'Orpheus Turns Around' (halotolerant)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Title: Orpheus Turns Around
Author: halotolerant
Artist: norfolkdumpling
Archive to Pros Lib: Yes
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Word count: ~26,993
Warnings: No major warnings apply

Summary:A month after being shot through the heart, Raymond Doyle disappeared from hospital. Bodie was told in no uncertain terms to leave things alone, but there was no way he wasn’t following him, even as the trail lead to shady arms deals, CIA entanglements, notoriously cruel entrepreneurs and the city of Venice, deceptively idyllic in a summer holiday that is about to take a dark turn. Only just beginning to understand how he feels about his partner, Bodie is determined to save Ray from whatever web he’s become entangled in, but he isn’t expecting Ray himself to resist his help, any more than he’s expecting the other secrets that reveal themselves in the City of Masks.

Notes: Chronologically, thank you to all the mods for putting on and running this Big Bang and generally keeping us on track, thank you draycevixen for tempting me into signing up (Queen of Pimps!) and to her and przed, saintvic, heliophile_oxon and siskiou for tirelessly cheerleading whenever I slammed up another wordcount on my LJ ♥ Thank you kayberrisford for sound-boarding and listening to my ramble, even in hotel rooms when just about to go to boyband concerts ♥ Thank you to my wonderful beta reader elfwhistletree who read this several times AND wrangled a LoM Big Bang for me this summer and supplied rainbow socks ♥ And last but definitely not least, thank you to the amazing and generous norfolkdumpling, who presented me with a beautiful piece of art that really motivated me to finish up, then proceeded to shower me with yet more gorgeous artwork - I could not be more delighted with the end product and it has been lovely to get to know you better ♥

Link to Fic: Orpheus Turns Around
Link to Art: Art Master Post at AO3 and Art Master Post on LJ

Comments

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on finishing and posting - the artwork has already got me intrigued. I can't wait to read it, thank you!

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

It's gorgeous art isn't it? *g* And thank you, yes, I can't quite believe I did actually finish it in the end! Oh, this lovely feeling of 'having written', I know this is going to tempt me into doing it all again *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Oh,goodie! It looks great. Can't wait to dive into this. Thanks to you and to NFD for the hard work.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

And thank you to you too! *g* It's been hard work but I'm so very glad I did it! I hope you enjoy *g*

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I've really been looking forward to this and I know I'll enjoy it! Thanks for all your hard work.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! I hope it is worth the wait *g*

[cornishcat.livejournal.com]

Oh my!

I decided to have a quick peek at this, intending to read it leisurely at a more appropriate time but then I couldn't put it down.

I don't want to spoil it for others but do want to say how much I loved this ... and the artwork is fab. The snippets from the classic painting between the chapters so perfectly depict the context of the writing.

You're both brilliant.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it! And, yes, the art is so gorgeous and I love how it looks in the text - that was all ND's idea. Thank you very much for commenting *g*

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Right now I'm feeling a bit resentful that my Kindle has all the goodies and I must "be good" and wait until the weekend to get started on my reading.

*envies Kindle*

I'm really looking forward to it, petal. ♥

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I think they may have to create a new mood called 'Kindle envy' - I've had that recently! I've been enjoying being able to catch up with some reading recently, and I do love being able to read these longer stories on Kindle. I've just finished sc_fossil's brilliant story today, and I think it adds to the pleasure being able to read curled up on the sofa *g*

[moonlightmead.livejournal.com]

Bloody hell.

It feels almost slighting to post so *soon* after you have posted this, because it looks as though I have just skimmed hastily through a really long and carefully-constructed and paced piece of work that must have taken weeks to write. Like a lecturer handing an essay back the day after you handed it in, and it took all that time to do and you think "all that, and you read it for how long?"

But honestly, you have just destroyed my working day. I didn't skim. I just drank it all in, avidly. I happened to see it, opened the tab, glanced at the start, read a little bit... read a little bit more...

I loved everything from the dialogue to the plot, but I won't mention specifics until people have had a chance to read.

And the artwork: beautifully put together.

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much :) It was a pleasure to illustrate such a fabulous story!

[potztausend.livejournal.com]

Such a long story to look forward... ;-)

I just looked at your journal to read "Recovering" again, and *of course* I read "But Who's Counting" and "Different" first *g*.

You have such a talent to write sex scenes not in a technical way, but as a part of a story, a relationship, without ever being sappy. It's a sort of movie in my head with these stories, no details, just a floating atmosphere, a feeling of a second very deep and intense layer beyond the sex.

