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dbssh · 2 years ago

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AJA MY FRIEND AJA. hm. if i can confess i find her difficult to describe because i have known her so well for so long, its kind of like if someone asked you what your best friend is like, yk? like you know them so well you can barely even think of where to start. (@tapir )

i guess to start with her basic personality, aja is like. shes kind of a quiet person, very introspective and standoffish. shes not rude, though, just not really an outward person. she's very thoughtful and intelligent, but she gets very overwhelmed by her emotions and tends to shut down and freak out when things get to be too much. as a result, she prefers to keep people at a distance, and tends to live in her own little bubble where she doesn't have to deal with the kinds of scenarios that would overwhelm her. she likes routine and control, and is fond of repetitive tasks she can approach in an analytical way, being both very physically active and very into cars and other kinds of simple mechanics. she's fond of martial arts, as she's naturally incredibly strong and likes the level of control that training in that kind of thing gives her. i think if i had to pick one word to describe her, it would be "controlled". she keeps herself on a pretty tight leash, and everything she does gives off the vibe of being well-practiced and almost elegant. she is a bit awkward and uncomfortable around people, though, and tends to not really engage much with people outside of her family.

her specific narrative is kind of boring cuz like, despite being my obvious favourite shes more of a supporting character... and also i cant make up my mind for how involved i want her to be in things. generally though, she tends to be kind of a calm mentor figure for kasey early on, tending to be the one she turns to for advice and comfort. over the course of the story, though, they kind of grow apart, both because a lot of kaseys new problems are things aja has no experience in and cant really offer help with, and also because ajas discomfort with being emotionally honest kind of splits them apart a little bit. she's trying her best though.

if i can tangent a bit and talk about her powerset - aja is unique physically in that she is neither alive nor dead nor undead. (she doesnt qualify as "undead" because she isn't like, a ressurected corpse or anything) it would maybe be most accurate to describe her as a "construct". but this semi-aliveness means she doesn't really have the same physical needs as anyone else. she rarely needs to eat or sleep, can hold her breath for much longer, is less sensitive to heat, cold, and pain, and doesn't age. it also gives her dulled senses, including mild colorblindness and a dulled sense of taste, touch, and smell. a lot of her alienation from other people and from herself can kind of be traced back to that physical detatchedness (and, tangentially, i like to use it as a point of contrast between her and hutch - hutch is a musician and cook, and a deeply grounded and colorful person with very average physical limitations and is at that mid-life crisis point of aging.)

anyways, back to the powerset. as i mentioned earlier, aja is a very effective martial artist and supernaturally strong and huge (i go back and forth on an "official" height for her, but generally i go between 8-9ft). her main "supernatural" power, though, comes down to her energy generation. in this universe, magic is a physical energy generated by natural beings, both living and not. all living things require a little bit, and most of it is gained through normal interaction with the environment like eating, or passed through physical contact with others or with plants/animals. all of humans magic is taken in through external sources like this, though particularly "magical" creatures are often capable of generating their own in their bodies - this is why some species (for example, a unicorn) can easily and naturally cast spells, while mundane creatures like humans or, idk, dogs, have to use external conduits like a wand or staff. aja is not "technically" alive and requires no mundane sustinance like nutriets, she's powered exclusively by magic generated by the process victor used to bring her to life (which is another tangent i could go on but i will spare you). in normal circumstances, like a magitech robot, this power source would require constant recharging. aja, however, generates her own magical energy at a pretty insane rate.... but, because she isn't fully alive, she can't use magic, so the energy has no way to get out. in essence, she's just a big magical battery. but the amount of energy she has idly stored does make her really good at "knocking back" magical energy, and this forms the basis for her hero combat style. with a few tech augments to make the process easier, her gimmick as Lightning Rod is to take the energy thrown at her and use it to power her own attacks. mainly this is achieved through a very badass gauntlet which i have frequent trouble designing but just trust me it is very awesome. in my mind.

there is another narrative tangent i could go on here but i think youve had enough for now? i will continue later though if youre interested in hearing either like. a more detailed play-by-play synopsis of the plot as it stands rn (which i hesitate to post bcz its still got a lot of holes and blurry bits) or specifically i could talk a lot about my plan to kill her [but she got better]

ALSO. yes she would be your friend i think she would love your silly swag and your passion for everything :]

lets talk about aja and friends

#ajaposting #CUT CUZ IT GOT LONG. I LOVE YOU

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teyvattherapist · 3 years ago

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Tea Prompts!

Link to the prompts here :)

Tags: Kaeya, Albedo, Diluc, Dainsleif, Tartaglia x gn!reader(separate), fluff mostly, angst if you s q u i n t, Diluc/Kaeya story spoilers

milk tea; what are their kisses like?

Kaeya Kaeya kisses like an avalanche, sudden and passionate and heavy. He’s not coy, he’s not slow, he knows what he wants and his kisses reflect that. Pulls you in by the waist or cups your cheeks and tilts your face to his. He tastes faintly like wine, which is funny, because his kisses leave you breathless and intoxicated, wanting more.

Dainsleif Slow and meaningful, every kiss has a place and a time. A reason behind it. He’s touch starved and afraid and that shows in the way he grips your jaw and holds you close as he kisses you like it’ll be the last time every time. He doesn’t know the meaning of soft, there’s only you, and him, and his never ending quest to defeat the Abyss. He tastes like the mixed drinks he consumes at night and during the day he tastes faintly of something you couldn’t begin to explain.

Tartaglia His kisses are suffocating and are never short or without some sort of battle for dominance. He kisses like the ocean, pulling you down and washing over you with his essence. He tastes like how you imagine victory would taste, it's all very interesting. He’s a lot of tongue and teeth and gripping you tight no matter who is watching, he doesn’t care, he just wants to show you how he feels, and oh boy do his kisses somehow always convey how he feels.

Diluc Heated and needy, so so needy. He’s touch starved but in a really different way than Dainsleif. Away from prying eyes he’s touchy and needy, hands roaming your body, your hair, you. He’s so warm and he tastes like cinnamon hearts. Diluc insists one hand must be in his hair at all times when he’s kissing you, and his hair is so soft and fluffy it’s hard not to indulge. In public he prefers chaste kisses but he’s not above pulling you away for a proper kiss.

Albedo Experimental, curious, it changes every time. He always tastes of chalk and the lollipops he steals from his fellow captain’s desk. A surprising amount of less lip on lip action, he likes to roam with his mouth, find out what makes you tick, where to kiss to get certain reactions. Sometimes he’ll reenact a scene he read in one of Lisa’s romance novels. He’s just curious and his kisses and their always changing nature certainly reflects that.

peppermint tea; what do they get excited about?

Kaeya Kaeya is versed in a lot of things. Perfume making, hand to hand combat, horse training, how to read body language, wine in food, wine in drink form, wine in general. But nothing quite gets him excited like a good chat about the wine making process. He learned from his adopted father what goes into making a good wine, and perhaps he’s not part of that family anymore.. But he still remembers how they do it and the intricacies always excite him. So much goes into a fine wine you would not believe- And look at that, he’s been talking for the last hour and for once Diluc isn’t annoyed. You win :)

Dainsleif History, ohhhh my archons. He can talk about history all night if you let him. He talks with his hands when he’s excited about something, drops whatever he’s holding to start gesturing wildly like how the French do? It's cute. Besides history though, he knows, much like Kaeya, quite a bit about alcohol and has no qualms discussing what makes a fine drink. And beyond those two facets of his personality. You’ll find he gets quite excited over.. Flower crowns? Make him one and his eyes light up, star pupils widening as he puts it on. You swear the stars became hearts for a second there..

Tartaglia Man loves fishing like all the chads do. Can talk about fishing all day. Can talk about battle strategy all day, too. And how fishing is good battle practice- Focus, Ajax. Right! He likes dogs, feeling their soft fur between his fingers. He also gets really excited when you ask about his family. He’s pulling out his wallet where he has at least two dozen photos of his siblings and parents. He’s got a massive family, you realise very quickly as he lists their names and little things about them. It’s the only time you’ve ever seen his dull eyes shine, even though it's just a smidge. There’s a shine when he talks about his family.

Diluc Tell him you’re thinking of learning the piano and watch how quickly he pulls his gloves off and leads you to the grand piano in the winery. Invites you to sit beside him so he can teach you the basics. He’s incredibly skilled at piano, and wants you to share in his hobby. Can talk about pianos all day, apparently he knows how to fix them too? Even if pianos are dull to you, indulge him. The way he lights up is to die for, he’s not one for idle chit chat, but pianos?? Man won’t shut the fuck up. Truly, it’s nice. To hear him talk so much

Albedo Another one for the mundane shit tbh. Flowers, light sweet foods, science, dusty old tomes, the truth of the universe- His curiosity is his ‘excitement’. He doesn’t show excitement like the others but you can tell he’s excited when he’s talking about a species of flower and his words sort of slur together as he talks at a fast monotonous pace. Or when he finishes an experiment and you’re the first person he runs to with the results like he just uncovered some great big thing(everything is a great big thing in pursuit of the truth!) You’ll notice that he actually really wants to share his curiosity with you. You. You make him excited, his favourite lab partner.

pomegranate tea; at what point did they know they loved their s/o?

Kaeya When he realised you saw past his lies. The “I’m fine, dove! What? Want my attention?” sort of lies. The moment you began to see past them, you started to hold him, but you never really pushed beyond letting him know you were there. That’s when he realised he had done the unthinkable. Kaeya Alberich had fallen in love, with you. And honestly? Screw the ancient plot. With you by his side, he could conquer the world, but he’d much rather wake up to your kisses instead.

Dainsleif Dainsleif hates to admit it, but he is the kind of man who falls in love with everything around him. The flowers that bloomed despite the harshest conditions, the comforting breeze, water against his skin, the stranger on the street he just passed. So he had always loved you in the way he loved everything. But he realised he really loved you when you traced the leylines on his arm, no fear, no hesitation, just adoration in your eyes. Watching you, he realised that while he loved everyone and everything in the way a guardian does. There was nobody he wanted to protect more than you.

Tartaglia Some may say it's when you bandage his wounds with worry and panic, when you show him that you love him. But really it's when you listen to him talk about his family, talk about how he actually didn’t like his job but he had to do it, for them, he says. And you never judge him. Running your fingers through his hair as he recounts his regrets, when the bloodthirsty warrior persona is gone and it's just Ajax, the boy who liked to fish and listen to stories. When you’re just you, the person who cares about him underneath his title. Love is such a strong word, such a strong feeling, but every time you look at him when he talks.. He loves you.

Diluc Another one for team loves too much, truly. He’s so scared all of the time. His family is gone, and he blames himself for it, he pushed Kaeya away, he couldn’t save his father in time. So accepting that he loved you was not something done easily. But watching you interact with his brother, being kind to someone he still loves who he knows is suffering. Your kindness as Kaeya’s smile falters just a little bit. It's then that he realises he loves you. And the moment the last patron is gone he doesn’t hesitate to bury his face in the crook of your neck and tell you how he feels, no matter how scared he is.

Albedo Love? What is love but a chemical reaction? Albedo doesn’t understand relationships let alone love. All he knows is his heart ticks faster when it sees you, the pulsating grows louder in his ears and it confuses him more than anything else. Watching you interact with Klee, smile on your face as the young girl shows you something or another. Albedo wishes to study this feeling, understand his diagnosis. Is he dying? Contagious, perhaps? Book after book and his answer lies in commitment and he wonders if he can commit. But then you look at him as he rambles on and on about a topic he’s well aware you don’t care about and he decides. Yes. He can commit.

#Kaeya x reader #Albedo x reader #Diluc x reader #Dainsleif x reader #Childe x reader #Tartaglia x reader #tea prompts #gn!reader #go hard or GO HOME #yes maybe im somebody with a lot of siblings and i just want to see them be brothers again do not LOOK AT ME.

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drivingsideways · 4 years ago

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Misaeng review

Ok, it's been almost a week, so I feel like I can get my thoughts (somewhat) in order. As usual, I'm late to the party, given that Misaeng aired 6 years ago, and is already considered a kdrama classic. Still: thoughts!

(under the cut)

I came to this drama with quite a lot of expectations, both because I'd seen it on a lot of rec lists, and also because I'd watched director Kim Won-seok's Signal and My Mister, which are justifiably as beloved as Misaeng. I'm happy to report that Misaeng mostly lived up to those expectations!

The writing & direction work together to make Misaeng a very immersive experience, which is good, considering the entire run time is over 20 hrs. The level of seemingly mundane detail of the operational aspects of running a trading firm that they delve into (and other dramas might have avoided for sake of pacing) seemed odd to me at first, but eventually result in a world building that's incredibly well fleshed out. The (formerly unlikely!) high stakes of a misplaced piece of paper or octopuses in a shipment of squid end up being parts of an emotionally wrenching narrative whole fairly seamlessly. Still, at 20+ hours, Misaeng also does get into the kind of pacing issues that most of the slice of life kdramas I've watched so far have. And it didn't need to! I think it had a wonderful ensemble of characters, and if they'd maybe given a little more time and space to characters other than Jang Geu-Rae (Im Si wan) and Oh Sang-sik (Lee Sung-min), the mid portions may not have felt quite so, well, stuck.

But more than the strong writing and direction, it was really the actors who delivered. They made what could have easily been a dull-ish office drama into a heart warming story about human connection and the joys and troubles of leading an "incomplete life". I'd never watched Lee Sung-min in anything before, and about half way through the series I was like, HOW IS HE MAKING A SHORT TEMPERED, ALCHOHOLIC MIDDLE MANAGER SO SEXY? Like, serious props, dude. Lee Sung-min is by turns annoying and brash and too shout-y and stubborn and funny and so incredibly vulnerable as a man trying his best to live by his principles in a world that thinks they are an impediment to "success", that you forget that he's playing a fictional character-- he's someone you know, he's someone you've seen in the mirror.

