#edit: sorry for the wrong tag i just realized it XD

[once-in-a-blood-moon]

solomon couldn't stand your pact marks.

well, no, that wasn't the right way to put it. he was proud, even jealous of your pacts. they were one of the many admirable things about you! he just hated... looking at them. he knew what other people thought when they saw them.

when one would see those marks on your skin for the first time, they would be able to get a glimpse at your relationship with the brothers. one of trust and respect, gathered from just a glance. meanwhile, one would have to be told about his and your relationship. one look at you couldn't decipher all the time you two have shared together, filled with chatting between classes, practicing magic for hours, and endless love.

at first, solomon tried to mitigate this with his own marks upon your skin. wearing lipstick as he placed a kiss on your neck, a few stray bite marks from your time together at night. but those, while fun, were temporary. and solomon needed something permanent.

why not a ring?

(Hope you don't mind me adding on, anon. Thank you for the delicious meal! Literally so honored to read your beautiful work! 🥹)

Getting the ring was the easy part. Getting you away from the brothers long enough to propose...was not.

The lengths Solomon went through to be able to have a private moment with you might put him in a record book as the three realms' most whipped man. With the mask of his "shady" persona secured, he lets his silver tongue weave him through these seven obstacles, the sin of each dripping from it with only you on his mind.

Swallowing his pride, breathing in greed, spitting out envy...his wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth. A vicious rinse, repeat until he's either buttered them up or grated them down until they finally gave in. But he did it. With the day cleared of any interruptions, his plans were set in motion.

He decides to have a redo of your very first date, flying you up and walking in the sky amongst the stars. It's just the two of you against the ever inky black sky of the Devildom, a place that has become synonymous with your presence. Only this time, there are no surprise gales, no surprise drones -- just the surprise of a velvet heart-shaped box in the inside pocket of his coat.

Solomon brings up fond memories of your time together as you both near the spot he's picked to pop the question. He's filled with a giddy glee that soon you'll have something that binds you to him, something to show the world you're his.

Still, there's a little voice in the back of his head reminding him that you could say no. That perhaps he's not worthy. Does he deserve to have matching rings adorned on his and your fingers forevermore? Does he dare stand by your side as your equal when you are, in fact, so far above him?

He decides it's best not to dwell on such thoughts as this is meant to be a happy occasion, as long as all goes well.

Your feet touch the ground once he lowers you both on top of a cliff that overlooks the Devildom, the moon hanging brightly above. As you take in the magnificent sight, he lowers himself on one knee behind you, waiting with bated breath for you to turn on your own volition.

The moment you do, he knows he'll have to keep this memory stored away with his magic, just staring in awe. The moon is angled just right that it shines right behind your head like a halo. Your eyes are as wide as saucers while your jaw is slacked. With the way you look, he truly wonders if he's in the Celestial Realm.

Nervously, Solomon begins his improvised speech after clearing his throat, "my dearest apprentice, it is with great honor that I'm knelt before you tonight. I have dreamt of this moment more than I'd care to admit, yet I never thought it'd come true. But here I am, willing to give you all of me, if you're willing to give me all of you. You are the sun to my moon, the air in my lungs, the very reason why I believe I've lived so long. I was always meant to find you and work side by side to protect the human realm together. And most importantly, to love you. So, please do this old sorcerer a favor...by marrying me..."

He pulls out the ring box, opening it to offer you the ring within. The blessed box is shaking as he trembles, waiting patiently for your answer.

Happy tears spring from his eyes once you say, "yes." The ring is carefully slipped onto your finger, and a single word comes to Solomon's mind.

Mine.

[fillinforlater]

(T)highly likely

Male Reader x Choi Lia

Length: 1234 words

Tags: dialogue only, smut, professor/student dynamic, basically prostitution, sex for a favor, good student/bad girl, degradation, overstimulation, dirty talk, bullet vibrator, clit stimulation, clit play, biting, marking, fondling tits, thigh fucking, cumming on thighs, thigh kink?, bimbofication, wet orgasms, dom/sub dynamics, professor!You

TW: dialogue only, barely edited

Inspiration: studying sucks, @midnightdancingsol does not. They just told me to and my "brain" came up with something

(A/N: it ain't much, but I hope y'all like my 111 fic xD)

“Professor, I need three points.”

“Good morning, Miss Choi. Sit down first, please. There is no need to hurry.”

“You’re right, I’m sorry.”

“It’s rare for you to be so stressed and blunt; did something happen? Did anyone—did I misgrade your latest exam?”

“It’s not that, it’s just—look, Professor, I read your reasoning and then I reread it and I understand it, but it’s not enough, you know?”

“I do not know, Miss Choi? If I remember correctly, your latest exam was very good, and you definitely don’t need to panic about any of your grades. You are one of the best in this field.”

“But it’s not enough! ‘Very good’ and ‘one of the best’ is not it. Professor, it’s just not enough. I need to be at the top.”

“Miss Choi, this is not high school. You should be old enough to accept that in this University, being on your level is great, excellent even! If you keep these grades up your future will not be in peril. I think you can live with not ‘winning’ an imaginary competition.”

“Three points.”

“Hm?”

“I calculated it. Miss Shin gave me all her grades and all I need are three points to pass her, so—”

“Miss Choi, if you believe that I will give you these three points and thereby risk my integrity and future at this facility just so you can have your childish feel-good award, then you are very wrong. I ask you to lea—”

“I offer myself, my body, for three points.”

“Miss Choi—!”

“You can do everything you want, touch me and fuck me however you like!”

“Miss Choi—!”

“I know how to keep a secret, and I swear, I’m so good at—”

“Miss Choi, shut it! I think you are incredibly moronic for even suggesting this. This offer, for something so insignificant, laughable…

“But if you want to sell your body for some points, then I recommend you wear clothing befitting of a whore. This will not do, I can barely see the benefits of your offer. Return only if you’ve put some effort into it, even better, forget about this all. I don’t believe you are stupid enough for this.”

“I-I…”

“Now get out.”

#

“Hello, Professor.”

“Good evening, Miss Ch—now that is more like it.”

“So~ you like what you see?”

“I like your commitment to your new, real self.”

“My ‘real self’? What do you—hng!”

“You are a slut, Lia, a whore, selling her body for favors. I’m sure this is just the beginning. From now on you will do it over and over again.”

“T-that’s not true! I-I’m smart enough to—”

“If you were truly smart, you wouldn’t accept my hand under that skimpy dress; you’d run out screaming at the touch of my tongue on your clavicle and chest. But no, you even start to moan and become wet. Your thong is already drenched.”

“Professor~”

“Turn around, Lia. Pull up that dress and show what you’re selling. 

“God, the first time I saw a glimpse of your thighs on campus I knew you’d one day realize their value. Damn, even your butt is quite nice.”

“Is it worth three points~?”

“We’ll see about that. Lia, do you know what this is?”

“A bullet vibrator, Pro~fessor.”

“Put it on your clit. Now.”

“O-of course. Ah, fuck!”

“Don’t control your moans. Curse and don’t stop pressing it down on your clit. I want you to tremble, tremble like the nympho bitch you want to be.”

“Ahhh, Professor, I, I—”

“You are so fucking needy already? Show me! Show me how you cum and wet your fat thighs while I—”

“N-no, I’m so close~!

“Ah, not my tits!

“Professor, I—Ahhh!”

“Look at you! I’m groping your bimbo tits for one second and you are already squirming and squeezing your juices out. Lia, I bet you are hornier than I am.

“Let me question your intentions: Is this really about the three points or do you have some kind of fetish for this?”

“P-points, Professor, just—hng—points!

“Not there, ah!”

“Tell the truth, Lia. I won’t be as gentle with your clit… or your throat… or your blonde hair, you fucking slut.”

“It feels so good~”

“Answer the question, slut!”

“No, I-I’m cumming a-again! Yes, right there, oh God, yes—

“H-hey, no! Why did you stop?”

“You know exactly why. I’m totally down for not letting you cum the rest of the night, hell, even the entire weekend. Your disappointed, needy face underneath those blonde curtains is quite attractive.”

“Hmph, you’re an asshole, Professor.”

“For wanting the truth?”

“For… for not finishing it.”

“Well, the chances of your next orgasm rise the faster you answer my question. Come on, Lia, you are smart enough to know this.”

“F-fine, fucking fine!

“Yes, I need the three points, b-but you… is what I really want.”

“You want me?”

“Yes.”

“You want to sell yourself to me?”

“Y-yes…?”

“That did not sound very convincing.”

“Yes! Yes, I want, I need men like you, Professor. I-I don’t get satisfied by anything else anymore.”

“Very good. I like your honesty. However, I think the basis for our agreement has changed. You should be begging for me to use you, to not ignore you—but I will be merciful today.”

“Ah, fuck, that hurts! Pr-professor, what are you doing?”

“I’m marking you. I’m going to use you however I like until you get your degree. You will come to all of my readings, study hard and then I will use your curvy body and pretty face all night.

“Sounds good?”

“People will see the mark, they’ll ask questions!”

“Oh please, as if a girl like you doesn’t get laid and likes it rough. Now stop complaining, the bite suits you.”

“B-but I—oh my God! Hm, fuck!”

“Moan, Lia. I’m tired of hearing your complaints.”

“S-so—ahhh—sorry!”

“Pull the top of your dress down. I want it wrapped around your slutty little waist while I wrap my fingers around your smooth and tiny throat.

“Your tits bouncing while you ride the vibrator… it’s kinda cute. Now drool on them. Make them as wet as your thighs.”

“Professor, ugh.”

“Only moans. Scream when you’re about to—”

“Hm, ahh! Ahh, fu-fuck!”

“You’re such a whore, fuck, cumming like a waterfall down those thighs.”

“Pro-professor~ I can’t stop!

“Wha— wait, oh my God! You look so big!”

“Your thighs are so soft, even softer than they look. I’ll use them like the rest of your body, all the fucking time, fuck!”

“I-It’s huge~”

“Look as it leaves your fat fucking thighs. Imagine me splitting you open with it, hitting all your sensitive spots again and again, while I pull your hair.”

“P-pull it now, please.”

“What?”

“Pull my hair, Professor, please!

“Ah, ahhh!”

“Your hips are already… w-working in tandem with mine. Your entire body was made for milking me.”

“You have to try my mouth at some point.”

“And your ass.”

“M-m-my ass?!”

“Lia, I will use every inch of your body. You will have cum everywhere, your skin will shimmer white, even your insides will be white—and I’ll start with those round trunks.”

“Oh Lord, Professor! It-it’s so warm, ah! So much cream, I—”

“I could fuck those thighs again and again, they are as perfect as a pussy.

“Get on your knees.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Clean my cock.”

“Yes, Professor.”

“Be my personal slut.”

“Yes~ Professor~”

[obsidiancreates]

Bright Suits and Bright Minds (Though Shenanigans Aren't Far Behind)

(Where in the timeline does this happen? Beats me. They're wanderin' the Feywild and that's all I know. Basically I just wanted Kremy and Frost to meet my OC Carter because there's some similarities XD)

(Edit: I put a Read More in but it's not showing that in the tag so I apologize deeply for anyone in the tag wondering why I put a long-ass fic here. I didn't, Tumblr isn't putting the Read More in and I'm sorry.)

"Well," Gideon sighs, hands on his hips as he looks around and sighs. "We're lost."

"You're just realizing that now?" Frost arcs an eyebrow up at his friend. "We haven't seen anything other than trees and muck for hours."

"Yeah, but, that's kinda just how this place is."

"... You're not wrong," Frost concedes. "Twig, do you have any idea where we are?"

Twig looks around for a moment, peering out into the fog from where she sits on Gideon's shoulders. "... Nope!"

""I really should've used Guidance when we started," Gricko mumbles to himself, wincing with wide eyes at his own mistake. "Maybe someone will come by we can ask for directions?"

"I'm not so sure that'll-"

"Oh, finally!"

"Oh, well, I was wrong!" Kremy picks up the pace a bit after the interruption, but freezes when he sees the owner of the voice. "Is that a fuckin' human?"

"What is it with you and humans, man? I'm half-human, you don't got any problems with me!"

"You're half not-human too, Gid, that fixes it."

"Well gosh, Kremy, your hatred of humans and want to eat them implies such a rich and layered backstory," Gricko says, smiling and leaning in to elbow Kremy's leg knowingly.

"It sure does, Gricko. Anyway, let's see if he dies and I can use his bones for some broth."

"Fuck that, I'm getting directions." Frost strides forward. "Uh, hello! My name is Morning Frost-"

He's met with a warm hand clasping around his shoulders. "Finally!" the person exclaims. "I was starting to think this whole universe was just swampwater and weird little frogs!"

"This universe?" Frost takes in this apparent human. He has deep dark skin that contrasts sharply, but nicely, with his obnoxiously bright yellow suit. His hair, not quite long enough to be considered a full afro but getting close to it, is tucked masterfully into what looks like a boater's hat made of fabric instead of straw. Frost would consider it eccentric if he wasn't used to Kremy's own style.

The man grins at Frost and steps back, swooping off his hat and bowing deeply. "Carter Clevman, god of cleverness, craftiness, charisma, and charm! Not in this world though." He stands back up and sweeps his hat on with the same practiced ease.

"Oh gods, it's another fuckin' weirdo," Gideon whispers roughly to Kremy.

"Are you from the material plane too?" Gricko asks as the rest of the group gets closer. Carter doesn't even bat an eye at Torbek as he trudges over, tubes glowing and bubbling away. "We could travel toge-"

"No more people!" Kremy interrupts. "For the sake of the nine hells, Gricko, we've already got six!"

"I wouldn't be joining you anyway," Carter says with a wave of his hand. "I'm looking for my four friends. See, I decided I wanted to take a little trip through the multiverse, as you do-"

"Yeah of course. Why not." Gideon looks at Kremy and holds up a fist in question.

Kremy shakes his head, parting his mouth a little. He tastes a magic in the air around this person. It's not a very familiar flavor, and unfortunately, it tastes like this guy might not be human after all. When it comes to things that disguise themselves like this in the Feywild? Probably better to just try and get anything useful from them and then get away.

Carter doesn't pay attention, or at least doesn't acknowledge it. "-and we ran into a little unexpected debris in the planes between worlds, and, well, we got separated. Have you seen any other 'humans' or humans around here?" Carter makes air-quotes when he says the first 'humans'.

"No-one but you so far, friend," Kremy says, leaning forward a bit on his cane. "So your little group aren't really humans?"

"Well, half of us aren't. I already said I'm not-"

"Torbek doesn't mean to be rude," Torbek says slowly. "But... Torbek doesn't remember any gods wearing suits like Mr. Kremy's..."

"Suit's like-! My suit is finely tailored! Purple is a-a sign of high society!" Kremy brushes off his lapel, offended. "He doesn't even have a cane!"

"A cane is a good idea though. Love the skull on yours, my friend Evelyn would love it too. She's one of the people I'm looking for. She'll either look like a pale human woman with black hair that's bright blue at the tips, sort of a tough almost biker style to her clothes, or she'll look like a harbinger of plant-based revenge." Carter gestures at his back. "Giant wings that go from scales to feathers, four big horns, glowing blue eyes, stuff like that."

"Have we met anybody like that?" Gricko asks, looking up at his companions.

There's a moment of deliberation.

"Never seen her," Twig finally says, "I'm sorry we can't help."

"Ah, it's alright, it was a long shot. If you do see her, let her know I'm looking for her around this area. I'm also looking for Ashlyn, she's got ginger hair and lots of freckles, I believe she was wearing a pink hoodie this time, and is probably carrying around a glowing bow and arrows, she knows me well enough to be armed when she tries to take vacations with me."

"Oh." Gricko crinkles his nose. "You sound like a fun guy to travel with. Hootsie," he says softly to his daughter, "If you have a friend where you always have to be armed to hang out with them, you get new friends, alright?"

"Um, Gricko? That's the case with us." Frost pats Gricko's back.

"... Oh gods, Frosty, you're right. Hootsie, I am so sorry sweetie-"

"I'm also looking for a couple, they'll probably be together. A short woman with light brown hair, oh no. Oh, she was wearing one of her nice pairs of jeans too, I'm going to owe her forever. Literally. Anyway, she'll likely have a bright glowing necklace on and be with her husband, who's about- oh, about the height of your red friend here." Carter gestures at Gideon. "Not red, though, and no beard. Possibly horns, depends on if he's in his demon form or not."

