#fuck the Mage

[paper-beats-writers-block]

my main takeaway from the Simon Snow series

You Are Not Broken.

Simon grew up in care with no one that really cared about him. No one coddled him, no one fussed over him when he didn't feel well, and he felt like the most insignificant nobody in all of England.

And then this cool guy that has a sword and can do magic (whoa!) sweeps in and tells him that he's the most important and powerful somebody to ever exist and sweeps his entire world out from under him.

When we get his POVs, the mage spends the entire book telling us he has to fix Simon. That Simon is broken because he can't harness his power (which I did a tiny essay on here if you're interested). That Simon is so broken and shattered that he is unfixable.

From a boy with nothing to "Let the greatest power of powers reign, and may it save us all" and then back to a boy with nothing. His magic was what connected him to that beautiful world of worthiness and just as quickly as he was whisked into it, he was cast out. After being told by his mentor that he was unfixably broken.

That's... devastating.

and even more devastatingly, he believed it.

He believed it so much that started self-sabotaging every other good thing in his life because one horrible manipulative person told him he was broken.

and he believed it for over a year.

Which is why Simon and Baz meeting Lady Salisbury was so important.

She had a son who barely had any magic. And even though he didn't have magic, he didn't have that crucial connection to his mother's world that was coveted above everything else, she loved him anyway. She loves him so so much. and then, her son with some magic became her son with no magic at all. And she still cried with joy over his return when he came back to her.

Because love doesn't care about a silly thing like magic. Love is the greater magic, and it always is, and always will be.

He didn't have any magic to give, because he gave it all away. But he had love. He has more love in him than any other character in that series, except for maybe Ruth. He loves his school. He loves his friends. He loves his world of mages, even if it hurts too much to be a big part of it. He loves his mentor, and the silly goats that everyone overlooked, and even his evil, scorned roommate. Maybe the scorned roommate most of all. Simon never had a shortage of love to give.

And meeting Ruth and his real family was finally able to prove to him that the love he held close and carried around his whole life was finally enough. Better yet, it had always been enough, even though he was the last to see it.

Your love is enough. The love and goodness you put out into this world is enough. And you are worthy of love in return. Always. No exceptions. You are not broken. You are human, and humans are immovable and unshatterable. Your love is your magic, and you are worthy.

This post is for you. Never let them tell you you're not magic.

[facewithoutheart]

Hello, hi. I’ve spent… way too much time this week plotting backstory instead of writing so today I’m kicking off WIPs Day with a process post 🥰

From my darkest timeline fic, Blue Lace/Bad Wolf (neither of which will probably become the end title but whatever). So, no Watford truce, Simon cures the Humdrum but the Mage doesn’t die and, in the face of dwindling political power, uses Simon as an… incentive. Yeah, it’s dark.

Under the break for more.

Anyway! Coven backstory:

Most of the Coven’s actions (including Coven seat petitions) must be proposed through a committee, approved by a two-thirds majority of members, and signed into Record by the Mage. There are a few select actions which must be proposed by a group called the Round Table, but then only need to be approved by a simple majority of all Coven members before being signed into Record.

The Round Table is a group of 25 members, all Old Families. The composition of Round Table members has not changed since the creation of the Coven. With a unanimous vote, the Round Table can veto any Coven or Mage action before being signed into Record, giving them unparalleled power when in agreement.

Oh, yeah. We’re giving them bylaws. So sexy.

And, of course, this is gonna be a Mage-heavy piece so let’s dive into him for a second:

It’s important to know Davy’s petition for a seat on the Coven was almost blocked by the Round Table, except for one member (Wellbelove; he liked Davy’s stance on dark creatures). Even if they weren’t just the Old Families who represent everything he thinks is wrong with the WoM, this was definitely his villain origin story.

And a short Simon POV excerpt:

“I’m sorry.” The word breaks halfway off my tongue the second I realise it's a mistake.

The Mage doesn’t need to say what’s plain on his face. Pathetic.

“How much did you give away?”

Not enough.

Everything.

