cryingoverducks

autodach posting in

I made a second review post for the Mo Du adaptation Justice in the Dark, now that it’s fully released ❤
Check it out on my journal!

china_shop posting in

sid_guardian

Hi, and welcome to this week's installment of the Guardian novel readalong!

Here are last week's chapters, and you can find all previous discussions in the schedule posts (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4), or via the !readalong tag.

This week's chapters:

Chapter 13: Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan untangle the truth about the past. Zhao Yunlan recaps the whole saga back to Shen Wei to verify his understanding. Shen Wei recounts his promise to guard the Seal and stay away from Kunlun, and he confesses that he orchestrated all the visions and other events (including Zhao Yunlan seeing him drawing his heart blood) so that Zhao Yunlan would stay with him and they could die (ie, cease to exist) together. Back at the flat, they start making out, then stop to talk about the blood-drinking. They decide to live together like mortals for the next few decades.
Chapter 14: Guo Changcheng and Chu Shuzhi stake out a motorway off-ramp in the freezing cold and search a number of buses to look for a ghost's missing daughter. Chu Shuzhi calls Daqing to ask about Guo Changcheng's flame-coloured merits. Chu Shuzhi slaps a talisman on Changcheng to check he's human. Changcheng finds the missing girl, and Chu Shuzhi arrests the kidnapper.

The corresponding chapters in the Chinese version on JJWXC and the fan translation are chapters [tbc].

Excerpts:

( 1) Primordial Wei looked for Kunlun before they met )

( 2) Wei's deal with Shennong )

( 3) Negotiating the blood drinking )

( 4) Chu Shuzhi and Daqing on the phone )

( 5) Changcheng takes being 'killed' surprisingly calmly )

Questions:

Do you understand the primordial past backstory now? Who comes off worst in this real version of events? How do you feel about Shen Wei going to these lengths to deceive Zhao Yunlan and guilt-trip him into staying with him? What does it mean that Zhao Yunlan called Shen Wei his husband, rather than wife? Would you prefer to be on a stakeout with Guo Changcheng or Chu Shuzhi? Do you have any thoughts about how moments in these chapters affected or were remixed in the drama adaptation?

(As usual, these are all just conversation starters - feel free to answer all, some, or none, and to say as much or as little as you like! You don't have to be keeping up with the readalong!)

Our schedule for this round -- please sign up to host a post if you can!

theladyscribe posting in

c_ent

Hello, I am here to tell everyone about the greatest Hong Kong film I've ever seen, 1989's Into the Fire, about two bros from opposite sides of the tracks who find themselves together on the run from both corrupt cops and Triad gangsters! One is himself a Triad member, the other is a rich boy from a good family! They get knocked down, they get up again, they share some tender looks and a bathtub!

If this intrigues you at all, I have reposted my original bluesky thread on this movie on my DreamWidth. :D

dancing_serpent posting in

c_ent

The weekly chat posts are intended for just that, chatting among each other. What are you currently watching? Reading? What actor/idol are you currently following? What are you looking forward to? Are you busy writing, creating art? Or did you have no time at all for anything, and are bemoaning that fact?

Whatever it is, talk to us about it here. Tell us what you liked or didn't like, and if you want to talk about spoilery things, please hide them under either of these codes:
or

sinesofinsanity posting in

fancake

Fandom: DC, technically the Justice League (2017) movie, but can reasonably fit with most DC timelines
Pairings/Characters: Martha Kent, Atlanna
Rating: T
Length: 2,909 words
Creator Links: susiecarter
Theme: Female Relationships, Female Friendship, Gen, Minor Characters, Superpowers

Summary: There's a very unusual woman on the train, when Martha boards just outside Metropolis.

Reccer's Notes: I love depictions of Martha Kent where she is no-nonsense and kind, but ultimately human. She is out of her depth in the superhero shenanigans but perfectly suited to handle any and all human things before and after. I love how she immediately clocks Atlanna as "strange and possibly dangerous" and so decides to strike up a conversation. It's lovely to see these two women bond over their sons even before they really know who each other is. Also Alfred cameos at the end which is always fun.

Fanwork Links: not far from the apples on AO3

facethestrange posting in

sid_guardian

Drama Weilan art and 2 fics, and 1 Zhubai fic. :)

Go, Quick! by facethestrange
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei (Guardian), Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Kissing, Angst, Canon Compliant Angst, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Episode: e038 Shen Wei Spits Blood, Hurt Shen Wei (Guardian), Fanart, Drawing
Summary: Last kiss before being separated.

