#luckily i haven't seen people being weird on my dash but i HAVE seen people talking about it on my cohost feed

[grungepoetica]

Treat Transfems Like the Normal People They Are Challenge (Near-Impossible, Any % Speedrun)

[wordsandrobots]

Oh hey you're playing one of those ask games! I haven't seen them on my dash in so long. 3, 4, 17, and ..uhhh.. 23? ( the one about a super specific thing about a character that hasn't made its way into any story) Thanks ~

3. What is your writing ritual and why is it cursed?

Because at some point, inevitably, it will involve going for a walk.

I do a lot of composing in my head before I start writing, especially for dialogue. And I think best on the move (which is why it wasn't great for me to switch to working from home due to COVID but that's another story). Therefore, it helps to take the occasional break and go wander about somewhere. Especially if I've hit a block and can't think what to do next.

Which is why I can occasionally be found on the bridal path near my house, having muttered conversations with myself as I try to work out pieces of a story. Because I do often literally say my character's dialogue aloud to get the feel of it, it's the best way to make sure speech sounds like something somebody would or can actually say.

Luckily, I live in a university town so I probably don't look especially unusual.

4. What’s a word that makes you go absolutely feral?

I can't think of any off the top of my head, possibly because I put much more thought into the overall texture of a text than I do the individual words. Figuring out what sounds right for the particular character I'm writing and so on. I don't tend to have favourites, though I undoubtedly have habitual phrases.

And I don't think there are any words I hate per se (beyond ones that are in obvious bad taste). It just depends on context. That said, I've always thought 'ineluctable' sounds weird.

[Edit: I just realised another possible answer to this which is less a single word and more a class of word, namely British swear words and specifically the bit that makes me spit blood is when they get used *wrongly* in media. There is a specific cadence to swearing and it is really noticeable when writers don't understand what it is for the place they're setting something. This is obviously a general issue with writing about difference places; I just get the visceral 'that's not how it works' when people muck up UK-style profanity.]

17. Talk to me about the minutiae of your current WIP. Tell me about the lore, the history, the detail, the things that won’t make it in the text.

The title (Ragnarök in G Minor) -- as well as being a blatant Reconguista in G reference -- is influenced by Mozart's use of G minor to convey tragedy and Bach's 'Polonase in G Minor', which is my hypothetical leitmotif for a particular character. That is to say, I thought of the blatant reference first, then discovered it was extremely justified in context.

Goibniu Base (where much of To Catch a Falling Star was set) is the same Calamity War facility shown briefly at the start of History of a Catastrophe. This can be 'seen' in one of the chapters in this next one but I don't state it outright.

'High-Horn Sweepers' was not so much a reference as me hurriedly grabbing words that approximated the form of a company name. It nevertheless functions as a composite Gundam Wing call-back and joke about what the company does.

The politics of the Martian Union, particularly the influence of the moneyed classes and those previously in positions of power under Gjallarhorn, assays some of the broad strokes of Indian history. I know far too little about the subject to make it a direct parallel (and wouldn't anyway) but that's where my mind went in thinking through how independence worked.

The Jupiter Stations are considerably larger than standard space colonies, having been upgraded and expanded with Jupiter's role as a producer and exporter of industrial raw materials. But I'm still not quite sure what they look like.

I considered describing 598 as having grown a beard, to go with picturing him growing up to look like he belongs in the Hells Angels. Alas, I wussed out.

Kudelia and Atra's marriage is long-distance for about three weeks out of every four. They manage time together via a Rube Goldberg sequence of misdirections that allow Kudelia to visit the farm unremarked and give Eugene's security team a massive work-out in the process. This is not because their marriage is a secret; it's because they refuse to put Akatsuki in the public eye. That kid is getting as near to a normal upbringing as is possible, damnit.

Martian Union military vessels all have two-part names e.g. Dawn Chorus, Bright Heart, Ice Flower. That's an actual in-universe convention and any others I introduced would follow it.

