east-from-west

[east-from-west]

,,Family, Luke. You promised.''

⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ☁︎｡ ⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡ ⋆

The Lightning Thief fight/betrayal scene, rewritten.

TW// minor depictions of blood and violence, one curse word.

(A/N) It's a mix of the show/book. This is not a slash fic. Percy and Luke are both 12 and 19 respectively. All affection expressed is platonic. Please don't read as slash.

𓇼 🌊 🐚(Villains and violence/Infants and innocents/Baby, both arms cradle you now/both arms cradle you now) ୧ ‧₊˚ 🍓 ⋅ ☆

Luring a 12 year old into the woods with Coke. Gods, Luke felt like a monster.

"Come on," Luke grinned as convincingly as he could, "drinks are on me." Luke held up the six pack of Coke. He hoped his face didn't betray his intentions. Luke could see the wary look in Percy's eyes begin to fade. Sugar and caffeine was any ADHD kid's weakness.

"Sure." Percy nods. "Why not?"

'Why not'. What a question. 'Because I'm about to hurt you,' Luke thought bitterly, his smile twisting into more of a grimace that was trying to pass as a smile.

They walked down to the creek were Percy had broken Clarisse's spear. Killing the kid in the spot of one of his first victories made that small part of Luke ache even more. Something in him screams to turn back now, to go shoo the kid off to the training arena or his cabin and just leave. Leave, leave now and not hurt him more than the world already had.

Unfortunately, Kronos' order was clear.

Percy yapped about the quest while sipping his Coke, so blissfully unaware of what's about to happen.

What Luke is about to do to him.

"You sound like you miss it." Luke comments, trying to keep his tone light, but a hint of bitterness seeped in, like a dark cloud marring an otherwise sunny sky.

"With monsters trying to kill me every five seconds?" Percy scoffed, but he didn't sound particularly opposed to it. Luke raised a brow. "Okay, yeah," Percy crumbled and admits with a small grin, "You?"

Luke drained the rest of his coke before answering, looking off into the trees with darkened eyes. "I've lived here year round since I was fourteen. Trained and trained and trained, never really got to be a normal teen out in the world." He shrugged. Luke continued before Percy could respond.

"Then they tossed me one quest and that was it. 'Good job, Luke. Ride's over, have a good rest of your life.'" Luke crumpled the can and tossed it into the creek. Percy gave him a shocked look.

You don't litter at Camp Halfblood. The nymphs and naiads make that clear, with their little revenges on the careless campers who cluttered their homes with garbage. Not that Luke really had to worry about that anymore.

"To hell with it all. I'm not going to be a pawn reduced to a dusty trophy in the Big House attic." Luke said darkly, staring at the crumpled can in the water.

"You make it sound like you're leaving." Pecy comments, voice a very forced casual. Underneath the veil, Luke could hear a bit of trepidation and disappointment in the kid's voice.

Percy didn't want him to leave. Percy thought Luke was his friend, he didn't want his friend to leave.

Luke finally looked back over at Percy, trying for a smile but ending with a twisted grimace.

"I am." He said simply. "So this is goodbye." His tone was dark, colder. Colder than only Luke could be.

Something in Percy's eyes shifted. "Oh gods."

Luke almost couldn't, with Percy's small and horrified realization.

''You will be betrayed by someone who calls you a friend.''

"I-it was you! Luke, it was you?" His blue eyes widened. "You stole the bolt, you worked with Ares to pin it on me!" Percy's hand reached for his sword. "S-so when the shoes you gave me would pull me down into Tartarus, the bolt would be delivered straight to Kro--"

"Careful with names, Percy." Luke cut him off sharply. Percy took a step back, eyes wide with betrayal.

"I am your friend, none of this was to betray you." Luke lied, stepping forward with his hands raised placatingly. Percy uncapped Riptide, clutching the holt tightly. Luke drew Backbiter in kind.

