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sga_santaADMIN NOTE: Story removed at author's request and with recipient's agreement.
Title: The Sacrificial Mage
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
taste_is_sweet
Recipient:lavvyan
Pairing: McKay/Sheppard; Teyla/Kanaan; background Weir/Zelenka
Rating: R
Word Count: About 65,000
Disclaimer: Nothing in the story to do with Stargate: Atlantis belongs to me. Some of the other stuff doesn't either.
Warnings: Graphic violence; self-harm which could possibly be triggering.
Author's Notes: I had the honor of writing forlavvyan, who wanted a long, plotty McShep fic with Pining!John, Oblivious! Or Aware! but Rejecting!Rodney (for a good reason), and lots of drama and angsting before the mandatory Happy Ending. She also wanted AUs (preferably Fairy Tale AUs), little to no sex, skin hunger, John or Rodney protecting the other, Team Coolness and Radek. Not necessarily in that order. I think I got 'em all. ;D
I can say with no word of a lie that I worked like hell for this. This story was a labor of love that ended up being a successful NaNoWriMo novel, and then longer besides. I had been excited about the challenge of writing a perfect story gift for a stranger anyway, and when it turned out my recipient wasn't so much of a stranger after all it just made it that much better. (There's a homage to you in here, Lavvyan, above and beyond the entire story itself).
I had a blast with this thing, and I can only hope thatlavvyan enjoys reading it half as much as I enjoyed writing it for her.
Fun though this story was to write, I would never have finished it without the help and boundless enthusiasm of a bunch of wonderful people: The entire![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
wrisomifu community with their tireless support and cheerleading; annieb1955, fish_echo and ribbon_purple because of their invaluable help with sorting out how this universe even worked and how I could make the Thing I Desperately Needed to Happen actually happen at all; and anna_bird and squeakyoflight, who were exactly the kind of beta readers I needed, and whose constant requests for the next chapter while the story was still in progress was the best kind of indication that I was doing okay.
Summary: Magic was a substance, like fire or water. It was abundant and incredibly powerful and could be manipulated with the correct application of knowledge and will. But if you didn't use it properly, you'd be immolated or drowned. Or worse: other people would be, and you'd be forced to watch it happening. That was why it terrified him to see the casual, unthinking way Teyla and Carson used magic, because he knew that someday they'd be forced to pay for what they'd taken. Every wizard would, sooner or later. It was the first thing mages ever learned, and Rodney had lived it.
Magic was a zero-sum game. If you didn't sacrifice as much as you were given, you would lose.
( The Sacrificial Mage )
Title: The Sacrificial Mage
Author:
taste_is_sweetRecipient:
lavvyan Pairing: McKay/Sheppard; Teyla/Kanaan; background Weir/Zelenka
Rating: R
Word Count: About 65,000
Disclaimer: Nothing in the story to do with Stargate: Atlantis belongs to me. Some of the other stuff doesn't either.
Warnings: Graphic violence; self-harm which could possibly be triggering.
Author's Notes: I had the honor of writing for
lavvyan, who wanted a long, plotty McShep fic with Pining!John, Oblivious! Or Aware! but Rejecting!Rodney (for a good reason), and lots of drama and angsting before the mandatory Happy Ending. She also wanted AUs (preferably Fairy Tale AUs), little to no sex, skin hunger, John or Rodney protecting the other, Team Coolness and Radek. Not necessarily in that order. I think I got 'em all. ;DI can say with no word of a lie that I worked like hell for this. This story was a labor of love that ended up being a successful NaNoWriMo novel, and then longer besides. I had been excited about the challenge of writing a perfect story gift for a stranger anyway, and when it turned out my recipient wasn't so much of a stranger after all it just made it that much better. (There's a homage to you in here, Lavvyan, above and beyond the entire story itself).
I had a blast with this thing, and I can only hope that
lavvyan enjoys reading it half as much as I enjoyed writing it for her.Fun though this story was to write, I would never have finished it without the help and boundless enthusiasm of a bunch of wonderful people: The entire
wrisomifu community with their tireless support and cheerleading; annieb1955, fish_echo and ribbon_purple because of their invaluable help with sorting out how this universe even worked and how I could make the Thing I Desperately Needed to Happen actually happen at all; and anna_bird and squeakyoflight, who were exactly the kind of beta readers I needed, and whose constant requests for the next chapter while the story was still in progress was the best kind of indication that I was doing okay.Summary: Magic was a substance, like fire or water. It was abundant and incredibly powerful and could be manipulated with the correct application of knowledge and will. But if you didn't use it properly, you'd be immolated or drowned. Or worse: other people would be, and you'd be forced to watch it happening. That was why it terrified him to see the casual, unthinking way Teyla and Carson used magic, because he knew that someday they'd be forced to pay for what they'd taken. Every wizard would, sooner or later. It was the first thing mages ever learned, and Rodney had lived it.
Magic was a zero-sum game. If you didn't sacrifice as much as you were given, you would lose.
( The Sacrificial Mage )
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-12-31 05:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 04:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 03:25 am (UTC)Thank you so much for this this sumptuous banquet. Everything was so richly drawn and I loved the characters. You did a beautiful job of presenting them slightly altered, yet still very much themselves.
Thanks, too, to Lavvyan for making the wishes that inspired it.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 04:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 07:25 am (UTC)Awesome and sweet story!!! The witty Rodney-John communication (ah, typical, even if Five's mute!). And John not human, but actually MAGIC (jaw-dropping grin) and NATURALLY FLYING!!!
Just perfect! (happy dances!)
THANK you, thank you for this story.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 04:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 08:24 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 04:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-01 11:06 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 05:00 am (UTC)Magical!
