idealists are the cruelest monsters of them all.

So. I hope y'all didn't have any plans for the next day or two, cause uh ::looks at list:: good luck with that.

It's been a long ass time since I've been in a big fandom (we're talking like HP or something). I'd forgotten all the things that come with that (the good, the bad, the ugly, the sheer WTF?). But one of the undeniable joys of a large fandom is the art. There is art everywhere, everybody interpreting, going a different way to see the same thing. So this week, we are saluting you, the artists. Even if we don't know who the fuck you are, we are saluting you anyway. So, this week, art on top fic on the bottom courtesy of Inception fandom's artists, Fuck Yeah Inception and bronson who is running Fuck Yeah, All Ships (<-- check'em out kids. Support your local pimps) and of course, all of you awesome people.


Art Recs

Adorable by Pixiv Artist Unknown -- This has wee!Eames. There are other things going on, but Wee!Eames is my Kryptonite. Nuff said.

Arthur by Artist Unknown -- One of the things I appreciate the most about art is its interpretive nature. Something may not exactly look like the source, but when you see it you know exactly what it is. When I look at this art I don't necessarily see Joe, but I definitely see Arthur. Also, the shading and coloring here are wicked awesome. Hi five, artist!

Arthur (in ink) by iamhoya -- Another solo Arthur piece. I feel like you guys have some preferences here. This has got to be the most realistic JGL I've ever seen. It's just amazing.

Arthur's Training Day Log #1 by Osaka-Reaper -- Arthur runs out of cookies. Yeah, I know, try not to cry, people, I know how you lot get. Thankfully, Eames is there to get him more.

Art for Dreams are for Rookies by innueneko -- This art is based off of foxxcub's awesome story Dreams are for Rookies. I assume everybody's read that, if not, I don't even know what to do with you, go read it now and then come back and look at this awesome ass art. There's something about the rawness of the lines here that I just adore. And it's Arthur in glasses. And then there's Eames' hand. Yes, his hand. You will see.

Exit by Remy -- Legs. Suits. Kissing. Even the stairwell is sexy in this piece. I don't even know what you people have done to me at this point.

Fireman!Arthur and Morning Lullabies by johanirae -- Inspired by stories from pyramidine and therandomgirlie. I love the shading in johanirae's art. You can see the joy she gets from drawing, the attention to detail. Plus, she's just an incredibly sweet person, and you know, that never goes out of style.

Half of a whole by lamamama -- So. Mal & Ariadne. Excuse me Mal/Ariadne. I had briefly wondered at such a thing, and then I thought, hackthis get some air, you're losing the plot. And then I saw this and thought, ha! I'm not the only one.

Robert & Saito by heymyjojo -- I ship Robert/Saito. Why are more people not shipping this? Y'all are making me depressed over here. They would be so pretty! All that pretty naked. And sweaty and like sliding together in really nice sheets. In an apartment with floor to ceiling windows with the lights from Tokyo illuminating them? Dear god, is it hot in here? I'll be over there

Trepanation Party and Dog Days Are Over by slanted_edges -- I don't know what's more impressive, the attention to detail here or the colors. The colors here are fucking stunning. It's a watercolor and everything about both of these pieces is so alive it's just like, well... well shit. Go on slanted_edges bring your A-Game!



Fic Recs:

A Fool From Any Direction by syllic -- FINALLY. FINALLY. We have the last piece of a WIP I'm pretty sure everybody and their nana's has been following with baited breath. syllic took a prompt: Eames is a knight, and Arthur is a stable boy and ran a fucking marathon with it. This story is by turns charming, alarming and just flat out awesome personified. For the two of you who've never heard of it, READ IT, and for those of you who've been waiting for the end. It's been finished and claimed by its rightful author.

Can You Picture That? by ifeelbetter -- Eames is a camera whore.(Which is not really shocking considering what he looks like. I mean have y'all looked at that man? Really really looked. What's that? Oh, right, you saw the movie too. Well then, you know.) I got distracted. Eames is a camera whore and Arthur likes to collect the evidence. You know, just in case. And then there are folders. And a filing system.

Love You Much Better by andrealyn and You're waiting for an orgasm by anonymous, but, uh, I'm going with weatherfront on this one -- Fuck or Die has come to Inception-land and these two are going to set the standard for it. In the first Eames is the recipient of quite a bit of attention and in the latter it's Arthur's turn. They are both full of awesome humor, some rather inventive sex (paradoxical orgasms! architect attacks!) and are just incredibly engaging. Read. Enjoy. Love the authors.

Maybe Arthur by smallacts/liketheroad -- Okay, I knew like one section in that I was going to be recommending this story. That's right people, one section in. And why's that? Tsingtao! I love Tsingtao! You don't even know. It's a Chinese beer for the initiated, but that little detail just said to me, "hackthis you are going to love this story" and so I did. Not because of the Tsingtao, but because Arthur is a real man. He sweats and is messy and has clothes with holes. He is not a robot. He is not perfect, he is not overly obsessive, he's anal, sure, but there is so much more to him than suits and ties and slick hair and that is what I love about him. What I love about writing in general. Finding what makes somebody real, what makes the connection and in this story smallacts delivers. Oh, what's it actually about you say? It's about... it's about being a friend, and what makes somebody a friend, and what possibly moves you into something more. Seduction comes in all forms.

No Fortress Against Her Remains by jibrailis -- Long before Mal met Dom, she met Arthur. This story takes a basic premise, slits it down the middle and guts it in front of you. It's utterly stunning. Oh, and then there's the Baudelaire tie-in, where I was like "Ha! Somebody else thought that too! Hi five!"

OH&S by fahye -- Sometimes, when you know a lot about something you like to share your information. Yusuf knows a lot about the PASIV device. It would be nice if people would fucking listen to him about it. I love the hell out of Yusuf and try to include him whenever possible, but fahye has taken that to the next level. In this fic, Yusuf is the boss, Saito is buying the world to woo Ariadne, and Eames and Arthur... are Eames and Arthur. Read it. Shower her with adoration. It is well deserved.

the stain in the carpet, this drink in my hand by dontleaveiton -- I'd like to subtitle this story Better Courting Through High End Furniture and Interior Decorating. It's just utterly charming. Be prepared to fawn.

Suspension Bridge, op. 4 by chibi_lurrel -- You know what's real treacherous? When people you are already susceptible to start saying "Hey, dude, read this. No, for real, read this." pyramidine pulled this shit last week. Heifer. (I say that with love though). Anyway, she recced this and I read it and all I could think was, "Hot damn!" It's a fill for the following prompt: 4 times Arthur & Eames accidentally forgot they weren't in a dream anymore and almost shot each other in the face during an argument, and 1 time one of them actually did Inorite!

Warm Light of Morning by cmonkatiekatie -- As I told cmonkatiekatie I love the realism of this piece. It's the sort of story where nothing is happening, because everything is happening, and then one day you look up and you're like, "I quite like you, when did that happen?"


Like the story, feed the author. Everybody likes to hear they did a good job

In light of the current "enhancements" (and wow is that debatable) to Live Journal I am stating my preference that you please do not cross-post/repost/lamppost/lampoon (I made a rhyme) the contents and/or comments from my LJ to Twitter and Facebook.

Thanks, folks.

Also, if you have Mozilla and would like to opt out for yourself you can use this Greasemonkey Script to do so. Thanks to anywherebeyond for pointing that out


p.s. Anybody else getting a flashback to Gmail Buzz and wondering where the fuck the "Stop trying to fix what ain't broke and leave us the fuck alone" option on this is?

First of all, it is maurheti's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! \O/ maurheti getting to know you has been one of the highlights of my year and I am so pleased to call you my friend (and my beta, can't forget about that). I hope the next year brings you everything your heart desires.

