Rec: Letters From an Unhinged Mind

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And now for something completely different.

Story: Letters From an Unhinged Mind
Author: rollingstone
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 395
Author's Summary: The Doctor writes two letters: an apology to Obi-Wan Kenobi, and a reprimand for stolen jellybabies.
Characters/Pairings: Fourth Doctor

Recced because: The best crack!fic is that fic that, while undeniably cracky, is also somehow perfectly in character. The premise of these letters is ridiculous, but I can still "hear" Four perfectly nonetheless, lecturing Obi-Wan and upbraiding the jellybaby thief. I was giggling by the third sentence, and didn't stop all the way through.

Excerpt:

I'm terribly sorry for stealing your lightsaber. In hindsight, I realize that, as a Time Lord, I have little use for such a tool, as I tend to favor diplomacy over force anyway. But my immense brain, far superior to your feeble one, overtook pragmatism, and I found I desired to understand such a tool. I hope you'll forgive my theft, particularly given that it was done only to further my expansive and immutable search for knowledge. I intended to return it just as soon as I examined its internal structure and means of application.

However, was it really necessary to set my scarf aflame?

Rec: We'll Find a New Equation

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Story: We'll Find a New Equation
Author: averita
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 2140
Author's Summary: Luke's third night here, she'd woken at half two in the morning to the sound of quiet footsteps on creaking stairs; her sonic lipstick was in her hand and she was halfway out of bed before she remembered.
Characters/Pairings: Sarah Jane Smith, Luke Smith, Maria Jackson

Recced because: So, I was debating between three different stories for my second-to-last rec, when suddenly this one popped up on my radar. And holy crap, if it wasn't the cutest freaking thing ever.

I think we can all agree, based completely on empirical evidence, that the Smiths are the most adorable family on television. But they don't win that distinction by being all good times and fair sailing. This story perfectly captures the family atmosphere in early SJA--Luke: hesitant and uncertain about what's okay to do, clearly looking up to Sarah Jane as his savior but not certain how to relate to her; Sarah Jane: torn between her affection for him and her deeply-ingrained reserve, wanting to do her best for him but terrified that she can't. And Maria is fierce and uncompromising in best Maria fashion, calling out Sarah Jane on just how ready she is to find an excuse to believe that she can't be a good mother, to run away from connections to other people, with all that attendant responsibility and vulnerability.

All in all, a great snapshot of early SJA, keeping true to the tone of the show but with more room for detailed emotional exploration. And with just the right blend of heartache and heartwarming.



Excerpt:

It's been two weeks, two awkward, stilted weeks that have gone by like a dream. Everything's done and dusted - papers forged to perfection and signed, the spare room decorated and closet filled with clothes that Maria has assured them both will help Luke fit in with other kids their age. She's kept Luke occupied most of the time, exploring the town (Sarah Jane forgets, sometimes, that she's in a new environment too) and gently teasing him, teaching him things that he won't learn at school or at home. Their home, Sarah Jane thinks, and grips the edge of the table.