't crackle, Syd thinks, and almost wakes up.)
Across the room, Sydney looks concerned. You're running out, she says. Let me help you with that.
She slides the knife free from in between Will's ribs. He looks surprised.
You'll love this, she says. I call it my Julia stew.
(She grinds the bones up in the blender.)
*
fin
In other news, the current list of fics I'm working on include:
1. A Multiverse fic that is currently hurting me with quantum physics. (No. Really.)
2. Andraste's Ethan fic.
3. A long-overdue Doctor Who fic that is pretty much done - and has been betaed to boot - but which I am still massively unhappy with.
4. A Jack/Nadia fic that just unravelled in my hands and which I am going to have to start again. *pout*
5. A Faith/Remus fic that is thus far a bit too abstract even for me.
6. A Vir fic for
hobsonphile.Also a couple of others that escape me at the moment. I definitely want to do some more LoEG and Fables (maybe something set around The Last Castle?), but I'm developing this real yen for Firefly, so... *headdesk*
ETA: I was very, very brave, and posted this to
alias500. You are to snuggle me for this immediately. *wibble*ETA2: drabbles added here, because I *heart*
monanotlisa so.![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 11:02 am (UTC)My work here is done, I will now move on *mwahahaha* :)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 01:36 pm (UTC)*pause*
Is that...
Mark?
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 02:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 03:00 pm (UTC)*triumphant march of recognition*
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 12:46 pm (UTC)Seriously, though, I like it in all its screwed up glory. I cannot think of any constructive crit right now, although my brain did jump out of the story when she thought about kissing Charlie, of all the people.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 01:40 pm (UTC)Seriously, though, I like it in all its screwed up glory. I cannot think of any constructive crit right now, although my brain did jump out of the story when she thought about kissing Charlie, of all the people.
Thanks, honey, I'm glad you liked it. (Er. You know what I mean. *g*)
Hmmm. *thinks* See, the thing is, I wanted Syd to be having one of those dreams where you are everyone at once, from every person's POV. But that's massively difficult to convey without degenerating into gibberish. So, I wanted to use Charlie (and Will, for that matter) as the sort of bridge between her and 'Francie' - i.e. Francie would think about killing Charlie, just as Francie would be doing the cooking.
So I am a little worried that it's pushing you out of the fic rather than pulling you further in. *frowns and pokes it* Hmmmmm. Might have to do something with that...
no subject
Date: 2005-07-30 12:33 pm (UTC)Yes, but I'm going to fix Jack! (Um, sort of ...)
Hmmm. *thinks* See, the thing is, I wanted Syd to be having one of those dreams where you are everyone at once, from every person's POV. But that's massively difficult to convey without degenerating into gibberish.
Ah, right! That makes sense. How you could convey that more clearly, I do not know. I am the most useless beta in history, you know.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 04:05 pm (UTC)/optimism.
of course, i am likely to forget i even wrote it and never give it a second's thought. hmmm.
/realism.
also? toast.
/hungry
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 01:21 pm (UTC)Whoa. ::shivers:: Disturbing.
In other news, this?
Made me both happy and sad--please, please, do it? For me? ::bats eyelashes, looks cute, promises all sorts of favours::
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 01:47 pm (UTC)Yes, but this is is the nice, wholesome pleasant fic! *g* (In one - very early - Buffy fic, I blinded Buffy, locked her in a box, tore her fingers open, ripped out Willow's eyes, vamped Buffy and had her finish off Willow and Giles. In another fic, I crucified Spike. Then there was the faux-cannibalism Angel fic and, of course, 'Homecoming', which I abandoned at the point where Spike's chest was torn open, Angel was trying to keep Spike's heart in his ribcage, and London was about to be blown up.
Er.)
Whoa. ::shivers:: Disturbing.
But in a good way, yes? *puppy eyes*
4. A Jack/Nadia fic that just unravelled in my hands and which I am going to have to start again. *pout*
Made me both happy and sad--please, please, do it? For me? ::bats eyelashes, looks cute, promises all sorts of favours::
*g* But I am! (although I will definitely collect those favours in any case *g*)
If you want something drabble-y, of course, all you have to do is prompt... :)
In other, other news, work is so boring I am considering chewing my own leg off for amusement. Hmmm.
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 02:01 pm (UTC)Oh yes! I liked it! Eeh! ::shivers again for good measure::
Yay!
Fair enough. *g*
And drabble! Ooooh--now that you're in the mood, how about--wait, you don't do het very often, eh? So, Will/Vaughn? Sark/Vaughn? Sark/Will?
Actually, lemme send you over HERE (http://www.livejournal.com/users/velocityofsound/41516.html) for inspiration; it's not dark enough for you, maybe, but I quite liked it and promptly wrote a 3-min drabble!!!
