Comment on On the Nature of Wind

  1. daraoakwise on Chapter 29 Tue 17 Oct 2023 08:19PM UTC

    And we come to the end. This is a terrific, gentle epilogue. A beautiful San Francisco day, while the crowd waits for quite the sight.

    Scotty, covered in grease from his shift on the moon. I appreciate that he’s getting through that. Working hard because that’s what he does. It’s not glamour, but he is completely capable of being that grease monkey. As compared to Cor, neat and turned out in his science blues (belying the guy who could absolutely make a mess.) The two of them, teasing, enjoying these last minutes together. Because it’s Cor’s turn to face the hard things, soon. And years (well. A year, at least) until they see each other.

    (The aside about the report back home. We don’t get much on Cory’s parents reaction. But I can imagine it. Disappointed, hurt, concerned for their son—but ultimately loving. Toward the both of them, standing there. And Scotty’s, mostly a realization that they don’t have control over him anymore. They don’t matter. He can live with whatever they feel about him. He let that go in what may have been his last moments.)

    And then the Grey, coming into the harbor. I bet that was impressive; totally understand the crowd! And the command students staring at her in awe. Their ship soon. (Although we all know that a ship really belongs to the man who built her. To her engineer, whose heart he took first.)

    And laughingly at the story about the Barely Afloat. In the good conduct class (eyeroll) and with Cor. Because that is genuinely hilarious 😆

    And then their gifts. Oh! The compass, and the penlight with his name (Wolf). Not having a heartfelt discussion, nope. (Here, have this deeply meaningful thing that says everything you know I’m saying. The way home. Light in the dark. Yes, boys. We see through you.) Nothing more to say; it has been said, and they walk away together.

    What a pleasure and a treat to revisit this story, and to revisit it in this form, which things added that you didn’t know yet how say those years ago. What a delight to return to this incredibly impactful beginning. This is, for me, the definitive backstory of my favorite character of all time. This, here, the way you’ve written him, entirely true to that guy I fell in love with when I was five. So thank you again, for the gift of this story.

    And expect to see me in the comments of the rest, soon. What a joy that this isn’t the end but—just the beginning.

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    1. SLWalker on Chapter 29 Wed 18 Oct 2023 12:25AM UTC

      I've always really loved this epilogue; the warmth of it. The-- idk. Sense of that part of their journey ending, but a new one starting. The bantering. The loop around at the beginning back to the Prologue with the same opening line.

      You're right about Cor's parents! They definitely are all of those things, but ultimately loving. Scotty even mentally notes it in 'Time', too. The contrast between the two families; the one that loves and wants their son, and the one that basically just-- quit. Well, his mother anyway. <3 But that line about him owing them nothing was a recent editorial addition!

      I really do love that moment where they give each other those gifts. Because both of those things mean something to them for the rest of their lives. That penlight especially; both the light in the dark and the acknowledgment of name. It is a very sentimental conversation considering it's not supposed to be. LOL! I'm really glad you came back to re-read it; I think it's reached mostly its final form. But I love that it's your backstory for him. <333 That means everything to me. Thank you!

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