No doubt the kid had gotten better with his sword, and Luke wouldn't be caught unarmed. "Easy. I dont wanna fight. The gods are my enemy, Percy, our enemy." Luke's tone turned soft, like he was speaking to an upset child. "You, I'm here to recruit."

"Recruit?" Percy repeated in disbelief. Luke turned the hilt of Backbiter to show him a glowing blue symbol.

"This is our way out of here. Backbiter can open dorrways, we can stay on the move for however long--"

"Don't say we." Percy cuts him off. "Luke," his voice turned a bit pleading, "The Gods are our parents."

"And what? I'm supposed to love them because of that?" Luke scoffs harshly. "They're bad parents. All they want is for us to worship them and do all their little 'quests'. Their dirty work." He spits.

Percy shook his head, "I met your dad--"

That's all it took. Luke swung his sword, only to be caught by Riptide in very hasty parry. Luke slashed downwards, only for the swords to meet in an engagement. Luke couldn't help but grin.

"You have gotten better. Last chance."

Percy freed Riptide from the engagement and kicked Luke's shin to make him stumble. The older swordsman kept his footing and swung at Percy's head, meeting air as Percy ducked and slashed at Luke's ribs.

Luke gasped and turned away, holding the already bloody cut. Percy froze. "I'm sorry--" His voice cracked out, reaching out for Luke's arm.

Luke hissed and swung around, bearing his blade down hard and cutting Percy's sword arm deep. The 12 year old cried out and stumbled back to the ground, breath knocked from his lungs.

Percy scrambled back, panting in pain and fear as Luke approached his fallen figure, eyes dark with vitrol and violence.

"Luke..." Percy gasped quietly, voice breaking as tears stung the back if his eyes, both from the pain in his arm and the pain of the betrayal. He looked like a rabit cornered as a wolf closed in.

Luke raised Backbiter for one final and silencing blow. Percy yelped and raised a hand to protect his head.

Luke froze, eyes clearing to take in the sight in front if him. Percy, bleeding and panicked on the ground, fighting tears as his blue eyes gazed up at Luke in terror.

He looked like Thalia. Oh gods.

Oh Gods.

Luke truly was a monster, wasn't he?

Luke swallowed back the nausea that suddenly rose in his throat, arm shaking, still poised to strike.

"Luke..." Percy repeats, voice trembling. "I-I know this isn't you. This isn't you, please fight it." He begged, voice cracking again.

'Do it, do it now, he's defenseless, do it, do i--' the voice in Luke's head screamed in futility. Luke dropped his arm, sword falling from his hand as he stepped back.

Luke was a monster. He'd have killed Percy. He'd have killed this poor kid who'd only wanted his mom back from the Gods in the first place.

Luke clamped a hand over his mouth to stave off the rolling sick feeling, tears welling in his own eyes.

Percy didn't ask for any of this. He'd just wanted his mom back.

He just wanted his mom back.

Luke knew the feeling.

"Oh gods, I--" Luke choked, eyes falling to Percy's arm. The cut was deep, already soaking the torn fabric of Percy's flannel. "Ohhh Gods." The older boy felt panic squeeze his chest.

What was he doing?

Something dark and hateful in Luke's heart crumbled, and his head cleared. He kicked away Backbiter and knelt next to Percy. The boy flinched, still obviously scared of Luke.

"Hey, hey, let me see." Luke said gently, voice oh so soft. He gently took Percy's arm, pulling him into a sitting position and nudging Percy's hand away from the wound.

By now, Percy was stunned into utter silence, fat tears still rolling down his cheeks. Luke looked at the cut, gently pulling the flannel off his shoulder and arm. The cut was deep, irritated with red still dripping out of it. Luke felt the rolling feel of panic and sick double down in his gut.

"Oh gods, Percy, Perce, I am so sorry--" Luke's voice broke into a barely concealed sob. He cupped a hand to Percy's cheeks, wiping a tear with his thumb, smearing a streak of red there. "We're going to move over to the creek, okay? Water helps, right? It'll help."

