#ace malarky

[mjjune]

hi hello what can you tell me about the Selection from ds, like what are the three roles and do people change? Can people change their choice?

hi yes hello ✨

it would take way too long to go into the roles and also some of that is spoilers but lol

essentially "roles" in ds replace gender roles in this high fantasy society. Selection is the coming of age ceremony where you choose which of the 3 roles you are and that decides kinda what path you go down for the rest of your life. it's not super cut and dry and there are a variety of options, but there are set expectations for how you live your life, what your job is, etc. with each of the 3 roles.

but it doesn't just replace the gender binary we have in real life since, obviously, here there are 3 roles. also, the expectations for each role are more based on the culture and magic system (actually, it's all based on dragons lmao). so these roles have nothing to do with biology, body parts, physical appearance, family dynamics, or submission/dominance. those concepts don't exist at all in ds, and the roles are not built on oppression.

(more below cut to save dash space)

but no, you can't change your role. if you really wanted to, you could shift your life path regarding your job/hobbies/fashion/life views (say if you wanted to switch from a stereotypical role job to a very rare job for someone of your role) but actually switching roles? no. especially since most people get cultural marks/tattoos based on their role after their Selection it's pretty permanent. i guess this would be the closest you could get to trans in this world?? but it's not really viewed that way 🤣 it's more of just being seen as an outlier/edgy.

but they don't physically change, other than the tattoos if they choose to get them. it's more of an inner change, where their connection to spirituality and magic strengthens because they're Committed to dragons the role and empowers them/strengthens their sense of self. but they don't change per se (at least not anymore than someone does when they turn 18 irl LOL)

but how strict they are depends on the island you're on and your family and how seriously they take it! obviously more traditional and religious families are going to have more set-in-stone expectations regarding how you live your life according to your role, compared to a more "progressive" (for lack of better term) family which might not be as strict. so real life concepts like "male dominated fields", "only women wear [x]" and role-based marriage expectations etc. do still exist in the ds world, just that these aren't founded in systemic oppression 🪦

thanks for asking!!!!!!!!

hope this answers your questions while not giving too much away 🤣

[oh-no-another-idea]

🌹!!

Thanks for stopping by, friend! <3 Have some Bent Nails or Something WIP :)

Sutton trotted down the steps and over to the truck. “I love how you didn’t even ask me if I’m into sports. Why are guys all the same.” “I’m not into sports,” Michael said, appalled, turning on the ignition. “Doesn’t mean we can’t watch. Hell, all sports are is trying to grab the ball or trying to get it the hell away from you. The rest is all chuff.” “If you say so,” Sutton said, watching the fields outside her window. “Why are we going to the post office?”

1 🌹 = 1 snippet from a random WIP!

[ace-malarky]

So I graduated like ten years ago and some of the folks on the course have decided that we should do a ten year reunion and like I'm well up for this it'll be great

However. Shit's happened in the last ten years y'know

[trixierosewrites]

Happy STS! If your characters hadn't been caught up in the Plot, what would they be doing with their lives? would anything about them have changed differently?

Happy STS, and thanks for the ask! I’ll be answering this one for Memento Vivere :3

Aidan - once again running for prime minister, looking for yet another wife. Might try blackmailing Miriam, which I’m sure would go… splendidly…

Cassie - Maybe she'd manage to actually settle down, once she'd once again failed at killing Aidan. The question is, can she bear to part from Miriam long enough to seek out Dante? Can the law protect her? Will she ever run away from her guilt? And how long is it before [REDACTED] pushes her back to what she's trying to run from?

Dante - She'd certainly never get to be herself, not unless her entire family up and died. She's unlikely to get either of her loves, because one is Cassie, and the other is an actual teenager and she needs to stop being a creep (challenge level: impossible). She's a princess, so it's not like her life is horrific. She'll be fine.

Dawn - Probably would've kept stealing shit. Probably would've gotten away with it. Would love to write a version where they confront Isabella over the perceived cheating outside of the novella, and Isabella just gets to go ? (I don't know if I'll ever clarify it in Memento Vivere, but Dawn had a relationship with one of Isabella's stunt doubles, who was pretending to be Isabella due to her own insecurities. Great misunderstandings all round. Flawless. 10/10.)

Hector - Would either get his fortune then explode his reputation into a million pieces, or get robbed of it right before his eighteenth birthday by a child he didn't manage to murder. I'm sure neither of these options will have consequences. He'll be fiiiiiiiine.

