Immortal Desires 1: Questions about chapter 3 & 4:
Answer as many as you want, feel free to skip any questions.
How does your mc feel after learning more about the murder and seeing their moms notes? (tbh more chapter 2 relevant but I forgot to ask it last time)
How does your mc feel about gaining vampire powers by ingesting vampire blood? Would they want to do it again or did they not take the opportunity in the first place?
Has your mc’s opinion on Cas changed after these chapters?
How does your mc feel about Gabe not telling them about their hunter ancestors? Has any of this changed their opinion on them in any way?
How does your mc feel about Gabe telling them to stay away from Cas?
Overall, what did you think about these chapters? Is there anything you’d have done differently as a writer?
1 How does your mc feel after learning more about the murder and seeing their moms notes?
Even more shaken up, I always imagined she didn't actually see the murder happen, so that's the first time she sees the body and she's rly surprised by the amount of damage done, esp bc I like to imagine vampires don't just drink their victims blood but eat from them too.
Also Ripley is very sure Seth is 'the 2nd animal' mentioned in her mom's notes bc frankly I dnt know how u wouldn't come 2 tht conclusion.
2 How does your mc feel about gaining vampire powers by ingesting vampire blood? Would they want to do it again or did they not take the opportunity in the first place?
She loveeeees it and wants to do it again asap, like in the rewrite it's v easy for Cas to coax her into hanging out with him by offering her blood n she tbh treats it like a drug. She really loves the powers she gains from it and loves to just like play around with that.
3 Has your mc’s opinion on Cas changed after these chapters?
It's when Ripley goes from straight up Hating Cas to feeling more conflicted
I feel like today my opinion on Cas has definitely shifted in a more positive direction. And I feel guilty about that, I don’t think it’s a good thing at all. Like I’m betraying that poor girl, it’s like she’s HAUNTING me, I really can’t get her out of my head! I shouldn’t be hanging out with him, he’s a murderer!!! He basically admitted today that he thinks of me as FOOD and he’d do the same to me if I wasn’t a Crimson Beech resident!! But he seemed so different from the guy from that night, it just feels like there’s more going on here. But what could justify killing someone?? When Margo attacked us and my talisman started burning, I realised it has never once done that while I was alone with Cas. Even when I piss him off. And it means that the times he threatened me, he doesn’t actually want to follow through with it, right? Maybe that’s why I’m softening up on him a bit? I don’t know, I just had a lot of fun with him today and he protected me from Margot. And he also gave me the talisman so I could protect myself better.. I realised it’s probably good to have a vampire on my side. I can keep asking him questions and stuff, it’s pretty easy to get him to share stuff about vampires.. I feel like with the talisman he gave me and the knowledge that vampire blood will grant me abilities, I stand a much better chance against any vampires. Like if I ever get attacked I need to try and get some blood and then I’ll be just as fast and strong! And then I CAN rely on what Gabriela taught me!
4 How does your mc feel about Gabe not telling them about their hunter ancestors? Has any of this changed their opinion on them in any way?
Ripley doesn't rly feel mad about that, it's not a big deal to her aside from that she thinks the whole hunter thing is kinda Cool. She doesn't really get Why she hid it from her tho lol.
5 How does your mc feel about Gabe telling them to stay away from Cas?
Because Gabe is very like 'well this is my opinion, but it's up to you' she doesn't really mind and just treats it like advice. Which she doesn't listen to lol.
I appreciate that she still trusts me, I guess. I think the whole protective thing would get on my nerves real fast if she treated me like I’m weak or like she doesn’t trust me to just think for myself, you know?
I think they both know Cas isn't stupid enough to just kill her, but Gabe's worries r more about Cas being impulsive and being scared he's gonna get Ripley hurt with his recklessness + I think rn she also doesn't expect Cas to Care if Ripley gets hurt as long as he doesn't get in trouble over it.
6 Overall, what did you think about these chapters? Is there anything you’d have done differently as a writer?
I wish our mc's could be meaner to Cas lol. And I don't like mc's wholeee thing with being flattered by it when Cas says they're not like other humans and they really Want to be special, like it's very cringy to me.
I also think it would've been interesting for mc to just... not forget about the murder so fast? Like it's 1 of those things in ID that imo get brushed aside too fast but ig they just wanted to move on with the romance lol idek 😭😭.
7 What were your favourite scenes or moments?
I love the scene at the gym where Cas and Gabe get into a fight + mc and Cas' convo after that.
Lake scene with Cas made me stop disliking them lol. If u skip it it just makes them worse tho.
The scene with Gabe and the kids is also rly cute to me + I love the one at the cemetery alot too.