Percy nodded numbly, holding onto Lukes shirt as the older teen dragged him down into the pebbly bank of the small stream. The water instantly flowed up Percy's arm, stitching flesh skin back together and washing away the blood. Despite this, there was still a narly scar left behind.

Left by Luke's own hand. Oh Gods. Oh gods, oh gods--

Did Luke hate the Gods more than he had cared about Percy's life? About Grover's, or even Annabeth's--

His heart squeezed in his chest and he coughed out a sob, pulling Percy in close. "I am so, so sorry. I swear on the styx, I am so sorry--" He mumbled into Percy's damp curls, feeling the younger demigod shake against his chest, hands gripping the back of Luke's shirt like a lifeline.

How much a villian Luke was, to be willing to kill this innocent kid.

Kid, Percy was a kid. Only 12, still practically a baby. Not at all old enough for his level of violence. Especially from the hand of someone who called him a ""friend.""

Luke wrapped his arms around Percy tight, one hand cradling the back of his head. "I've got you, I've got you. I am so sorry, I won't hurt you anymore." Luke whispered into Percy's curls, kissing his head.

"Promise? You promise?" Percy whispered, voice hoarse and utterly exhausted.

"I... I promise. I promise, I swear on the Styx, on my life," Luke swore. "Family. I promise."

Family. Percy slumps into Luke, exhausted and all the fight drained from him.

Luke cradled him close, holding him safe to his chest.

Family. Luke promised.

[east-from-west]

The holidays were always the best. A break from school is due every now and then, right? Lord knows I could use one, especially with all the ridiculous things going down this year. Between social drama and trying to uncover what exactly is going on with the Academy, I'm ready to scream. Oh, and Eryx, of course. He doesn't want to make me scream though, he makes me want to bury him under an unmarked headstone.

So let's just say, going home for Christmas holiday was very welcome this year. The worst I endure here is Nicholas' fretting and my father's absence. I've been enduring the absence for 16 years, what's another month?

So here I am, sitting in my room, enjoying the warmth of some tea and a book. Or at least, was until Kelpi slinked into the room. That damned cat sat on the windowsill and meowed insistently. I ignored him for the most part, until he started to yowl like he'd been tortured.

"Hush you. You'll wake the entire house" I say sharply. He hissed and continued his song of screeches. I stand sharply from my bed and march over, book in hand ready to shoo him out. He can scream elsewhere. As I near, he scratches at the window. I raise a brow.

"Is that why you're wailing? You want out into the cold? So be it, cat." I open the window. Kelpi sprung out onto the terrace that was located beneath my window. I lean out, bitter winter wind stinging my face, to watch him. He sat on the far end and hissed.

"Feel better?" I remarked dryly.

"He may but I do not."

I freeze as the weak voice drifts up from out of my sight. Was I imagining things? Is the wind whispering in my ear using a voice that's annoyingly familiar? I look down sharply but can't see anything because of the terrace. Kelpi meowed, sweetly this time.

"Did you hear that too, cat? Or am I delusional?" I ask him, to see if the words may prompt a response from whoever may or may not be on the ground.

Silence. The wind hisses quietly, cold and gentle.

I shake my head and turn to return to my room and book.

Then, "If you are speaking to a cat as if it can answer-" a sharp cough breaks up the sentence. "-you may have answered your second question." The voice finished.

I definitely wasn't imagining things. I climb out the window and walk to the edge of the shaky terrace. That blasted cat lets out a self-satisfied purr as it hops down. Good thing it did too, as I might have thrown it off myself.

I peer over the edge and sure enough.

"Hello Athene, darling." Eryx called up. I was ready to yell at him before realizing. He was here. Here, sprawled in the snow, panting and covered in blood. I stare down at him in disbelief.

"Lovely night isn't..." he mumbled, words blurring into incoherent nonsense followed by a small whimper.

I stand and rush back into my room, snatching my coat. I dart down the stairs and out the front door, all the way to the back terrace.

