#fracktastic

[shadowsong26fic]

📒

All right, cool, an excuse to ramble a bit about The Other Battlestar XD

i swear i am really working on it and it will be posted Someday...

This being the one where Baltar ends up on Pegasus instead of Galactica after the attack. Which is...basically the plot. Nice and easy to summarize, lol. The fic, as currently planned, covers the six months before the two battlestars reconnect (and through the end of Resurrection Ship) but with things skewed just a little bit. Obviously.

And there's a few fun things to work with:

Building the people that I'm adding to the Pegasus crew. Including a Four, because I kind of love the Fours and I want to. (And also he can do some important plotty things later). And also a Marine officer who grew up with Baltar on Aerilon, because why not throw in some character/backstory shenanigans while I'm here.

So while obviously things were skewed, I am trying to keep this closer to an In Spite Of A Nail AU on the Galactica side of things? So, filling in the gap Baltar leaves with two OCs, one to do the science and one to do the politics.

I have a whole list in my notes covering everything up through Pegasus-the-episode, grouping episodes under "I Absolutely need to rewrite this at least in part (e.g., Litmus, Colonial Day)"; "I don't Need to but I Could/Should/Want to (e.g., 33, Tigh Me Up Tigh Me Down)"; and "frak it, I'm just gonna handwave it. (e.g., Hand of God)"

Figuring out the little details I didn't even think of as I go along--such as why Helo stays behind in the miniseries, what kind of role the guy filling in for Baltar's politics storylines (Kimble) is going to play during the Kobol arc, etc. (this is probably part of why it's taking so long to actually start putting out, lol. plus figuring out how much time I want to spend introducing OCs/doing other Setup stuff in the miniseries section...)

Basically, what I have right now on the Galactica side is mostly a bunch of notes about the stuff that I absolutely need to change/cover, figuring out how to get the two people splitting Baltar's canon role into their respective positions, trying not to get distracted by how the election would play out since that is Out Of Scope For This Project but then again if I ever do decide to push past my current plans, then I need to put some effort into figuring out how Zarek and Kimble play off each other before we get there so......yeah.

(Plus working out how Cavil and Shelly decide to approach the science-storyline replacement)

And then on the Pegasus side, I do have a general outline of what I need/want to get done, and Razor gave me some helpful timeline/structure markers, but given how I want certain things to line up, I've got a fairly wide timeline space where I don't really have many guideposts for what could/should go on.

(Also I figured out a while ago that Baltar probably has a brevet commission as an officer because Cain is not going to have any civilians on her ship/doesn't want any ambiguity in terms of authority/chain of command/etc. and it is the funniest fucking thing to me)

It also probably doesn't help that I write out of order, so I have a couple of very key scenes written that I'm pleased with....but I absolutely cannot share because they are Massive Spoilers, lol.

But...okay, there's this scene I posted here a couple months ago (featuring Daphne Reed, Senior Medical Officer on Pegasus) just after Pegasus stumbles across the civilian ships Cain intends to strip for parts/personnel.

And then I also have a few random snippets of dialogue, like this one that I'm not sure exactly where it'll fit in--now that I'm thinking about it, it might make sense to move it to later, where I have that big chunk of white space to fill in...

After more than two decades, the accent fit him like a second skin; he could maintain it drunk, half-asleep, or in a haze of post-coital bliss. Letting it drop was…odd. Uncomfortable. Strange and familiar all at once. “I didn’t forget anything,” he said, feeling the rough consonants of his childhood scrape across his throat. “I just moved on with my life.”

...so, yeah! There was a disorganized ramble about this massive passion project that is taking a million years and will probably be like. 200k words before it's done XD

Send me a book!

[madamairlock]

prompt:

Laura, Bill, coffee

“Pass me my coffee, please.”

“You drank it already.”

Laura looked up from her book, her hand sliding between the pages to mark her spot. “No, I didn’t.”

Bill sighed and leaned forward to grab a mug—his, she was certain—and tilted it so she could see the droplets that were all that remained. “Empty.”

“I’ve only taken a few sips and you’ve been chugging yours down.” She waved her hand toward the other mug and stared at him.

“You’re not drinking my coffee.” He coolly met her gaze and returned the mug to the coffee table.

“It’s not yours!” She huffed and sat up so she could reach for the remaining coffee, but he batted her hand away. “Bill, I have to meet with Dr. Baltar and Zarek today. At least one sip.”

“I’m in the CIC on my feet for four hours. My coffee.” He kept his arm in the air, a barrier between her and what she wanted.

“You’re the Admiral, you could sit if you wanted to.” She shrugged and tried to move his arm, but he stiffened it and she got nowhere. “Please?”

“No.” He gently pushed her arm back and traded his book for the coffee, quickly standing up to move out of her reach.

She watched him, a small pout on her lips, and set her book aside so she could cross her arms. “You’re being childish,” she accused.

He looked her over and chuckled softly. “If I give you my coffee, what do I get in return?”

“It’s my coffee, first of all,” she said immediately, “so you shouldn’t get anything for it.”

