Date: 26 May 2013 11:25 Title: Eighteen
I love it. The contrasts again and the use of a theme or motif. This time the music. Scotty finding solace and comfort in music, a sort of therapy and despite his not quite having a place in the world or universe he can lose himself in the music. He doesn't yearn for Home. And of course, the proximity alarm is just so perfectly right and in keeping with the Scotty we know, especially the one from the RR. Trusting others or the world is not exactly Scotty's thing. There's no safe haven or physical place for him. Perhaps that why losing himself in his work and his music is what works for him - is his little refuge and haven all inside his head.
For Andy, things couldn't be more different. The great playah is homesick and is perhaps realising how good he had it back at home and with lobster spurning Rach. He would seem on paper to be the one most ready for space, for adventure and travel. Seems not quite though so yet anyway.
Author's Response: You got it in one, Kev. Flora showed him music, and it became another component he could sink his head into. LOL! I don't think Cor ever doubted he had it good. I just think he kind of guessed he'd take it better. Young males being what they are. Thanks so much.
Date: 25 May 2013 02:39 Title: Eighteen
Quite something to see how Scotty in particular grows but also how Corry parallels. Both alike, both different. Fascinating, as someone would say.
Author's Response: Thank you!
Date: 24 May 2013 16:57 Title: Eighteen
Well, for the second time in a row, it seems Scotty has the better part here. He's out, on a planet, biding his time and listening to music (I want a tricorder now, please, can I have one?) and uninentionally singing! It's good to see Scotty warm up here, thaw out a bit ... he has some buds. Maybe not super tight buds but buds.
And Corry, stuck in basic, missing the beautiful coasts of Maine. It's a tough thing to be away from home when it's all you've ever known. Corry's feelings of homesickness shine through here. Well done.
Author's Response: Thanks! Scotty really started coming into his own in Basic. Got his lifelong nickname, which he took to like a duckdog to water, and started healing himself some internally. Corry's homesick foreshadows his total reluctance to go spaceside later in ONOW. Thanks!
Date: 24 May 2013 16:50 Title: Eighteen
Nicely tied together with the music and early Academy stuff. For the first time in this little arc, Scotty seems more or less in his element while Corry struggles. I'm sure that has everything to do with the fact that neither of them are at home any longer. Contrast, indeed.
I'm going to miss this little series after tomorrow. It's been nice to check in with these two so often this week!
Author's Response: You nailed it right on the button, kes. XD Exactly that. And hopefully, someday I'll be able to finish Forty-Eight. It's one of the hardest story between 'em, though not the very hardest, but it goes far. Thanks so much!
Date: 24 May 2013 15:38 Title: Eighteen
And now they converge (a bit), but I get the feeling that Andy's squad and his orders and his assignment, that it's all going to be more gentle than Scotty's, at least for a while. Scotty's the more hardened one, so it seems like Andy might be ripe for a fall.
Author's Response: Hm. Yes, and no? I guess? Scotty really excelled in Basic. It's how he made it into Command School -- he was away from Aberdeen and family, and no one knew him, and he didn't have to LET them know him. He was able to step out of his own shadow a bit. Andy -- Corry -- on the other hand, did make it through and slowly adapted to living away from home, though never enough to get comfortable with the idea of going into space. If you want his fall, it's in On the Nature of Wind. Thanks so much for the comment!