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crack_van2004-03-09 08:14 pm
vysila.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2004-03-09 08:14 pm
Entry tags:
The Whiffenpoof Affair by Astrid Keynes (PG)
Fandom: MAN FROM UNCLE
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
astrid_olivia
Author Website: apparently none
Why this must be read: Because it's one of the most hysterically funny, over-the-top MfU stories ever, with snarky dialogue, a good sense of time and place, and wonder of wonders, Illya and Napoleon are very much in character. This story could easily have been an outstanding third season episode (third season is known for its outlandish plots and wacky situations), because even though absurdity is present in spades, the characters are very grounded and recognizable.
The setup: Napoleon attends a class reunion at his alma mater and Illya tags along. It's an eventful evening, for they run afoul of a very covert CIA operation.
The a cappella group came to an anticlimactic close together and the gathered Yalies and Yalie supporters broke into a scattering of applause. Toward the back of the assembled retinue, Napoleon Solo, a “Class of 1952” badge affixed jauntily to his lapel, contributed to the conservative clamor, then turned to his companion who had not, as yet, raised a hand to show his own approval, but was rather regarding the singers with a mixture of confusion and disgust. “What?”
Illya turned to his partner, trying to mask the distaste still apparent in his expression. “What was that?”
“That,” Napoleon answered with sardonic pride, “was a time-honored tradition here at Yale, the singing of the Whiffenpoof song by the Glee Club, the Whiffenpoofs. It’s one of Yale’s crowning features.”
“One of Yale’s crowning features contains the words ‘Baa Baa Baa’?” Illya asked, his practiced smug expression taking the place of the less-oft-seen puzzlement.
Napoleon shrugged. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
Illya snickered. “Vaguely. And no one in this crowd strikes me as resembling a little lost lamb. Nothing very poor about them either.”
Napoleon smiled indulgently. “I think it’s meant to be taken purely metaphorically. Not that I ever seriously considered it before. Surely your scientific and methodical mind can comprehend metaphor?”
Illya scowled. “Probably better than you can. What kind of education did you get here in New Haven?” he asked contemptuously as he glanced around the unaesthetic, not terribly pastoral suburban setting.
“The very best money can buy,” Napoleon rejoined with a straight face. “I’m sure you don’t consider it an education if you aren’t simultaneously being taught survival from the KGB and values from the Soviet navy in conjunction with academics?”
“Or some facsimile of the same.”
“The very best education, money discouraged.”
“Exactly. Much more valuable in the long run.”
“Oh really? Who makes more money, in the long run?”
“There are more important things than money.”
“Shhh! That’s not the Yale attitude! If you start saying things like that to the people around here they might think you’re a communist or something.”
“I am…”
“I know that, and you know that, but everyone doesn’t have to know that.”
“Would you like me to deny who I am?”
“Think of it more as a temporary undercover assignment. You are here, assuming the role of my charming and jocular partner, willing to accompany me on this oh-so-noisome mission.”
“Charming and jocular?”
“How about reluctant and accommodating?”
Illya sighed. “I don’t know why Waverly said you had to go. Or why I agreed to come with you.”
Nominally a slash story, there is no sex here, just a couple of references to their relationship. The story focus is on poking fun at everything and everyone, including the CIA and the US educational system. I'm not an Ivy Leaguer, so I laughed until my sides hurt.
The PG rating is for the occasional curse, a bit of violence... and a lot of singing. As the author says in her foreword: You have been warned!
The Whiffenpoof Affair
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.
Pairing: Napoleon/Illya
Author on LJ:
astrid_oliviaAuthor Website: apparently none
Why this must be read: Because it's one of the most hysterically funny, over-the-top MfU stories ever, with snarky dialogue, a good sense of time and place, and wonder of wonders, Illya and Napoleon are very much in character. This story could easily have been an outstanding third season episode (third season is known for its outlandish plots and wacky situations), because even though absurdity is present in spades, the characters are very grounded and recognizable.
The setup: Napoleon attends a class reunion at his alma mater and Illya tags along. It's an eventful evening, for they run afoul of a very covert CIA operation.
The a cappella group came to an anticlimactic close together and the gathered Yalies and Yalie supporters broke into a scattering of applause. Toward the back of the assembled retinue, Napoleon Solo, a “Class of 1952” badge affixed jauntily to his lapel, contributed to the conservative clamor, then turned to his companion who had not, as yet, raised a hand to show his own approval, but was rather regarding the singers with a mixture of confusion and disgust. “What?”
Illya turned to his partner, trying to mask the distaste still apparent in his expression. “What was that?”
“That,” Napoleon answered with sardonic pride, “was a time-honored tradition here at Yale, the singing of the Whiffenpoof song by the Glee Club, the Whiffenpoofs. It’s one of Yale’s crowning features.”
“One of Yale’s crowning features contains the words ‘Baa Baa Baa’?” Illya asked, his practiced smug expression taking the place of the less-oft-seen puzzlement.
Napoleon shrugged. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
Illya snickered. “Vaguely. And no one in this crowd strikes me as resembling a little lost lamb. Nothing very poor about them either.”
Napoleon smiled indulgently. “I think it’s meant to be taken purely metaphorically. Not that I ever seriously considered it before. Surely your scientific and methodical mind can comprehend metaphor?”
Illya scowled. “Probably better than you can. What kind of education did you get here in New Haven?” he asked contemptuously as he glanced around the unaesthetic, not terribly pastoral suburban setting.
“The very best money can buy,” Napoleon rejoined with a straight face. “I’m sure you don’t consider it an education if you aren’t simultaneously being taught survival from the KGB and values from the Soviet navy in conjunction with academics?”
“Or some facsimile of the same.”
“The very best education, money discouraged.”
“Exactly. Much more valuable in the long run.”
“Oh really? Who makes more money, in the long run?”
“There are more important things than money.”
“Shhh! That’s not the Yale attitude! If you start saying things like that to the people around here they might think you’re a communist or something.”
“I am…”
“I know that, and you know that, but everyone doesn’t have to know that.”
“Would you like me to deny who I am?”
“Think of it more as a temporary undercover assignment. You are here, assuming the role of my charming and jocular partner, willing to accompany me on this oh-so-noisome mission.”
“Charming and jocular?”
“How about reluctant and accommodating?”
Illya sighed. “I don’t know why Waverly said you had to go. Or why I agreed to come with you.”
Nominally a slash story, there is no sex here, just a couple of references to their relationship. The story focus is on poking fun at everything and everyone, including the CIA and the US educational system. I'm not an Ivy Leaguer, so I laughed until my sides hurt.
The PG rating is for the occasional curse, a bit of violence... and a lot of singing. As the author says in her foreword: You have been warned!
The Whiffenpoof Affair
I hope you enjoy this story as much as I do.