“Not all of it.” I think. I hope. “Just…”

“Most of it,” he scoffs. “Well. You’ve always been a disappointment. Why not in this?”

Tagging @captain-aralias, @bookish-bogwitch, @you-remind-me-of-the-babe, @cutestkilla (thanks for getting in the backstory trenches with me!), @palimpsessed, @aristocratic-otter, @artsyunderstudy, @shrekgogurt, @forabeatofadrum, @onepintobean, @thewholelemon (fuck yeah, bylaws!), @raenestee, @confused-bi-queer, @larkral, @run-for-chamo-miles, @iamamythologicalcreature, @prettygoododds, @ic3-que3n, @rimeswithpurple, @stitchyqueer & @orange-peony

[pacey-bunce-loves-joey]

Davy actually loved sci-fi and his uniform was a misguided Boba Fett cosplay that just caught on

[onepintobean]

COC day four | stars

he told me we were stars

[shrekgogurt]

be kind to the mage it’s not his fault that his apology sounds like trash it’s not like he was the one who cut the music program at watford

[larkral]

WIP Wednesday

This Wednesday feels like a Friday! Also, it's quiet, also it's my first post in ages, thanks to everyone who tagged me in the past...month? God it's been forever. I hope everyone is enjoying all the COC content and the second to last day of this year before the return of the light! I moved into my new house last Tuesday and it's still a huge mess, but my brain decided that not writing was no longer an option yesterday, so I've got some Simon's Two Mums words for y'all. Simon POV,

"Headmaster, I hardly think…"  "Zip it," The Mage says to Ms Possibelf with a sharp gesture and her voice stops as though her lips have stuck together. "Simon."  I follow. It's as though I've been tied to him with a string. It's sticky and itchy and the roaring isn't enticing anymore, with every step I take it's more and more terrifying.  We're out on the lawn, and there she is: red and gold scales, sparkling eyes, smoke floating out of the corners of her mouth. She's majestic. I hold my hand out to her and The Mage slaps it down.  "She's not a pet. Attack stance."  I spread my feet wider, take my wand out and hold it across my body.  She's enormous and beautiful and prowling towards us. I don't want to hurt her.  "Try a bombardment spell," The Mage says. He doesn't even have his wand out. He's standing a little bit behind me.  My heart stutters in my throat, every bit of rage and hurt swelling up and rushing through me like fire.  I drop my wand hand.  "No."  "Simon," his voice is hard like stone. I hold my hand out toward the dragon. "She's not a pet. Use a bombardment spell. For Crowley's sake."  Instead I say, "I'm not going to hurt you." It's a whisper, but it comes out like a spell, heavy and echoing in my head. The dragon looks at me. "No one's going to hurt you."

Tagging in everyone!! Happy Solstice eve! Hope the end of the year is treating you well. @stitchyqueer @thewholelemon @confused-bi-queer @raenestee @facewithoutheart @cutestkilla @hushed-chorus @sillyunicorn @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @basiltonbutliketheherb @ileadacharmedlife @asocialpessimist @bookish-bogwitch @aristocratic-otter @captain-aralias @petedavidsonscock @takitalks @artsyunderstudy @yeonjunenby @carryonvisinata @takenabackbytuesdays @martsonmars @nausikaaa @nightimedreamersghost @chen-chen-chen-again-chen @ionlydrinkhotwater @aroace-genderfluid-sheep​ @shrekgogurt @forabeatofadrum  @palimpsessed @fatalfangirl​ @blackberrysummerblog​ @valeffelees @imagineacoolusername @orange-peony @j-nipper-95 @whogaveyoupermission @wellbelesbian @rimeswithpurple @youarenevertooold and adding some new Carry on folks to my tag list for fun! @emeryhall @mooncello join in if you want! :)

[confused-bi-queer]

Back on my MalMage agenda

After almost 2 years of plotting and driving myself insane, I finally decided to publish the first chapter of my "MalMage is canon" fic.

A slow slow burn with a lot of angst and smut. Canon divergence.

I'm sorry Rainbow.

