Journeys

Rating:PG
Spoilers: S2, Reichenbach Fall 
Warnings: a moment of gore, apparent character death
Summary: John sees him every single time he closes his eyes.
Author notes: This story is set in the Touchstone universe found on AO3 or LJ. To understand this story best, I recommend reading 'Touchstone' first.  I plan to revisit this universe to retell the three episodes of Series 2 through the 'Touchstone' universe's lens.

This ficlet demanded writing first, so here it is.

Beta thanks to pyjamapants, sc010f, and bethbethbeth.

( I leave a trail of breadcrumbs to show you where I've been )

It's been so much fun to look at the reveal list and see everybody's posts about their gifts, given and received.

First and foremost, thank you to ferporcel for the incredible, intricate, evocative (and perfectly titled) art that she created to accompany my story, "King of Swords." If you haven't seen it, you must run, now, and take a look. It's incredible. King of Swords was my first (and only) WIP (now complete) and feels to me like a reflection of my own exploration and growth as a writer. To have a piece of art that depicts such a crucial scene is a powerful gift for me, more than you may have even realized, Fer. Thank you.

"Chasing the Darkness Away"

*glomps Fer.

Second, I can now publicly own up to writing "The Essence of Sunset" for dickgloucester, who wrote one of her prompts with me in mind. Thanks to the mods for saying "yes" when I requested to be assigned to her. *smooches you all*

To say that I was blown away by the reception to the story would be a massive understatement. I can't tell you all how much it means to me to see the way that people engaged with the story. The questions you asked, the observations you made, the speculations, the conversations in comments, and your emotional reactions kept me glued to the computer and leaping regularly from my seat (hard to do both, simultaneously, y'know?). It's the greatest gift anybody can give a writer: to be such engaged and emotionally available readers. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I am incredibly fortunate to have a veritable Quidditch team (if you include reserve players... ahem) of alpha readers, beta readers and cheerleaders.  I simply could not have written something of this scope without them, and they deserve so much credit for making this story work. Each one brought a unique point of view or expertise to the process and helped me immensely as I groped my way through the world-building and character development and searched for plot. (I'm always searching for the plot. Just ask them.)

So, here goes. :)

First of all, thanks to Dicky for writing such an intriguing, brilliant prompt and for being awesome in general... I was highly motivated to write something that would be deserving of her as a recipient. *squishes her

Massive hugs to subvers, lady_rhian, and bluestocking79 for alpha reading/cheerleading and general "yes, this works" all the way through. You were my rudders.

Giant hugs to lifeasanamazon for her detailed and insightful Britpick and for gobs of encouragement at a time when I really needed some. 

Thanks to the mods and especially to scatteredlogic for making sure the complex coding worked on this monster of a story. *hugs

Immense thanks to drinkingcocoa and juniperus for close reading for content, consultation about the Middle Ages, illuminated lettering, and canon characterizations and millions of other details that they wouldn't let me get away with faking. 

Enormous gratitude to annietalbot, sc010f, and pyjamapants for helping shape the spreadsheet that allowed me to keep the universes straight and clarify the elements that shaped each one, for reading draft after draft, beta reading, close reading, listening to the moans and groans about world-building, and generally reassuring me and guiding me all along the way. You guys deserve medals. Really. Big medals.

Finally, juno_magic wrought her incredible magic in two massive ways for this story. First, she did the coding (which took days) that created the gradient color background that gave the story its visual punch. She also did the most in-depth editorial read that I've ever experienced. It was massive, detailed and absolutely invaluable not only for the story, but also in pushing me as a writer. I don't think there are enough words to express my gratitude to her. Juno, you humble me. 

Ladies, you all humble me. 

*standing ovation to the alpha/beta/cheerleading team

Is up on Ashwinder right here.  It's in the queue at TPP and shall be posted to FFnet as soon as I have time to fix the scene dividers.

Thanks to annietalbot  and lady_karelia for casting their magical eyes on the chapter.

Thanks to all who have waited to patiently while I worked on my Exchange stories.  Apart from work on the Infinitus papers, I don't anticipate further long delays in the story posting (pauses to throw talismans around).

ETA:  I hate FFNET's interface.  Just saying.  *goes back to wrestling with scene dividers
 

 And now I can thank kizzy7  for the fabulous gift she wrote for me, Mirrorball.  It's lyrical and filled with gorgeous turns of phrase as well as spot-on observations of the characters and their emotional dilemmas (my favorite, of course!).  It's emotionally nuanced and layered, and most importantly of all, shows that it's the relationship that heals.  Even if you don't really love Snuna, this one is worth a read.  Thank you, kizzy7 !

I also now get to thank talesofsnape for the fabulous banner (with matching icons!) she made for the story hours before the deadline.  It's perfect for the story, and is a piece of art in and of itself.  See its loveliness? *pauses to admire... guh...