rules: share the first lines of ten of your most recent fics.
I was tagged by @nelsynoo! <3 Including the (now completely drafted!) WIPs because I want to. Most recent on top.
untitled solavellan: Adahla opens her eyes to silent chaos.
untitled rookanis: “There you are.”
Asterism: “I’m not surprised to find you out here.”
Lavellan, A., Pavus, D.: Dear Dorian, I’m glad to hear you’ve arrived safely in Minrathous.
Keep Me From a Thief: “You absolute wanker,” Tav said, incensed, and with a sudden sound like a joint popping, she disappeared in a puff of violet smoke.
Let You and I Be Festive: Professor Gale Dekarios of Waterdeep, foremost expert in illusory magic at the prestigious Blackstaff Academy, former Chosen of the Mother of Magic, and a publicly—if recently—lauded Savior of Baldur’s Gate, was, at the moment, delighted at the progress of his cherry crumble.
A Nest Upon the Leafless Bough: In retrospect, Astarion ought to have expected the ambush.
The Lightning Likewise Loves Thee: Gradually, over the course of several minutes, Tav became aware of the fact that she was happy.
Enjoy Such Liberty: “Say it.”
The Harbor's Winds are Patient: Something was very wrong with her shoulder.
A decent variety, and better than I expected! Tagging @bettydice and @jadesabre301 again, and who else is writing right now. @perahn, I know you've been noodling around with stuff even if you haven't posted!
aban-asaara hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “thisonelikesaliens hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “WHAT’S UP...”
I've only watched one episode of Tiger King but I've been told it gets much better/worse (my friend described it as a "seven-layer dip of pure garbage" haha)
that sounds FANTASTIC ngl
silksieve hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “WHAT’S UP PEEBS”
And the new Emma is excellent and everyone should watch it!
noted!
silksieve hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “WHAT’S UP PEEBS”
Well, I got back into Diablo! Also Brooklyn 99 and westworld
I have Diablo installed and ready to go now :) and yay more B99 love!
snippetsrus hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “WHAT’S UP PEEBS”
Elder Scrolls: Online. The Elsweyr expansion.
nice! I tend to forget there’s an Elder Scrolls MMO, hope you’re having fun!
nelsynoo hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “beauregayd hat auf deinen Eintrag geantwortet “WHAT’S UP PEEBS” ...”
I would replay Mass Effect but SOMEONE has my copies of the game...
Nel, at this point you should just buy the games again, you’re never getting them back and also I have to like that guy now because wow have you ever met a nicer and more talented person I don’t think so, just let him have the games
For the writer's question meme thing - I've just selected a whole load of random ones...Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across? If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose? Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order? Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?
1. Describe your comfort zone—a typical you-fic.
Oh, geez, that’s a tough one. I usually don’t start writing until I have an ending in mind, because I like to make sure I’m writing towards some sort of resolution, whether it’s a victory or realization of some kind. I think my best fics have this sort of emotional trajectory at the core, and I love playing with contrasts on my way there: a bit of heartbreak amidst fluff and humour, a little horror (as a treat), slivers of hope when things are bleak.
I also LOVE playing with dreams/the Fade/other magical fuckery, so FWBU, TFS (the magical fuckery has yet to start but trust me it’s coming), and the fairytale AU are definitely my top three me-fics based on that alone. And then I just have to write some descriptions around all that and I’m a happy girl. :D
13. What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever come across?
Besides read a lot and write a lot? I think “give yourself permission to suck” is the one that’s led to the most visible improvement for me. I’ve really embraced the shitty first draft in the past couple of years, and it’s worked out really well for me. Once I have that global vision in place I can see more easily what works and what doesn’t, kind of like artists start from sketch before moving on to lineart and colour.
It’s not easy, though -- we all wish we could create masterpieces on the first try, and the shitty first draft is kind of ... the complete opposite. But self-compassion is a great place to start for any artist, and I find there’s something really pure and free in just letting yourself write without inhibitions. If anything turns out to be horribly embarrassing, no one but me has to see it anyway, and at least I know what doesn’t work.
15. If you could choose one of your fics to be filmed, which would you choose?
I think Till We From Winter Wake would make for a pretty neat little horror/fairytale movie! I had very vivid images in mind for this fic as I was writing it, so I think it would translate well to a visual medium: the costumes, the castle, the birds, Jocelyn, the dragon, and that whole dream/vision at the end ... in fact I think I should hire Del Toro to make it, haha.
