Story 95: "Iolokus" by Mustang Sally and RivkaT

[wendelah1]

A few days ago, someone was talking about fic and the phrase "most famous fic in our fandom" came up. I'm not sure what story she had in mind but surely "Iolokus" has to be a contender for that title. I have seen it nominated by many people for the best fan fiction novel, not just in our own, but in any fandom. I have also seen people say they couldn't finish it because Mulder and Scully were too "out of character."

The misspelled monster that started it all. Although I'm told it promotes heteronormativity in the end, we were more going for polymorphic perversity; you'll have to judge for yourself.

Summary: Painted across the barren and desolate reaches of Texas, the shadows of the Project put additional pressure on Scully and Mulder's already fragile relationship. After a hostage crisis raises more questions about the Project's breeding program, Scully begins her own investigation, leaving Mulder to choose between saving her and saving himself. Finally, the investigation leads to tragedy and Mulder and Scully find that more questions have been asked than answered.

The title reference was to an island mentioned in Medea, to which we turned for fairly obvious reasons.

Warnings: extreme violence, including the death of children.

There are four long sections to this behemoth. My first time through this fic I hadn't much knowledge of canon, so I am curious to see what I think of it now. Thank you to sangria_lila for this excellent nomination. If there is enthusiasm to continue, I suppose we can forge through to the end or just quit with book one. It's your call.

Please leave feedback for the authors and then come back and let us know what you think. Nominations for next time are made here. Since rivkat's site is down at the moment, the link is to the wonderful Fugues Fiction Archive. Of course, the story is also available at Gossamer.

Iolokus

Edit: Since Rivkat's site is back up, here is another link to the story: Iolokus.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

Can I ask what didn't work for you characterization-wise in Parabiosis? That's probably my favorite story of all time, mainly because I thought the characterization was so spot-on :)

-Kate

[aloysiavirgata.livejournal.com]

I've never been quite able to put my finger on it. I should begin by saying that Penumbra - who is a genius - writes these moments that are so unbelievably them that it can practically take my breath away. However, there's a certain...I don't know. Almost an innocence to her characterization that I just don't buy in places. I found it most apparent in Contact High, which I don't care for because of that fact. Which is a shame because the writing is magnificent.

[sangria-lila.livejournal.com]

I think my biggest problem with Penumbra is that she idealizes Mulder and Scully to the point where you can feel it in the writing. That's my problem with Parabiosis - it's just too pretty. And life isn't pretty.

[scarletbaldy.livejournal.com]

I think my biggest problem with Penumbra is that she idealizes Mulder and Scully to the point where you can feel it in the writing. That's my problem with Parabiosis - it's just too pretty. And life isn't pretty.

Marry me.

I so completely agree with this. Though some writers would argue that fic doesn't have to be like life and that they can make their stories as pretty as they want to if they so wish - which is a valid point too - even if those stories will never be my cup of tea.

Regarding Penumbra's characters, I thought Fathom Five was much, much better in that respect.

[sangria-lila.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I actually though Fathoms Five to be the worst transgressor in that regard. A girl called Arabella? Mulder and Scully and William in a house in California, with a pool? I didn't buy that. At least Parabiosis lifted the characters above canon, albeit in a highly idealized way. That said, I adore Contact High.

No, fic doesn't have to be like life, but the stories that move us most are those that you feel could happen in real life. I like Penumbra the way I like Michael Ondaatje's writing - utterly gorgeous, but completely fanciful.

[aloysiavirgata.livejournal.com]

Yes, that's it exactly. She tells beautiful stories, but I don't always see them as stories about Mulder and Scully. But my gosh, when she nails them, she really nails them.