hi, have you met me?

Lots of reccing this morning!

*I started my month driving the crack_van for Merlin. My first rec is here if you want to take a peek. I kicked things off with dsudis's Millions of Peaches, which is worth a look (or another look if you've already read and enjoyed) for sure. :)


*ALSO leupagus posted ANOTHER CHAPTER OF THE VULCAN DETECTIVE FIC, which is still rich and compelling and awesome, even though the ending of this chapter will justifiably make you hate her for leaving it there.



*Lastly, twentysomething has posted the most amazing piece of ridiculous brilliance I have read in an AGE. It's a Merlin/Harry Potter fusion fic. And Merlin is like some unholy cross between Neville Longbottom and Bridget Jones. But it's awesome. I'm cackling to myself even as I'm writing this. Ahaha. GO NOW.

Merlin Emyrs and the Totally Gay Triwizard Tournament by twentysomething (Merlin/Arthur, other background pairings, PG-13ish)

He takes a moment to wonder how his life came to this pass, and he can pretty much nail it down to when he turned eleven years old and came downstairs to find Gaius having tea with his mother.

"You're a wizard, Merlin," Gaius had said.

Merlin thinks he was pretty much buggered from that point on, because all he had thought in that instant between "Well, that explains a lot," and his mother hugging him, was "I am going to get made fun of so much at wizard school."

\o/

I've decided to try this as a list this time:

1. I am behind on soooo many things, including my flist, my Netflix, my laundry, and my plans for catching up on BSG before the finale. I also somehow haven't managed to watch the last half of Being Human 1.02, despite having watched the first half days ago.


2. I have, however, managed to watch 1.01-1.08 of Skins. Loving it so much so far! Where does the fandom hang out? (Also, is it just me or is Tony/Sid/Michelle a fucked up OT3 of awesome?)


3. I got a new layout! And a paid account, with more icon space than I can handle. (There is a disproportionate amount of Merlin ones. Especially Morgana icons. I NEED HELP.)


4. On an unrelated note of TOTAL FAIL: Seriously???? Normally I can put PeTA in the "well intentioned but kind of crazy" box, but that totally crosses the line.


5. There's another addition to the discussion about that thingswithwings post over at mecurtin's here that's worth checking out if you're following it.


6. reel_merlin posting week is coming up really soon! (And since I'm not writing anything I can say that without a trace of panic or OHGODWHATWASITHINKING??) *bounces* (ETA: Posting is extended!)



Also, as per usual, a Merlin fic rec at the end, in shiny new blockquote format for emphasis!

That Which Binds by lavvyan

This is lavvyan's entry for today for 14_valentines. I read it early this morning and it's still sticking with me. lavvyan takes the (perhaps?) inevitable fall of Camelot and turns it on its head in a way that's brilliant and wrenching and somehow still hopeful all at once. (Also, her Merlin totally deserves the Rodney McKay Brave Little Toaster Award for this. Oh, Merlin.)

I had a pretty busy weekend- I went out a lot and only did about half the things I intended to do. I also had the fun experience of buying a much-needed new pair of jeans, wearing them later that night, and almost immediately ripping a GIANT HOLE in the knee when I brushed past some person's inexplicably spiky license plate holder while walking in front of their parked car. (BOO.)

HOWEVER. I also went here on Sunday:



( Yes. I did go to the Medieval Times in New Jersey. More pictures of me and this Renaissance Faire/Dinner Theatre Extravaganza under the cut. This will probably only be amusing to the Merlin fans on my flist. )


Overall, it was a pretty awesome time. Also, my brain definitely went to the Merlin AU place where Arthur is a struggling actor who's trying to make it on Broadway and is working at the Medieval Times while waiting for his big break and Merlin's his roommate who makes fun of him all the time for it.


Also, Merlin rec! syllic is writing an Oxford rowing AU that is awesome and I'm totally reccing it even though I have an aversion to WiPS:

Easy There by syllic (Arthur/Merlin, Rated NPY for Not Porny Yet)

I feel like I'm spamming everyone lately, but it's been a while since I've done Merlin recs. (These two have been shamelessly stolen from nicolasechs.)

So you know how Christmas and the holidays were last week? WRONG. It turns out they forgot something and had to turn the car around and they’ve decided to stay longer and go get smashed with New Year’s Eve tomorrow.


What I’m saying is this:

astolat AND merryish WROTE MERLIN FIC.

I am flailing so hard right now I almost put my own eye out a moment ago.