His performance as Oh Sang-sik is very ably matched by Im Si Wan's Jang Geu-Rae. This series would not have worked if these two actors didn't have the chemistry they do, and play off each other in every scene. I had watched Im Si Wan recently- in JTBC's "Run On", in which I liked his performance quite a lot, but I absolutely loved him as the naive and endearing Jang Geu-rae. Misaeng, is in part, a bildungsroman narrative centered around Jang Geu Rae. Im Si wan brought a kind of vulnerability to the role that might have felt cloying and emotionally manipulative in the hands of other actors, but Im Si-wan manages to do it with a light touch. I feel he's one of those actors that uses his whole body in a scene, not just relying on facial or verbal expression, and it's a joy to watch.

Each of the other actors in the ensemble also bring that dedication and talent to their roles, even if it's in a single scene. There are lots of one-off characters that we meet during the course of the series, and every single one of them leaves an impact.

But! I'm going to pick a fave from the supporting cast and that's Byun Yo-han, whom I'd last watched as the broody, troubled (and very sexy) swordsman Lee Bang-ji in Six Flying Dragons. I can't imagine a character more in opposition to that one than Han Seok-yul in Misaeng, but Byun Yo-han just knocks it out of the park as the scheming, cheerful and mostly inappropriate clown with a heart of gold; Han Seok-yul is the definition of Chaotic Good, and you're equal parts horrified by his antics- which include sexual harassment dont @ me -- and yet charmed by him. I wish they'd given him a few more scenes and a larger plotline to work with, but I also suspect that he might have just walked away with the entire series if they did that. (Am I plotting that series in my head as I write this? MAYBE.)

Alright, this is getting a bit too long, so I'm going to get to the bits that disappointed me. That's really one major thing: the gender politics. I don't know how different the show is from the web toon it's based on, so I can't tell whether they made significant changes to the basic plot and characters. As in- I have no idea if the webtoon was as male dominated in every way as the show is, so I'm not sure how much of the show's treatment of women as a class, and its female characters in particular, I should lay at the door of the original writer vs the screenwriter and director. I'm also lacking the Korean context in which this was written and made and aired, so you may take my criticism with a pinch of salt, if you please!

That the show features mainly male characters is perhaps unsurprising and realistic, since we know that the kind of corporate life it depicts is very male dominated, top to bottom. The show also portrays the very real and horrific overt and subtle misogyny that women face in the workplace and out of it; mainly in the character of Ahn Young-yi, played with steely determination and quiet suffering by the lovely Kang so-ra. There are only 3 other female characters that have any sort of real speaking role- Sun Ji Young (played by Shin Eun jung), a senior manager at the company, Jang Geu-rae's unnamed(!) mother (played by the amazing Sung Byoung-Sook) and Oh Sang-sik's unnamed (!) wife (played by Oh Yoon-Hong, who's a delight in every tiny scene she has). There are other women who appear but in very minor roles, and often in "comedy" moments that often rely on sexist tropes to start with.

Anyway, right there you can see one of the problems- 4 women characters that have any kind of real screen time, and only 2 of them are named. Aigoo! Screenwriter Jung Yoon-jung is a woman, and like, I don't like putting the burden on any one woman to y'know fix structural misogyny, but I can't also help feeling disappointed that she overlooked even this "small" thing among the larger things.

But that apart, the main issue for me was that while the show doesn't shy away from depicting egregious sexism in the form of sexual harrassment, verbal and physical and certainly emotional abuse, in a manner that's clear that we are meant to be horrified by it--it falls short of depicting how women deal and work with it. It just doesn't give enough space to women or their worldview.

It's very comfortable depicting victimhood, but doesn't put work into depicting the ways in which women survive by finding solidarity with other women. We have a scene or two where Ahn Young-yi who is this show's poster child for female victimhood interacts with the older women who offer sympathy and understanding, but no real strategy or support. And yes, we see men also being targeted by their seniors for the grossest verbal and physical abuse; and it's men who help Ahn Young-yi strategise on how to deal with her situation. Real life experience tells me that it's the women who do this work for other women. I have certainly been on both sides of this equation, for one, and so has every woman that I know in corporate life. And yes, one of the show's core philosophies is that those who endure, survive--but it is none the less extremely painful to watch Ahn Young yi "endure" the kind of abuse she does as a coping strategy and a survival strategy.

At the end of it, when she slowly manages to gain the support of her sexist team, it's shown as a victory-- though naturally imperfect, because this show takes its Realism very seriously (right until the end where it makes a tonal shift into quirky that I was a little ?? about)-- and y'know, sure, it is a victory. And I absolutely understand the choices she makes and why she does it-- I guess I just got annoyed by the fact that other antagonistic figures in the narrative get a more straightforward comeuppance for their egregious behavior, but Ahn Young-yi doesn't even get a goddamned apology from her abusers. Instead, we have a half humourous, half serious moment where she comments on how she's working at turning herself into "someone cute"- because she understands now that sometimes the right strategy is to "go with the flow". Be the water that slowly wears away at the rock. It's an interesting moment- the men she tells this to are taken aback by her bluntness, but also a little clueless about what she means. It's the kind of nuance that I would and do enjoy. Unfortunately, it also closely follows one of the show's most annoying scenes at the tail end of the series- where it tries to play off workplace sexism and misogyny as comedy- boys being boys-Reader, when I tell you that I had to WORK to unclench my jaw--!

I'm not saying we should have a single and obvious narrative of female emancipation. I'm not against realism in fiction, but god, sometimes, please do remember that when we look for escapism, we are actually imagining a better world. The first step toward liberation is allowing yourself to imagine it.

And the show does allow other characters its moments of unfettered fantasy- Im Si Wan parkour-ing all over the rooftops of Amman- and having a semi mystical + Indiana Jones moment in the deserts of Jordan--so why, I ask, are the women not given that gift?

*looks into the camera *

Tl;dr: I enjoyed it, it made me cry every episode, and I cared about all the characters, and if you haven't watched it yet, treat yourselves.

PS. Yes, Han Seok-yul is a disaster bi, sorry, I don't make the rules. Yes, hotties Oh Min Seok and Kang Ha-neul are canonically naked in a hot tub six feet apart because they are bros. Yes, I will be writing the fix it in which they fuck like angry bunnies. Yes, I am going to put my shipper cooties all over this gen slice of life show, deal with it.

#misaeng #kdrama #thinky thoughts

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qhostqizmo · 4 years ago

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Big Plans

Inhaling the aroma of her honey lavender tea, Essätha gazed out at the bustling market square with a forlorn smile. Carriages passed the streets filled with merchants and travelers without a care in the world. People haggled and hustled their goods as they did daily, like everything was normal. Any one of these strangers could be living a secret life; members of the Whispered Shadow waiting for their moment to strike. Others were simply living normal lives, having no clue that their friend or neighbor or loved one could be secretly plotting to see their downfall.

The reality of it all was strange and terrifying. She looked down into her drink, with steam drifting up and her scone biscuits nestled in her lap. The sound of the fountain she rested on continued to gurgle and bubble, and the chatter of her friends and the passerbys walking around was incredibly normal, yet her apprehension kept whispering in the back of her head. Wait for it. Something could happen in the blink of an eye; the next civilian trying to stab her heart or drown her; grab her bag or mark her in some way for someone or something else to finish the job.

Nothing ever felt quite safe. The Yuan-Ti woman bitterly wondered if the world ever would again, or if some part of her mind was always going to want to glance over her shoulder one last time to make sure the shadow behind her hadn’t moved.

A foot moved into her lowered vision, and she glanced up to see a man taking a seat beside her. He offered a kind smile, and had a soft gaze for such lovely dark eyes. The gentleman offered her a small transparent bag, and inside she could see two chocolate chip cookies.

Essie grinned, accepting the gift. “I haven’t even finished my blueberry scones yet, m’lord.”

“You could always save the cookies for later,” Amon offered. He gestured to the spot beside her. “May I?”

“Please,” she eagerly replied, adding on jokingly as he took a seat, “It’s not as though I own the fountain. You’re welcome to it as much as I.”

“It is your time and your space, though.”

“I suppose… Very clever, m’lord.”

Amon responded with a shy smile, his thigh brushing hers as he situated himself. She twiddled her fingers against her mug nervously before taking a drink. It wasn’t quite sweet enough, but it was delightfully warm. The mixture of the heat and the relaxing scent calmed her nerves some.

In silence, the nobleman drank from his own mug. The world moved all around them, against them; the gears to a modern day grinding along. The sun moved in the sky, the townsfolk went about mundane routines and tasks, and she took a moment to try finding peace in the chaos of her life.

She peeked over at Amon as he nibbled on his own scone. A smile pulled at her lips. Well, she had plenty to be grateful for, even if her life was far from predictable.

Catching her gaze, the Illiad heir raised an eyebrow.

“Do I have crumbs in my beard?”

Giggling, she reached up to rub her hand against his cheek. “No. I’m sorry for staring, I was just taking a… a moment to appreciate.”

He smiled fondly. “Appreciate what?” His voice was quiet compared to the fountain. She found herself lost in his eyes; in the sculpture of his cheekbone beneath her palm and the texture of his black whiskers beneath her fingertips. There was certainly a lot to appreciate.

Swallowing, the sorceress pulled her hand away. There was a twisting reaction in her gut, watching his expression. He was so nakedly easy to read; the way he leaned in to her touch to try following her fingers, only to look disappointed and wounded when she pulled too far for him to follow without appearing pathetic to throw himself against her. It made her heart feel hollow, and brittle.

“Just… appreciate,” she ventured, drawing her eyes away. She breathed deeply, tearing off a piece of scone. Popping it into her mouth, she muttered in an unlady-like way while chewing: “It’s rare we get moments to sit in public like this without rushing for somewhere to be. I was just enjoying the moment, with you.”

Amon reached up to tug at his collar. He dropped his hand to flex it awkwardly a few times, before reaching to touch her hands as they cradled her cup. She met his deep gaze.

“I enjoy your company too, Essie.”

Her heart somewhere in her throat, the sorceress’ tilted her head towards him and took another drink of tea. “Almost makes us look like ordinary people, hmm?”

He scoffed. “Me, certainly. You? I would not dream of calling you ordinary.”

“And why is that?”

Coughing into his beverage, her nobleman pulled at his collar once more.

“Is it the eyes,” she teased, batting her lashes.

Amon made a strangled noise, his expression flush. “There is a great many marvelous things about you.”

She laughed quietly, and instantly regretted it. He seemed to deflate; and anything else he appeared wishing to utter left him. Courage lost, he went back to hastily drinking his tea, his face still burning a deep red.

Helplessly guilty, she reached out to caress his shoulder. “I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”

A grunt. He took a bite of his scone to keep himself from having to answer.

With a sigh, Essätha slumped a bit, taking a bite of her of own sweet biscuit. She chewed on it thoughtfully, enjoying the pop of sugary fruit on her tongue. Her eyes drifted closed. She took a drink of her tea.

“Too bad we can’t have more moments like these.”

“… Why not? There’s a fountain in the courtyard at the manor. Or perhaps you were hoping to have the background noise of the market, too. I could always have a fountain erected in the market-”

Snorting back giggles in her tea, Essie placed a hand on Amon’s arm to keep from falling back into the water. His smile lit up her entire world as he steadied her; wrapping an arm around her shoulder.

“Is that what you’d like to happen next? Cozy afternoons with scones and tea by a fountain on the regular?”

A rather pained look etched over the lines of his face. The nobleman’s brow pulled down, and he grinned through the pain as he whispered, “Does that not sound fulfilling to you?”

Backpedaling, Essätha choked on her scone a little. “It does,” she coughed, grabbing the front of his jerkin in reassurance to haul herself closer. The blush deepened in his face once more as she stared up into his eyes, her face close.

“I just- wouldn’t want it to get dull,” she admitted quietly. “After such an… exciting life of adventure as this.”

Amon chuckled hoarsely, and a bit weary. “Exciting is one way to put it. I would think seeing an end to the violence and terror would be refreshing.”

“That… Would be nice,” Essie agreed softly, setting her mug down. She let go of Amon’s coat, smoothing out the fabric with a delicate hand as she murmured, “There’s always more experiences to be had, anywhere. I’m sure we could find new places to see still, and… Well, things to experience, when you aren’t busy as a Lord.”

Once again, the torn look returned. Amon removed his arm from around her to take hold of her hand. “I would never be too busy for you, Essie.”

She swallowed. A hunger; silent and yearning, set her heart aflame. Her fingers curled, capturing the spaces between his which he so easily surrendered to her. A craving for touch that was more vast than the universe.

“No big grand and heroic plans on your return, then?” she taunted him playfully. “No monuments in your honor? No elaborate parties? No day dedicated just for you? Just a fountain, and the promise of scones and tea with me?”

“Every afternoon,” Amon vowed in a breathless daze, leaning in closer.

Her heart tripped over itself trying to claw itself closer to him. “Is the all? After all this, that’s all you look forward to?”

The scent of leather and fir trees was too close. She could smell the chamomile tea on his breath, too. Essie wondered if his blend had been sweeter than hers, and shamefully, she wanted to find out.

Her brain was soaring; love-drunk, on cloud nine. When had she reached up to card her fingers through his hair? And when had he started to gravitate towards her? She recalled none of these things occurring, yet there they were.

