“writing stories is a kind of magic, too”

hello! welcome to my blog! I’m Zoe (she/her); I’m a uni student in my 20s, and I like to play music, D&D, and of course to write. feel free to tag me in games or drop by my ask box anytime! 

I follow from @sidebyside-withafriend, my fandom blog, though I’m usually more active here.

✎ my WIPs ✎

🐉 Dragonsong • draft 3 with beta readers • knight accidentally acquires baby dragon and quits her job, but discovers more to dragons and magic than she ever knew • high fantasy with minimal romance 

🏴‍☠️ Hurricane • completed draft 3; inactive • all-female pirate crew get their ship stolen by another captain and have to go get it back • historical low fantasy with romantic subplot 

(bonus: Potions and Pirates, a crossover AU where Ambrose and Eli from @ashen-crest’s A Rival Most Vial wash up on the Hurricane)

I have taglists for both my current WIPs; feel free to send an ask if you’d like to be added or removed! 

“It may take time, but any chain can be removed,” said Fintan. “And then we shall simply fly away, and your puny king will never be able to touch us again.” “Where will you go?” “Wherever I want to.” Fintan’s wings twitched and flexed beneath the chains. Isi smiled. “Where do you want to go?” “I do not know for certain. Wherever the wind calls me. I was born here, in the cradle of these mountains, and then they became my prison. I will not die here.”

the basics: he/him; 1058; massive silvery-blue-white dragon

Fintan summed up: crotchety old man but make him a dragon (1000 years is old for a dragon). cranky and cynical, but secretly holding onto the tiniest scrap of hope. not above being petty, but he is very loyal.

role: another dragon we will meet :)

“Should’ve known I’d find you here,” he sneered. “Getting in my way, as usual.” Isi said nothing as he approached her, his armour clanking with each step. “And you’re not a knight anymore. How sad to see you finally in your place.” He slapped the royal symbol on his chest. “You look like you want to tell me off, but you can’t do that anymore.” “I may not be a knight anymore, Tor Brendon,” she said. “But I need no title to know that what you’re doing here is wrong.” “There it is.” He spread his hands. “Telling me off for something.”

the basics: he/him; 25; East Asian, fair skin, straight black hair and brown eyes

Brendon summed up: very competitive; he and Isi were trainees together, and he got obsessed with being better than her. stubborn, petty and very comfortable in his privilege. mostly concerned with his own ego.

role: the prince of the citadel, Isi's fellow knight, and Robin's former mentor

“Well, I’m not too eager to go doing that again.” Cole raised his arms awkwardly; both were swathed in white bandages to the elbow. “In case you’re wondering, this is not normal. We don’t usually get external burns from magic. This is… I imagine Ebele has a theory.” He grinned at her. She smiled wanly. “You know me too well.” “Come on, then. Let’s hear it.”

the basics: he/him; 44; Black, dark brown skin, brown eyes and dark curly hair

Cole summed up: loyal and caring. more brawn than brain; he's also involved in Ebele's research, but lauds her as the smarter of the two. loves her dearly and supports her in all her nerdy endeavours. lots of heart, lots of chill.

role: Ebele's husband

“You spoke to a dragon?” If it were possible for Ebele’s eyes to get any brighter with excitement, they did. Isi nodded. “We did.” “Wow.” Ebele paused for a moment, her eyes still sparkling. Then she shook herself. “Right. Anyway, the Crown has been using this to try and study the dragons, but it’s hardly ethical at all. More like experimenting.” Her lip curled in disgust. “They need mages to keep maintaining the barrier spell; something that big doesn’t last forever without upkeep, even with an anchor. It started pulling apart and getting holes in it over the years. But the Crown doesn’t actually know how to access the spell’s magic, there’s this key, and—”

the basics: she/her; 45; Black, medium brown skin and curly black hair, dark eyes

Ebele summed up: logical, reasoned and book-smart, and loves to learn and research. she gets very excited about it. not a fighter in the traditional sense, but she doesn't mess around.

role: mage who can help uncover the issues around the barrier spell