FictionIsSocialInquiry

Zutara fic writer currently on hiatus from writing fanworks while I pursue some original fiction ambitions! If you'd like to make any kind of fanfic/fanart/podfic/insert work here of any of my stories-- please know you are very very welcome to! In fact, I'd be stoked if you messaged me on Tumblr or left me a comment on the fic you're referencing to let me know! I would love to see/read/listen to it! Fics can be found over at FFN and AO3 (same username) :)

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Fake dating AU (Nice Diplomacy, By the Way) has gone and got itself a nice lil new chapter. Please enjoy the barely plausible political machinacians, mild aangst, and all the yearning!

Zuko guided Katara through the turn, his palm at her back firm now. He let himself draw her in, their chests nearly touching as he guided them through the quicker steps. Her breath brushed his neck. ‘You look flushed,’ he teased. ‘Tired already?’ ‘Not even close,’ she whispered back, eyes glittering with challenge. He spun her out and reeled her back in, hand sliding lower before he caught himself. The look she gave him then was both warning and dare. ‘Careful, Fire Lord,’ she breathed, smiling as though this were the sparring ground and she’d won a bout. Lured by the challenge in her eye, he leaned closer, his mouth right by her ear. ‘You started this.’ Her laugh shivered against his throat. ‘And you agreed to it.’ The music swelled to its close, dancers slowing into the final bow. Zuko kept his hand steady at her back, reluctant to release her even as the applause rose. Katara straightened, still smiling, cheeks flushed from the dance. For one dangerous moment he forgot it was all an act— or maybe the dance had spun it to somewhere he was only distantly aware of, at the back of his mind. His thumb at her back traced her dress’s seam up her spine.

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Chapter 4 of Nice Diplomacy, By the Way is up.

No updates for 4 years, then two updates in two days. Sometimes dissassociating while you have food poisoning is a very productive way to spend your time.

That earned him only a raised brow. ‘This is a fake date?’ Her tone was light, but her gaze lingered, searching. He met it, steady. ‘What else would you call it?’ She ducked her head, braid slipping forward again. ‘If this is a date,’ she murmured, ‘then the next one shouldn’t be about project proposals.’ Her eyes lifted, bright and sly. Zuko found himself leaning in before he caught it and shifted back, trying to disguise the movement as if he were just settling cross-legged. His knee brushed hers. Heat flared under his skin and not from the fire at his back this time. ‘What would we talk about instead?’ he asked, voice rougher than he’d intended. She swirled her cup. ‘You’d ask me about my day. I’d tell you about a play I heard of in the city.’ ‘Which play?’ ‘The Fire Drake and the Crocobear.’ Zuko set the scrolls aside. ‘That sounds terrible.’ Her lips curved, and she didn’t quite meet his eyes. ‘You wouldn’t say that. Not on our date.’ ‘Wouldn’t I?’ ‘No. You’d ask me to go with you.’

[fictionissocialinquiry]

One bed and pining. What more could you want?

‘You can’t be serious.’ He grimaced. ‘Do you want the broom closet instead? It’s that or here.’ Her gaze snapped to him, sharp as a whipcrack. ‘You’re enjoying this.’ He scowled, heat prickling across his scar. ‘I’m not.’ ‘Then why are you smirking?’ ‘I’m not smirking.’ He wasn’t, at least, not intentionally, but something about her outrage made the corner of his mouth twitch before he could rein it in. He looked away, stalking toward the brazier as if tending the fire were suddenly urgent. Behind him, she muttered, ‘Unbelievable,’ and tossed her travel satchel onto the chair. She circled the room once, the sweep of her skirts brushing the polished floor. She lingered by the bed, fingertips grazing the carved headboard. ‘One bed.’ ‘Yes,’ Zuko said flatly. ‘You’re not suggesting—’ ‘I’m not suggesting anything,’ he cut in, more brusque than he meant. ‘The bed’s big enough. Stay on your side and you’ll be fine.’ Her mouth curved in the faintest smirk. ‘Oh, so now you’re worried about boundaries.’ Heat prickled at his neck. He busied himself stripping off his sash and hanging it neatly on the peg. ‘I always worry about boundaries.’

(From Nice Diplomacy, By the Way -- this chapter isn't posted yet, more a taster / teaser)

[fictionissocialinquiry]

About 40,000 years ago, I started writing a fake dating AU. I made promises about updates and followed through on none of them.... until now! Nice Diplomacy, By the Way on AO3 has a new chapter and another on the way. Please enjoy the product of my avid avoidance of real life responsibilities.

Zuko barely slept last night so when he heard raised voices outside his office just before lunch, and one of those voices was Sokka, he dropped his head into his hands and braced himself. The door crashed open. ‘My sister?!’ ‘Good morning, Councilman,’ Zuko intoned pointedly, glaring at his friend. His secretary was hot on Sokka’s heels, shooting the Water Tribe man a coolly furious look. ‘It’s okay, Kuzon, I’ll receive the Councilman now.’ ‘Are you sure, my lord?’ ‘Oh, he’s sure,’ Sokka snapped. He’d yet to direct that thunderous expression anywhere but at Zuko.

