culturecannabisclub-blog

[anchorandrope]

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[amnestria-the-elf]

So we're all just supposed to be fucking grateful that Larian gave us "new Wyll content" (evil ending for a man who is canonically incorruptible, what the fuck) and simultaneously broke him again (giving low approval greetings to a romanced PC, what the fuck).

I... I just... the simultaneous feelings of rage and utter hopelessness are overwhelming.

Listen, if you've read any of my posts you know I have a pretty clear "Don't yuck anyone's yum" policy. If you think an evil Wyll ending is interesting, fine. But here's why it falls flat for me.

First, like I said above, Wyll is canonically incorruptible. It's literally the entire basis of his character. He is a man who was coerced into making an infernal contract to save a city and had to pay a horrible price for doing so, then spent seven fucking years alone in the wilderness doing his damned best to protect the people of the Sword Coast, while all along telling his horrible, abusive patron to just fuck off already.

Now, could you argue that during the events of the game, Wyll develops a taste for evil? Sure. There are plenty of opportunities for his villain origin story to unfold. But they never do. His moral compass never wavers. Turned into a devil? He feels shame, because it's an outward sign that he was doing things for Mizora that were morally wrong, and he didn't see it before. His approval rating for the PC shoots through the roof if you save Karlach, a sure indicator of his true moral compass. His father kidnapped? Fuck that noise, we're gonna save him. Rescue Zariel's "asset"? Ugh, fine, but don't get distracted from the real reason we're here. His father gets tadpoled? Oh hells no, we're gonna take down these assholes and save the godsdamned world. His father accuses him of being an agent of a devil and is super pissy about it? "Everything I did, I did for the people of the Sword Coast."

For fuck's sake, he will leave the party if the PC gets too evil, even knowing it means he'll probably turn into a mindflayer immediately. Even if he's romancing the PC. Unwavering moral compass. So giving him an evil ending without also going back and changing everything about his character just feels like lazy writing to me.

Which brings me to the second reason all of this rubs the wrong way. Wyll deserves so much more content. More romanced greetings, more reactions to other characters' choices, a final boss battle that is actually about him, a default ending that actually makes fucking sense (I have another post cooking about the Avernus ending, so I will leave it for now.)

And please, spare me your "But Wyll was rewritten after early access" bullshit. That's Larian's problem. They chose to listen to feedback and do a late-stage rewrite. They then chose to implement it poorly and never fucking fix it. Other characters, who already have far more content than Wyll, have had even more added over the course of the seven released patches. Wyll, on the other hand, has been sitting around completely ignored until now when we get this evil ending.

Many have rightfully pointed out the inherent racism steeped in all of this. I want Larian to be better. But as Maya Angelou said, "When someone shows you who they are, believe them." I already didn't have much hope about Patch 7 for Wyll, but this... honestly, this is worse than him just being ignored again.

The thing that kills me the most is that this is just going to be more fodder for the fandom to completely mischaracterize Wyll, for those who already haven't bothered to think critically about his character at all to just be like, oh, cool, Wyll is evil now. Nope. You've completely missed the point.

I'm just... so tired. I've worked very hard to put this little bubble of Wyll enthusiasts around me (hi friends I love you all!) so that I can hold on to some shred of sanity in this fandom. The world needs heroes of color. Just let Wyll be the hero in peace.

[askaceattorney]

These are letters regarding the situation that recently transpired. After this, we will no longer be answering any letters regarding politics. All of us agree that this blog needs to strictly stay out of politics. In truth, politics should never have been the center of this blog. After this, any letter regarding politics or the situation will be deleted.

This is a blog that focuses on answering letters to Ace Attorney canon characters. It does not discriminate anyone or any mod based on race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, politics, etc. and such actions are not tolerated. If you believe one of our mods is discriminating for whatever reason, show solid evidence and we will handle this privately. A support for a former or current president of a country is not proof of discrimination and neither are political memes posted on a personal account.

(More Politics Ahead)

Dear rogertheegg,

Co-Mod: Nope. Everyone’s welcome here, regardless of political leanings.  I’m afraid I’m as clueless as you are about what exactly happened with the two former Mods (they didn’t even say anything to me about it), but it’s all water under the bridge as far as I’m concerned.

Mod Edgeworth: Absolutely not! I have never tolerated political discrimination. You are allowed to believe whatever politics you want.

Dear kunaiman,

Co-Mod: High five.

Mod Edgeworth: Thank you very much for your support.

Dear Mistakes,

Mod Edgeworth: I’m not going to go into anything else regarding my politics, but I will state my reason for outing myself: I’m doing this for Co-Mod.  I do consider him a friend of sorts and I do not wish for him to have to suffer this blowback alone. So, if you want to state your grievances, go ahead.

Know this though, I am still the same mod you have met and have never hidden my character from any of you. My politics do not define my character and neither does Co-Mod’s politics define his character. The same goes for anyone else. I’m just someone that leans Conservative and voted for Trump. If that makes me a bad person, even if I do stand against any discrimination, then I will gladly accept it.

Co-Mod: So, here’s the truth about me, Donald Trump, the MAGA Committee, etc. (and this is from the horse’s mouth, so anyone who says otherwise is lying) -- I’ve never been a huge fan of the guy, but I supported the good things he did and wanted to do during his presidency -- creating jobs, draining the political swamp, promoting patriotism, and so on -- and for that, I feel no shame.  I also wished he could’ve kept his big mouth shut about a lot of things, but overall, I saw him as someone who stood up for people who’d been largely ignored before he came along -- namely, middle class Americans. If you see him and his presidency differently, I won’t hold anything against you for it, so I respectfully ask that you do the same for me.

Dear Anonymous,

Mod Edgeworth: Don’t worry, I know who you are. You maybe under anonymous, but when we receive your letter, it isn’t anonymous lol. What we do is place your letter in photoshop and get rid of all your identity. Thank you for your support and I agree.

This blog will continue, even if it’s under a very few of us. I will allow everyone to display their grievances in the comment section. They have just as much right as Co-Mod and I do.

If there’s anyone I wish for you to support, it’s Co-Mod. He’s the one being the most effected by all of this. I don’t believe politics should have been involved or that we should have to justify why we believe in our politics. Neither have to do with our love for Ace Attorney.

Dear I’m still surprised,

Mod Edgeworth: I’m guessing this is for Co-Mod, because it doesn’t seem like you’ve read my own defense. I literally stated that both Co-Mod and I support LGBT and that the letters deleted because of shipping had nothing to do with any political beliefs. Beyond what I stated in my defense (despite what Co-Mod states below), I won’t say anything more. Non of us have to justify why we support a former president. I have my reasons just like anyone else. It doesn’t make me a terrible person and I will forever stand for everyone’s rights to believe whatever politics they believe.

Co-Mod: It’s a shame I have to say this on an Ace Attorney blog of all places, but where is your proof that I or anyone on my side of the aisle takes any enjoyment in seeing anyone dead or oppressed, whether in a minority or otherwise?  I can only assume you’ve been listening to some skewed sources, or that there’s something huge I’m missing, because I’ve yet to see any right-wing groups reach that level of hatred.  (And if you know of any, please fill me in.  I mean that honestly.)

As for why I left same-sex attraction out of this blog, it’s simply because I see it as a divisive topic rather than a simply controversial one, (i.e. the death penalty, game piracy, etc.).  I’ve also proven several times that I’m not very good at addressing it without people getting rubbed the wrong way, so I decided to play it safe and not discuss it at all.  I’m happy to talk about it anywhere else, but a blog about Ace Attorney didn’t seem like the right place for it to me.  On top of that, there are plenty of blogs about peoples’ same-sex ships all over Tumblr, so why complain about this one?  If there’s a rule stating that Ace Attorney-themed Tumblr blogs are required to include those ships, I sure haven’t heard it.

I’ll admit this much -- like Phoenix, it’s something I can’t claim to understand, so maybe I still have some learning to do about it, but if I’m going to be accused of bigotry, I’d like to see some solid evidence of it.  Assumptions don’t count in my book.

Dear Dailystir,

Mod Edgeworth: Thank you. I’m not going to address anymore than I already have. I will not and refuse to mention anything else on my politics. Just like how you said, I am more at the center in the political world. I lean more Conservative, but I am Independent. I consider both Republicans and Democrats to be two different wings from the same bird.

I’m also glad you do not consider being a Trump supporter to be in the same basket as being a racist, bigot or any of that. These days, I can declare myself as a supporter of Andrew Jackson (I’m not btw) and not be against Natives, even though he was the reason for the mass genocide of thousands of Native Americans. I can openly support Martain Luther King, yet not be considered homophobic, even though he was against LGBT. I can consider myself a Bill Clinton supporter and not support raping women, even though that’s what he did in office. Yet, the moment I declare myself a Trump supporter, I’m automatically Anti LGBT, a bigot, a sexist, a racist and a phobe of some sort, because Trump supposedly is? What a world we live in! I can’t remember the last time supporting a political figure or celebrity made you a terrible person.

As for Mod Vera and Mod Maya, I still wish they could’ve said something to me or Co-Mod, if they truly felt uncomfortable. I’m still willing to talk to either of them and hear them out. I don’t blame them for doing what they did. I don’t know them or what life they live in. I have talked to someone, who had faced bigotry  and hate from Trump supporters in their area to the point of fear. I’ve even seen a Trump supporter bully an Anti Trump Supporter and I ended up reporting the bully, then calling them out for their behavior. I can say from experience that when you face real discrimination, it puts you in a state of fear to never express yourself or your identity. My family faced that and so did I. It’s the reason I’ve never revealed my race, gender or sexual orientation and can understand where Mod Maya and Mod Vera are coming from.

I think the real takeaway is to not judge anyone based on their politics, but also to not hate anyone who does. You will find bigotry on any side of the political spectrum from any group. To say there is none on any side is spouting ignorance.

Dear Anonymous,

Mod Edgeworth: It is sad, though even if I do understand where Mod Vera and Mod Maya are coming from, I still can’t justify them not talking to either of us first. They never spoke to either of us and assumed the worst out of both of us. They never asked us anything or mentioned their concerns. I’m certain, even now, they’re still assuming things.

Had they mentioned their grievances, I would have been willing to talk with them and work things out, but we were never given that chance. It kinda hurts, because they said they understood when I told them I was staying out of politics and was willing to admit that I supported Trump and am an Independent Conservative. Then, they pull the rug from under us and claim we are against ethnic minorities and LGBT. That’s why I wish they could’ve said something.

I’m still willing to talk to either of them, but I doubt they’ll want to hear from me. No amount of context is going to change that. If it did, they would’ve talked to me about it before leaving.

-The Mods

P. S. Co-Mod: As ugly as this can of worms is, it’s been a fun practice in defending my beliefs and decisions.  Never underestimate that skill, everyone.

Mod Edgeworth: I still can’t believe this was brought out at all. I’m so sick of politics!

[razorblade180]

Sunshower. 10

[2 of 2 parts]

*Disclaimer,mature themes* Enjoy

It wasn’t long before they reached the forest district and the trees her house was in. As usual she flipped the sign on the ground from down to up. If Sun was really about to spend the night then she might as well look cool getting up to the door she pulled him to the outer rim of the clearing and faced right.

Sun:What are you doing?

Ilia:Getting a little workout in. You’re about to see why our races are always so close.

She bent her knees and took a deep breath. Then she took off sprinting towards a tree. Sun watched her run along it sideways then jumping to the next tree; repeating the process again and again. Each transition to the next tree got her higher and higher as she was essentially going counter clockwise. He almost got dizzy just watching. Finally she was close enough to the mass of leaves and materials supporting her house. Ilia lunged towards a patch of leaves that were a slightly different color and her hands went through it. Sun had a feeling if she did that anywhere else then her performance would’ve ended horribly. Ilia pulled herself all the way up then poked her head back through to look at Sun. Funny, he was easier to look at when she was upside.

Ilia:I hope you were paying attention. Now it’s your turn.

Sun:I could just climb up the one nearest to the entrance. Oh, it even has grooves in it.

Ilia:Yeah it’s for lazy people or emergencies. I won’t stop you from taking it but I’ll hold it against you.

Sun:So what you’re saying is I have no choice?

Ilia:That’s the spirit!

Ilia extended a hand out of the leaves and waited patiently. He wasn’t getting out of this. Not by a long shot. Sun dramatically started rotating his hips and stretching as if he wasn’t already limbered up. Ilia wanted to playfully roll her eyes but found herself paying attention to the way his buttoned shirt slightly lifted up. For the first time she was actually a bit disappointed it was buttoned up and she hated herself for it.

‘This is stupid. He’s stupid. I’ve been complaining about his banana breath for months and I know I suddenly feel….I don’t know what I feel! Why the hell is he getting to me? How am I getting to him? Are we filling the void or-’ “Heads up!”Sun shouted as he jumped at her. Ilia was glad he did or else because she had stopped paying attention entirely. She didn’t even know he stopped stretching and now she’s grabbing his arm and pulling him up. ‘Great, now he has me spacing out…’ It was difficult not to chastise herself at this point. Feelings are complimented but not this complicated.

‘I don’t even like men.’ She knew this part of herself very well and from a young age. Of course she’s tried a couple of hetero relationships but early on she knew for a fact that she just wasn’t feeling anything romantic or otherwise. Yet here she was, clearly feeling something. It burned like fire and made her chest heavy, but also made her feel like she was breathing better than ever? Her heart ached, but she didn’t want it to stop. Somehow, it felt….good? All these positives and negatives kept clashing. She felt like a walking contradiction.

Sun had noticed the girl was lost in thought while they entered her home. He chose to leave her be. He wasn’t sure of what to say anyways. Right now he was invested in looking around. ‘I wish my home was half as cool as this.’ He thought while removing his shoes. Living in a literal treehouse was already cool but the way everything was set up kept adding brownie points. Then it hit him, small talking about her home could break the ease. He touched her shoulder and Ilia jumped a little; realizing she had spaced out again.

Ilia:S...Sorry. You say something?

Sun:I was gonna say you have a nice place.

Ilia:Oh, thanks. *smiles* You wouldn’t believe how long it took to make this place. Worth it though. It’s out of the way and peaceful.

Sun:Yeah I’ve noticed you tend to like your space. Anyways...I’ll...see ya tomorrow?

Ilia:Umm yeah?

Sun:....

Ilia:...

Sun:*slowly walking to the futon.*

Ilia:What are you doing?

Sun:About to...sleep?

Ilia:Aren’t you forgetting something?

Sun:....covers?

Ilia:A shower Sun. You’re dirty from being out partying.

Sun:I don’t have spare clothes.

Ilia:I have plenty of big t-shirts and basketball shorts. There’s spare towels and washcloths already in the bathroom.

