[fic recs] Escaflowne - master list?
Aug. 25th, 2014 02:29 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
konstantyaBeen meaning to compile this for a while, and I finally decided to get around to it. (Mostly one-shots and gen-fics, but not entirely.)
pictures of success, by puertoricanjane. G. So why be afraid of the future, why be afraid to dream, when she now knew her own worth, her own strength? Post-series, Hitomi-centric fic. There are overtones of VanxHitomi, but the main focus is on her relationship with Yukari. A very sweet fic, that really captures the tone the series ended on, in my opinion.
Another Life, by Serenade. PG. The masquerade ends at midnight. Post-series. Dilandau and Allen have a fight, a talk, and a strange sort of reconciliation.
While I Pondered, by Ione. PG. Hitomi's sudden return to the Mystic Moon makes a wound that will be slow to heal. Folken reflects on Hitomi's place within their group and considers the future without her. A Folken-centric sort of fic that takes place near the end of the series. The author calls it a one-sided Folken->Hitomi, but the pairing is subtle enough that I'd argue it reads more like a character study than anything.
Politics of Truth, by Unoriginality. PG. Folken has an enlightening afternoon with Dilandau's alternate. Part character study, part interesting conversation, and just a little creepy in tone.
Eater of Souls, by jbunyard. PG-13. Consumed by grief and self-loathing after the accidental murder of his brother, Zongi spirals toward self-destruction, cursing his fate...until Folken offers him the chance to create a better one. A great little study of a minor character, and the first fic that made me really think about Zongi, and about doppelgangers in general.
Casualties of Altered Fate, by Malvolia. The author rates it as G, but I'd argue it's closer to PG, or even PG-13 in subject matter. Creating a new destiny didn't just end lives, it twisted them...and some things that could have been never were. A short fic, but one I keep coming back to nonetheless. An interesting little study of both post-series Celena and the in-series relationship of Folken and Dilandau.
Untitled Folken drabble/ficlet, by ms_asylum. Unrated, but I'd say PG-13. Dilandau was convinced Folken drank like a pussy. Not a really great fic, in my opinion (it ends in a significantly different place than the direction it began in, which makes it feel rather ill-planned to me), but I still have a soft spot for it, nonetheless. I love the idea that Folken got his teardrop tattoo due to "a surreal night of crippling depression and rare sheer impulse," and despite its problems, I think the author has a surprisingly good handle on Folken's voice--I always like to imagine he's prone to over-analyzation and long-windedness in his own head. Short and strangely funny.
Between Days, by The Crushinator. PG-13. A story of what happens between the fall of Zaibach and Hitomi's return home. I'm not usually one for long, novel-length fics, but this one couldn't help but suck me in. Just--very well written and very believable, with everyone delightfully in-character. It also has some great VanxHitomi bits (for those who feel the series shafted them on the VanxHitomi romance) without being smutty or feeling out of place.
Never Forgotten, by Kus Kus. R. Celena Schezar has returned home, bringing with her a past that is not truly hers. But can she regain life as it was? Or will the madness that was her alter-ego swallow her whole? Another multi-chapter fic, focused on Celena (and consequently Dilandau). There are hints of VanxCelena, which usually isn't my bag, but this is the one fic I've found where I can actually get behind the pairing, if only because it actually addresses the Dilandau issue and, as such, has Van being very conflicted about the attraction he feels for her. Also includes a terribly interesting and in-depth look at Folken during his Zaibach days. (I'm not exactly sure I agree with it all or want to adopt it as my own personal head-canon, but it is nonetheless a very well-written and very interesting back-story for the guy--which is something of a rarity in itself, so.) The one big downside is that the fic is unfinished, and with the last update having been in 2003, it seems likely to stay that way. :(
All the Sleepy Dancers Gone, by Tenshi. Unrated, but I'd say it's PG-ish. Celena remembers her Dragonslayers on the day she is knighted. A beautiful, just a beautiful Celena-centric fic, with some wonderful sibling interaction between her and Allen, to boot.
Justification, by Nara Merald. R. He has always been a predator. Dilandau is like a disease, and Celena is weak. Come morning, she can try and make her excuses, but there is no justification for what either of them has done. A DilandauxCelena fic, with implied past FolkenxDilandau. I've always liked the idea of DilandauxCelena, for the sheer mindfuckery that would be involved, and this is one of the few fics I've found that really plays that aspect up. Dark, but also really good.
Handing Down, by invoking_urania. G. A very short, but very sweet, post-series fic, involving Millerna, Celena, and a bit of clothing advice.
On Her Wedding Night, by Mossygirl. PG-13. On her wedding night, Millerna reflects on what might have been and what is. Something of a slight DrydenxMillerna, and just a really great little Millerna study in general. You don't find too many fics that focus on her POV, and Dryden's one line in the fic is just so him, I want to cackle. Kind of melancholy, but also oddly sweet.