[fictionissocialinquiry]

@reylos does anyone remember that amazing fake dating university au fic where ben and rey fake date (I think it was originally because hux was being a major creep). Anyway i think it was taken down because the author was looking to turn it into an original story (might have been an ever-so-reylo fic).

Does it still exist online???? Where can I find it?

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Don't read into this too much... can't promise more Words will be Written... but I'm hurting feelings again on AO3 if you're down for that.

The Stakes are Low

Pao closed his eyes, lips flattening into a line. ‘Yes, sir, that is the delicate situation in which we find ourselves.’

‘Is there a problem?’

‘Not at all. I would never presume to call your majesty’s event problematic,’ the servant said with a carefully detached glower, ‘however, there is the delicate matter of propriety; a guestlist that includes your royal candlemaker and the Avatar is a very delicate matter.’

‘See you’re saying “delicate matter,”’ Zuko said heatedly, ‘but I’m hearing “problem.”’

---

A low key royal faux pas: no stakes, low consequences, all shenanigans.

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Fic Idea Free to a Good Home

A twist on the fake dating, arranged marriage, and friends-to-lovers tropes... Character A and B are friends and unlucky in love early in life. They joke one day that if they are still unmarried at 30, they'll get hitched.

Little do they know, they have just accidentally made a binding magical contract. When the older of the two of them turns 30, A and B are made aware of the contract and its terms: They now have until the younger's 30th birthday to sign a marriage licence or else face dire mystical consequences...

....

Shit.

Now I've written that out I want to write it. Please someone take this off my hands.

[fictionissocialinquiry]

A Rumour Has It Alternative Ending…

He found the mask in a dark corner of a dark room, inch-deep in dust, discarded like one of Izumi’s toys decades abandoned for the Firelord’s mantle. Faint sunlight trickled through the grimy windows of this forgotten palace suite, but it did not touch the mask; even now it lived only in shadows, animated only in the dark.

Except it wasn’t animated. It was silent. Still. Forgotten.

His knees creaked when he bent now but there was yet steadiness in his movements; aged hadn’t robbed him of that just yet. Crouched beside the mask, he hesitated—down the years a waterbender laughed; the scent of jasmine tea…

A shadow crossed Zuko’s heart. He stood. Let dead things lie, he thought grimly, better not to exhume the dashed hopes of the past.

[fictionissocialinquiry]

hello darkness, my old friend

[whymanwrites]

Calling writeblr mutuals and followers!

I’ve gone and entered a writing comp— despite the 4 month old making actual writing properly hard. For real, you’re more likely to see Big Foot than me writing these days. But here it is, fresh from its foggy, mythological genesis: The Curse of the Cold Cook! 2,500 words about white guilt, colonialism, owls, and curses…. Set in a funeral parlour. Did you know morticians used to be called “cold cooks” as slang? I didn’t! Thanks, Google.

Now this comp has a panel of judges BUT in the event that the judges tie in their scoring, they look to engagement as a tie breaker. On the Vocal platform that means reads and hearts.

If you have a spare moment or two, I’d be chuffed if you could visit the link (thereby giving the story a “read”) and hit the heart button <3

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Zutara folk!

I’m putting out the call: If I’ve ever made you keyboard smash with Rumour Has It or type an aggressively supportive comment through tears (my fav kind btw) with The Balcony Story or yell “NOT MOMO YOU MONSTER” with Mending Wounds or any of my fics really… can I count on your help with something?

I’ve gone and entered an original short story writing comp— despite the 4 month old milk goblin baby making actual writing properly hard. For real, you’re more likely to see Big Foot than me writing these days. But here it is, fresh from its foggy, mythological genesis: The Curse of the Cold Cook! 2,500 words about white guilt, colonialism, owls, and curses…. Set in a funeral parlour. Did you know morticians used to have a slang name? “Cold cooks.” I didn’t! Thanks, Google.

Now this comp has a panel of judges BUT in the event that the judges tie in their scoring, they look to engagement as a tie breaker. On the Vocal platform that means reads and hearts.

If you have a spare moment or two, I’d be chuffed if you could visit the link, have a wee read, and hit the heart button <3 to boost the story's stats! Incidentally, reads, hearts, and subscribers also allow me to earn actual dollars for my writing— completely free to you! Now that I’m muming and not working, every little bit counts, and it will be novel to be paid to write OG stories after over 300,000 words of fanfic!

Thanks to all who can help out, my wordy brain is super grateful!

[whymanwrites]

Calling writeblr mutuals and followers!

I’ve gone and entered a writing comp— despite the 4 month old making actual writing properly hard. For real, you’re more likely to see Big Foot than me writing these days. But here it is, fresh from its foggy, mythological genesis: The Curse of the Cold Cook! 2,500 words about white guilt, colonialism, owls, and curses…. Set in a funeral parlour. Did you know morticians used to be called “cold cooks” as slang? I didn’t! Thanks, Google.

Now this comp has a panel of judges BUT in the event that the judges tie in their scoring, they look to engagement as a tie breaker. On the Vocal platform that means reads and hearts.

