Yuletide recs
Mulan
Wind Sweeping Away Lingering Snow (風捲殘雪) (7318 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Mulan (1998)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Fa Mulan (Disney), Li Shang, Fa Zhou, Yao (Disney), Ling (Disney), Chien Po (Disney), Grandmother Fa (Disney), Fa Li, Mushu (Disney), Cri-kee (Disney), Khan (Disney), Original Characters
Additional Tags: Slice of Life, Post-Canon
Summary:
Mulan’s not lost, exactly. She’s just... taking the long, scenic route around to find her way back from the war. Wherever that may lead her...
Mulan is back from the war, and completely lost.
“Welcome home!” yells Butcher Chan.
Well. Not quite.
...I did not know I needed Mulan with actual female friends and a journey to her own peace with civilian life quite this much, but I did.
Starting Over (1730 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Mulan (1998)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Fa Mulan (Disney)
Additional Tags: Introspection
Summary:
It was supposed to be easier back at home, ensconced with her family again.
And in other news of things I did not know I needed: this fic, and especially the last five or so paragraphs. So much yes.
Valdemar
The Blood of Visionaries (21468 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Valdemar Series - Mercedes Lackey
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Vanyel Ashkevron/Tylendel Frelennye
Characters: Vanyel Ashkevron, Tylendel Frelennye
Summary:
“I won’t leave you,” Vanyel pledged, his grip tightening on his lute. “And I won’t let anyone take you from me, either.”
Tylendel’s heart ached at the words. He wished he could believe that either of them would have any choice.
Fair disclosure note: I beta-read this for character voice and setting, which basically meant I got to read this two weeks early and babble with the author about our thoughts on healthy vs unhealthy relationships and how to make these two characters not fall apart. It was a lot of squee on my side. This story is awesome, and has enough hope in it to make me think things could avoid the tragedy that is most of Vanyel's life.
Dinotopia
Improvise (3976 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dinotopia - James Gurney
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dinosaur OC, Human OC
Additional Tags: TED Talk
Summary:
"Hello. Thank you. Breathe deep. My name is Thundertooth, of the line of Crookeye. Though, to be fair, you might know me better from some of my other roles."
A TED tale from modern Dinotopia.
A running theme this year seems to be fics I didn't know I wanted until I started to read them. This gave me a nuanced view of Dinotopia and an insightful look at who is present and who is excluded in representation or stories.
The Order of the Air
Icebound (13024 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 7/7
Fandom: Order of the Air Series - Melissa Scott & Jo Graham, 20th Century CE RPF
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Mitchell Sorley/Stasi Rostov
Characters: Mitchell Sorley, Stasi Rostov, Henry Kershaw, Leni Riefenstahl, Max Schirmer, Franz Schrieck, Hans Schneeberger
Additional Tags: Yuletide, 1930s, Adventure & Romance, Foreshadowing, Films, Antisemitism, POV Jewish Character
Summary:
Spring of 1933: Mitch and Stasi hadn't planned on spending their honeymoon dodging bears and icebergs. But the pilot supposed to do the hair raising stunt flying on the German-American movie "SOS Iceberg" has fallen sick, the leading lady may or may not be possessed, and there is a ghost bent on revenge involving the new German leader...
Yes this was written for me. Yes, I already squeed about it once in my journal. I'm doing so again here because this is 13K of dead-on characterization, exploration of a missing scene in the canon, and does the fantastic tying into historical events that Order of the Air is known for. It also raises and works through more of the ethics in magic and what do the characters stand for when the choices get harder. Plus, it has historical notes and a video clip to tie in further!
Persuasion
it wasn't anger, but longing (10944 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Persuasion - Jane Austen
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Anne Elliot/Frederick Wentworth
Characters: Frederick Wentworth, Anne Elliot, Louisa Musgrove, William Elliot (Persuasion)
Additional Tags: 5+1 Things, Pining, Denial of Feelings, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Daemons, Alternate Universe - Science Fiction, Time Loop, Alternate Universe - Hogwarts
Summary:
In every universe, in spite of every way she's broken his heart, Frederick Wentworth still loves Anne Elliot. In some of them, though, it takes him a little longer to figure it out.
Or: Five universes where Frederick Wentworth was in denial and one where he accepted the truth.
Each AU covers a different scene in the book, and manages to highlight and comment in some way on the events and emotions. It is marvelously written in how it loops through and connects in to the through-line of the novel.
The Princess Bride
A Kissing Story (2485 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Princess Bride (1987)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Fezzik/Inigo Montoya
Characters: Fezzik (Princess Bride), Inigo Montoya, Westley (Princess Bride), Buttercup (Princess Bride)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon
Summary:
The story of the second best kiss of all time.
