![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
Riches
Apr. 13th, 2026 03:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mificSo I'm into hockey fics now, and just realised there's a treasure trove of Helenish hockey rpf to be read. HR has taught me the basics of the hockey world, which makes the rpf easier to get into even if I don't really know the players. And I'll follow Helenish pretty much everywhere.
Two recs for now, Leon Draisaitl/Connor McDavid. Both locked to AO3.
Obligations. A long, slow burn story in an alpha/beta/omega-verse, and Helenish's worldbuilding within that is extraordinary, just as good as the way 'Take Clothes Off As Directed' deepened BDSM-verse. They're teammates on the Oilers, interacting with a mass of assumptions, miscommunication, hopeless denial, and obliviousness, so most of the fic is pining and unspoken longing badly hidden behind defences. They get there in the end, despite knowing how bad it'll be with the Press and twitter and their coaches and agents (the reactions of others plus their own idiocy replace RL homophobia as barriers), and there's finally some gorgeous hot as hell sex to enjoy after being edged for the rest of the story. It's from Leon's pov, and ends with a quiet paean to the hockey life. (17,681)
Silver Lining Playbook. Connor's pov, set at and after the recent Olympics. Non-linear plot, starting with them hooking up angrily and fake-casually, and only later we learn they used to be together then broke up due to the usual miscommunication and stubbornness. The ending's hopeful rather than resolved, and Connor's characterisation is excellent. Where the fic above was all repressed feelings and eventual fucking, this one's all fucking until eventually they talk about feelings. Very nice. (7212)
Two recs for now, Leon Draisaitl/Connor McDavid. Both locked to AO3.
Obligations. A long, slow burn story in an alpha/beta/omega-verse, and Helenish's worldbuilding within that is extraordinary, just as good as the way 'Take Clothes Off As Directed' deepened BDSM-verse. They're teammates on the Oilers, interacting with a mass of assumptions, miscommunication, hopeless denial, and obliviousness, so most of the fic is pining and unspoken longing badly hidden behind defences. They get there in the end, despite knowing how bad it'll be with the Press and twitter and their coaches and agents (the reactions of others plus their own idiocy replace RL homophobia as barriers), and there's finally some gorgeous hot as hell sex to enjoy after being edged for the rest of the story. It's from Leon's pov, and ends with a quiet paean to the hockey life. (17,681)
Silver Lining Playbook. Connor's pov, set at and after the recent Olympics. Non-linear plot, starting with them hooking up angrily and fake-casually, and only later we learn they used to be together then broke up due to the usual miscommunication and stubbornness. The ending's hopeful rather than resolved, and Connor's characterisation is excellent. Where the fic above was all repressed feelings and eventual fucking, this one's all fucking until eventually they talk about feelings. Very nice. (7212)
HR vid rec - To be a princess
Apr. 13th, 2026 01:54 ammificOk I lied about going to bed.
Hilarious vid “To Be A Princess” -
set to some musical song, possibly Disney? By theburialofstrawberries.
https://www.tumblr.com/mific/813728132898177024/shane-as-princess
Hilarious vid “To Be A Princess” -
set to some musical song, possibly Disney? By theburialofstrawberries.
https://www.tumblr.com/mific/813728132898177024/shane-as-princess
Damp squib
Apr. 12th, 2026 11:29 pmmificAs often happens, after all the dramatic warnings cyclone Vaianu was only a period of heavy rain and moderate winds where I live. Just another Sunday. More flooding elsewhere, but not too bad. Oh well, at least I got my camping gear out ready for any future power cuts. off to bed with me now, night all!
Sweep of the Heart
Apr. 12th, 2026 12:19 pmalobearSweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews is the fifth book in her Innkeeper Chronicles series - which I've come back to more than two years after listening to book four.
It follows the story of Dina, who runs a magical inn that caters to various alien races from across the far reaches of space.
The series is an interesting mix between urban fantasy and space opera sci-fi - and I've thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through.
In this book, the inn hosts an inter-galactic spousal selection competition, which requires Dina to accommodate people from 12 different alien cultures, all of whom have different needs and desires, and some of whom are dangerous or in feuds with some of the others.
It's a whirlwind of a plot, with far too many characters, factions, layers and shenanigans to keep track of, but I just let the audiobook happen and loved every minute of it.
The only downside is that it turns out this isn't the last in the series, and there are major arc-plot threads still to be resolved! I guess I'm glad I have more of this world and characters to look forward to - but it's been four years since this one was published and the author is apparently focusing on a different series for now, so there's no indication as to when the final instalment of the Innkeeper Chronicles might arrive...
