WIP Wednesday 23
Aug. 9th, 2023 07:43 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
between_time_and_42Ever since I started working full time, I haven't been able to keep up with WIP Wednesday, but I've still been working on my WIP. And today, I thought I'd combine WIP Wednesday with an announcement that Part 3 of Strange Fascination: A Love Story is almost complete, with two more chapters to be posted before it's done! I just edited and posted the last two chapters recently and I'm so proud of how this is coming along (even though Part 3 was the hardest part to adapt from the original version of the story, and easily my least favorite part).
Anyway, in celebration, here's the link to the fic, and below the cut, an excerpt from the recent update (which is also the beginning of the chapter that I'm linking). I thought I'd share this since it involves all of the major characters in one scene. Happy reading, y'all!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43392027/chapters/123633478
“On your marks… get set… Go!!”
The instant that Ziggy’s exuberant shout reached his ears, Rael was off and sprinting down the riverbank. Close behind him huffed Darian, his long legs threatening to put him in first place. However, Rael’s tenacity was stronger. By the time he reached the line that had been scuffed into the dirt, behind which Ziggy stood waiting, Darian had been left in the dust.
“Once again,” Ziggy cried, “the winner is Rael, the Electric Razor!”
A few of the Sparks who were seated on the ground behind Ziggy gave a series of half-hearted fist-pumps and claps. Bending over to catch his breath, Rael didn’t notice that his opponent had approached until Darian thrust out a hand. “Damn! How’d you get to be so fast?”
Outrunning New York cops was the answer, but Rael just shrugged and hastily bumped Darian’s fist. He surveyed the group of Sparks, wondering who was going to be his next opponent. Bryan had tried, and Alex had struggled, and now Darian had done his best, but no one who’d raced Rael so far had ended up beating him. It was a small victory, considering that when the racing championships ended, Rael would still be trapped in the endless drudgery that was life at Fort Spark, but dammit, he had to find something of which to feel proud out here.
From across the riverbank, back at the starting point, Alice cupped her hands around her mouth. “All right! Who’s next?”
Who’s next, indeed? Most of the Sparks had already faced Rael in the Great Racing Championships, and all had failed against him. Those who hadn’t raced him had been eliminated early on, such as Mylo. Briefly Rael’s eyes flickered towards her, hoping she wouldn’t notice. For the duration of the races, she’d been an excellent sport, cheering on each competitor. As her twinkling eyes and encouraging smile turned his way, Rael felt half-inclined to return the expression– only to settle into a scowl once he spotted Xyloto rising from his seat beside Mylo.
“I think it’s my turn,” Xyloto announced, eliciting cheers from the rest of the Sparks. Rael supposed he couldn’t fault their enthusiasm. Watching Rael win the Great Racing Championships would thrill anyone to the bone. What a shame they’d have to witness such a pathetic victory, though.
“Excellent!” The last thing Rael saw before he turned to amble back over to the starting point was Ziggy clasping his hands, looking pleased as punch. “For the final round, about to win the entire championship, we have Xyloto and Rael!”
“Xyloto or Rael,” Rael muttered. Or just Rael. Once he’d reached where Alice was standing, a flicker of smugness came to life within him. Xyloto hadn’t made it to the starting point yet. That had to be a good omen. Emboldened, he sought out Mylo once again, his pulse quickening at the sight of her.
This one’s for you, he tried not to think.
When Xyloto arrived, Rael decided he’d better attempt to display some sportsmanship. “Hey,” he said out of the side of his mouth. Ahead of him, the finish line seemed to reach out invisible fingers and beckon him forward. “May the best man win, and all that.”
Xyloto snorted. “You mean me?”
Okay… Cool. Whatever. If that was how Xyloto was going to be… The finish line now seemed less like a benchmark of success, and more like the gates of Heaven. Here’s hoping that saint up there lets me in.
Shielding his eyes with one hand and waving the other in the air, Ziggy raised his voice.“On your marks! Get set! Go!!”
Like a bullet from a gun, Rael flew across the expanse of moss and dirt. His beat-up sneakers pounded the ground as fiercely as they could, but to his dismay, Xyloto kept the pace. Gasping, Rael tried to push himself forward, but he and Xyloto ended up crossing the finish line neck and neck.
