Orienteering for Beginners - Liriel

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Title: Orienteering For Beginners
Author: liriel1810
Artist: togsos
Archive to Pros Lib: Yes
Genre: Slash
Characters/Pairing: Bodie/Doyle
Word count: 21,917
Warnings: None
Summary: Thrown together by Cowley and by chance, it’s loathe at first sight for Bodie and Doyle. Used to operating solo, Doyle is not impressed when he’s put to babysitting a saucy ex-mercenary who is not even part of CI5. When what was supposed to be an easy assignment turns into a race for survival, the two men will have to use their respective skills to work together if they hope to make it home alive. An encounter with an angry stoat will be the least of their worries as they struggle to surmount the increasing obstacles in their way. The experience will leave neither man untouched, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll acknowledge the impact it has made.

Notes: Author’s Note1: With special thanks to dawnebeth for the medical information and the quick once over for Brit-checking and to silvan_lady for the location information. My undying gratitude to my brilliant beta, catlover2x who talked me down from the metaphorical ledge when I was ready to chuck it all in because I couldn’t work out what the hell I was doing with the story. A very big thank you to togsos for the lovely artwork. I am in absolute awe of your talent. And thank you also to the mods for organizing and keeping spirits up and motivated.
Author’s Note2: Quote is from Hamlet.

Link to Fic: Fic Master Post/Orienteering For Beginners
Link to Art: Art Master Post
Link to RTF files: RTF Files for e-readers

Comments

[togsos.livejournal.com]

So happy to see this posted, such an excellent story and a joy to illustrate

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Aside from the part in the middle where I wanted to delete the whole damn thing, I had fun writing it. :D

[shooting2kill.livejournal.com]

I love first time encounter stories and the idea of Doyle babysitting Bodie (as a saucy ex-mercenary) sounds exactly my cup of tea! I'm looking forward to this and the *very* impressive looking artwork. Well done both you and togsos.

[unoriginal-liz.livejournal.com]

I really liked this - it's such an interesting and enjoyable take on how the lads got together :) I especially liked the detail of Doyle using everyone's call sign instead of their name. And it was a lot of fun to watch Bodie barge through all Doyle's carefully maintained boundaries. I really liked the art as well!

Thanks for a great read (and some nice eye-candy!)

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Any story with a stoat in it gets my vote!

Congratulations and thank you on getting it done - and I'm already in love with the artwork! I can't wait to read.

[norfolkdumpling.livejournal.com]

Love the idea of this (also - STOAT!! *g*). I've grabbed the RTF file for my Kindle and will be reading asap. Thanks so much for taking part :)

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

Goodie. New fic! I'm away at the moment but once I'm home, I'm diving in. Thanks for posting!

[dawnebeth.livejournal.com]

Glad to see you've posted and with such amazing anime type art. The stoat looks terrifying! This is a great, action packed chase through the British countryside.

[krisserci5.livejournal.com]

My favorite, first times. And this is a first times for working together as well. Yipee.

[inlovewithboth.livejournal.com]

Oh I liked this one A LOT! Brilliant banter, Doyle's firecracker V Bodie's sardonic Merc, with explosive heat bubbling under every minute. I loved it!

[milomaus.livejournal.com]

Wonderful eyecandy and great story, I enjoyed both tremendously!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thanks very much. I hope you enjoy the story. Togs did an absolutely brilliant job of the art!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm very pleased that you like my take on how the lads got together. It was great fun letting Bodie trample all over Doyle's boundaries. *g* Togs did a brilliant job of the art.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

*g* I think the stoat makes the story, actually.

Thanks very much. I hope you enjoy it when you get to read it. I'm trying to scrape a bit of time together myself to do some reading - all these lovely stories and too many obligations to be completed before November! AAARGGHHH!

Togs did an outstanding job on the artwork... I keep opening the files just so I can look at the pics and sigh happily. *g*

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

*g* Stoat FTW! I hope you enjoy the story when you get to it. Thank you for helping to organize it!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

:D It's a bit frustrating when you have new fic to read and no time to read it in, eh? I hope you enjoy it when you finally get a chance to read!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, Dawn! I reckon Bodie would have bled out (and we won't even talk about that delirium thing, right? *g*) and Doyle would have expired in the muck if it weren't for you, so thank you again for your help!

Bodie's obviously much braver than us, because I totally would have run a mile if I saw that stoat too! *g*

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm an absolute sucker for first times too. Yep, first all around! ;)

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I love writing banter so it always thrills me when other people enjoy my banter dialogue. :D I'm so happy you liked it!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thanks, hon! *smooches* Togs did an awesome job of the art. I couldn't have asked for better.

[firlefanzine.livejournal.com]

You made my day! :-)
First met, a lot of banter, h/c, the case not complicated, good minor characters - that's exactly how I love it.
Yes, the old lady and Billy add so much to the story!
Thank you!

[saintvic.livejournal.com]

*bounces in excited fashion*

Can't wait to read and yay for posting.

[merentha13.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this. I love a stroppy Doyle and the ever indulgent yet challenging Bodie. (Dawnebeth 'saved' Doyle in my BB story too. Why do we do so much harm to these poor lads! *g*)

Well done! Thanks for sharing.

Togo's art work is brilliant!

[sc-fossil.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed your tale. The lads on the run, getting to know each other, Bodie hurt/Doyle sick! I admit, I'm not a big "first meeting" reader yet your story sucked me right in. Maybe it's because as much as the lads thought they didn't like each other, they really did. *g* And you didn't belabour the dislike part either, but let them get on their the job and allowed their friendship and partnership to work out. Nice! Thanks for an entertaining read.

