I would love to say; I ask you all the asks of the shipping questionnaire but- xDD
3 - 10 - 11 (CAUSE I AM JUST CURIOUS xDDD) - 16 - 40
3. Were there any barriers to you establishing your OCs relationship? Perhaps social or cultural stigma? Or a concern that “ships” with that character were already overdone? Or simply a fear of being seen as “cringe”? If so then how did you overcome this?
Shilberd (Shira x Ilberd) is extremely dark. He's 24 years her senior, and he finds her attractive and vulnerable enough to take advantage of. There are already a lot of implications of grooming and just general discomfort there for a lot of people. The worst thing is that she finds him attractive, despite everything he's done. She wants to hate him but she can't deny her feelings either.
I have had a lot of experiences being in Shira's situation, so writing about this kind of stuff is cathartic to me. Ilberd is just my perfect vehicle to explore these themes because (I hope) he's utterly irredeemable. I hope at least that some people would at least find the same catharsis as me in reading or enjoying my Shilberd content.
I have a lot of thoughts on sex and taboo, though at the end of the day: if you felt that you could only resonate with dark stories and things that make you uncomfortable, you are not alone, nor are you broken for it.
10. Is it important to include tension or outright areas of conflict in a relationship? If so then how do you explore these? Or does this not appeal to you?
For sure. Ilberd and Shira is a relationship built on friction. At first, I thought some of my friends believed I would write Shira being utterly love-struck with Ilberd. I actually find that more difficult to write than if there is some contention. If he says small things to get under her skin, or if he wants to try to get a certain answer out of her, or if she sees him do something completely reprehensible, yet still can't shake her crush off him.
I need them to sword fight to the death because that's sexy.
11. Does it matter to you how many other people also ship their OC with a particular character? Would this make it more likely that you will compare your material to theirs? Or does this not enter into your thinking?
Ahahaha
I've read some of your fics I will be honest and I think James and Ilberd are a real treat! ^^ I love early James and Ilberd especially since it has that tension that sets my brain and pulse running. There's not a lot of Ilberd x WoL works so I really want to add to the small list of stories.
I just don't want to come off too much of a stalker but I am happy for James and his sloppy husband
16 is answered here! -> Is there a relationship between characters in another setting that particularly inspired you? What is it about this portrayal that you enjoy?
40. What is something that your friends or mutuals could do to support and encourage you when it comes to your creativity around your OCs relationship(s)?
🫵 Read my fic. Leave kudos, comment, reblog on Tumblr etc. You are always welcome in my DMs to brainrot about Ilberd, though I'm still in post-Heavensward and pre-Stormblood.
