Date: February 24, 2021 09:06 pm Title: Water XVII
Perfect counterpoint to the last chapter. Now in Jim's arms, with the man she really loves, and who loves her back, she's filled with warmth and love. The fact she's pregnant at the time isn't a source of fear, but just an extension of them. Love this one.
Author's Response: Thank you, Warrior! I love to watch them like that too :)
Date: February 24, 2021 11:46 am Title: Water XVII
Ooooh, love the callback to her not wanting to get married on a boat without her parents!!!
Author's Response: Thank you! Everything changes with a right fiancé I guess :)
Date: February 24, 2021 03:55 am Title: Water XVI
Ooh this one’s interesting. I really like the way you’ve captured Pam knowing, deep down, that she’s not sure about Roy and feels a bit trapped - even though they’re practical and prepared for anything. And such a great contrast with when she does find out she’s pregnant with Jim and couldn’t be more overjoyed. Again, I’m just so impressed at how you manage to capture all of this is in so few words!
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your kind words <3
Having a child is such a life-changing thing, and if there's the slightest doubt in the partner, joy quickly turns into a nightmare... and Pam, not even realizing it, had a lot of doubts. Glad I was able to express that!
Date: February 23, 2021 07:38 pm Title: Fire XIII
Very good.
Author's Response: Thank you :)
1 [Report This]Date: February 23, 2021 07:36 pm Title: Earth XVII, Water XV
Oh this one is very good!
Author's Response: Thank you very much!
Date: February 23, 2021 10:23 am Title: Water XVI
An intriguing scenario, with Pam not quite in touch with WHY she's so worried and then so relieved. And with the single line, she doesn't have to analyze it too closely.
Reminds me a lot of this fic, which if you haven't read and are interested in the Pam/Roy pregnancy idea you definitely should: https://ficsbypunim.livejournal.com/4045.html
Author's Response:
Date: February 23, 2021 07:38 am Title: Water XVI
That was tense!
Season 3 was uncomfortable enough as it was without Pam having Roy’s devil spawn.
Author's Response:
Date: February 23, 2021 07:15 am Title: Water XVI
That's a very interesting take on what happened between S2 and S3. Brings up all kinds of what if type scenarios. However I can also feel her relief. Nice job.
Author's Response: Oh, the possibilities for different scenarios are endless (I'm not sure I want to explore them, though). However, in this story, I was rather thinking about earlier Pam/Roy times, not about the gap between 2 and 3 seasons... but this scenario also might've taken place.
Thank you for your review!
Date: February 22, 2021 06:50 pm Title: Fire XVI
Well no of course P&J aren’t perfect.
There were times when they drove me nuts.
In season 3 Jim had no problem pulling pranks
when he first came back to Scranton, because he
did so on his first day back. Not doing the pranks with Pam was what was hurtful to her. Then when he pulled the prank with Andy’s phone he only asked Pam for help after he asked other people,
which also hurt her feelings. She agreed to it because she thought it would be like before,
and it was.
That’s what made her happy
The prank brought up Jim’s feelings to the surface to the point where Karen even noticed and asked him for the truth about Pam.
The prank where Andy asked Pam out is
what I thought was petty of Jim. Jim may have been hesitant when he came back, but he also didn’t really give Pam a chance to tell him about her feelings for him. When Jim came back to Scranton Pam asked him to go have coffee with her, but he said no. Jim went out of his way to be cold to her, like when he skipped her art show, knowing it was important to her.
There is a difference between being hesitant and being heartless.
It wasn’t until beach day that Pam pretty much had the chance to tell him about her feelings.
Also if Jim hadn’t used Karen in the first place
then making her uncomfortable wouldn’t have been an issue. Also Jim being with Karen is what pushed Pam back to Roy. Jim telling Pam about his feelings on Casino Night caused a domino effect that he never really took any responsibility for. It was pam that blamed and felt bad about it.
Author's Response:
Date: February 22, 2021 12:37 pm Title: Fire XVI
Can I answer here? I'm relatively new to the forum and still not sure how it all works. Will delete later if it's not the right place.