Apparent and Presumptive, by sagenahui. G. My sister needs to come home. The throne is empty, the people are restless, and I am not my father. I have no authority, in name or in fact, and I cannot do things the way he did. So I need your help. Post-series epistolary fic, in the form of a correspondence from Eries to Van (I think it's meant to be a letter, at least?). Implied AllenxMillerna, with major mentions of Folken, but more than anything, I think it's just a really great little Eries study, and makes for an interesting connection between her and Van (two characters you almost never see interacting with each other in fics).
Not Even a Simple Waltz, by alienchrist. The author rates it PG-13, but I think it reads more like PG? Ten years post-series, Van attends a ball thrown by Chid and proceeds to be entirely anti-social. Chid finds him in the library and teaches him how to waltz. Something of a slight VanxChid (rarepair like what). Very cute, and gives a neat look at an older Van, and especially an older Chid.
Between the Lines, by arysani. PG-13. They met when he was to marry her sister--but he was killed and her sister married someone else. Eries Aston walks in her sister's shadow, falling in love with her sister's lover, and remembering with fondness her sister's first betrothed. A lovely Eries-centric fic, and one of the first FolkenxEries fics I read. It's a little fast for my tastes (I wish some scenes had been longer and/or developed more), but it's still a very worthwhile read, in my opinion. I especially like the way the author handles the AllenxEries pairing--how it starts off as romantic on her end and develops into something more platonic by the end. It's hard to find fics that take a good look at their relationship in the non-shippy sense, and I find myself rereading this one almost more for the AllenxEries friendship bits than the FolkenxEries romance bits, believe it or not.
A Perilous Pursuit, by Casa Circe. PG. In which Millerna geeks out over a mechanical arm, Eries disapproves, and Folken thus finds himself at the mercy of two headstrong Asturian princesses. I feel kind of weird/masturbatory reccing this, as the initial premise was actually my idea, but it really is a lovely fic, that features some wonderful Aston sister interaction, and also some Folken-Millerna interaction, which is practically unheard of. Has some hints of FolkenxEries, but nothing particularly blatant.
Not Beyond Recovery, by Casa Circe. G. Sequel to the above fic. Eries tries to help the Fanel brothers reach an understanding while she and Folken struggle with their own complicated circumstances. If the original fic could be said to be something of an Aston sister reconciliation fic, the sequel here could be considered a gender-flipped version of sorts, as it's something of a Fanel brother reconciliation fic. Again, has hints of FolkenxEries. Just a great, very natural continuation of the first fic, I feel. I'm especially fond of the Van-Eries scenes, as you rarely see those two interacting in fic, particularly on a one-on-one basis.
pictures of success, by puertoricanjane. G. So why be afraid of the future, why be afraid to dream, when she now knew her own worth, her own strength? Post-series, Hitomi-centric fic. There are overtones of VanxHitomi, but the main focus is on her relationship with Yukari. A very sweet fic, that really captures the tone the series ended on, in my opinion.
Another Life, by Serenade. PG. The masquerade ends at midnight. Post-series. Dilandau and Allen have a fight, a talk, and a strange sort of reconciliation.
While I Pondered, by Ione. PG. Hitomi's sudden return to the Mystic Moon makes a wound that will be slow to heal. Folken reflects on Hitomi's place within their group and considers the future without her. A Folken-centric sort of fic that takes place near the end of the series. The author calls it a one-sided Folken->Hitomi, but the pairing is subtle enough that I'd argue it reads more like a character study than anything.
Politics of Truth, by Unoriginality. PG. Folken has an enlightening afternoon with Dilandau's alternate. Part character study, part interesting conversation, and just a little creepy in tone.
Eater of Souls, by jbunyard. PG-13. Consumed by grief and self-loathing after the accidental murder of his brother, Zongi spirals toward self-destruction, cursing his fate...until Folken offers him the chance to create a better one. A great little study of a minor character, and the first fic that made me really think about Zongi, and about doppelgangers in general.
Casualties of Altered Fate, by Malvolia. The author rates it as G, but I'd argue it's closer to PG, or even PG-13 in subject matter. Creating a new destiny didn't just end lives, it twisted them...and some things that could have been never were. A short fic, but one I keep coming back to nonetheless. An interesting little study of both post-series Celena and the in-series relationship of Folken and Dilandau.
Untitled Folken drabble/ficlet, by ms_asylum. Unrated, but I'd say PG-13. Dilandau was convinced Folken drank like a pussy. Not a really great fic, in my opinion (it ends in a significantly different place than the direction it began in, which makes it feel rather ill-planned to me), but I still have a soft spot for it, nonetheless. I love the idea that Folken got his teardrop tattoo due to "a surreal night of crippling depression and rare sheer impulse," and despite its problems, I think the author has a surprisingly good handle on Folken's voice--I always like to imagine he's prone to over-analyzation and long-windedness in his own head. Short and strangely funny.
