Do You Like It Slow? (F looking for M)

[Sagitta]

CURRENT AVAILABILITY: Unavailable for new stories until further notice.
CURRENT MOOD: MFM | Dramione | Gepard (HSR) | Alhaitham (Genshin)

ABOUT ME
Roleplaying was something that I discovered in 2012, meaning that I have over ten years of experience under my belt. I started out by trying my hand at Harry Potter roleplays, and to this day, I still very much enjoy spinning tales within this universe. In real life, I work at a private college, overseeing several portfolios. Naturally, this takes up a huge chunk of my time, as a girl has got to pay her bills. When I'm not at work, I'm likely to be at home watching something on Netflix, playing computer games, reading, or managing my husband. It goes without saying that I enjoy my fair share of writing, which is why I'm here. I can be a little awkward at first, but please don't let that deter you. I'm always open to discussion about my games/stories/plots. If you think that I'm a good fit and would like to write with me, send me a DM. :)

WRITING & POSTING

• I write solely in forum threads. I've tried Discord and PM but realized that they are not for me.
• My preferred perspective is third-person, written in the past tense.
• I'm only looking to assume female roles here on E. As my interest is limited to MxF pairings, I'd like my partners to pick up the male characters. The genders of my partners do not matter to me.
• I'm a plot-centered writer who likes to weave chemistry, tension, and sex into my stories. I like a good build-up. I like intrigue. I like when sex and stories intertwine. I may occasionally crave smutty stories, but I am never interested in writing 100% porn.
• When it comes to post length, my average is 465 words, taken from a sampling of ten posts. I enjoy good writing and compelling storytelling, yes, but that does not mean that I demand long, lengthy replies from potential partners. I prefer quality over quantity, and most of the time, I will match my partner when it comes to post length.
• As for my availability to write, as much as I would love to, I cannot commit to rapid-fire responses. Please understand that I am married, work full-time at a challenging job, and have other interests and obligations that also require precious free time. It is very important to me that my writing partners understand that role-playing is treated as a hobby, one that doesn't take precedence over my daily necessities for functioning and well-being. If you decide to write with me, the best that I can do is about one post a week (read: slow) depending on the post size. Longer posts will naturally take more time to craft than shorter ones, and I do my best to give my writing partners a decent reply. If I happen to be on a creative streak and have more free time on my hands, I can definitely bang out more replies. What can I say? If you're looking for a long-term, slow-paced game, then I'm your girl! :D

THEMES

Romance
I adore romance. Romantic comedy is a favorite genre of mine, so I'm pretty much game if anyone were to suggest this. That aside, I also enjoy love triangles (if done well), love-hate relationships, opposites attract, and forbidden love arcs. Everything. All of it. I'm looking for slow-burn, will-they-won't-they stories, or ones that are so cute and sweet that I could die. I want to root for the characters and turn even the most hardened cynics into believers of love. So yeah, I'm down bad.

Humor
Lightheartedness is always very much appreciated. I enjoy a good chuckle and like to add a dash of humor to my characters and to my writing, even among darker stories. Comedy of errors? Sign me up.

Coming of Age
Perhaps I miss my youth and wish that I could do over parts of it, leading to a fondness for stories of self-discovery, exploration, learning experiences, and of course first loves and heartbreaks. However, I absolutely will not play young characters against much older ones, particularly those in a position of authority. While I can understand the appeal, teachers sleeping with students is a hard no for me, and so is incest. That said, my characters usually range from 17 to 27 years old.

Lies and Deceit
White lies, huge lies, withholding information, falsifying information - I think they all make for good conflict and compelling tales, and may even be central to a story. This includes fake relationships meant to keep meddling parents happy, and false identities because he can never love her if he knows who she truly is. Bring it on.

Harry Potter
Not gonna lie, I'm a Potterhead. If you have a story to pitch, I'm probably going to be interested. Dramione? Yes. Original characters? Yes. Alternative universe? Yes. Next generation? For sure. But of course, there are always exceptions to the rules. I will not do the Marauders (James Potter, Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin) or characters related to them (e.g. Severus Snape, Lily Evans, Petunia Evans, Regulus Black, Nymphadora Tonks). Also, please have a decent understanding of the workings of the wizarding world, or at least be prepared to look stuff up.

