WIP meme
Taken from a couple of people. And I'll try to use some that I didn't use last time. ^^;
Post a line or paragraph from one (or more!) of your works-in-progresses, and encourage your flist to do the same.
1. Gwen watches Arthur walk through the rain towards her, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, and wonders what he sees when he looks at her - whether he sees the friend or the wife, or if she seems as strange to him as he does to her at times.
2. Merlin had been in Camelot a week, acting as Gaius’ dogs body, and his only encounter with the prince had involved quite a lot of shoving (of a servant), knives (thrown at the servant as he tried desperately to get out of the way), and tackling (by the guards that shadowed Prince Arthur whenever he was in public).
3. Morgana Emrys-Fey met Arthur when she was angry with men, in general, her ex, Alvarr, in particular, and itching for a fight. Arthur seemed more than able to provide her with one, his sense of entitlement and elitism a perfect foil to her own scorned woman. (And if his build was similar to Alvarr’s, if his colouring reminded her of the man who’d actually lied and used and, ultimately, abandoned, that was just a lucky coincidence.)
4. The first day of kindergarten is a terrifying experience - ask any five-year-old. Or, well, ask any five-year-old’s mother. Jensen’s mom, for example, would tell you that her brave little man nearly let his chin wobble as she dropped him off with Mrs. Guerra for the first time.
5. Chisholm Trail was flat, dry, and ugly. There was nothing to recommend it, aside from tradition and the ease of keeping the herd fed and protected on a wide plain. It was still some of Arthur’s favorite land, away from the ranch and his father and half-sister and the constant expectations and pressures of being the one to inherit Camelot. Which was why he insisted on leading the drives.
And then there's something I can't remember writing, though I'm reasonably sure I did. And I don't know if I've posted it, or if it's even complete:
6. (Maybe...?)
He tells himself it doesn’t hurt, when the truth comes out. Tells himself it’s not a knife in his gut that Merlin looks so resigned, so tired and unwilling - unable? - to fight. When he orders him out and Merlin only asks, in a quiet voice, no anger or fight left, that he be allowed to pack, that Gaius not be held accountable, he tells himself it doesn’t hurt. And as he watches from the battlements, ignoring Morgana’s glares and Guinevere’s tears, his best friend walk away without a backwards glance, he tells himself he doesn’t regret pushing and pushing til Merlin gave up, gave in, stopped fighting (for) him. Arthur has always been good at lying, but never to himself.
Post a line or paragraph from one (or more!) of your works-in-progresses, and encourage your flist to do the same.
1. Gwen watches Arthur walk through the rain towards her, hands tucked into the pockets of his jacket, and wonders what he sees when he looks at her - whether he sees the friend or the wife, or if she seems as strange to him as he does to her at times.
2. Merlin had been in Camelot a week, acting as Gaius’ dogs body, and his only encounter with the prince had involved quite a lot of shoving (of a servant), knives (thrown at the servant as he tried desperately to get out of the way), and tackling (by the guards that shadowed Prince Arthur whenever he was in public).
3. Morgana Emrys-Fey met Arthur when she was angry with men, in general, her ex, Alvarr, in particular, and itching for a fight. Arthur seemed more than able to provide her with one, his sense of entitlement and elitism a perfect foil to her own scorned woman. (And if his build was similar to Alvarr’s, if his colouring reminded her of the man who’d actually lied and used and, ultimately, abandoned, that was just a lucky coincidence.)
4. The first day of kindergarten is a terrifying experience - ask any five-year-old. Or, well, ask any five-year-old’s mother. Jensen’s mom, for example, would tell you that her brave little man nearly let his chin wobble as she dropped him off with Mrs. Guerra for the first time.
5. Chisholm Trail was flat, dry, and ugly. There was nothing to recommend it, aside from tradition and the ease of keeping the herd fed and protected on a wide plain. It was still some of Arthur’s favorite land, away from the ranch and his father and half-sister and the constant expectations and pressures of being the one to inherit Camelot. Which was why he insisted on leading the drives.
And then there's something I can't remember writing, though I'm reasonably sure I did. And I don't know if I've posted it, or if it's even complete:
6. (Maybe...?)
He tells himself it doesn’t hurt, when the truth comes out. Tells himself it’s not a knife in his gut that Merlin looks so resigned, so tired and unwilling - unable? - to fight. When he orders him out and Merlin only asks, in a quiet voice, no anger or fight left, that he be allowed to pack, that Gaius not be held accountable, he tells himself it doesn’t hurt. And as he watches from the battlements, ignoring Morgana’s glares and Guinevere’s tears, his best friend walk away without a backwards glance, he tells himself he doesn’t regret pushing and pushing til Merlin gave up, gave in, stopped fighting (for) him. Arthur has always been good at lying, but never to himself.