Well, Then...
Mar. 10th, 2011 10:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
przedI've just spent the last three nights watching Take That videos on You Tube, poking about Hell Yeah Take That! on Tumblr, reading Take That RPS, and yes, buying the newest Take That album on iTunes.
Also, I've talked a friend into seeing The Eagle on Monday night at the very last theatre in the area still showing it. (Okay, it didn't take much talking into. I might have mentioned there was slash. And said friend might have enthusiastically agreed to go.)
I blame some of you.
And when I say some of you, I mostly mean![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
halotolerant and sineala. And Robbie Williams, of course.
And really, I should say "credit" rather than "blame."
Here, have the Take That vid that started all of this:
And a pic of Jamie Bell in The Eagle.
I now return to my regularly scheduled session of drabble writing. (Starsky & Hutch forloyseofverlaine!) Though is it really a drabble when it's edging ever closer to 1,000 words?
Also, I've talked a friend into seeing The Eagle on Monday night at the very last theatre in the area still showing it. (Okay, it didn't take much talking into. I might have mentioned there was slash. And said friend might have enthusiastically agreed to go.)
I blame some of you.
And when I say some of you, I mostly mean
halotolerant and sineala. And Robbie Williams, of course.And really, I should say "credit" rather than "blame."
Here, have the Take That vid that started all of this:
And a pic of Jamie Bell in The Eagle.
I now return to my regularly scheduled session of drabble writing. (Starsky & Hutch for
loyseofverlaine!) Though is it really a drabble when it's edging ever closer to 1,000 words?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-17 01:53 am (UTC)“You should want a beautiful husband,” he observed, and then fell over.
Once more, he felt Jason’s arms raise him; “You need to warm up.” There was a twist of concern in his tone. “I should not have set you such a task when you are so untrained to work. I am sorry.”
“You told me to wear other and more suited clothes,” Mark replied, mouth dry, after a moment. He could scarcely believe he was admitting it but it felt easy and good to do so. “I could have obeyed, rather than gone my own way.” He coughed, and felt Jason’s arms begin to tighten around him only to loosen abruptly, Jason ducking his head and flushing.
“Get those things off and I’ll lift you into the bath.”
Mark tensed, uncertain what was meant or what he was feeling.
“I’m your husband,” Jason still would not look at him, though he kept his arms steady at his back. “It is not improper. Can you doubt that I understand your wishes in such matters?”
Mark shivered again, but it was not the same shiver that the cold had brought. It occurred to him that to demur now would be to suggest that he suspected Jason’s motives, when the man had forsaken his own bed at the orders of the new husband who refused to sleep with him in the biblical sense or any other.
- - -
“I cannot be married to a farmer!” Mark had shouted at him – the wedding night had begun with anger and ended in spite. “I am a noble and you are some penniless knight whose ancestor perhaps carried chainmail at the Conquest! You may not presume to touch me!”
“I know you loved him,” Jason had answered, hands held out, standing across the room in an ugly, rough nightshirt, amongst all his ugly, rough furniture. “I know you miss him. But he would not marry you and I have done, and I did not intend to punish you by it.” The edge of temper in his voice, a suppressed irritation.
“Leave me alone!” Mark had burrowed himself under the covers, already weeping. He could not bear to hear Sir Robert spoken of in such bald terms. “I shall let you do nothing to me.”
A hiss, a short let-out breath that Mark would learn later, much later was what Jason did where Robert would have cursed and sworn and lashed out at his surroundings. “I should not force you in any thing on this earth. Has it occurred to you that I did not chose this match either?”
- - -
Shakily, Mark began to peel off the sodden silk until he wore nothing besides his short hose, and then, biting his lip, them too, now laying completely naked before Jason’s gaze for the first time.
Looking ahead, at the wall, Jason lifted him – the heat of his skin striking all the nearer now that there was nothing but his clothes between them – and laid him gently into the hot water.
“Thank you...” he said, very quietly, after a moment.
Jason’s hair was dark with rain, and his clothes were also muddy. Mark realised for the first time that he had his own work to do, which Mark had taken him away from.
“Thank you,” Jason replied. “If we work together, this will be better, for both of us.”
