There are so many things I want to say to you about this piece of work - how beautifully written it is, how stunning your imagery is, and how evocative and heart wrenching it is in its entirety. I don't think I am coherent enough to do that properly or succinctly.
I loved this, even though it brought me to a very painful place, and I suppose I loved this because you made it seem very very normal for Eames, and by extension anyone who has gone through this process, to feel selfish and guilty and useless without passing judgment on him.
Thank you, for writing this. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you for such a lovely and considered comment. I don't think I can reply to it in the manner it deserves, so at least we're in the same boat in terms of coherency, or lack thereof :)
I just, I don't know, am so happy that you thought this story was all right. Especially when dealing with an illness that is so prevalent in society and thus possibly close-to-home for many people, I was terrified of missing the mark and being insensitive or offensive.
And thank you, thank you, for touching on the fact that it is indeed normal, and valid to experience guilt, frustration, resentment, helplessness and so on in a situation like this. That's what I believe, to be sure, and I'm relieved that it came through - though hopefully without being too unsubtle or preachy.
Not at all, I can't explain how grateful I am to you for reading and even leaving a comment, despite the pain this story caused you. I hope you are doing okay now.
Um? I mean, I wasn't offended or anything, if that's what you were worried about. I can't speak for others but what you said was okay by me. Urgh. What am I even saying, sigh. Sorry :/
so, am i wrong in reading this ending as somewhat ambiguous? maybe. it's the spinning top all over again!! lol. but i am entranced by this story either way! if it was a dream, which would be delightful because arthur would be alive and eames would be happy, i'd actually be a little wistful because i'd miss the arthur and eames who went through the things they did, because they're the only ones i know. the arthur and eames at the end of this tale are new and intriguing and i'd beg you to write more so i could get to know them as well.
this was all utterly gorgeous. you said you're open to concrit and the only thing i would say is that the complicated names of the muscles were a little distracting. but again, i'm in love with this and that's like complaining bout one pebble on a beautiful day at the beach. *goes off to see if you've written anything else*
I have so much to say to you, this will be long, sorry!iri_descentAugust 2 2011, 21:31:45 UTC
Hahah, don't be silly - you're not thick! Er, randomly: I'm so impressed you read this first without reading the prompt. That's great, I guess the reading experience might have been 'purer' for you, as you didn't know for sure what would happen in the end.
I wouldn't call your perspective wrong, by any means. Obviously, the prompt seems pretty straightforward about the matter but I like (infuriating as it might be, ack!) to leave things a little open-ended, you know? So, by all means, I'd love for you to interpret this as you see fit.
i'd actually be a little wistful because i'd miss the arthur and eames who went through the things they did, because they're the only ones i knowOh! This is such a beautiful thought, thank you for sharing it. You have it exactly right, in my opinion. Even to me, it was rather disconcerting to think that perhaps the Arthur and Eames at the end of the story were not as in tune, not as patient, not as strong, not as devoted, as the ones 'in the dream'. I'm definitely thinking of writing more about them
( ... )
Oh my god, this was brilliantly written. I could not read it in one go (I needed my bf to take me in his arms while my mind screamed: Please, never get sick!) because I had tears in my eyes. Your characterisation and the way you portray their feelings and reactions was excellent. The happy end is there but bittersweet because you can feel Eames' memories and fears looming over them. Thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for reading and continuing to read, even though it was a probably painful and distressing journey to the end.
I'm so glad this particular characterisation worked for you; it's probably the thing I struggle the most with. I find Arthur and Eames such fluid personalities - so many different interpretations are possible!
Even though deep down I too wanted that fairytale happy ending, I didn't think it would be realistic. I hope the bittersweet ending worked for you, imperfect and complicated though it was.
Thank you again for reading and taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it.
Oh, goodness, thank you. While I'm really sorry you were crying and hurting, I'm also ridiculously honoured that you did so - conflict of interest, eep! I hope that doesn't come across as insensitive, I'm truly am awed and grateful.
I don't know, I just didn't think (I'm rather oblivious/dense, to be frank) that this would hit so hard and I'm sorry and pleased and happy and amazed and just, gah, stupefied, really, by how wonderful you all are for reading till the end and even leaving feedback. Thank you, so much.
ps. I get a lump in my throat every single time, listening to that song. Have you heard the Young@Heart version? It was recommended to me by gollumgollum on the kink meme and it made me tear up in the library, which was embarrassing but yeah, it was beautiful.
this is still me btwifoughthewarAugust 3 2011, 23:19:07 UTC
No no no you SHOULD definitely feel honoured (I'm mostly just surprised I had such a massive reaction ha) I don't cry over anything but like Eames crying all over Arthur in the bath? That was me...except all over my bedspread instead :) :) So really, honestly congratulations on your brilliant fic. I'll be sure to listen to that version of the song too thanks and yeah something about the way their hands are positioned is just so utterly gorgeous I couldn't resist. Oh and hey also random but this comment took like my whole train ride to type out (mostly cause my phones a piece of junk) but thanks for helping me spend it i guess? haha
Re: this is still me btwiri_descentAugust 5 2011, 23:39:39 UTC
Ah, that's a relief! I always worry about misunderstandings or coming across as a twat when not communicating face-to-face.
