Fic: Dragon Dilemmas

[flemmings]

A look at female dragons

Actually not so much a fic as an exercise in the difficulties of getting away from the knee-jerk expectations of English usage. Turns out there's a whole reflex style used by and about (fictional) royal females who aren't monarchs, which I had great trouble getting rid of. In the end it was necessary to adopt Leguin's Solution to convey to English readers the way in which continental dragons think about themselves.

And now I shall go back to wondering what the rule is for capitalizing prince, king, majesty and highness: or rather, wondering when these are common nouns and when proper.

Comments

[incandescens]

Oh, that was very enjoyable. Thank you!

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

You're welcome!

[rasetsunyo.livejournal.com]

That was fascinating. :D

(and now i'll be wondering what female dragons look like.)

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Much like male dragons, I think, only all round bigger. Most males come up to about shoulder level on most females. I see them with curves of a sort- hips, certainly; though logic says they won't have breasts, which makes me sad. They bind their hair too but, on the continent at least, are much less finicky about where and when they take their headbands off.

[rasetsunyo.livejournal.com]

Ooh okay. Hmm yeah I always thought no breasts too, but Minkura's Goujun has nipples. *shrugs*

Now am I completely hallucinating, or do I recall mentions of whaleboning, long time back?

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Oh yes- those nipples. Well then, maybe the females have small flattish breasts. Vestigial and for no good reason except that humanform bodies have them. (But then why the horns and pointed ears?)

Whaleboning rings a bell, but possibly because somewhere or other (http://flemmings.livejournal.com/67510.html) I was comparing female dragons to the painted depictions of various Elizabethan nobility. And no dammit I don't want to see the dragons in farthingales and now I am. Female dragons wear trousers for everyday, on that point I am adamant; and if that means later than Tang, well, so be it. (Damned if the English web will give me useful pictures, though wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanfu) does it best.

[rasetsunyo.livejournal.com]

Because pointy ears look good. As do horns.

Yeah well they're dragons, they don't have to be bound by human dynasties/fashion.

[tammylee.livejournal.com]

I am fascinated by the idea of drawing a female with curves but no breasts.

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

You don't know enough dykes. ^_^ Mind you, my 38D definition of 'no breasts' is 'Japanese ordinary' ie looks like pecs.

[i-am-zan.livejournal.com]

Whee! - *claps hands* - Briefly swinging by, because I cannot resist the lure of Dragons!

Also may I borrow elements of your settings as backstory for what may or may not be an abandoned WIP which may or may not be an epic. ^__^ That may never see light of day! *sigh*

Well these ideas hit me when I'm to busy to sit down and then when I have all the time in the world...I sit and stare helplessly hopeless in front of a most unwelcome uninspiring blank screen! *sigh - again!*

But yes a nice little piece and I too will wonder what female dragons look like. Hee! If we wait patiently the lady above will oblige us with her wonderful imagination and skills! ^__~

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Glad to provide a respite from the holiday season. And yes, by all means- feel free to use whatever you want to use.

[tekalynn.livejournal.com]

The last line gave me the giggles.

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Good, because the story was going on for tedious paragraphs thereafter and I cut it short there, not sure if it wasn't too abrupt.

[flemmings.livejournal.com]

Well, don't cross fingers too hard. The state of my hormones these days make me less interested in sex scenes. Goushou, not knowing anything about female sex practices, is touched by and appreciative of what he sees as Chifei's unusual graciousness; but obviously he's not totally satisfied because he gives up Dancing thereafter.

Leguin's Solution was one she discovered several years after writing Left Hand of Darkness, and incorporated in a short story, I believe, set in the same universe. Basically, male titles, female pronouns. It makes an immense difference, to me at least, if you call a royal sprig in a matriarchal system 'prince' and not 'princess'.