kellanswritingblog

[kellanswritingblog]

Finally managed to write something for one of the @datvcompanionweeks events, so here we are with a free day fic for Neve, featuring a very smitten Rook getting her nails done.

“You have to let me finish and then I’ll do your nails too, if you really want.”

It was at that moment that Neve looked up from her desk.  Rook was a few steps into her room in the Lighthouse, and had frozen in place when she heard Neve speak.

“That was… I was talking to the wisp,” Neve explained quickly.  “It keeps getting in the way.”  She gestured with the small, teal-tinted brush to the wisp hovering just over her other hand, blocking her view as she attempted to precisely apply the pigment.

Rook put her hands on her hips and gave a sassy smirk.  “Oh, so you don’t want to do my nails?  I’m hurt.”

“You’ll have to let me finish here first.”

“I’m only joking-”

“Sit,” Neve said firmly.  “I just have two fingers left.  You’re in charge of the wisp.”

That was an easy enough task, it seemed, since the wisp floated around Rook as she sat, bobbing up and down in the air to examine her and her intrusion.  That was enough time for Neve to finish applying the polish without any further interruption.

“Pick a color.”

“You know, you really don’t have to do this,” Rook replied.

“I don’t mind.  It’s soothing for me.  Especially compared to whatever was happening in the kitchen when I left.”

Rook contemplated aloud, “I’m not sure we’re going to have a kitchen when Lucanis is done berating Harding for crimes against pasta.  Here-” she handed a small bottle to Neve “-this one.”

Neve shook the bottle a few times, mixing around the shimmering, regal purple hue.  She instructed Rook to place her hands on the desk, and set to work, carefully applying even strokes to each nail.  After a moment, Rook chuckled.

“What is it?”

“Sorry, it’s just… your hands are really soft.”

“Oh?”  Neve asked with surprise, a small smile on her lips.

“That was weird.  Sorry, don’t mind me.”

Neve laughed.  “It’s fine.  I can think of worse compliments.  Besides, safe to say that your hands need to be moisturized more.”

“Not all of us can just conjure blizzards.  Some of us have to use real weapons,” Rook teased, before getting lost in thought watching Neve work.  “I’ve never had my nails painted before.”

“Really?  Well, come back when this starts to chip, and I’ll get you a new coat.”

“You sure?  I really don’t mean to bother you.”

“It’s fine,” Neve insisted.  “Like I said, I find it calming.  And besides, you’re a far a better client than any of these wisps.”

“I hear wisps make lousy tippers too.”

Neve smirked.  “Does that mean you’re giving me a tip for my services?”

“I’m sure I can think of something.  Since our kitchen is a warzone right now, how about all the fried fish you could want down at the docks?”

“Careful, you might just run out of coin before I get my fill.”

“We’ll have to see about that, then,” Rook said with a smile. 

Neve finished her work with a topcoat, then picked up Rook’s hand and blew air over the freshly painted nails.  She knew it didn’t do anything to dry them faster, but it was worth it to see the bright red flush in Rook’s face. 

“There, all done,” Neve announced.  She released Rook’s hand, noting how it took her a few moments to regain her composure.

“Thank you.  These are… this was nice.”  Rook looked over her nails, examining the color in the swirling light of the Fade.

“Like I said, come back and I’ll get you a new coat, new color, whatever you like.”

Rook started to meander toward the door, still glancing between her nails and Neve as she moved.  The blush in her cheeks was obvious, even where the light was dimmer.  “I should go… make sure everyone’s alright in the kitchen.  We don’t need Harding getting stabbed or Lucanis getting turned to stone.  But, come find me later.  I haven’t forgotten about your payment for this.”  They held up their hand so Neve could see her work.

“You better not.  Good luck in there,” Neve called as Rook left her room.

She started to put away her various polishes, a smile on her face.  It was nice to do something so simple and casual with Rook – no Venatori, no world-ending catastrophes, no earth-shattering epiphanies that threw their beliefs into question.  Rook was still snarky and stubborn, but she was cute when she blushed.

Before Neve could wander down that road of thinking any further, the same infuriating wisp that had interrupted her previously darted in front of her face.