MC brushing off the murder always stayed in the back of my mind! It feels like the writers really wanted to have their cake and eat it too-- like, we want dark spooky scary vampires ooooh they kill people! They think of humans as food! Yes okay, sure. But then youre also trying to go for the "But not MC! MC is totally Different and Special and Not Like Other Humans, please dont hate our LIs they are very loving" angle, and just. The two don't work together very well lol.
I mean, ID is my favourite choices book by far, and I'll be the first to admit it kinda sucks haha
why is it SO incredibly sweet when a stranger smiles at u like. i don’t know you but here’s a piece of happiness in this crazy world. im giving u this smile because it’s all i have to offer, and i want to offer you something. you’ll forget my face, probably, but you’ll remember this, at least for the rest of the day, or the afternoon, or your lunch break. hope you had a good day. Hope the rest of it is better.
Hey, man, c'mere. Listen. Get in real close, this is important.
You're gonna make stuff again. You're gonna make stuff you're proud of. You're gonna make stuff you're excited to share. You're going to feel that overwhelming drive to create, not just the frantic I want to want to you're stuck in now. You're going to have awesome ideas, and you're going to make them into reality. You're going to create again. You're still an artist. You're still a writer. You're still home to the same passion you had before. You'll find it again. It's not gone. It's just resting. Let it rest. You're going to make stuff again. I promise.
my dream as a fanfic writer is for one day, one of my fics to be someones comfort fic. like the fic that they reread when they don't feel good and want to be happy. i want my words to comfort someone one day
Pairing: ; M!Gabe x Sammy
with a brief appearance by Libby and Mr. Phillips
Book: Immortal Desires (Book 1, Chapters 3-4ish)
Word Count: ~ 1,000 words
Warnings: General, none
Synopsis: Five drabbles of small moments between Gabe and Sammy at school between the bigger moments of the plot.
┈┈・ ✦ ・┈┈
"Certainly makes me want to attend the autumn festival." Her voice was soft as she looked at the poster in his hands. She offered a remorseful smile. "Sorry for disappearing the other day..."
He nodded and pressed the stapler to the bulletin board, securing the last corner of the poster.
"I brought an apology gift." She handed him a roll of paper.
"What is this?" His smile softened as he unrolled it, revealing posters for the festival she had made. "You didn't have to do this."
Sammy shrugged lightly. "I wanted to. Besides, I thought that maybe the famed Crimson Beech student council president would be so kind as to help me hang them up."
"I'm not sure it requires two of us."
She could feel the distance in his voice. She deserved it.
“No, it doesn’t.” She nudged her shoulder against his. “But it’s more fun that way.”
He leaned into her touch, the distance between them easing. “I suppose, as student council president, it is my duty to help where I can.” He held out his hand, directing their path. “But only because you asked so nicely.”
┈┈・ ✦ ・┈┈
She chewed the cap of her pen, her head dipping to the side as if the new viewpoint would somehow make the AP Chemistry formulas balance themselves.
She exhaled a sigh, letting the pen fall from her teeth to the book below. As interesting as chemistry was, the formulas had little chance of holding her attention with the football team running drills on the field. She stretched her legs out onto the bleacher row in front of her. Lacrosse might be her sport, but football certainly had the better view.
His hand lifted in the air in a small wave, his smile growing as he caught her gaze.
While the other players lunged, throwing their whole body weight into every clumsy pivot, Gabe glided through the W-drill, his gaze returning to her between every turn.
Her smile turned to laughter. He made everything look so easy. Football. Student council. School. Self-defense training. She wouldn't be surprised to find out he was in the running for the next Captain America, too. There seemed to be no end to what he could do.
┈┈・ ✦ ・┈┈
"Is this seat taken?" Gabe gestured to the empty spot on the cafeteria bench next to her.
"It is now." Sammy shifted slightly, making room for him.
"What's that look for?" Gabe asked Libby as he set his tray on the table.
"Oh, nothing." The smirk on her face only grew.
"Libs! I know you. That face isn't nothing!" His brow rose in challenge.
She stifled a laugh. "I was just thinking that it's not like not having a seat at the table really would have kept you from sitting here... I'm sure you and Sammy could figure something out. She seemed quite comfortable using your lap as a chair at the party last week. That's always an option here, as well."
Sammy's cheeks warmed a bright red. "That—that was for a game."
"Mmhmm," Libby hummed. "True, but it doesn't mean you didn't enjoy it. Either of you." She gestured in Gabe's direction.
"What? Libby, I—"
"The great Gabe Adalhard speechless? My work here is done!"
┈┈・ ✦ ・┈┈
Sammy leaned the weight of her head into her hand, propping her elbow up on the edge of the desk. Mr. Phillips' voice lulled her thoughts as he droned on about opportunity cost. She nodded occasionally as though to agree with a point he had just made. The weight of her tired eyes threatened to give her away.
"You okay?"
"Hmm?" Remembering where she was, Sammy tried to lift her head. "Yeah. Don't worry about it."