Cat-astrophe (415 words) by facethestrange
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Da Qing & Shen Wei & Zhao Yunlan, Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Da Qing (Guardian), Shen Wei (Guardian), Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Humor, Innuendo, POV Da Qing (Guardian), Cat Da Qing (Guardian)
Summary: Da Qing's mosquito chase gets interrupted.

Almost (803 words) by facethestrange
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei (Guardian), Zhao Yunlan
Additional Tags: Ye Olde Haixing Era, Hurt/Comfort, sex as comfort, Hand Jobs, Post-Battle, Tenderness, Established Relationship
Summary: Even after the frantic, desperate healing, when their skin is unmarred once again, Shen Wei can't shake off the feeling that the pain is not gone, hidden somewhere underneath. He faintly realizes that it's not located where his own wounds used to be — the sword went straight through the right side of Kunlun's chest. Shen Wei can feel the searing burn of it regardless.

Kissing It Better (1920 words) by facethestrange
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018) RPF, Chinese Actor RPF
Rating: Explicit
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Bai Yu/Zhu Yilong
Characters: Bai Yu (Actor), Zhu Yilong
Additional Tags: Porn with Feelings, Plot What Plot/Porn Without Plot, Tenderness, Bruises, (the bruises are not caused by the sex), (they're important but they're only there to be kissed gently), First Time, Blow Jobs, Hand Jobs, Come Eating, Gentle Kissing, Love Confessions
Summary: Bai Yu presses a quick kiss just under the bruise, hoping it's just as unremarkable and meaningless as all of their easy intimacy has always been, and he laughs, bright and overcompensating. He makes sure to grin, eyes sparkling in his best carefree impression, in an attempt to make Long-ge laugh together with him.

Just another memory for Long-ge to shake his head about, for Bai Yu to treasure forever. He needs many of those, for later.

elwendell posting in

c_ent

This is not the place for rants...but if you want one about the first three episodes I vented on my own page. Come for me if you must. I have no regrets. Well...maybe one. I'd like that watching time refunding.

china_shop posting in

sid_guardian

Title: Whatever It Takes to Bring You Back (5691 words) [Teen and Up]
Fandom: 镇魂 | Guardian (TV 2018)
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Shen Wei/Zhao Yunlan
Characters: Shen Wei, Zhao Yunlan, Wu Tian'en, Ding Dun
Additional Tags: Whump, Pain, Loss of Agency, Episode Related, episode 17, Zhao Yunlan's first trip to Dixing does not end well, Until it does, Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hurt!Zhao Yunlan, hurt!Shen Wei, Get Together, First Kiss (for one of them)

Summary:

“Shen Wei! You’re here—” Zhao Yunlan was sobbing. Then he screamed again, curling in on himself and clutching his forearm. “Fuck, this hurts! Get it—this—get it out of me! Help, Shen Wei—”

Something was very wrong. Even if he were terribly injured, Zhao Yunlan wouldn’t permit panic into his voice. He would make jokes, not scream for help. How much agony must he be in, to have broken like this?

(Btw, in the course of writing this fic, I realised that the weapon that Ding Dun attacks Zhao Yunlan with is a medical syringe gun. I'd always assumed it was scissors or something.)

mific posting in

fancake

Fandom: Deadloch
Characters/Pairings: Eddie Redcliffe/Dulcie Collins
Rating: Teen
Length: 2518
Content Notes: Internalised homophobia, unreliable narrator, political correctness and Eddie aren't even in the same universe
Creator Links: pintpotjudas on AO3
Themes: Female relationships, Backstory, Ambiguous relationships

Summary: Just Eddie, musing on hair. And lesbians. And herself, a bit. (She's meant to be thinking about the case.)
Set in a lull (???) in episode five, or thereabouts.

Reccer's Notes: The detective partnership of Eddie and Dulcie is central to Deadloch, and it's "enemies to friends" in canon, but with a tantalising hint of maybe-polyamory at the very end of the show. In this story, Eddie thinks about lesbians in general (Deadloch's full of lesbians), her odd fascination with Dulcie's long, thick, hair, and remembers a female friendship from her teens. It's a believable character study where we understand a bit more about Eddie and see the beginnings of her attraction to Dulcie, even if Eddie's still mostly in denial. Interesting, and well written, with great characterisation and Eddie's usual hilarious and colourful turns of phrase.

Fanwork Links: Horsehair

china_shop posting in

sid_guardian

Poll #33265 Helpful Hallows?

