Elpickett - El Pickett

a hint of what I'm working on...

this is for the new Tess Lives / fungus fuckery fic I'm working on. I wanted the first chapter to be up but the fic as a whole is requiring more planning than I expected (read: my science education kicked in and I've had to come up with full fungal evolution plans which has required a shit ton of show research because my brain kept picking wholes in what I had. this is the result of a STEM degree apparently)

the current plan is alongside our favourite characters that each chapter will contain some sort of FEDRA / fireflies notes and or propaganda about what they know about cordyceps, so have the first one now!

A formal announcement of the changes to Quarantine Procedure 48.1.3, 48.2.3, 48.6.2, and 48.6.4, authorised by FEDRA Director for the Denver QZ, Andrew Wirral, 19th January 2024. The new Quarantine Procedures read as follows, with changes in bold, followed by the previous rules in italics: 48.1.3 Testing positive for cordyceps is thus defined as meeting any of the following criteria: - A positive test using a FEDRA regulation scanner. - A visibly infected bite (defined as tendrils further than 3mm (extending) from the teeth marks). - At least two (any of) the below symptoms: Severe and continuous muscle spasms Slurred speech Increased aggression Coughing combined with yellowing eyes 48.2.3 On arriving at a Quarantine Zone, anyone testing positive for cordyceps will be subject to humane euthanasia. If the arrival tests negative for cordyceps, they will be held in a quarantine cell for no less than 72 hours (a maximum of 36 hours), at which point they will be retested. If they test negative again at this time, they will be allowed into the Quarantine Zone for a probationary period of three months, after which they will be recognised as full citizens of the Quarantine Zone. AND 48.6.2 In the event of a suspected outbreak within the rules, FEDRA is explicitly permitted to (may) ignore the normal rights of the residents (detailed in FEDRA Regulations 48.9) until the outbreak is under control and there is no further risk to the integrity of the Quarantine Zone. AND 48.6.4 After suspected contact with an infected in the event of an outbreak, FEDRA retains the right to place the resident into a quarantine cell for no less than 72 hours (a maximum of 36 hours) to ensure no further transmission.

the concept of Andhera, Hob, Binx, and Rue all being a little party trying to take down the court of wonder while the lords of the wing just fuck around is SOOOO FUNNY

doctor who spoilers without context

having got back into writing recently after years of not writing anything, it's been so incredible to start back in this little fandom full of the most wonderful and supportive people I've ever had the joy of interacting with online!

also I will update soon I promise lmao it's almost there

Six Summer Fics for Tessjoels

... confused? Well, it's summer here, and that means summer reading! Here's some of my favourite Tessjoel stories that are in progress right now, and have been updated within the last month.

These are just unfinished tales - here's some of my finished favourites from the last year.

Taste your beating heart by @beerandyarn I can't tell you what this story is really about without spoiling it. The mystery is way too much fun. But let's just say it's a TLOU AU set in the early days of Tessjoel and there are ... other mysterious things than just Cordyceps out there. The characterisation is fucking awesome and this is the slow burn of slow burns. Like, part of me wants to shake elfin for making me suffer and the other part of me can't get enough.

Of Artists and Architects, by @oliviassunrise It's kind of hard to transplant characters from the TLOU universe into a modern AU without losing them in the mix. You have to really understand them so as not to shed their personalities while building a softer, mushroom-free world around them. Kayli does this beautifully and you still feel like Tess is Tess and Joel is Joel. This is no basic repackaging though - there's so much soul to this story, you can really feel the care and love with which it is written.

A Soul for Sale or Rent, by @bumblepony I don't want to give too much away about this one because it's full of surprises and takes a concept that could be ridiculous but ends up being so clever and heartbreaking and heartwarming. Ellie is a ghost and only Joel can see her. While Tessjoel isn't the focus of the story the way it's included is so clever and haunting (I think about it randomly, ok) that you've gotta check it out. So original.

deep red bells by melforbes Subtle queen. All this author's stories are like poetry, but they manage not to divulge into aimless whimsy and are always anchored with a strong story and pathos. This is an AU where Joel's daughter is abducted and Tess is a young cop with a tantalising dark past. The magic is in the dialogue. It's dark, but not heavy, and I'm pretty sure it's going to kill me.

I Saw the End, it Looked Just like the Middle, by @elpickett A new Tess lives series, and it has a really interesting narrative structure. As with the stories above, I don't want to spoil that, but there's some insight into FEDRA which I really enjoy. I love to read different ways Tess Lives Truthers fix explore the canon and bring her to Jackson. You can tell the author has really put a lot of thought into how this is going to work and how to 'save' Tess in a believable way.

Let the Burial Rite be Read, the Last Funeral Song Sung, by @stephpuppet An AU with a dark and gentle premise - Grim Reaper!Tess! Ever since I saw Meet Joe Black and Dead Like Me I've had a yen for this kind of tale, personifying Death as a sympathetic and empathetic, a wise creature who maybe experiences emotions they do not understand. ANYWAY. I love different interpretations of this theme and combining it with my hyperfixation is a treat for the new year. Grab your tissues, the first chapter is devastating.

BUBBLES

(via)

thank you for the tag 😊

favourite colour: either moss green or the shade of navy that the sky turns just when the sun sets

last song - close to you, Gracie Abrams

currently reading - the way of kings, Brandon Sanderson

currently watching - the bad batch, and everything dropout releases

currently craving - patatas bravas as I'm getting tapas tonight before I move back to London!

tea or coffee - tea all the way (living in Spain has not helped this, they cannot make tea here. By which I mean they tried to put black tea into steamed milk)

and a bonus cat photo because who doesn't want cat photos:

get to know me!

rules: answer + tag 9 people you want to get know better and/or catch up with!

Thanks bunk mate for the tag @burntheedges 😘

favorite color - purple 🪻

last song - Good Kisser by Lake Street Dive

currently reading - The Baghdad Clock by Shahad Al Rawi

currently watching - Rewatching Narcos for the ???? time

currently craving - Lemon anything

coffee or tea - Tea all the way, just got served an incredible cup of karak this afternoon

I will also tag the rest of our bunk mates @joelmillerisapunk @sixhours @ace-turned-confused @oonajaeadira

And some other folks who may or may not have already done this @treadlightlymydarlinggirl @ayeleye @mildredellie @22thumbs @elpickett

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE 2022, dir. Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert