Jadeglas - Tumblr Posts
Wow, it's been a hot minute since I was last here in an interacting, not lurking way, but let's try this again!
I'm Jade, a 30-something year old mama and storyteller cleverly disguised as a grown ass woman. I have trouble with consistency and I hate being in charge, but I promise I can tell a good story.
Things have been gradually getting to be too much over the past ... 8 or 9 months or so? I have a bad habit in which I'll set reasonable goals and schedules for myself, get bored at the difficulty level, and start increasing the intensity of too many things, too quickly, without giving myself time to adjust to anything properly, and then wonder why I feel like I'm drowning. It's something I'm working on.
There's this app called Sprout? It helps. You get a cute bird friend to help encourage you to complete tasks and take care of yourself. Message me if you're on Sprout, too, and you want a friend!
So yeah, I'm a mama first, always. I started working part time at my youngest gremlin's preschool, but I'll be backing off that a little bit soon, so that should give me a consistent day to create.
My original stories that I first started telling everyone about? They've changed so much! I have a different structure, now, and so many potential new stories to write. The same premise, though - A world in which a small portion of the population has superpowers. A country in which you either register your superpowers with the government so that you can use them legally (sanctioned), or don't register them, gaining the title non-Sanctioned, and risk imprisonment or worse if you're found out. And of course, the theme to the series is action/thriller romance in which the villain (or vigilante) gets the girl, because heroes are nice and all, but at the end of the day, don't you want someone willing to burn the world down just to see you smile? I'll go on more about it in another post, don't want to make this one drag on too long.
Oh! And I started a business, bc of course I didn't have enough I was trying to do already, but it's already registered and legal and everything, even if I don't have my own website up yet. I've been learning about how to put websites together, so if you have any questions about that, feel free to drop a question to me! Once I get over the imposter syndrome, I'll be wanting to work with authors, especially romance authors, and I know Squarespace best, but I know a lot of "best practice" stuff that's helpful for any platform, too.
So yeah, if any of this peaks your interest, feel free to say hi. Like I said, I'm inconsistent and trying to work out why I'm not getting notifications that people have been messaging me? I set an alarm to help me remember to check that regularly, so communication should improve (if you have messaged me and are waiting on a response, I'm so sorry!)
And if you're a writer, too, tell me about what you're working on! I like most stuff and I'll be happy to gush about your fic with you, fan or oc!
Take care of yourself, ok?
~ Jade
Are you ready to hear about my stories? Bc I'm about to start gushing about them. Info dump beneath the "read more".
Ok, like I said in the re-introduction, this will be an ongoing series of action/thriller romance stories. It'll start off m/f, but I'm willing to branch into other pairings if there's interest (I'm either bi or pan, myself, so I don't mind, I'm just trying to figure out what my audience is into and m/f is a good place to start).
I consider these stories dark, but not "dark romance" dark, if that makes sense. Think... Soft yandere - her health and happiness is always his highest priority, and he's happy to destroy anything that might get in the way of either of those. Lots of stalking, invasion of privacy, making decisions about her life without consulting her, but no violence towards her and little, if any, kidnapping of her. Plenty of violence regarding anyone deemed a threat to her, though.
For those who didn't catch the re-introduction, a small percentage of the world's population has superpowers. Think One Piece-style: if you have a power, you only get the one and it's up to you how you use it. No one else has your exact power, but it doesn't mean they can't do some of the things you can do (for example, flying bc you can control your personal gravity, vs flying bc you can control your personal density).
In the USA, the government says you must register your powers if you want to be able to use them legally. If you do this, you're called a sanctioned and everything's good. If you don't do this (no matter the reasoning), you're labeled "non-sanctioned", classified a criminal (if they catch you), and face imprisonment or worse if they catch you using your powers. Anyone with no powers is called a civilian.
All my male leads will be non-sanctioned. Some will be criminals/villains and others will be vigilantes - expect a lot of grey morality with some genuine evil thrown in sometimes, just to keep things fresh. All of my female leads will be either sanctioned or civilian. (Obviously, this set up will change if I start branching out of the m/f dynamic).
My city that I'll set everything in is San Padua! Definitely not based on San Antonio, TX, I don't know where you would even get the idea to ask that, how oddly specific and random! I take creative liberties often, but I'm trying to keep the details organized as I create them to minimize confusion and loop holes later.
My criminal underworld is going to be more similar to the John Wick stuff than it will be to anything in the DC or MCU and it's growing slowly as I get ideas for different couples. There's not so much a Justice League or Avengers group, as there is a Sanctioned Supers Division of San Padua's police department.
I'm excited because it's starting to feel real - like a place I could actually go to myself, so please feel free to ask questions! And it's ok to call me out if I give conflicting info! I'm serious about making this as realistic as I can, so staying consistent with what I've already established is important to me.
^ This, but also the logical understanding that posting twice in one day after a small eternity of silence will not earn views, and hence not earn the happy chemical, versus the compulsion to keep refreshing until you see proof of a reaction.
the ever terrifying and exhausting cycle of “i don’t want to share my writing bc it feels disheartening when not many people are interested in it” and “i have to post the writing for people to become interested in it”
Hi jadeglas! Do you prefer OC, fanfiction, or a little bit of both?
I for one enjoy writing both, but have been on an Original Story kick for a few months. I’d love to learn more about your supernatural romance if you want to divulge ✨
First, I'm sorry for taking so ever-loving-long to respond to this, but thank you so much for asking in the first place!
Second, the answer is both.
I learned to write via fan fiction (hello being 9 years old and writing yourself into your favorite cartoon show! I'm not the only one who did that, right?), and while OC is harder, it feels more rewarding in certain ways. I still "cheat" tbh, though -- especially with characters. My character creation process tends to be along the lines of:
I need a villain/mentor/bestie for this character right here
Who (other people's fictional characters) do I know who's personality would fit this?
*mentally fusses over finding the perfect personality for a small eternity*
Alright, this person is going to be based on Nori from The Hobbit, but specifically the version of Nori that I read in that one fanfic written by that one writer that I swoon for no matter what they post.