"Demon? We won't be messing with any demons." Kremy looks around and raises his cane a little.

"No no, he's very kind! He rescues cats out of trees and they've fostered orphaned puppies and everything, they're so overly sweet it gave me a cavity once. I didn't even know that could happen, given this physical form is just something I whipped up for fun a few millennia ago."

"If you don't mind my asking," Frost says, looking Carter up and down. "If you're some kind of god or deity... why did you and your companions get so lost? How did something like this happen if you're supposed to be such a-a powerful being?"

"Well, you know how it is. Sometimes you jump into something just bursting with self confidence, and you realize along the way 'Oh-ho! This was unearned'!" Carter chuckles at himself. It's not exactly a happy chuckle. "Ahhh... yeah. I said I was the god of cleverness, not competence."

"If he's the god of cleverness, that might explain a few things. Like how we got so many people to come to our carnival," Gideon says. "You're slackin' off, man."

"Why do you guys keep insultin' the carnival? It was a good carnival!"

"Whatever helps you sleep, Kremy." Frost looks back at Carter. "It's true, you're not doing very well."

"First of all, I said I was the god of it in another universe. I don't know who's in charge of it here, and other cleverness gods and I tend not to get along. ... They think I disgrace the title because I enjoy indulging in silly antics that some would consider dumb. Secondly, I don't control cleverness! I'm a personification of concepts, feelings, aspects! Gods in my world aren't responsible for creation, just... existing as the thing we are! The creation is left up to Sid."

"Sid? You some kinda cleric with a god named Sid?" Kremy lowers his cane. He's starting to think this guy isn't so much dangerous as off his rocker.

"Cleric? Well, at least that narrows down what universe I'm in somewhat... and no! No, Sid is just the nineteen year old who created our universe and controls it by writing it in her spare time."

"Your world is controlled by a nineteen year old?" Frost shakes his head. "I see why you left."

"No, I was just taking a vacation. My friends and I are actually quite close with Sid!"

"Well, are you actually close with them? Or are you kinda forced to be on account of them bein' a god?" Kremy leans a away from Carter.

Frost's eyes widen for just a second as he nods. "That's a good point Kremy. Carter, how do you even know you have free will or agency at all if uh, if your world's creator is involved so deeply in your life?"

"... Don't-don't make me think about that. I- ohhh, god..."

And then Sid didn't know how to end it. So Carter just sat down and had an existential crisis while the Witchlight party walked on.

[awesomex7]

Ten First Lines Game

Rules: Share the first line of ten of your most recent fanfics and then tag ten people. Don’t have ten? Not to worry, just share what you have.

Was tagged by @ben-the-hyena for this little challenge so here I go. XD As for who to tag I have no clue since I don't know any major fic writers here on Tumblr besides Luon and their fics are comics. So I guess @luonnonvalinnat ? Sorry for tagging you, I had to tag someone. ^^'

Edit: I just remembered @xandriagreat worked on fics too, so here is a tag to you. XD

Also I realized more than ten of my recent fics are Bad Guys fics. It's the movie that stuck with me the most when it comes to silly fun and heartwarming fic ideas. ^_^

Caring [fan fiction of a comic]

"Snake… If you buy anymore, you'll turn into a push-pop."

And then Snake became a push-pop. From this line alone you wouldn't think this was different than my other fics. Up until Cathy finally shows up. That's when things truly start. ^^

2. The Bad Guys in Night of the Underlords 

"Wolf, do we really have to? We wore enough ridiculous things in a lifetime already."

Had to include the second sentence since The Bad Guys are basically known for their wacky fashion choices at this point.

3. The Bad Guys in One Good Deed Too Many

“It’s been one hour and twenty-five minutes since little Jimmy fell down the well."

Longest sentence out of all of them. XD

4. The Bad Guys in The Breaking Good

"Shaaaark…" 

I enjoyed Shark and Snake's push-pop rivalry, had to make a fic dedicated to this duo. XD

5. The Snuggle Guys

“Here we are!”

The start of a fic filled with silly fluff and a redemption arc no one expects that I am sure at least half of the fanbase doesn't agree with. 

6. The Bad Guys in The Detention Guys 

"Thank goodness Diane!"

Their mentor and the one who gets them out of their messes. X'D

7. The Bad Guys in Little Problems

“Okay gang… Our first big heroic heist as good guys!”

Yes, because your first "heroic heist" didn't go wrong.

8. The Bad Guys in Recovery

“To think all you have to do is to act like cute animals rather than scary animals.” 

How the Bad Guys get everyone to like them. XD

9. The Bad Guys in Good Tonight

“Tonight is the night.”

A fun filled night with all the Bad Guys.

10. The Bad Guys in Girl's Trip

“EEEE! so cute~”

The fic in a nutshell. Just Webs and Diane being cute and silly. XD Gave Diane a quirk that she is a bug fanatic, which I never brought up again. ^^'

My writing for the most part improved since the tenth fic. My latest one is like the magnus opus of all the Bad Guys fics I wrote.

[ouralcohol]

In Your Eyes Ch. 1 - At the café

pairing: tasm!peter parker x og character

tags: filler, angsty things, some minuscule fluff (if you squint your eyeballs), mentions of dementia, so if you aren't comfortable with any of these don't read.

summary: Maite was working on a typical day of the week when she finally comes face to face with Peter Parker

Author's note: again didn't edit as much, but I have a lot of muse so here is chapter 1. let me know what you think. both characters are of age, so far is PG, will probs go up to pg 13 maybe R, depending on language idk yet.. just go with it xD

Maite had a scholarship to Empire State University. She had worked her ass off to get in there. There was no way that she was going to jeopardize her future because of one class. Unfortunately, something had come up the day that she was supposed to meet Peter, so she didn't end up going. Peter noticed as well.

"You didn't show," Peter told her while they were leaving the lecture hall.

Maite averted her eyes from him and began to walk out of the building, "Yeah. I know. I had. Stuff." There was a tone of apprehension. She wasn't lying. He had chosen a time that didn't work for her.

"Stuff?" He asked.

"Yeah you know, things. Obligations. Sometimes things interfere with what you want or need to do.. you know?" She queried him.

Boy did he know. He knew better than anyone.

"Yeah, I know what you mean.." He trailed off.

Maite didn't mean to not go. She was about to set foot in the building, but then she got a text message from her mother telling her that it was getting bad again. That she needed Maite's help. Maite being Maite dropped everything that she was doing and went to her rescue. That's the kind of person that she was though. She always wanted to help others. When it came to her family, well she was a thousand times protective. So you could imagine how she felt whenever she received that text message. Peter would have to wait. The brunette could have easily gone inside the building and explained it to him, but she didn't. People shouldn't have expectations; it only led to disappointment.

She turned to look at him, "Surprised you don't have your earbuds in." Maite didn't mean to blurt it out. It just happened.

There was a smile tugging at his lips while taking a stride with her.

"Listen. I'm sorry about not showing up. Are you still willing to help me? I can't manage to fail this class..." Maite said while peering over at him beneath her eyelashes.

"See that's the problem right there. You probably already know all of this material anyway, you're just too stressed. You're too tense, Maite." The pronunciation of her name caught her off guard. Peter had said it with very good enunciation. He knew her name?

"You know my name?" Her surprise was audible in her tone which almost caused her to do a double-take. Almost.

Peter stopped walking as he reached out for her wrist causing her to turn around and look at him, " I don't know if you've noticed but we've shared the past four classes. There aren't that many survivors in the Biochemistry major... plus you work at my hangout spot with my friends."

What?

For someone as smart as she was, she was dense sometimes, "I mean. I guess? I thought people just, you know, chose not to take certain classes because of the professors." She replied, brown eyes looking up at his own. Were they always that big and doe-eyed?

"Wrong. People come to realize they can't handle it." Peter shot back with a low sigh.

Never mind the fact that he was still holding her wrist. The skin-to-skin contact sent electricity up her arm. Maite could feel it from the tips of her toes to the hair at the back of her neck. Peter looked down at her face trying to decipher what was going on in that head of hers. How had she not noticed that they shared multiple classes? "Yes. I'll help you." He said in the end.

A soft smile crept up to her face at his final answer. "So do you just have everything memorized since you don't take any notes or anything?" Her hand went to her side, already missing the contact with him, but not wanting to showcase anything by it.

"Maybe I'm just really smart. Like really smart." There was that smugness again.

"Oh. Whatever." She said while letting out a laugh. "When do you want to get together again?" Maite inquired.

"How about you tell me when and I'll see if I can squeeze it in," Peter said politely.

"I can't go to the library. What about at the café? I usually work the afternoon shift, but afterward, it's kind of quiet. You know." Maite said casually. Then she had an idea. The young woman took out her cellphone and handed it to Peter, "This is probably easiest."

He grabbed the phone from her. Maite couldn't help but notice that he was tall. Taller than her by a couple of inches at least. He quickly typed in his phone number and handed it back to Maite. "I'll call you. save it." She pressed the call on her end. After a couple of rings, she hung up.

Maite started walking again, "Tomorrow at the Coffee Bean after I get off work." She told him and he nodded. Peter waved at her as he turned to walk the other way, "See you then."

Hopefully, she won't have any sudden obligations after work.

The truth of the matter was that she didn't have time for anything. She didn't have time for friends, she didn't have time for extracurricular activities, she didn't have time to even breathe. Not with everything that she had going on in school and at home. Maite's schedule was tight, but maybe adding in a tutoring session wouldn't be so horrible.

~

The leaves were turning brown signaling the start of fall weather. It was one of her favorite seasons here in New York. Fall was always nice to see around her neighborhood since it was littered with trees. The color of the leaves made the atmosphere feel cozy. Maite was a sucker for cardigans and cold weather. It only reminded her of warm hugs and fireplaces.

"I'm going to be late tonight." She announced towards her mother while she grabbed her backpack. Maite had managed to have one class today and the rest of the day was free. This meant that she was able to go home before her shift at the Coffee Bean began. She always went back to make sure that her mother was doing okay with her dad. They didn't have the necessary means for Maite to be able to live in the dorms or have an apartment. However, the young woman didn't mind as she enjoyed living at home. Her parents didn't pry. She was always there to help them in any way that she could.

Things with her dad were a bit.. complicated.

"Okay. Just be careful." Her mother told her with a solemn expression on her face.

This was the way it always went through. Her mother had a look on her face that screamed at Maite to stay. She could not handle being at home alone with her father. Her father was going on a downward spiral. He had dementia. Today was a good day for him. Some days were harder than others of course, but Maite and her mother were doing their best. It took a toll on her poor mother, and Maite tried to be strong for everybody. That's why she wanted to be a Biochemistry major. She was a junior in all senior classes.. she was highly intelligent. This led her to believe that she was going to be able to provide for her parents once she graduated.

"Don't worry. If you need anything you know you can call. Dad will just go to sleep for the night. It was a good day today." Maite softly told her mother while giving her a peck on the cheek.

"I sure hope you're right. I don't need him waking up in the middle of the night screaming again.." Her mother retorted.

The college student let out a slow sigh. Sometimes it was hard to be positive when all her mother did was give back remarks. Maite gave her mother a soft smile while walking out the door. Her brown eyes looked at the ground while walking towards her destination on the subway system. It was the easiest and fastest form of traveling for her.

Once Maite arrived at the coffee shop, she put on her apron and tied her hair back in a low ponytail. The place seemed dead for a Wednesday. "We haven't had any customers today.. kinda glad since yesterday was packed," Chloe mentioned to Maite.

The college student nodded, smiling at her co-worker. Chloe was someone that Maite considered a friend even if they just worked together. Chloe knew all about Maite's busy schedule, so she never attempted to hang out with the brunette outside of work. She was a little older than Maite, probably in her mid-twenties. She was an aspiring artist, so the coffee shop job was a side gig until she was able to land on her feet with her paintings.

One, two, three, four, five hours passed by at the pace of a snail. It was nice that there had been decent music playing. Now, Maite could only focus on the fact that Peter was going to walk through the door at any moment. Her shift was almost over and she had texted him what time that was at. One of her other co-workers, Tom, popped his head up from under the shelves that he was cleaning, "Spider-Man's been sighted near here! Oh, Chloe can we go see if he's here? Pretty please?!" He shouted with excitement towards their manager.

"Spider-Man here? Hell yeah! You coming, Maite?" She queried towards the brunette.

Spider-Man was someone that she had always admired. He was always trying to stop the bad guys. People just misunderstood his intentions sometimes, "Na, you guys go ahead, I gotta finish cleaning up here.." Maite stated while shrugging her shoulders. When would she ever get a chance to see the Spider again? Probably never.

Upon her saying that everyone from the shop scrambled to go outside leaving her alone. Her eyes looked over at everyone outside, everyone had their phone out to catch a glimpse of the masked superhero. They were all looking up at the sky towards the buildings. Maite shook her head and smiled to herself. He had a lot of fans and it amused her.

The ding to the door could be heard, "Just missed him. Did you see how fast he was swinging?" One customer said and Maite could not help but overhear. "We saw him go around and away to the other buildings. That counts for something." The customer's friend said slapping him on the shoulder.

The customers that had walked back inside went back to their respective places. Maite was continuing to clean the shelves when another ding could be heard again. Probably customers leaving. "Once you're done cleaning that, you can finish for the day, Maite," Chloe mentioned towards her. Maite nodded towards the general manager. "But you know you're closing up. it's only like thirty minutes left anyway. You're okay with that right?" Maite nodded again, Chloe gave her the keys to the coffee shop.

Once the shelves were spotless, she stood up and wiped her hands on her apron. She scanned the area and noticed that Peter was standing behind the counter. His hair was sticking to his forehead, a lot more disheveled than usual. Maite noted that he was breathing a little heavier than normal. Did he run here or something? "Afraid you weren't going to get here on time?" She asked him. Maite stifled a laugh.

The blush that crept on his cheeks did not go unnoticed, but Maite made no mention of it.

"Something like that," Peter responded with a soft smile.

"Your usual order?" She asked.

"No coffee, just the muffin."

Maite got what he requested, "It's on the house. Also, I get off in about thirty minutes."

"Cool, I'll just go sit at my regular spot." He announced, grabbing the muffin in one hand and his skateboard in the other.

This was more how she pictured him being. Alone with his thoughts. Maite had never seen him with a group of friends before, not that he looked out of place, just that it was different. She couldn't put her finger on it. It's not that he was awkward.. okay, maybe a little bit, it was something else.

Maite adverted her eyes as Tom began to take his apron off, Chloe had left already leaving both of them to man the counter. "Do you think he'll swing by here again? If ever maybe?"

"I don't know, Tom. Why don't we put out a sign that offers Spider-Man the world's best coffee and see if he'll fall for it." Maite let out a giggle.

"Hey, that's not a bad idea... oh. What's Parker doing here?" He raised an eyebrow towards Maite.

"Is that his last name? He's helping me study... You know I can't manage to fail this stupid class." The brunette responded. At this sudden revelation, Maite couldn't help but be the one blushing now. "It's nothing...how could it be something when I just found out his name like three days ago?" She said defensively.

Sometimes she had a knack for putting her foot in her mouth. This was one of those sometimes.

"I didn't ask. He's always hanging out with Harry. Harry is trouble." Tom said.

Maite only shrugged her shoulders. "You know I mostly keep to myself. I'll be okay." She was trying to convince herself more than her friend.

"Well. Have fun.. or not. I don't care. See you in two days." Tom wiggled his eyebrows.

Tom turned the knob on the door and waved goodbye. Maite walked behind him to lock the door and turn the sign around to signal that the coffee shop was now closed. She walked back behind the counter, took off her apron, and placed it on the hook next to the door that was the manager's office.

Maite then turned off the soft music that had been playing throughout the day, grabbed her backpack, and went to sit in front of Peter Parker. He had been looking through his camera while having that one single earbud in his ear once again.

"Spider-Man was seen around here?" He asked while still looking at his camera. He was fiddling with something.

"So they say. They said that he swung around for a couple of minutes." Maite stated while taking her book out.

"You didn't go out there?" He looked over at Maite.

"No, I had to finish cleaning."

"Not a big fan of Spider-Man?"

"I'm a fan. He always seems to be doing some type of good.." Maite shrugged her shoulders, "Probably missed my chance to see him, though. I'm sure he's quite busy keeping the streets free of crime." She waved it off as if nothing.

Well. She didn't want to be disappointed in the end, it was better off that way.