Uh, erm... I just wanted to tell you I am glad you wrote a BB story and I will read it.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

That's so sweet of you, thank you! I'm very pleased you want to read my story, I hope you enjoy it as much as my other fic - I found it a challenge to write such a long story, but I enjoyed it too *g*

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Halo, I've left you a comment on AO3 but I wanted to say on this LJ what a fabulous story this is. I loved it. It had everything: happiness, sadness, irritation and fear. Great work. Thanks!

NFD, wonderful! I loved the little chapter bits and the two main pieces were the icing on a delicious word-filled cake. :)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad you liked it! *g* It was my first try writing a long story in Pros and I worried about how to construct the story arc, but whilst it was a challenge it was fun too and great to have a reason to try and write a long story - I hope we do it all again next year! *g*

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

Yay Halo fic! Am so looking forward to reading this, am downloading right now!

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you! ♥

[imachar.livejournal.com]

Hmmm...that was *so* good. I just love Bodie's persistence in the face of Ray's obstinacy - just enough of a hint that there's something deeper going on to keep him right there wanting answers and letting Ray know that he's got his back. And for it all to come back to Bodie's past at the end was just masterful. Beautifully done. Can I also say your portrayal of Venice was spot on.

Gorgeous art work too, ND dear...will go comment directly :)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad you liked it! And I'm pleased that the Venetian setting seemed convincing - I wanted to convey the atmosphere a little as well as get the geography right! *g* I'm so glad the plot made sense and that you enjoyed reading - thanks for commenting! *g*

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

I have to admit, I was a bit afraid to start this because according to the myth, Orpheus looses what he loves most when he turns around. But this was gorgeous! I love all the descriptions of Ray from Bodie's point of view. You can see how much he cares. And when we learn why Ray is doing something that is tearing him apart, we see that the care is returned in kind. I've read this twice and loved it even more the second time! Well done! (and it is a good feeling - that post-posting relief!)

The artwork is stunning. Congratulations to you both!

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you took the risk, and so glad to hear that you enjoyed it, thank you! *g* I'm pleased to hear that Bodie's care for Doyle came through. And yes, yay, for the post-posting feeling! *g*

[krisserci5.livejournal.com]

Nicely done. Great tale. Great artwork. Wow.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so pleased you enjoyed *g*

[golden-bastet.livejournal.com]

It's late, and I actually came home sick from work and am not at my most eloquent - but I wanted to say this is an amazing read, with perfect artwork in the right places. Thank you very much for writing, and thanks to norfolkdumpling for illustrating.

And the picture of Venice really matches the research I did for my BB. :D.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so pleased that you liked it *g* I hope that you are feeling better now!

And I'm looking forward immensely to your Venice story - I love the city as you can probably tell - and I'm very glad my portrayal seemed believable *g*

[ci5mates.livejournal.com]

This was a great story, I started reading late after work just before bed thinking I'd just read a little bit but before I knew it, the clock had ticked over to 2.30 am...as you might have guessed I couldn't put it down. You caught me in the web of intrigue! You had me just as confused as Bodie by Doyle's behaviour which was a great way to have the story unfold and I felt like I was making the discoveries alongside Bodie. I loved the twist at the end and it all suddenly made perfect sense. You described the hospital scenes and flashbacks beautifully and had some amazing descriptions of Doyle thrown in there too. I am tipping you have been to Venice to have been able to describe the place in such detail??? You certainly had me convinced the lads were really there. It was beautifully written.

Great art work also which really compliments the story, well done to both the writer and the artist!!

Bravo!!

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I love so much to hear that something I've written really gripped someone so I'm so pleased by this comment, thank you! *g* I'm glad that you liked the story. Yes, I have been to Venice, the last time I was on my own so I had to get the geography fairly clear in my head! I love it and I'm glad my depiction of it was convincing here *g*

[unoriginal-liz.livejournal.com]

This story (and the art, of course!) was just fabulous. I totally lost myself in Venice and Bodie and Doyle's relationship - and I was on tenterhooks until the very very (satisfying) end :)

Thanks for such a fantastic read (and a gorgeous feast for the eyes too!)

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so pleased that you enjoyed the story and that the ending satisfied *g*

[murphybabe]

Oh, that was beautiful. Thank you both so much. Definitely one to read and re-read again.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm delighted that you enjoyed it all, thank you! *g*

[kiwisue.livejournal.com]

You really hooked me when Bodie confronted Cowley. It was just so Blind Run/Slush Fund/Ojuka Bodie! Also you dealt with the medical issues in a believable way, and had Bodie understand them enough so that his worrying seemed very real.