Colour-wise, Martian military mobile suits are desert camo red for ground deployment and orange for space deployment. They comprise a mix of Shidens and Hekijas supplied by Teiwaz and newer Leopards bought from Gjallarhorn. They probably have some Hloekk Grazes too but that's not come up.

There are two things I regret not finding a way to bring back as I wrap everything up: Gundam Paimon and the stun-baton Chad filched during The Ares Affair. Seriously, whatever happened to that thing?

25. What is a weird, hyper-specific detail you know about one of your characters that is completely irrelevant to the story?

My version of Shino is, left to his own devices, vegetarian.

He doesn't have Yamagi's moral objection/disgust over eating meat (side-note: I love how that scene in ep. 27 implies Mikazuki dislikes the idea of eating meat from a living creature too, because that is such a beautiful character note). However, with the positioning of meat as a luxury in the Iron-Blooded Orphans setting, Shino sees it as strange and unusual and he's never found a version of it he genuinely likes. This is, of course, not especially unusual among Tekkadan. He *is* open to new culinary experiences but he's generally just more at home with vegetable dishes.

The only time this has been even remotely relevant is when he ordered the breakfast fry-up at Sampo's caf on Avalanche Under Two.

For an ask game

[athena-is-a-chaotic-lil-shit]

Let the Stars Witness

Okay okay holy— omg I did it! My first request and from an admired writer of mine no less!

From @kim-monsterlings : Hi and welcome!! Really looking forward to seeing your work! ~ If you would, could I request some form of friends to lovers with an orc? (Prompts maybe like, "you deserve better.") Thank you! <3

Since it wasn't specified on what their genders are, I hope your okay with what I went with! And I kinda trailed off from the prompt (or rather it's different but similar)

Anyways you'll know when you read!

•

Pairing: Male Orc (Duruk) x Human Fem!Reader

Word count: 2.2k

Warnings: None.

•

"You know, I never thought I would be friends with anyone here, especially with someone other than my, well, species," you tell your companion, your eyes not leaving the cloudless night sky as you lied on your back on the roof of his house. The stars were out tonight.

If you told your younger self that you'd be having great escapades (if running away and getting into a series of trouble fall under that) with an orc, you would most definitely cry your eyes out because you thought were being teased, taking it as a hurtful comment. You were sensitive like that. Part of the reason why no one would even go near you, afraid they might hurt you with a pat on the shoulder or with one word alone. You became the prime target of bullies, finding twisted amusement at your pathetic reactions. A crybaby, they called you. But it wasn't your fault you didn't have much control over your emotions. You were weird, asocial, timid, maybe even depressed. Having a neglectful family didn't help either, it just worsened.

•

The morning you met Duruk was after the orientation. And it was not so good for a first impression.

Long story short, you cried.

But since you're perhaps curious as to what happened exactly, let's elaborate.

You had your headphones on, the melodic sound of gentle rain played in a 3-hour loop and blocked out other noises, your eyes glued to the path you were on. You took long and hurried steps, wishing you could teleport to your classroom and hide in the back, disappear or become invisible.

You were distracted, or should we say, focused on the ground and expecting everyone to step aside and let you through.

Well, except for the one who had his back on you.

You crashed—not an exaggeration— into something- someone massive. You stumbled back and landed on your bum, wincing from the impact. Luckily, your headphones were safe (ah yes, priorities), detaching from your ears and landing on your shoulders. When you looked up to see who it was, you thought your eyes were gonna fall off, grow little legs, and scamper away.

Before you stood an orc, halfway turned to glance at whoever it was that tried to push him, his sharp tusks jutting out from his maw. His brows were furrowed as he looked down on you. Sure, he wasn't as tall as the orcs you've seen around the city and campus but still was over 6 feet, with muscles thicker than your thighs, easily hulking you.

You tried to get out an apology and run as far as you could go, but you just sat there, frozen as you strained your neck to meet his gaze, you couldn't look away. Your heart was trying to claw its way out into the surface.