17. Do you write your story from start to finish, or do you write the scenes out of order?
31. Do you take liberties with canon or are you very strict about your fic being canon compliant?
Both answered here, but in short: I always write very linearly! I find it hard to make scenes fit together properly otherwise. And considering how retcon-happy Bioware is, I don’t feel too bad ignoring canon when it’s inconvenient. :D
nelsynoo replied to your post “is anyone else afraid to post a chapter without having started the...”
I get this - I like to have a few chapters of buffer before I post something so that I don't annoy anyone by leaving a fic on a cliffhanger for a really long time. But then I also really like validation in order to power through a multi-chapter fic so I'm in a constant war of "to post or not to post"
This is like 100% me, because I N E V E R manage to actually finish a long thing before I post it. And half the short things I post turn into long things because I am super susceptible to requests to ‘write moar’ because I’m a fucking egomaniac with a keyboard. AND THEN I DON’T FINISH THEM BECAUSE WHAT EVEN IS FINISHING THINGS.
But also like that encouragement? is so real? and necessary? @perahn is super good about this even though she points out typos in drafts I’ve written on my phone and it’s SO RUDE (I’m kidding, it’s fine) because she gives a lot of detailed commentary and speculation about where things are going and what people are doing and it IS super validating, almost like I actually know what I’m doing and wow this is a really long sentence.
So what I’m saying is apparently I need a support group when writing long fic, IDK where I’m going with this, this is fine.
Name/Alias: Perahn, in most places online, and some variants thereof. Out in reality, Katherine. I get Kat from some people, but strenuously resist Kate, Katie, Kath or Kathy.
Birthday: 14 November
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Height: 163cms
Hobbies: Writing (as you know) reading, singing, video games, D&D, limited piano and worse cello, occasional knitting, crochet or very simple embroidery.
Favorite Colour: Teal and dark red
Favorite Book: That’s not a thing. I have a lot of very beloved books I read over and over again... but the Fionavar Tapestry is my go-to answer for times when I absolutely have to pick one.
Last Song I Heard: 'Nobody’s Side’ from Chess.
Last Film I Watched: Oh hmmm... it’s actually been a while. I think it was watching Into the Spiderverse with my brother.
Inspiration for my muse(s): Questions, I think. ‘What if this?’ or ‘And then what?’
Dream Job: If I can’t be paid to hang around on the beach with congenial people occasionally dropping by to talk and play games, the one I’m doing is actually pretty close.
Meaning Behind the URL: It was the name of the first play-by-post forum RP character I ever made, and adapted from the word ‘Perilous’, which was my username at the time.
nelsynoo replied to your post: “For the 0.3% of people who haven’t heard yet: LUCIFER SEASON 4 NETFLIX...”:
The advertising in the UK has consisted of shots of Tom Ellis shirtless - no real information about the show or what it's about or what happens in the new season. Just completely gratuitous abs. I haven't watched the show yet but I feel like I HAVE TO NOW.
Yes. Yes, that’s about right. Work that female gaze, Netflix. (I think their campaign is pretty much the same globally.)
(I mean, IT’S A REALLY GOOD SHOW. With excellent examples of all kinds of things like female friendships and relationships, and a child actor who doesn’t suck, and interesting mythology and ... the abs are very pretty to look at, too ;D)
The shuttle door opens and Shepard squints into the bright Tuchanka sun. Slipping on her sunglasses from where they rest atop her head, she follows Garrus out off the shuttle and onto the sand-covered platform. They’re halted by the pair of krogan working the docks – one of them demanding identification, the other shushing his partner it’s Shepard and Vakarian, you moron – but it’s cut short by deep, amused laughter echoing from the corridor.
“Shit, kid,” Wrex says to the one trying his damndest to adhere to some sort of protocol, “with these two, it’s best just to get out of their way.” The platform shakes a little as he walks up the ramp. “Good to see you, Shepard.”
Grinning, Shepard reaches out and clasps his arm in greeting. ”Thanks for having us, Wrex.”
He turns and gives the same greeting to Garrus. “Wouldn’t have you miss it.” His omnitool beeps. “And it looks like you’re just in time.” He tells the dock workers to have their luggage transported to his home, and then leads them down the corridor toward the settlement.
“I’m surprised he doesn’t have a camera set up, broadcasting to the whole galaxy,” Garrus whispers.
Shepard stifles a laugh and catches his hand. “Bakara probably nixed it.” She doesn’t blame her; it’s a wondrous – miraculous, really – occasion, but also private. “Maybe on the next one. Besides,” she says as they round a corner, “krogan don’t do anything quietly. It’ll be all over the extranet within two minutes.”
