Check-in June 9 (Saturday)

[insignia]

How did you do today? How was the week in general? Are all your projects moving forward?

Since it's Saturday, it's time to post snippets, ask for betas and that sort of thing. Don't be shy! ^_^

Comments

[linaewen]

Since I'm looking for a new project, I've been reviewing old WIPs that have been neglected and ignored for a Very Long Time. One in particular was started in 2005 and hasn't really been worked on for a couple of years now. I think it would be nice if I could get it going again and maybe even finish it, since it's not epically epic. I've been rereading it, and while it has some awkward punctuation and one of the characters needs a few tweeks, it's still pretty good, imho! Unfortunately, I stalled in the writing just before a major battle, so that will make it harder to get back into it properly. I seem to be afraid of writing battles lately! Which is probably why it stalled in the first place....

Here's a bit I like from it:

Shahbaaz pulled tight the embroidered sash that bound his robes close about his waist, and nodded to Heera, who stood at attention nearby. She stepped forward, holding out a curved talwar in its sheath, attached by stout cords to a wide leather belt. Shahbaaz took the belt and sword from her hands, kissing the hilt of the sword before strapping it on. At another nod from her father, Heera silently handed him a folded cloth edged with gold and scarlet thread, and watched as he lifted the coil from her arms.  Slowly, with great deliberation, he wound the length about his head, leaving the long end to drape over his shoulder.

"Why so silent, my jewel?" he asked, when the turban was at last wound to his satisfaction.

"Alas! I regret that it is I who must arm you for battle, and not your son and heir!" she said sadly.

With one long step forward, Shahbaaz was at her side.  Cupping Heera's face in one hand, with the other he caressed her hair tenderly in a slow, soothing motion. "You are as precious to me as any son, dear heart," Shahbaaz declared. "Do not think otherwise!"

Heera lightly kissed the palm of her father's hand where it rested by her cheek. "I have no doubts of your regard for me, Father," she replied with a smile. "I rejoice in it, and I am glad that you allow me the honor of arming you. But... I do miss him!"

"Yes," sighed Shahbaaz. "The loss of your brother has left an emptiness in our hearts that cannot be filled."

He frowned suddenly and fiercely. "He will not return to us, but he shall be avenged! The battle to come is the very opportunity for which I have waited so long! Years have passed, but the binding of the blood feud has not lessened; I cannot forget it! Your brother was taken from us by these people, and there is a price to be exacted for that death. That is the way of things."

Heera nodded solemnly. "Proceed with great care, my father," she said in a low voice. "I do not... I do not wish to lose you as well."

"Do not fear for me, child," said Shahbaaz gently. "You shall not be left alone in the world. I will not fail in this, nor in the other venture. The instrument of my revenge shall also provide the way to good fortune for our people."

"May it be as you say!" sighed Heera.

Shahbaaz stroked her hair once more, lovingly, then patted her cheek and stepped away.

"Are your preparations in order?" he asked.

"Yes," replied Heera, putting aside her grief. "The wains are loaded with healing supplies and the healers stand ready, as do the men assigned to guard us. Kamran is seeing to the final preparations as we speak. We shall follow as soon as you send word of the best place to set our tents -- far enough from the battle for safety, but close enough to be of aid to the wounded."

Shahbaaz nodded, satisfied.

"My riders are gathering outside the encampment. I shall wait with them until the scout comes.  I expect him at any moment. I shall send word to you, when I have heard his report."

Shahbaaz looked at his daughter gravely for a long moment; then laughing suddenly, he held open his arms and Heera ran into them. She embraced him, then kissed him on each cheek.

"Farewell, my father," she said. "May Jahan-afireen, the Maker of the world, watch over you to guard you and keep you safe."

"And you, my daughter," he answered. "May the Maker keep you safe!"

[hulingsayaw]

Well, I'm planning to post a chapter for one fic today, and I might need to send a chapter to my beta pretty soon. =3= But anyways, projects are getting really good progress lately, and I'm really happy about it.

Here's a small bit that I really enjoyed typing in one of the short fanfics I'm writing right now. :>

-----

“So…I’m the threat?” He asked in a serious tone.

Piper looked at Leo. “What?”

“I’m Gaea’s assistant?” He said. “Dylan said so. Hera also said something similar.”

She hesitated. For a moment, her dreams flashed right in front of her. “Yeah. You were,” she finally admitted.

He sighed. “And here I thought I could stomp her filthy face, even if I’m different. But that explains everything. I can’t believe I would bow down to her.” He cringed comically at the thought. She laughed. He smiled. It was these small things that always comforted them in their journey together. They went through so much; it felt more like they’ve been fighting for decades, rather than short months. They had their fights, their differences, and disagreements with each other, to an extent one would push the other away. But the world had treated them as outcasts, enemies. The mistakes they made in this journey had caused their many friends to turn against them. And despite their differences, and how their quest affected their view of the world, they found comfort in each other’s company, and both of them were determined to set right what went wrong.

In the end, it was just the two of them.

[electric_butterfly]

Nope, nope, nope. Just haven't been up to it in awhile. I still hope to get something done before amnesty ends at kink_bingo.

[lilly_c]

Today has been ok, got a couple of short pieces finished and ready for editing/posting - those will be for another day. The week has been 50/50 I guess, I had family staying with me and most of my time went on them but I did get to post Make Something Up and I Don't Believe You both were written for the same prompt on a 100 words challenge.

My casestory big bang has stalled itself just now with 700 words to add to it, but I can just about figure out a way around my problem. Everything else I'm working on is coming along nicely.

[roane]

Actually getting some progress today, holy crap! About 1000 words, but I'm not done yet! I'm hoping for a chapter draft to send to my betas tomorrow maybe.

Current chapter opening:
**********

Before ringing off, John told Greg, "If you haven't heard from me within an hour, call the police." It was self-preservation that made him say it: not because he was walking into a dangerous situation, but because his initial response was to avoid the police all together.

He ducked into the train station restroom and once in the cubicle, unzipped his bag. Beating at the back of his head was the constant rhythm of war, familiar and yet unfamiliar. In combat, the drive was to win, a physical imperative powered by an intellectual need. This, this was something new. This was a drive to punish, to take back something that was stolen, powered by instinct, possessiveness, fear of loss. John didn't fully trust himself, and it was frightening. Long years of practice and control made him lock his thoughts down tight as he automatically went through the process of loading the Sig, hands slotting ammo into the magazine, clicking the magazine into place. He checked the safety, then tucked the gun into the back of his jeans and pulled his jacket down to cover it.

John left the station and found a cab outside. He gave the driver the address. "Stop a few blocks away, please. It's a surprise visit." He managed a smile, and it might have even looked convincing.