#~ writing

[alabasterfury]

if nobody’s asked for it yet i’d love to hear more about ‘altered carbon’ 👀

The threads of fate are open before you.  What was hidden shall be revealed.  (Do you proceed?);

‘Altered carbon’ is a form of technology, specifically an Alien metal, that allows for the storage and transformation of human consciousness. Very similar to the concept of Relic’s in cyberpunk, and since I’m an absolute nerd for science-psych related shit I naturally incorporate that into my writing.

(And Yes, it’s smut because I take my smut like a normal adjusted individual — with enough angst and emotional depth to encompass a metaphorical cry wank. )

This has been a string of notes (both in my “actual” GD and my default notes app for when I get an idea at 4 am when I’m half asleep). It's old asf, from my first real playthrough when I was stuck between being loyal to Judy and wanting to run off with a certain bodyguard… such is life.

"You spend your days living other people’s lives, feeling their… everything. Doesn't that mess with your head? Blur the lines between what’s real and what’s just… recorded?" Judy finally paused, leaning back in her chair, the pale monitor light reflecting in her eyes. She turned to V, a small, knowing smirk playing on her lips.  "Coming from the merc who dives into people's skulls to steal chips and flatline corpos, you're asking about blurring lines?"

“Thought you might change your mind if the lines were blurred differently this time. It might clear some of your own junk data you’ve been carrying around. ;)” 

The fingers moved like a wandering river, finding the delicate current of a spine, each vertebra a small, smooth stone beneath its path.  They lingered at the small of a back, where a constellation of faint freckles seemed to gather.  There was no urgency, no demand, only a deep, abiding appreciation.  The touch was a whispered secret, a silent conversation between two bodies that knew each other intimately, like old friends sharing a comfortable silence. It moved lower, a slow tide receding, washing over the curves before then finding the smooth, taut expanse of an inner thigh.  Here, the touch became a delicate tremor, like a harp string plucked, sending a shiver of sensation through V's entire being. It was an awakening, a gentle coaxing, inviting the body to remember, to unfurl. 

「And yeah. If you hadn’t guessed, this is exactly what you think it is. I know I’m not the only one left feeling hard done by (haha, get it, cuz… yeah… hard… hehe) the lack of ability to ACTUALLY immerse into any BD’s outside of the intro sequences full of just… yeah. All those advertisements and even BD’s you CAN buy yourself but not stream any??? Bullshit.

There’s no way given how Judy texts V that she wouldn’t be down to make their own, that’s like, idk, the 2077 equivalent of sending ur partner spicy snapchats or smth LMAO. 」

 Also I’m aware I’m fashionably late to replying to this LOL, it got buried in my drafts and kinda lost to the abyss. Blame the Pregabalin ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[aqqleshiqqing-archive]

Familial September Day 1: Home Cooking/Baking

- New day, new morning - a fic witnessing a normal day in Ruby's family.

Faint rays of sunlight pierced through the curtain and windows of Ruby's bedroom - though it wasn't strong enough to bother his slumber. He worn a sleeping blindfold as he snuggled deeper on his pillow. To everyone else, or at least Sapphire for that matter - sleeping with a blindfold was overdramatic and extra, but Ruby didn't care. He was always that one stick that stood out from the rest, neither for better or for worse, but it's simply what makes him - him.

Though, the soft fabric that hugged his temples weren't going to be there longer when Ruru, his Gardevoir leans over to wake him up as she knows that his mother probably be a little bothered if he didn't wake up sooner. With soft sounds, Ruru lightly taps his shoulder and purred at him to wake up. Ruby however responded by turning his head away from her, and covering his back with a blanket while mumbling who knows what in his sleep. Ruru puffed her cheeks in annoyance - gotta do this the hard way!

She shuffles her feet all the way to the window that was covered by the nearly draped curtain. Without any hesitation, she pulls the fabric away from the window to allow light to shine through the room entirely, and walked back to Ruby - slipping off his cutely designed blindfolds and waited for the rest to happen.

