#cinlat accepts a challenge

[cinlat]

Dec 01: A letter to someone.

I was challenged to a December writing thing, and it sounded like too much fun to pass up. I can’t guarantee to hit every day, but I’ll get what I can done. Each installment will be less than 1k words hopefully, but we’ll see.  

Rating: T Word Count: 487

You. Are. An. Idiot. 

Fynta Wolfe sat back and stared at her datapad, tempted to leave the message there. It was no less than her brother deserved. She’d begun training to become a Republic soldier, and refused to allow his idiocy to ruin things now. While not ashamed of her upbringing, Fynta had chosen to keep her Mandalorian roots hidden from the recruiters. Running with bounty hunters was fun, but Fynta needed a purpose. She was a soldier, not a freelancer. Given her preference of avoiding Sith, the Republic seemed like the perfect avenue. Maybe, once she’d graduated and found a posting, Verin’s actions wouldn’t concern her as much. Surely the di’kut could’ve held off a little longer, right? 

With a humorless laugh, Fynta realized that no, he probably couldn’t. Verin spoke before he thought, often promising feats beyond his capabilities. Yet, somehow, he managed to pull them off. Usually through Cinlat’s quiet brilliance. 

Fynta rubbed two fingers over her eyes, then leaned forward to double check the encryption. The datapad was a burner and protected by an algorithm that Cinlat had written years ago. There was no way for it to be traced back to Fynta, provided she didn’t use names or locations. Taking a breath, Fynta began typing again. 

The idea was to lay low, not blow a Republic transport to hell. I’d ask what you were thinking, but I’m sure I already know the answer. 

Naturally, Verin would say that it wasn’t his fault. Fynta could hear his voice even now, parsecs away. He’d claim that Republic engineering was shoddy at best, or that at least he got all the passengers into escape pods first. Idly, Fynta wondered who his mark had been, then decided that she didn’t want to know.  

The holonews claimed that the job had been the work of one man, and Fynta barely stopped herself from asking about Cinlat’s whereabouts in her letter. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that if the huntress had been there, the vessel would have remained intact. The old bounty hunter favored stealth and cold calculation over pyrotechnics.   

I’ll be free in three more months. Do me a favor and try not to draw any more attention to yourself until then. And stay out of my crosshairs, ori’vod.   

Ret'urcye mhi 

The message was nothing more than a short databurst of information that would be lost in a stream of much larger ones. Fynta would send it as soon as the next regiment came in for the night. There would be mass, digital chaos as they called home or checked their mail, and her missive could slip through without notice. Fynta hoped it didn’t do the same for Verin. Not that he wouldn’t read it, just that her words would fail to make an impact. Fynta loved Verin, but no one had a harder head than her brother. 

[tishinada]

SWtOR AU Challenge

I was tagged by @starknstarwars​ and @cinlat​

The Rules:

The rules on this one are simple (for SWTOR players), go into the character creator and make an AU version of one of your characters. You can change literally anything about them. Class, allegiance, species, gender, ect.

OK, I’m not going into the CC because I haven’t logged into SWtOR since sometime last fall, I think. So have some art of punk rocker Ucevi done by the wonderfully talented and generous @sleepswithvillains​:

I wrote up a lot of notes about a punk rock AU for Ucevi and her friends a while back (which led to the art, lol), but it wasn’t placed in SWtOR itself.

So, building on things in Dance or planned for Dance (this is stream of consciousness onto paper, lol), AU!Ucevi wasn’t Force sensitive and ended up in Imperial Intellligence. She wasn’t suited to Zusae’s type of role, though, and instead was planted on Nar Shaddaa rather like Darmas Pollaran on Coruscant. She’s a bit of a wild card as agents go because she’s also working for the Old Man (which Keeper is aware of and accepts as the price of her connections.) In this AU, her own grandmother is alive and now acting as Grandmother with her sibling as heir apparent to the role. A cousin is the SW. Her brother is working with the Old Man so also on Nar Shaddaa.

