Cellmates by Falstaff
Reviewed by Dannell Lites


Now this story is surely *somebody's* idea of Hell:):)

Imagine that Operation Zero Tolerance was a lot more sucessful than it
actually was in the Marvelverse.  With me so far?  I thought so!  Now imagine
that Cyclops has been captured and inprisoned.  *Now* imgine that his
cellmate is  ... Magneto:):)  *snicker*  Ya'll thought I was kidding about
the hell part didn't ya'll?  Not a'tall sugah, not a'tall.  Ah suppose Ah
sould admit to prejudice.  Magnus and Scotty are my two favorite X-Folks (Ok,
so Ah have a *thing* for gorgeous, intense angst-ridden guys!  Ya'll got a
problem with that???)

The characterization here is exception in the opinion of this little ol'
southern belle.  Both Magnus and Scott are finely drawn with a detailed and
skillful verbal brush.  I particurily like the dialog between the two when
Magnus is informed of the death of Quicksilver and The Scarlet Witch.  The
scene is painted with economy.  Not a single word is wasted.  And one word
more would lessen the impact.  I was also rather fond of the simple, subtle
way that Falstaff (using only dialog) reveals his vision of the nature of
Xavier and Magnus' relationship:):)  Watch out or you might miss it and ya'll
dont want to do that!  I'm not sure that I agree with Falstaff but it is well
done.  I think that Magnus would have some major reservations on this
particular subject given his background.  But if it was going to happen for
Magnus with anyone it would be Xavier.  That part is dead spot on.  And
Scott's revelations about his feelings for Maddie and Cable are wrentching
and waaaaay too long in coming.  This is the sort of thing fanfic is best
at.  You'd never find this in a Marvel comic.  More's the pity.

The pacing of the story is fast and yet entirely believable.  Falstaff has
broken the story into tiny vingettes.  In less skilled hands this might have
rendered it choppy and truth to tell there is a bit of that here, but the
story overcomes that easily.  Mostly because it's just that:  a story.
Falstaff's tale of imprisonment and unintentional bonding has a tale to tell
and a point to make and it tells the tale and makes the point well.

Reccomended reading darlin':):)


Dannell