#i'll put link to the fanfiction when i figure out how to do it

[vesteneris]

Cheers to the March 13th birthday girl, Maureen Trevi!

The Victor of 49th Hunger Games, that belongs to @kald-dal-write

[lucky-clover-gazette]

i made a writing server! let's see how this goes 📝

the basics: a server for writers of both original and fanfiction (although i'm really hoping this motivates people to work on original stuff!). sprints, feedback, references, talking craft. creator channels so you can scream about your work. more stuff that i haven't figured out yet, i'm very new to this.

please make sure to read the rules under the cut before following the link below to join. i'm sorry if you're under 18, but this an adults-only server.

this server is for people over the age of 18 who are writing original and fanworks*. these works can be prose fiction, poetry, graphic novels/comics, screen and stageplays, and probably more. we'll figure it out when we get there.

we're not looking for professionalism here, but please be mindful about how you communicate with fellow creators. you can still say fuck, though. that's actually encouraged.

for now i'll just say that most topics are fair game, especially if your writing concerns them. please warn for sensitive subjects such as suicide and animal death, and put graphic text and images under a spoiler in the main channels. this is an 18+ server so sex in fiction is fine as a topic of discussion, and if you're writing pure erotica we can start a nsfw channel. until that happens (if it is something people want), please refrain from posting explicit erotica in the main channels.

*The line between original fiction and fanfiction is very blurry, and for those of us who do both I think it makes the most sense to allow discussion of original and fanworks here. No need to compartmentalize our identities as writers, especially when that blurry line is where wonderful standalone art often begins. Just try to keep the focus on craft, asking for feedback, and hype about the story you're telling, rather than discussing the media that inspired the fanfic itself.

[acutiewithagun]

Taglist: @oleander-nin @10yagurlchip01 @purple-flagz

Word count: 1,818

Mic Testing - Chapter Two: Embarrassing Stores

Thursday, the worst day of the week. Every month you had to tolerate another stupid meeting with your publisher. It was always a Thursday, never the same week, but always a Thursday. What makes everything worse is you never knew how many of these dumb events you would have.

They were always shoving sudden things in your face without as much as a few days' notice. You contemplated joining an agency at a point, but at least with your current contract you owned all your songs. And you had a bit more wiggle room than if you just joined an agency. So you tolerated your darn publisher.

You pushed open your laptop, already tired and frustrated. You clicked on the email that would lead to the link for the web meeting. Scrolling a bit you then clicked the link that waited. They never showed up on time so you had to block out your entire day just for this useless waste of time that could just be emails. You backed away from the screen slightly as you grabbed your guitar. Placing it on your lap, you casually slung the strap over your shoulder. You then grabbed a filming camera and set it up on the desk.

Figuring you could just get the music video out of the way while you waited you pressed the record button. You pushed back as you strummed a few notes and started the song. Clear and confident sounds came out from your vocal cords as beautiful strums left your instrument. Putting as much emotion in your performance you close your eyes, knowing your own piece by heart. The melody filled your small apartment room.

The tiny safety space held a bed, a wardrobe, and desk. You had a rug at a point, but you ended up accidentally spilling something on it and had to toss it out. It made you upset as it was your favorite rug in your favorite colors. The haven had been thoroughly cleaned the day prior, as to be a presentable space.

Once you finished the song you quickly stopped the recording, shutting off the little device. And this you returned to waiting as you watched a black screen. Deciding that wasn't worth your time you started scrolling through your phone. You started to read a fanfiction of a character you liked when you heard the dreaded jingle of someone entering the video call.

You look up with a smile, putting your phone in your lap. Then the face of your dreaded producer popped onto the screen. "Hello, so what did you need to discuss with me?" They also looked done with the situation and tapped a pen on their desk. "A local radio station reached out to me and asked for an interview with you. It would be on Saturday at around five pm. I told them to just talk to you themselves but they offered me a pretty penny considering, so I obliged. So will you do it?"

You were shocked a bit, you'd seen your analytics for listeners to your music. It was quite small considering all things. But you quickly nodded and scrambled for a pad and paper. "Could you tell me the address?" They scoffed and dismissively waved their hand. "It's the one five minutes away from your apartment. I don't know why they would want an interview with you." Your face soured at itheir phrasing, but you threw on a forced smile to hide it.

"Thank you, is there anything else you wanted to inform me of?" You did your best to remain professional, the producer did not give the same courtesy. "Yeah, I want the music video done and sent to me by the end of the week." Your fingers twitched in irritation. "I'll do my best to meet the deadline." They scoffed and tapped their pen on their desk. "You better, or I'll be behind schedule."

Oh how desperately you wanted to punch the person on the other side of your computer screen. But alas, you could not. "That's all I wanted to talk to you about. I'll be hopping off now." With those words your producer ended the virtual meeting, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth as they left.

It was still midday and it's not like you could go claim your normal performing spot. So you got out of your desk chair, pushing it in as you left the room. You walked through the one hallway that led to the kitchen and living room. Snabbing the tote bag off the kitchen counter along with your keys, you gripped the front door handle. You figured getting groceries was the best way to spend your wasted day.

Stepping through the threshold, you closed and locked the door behind you. You could use the elevator, but found it useless as you only lived on the third floor. You trudged down the stairs and out to the crowded sidewalks. Tourists and local residents walked in every direction as you joined the fray. Tourism was already a thing people did often, but it really skyrocketed when a certain yokai started tours of the hidden underground city below the bustling New York City. Even you were slightly curious about the world under your home. However, the fees were outrageous and weren't worth your time.

You arrived at the small shopping district you normally performed at quickly. You shuffled your way around people until you entered the first grocery store you would have to visit. As a sign of peace to the many grocery shop owners, you bought at least one thing from each store when you went grocery shopping. This also in turn got you great deals on certain items.

Making your way through aisle after aisle, you went through the process of picking a few things, and pondering over others. Once you went over to the freezer section you felt a chill run up your spine. You turned your head to see another customer opening one of the many freezers that lined the wall. You rubbed your neck and marked it off to being the cold from the freezer, going back to the task at hand.

You finished up your business at that store then paid and left, already on your way to the next one. And the cycle repeated for three more stores. You reached the last destination you had and entered. You knew exactly what you were getting from here, so it should have been a quick in and out. However, the universe had other plans in store. "Hey Superstar! Grocery shopping?"

The grating voice of the shop owner, Solomon, made you turn to him with a smile. Normal human guy, nothing really special about his appearance. Nice person, way to over… reactive. "Hi, yeah, I was almost finished." He grinned and pointed to the speakers. "Well then I've got a surprise for you!" Before you could question him, he ran off into the backroom. You hesitantly shrugged it off and just started making your way to your final item of the shopping trip.

That's when you heard it, causing you to blush profusely in embarrassment. Solomon had put your songs over the speaker. He started playing your most recent one as you rushed to the display with the items you desired. You had to check out before-

"The lovely music you are hearing is from one of our very own local artist." His voice cut off the song and made you even more mortified as you swiftly made it to a line that for the worst reason, had people gawking at the speakers, not moving along. "Now in our little shopping district we all call them Superstar. They are even here today!"

You tapped your foot impatiently as you watched your fellow shoppers look around for the mysterious 'Superstar'. While you just wanted to curl up in a ball and die. "Alright, I'll stop praising them, enjoy the wonderful music they've produced." The click of the speakers turning off was a welcomed noise, what wasn't was your music being resumed. But luckily the lines started moving again. And you happily paid, rushing home before Solomon could find you again.

The support was nice, really it was, but all the shop owners acted as if they were proud parents showing off their kids tiny achievements. You had asked them to stop in the past, but as you can see now, it never worked. But they mean well, so you let it slide.

You rushed up the stairs to your apartment building, stopping at your front door, panting for breath. Running home might have not been the best idea, accidentally bumping into people, being worn out from navigating through clusters of pedestrians. Not your brightest moment, but you were home. You unlocked the door and lugged your haul inside.

You placed it on the countertop and started taking items out, organizing them as you went. You started placing the items away after getting it all out. Checking over at the clock on the microwave, it let you know your roommate would be back soon. Unless of course they had a meeting after work they didn't inform you about. Which happened surprisingly often. You didn't question it, just started on dinner. Simple and easy freezer pizza, you felt lazy, and who doesn't like pizza.

You preheat the oven and slumped on the couch after popping the pizzas inside. That's when the recording you made earlier hit you like a truck. You groaned at the reminder of what your producer said and begrudgingly got up. You went into your room, opening up your laptop. Sticking a cord into one of the slots, you stick the other end into the video camera. You then got reminded to set a timer as you waited for the video to be transferred.

Pulling out your phone you set the timer for the pizzas, then shutting it off, slipping it back into your pocket. You slumped into your desk chair as you gazed at the loading screen. The music video didn't have to be amazing, just good enough people watched it. Still being a small artist, the algorithm for that type of stuff wasn't kind. So you always put half hearted effort to appease your producer.

You noticed a chip that looked like it was from your camera laying on the desk near your computer. You picked it up and wondered when you had bought a new one. You had meant to when you were out but got so busy with that last fiasco you couldn't. You turned it over and shrugged, maybe you just got it a few days ago and forgot.

Shoving it in your desk drawer, you notice the export was done and quickly go to editing the recording. Pizzas only on the back of your mind as you pull the head phones over your ears.

[yuri-is-online]

Love how we're both back on our ace shit at the same time <3. Also, I'm getting back into writing (just working on short stories before I get into fanfiction, and am very quickly realizing my flaws T-T) and I'm thinking about working on an 80s aduecyuu au. Yuu and deuce are punk because I'm punk 😗 but for a wider audience I'm thinking of making yuu grunge or hardcore? Something a bit more neutral. Don't know what Ace will be yet. He might get to be generic the 80s asshole jock 😍. Somebody gotta do it ace <3. But Grimm will be a weird ass cat who seems to have way too much of an attitude and seems a little too human?

But yeah. The au is just 3 idoit doing stupid shit, sharing a braincell, trying to figure out where the line between friendship and queer throuple is while trying to ignore the impending scene of dread because a lot of weird shit™ keeps happening in the background.

Also cater will show up at sometime. Don't know when. Don't know where. But by God I will make it happen, and he will be the skaterboy we all know he is.

Idk if lolitas existed in the 80s but if they did I'll make riddle ouji lolita for you ❤ or atleast ouji lolita adjacent

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! GO YOU! MAKE SURE TO TAG ME WHEN YOU DO!! I promise to be only a little unhinged in your comments.

That's the thing about writing. The more you do it the more you realize what you're bad at but that's not always a bad thing. You can't improve on what you don't know needs improving.

