A note to the Changeling readers...

[randomweaving]

In light of a few queries we’ve received lately, I wanted to clear a few things up about the direction this story is heading.

I apologize if we weren't terribly clear about this from the beginning: This is fantasy. Fantasy we've done our best to make seem semi realistic, sure, but fantasy nonetheless. I'm talking full out, magic-and-mythical-creatures fantasy. And it's going to get more so, as we go on. This has barely scraped the tip of the fantasy iceberg.

For those of you holding out for a viral explanation, or the discovery of a mutated gene, I'd either reframe your expectations or consider giving the rest of this a miss. Because there isn't a logical explanation. There's a reason, but that's not the same thing, and we don't want you guys to stay all invested in the outcome if it's going to disappoint, simply because we weren't clear enough up front.

I will also reiterate something I said in the first author's note on chapter one: this is going to be out of character. We did our best, but as the story developed, so did the characters, and not always in ways that are terribly true to their original selves. We are toning it down some, but it will still be sappy to the point of being cavity-inducing to some of you, and while we make no apologies for the writing itself, if that's not your thing we don’t want to feel we’ve led you on. If you don’t like it, you will not hurt our feelings if you simply decide not to keep reading it. But please don’t try to tell us it’s OOC as though that’s something we didn’t already realize, because believe me, we do. :)

That’s all. Thanks for listening, and I hope at least some of you will stay with us!

Cheers,

~RS

Comments

[jule1122.livejournal.com]

I feel bad that it has taken me so long to comment on this story, but I find it hard to start commenting when I'm nre to an author or fandom. First of all I want you to know how much I love this story. The writing is amazing and beautiful on all levels-descriptions, plot development, emotions, character development, dialogue just everything. I actually broke my no death fic ever rule to read Cancer and while I cried for what seemed like hours, I almost don't exactly regret reading it.

I really don't think you have any thing to explain here. I knew going it to the story what it would be. In fact the summary/notes discouraged me a little from starting the story. I waited until 5 or6 chapters were posted to start reading and was immediately hooked. I certainly knew it was going to ba fantasy. As to the OCC issue I think that's a bit more complicated, but not really. You started with characters very true to what we see on the show and at heart I still find them to be. But obviously there are changes. If we accept the world you have palced them in how could there not be? I guess in a story like this I think strict adherance to canon characterization become less important than the characters evolving realistically based on the circumstances they are facing. In the world you have created they are facing changes almost beyond comprehension and really have only to choices. To reject what is happening and try to ignore which you brillantly written as resulting in death. Or to open themselves up to things they never imagined and find a way to accept this new, uncertain reality ( I love Perry thought JD's daydreaming helped him here). It only follows that that path leads to looking more openly at emotions and what people really want in a life they may lose soon. For Perry and Jordan it's no longer attempting a romantic relationship that isn't really working, for JD it's facing why he really went to Perry for help, and for Perry it's simply taking a chance on what he really wants. If Perry wasn't able to take some emotional risks and face some truths about himself the change would kill him. It wasn't easy for him and that's what keeps him in character as well as his hyper awareness of everything he does.

This is an extrememly long and rambling way of saying I love this story and I think the characters have stayed true to both what we see on the show and what you have created for them. I'll stop now before my rambling really frightens you.

[randomslasher.livejournal.com]

For Perry and Jordan it's no longer attempting a romantic relationship that isn't really working, for JD it's facing why he really went to Perry for help, and for Perry it's simply taking a chance on what he really wants.

That was such an amazingly beautiful way of putting it. So perfectly concise, and so exactly true... thank you. For this whole comment, but for that in particular. Just... thank you. Thank you.

I'm really glad you decided to begin reading, and I hope we won't disappoint as the story continues.

*hugs*

[jule1122.livejournal.com]

I have no worries about being disappointed. I admitted to being a bit freaked out about the consequences if Perry really is a merman, but with a story like this you have to accept that outcomes may not be what you would expect. I have no doubt it will be beautifully told. I'm just glad I didn't scare you, I can get a get a bit carried away when I become invested in a story.

I wanted to mention this community to you writing_readers. Membership closes in a few days so if you have time check it out. Many of the stories there have a fantasy or supernatural theme and orginal fiction is welcome as well.