#oc relationship ask

[mimble-sparklepudding]

What, if any, is your biggest source of fear or anxiety when it comes to writing or otherwise portraying romantic or sexual scenarios?

I'm worried about not being a very good writer, especially when it comes to matters of sex and romance. If you want a quick comic poem full of nob jokes then I'm your man, but trying to come up with prose that communicates a sense of romance, let alone sexual chemistry, is very probably beyond me. I suppose I'm worried about sounding clichéd, clumsy or just flat out ridiculous.

I'm also probably shy about trying to write about same-sex romance or... well same-sex sex. Probably due to many years of internalised homophobia and a lack of examples to draw inspiration from (although that has been helped by being on here, as there are quite a lot of very talented creators covering such things - @scholarlostintime, @astrology-bf and @houserosaire for example). So it's not that I doubt it can be done well, it's just I'm not at all sure I could do it well...

And also, if I am going to try to do anything with a "ship" with a canon character, particularly a popular one, then I am very unsure that I could get their voice and character accurate enough. I don't know whether it feels disrespectful to be writing for a canon character maybe? It doesn't feel that way when other people do it. But I'm worried my attempt would be more crude caricature than faithful rendition.

Also if it's a character that lots of people ship their OC with then I will probably unfavourably compare my attempts with their far better work. And it might look like I'm poaching other people's ideas.

And, as @primamchorus has so eloquently said, it's quite tricky to talk about bodyparts without sounding prudish, childish or overly biological. I'm not even sure I could talk about them in general conversation, let alone in writing.

So there's a few barriers... Maybe I should stick to silly poetry?

[thetwstwildcard]

🦇⚗️📚🏆💀 for Skeleton mom?

What relationship does Catrina have with Crowley?

"The headmaster?" She thought for a bit, picking her words "Well... He is an interesting man. He makes my job difficult for me." she bit her lip "and I have a word or two about his parenting...!" she clenched her fist before sighing "He was "so kind" to offer this job to me..."

What relationship does Catrina have with Divus?

"Divus?" She smiled before blushing a bit "He was the first male staff member I befriend, I admit I followed him around like a lost puppy my first year." She giggled a bit "He helped me out a lot, whatever confidence I have is thanks to him. Also several outfits of Celi were made by him"

What relationship does Catrina have with Mozus?

"Fath- Mozus?" She covered her mouth before speaking again "I've known him since I was a child. He helped Dante and myself throughout school. Though I was a brat back then he still put up with me." Catrina held her hand over her heart "When we lost Dante he was the only one who shared my pain.. If it wasn't for him I might have overblotted and been lost like my brother..." She trembled a bit "My apologies, no more sad talk." She nodded to herself " He is the reason I have this job, he even allowed me to live with him when I first started because I felt unsafe alone. He may seem like a cold man, but he means well."

What relationship does Catrina have with Ashton?

"Mr. Vargas?" She thought for a bit "He's a rather... Energetic man. I can't always keep up with him. He gets along wonderfully with Celi. She's always so happy to be spun my her "tío Aston"" she giggled "We went to school around the same time. He was in Sara's dorm. Though, I don't think he remembers me.. I have changed quite a bit since then..."

What relationship does Catrina have with Sam?

"Sam?" She paused for a moment "He's a very interesting man, quite interested in my bloodline.. Though I have La Muerte to blame..." She sighed "Celi adores his shop, he's helped her raise the dead too many times to count. The students seem to like him as well. Whenever I need something he's quick to help, with a "family discount" of course."

[mimble-sparklepudding]

What makes a scene or situation "romantic" in your opinion? Is this something you find easy to portray?

(Also thank you so much for making this amazing list!)

Again I think there's a few different elements that can make a situation "romantic" (rather than, for example "erotic", which I think is slightly different). But these are just my opinions and I suppose romance is quite subjective.

For me I think there needs to be tenderness and possibly some vulnerability. It usually helps if someone is trying to do or say or demonstrate something to another person in terms of their feelings for them - crucically they don't necessarily need to be doing this very well for it to be romantic, in fact it can more endearing if they don't.

Of course there are also more heroic romantic situations, involving rescuing and riding off into the sunset and soforth, which are often the kind of romantic scenario that a character might fantasise about or even find themselves embroiled within.

And sexual scenes can definitely be romantic (see @sasslett or @paintedscales for some good examples). I suppose one might make a useful distinction between romantic lovemaking and more sexually rapacious activities involving lots of thrusting, kink and/or implement usage - but that may be just a me thing.

And @shadesofblades you are very welcome. Thank you for the ask!

[mimble-sparklepudding]

How much does your OC's/s background and origin affect their approach to relationships? Are there specific insecurities or preferences that lead on from their past?

I would say Humble's cultural background does affect his understanding of relationships to a degree. It would certainly be usual amongst the Hellsguard clans to advertise your qualities to potential mates through demonstrating your skills at hunting, fighting and crafting.

This definitely feeds into Humble's view that he needs to demonstrate his worthiness through his achievements and prowess, rather than any intrinsic qualities. However he has realised, through careful observation, that most Eorzean men would be slightly nonplussed if presented with the head of a Behemoth, no matter how romantically the gesture was intended.

In terms of his past, Humble's childhood did not involve much in the way of nurture or acceptance, which has made him shy and fearful of rejection. And, although he has a certain amount of status as the Warrior of Light, his humility (and to an extent his naivety) prevent him from taking advantage of it socially. In fact his exposure to various charismatic and admirable figures during his adventures has only served to confirm his belief that he is just a simple man elevated far above his station by circumstance.