Ah, your idea of amusement... & ;-)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 02:53 pm (UTC)Oh good. :)
And drabble! Ooooh--now that you're in the mood, how about--wait, you don't do het very often, eh? So, Will/Vaughn? Sark/Vaughn? Sark/Will?
Hmmmm. I tried. (see below) Actually, it's a bunch of drabbles, mainly character-centric, in the following order: Sark/Will (or, rather, sark&Will) AU; Will/Vaughn; Sloane & baby; Jack/Nadia.
I am filled with the urge to write somethinf ro all of these now, you vixen, you.
Actually, lemme send you over HERE for inspiration; it's not dark enough for you, maybe, but I quite liked it and promptly wrote a 3-min drabble!!!
I liked it, although I can't say I recognise the fandom...
Ah, your idea of amusement... & ;-)
I'm special! :)
DRABBLES:
// I've always been a coward - Kate Bush //
*
I've always been a coward, Sark says mildly. I just don't let it show.
Will isn't sure what to say to that, so he stays silent.
A brave man would be comfortable with trading you. A brave man, Mr Tippin, would count his blessings and make the best of things. And I may not be a brave man, but I can mimic one very well.
On the other hand, Sark says thoughtfully, I may choose cowardice just this once.
Guns may well smoke, but knives do not.
Will's blood cools almost instantly as – drip drip – it puddles on the floor.
*
// I want to know, do I stay or do I go? - Nico //
*
I should probably head out, Vaughn says, looking uncomfortable in just boxers and bruises. His hair is sticking up and he has stubble burn across his collarbone. I've got an early meeting.
Will regards the ceiling fan thoughtfully. I should head off too, he says. I've got to get that analysis of the Bogota route done, and I’m meeting Francie for lunch.
Right, Vaughn says. He looks about for his shirt. I've got this thing, so –
Yeah, says Will. About the H476?
Ask him about the H467, says Francie at 4:56am. Do you understand?
Yeah, says Vaughn.
Yes, says Will.
*
// She's five years old - The Sugarcubes //
*
She's five years old and unwrapping her first Barbie doll.
She's ten years old and playing hopskotch outside.
She's thirteen years old and always on the phone.
She's fifteen and back-combing her hair for her first date.
She's eighteen and her dad still vets her boyfriends.
She's twenty-three and in medical school.
She's twenty-four and having Thanksgiving with her parents.
She's –
She's –
We lost her, Sloane says, past the lump in his throat and the tears on his cheeks. I'm sorry, my love, we lost our Jacqueline.
She's eight hours old – no more - and already cool to the touch.
*
// I've got a feeling I don't want to know - Velvet Underground //
*
I spoke to my dad, Nadia says. He says you found the Rambaldi formula for me.
Jack's mouth twists. Yes.
She studies his face; exactly the same as she remembers except for the livid red scar that now bisects it. Where was it?
Hidden by incompetent lackeys, Jack says, and Nadia knows how much pain he must be in to use humour to hide it.
Sydney's okay, she whispers after a moment, her throat dry from disuse. Her injuries weren't serious. You didn't need it for her.
Jack says nothing.
After a moment, she reaches out a hand to him.
*
Phew! Well, I'll get to the others later. :)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 02:57 pm (UTC)OMG I love you so much!!!!!!!!!1111!!!!1!
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 03:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 03:36 pm (UTC)My middle name.
The Vaughn/Will is nothing short of fantastic, by the way, and oh, the Jack/Nadia--
Yes, indeed.
Awesome. The hesitation, the realisation...
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 03:46 pm (UTC)*attempts maidenly blush*
*fails* :)
My middle name.
*pets*
(in a more or less platonic manner *g*)
Awesome. The hesitation, the realisation...
*g* thanks honey, I'm glad you liked them. See, I could do something from Nadia's POV, maybe, where Jack is just doing inexplicable things and then nekkidness ensues... *ponders*
Mmmmmm, nekkid!Jack...
(For that matter, mmmm, nekkid!Nadia...)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-25 04:17 pm (UTC)*snicker*
More? Less? & ;-)
That would work, too!! ::tries not to slobber in anticipation::
Hee. Jack is The Awesomest, but I'd prefer nekkid!Nadia, I think...
no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 04:18 pm (UTC)Powerful stuff, thank you so much for playing and posting. You're exceptionally talented, (now I'm all flutter-pated that you wrote these.) *g*
no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 07:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-27 02:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 04:49 pm (UTC)post them in
(Or I will for you, if it's too much work and you haven't joined.)
no subject
Date: 2005-07-26 07:50 pm (UTC)*pause*
You do it. *beam*
*snuggles you*
no subject
Date: 2005-07-30 12:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-04 03:02 pm (UTC)the Sloane one broke my heart into a million tiny pieces. In a good way. Mostly.
Maybe I should include a "warning, team! Nuts inside!" note to all my fics? hmmm.