Character Castle 2.0
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😂 that worm thing was so funny, and it would totally freak Jade out because she’s only been around normal humans.
We are called to be lights in the cosmos.
May your inkwells never run dry!@jared-williams Making Isaias dance is a great idea! 😂
What the stupid flopping fish was that?! Jade closed her eyes and reminded herself that these people could be from anywhere. Who knew what was normal in their worlds?
”Let’s go through the five basic foot positions,” said Jade. “Watch. First position, plié. Second, plié. Third, plié.” She looked up and restrained a grin at Abirami’s expression. “Fourth, plié. Fifth, plié. Now practice.” Mmwhahaha!
She stared at him until he started carefully placing his feet before attempting a plié. Someone tapped her shoulder, and she turned around to find herself face to face with Isaias.
”Hi!” he said.
”No mushrooms, eh?” Jade smirked.
”No. Ophelia told me about the dance you’re doing for the little girl. Can I help? I don’t know ballet, but I can dance. Most people in the Haven can, ya know, even if they’re not as good as you. Miriam’s been helping me prepare for the Day of Destiny.” Here he stopped. “I hate that holiday.”
”Me too.” Jade sighed. Another dancer would make things nice and even…and he said: even if they’re not as good as you. “Fine. You can help if you really want to.”
”You betcha!” Isaias grinned. “Do I do that, too?” He gestured toward Abirami, who was struggling into a plié.
”Yes, but smoother if you can.” Jade managed to not laugh.
While she practiced the positions herself, she considered the possibilities for the dance. Abirami and Isaias, who’d worked on a farm his whole life, were both strong enough for lifts, but careful and graceful? Isaias maybe was, but Abirami? Jade remembered the crazy things that others said Abirami did during the bug fiasco. Perhaps he could handle this.
”Let’s see,” she muttered. “Start with Ophelia and me in the middle, and Isaias and Abirami each a leap-length away. Then leap sideways, lift and spin, set down facing Ku… Jump and spin in midair back to the middle, and the boys could… How long should this take?”
She physically tested the dance that was in her mind’s eye. As always, joy thrilled through her every limb. Floating on the air like a snowflake with the good fortune to land outside the Haven, she was her own music. Her entire being knew she was made for this. One foot on floor, spring up, fly and twist and spin, land on one foot again. Pride drained away, and joy filled her until she was only aware of her need and ability to fly.
That’s why she never noticed Isaias as he smiled at her because she looked so happy while she danced.
We are called to be lights in the cosmos.
May your inkwells never run dry!What the stupid flopping fish was that?!
XDDDD what a great turn of phrase. lol
Christianity has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried. ~ G.K.C.
This seems like an incredible and wonderful dynamic! Lots of great character development potential there! Just reading that small bit, I want to know what happens next between Malcolm and Ophelia! Hey, feel free to bring Malcolm into the castle too! That would be awesome if he came in and joined the performance! Perhaps replace Abirami? (perhaps, perhaps not? lol ;p I kinda also want to see what Abirami would do with a dance lesson…. rofl. He’s definitely more meat-head than dainty-graceful)
Thank you so much! That made me so happy to hear! 😀
I actually know practically nothing about their dynamic, I don’t know that much about Malcolm in general XD I really like him, I just haven’t written him yet.
I will bring him in pretty soon, it’s just that Ophelia is finally starting to develop, Cal isn’t and she has to, and I have another character who is absolutely clammering to come in and making a nuisance of himself XD (Frey will not take no for an answer.) So, it will happen, just not yet.
I want to have Ophelia by herself with this dance, I want to make it hard on her because she doesn’t have anyone to hide behind *Evil laughter*
Also, Abirami and Ku’s meeting is absolute chaos but very heartwarming, I love it!
I never realized how bizarre Basil sounds out of context XD I love how not a single thing is even exaggerated. That’s literally what happened XD
I loved that they interacted with Cal! I can’t wait to see what she’ll do!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
I saw on your newsletter that you wrote Aydin’s last POV chapter, and I KNOW that feeling. So sad, so satisfying, yet so…sad! Congrats on getting this far, and I’m so happy for you and Aydin–I am personally grateful that you gave him a happy ending.
Thank you! It’s delightful but I find myself so sad to leave them 😭 OF COURSE I gave him a happy ending! I couldn’t let him suffer that much and then not give him at least that XD
Calliope
A quick motion from a tunnel behind me attracted my attention. I frowned. I hadn’t even realized there was a tunnel behind me.
Two girls stood before me. One was slightly taller than me, the one with lighter hair. The other was my height, finally. I was tired of everyone towering over me.