Second of all silverotter made art for the story I posted yesterday No One Gets Out Alive, which is awesome, because I love fanart like a crazy person. Actually, so far the Friday Recs are looking like an all art edition (with a few stories thrown in).

I was also just informed that itomaki_chan made art (second image down) for a scene from just because a man visits another man doesn't mean they're doing anything illegal (yet)

Yay for art! *\o/*

Now, in honor of maurheti's birthday I would normally have a long story here, but I posted 14,000 words of A/E yesterday, so that's not the case. But she has my rain check. So, to tie her over until then we have a, uh, thirty minute scramble inspired by Joe and his guitar.


Lord Knows It Would Be The First Time



( The Case of the Missing Arthur has superseded all other directives. )

Inception
Arthur/Eames
Rated PG-13
Word Count: 14,311


No One Gets Out Alive


( You can always be more than one thing. )

This week not only do we have the second set of recs (or a first set and that last bit was leftovers from the prior week), but we have a mixed bag! That's right kids, not all of these are Eames/Arthur. Stop making the >.< face at me. Diversity -- it's a good thing. Embrace it. It makes the world a better place I'm telling you that now. And so, without further ado.

Inception Recs (in alphabetical order)

And they lived happily ever after by lifeasacloud -- Eames is a prince. He needs a date. Enter Prince Arthur, who happens to be locked in a tower guarded by piranhas. And a dragon. And a giant. And is under a spell of perpetual bitchiness. When I read this all I could think about was how sparky77 would do her nut over this. Q? This is SO you.

Dreams Are For Rookies by foxxcub -- Arthur's in high school. He's a vice-president of the history club and loves the Beastie Boys and Tennessee Williams. Eames is a transfer student who is playing the lead in A Streetcar Named Desire. I cannot stand Tennessee Williams (except for Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which is crazy awesome), but that is totally irrelevant, because what this fic is really about it Seven Minutes in Heaven. That's right. Teenage!Arthur and Teenage!Eames locked in a closet with all the awkward adorable teenage posturing you could want and then some. I think we should buy foxxcub a pony.

A Great Disappointment by starkraves -- Robert Fischer is not a stupid man. He runs into Cobb with his children post-inception. A little disconcerting. Not gonna lie.

I Have Not Yet Forgot Myself to Stone by weatherfront -- In Inception fandom there are writers and then there's weatherfront. I honestly don't know what's in this woman's Wheaties, but I might break into her house to get them. Um, I didn't say that. My solicitor tells me I didn't say that. This story is a mash up of Inception and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. Eames is hired to remove Dom Cobb from Arthur's mind, and then he falls in love with him. Um, oops? I thought weatherfront's The Greedyhearts was my favorite Inception story ever. But, now these two are battling it out. Arthur/Cobb and Arthur/Eames

Inception Kink Fill: yusuf writes arthur/eames fanfic. cobb is his beta. ariadne finds out. (it's the second entry down) by tailoredshirt -- If the premise isn't enough to get you to click this story, please know that it has some very strong words for epithets. Which I loathe like Arthur hates polyester. OMG! Also, Cobb has writer's block and Saito is writing Cobb/Saito. So is Yusuf. Apparently it's OTP for life.

Ready, Aim, Misfire by pyrimidine -- I'm not even going to embarass myself this week. Seriously. Just look at the prompt: EAMES ACCIDENTALLY LIGHTS HIS LIVING ROOM ON FIRE. FIREFIGHTER!ARTHUR ARRIVES AT HIS APARTMENT AND SAVES THE DAY.. Exactly. Off you go now.

The Replacements by lithiumdoll -- Cobb is retired. Ariadne is working a job with Yusuf, Arthur and Eames and in danger of committing homicide. Enter Mary Poppins who isn't Mary Poppins and Yusuf's ex-fiancee, who is, uh, not very happy with him. Whoops? This is just so much fun, gracious.

