i am very itchy and annoyed because i had a minor medical procedure yesterday and now i have medically necessary glue on my skin but my skin hates glue and i am not having a good time (itchy)(must not scratch)(but so itchy)
(i have been complaining about this to literally anyone who will listen 😅)
otherwise i'm kinda exhausted from the holidays but generally feeling more okay than expected. trying to take it easy and get lots of rest and not scratch my skin off (some of those are going better than others)
but yeah. how are you, how's everything going, have anything cool planned for new year's or next year? and remember to rest and hydrate 💕💕💕
What's a scene you've written that you're really proud of? What's a scene you're really looking forward to writing?
Aw, this is a fun question! Thanks, @jezifster
There are so many scenes that I love and am proud of, but there's one with Eckehart and Martin, in particular, that I go back and read sometimes. I even made a short comic like two years ago. (Part of the scene itself, and the accompanying comic, will be under the cut).
A scene I'm looking forward to writing... There are a few scenes at the end of the first book that set up for the sequel that are just so eerie and cool in my mind. It'll be fun to write those and try to get it just right, you know?
Background for the scene: 10 years prior to the start of the novel proper. Eckehart is new to his position as Schmidt & Foster CEO and everyone and their mom is looking at him like he's fresh meat. He does not trust Martin Hightower, his newly appointed public liaison, not to feed him to the wolves. Martin gives him a lesson in not being so damn loud about his self-righteousness.
“You must think I’m an idiot.”
“On the contrary. I find you uniquely intelligent. Abrasive, but not oafish. You’re receptive and idealistic. Sensitive.”
Eckehart couldn’t contain a sneer. “Convenient, for your purposes.”
Martin raised an eyebrow, his mask of professionalism cracking slightly. A smile was found beneath, amused. “I find it to be an asset, rather than a deficit. I'm often beholden to the less savory side of politics, but I don’t scoff at the idea of discretion paired with good intention. It’s quite charming. Easy to sell.”
“I’m not out to sell myself. Not to you, not to Belks, not to anybody.”
“No,” Martin said coolly. He cocked his head to the side. “No, you seem keen on making yourself a spectacle instead. You’d like to make sure that everyone in this building understands that you’re not like them, not beholden to the status quo.” He paused, fixing Eckehart with a candid eye. “I would advise that you keep your cards closer to your chest.”
Eckehart’s mouth fell open, momentarily flabbergasted. “I’m not playing this game,” he said, quiet, venomous.
“You’re making yourself a problem, Mr. Schmidt,” Martin said, tone neutral and unbothered. His eyes, however, held Eckehart’s with weight. “Problems that do not benefit men like Belks are quickly fixed, regardless of their status. You are in a fragile position, and lack allies. Make it clear that you are in opposition to powerful forces, then you invite them to take you off the board.”
A beat of pregnant silence hummed between them. The blue light emanating from CASS at the corner of his desk ensured that their words were being recorded. Martin knew this. Eckehart knew this.
“Is that a threat?” Eckehart asked. He spoke loudly, intentionally.
Martin eyed the CASS terminal, acknowledging its existence. He smiled. “No, it isn’t,” he replied. “It is advice. You may not care for the game, Mr. Schmidt, but you are playing it, regardless of how you feel.” Martin stood, taking his suit jacket from the back of the chair and folding it over his arm. “It would behoove you to learn the rules.”
Eckehart clenched and unclenched his fists at his side, unmoving. He imagined grabbing the man. It would be easy to knock his teeth in—a message to Belks, if a ham-handed one. What stopped him was resentful resignation. For now, Martin had spoken truth, however unpleasant and unwelcome it had been to hear. Sending his head of PR to the East End Med would be a strike against him, one more media headline for Belks to leverage.
Through tightened jaw, Eckehart said, “Advice noted.”
Martin began to turn on his heels toward the door but paused. When he turned back to Eckehart, his expression had softened, just slightly. He looked Eckehart up and down, a cataloguing that lasted a few seconds too long.
“This may be difficult to believe,” Martin said, “but my intention is to be your ally, Mr. Schmidt, not your enemy. Whatever suggestions I have are not meant to dissuade you. They are an earnest attempt to keep you sitting in this office.”
Eckehart could have laughed. He held it, barely, and snarled. “I’m not convinced.”
“I don’t expect you to be,” Martin said. “You are a discerning man who is well aware of his precarious position. It would be a bit disappointing if you handed off your trust so soon.” He bowed his head slightly, and winked. “I did say that I enjoy a challenge.”
i think i forgot to reply to u im so so sorry. i love u very much im just also very forgetful and my body works in strage ways which unfortunately means i don't have much energy these days. i apologise.
how ar eu. tell me one (or more) lovely things ab ur days nessie plspls. hope the sun isn't to harsh and i hopw ur autumn??? spring (idk what it is for u) is going well.
:))) muah sending kisses
aw no worries friend, life can be a lot sometimes, i understand. no need for apologies 🫂🫂🫂🫂
i'm recovering from another crash, so pretty exhausted still, but! the reason for this crash is that i was knitting! a lot! and having a great time!(of course now there's the consequences, but eh)
and yesssss it's autumn it's great everything's nice and rainy and gloomy and i love it! i've been itching to go outside running but you know, not an option with my health as it is, but it's still wonderful weather! perfect for sitting indoors with a blanket reading a book you know? or more knitting once my body allows it.
autumn is my favourite season i think, or at least this early part when it's still pretty green outside and not that dark yet. gotta enjoy it while it lasts!
and how are you? sending lots of hugs, try to get plenty of rest okay? 🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂🫂💕💕💕💕
hihihi how ru doing love?? ? also aroace ask box ! i love it ‼️
thanks, i knowww!! 😁😁 🧡💛🤍🩵💙
i'm okay, fried myself badly about a month ago and i'm still recovering from that a bit, some ups and downs. but! i'm going to the summer cottage soon (escaping from heatwave), and i have crafts projects and we're maybe gonna try a new gluten free baking recipe for me, and i'm excited!!
also the weather has been almost entirety bearable, been a lot of rain and some thunderstorms, but it's thankfully not been too warm for my heat intolerant ass. long may that continue.
Hello wonderful human! I hope you have a good weekend!
hiii lovely! 💕💕💕 i'm having a blast, i'm hanging out with friends, i'm frying myself badly but that's future me's problem because right now i'm having a great time and no one can stop me, not even me!
in all seriousness though, thank you precious, i appreciate you 🥰🥰 i hope you're having a good time too, and taking some time to rest and recharge and do things you enjoy 🫂🫂🫂
