[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
And let's close out the week with a story I desperately wanted to rec last time but couldn't, as it hadn't been posted on Teaspoon yet:

Story: Hen Party
Author: MinervaFan
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 5444
Author's Summary: A mysterious invitation lures Sarah Jane Smith and several other companions to what may be the most unusual party of their lives.
Characters/Pairings: Ace McShane, Amy Pond, Barbara Wright, Donna Noble, Jo Grant, River Song, Sarah Jane Smith
Warnings: None

Recced because: In her author's note, MinervaFan calls this piece "utter silliness," and while that's wonderfully true (oh God, Jo doing the hustle with Liza Minelli!), it belies the skill that went into this piece. Companion mash-ups are fun to imagine, but when it comes to pulling them off, they are hard. Yet MinervaFan does it seemingly effortlessly, bringing together a group of companions with just the right chemistry for their interaction to pop and sizzle and leap off the page, ensnaring the reader and carrying them along. And for all the laughs (and there are many!), what I love most about this piece is the genuine feeling that runs underneath all of it, the palpable love the author has for all the companions and all their journeys. Sarah Jane and River's evolving interaction especially captured what both characters have meant to the Doctor, the show, and the fans, and was perfectly and heart-wrenchingly/warmingly bittersweet.

Excerpt:

Before any of them could respond, a face appeared on Mr. Smith’s view screen. A human woman, perhaps in her early 40s, with curly blond hair and a big grin on her face dominated the screen.

“Sarah Jane Smith! Oh, I’ve been meaning to look you up for ages now. Anyway, I know this is kind of late notice, but I so want you to be there. I’ve sent the coordinates to your gadgets. Dress casual, gifts welcome but not mandatory. Oh, and please don’t bring that damned robotic dog! And sorry–this gathering is adults only, so Clyde and Rani will have to stay behind too. Sorry, kids. We’ll have our own adventure later.”

The three humans stared at each other, then back at the screen.

“Oh, I forgot. Sarah darling, when you get to the coordinates (please don’t be late), tell them Dr. Song sent you. Ta for now, my lovelies. Oh, in case you do want to bring a gift, I wear a size six shoe and I adore Sergio Rossi. Or Jimmy Choo. Whatever you like is fine. See you there.”
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: The Assistant
Author: Lurky McLurklurk
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 4557
Author's Summary: The singleheart Doctor gets more than he bargained for when he gets a job.
Characters/Pairings: Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart, Rose Tyler, Sarah Jane Smith, Eight, Ten (human version)
Warnings: None

Recced because: I love alternate universes. I especially love complex and well thought out alternative universes. I especially especially love complex and well thought out alternate universes that give me SO MANY FEELINGS about their characters, even more feelings than I already had. And oh, does this fic deliver. I most of all love the take on Sarah Jane and the Brigadier, and U.N.I.T.'s dark secret. It's threaded through with well-crafted angst, but the ending is the most heartwarming thing I've read in a long time.

Excerpt:

"Well, if you're not going to work for Torchwood, then what are you going to do?"

"I definitely have to get a job?"

"Yes!"

"I could work for UNIT. I've done that before. Not in this universe, perhaps, but they exist here. I saw a truck one time."

"And how are you going to contact them? They're a top secret organisation! They're not exactly going to be in the phone book ..."
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: be still, and wait without hope
Author: Brunhilde
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 956
Author's Summary: The Lady President Romanadvoratrelundar in captivity. Here lie vague spoilers for the BFA 'The Apocalypse Element', and also mild allusions to torture.
Characters/Pairings: Romana II
Warnings: torture

Recced because: Brunhilde uses stark yet elegant and beautiful prose to weave a portrait of Romana in captivity, stripped of the trappings of her office and any all outward signs of individuality, yet irrevocably Romana, stubbornly clinging to her core self and refusing to let go. It is a harsh portrait rather than a happy one, yet it is because of this that Romana's strength, and the story's underlying hope, shine through all the brighter.

Excerpt:

I am Romanadvoratrelundar she told herself imperiously. I am a Timelady and President of Gallifrey. I am more than a number and I am not a slave.