I've already read your previous works but felt a bit too late to the party to leave a comment so I decided to write it for the newest one (and ofc I messed it up and revieved the 1st chapter not the last one, so sorry!). They're great too. I love the subtle European/Slavic "climate" (is this the right word?) that you created in them; not sure if on purpose, but many details seem familiar to me and got my attention cause I'm from that part of the world too. And as I've said before, I'm looking forward to reading something longer, but obviously these daily doses of your writing are great too.
As for Jim - stopping pranks was also supposed to be a part of his new work attitude, but with time he realized he doesn't have to do it (or wants to). I didn't see pranking people together as messing with someone's feelings (and Pam didn't mind either for the first two seasons), more as Jim trying to sense how much "normal" they can act again, and I think it's a good way of dealing with this awkward situation. He was hesitant about doing something together I guess and needed time to adjust, just like Pam needed time to realize her feelings. Also, the audience obviously knows they love each other thanks to the cameras, but characters don't. Pam seemed happy with what he's ready to give until she realized she wants more and told him that after the coal walk. She basically did what he did before - dropped it on him after a long time of avoiding the topic and let him decide, though still wasn't as clear as Jim in Casino, and with their crazy coworkers around, which was a bit more embarrassing tbh. Later she said she doesn't mind anything as long as Jim's happy; before it she got back with Roy - and who knows what would happen if he didn't go crazy - so it's not like she knows what she wants exactly.
I'm probably biased too cause I was actually in situation similar to Jim's irl (lol), and it wasn't easy to figure out how much of the contact will be too painful, while at the same time you're obviously supposed to act like an adult and a professional, also to not make your new partner feel uncomfortable. The weird "friends-but not really" state. It's hard even when there's no chance to get together, so it's probably 100x worse when you both wish to/still have feelings for each other. I think Pam could be a bit more understanding, especially when she obviously expected the same from Jim. My point is, I don't see Jim as a perfect person - nor Pam, so I got a bit intrigued by the way you and other members pointed out how Jim sucked in the 3rd season. I think they both sucked a little bit, as in previous seasons and the next ones lol. Which is great, cause I think writers did a pretty good job with balancing it out and making it realistic.
Sorry for the essay, I just don't want to be misunderstood by you or other reviewers but also don't want to create an off-topic conversation below your work. Maybe there's some other place for this kind of talk if someone would like to discuss it further? I'd gladly talk some more since I'm new in the fandom :-)
Author's Response:
Date: February 22, 2021 11:40 am Title: Fire XVI
Amazing how the right person can turn any situation around. However the idea of them cuddled up next to a fire is just adorable. Loved this one.
Author's Response: I intentionally formed the last line that could be read as the right choice of place and choice of person to share it with, I'm glad you spotted that!!
Date: February 22, 2021 10:38 am Title: Fire XVI
Thank you for letting us start the week with the image of Jim and Pam cuddled up in front of a roaring fire.
Author's Response: That's my pleasure :)
1 [Report This]Date: February 22, 2021 09:09 am Title: Fire XIII
I'm horrible at reviewing so I apologize for that but know that I skip over this fic for a few days so I can binge read the newest updates all at once because I can never get enough of them. But this poem might be my favorite so far, I absolutely adore it to no end. You are a fantastic writer, Dernhelm, I don't know how you do it.
Author's Response: Oh, Aly, thank you so much for your kind words! I appreciate them beyond measure, and I'm happy that my writing brings you joy <3
Date: February 22, 2021 09:04 am Title: Earth XVII, Water XV
Ok, I’m reading these out of order - and I might need to go back to the nice warm fire one after this chapter...but I really like the ‘his facets shone sharply, and he enjoyed his new coldness’ line in particular: I feel like that sums up S3 Jim really well.
Author's Response:
Date: February 22, 2021 09:00 am Title: Fire XVI
This is so sweet! I love the image of them snuggling in front of the fire together - this is a winter vacation that I would have loved to see...
Author's Response: Thank you! This winter holidays gap in season 4 just begged to be filled with some fluff :)
Date: February 21, 2021 10:02 pm Title: Earth XVII, Water XV
Jim very much had some jerk moments during S3. Using Karen as a shield against his own pain, not having the courage to really talk to Pam, lots of other things. Him turning to ice really seems to fit. However I love that it's Pam that makes his heart melt like that. Loved this imagery.