Genshin Impact & Honkai Star Rail
I play both Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. Not hardcore, but definitely a notch above "just casual." Without a doubt, I'm a fan of both worlds and also the characters, so if you have a story to pitch and are looking to play a male character from either universe, feel free to drop me a DM. If you're interested, see "face claims" for a tentative list.

CHARACTERS

Character Bios
Alright, I'll admit that I'm too lazy to spend time putting together character bios. If you need one to work with, just ask, and I'll be more than happy to provide a basic bio. Just personal details, a bit of background, some likes and dislikes - that's about it. The only exception that I will make for developing detailed character bios is when our characters know each other very well. In this situation, character bios are justified.

Face Claims and Related Images
Yes, I like visuals. If you wish to share images of the setting, clothing, positions, and what-not, please feel free. But please exercise good judgement. I don't need to see dick pics in every post. As far as face claims go, I prefer using actual people for reference and inspiration, but I'm willing to use anime-esque images as well. That said, I don't usually mind using face claims that my partners like if they would also return the favor. Unless the preferred face claims vary too much from what I have in mind. My preferences for face claims may be found at the bottom of this post.

Wit and Intelligence
The characters that I play are likely to be intelligent. They are going to want to test yours, to see if they can keep up. Verbal sparring is equivalent to foreplay to them, and they will be bored to tears by those who do not challenge them mentally. That said, they are probably not going to be attracted by men who have nothing clever to say. Insult them if you must, but don't expect them to take it lying down. My personal observation is that chemistry between two characters tend to be glossed over, and I don't want that. I want to make every effort to work on developing chemistry, to move my character on to the same page as yours, and I hope that my partners could do the same. That's how we get the heat and the sizzle.

Ambition
Often, the characters that I play have some semblance of ambition, such as climbing to the top of the career ladder, besting an opponent, or simply fulfilling a lifelong dream. Along the way, they will face trials and obstacles. Perhaps your character is one of the many hurdles in their path, or maybe he is her biggest cheerleader, the one who lifts her up when she is down. When a character has little ambition, it is mostly due to the fact that she is resigned to her fate (e.g. low social standing, few opportunities for social mobility), thinking that there isn't anything she could do to turn things around.

Independence
In general, my characters do not need a man. They may pine, sigh over, or desire one, but that does not translate to needing one for survival. For sex maybe, but not because they'd die without a mate lazing around the house. They do have proper pride. I do not particularly enjoy writing stories where women submit completely to the men and are kept as pets/slaves without ever trying to put up a proper fight. Or escape.

Age Gap
In most scenarios, I'd like for the male and female characters to be around the same age. If she's 26, then anywhere up to 31 (or 21 if it's the other way round) is fine for him. I get a bit queasy if the gap is too big. In a high school or college setting, the gap should ideally be smaller.

About Realism
First and foremost, when writing, I'm all about keeping it real whenever and wherever possible. Sometimes, I find myself trying our gestures and such to see if they could actually work. That is not to say that everything needs to be accurate and right to a T. If it's within the realms of plausibility, if it seems like natural speech or something someone would actually say, if it's only slightly exaggerated, then everything is A-OK in my books.

Plots | Writing Samples | Face Claims
Ons & Offs

[Sagitta]

PLOTS

Please note that these plots are not set in stone. I'm open to variations and fresh insights. For plots labeled 'taken,' I wouldn't mind embarking on a similar story with a new perspective.

Not Just A Summer Internship (Contemporary | Possible Slow Burn | Rom-Com | Office Romance | MFM)

The summer before her senior year at high school, she (MC) lands an internship at a popular teen magazine, writing for their online advice column called "His/Her Opinion," which provides both a male and female perspective to adolescent problems. Enter her male counterpart (YC1), also a soon-to-be senior just like her, someone who she cannot see eye to eye with. Despite the bickering, there is a spark between them. Or is it just their imagination, as their boss (YC2) joins the scene? As the wealthy, womanizing son of the CEO, he isn't about to let the fresh-faced, dewy-eyed intern escape his grasp, never mind the ten-year age gap.

Her Crush and His Roommate (Contemporary | Possible Slow Burn | Rom-Com | MFM)

She has a crush on him but hates his roommate. His roommate secretly has a huge crush on her. What happens when both men are interested in her, and she can't make up her mind?