Don't pressure yourself to make Yuu grunge or hard-core for wider appeal. I think all twst writers put a little bit of themselves into their povs, so if you know punk the story will probably be a lot easier to write since that's you! (If you wanted them to be different than Deuce and Ace I'd vote trad goth. That style goes so fucking hard and so does their music bauhaus my beloved. Also i guess kind of fits with Ramshackle?) Is this meant to be a sort of classic horror vibes? Because I dig it. I think Stranger Things did us all a disservice by sucking ass and making people think 80s horror should die because it became too mainstream :/

I'm going to put my unhinged rambling about lolita under the cut but oh my God you don't have to do that I'm so grateful you thought to though I've got such a big smile on my face rn cccc;

OK so to make a very long thing short, yes lolita did exist in the 1980s but it didn't really look like anything it does today. It was pretty much all handmade, and though the first brands were around we have no idea what their peices looked like since the fashion wasn't really widely worn or photographed until the 1990s. It didn't even have its name until the 90s. Lolita as it exists today is very much a 90s/early 2000s fashion which is honestly wild to me. As for ouji, it pretty much grew alongside Lolita so that would also be a no go.

Given Riddle's backstory I can't really see him as an 80s lolita. He doesn't seem like the sewing type to me... but there is this one brand that helped influence Lolita fashion called PINK HOUSE that was stupid popular in Japan in the 80s. I'll link you to this blogspot article which is both about the brand and the misconception in English speaking spaces about the term "natural kei" but I think it suits Riddle if you wanted to give him a lolita like vibe. The tl;dr of the article is that it PINK HOUSE and it's original designer Kaneko was a staple in 80s fashion in Japan, and is referred to as just PINK HOUSE or Kaneko fashion. As it lacks the community or aesthetic of kei fashions or lolita it is not considered a part of those groups... which does sort of fit Riddle in a way as his mother isolates him from both 💀

[the-sparkling-diamond-satine]

3, 11, 16, 18, 25, 29, 47, 54, and 57 for the get to know your fic writer questions :) <3 !!!

Get to know your fic writer! Asks

3. Describe the creative process of writing a chapter/fic

I'm so sorry, I do not know. It just...happens? For me I most often start with whatever scene popped into my head first as the basis for the idea. Then I sort of plot my way outwards (how did we get here = beginning and middle. where are we going = end) then write it from start to finish. ...Apparently I do know. Jk. Earlier statement redacted

11. Link your three favorite fics right now

so hallowed and so gracious by nowrunalong. Buffy is wishing for a piece of chocolate cake and a cup of coffee when she enters her kitchen to find a ghost reading the newspaper.

Buffy/Anya fic OF ALL TIME. It's what really got me interested in shipping them. I've reread this more times than I can count.

Body Language by explosionshark. Buffy and Faith have always communicated best when they're not relying on words at all.

Buffy/Faith. It's so so so SO good!!!! Reread this a gazillion times.

Flowers for a Ghost series by aliceinwonderbra. When Buffy jumps into the the portal in The Gift, she wakes up in a new world. This series is comprised of Flowers for a Ghost, the story of canon Buffy in an Alt world, and The Girl from Away, the story of Alt Buffy in canon.

Buffy/Faith. The angst in this one hurt SO BAD I have only managed to read it once, but I think about it often.

16. How many fic ideas are you nurturing right now? Share one of them?

Asking me this is a mistake, the answer is TOO MANY + I will never shut up about my fic ideas so be careful haha. Jk, according to my list of MR! fic ideas: 152. At random from the list, here is a summary from one: "Christian's hand is shaking too much, his finger slips on the trigger, and he kills someone he never meant to hurt." So. That sounds like an enjoyable time :)) /s (there is something so wrong with me...in my defense there is also something so wrong with Christian)

18. Do you title your fics before, during, or after the writing process? How do you come up with titles?

It depends. Sometimes the title is the first thing in my mind and I craft the fic around that. Sometimes it's the very last thing added before I hit post.

25. What fic do you wish you got more of a response on?

more and darling, dearest, dead from MR! I consider them to be some of the best things I've ever written haha I'm proud of how they turned out!! And I want people to scream about them with me in the comments MORE PLEASEEEEE. *getting down on the ground* hereeeee comments, pspspspsps!!!!

He Slays Monsters. Always. It's my baby, but it's consistently lost readers overtime as people realized Buffy is likely gonna identify as [redacted] by the end. Redacted for spoilers but, it's obvious. People put it together, and they don't come back. *sigh* writing trans fic can really suck haha

29. What's your revision or editing process like?

Hell.

47. How many times do you usually revise your fic/chapter before posting?

Boring answer but: as many times as it takes before I'm happy with it. Could be once. Could be I'll sit on it for 6 months until posting. Idk how to explain but I can just feel if there's something off about it and if it has that feeling, I wait until I figure out why and fix it.

54. What's your favorite part about the fanfiction writing process?

Taking characters I love and making more content and stories for them!!!!!! Changing canon and watching what happens. Putting them in an AU and seeing how they're the same/different. Saving the blorbos!!! (Traumatizing the blorbos more...) Also: huge one for me is comments/asks/engagement from others in the fandom!!! I'm really awkward and have vampire autism (won't talk about The Thing unless invited) so I just make stuff and put it lovingly at everyone's feet like an offering and hope some of them come talk to me about this thing I worked so so hard on before I implode

57. Do you prefer editing as you write, or waiting until it's finished?

I have to actively stop myself from editing as I write, but it always goes better when I do.

[timeforsomethrillingheroicsblog]

ask a reader: B8, C3, D2, D7

B8: Is there a show or a book that you gave up on that you went back to later? Why did you come back to it?

Already answered here! TLDR; I can't think of one but I'm sure they exist!

C3: Is there anything that makes you nope out of a story? What is it?

I'll be honest it really depends on what mood I'm in and how invested I am in a particular fandom/pairing. For example, in larger fandoms with a lot of content, I am sometimes incredibly picky about word choice/writing style because I know I can afford to be.

In smaller fandoms I'm so happy that anyone's bothered to write at all, I want to consume all the content there is.

Probably the only thing that consistently makes me nope out of stories is when I start reading and realize the author is character-bashing to a severe degree. I don't mean like, making a character slightly more unlikeable than canon. I'm talking "have this character doing something they would absolutely never do under any circumstances" because the author has a death grudge.

It doesn't matter if it's a character I like or actively hate that's being bashed, it takes me completely out of the story.

D2: Who/Where did you get your last fic rec from?

I actually can't remember the last rec I got! I usually find fanfiction by searching through a pairing or fandom I'm interested in, reading a couple of the top stories when sorted by kudos that look interesting, and then if I like them going to the author's page and finding more of their stories (or bookmarks) and rinse and repeating until I've filled my craving for that particular fandom.

Once I'm caught up with Lost I'd love fic recs though! Or, if people know of fics they'd recommend that don't cover content past season one - I'd love recs now!

D7: Why did you leave your most recent comment? Will you share it with us?

I typically clean out my inbox once I have read/replied to things, so I can't guarantee they were actually the last (is there a way to look up your comments on ao3 if they haven't been replied to/aren't linked to a parent comment in your inbox?), but the last comments I have a strong memory of leaving were on a fic that hadn't been updated in about two years.

I don't remember exactly what I said across these comments, but I went into it knowing it was likely abandoned. I started the story way too late at night and couldn't put it down. Each chapter was beautiful. So beautiful, that even though I knew it was likely the author wouldn't be checking their account at this point I started leaving comments. Just small things I liked, or big things that broke my heart or made me laugh. And then, as I started getting near the end of what had been published, I started reading the comments too because I wanted to know how everyone else had reacted to what I was just now reading for the first time. And the comments were terrible. Just people repeatedly and rudely asking when the author would update their story. Pages and pages of single sentence replies saying "IT'S BEEN A YEAR, UPDATE!"

And I thought about how awful it felt when I abandoned a work because I couldn't figure out how to finish it, lost interest in the fandom, or had writing block, and had people demanding something from me I did for fun in my free time. How it made me never want to touch the story again.

So at four in the morning, after staying up and reading in a single night something that had taken at least a year of the author's life considering the publishing dates, I decided "fuck it." And wrote them a love letter. Basically just saying I went into the story knowing it would likely never be finished, and I felt so grateful to have been allowed on the ride they invented. That it was so kind to publish something that I could escape into without asking for anything in return. I told them I was subscribing just in case, but I was so happy with what I had gotten and I wasn't expecting anything more.

The author never replied, but the story was updated again a few days later. I have no idea if I contributed at all to them coming back to something they loved, or if they even read any of my comments at all, but it's nice to think maybe I had a small part in making a writing experience slightly less terrible for someone.

Ask A Reader Questions 💖

[quinesone]

WaveMaker 4 (a PWA)

Really long rambling ahead!

I've been using this program mainly for my fanfiction (because that's what I've been starting more of lately) for almost two years now. I genuinely didn't expect to enjoy using this as much as I do now, and I'll be rambling here why!

Tl;dr:

I can have my notes beside what I'm writing, I can change the page color, and I can track the word count of each chapter/part/scene I work on. The grid planner and cards are very neat tools that I'm very thankful exist in this world lol. Overall, amazing free software that I recommend trying out and seeing for yourself if it works for you. 😊

Details below.

[Personal*] Pros:

*I put 'personal' here because these are based on my writing habits/process. May be different for you. c:

It's free.

All of my related projects can be saved in just one file (which is "Fanfiction Collection" in this example). Many stories are inside that one project/file, each with their own folders and documents too.

Files can be saved either locally or in Google Drive.

You can export your manuscript all at once as a .doc file (see screenshot below), but you can also export just one folder.

As you can also see in the screenshot, word count is automatically measured. (Don't judge my inconsistency lmao)

^Exporting the folder only, yay!

Now, here's the writing interface.

My favorite things about this are: (1) the note cards on the right. I need that; (2) you can pin and unpin the left list of contents and the notecards on the right; (3) notecards can be tagged and viewed by tag in the "My Cards" tool (rightmost icon on the upper left icon group); and (4) you can put pictures.

You can enable typewriter mode too if you prefer that. Typewriter mode is like a Focus Mode that puts only the text on the screen. Page and font color are customizable. See below.

Other great tools include: (1) The Planning Board tool which shows all the notecards you have in each chapter/part, arranged in order of your chapters; (2) Grid Planner where you can outline your story using a grid of cards. You can make the cards or link existing ones.

[Personal] Cons:

You can't arrange stories in alphabetical order in the main screen.

No other fonts. There's only the standard serif the app uses and the serif during Typewriter mode.

Preferences in settings aren't saved for your next session, so for example if I want to re-enable Full Width mode when I reopen the software, I have to click it again. (Fortunately, I need only to do this thing; after applying it, the settings for the text + page color are reapplied at the same time.)

When linking or reusing cards, you can't search by title or tags. You have to scroll the long list. And cards are project-wide. Which means if you have multiple books (like me) all of the cards for each book will be in the card database.