“It’s a draw!” Ziggy declared.
“Fuck!” How the hell had Xyloto managed to match Rael’s speed? What was worse was that Xyloto, refreshed after having watched Rael win the last three races, didn’t appear to be winded at all. Uncertainty pricked at Rael. He wasn’t at his full strength. But there was no way in hell that he was going to lose to this guy.
“I call a rematch,” Xyloto spat, taking the words right out of Rael’s mouth. He rounded on Ziggy, who reacted only with a breezy,“If it suits you. Are you up for it, Rael?”
Rael gritted his teeth, despising the attention Ziggy had drawn to him. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”
For the second time, Xyloto and Rael lined up at the starting point, and for the second time, Ziggy declared that the race had begun. Right off the bat, Rael put on an extra burst of speed, momentarily overtaking Xyloto. However, Xyloto soon caught up to him again. No matter how hard Rael pushed his body, he and Xyloto finished the second race side by side.
“And it’s another draw!” Ziggy announced, in a voice so bright that Rael felt like punching him. “Rael, Xyloto, are you in the mood for a best two out of three?”
“Aw, shut up,” Rael snapped, losing his grip on his rising frustration. “You shouldn’t even be judging with those fucked-up eyes!”
A shocked silence fell across the Sparks, a single question appearing on each face– how dare you say such a thing? Rael would have laughed, if he didn’t find it so goddamn depressing. Imagine thinking ZIGGY will be the one to save us all. Hadn’t their experiences with societal rejection taught the Sparks anything?
Although Rael was the one who felt like laughing, Ziggy did the work for him. “He’s not wrong, you know!” Another peal of laughter escaped him. “Hard to see with the sun in my eyes. I think we ought to get a second opinion, don’t you?” Before any of the Sparks could weigh in, Ziggy strode off, leaving a befuddled group in his wake.
Others may have bemoaned Ziggy’s disappearance, but Rael found it to be a godsend, allowing him to properly recover his breath. He plunked himself down on the ground, only to feel heat crackle up his spine as Xyloto walked past him, heading straight for Mylo. He tried to tune out their conversation, but his keen ears betrayed him.
“Who d’you think is gonna win?”
“I dunno,” said Mylo. “You’re doing a great job.”
Tilting his head over his shoulder, Rael caught a glimpse of Mylo as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her knees pulled up to her chest. Beside her, Xyloto settled in, his expression soft, as if he’d just watched a litter of puppies being born. Quickly, Rael looked away and tore up a scrap of grass, his jaw setting so firmly that he thought his teeth might shatter. That does it. He couldn’t afford to give Xyloto the satisfaction of winning the last race.
Soon enough, Ziggy returned with none other than Pink in tow. As always, Pink’s face– or rather what Rael could glean from it, as his eyes were hidden behind shades– gave the impression that he’d just been woken from a particularly lovely nap. He stepped behind the finish line and folded his arms across his chest with such carelessness that Rael couldn’t help but grudgingly admire him.
“All right, then.” Usually Pink sounded as if he wished he could be anywhere else, but today he simply seemed resigned. “Get ready.”
“And so it begins!” Ziggy’s theatrical exclamation boomed from behind Rael as he trudged back to the starting point. “Or rather, it ends. Floyd, would you care to do the honors?”
“Good luck,” Alice whispered, as soon as Rael was close enough to hear her. He grunted a non-response, squaring his shoulders and trying his best to ignore Xyloto standing beside him.
“On your marks,” Pink declared. “Get set— Ziggy!” His hands flew to his face, batting at Ziggy as the latter reached for his shades. The effort turned out to be in vain, for Ziggy plucked the shades from Pink’s face and, with a broad, shit-eating grin, put them on. Rael rolled his eyes. When are those two gonna sleep with each other and get it over with?
