darththalia (darththalia) wrote in tpm_flashback, @ 2004-07-25 10:10:00 |
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Original poster: gloriana
And this one is early, since I'm off for the weekend. Thalia, thank you so much for starting this community. I'm looking forward to what a host of new reccers will bring us next week :)
Title: Beyond the Pale
Author: Alex, also known as Splix
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Q/O, X/B
Warnings:
No warnings.
Author's LJ id, e-mail, and/or website: lj id: splix
email: splix71@yahoo.com
website: http://creed207.tripod.com/alex/
yahoo group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sublevels_
Link to story: on MA, where it's broken down into 8 segments: http://www.masterapprentice.org/archive/b/b
on Splix's page, where it's broken down into 18: http://creed207.tripod.com/alex/beyondth
Reasons for recommending: It might seem a cheat to rec a 2003 story in the classics, but I tend to view Beyond the Pale as Reciprocity redux (Reciprocity being an earlier story of Splix's using the same foursome; with a similar flavour of slightly OTT, yet always amusing and often touching, characterisation). But Beyond the Pale is the superior of the two. Yoda's strict, somewhat sheltered newly-Knighted padawan finds himself rescued on a mission by a rather unconventional Jedi master. The pair can't help but clash, especially when Qui-Gon's former padawan Xanatos, and his young accomplice Bruck, are thrown into the mix. It's funny, it's touching, it's ambiguous - and it's sexy as hell. Who could resist?
Quote from story: "Will you be needing to rent any special equipment?"
Obi-Wan heard a low, clucking rasp that might have been a chuckle. "I brought what I need."
"Very good, sir. I should inform you that if you leave any marks that might offend our other customers, additional charges will apply. Especially bruises. Or anything that breaks the skin."
Obi-Wan suppressed a shudder and centered himself. He wasn't afraid -- not precisely....
"I assure you I'll be --"
"Gentle?"
" -- careful," the stranger said, with a touch of impatience. "Wait. It might amuse me to rip off his undergarments with my teeth. Will there be a charge for the damaged items?"
"The undergarments? No, I'll throw those in. He won't really be needing them anymore."
Extra comments:
Alex's Xanatos is the first Xanatos whom I have truly loved: he's biting, selfish, he mocks everything including himself - and yet there's just that hint of vulnerability to pull you in. Qui is gorgeously ambivalent towards him, while the tension between Qui and Obi sings throughout the story. None of the good guys are without fault, none of the bad guys are irredeemable. Beyond the Pale is utterly enjoyable, and if Splix ever decides to tackle this foursome again, I'm first in line to read it.