*makes adjustments to the character so they fit the setting and situation*
*continues writing*
It's just faster. It's like wanting to eat muffins. Yes, I COULD make them from scratch, but my free time is limited, so I'll just use store bought this time.
And omg omg omg - I'm about to set up a Master-list post thing on my page so that as I randomly gush about different characters and topics and storylines in my world, it actually remains semi-easy to follow along with the particular parts you're actually interested in!
And thank you so much for the ask again!
MASTER LIST
The point of this list is to help folks find whatever aspect of my stuff that they like, but faster (bc sometimes we don't have the time to doom scroll forever to find that one scene you want to show your friend).
Villains & Vigilantes
Assorted
First ramble (soft yandere romances in a One Piece meets John Wick setting)
Opposite genre (wtf is the opposite of romance?)
Commercial break (for the series, bc I wasn't thinking)
Characters
Antagonists
Viper (this corpsefucker, right here), (more details)
Mains
Mia (main details)
Nico (main details)
Cora (main details), (speech patterns)
Diesel (main details), (speech patterns)
Supports
The Edge (Dana), (Buck)
Marek (main details), (speech patterns)
Jai (main details), (friendship dynamics), (speech patterns)
Lore
Settings
San Padua (legit side), (criminal underworld)
The Edge
Stories
Mia's Arrival (exploratory, learning Mia's voice)
Timelines
Fan Fiction
MCU
Overwatch
Website Shenanigans
Best practices
Copy (words for website)
Site specific
And so on...
Asks
The Golden Comet (from months ago, I cry pardon)
Updates
Reintroduction
No sacrificing of toddlers to the old gods
Bc none of my hooligans told me not to
Writeblr Things
Emotions don't want to logic
So many details to share
How to find player characters
Intimidating myself
Hacks for being social when you forget how
I am weak
I'll try to add to this every time I add a post, but consistency is troublesome, so please be patient.
Villains & Vigilantes is an action/thriller, romance series! I think it technically counts as a fantasy series, if we're looking at actual pre-established romance sub-categories??? Like, urban fantasy? I'm not sure - Superpowered Romance is not it's own subcategory (yet), but I'm working on it. Mostly, I'm addicted to the idea of being in love with a dangerous person who's so gentle with you/me/the mc, while also being more than willing to destroy whole worlds to keep you/me/the mc happy and healthy.
Opposite genre... that's tricky. Opposite of superpowered would be... contemporary? Like, normal and mundane, everyday life, right? And opposite of action/thriller would be... slice of life? Maybe? And opposite of romance would be... not romance? So, if V&V were suddenly Opposited, it would look something like:
Contemporary (ie, no superpowers)
Slice of life (ie, not action/thriller)
... Not romance? (wtf would qualify as "not romance" genre?)
Oh! So maybe it would be about a community of individuals who navigate various non-romantic relationships, each book focusing on the everyday lives of a single character or two at a time? It sounds fun and cozy, but definitely not my style to write (consistently, anyway)
Let's learn a bit more about your story. Let's learn a bit more about your story is NOT.
Share the genre of your story here. Tell everyone why you picked that genre. What part makes you most excited?
Then take a moment and think about what your story would look like if it was the complete OPPOSITE genre, and share a few thoughts about it!
OMG, so now we're going to talk about Viper. (this corpsefucker right here)
So, the first story I'm writing is (planned to be) a little 40k word novella about Mia (no powers) and Nico (echolocation). Mia has been on the run from Viper for nearly a decade now (our girl is resourceful af!).
Viper is bad news. He's the chief enforcer for the Fayetteville, NC, crime syndicate (no hate, it's just that my husband lived there for a while before we met, so if I have questions about the location, I can ask him) and he's known for his cruel and ruthless tactics. He has no super powers of his own, but will often lead teams of non-sanctioned supers, which is pretty impressive in the underworld.
Mia's parents owed the Fayetteville syndicate big time, and ended up promising Mia to the syndicate to help pay off their debt. Mia caught word of this right before she was "collected" and thus started her life on the run. Viper took this as a personal insult, of course, and has been obsessively hunting for Songbird (his "affectionate" nickname for Mia) ever since. Word is that he'll pay really well for accurate information that will help him track his Songbird down.
Let’s take a moment and talk about the villain in your story! Is it a person? An obstacle that needs to be overcome? A big fat CLOSING SOON sign on the front of your favorite video store?
This is the hardest part of writing! Especially if you do something like, casually make the antagonist a background character in the main character's every day life! Like, yes, this barista never gets MC's order wrong or name misspelled, but it's for REASONS!!!
Or, yes, this seems like such an innocent friendship now, but they don't understand the politics and the machinations around them and neither do you, reader! You will weep later!
it’s so hard to post a snippet and refrain from adding 500 words of context. the need to explain is so strong
No, but this is how you find the other player characters in the world! Legitimately!
So, no offense to anyone, but I have trouble caring about every person in the world - I don't have the energy or emotional bandwidth for that. So people I love and care about and vibe with are "real", they're player characters. Everyone else is an NPC, and I'll mind my manners and be friendly and I hope they have wonderful, fulfilling lives that are as gentle and kind to them as possible, but they aren't real to me they can't be. I can't handle it.
So when you write the stories you want to read - the characters that are brave the way that makes you feel alive, the scenes that crush your soul and break your heart, that's how you find your people. The folks who swoon over your words and weep for your characters, those are your people! They'll understand you and they'll speak your language and they'll accept you in a way that will leave your hands trembling and your face hiring from his hard you're grinning.
Everyone else is just an NPC, the trolls and even the folks who just don't get it.
So yeah, write to discover yourself, bc you will, and write to heal yourself, bc you will - but don't stop sharing your writing, don't stop opening up, bc someone else will discover parts of themselves they never realized were there BC you shared your words. And they'll love you for it.
The problem with writing romance, and not specifically romance where the sex happens, but any romance is...
