#beck-a-leck

[captainshakespear]

Trick or treat! 🎃

[durotoswrites]

Short Fic AU prompt, I'm branching out. Let's do a Zelda and Link fic with prompt #17, meeting while drunk at a party. I'll let you pick which game/continuity to work with.

Thank you so much for your patience on this. I'm still working on asks - they're just taking a while.

Without further ado, enjoy!

Link furrowed his brow and bit his lip, wordlessly gesturing down at his ridiculous striped trousers and snapped one of the suspenders with an irritated snort.

“I swear that I forgot we were doing the lynel costume together!” Revali insisted, a laugh lacing the edges of his words. “Besides, I think we can both agree that this suits me much better.” He flourished his wings and a dazzling array of sparkling beads danced in the light, causing a glittery array of shapes to bounce around the room.

While it was true that Link wasn’t looking forward to a face full of tail feathers during the costume contest portion of the party, he had put a lot of work into the homemade ensemble.

“So what are you supposed to be?” Link struggled to keep his voice level.

Revali smirked with a shrug. “Does it really matter? The costumes that catch the most eyes are the ones that win the contest.”

“Then what do you suggest I do about being half of a lynel?” Link could feel the frustration burning in his chest.

“Leave the contest to me! I’ll win for sure, and I’ll even pick up your tab to make up for it.”

Folding his arms, Link couldn’t help but imagine the discarded front half of the lynel costume in his mind’s eye.

All those hours late into the night designing and stitching...

“Come now, do you really expect anyone to outshine me? Let’s go inside before they start the judging!” The beads and sequins jingled as Revali strutted into the bar, casting bright reflections all around.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link didn’t join the competition, and he found that he stopped caring as he downed his second Chateau Romani. It was creamy, sweet, and left a comfortable warmth in his belly.

“Slow down, little guy,” Revali chided, “you’ll be drunk before it even gets dark!”

The challenging smirk on his face make Link scowl as he waved the bartender over for another drink. “You said drinks were on you. I’m getting my money’s worth.”

“Whatever you say. I must away to the dance floor – the party needs me!” Revali turned on his heel and strutted out to the crowd, the beads on his costume swishing as he moved.

Link rolled his eyes and took another sip of his drink.

“Are you sure you don’t want to dance?” A woman dressed as a Great Fairy placed her hands on her hips with a slight frown.

A voice emerged from under her friend’s floppy hat as they took the empty seat beside Link. “I think I need to calm down a bit from being in front of that crowd,” came the reply.

Link observed their costumes – a tastefully bejeweled Great Fairy and swamp hag complete with moss hanging from the hat, obscuring her face. “One of you two definitely should’ve won that contest.”

The fairy laughed heartily. “That would be my friend here – she’s a wizard with a needle and thread. She designed both of these – an absolute genius!”

The hag seemed to sink into her clothing, ducking her head. “Urbosa, you’re really too kind. I try my best. I hope I’m worthy of a title like that someday.”

“Zelda…” Urbosa smiled sadly at her, placing a gentle hand atop of the mossy hat. “Join me on the dance floor when you’re feeling better.” She eyed up Link with a grin. “And bring Lynel Butt if he turns out to be cool.”

Link felt his face flush, remembering his attire.

“She really is too kind,” Zelda murmured.

As Urbosa waved goodbye to them, Link turned toward her. “I think you’re being too hard on yourself. One thing I’ve learned is that if your friends offer you praise, you should accept it.”

“Ah, do you think she thought I was rude?!” she cried in tremulous tones, whipping her head toward the dance floor.

“I didn’t get that impression at all. I think she just wants you to have more confidence in your abilities.”

“Your costume is impressive as well. I know it’s only half of the whole thing, but I can tell a lot of care was put into crafting it.”

Link was unable to fight the goofy grin on his face. “Thanks. I really enjoy sewing and make a lot of my own clothes… Not that I wear the back end of a lynel out to the grocery store or anything!”

