#traitor queen

[vercin]

Should I read Traitor Queen or Serpent and the Wings of Night next??

[ghost-town-story]

Find the Word Tag II

Thanks for the tag @oh-no-another-idea!

Words: eyes, jaw, click, and rub

Eyes (Band AU)

Will paused while picking up the hoodie, wondering why the sweeping jay was suddenly blurry. Then, something wet hit his wrist, and he realized he was crying.

Oh.

Will reached up and scrubbed at his eyes.

Shit.

Jaw (Dumbass Immortals)

“Oh quit your pouting,” Harmony said, snapping her fingers. The coffee left in the pot steamed up.

“Doesn’t change the fact that I put effort into reheating that coffee,” Jayy grumbled, though they opened the cupboard above Harmony’s head to grab another mug.

“Poor baby.” Harmony leaned forward and pressed a kiss to Jayy’s jaw.

Jayy tilted their head to catch Harmony’s lips for a proper kiss. Then, while she was still distracted, they stole her coffee back and downed it before she could even protest. Scalding their tongue was worth it.

Click (Astral Part 2, Always My Kitten)

James sighed and ran a knuckle along her head. “So kneady,” he said lightly. “I wonder where you get it from, huh?”

Before Smokey could give him another unimpressed look, her attention was drawn by the unmistakable click of the lock opening. In a flash, Smokey leapt down from the bed and raced into the hallway.

“Traitor,” James called after her.

Rub (Traitor Queen)

Charlie stretched, then pushed himself to his feet. His left leg twinged a bit, and Charlie bit back a wince, resisting the urge to rub what remained of his leg.

Tagging with no pressure @whimsyqueen, @blind-the-winds, @world-of-fire-and-flight, and anybody else who wants to! Your words will be comfort, memory, silent, and lightning.

[ghost-town-story]

Find the Word Tag

Got double tagged by @loopyhoopywrites and @emelkae. Thanks for the tags y’all!

Since it’s a bit long, up here I’ll tag @writinglyra, @violetboy, @qelizhus, and anybody else who wants to! Your words will be run, loyal, secret, and room.

Words: Silly, stop, sandwich, dead, walk, feeling, and light. 

Silly (Traitor Queen)

“Charlie’s getting a visitor in a few minutes.”

“Oh?” Holli asked again.

“Family stuff,” Charlie muttered. He still felt vaguely uncomfortable with the thought of seeing Jenna again, knowing what she would likely say.

“Want us to hang around and tell them to fuck off?” Holli offered.

Charlie couldn’t help but laugh. “Holli, I invited her here.”

“Now why’d you do a silly thing like that?” Holli teased.

Charlie shrugged. Because he’d be hunted down otherwise unless he appeared to comply.

Stop (Dumbass Immortals)

Jayy slipped away from the crowded street into an empty alleyway before taking out their phone. They dialed a familiar number, then held the phone up to their ear as it rang. Just as they were wondering if she wasn’t going to pick up, the ringing stopped.

“You have a lot of nerve.”

Jayy smirked, even though she couldn’t see it. “Hello my dearest Harmony, how have you been?”

Sandwich (Lost Beneath the Waves)

“It’s okay.” Matthew rested his chin on top of Ronan’s head. “You’re my brother, Ro. I’ll stick by your side no matter what, okay?”

“Me too!” Katherine added, hugging Ronan from behind so he was sandwiched between his siblings.

Ronan let out a breathless laugh. “Thank you,” he whispered.

Dead (Nova)

Jay let a curse hiss between his teeth. Even now, three years after the whole ordeal, he was still uncomfortable with his striking resemblance to a presumed dead boy, especially when it came to how much it fucked with whatever relationship he had with Will.

Walk (Band AU)

Brian noticed Theo’s cheeks reddening as he pointedly turned away.

“Short version, then you’re not allowed to nag,” Aiden said, noticing Theo’s gesture, “but Theo’s apparently hanging out with someone and Nessa nearly walked in on them once—”

“Oooh,” Summer smirked.

“—but Theo doesn’t want to tell us and so we wouldn’t be down a guitarist I banned Nessa from badgering Theo about it.”

