Last Lines Meme
Even though I really, really shouldn't be procrastinating writing by doing memes (as there is shamefully little time left to procrastinate before i hand this sucker in) I couldn't resist doing the 21 Last Lines meme stolen from ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
likeadeuce And as I have only written about 23 fics total, 22 of which are archived at AO3, I just barely meet the requirements for the meme!
*Note the reverse chronological order is closer to when I wrote them to when I posted on AO3- most of my Carmen Sandiego fics were posted to ff.net before I archived them at AO3.
21) Canyon- The thief hefted her walkie talkie and spoke into the device's microphone in a voice like ragged velvet; "The operation is a go."
20) Through the Years We All Will be Together- For when love cast me out, 'twas cruelty took me as her own.
19) You Saw Her Bathing on the Roof- “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine,” she whispers and for once Anschel has no argument.
18) No Reason Why They Can't Be Friends- A bloody sort of kiss, that. And not the kind he had wanted at all.
17) My Angel With Downcast Eyes But- they cannot take my love, I have seen to that.
16) Criminal Tastes- "Well, now that she's not here, I've got the most amazing dirt on Carmen. Remember Paige Turner?" he began…
15) Entr-acte- An assignation with Melisande and the extraordinary sight of Lord Delaunay blushing- yes, it had been an enchanting evening indeed.
14) At the Pleasure of the Queen- Yes, tonight, at least, the queen would finally love as she wished.
13) Blue Alert- Tomorrow might dawn dark and mysterious, but tonight the game would be sharper and brighter and softer than it ever had been before.
12) Sell Your Cleverness- In the ongoing contest of wills between Melisande and I (for yes, there would always be games), I could never tell who had won and who had lost that particular round.
11) No Second Troy- Ivy closed the book and knew it was the only explanation she was ever likely to receive from Carmen Sandiego. And still it would never be enough.
10) This Song is About Her- Thank God most people thought that poem was about dying of tuberculosis.
9) Semper Fi- Her lips spoke the words, "At ease, cadet," but her bright eyes said "Until next crime."
8) Parthenogenesis- And in the end, I think that's what allowed us to make the center hold.
7) Nighthawks- For Zack and Ivy, Carmen left a clue, which sent them sprinting on the next leg of her merry chase. For me she left a rose, petals as deep and as red as blood, thorns sharper than a knife.
6) Anywhere Out of the World- As she swept through the door, Carmen tipped her hat and spoke an oddly prescient farewell; "Say hi to your kids for me."
5) Superfluous Advice- And that was what would always make us seem suspect, the thing the world and even some of our dearest friends would never understand.
4) Playing Favorites- Instead of her trademark "Until next crime," Zack could have sworn she muttered "I am never having children" before making her escape.
3) Virtuoso- Ivy and Zack would deny her the thing she longed for most, forever and always. It was only fitting Carmen disappoint them in return.
2) J'adoube- "J'adoube," Carmen murmured softly to herself. (I adjust.)
1) Her Infinite Variety- And I suspected that Lily had stolen not only the show, but a piece of my reluctant heart as well.
When possible, I really like to have my last lines be "careful" and exact, with the precision of a poet. I would say #'s 2, 6, 10, and 20 are most like that. It surprised me how often I end with dialogue (7 times) because I rarely open with dialogue. I don't mind making the pornographies when it feels appropriate, but sometimes I just can't go there for whatever reason, so 13, 14, and 19 are that (ironically 13 is curtainfic that was already preceded by porn.) Multi-chapter stories that I have worked on for months are really hard for me to end, part of the reason I don't write them that much any more. I love #12 as a story, but I still wish i could have come up with something better for those last lines. The issue was I was using the framing device of having it be a lost part of Phedre's life story, and so I felt the need to return to that framing. I think it leaves the story on a more intellectual and reflective note than i would have liked- a conflict of the head versus a conflict of the heart.