Waiting On by thehoyden -- An AU where Eames owns a dinner and Arthur works a 9 to 5 in the financial industry. Every day Arthur orders the same thing and every day Eames has his paper waiting for him when he arrives. I nearly plotzed from how much I adored this. It's just sweet and happy and I am #1 A-OK with this.

you dream of seeing fire in them hills by latenightcuppa -- When I wrote the question is not whether I treat you rudely... and gave both Arthur and Eames military backgrounds the concept was born of nothing more than multiple viewings and some very serious "you KNOW that's military training" thoughts I had about Eames' actions in his dream level and Arthur in that hallway scene. And then michelinamarie was all, "hey, did you know that's canon backstory for Eames?" And then it turned out to be canon backstory for Arthur too and I was like, "Hot damn!" In this story latenightcuppa takes their shared background and runs with it. She runs with it all the way to Bavaria. Long run, folks. Check it out.

You're waiting for a fill... by anonymous and the sequel A fill that will take your prompt far away-- Eames finds inception_kink and starts filling some of the prompts; Ariadne isn't trying to steal his man and Saito buys the internet (you mean he doesn't own it already?)


Art Recs:

Mr and Mrs. Eames -- There are no words. Except that now I really really really really really (counts reallys) really want to write about it. Does anybody know if the person who made it has an LJ so I can maybe ask permission?


If you like the story, tell the author. We need positive reinforcement just like everybody else

You know what's really tragic to me? When I find stories I want to rec right after I've already posted the Friday recs and then I have to like wait a whole week or some shit till the next Friday. I don't like having things on deck, so, yeah, we're not gonna do that. We're gonna give you some reading material today, because a) the productivity rate in Inception fandom is insane B) the quality is amazing and c) I have to clear off the slate or we'd have like 30 stories in one go and thinking about that makes me tired and D) I am working on something and this shit is distracting me

Ah, Inception fandom. You know how to bring it, I am most pleased.


listed in alphabetical order

Champion Sound and Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by pyrimidine -- One of the first and most important lessons fandom ever taught me is that Everyone is someone else's fan. Seriously, for every writer there is some fan that they make act completely undignified. I, myself, am a big old pyrimidine fan and I wish she would knock it off with the brilliance, because really I cannot be simpering like this. It's just unseemly. She and I are totally going to have to talk about this. Later. Way later. Preferably after several Snobby DJs.

En Route to Transylvania by anonymous weatherfront -- Arthur is Dracula; Eames is a goat herder. Yeah, I said it, and no, I haven't been drinking. At least not this morning. You will love it. Trust me.

five ties arthur can't wear any more by fahye -- Exactly what it says on the wrapper, and yet, so much more. Incredibly droll, sharp, smart and sweet all at the same time. Very nice work. I kind of want to take this story out and buy it more ties, get it pissed and then tie it to the headboard. TMI? Too bad! :D

The Incepted Bride by jibrailis -- Apparently everybody and their mother read this, so why did nobody tell me about it? FIRED the lot of you. Holy Baby Zeus is this awesome. Inception does the Princess Bride. I fricking LOVE The Princess Bride. And in this version: Eames is Buttercup. Quality quality quality.

Inception Kink Fill: Eames Works at a Movie Theatre by anonymous -- One day I will get over my vexation with this anonymous business. Today is not that day. But that's okay because in this fic Eames works at a movie theatre, and he gives Arthur free cherry slushies. And that's not even a euphemism, even though it sounds like it should be. Also, there are closets. And strangely enough, that's not a euphemism either!

Our Shiny City by atomicskull -- Okay, I'm going to tell you guys upfront that atomicskull tried to scare me off by saying the story was about hipsters. My thoughts on hipsters... if you can't say something nice you should shut the fuck up. But she was totally trying to fake me out about because this story is all about ART and I love the hell out of art. So we'll focus on painter!Eames and Grad Student!Arthur. And the fact that this story is gorgeous and lyrical and made me insanely happy. And it talks about Auerbach and Cartier-Bresson and Hockney. Holy fuck do I love the shit out of Hockney. I love Hockney like I love linings in coats and suits jackets. We'd still be here next week. Oh and I love Hockey like I love Arthur and Eames being adorable. And Yusef and his mad scientist self. Plus, she also mocks the Eames chair, which will never not make me laugh, because that shit is crazy uncomfortable.