Her next words escaped on an impulse; barely a breath, “What do you want, when this is all through?”

Her nobleman shuddered, and licked his lips nervously. “What if what I want next is you?”

She gasped aloud. It startled Amon; and he suddenly jolted rigidly like he’s been caught doing something sneaky.

Before he could retreat, Essie grabbed his shoulders. She pulled him down as she pulled herself forward, nearly smacking his forehead against hers as he grunted with alarm to reel himself back.

“Do you mean that?” Breathlessly hopeful. He couldn’t mean that, could he-

Swallowing, Amon gave a strangled noise in the back of his throat. He appeared unable to vocalize an answer; his mouth gaping, and he submitted to finally offering her only a mute and terrified brisk nod.

Her cheeks warmed. She let go of his shoulders to caress his face instead. If her heart had been thunderous prior, it was roaring now. Amon practically melted and collapsed into her touch; sighing sweetly as he tenderly nuzzled his face into her hands. He was but the image of a poor and starving man, finally given the touch he craved so desperately. His face was on fire, and her fingertips were kerosene causing him to blush deeper.

The sorceress’ heart lurched in her chest. She shuddered herself, the pads of her thumbs stroking along his cheekbones and the bridge of his nose. His ocean was dragged her in, deeper and deeper. The depth of his eyes were vast and wide; and she could see the twinkling light of the sun dancing along the surface. He was consuming her with his gaze alone, and she was sure where that sea would drag her; deep, deep into the depths where no one else had tread before, was going to be some place vast and wonderful. Atlantis itself would not be able to hold a candle to such paradise.

“Essie,” Amon whined. His hands were shaking as he reached for her; a request for permission.

Her lip trembled. She gasped; pulling in air to the bottom of her lungs, trying to find the words.

They breathed together then; loud and almost violent.

“Tell me you love me,” Essätha rasped; her fingers desperately dragging through his hair. “Tell me you love me; that’s all I need to hear to stay.”

A groan echoed in his throat. “I love you Essie, and I don’t care who hears it,” Amon replied.

“I love you too, m’lord Amon,” she announced in a whispered rush. Her grin was splitting her face, it caused her cheeks to ache.

He was still reaching for her; hands shaking, waiting with baited breath. With his head cradled in one hand, she took hold of one of his hands, and rested it to her cheek.

Taking this as a cue for permission granted, her nobleman took hold of her other cheek as well; softly, carefully, weary of his own hands. Essätha laughed weakly; mesmerized by how beautiful this moment was, how gently his touch was. Her own hands were not as tender. She was greedy. Her palms smothered his features; skimming along his lip and stroking through his hair and over his sideburns and down his throat, over his shoulders, against the back of his neck to link together-

She pulled him in closer as he stared at her, his eyes boggling wide.

She discovered his tea was indeed sweeter; less acidic, more honey. His lips were even more divine than the drink lingering on his tongue, though.

“Essätha,” Amon murmured; his eyes half-mast now. She felt the echo of her own name somewhere deeper; stirring in her chest. It was as though she’d heard it for the very first time.

“I want cookies instead of scones on those afternoon dates by the fountain, m’lord Amon,” she informed him, her lips brushing his.

“Yes,” he mouthed; likely not even knowing what he was agreeing to.

Her arms seized him around the neck as he encouraged her to tilt her head with his hands, and he kissed her with heavenly intent.

She decided she very much liked the idea of living a ‘normal life’, if this is what it was going to entail.

#qhost story #OTP: Essamon #Essatha Meduza #Amon Illiad #softly written

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hardlyfatal · 6 years ago

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gary’s writing workshop: lesson 4: showing vs. telling

The main way a writer tells, rather than shows, is when they inform the reader that the narrator is experiencing an emotion or sensing something instead of describing it; or they describe it, but with mundane and bland words that communicate how the character feels without without any effective emotional impact.

Everything we perceive is sensed somehow; that’s how organisms acquire information. Our primary sense is vision, then hearing, then touch. Smell and taste are not so often the bearers of important information, but but when they are, they can have an enormous impact.

And most of the things we perceive spark an emotion of some sort. Humans are very binary creatures; we tend to define things as present vs. absent. If we like something, we want it all the time, and its presence feels good and its absence feels bad. If we dislike something, we don’t want it, ever, and its presence makes us feel bad, and its absence good.

I know this seems elementary, but stick with me.

Within the umbrella terms of ‘good’ and ‘bad’ are myriad terms you can use to elaborate. The awesomest thing about the English language that, since it’s basically half-a-dozen other languages stacked under a raincoat trying to pass themselves off as a single cohesive tongue, we have multiple vocabularies from which to pick an incredibly precise word or phrase in describing what we mean. Germanic, Latinate, Greek, even Norse-- all have contributed a fantastic array of adjectives and adjectival phrases so if exactly what we mean cannot be found in one, there’s a good chance we can find it in one of the others.

With this at our fingertips, why are people not punching up their narrative and bringing their stories to life, to make their prose spring into our mind’s eye? Why are so many stories delivered with so little hint to how things feel to the characters? Because writers simply haven’t been taught how.

The way to make an impact, to bring the reader along with the character, is to describe how the sense, and the emotion attached to it, manifests in the character.

This issue is another Battle of the Balance, because if you show every emotion instead of telling them, you’ll have an endless mess of a story describing people with each nerve ending a-quiver the entire time. That’s exhausting, and will drive away readers. Heck, you’ll drive yourself away – it’s just too laborious.

But by the same token, you need to bring the reader along with the characters as they bumble their way through life, seething with all the messy emotions and feelings inherent in simply existing. If you skimp on this, you will miss opportunities to connect the reader to the characters, to make the reader care about what happens. If you don’t use words that emotionally affect the reader, they’re left feeling like they’re reading a police report instead of a fictional narrative. We don’t want just the facts, ma’am. We want to experience it along with the characters.

So how do you achieve this balance? It’s very situation-dependent.

When to do it:

You have to train yourself to understand and see when a moment – not necessarily an entire scene – will be an emotional one. Just walking into a room isn’t emotional… unless the room is particularly shabby or grand in a way that evokes emotion in the character, or perhaps someone inside the room is a pleasant (or unpleasant) surprise to them. Discoveries, which are often plot points and thus important, are moments that might elicit emotion in the narrative character, and thus could benefit from some showing.

I’m sure you know this already, and take care to include descriptions where pertinent and needed. But are you showing these moments, or are you telling them?

When you describe how something looks, don’t just say it’s lovely; how is it lovely?

From Desperado, the moment Brienne sees Jaime through the jailhouse window:

Then a face appeared on the other side of the glass, and Brienne reeled back with a little scream before she recognized it: those piercing green eyes, that granite-hewn jaw, those sculpted lips, the busted nose that kept him handsome instead of edging into prettiness…

And when Brienne looks at him, does she just flatly recognize he’s handsome, or does his handsomeness elicit some emotional or physical reaction in her?

Brienne took another step back; it was unsafe to be too close to him, for reasons of propriety and sanity and possibly a few other things she hadn’t words for.

“Don’t go,” he said, barely audible through the glass. “Stay and talk to me. It’s so dull in here.”

And then he smiled at her, and Brienne’s heart seized in her chest.

What is shown by the second snippet’s content is particularly important to the purpose of our discussion today. When people are emotional, whether in a positive or negative way, they experience physiological changes. Angry people often narrow their eyes and clench their fists; nervous people might have restless energy or dry mouths and throats.

When an emotionally-fraught moment comes up in your story – indeed, every time a character feels an emotion – go through the five senses. What physical sensation does the emotion cause in their body? What does it look like outwardly? How does it sound and feel? Sometimes even taste and smell can come into it, depending on the emotion.

Here’s the main thing to remember: to show instead of tell, you need to keep a baseline awareness of senses and sensory input going at all times. Whenever a character feels something, think about the situation. Will showing bring a visceral understanding of the moment to the reader? Or will it bog down the narrative because it’s just not that important?

How to do it:

1. Word choice. Have your thesaurus (or thesaurus.com) handy at all times, and instead of the mundane word or phrase you might have chosen, pick a synonym that means basically the same thing, but evokes more of a sensory experience or gives more of a hint of what the person is thinking. In the passage below, where I’ve punched up basically the same thing with more evocative language, I’ve indented instances.

Note: sometimes this means replacing a single word with a phrase, instead. But this not only results in a higher word count – usually a good thing – but often in more elaborate syntax and punctuation, so make sure your line editing/betaing is on point when you do it, to avoid errors. If you have an uncertain grasp of grammar and punctuation, and you don’t have access to a good editor, maybe just stick to straight substitution, word-for-word, instead of expanding from the single adjective to an adjectival phrase, etc.

2. Formatting. With punctuation, emphasis (italics, etc.), paragraph breaks, and pauses, the way you present the words can punch up the emotion and show what’s happening, rather than merely telling. This can be especially effective in dialogue, to indicate pauses as the speaker gathers their thoughts, or stumbles over their words, stammers with nervousness, pauses for impact.

3. Elaboration. Don’t be so concise all the time! Expand on concepts, pinpoint what it is about a situation that’s making the character feel as they do. Give us motivation, contemplation, snippets of history that lead the person to choices and actions and things they say.

Example

Below are two versions of the scene from Desperado where Brienne saves Jaime from hanging by marrying him. It’s not the entire scene, just the pivotal moment where she announces her intention to marry one of the men. The first version is what I published, a version that ‘shows’ what’s happening for peak effectiveness. In the second version, I revised it to ‘tell’ instead.

Note how, in the ‘showing’ version, the word choices make it more visceral, the elaboration spends more time on the emotions Brienne is feeling as well as providing insight to her personality and values and even providing a bit of her history, and the formatting enhances the knowledge that she’s agitated and nervous and struggling.

Original ‘Showing’ Version (word count: 860)

It was time. She had to speak.

It was time.

Now, Brienne.

Now. Now!

“N-no!” she made herself shout. “I invoke the rule of court that commutes a man’s sentence if a woman marries him.”

Judge Baelish’s face contorted in frustration. “What rule of court is this?” he demanded.

Sickeningly aware that the eye of every person in the room was on her, easily hearing the excited whispers coming from all around, Brienne strode forward. She shouldered aside the crowd and thrust the paper in the judge’s face. Baelish snatched it from her hand, his pale eyes darting over it, and a slow flush started at his collar, spreading upward until his entire face was an angry red.

“If you want to see the law book, I’m sure we can… find it and bring it to you,” Brienne told him.

She looked back over the crowd for Sam Tarly. He was there, halfway to the back, bouncing on tiptoes to see over taller persons in front of him, and when he heard her, he waved his arms and shouted, “Yes! I’ve got it!”

“Bring it,” Judge Baelish commanded.

Sam bustled forward and held it out; Sheriff Clegane took it and slapped it onto the judge’s outstretched palm. Baelish opened it to where a slip of paper marked the page, and ran a fingertip down the page until he found the pertinent section. His eyes narrowed as he read, more and more until they were hardly open at all.

Then he lifted his head and shut the book in quick, jerky movements before handing it back to Clegane. Sam took the book back and receded into the crowd.

“Very well. Miss—” he began, his voice glacial.

“Tarth. Brienne Tarth.”

“—Miss Tarth, which of these gentlemen will be your new husband?”

Brienne’s breath sawed in and out of her chest, her lungs heaving so hard they ached. How could she do this?

She thought of who would be left behind, devastated, vulnerable, if he died. Their suffering would be on her conscience for the rest of her life.

How could she not?

She croaked a name, but it was incomprehensible. She licked her lips, swallowed. It didn’t help. She sucked in more air and tried again, louder.

“Jaime Lannister.”

The man in question had hung his head when convicted, not expecting anything but a march to the noose, the very image of dejection. His head snapped up, now, and the dead expression faded from his eyes, replaced by a wild hope. Brienne could only meet his gaze for a second before she flinched away from the force of it.

Behind her, the ballroom had gone absolutely silent for a few seconds that felt like hours. Then, in a rush, everyone started speaking at once. Brienne was sure she could hear Sansa’s voice exclaiming her name.

“I’m sorry,” she said to Jon, her eyes filling with tears. She was the worst friend in the world, the worst person, a liar and a schemer. She didn’t deserve his comprehension, or his forgiveness, but she couldn’t keep from speaking, from trying, anyway. “I’m so sorry, Jon. But his children… they don’t have anyone else. They don’t have anyone. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

His eyes were wide, shocked. There had been confusion on his face at first, but it settled into resignation and a sort of exhausted acceptance.

“I understand,” he said wearily. “I don’t blame you.”

Sheriff Clegane unlocked Jaime’s handcuffs. Jaime rubbed his wrists almost absently; his focus was on Brienne, his sharp green eyes not moving from her for a second. She felt profoundly uncomfortable to be the recipient of such attention, but she couldn’t look away, and she couldn’t stop crying.

“Dry your tears, Miss Tarth,” said the judge in his oily tone. “It’s your wedding day.”

Brienne clamped her eyes shut and took a few deep breaths, reaching inward for the fortitude which had gotten her through losing her mother and Galladon, which had kept her going when they’d had that bad year a while back and thought they’d have to sell the ranch. She had lived through all of that. She’d live through this, too.

When she opened her eyes, they were dry. Her face was hot, and she knew she was still flushed from crying and likely uglier than she’d ever been in her life. It felt like she should be even more ugly, now, her act of treachery in choosing Jaime instead of Jon showing as a physical mark, a scarlet letter like in that book she’d once read, branded on her cheek to warn others away from her perfidy.