Her cover simply bends the truth a bit: she’s from a notable Sith-blood house, but she refused to be shuffled off to the military to seek a glorious death when they found she wasn’t Force-sensitive. Her family paid her to leave the Empire, and she landed on Nar Shaddaa with a couple of other outcast friends (Joran, Tan’Koto, and one other person who hasn’t been introduced in Dance, also IAs.) They started out by playing small gigs here and there in seedy cantinas, and along the way, they pick up Vette (so she misses the tombrobbing trip to Korriban entirely,) and Jaesa (on Nar Shaddaa as servant to an Alderaanian noble on vacation because Noman Karr never met her in this AU.)

AU!Ucevi was trained in Sith Opera as well as the popular music forms. She and Tan’Koto are the lead singers, and Ucevi drums. They spend a few months listening to the most popular groups on Nar Shaddaa while limiting their early gigs to covers of popular songs. But once they get a sense of what has an audience, they shift gears and begin performing some of their own songs that blend Imperial and Huttese styles with an occasional song sung in Old Sith (Vette’s their ear to the ground and advisor and Jaesa is their keyboardist and arranger while Joran is an instrumentalist and the third agent handles all the technical side, like lighting.)

Tan’Koto, as mentioned in Dance, was good enough to get a significant role in a major opera despite being non-human. Ucevi’s voice is not quite his equal, but she has a stage presence. Together (they’ve been singing together almost their entire lives) they’re electrifying. Word gets around quickly and they begin getting gigs at better and better cantinas. Within a couple of years, they’re one of the most popular groups on Nar Shaddaa.

Which has set them up perfectly for their mission. Backstage passes are in demand, offering opportunities to target notables for Imperial Intelligence or build connections. But they do a lot of small private performances for parties and gatherings where the Hutts are doing business, and that’s the gold mine. Joran and the other agent have cutting edge recording devices that to all appearances seem to just be part of their sound equipment.

There’s a lot of potential there, but I’m probably never going to follow up on this one. But it’s fun to think about. Thanks!! Oh, and I am thoroughly enjoying AU!Ucevi in Cinlat’s Whiskey and Tihaar!

[kunoichi-ume]

Life Day Meme

@cinlat​ tagged me to do this and probably thought I would just do my mains... instead here is almost every one of my ocs - I did skip a few I haven’t developed much in my mind/in writing. Explinations are under the cut, they arent long but there are a lot of characters to cover but you know what? This is the most creative thing I have done other than making art projects for 4/5 year old kids in months and by far the most I have written so I am feeling pretty good atm. I may actually manage to get past this writer’s block.

Buys deep and thoughtful presents

Caoimhe is the most thoughtful gift giver ever, she was raised to only have the essential possessions and that turned her into someone who only gives a present she knows will be wanted, needed and appreciated for the long term.

Edin looks like the last man you’d expect to be a master gift shopper but he loves showing how well he knows the people in his life, notably he is proud of surprising Naadia with a lovely silver tea service set she never told him she needed (and having it delivered to her home on Maanan she never told him about…)

Leena is the responsible twin who takes care of the meal, the decorations and always has her shopping done a month in advance. Deena would love to one up her someday but that day hasn’t happened yet.

Mald doesn’t have many people in his life to buy gifts for and takes great pleasure in finding the prefect ones.

Nuada like his father takes after his mom, he would never leave something as important as presents to the last minute. Especially after meeting Rasiel and wanting to make up for the terrible holidays of her childhood it became more important than ever to always get the right thing.

Buys presents the night before

Darvic is the man running for presents on the day of, desperate to find anywhere still open.

Izara, not because she forgot but because it took that long for someone to impress on her that it’s important to exchange gifts. She just doesn’t see the purpose or appeal.

Markus gets so caught up in the activities of the season, hoversleigh rides, winter wonderland dates with his wife, carol concerts, he just sort of forgets.

Seleshi has a system, a system based on panic and adrenaline and somehow always makes Vette and his sisters happy with what he got for them.

Goes overboard on decoration

Hendrick is a red and green bleeding lover of the holiday and believes there is never enough lights. Those insane music coordinated houses on holotube? His has the most views and likes.

