#awdy

Jay Space

• 24

• black + nonbinary (they/them)

• Interests: cartoons/anime, animation, writing

|| Genre:

Typically a clash of sci-fi future and fantasy/fantastical elements

Background:

I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid. Plus roleplaying for several years (multiple characters, couples, and storylines.) I have technically written one popular online fiction but it was on wattpad and it involves adventure time so we don’t talk about that 😅

|| Current WIP:

Book 1 of 3 of the ‘Dead’ Series: Are We Dead Yet? (sci-fi fantasy)

• 5-6 years in the making, 2 drafts in (one a complete overhaul), early chapters about to undergo editing process.

(Rough) Synopsis:

MAX is a rebel with no sense of self control.

GREYSON can’t afford not to be cautious.

CELIA is a world renowned icon.

KORI isn’t even a second thought in peoples minds.

SUMMER is a burst of sunshine.

AYDEN fades into the shadows.

Let’s gaze into the future— it’s 3056 and school just let out for the summer. It’s the time for fun, the time to let loose and live free. Or.. it would be at least if it wasn’t a string of unfortunate events back to back. Now, this unlikely group who knows little to nothing about one another most work together to unlock a secret they had no idea existed. If only they'd known the real secrets they'd be discovering.. would be each others.

Tagline:

it’s not about the journey, it’s about how you get there

Are We Dead Yet Book Info

|| My Goal:

I want to connect with other authors and artists as well as promote my own works and generate a genuine following for the art that I love to create. I admittedly haven’t had much luck elsewhere but I’m hoping to put genuine energy into making it working here.

In addition to that, I wanted to share my work on here before it’s published! I was thinking to motivate me through the editing process of posting some or all of the chapters here!

|| Art:

So now that I’ve provided all that, hopefully you’ll take an interest in my page/book and pop in every now and then 🥸

I don’t think just one little synopsis is enough to capture people’s attention so let’s give a proper introduction to this passion project of almost 5 years!

|| Book Info 📖

What’s it about?

While the story does have a plot!… it is not so concise to put into words quite yet. But I will try my best! 🫡

Essentially, Are We Dead Yet focuses around six different characters, each with different backgrounds, perspectives, and personalities. But they’re not strangers! Quite the opposite actually. They’re connected through vague pieces of their past and over the course of the book they have to over come those previous experiences and look into the new.

The actual plot involves unveiling a mystery that they want to uncover that then unravels into a search mission that unravels again into the overall theme of the series. [I’m not saying much now to not spoil too much]

What genre is it?

It is a sci-fi fantasy!

POV?

3rd person! Specifically 3rd person POV from 6 different POVs. [I need to specify that so the multi POV haters don’t read lol]

Is it a utopia, dystopia, post-apocalyptic, etc. ?

This society is very modern day, a whole millennia ahead of our time! It is based in this world but their culture is far beyond our own. Powers exist in every single being on the planet. Meaning nobody is special for it. Most hierarchy problems have been solved although new ones took their place immediately after. All that change to be the same..

Who’s your target demographic?

I suppose in textbook terms, it would be considered a YA. But the book handles very mature topics such as: mental illness, drug abuse, alcoholism, sexual assault, and child abuse (in a parental sense and governmental sense) so that should be kept in mind as people read as well. [Though now that I’m listing it all out perhaps it should just be adult.. YA reaches 13 year olds..]

Outside of that, I guess I want to reach out to people who do want to see fantastical worlds that aren’t necessarily fighting for their lives every breaking moment in society. It would be nice if it was just normal. But i don’t want you to be mistaken, it’s not a ‘slice of life’. Lives will be on the line and the adventure that they go on will change their lives forever for better or for worse. But over the course of all of that angst, is bonding. There’s opening up and actually understanding the characters and their passions in life and how life is in their society. It’s seeing how life hasn’t really been easy on any of them despite what they might think of one another.

