#everyone please go read it and leave nix all the lovely comments!!!

[every-moment-a-different-sound]

Painland week day 1: Language of love (touch)

tender is the ghost (the ghost I love the most) by @nix-nihili

A hand snaked out to grip Edwin's forearm, the pressure stopping him from peeking out further beyond the edge of the skip. Despite their layers of clothing and the urgency with which Charles had reached out, Edwin could feel the emanating warmth of the touch. It had been years since the very first time; that singular passing gesture that evolved into friendly pats on the back and crowding of personal space on a daily basis. Charles never lingered too long though, always pulling away right before Edwin got the chance to process, to wipe the stunned expression off his face, to drink it in like a man dehydrated. But this was lingering. - Charles has always been a touchy person and Edwin has decidedly not. (He wants to though. Desperately.) or Five times Charles initiates touch over thirty decades and one time it's Edwin.

[navybrat817]

Invisible Ink - Part 2

Pairings: Bucky Barnes x Reader, Steve Rogers x Reader, Bucky Barnes x Reader x Steve Rogers Summary: The owners of the Howling Commandos Tattoo Parlor want to make you their best girl. Word Count: Almost 2.8k Warnings: Explicit sexual content, unprotected sex, flirting, tension, feels, tattooed Bucky Barnes and Steve Rogers (they’re warnings, okay?) A/N: Welcome to the next part of my tattoo AU!  This is direct follow up to Invisible Ink. The smut in this chapter focuses on Steve x Reader, but the next part will feature Stucky x Reader. Beta read by the amazing @angrythingstarlight​, but any and all mistakes are my own. Thank you, lovely! Banner created by yours truly, but Bucky and Steve photos were provided by the talented @nix-akimbo! This AU wouldn’t exist without them. 

18+ Please!!! Please comment, like and reblog if you desire. Enjoy, lovelies!

You nearly dropped your gaze when Steve moved forward, the intensity in his eyes making you shiver. He didn't just walk. He stalked toward you like a predator. Lucky for him, his partner already had you caught in their trap. As if you would have tried to escape. 

"We… what?" you asked, not a single ounce of smoothness rolling from your tongue. Mind-blowing orgasms did tend to shut your mind off briefly and when was the last time you came the way Bucky made you?

The smirk on Steve's face only grew as he got closer. "I told you not to break her."

"Maybe I'm just that good," Bucky smirked back.

That snapped you out of it enough to playfully glare at them. The affection in their tone wrapped around you like a warm blanket. "It takes more than that to break me."

The blonde hummed as he took his spot beside the brunette, who was still inside you. "How many to make you shatter?" he asked, gently gripping your chin. 

No one ever looked at you like they wanted to devour you until you met them. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”

“Buck, why don’t you get cleaned up?” Steve suggested, not taking his eyes off you. 

“Fuck that,” Bucky replied, exhaling as he slowly pulled out of you. Your walls clenched around nothing, empty and aching. “I’ll get dressed, but no point in washing up when I’m getting my dick soaked the moment everyone leaves.”

You smiled before you could stop yourself. “You say that like it’s a sure thing.”

Bucky gripped Steve’s wrist, turning your face toward him. “You said you’d be ours. Or was that just talk?” 

A flash of fear flickered in his eyes and you wondered what exactly he was afraid of. Did he think it was the heat of the moment that made you agree? “We have a lot to talk about, but I said I’m yours. I don’t give my word lightly.”

Both smiled as Bucky dropped his hand, your words making the tension vanish. “That’s our girl,” he said fondly, giving you a soft kiss before he fixed his underwear. “You two have fun.”

Steve chuckled as his friend left the kitchen. “You scared him, sweetheart.”

“I scared him?” you asked incredulously. Could you actually frighten either of them?

“You have no idea the hold you have on us, do you?” he questioned, his grip still gentle on your chin.

Your heart thudded in your chest, suddenly vulnerable even though you were naked on the countertop. What could you say to that? “I…” 

“Oh, sweetheart,” he sighed, leaning in to kiss you. While his gaze was heated and full of fire, his lips brushed yours delicately. He inhaled your breath as your lips parted, gently coaxing your tongue into his waiting mouth. His hand left your chin as he deepened it, sliding down to palm your breast.

“Steve,” you breathed as his thumb brushed your nipple. 

“Wanted you for so long,” he admitted, his lips sweeping over your neck. “Woke up hard today just thinking about you.”

He took your hand and guided it toward the front of his jeans, letting you palm him. Feeling his covered length made your throat go dry. Your walls clenched again, needing to be filled. You had a taste of Bucky and he was addicting. You knew you’d have the same craving with Steve. 

“But first…” he groaned, both hands moving to your knees and pushing your legs apart. “Let me see what a mess he made of you.”

“Fuck…” you whimpered when he dipped down.

“Language,” he said in a stern tone, surprising you. “It does sound sexy. Not as sexy as my name will be though.”

The confident smirk suited him as he opened your legs even more. You trembled beneath his hands as he focused on your twitching hole. “Look at that,” he said in awe, his fingertip brushing your lips. You whimpered at the thought of him making a bigger mess of you. “When I have more time, I’m going to eat this pretty pussy like it’s my last meal. You’ll be begging for my cock long before I’ve had my fill.”

“Please,” you begged. Their mouths were made for sin and you wanted nothing more than to commit every single one with them.

“Tempting,” he whispered as he stood back up, bringing his finger to his mouth and licking it. “But I have something else in mind.”

He gripped your hips and pulled you toward him, your legs wrapping around his waist. Your nipples rubbed against his chest as he carried you to the living room. “Not the bedroom?”

“Buck may be upset if I have you in a bed first. That’s for all three of us.”

Your heart swelled a bit. From the banter you saw between Bucky and Steve, it was clear that their bond ran deep. They looked out for each other. It made you wonder how you were going to fit into their world. But that talk would come soon enough.

Instead of taking you to the sofa, Steve helped you put your feet on the ground. Your legs felt a bit wobbly, having to grip his arms to keep from collapsing. Bucky really did fuck some of your basic functions out of you, didn’t he?

Waiting until you were stable, the blonde grabbed a pillow and tossed in on the floor. He cupped your face, his mouth strong and tender as he gave you a hungry kiss. “Hands and knees.”

His eyes locked on yours and you nearly crumbled. The drop in his voice alone made you wet all over again. You reluctantly pulled away, complying as you turned and sank to the floor. Your knees rested on the pillow, making you smile. He thought enough to make sure you were somewhat comfortable.

“You wet for me, sweetheart?” he asked, hearing him unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants. Was it the mere sound of it that was arousing or was it just him? “Are you ready for my cock?”