Hugh - I think he would've dug his own grave. Between the slight alcoholic tendencies, his wildly self-sabotaging tendencies, the blackmail, and his occasional murderous tendencies... yeah.

Isabella - I genuinely don't know. Isabella's kind of operating on a time limit, because she gets away with what she does because she is young and beautiful and compelling and scandalous, and the media eats it up; she's not got a transitional plan for if her beauty fades, though she's certainly rich enough not to have to worry about her career, and she's too vain to take on roles for older women, and she's not willing to risk her face to plastic surgeons. She doesn't really know who she is, because she was a child actress and she's been performing for the cameras ever since, and her relationship with "Mary" is... hm. Well. I'm sure nothing would implode on her and she'll be fine forever, probably.

John - Would probably find an heir in Hector, because Hector is determined, and then die. He is old. Sorry, John.

Jordan - Honestly, I think she'd just keep going. Infinitely more River's Waltz books. Continued terrible parenting. Continued exotic animal trade. Continuing cultivating online cult spaces. Absolutely terrible, I love her.

Miriam - I think Miriam would do whatever the fuck she wanted. Like, at this point, she has both money and power. Take up rock climbing, Miriam, and stop doing weird shit with blackmail.

Nate - Continue his job, probably, then when Cookie (dog) dies, have an existential crisis, quit, and adopt about 100 dogs. Happy ever after for Nate <3

[winglesswriter]

Seven Sentences Sunday Tag

Look, these tag games that happen on a certain day stress me out because I usually don't have time to answer on the given day. But today is Sunday and my dance practice was cancelled so I can answer this on time. YAY!

Thank you @theink-stainedfolk for the tag.

From Foreigner God

The young man looks up. “You killed him you monster!” With his shout comes a wave of force that throws Thiery and the chair he’s been sitting on against the wall behind him. With surprising agility, the priest jumps over the table and launches at Thiery. He almost manages to get his hands around Thiery’s throat when ropes made of water restrain him mid-move. He opens his mouth but his words are cut by more water closing around his neck. Guards hurry to take him and Thiery climbs to his feet.

Gentle tag for: @willtheweaver, @rachaellawrites, @space-writes, @beginning-of-wisdom, @ace-malarky

@aintgonnatakethis, @heymacareyna, @juggling-plasticplates, @raineaxolotl, @flock-from-the-void + OPEN TAG

[zmwrites]

tag: out of context line IV

I was tagged by @ace-malarky! Thank you!

From Remnants bc I felt like breaking my own heart:

Maybe this was why so many of the chosen heroes died at the end of their stories. Because it was easier to be dead than to live with everything that had happened. Easier than living without everything it had cost.

I tag @junoisdrafting, @megarywrites, @keen2meecha, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[loopyhoopywrites]

If there's one piece of advice I'd give to writeblr, it's to find a way to remember the positive things people say about your writing.

Back in 2020, four years and two WIPs ago, I started taking a screenshot every time someone said something nice about my writing (or art) in a reply, reblog, tags, or ask. Today I hit 500 screenshots! That's 500 nice comments people have made about stuff I created!

That folder of screenshots has been instrumental in not only giving me a massive serotonin and confidence boost whenever I'm feeling down or insecure about my writing, but also has been a huge motivator in keeping me sticking with my WIPs. Thank you so, so much to anyone who's ever left a nice comment, it might have been nothing to you but means the absolute world to me <3

There's no way I can mention everybody, I know many aren't even active any more, and I'm definitely going to forget a bunch of people (sorry), but @chauceryfairytales @albatris @lesleymoonwriter @tracle0 @space-writes @ahordeofwasps @cwritesfiction @raevenlywrites @kaylinalexanderbooks @notwritinganyflufftoday @ace-malarky @serenanymph I know you all have contributed a lot to this collection, so thank you so, so much and I appreciate each and every one of you <3<3

[writingamongther0ses]

Heads Up, 7 Up

Thank you for the tag, @ace-malarky!

Her uncle did the same before he leaned forward and hugged her, the gesture awkward with her refusal to let go of Ella’s hand. “Be good,” he said, moving to hug Ella. “Don’t cause extensive property damage,” He hugged Becca. “And I love you. Be good.”

“You already said that.”

“I’m hoping that the universe will listen to me if I say it enough,” their uncle admitted without shame. He turned to Connor and made an I’m watching you gesture before walking out of the room.

