Date: 08 Jan 2014 00:50 Title: Orbital Disruption
Love the title of this and of the blurb introduction, wow, so very fitting is not for the pair of them and how they operate together - or not - and well basically the romance is stellar but an obviously potential atom crushing black hole. See what I did there? Did ye? Did ye?
Anyway, it's telling that Maren is focused more on Icheb's feelings or ability to survive the three months. She sort of has to think for Icheb at times and consider his emotional impacts. Lots of foreshadowing too, from the blurb to the implant stuff that is scary. One wonders is it not too foreshadowing - but then Maren would be smart enough notice these things and yet stupid enough in love to ignore their true import/meaning too down the line.
Anyway, again, it is the fact that Maren is focused more on Icheb that is telling. She has to do that kind of thinking for him. Also, I think it's a deflective measure really; it allows Maren to focus angst and worry on Icheb and how HE is doing about the seperation - have cause then to worry and think about him and not have on herself. Of course, it allows her to make small of how much actually it is troubling her to be apart from him. As she says, she lived 18 years without him, what's three months?
And actually, this partly why I don't like I/M and shout for M/JQ, because sometimes I just think such a pairing would be kinder on Maren, would be fairer and more equal in how taxing it might be on her emotionally, and be much more obviously reciporative and of course with a lot less complications. Not to say I don't shout for Maren and Icheb just sometimes it is the toll it takes on Maren (and even Icheb) that seems too costly and in its own way is damaging and if trapped by it in its own way abusive. Not that is - just that it could be.
Author's Response:
As I said in the other review, you get them. You get them perfectly. I love that you get them perfectly and I am so happy every time you give me the gift of a review like this one, where you really spell out how I've somehow managed to draw them in a way that lets you know them like I know them. Incredibly helpful to read it, and also very gratifying. Thank you x1,000,000,000,000. (I was going to say thanks a million, but that's pocket change considering my nation's debt so I bumped it to a trillion. Now I'll need a bailout.)
Date: 14 Dec 2013 23:59 Title: Orbital Disruption
Well, that was a tough read on a number of levels (not the least of which the fact that Maren's worries are completely justified in the future). But it was a great look into her inner-thoughts and workings ... Team I/M approves all the way. Loved the way you describe it all and it feels just right.
Date: 12 Dec 2013 21:57 Title: Orbital Disruption
Very nicely done their Kes7, the characters personnel feeling and worry for Icheb and how he is going to be treated on a starship seem so true to both life and your wonderful character.
Date: 11 Dec 2013 00:44 Title: Orbital Disruption
Quite a gripping and symbolic title and that definition and explanation of a binary star system gave a good idea of what this ficlet was about. It really makes me feel for Maren and her separation from Icheb.
Date: 11 Dec 2013 00:13 Title: Orbital Disruption
Thank you, kes - that was positively beautiful. Not the context - we've all been there and sometimes goodbye can be the hardest thing to say, even if it's just for a finite amount of time - but the prose, the imagery, the slug-you-in-the-gut feeling the words evoked.
I loved the intro - so appropriate for them - and love how you tied it to the last line.
You also did this masterfully - a companion piece but not quite. In 'Separation Anxiety' we explored Icheb's feelings in the moment, but here Maren's thoughts show how she felt after the event. The hints at Icheb's future just tug at the heartstrings, for then Maren will truly be a binary star cut off from her companion.
The stories I love the most are the ones that make me feel the most, and this definitely falls into that category.
Date: 10 Dec 2013 23:22 Title: Orbital Disruption
I liked the title and the little intro. Very clever. Very appropriate.
No, that's not to say I didn't like the story. I did. Honestly. It's though to fall in love. Even tougher when you fall hard. Not because of all the good times, but because the hard times are just so much harder. And nothing harder than being separated.
I also liked the foreshadowing here of things to come with Icheb's condition. And also that Maren is not alone in suffering her pain. It's almost a ritual at the Academy. The only way to avoid it is to not fall in love, but then where's the fun in that?
Date: 10 Dec 2013 21:14 Title: Orbital Disruption
Oh, that was hard to read. But so lovely and evocative - and foreshadowing as well.