cabinpres_fic (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
cabinpres_fic) wrote2012-04-03 07:26 am
cabinpres_fic) wrote2012-04-03 07:26 am
Entry tags:
PROMPT POST PART IV
Please see the most recent MOD NOTE
(updated 6 June)
Welcome everybody. How you got here I have no idea but thank you for coming and welcome again, nonetheless . As you may have gathered this is a Fic Prompting Meme dedicated solely to the hilarious and oh-so-addictive BBC Radio 4 sitcom - Cabin Pressure. I'm aiming for this to be pretty anything goes - but in order for everything to run smoothly, there are a few guidelines. Don't worry - they're not too restrictive.
FILLING GUIDELINES
As you probably all know - our meme now has it's very own database created and maintained by the great Enigel. It both catalogues each and every prompt that we post and provides links to fills. You can find it here: Google Spreadsheet
We also have a Pinboard archive which has been put in place by the lovely
oxfordtweed in the place of our late Delicious Archive. This Archive contains a list of all the prompts this meme has to offer - you can find it here: Pinboard ArchiveThis is a great step forward in making our meme just a little more organised (but not too organised of course. This is Cabin Pressure) which is always a good thing.
So in order to make things easier to archive - Please nest your fills.
This can be done by either posting each part as a reply to that part's immediate predecessor, OR by replying each time to Part I OR - well you get the idea :D
It makes it simpler for Enigel and myself to link fills in a clean and clear manner. Following these guildelines will be very much appreciated guys :D
REPROMPTING
Reprompting is allowed but please include the URL of the original prompt when you do so. It will make it infinitely more easy to Archive which would make both Enigel and I very happy :)
As for everything else
- Be respectful to one another. Disagreements are fine, but not everything disagreeable is trolling. If you suspect someone of trolling, just ignore it. If you cannot respond to a comment without attacking or trolling someone else, keep it to yourself.
- No bashing prompts. It might not be your cup of tea - but obviously someone wants it enough to go to the effort of requesting it. So just scroll past it.
- Prompt away as much as you like guys - seriously, go wild - but please try to fill as well.
- Please no RPF. I'm not trying to oppress you RPF writers and enthusiasts, I would just really like to avoid any legal problems.
- When you post a fill (or post a new part of a WIP) please go over to the Filled Prompts Post (if it is complete) or the WIP Post (if there are still more parts to come) and, following each post's guideline's, post a link to this fill or new part.
NEW - If your fill includes a major element that veers from the original prompt (crossovers, established universes, kinks, et cetera), please take a few moments to check with the OP that such additions are welcome. This has caused problems in the past and it only takes a few moments of your time.
REALLY IMPORTANT ADDENDUM
According to numerous Child Safety laws it is illegal to provide pornographic material to minors. Seeing that the majority of the stuff we have here is rather adult in nature, this Meme is consequently an 18+ zone. Failing to comply to this rule could result in the Meme getting shut down. So if you're here and you're under 18 please back button now.
+ Please do not post anything regarding minors in a sexual situation. It really doesn't matter how tasteful or crass it is, there are laws that classify that sort of thing as child pornography and as such, I'm afraid we're going to have to go with the attitude that safe is better than sorry.
It really is VERY important that these rules are upheld as the consequences are severe.
Other than that - go crazy guys. Any problems please just message me and I'll try my best to work it out.
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII | Prompt Index
Current Prompt Post | Current Chatter Post | WIP Post | Filled Prompts Post | Searching Post | Orphan Post | Page-a-Mod Post | FAQ | Beta/Concrit Post
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FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Turning his flushed face away from Martin, Arthur's voice was unusually quiet and a little hoarse. "Nothing, Skip." Clearing his throat and making a quick movement that looked very much like wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, Arthur finally turned his head and looked... at Martin's chest. "What did you need?"
Opening his lips, but not immediately having words to say with them, Martin stared at Arthur's reddened eyes and splotchy pink cheeks. "I... Arthur, I didn't need anything, actually. We were just looking for you so we could all go to the hotel now, but something’s wrong.”