The Celebrity Friend (Contemporary | Possible Slow Burn | Rom-Com)

He's a celebrity. She's a columnist. They meet at some event and have kept in touch since, eventually becoming good friends. As his friend, she frowns at his womanizing ways, which becomes a problem when he develops feelings for her. Could she find it in her to forgive his past?

Between Fantasy and Reality (Contemporary Romance | Smutty | Cosplay | Minor Gangbang)

He is a popular cosplayer. She is a first-time participant in an anime convention. Both are dressed up in costumes. In his elaborate, detailed outfit, he happens to be the exact image as a character she adores, so she asks to take a picture with him, unaware that they attend the same prestigious college where he is the resident heartbreaker. He is so good at portraying the character that he easily seduces the good girl into sleeping with him.

The next time they meet, he is yet again playing as another character she likes. He recognizes her and invites her to spend some time with him and his friends. With the line between fantasy and reality blurring, they all have sex with her. At the end of the encounter, she begins to question herself and her values. All this while, she doesn't have the foggiest idea that the cosplayer that she's infatuated with is someone in her class.

Naturally, the vicious cycle continues. They would meet at conventions and similar events, which leads to sex with him (and perhaps other men). It was always while in costume, in character, and never as himself; he never allows his facade to slip. Until one of his friends begins to show a genuine interest in her.

Note: With the exception of Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail, I'm actually pretty out of touch when it comes to anime/video games, so I'm really hoping to draw GI and HSR players out of hiding. Anyway, here are lists of characters that I'm rather familiar with and would like to write with. All characters shall be age appropriate. OCs will also work in lieu of existing fictional characters.

Possible characters for him

• Usui Takumi (Maid Sama!)
• Kyo Sohma (Fruits Basket)
• Yuki Sohma (Fruits Basket)
• Tartaglia/Childe (Genshin Impact)
• Alhaitham (Genshin Impact)
• Kamisato Ayato (Genshin Impact)
• Zhongli (Genshin Impact)
• Kaveh (Genshin Impact)
• Xiao (Genshin Impact)
• Diluc (Genshin Impact)
• Gepard (Honkai Star Rail)
• Jing Yuan (Honkai Star Rail)
• Dan Heng (Honkai Star Rail)
• Caelus (Honkai Star Rail)

Possible characters for her:

• Ayuzawa Misaki (Maid Sama!)
• Azuna (Sword Art Online)
• Tohru Honda (Fruits Basket)
• Sailor Mars/Sailor Mercury (from Sailor Moon)
• Ganyu (Genshin Impact)
• Kamisato Ayaka (Genshin Impact)
• Raiden Shogun (Genshin Impact)
• Yoimiya (Genshin Impact)
• Keqing (Genshin Impact)
• Kokomi (Genshin Impact)
• Jean (Genshin Impact)
• Eula (Genshin Impact)
• Lumine (Genshin Impact)
• Asta(Honkai Star Rail)
• Stelle (Honkai Star Rail)
• Bronya (Honkai Star Rail)
• Seele (Honkai Star Rail)

Suddenly Step-siblings (Contemporary | Possible Slow Burn | Rom-Com)

This plot is inspired by the Taiwanese drama 'Devil Beside You.' Two college freshmen have a love-hate relationship with each other. One day, they realize that their parents have been seeing each other and have decided to get married! What does that make them? Step-siblings! Living under the same roof! Their living situation becomes even more complicated when his brother graduates and returns to the new blended family and also takes a liking to their new stepsister.

The Apartment is Mine! (Contemporary | Low Fantasy | Rom-Com)

This plot is inspired by the Netflix drama 'Good Morning Call.' Two college students are tricked into renting the same apartment when they each thought that they were getting their own place. Their agency apologizes for the mix-up and tries to sort it out with the landlord, but the landlord is currently out of town and is unreachable for a month. Without the deposit that they've put down on the place, additional cash, or other options, they decide to make do and endure the inconvenient sleeping arrangements until the landlord returns. But then, COVID-19 strikes, forcing the world into lockdown. What's worse, the male student is secretly a vampire needing to feed regularly or risk dying out.

Sex and Sorcery (Fantasy | Slow Burn | Possibly Smutty)

In a land where the ability to wield magic is revered, more men than women are blessed with this gift. At the Academy where magic is taught, studied, and learned, men greatly outnumbered the women, in part because the patriarchial society feels that an education, particularly of the magical arts, is wasted on the fairer sex. Typically, only girls who demonstrate considerable magical powers and hailing from noble families are sent to the Academy to be trained from as young as ten years of age.