He could hear the grin in Zelda’s voice. “Well, you’re in good company. I’ve been practicing costume design. I’d love to make them for theatrical plays someday.” A sigh escaped her. “Ah, we still both lost to that cocky… what was he supposed to be anyway? A pile of rupees?”

Link rolled his eyes as he looked out on the dance floor – Revali was surrounded by others as he danced under the lights, clearly having the time of his life. “That pile of rupees is my friend…”

Zelda gasped as her hands flew beneath her hat, likely concealing her already hidden face. “Goodness, I’m so -”

“… My friend that refused to wear the front half of this costume that I worked really hard on,” Link finished. “He’s picking up my tab tonight, so that would include buying a drink for a fellow tailor.”

Zelda removed her hat, causing her blonde locks to fall loose down her back. She placed the hat on her lap, giving him a rueful smile. “I’ve already had a bit of liquid courage to convince myself to stand on stage to show off my handiwork.”

Startled by her beauty, Link tore his eyes from her, his face blazing. “Well, in that case, he can pick up the tab for our snacks.”

Zelda eyed up the menu with a smirk. “I hear this place serves really tasty desserts, but they’re a little pricey.”

Link didn’t miss a beat. “That’s funny – I’ve been thinking a large order of their signature tarts would go well with what I’m drinking.”

“Thank you… Ah, I’m sure you don’t go by Lynel Butt on a regular basis!”

“It’s Link. Nice to meet you.”

“And you as well!” She paused, blushing deeply. “Goodness, and I haven’t introduced myself! My name is Zelda!”

“Well, Zelda, how about we let that pile of rupees pay for a large order of assorted tarts?”

“That sounds fabulous! And a plain glass of milk for myself.”

He cast her an impish grin. “Sounds great! I’d love to hear more about your costume designs.”

“And I’d love to hear more about yours!”

[mauvecardigans]

Character Bingo! For one Walter 'Radar' O'Reilly

Despite what this bare-ass card shows, I have a lot of Radar feelings 😂

Everybody in that unit is a blorbo, and everybody who isn't an officer is deeper than they seem (the swamp rats get the bulk of the growth, the officers get most of the attention, and everyone else sort of...orbits? Not phrasing that well because no major character is narratively neglected, but the quality of their narratives isn't equal, I guess).

Radar carries that camp, though, and I don't know that the narrative appreciates that. It acknowledges it, especially early on with Henry the bureaucratic nightmare, and in later eps when someone has to run the office for him - but it never appreciates that, or him. (Sure does when he's saying goodbye and they're adjusting after he leaves, but Klinger really grows into the role...but that's another post lmao)

ANYWAY Radar isn't scary, but he's so good at what he does that he's intimidating. That's not the part I identify with though haha oops It's more the way he does his work in the background and just...does it with no fanfare, neither given nor expected. Like in the show, we see him all the time, but taking the audience perspective away and actually going in as someone in the camp, he's just the guy in the office that everyone knows because he's baby but mostly because he delivers the mail. He's just a guy. Love that about him.

[onipanda379]

Fic writer asks!

🎀 🌿 💞

fic writer asks @beck-a-leck

🎀give yourself a compliment about your own writing

i'm really good at characterizing. as in, making a character "feel real". like they are a person and not just a character with a handful of catch phrases. however, i think a lot of that comes from my history of being a roleplayer before a dedicated writer. since that can be a lot like method acting in a way. i really get into a character's head to figure them out. so when i write, it feels authentic and believable. there's real feeling behind everything they do and think.

🌿how does creating make you feel?

i have a bit of an odd relationship with creating things. whether its drawing or writing. some people have that sense of accomplishment, in the sense that they strive to finish something and have it be good. i do too. however, that's compounded on top of this NEED to create. if i'm not drawing or writing every few days or so, i feel bad. like something gets so pent up and the only way to let it out is to create something. like my skin will itch with it until i spent at least an hour doing something. i have a ton of unfinished things for this reason. none of them would i ever post. since its literally just there to get that creative flow running free instead of building up over time.