“I’m ready, Steve. Please,” you promised, looking over your shoulder as he moved behind you. He hadn’t bothered undressing and that made it even hotter. Your eyes zeroed in on his cock and, like when you saw Bucky’s, you trembled at the sight. You needed him inside you.

“Bucky already filled your beautiful cunt. You need me to fill you, too?” 

“Yes,” you moaned as his hands caressed your ass, your head falling a bit when they moved to your hips. “Steve, please.”

He aligned his cock, your pussy latching on as he pushed the head in. “Fuck…” he moaned, slowly sliding home. 

“Steve?” you asked when he sheathed you, not moving right away. You tried to push back against him, but the hold on your hips was ironclad. 

“Let me savor this before I destroy you.” 

You whimpered as he held you still, but you didn’t argue. Even as you pulsed around him in anticipation. Seconds continued to pass before you finally felt him start to pull out. You clamped down when he almost slid out completely just to have him slam back in. The force of it made you keen. 

“You better hold on, sweetheart,” he warned, his fingers digging in as he set a relentless rhythm.

Your wet walls fluttered with each stretch, your breath leaving your lungs in ragged breaths. You tried to hold on, but you could only enjoy the ride as he pulled you back to meet his demanding thrusts. They had you mewling as he kept burying himself to the hilt.

“Knew you could take us. Knew you were made for us.”

Menaces. Trouble. Gods. Bucky ruined part of you when he took you apart in the kitchen. Now Steve had you on your hands and knees, tearing you to pieces. You thought it would take more for you to shatter.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Be as loud as you want. Let Bucky hear it. Bet he’s hard, wishing he was back inside you.”

Your pussy sucked him in deeper than you thought possible, letting all of your sounds out. The hot and needy feeling they brought out of you was something you never wanted to deny again. And the image of Bucky in the doorway or around the corner, his hand running over his cock just from your sounds. “Steve, fuck!”

“That mouth again. Going to look beautiful stuffed with my cock,” he grunted, pounding into you. “Drenching me. Does that get you hot? Thinking about my cock in your mouth? His cock spilling down your throat?”

You swore you heard Bucky groan in the distance over the sounds of your own cries. “Yes! I want it,” you admitted shamelessly. You wanted every hole ruined by them.

You gasped as he stretched over you, his mouth brushing your shoulder. “That’s my good girl,” he said against your skin. “You tell us what you need and we’ll give it to you.”

Your eyes burned as you began to spiral, your warmth clenching tighter and tighter. He wasn’t just talking about sex and that made your heart leap into your throat. “Please.”

“I said ‘tell’. What do you need?” 

His pace increased, the throbbing in your core almost overwhelming. “I need to come!”

Your mouth fell open in a silent scream when his finger slid over your clit. “That’s my good girl. Come for me,” he growled in your ear.

Your orgasm ripped through you, just as powerful as the first. Your body went up in flames as you spasmed around him, reduced to a whimpering mess. Before you could finish riding it out, he withdrew from your body and put you on your back. You were still whimpering when he opened your legs and slid back in.

“Need to see you,” he groaned, his thrusts deep and quick. Through the haze, you could see how beautiful he looked. It took a second to lift your hand, bringing it to his cheek as he chased his end. He turned his head and kissed your palm, his eyes not leaving yours as he groaned out his release. The feel of him spilling into your already coated walls was everything.

Your body was limp beneath his, both of you panting as you stared at each other. His eyes went soft as he leaned down, lovingly brushing his lips against yours. How could both of them take you like animals and kiss you after like you were something precious?

“I can’t move,” you whispered. You felt boneless, weightless. 

Steve chuckled, wrapping his arms under your body to pull you close. Feeling his clothed body against your naked form was something out of a fantasy. “You don’t have to. Let me hold you and we’ll get ready in a few minutes.”

His lips brushed your forehead and you quickly shut your eyes. The emotions hit you square in the chest, unexpectedly. You couldn’t remember the last time you had sex and you slept with two men in a matter of minutes. Two wonderful, perfect men.

“Did I lose you?” Steve asked, his lips brushing over your eyelids. “Open your eyes, pretty girl. Please.”

“Please,” Bucky added, making you open them and move your head to the side. He was dressed with a drink in hand. His grin made your heart flutter. When did he walk in?

“There you are,” Steve said, touching your cheek and bringing your attention back to him. “Was it too much?”

He looked and sounded worried. You had to rectify that immediately. “No. It was perfect. Both of you are.”

Steve’s gaze was thoughtful, like he knew you had more to say. He also seemed to recognize how vulnerable you felt and didn’t push. Neither did Bucky. “Let’s get you something to drink. How does that sound?”

“That sounds nice,” you replied, exhaling when he moved out of your body. “Oh…” you said as his release leaked out of you and onto the pillow.

“Make sure Clint uses that pillow,” Bucky teased as Steve got up, still holding you in his arms.

“He’d probably like that,” Steve joked, sitting up and pulling you in his lap. 

Bucky set the drink on the coffee table before he grabbed the blanket draped on the back of the sofa. He pressed a kiss to your forehead as he wrapped it around you. Were they always swoonworthy?

“That’s…” you trailed off when he moved, getting a good look at the drink in front of you.

“Your favorite,” Bucky winked as he sat in the recliner.

“And we got your favorite snacks,” Steve added, wrapping his arms around you.

You leaned your head on his shoulder, trying to keep up with everything that transpired. The quiet didn’t bother you. It felt… comfortable and right. 

“You can talk to us if you want. We won’t bite,” Steve said after a minute.

“Unless you want us to,” Bucky smirked. 

You giggled at the familiar flirting, the sound making all of you relax more. “I’m not used to this.”

“Not used to what?” Steve asked, one of his hands rubbing your back.

“Not used to not one, but two, amazing men showering me with attention,” you answered, smirking yourself. “And orgasms.”

“I’ll wake you each day with orgasms if you let me, doll. Sweetest breakfast I’ll ever taste,” Bucky said gruffly, his tongue poking out and licking his lips. 

“Not if I get a taste first,” Steve said in your ear. 

You closed your eyes, holding back the whimper that bubbled up. They were playing dirty. It wasn’t fair. “There’s only one of me.”

“More than enough to love,” Bucky said easily. 

Love? Was he making a generalization or did it mean more? “It doesn’t bother you?”

“I think the question is… Does it bother you?” Steve pressed. “Does it bother you to think we want to share you?”

“No,” you said honestly. You didn't feel like a prize to them. “But you two are so close and I’m just-”

“You’re not just anything,” Bucky cut you off before you could put yourself down, leaning forward to get your drink. He handed it to Steve when you lifted your head. “We both care about you.”

