Same old same old

[jadesfire]

Meh! Gah! And other expressions of disgust...

I am boooooooooored out of my (fairly) tiny mind. The backlog of cataloguing just keeps getting longer, not shorter, which is just wrong as I'm actually doing work here. I'm just not getting any credit for it, which is wrong.

I'm bored enough to contemplate tunnelling my way out and I work on the 1st/2nd* *delete as appropriate for your side of the Atlantic floor.

I'm bored enough that I'm thinking about sorting my work email inbox, which has nearly 600 messages in and to which I have to periodically sacrifice small furry animals in order to keep it appeased.

I'm bored enough to start contemplating inventing new numbers beyond infinity ("smidge" is my favourite so far, which is however much you're thinking of, plus a little bit; or possibly "yelp" which is for the sound you make when you realise quite how high the number is). This is for the purposes of being able to say that, on a scale of 1 to 10 of being bored, I'm at about insert invented number here. Then I can watch people's faces when I say it and no longer be bored, for at least three seconds.

*sigh*

Normally at this point, I demand drabble prompts but I'm almost too bored for that...

Nah, I'm not ;) Prompt away! Or you can demand an extract from one of my works in progress (list under the cut). Demand something from one of my non-regular fandoms (list under other cut). Demand anything that might stop my brain from dribbling out of my ears before the end of the day!

It may take me a while to get through requests, as I am determined to demolish at least one pile of books by the end of the day. As said pile is three feet high, I may be here a while.

The end of "Playtime" (Housefic)

AU: Torchwood meets Sherlock Holmes

AU: Ten is forced to interfere during "Parting of the Ways" when he realises Jack living destroys the human race.

WWII Jack-fic set in Istanbul

Awakenings: Not so much 'five ways Jack died' as 'five ways Jack woke up', using the list from Utopia

Ellis Island fic (Jack)

Expansion of the drabble "Porthole" - Jack in prison

Something from the point of view of the Luggage. Previously demanded by Chrys and still in development hell...

Happy Jack, Rose and Nine story

Kyoto, 1336 Nine, Jack and Rose story (possibly the same as above)

I've written in House, Criminal Minds and Doctor Who/Torchwood. I could potentially write in:

Babylon 5

Robin of Sherwood (not the recent series. the weird one from the 80s)

Buffy (NOT Angel)

X-men

Discworld

Sapphire and Steel

Stargate SG1 (up to end of S6)

Man from UNCLE

Blakes 7 (not seen much, but could have a go)

Observant readers may also notice that I have recently mastered the 'list' coding and am taking the opportunity to use it as often as possible.

ETA: Article in newspaper saying that the interest rates on student loans are doubling. Yes, doubling. Seriously not good.

On the plus side, next week BBC7 are broadcasting the play "Only a matter of time", which I heard about 5 years ago and was just wondering about yesterday. It's one of the best pieces of radio comedy-drama I've ever heard and has stayed with me for all this time. Listen if you can!

Also, comment notifications? Not working *prods LJ* so further delays may occurr...

Comments

[xwingace]

If you're that bored, here's a drabble prompt: Discworld, something with Casanunda. Possibly trying to charm Sacharissa?

Although I'd also love to see something from that Ellis Island fic...

XWA

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Casanunder and Sacharissa? *brain explodes* :) Will see what I can do.

The Ellis Island one is mostly still in my head, but I'll get a few sentences down for you.

[xwingace]

It should be an explosive combination, yes. :-)

Everyone seems to have seized on the javelin comment, but the Ellis Island thing seems much more interesting to me. Not least what Jack would be doing there.

XWA

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

You may get a drabble yet, but this is a possible/probably opening to the Ellis Island one:

Jack kept his head down along with everyone else, staring at the floor as he waited for his name to be called. Well, not his name, of course, nor the assumed one that he'd become so fond of. He'd ditched the accent too, figuring that an American trying to emigrate into America wasn't going to sound too convincing. The room was crammed with people, dirty and tired from the long voyage, and the air was thick with nerves and the smell of too many bodies in too small a space. He felt safe here, packed in with all the others. For once he wasn't going to be stared at for his accent, his looks, his manners. Here, no-one cared about anything but themselves.

A name was called and a man stood up, a thin dark-haired woman clinging to his arm and a sleeping child in his arms. Jack watched as they made their way across the huge room, jealousy and pity swirling through his mind. It would be harder, surviving in this new country with a family to support as well as everything else. But he watched how the man cradled the child and how the woman rested her head against his shoulder and he found himself having to look away, back at the floor.

Burying the feelings, he forced himself to stay calm. Part of him, the part that he'd relied on to keep him sane these past twnety years, wondered if he shouldn't have acquired a wife and child to give him a better cover story. The corners of his mouth twitched with the twisted humour. Families were for life, not just for Christmas.