- - -
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-17 02:16 am (UTC)I adore this! Mark being all petulant and Jason being all noble and self-sacrificing. (Boo to Sir Robert for not marrying Mark. What was he thinking?) The descriptions are lush and there's a nice amount of heat building between them at the end. (Oh, that there was just a bit more of the story. Not that I'm complaining.)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-18 12:43 am (UTC)I wrote this last year when I had ideas but no energy to write long!fic, and like I say there was an unfinished fic amnesty so I thought I'd put the mental images out there *g* I wrote a longer Jason/Mark-with-bathing fic called 'On The Road' which is at AO3 if you want more of roughly similar genre, that's less whumpy though!
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-18 01:56 am (UTC)Oh, and I'm getting plot bunnies! I don't have nearly the knowledge of canon to actually write anything yet, but I've already got the start of one story. We'll see if I can actually get through it. (I'm struggling with the whole marriage thing. The last time I tumbled into a RPS fandom, the two blokes had the courtesy to both be divorced. *g*) I have a mad, half-formed scheme to do some crazy AUs. Your apocafic and Doctor stories have inspired me, though I won't do nearly as good a job as you.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-19 12:40 am (UTC)And double yay for plot bunnies! Ooh, I look forward to fic! I tend to handwave marriage in my RPS stuff - in my sandpit, no one is married (mind you, my sandpit tends be an AU one so no problem at all!) - I am always keen for a crazy AU and I have every faith you'll do a great one ♥
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-19 02:08 am (UTC)As for the plot bunnies, I had a lull in work (every project I'm working on is sitting with someone else at the moment, so I've got nothing to do for a few days) so I spent far too much time on British tabloid sites looking up articles on both Mark and Robbie's stints in rehab. Yes, that's where my bunnies are taking me for the moment, down a very dark path. I may ask for your opinion at some point, if it gets beyond the plotting stage.
Also, a vid idea bit me while I was listening to Progress for the millionth time this afternoon. I have a notion I could do an interesting Mark/Robbie vid to What Do You Want From Me? if it hasn't been done before. And of course, I'll need more footage. (No, I'm not looking for an excuse to buy Look Back, Don't Stare. Why do you ask?)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-19 02:15 pm (UTC)I had thought before that What Do You Want From Me could be directed at Robbie and I LOVE that idea! It has in no sense been done before. Hmmm, yes, you'll need LBDS and probably the various live performances of The Flood where they smooch? All of them are on YT somewhere, the M/R compilation 'Shine' video I linked to you a while back scoops in most of them and they're all mentioned in the takethatslash comm I think. The old first time concerts have a lot of them too (actually, any footage with Rob and Mark present has a lot of Rob and Mark moments, funny that *g*)
Rehab!fic sounds interesting. The dark side of what they've both gone through is fascinating, I'd be more than happy to chat over related stuff if it's useful - do bear in mind the tabloids do invent quite a lot of stuff though! But again, you need Look Back Don't Stare - there's a priceless scene with Rob, Mark and Gary talking about teetotalism there... *g*
I swear I'm not employed by the DVD production company to boost their sales, honest! *g*
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-19 06:15 pm (UTC)Seriously, I'm really determined to give it a shot. I've realized I'm in trouble with source. I bought the Blu-rays of the concerts, and I'm glad I did because they look fantastic!, but I can't rip those. I might poke around and see if I can find cheap or used DVD copies to order.
And I'll have to investigate the options for downloading YT vids on a Mac so I can get some of those performances and interviews and, ya know, smooching.
There's also the fact that I don't have as much time to vid anymore, with a wee one. I used to sit down at the computer for 5 and 6 hour stretches when working on a vid, and I just can't do that any more. But I am totally jonesing to give this a go, and since it'll be much less narrative based I may be able to manage it. We'll see. (I anticipate I'll be bugging you for advice on source if I do.)
Also, you like Better Tomorrow! That is awesome!
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-20 02:15 am (UTC)I can appreciate that you have other stuff to do - when I moved from Uni to actually working my priorities shifted about a bit (getting enough sleep to be awake during the day seemed like a more important plan!), but do certainly consider me volunteered to suggest/hunt down sources and clips if that helps a bit *g* (yes, you are correct, I am a bit eager)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-20 02:47 am (UTC)Have you seen any of the Johnnie To films? He's done some cracker HK action in recent years.
As for a TT vid, I must be serious about this, because I've compiled a spreadsheet of DVD prices. (When I'm serious about summat, I make a spreadsheet. You should see the one I've got for the Pros Big Bang. It has formulas and everything.) So consider this my first question about what to get.
I know I need Look Back and the For the Record doc, but can you tell me if I should get any of these:
The Ultimate Collection
From Zeroes to Heroes
On the Record
Those last two look potentially dodgy, but Amazon UK has them dead cheap, and I can easily rip PAL DVDs.