Whether you intend it or not, you're interests are in there. Your desires are laid bare. What you lust for, perhaps, what attracts (and doesn't) certainly but more what you long for in a relationship and what frightens you away from one.
Everyone who reads it will know more about you than you probably want. You will learn more about you than you probably want.
This is true for all writing, but for some reason the intimate nature of relationships (both romantic and not, because you'll find those out too) is a bit more painful to broadcast.
And I am not simply talking about stories where romance is the entire point. I mean any stories with relationship dynamics to deal with.
You smash those dolls together, you have fun breaking hearts, but just remember what little doors in your own you are opening as you do.
Or the realization that you are what you write is going to hit you like a brick.
Tobias "Viper" Maretti
Backstory:
Tobias Maretti grew up on the rough streets of Fayetteville, and became involved in the city's powerful crime syndicate at a young age. With a natural talent for cruelty and viciousness, he rapidly rose through the ranks, earning the nickname "Viper" for his venomous tactics and ruthless ability to eliminate any opposition.
At 42 years old, Viper is now the syndicate's most feared enforcer, tasked with handling their most difficult jobs and retrieving high-value targets. He takes a sadistic pleasure in hunting down those who have crossed the syndicate, relishing the opportunity to make them suffer.
When Mia's parents failed to pay back their gambling debt, the syndicate leader ordered Viper to take their daughter as collateral. However, Mia managed to escape before he could apprehend her. This infuriated Viper, who sees her act of defiance as a personal insult to his prowess.
As Viper searches for Mia, he refers to her as Songbird. His search is quiet and subtle, but he does offer a significant reward for accurate information about her.
For years, he patiently followed her trail, expanding his network and influence until he could pick up any crumb of knowledge about her, no matter how small. Recently, he uncovered a lead on her whereabouts in San Padua, Texas, and has been dispatched to retrieve her at all costs. Not only is it a matter of pride for both himself and the Fayetteville syndicate, but Viper also intends to make an example out of Mia to reinforce the syndicate's unforgiving stance on disloyalty.
Personality:
Viper is an obsessive and vicious man who revels in inflicting pain and suffering. He is cunning, patient, and views his targets as nothing more than prey to be toyed with before the kill. Arrogant and cruel, he believes himself to be untouchable and unstoppable.
In contrast to his brutal nature, Viper maintains an outward appearance of refinement - always impeccably dressed in fine suits with slicked-back hair and a bemused smile. This superficial charm adds an unsettling element, as it's never clear when his façade will slip to reveal the monster lurking beneath.
While not a super himself, Viper employs a small team of non-sanctioned mercenaries with various abilities to augment his ruthless tactics. He is an expert at exploiting others' powers for his own gain through manipulation, coercion or brute force. His crew's fear of crossing him is only eclipsed by the thrill they get from the vicious jobs he assigns.
With each new assignment, Viper seeks to outdo himself, making his revenge on Mia a priority that will surely live up to his blood-soaked reputation. Her continued evasion has become an obsession that he will stop at nothing to resolve, no matter how many bodies he has to leave in his wake.
Physical Description:
Viper is a study in contrasts - outwardly impeccably dressed in bespoke suits with slicked-back silver hair, but his cold, lifeless eyes hint at the vicious monster lurking underneath. At 6 feet tall and solidly built, he moves with a deliberate, coiled menace like a serpent about to strike its prey. Viper's ageless face is locked in a perpetual bemused smirk that's more unsettling than comforting.
Mia Brooks
(Sleepsong by Bastille)
Mia is a young woman, about 29 years old, with no superpowers. She has lived in San Padua for about six months when "Mia's Echo" begins, working as a bartender at The Edge, a run-down dive bar in the Old Quarter.
Her appearance is striking but understated. She has olive skin, a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheekbones, and dark mahogany hair that falls in waves past her shoulders, which is kept tied back while she's working.
Physically, Mia stands at 5'6" and is lean and toned from years of hard work and constant motion. She fidgets subtly when she's still and moves with a quiet determination, her gait purposeful but unobtrusive. She carries herself with a quiet, weary grace, and her posture is often slightly hunched as if ready to duck into the shadows. Her amber-brown eyes are alert and calculating, constantly scanning her surroundings. The dark circles underneath them hint at years of interrupted sleep and constant vigilance. Her hands are slightly rough, with short, clean nails, and littered with faded scars from rough living.
Mia's face bears the soft lines of youth, but her eyes tell a story of hardship and wariness. There's an underlying attractiveness to her features, and yet she's adept at blending into the background, at not drawing attention to herself. Her clothing is practical and unremarkable, chosen for durability and ease of movement rather than style.
Emotionally, Mia is guarded and keeps people at arm's length. She struggles to form deep connections with others, fearing that letting anyone get too close could lead to heartbreak or danger. Years of being on the run have made her incredibly resourceful and quick to adapt to new situations, but they've also left her constantly looking over her shoulder and given her a fear of staying in one place for too long.
Mia lives in a sparse, unfurnished efficiency apartment near The Edge. Her living space reflects her readiness to flee at a moment's notice - she sleeps on an inflatable mattress, keeps her clothing and personal items neatly stacked on the ground, and has a backpack always at hand, packed with necessities. Her food supply is minimal and consists mostly of items requiring little preparation.
To avoid drawing attention to herself, Mia strives to be the perfect employee, often taking on extra shifts or tasks to please her bosses. She carries unresolved guilt about leaving her parents behind, even though she had to for her survival, and has a cynical worldview, always expecting the worst from people and situations. Despite her hardened exterior, Mia has a soft spot for those who are struggling or downtrodden. She also has a hidden love of singing, which she only allows herself to indulge in when she's sure she's alone. She often unconsciously hums to herself when she's stressed as a way to self-soothe. This talent becomes a pivotal element in the story, as it first draws Nico's attention to her.