“Can I ask who the guitarist down would be?” James asked with a grin.

“Good question.” Aiden snuggled up to his boyfriend. “Either Theo would kill Nessa or he’d leave the band, and I’m not keen to find out which would happen first.”

Feeling (Astral Part 1)

“I don’t—I can’t—” Aiden laid back before his arms could give out on him. The snow swirled in front of his eyes, further heightening the dizzy, sick feeling creeping up his throat. “Will, I can’t.”

Light (Stars)

It’s nighttime. When I open my eyes, moonlight is streaming in through the window. I know I’m supposed to be alone. Papa left when it was time to pick up Coli from school, and Mamma left when visiting hours ended.

But despite those facts, I’m not alone. Somebody is sitting on the edge of my bed, holding my hand. 

[ghost-town-story]

Find the Word Tag

I got double tagged by @emelkae a while back, and it’s about time I got around to filling them lol. Thanks for the tags!

And tagging people up here, gonna tag @writinglyra, @qelizhus, @asomeoneperson, and anybody else who wants to! Your words will be noise, heart, memory, and spring.

Words: because, see, twist, space, graze, race, accurate, and flat.

Because (Magic AU)

Jason looked between the two; James once again muffling his crying in Raidyn’s fur, and Will wavering a few feet away. “What the fuck did you two do?”

“Don’t blame James,” Will immediately said, and god the twins hadn’t changed one bit, always jumping to each other’s defense. “It wasn’t his fault,” Will continued. “We—we messed up, but we’re trying to fix things Jason. You have to believe me, we’re trying to fix this.”

“Fix what?” Jason demanded. “Because right now it looks to me that you’re in way over your heads Will. Tell me what happened to you.”

“No.”

See (Astral Part 1)

“Are you okay?” Rose asked, grabbing him in a quick hug before releasing him and checking him over for injuries. “How did you get away? I couldn’t get to you, but I saw the fire moving and hoped I could find a way around, and now here you are, and what happened?”

“I—I don’t know.” Aiden was still reeling at how quickly everything had happened. “I—That kid—”

“Danielle.” Even in the low lighting, Aiden could still see the serious expression on Rose’s face. “She’s Maddox’s apprentice. I thought—” She took a shaky breath. “I thought you were done for, when she cut me off from you.”

Twist (CoFaS)

“Let me go.”

“Absolutely not. I don’t care if you outrank me or what, your father outranks both of us, so I’m bringing you home—”

“No!” Aiden twisted violently and felt James’s hold weaken. “Let me go James! Let me go!”

With one last heave, James’s grip broke. Aiden realized his mistake a few moments too late, when he suddenly realized how far they were from the cliff, and just how high he’d gotten off the ground.

A sharp gasp was ripped from his throat, especially as his back flared in pain from instincts trying to stop his fall. But apparently their struggle had stunned James because Aiden kept falling, kept watching the sand grow closer and closer until Aiden had to close his eyes. He was going to hit the ground any second and it would hurt—

Space (Astral Part 2, Always My Kitten)

In the kitchen, Aiden stood at the counter, hunched in on himself. Without the need to keep silent, the sound of his ragged breathing filled the space. Smokey padded across the floor and leapt up onto the counter, purring as she wound around his wrists.

Aiden’s breath stuttered in what could almost pass as a laugh. “You know you’re not supposed to be up here.”

Smokey meowed in disdain of the so-called “rules” that forbid her from comforting her kitten.

Graze (Nova)

The lack of dirt highlighted the scrapes from their fight though, and Jay winced as he ran his fingers over what looked like a graze from a bullet wound on his stomach. He’d have to remember to get Basil’s help cleaning that when Basil was showered.

Race (Traitor Queen)

The pieces clicked then for Holli. “First race without her was rough, huh.”

Kairan scoffed. “What the hell do you think?” As he looked away, a flash of light from the bar illuminated the patch of road rash on his collar from earlier today.

Accurate (Stars)

I can’t help my soft little “Woah,” as I cross the room to what is obviously an observation railing. I’ve always wanted to reach the stars. And now it feels like I could stretch out my hand and touch them, feel stardust trickling through my fingers.