And yet Romana would always remember the day she was enslaved.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: A Change in the Wind
Author: Beatrice Otter
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 2481
Author's Summary: Why does Mary Poppins have a bag that's bigger on the inside? Why, because she's a Time Lady, of course!
Characters/Pairings: Eleven, Mary Poppins
Warnings: None

Recced because: Normally crossovers aren't my favorite thing, but Mary Poppins being a Time Lady just fits so perfectly! Beatrice Otter has woven the two canons together seamlessly, with a fascinating take on both. Mary Poppins'/Domaripopexnal's first person p.o.v. narration is perfection, describing her circumstances with a sharp and dry wit, a grudging and not entirely conscious affection for her charges, and always underneath it all, a deep and piercing loneliness and grief for the losses of the Time War. Her interaction with the Doctor is deliciously complex on both their sides, a masterful portrait of warring anger, relief, gratitude, mourning, pride, loneliness, resignation, pity, and survivor's guilt.

Excerpt:

"Does she have eyes in the back of her head?" Auguste asked.

"Of course not, silly," Lucienne said scornfully. "We've seen her without her hat! She reads minds."

It was commendable logic, and much closer to the truth. Dromaripopexnal was a Time Lady, a native of the lost planet of Gallifrey, and mental sensitivity far beyond that of humans was one of the many gifts they possessed. So she could read minds, given preparation and close proximity to her subject, but in this case it was not necessary.

It was a simple deduction. One of the children was always lagging behind to look at something interesting; and as Auguste and Lucienne had been the most recently chastened for it, Madeleine was the most likely to be the current culprit. Honestly, Dromaripopexnal was not quite sure why looking after human children was considered so difficult. A very little bit of knowledge about the general behaviors of immature Homo sapiens, affection and attention, and discipline as appropriate. It was hardly vortex mathematics!
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Pre-Emptive Measures
Author: queriton
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 1477
Author's Summary: The Doctor has a certain reputation. Sometimes this is useful, sometimes not. Sometimes extremely not. Rated for 2 swear words.
Characters/Pairings: Ten, some original characters
Warnings: swearing

Recced because: In recent Doctor Who there's been a lot of mining of the Doctor's fearsome reputation for angst and tragedy, but queriton shows us how wrong we all were: we should have been mining it for hilarity, or at least hilarious tragedy.

One of my favorite kinds of stories are those that take a simple misunderstanding as their premise and follow it through to its logical, if ludicrous, ending. This fic is a prime example, with a quick pace, fun original characters, and a glib wit reminiscent of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Excerpt:

“It isn’t good, sir.” Sweat was beading on the general’s forehead.

“Out with it!”

“It appears he was alone, sir.” The beads merged, forming a rivulet, which wandered restlessly down one stubbled cheek.

“You’re right. Not good.”

“And unarmed.” A pearl of sweat found the general’s eye, which twitched involuntarily. He looked rather like a constipated ferret and was clearly stalling.

His Excellency said nothing, hoping against all logical expectation for a reprieve. The silence pooled and lengthened uncomfortably. He knew what was coming next.

“He surrendered, sir.” The words were bleak and hopeless, and echoed like a death knell.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Appearances Can Be Deceiving
Author: betawho
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 6755
Author's Summary: It was irritating enough having to deal with one Doctor; Peri didn't think she'd have to deal with two. Or have to deal with herself, an other self, a different self. She stared at the other Peri, with her one hoop earring, her biker boots, and her Bowie knife. Okay, that was just weird.
Characters/Pairings: Six, Peri, AU!Six, AU!Peri
Warnings: None

Recced because: Betawho has a great Peri voice and has her and Six's dynamic down pat; plus, this story showcases an interesting take on regeneration, an original planet that I'd love to visit, and two fascinating character studies. However, none of those things are the reason I'm reccing this.

I'm reccing this story for its very last line.

You'll know why when you read it.

Excerpt:

Sunlight dappled the dales and fields below, glinting off the rippling river. Meadows were a virtual jubilation of flowers, reds and purples and yellows. She'd much prefer to be down there collecting specimens, she'd seen some interesting looking brassica and bassilicum, rather than up here where she was likely to get snakebit or buried in an avalanche.

"What's the problem?" She turned her face up at that familiar impatient voice. Yellow trouser legs led up to his golden backlit explosion of hair. She shaded her eyes.

"I just thought I'd take a moment to compose my will before I fall down the mountain and die."
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Hullo, it's me again. Let's start things off with a bang!

