trancer21's journal

FIC: Bullets And Bucket Lists (Emma Swan/Ruby Lucas; Once Upon A Time - Mature)

trancer21 — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 16:51:54 GMT

Title: Bullets And Bucket Lists
Pairing: Emma Swan/Ruby Lucas
Words: 2929
Rating: Mature
Summary: Semi-sorta inspired by this gifset. In a world where the dead have come back to life, a Bailbonds person and a waitress find comfort and solace in each other.

**
"Name's Ruby," was all the woman said as she slid into the passenger seat, slamming the door behind her.

For the past 37 hours, they'd been fighting side by side, fighting for their lives in a world where the dead were coming back to life.

"I have to find my son." Emma's eyes were stern, resolute. She turned the ignition, slammed the stick into gear. There would be no negotiations.

"Then..” Ruby ejected the clip to her gun, began loading bullets. “Let's go find your son."

**

Read the rest on AO3: Bullets And Bucket Lists

FIC: The Visitor (Once Upon A Time; Regina/Emma - Mature)

trancer21 — Mon, 26 May 2014 18:30:10 GMT

Title: The Visitor
Fandom: Once Upon A Time
Pairing: Regina Mills/Emma Swan
Spoilers: None, pre-season one
Word Count: 1753
Summary: Once a year, Regina Mills leaves Storybrooke.

"For a day, Regina explores this world. She's been to the fashion runways of Milan, watched Shakespeare on the Thames, experienced the colorful sights and sounds of Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago. Everything this world has to offer, once a year for the past twenty-three years, Regina gets a taste. "

A Fandom First!!

trancer21 — Sun, 24 Nov 2013 06:12:22 GMT

Well hello there LJ, it's been awhile hasn't it! My first post in over a year and it's to BITCH!!

I was alerted in email today that a story of mine was plagiarized. I check the evidence and, lo and behold, two of my fics have been ripped off.

The fics are on a tumblr devoted to all things Hannah Hart and Grace Helbig (who knew). The first story, 'La Petit Mort' (which is actually the title of one my Sarah Connor fics), is actually my Glee fic 'The Day After You Died'. The second fic is La Vie Après La Mort (Sequel to La Petite Mort), and is a serial numbers filed off version of my Glee fic 'She Knows'.

I've sent a fic to the tumblr maintainer or whatever since they state the fic was 'submitted'. If the fics aren't taken down.. well, shit, what *is* the fandom protocol for removing plagiarized works of fan fic?

Update - Both of my fics have been taken down and the mod posted a public apology!

Shit Fic Rant!! Warning.. Caps Lock of Rage Ahead

trancer21 — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:56:09 GMT

Just back from vacation (yay! Jamaica) and, at the beginning of the trip, I was all excited because I'd downloaded a bunch of fic to read during my trip. (I'll be posting a review of the *good* fics I read a bit later). And, you know how when you're reading something and you reach that point where you *know* this is bad and it's not going to get any better but you keep reading anyway.. because you're a masochist who can't stop once they've started reading. I had one of those fics, and it wasn't just bad. Had I been videotaping myself, there'd be a video on YouTube of me going into a full on rage. I won't name the fic, fandom or the author because, well, what I have to say isn't very nice and this is more me getting something off my chest. But, if you've read it, it should be pretty obvious.

This isn't an anti-rec, this isn't 'some 'ol bullshit', this is a straight up FUCK YOU! So FUCK YOU for thinking that little 'Rape/Non-Con'* tag on AO3 is an effective enough warning for one half of your pairing getting assualted and raped.. at the BEGINNING of the story. FUCK YOU for having the same character get raped AGAIN at the end of the story. Rape is not foreplay people. FUCK YOU for the OOC characterizations, the endless and inane conversations that add nothing to the story, the lack of a modicum of research regarding these characters professions (a character gets abducted and the rest of the characters, let alone the lead character's GIRLFRIEND, go back to the hotel for a little shut eye, really, REALLY!?!). FUCK YOU for constantly referring to one character as 'the older woman' or the constant stream of 'chocolate orbs' and 'cerulean/sapphire blues'. Seriously, sapphire and cerulaean? NOT THE SAME GODDAMNED COLOR. FUCK YOU for the flat storytelling, dull curtain fic scenes, pedestrian plotting. FUCK YOU for making the villain so goddamned obvious the 'heroes' look like morons for not figuring it out in, like, two seconds. But, more than anything, FUCK YOU for having a character not only get raped but RAPED TWICED in the same goddamned fic, and FUCK YOU for not using the 80000 plus words to let her find some fucking AGENCY, basically reducing her to a damsel in distress, and a FUCK YOU to reducing her girlfriend to a walking hormone that falls apart at the first sign of distress. Jesus Christ, do you even WATCH the show!?! The only reason I didn't throw this piece of shit across the room is because I didn't want to break my e-reader. Needless to say, I will be avoiding any and everything else by this author with a ten-foot pole.

*I have nothing against the use of rape in fic, which is another conversation all together. I just reserve the right to bitch about it when it's done wrong. And, boy howdy, this fic gets it wrong on *every* level.

FIC: Waking Up [Rizzoli & Isles]

trancer21 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 05:27:12 GMT

Title: Waking Up by trancer
Fandom: Rizzoli & Isles
Pairing: Jane Rizzoli/Maura Isles
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between adult women
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 3751
Summary: Written for the "Fourth Annual Femslash Kink Meme", Prompt - Maura asks Jane to masturbate for her. An evening of drinking and a game of ‘twenty questions’ gives Jane an unexpected answer.

"Jane’s been noticing other things about Maura lately. Interesting things, distracting things, things Jane definitely should not be thinking about her best friend."