Word count is measured, but it doesn't seem to be accurate. Or I don't know when it stops or starts measuring.

Stories with complicated worldbuilding that needs a lot of complex notes will be hard to do here. At least, I can't imagine feasibly using this for my biggest fantasy original story. (May change once I try to figure out how to make it work.)

I have no idea how the Snowflakes Tool works; it doesn't seem intuitive to me. (Or maybe I'm dumb. I don't do snowflake method so ignore me.)

Mindmap and Timeline tools lack flexibility in terms of visuals (font and design).

══════════════════

All in all, the cons aren't enough to take me away from this. The fact that I can see my notes right beside what I'm writing is really what I wanted because I need to see a lot of things at once to get my writing gears going. (I don't do well writing in super clean interfaces in the long term, like Google Docs and FocusWriter.)

As with any software that has auto save and manual saving options though, remember to keep backups. 😊 (I almost lost a lot of words on a huge fic because I forgot to.)

This video review is a good overview of the features too.

(Note: I haven't tried it on mobile yet, so unfortunately I have no thoughts regarding how well it works there.)

Alternatives to google docs

For various reasons, this is now a hot topic. I'm putting my favorites here, please add more in your reblogs. I'm not pointing to Microsoft Word because I hate it.

Local on your computer:

1.

LibreOffice (https://www.libreoffice.org/), Win, Linux, Mac.

Looks like early 2000 Word, works great, imports all formats. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat. Combine with something like Dropbox for Cloud Backup.

2.

FocusWriter (https://gottcode.org/focuswriter/) Win, Linux.

Super customizable to make it look pretty, all toolbars hide to be as non-distracting as possible. Can make typewriter sounds as you type, and you can set daily wordcount goals. Saves in OpenDocumentFormat. Combine with something like Dropbox for Cloud Backup.

3.

Scrivener (https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview) Win, Mac, iOS

The lovechild of so many writers. Too many things to fiddle with for me, but I'm sure someone else can sing its praises. You can put the database folder into a Dropbox folder for cloud saving (but make sure to always close the program before shutting down).

Web-based:

4.

Reedsy bookeditor (https://reedsy.com/write-a-book) Browser based, works on Firefox on Android. Be aware that they also have a TOS that forbids pornography on publicly shared documents.

My current writing program. Just enough features to be helpful, not so many that I start fiddling. Writing is chapter based, exports to docx, epub, pdf. You can share chapters (for beta reading) with other people registered at Reedsy.

5.

Novelpad (https://novelpad.co/) Browser based.

Looks very promising, there's a youtuber with really informative videos about it (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHN8TnwjG1g). I wanted to love it, but the editor didn't work on Firefox on my phone. It might now, but I'm reluctant to switch again.

------

So, this is my list. Please add more suggestions in reblogs.

[scribbleboxfox]

Definitely not the friend of the person who sent the artwork with the chair–

Can confirm, she's been rambling on and on about your fic for weeks. Months. I decided I had to read it for myself, since she spoke so highly of it, so I started today. Somewhere around the seventh chapter now. I'm always cracking up at the notes at the end. For the record, you nailed Caboose. I could hear his voice more clearly than anyone else's.

That aside, I did have a real question. Figured I'd ask since apparently you're a super easy to talk to/contact (if my excited friend's notes about sharing the artwork have been any indication). I do not know how tumblr works, though. Fingers crossed I figure it out quick.

The actual questions:

How did you come up with the idea for your story?

How did you make it work? As in, how did you make a plot, stick to it, and then keep going–

How are you able to impersonate fandom characters so accurately and not fear being incorrect??? (I struggle with this, hence my not having written fanfiction in, like, ever haha)

Thanks for coming to my TedTalk.

AHHHH YES HELLO HI I'M SO GLAD YOU STARTED READING AND I HOPE YOU LIKE IT!!

I'm going to put my answers under a cut so it doesn't clog up people's dashboards. (Click on the "Keep Reading" link/button thing to see them!)

Gonna try to answer your first two questions together, since they pair up nicely.

Honestly, and this is going to sound silly, the idea for The Long Road Home sprung from a goofy one-liner that I thought up for Fox to say. More specifically; I'd come up with Fox as a way to give Locus a goofy sidekick that annoyed him but ultimately became his best friend. She was originally just a silly OC that I did some doodles of, and I wasn't planning on getting attached to her or Red vs. Blue. But then I imagined the stupidest, funniest one-liner I have ever come up with.

Unfortunately, said one-liner needed context. Over a million words of context, apparently LOL. So I started brainstorming, came up with a plot, and planned it out. It's hard to explain the exact technical work that went into building this thing, but I'll try;

Initially, I started by asking myself "where do I want these characters to end up, and how are they going to get there?" Then I determined the load-bearing plot points from there;

The characters meet Fox

She convinces them to work together with Locus

Locus earns some of Kimball's trust; enough for Kimball to let him help Fox on her crusade to find evidence against Hargrove that the UNSC will have to pay attention to

They go to Earth and Locus discovers the power of friendship

At the same time, Hargrove decides to continue his campaign to wipe out Chorus

[Insert other spoilery plot points here]

From there, I came up with a document that holds all the super important plot points and the order in which they happen, along with all the necessary sub-plots that help move the story along.

The way I format it is "Chapter Name: Plot point 1 - Plot point 2 - plot point 3" so I know what needs to happen in each chapter. I've included an image below that hopefully helps illustrate this a little better;

This was the first thing I did when planning my fic. It took me a while to finalize it; I didn't manage to get it close to the finalized version that exists now until around Chapter 14. Since then I've tidied it up even further as I've tightened up my overall story direction, and continue to do so every few chapters I write to make sure that everything that happens in future chapters makes sense with what's happened in previous ones.

TL;DR: this document exists for me to know where the fic is going and how to get there, and serves as a framework for the overall story as a whole.

The next step; which is more of a housekeeping thing on my part, is the chapter outlines. These basically serve as a rough draft and help me get all the "filler" down so I can use it to connect the stuff that happens in each chapter. To further explain; I outline the chapter scene-by-scene and include some of the more minute details that happen. I like to write these like they're a FandomWiki article about an episode of a TV show so I don't get too descriptive with them (they're rough drafts after all,) though I'll usually include pieces of dialogue that I think could actually work in the chapter, or serve as a means of getting an idea across.

Here's an image of what it looks like;

Since these are basically rough drafts, I like to use them to just throw down whatever ideas I can come up with, and then in the final draft (AKA the actual chapter) I iron out all the stuff that either won't work or isn't as good as it could be.

Both of these documents help me stay on track and keep me motivated. I find that the timeline document keeps me super excited about what's going to happen in future chapters, because I can just scroll down and see it. And the outline document allows me to throw out whatever ideas think will work on a chapter-by-chapter basis without my perfectionism kicking me in the head.

TL;DR #2: to actually answer your question about how I make it work; I found a technical method that works best for me (which I've outlined above.) Basically, I found a way to get down all the basic ideas for what I wanted to happen in my story. Then, before each chapter, I wrote outlines that define the exact execution of each idea that happens in that specific chapter. Utilizing both in tandem have helped keep me on track, and kept me motivated for what comes next in the story.

Hopefully that makes sense! :'D

As for how I handle character-voice... I've re-watched Red vs. Blue a few dozen times now, so I have some idea of the general cadence of the main characters (what they would say and how they would say it.) But honestly, the way I nail it down in my fic is I just...read their dialogue aloud. Or failing that, I'll read it in my head using the voice of the character I'm trying to emulate.

It usually takes me a few tries to be successful, and I'm honestly super happy that you think I nailed Caboose since I always struggle the most with him.

When all else fails though, I'll either re-watch the Chorus Trilogy or pull up the (incomplete) WikiQuote page for it. Since The Long Road Home takes place immediately after that part of the show, the dialogue from the Chorus Trilogy is the best reference for characterizing the main cast.

TL;DR #3: Research and references are your best friends when writing dialogue. I find that if I can't imagine a character saying a certain thing, then they either wouldn't say it the way I'm trying to write them saying it, or they wouldn't say it at all. Reading dialogue aloud can help A LOT with figuring out if something sounds right.

(But also don't worry about dialogue being perfect. In the more recent chapters, my characterization for some of the Reds and Blues has definitely slipped lol. I think, if you are going to try to write a fic at some point, the most important thing is that you love the characters and the media they came from, and that you're having fun overall!)

Thanks so much for all the questions! It always puts a huge smile on my face whenever anyone asks about my fic! :D

Have a great day! <3

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

8, 25 and 32 :)

Hey there! Thanks for asking! <3

8. How often do you reblog/comment on fics that you like?

If it's posted to tumblr and I've read it and liked it, I reblog it. This tends to be focused on oneshots and drabbles though since I'm really bad about reading wips. I can only handle so many storylines in my head at once, so reading a wip, for me, means that if the writer pauses posting for one reason or another, I lose the plot and then have to reread from the beginning whenever they start posting again. Wish my brain worked differently, but it doesn't. Last semester, when I took three literature classes, I was reading three books at any given time, plus the readings for my writing class. It became impossible for me to read fic OR to even write it because my brain couldn't really handle the thought processes.

Result of that is that by the time I do get around to reading multichapter fanfiction stories, they're usually finished a long time ago and I wind up not reblogging anything about it here. Bad habit, I know. *cringe emoji here*

25. Do you listen to music as you write? If possible, link your writing playlist.

All. The. Time. I cannot write without music, to the point that I wind up curating playlists for each of my stories. For one story in particular, Outside Chance, I have multiple playlists since it turned into a three story universe that spans over twenty years. I am working on consolidating those multiple playlists into one master playlist to share, but it's not at a point yet where I'm willing to share it. I've actually recently moved to Spotify as a platform for my fanfic playlists specifically to share them with readers since the platform I usually use puts my full freaking name on playlists when I share them, and sorry y'all. I'm not changing my username on it and I'm not handing out my full name. *shrug emoji here* Anyways, I'll share the OC playlist when I've got it a little more finalized.

32. Copy and paste your top three favorite lines/jokes/sentences you’ve ever written. What fics do they come from?

Oh good lord. I've written so much at this point that this it's impossible to narrow it down to a top three. I'll give you three that I love, how's that?

From Wrapped in Red: Every time I try to get Peeta alone to talk about it, she’s there, making sure we’re not disrespecting traditions. The girl has turned into a kiss demanding despot ninja.

From Outside Chance: I become familiar with his body again. How he moves, the cadence of his breaths. We relearn each other’s limits and how to push past them or cover for each other until we can go on.

From The Baker & The Hunter:

“I’m not settling. I don’t want anyone but you,” she vows and my heart stutters for a second then begins to thunder. “I don’t need to leave here to know that. Really if you think about it, this is just a formality.”