💞what's the most important part of a story for you? the plot, the characters, the worldbuilding, the technical stuff (grammar etc), the figurative language

not to sound like a kitchen sink but, a mix of everything, honestly. now don't get me wrong, i'm not out looking for strictly magnum opus levels of good stories. i'm perfectly happy with more basic or "mediocre" stories. and even "bad" stories if there's enough of a balance. like, for example. i'll read a fic where the characters are totally ooc. i'm aware they're ooc, but all the other elements make up for it enough to suspend my disbelief enough to keep reading. or the ooc aspect is so intriguing it causes me to want to know more. my only real deal breaker is not using at least some basic grammar and spelling. if i can't tell what the hell is going on becuse there's no clear indication of who's talking, who's narrating, and things like that, then i will usually pass on it.

[emeraldhazeart]

Fic Writer Asks!

💎💥 💌

Thank you for the asks 💕

💎why is writing important to you?

Writing is an outlet. It helps me to work through my own issues, see the world in new perspectives, and consider the world from new points of view. It encourages me to expand my knowledge via research for fics, but I think the biggest thing it does for me is help me to empathise with others by stepping into their shoes when I write their characters. Sure, its all fictional. But there are still lessons that can be carried over to real-world people and groups. I really feel like I'm seeing the world through someone else's eyes when I'm writing their POV; even more so than when reading, because you have to get into their headspace to write a character believably.

💥find your least kudos'd fic - say something wonderful about it.

OK, it's a tie between The April Drabbles collection (that I still have to finish, woops!) and Ellen's Day Out. I think I'll go for the latter.

I love the characterisation in EDO - I feel like all the characters feel very true to their ingame selves. And even though it may not be a very popular one shot - perhaps because it's got very minimal shipping? - I'm still incredibly pleased with how it came out.

💌share something with us about an up-and-coming work (WIP) that has you excited!

I'm currently working on an Undertale Multiverse fic focused on Dream, and I'm really excited to explore his inner thoughts and motivations. There's a lot of fics focusing on his dark brother, Nightmare, and I can understand why: it's interesting to delve into the psyche of the bad guy and explore the trauma and conflict within. But being the stereotypical 'good guy', Dream doesn't seem to get the same level of interest and exploration. Getting the chance to delve into that and explore who Dream is, both on the surface and deep down, has me very excited.

Thank you for the asks 🤗

[thychesters]

Writing Patterns / First 10 Lines Tag Game

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there’s a pattern!

Tagged by @acewithapaintbrush, @swordsmans & @theartofdreaming1 thanks guys!!

1. wave after wave. / Monkey D. Luffy is not a patient man in the slightest.

2. ocean breathes salty. / For the last ten minutes, Luffy has watched him work through his stretches, continuing a conversation spawned at dinner—if Zoro grew a beard would it also be green, has he ever tried growing one before, would he grow a mustache—and pauses long enough to take a breath or turn his face into the breeze and watch the waves. 

3. how to heal a bruise. (in 3 easy steps) / Steph sways as the train rounds another curve, one hand curled around the rail to brace herself, and the other scrolling through her iPod. 

4. ode to an ocean. / Luffy is like staring into the sun.

5. the salt & the sea. / Realization hits Luffy with enough force to knock the wind out of him, and his dinner plate shatters on the floor.

6. ballast & anchor. / Not sleeping well isn’t an uncommon occurrence, and over the years Nami has grown fairly used to being a light sleeper.

7. breakwater. / It’s cold out on the Grand Line, where the weather changes almost instantaneously and the seas are calm one moment and threatening to capsize them the next.

8. ship to wreck. / Nami is the first one to notice something is amiss, but then given her current competition is Luffy and Zoro, it isn’t surprising.

9. the dickbabs baby au. / Telling Dick she’s pregnant is much more stressful than she was hoping it would be.

