Kris' Ramblings

So, as has become my tradition, I try to read something a little spooky over Halloween. This year, I've been working through some of the Edgar Allan Poe short stories I somehow missed. But, since I've been on a Transformers kick, I was also reminded of this fanfic.

Lost in Transmission by Koi Lungfish
Series: Transformers (G1/1980's cartoon continuity)
Rating: K+/PG
Warnings: Nothing beyond a little creepiness.
Location: Fanfiction.net
Status: Complete/Oneshot
Summary: Soundwave loses radio contact with Starscream whilst he's on patrol over the ocean.
Comments: I love the way this story builds the tension as a mundane day suddenly gains a minor annoyance that slowly grows into something truly ominous. There are some hints on the author's profile that this story might have been intended to be longer, but the existing ending, open as it is, is perfect. This is the kind of story where I don't need all the answers. It's more fun to wonder what on Planet Earth could so unnerve the Decepticons. Another alien species? Something supernatural? I also enjoyed the little details that reflect the lore of the particular region where Starscream runs into trouble. Takes me right back to the 80's "Unsolved Mysteries".

I think we may reached some kind of peppermint limit. I may even need help with this year's peppermint haul. I only bought the back three boxes of cookies. Because jordannamorgan decided she could top last year's gift. Thank you so much!

And, yes, I am busily working on my annual SWAT Kat Christmas art. While listening to some pretty epic Christmas arrangements I wanted to share.

So, here's an epically moody collection from Position Music:

And, another from L'Orchestra Cinématique:

Then, there's this Heavy Metal Christmas collection.

And, for something more mellow, Christmas tavern music with ambience:

Merry Christmas!

While I'm sure I'll poke at it again in the next few days, this year's Christmas art is effectively finished. Not the most Christmas-centric image, but it's what came to mind after I had to abandon another idea due to time constraints. ...Expect to see that idea next year ;)

So, Christmas has been and gone, and, despite some hiccups (sick cat, sick friends, burnt out septic pump), it was a good time. My aunt and I went only a little crazy with cookie and fudge making. I got to see my cousin's family for the first time in months. Many delicious meals were eaten. And, a lot of nice vegging out happened.

I also did indeed finish my annual SWAT Kat Christmas image right on time on the 24th. It's a companion to one I did in 2010 with the ten year anniversary being completely unplanned.

Also, I made myself a holiday-ish Ao no/Blue Exorcist wallpaper via editing some of Kazue Kato's amazing artwork. You can see it here.


Giftwise, well, I have plenty of goodies to watch/re-watch, some reading material in the form of more of Gordon R. Dickson's "Dragon Knight" series and Peter S. Beagle's "Tamsin", and, of course, fandom goodies thanks to jordannamorgan and MintySage.

Good times, but here's hoping for a brighter 2021.

I'm alive! Life has just been busy. But, here, for the Christmas season, a couple of Christmas fanfic recs:

A Gloomy December Eve by Urchin of the Riding Stars
Series: Hetalia - Axis Powers
Rating: PG
Warnings: Mild profanity, referenced character death.
Continuity: Alternate Universe/Human Characters
Location: Fanfiction.net
Status: Complete - Oneshot
Summary: 19th century England. Arthur Kirkland is a struggling writer without two coppers to rub together. Why then, should he care if a little urchin in rags should appear at his doorstop in the dead of night?
Comments: I generally avoid stories that make the characters human since it's their unique non-human nature that got me hooked on this series. But, I'm weak in the face of period settings let alone Arthur and Alfred father/son feels, and this story hits all the right notes. It's heartwarming and adorable and somehow reminds me a touch of O. Henry's classic "Gift of the Magi". In short, it was just what I needed for some Christmas sweetness.


Even a Miracle Needs a Hand by Rinsom
Series: Hetalia - Axis Powers
Rating: PG
Warnings: Some violence.
Location: ArchiveofOurOwn.org
Status: Complete - 12 Chapters
Summary: America doesn't feel like celebrating Christmas this year. Canada takes it upon himself to bring back his brother's Christmas spirit, but he finds that the job may be too big for one nation... and getting help might take a miracle.
Comments: I read this one earlier in the year and just came back to it now that it's actually the right season. The summary doesn't begin to cover all the twists and turns this one takes. Though the "Magic" tag is a good hint. Because what could have been a simple family drama takes a fascinating twist halfway through into what feels like a 1980's Christmas special. Alfred's inner struggle becomes a tangible and terrifying monster, and a quest must be undertaken to save more than just his Christmas spirit. And, it all wraps up beautifully with some sweet and silly family moments.