Cautionary Tale

Rating: E, and has MCD

Word Count: (28.5 k posted; 61 k in WIP)

Summary:

What if the adults in the Carry On books were actually Watford students? What if we took MalMage seriously and gave them a real backstory?

This is the Carry On equivalent of "All The Young Dudes", and it starts in 7th year at Watford but with other students. Perhaps Malcolm and Davy?

Read on AO3

[castleclericz]

i think about simon learning that the mage is his father everyday

like. they were just so happy, their sister and daughter had a BABY and he’s so wonderful and beautiful and he’s everything to them and the last bit of life of lucy was simon and they love him instantly and he’s magic and pure love

while simon is in utter and pure agony because the person who hurt him the most and caused him the most traumatic thing anyone could ever go through and still NEVER told him that he was his son. finds out that his abuser is his dad. and that simon KILLED him.

like i just want to give him the biggest hug ever and tell him it’s going to be okay. that chapter breaks me in half every single day i can’t do it

[stardustasincocaine]

A WIP? In my Wednesday? It’s more likely than you’d think!

Thanks to @artsyunderstudy and @you-remind-me-of-the-babe for the tags (and a very I am sorry to everyone who tagged me during The Very Dark Fortnight)

My comic book students asked how to translate a book scene to a comic page and I grabbed a book I Definitely Do Not Read And Would Never Post Fan Art For as my example and turned to a Very Random Scene That I Have Never Wanted To Draw Super Bad to show blocking (which is all the color shit in the background)

Now that I have a new group of students, I am working on finishing this to hopefully post. And look! It’s Ebb!

I no-pressure tag @krisrix @foolofabookwyrm-activated @facewithoutheart @themandilorian @otherworldsivelivedin @mostlymaudlin @prettylightsbigcity @fatalfangirl and anyone else who wants to play (this also counts for Sunday!)

[otherpeoplesheartachept-2]

Guys something terrible is happening to me this coc, I've started writing something no one wants, something I don't even want but I can't stop myself. I woke up this morning and my brain gave me words for Lucy/Davy smut😭

I'm so so sorry it's come to this, please don't ostracize me when I publish the fic lmao

[hushed-chorus]

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! Thank you @aroace-genderfluid-sheep and @sailorblossoms for the tags, great to see what your working on (and your process on planning fics)! I hope you’re all having a most excellent Sunday with comfy lie-ins or bright and early starts or whatever else sparks joy in your lives. I had breakfast and a walk by the sea. It was wonderful.

First two chapters of The Goatherd (provisional) is now undergoing beta. Hopefully chapter one will see the light of day in the not-too-distant future. There are a couple of COC prompts it could fill.

I’ve also signed up for the Secret Snowflake Exchange! I’m excited to get prompts to write, and hopefully bring someone some Christmas joy!

Anyway, here’s a sneak peek of chapter two of The Goatherd. Simon POV.

Sometimes I wonder if [Lord Cadwallader] might actually be a little crazy. Some townsfolk say he has one of those black powder weapons you hear about in stories. When he gets drunk, he shoots old crockery. Sometimes I hear popping noises from the northern wing, but I’ve never seen anything like a firearm. I reckon he’s just doing noble person stuff. Like mixing different liquids and powders together and writing down what happens. He’s a great scholar.

Hello tags below the cut!

@johnwgrey @im-gettingby @bookish-bogwitch @artsyunderstudy @erzbethluna @facewithoutheart @captain-aralias @raenestee @yeonjunenby @cutestkilla @bucketfishy @castawaypitch @ivelovedhimthroughworse @larkral @stitchyqueer @you-remind-me-of-the-babe @ileadacharmedlife @confused-bi-queer @aristocratic-otter @tea-brigade @whogaveyoupermission @nightimedreamersworld @fatalfangirl

[paper-beats-writers-block]

hearty shoutout to the Rise and Fall of Simon Snow book series for being the only series that I can finish the trilogy and immediately reopen the first book. Thank you for your characters being lovely, thank you for your writing being spectacular, and thank you for all of the things you’ve helped me learn about myself while reading these.