FIC: Compromise [Criminal Minds; Emily/JJ]

trancer21 — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 03:37:41 GMT

I'd hoped to have this finished in time to post for International Day of Femslash but, well, between work, my Mom visiting for two weeks and a whole bunch of other life stuff, things didn't work out as planned. Well, better late than never, right!?!

Title: Compromise by trancer
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairing: Emily Prentiss/Jennifer Jareau, Emily/OFC, mentions of JJ/Will
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between adult women, vampire blood play, some bits of violence, mentions of sexual abuse
Spoilers: General for all seasons
Word Count: 48392
Summary: AU - Sequel to "Compatibility". As Emily and JJ navigate the tangled web of their new relationship, a new case, in enemy territory, threatens to tear them apart. Forever.
Disclaimer: "Criminal Minds” is the property of The Mark Gordon Company, etc. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.

"“I know. I should have hope. Faith. I’ve never been good at those. I’m a Prentiss. We don’t *do* hope and faith. We do control. And I’m..” She opened her eyes to look down at her hands as she curled them into fists. “I’m losing that, too.”"

FIC: Compatibilty [Criminal Minds; Emily/JJ]

trancer21 — Tue, 29 May 2012 05:08:00 GMT

Title: Compatibility by trancer
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairing: Emily Prentiss/Jennifer Jareau, mentions of JJ/Will
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between adult women, vampire blood play, some bits of violence, mentions of sexual abuse
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 31849
Summary: AU - Emily Prentiss was different. A new breed of vampire. One with all of their strengths, none of their weaknesses. Now, Jennifer Jareau, the BAU’s newest Communications Liason, was to become Emily‘s. But, Jareau has secrets of her own. When a case suddenly throws the two together, the secrets between them will either tear them apart, or bring them closer together.
Disclaimer: "Criminal Minds” is the property of The Mark Gordon Company, etc. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.
A/N: This story is like a hodge-podge of influences, thrown into a blender and shot gunned onto the page. Off the top of my head, some of them are ‘Vampire: The Masquerade‘, ‘Blade‘, ‘The Hollows’ series, and squint so you can see it ‘The Vampire Diaries‘. If I’ve left any out, it wasn’t intentional.

"“Why should anyone but you or I decide whether or not we’re compatible?”"

FIC: I Want To Believe (Criminal Minds/The X-Files; Emily/JJ)

trancer21 — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:54:25 GMT

Title: I Want To Believe by trancer
Fandom: Criminal Minds/The X-Files (crossover)
Pairing: Emily Prentiss/Jennifer Jareau
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between adult women
Spoilers: None. Unless you’ve never seen an episode of The X-Files, then spoilers for the Pilot.
Word Count: 2672
Summary: Everything Emily had done - getting into medical school, earning her doctorate, a teaching job at the academy - what had it gotten her? A desk job in the bowels of the FBI working alongside one “Spooky” Jareau.
Disclaimer: "Criminal Minds” is the property of The Mark Gordon Company, etc. "The X-Files" is the property of 20th Century Fox and Ten-Thirteen Productions. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.

“Sorry, nobody down here but the FBI’s most unwanted.”

FIC: A Little Fantasy (Criminal Minds; Emily/JJ)

trancer21 — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:58:55 GMT

I *told* you guys I'd become obsessed with these two! Just a little something I was working on before I thought of that whole crossover challenge thing.

Title: A Little Fantasy by trancer
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Pairing: Emily Prentiss/Jennifer Jareau
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between adult women - PWP, roleplay, toys, Will who?
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 3921
Summary: This not an affair. Emily Prentiss is *not* the other woman.
Disclaimer: "Criminal Minds", its characters, and the situations depicted are the property of The Mark Gordon Company, and a list of other companies I‘m too lazy to type. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.

“I’d ask what a woman like you is doing in a place like this, but we already know the answer to that.”

Dammit! Now I need some Emily/JJ icons!

Crossover/AU Mashup Challenge Type Thing

trancer21 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:26:33 GMT

Now that my time is no longer filled with studying until my eyes bleed, I wanna get back into writing. And since I'm in a crossover type mood, I figured I'd start with that. So, I decided to challenge myself.. and that's where you guys come in.

The Rules: Pick a pairing from the list below (one pairing per poster please), then pick a Universe, and I'll write a fic for it.

The Couples
1. ~~Cara/Kahlan (Legend of the Seeker)~~ (C. Battlestar Galactica, tyrael_alpha, mayireadtoday)
2. ~~Bo/Lauren (Lost Girl)~~ (D. The Walking Dead, takethisstep; The X-Files, warpedscientist)
3. ~~Myka Bering/Helena G. Wells (Warehouse 13)~~ (E. DC Comicsverse, ralst)
4. ~~Emily Prentiss/Jennifer "JJ" Jareau (Criminal Minds)~~ (B. The X-Files, by eclecticfan)
5. ~~Emma Swan/Regina Mills (Once Upon A Time)~~ (A. The Fast and the Furious, the flyingshadow; C. Battlestar Galactica, ariestess on Dreamwidth)

Universe
A. ~~The Fast and the Furious~~
B. ~~The X-Files~~
C. ~~Battlestar Galactica (Old School or New School)~~
D. ~~The Walking Dead~~
E. ~~DC Comicsverse~~

Stuff I've Read - (More) Longfic Edition

trancer21 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 02:09:22 GMT

Oh man, I'd meant to post this *ages* ago and am just now finding the time. I mean, I have this LONG list in my 'to read' file and am barely scratching the surface. (I made an EXCEL SHEET, people!) And my list just keeps getting longer.. thanks to AO3's 'mark to read later' feature. Anyway, my standard disclaimer when doing rec type stuff is this - I don't claim to be an expert on writing. What's written below is merely a list of stuff I've read and my thoughts on them. Nothing more, nothing less. So, with that said, here we go...

