WIP Challenge Check-in, Day 14 -- Saturday

[linaewen]

Sorry I'm late with the final check-in post for this week.  I was away all day in a place where I couldn't get to a computer.  I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend, and that some lovely writing-related time has been part of it so far!

What kind of day was it for you today, writing or otherwise?

Since it's the end of the week, I'm wondering how you are feeling about things in general -- on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the best possible happy choice, how do you feel your writing has gone so far this week?  How about this month?

Last but not least, it's also time for our weekly general fic chat post.  Are you looking for a beta? Want to post a snippet of your WIP? Have other fic-related things you want to chat about? Are you getting what you need out of the community to help you with your writing?  Let the sharing commence!

Comments

[pinstripefedora]

And here is an excerpt from the fic, where we are introduced to the (comic relief) B plot of the story.

(Also I would like some input on how the closing line reads. Does it sound like she's cursing at the situation, or at her new partner? Because the former is what I'm going for, and I don't think the latter would be IC at all, so if it comes across that way I need to figure out how to change it.)

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

As soon as Setsuna emerged from the Chief's office, Mana knew something had happened - something that Setsuna couldn't tell her about. It was obvious from the way that Setsuna's eyes darted around the room and the way she shrunk back when their eyes met, as if Mana's gaze possessed the ability to lay bare her secrets. Not that Setsuna had any secrets; she was pretty much an open book. But at least the sentiment was there.

She watched as Setsuna made her way to her desk and fell into her chair, chewing on her bottom lip the way she did whenever she was weighing a serious decision. Then she reached into her pocket and produced the paper that contained the reservation information for her date with Kimiko. As she frowned at it, Mana realized with dawning surprise that she was actually seriously thinking of canceling. A date at a place like that was a surefire way to get laid - and if anybody ever needed to get laid, it was Setsuna. Whatever was going on, it must be serious.

Mana watched in rapt curiosity as Setsuna pulled out her phone and entered Kimiko's number, pausing with her finger poised above the send button. The moment dragged on for minutes, and Mana was honestly unsure as to which way things were ultimately going to go. Before she could find out, though, Eishun's voice returned her to reality.

"Tatsumiya-san, I'd like a word with you in my office," he said.

The words were enough to fill anybody with foreboding. But Mana wasn't just anybody. She fixed her steady gaze on him and nodded, rising from her chair. Leaving Setsuna to her personal dilemma, she made her way into Eishun's office and awaited further orders. She briefly wondered if this was going to have anything to do with whatever was causing Setsuna to freak out, but quickly decided it really wasn't any of her business either way.

"Tatsumiya-san," Eishun said, drawing her attention. "I will get right to the point. Sakurazaki-san is going out on special assignment."

Ah. So that was it.

"It is regrettable, as the two of you are quite an effective team, but there is a possibility she could be gone for a considerable amount of time. I don't want you to be without a partner indefinitely, though, so I've made some arrangements." He suddenly shifted his attention to someplace behind her left shoulder. "Nagase-san."

"Nin-nin!"

Mana's eyes widened without her permission - she hadn't detected the third presence in the room. Whipping her head around, her eyes landed on Nagase Kaede, who was lounging comfortably in a chair in the corner. As if on reflex, they immediately narrowed. How does she do that? Kaede offered a cheerful smile and waved. Mana ignored her. Kaede didn't seem to notice, slipping easily out of her position and stretching lazily before taking her station beside her.

"What's going on here, sir?" There was an edge to Mana's tone that seemed almost accusatory.

"Well, as luck would have it, Ku Fei-san just informed me that she will be taking a leave of absence, as she needs to return to China to deal with some family matters. So, since the two of you will both be down a partner, I took the liberty of reassigning you to each other."

"What." It wasn't a question. Mana never questioned an order. She just assumed that she hadn't heard him correctly. She couldn't have. The Chief wouldn't assign them to work together; not when they were so dissimilar. The reason that Setsuna and Mana made such a good team was that they were so much alike - at least where it counted. True, Setsuna's tendency to take every little thing so damn seriously could be a problem at times, but at least she could respect that. Kaede, though? Kaede never took anything seriously. She glanced over at her new partner, radiating disdain.

Kaede regarded her out of the corner of one barely-opened eye. "It seems we will be working together from now on, de-gozaru. Please take care of me," she said, not even trying to hide her smirk. "Partner."

Mana glared at her. This couldn't be happening.

Son of a bitch.

[linaewen]

Interesting passage! I have no familiarity with this fandom, but even without it, I can very much appreciate the drama here -- and the possible future comic ramifications. As for your question, it seems to me like she is definitely cursing at the situation, rather than the new partner.

If you don't get an offer for a beta as you have requested, my suggestion would be to repost your need as a new post in the community, just in case it gets lost in the shuffle here.