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hey
im back.
im doing better. almost one year of therapy down and medicated (and happy about that.)
THANK YOU all for your patience. i have found my motivation to do more than simply survive. i have found my passion for writing again. i feel so good mentally that i want to cry (happy tears).
i am very excited to continue Next in Line. stay turned lovelies <3
-Vi
I had so much fun making mood boards for Crown of Exile ROs that I had to make my MC from Next in Line by @nextinline-if
Do check out the game if you haven't already 🌼🧡
Wait wth why did I just notice that you’re the author of next in line😭 why did it take me this long to notice omg😭🤦♀️
😳 LOL HEY 👋🏻
July 4th, 2023 - Chapter 2 Progress DevBlog
Here's what I did this week:
Added a little over 700 new words to the ball scene where MC meets F (I added the word count to chapter 2 total just to make things easy). Not available in the current demo yet.
Lost four hours of coding and then spent a long time trying to remember exactly everything I did and did it all again.
Completed some scene outlines. This is making things easier and quicker for writing, particularly in Scene 10 and Scene 11 where there's all that branching.
Wrote a whole [redacted] scene and then got rid of it. Decided it wasn't right. Wasted some time there but...what are you going to do?
Added the following scenes to the alpha build: revamped F scene, endings for the Constantine & James tavern route, added the complete Margaret tavern route, and added the complete Alone tavern route.
Working on other scenes for Scene 10, but they aren't complete yet so not worth mentioning.
Word Count (includes some code):
Current demo word count: 59,479
Current word count for just ch 2: 85,067
Total game word count (including ch2): 144,546 and counting...
Next, here's the scene order and what's written/coded/in progress:
Scene 1 - completely written and coded
Scene 2 - completely written and coded
Scene 3 - completely written and coded
Scene 4 - completely written and coded
Scene 5 - completely written and coded
Scene 6 - completely written and coded
Scene 7 - completely written and coded
Scene 8 - completely written and coded
Scene 9 - completely written and coded
Scene 10 - partially written and partially coded (currently focused here)
Scene 11 - in progress (4 main branches)
Scene 12 - completely written and coded
Scene 13 - completely written and coded
y’all I sprained my wrist yesterday morning doing something stupid. 😭😭😭 trying to finish scenes is painful but I don’t want to take a break and lose motivation before I leave for my birthday trip tomorrow since I won’t be back until Sunday.
universe is really messing with me fr lol
I probably won’t have a DevBlog for a week or so. Sorry y’all!
Also, thanks everyone who had played part 1 of chapter 2. I’ve loved hearing all your thoughts. <3
I will release an update on chapter 2 progress on Wednesday, May 31st at 10:00am EST <3
See you soon.
-Vi
May DevBlog - Chapter 2 Progress (Important Updates)
Okay, below is an update on my progress for chapter 2 and what's been written, coded, and what's in the process.
Happy Father's Day! Here's a treat.
In honor of Father's Day, I thought it would be nice to release a Patreon short story from last year. So, here is Winter Wishes - a short story that offers insight into MC's parents :)
Winter Wishes, word count: 2,344
The twenty-four-year-old King stares into the mirror, his eyes narrowing as he looks at himself, wearing Castelon’s colors.
He’d been ruling Castelon on his own for three years, and for the last seven months, he’d felt the weight of loneliness for the first time.
He’d laid his father to rest two years ago and more recently, his mother. With his parents gone, he had no one to seek advice from. No one to share the burden of the crown with.
No one.
Percival turns away from the shell image in the mirror and begins walking toward the door. He’s expected in the city of Apamea by dusk and he’s already wasted too much time pitying himself.
The cool air of the castle hallway wraps itself around him as he makes his way toward the stables, where he finds Sir Quintus waiting. “Your Majesty,” the Knight says, as he bows.
Percival smiles as best he can. “Hello, Q. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long?”
The Knight chuckles. “By the gods, my King. Haven’t I told you not to worry about me? I’d much rather delay this trip. I’m not looking forward to the long ride with Robin. He never knows when to shut up.”
The King laughs as he mounts his horse, Soteira. “Robin means well, Q.” The Knight only responds with a grunt as he rides out of the stables at the King’s side.
Percival pulls his fur cloak closer as the snow pours down around them. His eyes land on the shortest person in the group of seventy.
“There you are, Your Majesty! I prayed that the gods deliver you and they did! Just now!”
“Apologies, Robin. I’m ready to go.”
Robin shakes his head up and down furiously before clapping his hands to draw the attention of the Knights. “Mount up!”
A few minutes later the group is on the snow-laden road to Apamea. Seventeen Knights ride in front of the King and the other fifty behind. Robin and Quintus are at his side discussing the schedule for tomorrow. A mostly one-sided conversation due to the Knight’s main contribution ranging between sighs and grunts.
Percival remembers a day much like this, the day he became next in line. His eyes bore into the snow ahead as the memory replays.
He swallowed and looked at his sister. “Are you sure we should be out here? Patér said this is the worst winter he’s seen.”
