#ofthesilverlining

[aethernoise]

5 and 10!

5. Which of your fics do you wish was more successful?

That’s a doozy of a question, and I’m in a mood so here’s a doozy of an answer. 

My instinct is to wax philosophical about how “success” is measurable in different ways and how it’s important to keep perspective and not get discouraged while also being critical in a healthy way--while somehow avoiding the deeper yearning to complain because I don’t want to sound ungrateful. Because I am grateful, immeasurably so--that said, I think I know what I deserve and what my work deserves, and putting a lot of work into something to have it get a lukewarm reception sucks. A lot. 

And even then part of me is like... what does lukewarm mean? Emily, how could you possibly complain about something that has 6 comments? Some folks would kill for that. But I’m not them, I’m me, and this is my heart and soul I’m typing out and giving to people to read, you know? I can’t explain it. It’s not a number I can point to. It’s just the feeling I get. That I’m being overlooked, that people are “over it,” or that people believe I’m somehow beyond need for feedback and support due to my relative popularity. That is never, ever true. I can guarantee you it is never true for anyone, regardless of likes, kudos, reblogs, comments, any tangible metric of “success.” We are all insecure human beings on the internet together.

That said, to actually answer the question with something other than “all of them”? A Heavy Heart to Carry, maybe, and There’s Fire.

And honestly... my last few chapters have not done particularly well compared to the amount of effort I put into them. Maybe it’s timing, maybe it’s lots of things, idk, but beyond the glimmers of validation from my handful of loyal and treasured commenters (ily) I have felt a bit like opening my heart up to the void lately as far as Damn Well goes. It’s discouraging, but it doesn’t mean I’ll stop. It might just be harder to keep or regain momentum when that feeling persists.

10. What, if anything, are you going to try to do differently in your writing in the new year?

I think I will just try to keep going. I will try to write more combat, because it’s very fun even though it’s challenging. I want to write more just to WRITE instead of obsess over context and timeline etc. I want to write more little tiny snippets just for the sake of them being there. Maybe I’ll try to set a concrete goal of writing at least one drabble per month, something easy but to give me the illusion of discipline! 

[luck-and-larceny]

disease, number 13

Disease: What does your muse do on a sick day? “I’m not sure,” Malika says thoughtfully. “I think the same as anyone. I get some soup. I rest up. Maybe I read a book. Just wait for it to pass. I usually bounce back pretty quickly. I just don’t let it get me down for long!” OOC: Well, that’s just a bold-faced lie. She is THE WORST when she’s sick. Don’t be around her-- not just for your physical health but your mental health too. She is horrible. Mostly what Malika does is whine. A lot. She hates being forced to slow down. And she really hates staying still. Being bedridden is boring and being sick is super gross. In general she does not much care for being alone because being alone makes her deal herself. She’d much rather other people have to deal with her than for her to have to deal with herself! This is maybe twice as true for being sick. That said, she does feel some degree of embarrassment regarding her behavior when the whole affair is over and will try to make it up to whoever she saddled with dealing with her whiny self by leaving them presents (that she probably stole so that’s really up to you whether you think receiving stolen contraband is sweet or good). Thank you so much for the Ask!

[whitherliliesbloom]

Yasashisa no Riyuu by Choucho (Hyouka OP)

[send an anime intro song you think fits my muse - accepting!]

IM SOBBIGN YES!!!!!!!!!!! THE LYRICS, THE TUNE OF THE SONG, VIBE OF HYOUKA IN GENERAL OUGGHHHHH!!! IT’S PERFECT FOR ILLYA THANK YOUUUUU

Also might I add... Mikansei Stride???

Both of the Hyouka OPs are so fitting for Illya and man just listening to them is making me.... tempted to think of a hyouka AU for illyanaud....

[windup-dragoon]

1, 2, 7, 8, 9, 13!!!!

OTP Questions! @ancientechos [Closed!] 

Who spends almost all their money on the other?

Who sleeps in the other’s lap?

Answered!

Which one constantly wears the other’s clothes?

Answered! 

Which one spends all day running errands and which one says “You remembered [thing], right?”

As the Warrior of Light, it’s pretty much a given that Kiri is out running errands all day. However, she is terribly forgetful and has been known to forget important errands in place of less important ones. Such as picking up something requested by Hien or other necessities. Once home, Hien will doublecheck with her to see how much she remembered and what was forgotten. But that’s just fine with Hien! That just means they’ll go out together to finish the errand and spend more time with one another! 