The injured boy looks over at me. "Oh hello again. I was worried you left me to bleed out here in the cold for a moment. A bit out of character for you, but considering who it is bleeding out-"

"What the hell?!" I interrupt him, kneeling by his side in the snow. His face and neck are adorned with several cuts and a few bruises. His breath is shallow and he's shaking, shivering. He has no jacket, his shirt is ripped up, and he's missing a left shoe.

"What the hell?" I repeat again, whispering sharply as I pull off my jacket and lay it over him. This boy, the very one who makes life that much harder, is now shivering in the snow, bleeding and looking up at me with sorrowful eyes.

I grab his shoulder to help him into a sitting position. Apparently he was injured in that spot, because he let out a hiss of pain that devolved into a soft groan. Eryx lets me help him to sit up with no word or noise of objection otherwise. I might have imagined it, but he leaned in a bit.

"What the hell." Is the only thing I can say right now. He sighs and looks up at me.

"I'm sorry, Athene. I didn't...I wasn't sure where else-" his words trailed off into more incoherencies. He looked absolutely exhausted and spent, a broken man bleeding out in the cold. I may get my awful wish to bury him. How disgusting that wish is now.

It registered in the back of my head that he must be truly defeated if her came here of all places. If he came to me, of all people. For some reason, that made me angry.

"What. The. Hell." I mutter, more to myself now. Eryx's shoulders shook and his eyes shone with tears.

"Athene please, I really am sorry-"

He thought I was mad at him. Eryx thought I was angry with him, bleeding onto my favorite coat, gripping my arm like a lifeline. Of course he wasn't the source of my anger. How could he be, with that frown and those sad eyes of his?

I wasn't angry at Eryx. I wasn't angry at whoever, or whatever, did this to him.

"Who?" I demand as I start to help him to stand. It was difficult, he was quite a bit heavier than me and halfway through he slumped fully onto me. I finally got him to stand, leaning against me for support. His arm circled my shoulder and I gripped his waist, trying to avoid any of his injuries. I look up at him stone-faced.

"Who did this to you?"

I'm tired of growling and snarling men within this trope, so I made a role swap.

[east-from-west]

I think I'll expand on the alien imposter husband. Its cute and I like it :)

[east-from-west]

It all hit the fan when he took out the trash and did the dishes while she was on the night shift at the restaurant she worked at. Koshii thought that's what a regular husband should do, so that's what he did. This 'Mark' fellow worked from home with very rare office visits while Oakley worked on site, so he figured Mark probably helped with housework anyways. He was wrong. When Oakley got home, she dropped her keys on the table and walked into the kitchen to find her 'husband' at the sink, pink gloves on and scrubbing a bowl. She raised a brow and stood in the entryway, seemingly confused. 'Mark',, having heard her enter, turned with a smile.

"Hey honey, how was work?" He initiated what he assumed was the standard husband/wife conversation model. She blinked, almost in disbelief.

"It was good, thanks." Oakley paused, as if hesitant to ask what she did next. "I thought we didn't do pet names any more? And that housework was 'my job'?" She mumbled.

Koshii froze. Had he blown his cover? He had to find a way to smooth this bump over.

"Ah well I just figured. I work at home, y'know? I'm able to contribute as well." He laughed it off awkwardly.

"Yeah." She returned to awkward laughter, seeming uncomfortable.

"Just so unlike you. Feels like a body snatcher scenario." She said lightly, but the words held some suspicion.

Koshii chuckled nervously. "That's crazy, sweetheart. Still me, Markus."

Oakley raised a brow.

"Yep. 'Markus.'" Oh she was onto him. Koshii remembered too late that 'Markus' was never referred to by his birth name. Only 'Mark'.

"You should get some rest, Oak. It's late and I'm sure you're super tired." He smiled, trying to find an out from this conversation.

"You're right. I think I will go to sleep. Good night." She kissed him on the cheek and he froze up again, face heating like a kettle. Oakley looked at him with an 'ah-ha' look in her eyes. She turned and walked towards the stairs. As she reached them, she paused and turned back.