I know that’s not accurate. I know I would burn up long before I could actually touch a star. But it’s poetic, and it’s the type of thing Mamma would always say to me, laying in Nonno’s backyard and staring at the sky that seemed to go on forever.

Flat (Space Pirates)

For a moment, Caelan didn’t respond, their breathing surprisingly steady despite Reizora’s hold on them. “What do you want?” Their tone was flat.

“What?” Reizora hissed, pressing the knife harder against their throat. “What the hell does that mean?”

Caelan lifted their head, almost seeming to bare their throat to the knife. “You currently have the Imperial Heir at knifepoint,” they pointed out. “That gives you a lot of bargaining power. So, Captain, what do you want to do with that?”

“What makes you think I want something from you?” Reizora countered.

“Because everybody else does.”

[ghost-town-story]

Hello, happy STS! What is the wildest character arc you have, and what circumstances cause said character to change so much?

Thanks for the ask! <3

Off the top of my head, the wildest in terms of lots of change is probably Charlie from TQ. He starts out as this shy, anxious wallflower of a bean, and he ends up tired and jaded about 90% of his life and cutting contact with his entire family except for one (maybe 3) of his siblings. Also going from thinking he’s cishet to “nah actually I’m hella gay and probably not cis” lol

What causes this? A few things. Pre-story: The “death” of his brother Ryder. Beginning of story: Meeting Kairan and eventually getting kidnapped. Mid/late story: Being forced into the Talon (which, idk if I can explain what that is concisely oop. Moral of the story is: it’s something Charlie absolutely hates).

[ghost-town-story]

If I had a nickel for every time I used “dead sibling isn’t actually dead” as a plot device, I’d have 4 nickels

Which isn’t a lot, but it’s weird it’s happened 4 times now

[ghost-town-story]

Find the Word Tag

Combining tags from @socialmediasocrates and @avi-why. Thanks for the tags y’all!

And since it’s gonna be a long one, gonna toss it beneath a cut and tag people up here. Tagging with no pressure @xiyais, @writinglyra, @percy-writes, and anybody else who wants to. Your words will be fog, sound, consequence, wish, and ink.

Words: Run, water, hand, stripe, blue, sun, snarl, fate, green, glitter

Run (Space Pirates)

“Wait!” Isadora called. “Wait, stop, please!”

Caelan didn’t stop. Instead, once they had rounded the corner, they broke into a run, wondering just what in the universe Rossano had decided to use as a distraction.

The answer came in the form of destroyed ballroom doors, flames licking the center of the dance floor, and panicked guests streaming out as fast as they could.

Water (Lost Beneath the Waves)

Dawn was just starting to tinge the sky pink when Ronan finally resurfaced. The first thing he noticed were the two dark-haired figures still on the beach, though sitting down by now. Ronan started towards them, letting the tide carry him in.

When Ronan was finally close enough to touch the sand again, he risked calling out. “I’m alive.”

Matthew startled, and Katherine tipped off his shoulder and fell in a spray of sand.

“Ronan Seadew!” Matthew snapped, standing and crossing the beach to stand at the edge of the water.

“I’m sorry.” Ronan accepted both the towel and the accusing stare without complaint. “I panicked.”

Hand (Nova)

“Let me get this lit,” Jay mumbled, reaching for his lighter again.

“Jay—” Basil reached out to stop Jay.

Jay smacked his hand away. “Let me light my damn cigarette!”

Basil frowned and changed his trajectory to try and remove Jay’s goggles.

The reaction this time was even more violent, Jay practically shoving Basil away and scrambling to his feet. “Don’t touch me!”

Stripe

N/A :(

Blue (Astral Part 2)

Open it.

Aiden narrowed his eyes at Will, but he’d always been the best at holding his cryptic silence. After a moment, Aiden gave in and carefully opened the lid. He couldn’t help the gasp that tore its way from his throat.

Nestled in the blue and gold velvet were a handful of familiar red and silver scales.

“Starfire,” Aiden whispered, picking up a scale and cradling it in his hand.

Sun (Magic AU)

James was sure he must have dozed off again. After all, Aiden was so warm tucked against his chest, and the sunlight soon slid off of James’s face, and Raidyn must have snuck into bed at some point because James could hear him purring contentedly nearby.

