so_out_of_ideas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
so_out_of_ideas) wrote2006-10-05 12:48 pm
so_out_of_ideas) wrote2006-10-05 12:48 pm
Entry tags:
...they could do it to a person already...
I can hear Roddenberry cheering, people... CNN.com Reports Scientists teleport 2 different objects
In other news, I have Sparky and Ed/Lynae fic. The Gauntlet continues my Sparky Series, now entitled "The Promise of Thorns"--just thought that up the other night. The Ed/Lynae fic picks up at the end of Faithful. Thanks to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
stargatefangurl and nekkidchick for beta on these.
Part 1: Hands
Part 2: The Final Rose.
Part 3: Fight or Flight
Title: The Gauntlet
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: AU Three months after being blinded, Shep is adjusting--and Liz is will be there.
Rating: G
Length: About 900 words
Pairing: Sparky, established.
Genres: Angst/Romance/H/C
A/N: This is part 4 of the AU series The Promise of Thorns. It takes place about 3 after the events in The Return Part 1; incidentally the same year that Daniel and Vala's daughter was born in my giant, 47 chapter SG-1 series, Rediscovered Hearts. (That will become relevant in later fics, as I'm planning a crossover. Written for![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
sg_challenges.
The Gauntlet
John felt his jaw crunch as the side of his head connected with the sparring mat. The rest of his body followed, landing with a thud that forced the air from his lungs. He lay stunned for several seconds, not moving as Ronon's heavy footsteps crossed the distance between them.
"Get up," the warrior said.
"No!" cried John, though he pushed himself supine and raised a hand to readjust his jaw. There was a loud pop, and he continued. "Why? So you can flip me on my back next time?"
"Yeah, if that's what it takes," Ronon replied indifferently.
"Well, I'm done," John shook his head, shoving himself to his feet.
"What do you mean, you're done?" Ronon demanded.
"C'mon, Ronon! You've thrown me across the room six times. Aren't you tired?" John arched an eyebrow, folding his arms.
"Not really," Ronon answered.
"Well, I am." John insisted
"Fine," Ronon grunted, turning to stalk toward the door.
"Where you goin'?" John called after him.
"I'm done," came the reply.
"Oh," John nodded. "Well--see you tomorrow?"
Ronon left without another word, even to Teyla, who had been watching the spar from the doorway. John shoved his hands through his hair and let out a sigh as her footsteps approached. She paused in front of him, and he held back a smile, almost able to see the way she would be tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Colonel Sheppard," she began hesitantly, still using the title despite the fact that it, technically, didn't belong to him.
"I know," he said. "You're gonna tell me a story about some great Athosian warrior who happened to be blind."
"I beg your pardon?" she asked.
"You're not?" John tilted his head in surprise.
"No. What I was going to tell you was that Ronon is losing his patience," she replied.
"Right…" John let his voice trail off.
"Come," Teyla offered, extending her hand. "I will take you to see Dr. Beckett again."
"No, y'know--y'know, I think I'm gonna go myself," John told her, moving to pick up the walking stick that some of the Athosian kids had given him. Teyla, thankfully, didn't object, and he headed for the door with a step he hoped seemed more certain than he actually felt.
He had gotten relatively good at finding his way around the city alone in the past three months. Still, there was always the temptation to accept an offer of guidance when it came from someone like Teyla or Elizabeth--even occasionally Rodney. He trusted them, and it was easier to rely on someone else's eyes than on his own ability to make sense of what his ears told him, or his memory of how many left turns he'd taken. He hated the temptation more than he'd hated the actual need for someone to take him around when he'd first decided to stay on Atlantis. The need had been temporary; something he could overcome with time and effort. The temptation simply was--like the gnawing fear in his gut.
The team believed that he could still lead them, though Carson hadn't yet cleared him for offworld duty. The Athosians seemed to respect him. Elizabeth had never expected less of him than anyone else, despite the changes in their relationship with his discharge from the Air Force. In the back of his mind, though, he had to wonder. Could he really be what they expected, or would there always be this nagging weakness, this part of him that wanted to let them lead him around like a blind man?