I'll tag, with no pressure, @zmwrites, @jasminewalkerauthor, @eccaiia, @winterandwords, @ettawritesnstudies, @eternalwritingstudent, and @bardic-tales.

[aalinaaaaaa]

WIP Wednesday

Thanks to @jev-urisk for the tag! (Also to @bardic-tales for today's Creator's Club game)

So, on this episode of 'Eshani and Cerigo are angsting, again' ...

—

The crows and Councillors depended on her to bring it home. The country needed her to prevent the sum of its people from splintering. And Cheyoria and Cerigo… her return to them the most pivotal task of all. Eshani caught a reciprocal in her hands. A small piece of paper, with a single line of text. You know what my answer is. Come to the balcony. Upon teleporting there, her amour rose from his seat, the pair standing within inches of each other. “Well,” She let out a staggered breath. “Does Cheyoria’s friend still have it?” He shook his head, scrunching his nose a little. “What’s it worth to you? Why let it fall into the hands of High Councillors?” She recoiled at the sting in his last few words, a further reminder of what could’ve been. “You heard what was said. We need it, — I need it — for the peace of the country, for our sake. The longer the Chalice circulates, the further the country spirals.” “How long has it been kept there?” Heat rose in her cheeks, flowing to her fingers and crackling through her skin. The rift would take more than a drop to fix. “You lot just want it for yourselves. Don’t deny it.” “All I need is one drop from it.” Eshani gestured, his accusation a scathing blow. “One drop, Cerigo. One drop, and I can leave it all behind. I can come back to you.” He sighed, giving her a long, prickling stare. “Tell me who is standing before me right now? Because all I see is a High Councillor serving her court’s interests.”

—

Sending tags to @wintherlywords @cljordan-imperium @space-writes @thepeculiarbird @kaylinalexanderbooks @winterandwords @finickyfelix @flock-from-the-void @leahnardo-da-veggie @ace-malarky and open tag for anyone else with lines to share!

Obsidian Sapphires plus General taglist (ask, comment, message me if you'd like to be added or removed): @mr-orion @the-ellia-west @guessillcallitart @thereadingfoz @glassstardust22124 @honeybewrites @ashirisu @drowsy-quill @oliolioxenfreewrites @theglitchywriterboi @did-i-do-this-write @threeking @seastarblue @gioiaalbanoart @midnight-and-his-melodiverse @outpost51

[oh-no-another-idea]

hey, happy STS! tell me more about your sci-fi smugglers? How did the gang all meet

Thanks for the ask! Well, most of the gang meets due to hijinks and plot, but the original criminal gang has all met before the beginning of the story.

Jax and Quin are brothers, orphaned at a young age, and used to taking care of each other. They became smugglers partly because Quin was in an accident where he lost his leg, and prosthetics were expensive enough that they would have to work for years to save for a cheaper one, and they simply didn't have the time. So: smuggled goods = money = a decent lifestyle, including several prosthetics for Quin as he grew up!

Enter Aaliyah, who was sent to remove Jax's operation from the business. She's young, very experienced, has never failed an assignment. She gets to Jax and sees someone her own age (they're both fifteen at this time, aw babies) taking care of his little brother, and Jax is able to convince her not to kill them. Since she can't go back with a failed job, she stays and is an incredible asset to the team. And she and Jax fall in love as they grow up together too, hooray :)

[ace-malarky]

ok I am going to write this last dang present today

I'm aware we're like a week into January at this point, and yes she did give me the prompt in November

It is just, unfortunately, doing absolutely nothing for me as a story idea

She's gone from "here are all the details and also too many more" to "as vague as you please" while still couching it in one of my least favourite ways to write

hrg anyway

gonna go start on that. let's see how far we get

[did-i-do-this-write]

It's Okay to Ask (pt. 2)

And here is the second installment of writeblrs who agreed to being sent an occasional general, writing related ask! As I said I'll be sending out asks to you guys every other week!

