Hide & Seek shot to the top of my all time favorite fanfics with record speed and then it promptly moved into my home like a cat. It just slinks about as I move through my day, not underfoot but in my peripherals, giving me mixed signals of slow blinks and the occasional surprise attack to my ankles.
Your style is so enjoyable and digestible, descriptive enough without tangling my focus on too many details. Scenes and emotions are set up so well I can imagine them like a little movie, set dressing lined up to let imagination fill in around the shown/told pieces seamlessly.
The characterizations are such a treat too. Everyone feels really, genuinely considered in a believable way. The realism is balanced with the canon unrealism beautifully, I'm not pulled back to mutter to myself "what- how- okay, I guess, sure" because the suspension of disbelief isn't being poked. Well, it is a bit, but alongside MC's own sense as they have moments of grappling with what's happening. It feels relatable rather than jarring.
Also, the original cast members are fantastic. I'm so protective of Finn already, I know only one survivor can "win", but dammit if I'm not going to hold a massive grudge against whomever starts shit with my suspiciously educated son. I'm gonna go mama bear feral when shit hits the fan and need a week to mourn when the rules of the "game" snap taut on Finn and Kenji.
I really enjoy the hidden links, even if I'm not really grasping how to solve the passwords, I'm still stoked they're there! The map is fantastic too. Fuckass Dog will never not be funny (Smile, I love you, why must you have deranged dogdad Jeff as your person).
Overall, I'm floored with the quality and consideration in Hide & Seek. I'm gonna go binge your other works (Good god, that BEN fic has pages) and send you good vibes and well wishes. I hope life is kind and your muses participate with you! (That's not fanwork exclusive, I hope you just have a good time with your creativity in general!)
ahh sorry for the delayed response! i truly just saw the message and am still trying to figure out tumblr again ^^;
thank you so much for the thoughtful comment! as a cat owner, i particularly enjoyed your analogy. as for the story, i invested a ridiculous amount of time putting together the premise, the characterizations, and all the little bits of lore, so it is gratifying to hear that those were some of the things that stood out to you. this is also the first time i have written something with a cast this large, so making everyone feel distinct and believable was probably what i worried about most. constructing the links/secrets etc was quite an undertaking, particularly given my lack of technical expertise, but it was rewarding to pull together, and i’m glad it’s interesting!
hearing that the realism holds up semi-well and that the original characters landed is awesome. of course, a high-stakes survival story inherently involves a degree of unreality and plot armor, but i try my best to keep it grounded. and introducing ocs into an established cast is always a bit of a gamble, so hearing that you have already adopted finn/kenj is both reassuring and slightly concerning for your future. rest assured… i hope.
thank you again for taking the time to write all of this. it truly makes the hours spent outlining and revising feel worthwhile (speaking of which- that ben fic is going through massive editing gosh) but i hope you enjoy the rest of the story!