Gabe inched his desk closer. "I'm a guy, and even I know 'don't worry' usually means the opposite. Spill."
"I'm just tired." She tried to brush off his concern, but the expression on his face told her he wasn't buying it. She exhaled a weary sigh. "I haven't been sleeping...Do you ever get nightmares... about... stuff?"
His shoulders slumped a little, his lips pressing together. He offered a somber nod.
"I'm sorry. Of course, you do. I shouldn't have—" She opened her mouth to continue, but Mr. Phillips's gaze pinned her. "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?"
"Uh, yeah... I was just wondering, can opportunity cost be something that isn’t money, like time or sleep?"
"That's an excellent thought, Ms. Evans." Mr. Phillips turned toward the board, making a chart. "Let's look at it like this..."
She wasn't sure where the question came from, but was grateful to get the focus off of her and Gabe. She turned back to him, but the gaze that met her now seemed... haunted.
┈┈・ ✦ ・┈┈
Sammy carefully balanced the stack of books in her left arm, checking her hair in the mirror on the inside of her locker. The hallway was filled with a clamor of slamming metal lockers and slow-moving footsteps as everyone readied for the next period.
She nodded in approval, letting her locker close without the unnecessary bang of her peers.
"Hey, there." Gabe's smile greeted her, leaning on the locker beside hers.
"Hey, yourself." Sammy brushed her hair over her shoulder, turning toward her next class.
He followed beside her. "Do you have plans after school today?"
"I do now." Her eyes lit up at the prospect. "What did you have in mind?"
"You'll see," he teased, not giving her anything more.
"Mysterious!" She narrowed her gaze slightly. "That's usually a Cas thing, but I'll allow it this once."
His smile faltered, and his stride hesitated a moment. The warmth in his eyes flickered colder. "I can be mysterious."
“I didn’t mean it like that.” She glanced at her classroom just a few doors away. “Wait, isn’t your class the other way?”
"It is," he answered, his grin growing once more.
"Then why are you walking me?" She looked back toward the busy hallway between him and his next class. "You're going to be late."
He shrugged away her concern. "Maybe I like the company."
She nudged her arm against his. "I like the company, too."
┈┈・ ✦ ・┈┈
A/N: Sammy is romancing Cas too, but she's off feeding this week which led to more opportunities for Gabe and Sammy to get closer. Plus, the closer they are the more painful the reveal will be...
Figured we needed an appreciation post for Libby to coincide with the @choicesbookclub read of Immortal Desires!
Transparents under the cut
It's so weird calling her Libby Rogers. I started writing SICSIG when ID book one was all we had and I got to pick a surname for her, so she'll always be Elizabeth Jane Blackwood in my mind 🧁
As part of our Choices 10th Anniversary celebration, we are also having a secret pal exchange.
What it is:
If you chose to participate, you will be randomly matched with another fan in the fandom. You then create or commission something special for them based on their interests.
How to participate below the break
How to participate:
Reblog this post stating your interest AND include your top 3 books/characters/pairings to help guide your match on what they should create for you. (If you don't want to list 3, you can list what you're comfortable it) Reblogs that do not include a top 3 will not be considered entries for participation.
or, message me here @choicesfandomappreciation or at @lovealexhunt stating your interest and include your top picks
Note: When listing your interests, please include any preferred gender/race characteristics you may have for customizable character. If you have FCs you are welcome to list them as well.
If you want to participate but would rather not create for a particular user, feel free to message me privately and if you get that person, I'll re-spin the Wheel of Names. (no judgement)
Deadline to participate: July 29
What comes next:
On, or about, July 30, I will message you with your match and what they listed as their top 3 interests. [I use Wheel of Names to match users]
You create something for them based on their interests and post it for them between August 15-17.
You do NOT have to create for all 3 pairings, one is enough. The 3 is to give you a choice for what you're comfortable with!
It would also be really nice if you could include a brief positive message of encouragement and/or support with your creation for your match
Please tag this blog and #ChoicesASPE26 as well so I can keep track of who posted and who is missing.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out.
Immortal Desires - nb!white!MC (Luca O'Rinn) x asian!m!Cas Harlow x hispanic!m!Gabriel Adalhard
(poly triad, just CasxGabe is cool as well. Also really love friendships and family, so if you want to focus on Luca and any other ID character, that's great too! Huge longfic in progress, check #SICSIG or #luca o'rinn for more info. Luca has piercings, freckles, tattoos - sprite sheet for edits available)
2. It Lives Series - either nb!white!MC (Sienna Weaver) x Abel Flint (ILW) or nb!hispanic!MC (Pax Ortega) x Noah Marshall (ILITW)
i've basically never posted abt these pairings, so feel free to send asks! But Pax is sunny, calm, confident (if depressed), Sienna is salty and aggressive, but very caring toward Abel
3. Blades of Light and Shadow - m!hispanic!MC (Dorian Silvertongue) x Aerin Valleros OR m!hispanic!MC (Dorian Silvertongue) x Nia Ellarious
These guys will be a triad but I haven't figured that out yet, so individual pairings is better for now! #Dorian Silvertongue is also very about flirting and casual hookups, so if you want to pair him with a surprise character, go ahead!
