#cotta 2023

[samalander01]

Here is my little piece for @carryonthroughtheages! It's based on a photograph I love from the mid 1800s. This ended up being a fun value study- I had a hard time balancing the sepia tones of old daguerreotype photographs while maintaining value!

[ic3-que3n]

I FINISHED IT! (I was worried about making it in time. Three days ago it was a rough sketch)

Here is my art piece (s) for Carry on Through the Ages an event run by @carryonthroughtheages

More below the cut.

So my idea for this wordless comic is loosely inspired by the myth of Galatea.

Agatha is constantly pursued by suitors but she isn't into anyone and doesn't want to marry any living man. In a Galatea fashion she goes to carve a man for herself to be her husband, one who wont want anything from her and will let her live her life alone. She starts carving Simon but after finishing carving his face she pauses. He isn't looking like her sketch there is something off, something wrong with his expression. She takes a step back and notices the statue is regarding her with a mournful expression. So she goes back to her art and starts drawing to figure it out, she does and goes back to the statue adding what was missing: Baz. A love Simon could actually have and hold forever, not to be in a cold lifeless sham. Agatha leaves the statue in some quiet forest grove to live their life and goes and lives hers in her own way.

Also this didn't come through in the nicer photos BUT i used a metallic watercolor for the marble and it kills me it didn't show up so here is a close up:

[aristocratic-otter]

Hey y’all! I’m here, despite a shitty flare up of my fibro this week. I appreciate all of your art and writing so much, you have no idea! Thank you to : @emeryhall,  @monbons, @thewholelemon, @cutestkilla, @bookish-bogwitch, @best--dress, @blackberrysummerblog,@rimeswithpurple, @Iamamythologicalcreature, @artsyunderstudy, @theearlgreymage

Here’s one from each of my official WIPs

From Saving Simon Snow: 

 “What did he add?”

She thinks for a bit longer, but then shakes her head. “I don’t remember. We’ll have to ask him.”

“Ask me what?” comes a voice from above our heads. Baz is there, looking sleep tousled and heavy eyed. A knot of longing forms in my stomach and I suddenly want to drag him back into our (our!) bedroom and tumble him back into bed. I restrain myself, because I don’t really understand where Baz and I stand right now, and because Penny’s sitting right next to me. 

From the Heart in the Well

“Simon,” I breathe, “[Redacted] is one of the fae! Fairy kind disappeared centuries ago!”

Now Simon’s smile drops away. “Yeah, well tell him that. At least I know why we’re here now, though. It’s so stupid—you’d think it’d be safe to eat a loaf of bread someone left out on their porch.” 

Now I’m shocked and annoyed. “You mean you ate a fucking fairy offering, Snow? What in Morgana’s name is  wrong with you?

From Snow Fox: enter Premal

“Word has it,” Gareth drawls, as he strolls into camp, “a passel o’ Tory boys is lookin’ to sign up with the Snow Fox. Turning their coats, as it were.”

Penny lifts a skeptical brow from where she is sitting in the corner of my tent. She’s been poring over what we’ve gathered on British movements for the last several hours, and her eye has developed a bit of a twitch. “Says who?” she asks.

“Says Premal Bunce,” Gareth says. “Ran into him at the tavern.” 

From TikTok Dancer: 

.I frown for a moment about the freckles. How does he get enough sun on his arse for freckles? He’s got no visible tan lines…

I shake my head at my woolgathering. He’s probably a devotee of tanning salons, that’s all. Though it’s odd, I think, as I trace an outline of the constellation Leo by connecting some of his many markings. 

From Stars, Flowers, and Children,

He’s not looking at me now that he’s said his piece. His jaw is locked, and his arms are crossed over his strong chest, which is heaving from exertion. He’s staring out over the horizon with a fixed look on his face. Probably pretending I don’t exist. 

And I don’t. I don’t exist to him now. And it’s my own damned fault. 

From Cupid’s Shield:

It’s 12:30 pm on February 14th, and the day has been so unseasonably warm that most of the school has taken their luncheon out to the Great Lawn to picnic in small groups. Penny and I are no exception.

I spent my entire morning in a pleasant glow of happiness, thanks to my mysterious Valentine sender. 

