Master post for "When the Badger Grows Horns"

[ramblin_rosie]

I had intended to have this story posted months ago, but other stories and RL interfered. However, it's fairly appropriate to post it today, December 7, since the men who inspired it were the key to winning the war in the Pacific.

Technical note: Due to special character requirements, I've had to code these pages to appear in one of three unicode fonts. If your computer happens not to have these fonts, your default font (such as Arial or Helvetica) ought to have most of the characters, with the exception of the combining ogonek; so if you see a random box next to an accented vowel, know that it's supposed to be a hook under the vowel instead.

This story was written for the dark_agenda Racebending Revenge Challenge on Dreamwidth. There are much longer and more detailed notes following the epilogue, but I thought I ought to warn up front about potentially offensive language about minorities—none of the big bads, but irksome at best—and characters expressing opinions about minorities that I, the author, do not share. Also, the character deaths and relationships portrayed align with canon. There are some very oblique references to Season 6, most of which were unintentional, but no real spoilers past 5.22.
Many thanks to my very kind beta kcrenegade—you’ve helped me immeasurably!
For this fic, the part of John Winchester will be played by Ray Tracey.

Characters: John, Mary, Dean, Sam, plus the usual pre-series (1972-2005) supporting cast and at least one surprise guest; OCs: Joe and Emily Winchester, Amá Sání (Grandmother) Chee, Uncle Ron, Aunt Sarah, assorted cousins, and Aggie the Wonder Horse
Rating: PG
Genre: AU, Pre-series, Gen
Word Count: 25,822 (including glossary and notes)
Summary: John Ashiihi Winchester was a warrior at heart, but once he left Dinétah, not even his beloved Grandmother Chee could foresee where his path would lead him -- or his sons.

When the Badger Grows Horns
Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Epilogue | Glossary | Notes | PDF (new!)

Comments

[emeraldheiress.livejournal.com]

I genuinely loved this story. I don't suppose that there will ever be more in this verse? :)

[ramblin_rosie]

Thank you! Actually, there will be more eventually; I just have a few dozen other half-started stories for other 'verses to finish. :D

[emeraldheiress.livejournal.com]

Woohoo! ^^ lol

[jadaryl.livejournal.com]

I just want to say that I really enjoyed this fic. As much as the Diné bizaad twisted my tongue half the time I tried pronouncing it (I'm not so good with nasal vowels), it gave the fic a unique level of realism. I also really enjoyed the Gaelic you through in. Your author's notes... I would've enjoyed a little more even. It was cool seeing how you thought through different aspects of the AU. It's making me want to write about the Winchesters being part Arabic now. Heh. You went for American Indian because your family has roots there. My non-Western roots are in the Middle East. I also really related to Sam and Dean learning Gaelic as a way to connect with Mary. That sort of thing is why I want so badly to become fluent in Arabic. So, yeah... This fic is special. Any chance of a season six in this AU?

[ramblin_rosie]

Thank you so much! Yes, Diné bizaad is very difficult for outsiders to learn to speak; I don't think I'd want to attempt a conversation in it. :D And I'm glad you even enjoyed the notes!
I've seen a few AUs where the boys had South Asian ancestry and one where Jo is Iraqi-American, but I don't think I've seen one where the boys are part Arabic. So take that bunny and run! :)
As for Season 6... I'll see. I've still got some pre-Apocalypse ideas to explore for this 'verse, like exactly what happens to Jess and how the course of events does and does not change as a result of the boys having Grandmother Chee and Mary's journals as resources.

[jadaryl.livejournal.com]

So's Arabic. I can pronounce any Arabic I read, even though I generally can't translate it, but that's only because I heard it regularly until I was a year old while my grandparents lived with us. It's got nine sounds that don't exist in English plus rolling the r's. My mom can't even say my dad's name right because the first sound doesn't exist in English. *shrugs* But I have to say, that sort of thing? It makes languages fun. The rare ones, even more so.

I read the one where Jo's Iraqi-American. She reminded me of myself and my older to cousins. I'd love to see something longer, though. And mine would focus on the Arabic Christian culture -- if only because everyone hears "Arabic" and thinks "Muslim" which just isn't true. There've been Arabic Christians since the first century AD. Not sure quite what my plot would be but I'm definitely gonna be stewing on this one.

Oh! I'll be looking forward to those! I was wondering about Jess since Gabriel implied that she might survive this way. And with Sam picking up on his friends getting possessed, he'd probably pick up on Brady in this 'verse. *dreamy smile* Would Dean spend time at all with Lisa and Ben? Perhaps teach Ben about the Navajo?

[ramblin_rosie]

Sorry to be slow in replying. YES, do run with that bunny! You're right; most people don't realize there are Arabic Christians.
Lisa and Ben: I'm not sure. Possibly after they get Bobby out from under Crowley's thumb--I think Dean might insist on at least semi-retiring to give Sam more of a chance to recover, and that might be easier in Cicero than on the reservation.

[nagi-schwarz.livejournal.com]

Pretty sure this is the best SPN AU I've ever read. Love it.

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

I really enjoyed this; interesting to throw another culture in there and see how it affects canon... Truly fascinating. :)

[ramblin_rosie]

Thank you so much! :)

[ramblin_rosie]

Thank you! :)

[zara-zee.livejournal.com]

Hi! I’ve recced this here (http://rocksalt-recs.livejournal.com/294409.html) at rocksalt-recs.

[ramblin_rosie]

Wow, thanks! :)