Mia grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where her parents' chronic gambling addiction brought her into contact with the city's powerful crime syndicate at an early age. Her mother was a beautiful woman who fell into a spiral of depression and alcohol abuse after a difficult childbirth. Her father worked multiple jobs, but could never resist the siren call of the underground card rooms and racetracks run by the syndicate's associates. As Mia grew older, she took on more and more responsibility caring for herself and her parents' home, watching her childhood slip away. The syndicate frequently sent thugs to collect on her father's mounting debts through intimidation and violence. As her 19th birthday neared, Mia's parents made a desperate deal - she would become collateral, forced to work for the syndicate until their debt was repaid through her labor. Mia spent months planning an escape, realizing her parents were too enslaved by their vices to ever break free. On her 19th birthday, she slipped out in the dead of night with little more than the clothes on her back. For years, she drifted across the country, taking odd jobs and constantly looking over her shoulder, the nightmares about being dragged back to that life always looming over her. Finally, she found herself bartending at The Edge in San Padua's Old Quarter six months ago.
Mia's biggest regret about her life on the run is losing touch with Emma Tanner, her childhood best friend. Emma's life wasn't easy either, with a single mother who worked too many jobs just to keep the two of them afloat, but she was bright and cheerful, stubborn in a way that kept hope alive in Mia's heart. No matter how bleak Mia's home life became, Emma never quit believing that Mia would find a way out and make a better life for herself. Whenever the bleak realities of spending too much time on the run threaten to overwhelm Mia, she turns to her memories of Emma, finding refuge in the friend who never let her give up.
Mia's sharp observation skills mean she's aware that Nick, a newer regular at The Edge, watches her sometimes. Although she was wary when she first realized it, his calm, quiet presence and respectful demeanor have slowly won her over. She appreciates that he tips well, too. The fact that he's handsome, with sharp features and intense eyes, doesn't hurt, either.
At the beginning of "Mia's Echo," Mia's central flaw is her belief that she doesn't deserve happiness or stability and that caring for others (or letting others care for her) is dangerous. She's convinced herself that she can only rely on herself and that letting anyone get close will only lead to pain and betrayal.
At the story's start, Mia is unaware that her past is catching up with her. She's still haunted by nightmares and the fear of being found by the Fayetteville crime syndicate she escaped from nearly a decade ago. She's also oblivious to Nico's growing obsession with her, setting the stage for the dramatic events to unfold.
Nico "Echo" Silva
(The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game by Massive Attack)
Nico "Echo" Silva is a 32-year-old non-sanctioned super living on the fringes of San Padua's underworld. He's a solitary figure known for his work as a shadow operative - a man who can get things done efficiently and discreetly, no questions asked.
Nico's most defining feature is his unique power of echolocation. This ability allows him to navigate and "see" using reflected sound, creating a constant overlay of sensory information that blends with his normal vision. This power has shaped both his professional life and how he perceives and interacts with the world around him. This power is always active, providing a constant stream of sensory information, appearing as a translucent, shifting web of lines and shapes that outlines objects and people in his environment. The echolocation imagery becomes more pronounced in noisy environments, obscuring his normal vision. In busy streets or crowded places, Nico sees a chaotic, pulsing landscape of sound-generated shapes overlaying the visual world. In quiet environments, the echolocation overlay becomes subtler, allowing Nico to see the world more normally. This leads him to prefer quiet spaces and times of day when there's less ambient noise. Nico's perception is a blend of sight and sound; his unique powers no longer allow him to separate the two senses fully. Still, they compensate for this by giving him an acute awareness of his surroundings, including objects and people out of his line of sight. This is how he "feels" the space around him, even with his eyes closed. In particularly noisy environments, Nico experiences sensory overload - the cacophony of visual noise, making it difficult for him to focus or navigate. Over time, though, Nico has developed control over his power, learning to focus on specific sounds or filter out others. He refers to this as "tuning" his perception, like adjusting the dial on a radio. In his work, Nico uses his echolocation to navigate in complete darkness, detect hidden threats, or eavesdrop on conversations from afar. Nico's unique way of perceiving the world contributes to his feelings of isolation. He also perceives people differently based on their voices or the sounds they make. A person's laugh and the cadence of their speech create distinct, recognizable patterns in his echolocation overlay. These two factors help explain his attraction to Mia's voice - her singing creates beautiful and soothing patterns in his echolocation vision.
Physically, Nico is an imposing presence at 6'2" with an athletic frame honed by years of combat and survival. His olive-toned, sun-weathered skin bears the marks of his dangerous lifestyle, with various scars crisscrossing his arms and torso. His face is strikingly handsome, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline, though a crooked nose hints at a violent past. His chestnut brown eyes are always alert and wary, constantly scanning his surroundings. His black hair is kept short. His hands are calloused and scarred, with long, dexterous fingers equally adept at wielding a weapon or picking a lock. His movements are fluid and purposeful, every step calculated and nearly silent. Despite his attractive features, an air of danger about him tends to keep others at a distance. His default expression is guarded, bordering on grim, with a tension in his jaw and shoulders that speaks of constant vigilance.
Born to Brazilian immigrants, Nico Silva's unique echolocation abilities manifested during a traumatic household accident when he was 8 years old. During a season of heavy rains, a flash flood hit the community of South American immigrants where Nico's family lived with a powerful rush of water that destroyed both properties and lives. Nico's powers allowed him to navigate through the murky water and find an escape route, while his parents and neighbors struggled in the fast-moving currents. His ability to "see" using reflected sound undoubtedly saved his life that day, but it came at a steep cost - his parents were gravely injured and never looked at their son the same way again. As a child, Nico was shunned, called a freak, and treated as an outcast in his neighborhood. The isolation and anger bred a fierce self-reliance and combative nature that landed him in juvie repeatedly as a teenager living on the streets. It was there that he first learned how to weaponize his powers for personal gain and protection.
Before encountering Mia, Nico lived a life of detached professionalism. He prided himself on his ability to remain emotionally uninvolved in his work, viewing attachments as dangerous liabilities. His reputation in the criminal underworld was that of a reliable, efficient operative who could be trusted to get the job done without unnecessary complications.
