Fanfiction: Home Is Where the Heart Is (Princess Tutu)

[nebroadwe]

Title: Drabble: Home Is Where the Heart Is
Fandom: Princess Tutu (anime version)
Character(s): Mytho, Charon
Pairing(s): None
Rating: PG
Word Count: 100
Warnings: Spoilers for the premise of episodes 14 and following.
A/N: Every once in a while my imagination presents me with undeniable evidence that I'm all too able to make the sympathetic leap into the mind of a villain. True cruelty isn't always about guts and gore; sometimes it's about quietly maneuvering people into untenable situations and watching them writhe. Or about love -- which, as John Le Carré has said, is whatever you can still betray. Crossposted from nebroadwe to princesstutu and tutufic.
Dedication: Still for fmanalyst, though perhaps less blithely this time.

---

      He stands upon the doorstep, in the shadow of the weathered signboard, listening. The bellows' wheeze, the forge's roar, the hammer's ring -- louder than all these in his ears is the beat of a magnanimous heart. It's always been his for the asking; he just never had the words before: You gave me a home; now give me --

      "No!"

      By the time the door opens and Charon calls, "Mytho?" he's dragged his body around the corner, fighting his sinews for every step. He bites his tongue to prevent it from answering, tasting blood sweet as desire and bitter as shame.

---

[Acknowledgments: Princess Tutu was created by Ikuko Ito and Junichi Sato. Copyright for this property is held by HAL and GANSIS/TUTU.]

Comments

[mangaka-chan.livejournal.com]

I never thought Mytho would've gone after Charon's heart, since going after male victims seems to be Kraehe's job. The anime specifically said the Raven needed a "pure, young heart" and Charon has a few too many decades to fit that description. But it's interesting that you brought in the relationship between Mytho and Charon, that the blacksmith is essentially a paternal figure to the otherwise homeless prince. Mytho here evidently cares about him (even without his heart being whole) and won't allow the raven's blood in him to take advantage of Charon.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

I never thought Mytho would've gone after Charon's heart, since going after male victims seems to be Kraehe's job.

Or at least she's the only one who tries it. One of the things going on here, in story-external terms, is me pushing back slightly against the strong focus on romantic relationships in this anime (and in 'fic in general) -- I'm as interested in other kinds of "loving bonds" (thank you, Susan Cooper!) as I am in watching people pair off. This is a what-if based on one such relationship (parent-child).

The anime specifically said the Raven needed a "pure, young heart" and Charon has a few too many decades to fit that description.

Yeah, there is that. I decided to focus on the "purity" end of the want list for a moment and consider what would happen if Charon ended up on the dinner list. His generous hospitality (he takes Fakir in, then takes Mytho in, then creates Uzura and takes her in) is often a correlative in the medieval literature I've studied for greatness of soul. (Betraying someone whose hospitality you've enjoyed is also a huge matter in those stories.) I could also see (though not cram into a drabble) Mytho late in the process getting a bit desperate as one opportunity after another comes to nothing and the psychomachia he's enduring begins to drive him to desperate, possibly futile, and certainly treacherous measures. Like an addict who rifles his/her spouse's wallet or child's piggybank for change to take to the liquor store.

But it's interesting that you brought in the relationship between Mytho and Charon, that the blacksmith is essentially a paternal figure to the otherwise homeless prince. Mytho here evidently cares about him (even without his heart being whole) and won't allow the raven's blood in him to take advantage of Charon.

I imagined that the recovered emotions of affection and pride would be Mytho's bulwarks here -- not only a response to Charon's care of him, but also a revulsion against the betrayal of hospitality involved (going all medieval, as above. Hey, it's another occupational hazard, like the enormous vocabulary and the tendency to relate everything I write to things Real Authors have written ... :-)

[mangaka-chan.livejournal.com]

Or at least she's the only one who tries it. One of the things going on here, in story-external terms, is me pushing back slightly against the strong focus on romantic relationships in this anime (and in 'fic in general) -- I'm as interested in other kinds of "loving bonds" (thank you, Susan Cooper!) as I am in watching people pair off. This is a what-if based on one such relationship (parent-child).

The theme of love as in romantic love is very much a deep part of the show and while I do enjoy it, I don't think it would hurt to explore some of the other relationships as well. This ficlet nicely presents one facet we don't get to see in the anime and it's a nice change from the usual fare fan writers serve. :)

In response to the below comment I would just like to clarify that I was not objecting to what you've written. This ficlet is simply different and it's not directly intuitive why this would or could happen. I enjoyed it immensely and hope my comment did not come across as being overly critical.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

This ficlet nicely presents one facet we don't get to see in the anime and it's a nice change from the usual fare fan writers serve. :)

Hi, I'm nebroadwe, and I'll be your writer this evening. Today's special is grilled soul with a side of skewered expectations, picked fresh today. :-)

In response to the below comment I would just like to clarify that I was not objecting to what you've written. This ficlet is simply different and it's not directly intuitive why this would or could happen. I enjoyed it immensely and hope my comment did not come across as being overly critical.

