Arrant Nonsense

I just got a notice that my Firefly fic "Cerberus" was nominated in wicked_awards's "No Rest for the Wicked" round 4. Many thanks to whoever nominated me--after the week I've been having, it feels very nice to know that people are still reading and enjoying my fanfic.

This was the story that I thought was pretty straightforward, until someone left me a review saying "Gee, I wonder what would have happened if they hadn't been rescued right away *wink wink*" that sent my twisted brain skittering off in unpleasant directions. Because, you know, Jayne is a human man, not a vampire or a werewolf who can just shrug off injuries like the ones he'd just been given. So, if they hadn't been rescued right away--he'd have died. So, I wrote an alternate ending. Because I'm evil.

And then River piped up and said, "Hey, you know that throwaway line in your alternate ending, about me being unhappy with my damsel-in-distress role? It wasn't a throwaway line. Write an alternate middle that I get to be awesome in, okay?" And, so I did.

Yeah, that one got away from me. But it's fanfic, so it's allowed to do that. It's all "alternate" anyway, right?

Since I have nothing terribly urgent to write, I thought I'd work on the commentary for "Cerberus." And, lo, it is done. ( Read onward... )

This...is freaky. I've never written alternate middles or endings for any of my stories before. But, hey, if the Muse is giving me stuff to write, who am I to argue? First part is here, and this part takes off right after the beating with the chain scourge.

River has a plan...

Title: Cerberus, Mark III
Author: babies stole my dingo (agilebrit)
Fandom: Firefly
Rating: PG-13
Length: This section, about 1800 words.
Disclaimer: Joss is the genius behind these characters; I am but a lowly follower. I make no money from any of this, so please don't sue me.
Feedback: Concrit adored! If you see something that can be improved upon, please let me know.
Written for: The Muse is going wild on this fic. Yet another alternate scenario.
Notes: An "alternate middle." What if River had offered to tell Niska who she was in order to stop the torture? Starts after the chain scourge.
( When will the madness end?! )

I cannot believe this. I have an idea for yet another alternate section for Cerberus. What the heck is it with the Muse and her seeming fascination with this story???

This keeps up, it's going to start violating the rule at FFN about "choose your own adventure" fics.

Title: Cerberus, Mark II
Author: babies stole my dingo (agilebrit)
Fandom: Firefly
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Joss is the genius behind these characters; I am but a lowly follower. I make no money from any of this, so please don't sue me.
Feedback: Concrit adored! If you see something that can be improved upon, please let me know.
Written for: Alternate ending to "Cerberus." Blame an anonymous reviewer at FFN (someone named "ljae") for this...this...thing. S/he wanted to know what would happen if they didn't get rescued right away. Well. Jayne's just been beaten severely with a cat o'nine tails and a chain scourge, and electrocuted a few times. What do you think would happen if he couldn't get medical attention? He's a human man, not a vampire.
Notes: Niska captures Jayne and River and tortures Jayne for awhile, then sells them into slavery. This part starts on the train and goes off wildly from there...
WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH
( Remember, you've been warned... )

I really should plan these things out better. *wrestles with alternate ending* I have no ending for this. And now I'm sitting here spinning my wheels and scribbling nonsense until I find one.

*tears out hair*

At least I'm writing? That's a good, right? In fact, the original ending had about 900 words, give or take. This one is heading toward 3K. Heh.

People are going to HATE me for this...

On the other hand, this may stop reviewers from asking me to ZOMGcontinue! my fics anymore.

*sniffles*

So, one of my reviewers at FFN for "Cerberus" (aka the Jayne-torture fic) wanted an alternate ending where they don't get rescued right away. And the problem with that is that Jayne's just had the snot beat out of him with a cat o'nine tails and a chain scourge, he's in deep shock, and he's lost a ton of blood, not to mention getting electrocuted numerous times.

Question to the folks on my flist who know something about medicine: How long would he live, without medical treatment? I'm thinking, not very long. And thus, the "alternate ending" for this thing would be a disappointment to the person who wanted it. To say the least.

*evil laughter* Which isn't to say that I won't write it...

All "Lost," this time, and more (gasp!) Shirtless Men.





And yes, I'm actually writing again. One of the reviewers of "Cerberus" said they'd like to see what would have happened had River and Jayne not been rescued right away, and that spawned a slight plot bunny. We'll see where it goes...

Title: Cerberus
Author: babies stole my dingo (agilebrit)
Fandom: Firefly
Rating: PG-13 for rather considerable violence
Length: Short story (just under 3000 words)
Disclaimer: Joss is the genius behind these characters; I am but a lowly follower. I make no money from any of this, so please don't sue me.
Feedback: Concrit adored! If you see something that can be improved upon, please let me know.
Written for: Another one of those rabid Plot Rottweilers. You always hurt the characters you love...
Notes: Niska decides to get back at Mal by selling a crewmember or two into slavery. Post-"Objects in Space," pre-BDM, so River's still crazy but not as nutty as she was at the beginning.
( clicky for ficcy... )