I am completely ecstatic to share this gorgeous hand bound copy of my Good Omens human AU The False and the Fair made by @nieded.
Even though Ni sent this to me about a month ago, I still can’t quite believe that it exists, that someone would go to all this effort to make something so beautiful with my words. Wanted to do a little photo shoot to share this with y’all, since something so lovely shouldn’t just be kept to myself. Thank you Ni!
(Adding for the record: I love seeing my work transformed by the fandom, but I do always like to be asked in advance before art/bound copies/podfic etc is made of my work. If you're interested in doing something like this please do reach out!!)
10 minutes after stepping through the portal, the former god of justice starts to doubt the merit of his actions. Link is lying to the side in the grass, still asleep, and likely will be for a while.
There was no Hylia waiting on the other side of the portal. In fact, there’s no one. Just an empty house and an overgrown yard. The path away from it is scant more than an animal trail. Whoever lived here hasn’t in a long time.
The god circles the house, casting a critical eye over the structure and surroundings. The foundation is solid, as is the roof as far as he can see. There’s a large clearing in the backyard with what might have once been a garden plot. Or…some sort of monster tribute made of dead greenery.
He takes too long to consider the strangeness before giving up and heading back to the front of the house. The door squeaks on rusty hinges but opens. Inside, the house is bare. A cracked dining table; not worth the effort of moving. A few tipped-over stools. A bucket, with no flaws outside a few spiders living inside. The thick layer of dust is only broken by the odd animal print.
The house is empty. It’s a means of shelter. Until his sister deigns to grace them with her presence, the god is going to use it.
Only…how does one use a house?
Link wakes, which is a novelty. Last he was aware, he was dying on the ruined surface. The pain faded away as he watched his people ascend into the sky. He’s been in tough situations before, but this one held a finality. He’s not going to survive.
There’s a piece of grass tickling his nose. Overhead, the sky is blue and scattered with faint clouds. The earth smells sweet and rich beneath him. Alive or dead, Link closes his eyes and fills his lungs with the scent.
It brings back memories of his childhood; helping his mother in the garden. Playing by the brook with the other children. Digging his hands into the soil and not caring as it stuck under his nails.
He’s looked over the memories during his imprisonment so often that they are faded and crinkled. They lack the crispness of true memory and instead hold the sheen of remembering the actual thing.
Now, the wealth of greenery and the heat of the sun revitalize those memories. It’s easy to compare the smell of the soil to the past and identify the differences. If he twitches his fingers, the grass has a different texture than the fields he once played in.
Link opens his eyes again. The sky is still blue. Grass still tickles his nose.
What if Hylia saved him so he could be of further use to her? His only worth has ever been what he could do for others. Being denied death is…disappointing, but not wholly unexpected.
The chances of being left to lie in the grass and enjoy a nap are non-existent. It’s time to get up.
Moving is strange. His limbs feel like jelly; wobbly and new. His chest doesn’t hurt where he was bleeding, but it does itch. Link’s ears flick constantly as he tries to categorize the sounds around him. His wrists and fingers throb and he shakes them absently, trying to push it away.
He’s lying in the grass next to a house. Judging by the surroundings, abandoned. The rich color of the world is nearly overwhelming. Link’s gotten used to the miserable, ashy land his home was reduced to by the Demon King.
Birds flit through the air, chasing bugs. In the trees, a doe freezes and looks at him, ears flicking. Then she continues deeper into the greenery. Inside the house, there’s a tremendous crash.
Link reaches for a sword before he registers the movement. The goddess sword may be gone, but he has his own as backup. He’s on his feet, swaying, as he yanks the sword from the sheath on his back. His cape rips and…oh, it’s a mess. The end is burnt and stained.
None of that matters because Link spins to face the house and potential enemy, sword out.
His hand and wrist spasm and his grip goes slack. The sword drops to the grass. He’s still staring at it when the house door creaks open.
“You are awake.”
Yanking his gaze away from the sword and the worrying tremble of his hand, Link looks up at the voice. Then he goes stock still. “You are a god.”
Kami looks down at Leo from his perch on a horse. “Into town.”
“There is no town.”
“There is. I’ve explored the surrounding forest and found a path to the main road. From there, I found a traveling hylian and asked for directions. It would be far to walk, but not too terrible a ride.”
Leo blinks as he absorbs the information. “Where did you get a horse?”
“I caught it.”
“With what? You have no tack!”
Is that so strange? Hylians are such odd creatures sometimes. “I spoke to the beast and requested a ride.”
Now Leo makes a wheezing sound and waves vaguely. “That’s not how horse riding works.”
“I will return late this evening with supplies.” Kami isn’t going to sit and discuss, he needs to head out.
“I’m coming with you. You’ll have no idea what to buy. Also, do we have any money?” Leo is already circling the horse, trying to figure out how to get up with no tack.
Rolling his eyes, Kami grips with his legs and leans over. It’s a simple matter to pluck Leo off the ground and settle him in front of the deity. He’s too light; the horse barely twitches at the additional weight. It’s a good, sturdy beast.
“Do not worry about money. We have a long ride. Are you sure you wish to join?”
“I’m going.” Leo’s back is ramrod straight and he holds his weight in balance, even without stirrups. Someone who’s used to riding horses, likely from his time in the army.
With a nudge of his leg, the horse turns down the tiny track that leads away from the house.
Saban’s Power Rangers - June 27th, 2017
T2 Trainspotting - June 27th, 2017
The Fate of the Furious - July 11th, 2017
Emerald City (season 1) - July 25th, 2017
