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

[lots-of-roxz.livejournal.com]

I love your work and I'll be here to see the whole story through.
Keep them coming.
Kat

[randomweaver.livejournal.com]

Thank you! That means a lot. And we've had a few complaints, but nothing major. We just wanted to clear that up before we got any further. :)

[randomweaver.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much. :)

[meghanthepagan.livejournal.com]

HA you couldnt chase me away with a stick! or a katana or a bulldozer for that matter!

[bellehiver.livejournal.com]

there's pretty much nothing short of losing the internet for a year that would make me stop reading this fic. XD

[patheticinvader.livejournal.com]

Why the hell would people get snarky? Zomg, a FANFIC is OOC. *sighs and shakes head* I love this story, and though I've been gone for a few weeks, having a baby and whatnot, I'm still addicted to this story. =)

MIA

[hollypopuk.livejournal.com]

Heylo - I'm still with you, fangirly screaming and all. Went home for Xmas and mother has a delightful dialup computer which should have gone out with the ark so I'm looking forward to reading all I've missed.

Just wanted to say I ADORE this story - def one of the best and most inventive fanfics I've ever read. I love the fantasy genre which is one of the reason's I love this story, I'm in awe of both your imaginations.

As for the OOC I LOVE it, sappy is excellent PLEASEEEE don't tone it down, lol. *brandishes cookies*

Anyway, love you both for writing this and I'm sure the majority of us will be here til the end.

Hol
xxx

PS Belated Happy New Year to you both and all the other readers :)

[violent-rabbit.livejournal.com]

I love it! I thought fanfic was there to explore other possibilites- how boring would it be if everything in fandom follwed the show content, context and syle exactly? but meh, to each their own. :D

Bring on the fantasy *makes gimme motions*

[lolabobs.livejournal.com]

oh no - sticking with this like glue, aint getting rid of me no how -

I might exclaim as we go along at some of the things that happen - but that's in the tradition of watching any exciting drama, that doesn't mean I'm not loving it.

[scruby.livejournal.com]

There're some things that bother me a little. I didn't mind the changling, I liked it. I liked it more that I thought I would. It's really cool. I've a little problem with the OOC. But hell, it's really hard to be spot on the characters! Especially if you put them in an AU and all of that. I suck at it too I guess. Not that you guys suck at it.(:
Anyway, I'm not leaving you! I like this story and I'm going to keep reading it and you guys do a great job.

[counttoeight.livejournal.com]

*blink* *blink* What on Earth could possibly be wrong with Changeling? I was skeptical at first, but I don't think I would change a single thing, except of course add more smex in.

Ignore critics. They're just jealous.

[keenoled.livejournal.com]

Umm, which part of that was supposed to scare me away, because hot diggity, it just makes me rub my hands with glee.
Seriously, though, is it really officially ooc when it's charachter development? Because I've read ooc's that makes me loose interest in a fan fic, and then there're stories that start out so-called in character, but as the story evolves, they evolve too. And, like, if something life-altering happens to a character and they *don't* change? Well, that'd be sorta ooc as well, right, because mostly, characters you write about react to stuff even on their tv shows/movies/comics/whatever. Okay, I have no idea where I'm going with this. I'll just finish with how much I love this particular story and that I'm bad with the feedback but I seriously squee every time there's an update.

Say Bah to the Naysayers

[annie2341.livejournal.com]

Don't listen to anyone being a meanie!!
I am absolutely adoring reading this fic (is it wednesday yet? )

So what if it is out of character, (and by the way how the hell do the naysayers know HOW the characters would react to such extreme circumstances!)

You clearly said it the authors notes what type of fic it was going to be and those not interested should have pressed the back button!

Also the very purpose of fan fiction is for the author(s) to use their imagination and create a new storyline something you two have done with great creativity. If I wanted Canon I would just read the scripts, I like fan fiction as it has the freeo to places characters I love in situations that the writers can't or won't put them in the show.

So I say bah! to the naysayers

[(Anonymous)]

Bring on the fantasy and sappiness!

--Alissa

[yrael-hp.livejournal.com]

If anyone didn't understand the word fantasy from the beginning, that's their problem. And any fanfic that involves a noncanon pairing is going to have some OOC-ness to it. Once again, something common sense should tell a reader. This is one of the best fanfics I've ever read for any fandom and you have me rushing to the computer first thing in the morning on Sundays and Wednesdays (even though Sundays are my one day to sleep in and I have to be at work by 6 a.m. on Wednesdays) simply to read the next chapter. Thanks for writing such an excellent story.

