☆ Discussion Post

[jsmn_kink]

Feel free to talk about anything, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell-related or otherwise! Authors looking for a beta, and betas looking for authors, are more than welcome to advertise here.

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Comments

Childermass' memory?

[(Anonymous)]

haven't finished reading the book yet, but so far i've gotten the impression that Childermass' memory is very unusually good. is he ever specifically mentioned to have something like a photographic memory, or to use various memory techniques?

Re: Childermass' memory?

[(Anonymous)]

I'm almost positive none of those things are mentioned! It's a very interesting idea and either would probably fit nicely, though. And of course I could be wrong, someone correct me if I am.

Re: Childermass' memory?

[(Anonymous)]

No, it's not mentioned, but you are correct that his recall is very good. Towards the end, Norrell asks him, 'quick, name a spell that doesn't work!' and he rattles off like 4 off the top of his head.

Presumably, he is the only character who is able to listen to Norrell's tedious long explanations of all things magical...and he actually remembers what was said!

: (

[(Anonymous)]

SAD THAT MEME HAS SLOWED.

COME BACK, MEMESTERS.

What do we need to put in a memester trap to lure the wayward back?

Re: : (

[(Anonymous)]

I'm trying to write a few fills in the hope of luring people!

I keep checking for new comments but it does seem very slow at the moment. Hopefully it will pick up again soon!

Re: : (

[(Anonymous)]

I find it a shame too, but I think October is a busy time of year for a lot of people, as college and university courses are back in full swing and people have deadlines and so on. I work, and September/October is a manic time for my workplace, too. The meme may have just seen unusually high levels of activity during the summer because a lot of people have time off then.

I have two fills in progress which I've had to temporarily abandon because of life getting in the way, and also haven't had much time to read and comment on fills, sadly. Perhaps the meme will pick up a bit in the coming weeks? *is hopeful*

Re: : (

[(Anonymous)]

I'm sad too anon. I worry that one of the reasons people have stopped visiting the meme as much as they did is because of the drama that's happened recently. I can understand why fillers and prompters would be put off by it.

I hope that isn't the case though. I hope it's what the anon above me said.

Re: : (

[(Anonymous)]

Have we had any recent drama, though? Or have I missed something? I know we had some back in August, but that didn't seem to massively affect the rate of prompts or fills at the time, thankfully. The slowdown only seems to have happened in the last two or three of weeks...

some language/attitude issue

[(Anonymous)]

I am a bit knocked out by recurrent using of words “filthy” and “dirty” on the meme.
I understand it’s just an idiom and I’m far from telling any anon what they should or should not say.
But it really strikes me as a little, I don’t know, outdated? And really out of place in the kinkmeme? We came here to celebrate all kinds of sexuality and desire, didn’t we? Things amazing anon authors are writing here are incredibly hot and beautiful, there’s nothing dirty or filthy about it.

Re: some language/attitude issue

[(Anonymous)]

I think, in this context, the words "dirty" and "filthy" are meant as high praise indeed..! I don't get any sense that the erotica here is considered shameful in any way, there's a general sense of glee and enjoyment.

If I've called something "filthy" or "dirty" - and I have - then I've bloody loved it...

Re: some language/attitude issue

[(Anonymous)]

(same anon as above)

...otoh, I've called stuff "hot" and "beautiful" *as well*. I've probably used all four descriptors when commenting on multipart fic.

I don't know if you can infer terribly much from posters' use of these words, tbh.

Re: some language/attitude issue

[(Anonymous)]

It’s a bit like calling woman a whore and then telling it was meant as a compliment, don't you think?

Re: some language/attitude issue

[(Anonymous)]

I think people just like using a variety of funny words on occasion. I think you're taking it too literally - there is definitely no negativity intended. Fandom has moved beyond that kind of shamefulness, and if anything, old-fashioned words like that are used knowingly and with enjoyment.

Re: some language/attitude issue

[(Anonymous)]

I agree there's no negativity intended, this meme is a very happy place indeed. But seeing as words we use in a way determine our surroundings/reality, I was curious about it.
Thanks for the answer.

Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

Because there are so many amazingly imaginative prompts on this meme, I thought it might be nice to celebrate them and post them here so they don't get lost forever in Faerie the ether. Perhaps it might encourage some fills, who knows... ;).

So: please post the link to the prompt thread, and the prompt itself (or a synopsis if there were additions to the prompt in subsequent comments from the OP.)

