This is a really good brief, contained characterization for Shiva. She's motherly but also a vamp; she stands as an authoritative mentor but acts as a summoner's servant. She's suggestive without being compromising. I guess she really feels like some middle state between a human (her humor and chiding) and an elemental force.

It's also fun seeing Braska, who probably would be something of a radical among his peers, acting so awkward and prim.

And you don't waste time establishing any of this - it's economic but paced steadily enough that the reader can take in the scene and the details. It neither rushes nor drags on.

Crit:

The grammar's good, the pacing is great, and the characterization is solid, so both of my crits are really subjective.

I would've liked to know whether this was Shiva's regular m.o. when encountering comely young summoners, or whether there was something unique about Braska that intrigued her.

The title threw me off. It sounds a bit like a self-help book, and, aside from that, it's somewhat self-evident. The fic is really good, so it might benefit from a stronger title.

And that's it. I really like this take on Shiva.

Well done. I love the terse voice of Shivas nun fayeth. I was waiting for her to whack Braska with a ruler or something. It is nice to see the aeons fleshed out a bit not something I have ever tried.

O niceee! I know it's been published some time ago, but I've been thinking of doing an aeon backstory series. so it's nice to look at a few references... you know, to ensure i'm not plagiarising.

your story makes perfect sense :) i'm glad it's not one of those stories where i tear my hair out cos the loopholes are huge and glaringly obvious. :P

Do keep on writing!

I always loved Bahamut's incongruous Fayth, myself, and the same holds true for Shiva's. The line "Even her voice sounded frumpy." is a great one! :D

Very nicely done! I really like the simplicity of the prose, especially as Braska thinks about his wife...and that glorious Aeon within the ice. ;) I don't remember much of this aspect (as I said, Bahamut's the only one that really stuck with me), but you do a wonderful job describing the bond between Summoner and Aeon/Fayth, here.

This was very interesting! I have never see a Braska/Shiva fic but this was rather nice! :)

Oh, interesting.

I enjoyed this. A lot. Not many people write about Braska to begin with, but with an aeon? I loved the back story about Shiva and Braska's awkwardness. If there was one thing I wanted from the game, it was more info on the individual aeons. Anyway, nice work. I'm so glad I happened to find it!

I really liked how you interpreted Shiva's fayth, and the way you have Braska fluster over the whole conversation. I really had fun reading this, it perked up my evening.