Shortly after, Ruby's eyeslids starts to move with his eyebrows slowly scrunching up in annoyance as he felt the light prick through no matter how hard he shut his eyes.

"Ruru... put the curtain down." The boy quietly groaned in irritation as he picked up the blanket and turned to the other side again.

Ruru didn't care, and proceeded to pull the blankets away from him - rendering him cold and agitated.

"H-hey, give it back!" Ruby shot up from bed, angry. His arms hugged each other as he struggled with the cold in his room. Ruru simply turned her head away from him and folded the blanket with sass in her body language.

It's too late to sleep now, he got up from bed and was separated from his blanket. Might as well just start the day.

Meanwhile at the dining room - there sat the young married couple, chatting the day away as they wait for Ruby to come down stairs to eat with them. They always ate together as a group, it was part of their "code" just to be unified as a family. It's also a great time to ask each other about their day and their plans for the rest of the hour.

"Jaide, shouldn't Ruby be here now?" Steven asked as his hands rested on the table, fingers tapping against the tablecloth.

"I mean, I'm not late - but it would be nice to be on time. You know how my father is."

Jaide chuckled, resting her palm on her chin as she looked back at Steven.

"Why should he be the judge when you have a family now?"

"... I suppose you're right," he replied. "Guess I'm still used to hearing his criticisms, haha."

Steven chuckled, averting his gaze from his wife - staring at the distance. He silently reminded himself that he's got nothing to worry about, as long as Jaide's there to keep him at bay. While he did that, she smiles at his brief quietness - giving herself a small opportunity just to appreciate how cute he looks. In the end, they still act like a young couple.

Soon after that, footsteps from the back could be heard, getting louder. It was Ruby, who just finished dressing himself. Jaide and Steven looks to his direction and smiles at him.

"Ahh, good morning! Mom, dad - did I take too long?" Ruby asked, worrying a bit since it took Ruru to wake him up.

"Ruru had to wake me up... which I should be thankful for honestly."

Ruru walked past him as he said that, upon hearing that statement - Ruru perked her chin up in what feels like an "I told you" statement. The boy chuckled sheepishly at that reaction.

"Aha, good morning. You didn't, so don't worry!" Jaide assured him. She stands up and pulls a chair open for Ruby - inviting him to dine together.

"Dad will go to his job soon, so let's go eat. I think you'd enjoy the meal here" Jaide smiled. Her comforting presence kept Ruby relieved. He nods his head and follows the chair his mother pulled out for him.

As Ruby prepares to pick out the dishes he wants to eat, Steven who was silent the entire time - initiates a conversation with him.

"So, Ruby. Are you planning to visit friends today?"

The boy processed this question by looking at the ceiling for a bit, just as a way to recall if he had any planned meetings with his buddies.

"Not that I remember any meet ups or something, but - I'll probably go say hi to Sapphire later."

Steven smirked at that response.

Ruby notices his gentle smirk after he mentioned that name. His face turns a little red, assuming his dad understood what he was talking about.

"W-what? I just said Sapphire!"

...

"Nobody said you were talking about Sapphire." Jaide added in the conversation.

Oops.

"I-"

Ruby remained quiet.

"Come on Jaide. They're just friends. Nothing special to see here, dear."

"... Unless?"

Steven poked again, having a cheeky grin as he watched his son falter in embarrassment.

"Wuh- I mean! Yeah, yeah- we're friends! No biggie!" Ruby backed up on his chair, crossing his arms and looking at the side - a petty attempt to hide his ever growing blush.

Steven and Jaide chuckled. They totally knew what's up.

"Well, the food will turn cold if we keep talking about Sapphire... or did you want to talk about her more?"

The son's face grew even more red and warmer, it's just 8PM! Can't he get a nice pancake before this?

