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January 1! So I can reveal that for Yuletide I wrote "Elinor & Marianne," a Sleepy Hollow story! The summary: “Here’s what I figure,” Abbie said. “You need to catch up to modern culture. But you should catch up in stages. By degrees. Even Mark Twain was a little too far ahead for you, so let’s take it back a step. We’ll start you off with what’s closest to your time period, and move forward a few decades at a time until you’re back in the groove.”

So she starts Ichabod with a novel Corbin gave her long ago: Sense & Sensibility.

Had great fun writing this and hope to do a bit more in this fandom. (With Victor Garber appearing as Ichabod's father, I would guess this is inevitable.)

Also, I now know that my lovely Orphan Black story, "Duplicity," was written by the terrific Barometry. Thank you, Barometry!

As for the 2013 fic year in review: The number of stories is fewer than ever - but one of those stories was 162K words, so I actually wrote a lot: ( Fic of 2013 )

Current Mood: determined
Current Location: California
Current Music: "Wings," Little Mix
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/493351.html

First up: It's after Christmas, but I can reveal that I wrote "Xmas In Connecticut" for Kaydeefalls in the Secret Mutant holiday exchange. She asked for a fusion -- any fusion -- so I put the characters in the 1940s movie "Christmas in Connecticut." The synopsis:

In December 1944, the entire nation loves Rebecca Lawrence - "America's Most Beloved Homemaker." Her columns about leading the ideal life in the country help lift people's spirits on the home front during World War II. But when her publisher asks her to host a war hero for Christmas dinner, the world is in danger of learning the truth ... which is that "Rebecca Lawrence" is imaginary. Really, she's a combination of Raven's snappy writing and Charles' knowhow in the kitchen.

However, this war hero, Erik Lehnsherr, is headed to Connecticut, so Raven and Charles have no choice but to find a way to make the imaginary real - at least, just for Christmas. Charles thinks they can pull it off, at least until he opens the door to see Erik and falls in love at first sight.

I participated in Yuletide again this year - so far, I've been aboard in every year, though I had to default that time I slipped on the ice and banged my hand up beyond the ability to type. My story is flying under the radar, though at least one of you has found it, which made me happy. :) But more importantly, you all need to read my gift story, which is AWESOME. "Duplicity" is an "Orphan Black" story, Paul/Beth & Paul/Sarah, looking at the many lies and truths hidden within each relationship. And while it focuses in tightly on those three, there are great insights into the other characters, especially Felix and Art. It's made me tremendously happy and is well worth checking out, if you love OB as much as I do.

In the WIP category I have "Pantheon", a Roman Empire XFMC AU that, in its own weird way, is closer to canon than most of the XMFC stuff I've written in the past year and change. The synopsis:

In the year 96 AD, all Rome is aware that their gods have begun to Mark certain people with their gifts -- the healing power of Apollo, the metal control of Vulcan, the deathly touch of Pluto, or the mental powers of Minerva. When those gifts fall to slaves or barbarians instead of the Romans themselves, strict control is necessary.

Then a gladiator from Judea meets an enslaved scribe from Britannia, and the repercussions will shake the Empire itself.

I've posted 9 of the 12 chapters; the rest is plotted out, but ultimately I had to take a break over the holidays, as work/travel/holiday/fic exchange obligations were absorbing so much time. However, I plan to resume publishing in mid- to late January, and should wrap up very shortly thereafter.

My holidays have been lovely so far. Right now I am doing a house swap in the Bay Area, which has been a fascinating experience. I had NO IDEA I could clean my house like that. I mean, I cleaned out every drawer and wiped down the insides. THAT kind of clean. Happily, she was just as meticulous with her own apartment, which is adorable and perfectly situated. Have been catching up with old friends, seeing the sights, and eating chow mein. What's not to love?

Hope all is well with all of you.

ETA: Just saw "American Hustle," which is terrific. Jennifer Lawrence's performance merits all the hype and then some, but everyone is excellent across the board. Check this out if you possibly can.

Current Mood: chipper
Current Location: Oakland, CA
Current Music: "Love Lockdown," Kanye West
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/493200.html

This could be a huge ol' meta question, but what I am actually asking is, if I wrote an XMFC story in a setting so remote that it would absolutely require changing character names, as in all of them, would it throw you out of the story too much? There would be a handy reference guide in the notes.

(If it's relevant, and I don't see how it would be but it feels like it would be, they still have their mutations.)