Once I've got the YT ripping thing sorted, I'll no doubt be asking you for those sorts of links, though I've got a chunk of things favourited already.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-20 10:52 pm (UTC)Formulas? Wow *g* (such as 'rate the tightness of Doyle's trousers on a scale of one to ten, take this number and multiply it by the number of times Bodie calls Doyle a diminutive pet name and add that answer to the number of times in the episode there is a woman called Anne, your final number is the correct number of chapters in for the first sex scene'? *g*)
OK *cracks knuckles*
The Ultimate Collection has all the first time round song videos apart from (inexplicably) Do What You Like, as well as the only examples on (legal) DVD of some content from the older tours - some acoustic stuff from 'Live at Wembley' and 'Hometown Manchester' and the 1995 Brits Performance of Back for Good, as well as some 'on the road' personal movie footage. The videos might be useful - they're all youtubeable if you want to look them up - and there's some nice Mark/Robbie moments in the tour bits especially 'Love Ain't Here Any More' ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0reG9Bw5kI - roughly 5 minute mark) in Manchester and in the backstage footage. Good solid content I would say.
Zeroes to Heroes is a compilation of old archive interviews from the era of the Most Dodgy Haircuts Ever but does include the famous 'Robbie with his head in Mark's crotch on the floor' interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iD1N6cL3zqI) *g* As you can see, a kind YT soul has uploaded the entire thing in chunks (under its other name of 'Tape That') so you can check it and decide. I actually do watch this DVD every now and again, it's got quite a few fun moments on it (Howard and Jason discussing Jason's drag number from the 1994 concert for example), I would say if it's cheap go for it.
On the Record is utterly useless, it is just random talking heads interspersed with minimal band footage. Do not bother!
Here, have Jason in drag. I think Howard would rather be the one in the dress but he looks like he's having fun *g*
And gotta love Robbie ('C'mon lads and enhance my performance!') and Markie's Most Utterly Sub Song of All Time... *g* Oh and I go a little bit weak every time I see Howard is so strong that he can actually spin Jason round his body *burbling noises* Although notice that Howard only really gets to do backing vocals and Jason doesn't get a solo at all - old TT hierachy in place.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-21 01:12 am (UTC)Thanks for the heads up on the DVDs. The Zeroes to Heroes one is 3 quid on Amazon. That Robbie's head on Mark's crotch interview is worth at least that. (Though lord, one does want to smack Howard a bit for being a bit of a sexist git. Ah well, he was young.)
That rock 'n roll medley is pretty amazing. And further proof, if any was needed, that Take That are direct descendants of the music hall tradition. (Robbie is adorable, even with the floppy haircut of doom. And yep, Howard spinning Jason around his body is, ahem, awe inspiring.)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-21 11:15 pm (UTC)We love it when they lift each other *g* I'll never forget the moment at the Circus tour dress rehearsal (which
'Live in Berlin' which that clip is from is what I consider to be the best of the original shows - they were at the point of combining success with all still liking each other and it was before Robbie went off the rails in any big way. There was an accompanying official photo book called 'Take That in Private' by Alex Kadis which is HUMUNGOUSLY slashy and contains numerous descriptions of them all sitting a group hug fondling each other - not to constantly pimp products at you but it is currently one pence + postage on amazon so you might fancy getting one *g*
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-22 01:48 am (UTC)That book does sound rather delicious. Hmmm. A pence plus postage. Wonder if I can find a Canadian vendor...
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-22 02:12 am (UTC)Ahem, yes, tickets for the Progress tour. I may possibly be going six times *coughs* I mean, I saw the Circus twice in the end which was no way near enough times (So. Damn. Good. Live. OMG.) and with Robbie in the equation you just know every night will be different. Can't wait *g* Vicarious living is all good - hopefully they'll put some video content out during the tours too, they did last time.