I think, whoever she is, she’s grown more skilled each year, because this morning’s card looked worthy of being displayed in a museum. I couldn’t do more than gape at it, for a long moment. I think I also wanted to delay touching it, because the feelings trapped inside have become more potent as each year has gone by. And it’s started to really bother me that someone in the World of Mages loves me so much and I’ve got no notion of who she is. It feels unfair, unbalanced or something. 

From my COBB project:

Penelope Bunce and Christie McCoy take the second room on the left without comment. That means, since Rhys and I are sharing the first room on the right, that Simon Snow and Baz Pitch are left to share my old room, the second on the right. 

I don’t know if the two men expected to have rooms to themselves, but there’s definitely some odd subtext to their interaction when I offer them the final room with a silly flourish. They don’t laugh at me. They don’t even look at me. Instead, they’re eyeing each other intensely. Snow looks uncertain for the first time, and Pitch looks…if I didn’t know better, I’d say he looks scared. 

What’s there to be scared about in a bedroom?

Baz

And now we’re roommates again. Lovely. 

I’m also itching to start another WIP because I had a super angsty (meaning fun!) idea. But I must be good…if I finish Heart in the Well, I’ll let myself start it. The only teaser I’ll give now is it starts with an (apparent) major character death 😉 . 

Tags and cheers to: @chen-chen-chen-again-chen, @bazzybelle, @dragoneggos, @erzbethluna, @palimpsessed, @frjsti, @fatalfangirl, @letraspal, @martsonmars, @melodysmash, @moments-au-crayon22, @moodandmist, @mostlymaudlin, @onepintobean, @raenestee, @tea-brigade, @upuntil6am, @whogaveyoupermission, @messofthejess, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @krisrix, @shemakesmeforget, @larkral, @confused-bi-queer, @j-nipper-95, @facewithoutheart, @nightimedreamersghost,  @thewholelemon, @youarenevertooold, @nausikaaa, @ileadacharmedlife, @angelsfalling16, @noblecorgi, @alexalexinii,@you-remind-me-of-the-babe,@hushed-chorus, @whatevertheweather, @prettygoododds, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @ivelovedhimthroughworse, @mooncello, @wellbelesbian, @ic3-que3n, @shrekgogurt, @cosmicalart, 

[j-nipper-95]

The Trails We Blaze

Rating: Mature

Words: 41,035

Chapters: 12/?

Summary:

Simon and Baz have been through a lot together. Growing up as criminals on London's streets; surviving the Great War; dealing with a lot of repressed feelings. But after their latest con goes wrong, they're left with nothing but an ancient map, a signet ring of unknown provenance or value, and promises of a city that doesn't even exist.

Thrust into a world of adventure with danger at every turn, they're forced to decide how far they're willing to go for a myth, a fortune, and a chance at love.

Prologue / Chapter 1 / Chapter 2 / Chapter 3 / Chapter 4 / Chapter 5 / Chapter 6 / Chapter 7 / Chapter 8 / Chapter 9 / Chapter 10 / Chapter 11

Thank you to @artsyunderstudy for helping to beta read this beast of a fic and for producing some amazing artwork! I'm so excited to share this COTTA2023 (@carryonthroughtheages) fic with you all!

[hushed-chorus]

Simon is lucky to survive when his ship is wrecked, even if it left him stranded on a desert island. But he's not the only one who escaped. The ship's mysterious cargo, the creature in the box, also made it to shore. What hope does Simon have when a vampire is lurking in the island's wooded interior?

Welcome to Carry On Through The Ages 2023 (@carryonthroughtheages)! Please enjoy my Age of Sail Snowbaz fic about survival and finding happiness against the odds.

Blood, Salt & Hummingbirds on AO3

(Chapters 9/9, T but mind the tags and CWs in chapter notes)

[that-disabled-princess]

WIP Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, friends! I am currently listening to my head bops while editing Lavender hearts at 7am, so it is... quite the contrast 🤣

Here's a bit from Lavender hearts that I edited this morning. This will likely be my last post about my COTTA, since I post on Wednesday next week!!

He lets me lean my full weight on him, supporting and holding me while I try to slow my mind.

“Here’s what we’re going to do,” he says. I lift my head to find him already looking at me. “We’re going to make a list. A plan for how to deal with the coming months, yeah? Penny likes her ‘What we know, what we don’t’ lists, or we could make a regular list. Okay?”

I take a deep breath and exhale shakily.

“Okay.”