My character (MC) is the spirited daughter of a merchant down on his luck. Encountering a theft in the market one day and needing to defend herself from her assailants, MC accidentally employs the use of magic that she does not know she possess, fatally injuring her attackers. Your character (YC), a sorcerer attached to the Academy happened to be on the scene. MC is brought to the Academy to face trial for injuring fellow humans with magic. YC attests her innocence, but as her rogue magic needs to be controlled, she is handed a sentence to spend the rest of her life at the Academy. As typical training in spells and enchantments begin at ten, at nineteen years old, MC is deemed too old for formal instruction. Yet, YC, just a few years her senior, takes her in as his research assistant and puts himself in charge of her learning.

At the Academy, MC learns that male sorcerers are able to increase their powers by having sex with sorceresses, extracted from a chemical compound the women release upon orgasm. However, the bid to grow even more powerful does not end there, as the ambitious few has also taken to sleeping with women with faint magical reserves. She also realizes that with the Grand Master of the Academy soon stepping down from his post and retiring, it is about time for the Council to appoint a new Grand Master, which will involve assessments of wit, courage, and magical might.

BACKBURNER

These are plots that I have no interest in playing at the moment.

100 Men (Contemporary | Rom-Com | Smutty)

This plot is inspired by the anime 'B Gata H Kei.' At long last, MC arrives in the United States of America to pursue her bachelor's degree. But a college degree isn't all that she's after. No. She's read (extensively) that Americans are the most liberal when it comes to sex, which makes it the perfect place for her to sleep with a hundred men before she graduates. The catch? She's a virgin. Perhaps she should start slow, with some average male student who's equally inexperienced to build her confidence. But then she catches the eye of the most popular guy on campus ... which throws her plans into disarray.

Scum's Wish (Contemporary/Low Fantasy | Slow Burn | Hurt | Smutty)

This plot is inspired by the Japanese anime/live-action series 'Scum's Wish.' They are both in love with other people, and as it happens, their respective crushes are dating each other. To ease the pain and stem the longing, they find solace and comfort in each other's arms. To the rest of the world, they are lovers, but only they themselves know their secret. But is it really a sin to forget, to let go of someone that they heart holds dear, and to indulge in what could be?

Never the Right Time (Contemporary | Slow Burn | Rom-Com)

This plot is inspired by the TV series 'Superstore,' particularly this scene:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXX7rGP_k1c&ab_channel=Superstore

Though he crushes on her from the moment they met, she's in a long-term relationship. As friendship is the only avenue they can explore together, they grow closer as friends and coworkers. They spend so much time in each other's company, unconsciously low-key flirting, that their entire workplace is certain that there's something going on between them. Naturally, jealousy ensues when he flirts with and dates other women, but she always maintains that she isn't jealous and that she has no feelings for him whatsoever. When her relationship finally hits the rocks, he starts seeing another woman exclusively.

The Twenty-Six Year Old Virgin (Contemporary | Slow Burn | Rom-Com | Smutty)

This plot is inspired by the Japanese TV series 'Rinko-san Wants to Try.' If not for her status as a 26-year-old virgin, she could have been the perfect woman. She was pretty, fit, and excelled at her work. If only she could do something about her V-card. While having an after-hours drink one day, she chanced upon a scrumptious bit of information. The office heartthrob is in a similar predicament! She drags him to a hotel for sex, only to realize that she could not go through with it. As fate would have it, she shares her secret with him, and they make a promise to try again after work the following week. From then on, they meet up weekly for sex, so that they could both get better at it in order to impress potential long-term partners.

A Tale of Inconvenience (Contemporary | Smutty | Rom-Com | Forbidden Love)

After her boyfriend cheats on her, she moves to the city for a new job and a new life. Trying to embrace single life again, she attends a party at a fancy bar and meets a handsome stranger (late 20s or early 30s). They hit it off and end up having one delicious night together. Now, the weekend is over and she reports for her first day at work, only to realize that she had slept with the young, enigmatic CEO of the company and her new boss. Yikes.

Rental Boyfriend (Contemporary | Low Fantasy | Rom-com)

A struggling college student finds work at a boyfriend-rental agency to make ends meet. She cannot explain her attraction to the most popular cast member, though company policy dictates that employees cannot date. Perhaps that is a good thing because he is secretly a Dragon Lord from another dimension.