CRIMINAL MINDS

1. "And Shiva Blinked" by Harper-M. Emily/JJ, Mature, 22205 words. I liked this fic in the sense that it reads like an episode, where every character has there 'moment' and the case file is interesting and well told. But, as a first time, it fell a little flat for me because there's very little examination of the JJ/Emily ship. JJ finds out Emily's gay, in between there's a case, and at the end the two kiss. That's it. I was expecting a little more depth to the relationship aspect, ie, I wanted the ship aspect of the story to have as much depth and examination as the case aspect of the story. This isn't to say that I disliked it, or it's not good. It's good *and* I liked it. I guess I was expecting a bit more romance.

GLEE

2. "Say Goodbye To This Heart Of Mine" by Random-Flores, Santana/Rachel - Mature, 14500. ZOMBIES... AND GLEE!! It's Santana/Rachel, but it's mostly a Santana story, not that Rachel gets lost in the characterization. It's the end of the world and all Santana and Rachel have is each other. It's about how Rachel slowly and, sometimes, annoyingly whittles away at Santana's emotional defenses and before either of them realize it.. BAM!! And I love how Santana is written here. The story's not particularly long, but there's a lot of depth and insight into the character. And not a single 'latina' descriptor to be found *anywhere*!!

DOLLHOUSE

3. "The Gun in the Stars (We Are In Some Old Film About Lovers In Wartime)" by Immortality. Whiskey/November, Mature - 60081. Wow, I'm not even sure where to start with this one. Like, it totally had me at 'post-apocalyptic zombie fic' but, seriously, it totally delivers. This is what I *wish* 'The Walking Dead' had been, maybe with a bit of 'Escape From New York's' grittiness. This is more post-apocalypse than zombies. Where it's really about the time after, when the dead are mostly dead and the survivors are finding ways to eke out an existence. It's hard and gritty, with characters that are neither heroes nor anti-heroes, imperfect people trying to find their place in an imperfect world.

4. "The Midnight That Lasted Forever (That Old Saying About Lovers In Wartime)" by Immortality. Whiskey/November, Mature, 46334 words. An interesting contrast to immortality's other fic I read, The Gun In The Stars, same fandom – Dollhouse, same pairing – Whiskey/November, similar circumstances – post-apocalypse but with werewolves instead of zombies. I don't want to say the previous fic is better than this one, it's just that the plots are so similar that the one I read first compares as the better because everything was.. unfamiliar? Like, here, this story reads like 'The Gun In The Stars' as if Whiskey and November were already in a relationship as opposed to the previous fics first time aspect. Their relationship here is more romantic, less dysfunctional and violent, and shows more of how they work as partners. I mean, I liked it, I *really* liked it and I definitely recommend it. I just wish, plot wise, it hadn't been so similar to the previous one.

Fringe/Warehouse 13/Castle

5. "There You Are" by Cdybedahl. Helena/Myka, Olivia/Beckett, Astrid/Claudia, PG-13 - 46346 words. There's a good story here, actually several good stories in fact. The problem is, they're all shoehorned into one and it's all very square peg, round hole. There's a lack of focus (imo), particularly with the characterization, that gives the story a lack of depth. So I found myself skimming a lot. Had the story been longer, focusing on just one or two characters, I think it may have merged well. As is, there are good ideas, but it didn't read to me like a coherent whole.

HIGHLANDER

6. "The Thief" by Meghan Black, Mature - 39109. Woot! Fandom blast from the past! *sigh* I wish femslash wasn't so damn rare in this fandom. Written way back in '97 and, at almost 40k in words, I wished I'd liked it more. It's mainly a first-time romance and there's nothing wrong with that (admittedly, the writing tends to veer into purple prose territory more often than not). It's just, when you're dealing with a canon involving immortals who run around lopping each other's heads off with swords, I was looking for something a little more, I don't know, epic. Even when there's a third party introduced as a rival for Amanda's affections, I thought there was a lack of dramatic tension all around to effectively deliver the melancholy tone the story ends on.

RIZZOLI & ISLES

7. "Interference" by SnuffyNYC, Rizzoli/Isles - Mature, 80915 words. [Trigger Warning for consensual non-con roleplay] This is good. Like, good in ways I was completely NOT expecting!! This takes place/was written during season one and there's a plot point that happens where I had to stop and go 'wait! When did *that* happen?'. The characterization is that good but a little more grounded, less campy than the show. I mean, the Rizzoli family dynamics here are.. I wish the show were as good as its portrayed here. The story is a drama, but it never veers into melodrama, it's a bit more grounded in reality.

8. "Darkness Within" by Anamatics, Rizzoli/Isles - Mature, 9398 words. [Trigger Warning] A sequel of sorts to 'A Gentleman's Dilemma', which is just as good. If I have one complaint it's that the damn thing is soo SHORT!! The story deals with Rizzoli's first contact with serial-killer Charles Hoyt, how his attack on her shakes the foundation of her still questioning identity.

9. "Heat Wave" by SnuffyNYC. Rizzoli/Isles, Mature - 40434 words. I will never, EVER be disappointed in a fic that starts off with Jane Rizzoli masturbating.. TO HER OWN REFLECTION!! Lol, seriously. It's a nice contrast to the other SnuffyNYC fic I read. It's a first time fic, but the Jane here is more grounded, less.. angsty. She's all confidence, swagger and sexuality. There's a refreshing lack of angst when it comes to Jane's recognition of her own sexuality and her desire for Maura. I really like how Snuffy writes Maura, there's always a depth to her character that I often feel is missing from the show.

