Review here, as I read it on AO3. (I am far too lazy to be bothered with all the hassle of clicking. And moving the cursor.)
Basically, I loved it. I had never really thought much about Braska (most of my FFX meta thoughts are reserved for Unsent and pyreflies and dream!Zanarkand), so this was really interesting. It hadn't even really occurred to me that him not doing as Yuna did was anything to think about, or that he needed a reason to be like every Summoner before him.
A few things I liked in particular: - Takla and Zakel; particularly their lessons, and the different ways they skirt the edges of the summoning arts. Takla's lecture on remembering not to hate was beautifully done. - Jecht. Being Tidus's only fan on the entire interwebs, I am delighted by how alike the two are -- Jecht sounds like his own person, but without the motivation of being Sin, his only real definable trait (aside from being a drunk) is being Tidus' father. You showed that really well. The Ifrit and Jecht connection was also really, really cool. - Bahamut. His repeated refusals to Braska are quite interesting -- makes me wonder if an aeon is shaped by what is in the heart of the Summoner that calls on it. - Shiva, and the way she bonds with Braska so strongly. Not much to say, it was just beautifully written. I especially like how they are both evil, non-Yevon worshiping heathens. (I always liked to imagine that there was a sort of intimacy between character and their summon that nothing else could compare to. But that might be just me, being sick and twisted.) - Braska's affection towards Yuna, and the way he regards his late wife. It's very interesting how he only regards her in the abstract, never even thinking of her name. (Also the sneaky bastard bit, made me smile.) - "You can't save people at arm's reach, Auron." ♥ - Braska... riding Ixion. The mental image made me laugh; probably had something to do with me imagining his robes flapping in the wind, revealing his bare legs. Yeah. I'm sorry. - "What, that overgrown old bat?" At this, Auron's face grew suffused, flushed, and he made enough sputtering noises that Jecht noticed. "What? He looks like a bat that got berserked one too many times! And then got caught in an airship engine and came out with half the thing still attached." Again, I laughed. - The bit about giving Yuna freedom, and wings. All the aeons finally cluing Braska in. It's just... lovely. And the ending, the last bit. Ow, my heart. Bahamut... if it's possible, Bahamut made up most of the story while having so little actual page time. You made him real. - Everything? :D
(sorry, that got long. I was writing as I was reading.)
no subject
Basically, I loved it. I had never really thought much about Braska (most of my FFX meta thoughts are reserved for Unsent and pyreflies and dream!Zanarkand), so this was really interesting. It hadn't even really occurred to me that him not doing as Yuna did was anything to think about, or that he needed a reason to be like every Summoner before him.
A few things I liked in particular:
- Takla and Zakel; particularly their lessons, and the different ways they skirt the edges of the summoning arts. Takla's lecture on remembering not to hate was beautifully done.
- Jecht. Being Tidus's only fan on the entire interwebs, I am delighted by how alike the two are -- Jecht sounds like his own person, but without the motivation of being Sin, his only real definable trait (aside from being a drunk) is being Tidus' father. You showed that really well. The Ifrit and Jecht connection was also really, really cool.
- Bahamut. His repeated refusals to Braska are quite interesting -- makes me wonder if an aeon is shaped by what is in the heart of the Summoner that calls on it.
- Shiva, and the way she bonds with Braska so strongly. Not much to say, it was just beautifully written. I especially like how they are both evil, non-Yevon worshiping heathens. (I always liked to imagine that there was a sort of intimacy between character and their summon that nothing else could compare to. But that might be just me, being sick and twisted.)
- Braska's affection towards Yuna, and the way he regards his late wife. It's very interesting how he only regards her in the abstract, never even thinking of her name. (Also the sneaky bastard bit, made me smile.)
- "You can't save people at arm's reach, Auron." ♥
- Braska... riding Ixion. The mental image made me laugh; probably had something to do with me imagining his robes flapping in the wind, revealing his bare legs. Yeah. I'm sorry.
- "What, that overgrown old bat?" At this, Auron's face grew suffused, flushed, and he made enough sputtering noises that Jecht noticed. "What? He looks like a bat that got berserked one too many times! And then got caught in an airship engine and came out with half the thing still attached." Again, I laughed.
- The bit about giving Yuna freedom, and wings. All the aeons finally cluing Braska in. It's just... lovely. And the ending, the last bit. Ow, my heart. Bahamut... if it's possible, Bahamut made up most of the story while having so little actual page time. You made him real.
- Everything? :D
(sorry, that got long. I was writing as I was reading.)