Keeleigh doesn’t do anything halfway and the holiday is not an exception. The ship is hard to live in when she drags out all her decorations but she is the Captain and well, she does whatever she wants to.

Naadia is listed here not because she goes overboard on the décor but because she does on the meal. She is a gourmet chef and loves any event she gets to cook for. Hell she cooks for one night stands, if they preformed well enough to earn it that is.

Rugama like her wardrobe, she doesn’t know where the reasonable line is and no one in her life is going to say “no you don’t need another life day tree” to the woman who never got to celebrate even her birthday until earning her freedom as an adult.

Tuathal is his mother’s child in more ways than one and decorating his home to the nines is just one of them. He loves the holiday but the trappings and getting to curl up in front of the fire while music plays with Ma’at makes everything in his world feel right.

Is banned from helping with the food

Aubriex both doesn’t know how to cook but has… questionable taste in food combinations. Her family has learned she is best off bringing the paper cups and ice.

Deena has no idea how to cook (I’ve even written her messing up scrambled eggs for Doc… so yeah no holiday means coming from this Jedi).

Zaria didn’t blow up the food but also learned that “more fire = faster food” doesn’t work either.

Ze doesn’t see a difference between MREs and home cooked food and putting him in charge of a meal is asking for dehydrated nutrient bars and it’s your fault for trusting him.

Wears a novelty jumper

Dubaku wears bright, garish sweaters whenever he isn’t at a bar or working, he has entirely novelty outfits not just jumpers and all his favorites light up and make music.

Eira takes great pleasure in embarrassing Quinn with her choices, going so far as to get matching ones for him and Vette and insisting on yearly “family” pictures

Meleri goes out off her way to find the frilliest, girlish most over the top jumper she can every year.

Noara loves the holiday and leans into it hard once she moves away from her Jedi teachings enough to enjoy it. Holiday outfits make her so happy.

Dina will wear it, but more because it was a gift – likely from Ari – and because she is always cold.

Gets overly competitive playing dejarik

Briec has never had a good holiday, or any other sort of wholesome, family oriented event, but it’s a good time to take advantage of drunk celebrants that are looser than normal with their credits.

Juli loves the holiday, a warm loving family helps, but isn’t interested in setting up the décor or making food. However she loves taking her “uncle” Aric to the cleaners and making her brother regret accepting her challenges.

Kai loves seeing how far she can go using the Force to cheat. She usually returns her winnings, or donates them, so she doesn’t see it at a bad thing.

Refuses to leave their quarters until its all over

Holidays have little appeal to Dela and she doesn’t participate unless her bestie drags her out.

Jurr is hard because without Kadu she belongs here, avoiding the day and pretending it doesn’t matter that she is alone. With him she is all about the day and the sweaters he buys her, but isn’t good at cooking, or gift giving but he never lets her forget entirely.

Kuqi is jaded in all the ways, holidays hold no interest for her. She just wants to forget how things used to be.

Mags isn’t sure what the point of the holiday is, conflicting views from being originally a Jedi initiate to a Mandalorian foundling have left her ready to wash her hands of it and find some work to do instead.

Nerra just wants to spend the day in bed with Andronikos, is that too much to ask? The next person to wish her a “happy life day” is going to lose a limb.

[rainofaugustsith]