I looked both of them up and down, only distantly interested. I absently noted that the smaller one was better dressed. The taller one was barefoot. She had one foot raised, almost balancing on her tiptoes. These floors were awfully cold. Sudden sympathy shot through me, but I shoved it away. She could wear shoes if she wanted, this wasn’t my problem.
That girl’s head was bent, practically refusing to look at me.
I forced myself to stay on task. This wasn’t my problem. I had issues of my own. I didn’t have to worry about this.
“Who are you, and how did you get here?” I said. It came out rather more harshly than I’d intended.
“Anika, ma’am. And this is Natalya.” Anika said, her voice almost metallic with nerves. They curtsied, similar to the way Ophelia did.
I scowled. Ma’am? Was she making fun of me? Had I done something to incur their specific dislike? Was this some kind of prank?
I glanced around, almost looking for a camera to catch my reaction. (On a scale from Ophelia to Calliope how suspicious are you XD)
They stood. The taller girl was watching me as though I was the biggest threat in the world. I didn’t know whether to be insulted or feel sorry for her.
She shifted her weight to get her other foot off the floor, and just then I felt an icy draft sweep through the cavern.
That did it. I knew what it was like to watch people that way, ready for them to reject you.
“Don’t ma’am me, I’m Cal,” I said, trying not to sound as harsh as the last time. I sat down on the floor, not caring about how hard it was.
Both Natalya and Anika watched me as though I had gone off my head. I was pretty sure I had. Why was I helping her? This wasn’t my responsibility.
I untied my shoelaces and pulled off my boots, leaving me in socks patterned in the irregular Latin verbs. My latest birthday present from my older sister. It had arrived two weeks late, but it was the only present I’d gotten.
I handed my boots to Anika.
“Here. It’s too cold to go barefoot,” I said, shortly.
__________________
Awww, I was not expecting that reaction from Cal! She’s finally starting to develop I think! I didn’t even know she had an older sister…
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Ophelia
“So, Ophelia, what do you think this dance should be? I think…I’d like it to be a dance of birds. Imitating them, ya know?” Jade said, gesturing with her arms as though they were wings.
I continued with my improvised barre warm-ups but nodded.
I forced my smile back.
“That sounds nice! The ballet we’re working on is called Seven Swans, so I’ve had practice.”
Thankfully this laugh didn’t sound too forced.
Jade jumped straight into someone and I glanced away again, concentrating on my position. Turning out my feet, stretching them as far as I could manage, and staying as upright as though someone was pulling me upright like a puppet.
Jade pounced on Abirami as soon as she spotted him.
“Come on, dancer boy, we got to get you limber and teach you the steps.”
She was doing her utmost not to laugh, I could tell.
How was she planning to teach him anything in a space of time as short as this?
Thankfully, Jade seemed happy to torment him in her own personal way. I would leave her to it.
“Ophelia, please show this muscle-bound idiot how to stretch.”
My gaze flicked back to them. Abirami just looked confused.
Was I supposed to start with what he could actually do or just show what she meant? Did he not understand the word or did he not understand how to?
I decided to opt for the latter and brace for correction.
I was warmed up enough by this point so I lowered myself into a forward split. Was that what they meant?
Abirami nodded, as though he knew what I meant now. Good.
He bent backward, managing to get his palms flat on the floor. I raised my eyebrows, impressed. Almost nobody could do that on their first try.
I started laughing when he managed to bend back even further, beyond the point that any person might have managed. He obviously wasn’t any normal person.
The expression on Jade’s face made me laugh even harder.
Abirami stood again, looking between us eagerly as if waiting for some confirmation that he’d done it properly. The excitement in his expression paired with the absolute disgust in Jade’s was enough to make me double over in laughter, even though I was still in the splits.
“I think he can do it,” I said, between bursts of laughter.
Jade shot me a withering look that made the laugh die out like a quenched flame.
She started trying to teach Abirami the basics. I got up and went back to my warm-ups, absently listening to Jade ordering around Abirami and plotting the dance with another boy who was apparently joining us.
“Don’t make it too complicated,” I added in, right as Jade took a breath while planning.
“You can improvise, I’ll follow your lead. It’s harder with partners though, but we’ll make do.”
I could at least try to make it a little easier on her.
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
@calidris Okay, sounds good! I didn’t think Valencia was actually afraid afraid of Kit, just “afraid” he was going to come talk to her when she wanted to be alone. I’m so digging their relationship. If it’s not spoilers, may I ask if they end up making it work?
Avin
Mmm what do I do in Spire?” The boy grinned a little nervously.
Wrong question.
“I suppose it’s not much different than whatever you might do in Vegada.”
Something made Avin suspect that he was wrong.