“I’m ready,” she said, her voice flat. An unnatural calm had fallen over her. She’d made her choice; now she had to live with it. A brush against her sleeve alerted her that her betrothed had stepped up beside her. She glanced at him, noting that he was very nearly her match in height. That was something, she supposed.

He opened his mouth to speak.

“Later,” she said. “Let’s… just get this over with.”

He blinked, then nodded. Brienne turned to face forward.

And married him.

Revised ‘Telling’ Version (word count: 550)

Brienne was scared and hesitant to speak, but she made herself do it.

“No!” she shouted. “I invoke the rule of court that commutes a man’s sentence if a woman marries him.”

Judge Baelish looked angry. “What rule of court is this?” he demanded.

Knowing that the eye of every person in the room was on her, hearing the whispers coming from all around, Brienne pushed through the crowd and handed the paper to the judge. Baelish looked it over and turned red in fury.

“If you want to see the law book, I’m sure we can find it and bring it to you,” Brienne told him.

She looked back over the crowd for Sam Tarly. When he heard her, he waved his arms and shouted, “Yes! I’ve got it!”

“Bring it,” Judge Baelish commanded.

Sam came forward and held it out; Sheriff Clegane took it and gave it to the judge. Baelish opened it to where a slip of paper marked the page, reading the pertinent section with narrowed eyes.

Then he slammed the book shut and handed it back to Clegane. Sam took the book and stepped back.

“Very well. Miss—” he began in a cold tone.

“Tarth. Brienne Tarth.”

“—Miss Tarth, which of these gentlemen will be your new husband?”

Brienne felt like she couldn’t breathe. How could she do this?

She thought of who would be left behind if he died. Their suffering would be on her conscience for the rest of her life.

How could she not?

She said a name, but it was incomprehensible. She took a deep breath and tried again.

“Jaime Lannister.”

The man in question had hung his head when convicted, not expecting anything but execution. His head came up, now, and he looked very hopeful. Brienne could only manage to look at him for a moment.

Behind her, the ballroom had gone quiet. Then everyone started speaking at once. Brienne was sure she could hear Sansa’s voice calling her name.

“I’m sorry,” she said to Jon, starting to cry. She felt like a terrible person. She didn’t deserve anything from him but she tried anyway. “I’m so sorry, Jon. But his children don’t have anyone else. I’m sorry.”

He looked shocked. There had been confusion on his face at first, but then it turned to tired acceptance.

“I understand,” he said, seeming tired. “I don’t blame you.”

Sheriff Clegane unlocked Jaime’s handcuffs. Jaime rubbed his wrists while staring at Brienne. She felt strange to have him watch her like that, but she couldn’t look away, and she couldn’t stop crying.

“Dry your tears, Miss Tarth,” said the judge. “It’s your wedding day.”

Brienne closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths to steady herself. She’d been through a lot in the past few years. She’d live through this, too.

She soon opened her eyes again.

“I’m ready,” she said calmly. She’d made her choice; now she had to live with it. Jaime came to stand at her side and she noticed they were almost the same height. At least they had that in common.

He opened his mouth to speak.

“Later,” she said. “Let’s just get this over with.”

He nodded, and Brienne turned to face forward.

And married him.

Homework

Take the most emotional moment you’ve ever written and evaluate it for showing vs. telling. Do a side-by-side revision of it, as I did above, marking either where you’ve done well in showing or where you’ve done poorly by telling. Where you’ve done poorly by telling, revise what you have to improve it according to the three methods: better word choice, formatting, and elaboration.

#gary's writing workshop #writing #writing tips #writing resources #writing references

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purrincess-chat · 6 years ago

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How an Angel Falls CH1

It’s Speedgamer September, yall! Finally getting into one of the fics I have planned for this month. This chapter covers day 5: Protect, and is the beginning of my Kimax story for my fantasy AU. Initially I was going to make Max a vampire, but I decided to make him a human scientist/researcher type person instead. Kim is still an angel and a disaster bi though. Hope you enjoy it!

Read on AO3

Chapter 1

To be an angel, you must abide by one rule: Never interact with humans.

For the most part, angels were free to do as they pleased so long as they remained out of sight of the inhabitants of the earth, but Kim had grown tired of spending his days fluttering through the clouds. Sure, his friends were there, and he had an unsurpassable lead in cloud-ball, but Kim had come to find life as an angel a bit…dull.

More and more he found himself looking forward to the times when they went down below, watching over the citizens and protecting them from harm. Naturally, they remained intangible and invisible to the human eye, simply implanting thoughts or gently nudging them in the right direction to avoid harm, but life below was so much more exciting and lively. He wanted to experience pain and taste the food that always smelled so tantalizing when he’d fly past an open window. For once in his life, he wanted to be seen.

But such things were forbidden, and he knew as much, so he spent his days sneaking peeks through the clouds, hoping to catch a glimpse of their activities. Singing, dancing, swimming, laughing. He once made the mistake of bringing it up to the Guardian, and he still regretted it to this day.

“Master Fu,” He had called one sunny afternoon, gliding over to where the old man meditated. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course, Kim,” Master Fu nodded, blinking open his eyes and folding his hands in his lap neatly. “What is on your mind?”

“Why can’t we talk to humans?” He asked, resting his chin on his fists, and Master Fu straightened, his kind smile falling into a solemn frown.

“Kim, we have one rule,” He said patiently, though his eyes carried a fire that Kim had never seen before.

“I know, I know, but why? What’s so wrong with humans? They seem pretty happy to me,” He said, rubbing the back of his neck and flinching when the old master stood up.

“Are you not happy here, Kim?” He asked smoothly, masking the anger in his voice. “Have I not provided you with everything that you need?”

“That’s not what I meant-”

“Here you cannot feel pain or sorrow. You never feel the ache of hunger nor the itch of thirst. Never once have you been burned by flames or bitten by ice,” Master Fu said harshly. “You have everything you need to be happy here. Have you grown tired of our way of life? Would you like to clip your wings and spend your life down on earth?”

“No, Master!” He gaped in horror, shrinking back under his fierce gaze. “I just don’t see why it’s such a big deal-”

“Do you think that a human could understand you?” Master Fu’s tone changed, and he leaned back, clasping his hands together behind his back. “Humans might seem kind and gentle to you, Kim, but they are capable of so much harm. Angels possess a magic that cannot be abused, and when humans discover power, they grasp it with all of their might until they squeeze out every last drop.”

“Oh.” Kim deflated, shifting his gaze to his lap.

“We must never let them know of our existence, or they could wipe out our kind for good.” Master Fu stated with a cutting finality.

“I see,” Kim said, trailing his fingers through the cloud beneath him.

“Kim.” He looked up into the Guardian’s serious frown. “Don’t ever ask to speak to the humans again.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ever since that day, he kept his fascination a secret. Sure, angel life could be boring at times, but he wouldn’t trade it for the world. If Master Fu found out that he spent extra time watching the humans, he’d clip his wings for sure. Even still, he did often wonder what it would be like to be human, and he wished that he could spend just one day down there. That might be enough to sate his appetite.

“Kim?” He startled a little at the voice over his shoulder, flipping around to find curious green eyes hovering over him.

“Ondine!” He said guiltily, sitting up stiffly, and she fluttered back out of his way. “You surprised me.”

“What are you doing all the way out here?” She asked, glancing around.

“Oh nothing, just, um, meditating,” He lied, rubbing the back of his neck.

“While laying down?” She cocked a brow, an amused smirk curling on her lips. “Sounds more like a nap to me.”

“You caught me.” He shrugged, and she let out a triumphant giggle.

“Well, I hope you’re rested because we’re about to start a game of cloud-ball. Do you want to join us?” She offered hopefully, and Kim pursed his lips, casting a longing glance over the edge of his cloud before letting out a short sigh.

“Yeah. Be right there.”

Kim wanted more than the life he had. He wanted to see more, do more, experience the world, but part of him also didn’t want to give up his life as an angel. Why couldn’t he have the best of both worlds? Why wasn’t there some middle ground? Why did everything in his life have to be so black and white?

“What’s on your mind?” Ondine asked later as they lounged together on a cloud.

“Nothing,” Kim replied glumly, lying on his stomach and resting his head on his arms.

“Doesn’t sound like nothing. You look down,” She said, rolling onto her side and prodding him.

“Yeah, that’s kind of my problem,” He grumbled under his breath, and Ondine’s face fell worriedly. “Can you keep a secret?” Her eyebrows raised in surprise, but she nodded in affirmation, so he leaned in closer. “I can’t stop thinking about humans.”

“Kim, it’s forbidden!” She gasped, sitting up, and Kim shot up, clamping a hand over her mouth and shushing her frantically.

“Keep it down!” He hissed, and she stared at him with wide eyes.

“Kim, you know it’s against the rules,” She whispered when he removed his hand.

“I know! But I can’t help it. I’m not planning on doing anything, I just…Sometimes I wish that things were different,” He said, rolling back onto his stomach and peeking over the edge down to the city below. “They’re fascinating to me.”

“Just promise me that you won’t do anything stupid. Master Fu will clip your wings,” She pleaded, and Kim glanced up at her with a small smile, extending a pinkie out to her.

“I promise,” He said, and she relaxed a little, linking her finger with his.

“Good. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you. You’re my best friend.” She blushed, averting her gaze shyly.

“Don’t worry about me. I’d never give up my wings for real. I’m curious, but not enough to do anything about it,” He assured her. “I’m sure I’ll get over it eventually. C’mon, let’s head back to the palace.”

“You sure do love to flirt with danger, Kim,” Ondine remarked as they flew, and his laugh echoed across the sky.

“Life’s more fun that way,” He called, swirling around in loops. “Hey, watch this!”

He swooped down abruptly, flipping over onto his back and spreading his arms out into a free fall, catching himself after a moment and shooting back up through the cloud. Ondine laughed as he waggled his eyebrows around his cloud beard, though their attention was quickly diverted by a flock of birds flying below them.

“Whoa, look at those!” Kim gasped, an awed grin curling on his lips. “Let’s follow them!”

“Kim, we should really be getting back now!” Ondine called after him in vain as he darted after them, and after a moment of hesitation, she followed. “Kim!”

He hovered just above the flock, watching them squawk and flap their wings in unison, a chuckle bubbling up from his chest. Earth was full of interesting creatures, and he shifted his gaze down to the surface just briefly, catching a glimpse of movement in the trees below. Someone was down there!

He stopped short, causing Ondine to nearly plow into him, and fixed his gaze on the forest below. She followed his line of sight, a frown screwing on her lips.

“Kim,” She said with a warning tone.

“He’s all alone. Something could happen to him,” He said defensively, and Ondine gave him a disapproving look. “I’m not going to interact with him. I’m just gonna make sure he gets home okay. That’s our job, right? Making sure no harm comes to innocent people?”

“Fine, but don’t interact with him!” Ondine said seriously, and Kim rolled his eyes.

“I’m not stupid, Ondine,” He retorted, placing his hands on his hips. “I’ll meet you back at the palace as soon as I’m done.”

She watched him soar down with a reluctant pout, debating whether she should follow him or not. Kim was reckless and goofy, but she trusted that he had enough sense to keep that promise, so she turned away and headed home, leaving him to his own devices.

Kim landed on a tree limb a little ways up the path from the young man and watched intently as he stooped to examine a plant. He was shorter than Kim which he found adorable, and he wore a pair of thick rimmed glasses and a large backpack. What was he doing out in the woods all alone? Wasn’t it dangerous? Regardless, Kim was here to protect him now, and he supposed that man was lucky to have him even if he had no idea.

Feeling a bit daring, he moved closer to look over the man’s shoulders into the journal he was writing in. It’s not like he could see Kim anyway, so there was no harm in peeking. Kim watched as he scribbled down some notes before clipping off a stem from the plant and closing it between the pages of his notebook before putting it away in his bag and continuing on. Humans were odd, and Kim wondered what the purpose of his behavior was, though he knew he’d likely never find out. It was incredibly frustrating, and the temptation to reveal himself grew stronger with each passing minute. He supposed popping out of nowhere would frighten the poor guy, so he fell back a little to lower his temptation.

Although the man’s actions were incredibly mundane, Kim found himself enthralled by every movement. Humans were so delicate and cute, and he found himself chuckling giddily when the man’s brow creased in focus as he scribbling in his notebook. He’d never felt this bubbly feeling about a human before. Sure, he always took interest in their lives, but something about this one in particular made his stomach perform little flips. He could have watched him clipping samples of plants for hours, but the man stared down at his notes, too engrossed to notice the cliff up ahead.

Not a problem. Kim thought, whispering into his ear to look up, but the man’s focus couldn’t be broken no matter how many impulses Kim supplied, and he swiftly began to panic. If he didn’t do something, the man was going to fall, but it wasn’t like he could touch him! Kim was running out of time, and his usual techniques weren’t working. Angels were only allowed to meddle so much before they just allowed nature to take its course, but Kim didn’t want that to happen. Not to this one.

He held his breath as the man stepped over the edge, yelping in surprise as he scrambled to grab onto the cliff, his notebook plunging down into the trees below. Glancing over his shoulder at the drop, he swallowed hard before attempting to gain his footing. Kim flitted down to help, supplying secure footholds, but each time they broke as the man kicked and squirmed. He was losing his grip, and Kim was running out of options. Perhaps there was nothing he could do to save this one; fate had staked its claim, but as the man cried out for help, Kim felt his heart wrench. His fingers scraped the dirt, unable to maintain their grip, and when his foot slipped, he lost any semblance of control, falling backward down to the trees below.