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Thanks to RL insanity *shakes little fist at RL* I am already ridiculously far behind on BB reading. You've been Kindleized -- shush, I know it didn't hurt that much -- and I look forward to reading. :D

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm an absolute sucker for first times. I reckon most of their dislike was just trying to reject the instantaneous attraction. ;) These lads are professionals. ;) They wouldn't let personal feelings get in the way of doing the job at hand. I'm delighted that you enjoyed it!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm so glad I was able to tick so many boxes for you. :D I get quite enamoured of my secondary characters sometimes, so I'm really chuffed that you like Billy and Mrs Stouch.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Yay! I hope you enjoy it when you get a chance to read it.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Stroppy Doyle is my absolute favourite. ;) (and I think he's Bodie's too)

*g* I think the lads owe Dawn a bouquet of flowers or something for saving them from overzealous H in the H/C.

Togs did an amazing job of the art... I want to bow before her brilliance!

I'm so pleased you liked my story. (and I swear, I am making time this weekend to do some reading of my own!)

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

You've been Kindleized

And here I thought it was just me coming down with the flu again. ;P

RL can be a real bite in the arse sometimes, can't it? Particularly when there's all this luscious reading to do... and no time to read. :( I haven't managed any BB reading at all yet... but I'm determined that's going to change this weekend!

I hope you enjoy the story once RL finally gives you some breathing room (or should that be reading room?) :)

[catofwitch.livejournal.com]

The illustrations are SOOOOOOO cute! I haven't had time to go through the story, but the illustrations make me feel it must be a great job! I've downloaded the RTF files. Wish I could find some time to read it this weekend. Lots of thanks to both of you!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Togs did an amazing job on the art, I agree! I hope you enjoy the story when RL finally gives you some time to read.

[moth2fic.livejournal.com]

Lovely writing - you have the voices just perfect, including Cowley and the other agents! I love the stoat and had been waiting impatiently for it to rear its hissy little head since it was first mentioned in one of the check-in posts!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! Even after two years of writing them, I am still shit-scared of writing the lads wrong, so it makes me very happy that you feel I've captured their voices - all of the Pros people!

Hee! That stoat is the real star of the fic. *g* I love being challenged to stick odd elements into a story.

[margaret-r.livejournal.com]

A lovely story that draws you right in and makes you keep on reading! You've got the lads just right with some great dialogue. Love the stoat and Bodie's method of conquering it*g*

Thanks for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

[catofwitch.livejournal.com]

Marvelous story! I love the stoat and Bodie-food part, just can't help giggling -- and my husband thought I cracked up under the strain of work finally... And the way the lads got to know each other, the sly Cow and the action part, I love them all! What a satisfying read!

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

That was a great read, thank you! I love the idea of Doyle babysitting Bodie, and Bodie ignoring his strops. I love your Cowley too - you've got his voice and mannerisms just right. And yes, I did squee happily when I got to the stoat *g*

Thanks for all your hard work, and for sharing it with us.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I'm very happy that I could make you giggle.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I really love writing the lads conversing so I'm very pleased you enjoyed the dialogue.

I think the stoat stole the story. ;) *g*

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I could so see Bodie blithely ignoring Doyle's moods. I'm delighted that you feel I've got Cowley down. I think I struggle with him the most.

*g* The stoat is the real star of the story, right?

I can't wait until I get all my 'chores' done so I can dive into all the fabulous stories.

[sw33n3y.livejournal.com]

Loved your story (and left kudos at the end of the last section) but wanted to add how spectacularly well togso's illustrations went with the tale.

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! Togs did an outstanding job of the art. I have to keep going and looking at it because it's so perfect.

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

I'm downloading this to my kindle now, and I very much like the sound of it! I'm looking forward to reading it as soon as RL lets me! Thank you!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much! I have a stack of stories just waiting for me to have a bit of breathing room from RL demands. I hope you enjoy the story when you get a chance to read it.

Kindles

[anna060957.livejournal.com]

Sorry to be asking just a weird question, but I'm intrigued by the comments about Kindles. I had it in my head that you could only read "proper" books on Kindles. From what you are saying you can download your own stuff. I've been thinking of getting a Kindle - lured by the £89 price tag as well as its development over the last couple of years - reading in sunshine, etc, etc. Obviously I need to do a bit more research, but maybe you could help? I'd be really grateful for a push in the right direction. Not only would it be incredibly convenient, downloading fic would save a forest of trees, gallons of ink and probably 10 square metres of storage room!!!


PS - loving the Big Bang stories - way behind, but savouring each one.

Re: Kindles

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

Yes, you can dl your own stuff to a Kindle as well as buy books from Amazon or dl public domain books from places like the Gutenberg project.

In order to put fan fiction on your Kindle you'll need to dl an e-book managment software on to your computer. I recommend Calibre which is free shareware and does an excellent job. If you want to dl a fan fiction story from LJ or the like you copy and paste in to a Word document, save it as a RTF file and then use Calibre to convert it in one easy click to MOBI which is the software Kindle most easily recognizes.

IF you want to dl fan fiction from Archive of Our Own, ALL of the stories on that site have a download button in the upper right hand corner. You click on that button, pick the MOBI format and you don't even have to convert it.

More and more of the people I know are choosing to Kindle (or another e-reader) their fan fiction habit for longer fiction as many find reading longer fic on the computer uncomfortable and don't want to waste all that paper printing it out. Also, the Kindle is a very unobtrusive way to carry FF around with you and you can password lock it so noone else can see what's on your kindle unless you want them to.

[angel-ci5.livejournal.com]

Just wanted to say what a brilliant read this was and how much I enjoyed it! I really liked the set-up, and thought the dialogue and banter were superb!
Fantastic, thank you very much!

[liriel1810.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.

It's looking like it'll be the new year before I'll get a chance to do any serious reading. :(