I've also signed up as an artist for @carryon-reverse-bang! This is a very early (read: the first) design of the head pattern:

Poor Simon looks absolutely squished xD There's a reason us pattern designers do so much frogging and so many trials haha. I don't have any more recent photos, though, so that's what I've got.

And I'm planning to write for @ruthariweek! (Jumping into so many back-to-back fandom fests/events after a few-month fandom break may not have been the smartest plan. I am both overwhelmed and tired, but I don't regret anything.) The fic is pretty much complete, so here are some sentences I love.

...[Runaan] fidgets with the weapon on his prosthetic, opening and closing the knife.

Ethari throws himself into untangling his hair like he’s another one of his delicate creations, fingers dancing along his scalp and teasing through his long hair.

...the new king of Katolis (within whom he found a shared love of jelly tarts after apologizing)...

“My lovely, grumpy moonberry.”

Ethari catches him with ease (those artist’s arms), guiding him back down to the grass.

Do I take every possible opportunity to project my artist woes/strengths onto Ethari? Yes, yes I do. (Also yes, I will always write more disability rep :D)

Tagging @youarenevertooold @j-nipper-95 @bazzybelle @hoothalcyon @hushed-chorus @cutestkilla @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @aristocratic-otter @stitchyqueer @palimpsessed @ivelovedhimthroughworse @theearlgreymage @ic3-que3n @valeffelees @yeonjunenby @letraspal @angelsfalling16 @moodandmist @forabeatofadrum @alexalexinii @iamamythologicalcreature and anyone else I'm missing 💖💖

[wellbelesbian]

Six Sentence Sunday

thanks for tagging me @youarenevertooold @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @shrekgogurt and @artsyunderstudy!

i have two snippets to share! but this post is kinda long, so i'll put them under a cut.

so, the first is from the last chapter of Shoulder To Shoulder, which i'll be posting on wednesday:

“Fuck you Thatcher, or screw you Thatcher?” Agatha asks, propping up the sign she’s working on for us all to see.

“Oh, they’re both so good.” Shepard says wistfully, pinning the fabric for his new dress to a mannequin. I’m impressed by his ability to talk with such emotion with half a dozen pins held between his teeth. We’re on the top floor of the bookshop, which doubles as Niamh’s home, paint and glitter strewn all about the place.

the song for this scene:

and if you didn't see, yesterday i posted the bonus kerixie fic set in the same AU! here's the link to that.

then i also have a snippet from what i'll be working on after this fic is done, my nanowrimo project from last year that i didn't finish. in case you weren't here or missed me talking about it last year, it's a retelling of the aftermath of the Trojan War, following Astyanax, the son of Hector and Andromache, who died as a baby in some myths but survived in others. he bounces around Greece looking for his mother, who was taken after the war, and along the way runs into Briseis and Hermione, who both met Andromache and tell him what they experienced during that time. so there are a three stories in one!

here's a bit of Hermione's POV. i adore writing her, she's a bit like the way i write Agatha, judgemental and yet dissatisfied with the expectations put on her. it's very fun to write bitchy characters who eventually meet someone they can let their guard down around, and who then turn out to be quite nice.

I stood at the balcony, looking out over the courtyard, but there was still no sign of my husband. Looking straight across I could see the men’s half of the palace, but every window was dark. My mother’s rope was coiled in the corner, mocking me. Her words echoed in my mind and I couldn’t help but laugh dismissively. What did it matter if it was sturdy, when Neoptolemus was so small? He would be light as a feather.

and here's a song from around this part of my corresponding Hermione playlist:

if you want to see more snippets from this fic, i've already posted plenty on my main blog @nausikaaa last year under the tag 'my writing' and will keep posting more this year.

i tag @j-nipper-95 @ileadacharmedlife @prettygoododds @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @imagineacoolusername @confused-bi-queer @ic3-que3n @forabeatofadrum @bazzybelle @theearlgreymage @aristocratic-otter @larkral @hushed-chorus @martsonmars @ivelovedhimthroughworse @blackberrysummerblog @fatalfangirl @ebbpettier @cutestkilla @alleycat0306 @alexalexinii @shemakesmeforget and @bookish-bogwitch

[ivelovedhimthroughworse]

I love Carry On Through the Ages! I'm making another Victorian piece this year. This time I'm working with a much smaller sheet of paper. The pros: it won't take me months. The cons: tiny tiny tiny lines. And if I make a mistake it's harder to hide.

