Angel/coat and some pimpin'.

[elisi]

Funny how the least brilliant episodes can contain the most amazing gems - just look at 'She' and Angel's dance...

But right now I want to talk about 'I Fall to Pieces'. Because it has a moment as fabulous as Spike's duster scene in GID (*points to icon*):

Doyle: ... He likes playing the hero, - walking off into the dark with his long coat flowing behind him in a mysterious and attractive way.”
Cordy: “Is this a private moment? Because I can leave you alone.”
Doyle: “No, no, I’m not saying *I’m* attracted. I’m just saying he’s projecting a certain kind of image and asking for money isn’t part of it. He’s sensitive about that.”

And then, when Angel goes out a little later, there is the most incredible, slow-motion 'Angel+flowing coat' moment ever! (To which Doyle's response is: “Maybe I’m a little attracted.”) ETA: 'Best ever' except for the very first one (when he walks down the alley) *obviously*, but that's different.

Anyway - why isn't this Angel/coat moment immortalised in countless icons? Why have I never seen it in a vid? Have I just been blind, or hung out in the wrong places?

Recs
But on to the stories. First up is shapinglight's contribution to seasonal_spuffy, a most fabulous and inventive story, with characters that are perfectly spot-on (and it's funny too!):

Heroes in Hell (long, 7 chapters, but absolutely worth every second!)

Secondly I'm going to rec something that I never thought I would: A Buffy/Angel story! Written by moscow_watcher for iwry_marathon, it explores the most fascinating concept: What if Buffy had worn the amulet? And also deals beautifully with the fact that the two of them really don't know each other that well anymore.

A Ghost Story (one-shot and lovely!)

(Do I have to hand in my Spuffy membership card?)

Comments

[elisi]

First of all, reccing your story was very much a pleasure - dunno if I got you more than 1 reader, but that's more than nothing... (the problem with a Spuffy-heavy flist. *sigh*)

And re. seasonal_spuffy then *I* am hopelessly behind. Thank you so much for reminding me, I've been saving it up!

So your appreciation means a lot to me - I know that you can look at the story more objectively, more in "out of the box" way.
Oh I know exactly what you mean. F.ex. my shanshued!Spike stories have gone down a treat, but I know that they are, in many ways, pure wish-fulfillment. Like giving people chocolate. It's when someone comes along who normally doesn't like chocolate, and still has a go and likes it, that the sense of accomplishment begins to come.

So I regularly tortured myself with questions "could Buffy say this?", "could Buffy say that?" and in the end I still wasn't sure I pulled it off.
Oh I can imagine how awkward it must ahve been! But I have to say, it worked very well IMO - Buffy was wonderfully Buffy-esque (and I *always* agonise over writing her dialogue, so I was very impressed), and Angel's reactions were spot-on! Well done you! *applauds*

(And look - I uploaded your icon. I had to delete my 'mock Bangel' one, but then I've barely used it for ages and ages...)

[moscow-watcher.livejournal.com]

Thanks again - I really need reassurance! It's hard to step into another segment of fandom, even when you write the same characters.

I like the way the BA avi looks on your page: I styled it in "earth" colors to match the layout palette. Hope you'll have more chances to use it as the borders between Spuffy and BA fandoms become more blurred.

[elisi]

It's hard to step into another segment of fandom, even when you write the same characters.
*nods a lot*

I like the way the BA avi looks on your page: I styled it in "earth" colors to match the layout palette.
Now I better keep the colours, huh? *g* Seriously though, that's very, very thoughtful. Thank you!

Hope you'll have more chances to use it as the borders between Spuffy and BA fandoms become more blurred.
Oh I hope so. And I can also use it to mock people who don't like the pairing! ;)