Which one drives the car and which one gives them directions?

Kiri plays navigator while accompanied with Hien. He believes she’s too reckless while riding and takes it upon himself to ensure they have a safe journey by taking the reins. Whether on chocobo, yol, or whatever odd assortment of mount Kiri has secured over the years, Hien feels more comfortable if she simply directs them. They’ve had too many ‘close calls’ while flying on their yols for him to ever feel safe again. 

Which one likes to surprise the other with a lot of small random gifts?

As with spending gil on one another, Kiri is more often to present Hien with gifts. However, small and random gifts might go to Hien. He understands that monetary value means little to Kiri and so he often presents her with little gifts he discovers while she’s away. Be it something silly as flowers that made him think of her, to frog shaped good luck charms. Even treats are given as surprise gifts. She’s far more fond of these thoughtful little presents than fancy silk robes or jewelry. Much like Kaien and Mina, even the fallen branch full of blossoms will make excellent, heartfelt gifts. 

[saltmageelliexiv]

❤️💞💟

PEER INTO MY MUSE’S MEMORIES

[Since I’ll be tackling these like writing prompts, I will be picking just one; more than that per ask and I’d never get it done x.x]

💞- A memory about their children 

---

Having not seen her son or her family in weeks, it was time for Eliceyn to return to Ishgarde to give him a much needed visit. But of course, she never would come back ‘home’ empty handed. Before taking her trip back, she’d pick up a myriad of gifts for her boy, and her family as well. By the time she had finished her shopping, she had enough goods to bring back with her to fill up a small shop, but of course, she had a hand to help her. Namely, her friend and business associate, Asterix. The xaela would never pass up the opportunity to have a chance to oggle at the highlander’s father, nor would she pass up the opportunity to plan some mischievous pranks against her son.

Deciding against more traditional means of travel, she’d resort to using aetheryte travel, even if it made her stomach turn during the transport. In a blink of an eye, and after a moment of disorientation, she and her travelling companion had landed in the Foundation Aetheryte Plaza, near the gates of Ishgarde. The cold already setting in their bones, the pair made haste to the Pillars, where her sister and the remnants of her family resided, safe from the depravity of The Brume. Expecting their visit, a small child waited outside, standing near a half-elezen woman, looking every which way, until his eyes set on the highlander woman.

The child’s eyes shot wide open, his lips branching outward to a large grin, a look of pure excitement and happiness splayed across his face.

“Mother!” He’d cry out with joy, running as fast as his legs would allow. Before he could reach her, Eliceyn kneeled down, bringing her arms out to wrap around the child as soon as he was in reach. 

The two were locked in a tight embrace, the boy not showing signs of letting go. And not wanting to stay on the ground, Eliceyn moved her arms to allow herself to hoist the boy upwards, placing a majority of his weight on her hip.

“There’s my handsome boy!” Eliceyn exclaimed, glad and happy to see her son in such good spirits. She knew very well the time they were apart was not easy on him, nor was it easy on her. “How long have you been waiting outside with your Aunt Dede?”

“Too long! Come on, it’s cold! I can feel the points of my ears starting to freeze!” The half-elezen woman yelled from where she stood, opening the door for the others, though she didn’t wait for them to enter the manor. The cold was never for her either, even if she was born in this city.

“Your sister has the right idea, Elle. Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to find your father and see if his lap needs warming.” The xaela gave a sly smirk before picking up the bags, and nearly sprinting inside. Eliceyn, not wanting her son to hear such words, tried to quickly cover the boy’s ears however she could before he could hear her words.

“Asterix, watch what you say around the children! Have some sha-- oh, she’s not going to listen...” She’d let out a heavy sigh, before putting her son down gently, kneeling so she was at eye level with the child. “Sorry love, you’re too heavy for momma to carry. But hey, how about we head inside, get warmed up, and you can open your gifts, hmm? And be nice to Asterix, she got you something too.”

Hearing that he had presents to open was all he needed to hear. The child, just as quickly as he ran to his mother, ran back to the door, waiting at it, waving his mother over. “Come on, mother! Hurry up!”

Eliceyn snickered softly; this was what she wanted for him, to have a childhood, to have moments like this where he could just be happy. Where he could have a normal family without worry about losing them. “Alright, I’m coming dear. No need to rush, your gifts aren’t going anywhere.” Not wanting to keep the boy or the rest of the family waiting, she’d move to her feet, heading towards the door, ushering the child inside, before closing it behind her.