“What’s wrong?” Arthur asked, blinking rapidly as he looked up at Martin finally, out of habit, no doubt.
“You tell me,” Martin said, crouching down next to the seat and putting his hand on Arthur’s arm. “Was that French man in row ‘D’ rude to you again after Carolyn had a talk with him?”
Arthur shook his head, eyes dropping.
“But, if not that, then—” Martin was interrupted by Douglas.
“You found him? Ah, excellent. Indeed the last place we’d expect, just as I said.” Douglas entered, putting his fists on his hips and sounding drawlingly impatient. “Well? Forgot something, did you, Arthur?”
Another shake of Arthur’s head, his gaze dropping to his knees and his lower lip protruding just a bit. Martin frowned, and then turned to look at Douglas with what he hoped was a ‘do you see that there’s something wrong?’ sort of expression and tilted his head at Arthur.
“Arthur,” Douglas said in that lilting way he had, the one they all knew meant he had caught on there was something someone was hiding and he was going to get it out eventually, so they might as well give now and save themselves the badgering. Sky Gods could be annoyingly persistent and snarky the whole time they were being patient at one.
“It’s nothing, really,” Arthur protested, but his voice cracked on the last word.
Glaring at Douglas as if he were somehow at fault, Martin gentled his voice. “It must be something, Arthur, or you wouldn’t be upset.”
“I’m not… I don’t…” Arthur made a frustrated sound. “Oh, I can’t do it. I can’t think up a good lie right now!” His lip quivered and he turned his face away again with a small sniffle.
“We only want to help, Arthur,” Martin said, glancing up to find Douglas was right beside him now.
“Was it that French bastard again?” Douglas asked.
Even as Arthur shook his head, Martin replied without looking up at Douglas, “No, I asked that already.”
“Arthur?” Douglas pressed and Arthur sniffled a bit louder and put his hand over his mouth.
“I don’t want to make you angry with me again!” Arthur mumbled from behind his hand.
“Angry?” Martin repeated.
“Again?” Douglas chimed in immediately afterwards. “What… is this about that nonsense with the cheese tray?”
Arthur’s head dipped in a few jerky nods.
Martin patted Arthur’s arm, still under his hand. “You… didn’t intend to drop it, we know that.”
Douglas sighs and rolls his eyes heavenward. “Arthur, if you can’t tell by now when we’re just teasing you—”
A strangled little sound came out of Arthur’s throat, cutting Douglas off mid-chide.
Douglas’ face pulled into a frown of concern, but it was Martin who spoke a little hurriedly, perhaps trying to beat Douglas to the punch. “Arthur was it… w-was it us giving you a hard time? Did we hurt your feelings?”
With another sound that was a little louder and more certainly a strangled sob, Arthur said in a tight voice, still muffled by his hand, “…called m-me a c-clown…” Arthur shook his head, shoulders heaving with sobs that didn’t get past his hand.
Martin was confused, they’d called him ‘clot’ and ‘idiot’ and more, though he’d always seemed to know—at least usually—that it wasn’t meant to hurt, but why…?
With a soft hum of enlightenment, Douglas put his hand to Arthur’s head and smoothed his hair a few times, “Arthur, did your dad used to call you that?” Arthur’s head bobbed a little, but not enough to dislodge Douglas’ hand. “Oh, Arthur,” murmured Douglas, voice softer and regretful, he’d been the one who said it first; he’d suggested Arthur had become a steward because the circus wouldn’t have a clown that couldn’t juggle. Martin had played off it, true, but Douglas had actually said it.
“Ohh,” Martin said softly, sounding similar to Douglas as he unintentionally echoed him. “Oh, Arthur.”
“I kn-n-now you didn’t… d-didn’t mean it that w-way,” Arthur said through uneven catches in his breath and a couple more sobs that escaped him.
“No, no, I understand,” Douglas assured him. He touched Martin on the shoulder and the captain moved aside so Douglas could edge past Arthur’s knees and sit on one leg in the seat next to him. “Arthur,” he said sombrely, again resting his hand on Arthur’s head until Arthur looked up at him, then he let it fall to Arthur’s shoulder and squeezed lightly. “I apologise for being unkind, Arthur. I would never have said it had I known.”