*Multiple characters.

After the War (Harry Potter | Rom-com)

Emerging from the wrong side of the divide during the Battle of Hogwarts, one affluent family tries to repair their reputation by matching their heir to the scion of a poor but heroic family. Unfortunately, the bewildered couple could not stand each other.

What is This Place? (Isekai | Low Fantasy | Rom-com)

In general, I'm looking for someone to play a handsome young man (from another world or a parallel dimension) who has found himself shafted into modern-day Earth. His first point of contact is a nerdy college girl, having appeared in her apartment.

Strictly Platonic (Contemporary | Slow Burn | Rom-Com | Forbidden Love) - INACTIVE

This plot is inspired by the Japanese TV drama 'Over Time.' She has a chance encounter with a younger man during a tight spot while on vacation (scene to be determined). He helps her out, and they never see each other again until she returns from her trip. As fate would have it, he turns out to be the younger brother of her close friend and next-door neighbor. Due to begin a new job, he moves in with his sister. Now, she sees him all the time, and while they keep things strictly platonic, they could not help the growing attraction between them. They date other people, but is their strong sense of what's right and what's wrong standing in the way of eternal happiness?

The Lies We Tell (Contemporary | Slow Burn | Rom-Com | Forbidden Love) - INACTIVE

She needs a date to her stuck-up cousin's wedding, to get her family off her back about being single. He wants to make his ex-girlfriend jealous enough to want him back. When the agendas of the two neighbors align, they team up in hopes of achieving their individual goals. In the process, they learn more about each other, grow closer, and eventually feel more than they should. What happens when her first love reappears in her life, just as his ex-girlfriend admits that leaving him was the worst decision that she has made in her life?

Note: I was quite fond of this game while it lasted. Unfortunately, my partner went inactive. Definitely hoping to start a new one.

Between Two Brothers (Contemporary | Smutty, Possible MFM | Slice of Life | Sugar Daddy/Baby - ON-GOING)

She is a 17-year-old girl with dreams of going to Princeton. Her single-parent family is comfortable, though not wealthy, necessitating a tutoring job to save up for college. She tutors a boy her age, who is popular, extremely rich, and has to improve his grades if he wishes to apply for a sports scholarship. As his parents are both in New York and frequently travel abroad for business, he lives with his older brother in an upscale neighborhood. MC tutors twice a week, staying for two hours each time.

He is a man in his mid to late twenties who is poised to become a high-ranking executive of their large, family-owned business. He is movie-star handsome and has the money to go with it, as well as a job with plenty of freedom. He is the sort who could have any woman he wants but quickly takes a romantic/sexual interest in her

Although a virgin, she is rather interested/curious about sex. Unbeknownst to her father, the principal of the private high school that she attends with the younger brother, she enjoys reading smut and has tried her hand at writing her own. One day, while her student is running late for their tutoring session and she is waiting for him in the den of his home, the older brother catches her watching porn and begins to seduce her in her aroused state. The poor girl falls for his charms and loses her virginity to him, leading to a sugar daddy-baby arrangement. She cannot afford to lose this job because the family pays so well, which means that she has little choice but to divide her time between existing as a regular high-school student and her secret life as a sugar baby.

To make matters even worse, the younger brother eventually develops feelings for her as well.

Bride Wanted (Contemporary | Possible Slow Burn | Rom-Com) - TAKEN

His wealthy father dies but states plainly in his will that his son shall not receive his billions until he marries. So he decides to make it a spectacle, putting an ad in the paper and holding a public contest for his future partner. She is trying to get over a bad breakup, and decides to respond to his ad. It's probably a fake, anyway.

Thank You, Next! (Contemporary | Possible Slow Burn | Rom-Com) - TAKEN

She comes home for Thanksgiving to find that her best friend is now dating her ex, the one who got away. She grabs the nearest man — her brother's best friend — and convinces him to pretend to be her boyfriend.

[Sagitta]

Writing Samples

Original Character (Male)

Sheets rustled beneath lengths of sinew and muscle, a kiss brushing bare skin as Yuu Takano aroused from his slumber. Thin amber rays from street lamps illuminating the British suburb stole into the room through the gap in the curtains, aiding his search for discarded clothes. He shrugged into the Tom Ford shirt in one fluid movement, and dragged matching trousers up his legs. To Yuu, this practice was but a regular ritual -- heated nights of passion followed by a quick, subtle exit in the early hours of the morning. Much like a thief.