“I spend a lot of time with family, and with friends.”
A quick shadow darted through Avin’s eyes. He was wrong.
The boy nodded over at the girl he’d been ogling. “She’s a good friend of mine.”
Avin caught him flush a little, and a look like pain shoot across his open, expressive face. Avin smiled, remembering what it was like when Elsa still thought he was a criminal.
“Do you have any siblings?”
Avin shook his head. “Only a brother-in-law.” He wondered what it would have been like if he had had a sibling. A sister, like Elsa maybe, or more independent. Or a brother like…like little Caleb. Another shadow, dark with anger, flicked through his stone-gray eyes. I have four other brothers.
Kit was talking about his family. He and his adopted brother that were so close. No one was ever adopted out of work orphanages. Most of the peasants were too poor, and the nobility wouldn’t think of adopting a dirty brat from a poor man’s orphanage.
His jaw set.
Kit seemed to get lost in his own thoughts and the talking trailed off.
Avin’s thoughts flew to Big Jack, and his features softened. Jack would adopt all the world’s orphans, children or no.
Avin’s glance strayed over to Valencia. She was staring vacantly at Kit, and Kit was watching her, the tips of his ears turning red.
“Nice girl, Valencia,” Avin ventured. Kit’s attention snapped back to him. “Where’d you meet her?”
Kit took off into another explanation while Avin watched. Valencia wasn’t like Elsa. She was just uninterested, not hostile. But then, Kit wasn’t like Avin. He looked the boy up and down again. No one could imagine him being a criminal. Avin’s jaw set again. What was she to have thought? He wondered where she was now, and if she missed him.
“You don’t know how to tell her.” Avin said softly. Kit looked at him like he’d never seen him before.
Okay! Never thought Avin would be giving relationship advice. 😀
@calidris NO idea what Kit would say, so I tried to leave his replies blank (You’re really good at that, btw. Your posts flow easily, without having to use the others’ characters too much, or be in danger of using them uncharacteristically). Change whatever you like! I feel like I’m barking up a wrong tree, but I’m not sure which tree, haha.-
This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by .
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comThank you! It’s delightful but I find myself so sad to leave them 😭 OF COURSE I gave him a happy ending! I couldn’t let him suffer that much and then not give him at least that XD
I KNOW! When I get done with a story I’m usually sad. (okay, I finish things so seldom I can’t say ‘usually’). I feel like I’m saying goodbye to old friends. I mean, it’s not goodbye goodbye, but I’ve been intimately aquainted with them for months (or years) and now our relationship has to change. 🙁 sniff.
I loved Cal’s interaction! Anika and Natalya will have NOOO idea how to react to kindness. Poor kids. It didn’t occur to me til today, but Natalya is probably very pretty, and Anika not so much. I don’t think it matters, but just in case you wanted to know.
Anika
The floors were cold. No colder than Colondai got in wintertime, but still a shock after the cool, fresh feeling the earth had in springtime.
Anika shifted from foot to foot almost unconsciously. It was a habit after so many years.
“Don’t ma’am me, I’m Cal.” her voice was softer this time. Anika’s head shot up and she looked her over quickly. she doesn’t look like a slave.
Anika dipped her head in a quick nod of assent.
She sat down on the floor with a sudden determination. Anika stared. From behind her she felt Natalya shift, staring at this strange person with blue hair. Cal whipped off her boots and handed them to her. Anika’s eyes widened, but she made no move to take them. Where was the catch? No one would think of offering a common slave shoes in Colondai.
Anika hesitated, trying to make sense of it all. She wasn’t a mistress, she didn’t look like a slave. Who is she? How would shoes feel after so long?
Natalya elbowed her as if to say, “take them before she changes her mind.”
Anika glanced down. Cal was only wearing socks. Before she could protest, Cal said shortly, “Here, take them. It’s too cold to go barefoot.”
That sounded like an order. Anika took them, almost instinctively, still arguing with herself. Cal’s feet would get cold, and she probably wasn’t used to going barefoot, like Anika was. She bent down and started lacing up the shoes without a word. Cal had sounded on the verge of being more than brusque, and Anika didn’t want to make her angry. The shoes pinched in strange places, but her feet instantly felt warmer.
She stood up. “Thank you ma—Cal.” Habit.
Curiosity suddenly overcame her fear and she asked timidly, “Where are you from?” She was a little taller than Cal, and Cal wasn’t holding anything to hurt her with. A quick glance told her there were others there, but the passage was just behind them, and they were quick runners.
~~
Hope that’s enough to go on, I’ve been an extremely dull question-asker lately.
