Appreciation is Key

Music & More Challenge

6.) RA fandom fanfiction that you’ve read the most times

anything Sparkhouse

yeah, that’s not exactly an answer but it’s true! I’ve read the Sparkhouse stories the most, with Guy of Gisborne following close behind. Even though they are different stories in different settings, they both hold something in common for me: I like when John/Guy are finally appreciated for who they are.

but she likes my hair, and my sweater too

Most of the Sparkhouse stories start off following a showdown with Andrew. Some of them save him from his demise, some taking Lisa out of the equation completely (I like Lisa, so I’m not always a fan of this approach) but all of them have Carol or another female love interest appreciating John’s loyal and understanding nature. I like No More Ghosts by womblingfree1 the best in this regard. It shows the gentle turning of Carol’s heart over time.

let me tell you about this thing I just discovered called fanfic…

In the Guy of Gisborne universe I like when Marian or another female love interest realizes that Guy not only has deep rooted reasons for behaving the way that he does but that he’s working towards something, not just being a cold-hearted bastard for the fun of it. My favorite in this regard is Grant What I Wish by kleindog. Marian goes through her own form of redemption before helping Guy with his and, again, it’s more of a subtle awakening and appreciation over time.

this pic is like a fanfic all on it’s own *swoon*

and the Music question:

the song with the highest play count on your mp3 player

A Stranger Song by Bobby Long

does your heart beat so softly without warning?

does it beat out to the slow pace of the morning?

I love that line, so poetic.

Black Seems to Suit Me

Music & More Challenge

2.) favorite interview of all time

I adore this interview! Richard’s answers are interesting in their detail but we’re also given a glimpse of that cheeky dry sense of humor too (The Lucas North look doesn’t hurt either). We start off with cuteness right out of the gate when Richard is trying to answer a question about always wearing black, only to realize that he is currently wearing black. That laugh is genuine and carefree, and I love it! I have to snicker to myself when he clarifies the question author’s name because I don’t think he realizes it’s a username. I could be mistaken, Dreamer would be a cool name to have. The quiz I just took said if my parents were more hippie they would have named me Luna.

“your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries”

I like his answers about Guy being a damaged soul and that he feels defensive of him. It shows how connected Richard feels to the character even though, as he says, he doesn’t always agree with everything Guy does. His reactions to the question concerning what part of Guy is the hardest to play is enjoyable too. The question starts out saying that Guy has a brooding anger about him, which causes Richard to give a side-eyed look. What? you’ve never heard the term brooding before? you better get used to it.

I knew I should have bought that joke book

and then after the question goes on, Richard’s eyes widen and he gives a laughing sound at the heaviness of it. He answers it wonderfully though by explaining the humiliation that Guy regularly goes through at the hands of the Sheriff. The next part is my absolute favorite. First, to hear him say “placated” (I don’t know why I like to hear him say that) and then second, for his dry delivery of saying he can use the action-figure horse to practice his horse-riding skills. So funny! I laugh loudly every time I see it. The last question is fun too: the mouth movements while he’s “thinking” and then not only his actual answer and how he laughs at himself, but you can clearly see the moment that answer popped into his head but he still had to act like he was thinking about it and set it up for delivery. Richard teases well.

⭐

and now the Music Challenge question:

your favorite song of all time: Won’t Go Home Without You by Maroon 5

the taste of her breath, I’ll never get over

the noises that she made kept me awake

I find that line sensual and romantic.

And then:

the weight of the things, remained unspoken

built up so much it crushed us everyday

incredibly realistic.

Fanvid Friday: Need Your Love So Bad

Guy & Marian- need your love so bad, by werewolfie10na

What I really like about this fanvid, aside from it’s softly sensual tone, is that I feel Guy’s frustration. Marian is like a frightened doe, ready to bolt at any sudden movements. one step forward and two steps back. but when that one step forward happens, it is so worth it.

For him: it’s worth having her in his arms, holding her close and feeling her all around him. For us: it’s worth getting a peek at Guy’s gentler nature and seeing those sweet flirty smirks of his.

I can’t watch this video just once, it takes multiple viewings at each sitting before I’m satisfied

Fanvid Friday: My Confession

The Guy and Marian fanvid My Confession by Olery St, using the song of the same name by Josh Groban. I’ve nicknamed this vid in my mind as Eyes, Eyes, and More Eyes; it is one of my favorite RA fandom fanvids! I’ve waxed lyrical about in comments often enough, I thought it was high time I gave it a post of it’s own.

The video starts with an up-close-and-personal view of the shoulder touch scene that entrances me. My eyes are always drawn to the eyes but in this scene Guy’s eyelids capture my attention too.

The editing in this fanvid is nicely done in a fluid way that helps illustrate what Guy is feeling, as he experiences flashbacks of Marian and the suffering he is struggling with in the present. The soft focus of the piece gives it a very elegant feel as well, helping to highlight those beautiful blue eyes of both Richard and Lucy. It also makes Marian’s skin appear ever so soft in the gifted horse scene, that even I long to touch it! (Lucy is so pretty as Marian) This helps convey Guy’s dawning realization, helped along by the lyrics, that he may be feeling something deeper for Marian. The way he’s watching her from a distance and then turns away; quite powerful.

I feel myself surrender
Each time I see your face.
I am staggered by your beauty,
Your unassuming grace.
And I feel my heart is turning,
Falling into place.

While the close-up of the firelight scene may rob us of any long lingering looks at Guy’s torso

I wouldn’t want you to feel cheated.

it does focus on the hands rather well. How Guy brushes his fingers lightly across Marian’s cheek *swoon* as he slowly holds her fingers…until she removes them from his grasp, making us feel the loss ourselves, as Guy clenches his hand into a fist. All of this is being remembered by a downtrodden Guy, as he tries to find a way out of his current Hell and fight the demons that cause him such pain.

“I can’t hide it now hear my confession”

This all climaxes with the candle scene. The flickering candles take center stage, as we see the couple coming into focus behind them. The music flows beautifully with the slightly slowed running of Marian, when Guy tries to stop her so that he can give her comfort.

Then the petting of the hair and the gentle kiss on the forehead, and I float away light as a piece of ash from the crackling fire.

Brotherhood of the Blade

RA Character challenge

25.) Favorite Side-Kick

Alan A Dale

Alan: what an impressive sword you have, I am truly in awe.

Sir Guy: yes, I have been rather fortunate.

Sir Guy: but you mustn’t mention my sword to others, they will covet it.

Alan: sure, sure. your secret is safe with me.

Sir Guy: you wouldn’t try to get your hands on my sword, would you?

Alan: of course not. I’m not sure I could even handle a weapon of that caliber.

Sir Guy: it is massive, isn’t it?

Alan: that’s what she said!

*guffaws all around*

{Sometime later…}

Sir Guy: now, no talk of my sword to Marian. It will frighten her.

Alan: sure thing, Boss.

Sir Guy: you mentioned my sword, didn’t you?

Alan: who, me? *snickers in amusement*

Sir Guy: maybe I should show you how adept at handling my sword I really am!

Alan: *gulps*

{The End}

(I’m not sure what that was, but it’s Richard’s fault )