Date: October 31, 2023 07:11 pm Title: A Barrack or a Malt House
And the shoe finally drops. Even without the detail, one can imagine what might have happened to generate that kind of response in her. The curtain shielding her eyes is finally gone. Yeah, not pleasant, but I also think it's a bit of a refining fire. Something that's burning away the slag which will leave a solid core of hardened steel in its place.
Jim taking care of her though is very sweet. Best thing is to just hold her and he does just that. Bravo. Looking forward to delving into the rest of the world for sure.
1 [Report This]Date: October 31, 2023 07:04 pm Title: The Progress of Beauty
Making out to "Princess Bride," excellent! Though interspersed with some of the realities they have to deal with which of course stretches over everything in this world.
Getting tipsy off whiskey and cokes is quite fun to watch as well. They're getting so in tune with each other and as I've said quite a few times before, it's wonderful to see. Methinks they'll need a bond as strong as iron in this world. Especially if Pam is going to become an Ally and what that might entail. Great to see it forming here.
Date: October 31, 2023 06:51 pm Title: Hints Toward an Essay on Conversation
Very cute Pam making dinner. Though that pales in comparison to the fire blazing between them. It's just amazing to see them falling in love like this. To be able to be together is just great to watch.
1 [Report This]Date: October 30, 2023 08:23 pm Title: Words are But Wind
Nice to have people in higher places. Always like David. He mostly seemed to always be looking out for the genuine well being of people. I'm also going to go ahead and headcannon that now in this universe Roy and Karen are assigned to each other (unless future reading says otherwise). As careful as one must be it's still kind of refreshing to see Dwight being so Dwight in this chapter. Very early season kind of Dwight too. Very much stuck up about the rules and telling everyone about the beet farm.
Delightful JAM banter too what with the post-it notes and such. Great fun to be had there for sure.
Date: October 30, 2023 07:51 pm Title: Sweetness and Light
So for all the fact that they're adults there's this certain charm about them that neither of them has gone past first base at this point. Something they'll get to experience together so that's a nice thought. Still loving all the fun JAM-my flintiness with this one.
Date: October 30, 2023 07:45 pm Title: An Epistle to a Lady
Lovely to get a first date. Annoying that they have to present ID like that though. Still tons of fun banter which is always fun to read. Especially now that they don't have to hide it.
Date: October 30, 2023 07:41 pm Title: Baucis and Philemon
So that was a rollercoaster of a chapter for sure. Kind of nice that my theory on stopping at a gas station kind of came true. It's not quite the canon proposal in the rain, but as close to as we can get in this world. I'm just relieved that she wasn't assigned to marry Roy and Jim assigned to marry Karen or something like that. So one weight off their shoulders. They can actually be together now. Wonderful.
Very touching moments at the gravesites. Having to think their thoughts instead of being able to say them hurts though. Still that's one place where they'll always be free.
Date: October 30, 2023 07:25 pm Title: The Place of the Damned
*In my best Leonard McCoy voice* Damnit Jim! Of course he would toss his letter aside without even opening it. Sometimes out Jim just doesn't think things through. So yeah, I kinda get why Pam would run away like this. Though if she needs to stop at a gas station, that could be a set up for something interesting. Nice bit of tension building that's for sure.
Author's Response: I'm watching Star Trek 2009 as we speak! 🤣
1 [Report This]Date: October 30, 2023 07:19 pm Title: The Furniture of a Woman's Mind
Awww, look at Pam getting all dressed up for Jim. Yeah 100% he clocked it, but of course he has to keep it under wraps. Shades of canon there. He notices everything about her, but has to keep it to friendship.
Lots of really cute back and forth banter between the two of them. Loved the bit with the post-it notes. Her drawing for Pete was incredibly touching as well.
Really curious to see what was in the envelope and why it's elicited this reaction from her.
Date: October 30, 2023 07:08 pm Title: A Pastoral Dialogue
Oh to be young again and to venture forth into the wilds of the internet. All those abbreviations and emoticons. Ah the days before emojis. Good times.
Nice that they're getting to know a bit more about each other as well. Heartbreaking to hear about Pete that's for sure. Also America is fighting Canada? I mean it kind of makes sense for sure, but still.
Also, Pam's drawing again! Hooray! That's tons of fun to think about for sure.
Date: October 27, 2023 09:25 pm Title: A Letter to a Young Gentleman
Lots of fun ways to put in canon moments in this one. Jim and Pam going on a lunch date that's not a date. Maybe even a little NewSpeak from "1984" in there too. "Undate," and all. Michael burning his foot and his ridiculous meetings. Then of course what could be this world's 27 seconds of silence between the two of them. Good night the tension between them just keeps building.
Fun that she can have her own computer now. Hopefully that opens up a whole new world of possibilities for her.
Author's Response:
Thank you for diving into the universe, warrior4, and for your kind reviews. The written works of Edgar Allan Poe, Lois Lowry, George Orwell, and Ray Bradbury are all near and dear to my heart.
Date: October 27, 2023 09:16 pm Title: Helter Skelter
So this is an all new kind of pining for Pam. Clearly Jim is head over heels for her, but the thought of being able to be with her romantically is so fraught with danger in this world. Pam, while maybe not aware of some of the dangers herself is equally entranced by him. Lovely to see how this is all blooming, even if there's a minefield ahead.