10. sick daze. / “I’m not that sick,” Jason tries for the third time, though the argument falls a bit flat, congested as he is. 

conclusion: i knew going in that, for the most part, i like to start in the middle of things, because i am impatient person and i wait for no man. or at least i like to plunk the reader down some semblance of an idea of what's already going on and then we're going on an adventure together.

i'm tagging @lookforanewangle, @beck-a-leck, @sciencemyfiction, @wytchcore, and @bluewonderer!

[pansy-picnics]

good MORNING everyone and HAPPY BOKUMONO BIG BANG DAY <3<3

omfg YALL!!! i have been working on this project for months and it has been SO hard to keep quiet about it but its FINALLY TIME !!!!

this time around it was the reverse big bang, and i had the opportunity to work with the amazing @beck-a-leck (who has already written some of my favorite fics ever so you KNOW we’re in for a treat)

since i was the one organizing the plot here, it was almost a bit daunting at first- but i eventually settled on an old sos1 idea i had come up with about….maybe 2 years ago? during a brainstorming session with @sosstash which was just a silly, sitcom-holiday special esque plot full of goofy christmasy shenanigans. i was honestly very attached to the idea but deep down i knew i would never write it, which is why i was willing to pull it out again…..even if its not exactly “in season” anymore LMFAO

and guys,,,,,,working with beck on this has been SUCH an amazing experience!! the end result is all i could’ve imagined for the story and SO much more. i literally could not ask for a better partner. this silly little story brings me so much unfathomable joy and i’m so excited to finally share it with all of you!!!!

overall i had an absolute field day getting to plan out these pieces and capture the energy i envisioned for this story, the colors are probably my favorite part!! if you’re anything like me and just love seeing your favs be absolute fucking losers while all being best friends then THIS is the fic for you 🫶🫶 absolutely nobody in this story has a functioning braincell and i love it so much

@bokumonobigbang

[kindlystrawberry]

Only With Thine Eyes by Kindlystrawberry

Fandom: Rune Factory 4 Relationship: Arthur/Frey Word Count: 4k Tags: Royalty AU, Dancing, Mutual Pining, First Kiss Summary:  Frey is an imperial knight for the Kingdom of Norad-- and specifically, the personal guard for Prince Arthur. When the two find themselves in a foreign kingdom, Frey feels out of her comfort zone, and suddenly finds it harder to ignore all the feelings that she's had for Arthur. Surely, he can't feel the same way.

A/N: @beck-a-leck I’m your secret santa this year for @runefactorysecretsanta. I saw that you like Asafure, and that you like AUs, so I hope you end up enjoying this fic! I’ve always found “what if X plot point never happened” AUs interesting, and since moving to Selphia is such a huge part of Arthur’s character, I thought this AU would be fun to explore, even if only briefly. Life gets quite busy around the holidays, but this was still an absolute blast to write. Happy holidays!

[chickchickee]

9 people you would like to get to know better

Tagged by @plow-and-propose. Thank you ❤❤❤

1) 3 ships: Bridget/MC (SoS:PoOT), Hades/Azem (FFXIV), Maria/Pete (HM64)

2) first ever ship: Nina/Pete (Harvest Moon)

3) last song: ME! - Taylor Swift, Brendon Urie

4) last movie: Don't Blink (2014)

5) currently reading: Recoding America: Why Government Is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better - Jennifer Pahlka

6) currently watching: Ugly Betty

7) currently consuming: water

8) currently craving: weirdly, steak

@sketch-witch @pansy-picnics @quartzfox @loftyanchor @coldspicy64 @beck-a-leck @durotoswrites @randomstarmuffin

[captainshakespear]

Happy Birthday!! 🥳

Thank you Becky!!!

[durotoswrites]

First sentence game!

Forte and Vishnal shared a nervous look before the knight reached out and knocked on the closed door.

Forte and Vishnal shared a nervous look before the knight reached out and knocked on the closed door.

"You know they're not going to answer - Pico ran too far ahead, and there's no one else who is going to give us a friendly greeting," Vishnal pointed out with a laugh that came out far too shaky to sound playful.

