Writing frustration

[winter]

I totally should post something Star Wars related, except for the fact that I didn't realise posting my info in imadra_blue's friending meme would lead to people actually friending me. So. Um. Probably not the right moment to mention the fact I haven't touched Star Wars with a ten foot pole in a long while.

Anyway, spent today trying to fic and failing. Current working-on-them-right-now list, just to motivate me tomorrow at work, because apparently I'm unable to write at home; at this rate I'll be able to write something I want to write around... hm, July?

- 3 Tanz der Vampire stories (trials of a vampire father, very twisted Dracula/Krolock and Herbertfic). All for fyrie *expletive deleted*

- Vlad and Gabriel by the fire, for ariss_tenoh, with sincere apologies for the delay

- Coldfire: Family Ties, possible vignettes, for Gerald Tarrant. Peskiest muse ever

- next set of Dooku drabbles for the 1character prompts, and the Dooku-and-Obi-Wan fic, for imadra_blue

- miscellaneous Dooku and non-Dooku fic for the SW people on the f-list because I'm feeling guilty

Oh, and on top of everything else I may be able to combine my obligations towards fyrie, the Coldfire people and the Star Wars people in one fic. But I've a feeling it might get me a wee bit flamed =^.^=

In other news, GIP. *purrs*

EDIT: *headdesk* Completely forgot. fyrie did it again. The next installment of her Buffy/Tanz crossover killed me even deader. Even if you don't know anything about Buffy or Tanz, if you have the slightest fondness for dominant vampires, for Lucifer's sake read this story.

Comments

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

“Yeah,” Buffy said, approaching the bed. “She didn’t have to stop the apocalypse.”

“No, no, no, bella.” Leaning up on one arm, Vittorio motioned for her to sit close to him. “You misunderstand. You were destined to this life, to know the things you know, to see the things you have seen. She was not.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Buffy twisted her fingers together. “I tried to keep her away from it all,” she mumbled. “Things sucked enough for me. I didn’t want them to find out.”

“I know.” His arm slipped around her waist as he leaned closer to her and gazed up at her. “But such things are sometimes beyond our control. This is the life she has grown with, since an age where such things are important.”

“But I wanted out, when I was her age,” Buffy turned in his embrace to look down at him. “I hated being so different, so isolated by what I was and what I had to do.”

Vittorio nodded understandingly. “But you were already in all ways yourself, when you were shown this life,” he observed gently. “You were upon the final steps of the path to adulthood. Dawn was but a child.”

[winter]

Vittorio's doing good as the voice of reason. Here's hoping he can keep her civil enough to stop VK from doing the growly thing too much ;)

(I assume Willow's been sucked into the library?)

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. Buffy's so caught up in rage, she forgot about her friend propped in the doorway :D

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

Ooh. Think this is my mental Vittorio...

[winter]

Ooooh yes, he's particularly dreamy :D

And I'm sure someone, probably Herbert, deposited Willow in a nice bedroom with a stack of interesting books. Herbie's thoughtful like that.

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

More than likely, since everyone else stormed off :D And that guy... the eyes... GAH!




“She shouldn’t,” Buffy whispered. “I tried to stop it.”

“Not truly,” Vittorio countered.

“But I…”

“Bella, look to your friends,” he murmured. “You have been surrounded by those with powers that captivate those without. You likely did not notice, as you had such strengths yourself. It became natural to you as breathing. But she saw these powers, she saw what you could do, what you did do.” His thumb brushed her cheek. “For a child, enthralled by powers she could not understand, you were as magical and wondrous as a superhero.” He gave her a brief, gentle smile. “Do you not see how she could long to be like you? To steep herself in the darkness, that she might touch a little of the incredible feats you have performed?”

[winter]

Translation: she'll probably have VK teach her do the cloakswirly thing and the growling :D

Would this be Vittorio in that scene, perhaps?

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

*grins* Dawn wants a cloak and to be taught how to dance properly and to ride a huge black horse (which I actually thought of at work - her tearing across his land, laughing)

oh... yes...

[winter]

I think she might also appreciate Herbert's car collection ;) And now I'm wondering whether, and where, is the fencing salle in the manor...

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

She wants to teach Herbert Slayer-style fighting :D Poor VK has his head in his hands.



The Slayer stared at him. “But she’s… she’s just a kid,” she mumbled.

“No longer, bella,” Vittorio said softly. “You are hiding your eyes from the truth. It has been many years since Dawn has been a child.” He laced his fingers between hers, watching their hands. “Even without your strength and skill, she has done more than many mortals would dare, more than many of your Slayers have.”

“I keep telling her she doesn’t have to,” Buffy mumbled, squeezing his hand. “I just want her to be safe. I couldn’t stand to lose her. Mom trusted me to look after her.”