Fanfic Titles Meme

Thank you so much for the tag @xivuuarath! This one was fun.  Tagging @tishinada @cinlat @verbose-vespertine @anchanted-one NO PRESSURE!  20 most recent fics 1. The Eternal Wrath 2. True Nature 3. Jagged 4. Mandalorian Party 5. Not a Gift 6. Old Friend 7. Bite 8. Viri Versus the Desert 9. What Was, What Was Not 10. Ten Tricks to Please Your Lover 11. A Vested Interest 12. The Two 13. Sabacc 14. Odessen Kisses 15. Sithy Snippets 16. Forget 17. Challenge Accepted 18. Chosen Sisters 19. Commander and Advisor 20. Been a Long Day 1. How many are you happy with? Most of them. 2. How many are…not great? One or two could be better, I think. "Old Friend" doesn't seem to have a lot of pep to it, and "Mandalorian Party" is similarly boring. 3. How many did you scramble for at the last minute? Probably 1/3. There's been more than one instance when I've finished a story and had no idea WTF to call it. 4. How many did you know before you started writing/creating, or near the beginning? Maybe four or five. 5. How many are quotes from songs or poems? "Been a Long Day" is the title of a song in the musical "How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying." I was only thinking of the title, not the content, (it's about two people flirting awkwardly at the end of a long work day). 6. How many are other quotes? "Viri Versus the Desert" is taken from a joke Vette makes in "The Eternal Wrath." "Ten Tricks to Please Your Lover" was deliberately meant to sound like one of the title of one of those "ten ways to (do whatever)" articles in fashion magazines. 7. Which best reflects the plot of the story/content of the fanwork? Well, in "Sabacc" the sexy times literally revolve around a game of sabacc, and in "Bite" Viri's getting bitten (and loving it) so either of those, I guess. 8. Which best reflects the theme of the story? Probably "The Eternal Wrath." Viri keeps going no matter what the galaxy throws at her, and she's always the Wrath, in or out of the Alliance or Empire - fierce, strong and ready to defend. Or "Jagged," since Viri's literally raw and jagged both physically and emotionally there. 9. Which best reflects the character voice of the story/pov of the fanwork? Perhaps "Viri Versus the Desert." It's just ridiculousness with a drugged 6'2" Sith lord staggering through the desert. 10. Which is your favourite title? Probably "Been a Long Day" or "The Eternal Wrath" or "Bite."

[cinlat]

Dec 02: Traveling Aboard a Trans-dimensional Ship

Rated: T

Word Count: 710 

A/N: I almost ignored this one, but then decided that I was just being cowardly. So, this happened.

It made no sense, but since when had that ever been a deciding factor in Fynta’s life? She ran through the hallways of a broken ship, lights flickering while the acrid smell of an electrical fire seared her nostrils. A couple of hours ago, Fynta had attempted to find and neutralize the source of the threat, but she’d given up after realizing that it must be in another part of the vessel.

The sound of Fynta’s footsteps echoed in the empty corridors. Fynta wore no other armor than her PT shirt and shorts. Only her beskar boots had been available upon arrival in this strange place, though it hadn’t worried her. Somewhere, in the back of Fynta’s mind, a voice screamed that this was wrong, but she pressed on anyway.

Transparent panels lined the hallway, offering tantalizing glimpses of worlds beyond the ship, but none appealed to Fynta. She was searching for something, but a heavy cloud hung over her mind, making it difficult to remember anything outside of the baser need to run. At least, until she saw the snow-capped peaks of Alderaan.

“That’s it.” Fynta’s voice fell flat, swallowed by the thick air. She ignored it in favor of the sanctuary that she knew Alderaan held.  

Fynta ran at the panel, hurling herself against the doorway, only to bounce off with a dull thud that cause the entire wall to shimmer. She slid a few meters on her shoulder until finally coming to rest against the far wall.  

Standing again, Fynta approached more carefully. Her bare fingers splayed across the force shield and finding it unmoving. “Shab.”

Blaster fire sounded down the hallway, and Fynta spun towards it with her rifle raised. They were the first ambient sounds that she’d experienced, having spent her entire visit in complete silence. Without making the conscious decision, Fynta ran. The sounds of combat grew, and scorch marks marred the walls at increasing intervals the further she went.  

A green bolt struck the wall above Fynta’s head as she rounded a corner. It sparked, sizzling into the metal even as she threw herself against the opposite barrier. Readying her weapon, Fynta paused with the tip of her finger wrapped around the trigger.

Peeking around to survey her opposition, Fynta’s breath caught at the sight of a fork in the passageway. She’d spent innumerable hours aboard this blasted ship and had never met anything but the smooth curve of a complete circle. Fynta stood and stalked forward to investigate this new oddity. All compulsions to defend herself forgotten.