“We care enough that if you only wanted one of us, we’d accept it,” Steve continued, bringing the drink to your lips.

You took a large sip, not wanting to drink it all down. You still needed a semi-clear head. “So, if I really only wanted to be with one of you. That would be it?”

Neither said anything as they looked at each, having a silent conversation. That bond again. They didn’t even have to speak to read each other. “Yes,” they spoke at the same time.

“Really?”

“Really? We care about you and want you happy,” Steve told you, making you smile gently. “And Buck and I want the same for one another. I know you’re good for him. He's good for you.”

“Just like you two are good for each other,” Bucky added.

You looked between them, wishing you could read their minds. “You two thought this out.”

“Steve is the man with a plan,” Bucky joked, leaning back in his chair. 

“I don’t want to come between you. I won't be that person,” you blurted out. You felt like an idiot. You had the best sex of your life and you couldn’t just let it be.

Steve tilted your chin up, kissing you long and deep. It smothered anything else you had to say. “Buck, get over here.”

You hadn’t recovered from that kiss before Bucky turned your face toward him, his kiss just as loving and passionate. “You won’t come between us, doll,” he said against your lips.

They made it sound so simple. Maybe in their eyes it was. And you knew you’d have the support of your best friend. She respected people embracing what they wanted as long as no one got hurt. “Okay. We’ll continue this talk later. I should probably clean up before the others get here.”

“You’re not cleaning up,” Steve shook his head. 

“I’m not?” 

“You’re going to put your dress back on and stay nice and wet for us,” Bucky said as a matter-of-fact. “We even have a plug waiting for you, if you’re ready for that.”

“You…” you looked between them again. Both of them had shit eating grins on their handsome faces. “You have a plug for me?”

“We each do. What do you say, sweetheart? Think you can stay nice and plugged up before we really play tonight?”

Oh, you weren’t in trouble. You were in danger.

[museaway]

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of calls for fic readers to leave comments, and while I absolutely agree that leaving feedback is good practice and everyone should do it, we need to nix this idea that a reader is obligated to leave the kind of feedback authors want (or any at all). 

Bear with me. 

Fandom is a gift economy. Instead of services for money, we exchange fanworks for a response. Reader response comes largely in two forms because of AO3: comments and kudos. Receiving these can be a huge morale booster for authors. A lack of feedback from readers can make you feel like you’re writing in a void. Sometimes writers stop writing because they don’t feel it’s worth their time, or they find fandoms where feedback is more plentiful. A single meaningful comment can change that. Seriously. Someone liked a fic enough they figured out how to leave multiple kudos? That author is going to have a great day. 

Beyond supporting their writing, leaving feedback on an author’s work can also lead to friendship if a reader and a writer hit it off. And if the reader also creates stuff, a writer might even check it out (that shouldn’t be your motivation for leaving feedback and please don’t advertise your own stuff in a comment — that would be pretty rude — but it’s a neat side effect). 

So feedback is important. Feedback feeds the fandom economy by validating writers’ time, and in turn, those writers will probably churn out more fic. (Not surprisingly, positive feedback is considered the most valuable since it contributes to good feelings, and happy writers are usually happy to keep writing.) It’s also polite to thank someone for a gift. Just like you might send a thank you if someone sent you a birthday present, if you enjoyed a fic you read, consider pressing that kudos button or dropping a comment. For most fic writers, that interaction is the only reward they get in exchange for the time they put into writing. 

But no reader is obligated to leave feedback any more than a writer is obligated to write fic. To put it another way, writers are not entitled to a reader’s feedback any more than readers are entitled to a writer’s fic. If readers may not demand what authors write about or how often we publish new chapters, then authors may not demand certain types of feedback from readers (or any). The gift concept goes both ways. A gift is given willingly, without the expectation of anything in return, even a thank you. 

Don’t get me wrong. It’s rude not to acknowledge a gift, but there can be no obligation in the giving of one, otherwise it wasn’t a gift in the first place. Did you ever receive a “gift” with expectations attached? Tacky. Same concept.

Most fic writers I know adore feedback. It’s natural to hope for it and feels terrible when you don’t receive it, but if we turn commenting into a chore, I honestly think we’ll see less of it. So if you want to encourage feedback, let readers know you’d love to know their thoughts. Reply if they leave you a message. That’s all we can do. 

I do wonder if some people might feel shy about commenting or not know what to say. If you fall into this category, know that there is nothing wrong with saying simply “Loved this” or “Thank you for sharing.” You do not have to write an essay. And for anyone who would like to support an author but wants to avoid comments for any reason, here are some alternatives:

Leave kudos. There is nothing wrong with only leaving kudos. You don’t need an AO3 account to do this. Just click the button and your kudos will be given anonymously.

Share the fic with your friends. If the author made a post on their social media, maybe reblog or retweet it. 

Respond to an author’s fic post on social media with a brief message or an emoji. (I’ve been told some authors don’t really like feedback on Twitter, but I’m really happy if someone will talk to me in public.)

Make them something. If you are an artist and you loved a fic, but you don’t know how to express that, maybe doodle something from it. Do you make podfics? Record a chapter. I can almost guarantee the author will scream out of excitement.

Subscribe to the author’s AO3 account or follow them on social for updates

Also: It’s 100% okay to leave comments on older fic or to leave comments on multiple fics. Absolutely no author will find this weird. You’re not bothering them. 

[nny11writes]

13, 16, 18, 43 and 50 for tha ask game please and thank you :P Just, many many numbers lol

13. What is your planning process?

My first reaction was to squint and go “Do I have a process?” which is probably an answer on its own lol!

It depends is the actual answer.

Like most writers I start a fic because of one scene or dialogue or description that I really, really, really wanted to write and then I have to figure out where it belongs.

I almost always start by just...writing. I used to be 100% stream of consciousness writer. I’d sit down at least once a day with a blank document and without ANY forethought or direction I’d start writing a fic. It was always as much fun for me as my readers to see where a story would go because I literally had no clue.

These days, as I’m putting THE THING down on the page my brain is shrieking ideas at me so I start slapping them down too, but I’ve got a better filter so not everything goes down. There’s a lot of [WHAT IS THIS THING PLS PLS FIGURE IT OUT] and [PAST OR PRESENT TENSE MF MAKE UP YO MIND] at this stage.

This is where I actually start planning. I’ve got a bunch of stuff down, a vague direction, and a lot of ideas so this is usually where I sit down to do some planning. Am I aiming to write a short fic or long fic, one shot or multi-chapter, where are we, how many characters, etc. I leave things pretty wide open, while sometimes it’s fun to challenge myself to meet very specific goals it’s usually frustrating to me so nothing is set in stone. Literally. Even when I’ve posted if someone leaves a comment that’s amazing or enough people liked it I’ll usually try to write more in that fic or another fic with those ideas.

