Date: 24 May 2014 01:57 Title: Seven, Part II
And here we see Icheb achieving something Seven never has: being willing to sacrifice his life for something to believe in. You have to admire the way he steps up when others won't, even if it does result in a risk to himself.
Author's Response:
I said this to you offline, but I do think you underestimate Seven, or maybe we're talking about different concepts. I think Seven has been willing to die for others. But you're talking about belief, which is somewhat different. All the same, yes, Icheb attains a degree of ... well, humanity would be the word, except he isn't human, so ... individuality? Compassion? That Seven has yet to grasp in this moment.
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. ;-)
Date: 23 May 2014 09:56 Title: Seven, Part II
This is such a great piece because it is one more step on Icheb's road away from the Borg. After all, it would be illogical to risk the lives of two to save only one, and yet Icheb has learned to embrace the emotional side of himself thanks to Seven and here he puts all of that into practice. Student surpasses the teacher indeed. Great stuff, you really feel for Icheb as he struggles with this. Loved it!
Author's Response:
Yes, very much a HUGE step in the separation from the Borg. Not only is it irrational (I always use "irrational" as opposed to "illogical" when I write my Borg characters, partly to distinguish them from the Vulcans and partly because it's a mathy term and seems to fit them better) and emotional, but it's a very individual choice. He controls his own destiny -- it's his life and he'll risk it if he wants to.
Thanks for the great comment!
Date: 23 May 2014 06:55 Title: Seven, Part II
I understand why Seven wouldn't want Icheb to risk himself here, but I also understand why he wants to do so. This should be his choice, since it could result in his death, and I like that he makes the choice, and when they disregard it, he locks them out and presents only the two options. This decision is indicative, in a way, of the coming of age we all face, and you've written it really well. Lovely.
Author's Response:
He is so young that it really maybe SHOULDN'T be his decision, but he takes it on anyway. Yes, it's very much a coming-of-age moment -- he decides his destiny is his to own, his to control. Which, considering his Borg past, is even more admirable.
Date: 23 May 2014 02:41 Title: Seven, Part II
Stunning, Kes. I've said it a ton of times now but you really do write these characters well. The frustration of youth is captured really well here, knowing you're right about something but being disregarded because of your age. Keep it up!
Author's Response:
Thanks so much, RJ! Yeah, I think we can all relate to that moment when someone tells you, "No, you're too young" when you KNOW the adults are just going to screw it up. It was Janeway's job to protect him here, but ultimately, he got around it. Time will tell whether it was the right decision ...
Date: 23 May 2014 02:04 Title: Seven, Part II
Very well written, I was very much along for the ride on this one. Looking forward to more.
Author's Response:
I appreciate the feedback, Mick!
Date: 23 May 2014 01:57 Title: Seven, Part II
And there it is again. Icheb's strong sense of seeing Seven as a mother-figure. He would willingly lay down his life to save a friend.
Another great piece kes.
Awaiting Day 6's entry.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, ZF!
Date: 23 May 2014 01:54 Title: Seven, Part I
I seem to remember when Seven debuted that there were a lot of misogynistic comments about "large tracts of land." I hated that, because those people couldn't realize Seven for what she was; an amazing character that really brought a new level of humanity to Voyager. Seven *was* humanity on that ship, seeing her grow, learn, and take responsibility. (So was the Doctor, to a lesser degree.) I think you captured that spirit here very well. I liked this entry, and thank you for writing it.
Author's Response:
Thank you, and I totally agree. Seven wasn't just sex appeal. Jeri Ryan is a talented actor and she brough a vulnerability and strength to Seven's character that was totally compelling.
Date: 23 May 2014 01:43 Title: Seven, Part II
there is a steely determination here that I like, or at least I read it that way in the willing to die line. Getting a new appreciation for Icheb. Nice work Kes.
Author's Response:
Icheb is nothing if not a walking bit of steely determination. He showed that here, and at several other times during VOY's run. If you like Icheb, check out my other stuff. It's pretty much all-Icheb-all-the-time in Tesseract-land.
Date: 23 May 2014 00:56 Title: Seven, Part I
A great take on Icheb and Seven first meeting and how there bond first formed.
Again top marks.
Author's Response:
Thank you!