“How do you figure?” I ask, unable to stop the smile twitching at my lips at her conviction.

“Because we’re already more married than any piece of paper could make us.”

“You did not just--”

“I did,” she says triumphantly and I groan. She’s a little too good at using my own words against me. “Besides, we’ve already had a toasting.”

“I think I’d remember that,” I say.

“You do remember it. We didn’t even have to fix that memory. We were eleven. I was soaking wet, freezing and starving, digging through garbage--”

“That wasn’t a toasting,” I argue and she flattens her palm on my chest, her lashes lowering.

“Maybe not technically. But you made bread, put it in the fire--”

“Burned it in the fire.” She ignores me and keeps going.

“Then you gave it to me and I shared it with my family.”

“Well by that logic... I gave the first bite to the pig, and I didn’t eat any so...Katniss Everdeen, you’re married to a pig.”

“What? No!” She shouts in protest, but she’s laughing. I tease her and tickle her, rolling her over so that I’m hovering over her.

“Lucky for me, that pig is dead. So really you’re a widow. Do you think an appropriate mourning time has passed for you to remarry or am I just your crazy grief driven affair?”

A Fic Writer Ask Game

[nikomedes]

(i am sending you writing asks) can i get a uhhhhh... number #1, #13, #19, and a #23 please thank you

[drive thru speaker crackle] ask machine broke

jk thank u luke!!! i am sorry this is so fucking long

1. Tell us about your current project(s) – what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it?

so adhd is a disorder where--

im joking but uh. off the top of my head:

fallout 3 mlw/charon fic that i just. have put way too much time into mostly as a challenge to myself to understand the ship (13k+ words)

disco elysium time loop fic which is so close to done. its short and sweet. CAN I CROSS THE FINISH LINE? no (4k words)

pokemon swsh trainer/hop fanfic about their friendship during the gym challenge as reflected on by hop as they prepare to part ways for college. another "haha im playing this game this might be a fun challenge" that got so goddamn out of hand (8k words)

murderbot fanfic ive posted about before where ART tries to hold hands. its also short, mostly written, and something i SHOULD finish. but will i? (i keep saying "no" but i mean "hopefully") (3k words)

original story closing the book on a character i played in a dark fantasy intrigue ttrpg. hey! this game ended 4 months ago! why is this still not done (12k+ words)

a visual novel? a whole goddamn visual novel about h3x, another ttrpg character? this game has officially been ended prematurely due to gm burnout so realistically i will prob never finish this. but also, i kind of want to just to teach myself how to make a visual novel? OOPS? (??? words bc figuring that out would require booting three different programs. but it's at least 15k+)

my locked tomb western au fanfic that i started for the 2021 tltbb and then basically dropped due to mixed reception and getting burned out on that fandom. another project i will probably never finished but with the new book coming out who tf knows (22k+ words)

an outlined lesbian southern horror novel about a woman being seduced by a haunted house. this project is so exciting but. please scroll up. when am i gonna start it. and DON'T say nanowrimo i'll cry (2300 words)

worldbuilding for a beam saber ttrpg game i want to run very badly but realistically won't run for 3 years. but yknow. its not like ive got anything else to write (2k words)

worldbuilding im behind on for a magical realism 1930s monster of the week ttrpg game im running this fall. i literally need to get this to the players by the end of this week ideally lmfao (??? words bc its spread out over 3 documents and a google slides presentation)

more. there's more. im just going to stop now but i need u to know there's more

13. Do you share your writing online? (Drop a link!) Do you have projects you’ve kept just for yourself?

much to the chagrin of anyone who wants me to, you know. make a living writing, publish again, "do something with my talent," i almost exclusively write WAY TOO LONG stories about the tabletop roleplaying games i'm in on my wordpress. i also write approximately one fanfiction every two years, mostly for wildly different fandoms, here on my ao3.

i would honestly say about 40% of the writing i do is just for me? (unless we want to talk about the nonexistent traffic to that wordpress blog or how often my fellow players have to go "alex i simply do not have the time to read 20k words about the blorbo you created for our game," in which case it could be argued that 90% of my writing is only consumed by me slkdjlfjg) i think it's super important to write for yourself and not attach your enjoyment of writing to engagement/web traffic. the internet will make u insane about that

19. Is there something you always find yourself repeating in your writing? (favourite verb, something you describe ‘too often’, trope you can’t get enough of?)

oh man this character has a complex relationship w their mom

characters talking "flatly" or delivering something deadpan

"trudged" (insert paul bettany's monologue about trudging from a knight's tale here)

"the moral of the story is, it's not about building something that outlives you, it's about enjoying the life you're living with the people you love" character arc (i stole this arc from my life)

having characters do fucked up and evil things to coffee bc i can't stand the taste of it

23. What’s the story idea you’ve had in your head for the longest?

i'm restraining myself only to what i've already listed above. the visual novel is the oldest, bc i love my terrible son and i do actually really want to learn how to write and program VNs

[lovesongrecs]

god. okay, so my mutual on twt was kind enough to link me the fic she'd posted she'd been reading for sillies and shitposts but i, ever the depraved shinestar, was HOOKED on the little snippet of the end of chapter 2. it felt like the walls were closing in on me when i realized i had just inadvertently gotten scammed (in the best way possible, ofc!) because... 🫠 no smut. just unbridled edging. like omg... all that built up tension... the anticipation i had for what i thought would be the most nastiest, toe-curling smut i'd ever lay eyes on in my entire life... taken away from me within seconds. anyways, that was my fault for not peeping the lack of smut tags on ao3. nevertheless, i was absolutely enthralled by the plot progression so i continued reading and i am so so So glad i did.

my mind is all over the place... where do i even begin 😭 i quite literally just finished reading the latest chapter and. There's just so fucking much i feel just as overwhelmed as mc because... what the fuck!! like actually, what the fuck 😭😭 everyone in atz and itz need to perish omfg it does not cost us anything to be kind to each other... greek life shouldn't ever be this serious, but then again, they're mostly all filthy rich freaks who'll make dollars while the rest of us work our asses off to make dimes. such a sick world we live in... can't even escape the horrors of capitalistic greed in a frat!atz au...

but it's this greed that makes everything so interesting! the amount of layers to the plot is so sickening, i'm appalled by the reminder that this is just fanfiction and not the script of the next hit show everyone and their mom is raving about. i mean, hello? the character depth? the backstories? the way every single relationship between the characters is so intricately intertwined with another that just the slightest altercation between people tangled in this little web could (and did) set everything off? i need to figure out how to get you into the writer's room because this is insane. even just the mystery behind everyone's motives and end goals? this kind of talent is so rare that i find such immense pleasure in being able to pick it apart and put it back together in the form of a silly little review for the author to read. you all deserve to know just how in love i am with your mind!!

the way you write is impeccable. i don't ever use that word because, i'll be honest, i'm a little picky with my compliments! but i feel like you really deserve to hear that after the absolute whirlwind you just spun me through. from dialogue and nicknames for mc that are so specific to a single character, to the deliberately placed actions between them that give this sense of realism, and the endless detail used to create the setting you've envisioned for a scene... talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it – or whatever lady gaga said. everything fits together so perfectly and flows so seamlessly it imitates the state of being when you're completely, utterly immersed in a story it feels like you're actually there. this is such an important thing for me as someone who has grown up reading all sorts of literature. a fic i've read and reblogged in passing will eventually lose itself in my memory but a fic from a writer, whose voice and style is so strong it transports me into an alternate reality, will live with me forever.

i'm forever praying that there will be better days (and friends, god does she need better fucking friends) ahead for mc because so far... it's not looking too good for her. just when she thinks she can trust and open up to someone, they're already five steps ahead with their plan for her certain demise. i mean, come onnnn 😭 it's one thing to hook up with someone at a frat party, but to secretly pray on her downfall is just ridiculous. you're supposed to be sleazy, not a conniving little bitch in cahoots with this mysterious hbic, who's in close contact with the president of the sorority the girl you just slept with belongs to, and making a pledge go through the wackiest initiation for some undisclosed reason... literally what goes on anymore omfg like even the confrontation with wooyoung and hongjoong kicking him OUT of the frat? mina lying about her brother's whereabouts and creating such an elaborate sob story just to keep a two-timing jackass (according to vice president of all jackasses, apparently) who doesn't even want her? all while one of the sisters is literally fucking missing and no one has any information about her whereabouts? this b-plot is DISGUSTINGGGGGG (compliment 🙂‍↕️💗) – like it's actually so fucking ridiculous how the universe is just playing in mc's face right now... i'd have been in jail by now after putting every single one of those snakes in a saw trap. i can't even wrap my head around what seonghwa could possibly want out of this, who hbic is (i'm thinking mina or isla...), or... anything, really. i'm so shaken up with how everything's unfolding, but it makes me all the more excited for the next chapter 🫶🏼

Nasara University Home Page ✧ Meet ATZ ✧ Meet ITZ ✧ Tag

That one fucked you over last year, this one is fucking you over this year, you had no idea she was involved with him, someone over here has been lying to you, you didn't mean to end up in that ones bed, he told you he loved you... Does anyone even trust anyone anymore?

[one] - 'i can do it with a broken heart' ~ taylor swift

[two] - 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)' ~ ariana grande

[three] - 'tell ur girlfriend' ~ lay bankz

[four] - 'nonsense' ~ sabrina carpenter

[five] - ‘teenage dirtbag’ ~ wheatus

[six] - 'because i liked a boy' ~ sabrina carpenter

[seven] - ‘no church in the wild’ ~ jay-z/ye

[eight] -

~ more to come ~

read it on ao3 ✧ talk to me ✧ my masterlist

[klaineaddictsfanficrecs]

Fic Name: Serenade My Heart

Fic Author(s): MrsCriss2012

Fic Summary: Kurt Hummel is a hugely successful actor, who suddenly finds himself having to take care of three small children. Blaine Anderson is a struggling musician, hired to teach piano. Only, Blaine has never taught piano before, and Kurt has never had to be a parent before. It's a voyage of discovery for all of them.

Fic Trope(s): Actor Kurt, Famous Kurt, Daddy Kurt, Single Father Kurt, Musician Blaine, Straight Blaine

Fic Length (Word Count): 109337 words

Fic Rating: Mature

Fic Warnings or Triggers: Angst

Fic Status: Complete

My Review: I followed this story as it was updated, and it was one of those stories that drew me to my email inbox, waiting excitedly for the notification that it had been updated. What drew me to it? There are several things that made me immediately click on the chapter notification.

First and foremost, I loved Daddy Kurt, even though I was frustrated with him at first. I won't explain why, because I don't want to give anything away, but the issue is resolved through time and an outright callout from Blaine. Kurt is a strong, loving, flawed man that becomes the ward of three young kids. He's clearly out of his element and over his head, which makes him even more loveable than he already was.