WAREHOUSE 13

10. "Belief & Betrayal" by Grumpybear1031 & Shaych03, Helena/Myka, Mature - 86859 words. Oh man, if ONLY season three had started as this story does. *sigh* I mean, if you like long, plotty fics with action and romance and some hot girl on girl lovin'.. or in this case, Secret Agent on Supercentenarian lovin', heh. I particularly liked how all the characters are integrated/get their chance to shine. I mean, Artie acts like a complete ASS for the majority of his fic, but it always feels organic and never like an excuse to use the character as merely an obstacle. Then there's Myka and Helena. Both characters always feel as in character and the romance between is just.. *swoon*. They have obstacles and anxieties but the moment the two are together, they're *together*. I do have one *minor* nitpick and that's the revelation that Helena, in an attempt to save Christina, had been raped. I don't know. Helena has gone back in time three times to save her daughter only to fail each and every time. That's a mountains worth of angst right there. Adding sexual assault on top of that felt like overkill.

11. "Artificer & Phile" by Anamatics. Helena/Myka, Mature, 62741 words. A re-telling of WH13, in which Myka never joined the Warehouse after Sam's death and, still, winds up meeting Helena, and getting involved in Warehouse business. I liked it just fine, I just wish there'd been a little more 'oomph' to it. And I really can't explain it any better than that. Like, in retelling seasons two and three, it feels like there's too much story to tell in too little time (too few words)? The only thing that's really different here is how Myka and Helena's relationship begins, with Myka falling for HG before she joins the Warehouse. I liked that the Myka in this story already identifies as queer, and the examinations of the little struggles regarding coming out all over again in a new place. I also liked the characterization of Helena, both confidant and insecure, still out of place in her time. I do wish there'd been a bit more to do with Helena, though.

Oh, and if anyone has any recs I'd love to have them. Admittedly, I have a *very* long to read list but there's nothing wrong with adding more!

FIC: Eye of the Storm [x-over Criminal Minds/Terminator; Emily/JJ]

trancer21 — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:13:03 GMT

Title: The Eye of the Storm by trancer
Fandom: Criminal Minds/The Terminator (crossover)
Pairing: Emily Prentiss/Jennifer Jareau
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between adult women
Spoilers: None, unless you haven’t seen ‘The Terminator’
Word Count: 3518
Summary: Jennifer Jareau had dreams, ideas of what her future would and should be. Then, she met Emily Prentiss..
Disclaimer: "Criminal Minds", its characters, and the situations depicted are the property of The Mark Gordon Company, and a list of other companies I‘m too lazy to type. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.

"Emily’s body was a canvas in which a lifetime of war had been painted."

Fan Art: Legend of the Criminal Minds

trancer21 — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:39:15 GMT

This is a - drive by/not dead post!! That, and after like a billion seasons on-air, I've become OBSESSED with Criminal Minds. I don't know what took me so long but I guess better late than never, right? So, the idea for this started because of a fic idea where Emily (who's a closet Legend of the Seeker fan) has a thing for dominating blondes in tight red leather, and JJ's totally willing to help her out. Except, I have NO TIME to write fic these days!! Which is a whole other post that may or may not happen. Which snowballed into an idea of doing the entire cast as LotS but since I don't have any time ended up with just Emily and JJ. All of this is just my way of saying a) not dead and b) EMILY AND JJ DO COSPLAY!!

Sigh, now I have to go find Emily/JJ icons because I just realized I don't have any!!

FIC: Achilles Other Heel [Revenge; Amanda/Emily]

trancer21 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:44:22 GMT

Title: Achilles Other Heel by trancer
Fandom: Revenge
Pairing: Amanda Clark/Emily Thorne
Rating: Mature for consensual and mild rough sex between two adult women.
Word Count: 2015
Spoilers: post-1x13
Summary: Amanda has always had a hard time saying goodbye, especially when it comes to Emily.

The best lies are always the ones wrapped in truth.

Fic: Ladyhawke [LotS; Cara/Kahlan]

trancer21 — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 07:43:38 GMT

Title: Ladyhawke by trancer
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Pairing: Cara/Kahlan
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between two adult women.
Word Count: 32771
Spoilers: None.. Unless you’ve never seen the movie ‘Ladyhawke’.
Summary: AU/Movie ReMix thing: It was the cruelest of curses - always together, eternally apart. But one way or the other, they would find their way back to each other.
Disclaimer: "Legend of the Seeker", its characters, and the situations depicted are the property of ABC Studios, and Terry Goodkind. “Ladyhawke” is the property of Warner Bros, and 20th Century Fox. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.
A/N: Written for the 'Femslash Nano-rama Challenge'.

"Always together, eternally apart, as long as the sun rises and sets, as long as there is day and night, and for as long as they both shall live. You have stumbled onto a tragic story, my boy. And now, whether you like it or not, you are lost in it.. with the rest of us.”

Fic: It's Just You And Me Against The World [Vampire Diaries; Bonnie/Caroline]

trancer21 — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 21:58:13 GMT

Title: It’s Just You And Me Against The World by trancer
Fandom: The Vampire Diaries
Pairing: Bonnie Bennett/Caroline Forbes
Rating: Mature
Spoilers: None
Word Count: 3866
Summary: AU - As far as apocalypses go, this one isn‘t so bad.
A/N: Written for my Summer Of Cliches Bingo Card (yes, I know it’s no longer summer but, dammit, I’ll get a Bingo if it kills me!); prompt #20: Zombies
Disclaimer: "The Vampire Diaries", its characters, and the situations depicted are the property of Warner Brothers Television, CBS Television Studios and Outerbanks Entertainment, and LJ Smith. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.

