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xie_xie_xie (xie_xie_xie) wrote in qaf_challenges,
@ 2008-05-17 00:24:00

Entry tags:

challenge in two parts

Graphic Number 8: "rien ne va plus"
Title: rien ne va plus
Author: 0corona0
Timeline: end of S1
Rating: PG-13
Warnings, if any: Angst
Author's notes: It's a gapfiller, but I'll let you figure out for yourselves for which episode. ;) Justin plays roulette. Thank you, malli_, for beta-ing!
Graphic: 8 by libra2

“Rien ne va plus.”

No, no no no! Justin wants to shout, take back his bet, he has put it on the wrong number! He should have done an outside bet, should have switched to the safe side, should have could have would have...

The clerk starts spinning the roulette.

“No no no no!”

But it’s not his own voice that is crying out their desperation. Is someone else in a situation as deathly as him? He tries to look around in panic, maybe they can help each other, but Justin can’t turn his head. And he can’t call back, either. What’s wrong with his voice? What’s wrong with his body?

The roulette spins.

Something’s wrong.

...and spins...

But it’s too late now. Justin played straight, plein, and put all his money on one number. Only one number... how could he have been so foolish? What made him believe that one number could bring him everything he ever wanted?

It spins and spins and spins...

“NO!”

Again and again, Justin can hear someone shout “no” but he can’t see him. He wants to see him so badly! He wants to see smell move speak do anything but lie motionless and listen to the spinning wheel that will decide his faith, inescapably... is the other person feeling the same way? Did he bet on one number too, and thinks knows worries that he will be disappointed?

Slowing down... the roulette is slowing down ever so slowly...

“Justin! Please, God, no!”

That’s his name, isn’t it? His very own name... why can he not remember? Who’s calling him?
It’s starting to rain. Little cold drops hit his cheek, mingle there, with something that’s thick and hot. So he can still feel. Perhaps not speak or move, but feel... maybe that will help. Maybe he can stop the roulette, maybe he can make it stop at that one number he chose in his madness. Maybe the rain is his friend.

But the roulette keeps going. It doesn’t mind the rain. In fact, it laughs at the rain.

“JUSTIN!”

Something touches him. Something warm, firm, dry, and the rain keeps falling.

“Justin...”

But he doesn’t have time for Justin right now. He needs to concentrate on the roulette. Who’s that Justin, anyway?

The roulette is barely moving anymore, but everyone in the room is still hoping that it will land on their number. What was his number again? He cannot remember. What was his number...?

“Please... please... don’t... not now... not...!”

The roulette stops. The voice holds its breath. Everyone stares.

“...not after tonight...”

Prom, a dance, Daphne, the Jeep, the scarf, a kiss, “...ridiculously romantic!”

And Justin suddenly remembers what his number was.

It’s Brian.

He smiles triumphantly. The ambulance arrives. The roulette has stopped.

Rien ne va plus.

(Post a new comment)

	secretsolitaire 2008-05-17 10:44 am UTC (link)
	This was rather harrowing! Interesting take on the art. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:26 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! :) I thought the art was so interesting, it deserved a fic as unsual. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	mona_may56 2008-05-18 03:23 am UTC (link)
	Very nice and interesting story. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:27 pm UTC (link)
	I've been hearing "interesting" a lot. ;) Thank you so much! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	jule1122 2008-05-18 12:01 pm UTC (link)
	Fascinating. I like how Brian's work their way into Justin's dream. This was my favorite part: But it’s too late now. Justin played straight, plein, and put all his money on one number. Only one number... how could he have been so foolish? What made him believe that one number could bring him everything he ever wanted? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:28 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! :) I love it when people point out their favourite lines, and I actually spent some time on this one because I wondered whether Justin would doubt his decision about chosing only one "number" like Brian would. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	singlewoman 2008-05-18 04:13 pm UTC (link)
	Very interesting, very different take on the graphic. But I liked it! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:28 pm UTC (link)
	As long as you liked it, I'm happy! :D (Reply to this) (Parent)