Each branching corridor held another transparent panel. They shifted in a way that made Fynta’s stomach lurch, and she knew that she’d be able to pass through without hindrance. To the left lie the wartorn world of Ord Mantell. A Cathar barked orders to his subordinates, grinding his teeth in frustration as the mission slipped beyond his control.

To the right, lay the sprawling plains of Manda’yaim. Home, a voice whispered. Fynta hadn’t seen her homeworld since she was a child. An unfamiliar ache drew her towards the amber fields and squat houses. The ancient city of Keldabe shifted into view. Figures in beskar’gam moved about with purpose or holding helmets under their arms while sharing a drink with clanmates.  

Fynta took a step towards Mandalore, but paused when a male voice called her name. A quick glance to the left chilled her blood as she met the glowing eyes of the Cathar. His facial markings were fierce, angry even, but Fynta felt no fear. Something about the way he stared her down, challenging, yet pleading, halted her steps. That Cathar was important, though Fynta couldn’t parse out what.

Taking a step back, Fynta weighed her options again. Both tugged at her in equal measure, promising a future that she’d never considered for herself. No sooner did one gain the advantage, then the other redoubled their efforts. Fynta felt as though she were being torn in half.

“Fierfek,” Fynta swore. Only one would provide true escape, but was she worthy?

Holding her breath, Fynta closed her eyes and ran.

[cinlat]

OTP Song Meme

Rules: Sum up your OTP in a three-song playlist. 

Tagged by: @salaciouscrumpet

Family Is More Than Blood (Fynta Wolfe & Aric Jorgan) 

1. (Early Days) Battlefield by SVRCINA

2. (Mid-Relationship) Bring Me Back to Life by Epic Indie

3. (Current Plotline) Angel With A Shotgun by The Cab

Bonus: (Coming Up Soon in Heart On A Trigger) Save Yourself by My Darkest Days

Tagging @dimigex, @dingoat, @aearyn and @cystemic, and anyone who wants to do this.

[kunoichi-ume]

7. List your NoTPs from each fandom you’ve been in. 8. How did you get involved in your latest fandom? 17. Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite? 23. Name a fic you’ve written that you’re especially fond of & explain why you like it. 41. List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading: 46. If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend to them and why? 😁

ThisFanfiction Questions

Wow that is a lot of questions, nosy much? Jk thanks friend :D

7. List your NoTPs from each fandom you’ve been in. 

I don’t know that I have proper NoTPs just ones I am not really fond of - especially in fanworks. Idk why but for some reason fanfiction about a canon couple is just boring to me, I already know they are together so why would I need more stories about it? 

One Piece: Luffy and well... anyone. He is too in love with adventure to have a romance and lets be real, always feels like a little kid unless he is in one of his “gotta win or everyone is screwed” serious moments. 

Fairy Tail: I do not like Ju.via and Gray, enough that I don’t even want to chance her name ending with this in her tag because many people in that fandom are toxic and last time I dared say I don’t like this ship I got bitched at for it. Sorry, I just don’t find stalking someone until they give in to be romantic. 

Naruto: I do not get people liking Sasuke with pretty much anyone, but especially Sakura or Naruto. He is an ass to them repeatedly and they both deserve better - and being very honest, he deserved much stricter punishment for all the ship he pulled. 

Star Wars: I am going to preface this with this: I haven’t seen Clone Wars. Not all of it. Probably won’t. But I don’t like the Obi-Wan and Satine relationship. Everything I have seen of it just doesn’t jive for me, even though both voice actors are adorably sweet and meeting them was a blast. 

Swtor: I have not done all the romances yet, so this may change, but the SW and Jaesa is just... disappointing. Its mostly about her being possessive and manipulative and very little actual romance. The other SW relationships prove is doesn't have to be that way, so why is she? I get that they were probably going for the whole “fallen Jedi going balls to the wall crazy” but yeah, didn’t need to happen and I hated it so much I cut the romance planes I had for her and Tully even though I already planned to write it differently. 

