Perceived Impressions
| Fanfiction | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Perceived Impressions |
| Author(s): | Acinonyx1 |
| Date(s): | 2023-2024 |
| Length: | 45,260, 18 chapters |
| Genre(s): | slash |
| Fandom(s): | Baldur's Gate III, Baldur's Gate |
| Relationship(s): | Astarion/Halsin |
| External Links: | Perceived Impressions on AO3 |
Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Perceived Impressions is a Baldur's Gate fanfic written by Acinonyx1 and featuring the pairing Astarion/Halsin. This story is currently complete on AO3. It is one of the most popular fanfics in Baldur's Gate III fandom, and also the most kudo'd and bookmarked. This fic is many fans' introduction to Halstarion, due to a habit of sorting fics by kudos. Fans of the fanfic have also produced accompanying fanart for this work.
Although the work ends in an epilogue that hints at a continuation of the story, the author has stated, at the time of posting the final chapter, that they do not plan on creating a sequel.
Summary
When Astarion awakens in the aftermath of the Nautiloid crash, it is not to a friendly face but the press of goblin steel against his cheek.Now a captive of the Absolute, he is left starving and huddled in the corner, waiting for the beast that shares his cell to finally strike.
Bears, after all, are not known to be the most gracious killers.
Reactions & Reviews
The story has been discussed in the OnlyFangsbg3 Reddit:
I’m surprised there have been no discussions here yet about the highest kudos M/M Astarion fanfic on AO3. Or maybe my reddit search bar is broken? Anyway, I wanted to start one because it’s my favorite Astarion fanfic and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for the next chapter to come out. I wonder if the author (Acinonyx1) browses this subreddit 🤔 It’s a slow burn with a really captivating story that makes it feel more like you’re reading a short novella than fan fiction. I think even without the romance I would have enjoyed it just for the plot.[1]
The story's chapters are regularly commented on by fans, praising the writing style and plot:
ACIIII just adore your writing style and I am so happy to see it in a longer project of yours too! I don't know but it's so unique - I have never read something like yours before, you manage to convey feelings with such precision they always strike you to the core with a single sentence. That being said, I ADORE THE ANGST IN THIS. The set-up is such a fantastic idea. I cannot wait for Astarion finding out who he has been sharing his cell with all along, hehe.
Thanks so much for writing ✨[2]
I've been obsessively checking this fic for its next update every day since I finished the first two chapters and am probably going to be doing the same until you post the last part.Everything you write is so unbelievably good!! Just the way everything flows, the vividness of your descriptions, and your grasp on the characters... it really makes the world come to life, and makes it feel like you are right there with them. I devoured most of your BG3 one-shots in one night, and am definitely going to be along for the ride for whatever you decide to do from here on out with within the fandom.
Can't wait to see how this is all going to play out. Especially looking forward to Astarion's reaction when Halsin finally gets to reveal himself, and how the protectiveness Halsin's already been showing is going to shift once the two can actually have a conversation with eachother.[3]
haven't found a really good place to comment on your characterization of astarion but you write him the closest to how i imagine himi'm actually surprised at the lack of bottom astarion in the fandom, and it makes me sad considering his backstory and how he learned how to give pleasure without being allowed to partake in any of it himself... i think it comes down to how he is characteristically flirty, but you're one of the few writers on ao3 who really explore the idea that being a sub/bottom isn't necessarily robbing one of their agency, and the empowerment over learning that you deserve pleasure :) as a gay man i've definitely seen the stigmatization of this for way too long
super excited to see anything tagged with you, you definitely deserve all the kudos! hyped for any future updates (hope you'll be here a while, i need to see astarion being taken care of in so many different ways)[4]
Unauthorized Sequel and Recursive Fanfiction of Perceived Impressions
On the 30th of September 2023, fanwriter Fridayplease published a story called Crimson Vintage. The story was a 4 chapters long WIP and was presented as "A spin-off of a fic I fell in love with.". This was, as expressed by the author, a reference to the fandom's most popular story, Perceived Impressions.
At the time, Perceived Impressions was not yet finished, and it was during a waiting period, between chapters 3 and 4, that Fridayplease published their own story. Initially fans received Fridayplease's story well, thinking this was an authorized sequel. Unlike regular fan sequels or recursive fanfiction though, Fridayplease had taken the chapters that Acinonyx1 had written so far to be the first chapters to their own story, meaning that fans had to read the first 3 chapters of Perceived Impressions and only then be able to follow Crimson Vintage.
It grew apparent to fans that the author of the fragmented sequel had not spoken to Acinonyx1 about this, nor asked them for permission to use their story. They were advised to write their own first chapters, instead of using someone else's, especially without permission.
Crimson Vintage was deleted, without warning, sometime between the October 1st and October 6th 2023.
On October 6th 2023, Fridayplease then published Shadows of Desire. This story contained the 4 chapters of Crimson Vintage that had been deleted, plus a reimagining of the first 3 Perceived Impression chapters. Fans still expressed issues with this due to the fact that the reuploaded and new chapters still contained much of the original plot from the other story. Comments about fandom etiquette left by fans on Shadows of Desire were and have been continuously deleted by Fridayplease, including a comment from Acinonyx1 expressing worries about the lack of originality and thus their unwillingness to call this an authorised sequel. After receiving these comments Fridayplease has stopped updating the story, but still replies to other comments the story receives.
Related & Inspired
A scene from chapter 4 of Perceived Impressions: Astarion sees Halsin in elf form for the first time by Malacandrax
A scene from chapter 4 of Perceived Impressions: Halsin helps Astarion up so they can leave the cell by Malacandrax
References
- ^ Perceived Impressions: Astarion + Halsin by astarion_bg3 at OnlyFangsbg3, 2024
- ^ Perceived Impressions Chapter 2 Comment by Star_Boy_Baku at AO3, 2023
- ^ Perceived Impressions Chapter 3 Comment by Cinnamoone at AO3, 2023
- ^ Perceived Impressions Chapter 3 Comment by fleetingness at AO3, 2023