Oh, no, not at all. It's useful feedback -- I have a tendency to try to overpack my drabbles (what I really want to be is a novelist). And sometimes what I find intuitive ... isn't. :-) So the cross-check is always helpful.

Peace!

[fmanalyst.livejournal.com]

While I can understand the other commenter's objection about going after Charon, I gasp at your ability to capture Mytho's conflicted nature at that point in the story. I also love your le Carre quote, which is so perfect.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

Thank you, thank you. The final line went through a couple of more concrete similes before I just said, "The heck with it!" and used the abstract comparisons I had wanted to from the get-go. Sometimes I just can't resist the urge to reach for the big line (hopefully reasonably well set-up by the more concrete and grounded lines that precede it).

I also love your le Carre quote, which is so perfect.

I'm thinking that if Bleach keeps heading in the direction the past few episodes' worth of synopses indicate, I'll be seeing a Le Carré quote or two out of you soon, too. :-)

[fmanalyst.livejournal.com]

Maybe even that quote. (Which book is it from? Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy?)

Okay, you need to start watching/reading Bleach. There's no two ways about it. The byzantine maneuverings in Soul Society will make your heart flutter.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

Maybe even that quote. (Which book is it from? Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy?)

It might be him commenting on his own work ... hang on a second. [works Bartleby magic] Nope, it's from early in A Perfect Spy.

Okay, you need to start watching/reading Bleach. There's no two ways about it.

Oh, argh. Just what I need, another enormous honking anime/manga commitment ... where do I sign up? :-)

[haleysings.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like this. I particularly like seeing Charon here--he doesn't appear much in fanfiction at all, although that probably is in part because he doesn't appear much in the show at all. Still, his relationship with Fakir and Mytho (particularly Mytho) is so rarely shown in fics...it's nice to see it show up here. ^^ And the struggle between Mytho's light and dark sides is always interesting to me, too.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

Ooh, I like this. I particularly like seeing Charon here--he doesn't appear much in fanfiction at all, although that probably is in part because he doesn't appear much in the show at all.

Funny you should mention that, because it just so happens that fighting for precedence in the queue at the moment is a 'fic set in the interstice between episodes 18 and 19 from Charon's point of view. Unfortunately it's in a holding pattern due to [all together now] research issues [/all together now], which seem to bedevil every fifth thing I try to write. This time it's jewelry repair in the pre-electric-soldering-iron era. I have some books coming through interlibrary loan that should get me over the hump, though.

Still, his relationship with Fakir and Mytho (particularly Mytho) is so rarely shown in fics...it's nice to see it show up here. ^^ And the struggle between Mytho's light and dark sides is always interesting to me, too.

I wasn't expecting to write anything more about Mytho, but then I had this idea about him lurking outside someone's house and when I looked over, I suddenly realized it was Charon's, and wouldn't that be a terrible thing for him to try and do? After that it was just finding the verbiage. :-)

[haleysings.livejournal.com]

Funny you should mention that, because it just so happens that fighting for precedence in the queue at the moment is a 'fic set in the interstice between episodes 18 and 19 from Charon's point of view. Unfortunately it's in a holding pattern due to [all together now] research issues [/all together now], which seem to bedevil every fifth thing I try to write. This time it's jewelry repair in the pre-electric-soldering-iron era. I have some books coming through interlibrary loan that should get me over the hump, though.

Ahh! Because Duck's pendant was broken in the fight, huh? You know, it's funny that I never questioned how it got fixed. Charon fixing it makes perfect sense...
Your research is commendable, too. I would probably just be lazy and make up something. XD;; Although I guess part of it is because I usually only have a day to work on the challenge fics...Then again, I haven't really done any research with the Raven!Fakir fic besides reading a bit of Goethe...and I'm not even sure I spelled that right.

I wasn't expecting to write anything more about Mytho, but then I had this idea about him lurking outside someone's house and when I looked over, I suddenly realized it was Charon's, and wouldn't that be a terrible thing for him to try and do? After that it was just finding the verbiage. :-)

I ceratinly encourage you to write more Mytho, if you ever find the inspiration for it. ^^ Fakir's my favorite character, but I feel like poor Mytho tends to be short-changed when it comes to fanfiction.

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

Ahh! Because Duck's pendant was broken in the fight, huh? You know, it's funny that I never questioned how it got fixed. Charon fixing it makes perfect sense...