It follows the story of Dina, who runs a magical inn that caters to various alien races from across the far reaches of space.
The series is an interesting mix between urban fantasy and space opera sci-fi - and I've thoroughly enjoyed it all the way through.
In this book, the inn hosts an inter-galactic spousal selection competition, which requires Dina to accommodate people from 12 different alien cultures, all of whom have different needs and desires, and some of whom are dangerous or in feuds with some of the others.
It's a whirlwind of a plot, with far too many characters, factions, layers and shenanigans to keep track of, but I just let the audiobook happen and loved every minute of it.
The only downside is that it turns out this isn't the last in the series, and there are major arc-plot threads still to be resolved! I guess I'm glad I have more of this world and characters to look forward to - but it's been four years since this one was published and the author is apparently focusing on a different series for now, so there's no indication as to when the final instalment of the Innkeeper Chronicles might arrive...
Wallpaper: "Wait, Are They Doing It?", Rated: PG
Apr. 12th, 2026 06:20 pmmagnavox_23Title: "Wait, Are They Doing It?"
Artist:magnavox_23
Character/Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Rating: PG
Took one of the least slashy episodes... slashed the hell out of it. *g*
(click to embiggen)
2x17 Serpent's Song
Artist:
magnavox_23 Character/Pairing: Jack/Daniel
Rating: PG
Took one of the least slashy episodes... slashed the hell out of it. *g*
(click to embiggen)
2x17 Serpent's Song
I am alerted!
Apr. 11th, 2026 02:28 pmmificMinor update to yesterday's post.
One of those scary buzzy alerts on my phone just now, for the cyclone later today and tomorrow. No change from yesterday, just grumbling that I hate how those alerts startle me and raise my anxiety. Which is the point, I know! The eerie calm has broken - a light wind now and I just looked up and saw sun on the garden, but a sky becoming dark and lowering beyond. Peak cyclone time is the small hours of Sunday morning. Guess I'd better go outside and see what needs tidying away, then find the camping gas box in the garage. I'm very lucky that's all I need to do.
One of those scary buzzy alerts on my phone just now, for the cyclone later today and tomorrow. No change from yesterday, just grumbling that I hate how those alerts startle me and raise my anxiety. Which is the point, I know! The eerie calm has broken - a light wind now and I just looked up and saw sun on the garden, but a sky becoming dark and lowering beyond. Peak cyclone time is the small hours of Sunday morning. Guess I'd better go outside and see what needs tidying away, then find the camping gas box in the garage. I'm very lucky that's all I need to do.
Autumn garden views, and cyclone prep
Apr. 10th, 2026 03:48 pmmificI haven't posted garden pics for a while due to autumn untidyness - so far as Auckland has an autumn, which is not very. Still green, just cooler and wetter. Also, I've been busy enjoying and making fanworks and have neglected the garden as it slides inexorably into disrepair. But everything's still green, and I do enjoy looking out at it so I thought you might like some views from my windows and doors. Overcast today so not ideal photography conditions, but as Cyclone Vaianu is bearing down on us in 36 hrs I figured I'd get pics now in case it's chaos by Monday. First time my landlord's property manager has ever emailed tenants with a cyclone warning and info about how to batten down! If I was still in my leaky house in the bush I'd be very worried but this flat's in a safe place - solid construction, high ground but not exposed, no big unsafe trees nearby - so fingers crossed. I'll roust out my camping gas stove and lamp in case of power cuts, and we'll see. Hope you're all safe from extreme weather events!
( pics here... )
( pics here... )
fic: The sort of beauty that's called human (Will/Bran, G for now, 5/?)
Apr. 9th, 2026 10:24 pmlotesseThe sort of beauty that's called human (5727 words) by lotesse
Chapters: 5/?
Fandom: Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Bran Davies/Will Stanton
Characters: Bran Davies, Will Stanton (Dark is Rising), Owen Davies, Herne the Hunter (Dark is Rising)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Loss of Parent(s), Immortality
Series: Part 4 of Wherein was bound a child
Summary:
Chapters: 5/?
Fandom: Dark Is Rising Sequence - Susan Cooper
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Bran Davies/Will Stanton
Characters: Bran Davies, Will Stanton (Dark is Rising), Owen Davies, Herne the Hunter (Dark is Rising)
Additional Tags: Post-Canon, Loss of Parent(s), Immortality
Series: Part 4 of Wherein was bound a child
Summary:
“We have to go,” Bran said, his voice coming out hoarser than he’d expected. “Rhys called. Trouble with my da. A stroke.”
