Uncommon Threads, by Dira Sudis (PG)

[sg-fignewton.livejournal.com]

Rec Category: Episode related
Pairing: none
Categories: episode related, gen, Sam
Warnings: none
Author on LJ: dsudis
Author's Website: Words Words Words
Link: Uncommon Threads

Why This Must Be Read: Dira has been writing a series of ficlets, one missing scene per episode, that pass the Bechdel test: two women conversing together about something other than a man. The experiment is fascinating in its own right, but this particular ficlet, set in the hugely unpopular Emancipation, is definitely my favorite.

This is the conversation between Sam and Moughal's unnamed wife, when she leads Sam away from the others to give her "more appropriate" clothing. I can't find the words to describe it properly, but it fascinating and fantastic. Sam faces preconceived notions, on both her own part and Abuez, and - like us - comes away from the encounter with a lot on her mind. This is poignant and moving and thought-provoking, and what else do you need in a fic?

"We spent a whole moon on this, last winter," Abuez said, and now her voice was stern--proud, and warning. Sam forced her attention to the gown, and took in all the tiny stitches. They'd all been done by hand, after the cloth had been dyed--after it had been woven--after the thread had been spun--after the fibers had been harvested...