[FFML] [Haruhi/?] The Job You Love

[DB Sommer]

whimsy wrote:
> Another delightful one-shot from DB Sommer, who is so consistently  
> good that I fear we take the quality of his works for granted.
>
> Note: I'm familiar only with the anime.
>   

% Ditto. I haven't read the novels. While I actually have been reading a 
number of the translated novels (the Vampire Hunter D series being my 
favorite), I'm not sure if I'll go back and get these.

> On Sep 18, 2008, at 8:17 PM, DB Sommer wrote:
>
>   
>> The Job You Love
>>
>>
>> straight
>> into the crapper. Everything had started to become boring and
>> predictable of late. Even Kyon was less interesting than in the
>> beginning, not that he was that interesting to begin with, she  
>> mentally
>> added. It wasn’t like he was an esper, time traveler, or alien.
>>     
>
> But she doesn't think that the other members of the SOS Brigade are  
> anything other than high school students.
>   

% This is more her mind reassuring her she did not find him attractive, 
which she actually did. But it would take quite an event to make her 
admit she could be interested in someone so seemingly mundane.
>   
>> He was
>> just a plain, ordinary, bland guy. Well, maybe there was something  
>> about
>> him at one time --some intangible quality that had been vaguely
>> interesting when they had first met-- but lately they had seemed to be
>> changing. It was like they were changing. Growing apart. It was
>> annoying. No.
>>
>> Frustrating.
>>     
>
> Why didn't Haruhi change the world earlier as she typically does when  
> she is bored or frustrated?
>   

% I don't think it's proven how much she changes the world or if events 
simply happen. Obviously it doesn't obey her every whim, or she'd be 
given all she wanted on a silver platter.
>   
>> Kyon’s growing distance was only the start. Yuki’s odd nature was
>> becoming almost routine, Itsuki had always been a bit aloof  
>> compared to
>> the others, and you could only torment Asahina so much before it  
>> became
>> repetitive. Well, they hadn’t used anything involving tentacles, but
>> that would be going a bit overboard. Even if Haruhi had some to use.
>>     
>
> There's a limit on torturing Asahina?  (To further mix series, do you  
> think that Asahina is related to Xellos?)
>   

% No, not mysterious enough.

>   
>> “Ahhhhhhh!” Haruhi cried out in a primal scream. For a moment she  
>> almost
>> swore everything… blinked.
>>     
>
> OK, it's happened.  What did she do?
>   

% Found the answer to her heart's desire.

>   
>> And then frustration overwhelmed her again. “Is it too much to ask to
>> run into someone interesting who can show me something I haven’t seen
>> before?!”
>>     
>
> For most people, the above question is the lead-in to big trouble,  
> but when you are a goddess ...
>   

% And you have to admit, if there is any one being who could lead her to 
what she wants to do.

>   
>> Haruhi was about to stomp off and… well, do something, when she  
>> spotted
>> a curious man. He was thin, with short black hair which stuck up a bit
>> in the front, and sideburns. He was decked out in a long jacket, shirt
>> and pants. For some reason he was in front of a curious thing. It was
>> said it was a Police Public Call Box, in English.
>>     
>
> He certainly meets the expressed criteria.
>   

% Indeed.

>   
>> “Ah, yes, actually. Not the first time it’s happened, mind you, though
>> this is bit unique. It’s almost like I’m trapped. Not the first time
>> that’s happened either, though whatever his keeping me here is very
>> different than the norm.” His stare became more curious.
>>     
>
> When someone looks closely into Haruhi's eyes do they see the  
> universe within them or is that just an allegory (on the banks of the  
> Nile) in the opening credits?
>   

% in any case he's shrewd enough to sense something amiss about her.

>   
>> Yes! This was it. She could feel her heart’s desire slipping over her
>> like a glove. “Will I get to meet espers, time-travelers, or aliens?”
>>
>> “I can fairly guarantee it. Even before you leave.”
>>
>> She bowed, “I’m Haruhi Suzumiya.”
>>     
>
> Not to be nitpicky, but wouldn't she introduce herself in standard  
> Japanese form of family name first?  Since the Doctor speaks fluent  
> Japanese she should assume that he knows the convention.
>   

% Translated into standard English speech, like most of my stuff, meaing 
first than last name.

>   
>> [End fic]
>>
>> Writer’s notes: You have to admit, being the Doctor’s traveling
>> companion is the ideal job for Haruhi given her desires.
>>     
>
> No argument, but is she the ideal companion for him?
>   

% One could argue he's never found a truly ideal companion. He does 
change them so frequently. ^_^

> So many questions:
> Do you have any thoughts of writing a follow-on to this story?

% No. Anyone can run with the concept. Besides, I have to finish some 
other stuff before I could do any long chapter type things.

>   I  
> believe that the Doctor has always been not only much older than any  
> of his previous companions, 

% Romana (one of the Fourth Doctor's companions) was a Time Lord, and 
regenerated on him while they traveled (into the producer's girlfriend, 
amazingly. ^_^) She's the only thing close to a contemporary I can think of.

> but much more powerful although he  
> typically hides behind the persona of the eccentric lovable Doctor.   
> Has he ever traveled with a (for all intents and purposes) goddess  
> before? 

% Not to my knowledge.


>  Does he realize that she can wipe out entire future  
> timelines and maybe past timelines as well? 

% Well, anime version at least the true scope of her power is only 
hinted at, not defined, which leaves us readers/watchers guessing to it. 
Also makes it possible to make her power level adjustable. So she could 
be hideously powerful, or have strict limits. Whatever is most useful to 
the writer.


>  Does he know of Asahina  
> or her organization? 

% That could certainly go either way.


>  Is he familiar with the Integrated Data  
> Entity? 
% Ditto there.

>  (I have this image of the Doctor and Haruhi arriving at some  
> alien planet and finding Yuki waiting for them.)  How will the Doctor  
> and the TARDIS cope with Haruhi's ability to fundamentally change  
> local ( a relative term since she can affect the entire planet)  
> reality since she broke space-time continuity when she first changed  
> the world?  Just how powerful is Haruhi and is her influence limited  
> to no more than a planet?  Did Gallifrey and the Doctor exist so to  
> speak before this most recent change or when she first wished to meet  
> time travelers?
>   

% It really could go in a lot of different directions. Luckily a lot is 
open to interpetation. In any case this is more a concept thing which 
would make a nice launching point for anyone wanting to do this fic.

% Thanks for the commentary. It's greatly appreciated.

DB Sommer