Author's Response: Thank you! To be honest, I had an image of melting ice in my head firstly, and then I thought about how I could combine it with the Office setting... I'm glad you liked the result!
Date: February 21, 2021 03:22 pm Title: Earth XVII, Water XV
After reading some of the reviews about Jim
being awful to Pam in season 3 and being okay with it, I think that there may have been some misunderstandings of why some people were irritated with Jim that season.
It was one thing for Jim to keep his distance from Pam, but he went out of his way to treat her like trash, all the while playing the poor me card.
He spent the season making rude comments to her and, shoving his relationship with Karen in her face. Jim also completely ignored the fact that his problem with Pam was started by him in the first placebo casino night. To make it worse, Jim never really apologized to Pam for being an ass towards her. Instead he blamed his jerk behavior on going to Stamford.
As for Karen, it was for wrong for Jim to not be upfront with her about Pam. I don’t think anyone disagrees with that. However, she did take the risk of being hurt by him, and then she played the victim when she got dumped. Which is why some
have no sympathy for her.
Also like Jim, Karen shoved her relationship with Jim in Pam’s face, which made her just as awful as him. The one thing that Jim and Karen had in common was that they covered their insecurities with huge egos.
Jim did the same thing in season 9 when it came to his job in Philly.
Once again, thanks for letting me vent about Season 3 LOL
Author's Response:
Date: February 21, 2021 02:33 pm Title: Earth XVII, Water XV
I like this a lot, especially as a relative sympathizer of Jim in Season 3. I think it hits on the head what he's trying to do (i.e change into someone who can get over Pam), and I love the poetic justice of him turning into ice which Pam's fire (as seen through the coal walk) can melt.
Author's Response: Thank you so much! I genuinely want my favorite characters to be perfect, but they can't, so... that's my way to excuse their 'crimes,' I guess. Glad that it worked for you!
Date: February 21, 2021 02:21 pm Title: Air I
I'll probably never understand why people see Jim's behaviour towards Pam as wrong. Towards Karen maybe, though when someone tells you they have feelings for another, you get involved at your own risk. But with Pam it was supposed to be awkward an painful and honestly I'd keep my distance too. I always saw it as a pretty realistic part of the show.
Anyway, loving the whole idea of feelings reflecting the nature and containing such strong emotions in a few short lines. Even if I'd gladly see something longer from you ;-) Cheers from the neighbouring country!
Author's Response:
Date: February 21, 2021 01:08 pm Title: Earth XVII, Water XV
I can understand why you would want to justify Jim’s behavior during season 3.
Even though Jim got on my nerves, I still loved his character.
Plus we at least know why he was being such an ass when he confessed his feelings about Pam to Karen.
Author's Response: Thank you! I think it's important to acknowledge the weaknesses and failures of favorite characters... those flaws make them living people after all :)
Date: February 21, 2021 02:17 am Title: Fire XV
This was really sweet! I liked the last line on her loving the universe a bit more that day, you really did get that sense from Pam after her conversation with Karen.
And congrats on becoming an aunt, that’s exciting!
Author's Response:
Date: February 21, 2021 02:14 am Title: Earth XVI
I love the stone/avalanche imagery here, and the sense of Dwight’s grief and Jim’s feelings for Pam being so heavy and suffocating. Great job!
Author's Response: Thank you, I enjoy so much that you enjoyed this story :)
Date: February 20, 2021 09:49 pm Title: Fire XV
Yeah it makes a lot of sense that Pam would be nervous about seeing Karen. Considering how Karen left Scranton, I think anyone would be. Really nice to see that it seems like Karen has gotten past everything.
Congrats on the new kiddo in your family. Always a great thing.
Author's Response:
Date: February 20, 2021 10:52 am Title: Fire XV
I like the choice to dive a little deeper into Pam's nervousness in this episode, which is treated mostly humorously but definitely wouldn't have been for her.
Also, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Author's Response:
Date: February 19, 2021 06:01 pm Title: Earth XVI
Great look into Jim's head here. While Jim and Dwight, especially early on, are almost always at odds with each other, underneath that there is a respect for each other. That comes through here. Likewise his need to go see Pam and reconfirm their relationship as he does. Great job as always.
Author's Response: Thank you, Warrior! I wish there were more Jim and Dwight's moments like this one in the show.