“Oh my GOD!” Bonnie groans. “I swear, it’s like I’m dating a five-year-old!”

Fic: Beautiful Disaster [Fringe/Warehouse 13; Myka Bering/Olivia Dunham]

trancer21 — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:14:50 GMT

Title: Beautiful Disaster by trancer
Fandom: x-over Fringe/Warehouse 13
Pairing: Myka Bering/Olivia Dunham
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between two adult women.
Word Count: 2967
Spoilers: None, takes place after the season two finale on Warehouse 13 and mid-season 3ish of Fringe.
Summary: AU - Myka‘s new partner might not be exactly what she wants, just exactly what she needs.

"I got a blowjob from a stripper once."

Fic: Extenuating Circumstances [Warehouse 13; Helena/Myka]

trancer21 — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:03:12 GMT

Title: Extenuating Circumstances by trancer
Fandom: Warehouse 13
Pairing: Helena ‘H.G.’ Wells/Myka Bering
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between two adult women
Spoilers: General spoilers for all seasons, not a 'fix it fic'
Word Count: 2026
Summary: PWP - The weekend is almost over and Myka's tired. Except, when it comes to Helena, Myka's never really *that* tired.

"I don’t see how sex is an extenuating circumstance."

Femslash Dark Fic Recs?

trancer21 — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 00:04:29 GMT

With Halloween just around the corner, I was wondering if anyone had any femslash Dark Fic recs? Vampires, zombies, AU's where the good character goes evil.. anything!!

Stuff I've Read - Longfic Edition

trancer21 — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 16:18:55 GMT

Woo-hoo!! I'm back from vacation which, I think, only five of you knew about beforehand. This trip also included me and my mom going on another cruise, which turned into one of the *strangest* cruises I've ever been on and that's BEFORE some idiot thought it would be really cool to JUMP OFF THE BOAT!! I am not kidding about that one. A bit of trauma I don't ever want to go through again, but I did finally get to go to Jamaica *and* I swam with stingrays!!

Anyway, before I left, I finally scraped up enough cash to buy an e-book reader which I quickly loaded up with lesbian ~~porn~~ fan fic. This time around, I concentrated on some of the longfics I have bookmarked. As always, I don't consider myself like some expert of fiction, this is just a collection of my thoughts and while I would rec all the fics listed below, I liked some more than others.

1. "Holy Clockwork Angels" by Ghostrunner, Supernatural, Jo/Ruby - Mature, 16151 - I.. um.. DAYUM!! Like, seriously, DA-YUM that was good!! Like, I know it's a Supernatural AU but it's so different, so unique, it really feels like an original fic al together. AND IT'S STEAMPUNK!! I mean, I love steampunk but I don't read a lot of it because, imo, too many authors get caught up in the aesthetics that tends to bog the story down with unnecessary window dressing, here, everything is pitch perfect. And while it's barely over 16k in words, there's so much depth to the world building, I wanted to like pitch a tent and live there forever. Heh, if Supernatural were *this* story, I wouldn't have bailed mid season two.

2. "A Slight Obfuscation of the Truth" by Harper-m, Murder In Suburbia, Ash/Scribbs - Mature, 25000 - I should probably admit upfront that I'm a bit of a Harper-m fangirl and, like, she can totally do no wrong in my eyes. So it shouldn't be a surprise to say that I loved this fic. Scribbs proposes a 'friend's with benefits' relationship to Ash, Ash accepts and, on its own, it'd be a really fantastic idea. Here, it's explored even further. What starts as a series of sexual encounters between two friends/colleagues becomes something deeper. And it's done in that way where it feels like this totally could have been an episode of 'Murder in Suburbia' if you know the show either survived or the PTB were willing to go there. The characterization here is just so spot on, particularly with Ash as the two make their way through this relationship and Ash realizes she may feel more for Scribbs than what she considers proper between two co-workers.

3. "The Story Needed Mending" by Mad Maudlin, Sanctuary, Kate/Ashley - Not Rated, 18338 - Yay!! Of course, I will always say 'Yay!' to any fic that gives me Ashley/Kate. Particularly a long one. I'm not sure when I became such a big Kate fan but I think it's because of fic's like these that give the character a depth that is too often lacking on the show. I like the separate POV's in this fic, how it's told in both a straight forward narrative and that of a fairy tale. I do wish there'd been just a teensy bit more of the relationship dynamic between Kate and Ashley since, for most of the fic, Ashley really doesn't have a voice and mostly a presence around Kate because, at times, I think there's a bit too much subtlety at play.

4. "Asunder" by thegirl20 and faithinthepoor, Legend of the Seeker, Cara/Kahlan - Mature, 36000 - [Trigger Warning for non-con/dub-con] I don't know. I wished I'd liked this one a bit more but I'm not really a fan of 'Kahlan In Peril' storylines, particularly ones in which the character is so passive in regards to her own rescue. I liked the 'Cara as Torn' aspects, particularly emotional Cara as the woobiest woobie that ever woobied!

5. "When Maura Isles Made It Rain" by Harper-m, Rizzoli & Isles, Rizzoli/Isles - Mature, 30345 - Complete and total thumbs up. Highest recommendation possible. More than anything, what I love about this is that it's a 'first time' story told (mostly) from the POV of Maura. Honestly, I could gush for days about how Maura's portrayal is soo organic, when I feel like sometimes the show leans a little heavily on the 'quirky' aspects of the character. The characterization is just soo spot on, the fic at times honestly feels like it could be an episode. Heh, especially the whole 'Jane poses as a stripper', I mean, really, I find it more outlandish that this plotline *hasn't* happened yet. Seriously, if the show were to do a 'Jane poses as a stripper', I'd be sorely disappointed if it doesn't happen exactly as it does in this fic!