How To Quit You is a great example of how my loosey goosey planning works. I don’t know if people realize but that fic was originally supposed to be ONLY that first chapter. I wrote it in an hour tops for 2019 glitra week and all I knew at that point was I wanted to do a western with some romance tropes to it (hence the exes who still love each other thing).

Once I realized how many people seemed to love it and wanted to see more I sat down and planned it out. I first decided how I wanted to write the story (hence going back in time ~15 years) and then I created chapter titles and had vague descriptions for them.  Once it was all down I went through it again and made adjustments, then created a timeline (Micah died in 1868, they meet in 1870, Catra works BMR rails 1870-1880 min, etc etc). And that’s it.  I made an outline and used it as my idea bouncing ground and map and huge parts of it have changed as we’ve gone along. Catra was going to become a drunkard out in [REDACTED] after the timeline met up with chapter one. I scrapped that because it didn’t fit with other details and changes I’d made. I re-wrote the chapter and now I gotta scrap that and re-write it again do to reasons that would spoilers.

Let’s Try This Again is another hilarious example, because chapters 1-6 were meticulously planned and I charted out a whole story around them that I was going to stick to damn it all! And then Palpatine hip checked me and changed the course of the story. I still included a lot from my original VERY detailed outline, but some chapters were nixed completely and others added in too sooooo...

I’m not a true pantser because I do some planning, but I’m not a planner because I leave huge chucks practically up to the whims of fate. I’m a plantser.

16. Do you use sentence starters, writing prompts and/or fandom headcanons for your fanfics?

Sometimes! 

I think some of my best works are from prompts (WHICH ARE ALWAYS OPEN, HINT HINT, NUDGE NUDGE, KNOW WHAT I MEAN KNOW WHAT I MEAN) specifically.

I rarely use sentence starters but I think I’ve done okay when I did.

But fandom headcanons? Oh hell yeah baby now we’re talking!

Can Anakin cook but Padme can’t? Hell yeah!

Togruta have some cat like features so Ahsoka is obligate carnivore and color blind? WOOOOOOOO BOYYYYYYYYYYYY!

"This is not because I like you.” is 100% something that everyone in the Horde says when trying to cover their asses, Catra’s just a useless lesbian and has to use it A Lot More Than Most. Awwwwww yeah, that’s the good stuff!

Glimmer and Catra talk to one another but only have serious conversations sitting back to back post canon. I DON’T MAKE THE RULES!

Like, god, fandom headcanon is practically what my fics live on lol! I’m not great at writing things in canon or sticking to canon, and people are amazing and smart so of course I’m going to steal their cool ideas and then mess with them until they’re my own.

18. What is your favorite writing prompt?

...I gotta be honest I have no clue lol. I’ve liked basically every prompt I’ve ever gotten (there’s literally only been 2 that I got and went “...oh.” and of those two I was able to bend the prompt into things I liked a lot! One of them is actually posted and people like it, and then other is currently sitting in the naughty prompt corner for crimes of FIGHTING ME TO A STANDSTILL every time I write a few sentences for it, but I do actually like it now lol).

I think my favorite style of prompt are ones that are open for some interpretation. You know that joke about you know a writer based on how they respond to a one word prompt like “fall” or “cold” or even “love”? I love that kind of stuff! Heck, even things with a more narrow focus are fun to play with. For one of my prompt fics I was able to flip the script and have the character everyone expects the unrequited pining from to instead be the unattainable beloved instead.

*Marge potato meme* I just think they’re neat!

43. Guilty pleasure tropes and scenarios?

None, because I am very loud about what I enjoy and refuse to have things I enjoy ripped away by strangers on the interwebs.

Okay, more seriously, as far as things that others might think are guilty pleasure tropes and scenarios?

I love a good “morons to repressed idiots to lovers” slow burn. Yes, yesssss, let them be absolute fools and make MASSIVE mistakes that they have no reason to make. There was a miscommunication? Delightful! Oh look, they’re both flirting with one another but think the other one is just joking around with them. I WILL TAKE ANOTHER 200K OF THEM SUFFERING THANK YOU!

I love AUs man, every time I see someone who really hates coffee shop AUs or highschool AUs or modern AUs I end up getting grumpy and I go find some of those AUs to read because I love them. The AUs I love the most change fandom to fandom. Not a huge fan of modern AU for star wars, but an absolute slut for them in She Ra. Palpatine chokes on a bagel and I live, but if that happened to Horde Prime I’d be pissed. *shrug* I just know that some people really don’t like or even outright hate AUs, and I do not understand them at all. Like, good for them and I hope they find the fics they do enjoy! But also, why???????

I think my “cringiest” one is that I actually really like A/B/O as long as they flip the script somehow or delve into how something like that would actually effect the world it exists in. Is sex in public a common and acceptable thing b/c they can’t control themselves? Do jobs and schools give people time off for heats and ruts? Is it considered antiquated and anyone who struggles with their biology is considered lazy or stupid? Do celebrities sometimes get in trouble with fans or even lose their jobs/prestige after showing off their new mating mark? GIVE ME THE WORLD BUILDING I WANT TO KNOW! But if it’s a really boring traditional A/B/O...like, what’s the point there? 

Please don’t misunderstand me here. These three examples are all things that are WILDLY stupid in their own rights, and I love them dearly both because of and regardless of that!

50. Can we get a teaser for an upcoming chapter?

It’s All Fun and Games Until...Stop! Stop! We’re Already Gay!

AKA the one where they all go to Mystacor to relax in the steam grotto and have to deal with seeing one another in tight fitting and wet underwear. The thirst is high.

“So…” Bow started conversationally as Sea Hawk put the finishing touches on Bow’s freshly painted nails. “How doomed are they? Are we making bets?”

Mermista and Sea Hawk made significant eye contact before looking at him pitifully. 

“What?” Bow asked, starting to sweat nervously. “What!?”

“Nothing, just-” Sea Hawk didn’t even get to finish.

“You need to get your girlfriend to get her girlfriends under control, and like, I knooooow that’s a tall order or whatever. But uuuuuuuuugggggghhh, we are going to die.”

“Girlfriend!?” Bow’s voice cracked painfully. “Ha! A-ha! Ha! W-who? I don’t, I don’t have a girlfriend, what are you even talking about?”

“Uuuuuggggggghh!”

“There, there my dear. We have survived worse.”

[dreaming-jun-chu]

Rock and Riot review

 Warning: This post is very long! I will have a typed up summary/shorter version come very soon.

Ah, the 1950s in the United States. 

Milkshakes!

Carhops!

