vixenofcadmea

[vixenofcadmea]

The Demon of Vyrantium 💜

[vixenofcadmea]

You're just out here on rooftops serving looks like its no big thing arent you? ☕🐦‍⬛🖤

[vixenofcadmea]

WIP Whenever/Last Lines Written/Snippet Someday~

Thank you to everyone who tagged me in the last week or so! I was performing bridesmaid's duties on top of work and school so I was MIA longer than I'd like.

BUT I’m finally editing the final draft of Ch. 18 for Threads Between Us! Only took me more than a month ahhhh. Is it still writer’s block if you’re writing constantly but throwing every draft into the void? Asking for a friend (the friend is me). Anyways I'll stop yapping now and get to it!

Chapter 18- Pensamientos Intrusivos Sneak Peek:

“Rook.” Lucanis’s hand settled between her shoulder blades, warm through her tunic. “Whatever game Solas is playing, whatever Elgar’nan wants… We saved those people. That’s real. We’ll figure out the rest.” How she ached to sink into his certainty, a blanket against the chill in her bones. But Elgar’nan’s laughter still rattled through her mind, patient and endless as the void itself. And so she simply hummed in reluctant agreement. The Fade’s currents continued as they were, a reminder of powers no one could control. Beside her, Lucanis remained still, his presence the one solid thing against the chaos ebbing and flowing in her. Yet she couldn’t ignore the shadows pooling in the hollows beneath his eyes, deep purple bruises of exhaustion he couldn’t quite hide. The tension hadn’t left his shoulders since they’d returned from Arlathan Forest hours ago. “What about you?” she asked softly. “Caterina, Illario… You haven’t spoken much about what’s to follow.” His jaw flexed, and for a moment, she thought he’d retreat behind that armor of his. Then his shoulders dropped, just slightly. “What is there to say? Caterina might be in the villa somewhere, and I can’t—Viago has people watching. Until then, I wait.” “That’s not what I asked.” He turned then, finally meeting her eyes. Beautiful and haunted, his dark brown gaze held the sorrow of an Antivan tragedy, every act carried on his shoulders alone. “What would you have me do, Rook? If I tear the villa apart looking for her, she dies. If I do nothing, she dies.” “Lucanis—” His hand covered hers on the railing, a fine tremor running through him. She knew their Crow training had kicked in, that he was locking away the pain until he could afford to feel it.  “Until Viago sends word,” he continued carefully, “I focus on what’s here. On what’s real.” Underneath his reassurance though, she heard what he wouldn’t say: While Caterina suffers. While Illario wins. While I do nothing. She turned her palm up, lacing their fingers together. “We’re quite a pair, aren’t we? Both trying to save each other from our own heads.” “Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.” Something in the way he said it made her believe it might be true.

I'm so behind on tags at this point so if you've already done any of these, feel free to share more if you want! @grad-writes @lotusfueltofire @madamemortem @nyx-de-riva @adejareve @dags-over-caravans

[vixenofcadmea]

Having Rook thoughts again. What does your Rook smell like?

[vixenofcadmea]

Rook: I don't want to say that was the worst party I've ever attended, but it was probably in the bottom ten.

[vixenofcadmea]

Writers Tag Game

@grad-writes came up with this tag game and it's such a cool concept! Really enjoyed filling this one out 💜 I love getting insight into other authors' writing processes so softly no pressure tagging @lotusfueltofire @styxdysnomia @adejareve @nyx-de-riva @madamemortem @antivan-sprig @woundedsoul12 @loopyloo1213 @awardenandacrow

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Do you prefer writing...

on your computer or on your phone | one-shots or multichapter | <5k or 10k or >10k words per chapter | chronologically or jump back and forth | planning things out or winging it (I have goalposts I want to meet, it’s how we get there that I wing!) | drabbles or plot or character study | dialogue or action | romance or comedy | mystery or horror | alternate universe or close to canon | writing new content or editing your work | finishing a WIP or starting a new one

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Extra questions:

How long on average do you spend writing 1 chapter? In actual time spent sitting and actively writing, about 3-4 afternoons/evenings, an hour or two each time. This can stretch out to a week as I have a lot going on all the time and don’t even get to sit and write some days.