"What's the holdup?" Frey asked, sheathing her weapon and jogging to meet them.

Before they could reply, she opened the door, charging ahead. The room was eerily quiet, and she instinctively held out her hands for her partners to hold as they all looked around the room of the manor frantically.

Forte relaxed a bit, giving Frey's hand a squeeze and letting go, wandering toward an object sitting by the wall. "That's a cute wooly doll..."

Vishnal joined her side, his eyes scanning the room. "It's not covered in dust like everything else here... but... why are there so many gathered in that chandelier ahead?"

Aged wood creaked under Frey's boots as she ran forward.

Her partners' eyes widened in horror.

"Frey, no!"

"P-Princess!"

Send me an ask with the first sentence of a fanfic and I’ll write the next five.

[mauvecardigans]

tagged by the inimitable @twobrokenwyngs to complete this fanfic trope tiermaker, and you were so right, this is one of the more damning personality tests i think i've done 💀

but that's only because i don't usually say any of this outright.

S are tags that nearly guarantee i'll read something

A depends on the summary, additional tags, if i'm familiar with the author, and my mood at the time, but they're usually a solid choice

B are things i'm not opposed to but don't actively seek out, or just don't feel strongly one way or the other. that said, i have read one (1) body swap fic and it was lifechanging, so this gets a B rather than a D. that fic was just that fucking good.

C are on thin fucking ice, but i'll give them the ol' college try if i'm getting desperate

D betrays the fact that i am ace (but, again, 1. beggars can't be choosers, and 2. if the other tags appeal to me or i like the author's other stuff, i'll give these a little leeway)

that bodyswap fic was so good i could shit. god. simultaneously redeemed and ruined the trope for me. it made me understand the appeal of the trope for the first time, and i will never find anything that can hope to compare. 😚🤌

anyway, yeah. love me some dark fic, love me a crack fic, love me a gen fic, love me a missing scenes/character study fic. but i'll try damn near anything once!

tagging (apologies if you've been tagged already): @phoomwhoosh @beck-a-leck @mjf-af @ladyifrit @amgeforns and you 🫵 but no pressure!

[twig---verginix]

Rules: Make a 24 hour poll with the names of your WIPs, let it run, then write one sentence (or) work for 10 minutes for every vote the winner receives.

Borrowing from the wonderful @beck-a-leck! Also if I get any votes today I'll start working today. cause sunday. and my real person job looms around the corner. thank you for being part of my weekend.

[emeraldhazeart]

Farm Sim asks! How about tomato 🍅 and carrot 🥕

Thank you for the ask ❤️

🍅 (Tomato) - Favourite and least favourite festival?

Out of all the Animal Festivals, my favourite are the Horse Races from FoMT. I'm a sucker for horses anyway, but I also love how it adds a different mechanic to the competition, and that the higher your friendship with your horse, the easier it is to win.

I find the Fishing Festivals can be a bit hit or miss, for me. Especially if you have to save beforehand and keep reloading until you get a win. Luck based festivals aren't as much fun as skill based ones, to me at least.

🥕(Carrot) - Do you prefer having a protagonist with a fixed design - eg. Pete, Claire etc - or a customisable protagonist?

I like how iconic the fixed design farmers are, but I really enjoy customising my own.

I always like to choose a design with very long hair, if it's an option, so the lineup in ToT/AP makes me a bit sad. Being able to make myself in game is a feature I adore.

[thychesters]

20 Questions for fic writers

@acewithapaintbrush posted and said "go for it" so here i am! putting this under a cut because it got long lmao

How many works do you have on Ao3?

33

2. What's your total Ao3 word count?

303,124

3. What fandoms do you write for?

dc/batman/birds of prey, with some until dawn and uncharted thrown in there. right now it's mostly one piece though.

