Stars Above Discussion Thread

A beautiful ending to an incredible story. I don't feel like I have the words to do it justice. And my vision's all blurry for some reason. Must be san— ah, never mind.

Somehow, I didn't see it coming, either. In hindsight, it makes perfect sense, but... somehow, I didn't picture her being gone. I mean, Homura always survives, right? So... yeah. Didn't realize what was happening until Kagami did.

The ending reminds me a little of Gurren Lagann, now that I think about it. Like Nia and Simon, but with less calm acceptance.

Fridge Tragedy: If Kagami never ◕ ‿‿ ◕ makes a contract ◕ ‿‿ ◕, does that mean she and Homura will have separate afterlives? Or does Madokami come for all magical girls when they die?

General remarks:

• Of all the characterizations of Homura I've read, this one is by far my favorite.
• I've said it before, but you're phenomenally good at conveying intense emotions in writing, which is hard to accomplish. Your skill in that regard is better than many professional writers — including some whose books I like.
• Before this last chapter, I'd say Stars Above was tied with To the Stars for my favorite Madoka Magica fanfic. Right now, Stars Above is unquestionably my favorite — though we'll have to see how To The Stars develops. (And it's tough to compare the two, since Hieronym puts so much emphasis on incredibly detailed worldbuilding.)

Thank you both for your feedback and support. I'm sorry it's taken me this long to reply... I've been on a mini-vacation to rest my laurels, you understand. XD

@Lymle:

And that was exactly what I was going for. Like I said, I had the ending in mind from the beginning. I had a feeling it was perfect for the story back then, and I'm immensely glad I stuck to my guns the whole way through. A reader being brought to tears by your work is one of the greatest compliments a writer can get, so honestly, thank you.

And take your time on the more detailed feedback, no rush. I'm perfectly willing to wait, so long as it's REALLY detailed. XD

@Enthryn:

Holy crap, did I actually get you going too? Wow, I'm even more of a genius than I thought. XD But seriously, though... like I said above, an emotional response like that is what every writer dreams of.

Homura's death was supposed to be just that: a gut-punch to the reader, but obvious and appropriate in hindsight. The clues are all there, if you know where to look. In fact, if you pay attention, you can find the exact moment that the sickle hits her Soul Gem, when she knows she doesn't have long.

As for the Gurren Lagann comparison... yeah, that was definitely part of my inspiration. I happen to think that TTGL has one of the three most perfect endings I've ever seen in an anime, so paying homage to it, intentionally or otherwise, was perfectly natural.

To answer your question about Madoka: in the context of this story, at least, she does indeed come for all magical girls, in every universe. So Kagami and Homura WILL be reunited someday.

Jesus, your favorite Homura characterization? Really? I honestly don't know what to say, other than that's a hell of a compliment. Thanks, bro.

Anyway, guys, I'm back now, so if you want to continue discussing any elements of the story (or leave more reviews, -cough-RARE-cough-), feel free to do so. I'm not planning on closing this thread any time soon, after all. XD

Sorry about my prolonged silence. This time I assure you I am working to get a review done before next week and midterms kill me with extreme prejudice.

Edit: midterms are killing me with tasty prejudice, plans are delayed.

edited 12th May '14 3:38:12 PM by rareitor

As mentioned in the general Madoka fanfic thread, here's a drabble that I wrote:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10344443/1/Lycoris-Radiata

Heartcatch Precure / Madoka. In which a HPC villain goes after the wrong person's Heart Flower, and subsequently bites off far more than she can chew...

Just a little drabble I came up with on the fly...

—>Fuyutsuki: When we created Incubators and Soul Gems to preserve the universe, were we —>trying to play God?

—>Yui Ikari: Of course. With our current technology, mankind can only exist on this —>Earth. But with Incubators, magical girls, and Witches to preserve the universe, not only can —>our planet last a little longer, but we will have other planets to go to, if ever the time —>comes to leave this planet. The Witches may destroy Earth, of course, but as long as one Soul —>Gem remains...

—>Fuyutsiki: It will always be proof that life existed in this universe.

edited 16th May '14 5:14:44 PM by andyjay

Not bad! Believe it or not, that's sort of what I have in mind overall for Pioneer...

GUYS

GUYS

IT'S HERE.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9Ft3viBgtQ

So, I finally watched Rebellion. Just got through with it. I am churning with FEELS, so I'm having trouble articulating much, but these are my thoughts so far... (Warning: spoilers)

http://bhsdesk.tumblr.com/post/88130369636/rebellion

And here's a post-Rebellion one-shot I was inspired to write this morning. Again, spoilers, natch.

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10432739/1/

Nice one-shot. Not a radical interpretation by any means, but well-written.

Say, any plans to finish Pioneer?

Yes, definitely... I think I may reread through Kazumi first, but it's on my to-do list.

By the way.

I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to mention this, but what the hell. All things tend toward chaos, especially when I'm involved.

IT LIVES.

http://randomroleplay.forumotion.net/t797-kagami-hiiragi-snuggling-after-onions-unrated-edition

^ it just won't die ww

News: I'm writing an AU KyoSaya fluff fic as part of a trade. I commented on a certain author's PMMM smutfic, and it turns out she and her best friend are both fans of mine. XD

-pauses to deflate ego-

Anyway, so that will be done hopefully in the near future. She's going to write some non-canon KagaHomu smut in return. If it's anything like the fic I read, you're all in for a treat. :D I'll keep you posted.

GUYS.

FIVE MORE DAYS.

The SayaKyo fluff fic is almost finished. I also finally got started on part 2 of Pioneer... not much is done so far, but progress is progress. I'll work on it more tomorrow.

And the SayaKyo fic is done! Here it is: definitive proof that I can write things without angst, pain, anguish, or torment. XP

Like Old Times

Awww. So cute. It takes place inside a witch barrier or someone's Dying Dream, doesn't it? There's no way you just wrote something unambiguously happy.

Nope. There's no twist or anything, it is what it is: unambiguously cute and fluffy. As shocking as that sounds coming from me. XP

Also: please note my noble mission to make Kyoko's description of Mami's breasts as "huge mutant cow boobs" a meme within the fandom. SPREAD IT, MY CHILDREN.

edited 3rd Jul '14 3:53:59 PM by FringeBenefits

GUYS

IT'S FINALLY JULY 5TH

SAILOR MOON CRYSTAL EPISODE 1

ZOMG

SO HYPE

CAN'T SPEAK

NEED AIR

-COLLAPSES-

SO

as of last week's episode

Iona Hikawa has officially been promoted to Waifu #5. I know you're all overjoyed. XP

-listens to the crickets chirping-

Yeah. Expect fanfic at some unspecified time.

Probably a wise idea.

Also, I just finished this week's episode and OH MY GOD. SHE'S A BADASS WITH A TOTAL DORK JUST BARELY HIDDEN UNDERNEATH SHE'S PERFECT -INSERT SQUEEING-

Now now, none of that, I have sedatives and long needles and I am not afraid to use either.