No more needed to be said aloud. They were going back to Wales.
fic: Not time’s fool, Narnia, Caspian/Lucy, 8/?
Apr. 9th, 2026 09:51 pmlotesseNot time’s fool (13040 words) by lotesse
Chapters: 8/?
Fandom: Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Caspian/Lucy Pevensie
Characters: Lucy Pevensie, Caspian (Narnia), Ramandu's Daughter | Liliandil, Edmund Pevensie, Peter Pevensie, Polly Plummer, Digory Kirke, Eustace Scrubb, Lord Rhoop (Narnia)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Romance, Sailing, Prophecy
Series: Part 3 of An ever-fixèd mark
Summary:
Chapters: 8/?
Fandom: Chronicles of Narnia - C. S. Lewis
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings
Relationships: Caspian/Lucy Pevensie
Characters: Lucy Pevensie, Caspian (Narnia), Ramandu's Daughter | Liliandil, Edmund Pevensie, Peter Pevensie, Polly Plummer, Digory Kirke, Eustace Scrubb, Lord Rhoop (Narnia)
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Post-Voyage of the Dawn Treader, Romance, Sailing, Prophecy
Series: Part 3 of An ever-fixèd mark
Summary:
By remaining in Narnia, and not going home again, Lucy had purposefully thrown herself in the path of fate, making herself the obstacle to derail the terrible train of events from its determined track, which had the prophesied end of all Narnia at its end, and her own premature death in a ruined railway carriage. She wasn’t going to let that happen. She had made of herself a lodestone, pulling fate out of its accustomed course. Inevitably, she would leave change in her wake. She meant it to be so, for the preservation of all.
The Summer That Changed Us
Apr. 9th, 2026 10:11 pmalobearThe Summer That Changed Us by Cathy Bramley was a book I grabbed either in a charity shop or from my free station book exchange, thinking it might be a light, frothy read I'd pick up one day - but definitely wasn't on my priority list.
And it is fairly light and frothy - for all that it deals with some quite heavy topics - and I absolutely loved it.
It tells the story of Katie, Robyn and Grace, three women of three different decades, who meet by chance on a beach one day and form the kind of deep, abiding female friendship I thought you only found in books - but that reminded me vividly of some of the wonderful women I now have in my own life.
I could say it's rather lacking in diversity and it's a bit reductive in some ways - but I devoured it in a couple of days, forgoing almost everything else to read it for long stretches at a time. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me very happy.
Definitely a five-star reading experience for me.
And it is fairly light and frothy - for all that it deals with some quite heavy topics - and I absolutely loved it.
It tells the story of Katie, Robyn and Grace, three women of three different decades, who meet by chance on a beach one day and form the kind of deep, abiding female friendship I thought you only found in books - but that reminded me vividly of some of the wonderful women I now have in my own life.
I could say it's rather lacking in diversity and it's a bit reductive in some ways - but I devoured it in a couple of days, forgoing almost everything else to read it for long stretches at a time. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it made me very happy.
Definitely a five-star reading experience for me.
The Watermark
Apr. 8th, 2026 09:09 amalobearThe Watermark by Sam Mills sounded like exactly my kind of book - a nefarious author lures people to his cabin in the woods and traps them inside his novel-in-progress to help him inject new life (quite literally) into a failing story.
If On A Winter's Night A Traveller by Italo Calvino is one of my favourite books - but unfortunately, this is not that.
I loved the premise but the execution left a lot to be desired. The characters felt flat, the writing wasn't compelling, and there didn't seem to be anything about it over and above the endless repetition and litany of absurd events to provide any thematic depth.
The sections for each story-within-the-story were also way too long without really getting anywhere.
It's possible Mills may have pulled it all together in an interesting way, but sadly I wasn't invested enough by the 25% mark to want to find out, so I gave up.
If On A Winter's Night A Traveller by Italo Calvino is one of my favourite books - but unfortunately, this is not that.
I loved the premise but the execution left a lot to be desired. The characters felt flat, the writing wasn't compelling, and there didn't seem to be anything about it over and above the endless repetition and litany of absurd events to provide any thematic depth.
The sections for each story-within-the-story were also way too long without really getting anywhere.
It's possible Mills may have pulled it all together in an interesting way, but sadly I wasn't invested enough by the 25% mark to want to find out, so I gave up.