So, despite the esteem in which he is held by many, Humble sees himself as being rather clumsy, uneducated and rough, with little to offer a partner - especially when he compares himself to sophisticated and handsome men like Aymeric, Hien or Thancred.

It also probably does not help that, in his efforts to learn more about love and romance, Humble has attempted to read a fair amount of romantic fiction. As a result (and not helped by his poor levels of literacy), his understanding of what is required of a suitor is not entirely realistic. So he spends quite of a lot of time fretting about what a troth is and how one goes about pledging it - or worrying over how he would go about composing a poem confessing his love.

[mimble-sparklepudding]

10. Is it important to include tension or outright areas of conflict in a relationship? If so then how do you explore these? Or does this not appeal to you?

The rather non-committal asnwer is "it can be". However I don't think it's obligatory. I can enjoy relationships that are endless explorations of joy, romance and mutual compatibility just as much as ones with simmering tensions and challenges to overcome.

I don't really feel drawn towards the "enemies to lovers" trope personally (although I can enjoy others exploration of the concept) and I don't think I would particularly want to ladle angst all over everything.

That said, I think I would be possibly able to cover things like mutual misunderstanding and awkwardness - probably because that would be very much me writing what I know... It would probably be more romantic comedy than tragic romance, but comic tension is still tension of a sort?

[thetwstwildcard]

girl-in-the-tower: 👑🐱🦁 for Catrina, please?

Of course hun ^^

👑 Relationship with Vil

• I feel like Catrina and Vil get along. Catrina does like beauty products and I feel like Vil would give his opinion or recommend certain products to her.

🐱 Relationship with Grim

• Catrina is very fond of Grim. Celi loves cats and Catrina loves animals so she would treat him like a cat more than a student. Though she would try to find some fun incantations to teach him. Since Catrina makes her own clothes I can see her making Grim a ribbon that matches her dress

🦁 Relationship with Leona

• Catrina sees a bit of herself in Leona, being compared to older siblings. She'll let him skip her class and then go to the greenhouse to drop off a copy of notes for him. In the beginning she lectured him on not skipping but now she'll just remind him to read over the notes she made and what's important

💀🧡

[greypetrel]

9, 59, 80 from the ship ask for raina and co (and/or anyone else you'd like to answer for)! c:

Eheheheh there you go! :3 Thanks!!

Tis the prompt list

9. If there wasnt enough seats, how would they sit? One on the other's lap? One on the armrest? One on the floor in front of them?

Raina would ask the others to sit on her lap because yes. The reality is that she can't sit still for more than five minutes without getting horribly restless. So it's Bela on the sitting spot, Merrill on her lap, Raina moving from the armrest to the floor in front of them to standing and pacing, to get back on the armrest, to-

59. Is there a spot they tend to kiss or caress habitual?

Raina: she'll lie on the other with her ear on the heart to hear it bumping, and a hug. The occasional kiss on the sternum.

Merrill: there's one spot on Hawke's neck that is ticklish when she kisses it. It makes her giggle and she finds it cute.

Isabela: she puts her hand on the other's thigh, absent-mindedly rubbing her thumb there.

80. What tropes could be applied to this relationship?

Second chances, Mutual pining, Like goes with Like, Unrequited love, Emotional scars, Battle couple (throuple?), Loveable Rogue, Love triangle (ending in poly relationship), Friends with benefits to lovers.

[greypetrel]

24, 87, and 93 for the oc relationship asks for the pair/trio of your choice c:

Hulloooo! Thanks for asking hun!

Tis the prompt list

24. Who kissed who first?

Alyra/Morrigan: Morrigan. After months of teasing and coaxing and being there but not quite and purely out of frustration. Alyra's big plan to woo the girl was to leave the choice to her. She can relate on her being forced into that mission, all too well, knows how much freedom is important for the Witch, and will refuse to take it away from her. Morrigan... needed time to understand her feelings better. And frustration enough to just go with it. (Hey I wrote a fic on this) Picture Zevran and Leliana in the background shouting FUCKING FINALLY when they'll know. They had been getting pretty annoying in months of "Will they won't they")

87. If they ever lost one another in a public place, how do they find the other?

Cullen/Aisling: Cullen looks for Aisling in the nearest candy shop, bakery, anything that sells sweets. Or animal store. Look for guards with horses around. If he doesn't find her in any of these places, he'll go on his way and she will be the one to find him eventually (he's tall and she knows he'll choose the less trafficked path, out of the crowd, and that he only will detour if he needs to go somewhere. Aisling: "He's actually pretty easy to find." Mia: "Tell me next time he decides to get transferred over the sea and forgets to write it home.")

93. One has hurt their leg on a hike. How does their S/O carry them?

Raina will offer a piggyback ride (bridal style is more romantic but she wants to see where she puts her feet). Will actually take the long road back because eh, physical contact. If she wakes up the next day with her back totally cramped she'll say it was worth it.

I picture Merrill as not so keen on healing spells. She knows some basics and would concoct something to stop the bleeding or ease the pain. She knows how to move in woods and hikes of course, so she'll know what to do. An arm around her shoulders and she'll act as a crutch. Slow and steady.

Isabela: doctors on ships historically were a luxury. Usually, the cook doubled as doctor and surgeon. I believe she picked up one thing or two about first aid, how to treat and sew a wound, treat a broken bone. Out of necessity, survival, safety and whatnot. She'll patch the other up. Then it's charming someone to help them down, or again, crutch the other. Merrill can be brought on a piggyback ride, Raina definitely not.