#( rhikasa ) my writing

[rhikasa]

SEVEN SENTENCE SUNDAY

Thank you @the-golden-comet [x] for the tag! ♥️

Rules: Share seven sentences from your WIP.

Here's a snippet from a scene I'm editing at the moment. For context: this takes place a few days after Radan's wings were removed and he is still recovering from it.

"If you'll excuse me, I should take my leave." He gave a slight bow before he finally managed to compel his legs to make for the door.

"Rhistel?"

The sound of her voice nearly threw his balance as he was forced to halt mid-stride. While he took no offense from her choice to address him with such informality, it did well to catch him off guard.

"Unless you truly have something else to attend to, I believe you should stay here by his side. I know it's what you want."

Leaving this as an open tag for anyone who’d like to join!

World of Skies Tag List (let me know if you'd like to be added or removed): @inadequatecowboy @magic-is-something-we-create @talesofsorrowandofruin @writingrosesonneptune

[rhikasa]

I didn't get any writing done this week, but I did edit a scene. Here’s a snippet:

Vietna cupped his face gently between her hands, her fingers grazing the rough stubble on his cheeks as she placed a long awaited kiss on his lips. She felt him hesitate for a brief moment before returning the gesture in kind.

Hey. You. Writer stuck in the scroll hole.

What'cha write this week?

Give us a peek?

[writerfae]

The sound of childhood lost

His mother’s singing had always been one of Talon’s favorite sounds.

When he was younger he heard it a lot, grew up with the soothing melody of her voice.

It was beautiful, just like his mother was. Joyful. Gentle. Calming.

His mother’s singing moved everyone, always calming a younger Talon down when he cried, always making his sister Sera smile.

It even managed to soften the usually stern expression on his father’s face, tender tunes smoothing the rough edges of his guarded heart.

Talon could’ve listened to her sing for hours without getting tired of it.

And his mother sang often, back when he was younger.

She loved to do it, for it reminded her of home. Of her childhood back in a house filled with melodies, of the hours she spent making music with her siblings.

With one of them in particular.

Kieran was his mother’s favorite brother, had been ever since they were children. And Talon, too, had loved his uncle dearly. There were times where he had felt closer to him than to his own father.

It was him who introduced Talon to the violin:

Playing for him when he was but a little baby, gifting him his very own violin for his fifth birthday and teaching him some of his favorite compositions when Talon had shown a talent for handling the instrument.

He always insisted that Talon had a special gift, that he was even better than Kieran himself.

This claim had filled Talon with pride, but secretly he had always disagreed.

No one played the violin quite like his uncle did. No one made people weep, made them smile or laugh or dance with their music like him.

Like his mother’s voice, Kieran playing the violin was one of Talon’s favorite sounds.

And combined, he adored it even more.

Whenever Kieran came to visit them, him and Talon’s mother would play music. And Talon had loved it.

Together, the two made for a melody that was quite enchanting, an harmony unlike any other.

The harmony of two siblings that loved making music - and loved each other.

It was the sound of his childhood.

Until one day, the music stopped. Kieran died, sudden and unexpected.

And with the death of her beloved brother, his mother’s singing went silent.

***

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

[the-golden-comet]

✨🌈🎉The Wingman: 600 Kudos!! 🎉🌈✨

WOW!!! 😳✨

Over 600 people have dropped a lovely little heart on my TLOZ fanfic!! Y’all are a VILLAGE, let me tell you!! 💛🌈✨

Seriously, I am astounded at all the support so far from Tumblr’s community and the AO3 community. Your kindness has inspired me to keep creating and crafting my stories, and as we approach the one-year anniversary of this fic releasing, I am humbled by all the comments people have left. ❤️✨

I appreciate everyone who has taken time out out their days to check out my works, leave a kudos, or even write a lovely comment of their own. 🌈✨

You guys rock. Thank you so much 🙏💛✨

If you haven’t checked out my fanfic, link is below. Just be mindful of all the tags. It’s explicit.

