#Tij Bashnya

[dreamtigress]

Vindingrijkheid

Vindingrijkheid (Fabrication/Invention) is a spinoff story from Kanej Wensen, featuring Jesper starting his apprenticeship with Tij Bashnya at Toren Leder.

This takes place during and after Verbanden & Geesten. Jes begins learning how to better focus his powers, some leather crafting, and a good chunk about his mentor as well. We get a section from Tij’s POV, and see how she views her new found apprentice. We also get to see Jesper and Tij trading stories as they work on a custom order for Kaz.

CW for some discussions of past trauma, death, grief, and torture.

[dreamtigress]

Several Sentence Sunday

Using today's Several Sentence Sunday to highlight one of my lesser viewed stories. Vindingrijkheid (Fabrication/Invention) is a spin off story from Kanej Wensen, following the first few weeks of Jesper's training with a local Grisha Fabrikator, Tij.

Jes has asked Tij for her help in altering some guns. During the process of setting up a target for test shooting, Tij's rather protective husband Volk has a warning for Jes...

When Volk came up behind Jesper, he murmured, “She gets excited by this kind of thing. Always has. Do not, under any circumstances, miss and shoot my wife? That would make me… upset. I’m sure you don’t want to upset me. Understood, kid?”

Saints. Jes swallowed, and managed to keep his voice level as he replied, “Yes, sir. You got it.” He was not going to haughtily mention he never missed. Or fuss about being called ‘kid’. Not to a man whose head was close to brushing the ceiling, and who could likely kill him with his bare hands if he got… upset. Regardless of the fact that Jesper was holding four of said man’s guns.

Soft tagging: @tinyarmedtrex, @malconnorsupremacy, @19burstraat, @downn-in-flames, and @sc11vb, if you have anything you want to share!

[dreamtigress]

WIP Wednesday!

Thanks to @tinyarmedtrex for posting and reminding me what day it was!

One of my WIP's is a spin off story from Kanej Wensen, wherein Jesper starts training with a local Grisha in Ketterdam. Here's a snippet from the first day he heads to her shop to talk about his possible apprenticeship.

Tij gestured to the selection of tea tins and asked if he wanted anything. Before he could stop himself, he asked if she had anything stronger.

An arched eyebrow and a grin accompanied her reply. “Bit early for that in polite Ketterdam society, but I’m not Kerch, so… Kvas, wine, or whiskey?”

“I adore you. Whiskey.” 

“Maybe don’t say that around my husband Volk, young man,” she said with a chuckle as she got down a bottle of Ballybay blend and two glasses from an upper cabinet. My mouth is so fired. He’d noticed Volk the first time they’d been in the shop, and now felt the need to look around and make sure he wasn’t about to get pummeled by a giant, jealous husband. 

“I’ll, uh, keep that in mind.”

Tij handed him a glass, and took a seat on the couch at one end, by the armchair. She sipped from her own glass, sighed expressively, and waited. Jesper took a sip of his own. Not as good as a Leflinnach, but tasty. Maybe it’ll calm my nerves. He couldn’t sit, but he did keep himself from pacing.

“So, I wanted to, uh, talk to you, about the, uh…”

She gently interrupted his stammering, “Do you think I’m going to bite you? That’s also generally reserved for my husband.”

The statement was so unexpected that Jes burst out laughing. Oh Saints, I do actually adore her. Inej was right, she’s a bit like Nina. Tij waited for him to control his mirth, grinning the whole time. She appeared to know exactly what she’d done, and prompted him now.

“You’re here to talk to me about the apprenticeship. I was waiting for you to show up.”

Soft tagging: Anyone who wants to post a WIP Wednesday thing!

[dreamtigress]

2024 Writing in Review

Thanks to @onthewaytosomewhere for the tag and inspiration!

2024 Writing in Review

Published on AO3 in 2024: 401,592

Everything was within the Six of Crows/Grishaverse fandom, with a large focus on Kanej, but with some Wesper and original characters. I branched off into spin offs stories, writing short form ficlets, and challenging myself. I gained new readers, some amazing beta readers, and did some beta'ing for others. I have expanded my own post-canon world a huge amount. While my writing has slowed down a bit, I have tons of future story ideas. I commissioned art for fics from great artists, and even received the first gift art for a fic just this week! Of the 22 stories I published this year, the length ranged from 542 to 75,125 words. I posted the last chapter of my last story for this year this morning!

