Story 21: "Table for Two" by Analise

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

Today's story was nominated by nisrin.

Table for Two by Analise
Rating: PG
Classification: MSR
Keywords:Mulder/Scully UST, Character Death
Spoilers: None

Comments

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

This story, I must admit, didn't really do it for me.

The last two sentences are rather nicely done, however.

Mouth relaxed, eyes closed, hair falling gently over his forehead, he looks like a complete innocent.

Which is how I know he's gone.

[memento1.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's depressing. Sweet, but depressing.

[nisrin]

It's been years since I read it, but I remember now that I liked the dreamy mood that somehow carries throughout. No dialogue, just the details of life and death in slow motion.

[emily-shore.livejournal.com]

That's a good observation. I see what you mean.

[wendelah1]

I had never read this. It was very depressing. I got very saddened by the idea that either Mulder or Scully could die in a random , non-X-Files way, like a shooting, or an automobile accident. That is a possibility for any of us, though.

I like Analise's longer stories much better, especially "A Thin Veneer."

Running is not an option for us.

For some reason, this simple statement resonated for me.

[idella]

I got very saddened by the idea that either Mulder or Scully could die in a random , non-X-Files way, like a shooting, or an automobile accident.

I'm not sure if I think this is better or worse for our characters. This scenario seemed very real, sadly.

This story reminds me of one I read recently ("Burden of Wondering" by Jennifer Maurer) which deals with a similar situation, though it goes more into the aftermath of the death than this one does.

It does strike me as a good way to write about character death without having to worry about much of a plot. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[wendelah1]

Yeah, I thought it seemed all too real. Violent death is never a good thing, but if our characters have to die like that, I would rather it be from an X-file. This is completely irrational, of course. Dead is dead.

I always want a plot; that's probably why I like her longer, plottier stories better.

[idella]

One thing I like about this fandom is that compared to other fandoms I read in, it generates a lot of plotty stories.

Having said that, however, I tend to read more for style than for plot. (Usually. It all depends - lately I've been devouring casefiles like mad.)

I just didn't want it to seem like I was criticizing anyone for not writing plot.

I was thinking that I might prefer it if they didn't die on an X-File, because it might make it worse for whomever was left behind, with the guilt and everything. Or maybe they would find comfort in the death having (hopefully) some sort of purpose. If they were to die together, it should be on an X-File.

Thanks for the fic rec - I liked this enough to want to read more from this author.

[idella]

I liked this. It was quiet and understated and not too sappy (even though it goes down the soul mate path a little bit, which usually puts my back up, though here I could tolerate it).