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 15

View Respondents

When were the Hallows most beneficial?

View Answers

Sundial allowing Li Qian's grandmother to protect Li Qian (ep 2)
5 (41.7%)

Sundial giving a hint about where to find the Awl (ep 5)
1 (8.3%)

Sundial acting as locator device for Wang Zhang in the Hanga caves (ep 10)
2 (16.7%)

Awl making Wang Zheng an energy being (ep 10, flashback)
3 (25.0%)

Awl imprisoning revenge-rampage!Sang Zan (ep 10, flashback)
2 (16.7%)

Awl giving visions of the sub-zero lab (ep 19)
4 (33.3%)

Sundial shielding Zhao Yunlan from Ye Zun's energy attack (ep 20)
5 (41.7%)

Sundial exchange restoring Zhao Yunlan's eyesight (but corrupting Shen Wei's energy) ep 20
1 (8.3%)

All four --> time travel! (ep 34)
8 (66.7%)

All four --> time travel back! (ep 35)
10 (83.3%)

All four imprisoning revenge-rampage!Ye Zun (ep 35, flashback)
2 (16.7%)

All four facilitating the Skype call to YOHE (ep 38)
4 (33.3%)

The Lantern (with bullet) making a booby-trap for Ye Zun (ep 39)
1 (8.3%)

All four lighting Dixing (ep 40)
6 (50.0%)

other (please specify in comments)
3 (25.0%)

When Shen Wei heals himself in ep 2, it seems to cost him significantly more effort than any other time we see him do healing, because

View Answers

he's healing himself instead of someone else
2 (13.3%)

it's a physical injury rather than a failing life force (cf Teacher Zhang, Butler Wu)
1 (6.7%)

the injury hurts, owwww
3 (20.0%)

he's left it so long since the injury was incurred
3 (20.0%)

he's alone and doesn't have to hide his effort
11 (73.3%)

other (please specify in comments)
2 (13.3%)

Credits:
1. Thanks to

autodach for the Hallows spreadsheet where I sourced most of the answers to question 1. <3 <3 <3
2. Question 2 was first posted on my journal in 2020, inspired by a discussion with

laireshi. <3 <3 <3

dancing_serpent posting in

c_ent

Rec time! Did you read/watch/listen to something you really liked and would love other people to know about, too? Don't have the time or energy to make a full promo post, or think such a small thing doesn't merit a separate entry?

Here's your chance to share with the class! Just drop a comment with a link and maybe a couple of words in description. No need to overthink things, it can be as simple as Loved this! or OMG, look at that!. (You don't need to keep it short, though, write as much as you want.)

Check out the previous entries, too!

runpunkrun posting in

fancake

runpunkrun posting in

fancake

Poll #33259 round 176 theme poll

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: Just the Poll Creator, participants: 109

Pick the next theme of fancake:

Books & Writing
32 (29.4%)

Protest & Revolt
30 (27.5%)

Working Together
47 (43.1%)

mific posting in

fancake

Fandom: Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America, The Avengers
Characters/Pairings: Natasha Romanov/Maria Hill, James 'Bucky' Barnes/Steve Rogers, James 'Bucky' Barnes/Steve Rogers/Sam Wilson, Nick Fury, Phil Coulsen, various MCU characters
Rating: Mature
Length: 04:21:03 (41,322 words)
Content Notes: Graphic depictions of violence, abuse of children by the Red Room, recollection of past pet death
Creator Links: Quietnight on the Audiofic Archive, Quietnight on AO3, notcaycepollard on AO3
Themes: Female relationships, Action/adventure, Families of choice, Time travel, Fix-it

Summary: The fall is longer than Natasha expects.

It’s tears cold on her face, teeth bitten all the way through her lip and the taste of copper in her mouth; she’s falling and falling and then, bracing for impact—she wakes up.

Reccer's Notes: This is one of my favourite podfics by one of my favourite podficcers, and it's a tour de force. It's a long story by notcaycepollard that puts right Natasha's death with the soul stone - instead of dying she's sent back in time to the moment in her Red Room training she most regrets, and from that moment lives her life anew and, with her knowledge of the first time around, is able to fix the worst, most tragic disasters and losses of canon. It starts with Natasha rescuing her sister trainee black widows from the Red Room, plus Bucky the Winter Soldier who's there as well. There's a lovely, slow-burn relationship with Maria Hill in the story, but the key relationships for Natasha are with her sisters, aged from a four-year-old to teenagers when they escape, and the podfic's centre is the found family they create. The fix-it aspects are enormously satisfying and Quietnight's reading is, as ever, nuanced and fluent, beautifully performed - including all the Russian names and words, and a pleasure to listen to. An epic story and a wonderful podfic, stirring and heartwarming, and infinitely better than canon.