Kim’s mind shut off, instincts taking over as he dove after him, and in a flash of light, he made himself tangible, grasping the small man in his arms and flipping over. He grunted as they hit the trees, Kim taking a majority of the damage as they tumbled through the branches, eventually hitting the ground. They laid their dazed before the man sat up, scrambling away from Kim with wide eyes, stuttering incoherently as Kim sat up and rubbing his back.

“Y-Y-You’re-” He pointed a shaking hand, and Kim glanced down at his hands curling his shoulders a little then wincing in pain as his wings shifted. “You’re hurt.”

Kim touched his right wing gently, hissing as a stinging sensation pricked its way up his spine. Was this what pain felt like? He wasn’t a fan, but he had much bigger problems to attend to than a busted wing.

“And you’re not,” He said, standing up with a labored grunt. “You’re welcome.”

“You saved me,” The man stated, looking him up and down as he limped away.

“Yeah, don’t mention it,” He said, waving it away. “Seriously, don’t mention it. To anyone. Just forget you even saw me.”

“Who are you?” The man asked, following after him, which was relatively easy with how slow he was moving.

“That’s classified,” He said, focusing on moving forward, but the pain radiating from his wings was too much.

“Are you my guardian angel?” The man tilted his head to the side.

“Something like that.” Kim stopped and leaned against a tree, clutching his side with labored heaves.

“Remarkable,” He gasped, trailing his fingers over Kim’s feathers, and his skin pricked at his touch. “Sorry, you’re in pain. Let me help you. My house isn’t too far from here.”

“I can’t.” Kim shook his head. “Technically, you were never even supposed to see me, so this is already bad enough. I can’t risk being spotted by someone else.”

“Well, I’m the only person who walks around these woods. The townspeople are all too afraid of monsters, but the local fauna is just incredible out here,” The man replied with a distant smile before shaking himself. “I live alone, so there’s no risk of anyone else spotting you.” When Kim hesitated, he added, “You saved my life, now let me save yours.”

Kim weighed his options carefully. On one hand, this was the opportunity he’d always been waiting for. A chance to experience life on earth for a day, but on the other hand, Master Fu was going to kill him when he found out. That is…if he found out. Kim supposed there was no reason that Master Fu needed to find out about all of this, and going home with a busted wing was sure to stir up suspicion.

“Fine. You can fix my wing, but then I need to go,” He said decisively.

“Excellent. Follow me,” The man said, pointing onward. “My name is Max by the way. What’s yours?”

“Kim,” He answered after a moment, pursing his lips.

“Nice to meet you, Kim,” Max said with a smile, reaching a hand back, and Kim’s heart stirred in his chest. He’d seen humans exchange these hand touches many times, though he never quite understood the meaning behind it, but he was eager to experience it himself first hand, so he placed his hand in Max’s and gave it a shake.

“So you live out here?” Kim asked conversationally, glancing around at all of the trees. “Alone?”

“Well, I suppose I’m not entirely alone,” Max said, and Kim felt his spine stiffen, though he clutched his shoulder as it burned under the exertion. “See I’ve always been a little more…open-minded, shall we say? Magical creatures are kind of a taboo topic in the kingdom, but I wanted to study them. So, I moved out here, and kind of made a little refuge for injured creatures.”

He parted the bushes and stepped out into a clearing where a large mansion rested, and Kim gaped up at it, impressed. Vines crept up the sides of the house, and many of the bricks were missing, but Kim could see where Max had patched up windows and repaired steps. As they approached, Kim noticed tiny fairies tending to flowers in the garden, and he flinched as a large centaur hammered a board in place around the back.

“I’ve made quite a lot of friends living out here, and they’ve helped me restore this place a little bit,” He explained as Kim stared around in amazement. “So you don’t have to worry about me telling anyone of your existence because I’ve got my own secrets to keep.”

Kim followed him inside the house and over to the east wing where Max’s study rested. He glanced around at all of the books and journals scattered around on nearly every surface. Flipping up the cover of one, he noticed Max’s familiar handwriting and let it shut with a thump.

“Did you write all these?” He asked as Max dug for medical supplies in a cabinet.

“They’re all my notes. I’ve been researching the creatures and plant life out here for several years,” He said over his shoulder, and Kim caught sight of a woman sitting in the window, nearly jumping out of his skin.

“Might I assist?” She offered, and Max glanced up with a smile.

“Yes, thank you, Mireille,” He said, pacing over with a basket of bandages and bottles. “Mireille is a water spirit that lives in the river nearby. She helps me tend to all of the injured beings in this forest.”

“Oh.” Kim watched intently as they rummaged through the supplies and examined his wing.

“They’re very similar to a bird’s wings,” Mireille remarked, lifting his feathers delicately. “The break seems to be clean enough, we can reset it easily then he should be able to mend it with his own healing abilities.”

“Angels can heal?” Max’s eyebrows raised in surprise, and Kim shrank a little, glaring skeptically at Mireille.

“How do you know so much about angels?” He asked harshly, and she smiled innocently.

“Nymphs and angels used to converse a lot in the olden days,” She said, averting her gaze sadly. “Things are much different now, but I still hear stories.”

“I knew that other creatures existed in the world, but the Guardian isn’t too worried about them. We’re only charged with looking after humans,” He stated, catching himself and pressing his lips into a firm line.

“Who is this Guardian? How many of you are there?” Max inquired, but Kim turned away stubbornly.

“We’re forbidden from interacting with humans. It’s like our number one rule. If people got their hands on our abilities…it could be bad,” He said, shifting his gaze to the plant in the corner, and Max slumped a little but nodded in understanding.

“Very well,” He said, moving behind Kim and running a hand along his wing. “Let’s get you fixed up then.”

Kim yelped in pain as he and Mireille pushed his wing back into place, twitching it slightly before pressing a glowing palm to it. He sighed in relief as his magic worked through his bones, erasing any damage before he stretched his wing out carefully. Max eyed him excitedly, and for once, Kim realized how uncomfortable it was to stare at someone like that. Though he supposed out of anyone Max deserved this revenge considering that’s what got Kim into this mess in the first place.

“Incredible,” Max murmured, examining Kim’s wing before he tucked it behind him once more. “Absolutely incredible.”

“Anyway, I should get going,” He said, standing up abruptly, and Max deflated a little, tapping the tips of his fingers together.

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” Max requested hopefully, and Kim scanned the room with a hesitant wince.

There was a lot left that he wanted to experience, but Ondine would grow suspicious if he stayed out much longer. And Kim really didn’t want to tell her that he screwed up and did the one thing he promised he wouldn’t.

“I wish I could, but I can’t,” He said with a sigh. “Angels aren’t supposed to interact with humans. I’m already pressing my luck by being here.”

“Very well.” Max nodded, hugging his arms to his waist. “Thank you for saving me, Kim, and if things ever change…I’d love to learn more about you.”

Kim remained silent as he moved back out front, spreading his wings and hovering a little. More than anything he wanted to go back and ask so many questions, but he pictured Master Fu’s steely glare and pushed the thought from his mind. It couldn’t happen, so he supposed that he should just be grateful that he got his wish, even for a little while, and as he soared back into the sky, he refused to let himself look back.

#miraculous ladybug #kimax #le chien kim #max kante #speedgamer september #my writing #fantasy au

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master-of-evil-lord-of-the-dark · 6 years ago

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Session 4

A few weeks late on the write-up, but session 4 was a doozie. This really was a killer session ;) ...but in the best way possible. I was anxious to run this particular one, but stuck to the script, and boy howdy did it pay off. Sessions like this one are the standard to which I hold all others.

Without any further ado...

Read up on the best session I’ve run in recent history (maybe ever) beyond the cut!

From left to right:

Barton: Bugbear Barbarian

Dell Cherrycheeks: Halfling Monk

Sammel: Tiefling Ranger

Percival: Tabaxi Bard

Maiirien: Elven Sorceress

Malgath: Shadar-kai Cleric of the Raven Queen

Killgore: Triton Wizard

Malgath and Killgore’s players we late, but arrived just in time for the best part.

The session started off with the gang returning to the (proverbial) ghost town of Pike’s Retreat to continue looting exploring the place. In their sights, they had the manor house on the east side of town. The approached, weary of the fish-men that have been plaguing their expeditions, but things were quiet. Before entering the manor, they decided to check out a carriage house adjacent.

Their caution allowed them to get the drop on a giant dire rat. (Dire Wolf stats because actual dire rats are apparently weaksauce) The giant rat summoned several rat swarms to their aide.

A battle ensued, but our heroes quickly dispatched the rodents As they rested and caught their breath, Malgath and Killgore, having left town late, caught up, and at 7 strong, began to scope out the manor house.

(Drawing from my own notes of the hosue notice the greenhouse on the left and the carriage house on the right.)

The center of the house was two stories, so Barton decided to hop up on a wing and try to get a good look through the window. A 3 on the die for the roof strength and a natural 1 on investigation from Barton resulted decidedly in the roof collapsing under their feet. They fell into a workroom on the north (left) side of the house, and summarily let the rest of the party in a side door. Despite (or perhaps due to) their comically loud entrance, they party moved through the house with relative caution and quiet.

They moved from the workroom into the kitchen, and it was there that things started to get strange. Dell could swear there was something behind her ... wait, no, there wasn’t anything there. Try as she might, she could not shake the feeling that something was watching her. And no amount of perception seemed to reveal a presence. ...the rest of the party by contrast was absolutely certain that there was nothing amiss, but nonetheless took caution.

They discovered stairs into the basement, and resolved to explore that later. XD

Coming into the foyer, and a grisly sight was found. The corpse of a half-elf woman, wearing ragged cloths, was stretched towards the door. Her face and back were mangled, and one arm was missing. The blood stairs led up the stairs towards the south side of the house, and about halfway up, her other arm (as well as a set of manacles) were found. Malgath identified an arcane mark on the manacles as one of a variety commonly used within the Imperial penal system.

In a bout of bravery, the gang followed the trail. And found their way to the master bedroom. The room, as the rest of the house, was eerily silent. They explored, and found naught but a small chest of gems, and a mundane mannequin.

Content that they had found all there was to find in the room, they began to make their way downstairs. Maiirien, the last to leave, was attacked! A horrific figure, not quite alive, but not quite dead, lunged from out of nowhere and stuck her in the back with a rusty cutlass.

She was alive but just barely. (thanks to some shitty rolls and a rules fuck up by yours truly)

A fight broke out on the stairs, and the Wendigo, the hate-fueled specter of the late Pike was dispatched.

The encounter was too easy in my opinion, for what I was hoping would be a climactic fight. In hindsight, I wasted a perfectly good opportunity to break out the legendary action and lair action rules. They would have been quite fitting for my vision of the boss, and would have set the challenge at the appropriate level for a party of 7.

As it was, the party, relatively uninjured, was willing to continue down ... into the basement.

*DUN DUN DUN*

...the basement was actually pretty small and plain, with nothing but a few dried out wine casks.

Laaaaame.

The players naturally didn’t buy this, and searched thoroughly. ...quiet thoroughly. And a cool nat 20 from Sammel discovered a secret passage way in the back of a large cask...

They pushed the secret door open, and discovered a magical workshop....

Two workbenches, on one, various tools and ingredients, a leather bound book, and a shiny (silvered) cutlass. The other, cleared, save for a rune-carved slate block, various incense, and a stone statuette of a skull with a tentacle crapping around it. (The statuette being correctly dismissed as a non-magical trinket.)

As the party took stock of the room, Killgore sat down with the journal. In it, the unidentified writer detailed their saga of research. They were seeking a means to save the town from its misfortune, and were certain that they had found a means of securing power: A powerful ritual for enchanting an item. They had even commissioned a gorgeous silvered cutlass for the occasion. However, they had become uncertain due to an unspecified “great cost” to the ritual, and it seems that it had never been attempted.

A round of arcana checks, and the book for cross-reference, and the group was certain that the ritual was ready.

The question hung in the air: Would they attempt it?

The group was divided, and with the facts laid out, all I could do was sit back and smile while the debate raged on. Character motivations were put to the test, and player curiosity weighed heavily. Barton and Percival were having none of it. Dell was a little curious, but anxious, Malgath was ambivalent. Maiirien was curious, but relatively cautions. Sammel kept flip flopping, but eventually curiosity seemed to be getting the better of him. Killgore was 100% in favor and chomping at the bit.

Eventually, Barton and Percival went outside, and Malgath waited upstairs (in earshot, lest his services were needed) Sammel and Dell took up defensive positions in the doorway with Maiirien, and Killgore began the ritual (on one of Sammel’s hand-axes per his request)

As the incense were lit, a darkness encompassed the room, and the house, and the porch. Motes of of purple light floated in the air around the ritual. After a minute, they coalesced into the axe, and all the players rolled a d20.

Sammel rolled the lowest.

The energy at the table was palpable. After all of this build up, EVERYONE wanted to know what was going to happen next. Naturally, I decided that this was an excellent time for a break. XD

...but not JUST because I’m a sadistic fucker who was enjoying the tension. I also needed to take Sammel’s player outside and explain what was about to go down...

We stepped outside, and I told him, “Ok. You’re dead. Completely, totally, flatlined. Sorry. However! Your soul has been sucked into the axe. You are fully aware of this fact, and can perceive the area around it. Moreover! You can psychically communicate with anyone holding it.”

The player, to his massive credit, was LOVING this. I could not have asked for a better victim, because he simply REVELED in the absurdity that we were about to unleash on his unsuspecting partymates.

We went inside, and the game resumed. As the ritual finished, there was a dull thump, and in the doorway, Sammel collapsed to the ground. Dell and Maiirien moved in to check on him, and no pulse was discovered. As the full weight of what had happened hit them, Killgore moved in to pick up the sparkling new axe.