Ding! He walks in on Fakir trying to fix it himself and failing, and they have a nonconversation about what's been going on lately. This is an underexplored relationship in the back half of the anime (too many other things going on), but I'm a sucker for conflicted family dynamics.

Your research is commendable, too. I would probably just be lazy and make up something. XD;; Although I guess part of it is because I usually only have a day to work on the challenge fics...Then again, I haven't really done any research with the Raven!Fakir fic besides reading a bit of Goethe...and I'm not even sure I spelled that right.

You did. I didn't used to be such a research fiend, but then three things happened: I got the Ph.D. (during which you just learn that research precedes writing, period; in fact, "read another book" is the ultimate dissertation time-waster); I wrote things for a couple of stories that sounded plausible to me but turned out to be completely wrong when I showed them to people who knew about the subject (embarrassing!); and even light research began turning up story enhancements and ideas. So now I groan and grunt and do it, and I think my writing's better for it. But, as you say, slower. Writing under the gun requires a different skill set, one I haven't really mastered yet. No "Iron Fic" challenge for me yet. :-)

[haleysings.livejournal.com]

Ding! He walks in on Fakir trying to fix it himself and failing, and they have a nonconversation about what's been going on lately. This is an underexplored relationship in the back half of the anime (too many other things going on), but I'm a sucker for conflicted family dynamics.

Well, when so few of the main characters even have a family, it sort of sets Fakir apart. I mean, Rue could've been more normal if she had some sort of loving parental figure in her life, and Fakir probably could've turned out a lot worse, as well. (...Which is sort of a scary thought.)

As for Fakir trying to fix it and not being able to do it...the idea of it really amuses me. XD; I've decided for my upcoming challenge that Fakir isn't very good at delicate handwork like that and...is generally better at breaking things than fixing things. (I have a fic planned for early in the challenge where Fakir actually tries to fix something and suceeds, but it's more because of his [still undiscovered] powers, not because he actually manages to get all of the parts working together right.)

I didn't used to be such a research fiend, but then three things happened...

Ah, yeah, those would do it. I have found that when I really do take the time to research things I'm able to really write things more detailed, but...well...I'm lazy.

So now I groan and grunt and do it, and I think my writing's better for it. But, as you say, slower. Writing under the gun requires a different skill set, one I haven't really mastered yet. No "Iron Fic" challenge for me yet. :-)
I was sort of forced to master it since I'm...well, like I said, lazy. I luckily will usually have ideas in my head a few weeks before I start writing (I've gotten into the habit of looking at the themes ahead of time). So...that helps, because normally I've been ironing out ideas before I start writing and then....it's just a matter of sitting down and writing it out. (...Although sometimes it doesn't work out that way, and sometimes even when it does the words don't work right.)

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

As for Fakir trying to fix it and not being able to do it...the idea of it really amuses me. XD; I've decided for my upcoming challenge that Fakir isn't very good at delicate handwork like that and...is generally better at breaking things than fixing things. (I have a fic planned for early in the challenge where Fakir actually tries to fix something and suceeds, but it's more because of his [still undiscovered] powers, not because he actually manages to get all of the parts working together right.)

Sounds like fun. My theory is that Fakir himself fixed the pendant's chain the first time, because all that was involved was pinching a loop back together, but this time the broken link is gone and he's trying to pry another one open and can't. Charon makes a new link from scratch. (I think. This may change after I've looked at another reference or two. And after I've finished writing the seven-drabble sequence about Duck that assaulted me on the bus yesterday and dragged me back to its lair.)

I luckily will usually have ideas in my head a few weeks before I start writing (I've gotten into the habit of looking at the themes ahead of time). So...that helps, because normally I've been ironing out ideas before I start writing and then....it's just a matter of sitting down and writing it out. (...Although sometimes it doesn't work out that way, and sometimes even when it does the words don't work right.)

Oh, yeah, I know that one. I walk around for days acting out scenes in my head and failing to respond to friendly hails, but sometimes even things that are vividly present to my imagination take enormous amounts of work to reduce to writing. If at all.

BTW, I finally got around to leaving a comment on your last challenge fic. Sorry for the delay -- it's turning into a busy week.

[haleysings.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun. My theory is that Fakir himself fixed the pendant's chain the first time, because all that was involved was pinching a loop back together, but this time the broken link is gone and he's trying to pry another one open and can't. Charon makes a new link from scratch. (I think. This may change after I've looked at another reference or two. And after I've finished writing the seven-drabble sequence about Duck that assaulted me on the bus yesterday and dragged me back to its lair.)