	Rien ne va plus (Anonymous) 2008-05-18 04:26 pm UTC (link)
	You caught that disconnected, nightmare feeling of dreams so well. Thank God Justin bet on the right number. FanSee (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Re: Rien ne va plus 0corona0 2008-05-28 12:29 pm UTC (link)
	Thank God Justin bet on the right number. I'm glad that came across. Thank you! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	noteverything 2008-05-18 04:27 pm UTC (link)
	I found the graphic for this really interesting and very open to interpretation and I think that you did that justice. It's so different, but it's interesting and heartbreaking too. (I had to translate the French, but it's a nice touch.) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:31 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you - this graphic is so awesome, I'm very pleased that I could do something that suits it. :) Yeah, I didn't want to write the fic without the French bits - there's a difference between rien ne va plus and nothing goes anymore. ;) I hope it didn't disturb your reading. :) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	noteverything 2008-05-28 03:29 pm UTC (link)
	No, not at all! I agree it works very well in this case. It wouldn't have been the same with "nothing goes anymore." (Reply to this) (Parent)

	happier_bunny 2008-05-18 07:02 pm UTC (link)
	This was an intriguing banner and the fic matches with an interesting interpretation. This challenge rocks. :) Congrats to creator and storyteller. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:32 pm UTC (link)
	Thanks so much! I wouldn't ever have written this fic hadn't it been for the incredible graphic... the idea just came to me, it was brilliant! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	flashfly 2008-05-18 08:00 pm UTC (link)
	Loved this! The symbolism/dream was perfect for this gapfiller. It could so easily have gone the other way. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:33 pm UTC (link)
	First of all: Thank you! :) It could so easily have gone the other way. I know, and that thought scares me. If it had been a real event in the real world - who would have saved Justin? Not the writers, that's for sure. ;) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	notreallyme10 2008-05-19 05:01 pm UTC (link)
	You had me off balance from the beginning which makes this little fic very effective. Such an interesting take on the art. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:34 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you so much! That's good to hear because I really wanted the reader to feel disturbed - like Justin would. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	passing_through 2008-05-19 06:23 pm UTC (link)
	A very interesting take on the graphic. You did a great job of expressing the sense of threat and menace in the graphic. It’s starting to rain. Little cold drops hit his cheek, mingle there, with something that’s thick and hot. So he can still feel. This broke my heart. Really well done. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:35 pm UTC (link)
	I saw those elements of menace too - I thought they were actually very dominating. The idea just came to me, it was like magic, very good experience. ;) hands you a bottle of glue I didn't mean to break it, but I'm glad I did. ;P Thank you! :) (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	libra2 2008-07-30 12:58 am UTC (link)
	I saw those elements of menace too - I thought they were actually very dominating. The idea just came to me, it was like magic, very good experience. That's so cool!!!! It’s starting to rain. Little cold drops hit his cheek, mingle there, with something that’s thick and hot. So he can still feel. Yeah, this broke my heart too! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	rosy5000 2008-05-20 11:34 am UTC (link)
	That was just heartbreaking. But I love that Justin could hear Brian, and it was Brian's voice that saved him. :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:36 pm UTC (link)
	It was very important to me to show that Brian was Justin's rescuer - that Justin did bet on the right number after all. :) Thank you! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	besamislabios 2008-05-20 12:09 pm UTC (link)
	Very interesting and heartbreaking too: Little cold drops hit his cheek, mingle there, with something that’s thick and hot. Thank you. :) (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:38 pm UTC (link)
	You're very welcome! :) Your icon says it all... this needed to be heartbreaking, and I didn't do a job nearly half as good as the writers of the show did. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	kata_ny 2008-05-20 04:08 pm UTC (link)
	omg.that is breath-takingly angsty and unique.very unique.i loved it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:38 pm UTC (link)
	Love unique! :D Thank you so much! Your icon gave me the shudders. (Reply to this) (Parent)

outlander
2008-05-21 10:54 am UTC (link)

This was so good...
When I read the title, I immediately thought of the movie, so read it from that perspective. I love how you captured the trapped in time, kind of disjointed feeling that someone injured or in shock has. This fits the mood of this amazing graphic so well. Great job, thank you.

You now have me thinking of the movie, and doesn't this sound like a Brian phrase: "When the World is not worth a damn, change it all, change it all."

(Reply to this) (Thread)

0corona0
2008-05-28 12:41 pm UTC (link)

Okay, I have to admit now that I haven't watched the movie. *ducks* I chose rien ne va plus because it's what's said in French after they take no more bets and because it corresponded so well with Justin's state. I think I originally took it from the German movie "Lola rennt" ("Run Lola Run" in English), they say it in the very beginning.

