#wts cloudless rain

[roselinbooks]

Baltan's ref sheet, by itself!

I wish I had more time for one more emotion, but 90% of Baltan's facial expressions are >:c so I feel like this is very accurate lol.

Notes read:

"Fashionable: formal dress: Darker undershirt, bowtie, suit that is lighter and often shiny or reflective. Shirt should be tucked in but Baltan doesn't like it.

This man's eyebrows NEVER *upturned eyebrows drawing*. He can be about to have the ugliest cry in history and he *angry eyebrows drawing* ONLY.

Love a man with sharp edges and a soft smile.

Main shape is diamond--sharp angles and straight lines.

Baltan: Pessimist, Anxious, Stubborn; Determined, Loyal, Intelligent; 29 - Sun; Achillean/Gay Man, Trans (man) He/Him

[roselinbooks]

Heads Up Seven Up

Tagged by @willtheweaver, trying to get back on top of my tags!!

Rules: Post seven lines that you recently wrote in your WIP, then tag seven people

(Technically this is eight lines but shhhhh)

Baltan narrowed his eyes, if only to stop them from widening in shock. He set his drink down a little harder than he meant to and the glass clanked harshly against the tabletop. He had already understood that Selkess had been watching them, but for at least six years? Exactly how long had it been going on? How many people around him and Eureka were spying on them and reporting back to Selkess? How closely were they being watched? He glanced around the lounge again. How many of the people innocently milling about were Selkess's followers, hiding in plain sight?

Tagging @josephinetaylorbooks @earlronove @cwritesfiction @transman-badass @albatris @acertainmoshke @abalonetea

[roselinbooks]

Nine Lines, Nine People

Thank you for the tag, @willtheweaver! Let's see if I actually stick to just nine lines, lol. From the Weathering the Storm edition of Cloudless Rain:

Baltan turned on the radio to drown out that particular thought. It was already tuned to The Night Train's station, and within moments the jazzy opening played: a few sharp string chords, fading out to a lively, rhythmic duet of piano and ride cymbal. He plopped down on the couch, noting that although Azzie was doing his best to look like he was asleep, his ear twitched in time to the music. Gradually, the music petered out altogether, giving way to the announcer. "Tonight, the murderous tale of a mysterious briefcase. What's in the briefcase, and why would it drive someone to kill? Some secrets are deadly, and some truths deadlier. Check your luggage carefully as you board…The Night Train! But first, a word from our sponsor: Sunrise Coffee…" Eureka leaned out of the kitchen, catching Baltan's eye. "I'll wager the first slice of cake that I can figure out who the killer is before the second ad break." "There's cake?" Baltan asked. "There can be." "I accept, raise you the last slice of cake, and I bet I can figure it out before the entire cast is revealed." "Showing off a bit, aren't you?" Eureka laughed. "There's cake on the line," Baltan responded with the utmost seriousness.

Tagging: @earlronove @transman-badass (if you're up to it, no worries) @carlottastudios @josephinetaylorbooks @toboldlywrite @revenantlore @agwitow @albatris @jaistashu

[roselinbooks]

Sunday Snippet! Making this edition of Cloudless Rain gayer by adding a small bit of Baltan helping Eureka with his chronic pain via massage while they discuss the case. I will probably revise this scene to add more yearning, too, but right now I'm just doing very minor edits here and there.

[roselinbooks]

It's a Saturday Snippet! Also I guess a first line tag fill from, I think, @sodaliteskull? Forgive me if I'm wrong on that!

[roselinbooks]

Saturday Snippet

I feel like this chapter needs a lot of work, in the grand scheme of this book...but this little moment remains one of my favorites.

Azzie stayed in the doorway as he watched Eureka open Baltan's closet. He searched through the row of hanging shirts to find something closer to Azzie's size and scoffed, "How does one person own so many black clothes? Wait, here's a gray one! Ah, no, it's just faded…" The pants and long-sleeved shirt that Eureka picked out of Baltan's wardrobe were almost the right size, once the sleeves and cuffs were rolled up a little. A belt kept the pants from falling off altogether, even if the leftover length did resemble a tail. "I'm sure you'll feel a lot better after we get you something that fits right," Eureka offered. "And we just won't tell Baltan about this part, okay?"

[roselinbooks]

I might be stressed as all hell and exhausted, but I keep writing!

This was always one of my favorite little moments from Cloudless Rain. Let them bond!

Text copied under cut for accessibility.

The sound of a wave, much closer than the radio speakers, caught Azzie's attention. Eureka sat on the other end of the couch, quietly reading a book. He swept his foot back and forth across the carpet in time with the album.

Azzie stretched out his own foot and gently tapped Eureka's leg with the tip of his toe. When he didn't get a reaction, he did it again, holding it there this time. Eureka turned the page of his book, paying no mind. Azzie stretched out his foot even more, pushing Eureka's leg. The longer the moment stretched on with no response, the harder Azzie pushed. Soon, he couldn't press any harder, and had to uncurl so he could get into a better position.

Once he abandoned the safety of the blanket, Eureka tapped Azzie's nose with one finger.

Azzie squeaked and covered his nose with his hands, eyes screwed shut, only to peek them open again when he realized there was no pain. Eureka was smiling, a spark of humor in his eyes.

Azzie didn't know how to respond. He flicked one ear, then the other. He didn't know if it was okay for him to attack back, but he didn't want to curl up in defense. There was no need to protect himself; Eureka wouldn't hurt him.

[roselinbooks]

Character Corner: Baltan

Time for the deuteragonist of Cloudless Rain to get some spotlight! Everyone's favorite grumpy dad detective!

Full art ref will be posted soon.