You are a blind man, Sheppard, he reminded himself, pausing as he heard Carson's and Elizabeth's voices coming from inside the infirmary.
"I dunno, Elizabeth," the doctor was saying. "Putting Ronon and Teyla in charge of his rehabilitation is just…"
"It's what he wants, Carson," she reminded him.
"Are y'sure he's not a bit daft?" asked Carson, only half joking.
"Well, I might be," John spoke up from the doorway. "Thought my ears were burning. Carson, get me an icepack, would ya?"
"What happened now?" Carson asked, his steps moving not in the direction of the freezer, but toward John.
"Oh, the usual. Landed on my face about six times in a row." Sheppard replied as the doctor's hands guided his face to the side and tilted his jaw upward for a better look.
"Y'see, this is exactly what I meant!" Carson exclaimed. "I never should have allowed it in the first place--"
"Hey!" John interrupted. "Icepack?"
"Oh, right, of course," Carson agreed, hurrying off again.
Elizabeth had walked over as well, and she reached for his hand. He leaned forward, resting his head on her shoulder. He felt her other hand drift up to cup the back of his neck and smiled, turning his head to kiss her lightly behind the ear.
"You don't have to do it this way, you know," she murmured.
John let out a small laugh and pulled back. "You should come watch tomorrow," he suggested, smiling.
"You really want me to?" she asked, her tone rising slightly in surprise.
"Well, who knows," he shrugged. "Maybe with you in my corner…"
"John Sheppard, you are not going to tell me that if I'm there, Ronon won't be able to throw you," she laughed.
"Nah," he agreed. "But maybe he'll only be able to throw me four times."
Elizabeth laughed again and pulled him into another hug. "If you want me to be there, I will be, John," she promised.
For anyone who missed the beginning of this tale, Edmindos and Lynae are/were a pair of OC lovers that I revamped forstargatefangurl's fantasy RPG, called Eternal Fire so I don't know if this story should be categorized as fanfiction or original work or what. In any case, the story serves as an introduction to them and their world, a completely original place called Aterium. I've tried to write the story just as I would the beginning of a new novel or something, so anyone who'd like to read shouldn't be confused. (If there is something you "don't get", it's a safe bet to assume that's because I plan on explaining it in the next chapter.)
A very brief glossary of terms.
Adept= A minor deity.
Circle, The= The Seeker's Council; the governing body of Mt. Albur.
Danar= A gold coin, the most common currency in Aterium.
Ethardis=The Capital City of Aterium.
Mt. Albur= The home of the Seekers
Rogue= A mercenary.
Seeker= A wizardish sort, bonded to an Adept.
Part 1
Part 2
Title: The Seeker's Heart
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: Love is like having a dragon fall on one's head...
Rating: G
Length: Around 1000 words
Category: Angst
Pairings:Edmindos/Lynae; Jaris/Lynae implied.
A/N RPG related. Part 3 of ?
The Seeker's Heart
The door closed behind Lynae, and Edmindos drew a long breath. He stood listening to her footsteps retreat up the stone passage that led to the Rogues' quarters until they grew too faint to hear. Then he turned, shoulders sagging as he trudged back into the main room and dropped into the high backed chair by the hearth. His hand rose to his face, and he massaged his brow wearily with his fingertips, feeling an acute hollowness in the pit of his stomach.
Her quavering statement still echoed through his mind. I am--promised…to Jaris… He'd stumbled through apologies, which she of course deferred, promising that no offense had been taken, but he had no clear recollection of anything they said.
I am--promised…to Jaris…
"Are you all right?" Duric's voice sounded beside the chair, and Edmindos automatically dropped his hand into the tiger's fur.
"I don't think so. Duric--why did you let me--" he broke off, his eyes widening in surprise at his own question. Jerking his hand off the Adept's head, he hurried on, "I'm sorry. You're not to blame for my own rash action. I should have seen that they were more than friends--in fact, I must have. I suppose I didn't want to think she cared so much for him. The vision was so vivid. You used to warn me not to jump to conclusions about them when I was younger, remember?"
