4An Incovenient Attraction
I loved this. Massively so. It's all twisty and smart and it plays out so well. The characterisations are perfect - even, bizarrely, of the dog. Love love love, etc.
-- nostalgia - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 13:03:04 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
I love An Inconvenient Attraction! I love how it means one thing the first time you read it, and something else entirely the next time, and you have to read it again when you finish it, you just have to! I love the language used, the careful crafting of the story. I love the ending most of all. It's difficult to say why I like it so much without spoiling the story, so I'll just end by saying that Seema has a classic with this story!
-- Djinn - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 13:19:58 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
Normally this pairing would turn my stomach, but Nostalgia has the amazing power to make anything seem both okay and very, very dark and twisted. I love that and I love this Archer and T'Pol. Needs of the Many is a powerful piece that is both sexy and sad, lyrically written, and full of things that point up the alienness in T'Pol.
-- Djinn - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 13:21:21 -0500

10Sloth
Nostalgia's is a wonderful new voice, and this story is a great example of why. Daring in style, wonderfully rich in language, and showing us a new side of T'Pol, letting us look deeper. So well done!
-- Djinn - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 13:22:12 -0500

9NEVER AND ALWAYS SO THEY SAY
This is the best of the trilogy. It really caps everything off and shows how T'Pau got to be like she is. And who can blame her??
-- J. Juls - Sat, 01 Mar 2003 19:57:55 -0500

2BUT NEVER PARTED
It was an interesting to link T'Pau and T'Pol.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 03:54:39 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
I often roll my eyes when I see a story coded as a mystery pairing because almost always the pairing is no mystery to me. Especially if I know the author's favored pairing, I know what's to come before I ever hit the first word. This story was a delightful surprise on more than one level and had me immediately going back to the beginning of the story to see how Seema could have *done* that! And yet she plays completely fair with the reader as is evident at that second reading. Not that this is a story at all dependent on gimmick. In general, Seema has a lovely way with the Enterprise characters (well, with any she turns her mind to but anyway...) and I'm only sorry we haven't seen more Enterprise stories from her. She has a way, as in this story, of turning your perceptions upside down and then making you feel this was inevitably the way it was all along. The voices and personalities of each character, even down to Porthos, was spot on and like all of the stories I've read of Seema's, the writing is not just well-crafted but stylish. I like how the ending circles back to and echoes the beginning. From beginning to end with that passionate, vivid opening, this is writing to die for and in my humble opinion anyway one of the best Enterprise stories this year.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 03:57:07 -0500

5Just One
I am officially in love with Mestral, the most appealing and sexy Vulcan since Spock (to my mind including Spock) found on Enterprise's "Carbon Creek" episode. One-shot character he may be, Mestral nevertheless made quite an impression on me. Djinn captures this character's voice very well, particularly that quality of someone, who though grounded in a Vulcan heritage, is seeing so many new possibilities. It is precisely that sense of wonder that makes the character so endearing. I also love Djinn's Maggie and the chemistry between her and Mestral in this story. I love their conversation about that stocking cap and what is hidden beneath it as well as Maggie's wisdom that secrets can be better hidden in a small community you have made yourself a part of then in the anonymity of a big city. I loved the comparison of Vulcan and Mars--both "in love with Venus." That parallel had never occurred to me. So much of this story is told in dialogue and it really zips along all too quickly to the end. Djinn's known for writing another Vulcan male/human female pair off in TOS land. After reading "Just One" I can only hope she can be persuaded to revisit this couple in future stories. This was indeed a delightful story from beginning to end.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 04:00:06 -0500

6LOVING THE ALIEN
I liked this story of Mestral and Maggie.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 04:01:00 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
This story features some beautiful writing that is sad and heartbreaking and lyrical. "The Needs of the Many" is short, compact, economical and precise, like a well-crafted poem. A sample line of the story can give you an idea what I mean: "She is scientific detachment, female and defined. She is passive and impassive, minimalist and restrained." Those words are said of T'Pol and I think they capture one possible interpretation of the character that lends a lot of power and poignancy to the implications of an Archer/T'Pol relationship. Nostalgia actually makes this an intriguing pairing. In this author's hands, it is a relationship of complexity and intensity that makes you think about what these two would be like together and what their differing motivations might be. It is both logical and not what you would expect. I liked the bit of Archer's back story we are given as well. "The Needs of the Many" is a strong, memorable story well worth looking up.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 04:03:13 -0500

9NEVER AND ALWAYS SO THEY SAY
Interesting speculation about what could have created the T'Pau we see in TOS.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 04:03:59 -0500

10Sloth
This story is yet another gem from Nostalgia, who in my opinion is the most stylish and lyrical writer plying in Enterprise space this year. I enjoy stories told from T'Pol's point of view, and this one makes the Vulcan sound suitably alien. I loved T'Pol's thought that the Enterprise is hers and Captain Archer's child. I loved how all that T'Pol is repressing bubbles over in her sleep. It is interesting how sleep is not a source of rest and peace for her. I also loved T'Pol's possessiveness in this story. "Sloth" is a wonderful story and features a great last line. This is another story from Nostalgia not to be missed.
-- Rabble Rouser - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 04:05:32 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
A very well written look at friendship, and the boundaries placed on relationships by the command structure.
-- TLin - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 13:53:17 -0500

5Just One
I enjoyed reading a different perspective on Mestral and Maggie's future relationship. Very romantic.
-- TLin - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 14:05:35 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
A wonderful angst-fest. You captured Archer's agony over trying to figure out T'Pol, and her motivations (not to mention his own), perfectly.
-- TLin - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 14:12:55 -0500