Current Mood: curious
Current Music: "All This & Heaven Too," Florence + the Machine
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I wish to write more fic but am stymied at present. Any prompts/ideas you guys want to toss out there? XMFC and Elementary particularly desired.

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: "Crown on the Ground," Sleigh Bells

Not one but two new fics for your perusal, should they interest:

"Death Before Dusk", an Elementary fic, Sherlock/Joan, and yet not as romantic as you might be thinking. 15K words. The synopsis --

The bad news: In 111 days, an asteroid will strike the Earth in a cataclysm that promises to destroy human civilization as we know it.

The good news: There's been a murder.

Also, I recently posted "Born To Rule", which is not so much a sequel to my XMFC AU story "Anarchy in the UK" as it is a brief, 5K coda, shamelessly written/posted to coincide with the birth of Wills & Kate's kid. The AITUK universe should get to have royal babies too, right?

Movies I have seen and liked: "The Great Gatsby" (so sue me, I thought the acting was amazing and made up for some extra Luhrmann); "The Heat" (freakin' hilarious); "Pacific Rim" (my friend Steph and I are considering costuming as jaeger pilots for Halloween) and "The Bling Ring" (sort of style over substance, but I think that's the point?) Still hoping to check out "The Wolverine" and "World War Z."

Current Mood: hopeful
Current Music: "Pink Cashmere," Prince
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/491888.html

Hi there! I didn't die. I just took my time writing a very, very long fic -- the longest I ever wrote -- which you can now read in its entirety at the AO3:

"Anarchy in the UK"

Synopsis: "Good God, Erik thought. The Prince of Wales is gay."

Charles lives in the unceasing glare of the public spotlight, yet keeps his sexual orientation a closely held secret, afraid he could lose his throne and force his deeply troubled younger sister into a role that would crush her. Erik, journalist and world traveler, has been a loner most of his life; he has little patience for closet cases. But a chance meeting in Kenya brings these two opposites together and sets in motion a love affair that will challenge the British monarchy -- and force them both to change forever.

Many thanks due to

rheanna27 for Britpicking above and beyond the call of duty on that one.

In other fannish news, I love "Elementary" with wild desperate love and expect to write it next.

Current Mood: sick
Current Music: "Touches You," MIKA

Happy New Year to all! A couple quick fic things:

1) On New Year's Eve, I finished posting "Made To Be Broken," an XMFC Charles'Erik story set in the modern day, no powers. The summary:

Charles makes a New Year's Resolution:

“No more straight men,” Charles repeated as he began scrolling through the apartment directory for Emma’s name. “No more futility. No more pointless hoping and heartbreak. In 2013, I never want to hear the words ‘exception,’ ‘experimenting’ or ‘phase.’ If, God forbid, I hear ‘bicurious’ even once, I may take a hostage.”

Then he goes into the party, and Erik is there.

2) Yuletide reveals mean that I can now say I wrote my first (but undoubtedly not last) "Elementary" fic, "Solve For X," (canon-compliant, Holmes/Watson UST, but not relationship-defining UST, if that makes sense.)

Their relationship as it stands has one mathematical certainty: It will end in twenty-five days.

At that time, her sojourn as his sober companion will end. Either Watson will pass out of his life forever, or Holmes will have to devise another option.

3) I can also now properly thank one of the authors of my TWO Yuletide presents, both of which were fics inspired by the Dessa song "Alibi." The radiant Ziho wrote me "Don't Need To Know," which almost seems to have pre-existed the song -- the narrative setup is just that perfect. A mysterious, still-anonymous soul wrote me "i give you fair warning", which uses "Alibi" to springboard into the life of a wife who examines her loyalties anew. Even if you are not a Dessa fan (though you SHOULD BE, because her solo work and her stuff with Doomtree is beyond awesome), and even if you do not know "Alibi" (though it is the song in this world that most needs a multifandom vid), these stories will make complete sense; really, they stand alone as original fiction. Highly, highly recommended.

4) Figured I might as well do that Fic Year In Review thing again:

( fic I wrote )

Hope everyone has a wonderful 2013.

Current Music: "Destiny," Zero 7

Have just posted "Persephone," a fic that takes place just after the ending of the movie "Prometheus."

Summary: Elizabeth repairs David - but slowly he begins to realize he is malfunctioning in a way she can't fix.

And he doesn't want her to.

