#sometimesiwrite

Today's fic was written by @sometimesiwrite​, a gift for @on-a-lucky-tide​!

The fic is  The Plague of Broken Things 

Rated: Gen Characters: Eskel 

@sometimesiwrite​

“What can I say? I’m resonant.”

This started off as a crazy idea which has spiraled into a 21 chapter crack fic that shows no signs of stopping. I’m so glad I get to work with @animeotakupooh on this one (because hey, how often do you get to work with your favourite writers?) 

To me, I’ve often found Fandom Jaskier to be a bit childishly manipulative—he’s pouted and simpered until he’s gotten what he wants, until his strong-willed partners roll their eyes and say “oh alright.” That’s not a dynamic I enjoy and I can’t help but feel that, in those scenarios, something disingenuous is happening. That’s my own interpretation, and fully acknowledge that others may—and probably do—perceive that dynamic differently. No judgement on their enjoyment of it. But it’s not for me.

On the flip side of things, it also sometimes feels like the Bard pairings only work because he’s good at letting certain things roll off his back that he really... shouldn’t be letting roll off his back.

I’ve rarely seen Lambden operate the same way. They’re both adults, on equal footing with each other. Yeah they’re sarcastic with each other and they’re both assholes but they aren’t to each other where it counts. If one of them brushes the other off, there’s a gear shift of “hang on, what’s going on, talk to me?” or “I’m going to let that slide because I know you didn’t mean that” or “what do you need right now?” Whatever’s being worked through, they work through it together, even if that means giving space. But there is a give and take in their desire to be there for each other. Plus there’s something about them that’s... shiny. I don’t know how else to describe it. It’s fizzy and shiny and very very sexy.

Margaret, yet again, you blow me away with your analysis.

I completely agree with your reflections on Jaskier’s relationships. It’s one reason that I struggle to write him anymore, because if you lean towards Netflix, then his relationship with Geralt is completely devoid of any real meaning. Yes, you can look at the mountain, and the ‘bath scene’, but snapshots do not a relationship make. Anything I build for Jaskier and Geralt from Netflix, I have to do all the heavy work myself and Netflix canon gives me camomile oil and “do what pleases you”. 

Dandelion and Geralt, though? Books and games? I adore it. Absolutely. And whenever I write the two of them interacting? It’s usually with these influences in mind. Some of my favourite stories from the fandom are Dandelion and Geralt, either romantic or platonic.

Most of the Lambden I have read is definitely built around communication, the picking apart of insecurities and the forging of something healthy, if not necessarily always functional.

While I can't say I'm surprised there's so much deviation from canon, it's always disappointing when the fabric of the world is tampered with for no well-supported reason other than Because We Decided. I don't mind deviation from canon--in fact I think it's a very human impulse and one we aren't even necessarily aware of having. That being said, as creatives, part of our job is being able to articulate the choices we make. I'm curious to hear more discussion of why certain decisions were made when it was otherwise easier to leave well enough alone.

Side note: as an Gaunter fan myself... I'm not sure exactly what's going on but it's fair to say I'm wary.

Sending love! Hope you're well ❤️

-RB

P.S. Mrawwwwr

Mraawwwrrr!

Thank you, Margot. People are welcome to converse with me respectfully, and I welcome conflicting opinions. It makes fandom more interesting. (There's nothing worse than the fandom apparently agreeing something and people feeling they don't belong/can't contradict it).