Date: 13 Dec 2009 10:29 Title: Chapter 1
This feels like a different Garak from the one we see in the series. I get the feel that this is more the Garak from A Stitch in Time, tempered by the war and changed perhaps for the better. Saddened, but home, at least.
The alternate Dukat and Ziyal are lovely. They show beautifully the potential fulfilled, of the two people who missed their chance in another universe. Had Dukat not been so ambitious, and had Ziyal not been so tormented... it's certainly a believable development for them in another world.
Beautiful writing. :o)
Author's Response: This Garak was very heavily influenced by A Stitch in Time and the account of how the war and its aftermath made him sadder but wiser, so to speak. Mostly, it was a very rewarding experience to have the chance to collaborate with a skilled writer and play in her sandbox for a while. The AU Dukats are a joy. Thank you for the review. :-)
[Report This]Date: 08 Nov 2009 22:14 Title: Chapter 1
All that emotion, yet nothing seemed sappy, just heartfelt.
Great job, both of you.
"The universe doesn't hate Cardassians, Elim, he thought dryly. Just you."
Awwww.
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm glad it didn't have sap factor. I can't stand that.
Date: 21 Oct 2009 05:20 Title: Chapter 1
I wish I could do an Author's Response to Gojirob, so I'll just do it right here...
I think that AU Dukat could see that, however much he would've wanted Garak to stay and recuperate longer, that Garak really needed to go back wherever he came from. He's very understanding of that, considering how he feels about the battles that he fights and the people that he's with.
I'm kinda...not sure of the idea of bringing Kira into the mix, were there to be a sequel. It's difficult to explain why, but I truly feel it would cause AU Dukat tremendous anguish, and possibly Kira to a lesser extent. Neither would ever want to be the cause of pain for the other, but I just don't know how they could be around each other without the result being severe upset.
I know that AU Dukat suffers PTSD when it comes to certain types of interactions...he's awkward with Cardassian women and with Bajoran women--it would be very, very difficult for him to be around her. I'm trying to put it delicately, but I do not think AU Dukat responds normally to women...especially not women of Bajoran-like species. I've explored his reactions in a round robin here on Ad Astra, and he has a difficult time even with causal touch.
Date: 19 Oct 2009 23:47 Title: Chapter 1
I'll bet Garak never thought he'd see greener grass and also see it again when he came back. I'm always suspicious of stories where people stay behind in the AU, so Garak's return made perfect sense.
I did regret that we never saw his survival skills in dealing with the CoO Bajorans, but I think we know he'd get through that, too. If you ever follow this up, send Kira.
Author's Response:
Garak could never justify staying behind in that Cardassia given what was happening in his Cardassia. I personally couldn't see him ever making that decision given his development on DS9 and in Robinson's book afterward. It would also be pretty creepy and mentally detrimental for him to do something like that in my opinion, regardless of how he felt about his universe's Ziyal. The Catacombs of Oralius Ziyal is a different woman. I'm glad the decision made sense to you.
It would've been very interesting to see him encountering those Bajorans. Unfortunately, the word limit made going into great depth impossible this time around. If Nerys Ghemor is ever up for a sequel, it's an intriguing idea, particularly also having Kira in the mix. I'd love to see her reaction to the AU Bajorans. Thanks for the idea and the review!