“I’m sorry, too, Arthur,” Martin said, running the hand on Arthur’s arm up to that shoulder and rubbing it soothingly. “We went a bit too far. I think maybe we oughtn't joke around with you by calling you names anymore.”
“I know you don’t usually m-mean them, S-skip,” Arthur protested.
“We do get exasperated, Arthur, but there’s a line between joking and hurting,” Douglas argued gently. “If you have to say ‘usually’ then we’re crossing that line sometimes, like this time, and that’s not right.”
Though Arthur shook his head, Martin kept rubbing his shoulder and cut in before Arthur could—probably—argue further. “No, we’ll try not to do it. And if we slip up, you should tell us something like… like… ‘hey, guys, that’s a bit mean, could you not call me that?’ or… you know, something along those lines.”
“Really?” Arthur asked, sounding very young.
“Yes,” Martin confirmed, nodding and catching Douglas’ eyes. “We’re all on the same team here, after all. We should remember that.”
Rolling his eyes, lips quirking in acknowledgment, Douglas nodded. “Yes, I suppose we should.” He gave Arthur’s shoulder another squeeze and a bit of a gentle shake. “Can you forgive me, Arthur?”
“And forgive me, too?” Martin asked, his hand still on Arthur’s other shoulder. “Still friends?”
Sniffling a bit, Arthur swiped at his eyes and cheeks with his hand, nodding. “Oh, yes, Skip. I don’t think I could stand it if we weren’t all friends.” He turned to Douglas. “Sure I forgive you, Douglas.” Turning to Martin again, he added firmly, “And you, too, Skip.”
“Thank you, Arthur,” Douglas said, smiling a little.
The next moment Arthur had leaned over and pulled Douglas into a big, tight hug. Douglas made a sound of startled protest, but then went with it, hugging Arthur and patting his back.
Martin looked on with a crooked, sad little smile, and stood up, ready to go when the other two were done; however, as soon as he released Douglas with a tentative little smile, Arthur turned to Martin and rose.
“Skip?” Martin’s dark ginger brows rose and Arthur made a little snorting sound before stepping closer. “You have to hug after an apology, Skip. It’s the law.”
For a second Martin’s expression showed confusion, but then he smiled and, before he could reply, was pulled into just as big a hug. With a quiet little breath of a laugh, Martin returned the hug, rubbing Arthur’s back fondly. “Wouldn’t want to break the law, after all,” he said into Arthur’s shoulder.
“Gosh, no. That would be unthinkable,” Douglas rumbled with humour evident in his voice. “Come on, then, we’ve a seedy hotel to check into and then dinner to wrangle. If one of you can find us a sushi place, I’ll treat.”
Arthur’s eyes lit up as he stepped away from Martin, and he smiled with very nearly his usual enthusiasm, exclaiming, “Brilliant!” before leading the way toward the exit. Douglas and Martin followed along behind him, both wearing similar affectionate smiles.
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Liked the clown bit so much (*comforts Arthur*), liked the looks Douglas nad Martib shared and I loved that line:
“You have to hug after an apology, Skip. It’s the law.”
I could hear him in my mind so clearly.
Perfect fill!
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
You just made my...year actually. As I am in unconditional love with your writing and hearing such nice words from you gives me all Martin feelings.
Thank you!! (Most of all for writing and writing and writing)
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
The hug/apology law thing was inspired by Arthur's "you have to have a u after a q, it's the law" thingummy. I'm so glad you heard it clearly, too. \o/ Success!
Thank you immensely!
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Thank YOU for writing!!
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Oh, no, thank YOU for reading and telling me what you thought!
:D
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
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Thanks abunches!
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Thanks oodles, m'friend.
<3
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Good job!
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Thank you very much for the feedback!
XD
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Re: FicFill: A Bit Too Far
Yes, people can be cruel without realizing it, because they don't catch that you're not laughing soon enough.
Thanks muchly for the comment!