The Gift, by Fionnabair

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Hello campers, TGIF! Your "Gloom, Despair, and Agony on Me" recommendation....

Err, Actually, I'm taking a brief break from deathfics. A couple of reasons. Many of my favorite 'buy-the-farm' fics are post-May, 2001, and I'm trying to stay within the first 2 years of the existence of the archive. It's not a rule or anything, just something I'm trying to do. And as diverse and delightful as the collection of early deathfic is, I've been putting aside other excellent stories. Not to worry, I'm not losing my touch - my week 8 recommendation will be as bleak as it gets.

[P.S. I love this format - I could rec all year. *hugs darththalia.* When I've tried to put together a list of recs for M-A, I can't seem to start, but I can manage to rec one story a week.

Title: The Gift
Author: Fionnabair
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Q/O
Summary: A nomad is offered an unusual gift at a banquet concluding a successful trade.
References to past sexual acts in the context of slavery


Author's e-mail: fionnabair@bigfoot.com (I don't know if this is still good)
Website: None that I know of
LJ id: darthfi
Link to the story:http://www.masterapprentice.org/archive/g/gift.html
Short follow up story here: http://www.masterapprentice.org/archive/g/gift_epilogue.html

Reasons for recommending: I have a soft spot for AU stories, and usually give them leeway in characterization that I wouldn't give a piece set in the GFFA. But I can see Movie!Qui-Gon right away, and after a time, ConfidentKickAss!Obi as well. Fi's descriptions of the tribe and their way of life, contrasted with evil city-dwellers Palpatine and Maul are very well crafted. She gives life to the mostly cardboard Council members from TPM, and creates an appealing OC as well. And it's angsty. Goes without saying :-)




Qui-Gon turned from watching Obi-Wan pass to discover Shmi scowling at him.

"I hope you're happy," she said.

"What?" asked Qui-Gon helplessly.

"He's worked out that if there was a vow in the first place, it's certainly over by now. He's expecting you to wander in and fuck him at your leisure. Just one more man to abuse him."

Qui-Gon's jaw dropped. "You told him that?"

"Of course I didn't," Shmi near-screamed. "I tried to persuade him that he didn't have to. But he wouldn't listen." She broke down into sobs and Qui-Gon awkwardly comforted her.

"I won't do it," he said. "You know me, I wouldn't do it."

Shmi shook her head. "It doesn't matter. He says he wants you to."

"What? He couldn't possibly."

Shmi straightened up. "Qui-Gon, that boy is expecting you to go in there and fuck him. And as much as I hate to say it, I think you'd better do so."

She turned to leave, then turned to make one final comment.

"Don't go in there and fuck him. Go in there and make love, and maybe something can be reclaimed from this whole sorry mess. Let him see what possibilities it offers. And maybe one day he'll find someone to love properly."

She contemptuously threw some sods on the fire, leaving Qui-Gon sitting in the rapidly cooling night, feeling as though she had punched him in the guts. He looked over at his tent, only to see Obi-Wan move around, silhouetted by the lamp within, and realised that his options had run out.

Comments

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I've edited the post - thanks!