BANG! POW!

[rthstewart]

The Narnia Big Bang is in full swing and you should go check it out!

We have the creepy gothic circa regna tonat by deathsblood
And the delightful caper,The Red Leather Trousers Escapade (1/17) by wingedflight21 (Eustace, Jill, pineapples, and a mongoose who thinks he's a squirrel)
And To Every Thing There Is a Season by edenfalling (which I am going to read now read last night and it's fabulous)
 snacky also has a poll up.

There is also wonderful art up for the stories by heverus, i_autumnheart, caitriona_3 and sophiap

My thanks to the folks on AO3, guest(s), mattador and Samizdat, for the kudos.  (Given that Samizdat is the name of one of my favorite Star Wars fics from the 90s by Shura4, I really did a double-take when I saw that handle).

I was going to put this behind a deep (new LJ! scissors) cut that was all navel-gazing about how as of Friday after 29 years, I am no longer swimming in the Tiber, but have pulled myself out of that river and decided to cross the Thames.  I mention this only as I know a lot of you have been down this road (and swum this river), and so probably understand the general vibe of anger and regret.


(Also, I'm sorta kinda floundering on something with the latest AW update, so that's got me hand wringing.  Sunday?  Maybe Sunday?  if you are interested in hearing me flap, fluster, and ramble, drop a line or ping me.  Here, have a paragraph!

Helen tried a different tactic. “Over the summer, did you hear anything from Susan, or about her through Peter? What did you suppose she was doing?”

Digory looked thoroughly flummoxed. “I recall Peter saying Susan was visiting Washington and New York? Sightseeing?” He shook his head. “I’m afraid it was uninteresting to both of us, Helen, and I paid it very little mind.”

“Shopping,” Polly said crisply and with a hint of disapproval that put Helen’s back up. “Peter shared Susan’s letters with me when I asked and she wrote me once or twice. Susan was excited about attending a formal dinner at the Embassy when Churchill visited. She told me what she wore and where she bought her shoes.”

Oh Susan, you clever, clever girl. Helen knew for a fact a great deal more had occurred during even that dinner. The Official Secrets Act be damned, she had to ask at least one question, though the answer already appeared plain. “So you do not know any reason why Susan or Edmund would be drawn by inclination or background into espionage?”

“That’s preposterous!” Polly said immediately.

Comments

[intrikate88.livejournal.com]

Polly and Digory, I don't think you're going to entirely win against Helen on this one. She's asking about background, you two, like there's a possibility they have more than just their background with her.

I am no longer swimming in the Tiber, but have pulled myself out of that river and decided to cross the Thames.

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by that though I have an idea; I hope everything's okay. If you need to talk, I'm here. *hugs*

Planning on reading your Big Bang this afternoon! :D

ETA: Also have an otter.

[adaese.livejournal.com]

Oh Polly. You spent your party-going years in and out of Holloway, didn't you, and can't enjoy seeing anyone else having a little frivolous fun.

I suspect your comment about the rivers of being somehow metaphorical, but (assuming for the sake of the anecdote that it's entirely literal) I will urge you to be careful about dips in the Thames, and do bear in mind (if you haven't already come across this) that it's called the Isis, not the Thames, when in Oxford. I've never taken the plunge myself but did once do a spectacular cartwheel off a punt pole, somehow or other managing to land, not in the river, but in another punt. Very amusing for onlookers but probably rather more painful than a soaking. Anyway, good wishes for all the resignations, and I hope the move doesn't cost you any treasured relationships.

[econopodder.livejournal.com]

I get it . . . and I'm available if you need to talk, though I'm likely who/what you feel like venting to.

[lotl101.livejournal.com]

If you need someone to talk to, I'm here. Helen's *ahem* interview of Polly and Digs is very amusing. Need a sounding board for the rest though? I offer my services, such as they are.

[autumnia]

I hope all is well and that crossing to the Thames will be a lot more rewarding and happy for you in the long run. (Funny how you speak of such things when I've been considering something like that in the last week myself.)

And if you are literally crossing the Thames, you might be able to find some fascinating historical artifacts washed up on the banks though they may end up belonging to the Crown anyway. Also, now would be the best time to cross as you'll not have to deal with the hundreds of boats that will take part in the pageant for the Queen's Jubilee coming up.

Hmm. Given how fast Polly answered, that could be either a sign that she really has no clue or she's being defensive for Susan and Edmund. It does seem more likely to be the former and considering how disapproving she sounds about the contents of Susan's letters, I don't think she sees the gentle Queen as someone who would be involved in something so dark and dirty like spying.

[knitress.livejournal.com]

I will admit the thought of swimming myself has crossed my mind. But for the moment I'm on vacation. I don't want to leave (turns out that while I don't believe in familial religious identity as theology, I'm affected by it as culture). I don't think that I could view myself as anything but an exile. But life is long, and I may surprise myself.

We need to have a drink and talk it over.

[sedri.livejournal.com]

That's a very teasing teaser. Looks to be fun!

[varnafinde.livejournal.com]

"“Shopping,” Polly said crisply and with a hint of disapproval that put Helen’s back up."

This indicates to me that for the rest of her life, Polly will never know the truth of what Susan did in America ...

[linneasr.livejournal.com]

Mmmm. Nice little paragraph. I'm very happy that Helen is an active character in Not-My-Children's Narnia.

Whatever is inspiring you to cross the Thames (and whatever that means), I hope it's a bright thing, and that you find peace with it all.

[min023.livejournal.com]

Love the snippet, and yes working my way slowly through the Bang postings - why does there have to be sooo much work when I'd rather be reading. Re the river change, well I've been been over at the Thamea all my life, so welcome, and hope it works well for you.