Written: 7/16/22

7 year old Kori rolled out of bed and ruffled her hair, staring at her shirtless body as she stood in the mirror. She made a weak attempt to flex her biceps before giving up in a huff. She poked her head out of her room, checking for her brothers. Unable to hear them, she stepped out of her room and slid down the railing to the bottom of the stairs, checking for her parents. No sign of them either. She’d been left all alone. This was great! Kori ran back up the steps and bursted into her eldest brother’s room. She sat at his desk and twirled in the chair, stopping herself as her head spinned. She lifted up the bed, checking for all of his embarrassing secrets. With nothing of interest under the bed, she set it back down. Kori flopped on his bed and sighed. “Jiwon, your life is so boringgg.” She looked in his bed tables drawer, quick to remove his tablet from its rightful place. Typing in his password that she had memorised already, a window popped up upon unlocking. “ ‘Hands off, annoying little brothers…’ ” she rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Whatever.” She clicked out of the window but it continued to pop up, making her unable to actually do anything on it. She huffed and threw it back in his drawer, going elsewhere to solve her boredom.

Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

1. “Max, do you think before you speak? Because it genuinely feels like you want me to punch you in the face. You’re being real ignorant. Genitalia doesn’t equal gender. This is basic kindergarten information.” One thing he was never going to stand for was any form of discrimination. If that meant he had to dropkick his long time friend, he would without a second thought.

2. “I’m not seeing how this was supposed to ‘help my mental health’ like you said on the ride over.”

“That’s because you’re still in your head. Would it help if we messed with something?”

“A little.” Grey admitted.

3. Greyson clicked his keys and his car popped up in the parking space beside them. “Find your own way home, Max.”

“Come on, dude, I was kidding! Spur of the moment thing.”

“Not when it’s true. I knew you didn’t come here for me. There’s your girlfriend. You guys made up. Whoopdidoo. Now find a way home, Einstein.”

4. Greyson took a long bath to calm his nerves as the porta-TV blared the Korean drama he had been watching to try and distract himself. He liked when the characters were upfront with their feelings or when they didn’t have to tiptoe around showing affection. Why did I tell her I didn’t want to see her again? She asked to talk and I blew it.

5. “We don’t need 6 of them. We can do 2 to a tent. That’s 3 and they come in a cube so that’s minimal room. Summer’s trunk is big enough.”

“You’re telling me.” Greyson snickered.

“Max, is someone talking? I hear an annoying sizzling sound for some reason.”

“Oh, haha. You’re so funny. What a comedian. You tell those jokes when you’re enchanting people too?”

“Worry about trying not to burn anyone. And I’m not talking about fire.”

“Max, I’m giving you a warning. I’m not one to hit women but I can be tempted.”

6. “You’re weirdly cool for once... Why?”

Grey flicked the ashes into the lake and took another drag. Someone obviously cared about the environment. “I’m tired of the cat and mouse. I’m tired of being the cat that continuously chases. At this point, I’ve given up. I still like you but I can’t force you to like me nor would I want to.”

7. “You did some things. Let’s leave it at that. You’re not a saint. None of us are. I keep thinking that maybe eventually you’ll just learn to shut up but then you never do. It’s been 17 years of bullshit and still, you haven’t learned to just shut up. Sometimes I just let you talk and talk and talk and all I can think about is how much I want to kill you. Not ‘I’m going to kill him’ and then I just laugh it off. No. When you get into these little pissy moods of yours and just let whatever comes to mind fly out of your mouth, I am genuinely thinking of twenty different ways to kill and dispose of your body,”

8. “It’s their first rodeo, give them a break,” Greyson started stretching, cracking all the tense parts. “This is a blessing in disguise honestly. I’ve been dying to get into something.”

“Who’s leading this? You or me?” Max asked as they spoke in vague code. The pair could basically read each other’s minds.

Grey laughed, “Obviously I am.”

“What are you two talking about?”

“Just keep watch. Text one of us when he comes back. Max?”

“Right behind you, one sec,” He finished the piece of toast he’d been eating. “Not that it’ll go this far, but everyone should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice if necessary.”

9. “Alright, 20 credits. Can I just say something? You and your girlfriend are so adorable. I love tall couples.”

Greyson looked at Kori for a brief moment and turned back to the cashier, “She’s not my girlfriend. More like… my big sister. My ‘noona’ if you will. Thank you,” He paid for the items and walked outside, unlinking their arms.

For a moment, she was too stunned to speak. She rushed outside and marched back up to him. “That was uncalled for.”

He chuckled a bit and gave a nonchalant shrug, “What? You said we’re friends. That’s how I mess with my friends. If I jump like a dog at somebody calling you my girlfriend, then how are we ever going to be real friends? You are older than me, after all.”