@whogavemeapen

@imaginativemind29new

@the-world-is-a-poem

@carpe-noctemseries

@forthesanityofstorytellers

@big-maggots-writes

@sam-glade

@mayarab

@flock-from-the-void

@chrismerle

@caxycreations

@sun-god-cometh

@yesireadbooks

@dandelion-jester

@i-am-hughesgroup

@the-mindless

@dontjudgemeimawriter

@elean0rarose

@sometimesraven

@spare-stories-archive

@faithfire

@the-tropes-are-hungry

@e-lisard

@mixing-bowl-of-stories

@ruinmegently

@mareebrittenford

@ace-malarky

@fattybattysblog

@residentdormouse

@tea-and-mercury

@werehamburglar

@romances-not-tragedies

@apteryxdrake

@worldofthraeia

@outofthepapers

@heavenssexiestangel

@harps-for-days

@bluberimufim

@crowandmoonwriting

@theroseempress

@enne-uni

@briarborealisocs

@guessillcallitart

@full-on-sam

@authorlaurawinter

@natyune-writes

@13shadesofanni

@sviancontrast

@ashwithapen

@ohnomybreadsticks

No slots available. Ask to be removed.

[winglesswriter]

Friday kiss tag 😽

Wow! It's Friday and I'm not totally dead so I can share a kiss! Thank you so much @theink-stainedfolk for the tag ❤️

I decided to share more snippets from my published story Built on Ruins. If this catches your interest, you can buy the book here.

“You know, if I had to get stranded in the Wilds, I think I’m pretty lucky it was with you.” Jan aims for lightheartedness, but his voice betrays him. The words come out too soft, too sincere. Shi Saxe doesn’t seem to pay them much attention. He brushes his thumb over Jan’s knuckles, then guides his hand up to place it on the back of his neck. His skin is hot under Jan’s cold hand, and the contrast is startling. Jan splays his fingers and kneads the taunt muscles gently, not thinking about what he’s doing. He’s not thinking about anything because Shi Saxe finally lifts his eyes, and Jan gets lost in them. He realizes what’s going to happen only a split second before Shi Saxe leans in, and their lips meet. He thinks he should be shocked, but he isn’t. Instead, it’s like a piece of a puzzle that has always been there in front of his eyes and has finally slid into place. Shi Saxe’s lips fit perfectly to Jan’s. Jan curses himself for not thinking about doing this sooner. He barely holds back a displeased moan when Shi Saxe breaks the kiss and leans his forehead against Jan’s. His breathing is labored, and he looks miserable, distressed like he’s losing a fight. “Tell me to stop,” he says, voice hoarse. “I won’t,” Jan promises and kisses him. Their second kiss is very different than the first. It turns from gentle to passionate, from exploratory to hungry. It includes tongues and teeth and hot breaths mingling. Kissing Shi Saxe is like riding downhill, like swallowing the before-the-End liquor that warms from the inside. It feels like nothing Jan has ever experienced before.

No pressure tag for:

@sarandipitywrites, @elizaellwrites, @orphanheirs, @ace-malarky , ,@aintgonnatakethis

@blue-manuscript, @author-a-holmes, @capnmachete @kaylinalexanderbooks @starbuds-and-rosedust

[zmwrites]

Last Line Tag CCCXLII

I was tagged by @ace-malarky! Thank you!!

This is from Open Seas:

“When we’re there, make sure you stick close to me. I can’t vouch for everyone you’ll encounter and I don’t want you to find trouble.” “Again, you mean.” Dorian laughed. “I wasn’t going to say it, but yes.” Tess managed a distracted smile. She firmly reminded herself that she was far from Astos and the social rules she was used to. In her world, a man stating that he intended to remain close to a woman for an evening, or asking her to remain close to him, was tantamount to a declaration of courtship. The rules were obviously very different here—she was alone with a man in his private quarters while he was only half-dressed, for Ephion’s sake. If they’d been caught in this situation back home they would’ve been forced to marry.

This scene is basically Tess screaming internally and Dorian being completely oblivious to it the entire time (or pretending to be).

I tag @rachaellawrites, @inks-books, @kaylinalexanderbooks, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[loopyhoopywrites]

Last Sentence Tag Game

Thank you @notwritinganyflufftoday for the tag! <3 Here's the most recent TEQ.

Somewhere, far away, Trickster was pounding against the glass, a frantic SOS of fists and feet and fighting for breath.

Tagging @aether-wasteland-s @albatris @ace-malarky if you like :)

[tracle0]

WIP poll yea

Tagged by mmmm @albatris my buddy! Hello!

Tagging uhhhh @polyaubergine @kaatiba @ace-malarky @loopyhoopywrites uhhh yeah that's all I can think of. Anyone else who wants to. Okay thank you, goodbye