“That’s a generous estimate,” Garrus murmurs.
Wrex chuckles, overhearing the last bit of conversation. “As much as I hate to agree with Vakarian, my people don’t have that kind of restraint.”
“Forty-five seconds, then,” Shepard grins.
“That’s more like it.” He opens the door of an idling tomkah and gestures for the two of them to get in.
***
The truck pulls up next to a brand new facility covered in a thin layer of dust and sand. It isn’t shiny anymore, but without the weathered and pockmarked exterior common to the rest of Tuchanka’s structures, it stands out like a beacon.
And maybe, Shepard muses as she jumps out of the truck, it is.
The door opens, blasting them with cool, filtered air and the steady beeping of medical equipment. She’s seen blueprints and photos, and even video when talking to Bakara every week, but no amount of studying diagrams or examining a digital image could really prepare her for actually seeing the lab.
It’s small, but they’ve used every inch of space. Incubators line the walls, with a few more sitting in the center of the room. Warm orange light emanates from the incubators, heating the precious eggs held safely within. Most have two or three, a few only one – but, Shepard knows, they’re all viable.
She blinks back tears, clearing her vision.
“There you are,” Bakara says, ushering them over to an incubator in the center of the room. Wrex is already standing beside her, looking eagerly through the glass.
One of the two eggs rocks energetically back and forth, nearly tipping over on its side.
“We’re naming that one after you,” Wrex says. “Impatient, stubborn little thing.”
Shepard feels heat rise to her cheeks, and hears Garrus stifle a laugh beside her. “Thanks, Wrex.”
“Careful, they might end up headbutting people much larger than they are,” Garrus says, sliding an arm around her waist.
Wrex snorts. “That’s just good parenting.”
Bakara sighs heavily and shakes her head, but her smile gives away her false disapproval.
The eager one takes that moment to crack the shell, silencing the four of them. By the time the tiny krogan girl crawls completely out of her shell, covered in goo and blinking in the bright light, her sibling has started their own journey into the world.
***
“Urdnot Shepard,” Garrus says much later that night, after a brother and sister were both fully hatched and named (and on the extranet a full minute later) and celebratory drinks were had. “How does it feel to have the first krogan born after the genophage named after you?” He settles his arm around her shoulders, tugging her close as they walk toward Wrex’s home and a night’s rest.
“A little weird. Though not as weird as having a shuttleport named after me.” She’s lost count of how many things bear her name now, whether she wanted it or not. At least the flood of invitations to dedication ceremonies has calmed down.
She pauses and stares up at Tuchanka’s night sky: brilliant stars despite the dust, and a faint aurora. Moonlight silhouettes the Shroud’s broken skeleton in the distance. Strange that it was only a year and a half ago she was here in armor, dashing madly between brutes to activate the maw hammers. It feels like a lifetime.
Her omnitool beeps. It’s a video from Wrex, and she tilts it so Garrus can watch. Both babies are asleep on Bakara’s shoulders, snoring softly; the little boy – Urdnot Mordin – gently kneads his tiny fists against her.
“You’re never gonna get any other messages from him ever again,” Garrus says.
Shepard grins and sends back a quick reply. “I’m really not.” She leans against him and starts walking again. “Worth it, though.”
Garrus’ subharmonics rumble quietly in the back of his throat. “Definitely worth it,” he says, pressing his mouthplates to her temple.
They silently make their way through the settlement toward Wrex and Bakara’s home. Shepard pauses by a table full of krogan to give Grunt a friendly headbutt of congratulations on his new cousins, or nieces and nephews – they’ll figure out familial relations in the morning.
By the time they make it to their room, Wrex has managed to send both of them five different pictures each, all of the two children sleeping. Two more come in while Shepard’s brushing her teeth; the one of Urdnot Shepard on her stomach, arms and legs splayed out like she just suddenly stopped whatever she was doing to take a nap instead, nearly makes her spit out her toothpaste in laughter. She sets her omnitool on silent, looking forward to waking up to a cavalcade of photos and videos, and finishes getting ready for bed.
“What do you think about kids?” Garrus asks, settling his arms around her.
Shepard smiles and laces her fingers between his. She’s had a few too many drinks to have that talk tonight, but she nods as she turns off the light. “I think it’s a conversation worth having,” she says.
Garrus hugs her just a little bit tighter, and kisses the top of her head. “Me too.”
