Date: 21 May 2009 09:40 Title: Dealing With It
Very well done! You know, it was a punch in the guts even despite the warning of the challenge and all that, it's just the kind of thing you don't expect. And the real mastery of the author who can pull that within so closely defined parameteres. And the humor, excatly that kind of gallows humor that is so slicing, rendered it additional thrill. Great job, thank you for sharing!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading! :)
Date: 15 May 2009 22:59 Title: Dealing With It
I read this last night, and while I am totally unfamiliar with the characters, the story still resonated, despite not knowing about the events which were alluded to. It's part of the universal human condition to experience grief and regret when we feel we have not performed to the best of our ability. To second guess ourselves, thinking that the outcome might have been different if only... And the flip side of that is to seek understanding, forgiveness for the transgression and ultimately redemption.
All of this was captured admirably in this tale. I ached for Sydney. Perhaps she can find some solace in knowing that Randolph did not blame her. Here's hoping that Sutek can help her make sense of and come to grips with, this tragic event.
Well done!
Author's Response: Thanks a lot! :) If you want to know more about Sydney, check out my "Tales of the Storyteller" series. < /shameless plug > ;)
Date: 12 May 2009 04:43 Title: Dealing With It
I found this really touching to read--I know you called it dark humor, but I really found myself liking this dead guy and to me, anyway...there was actually a lot of light to his humor. He seemed like he would've been great to know in life, and even in death I liked the fact that he wasn't the slightest bit reproachful.
Out of curiosity...did you write it with the idea that perhaps she was having an after-death communication with him? Is that up in the air? Or did you want it strictly interpreted that it had to be her own mind? For some reason it felt more like the former than the latter.
But the other thing I find really intriguing is the end. I have to admit I'm not exactly used to thinking of Vulcans as people that could be good confidants on emotional matters. I'd rather go to someone like my AU Dukat if I needed that sort of thing--someone quiet and warm, who would not be so coldly logical and wouldn't be afraid to let me cry if I needed to start with that first.
How is it that Sydney and Sutek developed a relationship where she COULD make that kind of confession? I'm not snarking...I'm genuinely interested because I've never considered this before for my own fanfic, and I also don't think I've ever run across it before.
Author's Response: I think there's a number of things going on here. After the disaster she probably read up on Rudolph; I know she wrote a letter to his family afterwards. So his depiction here is most likely pretty accurate. Also, I think her subconscious or inner voice is using that info to try and tell her she shouldn't feel guilty about what happened. About Sydney and Sutek: well, their relationship is a bit complex. With them being protegee and mentor for some time, they sort of influenced each other a bit. Sydney learned to control her emotions at times (anger issues were a problem early on) and use logic alongside her strong natural instincts. She introduced a bit of chaos in Sutek's orderly life and kind of allowed him to accept the existence of his own emotions. Also, she provides a safe place for him to express those emotions in the few times he chooses to express them. You can see that in "Send-Off". But he seems to do this only with Sydney. You also see that he doesn't mind seeing Sydney emote all over the place. As much as the deeply Vulcan part of him wishes she wouldn't be "so human" and be more like him, he knows this is who Sydney is and it's vitally important that she be who is in order to fulfill what he sees as her destiny.
Date: 10 May 2009 01:10 Title: Dealing With It
A young captain, haunted by the people that she couldn't save. No doubt being in the center seat for real has re-opened this old wound for Sydney. Here's hoping she can get past it.
Author's Response: Sydney's a tough gal, she'll make it through. Thanks for reading! :)
[Report This]Date: 09 May 2009 18:19 Title: Dealing With It
A very thorough explorations of Sydney's guilt-ridden conscience. Every Starfleet officer worth his/her pips needs a few dead people in their past to feel bad about.
Most of the time it wasn't their fault but that doesn't mean they shouldn't feel a bit guilty about it.
You've chosen a terrific way for her two face her own skeletons here. Not just because it's really funny but also because it rings true.
A counselor would have a field day with this.
Thumbs way up!
Author's Response: I was hoping I didn't get all carried away with the humor, but I guess it turned out all right. Thanks for reading! :)
Date: 09 May 2009 11:29 Title: Dealing With It
Oh very eyebrow raising. Again, impressed with the writing and your ability to suck me into the moment of the story. Very astute writing and imagery used. I also liked the humour that laced the speech patter used by Randloph. It helped to make him a fully fledged character in this bried glimpse.
I am also impressed again too by this growing vonnection we as readers see between Sydney and her mentor Sutek. It is quite entralling to read. You keep weanting to see/read more of it.
Excellent well done.
Author's Response: Thanks for reading! :) Mixing tragedy with humor can get pretty dicey if you overdo it with the funny stuff. I tried to balance Rudolph's somewhat flippant attitude with Sydney's seriousness. Rudolph's lines seemed to come pretty easily, though. That connection between Sydney and Sutek goes back a good way; they served together on the Penn for eleven years. I wonder if I should go back to when they first met, when things weren't quite so warm! ;)
Date: 08 May 2009 23:08 Title: Dealing With It
Right on-you dealt with the gnawing guilt without getting all weepy. You also hit the right stride for the challenge. Good job on both counts!
Author's Response: Thanks! :)