But the soft illusion of safety was shattered the instant somebody knocked at the door.

Snarl (Traitor Queen)

Holli sighed. “Vargas—Kairan—”

Vargas let out a low snarl.

This time it was Holli’s turn to roll her eyes. “Oh lay off Kairan, nobody else is out here, and we’ll have plenty of warning if somebody wants to join us.”

“It’s not those drunk idiots I’m worried about,” Kairan muttered.

Fate (Nova)

Basil tried to grab Jay, to tug him away from whatever dumb shit he was planning on doing, but Jay was too quick for him, and darted through the doorway. He disappeared almost instantly into the strange shimmer.

Basil stopped short, every instinct of his being screaming at him not to touch it. Instead, he was left helplessly waiting for Jay to come back from some fate he couldn’t be sure of.

Green (Stars)

My eyes meet green, and he grins at me, the action so wonderfully familiar it makes me want to cry.

“Hey estrella.” His voice is as rough as mine, but I think it’s the best sound I’ve ever heard in my life. “I told you I’d be here when you woke up.”

Glitter (Astral, but Andrade siblings era)

“Or did Mother put you up to this?” Yavin spat. “Does she have such little faith in me that she thinks taking away my birthright means I will suddenly resort to some drastic measure to regain it?”

“Mother did not ask this of me, because she has no idea of your cruelty,” Io retorted.

In a flash, Yavin closed the distance between them and grabbed Io by the collar. “And you do?” he asked in a low voice. “Careful how you answer, little one.”

Io gasped sharply, scrabbling at Yavin’s wrist in a vain attempt to get him to let go.

“Tell me what you know Io,” Yavin growled.

Io barely managed to gasp out a “No,” in reply, tears beginning to glitter in golden eyes.

[ghost-town-story]

First Lines Tag

Thanks for the tag @emelkae!

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line, then tag some of your favourite authors! 

This’ll end up long, so I’mma tag people here and toss a read-more partway through. With no pressure as usual, I’ll tag @writinglyra, @pseudepigraphic, @cheshawrites, @incipientdream, @seasteading, @sourrcandy, @citywillow, and anybody else who wants to!

Alright, time to start with the ones that have tags on this blog, then wander into older AU territory

(adding year written bc why not)

Astral (2020)

The sound of the dungeon door opening startled him awake, though he didn’t move from his cot. It was only when the door closed gently behind the visitor that he rolled to his feet and approached the bars of his cell. “Long time no see Calipsa.”

Nova (2019)

He couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment he had woken up, but now that he was aware of it, the knowledge scratched at him, urging him up. He reluctantly stretched, relishing the feeling as his joints popped, then finally opened his eyes.

He immediately recognized that he was in some sort of hospital, but how had he gotten here? Where was here?

Title Redacted (2012. A relic since I haven’t started the rewrite yet lol)

“Crap”, I thought, watching my wall of water being beaten back by his fire.

Traitor Queen (2020)

The bar was crowded and noisy, like it usually was after the races. With all the commotion, it was hard to keep track of who was where. Which was why, when Holli turned to make a comment, she was disappointed but not surprised to find her companion had vanished.

On her other side, Johnson noticed her looking and leaned down to be heard. “I saw him wander out a couple of minutes ago.”

Dumbass Immortals (2021)

In her defense, Milo tended to be incredibly distracting. So in all honesty, it wasn’t completely Alysia’s fault that she wasn’t looking where she was going, and therefore ran smack- dab into the guy.

“Are you okay?”

Alysia looked up. Icy blue eyes stared down at her with concern.

“I’m fine.”

Stars (2021)

My first breath tastes stale and plastic, and I’m retching before I’m even half- awake.

Sensations return in flashes; padding under my shoulders, pale blue light interspersed with red, the pressure of a mask over my face, a dull ache in my arm.

I hold my breath for a few moments to claw the oxygen mask off my face. At least now it doesn’t taste like I’m licking plastic.

Lost Beneath the Waves (2021)

The carriage slowed to a stop at the foot of the palace stairs, the rain sloshing around the wheels. As the driver hopped down, the palace doors opened, revealing a man who hurried down the stairs.

