#i know the details I'm just preferring to imagine it this way for humorous purposes

[bereft-of-frogs]

I had been toying with the idea of rewatching the Kenobi series because I’d always intended to (I long suspected it would be a better binge than an episodic release), came really close to starting it on Saturday - but I genuinely don’t think I can make it all the way through without completely losing my mind again that they crib an entire episode from Fallen Order and then never mention it.

And then they had the audacity to set Survivor at approximately the same time, so what now every time Vader’s offscreen I have to be like ‘oh is this when he’s on his little side quest to murder my favorite character’ like what did I do to deserve this

*I’m aware they’re just set in the same year and there is probably some confirmation of the timeline but I’m deep in Survivor avoidance mode so I will have to live with the uncertainty

actually, second thought, having Survivor take place after would add so much to the unintended humor of essentially copy-and-pasting Fallen Order (the unintended humor being the only saving grace of this creative decision) imagine Vader gets through the whole thing and when he’s back in his little sadness recovery pod he’s like ‘well that fucking sucked, and I’m down another Inquisitor due to a last hour turn back to the light, the last time this happened, oh yeah, some dumbass Jedi broke my fortress and dropped the ocean on me so this has happened twice...hang on, did I ever get revenge for that? You know, I don’t think I did...”

[yume-x-hanabi]

4, 6, 12, 19 please tell us about Minah, 27, 30, 37, 49, 61 and 65 for Concubinage, and 74

4. How do you choose which fics to write?

ig it depends on how obsessed my brain is with the random plot bunnies hopping around in my head? When I start thinking up narration sentences, that's when I know a particular idea wants to be written. Doesn't mean I always do it, though (in an ideal world with infinite free time, maybe...)

6. What’s the last line you wrote?

I haven't written in so long I don't even remember 😭

Looking at one of my latest wips, probably this one because it's incomplete lmao:

The room was as dingy as the rest of the inn and smelled vaguely of stale tobacco, but at least the bed was soft and the sheets were clean. He collapsed on the bed with a sigh of relief, head swimming from all the

(wtf was I trying to say? it's a mystery 🤷‍♀️)

12. Do you outline your fics?  If yes, how detailed are your outlines?  How far do you stray from them?

Usually not, and then it comes to bite me in the ass when it's ten months since I plotted the idea and I don't remember what I was planning to do 😅

There's one fic that's an exception cuz it's a fusion AU type of thing so I'm planning carefully how it follows (or not) the original's plot. Well, idk if I'll actually write the fic actually, maybe in this case the outline will be all there is, as a fun exercise for myself XD

19. Do you enjoy creating OCs or do you prefer to stick solely to canon characters?

I love creating OCs, but like, they need a purpose. An OC just for the sake of having an OC or self-insert isn't my kind of thing (no shade to those who do, I'm just not wired that way), but depending on the story I might need to flesh out a supporting cast. And I love it when they slowly take life and develop.

Minah was a really fun case because she was supposed to be a kind of "throwaway" role, only there for a scene or two. She wasn't even planned like she turned out to be (I originally imagined her younger, for example). But then she... just happened lol. Within a few lines of her dialogue I was in love with her and she was just so fun to write, in a way she wormed her way into a bigger role than intended and I'm really glad she did because it works out so well in so many ways. Funny how things go sometimes 😂

honestly my OCs often end up surprising me in one way or another haha. rare are those who stick to the plan

(rest under cut cuz it's getting long)

27. What area of writing do you feel strongest in?

Battle scenes, apparently 8)

30. How much do you edit your fics?  Do you edit as you write or wait until you finish the first draft?

I actually... don't edit that much 😅

ig in a way I edit in my head before I write? I've always been like that tbh, even at school--what I write down (whether fic, essay, translation...) is often very close to the final version. Of course I go over it a couple times once I'm done and tweak a few things here and there, but it's usually minor stuff. Sometimes I end up redoing entire scenes/chapters because I feel something's not working, but it's rather rare when it happens.

37. What fic has been the hardest for you to write?

Probably Fractured Lives? There's a reason it's only gotten five updates in nine years so far. I have to be in a very specific mood to write it, which doesn't happen often. A pity, cuz I liked the concept...

