Hmm, Contact High I would not call subtle--it's pretty forthright in its romanticism--and it is intricate primarily in a verbal sense; it's full of shiny, eye-catching phrases, almost as if the story is a gorgeous piece of embroidery or brocade. And although I love it and always will, I don't consider it Penumbra's best.
As for SLATL, brash is a fair evaluation. I think the overriding theme here is: it's Vegas. Vegas is a brash place created for sinful enjoyments, quite old-fashioned in it's sexism, an expensive, manmade fantasy. And we can all agree that Mulder has a weakness for the fantastical. And Scully. He can't wait to get them together. Plus, she was there and he missed it!
So he does set up the case, which tasteful Agent Scully may condescend to, but it is after all about organized crime (everyone remember that Simpsons sendup?) and not lights in the sky; she has no grounds for refusal. Her "costume" is her own choice, a bad one as it turns out but at least (Wendy) it isn't to her personal taste, nor will she pay for it herself. They both drink too much, I guess, but it's virtually unavoidable if they're keeping up with Chip. Mulder does a masterful turn here as a high-rolling, Hugh Hefner hero, and the nostalgia alone is adorable. And Scully really digs him. She already did and this is her nonserious chance to take advantage. She loves the act and she *decides* to have the sex then and there. Presumably what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (an irony acknowledging its brash code of amorality). But, in this case, I don't think so.
Yes, amyhit, I think it is all for the sake of the cover, the cover being for crime and Las Vegas itself. And, finally, for the carnal desires of our heroes, who can examine their higher selves in some other fic.
Oh my, yes, the sex goes on far too long in both stories. Maybe most of us have reached the point when skipping/skimming is indicated a lot of the time.
no subject
As for SLATL, brash is a fair evaluation. I think the overriding theme here is: it's Vegas. Vegas is a brash place created for sinful enjoyments, quite old-fashioned in it's sexism, an expensive, manmade fantasy. And we can all agree that Mulder has a weakness for the fantastical. And Scully. He can't wait to get them together. Plus, she was there and he missed it!
So he does set up the case, which tasteful Agent Scully may condescend to, but it is after all about organized crime (everyone remember that Simpsons sendup?) and not lights in the sky; she has no grounds for refusal. Her "costume" is her own choice, a bad one as it turns out but at least (Wendy) it isn't to her personal taste, nor will she pay for it herself. They both drink too much, I guess, but it's virtually unavoidable if they're keeping up with Chip. Mulder does a masterful turn here as a high-rolling, Hugh Hefner hero, and the nostalgia alone is adorable. And Scully really digs him. She already did and this is her nonserious chance to take advantage. She loves the act and she *decides* to have the sex then and there. Presumably what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas (an irony acknowledging its brash code of amorality). But, in this case, I don't think so.
Yes, amyhit, I think it is all for the sake of the cover, the cover being for crime and Las Vegas itself. And, finally, for the carnal desires of our heroes, who can examine their higher selves in some other fic.
Oh my, yes, the sex goes on far too long in both stories. Maybe most of us have reached the point when skipping/skimming is indicated a lot of the time.