So the government can tap and trace phones and text messages, but not the internet? Seems like an oversight on their end, but at this point I'm also not complaining. Sad to hear that it was after WWII that things started going downhill for America until it became the very thing it was fighting against. Provided that in this universe WWII turned out the way it did in real history that is.
Date: October 27, 2023 08:54 pm Title: On the Conduct of the Allies
Now I'm getting some "Fahrenheit 451" vibes as well. The underground memorizing books and all that. Makes things compelling for sure.
Some really cute moments between the two of them here. Pam leaning in to hug Jim like that is just all kinds of sweet.
Really liked that he's giving her more information about her past, about FF, and how the world works. Some big Underground Railroad vibes too what with allies supposed to house and shuttle refugees to Canada. More great world building.
1 [Report This]Date: October 27, 2023 08:40 pm Title: A Treatise on Good Manners
Love a nice cute moment between the two of them before we get into heavy stuff. Pam's hesitancy to utter a single rude word is excellent world building. Feels like said things are frowned upon but the authorities, or by how her father raised her, or both.
The idea of teaching someone freedom like this still continues to be very interesting to read. It kinda feels like a dimmer switch slowly being turned on. Gradually more and more light shines in. Thing is more light can also illuminate things one would rather keep hidden for good or for ill. Still at this point it's very sweet to see Pam starting to get used to a bit more light, even if she still has to be guarded.
Date: October 27, 2023 08:30 pm Title: The Day of Judgment
So the thing about this chapter is that it kind of reminds me of a lot of the freedoms we actually take for granted. The ability to choose what we want, when we want it, how we want it, how we can say it. When one thinks of people who can only listen or consume what the government says they can, it's really kind of heartbreaking.
Excellent song choice with "Free Bird." I really like the idea that it's music that gives Pam her first real taste of freedom. That something like that song can be what feels like the door to her own cage opening up. A cage she didn't even know she was in until now. But now that cage is open and she's starting to peak out. Clearly there are dangers afoot but at least here at the start she seems ready to explore.
Pam's mom was one of the original freedom fighters? That puts a whole new spin on things for sure. .
1 [Report This]Date: October 25, 2023 02:34 pm Title: The Puppet Show
Finally started diving into this series. Already there seems like a lit of intrigue and things going on behind the scenes. Cameras everywhere, everything being assigned for people, all that kind of thing. It reminds me a little of the book, "The Giver." But more sinister.
At first Jim seems like his normal self. Pam too but obviously quite a bit more naive. Should be fun to see where we go from here.
1 [Report This]Date: August 27, 2022 12:26 pm Title: A Treatise on Good Manners
Okay, I'm confused. Not from the story but by the lack of reviews. This is so good, I can't understand that.
I'm quite intrigued by the premise and world you have set up. Pam and Jim seem to have retained their Pam and Jimness (which is always important in a fan fic) and the tie-ins and recontextualization of canon events is done so well.
Your writing is also very impressive in how it is so engaging and clever- freedumb, gittar, Makeyourselfathome,haveaseat! - you have a way of making the reader feel right there and in the world and though much is still to be revealed, it's easy to get a sense of what their life is like.
Looking forward to seeing where you take this.
Author's Response:
I appreciate your kind words, more than you know! Characterization is one of my strengths... there is a trade-off in that I'm not always sure of my own identity. These characters don't just live in my head, I become them. I love it and I hate it.
Got a little meta there. That's just my style. I will come back to this story when I can <3 I've been busy trying to live in the real world and energy is such a precious, limited commodity. Always a trade-off.
1 [Report This]Date: February 01, 2021 03:36 pm Title: A Barrack or a Malt House
This is one of my fave fics on this entire website. So good!
1 [Report This]Date: August 17, 2018 03:14 pm Title: A Barrack or a Malt House
So excited for the sequel!
1 [Report This]Date: August 16, 2018 07:59 pm Title: Baucis and Philemon
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Date: August 16, 2018 07:59 pm Title: Baucis and Philemon
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Date: August 16, 2018 04:57 pm Title: The Day of Judgment
Really interesting!
1 [Report This]Date: May 04, 2018 05:35 pm Title: The Puppet Show
I...am so intrigued. I don't normally like AUs, but this is so...interesting! So interesting and different. I will definitely be reading more. Nice job!
Author's Response:
AUs are all I am interested in writing anymore! So glad that this little story is still being enjoyed :)
I am working on the final installment of the story (intended to be a trilogy), but I have placed this project on hold while I work on my A Quiet Place crossover.
1 [Report This]Date: March 13, 2018 09:58 am Title: The Puppet Show
Okay. This is seriously one of the best things I’ve read, period. I flew through it and am getting ready to fly through the sequel and then probably read them again. You’ve done SUCH an amazing job establishing a believable world without being too heavy handed with it and I’m an awe. GREAT job!
Author's Response: <3 thanks so much for reading! And I apologize for the belated response. I must have missed the email notification when you made this comment originally.
Date: November 21, 2017 07:25 pm Title: The Puppet Show
Can't get over how much I love this story. Anxiously awaiting the sequel!
Author's Response: Over 30k words in! It's action-packed :) Hoping to have something to post within a week or so. Between the holidays and work, it's been tough to write as much as I'd like.