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					learning the ropes by d joan leib http://www.channel1.com/users/pisces/writings/xena/ropes1.htm SYNOPSIS: An intriguing, if slightly stomach turning, roam into the world of BDSM. Actually it's the first story I've ever read where the disclaimer sums up the plot pretty well so I can just give that to you! "The story is also very kinky. It takes the term "alternative" to new levels. Please do not read this story if any of the following turn you off: explicit sex between women explicit sex between men explicit sex between men and women kinky (but consensual) BDSM-type sex swearing man-bashing" And she's NOT KIDDING. Please do heed the disclaimer. NANCY: I don't mind admitting that I'm struggling a bit with this review. I don't mind stuff that is this explicit ordinarily, it depends on my mood. I'm trying to review this from the perspective of someone who really does like this level of kink. I don't suppose you want to read and offer an opinion Ewok? EWOK: I'm staying in the sweat hut where it's warm and safe... NANCY: Fine. *melodramatic glare* I'll face the peril alone! This story is generally well written and...errr... descriptive, to say the least. It's a cut above other stories of its ilk I have read. The writer defines her characters, and then sticks to them. They are polished, and well presented. The problem is that it's just not Xena fanfic, let alone uber. Sure, the names Xena and Gabrielle are there, but they have no affinity to anything I recognise from the show. This is the same problem I have with some Gen-1 fanfic that ignores the storyline of the show and creates a Xena and Gabrielle that no one can recognise anymore. But this even goes further than that. It's simply porn dressed up as fanfic to get an audience. It doesn't play on our imagination of what could be or what is, it just takes the names and physical archetypes and slams them into deep throated sex sex sex. Here lies my dilemma as a reviewer. It's well written sex. If I read this just as a BDSM story in its own right I would rate it highly and recommend others who like that kind of thing read it too. If she wanted to write fanfic, I think this writer would have been better to leave this as Gen-1 fic (since she insists on retaining the character names) and exploring not only the sex, but the characters as well apart from the sex. Mixing explicit sex with real storylines that entertain us as Xena fans is an art form. Not many fanfic writers out there have gotten it right yet. NANCY: If all you're there for is the sex, read it by all means, but my rating of this piece as Xena fanfic is 2 out of 10.