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Author	Topic: Spindrift - OC angst/romance one-shot - Best Romance '08! Thank you!
JediNemesis Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 5/19/08 5:23pm Subject: Spindrift - OC angst/romance one-shot - Best Romance '08! Thank you! - Date Edited: 8/6/08 3:12pm (4 edits total) Edited By: JediNemesis
	Title: Spindrift Author: JediNemesis Era: 7000+ years before TPM Genre: Angst-ish, introspection-ish, maybe verging on romance. Characters: OCs Summary: On a mission to an alien world, a young Jedi has to deal with his feelings. Note: This vignette stands fine alone, but fits into the same miniverse as a number of my other stories. For those interested, this takes place fourteen years before Ice and 20 before Seventy and Seven Shades of Green. Warning: This fic could be read as suggesting/implying/referencing a same-sex relationship. The story as posted has been approved by the mods, but if you have a problem with the basic concept, click away now. If you do not have a problem with the basic concept, there is a short continuation, available by PM on request DISCLAIMER: The GFFA, the concept of the Jedi, and so on, are the ideas and property of George Lucas; original characters and planets are my creations. No money has changed hands. The star was Sel’haa on the oldest charts, but some more romantic soul on a more recent mapping ship had seen to it that the solitary planet in its long leisurely orbit was not merely Sel’haa I but Spindrift. It was ninety percent ocean, only the tops of the tallest mountains showing above the water, and the fat sun set the wavelets glittering like flame. Flamini Lang sat on a beach somewhere in the southern hemisphere, seventeen and Jedi and guilty at heart, and rested his head on his arms. He had welcomed the news that they were going to Spindrift. That was as it should have been. And it was, partly, for the right reason: because it was an honour beyond price to represent the Republic, the Jedi and humanity to an alien race. The reason uppermost in his mind, though, had been because it would be a welcome respite from the endless prying eyes of the Order and the world, and a chance to be alone with his feelings and the reason for them. The awe he had felt for Spindrift and the lithe, restless, intellectual race it harboured was a rational one; an awe born out of a knowledge of the wideness of the galaxy, and of the infinite potential of nature to nurse wonders. It was an awe of the scientific senses and thinking brain, and receded into dimness behind the wrenching immediacy of the feeling that caught at his heart and set it fluttering birdlike in its cage of bones. He had been sitting staring blindly into the sunset for what could have been hours when Iri and Charlaithe came down the beach from the ship to remind him that they would be going back underwater in four hours, and to make the most of the break for air. Charlaithe went off in search of Mairìs after exchanging a few words of friendly small talk with Flamini. Iri sat down beside him, and Flamini said politely “Hello, Master.” “Guilty about something?” Iri said cheerfully. “You only ever call me ‘Master’ when you’re feeling guilty. Don’t worry,” she raised her hands, “I won’t pry if you aren‘t talking.” Flamini had to smile. It was a running joke that Iri did the talking for both of them, the Order’s most irrepressible Knight turned into its least masterly Master. But she was an exacting teacher and a formidable talent, and Flamini had learned over the years that beneath the fluff was steel. Now, Iri scraped a wayward rat-tail of hair back behind her ear, and asked with an oddly maternal anxiety “Green is still your favourite colour, isn’t it? Or have I gone senile at last?” Flamini lifted his head off his arms. “I like green.” “Good,” Iri said cheerfully. “I found this down by the ship. Hold out your hand.” Feeling like a child asking for sweets - and it was a curiously comforting feeling, a brief hark back to a time when life seemed, in retrospect, to have been a great deal simpler - Flamini did as his Master told him, and held out his hand. She dropped into his palm a sea-worn piece of green glass, wet from the surf and warm, that caught the light and glittered. Then, without as much as another word, she stood up, patted her apprentice companionably on the shoulder and walked off down the beach towards the ship. Flamini held the little piece of flotsam up to the horizon, watching the play of sunlight in the glass and wondering where it had come from. A canister or container, something prosaic; or a fragment of one of the great translucent shells the Eluaha made for their own strange purposes, part dwelling, part submarine, part sculpture. That thought rang true, and Flamini trusted it. They littered the ocean bed between the Eluaha cities, abandoned here and there with no pattern or