I can't bring up Kurt and not mention the reasons I love the author's depictions of Blaine. She captures his canon characteristics, such as his tendency to go out of his way to help others and his beautiful kind nature. Even though he initially thinks that he's straight, when he starts to realize that he isn't (sorry spoiler), he doesn't try to run from it. Instead, he embraces his emotions for Kurt, even though he does need time to figure things out.

I love the other characters in this story, from the OC's (like Blaine's amazing parents) to the beloved canon characters (Cooper, especially). I specifically wanted to give a shoutout to cooper, whose often depicted as a stumbling, bumbling oaf. This couldn't be further from the truth here. It makes me wish that he was my older brother.

Oh, the children, Alice, Joshua, and Maggie, are just precious. I have to say that unfortunately, I've stopped reading stories with small children because the children's dialogue drives me crazy. I'll remind you that I'm a mom and a teacher, so inaccurate portrayals of children are a bit of a pet peeve for me. This story doesn't do that. Actually, this story makes me want to be a fly on the wall so I can see them all together. I feel it may be this quality that tugs on my heartstrings as I read. I fell in love with the children just as much as our main characters do.

Ultimately, this is a well-written, beautiful story that balances humor, angst, hurt, and love. Miss Criss2012 is a fandom favorite author, and I can see why. She really knows how to captivate her readers with her incredible story-building style. If you haven't read this, put it on your to-read list right now. It's actually on the ballot of the Fanfiction awards, so it's the perfect time to read this.

Fic Link: https://archiveofourown.org/works/10368894/chapters/22978677#workskin

[themadauthorshatter]

Do you guys know what could've been kind of interesting to see in SGE? More specifically, the first book? Tedros realizing he has some possible feelings for Agatha while still thinking he's in love with Sophie.

Think of it like this:

Tedros trying to be closer with Sophie, i.e. trying to talk about his life back in Camelot, any frustrations he's having in his classes or with his friends, or even just wanting to know more about HER, but Sophie only hugs his arm, rests her head on his shoulder, or simply holds his hand and tells him she loves him.

Upon seeing this, his mind and eyes drift to Agatha, who is doing something like getting some homework done early or practicing some magic. Maybe he sees Kiko and Agatha together and Kiko is complaining about accidentally dying her hair green and making it all spiky, so Agatha waves a glowimg finger and fixes it right up for her, explaining to Kiko, who wanted blonde hair, that she's beautiful with her dark hair and Tristan is an idiot if he doesn't see that; not a very "Agatha" line, but I imagine she'd be tired of seeing and hearing Kiko cry and is genuine in her words because Kiko's nice to her and a pretty decent friend.

Maybe a challenge happens where people from the opposite side partner with each other and Tedros OBVIOUSLY partners with Sophie.

Agatha, however, doesn't get a chamce to think before Hester and Anadil equally take a step forward-

AND HORT CRASHES INTO AGATHA INSTEAD-He wants to get Sophie back for using him, and Hester is not taking her away from him.

Even with a possible concussion, Agatha and Hort do well, the challenge being getting across a deep and raging river by walking across a log or something, I'm not good at making up challenges for fairytales.

Because she's in heels and doesn't want to ruin her makeup, Sophie crawls across the log rather than walks, which makes Tedros have to slow down and wait for her.

I should probably mention that this log is close to the water and is cracking beneath them, so THEY NEED TO GTFO the log.

Tedros knows this, but doesn't want to leave Sophie(both because they'll get points taking away for leaving their partner and he's still pretty sure he loves her).

Chekhov's gun fires. The log breaks and both Sophie and Tedros fall in and are swept away beneath the surface.

Agatha follows with most of the students and Yuba following.

Because she's a smart person, can swin, and doesn't care about her looks, unlike many of the other students, Agatha recruits Chaddick, because he's strong, and Anadil, with she has rats, which are CRAZY intelligent, and they find another dead tree or a vine or something to put over the river, thin enough for Sophie and Tedros to grab, but thick enough that it won't break. Anadil kicks her maguc into overdrive and grows her rats to be the size of pitbulls, and Chaddick and Agatha use them to get to Tedros and Sophie out of the river before the tree or vine snaps.

I'm sorry for making Anadil OP, but she's exhausted when her rats are back to their normal sizes, too tired to even stand up as she glares at Agatha and tells her, "That is the last time I'm helping you."

Tedros storms back to the Evers with Sophie trailing behind him, begging for him to listen as she apologizes.

Under water, she had flailed and held Tedros down as he tried to get above the surface, which almost made them both drown.

He doesn't talk to her at lunch, but does notice Chaddick awkwardly commending Agatha for her quick thinking. By awkward, I mean it's almost painful to watch him find the right words to thank this "witch" for helping to save his best friend.

Again, this is an awkward exchange and it takes a few minutes for Agath to understand Chaddick and not get offended.

Tedros thinks on this and considers all the "connection" moments he's had like the goblin challenge where he mistook Agatha for Sophie and when he picked Agatha's coffin.

Sophie notices him staring and asks if everything's alright and why he isn't paying attention to her; water on the brain.

He shrugs, smiles, and says it's nothing, which makes Sophie smile and go back to talkimg, Tedros inconspicuously watching Agatha cackle her giddy ass off when Beatrix accidentally falls in mud while trying to approach Tedros in glass slippers. Kiko laughs behind her hand, but is close to tears. Agatha does magic her clean, but Beatrix still pouts and gets a little mad, even if the squeal she did was nothing short of hilarious.

Trial By Tale happens, events and all, but Tedros doesn't instantly break up with Sophie. He keeps his distance instead.

One night, after he's won and hasn't spoken a word to Sophie or sat near her at lunch, eating in his room instead to avoid her and because he's still a little injured, he is awake and can't sleep, so he wanders the quiet school halls, watching snow fall and reminiscing about home and how his school year's been, maybe even having a made up conversation with his father about what's happened.

HOW COINCIDENTAL THAT AGATHA IS ALSO OUT OF HER ROOM AND LEANING AGAINST A LEDGE TO ALSO WATCH THE SNOW.

This is the conversation between them that follows:

(Agatha turns to look at him with annoyed eyes)"... Here to call me a witch again?"

"Well, as long as you don't punch me again, I won't."

(Narrows her eyes a little mire before turning back to the snow.) "Why are you out here?"

(Tedros leans against the wall facing her and tips his head back, watching the snow.) "Can't sleep. Hester's demon got me better than I thought." (Chuckle) "I still have a bruise on my side from the thing."

(Agatha gulps as she remembers how it broke into pieces and attacked him, but says nothing.)

"How about you? Does the witch have you doing her work for her again?"

(Agatha gasps, surprised by the jab to her friend and at how he figured it out. Tedros's face is mostly expressionless, though he does raise an eyebrow as if to say, 'Go 'head. Prove me wrong.' She relaxes again and shakes her head.) "My room doesn't have a good view of the trees. I bet it's snowing in Gavaldon, too. Harder than it is here, maybe."

"Gavaldon?"

"My village. Where Sophie and I came from. Our home."

(Tedros laughs) "I'm sorry, how long have you two been friends for?"

"Long enough. What about you? What brings the prince of Camelot out to watch the first snow of winter?"

(Tedros's smile drops as he returns his gaze to outside.) "Like I said. I couldn't sleep."

"Why are you REALLY out here?"

(Tedros is silent for a few seconds, biting his lip because he's obviously uncomfortable.) "... Your village. Gavaldon. Do you... miss it?"

(After another second of silence, Agatha responds.) "A little bit. We were better friends there, at least. And I miss my cat."

(Tedros humms quietly as he gives a slight nod, biting back a 'witch' comment.)

"I guess you're used to the attention. Being the prince and all."

(Tedros shrugs and scratches the back of his neck.) "Sort of. Not really. No one ever followed me around like Beatrix. Could you see a maid being on my tail like SHE does?"

(Agatha can't help but laugh, Tedros chucklong with her before his smile drops.)

"I don't know. I mean..." (He leans on the ledge.) "I like being with my mates and all, but... it gets annoying when there's always a couple of girls giggling at you behind the corner. I miss my room, too. And the library. And the court yard. And the garden. And the field."

(His voice breaks at that last one, but Agatha doesn't bring it up. Instead, it's her turn to talk about home.)

"I miss my mom. We didn't really get along, but she's my family, Reaper, too."

"You named your cat Reaper?"

"He took care of our rat and bird problem. You'd be surprised at how many blue jays come to a cemetery." (Agatha's smile drops.) "I miss that, too, the cemetery. It was quiet. And just reading fairytales in my room instead of studying to BE in one."

(Tedros nods at that, no joke or quip.) "It's all fun until you learn how dangerous it all really is." (He is silent for a second, gulping and running his hand through his hair.) "Thanks, by the way."

(Agatha turns to him, playing coy because she's not used to the Evers ACTUALLY being nice to her, save for Kiko.) "For what?"

"The Trial. Saving me. I don't think I'd be here, if you didn't."

(Agatha blushes and looks at her hands.) "No... No problem. I mean... Well... I guess that..."

(Tedros smiles and slips some hair behind her ear and kisses her hand.) "'You're welcome, Tedros. I hope you can repay me, somehow, Tedros.'"

(Agatha almost tells him to forgive Sophie, but instead says something else.) "Can you talk to Sophie? She's sorry about what happened and she really does love you."

(Tedros frowns.) "Love isn't pulling someone down with you when you're under water. And neither is leaving your teammate to fight alone."

"You said you wanted to repay me, this is how. Do you really want to be indebted to a witch?"

(Tedros reluctantly nods.) "Fine. I'll talk to her."

"Thank you."

(Agatha turns and walks back to her room, but Tedros only watches her leave, speaking when she's out of ear shot.) "I don't think you're a witch."

I feel like I could add more, but this will be enough for now.

I hope you guys enjoyed, sorry if this came off as fanfiction-y or any of the characters were a little OP, magic or otherwise. And like I said in my progress post, this is just what I would have done to have Tedros and Agatha fall in love, or start falling in love

Either way, I hope you enjoyed this

Incase you're interested, here's a link to part 2: https://themadauthorshatter.tumblr.com/post/642332442965983232/im-bored-im-continuing-with-that-tagatha

[lookforthefuture49]

Yo!

I got a fanfiction, finally. I don't expect it to be read much here, but here are the links to fanfiction.net and Ao3 pages for it respectively:

Ao3

Fanfiction.net

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13947355/1/Universal-Wars-aren-t-fun

Ok now I can paste it.

Enjoy <3

[Note: this story is only to be on Archive of Our Own/Fanfiction.net under the username DoubleKKookie and on Tumblr under the username Retrooutlaw. IF YOU SEE IT ANYWHERE ELSE, PLEASE SHOOT ME A PM! This is also kinda meant for funsies, obviously.]

