Comments | theyellowwood: Two Roads Diverged : Chapter 6

icedteainthebag in theyellowwood

Two Roads Diverged : Chapter 6

Nov 27, 2009 08:53

Title: Two Roads Diverged (6/10)
Author: icedteainthebag
Word Count: 34,420
Rating: MA
Pairings: John Cavil/Ellen Tigh, Ellen Tigh/Saul Tigh, Laura Roslin/Bill Adama
Warnings: None
Summary: Sometimes we make mistakes when we think we're doing the right thing.
Notes: See Chapter One, but specific thanks on this chapter go to tjonesy and larsfarm77.
Artist: MrsDrJackson
Link to Art: banner ( Read more... )

chapter 6

Comments 30

bsg_aussiegirl November 29 2009, 06:39:48 UTC

I really like the way you have these two interacting so tentatively at first. Some fanfics just have them sharing confidences in 5 mins flat. This seems much more believable.

icedteainthebag November 29 2009, 20:08:13 UTC

Thank you, that's a great point on their interaction. These two were fighting each other the entire time I wrote the fic (in my head, hence, in Word, lol). I think that's why they didn't end up having sex--that would have required a level of comfortableness I think it's impossible for them to reach, at least in this story.

(The comment has been removed)

icedteainthebag November 29 2009, 20:06:01 UTC

YES! Mary was right on. Not nearly enough female relationships explored in the series.

Thanks for the comment! :)

mammothluv December 1 2009, 16:30:08 UTC

I love the way this chapter starts with Laura and Ellen more trusting of each other than before but still playing games with one another and sort of poking at each other trying to figure things out. It's so fascinating watching two characters with such strong personalities interact. It's like they both want to let their guard down but, Gods help them, neither one of them is any good at it.

Speaking of keeping one's guard up...Ellen knew the ability to keep her guard up was something Laura had refined to perfection. She'd practically made indifference an art form. She was that type of woman.I like this both because it's a great description of Laura and because it gives me the idea that Ellen has been watching Laura and trying to figure her out ever since they met ( ... )

icedteainthebag December 1 2009, 19:08:31 UTC

I like this both because it's a great description of Laura and because it gives me the idea that Ellen has been watching Laura and trying to figure her out ever since they met. I picture them both sniffing around each other (metaphorically, or not!) like a couple of territorial dogs... they're such strong, dynamic women, and they're all twisted up in this complicated quadrangle of a relationship the four of them have been thrust into. I could totally see them trying to figure each other out since they met ( ... )

mammothluv December 2 2009, 18:33:55 UTC

As much as I'm in favor of Laura/Ellen sexing in any and all situations, I absolutely see what you mean about it not fitting in with where the characters are in this story. I hope you do post it as a stand alone sometime though because I hate the though of there being Laura/Ellen sexing by you that I have not been able to read. *sad face*

icedteainthebag December 2 2009, 18:39:40 UTC

I'm so glad you see it too.

And I will... just have to work a few things around so it doesn't seem like it's some sort of deleted scene. :)

i_am_davnee December 4 2009, 01:03:52 UTC

I liked how you depicted these two in this chapter, wary of each other, still playing games, but finally willing to trust a little, or maybe not so much willing as desperate to trust, desperate for someone who understands.

The Adar revelation was an interesting one on Laura's part. I like how you cast it as more than just a gift to Ellen to put her at ease, show her a vulnerability, but also as something Laura needed to get out. I'm one of those Adar apologists out there who believes he meant more to her than a lot give him credit for.

Saul and Bill need to come home!

icedteainthebag December 4 2009, 03:34:44 UTC

Desperate is a wonderful word to describe it. :) Thank you for seeing that in them.

The Adar thing was an idea by tjonesy (I'm repeating myself from my feedback above, sorry :) ) after I spent a really, really long time trying to figure out how to make this scene between Laura and Ellen work. They're so tricky to work together into a scene, especially one where they're not catfighting, in fact, actually trying to bond. This was common ground for them.

And OMG, Adar apologist... I LOVE the way you put that, and can I join your club? I refuse to believe she'd stay with him so long without him having any redeeming qualities.

They will! Eventually!

Thanks for reading :)

lavenderseaslug December 4 2009, 17:54:52 UTC

You leave me speechless but I'm going to try for some coherency anyway. I almost just left a comment that said "THIS &hearts'" but...well. I decided not to.

But really. This.

It's lovely and heartbreaking and everything I want to read in fic. I have no real words for how much I am enjoying reading this.

I love that these two women are baring their souls to each other and having such a hard time doing it. And that Laura was willing to divulge her affair with Adar in order to keep Ellen from risking going out after curfew. And how Ellen recognizes the persona that Laura puts on and the different faces Laura has. I love that Laura is willing to offer Ellen comfort. I love that they still say cruel things to each other even when they're trying to help.

This really is a wonderful feat, this fic. You are amazing.

icedteainthebag December 9 2009, 20:21:36 UTC

I'm so happy you thought I got their dynamic right; it is a frakking insanely hard dynamic to work with. They are SO complicated.

This scene was rewritten four times. The final version just clicked for me, and it makes me so pleased it worked for you too.

Thanks for the comments and for reading and enjoying.