“Given that I’m holding it, I should get something for giving it up.” He held the mug up but only took a deep breath of the aroma wafting off it.

“So, you’re holding my coffee hostage?”

“It would seem so.” He grinned and set it on the table, his hand planted flat next to it; he leaned into his hand and kept his gaze on her.

“What do you want for it?”

He shrugged, his other hand sliding into his pocket. “A kiss now and dinner later.”

She suddenly broke out into a smile and stood up, holding his stare as she walked around the table and came to stop in front of him. “Final offer?” He nodded. “Pleasure doing business with you, Admiral.”

She leaned up on her toes and kissed him softly, but pulled back and grabbed her mug before he could pull her deeper into the kiss. Flashing him a confident smile, she took a slow drink of coffee and hummed at the smell and taste. He shook his head and watched her, well aware it was her coffee he had stolen and pleased his ploy to have dinner with her had worked.

[madamairlock]

I'm just gonna keep sending prompts now :P Same pairing, paintbrush

You know, I was gonna go to sleep early but the muse is awake and so am I :P

Her back was to him, hands on her hips and hair somehow tied up to keep it off her neck. He couldn’t blame her—Colonial One was damn hot with the air recyclers broken and even his tanks were too much clothing.

“It’s cooler on Galactica,” he offered, but he knew exactly how she would reply. It was the third time he had suggested moving off her ship until the Chief could take a look at her.

“Yes, but all of my notes and paperwork are right here.” She spun around and looked at him, lower lip caught between her teeth. A bead of sweat ran down her forehead and she grimaced as she wiped it away. “I just need another thirty minutes and I’ll be done.”

He sighed and considered crossing his arms but it was too hot for that. “You said that thirty minutes ago.”

“I’m sorry I don’t have a perfect timetable for my work, Bill.” There was an edge to her voice, but he didn’t take it personally, knowing it was the heat slowing driving everyone insane. As she spoke, she leaned against her desk, carefully shuffling things around.

“What are you looking for?” he asked when she continued searching.

“My pen. I swear I just had it.” She pulled back and clasped her hands, thumb rapidly tapping against the other.

Bill cleared his throat and gestured to her hair. It took her moment to realize what he meant and she reached up, hands moving over her hair until she found the object holding it up. She pulled it free and held it up with a frown.

“Paintbrush.” Her tone conveyed all of her confusion and surprise, but she immediately started tapping it against her palm as she returned to her search.

“It’s a sign, Laura, come back to Galactica with me.” He took a step closer to her desk and picked up his jacket that he had abandoned shortly after arriving.

Most of Colonial One had already cleared out and they were some of the only people still on board. It left the ship, especially with her engines off, oddly quiet.

Laura groaned loudly and tossed the paintbrush onto her desk. “I don’t even know where the frak that came from,” she complained. “Fine, fine. Let’s go.”

He watched her gather up a large stack of papers that she slid into her briefcase which he took, freeing her hand to grab her blazer and lead the way from the room.

[shadowsong26fic]

Burying their face in their hands

BSG character(s) of your choosing

Felix splashes cold water on his face, then leaves it buried in his hands for a moment.

Just get through today. Take things one day at a time. If I don't do that, if I think too far forward--or too far back--I'll break. And I can't afford to break. But I can do this. I can do this. I have to do this.

One more day. One more file. One more lie.

It took six weeks to be sure he could sneak things out without getting caught. Another two weeks to actually set up the dead drop; maybe three days after that til he was sure Chief was actually able to check it safely.

That part had been easier, in some ways. When each morning, each step, each moment had a specific task for him to accomplish. A goal. A path forward. A focus point.

And now...

Now it's just...waiting. Keeping an eye out for things worth sharing. Making it through each day. Looking for a focus to get him through.

Hoping he still recognizes his reflection when this is over.

This part is so much harder than he thought it would be.

it will be over someday; it has to be; they'll come back for us; this isn't forever this isn't forever this isn't forever.

He draws in a breath, lets it out, then another, and a third, and he finally looks up.

He's still himself, he thinks. For now.

One day at a time. You can do this, Lieutenant. Just take it one day at a time.

He dries his hands, puts on what he hopes is a neutral expression, and goes to work.

Send me a prompt!

[shadowsong26fic]

2 and 9 for the writing asks

2. Share a snippet of an old wip that you never posted.

Since this specifies an old project that's never been posted, here's a bit from one of my original stories (although this is an AU). I ended up posting a different version of it, that was less...lyrical? Stylistic? I'm not sure what word I want to use here. It's not a way I write often, but I do like the way it turned out. That being said, this is definitely a. Basically, this is a story about sacking a city, in a mythical/Ghost Story kind of style. CW for references to mass murder and genocide.

(Also I spent the last couple hours on a trip down Memory Lane which was honestly kind of Delightful, thank you for that ^_^)

9. Share an off screen headcanon/scene for a fic of the asker's choosing

Since you didn't specify a fic, I'll go with the Selkie AU I posted the other day (as it's the most recent one in a fandom I know we share, and there's a Not Insignificant Chance I'll come back to it, lol).