The plot was nicely paced and Doyle’s rationale when revealed was completely convincing.

All that wrapped up in some gorgeous prose. I have never been to Venice (although I have been to places that I have written about and I understand how inspiring it can be) but I’m thinking of adding it to the bucket list *g*.

Thank you – and thanks to ND as well, because her illustrations are superb!

Just one question, because I am clearly incapable of reading English – when Bodie misquotes Dickens and says ““We were all going to direct to heaven,” is that just because he’s tipsy or have I failed to pick up another meaning/intention?

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I've simply put 'misquoted' because he's using the quote in a context quite different from the original intention - Dickens was describing one period of time, whereas Bodie is making a sweeping philosophical statement (in a tipsy way!) It's possibly not the clearest adjective to have used, sorry about the confusion.

I'm really pleased to hear that the plot engaged you and you found it convincing in the end, and of course also that loved the illustrations - I think they're gorgeous! *g*

Venice is a very weird place, some people hate it, but I do think it's worth visiting because there's no experience that I've found quite like ti *g*

[jaicen5.livejournal.com]

phew finished. Thank you for writing this, you have a rare talent for words, arranging them perfectly to give the best impact and the best visual to accompany it. Long stories aren't easy to keep a readers attention, particularly with needed landscape descriptions, but you've managed it. My favourite parts of this story is Doyle's recovery. It's very nicely told, simple yet effective.

I have Venice planned in a couple of years, no doubt I will think of this story while there.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you for your lovely comment *g* I love the idea of you remembering this story when you go to Venice - you should be able to retrace Bodie and Doyle's steps (if for some crazy reason you wanted to!) as I tried to make it as accurate as possible *g* I'm so glad you enjoyed this *g*

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

Hey you! I've now had the chance to read the ending to the story, and I've got to say - even more fantastic than I thought it was going to be! So worth denying myself the chance to read it ahead of time...ahhh delicious anticipation. *g*

Thanks again for all your support with the art - I feel very privileged to have been able to illustrate this fantastic story ♥

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you ♥ I'm so very pleased you of all people liked it having put so much into the final product and that the ending didn't disappoint after all that build up waiting! *g* Your art gives so much to it and as I've said before, really helped motivate me to get it done properly and make the book live up to its gorgeous cover, so to speak *g*

*highfives again* What a fab experience ♥

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

I adore Venice and you captured it beautifully - so did the wonderful art! And your writing style is beautiful, too.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm so glad you felt I got some of the Venetian atmosphere into this *g* Cheers for commenting *g*

[margaret-r.livejournal.com]

Some beautiful imagery and an interesting story. You captured the lads well:) And the artwork is lovely.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the story and felt the lads came through *g*

[andreathelion.livejournal.com]

Well done! I so much enjoyed the reading.
And the whole atmosphere you created was just wonderful (...I need to see venice again, lol).
Thank you for this great story!
Many thanks as well to ND, the artwork is just perfect! :D

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'm so pleased to hear that you enjoyed it *g* I would love to go back to Venice too! (you probably guessed that *g*)

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

What a fabulous, gorgeous story, thank you!

I loved it from start to finish. I've never been to Venice, but I could almost feel myself there, the light and the heat and the water... Bodie's dogged loyalty and love really rang true for me, and Doyle's motivations were totally believable. And you wrote them the way I love them best - feisty, tough, contrary, bickering blokey blokes. Perfect.

ND's beautiful artwork suits it perfectly too. Thank you both ♥

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased to hear that you liked it, thank you! *g* It's great that the characters were believable for you - I wanted to get that balance between the intense attachment they have and the 'feisty, tough' side of them - that's what I love about the show, after all *g*

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

What a great read!! From the moment Bodie set off, I was wondering what he and Doyle had let themselves in for. ..And what better location for some intrigue!

I loved your sumptuous setting descriptions that provided the backdrop (and ND's equally sumptuous artwork)! Thanks for painting Venice from more than one perspective.

Thank you also for the depth you went into over the lads' underlying thoughts and motivations; this made all the twists and turns seem completely plausible.

[halotolerant.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased to hear that you liked it and enjoyed the setting, and I think the artwork enhances that so beautifully indeed *g* I'm glad the plot seemed plausible - thank you for your comments *g*

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

What an enticing summary, it sounds wonderful! Your story is on my kindle, and I'm so looking forward to reading it! Thank you!