Bard Picks

03/27/98

Past Imperfect

by Patricia L. Ennis

http://www.obsession14.com/XenaRotica/DAx/past2.htm

http://www.obsession14.com/XenaRotica/DAx/past3.htm

Xena and Gabrielle are traveling to their home villages, when memories of her first encounter with Hercules pop into the warrior's mind and into her dreams. Suddenly she finds herself reliving that part of her past but with a difference. Ares tells her that she must give up on her quest to kill Hercules and gives her a new target.

Gabrielle finds her world turned upside down when she arrives at Poteidaia and finds the village in ruins. A strange man tells her that it was destroyed three years before by Xena's army, and that no villagers survived the attack. Now the bard must find out how and why things have changed and what she must do to change things back.

Excellent story so far.

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Reveiwed by M.E. Terrell

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And Now a word from. . .

::Well hello to you too.:: a dry, slightly accented voice said.

"Hey, I'm just trying to be funny here, give me some slack, will ya?"

::Slack is for mountain climbers. I am not a moutain. I am a cat. Flax- the-cat to be specific.::

See what I mean? Anyway, this cat, he's got one heck of an opinion... I'll let him speak for himself for now.

::Thank you. Ahem. Listen up all you fan fic lovers, here's a good one. The author is LGraham, and if she isn't one of the best writers, alt, non-alt, or Uber out there, I'll eat a mouse.::

"Uh, Flax, cats normally eat mice."

::Not this cat. I like pate, or a nice fillet of fish, or a thin slice of beef, cooked bloody rare or...::

"Ok, ok, I get the point. Tell me more about LGraham." A flip of the tail, a lick of the paw, and Flax settles down once again.

::Well, first of all, she's written some really good stories. Not just your typical hack-and-slash stuff, no, she likes to explore some of the deeper reasons behind Xena and Gabrielle's, or, in her Ubers, Xan and Gabrielle's relationship. Let's get started, I feel a nap attack is imminent.::

"Ok." Taking pen and paper, I prepare to record the cat's words.

::First, there is "The Second Time"

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic/secondtime.html)

. Then follow that with "Lucky". These two wonderful stories are alt, but not overly graphic. They are so incredibly sweet, that my whiskers get cavities when I read them, but I love every word. If you're looking for something that's has a bit more by way of plot, you should definately read "The Sweetest Dreams" . This is probably the most intense study of the relationship I've read that didn't end with the two of them naked in bed together. ::

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic/lucky.html)

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic/sweetdreams.html)

"Flax!" I yelped.

::I calls 'em as I see's 'em. And mostly, I see's 'em nekkid.:: A whisker twitched. ::Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with nekkidness, but somehow, LGraham manages to capture the sweetness and love and everything about Xena and Gabrielle without having to resort to flower metaphors and rivers of bodily fluids. Anyway, on to the next story. Are you an Uber fan? I am. I actually seem to prefer the stories that detail the actions of our favorite duo's kin or reincarnated selves...perhaps it's because I'm a cat and cats have nine lives, but whatever the reason, LGraham has filled that style very nicely. Her first Uber tale was a clever retelling of a familiar legend. Robin of the Hood becomes Xan of Locksley and, using a skillful interweaving of the actual series and of the original Robin Hood tales, Sherwood becomes a story full of courage and love. Again, it is an alternative tale, but in LGraham's delightful style, sans extreme graphicness. She follows up Sherwood with a rousing sequel, "Promises To Keep" telling separate, but just as spellbinding tales about trials Xan and Gabrielle have to go through. (I'm not giving away the plot... you'll have to go and read it yourself!). Finally, this wonderful bard pays homage to another great bard, Bat Morda, by writing a wonderful prequel to "Is There A Doctor On The Dig" called "Prelude To A Dig". This tale is absolutely wonderful and this cat would certainly love to see another Janice and Mel story from either talented bard.::

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic/sherwood1.html)

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic2/promisestokeep.html)

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic/doctor1.html)

(http://xenite.simplenet.com/fanfic/prelude.html)

"Is that all?" I ask, while wringing out my hand. Hades! I never knew cats could talk so much.

::Just about. I only wish to add that I hope everyone who reads this rushes right out and reads these wonderful stories. They are each a gift to the Xenaverse, making the Realm just a little bit more fun with their loving depictions of two very special people.::

"Suck up." I accuse.

::I know where my Pounce comes from.:: he winks, then jumps off my lap and vanishes off into the world, to create whatever havok a fictional cat can.

So there you have it... a Bard Picks done by Flax Himself (with sHaYcH interpreting). Hope everyone enjoys : ).

A review of the titles:

Author: LGraham (LGraham3@hotmail.com)

Titles: The Second Time, Lucky, The Sweetest Dreams, Sherwood, Promises to Keep, and Prelude to a Dig.

P.S.: I have it on very good authority that the sequel to "The Sweetest Dreams" is in the final editing stages and will soon be available. Enjoy!

-S : )

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Reviewed by Flax (and sHaYcH)

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