"It was nice meeting you, by the way. You're much nicer than Mark. Take the couch tonight tonight though."

And with that, Oakley went up the stairs.

Cover officially blown.

Well crap.

You’re an alien spy that has replaced someone in order to blend in on Earth. Turns out the guy you replaced had a very unhappy wife who immediately realised you aren’t him when you treat her like a normal husband should.

[east-from-west]

Resources For Worldbuilding

Culture & Society

Creating Fictional Holidays

Music For Your Fantasy World

Creating Religions & Belief Systems

How to Design Your Diabolical Cult

Historically Accurate Sexism in Fantasy: Let’s Unpack That

Debate with the Squirrels: Sexism in Fantasy

Feudalism

Using Politics In Fantasy Fiction

Mythic Justice – Crime and Punishment in Your Fantasy World

Government Worldbuilding

Realistic Political Strife

A Politics Of Worldbuilding

Language

Creating a Language

The Language Construction Kit

The International Phonetic Alphabet – Audio Illustrations

Fantasy Name Generator

Geographic Names

Medieval Names Archive 

Squid Name Generator 

Model Languages

Xenolinguistics 

History

Prehistory

Mythos

History

Today

Myths, Creatures, and Folklore

Encyclopedia Mythica

The Ancient History Encyclopedia

Using History as Inspiration for Fantasy

Victorian Era Family Day Life in England

Peasant Life in the Middle Ages

Everyday Life in the Middle Ages

English Monarchs

Feudal Japan

The Story and Structure of the Iroquois Confederacy

Science + Geography

Dimensions

Solar Bodies

Climatology

Planetary Geography

Water Geography

Cartography, Maps, Star Charts, and Writing

Fundamentals of Physical Geography

Dating of Middle-earth events, using Precession of the Equinoxes and Tidal Friction

Orbital Operations in Science Fiction

Planet Designer

Artificial gravity calculator

Natural gravity calculator

Selden’s Catalogs of Objects for Celestia

Medieval Technology

Defining the Source, Effects, and Cost of Magic

How to Create a Rational Magic System

Miscellaneous

/r/worldbuilding

Fantasy World Generator

SciFi World Generator

Focused Ambiguity: Using Metaphor in Fantasy Writing

Space Engine

Terragen

The Five foundations of Worldbuilding

Setting the Fantastic in the Everyday World

Support Wordsnstuff!

If you enjoy my blog and wish for it to continue being updated frequently and for me to continue putting my energy toward answering your questions, please consider Buying Me A Coffee.

Request Resources, Tips, Playlists, or Prompt Lists

Instagram // Twitter //Facebook //#wordsnstuff

FAQ //monthly writing challenges // Masterlist

[east-from-west]

Tumblr stole both OP. Very sorry for the loss.

How did BOTH my vanilla extract and my almond extract go missing? I wanted to bake cookies 😫

[east-from-west]

So I'm reviewing my fantasy wip as a whole and I don't like the fact that she just up and...vanishes from her own world. I also hate the fact that I'm kinda using the fact she has no parents as a plot device to make it less sad if she never returns to her world. I mean, endgame of this is that never returns to her own world but I feel like there should be more than just "Oh ok whatever not like I have a family there or anything". It feels sloppy. Either that or imposter syndrome and insecurity is just hitting hard tonight 😕

[east-from-west]

"I'm telling you guys. The moon I flat!" Pietro's voice shook.

"It's obviously made of cheese, Pietro!" Peter shot back.

The two bickered in the background as Tony sighed. "Barnes? Am I crazy or are the kids really arguing on whether the moon is flat or made of cheese?" Bucky smirked. "They sure are." He responded, a hint of pride for his kid in his voice. Meanwhile the argument was getting a little out of hand. Bucky cleared his throat. "Boys. Don't make me go get your respective mothers." The boys ceased immediately. "Oh no! No need to get Aunt Nat." Peter said with frantic politeness. "Dad really don't bother Miss-erm, Aunt Pepper!" Pietro added in a similar tone. "Alright then. Besides. The moon is neither cheese or flat." Tony added. Bucky scowled. "No need to crush their dreams. Or rather, delusions."