“Ok,” I said, “so two things happen simultaneously.” Killgore’s player, who all night had been gleefully charging headlong into everything, stared at me excitedly. He full well expected Something Bad, but was too busy having fun to care. “First, you realize this is a NICE AXE now. It possesses an unnatural balance, and almost hums in your hand. You have no doubt that this is an incredible weapon to fight with. Secondly...” and I turn to Sammel’s player who didn’t miss a beat.

“You hear just a string of cursing.” he says.

Looks of incredulity abounded, as the group realized with shock and horror what had happened.

The Sammel-axe was passed around, and many courses of action were proposed. The ritual book gave no indication as to how this process could have been reversed. ...or even how it happened. One suggestion was to put Sammel’s corpse on the slab, but the characters, vaguely aware of the random nature of the ritual, were weary of unforseen consequences...

Malgath wanted to bury the body, so that proper dues could be paid, but this idea was (fortunately!) shot down in the hopes that this effect could be undone.

In the meantime, Sammel was thoroughly enjoying bossing around whoever happened to be their bearer. (And we were presented with a unique insight into how the personalities of sentient weapons come to be)

Eventually, the party decided to call it a day and return to town. Someone told Barton, who was currently holding the axe, to throw it with the corpse while they lug it back to town and figure out what to do. Barton, with a peculiar pragmatism, walked over and proceeded to bury the axe blade-first in the chest of Sammel’s corpse. With a start, Sammel, now returned to their original (albeit bleeding from the chest) body sat bolt upright. At first, the gang kind of wanted to just leave it there, for fear that tampering would kill him again, but when I suggested that this would result in a permanent docking of Sammel’s maximum hp (as might be expcted from keeping a gaping chest would open), they began to experiment. Sammel himself removed it, and seemed to be fine, but once he put it down, collapsed dead once again. Some belligerence from Barton (who coveted the powerful weapon) resulted in another axe wound (very nearly damaging Sammel’s tiefling body irreparably), but some experimentation was completed and the specifics of the magic became established:

So long as the axe is on Sammel’s person, he will feel, appear, and behave alive. The instant it leaves his possession however, he will become mortician-certifiably D E A D ...and his soul will be back in the axe. Currently, it has been identified as a +2 axe. Powerful (insanely!) but perhaps worthwhile for something that is lethal if disarmed...

#what even are power levels #lol #but actually #I will watch this weapon closely #not that I'm expecting a light melee weapon to be game breaking for a bow ranger #Dungeons and Dragons #d&d #d&d 5e #Session Reports #lol tags lol

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aleinia · 7 years ago

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So, a while ago I finished reading Borderlines by K.L. Somniate (aka @animentality).

If you’re interested in the book, here’s the Amazon link, where you can also see the other reviews along with my dissertation.

Here my essay--I mean review:

Borderlines is the fourth book written by K.L. Somniate, and as someone who has read their previous trilogy, I have some background knowledge on the progression of their writing. Which is why I can say that Borderlines is successful, as it maintains the writer’s unique style, maintains its wonderful ability to craft and paint vast images, and yet doesn’t confuse the reader. It’s a major improvement, which leaves this book with little negativity and a lot to enjoy.

Almost immediately, I fell in love with the world of Borderlines and its main character. There was just an instant click when it came to how the story started off. I was instantly hooked with the situation at hand and the circumstances that followed the main character. Which brings me to the main drive of the story as well as one of the most impressive points of it: the main character. For a main character, at first, it seems like he has nothing to offer the reader and nothing to offer the story as he just wants to die. I found the concept to be incredibly interesting, but more importantly, highly malleable in terms of creativity and potential. Instantly, I wanted to know more about him and wanted to see how the story would progress alongside him. I found it impressive how much I began to feel for this character that I barely knew anything about, how he instantly had more personality and sense of being despite just being introduced to the story. It’s one of those key elements in K.L. Somniate’s writing that remains concise and, of course, spectacular and welcomed.

With that brings another element I had seen done impressively in their other series, which was the world-building. Borderlines brings forth a new world to get to know and explore, but it’s not just eye candy—something new and shiny to nod at and say, “Oh, creative.” It isn’t a stock background that serves for nothing other than decoration for the characters to exist in. The world is a dystopian one, filled with cruelty and a sense of despair that brings you to see the two main characters with different lenses. Besides the impressive construction of it, the writing also allows you to settle into this world without much trouble or confusion, making you feel just as foreign as the main character. While the story allows you to indulge and live within the world along the two main characters, it’s also explained and described in a way that brings you to ponder about your own world. No matter where you lived, or live, you’re able to draw comparisons about the two distinct societies that these two come from. I was able to reflect in the ways of both the Empire and the Republic as well as fully understand them. Thankfully, Borderlines doesn’t fall into any convoluted or dull political-speak, and manages to articulate everything in a clear manner.

As per the author’s previous writing—and the summary—this book contains a lot of graphic violence. It’s tasteful however—not just there for the shock factor. It serves a purpose to show a cruel view of the world of Borderlines. It’s also realistic and rather gruesome because of that. The author does a splendid job in putting the two characters through pain with dire consequences. Their wounds aren’t for simple decoration, instead they tell an important tale that serves to give more life to them.

The writing in this novel is absolutely breathtaking and phenomenal. As I mentioned in the beginning, there is barely any confusion, not a moment where I was baffled or frustrated. There was no info-dumping. The information given, whether it be about the backstories, or the world and its societies, was given at a well-established pace. Besides the pacing, the author shows their skill at constructing a complex and troubling story with a simple plot. Because of this, the story itself could’ve easily been played-out and been rather dull and mundane—just another bland love story. What makes it work is the author’s writing style—which remains as elastic and malleable as ever—and shows that it can get away with displaying any sort of scene. Romantic scenes, tragic scenes, flashbacks, suspenseful scenes—any type of scene was done so well that I could feel the tension and correctly respond to the emotions the characters were feeling. It’s writing that makes you sympathetic towards the two main characters.

And when it comes to the two main characters, they were the main thing I enjoyed in this novel, second being the philosophical discussions. Now, while I fell in love with the main character almost immediately, it took me a while to fully enjoy the second main character. It made sense, of course, since the focus was first on the main character, his circumstances, and his past. I held the impression that the other one’s personality was one of a stock character, but then, as the story progressed and the author dipped into his personality and way of being, my opinion changed. He was no longer a basket of small traits, but instead a fleshed out human being. The progression of his character was done naturally, and considering what happens later on, it’s important that I stress that the way his change was handled was done marvelously. There isn’t any bias or favoritism with either of them. They’re the main stars and they both grow throughout the story. You ride out the story with them and, like the complex characters they are, they bring out different emotions from you. With complexity comes flaws, and both of them have their share of flaws. They’re actual human beings instead of caricatures. Even as I was barely half way through the novel, I knew that they were developed and that the author could simply stop there and I’d still be fulfilled, but they continued to develop them even further, which only made their interactions and reading the novel a more fulfilling read.

The novel is about the relationship between the two, which can bring some immediate issues to mind. Though, there was nothing to worry about in that sense. The characters aren’t heterosexual, but that isn’t their entire character. Their sexuality does not define them. It isn’t their singular trait. While their sexualities are important to the story, it doesn’t revolve around their being. They have their likes, dislikes, pasts, complexities, flaws, and humanity first. I would say that the author does a splendid job in writing two gay men who are first people rather than sexual objects.

That being said, I did experience a bit of hesitation while I was reading this book. Since the two main characters are such opposites, with extremely contrasting personalities, and an initial opposition towards each other, I couldn’t help but wonder how the author was going to make them come together as a couple. I was a bit apprehensive and scared that the development between the two would be stiff, uncomfortable, and forced. It’s something that I couldn’t keep out of my head—wondering how the author was going to find a way to make their relationship and its progression seem natural. Though, as I kept reading, all my fears were extinguished. It’s truly one of those stories that you can’t judge until you’ve finished. I was not disappointed in the way the author was dealing with their relationship, especially towards the end of the novel. The relationship and its development was complex, tragic, and beautiful, adding more and more fire to the development of these two characters. The author could have easily written an unfulfilling and unrealistic “happy ending,” but instead they wrote actual human beings who, in the progression of the novel, come to respect and love each other. They don’t fall into any of the cliché traps and scenarios that I’ve seen with most fictional gay relationships. The most important thing was that their ending and their resolution was earned. Which is why I can easily recommend this novel to anyone who wants to read a well-done gay love story. One that feels real, is complex, and incredibly stunning.

In order to bring home how this author truly respects their characters and their relationship as well as the reader, I would like to mention my feelings toward one particular scene in the novel. It was a dark scene that at first left a bad taste in my mouth. It was a scene that I easily recognized from past novels that ended up dealing with the situation they wrote in a terrible, disgusting, and toxic manner. Even though I had read the author’s previous series, feeling the way I did about this scene was sort of an automatic defense, and I couldn’t stop the feelings of unease. Yet, I continued reading to see where the author would be going with this scene, and more importantly, how they would deal with it. Of course, when it comes to K.L. Somniate, there is hardly a reason to worry. They dealt with the issue presented in a remarkable and healthy fashion, in a way that I would not change or critique. It is so refreshing to see a promising author deal with that issue in a non-toxic way, which shows that they don’t dehumanize people, especially gay people.

The setting of Borderlines is out in nature, and the author really makes you feel like you are part of this world, like you’re travelling with these two characters and seeing what they’re seeing, feeling what they’re feeling. Nature isn’t just a placeholder background—it is its own being. The descriptions of the setting around them is a spectacular factor that manages to not only give the reader a sense of place, but also weave itself into the story in a rather poetic manner. It creates a different atmosphere depending on what the characters are going through, and it all feels real. The realism in Borderlines in incredibly spot-on, whether it be the locations, the grievous wounds that befall the characters, or the brutality of the human body, and it all adds to the experience of reading through this adventure.

As I mentioned, besides the characters and their relationship, Borderlines has a lot more to offer for the reader. It’s multi-faceted, as it also has philosophical thought. The novel has a lot to say and a lot to discuss with the reader. As per the author’s previous books, there are things said that bring you to question, disagree, or accept. It brings a sense of surrealism despite the novel excelling at keeping its events realistic. Getting to know the two main characters and their different ways of thinking and how they feel towards their own opinions and their own societies bring you to question yourself along with them. The main character’s journey, both external and internal, bring a lot to the table when it comes to humanity and the human will to live. While it’s a topic that has been talked about throughout multiple novels, in Borderlines it has a different and creative approach to it. More importantly, it’s not blatant in the sense that it just tells you outright what to think. Besides the Empire and the Republic and the commentary it makes on the possible future of your own world, there’s also themes to enjoy. There’s talk of nature, the human body versus the human mind, and other discussions that it has with the reader. It’s not just a gay love story, and that is one of the most impressive points of Borderlines. It gives you more beautiful and complex things to read and indulge in when you only expected one or two.

Borderlines was a true pleasure and adventure to read. It brought forth a myriad of emotions and there was never a dull moment while reading. Just in the very beginning, I was hooked and in love with the main character and the world around them without barely knowing the full extent of it. The writing was far more polished with little to no error that rubbed me the wrong way or made this a difficult read. I actually came out from this experience knowing more and even wanting more out of the story, because the characters change and grow, and you also grow with them.

Borderlines is truly one of those stories that has multiple areas to enjoy, whether it be the relationship dynamic, the romance, the dystopian world, the scenery, or the philosophical thought. It’s not a story that only has one thing to offer, and it’s incredibly impressive that it manages to make all those points memorable and enjoyable. It’s yet another wonderfully written story that further cements how well-versed this author is and how much potential they have in other genres, which makes me eager to see what other books they write and publish. All I can say is that this book has truly impressed me and made me a fan, and I look forward to reading and reviewing their works in the future.

#literature #borderlines #lgbt #review #book review #long post #my writing

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tyfye49-blog · 8 years ago

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COCOABEAN

The Main Protagonist

(artwork by @passiontherainwing)

Tribe: Mudwing Gender: Female Sexual Orientation: Homoromantic Homosexual Age: 14 (Arc 1), 17 (Arc 2), 18 (Arc 0), 20 (End) Alignment: Neutral Good Favorite Quote: "Fuck off." Other Quotes: - “*sigh*” - “I’m just tired.” - “Oh Soul, kill me now.” - "I’m fine." - *dead-eyed stare* - *dead-eyed glare* - “Shut up.” - “Shut the fuck up.” - “Actually, no.” - "Snow, shut up, you unfunny wyrm." - "Snow, quit being a disease." - "Bad time for jokes, Snow." - "I don't have enough energy for this bullshit." - "For the love of Soul, please rip your tongue out and suck on a lemon." - "You can't kill someone that's already dead inside." - "I'm not ignoring you." - "Sorry, I wasn't listening." And my personal favorite: - “I’m two-trillion percent ready to die.” Key Character Traits: Creative, Reasonable, Unaware, Depressed, Imaginative, Suppressive, Nerdy, Stone-faced, Empathetic, Apathetic, Phlegmatic.

Phobia(s): Trypophobia, Automatonophobia. Close Relations: - Mire (her father), Snowdrift (her best friend and would-be brother), Tidepool (her other best friend and would-be little brother), Valley (her would-be big sister/mentor), Plateau (her first crush). - Clairvoyance (unknown), Flytrap (unknown), Precipice (unknown), Slate (unknown).

Shipped With: Flytrap (maybe) Affiliations: Talons of Peace, Jade Mountain Academy (Arc 2). Mental Conditions: ADD, Anxiety, Mild Depression, ASD, Bipolar Disorder.