8. How did you get involved in your latest fandom? 

I started playing Swtor and didn’t know about the romance options so when I could suddenly flirt with Doc I even stopped playing to turn to my husband and go “omg I can flirt with this guy?” He knew this of course and was just like “yeah...” (Honestly I had made a trial account for swtor when it first came out and if I had known about the romance options in the stories I probably would have staying with it instead of forgetting about the game). It was only a matter of time before I wanted to write a story about Noara and Doc, because I did totally ship them until a certain blond Mandalorian made his presence known.

17. Who was your first OTP and are they still your favourite? 

First otp... I think that would be Nami and Trafalgar Law from One Piece. I love them so much, even now despite not being active in the fandom and soooo behind on both the manga and the anime. They are not my current favorite though, that has to be Noara and Torian. 

23. Name a fic you’ve written that you’re especially fond of & explain why you like it. 

Oh goodness a fic I am especially fond of? And why? Thats a tough one because I have little bits of love for all of them but I mean.... A Poor Stand In is probably one of my favorite things I have ever written for many reasons, the subject matter, approach and reactions mainly. Plus it just makes me laugh, I find it very funny on a lot of levels. Still waiting for someone to ask me wtf is wrong with me that I wrote this but since no one has maybe people are more into Khem then they like to admit? ;)

On a more serious note I am very fond of Well Played Cadera because I like the blend of Noara’s anxiety and fears, the arguing, the humor. Torian is a little shit in it and is so right to be, and it works too. He is figuring out how to get his Jedi to listen to him, even if it means taking off all his clothing. 

41. List and link to 5 fanfics you are currently reading: 

I have been terrible about reading fanfiction lately but  seeing as how my Goodreads challenge is sitting at 98/30 for the year I am going to cut myself some slack and just say I am on a sicfi romance novel kick that is taking precedence over fanworks. That being said there are some that of course I am following and even if I am a little behind on I totally intend to catch up. 

Heart on a Trigger by @cinlat

Part 4 of the Meet Me On The Battlefield series about Mandalorian turned Republic Trooper Fynta Wolfe and Aric Jorgan, plus a large cast of other amazing characters (like Cormac, I love that big fluffy teddy bear). I am sure anyone paying attention to my blog is surpsied I am keeping up with this one, I get sneak peaks at updates before they come out (or are even edited properly) and my girl Noara is a small background character. 

Something Better by @shimmersing

This was recently finished and omg, I need to go read it all but I just know it’s going to be good. I adore the way Shimmer writes Aitahe and Erithon and, honestly, it being a non-canon couple availabe in game makes it just that much more appealing to me (because no matter how this JC and Trooper end up together, it’s new to me and not just rehashing the game, makes it exciting!).

Abundance of Faith by Laivaaja

The Summary: Star Wars Fan Comic: Emperor Palpatine's suspicions of Darth Vader grow intolerable, which will cause the Empire and the Imperial Navy to be torn into two separate directions. Several officers will step up in this time of confusion, and Darth Vader will form new surprisingly faithful alliances.Yeah that’s it, great art, comic book story telling, Vader being surprised by his men. It’s a fun ride. 

Chaos and Opportunity by @inquisitorhotpants

I haven’t read it in a while, but anything I have read as many times as I have this one needs to be on this list. I love the dynamic between Marr and Kryn and how their relationship develops and the way this story doesn’t accept canon (I was so concerned about Marr’s in game death and at least in this story about them that didn’t happen and I for one am thankful for it).

The One That Got Away by @punsbulletsandpointythings

Another SW but not Swtor one, this one has so much wonderful angst, fluff, humor and love in it and every update has left me dying to know what was going to happen next. Give me some time travel possibly doomed from the start romance any day. 

46. If someone was to read one of your fanfics, which fic would you recommend  to them and why? 

Humm... of works only written by me probably I’ve Got You even though I haven't updated in ages (I have been working on it the last few days though, that has to count for something) because it is what really got me back into writing after not doing it in a long time and the main story really exploring how a Jedi and a Mandalorian can work out in a relationship. 