Sun:Thanks.

Ilia:I can’t believe you tried going to sleep filthy.

Sun:Listen, I’m playing this by ear.

Ilia:Well make sure you wash behind said ears.

She walked down to the end of the wall into her room. A circular bed filled most of the room with cabinets drawers built in underneath where she stored her clothes. Lights hung from the center of the ceiling and spread across the walls like vines; while a small hatch connected to a string could open a piece of the ceiling to maya sky light. Airflow was good too. ‘I’m glad I cleaned in here.’

…..

‘Why’d I think that? He’s not going to be in here.’ Ilia dismissed the thought from her mind and grabbed whatever she reached for first. Blue shorts and yellow shirt; it’s funny how life works out like that sometimes. Ilia left the room and tossed Sun the clothes as he walked into the restroom.

Ilia:To turn on the shower-

Sun:I can figure out a bathtub Ilia.

Ilia:(Okay Mr. Know it all.Is the day finally getting to him or something? Guess I shouldn’t blame him. He’s not the only one on edge.)

Rushing water and the change of the sound of it hitting the tub did indeed let her know he figured it out. Oddly enough, knowing that Sun was currently showered wasn’t as flustering as everything else. That was until she realized a cold reality. One of two things would happen when he wears those clothes. Option one, he realizes there’s no change in underwear and wears the pair he has; eww. Or option two, he’ll go commando. In her shorts. That first option was looking really good. It’ll give her a reason to knock him down a peg.

Instead of waiting for him like a weirdo; Ilia went back to her room to grab one of the dozen pillows on her bed along with a spare blanket. It didn’t take long to turn the futon into bed mode and set everything up. She actually finished right as he got out. The boy’s hair and tail were a bit damp and his clothes folded up. That was unexpected. It really was hard to pinpoint exactly what level of care Sun did and did not have for hygiene. Ilia couldn’t resist looking at all the layers of the folded clothes. Sure enough, his boxers were there and not on him. Another thing to add to her contradicting feelings.

Ilia:Those fit you surprisingly well.

Sun:Why do you have such baggy clothes?

Ilia:Lounge wear. I like to be comfortable.

Sun:Really? Judy told me the opposite. Something about wearing bras while at home?

Ilia:Why does she care so much about that!? What’s the problem with that!?

Sun:She said it had something to do with being comfortable with your body in a safe environment. I didn’t really get it either. Do you have a place to wash these?

Ilia:Yeah I’ll deal with it. Right now just-...

Sun:Ilia?

She didn’t answer him. For a second he had thought she spaced out again but no, she was looking at him? Ilia started walking forward and actually passed him to the bathroom to the sink. Sun realized he had forgotten the things that were in his pockets there. Then, his face went pale.

Ilia picked up his scroll, a pack of gum, some change, and the thing that made her shut up in the first place. A couple of condom packets. Sun felt like flinging himself out the tree as Ilia walked back to him and slowly put all the items on his stack of clothes. The two looked at each other. Ilia had a face of skepticism and slight embarrassment. Sun doubled down on the ladder.

Ilia:So...were you feeling lucky tonight? Confident? Dumb...?

Sun:I swear those aren’t mine.

Ilia:Yet you have them because…?

Sun:Okay, they’re mine now. But I didn’t ask for them. Neptune gave me those when you and Judy got food. He kept going on about being prepared and not knowing what tonight could hold. I was trying to give them back but then you showed up and I panicked.

‘Neptune.’ Ilia thought menacingly. ‘You’ll get yours.’

Sun:Still mad.

Ilia:Not mad, I’m just on edge. Sorry.

Sun:Trust me, I get it. Go take your shower and I’m gonna go to sleep. I think we both need it.

Ilia:Yeah. You’re right. If you got hungry then feel free trying to create whatever out of the fridge.

Sun:Will do; thanks.

At last, the night was finally over. It was fun, exhausting but fun. She had taken her shower then went straight to her room. Ilia’s body felt heavy yet her mind was still racing and her eyes fully open; sleeping was impossible. Her hands fiddled with the stitching of the black basketball shorts and her gold tank top felt off for some reason. She knew it was all in her head. What felt off was in the other room.

Ilia grabbed her scroll to check the time. Almost one o’clock; only forty five minutes has passed since she finished her shower. ‘This is ridiculous. I’m tired so sleeping should be easy.’ She tried closing her eyes to sink into sleep but it never came. It only took another five minutes before she rose from her bed agitated. ‘I wonder if Sun is up? One way to find out.’

Ilia walked to the door before stopping suddenly. The butterflies were coming back. It was almost unbearable. Still she persisted and followed through. Step by anxious step, she walked towards the living room. Ilia peeked around the corner as if this was someone else’s house and found him facing the wall and bundled up under the blanket she gave him. At first glance he looked to be completely at rest. However, the twitch of his nose and eyes seen thanks to faunus night vision indicated otherwise.

Ilia:I know you’re awake. Don’t try to lie.

Sun:Sigh...looks like we’re both restless.

Ilia:Scooch over. At least we have tv.

He did what he was told and sat up so she could sit on his left. The light from the tv lit the dark room with some anime Ilia seemed to like. Sun wondered if Blake influenced the girl or if it was the other way around all along? Now wasn’t the time to bring her up though. It would’ve killed the mood; whatever that might be.

Ilia wasn’t afraid to steal cover from him and did so without a second thought. After sitting on the bench from earlier, this by far was an improvement. There was a bit more space this time. However, she could still feel the heat coming from him; so warm and inviting. She couldn’t help but scoot a little closer; making her skin turn more than a little red. Sun tried to focus on the show but it wasn’t working. Whatever shampoo Ilia used on her long flowing hair was tickling his nose. Maple, somehow it was perfect for her. Sun might’ve been a patient person even if he had his limits, and right now morality and a bit of fear was the only thing holding them back. He wasn’t the only one. Unlike him however, Ilia had enough of the tension. Progress had to be made; for better or for worse.

Ilia:It was nice….

Sun:Huh?

Ilia:You asked me at the pier how it was when we...you know. It was nice, from what I can remember.

Sun:*red* Oh. Me- me too. From what I can remember. It’s still pretty hazy at some parts. I...still remember your rules though.

Ilia:Is that right?

Sun:Yep.

……

Ilia:You’re holding yourself back somehow for my sake aren’t you? Even after what Neptune and I told you. I...don’t mind if you’re a little greedy sometimes.

His heart skips a beat. Sun looked at her from the corner of his eyes. Ilia kept both eyes on the screen but her entire face was flushed. She tried stealing a glance but locked eyes with him for a second. His attention was fully on her.

His silence was getting to her something fierce. She was about to speak again but the sudden warmth of Sun wrapping his arm around her waist and pulling her closer made her gasp in surprise.

She was more than warm now; Ilia felt like an inferno. She could feel Sun’s hands shake slightly as they began roaming her midsection and legs. He was nervous. Good, that means she wasn’t alone.

Ilia places her hands on his to let him know his touch was more than welcomed. It got a bit more firmer. More confident. Ilia closed her eyes and shuddered from the way his hands made her body feel like it was melting. Short breaths of air sucked through her teeth periodically the more he advanced. Pleasure or not, Ilia’s pride refused to let her express to Sun how much she was enjoying such a simple act.

It only got more difficult. Sun leaned in and pressed his lips against her neck; making the girl in his arms bite her lip a little rougher than she would’ve liked. Slowly he trailed upwards until Ilia could feel his breath against her ear. “Let me know if you wanna stop.”, he whispered in a husky tone that was new to her. She doubted it was gonna be the last time it was heard. Ilia didn’t trust herself to speak so nodded instead. Sun’s hand got busy. His left hand slid under Ilia’s shirt and towards her chest. While the right one took the plunge down into shorts; trailing the middle finger up and down her already damp slit.

Ilia wasn’t ready for the sudden surge of pleasure. Her body hunched over a little as a reflex as she let out a small whimper. The freckles across her started turning pink as Sun kept the attention on her left tit and mound. “F..Fuck…”, she said with a rasp in her voice. She was rarely this sensitive; this needy. Yet right now Ilia felt like she had just run a marathon and was starting to break a sweat. Is this what happens when you let tension build all day? It was kinda worth it.

“You okay?” Sun said with his voice more normal than last time.

“Mmmhmm” was all Ilia could manage in the moment. She leaned back into his chest and lifted her waist. Both of her hands went to the waistband of her shorts a little faster than she meant to do and pulled the unneeded clothing off. She bent her left leg and placed on the futon. Allowing Sun to have more room for his right hand to work. The feeling of something poking her lower only her head get fuzzier. Ilia didn’t really remember much about what Sun was packing but she was anxious regardless.

Sun couldn’t help but think how cute she looked right now.Not to mention how aroused he was. He wasn’t afraid to admit that seeing her like this was thrilling. He wanted more. “You know you don’t have to hold back either right?” His voice dripping with desire. “I wanna hear you…”

Yeah, that voice was going to be a problem. “Don’t get ahead of yourse-aah!”

Her protest went unfinished as she felt Sun’s middle finger slide into her. The digit rubbed slowly; exploring this new, soaked area. With each thrust the walls clamped and spasmed around it. Sun continued kissing her. The assault on so many areas at once crumbled Ilia’s resolve. Her chest rising and falling in excitement. “That wasn’t so hard, wasn't it?”

“I’m...totally getting you...back.” Ilia did her best to calm down but it wasn’t working. Being the only one overwhelmed wasn’t fun. She was the person with actual experience here. Somehow she gathered her thoughts together and managed to reach behind her and tug on Sun’s shorts. A chill up his spine and through his tail from Ilia’s nimble fingers run down his pelvis. Moments later a rush of adrenaline hits him as her hands wrap around his length and frees it. Slowly her hands start stroking it up down. Ilia was never an expert at this thing for obvious reasons but Sun seemed to enjoy it. Low groans invaded her ear as she picked up the pace. The hot and foreign object steadily getting harder with time.

The sounds Ilia got out of Sun only made her enjoy it more. When was the last time foreplay felt this rewarding? This intense? She wanted to keep it going but her body had other plans. Sun slid a second finger into her to add more fuel to the fire that threatened to burn her up. “Sun...Sun!” Being quiet was out the window. Every touch felt like electricity. Her toes started to curl as she teetered on the edge of her release. “Time out! Time out!” She shouted frantically before it was too late.

“Huh?” Sun was caught off guard but stopped as instructed. Was she hurt? Did she change her mind. A million worries started building up as she sat forward and turned towards him completely flushed. Her shirt clinged to her body from the thin layer of sweat that covered her. Even strands of hair stuck to Ilia’s face as she calmed down. She didn’t look hurt, not at all. So why stop? “Umm did I do something wrong?”

Ilia shook her head side to side. “No. I just… the couch. I didn’t expect so much to happen here. It’s...way harder to clean than my sheets is all.” She wasn’t lying. The bed was definitely a better choice to do this. What she didn’t admit to him was how hard that orgasm was about to hit. No way would she have any energy to return the favor if it had.

“Oh, phew, I thought I did something bad. I’ve kinda been playing this entire thing by ear.” Knowing that only made Ilia more embarrassed. ‘I gotta step my game up.’ She thought; her heartbeat finally calming down a bit. She took this opportunity to look at what she had been so feverishly stroking. It only made her entire body change red in surprise. It didn’t look how she’d expect. It wasn’t anything cartoonishly big like many people over exaggerate about but she had a hard time believing that fit in her before. Then again, she did have a limp.

“Umm Ilia, could you not stare. It’s a little embarrassing.” The boy said sheepishly. It was crazy how fast his attitude changed in the heat of the moment. “Sorry, just psyching myself up is all. Where are the condoms?”

“The counter. We’re going straight to that? No oral or anything?” A valid question that would’ve made Ilia redder if that was even possible. “Sorry but not really the type of girl to do that in a...straight scenario.” It felt a little rude to say that out loud. “I wouldn’t feel right if you did it to me because then it’s one sided.”

He got why she felt that way but it was a little disappointing. He’d never done anything like that before either; it would’ve been interesting. “Understandable.Guess we’ll skip right to the fun part then.” Without warning he lifted her up. Ilia gave a small yelp; instinctively wrapping her arms and legs around him. “Hey! Warn me next ti-aah! S...Sun..” Ilia tried to maintain some bite in her voice but it proved nearly impossible by the small bites and nibbles being placed on her neck. The fire she tried to quell was rising again. She could barely keep her eyes open while Sun took her to bed. His tail grabbing the condoms from the counter along the way. This was really happening.

Sun pushed open the door and laid her gently on the bed. Ilia watched the boy make a sincere smile that said “yeah, I’m nervous too.” The fact that he’s been so attentive to her needs was chipping away at her pride and slightly bruising her ego. He shouldn’t be doing most of the work. Time to step up.

“Hey…”

“Hmm? Yeah Ili-” She pulled him down onto her bed before he could finish speaking. Ilia grabbed the hem of his shirt and pulled it off him; along with kicking off all the surplus pillows. Then leaned him back a little as she bit his neck; the feel of her left hand running across his skin frazzled Sun and left him speechless. “Relax for me…” her tone sultry and deliberately making things more anxious for him. Sun tried to control his breathing as her lips ran across his chest and her free hand pulled off his shorts; boxers and all.

Ilia finally removed her now soaked panties and straddled her friend right above his member. Sun was about to remind her about the condom but felt a chill as thin latex was being rolled onto him. ‘When did she take it from me?” He wondered in amazement and concerned. Being that sneaky in a situation like this is a dangerous skill. He wondered if it came naturally, or practiced?

“So, you ready?” His voice was shaking as he looked into her eyes. “Because I’m not.” Ilia pressed her forehead against his. Their bodies slightly shook and felt like pure flames. “Guess we’re on the same page. Second thoughts?”

“Not on your life.”

“Good, or this would’ve been pretty embarrassing.” Ilia raised her hips and lined him up with her entrance. Slowly she started to lower herself down. Inch by inch Ilia felt Sun spread her sensitive walls until he was nearly all the way inside. Full couldn’t begin to describe this feeling. It was like he was touching everything at once; sending pleasure from head to toe. How she did this drunk she’ll never understand.

Ilia leaned forward and hid her face in the crook of his neck and started rocking her hips. Raising them till the tip was all that remained before sinking back down to her limit. Gradually she got faster with each one and couldn’t stop the sounds of her own pleasure from escaping.

Sun was no different. His heart raced and his jaw was clenched tightly. She gripped him like a vice and felt hotter than imaginable. He didn’t know how he didn’t cum immediately. “Fuuuck! Ilia!” He groaned into her ear with a hunger in his voice. “You feel so good!” The bed began to creak as they continued to go at it; the only louder noise being their voice and the sound of wet flesh colliding.