Date: 2010-01-02 12:08 am (UTC)Love how many SGA characters you found room for here. Ronon was very dashing and heroic as the Knight/Shield of Sateda, and Carson was very engaging as the medical Druid. But my favorite of your characters here was Teyla, who filled so many roles: lover of Kanaan, mother-to-be of Torren, fierce sorceress, dear and wise friend of Rodney, and noble Queen Regent. You made her so heroic, and so effective and able, even as you emphasized her advanced pregnancy and the clumsiness and vulnerability it brought her, you showed us that she didn't let it slow her down, or dissuade her from doing what was right. Yay, Teyla!
The John/Rodney romance was angsty and lovely--seeing their instant connection was magical, and feeling the pain they shared was grueling. I think my favorite thing about it, though, was the humor and banter you brought to the pairing, so much a part of them. And of course, my favorite, FAVORITE line: "You fed me your magic fairy wing dandruff?" (let's just say I'm glad I wasn't drinking anything at that particular moment!)
I haven't seen a reveal of the authors yet, but I think I know who you are, Santa! ::squoozes::
Thank you for a story I'm going to read again and again!
Re: Magical!
Date: 2010-01-16 05:03 am (UTC)Your comments warmed my heart, as usual. Thank you so much for taking the time to write them. I'm also very, very happy that you also enjoyed my favourite parts of these AU versions of the SGA characters. ♥
no subject
Date: 2010-01-03 04:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 05:03 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-10 11:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 05:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-13 01:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 05:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-16 10:00 pm (UTC)I read this on my e-reader, and came here today to find out who'd written it, both out of curiosity and in order to comment. I must admit, when I saw it was you, I thought, "Of course", in a completely unsurprised fashion :D
no subject
Date: 2010-01-30 04:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-21 05:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-01-30 04:32 am (UTC)I'd totally forgotten about the Prague connection with the golems, in all honesty--I just loved the idea of them and how they were a kind of a fantasy version of the Asurians. My background is also Jewish, so I've been fascinated with the idea of a golem for a long time because of that connection. I'm sorry that one aspect of the golems you found so neat was accidental on my part. BUT, I did intend everything you enjoyed about John's character and his interactions with Rodney. I'm so glad you enjoyed it (and the rest of the story), and I really appreciate you letting me know.
no subject
Date: 2010-01-23 09:21 pm (UTC)This story is amazing! I don't have enough words to describe how much I love this story! It hit so many spots for me (bug!John, mute!John, skinhungry!John, winged!John to just mention a few).
I love how you weaved canon things into this fairytail - events and people.
I love that even though this story is dark and angsty it also has its funny moments.
Thank you so, so, so much for this story!
no subject
Date: 2010-01-30 04:44 am (UTC)You have made me very happy, thank you. Though you really need to thank
no subject
Date: 2010-02-02 04:46 am (UTC)I love every part of this, and you've done a truly amazing job with the world-building and storytelling. My interest in what was going to happen next never flagged at all through the entire story and that so very rarely happens. Every character and detail is so real and true and... and... *flails incoherently*. And the love between them — all the characters, not just John and Rodney (but, oh, their romance made my toes curl and my stomach go all swoopy (in the good way, like riding a Ferris wheel)).
This is just brilliant. Thank you. ♥
no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 04:21 am (UTC)You have warmed my heart. Thank you. I can't even tell you how pleased I am at what you wrote. I'm just thrilled you enjoyed it so much. Thank you.
The Sacrificial Mage by taste_is_sweet (comment contains spoilers)
Date: 2010-02-15 04:59 am (UTC)2) I love so many things about the wonderful world you created, I don't know where to start! No one does violent and/or painful scenes like you do. I constantly worry, wondering who gets hurt next.
My heart goes to Rodney every time he worries about the recompense, and when he frets about his friends paying more than they can afford. It's too late for Rodney to isolate himself for the sake of protecting everyone else -- he already has Teyla and Ronon and all of the team around him. <3 Even though Rodney now knows he doesn't have to pay the recompense anymore, I wonder if he'll still go through the motions of cutting himself, out of habit.
I also adored the relationship between John and Rodney and how they manage to communicate with each other. I smiled so hard when Rodney said that his recompense is to sparkle for the rest of his life. :D I imagine that it'd be hard for John to hide anywhere. The sparkles would give him away!
Anyway. Much love for your wonderful writing! <3
Re: The Sacrificial Mage by taste_is_sweet (comment contains spoilers)
Date: 2010-02-21 04:06 am (UTC)2) Thank you so much. :D I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the story so much, and I really appreciate you telling me!
I agree that John would have a very hard time hiding--I'm sure Nightflyers get amulets or suchlike if they need to do anything covert.
Re: Did I actually thank you enough for the illustration?
From:no subject
Date: 2010-02-16 03:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-21 04:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-22 06:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-25 04:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-25 07:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-02-25 04:08 pm (UTC)I'm really glad you enjoyed it.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-02 03:48 pm (UTC)Good job!!
no subject
Date: 2010-03-04 02:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-05-28 07:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-06-09 05:09 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-20 10:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-07-23 08:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-09-13 03:20 pm (UTC)Nothing like a nice, long plotty fic to brighten my day, and this definitely qualified!
no subject
Date: 2010-09-23 02:12 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-10 04:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-03-11 01:32 am (UTC)Interesting comment about Rodney--I hadn't thought of it like that. :)
no subject
Date: 2011-06-01 08:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-21 04:36 pm (UTC)You probably don't even remember leaving this anymore, but please let me thank you for your lovely comment anyway.
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