Writing for my sanity

Minors DNI @darkravencries writing side blog

[vampysquidposting]

Intro Post

Hey, it's Raven. 24, they/them. I'll probably use this blog to write fanfics and some original character posts as well.

Minors and bigots DNI.

[vampysquidposting]

Unshaved Legs

Content warning: SA mention

I have unshaved legs. I wish I had a penis. I want to grow a mustache, shave my beard, have a drink with the guys. 

I have unshaved legs. I have a vagina. I like to crochet, make cute outfits, get all dolled up with my girlfriends.

I have unshaved legs. I talk about my feelings. I go to therapy. I take my meds, write my journals, keep things to myself.

I have unshaved legs. I have been raped. I have heard them out, been disgusted, left them in the dust.

I have unshaved legs. I live in cycles. I have withered, replenished, perished again under the spotlights.

I have unshaved legs. I may shave them tomorrow. I can shave them, let the hair regrow, be the same person.

[vampysquidposting]

Claws Chapter 2: The Benefactor

The night air felt so good against his skin, he wished he had nowhere else to be tonight. He made the turn at W Chestnut just in time to see a short, cloaked figure duck into the alley beside the building he was to enter. Instinctively, he patted the backpack he was wearing, stopping briefly to put the knife in his belt. The cold metal of the blade pressing tightly against his leg, he kicked up and grabbed the skateboard in one slick motion with the other. Evidently, he grimaced, tonight would involve more than them.

            4152 W Chestnut Ave was an apartment building, but he already knew whom to call. The faint glow of a button illuminated the laminated label below; Unit 3, Orion. Pressing it, he waited for their voice. The speaker box crackled, then a pleasant voice echoed through. “May I have your name?” “Yoon Tae-min.” A loud buzz, followed by a quick click of the wrought iron door was all that followed. He cautiously opened the door, sweeping his eyes on his surroundings briefly before heading to Unit 3. Musty wallpaper lined the hallway, while dark stains littered the shag carpeting. Reaching his destination, he took hold of the large wolf knocker on the door. He raised the knocker and rapped twice. Stepping away from the door, a sense of foreboding overcame him that he could not explain to himself. He’d been in worse situations before, much less prepared than he was now. Yet, his body screamed at him to leave this place. Before he could answer the call, the door opened.

            A dimly lit room backlit the person answering his knock. “Come in,” their pleasant voice sounded again, sharp teeth curled into an even sharper smile. He acquiesced, unease broiling in his stomach. Cobwebs gathered in the corners of the entrance, the bulb light swaying after evidently being turned on mere seconds ago. They waited for him to come into the room before speaking again. “You’ve finally learned the importance of punctuality, good. We shouldn’t have any issues this time,” they slyly chuckled, glancing at the bandaged gash. Rage swam through his blood, but he knew it would be impractical to pull anything now. He nodded his head, eager to exit this unpleasant place. “I’m here, what do you require from me?” “Oh no, let’s not be too hasty now, you are a guest in my home! Do allow me the chance to welcome you properly.” Still smiling, they beckoned to him and began walking towards a room on the left. As he entered the open doorway, the smell of fresh bread and roasted meat cut through the otherwise dank odor. A glass table in the center of the room held a basket full of what he assumed to be the source of the smell. “Scarlett was thoughtful enough to bring a gift to me, I see you came empty handed.” Scarlett? Just as he was thinking he had never heard this name, the cloaked figure he had seen emerged from the shadowy recess in the wall.

[vampysquidposting]

Chapter 2 Plans and Questions

So, my character will have more dialogue in the next chapter as he meets his benefactor. I do struggle a bit with dialogue, especially for more imposing characters. Essentially, how do I make the person sound more menacing without sounding cheesy?

