I am late to the party, but I'd still like to comment. Or ask a few questions, maybe. Both, probably.
First, I enjoyed this story. It's AU, and AU gives you a lot of latitude, latitude Penumbra's made thorough and excellent use of. As always, the language is vivid, flowing, engrossing. Her original characters (William, Arable (which, yeah, there's a name for you) and Matthew) are interesting enough that they don't simply seem to be adjuncts to the M&S story. The dog has a strange name and a solid presence. And leave it to the Mulders, such as they are, to keep ducks that can't fly but instead run everywhere.
This is my favourite part:
He was angry at Scully for being perfect and frozen and impossible to wholly love as an evolving woman over a lifespan, in the close comfort of middle age and on into everything life brings, through everything, the true, vital living Scully, whom he had somehow lost, and who had been replaced by a Scully who was afraid and trapped, who took the coward's way and couldn't admit what she was doing to the rest of them.
That's pretty much the whole story, beautifully encapsulated.
But I have to ask, what is Scully's deal? What's her problem? Do you think her self-centeredness and self-pity are justified? (not was Pen justified in writing it that way, but is the character justified in feeling that way?)
no subject
First, I enjoyed this story. It's AU, and AU gives you a lot of latitude, latitude Penumbra's made thorough and excellent use of. As always, the language is vivid, flowing, engrossing. Her original characters (William, Arable (which, yeah, there's a name for you) and Matthew) are interesting enough that they don't simply seem to be adjuncts to the M&S story. The dog has a strange name and a solid presence. And leave it to the Mulders, such as they are, to keep ducks that can't fly but instead run everywhere.
This is my favourite part:
He was angry at Scully for being perfect and frozen and impossible to wholly love as an evolving woman over a lifespan, in the close comfort of middle age and on into everything life brings, through everything,
the true, vital living Scully, whom he had somehow lost, and who had been replaced by a Scully who was afraid and trapped, who took the coward's way and couldn't admit what she was doing to the rest of them.
That's pretty much the whole story, beautifully encapsulated.
But I have to ask, what is Scully's deal? What's her problem? Do you think her self-centeredness and self-pity are justified? (not was Pen justified in writing it that way, but is the character justified in feeling that way?)
I'd like to hear other opinions on this.