"Yes," the Adept said in an unusually quiet tone. He gave a troubled sigh and rested his head on the Seeker's knee. With all the power Duric could wield, he could offer no aid for an aching an heart. He wondered if he had made a mistake in even hinting at the possibility of a love relationship between Edmindos and Lynae. Certainly, he would not have intentionally led his friend to consider it if he had foreseen rejection.
"I've read that men often develop feelings for the women who nurse them after an injury," Edmindos remarked suddenly.
Duric raised his head a bit, giving the Seeker a puzzled look. "What?"
"Well, perhaps, if that's true in this case, it would be best that nothing came of it," replied Edmindos.
Duric dropped his head again with a sad huff. "Perhaps."
"I don't know quite what I expected," the Seeker went on. "Could I ask her to leave her friends--shut herself up here in the Sanctuary with us?"
"I thought you liked it here," Duric commented.
"I do," replied the Seeker. "This is my home. And all I need to be happy are my books, my carving, and a warm fire."
"Maybe a mug of cider?" suggested Duric rather plaintively. He had no need of food or drink, but he did enjoy hot cider in the winter. How and when he had begun his practice of sharing it with Edmindos neither of them remembered.
"Yes," Edmindos agreed. "But Lynae isn't like me. What sort of partner would I make for her? She needs to be out there. She--she's traveled all over Aterium with a company of Rogues. Perusing the Fortress library pales by comparison. And I can't see myself gallivanting about, sleeping out of doors every night, eating stale bread and cheese two meals a day. Jaris is much more suited to her, really."
"I suppose," Duric allowed grudgingly.
"You might at least disagree with me," Edmindos sighed.
"You want me to disagree with you?" the Adept arched an eyebrow.
Edmindos let his head fall back against the chair and let out a sigh. "I don't know," he admitted. "In the end it's all just wishful thinking, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" asked Duric.
"I could never marry her," Edmindos shrugged. "The Circle would never approve of an Elder Seeker marrying an outsider."
"Bunch of stuffy old men who wear their tunics too tight," pronounced Duric distatefully. "They couldn't do a thing about it if you truly wanted to."
"I'd lose my standing here. I'd likely never be elected--"
"Why do you care?" Duric wanted to know. The Seeker's Council was made up of two smaller "circles". The Inner Circle had six seats, held for life by those who were regarded as the wisest among their fellows. The Lower Circle, though, was an elected body with twenty-four seats and a three year term. Collectively known as the Circle, the Council as a whole determined all political and social policy for the inhabitants of Mt. Albur.
It was truly unlike Edmindos to crave power or prestige. Had he desired those things, it was unlikely that he ever would have completed his Apprenticeship, and certainly would not have bonded with Duric. That said, the Adept was honestly mystified by his Seeker's ever-growing ambition toward a council seat.
"Because I could do good if I had a seat on the Circle," Edmindos replied. "There are others who think as I do, that Mt. Albur has a role to play in the world and that we've shirked it since the war. They need a voice--one who isn't intimidated by the old stuffed shirts."
"Do you love her?" Duric asked.
"What?" Edmindos frowned.
"It's a simple question," replied the Adept.
"I'm--not certain. I find her attractive. The sound of her voice. The touch of her skin. They do things to me that I haven't felt since Ellara died. She's fascinating. I catch myself wanting to ply her with questions, find out everything there is to know about her. I don't think I know her well enough to say that I'm in love with her--but I could be, Duric. I truly could."
"But you'd rather have a seat on the Circle," Duric commented dryly.
"No," Edmindos sighed. "I simply have a duty. A responsibility to the greater good of Aterium."
The Adept blew a light stream of air from his nostrils and purred. "And what of your heart?"
Smiling in response, Edmindos quoted,
"…The Seeker's heart
Is forged within Eternal's Flame
To serve in hope
He may one day see…"
Duric's purr grew louder with pride and affection, but his voice was still tinged with regret as he spoke. "I chose well, Seeker mine. I chose well."
