Oh my goodness this review is so long overdue I feel like I should be baking you at least a dozen pies to make up for it! Virtual or no it should take me about six hours just to make up for my... awfulness. :(
Anyway, on to the awesomeness that is your chapter! I admire the way you portray Cecilia. Have I told you that before? Sometimes she's a bit spacey, but she genuinely cares for these "creations" that no one else even bothered to consider human. I think Miguel even debates their human status, but he rarely outright expresses his feelings on the matter. Some of it might have to do with the fact that his facade of friendship (well, sometimes I think it can be/is a ploy) or because his military background just makes him think of every human being like he/she is a mere number on a piece of paper. Anyway, I like that Cecilia outright shows affection for them and even though she is reprimanded by other people, I think the fact that she has such an open mind is admirable.
Of all the people in the world to speed, I was surprised to see it was Nicol. Sometimes I think those implants of his make him feel/think he's too invincible and since he enjoys the rush (then again, who doesn't :P) he feels the need to be overly adventurous. Good thing too Athrun is used to high speeds (not to mention the whipping around he gets when he's in a mobile suit) because I couldn't imagine any normal citizen attempting to survive such a drive. I know I would get car sick. O.o
And the twist with Nicol at the end gives me shivers every time. To see that such a soft and warmhearted guy could turn into that. And it makes so much sense given what he's been through. One could almost say Athrun was naive here because he thought Nicol would just come back and everything would be okay again. I'm so glad it's not as simple. I mean Athrun screwed up majorly with that whole wanting to "convert" Kira back to ZAFT escapade, so now it's just comming back around to get him in the end.
I can't wait to see what happens next because there's so many things that can happen now. It's as if Nicol's now, officially free to do whatever he wants and Athrun can't make any kind of justification for it. Hm, just so much fun to think about!
As always a great chapter, my friend, and keep up the awesome writing!
I love how you said sorry for the long wait on the chapter and yet it took me over a month to review. . I feel so bad because I loved this chapter so much and yet I haven't found the time to sit down and type! Well, there's a lull at work so let's see how much I can praise you! :P
Okay, so the first part was so amusing! I feel bad for Cecilia because I know exactly how she feels when it comes to not wanting to wear the frilly/short things and yet the whole world seems to be in the agreement that every girl should have on something inappropriate to be-well-appropriate. That just makes no sense to me... Anyway, I still find it funny that Miguel is willing to go through all of this trouble and never get the girl. How gentlemanly of him. Either that or he is expecting some kind of compensation later. I hope not, but then again he can be kind of a jerk at times. We all know him too well.
I'm glad we get to see more of Nicol's personality here. For some reason, I always saw him as some kind of cold soldier, but now as you dive further into his psyche we can see he actually cares about what he's doing despite his exterior expressions/reactions.
And, ah yes, a man and his sports car. I guess I can't really say anything because I own a two-door car myself, but I still find it funny/cute when they get all flustered over the things. And they get so proud at the same time. I don't think I'd be scared if he was driving the car though because if he could handle a mobile suit, you'd think a car would be no problem, especially since his new upgrades he should be the best driver the world has ever seen. And his reaction time should be pretty impressive as well.
And so they all meet. Dun dun dun...
For once Yzak is being the civil-minded one of the pair. That's interesting and a good unexpected. Who knew he had it in him? Ah yes, he's finally grown over the years. :P But Athrun second guessing everything and having his gentle nature take precedence is typical so maybe I shouldn't have been surprised after all. (shrugs)
Good job on the ending! This says sly Nicol all over it because for once he gets to be the bastard! Woot! I like it!
Can't wait for the next chapter!
Strata
anon 9/16/11 . chapter 9
YEAH! Finally but not really back. I've been super lazy and I know I should be reading and reviewing and updating and doing lots of other fanfiction stuff but...school. Sigh...but on to other stuff. Oh by the way, I don't remember if I reviewed the last chapter or not but sorry if I didn't.
Nicol's so cute! Even though he's still pretty much vengeful against Athrun and the others. Cecilia's still beautiful in every way shape and form even if she doesn't believe so. Miguel is still up to all sorts of antics. I wonder what his true goals are?
SAN DIEGO? Love SD, although I've never been to Oldtown SD. Still really want to go. It's so pretty, especially La Jolla, and a real ritzy area too... but they have the money to spend XD. The county is so fricken huge...so many festivals there too. There's one help every Thursday in Oceanside XD. Okay sorry for my ranting. .
Nicol, you're so confused. It's sad to see you like this D: and Yzak's like normal, still so headstrong. YEEAAHHHHH! Okay even though I REALLY don't want to I'm going to end this review because I'm really tired and I need sleep.
Hm, well deserved cookies, huh? I'll take with white chocolate macadamia or double chocolate mint, please! And maybe some icecream on top with whipped cream and sprinkles! Yum... And we can eat that while we watch Nicol use Miguel's head as a basketball. :)
Alright, your first of many awesome lines in this chapter. "...the frigid look of a surveillance camera." Such a unique image and yet so true. I just remember staring in awe at this phrase as I was Betaing. Kudos!
Funny how no matter how idealist people think they are or how right they might think they are, they always look like monsters in someone's eyes. After all, doing scientific research on someone built by science seems unavoidable, but in this case, these people are still human. While they might be enemies, I don't think treating them like guinea pigs is really the best idea. Especially when they have exploding capsules in them and have very powerful allies. O.o
Another awesome line: "...Lorran was a compact war machine, or the missing link between the homo sapiens and a multitasking kitchen tool." I laughed so hard when I read this! Pure brilliance!
