WBW (Late) Ask!

WBW (Late) Ask!

Because this week has been rather crazy for me, I'm doing it this way- here goes my late WBW Ask for you guys <3

How has the world of your story shaped the hobbies your characters have and why? If they had been born in a different region of that same world, would their hobbies be different?

@writernopal, @aziz-reads, @rickie-the-storyteller, @jasperygrace, @clairelsonao3, @dancinginsepia, @gummybugg, @tabswrites, @exquisitecrow, @wardenred, @late-to-the-fandom, @your-absent-father, @chauceryfairytales and @elshells

Can you tell us more about Xarian from Tales of Wilted Flowers? If it's not too spoilery, how did he become an outlaw? What's his greatest desire? Biggest fear?

Yes! Thank you so much for the Ask, @clairelsonao3!!! <3

I adore talking about Xarian and his story, so here we go!

Can you tell us more about Xarian from Tales of Wilted Flowers?

Xarian is a deuteragonist/second protagonist in the story of Tales of Wilted Flowers, and a love interest to the actual MC, Lorelai Wildwood. He is also a fairy/fae.

He starts his story looking for a way to unbind himself from the sorcerer that had him captive for years, as even after his lucky escape, the villains are still tracking him down. After becoming an outlaw - I will explain that in a second, don't worry (; - Xarian seeks Lorelai's help, as her father's journal could just hold the answers the fairy needed. Soon after, they end up framed by the crown and have to run away, setting out to discover what is truly hiding behind their kingdom's seemingly perfect facade, if they want their freedoms back (and end up discovering the awakening of a mythical evil they must stop in the process).

This is the gist of the beginning of his tale in the book, as the story will then progress as they venture into this adventure together and recruit new friends for their quest. I can say that Xarian will be faced with a difficult/ill-fated decision at the end of Act 2, so keep an eye out for that when the time comes!

If it's not too spoilery, how did he become an outlaw?

Okay, onto the tricky part!

Xarian's true past is revealed gradually throughout the story, as he slowly grows to trust - and love - Lorelai enough to share his backstory and situation. (Some very specific events in his past are major spoilers, but those don't necessarily revolve around the way he became an outlaw).

So onto the beginning then! Let's see me try to avoid the major spoilers lol

Years before the main storyline starts, Xarian moved to the capital of their kingdom and trusted the wrong person. Trusting the wrong person destroyed his life (at least recent future prospects), and he found himself trapped in a magical "deal" with a powerful sorcerer seeking power in the lands (the main villain).

Growing tired of his situation, and after figuring out the sorcerer's plans, Xarian escaped after temporarily shattering the bond that held him prisoner and slipping away unnoticed. (The details as to how this worked are spoilers, and he tacitly leaves out most of those details when he explains his past the first time anyway).

But that's not how he became an outlaw.

Keeping a low profile and knowing his time was running out if he wanted to avoid being captured again, Xarian decided to do something reckless: breaking into the royal castle, and stealing something important, something that could give him the information he needed to stop the sorcerer.

The plan didn't quite go as planned (SPOILERS, and it had repercussions, not so great ones in fact), but Xarian was able to escape again, and this time he knew what he had to do (more precisely what he had to find) in order to defeat his worst enemy. But now, he was an outlaw, wanted in every city of the kingdom.

And this chain of events is what led him to Lorelai's old manor, in the first chapter of Tales of Wilted Flowers.

What's his greatest desire?

Xarian's greatest desire, throughout the entirety of the story, is to regain his complete freedom and to defeat (a.k.a have his revenge) the sorcerer who tried to destroy his life. But mostly, behind it all, he wants to just be able to be at peace again, like a normal person should. (After his and Lorelai's love story begins, Xarian really wants to be able to spend his life with her, like to actually be together as a couple, but they both know that the only way this can happen is if they defeat the villains first and get their lives back first).

Biggest fear?

Xarian's biggest fear is to be controlled or used, to become someone's puppet. He also fears being trapped or shackled in any way and is deeply afraid of seeing his friends and loved ones get hurt because of him (even though he rarely lets this show through his sassy and unbothered facade). He doesn't really fear much else (except maybe for spiders and other insects, but that's a small phobia).

+ BONUS! Because you told me to talk about him, and I love this character, here are three random facts about Xarian.

Xarian cannot sing. At all. He jokes that he sounds like a dying goose when he sings. He might do it proudly just to annoy Kaladin on the road when Kal has a hangover after drinking too many flagons of wine at a tavern. (While he does not sing he can play the lute very well, tho).

Before his life went to hell, Xarian wanted to be an alchemist and magical inventor in the kingdom's capital. He was (and still is) very talented and very passionate about the subject.

He is the kind of person to make genuinely funny comments/jokes while in a situation that definitely does not warrant funny comments (like while being chased by the acolytes of a sorcerer who wants to painfully kill them).

Songs and OC Ships Tag Game

Thank you so much for the tag, @dancinginsepia!

