irrespective of how musical the bell.

[damkianna]

Lazy day? THE LAZIEST DAY. I did not get up until eleven, that is how much of a slug I am, and I was useless all day. Good start to 2012!

But! Before today is entirely over and I prove to be a total failboat: YULETIDE.


蒸汽 (4568 words) by Damkianna
Fandom: Imperial Steamworks Series - James Ng
Rating: General Audiences
Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Characters: Original Female Character of Colour
Summary: Qinxian cannot ascend to the throne. Backstory for the Immortal Empress. [Warnings: description of chronic illness and painful body modifications/surgery, mentions of suicide.]


As with last year, I feel slightly awful because this really should have been longer, and I had so many ~thoughts about all the space between fifteen-year-old Qinxian and the Immortal Empress in the painting, and everything that could change - particularly how the machine would be added to and changed as time passed - but I did not get it all down. /o\ But it was a blast to research, and also gave me an excuse to get books about Wu Zetian!

This was basically the TOTAL OPPOSITE of last year's story in every way (bajillion-dollar movie that didn't deserve half the attention it got vs. relatively little-known painting series MADE OF AWESOME), except how blissfully fantastic it was to write - which is thanks in no small part to maradao's prompt, of course. Anyone with any artistic inclinations whatsoever should seriously take a look at James Ng's gallery, because the paintings are all absolutely lovely. I am shocked - in a good way! - that anyone commented on this at all besides the recipient, and SO GLAD that she liked it even though I kind of took her prompt and went down the garden path a little. ♥♥♥ Also, the single guest kudo currently on the story? My mother. /o\

I am not organized enough for a proper recs post, but! I also betaed all three of ambyr's AWESOMETASTIC stories in the Bel Dame Apocrypha section; they are all great and amazing and great, but if you must narrow it down to one and you haven't read any of the source, I would suggest People of the Book.

It has been raining all evening. This is not acceptable, January. I realize this is your first day, but WINTER MORE BETTER.

Comments

[ambyr]

They are awesome because you helped! Thank you again for that!

And, umm, I will finish the long story. Honest. After white_lotus which, shit, that's due in two weeks, isn't it? Um.

[damkianna]

Psh, except for the typos I did practically nothing! They were awesome before I got there. :P

Heehee, no rush; I am the last person who should be rushing anyone, I have been laboring over this one chapter since August - one chapter! August! D: So take your time.

[ambyr]

:perks: For Listen to the Earth? Do want!

[damkianna]

/o\ Yup. Ugh, my god, I don't even know why it's been taking me so long. (Well, I sort of do, there were a couple big bangs in there. But still!) It's probably going to be like 15k before it's done, though, so at least I won't have made you wait for nothing.

[ambyr]

I am actually trying to wait until you finish before reading, because the story is so complex I was losing track of things between chapters. So, um. No pressure! And expect many comments whenever you do get done.

[damkianna]

That is probably very wise! My outline files are tremendous, I sometimes have trouble imagining how anyone can get through what I'm writing without taking notes. /o\