How long do you spend editing? I would say it takes me longer to edit, about 5-6 days. Once again, it’s about finding the time to sit down and edit to my ridiculous standards! It's when my true nitpicky self comes out and I scrutinize EVERYTHING. There’s been times I’ll get to a scene and go “why did I even write that ahhhh!!!”

I typically aim for a 2 week turnaround for my chapters, one week writing then one week editing. This has been the longest break between chapters for my main fic Threads Between Us, and honestly it’s been a double whammy of college taking it out of me and writer’s block.

As for oneshots, I have no timeline—they happen when they happen!

Favourite thing to write? Utterly besotted pining and yearning! I’ve been happily married to my husband for over 10 years, so it’s fun to revisit that rush of falling in love with him all over again. Dramatic cliffhangers are a close second. I love amping up the tension and leaving a delicious hook, though I try not to overuse them!

Hardest thing to write? Action, for sure. I have aphantasia, so picturing combat and the fluid movement of it is always a challenge (probably why I gravitate toward mages, they just point lightning at something, right?) Whenever I write an action scene, I run it by my husband, who has experience in combatives, to make sure it flows and makes sense.

Fic/story you are most proud of and why? My main fic, Threads Between Us! It marked my return to writing after nearly two decades away. I originally envisioned it as a full telenovela, with backstabbing, drama, the works. But once I sat with the characters—especially Artemisia and Lucanis—and let them grow, the story shifted. They became so much more than the twists I’d originally planned for them and I love getting to write them.

That’s not to say I’m not proud of my one-shots! I love those too, because I can indulge completely without worrying about follow-ups (except for my ViaRook story, but that one’s on me letting the plot bunnies sneak in). But Threads Between Us remains my pride and joy! also I promise I am working on the next chapter, I haven't shared any snippets/WIP/blurbs bc I tossed out draft 3 and am now on draft 4 but this is the one I can feel it!

[vixenofcadmea]

Writers Tag Game

New tag game for writers by... me! I'm always curious to read about everyone's writing processes because they're so wildly different, and thought it would be fun to do it in a game quiz like this.

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Do you prefer writing...

on your computer or on your phone | one-shots or multichapter | <5k or 10k or >10k words per chapter | chronologically or jump back and forth | planning things out or winging it | drabbles or plot or character study | dialogue or action | romance or comedy | mystery or horror | alternate universe or close to canon | writing new content or editing your work | finishing a WIP or starting a new one

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Extra questions:

How long on average do you spend writing 1 chapter? If I'm focused, 3-4 days per chapter (about 7-9k words) but that's before editing. It takes about 1 week to get out a chapter.

How long do you spend editing? 2-4 days fussing depending on the chapter - but I quite like this process as it's the point where I feel like the content is coming together. Then it's just taking the time to tweak sentences/ rewrite things to be smoother/ flesh out scenes or cut them.

Favourite thing to write? I think comedy is my favourite. It makes me feel very warm inside when I write and I like seeing my characters laugh and have fun. I also like writing a good action scene!

Hardest thing to write? Romance and smut LOL. I find it very self-conscious to write and really hard to not come off awkward or over-the-top. Also editing it is such an out-of-body experience for me (I'm always asking myself 'is this hot or is this just a little weird??).

Fic/story you are most proud of and why? It's got to be Rookie! It's my first fic (my firstborn) and my longest multichapter to date. I also feel like I get to experiment so much in Rookie - jumping into every genre and so many characters in so many situations, that I feel like I can never get bored writing it.

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Tagging... @vixenofcadmea @starlightsupernovae @strawberrypinky @saessenach @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai @nirikeehan @sorrygoldfish (+ anyone else who sees this) because I wanna know! Also tag your friends so I can read their responses through you lmao.

[vixenofcadmea]

Flirting with Danger

[vixenofcadmea]

Artemisia looking so cute here!