Nico's personal life was sparse and transient. He indulged only in fleeting physical pleasures, never allowing anyone to get close enough to breach the walls he'd built around himself. His apartment, while comfortable, was more of a base of operations than a home, reflecting his nomadic and guarded lifestyle.
Despite his hardened exterior, Nico adhered to a personal code of ethics. He avoided jobs that involved harming children and had a particular distaste for those who preyed on the vulnerable. This moral compass, however subtle, set him apart from many of his peers in the criminal world.
Professionally, Nico was at the top of his game. His unique abilities made him an asset to various factions in San Padua's underworld, allowing him to choose his jobs carefully and maintain a degree of independence rare in his line of work.
However, beneath his carefully constructed facade of detachment and control, Nico carried deep-seated emotional scars. Years of isolation and the nature of his work had left him feeling disconnected from the world around him. He had long since resigned himself to a life lived in the shadows, never expecting to find any form of genuine connection or emotional fulfillment.
Nico notices Mia when he overhears her singing one night as she's cleaning up The Edge after closing. He's enchanted by her voice and quickly develops intensely obsessive and possessive feelings for her. This obsession starts three months before the start of the story.
While he would never harm her, and he considers her health and happiness his highest priority, he has become jealous and protective of her to an alarming extent. When the story begins, he's comfortable, sometimes even eager, to violently punish those he deems a threat to Mia. He hasn't revealed his feelings to Mia yet, but he has been following her, protecting her, and otherwise discreetly invading her privacy. He's also become a regular at The Edge to get closer to her, and Mia knows him as Nick when he's there. In Mia, Nico hears the tenderness and beauty he's been so starved of - a resonance that echoes into the dark crevices of his calloused heart. For the first time in a long while, he feels genuinely compelled to use his gifts for something other than self-preservation. Mia represents light in his perpetual darkness; he'll risk everything to keep her safe.
Nico's central flaw is his belief that love and connection require control and invasion of privacy. He believes the only way to keep someone safe and show love is through constant surveillance and intervention, without their knowledge or consent. This stems from his own trauma and isolation, but it's ultimately harmful and unsustainable.
So.... Just had a bonding moment with a new mutual (I think we're mutuals now) about how awesome crazy antagonists are (like Joker), and I provided a vague example based on a fanfic that I collaborated on ages ago, and they asked what the fic was, and then I had to explain my 120k+ unfinished monstrosity and then I had to wade back into it to find where the juicy POV actually started, and I just...
If you've written fanfic and are now starting OC, it's ok to be terrified that your OC will never be as good as your fanfic. That fanfic was a collaboration, whether you realize it or not. Bare minimum, you were working with the original artist (without them knowing) to create your fanfic. Best case scenario, you colab'd with a whole fandom, soaking in ideas and perspectives and head cannons that molded how you perceived these fictional folks - and if you're super lucky, you got to write that story with a dear friend.
With your OC, it all comes from you - that's why you've got to start sharing it! Find a friend, tell your mutuals, shout to the void. Bc you wrote that way once - so real that these characters that don't even exist felt more vivid and alive to you than some of your favorite memories. You did that, with help, but you were putting the words together, you were at the helm. And they weren't just that alive to you - everyone who followed your journey writing that fanfic, reading it, waiting on pins and needles for the next post? It was real to them, too.
So keep pushing, keep writing, keep sharing. Bc one day your OC will be just as real, just as vivid - it just feels harder bc there's fewer folks helping right now.
San Padua, Texas
A fictional city based on San Antonio, Texas. This city exists in a world where a small fraction of the human population has superpowers. San Padua is exceptional in that it has a larger concentration of people with superpowers than many other areas of the country.
Overview
San Padua is a sprawling metropolitan city, known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and thriving economy. However, it’s also a city where unpredictability reigns due to the presence of individuals with superpowers, often referred to as "supers."
Social Dynamics
Sanctioned Supers:
Those who have registered their powers with the government. They are allowed to use their abilities legally and often work in law enforcement, private security, or as corporate operatives.
Public Perception: Generally viewed as protectors, though some civilians fear their power and the potential for abuse.
Corporate Roles: Many sanctioned supers work as private security or corporate operatives, often blurring the lines between public duty and private interest.
Non-Sanctioned Supers:
Those who refuse or fail to register their powers. They are considered criminals and face arrest or worse if caught using their abilities. Many operate in the city's underworld.
Underground Communities: Many non-sanctioned supers live in close-knit groups, offering mutual protection and support.
Public Sentiment: Seen as a threat to public order by some, while others view them as freedom fighters resisting oppressive government control.
Civilians:
Regular people without superpowers. They navigate a city where the extraordinary is commonplace and often view both sanctioned and non-sanctioned supers with a mix of awe and apprehension.
Superpower Adaptation: Civilians have developed ways to coexist with supers, including superpower insurance and emergency protocols for super-related incidents.
Community Leaders: Influential civilians often mediate between supers and the general public, advocating for safety and cooperation.
City Layout
Downtown District:
The heart of San Padua, filled with skyscrapers, corporate headquarters, and high-end boutiques. This area is heavily patrolled and monitored to maintain order.
Skyward Plaza: The tallest skyscraper housing various corporate headquarters, including tech giants and financial firms. It's a symbol of the city's economic power.
Riverwalk Promenade: A scenic area by the river with upscale restaurants and shops, frequented by both tourists and business professionals.
Old Quarter:
A historic part of the city with cobblestone streets, antique shops, and old architecture. It’s a popular tourist spot but also a haven for non-sanctioned supers due to its labyrinthine alleys.
Heritage Square: A central plaza surrounded by historic buildings, often hosting cultural festivals and markets.
Alchemist’s Alley: A narrow street known for its mysterious shops selling rare artifacts and potions, often frequented by both supers and curious civilians.
Catacombs: An underground network below the Old Quarter, rumored to be used by non-sanctioned supers for secret meetings.
Tech Hub:
An area dedicated to tech companies, startups, and research facilities. It's where cutting-edge technology meets superpower research and development.
Innovation Park: A sprawling campus housing leading tech companies and startups, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and competition.
