I'd Rather Die On My Feet ,

i'd rather die on my feet ,

then live on my knees .

❝ it feels like a world gone mad. ❞  ❝ there’s nothing you can do about it. ❞ ❝ you have always worn your flaws upon your sleeve. ❞ ❝ i was left to my own devices. ❞ ❝ these are the things we lost in the fire. ❞ ❝ i want you to be happier. ❞ ❝ this is how it feels to take a fall. ❞ ❝ now you’ll be missing from the photographs. ❞ ❝ i miss you more. ❞ ❝ i’ll be dancing at the funeral. ❞ ❝ i am the lesser of two evils. ❞ ❝ i will love you ‘til the end of time. ❞ ❝ words are all we have. ❞ ❝ i hear you calling in the dead of night. ❞ ❝ if you had your gun would you shoot it at the sky? ❞ ❝ will you come down at all? ❞ ❝ can you feel it? ❞ ❝ there’s an albatross around your neck. ❞ ❝ can you stand the person you’ve become? ❞ ❝ there’s a hole in my soul. ❞ ❝ i’ll see you in the future when we’re older. ❞ ❝ cross my heart and hope to die. ❞ ❝ we were lying in the middle of the road. ❞ ❝ well,  they always sounded empty. ❞ ❝ we made the best of what we had. ❞ ❝ now you carry it with you. ❞ ❝ so many people passed me by. ❞ ❝ you warmed me to my core and left me wanting more. ❞ ❝ now it follows me every day. ❞ ❝ i feel guilty. ❞ ❝ living without you is driving me insane. ❞

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS

What’s the lie your character says most often?

How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

What’s a hobby they used to have that they miss?

Can they cry on command? If so, what do they think about to make it happen?

What’s their favorite [insert anything] that they’ve never recommended to anyone before?

What would you (mun) yell in the middle of a crowd to find them? What would their best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?

If someone was impersonating them, what would friends / family ask or do to tell the difference?

What’s something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

When do they fake a smile? How often?

How do they put out a candle?

What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

What kinds of people do they have arguments with in their head?

What do they notice first in the mirror versus what most people first notice looking at them?

Who do they love truly, 100% unconditionally (if anyone)?

What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they’ve been avoiding?

Who do they like as a person but hate their work? Vice versa, whose work do they like but don’t like the person?

What common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still follow it?

What simple activity that most people do / can do scares your character?

What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn’t / don’t even remember?

Did they take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind of cookie was it?

What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

How would they respond to being fired by a good boss?

What’s the worst gift they ever received? How did they respond?

What do they tell people they want? What do they actually want?

How do they respond when someone doesn’t believe them?

When they make a mistake and feel bad, does the guilt differ when it’s personal versus when it’s professional?

When do they feel the most guilt? How do they respond to it?

If they committed one petty crime / misdemeanor, what would it be? Why?

How do they greet someone they dislike / hate?

How do they greet someone they like / love?

What is the smallest, morally questionable choice they’ve made?

Who do they keep in their life for professional gain? Is it for malicious intent?

What’s a secret they haven’t told serious romantic partners and don’t plan to tell?

What hobby are they good at in private, but bad at in front of others? Why?

Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

How do they respond to a loose handshake? What goes through their head?

What phrases, pronunciations, or mannerisms did they pick up from someone / somewhere else?

If invited to a TED Talk, what topic would they present on? What would the title of their presentation be?

What do they commonly misinterpret because of their own upbringing / environment / biases? How do they respond when realizing the misunderstanding?

What language would be easiest for them to learn? Why?

What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

Are they a listener or a talker? If they’re a listener, what makes them talk? If they’re a talker, what makes them listen?

Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

Who would they say ‘yes’ to if invited to do something they abhorred / strongly didn’t want to do?

Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

What’s a phrase they say a lot?

Do they act on their immediate emotions, or do they wait for the facts before acting?

Who would / do they believe without question?

What’s their instinct in a fight / flight / freeze / fawn situation?

What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

If they’re scared, who do they want comfort from? Does this answer change depending on the type of fear?

What’s a simple daily activity / motion that they mess up often?

How many hobbies have they attempted to have over their lifetime? Is there a common theme?

❝ have you tried mercenary work? ❞ ❝ whatever you need,  just say the word. ❞ ❝ staying safe,  i hope? ❞ ❝ i ain’t done nothin’! ❞ ❝ divines bless your kind heart. ❞ ❝ you look tired,  friend. ❞ ❝ i enjoy this work well enough,  but i’m ready to retire. ❞ ❝ hungry,  tired,  or just plain thirsty? ❞ ❝ my favourite drinkin’ buddy! ❞ ❝ take a good look around,  i’m sure you’ll find what you’re looking for. ❞ ❝ it’s a fine day with you around. ❞ ❝ i’d thank the gods,  but i’ll settle for thanking you. ❞ ❝ disrespect the law,  and you disrespect me. ❞ ❝ you’re that one from the college.  i’ve heard about you. ❞ ❝ i’d be a lot warmer and a lot happier with a belly full of mead. ❞ ❝ i used to be an adventurer like you. ❞ ❝ i took an arrow in the knee. ❞ ❝ may the gods watch over your battles,  friend. ❞ ❝ it’s not true what they say about you and ____,  is it? ❞ ❝ something has shifted in the moons,  sister/brother. ❞ ❝ they left me for dead.  i didn’t leave them. ❞ ❝ so,  you what?  fetch the mead? ❞ ❝ hands to yourself,  sneak thief! ❞ ❝ wait,  i know you! ❞ ❝ it’s so good to see you again. ❞ ❝ i hope this wind dies down a bit before tonight. ❞ ❝ every time i look at you my blood boils. ❞ ❝ i’d travel more,  but who wants to deal with all the soldiers these days? ❞ ❝ i need reliable people around. ❞ ❝ the gods gave you two hands,  and you use them both for your weapon. ❞

As if you were on fire from within. The moon lives in the lining of your skin.

Pablo Neruda

“I am a fool,” He muttered. “Being missed does not matter. Being the last one standing — the last man standing on the line between right and wrong — that matters.” | Tamlin, a ballad of thorns and roses chapter three | coming soon from positivelyruined