evident purpose to their abandonment; some alone, some in pairs or fours, and - once, glimpsed across a valley - a vast tumbling drift of them, some broken, some whole, lying like beads of a giant’s broken necklace or the splintered eggs of a long-extinct leviathan. No two Flamini had seen had been quite the same colour, and the shifting play of sunlight through seawater had multiplied the shades into infinity. The smooth-edged shard in his hand was the deep living green of snake scales or gloss-stemmed plants, shot through with shadow where the glass was flawed. Beads of moisture shone like sweat on the surface. It was hot, and the air prickled damply, like breathing steam; the sun here was old and bloated, and burnt hot. The oceans were deep and warm and teemed with life, of which the Eluaha were only the most comprehensible manifestation. Sleek and finned, formed on an efficient streamlined skeleton, they saw their world in the light of the x-rays it was drenched in by its ancient sun, and, weightless in the water, conversed in tumbling fugues of movement. Flamini supposed it was a kind of sign language, but as far removed from the makeshift human version as caveman grunts from song. The world beneath the water was silent; the Eluaha language, where a nuanced political discussion resembled an acrobatic routine beyond the reach of any air-breathing gymnast, all but indecipherable. So when the first explorers from the fragile, growing coalition of worlds that was beginning to be called the Republic sent probes under the waves and found a thriving civilisation, they had called on the Jedi, gifted with the ability to communicate without words. For four long days now they had been under the water. Four long days of, for the Masters, delicate and spun-out talks with the Eluaha elders; for the apprentices, of silent, obedient attention. The Eluaha knew the Force, it turned out; they referred to it by a complex chain of motions that was, as far as Flamini could tell, much the same as the figure for ‘ocean’. The most practised Eluaha Force-sensitives, when they had been contacted and summoned to act as interpreters between the elders of the people and the outsiders, had proved as attuned to its nuances as any trained Jedi. In four days it had been possible to defuse any lingering suspicions the Eluaha held, and begin the long, long process of explaining in all its conflicted detail the nature of the society being born amongst the stars. A break had been called in the discussions to allow the Jedi a little while above water, breathing air that - though it was hot and tasted of unnameable alien vegetation - was fresher than the compressed supply in their breathing apparatus. They had a few more hours ashore, and then it would be time to don fresh breathing masks and go back under the waves. The two apprentices had been given the last few hours free, whilst their Masters saw to the upkeep of the ship and made their reports back to the Council. Flamini had cleaned himself up and changed into a new depth suit. The glossy black synth-fabric had been worse than armour earlier in the day, with the sun at its height, but now as afternoon drew on the dreadful heat was lessening. Out in the water, Eluaha occasionally broke the surface; their appointed handlers, keeping a watchful eye, or just curious passers-by eager to catch a glimpse of the strangers from another world. Flamini waved to the shining heads when they appeared, his attention only half on them. His attention was taken entirely away from the Eluaha when from further up the beach, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of movement, and a moment later a figure waving on the horizon. He sat back, the Eluaha forgotten, and waited as Mairìs came wandering unhurriedly down the beach, scuffing up sand and stones like a child on his first outing to the seaside. The depth suit glistened wet, clinging to the lines of his body. Flamini looked away, embarrassed, and gazed resolutely out to sea until the other apprentice slid down the sand dune beside him. They sat together in companionable silence for a few minutes, until Mairìs said dryly “The horizon’s very interesting, I have to say.” “The alternative is looking at you in that wetsuit,” Flamini said, without taking his eyes off the skyline. “What with being crèchemates,” Mairìs retorted, “growing up together, baths, swimming, and sparring shirtless, you’ve seen just about every inch of me. Now turn round.” Flamini obeyed, unable to conceal a grin. Mairìs was grinning too, eyes glowing green through his wet fringe. The glow was only a genetic quirk, but an unusual one, and Mairìs, a born extrovert, loved every iota of attention it got him. “I went up the headland a way,” Mairìs said, yawning. “There’s a swamp.” Flamini nodded consideringly. “A swamp. Anything else?” Mairìs shrugged. “Rocks, mainly.” The conversation subsided. Flamini