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comI never realized how bizarre Basil sounds out of context XD I love how not a single thing is even exaggerated. That’s literally what happened XD
Basil is nothing if not * b i z a r r e *
I’m so digging their relationship. If it’s not spoilers, may I ask if they end up making it work?
Aww I’m glad! They have such a fun and interesting dynamic, and in my humble opinion I believe they might just be my most shippable couple yet. Thankfully, they are going too end up working it out, but not without some sustained effort on both sides (ok lets be real, mostly on Kit’s side because he’s the one making it so difficult to begin with)
One of the things I find really interesting about this dynamic is I’m pretty sure that a lot of the difficulties are being caused by a breakdown in communication between neurotypes – Kit is neurotypical, Valencia is autistic. Of course, this issue occurs a lot in real life as well (I’ve experienced it too many times to count). So many people think that it happens because autistic people are socially awkward and bad at communicating, but this isn’t entirely true, since many autistic people communicate really well with other autistic people. The issue is that autistic and neurotypical people are bad at communicating with each other – basically a cultural barrier. It’s not something I intended to include, but it’s certainly very interesting to write!
I’m not actually convinced that Valencia isn’t attracted to Kit! That’s what I thought for a while, but I think she’s both really good at hiding it and also completely unaware that he’s interested (I’m not even sure she realizes she has feelings for him tbh.) Kit doesn’t realize that a lot of the things he does are either confusing or flat out obnoxious from Valencia’s POV – his rings cause sensory issues if they’re constantly clinking on hard surfaces, visiting Kit’s favorite places tends to be overstimulating, and his flirtatious banter/social games either completely fly over her head or are interpreted as flat out disrespectful (before they knew each other well, she actually thought he was trying to intimidate her and that left a lasting bad impression). So, Kit’s going to be forced to learn to communicate on her level if he actually wants to make any progress, and I really do believe that is going to take a shockingly long time for him to figure out XD
*laughs as one fey*
I feel like I’m barking up a wrong tree, but I’m not sure which tree, haha.
Oh trust me you definitely are, but idk which tree either? Because there’s a LOT XD
Oh well, looks like we’ll find out soon enough
Kit:
“Only a brother-in-law.”
“So you’re married?”
It’s just another reminder that Avin’s an adult, unlike me.
I mean I guess I technically am as well, but I don’t really feel like it and besides, this guy is married. I’m not really sure what to say. I think part of me is really interested, but I don’t want to pry. Besides, he’s looking rather…angry? I’m not sure what I did, but I feel like I accidentally pushed a button, and I’m not wanting to push any more.
Something about not having siblings. I want to ask him questions, like…what’s it like being an only child? But it seems like a sore subject, and that just makes me even more curious.
There’s another question burning in my throat.
How did you get her to notice you?
“Nice girl, Valencia,” Huh? “Where’d you meet her?”
I’m not sure if nice is the right word to describe her. Kind? Yeah. Polite? Most of the time. Nice? Somehow, it feels like a stretch…
“Yeah. She’s amazing. Real sharp, too.”
Sharp tongue and even sharper wit. She’s cut me down too many times to count.
“As for where we met…” I gesture towards his luxurious jacket and laugh. “Well, looks like you’ve got some money. So you probably know how rich families are – lineage becomes dynasty, marriage becomes power, kids become pawns…I’ll just say Val and I’ve been on opposite sides of that chess board since day 1.” I cock my head at him. I’m not sure you’re following me, are you?
“Although, we’re both kind of useless pawns now, and you know what happens to useless pawns?” I grin and flick my hand, tossing an imaginary chess piece into an imaginary trash can. “Awful isn’t it? It’s nice being free though, I will admit.”
I glance back at Valencia and smile. It’s beautiful, really – this newfound freedom of ours.
“You don’t know how to tell her.” Avin says softly. I stare back at him. Is he talking about Valencia? I think he is, and the worst part is that I know exactly what he’s talking about. I’m kind of annoyed, not so much because he’s intruding than because he could somehow read my feelings. My face burns, and I drop my gaze. I hate this feeling of sudden…exposure? His eyes were almost soft though. I don’t think he’s judging me. Maybe this is why I desperately want to tell him, against all better judgement.
“You don’t understand, though.” I whisper. “She’s…well, terrifying, to be honest. And super sharp, too,” Sharp like shattered glass. “She just doesn’t melt, you know? No matter how hard you’ll try. And believe me, I’ve tried.” I grin sheepishly. “I’m afraid I’m finally outclassed.”
I would know. I’ve accidentally cut myself on her too many times to count.