✨👇Tag list for writing snippets below. DM me if you’d like to be added 👇✨

Tag List for writing tidbits (lmk if you want + or -)

@autism-purgatory , @jev-urisk , @talesofsorrowandofruin , @ragin-cajun-fangirl , @wyked-ao3 ,

@glasshouses-and-stones , @alinacapellabooks , @gioiaalbanoart , @tragedycoded , @deanwax ,

@dyrewrites , @honeybewrites , @drchenquill , @paeliae-occasionally , @lychhiker-writes ,

@thatuselesshuman , @kaylinalexanderbooks , @katenewmanwrites , @zackprincebooks , @fantasy-things-and-such ,

@finickyfelix , @billybatsonmylove , @madi-konrad , @houseplantblank , @far-cry-from-finality ,

@froggy-pposto , @fractured-shield , @avaseofpeonies , @topazadine , @thecoolerlucky ,

@theaistired , @willtheweaver , @rivenantiqnerd @somethingclevermahogony , @noxxytocin ,

@leahnardo-da-veggie , @addicted2coke-theothercoke , @illarian-rambling , @mysticstarlightduck , @the-letterbox-archives ,

@ominous-feychild , @saturnine-saturneight , @words-after-midnight , @sableglass , @cowboybrunch ,

@yourpenpaldee , @moltenwrites , @pixies-love-envy , @davycoquette , @writeahurricane ,

@nczaversnick , @greenfinchwriter , @oliolioxenfreewrites , @lavender-gloom , @smellyrottentrees ,

@aintgonnatakethis , @thecomfywriter , @pluppsauthor , @michellekarnold , @flurrysahin ,

@authorcoledipalo , @jadeglas , @spookyceph , @astramachina , @48lexr ,

@inseasofgreen , @agirlandherquill , @saebasanart , @leatafandom , @justabigoldnerd ,

@pippinoftheshire , @just-emis-blog, @aalinaaaaa , @badscientist , @dearunreliablenarrator

@worlds-tallest-fairy , @rhikasa, @eccaiia , @theink-stainedfolk , @theverumproject

[talesofsorrowandofruin]

hello hello! i'm looking for writeblrs to follow, do you have any recommendations?

Hi! :D Here's a few of my followers and mutuals:

@akindofmagictoo @zmwrites @mel-writes-with-her-dragons @oh-no-another-idea @forthesanityofstorytellers

@tabswrites @writegriffinsect @sleepyowlwrites @lychhiker-writes @writernopal

@the-golden-comet @diabolical-blue @mrbexwrites @radiowrites @enchanted-lightning-aes

@ashen-crest @avrablake @winterandwords @sarandipitywrites @sarahlizziewrites

@cljordan-imperium @kaylinalexanderbooks @kittensartswriting @ahordeofwasps @autumnalwalker

@eccaiia @rhikasa

Aaaaand lots of others I'm forgetting 😅

[noblebs]

last seven lines tag

I was tagged by @tragedycoded to post seven lines and @revenantlore for the last line I wrote, so I'm combining them

I started messing around with a side story a few days ago~

Madrigal sits in the sand, knees drawn up to her chest, staring out to sea. Dancing lights from the Steel Pier play with the angles of her acne-ridden face, making her look older and younger in turns. Devilant kneels beside her. "Here," he says, holding out the little paper bag, "Peace offering. Okay?" She presses her lips into a thin line and watches seafoam creep up the beach toward her feet, letting him hang for a pointed length of several seconds before glancing his way. She takes the bag and rifles through the assorted saltwater taffy, Pez dispensers, and baseball cards. “Oh, my God.” She sounds aghast. “Do you think I’m nine?”

tagging @cowboybrunch @space-writes @writernopal and @sender-paulson for whichever of the games you want to do (or both!)

EWT taglist under the cut:

@jezifster @balladofaldelis @captain-kraken @anarchistserum @varsbaby

@aalinaaaaaa @toadmancer @tragedycoded @autism-purgatory @coarsely

@author-a-holmes @writernopal @bitter-like-coffee @afoolandathief @saturnine-saturneight

@sodaliteskull @leahnardo-da-veggie @rhikasa @badscientist @ashfordlabs

@sender-paulson @cowboybrunch @wyked-ao3 @revenantlore @azerointheshadows

@the-golden-comet @ntzsche9

[inseasofgreen]

APPRECIATION POLL

I'm inching up on a follower milestone and I want to use it as a good reason to share a few full chapters from my wip Plight of the Oracle. I don't really share anything other than snippets and odd excerpt so I thought it might be a nice change from the usual routine. The poll is who's povs you want it to be from!