[vampysquidposting]

Claws: Updated Chapter 1

Tw: suicidal ideations, blood imagery

Chapter 1: A Morning

He sat in the corner of his bedroom window, peering out through the gray sky. Only one flight off the ground, not quite far enough. He’d thought about this a thousand times before, about how the door to the roof was always unlocked during the day, about how there weren’t any working security cameras up there, about how there wouldn’t be anyone to miss him if he just did what was necessary. Standing to shake a cigarette out of his back pocket, he turned to grab the lighter close by, just on the nightstand. It was blue, her favorite color. They said memories fade with time, hers only ever seemed to get clearer. Escaping her would be like trying to escape himself at this point. He mulled over these thoughts as he flicked the lighter on and brought it up to the cigarette. Taking a long drag, he blew the smoke through the window and glanced back at his abode. Dirty clothes lined the little bed, favored items remaining on top. Potato chips and ice cream containers clogged up the nightstand, while the pill bottles spilled their contents across the room. “Everything’s in order,” he cracked humorlessly.

The sky shifted from gray to lighter gray as the sun rose higher. Five cigarettes later, and he sluggishly prepared to brace the day. His benefactor requested his presence tonight, and he dare not miss her appointment again. He could have used a real smoke before seeing her, but he wasn’t ready for that yet. He crept slowly to the bathroom, dreading what was to come. Drawing closely to the mirror, the tattered gauze wrapped round his head came into full view. Sweeping his dark bangs off the bandage, he stared for a moment at the deep red emanating from his forehead. Rewrapping his wounds was taking less and less time. This was not a skill he was prepared to learn, but learned it he had.

He spent most of the day laying in bed, wondering who he could have been if just a few things went differently. Around the time he was to meet his benefactor, the sky had finally shifted to a starless navy blue. He lingered in the bed for just a moment longer before rolling over to look at the card she had left him two nights ago. “Your presence is required in two days’ time at this location: 4152 W Chestnut Ave. 9 PM. Don’t be late.” He rolled his eyes at the last line, but nevertheless slunk out of bed. They should have given me more than two days of warning if they wanted me in anything other than jeans, he mused. After pulling on his long flannel, he hastily shoved the invitation into his backpack, along with a dirty kitchen knife. Mumbling, “…better than nothing” to himself, he grabbed the skateboard sitting against the dresser. W Chestnut wasn’t very far, and he hadn’t gone riding in so long.

[vampysquidposting]

Chapter 1- A Morning

TW: Suicidal Ideations, Blood Imagery

He sat in the corner of his bedroom window, peering listlessly out through the gray sky. Only one flight off the ground, not quite far enough. He’d thought about this a thousand times before, about how the door to the roof was always unlocked during the day, about how there weren’t any working security cameras up there, about how there wouldn’t be anyone to miss him if he just did what was necessary. Standing to shake a cigarette out of his back pocket, he turned to grab the lighter close by, just on the nightstand. It was blue, her favorite color. They said memories fade with time, hers only ever seemed to get clearer. Escaping her would be like trying to escape himself at this point. He mulled over these thoughts as he flicked the lighter on and brought it up to the cigarette. Taking a long drag, he blew the smoke through the window and glanced back at his abode. Dirty clothes lined the little bed, favored items remaining on top. Potato chips and ice cream containers clogged up the nightstand, while the pill bottles spilled their contents across the room. “Everything’s in order,” he cracked humorlessly.

            The sky shifted from gray to lighter gray as the sun rose higher. Five cigarettes later, and he sluggishly prepared to brace the day. The woman that paid for his room requested his presence today, and he dare not miss her appointment again. He could have used a real smoke before seeing her, but he couldn’t. Not after what happened. He crept slowly to the bathroom, dreading what was to come. Drawing closely to the mirror, the tattered gaze wrapped round his head came into full view. The dark, dull red faded into a dusty pink further fading into a dingy white against his black hair. Not taking the time to look any longer, he dug into a small bag perched on the side of the sink. Rewrapping his wounds was taking less and less time. This was not a skill he was prepared to learn, but learned it he had.