“Lord Coranth!” he greeted as he reached the bottom of the stairs. “I’m glad you arrived safely.”

“Likewise.” Lord Coranth stepped down from the carriage, careful to avoid stepping in any puddles. “It’s good to see you again, Aranadar. I just wish the circumstances were better.”

Space Pirates (2021)

The first thing they realized was that they were breathing. Their mother’s words echoed in their head; Breathing is a gift Caelan. Don’t ever forget that.

They took a deep breath, then another, relishing in the feeling of air actually filling their lungs. Right then and there, they decided nothing could ever compare to the terror of trying to take a breath, only to find no air to breathe.

Powers AU (2019)

Aydan was always the first one to the forest path that lead to their small village, but she never minded waiting for the boys to catch up. Even today, the last day of school, she was in no rush to get home.

The breeze brought a whiff of salt water, and Aydan felt a sudden longing to be out on the water. But knowing her father, that was no real surprise.

Magic AU (2020)

James stared up at the building, doubt stirring yet again. He shoved it away again, just like he did every time. After all this was his best shot, their best shot at fixing their mistakes.

A familiar presence brushed against James, but James brushed them off. Lay off.

Now for the random AUs. Some of these are real titles, some of them are just the doc names, some are me sassing my past self. Which one’s which should be fairly obvious I hope lol

Of Fairy Magic (2018)

The night is hot and muggy And in the distance is the sound of drunk college seniors up to their last shenanigans But they avoid this place Even drunk they understand it’s best to be other places tonight

Prologue to a mermaid AU I never wrote (2014)

Cold. He’s so cold. “Come on,” the pirate growls, grabbing James by the arm. James stumbles and whimpers, but doesn’t protest. He knows it’s better if he doesn’t say anything

Fountains at Night are Pretty (But Not as Pretty as You) (2017)

You trail your hand through the water of the fountain, and I watch, entranced at the way the light flickers across your face. After a moment, you look up at me. “This is the secret surprise you wanted to show me?” you tease.

“Of course,” I reply, closing the distance between us and sitting next to you at the edge of the fountain.

Gems (2017)

The water sloshed around James’s knees, and he gritted his teeth, bracing himself a little more firmly against the shifting sands. Another wave crashed into him, and he debated letting the water take him, but then it withdrew, leaving James feeling cold again.

Mother I can tell what you’ve been thinking (2016)

Melody woke up from her impromptu nap feeling vaguely uneasy, as if something important was missing. She quickly shrugged it off though, getting out of bed. Of course something was missing. The stillness of the tattoos on her arms attested to that.

The story I should have called Ink Stained (2015)

Blue eyes flitted nervously around the crowded bar, and shadows shifted under his cloak.

Shh. He lightly dragged his fingers over his right arm, and the shadows followed his fingertips. Shh. Calm.

Soulmate Colors AU (Stars) (2015)

Divo sat on the bus with his arms crossed, glaring at anybody who dared to look at him or Nicoli the wrong way.

“You know,” Nicoli sighed, putting away his phone and resting his chin on Divo’s shoulder, drawing the older teen’s attention away from the rest of the bus for a moment, “I wish I could see colors.”

“Don’t we all buddy,” Divo mumbled.

Dragons! (2014)

The stable door opened a crack, letting in a woman carrying a bundle of blankets.

The dragon in the corner stirred, opening silvery gold eyes. Your mate won’t be happy about this you know.

“Shh,” the woman whispered, mischief sparkling in bright blue eyes. “He doesn’t have to know.”

Damp Cement and the Scent of Rain (2014)

It’s the smell of the damp that really makes Kai restless. All day it’s been grey and dreary, sometime between sixth and eighth it turns dark, then ninth it starts raining and storming.

The rain drops in a steady flow from the roof above, heard loud and clear through the half-open window, and almost seeps into the cement building, giving it a cold, damp smell.

When You Wish on a Star (2013. Another relic of pre-rewrite OG)

“Alex, get back here!” Jasmine’s voice echoed down the stairs.

I glanced at Will, an eyebrow raised, and Will groaned. “Whatever she’s done now, I’m sorry,” he mumbled.