His stolen shades now adorning his face, Ziggy stretched up on his toes with his hand raised high in the air. His other arm shot out, elbowing Pink away as he tried to recover his property. “GO!!” With lightning speed, he brought his hand down to the earth below him, but Rael had already begun to sprint, the trees around him blending into a brown-and-green blur. His heart thumped a frantic rhythm– must beat Xyloto, must beat Xyloto, must beat…
No!! Xyloto was gaining on him! What the fuck? Rael’s breath escaped in a petulant whine. C’mon, feet! Move, move, move! What would Mylo think if she saw Rael lose? He had to…
“What’s going on?” The question rang out over the group, stopping Xyloto dead in his tracks. Before Rael could take advantage of his momentary lapse, his head began to spin. He collapsed to his knees in the dirt, panting for air, as Michael strolled up, turning every Sparks’ heads.
“We have work to do,” Michael said. “We can’t waste our time playing games. Come on.”
“Aw, Michael,” Bryan groaned, while Jacari muttered, “Since when has it been a waste of time?” Nonetheless, the Sparks obeyed, picking themselves up and heading back to Fort Spark, while Ziggy turned to Michael.
“I’m sorry,” he said, without a trace of regret. “We were just killing a little time.”
If he’d stopped at killing, it would have been just as accurate, Rael reflected. Black spots swirled in his field of vision. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xyloto move forward, and decided to briefly suck up his pride. “Xyloto!” The name came out as more of a cough. “Let me— up…”
Without so much as a glance over his shoulder, Xyloto passed by Rael. Rael aimed his best death glare in the direction of his retreating back. He was prepared to curl up in the dirt and catch his breath, when he sensed a presence before him. Looking up, he discovered that it was Mylo, her hand outstretched as if she were the very saint at the gates of Heaven whom Rael hadn't been sure he would please.
“Need some help?” she said.
Ordinarily, Rael would have considered it more insulting to receive help from a girl than from someone he despised. But such opinions tended to fade when Mylo was concerned. He grasped her hand, letting her haul him to his feet.
“Thanks,” he said, swallowing a few times to moisten his throat.
“You’re welcome.” Though Mylo’s hand slipped from Rael’s, the touch of her soft fingers lingered in his head, surrounding him with warmth. When was the last time that he’d let a girl hold his hand? And more importantly, when was the last time that holding hands had been enough for him?
~~~
One, Rael's kind of a jackass... but he's MY jackass (and eventually he gets better, but that storyline won't come into play for a bit). Two, I hate love triangles and yet I'm writing a love triangle (or rather, my teenage self wrote a love triangle that I decided to keep). And three... well, actually I don't remember what else I wanted to point out here, lol.
Anyway, in celebration, here's the link to the fic, and below the cut, an excerpt from the recent update (which is also the beginning of the chapter that I'm linking). I thought I'd share this since it involves all of the major characters in one scene. Happy reading, y'all!
https://archiveofourown.org/works/43392027/chapters/123633478
“On your marks… get set… Go!!”
The instant that Ziggy’s exuberant shout reached his ears, Rael was off and sprinting down the riverbank. Close behind him huffed Darian, his long legs threatening to put him in first place. However, Rael’s tenacity was stronger. By the time he reached the line that had been scuffed into the dirt, behind which Ziggy stood waiting, Darian had been left in the dust.
“Once again,” Ziggy cried, “the winner is Rael, the Electric Razor!”
A few of the Sparks who were seated on the ground behind Ziggy gave a series of half-hearted fist-pumps and claps. Bending over to catch his breath, Rael didn’t notice that his opponent had approached until Darian thrust out a hand. “Damn! How’d you get to be so fast?”
Outrunning New York cops was the answer, but Rael just shrugged and hastily bumped Darian’s fist. He surveyed the group of Sparks, wondering who was going to be his next opponent. Bryan had tried, and Alex had struggled, and now Darian had done his best, but no one who’d raced Rael so far had ended up beating him. It was a small victory, considering that when the racing championships ended, Rael would still be trapped in the endless drudgery that was life at Fort Spark, but dammit, he had to find something of which to feel proud out here.
From across the riverbank, back at the starting point, Alice cupped her hands around her mouth. “All right! Who’s next?”
Who’s next, indeed? Most of the Sparks had already faced Rael in the Great Racing Championships, and all had failed against him. Those who hadn’t raced him had been eliminated early on, such as Mylo. Briefly Rael’s eyes flickered towards her, hoping she wouldn’t notice. For the duration of the races, she’d been an excellent sport, cheering on each competitor. As her twinkling eyes and encouraging smile turned his way, Rael felt half-inclined to return the expression– only to settle into a scowl once he spotted Xyloto rising from his seat beside Mylo.