Thanks for the tags today: @hushed-chorus @martsonmars @forabeatofadrum @messofthejess @prettygoododds @artsyunderstudy & @shrekgogurt! You're all wonderful and creative.

Here's my progress so far:

Under the cut is previous WIPs and tags for fifty of you lovely folk in the fandom. But if you're reading this, assume I'm tagging you too. Right, gentlemen?

Right.

Here is the transition from sketchy pencil lines to ink.

Hello! I hope that you're having a good week. Summer sun and an icy beverage for you!

@aroace-genderfluid-sheep @aristocratic-otter @blackberrysummerblog @bazzybelle @carryonsimoncarryonbaz @captain-aralias @ebbpettier @erzbethluna @excalisbury @facewithoutheart @fatalfangirl @foolofabookwyrm-activated @ic3-que3n @ileadacharmedlife @jbrrring @johnwgrey @krisrix @larkral @letraspal @moodandmist @mostlymaudlin @nightimedreamersworld @ninemagicks @orange-peony @onepintobean @palimpsessed @penpanoply @prettylightsbigcity @raenestee @rimeswithpurple @stardustasincocaine @shemakesmeforget @stillmadaboutpetra @takenabackbytuesdays @tea-brigade @technetiumai @thehoneyedhufflepuff @theearlgreymage @valeffelees @whogaveyoupermission @whatevertheweather @yellobb @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[carryonthroughtheages]

Hello friends and history lovers!

Another year of Carry On Through The Ages is over and done! I am so happy with success this year has had. Every year, I am blown away by how amazing this little community is. We are a small event, but we are so supportive and loving of each other.

It has been an absolute joy to watch the Discord server so active every single day, with people talking about their research and their projects. Watching as they gained support and encouragement from other history nerds. It was everything I could have hoped for when I first started this fest four years ago. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, everyone who participated, whether it was as a creator, or support, or researcher. You all helped to make COTTA 2023 a continued success.

Under the page break, you will find individual links to the fics and art that were created this year for COTTA. They are INCREDIBLE, and I highly encourage you all to read them.

Here is the link to the AO3 Collection: Carry On Through The Ages 2023!

Until next year, love you all!

BazzyBelle 🧡

Monday

Blood, Salt & Hummingbirds (T) - @hushed-chorus : AO3 // tumblr

Simon is lucky to survive when his ship is wrecked, even if it left him stranded on a desert island. But he's not the only one who escaped. The ship's mysterious cargo, the creature in the box, also made it to shore. What hope does Simon have when a vampire is lurking in the island's wooded interior? But the monster is not what it seems, and if they are to survive, they need to work together. And maybe they can do more than survive. Maybe they can thrive.

Fifty Names For A Cat (T) - @hushed-chorus : AO3 // tumblr

Simon and Baz are settling into their new life, getting Pitch Manor in working order and preparing to move to their cottage on the moor. Meanwhile, a certain cat is adjusting to his new life.

Tuesday

The Trails We Blaze (M) - @j-nipper-95 : AO3 // tumblr

Simon and Baz have been through a lot together. Growing up as criminals on London's streets; surviving the Great War; dealing with a lot of repressed feelings. But after their latest con goes wrong, they're left with nothing but an ancient map, a signet ring of unknown provenance or value, and promises of a city that doesn't even exist. Thrust into a world of adventure with danger at every turn, they're forced to decide how far they're willing to go for a myth, a fortune, and a chance at love.

The Snow Fox (E) - @aristocratic-otter : AO3 // tumblr

Simon "Snow" Salisbury is the most wanted patriot in the American Revolution. Wanted by the British army, who want to see him hanged. Wanted by the Tories, who'd shoot him on sight, given the chance. And wanted by Tyrannus Basilton Grimm-Pitch.

Wednesday

Lavender Hearts (M) - @aroace-genderfluid-sheep : AO3 // tumblr

America, 1950s. Queer people are fired left and right, friends lose their jobs daily--and sometimes, their lives. Simon and Baz are caught in the middle of it all with a homophobic father and an unconventional (in more than one way) relationship, terrified out of their minds but unwilling to give up the fight. They'll fight for years if they have to. They'll fight for decades. But even the strongest wills can be broken with the hardest of blows.

