17 April 2023

Most of these are probably going to be shorter for a while. Lately, it’s been 9:30, 10:00 in the evening before I get a chance to write, and when I have work at 6 a.m., well…

I was trying to figure out what the people actually worshipped in Tirian and Gwen’s world, and I remembered an old story idea I never really used, where the “holy” kingdom was overworking the goddess, potentially to unhealthy levels, and the reason the dark goddess sicced monsters on them was to get them to knock it off. I don’t know if I’ll actually use them for Tirian and Gwen’s story, but something with these two would be fun anyway.

Daleina threw her hands up in the air. “Seriously, sis? You’re just going to let this happen?”

Solei looked aside, avoiding Daleina’s gaze. “What else can I do?”

“You are the Goddess of Light! You are the freaking sun! Do a miracle, create a sign of some kind, Something! Ig subtle messages aren’t getting through to them, be more direct!”

Solei frowned, but didn’t respond. She just stared resolutely at the corner.

Daleina groaned. Seriously, what the heck was going through her sister’s head? She rubbed her temples. “Please tell me you’ve at least got some kind of plan to stop this? They’re literally killing you.”

“I… I am!”

Daleina gave her an unconvinced look, and Solei shrank into herself. “It, it’s going to take a while for her to grow up, but I picked out a champion! She’s going to help me fix things. I just need to hold out until then.”

For a long moment, Daleina didn’t reply. Finally, she said, “She’d better. Because if this doesn’t work, and you die or get hurt…” A feral gleam glinted in her eye, and she turned to leave. “I’ll stop holding back.”

14 April 2023

I was mostly just trying to get a sense for what the setting is, what kind of city it is, for Tirian and Gwen’s story. I haven’t fully decided yet, but even if I don’t use this visual for this story, it does seem like a cool aesthetic.

As I enter through the city gates, I am struck by the verticality of the city. It is built on and into the cliffside, sprawling up past the summit, like a strange fusion of Minas Tirith and the old Pueblo cliff dwellings.

Featured prominently almost a thousand feet above me, at the highest point of the city, sits their temple, dedicated to the worship of the light. I’ll probably have to dive deep into that soon-ish. What exactly do they worship? What are their beliefs? Traditions? Holidays? That’s for later, though. Hopefully by then, I’ll have established more of a plot.

In the meantime, I stroll through the city, here at the base of the cliff. It’s ever so slightly to the north of the cliff face, meaning it sees marginally less sun than the rest of the city; that’s why, in this culture that celebrates light, it’s been shunted off onto the poor. This section seems covered in dust, at least as I currently envision it; it’s actually really similar to the undercity in the movie Alita: Battle Angel, though without the sci-fi elements. I’m having trouble being certain of the environment outside the city, though; is it desert, or does life thrive, like a forest or jungle?

There are various ladders and stairs up to the various cliff dwellings, along with a gated stairway heading to a large terrace that makes up the middle layer of the city. Who lives here? What kind of jobs do they do?

9 April 2023

I tried figuring out what incident Tavala was referring to back in this post, so I tried to come up with something. A bunch of purists from the light-worshipping religion see Tirian as a threat now that his secret’s out, or impure, or what have you. So they tried to jump him in an alley. I eventually want to map out and write that skirmish, but it had to end somewhere relatively public where Gwen could intervene.

No idea who the gold-masked woman is that Gwen thought she recognized. This just seemed like the kind of story that had that sort of intrigue. (It’s not Katya. Ooh, but what if it’s another of their classmates? …Too much?)

There was a crash, and Gwen turned to see Tirian smash into the pavilion just a few dozen feet away. 

She was already rushing over as a handful of men and women in white robes poured out of the alley. They moved to surround Tirian, and between their weapons and their featureless gold masks, Gwen was more than a little unnerved. Not that it would stop her.

Gwen planted a foot on either side of Tirian’s bloody body and glared at the cultists. Her eyes began to glow as she drew in power. “You will not lay another finger on him.”

“But, my lady,” one siad, “he is shadow-tainted. It is only a matter of time before he slaughters some innocent. What’s more, he usurped your rightful position for years, and–”

“He didn’t usurp anything!” Gwen snapped. “He desperately tried to fill a role he was forced into. And he has control of his powers; he proved that already at the tournament!”

The first looked cowed, but another spoke up. Gwen thought she recognized the woman’s voice, but she couldn’t be sure. “My lady, I do not think you understand. He is tainted; no matter how strong, it is still only a matter of time before he loses control and kills us all. He–”

“He. Is. My. Brother!” Gwen shouted, flaring her powers. She put her hands up and adapted a combat stance. “And if you wish to kill him, you’ll have to go through me.”

