FANMIX * far from where you are * original

[renrenren3]

Title: far from where you are
Fandom: Original
Subject: Emily/Gillian
Notes: Made for waywardmixes's third challenge: quotes. I tried to do something different this time, and made a mix for an original story of mine. Of course, in a stroke of genius, I chose an unfinished story in the hopes that it would get me past my writer's block. That went as well as you can imagine. I pulled some quotes from the story to go along with the songs, and outright made up some to go with the parts of the story that haven't been written yet. I tried to do some fancy formatting but it took me forever and I got bored halfway through, so yeah. Please don't judge that, or the soppiness of the story? The quote that inspired the whole mix (and the story) is by Robert Morgan: "Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity."

far from where you are
The story centers around Emily, a young painter with a dream of writing and illustrating her own children's book. Emily is idealistic and likes to see only the good in people, so her world is shattered when she discovers that her long-time girlfriend, Angel, cheated on her. Unable to stay in a place that reminds her so much of their relationship, Emily decides to spend the summer on a small secluded island, hoping that spending time apart from Angel will clear her mind. She takes a room at the local inn and starts working on her book. The old-world atmosphere of the island is very soothing for Emily, but she's too shy to try and befriend the other few tourists, so she spends most of the time drawing on the beach or making long lonely walks inland. The only person Emily regularly talks with is Gillian, who recently came back to run the inn after her father's death, and this is only because Gillian just won't stop chatting. At first this grates on Emily's nerves, especially because Gillian badgers her to get details of her break-up and makes fun of the fact that Emily is filling a whole sketchbook with drawings of Angel. However, Gillian is also beautiful and can be charming when she wants to, and Emily can't help but fall for her. When she realizes that the attraction is mutual, Emily warns Gillian that she doesn't do one night stands. In turn, Gillian warns Emily that she doesn't do relationships. They sleep together anyway and try to make it work, but their personalities clash too much and Emily is still hanging on to the memory of Angel. Meanwhile, Gillian struggles over her decision to sell the inn and move back to the mainland. Towards the end of the summer, Emily gets a phone call from Angel. Angel wants them to get back together, but Emily is unsure of her own feelings. When Emily tells Gillian that she wants to go home and meet with Angel face to face, Gillian tries to stop her and the two of them end up arguing. Gillian tells her not to bother coming back, because she might be gone for good. On Emily's last night on the island, Gillian shows up at her door and admits that she wants a relationship with her, she was just scared that she'd only be another girl's replacement.Gillian decides not to sell the inn and promises to wait for Emily to return. Emily goes back to the mainland to end things with Angel for good, promising that she'll be back after putting some order into her life and publishing her now finished book.
"Distance not only gives nostalgia, but perspective, and maybe objectivity." --Robert Morgan
Eight years, seven months and two days. She did the maths later, while sorting through their stuff, because it was easier than crying or asking herself why.
01. Between (Vienna Teng) There once was a time I was sure of the bond When my hands and my tongue and my thoughts were enough We are the same but our lives move along And the third one between replaces what once was love	02. Where I Stood (Missy Higgins) 'Cos I don't know who I am, who I am without you All I know is that I should And I don't know if I could stand another hand upon you All I know is that I should 'Cos she will love you more than I could She who dares to stand where I stood
"Will you be all right?" Angel asked. "I don't know," Emily replied. It seemed like the only honest answer.
03. Who Will Sing Me Lullabies (Kate Rusby) So lay me down gently, oh lay me down low I fear I am broken and won't mend, I know One thing I ask when the stars light the skies Who now will sing me lullabies	04. Someone Like You (Adele) I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it I had hoped you'd see my face And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over
The corner of her suitcase bumped into the stone steps, and then again on a large pot next to the door. She bit her lip in frustration and dragged it the rest of the way. Inside, the house smelled of old wood and fresh paint, with just a hint of mildew underneath.
05. Landslide (Glee) Well, I've been afraid of changing 'Cause I've built my life around you But time makes you bolder Even children get older and I'm getting older too	06. Near To You (A Fine Frenzy) Near to you, I am healing But it's taking so long 'Cause though he's gone And you are wonderful It's hard to move on Yet, I'm better near to you.
"I don't do long term relationships. Or relationships, period. [...] I have a bad track record."
07. Waves (Metric) Saw the water, not the waves Caught your eye, forgot your name Always leaving, either way I want you to stop me	08. Dangerous And Sweet (Lenka) It's difficult to see from the surface But everything goes in and it stings like a spider, hits you deep inside and I know that you are just like me, oversensitive Well I ordinarily breathe Taking everything for much more than it means
"Well, I can't! I can't be your perfect girlfriend, and you know why? I'm not your Angel." As soon as she'd spoken those words, she went very pale.
09. Everybody Breaks a Glass (Lights) Somewhere perfection lies But not for you and I Everybody trips sometimes When cities fall like shacks Walls eventually crack Everybody breaks a glass	10. Uncharted (Sara Bareilles) I'm going down Follow if you want, I won't just hang around Like you'll show me where to go I'm already out of foolproof ideas so don't ask me how To get started, it's all uncharted
"Is it too much?" Gillian grimaced. "I think it's too much. It feels like too much. I'm..." Emily buried her face in the daisies to hide her smile. "Giles," she said, "it's perfect," and finally Gillian shut up.
11. The Loving Kind (Girls Aloud) I know you may be disinclined To find the love you've left behind So kiss me then make up your mind I'm not the loving kind	12. Wait Another Day (Uh Huh Her) I will wait to love you, I will wait another day For you I'd leave all this behind I will wait for you tonight I will waste another dream on you Always run to you, run
If she leaned against the railing and squinted against the sunlight on water, she could just barely make out the big stone house at one end of the island. The people on the pier and on the shore were no bigger than ants, but Emily kept waving goodbye like she had promised.
13. Careful (Michelle Featherstone) I've made up my mind that I'm gonna let you in And I'm not afraid but I have to say This is gonna hurt if it ever ends But somehow you have shattered my defense This is gonna hurt if it ever starts So promise you'll be careful with my heart	14. You Raise Me Up (Lena Park) You raise me up so I can stand on mountains You raise me up to walk on stormy seas And I am strong when I am on your shoulders You raise me up to more than I can be
"Don't do that," Gillian said. Her voice crackled over the phone, and Emily could just picture her sitting in the old rickety kitchen chair, pointing an accusatory finger. She smiled. "You're not allowed to do that. Sarcasm is my own secret weapon, thank you very much. I thought you were too nice to use sarcasm."

