REC: Sins of the Past (AB) by celeste_506

[mhalachai]

This is a rec for an Anita Blake drabble, and I might actually write more words in the rec than are in the drabble. Anyway:

Sins of the Past by celeste_506. Is much marvellous, and will only make sense if you've read Incubus Dreams. It's very succinct, very in character, and very very good. And Noah-centric!

Go read it, you'll thank me in the morning.

Comments

[sabriel-0405.livejournal.com]

I thought this was one of the best drabbles I have ever read. And since you are my drabble god, that's saying a lot. Celeste, not known for her terseness with words, was trying to see if she could actually do it.

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

LOL! Thanks! Truer words were never spoken! And it was excruciating, too, paring it down to exactly 100 words.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Issn't it just the best? It's all that a drabble should be :)

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

Like a Haiku. It's just sooo hard to muffle my natural instinct to embellish and add on!

A great discipline though!

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

Thanks Mhalachai! That's very complementary coming from you!

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

You're quite welcome. I was hoping someone would address that particular bit of info about Noah... and just so amazingly too. Capturing the despair and hopelessness Noah was feeling, in only 100 words, was incredibly well done.

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

I think I was as disappointed as Anita when that little bit of info came out in ID. I had thought he tried as hard as Micah and Merle did to keep everyone safe. Would be interesting to learn more about him.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Well, didn't Micah say that Noah did what he had to in order to survive? He made it seem like he didn't enjoy it, in contrast to Caleb.

Which leads to the question -- is Noah Micah's third because there was no one else, or because Micah understands why he did what he did? I wonder.

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

They all did what they had to, to survive, but Micah and Merle kept true to themselves. Caleb is a little like Gregory, in that he was a good submissive who did what his alpha's told him to. That he enjoyed it is a character flaw, true, but now that he has a choice it's up to him to see how he redeems himself. Noah, IMO, just has more redeeming to do because he's an alpha, and was in more of a position to defend/refuse.

I always thought he was Micah's third because he was the strongest after Merle in the pard. But I also agree that Micah understands, and forgives, having seen first hand what Chimera was capable of. Actually, I'm sure they all did things they weren't exactly proud of to survive. I'm looking forward to Micah to find out some revelations about that.

See what I mean? I'm a motormouth sometimes!

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

I can be a motormouth too. Esp. about Anita Blake et al.

Have we seen Noah since Chimera died? Because I'm wondering if Micah kept him around after Chimera's death. It would make sense for him to do so only if Micah trusted Noah... but now that I think on it, we haven't heard a peep.

This is of course only one of the number of supporting characters that vanish into thin air in the AB world. I understand why LKH does it, but I really want to see some of them again.

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

Hmm, last we saw Noah I believe was in CS at the banquet scene, when he was helping guard Micah. Other than the revelation, I don't remember him at all in ID, but since it only covered a very short time span, it may not have been unusual that he wasn't around.

I think wanting to know more about them is why I like to pick minor characters for fics, like Zeke and Gina, Violet, and Noah.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

You're right, he was in in CS! K, that theory gone. Although it bodes well for my including him in my fanfic Inevitable (not that it's a big part. It's just a mini-part, but I like to be all in order, canon-wise).

I find it easier to write Anita, as she's the main POV character. We know how she thinks, so for me that makes much more sense on making up things for her to do. Well, that and I like writing necromancers :P

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

Rebecca likes to write Anita, too. I find her difficult; I much prefer the smart aleck nature of Jason, or picking a character you can have free rein over their voice and characteristics, just because they haven't been fleshed out in the books yet.

But Necromancy is one cool ability to have. I loved in Switchback how you utilized it to help kill off the snake. Great story, by the way. It always starts some intriguing conversations after you post a chapter. Can't wait for the next one! (not so subtle hint, by the way! :) )

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Well, in Switchback, I figured that I might as well use the uber powers for something. Also, regarding Switchback, I hope that what I plan to do with the story won't scare people off. I think it won't... but maybe I need to reread CotD (and no, Anita's not suddenly going to fall back into the way things are supposed to be). Anyway.

[eavling.livejournal.com]

Simply amazing, Celeste. This about ruined my day, it was such a kick in my heart. Amazing writing. Amazing topic. The past coming to haunt you just when you think you're safe would truly be horrendous.

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

Damn, you're making me blush!

Noah is another one who has to come clean about his past. Some things just can't be kept under wraps, and have to be confessed.

[catherinecookmn.livejournal.com]

Poor Noah! I see conflict in his future.

[celeste-506.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can't see Anita just letting that little tidbit slide.

[catherinecookmn.livejournal.com]

There's the whole pard thing to sort out -- Micah's a big fat mystery, too.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Hence the Micah book :)

The only thing I'm sad about on the timing of that thing is that I won't get to use my awesome Micah plot twist in Switchback. Well, I will, but it won't be as contradicted. Le sigh.

[penyn-1600.livejournal.com]

Very interesting. It really shows how Anita can negatively effect some people. Plus, it reveals something of Noah's character, that that one sentence cut him so quick.

[mhalachaiswords.livejournal.com]

Well, considering the subject matter, I'm not at all surprised he was imacted so.