An 1800s daguerreotype photograph art piece created by the amazing @samalander01 : tumblr

Thursday

Shoulder To Shoulder, Hand To Hand (M) - @wellbelesbian : AO3 // tumblr

Britain, 1984. Across the country, miners go on strike against pit closures. With the government, police and media set against them and no end in sight, they and their families begin to feel the strain. In London, Simon Snow recognises a familiar struggle, and decides to do something, while closeted Baz Pitch just wants to get out of the house and be among his community for a day. What starts as a few collection buckets at a pride march soon becomes an organisation, and a bond is forged between the lesbians and gay men of London and a village of miners and their families in South Wales. But Simon has a past he's trying to outrun, and Baz is trying to live a double life. Both boys have secrets and shame, but if they want to make it through together, they'll have to find their pride.

A beautiful Galatea/Pygmalion-inspired water colour piece by the wonderful @ic3-que3n : tumblr

Friday

Safe Harbour (M) - @snowbaz-parentis : AO3 // tumblr

It all started on an island... It's 1956, and Baz Pitch is existentially lost in New York City. After graduating from Columbia, he's working for a wedding photographer with no taste as he avoids his inevitable fall attendance at Yale Law School, his father's alma mater. All Baz wants to do is be a fashion photographer, and when an opportunity to assist a famous photographer out on Fire Island falls in his lap, it just may be the key to helping unlock him from the closet of his family's expectations. It's 1956, and Simon Snow is wondering if there's more to life than this or if this is as good as it gets. He's been working in construction with his foster father, David Cadwallader, practically ever since he was taken in at age 13, but there's something beyond the water that's calling for him. When Davy offers Simon a chance to manage his family's rental properties for the summer in Cherry Grove on Fire Island, Simon jumps at the chance to finally take charge of something. What Baz and Simon didn't expect: the sense of freedom that comes from being able to absolutely surrender to the truest version of yourself, and the choices you have to make when it happens.

Costly Colours - A Precious Bane AU (M) - twigs_in_my_hair : AO3

In the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars Baz is being groomed by his aunt to be a physician. Tired of the farming life, Fiona would like to set up shop in town with her sister’s herbal remedies and her nephew settled down with his mentor’s lovely daughter and a fine degree hung on the wall. But first the family must toil and scrimp and save to raise the funds. And what if this is not the future Baz longs for? And what if the townsfolk won’t let go of their superstitions and petty grudges towards this family marked by tragedy? Does the handsome young weaver have all the answers?

[blackberrysummerblog]

I panicked today when I thought I’d missed the COTTA deadline—I haven’t, but I still don’t have the faintest clue what I’d write 😭

[iamafanofcartoons]

RWBY is about FAMILY! Happy Pride Month by AG Nonsuch

https://twitter.com/AG_Nonsuch/status/1669749282050650126?

[vvalliu]

[ic3-que3n]

Probably my last COTTA preview! (Check out @carryonthroughtheages )

(Let’s pretend it’s Wednesday ok? Yes I know I could queue it but I don’t want to)

Thank you for the tags on Sunday @theearlgreymage @artsyunderstudy @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @confused-bi-queer @bookish-bogwitch and @iamamythologicalcreature !!! 🥰

Tagging @prettygoododds @nausikaaa @martsonmars @cutestkilla @shrekgogurt @ivelovedhimthroughworse @whogaveyoupermission @crimsonskyes @johnwgrey @yeonjunenby @mostlymaudlin @raenestee @gekkoinapeartree @ionlydrinkhotwater @wolfywordweaver @fatalfangirl @erzbethluna @bazzybelle @kohatenz @foolofabookwyrm-activated @facewithoutheart @moodandmist @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @thewholelemon @stardustasincocaine @wellbelesbian @aroace-genderfluid-sheep and anyone who wants!

[aristocratic-otter]

Hey y’all. It’s been a rough month, so thank you to all of you who keep tagging me in spite of my silence. And for those of you waiting for new chapters to one of my WIPs, please forgive me. The good news is, I have a week off of work, and I’ll be able to put out new chapters of at least two of my WIPs, as well as the first post from one of those below that you haven’t seen. So stay tuned!

Thank you to : @thewholelemon, @youarenevertooold, @nausikaaa, @wellbelesbian, @cutestkilla, @monbons, @artsyunderstudy, @ileadacharmedlife, @hushed-chorus, @prettygoododds, @whatevertheweather, @angelsfalling16, @noblecorgi, @ic3-que3n, @bookish-bogwitch, @thewholelemon, @alexalexinii, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe,and @blackberrysummerblog for the tags over the last several weeks. 

