Deep Conversations

Probably my last contribution for retro_icontest Round 15.

Part Four: Replacements


Round 15 Themes: foreshadowing/characterization/character development/otp

Bull! This episode's theme of noncomms being reliable and skilled was so well-executed, and I'm so thankful Bull became the choice example because this episode is basically an edge-of-your-seat thriller and a love story all in one.

Part Five: Crossroads


Round 15 Themes: what kept you hooked/characterization/the moment you knew

So I do like the format of this episode, with Winters trying to sort through the trauma of that encounter with the two companies of SS. But I love even more that my favs all had interesting characterization moments. Lieb being so angry and so ready to kill, while blood gushes from his neck, is every dramatic but also it cemented him as one of my favorites. Then we have Nix trying to cheer Winters up, bargaining about when death is worth it and also looking pretty as hell. And silly as it was, Web shouting 'they got me' felt so genuine and so relatable and that was the moment he became my other fav.

This gifset on tumblr comparing D-Day shots from Band of Brothers and Masters of the Air captures the dramatic differences in perspective we got from that day in the HBO war universe. I've actually come to appreciate that part of Masters of the Air much more, since the air war had been going on way before D-Day and it seems like they were trying to make that point by glossing over the ground invasion.

Title Tag Game Rules: write out any fic titles you have that are based off of lyrics, list what songs they're from, and tag some writers! :-) (if you don't have a lot of finished fics, you can include your wips, or if you have way too many to list out, pick your faves!)

These are the last five fics I wrote with song lyric titles:

1. Drew the Line Right Through You - from Katy Perry's song Never Really Over (RNM, Max/Kyle)
2. A Home For All Seasons - from Sia's song Snowman (Band of Brothers, Johnny/Bull)
3. Snowfall Kind of Girl - from Ingrid Michaelson's song Snowfall (Roswell, Maria/Michael + Max/Liz)
4. Love Asylum, Like an Island - from Hayley Kiyoko's song Feelings (RNM, Isobel/Rosa)
5. Some Kind of Disaster - from All Time Low's song Some Kind of Disaster (RNM, Max/Kyle)

Comfort Characters Meme: What are your top five comfort characters?

Mine are ~
1. Allison Argent
2. John Egan
3. Max Evans
4. David Webster
5. Sam Wilson

In other news, I'm really digging this cover of Espresso by the Wallows.

I made some collages for the lands_of_magic challenge this week. This was a fun experiment!

Featuring David Webster's apartment (Band of Brothers), Nate Fick's apartment (Generation Kill), and a Modern AU home for Catherine the Great (The Great).

( Three Moodboards under here )

Day 5: Compare and/or contrast your very first fandom obsession and your very latest fandom obsession.

First fandom obsession was probably Clark Kent/Lana Lang from Smallville, and now my favorite OTP is Sam/Bucky of MCU. Very different OTPs, but both fandoms are based on comic books that have huge followings and a ton of canon history. There are still trolls and ship wars, that I now know to stay on the outside of. I was definitely an obnoxious fan back in the day, and I took everything way too personally. I'm still a shipper, but now it's a lot more fun to kind of just be in my own little corner. I related to Clark and to Lana a lot - as for Sam and Buck, I don't think I relate so much as I just really enjoy them/their personalities every time they are onscreen together.

Day 6: What's a fandom that you wish had a bigger following?

The Expanse! It's a kickass scifi show with some really gorgeous scenery and actors. Plus there is a ton of ship potential for all of the mains, although it did take me a little while to get to know everyone. The online fandom did rally to save the show, but I still hardly see any fandom content in terms of fic/vids/art etc.

Also, The English Game. It was a mini series on Netflix with SO much potential. The enemies to lovers trope was strong in this one, with the main characters being rival soccer players who also were from vastly different social classes. I'll probably nominate for Yuletide this year.

Day 7: What's the longest time you've been in a fandom. Not necessarily your oldest fandom, but a fandom that you started and still continue to read/write/create content for in some way.

Probably Band of Brothers. I can't remember when I first watched the series, but I've been writing in that fandom since 2011 when the camp toccoa comm on LJ was active. There was a big lull before BoB got popular on tumblr/discord again, but I'm still participating in that fandom.

Fandom specific:
I love how organized cap_ironman is. They run so many great fests. I got a little burnt out last year and didn't participate as much, but this year I will hopefully be participating in the Reverse BB and Tiny Reverse Bang.

looselipssinkships runs the new HBO war prompt meme. All of the new prompts make me excited to write HBO war fic again.

For Teen Wolf fests, the Teen Wolf Discord is where I get all my fandom news. I can get the link if you're interested. The Official Thiam Library on tumblr runs some great events and also posts fic reccs. There's also a Theo/Liam Discord server that's really fun.

For Buzzfeed Unsolved, I follow Shyan Writing Events on tumblr. It is very well organized and has seasonal events.

Multi-fandom fests and exchanges:
seasonofkink is my favorite bingo challenge. They have a great kink list/guide. I really like story_works for the interesting prompts. You get at least a month to write, which is perfect for me because I like writing ~5k works with a solid deadline (although I'm pushing myself to write longer fic this year). holly_poly fics are due soon. This fest always produces some great works. I also really enjoy fandom5k. And iddyiddybangbang is a really welcoming space to explore your id!

Halloween/October is my favorite time of year for fic. There's trickortreatex, spook_me, shipoween, and spooktoberchallenge to look forward to.

I'm looking for more comms/fests/etc. so if you know of any (especially Merlin, MCU, Buzzfeed Unsolved, or Teen Wolf related), feel free to recc them.

In response to the sunshine_challenge prompt four, I've gone through my AO3 bookmarks and I've decided to recc fics from my small fandoms that have less than 100 kudos. I'm not going to list the warnings, so please check the tags when you click. These fics and fanvids deserve all of the kudos and comments!

( Original Fiction )

( Fanvideos )

( Real Person Fiction )

( TURN )

YOU GUYS. fiorediloto has just posted part one of this angsty, in-canon slow burn Band of Brothers fic that I cannot recc enough! The fic fits the timeline of Winters and Nixon’s lives before Band of Brothers started, and there are a ton of details about Winters and Nixon's military training and home lives, and a fun original character. This fic just feels so achy and raw and real.

If you like angst, the exploration of gay culture in 1940s America, and/or friends to lovers, this fic is totally for you.

--> The Earth Below My Feet on AO3 <--

(and I'm only a teeny bit biased because I beta'd)