Fanwork Links: when i die i’ll sacrifice (more than enough for the afterlife) on the Audiofic Archive, and on AO3
(the fic is the first in a series of three stories)

halfcactus posting in

c_ent

Some of these double as song translations—if English subtitles don't automatically appear, please tap the CC button.

Hikaru no Go: "Brightest Star in the Sky" (gen, ensemble cast)

Watch on YouTube

Description: An ensemble-cast video of the characters and the various journeys they take to get where they need to be. (Hug compilation at the end :P)

Notes: Some flashing transitions. There's also a vertical version here.

Also on: AO3

-

Justice in the Dark: "Sinner" (Luo Weizhao/Pei Su)

Watch on YouTube

Description: Short (30-second) video about physical touch and UST, from Luo Weizhao's PoV.

Notes: Clips sourced from eps 1–21.

Also on: AO3

-

Justice in the Dark: "Borrowing" (Luo Weizhao/Pei Su)

Watch on YouTube

Description: Luo Weizhao borrows bits and pieces of everything to protect Pei Su: the length of a river to carry him to shore, a patch of Paradise to keep him warm.

Notes: Flashing lights at around 1:00; Clips are from eps 1–27, with major spoilers for up to ep 16. Also I spent a lot of time on the lyric translation :')

Also on: AO3 / tumblr

-

BONUS: Also subbed the new(!!!) updates for the Mo Du / Silent Reading audio drama:

June 8 update: a message from Fei Du, Luo Wenzhou, and Luo Yiguo

June 9 update: Fei Du and Luo Wenzhou's VAs read out passages from Macbeth

garryowen posting in

fancake

Fandom: Star Trek AOS (Reboot)
Pairings/Characters: Nyota Uhura
Rating: G
Length: 1866 words
Creator Links:

danahid
Theme: Female relationships

Summary:

I took the stars from my eyes and then I made a map.

There are rules of diplomacy that you have been trained to follow. There are realities that you have been educated to expect. You are poised and dedicated and intelligent and professional, and there are horrors in the universe that you don’t want your sisters to know. There are false maps to terrible places that you don’t want your sisters to follow. You know that you can’t protect them from everything, but this you can protect them from for a little while longer.

Reccer's Notes: I am partial to stories that explore why people join Starfleet, and this is an excellent example. While the story talks about Uhura's motivations, it also explores her relationship with her younger sisters. She is both inspiration and protector to them, and she's very aware of her role.

This story takes on both the promise and sacrifice of going beyond traditional roles. Yes, Uhura accomplishes so much, but those accomplishments come at a cost, a cost she doesn't want her sisters to know about because she wants them to find their own way.

Danahid's writing is always exact and meticulous and beautiful, and this story is no exception. There's so much in these 1800 words, including a beautiful ending.

Fanwork Links: How to Write Letters Home to Your Sisters

dancing_serpent posting in

c_ent

tehfanglyfish posting in

sid_guardian

Guardian Readalong Banner

Welcome to this week’s readalong post!

To get caught up, you can read last week’s installment, or check out part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, and part 5 (or the !readalong tag) for the rest of the posts for this round.

Chapter 11 Summary: Zhao Yunlan throws Record of Ancient Secrets into the Wangchuan River. He is not fined for littering but considers the consequences of the book’s disappearance and decides to buy it again while in the past. He leaves the book in his old bedroom, narrowly avoiding being caught by his mother. Zhao Yunlan tracks down Shennong to question him, only to have Shen Wei show up before Zhao Yunlan can get the answers he’s looking for. Shen Wei returns the two of them to Zhao Yunlan’s home in the present where they talk, with Zhao Yunlan explaining how he figured out that Shen Wei had planted false memories in the Great Divine Tree. Zhao Yunlan both pushes and reassures Shen Wei, who agrees to tell him the truth.

Chapter 12 Summary: A discussion is taking place at SID headquarters about what Zhao Yunlan might be up to. Daqing realizes that Zhao Yunlan was involved in danger he was trying to shield the rest of the SID staff from and sends Wang Zheng and Sangzan to Zhao Yunlan’s home to look for him, but neither he nor Shen Wei are they were then arrive. Guo Changcheng receives a call from a ghost asking for help finding her daughter. Shen Wei takes Zhao Yunlan to witness the birth of the gui along with when Kunlun first discovered them.