Then you felt the tears swell up.

They cascaded down your face before you even could stop them.

The orc's eyes widened at your reaction and crouched down to your level in an instant that he almost fell over. His hands hovered, not sure what to do.

"Hey, hey, please don't cry. Please don't—"

"I-I-I'm re..really s-sorry p-please don't hurt m-me..." You managed to choke out pathetically, hiccuping in every word.

"Shhh now hey, it's okay. It was an accident— what? No! Why would I do that?" he replied. The orc peeked over his shoulder and to the sides. "Let's get you to somewhere, uh, less crowded," he added. You turned your head and saw that you had an audience, whispers went around as they sent pitiful and disgusted glances in your direction, only making you cry even more.

He proceeded to unceremoniously lift you into his arms, bridal style, and dashed away. You gripped the front of his shirt and shut your eyes. You were trembling now, scared of what he might do to you. How could you even fight back with your small stature?

It wasn't long until you felt him slow down and placed you carefully on a bench. The orc knelt in front of you, brows scrunched up as he studied your face.

"You okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?"

You didn't reply, only staring at him through your glassy eyes as you heaved.

You flinched when his hand started rubbing your back, his other hand placed on the side of the bench to balance himself.

He continued to caress your back and murmured soothing words in hopes of calming you down.

Your tears didn't stop falling until moments later when you came down from your initial fear, the warmth of his palm leaving your back once you did. All the while the orc remained where he was, at a loss of what to do next.

You rubbed your sticky face with the collar of your pale and blotchy crimson sweater, sniffing and taking slow, deep breaths before you spoke.

"I... I'm sorry for causing you trouble. E-Even going as far as to take me somewhere quiet. I...appreciate that." You thought you'd pass out with the way people gathered around you, it was suffocating. "Thank you..."

"I panicked," he started, "Sorry—I mean, it's okay, you didn't do anything wrong. I get that a lot of people run away from the sight of me, but you didn't, and just froze there on the ground so..." he shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck.

You shook your head. He was such an imposing figure to many, their first thought was most likely to get away or scream at him.

"You looked angry... When I bumped into you." You slammed into him actually, but he didn't budge an inch. Guess it was one-sided.

"Oh, that? Well, my brother scolds me a lot for having such a grumpy face, scaring humans away. Like he was the one to talk when he's taller and bigger than me! People would faint on the spot when they see him, I bet!"

The image your mind conjured up tore a laugh out of your body, two orcs arguing about how not to terrify people at sight was damn hilarious. When was the last time someone made you laugh like this?

The orc grinned, your reaction a contrast to that of earlier.

You opened your mouth to say something but the ringing of the great bell resounded, cutting you off. The two of you stood up as you realized you were late for your first class of the school year.

"So, uh, what now?" you asked.

"How about we go to our class, then maybe meet up later? Oh, fu— my mother will gut me— I haven't introduced myself!" He blurted out, his voice making you yelp with the sudden outburst.

Clearing his throat, he reached out, "I'm Duruk."

In turn, you gave him your name, taking his hand and smiled. "Hello, Duruk."

•

True to his word, you met again later when lunch came. The cafeteria was packed so you settled on getting the convenience food they offered and eat somewhere quiet.

Your conversation that day spiraled when you found out the two of you had a lot in common. From your favorite rock band to your favorite flavor of ice cream.

You both strongly agreed that vanilla ice cream was superior.

You agreed to meet up during breaks, always having something to chat about.

Eventually, you became inseparable.

He even changed and transferred to your class just so the two of you could be together at the start of the day rather than walk half of the campus to see each other every time.

You became best friends, sharing each moment in school, may it be helping the other stay awake in a boring class, or copying homework when one of you forgot to do it. Soon enough, Duruk started inviting you to his house to hang out. He did mention he had four other siblings, but he lived alone. You came by almost every night and on whole weekends to escape from home, only a few miles in between. No one would notice you gone anyways, but you returned around midnight, not wanting to impose on Duruk no matter what he says, so he walks you back instead.