6. "A Gentleman's Dilemma" by Anamatics, Rizzoli & Isles, Rizzoli/Isles - Mature, 16709 - Wow.. I wish I had the vocabulary to describe how much I LURVE this fic. I know it might not be for everyone but, you know, what is? It also reminds me of one of the things I love about fan fic, taking characters and putting them in different situations and still have them be the same characters as portrayed onscreen. This Jane Rizzoli is, when the audience is introduced, a person who's questioning her identity. And what I really like is how it's not just about gender/sexuality, it's also about Jane questioning herself as a cop, a daughter, a sister, and how everything kind of blurs together. She meets Maura, and through a series of encounters where the two grow closer, Jane comes closer to finding herself. It doesn't all end neatly with a nice little bow, but Jane's closer to both accepting and, more importantly, liking the person she is. I do wish there'd been a few more scenes with Jane and Maura, I'm not sure if I feel as if the ending is a wee bit forced or if I just wanted more interaction between the two as they negotiate their way through this winding, weaving path towards each other. Because, as much as I liked Jane's characterization, I also liked how Maura is portrayed here. How it's not just about Jane finding herself but, in some ways, Maura finding her own identity through Jane.

7. "Lady I Will Touch You With My Mind" by Corchen, Warehouse 13, Myka/HG - Mature, 18567 - While I love the premise, I mean, who doesn't love 'forced marriage' stories, I have to admit this story left me a little cold. Mainly because it felt like a lot of the first half, a series of scenes told from both character's POV's, was a bit too much telling and not showing without ever really delving any deeper into the characters than 'I like her, does she like me?' type thought processes. The premise is intriguing, an artifact that physically projects the thoughts of someone onto their object of affection. The story is presented as a case file, but never really goes deeper. I guess I just would have liked to have seen a bit more of Helena and Myka's reaction to the case as they sort their way through their feelings for one another. I mean, the story (imo) is at its best when it finally gets to the sex scene because there's a bit more emotional depth in the scene than in everything it took to get there.

8. "22 Hours, 19 Minutes Repeated" by Cdybedahl, Warehouse 13, Myka/HG - Mature, 11749 - This story may or may not have made me a little misty-eyed. But you'll never get me to admit it in public!! I mean, it takes serious balls to kill of not one but BOTH of the characters in a pairing but, seriously, that shouldn't deter anyone from reading. While the story isn't tragic, per se, it is bittersweet, with a sort of hopeful melancholy ringing through out. I mean, I seriously thought that Helena would both 'get her girl' and change the course of history so there's a 'happier' ending. But, I liked that it's not exactly a 'happy ending' that both is and isn't. And I don't want to say anymore because then I'll give away the ending!!

9. "Is There A Doctor On The Dig" by Bat Morda, Xena, Xena/Gabrielle - Mature, 49567 - [Trigger Warning for references to past rape] I almost feel like my Xena fan membership will be taken away once I admit I've never read this classic fic before. Admittedly, of all the fics I read (for this rec list) I found this one the most disappointing. It's two stories, really – a first time fic involving Janice and Mel, as well as a series of narratives told from Xena's POV. When the story is focused on Xena and her thoughts, I really liked it. It's the Mel/Janice story that, ultimately, left me cold. The Mel/Janice story is told in a manner that's all external, there's very little characterization. I didn't know any more about either character at the end of the story as I did at the beginning. There's no real character arcs for either character other than the 'first time' aspect. There's no depth given to either character. Also the narrative is pretty straight forward and is missing, imo, some of the homage aspects that made 'The Xena Scrolls' so much fun. But, what I found a huge disappointment was the insertion of 'rape as plot point'. Like, I know this was written before f-preg became popular/common but I still found the usage here both casual and lazy story telling. There were 101 different ways for Gabrielle to have a child, having her raped by Perdicus' brother and in the passive manner it occurred, I don't know, I just found it lazy story telling and incredibly off-putting. As much as I liked the Xena portions of the story, I wish they were a bit more integrated into the Mel/Janice plot which I think would have made that better. Instead, it feels like two stories mashed into one, with one being far superior than the other.

10. "Primary" by Seven-3-Oh, Legend of the Seeker, Cara/Kahlan - Mature, 128355 - Epic fic is EPIC!! While this is a sequel to previous short fic I don't think it's necessary to have read both beforehand. This is a first time fic, but it's so much more than that..heh, obvious by the whopper of a word count. What I like most about this story is that it's mostly a Kahlan story and, imo, treats Kahlan's character in a way the show and book canon kind of sorta side-stepped for the ship. How the plot is basically the giant weight that's been placed on Kahlan's shoulders as not only the last Confessor but the last Mother Confessor. It's not very actiony, but it really doesn't need to be. I'm not a big fan of politics, but the politics here feel both organic and necessary. There's also the romance between Kahlan and Cara, and everything is about how the two navigate their way towards each other. If I have a criticism of the story and, on a scale of 1 to 10, it would be somewhere around a 2, it's in the characterization of Richard. Considering the plot revolving around the characters, there's so little of Richard's character, he feels more like a plot point/obstacle and I would have liked a little more depth to him. I mean, I know Richard is on occasion not the shaprest pencil in the box but here he does something so phenomenally stupid I would have liked a little more of his POV to both understand why he got to that point and a bit more of him afterwards.While I know this story is about Kahlan and Cara conquering both their inner and outer demons to become closer to one another, I just could not see Richard, after having done what he does and knowing the consequences, so easily leaving Kahlan to her fate. The same also goes for Zedd. I found some of his reactions a little too.. callous, considering how much of a Richard//Kahlan fangirl he is in the series. Another minor criticism is the final third that deals with the arrival of a villain, which, imo feels a little bit rushed in comparison to the slooow buildup to get there. And I don't know if I'd feel differently had I read this as a WiP instead of as one *giant* read.

