Compiled by the Espresso Addict

Espresso Recommendations

Innovative and stylish fanfiction, showcasing the very best across multiple sf, fantasy & literature fandoms. Good writing in all its forms can be found here, including gen, het, slash, OCs, AUs, crossovers, future fics, humour & pastiche

Contents: 1010 recs in 235 fandoms; 65 links

ST: TOS/AOS

Gaila

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The Dance by LJC

'Orion Prime had the Syndicate the way Old Chicago had Capone. That was the thing about infamy.' LJC paints a much more complex picture of Orion society than most fanfiction

[Added 22/02/2011; Character Piece; 1000-2500; ST: TOS/AOS; Characters: Gaila, OCs]

from the greek "xenos" which means "stranger", but also "guest" by Pogrebin

'This is why Nyota Uhura picks xenolinguistics: the ways in which different cultures communicate might differ, but the ways in which they fail to communicate do not.' An interesting study of Uhura & her relationship with Spock. Powerful precise language

[Added 16/07/2009; Character Piece; 1000-2500; ST: TOS/AOS; Characters: Nyota Uhura, Spock, Gaila]

The Loudest Noise (affannato, affettuoso, agitato) by zvi

'There was difficulty, always, in translating the gestures of a species with wings, prehensile foot claws, and double eyelids to a human's body.' This vignette really nails the frustrations & complexities of communication between alien species

[Added 22/02/2011; Drama; 1000-2500; ST: TOS/AOS; Characters: Gaila, Nyota Uhura, OC]

Lunch and Other Obscenities by Rheanna

' "Look, the only reason we're rooming together is because someone decided that the best phonetic rendering of her name in Standard is almost the same as mine. Can't you just decide to spell Uhu with two O's instead?" Nyota asked, desperate. "Listen: Oo-hoo. That works." ' This starts out as a humorous look at intercultural differences and ends as a sweet affirmation of all that the Federation stands for. Persuasive writing that feels just like canon

[Added 15/07/2009; Drama; 6000-20,000; ST: TOS/AOS; Characters: Nyota Uhura, Gaila, Spock]

Wherein Gaila is molting by kayliemalinza

'Starfleet gave assurances years ago that Medbay can accommodate an Orion's physiological needs, but their idea of a burial bed is a hard-edged box filled with silica beads and powdered nutrients. It is nothing like the petite sleeping gardens of the Orion embassy on Earth, and even those were a poverty compared to the luxurious loam of her homefield.' A clever, lushly written take on the idea that Gaila is a plant, which never ceases to surprise. One of the few stories I've read in any fandom to capture a truly alien point of view. Superb!

[Added 10/12/2018; Character Piece; 1000-2500; ST: TOS/AOS; Characters: Gaila, Leonard McCoy]

With All My Crooked Heart by Igrockspock

"Why is it always the men who are doing and the women who are feeling?" she snaps. "When I explore space, I'm going to smile and tread." Delicate & sweet exploration of Gaila's past via language

[Added 09/07/2012; Character Piece; 1000-2500; ST: TOS/AOS; Characters: Gaila, Nyota Uhura]