For a long time, nobody moved. Then the masked figures slowly began to pull back, eventually drifting out of sight. When she was as sure as she could be they were gone, Gwen spun around and started checking Tirian over. She cursed again that her light powers were so offensively oriented and called out to the crowd that was gathering. “He needs a healer! Someone, please, fetch me a healer!”

4 February 2023

I’m really glad I kept good notes on what little I’d figured out about this story. I don’t know much but it fascinates me more than I expected. I want to take some time at some point and hash it out more thoroughly…

I do not know what events Tavala (Tirian’s mother) is referring to yet. I know something big happened, but at this point, most of what I know comes from the context clues in this scene. I do kinda want to find out, though. Also, writing an outside perspective on Gwen is fun. Mostly just because of what she’s like. Hopefully I can nail her down and keep her consistent without being too stereotypical.

Tavala studied the girl. She stood ramrod straight, her face strained from maintaining her poor attempt at a neutral expression. On anyone else Tavala had met light side, it would have been fear hidden behind the mask; this girl, however, had an energetic mix of curiosity and guilt, as if she were somehow responsible for Sennan’s infidelity.

A whisp of a smile passed over Tavala’s lips. “You can relax, child. Please, sit. No need for formality with me, especially after what you have done for my son.”

Gwen heaved a dramatic sigh of relief, only for her cheeks to turn pink at the last part of Tavala’s comment. “So, you heard about that, huh? Did Tirian mention it?”

Tavala raised an eyebrow. “Even had he not, I am not so removed from society that news of such scale does not reach me. The two of you have become quite the celebrities.”

“Hehe, yeah. Like brother, like sister, I guess?” Despite her words, Gwen shrank into herself, her face burning red. “Honestly it all kind of scares me.”

“Oh? In what way?”

“It’s just… All the lights, all the people. I grew up always hiding part of who I am, trying to stay safe, stay unnoticed. And now… I walk down the street, and mothers are asking me to touch their babies. As if that will bless them or something.”

For a long moment, Tavala just watched Gwen. The girl could not stay still; her hands were always moving, fiddling with something. After what could have been an uncomfortably long silence, Tavala said, “That can be hard. But you will grow used to it in time.”

“That’s part of what I’m afraid of. The fame, the recognition… Honestly, part of me loves all that. And I… I’m scared that means I’ll wind up like him.” Gwen drew her shoulders in closer and looked at the floor. “Sorry. I probably shouldn’t insult your husband right to your face, huh?”

Tavala chuckled and shook her head. “If anything, my status as his wife makes me all the more aware of his failings.” She looked off into the distance, pieces of old memories flickering to life in the back of her mind. “Besides, our marriage was one of political necessity. I doubt either of us felt we had much choice in the matter.”

Gwen chewed on that for a while, staying silent for longer than Tavala would have thought she was capable of. “Why did you marry him, in the end? My father.”

Tavala sighed, and let the bits and pieces grow until the memories returned in full. “Tensions were high. Their fear made some among your people reckless, prone to violence. And my own people fear your ways; the lies, the scramble for power. The desire to control. The marriage let your people believe, however falsely, that they had some measure of control over mine, while my own people could still look to me as a shield, and a source of protection from the lightbearers’ schemes.” She sighed and shot Gwen an apologetic look. “Though, based on recent events, it seems this marriage is no longer effective on eitherr count.”

29 January 2023

I was intending to learn more about the world of Tirian and Gwen, maybe figure out some potential threads for the central conflict as it applies to them and their character growth. Instead, it wound up being a fourth-wall-shattering discussion on the nature of imagination. :) I do feel it gave me a good grasp of the headmaster’s personality, as well a few of his priorities, though. I still need to figure out how I’m going to subvert his character; I don’t just want another Dumbledore or Gandalf, as awesome as those characters are. Haven’t figured out how I’m going to do that, though.

I enter the room to find the headmaster seated behind his desk. Behind him are wide, open windows overlooking the academy courtyard, making the room feel open and well-lit, despite the towering bookshelves lining the walls on either side.

The headmaster puts down his quill and clasps his hands in front of him. “And to what do I owe this pleasure?”

I shrug and walk along a bookshelf, trailing my fingers along the grain of the wood below the books. “Curiosity, I suppose.” I move over and sit across from him. “I have only discovered this world, you see, and you seem to be the type that knows far more than he ever lets on. So you might be a good source of information.”

The headmaster raised an eyebrow. “If this is all a creation within your mind, then surely I would be unable to tell you anything you didn’t already know.”

I chuckle. “If. Sometimes, honestly, I have my doubts.” I tap the wooden desk, then glance around, noting the simple, yet elegant chandelier above us. “Do I really create all of this, or did I simply discover it, my mind viewing scenes of your world as if through a dark glass, distorted?” I shrug again. “Plus, I wanted to sit down and talk. Everyone else, it would be better to learn about them by testing them, somehow, or throwing them in the deep end.”

