stunt_muppet: (Default)
Add MemoryShare This Entry

*eyeroll*

A second viewing of PotC, this one in an almost empty theater early in the day, spawned another ficbunny and more progress on the movie review and the existing bunny. I'm almost tired of writing by now, but I know that eventually this will be over and I'll be out of inspiration and I'll whine about it. 

*sigh*

Title: No Shadows Here
Words: 408
Rating: PG-13
[community profile] fic_variations Prompt/Claim: “Light/Shadow”, Alexx Woods
Spoilers: End of season 3
Author’s Notes: Takes place sometime after Season 3

 

-----

Shadows are the most flattering thing you can wear. Shadows mask flaws and irregular bits; they let light settle on smooth surfaces and soft curves; they make every color look better.
 
There are no shadows in the morgue. Too many fluorescent lights, too many reflective surfaces. There’s light everywhere, because otherwise Alexx can’t do her job right.
 
And her job is to peek into whatever it was that the people lying on the slab wanted concealed. Holes from hypodermics along their arms. A suspicious cut hidden under clothing and hair. And, her personal favorite, the 17-year-old in the Catholic school uniform with hickeys the size of tennis balls on her shoulders. Sneaking out while Mom was asleep, no doubt. And wasn’t that what you were supposed to do when you were 17?
 
Of course, in the bright lights around her, she also gets an unrivaled view of what’s been done to them. But you don’t become a coroner if you can’t handle a messily ruptured intestine at least.  
 
Inside the morgue, even the living can’t hide behind shadows. And just by noticing on her coworkers what she notices on the bodies, she’s come to know more about them then they ever would tell her. She doesn’t ask questions because she doesn’t have to.
 
She sees that poised, confident Calleigh hasn’t slept in days, and she’s started to bite on her manicured fingernails. She is nervous, and she is unused to nervousness. The world has shaken under her feet, and she’s still trying to get her balance back.
 
She sees that Eric is more frazzled than he’ll admit and is by now running on café cubano. (Not espresso. Never espresso. Espresso is for pansies who can’t handle café cubano.) And his badge is very securely clipped to his belt, on his side so his arm brushes against it and he can make sure it’s there.
 
She sees that Ryan has cut most of his hair clean off; he says it’s easier to take care of, but she can see by the way he keeps checking his profile that he’s trying to look clean, authoritative, like he belongs here.
 
She sees that John has been bearing the weight of secrets and silence for far too long. It has collapsed him, slumped him, tensed his back and his shoulders. It has put a hole in his head.
 
It’s amazing what you can see in people once their shadows are stripped away. 

-----

Cross-posted to 

[community profile] fic_variations and [profile] csimiami

Music:: "Relax (Take It Easy)" - Mika
There are 15 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 
posted by [identity profile] 1x2foralways.livejournal.com at 03:12am on 04/06/2007
Second viewing? How awesome! I'm going next Saturday and I can't wait!

I rewatched Black Pearl last night, and man, had I forgotten how AWESOME that movie is! Especially Geoffery Rush...I want to have his babies, like, right now. I'm so in love with that man. *sighs happily*
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 03:37am on 04/06/2007
Yep, second viewing. And probably not the last. XD There's plenty of Geoffery Rush in this third movie, so I'm sure you'll quite enjoy it.
 
posted by [identity profile] 1x2foralways.livejournal.com at 02:20pm on 04/06/2007
Ooh, cool!!! I've heard mixed reviews on the third movie (a lot of people said it sucked) but I remember how much you said it rocked, and I totally trust your judgement. So I'm excited!

And lots of Geoffery Rush makes me a very happy fangirl!! ♥
 
posted by [identity profile] lab-tech-16.livejournal.com at 09:07pm on 04/06/2007
POTC 3 is awesome! Much Love to that movie

(Funny.. Mom just put on the 1st one just as I was commenting you hehe!)
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 03:17am on 05/06/2007
It does have its bad points - it becomes *way* too complicated around the middle, and it contains one of the most wildly improbable kiss scenes in cinema history - but I was able to enjoy it nonetheless.

Enjoy!
 
posted by [identity profile] not-purrrfect.livejournal.com at 03:43am on 04/06/2007
Perfect, So Alexx. You have her down pat.
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 01:01pm on 04/06/2007
Thank you! I've always found Alexx tricky to write, so I'm glad you think I wrote her correctly.
 
posted by [identity profile] buffyangellvr23.livejournal.com at 04:49am on 04/06/2007
Wow...very nice. You write very well.

hmm if Eric really does drink Cafe Cubano it'd be fun to see him go at it with Greg over whose coffee is best lol
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 01:02pm on 04/06/2007
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

XD That would be entertaining.
 
posted by [identity profile] jeremybrettfan.livejournal.com at 05:27am on 04/06/2007
Really great! I would say you nailed her, but that might come across the wrong way...
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 01:00pm on 04/06/2007
XD S'ok, I know what you mean...and thank you!
 
posted by [identity profile] lab-tech-16.livejournal.com at 09:05pm on 04/06/2007
Once Again.. Great Work.. really enjoyed it!


Btw.. much icon love :)
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 03:32am on 05/06/2007
Thank you! I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

I very much enjoy your icon as well. XD
 
posted by [identity profile] rainbowstevie.livejournal.com at 03:23pm on 05/06/2007
Hm, I think I should post fic rec lists more often, as you have a habit of posting something stunning within a few days of my doing so.

And so despite the fact that I've more or less exhausted my supply of appreciative adjectives, I have to say that I very much enjoyed this. Love the opening paragraph, and the way it smoothly transitions from a generalized statement into a much more specific topic and perspective, and the details about victims on her table.

But then it becomes even better when it shifts from the dead to living; wonderfully astute observations. Eric's arm brushing over his badge and the explanation for Ryan's hideous haircut really stood out. Beautifully worded, and also, those are things I'd never really think about, but after reading here am saying "wait, how did I not make that connection before now?!"
*adds to personal canon file*
 
posted by [identity profile] stunt-muppet.livejournal.com at 11:32pm on 06/06/2007
and the explanation for Ryan's hideous haircut really stood out.

Heh, I think that was mostly me trying to rationalize. "There has to be a good reason for that haircut. THERE HAS TO BE."

Thank you again; I can't tell you how much I appreciate your reading and reviewing.

July

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
        1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
 
8
 
9
 
10
 
11
 
12
 
13
 
14
 
15
 
16
 
17
 
18
 
19
 
20
 
21
 
22
 
23
 
24
 
25
 
26 27
 
28
 
29
 
30
 
31