Their minds became cloudy as they brought each other closer to the edge. Instincts guided their body’s now. Ilia felt her strength starting to wane. Annoyingly, her hips started slowing down. Nails dug into Sun’s back and her eyes closed as she tried to hold out just a little longer. “Close. I’m so damn close..”, she whimpered and mewled in a haze of passion.

“Me too. Ahh! Ilia!” He wasn’t going to let this moment fade, not yet. Not like this. Sun gripped the girls slender waist and started timing his thrust with hers. The way his fingers pressed into her reminded Ilia of last time. The added intensity and memories made her body rage and ache. Tension was building in the pit of her gut and her toes started to curl once again. “Sun I’m...I’M!!!”

Her lips denied her from finishing her sentence. Instead she let out a cry of pleasure while her entire body felt like it had just gotten zapped by a million volts. Sun felt Ilia’s soaked walls clamp down tighter to milk him of everything he had. The grip was too much for him to bear and Sun came, hard. Ilia felt the condom swell inside her. No doubt filling with ropes of cum from Sun’s frantically twitching length. Latex or not, she could feel the warmth from the loud and it made her shudder. She couldn’t even imagine the feeling of it actually shooting into her. The thought made her heart skip a beat.

Energy quickly left their bodies and Sun fell backwards with Ilia on laying on his chest. Sweat covered both of them and each struggled for a moment to calm their breathing. It wasn’t long after that Sun finally went limp enough to slide out of the gir. Ilia used the strength she had left to remove the condom and tie it up before tossing it to the side. Proper disposal can happen later. Right now was resting time.

Sun:Phew, that was...was…

Ilia:It really was….

Sun:So I did good?

Ilia:I’m...panting and was screaming. You tell me?

Sun:Good. I’m relieved. Not exactly experienced with any of this.

Ilia:You did wonderfully.

She groaned in blissful exhaustion. Keeping her eyes half open was a real struggle. Everything felt surreal. It had been all night. Both were about to pass out any minute.

Ilia:Time to rest. I can feel myself drifting.

Sun:Want me to go back to the couch? Give you some room?

Ilia:Idiot. You think I’d just kick you to the curve after this? I’m not getting off you and you earned this spot for tonight.

Sun:Good. Don’t think I would’ve made it there anyways. You think this will be weird tomorrow? Or you know, okay?

Ilia:You’re more than welcome to sneak out before I wake up if you can’t handle it. But right now..

She clung to him and willingly closed her eyes. “Rest…” those were her final words before drifting off into slumber. Sun followed right behind her. Letting darkness surround them as he held the girl close. It truly had been a long day.

Part 9 & Part 10(1)

[ninjakitten1699]

Times Have Changed

@cakeking-cole Rejected Prophecy AU. I hope you’re proud of yourself. Now, be prepared for Angst and Fluff in one!

Summary: Lloyd stares at the bottomless pit and has thoughts about jumping down but he’s found by someone else before he can.

Warning: suicidal thoughts, blood, violence, implied abuse

EDIT: There were some misspellings and details added, but here you go!

The blond ran down the halls of the history museum, trying to force his tears to stay where they were. He had just met his mother and had every right to act bitter towards her. How dare she leave him like that! She just left him behind, didn’t even bother to get him out of this hell, or even bother to chase after him.

He twisted and turned down the halls until he couldn’t anymore, stopping at a room. He looked around, seeing tapestries of Ninjago’s history above a pit. The pit was surrounded by red stanchions as if it would stop anyone from getting close. His feet carried him forward and he looked down into the pit.

It was dark already the few feet down. Lloyd guessed it was bottomless from where he stood. His common sense told him to back away but his thoughts took him elsewhere. He went under the red ropes and got close, looking down. He looked down into his hands in thought.

Would... Would the others miss him if he jumped?

He figured no.

They wouldn’t.

They hated him for apparently inheriting a prophecy he never wanted to be a part of. He could just.. jump. He’d never have to worry about being the chosen one ever again. Unfortunately he was needed for the prophecy to be done and over with. Besides he didn’t want some other kid to take the prophecy and then have to suffer the consequences. He didn’t want anyone to learn the true colors of those they admired. He pulled his hands back, covering his face before sitting down, his feet still close to the edge.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to be sitting so close to the bottomless pit like that.” He gasped in surprise, hearing the strangely accented voice and turning to see a strange man. He had a long grey mustache with his gray hair brushed back, a pair of round glasses over his dark colored eyes, and the infamous red museum uniform. “Hehe. Are you alright, young man?” He heard the voice leave this person.

“Oh. I’m- I’m sorry.. I didn’t see you.. behind me.” Lloyd wanted to facepalm at his stuttering and his wording. “You didn’t see me behind you?” The elder chuckled. “Well, it’s quite alright, I just know how to step lightly around these halls. I’ve worked here long enough to not be seen when I don’t want to be.” Lloyd sighed. He wished it were the same for him.

The man could see that the boy was troubled, although he had other things to do, he supposed he could pass the time. “But enough about me. What are you doing here?” Lloyd looked away, gripping on his gi before flickering his eyes to the pit. He remembered why he was there and tears began to form again.

The old man looked concerned for the boy before hearing voices just down the hall. “Where did that little brat go?” He looked down to see that it came from the brunet in red. His features seemed familiar to him. He must’ve inherited them from his father... His suspicions were confirmed when he saw an angry fire in the boy’s eyes. He knows that look from anywhere. He gritted his teeth, feeling the seething heat radiate off the child.

“Lloyd’s got to be around here somewhere. He couldn’t have gone far.” Out of the corner of his eye, he could see the blond boy flinch at the other’s tone. Ah, he remembered a time when his sibling would flinch at someone’s angry tone. FSM, he was pissed at that person for making his brother fearful. He heard more voices come down this way and looked again. This time seeing an all too familiar kimono, a walking staff, and that dreadful voice he hated.

This time the boy in green curled up, covering his head as if trying to block them out. He heard a sob come from him. “I see that your... friends have come to find you.” He forced himself to speak. The boy just curled up even further, forcing his sobs to stay in.

Oh he felt terrible for him. “Would you like some more time away from them?” He asked. The boy looked up at him, thinking about it before nodding slightly. He lent a hand to him and lead him away from the bottomless pit. “I’m Dr. Sander Saunders. I assume your name is Lloyd?” The boy nodded. “Well, I can assure you that if you’re ever at the museum again, you can come find me.”

The young boy’s eyes looked sad, but he at least got him to smile.

-

Five years had passed since then.

His brother had returned, their army was ready, Cyrus was forced to work under their watch, and there were plenty of slaves working on pieces for their device.

Krux had kept an eye on the boy ever since then. He had plenty of interactions with him before this happened. He spoke of detailed plans he had offered his team and it was clear he had a good chance of being a leader, but unfortunately the sad excuse of the shinobi in black refused to step down to him. That sounds familiar, he hummed. He and his brother had good ideas but they were always overruled by the two Garmadon siblings.

To be honest, it was hard to believe that Lord Garmadon’s child was the same person he’d been talking to. The first time he saw him, he was such a happy infant in his mother’s arms, but then he never saw him again until that day at the museum when he was close to the bottomless pit and it looked like he was... contemplating about something.

He saw him one other time, but he was so sure that something was terribly wrong with him. That something else had taken over his mind. He couldn’t interact with him that day and hadn’t seen him until the Day of the Departed.

He still felt bad for the boy. He looked so tired and may as well be as sickly pale as his father was. He couldn’t believe that those original four ninja were Wu’s students. He may hate Wu’s guts and spat venomous words at him when he finally got him imprisoned in this constant aging state, but he didn’t think that Wu seemed like the kind to turn a blind eye to his own family, especially with what happened to his brother. The Time Twin couldn’t ever do that to his own. Not to his twin brother, not even to his own mother when she pleaded for them not to go to war. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard his brother call his name. “Krux!” The older twin looked at him, annoyed that his train of thoughts were interrupted but he softened when he saw that his brother looked concerned. “Sorry for raising my voice at you but.. are you alright?”

The old man sighed and nodded. “I’m fine.” ‘.. but that boy is not.’ He kept the last part to himself, not wanting to concern his brother any further. It’s not his job to worry. Krux was much better at it anyway. “Liar.” Acronix frowned at him. Krux chuckled. Seems like he couldn’t escape his brother’s perception skills. They always knew when the other was lying. Guess it was a twin thing.

“And so what if I am?” Krux spat back at him in a traditional fashion of siblings arguing. Acronix huffed at him. “I think you are. What’re you hiding?” He could try and beat around the bush and hopefully his brother would give up, but lately he hasn’t given up on anything. It’d be no use and he’d end up telling him later. “It’s... It’s about Garmadon’s son.” “The blond that the Ninja don’t listen to? What about him?” Acronix seemed so bold to simply state that.

Krux wanted to elaborate but where was he going to start? ‘Hey I met the child when he was contemplating suicide at an age younger than yours.’ Instead he just looked down, still feeling awful for how the Ninja treated him. From what he heard those shinobi were as close as brothers yet they refused to accept that they had another. Acronix could see the troubled expression forming on his older twin’s face, even if he just turned away from him.

Acronix remembered the first encounter he had with them. He saw how he was treated and he honestly couldn’t believe that the hothead was Ray and Maya’s kid. He was ready to ask his brother again. Unfortunately there was an interruption.

The Ninja decided to attack and the Iron Doom was left unguarded. Krux caught sight of the boy. My god... He was stretched thin from too much power usage. His eyes were sunken, his skin as pale as his father’s and... was that a bruise he could see on his face? Acronix could feel the seething hatred radiating off his brother.

He looked fearfully at him for a moment before seeing the blond in green trip over his own feet and skid and roll across the ground. He was surprised he heard nothing broke. “God dammit! You stupid brat!” He was forced to get up, but he couldn’t stay standing. Instead the fire ninja gripped on his wrist too hard, he released a yelp. “Ow! Kai!” He yelled. “Kai! Let go! You’re hurting me!”

“Let go! You’re hurting me!” An eight year old Acronix yelled at the bigger bully pulling on the pigtails he adorned. Krux knew how much he loved the long hair he grew, how happy it made him, how their mother was nothing but supportive to his decision, how much he loved his mother playing with his hair, styling it to however he wanted, and he wasn’t going to let someone take that away from him.

That was the last straw for Krux. He growled and grabbed his trademark katana that he kept with him for all these years and the Halt Time Blade, charging forward. Acronix looked terrified beyond reason. His brother never, not once in his life, charged in without thinking. Well, he only did so one other time when they were children and boy it did not end well.

But now since they had experience in battle, who knows what Krux would do. Kai looked up, seeing an angry elder raising a blade above him. Krux froze him in time, engulfing him in a deep red. With no time to react, he got slashed across his chest.

“I should’ve killed you when you were just a child.” He growled at him when Kai finally returned to normal time and collapsed on the ground, struggling to get up and crawling away, before getting up and running away leaving a trail of red droplets. The hothead had all but forgotten the Green Ninja behind.

Krux huffed. Some protectors those Ninja are. He lent a hand down to the boy. The blond was understandably hesitant and scared but he took it. “Come along.” He nodded and followed him. Acronix looked at him. “Brother, he’s still associated with the enemy.”

“Well, times have changed, Acronix. Those children have no idea how to even treat one of their own right...” Krux sighed, wrapping his arm around the young Garmadon, keeping him upright.

“.. I won’t let the Departed Realm take anymore away from me.” ‘Anymore?’ Acronix looked confused at him, but decided not to question it. Instead he went to the other side and wrapped his arm around Lloyd, helping him walk.

Krux hadn’t lead him wrong before. He may as well support him to the end.

[kbrown78]

Monthly Wrap Up: March

March, to put it mildly, wasn't a great month for me. I found myself in a personal slump which did have a significant impact on how this month went for me. It also meant that I found myself in a bit of a reading slump, so I wasn't able to read as much and wasn't loving the majority of what I was reading. I read a total of 10 books but 2 of those were novella's (which I though were good) and one was a DNF. I was still able to get through all the reading challenge's I was participating in, but I attribute that to making sure I'm reading a “challenge” book all the time. It wasn't all bad though. There were a few books that I really enjoyed, and I got my second 5 star book in the year, and I think I also had a pretty good variety of books.

The Singing by Alison Croggon: To anyone that isn't familiar with the Books of Pellinor series, this is a 4 book series and I read the first 2 books at the end of last month and read this one, the 4th one, at the beginning of this month. Meaning I skipped the 3rd book. Let my start by briefly explaining why I did this. I don't normally skip books in a series, but this is a reread that I wasn't enjoying and the 3rd book, The Crow, I knew was going to be my least favorite book in the series, so I already wasn't motivated to read it. Before calling it quits I wanted to see if there were any new characters or major plot points that I had forgotten that impacted the finale. There were no major new characters introduced and only 3 or 4 relevant plot points. So my desperation to get the series done with quickly mixed with the fact that I saw no real reason to force myself through a filler book, I made the decision to skip The Crow and jump right to The Singing. Onto my actual review of The Singing, my opinion of this book was about the same as the rest of the series. Through the entire series I don't think Maerad changed. She definitely became more powerful, but she still felt pretty flat and boring as a character. Despite Hem having a POV for about half this book, he didn't come across as having any distinct personality. In fact, none of the side character felt developed, except for Sylvia and her husband (whose name I'm forgetting). Granted this entire series is more plot driven than character driven, but that's not really an excuse for a lack character growth or identity, and there was almost never a sense of urgency or action. In each book there was 3,4 maybe 5 major plot points and the rest is basically filler. It's only 7 days after I finished The Singing and already I'm forgetting most of the details. The world itself is pretty generic, but it at least feels like there was effort in the development. The ending is also one of those endings where everything just turns out fine and there aren't any life altering consequences, despite this whole narrative being an epic battle of good versus evil. The only interesting and nuanced part was whenever the Elidhu or Treesong were brought up. What is the nature of good and evil? Are the Elidhu wholly one or the other? Even if they label themselves as good, are they good by human standards? What will happen to both Bards and the Elidhu if the Treesong is sung? I liked these parts, and it made the story feel like more than a basic, boring journey. Unfortunately none of it was fully developed, and to an extent I get why. Bards have distanced themselves from Elidhu and the Elementals, so they are fairly ignorant of everything surrounding them. Overall I just wanted more from this series. When I first read it I was obsessed with stories that involved long journeys (courtesy of my obsession with the Oregon Trail) but now if there's going to be lots of traveling, it has to have multiple instances of character or plot development (I do feel like it's easier to get away with this in TV or movies cause I can think of several examples of long journeys that I actually enjoy). I do recommend this for younger readers, or even people trying to ease themselves in epic fantasy since it's just 4 books that aren't even 500 pages, but as for myself I really was disappointed by this series and think it's just an average 3 star series. The Singing itself received 2.5 out of 5 stars.  

Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente: Catherynne M. Valente is an author that has been on my radar for a little while. She seems to write fanciful, eclectic novels, like Radiance and Space Opera (which I'm still interested in reading), but this was the one I was most intrigued by. It's heavily influenced by Russian folklore and history, which admittedly I knew only a little about before reading this but I don't think that left me at any disadvantage. I was aware going into this that the romance was going to kind of twisted and it's a borderline villain story, but I figured I would be able to overlook. The relationship between Marya and Koschei is very twisted and they seem to want to please the other as much as they want to make them suffer, and I really prefer healthy relationships. The romance was definitely twisted and wasn't my cup of tea, but it wasn't the biggest issue I had with this book. Marya was one of those characters where we're told she's smart and observant, but as some as she's whisked away to Koeschi's region she does a lot of stupid things and is just downright pathetic at times. In fact I hated her time with Koeschi for several reasons, but the can all by summed up by saying it felt like I was reading 2 completely different stories. I really liked the beginning, with glimpse of magical realism and folk lore, but it's still very much set in a recently communist Russia. You do question what's real or not, but the story is never confusing and Marya does seem like a well read, sympathetic character. Then there was the whole courtship between Kosechi and Marya, as he willful makes her sick and says he's going to basically control, but then implies that this is love and Marya believes him. Then this devolved into a book with no plot. There's supposed to be this constant war between Life and Death, and that one could have been interesting, but it ended up being a minor sub plot. Then she somehow ends up back in her old home, and things get even more confusing from there, with the end making me wonder if all those magical things that happened to Maya were real or if they were all in her head. Ultimately I couldn't tell you what this book was about, it's just one of those stories where things happen. This could have been much more tolerable if I liked at least one character, but I didn't like any characters. Majority of the characters were treated as disposable and were given very little identity, while the more main ones I found to be all unlikable. While there was plenty that I disliked about this book, I just couldn't hate it. The writing was very interesting (and I have read a short story by Valente so I know I like her writing style), it was interesting seeing Old World Russia with it's folklore mesh with the blossoming Soviet Russia, and like I stated earlier I genuinely enjoyed the beginning. If you're looking to read more retellings (in this case of Koeschi the Deathless) or books with a Russian setting I could recommend this one, but be warned, it's weird, there's no sense of direction, and the characters are definitely unlikable and it's debatable if they're sympathetic or not. Deathless received 2.5 out 5 stars and was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “a book inspired by myth, legend, folklore.”    

Starless by Jacqueline Carey: This was a book that I delayed in picking up because I was just losing interest in it and was worried to would be a romance disguised as fantasy. I'm pleased to say that this book exceeded my expectations for it. It's a coming of age, epic fantasy story about Khai, a young warrior monk as he trains and eventually takes up his position as the destined protector (called a Shadow in this world) of a princess. This book feels like it's broken into 3 sections that are tied into each other. The first starts with Khai as a young child, training in the desert. I think this part was a very good introduction to the world and some of the characters. There isn't too much going on in terms of plot or conflict, but it's clear that Carey is building up to this. The second part was probably my favorite bit because it contained more of what I like to see in stories as well as tying into the first and third parts of the book. Khai finally meets the princess Zhari, and the two immediately form a close bond. There's some political intrigue, looming threats of an apocalypse, and a shortage of seeds that makes the royals immortal. This shortage results in the fire deity promising more seeds if the princess is married to a foreigner (with a large dowry of said seeds). There's some time spent whittling down which suitor she will marry, and that's where things were really building up. I was eager to read the next chapter and I could see an epic conflict really up and ready to burst. When Zhari finally picks her fiance, Khai and Zhari depart with the lord to his homeland and that's where the final part of the book begins and where things start to go downhill. The plot became entirely driven by prophecy, and I was just losing investment in the story, even though the stakes were really high because now it's very obvious that the world will end if the heroes fail in their quest. I also started having issues with the characters. Through the whole book, there has been a revolving door of characters but they all felt fully fleshed out and there was chance that they could emerge again or become relevant to the rest of the story. The crew that Khai and Zhari become a part of are hastily introduced and never become fully realized characters. This is most evident when some of these characters are killed off and I just didn't care (and there's even one that turned out to be part of the prophecy and I may have rolled my eyes at that). Most of the fantasy stand alones that I read have trouble with pacing, but I don't think that was the case here. While I wasn't as invested in the plot in the final part, I do think it moved forward at a decent pace. The romance was cute, with 2 opposite personality characters and it slowly building up until the end with a love confession and the two adventuring and spending the rest of their lives together, but I didn't love it for similar reasons of why I wasn't invested in the plot in the third part. It was all fated. I think I've just found something else I really don't like in seeing in books. Had the narrative stayed on the path that it was going on in the middle of the book, I would have given this book 5 stars, but I was more than a little disappointed with how the just of the book went, the rating definitely dropped. Starless received 4 out 5 stars from me and was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “a book you meant to read in 2018.”  

In An Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire: Going into this book I was worried that it wouldn't hold up to the rest of the series. I wasn't super intrigued by the premise and the character we are following is in an earlier book and I didn't find her compelling. But it is a Seanan McGuire book and it's in a series I think is really good, so when I saw they had a copy at a bookstore, I purchased it without hesitation. At the beginning I really wasn't feeling the book at all. I didn't think there was anything stand out or unique, the characters and world wasn't interesting, and there wasn't really anything happening in terms of the plot. So there was nothing motivating me to continue, but it's a short book and super easy to get through. I'm glad I did because the ending was what really made this book resonate with me. I'm about to state an unpopular opinion, but Down Among the Sticks and Bones was my least favorite book in the series (and after reading this book I think it still is) because while I did like the two protagonists and the world of the Moors was kind of interesting, I don't think it told a very good story, there was an awkward time gap in the center of the book, and the overall theme of this book was presented in a way that made it come off as a bit preachy. This book was a complete inverse of Down Among the Sticks and Bones. I still don't find Lundy to be that compelling of a character, though she is sympathetic and almost tragic at the end, and there was so little of the Goblin Market that I don't really have an opinion an it, but everything else was done right. The beginning starts out feeling a little disjointed, with a lot being outright explained or not very nuanced, but it pays off in the end when those things the beginning become relevant to Lundy. The whole concept of “fair value” was something that really struck a cord with me because it's very relevant to just to the story but to this world too. I also liked seeing the various relationships, like Lundy and Moon's friendship, Lundy and Diana's sisterhood (which did happen a bit abruptly but still felt genuine), and even Lundy and her fathers (which was, I think, a better done example of showing the consequences of bad parenting), and seeing how the Goblin Market and “fair value” affected each one. So while In An Absent Dream still had it's slumps in the beginning, I would say it's a good story and a great addition to the Wayward Children series. In An Absent Dream received 4 out 5 stars and was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “book published in 2019.”      

The Tiger's Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera: Similar to In An Absent Dream, I was wary about this book. When I first purchased it I was hearing a lot of good things but just never got around to reading it, and the it just sat on my shelf for over a year, maybe 2. Unlike In An Absent Dream, the problem wasn't my lack of interest in the story, it was that I was worried it was being over hyped. I've been introduced to lots of wonderful new books through the book community, but I've also been severely disappointed by books that are just raved about and sound amazing. That's why I put this one off for so long. At first I was just not in the mood for it, but then I started avoiding it because I was being consistently let down by books that were over hyped. This month I had to start it because it was my book my partner selected for me in the monthly “Pick-It-For-Me” reading challenge (which is part of why I like this challenge, it forces me to read books I wouldn't initially choose for myself). Once I started reading it I was pretty quickly immersed to the story and attached to the characters. This is a book that I honestly loved every aspect of it, and only have a few minor complaints. The entire story was so beautifully written, mostly told in the format of love letters between the 2 protagonists, Shefali and Shizuka. I will say that the chapters are enormous (like 2 chapters together was about 250 pages) and while they are broken up those sections within the chapter are still fairly large. This definitely helps pull you into the story more, but it can be a turn off to some people (and was part of the reason I got into a reading slump). I loved the protagonists, I loved how they were wonderfully complex characters with their own issues to overcome and more than just warrior women archetypes. I loved their relationship, how it felt natural (despite being fated) and watching it evolve from their first meeting as children to their eventual reuniting after Shefali's banishment. Much like Shefali and Shizuka, while their relationship is beautiful and good, it's not without it's problems, and both characters are aware of that and try to work through it. I was surprised by how good the side characters were, even minor ones that only show up a few times. Each one plays a role in Shefali and Shuizka's lives, for better or worse, and while some are awful and some were good, I thought all were fleshed out. The world itself was astounding, influenced I think by Ancient China and the Mongol Empire, and I loved the level of detail that was put into not just the human aspect of the world with the politics and various cultures, but also with the supernatural part of the world, with the black bloods and demons. As for the overall narrative, it was a bit slow, especially if you think this is going to be an epic war between humans and demons, but I don't think the story suffered from, in fact I think it flourished because of it. Instead of focusing on the supernatural conflict, we only get glimpses of it through the few times it directly or indirectly affects the characters lives. Instead the book focuses on building up the characters and world and the conflicts created by people, like corruption in the nobility and racism, and book that builds up both compelling characters, and detailed world, and nuanced themes makes for a book I'm going to love. The Tiger's Daughter received 5 out 5 stars.      

Dune by Frank Herbert: Dune was I pick I read because my Dad kept suggesting that I read it. I didn't have high expectations going into this one, and it both surprised and disappointed me. Most of the plot revolves around two things, control of a spice only native to the planet of Arrakis, aka Dune, and bringing forth this fated chosen one. I didn't like the chosen one trope in this story, at all, because it only served to emphasize just how amazing and unstoppable the protagonist Paul is. I did not like Paul, and I blame that as much on the narrative as the character himself. If you asked me to describe Paul, I honestly couldn't, there was just no defining feature about him other than being “the chosen one.” He has “the Voice” like his mother, which I think is a method of controlling people, but I honestly don't know. He comes from a noble background, everyone admires him, he's always right and always succeeds in everything. Literally everything goes right in his life, except for when he and his mother have to go into hiding and his father is killed, but in the long run it makes his life that much better because he ends up having some control over this spice that everyone wants and also marries the Emperors daughter which puts in line for succession. I didn't like him, or even get attached to him, because I knew from the beginning that everything is going to be fine for him and mostly gets things just handed to him, never failing and never having to make any significant sacrifices. The only interesting that came out of the whole “chosen one” narrative was a background element regarding the school his mother, Lady Jessica, hails from. The Bene Gesserit is an organization consisting of just women, that practice meditation to hone their superhuman abilities, and are key figures in influencing the politics and arranging marriages to continue certain bloodlines. I liked seeing women have that much power in a classic science fiction story, because I was fully expecting the opposite. That actually ties into one of the other things I liked about Dune, which was the whole political intrigue (which is something I personally love seeing in books, at least when it's well done). This book can essentially be described as Game of Thrones in space, with all these different Houses and organizations vying for power, and in this book in particular, control of the spice. There's Houses trying to undermine or alley with each other, there's the inner workings of the Fremen and how the deal with foreigners, and the Bene Gesserit wielding a silent power, and the only thing preventing a rebellion is it not being revealed that the Emperor is more willing to eliminate Houses at will. While I do love seeing political intrigue in books, I just don;t think this one went far enough with it. A Song of Ice and Fire, for all it's faults, establishes in the first book a complicated political network surrounding the Iron Throne and the severe consequences that wrong actions can have. I just didn't get that sense of depth from Dune, which is a shame because there was a lot of potential with that series. Before I break down what I didn't like about this book, I will discuss the one other thing about this book that I liked, and that was the role that the environment had. Dune is a desert planet, so water is very scarce and a huge status symbol. The environment plays a role not just in the societal structure to the people who are native there but also to the rest of the empire, which again tied into the political intrigue aspect. I told my Dad that those bits of the book made it feel like it was set in the real world (especially when taking into consideration America's push for oil in the Middle East), which was something I both liked and disliked (I'll get to why I disliked it in a minute). As much as there were things I liked about Dune, there were also some things I really disliked. I didn't really like any of the characters, except for maybe Jessica. I've already ranted about why I disliked Paul, but my issues with the other characters was that I didn't feel attached to them in any way. They were all pretty flat and empty, acting more like props instead of people, except for the Baron, who I disliked almost as much as Paul. Yes, he's the villain, but he's not a compelling villain. He's a foopish, over the top, disgusting character that I honestly question why he got a POV for 2 reasons. One is again, that he's just a disgusting character and a waste of paper, but the other is that reading from his POV took away all the suspense of the entire first half of the book because he states exactly how he's going to reclaim power and then does exactly that, which leads into one of my other major issues with this book. The writing isn't good. There was no suspense because the author choose to have the characters very blatantly tell you what's going to happen and then has it happen exactly how they said it would. It's why I generally hate prophecy driven narratives. The dialogue was also very awkward and almost uncomfortable to read at times, and the pacing of this book was all over the place, I honestly have no idea how much time passed in this book. The one other thing I want to discuss is why I didn't like the real world feel of this book. It wasn't that the themes and conflicts and characters felt grounded in reality, it's that if the names were different this honestly could have been set in the real world. There was tech present, like spaceships obviously, and the worms were kind of cool feature, but they didn't feel very tied into the story or the world itself. They were just kind of there. I went into this book identifying it as a classic science fiction, and I guess I was hoping to see more advanced tech be more relevant to this world, or spend some time on an actual spaceship, but that wasn't there, so it was a little disappointing. That isn't actually a bad feature of the book, but it's one I just wish had been done differently. The last thing I'm going to talk about is the romance. It's a minor feature of this book, but I would still like to discuss it because there's a good, bad, and terrible example. If any of you are slightly familiar with Dune, you can probably guess that the terrible one is the Baron. Everything surrounding this guy is awful, but did really have to go the extent of him being the only person on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and having him be the villain, but also he's lusting after young boys, namely Paul and his own f**king nephew. I will repeat what I said earlier, the Baron was just a waste of paper. The romance that is actually a romance but I didn't think was done that well was Paul and Chani. They meet when he becomes a part of the Fremen, and while part of my disinterest may be due to my dislike of Paul, I honestly didn't feel any chemistry between the 2 and all of their romance seemed to happen off screen, despite Paul being the most central character. The well done romance is Paul's parents, Lady Jessica and Duke Leto. They aren't officially together, due to them mutually agreeing it would be better for potential allies if they didn't, but they way they act to and regard each other makes it clear they're married in all but name. During the entire book, Duke Leto never takes another wife, and Jessica (even though she also had her own ambitious reasons) gave the Duke a son when it was made clear to her that she needed to have a daughter, because she knows it will make him happy. They seem to regard each other as equals. I didn't love the miscommunication but after the Duke is killed Paul gives Jessica a message from him which basically states his undying love and trust in her, and Jessica seems genuinely mournful of his loss. It isn't a relationship we see much of (none are honestly, except maybe Paul and Jessica's) but the glimpses that are shown, I really liked. Considering this was a book written in the 1960s, I think it still works well (mostly) with a modern audience, which is what makes it a classic. Is it one of my favorite science fiction novels? No. Is it without it's faults? In my opinion, no. Is it still a worthwhile book that I would recommend giving it a try? Absolutely. I know there are several squeals, some written by Herbert some not, but I feel fine leaving Dune as it's own self contained story. Dune received a 3 out of 5 stars from me and was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “book set in space.”

