use my space name! ([info]damalur) wrote in [info]graymalkinlane,
2010-02-17 23:43:00
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the god of clockwork & strings (penny/sheldon)

Title: The God of Clockwork & Strings
Characters: Sheldon/Penny
Rating: PG-13 for weirdness, implied infidelity, bad science, and abuse of the canonocity of Sheldon watching Firefly.
Wordcount: ~4700
Summary: Sheldon and the universe conspire to give Penny a second chance.
Notes: For [info]lisaboston, a gracious donor to the [info]help_haiti charity auction. Her request was for a story set some time after the show, with Penny and Sheldon getting together after Penny is already married or divorced. (Lisa, what you're getting here is not precisely what you asked for, so let me know if you dislike it; I have a backup fic just in case. :) This story would be a poorer and stranger thing if not for the beta skills of [info]juniperlane, who owns me completely for her flawless command of punctuation and the color purple.

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Tags: # yay, fandom: big bang theory, pairing: sheldon/penny

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[info]mrsvc

February 18 2010, 06:07:50 UTC 2 years ago

Okay, it's official. You are too smart and awesome for me. I will withdrawal quietly to a remote planet where you can continue to be awesome.

OMG, ARE YOU SERIOUS? This was AWESOME. It literally took me almost the entire first half to figure out the pattern but once I did, HOLY PETE THE WIN BROKE ME.

Just, I wish I could be all smart and leave you a comment worth of your ability as a writer. I wish I could give you intelligent feedback. Instead, I shall just kowtow before you until you wish me gone and then I will go find a nice marshland somewhere on Dagobah.

SERIOUSLY, YOU ARE JUST TOO COOL. ILU.

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 06:14:52 UTC 2 years ago

JK, IF YOU MOVE TO DAGOBAH I WILL GO WITH YOU. WE CAN MAKE SWAMP STEW AND GOSSIP ABOUT DISNEY SHOWS.

And thank you! I am glad you liked it. ♥

[info]sinstralpride

February 18 2010, 06:13:50 UTC 2 years ago

[DED]

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 06:17:17 UTC 2 years ago

That is impressively large! *revives*

[info]sinstralpride

2 years ago

  • Loading...

[info]juniperlane

February 18 2010, 06:19:38 UTC 2 years ago

Every time I read it, I like it more. I don't know how you do it. Those are the stories that impress me the most, and this one in particular is so carefully layered and built to grow upon rereading.

This is also gorgeously sad but hopeful. No phones, no physics; it's almost like they're cocooned in their own universe. It's the little bits like this, that are lovely in their own right, and then you go back for a second time and you get the full weight and just... yes.

In other news, IT WAS AN HONOR TO BETA FOR YOU. This is a complete win, lady.

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 07:33:51 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you! I am kind of in love with your purple highlighting. *twirls*

This was completely not the story that I sat down to right, even after I scrapped the first story I wrote. There was supposed to be the first scene and another scene in the same universe as the first scene and a lot of talking about spinach, because I do love my canned spinach, but before I knew it I had a multiverse story on my hands. I think I've watched Doctor Who one too many times, is what I think.

[info]stephaniejane2

February 18 2010, 07:01:10 UTC 2 years ago

good lord, MY MIND IS BLOWN...

But I think I'm going to start using the "That insult is highly derivative!" line at any/every given opportunity. :D

Thank you for sharing your writing with us, it's such a pleasure to read your interesting & creative work!

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 07:35:48 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you! I thought that might be a good line for Leslie, since the "much like a cheese" jab is lifted from Shakespeare.

[info]africayellowcat

February 18 2010, 07:22:43 UTC 2 years ago

Incredible.... I really can't say anything more....

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 07:36:43 UTC 2 years ago

I'm flattered that you liked it!

[info]allthingsholy

February 18 2010, 07:27:48 UTC 2 years ago

I don't even know what to say, which is I'm pretty sure the way I start every comment I leave you.

BUT SERIOUSLY.