Poodle skirts!

Racism.

Segregation.

Civil Rights Movement.

Homophobia and Transphobia.

These are the reality to that time period. As much as people want to erase the “sucky” parts, that’s the reality of it and it shaped how we view ourselves as queer people of color.

That’s where Rock and Riot comes in. And let me say: It’s not good.

Rock and Riot is an LGBT comic about queer kids and kids of color in the 1950s finding love. The comic prides itself on it’s diversity to not only race but to sexuality and gender. To queer white kids, it’s extremely diverse and “progressive”. To queer people of color like me, it’s really offensive and just plain jarring.

Going chapter by chapter, I will tell everything wrong with not only the chapter but for the overall story.

Chapter 1

It starts off with the main protagonist, Connie, riding up with her school gang The Jacquettes. While traveling down the hallway, she notices this blonde hair and blue eyed girl named Carla and instantly falls for her. Connie then goes through the “i’m gonna impress her” motions of flexing her muscles, smoking to seem cool and driving her car in donuts before finally speaking to her.

Let’s pause that for a second.

Connie is African-American/Black while Connie is White. During the 1950s, you’d be hard pressed to find a Black person really speaking to a White person if it wasn’t during a musical scene or at the Black person’s job. 

If this town is based in the Northern to Midwestern United States; while there wasn’t Jim Crow like in the South, Whites and Blacks (and by extension, anyone who was of Color) were segregated by tradition.

And the interracial relationships during that time; they got ALOT of shit for it. 

Chapter 2

So, the second chapter deals with Connie and Frankie, the leader of the rival school gang, the Rollers, get into an argument over...something, it wasn’t memorable. Frankie’s a sexist pig, Connie’s upset and they roll into the water and mess up their hair.

Pausing again.

If we wanna be realistic: Frankie would probably be aggressively misogynoirist against Connie. Sexism for White women is not the same as sexism for Black women. If you want to keep sexism, don’t treat it as if the sexism white women face is universally the same for all women. 

He implied that Connie isn’t tough enough to wear a jacket. 

If this was toward a White woman, this line would make sense. White women are always seen as too weak, too small and not tough enough.

On the flip coin, Black women are treated as the opposite. Black women are seen as too manly, too tough, and too emasculating to even be around. That a Black woman’s “masculinity” is too much for a White man.

Yeah, it’s a small comment but even a small comment like that really puts in perspective that the author didn’t do any research. Especially in the 1950s.

There’s other comments Frankie prolly would say but I’ll leave that to your imagination. 

Chapter 3

So the next chapter deals with Connie and Carla’s first date. They’re at a drive-in movie. So Carla asks if it’s normal for couples to go there and hook up. Connie falls over herself trying to say that they dont have to hook up and carla kisses Connie on the cheek.

In the next few pages, we see Clyde and Eugene (members of the Rollers) getting nervous about being alone together. Of course, they show signs of liking each other before Frankie comes up and honks their horn. The other two members of the Rollers went to Clyde’s house and his sister told them he was on a date. Edd asks if a girl bailed on Clyde and that’s why he’s hanging with Eugene.

Pausing once again.

On a story point of view, this scene is awkward. Why would Frankie and Edd disrupt Clyde’s date? The scene is supposed to be funny but it comes off as awkward. Unless it was actual important business regarding their school gang, there’s no reason for them to barge in. I don’t care if that’s the type of people they are: they aren’t about to be my friends if they pull a stunt like that on me. This chapter was poorly written.

Chapter 4

Hope everyone’s ready for the next chapter cause here’s where “trans-friendly” writing rears its ugly head.

So the next day at school, there’s a new kid named Ace. Connie and Frankie want Ace as part of their gang. if you don’t mind, i’d like to insert what Ace looks like here

So Connie and Frankie try and recruit Ace into their gang with no success until the two leaders begin to argue with one another in front of Ace. Ace asks why the leaders want Ace so bad. While Connie and Frankie yell their crap, Ace dismisses both of them and leaves.

Rolly, a “sweet’ member of the Jacquettes, comes and talks to Ace. They have a talk and Rolly explains how she was once part of the Rollers and Connie's gang accepted her in. So Ace says that neither of the gang is right for Ace and that Ace has a gang already.

Pausing again.

There’s a reason why I avoided pronouns for Ace intentionally for the summary of this chapter. Ace is supposed to be non-binary and uses They/Them pronouns. This wouldn’t be a problem...If Ace told them. A friend of mine actually asked “why are they using They/them pronouns for this trans man?”

When i told him that Ace is supposed to be non-binary, he was a bit...miffed to say the least. Because it doesn’t make sense for these characters to know Ace’s pronouns without knowing or even asking. I’d actually like it better had Connie said “She” and Frankie say “He”; because the scene where Ace gets angry and doesn’t want to be part of either gang would make more sense. And Ace revealing to Rolly that they don’t see themselves in either gang feel more natural.

But because Frankie and Connie immediately used they/them pronouns, it’s feels forced. As if the author is afraid of showing transphobia. In the 1950s.

Concerning Rolly; she is out, wearing dresses and uses She/Her pronouns. Pre-HRT. And passes.

I can’t speak for trans women so I won’t say much about Rolly other than, the fact she passes, out and no one gives a second glance is concerning.

But, i can talk about Ace. To give you a bit of a perspective, i am Bigender. I use He/Him and She/Her pronouns. I don’t pass nor am I androgynous. Nor do i want to. 

Ace being androgynous is a major trope of NB trans folks and if you havent heard: WE ARE TIRED OF THAT BULL. Some of us are still NB and don’t pass. While the other members of Ace’s gang don’t pass: Ace is front and center. Ace is the face of the gang and the face we see first before the other three.

Every trans person that appears in this comic either passes or everyone instantly knows the pronouns said trans person uses.

Chapter 5

So the next chapter is fairly unmemorable. Connie’s gang notices that connie’s been acting strange and believe she’s dating a boy.

PAUSE.

The author doesn’t seem to to know whether her world has transphobia/homophobia/racism or not and it’s overall confusing. Why wouldn’t Connie’s gang accept her being a lesbian? 

I barely remember what happened with Clyde and Eugene in this chapter so...I can’t really comment on this one. It’s unmemorable.

Chapter 6

Do you remember the paragraph above mentioning whether the author not know whether she wanted racism in her world or not? Here’s where everything starts going down the drain.

So Connie goes to the diner where Carla works. Because they don’t get to be together often, Carla suggests they go to a little dance hall to be together and hang out when she gets off. 

So when they go to the Dance hall, the bouncer says Carla can go in but Connie can’t. That because they’re under new management, they can’t let Connie in because of complaints.