In other news, I have Sparky and Ed/Lynae fic. The Gauntlet continues my Sparky Series, now entitled "The Promise of Thorns"--just thought that up the other night. The Ed/Lynae fic picks up at the end of Faithful. Thanks to
stargatefangurl and nekkidchick for beta on these.Part 1: Hands
Part 2: The Final Rose.
Part 3: Fight or Flight
Title: The Gauntlet
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: AU Three months after being blinded, Shep is adjusting--and Liz is will be there.
Rating: G
Length: About 900 words
Pairing: Sparky, established.
Genres: Angst/Romance/H/C
A/N: This is part 4 of the AU series The Promise of Thorns. It takes place about 3 after the events in The Return Part 1; incidentally the same year that Daniel and Vala's daughter was born in my giant, 47 chapter SG-1 series, Rediscovered Hearts. (That will become relevant in later fics, as I'm planning a crossover. Written for
sg_challenges.John felt his jaw crunch as the side of his head connected with the sparring mat. The rest of his body followed, landing with a thud that forced the air from his lungs. He lay stunned for several seconds, not moving as Ronon's heavy footsteps crossed the distance between them.
"Get up," the warrior said.
"No!" cried John, though he pushed himself supine and raised a hand to readjust his jaw. There was a loud pop, and he continued. "Why? So you can flip me on my back next time?"
"Yeah, if that's what it takes," Ronon replied indifferently.
"Well, I'm done," John shook his head, shoving himself to his feet.
"What do you mean, you're done?" Ronon demanded.
"C'mon, Ronon! You've thrown me across the room six times. Aren't you tired?" John arched an eyebrow, folding his arms.
"Not really," Ronon answered.
"Well, I am." John insisted
"Fine," Ronon grunted, turning to stalk toward the door.
"Where you goin'?" John called after him.
"I'm done," came the reply.
"Oh," John nodded. "Well--see you tomorrow?"
Ronon left without another word, even to Teyla, who had been watching the spar from the doorway. John shoved his hands through his hair and let out a sigh as her footsteps approached. She paused in front of him, and he held back a smile, almost able to see the way she would be tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Colonel Sheppard," she began hesitantly, still using the title despite the fact that it, technically, didn't belong to him.
"I know," he said. "You're gonna tell me a story about some great Athosian warrior who happened to be blind."
"I beg your pardon?" she asked.
"You're not?" John tilted his head in surprise.
"No. What I was going to tell you was that Ronon is losing his patience," she replied.
"Right…" John let his voice trail off.
"Come," Teyla offered, extending her hand. "I will take you to see Dr. Beckett again."
"No, y'know--y'know, I think I'm gonna go myself," John told her, moving to pick up the walking stick that some of the Athosian kids had given him. Teyla, thankfully, didn't object, and he headed for the door with a step he hoped seemed more certain than he actually felt.
He had gotten relatively good at finding his way around the city alone in the past three months. Still, there was always the temptation to accept an offer of guidance when it came from someone like Teyla or Elizabeth--even occasionally Rodney. He trusted them, and it was easier to rely on someone else's eyes than on his own ability to make sense of what his ears told him, or his memory of how many left turns he'd taken. He hated the temptation more than he'd hated the actual need for someone to take him around when he'd first decided to stay on Atlantis. The need had been temporary; something he could overcome with time and effort. The temptation simply was--like the gnawing fear in his gut.
The team believed that he could still lead them, though Carson hadn't yet cleared him for offworld duty. The Athosians seemed to respect him. Elizabeth had never expected less of him than anyone else, despite the changes in their relationship with his discharge from the Air Force. In the back of his mind, though, he had to wonder. Could he really be what they expected, or would there always be this nagging weakness, this part of him that wanted to let them lead him around like a blind man?
You are a blind man, Sheppard, he reminded himself, pausing as he heard Carson's and Elizabeth's voices coming from inside the infirmary.
