An Unexpected Gift: Two Hour Challenge (PG)

[eris]

Well, that was definitely a gift that kept on giving - both for Mick and J!

What sort of sick joke was it on the part of an uncaring universe that scotch still tasted like it always had, but couldn’t get him drunk?

Mick at his broody best...

He’d hate her for it, if it wasn’t all too much trouble

And making lame excuses...

She looked…expensive.

Sounds like a gentlemanly way to call his wife a hooker... oh, yeah...

“Exhibit A, stage right, in a Hawaiian shirt."

Not only nice Josef snark, but it puts Mick back where he was when he met Coraline. The woman in red and the musician in the Hawaiian shirt. Not coincidence on his part, I'm sure.

[GuardianAngel]

“I thought death had already parted us.”

Great line. And it carries the right amount of bitterness.

So, Josef would be he unexpected gift. I wonder if Coraline had any idea just how tight these two would become. If she did, would she still have introduced them?

In Mick's view, Coraline took so much away from him. But really, she gave him so much.

[one.zebra]

Oh nice! And what a great gift of friendship it turned out to be!

[MoonlitRose]

Oh Lucky,

That was an absolutely unexpected gift, the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Little did they all know the bonds of friendship that would grow from this meeting. Excellent

[fairytoes]

Great story Lucky! I really enjoyed reading it!

[coco]

Oooh the boys first meeting. Fabulous Lucky

[librarian_7]

I wanted to thank everyone for the comments, and I especially have to single out Allegrita, for saying:

And Josef--so perfect. You really do have him living in your head. I love it when you let us in to visit him...

I adore Josef so much--you knew that, right? --that this kind of comment just absolutely makes my day.



Lucky

[Luxe de Luxe]

this was just scrumptious. the descriptions are so textured. unbelievable. in only two hours.

I think part of what sets your work apart Lucky is the psychological complexity you manage to convey. And this piece has it in spades.

[MoonShadow]

Lucky,

Your ability to write is stunning. I never cease to stand in amazement at the quality of your work.
Oh to be free to write in ML land again... sigh

I just spend four dreary hours slogging away on a piece of half bake garbage that deserves to be tossed into the trash,
For some strange reason writing Moonlight works evvvvvveer so much better....

[librarian_7]

MS, big hugs...and keep slogging, dear. You'll get done with that other pesky stuff, and back to ML, sooner or later. We'll be here, waiting for you!

And Luxe--wow, thanks. I think one reason we can write such great fic for ML is that all the major characters have that psychological complexity written in to begin with, so it's there for us to play with...

Lucky

[mitzie]

I read this twice, it is so stunning!!!! What a truly unexpected gift! Little did Coraline know that their deepening friendship would be the undoing to keeping Mick for herself!! You write Josef so easily and all of your stories flow so smoothly! This one is absolutely priceless, intense and very powerful!!!!

mitzie

[Phoenix]

Brilliant, Lucky.

[librarian_7]

Well, thank you very kindly, Phoenix. I appreciate that!

Lucky

[Moonlighter]

This was wonderful, Lucky!

MoonlitRose, you took the words right out of my mouth -- this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship, and true friendship is one of the best gifts of all, unexpected or otherwise.

[allegrita]

Ah, how fun it has been to reread these wonderful 2-hour challenge pieces! Honestly, I think this challenge brought out something amazing in everyone who participated, and this story is no exception. You do angsty, depressed Mick so damned well, Lucky. I can see him here, acting somewhat like a cross between a sulky adolescent and a spurned lover... completely adrift, nowhere to turn, nothing to keep him rooted to the humanity he craves and can't have... and then Coraline drops in and gives him the most amazing gift ever. Without realizing what exactly she is setting in motion, I believe.

And the gift goes both ways. She's just introduced these future best friends to each other... and how could she guess that they'd be so perfect for each other? Fate works mysteriously...