Beltane by astolat (Merlin, Gen, PG)

This is such an awesome idea for Merlin's backstory, and very neatly told. Like most of astolat's stories, it's something that OF COURSE must have happened, why didn't I think of that before?? This is my personal canon now, k? GO READ IT BEFORE I FLAIL YOU TO DEATH.


The Feast of Sticks by merryish (Arthur/Merlin pre-slash, G)

I pretty much had a grin on my face from the first sentence on. merryish just nails both of them and the dynamics of their relationship. The dialogue practically sparkles and Arthur is just awesome and so is Merlin and if I don't stop myself I'm going to gush on for pages.

Hope everyone had a good American Thanksgiving if they celebrate it. I've been sleeping a lot and eating a lot of food. (The joy of having divorced parents means you get two ridiculous meals but you also have to listen to them bitch about splitting the cost of flying your sister home because what, they can't afford it? Oh wait, no, they're both just incredibly petty about money.)

ALSO, lillianloop and wordweaver06 are coming over today and circa_eve and I are pimping them into Merlin!!

So far, since we don't have time to watch the whole series, we're thinking 1.01, 1.04, 1.07, and 1.10 in terms of the essentials. (And maaaybe 1.08 if we have time mostly because Morgana is awesome in it and everyone needs to share in my ridiculous crush on her.)

Any other recommendations? We'll possibly show them the DVD extras as well, because Meg and I need someone else in RL to understand why we're saying "Je suis LOSER" all the time now.



ALSO ALSO, more Merlin fic recs, most of which y'all have probably read already, BUT:

Anniversary by thehoyden (Arthur/Merlin, PG)

Such a charming little story, and it perfectly captures Arthur's emotionally stunted way of expressing affection. Great Arthur voice all around.


August by rageprufrock (Arthur/Merlin, NC-17)

More Pru fic, wherein Arthur and Merlin go back to Merlin's village for a visit. There's a lot of amazing things going on here. Pru writes a great Hunith, and those flashes of King Arthur and the Camelot to come that make me wibbly without fail. Also, naturally, she does a great job with the boys' relationship. Basically I wanted to curl up inside this fic and fall asleep. Definitely a must-read.


Lastly (but not least!), moonythrestrals WROTE MORE FRATBOY!AU. Just as wonderful and delightfully cracked out as the first (WITH A SURPRISE PAIRING NEAR THE END THAT IS AWESOME). I am making dolphin noises here! Go read it!

Or, why yes I am reccing fairly incesty het porn. (WTF Self I thought this day would never come. :)

I know, I know- BUT. It's by shetiger and it captures both Uther and Morgana wonderfully, as well as- best of all- the strange dynamics of their relationship. And it's pretty hot. If you're in anyway inclined to like Uther/Morgana (which hey, anyone who's watched the show has probably had at least one head-tilting moment of "Huh" with them, don't lie) I completely recommend it.

Amour Courtois by shetiger (Uther/Morgana, R-NC-17ish)

Probably all of you have read this already, but she posted the second part last night, so it's finished now!

Three Castles- Part 1 and Part 2 by rageprufrock (PG-13)

Pru has written Merlin fic! (Do I need to say anything else?) Hilarious and touching and cracky all at once, as all of Pru's best stuff is. Go read. Now! (YES THIS MEANS YOU, lillianloop.)


Also, a vid rec!

Everything You Want by anime_fangirl_3, (Merlin/Arthur)

I have an 90s, 90s, Oh the 90s love for this song anyway, but besides that, this is one of my favorite fanvids to come out of this fandom so far. The editing is excellent, but more importantly, I really like how the story here is not a saccharine or schmoopy. It's Merlin and Arthur still trying to figure out their Epic Gay DESTINY what they are to each other. Loved it.


(Also, krazykipper, we still need to hash out things! If you want to email me, I'm at merelyn25 (@) gmail.com.)

Merlin just continues to be too adorable. And squishy. And pretty (*points to icon*). And slash-tastic. AND the crackfic has started coming.

And in that spirit, I rec you the funniest thing I've read in this fandom so far:

Fire Sign by moonythestrals (Merlin/Arthur, R)

Merlin's powers start going a little awry (read: GAY). And the Dragon is of No Help Whatsoever. Hilarious, spot-on, and hot- plus it ends on a fairly adorable note. Just the thing to brighten up a Monday.


(Also, does this post count toward my wrisomifu minutes? Pleeeeease? /requisite whining)