ext_1675 (![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png)
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
crack_van2011-12-02 11:13 pm
laceymcbain.livejournal.com) wrote in crack_van2011-12-02 11:13 pm
Amazing Grace by airgiodslv (PG)
This story, I think, will appeal to anyone who's seen the movie and wanted more of an explanation; anyone who likes a well-constructed team story; or anyone who likes Arthur/Eames but is content to see them as friends who might one day (if they survive) be something else.
Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Gen - Mal and Dom are married, but apart the entire story; Arthur and Eames share one moment of recognizing their potential together, not even a kiss, at the end of the story
Length: ~18,244 words
Author on LJ:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
airgiodslv
Author Website: Master Inception Fic List
Why this must be read: This is one of the early fics written within a couple of months after the movie came out. It takes as its premise that the movie is a dream - that Mal and Dom have been dreaming together, gone too deep, and gotten lost. When Mal commits suicide, she actually wakes up to a reality where Dom is in a coma. He remains in a Limbo he believes is the real world - one where he's partly responsible for his wife's death and where he'll do anything to find a way back to his children.
I love this story because it takes the complexity of the film and adds even more layers to it. If you think you understood the movie, this brilliant construction challenges the reader to look at other possibilities. If you found the movie puzzling, perhaps this interpretation will guide you to a deeper understanding. I get something out of it, something I hadn't considered, whenever I read it.
All the characters are there, although they may be slightly different from the roles they play in the movie/dream. Still, they're all recognizable. What really sells the story for me is how this group of people - some who know Dom, some who don't - come together for a single purpose, risking their own lives to help bring Dom home.
"He doesn’t recognize me," Mal says. "He has built delusions around himself, he thinks I am a ghost. A phantom. He thinks I haunt his dreams."
"And Arthur?" Eames asks, eyes flicking to him. Arthur shakes his head as well, hating the heavy weight of admitting defeat.
"I can’t even get close. He’s had time down there to build a bigger maze than anything I’ve ever seen before. A whole world, and he’s hidden in the center of it. His projections always turn on me before I can track him down."
Eames purses his lips for a moment, before setting his coffee cup down onto the saucer with a clink and sitting back. "And what, precisely, do you want me to do?"
"He thinks he’s in reality," Arthur answers. "You could blend in, be a part of that. You’re used to conning people into revealing things, getting people to trust you so you can take advantage of them. You might be able to get through to him."
Eames’ lips and eyebrows both twitch upward. "A charming description of my skills, thank you, Arthur." He steeples his fingers and looks hard first at Arthur, then at Mal. "So what you are in fact asking me to do is to voluntarily drop into limbo, into unconstructed dream space, in the hopes that I’ll be able to return, preferably with Cobb in tow. Without knowing for a fact if it’s even possible."
Arthur holds his gaze steadily. "I can offer you twice your standard fee," he says. "With a few thousand extra for hazard pay if that’s not enough." He can’t go much higher, not without stretching his resources, but he’ll be able to come up with something. He can find a way.
"Please," Eames replies, shaking his head. "Try not to be quite so insulting. I did get on a plane, didn’t I? I just want to be sure we are all on the same page about what it is you’re requesting."
Read the story and don't forget to feedback the author: Amazing Grace, Part One
Amazing Grace, Part Two
Or read it in one file at AO3: Amazing Grace
There's also a set of two sequel ficlets that focus on Arthur and Eames: Two Amazing Grace Sequel Ficlets
Fandom: INCEPTION
Pairing: Gen - Mal and Dom are married, but apart the entire story; Arthur and Eames share one moment of recognizing their potential together, not even a kiss, at the end of the story
Length: ~18,244 words
Author on LJ:
airgiodslvAuthor Website: Master Inception Fic List
Why this must be read: This is one of the early fics written within a couple of months after the movie came out. It takes as its premise that the movie is a dream - that Mal and Dom have been dreaming together, gone too deep, and gotten lost. When Mal commits suicide, she actually wakes up to a reality where Dom is in a coma. He remains in a Limbo he believes is the real world - one where he's partly responsible for his wife's death and where he'll do anything to find a way back to his children.
I love this story because it takes the complexity of the film and adds even more layers to it. If you think you understood the movie, this brilliant construction challenges the reader to look at other possibilities. If you found the movie puzzling, perhaps this interpretation will guide you to a deeper understanding. I get something out of it, something I hadn't considered, whenever I read it.
All the characters are there, although they may be slightly different from the roles they play in the movie/dream. Still, they're all recognizable. What really sells the story for me is how this group of people - some who know Dom, some who don't - come together for a single purpose, risking their own lives to help bring Dom home.
"He doesn’t recognize me," Mal says. "He has built delusions around himself, he thinks I am a ghost. A phantom. He thinks I haunt his dreams."
"And Arthur?" Eames asks, eyes flicking to him. Arthur shakes his head as well, hating the heavy weight of admitting defeat.
"I can’t even get close. He’s had time down there to build a bigger maze than anything I’ve ever seen before. A whole world, and he’s hidden in the center of it. His projections always turn on me before I can track him down."
Eames purses his lips for a moment, before setting his coffee cup down onto the saucer with a clink and sitting back. "And what, precisely, do you want me to do?"
"He thinks he’s in reality," Arthur answers. "You could blend in, be a part of that. You’re used to conning people into revealing things, getting people to trust you so you can take advantage of them. You might be able to get through to him."
Eames’ lips and eyebrows both twitch upward. "A charming description of my skills, thank you, Arthur." He steeples his fingers and looks hard first at Arthur, then at Mal. "So what you are in fact asking me to do is to voluntarily drop into limbo, into unconstructed dream space, in the hopes that I’ll be able to return, preferably with Cobb in tow. Without knowing for a fact if it’s even possible."
Arthur holds his gaze steadily. "I can offer you twice your standard fee," he says. "With a few thousand extra for hazard pay if that’s not enough." He can’t go much higher, not without stretching his resources, but he’ll be able to come up with something. He can find a way.
"Please," Eames replies, shaking his head. "Try not to be quite so insulting. I did get on a plane, didn’t I? I just want to be sure we are all on the same page about what it is you’re requesting."
Read the story and don't forget to feedback the author: Amazing Grace, Part One
Amazing Grace, Part Two
Or read it in one file at AO3: Amazing Grace
There's also a set of two sequel ficlets that focus on Arthur and Eames: Two Amazing Grace Sequel Ficlets