11. "Pieces Form A Whole" by Sos10, Legend of the Seeker, Cara/Kahlan - Mature, 71632 - Dude!! *Hurley Voice* Dooooodd!! Like, I don't even know where to start with this fic. Like, Epic Fic Is Epic. An AU twist to the events in 'Torn' with both Richard and Zedd dying. As mentioned in the notes, it's not about Kahlan angsting over Richard's death. Well, okay, Kahlan does angst over Richard's death which I would expect the character to since Richard was such a large part of Kahlan's life, but it's so much more than that and that's what I really liked. Both Kahlan and Cara's grief is also about finding their place in a world where their 'assumed' roles have been stripped of them, Kahlan loses her Confessor powers and Cara, with the death of Richard, loses her powers as a Mord'Sith. So, here you have these two characters mourning for what was, grieving together and separately, all while trying to find their place in the world. And, since this is femslash, the two become closer in the process. And it's all slow build style, everything feels organic and never forced. While this is definitely a Kahlan story, Cara's characterization is always present. As Kahlan's power grows, Cara grows along side her as an equal. I'll try not to spoil too much but one of the things I really liked was the resolution to the 'epic battle' and how it's not hate and violence that ends things but words and, well, love. As much as Kahlan is a warrior, I liked this portrayal of her using her mind to stop the endless bloodshed. The story is like one of those sweeping grand and epic romances that's both epic and intimate *because* it's about two people finding their way to each other through grief and suffering, so as much as I loved the happy ending I was also kinda sad that it had to end.

12. "No Fate But What We Make" by Ivanolix, Legend of the Seeker, Cara/Kahlan - Mature, 87835 - *sigh* You guys.. YOU GUUUUIIISSSEE!! This may turn into a bit of word vomit since I loved it so much. It's (another) AU, this time it's a twist on 'Unbroken'. And, honestly, as much as I loved LotS as is, had this been the show? I.. *dies*!! Richard's dead, Kahlan's pregnant and a non Mord'Sith Cara is named the new Seeker and it's all about Kahlan and Cara searching for the Stone of Tears. Along the way, they pick up a witch, Shota, and a Mord'Sith, Denna, completing the quad. But this isn't, like, a genderbent LotS (not that that would be a bad thing). It's about these powerful women finding their way and becoming heroes in their own ways. What I really liked most was how it dealt with both motherhood and pregnancy, and how these aspects weren't portrayed as 'weaknesses'. When Cara's children join the journey, it's out of necessity and while the kids are in some ways a liability, it's never in the negative (and, honestly, I don't really know how to explain it more than that). While I do think more could have been done with Shota's character, I loved the addition of Denna. She's not Cara ver. 2.0. Denna, while a Mord'Sith, is written with her own motivations, her own arc in which the character changes in ways Denna never could have foreseen. But, this fic is mostly about Cara and Kahlan. I liked that the Cara here is both familiar and new, how both her past and her insecurities shape the woman as she transitions into both Seeker and Kahlan's partner. And mother, the story never lets you forget that Cara is a mother, and I mean this in a good way. And then there's Kahlan, and here's another fic in which, ultimately, Kahlan winds up as the ruler of D'Hara. Which, I don't know, I guess I have a kink for or something. Anyway, it's one of those fics that's epic and grand but also intimately personal and if I can't have this LotS as a show, I may just try and find a way to, like, gay marry it or something.

Sadly, and surprising for me, there was no Glee, Gossip Girl or RPF on my 'vacation to read' list. But, now that I finally have an e-book reader, I can read all the lesbian pron I want while on the bus to work!

Stuff I've Read - Fan Fics

trancer21 — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 20:08:23 GMT

Okay, wow, it's really been a long time since I've done one of these. This is just some stuff I've read and my thoughts if you're interested in something to read. I ~hope~ to do more of these with a bit more frequency since my Diigo bookmarks are becoming a bit unwieldy but, sigh, I really wish I knew what the hell happened to all my free time!!

- "The Reason Is Everything" by sos10, LotS - Cara/Kahlan 6,419k.
Because it's porn and I'm nothing if not a big 'ol perv. Heh, but seriously, the reason this works (for me) and why it's so good is because it's more than just sex. It's a series of sexual encounters between Cara and Kahlan, and through each encounter, we see how each of them is changing, until it all comes to a boil and the two can no longer deny what's happening between them. Like, I *loved* that Cara puts a stop to their affair because she believes that she's broken Kahlan. How, at any other point in her life, the idea of breaking a Confessor would have thrilled Cara but here the very thought that she's broken Kahlan breaks Cara.

"This Is Not (A Love Song)" - by the memories fire, Glee - Quinn/Rachel 4907k.
Quinn as serial killer. This fic is dark and twisted and.. unsettling, but in a good way. Quinn, at a very young age, is broken and adopted by the Berry's. But Rachel is broken as well (and I loved the almost off the cuff reference that Rachel was adopted). They are two broken creatures, in a twisted relationship of control because, in the end, all they have is each other. While the two eventually start a sexual relationship, there is no sex in this story and I like that the author doesn't romanticize the relationship. Which, strangely enough, kinda makes it more romantic? Oh, and if you have certain squicks regarding animal abuse, HEED THE WARNING! There's nothing graphic but it's there.

"When We've Been Here A Thousand Years" - by blahnicity, Fringe - Astrid/Olivia, 3240k.
This is an amazing fic, because it takes a character so underused, gives her depth and purpose so lacking onscreen. It's a series of moments, of things that did and did not happen (but should have) onscreen, all from Astrid's POV. That it ends as Astrid/Olivia? Total bonus!