Maite looked at him, "What about you? Are you a fan of Spider-Man?" She asked him genuinely interested.

"He seems pretty okay. I know him."

Maite's face looked stunned, "You know Spider-Man? What other skeletons do you have in your closet, Peter?"

Peter averted his eyes from her with a silly smile plastered on his face. "More than you'd have I'm sure, but let's not get into that. Now. Biochemistry."

Maite groaned, running her hands all over her face, "I hate this class."

They had a test coming up in about a week. The hands-on in the lab she could do like the back of her hand; it was the lecture portion that was killing her buzz, all that memorization that they had to do. She had run out of helpful acronyms that she could use.

"Okay, but the class doesn't hate you, plus you have me as a study partner now."

"No. You don't understand. It's a little hopeless. I'm going to fail."

"You just need to stop getting anxious about it. You passed all the other classes, didn't you? Why is this one the one that's getting you sidetracked?"

"If I fail this course then I lose the scholarship.. and that.. just can't happen. It's stress added."

"I'm on a scholarship too, so I understand, but you shouldn't let money get in the way of brilliance."

"You think I'm brilliant?" Maite's mouth was agape.

"I mean you're a junior in senior classes.. some would say a genius, but you know, that's going a little overboard." Peter gave her a cheesy smile.

"Jerk." Maite scoffed.

Her stomach fluttered at the sudden compliment from him, "So I know you've probably passed everything.. but how do you not freak out during exams?"

His eyebrows raised at the question while rubbing his hand under his chin, "I look at it as a game. The paper can't beat me.. they're just questions about science.. Nothing different about any other test."

Maite looked at his face. "I didn't know that you had friends. You're always by yourself." She pointed out, her tone much softer than before.

"Harry's my roommate.. he's my best friend actually. One of them." Peter shrugged, still not taking his eyes off Maite. Peter did not mention the girl that was here the other day. Her big brown eyes bored into his wondering what else she should say... her brain was getting hazy from this stare-down.

"Remind me again why you decided to help me?" She felt shy while her cheeks flushed all of a sudden. Maite looked down at her book while placing her teeth on top of her bottom lip, giving it a little nip. "That was stupid, don't answer that." She said.

"I told you. You look like you just needed help... everyone needs help sometimes." Peter said in a much softer tone.

Her eyes looked up at him and no longer was she looking at a man with a complacent expression, but rather someone who seemed very kind. He ran his hand through his hair while finally breaking eye contact. Maite wondered what he was thinking since his features had lessened.. his jaw was very defined. Peter Parker had very nice features. With the way that his jaw was so chiseled and the apples of his cheekbones were just right on him, to the contours of his nose.. she needed to look away, but it was hard. Maite cleared her throat.

"Well. Thank you. I appreciate it." The brunette concluded.

"We haven't even studied yet. How do you know I'm going to be a good teacher?" He asked now looking at her again.

"You're really smart? Smarter than me... and I'm pretty brilliant apparently." She shot back his words at her. "You think Spider-Man gets help?"

She posed the question not expecting an answer, "He's more of a solo guy if I remember." Peter answered.

"Didn't you just say that everyone needs help sometimes? Don't you think he would appreciate it? That just sounds so lonely. I can't imagine what it would be like to be him." A sigh escaped her lips thinking about what Spider-Man must be going through in some scenario.

"He's a lone wolf. He doesn't mind." Peter said.

There was an expression on his face that Maite could not put into words.. it was.. it was something, "Still.. everyone gets lonely. I hope whoever he is is surrounded by at least someone who loves him dearly. I can't imagine on a bad day."

"We should really get to studying now." Peter Parker stated closing the subject.

There was a finality to his tone that made her wonder exactly how close Peter was with Spider-Man. She didn't press it as her fingers opened the Biochemistry book that was in front of her.

This class was going to be the death of her, but maybe, just maybe with the help of Peter Parker, she would be able to pass it.

a/n: let me know what you think! reblog if you want, i'll allow that. don't steal my work though!

[chansaw]

idk and another thing i’ve been thinking about! since i’m feeling so free-tongued on this monday night! is that i just feel so disillusioned with the concept of fandom. i used to be so passionate about the stuff i loved but now i just feel… blah??? like maybe it’s just because there are so many insane people who stan six i’m just beginning to realize how abnormal the concept of “stanning” is.

join me under the jump for a ramble if you want.

edit: there is no jump because i forgot how to add read more on mobile. sorry

today for the first time in a while i decided to jaunt through the heathers tag on tumblr, maybe bc i’m feeling nostalgic/reflective what with graduation coming up. and it’s just the same thing over and over again: ship art. incorrect quote that doesn’t even gel with canon characterization. incorrect/inaccurate surface level analysis of the musical (ignoring the movie!). jd thirst post. ship art. ship art. ship art. rinse and repeat. and i’m like… is this all there is? same with six. it’s just wild mass guessing about costumes, alternate order, mildly offensive “sixsona-fications” of other historical figures, XD chaos goblin anne boleyn XD, grossly intrusive speculation about the personal lives of the actors - and that’s what gets me the most! people stalk these girls and it’s so disturbing. sam talked about an incident with her abusive ex-boyfriend where he hurt her in a particular way, and then a “paulynator” wrote RPF about sam that included this exact detail. like how dare you? what is wrong with you? why are these people documenting the names of their families on the six wiki? how is that relevant to six? these actors are human beings with private lives!!! god! i don’t know where i was going with this. maybe the reason im not getting that serotonin rush out of participating in fandom is because im [gasp] growing up?? evolving as a person? what a radical notion

[katherynefromphilly]

for the get to know your author, 4, 9, 17, and 19 (I'm sorry if these are a lot, I'm barely refraining from typing all numbers tbh xD)

*enormous hug* for your enthusiasm.  :) :) :)

4) favorite character you’ve written

My favorite OC is Eleanor Godwyn.  She is the woman I aspire to be when I’m older, and she is also based upon quite a number of feisty older women who I have been blessed to know in my lifetime.  Find yourself a feisty older woman mentor.  You’ll be happy you did.  Feisty women over 40, 50, 60, 70, 80... they only get sassier and wiser and more fun to be around.

9) what, if anything, do you do for inspiration?

Reading, mostly.  I have a ton of AO3 bookmarks tagged as “well-written”, and those authors inspire me to try and write as well as they do.  Watching YouTube videos by writers is pretty inspirational too.  Plus reading posts about the craft of writing makes me want to write, so that I can evolve my writing and editing style.  But really I get inspired to write by getting obsessed with and rewatching a particular show.  Especially the episodes that make my heart ache (Diamond of the Day).

17) if you could give your fledgling author self any advice, what would it be?

I’d tell my 13-year-old fanfic-writing self that OTHER PEOPLE WRITE STORIES ABOUT TV SHOWS AND MOVIES TOO.  See, I grew up Before The Internet, and didn’t have much access to the places where printed fics were available, so I didn’t know that fanfiction was a thing other people did.  I thought it was just me, a weird girl, unable to let go of Star Wars, writing Luke Skywalker stories in her notebooks.  I thought there was something wrong with it, wrong with me. If I could, I’d tell that young girl to STOP BEING ASHAMED OF WHAT MADE HER HAPPY.  Not only fic writing but all the other stuff that got me mocked in the 70s and 80s, which incidentally is all mainstream now.  (star wars, computers, comic books, video games, superheroes, etc.)  Being ashamed was such a huge waste of my mental energy.  Don’t be ashamed of your passions.  Celebrate them. 

19) when it comes to more complicated narratives, how do you keep track of outlines, characters, development, timeline, etc.?

Quite hysterically, every story has been written a different way.  We Begin Again was a “pantser” thing where I just sat down and wrote the whole thing as I saw it in my head.  But when I was done, I realized it didn’t work, so I rewrote the entire thing, using “scene cards” for each chapter, listing character goals and quotes from the show and plot points.  Our Destinies was a stream of consciousness with not enough editing, and it really shows.  Ever Onward was plotted out carefully in advance, with each small scene having a goal, and that’s the one I’m satisfied with the most, structurally.  The new Merlin story I’m working on (which is on hold because Life), is very extensively plotted because there’s so much movement and plot points.  I’m using a Beat Sheet and Character Sheets and have a whole folder hierarchy of reference stuff.  Even with that, I’m still a bit stuck in the middle.  So honestly I’m not sure what approach is best.  I’m still learning as I go.   :)

Thanks for the ask! 

[lamentalia]

Amelia - Chapter 7. Part 2

★

Oh man… she is in way over her head here.

Amelia had only JUST walked through the gates of Achena moments ago and she’s already overwhelmed.

Lovino had advised her against stopping and looking at the map he’d given her if at all possible. She’s supposed to hurry and find “the market” as soon as possible and not wander or stop long enough for anyone to pay her any attention, but… there is just too much here! How is she supposed to tell one building or street from another? How is she supposed to concentrate through the hum and bustle of cats walking around everywhere??

Amelia looks ahead at the wide main road filled with cats and lined with so many wooden buildings, they stretch farther than she can see! And she knows that there are tons of branching streets and alleyways too, each with their own lines of wooden buildings.

In the distance, looking over the roofs of buildings on her right, she can see a group of buildings towering over the whole town. They’re the tallest structures she’s ever seen before. Even the leaning one that looks to be supported by a giant tree is taller than the Sanctuary!

Not only are they huge, though. They’re obviously two-canes ruins. The familiar, smooth rock walls, perfectly square windows and sharp edges, though crumbled in many places and exposing their mysterious metal skeletons, are unmistakable. Much like the Sanctuary, wooden frames, scaffoldings, and even verandas are built over the ruins by cats in order to make the structures more habitable.

Amelia remembers Lovino pointing out that area on the map, but she just can’t catch her bearings like this. She’s glad Lovino’s cloak is hiding most of her face because she’s having a hard time keeping her uneasy expression off of it. On the other hand, it impedes her vision quite a lot more than normal and she bumps into two or three cats as she walks. Perhaps because they’re all taller than her by varying degrees, they don't see her in their path. Again, Lovino told her not to speak under any circumstances or it would be all over, but while she was figuring out a way to excuse herself without speaking, it seems like the cats had already moved on.

Amelia guesses that cats must bump into each other all the time here… So weird. How can they stand it?

Come to think of it, if she’s not allowed to speak, how on earth is she going to find Mattie in all of this mess? Lovino told her to find Gil and Ludwig’s shop first. A logical idea, now Amelia sees how vast and crowded Achena really is, but if she can’t ask anyone how to find it… Amelia wishes she’d remembered the map better, but honestly the tangle of lines and squares didn’t make any sense to her. She thought she’d get by just on her instincts and tracking capabilities… Now she knows, there’s no way that’s happening.

“Hey kid, you dropped something!” Says a voice behind her. Amelia staggers for just a moment as she almost turns around to face the cat who’d called out. In this crowd, she can’t be sure that it was her he was referring to, and even if she had dropped something, it wasn’t likely anything worth engaging a stranger for. So she walks on, pretending she didn’t hear.

“Oh, don’t be like that, brother. I’m not gonna hurt you.” The voice continues and Amelia can tell that it’s owner is falling into step behind her. Dammit… “Look, I have it for you right here.”

Amelia quickens her pace, but finds that doing so makes it harder to dodge the many passing cats. She can feel that the presence behind her doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to catch up with her, but it continues to follow steadily. He’s stopped calling out. She really doesn’t know what it means. The cat isn’t exuding any kind of fighting will but something, likely the paranoia that had been instilled in her by the Sanctuary cats, has her on the run from him.

While she’s distracted she bumps into the arm of someone hard enough to knock her square into the chest of another. Or abdomen, more like… Amelia is so shocked at how tall and broad the cat standing before her is, her mouth falls open when her eyes finally trail high enough to find his face. The big guy’s own violet eyes widen in shock, mirroring her sentiment, at the sight of her much shorter self. They stand frozen like that for what feels like a very long moment. A long and horrifying moment, when Amelia realizes her hood’s fallen back and those violet eyes are scanning her face, ears, eyes, neck…

“Sorry about that!” That voice from behind Amelia calls out once again. “Hahaha! My friend here never watches where he’s going.”  

A chill raises the fur on the back of Amelia’s neck at the sound of that voice this time. She can feel now that there’s something wrong about him, and it’s not only because of the lie he’d just spun to “cover” for Amelia’s clumsiness.

Perhaps the chill had shown on her face as well, because Amelia can see the big guy’s expression change in an instant to one of understanding and then to one of recognition. He opens his arms wide and smiles at Amelia joyfully.

“Alyosha! It has been too long! Imagine, meeting like this!” He has a surprisingly delicate laugh, but gives a hearty pat to both of Amelia’s shoulders, then smoothly fixes her hood so that it covers her face again. “Tell me, how was your journey? Oh, but my manners. This tom here is your friend?”

Big guy gestures to the figure behind her and Amelia takes the opportunity to shake her head without looking back at him.

“Oh, dear! Well, an honest mistake I am sure.” Big guy says looking up, and she’s too close and he’s too tall to see whatever exchange is had between the two toms, but all she can hear behind her now is deathly silence. Big guy turns and places a large hand at her upper back to guide her forward into a dark and narrow alley, squished between two tall and long, wooden buildings. “Come, Alyosha, we have so much to catch up on.”

Ok… this… doesn’t feel any safer. But Amelia’s brain isn’t working fast enough in this unfamiliar situation to find an alternative escape route from either of these strange toms. Big guy continues to urge her further into the alleyway until the bustle of the main street is muffled and she can tell that they’d be difficult to see in this shade if anyone were looking in from outside.

Suddenly, moving unexpectedly fast for such a large framed cat, Amelia finds herself being lifted and thrown over a massive shoulder, and hauled up the side of one of the alley walls.

★TBC★ A/N: I’m posting these up so quickly after I write them.... Y’all are getting ROUGH pieces. xD; I get the feeling I’m gonna need to fill in a lot of stuff when I get to actually editing this chapter. Sorry again if it reads weird. If the newly used rusame tag brought you in, you can find a description of this project on my blog and the finished chapters at Ao3. 💕

[kauladoeswriting]

Life Will Change, Chapter 3

It’s late and who knows what it’ll look like editing half a sleep XD I tried. Summary: Because Enzan should have known he was asking for too much to be able to start school without any complications. Word Count: 3292 Fandoms: Persona 5/MMBN Fusion Previous Chapter | Next Chapter Ao3

April 18th, 2016 Morning

The night had remained blissfully calm. Right up until that calm was shattered to pieces by a blaring alarm. 6 AM wasn’t an unusal time for Enzan to wake up, but maybe a small, unreasonable part of him thought it’d be the one of the many changes from life as an executive. Enzan pushed himself up, letting the blanket he was using fall in a puddle around his waist. It took a moment to adjust to his new room. He wondered if he’d ever get used to it.

His sleep had been mostly uninterupted by talks of the velvet room. It was beginning to feel like that one time was a freak accident, a dream made up by a mind that was already way too stressed out. Maybe the fact he’s gotten to relax a little the last few days helped? (That doesn’t explain all the oddities he’s seen since he’s come to Tokyo.) It was unimportant. Today was Enzan’s first day of school, and with the train accidents, on top of this being his first time traveling there, he wanted to be prompt and professional. After all, he knew very well the deck was stacked against him, and there was no reason to give them reason to dislike him further. In a few minutes, he had himself dressed in his school uniform, and his backpack mostly packed already, with his phone shoved in the side pocket.

“Enzan-kun, are you awake?” Meijin’s voice called up the stairs.

“Yes, I am, Meijin!” He called back, looking into the mirror he had managed to uncover one last time. First impressions were everything. Looking clean and neat would make for a good one. “If you want some cereal, hurry down now!” “Yes, Meijin!” Enzan scooped his backpack off the floor, and hurried down to meet Meijin in the kitchen for a second morning in a row. He set the bag down neatly against the wall, and sat down at the table. He poured himself a bowl of cereal, and got to eating as fast as he could. He had enough time to spend maybe ten minutes, accounting for train schedules.. A newspaper was flopped on the table in front of him. “I’ve already looked through it today, you can flip through it if you want!” Meijin was hurrying back and forth, looking for his things. Was the scientist always this disorganized? The sight confused Enzan enough that he was distracted from eating once again. This was new, compared to the Meijin he had gotten to see the last few days.

“Did you oversleep?” Enzan asked finally. “No no, nothing like that.” Meijin disappeared briefly into the living room and came back with his laptop. “I just wanted to see you off on your first day of school.” And he just… hadn’t gotten ready yet. He didn’t lie, it was just a partial truth.

