#ffbm

[smoky-solitude]

I view Beloved as cat-like, and this is not the least because I imagine a happy Fitzloved relationship as one where a bored or needy Beloved drapes himself on or in front of whatever it is Fitz is working on, or in Fitz’s lap if that’s even a little bit available. He shoves everything out of the way so he can claim Fitz’s attention instead. And if Fitz doesn’t completely refocus on Beloved, he still just pets him absent mindedly, and either way Beloved purrs in satisfaction.

Pet the cat. You’ll feel better.

[smoky-solitude]

Monologue Monday

I’ve been tagged by @leithillustration and can I say I too love that we’ve all accepted that the WIPs matter more than the days? And the alliteration matters most of all!

I present to you an excerpt from my WIP FFBM ch29, in which Fitz is clocked by some kitchen maids on a late night visit, and they of course ask for his fashion advice. (He does not realize he’s been clocked because he would totally panic if he did)

But the maids were remarkably friendly with me, asking my opinion on a tidbit of gossip and whether this color ribbon or that looked better in one’s hair.

“You must have an opinion, Guardsman Tom!” she declared, holding first one ribbon next to her face, then the other. They were both speckled with flour, but not nearly as much as I would expect.

I almost turned around and left, certain that this was some flirtation or other that I did not welcome. But then she said, “it’s for Harvestfest and my beau—“ Her eyelashes fluttered at the naming, and she looked not at me but at the ribbons. She was hardly older than Nettle. “Wants me to surprise him. But I cannot know which a man thinks is better!” She turned pleading eyes back at me. “You were manservant to Lord Golden, and he was known for his understanding of color and dress. And you have a man’s eye! Surely you can help me.”

She held them out to me beseechingly. I could not turn down such a request, so I set down my tray and took up the ribbons.

Soft tagging @maddyisenough @marsskaterboii @feyweird @bottan-blobbington @orpheeeeus and anyone else who would like to post a WIP!!

[smoky-solitude]

Evil Prilkop for the ask game? Lmao I am indeed intrigued - Parlerenfleurs

Yesssss ok there's a bit of backstory. Evil Prilkop is inspired in part by FFBM ch4 (FFBM is my FF fixit, link to ch1) where Fitz convinces Beloved to return to Buckkeep with him. It includes super paranoid Fitz finding all the little things about Prilkop's behavior that are, in retrospect, sus af (e.g., why didn't Ilistore Forge Prilkop? Prilkop must've visited her a LOT for the path from his cave to her lair to be visible even at night, why did Prilkop lead Fitz and Fool on a merry chase into the arms of Ilistore's men if he's not on their side, Prilkop said that the prophets darken as they change the world but he's super dark and notes only later that he failed, he calls his catalyst his 'beloved' after Fitz drops the Fool off after the garden etc.) As I was writing Fitz's paranoid delusion/conspiracy theory/deus ex bring-beloved-home argument, I started to believe it. So Evil Prilkop is based on my off-the-wall headcanon that Prilkop is the Prophet that brought down the dragons and the elderlings, and he followed Icefyre to Aslevjal specifically to make sure no one reawakens him. It'll be Prilkop's POV and start with him in Clerres and end with him and Fitz meeting in AF.

It's a far-out WIP: it requires I assemble alllll the things related to the downfall of the dragons, all the Clerres stuff, etc etc. I'm in the process of rereading LST and taking many a note, and I need to read (for the first time!) RWC, and reread F&F. It's going to be the best time.

@parlerenfleurs tagging you so you get the notif! Also feel free to play the WIP game, I lost count of how many people I tagged!

[smoky-solitude]

FFBM ch 29 Avoidance has been posted!

The hiatus is over! I'll be posting 1-2x per month :D Ch 29 features smut, angst and Fitz getting clocked in the kitchens.

For my entire life, those I could trust with even a semblance of my struggles could be counted on one hand. Were I younger, I might have gone to Burrich, but he was gone. Verity and I had spoken of love and bedding, but he too was not available to me. Nighteyes, my heart and my soul, would not have understood my struggle. No, the old wolf would have told me I was making this more complicated than it needed to be, that I was stalking prey that was not there or that my clenching fingers were tangling my hair into knots.

Read it here!

[smoky-solitude]

FFBM 30 is up!

Fitz and Fool talk about Starling, and then Fitz gets some quality time with my bestie Chade in the walls <3 <3 <3 Keffria makes an appearance too!

Read it here!

[smoky-solitude]

FFBM and the Boxfic are finally in a series together!

I listened to many many songs, skimmed my favorite chapters, and could not find a line I liked, a line that captured the atmosphere of the fix-it.

So I went to the canon and tracked down the quotes that inspired me to write this fic, inspired me to send Fitz on this path. I combined the two that reflect the journey best.

In this fix-it, Fitz chooses life and hardship and struggle. He chooses to be freed by who he is. And he chooses to see the loveliness in the world around him.

I think boxfic is read best after FFBM ch 27, so I put it as number 2 in the series order, even though it can be read as a standalone.

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

[smoky-solitude]

WIP Wednesday!

I’ve been tagged by @leithillustration, who posted a VERY COOL planning document for a comic that I’m very excited to read, and @maddyisenough, whose modern ROTE AU is adorable and hilarious and has of course a camera-happy Patience and a camera-shy Fitz. Excellent WIPs all around!

I have a snippet of “King in the Shadows,” the sequel work for FitzChivalry Farseer, the Bastard Monarch. I’m aware FFBM isn’t done yet and I’m on hiatus, but when you’re struck by the intense impulse to work *checks outline* ~15 chapters ahead of what you’ve posted, you must listen!!

I present to you, a somewhat awkward late-night conversation between Fitz, Fool, and Nettle:

“Our conversation actually makes it easier,” she said awkwardly. “You see, it’s about Sydel.”

“Sydel?” I knew my daughter had befriended the girl as they were both new outcasts in Buckkeep. But despite spending as much time with my daughter as I could, but I had avoided any event with Sydel, preferring to avoid remembering that unfortunate visit. She had come to watch weapons practice, but that was not the same as any form of interaction.

“Yes. Sydel. You see, we uh…” She trailed off, cleared her throat, and opened her mouth again. She did it several times, looking none so much as a fish.

“Yes?” I prompted her.

“Mmh,” she grunted. “Well, I uh… Oh this is hard. I can see why you struggled so much to tell me.” Then both her hands smacked over her mouth, her eyes growing wide. Behind her and almost in parody, the Fool brought one hand to his mouth.

“Oh,” I said, and before I knew it, my hand covered my mouth as well.

THATS RIGHT NETTLE AND SYDEL ARE OFFICIAL IN MY AU

Gently tagging @halcyonhowl @a-hazel-in-the-dell @janeways-coffees @marsskaterboii and anyone else who has a WIP to share :3

[smoky-solitude]

Did we need another elderling tent fic?

Yes. Obviously.

Read my take here.

Ch 1 “A Promise to Forget” is the first chapter of three in “A Box with Two Locks.” This fic can be read as a standalone, as a prequel to FFBM, or after FFBM ch 27.