Vittorio nodded solemnly. “But how can she ever grow, if you keep her locked in a cage for her whole life?” he asked. “The bars may not be visible, but as long as you keep her by your side, she will feel trapped. She is a strong young woman, bella. She only needs you to trust in her.”

[winter]

You know, I really admire how you write characters whose native language is not English. I can hear the Italian in Vittorio's sentence structure, as I can hear the German in VK's, and to a lesser extent German and French in Herbert's...

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

I think I've spent too many years hanging around multilingual people :D You tend to get used to hearing how people speak and I write accordingly. Especially European types. And having studied 3 languages has helped a bit :)

[winter]

Hm, maybe I should bunny you with a Slavic character of some kind to see if you can imitate my speech patterns too ;)

My French characters in particular sometimes come out with something patently weird in English that they insist is right. Bah, French grammar...

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

*ponders* I could but try, though I could guarantee it would be entirely wonky. I think that's why my own speech patterns are bollixed to hell - I try and talk like too many other places :D

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

Also, ten minutes and I think this scene'll be done...

[winter]

*sigh* Ah well. Who needs sleep anyway?

(BTW, there totally needs to be another scene with everyone in the same room and attempting a civil conversation. Just for the comedy potential of Herbert sabotaging Vittorio's attempts to play peacemaker because he's still pissed about the Buffy as consort thing.)

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

Agreed! Extra scene will be before Buffy and Co. leave - Willow squeaking about the library, Herbert being snarky, Spike awkwardly eyeing everyone and wondering when his next smackdown is due, Dawn sitting next to VK, who is rolling his eyes...

[winter]

Heh. I'm also wondering how Buffy would handle Herbert being touchy-feely with Spike (for no reason except for the fact he's feeling neglected and lonely). Watching her twitch might be amusing ;)

*pats VK* There, dearie, all the nasty guests are leaving soon...

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

Herbert says he'd put on a show to show Vittorio what he's missing :D Which is completely not the point, since Vittorio really isn't a big fan of showiness :D Spike's trying to hide under the table now ;)



Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand scene:
“I do trust her,” Buffy protested weakly.

Her lover lifted his dark eyes to her gravely. “If that is true, then you would not doubt her now,” he said.

“This is different!”

His eyebrow arched. “Because it is vampires?”

“Yes! I… no…” Frowning, Buffy stared at their joined hands. “Kinda, yes.” She admitted in a mumble. “Willow says this guy is way powerful and way strong. I don’t trust him not to hurt Dawnie.”

“Then you must trust your sister,” he murmured, kissing her forehead lightly. “If you do not trust her to protect herself when she has a friend close at hand, then how could you ever trust her in the world beyond your sight?”

Nodding, Buffy’s frown deepened. “Do you think she’ll be okay here?” she asked quietly.

“How can a bird learn to fly, if it is not permitted to spread its wings?” Vittorio asked, stroking his thumb against her knuckles.

“This… Graf-guy…” Hazel eyes rose to him. “You two… you have a history, right?”

One side of Vittorio’s mouth curled up minutely. “I have known him for several centuries,” he murmured. “And I know that is not what you meant, but it is what you need to know.” Buffy blushed, recognising the softly-spoken reprimand. “He is powerful, strong and wise.”

“But still a vampire.”

Vittorio nodded. “But he is honourable and, above all things, a gentleman,” he said. “I do not believe he would harm your sister intentionally any more than Dawn would allow herself to be harmed.”

Chewing on her lower lip, Buffy stared at their fingers. “I guess it’ll only be for a while,” she mumbled reluctantly, leaning into Vittorio’s arms and resting her head on his shoulder. “I mean,” She laughed. “she wouldn’t wanna stay here forever.”

“As you say, bella,” her lover murmured against her temple, never more grateful that she could not see the expression in his eyes. “Who would wish to remain here forever?”

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

P.S. OMG I LOVE VITTORIO!1

[winter]

OMG ME TOO!

...now I want a Vittorio icon. And possibly Vittorio/Buffy and VK/Vittorio ones :D

[winter]

Hee! At both Herbert and Vittorio. In the latter case, do I sense nostalgia of someone (gently) dumped a few centuries ago? :D

Also, he's got a good way of putting the fact that VK's got a fetish for willing victims. Go Vittorio.

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

Admittedly, his hair's a bit longer, so he has strands that flop in his eyes, but yes...

[winter]

Really, really not blaming Herbert from swooning.

(Especially at the kiss. I maintain that while Herbert doesn't have any untoward feelings etc, he's capable of objectively admitting his father is a ridiculously handsome specimen.)

[fyrie.livejournal.com]

*grins* Plus, Herbie is an excessive drama queen anyway :D

(And totally. He's like "anyone would be lucky to shag my father. Have you seen the cheekbones? I mean, you could cut diamond on them!")