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crack_van2004-02-05 10:25 am
lyrebird.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-02-05 10:25 am
Entry tags:
The Love Affair by Loretta Ross (G)
Fandom: MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E.
Pairing: none. Napoleon dates, much like canon.
Author on LJ: not as yet
Author Website: File 40 have given her a place to call home: http://file40.net/file40g/lo_ro_stories.html
Why this must be read:
It captures the light-hearted mood of the show perfectly. If you're a die-hard slasher, please do NOT be put off by the idea of Napoleon being with other women. The scenario is played for laughs, not angst. Even though Napoleon and Illya are apart for most of the story, their frequent interchanges via communicator sparkle with wit.
The set-up: a comparison of how Napoleon and Illya spend one Valentine's Day. It's very much gen, so the guys spend most of the tale apart with other people. Illya starts matchmaking old friends, inspired by a comment Napoleon makes about a life without love. Across town, Napoleon Solo, devil-may-care ladies' man, sends a series of distress calls:
"...Listen, this is what you're going to do. First, get dressed. Casual is okay if it's elegant casual. Say black jeans and a turtleneck with a sports coat over it. Then, you're going to stop by a florist and pick up some roses and meet me at the Top of the World Club at eight o'clock sharp. Right?"
"I'm sorry, Napoleon," Illya said, "but you're not my type."
"Very funny," Solo growled. "I go to the trouble to set you up with a perfect dream girl and you stand there making smart remarks. Come on, boy! Time's a'wasting. Hut! Hut! Hut!"
"Napoleon, I already told you I have plans tonight."
"Plans?" Solo sounded distinctly disgruntled. "You never told me you had plans! You said you were going to go to bed and go to sleep!"
"Right. I plan to go to bed and I plan to go to sleep: ergo, I have plans. I'm sure the young lady – if she is a young lady – will understand. Just admit to her that you failed to consult me first."
There was a long silence. "It's not that simple," Solo said at last, reluctantly.
"Ah."
Illya Kuryakin knew Napoleon Solo better than any man alive. Across town, connected to him by only the radio link, Solo could see the wheels turning behind those shrewd blue eyes.
"Have you, perhaps, over-extended yourself?" The light Russian voice was laced with humor.
Napoleon sighed. "Yes," he admitted reluctantly, "I seem to have made dates with two women on the same night. And in the same restaurant, no less."
I usually find Napoleon's serial dating tiresome in canon, but there is an incorrigible charm in his portrayal here that won me over. It is impossible to be irritated with someone so shameless and good-humoured about his romantic escapades. As for Illya, his wit is intact, along with the detached coolness. He's a romantic too, but much more subtle about it.
The Love Affair
Pairing: none. Napoleon dates, much like canon.
Author on LJ: not as yet
Author Website: File 40 have given her a place to call home: http://file40.net/file40g/lo_ro_stories.html
Why this must be read:
It captures the light-hearted mood of the show perfectly. If you're a die-hard slasher, please do NOT be put off by the idea of Napoleon being with other women. The scenario is played for laughs, not angst. Even though Napoleon and Illya are apart for most of the story, their frequent interchanges via communicator sparkle with wit.
The set-up: a comparison of how Napoleon and Illya spend one Valentine's Day. It's very much gen, so the guys spend most of the tale apart with other people. Illya starts matchmaking old friends, inspired by a comment Napoleon makes about a life without love. Across town, Napoleon Solo, devil-may-care ladies' man, sends a series of distress calls:
"...Listen, this is what you're going to do. First, get dressed. Casual is okay if it's elegant casual. Say black jeans and a turtleneck with a sports coat over it. Then, you're going to stop by a florist and pick up some roses and meet me at the Top of the World Club at eight o'clock sharp. Right?"
"I'm sorry, Napoleon," Illya said, "but you're not my type."
"Very funny," Solo growled. "I go to the trouble to set you up with a perfect dream girl and you stand there making smart remarks. Come on, boy! Time's a'wasting. Hut! Hut! Hut!"
"Napoleon, I already told you I have plans tonight."
"Plans?" Solo sounded distinctly disgruntled. "You never told me you had plans! You said you were going to go to bed and go to sleep!"
"Right. I plan to go to bed and I plan to go to sleep: ergo, I have plans. I'm sure the young lady – if she is a young lady – will understand. Just admit to her that you failed to consult me first."
There was a long silence. "It's not that simple," Solo said at last, reluctantly.
"Ah."
Illya Kuryakin knew Napoleon Solo better than any man alive. Across town, connected to him by only the radio link, Solo could see the wheels turning behind those shrewd blue eyes.
"Have you, perhaps, over-extended yourself?" The light Russian voice was laced with humor.
Napoleon sighed. "Yes," he admitted reluctantly, "I seem to have made dates with two women on the same night. And in the same restaurant, no less."
I usually find Napoleon's serial dating tiresome in canon, but there is an incorrigible charm in his portrayal here that won me over. It is impossible to be irritated with someone so shameless and good-humoured about his romantic escapades. As for Illya, his wit is intact, along with the detached coolness. He's a romantic too, but much more subtle about it.
The Love Affair
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Napoleon is such a riot. The way he brazenly admits that the dumped maiden will "fall into his arms at a more convenient time" and the "missing partner" excuse he used to shift between dates...it is so funny. I almost felt sorry for him...and I'm a die-hard IK fan.
And yes...I have to send feedback too.
BTW, Loretta has put together a gen ezine "Taken to the Cleaners". I haven't checked it out, but I've heard positive noises:
http://www.geocities.com/elfstone810/UNCLE/cleanerscover.htm
no subject
(Anonymous) 2010-05-03 06:44 am (UTC)(link)Light-hearted, humorous, with quality writing and excellent dialogue, yet with the ballast of character development and a wonderful "twist" at the end. A gentle and funny piece.
I love this brand of fic which can be light-hearted, funny and romantic, yet be squeaky-clean. (unless you count two-timing Napoleon. But we don't. :-)
Thanks for the rec. I need to send something to the author.