followed the lines of salt and sand crusted in Mairìs’ hair and the folds of his wetsuit, and commented absently “I’m sure there’s more interesting things to look at.” Mairìs glanced out to sea, and said with uncharacteristic quietness “It’s all under the surface, isn’t it?” Flamini nodded. There was another silence. Flamini closed his eyes for a moment, letting the small background noises of waves and wind fade and the Force settle around him. His presence and Mairìs’ faded into one another, a binary star; further away were the comet-trails of the Eluaha sensitives, bright and fluid, slipping like quicksilver. A light touch on the back of his hand brought him out of the trance. “You’ve had all afternoon to meditate,” Mairìs said, and nodded towards the sea. “And you can do it just as well under there as up here.” “I take it you’re suggesting doing something else.” Flamini shrugged. “Do you want to show me the swamp you found, or what?” “I really don’t.” Mairìs yawned again and lay back on the sand. “You’re the intellectual. Think of something, why don’t you.” He closed his eyes. After a moment’s pause, Flamini elbowed him in the ribs. “Move over.” Mairìs opened one green eye, and said “Why?” “I can’t lie down, there’s a rock in the way. Move.” Flamini waited while Mairìs made grudging room, then lay back, staring at the darkening sky. In the quiet, all the sounds around him seemed preternaturally loud: the rustle of sand in the breeze; the constant to-and-fro lap of the water; distant noises from the ship; Mairìs breathing quietly beside him; and his own heartbeat, too fast, echoing in his ears. The lazy injunction to think of something had set his imagination sparking. As if he had heard the thought - and perhaps he had - Mairìs stirred, half turning over, hair falling over his face. The familiar wicked green grin showed plainly enough. “Any ideas yet?” Flamini didn’t bother to reply. Feedback much appreciated as per usual Nem -----signature----- BeTS Best Author '08 NEW Eleven Summers - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29657584 Lightning and Diamonds - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29251762 Into The Shining Day - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29224914
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dianethx Registered: Mar '02	Date Posted: 5/19/08 6:53pm Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot
	This is very subtle and delicate, like that sea green glass his master gave to him. She was trying to tell him something withouth telling him - that there was beauty in the green and that she understood how he was feeling. “Guilty about something?” Iri said cheerfully. “You only ever call me ‘Master’ when you’re feeling guilty. Don’t worry,” she raised her hands, “I won’t pry if you aren‘t talking.” Flamini had to smile. It was a running joke that Iri did the talking for both of them, the Order’s most irrepressible Knight turned into its least masterly Master. But she was an exacting teacher and a formidable talent, and Flamini had learned over the years that beneath the fluff was steel. Now, Iri scraped a wayward rat-tail of hair back behind her ear, and asked with an oddly maternal anxiety “Green is still your favourite colour, isn’t it? Or have I gone senile at last?” Flamini lifted his head off his arms. “I like green.” And Mairìs's green eyes. Lovely as always. -----signature----- Betrayal - http://boards.theforce.net/s/b1/10935143 updated 9/22/08 Fragments of Illusion- http://boards.theforce.net/bts/b10475/28456473 updated 11/20/08 jedidas3's Master At last - Hope for our country
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VaderLVR64 Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots Registered: Feb '04	Date Posted: 5/20/08 5:57am Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot
	This had a subtle and intoxicating beauty that drew me in from the first sentence. As always, your work is moving and powerful! -----signature----- Someone who loves me carries an M16. My baby boy wears combat boots.
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JadeSolo Title: NSF managing NSWFF Registered: Sep '02	Date Posted: 5/20/08 11:55am Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot
	Mairìs was grinning too, eyes glowing green through his wet fringe. The glow was only a genetic quirk, but an unusual one, and Mairìs, a born extrovert, loved every iota of attention it got him. Where do I send my iotas? I have a whole box full for him. Nem, your work takes my breath away. I felt like I was on that beach - I could smell the water. Of course, now I'm annoyed because the beach isn't real, but oh well. -----signature----- "If you expect a kick in the balls and you get a slap in the face, it's a victory." "May God bless you and keep you always...I mean that in a civic deist way." -Prof. Siegel "No guaranteed money, but all guaranteed fun!"