Do you have any headcanons regarding your mc’s background and life before moving to Crimson Beech?
Extremely long answer: yes
short answer: Luca lived in Scotland! They attended an arts academy where they majored in dance (ballet and contemporary, primarily, though he studied many styles), and they moved to Boston with their mum to escape some family trouble, though they only lived there for a short time before moving to CB
What is your first impression of mc’s mother? Do you have any headcanons for her or her relationship with your mc?
She's become everyone's mum in my longfic haha. I think my version of Terri is calmer, braver, and more world-weary than canon Terri
What’s your first impression of Gabe? How does your mc feel about Gabe at this point in the story?
Immediate heart eyes haha
A figure stood at the edge of the quad, and suddenly, they were all Luca could see.
Pocketing their phone, Luca felt himself getting caught up for a moment in thoughts of Greek heroes and Romantic classics, wondering if the muscled Adonis standing at the edge of the quad was indeed a real person, or if he had been carved in marble by some talented sculptor’s hand. An artist who had seen the fabric of the very heavens. An artist who had looked upon the face of the sweetest, purest of angels, blessed with the skill to write that image in stone.
And then the man had moved.
Nope, the Achillean figure at the edge of the quad was very much real, very much a student… and quite possibly the most attractive man Luca had ever laid eyes on.
How does your mc feel about Gabe’s friends (Libby, Aiden and Jade)?
I think Luca really appreciates being introduced to people so quickly so he can make friends -- they've gone from having a big friend group and being in a band in Scotland to living in a new country and knowing noone. Jade and Aiden seem cool to him, though he did find Libby to be a bit much at first. (I adore her, personally! She's just doing her best lol)
What’s your first impression of Cas? How did your mc feel about Cas before and after the ending of chapter 1?
Again, immediate heart eyes
It was like a phantom hand had caught Luca by the throat, squeezing tighter as the newcomer stalked ever closer — a tall, lilac-haired student, all leather jacket and ripped jeans, piercings, heavy rings and heavier gaze, as if he’d been ripped straight from Luca's most sordid, bad boy fantasies. Then he opened his mouth to speak —to growl— and the remaining scraps of Luca’s sanity were shot to the wind.
‘Where is he?’
Dear god, the bass in that low voice, the rumbling timbre of it… Luca could practically feel it in their chest. It was all they could do to keep from replying “Here, I’m right here”. But it wasn’t Luca who held the newcomer’s attention, and they felt a twinge of jealousy as he charged down the hall, his eyes boring into a smug-looking student standing by the lockers. Flinging out a hand, Gabriel tried to slow him as he passed, only to be roughly shrugged off.
Gabriel groaned. ‘Cas, don’t!’
Cas. Solid, broad-shouldered, Cas. Probably has a bunch of tattoos, Cas. Face as perfect and tempting as Lucifer himself, Cas. So, the fallen angel had a name, after all. Luca had to bite their tongue to keep from speaking that name aloud, longing to taste it on their lips.
What’s your first impression of the coven leaders? How does your mc feel about them at this point in the story?
I loved meeting the coven, leaders and all. I really appreciate a big ensemble cast! When I was writing this scene in my longfic, I did it from Cas's POV, so I never really explored things from Luca's POV: I think he doesn't really have a first impression of Lewyn and Astoria as individuals? They are more just representations of "these vampires must have leaders", and they fit the sort of vibes he was expecting: sharp, cold, formal
How does your mc feel after finding out vampires are real? + How does your mc feel after everything that happened last night?
SO. FUCKING. CURIOUS. Luca CANNOT resist finding out more about this whole thing haha
"Somerandomjewelleryonthefloor, why does Luciano have piercings here?" Well, it's because I toyed around with the idea of her being a little pierced up in the past in my VERY old luci-postings (when Luci looked incredibly caucasian), and I wanted to revisit it and make them part of her character.
It makes sense that she'd suddenly sprout piercings in this comic-series that's based around her X the raider gang, as to her the raiders represent freedom and that includes the freedom of self expression. They help decorate her beautiful angel wings if you will :>
Onto something a little serious tho, I am gonna make a full fledged post ABT it (post here), but this will be my last post in a hot minute as I essentially need to touch grass and get off this app (not forever, but yk). I'm glad I ended the last few postings on this app with a project I'd been brewing for a WHILE. This isn't my best work, there will be many many others to come that will surpass this in quality, but it's absolutely the peak of my current arting journey thus far <3
