Flail!

[such_heights]

So, as some of you have presumably already seen, buckle_berry hosted a Valentine's Day cardathon, whereby participants made in-universe Valentine's cards and sent them to each other via post.

I am going to assume that this is the reason for the delightful thing that appeared in my inbox last night! I thought it would be snail mail, but considering the pairing email would of course make all kinds of sense. :D It was all wonderfully formatted as well, which alas I have not the know-how to reproduce accurately, but it went something like this:



TORCHWOOD Internal Memorandum
To: All
From: Ianto Jones

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
Could whomever keeps moving the feeding trough to the left of the mail centre, please cease and desist? I have had to rescue the daily papers twice this week, and the basket of biscuits (sent to us by that nice woman we rescued from the Weevil last month) has been decimated. And not by Owen, for once. Need I remind you all that shortbread is not on the list of recommended dietary requirements for pterodactyl?

To: Ianto
From: Jack

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
Do you know if our darling pet interfered with yesterday's internal mail?

To: Captain Jack
From: Ianto Jones

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
I believe so Sir. Was there something you needed re-sent?

To: Captain Jack
From: Ianto Jones

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
Unfortunately it was a rather unique piece of mail. Intended for you. And you can save the Sir talk for outside the office.

To: Jack
From: Ianto

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
If it was the report on yesterday's mission, Gwen has already emailed it to me. Alternatively, it may be in one of the pterodactyl's usual hiding places. It seems to prefer the pipes leading out of the kitchen. And I think I saw some envelopes stuck in its nest near the exhaust fan.

To: Ianto
From: Jack

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
It was mail of a more personal nature. I will investigate those hiding places. But on the offchance that it takes a few days to locate it, I'd like to wish you a very happy Valentines Day. Did you know that when you compose scolding memos you get a lovely flush on your cheeks? And that I have sent the rest of the team on an overnight mission? If you are free for a one-on-one meeting, I'd like the opportunity to show you just how much I appreciate you. In and out of the office.

To: Jack
From: Ianto

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
Yes, Sir. I'll get the ruler and the stopwatch. And I look forward to receiving the mail. Though I'm quite happy with the male I have.

To: Ianto
From: Jack

Date: 14/02/2008

Re: Care and feeding of pterodactyl
That was a terribly cheesy comment. I approve! Now get your cute ass down here.

---

*squees* Oh, that made my day when I logged in to see that this morning. Mystery sender, thank you so much, what a brilliant idea, I am thrilled to bits!

Also, somewhat hilariously, I initially thought this was an official BBC email, as I get emails for the online mission thing they're running. And then I read down a bit and decided that possibly not so much! Hahaha.

---

ETA: EEEEEE!!! morebliss is possibly the greatest person ever, because in fact the above was an additional gift, as she thought the card she'd sent me in the post was going to be late! Which it was, it came today straight from Myfanwe's clutches and now I definitely feel like a couple of snippets of the Torchwood universe have floated through the Rift over to me, or something.

I wish to goodness I could find my camera to take photos and show the beauty, but here is my best approximation of the card, though I fear I cannot fully capture the AWESOME.



The card is the inner square of that photograph by Robert Mapplethorpe, and on the back there's information about the artist - to take a couple of excerpts, he "began taking photographs of friends and acquitances ... and members of the S&M underground ... In 1988 he established the Robert Mapplethorpe Foundation ... to fund HIV/AIDS research and related projects."

Jack would approve, y/y?

And then, on the inside, in the most beautiful handwriting, such that it is now entirely canon in my head that Jack has lovely writing, is the following:

Dear Ianto,

In China the lily means 'forever in love'. In Greek mythology it stood for 'tenderness'. The photograph on this card has been described as 'starkly sexual' & 'erotic'.

For all these reasons it seemed an appropriate image to give you. Also, it's very pretty.

Happy Valentine's Day.

Love From Jack
xo

P.S. I hope you wear your cute suit tonight, but not for long.


... That puddle on the floor? Would be me. Oh, Jack! morebliss, thank you so, so much, this is fantastic and I really appreciate the effort that went into it!

Comments

[liseuse.livejournal.com]

Hee! That's amazing!

I know that a few of the SGA recipients got e-mail Valentine's, and it made me think about how unutterably cool it is that we can organise something like this through the internet and then show how the internet affects how we get Valentine's especially in organisations/fandoms like Torchwood and SGA.

[such_heights]

Isn't it? And now there is a fabulous card to go with it, and oh dear I think I'm ruined for normal human society forever more, I cannot stop flailing. :D

Ooh, that is indeed also very cool, I shall have to peruse those! Yeah, I like being in fandoms where the characters can legitimately pursue their business via the media that we ourselves use, it's all sorts of fun. And email flirting is made of 100% win, anyway.