"I dunno, Elizabeth," the doctor was saying. "Putting Ronon and Teyla in charge of his rehabilitation is just…"
"It's what he wants, Carson," she reminded him.
"Are y'sure he's not a bit daft?" asked Carson, only half joking.
"Well, I might be," John spoke up from the doorway. "Thought my ears were burning. Carson, get me an icepack, would ya?"
"What happened now?" Carson asked, his steps moving not in the direction of the freezer, but toward John.
"Oh, the usual. Landed on my face about six times in a row." Sheppard replied as the doctor's hands guided his face to the side and tilted his jaw upward for a better look.
"Y'see, this is exactly what I meant!" Carson exclaimed. "I never should have allowed it in the first place--"
"Hey!" John interrupted. "Icepack?"
"Oh, right, of course," Carson agreed, hurrying off again.
Elizabeth had walked over as well, and she reached for his hand. He leaned forward, resting his head on her shoulder. He felt her other hand drift up to cup the back of his neck and smiled, turning his head to kiss her lightly behind the ear.
"You don't have to do it this way, you know," she murmured.
John let out a small laugh and pulled back. "You should come watch tomorrow," he suggested, smiling.
"You really want me to?" she asked, her tone rising slightly in surprise.
"Well, who knows," he shrugged. "Maybe with you in my corner…"
"John Sheppard, you are not going to tell me that if I'm there, Ronon won't be able to throw you," she laughed.
"Nah," he agreed. "But maybe he'll only be able to throw me four times."
Elizabeth laughed again and pulled him into another hug. "If you want me to be there, I will be, John," she promised.
For anyone who missed the beginning of this tale, Edmindos and Lynae are/were a pair of OC lovers that I revamped for
stargatefangurl's fantasy RPG, called Eternal Fire so I don't know if this story should be categorized as fanfiction or original work or what. In any case, the story serves as an introduction to them and their world, a completely original place called Aterium. I've tried to write the story just as I would the beginning of a new novel or something, so anyone who'd like to read shouldn't be confused. (If there is something you "don't get", it's a safe bet to assume that's because I plan on explaining it in the next chapter.)A very brief glossary of terms.
Adept= A minor deity.
Circle, The= The Seeker's Council; the governing body of Mt. Albur.
Danar= A gold coin, the most common currency in Aterium.
Ethardis=The Capital City of Aterium.
Mt. Albur= The home of the Seekers
Rogue= A mercenary.
Seeker= A wizardish sort, bonded to an Adept.
Part 1
Part 2
Title: The Seeker's Heart
Author: Lionchilde
Summary: Love is like having a dragon fall on one's head...
Rating: G
Length: Around 1000 words
Category: Angst
Pairings:Edmindos/Lynae; Jaris/Lynae implied.
A/N RPG related. Part 3 of ?
The door closed behind Lynae, and Edmindos drew a long breath. He stood listening to her footsteps retreat up the stone passage that led to the Rogues' quarters until they grew too faint to hear. Then he turned, shoulders sagging as he trudged back into the main room and dropped into the high backed chair by the hearth. His hand rose to his face, and he massaged his brow wearily with his fingertips, feeling an acute hollowness in the pit of his stomach.
Her quavering statement still echoed through his mind. I am--promised…to Jaris… He'd stumbled through apologies, which she of course deferred, promising that no offense had been taken, but he had no clear recollection of anything they said.
I am--promised…to Jaris…
"Are you all right?" Duric's voice sounded beside the chair, and Edmindos automatically dropped his hand into the tiger's fur.
"I don't think so. Duric--why did you let me--" he broke off, his eyes widening in surprise at his own question. Jerking his hand off the Adept's head, he hurried on, "I'm sorry. You're not to blame for my own rash action. I should have seen that they were more than friends--in fact, I must have. I suppose I didn't want to think she cared so much for him. The vision was so vivid. You used to warn me not to jump to conclusions about them when I was younger, remember?"