If Enzan noticed, he decided not to call Meijin on it. He just hurried through the rest of his cereal, careful not to spill any milk on his uniform. He finished on time, and avoided the horror of soggy cereal. A double win. By the time he had finished, Meijin was leaning in the doorway, looking perfectly put together, as if he hadn’t been running around the house like a madman trying to get all of his things shoved into his computer bag at the last second. “All ready to go, Enzan-kun?” “Yes, I am.” Enzan picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulders. He went to put his dish in the sink to wash it really quickly, but Meijin called him away. “We’re both in a hurry, let’s leave that for later. Let’s get out of here.” Meijin had already said he couldn’t take Enzan to school. But he cared enough to at least see him off.

Unfortunately, it seems as though Enzan should have checked the weather before he left. Maybe then he wouldn’t be stuck under an awning by his school’s train station, wondering how he was going to get the rest of the way to the school without ruining his uniform. There was shuffling beside him as the two students that crashed into him yesterday came out from the train station. “It’s raining?!” yelled the boy. Netto, was it? The girl, Meiru, sighed and tucked the folder underneath her school coat. “It seems so. Didn’t I warn you to bring an umbrella?” Enzan stuck his hands in his pockets, and turned away slightly, as if paying attention anything but his new companions. He didn’t want to eavesdrop on the other students. Or at least, he didn’t want to look like he was. Netto looked busy with the box in his arms, as if that’d save him from the judgement of his friend. Meiru sighed. “I have an umbrella if you need it.” Netto perked up slightly, his cheeks colored in embarrassment. “Thanks Meiru-chan.” He shifted the box in his arms, and took the umbrella from her. With a swift motion, he extended the umbrella out and held it over his head. “If I hurry, I should be able to get something to eat! See ya, Meiru-chan!” And off the brunette went. “Netto, you forgot your folders- And he’s gone…” Meiru sighed. “I’m sorry he didn’t stick around to introduce himself.” Enzan stiffened, but was able to force himself to keep his business face on. Was it that obvious he was listening in? Because if it was, he was slipping. “He seemed to be in a hurry.”

“Yeah, he is. His club supervisor wanted Netto there early so they could get work done early…” The early bird caught the worm after all. Enzan thought it was a perfectly reasonable sentiment, but it appeared that Meiru didn’t share his opinion. Although...

“They’re not going to have a whole lot of time before class begins, are they?” Enzan’s phone beeped, and he pulled it out, wondering if he just got a notification. “No. Netto slept in, because thanks to this, he’s gotten almost no sleep this last week.” Meiru’s hand was tightend around the strap of her shoulder bag.

Enzan located the cause of the vibration and frowned. The strange app he was sure he deleted had opened itself. Definitely malware. He really needed to be careful about using it for any sensitive purpose until he could get a part time job to replace it. “They must be working hard.” Phone issues aside, Enzan wasn’t unused to long nights working towards a goal. It came with the territory. “It seems quite rigorous.” With a flick of his finger, he had closed the app and attempted to uninstall it once again. Meiru sighed. “It… It’s not just the hours.” She admits. “The teacher supervising it, Yamitaro Higure... he acts like he’s a CEO of some large warehouse, or a factory... where all the students are his employees.” Enzan raised an eyebrow, distracted from his phone’s odd behavior. “CEO? Factory?” What an… interesting way of describing it. (He didn’t realize the strange app had once again reappeared, nor that it was listening to their conversation.)

“Yeah. You’re a transfer student, right? I saw you with your guardian yesterday.” Her eyes drifted towards the school. “So I guess you wouldn’t really know.” “Know what?” “He charges outrageous fees. Just… steer clear. It’s not worth it.” Perhaps being broke was a blessing. “We’re… going to be late. I’m sorry for burdening you with my thoughts. Let’s get going.” Meiru turned in the direction she was looking, beginning to walk that way, when a wave of nausea hit her. And Enzan too.

It felt like it lasted longer than it did. Enzan shook it off quickly. Perhaps his breakfast didn’t agree with him; there was nothing to be gained from just standing about, musing on smething that didn’t matter. (He was fine with the cereal yesterday ...)

He shoved his phone in his pocket, deciding he’d deal with it later. “I agree that we should go.” Meiru had bent over, resting her hands on her knees for a bit while she caught her breath, and then straightened up with a nod. “Y-yeah. I’ll show you. It’s your first day, right?” She lead him down the streets of Tokyo, though neither of them could shake the feeling that something was wrong. Very wrong.

“I couldn’t have walked the wrong way!” Meiru was panicking, and Enzan couldn’t blame her. The building they were in front of most certainly was not a school. Rather, a large warehouse with an elaborate store front would be a whole lot more accurate. 

Enzan would almost liken it to one of those big box stores that could be found in America. 

She poked at her phone, growing increasingly frustrated. “I’ve lost all signal.” She frowned. “Do you think you could…” Her voice drifted off. “Yeah. I can.” He pulled his phone out, but the strange app was still up. Swearing under his breath for letting himself get distracted, he swiped up to close it. And it wouldn’t close. It didn’t take long to realize that his phone wasn’t going to power down either, meaning he’d probably have to let it die. 

Wonderful. “My phone doesn’t seem to be working properly either.” It was strange that they were both having issues at the same time...

Putting her phone back into her side bag, Meiru looked over the building. “Maybe it’s just a weird prank or something. Though I wonder why Netto didn’t text me about this…” She didn’t seem sure of herself. This was a really weird prank, if it was one, wasn’t it? It wasn’t like Enzan ever went to public school before this. But surely, surely, if pranks involving cloaking the whole school was a thing that happened, there would be a news article about it.

As they pushed open the doors, it didn’t seem anything like a school that Enzan had ever heard of. Two desks flanked the door, each with a student behind it. One was girl with hair in blonde braided pigtails, and the other a boy with a sweater on underneath his school jacket. Both of them had one of those “Hi, my name is _” Tags stuck to their chest, each with a number on them. 

The girl’s was a lot higher than the boys. Meiru looked between the two worriedly.

“Tohru-kun, Yaito-chan, what’s going on?” She asks. They must have been in the right place, if Meiru knew the two kids. Still not any kind of set up for a school though. 

“Welcome to the Shuujin branch of Higureya!” The two echoed together. “Please pay the 5,000 yen for the enterance fee!” Enzan blinked. Shuujin. That was the name of the school, was it not? He was already enrolled, Why would there be any additional fee? This is definitely where the school had been the night before… Meiru looked confused too. “Guys, this isn’t funny. What’s going on here?” Meiru’s eyes flickered between her two friends. “Just… why do we need to pay?” “Because we’re an exclusive club. You must pay to join. Those who can’t pay should leave.” Enzan didn’t like this feeling. “Who are we paying, anyways? I think we should talk to them.” “President Higure-san is simply worth far too much to meet with those who can’t pay our generous enterance fee.” The blonde girl answered by herself this time. Meiru turned to her. “Yaito-chan, can you just explain-” “If you don’t leave soon, I’ll have to call security.” The boy said, voice quiet and flat. Meiru spun around to face him. “Tohru-kun, please, can you-” A siren cut her off, and a metal gate fell behind her. “Intruder! Intruder!”

None of these order of events were making any degree of sense to Enzan. He had lost it somewhere around their school being turned into a warehouse and Meiru’s friends apparently were turned into the kind of corporate drones Enzan might have expected to see underneath his father. Creatures that could only be described as formless blobs shoved into a suit slithered up behind the desks, each with a weird ornate mask shoved onto its face. “This isn’t necessary, we can be going.” Meiru assured, backing towards the gate, hoping that they’d accept her peace offering and let them go. Enzan followed her back towards the gate, keeping her behind him just in case. He didn’t like the look of those so called guards.

It didn’t open, and those blobs were getting closer. Enzan knew somewhere in the back of his mind it was fruitless, but he turned and tried to shield Meiru anyways.

----

They couldn’t really get more fucked than this, right? The wording was far more crude than Enzan usually preferred, but it seemed to fit their situation unfortunately well. He and Meiru were surrounded by these amorphous blobs that might have almost looked like a child’s robot in suits if he squinted, if they weren’t carrying actual weapons. And they were leading him and Meiru to… somewhere, well towards the back of the giant warehouse, that even Enzan’s internal map was having difficulties keeping up with.

Despite Enzan’s best attempt to keep Meiru safe, it was hard to find a position that could be considered so, surrounded as they were by these wanna be robots. Meiru kept her hands curled tightly around her book bag, holding it in front of her, eyes locked on the ground. Enzan looked back and forth, looking for a chance to escape. He had no idea what was going on here, but it was definitely disturbing and he had the sinking feeling that the two of them may not be walking out alive if they didn’t escape somehow from this warehouse that had taken over the school.

Maybe if he could find some sort of break in the robot’s formation, he could possibly fight one into letting them by and then maybe they could navigate out of here? That sounded farfetched, even to Enzan. He was just one guy, against robots.

The robots guided them to a door marked “Mister President Yamitaro Higure”. Higure, Higureya, someone was really full of them selves, weren’t they? Meiru’s hands tighened even more, digging her fingertips into her palms around her strap. One of the robot blobs knocked on the door. Higure, Higure, Higure, where had he seen that name before…

Right, on that poster from yesterday. He ran the club that Meiru had been complaining about just a little bit ago. Not that any high school teachers had any business having robots that seemed to be carrying actual weapons

The door swung open, and reminded Enzan of those cheesy B Action movies that he’d watch late at night in his office while working. And as the door opened, there was going to be a mob boss sitting at the desk. It should be noted that Enzan honestly did not expect to be as close to correct as he was.

“You…” Meiru probably couldn’t get more tense than she already was, but her shoulders noticably stiffened, and she made an attempt to straighten her back. Whatever happened here, Enzan was going to do his best to deflect any trouble off of her. 

He really hoped he was just being uncharacteristically dramatic, but really, everything around him suggested otherwise.

“So these are our intruders, huh?”

The man in front of them was the oddest combination of sleazy salesman and well dressed man. He had a plaid brown vest on with an over exaggered fur coat and a black fedora, along with unruly messy hair. “Yes sir.” One of the robots informed him. “Intruders? This is our school!” Meiru said. She was glaring with all she had at the teacher. The teacher adjusted his ridiculous over exaggerated sunglasses. “Your school, huh…?” The man looked thoughtful, stroking his chin as if there was a goatee there. “You didn’t pay the price of admission though, huh?” Price of admission. The counters up front? “You can still make it up though, huh? You would make a great addition to the advertisement team.” “I want no part of that awful thing you call a club.” Meiru responded. “Why not? It’d be more useful than you harrassing my workers, huh?” Higure would be flicking the ash away from a cigarette if he had one. Maybe it was just paranoia that made Enzan step closer to Meiru.Was it just him or were those robotic blobs getting closer to them?

Undeterred by Meiru’s glaring, or Enzan’s increasing guard, Higure pressed on. “The advertisment team is lacking, anyways. It could use a little pizzaz, huh? Imagine the touch a woman’s hand could bring!” “Why would I do that?” She asked, looking like she was going to argue more. Not wanting to see what would happen if he blew up, Enzan made the executive decision that he was going to step in. She could yell at him later if it bothered her.

“Listen, I think she’s making it pretty clear she doesn’t want any part of this, so if you’ll let us go-” One of the shadow robot blobs grabbed Enzan by the back of his jacket and roughly pulled him away. It worked out in his favor somewhat, though. At least the man’s eyes were drawn to him instead of Meiru. Maybe he could create a cover for Meiru’s escape? But to his dismay, it didn’t last nearly as long as he hoped. After all, Enzan was a stranger. He was unimportant. His eyes quickly scanned the room, looking for some way to fight back. There was no way he was just going to stand down now. 

“Meiru-chan, you don’t hold the cards here, huh? You either help, or I’ll have to have you disposed of.” The blobs pushed closer to her, weapons raising up. She glared at them pulling her bag up to her chest, as if hoping swinging it at them would help her out of her situation.

You aren’t just going to let her be hurt, are you?

The voice, not one Enzan could place, caught him off guard. As well as the pulse of pain across his forehead

Of course not!

He tried to grab for the statue on the desk, but it felt like everything had suddenly become muted. Enzan heard bits and phrases between the pulsing headache.

‘increased sales’

‘you don’t matter if you don’t make money’

‘why not help - it’s for the greater good’

‘You don’t have a choice.’

Just standing there won’t change anything. 

You’d be risking yourself again, just to save her.

I don’t care!

I can’t just… stand by!

It wasn’t an accident, then. You won’t let her be a corporate tool.

I shall lend you my power, then, Enzan-sama.

Enzan-sama? Who are you?

Enzan didn’t notice that the conversation had died down. That everyone was looking at him, and somehow at some point he had fallen to his knees. Slowly, he climbed back to his feet, intending on correcting this issue. The voice, who ever it was, was right. He couldn’t step down.

“Leave her alone!”

“I was gonna let you live, huh, but if you want to ruin my business too…”

...There was weight on his face?

Who am I? I am thou….

On instinct, his fingers curled around the mask, pulling and pulling despite the pain blossoming across his face. 

With a spray of blood that would have startled him if he hadn’t been in a daze, the mask came off.

And thou art I. Let us step in, shall we?

And then for the briefest moments, the world exploded in blue flame. When the flames cleared, it was hard to believe it was the same person who had been standing there just moment’s before

“Hello, Blues.”

[patricia-von-arundel]

If anyone wants it, AO3 link for the story I put up last night. I’ve also gone through and edited out (I hope) all of those blasted typos. I shouldn’t type up stories in the middle of the night. 

But okay! I promised to do better about responding to comments. So let’s go:

snoffles

said: Oh man, yes! Good stuff. I think the style works very well - really keeps it brisk and engrossing. I tore through this thing. I’m on the fence about the age issue - at first, I was thinking I’d prefer if you kept it set when they’re younger so it matches up with when Edelgard was experimented on. Then that final scene happened and…yeah. Whatever you decide, I’m good with it. I just want more! Thanks for this and all your other beautiful writing. :)

Thank you! I’m still debating on the age thing, too. I realized I needed to avoid the influence of those back in Enbarr/TWSITD after the experimentation, but wasn’t sure what to do with her. What I think I’ll do for now is leave it as-is, and potentially, as the plot develops, see if I can go back and rework the beginning... somehow. I do need her and Byleth to get their butts to Garreg Mach. I’m really glad the final scene worked, because I was super excited to write it! Thank you for reading!

insectoid5 reblogged this from patricia-von-arundel and added:

This is excellent, Em!! I think you managed to write Edelgard in this way quite well. 😁Oh, El, you and your aim...

I will get snark in about El’s aim however I can. Every time. 

ishtar0110 said: Holy moly!!! YESSS!!!!! 💜🧡💖💞💓🧡💜

I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thank you! :D

lysissisyl said: So, I think Edelgard is perfectly recognizable here. It’s just not the exact same Edelgard we all know, because she can’t be. She shouldn’t be, because her life wasn’t the same. The Edelgard at the end of CF and the Edelgard at the end of SS are very different people for very obvious reasons. Here it’s the same and I’m an even more critical moment of her life. This Edelgard got a chance to heal when her wounds were still fresh. That really reminds me of Marvel’s “what ifs”!!! As for Edelgard’s darkness surfacing at times, I think it is perfectly understandable here, even for someone who doesn’t know her well. She has been saved, she has known love, but sometimes the horror just comes back and she can’t help it. It’s a possible way to handle trauma while still healing, and not an uncommon one. I’m still a bit shaken, so I hope my words make sense somehow. I think this already tells you you made a very good job. 😅 Still, you asked for some feedback, so here it is. I tried to keep it brief, but I miserably failed. My sincere apologies.

lysissisyl said: And she still has a hard time dealing with her own feelings. She can’t name what she’s starting to feel for Byleth and she calls it envy, probably because it’s less scary. All this just to answer to your doubts and say that she IS recognizable and she IS in character. I’m not even starting on anything else XD Sorry again This Edelgard is still able to hope, she hopes for her father to saver her, even just for a moment. She sees someone who is not an Agarthan and can still trust them. This is something the Edelgard we know has lost. At the same time, she doesn’t want Byleth to hold her down, she can stay still despite the pain when Jeralt cleans her wounds. She doesn’t scream. This is so Edelgard.

