wildestranger (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
wildestranger) wrote2015-01-03 01:01 pm
wildestranger) wrote2015-01-03 01:01 pm
Entry tags:
Fic: Waves of Regret, Waves of Joy
I did a Yuletide thing!
Waves of Regret, Waves of Joy. House of Niccolo by Dorothy Dunnett. Gelis van Borselen/Nicholas de Fleury. 2900 words.
This was a curiously easy fic to write, partly because it turns out I have a lot of thoughts about Gelis van Borselen, and partly because I gave up on trying to write dynamic conversations - this being Dunnett, I trust that all the necessary conversations have already been offered for our perusal, and it would have been impertinent to try and add to them. The story takes place during Scales of Gold, and I reread the book as I was writing - there were moments when I didn't allow myself to read further until I had discovered what Gelis thought about a given thing, or why she did something, or even what Nicholas thought she was doing, and consequently did himself. It's an interesting way to read. Dunnett is very good at telling us when a character is feeling something without explaining why (Francis Crawford's OH SHIT I'M HAVING A FEELING in The Ringed Castle being a prime example), and so having to figure out the rationalisations behind various acts was quite a challenge. Not least because both Nicholas and Gelis are very good at having excellent reasons for their actions, but somewhat blind to their own irrationality.
It was also a bit heartbreaking, because it was only during this my third read that I noticed how Nicholas actually allows himself to be vulnerable about Gelis, and with Gelis, and that this is the only time that he ever does. And he is blatant enough about it that she must be know it too, and yet, she does the thing. Why Gelis does the thing is a question I've been wondering about with every read.
I have my theories, which you may find in the fic above, but I would be curious to hear about yours. My story is the first fic in the fandom (at least, according to AO3); it would be great to see more. This is a source rich in both people and world-building - let's make use of it!
And for those of you who have not read the books but would like to, give me your email address and I can send you stuff.
Waves of Regret, Waves of Joy. House of Niccolo by Dorothy Dunnett. Gelis van Borselen/Nicholas de Fleury. 2900 words.
This was a curiously easy fic to write, partly because it turns out I have a lot of thoughts about Gelis van Borselen, and partly because I gave up on trying to write dynamic conversations - this being Dunnett, I trust that all the necessary conversations have already been offered for our perusal, and it would have been impertinent to try and add to them. The story takes place during Scales of Gold, and I reread the book as I was writing - there were moments when I didn't allow myself to read further until I had discovered what Gelis thought about a given thing, or why she did something, or even what Nicholas thought she was doing, and consequently did himself. It's an interesting way to read. Dunnett is very good at telling us when a character is feeling something without explaining why (Francis Crawford's OH SHIT I'M HAVING A FEELING in The Ringed Castle being a prime example), and so having to figure out the rationalisations behind various acts was quite a challenge. Not least because both Nicholas and Gelis are very good at having excellent reasons for their actions, but somewhat blind to their own irrationality.
It was also a bit heartbreaking, because it was only during this my third read that I noticed how Nicholas actually allows himself to be vulnerable about Gelis, and with Gelis, and that this is the only time that he ever does. And he is blatant enough about it that she must be know it too, and yet, she does the thing. Why Gelis does the thing is a question I've been wondering about with every read.
I have my theories, which you may find in the fic above, but I would be curious to hear about yours. My story is the first fic in the fandom (at least, according to AO3); it would be great to see more. This is a source rich in both people and world-building - let's make use of it!
And for those of you who have not read the books but would like to, give me your email address and I can send you stuff.