The Short Fuse and the Long Con by jibrailis -- I feel like you lot have been keeping secrets from me. Why was I not informed of jibrailis' awesome before. Again? You lot are fired! Gah! This story is Arthur/Eames... and Arthur/Cobb... and Arthur/Saito. I know, stick with me on this one, it's just that fucking good. I laughed, I emoted, I love Yusuf like burning and hope he will be my gay guru too. Read it, y'all. NOW.


ART RECS:

Last week I recced The Greedyhearts by weatherfront a fabulously entertaining story where Eames is an awesome thief and Arthur is a PI. Pembroke made this art to go with the story. This art is gorgeous. I want to pet this art and feed it grapes and fan it with enormous palm fronds.

The Inception Team refrigerator. For real. Trust me. By matchsticks_p. LOVE IT.

You're on a train...A&E style by bronson I loved this. It made me want to write a story about it. Like a lot. Who made this and can I write a story about it? Somebody please tell me who made this so I can ask for permission to write about it! (thank you imogenedisease!)


You know the drill: if you enjoy the stories, please let the authors know. Authors need love and support and water to grow.

I've gotten a lot of comments on the How to Dress Your Character post and I just want to say upfront:

a) I'm seriously surprised at the response. I didn't think anybody was going to be interested in this besides myself and maurheti, but if it works for you then that makes me very happy. And pleased. And I thought this was all rather clear from the title and the post itself, however...

b) The point of that post was to dress characters, not people. I'm not trying to dress anybody but the characters in my stories. I'm not saying you can't or shouldn't use it for whatever you like, but that was the point of the post. Dressing a flesh and blood being is very different from writing about it.

c) This is an overview. A very brief overview. There are things that I've left out for the sake of time and clarity and because I just didn't have the inclination at the time. (Always unbuttoning the bottom button on your jacket; you do not get a suit dry cleaned and pressed. Please god, don't. You just get it dry cleaned. The importance of Made-to-Measure as a step below Bespoke, or as the place between RTW and Bespoke). If I was making a proper go at covering menswear this wouldn't be one post, it would probably be six. Yes, six. Possibly seven. Maybe eight (casual wear x2, formal wear, suits, outerwear, accessories).

There are millions of things I didn't cover and even the brief overview is hella long. If you are interested, go out and do some legwork. Make up your own mind.

d) This is not meant to be anybody's Bible it's just meant to give Inception fandom an idea of what they're dealing with, to point out that there is more going on than just a guy putting on a jacket and matching pants.

e) It is not cohesive. Hell, it may not even be completely coherent. My point in putting it together was to create a jump-off to give people someplace to start from. To get people to think about the clothes when they write. Not so much to drop labels as to look at a cuff, or the collar of a shirt, the knot of a tie.

f) I am not Tim Gunn. I am not teaching a class at Parsons. My opinions are just that my opinions. You don't have to like them or agree with them. You may think Prada is the best thing since sliced bread. You may hate every designer or house I listed. You may think I did this shit all wrong: that's totally your prerogative. But.

Don't be an asshole about it. I'm not in your house pissing in your pocket; extend me the same courtesy.

g) I have always been a firm believer that if you want something done a certain way, you do it yourself. I did this for me. And M. Nothing's stopping you from doing your own.


We now return you to your regularly scheduled programme.

About once a year (sometimes once every two or three years) I write something that I think is beautiful. That I'm proud to say, "Yeah, I did that." I'm pretty sure that this story is the one I've been waiting fourteen months for.

Inception
Arthur/Eames
R

Kobayashi Maru


( Good intentions are like flowers: they die. )