Also going to add that when the chapters go live they are part of the First Draft of the book. That's honestly why I don't share every chapter I finish, like I'd love to but at the end of the day I don't write linearly and things are always changing and being shifted. The chapters are going to go through a few rounds of editing and revisions but I just wanted to give a little warning that they won't be the final draft of the book.

Also another warning, I will reblog this a few times throughout the week just so more of you will see it!

POTO TAG LIST let me know if you want to be added!

@lord-fallen @inkingfireplace @rhikasa @leahnardo-da-veggie

@satohqbanana

[space-writes]

wip extract

tagged by @chauceryfairytales, thank you! here’s a recent bit from Valloroth things, ft the grumpiest man in Mohaade, my beloved Vren 🔪🖤

[ID - a green and black decorative divider]

“No job Zhira’s given you. Another private client?” The disdain in the words was audible. “Been taking a lot of those lately, Wraith. What is it, family business not exciting enough for you any more? I’m sure grandfather would send you back into the Empire if you asked.” Vren ground his teeth. Pure needling, the kind only born Zarahmin could get away with. This child would always have a place, never need to earn his keep, pay down a tally of life debt; he was of Zhira’s line, his position assured, so long as he didn’t do anything stupid. His rank would always be higher than Vren’s despite the fact he’d done nothing of worth, and never would. He wouldn’t have lasted five minutes in Voi’xindiiri. “Can I use the Waystation or not?” If he was refused, he’d simply go the long way down the Kalah River, take a boat over to Iaseri. Weeks of wasted time, but rather that than grovel. The divining power he could find in Voah’kasis would make up for it. “You can. Here.” From a pouch at his belt, the man pulled a small metal token, and tossed it to him. The spoked wheel of the Zarahmin was stamped on either side. “Take your trip. But Zhira will want to know why you’re taking it.” “He can want all he likes. My business is mine.” Khazen Zhira’s grandchild pushed off from the wall with a laugh. “You’re family, bhahan. All your business is ours.”

[ID - a green and black decorative divider]

no-pressure tagging @rhikasa @jmhwritesstuff and @eccaiia

Valloroth taglist: @cherrybombfangirlwrites @reininginthefirewriting @memento-morri-writes @foxboyclit @lawful-evil-novelist

@at-thezenith @morganwriteblr @fayeiswriting @serenanymph

@sam-glade @viscerawrites @thegreatobsesso @flower-reads (ask to be +/-)

[revenantlore]

Character Poll

tagged by @rhikasa

Rules: Make a poll with five of your all time favorite characters and then tag five people to do the same. See which character is everyone's favorite! [following the writeblr trend of naming five of my ocs across different wips]

tagging @wintherlywords , @winterandwords , @touloserlautrec , @indecentpause , and @space-writes to make their own polls

[littleshopofchaos]

Working on a wip - Keep The Peace

Keep The Peace is part of my series Amongst The Chaos, an adult fantasy slice-of-life supernatural series where its a bunch of characters living in the city of Nottingham, and meeting up at various places to get together and talk about events that have happened in their lives as they live amongst the supernatural - e.g Angels. Demons, Ghosts and the like and their reactions to the chaos.

@rhikasa @verba-writing @watermeezer @lordkingsmith @pinkevilwriter @moremysteriesthantragedies

Here's an excerpt so far, from the pov of my detective character, Gordon Lawson

There should have been eyes in the sockets that were bloodied and devoid of life. Scorch marks around the man’s throat as it seems his very soul, his essence, has been stripped from him.

To any other person, you’d have probably been sick upon the sight. But for me? Its just another day in the job. Dealing with bodies is part of my job, finding out what killed them and keeping the peace is another part.

And its never quite easy to get the job done. That’s what jobs do, they generate more work – each harder than the last. I’m only human after all, not like the supernatural beings that seem to roam the streets and the government seems intent of trying to act like they don’t exist.

But its getting out of hand. All blood that has been on the body, is either in the very fibres of the clothes themselves or washing away into the sewers below; being guided by the rain that was giving everyone in it, a beating.

“Sir? There’s another body.” A voice calls out and I feel my body getting heavier.

You know, this job isn’t the best...but somebody has gotta do it.

[lux-scriptum]

Many years ago I made a form to make tag lists easier on me. I waffled on making another, but this has been in my drafts for months now, so I've decided to revamp it. I'm tagging my old tag lists just to confirm y'all still wanna be there. You know what to do after the message.