Princess Gaia smiled at her little brother. “You’re such a worrier, frater. Twelve-year-olds shouldn’t be so worried. Letum will take you early for such things.”
Percival huffed and crossed his arms. “He will take us early for disobeying patér!”
His sister laughed and reached out to squeeze his shoulder. “Fine, go ahead inside if you’re so scared, Percival.”
He frowned at her words. “I’m not leaving you, Gaia.”
She giggled and took off running. “Race you to the lake,” she shouted over her shoulder with a wicked grin.
His eyes widened before his feet started moving.
As they approached the lake, he was only losing by five feet. Gaia looked behind her to smirk at her brother. Percival’s eyes landed on the lake, frozen for the first time. “Gaia, stop! It’s frozen!”
But she tripped as she whirled back around. Her head hit the ice as her body slid across the burgeoning cracks.
His heart pounded in his ears as he came to a stop at the edge of the lake. “Gaia! Gaia!” Words were flowing from her lips but he couldn’t understand. “Just…just wait, Gaia! I’ll be there in a moment.”
His eyes scanned the cracks in the ice, now pink in places from the Princess’ blood. Try as he could, it was impossible to think with the sound of his heart pounding so he closed his eyes. “Hurry up, idiot,” he muttered to himself.
Taking a deep breath, he opened his tearful eyes and carefully stepped onto the lake where there were fewer cracks. The sound of the ice crunching beneath his feet slowed his steps.
“Percival…” her voice whispered weakly.
He glanced up from the ice to see his sister struggling to move, the cracks growing around her. “No, Gaia, don’t - “
But her body plunged beneath the icy depths of the lake. Percival cried out and ran forward, slipping and cutting his chin on the sharp edge of the area that swallowed her. His fingers frantically searched the winter waters to no avail.
The King forces the memory away, his eyes landing on The Shadow Sea in the distance. The sea where Gaia’s body washed up weeks later. Percival runs a finger across the scar on his chin. A reminder of what should’ve been.
“Did you hear me, Your Majesty?”
“Hmm? Apologies, Robin.”
Robin laughs softly. “That’s alright, I was just mentioning that all four of Lord Damaskinos’ children will be at Apamea. You’ve only met Dimitris, correct?”
“Yes,” Percival confirms. “He’s an…interesting character.”
Sir Quintus snorts. “High praise, Your Majesty.”
“What more can I say? He talks very little but listens quite a bit.”
The Knight sighs and glances at Robin. “How I wish more people were of that sort.”
Robin nods his head. “Indeed. People are draining. Aren't they? I yearn for peace and quiet.”
Quintus narrows his eyes and opens his mouth but is cut off by the King. “Agreed, friends. Now, back to the topic at hand…”
The King’s group rides on until they arrive at Apamea, the snow on the high walls of its fort glistening in the moonlight. They stop in front of the opening gate to wait.
A small group, helmed by Dimitris steps out. “Welcome, Your Majesty. It is late and I’m sure you are tired. Please follow me inside, where sleep awaits us all.”
A bitter sleep of icy dreams welcomes Percival shortly after.
And though he did not know it when he awoke that morning, it would be the day his heart would feel its first taste of comfort in a long time.
Lord Damaskinos came to a stop atop the fort’s wall, overlooking the interior. Percival stopped as well and turned to the expecting Lord.
“Well, Your Majesty? What do you think of the fort and its soldiers? And of the town outside?”
The King smiled. “Impressive, Lore Damaskinos. Well maintained. Eastern Castelon is quite protected under your care.”
The Lord bows. “Thank you, Your Majesty. It is an honor to hear such words. I pride myself on the safety of those under my care.”
He nods and turns his gaze outward, prepared to ask about the most recent news from their allies in the East. But every diplomatic thought flies from his mind when his eyes land on a woman watching the waves of the sea, the breeze flowing through her hair.
Lovely. Divine. I must know her name.
Percival clears his throat and looks back to the Lord. “That woman…”
Lord Damaskinos follows the King’s eyesight before attempting to hide a smile. “My dear daughter, Vivian, Your Majesty.”
“Vivian,” Percival says, enjoying the sound of her name on his lips. As if guided by Aurora herself, Vivian’s eyes turn to the King. Her brow furrows as she meets his gaze. It sends his pulse on a sprint and for a moment, he forgets to breathe.
“Would you like an introduction? I was going to introduce you at the feast later, but we’re finished with the tour.”
Percival breaks his eyes away from the beautiful woman and turns to her father. He nods his head, hoping his words will find their way back to him before he reaches her presence.
Vivian masks her curiosity as she watches from the corner of her eye as her father and King approach. She’d seen him arrive after dusk as she hid in the shadows. Dimitri was bitter that his father had made him stay up and wait for the King and his convoy. And his curt greeting had shown it. She wondered why the King had not called her brother out. She would’ve if she was Queen.
A clearing of the throat brings her back to the present and she turns to face them, dropping into a curtsy.