Good! Excellent! Thank you! That’s exactly what I was most worried about - missing the mark on El’s characterization. She’s so internally focused... and so reluctant to speak up about her own goals/struggles. Going forward, I’m hoping that problem will solve itself, but I’m glad she wasn’t completely OOC here. Balancing trauma with living daily life in a believable way is tough at the best of times. Especially with a character like El who is never going to lash out or allow herself to express her own pain and fear and anger. She isn’t going to be like Dimitri, who through his behavior can be read quite readily. El is a mask, Flame Emperor or not. 

The part where her wounds were cleaned - yeah. That one I hoped would give that impression. This is Edelgard. She will not scream. She’s so dang-blasted stubborn she will not scream. There’s a piece of the same Edelgard we see at the start of the game. 

This is wonderful feedback, and I appreciate it very much! Long responses are the very best, I promise. (And I hope I got your responses in the correct order. Tumblr is Tumblr.) 

kalinary said: Woot, didn’t have time to read this last night when I was half dead but was definetly looking forward to reading it today which I did :). Hmmmm so now feedback and constructive feedback. The kind I’m worst at :P. All in all I think the story was great, excited to read more of it. See where the story ends up going and the characters growth and changes. I wonder who the third house leader is. Could be Hubert would think he would also recognize El. Hubert raises an interesting question though. How does he change without El returning and how does he react to her miraculous return. Then you have the other characters reactions as well. Does El keep her identity a secret? With her changed hair and depending on timing would there be many who would recognize her? Does she accept her identity at garreg Mach at the start?  Or do the others end up oblivious and she gets to approach and get to know them simply as El and not the emperor for once. Many questions and I very much look forward to hearing the answers but I think I’ll end my mini rant here for now

I’m terrible at constructive feedback, too. It’s hard. I envy those who can do it well. 

As for the third house leader... bad news. I said next chapter? It’s, uh... actually going to be the one after. You’re getting more mysteries in the next chapter. We’ll definitely be seeing Hubert, though, in some capacity. Could be a house leader. Could be in another role. We shall see, we shall see... but he’ll definitely show up. 

As for El’s identity, I guess that’s not a huge spoiler to say that yes, she will be keeping her identity a secret (at least at the start). But of course, secrets like that are never kept for long, especially in a school. Where is there more gossip than in a school? And, of course, Rhea’s around, and Rhea isn’t fond of those who keep secrets from her... and Edelgard isn’t too fond of Rhea. (There’s some stuff with those two I cannot wait to write. Things go very differently than in 3H, though. Very, very differently.) 

Let’s put it this way: including Byleth and Jeralt, there will be five people initially who know El’s identity. And they’re probably pretty easy to guess. 

Appreciate the feedback!

Did I get everyone? If I didn’t, poke me, and my apologies. I know I missed some tag responses - if any of them need to be addressed, again, gimme a poke. 

Oh, and the story has a title now! A World on Its Side, derived from the song “Ring Them Bells” (Bob Dylan). Full lyrics beneath the cut:

Ring them bells, ye heathen From the city that dreams Ring them bells from the sanctuaries ’Cross the valleys and streams For they’re deep and they’re wide And the world’s on its side And time is running backwards And so is the bride Ring them bells St. Peter Where the four winds blow Ring them bells with an iron hand So the people will know Oh it’s rush hour now On the wheel and the plow And the sun is going down Upon the sacred cow Ring them bells Sweet Martha For the poor man’s son Ring them bells so the world will know That God is one Oh the shepherd is asleep Where the willows weep And the mountains are filled With lost sheep Ring them bells for the blind and the deaf Ring them bells for all of us who are left Ring them bells for the chosen few Who will judge the many when the game is through Ring them bells, for the time that flies For the child that cries When innocence dies Ring them bells St. Catherine From the top of the room Ring them from the fortress For the lilies that bloom Oh the lines are long And the fighting is strong And they’re breaking down the distance Between right and wrong

[shadowsong26fic]

Fanfic ask: 1, 5, 11, 14 for Precipice and any other fic you feel like sharing for, 18, 27, 33, 34, 38, 41, 44, 49 (sorry for asking so many, I just really like these questions!)

Hoo boy! This’ll be fun :D

::cracks knuckles::

1) How old were you when you first starting writing fanfiction?

Ten or eleven, when I first figured out it was a Thing. (Somewhere, buried in my boxes of Old Papers, there is baby!shadowsong’s attempt at writing something involving Padme turning up at Yavin but with the serial numbers very badly filed off, before I learned it was possible to just...write fanfic, lol.

5) If you had to choose a favourite out of all of your multi chaptered stories, which would it be and why?

Oh, Lord, why must you do this to me. XD

I mean, I like all of them for different reasons? Writing Precipice is almost like coming home, I’ve been living in that AU for so long; The Devoted was delightfully self-indulgent and a fun exercise in worldbuilding and I do plan to put more in that AU at some point, I swear; These Three Remain also had some super self-indulgent bits and some sweet cuddly fluffy bits and yep; Distaff is so much fun to work with Anakin’s characterization and her (in said fic) relationship with Padme; I have some WIPs that I’m super excited to get out...even going back to old fandoms, HoTM and Cartography!Verse and The Promises of Angels and Serenissima (ish; we were posting it as a series of vignettes rather than one long novel) and For Sorrow Sung and all my AtLA fic, and...

...yeah, I’m bad at picking favorites XD

11) Have you ever amended a story due to criticisms you’ve received after posting it?

Not really? I’ve added extra notes and when I was a baby in the LOTR fandom I actually took a fic down because I got pounced on by a Canon Purist, but I...don’t usually change what I do have planned out in response to criticism? Sometimes I add in some filler/explanation, or comments inspire me to add thing, but...

I don’t plan things out in a whole lot of detail, but I do usually have a few Major Plot Points worked out, and I tend not to change them because criticism. I usually don’t go back and edit, either.

14) How did you come up with the title for the xxx? - You can ask about multiple stories.

I think I actually talked about this in detail last time I did a similar meme to this...aha, here we go: https://shadowsong26fic.tumblr.com/post/186756818127/a-and-i-for-fic-ask

18) Do you have any abandoned WIP’s? What made you abandon them?

Yep, a few. Mostly, I abandon WIPs because I drifted away or otherwise left the fandom (i.e., most of my SPN fic), or otherwise got stuck on a plot point (For Sorrow Sung, which I might rewrite, I got stuck on because I wasn’t sure how to write Roslin; Distaff has stalled because I have to do a Monster chapter next because I did some things out of order; etc., though I actually do intend to get back to Distaff at some point, and am considering rewriting For Sorrow Sung or getting back to some of my other BSG fic...). ...on that note, there are several Stalled WIPs that I don’t consider abandoned, I just get sidetracked by other things even if I intend to get back to them At Some Point (Auxiliaries, Masks, a few others.)

Also, a bunch of miscellaneous self-indulgent things that I never really intended to share outside a small circle of friends that I wander away from when my attention gets caught by a similar shiny self-indulgent thing I don’t really intend to share outside a small circle of friends...

27) Do you make a general outline for your stories or do you just go with the flow?

Moooostly go with the flow. Then again, I don’t formally outline most things, but I generally have an Idea of the Main Plot Points I’m working towards? But those are usually Super Major Things (i.e., with Precipice, when I was going into it, I had most of Arc 1 planned out ahead of time; I knew when and how Lavinia was going to be introduced; I knew most of how Rex got brought in and at least when Ahsoka came in; I knew Ahsoka was going to be Leia’s primary teacher; I knew when and how Specter was going to die; I knew that the reunion (and the attempt to kidnap Lavinia) were going to happen (though actually I was originally planning for Saw to be behind said kidnapping before realizing that didn’t make sense); I knew when Infernalis was going to be introduced and then die; and then some Spoilery Stuff for the next several arcs :)

So, yeah. I usually have a general notion of where things are going (...most of the time; I mentioned Distaff above, and I’m waffling on how I want things to end for that one...) but a loooooot of white space and things are in flux along the way.

33) What’s the biggest compliment you’ve gotten?

Honestly, probably the one I kept in my inbox to reread the most often was on The Promises of Angels--I got a very long comment about the things I’d done with both the focal character and other side characters and the way I’d handled the established lore (and places where canon had fallen short, re: ex-vessels and so on), and then saying they were going to rec it to other people. I’ve gotten other very nice comments since then, (Precipice gets a lot of comments, some of which are lovely, some of which are infuriating), but I think the reason that one sticks with me is because I worked on that fic for so long, and it was a 100k gen epic about a tertiary character who (at the time) had been dead for five seasons. So, a very niche-appeal fic, especially in a fandom that tends to be very shipping-focused, so the fact that it had that much appeal outside of my own brain meant a lot.

(Also, just...the fact that so many people have read and liked Precipice means a whole lot to me????? Was not expecting that for a long wandering genfic epic, lol. ...again, because the fandom I was most active in prior to that is very ship-focused; Star Wars tends to be more gen-friendly, at least that’s been my experience thus far.)

34) What’s the harshest criticism you’ve gotten?

Maybe not the harshest overall I’ve ever gotten, but I mentioned earlier that I took down one LOTR fic because a Canon Purist complained about it to me--I mean, it might not have actually been that mean if I were to get it now that I have a thicker skin, but I was Little Shadowsong at that point and it hurt enough for me to take the fic down, and it does kind of linger in the back of my mind as my Worst Comment Experience.

38) If you could collab with any other writer on here, who would it be? (Perhaps this question will inspire some collabs!) If you’re shy, don’t tag the blog, just name it.

...to be honest, I don’t do a lot of collaborations overall, and most of the ones I do tend to be with people I’ve been friends with/RP’d with for a Long Time.

That being said, I’m possibly open to trying? Right now I have a lot on my plate, both fic and IRL wise, over the next couple months, but if anyone’s interested, hit me up and we’ll see if we can work together!

41) What’s you favourite minor character you’ve written?

In Star Wars? Probably Bo-Katan. I really do wanna finish/start posting our faces like a mirror before the Mandalore Arc actually airs (not that I care about jossing so much, but it’d be nice to Officially lock my canon there so I can point to it if anyone does the whole ‘but canon says!’ thing at me, lol). Also, I love writing Beru, at least the way I write her in Precipice.

If we expand to other fandoms...Nick in SPN, at least before canon brought him back wrong; for BSG...well, most of the ‘minor’ characters I like are really secondary and/or Major in one arc or two--i.e., D’Anna, Gaeta, Ellen Tigh is a lot of fun; in AtLA, I personally mostly wrote major characters and OCs (though some of those were...people who had definitely Existed, but were not named or explored in canon--i.e., Lu Ten’s mother), but my primary RP/writing partner and I worked a lot with Haru and Song and Teo and the Dai Li, among others...but said partner mostly handled them.

44) What is the last line you wrote?

((With an additional line for context; also this is subject to change.))

“True,” Sabe said. “...are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“No,” Padme admitted, after a moment’s thought. “But I think if I wait much longer, I’ll...I’ll either start climbing the walls until I run out and do something righteous and half-planned and stupid, or I’ll...or I’ll never be able to figure how to start, and I’ll just...”

49) Can you remember the first fic you read? What was it about?

I cannot, sadly. But it would’ve been 15-20 years ago, and probably either Star Wars or Harry Potter. Maybe Dragonlance or DBZ or Sailor Moon.

Ask me a fanfic writer question!

[bluekayanite]

(SU:F Theory - Snow Day) Has Steven REALLY Changed That Much?

...Or is he just still dealing with an old issue?

(I intended to post this last week, but apparently forgot to actually, you know, post it. >_<  I’ve got another one upcoming, but here’s this one for now.)

EDIT: Some edits have been made.  Not gonna stress myself over the details this time.

My Feelings on the Ep

Okay, I dunno about you, but I actually found the story of Snow Day pretty upsetting.  The whole thing was about Steven running from his childhood favorites, and he pretty much stated that it was because he didn't want to be seen as a kid.

Sure, I can get behind not liking when people assume you haven't changed, especially when the changes in question have to do with you learning and growing (been there... -.-), but it didn't feel like that was the real issue.  I mean, there's growing up and changing, and then there's more-or-less trying to hide, or to erase the past.  IMO, this ep showed Steven trying to avoid "kids stuff" to an extreme.  He literally jumped over the edge!

And not just the kids stuff, but it feels to me like he's been avoiding silly stuff in general, like that goofy charm that seemed like an essential character trait throughout the first series.

Even the idea that he could've left behind so much of the goofiness I love was pretty distressing - it really feels like he's trying to run away from a part of himself, essentially killing a part of himself (or at least a version thereof).  But that's not the whole of the issue for me.

To me, it really kind of felt like Steven believed the Gems were wrong to still want to appreciate the old stuff with him - not because of “seeing him as a child, still,” but... like they couldn't still appreciate the way he used to be, even in a nostalgic sense.  Like he believes that they shouldn't be allowed to enjoy the silly stuff, either.  Or the little things in general.

(If you're not taking the time to pet something cute, I'd say it's pretty serious.)

Also: come on!!  The Cheeseburger Backpack and Together Breakfast are two of the most iconic things of the series-es!  And personally, like I kind of said, I’d say Steven's goofiness is right up there with them!  Even the vegetarianism!  Remember how big Steven was on hot dogs?

"I think there isn't such a thing as a bad [hot] dog, though.  Only bad chefs!" - Steven, Wacky Sacks Unboxing minisode

It was even in the first opening of SU!

I don't mind that SU:F is more mature than SU, but it feels like it's missing a lot of the heart that made SU so easy to love.  I’m even noticing that there's been a shortage a star-iris-endings.  I’m pretty sure the last iris was used in Guidance... for a fake ending.

Not that I think the star-iris should be forced, but it seems like it's not being used, even when Crewniverse has a perfectly good chance to do so.  The fact that they've used it at all suggests that they're not trying to avoid using it - more like they've fallen out of the habit, or something.  And I’m really starting to feel the absence of the little bit of lighthearted warmth that it typically brings.  It just kinda quietly punctuates just how serious the show has been.

...It's pretty depressing, really.

But yeah, in general, I'm not a big fan of the idea that you have to let go of kid things as soon as you grow up.  Doctors believe that play is just as important for adults as it is for children.  Heck, that article even mentions reading aloud to someone (and I'd say, by extension, being read to) as a form of play... one of the forms that Steven specifically avoids.

And if you ask me, The No Home Boys sounds like its pretty deep - not just a basic, “silly” kids’ story.

"My favorite story is this classic one where the No Home Boys are chased[...] by a mysterious pursuer, which turns out to be the very fear resting within themselves." - Steven, On The Run

At the very least, it's what led to him having an adventure that led to him learning something important, and to bringing to light - and resolving - some previously-unspoken tension between Pearl and Amethyst.

So at the very least, I wouldn't cast aside childish things so quickly, if only for all the good that they have already brought.

There's also the fact that adult play has been accepted as a pretty important thing in our current society - it's basically our culture now.  As said on the YT Channel Lockstin & Gnoggin (in response to COPPA), "This isn't the 1970s anymore[...]  Adults are no longer afraid to be interested in things."  I mean, heck, I think odds are pretty good that if you’re reading this, you're probably an adult who enjoys “kids stuff.”  I know I technically fit in that category - I’m getting old enough that I don't like to think about it. ^_^;

Personally, I believe that the “adults can still like ‘kids’ stuff” thing could really use more representation in mainstream media, ESPECIALLY after the whole COPPA thing.  Personally, I’ve always believed that this would be done through Steven Universe.

And personally... I still think odds are good that it will.

Why I Think There's Still Hope for the Subject

The “adults enjoying ‘childish’ stuff” thing isn't just a thing with Millennials and the Internet in general: it's a pretty strong part of the culture of the Crewniverse, what with them actually enjoying Together Breakfast for the release of the ep by the same name.  Not to mention donuts topped with Pop Rocks fire salt (exact quote - for Joking Victim), a big bowl of macaroni-and-nothing (for Warp Tour), and even a Rice Krispie temple that promptly got pummeled by a giant hand (technically for Bismuth, but also referencing Jailbreak).  And those are just a few examples.

And in general, I've noticed that SU is very Millennial show, featuring values like that the reason for work should be to enjoy life, rather than to make money (Drop Beat Dad), and I've already said that being able to enjoy "kids stuff" as an adult is a pretty Millennial thing.

So to me, it seems like it's probably inevitable that Steven's going to get over the "trying too hard to adult" thing.  Heck, if anything, I'd say that Snow Day is just another part of the long-running-buildup.