@golden-eyed-writer​ @halfbloodlycan​ @kclenhartnovels​ @idreamonpaper @thespooniewrites @reininginthefirewriting @malkinse @rrrawrf-writes @incandescent-creativity @sancta-seraphina @sheralynnramsey @lady-redshield-writes @aesterea @theguildedtypewriter @anip-ocs @dragonauthor @gingerly-writing @fragmentedink @chalilodimun @rhikasa @solangelo3088 @eponinemylove @commasinsidequotes @joshuaorrizonte @golden-eyed-writer @elliot-orion @pouchedmilk @severe-fangirl-syndrome @boyswillbekillers @midnight-and-his-melodiverse @poetinprose @sarcasm-and-studying

[rhikasa]

FRIDAY KISS TAG

Thank you @the-golden-comet [x], and @sableglass [x] for the tag! ♥️

Rules: Share a kiss scene from your WIP. It can be any kiss, from familial pecks on the cheek, platonic smooches, forehead kisses, to full-blown makeouts. If you don't have a kiss scene to share, you can instead treat this like a writing share tag!

[Jon] spared the two a brief quizzical glance, but dared not to utter a single word before ducking out.

The tent canvas swayed in the wake of his departure, designating them as the final residents left within, and yet neither of them made a move. His lips parted, though not a sound came out, for his brain struggled to piece together the words needed to voice the thousands of questions that came rushing to mind. Theodore was no stranger to silences, but this one weighed heavy in the air as each took in the appearance of the other.

Kieren had changed somewhat since the last time they'd spoken. His hair was disheveled, and the months spent away marked the shadow of a beard along his jawline. The bags forming under his eyes spoke of little sleep during his journey as well. But despite it all, his blue eyes still held their shine.

Theodore's heartbeat hastened as Kieren made up his mind to close the gap between them. His conscious mind barely had time to catch up with the movement before they collided. The impact nearly sent him stumbling back, but Kieren's steadying hands keep him in place as their lips reacquainted themselves.

Leaving this as an open tag for anyone who’d like to join!

World of Skies Tag List (let me know if you'd like to be added or removed):

@inadequatecowboy @magic-is-something-we-create @talesofsorrowandofruin @writingrosesonneptune

[dru-reblogs-stuff]

Get to know you tag/ 9 people tag

It's been about a month since I did one of these, so I've ferreted out an old tag from @rhikasa

Last Song: Sharks by Imagine Dragons. Say what you want about ID, but they have some boppin' tunes that get stuck in your head. Had to listen to the song to get rid of the earworm.

Last Movie: The Man From UNCLE (2015). We watched it when the Danish Gent was over last, because he hadn't seen it.

Currently Watching: Suits. I was watching Le Bureau des Légendes but it's subbed rather than dubbed and my poor tired brain couldn't deal with it :( and Suits is sort of ??? adjacent. ish.

Currently Reading: Book - Making another pass at Count Zero by William Gibson Fanfic - Just finished To Family by dS_Tiff (AO3), a Due South fic about Dippy Turnbull (oc) helping Fraser and Kowalski track down the man who shot her brother.

Currently Craving: A bowl of cereal. It's mid-afternoon and I need me some carbs.

Last thing you searched for writing purposes: How to spell the name for the Icelandic Parliament (it's 'Alþingi', FYI - I forgot the last i...)

Tagging: @aquadestinyswriting, @hannah-heartstrings, @bubblewonderabyss, @elfyris and @choccy-zefirka for a catch-up with tea and biccies :)

[writerfae]

Here’s a proof that I am capable of writing Aiden interact with people that are NOT his brother or Talon xD Feat Maya cause she deserves more content (plus a little lore drop)

“So, why are your freckles white?” Aiden blushed slightly. “Excuse me if this is rude to ask,” he added, scratching the back of his neck.

Maya laughed. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll tell you why. You know, I’m not a typical fae. I wasn’t born normally like Talon or Halea. I am what people call a wishling…”

Aiden raised a brow. “A wishling?” He never heard about that before.

Maya nodded. “A fae born from a wish. It’s made possible by an ancient ritual. For generations, those who could not have children on their own used it to get a baby. Childless couples or people that didn’t have a partner but still want a child. Just like my mom.” Her voice softened at the mention of her mother. Aiden understood all too well.

“As you know,” Maya continued, sweeping a stray lock of hair behind her ear gently.

