The Triptych Stories

By

Anima

 

Here's a story by yet another bard who is not writing anymore. The "Triptych" series by Anima is a maddeningly teasing delight of a fan fiction offering. The first, named "Triptych Sex" is actually a clever ruse intended to draw you into reading the story with the expectation of sex, but turns out, actually, to be... well, about sex.

The three vignettes are connected only with the common thread of, well, sex (what a wonderful idea! Why aren't more people doing this?) - we have a Xena and Gabrielle story, and two ubers, one of which is set in war-time (WWII, folks) France, and the other very much in today's day and age.

They are all wonderfully written, each with a very distinct tone and setting, and - most importantly - each fulfills the promise set out in the title. They give just enough information to draw you in, but it's presented in such a way that you can't help but think about the characters for a long time after you've read the story. I happen to think (and we all know that my word is the law) that the most skillful of writers can achieve a great deal with the least amount of words. Anima, my friends (though I use that term loosely), is one such person.

Well, whatcha know, I did my happy dance (and scared the shit out of my roommate) when I found the sequel to "Triptych Sex" - "Triptych Home". In this one, we reconnect with the characters to see if the carnal connection they were so skillfully subjected to in the previous installation, can be developed into something more substantial and meaningful (not that I mind the thought - nor the application - of meaningless trysts).

Despite the briefness of the stories, I have to say that Anima was very successful in giving us a lot to think about without shoving any grand statements and gestures of 'forever' down our throats. All in all, an amazing effort, which almost made me feel like I had a deeper reason behind reading a story named "Triptych Sex" (cause, twice just ain't enough) in the first place...

Go read! Triptych Sex

Triptych Home

PS

I came across a story whose name and the author elude me right now (years of liquid diet in college finally catching up with me, what can I say?), but which was written in response to, and is a really nice "between the lines, behind the scenes" addition to the Triptych Series. If anyone knows what it is, drop me a note, I'd like to include it here.

PPS

Another point I cannot stress enough - if you like something, let the authors know! Right now! Maybe they'll write more if we pester them enough...