I need to read it again. Which is high praise, and I'm sure exactly what you were going for.

AWESOME JOB. May Lois love you long time for all your hard work.

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 07:42:10 UTC 2 years ago

LOIS. ♥

Thank you, though! I was definitely aiming to make people re-read. What is the point of writing if not to make people sweat to understand the story? *snerk*

[info]minim_calibre

February 18 2010, 07:39:33 UTC 2 years ago

I think I've read this three times since you posted, each time with additional glee. Excellently done.

[info]damalur

February 18 2010, 07:43:03 UTC 2 years ago

Thank you!

[info]shoshele04

February 18 2010, 08:08:08 UTC 2 years ago

...I really wish I had a mind-is-officially-blown icon, but this will have to do.

Good lord, you are amazing. I usually stay in the woodwork when it comes to commenting, but this drew me to--nay, DEMANDED me to--say something, even if I could never express the utter WIN.

I kept reading the dimension breaks as "infinity" and wondering why it didn't make any sense at first before the AWESOME punched me in the face and made go back and read the whole thing again. *feels kind of like an idiot*

Oh, oh, and this line! He hooks a thumb under the strap of his messenger bag, and she remembers his hands on her body. They've never met before. Dear lord, you're trying to kill me, aren't you? This reminded me so much of a better version of The Butterfly Effect (which was pretty epic to begin with, so you know it's gotta be off the charts now) and I love you for it. SO going in memories!

[info]patronuscharms

February 18 2010, 08:36:12 UTC 2 years ago

WHAT. AM. I. READING.



I literally just did a spit take and had to reread the entire damn thing because it is glorious and amazing and a mindfuck and man, I love this fandom.

[info]yavie_namarie

February 18 2010, 08:37:17 UTC 2 years ago

Okay, I totally don't get it, but then that might be because I haven't had any sleep so far tonight, and I probably won't be getting any anytime soon.
I'm going to come back and read this later when my brain isn't totally fried, because I'm pretty sure this is totally made of awesome. =o

[info]ruby_caspar

February 18 2010, 09:11:57 UTC 2 years ago

It took me a while to figure out what the hell was going on in this, but once I did I enjoyed it - a very clever way of telling a story!

[info]evelynvaughn01

February 18 2010, 11:41:56 UTC 2 years ago

Wow. My head's still trying to catch up, and in a very good way. I love the idea of the different universes coloring each other, just a little (remembering feelings or words that don't belong in that dimension). I love the occasional blast of Adamsesque humor (the weird sound of Leslie playing Halo was in fact Leslie playing Halo?!) The freakin' SMARTS! And the happy. I do so love the happy. Thank you!

[info]thiswaltz

February 18 2010, 12:16:40 UTC 2 years ago

you've got something incredible here and I will have to go back and read it again and untangle it in my head but WOW. Seriously! I feel like I just fell through a trapdoor into a panoramic view of an expanding multiverse of Sheldon/Penny in futuristic grace. Amazing!

I just. How you'r brain works that you can even think of this, I can't quite. This has a kind of 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' quality, + string theory + Sheldon being sweet and brilliant and *searching for Penny throughout the multivers!* and it is wonderful! *memories*

[info]mrspennycooper

February 18 2010, 12:20:15 UTC 2 years ago

Wow, you know that feeling where you want to cry, just because your head can't seem to contain all your thoughts, because the thing you just read made beautiful, indescribable sense?

Yeah. That's what I'm feeling.

This was amazing.

[info]cageyklio

February 18 2010, 14:42:21 UTC 2 years ago Edited:  February 18 2010, 14:42:41 UTC

Your awesome-isity continues to astound.

[info]storms_at_sea

February 18 2010, 15:12:01 UTC 2 years ago

See, the problem is, I started reading this and it was amazing. I was digging the angsty-ness and the divorce-ness (I read the author notes...I think) and then there's this infinity sign, right in the middle of the sentence. And I think, "Storm, your computer is stupid and it is not picking up some sort of punctuation mark made of awesome." So I continue, convinced Friefox is broken, trying to figure out what kind of punctuation or letter or something would fit into those spaces.

