Reviewer: moofoot Signed
Date: January 15, 2007
Title: Chapter 1: Chapter 1
See, here's a problem I had with Two: on re-read, it doesn't seem entirely possible that Karen can be friends with either of them; wouldn't it hurt? She moved here from Stamford, for a guy whose background story she seems to know zilch about, and only to find out she doesn't really stand a chance. >< My only consolation is that I wrote it before A Benihana Christmas, so...uhm.
Then last week I saw a comment on LJ about possible Karen/Toby, because both of them deserve to be happy, and I was sold. I personally think they need it.
And you mixed both the K/T and the gradual-loss-of-the-probable-awkwardness [if she stayed] in one, lovely, super, awesome story.
First of all, all the JAM [since obviously I'm a fruity-bread-spread-fan at heart]: I adore thinking that it's them who get Dwight back, working on that together [it's like the opposite of Halloween: full circle! or something.] and I loved seeing that bit on Valentines' Day.
I love Karen's POV, especially the way she notices Toby's green tie, because that tie of his is my absolutely favourite - oh, Toby. Also, my sister first called him a shaved-mopey-dog-face the first time she saw him, and though I hardly agree with her eight-year-old perception of him now, I didn't find him all that attractive at the beginning, either; I love that it starts off that way for her, and then moves forward. It's just like Karen, I think, to automatically diss a guy she may end up liking: like Toby, here, and Jim, in Gay Witch Hunt. [sorry, lit tendencies.]
And noticing the way his voice squeaks, and the contradicting way he feels fit and solid and bulky [although that makes sense since it was said before that he runs] - I loved that detail.
Actually I loved a lot of things, especially the way you made things progress. All kinds, all kinds, of freaking awesome. I'm entirely serious.
I'm going to go read this again. KATIE! =P
Author's Response: I don't know. I think it may be possible for them to be friends eventually, as long as the rest of the story comes out to Karen in a more truthful, straighforward way than Jim's initial confession. Mmmmmyeah, okay, who are we kidding?
Seriously though, the idea of Karen/Toby has appealed to me for a while. Not that she needs to date someone at DM, but for fanfic purposes I'd rather see her with Toby than Roy. Mostly because Toby just needs to get some already. I'm with you on not thinking Toby was so wonderful in the beginning, but he really does grow on you and thank you for noticing the green tie thing too. I think he wore it in BfV and I was like, guhhhhhhh.
Thanks for the review, moofoot!
Author's Response: Also, shaved-mopey-dog-face? My sister said about the same thing when she first saw him and she's 23.
I didn't find Toby attractive until his infamous Dundies smile.