Now Illustrated: "Down from the Red Hills"

[opalmatrix]

So after lots of back-and-forthing by me about what exactly I wanted, danny_sama was finally able to finish three lovely color illustrations for my four-part 2008 NC-17 Saiyuki epic, Down from the Red Hills, and I have finally inserted them into the story.

The first section is the only one that doesn't have an illustration - parts 2, 3, and 4 each have one near the end. Here are direct links in case you're interested but don't have time to re-read 33,000+ words at the moment.

Illustration for part 2 [rating PG-13-ish ... implied nudity, guys cuddling]: Then [Hakkai] raised their joined hands up to where they could both see them. Vines spilled off his wrist and spiraled around the handclasp. "You really don't mind this."

It was a statement, but Gojyo could hear the question in it. "Nope. I don't. It's ... they're OK. I mean, they're part of you, you know?" He moved his hand to his mouth, bringing Hakkai's along with it, and kissed the twined tendrils.

Illustration for part 3: [rating NC-17 - definitely not work-safe - m/m sex from some distance] At first, when [Hakkai] called Gojyo's name, Gojyo thought it was just more sexy sound effects, but then something about the tone made him look up. And up, to where Hakkai was looking.

Illustration for part 4: [rating G - clothed guys hugging affectionately] Hakkai stopped playing with Gojyo's hair and wrapped his arms around his friend's shoulders, resting his cheek on top of Gojyo's head.

Comments

[red_squared]

Oh, those are beautiful and perfect bookends to one another.

And I love that story. Any chance you'll be doing the Minekura Big Bang, if it gets off the ground?

[nouvellebrielle.livejournal.com]

HOMG. The art's really beautiful, and I remember reading this story from my lurking days. Well, now I have the opportunity to tell you how much I loved it! (:

I do think my favourite's number 3, although they are all lovely, especially the scenery (and the sex) in the second one. ♥

[opalmatrix.livejournal.com]

The specified length thing has me a little bothered. I do have one plot bunny that might be that long - it's a Gojyo POV about the three days after Sanzo leaves, and how Gojyo has to deal with being the only able-bodied person available to handle two gravely injured friends who just happen to be his two favorite people in the world. But I don't know whether I want to write it on deadline. I already have a stack of stuff to put out for purimgifts and springkink during the next month and a half ... .

[red_squared]

Oh, I didn't realise the planning had got that far! How long does a story need to be (and has the discussion moved off minekura_101 to another forum)?

That sounds like an awesome plot bunny! And since it doesn't look as though Minekura is going to have the ikkou dealing with Sanzo's abandonment of them any time soon (damn it can't we at least have Sanzo acknowledge how much Goku has grown?) I would devour fanfic set in that period.

You know -- just in case you need more encouragement :D

But for now, I'll content myself with re-reading 'Down from the red hills'.

*squishes the teeny!Gojyo in your icon*

[opalmatrix.livejournal.com]

That's my sad little Gojyo-chan for his childhood stories ... .

Well, the original poster in minekura_101 said, in response to my question, m"ost big bangs have a word count goal of 30,000." Red Hills is the onlything I've written anywhere near that long. (My C.J. Cherryh opus for my first Yuletide was only 14,000.)

No, I haven't seen any other plans ... .

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Oooh...have you already started thinking about the background setting and logistics for that plot bunny? Because that's where my little upcoming piece involving the wacky hands-on research is set, and I'd love to compare notes with you sometime... ;)

[opalmatrix.livejournal.com]

Ruh roh ... if you're writing it, I don't wanna! I write lots of stuff - I don't want to tromp on something you're doing already.

D-:

Yes, I have been thinking about it for some time - I even posted (ages ago) a query on Small Details about one plot point.

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Waaaaaah! But if you've had this plotbunny for ages and you drop it because I got a random idea a week ago, then I'll be the one feeling guilty! Would it help if I mention it's just the immediate aftermath -- hours, not days? And not really smutty? So clearly we're already going in different directions, right? Right? :(

[opalmatrix.livejournal.com]

(Sorry for the mess here ... I answered on the wrong account!)

Waaah, we are such a pair! Watch the INFPs have a disagreement! They both run and hide and then burst into tears because they both feel guilty as hell!!!)

Ooof, I guess so, Yeah. Huh. Depending on exactly where I pick mine up, yours could even be the action that happens before mine. Because I'd pictured mine starting with both our patients momentarily stable, in bed, and Gojyo is watching over them and thinking about bedding down on the floor between them when there's a knock on the door.

[smillaraaq.livejournal.com]

Whoops, I didn't even notice! XD And yes, we're predictably pathetic, as usual.

And yes, it sounds like you're thinking of something taking place later on in the missing continuity than my tiny little scene. We should pick this up in chat or email or a locked post so as not to spoil two separate plotbunnies and detract from the art squee, of course. But red_squared is right, there really is precious little fic set in that period, so that's all the more reason to encourage alternate takes, IMO...

[jinxaire.livejournal.com]

These are all gorgeous, but my fave is indeed the last one. It's especially tender.

I want to go reread your lovely fic but my head's pounding from a cold or something right now. I'm going to have to go enjoy it again sometime this weekend, I think. ^_^

[7veilsphaedra.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous illustrations for a fine story!