“She was human, but back in the old days even humans made use of this kind of magic. And since my mother was a follower of the old ways - something the people you and I grew up with would call a witch -“

She chuckled. “She knew about that ritual. She didn’t feel the need for a partner, but she wanted a daughter more than anything. Someone she could raise and teach her all she knew, like it was tradition in her family, daughter passing on knowledge to daughter. Someone she wouldn’t be so alone with.”

Aiden nodded. He could understand that. Who didn’t want to drown out loneliness with love, no matter what kind of love?

“And how did she do it?” he asked quietly.

“How exactly this ritual works I don’t know. Just that it requires your blood and… an already existing form of life, like a young animal or a plant, that the life of the child you want can sprout from.”

Aiden’s eyes widened. That sounded kinda ominous. But also really intriguing. So he remained quiet, letting Maya continue.

“In my case it was a fawn that was under my mother’s care. Mother performed the ritual and the next morning, instead of the fawn it was me lying in the hay, a baby that had her mother’s hair and her grandmother’s eyes.”

She smiled fondly at the last sentence.

“So…” Aiden wasnt quite sure if he understood this right. “You were once a deer?”

Maya laughed. “Yes and no. My life had its source in that of a deer, but it wasn’t a life I lived. It is… like a previous life. A rebirth, if you will.” That made sense. Kind of. Aiden couldn’t deny that he was curious.

“And do you remember it? Your previous life?”

“No. Most people don’t remember their previous life. Or do you remember yours?”

That question took Aiden aback. He had never thought about this before, hadn’t really considered that he had lived a life before this one. “No, I don’t…”

Maya smiled. “That’s what I thought. I don’t have memories of what was before. But, and this leads us to your question, a small part, a mark of the life a Wishling was born from remains visible, a reminder of the sacrifice. In my case, it’s the white freckles.”

“Like the white spots on the body of a fawn.”

She smiled. “Like the white spots on the body of a fawn, yes.”

“That’s pretty cool,” he said. “It looks nice on you.”

Maya’s cheeks colored a little at that. “Thanks, Aiden.”

Aiden returned her smile. “Thank you for telling me. And not being offended.”

That made Maya laugh. “No problem.”

*

tag list: @andifthestarsweretodie @bloodlessheirbyjacques @bluehourskyeli @deadlycupid @dustylovelyrun @justafrogandherumbrella @ladywithalamp @magic-is-something-we-create @myhusbandsasemni @my-cursed-prince @phantasticdomains @rhikasa @sleepy-night-child @soupopoireau @theguywithnonickname @vampywriter @vsnotresponding @writing-is-a-martial-art (if you want to be added or removed from the tag list let me know!)

[the-golden-comet]

✨Seven Sentence Sunday🧞‍♂️✨

Happy Sunday, lovelies! 💛💫✨

Thank you so much again to all who have tagged me! I always love peeking at your art and writing, and feel free to add me to any tag lists! ❤️

Here are my seven sentences from YWIMC 🧞‍♂️✨:

‘Remember Spring Break?’

“….” Noah blushed, carefully removing his glasses before the lenses fogged up. He remembered the evenings where Ali and him were under the throw on the couch, enjoying Baltic pastries and commenting on the architectural design of Mayan temples. He recalled Ali’s arm wrapping around his shoulders and pulling him closer as they watched Blue Planet. Noah could taste Sharma on his lips as if it were yesterday, feel his roommate’s skin on his own, smelt that sweet cologne lingering in the hall in front of the bathroom that he looked forward to every morning. Burying his face in the short silk of Ali’s shirt as the genie saved him from two deserts that week; and in both….Noah remembered just how safe he felt in Ali’s arms.

‘…..Yeah. I do.’

Leaving this tag +open and gently poking my tag list to alert of more writing. Have a great week, everyone! 💛💫✨

✨👇Tag list for writing snippets below. DM me if you’d like to be added 👇✨

Tag List for writing tidbits (lmk if you want + or -)

@autism-purgatory , @jev-urisk , @talesofsorrowandofruin , @ragin-cajun-fangirl , @wyked-ao3 ,

@glasshouses-and-stones , @alinacapellabooks , @gioiaalbanoart , @tragedycoded , @deanwax ,

@dyrewrites , @honeybewrites , @drchenquill , @paeliae-occasionally , @lychhiker-writes ,

@thatuselesshuman , @kaylinalexanderbooks , @phynewrites , @zackprincebooks , @fantasy-things-and-such ,