Story: Dragons of the Mind
Author: Lyricwritesprose
Rating: Teen
Word Count: 23831
Author's Summary: In a dark and unfamiliar landscape, Ace struggles to save people while trying to figure out whether she's being played—and by whom.
Characters/Pairings: Eleven, Ace McShane, original characters
Warnings: mental manipulation, psychological horror, vague references to abusive situations, and one or two strong swear-words.

Recced because: Have you ever loved anything about Ace McShane, ever? Then you need to read this story. Right now.

Let me expand. Would you like a story that depicts Ace's life beyond the Doctor and portrays her in all that new maturity, but still keeps her wonderfully and recognizably Ace? That explores the echoes of Seven in Eleven's personality that we got a glimpse of in 'The God Complex?' A story with original characters that are vivid and engaging but don't overwhelm the plot? A story so tense that once you start reading it, you will be unable to stop? Mysterious goings-on and an unseen villain and tests of faith and cryptic behavior and high stakes and ohmygod seriously what are you still doing reading this description when you could be reading this story?!

(Also, while it's not a story about homophobia, there's an exchange towards the end of Chapter Six that has become my go-to thing to read when dealing with real life prejudice.)

Excerpt:

"–God, oh, God, please–"

And then he stopped. The hair on the back of Ace's neck rose.

She flashed the torch up to Curtis's face.

It was absolutely calm. Despite the darkness, his pupils were so tiny that his eyes didn't look quite real. "Kill her," Curtis said serenely.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Well, the end has come. For my last rec of the week, I'd thought I'd do something about goodbyes.

Story: You can't go home again
Author: Pitry
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 2237
Author's Summary: Five postcards the Doctor got from Mel.
Characters/Pairings: Brigadier, Third Doctor, Mel Bush, Amy Pond, Rory Williams, Eleventh Doctor, River Song, Ninth Doctor, Sixth Doctor, Seventh Doctor

Recced because: Full disclosure: this was written for my prompt at [livejournal.com profile] dw_straybunnies. But I wouldn't be reccing it if Pitry hadn't taken my half-formed hopes and wishes and sculpted them into pure timey-wimey awesome.

For all of its randomness, Mel's goodbye to the Doctor in 'Dragonfire' is still one of the most affecting in the show's history. Her promise to write to the Doctor--never mind that he didn't have an address, she'd just stick a postcard in a bottle and throw it into space--perfectly captured some of her best qualities: her kindness, her whimsy, her overflowing optimism and desire to believe the best of everyone and everything. Of course, with a time traveler there's no way to make sure your letters get to him in order, and so this fic becomes two equally fascinating jumbled-up wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stories. On one hand, it's the tale of the Doctor, and how five postcards from a companion who's moved on affected him at critical points in his lives--both before and after he met her. And on the other hand, those five postcards tell Mel's story, the age-old tale of the young person leaving their mentor and striking out on their own, with all the attendant freedom and fear of that venture. These two stories twine together seamlessly, both rich in humor, pathos, and great characterization with everyone's voices ringing true.


Excerpt:

Dear Doctor,
I’ve spent the last five days with this wonderful family. They were very kind, and not at all what you’d expect from a family of man-eating fish. I quite like it here. But I don’t think I’m staying. It doesn’t really feel like home. I’m starting to think it might have been a mistake to leave you. But I think I’ll travel a bit longer, give it another go. I hope this postcard finds you well.
Mel.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
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.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
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?
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Playing Consequences
Author: kiwimouse
Rating: Adult
Word Count: 491
Author's Summary: It was 1984, and the Doctor was in bed with Sarah Jane Smith. Classic!Sarah/Nine.
Characters/Pairings: Nine/Sarah Jane

Recced because: Short, but it packs a hell of a punch. You know how sometimes you just want a fic to reach down into your chest, pull out your heart, and rip it in half? In such a beautiful way that you compulsively return to it again and again, because even though it hurts, oh, it just hurts so damn good? This is that fic. Excuse me, I'm going to go read it again, and then try to explain to my roommate why I'm sobbing "NIIIIINE!" and "SARAH JAAAAAANE!" and "EVERYTHING IS SO BEAUTIFUL" over and over.