Connie, surprisingly, acts a bit realistic here and suggests they just go. Carla gets angry and yells at the bouncer and says she’ll reveal that he’s been having little dates with the librarian and possibly would tell his wife before saying “let’s take our business else where.”

They go to a little lake and comment how no one will judge them there and they have their little date.

PAUSE.

Let’s go back to the author for a second. On her Rock and Riot tumblr, she said that this comic is supposed to be the 1950s without the “suck’ as she says it. Which means, there’s supposed to be no homophobia. There’s supposed to be no Transphobia. And certainly, there’s supposed to be no Racism. But Sexism for Whites TM is okey-dokey.

Please decide whether you want Racism or not in this comic. Personally, i don’t like that you nixed it just because you wanted a “happy” comic when the 1950s was a turning point and led into alot of revolutions and movements.

This incident pops up and then disappears. It’s barely mentioned again or at all. 

Chapter 7

Another unmemorable chapter, sadly. It’s supposed to be how Rolly came to join the jacquettes. I can’t say much on it because it’s unmemorable and just a rip from “Look at me, i’m Sandra Dee” from Grease.

Chapter 8

I’m gonna admit, i had to read back over this cause I remembered only bits and pieces. This chapter deals with Connie catching Clyde and Eugene making out in the classroom when everyone’s gone. 

The chapter ends with Clyde and Eugene trying to cover up their making out as Clyde does push ups.

It was quite a bland chapter at an attempt at creating drama. Which, I could realistically see Connie catching Eugene and Clyde making out behind the school.

Chapter 9

So Carla, Connie, Clyde and Eugene are at Suzy’s diner. Sadly, this chapter was pretty damn unmemorable except for the next part.

Clyde asks how Connie and Carla knew they were different (how they found out they were gay).

Connie said she never liked men. Carla said she doesn’t have a preference.

PAAAAUUUUUSSSSSEEEEE

Connie never liking men is such a horrible stereotypes of Lesbians. She could have said “I felt more comfortable around girls” or even “I tried dating men for a bit but I never really felt a connection”. ANYTHING.

I feel it’s even worse given that she’s a Black Lesbian at that.

So the four of them continue talking UNTIL~

Their respective school gangs show up and catch them “in the act”.

So to cover their asses, Connie and Clyde pretend to date and so does Eugene and Carla.

This doesn’t make sense in a world where homophobia shouldn’t exist. 

So Debby freaks the hell out, Frankie is angry. Debbie tells Connie that she’s not part of the Jacquettes anymore and Frankie is angry.

Pause~

Now, from what i assumed: Connie created the Jacquettes or atleast came up with the idea. Wouldn’t it make more sense for Debby to say that they quit the Jacquettes than severing a tie with connie? When Connie’s the leader?

Chapter 10

This chapter was...not written well, but none of these chapters really were.

So this chapter deals with Ace’s gang, The Bandits. They’re selling answers to quizzes and tests to students. A few students say that their answers are bogus and won’t shop with them again.

So the members go to Ace and they come up with a plan.

Now, this next part is annoying to me because it’s fairly obvious that the author isn’t a Spanish speaker...Nor was this necessary.

So while Ace and the Bandits devise a plan, Ace’s mother comes in and tells them to stay hydrated for stealing tests and Ace responds that they’re writing essays

NOT ONLY THAT, why the fuck would Ace’s mother be okay with them stealing tests? I hope it was a joke. a horribly written joke.

Ace gets the brilliant idea to rewrite the tests.

So Ace and the bandits break into the school (again, apparently) and rewrite the tests and answers. 

James Bond/Mission Impossible reference noted.

So the next day, the school kids all get their tests...And apparently, the teachers nor the entire school does an investigation on why one of the choices on the tests is “What is your gender?”

If Ace and the Bandits are supposed to be inclusive; they fall extremely short. I didn’t like this chapter. At all.

Chapter 11

If there was a chapter that the author did that I completely and utterly loathed? It’s this one. And with complete good reason.

So Connie goes to Carla’s house and climbs up Carla’s tree, calling out to her girlfriend and throwing rocks at her window.

PAUSE.

First off: Connie is Black. Second, Connie is Black in the 1950s. ANYONE could tell you that Connie going into (what i will assume) an All White Neighborhood is a death sentence first.

Thirdly: Connie is Black in the 1950s climbing a White person’s house. Neighbors during this time were nosy as fuck. Connie’s Black ass would have been shot out that tree faster than Taylor Swift switches boyfriends.

If Connie wasn’t shot by Carla’s father or Carla’s neighbors, the police would have shot her out that tree,

So Connie goes to Carla (after finding out Carla is on the bottom floor and that she needs to keep the noise down cause Carla’s daddy is home) and they talk. Debby and Triss won’t talk to her but Rolly will. 

Carla asks if she thinks Connie should tell Rolly the truth.

I’ll pause for this one

I would think Rolly of all people would be the only one to know Connie’s a lesbian. Then again, I guess drama to make drama?

So carla suggests that Connie tells them all and Connie is worried they’d see her differently.

I’d like to make a mention that this comic is supposed to be a world where the 1950s had no suck. So it still doesn’t make sense that Connie keeps this to herself...if Homophobia isn’t suppose to exist.

So Connie kisses Carla and tries to make out with her...But Carla says she left her iron on. Connie asks if she ever gets frustrated and Carla says she wants to wait til she’s married.

Connie retorts that them getting married is as likely as a Black President.

P. A. U. S. E.

Aside from Connie climbing up that tree, this line boiled my blood the most. Racism isn’t supposed to be in this world and yet, Connie drops this line?

Yes, in the 1950s and 1960s, White people told Black folks that a Black President was completely unlikely. That Black folks could NEVER be president. 

I’d give this line a pass...If it weren't for the nonsensical hypocrisy of this entire comic. If the 1950s were played straight and correct, this line makes sense. For the world the author established, it makes no sense whatsoever.

So Carla says she never saw the point in physical activities and wants to wait. Connie respects that. Carla’s dad comes in and Connie jumps out the window.

-siiiiigh-

Oh and apparently there’s a scene with Clyde and Eugene. I almost forgot about that part. Wasn’t particularly interesting.

Chapter 12

This was a chapter that really wasnt necessary to begin with so I won’t say much other than, it’s a flashback chapter. It gives insight to how the Rollers and Jacquettes were made but other than that, not necessary.

Chapter 13

This chapter is completely cringe worthy. This chapter doesn’t boil my blood as much as Chapter 11; but it’s cringe-worthy and completely forced.

So Debbie and Frankie get into a fight and they get detention. So instead of just Frankie and Debbie getting detention; both gangs get detention.