She’s a nervous swimmer, but when the sea life takes to her so naturally, she can’t help but embrace the water a little more. Thank you @sleepystarsapphire 💜

Beach day! Episode 12: Artemisia!

The sealife on the beach are quite friendly with all the locals who feed them. They often come by for pets and treats.

[vixenofcadmea]

Follow up for this scene 💖

New song from Fujii Kaze gave me the power to finish this piece

[vixenofcadmea]

love a man dripping in blood

[vixenofcadmea]

do you ever think about the first time lucanis' heart fluttered at the sight of rook? perhaps it was during battle with a well executed move. or rook running their fingers through their hair after accomplishing a difficult task. or when they're on clean up duty after dinner and they're washing and drying stood side by side and he gets a glimpse of rooks smile while they're telling a story. or the first time he saw their eyes and remembered what kindness looked like after so long in the ossuary.

i think about it a lot

[vixenofcadmea]

"Tell me this ends with me asleep in your arms, and I will kill any god you ask."

I've always wanted to try my hand in this cut storyboard scene, but could never find the time...but if I couldn't do it for DA kiss week then when can ya? I wanted the rain, I wanted the wet hair and the kind of desperate embrace.

[vixenofcadmea]

Lucanis Dellamorte 🖤 hi tumblr! been awhile <3

[vixenofcadmea]

dragon age kiss week means kisses for everyone (including rook!!)

[vixenofcadmea]

Five Sentence Friday (or very short blurb Saturday)

I was kindly tagged by @lotusfueltofire and @madamemortem! (I had to figure out Tumblr shenanigans but I should be good to post again!!)

Still currently bashing my head against Chapter 18 of Threads Between Us, so I've turned to writing more Viarook, hoping it'll get my creative juices flowing again.

This is five-ish sentences from my WIP Venom Just The Same, Poison Either Way sequel :)

"I've missed you," he murmurs against her mouth, the words ghosting across her lips without quite touching, "missed the way you taste, the sounds you make when you come apart for me." Rook's breath hitches, hands rising instinctively to frame his face, to pull him the final distance, but Viago catches her wrists with gentle firmness, holding them away from their target. "But first," he drawls, "you're filthy. Blood under your nails, dirt in your hair, filth clinging to your skin." He steps back just far enough to study her, his gaze meticulously devoted as it catalogues the evidence of her latest contract, a slow smile curving his face. "I want you clean before I ruin you again."

[vixenofcadmea]

Tell Me Tuesday (or whenever, at this point)

(which was supposed to be Tell Me Thursday and then Tumblr wouldn't let me post from my desktop and formatting from mobile is a nightmare). The premise is: give me your author's notes! Pick a scene/chapter from one of your fics (or I'll suggest one!) and add any commentary you feel like. @adejareve tagged me and so kindly chose Chapter 9 from Threads Between Us! When I wrote the chapter, I was still trying to answer the questions of “do I want to keep Rook more generic or fully embrace Artemisia de Riva?” and “how close to the questline do I want to write?”. I also knew I wanted to weave in original beats (like the confrontation with Davrin) before it was too late to set them up, and I definitely wanted to show what was going on from Lucanis’s perspective during the Inner Demons quest.

Looking back, I wish I would’ve either a) split the chapter in two or b) not followed the questline so closely, or at least been less afraid to introduce my own spin on it.

But the passage that I adored writing the most was the ending passage, once Rook and Lucanis had left the Cobbled Swan after Inner Demons. So I’ll highlight parts from there!!

“Lucanis drew her closer, their bodies pressed together until he could feel every rise and fall of her chest. His hand braced against the wall beside her head, while his other hand still clasped her wrist, her pulse thrumming beneath his thumb. Rook’s fingers curled into his shirt, the fabric bunched between her knuckles, a tether or an invitation— he couldn’t tell.”