GenTech Labs: A premier research facility focused on the study and development of superpower technologies and enhancements.
Cyber Nexus: A central hub for tech enthusiasts, featuring co-working spaces, cafes, and event venues for tech meetups and hackathons.
Industrial Zone:
Located on the outskirts, this area contains factories, warehouses, and shipping yards. It's gritty and often the scene of underground activities.
Ironworks Foundry: A massive, defunct factory repurposed by the Syndicate for illegal activities and storage.
Docklands: The bustling shipping yards where legal and illegal goods flow in and out of the city, often under the watchful eye of both law enforcement and criminals.
Scrap Town: An area filled with junkyards and makeshift settlements, often home to those who live off the grid or engage in underground dealings.
Suburbs:
Residential areas where middle-class families live. These neighborhoods are relatively peaceful but have their own share of secrets.
Maple Grove: A serene neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and family-friendly atmosphere.
Whispering Pines: A gated community with luxurious homes and high security, often housing influential figures and wealthy individuals.
Edgewood: A more modest, working-class neighborhood where community ties are strong, and secrets are carefully guarded.
Government and Law Enforcement
Superpower Registration Bureau (SRB):
A government agency responsible for the registration and monitoring of supers. They conduct background checks, issue licenses, and enforce regulations.
Central Command: The nerve center for monitoring super activities, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for tracking and analyzing superpower use.
Public Relations Office: Manages the bureau’s image and communicates with the public regarding super-related incidents and regulations.
Sanctioned Supers Division (SSD):
A special unit within the police force made up of sanctioned supers. They handle super-related crimes and conflicts.
Training Grounds: A specialized facility where sanctioned supers undergo rigorous training and simulations to hone their abilities.
Tactical Response Units: Elite teams equipped to handle high-threat situations involving rogue supers.
Surveillance Network:
Advanced surveillance technology is deployed throughout the city, monitoring for unauthorized superpower use.
Eye of San Padua: A comprehensive network of drones and cameras providing real-time data and analytics to law enforcement agencies.
Control Centers: Strategically located throughout the city, these centers manage the flow of surveillance data and coordinate responses to super-related incidents.
Key Locations
The Registry:
The headquarters of the SRB, a fortified building in downtown where supers must go to register their powers.
Intake Facility: Where new supers are processed, undergo background checks, and receive their licenses.
Security Wing: Houses high-risk individuals temporarily detained for unauthorized superpower use.
Sentinel Tower:
The SSD's headquarters, located in downtown, heavily fortified and equipped with advanced surveillance and training facilities.
Armory: Stocked with advanced weaponry and gear tailored for combating rogue supers.
Interrogation Rooms: High-security rooms designed to neutralize superpowers, used for extracting information from captured non-sanctioned supers.
The Black Market:
An illicit market located in the Industrial Zone, where non-sanctioned supers can buy and sell illegal goods, including power-enhancing substances.
Shadow Bazaar: A clandestine market where illegal goods and services are exchanged, protected by layers of security and secrecy.
Auction House: A hidden venue for bidding on rare and powerful items, often attracting the city's most notorious figures.
Important Characters
Mayor Evelyn Cortez:
The charismatic and tough mayor of San Padua, known for her strict policies on superpower registration and public safety.
Policy Initiatives: Known for implementing strict superpower regulations and advocating for advanced surveillance measures.
Public Image: A polarizing figure admired for her leadership and criticized for her harsh stance on non-sanctioned supers.
Director Marcus Kane:
Head of the SRB, a former superpower enforcer with a no-nonsense attitude towards non-sanctioned supers.
Background: A former elite enforcer with a reputation for being uncompromising and efficient.
Leadership Style: Demands discipline and loyalty, often seen as ruthless in his pursuit of law and order.
Detective Lila Santos:
A top agent in the SSD, known for her strategic mind and ability to neutralize rogue supers.
Reputation: Respected for her tactical prowess and ability to outthink even the most cunning adversaries.
Personal Code: Believes in justice and often struggles with the moral ambiguities of her role in the SSD.
San Padua's Underworld
Overview
The criminal underworld of San Padua is a shadowy and intricate network where the rules of the surface world don't apply. Here, power and influence are the ultimate currencies, and the existence of superpowers adds an unpredictable element to the already volatile mix.
Key Factions
The Syndicate:
A powerful and organized crime group that operates with military precision. They control large portions of the city's illegal activities, including arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and high-profile heists.
Leader: Victor "The Collector" Moreno, a ruthless tactician with the power to manipulate shadows, making him a master of stealth and assassination.
Operations: Engage in high-stakes heists, arms trafficking, and exert control over various criminal enterprises.
Strengths: Highly organized with a strict hierarchy and a focus on strategic, large-scale operations.
The Obsidian Circle:
An elite group of mercenaries for hire, known for their discretion and deadly efficiency. They employ both sanctioned and non-sanctioned supers.
Leader: Zara "The Wraith" Thorne, who can phase through solid objects and become intangible, making her almost impossible to capture.
Services: Provide elite mercenaries for covert missions, often operating in legal gray areas.
Tactics: Known for their precision and ability to complete missions without leaving traces.
The Hive:
A network of information brokers and hackers who deal in secrets. They have eyes and ears everywhere, making them invaluable for espionage and blackmail.
Leader: Cassandra "Queen Bee" Lin, who possesses telepathic abilities, allowing her to gather and disseminate information effortlessly.
Capabilities: Specialize in cyber espionage, information brokering, and digital sabotage.
Network: Extensive web of informants and hackers, capable of infiltrating nearly any system.
The Underground Market:
A black market that deals in illegal goods, from superpower-enhancing drugs to forbidden technologies and rare artifacts.
Leader: Elias "The Broker" Castillo, a former sanctioned super with the power to enhance or suppress other supers' abilities temporarily.
Trade: Deals in superpower-enhancing drugs, forbidden technologies, and other contraband.
Influence: Acts as a central hub for the city's black market, with connections to various criminal factions.
