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Fragments | 4: Tea and Sympathy
Read it at: LJ | MM.org | FF.net
Pairing: Miroku/Sango
Rating: T
Inspiration:
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mirsan_fics Prompt #13 | Luck Based upon: “Sometime Around Midnight” © 2008 Mikel Jollett [The Airborne Toxic Event]
This piece was based on the prompt, but it was not entered in the contest (considering I wrote it two weeks too late, LOL). Hopefully I can get my act together and write the second portion in time for this week's deadline *fingers crossed*
This series is coming along quite nicely in my mind, but I realized that it was time to give Sango a little background; though this is an omniscient world of storytelling, most of it has been from Miroku's point of view...and, well, he (and the readers) can only wonder what's going on for so long :P
Part of the reason this piece didn't get written on time - besides that niggling word limit :P - was also because I couldn't quite decide which possible thread I wanted to take with the actual prompt word. I guess, in some ways, Sango is incredibly lucky here - she's engaged to a caring, loving, incredibly wealthy man; she's young, she's beautiful, and she has a life of endless possibilities before her. But that's all on the surface ~ on the inside, she's damaged, and that's what's driving her behavior. Pushed to the brink, she runs, and by the merest stroke of luck, she bumps into the man who holds the key to her future.
Now, she just has to realize it, LOL :P
Sango is normally difficult for me to write, because I can't really relate to her, but apparently she was the perfect vehicle for my own fleeting angst. I tried my best to portray her dilemma here, in a way that I think suits her core canon characterization: she is fiercely loyal to her family, especially her brother; she's stubborn, determined, and knows how to go after what she wants. But she's also something of a tragedy, broken and haunted by mistakes from her past, which she'll go to any lengths to rectify. Transferring that into a modern-era universe is not easy, LOL. Its too tempting to turn her into a shrew or a prude, but I hope I've struck the delicate balance: her mental fortitude in the face of adversity, and yet her own very acute ability to blame herself for things beyond her control.
She puts up a wall between herself and the world, and when people attempt to breach it (her parents, Kuranousuke, the Takedas), she pushes them away, unwilling to share her anguish with them, more than is necessary. I think that's what makes Miroku so attractive a prospect to her - he's safe, and easy, willing to just be the distracting companion she needs, not pushing her out of her comfort zone. Of course, this will all change pretty soon :P but I thought it an interesting dynamic to set up, in the meanwhile. I think this will become clearer when I write what I have in mind for the "part" prompt, which leads to the climax of the story.
Since this piece is background, technically its not related so much to the overall inspiration song. Instead, one of the old Incubus albums was spinning in the background...which actually led to the title of the next piece, haha. But, some relevant lyrics, for those interested:
I see you in line / dragging your feet / you have my sympathy
The day you were born / you were born free / that is your privilege
Will I ever get to where I'm going? / If I do, will I know when I'm there?
If the wind blew me in the right direction / would I even care?
Yes, I feel emphatic / about not being static
And not buying philosophies that are sold to me / at a steal
no subject
But I absolutely loved the update. It was simply gorgeous. And the song lyrics are very appropriate. And...
... I'm gushing again.
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Thanks for the review! =)
You capture her determination to find her brother and frustration at being pressured by Kuranosuke so well, like a photograph.
I'm really glad this came through for you - that was what I was going for, exactly. Sango has so many different facets to her personality, and sometimes those strong ones can work against her.
I like the way you've slotted the canon characters into your modern AU
The blood I've sweated over this o.O I certainly hope so. I didn't want to turn Kuranousuke into a monster, just because that would've suited my purposes, when in the anime he's gentle in his persistence. The next piece I have in mind actually utilizes him even further, so we'll see if you still feel this way after reading that, LOL.
And the language of the entire thing...
It was a good "writing night" for me, and I have my fingers crossed that this means the muses are allowing me to stutter back to life, LOL.
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Hey, we're still on the same brain wavelength, remember? :D
Sango has so many different facets to her personality, and sometimes those strong ones can work against her.
She really is her own worst enemy sometimes. I always keep this in mind when I write dark!Sango and it usually comes out quite nicely.
I didn't want to turn Kuranousuke into a monster, just because that would've suited my purposes, when in the anime he's gentle in his persistence.
Outwardly, yes. But it's this kind of persistence which works on Sango like nothing direct and physical ever could. Imagine what she's going through now?
Then again, monster!Kuranosuke would be something interesting to explore... Thanks for the plot bunneh! >:D
The next piece I have in mind actually utilizes him even further, so we'll see if you still feel this way after reading that, LOL.
*claps hands together eagerly* I'll still love him even if he doesn't get the girl in this story (he doesn't ever).
I have my fingers crossed that this means the muses are allowing me to stutter back to life, LOL.
Teh muses are generous to the true believers *snorks*
no subject
In my mind, Sango and Sesshoumaru share a few characteristics - and stubbornness is one of them, LOL. I guess that's why I find easing into writing her more extensively easier than working with Miroku, who is still pretty much a total mystery to me.
Outwardly, yes. But it's this kind of persistence which works on Sango like nothing direct and physical ever could. Imagine what she's going through now?
LOL, I already know! And soon, so will everyone else...and I hope its good. One thing I don't think I can ever be accused of is drawing out my plots for sake of reviews/hits.
Then again, monster!Kuranosuke would be something interesting to explore... Thanks for the plot bunneh! >:D
Aheh, usually its poor Hojo who is sekritly eeeeeevil in my book. There's something about the nice ones...
*claps hands together eagerly* I'll still love him even if he doesn't get the girl in this story (he doesn't ever).
*stares at pairing tag* Well, I think that's a given here :P but we'll see. I'm still futzing around with how much I want him to be able to manipulate her. *ponders*
Even if I get it written in time for the contest this week, I don't think anything's going to beat your piece. Talk about heartwrenching O.O
Teh muses are generous to the true believers *snorks*
Slowly but surely...I have the next chapter of this, and Allegiance, almost ready to go (in my head). That's better than I've been averaging these last couple of weeks, LOL :P
no subject
And because of this, no prize for guessing what one of my other pet alt pairings are... *snork*
Aheh, usually its poor Hojo who is sekritly eeeeeevil in my book. There's something about the nice ones...
Hmm, you got something there. I'm always being described as the nice one, when all my fandom friends know that's definitely not the case...
I'm still futzing around with how much I want him to be able to manipulate her.
... So either way, one of my favourite guys get the girl! *twice as excited* This heralds SO much drama leik whoa.
I have the next chapter of this, and Allegiance, almost ready to go (in my head).
*is awed* Did I mention how much I adore you?
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o.O Well, all I can say is - it takes a creative mind to get those two together in a believable way! And here I think Sess/Kag is a hard mountain to climb...
Hmm, you got something there.
LOL! Well, the further you get up Michael Stone's Scale of Evil, the more sociopathic those people tend to be...and what's sociopathy without a charming exterior?
*is awed* Did I mention how much I adore you?
O.O *blush*
Well, one down, one to go - here's hoping the Allegiance muses will decide how they want to play, especially since we've been granted an extension this week at
no subject
Indeed it does! No room for forgiveness here - either you pull it off fabulously or it falls flat so hard.
So I'm gradually working my way up to that level... because Sess and I have yet to get properly accquainted with one another.
what's sociopathy without a charming exterior?
Too true *smirks*
Well, one down, one to go - here's hoping the Allegiance muses will decide how they want to play
We are constantly at the mercy of them fickle muses, eh?