Physical Description:

Primary scale color is very dull mocha while the scales along her spines are dark coffee brown, almost black. Her underbelly is only a slightly lighter shade of brown than her overscales. Her wing membranes are dull tan. Her lack of sleep makes her eyes dark, baggy and sunken, but her irises stand out because of their vibrant, amber color. Her lack of sleep is also what makes her scales so dull.

Her past habit of picking her scales has caused her hide to have pockets and dents.

Just like her father, her snout is slightly more narrow than other Mudwing snouts.

She's not able to hold her breath for an hour like other Mudwings, only for about 45 minutes. This is only a result of her poor physical condition, though. In fact, most of her irregularities are because of her poor physical condition.

She wears a necklace made of metal chains, and on the necklace she keeps three magnetic stones which she uses to fidget with.

Cocoa is considered anorexic by other Mudwings, but she's not that skinny in comparison to other dragon tribes.

She has a perpetual frown; a resting-bitch-face. But she's also quick to grin or laugh when something actually amuses her. (Snowdrift’s puns no longer count)

She tends to crack her knuckles a lot. (she might have minor arthritis) (maybe)

Her wing membranes are abnormally thin, so she's not the best at flying. Breathing Fire is also an issue for her, since she has a bad habit of not drinking enough water, which makes her throats really dry.

She has a terrible sense of smell, but makes up for it with her highly sensitive senses of hearing and sight.

Misc. Info:

So, I've finally created the groundwork for an actual, literal self-insert character that exhibits almost all of my positive and negative (mostly negative) characteristics. But, just to make sure I wasn't just making a perfect dragon-like clone of myself, I threw in a little twist: She's female, and she's homosexual.

- Her name is Cocoa. She's a Mudwing. She's super introverted. She's very bitter. She's usually very unaware of the world around her, and she doesn't remember things she has no interest in. That being said, she's extremely creative, she has a wild imagination, her subconscious rules her entire thought process, and she's an absolute nerd. When she has an interest in something, she obsesses over it for a certain period of time before moving on to something else. When she develops a good relationship with someone, she becomes very closely attached to that dreya (person), and even though she is typically VERY asocial, the idea of losing any friends she's made is inwardly devastating to her. That being said, she's extremely protective of her loved ones (which includes any of her friends, since she loves them all very dearly), and she can sometimes come off as a bit overbearing if she feels like they're putting themselves in danger. She usually uses harsh words to ward her friends away from making foolish decisions, since she's the type of dreya who's very reluctant to take physical action, such as jumping into a fight.

- If Cocoa were to jump into fights all the time, she would usually wind up on the losing side, because she has a very fragile physique, and most physical activity tires her out quickly. Cocoa makes up for her lack of strength with an extremely unorthodox fighting style, using underhanded tactics to catch opponents off guard, such as immediately attacking pressure-points or slashing at their eyes, or using surrounding objects like sharp stones or furniture to her advantage. While her fighting style is dirty, she's actually very reluctant to actually do any damage anybody, so after she winds up hurting someone, she usually feels incredibly guilty for fighting in the first place.

- Cocoa and her best friend Snowdrift are very similar in the fact that neither of them can get adequate sleep, even though their reasons are different; Snowdrift has no trouble falling asleep, but he's constantly plagued with nightmares caused by the fragment of Soul inside of him. Cocoa, on the other hand, is almost completely incapable of falling asleep because of her overactive imagination.

- If Cocoa were an Animus dragon, she'd probably manage to find a loophole in Sourrauul's Curse, exploit the hell out of it, and turn herself into an infinitely powerful deity and kick Soul's ass all on her own. But she's not an Animus dragon.

- Her attention span is so unbelievably short that she almost never does anything "for the experience" anymore, intent only on reaching the end goal of her tasks.

- Her thought process is ruled entirely by her subconscious. As a result, her attention span too short to allow her to effectively perform tasks that require active thinking. She's good at copying things down and memorizing certain concepts she's seen, but she has trouble formulating her own original ideas. Doing mundane physical tasks that don't require a lot of thought is easy for her so long as she's not surrounded by too many distractions. Physical activity such as pacing, flying, and fidgeting helps her think her own thoughts more clearly. Being in motion helps her daydream. 

- [As of Arc 0, if Cocoa were asked what her favorite color was, she'd discretely glance at Flytrap before stating whatever color Flytrap happened to be at the time.]

- Cocoa is the most vulgar character in the entire story. She swears religiously. Swearing is a regular part of her vocabulary. Her father, Mire, VERY strongly disapproved of her constant use of curse words, even though he himself will let the occasional cuss slip. In recent years, Mire has come to accepting his daughter's foul language as a method of bringing emphasis to what she has to say, on the condition that she increases her vocabulary so that she doesn't just use the same phrases all the time.

- Cocoa is a perpetual fidgeter. She used to have a bad habit of picking her scales loose, scratching bumps on her face and underbelly, and twisting the tip of her tail (even though it sometimes hurt to do so). Tide and Valley constantly insist that she work on breaking habits like these, which leads Cocoa to searching for something that she can use to fidget with on a regular basis. This, in turn, leads her to finding a trio of small stones that act as powerful magnets. With the help of her father, Cocoa later fashions herself a necklace embedded with smooth metal bits, which let's her keep her magnets on hand so she can fiddle with them whenever she wants.

- She's incredibly sensitive to physical contact. This means that she's more susceptible to pain than most other dragons. It also means she's ticklish. Extremely ticklish.

- She doesn't take compliments very well. She has no idea how to respond to praise. She's highly susceptible to embarrassment. She's also susceptible to secondhand embarrassment as well.

- She used to have two older sisters. They didn't make it.

- She lacks object-permanence.

- Because of Tide's fear of females, Cocoa's relationship with him has always been a little rocky. They have eventually learned to get along very well, with Cocoa finding Tide's sassy and boisterous attitude amusing, and Tide appreciating Cocoa for her creativity and generally quiet nature.

- Despite her craving for physical affection, she strongly dislikes being touched.

- She can be seen as nearly perfect foil to Clay.

#wof #woftt #wof oc #Cocoa #updated #wings of fire #time twisted #oc #main character

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tarotjourney2021 · 3 years ago

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I am now in the magician phase and I need to get to know the tarot I will experience every phase and major arcana as much as possible and be willing to play a factor in them. and to fully live them and be guided.

Actually I am about to go into the magician phase or so I think ... I think I have left the or in Propgotaroy phase between the fool and the magician..

I have taken the leap into this world of magic.. without knowing where I am going I was so lost.. knowing that I am missing something.. something is missing and everything is a mess.. i am a mess and my life is a mess.. and I was missing and messing something up.

I started to be drawn to things I don't understand .. to crystals.. to tarot.. to strangers on the internet with their tarot card youtube channels.. who seem to describe anything and everything I am going through. They seemed to name those feelings that I couldn't pinpoint. Those mixed emotions.. these thoughts.. how did they know? How did they know all of this was happening with me, they don't know me.

My mind automatically tries to ignore these stark resembles. Some of them give detailed examples of something I am going through. "for example, Taurus, Say you're trying to start a youtube channel, but you feel weird talking to a camera or you're worried of what people might think....then they proceed to whatever advice the cards suggest".

How did he know I've started a Youtube channel and I feel weird about talking to a camera and I am worried about what people might think?

My logical mind, who only encourages science-based evidence snorts "whatever".. but no. This person is telling me something else about me like he knows what kind of person I am. Even my own family doesn't know who I am. Do I know who I am? What am I listening to, why am I so consumed by this?

Listening to all my major placements, and each one resonates.. differently.. and in so many times, my Taurus sun sign might show up in my moon reading or my virgo rising reading.

What gives?

Who are those people? what are they doing? probably a lot of weird people who are nothing like me are listening to all this!

I need to keep this a secret. I need to keep it hidden.. otherwise everyone will think I am crazy.

Actually some of those readers act like they're crazy, acting like someone is talking to them, or something is a 'sign'.. I roll my mental eyes. Really? Someone is talking to you?

But I believe them, on some level. Someone is talking to them.. and this someone who told them all these initmate things about me, that i somehow found in a Youtube video is weird to say the least.

But what am I so attracted to all of this, binge watching certain tarot readers that I regard them as my hidden treasured gold mine.

Or as Minnow Pond puts it, my team! People who I have on my team.

I need to think of a team right now. It's quarantine and I've been here for over a year, in my little basement apartment, just me and my cat Gavin, and I need a team, more than ever.

He's been on my team for a while.. he is one of the rare youtube tarot readers I'm currently watching who seem to focus on seem to focus on the physical world... and as a newbie in this world..I like to start with what I know, the physical world.

I have made a careful cocktail of tarot readers I watch. Scorched earth seems to know the depth of my soul, seemed to know everything I've ever gone through, congratulates me on all the little milestones I've crossed... knows exactly what it's been like for me, all these years..

Also her, with her red hair, and hard cored yet incredibly soft emotions.. with her Cancer sitting in the cushiony spot of Venus. It's weird that I know that, I know. Also what does that even mean?

And there is Dash... Dash in between.. He's amazing.. so charismatic.. I don't know how he looks, in his youtube videos he only shows his hands.. but I think I'm in love with him. I sometimes when I am feeling lonely listen to his readings even if it's not my sign, just to listen to his voice and amazing insight. I only wish he wouldn't focus on love readings, I don't care too much for that anymore, I know, ironic for the person who stumbled on tarot on the first place through chasing hocus pocus love tarot readings.

Anyhow, back to Chris. He said he plans to die on stomps. I do to. Because I am the fool. and about to become the magician.. what else would I do?

It's weird that I am now consumed with the idea that I am not getting even nearly enough of life. that I need to taste everything life has to offer when I'm 36 now.. and all my life I was consumed with the idea of killing myself, of not have earned the right to be here.

I was in second grade when I was asking my father if an overdose of Panadol would kill me. Feeling disappointed when he said it wouldn't, wondering how else would I die and get rid of all my problems. What problems did I have in second grade that couldn't possibly be solved, the only way out was an overdose on Panadol? I don't know, I don't remember. But I remember feeling the situation was dire.

Of course my father thought I was asking because I DIDN'T want to die, since I always had severe migraines and often took Panadol, he probably thought I was double checking I was being careful. I wasn't.

I might have gotten the idea from my mother, she always used to suggest killing herself and getting rid of her life, she never said it with a knife to her throat but she always said it with so much misery and manic frustration, I always worried that one day she might do it.

'If you come one day from university and see that I killed myself, never ask what is the reason". What is that reason? me?

Anyways, I don't want to die anymore, and I can't believe that this though consumed me all this time. It consumed me so much that I never carried through with anything.. how do you carry on with anything when don't care to be alive to see it through. I need to be alive to see it through, and to put in the work. Because putting in the work is what proves that I have the faith.. and the way to prove that I have the faith I say I have is to move.

I now want to live... not only to see things though, but also because the journey is pretty cool.. I can't believe I missed all this by being in my bed.. cause I feel too small to be here and to take up space.

I am reading this book.. my therapist gave me.. "Eastern Mind, Western Body".. or was it the other way round.

anyways.. it is a phenomenal book. I loved it so much i read in just a bit, then returned it to my therapist to order my own book so I can highlight everything.

How come no one told me about these chakras? Everything is slowly making sense..

The fool's journey.. I'm here.. I am not sure what any of this is.. but it makes perfect sense.. and everyone I know.. if they knew this is what I am consumed by these days...'you believe in this stuff?!'.. I don't know if I believe... but I have to, I've witnessed it and can't deny what's happening.. everything..

I've been asking for answers for so long.. feeling like i need a place to start.. asking all the time for cues.. and then things are starting to come in.

Book suggestions.. video suggestions.. people I end up meeting.. are all things that I so need to be engulfed in right now.. everything is connected in a weird exhilatering way... and I'm here for it. in a foolish, somewhat wise way.

Things are finally connecting..I prayed for this.. I don't pray really.. but you know what I mean.

and the 'Lady universe' this is what I like to call her.. I might explain that in another post.. but it's a good medium between 'The universe' which feels a little weird.. and 'Allah' whom I've been told to worship but I don't anymore. He is still warm, but vague and very very questionable.

Anyways.. the answers are coming.. but so. much.. i can't keep up.. I am learning so much.. and yet feel like I am not learning anything at all... I sometimes feel bad for the years I've spent without learning anything... or bothering to learn anything.

I have some dragons to slay..to get the gold they are guarding... I came all this way.. I moved all the way from Sudan, where everyone told me I need to just get with the program, bleach my skin, relax my hair and marry my cousin or anyone willing to marry, even though I 'passed my expiry date'.

No, that's not the vision, sis.

I'm going to Canada... how did I get here.. I don't know.. but despite being Sudanese and a woman from a conservative family, whom I was walking on egg shells already...

I can't believe I never got caught with all the BS I got myself in.. How did I survive there? In that Shari'a led country when falling in love with someone outside of your faith is a crime I should be flogged for?

I had so many nightmares about being flogged and being caught.. the nightmare starts in so many different ways.. tricking me into believing it is a different story.. but always ends up with me being caught and about to be flogged.. I always wake up at the last minute.

I told my Christian boyfriend at the time, but then I stopped so I don't make him feel guilty about our love. I shouldn't've worried. I realized he was cheating on me all the four ears we were together.

The disappointment didn't come from the clashing cultures and religions, it came from the most unexpected place, him.

You don't know when your heart breaks, because it doesn't make a sound. It was that dull but yet overwhelming pain, it took me a while to understand that was what a heartbreak felt like.

I thought I was immune.

Everything shattered. Was that the tower? I don't know..

