#wolberd

3 - 10 - 11 (CAUSE I AM JUST CURIOUS xDDD) - 16 - 40

3. Were there any barriers to you establishing your OCs relationship? Perhaps social or cultural stigma? Or a concern that “ships” with that character were already overdone? Or simply a fear of being seen as “cringe”? If so then how did you overcome this?

Shilberd (Shira x Ilberd) is extremely dark. He's 24 years her senior, and he finds her attractive and vulnerable enough to take advantage of. There are already a lot of implications of grooming and just general discomfort there for a lot of people. The worst thing is that she finds him attractive, despite everything he's done. She wants to hate him but she can't deny her feelings either.

I have had a lot of experiences being in Shira's situation, so writing about this kind of stuff is cathartic to me. Ilberd is just my perfect vehicle to explore these themes because (I hope) he's utterly irredeemable. I hope at least that some people would at least find the same catharsis as me in reading or enjoying my Shilberd content.

I have a lot of thoughts on sex and taboo, though at the end of the day: if you felt that you could only resonate with dark stories and things that make you uncomfortable, you are not alone, nor are you broken for it.

10. Is it important to include tension or outright areas of conflict in a relationship? If so then how do you explore these? Or does this not appeal to you?

For sure. Ilberd and Shira is a relationship built on friction. At first, I thought some of my friends believed I would write Shira being utterly love-struck with Ilberd. I actually find that more difficult to write than if there is some contention. If he says small things to get under her skin, or if he wants to try to get a certain answer out of her, or if she sees him do something completely reprehensible, yet still can't shake her crush off him.

I need them to sword fight to the death because that's sexy.

11. Does it matter to you how many other people also ship their OC with a particular character? Would this make it more likely that you will compare your material to theirs? Or does this not enter into your thinking?

Ahahaha

I've read some of your fics I will be honest and I think James and Ilberd are a real treat! ^^ I love early James and Ilberd especially since it has that tension that sets my brain and pulse running. There's not a lot of Ilberd x WoL works so I really want to add to the small list of stories.

I just don't want to come off too much of a stalker but I am happy for James and his sloppy husband

16 is answered here! -> Is there a relationship between characters in another setting that particularly inspired you? What is it about this portrayal that you enjoy?

40. What is something that your friends or mutuals could do to support and encourage you when it comes to your creativity around your OCs relationship(s)?

2. How important is your OCs relationship(s) to their story? Would it still make sense without it? Or is their connection to this other character integral to their development?

A story without Shira's relationships I developed thus far would just be A Realm Reborn and Heavensward without the extra pain, angst and drama. So, it would still make sense plot-wise in the grand scheme of things...

Did Haurchefant and Shira need to fall in love? Not really, but also it's Haurchefant: your staunchest supporter and also maybe really down bad for you depending on what language you play in. If it was Aymeric or Estinien who first knew about Shira's circumstances I think it would probably go fairly differently. Aymeric would probably be fairly clinical about the procedures of handling it. Estinien... I don't think he could really offer that much emotional support.

As I said before, Shira needed Haurchefant. I found the guy likeable though I didn't instantly latch onto him. In Before the Dawn and Divine Intervention, he really warmed my heart.

If there was no Haurchefant, Shira would probably not have survived. She would have not been able to continue her story.

7. How important is other people’s investment in (or enthusiasm for) your character’s relationship? Was this a consideration when you were planning it? Have you ever changed a character’s relationship(s) due to other people’s response to it?

Listen.

I have many hands and a brain that can make a lot of ideas if you give me the right fuel (generally of the angst or hatefuck variety).

I also didn't really find Estinien that attractive in the beginning, though his interactions in Heavensward had me laughing even if the humour is unintentional. The guy might be my favourite little jester right now. By the Fury... As long as I have a little gremlin feeding me more Wolstinien Propaganda, I can see this continuing forseeably in the future.

I have not posted my Aymeric drabbles up on AO3 yet, though I am very surprised and pleased at the positive feedback I got on my Aymeric fics. I find him very interesting to write as a character. I want to try to convey the nuances of his personality and upbringing without falling head over heels in love with Shira. If that's of interest to people, then I'm definitely willing to explore more with Aymeric.

Right now I am keeping all my options open in multi-shipping and seeing what sticks. When I try to lock in for a pairing and devote all my time to it, I find that I often fail to develop something robust. I've had my eyes and mind opened to a polyamorous lifestyle after befriending people in the community (I remain monogamous, however). So an OT3 could definitely be a possibility as well... Or a polycule, even.