The Vanguard:
A rebellious faction of non-sanctioned supers fighting against government control and for the rights of supers to live freely.
Leader: Darius Blake, who can generate energy blasts and has a charismatic presence that inspires loyalty among his followers.
Mission: Fight against government oppression and advocate for super rights and freedoms.
Methods: Employ guerrilla tactics, protests, and direct actions to challenge the status quo.
Key Locations
The Sanctuary:
A luxurious underground club that serves as neutral ground for all factions. Here, deals are brokered, alliances are formed, and a strict code of conduct is maintained.
Owner: Madeline "Maddie" Rivers, a former syndicate member with the power of precognition, making her an exceptional arbitrator and negotiator.
Rules of Engagement: Strictly neutral ground where any violence is met with severe consequences, enforced by Maddie's powerful enforcers.
Main Hall: A lavish space where supers from all factions can mingle under strict neutrality rules.
Private Rooms: Secluded areas for discreet negotiations and secret meetings, monitored to ensure no violence occurs.
VIP Lounge: Reserved for high-profile guests and leaders of the underworld factions.
The Labyrinth:
A maze-like section of the old sewers where the Hive operates. It's filled with high-tech surveillance equipment and hidden entrances, making it nearly impossible to infiltrate without inside help.
Security Measures: Equipped with traps, surveillance devices, and safe rooms, making it a fortress for the Hive.
Meeting Halls: Secret rooms used for clandestine meetings and negotiations among information brokers.
The Boneyard:
An abandoned industrial complex in the Industrial Zone used by the Syndicate for covert meetings, weapon storage, and as a training ground for their operatives.
Activities: Used for training new recruits, storing illicit goods, and planning operations.
Defenses: Fortified with guards and advanced security systems to prevent infiltration.
The Vault:
The Obsidian Circle's secure headquarters, hidden beneath a seemingly innocuous warehouse. It's equipped with cutting-edge technology and fortified to withstand even the most powerful attacks.
Design: Hidden beneath an innocuous facade, the Vault is a high-tech facility with secure rooms and training areas.
Protocol: Only accessible to trusted members, with biometric security measures ensuring no unauthorized entry.
Freedom Square:
A hidden enclave within the Old Quarter where the Vanguard meets. It's protected by a network of loyal civilians and non-sanctioned supers who share their ideals.
Protection: Guarded by a network of loyalists and non-sanctioned supers, making it a safe haven for the Vanguard.
Community Hub: A place where civilians and supers alike come together to support the Vanguard’s cause.
Economy and Operations
Black Market Deals:
The underground market is bustling with transactions involving rare and illegal items, from superpower-enhancing drugs to exotic weapons and stolen technology.
Supply Chains: Managed by the Underground Market, ensuring a steady flow of illegal goods and services.
Clientele: Includes both criminal factions and desperate civilians seeking superpower enhancements or forbidden tech.
Information Trade:
The Hive's information brokers sell secrets to the highest bidder, making them a crucial resource for anyone seeking an edge in the underworld.
Market Value: Secrets are highly valuable, and the Hive capitalizes on this by selling critical information to the highest bidder.
Intelligence Gathering: Constantly expanding their network of spies and informants to stay ahead of competitors.
Mercenary Contracts:
The Obsidian Circle takes on high-risk assignments, from assassinations to corporate espionage, for substantial fees.
Scope: Ranges from high-profile assassinations to corporate espionage, with a reputation for success and discretion.
Payment: Often involves substantial fees, rare items, or favors from powerful individuals.
Revolutionary Activities:
The Vanguard orchestrates protests, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare against government facilities and sanctioned supers to promote their cause.
Tactics: Include sabotage of government facilities, organizing protests, and direct confrontations with sanctioned supers.
Support Network: Relies on sympathetic civilians and non-sanctioned supers for resources and shelter.
Code and Ethics
The Code:
An unspoken set of rules governs the underworld. Key tenets include respect for neutral ground (like the Sanctuary), honoring contracts, and avenging betrayal.
The Currency of Favor:
Trust and reputation are vital. A favor owed or granted can be more valuable than money, and breaking one's word can lead to severe consequences.
Character Dynamics
Mayor Evelyn Cortez and Director Marcus Kane:
These two powerful figures share a tense alliance, each with their own vision for the city's future. Cortez’s charisma and public-facing role often clash with Kane’s rigid enforcement tactics.
Detective Lila Santos and The Vanguard:
Santos finds herself conflicted as she empathizes with some of the Vanguard’s ideals despite her duty to uphold the law. Her interactions with Darius Blake could add layers of personal and professional conflict.
Madeline "Maddie" Rivers and Victor "The Collector" Moreno:
Their shared past within the Syndicate complicates their present. Maddie’s neutrality in The Sanctuary is constantly tested by The Collector’s underhanded tactics and their unresolved history.
Zara "The Wraith" Thorne and Cassandra "Queen Bee" Lin:
These two leaders, despite their different methods, form an unlikely partnership to achieve a common goal. Their relationship can evolve from mutual distrust to a powerful alliance, blending Thorne’s physical prowess with Lin’s mental acuity.
The Edge
The Edge is a rundown dive bar in the Old Quarter of San Padua. Its flickering neon sign out front declares its name in red glowing letters, and it's definitely seen better days. Tim "Buck" Buchanan, a grizzled 56-year-old man, has owned the place for the past twenty-five years and runs it with a steady mix of apathy and minimal effort.
Inside, the atmosphere is dim and musty. The air is thick with the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke that seems to have soaked into every surface. The bar is long and scarred, its surface bearing the marks of countless drinks, brawls, and late-night confessions. Mismatched bar stools line the counter, some wobbling precariously on uneven legs.
The floor is sticky in places, a testament to Buck's lax cleaning standards. Old posters and faded photographs line the walls, their edges curling with age and humidity. A few ancient ceiling fans spin lazily overhead, doing little to circulate the stagnant air.
In one corner, a jukebox that's probably older than most of the patrons is stocked with an eclectic mix of classic rock and country tunes. Near the back, you might find a pool table with worn felt and a set of cues that have seen better days.