Note note: half created by AI Dungeon. Yay for Ai Generated fanfiction lol

[Universal wars aren't fun//1//Battlegrounds]

Izuku's hair ruffled in the wind, the view of a crumbling city crossing his vision. It was odd, how one minute the world was peaceful, and the next an inter-dimensional war decided to happen. During this war of many universes, most of his world was ravaged. Izuku figured he would probably be safe, at least for now. His world might be a battleground, but he wasn't in the midst of the fight. He wouldn't hurt people from other worlds just because some of their worst villains wanted to attack other places. In fact, Izuku just wanted an excuse to help these new people, to stop their worlds from being ruined too. His plan was to travel between the worlds.

Except, all he got was a dazed sense of incompleteness as the world around him seemed to flicker. For a moment, it seemed as if he were home again visiting his mother over a break, excited to see what his friends did. He could feel a couple of tears form, but of happiness, of joy. However, just as quickly as this flicker came, it left, and he came to the realization he was just remembering the past, that he was still alone in the forest, and that seemed to worsen his sad state.

Izuku turned and took a few steps. He had to get moving, and he had to get moving now. He didn't quite know where he was going, but he knew it was far from his home. All he knew was that he had to keep moving, and find a new reason to fight. So, Izuku decided to just keep walking. He made his way through the forest, dodging branches and occasional bokoblins.

Bokoblins were odd, as he'd never seen them before the inter-universal war began. They hadn't even kinda existed in his world, but now he felt like he was fending the creatures off every other step. He never attacked them, but it seemed like he was constantly running from them, even if they were obviously weak.

This rural area he'd found himself in looked to be nearly untouched by the war. Still, there was this odd sense of unease, and Izuku felt like he was being watched. Like he was being watched every step of the way.

Fearful of this feeling of a watchful eye burning a hole into his back, he began to speed up, getting to the point of running. Running as far as he could, as fast as he could.

The more he ran, the faster he felt himself becoming. He couldn't tell what time of day it was, but he knew that it had to be night.

He ran for what felt like an eternity before stopping, legs buckling under him

He fell to the ground, trying not to cry out. He stood back up, deciding if he was going to be upset about a stupid war, he was gonna do it where it was safe, so he stumbled away from the wide open area he was in, and eventually found a flat-topped building, which he entered before reaching the roof and staring out at the more rural area he had found himself in. What modern building were there, such as this one, were overrun with vines and ivy.

He sat down on the roof and wrapped his arms around his knees, finally letting everything soak in. This situation was garbage. He'd been left behind by the civilians who escaped, he had no idea where his friends were, and he had no way of contacting any heroes or any of his peers to come to his aid.

Izuku didn't want to think about the possibility that they were all dead, but looking at the modern buildings being overtaken like this one, he couldn't help but think such a thing. If the entire town was this destroyed, how on earth could THEY be ok?

He didn't understand how something so bad could happen. How the world could ever go back to normal after what was happening right now, Izuku didn't know. But, all he could do now was try to help, and help he would. The moment he saw a portal open, it was his door to purpose, to other people, whoever they were.

He didn't care what world he stepped into. He didn't care if he died, he just wanted to make a difference. It was no longer about this world, about him, or any of the pro-heroes he once loved. Now, if it meant death, he'd stop this war. He decided right then and there he'd do it for his friends, for his family, for All Might, and for whoever he met on the other side of the portal he was adamant on finding.

He wouldn't fail. Lifting his arms from his legs, he rested his face against his knees and took a deep breath. He lifted his head up, staring to the sky.

"I promise, I'll save everyone. No matter what."

...

Izuku sat on that roof for several more minutes before deciding to resume his search. He stood up, left the roof, and began to walk again- until he heard something. Multiple people, a fair distance away behind him. Judging from what he was hearing of the conversation, they hadn't noticed him yet, and were rather focused on someone who sounded distressed and wanted to get away from them. He hid behind the building as the group of people came into sight, listening into their conversation closely.

"LET ME GO!" He heard peirce the air, and when he could see the group, he noted the man who yelled it was being dragged by the arms by two other people, and this man also looked.. unexplainably odd. His appearance didn't matter now, though. What was important was the predicament he was in.

"Would you just put me down already!?" He snapped again.

His supposed captors looked even angrier than they had initially.

"Our leader says that's not allowed, bucko." One of the two people holding him said. His voice was gruff and southern.

He had a goatee and his hair was slicked back. The other one was female, model-esque.

She had long, curly blonde hair, calm blue eyes and slick red lipstick, which was weird for someone to be wearing in this kind of situation.

"Our orders are very clear. Boss wants you."

"I DON'T KNOW WHO YOUR STUPID BOSS IS BUT I CAN ASSURE YOU-"

The southern-sounding captor pulled a lighter from his pocket, and with it lit, rammed it into the torso of the man. He let out a blood-curdling scream and then didn't say another word afterwards. he, nor his clothes, had caught on fire, oddly enough. The southern guy snarled at the man. Izuku wasn't entirely sure who was good or bad in this situation, but he was irked by the entire scene. The only hard part was deciphering if the one who was captured by these two was good or bad, as saving a villain in the midst of a crazy war would be pretty counter-productive. From the way this man's captors were talking, however, he figured he was either a hero like him, or just in the moral gray trying to stay out of things.

Taking a risk, he stepped out from the shadows...

"Stop!" He yelled at the top of his lungs. They turned to look at him, and their eyes went wide.

He pointed at the man. "You two! Release him right now!"

"What do you think you're doing?" The southern one hissed angrily. "This is none of your business, kid! Go back to where you came from!"

His eyes flicked to the man, who seemed to be either knocked out or unresponsive, as he hadn't even twitched when Izuku shouted in his general direction.

"I don't care! He's being mistreated! I won't stand for it!"

The model (At least, Izuku assumed she was a model) whisper-hissed something at her comrade, who just scowled and shook his head. The two started arguing in hushed voices, as the man they dragged here was now beginning to stir.

When he did open his eyes, fear was clear in them immediately, probably thinking the glare Izuku was directing at his enemies was for him. He calmed after a moment, however. The pair seemed bugged but opted to leave without the man now that they'd been found by someone else. (Maybe that's what they were arguing about) They dropped the man harshly, although he didn't seem to be bothered by this at all. He seemed more bothered by the burn mark just below his chest, which, while small, seemed to be quite painful. It was hard for Izuku to gauge what the man was feeling, though, since he looked dead. Not just figuratively, but quite literally rotten and dead. It was strange, but Izuku decided not to question it, for that wouldn't help either of their situations. He instead walked up to the man, hoping to maybe initiate a conversation.

"Hey, um..." Izuku wasn't really sure what to say to him. He didn't know his name, for one.

The other was that he looked like he'd been through hell and back. He had a multitude of scars, both old and new, on his face and body. They were either dark purple, black, or was a hole, which revealed an empty vessel underneath. In fact, his entire complexion was purple, which struck Izuku as off. Any normal person, quirk or not, definitely was not supposed to be dead and purple.

"Are you alright?" Izuku decided to start with. Simple enough.

"Yeah, I'm perfectly fine." (That comment definitely didn't pan out, but Izuku didn't know his life. Maybe this was normal.) Izuku noted a prominent British accent, one he hadn't noticed while the man was shouting angrily, which was odd, because he probably should have. Taking a closer look at him, the strange man was thin, mangy, and also lacked hair. His pupils were glowing, which also really was strange, and the whites of his eyes were now, instead, pitch black. It was somewhat unsettling, but Izuku tried not to think much of it.

"What was all that about?"

"Frankly, I dunno. One minute everything was normal and I was sitting at home, and the next those two were dragging me along to their 'boss'." He replied.

"I tried to get away, but it wasn't exactly easy. I kinda miss having muscles." He said this in a very nonchalant way, shrugging. Evidently, this man was missing vital body parts, who knows how many, and he was acting like it was completely fine.

"I... see," Izuku said, though he wasn't sure what else to say.

"So, what about you, kid? What's your name?"

"Izuku. Call me Deku, please." He stuck out a hand.

"Michael." The other shook his hand, and Izuku noted that he felt no bones in his hand, like it wasn't solid. It was strange, completely empty. "Uhm, do you know what's been going on lately?"

Michael did not reply immediately. "I dunno, something about some war? It didn't seem to pertain to me until I was dragged into a different world entirely, but feel free to explain."

"All I'm really sure of right now is that there is an Inter-Universal War going on right now, and I want it to end. Mostly because it's left my home a wreck, and I don't want that to happen to anybody else's."

Michael nodded in understanding.

"I can appreciate your feelings on the matter."

...

"How long have you been here?"

"Probably only a little over 2 hours."

Izuku had given Michael the choice to stick with him or go off on his own, and, not knowing what else to do, he agreed. Now they walked aimlessly as Izuku tried to explain a bit about what his world used to be like, and just make small talk. Izuku had decided the moment Michael agreed to tag along that he would not question his purple complexion or the lack of internal structure. It seemed like it might be rude, or bring back bad memories if he said the wrong thing, and he didn't want to cause that.

"I see."

They continued in silence for about an hour, before Michael spoke up again.

"I think I prefer this place over my home, truth be told."

Izuku was a little surprised that he would say something so out of nowhere. "Why?" He asked.

"I could go on for days about the terrible things that happened there." Michael sighed. "I don't particularly like dwelling on the past, so I tried to block it out. But here, it's all right. Even the atmosphere feels less oppressive, even if it's obviously still chaotic here."

Izuku frowned. "That's a pretty deep feeling to come up with so suddenly.

"I've had plenty of time to think, and this is the only conclusion I've come to."

...

The night took a long time to come, and Izuku still could find no portals, nor salvation in another world. He would have to wait another day. The pair sat down, and Izuku found himself falling asleep quite quickly...

It seemed like only seconds had passed when he felt something pulling him back to reality. He opened his eyes, and saw that the sky was beginning to turn pink.

"Get up." Michael whispered.

Izuku squinted, kind of annoyed. "Why?" He whispered back.

"I hear a large group of people coming, and I don't want to risk anything."

"Alright." Izuku nodded.

He stood up, as quietly as he could, and stretched, yawning. He was about to head off when he heard the sounds of many feet marching nearby. They were getting closer every second. He halted said stretching, and opted to climb up a tree. Michael made an attempt to hide, slipping behind a tree, but he was pretty easy to spot if one simply looked a little.

Izuku looked down at the group of men, as they marched by. His only question was why they were marching along together like this, and here of all things. They almost looked like soldiers, marching along with random weapons in hand. They were of varying species, although Izuku did not pay mind to this. When they passed and were far enough, Izuku leaped down and gestured for Michael to follow him as they tailed the group to see where they were going.

