well done. Well done indeed...

I’ll admit that I went into this story with certain expectations. I assumed that Emmeline Crumb would become deliriously happy, and slowly lose the will to live, and that the entries would trail off, as she lost the will to write.

When she returned back to her school, obviously unimpaired despite everyone else giving up on doing anything but sitting or lying around, and broke all the windows in the cafeteria, it struck me like a truck: “My God,” I thought. “She’s turning into a Reaver!”

This revelation was both a shock and a delight, as I saw the story begin to spiral into madness of violence, cannibalism, and self-mutilation. It was a simple yet powerful tale, told from the perspective of an initially innocent 12-year old girl, and her voice was captured perfectly by her author.

I knew in the moment that I finished the story that I wanted to make Emmeline part of my story, one of my own. I know I should have obtained permission beforehand, but I was publishing within minutes of completing my stories at that point, and working very early in the morning (beginning my writing at approximate 6 or 6:30AM, so I didn’t exactly have time to wait hours or days (or weeks, or even never) for a reply, so I included her in “Firefly: Deleted Scenes”, in the climactic Chapter 74, as River fought the Reavers. She killed Emmeline and scooped up her axe, making her even more deadly.

Permission finally came after I wrote my initial review, as Loonyloops wrote to me and told me that not only was it okay to include Emmline in my story, but that she was incredibly honored, that seeing her character live on through my eyes actually brought tears to hers, and for that, I am both grateful, as well as humbled. Loonyloops is a skilled and special author, with a creativity and imagination that is so lacking in this fandom, and many other fandoms as well. “Dear Diary” is short, simple, and truly a jewel to be cherished. Today, after I write this, it is going on my favorite stories list, and I intend to read it many, many times in the future.

Cherish stories like these, my friends. They don’t come around very often.

Respectfully Submitted,
-Gamera Obscura

A good and creepy beginning. I hope that you are still around to read this, Loonyloops, but this fic deeply affected me. You might want to consider publishing it in the TV/Firefly fandom section, where it is sure to receive more hits and reviews. I also wanted to let you know that while I should have gotten your permission first, I borrowed your character of Emmeline Crumb and described her ultimate fate at the hands of River Tam in her battle with the Reavers in Chapter 74 (the final chapter before the Epilogue), as I described the intricate, distinct and vibrant culture of the Reavers.

I did offer attribution for the character and plugged your story in my author's note for that chapter, however. I hope you don't mind. If you get a chance, please check out my mammoth (75 chapters, 515 pages, 167,700 words) Firefly Fic, "Firefly: Deleted Scenes". I think you will enjoy the story, and in particular the homage in chapter 74.

I hope to see more of your work in the future. While there were a few SPAG issues with this tale, this story, and your writing in general, is highly imaginative, extremely well written, and shows great promise. You are to be praised for the accomplishment in this tale.

Respectfully Submitted,
-Gamera Obscura

''This is my knife!'' I think i am a little bit scarred. Bravo sir, or madame.

You do good with creepy stuff. Things seem much creepier when everything seems normal with little clues to the weirdness popping up along the way.

So, after you wrote such a nice review of my SMK story, I decided to check our your profile and found this tale. I love Firefly/Serenity and I have to say that this was amazing! I love that this is told in diary format all from the PoV of a Miranda resident and how you slowly built up to the poor girl watching people slowly dying around here while she's becoming a Reaver. The subtle build-up led to a very intense conclusion. Outstanding job!

Well, someone had to tell the story. It's creepy, but it's supposed to be. You did capture the essence of what a Reaver in the making would be like.