Eragon by Christopher Paolini: Since I've been doing a lot of rereading, and haven't read this series since junior high, I wanted to get to this series sooner rather than later. When I first read this series I absolutely loved it. It wasn't Harry Potter, or the Warriors series, but I found it to be an engrossing series that spawned my love of dragons. After finishing it, and as time passed, I heard more and more critical things about the series and wanted to see where I stood on the whole thing. Now having completed the first book at least I give a brief breakdown on how this review is going to go: it has plenty of flaws in it and I would say it's mediocre at best but damn if I'm not going to defend it. The basic plot is a farm boy finds a dragon egg, the dragon hatches, and the two work together to overthrow an evil emperor.  It's a very generic plot, but I still found it entertaining to read. It does have a fast pacing, but because so much of this book was long journeying I think that worked in the book's favor because it didn't have a ton of filler. Most of the world building is given through long exposition, and while I didn't like that, it was something I just rolled my eyes at and moved on with. I didn't like Eragon as a protagonist, he reeks of wonder boy, chosen one, and he frequently came off as very immature and ignorant. The supporting cast, however makes up for it, especially the females because I think they all stood out as fell fleshed characters. The one specific criticism I want to tackle in this post, and the one I hear the most often, is that this is basically Lord of the Rings fanfiction. Are there similarities, yes, but many, many, many traditional epic fantasy series are inspired by Tolkeins work. Heck, I just finished a series where the first book seemed copy and pasted from the Fellowship of the Ring. The big differences is that the book is set in a world where the bad guy has already won and is maintaining power, and dragons are an important feature. The king has a dragon, and is the only one which makes him very dangerous and the reason Eragon is so important is because he's the only one with a dragon and could potentially challenge the king. The big thing about this book is Paolini was 15 when he wrote this book. 15! I have seen experienced writers produce material that is the same level as what Paolini produced as a kid. It's not an original story and I can see why people reading it for the first time as adults would definitely get frustrated with it but I think it's a good place to start for younger readers looking into epic fantasy (be warned the last 2 books get big). Eragon received 3 out 5 stars.  

All Systems Red by Martha Wells: So over the past year I started hearing more and more people rave about this first book in a series of novella's. I'm trying to read more science fiction, and I heard that this one was also humorous. That being combined with the fact that it's short made it seem like a good pick. This first book introduced us to the self named Murderbot, a rouge security droid who hacked it's own module and spends most of the time consuming entertainment. It's on a mission with an exploratory team when things get increasingly suspicious, and suddenly the neighboring exploratory team goes quiet. It's feels a bit like Long Way to a Small Angry Planet (one of my favorite books), if the story was told from the POV of a very anti social robot. I liked what the story built up to and I did find the character of Murderbot to be amusing and relateable at times, but I didn't love the story. Part of it may be due to the fact that it is both a novella and first book in a series, so the story itself comes off as very rushed and almost incomplete. The major theme of this book is Murderbot discovering what it really wants out of life, and how the humans that it interacts with and the entertainment it consumes affects this. You see it slowly go from this very passive, borderline apathetic character, to someone who actively takes charge of their own life but still retains their core characteristics, that being it's anti social nature and love of entertainment. It's a great idea, one that I think a lot of people can relate with and one that I think has the potential for a good character arc, but doesn't really get emphasized until the end. There's a couple moment's throughout the story that indicate this is what we're building up to, but it's not the what the story focuses on. The big story is why are all these malfunctions occurring and what happened to the other exploratory team. Overall I would say that it was still a decent story, but there were 2 major failures that I think ultimately cost the quality of the overall narrative. The first is that Murderbot is the only POV and she's very lazy and keeps human interaction to an absolute minimal. While this is part of what Murderbot a good character, it means that the readers don't get much of a sense of the world, or the people around them, or even what's going on. You're just left in a haze and being told to keep walking. The second, and bigger failure, comes at the climax. As far as I understand there's a secret third team that is killing off the other 2 exploratory teams, though the reasoning I'm not clear on. When the team we've been following, PreservationAux, and the third team make contact, it's very unclear what happened or even why it happened. The only clear thing was that Murderbot was shot, and PreservationAux worked not only to ensure it's survival but also permanently bought it's contract so that it could stay with them. This leads to the emotional climax, with Murderbot leaving, and was actually a touching moment. I did ultimately like this novella, and would like to read the rest, but going through probably a third of the story with blinders on left me a little frustrated, especially due to the hype. Speaking of which I also didn't think this book was as humorous as a lot of people made it seem, there were funny moments and one of the best intros I've read this year, but after the introduction it kind of went downhill. It's a good novella, I just wish that there had been more to work with. All Systems Red received 4 out 5 stars.      

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick:  After finishing Dune, I moved onto another book my Dad liked (he has every single book written by Philip K. Dick). He did warn me going into this one that the story itself isn't great, but the ideas behind the story are generally compelling. So going into this, I expected to be decent, but not great, and that was basically what this ended up being. It's a short book, that can easily be read in just a few days, and I definitely think this worked in the books favor. The plot is very simple, being set in a bleak future America, after nuclear war has ravaged the landscape, and Rick Deckard has been assigned to “retire,” aka kill, 6 advanced androids. He takes the job because he wants to buy a real animal, the ultimate status symbol in their society. What transpires is him retiring each of the androids but there's a growing moral conflict centered around empathy and what makes something human. The plot does get a bit convoluted at times, but the story is straightforward enough so that you can still get through those parts with relative ease. I was surprised to learn that there's a second POV that focuses on a minor character. While not really relevant to the plot, it does contribute a little to the overall moral conflict. To be honest this is a hard book review without giving spoilers, and also it's one I think I need more time to really analyze all aspects of it. I will say that if you are a fan of science fiction and looking for more recommendations, especially classics, I would give this one a try. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep received 3 out 5 stars and is my pick for the PopSugar prompt “book with a question in the title.”  

When She Woke by Hilary Jordan: This is a book that I was really looking forward to reading. It's supposed to be a retelling of The Scarlet Letter, which is one of my favorite classics, but set in a future society, where people are dyed different colors based on the crimes they commit. The protagonist, Hannah Pyrne, gets an abortion and is dyed, called Chroming, red to signify her as a murderer. I thought it was going to be a thought provoking retelling, but it wasn't. There were some very obvious nods to The Scarlet Letter, but the underlying tone and world makes When She Woke actually feel like a retelling of The Handmaids Tale, which is not the narrative I wanted to read about. AT ALL. At this point I really try and steer away from overly depressing narratives (it's why I'm delaying rereading The Handmaid's Tale and the Queen of the Tearling series for as long as possible). Since there was an abortion  in this book, I knew it was going to go to some dark places, but I still expected there to be bright, even hopeful moments. There wasn't any in the first half, it was all just sad and depressing with several instances of oppression and abuse. In fact not only is depressing, it's kind of generic too, and stuffed full of things I really dislike seeing in books like Insta Love, forbidden romance, and girl hate. I ended up reading a summary of the second half to see if I was going to miss out on anything, and there ultimately didn't seem to be. I really hoped that it would be one of those books with a utopian setting but focuses on the best and worst aspects of society. This was definitely not one of those books, and it's such a disappointment that it turned out the way it did. When She Woke received 1 out 5 stars, since any book I DNF I give a one star to, and was my pick for the PopSugar prompt “retelling of a classic.”

Thank You Everyone

Keep Calm and Keep Reading

[g-on-ef]

Dusk till Dawn

A/n: Guess who's birthday it is ??? This girl's !!!!! and in celebration of my birthday I am going to update all my stories this week ^^ starting with my favorite Dusk till Dawn hope you guys enjoy this chapter ^^

Chapter 1 

Chapter 2

Chapter 3: Rejected?

“I would kindly as you too not do it,”

Nine little words that have been floating through Damian’s head since he left the café, after Jon headed for the break room Damian wanted to run after him and ask him what he meant by that but before he could Kon, Jon’s older brother stopped him and told him that it would be best if he left him alone and kindly asked him to leave.

He didn’t want to leave if anything he wanted to fine Jon and talk to him but the look on the older boy’s face told him he should leave now unless he wanted trouble and if he were honest the last thing he wanted was for the paparazzi to find his hiding spot and give Kara as well as himself trouble.

His father made it clear that he wanted no trouble, no PR nightmares, no bad press from the media at all. With the wedding coming up soon his father was doing everything and anything to make sure nothing soiled the Wayne name.

Which is why Grayson was forced to stay away from Wally and spent as much time as he could with Gordon while Todd wasn’t allowed to be seen anywhere near Star City since people were already hinting he and Roy may or may not have something going on between them.

It bothered Damian to no end that he, Todd, Drake, and Grayson had to hide their sexualities from the world, but his father and Selina made it clear that everyone had to know or at least believe that the Wayne brothers were as straight as a pole. Which was stupid if you ask him.

One look at Grayson and you would no he was anything but straight. Rubbing his forehead, he entered the Mansion and was annoyed to find Melody and Selina sitting in the living room talking about Allah knows what.

“Should’ve gone to the park,”

Maybe if he was quiet enough he could sneak pass them and into his room so that he won’t have to deal with either one of them.  

Unfortunately, he didn’t get the chance to walk by undetected, Selina caught Damian trying to sneak pass them.

“Damian,”

Damian cursed himself for not moving fast enough, turning around he saw Selina walking over to him, it took everything in him not to run the other way or yell at her and call her every horrible word he knew, and since he knew almost ten different languages he knew plenty of horrible names he could call Selina.

“What,” he asked rudely, Selina ignored his rudeness and instead continue speaking to him as if his hatred for her didn’t mattered.

“As you know, tomorrow is Gotham Fashion Week,”

“Yeah, I already know that,” he grumbled.

“Which is why you and Melody must be seen everywhere and anywhere as much as possible, it is important that nothing, and I mean nothing ruins the Wayne name before the wedding. Everything has to be perfect or as perfect as we can get it with you and your brothers,”

Damian just rolled his eyes and stopped himself from saying the first thing that came to his mind and that was telling Selina to shut up and not worry about his brothers or him since neither one of them had control over what the paparazzi say her and his father however...still Damian chose to say something that wouldn’t cause an argument which would result in his father punishing him,

“I already know this Selina, now, can I please go to my room there are somethings that I need to do,” she looked at him for a moment before dismissing him with the wave of her hand.

Damian rolled his eyes before he headed for his room. He’s twenty years old and yet Selina treats him like his sixteen or worse five.

Still, he had no time to worry about Selina and her stunts right now he had other things to think about. Once he entered his room he turned on his computer and waited for the monitor to finish loading. Once it was completed he began his search.

“It’s not stalking, I just want to know more about him,” one thing that his mother always drilled in his head was this, knowledge is a powerful weapon and the only thing that can make brute force fall to its knees.

He needed, wanted, had to know everything he could about this boy. From what he gathered is he is Kara’s nephew so assuming if she’s either related to Jon’s father or mother he should probably start with Kara first and work his way from there.

Looking through Kara’s social media he found some photos of Jon lucky for him she tagged him in them. Smiling to himself he clicked on Jon’s username on his Instagram and cursed out loud.

“Fucking hell! Why did you have to have it in private?”

Looking at Jon’s IG he saw that it was private and the only thing on it was a picture of him smiling, his arm around a girl with orange hair and freckles on her cheeks. She was cute, she was more than cute she was beautiful and her and Jon…they looked good together, maybe that’s why Jon asked him not to flirt with him, maybe Jon was already dating this girl and he didn’t want to cheat on her, Damian felt a little bad for flirting with someone who was taken.

Despite all those cheating rumors, Damian hated cheating, despise to the point where if he saw anyone doing it he would do everything in his power to ruin them, maybe that’s why he hated Selina. Oh, who was he kidding it was exactly why he hated both Selina and his dad.

Taking a deep breath Damian rubbed his temples, he did not need to think about his dad or Selina; right now, what he needed to do was go back to Kara’s café and apologize to Jon for even trying to flirt with him.

Sure, he didn’t know he was taken but he still felt bad for even thinking of asking the boy out. Taking a deep breath, he turned off his computer grabbed his keys and headed back for the café, if he explained his reasons maybe the boy would forgive him and hopefully they could be friends. Maybe not friends since the only thing that he will be thinking about is having the blue-eyed angel beneath him, or above him whichever works well for him.

“No, stop Damian bad thoughts very, very bad thoughts,”

Leaving the room, he went through the back door of the mansion to go see Jon, no way in hell did he want to see either one of those money grabbers at the moment.

“Damian,”

Damian stopped dead in his tracks. Cursing everything he knew he turned around as his father stepped closer to him.

Most people say he looks like his dad but then again, if anyone saw his mother they would surly change their opinions and say he was an exact replica of his mother.

Bruce Wayne was a good man, sometimes when he wasn’t trying to control of his sons lives, of course his status of playboy billionaire did back fire even if it was just a ploy that he for some reason wanted the world to believe he was.

Because of his sleeping around resulted in four children being born out of wedlock. Dick Grayson was an accident that happened when his father was only 18, Bruce met a woman who was traveling with the circus a one-night stand resulted in his older half-brother.

Unfortunately, Grayson’s mom died in a horrible accident when Grayson was only eight.

Todd’s mother was a prostitute and didn’t want her son to do anything with Bruce Wayne, sadly for her she had no choice but let him in Bruce’s life, when it was discovered that Todd was his second son, Bruce filed for custody and won, because of her addictions as well as her profession she was seen as an unfit mother despite her doing her very best to make sure that Todd had a happy childhood, still, the court didn’t care if the child was happy they only cared about the money and Bruce’s lawyers paid them a lot of it.

Drake’s mom wasn’t anything special, she just slept with him, had the kid, dropped him off at Wayne Manor and left. No one knows where she went or who she really was since Bruce found out that everything about her was a lie and vanished into thin air.