49. What fic of yours would you say is the best introduction to you as a writer?

I'd say The Best Laid Plans. It's got my particular brand of humor, and also some kickass battle scenes :p

Another one would be Strong Currents, cuz worldbuilding (plus getting Gaius and Wingul to have emotional talks lolol)

61. In Concubinage, what’s your favorite scene that you wrote?

Probably Lin and Arst's first kiss. It's such a significant moment<3

65. If you wrote a sequel to Concubinage, what would happen in it?

I am actually vaguely planning a sequel if I can finish it. Basically it'd be the events/plot of the game, but with all the changes in settings brought about by the events of Concubinage. I'll have to think carefully about what will change, what will stay the same, and what will be a slightly different spin on things that'll still happen. I think the main difficulty will be to juggle Milla's journey with Gaius&Wingul being the main characters without them overtaking the plot. And also how close or different it should be to canon...

74. Do you have a fic you wish got a bit more love?

Among my least kudosed ones, I'd say Chaos in the Ballroom (my Tales Big Bang fic). I know it's a bit different from my usual stuff, and relies heavily on knowledge about Agria's side story, but I put a lot of thought in that one.

[erabundus]

❝  i'm  guessing  that's  also  why  they  aren't  as  popular  to  wield,  despite  their  conveniences.  ❞  catalysts  can  be  quite  devastating  when  placed  in  the  right  hands  —  a bow  would  naturally  struggle  to  compare  to  the  raw  power  of  the  elements.  however,  it  is  also  infinitely  easier  to  simply  notch  an  arrow  and  let  it  fly  than  go  through  the  arduous process  of  summoning  forth  one's  vision  and  channeling  it's  strength  through  their  weapon  of  choice.  in  his  experience,  that's  also  why  catalyst  users  traditionally  prefer  to  keep  their  distance  —  though  their power  may  be  great,  their  movements  oft  tend  to  be  on  the  SLOWER  SIDE.  it  makes  enemies  fast  enough  to  close  the  space  between  them  quite  pesky  to  deal  with.  fortunately,  the wanderer's  fighting  style  trivializes  these  weaknesses  —  not  only  because  he  possesses  the  ability  to  simply  fly  out  of  reach.  not  only  because  his  attacks  are  as  devastating  as  they  are  swift.  it's  a little absurd  how  easy  it  is  to  catch  his  adversaries  off-guard  by  simply  throwing  A  PUNCH.

the  finer  intricacies  of  catalysts  aside,  even  ren  has  to  admit  this  human  seems  a  bit  SHARPER  than  he  anticipated.  ordinarily,  trying  to  explain  how  his  kasa  functions  is  a  quick  and  effortless  way  to  find  himself  buried  beneath  a  deluge  of  questions.  it's  an  unconventional  tactic,  he  knows  —  but  it  works  for  his  purposes  nonetheless.  however,  this  one  is  already  figuring  out  the  details  on  his  own.  perhaps  it's  a  fluke,  but  it's  enough  to  catch  the  wanderer's  ATTENTION.  ❝  you're  right.  ❞   he  replies  simply.   ❝  though  as  you  might  imagine,  those  materials  are  often  pretty  hard  to  come  by ...  not  to  mention  prohibitively  expensive.  ❞   delicate  features  twist  in  a  sneer.  it  seems  he's  never  free  from  being  reminded  just  how  SHALLOW  his  pockets  are  these  days.  ❝  as a result,  it  isn't  the  sort  of  thing  you  see  often.  ❞

that  tavern  —  it  takes  a  moment  for  the  RECOGNITION  to  spark  in  his  eyes. right. he thinks he knows what he's referring to.   ❝  i  can  lead  the  way.  ❞  the  wanderer  offers.  a  flicker  of  mischief  then  washes  over  his  face  as  he  asks,   ❝  but would  you  prefer to walk,  or  fly?  i've  already  seen  what  your  friend  is  capable  of  when  he  was  stealing  my  hat.  ❞ it's  more  joke  than  jab  —  although  his  sense  of  humor  (  much  like  many  things  about  him  )  is  a  bit  of  an  ACQUIRED  TASTE,  and  oft  misinterpreted  for  something  far  crueler  than  it  actually  intends  to  be.

❝  just  call  me  ren.  ❞   he  nearly  forgot  about  introductions,  himself  —  though  in  all  fairness,  the  wanderer  is  awfully  stingy  with  who  he  allows  to  even  know  his  name  in  the  first  place.  the  vast  majority  of  the  akademiya  still  calls  him  HAT  GUY. the terrifying part is he's getting used to it.