10Sloth
Lovely. The never-ending-battle between T'Pol's conscience and unconscience mind is captured perfectly here, as is her constant struggle to keep her inner desires under control.
-- TLin - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 14:19:33 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
This is an amazing story because it's so deceptively simple and packs a real wallop at the end. When I first read it I just sat there in shock. I had to go back and reread to make sure I hadn't missed anything, or misunderstood. The second time I did finally pick up on the subtle little hints, but the ending is still powerful.
-- Rocky - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 15:00:17 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
This was a good riff on the "mysterious pairing" theme. Normally, I wouldn't buy this kind of pairing, but Seema did a nice job of easing into it, until it seemed both blazingly obvious and logical by the last paragraph.
-- Paula Stiles - Sun, 02 Mar 2003 20:31:19 -0500

5Just One
This is a very nice coda to "Carbon Creek." I wish we could have had a scene just like this between Maggie and Mestral.
-- Rocky - Tue, 04 Mar 2003 14:11:41 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
An interesting 'possible' Archer/T'Pol interaction, which also takes on the Starfleet regulation against fraternization and relationships between officers. In just a few well-chosen phrases, Nostalgia paints some very sharp images. And I confess, one of the reasons I liked this story so much was because it reminds me of a certain angsty VOY pairing.
-- Rocky - Tue, 04 Mar 2003 14:17:23 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
This story was one of those where I finished reading and I never saw the ending coming. Never. It's definitely one to be read again because the first time you just don't pick up on all the subtle wordplay or nuances. Without a doubt, one of the best Enterprise stories I've read.
-- Cait N. - Tue, 04 Mar 2003 17:25:23 -0500

3Caught in the Act Vignette One
I couldn't believe what was on the PADD Archer had! And then I just knew that Trip had sent it to him. Don't ask me why I thought that, it just seemed like something Trip would do. But after reading it, I have a whole 'nother idea how he got that picture! Kept me guessing and had a surprise ending, which are two things I like in a story.
-- Cait N. - Tue, 04 Mar 2003 17:28:14 -0500

5Just One
I haven't seen "Carbon Creek," but because it's Djinn fic, I decided to risk being spoiled. As always, a lovely character interaction with dialogue that rings absolutely true.
-- Seema - Tue, 04 Mar 2003 18:15:51 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
I'm not one for much slash, but this story surprised me so in the ending that I am drawn to reread it every now and then. Very good use of foreshadowing, and keeping the suspense up to the second-to-the-last sentence. Like it very much.
-- KayJay - Wed, 05 Mar 2003 00:24:29 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
As an angst-monkey, anything by nostalgia hits me *right here* ::heavy sigh::. I really loved this piece; the use of language is exquisite...an economy of words, and great use of harsher language when needed. I wonder if T'Pol's development over this season would shed a different light on the way this story would pan out *now*?
-- KayJay - Wed, 05 Mar 2003 00:42:54 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
This was an interesting look at T'Pol and Archer's relationship. Once again, lovely prose from nostalgia.
-- Seema - Sat, 08 Mar 2003 11:35:02 -0500

10Sloth
This is a nicely drawn T'Pol here, repressed but still intensely emotional under the surface in her feelings toward Archer.
-- Seema - Sat, 08 Mar 2003 11:36:43 -0500

10Sloth
Interesting situation, drawn by the master of angst.
-- Taryn Eve - Tue, 11 Mar 2003 21:02:28 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
A well-crafted fantasy story, with nothing to give away the unexpected ending. Quite inconvenient, indeed.
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:40:32 -0500

5Just One
A lovely, romantic coda to Carbon Creek. I particularly enjoyed Mestral learning how to woo.
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:44:36 -0500

6LOVING THE ALIEN
Mestral's thoughts and feelings about his new experiences fit very well with the character we saw in the episode. I like his excitement about watching humans beginning to explore space.
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:48:54 -0500

7Mistletoe Surprise
A fun "surprise." I could really picture poor T'Pol carefully walking around the ship trying to avoid all the doorways!
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 08:53:06 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
What a way to write this pairing! But I must admit I got a big kick out of this story's totally merciless Archer torture -- it's such a fitting answer to all the lame romantic episodes in which the latex foreheads are the only way to tell the aliens from the humans, and I can actually picture T'Pol behaving like that. Great use of language, as in all of nostalgia's stories, and the "one very bad word" definitely has the desired effect.
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 09:00:10 -0500

10Sloth
Oh, those dreams. Now we know why T'Pol is so intent on meditating every night before she goes to bed!
-- Ventura33 - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 09:04:32 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
Since every word counts, a drabble -- even a drabble series -- forces an author to be controlled and precise. And since Seema is an author always in contol of her craft, the drabble form suits her very well. She does an excellent job with it in this story. The opening and closing sections in particular stay with me.
-- Kelly Chambliss - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 12:24:24 -0500

1 Asphodel
I missed this the first time, but I'm glad I caught it now. Nice interpretation of Trip, especially.
-- Penny Proctor - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 19:17:57 -0500

4An Incovenient Attraction
Sly and clever, with a nicely ambiguous ending. Well done.
-- Penny Proctor - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 19:19:18 -0500

5Just One
The romantic in me loved this take on Mestral and the events after Carbon Creek. It's a much more satisfying end than the actual episode gave us. As usual, Djinn's characters are spot on.
-- Penny PRoctor - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 19:21:20 -0500

8The Needs Of The Many
It's a little bit mean to make Archer this pathetic when B&B are doing a fine job of it, but this story seems all too possible. Almost painful to read, yet compelling.
-- Penny PRoctor - Fri, 14 Mar 2003 19:24:22 -0500