Yes, you are allowed to post your own unfilled prompts (you're anonymous, how could I stop you? :D), but if you do, I ask that you also post a prompt that is not your own, one a one-for-one basis. So if you post six prompts, three can be yours, but the rest should be other people's.)

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

*rubs hands together* Where to begin?

Childermass/anyone, scars

Prompt: I certainly didn't invent this - it's appeared in several fics, including I think "What the Master Doesn't Know" - but I personally headcanon Childermass with pretty brutal whipping scars on his back. It's so strong in my mind that whenever he undresses in a fic I have half expect his partner to remark on them, haha.
So I would love a fic that focuses heavily on this. Any pairing; the exact origin of the scars is up to you, but I'd love it if his partner got him to talk about it, spent a lot of time fussing over them, is angry/upset about them etc. basically a big batch of hurt/comfort with Childermass frankly a little uncomfortable with somebody caring so much for a hurt that was done to him long ago.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=940537#cmt940537

*

Arabella Strange/Emma Pole/John Childermass

Prompt: Women doing their thing! The servants doing their thing! Will this empowerment of women and working-class ever stop! Look at this scandalous menage a trois!
tl;dr Domestic Bell/Emma/Childermass, all living together and doing magic things, because yeah.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=1065209#cmt1065209

*

Strange/Grant as drunken Englishmen on leave in Lisbon

Prompt: Lisbon, halfway through the Peninsular Campaign. Strange and Grant get drunk and let off steam, in that boisterous, affectionate, silly way that English men seem to specialise in. Strange does some magic, because he likes showing off. Grant encourages him, because he is privately pretty thrilled that his drinking companion is a bloody magician of all things.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=271353#cmt271353

*

Strange/Flora Greysteel

Prompt: Flora decides to seduce Strange. Cue the rough, life affirming, trying to get your mind off your grief sex while in Venice. Like need to touch taste bite you right now, throwing bottles and papers off the desk to fuck on it rough. Touch starved, desperate, half mad Strange is just such a delightful imagine in my mind.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=762617#cmt762617

*

Wet rescuer Childermass, any or no pairing.

Prompt: Basically Childermass having to jump into a river or lake or something to rescue somebody.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=450297#cmt450297

*

Lascelles/Drawlight, My Fair Lady

Prompt: I can't believe we have Christopher Drawlight, a young man, probably from the low-class origin, mysteriously appearing in the society much above his level, also befriending Henry Lascelles, who is known for despising everyone, who is lower than his own social rank, and nobody made a Pygmalion parody yet.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=701689#cmt701689

*

Lascelles/the Gentleman because they deserve each other

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=402937#cmt402937

*

Strange/Norrell - Fairy tales in Faerie

Prompt: I would love to read retellings/reinterpretations of fairy tales that happen to Strange and Norrell during their travels in Faerie. I don't care if they're cracky, angsty, serious, or funny. I just really want these two (preferably as a romantic pair, but gen is okay too) having to deal with actual fairy tales happening to them.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=558585#cmt558585

*

Segundus/Childermass - magic houses

Prompt: I would love to see something based on the scene in the book where first Segundus and then Childermass get dizzy and sick trying to walk through Starecross because it's doubled with Lost-hope. Maybe they are Magic Investigators called to take a look at a house that turns out to also be fairy-haunted? Maybe it's a different type of magic, but equally overwhelming? Can be platonic, get-together, or established relationship. Bickering, crossness, and mutual dependence a plus.

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=681977#cmt681977

***

There are so many more where these came from, it was hard to narrow them down!

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread and to the previous commentators for their lists. I agree that there are many great unfilled prompts on the meme and in fact I went through both rounds a couple of weeks ago and made a list of the ones that I plan to fill over the next few months. One of them is the "Fairy tales happening to Strange & Norrell" prompt mentioned above.

I had wondered about posting in the original prompt thread that I was working on a fill but then decided against it since I won't have it in any fit state to post until just before Christmas at the earliest.

Do you think that it is worth A!As like me flagging up that we are working on particular prompts and giving an eta for them if possible or do you think that it would just be clutter on the meme?

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

Emma Pole/Arabella Strange/Flora Greysteel, Pistol Duels


Whilst on the Continent, Emma Pole, who is very fed up with men trying to take whatever they want from women, gets embroiled in a pistol duel (or a series of them) in defense of Arabella and/or Flora's honour. She's gotten somewhat handy with a gun since she shot Childermass in the chest, and quickly becomes rather feared for it. The other two ladies take to this rather well, despite perhaps some reservations on Arabella's part.