[❇]—;

"Catalyst's are a little bit tricker than a traditional weapons. They react very quickly to elemental energy and often will resonate with the energy by its maker. Which makes it a little harder to work with." He hadn't mastered them. But he was the only blacksmith he knew who had a vision to begin with. So it might be just a him problem at this point. "But if its with clothing too you'd want to make the materials used don't interrupt that energy. But instead flow naturally with it. Am I getting that right?"

He was naturally interested in this conversation that the dragon behind him grumbled and plopped down rather dramatically onto the ground. He wasn't interested in their conversation as Hiccup gave him a look. Huffing and flicking a forked tongue out at him as he hung his head close enough to the edge to watch what was going on below. Shaking his head the smith returned his attention to other again.

"I'm not overly familiar with food choices here in Sumeru. But I've heard good things about that tavern in the city itself. Perhaps we could go there and sit outside?" He liked that idea. Plenty of space for Toothless as he got to talk to the other. "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Hiccup and you're already acquainted with Toothless." He perhaps sometimes forgot his manners when it came to talking about his profession.

[tothedarkdarkseas]

oooh, sad murdoc hours?

Something that really gets me is how little it takes Murdoc to go back to his "on my own" mindset. He doesn't expect anything from anyone. Not a lending hand, not a place to stay, not someone to fall back on.

He'd walk to a motel, drunk, through alleyways, before asking Stu to call him a taxi for their room. Just because... Well, he'll get there eventually on his own.

In The Lost Chord, when the portal shut, Murdoc wasted no time longing for something to save him. He just looked at the burning island, and realized, he'd have to find a way out of it. He'd get out eventually.

That's an interesting way of putting it and gives an interesting perspective into those few brief moments in The Lost Chord!

I agree that Murdoc, in his natural instinct to cut and run, is also quick to cast off the idea of relying on anything, and for better or worse he's assured through experience in his ability to survive and fend for himself. I love how we get these stories of the band splitting up between phases-- it's maybe less sweet that way, but I prefer that, I think it gives a good insight into who they are on their own and how they individually find a path again. This is veering off Murdoc talk but it's notable to me how independent three of them were, working to accomplish something or to disappear in another life... no points for guessing which one went back to his parents and worked a paid-for-dust job and seemed happier than ever to make the responsibility go away. Anyway! The fact that Murdoc took off right after phase one with their money, dropped off the grid and landed himself in legal trouble in a far-flung foreign country (...Mexico is of course not far flung to a lot of us, but considering they were living in Essex at the time, it's not exactly a rail trip) is just such a great detail, not only for the scumminess and humor but the insight into his instincts. Just go. Burn bridges. Start over. Fuck it up like you always do. Burn more bridges. You can always do it over again.

I also agree that Murdoc is never one to call for a ride-- living his 20s throughout squatting residences in London and gradually getting further and further out, I think he probably grew very used to walking tens of miles on an average day, minus the nights he was, unfortunately, drink driving. Realistically there should have been a time when he lost his license, but considering he kept it after hitting Stu and was therefore able to put the injured man through another traumatic car crash with even less punishment, I guess we're assuming Murdoc's got a golden license. Let's just say that's happened after DUIs before, though-- I can't see Murdoc ever calling on the folks he associated with as he didn't really consider them friends, and his role in so many of their "meet ups" was providing wheels. I don't know that he'd consciously assign that as a "job" to himself and therefore a purpose for being around these people, but at least subconsciously, I'd never imagine him making a call for a ride when he can walk it. Once he's established more of a relationship with the band, and especially with Stu, the reluctance to call takes on a certain gloomy defensiveness that I don't think he'd consciously recognize. He'd never think about it because it's such an immediate negative, it's not a possibility in his mind; but if he then thought about why he'd never think of it, it would be difficult not to observe something distrustful, insecure, antisocial or otherwise unattractively reminiscent of his upbringing and how it shaped his personality. He'd rather never look directly in the mirror, so I don't think he'd let himself think about it at all. He'd just start walking.

(A general aside: as time goes on and the fandom gets deader I feel a little less nervous about like... stepping on toes by not being kind enough to The Lost Chord's video; still not holding anything against anyone for loving it and I'm glad for those it was cathartic to, but I feel a little freer to say for me and my headcanon, I fully reject the video as a fever dream, haha.)