"What is this?" He hissed. They were headed towards a large open area. The group marched on, keeping pace, until they were they were the size of ants in distance. Izuku looked out to the open, treeless plains ahead. It took a minute to click in his mind, and he realized as Michael caught up what the plains were.

They were in the midst of a battlefield.

That's a wrap :D

[eikaprime]

Doing this as a reblog, rather than a reply, because it's probably gonna get too long for one reply. Feel free to scroll past this: I can't figure out how to put a cut in, and very few people actually care about this. (I expect maybe OP and two others, max.)

I started on fanfiction.net when I was 12, abandoned it, returned to both ffnet and started in AO3 at the age of... 28? I forget. Right now I'm near-exclusively on AO3, but I link things on tumblr and twitter, and I read on both AO3 and ffnet. I have tried and failed to navigate other sites (what drunk insomniac devised Wattpad?) and both of those sites are free to use, reasonably well organized and easy to navigate, and places where people expect to find fanfiction. Those are probably the key points: free, easy to use, expect to find fanfiction there. I'll point out AO3 makes people wait for an account, and tends to have fewer but higher-quality fics; FFNet has some absolute diamonds but also more trolls..

2. Write, write well, and be consistent. I wish I could tell you more how to get readers, but that's what worked for me. If you want to play to things popular in your favorite fandom, fine, but only do what makes you personally happy. Fanfiction, in particular, is an I-love-it venture, and fandom tastes are fickle. In general, though, fics about canon characters will get more views than OC's, because people are in fanfiction usually because they can't get enough of (character). Romance is also well done. Neither of these are strictly necessary.

I write well. It feels like bragging, but I've been writing for fun (and aimed for publication) for a large number of years, and I've been improving near-constantly: trying new things, seeing what works, playing with words and plot and description. At least as important, I update regularly: twice a week, usually. That's too much for a lot of fics, but my chapters are shorter than many peoples (usually under 2000 words). Once a week, or once every two weeks, is better. Longer than that and you risk losing readers because they forgot things and have to reread at least one chapter, if not the whole work, to continue.

3. Is it better to write fanfic, fiction, or both? That depends ENTIRELY on what you're going for. I wrote fanfiction as a teenager, then spent a long time writing original fiction and trying to get published, then back into fanfiction again. There are fanfictions out there better than original works. Fanfiction wouldn't exist without original work. If you write for reasons other than 'I like writing!' and 'I wanna write this to (make myself/someone else happy)!' then you're gonna fail.

4. Okay, we're looking at the financial end here. You may be thinking of Rowling or Stephen King or... if you want original fiction publishing, then your choices are self-publishing (no support, all costs and advertising and profit is on you) or traditional publishing (publisher gets the bulk of the profits, you actually get in stores). Let's say you're going traditional publishing. None of the largest US publishers, with nationwide access, and a good chunk of the medium publishers won't work with anyone who doesn't have a literary agent. Nelson Literary's blog Pub Rants publishes their end-of-year stats every year; 2022 they got over 8000 letters from people wanting representation (down around 5k from 2021) and signed 4 new clients. People who self publish and make as much money as those traditionally published tend to become signed by traditional publishers (and in the news, to boot!). Further, I don't have the statistics in front of me right now, but more than half of published writers cannot support themselves writing.

With that said, you *can* make money off it. I've gained enough notoriety through my fanfic that people are supporting me on patreon to help keep me writing them, and I've had several people commission flashfics from me. Further, by getting out there--fanzines and magazines, working for either fun or money (if someone contacts you, ask for money. If you contact them, and they're for charity or fandom or just for fun, it's for fun) you gain a reputation and visibility and credits for work that greatly increases your odds traditionally. (and the stuff mentioned in question 2 will work for self-publishing, too!)

5. What is my motivation? I enjoy the CRUD out of it. I have stories in my head that wanna be told, characters to play with, people I wanna hear scream (even if the screaming is only in the comments). Everything else comes second.

6. Do long fics do well? Does pineapple go on pizza? Do you prefer the mountains or the oceans? Yeah, you're looking at a whole lot of perspectives, here.

One of my most popular splatoon fics, LUCKY, is part of a series, but it was a stand-alone for over 8 months and people absolutely adored it. All of 5000 words and full of good characterization and relationships and banter and emotions. 309 kudos, 22 bookmarks; for comparison, if you sort the Splatoon AO3 section by kudos, it's on page 5/383 (as of 12/1/23). Several people say it's the best fic in the series. On the other end, my fic SLY 5: THIEVES AND ROBBERS is 108 chapters, 214 kudos, 43 bookmarks, and page 1/22 (number 6) when sorted by kudos.

Or maybe you want to think of another awesome fic, not by me, but LADY KNIGHT VOLANT by BracketyJack is 432k, almost 15000 kudos, 679 bookmarks, and on page 1/197 when sorted by kudos... and three places below a 7000 word oneshot that I've also read and loved, THE SMALL by dirgewithoutmusic.

And all of this leads into...

7. Write well. Try to write better every time you write. Read things you like to read. Try to put things you like reading into the things you write. Like romance? Try writing romance. Like horror? Try writing horror. Trust your interests. Write what you want to read, because odds are very good, if you enjoy something--if you like it, and want to read about it, and have fun with it--someone else will adore it. I can't even start to tell you the number of things I almost didn't put in because I was second-guessing how stupid or silly it was (lore where teeth are good luck charms, a brick joke where one character refuses to believe another is famous, shoe stealing, platonic rare pairs, more) and people have adored it. I have people commissioning oneshots about my throwaway characters I barely cared about because I put in just enough detail to make them desperate for more.

Now if you'll excuse me, I either need to go to bed or continue making my trans/questioning accidental teenage double-agent spy who commenters have determined either suffers from panic attacks or seizures continue having a burping contest with his new captain/greatest enemy while his sentient service animal eats three bags of potato chips. I don't know how I got here but I'm having a blast.

ppl who write fanfiction/fiction, i am asking for your aid!!!

1) which site? ao3? tumblr? something else?

2) how to get readers?

3) is it better to write fanfiction, your own stories, or a mix of both?

4) is it possible to profit on your writing financially?

5) what is your motivation?

6) do long fics do well?

7) what tips do you have for someone starting out?

[shnuggletea]

InuKagWeek 2020

Alright, to those of you still here, thank you! To those of you who left... eh, it's your choice. Anyway, here is chapter two day two of InuKagweek 2020! Loyalty. @inukag-week thanks for the poster art and here’s my day two! Still working on my own art for this piece. Something I was working on a while ago and quit. Hence why Kagome looks way better if you ask me. Thank you @petri808​ for showing me a few tricks for my posts on tumblr!

Chapter 2 of 8 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8

Fanfiction link HERE

AO3 link HERE

Or if you’d rather, just reading reading!

Loyalty

If I'm being honest, I never had a job in food service. But I had to assume they were all the same mostly. Things like learning the names of the drinks and the regular customers as well as how to handle a tray filled with heavy things were to be expected. However, given my place of 'work', getting grabbed, touched, and pinched wasn't. Two weeks later and I was as used to it as you could be. When you go from living in a girls home, sharing a room, and counseling sweet innocent children to your own space in a mansion and bringing drinks backstage to the dancers, it would never feel normal.

The girls were nice enough though and I never saw Inuyasha which I was fine with. Mostly.

I'd even made friends with most of those that worked there. Some were just there to strip and make money so a little inexperienced waitress wasn't worth their time. Which was fine. But my favorite was a girl named Sango.

Her eyes brightened at the sight of me, a smile on her pretty face as she paused in putting on her fake lashes. I handed off the other drinks, giving Sango her whiskey sour last. "Oh, I do love the nights you're working Kagome."

"Which is every night?"

Sango giggled, taking a sip and moaning her appreciation of the flavor. "Yes. But you are so quick with our orders. The others take forever."

"I just don't want you guys going without some liquid courage. I couldn't do what you guys do."

Sango tisked her tongue at me as I leaned against her vanity table. "It's not that bad. I mean, the audition was a little awkward."

"Audition?"

Sango went back to her makeup, lining her lips with a dark red lipstick. "Yeah. Having to get naked in from of the boss? That was nerve-wracking, wasn't it? Naomi told me she had to do the same thing even as a server. You had to too right?"

I shuttered. So everyone had to do that? Inuyasha had slept with every single girl in this place as an audition? Was that what that was? I lost my virginity to a man like that?

I swallowed my disgust and the rising vomit in my throat, suddenly feeling a desperate need to get checked for STDs because he definitely didn't wear a condom with me, and pushed off the table. "I should get back to it."

"Yep yep. Don't want the boss to catch you slacking!"

As if he could, he was never here. Too busy 'auditioning' more girls. The only one here every day, giving me a hard time, was Koga. He was always somewhere around the club, waiting to bark at me for doing something wrong or touch me. It was never in an inappropriate place but it was still unwanted. A hand on my shoulder or a push to my back. Once, he patted my butt and I nearly tore his arm off. He hasn't done it since but I see him do it to the others all the time.

Returning to one of my tables, I leaned in to be heard over the loud music. The girl on stage now was talented for sure so I was always surprised when anyone gave me their attention over those on stage. Probably thanks to the required low cut top I had to wear. It wasn't even a top really, it was a vest and I barely fit in it. There definitely wasn't room for a bra. And the pants sat low on my hips so my skin showed all the time. Every time I leaned over, I waited for a breast to fall out. Not that anyone would mind, save for me.

Plastering a smile on my face, I listened as the guy I was attending rattled off a drink order as slowly as he could to keep me there longer. It was a struggle to keep my fake smile up. He finally finished, certain he was touching himself under the table the whole time, I fled to the bar. Far from safe, it still had fewer men ogling me at it.

I rested, waiting for my order and Naomi stood next to me. "Hey, Kagome? I'm not really sure I should say something but...there's a guy here who keeps sitting in my section and watching you."

I suppose stalkers were a normal thing here. It didn't mean I was okay with it. "He's watching me? With that going on?"

I thumbed towards the stage as Sango did a super sexy split on the pole. Not sure what I'd do with myself if I was ever that sexy but it was nice to dream. "Well...I've only been here a few days but yeah. I wasn't going to tell you until I was sure. I mean he's far less creepy than the other guy that watches you…"

"There are two guys watching me?!"

She grabbed my shoulders to reassure me. "I'm not really sure! I haven't even been here a week yet. But it seems like this guy is definitely here to watch you. He sits in the corner booth in the back so he can see you but you never seem to see him…" I gently pulled from her hold and made the quick decision to face the creep. "Wait, Kagome!"

I waved back to her, heading off towards the mentioned table. "Don't worry, I won't get you in trouble."

I didn't have to go all the way to the table, figuring out pretty quickly who it was. Shaking my head and growling a laugh in irritation, I walked right up to Inuyasha who looked a little taken aback that I seemed to notice him. Crossing my arms over my chest served two purposes; hiding my overexposed breasts and showing him how pissed I was at him in general. How the hell did Naomi not know who this was? She auditioned for him last week!