[lefaym.livejournal.com]

Oh, that is so cool. :) It seems so perfectly them-- I can see Ianto delivering those lines with a deadpan face (with the occasional hint of a smile), even though they're supposed to be email anyway. But you know, his voice comes through anyway.

Ianto/Jack email is such a great idea for Valentines day. Of course, I spent my Valentines evening watching episdoes 2.05 and 2.06, so I can't really complain.

[such_heights]

I know, isn't it just? Ianto's snarky little emails make my life so much better, hee hee.

Yup, same here! And reading schmoopy fanfic, I can think of nothing better.

[morebliss.livejournal.com]

Actually, there is a piece of snail mal on the way! I just was pretty sure it was going to be late - due to, er, pterodactyl related issues! So, there's a little something more to look forward to. But I'm glad you like the emails as well!

[such_heights]

a;lskdja;sldjas IT JUST ARRIVED. OH, OH YOU ARE AMAZING, EEEE!!!

*runs around flailing*

Myfanwe, I'm so glad you left it in one please, because I have just melted with the loveliness - the card is beautiful (as is the handwriting, wow!), and oh, Jack. ♥ ♥ ♥ This has made my day so, so much better, thank you!

And with the email yesterday, and the post arriving belatedly accordingly, I feel like a parallel fannish universe has just spilled over into our own, and it is GLORIOUS.

[morebliss.livejournal.com]

I am so happy that you liked it (and my handwriting!)!!!! Wasn't it a great exchange? I want it every week!

[such_heights]

I know, that would be the best thing ever! And dear Lord, I don't know whether this seems creepy or just plain sad, but the writing combined with lorannah's comments below have now somehow become this full blown fic, and oh heavens, I don't even know any more, this is ridiculous.

[morebliss.livejournal.com]

Not at all creepy or sad, but rather fabulous!!!! Can't wait to read it!

[lorannah.livejournal.com]

That's unutterably cool. The emails and the card are fantastic.

Also I love the idea that Jack has beautiful writing. I think it fits him - plus he's had a lot of time to practice (and writing standards used to be much higher).

Did you see the excerpts from Ianto's diary on the Torchwood site - I loved the writing (and drawings) in that because it reminded me of my own - kind of messy, but changing slightly all the time. My hand can never quite keep up with my mind.

And now since your post I have lovely ideas about Jack teasing Ianto about his messy writing, but secretly quite liking it.


P.S. Is it hopelessly geeky that I refuse to complete the missions on the Torchwood site until I recieve my Ianto e-mail?

[such_heights]

I want to hug them and smish them to death forever and ever.

Yes, that's what I figured! And Ianto's writing is terribly charming, and oh dear I do believe a fic idea has just attacked - because, yeah, Jack does really like it, but every now and then he leans over Ianto's desk and tells him off for his errant crosses on his t's, and didn't they teach him that sort of thing at secretary school? Ianto just glares at him balefully and continues annotating Owen's last report, all red ink and snitty little asides, so Jack reaches over and takes Ianto's right hand, because look, he's holding the pen all wrong, and--

Right, it appears I need to go write that now!

And no, that is not geeky at all, because weekly Ianto email is one of the greatest things ever.

By the way, email is coming your way v. shortly, namely the morning when I have had some sleep and can offer coherent thoughts on the story; which, also, is lovely and a very nice idea indeed! Apologies for being tardy once again, dear me.

[lorannah.livejournal.com]

Hee! I'm now setting the rabid plot bunnies on other people. Which is clearly an improvement as that sounds wonderful, joyful and squishy. (In fact it was so good that it melted my internets for a bit)

Of course, I've had to accept that I'm a lost cause as I've just written 2000 words of a Torchwood fic instead of my dissertation *facepalm*

Look forward to the e-mail tomorrowb - don't worry about the lateness, life happens to us all sometimes.

[such_heights]

(Yay Spaced icon!)

Hurray! God, I just-- these two. Have entirely taken over my brain. I am wrecked for ordinary human interaction, I swear.

Ahahaha, that reminds me when I wrote a 7000 word HP opus the night before one of my A-Levels - good times!

[lorannah.livejournal.com]

*strokes Spaced icon*

I know exactly what you mean about Jack/Ianto - I don't think I've ever loved a canon couple this much. It is difficult to contain the squee when talking to people who aren't into it.

LOL - at 7,000 word opus - inspiration always strikes at the most innoportune times. At the moment this one looks like being in the 20,000 - 25,000 word length - meep. But I luff it, so this is all good.

[such_heights]

I know! Or people who are Torchwood fans but not fandom people, such as my parents, where I think my enthusiasm would be a little startling.

Doesn't it just? But ooh, that sounds massively exciting, might I inquire what it's about?