"Regret It In The Morning" by scurvyknavery, Lost Girl - Bo/Lauren, 2633k.
Bo's mouth is insistent, almost obscene, as her tongue licks into Lauren's mouth and she tugs at Lauren, trying to get her closer still. Really, what am I supposed to say with line's like *that*? Okay, first off, there just isn't enough Lost Girl fic in the world! What I really like about this, aside from the scorching hot sex in a strip club bathroom, is Lauren's awkward relatability. She wants something she can't have and even when it's in the palm of her hand, literally, it's still not hers.

- "We Will Be" by impertinence, Merlin, Morgana/Gwen 13838k
This is one of those fics that reminds me why I ever fell in love with the show Merlin to begin with. While it's completely worthwhile, it's not an easy read, particularly the first half. The show has always skated around its 'class issues' in regards to the various 'master/servant' relationships, with Arthur and Merlin, it's always played for laughs. With Gwen and MOrgan, there's always been a bit more of an edge to it. I was a bit uncomfortable, to the point where I almost stopped reading, with the way the relationship between Morgana and Gwen is initially portrayed (mainly because, too often in fics the classist power dynamics are unconscious and never touched upon). Here, it's intentional. Morgana keeps Gwen at arms length, she can sometimes be cruel, using her status as the king's ward to be dismissive of Gwen. As the story progresses, Morgana's 'need' for Gwen becomes greater. Not just a romantic need, Morgana needs Gwen to be her equal, to want something more than being a servant or Morgana's lover. While this is from Morgana's POV, I also liked the characterization of Gwen here, just like Morgana, she's completely capable of putting Morgana at arm's length. And, as Morgana's desires and needs grow, Gwen is hesitant, both not and because of her status as servant. It's one thing to dream, it's something completely else to verbalize those dreams, in particular, to someone of nobility. Gwen is always aware of that divisive line between them.

What appeals to me most about Morgana/Gwen fics is the air of tragedy around them. While this isn't a tragic story, that element is there. How these two, eventually though not in this story, get what they want, just not in the manner either expected.

Oh, and if you read and like the fics don't forget to leave some love to the authors!

Cliche Fic #21: "Heroes, Whores And The Ones In Between" [LotS; Cara/Kahlan]

trancer21 — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 01:30:27 GMT

Title: Heroes, Whores and the Ones In Between by trancer
Fandom: Legend of the Seeker
Pairing: Cara/Kahlan, Cara/Denna, Cara/Dahlia, mentions of Kahlan/Richard
Rating: Mature for consensual rough sex between two women.
Word Count: 10548
Summary: Space AU - Richard’s in trouble, again, and the one person who can help is the last person Kahlan wants to ask.
Disclaimer: "Legend of the Seeker", its characters, and the situations depicted are the property of ABC Studios, and Terry Goodkind. This piece of fan fiction was created for fun and not profit.
A/N: Written for my Summer Of Cliches Bingo Card; prompt #21 - One Meeeellion Dollars: Indecent Proposal.

"I'm not in love with Cara Mason."

Cliche Fic #7: "An American Warehouse Agent In Paris (and London)" [WH13, Myka/Helena]

trancer21 — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 07:13:09 GMT

Okay, I totally cheated and changed one of the squares on my bingo card. I figured I've done enough 'freestyle crossovers' that I could swap it out with something else. Plus, I wrote 17k worth of Myka/H.G. luvin', I figured I'd earned the right to cheat!!

Title: An American Warehouse Agent In Paris (and London) by trancer
Fandom: Warehouse 13
Pairing: Helena ‘H.G.’ Wells/Myka Bering
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between two adult women
Spoilers: General spoilers for all seasons
Word Count: 17903
Summary: History is set in stone. The past can not be changed. Until, one day, Myka Bering makes a wish.. in the Warehouse.

“Oh, Toto,” Myka smiled sheepishly, raising both hands defensively. “We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.”

sigh Oh For Pete's Sake!!

trancer21 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:21:50 GMT

I seem to have lost the ability to write short stories. I thought I'd finish my first Myka/HG fic today.. and then it hit the 13K mark. AND I'M STILL NOT FINISHED!! Like, I wouldn't be surprised if this sucker breaks the 20k word mark.

*sobs* I.. I just wanted to write a little HG/Myka porn. Is that so wrong!?! Of course, I may have to play a little fast and loose with my Cliche Bingo Card. Because, you know, if I'm writing 20k's worth of HG/Myka loving, it's gonna fit somewhere on that damn card even if I have to cheat!

Cliche Fic #18: "Time In A Bottle" [Sanctuary; Helen Magnus/Jane Druitt]

trancer21 — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 04:10:26 GMT

Suh-WEET!! It's a two-for-one deal, a fic for IDoF *and* another fill for my Cliche Bingo Card!!

Title: Time In A Bottle by trancer
Fandom: Sanctuary
Pairing: Helen Magnus/Jane Druitt
Rating: Mature for consensual sex between two adult women.
Spoilers: General spoilers for all seasons
Word Count: 11622
Warnings: Genderswap, violence and some graphic imagery
Summary: Always-a-girl genderswap. Helen doesn’t want Jane Druitt. But, she needs her, for reasons that aren’t as simplistic as Helen would like them to be.
A/N #1: In this story, Ashley doesn’t die/disappear. Also, in my mind's eye, Jane Druitt would totally be played by Peta Wilson!!
A/N #2: For my Cliche Bingo Card; prompt - #18 Genderswap

"Helen could think of a thousand reasons not to be here, a thousand reasons why she *shouldn’t* be here. Yet, here she was, standing across from the person she hated, the person she used to love with every fiber of her being."