Also, needing some light and happy fun one fine day, I wrote an epilogue to "Appropriate Boundaries," a.k.a. "the one where Erik is Charles' massage therapist." You thought it couldn't get any fluffier? WELL, THINK AGAIN.

Current Mood: busy
Current Music: "Harbor," Vienna Teng
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/491196.html

I have now completed "One Last Kiss At The End Of The World," an XMFC Charles/Erik fic. The summary: When Raven gets mixed up in a mutant cult, Charles infiltrates the group, pretending to be a true believer in the hopes of getting her out. What surprises him is the charisma and uncanny wisdom of the cult's leader, Elisha Ammon -- the emotional power of this isolated group of mutants working to create a home together -- and his powerful connection to Ammon's right-hand man, Erik Lehnsherr. But Ammon's fear of humanity, and of the future, makes him desperate for control ... and when the bond between Charles and Erik can't be contained, Ammon's reaction proves deadly.

(The role of Elisha Ammon is being played by the very obliging Imaginary Benedict Cumberbatch.)

Also, posted all in one great big chunk is the XMFC Charles/Erik fic "As Dark Longs For Day". The summary: A daring young thief escapes from the wicked bishop's dungeons, thinking herself free -- until she encounters a rider with a black horse, a tame hawk and a dark secret. And who is this mysterious young man who only appears at night, accompanied by a tame wolf? Yes, it's the Ladyhawke/XMFC pastiche the world's been clamoring for! Hope you enjoy.

Current Mood: lethargic
Current Music: "Feel The Love," Rudimental
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/490913.html

A non-fic post: Several of you have been kind enough to email or text and ask how I'm faring in the hurricane. The short answer is that I am well out of range, i.e., still in Scotland. Though I'm obviously concerned about my house, everything I've read from my local friends and the news there suggests that it ought to be fine. Supposedly I am going home tomorrow, though given the likelihood of continued power outages in NoLa, I consider myself at about a 50% probability to get stranded in Philadelphia for a day or two. If this happens, NYC people, I may be headed your way. I'm currently without phone contacts (though not without phone - why did I not take the time to import the info to the global phone?), so if anybody wanted to drop me a line via email with their number, I would be very grateful!

Right now I'm on a train from Inverness to Glasgow, though it is currently motionless due to a landslide on the tracks. We'll make it, by diverting through Edinburgh, but it's going to take a while. Transit is not going well for me currently, is what I'm saying.

More fic updates, and new fic, not long after I get back to the US and have electricty/internet again, but at this point I think giving any time estimates on that would be a bad idea.

ETA: All flights to New Orleans canceled tomorrow and most likely Friday too. I was offered a bump to first class if I'd travel on Sunday instead, so I am doing that. Three more days in Scotland!

I know that my house is without power, but it's in an area that has no trees or power lines down and no flooding, so I remain only at Concern Level Yellow there.

Current Mood: worried
Current Location: train tracks
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/490528.html

The luminous

podcath has recorded a lovely podfic of my XMFC story "Sacrament," i.e. "the one where Charles is a priest." She's done a wonderful job, as always, so this is well worth checking out --

Appropriate Boundaries: The Podfic.

Headed to Scotland, the better to go hiking with the intrepid

rheanna27. Will attempt to update fic from small islands off the northern coast. I'm sure that will go well.

Current Mood: sleepy
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/490383.html

I've finished posting "Appropriate Boundaries", a modern-day, no-powers AU in which Erik is the massage therapist who's assisting Charles -- and they quickly run into the question of how to turn a professional relationship into a personal one. Hope you enjoy!

Current Mood: grumpy
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/490116.html

First of all, I'm currently posting not one but two XMFC fics:

1) "Appropriate Boundaries", in which Charles has been having serious problems with back cramps in the year and a half since he's been in a wheelchair. His doctor prescribes massage therapy. But when Charles meets his masseur, Erik, in some ways they begin to heal each other. So how do you cross the boundaries between professional touch -- and the personal?

2) "One Last Kiss At The End Of The World," in which Raven gets mixed up in a mutant cult, and Charles infiltrates the group, pretending to be a true believer in the hopes of getting her out. What surprises him is the charisma and uncanny wisdom of the cult's leader, Elisha Ammon -- the emotional power of this isolated group of mutants working to create a home together -- and his powerful connection to Ammon's right-hand man, Erik Lehnsherr. But Ammon's fear of humanity, and of the future, makes him desperate for control ... and when the bond between Charles and Erik can't be contained, Ammon's reaction proves deadly.