The full details of both answers are behind the cut.

Ask me a writers' question!

2. Share a snippet of an old wip that you never posted.

The one-great city of Feredar is a burnt-out shell, a ghost town, all but deserted. There are people in the city, still, drifting from charred ruin to charred ruin, finding ways to survive. No outsiders dare approach the weeping, ashen ghosts who remain, avoiding the monument to a woman's burning grief as if, after all these years, it could still burn anyone who touches it. People still speak of her only in whispers, as if doing so aloud might bring her back to take what little she left behind.

Some say she was a goddess, sent to punish the city for the crimes of its kings.

Some say she was a ghost, the vengeful spirit of one of the mages slaughtered in the Purge.

Some say she was a princess: of the desert, or the North, or even Heartwood, and there was a boy who died there; her brother, or perhaps her lover--but no one really believes she was only human.

What they agree upon is this: a woman wreathed in wrathful fire destroyed the city, in a way that war and the Purge and a punishing siege could never hope to achieve; and a shadow sang at her feet, pleading with her for reason, but she burned, and she burned, and she burned, and the rest of the world watched in horror but did nothing to save them.

The once-great city of Feredar is a devastated ruin of ashes and grief, and threads of shadowed song drift on the wind, calling the ghosts to witness.

9. Share an off screen headcanon/scene for a fic of the asker's choosing

There was a version of this same sort of moment/concept that I toyed with that had the POV flipped--one where Caprica did end up seeing his skin somehow. She didn't recognize it for what it was immediately, but it stood out in the context of his house.

So when she left, she did some digging, and came across the legends of river brides and river children of Aerilon.

And then she thought about it--she could find the skin again and steal it, if she wanted to. It would make her mission easier, and it might even be...a kindness, in the end. If he was compelled to betray his people, then he wouldn't have to feel guilty for it, right?

But she ended up deciding not to. Partly because the idea of compelling him to do anything is Horrifying to her, for reasons she can't quite articulate, even to herself; partly because, even if it takes her death to make her actually Realize it, maybe a little piece of her is starting to doubt her mission/the planned attack, and if she keeps going about it the slow way, she'll have that much more time with him--and humanity will have that much more time to live.

And I know how I would've ended it (maybe not these Exact words, but something along these lines):

Besides, she reasoned, even if he figured it out, in the end, he wouldn't have to live with the guilt for long, anyway.

[shadowsong26x]

🌿 Describe your favorite outfit.

🎤 Is there a song you know all the lyrics to?

🌿 Describe your favorite outfit.

Favorite outfit in terms of stuff I wear on a regular basis: dark blue or black jeans/slacks; probably either my three-quarter-sleeve long black shirt or the short-sleeved teal shirt with the strappy bits on the back; black flats with no socks; sometimes earrings or fun hair stuff.

Favorite outfit in terms of my Fancy Stuff: either the navy dress I got for my brother's wedding or the dark purple floral dress (where the dark purple is close enough to the black background that it doesn't Look like the pattern is as Much as it is); sparkly jewelry for hair/ears/bracelet; cute heels.

Favorite outfit in terms of If I Could Afford It/Wasn't So Lazy: I really like low/scoop back stuff, just Aesthetically. With that, either full-length slacks or an ankle-to-floor-length skirt. Probably dark colored (either dark blue-green/purple or black), with some level of Subtle Interest, whether that's shine/sparkle or a subtle pattern. And then heels, either boots or pumps, and sparkly stuff for hair/ears/bracelet.

🎤 Is there a song you know all the lyrics to?

Several, lol. To be fair, I have a background in music so this kind of memorization is something I learned how to do as a kid. Most relevantly, I used to do choir/take voice lessons and I still remember some songs from that, plus there are some I've just listened to enough that I have them memorized. Probably the top sources for songs I have memorized are Broadway and Billy Joel, but that is by no means an exhaustive list. I also have a lot of Drew Sarich, Spice Girls and other 90s pop I grew up with, a fair amount of Vienna Teng, miscellaneous other pop/rock/indie artists I like and have listened to enough...

Send me a question!

[shadowsong26fic]

WIP game: jump

It took me a few different documents/fandoms, but I did find this one!

She jumped a little, and turned to face him. She was maybe sixty or so, at his best guess; her grey hair was half-braided and framed a face that had probably been beautiful when she was young. The dog, hackles raised, got in between them and growled; which meant the damn horse shied away a little, but he had a firm grip on the reins and she didn’t bolt again. There was something weirdly familiar about the dog’s markings, but Trevor couldn’t place it.

Send me a word!

[madamairlock]

8, 19 and 28

Thank you for your answers and your questions! :D

8) Do you collect anything? If so, what?

-I collect pins, enamel pins, buttons, and such. I'll also grab keychains when I travel if I can't find a pin.

19) What’s your favorite Halloween costume from when you were a kid?

-I don't remember too many, but I loved my Belle costume (true early 00's)

28) Can you swim very well? Do you like swimming?

-I actually learned to swim before I learned to walk and I love swimming!