Fezzik and Inigo! This is a delight of a story, with the breezy skip-the-boring-parts narration of the novel, and a lovely insight into both characters.
In Consideration of Being a Thief (6505 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Princess Bride (1987)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Inigo Montoya/Westley, Buttercup/Westley (Princess Bride)
Characters: Westley (Princess Bride), Inigo Montoya, Buttercup (Princess Bride), Fezzik (Princess Bride)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, POV Multiple, Complicated Relationships, Background Relationships, Background Buttercup/Westley, Open to Interpretation, Possible Polyamory, possible break up, Found Family
Summary:
The life you plan for yourself may not be the best long-term plan.
This is the opposite, in many ways, of the previous story, and focuses more on the complications and difficulties that follow up when you have changed and grown from what you first believed about yourself and your place in the world. I love Buttercup's decisions here, and the Fezzik scene, and Westley and Inigio's discussions. There's ambiguity in the relationships and where they will further develop from the end of the story, and I quite like that as a different take on The Princess Bride.
Spindle's End
safe with us (1350 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Spindle's End - Robin McKinley
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Katriona & Rosie
Characters: Katriona (Spindle's End), Rosie (Spindle's End), Peony (Spindle's End)
Summary:
There were times during the day that Katriona went as many as three hours without thinking of the fate that hung over their house like an executioner’s sword suspended at the highest point of its swing.
Spindle's End, like most Robin McKinley stories, has a very specific narrative tone that can be hard to match. This story does so seamlessly, catching in to the storyline like it was a cut scene. It's lovely and quiet, and it just works perfectly within the context of the novel.
Sunshine
a root, a branch, a new-grown leaf (3199 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sunshine - Robin McKinley
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Mel/Rae "Sunshine" Seddon
Characters: Rae "Sunshine" Seddon, Constantine (Sunshine), Mel (Sunshine)
Summary:
Mel's tattoo is changing. Sunshine wants to understand why.
This is a perfect continuation of one of the dropped threads of the novel, and beautiful in its exploration of the characters and their relationship. Like my previous rec, it also manages to thread the needle and deliver narration that fits in perfectly with Robin McKinley's prose.
Wind Sweeping Away Lingering Snow (風捲殘雪) (7318 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Mulan (1998)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Characters: Fa Mulan (Disney), Li Shang, Fa Zhou, Yao (Disney), Ling (Disney), Chien Po (Disney), Grandmother Fa (Disney), Fa Li, Mushu (Disney), Cri-kee (Disney), Khan (Disney), Original Characters
Additional Tags: Slice of Life, Post-Canon
Summary:
Mulan’s not lost, exactly. She’s just... taking the long, scenic route around to find her way back from the war. Wherever that may lead her...
Mulan is back from the war, and completely lost.
“Welcome home!” yells Butcher Chan.
Well. Not quite.
...I did not know I needed Mulan with actual female friends and a journey to her own peace with civilian life quite this much, but I did.
Starting Over (1730 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Mulan (1998)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Fa Mulan (Disney)
Additional Tags: Introspection
Summary:
It was supposed to be easier back at home, ensconced with her family again.
And in other news of things I did not know I needed: this fic, and especially the last five or so paragraphs. So much yes.
Valdemar
The Blood of Visionaries (21468 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Valdemar Series - Mercedes Lackey
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Vanyel Ashkevron/Tylendel Frelennye
Characters: Vanyel Ashkevron, Tylendel Frelennye
Summary:
“I won’t leave you,” Vanyel pledged, his grip tightening on his lute. “And I won’t let anyone take you from me, either.”
Tylendel’s heart ached at the words. He wished he could believe that either of them would have any choice.
Fair disclosure note: I beta-read this for character voice and setting, which basically meant I got to read this two weeks early and babble with the author about our thoughts on healthy vs unhealthy relationships and how to make these two characters not fall apart. It was a lot of squee on my side. This story is awesome, and has enough hope in it to make me think things could avoid the tragedy that is most of Vanyel's life.
Dinotopia
Improvise (3976 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Dinotopia - James Gurney
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Dinosaur OC, Human OC
Additional Tags: TED Talk
Summary:
"Hello. Thank you. Breathe deep. My name is Thundertooth, of the line of Crookeye. Though, to be fair, you might know me better from some of my other roles."
A TED tale from modern Dinotopia.
A running theme this year seems to be fics I didn't know I wanted until I started to read them. This gave me a nuanced view of Dinotopia and an insightful look at who is present and who is excluded in representation or stories.