This doesn’t make sense as, unless the other members joined in, there’s no reason for the entire gangs to be there in detention. I don’t give two blueberry muffins and a puppy; Guilty by association doesn’t work in public schools...Or private schools. Or any school. 

If only you and another person was caught fighting, only you two get detention.

Anyway, Connie freaks out and Debbie wants to go off on Connie for “dating” Clyde.

Rolly comments that she’d smack both of Frankie and Debbie had she been there. Debbie calls out that Rolly was with that “Ace girl”.

I’m only pausing because I actually appreciate this. That realistically; Debbie doesn’t know Ace’s pronouns and wasn’t told so she’d immediately say “she” or “girl”. I dunno about you all; but I’m for it. 

So Rolly outs Ace as “Non-Binary” without permission...And without Ace being there to ok it. Thanks Rolly.

And so Debbie riles up so much that Connie comes out and says she’s dating Carla.

This is where this entire scene is just forced to high heaven.

This starts a chain of people coming out of the closet about their sexualities. Debbie’s dating Triss and Frankie is dating or atleast pining after Sasha, a jock.

Edd is the oddman out and says he doesn’t like anyone when Rolly asks if anyone else is going to come out.

This chapter was incredibly forced and just bad on all accounts. Outing someone without permission is horrible. It doesn’t matter if that character is trans as well. If Rolly is out, awesome. I don’t know if Ace is out because no one has asked nor have they said they were.

Honestly, this comic was a roller coaster that continued to spiral downward. Personally, i like the art. The art, in my opinion, is the best part of this comic.

The colors are nice and I love the panels. It’s a simplistic style. It’s nothing truly special but I like simplistic cartoony styles. So it’s part of the reason i stuck around was because of the art.

But the story, the premise, all of it...Downright bad if not very offensive. 

So if i could rate ONLY the art: 7 out of 10. There’s a few off model issues here and there but the colors and composition are nice.

The rating of the story: 0 out of 10. It’s incredibly boring, it cant decide whether it wants the phobias and -isms or not, only showing up when it wants to.

[whimsiesofanerdgirl]

Interview with Bronwyn Eley, Debut Author of Relic

I am super psyched to introduce you to the lovely Bronwyn Eley who is the debut author of Relic! I was lucky enough to snag some of Bronwyn’s time to answer questions I had about her life as a writer as well as behind the scenes of her oncoming book! Also, please feel free to follow her on her socials! All of her info. can be found below the Q & A section of this post. Grab your favorite drink, sit back and relax, and enjoy reading all about her and her book Relic!

Q & A

Ashley: Where did you get your first inspiration to write Relic?

Bronwyn: Honestly I don’t remember the moment of inspiration and the story has changed so much over the years that it’s hard to pinpoint. What I do know is that a lifetime of loving fantasy – books and movies – has slowly and surely built the inspiration for Relic!

Ashley: That makes sense, stories can take awhile to build up to where you have some kind of plot to make sense of! Okay, I want to know who/what are your favorites that helped inspire you to write in the first place!

Who are your favourite authors? What are your favourite books?

Bronwyn: In terms of fantasy, I love Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman, Leigh Bardugo, V.E. Schwab and Maria V. Snyder. But I read so widely these days! I also love Stephen King, Aaron Blabey (for his Pig the Pug children’s series), J.M. Barrie (because Peter Pan is my absolute favourite), Thomas Malory (who wrote Le Morte d’Arthur), Emily St. John Mandel, Neil Gaiman (Stardust!!!) and I’ve surely forgotten so many more.

Ashley: Love it! I like how Peter Pan is your favorite, I feel like there’s a lot more going on in the story than people truly know.

How many books do you plan to write for the Relic series?

Bronwyn: There are three books in The Relic Trilogy that I’ve planned. I will say that I have a few potential ideas for prequels and sequels, if there’s ever any interest from my readers/publisher/myself.

Ashley: That’s great! I feel like people are really digging the before and afters for stories now. Us readers can never get enough!

What’s your current work-in-progress?

Bronwyn: Book two in The Relic Trilogy! It was hugely fun to write and I’m just about to start the first round of edits.

Ashley: That sounds like a lot of work, I wish you good luck!

What are the top 5 books in your TBR pile?

Bronwyn: Angel Mage by Garth Nix, The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern, Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie (it’s been too long), Mortal Engines by Philip Reeve and Backyard to Backpack by Evie Farrell!

Ashley: Yes! I love me some Garth Nix, I remember reading the Abhorsen series growing up and The Starless Sea sounds intriguing!

What advice would you give to aspiring YA fantasy authors?

Bronwyn: Know it’s hard, know it’s worth it, know you can do it!

Ashley: Short and simple - the perfect kind of advice.

What have you learned through your own personal experience with the publishing process being a debut author versus working within publishing?

Bronwyn: I admit working in the publishing industry is definitely helpful and eye-opening for aspiring authors. It shows the harsh realities of it but also shows a lot of hope! My own experience taught me that what you think is working ‘hard enough’ is never hard enough. You can always do more to help yourself develop as an author. 

Ashley: Well said and I couldn’t agree more, there’s always room for improvement.

Are you a panster, planster or plotter? Any tips for the prewriting phase?

Bronwyn: I am a plotter for the big things and a pantser for everything else. I make sure the big plot points are sorted but one I set my characters on the path towards those plot points, I let them decide how they want to get there. It’s more fun that way! 

My advice would be don’t get too bogged down in world-building or over-planning. Don’t get me wrong – world-building and planning are essential, but you can always improve and change and build... If you don’t start eventually, you will plot forever.

Ashley: Yes, I know exactly what you mean!

What does research for your book look like?

Bronwyn: A lot of internet research around medieval times – mostly articles and images, some videos. I did a weekend blacksmith course to get in the mindset of my protagonist Kaylan, who is a blacksmith in the story, and that was the best thing ever! I definitely want to create characters in the future that give me excuses to try out cool stuff! 

Ashley: That sounds like loads of fun! I’m super jealous! And what an awesome way of looking at writing.

I read that you’ve travelled a lot – have any particular places helped shape the setting and world building of Relic?

Bronwyn: Not overly in regards to Relic (however, I have been inspired by my travels in regards to other stories I want to one day write) but I will say that there is one castle that is absolutely inspiring and I definitely picture it when I write Relic. 

That castle is Château de Pierrefonds in France. It was a very fiddly place to get to – thankfully I speak French, which helped – but it was worth the trek! I am obsessed with this castle because it is the setting of Merlin, a TV show I love, but it is a stunning castle. Not many people seem to know about it and when I was there, it was virtually empty, which was fantastic because it meant I got photos of me without anyone else in the shot!