Steven has a history of trying to cut everything “childish” out of his life, and/or being embarrassed when it's brought up.

This felt like an extension of that history - to me, it feels like this issue leveled up, like he's trying harder than ever before to avoid being associated with "kids stuff."  His reaction to Garnet presenting the Cheeseburger Backpack certainly looks like one of embarrassment, and one of not even appreciating the gesture, regardless.

And if you look, this whole thing started when the Gems implied that birthday parties were a "kids thing."

(My apologies for VUDU’s captions - they got better, I promise.)

Since then, he’s been stuck on the idea that he would have to leave things behind as he got older.

Before that, he was trying to convince the Gems of just the opposite.

Little did Steven know that they actually came around, while he was away...

But now?  Now that they've obviously come around, he's still having trouble getting over what was once said.

He's even overtly objecting to being called "cute," or like a kid!

I think this is a pretty good example of how one little thing can result in a problem that a person struggles with for a long time afterward; how one idea can result in a person pressuring themselves to try and be something or not, even if the people who gave the idea have changed their minds.  I think it's a pretty good example of the kind of baggage - the kind of problems - we carry around with us.

And you know what the official description of SU:F says?

"[A]s [Steven] runs out of other people's problems to solve, he'll finally have to face his own."

I very much believe that this is one of them. =3

Before I saw the movie, I had been spoiled by the “catchup” vid for the last season clearly being narrated by an older-voiced Steven.  (So sorry, Hilary, that you want through so much trouble, but the neck wasn't much of a secret to me. XD; )  And spoilers aside, it had been pretty well hinted that he was going to grow up, via both of the “Birthday” episodes. 

(Personally, I’m kind of disappointed that we missed the magic growth spurt - I always thought it would've been hilarious. X3)

I’d often thought that Steven was going to grow up when he realized that he didn't have to leave “childish” stuff behind - that he can be grown up without having to "stop being a kid," or worrying about how people would see him if he didn't.  I kind of figured it would allow him to feel more comfortable about growing up, and so he would grow up.

But, apparently, that's still a thing he needs to work on.

And sure, I'm glad Steven came around at least a little, but I wonder if it's really enough... especially since he doesn’t even seem sincere on loving that the Gems upgraded the Steven Tag game.

But also, it seems to me like this issue is affecting more of his personality than just his desire to have fun... like he's losing quite a bit of himself.  Remember how Pearl once described him?

You have to feel like yourself!  Sweet and considerate, and only occasionally obnoxious! - Pearl, So Many Birthdays

It does seem like Steven's been having trouble with the considerate angle, lately.  I mean, he kept busting into Jasper's hideout, he took over Amethyst's mentorship program (completely ignoring the feelings of the Gems being mentored), and in general, he's kinda... asserting himself and his opinions more than listening to others(').  I'd even say that he's lost a lot of his sweet, and he's... probably more than occasionally obnoxious. ^_^;  I mean, Aquamarine and Eyeball certainly think so. X3

Now?  Well... I'd say that the Gems have at least as much of a point as Steven does.  I have to admit, I feel a lot like Amethyst - I think she has a point about the direction Steven is (or had been) heading, and about what kind of example he was setting.

I agree that the issue is serious enough for Pearl to be justified in being willing to join in (which I really love her doing =3).

(Seriously, I’ve actually been worried for Steven.)

...And now I’d say that her old plea to feel like himself again is even more valid than ever.

In a way, Snow Day felt a lot like So Many Birthdays in reverse: instead of Steven trying to spend time with the Gems and making them feeling awkward about silly stuff, we now have the exact opposite.  Now, instead of allowing himself to still be a kid, Steven tries to convince them not to make him be a kid.  ...Which, again, is fair, but still.  I'd say it goes too far when he hates the idea of "kid."

But yeah...  I figure this has gotta be addressed sooner or later.  Personally, I can't wait fo the day when it is. XD;

...call me crazy - call me super crazy - but I’m hoping that a certain Pink Doofball* will talk some more sense into him. X3  That, or maybe his dad.

(*If you're not familiar with my blog... well, here's my main theory, in case you're interested.  I know it probably sounds insane, but it would mean a lot if you'd give it a look.)

[the-lupine-sojourner]

Takara Yamada’s Hero Academia Episode 6 [Eijiro Kirishima/OC] [Female!Aizawa/Hizashi]

Hey! So...I guess I went from the last bit of five into six? I am so confused, but I guess that’s just cus it’s 1:00 in the morning and I’m tired. Anyway, here’s the next episode for you all. 

Edit: Nevermind! Hardygal helped me figure it out. Now I’ve had some sleep, it was obvious (just some mislabeling), but anyway...

I went back and added a sketch I posted that’s supposed to be the actual design Takara submitted for her Kitsune outfit, if y’all want to look at it before/during/after you read my description. Look for the linked word shortly before the description.

Now for Takara’s Masterlist

I’m gonna tag the usual people: @dailyojiromashirao and @elite-guard-hardygal, but anyone can join, too. 

Also, I would love to read Asks with your predictions of what’s to come! Please send em in and I’ll tell you ‘Hot’ or ‘Cold’. Deal? XD

But in all seriousness, please send theories and predictions. I’d really like to hear them! 

Now, onto the episode! Hope you all like it! 

God Bless and Good day!

~The Lupine Sojourner

“No matter what your intentions are, you would be nothing more than a liability in battle.” Mom growls in a terrified Izuku’s face. “I’m sorry, Midoryia, but with your power, there’s no way someone like you can become a hero.” That does it. Student or no student, I had to do something.

“Mom, enough!” I bark, and it takes several seconds before I realize what I’d called her. Shit.

Guess the cat’s out of the bag now…

Unsurprisingly, everyone was shocked. I sigh, then give Mom an apologetic look. Mom glances at me before turning back to Izuku. “You have the same reckless passion as another overzealous hero I know; one who saved a thousand people by himself and became a legend. But, even with that drive, you’re useless if you can only throw a single punch before breaking down.” She continues. I guess Teacher!Mom really is different.

“Mom!” I snap. “You said yourself; it’s not the Quirk that defines you, it’s how you use it.” I point out. Mom tsks and releases him.

“I’ve returned your impractical Quirk. Take your throw.” She says. “And, Takara, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t act as my daughter in class from here on, alright?” I nod.

“I know. It just slipped out.” I murmur meekly. “Sorry.” She pats my shoulder.

“Try not to let it slip out again and we’re good.” She says, resuming her place observing the others, putting in eye drops as she waits for Izuku to throw the ball. I drag my feet back to the others as Izuku retrieves the ball. Mom hadn’t counted his first throw to prove a point. Now, it would factor into his placement on this overall test. He needs a good score!

“You didn’t tell me both your parents were teachers.” Eijiro mutters. I deflate, wanting to sink into the ground and disappear.

“You didn’t ask.” I mumble. It was a classic excuse, but it was accurate. He hadn’t outright asked, and I didn’t want his impression (and the impressions of my classmates) framed by my parents. I wanted to make my own impression and let them decide who I really was.

“Oh. Sorry.” He says, apparently seeing my discomfort. “I think it’s cool, Takara. Really.” I smile.

“Thanks.” Izuku then takes a step back, holding the ball ready. I turn my head and watch as he launches it, a strange glow in his arm. I swallow. What was he doing?

“Smmaaaash!” Izuku roars, and the ball goes flying, just like with Katsuki.

705.3 meters the robot recited. I blink. Holy shit! He used just his finger to power the ball so he could still compete! “It’s just like your daughter said, Mrs. Aizawa; it’s how you use your Quirk, not what the Quirk is.” He says. “And, well...I’m still standing!” I laugh, unable to resist clapping. It seems everyone is thoroughly distracted from my slip-up and I’m fine with that.

“He threw it over 700 meters?!” The blonde-black streak boy exclaims.

“Dude, why are you surprised? You heard he took out the 0-pointer all by himself, right?” I point out. He blinks.

“Oh, yeah! Guess you’re right.” He admits, grinning.

“Nice!” Ochaco cheers. “He’s finally showing us his true power!”

“But his finger appears to be broken.” Tenya counters. “Just like in the exam. His Quirk is very odd.” I shrug. I knew what the deal was, but couldn’t say it aloud.

“Well, most Quirks have a drawback, right? This is just his drawback.” I muse instead.

“I suppose.” He replies thoughtfully, holding his chin. He then turns to me. “By the way, I can see why you didn’t tell anyone Mrs. Yamada and her husband were your parents. It can change people’s perceptions of you.” I wasn’t sure why he chose to say that now of all times, but I smile, happy he understood and wasn’t upset.

“Yeah...sorry. I just never really said anything unless directly asked. I didn’t mean to call her ‘mom’.” I reply. Before Tenya can respond, Katsuki tears forward, roaring angrily.

“Hey! Deku, you bastard! Tell me how you did that or you’re dead!” I sprint forward, stopping at Mom’s outstretched hand. Izuku can only scream in terror as Mom’s capture weapon lurches forward, snapping around Katsuki’s chest and forehead. “What the- -why the hell is your damn scarf...so strong?!” He growls, struggling to get away and reach Izuku.

“Because it’s a capture weapon made out of carbon fiber and a special metal alloy.” Mom replies easily, keeping Katsuki still, glaring at him. “Stand down!” She barks, furious. “It’d be wise to avoid making me use my Quirk so much;” She continues, “it gives me serious dry eye!” When Katsuki appears to obey, Mom releases him, sighing as her hair flops back down over her eyes. “You’re wasting my time now. Whoever’s next can step up.” Izuku walks timidly past Katsuki, who simply stands there, shaking (with what, I can’t tell. Rage? Confusion?), and rejoins us.

“Is your finger okay?” Ochaco asks when Izuku arrives.

“Sure.” He replies. “Fine.” Mom snaps at us and we continue the throwing test. Soon enough, it’s on to sit-ups. As many as we could do in 5 minutes.

Eijiro asked if I’d be his partner and I agreed. It seemed to take forever, but I ended up with a good score. 213, thanks to using the water as a springboard. Then, it was Eijiro’s turn. He got about 170 in, and seemed deflated, so I grin.

“Awesome job!” He sighs.

“But you got almost 50 more situps in then I did.” I shrug.

“Eijiro, you still did really good! This is a test not a lot of Quirks will help with. Mine only got me a little extra spring. That’s all. Your score is really impressive!” I assure him. He nods.

“If you say so.” It was a common response of his when he felt I did a lot better than him at something and I tried to tell him he did amazing, too. I wondered just what made him so certain he wasn’t that great, but I was determined to prove him wrong.

“I do say so, so you better believe it!” I reply before Mom calls out that we’re moving on to the Seated Toe Touch test.

There wasn’t much my Quirk could do to help, so I got a fairly average score. In fact, hardly anyone’s Quirks were suited for simply stretching over and trying to touch your toes.

Once we were all done, Mom led us to the large recreational area where we’d done the ball throw. The next test was the Long Distance Run, Mom announced. I smirk confidently.

Naturally, Tenya would most likely get first, but I could get a good placing, I just know it! It was a mile race, and I ended up in fifth place! Eijiro wasn’t far behind me, coming in seventh, a blonde-haired boy with a tail between us. I bent over, panting, before the boy came over. “Nice race!” He says, smiling. I straighten and shake his hand.

“Thanks.”

“I’m Ojiro Mashairo.” He introduces.

“I’m guessing you already know my name, huh?” I mumble, scratching the back of my neck. He nods.

“Yeah, and I get why you didn’t want to tell us just yet.” I smile.

“Thanks. I probably should have just told you my last name at first, then let you all figure it out, but I decided I wanted to have my first impression be as Takara, not Present Mic and Eraserhead’s kid.” I explain. Ojiro nods.

“I get that.” I grin, then Mom calls us together.

“Alright, time to give you your results. I’ve ranked you all from best to worst. You should probably have a good idea of your standing already. I’ll just pull up the whole list; it’s not worth going over each individual score.” And so she does; I find my name in the 9th slot, between Eijiro and Mina, and grimace. Not as good as I wanted, but not bad, either, I guess. Mom glances at me, a tiny smirk on her face and I feel better. She thought I did good. That was enough. I then continue reading the list and- -shit! Izuku’s in last place! I look over and he’s shaking, devastated. I bite my lip. There wasn’t anything I could do. He’d be sent home. He’d be expelled. He looked down, gripping his wrist like it would keep him together and prevent him from breaking down. Just as I begin pivoting to walk over, the scores are retracted and Mom chuckles. “And I was lying; no one’s going home.” My heart skips a beat. Wait, what?! “That was just a rational deception to make sure you gave it your all in the tests.” She explains. She’d never done that with me! It was totally new!

“I’m surprised the rest of you didn’t figure that out.” A girl with long black hair muses. “I’m sorry; guess I probably should have said something.” We all look at her in various degrees of ‘duh’.

“How would we have figured that out?” I grumble under my breath. The straight-black-haired boy turns to Eijiro.

“That was pretty nerve-wracking, huh?” He muses.

“Nah. I’ll always down for a challenge!” Eijiro replies, eyes glinting and fist clenched in determination.

“That’s it for today.” Mom says. “Pick up a syllabus in the classroom, read it over before tomorrow. Midoriya,” She hands him a note. “take this and have the old lady look you over. Things‘ll be more difficult once your actual training begins.��� She warns, then puts a hand on my shoulder. “Make sure you’re prepared. Come on, Takara. We have to find Hizashi.” I nod, waving goodbye and following Mom. “It was interesting that you didn’t tell people who you are right off the bat.” She muses. I gulp. Would she be upset? Today, Mom had acted so different than she normally did, I can’t tell how she’d react anymore.

“We-well, I wanted to make the first impression of myself as Takara, not as Present Mic and Eraserhead’s daughter.” I mumble, fiddling with my fingers nervously.

“Huh.” She replies vaguely, expression unreadable. “So it’s a mix, then, of both of us.” She muses, but before I can respond to that, I spot Toshin-Oji standing there like he’d been looking in on us for a while.

“Aizawa, that was a rotten move.” He grumbles. So he had been watching. Why? To see what Izuku would do?

“All Might.” Mom replies casually. “So, you were watching. No talk shows today?”

“Mom, he doesn’t do that many talk shows.” I point out.

“That’s beside the point.” Toshin-Oji replies, eyes never leaving Mom. “A ‘rational deception’? That’s cute, but you’re not exactly known for being light-hearted.” I raise a brow. Why was he so mad? Because Izuku could have been expelled? “I read your file; last year, you expelled an entire class of freshman students. You have no problem kicking students out; anyone you deem unworthy.” I blink several times. Guess there was a reason Mom didn’t take work home. She was so different at UA versus at home, I almost don’t recognize her. “You were planning to send last place home.” I swallow. Mom wouldn’t really do that...would she? “So, that must mean you see the same potential in young Midoriya that I do!” Mom raises a brow, then turns to All Might.

“What’s this about?” She asks. “It almost sounds like you’ve been in his corner the whole time. And Takara, as well, though I suppose that’s because she was with him during the sludge villain attack.” Toshin-Oji flinches, but doesn’t reply.

“Mom, please.” I mumble.

“Regardless, isn’t it a little early for you to be playing favorites?” Mom asks coyly, like I hadn’t said anything. She then starts walking again. “Midoriya doesn’t have zero potential, I admit.” She adds. “If that were the case, I would have sent him home after class without hesitation.” I swallow. Would she really? She sighs. “It’s cruel to let a kid keep dreaming of something that will never come true.” I frown, but wave goodbye to Toshin-Oji and jog back to Mom.

“Mom, Izuku’s gonna become a hero. He won’t give up.” She smiles.

“I don’t expect him to, Takara. But I won’t make it easier for him, either. I’ll treat him like I would any other student. Everyone was under the same pressure in those tests and they all showed their potential today. I didn’t see any reasons for expulsion.” I nod and smile. This was closer to the Mom I knew at home. We walk to the teacher’s lounge and find Dad sleeping on a table. I chuckle and run my fingers up his ribs.

“Dad, there’s a spider!” I exclaim. He leaps up, screaming and patting himself down, but then notices that I’m laughing and calms.

“That’s not funny, TIk-Tik. Hey, Shota.” He says, yawning and kissing Mom. “Running the orientation was no easy task.” He muses, rubbing his eyes. Mom chuckles.

“I bet. Nor was managing 21 kids. How about we grab coffee on the way home?” Dad instantly perks up.