[lorannah.livejournal.com]

It's getting the right balance between being enthusiastic and scaring people that's really difficult - thank god for online fandom (I'm not sure how I'd cope without it).

Talking about fannish non-fandomers, I had so much trouble explaining to my niece (who is a huge Gwen fan, but likes Torchwood too) why I started giggling uncontrollably when Jack was stood on the roof in Adam. The best I could do was "Well, Jack's stood on a roof - things must be bad - oh no, he's talking to himself, it's probably the end of the world". Actually, looking back I really like the characterisation now because I really don't remember the last time Jack was all moody on a rooftop (had he done that this season until then?) - Adamised!Jack was more like series 1 Jack, a bit darker and less sure of himself - so it worked for me. He was back to brooding.

As for the fic - of course. It's set just after the end of Adam, and will be AU from there (though not massively). The idea is that Adam survives (it's explained how in fic) and teams up with Captain John, who is looking for a way into Torchwood - they form a slightly twisted, very untrusting, partnership and infiltrate the team. The team aren't going to have as big personality switches this time (the show did that brilliantly, so I don't want to rehash it) but I am hoping to get some nice character stuff come out. I also want to suggest that the initial mind-meddling left more of a scar than the end of the episode suggests and there's also some other alien stuff going on at the time, that complicates the issue massively. Plus Ianto's going to be in chains for a bit of it (fangirl? moi?) and one of my favourite mythic beasts will be making an appearance. I'm really enjoying it, but I'm not sure it'll be to everyones taste - I think it's going to be quite bittersweet.

Oh and it's Jack/Ianto obviously - though also John/Jack, Adam/Ianto, Adam/Tosh, Tosh/Owen, Gwen/Rhys and maybe Tosh/Ianto (sort of)- which is why it's so bloody long.

Mainly it's a chance to bring Captain John back, explore Adam a bit more and address the few bits of the episode I wasn't completely happy with.

[such_heights]

Indeed. Thankfully, one of my very good friends from home shares my levels of squee such that I can also siphon off occasionally in phone calls, which is v. good for my overall well-being.

And hee, yes, I was pleased with the roof action! I think the last time was in Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang? Which was of course flimsily plot-related, so. Jack is definitely less broody now, but I am sure he still gets a kick out of it. You're quite right about Adamised!Jack actually, I hadn't thought of that. He seemed so vulnerable with another person who was able to make him do things, too, a less than entirely in control Jack is a strange one. Unless he's being bossed around by the Doctor, of course, which is always made of win.

Ooh, that sounds really awesome and complex! Multi-shipping and mythic beasts and Captain John turning up? I am so there!

[lorannah.livejournal.com]

I still love the Tosh and Owen switch arounds in Adam, but I think I'm starting to like the Ianto and Jack ones more - because they're both really subtle. On another Torchwood site, somebody suggested that maybe Ianto had had his 'cybergirlfriend memories' removed - because he seems a lot more relaxed, secure and confident and she pointed out he says "love is blind apparently" - which seems very out of character for Ianto. I kind of loved that idea actually.

Firstly, because it does fit into Adam's original attempts at infiltration - and secondly, because it makes me think that if Lisa had simply died in Canary Wharf, he would have been devastated but recovered much more quickly. I think one of the main issues with the Lisa experience is that we see in the 'faux-pyschology' scene in Adam that Ianto defines himself by both his work and his relationships, which I think is why he's attracted to work-relationships like Lisa and Jack, but the way things ended with Lisa brings those things into direct conflict, he never seemed quite sure in Cyberwomen which path he wanted to go down - and that's what he's been dealing with since. I think that the result of that is that he's becoming a bit heartless and strict within his job - very dark and a bit totalitarian in places. Which is great for me, because I love me some dark Ianto.

Oh dear - rambly.

I like what you said about Jack's vulnerability as well and not being in control. I completely agree. And of course the Doctor being in control always win :D. Easter's not too long away now right? I'm hoping Series 4 will start then.

Hopefully the first part of the fic will be up in a week or two. :D

[such_heights]

I really hadn't thought it about that much, but that would seem to make a lot of sense! I did think that line from Ianto was a bit off, and that's a very good explanation as to why. Because yeah, it was the fact she didn't die that screwed him over so badly, and I think you can still see that in the way he is now, some of the time.

And I think that work is possibly more important to Ianto than any of them, actually, and he needs to be able to be good at it - this reminds me of a great post-Countrycide fic I read by sam_storyteller the other day, Ignition, which is about exactly that, Ianto trying to fix what he can fix and cut off everything else.

Ooh yes, I do hope we get an April start up again! A full six months of Who-related goodness this year really is wonderful, especially with all the crossing-over they're doing.