#it reminds me of my aunt's painting she could really capture the essence of a landascape with her brush! but she... went away'

[randomnameless]

In defence of some people who are arguing things about Nabateans...

The game makes a crappy job with them !

Like, some people still think “Seiros” is Rhea’s birth/creation name - she only mentions it’s not (a name she has taken after Zanado) in an infodump, only available at the end of one route. And, it’s kind of understandable because it’s only one small line thrown in a sea of infodumping where the games wants the player to react more to “OMG there’s a rock in Billy” than in literally anything else Rhea just mentioned “Freikugel is your brother’s hip?”.

Bar that, compare how Nabateans were treated to other races/people in Tellius.

Lilia is Reyson’s sister, who died long before the beginning of the game, but we have her name, know how were her last moments, see something she’s wrote on a wall, learn she had befriended Elena and “taught” her to hum the Galdr of Rebirth.

Lilia has no sprite, but she still exists in the backstory and she’s still present in the current story.

Rajaion’s reveal is shoehorned in the final CG (or penultimate CG) after defeating the boss of the game! And yet, through FE9, Rajaion is the “hidden” reason why Ena, who should despise Daien for their treatment of the Laguz, is here, and why Nasir ultimately betrayed Ike.

Come FE10, and Rajaion’s actions (and torture/death) gain a new magnitude, his torture/death is part of Almedha’s guilt, a reason why Deghinsea might have scorched the world, the reason why Kurthnaga goes to meet his sister and yet still hides his identity - and ultimately Rajaion isn’t only tied to death his gruesome end, because Rajaion also gets a posthumous kid in the credits.

Like, Ashnard’s mount/the dead prince has more importance in the plot as a NPC/Dead character than, idk, FE10!Mist or Gareth (i know it’s a low bar).

No one can deny what happened to the Goldoan Royals, or say they weren’t discriminated against because they were royals. Ditto for the Heron Clan, everyone talks about Serenes, Tibarn refuses to help humans for this reason, and Rafiel’s reveal of who was truly responsible starts Radiant Dawn’s War.

The Dragon used to make Freikugel has no name, no identity anymore. Yes, the Watsonian reason is Rhea hiding everything about her race and siblings to protect the 5 ish Nabateans left. With the big reveal though? Nothing, not even a footnote in an ending card. There’s nothing about it.

Doylist wise - IS only conceived Zanado as a “lore dump” or a background event, but forgot to make their characters react to it. Bar Rhea, no one else talks or even mentions it. Macuil does not like Humans descending from the 10 Dudes, Seteth and Flayn ? Nothing. Momo? Not a single line against the playable Nabateans, or the reason why he has a femur on his forehead. Nemesis? Who cares.

We had to wait for an external Word of God interview to learn why Zanado really happened, what happened and who were the Nabateans.

Rajaion got a human sprite. Macuil and Indech... did not. 

If the game does not care about Nabateans, why should the fandom care?

We know Nabateans were governors of human lands, but we still don’t know what was the name of the Nabatean turned in Luin, or if they are still “alive” in relics.

Of course, it doesn’t not excuse the racism, ableism and, ignorance* regarding those opinions - and yet, the game doesn’t help them at all (if they can be helped to begin with). 

*ignorance and reluctance to learn, almost like a certain character

[whopooh]

Play it again, Jack III: MFMM fics you love to reread

“I just need to read it one more time, Dot.”

Finally I have cut-and-mixed a new installment of fics about the Miss Fisher world that you love to go back to and read! Again, thank you so much to all who sent me fic recommendations, and people that hasn’t -- yes, I have one more post to come, so there is still some room for more!

Earlier posts: 

Play it again, Jack I (letter from @quiltingmom) Play it again, Jack II (mixed recommendations) The original ask

mokuyoubi, “The Heart Grows Fonder". Reread by @rubycaspar

When I first discovered MFMM and felt the need to go through every T-rated and higher fic on AO3 to combat the ridiculous UST of the show, this fic was the one I went searching for again when I was done. There are so many things I love about it -- the tension, the playfulness, the dream-like quality of the setup (especially if you read the preceding story, “In-Between Days”, first). And it's everything that I personally was imagining for a smutty Phrack reunion -- quick, passionate, desperate, steamy and loving -- and so it was exactly what I wanted to read having just finished the series. I absolutely love it and re-read it all the time.