Ashley: Oh, wow! That castle is gorgeous! *swoons* I’ve never seen any castles in person, but I could only imagine actually being in one!

What’s your favourite go-to snack and drink while writing?

Bronwyn: Water and chocolate/biscuits! 

Ashley: Yum!

What’s your favourite writing spot? Do you have a picture? I love envisioning an author in their element!

Bronwyn: I write at my desk mostly – it’s not that glamorous. But I have attached a photo anyway! I’m not sure I could work in a beautiful outdoor spot because I’d want to just look at the view!

Ashley: Ooooooh! A stack of books! *stares* And your typewriter is the best decor for a writer! Loving this mood for sure!

When does motivation usually hit you? Are you an early riser or night owl?

Bronwyn: I’m more of a night owl – but I never stay up late to write! I write at night after work for a few hours. Inspiration has, at least for this series, always been at the ready! Sometimes if I write at night and then go to bed, I find my mind is still in a creative setting and I lie there thinking of new ideas. I will always type them as a note on my phone for the next morning. But inspiration hits whenever it wants! I have a lot of notes on my phone (all saved, of course)!

Ashley: Wow, that’s awesome, considering I hear a lot of writers have trouble with writer’s block. Kudos to you!

Did your experience in the military play a big part in writing Relic? If it did, how?

Bronwyn: Not for Relic, no! A few things made it into the book – like this moment when Captain Thorn explains to Kaylan that his men are bound by a rule: ‘one in, all in’. That is something we learnt in the military, that if one person makes a mistake, we all suffer the consequences because it teaches unity and to work as a team. That sounds a bit dark, I know! But it really did work.

Ashley: I wouldn’t say that’s dark, I think it puts military into perspective to be better prepared for any kind of situation which is really important.

So I heard there’s some romance in your book – which are my favourite scenes to read! Who will we be shipping?

Bronwyn: Romance isn’t the central focus of Relic but I have to have some romance in whatever I read/write/watch! Keep an eye out for a certain tall and dirty nobleman who has a big smile for Kaylan. My hope is that your stomach will do little flips when he arrives on the pages, as he does for me! 

I’m actually interested to see if people ship any of the other characters – either with Kaylan or someone else – because a few comments have been made by some friends and reviewers in the past that have surprised me. I find it interesting to see who people fall for and who they ship!

That concludes the Q & A I had with Bronwyn Eley! I’d like to give a huge thank you to Talem Press for reaching out to me to work with them and thank Bronwyn for taking time out of her busy schedule to do our Q & A! It was my pleasure to have Bronwyn as my very first author feature on my website and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Keep scrolling below for more behind the scenes and info.!

RELIC, Bronwyn Eley's debut fantasy novel, is slated for release September 12.

Synopsis

In the city of Edriast, there is no deadlier duty than to serve as the Shadow. As the personal servant of the powerful Lord Rennard, the Shadow's life is all but forfeit. Rennard possesses one of five rare and dangerous Relics – a jewel that protects his bloodline, but slowly poisons everyone else in its proximity. When the current Shadow succumbs to its magic, nineteen-year-old blacksmith Kaylan is summoned to take his place. It's an appointment that will kill her. As the time Kaylan has left ebbs away, hope begins to fade... That is, until she discovers a plot to destroy all five bloodlines in possession of the Relics. A rebel force plans to put an end to Rennard's rule and Kaylan suddenly finds herself embroiled in a cause that might just be worth fighting for. But no cause is without its costs… As her life hangs in the balance and rebellion bears down on Edriast, Kaylan must decide where her loyalties lie – and how she'll leave her mark on the world. Relic is the absorbing first novel in The Relic Trilogy, a thrillingly dark YA fantasy series.

*BONUS BOOK EXCERPT*

Prologue

One thing above all drew people to the Announcements: curiosity. The tension strangling the crowd was palpable, but the fear and the pain were the bait. They were hooked.

The crowd was in the hundreds. Merchants, labourers, Noblemen and students; there was no segregation today. Everyone was here for the same reason, their eyes reflecting a familiar mix of apprehension and fascination. A polite rumble of applause began at the front of the crowd, rippling deeper as their Lord came into view, moving toward the centre of the wooden stage built especially for him. He wore a smile big enough to be seen by everyone there, but his energy emanated prestige and power more than anything. One simple gesture from him was enough to silence the crowd. This was fine by them, as it was easier to listen and observe the man they rarely, if ever, saw.

Their gazes fell as one, taking in the weight of the jewel around his neck, its colour made somehow more beautiful by the sun.

The Relic was the reason they were all here.

As the Lord launched into his speech, the crowd was taken in by his words for only a second before something stole their attention away: his Shadow, slinking onto the stage. Shoulders slumped and head low, the Shadow took his position slightly behind his master, melting into the dark shades around the Lord.

Eyes flicked between him and the yellow jewel around his master’s neck.

The Shadow’s eyes remained on the floor.

Wherever he went, a morbid curiosity followed the Shadow as closely and silently as he followed his master. How many people in the crowd had come solely to see him?

The Shadow brought a hand up to his chest, eyes clenching shut.

A mother with wide eyes watched him closely as he curled forward with apparent pain. The woman wrapped an arm around each of her children, pulling them closer to her body. They were no more than infants. They were safe. She was afraid for herself.

A wave of courteous laughter skipped across the crowd, like a pebble dancing atop water.

The Shadow sputtered blood, droplets of red decorating the wooden stage below. Attention shot to him as his hand flew to his mouth, eyes flicking toward his master. Even now, at the end, he was afraid of the man.

The Lord stopped his speech mid-sentence, but didn’t turn to face his Shadow. Instead, he took a deep breath and brought his hands together in front of his body. The picture of patience.

The Shadow fell to his knees with a violent thump that the crowd seemed to feel, many flinching at the sound of bone cracking against wood. His bloodied mouth was now on full display, but the sight of blood was nothing new to the people of Edriast.

The crowd drew back slowly, moving as one, an undeniable tide. The Shadow, the man, was finally succumbing to his illness, and all anybody cared about was themselves.

Apprehension silenced even the smallest murmur from the crowd – not because the Shadow was dying, but because of what it now meant for them all.

Character Mood Boards & Colours

About the author

Bronwyn joined the military right out of high school, where she learnt (among other things) to disassemble and reassemble a rifle blindfolded. After that she spent a lot of her time travelling around the world. Her favourite places (so far) are Scotland, Mongolia, Iceland and Ireland.

Bronwyn finally found her natural habitat when she landed her first job in the publishing industry. While she has always been a writer, it was only when surrounding herself with books that she realised her life's dream was to become an author. Relic is her first novel.

Bronwyn lives in Sydney and spends her time eating chocolate, reading and practising her martial arts.