"What are you laughing at?"

[xwingace]

That's quite a bitter note to end that fragment on, but I like bitter, in moderation. :-) Looks intruiguing, to say the least.

typo:twnety == twenty

XWA

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

[spotted typo - reposting]

And onto the Discworld:

Classified

He wasn't going to get anywhere with a stepladder this time. Maybe a siege tower, a battering ram and a couple of regiments would be closer to what he needed.

Very slowly, she looked up from the piece of paper. Her expression could have frozen suns.

"Second greatest?"

Self-doubt had never been his weakness, but he was starting to wonder if it might have been an idea to re-think the wording.

"You think I'm underselling?"

To his surprise, she smiled, which almost made the preceding five minutes worth the effort. Almost.

"I think you might just get marks for honesty."

[xwingace]

Maybe a siege tower, a battering ram and a couple of regiments would be closer to what he needed.

That's about the size of it, yeah. :-) Brilliant drabble.

And as for the brainbreaking: you asked for it ;-).

XWA

[szm.livejournal.com]

Could you write something where Lu-Tze (the sweeper from Discworld) meets Ianto?

I had a random thought about Ianto being a bit like him yesterday... might just be me...

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

It may well just be you, but I will see what I can do :)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

It was a bit tricky, but I got there in the end.

---

The Help

The cleaner gestured to the pile of papers. "Should get help."

Ianto sighed. "I am the help."

"Maybe, but is it not written do your own dirty work, sunshine?"

Ianto was startled for a moment, then he grinned and picked the pile of papers. "You know, I think some of these might be Jack's."

There was only the barest hint of a sparkle in the cleaner's eye. "You should take them to him."

Ianto was still grinning as he made his way down the stairs. After all, the whisky in Jack's office would grease the wheels of administration quite nicely.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

If you'd like to share a bit of the Jack in prison fic, that would be lovely.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

This is still a bit rough, but gives you the idea :)

---

Jack took his place in the line, along with all the others from Deck D (non-violent, multiple convictions, transfer pending), careful not to look too hard at anything or anyone. He'd only just got rid of the black eye from his last altercation; for "non-violent" prisoners, the guys from Deck D could pack a hell of a punch. Risking an upward glance, Jack caught the eye of the guard who'd been assigned to his rotation two days before. New to the job, maybe, but not new to this life. There had been something in the look Jack had been on the receiving end of as the 'newbie' did rounds for the first time. Knowing and calculating and not easily distracted. It was the same look Jack was getting now and it gave him at least a measure of hope.

He dropped his eyes again as the line moved forwards, careful not to let the inner smile reach his face. This wasn't the kind of place that tolerated hope in its inhabitants. It was only the vaguest hint right now, but what was the saying? Give me a place to stand on and I will move the Earth? It looked like Jack had found something to stand on.

Now all he needed was a lever.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'd love to see a happy Jack, Ten and Martha story.

Or something about Jack in Victorian times - perhaps a crossover, or a meeting with a Victorian character.

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

The image of Jack in Victorian period clothing has been breaking my brain since the 1860's confirmation, so yes.

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

*re-checks post*

Drabble! You saw the bit that said drabble, right? *sigh* But now I have the plot bunnies and am stuck with them.

You're still getting drabbles though. Probably. ;)

[miss-zedem.livejournal.com]

It's just taken me about four days to log into my yahoo.com account, but my yahoo.co.uk is working fine. So maybe it's a problem with American based servers? *scratches head* *pokes LJ with stick*

Drabble - I'd like Ianto/OMC please. And yes, that is a slash there *evil grin* I don't know why, but I'm in a real Ianto-is-manwhore place at the moment. Which is making writing happy!Jack/Ianto incredibly difficult, cos Ianto keeps checking out other men/women while Jack sits there sulking and going 'but I'm pretty! Look at me!'

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Look, just because the survey said you were evil, doesn't mean you have to live up to it.

OMC. Another OMC? You'll be wanting jealous!Jack in there as well next....

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

You got the desired ficlet, although I'm not sure this is what you had in mind. Jack kind of took charge and you know what he's like.

This is also what happens when you and Chrys start talking about hot baths...

---

Scrubbing

Jack didn't make a habit of dropping in on his staff uninvited, but there were times when it couldn't be helped. Besides, it was a Wednesday night, not exactly big-date-night or hitting-the-bars-night or-

Ianto opened the door in a towel. Just a towel. Well, okay, so there were some droplets of water still clinging to his chest but basically, there was just a towel.

When he'd picked his jaw up off the floor, Jack grinned. "You expecting me?"

"Do you need something, sir?" There was definite impatience to Ianto's tone, as well as something that suggested he wasn't just annoyed about his bath water getting cold. This could be even more fun that Jack had thought.