If you have a spare moment or two, I’d be chuffed if you could visit the link (thereby giving the story a “read”) and hit the heart button <3

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Zutara folk!

I’m putting out the call: If I’ve ever made you keyboard smash with Rumour Has It or type an aggressively supportive comment through tears (my fav kind btw) with The Balcony Story or yell “NOT MOMO YOU MONSTER” with Mending Wounds or any of my fics really… can I count on your help with something?

I’ve gone and entered an original short story writing comp— despite the 4 month old milk goblin baby making actual writing properly hard. For real, you’re more likely to see Big Foot than me writing these days. But here it is, fresh from its foggy, mythological genesis: The Curse of the Cold Cook! 2,500 words about white guilt, colonialism, owls, and curses…. Set in a funeral parlour. Did you know morticians used to have a slang name? “Cold cooks.” I didn’t! Thanks, Google.

Now this comp has a panel of judges BUT in the event that the judges tie in their scoring, they look to engagement as a tie breaker. On the Vocal platform that means reads and hearts.

If you have a spare moment or two, I’d be chuffed if you could visit the link, have a wee read, and hit the heart button <3 to boost the story's stats! Incidentally, reads, hearts, and subscribers also allow me to earn actual dollars for my writing— completely free to you! Now that I’m muming and not working, every little bit counts, and it will be novel to be paid to write OG stories after over 300,000 words of fanfic!

Thanks to all who can help out, my wordy brain is super grateful!

[aimchatroom]

[whymanwrites]

It's been a long time since I've entered a writing competition but when you're on maternity leave and money's tight-- why not! I hope you didn't misread the last word in the working title the way I do *every* time I open the Word Doc...

[whymanwrites]

Making up creepy, ye olde verse for Vibe.

[whymanwrites]

I haven't written historical fiction in a hot minute but with Australia Day/Invasion Day coming up, it feels like the right time to be working on a story that doesn't ignore this country's uneasy relationship to its past...

[fictionissocialinquiry]

I'm taking a wee break from rewriting Balcony Story to enter a few competitions! Anyone up for a lecture on colonialism and racism dressed up as fantasy and spook? There's an owl spirit in it!

[adreadfulidea-deactivated202402]

I think a surprising amount of writers don’t realize that tragedies are supposed to be cathartic. They’re intended to result in a purging of emotion, a luxurious cry; the sorrow caused by a great tragedy is akin to fear caused by a good horror movie – it’s a “safe” sorrow, one that is actually satisfying to the audience. It can still be beautiful! It’s isn’t supposed to just be salting the earth so nothing can grow.

But that’s how you get grimdark: writers who don’t realize that they’re supposed to be doing something with the audience instead of to the audience.

[jadewhisper]

#i once heard a lecture where someone said that the great appeal of tragedy is to see terrible things happen to people you’re supposed to#empathize with and see yourself in#and that the catharsis comes from seeing someone’s life go horribly wrong and still have the author hold your hand and tell you#‘this story mattered. even though it had a sad ending it still mattered. even if you don’t succeed your attempts matter’#grimdark tells you that the world sucks and nothing you do matters#well-written tragedy tells you that sometimes the world sucks but everything you do matters so so much#your story is still worth telling even if you never achieve that happy ending#or if you lose it along the way#people have inherent value and their stories deserve to be told no matter if they turn out okay or not#and in a reality that has no concept of ‘fair’ that shit just hits good man!!! feels good!!!!! it’s COMFORTING

[ifyouwereamelodymeg]

@fictionissocialinquiry Is this you? Is this another blog you keep on the side?

[fictionissocialinquiry]

@ifyouwereamelodymeg It (regrettably) isn't me but while we're on the topic of tragedy: Didn't you burn Zuko and Katara once? And don't you "the smoke inhalation would have got them before the flames" me, young lady...

[fictionissocialinquiry]

opening an old WIP doc after being called out in the comments... a very familiar mood

[fictionissocialinquiry]

Hey! First of all, let me say that I love your fics! They’re amazing, really, I love how you understand the characters, and your writing is lovely! Now for my question: I’m re-reading Rumour Has It, and after reading the chapter in which zk have their first time, I just wondered if you have ever wrote an extended version of it?? I imagine it must have been such a tender and delicate moment for them both, and I thought that I’d love to read about how you imagined it.

Aww, thanks Nonnie <3 This is super sweet and I'm stoked you're giving Rumour Has It a wee re-read!! I think you might be referring to the ANs where I ask if anyone would be interested in me writing their first time as a spin off? I didn't include it in the main fic to keep the rating but you're right: In RHI-verse, under the circumstances that they come together in, it would be really cool to explore their first time! I never did pen it, however, if anyone reading this who liked that fic felt the urge?? I would love to read it!!

[fictionissocialinquiry]

hi!!! i love your stories and your writing 🥺❤️ i was wondering if we are going to get a new chapter for new diplomacies? im OBSSESED

Oooooo actually, there is one more semi-complete chapter I can post for Diplomacies! After that, its really unlikely that I'll get to more of it. As for when that third chapter will drop?

Your guess as good as mine, my dude <3