I'm sorely tempted to write another John Winchester story just to show people why he's not the Worst Dad on the Planet. Except I do have other stories to write, too, ones less inspired by grumpy responses to meta discussions.

Since I think I was the only person who dared to criticize daddy Winchester in the character discussion, I can't help but feel some of that may be aimed in my direction... I have read fic that portrayed him sympathetically. A couple of wee!Winchester stories, until I stopped reading them (a personal quirk, because I OD'd on the sugar content). There was one story that did the story of Dean and the waitress in -- Tampa, I think it was? -- (it was taken from a throwaway line in Croatoan), and it actually showed a good relationship between John and a Sam who was about 14 or so.

But my personal perspective is one of identifying with the guys' perspective (someone, I forget who, suggested that people probably either view this argument from the point of view of the parent or the boys). I don't think that's really unexpected, as the show is presented from their point of view, and it works for me. I enjoy it, and if Sam and I want to keep nursing our grudge against John, well, that's up to us. You are of course entirely free to view things from the totally opposite viewpoint. And to keep writing stories for the rest of us to read.

Variety of opinion is good, I find. I only tend to get irritated with people when they turn a character they don't like into a Villain. Which I find common in fic.

(a personal quirk, because I OD'd on the sugar content).

I actually like John, and I'm in that state as well. Kind of makes it hard to write one of your own, you know?

Since I think I was the only person who dared to criticize daddy Winchester in the character discussion, I can't help but feel some of that may be aimed in my direction...

I suspect that Consuela is probably referring to livejournal discussions rather than anything here.

Quite like how I'm not talking about any of you when I say that I really wish people would stop posting graphic incest outside of a cut tag.

when they turn a character they don't like into a Villain.

And I'm not suggesting John is a villain. I never thought he molested them (god, the fics I've run across with that storyline!) or intentionally starved them or beat them or abandoned them because he wanted to do so. I DO think he was a superb trainer, but an insufficient father. As Nutty said, variety of opinion.

I suspect that Consuela is probably referring to livejournal discussions rather than anything here.

Shrift is right, Morgana. My comment was sparked mostly by my interpretation that John's quest was driven by the need to protect his sons than anything else--I get the sense that a lot of people just think he abandons them because the only thing he can think about is revenge. And I just don't get that as his primary driver.

Honest to god, I wasn't pointing at you or even thinking of our conversation here when I said that. I'm not nearly that passive-aggressive. (Some, but not quite. *g*)

Bloody hell, I'm supposed to be writing other stuff. I should just be glad my muse is waking up.

A couple of brothers have finally found their voices in my head.

I know I should keep these hunt journals purely factual, but, really, the locals don't have any right to be surprised that the indigenous spirits got annoyed when the Mormon settlers plopped down and began digging up the lanqr

Sam stared at the newspaper that had been flung down on top of his laptop. Then he stared up at his grinning brother. He didn't even bother asking.

"Time to hit the trail, little brother," Dean said. "There are naked women in danger."

Sam let his eyebrows do the talking. Dean pulled out the other chair at the motel room table.

"Seriously, there's a job. Four women and two men dead over the past three years, with the common connection being a strip club."

Sam tried to read the paper at the same time he stared at Dean. Actually picking it up might show he was intrigued. "What's it got to do with us?"

Dean leaned forward. "Their brains are all missing. Cool, huh?"

Sam stopped pretending and picked up the paper. Dean pointed to the small News From All Over item. "Woman dead, latest in a series, police persuing inquiries--this doesn't say anything about brains--or a strip club."

"True enough. The rest of it's what Ellen told me. Seems we're the closest hunters she trusts to the action, us being here in Utah and that being in Oxnard, California. She heard about this and put her feelers out. Whatever it is that's been killing in Oxnard has been quiet for nearly nine months."

"But now it's back," Sam said.

Dean nodded. "Now it's back. And the lovely lady dancers are in peril."

Sam really did feel terrible about what he was about to say, but he said it anyway. "Why's it going after strippers if it wants brains?"

Dean's grin got bigger. "We'd better find out, hadn't we?"

Sam sighed and began closing down the computer. Dean jumped up and began packing.

"Oxnard, huh?" Sam said. "There's more than one strip joint in Oxnard--"

Dean looked at him over his shoulder. "You know this for a fact, do you?"

Sam just curled a lip. "Which one are we headed to?"

Dean waved a hand at a notebook by the phone. "Ellen gave me the address. The Fabulous something or other. Shake a leg, Sammy! Our sacred duty calls!"

t dammit, I've got Bones stuff to write, and Spike and the Senior Partners--then there's Career Advancement! I should really stop wishing for stuff to write

Sam really did feel terrible about what he was about to say, but he said it anyway. "Why's it going after strippers if it wants brains?"

Snerk.

SAVE THE STRIPPER. SAVE THE WORLD.

Wasn't the For Ladies Only strip club Xander got marooned at located in Oxnard?

Yep.