“That sounds awesome!” He says. I find myself craving coffee, too. I’d used my Quirk a lot. It took its toll. But maybe I just need food. After all, there wasn’t much time for lunch while the tests were underway, for me at least. I yawn and Mom frowns.

“We need to get you food, too. You’re ready to pass out.” She muses, smiling at me and offering support. I nod, rubbing my eyes and leaning on her.

The true downside of my Quirk, we’d discovered, was that it took blood sugar to activate my mental control of water and earth, and since earth was stubborn and hard, it cost a lot more. “You know, your classmates are pretty cool, from what I saw.” Dad points out, yawning and leading the way to the cafeteria, labeled Lunch Rush (like the hero? Cool!). “If you want to invite them over sometime, I wouldn’t say no.” I pause, mulling it over. I didn’t know them yet. But maybe after getting to know them, I would.

“I’ll keep it in mind.” I reply, side-hugging Dad as we walk to the cafeteria.  

=#=#=#=#=

“Alright, alright, alright!” Dad exclaims, seeing everyone seated and ready for the English lesson. “Before we get started, listeners, I have a special shout-out to give.” I pale, freezing in terror. He wouldn’t...

Would he? “Most of you know my amazing daughter already from yesterday’s performance for the Quirk Assessment Test, but I wanna formally introduce her! Tik-Tak, c’mon up here!” I am so red and flustered, I can only shake my head, slumping onto the desk as several chuckles ring the room. I hide my face in my arms. “Ah, well, she’s shy.” Dad acknowledges a moment later, and I swear his voice has a twinge of regret before he seems to revert to his normal self. “So, let’s move along to the rockin’ lesson I have for you all!”

Thankfully, the other teachers didn’t seem intent on embarrassing me in front of my class, and before I know it, it was finally time for Hero Basic Training. “I hear Hizashi felt the need for a ‘shout out’ in his class.” Toshin-Oji muses, in his thin form. I’d arrived early, sulking at Mom’s desk until he spoke.

“Yeah. He even called me Tik-Tak!” I grumble.

“He loves you and probably couldn’t contain himself.” I sigh, deflating.

“I know, but...I just don’t like being put on the spot like that. Everyone laughed at me!”

“Not everyone’s nickname is a candy.” Toshin-Oji retorts wryly. I swat at his arm.

“Not helping!” I protest. Eijiro then walks in.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” He asks, setting his bag down and walking over. I sigh.

“Just Dad’s ‘shout out’ in English.” Eijiro smiles.

“Well, I think it was pretty typical of a dad to brag about their kid.” I sigh.

“I guess you’re right.” I turn to Toshin-Oji. “Do you have to get back to work, Toshin-Oji?” I ask as Katsuki sulks in, glaring at us as he claims the desk he’s used since yesterday. Like anyone was stupid enough to confuse his desk for theirs. 

Toshin-Oji smiles gratefully for my excuse for his exit to change and become All Might (Dad told me Mom was letting my uncle sub for her class today as something came up at her agency). “Ah, yes. Thank you. I’ll see you later, Takara.” He says, waving from the door. I wave back as he leaves and more of my classmates arrive.

“Afternoon, Yamada.” Tenya says, seating himself and waiting for class to start. I nod, smiling.

“Hey, what’s with the last name?” I tease. “Told yah to call me Takara.”

“Ah, yes. Sorry.” I shrug.

“S’all good.” Soon enough, we’re all seated and waiting for All Might. He arrives moments later.

“I am...here! Coming through the door like a hero!” He exclaims, in a kinda weird pose, grinning and in general being overdramatic. He strides to the podium as we all chatter excitedly.

“So he is a teacher!” Eijiro exclaims. “This year is gonna be totally awesome!” 

I grin. “Right?!” A girl with dark green hair behind Eijiro looks at his costume.

“Is that his silver age costume?” She asks. I tilt my head.

“I think so.” I reply.

“I’m getting goosebumps! It’s so retro!” The boy with a tail (Oshio? Maybe?) murmurs.

“Welcome to the most important class at UA High; think of it as Hero-ing 101!” All Might begins. “Here, you will learn the basics of being a pro, and what it means to fight in the name of good!” He strikes a pose and reveals a card that says ‘Battle’. “Let’s get to it! Today’s lesson will pull no punches!” I flinch. Were they serious? Were we really gonna fight each other?

“Fight training!” Katsuki exclaims, an unusual amount of glee in his voice.

“Real combat?” Izuku mumbles nervously, and I find that a much more realistic and appropriate reaction.

“No way...” I whimper.

“And one of the keys of being a hero iiisss...looking good!” Toshin-Oji calls like we hadn’t said anything and points to the back wall. There were rectangular slots that opened up and out came racks of numbered cases. “These were designed for you based on your Quirk Registration Forms and the request you sent in before school started.” All Might explains. Everyone cheers excitedly. I wondered how they’d react to my choice of a fox-themed outfit. For some reason, that was all I could think of when I sat down to design a hero outfit. I’d even thought of my hero name to go with the outfit; The Elemental Heroine, Kitsune! It was what I wanted, and Mom and Dad were fine with it, so I submitted the Kitsune design and didn’t regret it. I move and grab the case with the number of my desk and follow All Might’s instruction to ‘get suited up’ in the changing room.

I open it and pull out the black bodysuit first. I go to a curtained room and get changed into it. It was almost skin-tight, but not quite, like I asked. I was surprised at how breathable and light the fabric was, but it also felt sturdy and reliable. I then pull out the orange half-sleeved overcoat. It covered from my chest to my hips, dropping behind me in a kind of tail, with a Mandarin neckline and zipper down my chest. I clipped my slate grey belt (with spaces for water or snacks to boost my blood sugar on the go) on and it fits perfectly. I then put my boots on. They were a sunset orange, like the overcoat, almost knee-high, and came with knee pads tucked into them to save space. The soles of the boots weren’t overly thick and heavy, with small spikes to provide traction. With the boots on, all that was left was my headgear and gloves. The headgear was tied at the back of my head, and was also sunset orange, with orange fox ears coming off the sides of my head, fading to black at the tips. The gloves’ fingers were black, and the rest was the orange of the rest of my suit. I tried a few poses, and it felt great!

“Wow!” I hear Mina exclaim from behind me. “That looks great on you, girl, but...I thought your Quirk was water?” I grin.

“Water and earth, actually. Earth’s just a lot harder to control, so I use it to track vibrations. Also, I really like foxes and wolves, so I crafted an outfit to match.” I explain. Ochaco grins. She has a black bodysuit, too, but it looks tighter than mine. She has a cute pink and white belt and a simple white design over her chest. There were bracelets over her wrists and her boots had a rounded, almost balloon-look to them, going all the way to her knee with a bit of heel. It was a simple costume and she had a visor to protect her face. All in all, a great outfit.

“That looks so cool, Yamada!” She says, then scratches the back of her neck. “I didn’t mean to ask for something skin-tight. I normally wear looser stuff…”

“I do, too!” I reply, trying to help her feel better. “Call me Takara, by the way, and, with everything else, it looks great. I like your suit, too!” I then look over and am a little shocked at the girl with long black-hair’s costume. It was red, looking kinda like Oba Nemuri’s...but… “Wow...um...that’s an interesting costume…” I mumble, blushing a little. She showed a lot of skin.

“My Quirk is Creation, and the creations come out of my skin, so I had to have something that works with that.” I nod.

“Yeah.” I reply. “Makes sense. Sorry.” She smiles.

“My name is Momo Yaoyorozu. I know it’s a bit revealing, but I have to dress like this, with my Quirk. I apologize if it makes you uncomfortable.” I smile.

“Oh, no! I just...it took my a little by surprise, is all. I didn’t know what your Quirk was.” I explain as we walk out.

“Okay.” She says and we drop the conversation.

I then see the boys and- -holy- -whoa! Eijiro! His hero outfit, like Momo’s, catered to his Quirk, but...did he have to just not wear any shirt?! “N-nice outfit, Eijiro…” I mumble, blushing scarlet. He was jacked! He had a defined six-pack and those arms were too jacked. He had a jawguard on that looked almost like a muzzle, with cog-wheel looking things over his shoulders and a half-skirt tucked into his belt, which had a stylized ‘R’ on the buckle. His pants were baggy dark grey cargo pants and he wore a pair of red mid-shin high boots.

“Thanks! You look...you look amazing, too!” He replies, chuckling.

I move automatically with everyone else, but I can’t stop glancing over at Kiri. He’d been wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants at the entrance exam and the uniform after that, so I was completely caught off guard. How was he so ripped?! Finally, we arrive at Training Ground Beta and head down the tunnel. “They say that ‘clothes make the pros’, young ladies and gentlemen, and behold, you are the proof! Take this to heart; from now on, you’re all Heroes in Training!” Toshin-Oji all but squeals when we arrive. “It’s getting me all ramped up! You look so cool!” He calms a little, clearing his throat, “Now, shall we get started, you bunch of newbies?” Izuku, having taken a little while longer to get dressed, finally arrived.

At first, I thought his costume was modeled after a rabbit, then I remembered his favorite hero and shake with the effort to contain laughter. It was super obvious! “Nice costume, Izuku!” I greet.

“Yeah! Not too flashy, Deku! I like it!” Ochaco chimes in, and Izuku is startled when he takes in his friend’s costume, cheeks flaring under his face mask. “I should have been more specific about what I wanted; this bodysuit is skin-tight. Not really my style…”

“Now that you’re ready,” Toshin-Oji calls as he takes all of our costumes in. “it’s time for combat training!” Tenya (or I think it’s Tenya; no one else’s calves are that thick) immediately raises a hand.

“Sir, this is the city from the entrance exam. Does this mean we’ll be conducting urban battles again?”

“Not quite!” Toshin-Oji replies. “I’m gonna move you two steps ahead! Most of the villain attacks you see on the news happen outside. However, statistically, run-ins with the more dastardly villains happen indoors. Think about it; back room deals, home invasions, secret underground lairs. Truly intelligent criminals remain in the shadows. For this training exercise, I’ll be splitting you into teams of two; good guys and bad guys, fighting two-on-two teams!”

“Isn’t this a little advanced?” That girl with dark green hair asks, tilting her head. She wears a green bodysuit with dulled yellow goggles.

“The best training is what you get on the battlefield.” Toshin-Oji points out. “But remember; you can’t just punch a robot this time; you’re dealing with actual people now.” Questions flew thick a fast, things like ‘how will you split us up?’, ‘how bad can we hurt the other team?’ (from Bakugo, unsurprisingly), and a lot of others.

“I wasn’t finished speaking!” Toshin-Oji exclaims. He then clears his throat and draws out a small notebook. “The situation is this; the villains have hidden a nuclear weapon somewhere in the building. The heroes must either retrieve the weapon or capture the villains to win. But, time is limited! Teams will be decided by drawing lots!”

“Isn’t there a better way?” Tenya asks.

“Think about it.” Izuku counters. “Heroes have to team up with heroes from other agencies on the spot, so maybe that’s the reason we’re seeing that here.”

Tenya nods. “Ah, I see. Life is a random series of events.” He replies. “Excuse my rudeness!”

“No sweat!” Toshin-Oji cheers, “Let’s draw!” In everyone’s rush to draw, I’m left a bit behind, and can’t get through til almost everyone has drawn. When I reach my hand in, however, I find there’s only one ball left and I wander around, trying to find the other person with a ‘K’ on their ball. Toshin-Oji flinches when I can’t find anyone. “Ah, young Yamada! I should have considered that the class is unevenly numbered. Hmm...it wouldn’t be right to leave you solo...hmm...Well, I’m sorry, but for now, just watch and we’ll see how we can get you into a battle. Sound okay?” I nod awkwardly.

“Yeah.” All Might gives me an apologetic look before he clears his throat and moved to two boxes labelled ‘Heroes’ and ‘Villains’.

“I declare that the first two teams to fight will be…” He draws a ball from each and holds them up. ‘D’ and ‘A’. “These guys!” I gulp.

‘D’ was Katsuki and Tenya. ‘A’ was Ochaco and Izuku.

Katsuki hated Izuku. This was so not going to end well.

[nikatyler]

When you’re reading this, it’s already after my prom. However, when I’m writing this, it’s the night before my prom, I’m freaking out and I’m listening to some Christmas music to calm down. Don’t judge me, okay? I’m not one of those “November = Christmas” people but I like to listen to Christmas songs early. I’ll start decorating by the end of this month. And buying gifts, too. End of November sounds nice.

Anyway, my prom. I’m freaking out. Long dress, high heels, makeup...aaaand I still don’t know what my hair will look like and that freaks me out as well. I’m a mess. When you’re reading this, I’m already at home, it’s all done, I have survived. Hopefully I don’t have a hangover.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON RONNIE HERE! If this wasn’t the best evening of my life then I don’t know what was. I didn’t make a fool of myself, I had a great time, I drank responsibly, I’m just a little tired and sad that it’s over.

It’s actually Monday afternoon now. Oops. I was going to post it yesterday but then I didn’t because anxiety. Basically. I hate myself. (take a shot every time I say something along these lines)

Replies now. Just a warning, it got really long this time and also, technically I spoil something even though at this point it’s obvious anyway so...yeah just thought I’d let you know :D

For some reason I couldn’t get a few of these replies straight out of my activity feed so I went and just did it manually because I knew they were there somewhere. Just saying in case you were wondering why the format is different.

(x)

jackssims:  “Forget her” woooow Ross

elisabettasims:  Ross, you don't deserve to be turned and live forever after that remark.

This goes on the list of the worst things he’s ever said. Not that I have a list like that, but I could start one.

(x)

riversong331:  I swear to god if she dies I’m going to start a revolt

I’m not ready

Well then...you better start getting ready. Just saying.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Sunset: “Daddy gone again?” December: “Oh yeah, he is. It would be...”

It would be nice if he was there /at all/ for Sunset lbr

Yeah. He needs to work on that.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Hottub is no fun when you’re alone. Once again, the conversation I had...”

Yeeeeesssssssss

pxelatedtrash replied to your photoset “Hottub is no fun when you’re alone. Once again, the conversation I had...”

Yesyesyesyesyesyes xD

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset “Hottub is no fun when you’re alone. Once again, the conversation I had...”

*incoherent screaming*

but this doesn't excuse lack of interest in your daughter, Ross!

The ship may sail now.

By the way, at this point I was kinda scared everyone would just be excited about this revelation and forget Ross is still a bad person who sees his daughter as a minor inconvenience his parents can take care of. I’m glad that didn’t happen, he can’t be forgiven just yet, thankyouthankyouthankyou. I never should’ve doubted you, honestly :D

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Sunset: “Daddyyyy wake up!” Ross: pretend you don’t hear her, pretend...”

It's really, really difficult for me to like Ross. To be fair to him in this case, a lot of parents have done this.

Ah, yes, sadly...I know people whose parenting is very similar to Ross. :/

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset “Sunset: “Daddy gone again?” December: “Oh yeah, he is. It would be...”

I`m soooo close to calling Ross an a-hole

Sorry!��

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset “Ross: “Sunny, you can’t do this. Your dad - as in me - is a very busy...”

And when is your free time scheduled? When you have grandchildren?

Good question...guess we’ll find out when he actually has grandchildren in the game :D

jackssims replied to your photoset “Ross: “Sunny, you can’t do this. Your dad - as in me - is a very busy...”

Every time Ross says something like this to Sunset I die a little inside

You’re not the only one. I felt so bad writing these lines

jackssims replied to your photoset “Valentine: “Are you feeling a little unwell, brother? Is Sunset...”

Valentine pls

She’s trying to bring my alien jokes back leave her alone everyone

jackssims replied to your photoset “Ooh boy. It was one hell of a nausea.”

*eyes emoji*

I didn’t think anyone would think this was important but then again...we know how I feel about aliens  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “WHAT WERE YOU TWO DOING THERE THAT’S YOUR SON’S CLOSET”

It's the small little revenges that are the best.

I wonder how he would feel if he found out. Buuuut I think he didn’t find out, considering...well, let’s just say that closet has seen things. I’m not responsible for that, he did it on his own. I swear.

davidmont replied to your photoset “Look Ross. You’ve made mistakes and we all know that. We all hate you...”

Yikes

Yikes indeed. Deal with your problems, Ross! Don’t just set yourself on fire!

Wait..

Did I just call Sunset “a problem”?

I am officially as bad as our dear buddy Ross. I hate myself.