The Order of the Air
Icebound (13024 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 7/7
Fandom: Order of the Air Series - Melissa Scott & Jo Graham, 20th Century CE RPF
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Mitchell Sorley/Stasi Rostov
Characters: Mitchell Sorley, Stasi Rostov, Henry Kershaw, Leni Riefenstahl, Max Schirmer, Franz Schrieck, Hans Schneeberger
Additional Tags: Yuletide, 1930s, Adventure & Romance, Foreshadowing, Films, Antisemitism, POV Jewish Character
Summary:
Spring of 1933: Mitch and Stasi hadn't planned on spending their honeymoon dodging bears and icebergs. But the pilot supposed to do the hair raising stunt flying on the German-American movie "SOS Iceberg" has fallen sick, the leading lady may or may not be possessed, and there is a ghost bent on revenge involving the new German leader...
Yes this was written for me. Yes, I already squeed about it once in my journal. I'm doing so again here because this is 13K of dead-on characterization, exploration of a missing scene in the canon, and does the fantastic tying into historical events that Order of the Air is known for. It also raises and works through more of the ethics in magic and what do the characters stand for when the choices get harder. Plus, it has historical notes and a video clip to tie in further!
Persuasion
it wasn't anger, but longing (10944 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Persuasion - Jane Austen
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Anne Elliot/Frederick Wentworth
Characters: Frederick Wentworth, Anne Elliot, Louisa Musgrove, William Elliot (Persuasion)
Additional Tags: 5+1 Things, Pining, Denial of Feelings, Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Soulmate-Identifying Marks, Alternate Universe - Modern Setting, Alternate Universe - Daemons, Alternate Universe - Science Fiction, Time Loop, Alternate Universe - Hogwarts
Summary:
In every universe, in spite of every way she's broken his heart, Frederick Wentworth still loves Anne Elliot. In some of them, though, it takes him a little longer to figure it out.
Or: Five universes where Frederick Wentworth was in denial and one where he accepted the truth.
Each AU covers a different scene in the book, and manages to highlight and comment in some way on the events and emotions. It is marvelously written in how it loops through and connects in to the through-line of the novel.
The Princess Bride
A Kissing Story (2485 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Princess Bride (1987)
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Fezzik/Inigo Montoya
Characters: Fezzik (Princess Bride), Inigo Montoya, Westley (Princess Bride), Buttercup (Princess Bride)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon
Summary:
The story of the second best kiss of all time.
Fezzik and Inigo! This is a delight of a story, with the breezy skip-the-boring-parts narration of the novel, and a lovely insight into both characters.
In Consideration of Being a Thief (6505 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Princess Bride (1987)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Inigo Montoya/Westley, Buttercup/Westley (Princess Bride)
Characters: Westley (Princess Bride), Inigo Montoya, Buttercup (Princess Bride), Fezzik (Princess Bride)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, POV Multiple, Complicated Relationships, Background Relationships, Background Buttercup/Westley, Open to Interpretation, Possible Polyamory, possible break up, Found Family
Summary:
The life you plan for yourself may not be the best long-term plan.
This is the opposite, in many ways, of the previous story, and focuses more on the complications and difficulties that follow up when you have changed and grown from what you first believed about yourself and your place in the world. I love Buttercup's decisions here, and the Fezzik scene, and Westley and Inigio's discussions. There's ambiguity in the relationships and where they will further develop from the end of the story, and I quite like that as a different take on The Princess Bride.
Spindle's End
safe with us (1350 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Spindle's End - Robin McKinley
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Katriona & Rosie
Characters: Katriona (Spindle's End), Rosie (Spindle's End), Peony (Spindle's End)
Summary:
There were times during the day that Katriona went as many as three hours without thinking of the fate that hung over their house like an executioner’s sword suspended at the highest point of its swing.
Spindle's End, like most Robin McKinley stories, has a very specific narrative tone that can be hard to match. This story does so seamlessly, catching in to the storyline like it was a cut scene. It's lovely and quiet, and it just works perfectly within the context of the novel.
Sunshine
a root, a branch, a new-grown leaf (3199 words) by Anonymous
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Sunshine - Robin McKinley
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Mel/Rae "Sunshine" Seddon
Characters: Rae "Sunshine" Seddon, Constantine (Sunshine), Mel (Sunshine)
Summary:
Mel's tattoo is changing. Sunshine wants to understand why.
This is a perfect continuation of one of the dropped threads of the novel, and beautiful in its exploration of the characters and their relationship. Like my previous rec, it also manages to thread the needle and deliver narration that fits in perfectly with Robin McKinley's prose.