“I think it’s my turn,” Xyloto announced, eliciting cheers from the rest of the Sparks. Rael supposed he couldn’t fault their enthusiasm. Watching Rael win the Great Racing Championships would thrill anyone to the bone. What a shame they’d have to witness such a pathetic victory, though.
“Excellent!” The last thing Rael saw before he turned to amble back over to the starting point was Ziggy clasping his hands, looking pleased as punch. “For the final round, about to win the entire championship, we have Xyloto and Rael!”
“Xyloto or Rael,” Rael muttered. Or just Rael. Once he’d reached where Alice was standing, a flicker of smugness came to life within him. Xyloto hadn’t made it to the starting point yet. That had to be a good omen. Emboldened, he sought out Mylo once again, his pulse quickening at the sight of her.
This one’s for you, he tried not to think.
When Xyloto arrived, Rael decided he’d better attempt to display some sportsmanship. “Hey,” he said out of the side of his mouth. Ahead of him, the finish line seemed to reach out invisible fingers and beckon him forward. “May the best man win, and all that.”
Xyloto snorted. “You mean me?”
Okay… Cool. Whatever. If that was how Xyloto was going to be… The finish line now seemed less like a benchmark of success, and more like the gates of Heaven. Here’s hoping that saint up there lets me in.
Shielding his eyes with one hand and waving the other in the air, Ziggy raised his voice.“On your marks! Get set! Go!!”
Like a bullet from a gun, Rael flew across the expanse of moss and dirt. His beat-up sneakers pounded the ground as fiercely as they could, but to his dismay, Xyloto kept the pace. Gasping, Rael tried to push himself forward, but he and Xyloto ended up crossing the finish line neck and neck.
“It’s a draw!” Ziggy declared.
“Fuck!” How the hell had Xyloto managed to match Rael’s speed? What was worse was that Xyloto, refreshed after having watched Rael win the last three races, didn’t appear to be winded at all. Uncertainty pricked at Rael. He wasn’t at his full strength. But there was no way in hell that he was going to lose to this guy.
“I call a rematch,” Xyloto spat, taking the words right out of Rael’s mouth. He rounded on Ziggy, who reacted only with a breezy,“If it suits you. Are you up for it, Rael?”
Rael gritted his teeth, despising the attention Ziggy had drawn to him. “Yeah. Let’s do this.”
For the second time, Xyloto and Rael lined up at the starting point, and for the second time, Ziggy declared that the race had begun. Right off the bat, Rael put on an extra burst of speed, momentarily overtaking Xyloto. However, Xyloto soon caught up to him again. No matter how hard Rael pushed his body, he and Xyloto finished the second race side by side.
“And it’s another draw!” Ziggy announced, in a voice so bright that Rael felt like punching him. “Rael, Xyloto, are you in the mood for a best two out of three?”
“Aw, shut up,” Rael snapped, losing his grip on his rising frustration. “You shouldn’t even be judging with those fucked-up eyes!”
A shocked silence fell across the Sparks, a single question appearing on each face– how dare you say such a thing? Rael would have laughed, if he didn’t find it so goddamn depressing. Imagine thinking ZIGGY will be the one to save us all. Hadn’t their experiences with societal rejection taught the Sparks anything?
Although Rael was the one who felt like laughing, Ziggy did the work for him. “He’s not wrong, you know!” Another peal of laughter escaped him. “Hard to see with the sun in my eyes. I think we ought to get a second opinion, don’t you?” Before any of the Sparks could weigh in, Ziggy strode off, leaving a befuddled group in his wake.
Others may have bemoaned Ziggy’s disappearance, but Rael found it to be a godsend, allowing him to properly recover his breath. He plunked himself down on the ground, only to feel heat crackle up his spine as Xyloto walked past him, heading straight for Mylo. He tried to tune out their conversation, but his keen ears betrayed him.
“Who d’you think is gonna win?”
“I dunno,” said Mylo. “You’re doing a great job.”
