Fic: Widow's Pique (Emmagan/Sheppard, M)

[sgasesa-admin.livejournal.com]

Title: Widow's Pique
Author: tielan
Recipient: starry_haze
Pairing: John/Teyla
Rating: M
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, and no money is being made from this fanfic.
Author's Notes: All my attempts at non-epic went down like the Hindenburg. I apologise. This AU may be a little crazy, but I think you'll like it. (I hope you do!) Thanks so much to gaffsie for being such an awesome and helpful beta, and reading this through like crazy lightning!
Summary: Among the Blood, Black Widows are witches who are feared and distrusted for the skill with which they can weave tangled webs to see visions of the future - or entrap the mind. But when Teyla Emmagan of Athos village is called to the court of the Queen of Atlantis Territory, she is less concerned about being misunderstood, and more worried to step awry in the complex politics of the Atlantis court.

Then, too, there is the distracting presence of John Sheppard, a Warlord Prince whose interest in her is something Teyla cannot fathom. Does he distrust her motives? Is he merely protecting his Queen? Or is his interest something else - something that Teyla must learn to accept in order to best serve her Queen, her Territory, and her own heart?

( Widow's Pique )

Comments

[starry-haze.livejournal.com]

40k? *floored* Santa, you outdid yourself. Thank you for all your hard work!

Job stuff is breathing down my neck right now, but I'll read this very soon. ♥ Just wanted you to know that I saw this and am super grateful. :) Many blessings!

[starry-haze.livejournal.com]

Santa, you are amazing! ♥ I finished this story in two sittings on Friday and Saturday, and loved every minute of it. =D

Enviable technique highlight: Your ability to translate sensation and emotion into concrete imagery is exquisite. Writing prowess alert! :)

A few of my favorite lines:

"There was something about her, like the gleam of a knife blade under a bright sky."

"And that," Carson said, his voice quiet and calm, as though none of them had felt the chill anger of a Warlord Prince like a blast of winter wind in the late spring sunlight.

"Then Sheppard growled and the pout was knocked from his face like a wineglass from a table."

Brilliant pacing and world-building. You weaved the politics and power struggles into the narrative in such a balanced way; those elements don't feel heavy-handed or overwhelming. Love the chess scene (women playing chess *g* = "like shoving your mind through a sieve"), the instant chemistry between John and Teyla, and assertive Carson. "The sudden sting of cold feminine displeasure" = hehehe. ;] Better believe it!

I love when John stepped back to avoid alarming Teyla. Awww. I really like your nuanced characterization of John in this, "open and hungry," but attentive. "Charming and politic, but a fighter." He's a very complex character: fiery temper and loyalty. You nailed it.

And of course, Teyla is BEYOND awesome. The way she handles herself around people who distrust her (including piggish men), how she's cautious but not broken, how she's so ridiculously functional despite the traumas in her life, and how unguarded she is in the bookstore (squee for novels!). Not to mention how she saved everyone from the Wraith attack and got Lady Melia through the Twisted Kingdom safely. SO kickbutt, not a damsel in distress, ever. Love, love Teyla.

In two words, the story is epic and awesome (!). Secret brownie points for: a dancing scene (awww), and describing John as "lean." (Why I'm a sucker for that adjective and John, I do not know. I just know that I am! :p)

This story was delightful and lovingly crafted, and I'll be first in line to read the Warlord Prince and Black Widow's next adventure. :) Thanks again, Santa! Hope you had a wonderful Christmas! <333

[2bluaeryn.livejournal.com]

Very interesting...this world. I would like to see this future that Teyla saw.

Is there any possiblity of a follow up to this?

[jade-1459.livejournal.com]

That was one of the best blendings I have read in a very long time. The history and world building were amazing. I am totally seconding a continuation or even just time stamps for this story. Beautiful work!

[spark-variance.livejournal.com]

Wonderful story! I'm adding my vote to those interested in seeing you continue to write in this 'verse if you're so inclined. Nice job keeping the characters all true to themselves while fusing them into the Black Jewels world!

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

[shaddyr]

This was something else! It reads like the beginning of an epic tale, and I would love to see the fruition of the visions that Teyla has had.

Wonderful universe - fabulous world building. I really enjoyed this!

More John and Teyla goodness!

[pingback-bot.livejournal.com]

User jeyla4ever referenced to your post from More John and Teyla goodness! (http://sga-beya.livejournal.com/399988.html) saying: [...] ) [for ] Widow's Pique (M) [...]

Sga_santa reveals

[pingback-bot.livejournal.com]

User jeyla4ever referenced to your post from Sga_santa reveals (http://sga-beya.livejournal.com/402297.html) saying: [...] All Fucked Up (PG13) by [for ] Widow's Pique [...]

[wojelah.livejournal.com]

Love, love, love, love, love. It has taken me forever to find the time so I could sit and wallow in this, and now that I've had the chance, it was So. Worth. Waiting. rather than trying to read it in slips and snatches. Just. Love.

[gaffsie.livejournal.com]

I can't believe I forgot to comment on this when you posted it. December is a crazy month, but you still deserve all the kudos in the world for this. The way you made the characters fit into this world is really impressive.

[jeyla4ever.livejournal.com]

I can't believe it took me almost a year to read this, but I read it in one sitting. I love this series and I wish you'd do more. I want to know when and how John finally allows Teyla's walls to come down. Yet I love how you showed us how it all started.

You've written some unforgetable fics, but I have to admit, this is by far my favorite.

I do hope you give us the entire story of this between John and Teyla.

*hugs*

Brilliant!