Apparently I have a corruption kink -- who knew? *g*
I absolutely loved this: the structure, the flow, the irony, the juxtaposition of delusion and brutal honesty. You make Poppy's attraction to Narcissa perfectly believable. It's not only about physical beauty and attraction, it's also about Poppy's loneliness and her need to believe she's wanted (and her justification of her actions as a form of healing). Your Narcissa is a fascinating character, among other things because we don't know for certain whether her 'true, vulnerable side' is just Poppy's wishful thinking and Narcissa's just saying what Poppy wants to hear.
You're like a patient who keeps worrying a wound, activating the pain as a way to show its limitations.
I absolutely loved this: the structure, the flow, the irony, the juxtaposition of delusion and brutal honesty. You make Poppy's attraction to Narcissa perfectly believable. It's not only about physical beauty and attraction, it's also about Poppy's loneliness and her need to believe she's wanted (and her justification of her actions as a form of healing). Your Narcissa is a fascinating character, among other things because we don't know for certain whether her 'true, vulnerable side' is just Poppy's wishful thinking and Narcissa's just saying what Poppy wants to hear.
You're like a patient who keeps worrying a wound, activating the pain as a way to show its limitations.
Yes! Love the insight.
Wonderful fic! <3