The corresponding chapters in the Chinese version on JJWXC/the fan translation are 89, 90, and 91.

Excerpts:

( Zhao Yunlan Inspects His Old Room )

( Shen Wei Exercises Restraint )

( Zhao Yunlan Is The Best )

( Boss Daqing Has A Moment )

( Guo Changcheng Makes A Promise; Chu Shuzhi Is Surprised )

Questions: What are your thoughts on teenage Zhao Yunlan from the clues we get in Chapter 11? How do you feel about the way Guo Changcheng’s ability to talk to the dead here compares with the drama? What stood out to you the most with Zhao Yunlan gradually learning the truth in these chapters? If you worked at the SID, would you rather have Zhao Yunlan in the office or Daqing stepping in as deputy director on days you went in? What do you think of Shen Wei’s approach to underwater breathing?

Feel free to answer as many or as few questions as you’d like. You’re also welcome to discuss anything else that resonates with you from these chapters.

If you’re interested in hosting an upcoming week, you can find available dates and sign up by visiting the new schedule.

mific posting in

fancake

Fandom: Stargate Atlantis
Characters/Pairings: Gen. Teyla Emmagan & Sam Carter, Evan Lorne
Rating: Teen
Length: 8824
Content Notes: canon-typical violence, minor character death
Creator Links: Rachel500 on AO3, ArwenLune on AO3, ArwenLune on Audiofic Archive
Themes: Female relationships, Action/adventure, Friendship, Women being awesome

Summary: When a diplomatic mission is interrupted by the Wraith, Sam and Teyla wrestle their personal demons to work together and find a way back to Atlantis.

Reccer's Notes:
This is set soon after Sam Carter comes to Atlantis to replace Elizabeth, and both she and Teyla initially grapple with her new role. Teyla, unlike John and Rodney, had no prior knowledge of Sam Carter and can't help missing Elizabeth and not fully trusting Carter. Then a mission goes badly wrong and they're thrown together, and have to find a way through their feelings as they deal with the dangerous situation. It's a gripping read with interesting character explorations and a satisfying ending. There's also a podfic version, excellently read by ArwenLune.

Fanwork Links: Walk Beside Me on AO3
And the Podfic, read by ArwenLune

full_metal_ox posting in

fancake

Fandom: Hilda the Plus-size Pinup; Fixing a Flat (Norman Rockwell illustration)
Pairings/Characters: Gen; Hilda; three Norman Rockwell characters, two female and one male.
Rating: General Audiences
Length: 2,356
Content Notes: No Archive Warnings Apply, women solving their own problems
Creator Tags: magazine illustrations, Norman Rockwell - Freeform, Fluff, Plot
Creator Links: (AO3)

moon_custafer; (DeviantArt)

mooncustafer; (Dreamwidth)

moon_custafer; (Instagram)

mooncustafer; (LiveJournal)

moon_custafer; (Tumblr)

mooncustafer
Theme: Female Relationships, Crossovers/Fusions, Female Friendship, Gen, Heists & Capers, Old Fandoms, Small Fandoms, Stranded

Summary: Hilda’s fishing trip is struck by rain and then by two new acquaintances in need of assistance.

Author’s Notes: For moonlight69.

I needed to introduce a few additional characters to Hilda’s mainly single-panel world, so I did a mash-up with Norman Rockwell’s “Fixing a Flat.” Think of it as the Illustrationverse.

Reccer's Notes: A rec posted in honor of the U.S. Full Strawberry Moon, for reasons that will be apparent in the fic.

Moon Custafer constructs a story from several Hilda panels (plus a special guest Norman Rockwell work), in which Duane Bryers’ zaftig hillbilly wood nymph comes to the aid of two travelers stranded in the boondocks—a predicament complicated by a less friendly local. (A temporary problem-solving alliance (particularly against a common enemy) can count as a relationship, right?)

Hilda as portrayed in Bryers’ artworks seems to embrace solitude, and the scant fanfic I’ve seen doesn’t tend to show her interacting face-to-face with much of anyone but her animal friends and the odd Authorial Proxy; it’s fun to watch her socializing, and to see her given family, friends, enemies, and a history. (As well as actual clothing that she presumably wears now and then to pick up her crackers, trashy novels, and repurposable-as-clothing floursacks.)

Fanwork Links: Fixing a Flat by

moon_custafer for

moonlight69, for Yuletide 2018.