[chen-chen-chen-again-chen]

WIP Wednesday + fic drop

Thank you for the WWIP tags all you lovely souls: @bookish-bogwitch, @cutestkilla, @martsonmars, @artsyunderstudy, @whogaveyoupermission, @fatalfangirl, @larkral (I answer your call of a forceful tag! I'm sure it was a firm, grounding touch ❤️).

I have TWO things for you today. One of them is not actually an WIP, but a little shortie from the Rosethorn girl universe that you can read on AO3 right now! No fancy art because my brain is being Bad Brain right now. Thing 1:

They were all children once

Rating: Gen

Words:  823

Chapters: 1/1 

Part 3 of Rosethorn girl

Summary:

Salisbury House thinks of the children that it's sheltered throughout the years.

Part of Carry On Countdown 2022's Day 13: Devotion.

I will also stick stuff about JELLY BABIES (a wee snippet & overly-emotional blather) under the cut. Next chapter with these sweet baby gays should be coming out tonight!

Ch. 10 (!!!!) of Jelly Babies is almost good to go. I THINK I will try to post daily until this bad boi is done?? I have a buffer of about 3-4 chapters, but I am human, so absolutely no guarantees. I do have an outline and a rough idea of where it's going to go, and I hope (DEAR GOD I HOPE) that it'll wrap up before the end of December. We shall see.

Thing 2. Here is a VERY SHORT SNIPPET from tonight's chapter:

“What?” Gregory asks, confused. He squints up at it. There’s some plants there that look familiar, a bunch of leaves with small white berries, wrapped up with a red ribbon. It looks like the stuff he helped Ioanna gather up the other day - 

“That’s.” Swithin clears his throat. “That’s mistletoe.” 

I just want to say a big, sloppy, huge, emotional, tearful, Gregory-esque thank you to everyone who has engaged with this work. Honestly, every time I write something (especially in fandom spaces), my go-to thought is, "This is so weird. This is just a lark. It's okay if no one reads it - I'm just happy that I wrote it and put it out into the world." But then y'all show up waving homemade signs and cheering and crying and Embracing the Weird and I am eternally grateful to exist in this corner of the internet with you.

I mentioned this before in responses to some comments, but I feel like writing and sharing "Jelly Babies" re-set some kind of button in my brain and my body so that I am actually able to experience joy again. And I hope that in some way, it brings you a little bit of joy and warmth and sweetness and the conviction that (as Dr. Chuck Tingle says) Love is Real. We're all just wee humans dealing with this hard shit and trying to make it through the day.

Whether you've been working joyfully or slogging away or unable to make anything at all - whether you're on top of the world or just struggling to make it through the the next minute - you always belong. You always deserve a hug and a hot drink and a rest so that you can sit down and take off your heavy boots.

Thank you. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

Hello tags!  @captain-aralias, @excalisbury, @facewithoutheart, @hushed-chorus, @ionlydrinkhotwater, @johnwgrey, @moodandmist, @nightimedreamersworld, @raenestee, @sailorblossoms, @thewholelemon,  @you-remind-me-of-the-babe  

[pacey-bunce-loves-joey]

I just feel that people don’t talk about this enough

[that-disabled-princess]

And THEN They’d do something He liked least of all! Every Family of Old, the tall and the small, Would stand close together, with Christmas bells blasting, They’d stand hand-in-hand. And the Families would start casting!

They’d cast! And they’d cast! AND they’d CAST! CAST! CAST! CAST!

--How the Mage Traumatized Christmas, @shrekgogurt

Happy birthday, Mary!! Is it the middle of July? Yes. Did I choose this fic anyway? Yes, yes I did.

This fic gave me the most perfect laugh tonight after a very stressful, anxiety-inducing evening. I had so much trouble pulling a quote from your fic, but I ended up going with one that made me laugh the most.

I've enjoyed getting to know you, Mary! Wishing you all the best on your birthday 💖

Quotes from @ionlydrinkhotwater @ileadacharmedlife and @raenestee.

[swiftyswithin]

guys look it’s the mage!!