That sounds great! Particularly since it means Fakir's not going to ask for help. (Although this isn't the shown in the anime at all, it'd be interesting if the metal he used for the new link was different than the metal in the rest of the chain--a sort of constant reminder of Fakir and Charon.) I'm looking forward to the drabble sequence, as well.

Oh, yeah, I know that one. I walk around for days acting out scenes in my head and failing to respond to friendly hails, but sometimes even things that are vividly present to my imagination take enormous amounts of work to reduce to writing. If at all.

Oh, yeah, definantely. The amount of ideas that I have in my head that have never gotten down on paper is almost a little depressing. (But I suppose as long as I continue to write fairly constantly, it should be OK.)

BTW, I finally got around to leaving a comment on your last challenge fic. Sorry for the delay -- it's turning into a busy week.

I noticed--thank you! I think it'll be a lot of help. ^_^

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

That sounds great! Particularly since it means Fakir's not going to ask for help.

Never. Though he accepts it when offered.

(Although this isn't the shown in the anime at all, it'd be interesting if the metal he used for the new link was different than the metal in the rest of the chain--a sort of constant reminder of Fakir and Charon.)

This is where I'm back to research issues -- I think the chain should be made of gold, because it's a very soft metal as well as a precious one (explaining how it got sliced not once but twice), but I need more specific information on how a jeweler copes with that softness in the course of repair. Particularly with old-style tools. (I did find out, while grumbling through the basic set-up, that Charon's making Raetsel and Hans a set of carving knives for a wedding present, though. And that he taught himself jewelry repair as a teenager to give the neighborhood girls a reason to drop by the forge ... :-)

I'm looking forward to the drabble sequence, as well.

I've held off doing Duck because she's just not as self-reflective as my usual run of narrator, but all of a sudden I began to hear her voice a little more clearly. (It helps that Pique and Lilie put in an appearance to help carry the action in a couple of places, too.)

[haleysings.livejournal.com]

This is where I'm back to research issues -- I think the chain should be made of gold, because it's a very soft metal as well as a precious one (explaining how it got sliced not once but twice), but I need more specific information on how a jeweler copes with that softness in the course of repair. Particularly with old-style tools.

Ahh, maybe a different metal wouldn't be good, then...I could see it damaging the chain too much and causing another break. Come to think of it, the chain seems really delicate for that time period (not that I really know, I only have a vague knowledge of jewelery making in general).

(I did find out, while grumbling through the basic set-up, that Charon's making Raetsel and Hans a set of carving knives for a wedding present, though. And that he taught himself jewelry repair as a teenager to give the neighborhood girls a reason to drop by the forge ... :-)

Haha! Niiice! I'd imagine he was a bit of a rascal as a teen. (Come to think of it, I wonder what Charon's history is when it comes to romance...? I can't even tell if his affection towards Raetzel was fatherly or romantic or friendly or what. We really know so little about him, when it comes right down to it...)

I've held off doing Duck because she's just not as self-reflective as my usual run of narrator, but all of a sudden I began to hear her voice a little more clearly. (It helps that Pique and Lilie put in an appearance to help carry the action in a couple of places, too.)

I've been sort of dreading writing Duck when I get to her challenge, actually. Her and Mytho (although I'm starting to have an easier time with Mytho). She really thinks about others more than she does about herself--she's much less focused on that than Autor, and even Fakir, to a point. (Pique and Lilie are always fun, I think. Most of my friends don't particularly seem to care for them, though...)

[nebroadwe.livejournal.com]

Come to think of it, I wonder what Charon's history is when it comes to romance...? I can't even tell if his affection towards Raetzel was fatherly or romantic or friendly or what. We really know so little about him, when it comes right down to it...

In my version of his backstory, he's a widower and childless; I also don't think he's romantically interested in Raetsel -- I think he may still be in love with his dead wife (possibly named Anna, but I'm still working on that), though not in a hugely melodramatic way or anything. He's just not a hugely melodramatic character, really. His argument with Fakir seems out of key from the start, even before it's clear that a heart shard is twisting his reactions.

I've been sort of dreading writing Duck when I get to her challenge, actually. Her and Mytho (although I'm starting to have an easier time with Mytho). She really thinks about others more than she does about herself--she's much less focused on that than Autor, and even Fakir, to a point. (Pique and Lilie are always fun, I think. Most of my friends don't particularly seem to care for them, though...)

They snuck right into "Seven Nights" (http://nebroadwe.livejournal.com/33522.html) without so much as a by-your-leave -- twice! IC both times, I hope. But you're right about Duck's other-focus; it's difficult, given her general sweetness and klutziness, not to have her come out saccharine. I found myself pushing the humor a bit just to salt things; I think there's only one drabble in the set that shows her character in complete balance (which is not to say I think the others didn't work. They just emphasize different aspects of the whole. I hope.)

Peace!