Of things I wrote with @cinlat Thunder and Scars for sure. The whole undertaking of this fic was both so much fun but also such a labor of love and heartache. There is one scene in it that even thinking about it now makes me tear up a little and I am not usually that emotional. Exploring those emotions through Noara and the family she found with Fynta, Cormac and Aric was a wonderful learning experience both for her as a character and me as a writer. 

[cinlat]

Author Questions

Tagged by @riajade01 (woot, I haven’t seen this one before, thanks!)

Author Name: Cinlat (literally everywhere.)

Fandoms You Write For: SWtOR and I’ve dabbled in some FF14 because X’rhun Tia was too good to pass up.

Where You Post: AO3, Fanfiction, and Tumblr

Most Popular One-Shot: No surprise that its a PwP. Primal Appetites was my  first smut piece to see the internet. Mostly just the reunion of Fynta and Jorgan after her five year carbonite nap.

Most Popular Multi-Chapter Story: That would be Family is more than Blood. It’s the chronicles of Fynta Wolfe, who brings her Mandalorian upbringing into Havoc Squad. Basically 56 chapters of creative swearing, explosions, and brawls. Oh, and Balic Cormac, the galaxy’s most lovable giant.

Favorite Story You Wrote: Not so much a story, but a series. Meet Me on the Battlefield is basically Fynta’s story start to finish. It’s my favorite because she’s so much fun to write. 

Story You Were Nervous to Post: Echo of Evil. That was my first dip into the FF14 fandom, and a completely different style of writing from what I used with any of my swtor fics. Every time I posted a new chapter, it was a nail biting experience. 

How Do You Choose Your Titles: Sometimes they pop into my head, others a phrase from a song inspired it. Sometimes, and scream and weep before finally saying “Screw it, no one will notice if this title sucks.” 

Do You Outline: I don’t begin with an outline. I usually just start writing and see where it goes. Once I’ve established the who and where, I start a list of bullets below it of points that I want to hit. After a few of those, a timeline starts to form. THEN, I outline it properly. (and change it completely when a new idea strikes)

Complete: Disregarding one-shots and monthly challenges. I’ve got...6? Wow, that’s more than I expected.

Thunder & Scars (a co-authored story with @kunoichi-ume as an AU where Fynta’s choice left Torian to be executed by Vaylin.)  Echo of Evil (FF14 story of my OC’s journey to become a Red Mage and her romance with X’rhun Tia)  Family is more than Blood (Fynta basically drives everyone nuts while blowing up the galaxy) Soul of the Bes’bev (Kardan makes good on his threat and sets the SIS on Cinlat and Verin. Leaving Havoc Squad to pull them out, while not alerting anyone to their relationship with the bounty hunters.) Our Own (Where Jorgan settles with a Cathar trooper and has a litter of kids who keep him on his toes) Shenanigans (When Jorgan and Elara are away, Havoc Squad will play. Jaxo pops in on this one too.)

In-Progress: omg, too many to comment. So, I’ll just hit the highlights. I might have a multi-tasking issue...

Heart on a Trigger (The sequel to Family is more than Blood. Following the expansions.) The Art of Being Invisible (a group of one shots that chronicle Fynta’s life in the SIS before Havoc) Legacy of Violence (sequel to Our Own, following Jorgan’s triplets through the Alliance, and adding Quinn’s four, Force sensitive daughters into the mix) Sithy Bunch (Co-authored with Ume collection of one shots following our poly family with the Wrath and Darth Imperius as the heads of the family and eventual emperors of Zakuul.) Jedi Sitters (another co-authored collection with Ume involving an AU where Fynta, Jorgan, Cormac, and Elara retire from SpecForce after Fynta loses her leg and are tasked with minding the recently rescued Jedi Noara. Definitely a found family story.)

Coming Soon: Once Trigger is finished, I’m going to take a break from it for a bit and work on finishing the Art of Being Invisible and Legacy of Violence. BUT, Blood in the Breeze will be a continuation of the expansions with Fynta, picking up with Kotet because I need to finish that story. Oh, and I’ve also got something planned for Theron’s little stunt, I’m looking forward to that one because Fynta will be highly annoyed that his idiocy is interrupting her life.