Who of the marvel characters do you think would be convinced the moon was flat? Or like the cheese moon in the cartoons?

without a second of hesitation

pietro

[east-from-west]

"Su!" Peter called to Susan as she stepped off the train. Susan rushed to him and they embraced. The hug inexplicably felt like home. Susan could almost feel her negative thoughts and emotions melt away, like snow under the warmth of a springtime sun. Peter pulled away and held Susan's shoulders. He inspected her face. "How are you Su? How has school been?" Peter asked. Susan smiled, actually smiled, and said. "Oh it's been what it's been. I'm still absolute rubbish at maths." She laughed. 'Laughed. When was the last time I did that?' Susan thought to herself. "And how are you, Peter? How is the professor?" Susan asked as they made their way to another platform. "Oh the old fart is as well as ever. He's definitely making sure I get into a good university. My head is so full of knowledge it might very well bust!" He groaned, but no frustration or annoyance crossed his tone. Susan chuckled softly. For as much sorrow that had went on during the time, Susan often found herself missing the days of staying at the professor's home. Reading the books, exploring. Talking to the wise old man after they had returned from Narnia... My memory must be playing with me. Susan suddenly felt a bit more solemn. 'We must have only told him about the games we played of Narnia. Susan shook her head softly. "Yes, that must be it."

The train ride home was much more pleasant. Peters's presence seemed to bring some sort of peace and warmth to the compartment. The two talked about studies, Mother and Father, Aunt Alberta and Uncle Harold (Who would be joining them this Christmas, along with Eustace), Edmund's fencing matches, and..."Say, Su. How is Helen doing?" Peter asked pleasantly, much to Susan's surprise. Peter and Helen had met briefly last summer, while Peter was meeting Susan at the station to head home for the holiday. Helen had flirted shamelessly and to Peter's discomfort, suggested they meet up over the break. Peter had declined as politely as possible. Helen had harped and moaned about it ever since. It had humbled Helen, but only for a short time. "Oh well. She's good, I suppose. Helen is still...well, Helen." Susan chuckled nervously. She had suddenly become aware of how much she didn't like to talk about her roommate. Not everyone likes Helen and that's ok. She has many not so great qualities. She also had some good ones, like...like well... "Well, that's great" Peter smiled. Susan couldn't understand how Peter is so gracious to people. "How is Eustace? Have you heard from him lately?" Susan blurted to steer the conversation away from Helen. Peter smiled. "He's been good, I believe. Ed recently sent Eustace his copy of Once and Future King. I think he enjoyed it very much. The professor and I also found a book of nautical maps, and he practically breathed it in. When I tell you, I have never seen someone so exited about maps." He chuckled softly. Susan found it strange that Eustace had become so different over such a short amount of time. Lucy, sweet silly Lucy, had insisted that they had gotten back into Narnia. As much as she loved her siblings, she thought it was high time they grew up. After all, Narnia was only a silly game.

[east-from-west]

Y'all miss me? I'm working on chapter 4 of Friend of Narnia!

[east-from-west]

"What are you doing?"

"Taking a nap, your royal highness." Brynn muttered as she leaned against a tree. Her tone dripped with sarcasm as she addressed the prince by his title. Nicholas groaned in frustration. "There is no time for naps! We have a mission? Roles to fulfill in an ancient prophecy? The balance of this very land is within our hands? Any of this sounding familiar?" His tone sent Brynn into a further state of annoyance. Her eyes shot open and she sat up. "Well, maybe if we would have stopped last night and gotten some rest, we wouldn't be lost right now!" She glared up at the impatient prince, who returned the look. "Well maybe I though such an important part of fate would be a bit tougher!" He snapped back. Before Brynn could open her mouth to shoot back, Asper cleared his throat. The two teenagers gaze turned towards him. "That's enough. You two should feel remorseful of yourselves. You bicker like little children." Nicholas scoffed. "Well she-" Asper interrupted again. "Brynn will not serve use as the White Knight if she dies of exhaust." Nicholas sighed. "Fine. I'll take first watch." He cut a glance at Brynn. "As I have no need for naps." Brynn rolled her eyes as she lied back against the tree. "With great purpose, comes great need for naps."