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Comments

[renrenren3]

Thank you! :)

[thethingiswhat.livejournal.com]

The artwork is absolutely gorgeous!

[renrenren3]

Thank you! Though the merit's not mine, I found some gorgeous photos to start with. :)

[the-windowbird.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just wow. This looks so wonderful.

[renrenren3]

Thank you! :)

[rehia-gessev.livejournal.com]

I love hearing about people's original fiction and your story sounds great. I like how you used excerpts from your story, too.

[renrenren3]

Thanks, I was a bit shy about sharing because original stories are a bit like my babies, so I'm glad you liked. :)

[hbics.livejournal.com]

Is there a fic for this? because ugh I want moreee.
it is perfection ♥

[renrenren3]

Aww, thanks! Sadly there's just bits and pieces because I'm a lazy bum, but ONE DAY IT WILL BE WRITTEN. (Maybe.)

[renrenren3]

Thank you. :)

[etacanis.livejournal.com]

YOUR ART OMGGG SO BEAUTIFUL ♥

I love that you chose something original, it's really intriguing. I want to know more!

[renrenren3]

THANK YOUUU! ♥

[thoitaxh.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is gorgeous! Your artwork caught my eye in the voting post, but the music is absolutely beautifuly as well.

[renrenren3]

Thank you! :)

[pointblankdarcy.livejournal.com]

Love the layout and the cover art, especially the back cover with the text following the line of her arm!

[renrenren3]

Thanks. Spent a lot of time fiddling with that text to make sure it didn't go over the leaves, haha. XD;

[chimneysmoke.livejournal.com]

I adore your art and formatting here, and you've hooked me on the story plot!

You've gotten such a good vibe with the music, I feel like it translates the atmosphere really brilliantly. Excellent job!

[renrenren3]

Thank you! :)

[sadiesayswhat.livejournal.com]

I applaud you for going with your own original story, I've tried that and ended up making a thematic mix instead. You seem to have really pulled it off, and made me interested in reading the story itself so way to go on both counts. I hope it did inspire you to continue writing

[renrenren3]

Thank you! I hope you'll make that original mix one day, they are very interesting. :)

[renrenren3]

Thank you! :)

[scatteredintime.livejournal.com]

Oh. You made this one. Didn't even notice until I was ready to yell at the maker in the comments and saw your replies. RENTACLE WOULD YOU PLEASE FINISH WRITING THIS SO I CAN BUY IT OKAY THANK YOU PLS DO THIS FOR ME JUST ONE MORE THING OKAY ONE MORE MIRACLE FOR ME PLS FINISH THIS YOU COW BECAUSE I LOVE EVERYTHING

[renrenren3]

:| BUT I AM PRETEND-DEAD, DON'T YOU REMEMBER. ALSO WE'RE OUT OF MILK GO BUY ME SOME YOU PONYPOO.