To be honest, just the idea of setting my heart in her hands terrifies me. I can see it so clearly now – her big eyes staring back at me through a blank canvas of an expression. I’m not really sure what she’d say – in fact I’m pretty sure I don’t want to know. Probably something like “Oh,” or “Huh,” or a long silence followed by “What do you want me to do about it?”
Or even worse, that silent stare of appraisal, where you can’t even tell what she’s thinking but you know it probably isn’t working out in your favor.
It scares me to place my heart in her hands, because I know she’s going to give it back more damaged than it was before. Or worse, take it to be polite and just stare at it with profound disinterest. I think that would hurt far more.
Huh. This entire time, I was so sure that Kit was avoiding telling her because he was trying to get her to play along with his game. Avin’s question made me realize that he’s genuinely afraid of being rejected by her, which is sad but also interesting because I think Valencia is also afraid of being rejected by him.
Also, this interests me because Valencia saw Kit as a terrifyingly competent opponent back during their old rivalry, and she thought that he outclassed her in every way (especially socially, which I think was why she was so suspicious of him.) I’ve suspected it for a while, but Kit kind of feels the same way about her! I think she’d be really shocked to hear it. I think that this false belief is what’s been causing her to keep him at a distance, tbh. I think she’s afraid that Kit’s going to quickly get tired of her if he sees who she really is, behind the mask, just like so many other friends did in the past.
But she wouldn’t really care that much if she was truly apathetic to him!
*laughs as one fey*
across his open, expressive face.
I never thought of it like that, but that is honestly such a perfect way of describing Kit XD
*laughs as one fey*
Oh trust me you definitely are, but idk which tree either? Because there’s a LOT XD Oh well, looks like we’ll find out soon enough
Haha, I knew it! XD You see, I’m used to writing in omniscient, so to try and write in the character castle gets me into trouble when I try to use others’ characters without knowing them, lol. Do you write in first person all the time, or just here?
That’s a great story for Kit and Valencia! I’m really glad they work it out. It seems like a very unique love story, too, which is cool. Huh…I never thought of it as a cultural barrier, but that makes so much sense! 🙂
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore!"
https://silverpenstrokes.wordpress.comI KNOW! When I get done with a story I’m usually sad. (okay, I finish things so seldom I can’t say ‘usually’). I feel like I’m saying goodbye to old friends. I mean, it’s not goodbye goodbye, but I’ve been intimately aquainted with them for months (or years) and now our relationship has to change. 🙁 sniff.
Exactly 😭 The GB trilogy has been such a massive part of my life for more than two years, and now I’m reaching the end of their stories. Ah well, there are so many rewrites left I have no business being this sad about it XD
I remember when I finished drafting my first book I was so happy and with every following book it’s getting sadder XD
I loved Cal’s interaction! Anika and Natalya will have NOOO idea how to react to kindness. Poor kids. It didn’t occur to me til today, but Natalya is probably very pretty, and Anika not so much. I don’t think it matters, but just in case you wanted to know.
Thank you! I think Cal is a bit too used to being on the defensive toward people she feels are ‘superior’, so this is far out of her comfort zone XD It’s interesting to see a softer side of her though.
Oh, I made some drawings of Cal! I worked on her design some more and ended up changing a few things slightly. I was actually shocked at how cool she looks XD Her POV paints her as kind of weird and awkward, but she’s actually pretty awesome!
I tried solid indigo hair as well but this just looked nicer XD
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
And another one!
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
Calliope
Anika slipped on my boots and laced them up. Thankfully, I had rather big feet for my height, so they’d fit her alright.
I loved those boots. I’d had them for years, and they were well worn and scuffed by now.
Without the thick soles, I felt even smaller than usual. I crossed my arms and drew myself up to what my height would allow.
“Thank you ma—Cal,” Anika said. I shrugged and looked away. I wasn’t doing this for her thanks.
She cleared her throat, seemed about to speak, changed her mind, then changed it again. It took everything in me not to sigh in annoyance. I didn’t bite.
“Where are you from?” She asked.
All that trepidation about a question like that. It was awfully vague though.
“Do you mean where was I born, or where do I live?” My reply was more than a little sarcastic but I was so sick of this question. Usually, it meant people were trying to pry without seeming rude.
“China, and Elanus University, respectively,” I said, shortly. I didn’t feel like going into detail but knowing this conversation, I would have to either way.
“And you? Not from around there, at least I haven’t seen you,” I said, somewhat ironically. It was very obvious that she was from someplace I didn’t know, probably far off.
__________
I’m sorry, I don’t know much else either XD Maybe we should introduce some minor challenge for the other characters, or just wait until the dance is over and then give them all something to do.
Without darkness, there is no light. If there was no nighttime, would the stars be as bright?
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