"make up magic spells / we wear them like protective shells"

Yuletide! I dunno about the rest of you guys, but I got not just the but the two bestest Tanabata stories of the season. 'K, technically these are Qixi stories, since the fandom is technically Chinese mythology, but I still think of it with the Japanese name. Both deal, in different ways, with the Boatman who ferries the Cowherd across the River of Heaven for his annual conjugal visit with the Weaver Maiden. A Prelude to the Adventures of the Boatperson of Heaven goes surprising and lovely places with the premise, while To the Star is simply sweet.

As for what I wrote, what with everything that went down this month, I managed to finish my actual assignment but nothing else -- and I'm afraid it'll be pretty darn obvious it's mine. Assuming anyone actually strumbles across the fandom. Just for fun, if anyone wants to offer a guess or speculation, feel free to do so in the comments.

But in the meantime, I'm still diving here and there through the collection. I should be back later with recs. (Feel free to offer some in comments as well.)

---L.