I've been wondering...

[ratcreature]

Are there any Highlander pandemic fics yet?

While reading another HL fic (as I still do ocassionally) it occurred to me that current events would work well with classic HL angst and themes: immortals feeling survivor's guilt because they don't get sick or die when everyone around them does (and you could do flashbacks to previous epidemics too), immortals working as doctors or medics or volunteering because they know they can't get sick, the chance for exposure of their secrets because of more medical scrutiny (I don't remember whether there's any canon on whether their blood even develops normal antibodies or such if they have to undergo a blood test), in general evil immortals taking advantage of upheavals...

I get that not everyone likes current events encroaching into their fanfic, but just as many others do, so surely there's bound to crop up some?

Comments

[raine]

I've debated doing it because I'm currently writing a fic that could be set currently, but I think people might want fanfic to be an escape, so I've wavered. That said - I could be convinced to do it, since I think it would be interesting to see Duncan caring for his newest girlfriend, worrying about whether she's safe and/or being concerned for Anne Lindsey, who'd be running the Seacouver General ER department by now.

[ratcreature]

I think audiences are split on this, and it also isn't fixed but changes with the mood, so that for example I want only really fluffy things one day but angst the next.

You can see it with various plague-related novels being really quite popular right now too.

Also I don't think "escapism" necessarily means avoidance entirely. Like, I do not want fic to be relentlessly depressing as news too often is, but characters dealing with the same kinds of things can be comforting.

For example I'm following a Check Please WIP right now that's set during the lockdown but quite fluffy in the typical way for that fandom with characters baking etc.

[raine]

*nods* Yeah., I can see that. :-) I think if I post upfront that this is not making light of anything, then those who will read it will. :-)

[ratcreature]

The deciding factor is probably whether you as author would enjoy working through plague feelings via fic plot bunnies or not.

The couple of fic I've read so far dealing with current events certainly don't seem to lack in hits & kudos and such, but they are all in more recent fandoms and m/m which generally is more popular than het HL fic.

[raine]

You asked for it: https://archiveofourown.org/works/23996365. Hope you like it!

[ratcreature]

Cool, I'll check it out.