Tilting his head over his shoulder, Rael caught a glimpse of Mylo as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her knees pulled up to her chest. Beside her, Xyloto settled in, his expression soft, as if he’d just watched a litter of puppies being born. Quickly, Rael looked away and tore up a scrap of grass, his jaw setting so firmly that he thought his teeth might shatter. That does it. He couldn’t afford to give Xyloto the satisfaction of winning the last race.
Soon enough, Ziggy returned with none other than Pink in tow. As always, Pink’s face– or rather what Rael could glean from it, as his eyes were hidden behind shades– gave the impression that he’d just been woken from a particularly lovely nap. He stepped behind the finish line and folded his arms across his chest with such carelessness that Rael couldn’t help but grudgingly admire him.
“All right, then.” Usually Pink sounded as if he wished he could be anywhere else, but today he simply seemed resigned. “Get ready.”
“And so it begins!” Ziggy’s theatrical exclamation boomed from behind Rael as he trudged back to the starting point. “Or rather, it ends. Floyd, would you care to do the honors?”
“Good luck,” Alice whispered, as soon as Rael was close enough to hear her. He grunted a non-response, squaring his shoulders and trying his best to ignore Xyloto standing beside him.
“On your marks,” Pink declared. “Get set— Ziggy!” His hands flew to his face, batting at Ziggy as the latter reached for his shades. The effort turned out to be in vain, for Ziggy plucked the shades from Pink’s face and, with a broad, shit-eating grin, put them on. Rael rolled his eyes. When are those two gonna sleep with each other and get it over with?
His stolen shades now adorning his face, Ziggy stretched up on his toes with his hand raised high in the air. His other arm shot out, elbowing Pink away as he tried to recover his property. “GO!!” With lightning speed, he brought his hand down to the earth below him, but Rael had already begun to sprint, the trees around him blending into a brown-and-green blur. His heart thumped a frantic rhythm– must beat Xyloto, must beat Xyloto, must beat…
No!! Xyloto was gaining on him! What the fuck? Rael’s breath escaped in a petulant whine. C’mon, feet! Move, move, move! What would Mylo think if she saw Rael lose? He had to…
“What’s going on?” The question rang out over the group, stopping Xyloto dead in his tracks. Before Rael could take advantage of his momentary lapse, his head began to spin. He collapsed to his knees in the dirt, panting for air, as Michael strolled up, turning every Sparks’ heads.
“We have work to do,” Michael said. “We can’t waste our time playing games. Come on.”
“Aw, Michael,” Bryan groaned, while Jacari muttered, “Since when has it been a waste of time?” Nonetheless, the Sparks obeyed, picking themselves up and heading back to Fort Spark, while Ziggy turned to Michael.
“I’m sorry,” he said, without a trace of regret. “We were just killing a little time.”
If he’d stopped at killing, it would have been just as accurate, Rael reflected. Black spots swirled in his field of vision. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xyloto move forward, and decided to briefly suck up his pride. “Xyloto!” The name came out as more of a cough. “Let me— up…”
Without so much as a glance over his shoulder, Xyloto passed by Rael. Rael aimed his best death glare in the direction of his retreating back. He was prepared to curl up in the dirt and catch his breath, when he sensed a presence before him. Looking up, he discovered that it was Mylo, her hand outstretched as if she were the very saint at the gates of Heaven whom Rael hadn't been sure he would please.
“Need some help?” she said.
Ordinarily, Rael would have considered it more insulting to receive help from a girl than from someone he despised. But such opinions tended to fade when Mylo was concerned. He grasped her hand, letting her haul him to his feet.
“Thanks,” he said, swallowing a few times to moisten his throat.
“You’re welcome.” Though Mylo’s hand slipped from Rael’s, the touch of her soft fingers lingered in his head, surrounding him with warmth. When was the last time that he’d let a girl hold his hand? And more importantly, when was the last time that holding hands had been enough for him?
~~~
One, Rael's kind of a jackass... but he's MY jackass (and eventually he gets better, but that storyline won't come into play for a bit). Two, I hate love triangles and yet I'm writing a love triangle (or rather, my teenage self wrote a love triangle that I decided to keep). And three... well, actually I don't remember what else I wanted to point out here, lol.