You basked in each other's company. The odd and scrutinizing glares didn't go unnoticed when you two were together, but you shrugged them all off.

It didn't take long before you started having feelings for the orc, a little wishful thinking that you could be more than friends. You noted lately that his touches would linger seconds longer than usual, hugs and even a hand on your shoulder and back seem to be warmer and —you dare say— affectionate. It weighed heavily on your heart, your simple crush turned into something else, and it only grew with each passing day, and every laugh you shared.

But of course, you swatted those away, buried them deep inside every damn time they climb back up. Who could even love you? Yes, you have Duruk, he likes you, you think. But that's the end of it. Just close buddies. You can't take the risk of ruining your friendship with him and make things awkward with the only one you had! What if he stops talking to you, weirded out by your confession? You don't want to go back to being alone again, your heart can't take the rejection that came with it.

So you endured.

•

A little over five months ever since the embarrassing accident, here you are now, stargazing with your best friend.

"Well, good thing you didn't watch where you were going that time then," he says, chuckling beside you. His hands cushioned his head against the hard surface. "I wouldn't have..." he trails off.

"Hm, what?" you ask. Duruk went silent and didn't answer you for a time. You were about to let it slide but then he breathes in audibly.

"I wouldn't have met an angel if you did. Should've caught you in my arms, but sadly I didn't move fast enough." He replies, his voice deep and mellow.

You straighten up and turn to face him, your brows shot up, incredulous to what he just implied.

"W-Wait. What?" you squeak, your heart thumping hard in your chest, your skin warming up even in the chilled night air.

Is he—

"You're so cute, y'know that? Fuck it, it's all or nothing," he whispers under his breath as he sits up to face you. His expression was unreadable, but you see in his mahogany eyes a familiar glint of determination. "I'm not good with long-ass speeches so I'll make this short," he breathes in before he continues, "I feel something for you, for a while now, more than a best friend does, like...in a romantic sense. I want to cherish you and hold you in my arms every time I see you, I- ah fuck- damn it I just—" he growls, "I love you, so much and if you don't love me back then please re—"

You shut him off with your lips against his, Duruk's tusks pressing against your cheeks as you held his face in your hands. He was stunned for two solid seconds before returning the kiss, his arms snaking around your waist and pulling you close and into his lap.

You feel something wet roll down your hand and you immediately jerked back to see his face. The orc was crying.

Did you do it wrong? Were you so terrible at it—

"I don't deserve you... A monster like me doesn't deserve an angel like you."

Where was this coming from??

"Say that again, I dare you."

"I don't de—"

This idiot!

You pecked his lips to cut him off.

"You big dummy," you begin, "I love you too, idiot. You may be a monster but not what everyone else defines you as. I love you as you are. You're my best friend, and dare I say my l-lover now. Is that right...?"

Duruk gives you a small, gentle smile, "If you'll have me, then yes, for as long as you want me to be." He says, sniffling a sob as a couple more tears tumbled down his rugged face.

You never thought you'd see him like this. He was the one who kept making you laugh with his stories and terrible jokes. Before you, in your hands was someone vulnerable, his eyes soft and fond as he gazed into yours.

It made your heart pound and it hurt.

You leaned in and he met you halfway, kissing once again, deeper and more intimate this time. Real. You brought your arms around his neck, your tears spilling out and he tightened his grip around you. It felt like a dream, too good to be true, but the way he hugged you like you were the only thing that anchored him in this world made you believe it wasn't. All of this was real and you couldn't be anymore happier.

From above, the glittering stars, the light gentle as they shone, bear witness to two freed hearts, bottled up feelings gushing out like a broken dam as you embraced one another and lost yourselves in the moment of bliss, cheeks stained and clothes lightly damp from the tiny rivulets of liquid that dropped down.

It's a lovely night, isn't it?