With a sigh, she remarked, “I suppose I did say I would do your nails when I was done with my own.  But you don’t even have nails!”

The wisp didn’t budge.  Neve would have to figure something out.  After all, she had a dinner date to get to.

[kellanswritingblog]

Here is my first ever (shared) BG3 fic! Featuring Gale and my resist durge, Velki, early on in their relationship. Velki uses she/it pronouns and is a death domain cleric

Velki didn’t say much.

Not that she didn’t make her opinions known, however.  She never used metaphor, nor would she find a roundabout way of expressing herself when a few words could do the trick.

All the same, despite its ability to share its distaste with a look or a couple choice words, Gale truly couldn’t tell if Velki did more than tolerate his presence.  When he opened the Weave to it, showing it how he practiced his spellcraft, that was his attempt to bridge the gap, to find some commonality between the two of them.

Gale hardly could’ve expected Velki to take the opportunity of their shared consciousnesses to imagine kissing him.  He thought she didn’t even like him!  He was just the blabbering wizard, while she was the tall, dark, brooding warrior that wore the blood of her enemies with a mesmerizing charm.  Sure, she gave him magical items to sate the orb, but that was simply practical, for all their sakes.

But it dreamt of kissing him… If only he could have told it how he had often shared the same fantasy, before halting his daydreams in their tracks lest he lose control of the roiling Netherese magic in his chest.  And he wasn’t prepared; he had since relegated his longing to pining from afar, the sort of crush on someone who barely noticed him yet drew his admiration all the same.

Afterwards, of course, it was all so much clearer.  The way Velki cast dancing lights the moment they entered a dimly lit room, even when Gale was the only one in the party without the ability of darkvision; the way her hand lingered a little longer than necessary against him when she healed his wounds; the way she nodded at him across the group to keep sharing his story when other conversations careened off at a tangent during late nights around the fire.

It did see him.  Above the blood and ash and self-inflicted threat of destruction that haunted him, Velki saw him, and liked what it saw.

Gale couldn’t simply tell her how he felt, knowing full well that he would get lost in his emotions and set aside the necessary focus on controlling the orb.  And how could he not?

All the same, he could try and show it his emotions in the same way it had been showing him.  Even if he did need it to beam making out with him into his brain through the Weave for him to pick up on the clues that were already there.

He shared books with stories he thought she would like, or that provided history Velki's amnesia had stolen from her.  He told her of his home in Waterdeep, even if so frequently he nearly drowned in her gaze as she watched him speak.  He taught her to streamline her movements when she cast spells, ever so gently adjusting her hands when they practiced even when her actions were already perfect, just for the chance to touch her.

Velki still didn’t say much.  If it wanted him to stop his subtle affections, it never said so.  Instead, it was Gale’s tent it entered when the nightmares came, when the dreams of blood and meat clawed their way into its mind.  It was Gale that washed the blood from its hands, the blood it had scratched loose from its own body, because it claimed it was better to hurt itself than risk hurting anyone else.  And it was Gale who sat beside it and read aloud when it was afraid of falling back to sleep.

He could only hope that one day he could express to Velki how he felt, tell her that he would always be there to help her fight off her darkness and to share in her joys.  Even if Velki never said aloud that she delighted in his presence, he knew.

It showed him how it felt every day, with every glance and every touch.  It would never have to say a word.  And, besides, Gale spoke more than enough for the both of them.

But Velki didn’t seem to mind.

[kellanswritingblog]

i can finally show my piece for @malevolentbigbang, i'm so excited!!!

i worked with an absolutely amazing author @kellanswritingblog whose fic that you can read right here was so inspiring i went above and beyond in my fanart, and a wonderful artist @threearmsally who also made a stunning piece for this fic you should check out!

anyways, here's mine!

it is an amazing event with amazing people and i had so much fun working with them and drawing this, i'm glad i had the honour TwT

some closeups under the cut!

yes i got obsessed with the fic

[kellanswritingblog]

Omg omg @malevolentbigbang is live and we can finally post our pieces!