Do You Accept Prompts: Always! It might take me forever to fill them, but I always love requests and suggestions. 

Upcoming Story You Are Most Excited to Write: Honestly, I’m soooo close to the end of Trigger, that I can’t wait. There are only four or five chapters left in that one. As far as stories that I’m not looking to wrap up any time soon, I’d have to say Sithy Bunch. It’s such a massive family story and so far off anything that I’ve written before that I love it so much.

Tagging… @kunoichi-ume, @dimigex, @tishinada, @cavalier-life

[rainofaugustsith]

A few (weeks?) ago there was another round of prompts, and one of them that I was given was “teaching the other something new.” It ended up being high angst and trauma, even though I’d intended to write a sweet snippet about Lana teaching Viri to knit. It’s my head canon that Lana makes all her own under-armor, like the lovely turtleneck she has under her gray armor. Finally, Viri and Lana consented to have a knitting lesson, @cinlat   ! *

“Why do I need to count, again?” Viri says, trying to untangle the yarn from her fingers. ”So you don’t get tangled up like that. Viri, this is simple math. You’re good at math. I can’t understand why you’re having issues with this.” Lana grabs the yarn and knitting needles, unravels the mess, and hands them back to Viri. ”Wouldn’t it just be faster to have one of the fabrication droids do this? Why bother?” Viri grumbles. Lana has taught – or tried to teach – her several basic knitting stitches, and Viri has been failing spectacularly at doing them successfully.

“Because…it’s…calming,” Lana replies, gritting her teeth. “Viri, I love you. I adore you. I would destroy the galaxy for you. But if you do not quiet down and let me knit in peace…” ”Understood. Sorry,” Viri says, getting up. “You don’t disturb me when I’m dancing. I owe you the same respect.” ”Why don’t you just sit with me – quietly – and work on what I showed you? You might enjoy this, once you get it.”

“I think my fingers are too big,” Viri says, wrinkling her brow as the knitting needles slip out of her hands again. “This is too intricate for me.” ”Your fingers always feel just right to me,” Lana says, raising her eyebrows suggestively. ”I never said I wasn’t good at that.” Viri smirks. ”You are a master of your craft there, and it’s delicate work…” ”But I’m not wrapping you in yarn…” Lana laughs. “Viri, anyone can knit. You just need to practice.” Viri tries to cast on again, and once again, ends up tangling the yarn. ”C’mere. Sit in front of me,” Lana instructs. She situates herself behind Viri and peers over her shoulder. “Try it again. Maybe I can see what you’re doing wrong from here.” Viri nods and silently tries the stitches, failing again. ”You’re doing it backward! No wonder,” Lana says. She reaches forward and puts her own hands over Viri’s.

“I’m going to guide you. Just try the line I taught you.” She presses down on Viri’s fingers to make them move, and guides her through two simple stitches. ”How…” Viri looks at the untangled yarn in disbelief. ”You see? Now will you try again?” Lana keeps her hands on Viri’s and knits several rows with her. ”I have no idea how we’re doing this, but…” ”Here,” Lana says, sliding her hands back to Viri’s wrists. “Try on your own. You know how it’s supposed to go now.”

Viri’s hands are shaky, but on her own, she’s able to imitate Lana’s actions. ”Thank you,” she says in disbelief. ”I knew you could do it,” Lana says, kissing her cheek and drawing back.

Viri settles onto the couch next to Lana and keeps practicing. Lana sits companionably beside her. The only sound in the room is the clicking of knitting needles –Lana’s quick and confident; Viri’s, far slower and more tentative. By the end of the hour, though, she’s completed some respectable lines.

“This actually was relaxing,” Viri remarks, putting down her knitting needles.

“Indeed,” Lana smiles. “Thank you for trying this for me.”

”I wouldn’t mind working on it more,” Viri says.

”You’re always welcome to knit with me,” Lana grins, kissing her. “But right now, I’m most curious about that other thing you can do with your fingers. You seem to be fairly confident about that. Care to demonstrate?”

”Challenge accepted,” Viri says, sweeping Lana off her feet and carrying her toward the sleeping alcove.