[Mentions: @asterixkearn]

[dawning-star]

♣ ✔☮

♣: What’s your muse’s biggest cause of stress or anxiety? 

Answered here!

✔: What did your muse want to be when they were a child? Did they go on to do this and if so, was it everything that they hoped it would be? Or has this desire changed since, and why?

She, uh, might have at that young age wanted to be one of her tribe’s shepherds. Back then she was a soft heart that had a love for the flocks. A lot has changed since though, where Rinalys is concerned. Frankly, there’s no way she could see herself in a role that peaceful anymore because of everything that she has lived through and dealt with. The role she’s chosen now is where she wants to be.

☮: When and where was your muse happiest?

Odd as it might seem given everything she’s been dealing with, the present for her is her happiest time. There are a lot of people around for her that she trusts and cares for, and just is able to feel finally a little less alone in her life. Between her own private home and lodgings at the Pearl’s estate, she’s quite content. A sense of belonging, even a little, goes a long way for her.

- - - - - - - - 

{Send a symbol for a headcanon about my muse.}

[altan-qestir]

🚑📢👨👩🎁!!!

(H-oh boy, this is a lot at once. These are gonna be shorter / less detailed than my usual run, because limited brainpower is a thing.)

🚑 - If your muse was the only person around and someone was injured, would they help? Would they have the experience needed?

Yes. Altan absolutely would do his best to help — though he is not a trained / practiced medic, and has rudimentary first-aid experience at best. Wrapping up a wound or two, maaaaybe setting a broken nose in place. That’s about it.

If he were so inclined, he would actually make a pretty decent magical healer! He’s got the aetherial-manipulation talent and supply for it. It’s just never been something that called to him as his life’s dedication, or was ever even presented to him as an option.

📢 - Does your muse have a loud personality or a quiet one? Do they enjoy being the center of attention, or would they rather watch and listen?

Ha. :P

No, he’s got quite a lot of big, loud personality, actually! While he’s obviously more inclined to listen in the literal sense, Altan does love being the central focus of a room and of a group’s attention; his visual-communication-aids are as flashy as possible partly because of this. 

Were he not a Qestir, he’d have almost certainly found his calling as an orator, or even a preacher... and he kind of still does, once you get him going about the things that interest him.

Just... y’know. It’s not in sounds.

👨 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their father? Is it good, bad, or complicated?

Nearly nonexistent. Altan knows the man’s name, has seen him in passing once or twice, and is aware via Reunion gossip that the man misbehaved himself out of the Kagon’s good graces some time ago. (To be fair, they’re a pretty strict bunch; that doesn’t seem too difficult to accomplish. Just spend a couple minutes in the sun, really.)

Some say it was out of some terrible fit of lunacy. Some say it was — obviously — for the chance to behold Altan’s mother by light of day. Altan does not know and he hasn’t asked; his mother never volunteered the information in life, and so whatever the answer is can be considered lost to history. 

Is he alive or dead? Altan doesn’t know that either, and isn’t in much of a hurry to find out. The man is a stranger to him. 

...Besides. If he really wanted to, he could’ve always taken the silent vow.

👩 - What is your muse’s relationship like with their mother? Is it good, bad, or complicated?

Altan revered his mother immensely.

It’s an eternal sore spot / point of regret that he was on a journey outside of the Steppes when she passed away.

🎁 - Does your muse celebrate their birthday? If yes, how do they celebrate? If no, why not?

Only if he happens to be back home among extended family when it comes around! Nobody really knows his birthday outside of that circle, and even he finds it hard to celebrate alone. 

When he’s with his family, the celebrations are exactly as you might expect: a great deal of feasting, a greater deal of drinking... and auntie after auntie presenting him with their friends’ neighbors’ cousins’ daughters, because he’s over thirty already, and should really think about settling down and starting a family soon.

If he ends up in an old flame’s tent instead, it’s not by accident.

Thank you, @ofthesilverlining!

-

Prompt: Thought-Provoking Headcanon Meme (No longer accepting!)

[mintdrop]

🔑 Key to your heart

food

in reality, probably like.. not downplaying my interests? a lot of people instantly make fun of my interests or music taste and it’s like “wow i kind of wish i wasn’t talking to you right now!” i know my enjoyment of things is unconventional but being reminded of it constantly sucks. it’s why i often don’t talk about other interests outside of whatever i met them over unless they bring it up first.