The forced proximity was deliberate, as I wanted to show that unlike Treviso, nothing here is planned. His first instinct is to protect Rook, who’s just fought through his mind to bring him back, but his underlying feelings for her bleed through every movement whether he wants them to or not. I

This dichotomy didn’t come to me until after I’d written most of this passage— their first kiss (back in chapter 5) was in an open clearing that Lucanis had purposely taken Rook to, where he had made a grand declaration and everything was perfect under the moonlight, only for Spite to intervene and Lucanis literally shuts down because he’s terrified Spite actually wants to hurt Rook. Here, everything is the opposite.

“Her eyes found his in the dim light, the raindrops on her lashes catching the faint glow of a distant lantern. There was a quiet challenge in her gaze, a pull that unraveled him, thread by thread. Every scar, every fear of his was laid bare in the space between them.”

This was a deliberate echo of the pantry scene from Chapter 1. That challenge in her eyes is the very thing he saw in the pantry, and saw once again before their very first kiss in Chapter 5.

“Rook,” he whispered, her name a confession, a promise. “That night… I meant every word I said in Treviso.” “I know.” Her fingers tightened against his chest, an anchor and a plea. “I’ve been waiting for you to realize it.” “I…” His voice faltered, a break in the storm. “Are you sure, Rook? After everything?”

I wanted to reinforce that tie back to Treviso. This is the first time he admits to Rook that what he said then wasn’t fleeting, that it’s still burning in him now. Rook’s response reflects the resolution she made after Lucanis broke things off. She wouldn’t chase him, and she didn’t expect him to chase her either. She chose to stand her ground and let him come to her in his own time, if he ever did.

“The last of her uncertainty melted away, her brows unfurrowing, the soft curve of her lips blooming into a gentle smile. Her eyes held his, steady and warm. “I’m sure, Lucanis." … He moved slowly, his hand following the curve of her arm to the nape of her neck, his fingers tangling in the damp strands of her hair. His lips brushed hers, a soft, testing touch. She leaned into him, her breath catching, and the kiss deepened, unfolding between them like a delicate flower against the storm.”

There’s been so much hesitation between them until now, so much second-guessing. I didn’t want to hide Rook’s choice here behind eloquent words or a flowery statement, just the simplicity of “I’m sure”.

And the description of the kiss “unfolding like a delicate flower against the storm” was my way of capturing the contrast of Minrathous and this moment between them in the alley. They’re surrounded by chaos, hunted and soaked in rain, but they finally decide to move toward each other, and it had to feel like both surrender and beginning.

“A shiver rippled through the air as Spite’s wings unfurled around them, a translucent, violet cocoon that shimmered like frost-kissed glass. The world beyond blurred, rain muffled to a soft patter against the barrier. ... He broke from the kiss, his forehead resting against hers. Droplets clung to her skin, tiny jewels against the flush of her cheeks, and for a moment he simply looked at her— the way the world seemed to soften around her. Her lavender eyes fluttered open, and the glow of Spite’s magic casting twilight hues across her face. She was all warmth and quiet beauty, and he drank her in, his next kiss softer, a promise resting against her lips. His hands found the curve of her waist, lifting her just enough that her boots hovered above the puddles beneath their feet. She wrapped herself around him, arms winding around his neck, legs hooking behind his back."

I’d presented Spite as this underlying threat throughout the story, as I wanted to give weight to Lucanis’s “when I was afraid to want you” line at the end of the game. But poor Spite was just misunderstood until this point, didn’t know how to handle how he felt about Rook, and genuinely thought he and Lucanis were still trapped in the Ossuary. I also wanted to evoke a sense of etherealness, of Rook and Lucanis finding sanctuary in this liminal space, with Spite helping shelter them.

The soft second kiss is Lucanis confidently choosing this, and the lift and the way Rook wraps around him are hot and steamy, sure, but it’s also them letting themselves fully embrace what lies between them. I really wanted a nice calm chapter ending for my blorbos after everything I’d put them through 💜 I really think this is a cool concept!! The original post is here and I'm so very kindly no pressure tagging @grad-writes @jaspercafe @starlightsupernovae @nimblefox66 but only if you're up for it!