[vannadear.livejournal.com]

I'm confused. How can people *not* love the Changeling fic? It's so awesome, and of course OOC is going to happen; when you're body goes through a massive change, it affects your personality as well!

I personally think that Changeling is a wonderfully done piece, and cheers for its continuation!

[el-payasito.livejournal.com]

I found the OOC-mention funny because I was just thinking how IC you manage to keep the characters in this setting. You manage to hit their speech-pattern head on, and I believe that it's okay if the characters develope to somewhat different direction than they are in the show.

We see them, or especially Dr. Cox, in a more private setting and I think that even he would act a little different in public and private. Plus with a situation like this, I think everyone would behave a bit differently anyway and there's no way to know their ways of dealing. Besides you are the authors and you have your authory license and we mortals should bow at your feet. *adores*

(Wow, that sounded a bit ranty.)

I was saving all that (and some more) for a review I was going to post in you next chapter because bad me hasn't reviewed yet. (and yay! I think it'll be my first Scrub!fic review)

I like the story.

[bwc-baby.livejournal.com]

people complined??? they lose at life
I love coming home from school and finding a new chapter...it makes my day!
Oh random happy note I found the 2ed box set of Scrubs on sale for $15!! WOOt

^_^

[sheamackenzie.livejournal.com]

I spent 4 hours looking at turkey vulture wings today chanting 'fanart' to myself. I don't think you actually have to worry too much about loosing readers. There's nothing like a little good ol' fantasy!

And bwc_baby is right: 'they loose at life' who complain about your awesomeness that exhibits itself in handy fic form.

I have spoken, and it is so.

...or written... but you know what I mean. (scary as that is)

[orangesandjello.livejournal.com]

I've found that when a fic is AU, I tend to care less about OOC-ness. Because it's almost like it's not even a fanfic, but rather a whole other story on it's own. Know what I mean? If that's true for other people, I'm not sure.

Also, with a well written fic, you get less people caring about things like that. And you guys got both things going for you.

[julorean.livejournal.com]

I don't really think it's so OOC. If the script writers haven't addressed it directly, who's to say the characters wouldn't react in a a manner similar to what's been written in "Changeling" if a crazy situation like this occured? I don't mind sap, as long as Dr. Cox stays snarky, and JD is still goofy. : ) I read it for the plot, and for the the relationship too.

I'm actually more of a House MD fan, but am slowly getting into Scrubs. Based on the few episodes I've seen, they seem quite IC to me. And it's an AU (fantasy no less!), so whatever expectation other people may have had of strict characterization should've been shoved out the window. Probably into the path of an 18-wheeler.

Bring on the sap! As long as it's not all happy puppies and flowers all the time to the point of a coma, I'll be fine. :P Reading this story makes me happy, as does a nice dose of fluff. (mmm, marshmallow)

[windandsummer.livejournal.com]

Dont let other get you down, this is a terrific story and I cant wait to see more from you guys!!! ~Bee

[drathis.livejournal.com]

OK, I feel bad now, because I think I might have pointed out OOC'ness back in chapter two or three. The point I was making at the time was that it was abruptly OOC. JD had had no time to develop into the kind of person he was acting like, or at least, the story had given no prior indication to such a huge shift about to occur.

Don't get me wrong. I adore this story more than can possibly be good for a person... That being said, where the smeg is the next update! It's Wednesday!! It's been Wednesday for nearly 12 hours where I am... actually, where do you guys live? And if the answer is America, may I suggest that you start posting on New Zealand time? I mean, I'm Australian personally, but Wednesdays and Saturdays do first occur in New Zealand, so it's only fair... *whimper*

UPDATE

[drathis.livejournal.com]

uh, internal consistency of characters is the word I was looking for before. And if you've got any doubt about the majority liking your fic, look at the number of comments you get for a note about peoples' comments about the fic... I mean, really. It's just plain greedy.

[randomweaver.livejournal.com]

LoL Awww... sorry. I'm in Missouri, USA, and Thuri's in California. So it's still Tuesday for us. But hey, at least we update when it's Wednesday for me, not her--that's two hours ahead! :)

'nother hour and a half, and it'll be up. :)

[drathis.livejournal.com]

Dude, by the time you guys post, it's practically Thursday. You might as well say Mondays and Thursdays. Oh I hate America for so many reasons. You live behind the rest of the world. You have all the best TV shows. Shooting people appears to be completly legal...
It's just not fair. *sigh*
And I repeat, not stalking. I've just noticed (well, when I say just...) the obscene amount of comments I'm leaving peppered all over anything to do with this fic.
*shrugs and wanders off to comment on the chapter post*

Cheers

Drathis

[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.