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your post “I love Ross as a character but I hate him as a person (if that makes...”

I like him as a character, too! Contraversional characters are the best

Ahhh yes! He was fun and interesting to write and think about. But he’s the worst. I’m not saying he doesn’t have any good character traits, I mean he’s hardworking for sure...but yeah he’s showing his bad side more

wizardofweather1 replied to your post “I love Ross as a character but I hate him as a person (if that makes...”

I Feel Like If His Parents Let Him Be With Caleb Then He Would Be Open About The Alien Baby Then Ross Would Never Have Went And Attempted To Seduce Everyone In Sight And Happier Ending But This Challenge Is This Way

My “theory”/”explanation”/idk how to call it because I’m tired is similar to yours. I’ll try to explain it somehow because honestly...would I miss the opportunity to talk about my characters? Watch out for a super long essay! :D

Let’s take it from the beginning. At first Ross was just kind of this child obsessed with his “cool vampire friend”. He adored him. When he aged up into a teenager, he went and started dating Carol, his classmate and a good friend. They were the same age and knew each other for a while so...yeah. It wasn’t that hard. I don’t think Ross had any romantic feelings for Caleb at that point just yet. Strong feelings, definitely, but not romantic.

Anyway, fast forward to Caleb getting abducted by aliens because I have no self control. I think that even though Caleb liked Ross a lot, they were best friends, they always had a great time and everything, he knew Ross can be shallow and bit of a dick. Which is why he decided to avoid him for a while. That however almost ruined their friendship, as we’ve also seen.

The feelings most likely started changing at the beginning of gen 2 when they started hanging out again - before drifting apart once more when Ross found out about Stella. During those dark high school times, Ross had this mindset that he wanted to date someone, find the “one true love” as one may call it. He didn’t know who exactly he wanted so he just went and tried all his options...but he was looking for something, someone specific. He was missing Caleb, even though he was also mad at him for keeping secrets and not trusting him. Now, I’m not trying to defend Ross. I would never defend him for this. He was confused and he missed Caleb, okay, cool. Well Ross, guess what, you can miss someone but that doesn’t give you the right to date a million people at once.

Ross then tried to move on when things got more serious with Jordan, but something still didn’t feel right, and then there was Marika who only made this indecisivity worse, and then things turned out the way they did. (I actually believe Ross and Jordan could have been in a happy relationship if it wasn’t for her.) And then Ross started talking to Caleb again and boom the feelings were back and even stronger and it was just a matter of time until he finally realized. Basically. As for Caleb’s point of view, well, I think it’s still too soon to talk about that and this is getting long anyway.

I wouldn’t necessarily blame Ross’s parents for all of this, though they obviously play some role in it as well. Let’s be real, Ross was an only child for a long time and a pretty spoiled one...hadn’t he been so spoiled, he would’ve probably grown up to be a better person, Caleb would’ve trusted him et cetera.

Wow, this turned into quite a rambling, I’m sorry. These are the kind of things I think but at the same time don’t think about, it’s more like a feeling, and writing it down, it gets long. Aaand now I definitely didn’t make sense. I hate myself. Don’t let me do this when I should go to bed, I’m really really tired. Why do I do this to myself. 

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Love gets so much more confusing when you actually mean it. I...”

Everybody but you knew, Ross.

Everybody but him...and me. Yeah. I started shipping them around this scene. I didn’t really think about it before that, in fact at that point I didn’t even know what I wanted to do next romance-wise for Ross. Once I was sure I wanted them to get together, I went back to edit the dialogue a little bit, throw a hint here and there...and I realized that I didn’t even have to edit it too much. I already wrote him pretty much like he’s kind of crushing on him without knowing he’s crushing on him. So like...I hate to say it but I’m just as oblivious as him. That’s concerning. Or maybe I just got so into his character, which is just as concerning.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Love gets so much more confusing when you actually mean it. I...”

Idk, Ross, you’re entire life perhaps?

You’re not wrong

I mean, like I said above, those feelings weren’t always romantic but he has always loved him in some way.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Hey. Why did you place that down. You eat that right now.”

I see that frowny face in the tags it better not be what I think it is

Sorry

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset “nononononono December please can you like maybe go away? Thank you.”

Gosh this is... Unexpected((

jackssims replied to your photoset “December: “Okay what are you trying to do.” Kieran: “I’m trying to say...”

CALLED IT ��

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “December: “Okay what are you trying to do.” Kieran: “I’m trying to say...”

Nooooooooo.

I remember this clearly. I was going to leave the game soon and go to bed and he was like “oh you wanna sleep? me too but I won’t wake up. bye”

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Oh, yeah. Glad you noticed your husband really is dead.”

It's sadly hilarious sometimes how long it takes it to jump in the queue if they're in the middle of something already.

I hate that. I feel like ts3 is quite the opposite, if something is supposed to cancel everything in the queue, it happens fast. Sims 4 though...

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset “Persephone made a new friend.”

"Give my best regards to Hades"

This moment was perfect thanks to her name

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Persephone made a new friend.”

I guess the Grim Reaper is still an animal lover. I loved that about him in TS3. It was one of the few things that made pets dying bearable, the way Grim greeted them with open arms and hugs.

Yes, that was cute! Still though, none of my sims animals has ever died because, well, it’s too sad for me to handle.

Well, actually, spoiler alert - Persephone died, but that was off screen, so that wasn’t as bad.

pxelatedtrash replied to your photoset “December: “I’ll take you to bed, Sunny. I’m so sorry you had to...”

I'm not crying! You're crying! These damn onions

Oh I am crying. I have very sensitive eyes, I cry all the time. (I’m not kidding btw and I hate it)

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Valentine: “Now he’ll never know…anything. He won’t see me graduate....”

He wouldn't be proud of how you treat your daughter. :D

Of course! Too bad Ross doesn’t see it...yet :D

jackssims replied to your photoset “Watch out Sun- Nevermind.”

The routing in this game really is something else

ikr? It’s like...in TS3, even a minor thing ruins the routing, sim gets stuck, screams, we all know how that goes, but this one...I’m not sure what I prefer to be fair. TS4 makes it all easier but it’s weird

alfalfalegacy replied to your photoset “Why didn’t she come to me for a hug? I mean, I’m her dad after all -...”

Be a better parent for starters, Ross

jackssims replied to your photoset “Why didn’t she come to me for a hug? I mean, I’m her dad after all -...”

Be a better parent? Spend time with your daughter?

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Why didn’t she come to me for a hug? I mean, I’m her dad after all -...”

Make it up to her!

What a shocker, he now finally sees he sucks, but he doesn’t quite know how to become this “better parent”. Even if it’s so obvious. But then again, this is Ross so  ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Today is a very special day. A promotion is just around the corner, I...”

Ugh.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Today is a very special day. A promotion is just around the corner, I...”

/Ross/

At least he understands that he should be here for his daughter’s birthday so there’s that I guess...even though he’s clearly not happy about it so...yeah Ross, you’re doing great, this will definitely make you a better parent.

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “Ahh yes, no more crying, she’s growing up. Maybe we’ll get along now....”

Maybe if you weren't such a jerk, Ross.

*Selfish jerk.

jackssims replied to your photoset “Ahh yes, no more crying, she’s growing up. Maybe we’ll get along now....”

//ROSS//

Someone should explain to him that the change won’t happen on its own, he’ll have to take the first step. 

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset

I thought it was Sharon. Pretty indeed!

I’m so obsessed with her even though I don’t really talk about it. She’s fun to write, she looks awesome, I love her relationship with Tyler, the way they tease each other, I could go on forever but that could potentionally mean spoilers so I’ll shut up now. I hate spoiling things.

tiny-tany-thaanos replied to your photoset “She’s beautiful.”

She truly is ❤️❤️❤️

elisabettasims replied to your photoset “She’s beautiful.”

Oh I love her.

Those Breeze genes never fail.

simmering-pancakes replied to your photoset “Today is a very special day. A promotion is just around the corner, I...”

I might fight this boi

Let me help you with that

[maniacalmole]

2017 Fic in Review

@lvslie tagged me in this! And I am 50% nostalgia, so I will definitely do it. Thank you! ^_^

total number of completed stories:  5 fanfics and 2 stories of my own writing! Which I am still trying to get published. I also am in the middle of like 7 things....

total word count: 73,989 of fanfic, plus 53,778 of completed (first draft anyway) non-fan-fiction, plus about 25,000 of an uncompleted story that I feel like counting since I’ve written a lot of it. It’s less impressive when you know that writing was pretty much all I was supposed to be doing this year XP

fandoms written in:  All Good Omens, plus one of them was in the style of Wodehouse’s Jeeves and Wooster stories, which was REALLY fun :)

looking back, did you expect to write more fic than you thought you would this year, less, or about what you’d expected?

I don’t think I had any particular plans about how much fanfiction I was going to write, so idk? I’ve been thinking this whole time that I didn’t do enough writing for my other stories, but when I consider that I had to plan and polish them a LOT more than fanfics, looking back on the wordcounts now makes me feel better about the amount I accomplished. So thanks for that :D

what’s your own favorite story of the year?

Since this is mostly a fanfiction ask I’ll just look at those. But still, how can I choose!? I had a lot of affection for “Stay Here” while I was writing it. But now I might be happiest with “Even Without Looking”, although, I have to admit, I always get biased when one gets a lot of good feedback!

did you take any writing risks this year?

This is a cool question and I don’t at all know the answer! Except that “Very Good, Omens!” was hard to write since PG Wodehouse has SUCH a distinctive style with slang that is sadly mostly out of use, and I knew it was a very niche thing to write, but it was totally worth it anyway.

I also, for the sake of my own future nostalgia, feel like saying that the longer story I’m currently writing is a risk because it’s basically taking my exact thought process and emotions from my life for the past few years and putting it into a book that I’m actually going to try to get published....but we’ll see how that works out in the future when I actually finish the thing XD

do you have any fanfic or profit goals for the new year? I

Profit goals? Well I’m definitely trying to find a literary agent, so I hope I can at least find one for one of the completed stories by next year! I don’t have specific fanfic goals, but I do have a ton of ideas, so I hope I can write some of those before they vanish forever :O

best story of the year?

:O wut

most popular story of the year?

This is a much easier question. People definitely seemed to like “Even Without Looking”. So I guess you could say that’s a good argument for it being my ‘best’ one of the year?

story of mine most under-appreciated by the universe, in my opinion:

I totally understand WHY “Very Good, Omens!” doesn’t get much attention, but I’m personally pretty proud of all my silly jokes and references in it XD And I’m pretty much happy with the rest of the feedback I’ve gotten for other things!

most fun story to write:

Oh yeah. “Even Without Looking” was a blast. I’m so grateful for Aziraphale for letting me use him to have fun with how little I know about flirting and love.

Tbh I wrote “Not Too Late” SO FAST because the idea hit me and I couldn’t stop writing it, and now I’ve kind of entirely forgotten it XD I feel bad because I’ve hardly mentioned it at all in this! I need to look back at it again, because it kind of consumed my life for a month and then vanished.

story with the single sexiest moment:

?????????????sex????????????????In MY stories????????????????????

Every now and then I realize that I’ve put a curse word in something, or that I’ve made a sexual innuendo, or that I’ve TOTALLY implied that characters are sleeping together. And I startle myself because I’ll just DO these things in writing even though I hardly ever used to talk about them at all XD I’m still not used to it. I do that last one in something I’m CURRENTLY writing but I don’t actually think I’ve had any ‘sexy’ moments in ones from this year. Maybe it’s “Not Too Late” when Aziraphale is like ‘ah the seductive voice of sin’ when Crowley talks and then immediately does a double-take at his own thoughts. Or maybe it’s in “Even Without Looking” when he thinks about kissing Crowley for a second and his brain just stops working.

most sweet story:

“Even Without Looking” or “Stay Here”?

“holy crap, thats wrong, even for you!” story:

*checks to see if I wrote that one Cage Omens thing in 2017*

Nope that was last year. I don’t think I actually wrote anything that disturbing this year? But, like with sex, whenever I do I kind of instantly forget about it, so feel free to correct me if you think of anything XD

story that shifted my own perceptions of the characters & most unintentionally telling story:

I KNOW the way I see the characters has changed, but I don’t know how >:( And I don’t remember which story changed my perception most, sorry...

hardest story to write:

“Very Good, Omens!” because I was nervous about daring to try to sound like Wodehouse, haha. Also the plot was silly and convoluted and I had to work a lot to sort it out.

There’s a fic I’ve been working on that’s a bit more angsty than usual (for like two seconds anyway) and I’ve had to edit that a lot because I’ve never been happy with it, since it’s not what I usually write. But I haven’t finished that one yet.

biggest disappointment:

I don’t think I’m disappointed by any? That seems like the kind of thing I would only remember when I’m in a bad mood though, haha

biggest surprise:

“Even Without Looking” got kudos so fast! Did somebody recommend that one or something? That was fun :)

Tagging @sous-le-saule and @not-a-space-alien if you guys want to do this!

It was nice to look back! This year has felt really weird since it’s my first year not in any sort of school. Time has passed strangely so this was a cool way of reminding myself what I’ve actually done this year. Thank you again @lvslie for tagging me!

[ekinsellaauthor]

10 Questions Tag

Tagged by @clockworkchrisgemini sorry this took me foreeeever to get to

1. What was the first book in which you felt a connection to the MC or any other character in the book?

I think Danica Shardae from Hawksong. It’s still one of my favourite books years later

2. As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

Raven. They’re a symbol of magic, plus they’re super intelligent and giant. I could make a raven nest next to my desk, or it could crawl in with the kitties

3. Understanding that different people have a different process, what has been the best thing you did or do to help your personal process?

Getting myself working on things consistently and allowing myself to work on something else if my main project is just not flowing.

4. What is the biggest thing that people THINK they know about your subject/genre, that isn’t true?

I haven’t had too many issues with this. In my current WIP it’s mostly people not realizing that their knowledge of history is limited to a specific blip and they try to apply that to the entirety of history in that location, then get confused when I’m like…um, no?

5. What is your most/least favorite genre to read/write?

I think historical fiction is my favourite to read. I love writing hist fic and fantasy. I don’t read horror typically because I’m a huge wuss and I like sleep. I don’t think I’ve really tried to write much that I don’t like reading.

6. What’s the worst advice you have received about writing?

Basically akin to “I’m not anything close to your target audience but you should change all of this about your story because I’m a misogynist and all your other betas are wrong”

7. Given that all your characters are in the same room together, and had never met before, which one would break the awkward silence? How would they do it?

If we’re including ALL of the characters in all my stories, I’m going to go with Evaristus from Olympian Confessions: Hades and Persephone. He LOVES people and he loves people being happy. It’s basically his entire job in the Underworld. He’d do his very best to make everything as comfortable as possible for people.

8. How has your writing changed from when you first started to now?

Oh Lord, it’s so much better XD I finally feel like I’m starting to figure it all out now, that I might know what I’m doing. The entire process has gotten faster and I’m able to focus on minimizing my weaknesses while I write instead of having to slog over a million edits for them.

9. What google searches (related to your writing) have likely gotten you on an FBI watch list?

Maybe the searches on poisonous plants and how to process them. Otherwise probably things on fatal injuries and body decomposition.

10. Sometimes writing is an escape from this fucked up world, or even a way to express oneself because it is the only way one can. So here is the most important question on the list. Are you taking care of yourself?

Mostly. I’m really bad at staying hydrated and having a consistent sleep schedule, but overall I’m doing pretty good 😊

Questions for the tagged

1.    What is the strangest thing you’ve researched for a WIP?

2.    If you could set up your ideal workspace (funds unlimited), what would it look like and where would it be?

3.    Have you ever taken a research trip for a WIP? If not, where do you most want to take one?

4.    Do you have any secret WIPs you haven’t shared with the world yet?

5.    Do you have any songs or artists that get you in the mood to write?

6.    Do you have any tropes that you love writing?

7.    What author has had the most impact on your writing? On your life?

8.    Is there anything specific that you tend to rely on for symbolism in your writing (ie. colors, flowers, etc.)?

9.    Without explaining why, which character have you written that you hate the most?

10.  If you were tossed into the world of your current WIP, what would your role be and do you think you’d survive?

Answer the questions, come up with 10 more, and tag some friends!

 Tagging: @kbcypher @authorallysonvondran @scripturient-manipulator @prideandpen @priyaele and anyone else who wants to play :)