On to the snippets!

From Saving Simon Snow: (slightly more than six sentences)

I don’t know what I expect when I look at him. Recriminations about my family? I’d deserve them. My father and aunt have been vicious and abusive towards my now-husband. I’ll never be done making that up to him. Or maybe he wants to actually talk about the events of the day? Yesterday, I mean, since the clock has clearly ticked over into a new day.

Whatever I expected, it wasn’t Simon’s blue eyes intensely boring into mine as he says, “Can I kiss you?”

From the Heart in the Well

“You–” I start, and my voice is a croak. I swallow, despite my horror at the liquid still laying on my tongue. I try again. “How could you?”

Simon looks apologetic, but his chin is jutting up nonetheless. “Baz, you needed it—” he begins. 

“You’ve made me into a monster!” I cry. 

From Snow Fox–nothing new this week. I'm researching my next chapter at the moment.

From TikTok Dancer: 

Normally, by now I’d be giving coy glances to my chosen partner of the night. I like to have made my choice at least an hour before we quit for the day, so I can make my interest known. It’s a bit of a dance in itself, this small courtship. 

Tonight, unless I find the courage to approach Baz again—why do I even remember his name? Most of the time I forget their names minutes after they say them—I’ll be going to bed without any release. Because nobody in the crowd has drawn my eyes today, despite several pretty people making eyes at me. 

I’ve only got eyes for Baz.

I don’t understand this.

From Stars, Flowers, and Children,

One of the tools we rescued from the ship before it sank was a hand axe, and it’s honestly been worth it’s weight in gold. Half the building I’ve done in the last few years would have been impossible without it. I don’t need Davy’s voice in my head growling, “you break those tools, boy, I’ll break you.” I’m constantly aware of the fragility of the life we’ve built here. If I break an axe…no more building out of wood. If the island suffers a dry year, no fruit on our plates. If one of us gets sick…no doctors

From Cupid’s Shield:

My aunt Fiona loves recounting the time he showed up at Watford’s Valentine ball when she was a fourth year. She wasn’t old enough to attend, but she’d snuck into a secret passage that passed the ballroom to spy on her friends, who were fifteen because their birthday (they were twins apparently) was just before the deadline to attend. Reading between the lines, I think Fi was sweet on one of the pair and wanted to make sure he wasn’t making time with some other girl at the ball. 

According to my Aunt, Cupid just materialized in midair beneath the great chandelier, and, with a wicked grin, began shooting incorporeal arrows at every mage in sight. Fiona took great pleasure in recounting just who was compelled into snogging their sworn enemies or the girlfriends/ boyfriends of their best friends. Apparently the event was a source of endless drama over the next several months, and my aunt lives for that shit. 

Of course, my aunts’ maybe-boyfriend escaped unscathed, or I think she wouldn’t have found the whole thing so amusing.

From my COBB project:

“Director,” I say, “It’s good to see you.”

“And it’s wonderful to see you, my boy. In fact, your return just at this time could not have been more fortuitous.”

I know all too well what that means. My heart sinks into my shoes. I just got back…I haven’t even unpacked yet…

“Sir?” I question, directing every fibre of my being towards hoping the director is not about to say what I think he’s about to say. Of course, I’m not that lucky.

“We have a situation, Simon,” he says, letting his face fall into graver lines. 

Tagging: @chen-chen-chen-again-chen, @bazzybelle, @dragoneggos, @erzbethluna, @palimpsessed, @frjsti, @fatalfangirl, @letraspal, @martsonmars, @melodysmash, @moments-au-crayon22, @moodandmist, @mostlymaudlin, @onepintobean, @raenestee, @tea-brigade, @thehoneyedhufflepuff, @upuntil6am, @whogaveyoupermission, @messofthejess, @carryonsimoncarryonbaz, @krisrix, @shemakesmeforget, @larkral, @confused-bi-queer, @rimeswithpurple, and @mooncello, @theearlgreymage, @j-nipper-95, @facewithoutheart, @best--dress, @nightimedreamersghost

[j-nipper-95]

I really need to sort a non-ASR banner for non-ASR related stuff. A future problem for a future Jess.