Rules: write two to five songs from them that represent your ship between your ocs (it can be platonic or romantic or a secret third thing). then add a quote from said WIP (if possible!) underneath it.

Because there are many ships in my main WIP The Last Wrath, I'll go with my favorite ship from my second main WIP, Tales of Wilted Flowers.

Xarian/Lorelai - WIP Tales of Wilted Flowers

Set in the fictional world of Ravaryn, this book follows the story of a fae outlaw and a human adventurer in their quest to clear both their names and get their lives back, while fighting an ancient evil the kingdoms tried to ignore.

(This book is still very early in the drafting process, so I don't have as many quotes as I would like. There will be a full excerpt here tho!)

Willow - Taylor Swift (Bardcore Cover by Hildegard Von Blingin)

Xarian and Lorelai meet by accident (or what one could call fate), and that encounter leads them to the adventure of their lives while they slowly fall in love. Not only do some of the lyrics in this song really fit this context, but the overall fantasy theme of the cover music suits the ship!

King and Lionheart - Of Monsters and Men

They're a very supportive couple, who are always there for each other and ready to take a stand to protect the other should they need to - even if it means facing their worst fears. Throughout the story, they become each other's best friends, forming a bond that cannot be broken easily.

Wild Uncharted Waters - Jonah Hauer-King

I think this song fits their romance so well! They took a while in the story to actually confess to one another that they are in love, plus Xarian actively tried to hide his feelings in fear that being with him would put Lorelai in more danger - but eventually, they realize that they are stronger together than apart (plus it's in the moments where they're far from one another that they realize how much they need one another). I think this song fits that moment of realization.

The Tragedy of Julian and Rosaline (Raney Shockne ft. Alina Gingertail)

The story of Xarian and Lorelai almost ends in a tragedy, especially when their pasts come to haunt them both. Luckily they were able to prevent it - unlike the events of this song. Still, I think that this song perfectly encompasses the feeling of that bit of the story - when all seemed to go wrong - plus, it has a perfect fairy-tale romance style that this ship is all about.

My Demons - STARSET

Both of them have "demons" in their pasts that haunt them throughout the story. For Xarian it is his time as a captive of a cruel sorcerer for years in his backstory. For Lorelai, it is her family's secrets. Both of them help each other when their pasts come back to destroy their current lives. This song has the perfect vibe for this!

For the Dancing and the Dreaming - HTTYD Soundtrack (Cover by Peter Hollens)

What can I say? I am a huge fan of HTTYD, and this song is one of the most beautiful romantic songs I ever heard. I think that the lyrics are pretty self-explanatory, and fit Xarian and Lorelai's story beautifully!

Quote/Excerpt

[...] "I have spent so much time running, from my past and ... from myself. Running away that horrid fate he said was mine. At the time, everything seemed so clear, so linear, my revenge so close I could almost taste it."

Xarian paused, glancing up at the starry sky with a hand reached out, before scowling, frustrated as he crossed his arms over his chest. There was a nervous edge to his voice, which wasn't there before, almost sorrowful.

"But now... I don't know. I don't know exactly who I am, or where I'm going - or even if we're going to make it out of this alive without bloodshed. I don't want to feel that pain again."

Lorelai listened, head tilted as she tried to think up an answer. She walked closer to where he was leaning over the parapet, looping her arm around his.

"How about... we figure this out together? There are many things I don't know as well, and any of our fates couldn't be less certain than what they are today. Gods know I am not one to speak about how things are going to end up." She spoke, playfully twirling with a small ribbon of her hair, before turning to Xarian, who met her eyes, unsure. "But if there's one thing this adventure has taught me, is that we can do anything. If we do it together. What do you say?"

Lorelai looked at him as Xarian considered her words. For a moment, she was afraid he would say no, that he'd withdraw, trying to solve everything alone as if it befell him to shoulder the world. He always wanted to help others, but never himself. But then, he smiled - a happy, genuine smile.

"I would like that, my love," Xarian said, moving gently so that he could hold her closer. "That would be ... perfect. I'm new to this, but I trust you - more than I trust myself, sometimes. With you beside me, I'm sure we'll find out all those answers, or at least some of them" [...]

Tagging (gently): @writernopal @chauceryfairytales, @clairelsonao3, @elshells, @exquisitecrow, @cabbojage, @aziz-reads, @rickie-the-storyteller and OPEN TAG

”Men think about the Roman Empire” “What’s the female version of the Roman Empire” SHUT UPPPPP. SHUT THE FUCK UPPPPPP. AS A WOMAN I LOVE THE ROMAN EMPIRE. AS A WOMAN I LOVE ANCIENT HISTORY AND BATTLES AND POLITICAL INSTABILITY. THE “GIRL VERSION OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE” IS THE ROMAN EMPIRE. IM GOING TO STAB YOU 23 TIMES

ok what’s your florence + the machine song. mine is rabbit heart (raise it up)<3