Miguel was a definite ass, but in his own right, he seems to be doing good by Nicol and Cecilia. To be honest, I didn't think Nicol would be so hesitant when it came to dating Cecilia-given his temperament in SEED-but after reading his psyche in the story, I can confidently say I agree with Miguel's concerns. Cecilia isn't helping so she just needs to step it up a bit. I have this hilarious image of Miguel showing Cecilia fine dresses and watching her spin around in the dressing room. He picks out perfumes she hates and even makes her wear heels that she practically breaks her ankles in. Ah yes, definitely a good picture.
I feel like there is so much more to say because you truly are a fantastic writer. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise and keep it up! I love reading about the Nicol you created!
The first scene at the hospital was so intense and yes, sad. Though decision for Nicol but yet, the only one he could take. I really like him. And that scene ending got a knot in my throat…How, in the name of God, are you going to solve that situation?
Despite his thoughts,I dont think Nicol will shoot them dead… but will Yzak do the same?
Hahaha…you had me laughing during the whole interchange between Nicol and Miguel…that about “your former boyfriend, Athrun “pretty eyes” Zala” was really funny.
I had really not expected Miguel being so nice with Cecilia, that was probably a necessary lie but then…, he is REALLY concerned about Nicol meeting Athrun? Well, now I really want to read Nicol thoughts about his “meeting” with Athrun and Yzak and…and I also wonder what could Miguel reveal about Nicol and Athrun to Cecilia…(probably I had to watch the series to know but if you dont mind telling me I will appreciate!)
I am so glad you are back with a new chapter. You just published this one and I am already expecting the next!
Ohhh! I want to know what will happen next. What will Athrun and Nicol say? Yzak will probably lose his temper. Is this when Nicol joins ZAFT again and wears the Black/purple Uniform, Like in your cosplays?
lol Miguel. *Shakes head* he could be supportive or an $$ he chose the latter. I love him.
Finally! We know about Nicol in the present time! By reading Nicol and Riko, I can feel the expectation growing. I guess a lot of action is coming.
But come on, Nicol should know already former friends already know who he is! Ahh… that rescue mission is going to be something. Nicols denial about his feelings is what worries me the most. Despite all his implants, he is still a sensible boy.
In this chapter, you did just a wonderful job with the present section. I loved it all. Nicol fighting with his feelings, mirroring his former friends concerns. And Yzak and Athrun also facing the ghosts from the past and also fighting with their own feelings. It was a nice reflection on both sides, like when two lovers unconsciously do the same thinking about the other.
BUT…
Past section is still my favorite! What an attack!...I can imagine Cecilia was shocked. I loved it all, from start to end. And I never imagined it was going to happen so fast. You really surprised me. And damn if Miguel is not right. It was a very accurate reflection about war, by the way. And we have two examples, the guy who shot Cecilia and his bosses.
And now, Athrun and Yzak question about Nicol motivations is answered. The question is, will be Nicol able to follow his new convictions in front on them?
Hi there, by the way. Something weird happened with my last review and I am only noticing now that I can finally read chapter 7.
So guess it will be two of them:
Wow, the findings about that shoot really had me surprised. ¡THATs a shoot! And yes…Shiho is more than right suspecting than the real target is not Lacus but Nicols partner. I really wonder how the “real” encounter between Athrun and Nicol will be. That will be the real confrontation at the end, where the past meets the present. Since chapter 5 we started moving ahead (72), all previous ones where set in 71 and now in 73 we are seeing the roots from where everything started.
The scene l liked the most was the meeting between Nicol and Miguel even when it was a tough talk. I liked Miguel, he is raw, direct and merciless and despite being an arrogant ass, he said the truth. What is left for people like him and Nicol? Even if Nicol didnt trust Miguel there is a chance there for him (and for someone he cares for, by the way).
And well, we all know now that the “inexistent problem” is no longer such…
As all the previous ones, I liked this chapter, I missed Cecilia but Miguel made me up for her.
I know I've already praised you endlessly on this whole Nicol thing but I just want it to be public, I guess. :P
I'll start at the beginning of the chapter. We see Nicol in quite the predicament and surprisingly he doesn't seem fathomed by the fact that he's injured and about to blow his mission, for that matter. That kind of mental response comes from hard training and the constant exposure to the battlefield. Hm, definitely not like the Nicol many of us remember from the Anime, but at the same time it is very true to life. He holds this kind of cold distance to everything and everyone around him, as if he is afraid to get hurt. Makes sense given his past, but it's sad all the same.
And then we go onto his relationship with Cecilia. Sometimes I find it surprising and at the same time, it makes sense to me. It always frustrated me that Nicol never even seemed to pay attention/have any kind of love interest-well, unless we count Athrun, but that's swinging towards the other side of the spectrum. Anyway, I'm glad you gave him a softer side with Cecilia. Hm, but now that I think about it, it's not really a softer side, but more like a part of him that he just never had a chance to act on. We see them loving towards each other, but at the same time, it's as if he's just going through the motions; something he just HAD to do.
I'm still on the edge of whether I was surprised he came back for Cecilia, or I saw it coming all along. His distance towards her within the previous months/weeks kind of solidified my concerns about him going through the motions.
Now, I've lost a little steam in this review, but I just wanna stress how thrilled I am about how you're displaying Nicol. It's a side of him we've never seen before, but at the same time it makes so much sense. Kudos!
This story is really good so far. Nicol is one of my favorite characters, so I'm enjoying reading a story that is so focused on him. The whole concept of this story is really creative. I look forward to reading more.
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