Beneath Their Masks Chapter 22 Is Up!

Beneath Their Masks Chapter 22 is Up!

Sorry it's so late. Better late than never? I guess?? Is it weird that I feel like these chapters are getting worse as time goes on? Maybe I'm just not vibing with the prompts or anything, but I dunno... Definitely not a good way to sell you on this chapter, but like, idk.

“Welcome to Akira Kurusu’s first official coffee workshop. We’re glad you all could make it.” Akira said, looking a little too proud of himself.

As a kind gesture, Akira had volunteered some of his time and expertise to show the Niijima household how to make a decent cup of coffee. After all, the best kinds of Christmas gifts were the ones you could actually use, right? …Ignoring that Christmas was months ago and Akira was a little busy being in prison to give anyone anything.

“Akira, we’re just hanging out. You don’t need to make this an official anything. ” Ann said, rubbing her eyes.

“Ok, fine, I’m embellishing a little. Sue me.”

“Is that turn of phrase in poor taste?” Sae said. “I mean, you did get sued. That’s why you’re even in Tokyo to begin with.”

“It’s not if I’m the one who says it. That's how it works.“

“I can’t believe we’re already off track…” Makoto said under her breath.

“I have to ask, though. Why am I here again?” Sae said, chin resting on her hand. “While I appreciate the gesture, I already know how to make coffee.”

“While that may be true, Sae-san, you still insist on using that single serve coffee maker and I can’t abide by that.” Akira said, shuddering at the thought. “I was like you, once. Blind. Blind to the wonders of well-made coffee and the effects it has on the soul.”

Sae blinked.

“Also, you were already here. Makoto was the one who asked me to show her, but I don’t mind a larger audience.”

“The coffee I make helps keep me awake, so I don’t think there’s any issue with it.”

“Caffeine doesn’t work on me, so the taste is pretty important.” Akira deadpanned. “Besides, knowing how to make good coffee is paramount to a good relationship…at least, that’s what Sojiro tells me. Basically, this is like one of those couples painting classes. Except you get to have something to drink afterwards.”

“Yusuke would beg to differ.” Ann pointed out.

“Just because Yusuke accidentally drinks paint water sometimes, that doesn’t make it alright. The opposite is true, in fact.” Akira said, shaking his head.

hey could y'all do me a favour?

Reblog if you're okay with "weird" compliments on your stuff!

things like "biting this" and such

One of the best tips for writing descriptions of pain is actually a snippet I remember from a story where a character is given a host of colored pencils and asked to draw an egg.

The character says that there’s no white pencil.  But you don’t need a white pencil to draw a white egg.  We already know the egg is white.  What we need to draw is the luminance of the yellow lamp and the reflection of the blue cloth and the shadows and the shading.

We know a broken bone hurts.  We know a knife wound hurts.  We know grief hurts.  Show us what else it does.

You don’t need to describe the character in pain.  You need to describe how the pain affects the character - how they’re unable to move, how they’re sweating, how they’re cold, how their muscles ache and their fingers tremble and their eyes prickle.

Draw around the egg.  Write around the pain.  And we will all be able to see the finished product.

Beneath Their Masks Chapter 21 is Up!

There we go, now I'm caught up. Don't expect this kind of thing to happen again anytime soon. I'll definitely be even later next time, especially during the week. We'll see what happens, I guess. But I've been writing for like 5 hours so I'm gonna call it for today. Whatever happens, happens.

“Oh, I think this is a good spot.” Ann said, pointing to one of the empty picnic tables.

“It’s looking a little cloudy, Ann. Are you sure today was the best day to spend at the park?”

Makoto said, looking up at the overcast sky. “I think it’s supposed to rain.”

“It’s not supposed to rain until later tonight.” Ann said, setting the stereotypical picnic basket on the table. “You worry too much. Now come on, the food should still be warm.”

Ann opened the picnic basket and Makoto peered in. She expected to see wrapped bento boxes, but inside the basket was…

“Take out?”

“Yes?”

“Given the picnic basket, I would’ve expected something home-cooked. I’m not complaining, it’s just a funny visual.”

“Eheh, well I uh, kind of waited til the last minute to prepare for today. Besides, ramen just sounded good today. Alright, let’s dig in!”

Ann removed the containers from the basket and set it down beside her. Ann then removed the lids from the ramen containers and poured the broth, which was packed separately, into each of the waiting bowls.

“If only cooking was actually this easy. Well, alright, it’s ready now. Let’s eat!”

Beneath Their Masks Chapter 17 is Up!

I'm of the opinion that learning how to give basic massages is a useful skill. At least learning how to rub feet and shoulders is a good place to start. Back massages are a bit more technical, but you can learn it with enough practice and research, I think. I also just realized that this is another case of Makoto trying to learn a new skill to please Ann, and I can't decide if that's flanderization or not. Hm. I feel like that would be Makoto's love language, though. I dunno.

“We can heal all we want in the Metaverse, but that fatigue never seems to go away. My muscles are killing me.” Ann said, rubbing her shoulder for emphasis. “It used to be really bad when we all first started, but it’s a lot better now. It still kinda sucks.”

“I understand what you mean. It’s even worse when I have to get up the next morning. Sitting up in bed is a task in itself.”

“I know, right?”

“You know…” Makoto trailed off, rubbing her hands together to keep warm. A distraction from her nervousness, if Ann had to guess. “If you would like for me to give you a massage…I wouldn’t mind.”

Ann blinked.

“Sorry, could you run that by me one more time? It sounded like you just asked me if I wanted a-”

“A massage. Yes, I did. Akira mentioned how he receives massages regularly. I thought it might be a good idea. And well…I’m decently strong…so…”

“Say no more. I’m on board.”