The final woman his father had a child with was Talia Al Ghul. A beautiful woman who was once an actress, then model, then a fashion designer. She was a successful woman whose career ended before it began but that was something Damian did not like to think about if he did he would feel more anger towards his father and that harlot.

“Yes, father?”

“Where are you heading off to?”

No way in hell was he telling him where he was going, the only people who knew of the café where his brothers and all four of them sworn to secrecy and never tell Bruce about it. It was their go to place to be whenever they needed to escape the craziness that is their life.

“I was going to the park,”

Bruce looked at him before saying,

“Well, your stroll to the park can wait you and I are needed somewhere,”

“Where?”

“We need to go with Selina and do some wedding shopping, I also need you to be seen with Melody as much as possible,”

“We’re going to town so that the paparazzi can see me walking with the beard?”

His father glared at him,

“Melody is your friend and I already promised Dick after your break-up with Kitty you’ll be taking a break from bearding,”

Damian rolled his eyes, both he and his father knew he only said that bullshit to Dick so that he will get off his back about Damian and the unnecessary bearding.

“Then why does Melody have to come? More importantly why don’t you and Selina go off by yourselves and let me head over to Maya’s instead?”

“I already told you Damian, the wedding is all Gotham and the world is talking about and everyone knows about your relationship with Selina and how you don’t get along with her-“

“Not my fault,”

“Damian,” his father turned into a disapproval tone one that made him roll his eyes.

“I already told your brothers and you from the beginning that I do not want anything to ruin this wedding and the public needs to know that you and Selina are getting along,”

“You mean they need to see me getting along with her and they need to see me dating a girl so no one assumes I’m anything but straight right?”

Bruce stared at his son while Damian glared at him,

“Of course the public also needs to see me as a cheater, a liar, and someone who breaks their precious blond princess, they also need to see me as white as possible so that my music could sell faster, of course that doesn’t stop them from calling me every horrible name in the book because my mother is Talia Al Ghul, but of course they already saw me as a horrible person when I punched a guy for calling me and Maya horrible names and instead of helping me you allow the story to spin to see me as the bad guy and Kitty as my ‘savior’,”

Damian glared at his father as he continued with his speech, he wasn’t sure why he was lashing out at his father, but he felt great about to do it,

“You and Selina say you don’t want any PR nightmares or for the Wayne family name to be soil but don’t you think it’s already too late since both you and Selina were the ones who allowed The Word, and every other source of media to talk shit about me, hell you guys were the ones who decided to give me the playboy image, but now with this stupid wedding coming you want me to be well behave young man? Fuck that,”

Bruce’s face was bright red as Damian threw every horrible thing the media has said about him back at him and while he didn’t want to admit everything he said was true he couldn’t help but feel slightly guilty for putting Damian through all of the crap he’s endured and instead of helping him he made it worse.

Before Bruce could even form a retort the door from the back open and in came Maya.

“Hello Wayne family!”

Maya was a beautiful woman and Damian’s best friend; the girl wasn’t afraid to speak her mind or tell the world that she was a proud lesbian. It swelled Damian’s heart with joy that his best friend was free and able to be herself, she was an amazing person and deserve to be happy. Like Damian, Maya was a singer as well as an actress and she was amazing in both. Her voice was incredible and was able to go through different styles of music, she even won a Grammy for her album.

“Maya, what brings you here?” Bruce asked confused as to why she was hear.

Maya smiled brightly at him before she hooked her arm around Damian’s and lead against his shoulder.

“The answer to that is simple, Damian and I made plans for lunch and I decided to swing by early so that we can head over to our favorite diner since it’s always pack during lunch time,”

“I see,”

“Welp, if you need us you know where we’ll be,”

She then pulled Damian out the door before Bruce could say or do anything, once the two were out the door they looked at each other before sprinting to her car. Knowing Bruce, he’ll come out the door and order them to stop whatever it is they are doing and force them to go with him and Selina to go wherever it is they were going.

Once they reached her car, they both got in and drove off.

“Where to bro?”

“Kara’s café, I need to see someone,”

“You, need to see someone at Kara’s café?”

Maya knew about the café, she was one of the few Damian trusted to know about the place, not only did she know but she was also a frequent customer, the two loved the place and always enjoyed going there together whenever they could.

“Yes,”

“And who is this someone?”

“Some guy I met,”

“Oooh, Damian Wayne met some guy and he wants to see him?”

“Yes, but it’s not like that,” he quickly said before she could form an idea that he did not want to hear.

“You sure?” she asked giving him a smirk.

“Positive, I just need to talk to him and apologize,”

“For what?”

Damian’s became a bright red color before he said,

“Flirting with him when he has a girlfriend,”

Maya looked at her friend, if there was one thing she knew about her friend in shock.

“Did he tell you? More importantly did you know?”

“No, and no,”

“Then how do you know he has a girlfriend?”

“Because I was going through Kara’s Instagram and found his Instagram and in his profile pic was of him and cute red head hugging each other and smiling with one another,”

“And that made you think he had a girlfriend?”

“Yes,”

“You know, that might just mean they are friends, right? I mean you and I cuddle all the time and we’re still friends,”

Damian thought about her words, of course she might have a point, the two might be friends but then again…

“I don’t think they are friends,”

“What makes you say that,”

“Well, when I was at Kara’s café earlier today I saw him and flirted with him and he looked uncomfortable, so I think she might be his girlfriend,”

“Ahh, okay so maybe he is taken,”

“Yeah so I need to apologize to him,”

“Question,” Maya asked as she pulled into the parking lot of the café.

“What’s that?”

“How are you gonna tell him that you know he has a girlfriend without sounding like a stalker?”

Damian’s eyes widen in fear, he…hadn’t thought of that…  

[ficsforfangirls]

Favorite Fanfiction (That I’ve Written)

A Tomco where Star accidentally gives Marco hypothermia and calls upon Tom to keep him warm while she finds a cure.I’m going to link some of my favorite fanfiction - that I’ve written. I’ve decided to link my Top 10 Faves out of a total of 108 fanfiction stories between my Fanfiction.net and Archive of Our Own profiles. I do have some stories that are on both platforms, but there are plenty of stories that are exclusive to either website. Not all of my work on there is perfect, I’ve not always edited my work and I’ve been doing this for 12 years (though I think the oldest work I’ve left posted is from 2011). As I’ve gotten older, the work quality has improved, but that being said - this list is going to be the stories I’m most proud of and felt the happiest with when I was finished writing them.

So I’ll tag the story, include the fandom and the summary below the linked title. These are in no particular order. I will also have a small, bolded explanation why each story has made it onto this list. 1. A Hazard to Myself

(Harry Potter, Post-War)

This song!fic inspired by "Don't Let Me Get Me" by P!NK showcases Draco Malfoy reflecting with and talking to his psychiatrist - because he's not handling life after the war very well. TW: Mentions of alcohol abuse and self-harm, only in passing with absolutely no details of those acts.

This piece is one of those stories where the ending line was so powerful to me, and that song meant so much to me growing up, that I can’t ever read it without getting chills. Perhaps it could have been written better with fewer constraints, but the impact of it doesn’t change for me. This story always moves me every time I revisit it.

2. Dear Reader

(Harry Potter, Golden Era)

(5th Year - Assumed/Slight AU) Hermione decides the Hogwarts Library needs a piece of Muggle literature. Even though she doesn't expect anyone to find it, let alone respond to it, she is surprised when it is sent back to her within a couple of days – and with a letter, wouldn't you believe it? {rated based on future chapters}

This was the first wildly popular story I’d done in my fanfiction career. I even entered it into a contest to have it published after reworking it as an original piece. However, I was naive at the time and I didn’t edit it enough to get the votes. Still, it remains one of my favorites because I took something I loved from two different stories and made it my own so much so that it was wildly well received. I will always be proud of what I accomplished with this story.

3. Forever & Always, Clara

(Doctor Who, 12th Doctor)

This piece is a letter written to the Doctor as a means for Clara to say a proper and final farewell to the man who has so radically defined her life.

This was just a personal piece. I didn’t write it for any particular reason other than I was inspired to do so. I loved these characters together and by themselves separately. Losing them on the show was difficult and I wanted a more solid closure. I wrote this entirely for myself but I felt that, despite the distinct lack of popularity, it was still a good piece all together.

4. I Don’t F-cking Care

(Carry On)

This fanfiction depicts the struggles that Simon Snow and Baz Grimm-Pitch experience in their relationship that starts with them being enemies, how their timing is never quite right, and big life changes that force them to reassess what truly matters when it comes to their love for each other. ! Please review disclaimer thoroughly prior to reading this piece to avoid triggers !

Thanks to my good friend @ouranose - I got into the Carry On fandom. I had already read Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, so it wouldn’t have been long before I got into it on my own, but she jumpstarted the process. It’s been a great time, of course, and one of my comfort fandoms now. What I really enjoyed about this one was that it was dark and imperfect and realistic and true to the blurry nature of their relationship. It’s one of the longest one-shot pieces I’ve ever written, and for that reason alone, on of those stories I’ll never forget. I put a lot of work into it and I think it shows.

5. Library Kisses

(Harry Potter, Golden Era)

This story details the romance of Hermione and Harry after a late night kiss through the Battle of Hogwarts. Hermione, Harry and Ron learn about each other and evolve as couples and friends along the way. Rated T, but may contain some M chapters.

Yikes? I shouldn’t start this by saying ‘yikes’ about the story. I wrote this many years ago, when I was very young (18 years old, just out of high school). I had a child in high school and drew heavily on the experience of being an intelligent woman who made a mistake and incorporated that into this story. It diverts from the canon quite a bit, but with this being the oldest story I’ve written available online, I think it shows that I’ve always had the skill and the drive to pursue writing as career opportunity. I love to do this, and despite my many pitfalls as an 18-year-old writer, this story has 73,368 views anyway. It is still, to this day, my third most popular story on Fanfiction.net and I’m okay with that because we should always be proud of where we started.

6. Little Talks

(Merlin, BBC)

This fic follows Merlin and Morgana from the first day they begin to fall in love until their first day together in the afterlife. Based off of the song by Of Monsters and Men. Rated T For - Brief death scene, suggestive adult themes.

Hands down, this has got to be favorite fanfiction piece that I’ve ever written. I was trying to do a lot with this story, and I think I was successful in most every front, though I wish I had edited it better at the time. It started out as a passion project and ended up being a comfort one. I hated the way Merlin ended and felt that I could write a better story - which wasn’t the first time I had ever felt that way, but the first time I ever executed those emotions to do something. It’s not my most popular piece, having written this towards the end of the Merlin fandom’s lifespan, but it doest rank among the top 10 pieces with the most traffic. I felt very connected to the song, the show, and the outline of this story. It’s also the first piece of fanfiction my husband ever read and felt was done better than the show (which is hard to do because he’s a canon-only-verse kind of guy). I’ll never not love this story.

7. Just One Yesterday

(Supernatural)

I've been hiding from him. I don't even think of him by name. I miss him but now that I'm a monster I don't think I can ever be close to him again. I am so afraid of the consequences of implicating him any further... But I just can't stop being there for him... I need him... {T for moderate violence; regular swearing; major character death}

This is yet another passion piece. I had outlined it during my lunch breaks at work, or when I was waiting for X, Y, or Z to finish loading on the computer. Am I proud to have done this is stolen moments? Not really. But the outcome is an emotional piece that I think really captured how I’ve always felt about the ship (Destiel). The stats for this piece are abysmal, but that means nothing to me because I felt awesome about the story I was telling.

8. In The Summer...

(Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus)

The seasons used to mean something very different to Nico, but those days are gone. And he wants Percy Jackson to know that he's moved on.

This is a poem that I wasn’t even meant to write. I had asked a friend to write it (That’s @ouranose again because she’s pretty much the only friend I’ve got). But in the end, she lost the lines she had crafted for it, I think, and it fell off the metaphorical production board. When we started this PJO/HOO series of poems, I took on the task instead because I loved the idea of it so much. I did much better than I expected, having never written anything substantial for PJO/HOO before, and for that reason I’ll always be proud of the way I show the changing of feelings towards someone that you used to love.

9. Make Memories

(Girl Meets World)

Excerpt/Summary: Shawn and Katy decide that Maya should make memories before her senior year of high school. They decide to send her to a camp out of state for six weeks so that she can experience life that is different from the city.

Lucas decides that it's time to do something for himself. After seeing an article about a six week camp out of state he decides to register and take a chance.

Unfortunately, Maya finds herself shacking up with an all-too familiar face after a transcription error by the receptionist of the camp.

“They thought your name was Luna?” Maya questions.

Goodness, where do I even start? After I had my son, I found a book a few years afterward and it was about a pregnant teenager who has to make the decision to have a baby or have an abortion. There’s so much more to the book and I loved reading it, but I drew from that story a bit to craft this Girl Meets World piece that allowed me to really be original more than most any other piece I’ve ever done. It is popular enough for a dead fandom, still getting more views and kudos every week at a slow rate. I was just proud that I could take elements from both of these shows that I loved and craft a romance that was focused on the emotional aspect of loving someone without making it too sexualized.

10. An Untitled Tomco

(Star vs. The Forces of Evil)

A Tomco where Star accidentally gives Marco hypothermia and calls upon Tom to keep him warm while she finds a cure.

I have never watched a single episode of Star vs. The Forces of Evil. Someone made a request for me to write it and I researched the characters and the ship. I wanted to craft this believable story seamlessly, as if I had seen it and knew all there was to know. And, by some miracle, it worked! This is one of the most popular stories on my Archive of Our Own despite not having been there nearly as long as the three others that surpass it’s viewership. I felt that I had done very good work and made the most of the research that I had done to craft this story. It’s one of those experiences that reminded me that I’m more than capable as a writer and that I can do anything when I’ve set myself to it.

[pinksweatergettingbetter]

alright so we’re back with chapter three - the Great Witch

-

i wonder how much of their memories Nick and Maya have actually recuperated 

the whole thing seems a little dodgy...

-

“This bench looks like a torture tool– shall we try it out on you, Nick?”

why is Maya so bloodthirsty in the game?? i mean she’s mischievous, but...

-

ahhh their widdle walking sprites are so cuuuute!

-

hang on– is that a picture-picture of Barnham with his dog?? if so, that should raise a lot of questions...

also why is the only person who *doesnt* comment on the painting Phoenix? he’s the art major.

-

you know, ive seen plenty of Phoenix X Barnham, and Darklaw X Barnham, but I’ve never seen any Phoenix X Darklaw 

i wonder why...

maybe Ive just never come across it

-

“Mr Wright, are you alright?”