Then. Then all of a sudden, I got it. And it turns out my brain was broken the whole time? Just. I have no words for how amazingly epic and wondrous this was. I had to re-read, and I picked up so much more on the re-reading. It is beautiful (I love the mention of the clowns from the candy-coating episode) it is poignant and heart-breaking and perfect and it is pretty much what I love about Penny and Sheldon in that you can write a story centered on "real life" and have it be epic, but you can also write a story centered on crazy science and have it read as just as awesome and fitting into the universe. This reads like it could be an AU or something but it is entirely possible.

...I will attempt to stop murdering innocent punctuation marks now. :) Thank you. This was fantastic.

Lair!Sheldon sending her back even though he knew he was onto something and doing so would collapse his universe? Broke my heart. TY

[info]misskoum

February 18 2010, 16:19:12 UTC 2 years ago

My brain is officially blown. I won't be able to stop thinking about this while I'm at work today. I'm blaming you if I say, "That insult is highly derivative!" to a customer.

[info]sorryno

February 18 2010, 16:34:53 UTC 2 years ago

Wow, I was kinda confused until the end, but that was amazing. I think I got it. Going to re-read again after work... which I am late to... because I was reading this :D :D :D

SO WORTH IT!!!!

[info]jazzrose343

February 18 2010, 18:43:44 UTC 2 years ago

WOW

There appears to be absolutely no boundries or limitations to your Epicness.

This was simply mind boggling and beautiful to read.

The intersecting of the dimensions and the flow of one to another were mesmerising in my opnion.

Thank you for using your time to create wonderful things like this for us to read !


On a seperate note I am petitioning for joint custody of Lois . I am gunning for at least alternate weekends.

[info]dashakay

February 18 2010, 19:50:44 UTC 2 years ago

I read this last night but didn't comment because I needed some time to be able to form coherent words.

Twelve hours later, I still can't articulate how I feel about this story. It was tragic, beautiful, funny, dramatic, and written with beauty in every word. That's all I can come up with at this point, but just know that I adored it.

[info]musesfool

February 18 2010, 20:24:05 UTC 2 years ago

Oh, very cool.

[info]africayellowcat

February 18 2010, 21:26:04 UTC 2 years ago

I just had to read this again and comment, it really is extraordinary. So many phrases leap out,

his eyes a high faded blue that makes her think of summer and drowning and ancient things.

who would rather die by his own pen than humble himself, is laying all that his is at her feet.

and you weren't supposed to leave,' (his voice cracks) 'to leave me.......'


Amazing, truly powerful and moving.

[info]lisaboston

February 18 2010, 21:39:34 UTC 2 years ago

OMG, it's posted!!! Just got back from the double shift in the hospital, but will not sleep until I read and review. I know it's going to be awesome.

[info]lisaboston

February 19 2010, 02:25:05 UTC 2 years ago

Woah, I feel like it was ME, who was just dragged through multiple dimensions. I asked for one story, and you gave, like a million in one, each absolutely amazing. I feel like my mind has been expanded to a four dimensional level, and, you know, I SEE DEAD PEOPLE now. The continuity of this story, its fluidity (sh-t, I wish English was my first language, and I could properly express myself) was astonishing. In this little part just owns my heart now:
..."The impossibility of your existence is staggering," he says. "Do you think you could love me?"

Penny gapes at his back. "What did you say?"

He turns around, brow creased, holding an assortment of pill bottles. "I asked if you'd prefer Tylenol or Advil," he says, "although I'm sure I have some Aleve in the bathroom." ... Thank you.

[info]bebitched

February 19 2010, 05:50:00 UTC 2 years ago

Okay. So I think I want to cry... but I'm not sure why, or at what exactly. Probably because there is just so much emotion and intelligence packed in here and it is blowing my mind and leaking out my tear ducts. Or something. Though I think one thing is official: you've definitely rocked my socks clean off.
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