Just Prompts: Fairy Tales (9/26 -- 10/9)

[clockwork_doc]

What’s your favorite Fairy Tale? Why?

Anyone who knows me knows I take a very dim view of faeries and the like these days. They’re NOT how they’re portrayed in most of these stories. If a Fae takes a liking to you, what you want to do is run. Not that it’ll help. . . .

Of course, given that I’m stuck in an alternate reality, perhaps I’m being unfair. Anyone want to give me examples of more pleasant, Disney-like Fae?

(And if you must know, as a child I was fond of “Sleeping Beauty.” I always wondered if someone could really sleep a hundred years without aging. Makes me wonder now if some Fae tried it)

Comments

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

I thought it was wonderful that she fell in love with him for his humanity, instead of just because he looked good - and she wanted to be loved for her mind, too. The whole point of the story with Gaston was that all he wanted was a pretty girl, and all he had to offer was good looks.

And yes, smart people are much better. I've dated a few beautiful-but-stupid people, and gosh, it gets tiresome to be talking to Barbie.

I wonder if the Beast would have fallen in love with her if he didn't need her. And if she wasn't beautiful.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

Yes, exactly. Sounds like Disney made some good changes to that story. Very nice to see a love story like that.

Ugh, I know. I've never had much luck with dating, but I've never gotten desperate enough to go for a brainless beauty. Both my girlfriends were people I could talk to, at least. (Jill more than Lucy, but I was 17 when I dated Lucy.) They tolerated my scientific ramblings, anyway. Then they

Hmmmm. I don't know. I see a wealth of "alternate versions" being born from conversations like this. Would be fairly interesting to read the story if Belle was brainy but plain.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

In my defense, I didn't realize how stupid they were. And one of them was an artist, and I'm of more scientific bent. I thought he was just smart in a different, unfamiliar way. I'm kind of ashamed he had me fooled for so long. And so deeply.

For what it's worth, my best relationships have been with people of a thoroughly scientific bent.

And that does sound neat. I wish I were a better writer.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

I see. I'm sorry. Trust me, I know all about finding out people's true natures too late. Jill and Lucy tricked me too. Bitches.

Yeah, I prefer talking to someone who at least has a vested interest in science fiction. Even Marty had read sci-fi books, and he was geniunely interested in a lot of the things I made. (Marty being a friend of mine from back home.) His talent was music, sure, but he certainly didn't mind listening to me chatter about the scientific principles behind it.

I know, me too. C'est le vie.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

It's fun to be with someone who has different interests from you - there's always something to talk about and learn about. But there's got to be overlap, too.

Who do you read? I've been on a bit of a Bujold kick since I met Miles Vorkosigan.

And what we really need to do is find some awful readers. Then they'll never know how bad we are!

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

Most definitely. I enjoyed hearing Marty tell me about his music. But yes, overlap is good. I suppose it helps I'm a bit of an audiophile myself.

Generally the classic authors of the genre. My favorite is Jules Verne. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is what inspired me to become a scientist in the first place.

Heh, I know. I'm sure there's some around here.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

Hah, yeah, I guess its hard to hear about something that you have no interest in. I'd be bored to tears by someone trying to go over tax code.

I loved 20,000 Leagues! For a while, I wanted to be a marine biologist and find the kracken. Around the World in 80 Days was wonderful as well. So vivid!

We could put up ads. 'Got the literary background and tastes of predigested cheese? Have we got some stories for you!'

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

Exactly! I remember Lucy used to go on about social castes sometimes, and I could barely stand it.

Oh, yes! Amazing writer. I once tried to replicate the trip in Journey to the Center of the Earth when I was 12. Unfortunately, I chose to dig in my mother's vegetable garden, so I only just broke through the topsoil before she caught me. I caught hell for that, let me tell you.

Haha, yes. Maybe we could promise free sandwiches for reading our stories.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

What is there to say about them, beyond that they exist and can be exceedingly subtle but important in some societies?

