Yes, that's right. Kupper's back at long last! He started out just... standing there. In the doorway of... well, wherever they go when they aren't talking to me. That lasted a couple days. Then, he gave me a migraine with his voice and I think he might try to finish the story. I still have a migraine. This is pretty normal for when he starts talking and often lays me out for a day or two. So, I'm gonna let him talk to me while Roan and Shidu figure out who's winning this scene contest.
Other authors, you ever have two characters duke it out for dominance over a scene? One character wants it to go one way, the other character has no intentions of submitting to that? That's happening to me now. Shidu reeeeally wants to insert herself into this scene and Roan reeeeeeeeeeeally does not want her involved. I've even spent the time to write out entire alternative directions for this to go (something I hate doing because I feel like it wastes time) and every single time, Shidu steers the conversation towards things about Roan I don't want Cylthan (or you, the readers) to know about him just yet. I know we started this adventure with Roan, and honestly, we're gonna end this adventure with him after he learns everything he forgot. As much as I dislike the concept, this is technically one of those "fated mates" tropes. There's a grim and bittersweet reason Roan keeps feeling the urge to possess Cylthan, and why he endured the bullshit Shidu keeps putting him through. So, she wants to stick her nose into this whole thing, and Roan is quite upset about it. Shidu will be back when we least expect it to save Cylthan from herself. That's when all these things about Roan are supposed to surface. For now, I'm giving them the chance to work that out for a minute.
Also, I'll be moving those AI images to the first chapter (how many versions is that now?) since I'm sure all my usual readers have seen them, and fixing a couple chapters with some rewording and a few spelling errors. Also a disclaimer will be going in since not all my readers look at my blogs and I've been asked multiple times if the story is completed. No, no it is not. It is a living, breathing rough draft. It changes, it evolves, some things aren't going to match, and quite frankly, I may decide on one thing, then decide on another (like shaman's are nature wizards instead of anomalies like I had at first which is why Roan said only priests can heal). Until the last page, I won't know exactly how this goes. I have all the major points, but all these details are growing and changing, so bear with me and please feel free to point out things that may not match up or are confusing as we go forward. I may choose to change or add entire scenes based on suggestions (my friend who was upset about chapter 11 has been making a lot of good points about changing it so there's a chance it may look different in publication).
On to Dragon Tamers, I know Roscrow seems really cold right now. He's got a lot on the line, and his whole life's about to be turned upside down because of a woman he's not supposed to so much as flirt with even though he finds her hot aF. And then there's Dane, breathing down his neck the whole time. So, his thing right now is he can't take it out on her, so he's gonna find ways to take it out on Jasper... until Jasper's had enough. That's when the switch will happen from Roscrow being an absolute dick to being a total bro. It might be a bit jarring when it happens, but Roscrow will explain his reasonings. This will all happen quite soon after their return to the mountain. Like, within days, after the ban hammer lands and he figures out how to balance his life again. Roscrow also learns a secret Jasper was keeping from S're all these years... and then proves why he's the best friend you'd ever actually want. "I own you, you know." "Fuck, Roscrow, don't do this to me." "See this transaction? I bought you. This means I get to command you to tell her. Now, go before I carry you, because I think she'd have a lot of questions if I came in with you in my arms like a bride."
So, if you're put off by his frigid behavior now, just know that he does warm up a lot. He's not like Roan. He sees himself like a god of entertainment, not an authority. Roscrow's interested in more abstracts like wealth and status while Roan is in the dirt killing vampires and protecting people by... letting people die... yeah, he'll explain that part later. Roan likes to intimidate while Roscrow actually hates it. He was born horrifying to look at (the Q'Hu don't make cute babies) and he sees cowards everywhere he goes, while Roan has to force people to believe he is that same level of scary with actions. Thus, when we come down to it, Roscrow's really a "gentle" giant... even though he is perfectly capable of crushing the life out of a man with his bare hands and enjoying it, but that man will have deserved it, unlike Roan doing it and enjoying it just to maintain an image for the Seekers. Both men will have tender moments, but Roscrow is way less defensive about his softer side because he was raised human and wants to be seen as human, while Roan gets upset when called on it because softness can result in him being eaten alive among the other Seekers.
Just when I thought for a second I should take a break from these elves because I'm getting sick of them being difficult and not cooperating with me while other stories cry for attention, all three men (Roan is an honorary elf) decided to talk at once. I guess the threat of cutting them off entirely reminded all of them that these are my fingers and I get to tell them what to do... most of the time. Sometimes... occasionally... once in a while... Yeah, I'mma get back to writing since Kupper's staring me down right now with that impatient foot tapping....