“Such as exposing all their secrets before Lightmaster Sennan?” The headmaster’s voice was cold, almost threatening.

I raise my eyebrows. “Was there some kind of fallout from that I’m not aware of?”

The headmaster eased back into his chair. “There are always consequences for our actions, Mr. Cloud, as I know you are very well aware. This is not a simple matter.” He turned his chair away to face out the window–it pivots, apparently?–and adds, “But I’m afraid that will have to be all for today. Farewell, Mr. Cloud.”

Part of me wants to protest, but it is getting late my side. I thank him for his time, and leave the room.

10 January 2023

This was one of the rare days this week where it actually clicked, and I was able to get a lot done. While I was at work, I was ruminating on various things, including Todoroki’s arc in My Hero Academia. I started messing with things, pulling strings here and there, and came up with some of the basics below. I also have one or two other ideas for scenes related to these characters, but nothing definitive yet.

If I were to come back to his and do it again or revise it, I’d probably either remove the bit where Tirian doesn’t want to use the light, and is instead scared of how people will react to his dark powers, OR when he uses them, he’d start with the light and add the dark after. Not sure which would be better; proabably depends on the rest of the story and what conflicts arise.

Chad slammed Tirian against the wall so hard the concrete broke. “This isn't about your father! Or the headmaster, or anyone else! Right now, you are in the ring with me. Respect me enough to fight me seriously!”

He let go of Tirian’s lapel and let him sink to the ground. Tirian looked down at his hand. “I… don’t know if I can do that. The very thought of use his power–”

Chad smashed a fist into the wall above Tirian’s head, sending a spray of rock chips out around them. “Then make it yours! Own it so thoroughly, no one even recognizes it’s the same!”

Make it his? The wheels in Tirian’s head started to spin. He remembered his mother, all but imprisoned in their summer home, and every time that half of his power had broken free of his control. What if, instead of keeping his two halves separate, he brought them together?

A feral grin spread across Tirian’s face, and he got a wild gleam in his eye. As tendrils of darkness started forming around him, he stood up and told Chad, “Thanks. Guess I needed that.”

Chad returned the grin with one of his own. “About time.” He narrowly dodged an attack, and the battle began in earnest.

Lightmaster Sennan’s face had soured more and more as he’d watched the beginning of the fight, as well as the argument they had in the middle. But he’d remained seated until Tirian leaked darkness; as soon as that happened, he bolted upright, ready to jump in and put a stop to things before another tragedy occurred.

No sooner had he risen, though, when the headmaster ordered, “Sit down, Sennan.”

“Don’t you know how dangerous that power is?” Sennan demanded. “It can’t be controlled. And it won’t end until it’s had its share of blood!”

“You give your boy too little credit. Look closer.”

Sennan turned back to the fight. Then he noticed the tendrils of darkness weren’t nearly as frenzied as they should have been. While he tried to figure that out, Sennan finally noticed the veins of light running down each tendril. His eyes went wide. “...That’s not possible…”

“And yet he’s doing it.” The headmaster raised an eyebrow and looked up at Sennan. “Your boy’s put quite a lot of effort in this year.”

Sennan collapsed into his chair. “What will the rest of the Sentinels think?”

The headmaster snorted. “They know the boy’s parentage–they ordered it, after all–and it’s clear he’s learned control. It would be simple to spin this in your favor.” A sly smile flit across his lips. “No, if I were you, it would be the next fight I would worry about.”

Sennan’s eyes drew together. “The Peren girl? Why?”

“Not her; her opponent. The illegitimate daughter of Baroness Rachel Nuhardt. Does that ring a bell?”

Even more confused, Sunnan shook his head. The headmaster could only sigh. “Pity. Makes the whole thing even more tragic, I suppose.”

Down below, Gwen and Katya watched Tirian’s and Chad’s fight escalate. Gwen turned to Katya. “I’m sorry, but… After hearing and seeing that, I have to go all-out.”

Katya flashed her a wicked smile. “I’d be offended if you didn’t.”

Soon enough, the fight ended with chad flat on the ground, exhausted, and Tirian still standing. They exchanged a few words, though Gwen couldn’t make them out from where she was, and Tirian walked off the field, followed by the med crew helping Chad off.

“Guess we’re up,” Katya said. Gwen nodded, and the two headed out.

The announcer boomed out their names, and the center judge started the match. Immediately, Gwen sucked in and burst into light so bright the spectators could barely look at her. She caught a glimpse of the Lightmaster’s shocked expression. Ostensibly, he was her father, but after what she’d seen and heard, she was just as happy to have nothing to do with him.

Meanwhile, Katya had jumped onto a kite and guided the wind to circle around Gwen.