Small fantasy blurb. This probably won't make it into the actual story. (The first chapter of which in over on @salt-and-light-writing )

[east-from-west]

Oh, let me be a part of the narrative in the story they will write someday

(insp.)

[east-from-west]

I frowned and slumped back into the seat of the car. My recent attempt at running away had failed.

So, yet again, Here I am in the passenger side of Janet's car, heading to a new 'home'. This time was different, however. Instead of going to some couple who thinks they're ready to deal with the horrors of a 16 year old girl, I'm going to a family that had wanted a little kid. I had overheard Janet talking to someone about the Oaksons. They had wanted a kid, ages 3-12. Not a sulky teenage runaway. (Which is how almost all of my former foster parents had referred to me as, when they thought I couldn't hear them) "Don't be like that, Brynn." Janet chided. "You'll just love the Oaksons, I know you will." Her forced optimism about every new home I go to is pretty much the only constant in my life. "I'd love it if you would just run me over already." I muttered under my breath. I think Janet heard me, because she cast a glance of frustration over at me. "You said that last time. And the time before that. And about that group home. And about that couple in Oklahoma. And California. And Wes-" Janet cut me off.

"They have a beautiful property and house. Lots of wooded area." Her tone was slipping into one of frustration. "Uh huh." I say, done with this conversation already. I turn my gaze out the window, towards the last couple of houses scattered here and there. Janet droned on about the Oaksons as I lean my head back against the headrest. I let the drone of Janet and the car lull me to sleep.

Draft of my first chapter for my Fantasy WIP

I revised a few thing and changed Brynn's name to what it is now.

[east-from-west]

On the train, Susan contemplated her entirety. She didn't want to be doing this, but the silence brought those thoughts to her. 'When did I become like this?" She could remember times when this feeling wasn't present in her life. 'What even is this?' She stared out of the window at the scenery blurring past. She balled her shaking hands into fists. Susan was angry now. "Why?' she thought bitterly, 'Why now?'. Susan thought she had her life together. Now it seemed to be such a mess. Susan couldn't even recall the last time she had felt a truly good emotion. One that lasted, one that felt hopeful, or joyous, or peaceful. Pain blossomed in her. The feeling seemed to spread its wings, and stop her breathing almost completely. She drew in a shaky breath as tears sprung to her eyes. "Why am I so fragile? Isn't this all I wanted? I'm grown up now. I have friends and boys fancy me. Why do I still feel this way?' She gasped softly. She shook her head. "Stop being so silly, Susan. You are grown. Adults don't cry over silly things.' She told herself scornfully. 'Maybe it was ok when you were a Narnian-' Susan grit her teeth. 'When you played games about Narnia, but it isn't now.' Susan straightened herself and swiped furiously at the tears on her cheeks. The feeling had receded into its little comer again. Not quite center, but where Susan could still feel it. She sighed and pulled a book from her bag. She had homework to do, and the trainride was long. Might as well busy herself with something important.

Third chapter! (This was hard to write actually) it'll be on AO3 shortly.

[east-from-west]

Writing chapter 3 is hard. Susan is having big feelings ™️ about her life. It's hard because some of the thoughts she's having a bout Narnia are mirroring the ones I had about Christianity last year. Really pouring my emotions into this one...

[east-from-west]

So, I think the Pevensie's mother is named Helen. And in Friend of Narnia, Susan's roomate is named Helen. I might revise, or add some elements centered around that...

[east-from-west]

My ao3! Finally got one 😄

The first chapter of Friend of Narnia is already up on there