(http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1613.html?thread=1222989#cmt1222989)



Emma Pole/Mary Shelley, Writer's Muse


Watching the series, one of the first things I thought about Emma's faerie-induced greying was that she was gaining something of a Bride of Frankenstein look (yes, I know, movies not book, but still). And, well, travelling Europe with Arabella, Flora and the poetic set, there's the original author herself. So. Mary Shelley finding a muse and a lover in this wild, resurrected woman who takes no shit from anybody? Maybe throw in Emma developing something of a talent for weather (storm) magic along the way?

(http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1613.html?thread=1223245#cmt1223245)

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

Good choices. What I wouldn't give to see a fill for the pistol duels prompt... it isn't even my prompt...

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

Strange/Grant, “Want to hear you”

Inspired by the hottest fill above, stating that “Grant by necessity could perform and receive every sexual act he knew in almost total silence”.

Strange is confused by this habit, supposing he is doing something wrong (I guess his other lovers were most enthusiastic in voicing their pleasure). Then he connects the dots and at first opportunity (i.e. in a place where they for once will not be overheard) does his best to make Grant slowly melt into incoherent “Ah, ah, ahhhhh”. I guess at first there is some resistance, but then again it makes the final surrender even better.

(I think there is a special word for a kink related to sex sounds being written in words, sadly I forgot it, but this prompt is about it basically).

(http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1613.html?thread=1537357#cmt1537357)


Grant/Strange, Grant fucking some sense into Strange

In books it's a bit more visible than it is in the show, but Strange gets easily distracted by things. Especially after Arabella's death, he would go about one thing, than get distracted with books, forget that he had guests, start reading and making notes, etc. etc.

So I was thinking, what if during this time either some friends of his (Walter Pole, Lord Portishead) complained about it to Grant or Grant himself was over and noticed it and got frustrated... so basically Grant got annoyed with this carelessness and not enough attention and decided to fuck Strange so hard that it would be the only thing the magician is able to focus on. Maybe bent him over a table with Strange's notes on the books on it or have him on the floor and just be merciless to him, thrusting good and deep and licking him all over and Strange would literally forget everything about his research and only contemplate how good Grant's cock feels inside of him and how he cannot bear it all to end but also cannot bear not to come... okay I'm getting distracted, sorry, ahahah. *nervous aroused laugh*

Additional kudos - when they both regain some wits Strange instantly gets some sex-magic related ideas and rushed to write them down and Grant is just laughing and shaking his head because after all he actually really loves this part of Strange and doesn't need him to change.

(http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=763129#cmt763129)

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

OP here.

Some excellent prompts here - thanks all who have posted so far! :)

Re: Awesome unfilled prompts thread

[(Anonymous)]

Strange/Norrell sex-pollen prompt

http://jsmn-kinkmeme.dreamwidth.org/1273.html?thread=50425#cmt50425

After Strange and Norrell go off wandering at the end of the book, they find themselves dosed with some serious sex pollen/magic. Whether this is an entire Faerie realm of sex pollen, or they piss off a fairy lord enough to be enchanted, or if it's somehow their own fault, I am just desperate to see them totally stripped of control in a marathon of sex and magic.

I (and at least one other person) would love to see this filled!

Kinkmeme Activities Week

[(Anonymous)]

I loved the creativity and variety of stuff that got a lot of us posting again! Round of applause for mods, please!

(frozen comment) The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of JSMN fandom

[(Anonymous)]

Two factions, un-alike in dignity
In Tumblr fandom where we lay our scene
From ace-spec grudges through to tagging mutiny
Where civil discourse still remains unseen.

From forth the frantic fingers of these foes
Vague-blogging and hate-tagging bring to life
Passive aggression and jokes of "dirty allos"
And cause all manner of (unwanted?) strife.

The condemnation of "straight women's" fun,
And disgust at fic in which two partners shag
Sets off another round of fandom "fun"
And is now the two days' traffic of the tag.

For never was there a fandom with more quarrels
Than that of Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell.

(frozen comment) Re: The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of JSMN fandom

[jsmn_kink]

We're freezing this thread. Please do not transfer fandom disputes from Tumblr onto the meme, it will only cause more problems and further upset. Any further posts made about this issue will be deleted. Thank you.