I could buy one and mail it to you if you want? (or, actually, with any of this stuff, if hard to find over there) ♥
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-22 02:29 am (UTC)I'm sort of sad the TT love didn't bite me early enough that I could have got tickets. Ah well, I don't have enough vacation days to manage a trip to England anyway. ::sigh::
Thank you for the kind offer. I may take you up on it at some point. It's always best to find a Canadian vendor, since then I don't get hit for duty, but if that fails... (I'm currently checking my Amazon UK account every few hours to see when they ship my TT DVDs. They are "Dispatching Soon." Yay!)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-22 03:22 am (UTC)Of course, I had to run down and throw the Circus disk in the old player and check out Howard and Jason lifting Mark over the piano. Awwww. Though boo to the director for nearly missing out on the moment. They pretty much did miss most of Howard and Jason breakdancing on the piano.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-22 08:46 pm (UTC)Here in a satirical number from Ultimate Tour Howard lifts Mark around the 4:30 mark, and the breakdance may be quite familiar *g*
Not uninteresting in the rest of it either... working theory is that the 'commandments' relate to the one moving when they are spoken, sort of makes sense.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-23 01:24 am (UTC)That number from the Ultimate Tour is very, very interesting. It's a bit of a jokey start, but it gets pretty brutal in dissecting and deconstructing both their initial success and people's reaction to that success. The end bit with the quotes on screen borders on the harrowing, actually. Yep, my opinion of them continues to grow apace.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-23 07:43 pm (UTC)The shadow of 'the manager' hangs heavy over their reminiscences of the early days; one of the most important points in Gary's book is when he realises that his relationship with their manager was vastly different to the other three's, and makes his decision to support them in breaking away.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-24 01:43 am (UTC)"The manager" has rather a lot to answer for, by the sound of things. And yet again I'll say that I really do have to get hold of Gary's book. (Their whole narrative seems to be almost custom built for fanfic, down to the villainous manager, and their relatively easy acceptance of the gay milieu, regardless of their own sexuality.)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-24 11:54 pm (UTC)The narrative sucks you in, it really does, it has all the elements of epic TV series - love, disagreement, separation, teamwork, reversals of fortune, challenges, separate and inter-twining relationships, villains and shades of grey. *g*
The fact that they all became so used to working with and around gay men, going to gay clubs, flirting with gay men to help themselves along as woman might flirt with a straight man is very interestingly explored in Gary's book. He talks about enjoying being mistaken for a gay man and - to me most fascinatingly - his jealousy when he realised that whilst their manager favoured him, he clearly was far more attracted to Jason - I could go on but I don't want to tell you all of it in advance - I really wasn't expecting such honesty or such self-deprecation from him.
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-25 01:19 am (UTC)Their working/flirting with gay men is completely fascinating. For straight boys and pop idols (tho' is Jason straight? because he's the one I would guess might actually be gay) they seem remarkably savvy about gender issues. Which of course can only endear them to me further. And yeah, Gary sounds like he's really thought about those issues and dealt with them, which is fascinating. (I'm never going to be a Gaz fan--there is no way in which I fancy him--but I think I'll end up respecting him a heck of a lot.)
I'm glad I've discovered the TT love, because I'm having one hell of a week, and nightly doses of watching the lads in concert have made it a bit more bearable. (Just found out this afternoon that the dad of one of Ros' friends died in his sleep while they were on a family vacation. He was maybe in his early 50s, which no health issues to speak of. Horrifying.)
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
Date: 2011-03-26 01:25 am (UTC)Jason's sexuality is a matter of debate, albeit not very heated since he's probably got the most private private life of any of them - he once said in an interview that he'd happily date a man if he fancied him but hadn't up till that point. Another interview pre-Circus tour seems to suggest that all the rainbow balloons that start the show are a nod of his to Gay Pride. He and Howard once showed up at G-A-Y nightclub in London in the Old Days wearing nothing but thongs - they certainly enjoy and appreciate male appreciation as much as female.
I find Gary remarkably hard to get into slash fic (he just wants to sit there and be sensible and not all emotional *g*) but I do admire him in a lot of ways.
I'm sorry to hear you're having such an utterly rubbish week (I saw your other post too) - far too much in one go and then to be ill just makes everything harder to deal with. I will be thinking of you and sending all best wishes ♥
In response to your prompt at my drabble meme I am writing you what has swiftly become a 5,000+ word steampunk Mark/Robbie AU with added balloons, if that is an encouraging thought at all *g*
Meanwhile have some more footage that is hopefully diverting and entertaining:
and this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsVYfOejmJU (they are dancing with - apparently - clubbers literally pulled from the nearest gay club - note the drag queens! - and Mark's t-shirt is stuff of legend *g*)
♥
Re: Free Gift Fic -2
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Date: 2011-03-21 01:14 pm (UTC)I'll probably get a nice NTSC Blu-ray copy of Look Back when I'm feeling a bit flush, but these'll do nicely for vidding for now.