Between Days, by The Crushinator. PG-13. A story of what happens between the fall of Zaibach and Hitomi's return home. I'm not usually one for long, novel-length fics, but this one couldn't help but suck me in. Just--very well written and very believable, with everyone delightfully in-character. It also has some great VanxHitomi bits (for those who feel the series shafted them on the VanxHitomi romance) without being smutty or feeling out of place.
Never Forgotten, by Kus Kus. R. Celena Schezar has returned home, bringing with her a past that is not truly hers. But can she regain life as it was? Or will the madness that was her alter-ego swallow her whole? Another multi-chapter fic, focused on Celena (and consequently Dilandau). There are hints of VanxCelena, which usually isn't my bag, but this is the one fic I've found where I can actually get behind the pairing, if only because it actually addresses the Dilandau issue and, as such, has Van being very conflicted about the attraction he feels for her. Also includes a terribly interesting and in-depth look at Folken during his Zaibach days. (I'm not exactly sure I agree with it all or want to adopt it as my own personal head-canon, but it is nonetheless a very well-written and very interesting back-story for the guy--which is something of a rarity in itself, so.) The one big downside is that the fic is unfinished, and with the last update having been in 2003, it seems likely to stay that way. :(
All the Sleepy Dancers Gone, by Tenshi. Unrated, but I'd say it's PG-ish. Celena remembers her Dragonslayers on the day she is knighted. A beautiful, just a beautiful Celena-centric fic, with some wonderful sibling interaction between her and Allen, to boot.
Justification, by Nara Merald. R. He has always been a predator. Dilandau is like a disease, and Celena is weak. Come morning, she can try and make her excuses, but there is no justification for what either of them has done. A DilandauxCelena fic, with implied past FolkenxDilandau. I've always liked the idea of DilandauxCelena, for the sheer mindfuckery that would be involved, and this is one of the few fics I've found that really plays that aspect up. Dark, but also really good.
Handing Down, by invoking_urania. G. A very short, but very sweet, post-series fic, involving Millerna, Celena, and a bit of clothing advice.
On Her Wedding Night, by Mossygirl. PG-13. On her wedding night, Millerna reflects on what might have been and what is. Something of a slight DrydenxMillerna, and just a really great little Millerna study in general. You don't find too many fics that focus on her POV, and Dryden's one line in the fic is just so him, I want to cackle. Kind of melancholy, but also oddly sweet.
Apparent and Presumptive, by sagenahui. G. My sister needs to come home. The throne is empty, the people are restless, and I am not my father. I have no authority, in name or in fact, and I cannot do things the way he did. So I need your help. Post-series epistolary fic, in the form of a correspondence from Eries to Van (I think it's meant to be a letter, at least?). Implied AllenxMillerna, with major mentions of Folken, but more than anything, I think it's just a really great little Eries study, and makes for an interesting connection between her and Van (two characters you almost never see interacting with each other in fics).
Not Even a Simple Waltz, by alienchrist. The author rates it PG-13, but I think it reads more like PG? Ten years post-series, Van attends a ball thrown by Chid and proceeds to be entirely anti-social. Chid finds him in the library and teaches him how to waltz. Something of a slight VanxChid (rarepair like what). Very cute, and gives a neat look at an older Van, and especially an older Chid.
Between the Lines, by arysani. PG-13. They met when he was to marry her sister--but he was killed and her sister married someone else. Eries Aston walks in her sister's shadow, falling in love with her sister's lover, and remembering with fondness her sister's first betrothed. A lovely Eries-centric fic, and one of the first FolkenxEries fics I read. It's a little fast for my tastes (I wish some scenes had been longer and/or developed more), but it's still a very worthwhile read, in my opinion. I especially like the way the author handles the AllenxEries pairing--how it starts off as romantic on her end and develops into something more platonic by the end. It's hard to find fics that take a good look at their relationship in the non-shippy sense, and I find myself rereading this one almost more for the AllenxEries friendship bits than the FolkenxEries romance bits, believe it or not.
A Perilous Pursuit, by Casa Circe. PG. In which Millerna geeks out over a mechanical arm, Eries disapproves, and Folken thus finds himself at the mercy of two headstrong Asturian princesses. I feel kind of weird/masturbatory reccing this, as the initial premise was actually my idea, but it really is a lovely fic, that features some wonderful Aston sister interaction, and also some Folken-Millerna interaction, which is practically unheard of. Has some hints of FolkenxEries, but nothing particularly blatant.
Not Beyond Recovery, by Casa Circe. G. Sequel to the above fic. Eries tries to help the Fanel brothers reach an understanding while she and Folken struggle with their own complicated circumstances. If the original fic could be said to be something of an Aston sister reconciliation fic, the sequel here could be considered a gender-flipped version of sorts, as it's something of a Fanel brother reconciliation fic. Again, has hints of FolkenxEries. Just a great, very natural continuation of the first fic, I feel. I'm especially fond of the Van-Eries scenes, as you rarely see those two interacting in fic, particularly on a one-on-one basis.
