Saturday Night In The Seam is a wonderful three part ficlet by Solaryllis - it's an AU, missing-moment-esque fic not to be missed!
What do people do for fun in District 12 when the threat of immediate death isn't hanging over them? A very unlikely, different explanation for Gale's hostility toward Madge on reaping day. Set pre-HG.
I really, really enjoyed Saturday Night In The Seam. Gadge is a pairing I'm slowly warming up to - after Mockingjay and it's character death I've always thought Johanna would be a good alternative girl for Gale - and I found Solaryllis' portrayal of this ship absolutely delightful. Solaryllis' writing style is wondeful, and without error - but it's the plot and her brilliant execution of characters that are the highlight of this fic.
When talking to the author, she said of Saturday Night In The Seam, "It's supposed to be a glimpse into the lighter side of District 12, but some of the darkness still snuck in,", which I think is a great summary of the tone of the fic. What I really loved about Solaryllis' piece is that it isn't just a one-shot where the reason why Gale was rude to Madge on reaping day is blurted out for us - we gain insight into the cute, sexual tension fueled catalyst to the hostility :) Unlike a lot of authors, Solaryllis takes the time to set up the scene and to flesh out the characters.
Saturday Night In The Seam offers a different look at both Gale Hawthorne and Madge Undersee - and an intriguing look at the youth of District 12. I think this fic's setting is a great change of pace for THG fanfic - the setting of a friend's house party at night truly entrenches the fact that the characters that we love started off as normal teenagers. References to the whole seam kids vs town kids social status stuff also makes this fic stand up on its own - Saturday Night In The Seam feels like it really is set in Panem.
The gradual growth of Gale and Madge's relationship fits the scene - and the canon characterisations - perfectly. It really is the starring attraction in Saturday Night In The Seam. I adored the friction between these two, because I felt as though it was very realistic. Gale and Madge wouldn't have interacted much before then because of social status divide, probably only knowing each other through Katniss. The sexual tension, portrayed under the setting of doing something risky at night, makes for a daring and fun fanfic to read.
The mayor's daughter must be thinking of Katniss, too, because she says, "I didn't see Katniss tonight. She wasn't enticed by the free juice and cookies?"
He doesn't deny her implication that the primary attraction of both the play and the after-party was the free nourishment. He sat through that play and he's enduring this party; he's earned whatever he's consumed. Plus, he'd rather people think his motivation in attending these events was mercenary rather than because he wanted to, because he definitely did not want to.
"She's with Prim tonight," he says. That sounds better than saying Katniss was more inclined to hang out with a goat than spend an evening in the forest with Gale. "More free juice and cookies for the rest of us."
"More for some than for others," the mayor's daughter says, raising her eyebrows at him.
He knows she saw him take the extra juice; maybe she also saw him helping himself to the snacks at this party. Well, so what—everything was sitting out for the taking and he'd have been a fool not to take advantage of it. Then she picks up her two glasses filled with punch. "And I didn't ask for your advice on manners."
"It's not manners," he corrects, a little disgusted that she has any confusion on this issue. "If you don't like someone, tell them to back the hell off."
She looks confused and then smiles sweetly at him. "In that case, please back the hell off."
If you are looking for some great Gadge fanfiction, a fic full of sexual tension, or a fic that shows the Seam in a canonish light, look no further than Solaryllis' Saturday Night In The Seam.
Happy reading!
~ Little Miss Mionie
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