Thank you so much for the tags the last couple of weeks everyone! I have been writing, I just haven’t got around to responding and sharing 🙈 in fact, I was telling Ashton this week, the El Dorado AU fic has surpassed 56k already … we’re going for an Epic on this one, folks. An hour and a half film for inspiration? Psh, try a book that could be verging into Samantha Shannon levels of thickness, that’s the level of detail and chaos we’re dealing with with this fic. Please God don’t let this become a ‘Roots of Chaos’ length fic. I’m not sure I have the capacity to write an Epic that long 🥲

That being said, have some words. (Simon POV)

The gun shot echoes throughout the entire gallery.

“Go,” I whisper harshly, shoving Baz away from the office towards the entrance to the gallery.

We head back towards the marble stairs we walked up a few minutes ago, and start creeping down them as quietly as we can. The soles of my shoes are softened through wear, but of course Baz has his Oxford’s on, so his heels are clicking with every single step.

“You and your fucking shoes,” I hiss.

“Now’s not the time, Snow.”

“Now’s the perfect fucking time. I swear to God, if we get caught because they fucking hear you—”

The office door slams against the wall upstairs and for a split second I’m torn between just stopping and waiting quietly, to see if they come our way, or just making a break for it.

Baz chooses the second option.

He tucks the map beneath his shirt, and slips the ring onto his little finger, before he grabs my hand and pulls me along.

For the second time in a month, we’re running away from the Now Next.

I am absolutely loving writing this fic. It’s been such a process from start to where we’re at currently (lord knows we’re nowhere near the finish with this one), and it’s really testing my writing skills. I’m such a combo planner/pantser, more leaning to the planner side of things usually. But this fic has just taken me by the throat and gone ‘we’re going this way’ and I’ve just had to follow the inspiration wherever it takes me!

Currently I’m in a bit of a writer’s block phase, but here’s hoping that won’t last too long.

Tagging (and I know some of you have already shared today, but I just love everything you’re working on right now, so sharing the love!): @artsyunderstudy @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @aristocratic-otter @bazzybelle @blackberrysummerblog @bookish-bogwitch @cattocavo @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @cutestkilla @dragoneggos @erzbethluna @ebbpettier @fatalfangirl @frjsti @henreyettah @hushed-chorus @ileadacharmedlife @ivelovedhimthroughworse @krisrix @larkral @letraspal @martsonmars @nightimedreamersworld @orange-peony @prettylightsbigcity @palimpsessed @phoxphyre @raenestee @skeedelvee @stardustasincocaine @subparselkie @theearlgreymage @you-remind-me-of-the-babe

[hushed-chorus]

Six Sentence Sunday

Hola folks! Thank you for the tags @theotherhufflepuff @rimeswithpurple @artsyunderstudy @wellbelesbian and @imagineacoolusername! And to everyone who keeps tagging me despite my repeated absences. I do appreciate it and love seeing what you all share. Hopefully my engagement will become more regular again soon.

This is from the upcoming chapter of my COTTA fic Blood, Salt and Hummingbirds. Natural Historian!Baz is doing some problem-solving.

Baz’s heels dig into a cleft in the rock as he spreads his bit of sailcloth across his knees. His fingers work the case’s latch. It clicks open with a faint squeak. I’ve never seen inside it before. I lean for a closer look. And I see…

Neat little compartments, each holding a solid rectangle of colour. Blues, greens, yellows, purples, reds. Some have shallow grooves, but they’re all vibrant nonetheless. Before I can study more closely Baz plucks something from the frontmost slot and closes the box. He places the thing beside him–a neat length of artist's charcoal–and starts wrapping the sailcloth around the box.

“What are you doing?” I ask, leaning into Baz. He hesitates, but then continues, twisting the edges of the cloth into his hand, putting it flat and tight against one side of the box. 

“The heavenly host may have conspired to deprive me of parchment, but I will draw.”

Tags beneath the cut!

@facewithoutheart @captain-aralias @raenestee @aroace-genderfluid-sheep @yeonjunenby @cutestkilla @ivelovedhimthroughworse @larkral @stitchyqueer @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @confused-bi-queer @aristocratic-otter @whogaveyoupermission @nightimedreamersworld @fatalfangirl @thewholelemon @onepintobean @shrekgogurt @theearlgreymage @martsonmars @blackberrysummerblog @orange-peony @palimpsessed @valeffelees @j-nipper-95 @iamamythologicalcreature @supercutedinosaurs @alexalexinii @bookish-bogwitch @cosmicalart @bazzybelle