4. What are your top 5 fics by kudos?

ship to wreck. (one piece/zolu)

ocean breathes salty. (one piece/zolu)

ronald mcdonald eat your heart out. (dc/batman/bruce & dick)

the salt & the sea. (one piece/zolu/reincarnation au)

misery loves company. (dc/batman/jason & damian)

5. Do you respond to comments?

yes! i appreciate them a ton. sometimes it might take me a few days but i try to respond to every single one

6. What is the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

ooh that's a tough one, because while i like to include a lot of notes of angst, most of the endings have been on decent notes. maybe if you go out in the woods today (until dawn) because it's a vanishing hitchhiker au.

7. What's the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

probably the salt & the sea. (one piece)! i'd like to think all of that build up to the end and the reunion was worth it. (and it was to me, at least!)

8. Do you get hate on fics?

luckily i have not!

9. Do you write smut?

hehe i have and i want to again!

10. Do you write crossovers? What's the craziest one you have written?

nope! not really my thing.

11. Have you ever had a fic stolen?

years ago i noticed some similarities in ideas, but nothing too major.

12. Have you ever had a fic translated?

i haven't!

13. Have you ever co-written a fic before?

i have... considered doing so...

14. What's your all time favorite ship?

since i tend to bop between fandoms, i don't really have one! right now it's zolu, but i also really enjoy the dynamics of the straw hats as a whole. i'm rotating them in my mind like a rotisserie chicken.

15. What is a WIP you want to finish but doubt you ever will?

i think unfortunately the first op fic i started is going to end up being something the buzzards (me) pick at for lines and ideas. or maybe someday in the far future it will see the light of day. (i started it 70 episodes into my watch and stabbed zoro haha)

16. What are your writing strengths?

i like to think i can convey emotions and character interactions. i also enjoy some of the physicality between them, so i hope that shows as well!

17. What are you writing weaknesses?

balancing out dialogue between a large cast of characters and pacing in action sequences. want to keep enough happening to keep things moving, but not repeat myself four times.

18. Thoughts of writing dialogue in another language in fics?

why not, if it works?

19. First Fandom you wrote for?

honestly i think my friend and i wrote twilight parody fic when we were in middle school LMAO

20. Favorite fic you have written?

more recently i'm very proud of the zolu reincarnation au i've mentioned above, but i'm also really, really happy with the way the zoro pining fic ode to an ocean. turned out. that one has a few of my favorite lines in it! (also maybe my next wip ... or who knows)

thanks for the tag by proxy ace!

if they're interested in doing so, i'm tagging @lookforanewangle, @beck-a-leck, @sciencemyfiction, @ghostlandtoo, and @microcomets! (hi claire!)

[jessi-08]

Writing Patterns/First 10 Lines Tag Game

tagged by @beck-a-leck Look at you, giving me a reason to look at my works.

Rules: list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there’s a pattern!

Best Laid Plans: Tobin flipped the small box back and forth in her hands, she knew she needed to pack it but her brain just couldn’t let her hands let it go.

Christmas Trains: Christen walked into the living room only to find Kelley laying on the floor, surrounded by dozens of lego pieces. 

Olive the Other Reindeer: Julie stared blankly at Becky, shock evident on her face. 

Ornament: Tobin crawled up the bed and laid down with her head on Christen’s stomach.

Someone Random: Christen walked up to the bar, taking an open seat.

Sweater Blunders: Christen looked up at Tobin and shook her head. “I’m sorry, I just can’t.” 

Fruitcake Extravaganza: Emily stared at Rose, jaw dropped slightly.

Holiday Trivia: Alex rushed into the bar and over to the table they normally sat at, sliding in next to Servando.

Black Friday Special: Tobin sat on the counter next to the stove, watching as Lauren worked tirelessly over a single pot. 

Carriage Ride Adventures: Carmilla had lived through so many holiday seasons that they just blend together now.

Bonus! Single Line from upcoming work: Tobin walked down the rows of books, tracing her fingers over the spines as she went.

So apparently I always start a story with a character's name. I also tend to introduce the center person. There's rarely dialog in the first bit also. Always short and to the point.

Tagging: I don't know, anyone? lol If you want to do it, go for it!