I had the ABSOLUTE PLEASURE to work with @kellanswritingblog and @alansheas on Kellan’s wonderful scifi AU you can check out here:

Observer Pattern

(Image ID in the alt text)

Make sure you check out the fic as well as Alan’s amazing piece here!

[kellanswritingblog]

In the distance future, the populace has Receptors implanted in their temple. These are small devices that feature a program to help the user get through their day and handle various clerical tasks. When private investigator Arthur Lester starts looking into the death of a programmer, a new, more vicious program moves into his Receptor and begins taking control of his body. He is forced to rely on this program as they work together to find its source, learning how to both navigate the world and trust their new partner.

This was written for the 2023 Malevolent Big Bang (@malevolentbigbang)! I was so fortunate to work with two incredibly talented artists, Alan and KM! They made artwork for chapters 3 and 5! Please check out their blogs and gush over their art because I Cannot stop staring at it.

Alan: @alansheas KM: @threearmsally

[kellanswritingblog]

Hello fine beautiful folks! Here's a friendly reminder that our preorders are up right now, and a fun announcement! Any profits made from selling the zines will be split between two charities in accordance with the poll results: Water First, and the National Center for Transgender Equality. Thank you so much for your support on this project. :-)

[kellanswritingblog]

And Preorders are open! Please feel free to contact the shop with any questions!

- K.M. 💚

[kellanswritingblog]

Spotlight on Kellan next! Kellan is writing for our zine, @kellanswritingblog !

Kellan has written a soft and sweet piece, and I can’t wait to see it in the zine!

- K.M. 💚

[kellanswritingblog]

drastic (for whomstever your little heart desires lol)

Drastic from this post Featuring Hawke being a little shit

“Are we really going to do this?”

“Of course.”

“That’s a High Dragon down there.  We don’t have to be drastic, we can think about this…”  Anders complained, brow furrowed.

Hawke shrugged, then teased, “I didn’t realize the reason you had all those feathers on your coat was because you’re actually a chicken.”

Off to the side, Fenris stifled a chuckle, hiding a smile behind his hand.

“C’mon, Anders, it’ll be fun!”  Hawke clapped him on the shoulder and began to race toward the dragon guarding the Bone Pit.  “What’s the worst that can happen?”

[kellanswritingblog]

Prompt #1 for the micro stories!! Either RQG or Malevolent, whatever you're vibing with more!

Don’t Leave Prompt from this post

I had an idea a while ago about Arthur in the Dark World and I plan to write it all at some point (I say as if I don't have like 8 fics in the "at some point" category lol) but this is related to that. Thank you for the prompt!

“John, are you there?” 

Arthur opened his eyes, but he still couldn’t see.  And John didn’t respond to his cries.

“John, please, this isn’t funny.  What’s going on?  Where are we?”

Still, he was met with silence, and he realized that he was alone.

“Don’t leave me like this, please,” Arthur pleaded to the empty space around him.  “Please, John, come back, I can’t… I need you. I need you."

[kellanswritingblog]

"harsh whisper" for the short story askmeme

Harsh Whisper Prompt from this post Thank you for the prompt!!

Kaidan was practically wearing a hole in the floor of the hospital as he continued to pace back and forth, back and forth, waiting for news, any news.

If anyone could survive being buried beneath rubble and the wreckage of Reapers and the Citadel, it was Shepard.  They had survived worse, and been brought back from death.

No matter how Kaidan tried to reassure himself, a harsh whisper continued to echo at the edge of his mind, reminding him that, despite everything, Shepard was still only mortal.  He had lost them once before, and that aching pain threatened to crawl back into his heart with every step he took.

But he would continue to wait, to pace, to hope.  They were Commander Shepard.  Nothing could kill them.

...

Right?

[kellanswritingblog]

A very short thing for Valentine’s Day where John and Arthur get a movie date

“So, how did you enjoy your first film?”

“I enjoyed it quite a bit, actually,” John replied haughtily.  “I suppose I should say thank you for finally taking me to see one.”

“We have been a little preoccupied with other concerns, you know,” Arthur remarked, then softened.  “All the same, I’m glad you enjoyed it.  Happy Valentine’s Day, John.”