"Nonono! Let's just eat, right now!" Ruby asserted immediately, the look on his face was undeniably adorable for his parents. He grabbed his set of cutleries from the table and tried to occupy his mind with eating breakfast, though the silent giggles from Steven and Jaide wasn't going to keep poor Ruby's mind at ease.

Better hurry and eat before it gets worse!

- YIPPEEEE FIRST PROMPT DOWN!!! I decided to treat this prompt loosely and just connect it with food and jaide totally cooked this so 💥💥💥💥 STONE FAMILY WINS EEEEEE I didn't proofread this so excuse any errors!!

[ross-hollander]

I assure you: somebody, somewhere, is on the exact same wavelength as you are.

[tenderwatches]

sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four

[elexuscal]

"what did students do before chatgpt?" well one time i forgot i had a history essay due at my 10am class the morning of so over the course of my 30 minute bus ride to school i awkwardly used by backpack as a desk, sped wrote the essay, and got an A on it.

six months later i re-read the essay prior to the final exam, went 'ohhhh yeah i remember this', got a question on that topic, and aced it.

point being that actually doing the work is how you learn the material and internalize it. ChatGPT can give you a short cut but it won't build you the the muscles.

[faaun]

WHEN ON PERIOD:

do not crash out

your feelings are NOT valid

do not send that text

don't kill yourself. lock in

do not act on negative emotions until at least 2 days have elapsed

[melodicwriter]

[captainkingsley]

baby dragons whose scales are much more shiny and iridescent in order to hide in their parents' hoards

[writing-is-a-martial-art]

truly some people have no genre savviness whatsoever. A girl came back from the dead the other day and fresh out of the grave she laughed and laughed and lay down on the grass nearby to watch the sky, dirt still under her nails. I asked her if she’s sad about anything and she asked me why she should be. I asked her if she’s perhaps worried she’s a shadow of who she used to be and she said that if she is a shadow she is a joyous one, and anyway whoever she was she is her, now, and that’s enough. I inquired about revenge, about unfinished business, about what had filled her with the incessant need to claw her way out from beneath but she just said she’s here to live. I told her about ghosts, about zombies, tried to explain to her how her options lie between horror and tragedy but she just said if those are the stories meant for her then she’ll make another one. I said “isn’t it terribly lonely how in your triumph over death nobody was here to greet you?” and she just looked at me funny and said “what do you mean? The whole world was here, waiting”. Some people, I tell you.

[the-real-nikki19]

a writing competition i was going to participate in again this year has announced that they now allow AI generated content to be submitted

their reasoning being that "we couldn't ban it even if we wanted to, every writer already uses it anyway"

"Every writer"?

come on

[alabasterfury]

The Oracle awaits, so here I am asking for Quantum Flux for the WIP ask game! Let the prophecy unfold! 🔮

The oracle awaits, so let it unfold. I shall illuminate the path. (Do you proceed?);

Imagine a vast, still ocean, not of water, but of pure potential. This ocean is never truly at rest. Though its surface appears calm, beneath, there's an eternal, shimmering dance. 

These are the quantum fluctuations – tiny, ephemeral ripples that incessantly rise and fall, appearing from nothingness and dissolving back into it in an instant.

Like fireflies winking into being and out again in the twilight, these fluctuations are the briefest sparks of energy, too transient to grasp, yet fundamental to everything that endures.

Take a chance. Close your eyes. And just dream;

