sailing the fingers of the dragon

I don't even know where to start this review because, to be honest, I loved absolutely EVERYTHING about this.

Here's a list:

-Amy is so freaking Amy. I could see her do her pouting-thing in my head while reading. Also, that she's completely unaware of what happened outside while she was in the TARDIS. It illustrates how in the show, you can't ever just assume you know what the Doctor's been up to while off-screen

-which brings me to another point. The fact that this fits so seamlessly into canon. This is now my head-canon. As far as I am concerned THIS HAPPENED.

-And it explains the development of the Doctor's infatuation with River Song. There has to be these smaller moments along that way.

-The Doctor is so freakin' the Doctor. He's all barely constructed concern for the future, such as throwing his scarf on the ground and walking into a strange person's tent without a care. Often, I imagine he walks through life kind of like regular people go through a video game, meaning, he tests out options without even thinking he might get hurt. He's all about exploring all the options. It's all wonderment. It seems childish sometimes, but it also seems very indicative of someone so very old.

-Also, on smaller levels, his little habits, you just have them down pat. His voice! I could see it all in my head!

-You described this cold world so well that I actually felt cold. Yes, it helped that it is cold outside and the sky is trying to drown us right now. But you still transported me there.

-Your River is more River than River. I just loved her so much here, I cannot quite explain. There are the common threads, the "Hello Sweetie," the diary, the placement. But there's also something that you add to it. There's an intimacy to her actions, that is easy to get swallowed up by larger oh-god-we're-going-to-die moments on the show. Overall, this scene between them had the closeness, that breathlessness of that last scene between them at the end of S5.

-I also love that she knew the Doctor so much as to set this up for him. And conspiring with the TARDIS. Sometimes, when people anthropomorphize the TARDIS in fic, it comes off feeling like some deus ex machina or just plain kitschy. But you did it in such a way that it was endearing and felt feasible.

-And then the world you made up with the bees. Oh, the beauty and the danger! This should be on the show. It is that good.

-And I love that River leaves him there, fully believing he'll be all right. And the Doctor's not upset about that. I adore that they believe in each other's ability to survive apart. There is romance in their separateness.

-And then returning to the TARDIS again. Yes, he had a moment in private with River, but he still came back changed. He still carries that new intimacy with him. I mean, the fact that she knew about him being sunburned easily and then when he comes back, telling Amy to remember to pack the sunscreen. It doesn't feel like being henpecked. Because she only mentions it in passing, she's not breathing down his neck about it. Still, that definitely feels like an exchange between a married couple.

Just beautiful. What a lovely gift owlsie received, for a really lovely piece of fanart. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.