“Valentine’s Day?”

Arthur explained, “It’s a little holiday we have here, where people celebrate the bonds that they have with the people closest to them.”

“I see.  Safe to say we do have a pretty… inseparable bond.”

“That’s one way to describe it,” Arthur chuckled.  “And I care about you a great deal, so taking you out to a film, something I know you’ve wanted to do for a while, seems the least I can do, particularly today.”

“Well, thank you, really.  Maybe, if we have another free day… we could see another one?”

“If we have time,” Arthur acquiesced with a smile.

After a quiet moment, John said, “I care about you too, Arthur.”

“I know.  But it is good to hear you say it.”

“And a Happy Valentine’s Day to you as well.”

[kellanswritingblog]

“Arthur, no!  No…”

Arthur makes no response.  Before despair can fully consume John, he shakes the fear away.  Maybe he can still stop the bleeding?

With his hand – or, Arthur’s hand, the one that John just happens to control – he presses down on the wound in Arthur’s abdomen, ignoring the quantity of blood that coats their skin.

Why didn’t he listen?  Just this once?  If they had let that other person, the one who had escaped the beast’s grasp before, serve as a distraction, maybe Arthur wouldn’t be bleeding out on the floor!  But he never listened, did he?  Maybe… maybe…

John stops these thoughts.  He and Arthur argued enough when he was alive.  No, he corrects himself, he’s still alive, he is just unconscious from the blood loss, he’s still here, he has to be.  They can bicker again if he wakes up.  When he wakes up.

Because he has to wake up. John only now barely considers what may happen to him if Arthur passes away, but that is still so far from his main concern.  He would willingly and eagerly return to the Dark World, to the Dreamlands, to the King himself if it meant that Arthur would wake up, that he would breathe, that he would open his eyes, that he would call out for John just one more time.

But as John continues to press down on their abdomen, knowing how futile his attempts to staunch the bleeding are now that Arthur’s heart has stopped, numbness begins to spread through his arm.  When he goes to make a fist to ward off the feeling, his fingers won’t move.

As John begins to fade away, he whispers one last time, “I’m sorry, Arthur.  I’m sorry.”

[kellanswritingblog]

🏴‍☠️  PREORDERS OPEN  🏴‍☠️

Preorders for Spring Tides, an open-call, for-charity Our Flag Means Death Zine are now OPEN until November 22nd! The spoils of the Revenge are just within reach!  

🛒 https://ofmdzine.bigcartel.com/

All proceeds will go to F’INE Pasifika, which is an Aotearoa (New Zealand) based “Pacific LGBTQI+ / MVPFAFF+ focused Charitable Trust that provides Whānau Ora navigational services”. You can find out more about their work here.

🔒 STRETCH GOAL 🔒

Each purchase of a physical bundle brings us one step closer to unlocking our stretch goal, an amazingly cute acrylic charm by @littledozerdraws​ !

Interested? Please consider supporting us with an order!

📕 ZINE ONLY - Books for Sale! - from $25 📕

Grab a physical copy of the zines, which total over 350+ pages of OFMD content by over 170 contributors!

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⛵ ZINE + MERCH - Spoils of the Revenge! - from $45 ⛵

The whole shebang! This bundle includes a physical copy of vol. 1 and/or vol. 2, physical merch (prints and stickers), and digital goods!

Unable to grab a physical copy? You can get the zine for FREE on our itch.io store!

If you’d like to support our charity, a minimum $5 donation will also get you exclusive digital merch (including wallpapers and sheet music for the song!)

https://ofmdzine.itch.io/  Please note that our itch.io store will not open until the 7th of October! We will make an announcement once we’re open for digital-only orders.

We appreciate your patience!  Vol. 1 art by @littledozerdraws​

Vol. 2 art by @fishfingersandscarves​

Piece previews will be featured over the preorder period! Please come have a look at our contributors’ amazing work.

[kellanswritingblog]

My very first Malevolent fic!  Spoilers for ep 26 and warnings for suicidal ideation and thoughts

Arthur winced in pain as John wrapped a bandage around the still bleeding gash that ran along his right forearm.  They were lucky – it could have been much, much worse, but that didn’t stop it from hurting or from John letting his thoughts be heard.

