#like I have the bones of Halliel's side of the plot written out. I don't think I ever got around to Syn's yet

[ace-malarky]

Hello here is a lot of words and also some pictures by the delightful @tracle0 and a tiefling character creator and also a song that is very important to this story

and because I can't help myself, a further story about its creation lmao

So, picture this; a year ago, a young(er) Ace at their second social engagement of the day, not including work. BG3 has just been released on the xbox so they have (understandably) been abandoned by their flatmate, who fully forgot that there was a party she'd been invited to. It might actually have been after midnight but they hadn't slept yet so like. Definitely still the 9th They have decided that it is Late and they must leave this party bc there are no buses left and it's like a half hour walk back to their flat (no, the thought of a taxi didn't cross their mind. the thought of a taxi never crosses their mind) Enter @kat-writes-things, whose house party it is. She doesn't want Ace to leave but accepts (eventually) that they ought to. Laments that they no longer work together because of Circumstances. Suggests a Bit about them being high fantasy protags torn apart by the cruel world. Star Crossed Lovers are mentioned. So are swords and wings. For the bit, you understand, Ace says their goodbyes and kisses Kat's hand because it is, they announced earlier, the beginning of their slut era (it was like stupid hot in Kat's flat and I was down to my vest mkays). Kat, not to be outdone, does the same and makes Ace promise to get home safely and they'll try and see each other again soon. Ace, as is the way their brain works, starts to write a scene on the way home. Super safe <3 Unable to let the bit go, it uh. It Expands somewhat and here we are!!

I know a little bit more and have written barely any consecutive (or even finished tbh) scenes

transcript of the slides under the cut!

Everything is in comic sans, black text against white

Slide 1; Shapeshifter WIP by Aces Malarky. That story I've been inconsistently yelling about for a year. Happy one year anniversary babe!! You only got sadder in the interim. But also please I beg you get a name it's been a year. I'm taking suggestions /jk (... maybe). *Almost everything in here is subject to change I'm still working it out lmao there have been. Distractions. (it's me I'm Distractions)

Slide 2; World?

Please. Please we're making this up as we go along

Furry-lite bc sometimes. Having wings 'n' antlers 'n' shit is just. rad af you know?

Kinda-sorta-mybe high fantasy but like. There's technology also.

If it pleases me to have, it's there essentially! And what pleases me right now is handwavy fantasy nonsense bc actually we're about characters in this household and I have never thought a day in my life <3

Slide 3; Plot?

Star crossed friends-to-lovers!

Close friends that jokingly flirt on the whole "babe/oh best beloved" kinda thing. Everyone assumes/is taking bets on their relationship status

No one gets to collect tho ahahaha

There is a war looming! They're spies! They're torn apart by their own decisions!

Of course Syn volunteers for going undercover. Ain't no spy like a spy that can't be identified for shit

Halliel is Less than Impressed but my god is she going to throw herself into it just as much

So starts a fraught game of "in over our heads", "who are we without each other", "surrounded by people but so alone", and the real kicker "what (who) am I willing to sacrifice"

Side of Betrayal that perhaps could have been seen coming! They attempt to save each other!

Slide 4; Characters? Those I can do you!

[img one; a person in waistcoat and trousers with purple hair and antlers. They have their hands clasped in front of them and are smiling slightly]

This is Syn

- they/them

- Gender; mischief

- In it for the bit

- Early mornings, late nights, no coffee

- Has a cat named Trixie

[img two; a person in black trousers and shirt with suspenders. They have their hands on their hips and are scowling. They have scales across their face, red horns and a tail]

This is also Syn

- AKA Lance

- Gender; bodyguard

- Less bark, trying not to bite

- Serious business sucks

- Friends? Never heard of 'em

[img three; a person in a white tunic and trousers, a black embroidered scarf around their neck. They have yellow glasses covering their eyes, dog-like ears and a tail]

This? Yeah, that's Syn

- AKA Vale

- Gender; touch starved

- What's another fake identity on top of everything

- It's about the longing

- A Soft and Mournful Reprieve

Slide 5; Also, Halliel is here!

We love Halliel, she has a sword

And wings

And manages to put up with Syn, somehow

Coping by throwing herself into work and taking on more responsibility

Trying to keep a semblance of normalcy

Doesn't want to admit she's struggling just yet

[img; a picrew of a lady with peach coloured wings wearing a green shirt. She has auburn hair to her shoulders and glasses]

Slide 6; Other Characters; Verial Edition

Not-Work Friends!!

Conly - She/her - maned-wolf, leggy, Halliel's greatest enabler

Kit - he/him - fox-formed, owner of the betting pool

Peri - he/him - bear formed, needs them all to be a little less energetic, please

Hail - she/her - hyena, always up for the bit

Gil - she/her - monkey, most likely to believe whatever the fuck Syn is saying now

Work Friends!

Caria - she/her - cat formed, Syn's greatest enabler

Ketch - ze/zir - lizard form, makes like all the plans

Gry - he/him - sika deer, trans lad!! For some reason looks up to Syn

Maj - she/her - angelic, most likely to keep them all on task

Bora - he/him - cat formed, #1 cause of drama

Darraeth - they/them - dog formed, voice of reason but also a slight pushover

Most of them knew Halliel first! Maj & Caria are in both groups. One of them is a surprise bastard for later :3

No of course I don't have pictures, what do you take me for? None of them have names until two months ago

Slide 7; Other Characters; Sallen Edition

Don't - don't ask why they have pictures when the others don't

Bryn!

[img; an older lady with yellow curved horns and a yellow tail, with yellow scales across her forehead and cheekbones. She has white hair and is wearing a white blouse under a brown cardigan and has thin glasses]

- Dragontouched grandmother to the masses

- Communiy lynchpin

- Plays the piano

- Here to help, but your business is your own

Jaiel

[img; a man with short blonde hair, wearing a green shirt and a gold necklace. He has dark brown wings and looks unimpressed]

- Crown prince

- Bit of a dick, really

- Just like casually moneyed and careless

- Picks Lance for his bodyguard bc dragontouched are rare

Neryd

[img; a lady with a tight blonde bun and antlers. She's wearing green and gold armour and is glaring]

- Jaiel's other bodyguard

Kinda Intense

Like, really loyal to the crown

Pissy about Lance being hired, sees it as a comment on her ability

Probably there will be others but idk yet

Slide 8; Further Vibes

Featuring such hits as;

The inability to ask for help! Maybe don't spill all the beans but my god are you allowed to make friends while on the job

- Maybe not all the friends. Pls be wary of some of the new friends. Consider that other people might have the same job as you

Sexual awakening at sword point

Requited love but my god you could have chosen a better time to realise you are both fools <3

Sometimes, choices suck

- And that time is always

Identity Crisis! Is it an Ace Malarky WIP if there isn't at least one? We may never know

Slide 9; Wait when you say Star Crossed-

Yeah about that it uh. It does not end well for our leads lmao my bad

Choices have to be made and, well:

Syn has a self-sacrifice streak a mile wide

Halliel has a burn-the-world-down-for-my-people streak also a mile wide

Do you see the problem here

Aw gee I wonder which one will win out!!

Sldie 10; In Conclusion;

Fucking wild that I have a plot at all, actually

This is a story of two friends, everything else is incidental

I just really wanted shapeshifter shenanigans I did not intend for it to get sad but alas

The Suckages struck

Also I found this song about two months before this wip started and oh it is the whole thing actually

[img; the album cover for Cast the Bronze by Raynes, which features an insect with wings made out of shapes in various browns]

(Syn's edition. I should find a Halliel song also tbh)