Ha! I think I tried digging a hole to China in the woods once. I hit clay after a few days and a few feet, but I found some nice old coke bottles, the sort of swirly kind. It was all very thrilling.

Shucks, for a free sandwich I'd sit and listen to art analysis.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

According to Lucy, quite a lot. Honestly, I gave up listening after a point.

Heh, I see. At least you got more out of it than me. I got a huge lecture and a month's grounding. And I had to help fix up the garden. Not a fun time.

Same here, really. The lure of free food is very strong.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

The soft sciences always seem so talky.

Oh, gosh, having to fill in the hole you went to the trouble of digging? Awful. There's nothing quite as awful as being made to undo your work.

If I ever have need of an army, I think I'll just make cookies. People will agree to almost anything for a cookie.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

Indeed. I much prefer the hard sciences. More action there.

Yes, I know. Especially under the direction of your very angry mother. Mom was quite scary when she wanted to be.

You sound like Gladys. She believes cookies and other baked goods can solve almost any problem. (Not that I'm complaining.)

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

And much clearer cause and effect. Social science is so squishy.

Angry Moms are a force of nature. A scary, scary force of nature. Mine still makes me cringe when I swear, even if she's two states away.

And food does solve a lot of problems. It reinforces the social bonds and - we've already had this conversation. But it's so important, socially. And also for not starving.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

I know. Machines and the like are just easier to understand than people.

Great Scott, I know! My mother was generally a very sweet and loving person, but when she got angry -- well, she even scared my father, and that was hard to do even under the best circumstances.

Heh, never really thought about it like that. I've always focused on the "not starving" aspects of eating. Very much the kind of man who lives on sandwiches and coffee when he's busy.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

Machines, rocks - really, any mechanical system is automatically going to be simpler than a person.

My Dad is sort of placid and fun - he's awful at discipline and stuff. Mom could turn on a dime from sweet little lady to raging ball of angry matron. It was very scary growing up.

I need to teach you how to cook.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

For the most part, yeah. Wonder what that says

It was scary growing up for me too, but for different reasons. My father -- well, I generally call him Elias now, so make of that what you will.

I actually do know how to cook some meals. I just -- when you're busy with something, food is often not a priority.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

Oh, dear. Its sad when things turn out like that.

That's the virtue of cooking in bulk. That's what I've done - you sit down on the weekend and you make a great big batch of something, say, spaghetti and marinara. Freeze it in individual portions. Then, when you're ready to eat, you customize it so you're not eating the same thing over and over. A little bit of sausage, some chopped olives, basil, things like that. Food is customizable.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

I know. I had good times with him, don't get me wrong, but -- when I hit my teen years, our interests diverged dramatically. Not fun.

Ahh, yes. I always meant to do that, but I never thought of it in time. I was so used to cooking for just myself, it rarely occurred to me to make more than just what I needed for the day. Emily (my sister) occasionally did that for me. She was one heck of a cook.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

I mostly puzzle my parents, I think. Everyone else turned out pretty normal and went into sort of helping fields - teaching, nursing, one cop, construction, things like that, and very outgoing. I emerged shy and kind of socially awkward, and went straight for science. Or Science! (someday)

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

I definitely puzzled mine. They had one extremely normal daughter, and me. And I too went straight for Science! After I read Jules Verne, anwyay. Mom was all right with that, but Elias. . . . Well, he hated scientists, so we clashed horribly until --

Honestly, I don't think he was entirely sane
He threatened

I ended up leaving the house at 17. Elias disowned me, but my sister transferred what she felt my share of the inheritence should have been to me upon their deaths.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

Good lord. I can't imagine rejecting a friend like that - let alone someone as important as a son.

I'm glad your sister was so nice.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

That was Elias for you.

Yeah, me too. Emily's great. I really miss her here.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

I wish I could show my family this place. But I don't think they'd understand, and I think they'd be afraid of me after.

[clockwork-doc.livejournal.com]

That's too bad. I'm sorry.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

There are worse things to bear. :D I shouldn't complain. Besides - at least I am here. I'm much happier now that I've found this place!