But it set me off on this fools journey... I feel the past four years here in Toronto, have also been part of it. I had no idea what the hell was happening.. so many phases of depression and anxiety.. it's all a bit of a blur.

But I feel like I've woken up and it feels strange...

And I need to make up for the 36 years that have passed with me worrying about the mundane. I plan to live this journey, to the fullest..enjoying it.. Yes, the person who used to out herself to sleep by fantasizing about her own death and how it might be received to wondering how can I squeeze this life for all its got.. and if I will be able to lick all that honey that drops...

I am saying yes to the journey.. 'the hidden treasures hidden inside of me will be happy I said yes.

#magic #tarot #fool #journey

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lucyariablog · 6 years ago

Text

The Most Important Question to Ask Before Launching a Podcast

Marketers everywhere are deciding if launching a podcast makes sense for their brands and their goals. There’s a lot to consider, and therefore, a ton of questions to ask. But one question is the most foundational and crucial thing to ponder – and I don’t see marketers asking it often enough:

“Are you any good on a microphone?”

That is half the battle. Check that – it’s 99% of the battle. If you have a great host, the rest gets so much easier. Just think: Would you rather listen to a dull host with great audio quality or an engaging host using so-so tech?

A podcast is really three things: a show-level concept, an episode-level format, and on-air talent. Of the three, the host is by far the most crucial thing to get right. Whether the person is an inquisitive interviewer or an inspiring storyteller, the very first thing to decide as a marketer before launching your brand’s podcast: Are you (or your planned host) any good on a microphone? If not, who is?

A great podcast requires performance talent. Everything else is incremental.

A great #podcast requires host talent. Everything else is incremental, says @JayAcunzo. Click To Tweet

Of course, there are ways to get better as a performer on that microphone. Here are a few of my favorite techniques.

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: Perfecting the Art of the One-on-One Interview

1. Great hosts honor the golden rule at all times

Audio is a strange medium for many because it shouldn’t be hard, but it’s incredibly hard. You never have “talker’s block.” Voice is the most natural way we communicate as humans. But that doesn’t guarantee you’ll be great simply by speaking into a microphone. However, if you keep the golden rule of audio in the back of your mind, you can make the best decisions possible for your listeners.

Audio is what I call a linear medium. Listeners can move only two ways through the piece – forward and back. They can hit play and stop. If you’re lucky enough to get someone to hit play, as the host you have one job: Make sure they don’t hit stop.

#Podcast hosts have one job – make sure listeners don’t hit stop, says @JayAcunzo. Click To Tweet

In other words, the golden rule of audio is: Get listeners to the end.

Audio is intimacy that scales. You can turn digital connections into real-world contacts – any host who has experienced the weird-but-wonderful moment when a listener talks to them like an old friend can attest. Your podcast should hold people’s attention for a significant time. It’s a beautiful thing for marketers who are used to acquiring attention 30 seconds at a time. Once you hold someone’s attention and build trust, all the other things a marketer hopes to achieve get easier.

But you have to remember the golden rule. You must get them to the end.

This mental reminder is more than a technique, but if you focus on it at all times, you’ll make the right choices. For example, if you follow the golden rule, should you front-load all your boring housekeeping? Shouldn’t you start the episode with a cold open, a teaser, or an agenda?

Another example: Maybe you should avoid lengthy guest biographies before a guest summarizes their bio yet again, or maybe you should tinker on a new intro style that sounds different from your competitor shows which, for instance, all open their episodes using pull quotes from their guests. I recently deconstructed Buffer’s podcast with one of the show hosts, Brian Peters, and he revealed that improving the intro drastically increased the show’s listener retention. Around 95% of listeners now finish each episode, according to their Apple Podcasts data. What if hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of people spent significant time hearing you speak every week? Wouldn’t your work as a marketer get so much easier? It all starts with remembering your main job as a podcast host:

Get.

Them.

To.

(Wait for it…)

(Almost there…)

(I want your attention a little bit longer now…)

The end.

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: How to Get Listeners to Push Play on Your Podcast [Examples From Boss Brands]

2. Great hosts relate to the audience

This may seem obvious, but it’s shocking how many hosts assume too much of the audience. They make either overt assumptions or implied assumptions. Overt assumptions occur when a host describes something – an industry term, a news story, or a concept – that was introduced in a prior episode, and they fail to define it again for new listeners. (That’s a troubling aspect of most podcast apps: They start you on the most recent episode. It’s akin to starting with a mid-season episode of a TV show. Even if your podcast isn’t serialized, new listeners may not understand recurring tropes, segments, and “characters.” You’ll lose them.)

Implied assumptions are harder to spot but arguably more dangerous. You can’t spot them by listening to the words a host says. Instead, they’re more subtle, as the problem lies with how a host behaves. Namely, hosts may assume that their role is to be the star. It’s not. A great show host is the guide. She stands shoulder to shoulder with the listener and points out interestingness and clarifies or distills complexity. She’s a vessel, someone who has uncovered something – an idea, a story, an interesting guest – and she’s here to share that with you. Yes, the host can be the lone voice, and yes, the host can be a celebrity or grow her celebrity through her podcast. But the host must relate to the audience for that audience to agree to go on a journey (the rest of the episode or series) with the host. Even the great Jerry Seinfeld admits he only gets a few extra minutes to simply “be” Seinfeld on stage. After that, he has to deliver something valuable to the audience.

One of my favorite examples of relating to the audience comes from Robert Krulwich and Jad Abumrad, co-hosts and co-creators of the all-time great show, Radiolab. In an episode called Memory and Forgetting, the pair tries to understand the science of memory, explaining it to the non-scientific mind using metaphors and stories. Robert opens the episode by saying, “I think most people think of memory like a filing cabinet.”

Right away, he aligns himself with us, the listeners, from where we stand. We’re most likely to think of memory – the subject of the episode – in a certain way. We have some preconceived notions about the topic. Robert acknowledges that, discussing it in brief detail using the show’s signature blend of story and sound design. Now that he’s shoulder to shoulder with us, he can walk with us each step of the way until the lightbulb goes off in our minds and we think, “Aha! Memory is really X.” But make no mistake: For us to successfully understand an episode’s topic, the host can’t just hand us the answer. We have to arrive there logically, in the right order, and in our own minds. That’s the difference between great hosts and most brand hosts: The latter usually hand us information before we understand why that’s the answer at all.

Great #podcast hosts don’t just hand us the answer. They guide us there logically in our own minds. @JayAcunzo Click To Tweet

In other words, a great host goes on a journey with the audience.

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: 3 Hidden Lessons Behind Top Podcasts to Help Yours Stand Out

3. Great hosts go on a journey with their audience

Shortly after Robert describes memory as a filing cabinet, co-host Jad begins a journey. He kicks off the exploration of memory: “Maybe – and this is what we’re gonna look at this hour – maybe (memory) is not as mundane as those metaphors (of the filing cabinets) would suggest. Maybe memory is more creative.”

To which Robert responds, “Creative?”

And then a voice of an expert cuts in (“Yes!”) and away they go on this journey to debunk our preconceived notions and to truly understand memory.

Back to Jad for a second: Why does he say “maybe” when he knows the answer? He has spent hours researching this subject. He’s done all the interviews. But he still acts like he doesn’t know the answer yet. Why?

Because we don’t. We as listeners don’t yet know the answers that the host knows. And to get us to continue to listen, Jad teases new possibilities rather than handing us the answer. If he had given us the answer, not only would he lose the ability to bond with us and develop that wonderful intimacy over time, he would have confused or frustrated us because, again, we don’t know what he knows. So, within one episode, Jad and Robert take us on a journey.

But they – and other great shows – also take us on a journey across the entire show, not merely within one episode. This is what’s missing from so many podcasts from brands too. The host should be a guide not only in an episode but into a subject the listeners deeply care about in their lives. A show is a great vehicle to explore something important, not simply talk to experts about a bunch of topics relating to one’s work. If you talk about social media marketing, for instance, why not “journey to the far reaches of the social web to uncover the world’s most creative social media experiments”? If you cover sales, maybe take an angle – “going inside the processes and workflows of the best salespeople on earth to learn how they spend their time.” Sure, you’ll cover some of the same subtopics your competitors do, but having a firm angle on the show means you can position each episode as an unfolding journey, enticing subscription, and boosting anticipation. You won’t have to rely on each and every guest to be bigger and better-known than the last.

Go on a journey with your audience.

As you do, make sure you do something else along the way …

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: A Crash Course in Narrative Podcasting (And Why You Should Create Them)

4. Great hosts give signposts to important details

Signposting is an audio technique that hosts use to ensure that listeners don’t miss crucial details. It’s the act of pointing something out in plain language before or after the thing is introduced. If listeners miss a key detail, they’re left wondering what happened. They get confused or lost and by the time they resume listening, they’ve now missed even more of the episode. Missing important moments can derail the listening experience and signposting solves this problem.

Use signposts to ensure #podcast listeners don’t miss crucial details, advises @JayAcunzo. Click To Tweet

For instance, in the Radiolab episode about memory, Jad later narrates a brief section between two guest quotes: “And that’s what everyone thought … until … 2000. One day, LeDoux was in his office, and a guy walks in the door.” (A clip from the guest, Joe LeDoux, plays next, wherein he describes that moment.)

Here, Jad introduces a couple signposts. The first and most subtle one is the pause and the word “until.” He emphasizes the word, as if he’s saying, “Everything was as you’d expect UNTIL …” Dun dun duuuun! Something is about to happen. If you were zoning out, better snap back to attention.

The second signpost is more obvious and overt. Jad says, “A guy walks in the door.” Unlike the previous example, where Jad uses silence around a word and performs the word a certain way, this signpost is more obvious and arguably easier for anyone to replicate. He tells us, “Hey, something is about to happen, and it’s an important detail. A guy walked in the door. Pay attention to that moment and that guy. He holds a clue in our journey to understand memory.”

You can use signposts as a narrator, like Jad, or as an interviewer. If you do your research on your guests (and holy cow, please do so), then you should have a bunch of quotes, stories, and examples to talk to them about. Your simple signpost, as an interviewer, might sound like this:

“So, Jay, you create and host podcasts for brands, and my all-time favorite show is Example Podcast. I particularly love how you open those episodes. Can you talk more about that?”

Did you spot the signpost? How did this host set up the listener to catch a crucial forthcoming detail? Read it again. Any idea?

“I particularly love how you open those episodes.”

Well that begs the question: Why? How does this person open those episodes? You point out a detail of something you (the host) knows and the listener doesn’t … yet. Listeners must take the next step in the journey to hear about it.

And as we take this journey with a host, that host has to remember to do his or her job as an interviewer.

5. Great hosts ask the right questions to extract the right content

I’ve heard hosts complain before that a guest was “too corporate” or “not charming” during an interview. But if your guest isn’t giving you what you need to create a compelling episode, that’s not the guest’s fault. That’s yours.

A friend and former MTV producer once told me about a time his boss scolded him for appeasing the show’s guest too much. “You have to watch out for the final product, the final episode,” he told him. “This is your set, not theirs.”

The boss explained that if you get the right quotes and moments from the guest, everyone wins: the audience, the team producing the content (you), and the guest or subject. Don’t let a guest ramble – interrupt them gently. Don’t allow them to be corporate – tell your own stories or joke around before or during the interview to put them at ease. (I like to ask people, “Do you have any pets?” I tell them I want to hear them talk so I can engineer their sound levels. I’m not engineering any tech though. I’m engineering them.)

Above all, ask the right questions to extract the right content. I like to have a three-pack of arrows in my quiver if I need to shoot them.

First, I ask open-ended questions. “Tell me about …” or “how did it feel to …” are great examples. Then I shut up. I allow the guests to form thoughts and speak. However, they can sometimes sound corporate or simply wax eloquent, getting too theoretical to make a compelling episode. For instance, I might say to an entrepreneur, “Tell me about the process of acquiring your first few customers.” He might respond, “Well, I think in general, when you’re just starting out as a founder, you need to …”

Blah. The point is lost. The entrepreneur got too generic. I still want story details so I shoot my next arrow: “Can you give me any examples?”

Some people still wiggle out of that one too. Then I fire the last arrow. I call this “putting them in a box.” I create a scenario or recap the details. I erect a few walls of the box. Then I give only one logical route to escape it. I might say to that startup founder, “OK, just so I understand, you had just launched and thought that Instagram could be a great customer acquisition channel. You had almost no budget, but you had to acquire a few customers within the next few months or you were sunk. So you open an Instagram account … and then what?”

The entrepreneur has few ways to answer other than giving me exactly what I want: the juicy details.

Regardless of how your personal style manifests as a host, don’t obsess over the incremental stuff: the tech, the marketing, the ROI, the design. All of that is important, but all of that comes later. The foundational aspect of a great show is a great host. Being great on a microphone is what a podcast really is. Marketers can’t simply be hosts. They have to understand and work hard to become great hosts. Understand how to perform on a microphone, whether that’s narrating, interviewing, telling stories, or sharing your own wisdom. Engage listeners from the moment they hit play and ensure that they don’t hit stop. That’s all this is. Don’t forget it.

The one question marketers need to ask before starting their podcast: Are you any good on a microphone?

HANDPICKED RELATED CONTENT: How to Develop and Grow a Successful Podcast

Hear more of Jay Acunzo’s great wisdom when he talks how to be better than best practices at Content Marketing World Sept. 4-7. Sign up today and use code BLOG100 to save $100.

Cover image by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute

The post The Most Important Question to Ask Before Launching a Podcast appeared first on Content Marketing Institute.

from https://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2018/06/question-launching-podcast/

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hotspreadpage · 6 years ago