(no response)

he's dead guys the fucking dog killed phoenix wright 

-

luke: I can talk to animals maya: haha omg cool! phoenix, laying in a pool of his own blood: hurgle

-

wait did maya just call Barnham adorable by proxy 

-

things layton likes: puzzles, stone lanterns 

-

oh fuck i forgot about the puzzles

also what the FUCK muffet

-

Patty: I believe in your Phoenix

Phoenix, trying not to cry: cool cool cool

-

aww. its nice to have a moment to just talk about feelings, especially between the sidekicks. 

...

...dont go into the forest you little fuckers

-

maya likes helms..??

-

“I used to come here with Nick. He’d carry the water pots, and I’d cheer him on!”

that reminds me, theres no plumbing. in fact, since its the middle ages, theres not even any outhouses. maya and phoenix have canonically shit in the streets

-

DOGS AND CATS, LIVING TOGETHER–

-

its 12:30 on a school night and I've spent over an hour trying to help a dog deliver mail 

oh maya solved that one! thats the first AA solve of the game. ...er, to me.

-

i dont understand how piccarats work

like, the previous puzzle was 30 piccarats and it was ridiculously easy. this one’ twenty and ive already lost ten points

maybe its to do with how my brain works– the 30 one was a pattern/colour puzzle, and I'm an artist. this one’s about directions, and I'm ASS at directions.

-

darklaw what are you WEARING

you look like a skimpy medieval furry

seriously what is with the metal skirt on bare thighs 

is that supposed to be comfy 

-

man these backgrounds are so beautiful 

-

why did she specifically tell Maya to be wary of witches

-

“You certainly both love your food. Personally, I’d just like a little more sleep...”

amen bro

-

oh fuck

Drosselmeyer wants to see Layton. dont let him brainwash ya!

-

“So this is the deathknell dungeon? Looks more like solitary confinement to me.”

considering the fact that she can see out the door, i doubt its solitary nick. solitary is a sealed box from hell.

-

Maya: you were just scared that nick would fuck up like always!! because he's an enormous fuck up haha!! Espella: i... no, i think he's really great

Phoenix: ...hey can i change assistants please

-

OH HO

CLIFF HANGER 

-

one does not simply

visit the storyteller

-

“come to think of it, during that parade, the storyteller did seem to be held in high esteem by all the townsfolk...”

guys have you not realized that youre literally meeting god yet???

ah see Layton’s got it

c’mon luke keep up

-

pfft they think Layton’s a hatter 

just wearing a tophat does not a hatter make 

-

ah the knights garrison

this is where Chucky stopped playing on his second third-space save 

I wonder why...

-

“And so the travellers finally arrived...”

yeah well first of all??? if you wanted me to get in there faster maybe dont make your door a fucking puzzle maybe 

fuck you old man you aint shit 

(btw i managed to solve it accidentally in the recommended 4 turns by pressing 3 random buttons and then realizing id somehow succeeded)

-

Storyteller: [farts suspiciously]

-

Storyteller: you guys are bad because you stopped me killing children

Layton: 

-

“OOPS”

DUFLUS SHFLS 

LUKE ITS OK 

I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH TO BE MAD

-

Espella: it’s true... that the towns folk look at me in a different way

well for one thing youre a different art style than most of them without being anything usually associated with said art style 

-

oh ok that i was not expecting 

she’s,,, jesus???

-

Maya spitting truths here 

-

wait hang on a second 

first of all– “the great witch is just a character of myth” yeah well EVERYONE is a character, Espella

also, she says she came to live with Patty 5 years ago... which is also what Phoenix and Maya said

when their memories all got altered to include phoenix and maya, does that mean they like, had a whole growing-up-together for five years roster of memories?

13 y/o Espella and Maya meeting, bonding over stuff, wondering why only Maya had to make bread and Espella didnt 

Phoenix–– hell, in the time frame, he’d be ‘Pheenie’ being their older brother. Acting like his 25 y/o self, or harkening back to those days and acting accordingly??

and how shitty it must’ve been when they realized none of it ever happened.

-

“Were these things... My memories?”

well probably not considering im pretty sure that tiny kid being flown over was you

-

i feel bad for nick’s... wherever is getting bitten, but this does lend credence to my headcanon that animals hate phoenix so 

also the inquisitor office theme needs to chill the fuck out

-

“Exactly what are you doing over there on all fours”

dont do that 

“He just sits back and lets his dog bite people, err... I mean, me”

he’s lucky nobody flips the fuck out and bites back. i suppose nobody would dare if they knew it was his dog, but still. not very responsible.

-

“Dr. Delduke” eh

well now

-

“He was no witch.” “Why?”

“HE was a man.”

( Welp, can’t argue with that. )

hey!!! equality to witches!! boys can be witches too!!

-

“Maya... can you get this mutt away from me? I can’t feel my leg.”

“Aww... So soon? I was hoping he’d use you as a blue chew toy just one more time.”

ok, seriously, what is UP with Maya? I can’t remember her ever being this violent in the original series. Like, she hit Nick over the head with the shichishito that one time, but she wasn’t constantly wishing harm on him??

-

as much as i appreciate seeing a tiny maya model i fucking hate the cloud puzzle fuck you for doubling up on it

-

oh i lucked into the answer awesome

this seems to be a running theme...

-

every time someone looks at the bell tower, they always comment on the bell never being heard. it must be foreshadowing.

-

wow Jean is very short

...also I'm calling it now, HE DID IT

-

hmm Greyerl’s voice actress is a little more noticeable than Luke’s...

also OH OK. the fucking bell tower just MANIFESTED OUT OF PURE FLAMES

THATS COOL

-

“He reacted in a moster peculiar way. Unlike others who saw it, he seemed unsettled, as if he was truly afraid of something” 

oh i dunno, maybe the DEMON BELL TOWER???

-

Maya: only YOU can fuck up that badly, nick!

ok... genuinely, utterly, seriously, why is Maya so malicious in this game? She does tease Nick a lot throughout the series, but its usually in a more playful or goofy manner. A lot of the things she says in this game seem sort of unnecessary or weirdly hurtful... especially since phoenix hasn’t done much to warrant any of them.

-

hmm

well, I know what happens to Maya

but what the hell is he doing to Nick?

also I do hope there’s a reeeeeaaaaally good reason for all this...

-

layton flings out his arm to shut luke up skdgkafajkf

-

wait why did the owl bring them that

-

“Luke, my boy... We have the need... to rent a steed.”

LAYTON

oh and they fucking did

-

“You think that’s bad? You should see Nick try and do the laundry– Now that’s a major blunder!”

see that seems a little more in character somehow

especially since its something that seems like he would fail at.

still, weirdly insult heavy...

-

hey hey 

100 coins

-

“in an alchemy sense”

shouldn’t that be an ‘alchemical’ sense?

-

“I guess you’re more suited to small, dark, damp places.”

is that a reference to the mushroom thing??

-

phoenix, in someone else’s abandoned basement: oh no their house plants are dying :( ill water them 

this man??? is pure??

-

“Well well well. If it isn't a well.”

NICK

-

“Come to think of it... I haven’t noticed any plumbing here in Laborynthia.”

HA 

I WAS RIGHT

THEY SHIT IN THE STREETS

-

“As things stand, Mr. Wright is in serious danger!”

uh the story said Maya would die, not Phoenix. It said he’d be cursed, but Maya would be tried and burnt. You should probably be more worried about her...

-

great witch: sup guys I'm gonna fuck shit up

game: the following is too horrifying to look directly at; here, have some shenanigans with Luke and that other bard Bardly was complaining about.

-

“Birdly”

fuck you perhaps

-

NO

WHY IS EMEER THERE

NOO

-

also hi Layton you’re looking a bit uh 

a bit 

...well this hardly makes any sense

doesn’t Layton appear not long after this? also, it’s easy enough to prove Maya’s not a witch; just hand her the staff and ask her to politely turn Layton back. 

that or just cry on him real quick; worked for Ash

-

bweuuuhhh dont cry luke pls

luuuuke

its ok luke magic isn’t real luke

...though from what I’ve heard of your universe, someone could have used Science to turn him into gold and that could be totally real so

just 

c’mon in for a hug lil guy

also see yuh all next time for part... four? i think?

[rubiaryutheroyal]

Maya and Phoenix confront Edgeworth on his love life and potential sexuality.

Edgeworth: (…One is already pushing it, yet you anons send us two asking the same thing!?)

It’s a very pressing question, Edgeworth.

Edgeworth: There’s nothing to talk about!

Well, you’d better come up with something, since it’s all we’re gonna talk about here! Enjoy it while it lasts!

Edgeworth: Mmmrph…

–

[Some day in someone’s office…]

Maya: I just don’t get it. What does he have to hide?

Pearl: Maybe he isn’t being honest with his feelings?

Kay: I always figured he was just really dense when it comes to these things, but you bring up a good point.

Ema: I think we should just go ask him about it sometime. All this speculation is just throwing us for a loop.

Phoenix: Girls, might I ask what you all are doing here and who you’re talking about?

Maya: Well, well, Nick. If you were so interested, you could have joined us from the start!

Pearl: We’re talking about Mr. Edgeworth!

Kay: Specifically about his love life and sexuality.

Phoenix: What.

Ema: We’ve all agreed to start up a detailed scientific investigation to answer the question looming on everyone’s minds: “Does he have a secret affair with someone or Is he truly an Ace Attorney?”

Phoenix: (…I’m not sure why I take offense to that.)

Maya: And since we have the guy’s best friend here to help loosen him up, we are set!

Phoenix: Hey. As his best friend, I suggest that we should keep out of his personal affairs.

Maya: Come on, Nick! Doesn’t it make you curious?

Phoenix: Curious, sure. But I’m not sabotaging our friendship for your maniacal schemes.

Maya: Don’t call them that! We’re just really curious!

Pearl: Yeah, Mr. Nick! This could mean a difference in his life!

Phoenix: Huh? How?

Pearl: If Mr. Edgeworth isn’t being honest with himself, it may eventually harm his soul!

Phoenix: Uh… does it work like that?

Maya: Yeah, something like it.

Ema: Moreover, it might even affect his psyche to keep all those emotions pent up! There’s reason to address the issue as soon as possible!

Kay: And at the very least, it’d make him less uptight. He really needs to work on that.

Phoenix: Geez… You won’t let this go until we talk with him, will you?

Girls: Yep!

Phoenix: Fine, fine. I’ll play along, but I’m not making any promises.

Maya: Thanks, Nick. You’re a good sport sometimes.

Phoenix: Only sometimes?

–

[Read More]

[Same day in someone else’s office…]

Edgeworth: Hm? What brings you all here?

Ema: Sorry, Mr. Edgeworth, but you’re officially under investigation!

Kay: We’re here for answers and we’re not leaving until we get them cleared up!

Edgeworth: For what, exactly?

Maya: Tell us the truth, Mr. Edgeworth. Which way do you swing?

Edgeworth: …Excuse me?

Kay: Do we really have to spell it out for you? She’s asking you about your sexuality!

Edgeworth: My WHAT!?

Pearl: Please tell us, Mr. Edgeworth?

Edgeworth: *sigh*… I’m sorry, but I’d rather not.

Pearl: Huh? W-why not?

Edgeworth: Wright, please escort your merry band out of my office. I don’t have the leisure to answer such trivial questions.

Phoenix: Sorry, Edgeworth. I tried to stop them, but they’re dead set.

Edgeworth: Why is it so necessary for you all to know!?

Maya: Because we’re all concerned about you! This could potentially change your future, Mr. Edgeworth.

Edgeworth: I don’t believe my future is something for anyone else but me to decide.

Kay: Sure, but your near future could be a little brighter if you just come out with it and we’ll stop asking!

Edgeworth: *grumble*… Even if I do answer, I don’t have much to say. I’ve never been in a romantic relationship in the first place…

Kay: Got him.

Maya: Nice one, Kay.

Ema: Don’t worry, Mr. Edgeworth! All that means is you’re open to plenty of new possibilities!

Pearl: And if you need help, we’ll be happy to find someone who suits your interests!

Edgeworth: N-no, thank you. That really isn’t necessary…

Ema: The real question is who…?

[Awkward beat.]

Maya: Nick?

Phoenix: Stop it, Maya. We’re not going through with that again.

Kay: Gummy?

Edgeworth: Why are you suggesting Detective Gumshoe!?

Maya: I’d think the good Detective has his own love interest, so no.

Kay: Yeah, I guess not. They sure make a fun pair, though!

Ema: Hmm… maybe Ms. von Karma?

Phoenix, Edgeworth: NO.

Edgeworth: Why are you answering it?

Phoenix: I… just don’t think you deserve that kind of relationship.

Maya: See, it’s moments like this where I have to wonder…

Phoenix: Hey. I can care about him without making it sound gay, alright?

Maya: Oh, Nick. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.

Phoenix: I didn’t say that much.

Pearl: But I don’t think Mr. Nick is.

Phoenix: Thank you, Pearls.

Maya: Er… I mean in case he is.

Phoenix: You know I used to have a girlfriend, right?

Ema: Actually, research has shown that people can be quite fluid with sexual orientation over the course of their lives, even when they don’t realize it themselves.

Maya: What she said. You could still be bi and you don’t realize it!

Phoenix: …Even if that were the case, I don’t see why I have to be paired up with Edgeworth.

Maya: Well, I doubt Larry would think of you like that.

Phoenix: Why would you even bring him up!?

Maya: They are your best friends, Nick.

Phoenix: Don’t match me with my best friends!

Ema: Anyway… who would be a good match with Mr. Edgeworth? Who else haven’t we suggested?

Kay: What about Ms. Courtney?

Edgeworth: No. The only relationship we have is a professional one. We’ve been over this, Kay.

Kay: How would you know? Have you asked her yourself?

Edgeworth: N-no, but I wouldn’t intrude into her affairs.

Kay: Then you won’t know for sure if you don’t ask!

Edgeworth: But I don’t need to ask when I’m sure I’m not interested!

Kay: Geez, you’re so stubborn… Why can’t you just try it out?

Phoenix: Yeah, Edgeworth. Who knows? It might work out.

Edgeworth: Why are you getting involved!?

Phoenix: *mumble* (Well, maybe you ought reconsider trying to push me with Maya…)

Edgeworth: *mumble* (You know I only do that because Pearl insists…)

Maya: …Are you two really whispering to each other in front of us?

Phoenix, Edgeworth: *ahem*

Edgeworth: Since it’s obvious this discussion isn’t leading us anywhere, I believe we should bring it to an end. I’ve already spent quite enough of my break for this.

Maya: Aw! But we spent so long thinking about it! We have to come up with something!

Ema: Well, I’m out of ideas.

Kay: Same here… since Mr. Edgeworth keeps refusing to take our offers.

Pearl: Maybe it’s because he already has someone in mind?

Maya: Really? Do you, Mr. Edgeworth?

Edgeworth: No.