You poor bedspread! I loathe crying in the presence of other people but am kind of a wuss - a movie can set me off, ugh. It's rather embarrassing :/
Thank you, again, and no worries about helping pass the time on the train. I don't know about you but I get terribly bored and restless on trains. I'm glad you had something to occupy yourself with!
Comments 53
I loved this, even though it brought me to a very painful place, and I suppose I loved this because you made it seem very very normal for Eames, and by extension anyone who has gone through this process, to feel selfish and guilty and useless without passing judgment on him.
Thank you, for writing this. Thank you for sharing this.
Reply
I just, I don't know, am so happy that you thought this story was all right. Especially when dealing with an illness that is so prevalent in society and thus possibly close-to-home for many people, I was terrified of missing the mark and being insensitive or offensive.
And thank you, thank you, for touching on the fact that it is indeed normal, and valid to experience guilt, frustration, resentment, helplessness and so on in a situation like this. That's what I believe, to be sure, and I'm relieved that it came through - though hopefully without being too unsubtle or preachy.
Not at all, I can't explain how grateful I am to you for reading and even leaving a comment, despite the pain this story caused you. I hope you are doing okay now.
Reply
(The comment has been removed)
(The comment has been removed)
Reply
Reply
this was all utterly gorgeous. you said you're open to concrit and the only thing i would say is that the complicated names of the muscles were a little distracting. but again, i'm in love with this and that's like complaining bout one pebble on a beautiful day at the beach. *goes off to see if you've written anything else*
Reply
Reply
I wouldn't call your perspective wrong, by any means. Obviously, the prompt seems pretty straightforward about the matter but I like (infuriating as it might be, ack!) to leave things a little open-ended, you know? So, by all means, I'd love for you to interpret this as you see fit.
i'd actually be a little wistful because i'd miss the arthur and eames who went through the things they did, because they're the only ones i knowOh! This is such a beautiful thought, thank you for sharing it. You have it exactly right, in my opinion. Even to me, it was rather disconcerting to think that perhaps the Arthur and Eames at the end of the story were not as in tune, not as patient, not as strong, not as devoted, as the ones 'in the dream'. I'm definitely thinking of writing more about them ( ... )
Reply
The happy end is there but bittersweet because you can feel Eames' memories and fears looming over them.
Thanks for sharing
Reply
I'm so glad this particular characterisation worked for you; it's probably the thing I struggle the most with. I find Arthur and Eames such fluid personalities - so many different interpretations are possible!
Even though deep down I too wanted that fairytale happy ending, I didn't think it would be realistic. I hope the bittersweet ending worked for you, imperfect and complicated though it was.
Thank you again for reading and taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it.
Reply
It was just so beautifully tragic and devastating yet so entirely heartfelt. I felt stupidly involved too like, this is my OTP AND THEY'RE BREAKING.
So yeah I broke out the tissues and prettty much cried more than I've ever cried at a fic before, congrats. :')
p.s It turns out i'm such a glutton for punishment I'm now listening to the song too...
Reply
I don't know, I just didn't think (I'm rather oblivious/dense, to be frank) that this would hit so hard and I'm sorry and pleased and happy and amazed and just, gah, stupefied, really, by how wonderful you all are for reading till the end and even leaving feedback. Thank you, so much.
ps. I get a lump in my throat every single time, listening to that song. Have you heard the Young@Heart version? It was recommended to me by gollumgollum on the kink meme and it made me tear up in the library, which was embarrassing but yeah, it was beautiful.
Here's the link, if you're interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_n0zvoHlVk
Also, random, but I kind of adore your icon - hands are just lovely!
Reply
So really, honestly congratulations on your brilliant fic. I'll be sure to listen to that version of the song too thanks and yeah something about the way their hands are positioned is just so utterly gorgeous I couldn't resist. Oh and hey also random but this comment took like my whole train ride to type out (mostly cause my phones a piece of junk) but thanks for helping me spend it i guess? haha
Reply
You poor bedspread! I loathe crying in the presence of other people but am kind of a wuss - a movie can set me off, ugh. It's rather embarrassing :/
Thank you, again, and no worries about helping pass the time on the train. I don't know about you but I get terribly bored and restless on trains. I'm glad you had something to occupy yourself with!
Reply
Leave a comment