Stories by Month Below the Cut...

January:

Broeder Liefde (Brotherly Love)

It’s been two and a half weeks since Inej set sail. Kaz has been coping, mostly. His cravings for touch are maddening, and he misses Inej fiercely. Jesper and Wylan try their hardest. We get to see some domestic and sexy Wesper stuff, too. This is wish fulfillment post-canon personal and relationship development. There are intense, and sexual, scenes between consenting adult characters, and discussions of trauma.

February:

Jezelf Leren Kennen (Learning To Know Oneself)

This piece exists in the space directly after Crooked Kingdom, during KoS/RoW, and serves as a prequel for my series Kanej Wansen. Exploring Inej’s reunion with her parents, her discovery of who she can be as Captain Ghafa, hunting slavers and doling out justice, and her path to reclaiming her own body and sexuality. Exploring Kaz building his empire in the Barrel, and his journey through practicing touch and examining his armor; seeing him hit despair, and clawing his way back out again.

March:

Zeilen (Sailing)

The Wraith has captured The Nalaika, and Inej and her crew celebrate the victory. We learn some of Mesa’s history, and see some resolution there. The Wraith may gain a new crew member. Inej goes on her “Lion Hunt”, and brings back a memento. I’ve built in layers of serious issues with more lighthearted moments, and with four Original Character POV sections.

April:

Verbanden & Geesten (Ties & Ghosts)

Kaz deals with waiting for Inej to return, gang politics with the Razorgulls, redecorating his bedroom, getting a tattoo, and a visit to his childhood home. Jesper and Wylan visit the Slat, meet Krai, and help Kaz out with some gang politics, among other things.

Drie Is Een Feestje (Three is a Party)

Meril, Mikhal, and Nico, Dregs members who work at Magpies & Makkers, are relaxing in the club after hours when Meril decides to reveal to her partner Mikhal that she wants to act on the attention they've both noticed from Nico. After some negotiation, they head upstairs for some kinky fun and power exchange that works out far better than any of them expected. (Spin off story from Kanej Wensen but in the same canon.)

May:

Vindingrijkheid (Fabrication/Invention)

This story follows Jesper’s Fabrikator training with Tij Bashnya at Toren Leder. This takes place during and after Verbanden & Geesten. (Spin off story from Kanej Wensen but in the same canon.) Jes begins learning how to better focus his powers, some leather crafting, and a good chunk about his mentor as well. We get a section from Tij’s POV, and see how she views her new found apprentice. We also get to see Jesper and Tij trading stories as they work on a custom order for Kaz.

Thuiskomst (Homecoming)

Inej returns to Ketterdam, coming ‘home’ to Kaz. It’s a rainy day, but they’re back at the Slat soon enough for a reunion dinner and reconnection time. They update each other on all sorts of news, explore some physical intimacy with a setback, recover and relax. Inej gets birthday gifts, and to see Kaz’s redecorated bedroom. Kaz brings up the ideas of going out to dinner and taking a vacation.

June:

Geheugen (Remembering)

The morning after Inej returns to Ketterdam, she pokes a little too hard at Kaz about his past, and he pokes back about hers. Their argument leads to confessions on both sides, of things they’ve kept hidden from each other. They discuss heavy parts of their past, bringing some things to light. They also explore how arguing can lead to better communication, and to make up sex. After some reconnection, they have a chat about Jesper’s random offer of spanking.

Bevrediging (Gratification/Naughty: To Cum)

Inej has another educational chat with Jes & Wy about kink. Kaz takes her out on a date in public to Pelegrini, for an amazing dinner. Upon return to the mansion, their evening gets very kinky. Inej takes control, tries out some new toys, and hilarity and hotness ensue. Kaz comes to grips with a new phrase from Inej.