(Elisha Ammon is being played by Imaginary Benedict Cumberbatch, who had a window in his schedule.)

These are both being posted as I write; I'll update again when they're done.

Also! I very negligently neglected to inform the world that an absolutely marvelous podfic of my XMFC story "Undone" has been made by the equally marvelous

podcath. I am guilty of both neglecting the wonderful podficcer and not sharing her awesomeness with the world, though I think most of you know she's great already. If you haven't heard it already, take a listen!

**

Book rec! Those of you who read my journal back in the day will remember my Former Coworker Who Looks Like Michael Vartan But Who Unfortunately For Me, But Not For Him Or His Husband, Is Gay. Well, now I can add, And Is Also An Author. If you would like to read a literary novel about the gay scene in Manhattan and the complicated romances and friendships interwoven within, then may I point you to his novel? Read and enjoy!

Current Mood: accomplished
Current Music: "Echoes," the Klaxons
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/489793.html

Am I the actual very last person to post their Help Haiti story? Probably. But post it I have. For the patient, long-suffering

kangeiko, I have written this --

Title: "A Marital Education"
Fandom: Pride & Prejudice
Rating: R
Summary: Darcy's impotent.

**

Meanwhile, the wild AU series of XMFC stories in which Charles is a former priest continues, and concludes, with "Miracle," in which Erik's belief system is shaken to the core. Enjoy!

**

Finally, the marvelous

dodificus has created a podfic of my Alias story "The Backup." If you were one of the six or seven people who had a yen for Jack/Will, well, now you have a faboo podfic for your listening pleasure.

Current Mood: productive
Current Music: "Breath of Life," Florence and the Machine
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I do not normally wander off into radical AU series, but there's a first time for everything, I guess. The third installment of the "Father Charles" series is up now, complete: "Faith."

Current Mood: tired
Current Music: "Letter to Hermione," Robert Glasper
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The lovely

basingstoke has written me a lovely story based on a long-standing favorite "what if" of mine with "Doctor Who." Loving Nine as I do, I've always wondered how he and Martha might have hit it off; also I always wondered how the events of "Human Nature"/"Family of Blood" would have played out if it were the Ninth Doctor in that predicament, instead of the Tenth.

basingstoke took this, ran with it, and the result is the wonderful "Bloody Nature." Read and behold!

Also, I finished "Paralyzer," so if you were waiting on that to read, wait no longer.

Current Mood: relieved
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/489125.html

"Grace", the sequel to "Sacrament" -- in which Charles used to be a priest and is now working on building a life together with Erik. But while Charles is looking toward the future, Erik remains haunted by the past.

Current Mood: okay
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/488822.html

I felt like I ought to say that I haven't been reading my flists on DW or LJ for a week or two now; I'm taking a little break from fandom, and I'm not sure how long that is going to last. Potentially a while.

However, I am still writing. Latest XMFC story: "Paralyzer" -- 1960s hunt for a serial killer who targets mutants!

(And yes, I'm posting as I write. So follow along or catch up at the end, whatever floats your boat.)

Current Mood: apathetic
Current Music: "Closer to Fine," Indigo Girls
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/488568.html

One of you out there must be (a) pretty good with graphic design and (b) with access to a machine that makes iron-on transfers, right? Or you know someone who does?

A friend and I each need some iron-ons to complete our Mardi Gras finery. I need a Gizmonics Institute logo and patch, and she needs the sign that hangs on the outside of the TARDIS. We can provide the actual designs/dimension, of course, and would pay. Only trick is we need them in about two weeks. Anybody? Bueller?

**

FYI, there is more XMFC fic here: "Sacrament." Charles is a priest!

Current Mood: contemplative
Current Music: "Kashmir," Bond
Crossposts: http://yahtzee63.livejournal.com/488325.html

Pick up the nearest book to you.
Turn to page 45.
The first sentence describes your sex life in 2012.

"Not long afterward, Betty was walking in a park in Boston near Symphony Hall and the headquarters of Christian Science, when she received what she would later describe as her first visitation from the master El Morya."

... cryptic.

**

Awoke to startling clarity only four hours after I went to bed. :( This is the second time this has happened in about a week. I have long had sleep problems, and I tend to think of the insomnia being at stage one (not too bad, can deal), stage two (where I mostly live, hello Tylenol PM) and stage three (where I do not sleep despite sedative levels that would fell an elephant.) Stage three appears to have returned for a while.