"You brought the Bressil papers home with you and I need them for tomorrow's meeting with UNIT."

"That meeting's in London ." Ianto started to glance at his wrist, apparently only just realising that not only was he not wearing his watch, but that he wasn't wearing much of anything else either. And that the non-existent-watch checking was making the towel flap.

"I'm going to drive up overnight, but I need those papers."

With a sigh, Ianto stepped back. "You'd better come in."

Jack had only been over Ianto's threshold twice since he'd been at Torchwood Three, but the flat was as neat and tidy as he remembered. Through the archway to the kitchen, he could see plates and glasses draining on the rack next to the sink. Two sets of plates and glasses.

Two sets of plates and glasses and Ianto in nothing but a towel, with his hair all wet and mussed and a decidedly pink tinge to his ears. Really, there was only one question left

"Here you are, sir." Ianto had replaced the towel with a dressing gown, but the effect was, if anything, even better. Taking the proffered files with a smile, Jack said,

"Thanks. Well, I'll let you get on with your evening."

"Thank you, sir."

It took real effort to keep a straight face. The relief in Ianto's voice nearly tipped him over the edge, but Jack was having too much fun to let it stop now.

"Sorry to ask, but could I just use your bathroom before I go? I've got a long drive ahead of me." Was that panic or sheer mortification that passed through Ianto's eyes? Either way, Jack was almost sorry. Only almost. "It's this way, isn't it?" he asked, heading down the corridor.

cont...

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

"Hang on a sec-"

Ianto was about three seconds too late. Jack pushed open the bathroom door, with his best 'hello' grin on his face. The man in the bath grinned back.

"Hi there."

"Hello." Jack did not look over his shoulder to see Ianto's face. It really wasn't necessary. "Do you mind if I..." He gestured across the room.

"Course not." Still grinning, the bather pulled the shower curtain across. "Give you a bit of privacy."

"Right." Turning, Jack closed the door, giving Ianto a final waggle of his eyebrows as he did so. "Privacy."

When Jack emerged from the bathroom, Ianto was sitting on his sofa, head in his hands. Feeling just a twinge of guilt, Jack clapped him on the shoulder.

"So that's why you've got such a big bath."

"Is there any chance that I'm ever going to live this down?" Ianto didn't look up, his voice muffled.

"Probably. Just be glad I'm not Owen. He'd have probably jumped in there too."

"You didn't." Finally lifting his head, Ianto frowned. "You didn't," he said again, this time with more surprise.

"I've got to get to London." Jack waved the folder again. "Remember?"

"Right."

Ianto trailed after Jack as he headed for the door, coming to a dead stop and leaning backwards as Jack suddenly turned, waving the folder under his nose.

"But next time you need someone to scrub your back, you know where I am."

"Yes, sir." There was a glimmer of hope in Ianto's eyes, as though he'd realised he might survive the next day without dying of embarrassment. "I'll bear that in mind."

Jack waited until he was half in the car, looking back at Ianto, who was still standing in the doorway. Then he called out,

"And I prefer showers!"

He turned on the engine, drowning out Ianto's reply. There was already more than enough to keep him entertained on the long drive to London.

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

I've already got my two requests in, so I'll wait patiently on them!

Just put something up over on torchwood_meta, but I had great difficulties with it, so feel free to go over and tweak/add to/adjust it in any way. Not only was it hard to not just monologue at great length about what I think--which would seem to be negating the point of getting a discussion started--but it really, really wanted to branch off into an investigation of the recurring themes of humanity throughout this season.

Me, rambling? Un-possible!

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

The Hugh story is giving me headaches. Fortunately, I've got my betas to share them with, so that's alright. Now, if I can just get my betas to agree with each other, all will be well.

I'll wander over and have a look at your tw_meta post, but I'm sure it's fine!

Will let you know about period costume...

[jpgr.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't mind a ROS fic as I finally got the DVDs and can stop watching those old videos.

Hm, how about Time Agent Jack on a mission to medival England and meeting up with the gang. Lots of eye candy for him. :)

[jadesfire2808.livejournal.com]

Once I rid myself of the "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" mental images, I shall see what I can do...

[idontlikegravy.livejournal.com]

Personally, I'd love to see a UNCLE/NCIS cross, especially after Kate asked Gibbs what Ducky looked like when he was younger and he replied "Ilya Kuriakin" (Apologies if I misspelled it). But that's just me. Unfortunately don't remember enough about UNCLE to write it myself.

Seriously, I'd like to see a UNCLE/TW fic, would be of the cool.

[travels-in-time.livejournal.com]

Still looking for drabble fodder?

Ahem. (http://travels-in-time.livejournal.com/14408.html)