CollingwoodGirl/ @jeneenp,  “Sweltering”. Reread by @omgimsarahtoo

I love @jeneenp's stories in general, but this one sticks in my head. I love the pure sensory overload of it -- the descriptions of the summer heat wave, and Jack sitting at his desk in his shirtsleeves, and the wild heat that rises up between them... and that's just in the first chapter! Chapter 2 has sassy Jack and humor and seduction, and chapter 3... well, I'll just say the heat isn't only in the temperature. Have your fans ready! This was written before series 3 aired, so it picks up where “Unnatural Habits” and “Murder Under the Mistletoe” leave off, with the aborted kiss (thanks, Aunt P) and "If I lock my door, no one could get in" and all of the tension that has built up between our two detectives. This story takes that tension and ratchets it up even higher, deftly weaving in Phrack's care and cameraderie even as it brings them to a rather explosive peak. It's just, in my opinion, divine.

mardia, “a lack of pretense”. Reread by @rithebard

I really like how this ends. I won't say but Jack is drugged and Phryne finds him and takes him home. You have to read the story to understand.

“500 Words: 60. Caustic” by @firesign23. Reread by @kanste

This is another one that hurts soooo good. The whole fight feels so real and leaves me in tears every single time. If you need a pic up, there are also two fix fics for this one: “Balm” by @edeainfj/deedeeinfj and “Ask me again” by YouKnowMeAsJ.

The dress that needed to come back.

@omgimsarahtoo, “A More Lethal Dress". Reread by @kanste

I think we all remember that beautiful dress Phryne wears to her first dinner with Lin. Sarah did all Lin not-fans a favour to make her wear it for Jack instead. The result is gorgeous, smutty gold. Like always the Sarah's smut is wonderful. The seduction atmosphere is spot on and sets you in the mood perfectly. I also love the image of past weeks of their relationship, think dinner with kisses and cuddling.

@scruggzi, “The Long Road to Patagonia”. Reread by @zannadubs23

Crossover fic with Doctor Who. I’ve been a big Doctor Who fan for most of my life, so I probably enjoyed this more than is reasonable. Maybe not. It’s really well done with the two story bases perfectly merged. Scruggzi has a great feel for both universes and her Doctor felt genuine and perfectly suited to traveling with our favorite Lady Detective. 

@firesign23, “A Glass Splinter”. Reread by @bumblemama

A fic I reread semi-regularly is “A Glass Splinter”. Last night I read it again, straight through. It's such a gorgeous story arc, full of the characters we all know and love but with a different starting point. The AU is fully as compelling; but I think because we all know the cases, there is more scope to explore the relationship. It's a salient reminder of how much they each hold themselves back in the series. And while we are all wishing they hadn't, there could be truly sad outcomes if they weren't so reserved.

@edeainfj/ deedeeinfj , “The Fixed Foot”. Reread by @omgimsarahtoo

This story, when it came out, was controversial -- it might still be, but I don't even care. I love it with unrestrained madness, and I go back to it regularly. In it, Jack has agreed that he is willing to have an open relationship with Phryne, and it opens with her taking advantage of that for the first time. It's painful as he goes through the terror that she won't really come back to him, that he isn't enough for her, that the fact that she wants other men means that she doesn't love him -- but it's redeemed as he begins to understand what those others do for her and how they aren't a commentary on how he pleases her or how much she loves him. It's incredibly affirming of their differences and their relationship, and add to that it's gorgeously written.

Gingham, “Repentance”. Reread by @whopooh

This story envisions a version of their reunion that is in equal measure beautiful and sad. Phryne comes back to Melbourne, not understanding why Jack never came or wrote her while she was in England, just to find out he’s in a very bad spot after a case that went wrong. It is heartbreaking and hopeful, and in a way that makes me want to go back there now and then. One of my favourite scenes is when Phryne finds out that Jack had in fact bought a ticket to England, and that he still carries it around with him in his pocket.

Modern Phryne. Equally discombobulated Jack.

@aljwritesphryne, “The YACI-verse”. Reread by @kanste

The fic series YACI really made me love modern AU's and it is another feel good fic for me. I love that Phryne is not only a PI but also a social media personality. The use of Twitter/Facebook is fantastic as is the slow development of Phryne's and Jack's relationship. There are so many little add-ons to the main story from @aljwritesphryne that give us glimpses into the Phrack life. She did such a fantastic job with the characterisation! In my opinion this is exactly like those two would be if they would live today.

Xfphiles, “Devil in the Light”. Reread by @rithebard

Jack and Phryne are not talking after the death in the race car episode. Phryne is hunting for a missing heiress and finds a white slavery ring. She gets kidnapped and Jack has only one thought in mind. Find her. He almost loses himself doing it. This story really captured me for so many reasons. The loneliness of both of them missing the other. And what Jack went through and would do for Phryne, because he loved her so much. Beautiful. (I love this whole series.)

LemmingDancer, “Perchance to Dream”. Reread by @rithebard

Once again, Jack and Phryne are not talking after the death in the race car episode. This time Jack kidnapped and this time Phryne is desperately hunting for him and realizing just how much she loves him. This is a top favorite of mine. I go back to it again and again. It really gives you how both Jack and Phryne are feeling throughout the story. How they are both dealing with this situation and you feel like you are with them.

@mercurialbianca, “I Ask No Man Pardon”. Reread by @kanste

This one is not a Phrack story but Rosie's story with a little bit of Phrack. I love the way Bianca wrote Rosie. I have a soft spot for Rosie in the show and I love that EC didn't go the "nasty Ex" route. The friendship and later sexual attraction between Rosie and Phryne is very well written. I'm not a writer myself but I can imagine it is difficult to write a threesome and make it sexy and loving at the same time. I love the Phrack relationship Bianca wrote (as usual) but by the end Rosie is my star and I'm rooting for her and her new life. (The smut is very hot too).

Soupsouffle, “The Scent of a Lady (Detective)". Reread by @kanste

Phryne is out of town with Mac and leaves something for Jack to remember her. This is pure Phrack Porn. If you are cold this will make you hot. Soupsouffle manages to create so many wonderful images of our favourite couple and I never looked at tissues the same way again.

Man just having had an Art Experience.

CollingwoodGirl/ @jeneenp, “The Artist and The Muse”. Reread by @kanste

Phryne finds out that Jack sat down for a painting while she was in England. I love the visuals that CollingwoodGirl creates in this one. The trust they are giving each other is very hot for me.

CollingwoodGirl/ @jeneenp, “The Artist and The Muse”. Reread by @geenee27

The first time I read this story it left me stunned, it was that good. The prose is exquisite -- my words would just not do it justice. Suffice it to say, the writer paints (pun intended) such a beautiful, erotic and intimate portrait of every inch of Jack (effing) Robinson I am drawn to this work again and again. I love Phryne's initial reaction to the whole scenario, her curiosity, her doubt, her little jealousy about this other women. And her reaction when she finally finds out the truth:

“Oh Jack.” Her voice sounds faraway with her hand covering her mouth – like she’s caught up in a dream.

Drinking in the eloquence of the charcoal lines, the finesse of the chalk as it casts a glow over the lithe nude figure, her fingers dart forward. She wants to see him through the eyes of this artist, to trace that familiar landscape in a completely unfamiliar way, to imagine herself as the one who rendered the very essence of him.

And Jack's feelings concerning all that follows. 

He can’t possibly hope to do anything but grin. This is what he loves most about her, he thinks. That he can surprise her – even shock her – without fear of judgment or the reprisal of stony silence.

(...)

He fists his free hand into her hair and kisses her, making silent promises with his mouth. In her open-armed acceptance, he has found freedom.

And if the story wasn't fantastic enough, Collingwoodgirl gives us the gift of finding the actual picture and it is glorious. 

@missingmissfisher, “Never expected”. Reread by @rithebard

Once again I love so many of @missingmissfisher‘s tales but I chose this one. Phryne and Jack go undercover as a married couple, Fern and Archie Jones. They are in England, Jack is there to see Phryne but also to help a friend from Scotland Yard. This is just such a delightful story. Not only do they have fun of being undercover but they get to finally explore their relationship. Love!

Lenore, “New Mutiny”. Reread by @kanste

After an explosion Jack loses is memory and can't remember anything that happened after the War. I love how the writer manages to keep the characters and the UST of the series while doing a very believable amnesia.

Lenore, “New Mutiny”. Reread by @rithebard

Jack has amnesia he can't remember anything since the war. Not where he lives, or what he now does, not Hugh Collins and of course not Phryne Fisher. But because of all the horrors he saw in hospitals during the war he does nothing. Just uses his will to make everyone including Phryne think he is fine. Love this story. This is also a favorite. I go back to it over and over. Just to see how Jack's mind works, how he figures things out and what he really feels toward Phryne. Beautiful.

Lenore, “New Mutiny” (and the podfic of the same) and @rubycaspar, “And you yourself shall keep the key of it”. Reread by @whopooh

I too adore Lenore’s fic and have gone back to it several times. There is something utterly delicious in Jack trying to figure out his relatonship to this strange woman that seems to commandeer his life. Like here:

She leans in closer. "Jack."

Maybe this is what they are to each other. Maybe all he needs to do is—he reaches for her before the thought has a chance to fully form. He rests his hand against her cheek, just like in the dream, his thumb stroking along her jaw as he presses their mouths together. She comes easily with a soft pleased sound, her body swaying in toward his. But it's after just the slightest stutter of surprise. He might not even have noticed that if he weren't so attuned to her.

He draws back in confusion. "I—" It's clear now that this isn't how they are, and he has no notion of how to explain himself, apart from offering a confession he has no intention of making.

I also love @rubycaspar‘s take on the amnesia trope, “And you yourself shall keep the key of it”, and even though it isn’t finished yet, I have already found myself rereading it for the tension of Jack trying to figure things out. It has a much sadder lining, as Phryne is aware of what is happening, and it’s beautiful both in the fun and the sad parts.

That’s all for today. And anyone feeling the urge, I’m happy to receive more recommendations!