Excerpt: cut for adult situations )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: The Master and Mrs. Pond
Author: Memory Dragon
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 13238
Author's Summary: Still waiting for her proper Doctor and Rory to find her again, Amy meets the Doctor's best enemy and gets chased around by a giant purple monster. So much for hearing embarrassing stories of the Doctor's childhood over chocolate!
Characters/Pairings: Amy Pond, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, Third Doctor, Delgado!Master, Sergeant Benton

Recced because: Though this is technically the sequel to "The Sea Devils and Mrs. Pond," I chose to rec this one instead because I believe that it is in this story that Memory Dragon truly perfects the initiative of its predecessor, in glorious fashion. (And rest assured, "The Master and Mrs. Pond" is perfectly understandable if you haven't read the first one--all you need to know is that Amy is trapped in Three's era in an AU-ish limbo between Jo and Sarah Jane.) How glorious of a fashion, you ask?

Well, this is Amy "Force of Nature" Pond we're talking about here, dropped down into the proper, polite--perhaps even a bit repressed--Third Doctor's run. And in true Amy Pond fashion, she immediately smashes down that annoying line between text and subtext. She makes fun of the Master's TCE, points out that his schemes are rather rubbish, demands to know whether or not the Doctor and he are ex-boyfriends or if it's an unresolved sexual tension thing. Also, she flirts with him, demands chocolate, and nicknames him--well, I better not spoil it for you. Between her brash confidence and the Master's icy reserve, they are the perfect foils for each other. For such a funny fic, the ending is surprisingly and beautifully bittersweet: the Doctor and Amy can hold out hope for the Master, but the reader already knows his future. And both Amy and we know the future of the Doctor.

(Also, in both stories? Amy is working for UNIT. So she is surrounded by soldiers. Men in uniform. She flirts with everyone, and it is the best thing ever.)

Excerpt:

"You'll find the TCE is a much more elegant solution and much easier to clean up," the Master explained, gripping the weapon in his hands tighter. It was the only show of his temper, but it left Amy wondering if she was pushing a bit too far. He was the one with the weapon after all. "You will be shrunk down to a few mere inches, effectively killing you."

"So it shrinks things?" Amy asked, not caring about how far she was pushing him any longer. This was hilarious. "And I thought the bow tie and ruffles were a cry for help. No, that's not compensating for anything."
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: In The Blood
Author: Lurky McLurklurk
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 9267
Author's Summary: For Ace McShane, P.I., her latest case brings her face to face with her own past.
Characters/Pairings: Ace McShane/Mel Bush

Recced because: Uh, did you see that summary? Ace McShane, Private Eye. I mean, yes, okay, I could also talk about the seamless integration of sci-fi tropes into a film noir setting, or the fine detail woven throughout that makes this version of 1930s San Francisco come alive in fascinating and entrancing ways. And I suppose I could mention how wonderfully in-character Ace and Mel are, and how tender and sweet their love story is. But honestly, if the words "Ace McShane, Private Eye" didn't make you want to click that link, then the only explanation is that your brain has shorted out after being overloaded with excess amounts of awesome.

I mean, seriously. Ace McShane. Private Eye.

Excerpt:


"Perhaps you're not aware of your reputation, Miss McShane."

"Oh, I have lots of reputations," Ace said. "Which one were you talking about?"

"That for all your ... eccentricity"--she gave Ace an appraising glance that was clearly supposed to indicate that wearing a suit was the height of bizarre behaviour--"you're the best person to go to for situations involving strange phenomena. The sort of thing the San Francisco Police Department simply don't know how to deal with."

"These lights and sounds ... It's not just electric lights and people shifting things around, is it?"

"I don't know how much credence to give to some of the wilder reports," Westerfield said. "But if even half of them are true ..."

"Very well. I charge two hundred dollars a day," Ace said. "Plus expenses." That was from a film, but one of the first things Ace had learned when she'd set up shop was that her clients had just as little clue about what the going rate was as she did. Hiring a detective wasn't the sort of thing you did everyday, after all.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
I'm back! And I come bearing gifts!

