December recs: 8 FIAB fics

[schneefink]

Of the many pre-Christmas stressful things this year, an unexpected one is ficinabox. And I didn't even participate this year! But I usually try to read and comment widely before creator reveals and this year the timing was not great for me.

I did find many fanworks to enjoy and loved many of them, and here are some of my favorites. Several of them can be enjoyed fandom-blind.

This Ao3 Author's Curse Has Got Hands by antimony_medusa
Dream SMP, 5.6k, Phil & Techno, urban fantasy AU, A/N format
Summary: Fanfic author Technoblade has been pre-writing and is excited to start posting his whumptober longfic, his trusty beta Philza at his side. Unfortunately for his posting schedule, the Ao3 author's curse hits him hard, fast, and with an intensity never before seen. Really it's starting to seem like he's cursed.
Does this mean that he gives up posting his fic?
Nah nah nah nah nah he's got this handled. Don't even worry about it. Chapters will be posted come hell, high water, hospital visit, house invasions, eviction, mob action, emergency road trip, or kidnapping. Technoblade never dies, and he never misses an update.
Why I love it: A story told entirely in author's notes: the format works fantastic, the character voice is impeccable, and most importantly it's hilarious.
Canon knowledge required: Definitely not (tested on my gf.)


an entirely truthful testimony by nixietricks, Odaigahara
Hermitcraft, 8.4k, Scar- and Boatem-centric
Summary: The case of Hermitcraft v. Goodtimes, McGrian's H.C. (Season 10), Bdubs' Court of Law, held at a reasonable time with reasonable, calm-minded players who certainly do not already have a verdict in mind on account of what happened last week.
The court calls GoodTimesWithScar to the stand.
Why I love it: Hilarious, great character voices, and fantastic shenanigans.
Canon knowledge required: Minecraft knowledge probably sufficient?

Café Boatem by amaranthinecanicular
Hermitcraft, 5k, Grian & Mumbo & Boatem-centric gen, fantasy AU
Summary: “Mumbo,” Grian says, harried, dragging his hands down his face, for the sixth time. “Have you wondered what this place is?”
Mumbo no longer looks vampiric. His skin now is rough and bumpy and not really skin-like at all, though his mustache and dark eyes remain the same. “I thought it was a dream.”
“Yes. To you it might be.” Grian waves a hand. “What else?”
“A cafe?”
“Sure. That too.” He exhales through his nose. “What this place really is, though, is what people need it to be. Scar told you that the first time you came here. Everyone who comes here needs something. Everyone. Even you.”
(The Café Boatem is a needful place, insofar as it fulfills the needs of its customers. Enter Mumbo Jumbo, the most needless person in existence. Grian refuses to accept this.)
Why I love it: This is lovely, I really enjoyed all the fantasy aspects, the character voices, and the atmosphere.
Canon knowledge required: No

a hostile place for living things by Odaigahara
Hermitcraft, 4.3k, Scar & Grian, fantasy AU
Summary: “Oh, man,” he whispered, pouring as much charm into his words as he could. Caramel, butter, salt to add extra flavor. Fervence like a witch’s on a pyre. “Man, oh, man. Now would be a very, very good time to remember the words I used to summon you last time, wouldn’t it?”
The summoning circle he’d painted under the plastic refused to glow or do anything useful. Scar rested his head against the wall and groaned.
“Pretty please with a toadstool on top? Star light, star bright, first spore I see tonight? Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest shroom of all--”
The plastic shifted, a lump rising up like a puff of air and solidifying, shoulders hunched over arms and legs, a figure rising and then slicing through it.
Scar choked on his next breath.
Why I love it: Mmm yes that's the good angst, the keysmashing and wailing kind of angst, and great voice too.
Canon knowledge required: No

Liturgy of the Tides by somehowunbroken
original, 1k, various formats
Summary: A prayer book for a small bobtail squid.
Why I like it: This is lovely, the prayers and texts and lyrics are so well done, both content and format-wise.

what do you mean the Foxes won the championship? by maevedarcy
All For The Game, 4.7k, social media/fandom outsider PoV
Summary: what do you mean the Foxes won the championship?
Why I like it: The Livejournal posts are so well done, I was so disappointed I could not read the full posts under the cuts ^^
Canon knowledge required: Probably yes? I only know it via osmosis but that was enough.

Paper Faces on Parade by Nemainofthewater
Nirvana in Fire, 4.3k, Lin Chen & LS|MCS, canon divergence
Summary: An experimental treatment has an unexpected side effect.
Namely the re-emergence of the Young Marshal.
Why I like it: Beautiful delicious Lin Chen angst.
Canon knowledge required: Yes.

the past was living still by Nemainofthewater
Nirvana in Fire 2, 3.1k, Xiao Pingjing & Lin Chen (&MCS), pre-canon
Summary: There were ghosts on Langya Mountain.
Why I like it: Lovely scenes both in the present and past, I really enjoyed all the interactions.
Canon knowledge required: Yes.

Comments

[scintilla10]

The squid one is excellent! Thanks for all the recs :D

[schneefink]

Glad you enjoyed :D