"Yes," the Adept said in an unusually quiet tone. He gave a troubled sigh and rested his head on the Seeker's knee. With all the power Duric could wield, he could offer no aid for an aching an heart. He wondered if he had made a mistake in even hinting at the possibility of a love relationship between Edmindos and Lynae. Certainly, he would not have intentionally led his friend to consider it if he had foreseen rejection.
"I've read that men often develop feelings for the women who nurse them after an injury," Edmindos remarked suddenly.
Duric raised his head a bit, giving the Seeker a puzzled look. "What?"
"Well, perhaps, if that's true in this case, it would be best that nothing came of it," replied Edmindos.
Duric dropped his head again with a sad huff. "Perhaps."
"I don't know quite what I expected," the Seeker went on. "Could I ask her to leave her friends--shut herself up here in the Sanctuary with us?"
"I thought you liked it here," Duric commented.
"I do," replied the Seeker. "This is my home. And all I need to be happy are my books, my carving, and a warm fire."
"Maybe a mug of cider?" suggested Duric rather plaintively. He had no need of food or drink, but he did enjoy hot cider in the winter. How and when he had begun his practice of sharing it with Edmindos neither of them remembered.
"Yes," Edmindos agreed. "But Lynae isn't like me. What sort of partner would I make for her? She needs to be out there. She--she's traveled all over Aterium with a company of Rogues. Perusing the Fortress library pales by comparison. And I can't see myself gallivanting about, sleeping out of doors every night, eating stale bread and cheese two meals a day. Jaris is much more suited to her, really."
"I suppose," Duric allowed grudgingly.
"You might at least disagree with me," Edmindos sighed.
"You want me to disagree with you?" the Adept arched an eyebrow.
Edmindos let his head fall back against the chair and let out a sigh. "I don't know," he admitted. "In the end it's all just wishful thinking, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" asked Duric.
"I could never marry her," Edmindos shrugged. "The Circle would never approve of an Elder Seeker marrying an outsider."
"Bunch of stuffy old men who wear their tunics too tight," pronounced Duric distatefully. "They couldn't do a thing about it if you truly wanted to."
"I'd lose my standing here. I'd likely never be elected--"
"Why do you care?" Duric wanted to know. The Seeker's Council was made up of two smaller "circles". The Inner Circle had six seats, held for life by those who were regarded as the wisest among their fellows. The Lower Circle, though, was an elected body with twenty-four seats and a three year term. Collectively known as the Circle, the Council as a whole determined all political and social policy for the inhabitants of Mt. Albur.
It was truly unlike Edmindos to crave power or prestige. Had he desired those things, it was unlikely that he ever would have completed his Apprenticeship, and certainly would not have bonded with Duric. That said, the Adept was honestly mystified by his Seeker's ever-growing ambition toward a council seat.
"Because I could do good if I had a seat on the Circle," Edmindos replied. "There are others who think as I do, that Mt. Albur has a role to play in the world and that we've shirked it since the war. They need a voice--one who isn't intimidated by the old stuffed shirts."
"Do you love her?" Duric asked.
"What?" Edmindos frowned.
"It's a simple question," replied the Adept.
"I'm--not certain. I find her attractive. The sound of her voice. The touch of her skin. They do things to me that I haven't felt since Ellara died. She's fascinating. I catch myself wanting to ply her with questions, find out everything there is to know about her. I don't think I know her well enough to say that I'm in love with her--but I could be, Duric. I truly could."
"But you'd rather have a seat on the Circle," Duric commented dryly.
"No," Edmindos sighed. "I simply have a duty. A responsibility to the greater good of Aterium."
The Adept blew a light stream of air from his nostrils and purred. "And what of your heart?"
Smiling in response, Edmindos quoted,
Is forged within Eternal's Flame
To serve in hope
He may one day see…"
Duric's purr grew louder with pride and affection, but his voice was still tinged with regret as he spoke. "I chose well, Seeker mine. I chose well."
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Anyway, love the Sparky fic. ♥
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Ed/Duric--*pout*
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Duric--Yeah, fine. I don't like you either.
Ed--*smacks Duric*
Duric--*glares at Ed*
Ed--*glares back*
Me--Oh dear...