10. “You would’ve let me die out there.”

“No I wouldn’t. I just didn’t see what you were seeing. If you really saw something that is.”

“I did! I said I was crazy, not blind.”

“But you did say you were crazy.”

“It’ll be your funeral, the driver always dies first.”

“The driver has the highest chance of survival. The passenger is easy prey and practically no difficulty to yank or push out. While they’re busy eating you, I’ve got just enough time to speed off. Everyone knows the modern day undead are on a lean protein diet. I’m way too hearty for their taste,” Grey explained as he pulled off the lot.

11. “I just want to be useful, that’s all.”

“Trust me, Max, you find a way to make yourself useful everywhere. The world could use a break from your ‘use’.”

“If that’s your idea of consoling someone, fuck you. And if it’s some kind of slutshaming in code, double fuck you.”

“I’m a man, I slutshame outright. Like.. okay, example: your cousin Enzo? That’s a grade A slut right there. ”

Max hit him in the arm despite his light laughter. “Shut up.”

12. “I heard you beat some guy in the club to a pulp last night.”

“That’s not exactly what I’d call it. Do wrong and expect wrong done to you. It’s the cause and effect of your actions.”

“So what’s the effect of you beating him up?”

“A sore hand,” Grey inspected his hand that was now wrapped under bandages. Did I go too far again..? No, I’ve been good about holding back and-and he deserved it. He did deserve it, didn’t he? Of course he did. If anyone deserved it, he did. But who put me in charge of being Judge, Jury, and Executioner? And if he deserved it the most, then does that mean the others didn’t?

13. “I’ve had it ten times worse than you, Greyson. Not even headphones can block out some of the things I’ve heard..” Ayden shuddered in disgust.

“And the universe thanks you for your sacrifice.”

“Oh whatever, suck my dick.”

“Maybe. How much are you paying?”

He rolled his eyes and silently flicked him off as his attention returned to his phone.

14. “You’d have a better grip on reality if you didn’t consume your body weight in weed everyday.”

“Weed is the only reason I do have a grip,” he said under his breath, resting his head on the window once more as his eyes moved up to the front.

15. “I think I’ll pass on staying here. Everything could just be an elaborate lie,” Greyson turned for the door.

“Hinote, right?”

He stopped in his tracks. “Greyson, actually.”

Bonus!:

“Shouldn’t you be inside?” Max asked as he inspected the inner workings of the van.

“I have no allegiance or duty to anybody inside of that house,” Grey responded honestly as he leaned against the side.

Rules: Share 15 or fewer lines of dialogue from an OC, ideally lines that capture the character/personality/vibe of the OC. Bonus points for just using the dialogue without other details about the scene, but you're free to include those as well!

1. “Mami,” She waved her hands off her hair. “I like my hair like this. Our hair is pretty just like this, naturally. If I change my mind, you’ll be the first to know.”

2. “What can I say? I live for gossip, continue. But while we’re in a store so people can think we have interesting lives. Plus, Skater Chick Outfitters is having a sale,”

3. “We’re on the third floor, pendejo.”

“Hey! I speak Spanish too. Don’t try to treat me like a no sabo kid and just call me shit on the sly.”

“Who said it was on the sly? I said it right to your face.”

4. “There’s a lake. No sealife and it gets regularly cleaned,” Celia started grabbing their bags, handing Kori her backpack.

“How would you know it gets regularly cleaned?”

“I asked the ranger when we came in.”

“The one you were flirting with?”

“I wasn’t flirting. I was being… friendly? Something like that.” No surprise she couldn’t tell the difference between platonic and romantic interactions.

5. “Did we figure out dinner?”

Greyson held up the grocery bags he had on his arms. “We’re making ramen.”

“And s’mores!”

“The second one was his idea. Not mine.”

“S’mores sound great though.” Celia hummed as she took a peek into the bags. “Thank you for getting all this, Greyson. You’re such a strong man, aren’t you?” She pushed his glasses that were starting to slip back up

“Celia,” Greyson choked, as his face turned pink.

6. Girlfriend girlfriend girlfriend. Shut up. What do you know about being a boyfriend? Celia gripped onto the fork and plate she’d been holding in her lap, the fork slowly folding back on itself as her thumb pressed it down without even realising.

“Do you want another fork?” Kori offered her own, her plate finally clear. At least she had eaten.