“Patèr, Your Majesty,” she questions.
Lord Damaskinos grins at his daughter. “Vivian, the King was quite eager to meet you.”
Percival’s eyes widen before he pushes his surprise away. Vivian smirks as she looks at him. “Was he now? Well, I wouldn’t want to disappoint,” she says as she places her hand out.
But it’s her turn to be surprised, for he does not offer a kiss, only a gentle grasping with his cold hands. She swallows and stares at their hands.
“Something tells me you’ve never delivered disappointment in your life,” he tells her.
Vivian tilts her head to the side, studying him. He was not what she expected. But she isn’t even sure what she expected. How can she be sure of anything but the feeling of her pulse quickening while his hands still clutch hers?
He smiles and releases her hand. “I should prepare for the feast, but I’ll make haste in hopes of seeing you again, Lady Vivian.”
She wrings her hands together and glances away at the sea. “See that you do, my King. I am not a patient woman.”
And with that, she hears two sets of feet crunch under the snow. Finally, she lets out a breath that she hadn’t realized she was holding. The feast could not come soon enough, she thought as she watched the distant sun.
Percival believed it came too soon.
“Everything alright, Your Majesty? We were expected thirty minutes ago.”
He turns to the door, eyes landing on Robin. “No, it’s not.”
Robin’s face falls and he moves closer. “What’s wrong?”
The King groans. “I can’t decide which shirt looks better!”
Robin stares at the King for a moment before speaking. “You’ve never cared about clothes before if you don’t mind me saying…”
Percival turns away. “I do mind,” he grumbles.
Robin bites his lip to contain a chuckle. The King had mentioned Vivian as soon as he’d returned earlier. Surely this wasn’t a coincidence.
“Alright, apologies. Wear the navy one.”
Percival quickly changes before heading to the feast. Excited voices quiet upon his entrance. Hundreds of eyes watching him. Waiting for him to speak.
And so he says the only thing he can think of.
“First person to supply me with wine gets to name my firstborn,” he exclaims.
It’s quiet. And then there’s laughter. And running. Spilled wine. Finally, a cool glass reaches his fingers. He’s sighs in relief. He wasn’t sure why he said that. But all is well so he moves toward his seat at the main table.
Lord Damaskinos grins at his arrival. “I hope my cousin gave you the good wine.”
Percival takes a sip and smiles. “Well earned indeed.”
It’s not long until the feast begins. But Percival finds himself spending less talking and more glancing at Vivian as the night progresses.
She can feel his gaze. And it makes her feel…something. Unexpected. Something unexpected. And as she leans against the balcony, she frowns at that thought. She had not accounted for this scenario. And that scared her.
“Drachma for your thoughts?”
Vivian freezes for a moment before meeting his eyes. She snatched the coin from his fingers. “No,” she says.
He nods and turns his gaze to the sea. “Okay,” he replies.
“Okay?”
“Why so surprised?”
“I stole your coin and you’re fine with nothing in return? I doubt it.”
He chuckles softly, the sound like a new frequency for her erratic heart. “I have plenty more. But thoughts? We only have so much to ourselves in this world. I respect your desire to keep them close.”
Vivian doesn’t reply for a while and they watch the waves in silence.
“You stir something unknown in me, Your Majesty. And yet I feel the desire to embrace it,” she whispers.
Percival turns toward her, brushing the snowflakes from her cheeks. “I was late because I wanted to pick the right shirt. So you would…think I look nice.”
They stare at each other and she laughs before he joins in. “That is very ridiculous,” she tells him.
He sighs. “Yes, well…”
“But you do look nice. Very handsome, Your Majesty.”
“Percival.”
“Percival…very handsome, Percival.”
He grins and she slaps his shoulder. “I can see it going to your head already!”
“Let me even the odds,” he replies. “You are lovely and divine and beautiful and…”
“And?”
The doors of the balcony open and Sir Quintus steps out, bowing. “Please excuse my intrusion, Your Majesty. A rider from the castle has arrived. We must return. Now.”
The King nods and turns back to Vivian with a regretful smile. “And so I must go. Stay well, Vivian.”
She swallows and nods. “You as well, Percival.”
Her lips speaking his name almost cause his feet to falter but he continues on.
Continues until it’s time to mount his horse.
But he can’t. He can’t leave without taking a risk and speaking his wishes aloud.
Perceval turns away and runs toward the door, swinging it open to find Vivian. She’d been watching him prepare to leave. Her eyes widen as he stops close enough for her to feel his warmth.
He takes her soft hand in his, placing it over his heart. “Do you feel that, Vivian? How my heart yearns for you? How it begs for me to earn your love?”
She could not find words at that moment but her lips parted. And she wanted him to kiss her.
But he didn't. He only smiled for a second before stepping away.
"Wait for me...that is my wish....but only if you wish it, too," he said.
She nodded her head. And with the assurance that his wish would come true, he quickly mounted his horse and rode toward the castle.
Vivian watched with a longing she had never known and her own wish, that he hurry back.
