Fic Clique

76: “My Youth is Slipping Away”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Distraction Management," by sinsense (Semantic Error) @17:02, "Her Heart is a River," by angelan (Six of Crows) @43:00, and "Ere," by audreycritter (The Queen's Thief) @1:07:13.

When there's someone you care deeply about and you need to talk to them, how do you communicate? Is it via a series of increasingly unhinged text messages? Letters where much is left unsaid? Stilted conversations in royal bedchambers? The fics of this episode offer you a plethora of really viable and useful options to explore in your own life.

75: “Ballin’ On Your Birthday”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Le Cirque Des Souvenirs," by AirgiodSLV, CompassRose, Ellejabell, epaulettes, kitkat50311, mahons_ondine, minnapods, & sisi_rambles (The Night Circus) @15:15, "gone to ground," by merionettes (FE3H) @44:25, and "if you would only let you," by gdgdbaby (Untamed RPF) @1:11:56.

Your hosts have returned from their annual spring/summer break and we're ready to party, so put on a festive shirt and let's get celebrating with Reid's birthday episode! Alongside a lovely guest of the pod, we discuss creation for the pure joy of it, implicit trust in relationships, and the unstoppable train that is life.

74: “They’re Repressed as Hell”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Restitutio ad integrum," by AirgiodSLV (Locked Tomb) @12:26, "Life is Very Long," by Vamillepudding (Untamed) @38:21, and "A Cornstalk Fiddle," by notbecauseofvictories (Devil Went Down to Georgia) @1:00:34. 

Your hosts debated starting drama with each other this episode, but instead decided it would be better to discuss humor in dramatic irony, music as a source of soulfulness, and the cruellest thing Nic has ever said to Reid. 

73: FYC: Give Me a Tempest

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "give me a tempest," by Klavier (SVT RPF). 

Welcome to the start of a brand new series here on the pod: For Your Consideration! Similar to our Fandom Classic episodes, this series aims to take a look at one fic in a fandom that we think has the makings of a Fandom Classic without quite having obtained that status yet. 

We could not have picked a better fic to kickstart this new series, as this delight of a romcom premise takes us through a story rich with impressive setting work, fantastic friendships, and dynamic protagonists living authentic human experiences. 

Alternate titles include: "Be Gay Do Crimes Commit Marriage Fraud," and "Oops! In Love with My Fake Husband" 

72: “Can a Mullberry Do a Little Jig?”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "you can change right next to me," by simonlorden (Jolene) @15:00, "the love stories we share around starfires," by distressedgremlin (F1 RPF) @41:27, and "any greenness is deeper than anyone knows," by DesdemonaKaylose (OTGW) @1:07:48

This episode is packed with journeys of all kinds, from growth & self discovery to apocalyptic roadtrips to beastly fairytale woods. Watch your step - it's a twisting and unfamiliar path out there. 

71: “Mark Antony Hive, Rise”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Chapter 7.5," by ionthesparrow (Murderbot Diaries) @18:25, "Psychopompeii," by Eastling (Ancient Pompeii Graffiti) @44:00, and "...and a partridge in a pear tree," by strangehunger (The Locked Tomb) @1:06:30. 

Take a break from the weight of the world with these three lovely fics, and the ensuing discussions on otherness, marks of human existence, and laugh-out-loud humorous prose. 

70: “Nothing Says Valentine’s Day like Breaking Up”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "bad coffee & lemon bars," by abillionstars (Haikyuu) @11:00, "Strange Bedfellows," by orphan_account & ravenclawsquill (Harry Potter) @36:25, and "obliged to defend every love, every ending," by shinealightonme (Raven Cycle) @1:03:26.

Caaaaan you feel the love tonight? It is where we are... and is also the theme(ish) of this episode! For this belated Valentine's Day ep, your hosts are here to deliver some classic romance tropes. In addition to tropey delights, we chat about ensemble casts, incisive fic choices, and Brenna's gripes with fiction authors.

69: “Grazing the Fandom Pastures”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "Days & Years," by hkafterdark (SHINEe RPF) @15:22, "A Field Guide to Common Birds in New York City," by Toft (Person of Interest) @40:41, and "sing each song twice over," by uraneia (Hockey RPF) @1:05:15.

For such an auspicious episode number, we thought of a really nice (haha, wink) theme for you all. Whether or not our discussions actually pertain to it, however, is perhaps up for debate. Still, we hope you enjoy the themes of second chances, finding unspoken ways to voice your needs, and good fictional therapists. 

68: “Ding Dong It’s the Misery Fairy”

In this episode of Fic Clique, your hosts discuss "like the stars right here (director's cut)," by unconscious (SKZ RPF) @12:33, "Meditations," by Chantress, greedy_dancer, Jet_pods, LenaLawlipop & TheLordOfLaMancha (Witcher) @50:32, and "hunters seeking solid ground" by Attila (The Untamed) @1:16:23. 

Keep those party hats on and get ready to enter Aquarius season with Nic's birthday episode! Featuring another wonderful guest of the pod, this episode explores how you have to work for your happy ending, the unfiltered joy of fandom creations, and the fantasy of perfect comfort. 

67: “My Little UwU Transformer”

In this episode your hosts discuss "Victory Condition," by astolat (Transformers) @11:19, "betty cooper - runs in the family," by taylor xoxo (Riverdale Fanvid) @52:52, and "A Month of Sundays," by Kelfin (Hockey RPF) @1:18:29.

You already know what time it is— that's right, Brenna's birthday episode is back and better than ever baby. With three certified bangers of fanworks, we explore the subjectiveness of truth, feminine violence and repression, and the gulf between internal and external personas. This episode also features our first ever guest of the pod!