#20 is by far my favorite, if you were curious. My refashioning of Jacqueline Carey's "when love cast me out, twas cruelty took pity on me" for my own nefarious purposes. (mwaahaha) it's such a great line on its own, so i can only take partial credit. If there are any you are curious about, please feel free to ask!
likeadeuce And as I have only written about 23 fics total, 22 of which are archived at AO3, I just barely meet the requirements for the meme!*Note the reverse chronological order is closer to when I wrote them to when I posted on AO3- most of my Carmen Sandiego fics were posted to ff.net before I archived them at AO3.
21) Canyon- The thief hefted her walkie talkie and spoke into the device's microphone in a voice like ragged velvet; "The operation is a go."
20) Through the Years We All Will be Together- For when love cast me out, 'twas cruelty took me as her own.
19) You Saw Her Bathing on the Roof- “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine,” she whispers and for once Anschel has no argument.
18) No Reason Why They Can't Be Friends- A bloody sort of kiss, that. And not the kind he had wanted at all.
17) My Angel With Downcast Eyes But- they cannot take my love, I have seen to that.
16) Criminal Tastes- "Well, now that she's not here, I've got the most amazing dirt on Carmen. Remember Paige Turner?" he began…
15) Entr-acte- An assignation with Melisande and the extraordinary sight of Lord Delaunay blushing- yes, it had been an enchanting evening indeed.
14) At the Pleasure of the Queen- Yes, tonight, at least, the queen would finally love as she wished.
13) Blue Alert- Tomorrow might dawn dark and mysterious, but tonight the game would be sharper and brighter and softer than it ever had been before.
12) Sell Your Cleverness- In the ongoing contest of wills between Melisande and I (for yes, there would always be games), I could never tell who had won and who had lost that particular round.
11) No Second Troy- Ivy closed the book and knew it was the only explanation she was ever likely to receive from Carmen Sandiego. And still it would never be enough.
10) This Song is About Her- Thank God most people thought that poem was about dying of tuberculosis.
9) Semper Fi- Her lips spoke the words, "At ease, cadet," but her bright eyes said "Until next crime."
8) Parthenogenesis- And in the end, I think that's what allowed us to make the center hold.
7) Nighthawks- For Zack and Ivy, Carmen left a clue, which sent them sprinting on the next leg of her merry chase. For me she left a rose, petals as deep and as red as blood, thorns sharper than a knife.
6) Anywhere Out of the World- As she swept through the door, Carmen tipped her hat and spoke an oddly prescient farewell; "Say hi to your kids for me."
5) Superfluous Advice- And that was what would always make us seem suspect, the thing the world and even some of our dearest friends would never understand.
4) Playing Favorites- Instead of her trademark "Until next crime," Zack could have sworn she muttered "I am never having children" before making her escape.
3) Virtuoso- Ivy and Zack would deny her the thing she longed for most, forever and always. It was only fitting Carmen disappoint them in return.
2) J'adoube- "J'adoube," Carmen murmured softly to herself. (I adjust.)
1) Her Infinite Variety- And I suspected that Lily had stolen not only the show, but a piece of my reluctant heart as well.
When possible, I really like to have my last lines be "careful" and exact, with the precision of a poet. I would say #'s 2, 6, 10, and 20 are most like that. It surprised me how often I end with dialogue (7 times) because I rarely open with dialogue. I don't mind making the pornographies when it feels appropriate, but sometimes I just can't go there for whatever reason, so 13, 14, and 19 are that (ironically 13 is curtainfic that was already preceded by porn.) Multi-chapter stories that I have worked on for months are really hard for me to end, part of the reason I don't write them that much any more. I love #12 as a story, but I still wish i could have come up with something better for those last lines. The issue was I was using the framing device of having it be a lost part of Phedre's life story, and so I felt the need to return to that framing. I think it leaves the story on a more intellectual and reflective note than i would have liked- a conflict of the head versus a conflict of the heart.
#20 is by far my favorite, if you were curious. My refashioning of Jacqueline Carey's "when love cast me out, twas cruelty took pity on me" for my own nefarious purposes. (mwaahaha) it's such a great line on its own, so i can only take partial credit. If there are any you are curious about, please feel free to ask!