Now I'll have to watch Rien Ne Va Plus though. Thank you! :)

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

outlander
2008-05-28 12:51 pm UTC (link)

I LOVE Run Lola Run!!!!! And now I have to admit I do not remember that phrase from the movie. *ducks* LOL.

No need for you to *duck* though. When I read your title it was one of those odd moments where I had seen the movie again a week before, and kind of went, Hmmmm is this a coincidence or a reference? Too funny.

Either way, great story. I really enjoyed it. Now I have an urge to watch Lola again, though!

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

(Anonymous)
2008-05-30 06:59 am UTC (link)

They only say it once in the beginning - I watched it when I was in the States and no one except me even heard it. *laughs*

is this a coincidence or a reference?

I adore it when stuff like that happens! I firmly believe in coincidences and the pleasure with which they enrichen our lives - I mean, take this one: I wrote it not knowing the movie, you saw it and thought of the movie and let me know, now I'll watch the movie, but I at the same time told you that it was from Lola so you'll see that one again some time soon. Yay for coincidence! ;)

Run Lola Run was awesome, especially since there's not that many German movies to begin with!

(Reply to this) (Parent)

	brianslave68 2008-05-21 11:29 am UTC (link)
	Wow. Very, very intense story. I'm assuming the rain drops were Brian's tears.....breaks my heart. I feel like I could stare at the graphic for hours because it's so interesting and unusual. Two jobs well done! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:43 pm UTC (link)
	You're absolutely right. I thought rain and tears were very well comparable in that situation... as Justin's life got smaller, I'm sure the tears Brian shed felt like an ocean. I feel the same way. The graphic really did it all, it gave me the idea, I just put it down. It's so intense! A little like your icon. Thank you! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	testdog65 2008-05-21 05:13 pm UTC (link)
	What a unique way to portray Justin's POV after the bashing. The image of Brian's tears interpreted as rain by Justin was really moving as were the glimpses of Brian's dialogue as Justin fought to hang on. Very creative take on this stunning graphic! ~Ellen (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:44 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you so much! :) The graphic really did it all - the longer I looked at it the more of the story was written inside my head. It was a brilliant, creative way to work! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	minuet9 2008-05-22 08:08 am UTC (link)
	Fantastic graphic. The scenes where Brian holds Justin when he freaks out always give me goosepimples. This story gave me the shudders. Such tension as Justin's unconscious registers the outside world and tumbles like a roulette wheel. Well done. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:45 pm UTC (link)
	Justin's unconscious registers the outside world and tumbles like a roulette wheel. I couldn't have put it better. Thank you! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	qafmaniac 2008-05-22 02:20 pm UTC (link)
	This was a very intense story and I loved it. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:45 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you so much! :) (Reply to this) (Parent)

	(Anonymous) 2008-05-24 12:28 am UTC (link)
	omg! that was amazing and so intense! (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-05-28 12:45 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you! :) I'm glad you liked it. (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sjmpets 2008-06-04 10:16 pm UTC (link)
	"Is someone else in a situation as deathly as him?" he felt brian's desperation through the fog of his thoughts. "It’s Brian." justin always had his number. what does the title translate to? (Reply to this) (Thread)

	0corona0 2008-07-06 09:30 am UTC (link)
	He certainly did! And of course Justin always had his number... so did Brian, only he wasn't ready yet to admit it. The title means as much as 'nothing goes anymore' and it's what is said in a French roulette game when everyone has put down their numbers and the roulette wheel is about to be spun. (Reply to this) (Parent)

libra2
2008-07-30 12:50 am UTC (link)

0corona, when I read this the night it was posted, I thrilled with the sense of desperation and foreboding that you picked up from the banner and the direction you took! (um, dare I say,'the spin' you put on it?)

I had no preconceived tale in mind... but I was really wow'ed that you took this to 122 - bravo! and really well done! And the banner has a whirling circular feel as well, roulette is just so fitting!

(I really meant to comment just after it was published, but I was the first to read it, so I couldn't for fear of outing myself as the artist. Sorry I was MIA from ij for so long afterwards)

(Reply to this)