“Why do you say that?”

She pointed to the completely bent fork in her hand.

“Oh. This. It’s fine,” Celia straightened the fork back out as much as she could. “See? All good,” She shoved the rest of the eggs down and gave the plate back to Greyson.

7. “I have a loose idea but I’d rather enjoy breakfast right now. What are you making?”

“Huevos rancheros.”

She snorted and covered her mouth. “I’m sorry, say that again for me please?”

“Huevos rancheros?” He repeated, this time a bit confused.

“God, you’re cute but boy do you know how to butcher some Spanish. It’s huevos rancheros not huevos rancheros.”

“Is that not what I said?” He asked, still lost on what the difference was in how she said it versus how he did or how he had said it incorrectly.

8. C: ding dong. mission control to kori: what’s ur coordinates?

C: that means how soon r u guys going to b here?

9. He dialed Celia’s number, almost in fear of what she would say.

“Yes?”

“I’m at the hotel but.. I can’t afford any of this. At all. In my defence! They hit me with a bunch of crazy charges! I mean 240 credits for roses? Just get some plant power person and regrow them.”

There was static on the other end for a long while before Celia sighed, “If you want something done, you have to do it yourself. Okay. Sit tight and try not to cause any more trouble than you already have.” She hung up the phone and left him to his lonesome.

10. “The moment a charmspeaker leaves, the effect wears off. Enchantment is well..” She looked over at the clerk that was still staring at her and waved. “It's much easier to get what you want, let’s just say that.”

“That’s because you flirt with them till they’ve just about ruined their shorts.”

“I have a process, Kori. You know this,” Celia popped a piece of gum in her mouth to rinse out the hotel clerk taste. “Alright, moving on, we officially have a place to sleep for the night which brings me to our next task–”

11. “What’s wrong with just being with one person? You’ve done it before.”

“But that’s not who I am.. There’s a reason it didn’t work out between us,” Celia said, pushing the food on her plate as she became uninterested in what would shortly become another monogamy lecture.

“Because you weren’t willing to make the commitment.”

“That is not what happened,” She snapped. He looked up from his tablet and her angry expression immediately softened. “Perdon.. it’s.. still a sore spot for me. I just don’t have what you and Mommy have where I can see myself with just that one person for my whole life.”

12. Celia closed her eyes for a moment and sighed as she looked in the distance once more. “I’m glad some people are happy and in love today. That couple over there has been there since I got off the elevator. It’s like I can hear their love.. Soft bells.. a violin to pair.. a hint of piano in the background, and is that a light harp i hear being plucked?”

13. “And if something should happen?”

“If something should happen..” Max let out a light chuckle. “You're the co-leader, use your wit and I’ll see you on the other side. Take that however you’d like,” He gave a dog whistle for Ayden to come to his becking, walking off down the hallway opposite to them.

“‘Take that however you’d like’,” Celia mocked before angrily spewing off a slew of Spanish curses.

“He didn’t mean it like that,” Summer said, jumping to Max’s defence for once.

“Oh whatever. You’re on his side because the barrel isn’t pointed at you. Let’s just look through the stupid fucking rooms.”

14. “Psychics are the last people you want to piss off.”

“Is that a jab?”

“It’s a warning,” Celia flicked him in the ear and went back to her seat.

15. “Hm. Do you wanna hang out for a little bit then?” He asked as they approached her door.

Celia sighed to herself, her hand resting on the doorknob. “Honestly, not really.”

Ayden pouted and his shoulders slumped in.

“Not tonight at least, I’m a bit tired.”

“From earlier today?”

“From all of my life. Goodnight, Ace,”

Bonus:

More art!

Authors note: Okay so funny enough the finale was written when I uploaded part 4 but I was gonna make this finale + epilogue but… the epilogue got too long 😅 what can I say, I love lesbians haha.. so anyways here’s the finale (no epilogue)!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

They traveled in silence and for once, Jackie felt a gap between them. To be in her presence all of a sudden didn’t pair naturally with the warmth of light. Her face was unreadable and thus so too was her mind. This ride alone wrecked her nerves more than anything else in her life could. As she noticed the music hall, she stepped off of the train. She quietly led them up the stairs, opening the door for Delilah with not even a thanks in return.

“May we enter the hall?” Jackie asked the attendant.

“There are only ten minutes left until we close for the night.”