Date: 23 May 2014 00:50 Title: Seven, Part II
Another great take on a key moment in Icheb life.
You show his feelings for Seven and why her isk death to try and save her.
Again Well Done.
Author's Response:
Thanks, Bill!
Date: 23 May 2014 00:48 Title: Seven, Part II
To give of himself like this, to risk his own survival, is of course the greatest gift that anyone can give. Wonderfully written!
Author's Response:
Thank you, Jes!
Date: 23 May 2014 00:46 Title: Seven, Part II
It made me well up. Loved it.
Author's Response:
Awww. Didn't mean to make you cry! But not going to lie ... a little chuffed I did (to borrow one of your terms). :)
Date: 22 May 2014 23:25 Title: Seven, Part I
it's like seeing Seven anew. Brings a sense of compassion to her not easily picked up in the show, or at least hard to ascertain. He was what she was once and so I guess it helps no matter how hard the road to go.
Author's Response:
Seven is all small movements, small steps. A tiny half smile from her is like a grin from other people. I think she was tremendously emotional, but kept it mostly locked up. She demonstrates her feelings largely though actions.
Date: 22 May 2014 23:23 Title: Second
There was a moment with the "First becoming Second" that my eyes crossed :) but seriously, a well written piece. Borg remain there and remain chilling.
Date: 22 May 2014 18:50 Title: Seven, Part I
Aww. Icheb, you're a sweet guy who's acts of affection mostly go unnoticed here. But you do it anyway my friend and that's why you're awesome. Love the way you convey the two's closeness in such a few short words ... as most of us know by this point, Icheb will find a way to pay her back.
Author's Response:
I think Seven does notice; but she's not one to heap praise on people for doing what they should. In fact, I think she assumes it would embarrass him, for lack of a better word. She knows he's doing valuable work; he knows he's doing valuable work; it would be irrelevant and sentimental to say anything about it.
I do think she'll get better over time.
Date: 22 May 2014 11:09 Title: Seven, Part I
Aw, so nice to see Seven and Icheb together at last, through Icheb's eyes. I loved the line about the Collective considering her damaged and Icheb disagreeing. In that single line, you managed to summarise what could only have been a major struggle to break away. Another great ficlet. Well done!
Author's Response:
Thanks, Joel!
Date: 22 May 2014 09:42 Title: Seven, Part I
Damn you. What you fit into three hundred words sometimes astounds me. With his relationship to Seven it is hardly a wonder this is going to be the first instalment. I liked the rationale of the memory association of hair colour linking Seven to his mother. She's very much a mother like figure to him. As he thinks - she's the one who goes to bat for him, who actively sought to fight for him and protect him. No wonder he wants to make a home for Seven. A terribly fascinating relationship between them - part mother-child, part big sister, and both wish to play the part of protector to one another. Perhaps because they've the shared experience of being brutalised by their Borg assimilation (and even how their parents brought them both into the path of the Borg - one intentionally the other less so).
Seven also offers hope - hope of adapting. Hope of freedom from the Borg not actually being a cage. Hope of a new start. Hope for a new family that will protect him. So very glad for both characters that they found each other. And so very glad that they found you as an author to develop their story to its true potential.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much, Kev. Your insight into their story is terrific. Thank you (as always) for reading. :)
Date: 22 May 2014 08:33 Title: Seven, Part I
I think you did just fine with this kes. I always thought Icheb saw Seven as kind of a mother figure. But that's just me.
These little snippets of fics are fascinating.
Cannot wait to see where you take us in Day 5.
Author's Response:
Thanks so much, ZF! In my canon, over time, she transitions from a mother figure to more of a big sister-type relationship. As he grows and develops, he becomes less dependent on her and actually surpasses her socially in many ways.
Date: 22 May 2014 06:21 Title: Seven, Part I
I really liked this one. Icheb is becoming a fascinating character to me, and the way you had him thinking about what Janeway would do was very touching.
Author's Response:
Thank you, Mick!
Date: 22 May 2014 04:12 Title: Seven, Part I
I love how a vote for Seven is essentially a vote for life. And he first becomes interested in her because of the random fact of her hair color. :)
Author's Response:
Well, it wasn't JUST her hair color. But he did notice and comment, so I thought it worth mentioning. :)