Review of the Second Part, in which Dyce!Anon proves once again that OP is a foolish worrywart.
Hey Dyce!anon, it's me. Let's talk.
I wrote quite a bit of my thoughts on the Farkas/Vilkas dichotomy and the Darcy/Bingley aspect of the two brothers. And I also expanded on how I loved that you 'got' Farkas. His innate self-knowledge, his remarkable people skills, and his simple good nature.
Now, I always try to be honest with you, and the fact is I was worried about the Vilkas half of this story. Why? Well, it's because I know this personality type. Very well. I've written books about this guy. I'm married to this guy. Most of my friends are married to this guy. And one thing about this type is that they are so very lonely (and man, they make loneliness their 'thing') that when they find someone, they strongly resist letting that someone go. In short, they're tremendous monogamists, mostly out of self-preservation. And Dyce and monogamy really don't go together. (Now should they, imo)
So, I was wondering, pointedly, how you were going to stay true to Vilkas's personality and still let him have some fleeting fun with everyone's favorite easy Breton. I was half expecting some meaningless, about as much set up as a porn-film, (Oh, Pizza delivery boy, I don't have any cash, how will I pay you?) semi-anonymous sex.
But, at the same time, while I didn't see how this was going to happen, I had hope that you would find away to create something worthy of your talents. And you did.
I had forgotten their 'Noble, Self-Sacrificing' side. Because, yes, if this type feels like it's all on them to save the world (and they often do) that will override their needy side.
A perfect solution to a difficult equation.
And then it was not enough for you to find a way for them to have sex, but you bastard! You had to make it meaningful too. Hence me sobbing over porn at 6am in the god damn morning before I'd even gotten my coffee yet. Damn it!
Yeah, yeah, I asked for it. Yeah, it was what I wanted. But man, that *hurt!* And stupid me sent you on another play-through of the game, which means some Dragon time is in my (and Dyce's) future, and if you can make me weepy over Vilkas, I'm completely fucked when it comes to Paarthurnax.
But enough about me. (more than enough) You're biggest crime (and the best part of the story) was showing Dyce's pain. It's the Breton's/Bosmer's delema. A Dragonborn is supposed to be large, tall, bold, honorable, fearless, indefatigable, brave, strong, and all those other Supermanish traits. Ready and Eager to Embrace his Destiny and Save All Mankind!
So what is he to do when he's small, sneaky, not especially strong and actually has the nerve to get tired? And he still has to save mankind. He can't put that down. Even though he should be the last person in this position, there is no choice in the matter. He's a slave to fate.
Now, Vilkas looks and acts like the Dragonborn is 'supposed to'. He's big, he's strong, he's fearless, he's honorable. And the cruel thing is he's just as trapped. Because no one is actually superman and everyone get tired. (NOT supposed to be crying over porn!)
It's amazing and awesome and beautiful and terrible and wrenching and devastating that you explored that so well. This awful bond that these two unlikely men share. And fluffy, funny, lighthearted Dyce is actually aching under it.
That conversation is the climax of the story. There's no denying it, and the rest of it plays out exactly as it should; The emotional exhaustion and the need for comfort, and then what follows.
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timeasmymeasure
OP rides again! (1/2)
Date: 2012-12-10 02:17 pm (UTC)Hey Dyce!anon, it's me. Let's talk.
I wrote quite a bit of my thoughts on the Farkas/Vilkas dichotomy and the Darcy/Bingley aspect of the two brothers. And I also expanded on how I loved that you 'got' Farkas. His innate self-knowledge, his remarkable people skills, and his simple good nature.
Now, I always try to be honest with you, and the fact is I was worried about the Vilkas half of this story. Why? Well, it's because I know this personality type. Very well. I've written books about this guy. I'm married to this guy. Most of my friends are married to this guy. And one thing about this type is that they are so very lonely (and man, they make loneliness their 'thing') that when they find someone, they strongly resist letting that someone go. In short, they're tremendous monogamists, mostly out of self-preservation. And Dyce and monogamy really don't go together. (Now should they, imo)
So, I was wondering, pointedly, how you were going to stay true to Vilkas's personality and still let him have some fleeting fun with everyone's favorite easy Breton. I was half expecting some meaningless, about as much set up as a porn-film, (Oh, Pizza delivery boy, I don't have any cash, how will I pay you?) semi-anonymous sex.
But, at the same time, while I didn't see how this was going to happen, I had hope that you would find away to create something worthy of your talents. And you did.
I had forgotten their 'Noble, Self-Sacrificing' side. Because, yes, if this type feels like it's all on them to save the world (and they often do) that will override their needy side.
A perfect solution to a difficult equation.
And then it was not enough for you to find a way for them to have sex, but you bastard! You had to make it meaningful too. Hence me sobbing over porn at 6am in the god damn morning before I'd even gotten my coffee yet. Damn it!
Yeah, yeah, I asked for it. Yeah, it was what I wanted. But man, that *hurt!* And stupid me sent you on another play-through of the game, which means some Dragon time is in my (and Dyce's) future, and if you can make me weepy over Vilkas, I'm completely fucked when it comes to Paarthurnax.
But enough about me. (more than enough) You're biggest crime (and the best part of the story) was showing Dyce's pain. It's the Breton's/Bosmer's delema. A Dragonborn is supposed to be large, tall, bold, honorable, fearless, indefatigable, brave, strong, and all those other Supermanish traits. Ready and Eager to Embrace his Destiny and Save All Mankind!
So what is he to do when he's small, sneaky, not especially strong and actually has the nerve to get tired? And he still has to save mankind. He can't put that down. Even though he should be the last person in this position, there is no choice in the matter. He's a slave to fate.
Now, Vilkas looks and acts like the Dragonborn is 'supposed to'. He's big, he's strong, he's fearless, he's honorable. And the cruel thing is he's just as trapped. Because no one is actually superman and everyone get tired. (NOT supposed to be crying over porn!)
It's amazing and awesome and beautiful and terrible and wrenching and devastating that you explored that so well. This awful bond that these two unlikely men share. And fluffy, funny, lighthearted Dyce is actually aching under it.
That conversation is the climax of the story. There's no denying it, and the rest of it plays out exactly as it should; The emotional exhaustion and the need for comfort, and then what follows.