Date: 25 May 2014 21:11 Title: Unexpected
AWW Maren...
That was really sweet. And heartbreaking, too.
After reading Sarine's "Federation Day," this kind of treatment for Icheb is completely un-Federation like...but understandable, given the amount of fear that has gripped them for so long. The Borg, the Dominion - the Federation saw itself nearly destroyed on too many occasions in too short a time for prejudices like these to just disappear quietly. Good on Starfleet for not giving up on Icheb or turning him away...but that sucks that he's been this alone.
Date: 24 May 2014 23:58 Title: Unexpected
Aw Maren and Icheb for the win! Love these guys so much, a ray of sunshine to see them together in these ficlets. Really good job giving us new insights into Icheb throughout this series. And on to the last one...
Author's Response:
Thanks, CS!
Date: 24 May 2014 21:36 Title: Unexpected
This paints a sad picture of the cost of hatred and bigotry. It's understandable here, but so painful to see from the perspective of the person on the receiving end. Glad Maren and her shy smile was able to ease that loneliness for him, even a little. And I do know where this goes (if anywhere), but no spoilers here. ;)
Author's Response:
Yeah, it's lonely when you're the outcast. Even if you understand why people are biased against you, it's painful.
Date: 24 May 2014 21:06 Title: Unexpected
This is turning into a great series of stories here. Icheb is becoming a very fascinating character.
Author's Response:
He IS a fascinating character. The whole Icheb arc was really well thought-out by the VOY writers but sort of poorly executed. They didn't do enough with his potential and left him out of some episodes he definitely should have been a part of. Tesseract is my attempt to fix all that.
Date: 24 May 2014 09:24 Title: Unexpected
Nicely done. You've definitely shown how difficult integration would be; not only is he an ex-Borg, but he's also from a whole other quadrant and that alone would probably be intimidating to some people. Maren seems sweet. It's good to see that his persistence has opened up the possibility of a friend, or maybe more.
Author's Response:
Or maybe more .... *smiles.* Maren is sweet, and you'll have to check out my series to find out what happens between them. Thank you for the comment!
Date: 24 May 2014 01:59 Title: Unexpected
And the beautiful story of Maren and Icheb begin here. Well done conveying how lonely he is and how amazing he feels when she offers him that first smile.
Author's Response:
Thanks, TF. Yeah, that smile was everything. He'll spend the rest of class distracted by her blond hair (mommy issues, anyone?) and she'll impress him with her brilliance soon enough.
Date: 24 May 2014 01:36 Title: Unexpected
Aw, finally someone who isn't afraid of Icheb. Do I see a romance happening between these two?
This made me smile at the end.
Can't wait to see how you end this.
Author's Response:
This comment made me giggle. Oh, ZF, you have NO IDEA. Do check out Tesseract (even the shorts have a lot of info) if you want to find out what happens between these two.
Date: 24 May 2014 01:17 Title: Unexpected
Enter Maren. Lovely portrait of a first smile, a first bit of contact.
Author's Response:
Thank you, Jes!
Date: 24 May 2014 00:54 Title: Unexpected
seems much like Phlox, that in spite of being on a ship full of heroes, one is still subject to hostility. Of course Icheb is or was Borg but you did a good job here showing him on Earth as well as the reaction to him.
Author's Response:
Thanks, Mac!
Date: 24 May 2014 00:51 Title: Unexpected
Your Icheb ficlets continue to raise the bar, do feel you highlight his loneliness and the importance of Maren in his life.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
Date: 24 May 2014 00:44 Title: Unexpected
Awwww, the last line.
I hadn't counted on Maren being Day 6. I figured she'd be Day 7. But we see here Icheb's new start and quite frankly it is a horrid start. He's treated like a carcus to begin with and then as a pariah and a spectre of death. It truly is testament to his courage and stubborness that he undergoes it all. And of course, it is then helped when he meets a certain freshman year cadet. So very sweet and lifts the heart to see it from his perspective.
Author's Response:
Well, she'll be day 7, too. After all, she's as important to his arc as Seven is.
Yes, he's brave, and yes, he's certainly stubborn. Sort of like a certain freshman year cadet. ;-)