The soft hum of the netrunner chair filled the small apartment, a gentle counterpoint to the usual cacophony of noise and violence outside. So mi was nestled deep within its padded contours, wires snaking from the back of her neck to the console, her eyes glazed, lost in the digital ether. V stood beside her, arms crossed, the monitors' faint glow casting shifting shadows across her face. This was So mi’s element, her realm. For all her street smarts and combat prowess, V was a mere observer here. V watched data streams flicker across the adjacent screen, a chaotic ballet of code that made no sense to her. But she didn't need to understand the syntax to feel the shift in the air, the subtle changes in So mi's posture, the increasing tension in her jaw. The quantum flux that bound them was reacting, a low thrumming in V’s neural network that signaled distress, a rising tide of pressure. So mi’s sleek metal fingers, usually so nimble and precise, began to twitch. A faint sheen of sweat appeared on her brow, catching the cool blue light of the screen. V’s concern ratcheted up a notch. So mi had explained the dangers of a deep dive – the raw, unfiltered data of the Net, the rogue AIs lurking beyond the Blackwall like digital predators. She’d always promised, been careful, but tonight… tonight felt different. The numbers on the diagnostics panel, usually a steady rhythm, spiked erratically. Warnings flashed, barely decipherable to V, but their frantic pace screamed danger. So mi's breath hitched in a shallow gasp as a convulsive ripple of pain ripped through the quiet, violently contorting her face, echoing the searing lurch synchronised through V's own chest. The quantum connection flared, a lightning strike through their entwined minds.

「 I am both a huge music and science nerd, if you couldn’t tell, and this work is no exception. It’s both inspired by the scientific phenomenon and the song by Northlane.  I love listening to music when I’m writing, I think it helps immerse me in the mindset of the people I’m writing about. (Maladaptive Daydreaming type beat)

I am also rather spiritual, and the concepts explored within the human psyche in cyberpunk, especially, are too interesting to me. (And tbh, there’s probably nothing more “twin flame” coded than the relationship V has with Songbird during phantom liberty.)  」

[aqqleshiqqing-archive]

Familial September Day 3: Vulnerability/Comfort

A trip down memory lane with Ruby's biggest incident.

Mentions: Light violence. (using descriptive words for injuries)

Tapping his fingers against the desk he laid his elbows on - Ruby sat absentmindedly, his mind is but a blank paper. Nothing on written, scribbled, or drawn. Though, as he gotten older he's used to a lot of introspection as of late. Maybe it's because of the things that transpired years ago that taken a toll on his mindset, whether it be good or bad. He scratches his head, feeling the softness of his hair brush against his fingers - he's not wearing his hat right now. Part of him feels a little insecure without it. Especially when that specific part is exposed.

If only his hair could outgrow that section.

The quietness broke off as his ears perked up upon hearing a knock on his bedroom door. His mind returned back to his usual self, and spoke loud enough for the person on the other end to hear him through the wooden door.

"It's open." Ruby replied to whoever awaited for him.

And like an automated command, the door swung open. It was his mother. She had his favorite hat on her arm, and it made him smile.

"I've finished mending your hat, Ruby."

Jaide spoke as she closed the door behind her - walking to the side his bed to sit down, and laying out the white spikey beanie that her boy liked so much.

He walked over to her, and sat on the opposing side of where she was. Ruby stared at the hat, trying to see if there's anything off about it - but it would seem it's in perfect condition like it was newly made.

"It's like it's brand new - thank you!" he chirped happily, intertwining his fingers with much enthusiasm

Jaide smiled. She nodded her head, and chuckled - though a little realization struck her.

"Why'd you ask me to stitch it up though?"

"Huh?"

"I know you can make clothes from scratch, Ruby - so stitching something up is nothing but amateur skills to you." she added.

"Not that I'm bothered anyways, I'm happy to do things for you. I'm just curious."

"Well," Ruby started.

"It just feels right to let the person who made the hat - fix the hat. You know?"

Jaide snickered, turning her head away from the flattery. Sighing from the reply, she moves back to him and softly pinched his cheeks in response to his subtle compliment.

"You're such a charmer, sweetie. Don't do that." She giggled.

"But it's true!" Ruby poked back, laughing with her.

"I'm seeing Steven in you a lot more frequently now - it's a little scary." She humored back at him.

Well, that's what the hat served was meant to be - but that was years ago now.

It's now just something he wears to cherish his mother's effort.