The clientele is a mix of regulars who've been coming for years and the occasional newcomer drawn in by the promise of cheap drinks and anonymity. It's the kind of place where people come to forget their troubles or to hide from the world outside.
Despite its rough appearance, The Edge has a certain charm for those who appreciate a no-frills drinking establishment. It's a place where the beer is cold, the music is loud enough to drown out your thoughts, and the bartenders don't ask too many questions.
Tim "Buck" Buchanan
Tim "Buck" Buchanan is the 56-year-old apathetic owner of The Edge, a dive bar in San Padua's Old Quarter. Grizzled, unshaven, and permanently smelling of stale beer, Buck has owned the run-down bar for over 25 years.
When he was younger, Buck dreamed of owning a lively local hangout. However, years of dealing with deadbeats, drunks, and deteriorating conditions drained his enthusiasm. He now runs The Edge with a bare minimum of effort, staffing it with cheap labor and ignoring anything he deems 'not his problem. ' He lives in the rooms above the bar, making it easy for him to keep an eye on business.
Buck is crude, misogynistic, and openly discriminates against anyone he sees as an "other" - be it supers, different races, etc. He has a hair-trigger temper and isn't afraid to get verbally abusive with staff or patrons who challenge his run-down fiefdom.
This apathy means Buck mostly leaves Mia alone, though, as long as she does her job making drinks and doesn't cause trouble. He hired her because of her keep-your-head-down attitude and doesn't pry into her past. To him, bartenders are disposable labor, meant to be worked as hard as he can work them until they inevitably burn out or find another gig.
Despite his crusty demeanor, Buck has one minor soft spot - a sweet tooth for the baked goods Dana, Mia's co-worker, brings in. As long as she keeps bringing in sweets, he'll keep putting up with her antics when anyone else would be fired.
Buck's appearance reflects his personality - paunchy with greasy gray hair shaven close to help hide his bald spot. His stained band T-shirts and weather-beaten jeans reflect the apathy with which he runs The Edge. Buck's squinting eyes and the deep grooves in his leathery face reinforce the permanently sour expression he always wears.
Dana Valentine
Dana Valentine is the definition of a Valley Girl bartender - an entitled, self-absorbed 26-year-old who skates through life on her looks. With bleached blonde hair, heavy makeup, and a wardrobe that pushes the limits of The Edge's lax dress code, Dana fancies herself an influencer just biding her time until she hits it big.
While able to mix a decent drink, Dana puts minimum effort into her bartending job, constantly distracted by her phone, vlogging, or chatting up (read: shamelessly flirting with) any male patrons who catch her eye. She has an over-inflated ego and will happily go on and on about her dreams of Instagram fame, reality TV stardom, and landing a sugar daddy.
Dana prides herself on a "no filter" attitude, which translates to saying and doing insensitive things without a shred of self-awareness. She makes cutting remarks about Mia's appearance and reserved demeanor, leaving a trail of backhanded "just kidding" insults. Her relentless vapid chatter and obvious attempts to one-up Mia for the sake of male attention create a hostile dynamic.
The one reason Dana hasn't been fired is her side hustle baking dopamine-laced desserts and pastries that are a surprise hit with The Edge's patrons. She's allowed to hawk her sugary wares to bring in extra income that Buck skims off the top as her "rent" for keeping her job.
Dana represents the exact sort of self-involved, social media-obsessed person that keeps Mia's guard up and her jaded view of people intact. Their polar opposite personalities are a constant source of friction.
At first glance, Dana appears to be a prototypical Valley Girl - bleached blonde hair, heavy eye makeup, tight crop tops, and shorts that leave little to the imagination. But a closer look reveals that her overcompensating sex appeal mask can't quite conceal the insecurity and hunger for validation in her eyes. Barely 5'3" in her towering heels, Dana's girlish, high-pitched voice and perpetual pout clash with the overinflated ego she lugs around.
Mia's Arrival
The bus lurched to a stop, its brakes hissing as it settled into the station.
Mia Brooks blinked awake, her hand instinctively tightening on the worn backpack in her lap. Gathering her bearings, she massaged a knot in her neck, wincing. Bus sleep was never great, but it beat the alternatives. At least here, she could watch the other passengers.
As people began to stir, Mia remained still, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar cityscape outside. San Padua, Texas - her latest refuge. How many cities had it been now? She'd lost count after the first dozen.
"Just like Tucson," she thought, noting the shimmering heat rising from the pavement. "Or was it Albuquerque?" The cities blurred together after a while.
She waited for the initial rush to pass, her mind already mapping out her next moves: find a place to crash, then walk the Old Quarter. Cash work, no questions asked — the usual drill.
As the aisle cleared, Mia stood, her movements smooth but guarded. The backpack's familiar weight settled on her shoulders - everything she owned and needed to disappear again at a moment's notice.
The wave of humid air that hit her as she stepped off the bus carried the mingled scents of exhaust, street food, and something uniquely Texan. Mia's gaze swept the station, cataloging details most would overlook - the bored security guard by the restrooms, the flickering light above the east exit, and the CCTV camera's blind spot near the lockers.
She made her way to a quiet corner, fishing out a crumpled map. Her finger traced the route to the Old Quarter while she silently mouthed street names, committing them to memory. Nine years on the run had taught her the value of knowing escape routes.
Approaching the station exit, Mia caught her reflection in a window. Dark circles under her eyes, hair in a messy ponytail, clothes rumpled from the journey—she looked tired, worn. For a moment, the weight of her solitary existence threatened to overwhelm her.
"Not now," Mia muttered, squaring her shoulders. She'd survived this long. What was one more city? One more fresh start?
Taking a deep breath, she stepped onto the bustling street. Another face in the crowd, another story untold. As she melded into the flow of pedestrians, a hint of a smile tugged at her lips. Anonymity had become her armor, invisibility her superpower.
San Padua didn't know it yet, but Mia Brooks had arrived. And she intended to stay ahead of her past for as long as it took.