Restraint by emeraldsedai

[roxy]

I've talked about Restraint by emeraldsedai, in fact, I'd like to know who on my friend's list has read it, please! Anyhoo, I've talked about it, raved about it, waited impatiently while emeraldsedai talked about it. I started it, LOVED it, but was distracted by RL and writing stuff--but now I've downloaded it and am reading it on my magical electronic reading device, and I'm sucked in once again by the beauty of this story. And!! And!! I can make notes and highlight all the parts that make me want to wipe all my own fic away and start over. God, this woman can write, it makes you cry how good she is. I'm all crouched over my Amazing Reading Device when it occurred to me--"Holy shit, MizRose, there's no way this story can have a happy ending!" But you know what my friends? I don't even care if that's the case. (I know right? me, the happy-ending hoor)Because it has to be that way. She's being to faithful to the times, and the times were horribly unforgiving. As beautiful as it was, as wonderful the art, the stories, clothing and all, if I were to suddenly wake up in that period of history, I'd have to kill myself. Or desperately try to pass as Italian or Greek, I won't even front.

emeraldsedai has a way with words that pull you into the fic. She does that thing where the writing is so clean, so sharp and evocative that it pulls you into the story like you're in a movie, but still leaves you aware of the words, enjoying the choices she made, savoring them up like candy. There are many, many folks on-line whose stories I adore, but few who make me feel like that about their writing. Okay, maybe three. And I love this story so much that I'll be babbling about it from time to time, and I encourage you to read it too. I believe most of the folks on my flist will enjoy it because you are a smart group of ladies who enjoy intelligent, well-crafted and very moving writing.

I had to choose between my T-Recasaurus, or Tristan, created by the amazingly talented owsers whose work illustrates this incredible story. No contest!

Comments

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

Okay I've heard several recs of this from various flisters and I've always been a bit .... blergh when it comes to WIPS cos I like to have the ending there right? Now this post here shows me it is done and you can download the pdf YAYS!!! \o/!! So I shall add it to my reading list and get to it my dear! Feedback discussion is imminent!

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

Oh, yay!! I'm *so* glad you're going to be reading it! I can't wait to see what you think!

[tabaqui]

Oooh, that story. OMG, yes. So incredibly wonderful, so beautiful and triumphant and heartbreaking by turns, full of tiny moments of delirious joy and utter despair and just....
*flails*

The times *do* put certain constraints on the story, and even though, like you, i hate a sad ending, the ending was actually quite perfect and just what it should be and yes, i cried.

But then, that story made me cry several times. It's lovely stuff. :)

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

right? I'm telling you, my heart does flips as I'm reading this. I tell you, beloved, I think this is the story everyone should point at when folks want to know how you do an AU right. Or a historical novel, period.

and just so you know, *koff*--points at you--one of my three. *blush*

[tabaqui]

I know! It's just so damn good - i despair! Heh.

*grabs you and smishes you*

You're the best, bb. :)

[sonofabiscuit77.livejournal.com]

You love this too?

Wow, I've blathered on in comments to poor DarkEmeralds about how much I love it. I work in Mayfair and I've even changed my route to work on a couple of days just to go past Half Moon Street - yes, I am that sad. Not to mention how many times I've listened to the podfic.

I'm blown away by how well written it is, the language and details and the era are so perfect. The characterisation and the build-up to the relationship are beautiful, the UST is just... guh... gorgeous. It's probably the best J2 fic I've ever read, though honestly I think of it as way more than a J2 fic, the characters are original to me, they just happen to look a little like Jared & Jensen.

I have to admit that I'm still not sure how I feel about the ending. I read it a couple of days ago and I still haven't left a comment as I'm still a bit unsure what to say about it. IDK, I think part of it is just being sad that the entire thing is over. I'm going to miss reading about John and Tristan.

But.. seriously, I'm prepared to have a serious discussion / mass squeeing about this story - so please feel free to tell me which bits you loved best and why!!!

[roxymissrose.livejournal.com]

I fell in love with emeraldsedai when I read an Sv/Firefly crossover way back when I first came into online fandom, and I might have stalked her a bit--she was very nice about it, lol!

I think of it too as a story that features characters who happen to look like Jared and Jensen. But I also think she's done an excellent job of taking what we know(real or acting) of their characters and altering it to fit the times.

I haven't got to the ending yet--I'm so reluctant but also for the reasons you mentioned--I don't want to leave them! I have a bad habit of doing that, lol!

But.. seriously, I'm prepared to have a serious discussion / mass squeeing about this story - so please feel free to tell me which bits you loved best and why!!!

I'm so pleased that you also read this story and enjoyed it as much as I'm enjoying it now. I will definitely be sharing favorite parts here!