darththalia (darththalia) wrote in tpm_flashback, @ 2005-01-03 13:14:00 |
|
|||
Original poster: hominysnark
Title: Hidden
Author: Trudy West
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Q/O
Summary: Recovering back at the Temple after the events on Naboo, Qui-Gon keeps thinking about Obi-Wan but has trouble figuring out why.
Warnings:None
Author's e-mail, web site and/or LJ id: truwest@hotmail.com, truwest
Link to story: http://www.masterapprentice.org/arc
Reasons for recommending: A lovely, juicy exploration of Qui-Gon’s psyche post-Naboo. Told from Qui-Gon’s POV, this story shows him dealing with a multitude of issues--his own mortality, growing older, what direction his life should take, loneliness now that Obi-Wan is knighted and out on his own. And yet it never really devolves into high drama or angst. It’s a quiet story, thoughtful and contemplative, with just the right blend of humor, romance and poignancy.
Quote from story: "I dislike taking analgesics. I try to dispel the pain through the Force but often fail. I have trouble sleeping. Mace notices the circles under my eyes and reports it to the healers, who descend on me like carrion eaters, clucking and cawing. Poor Mace, to see me brought this low --his longtime sparring partner and thorn in his righteous Council-member side, now an invalid, perhaps even a permanent cripple. He didn't dare argue with me for a time, but spoke in soft tones about innocuous topics. That told me more about the seriousness of my condition than a thousand healers ever could. I finally snapped and told him bluntly that I was more tired of his behavior than I was of my injury. He flared up and we had a good satisfying snarl at each other. I wish everything were as easily fixed as my relationship with Mace.
"Sometimes the only reason I can think of for dragging my carcass through one more day is the possibility of a new message from Obi-wan. As with a favorite entertainment, I want to find out the next chapter of his life. He always has some amusing anecdote to relate, in addition to the more serious topics. After receiving a holo from him, I can actually feel that life can still be something to enjoy, rather than just endure.
"Trying to fan that spark of optimism in myself-- the healers have frowningly said that my melancholy is not helping me -- I watch his messages over and over, until I've memorized the words. On nights when the aches are persistent, I've even set the audio to run in an endless loop while I sleep. I turn the sound down so I can barely hear his faint voice, murmuring like water over stones, yet still recognizably him. It seems to help."