So, as usual, the end of Fandom Stocking marks the last of the holiday season. *sniffle* All the decorations are down, and everyone's gone home. But, it was a good time. I got into my cooking groove again, making gingersnaps, two batches of peanut butter fudge (one for giving away), and my first solo batch of regular marshmallow cream fudge. The part where it had to boil for some minutes while I stirred frantically was nerve-wracking, but the results were delicious. And, besides the food, I received many awesome presents.

My fandom stocking was stuffed with many lovely things, including greetings, images, icons, and so many nummy-sounding Italian recipes. I look forward to trying them out! There was also this gem of a fanfic gift from enemytosleep set in the FMA mangaverse with more of Team Greedling's antics while they were on the lam, something I never get tired of.

Otherwise, I now have a load of movies to watch and re-watch. This was the year of nostalgia as I got a copy of "The Neverending Story", which I haven't seen since I lost my VHS copy, and the lovely 30th anniversary edition of "Transformers: The Movie" on blu-ray. Besides those, mintysage hooked me up with the Voltron: From Days of Long Ago thirtieth anniversary book. And then, for a bit of more recent nostalgia, jordannamorgan found me this in the box. ...I confess I left it in the box for quite a while just to savor probably the last bit of Inuyasha merchandise I'll ever get to unbox. Especially as I had no idea these little statuettes existed despite, obviously if you look at the photo, collecting the Toynami figures.

So, thank you so much to everyone!

So, with the end of fandom_stocking, the holidays have truly passed. But, it was a good season if a little awkward this year. I got to see some distant family and many goodies were made.

My stocking is here, and it was bursting with awesome this year. Adorable cat photos, gorgeous snow scenes, holiday greetings, and some really nice fanfic gifts.

--Firstly, Changes by jordannamorgan, which is an absolutely amazing follow-up fic for the Ao no/Blue Exorcist anime and a sequel to her earlier fanfic, Crutch. Seriously, this story has all the elements I'd want to see in a continuation of the anime storyline.

--Then, there's Snow Maiden by cornerofmadness, a short fic that goes back to the early style of adventures in Ao no/Blue Exorcist with the Exwires on a monster-hunting expedition. Which is awesome since I've found myself missing that supernatural mystery/action feel as the story has progressed. Say what you will about Inuyasha's rambling storyline, but I always liked how, after every major arc, Takahashi put the Inuyasha gang back on the road for a few mostly stand-alone adventures battling new and interesting creatures.

--And, Hotsprings and Truces by vexed_wench, a sweet Inuyasha drabble wherein Sesshoumaru pretends he isn't looking out for Rin and succeeds in fooling no one.

Again, thank you to everyone involved!

Now, in the land of physical Christmas presents, it was mostly DVD's this year. I'm slowly amassing a nice library to have on hand through the cold months. Highlights include a complete set of the "Hero Tales" anime (love those Arakawa designs), a couple of the Marvel movies I hadn't collected yet, and "Seabiscuit". Then, there is the FMA hoodie that jordannamorgan sent (along with some fun goodies and peppermint). It is wondermous. Just look at it. Thank you so much, jordannamorgan! And, a thanks to all my other movie and goodie enablers.

Well, it's Christmastime, which means I've been hunting down all the seasonal peppermint goodies. I meant to scale back this year; I really did. But, friends and family joined in and, well, this is my haul this year. Plus, of course, nabbing one of these from Chick-Fil-A while out and about.

In other news, for once, my annual SWAT Kat Christmas pic is on schedule. (Yes, she'll have glasses in the finished one. I think. I kinda like it without them, but I have drawn them.)

And, another fandom_stocking is over. I wanted to do a bit more this year, but it just wouldn't come together. Still, I completed a oneshot, another installment in my dragon!Royverse, and two drabbles, all of which I'll be posting over the next few days.

My own stocking was a little bag of happiness. I got a lot of well wishes, gorgeous photo links, Inuyasha fanart, and two lovely fanfic gifts.

First, Wardrobe Adjustment by jordannamorgan, a wonderful Ao no/Blue Exorcist fic featuring all my favorite things - demon!Yukio, anime follow-up, sibling shenanigans, and awesome friendship feels between the twins and Shiemi.

Then, there were even more family/friendship feels plus wintry goodness in First Snow by evil_little_dog, a sweet FMA fic with Ed, Al, and Winry enjoying Al's first snowfall after regaining his body.

Thanks so much to everyone!

So, every year, I pounce on the holiday peppermint like a starving wolverine. Because I love mint, and they're stingy with it the rest of the year. But, this year, it might have hit new heights of peppermint happy.

...I might have also had a couple peppermint shakes from Chick-Fil-A and the peppermint pancakes from IHOP.