@finickyfelix , @billybatsonmylove , @madi-konrad , @houseplantblank , @far-cry-from-finality ,

@froggy-pposto , @fractured-shield , @avaseofpeonies , @topazadine , @thecoolerlucky ,

@theaistired , @somethingclevermahogony , @noxxytocin , @the-inkwell-variable , @seastarblue ,

@leahnardo-da-veggie , @addicted2coke-theothercoke , @illarian-rambling , @mysticstarlightduck , @the-letterbox-archives ,

@ominous-feychild , @saturnine-saturneight , @words-after-midnight , @hemlocks-grove , @cowboybrunch ,

@yourpenpaldee , @moltenwrites , @pixies-love-envy , @davycoquette , @writeahurricane ,

@nczaversnick , @greenfinchwriter , @oliolioxenfreewrites , @lavender-gloom , @smellyrottentrees ,

@aintgonnatakethis , @thecomfywriter , @pluppsauthor , @michellekarnold , @flurrysahin ,

@authorcoledipalo , @jadeglas , @spookyceph , @astramachina , @48lexr ,

@inseasofgreen , @agirlandherquill , @saebasanart , @leatafandom , @justabigoldnerd ,

@pippinoftheshire , @just-emis-blog, @aalinaaaaa , @badscientist , @dearunreliablenarrator ,

@worlds-tallest-fairy , @rhikasa , @eccaiia , @theink-stainedfolk , @theverumproject ,

@theprissythumbelina , @riveriafalll , @revenancy , @inadequatecowboy , @amielbjacobs ,

@patternwelded-quill , @sugarchains , @garthcelyn , @prettytothink-so , @the-inkwell-variable ,

@winvyre , @speaknowbuckley , @lamuradex , @wintherlywords , @sharkblizzardblogs ,

@dragoninatrenchcoat , @darekasama , @recklessgirl56 , @kokoass , @ziote ,

@paletteofseaglass , @basketcase1880 ,

@twopercentboy , @mxtansy , @menaceofmemory , @unfilteredmoonchild , @blerdsong ,

@iamwhimsy , @beansmakesthings , @birdycage , @tiagems , @narkaholic ,

@irolynn , @petitprincess1 , @macinchiz , @owlsandwich , @etherealedgycreature ,

@sarandipitywrites , @mauvecatfic , @finchwrites , @aurumni-writes , @stephtuckerauthor

[revenancy]

friday kiss tag / writing share

thanks for the tag @space-writes @the-golden-comet + others if i missed you i'm so sorry my activity is a mess that i'm catching up on lmao.

Rules: From your story/WIP, post a kiss. It can be any kiss, from familial pecks on the cheek, forehead kisses, platonic smooches, to full-blown makeouts.

if i'm being legit i needed an excuse to share something and i am SO vibing with Impossible Fires so have Nile Whist who is Completely Not Manipulating Marley Haight

The grin on her face is breathless. “Don’t fuck with me,” she scolds him, but there’s a laugh running through her words. “What do you mean?” “I mean you’re…I don’t know. You’ve looked in a mirror recently. And I smell like a fucking psych ward.” He holds back a silent laugh at that. She does; the harsh chemical soap she borrowed from Katsura’s shower, probably something generic from any hostel, smells like the disinfected hallways of Sacred Spring. “I see how it is,” he says, a thrill of taboo running through the radio signal. His fingers slip back over her skin, and then he holds her face cupped in both hands, and her cheeks are flushed a mottled bloody red. “You’re saving yourself for Katsura.” “Fuck that.” Marley rolls her eyes. Her words are exhilarated, and she stands just so slightly on her toes, leaning into his touch. Nile draws her into a soft, chaste kiss. The Gospel will scrape his data later—they’ll know who he spoke to, for how long, and exactly what he transmitted to them—and they’ll know that he didn’t have to do this. But he damn well wants to. She tastes like disinfectant and like cheap aurum cigarettes, the smoke stale on her breath. She tastes like oil, faintly, and like the varnished wood of the church, and the metallic faux-iron of the bench where they had sat together in Vicenniad. She tastes like regret for a hundred things long past, and for a moment, he’s not sure who that feeling belongs to. It’s his, of course. Marley couldn’t signal anything in him if she wanted to.

open tag for anyone who'd like to do this, + tagging for impossible fires:

@iucemon @rodentwrites @rhikasa