Ruby simply smiled at the last remark, not saying much after that. Picking up the hat, he looks at it for another moment - Jaide allowed him some silent time with it. Perhaps he's still amazed by her handiwork.

Despite all of this, Jaide realized she hasn't seen Ruby without his hat for awhile now. His hair is very reminiscent of hers - especially the pointed cowlick that stuck above all else. But what concerned her the most was that part of his hair that he made sure to hide everytime he wears his hat. It's still visible - and it made her heart sink just by looking at it.

"Hold on, don't wear it yet." Ruby paused upon hearing that. He looked confused.

"Oh?" He inquired, slightly tilting his head to the side.

"It's still pretty big, huh?" Jaide replies, and circles a specific region on her forehead, just near the side of a temple - reflecting that part he tends to hide with the help of his beanie.

His scars are still very visible even after 5 years or so.

The terrible accident from years ago still dug deep on his skin, leaving a mark that can never recover - it's a proof of the past now.

"Yeah... it didn't change as much." Ruby frowned, letting his hat sit on the bed again. He kept his hands close to himself now, rubbing his thumbs aaginst each other to cope with the awkwardness of the topic. He was hoping she wouldn't notice it, but because of how frequently he wears his hat, it's almost odd to see him without it.

The room was mute again, only the presence of these two were louder than anything else.

Ruby felt his lips tremble as he recounts the events that occured years before.

"Mom, did I do the right thing back then?"

Was it a good idea that he saved that little girl from danger? What about the little girl's heart shattering breakdown even after he was deemed victorious from that ferocious wild battle?

It's all coming back to him again.

The moment he felt liquid fall on his face. His head was scratched by the beast's sharp claws. His hand was bloody, yet he still smiled for her not to worry. Her tears screamed even bloodier pain than his throbbing open scar did.

Was it worth it?

The near-to-tears look that his mother had as she caressed his youthful face only to be painted by the ugly deep red that trickled down his cheek. The look of disappointment mixed with worry that his father's face practically screamed with.

Stop thinking about it, Ruby Stone.

The faded memories that played on his mind like a television screen immediately shut off as he felt his mother's hand brushing against his sweaty palms.

"It wasn't right ... it was heroic. It was admirable, my Ruby."

"B-but," The tearful kid stuttered. "Why did she cry?"

He still doesn't understand. Even after learning everything, he doesn't understand.

"Ruby - just because you were the hero, doesn't mean the victim would be overjoyed in the moment. It's not like the movies."

"It's sad to say, but I'm certain that many thoughts had opened her mind since it happened. It's something she has to come to terms with after seeing it first-hand."

"She might've not gotten the physical scars, but the emotional scars cut her deeper than it should."

"But thankfully, you saved her from the physical scars - and took it upon yourself to be the shield she needed. You were a hero for that."

Jaide concluded. Her head stood low as she replied to him, but was hoping to alleviate him from his internal turmoil.

She could hear faint sniffles. He's crying. It aches to acknowledge the fact that he's still carrying that thought even to this day, he's still so lost over it.

"Are you still mad at me?" Ruby asked.

"I could never."

Jaide held him close, her palms cupped his cheeks and wiped his tears that had poured. She brushed the scar that still stood out of his head, a smile formed on her face.

"As a matter of fact - I'm so proud of you."

Ruby smiled. His breathing was a little uneasy due to his hiccups, but it made him feel a lot better about himself.

He threw his arms on her shoulders and hugged her. His head was buried on her neck, snuggling deeper for the warmth that she always provided.

"Thank you."

wahh finally finished this one! makes me wonder what could be steven's take in this...

i've always wanted to tackle this specific part of ruby's character which was the salamence incident, so i'm glad i'm able to write about this even if it's quite short.

[mouthtapedguy]

lions are very mean and like jellyfish

[frodothefair]

[sourdough-seal]

hyperfixation please stay with me long enough to complete the project. hyperfixation do not fade. hyperfixation finish what you started for the love of god