Story: Lies Told to Children
Author: Lyricwritesprose
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1274
Author's Summary: The Doctor explains why he travels with humans, or possibly just spins a tale.
Characters/Pairings: Barbara Wright, Ian Chesterton, First Doctor, unspecified Doctor

Recced because: I thought I'd start off the week with the Doctor who started it all, and when it comes to First Doctor fics, nothing compares to this one. It's gorgeously written, deeply affecting, and just so goddamn smart. On one hand, the lies of the title refer to the xenophobia taught both consciously and unconsciously to the children of Gallifrey (a goldmine of a subject that far too few authors tap). On the other hand, the Doctor tells the story of his moral evolution and changing attitude towards humans by using the framework of a fairy tale--and a metaphor is a kind of lie as well. The way this story compares and contrasts these two kinds of lies, all through the lens of the Doctor struggling to understand what makes someone a good person--and more importantly, what makes someone a person at all--will leave you with the most wonderful combination of heartache, warm fuzzies, and geeky glee.

Excerpt:

This is false from beginning to end, of course. But there's more than one kind of lie. There are lies like the notion that electrons go around atoms in sedate planetary orbits: false but useful, good for making pictures in your head. And then there are the other kind.

You'll have to decide for yourself which sort this is. Imagine--

Imagine that you were born in a fairy-tale kingdom that shines like a diamond. Imagine you grew up there. And imagine that every day, in a thousand tiny ways, that kingdom whispered, we are the only real, true people in the world.
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: The Doctor’s Thoughts for the Class of ’99
Author: RobotRollCall
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 921
Author's Summary: If the Doctor had written this well-known address, it might have gone a little differently.
Characters/Pairings: the Doctor (either Eleven or a later incarnation)
Warnings: None

Recced because: What better way to end the week than with an inspirational speech? I first read this fic not long after I had graduated from college, which as anyone who has gone through it will know, is a time period rife with inspirational speeches of widely varying quality. I would rather have had this one than any of them. It is fun and silly and packed with shout-outs to various Doctors, companions, and other characters. It meanders and makes verbal leaps in much the way I imagine the Doctor would if forced to give an impromptu graduation speech. And beneath the glitter of the hilarious nonsense and whimsicality is a bedrock of actually useful and meaningful advice. This speech was one of the most encouraging things I had heard in months.

“excerpt” )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Unexpected Futures
Author: cosmic angst
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 2053
Author's Summary: Some cracks run too deep to heal on their own. That's where the Doctor comes in. Doctor/Romana. Set after The Big Bang.
Characters/Pairings: Eleven/Romana
Warnings: None

Recced because: Because this is desperately, achingly beautiful. Because I am an angst junkie, and I want to direct this story directly into my veins. Because the Doctor gets to see Romana again, and Romana gets to see the Doctor again before she dies, and we get to see them traveling together again one last time. Because Eleven/Romana is one of those pairings I never would have thought of, but by God, does it work. Because fiction about difficult choices is my crack cocaine. Because I love Romana so, so much, and even though the Doctor has to erase the peaceful Gallifrey she helped save and nurture, she does get some kind of closure. And so does the Doctor. And so do we.

“excerpt” )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: End of the Tunnel
Author: Erisinia
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 1842
Author's Summary: Sarah Jane Smith is now accustomed to feeling helpless. Hand of Fear AU
Characters/Pairings: Four, Sarah Jane
Warnings: None

Recced because: If I love a well done AU like nobody’s business, which I do, then I love this like top secret files locked in a concrete bunker a dozen stories underground. It is very well done. The idea for Sarah’s Brain of Morbius blindness to be permanent rather than temporary opens up a whole new world of trust issues and power dynamics to explore, which Erisinia does with a deft and subtle touch, giving due time to Sarah’s anguish and conflictedness while grounding the narrative in the familiar friendship and support between her and Four. The tension is ratcheted up another notch by beginning the story directly after the AU version of Hand of Fear, when Four has been called to return to xenophobic Gallifrey…alone.
(Also, kudos must be given for the use of Gallifrey’s xenophobia as a plot point, which I would love to see come up more in stories where the Doctor is traveling with a human companion.)
And there’s a sequel! That one’s a WIP, but you know, reviews have a way sometimes of firing up inspiration…

“excerpt” )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Before the Moon Falls
Author: Clocketpatch
Rating: All Ages
Word Count: 2750
Author's Summary: This is the story of Ruby-and-White, daughter of the Qetesh.
Characters/Pairings: Ruby White, other Qetesh (original characters)
Warnings: None