Kay: You sure gave that answer quick.

Edgeworth: Because it’s the truth. I have nothing to hide.

Kay: “Because it’s the truth.” Come on, Mr. Edgeworth, you know how suspicious that makes you sound?

Edgeworth: If telling the truth doesn’t convince you, then I can’t help you at all.

Pearl: Hmm… Could he actually be waiting for one of you two, Kay and Ema?

Kay, Ema: W-what!?

Kay: Hey! I don’t think of him like that! He’s way too old and cranky for me!

Ema: I may be a big fan of his, but that’s all! We’re just future work associates!

Pearl: Oh… Well then, there is one more lady I can think of.

Maya: Who’s that, Pearly?

Pearl: Ms. Oldbag.

[Really awkward beat.]

Edgeworth: *on the brink of collapse* P-Pearl, please… don’t joke about that…

Pearl: But I didn’t mean it as a joke?

Edgeworth: Then, let me assure you: The less I have to do with that woman, the less everyone has to worry about!

Pearl: But… it seems like she really does love you.

Phoenix: Uh, Pearls, I don’t think you should keep pushing this. Ms. Oldbag has brought many lives to ruin through her, um, persistence.

Pearl: That’s not very nice, Mr. Nick. But I suppose you have a point.

Maya: …So what now? We’re back at square one.

Phoenix: I don’t think so. If anything, we’ve just arrived at a solid conclusion.

Kay: What’s that?

Phoenix: We can safely confirm that Edgeworth is “single but not available”.

Edgeworth: That should have been obvious from the outset.

Maya: But everyone needs a partner in life! He can’t just go the whole way alone.

Phoenix: He doesn’t have to be in a relationship with someone to avoid being “alone”, though. Isn’t that right?

Edgeworth: Precisely. I’m perfectly content to keeping relations as they are. We needn’t push matters beyond what is already established.

Girls: …

Maya: …I still think you two have the best chances.

Phoenix, Edgeworth: Enough!

Pearl: Mystic Maya, why do you keep insisting to match them together?

Maya: Well, Pearly, several reasons… but the most important is chemistry.

Pearl: Chemistry?

Maya: Even though they’re bitter rivals when on a case, they’re quite well fit for each other. After all, they share such a strong bond of trust that it goes without saying!

Pearl: But doesn’t that just mean they’re more like brothers, but without the blood relation?

Maya: …Um, I guess that would be an option too.

Kay: She brings up a really good point, actually.

Ema: Seems like we were bound to come to it eventually.

Phoenix: (For once, it feels like Pearls of all people is the voice of reason this time… Wow, we’ve really come full circle.)

Edgeworth: …In any case, with that matter safely resolved, if you all may leave my office, I would appreciate it. I still have much left to do by the end of today.

Phoenix: Sure thing… if these girls are ready?

Girls: …

Maya: Somehow, this still feels like a defeat.

Kay: Tell me about it. All we did was confirm Mr. Edgeworth and Mr. Wright are total sticks in the mud.

Ema: Yeah, and they’re so stubborn about avoiding romance. Maybe it’s just a part of being a lawyer?

Pearl: Really? Oh. I didn’t know being a lawyer has to be so heartless.

Maya: Really, you guys are selfish jerks. Why don’t you think of other people’s opinions?

Kay: Yeah. I hope you’re satisfied, ‘cause you’ve unleashed the wrath of the shipping fanbase.

Ema: Now that’s the real terror they’ve yet to face.

Phoenix, Edgeworth: …

Phoenix: Edgeworth, how did it come to this?

Edgeworth: Why ask me? I have no idea how the female teenaged mind works.

Pearl: …Wait. What is this “shipping fanbase” you’re talking about?

[char27martin]

After the Debut: 3 Things I’ve Learned, with Emily Littlejohn

[Can you impress us in 1500 words or less? Enter the Short Short Story Competition today! Deadline January 15, 2018]

by Emily Littlejohn

You’ve signed off on the final edits to your debut novel. Your agent and your editor are already hearing positive early reviews and a couple of big name authors have offered glowing blurbs. You pour a celebratory glass of champagne and kick back on the sofa. You did it. You wrote a novel and landed a two-book contract. It’s easy street from here on out, kid.

Then your eyes stray to the calendar hanging on the wall, the kind that with a single glance shows you the next twelve months. Twelve long months to write the next book. Plenty of time.

Of course, there is that two-week European vacation in the spring, not to mention the lengthy out of state work conference you’re chairing. And to be honest, between the day job, the kids, and all the shows the family is streaming, it’s hard to get much writing done during the week. You’ll write on the weekends. No problem.

Lately, though, the weekends seem to fly by.

Still, surely you can squeeze in a few hours here and there.

Suddenly twelve months seems like a very short time.

***

I wrote my debut novel, Inherit the Bones, over the course of three long years. It was a hobby, a lark. At the time, I was working forty-plus hours a week at a regular day job and spending most of my free time with friends and family. I’d go weeks without touching my laptop and then when the muse struck, I’d sometimes wile away entire weekends puttering around in the fictional world I had created.

Long story short, I finished Bones and signed with an amazing agent, Pamela Ahearn of The Ahearn Agency. To my complete astonishment and joy, Ahearn sold Bones in a two-book deal. Before I knew it, what had been a private hobby was suddenly very public, with deadlines and schedules. Most mind-boggling of all: I had to submit a second book, in less than a year.

Happily, not only did I meet my deadlines and complete the follow-up to my debut novel, A Season to Lie, I learned a few things along the way.

Meet Deadlines

One of the first things I learned while writing my second book is that deadlines exist for a reason. Traditionally published novels have many moving pieces to them; pitches, edits, cover design, printing, creating advance reader copies… all of these and more are steps along the way as a book marches from an author’s word document to the final version in the reader’s hands.

What does that mean for an author?

Making those deadlines is critical.

And make no mistake: writing a novel to a deadline is very, very different from tinkering around on a manuscript here and there. Life, in the form of regular employment, family obligations, and heck, even meals, has a funny way of interrupting your writing. If you haven’t already carved out dedicated time to work on your second book, it is imperative to do so now. For some, that means waking up early to get a few hours of writing in while the kids are still asleep. For others, weekend activities like movies and sporting events need to take a backseat to plotting and drafting.

[Online Course: 12 Weeks to a First Draft with Terri Valentine]

What helped me tremendously was setting a goal of about 1500 words per writing session. I knew there would be days when I simply would not be able to sit down and write; a daily word count goal, then, would have been frustrating. Instead, I promised myself that on those days when I did get to my laptop, I would write at least 1500 words. Most of the time, I found that I exceeded the goal. And page by page, my novel grew in length. As my page count increased, the deadlines didn’t seem so… deadly.

Fall in Love with Your Characters 

While meeting deadlines as you write your second novel can feel like added pressure, getting to better know your series’ recurring characters is downright fun. In my mysteries, like many others, murder and mayhem move the plot forward… but the characters are what readers return for. In A Season to Lie, I loved exploring the relationships and back stories of Detective Gemma Monroe, her loved ones, and her colleagues on the police force. For instance, things that are hinted at in Inherit the Bones between Monroe and her romantic partner, Brody Sutherland, became necessary to tease to the forefront in A Season to Lie.

[6 Tips for Creating Believable Characters That Win Over Readers]

Coincidentally, one of the greatest things about writing a series in the mystery genre is possessing the ability to kill off characters you fall out of love with… or those that you never liked to begin with. My husband is always relieved when he finishes one of my books and sees that the romantic interest is still kicking… though he knows that I’m an equal opportunist and should the story demand it, well… let’s just say I believe everyone’s a suspect and everyone’s a potential victim.

The second book of a series is truly prime real estate for character development. You’ve laid the groundwork in the first book yet you’re still early enough in the series that your characters aren’t so formed that they are unable to change. I encourage you to have fun with that, to add in bits and pieces of backstory as you move the story forward.

Publicity is the Name of the Game

Debut authors are like pizza… everyone wants a slice. As you are writing towards completion of your second novel, marketing will be ramping up for the publication of your debut novel. That translates to invitations for guest blog posts, guest articles, interviews, author events, and so on. All wonderful things that can take your attention away from finishing the second novel.

I said yes to every invitation I received, as will you. Of course you will. There are few things more exciting for an author than getting to talk about your work. A word of caution, though, especially if you are writing mysteries: keep your storylines straight. You are perfectly aware that the beloved butler introduced in the first book is brutally disposed of in the second book… but readers of your interview-blog post- Facebook status update haven’t even read the first book yet.

Spoil nothing yet provide enough intrigue to entice all. And before you know it, you’ll be working on your third novel with an eye towards your fourth.

EMILY LITTLEJOHN was born and raised in southern California and now lives in Colorado. If she’s not writing, reading, or working at the local public library, she’s enjoying the mountains with her husband and sweet old dog. She has a deep love of horror stories, butter pecan ice cream, and road trips. A Season to Lie is her second novel, following Inherit the Bones. Follow her on Facebook.

Writer’s Digest Digital Archive Collection: Iconic Women Writers

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The post After the Debut: 3 Things I’ve Learned, with Emily Littlejohn appeared first on WritersDigest.com.

from Writing Editor Blogs – WritersDigest.com http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/breaking-in-writers-digest/debut-novel-things-ive-learned-emily-littlejohn-meet-deadlines

[mylittleedgey]

Miles tilted his head to one side, staring in silence for what seemed like hours before he spoke. “Why that dog?” he asked.

Phoenix was taken aback by the question and the blatant ignoring of his question. “It’s cute?”

“She’s cute, Wright,” he emphasized.  “If I can tell by the way you’re holding her that she’s female, you can be arsed to acknowledge her as a living thing.  And why a cute dog?  Did you think I’d be more interested in a dog that was ‘cute’?  Did you even think?”

“I’m sorry…” he was genuinely disoriented by the passion in the retort.  “Did you have a type?”

“If I had thought I was emotionally prepared for another pet, I would have chosen one myself.  That way I could pick one best suited to my temperance and lifestyle.  Did you give any thought to her care when I’m called abroad?  Her dietary needs?  How large will she get?  Will my apartment be sufficient?     Do you think I have the free time to dole out multiple walks a day?”

He was cringing now, still holding the dog feebly in front of him, grappling for an answer and trying his hardest not to show that his throat was tightening.  “I’m sorry, I…”

“You assumed we’d be living together.”  Miles replied coolly.  “You didn’t let yourself envision a scenario where I denied you.  You’ve always been like that, you know.  You wanted me to be saved, and I was saved in spite of myself.  You wanted me to love you, and against my better reasoning I found that I did. You adopted a child without consideration of what it might do to us, and I bent to accommodate your changing family.  Now you want us to be married, and you believe it’s beyond debate.  You’ve always gotten exactly what you wanted.  A husband, a child, a puppy, and since children and dogs require space we may as well spring for a house.  Miles can afford it.  You’ll have that perfect family you’ve wanted since grade school, right down to the white picket fence.  And me, I’ll-”  he trailed off, eyes staring blankly into nothing. “-I suppose I’ll greet you with a kiss on the cheek and a whisper that there may be more in store for you when the others are seen to.”

“I had no idea you were this unhappy.”  The puppy was struggling to get free now, he could feel the jerks and twists at the ends of his numb arms like a fish struggling on a line, but it didn’t feel real anymore.  Nothing felt real.  “You’ve never said a word.” The cool breeze on his cheek felt like it was reaching him through a thick layer of wax.

“I’ve said plenty.”  Miles persisted with a voice that said it wasn’t anger that drove him to speak so much as a determined need to get his feelings across.  “I know you’ve been listening, because you always respond with that same chuckle and that look.  The look that says you know I’m complaining now, but in the end I’ll go along with whatever you want.  It’s not even that you’re selfish, you’re just so single-minded that it doesn’t occur to you that you’re wrong.  It’s what I love about you, but…”  he swallowed hard.  “It’s terrifying.”

“I…”  What was he thinking?  What was he doing? Proposing to the love of his life on a whim, using a half-baked scheme he and his daughter had come up with after she chanced to make eye contact with a puppy at the mall.  She’d said it was the sweetest thing in the world, and he’d agreed.  You know who loved dogs? Miles.  He’d had one growing up, but after it passed he never got another one.  He said he didn’t have time.  Well, now he had people to help him.  And wasn’t she just an angel?  Something else for him and Trucy to bond over.  They were practically family already, anyway.  “I’m sorry.”  he finally stammered.  “I never thought of it-”

“I know you didn’t.”  Miles replied, voice wavering.  “You couldn’t.  It’s not in you.”

“How long have you felt this way?”

“It’s not something I can place a definite beginning on.” He mused.  “Of course, I used to resent your meddling, but it was your affection in itself that I couldn’t stand.  When we first started seeing each other your lack of restraint bothered me, but it was only as an inconvenience.  I believe it was when I learned from the news that you had been disbarred, and then from Maya that you’d adopted a child on the trip over.  I realized control of my life was slipping away from me.”  

“But you love Trucy.”  Phoenix protested.

“And that’s a good part of why it took me so long to realize what exactly what was bothering me.”  Miles replied.  “You see, like you, I grew used to the idea that as long as things turned out alright there was no harm.   My reasoning was mostly sound.  I thought it was okay because I loved you, and I do love you.  I said it was fine because your daughter was a magnificent young lady, and she truly is.  I told myself I was happier than I’d ever been, and Phoenix, I really am happy.”

“Then what’s wrong?!”  Phoenix protested, eyes stinging.  “You’re telling me everything’s perfect, and then you’re saying-“

“This is why I never told you!”  Miles interrupted.  “It took me this long to understand, how on earth could I make it clear to you? Listen…” He sighed.  “Look, give her to me.  She’s obviously not comfortable.”  He took the struggling animal out of Phoenix’s trembling hands.  “You didn’t even bring a leash, did you?”  He gestured to a nearby bench.  “Let’s sit.  Most dogs don’t enjoy being held.”  Phoenix nodded weakly.   “I didn’t want to hurt you, Phoenix …”  he finally spoke up, rubbing the small dog behind her ears.  “You’ve been good to me.”

Phoenix sat down gingerly beside him.  “I want to understand.”

“As I said, it took me a long time to understand it myself. I think it was my own pride that kept me from seeing it for what it was.”----

Phoenix managed to keep himself from hurrying him along. His happiness hung in the balance of these words, but experience had taught him that if it had gotten bad enough that Edgeworth was actually talking about his feelings, he had put weeks, possibly even months, of though into it. He nodded silently.

“

Listen to me, Phoenix,  I let Von Karma turn me against everything I thought I stood for.  You remember how I used to go off on speeches about protecting people who couldn’t protect themselves, and I let that be taken away from me.”--- I can’t let someone else run my life.”