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I've been self-medicating with a fair amount of Dark Is Rising lately -- reading fics and meta that I'd missed or forgotten, borrowing Alex Jennings's audio renditions from the library, getting my own archive in order (or at least less uncollected), and scribbling a couple of new drabbles in the process.
It belatedly dawned on me two Sundays ago that my subconscious miiiiiight be seeking memory fix-its right now because we're dealing with dementia in the family (I spent part of today helping ma belle-mère with paperwork) and among friends as well. *grimaces* The November-December holidays (hello, early Hanukkah!) also have a way of dredging up buried feelings about lapsed friendships, which this year will be amplified by the dance around those faltering from pandemic fatigue, my change of employer, and the usual erosion of connections by time and distance. Which all feels ridiculous with all the active relationships to tend to, and a handsome Hanukkah bundle from friends in Charlotte (chocolate gelt, dreidls, and embroidered towels -- I do feel loved), but I am a greedy soul, and you all know that, so. ;)
Anyway, in the course of picking my way through assorted/broken links from past lists (RIP Skyehawke), the urge to bring some still-around favorites to this year's celebration made itself known. So, to start things off:
For a Season, by significantowl (2003)
Jane/Will, R
Excerpt:
This is one of the first TDiR fics I read, and I revisit it every Christmas. It has mistletoe.
I also recorded it (with owl's permission) back in 2006: Part 1 and Part 2
Because I do figuratively live under a rock for unseemly stretches of time, I did not know about "Good King Wenceslas" being performed by Michael Stipe, Mandy Patinkin, and Stephen Colbert until two weeks ago, and now I cannot stop listening to it. Especially Mandy. Oh my God. It's not the mostest or the bestest Wenceslas rendition ever (although it did win an advent carol madness bracket in 2016, which is how I finally found an extant clip), but the sheer beauty of Mandy's voice when he comes in makes me wriggle my shoulders and toes and want to go make trunkfuls of hats.
It belatedly dawned on me two Sundays ago that my subconscious miiiiiight be seeking memory fix-its right now because we're dealing with dementia in the family (I spent part of today helping ma belle-mère with paperwork) and among friends as well. *grimaces* The November-December holidays (hello, early Hanukkah!) also have a way of dredging up buried feelings about lapsed friendships, which this year will be amplified by the dance around those faltering from pandemic fatigue, my change of employer, and the usual erosion of connections by time and distance. Which all feels ridiculous with all the active relationships to tend to, and a handsome Hanukkah bundle from friends in Charlotte (chocolate gelt, dreidls, and embroidered towels -- I do feel loved), but I am a greedy soul, and you all know that, so. ;)
Anyway, in the course of picking my way through assorted/broken links from past lists (RIP Skyehawke), the urge to bring some still-around favorites to this year's celebration made itself known. So, to start things off:
For a Season, by significantowl (2003)
Jane/Will, R
Excerpt:
I begin exploring his body with my mouth, taking my time, enjoying the feel of his chest and stomach against my lips. When it’s clear where I’m going, he shivers - then he stops me. He puts a hand to my face and stops me. I think: Will Stanton, you are an idiot. And possibly not human.
This is one of the first TDiR fics I read, and I revisit it every Christmas. It has mistletoe.
I also recorded it (with owl's permission) back in 2006: Part 1 and Part 2
Because I do figuratively live under a rock for unseemly stretches of time, I did not know about "Good King Wenceslas" being performed by Michael Stipe, Mandy Patinkin, and Stephen Colbert until two weeks ago, and now I cannot stop listening to it. Especially Mandy. Oh my God. It's not the mostest or the bestest Wenceslas rendition ever (although it did win an advent carol madness bracket in 2016, which is how I finally found an extant clip), but the sheer beauty of Mandy's voice when he comes in makes me wriggle my shoulders and toes and want to go make trunkfuls of hats.