Setting his drink down carefully, he cleared his throat over the loud music and adjusted his seat. "I just wanted to check on you, that's all. See how my investment was holding up."

That wasn't good enough for me and I told him as much by not changing or saying a thing.

"This is my club, damnit, I can come in and do whatever the fuck I want."

"Yes you can, Boss," Koga said, coming up from behind out of nowhere. "Everything up to your standards?"

There was something about Koga. He said one thing but clearly felt another. Inuyasha had to be ignoring it, no way he missed the indignation in Koga's demeanor. "Everything is fine, Koga. Except for your customers getting too handsy with the wait staff!"

To my added irrigation, Koga put his hands on my shoulders as if to hold me steady. Never did I ever need another to keep me steady or still and now wasn't the exception. I glared over my shoulder at him but he ignored me. But then his hands popped off me as if burned and I turned back to Inuyasha who looked ready to kill someone. And that someone was Koga so he stepped further away from me.

"I'll..uh...I'll see what I can do about that, Sir."

Just the two of us again, I turned to leave but Inuyasha called out to me again. "Looks like you're blending in here. A real chameleon or just within your element here?"

Turning on my heel, I stormed back up to his table. Leaning over I put my finger as close to his face as I could. "I survive. It's what I've always done and those girls back at the home wouldn't if they were tossed out on the street. So remember that when you think I'm okay with any of this. With you, this place, getting my ass grabbed daily, or even going through your audition. I'm a survivor and I will survive this."

He had backed up a little in his seat but I'd rid the distance in an instant. Big golden eyes danced between my finger, eyes, and lips. "I can see that." I slowly removed myself from his bubble and he crossed his arms over his chest like he was the one wronged. "I said I was sorry the other night. I lost control and took things too far…"

"Do you say that to all the others too? Is this your blanket apology for using women the way that you do?"

He had been looking toward the exit but snapped back to me with my words. "What are you talking about?"

I huffed, pissed to the point of tears. "Fine. Play dumb. Stop coming here and watching me. I'm not going to screw up your stupid club."

He tried to say something but I really wasn't interested. It wasn't like we didn't live together, not that I ever saw him at home either. If he really wanted to talk to me, he could do it there.

I caught Koga grinning at me as I stormed away, feeling Inuyasha's glare on my back. All I could think was that I really had fallen into a den of demons somehow.

oOo

Checking every day, every hour, I didn't see Inuyasha return. A week had passed and he hadn't come back to the club. Meaning things went back to the way they were, not seeing or hearing from him at all. This time I was glad.

That is until I got to work on another Friday night.

The place was packed and Koga was far too pleased about it. "Kagome you're going on stage tonight."

"Wait, what?!"

"We're short-staffed and I've gotten requests. So you're dancing tonight. Be ready to go on after Kiki."

I was numb, staring at my reflection at the vanity that Sango let me use. She was doing something with my hair but I felt none of it. The only man I'd ever been naked in front of was Inuyasha and I was fine with that. It was a livable condition to my servitude. But now I was going to be naked in front of a ton more. As I said, the place was packed tonight so easily 50-60 people were going to see my bush.

"It's not that big a deal, Kagome, I promise."

"That's easy for you to say! You can dance! And you're super sexy."

Sango sat down beside her and frowned. "You're sexy!" When I frowned in return, she kept on. "You are! Plus, dancing isn't so bad. You're alone and no one is touching you. It's easy to pretend you're just dancing in front of your mirror. Stay out of the champagne rooms though. They touch a lot in there."

I'd heard about those rooms and had stayed clear the entire time I'd worked here. But I was a server. As a dancer, if someone paid to take me in there, didn't I have to go?

The question was bouncing around in my brain when the door to the dressing room slammed open. Inuyasha took a quick look around and when his eyes landed on me, they went from bronze to molten metal. The others squealed and ran while I was frozen in my seat, Sango stuck by me even as he stormed up and ripped me up from my seat. The only thing he said or did before dragging me out was grab a robe and throw it at me.

"Cover yourself."

In the bra and panty set I had worn there that night, cause no way in hell was I borrowing from anyone else, it was nearly my turn to go on but Inuyasha was taking us towards the exit. Koga stood near it, shaking with anger and...fear?

"I told you. I fucking warned you. She's not to go on the fucking stage. Ever. She can't even dance!"

"Look, I got requests, what was I supposed to do…"

"Tell them to fuck off, that's what! Jesus, what the hell do I pay you for?! When some asshole with a few bucks tells you what to do and you listen to them instead of me?"

Koga's head hung low but I didn't feel any pity in the slightest. "Sorry, Boss."

Inuyasha still had my hand in a death grip but he put his free one on Koga's shoulder. It was the kindest act I'd ever seen him do. "If anyone bothers you, you call me. Got it?"

I didn't get to see how Koga reacted, Inuyasha pulling us out into the night. He stopped, only to wrap his coat around me before shoving me into his car. The ride was silent until I could take it no longer. Anger was surging in me. Sure, he saved me but who asked him anyway?!

"I don't get you at all. You put me in a strip club to work but then get pissed because people want me to take off my clothes?"

"You're a server."

"IN A STRIP CLUB! What did you think was going to happen?!"

"I thought you'd do your fucking job!"

A dark laugh escaped my lips and Inuyasha turned to glare at me. "My fucking job? Interesting words coming from you. Considering you bought me to fuck you."

"I told you, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to …"

I wanted him to stop apologizing because it made the loss of my virginity a regret to him. I didn't regret it, I had enjoyed it until he opened his fat mouth! "It doesn't change a thing! Your apology doesn't change that night and it doesn't make my hymen magically grow back! And it doesn't change your complete lack of care for my feelings on the subject either!"

"Lack of care?!"

"I know I should be thankful...that things could be a lot worse…" I really tried not to, because I didn't want to give him my tears, but I couldn't stop them either. "But it's hard to feel anything but resentment when I went from being surrounded by angels all day to working for the devil."

I cut my sobs off after five escaped and Inuyasha listened to each one. It made me wonder if he got off on them until he spoke again. "The devil huh? That's how you see me?"

Nothing more was said even as we split off to our rooms. The devil going silently into his and I could honestly say for the first time that I hated someone. Cause I hated Inuyasha.

oOo

I half expected Inuyasha to show up at the club again the next day. But with him nowhere in sight two hours in, I considered him a no show and went about business as usual.

Sango was happy to see me, jumping up as soon as I entered the dressing room while everyone else seemed surprised to see me as well. "Oh man, last night was intense. You're okay, right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Inuyasha is just...weird…"

"Weird? I thought it was hot as hell. I wish I had a boyfriend that protective. I was wondering why you were just a server all this time but now I get it…"

"Wait," I stopped her ramble with a gentle hand in her face, "that guy is not my boyfriend."

"Huh? Then who the hell is he? The way he dragged you out of here I thought for sure he made you quit…."

"What the hell do you mean, who is he? He's the boss!"

Sango's face and those eavesdropping around us twisted in confusion. "No, Koga's the boss."

I looked around, finding faces that agreed. "Wait...so when you said you auditioned for the boss…"

"Yeah, Koga. He made us all strip for him in his tiny little office. I was scared he'd do more but that was it."

I felt faint, my head getting light and my breaths feeling shallow. "But I thought… Inuyasha…."

"Kagome? Are you alright?"

Sango was holding me up off the floor and I gripped her shoulders tight. "Yeah, I just… need some air…"

If she didn't have her first set in five minutes, I was sure Sango would have gone with me. As it was, I wasn't sure I wanted the company anyway, following her finger to the back door of the dressing room.

It was freezing out, middle of January, and snow falling lightly from the black sky above. The cold helped my brain though, forcing the sticky feeling inside it to freeze so it would function.

So when Inuyasha said he was sorry...what had he said? He didn't mean to, that he lost control. Did he never intend to sleep with me? He was Koga's boss but not the boss of the other women? How did that make sense? It was if he had some kind of loyalty and he was actually showing it to me but I didn't understand or know how to take it.

Damn, now I hated him a little less.

"Hey."

So lost in thought, I missed the guy standing nearby, smoking. He took a step closer and I took a step back. It pushed me into the dark and him into the light. The bright red bulb at the end of his cigarette as he took a long drag and then tossed it. His features were sharp and dangerous looking, even with his long, wavy locks that softened his appearance. It was his eyes really, they were dull and lifeless and set on her.

"You're...Kagome right?" I really didn't like that he knew my name. "I'm a bit of a fan of yours. I'm Naraku."

He stuck out a hand but I refused to remove mine from their wrapped position around my chest. Naraku chuckled as he dropped the offer, digging in his pocket for something so I took another step back. A new cigarette and lighter in his hands, I still didn't relax, trying to slide towards the door. If he noticed, he said and did nothing as I grabbed a hold of the handle and pulled with all my might. But the door didn't budge.

"It's locked from the outside. Usually, the girls leave something to block the door but I guess they didn't tell you about that, did they?" he was grinning while my skin was trying to find a new home far from him. "Why don't you dance? You have a killer body and are so damn sexy. Does Inuyasha have a reason for not letting you? I must admit, it has me curious about your relationship to him."

"We don't have a relationship past employee and employer."

He shook his head, clucking his tongue at me. "Koga is your boss. Or...isn't he?" I fidgeted, looking for a way out. "Oh...I see… you belong to Inuyasha, don't you? Just what is your title then?"

My only choice was to walk around the building to the front, which I was about to do when the door popped open and Sango's head appeared. "Kagome? There you are! Sorry, I forgot to warn you about the lock…"

I was breezing past her, not worrying about the slip-up and Sango was glaring at Naraku. "If you ever want a change of pace, Kagome, let me know."

The door slammed heavily behind us and I couldn't be happier. Sango was still looking behind us as if Naraku had a key he forgot to mention. "You should stay away from that guy, Kagome. I'm not sure why he's even allowed near the building."

"Why do you say that?"

She looked back at me, her face pale. "Well...he snaked away a few of the girls that worked here a few years ago to work at his house or something. He promised them more pay and no stripping. But the last I heard he was sleeping with all of them and only some of them were willing."

I didn't bother hiding my disgust, nearly vomiting on the dark tile below us. Sango looked sick too. We were making our way back towards the front, Sango required to 'meet and greet' after her show and get tips. I was supposed to get tips too but I think they all went to Inuyasha or something. They could all go to the home for all I cared, I was loyal to the cause.

Naomi ran up to us as soon as we made it out of the hall and into the main floor. "Kagome, someone is here for you."

If it was Naraku again, I was just going to slug him and call over Koga. But it wasn't him. It was Mother Kaede.

And Naraku shows up, so you know there's going to be issues. Drama. Angsty drama. Weeeeeee...