F, O, and S for the fanfic asks? Also hi, Dani!!
HI CASS! I've missed you so.
Here's the answers to the letters you sent for the ask game! Thank you for sending them to me ❤️
F: Share a snippet from one of your favorite dialogue scenes you’ve written and explain why you’re proud of it.
Wow, Cass. Of course you had to hit me with the big guns.
I think I'll go with this bit from Death Dance. I wrote it pre-acosf, so it's been a while since I've revisited that fic. I liked this scene because it shows Nesta's willingness to strip her walls down to make sure Cassian knows how impactful of a life he's led up to that point, especially since he struggles with his self-worth so often. It's after Cassian realizes they're mates during a training drill in Illyria. It's pretty long, so I apologize for that!
You believe I meant you aren’t enough, that you aren’t worthy?” She did nothing to disguise the pain in her tone.
His eyes widened slightly as he scanned her face for any clue that would make sense of her words. A chuckle worked its way from her chest, and she watched as his jaw tensed in irritation.
“I was angry and disappointed with myself; never you. I felt our bond on the training grounds, and I panicked. Do you realize how intimidating it is to look up at you, the General Commander of the Night Court’s armies, and realize you’re my mate?” Her words were quiet and breathy, as if she were sharing the most secret parts of herself.
His expression twisted into one of confusion, his head shaking slightly as if trying to clear some imaginary fog that had settled over them. His words never came.
“You don’t hear the other soldiers when you walk away, the way they speak of you as a legend in your own time. You have fought countless wars, defended thousands, thrown yourself between lethal threats and your family, and trained legions upon legions of others to do the same. Do you know the effect your existence has had on this court; on this world?”
Cassian could only blink, silver rimming his lower lids slightly. Her thumbs started to stroke him gently on the cheeks in comfort. She felt tears of her own prick at her eyes at the thought that he’d never realized these things, that no one had ever told him.
“And beyond that, you are one of the most compassionate and authentic males, or men, that I’ve ever known in my short life. All these years of war and pain, and you continue to love openly and not let those things jade you. I’m in awe of you everyday.”
His eyes squeezed shut as his throat bobbed, and a tear slipped down cheek. She wiped it away quickly, unsure of how he would react if she fussed over his emotion.
“Here I am, a human-woman-turned-High Fae, training to control my powers and as a soldier, and all I can think about is how I will ever measure up to what you’ve contributed in this life. I promise I will do my best to try. If you’ll have me,” she finished, swallowing dryly and holding her breath.
Cassian’s calloused hands dropped from his chest to rest on her waist, his thumbs stroking over her ribs. He looked down at her then, tugging her toward him and nestling her between his thighs. Their hips were flush, and Nesta was overwhelmed with the sensation at each point of contact between them. He brought his forehead to rest against hers, their noses brushing against each other as he continued to look at her.
“Say it,” he asked, near pleading.
She knew what he meant; felt it in her very self.
“Cassian,” she murmured, “you’re my mate.”
O: How do you begin a story–with the plot, or the characters?
I've done it both ways! Sometimes, I have an idea for a plot and think "what characters make sense to carry this plot? Who do I need to pull this off?" and other times, I love a good character-driven story that evolves over time to focus more on the aspect of honest connection rather than intricate plot. Hope that makes sense!
S: Any fandom tropes you can’t resist?
A while back, I wouldn't have known exactly what to answer, but I've recently realized that I'm kind of a slut for a fake dating trope. That includes when characters ask each other to pretend for the sake of an event/ circumstance, all the way to arranged marriage AUs where they're trying to sell their relationship as authentic. I love the opportunity for those small glimpses of vulnerability and watching genuine respect/ admiration grow between two strangers. I just love it.