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slow_dawn Registered: Apr '06	Date Posted: 5/20/08 2:06pm Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot
	Mairìs glanced out to sea, and said with uncharacteristic quietness “It’s all under the surface, isn’t it?” I loved the subtly and the beautiful descriptions in this vig. Really well done story. -----signature----- O, Life! That persistent struggle which rises slowly with with the warmth of dawn but fades quickly in the twilight of dusk! The Tragedy of Anakin Skywalker??? The Vig Challenge Board - http://boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_resource/b10304/28176650/p1
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JediNemesis Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 6/1/08 9:46am Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot
	Hello diane This is very subtle and delicate, like that sea green glass his master gave to him. She was trying to tell him something without telling him - that there was beauty in the green and that she understood how he was feeling. I'm glad something of Flamini and Iri's master-apprentice relationship came across, despite her only having three lines of dialogue. I think she understands him almost better than he does himself. And Mairìs's green eyes. Yes. There's a reason why Flamini's favourite colour is green. Lovely as always. Thank you! VaderLVR This had a subtle and intoxicating beauty that drew me in from the first sentence. Thank you, especially for the 'intoxicating' - if it reflects the intensity of what the characters are feeling, I'd count that a success. As always, your work is moving and powerful! Thank you! JadeSolo Where do I send my iotas? I have a whole box full for him. I'm sure he'd appreciate the attention. On a marginally more serious note, I've been loving fictional characters (usually villains; no idea what that says about me ) for ages. It's seriously weird to observe something similar with a guy I created. Nem, your work takes my breath away. I felt like I was on that beach - I could smell the water. Thank you. I love creating new worlds, and it's great to know that they come alive for people. Of course, now I'm annoyed because the beach isn't real, but oh well. I feel your pain. This was written on a rainy afternoon in freezing northern England - wish fulfilment, anyone? slow_dawn I loved the subtly and the beautiful descriptions in this vig. Really well done story. Thanks for reading! Those who requested the PM continuation, thanks for reading that, too, and I hope you enjoyed it. Also, I was messing around recently and ended up doing a small fanart of Mairìs on Spindrift: as played in dreamland by Christian Bale. Thanks again to everyone who read! Nem -----signature----- BeTS Best Author '08 NEW Eleven Summers - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29657584 Lightning and Diamonds - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29251762 Into The Shining Day - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29224914
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Alley_Skywalker Registered: Sep '05	Date Posted: 7/6/08 5:16am Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot - June 1, replies & art!
	Loved it! So subtle yet there's no mistaking the feelings there. And I love the connection between the green glass and Mairìs' green eyes -----signature----- Knight of the Fanfic Order (trained by oqidaun) Master to CodyMonKenobi & mujapple-juicey Facades: http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/24152038/p1 "No government has the right to tell its citizens when or whom to love." -- Rita Brown
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JediNemesis Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 7/10/08 3:48pm Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot - June 1, replies & art!
	Hello! Always nice to see new readers Alley_Skywalker Loved it! Awesome. I'm glad you did So subtle yet there's no mistaking the feelings there. And I love the connection between the green glass and Mairìs' green eyes. I'm glad the emotions came through clearly. Unsubtlety wasn't really on the cards - about the only advantage to the rule we currently have re this kind of story is that it forces you to be creative about hints and allusions And the green connection is one that I've used in a few stories now, especially Seventy and Seven Shades of Green (duh ). I like a bit of colour Anyway, thanks very much for reading! And thank you too to whichever of my readers were kind enough to nominate this story not once but twice for the Before Awards - for Flamini as Best Male OC, and - amazingly enough - for Best Romance. I'm exceedingly grateful, for that second nom in particular, given the circumstances and the current rules. Thank you so much to everyone Nem -----signature----- BeTS Best Author '08 NEW Eleven Summers - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29657584 Lightning and Diamonds - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29251762 Into The Shining Day - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29224914
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JediNemesis Registered: Mar '03	Date Posted: 8/6/08 3:11pm Subject: RE: Spindrift - OCs - angst/romance one-shot - Thanks so much for the noms!
	An up, and an update on the awards situation mentioned in the previous post. Not only was this story nommed for Best Romance, not only did it qualify, but to my utter and continuing astonishment, it won. All I can say is, again, a huge thankyou to the readers who nominated, and to the readers - of the whole thing or merely of the awards excerpt - who voted. I'm flattered and grateful. I also think a SSR winning Best Romance, under the current rules, is a little bit of a milestone. Maybe I'm just a subversive. And, just as an aside, any like-minded subversives could do worse than take a look in the SSR Index where Spindrift is indexed. Thank you, to everybody, again. Nem -----signature----- BeTS Best Author '08 NEW Eleven Summers - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29657584 Lightning and Diamonds - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29251762 Into The Shining Day - http://boards.theforce.net/a/b1/29224914
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divapilot Registered: Nov '05	Date Posted: 8/7/08 7:21pm Subject: RE: Spindrift - OC angst/romance one-shot - Best Romance '08! Thank you!
	Gorgeous story. I see the Eluaha as dolphins, slipping in along the waves. This story is so original, so creative, and so beautifully written. It's an indescribable pleasure to read something like this, which transports me so thoroughly into your world. The layers of meaning are wonderful. So glad I found this link. -----signature----- Never tell me the odds. AKL Happy new year!
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ratna Registered: Mar '07	Date Posted: 8/7/08 8:16pm Subject: RE: Spindrift - OC angst/romance one-shot - Best Romance '08! Thank you!
	Absolutely totally deserved. I LOVED this story. Any chance of more? -----signature----- Ou n'a tu pas tellement aime quelqu'un que tu avais peur de l'aimer au peur des souvenirs?
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