Recced because: Clocketpatch is fabulous at constructing literally whole worlds of backstory, which is why when I won a story from her in a charity auction, I asked for one of the background of a minor character from The Sarah Jane Adventures. She chose Ruby White, and created this brilliance, which…you know, I’m just going to plagiarize from my own review:
“There's so much detail, and so well thought-out--everything fits together and weaves together into this amazingly beautiful world and history. You give us these little sketches and peeks at facets of the culture--I especially love what you've done with the color names, since I have such a thing for narratively/symbolically significant names. And I love the lesson/legend structure of the story as a whole, and the little ways in which the original characters are subtly differentiated from each other…[I love] the quotes scattered throughout…I especially love the ending quotes; they just tie up the whole story and sum up who Ruby and her existential crisis all at the same time.”
Also, while Ruby has only appeared in SJA, this fic does not occur in the time or place of her episode, and makes few references to it. If you are familiar with SJA canon, you’ll have fun filling in the blank spots in the background of a fascinating villain, and if you’re not, you’ll still marvel at the inventiveness and originality without feeling like you’re missing key information.


“excerpt” )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Scarves and Other Playthings
Author: Kathryne
Rating: Adult
Word Count: 2191
Author's Summary: The Doctor decides to teach Sarah some tricks that might turn out to be useful.
Characters/Pairings: Four/Sarah Jane
Warnings: explicit sex, light bondage

Recced because: One of the best things about getting into a fandom and starting to explore the fanfiction is finding out that there are other people in the world who have thought the same thoughts you have. Thoughts like, “Mmmmm, that Tom Baker sure is fine, isn’t he?” or “That Sarah Jane, she sure gets tied up a lot” or “You know, that scarf sure is awfully long…”
If all those thoughts were mixed together into an alchemical potion, this fic would be the resulting gold. It is everything I have ever wanted when I have heard the words “Four,” “Sarah Jane,” and “scarf” in the same sentence. It is hot, funny, hot, in character, hot, sweetly playful, and hot. Read it. Now. Unless you are at work. That would be a bad idea.

PG-13ish excerpt )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Story: Doctor Who and the Terrible Heron
Author: x_los
Rating: G
Word Count: 1397
Author's Summary: The Doctor's sandwich-thieving reaps its terrible karmic reward.
Characters/Pairings: Jo Grant, Three
Warnings: None

Recced because: I could rec this solely on the basis that I too have been waiting for the Doctor to reap his terrible karmic reward since he stole poor Jo’s sandwiches in The Sea Devils. But I would also like to point out that the interplay of Three and Jo (whom we really don’t get enough of in fanfiction, do we?) is perfectly in character and perfectly hilarious, with Three’s mix of arrogance and protectiveness and puffed-up angst, and Jo’s mix of kindness and ditziness and surprising moments of piercing insight. And even as you’re chuckling at the humor, there’s a sharp note of pathos in Three’s internal monologue about his lack of freedom compared to the heron, and in Jo’s efforts to keep his mind from traveling the dark routes he sometimes sets it on.

“excerpt” )
[identity profile] daystarsearcher.livejournal.com
Hi, I’m [livejournal.com profile] daystarsearcher, but I’m known on Teaspoon as Daystar Searcher (truly, the breadth of my imagination is blinding). I’ll be your reccer for this week. I’ve watched all of New Who and SJA, and am currently working my way through Two and Seven’s eras, having finished Three and Four’s just a few months ago. I hope I’ve managed to put together a good mix of characters, pairings, genres, and ratings. The general arc of the recs will start out with some fun and happy stories, segue into some delicious angstiness, and then go out on a hopeful note.



Story: Stop Me If You’ve Heard This One Before
Author: Glinda
Rating: Adult
Word Count: 2754
Author's Summary: You know the one about the lizard with the eight-foot tongue? No? (Madame Vastra/Jenny)
Characters/Pairings: Madame Vastra/Jenny
Warnings: Explicit Sex

Recced because: not sure if mentioning two awesome side characters counts as a Good Man Goes to War spoiler, but just in case )

“excerpt” )

reccity-rec-rec

[community profile] calufrax is sleeping in your mind. One day, it may be brought back in front of your eyes.

April 2018

S M T W T F S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
222324 25262728
2930     

Tags