“This was reckless, Arthur. You need to pay more attention.”

“It was a mistake.��

“A mistake that nearly cost you the only arm you have left!”  John cried.  He pulled the bandage a little too tight with his outburst and took the time to readjust it before continuing.  “I don’t want you getting hurt like this.”

“I know, I know.  Can’t have your host dying on you.”

“You think that’s what this is about?”

“Isn’t it?”

“Obviously our lives are intrinsically bound together for the time being.  But that is not what this is about.  I need you, Arthur, and not because my existence depends on your continued survival.  Even if it didn’t… I still need you.”  John ran a finger along the edge of the bandage, gently brushing against Arthur’s skin as he did so.  “And watching you make these choices, carelessly and thoughtlessly barging into danger… I can’t help but wonder if you’re…”

“If I’m what?”

“Never mind.”

“Say it,” Arthur spat.

“If you’re feeling the same way you did at the Larson Estate.  If you’re trying to die.”

“I’m not,” he stated firmly. “This was a mistake, an accident – that’s all it was, I promise.  I can’t make you believe me, but I”-

“I do believe you,” John confessed.  He could hear the sincerity in Arthur’s tone.  “I’m sorry, that was unfair of me.”

“No, it’s not unfair, not really.  I would be lying if I said I didn’t have moments when I still felt that I would be better off dead, as if that would be some small justice.”

“Arthur…”

“I’m not going to try and get myself killed, don’t worry,” Arthur said.  “I wouldn’t force that on you; it would be wrong of me to take your life because I feel that mine should end.  And you were right, before, when you said that Faroe wouldn’t want me to give up.”

“You should want to live for yourself, though.”

“Yeah, probably.  But I don’t know if I can do that.”

“Maybe not yet.”  John finished bandaging Arthur’s arm and now rested his hand atop Arthur’s.  “When you have those moments, those thoughts… please tell me.  I want to help.  You shouldn’t suffer that alone.”

Arthur let out a heavy breath.  “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I can ask.  And I’m sorry for being so hard on you earlier,” John confessed after a pause.  “If you were actively trying to get yourself killed, screaming at you likely wouldn’t help matters.”

With a chuckle, Arthur teased, “To be fair, your screaming has kept me going in quite a few scenarios.  But, you’re right, maybe not so helpful in this one.”

“I shouldn’t have assumed.  You’re doing good, Arthur.  We’re alive because of you.”

“I think it’s a joint effort.”

“So let me help you survive.  And choose to live.”

“You do.”  Arthur flipped his hand around just enough to give John’s a reassuring squeeze while also not overly aggravating the recently bandaged wound. “You already help.  I… thank you, John.”

Assuming that Arthur had steered subjects back toward his injury, John said, “We’ll need to change the bandages in a day, if whatever we find next doesn’t disrupt that timeline.”

“That’s not what I meant.  I mean, yes, thank you for patching me up, but I meant to thank you for everything else.”

“Oh.  You’re welcome, Arthur.  I know that I haven’t always been worthy of your trust, but I won’t betray it again.”

“I know.”

The pair continued to sit like that, hands clasped as one.  Whatever darkness came their way, either through the mistakes of their pasts or the terrors of their future, they would share this moment of light and step forward together.

[kellanswritingblog]

Here's my collaboration artwork for the Rusty Quill Big Bang!!! The fic is SO soft y'all, @kellanswritingblog slam dunked it. Here's the link:

[kellanswritingblog]

Set after the first epilogue, Zolf comes to visit Hamid in Cairo.  They find themselves relying on each other to cope with the Change and everything they lost, and become closer than they ever were while trying to save the world. They work to fit their new relationship in with the one that Zolf and Wilde already share, while forming something new amongst the three of them and finding solace in each other.

My piece for the 2022 Rusty Quill Big Bang, organized by @pilesofnonsense.

I was paired with the amazing @stuffandsuchrqg who made some incredible art for Chapter 6: Party Time!  You were a great partner and I hope we can work together again some time!!