Een Taal Aanleren (Language Lessons)

Omar and Ryo, Dregs members who work at Magpies & Makkers, discuss their mutual crush one evening on their way back to the Slat. Each man has a hurt from his past to contend with. Occasional language barriers make their night interesting. We get to learn more about Omar’s past crush on Nico, and why Ryo left Bhez Ju. This story turned into a tri-lingual affair, giving us more insight into both Ryo and Omar’s backgrounds and cultures.

July:

Schurken Gemaskerd (Rogues Masquerade)

This spin off story from Kanej Wensen ties together a slew of little plot lines and character arcs. We get ten different character POV’s surrounding the Rogues Gallery expansion opening gala. Zurye has a surprise meeting. Ryo gets a surprise assignment. Jesper is in a tizzy with all of his planning duties. Rook is in a tizzy because Jeter’s all dressed up. Kaz leads his Dregs in a Barrel parade to the Rogues Gallery. Mesa has a chat with Tajed while she’s trying to work. Inej finds out some intel from Rosa Ortega, leader of the Liddies. Wylan has a run-in with another member of the Merchant Council. Jeter is Kaz’s assistant for the night, and brings the news of an incident. Oxana gets to witness a private debriefing of the Crows.

August:

Canon Maintenance

Cannon Maintenance was created for @Discessio: For the Queer Pride Ficlet Friday Tumblr Challenge Prompt: Senn/Kalu and 4. "An unspeakable of the Oscar Wilde sort."

One early morning, Kalu decides to finally say something to Senn about the obvious crush the former Dregs member has on The Wraith's bosun. Fun times ensue.

Recruitment Pitch

Recruitment Pitch introduces a new original character who may be joining the Dregs. One of Kaz's part time spiders, Cory, notes a pick pocket working in Fifth Harbor, and intervenes before any of the bruisers see the thief.

Metamour Meeting

Metamour Meeting features The Wraith's new zowa crew member Zurye heading to Alexi's home after her chat about Oxana with Captain Inej Ghafa. (During Schurken Gemaskerd.)

Girl’s Afternoon

Seile and Meril go out for a Girl's Afternoon, eating waffles at the Kooperom and catching up.

Making New Memories

Making New Memories was created for @Tinyarmedtrex: For the Queer Pride Ficlet Friday Tumblr Challenge Prompt: 1. for any ship you want! ‘It’s my right as a bisexual to sit this way.’

Mikhal goes up to check on Nico after Ryo gave him a black eye during a sparring session. He attempts to help the blond bouncer forget his troubles.

Friends Like This

Oxana is really lucky to have Friends Like This. Alexi gives her some advice to help with her relationship with Zurye.

Dream Come True

Dream Come True was created for @Discessio: For the Queer Pride Ficlet Friday Tumblr Challenge Prompt: Senn/Kalu and Turquoise: Magic

Kalu wants to make a little magic happen for Senn, and further explore their relationship. This is a bit of a sequel to Cannon Maintenance.

October:

Grijp De Teugels (Take the Reins)

After returning to the Slat after working at their respective clubs, Anika and Pim have some kinky relaxing time together. Their power exchange runs contrary to what outside observers might assume, with Anika handing the reins to Pim. We learn a bit about their backstories, and get to see just how confident Pim is when it comes to handling his girl. They have some post sexy time snuggling, and an important conversation.

November:

Forest Green Lace

This idea has been in my notes for a while, and Smutsgiving seemed liked the right time to write it out. Jesper has a surprise for Wylan featuring forest green lace, and he's maybe a little nervous about it.

A little light on the smut, a little heavy on the soft and adorable.

Morning, Captain

One more thing for Smutsgiving! With a bit more smut. I had this idea in my Spin Off and Ficlets notes, and Lizabet and Specht totally needed some more screen time. Even if he is *supposed* to be getting up and being responsible.

December:

Vakantie (Vacation)

Kaz takes Inej on a vacation to his childhood home, the farm located not far from Lij. From reveals on the ride down, to days spent relaxing, they figure out how to enjoy a vacation. Inej gets some new insights into Kaz’s past. He relives and discusses painful memories, but also finds some solace in the process. There’s fun and connection, stargazing and sexytimes, and a few interesting surprises in the mix as well.

Open tags for anyone who wants to do a Writing Review of their year!