A quiet groan of displeasure pierced the stillness of the pre-dawn air, drawing his gaze to the brunette nestled in the downy depths of a bed made for kings. "Are you leaving already?" she said, a pout gracing her full lips as the blanket slid along ivory arms. "It's still dark outside."

"Mm. Plane to catch. You know how it is, Kali." Yuu flicked on the light by the dresser and tugged at his sleeves, examining his reflection in the mirror. "Besides, Ken comes home today, and I should make myself scarce."

"Oh, screw Ken. Always off with his polo buddies even when he's home. And talking shop with bloody bankers and stock traders at balls and parties. It's enough to bore me out of my freaking mind." Kalina stretched luxuriously, in a tactful display of her criminal chest. It was all clearly for his benefit, for his admiration.

"Don't speak as if I have not one banker or trader among my acquaintances." Yuu leaned over her, capturing her mouth with his in one slow, dizzying kiss. His fingers threaded through chestnut curls, only to graze her chin and lift her head to meet his own. "I shall quake in my boots at the thought of one day becoming old and dull."

"Never." Kalina pulled him into another kiss, pressing into him completely. "You are not like Ken. You are a lover, a dreamer, an artist. You see the world in color, not black, white, and shades of gray. Which is why I love you."

"And I shall be eternally grateful for your affection and adoration." Yuu returned with a peck to her forehead. "But if you don't release me from your ever so comfortable embrace, I fear that I may miss my flight and be forever condemned to a life in monochrome."

Kalina laughed and gave him a playful whack on his rear. "Whatever will I do with you?"

"Dine with me when I return?" His lips curled into a smile both symmetrical and devastating, while desirous fingers invited themselves on a delicious trail along her neck, blazing a path to her collarbone.

A sigh escaped Kalina. "You know I will. I'll make every excuse for that."

Yuu nodded, a shadow of satisfaction blooming across his visage. "Goodbye then, Kali my love. See you in a week."

He closed the door behind him, whistling a merry tune as he sauntered down the driveway and onto the sidewalk beyond. Lights twinkled at him, and the odd car or two roared down the residential road. Yuu unlocked his own, parked a block away for security reasons, and joined the trickle of early motorists. The past six months had been productive, even if the real work had begun long before then. Securing Kalina's contacts was the easy task, but to make her fall in love with him was a whole other playing field. After all, she was married to Ken. Rich, successful, darling Ken. The Ken who could do no wrong. The Ken of every girl's fantasy. The perfect husband. The ideal human that everyone should place on a pedestal and worship until their sins were redeemed. Or something to that effect.

Truly, you only fall short of turning everything you touch into pure, undiluted gold. But just you wait, cousin dearest. Oh, how your life will fall apart.

A fresh surge of hatred coursed through his veins at the less-than-pleasant memories of Ken, and Yuu steered the black Audi into a sharp turn, right into the parking area of his building, He brought his foot down on the brakes, forcing the vehicle into an angry, screeching halt. Nostrils flared. Chest heaved. Temples throbbed painfully. Once again, he found himself playing into Ken's hands. What did Ken call him? Volatile. Unstable. A freak.

Yuu leaned back into the headrest, catching his breath. Almost of its own accord, his hand slid into the hollow of the driver-side door, closing around his wand, The feel of the wood grain calmed him, serving as a much-needed reassurance of his abilities. Pocketing the wand, Yuu disembarked from the car and headed into the elevator, pressing the button for the penthouse. The doors opened to a sleek, minimalist design, and Yuu sat himself at the bar. He summoned a bottle of elf-made wine, filling two glasses.

"So, what's the latest update on the ultimate resolution for this year? Did you get the photographs that we need for a major exposé? Tell me you did. I tried so hard to arrange Kali and myself in the most compromising positions, and let me tell you -- it wasn't easy. She's a notoriously light sleeper and heavier than she looks in her pictures. It was like moving a baby whale the entire time." He took a sip of his drink. "How is Ken, by the way?"

Original Character (Female)

Kate Everett had been dreading this day for months. She ran the antique comb through her long, dark tresses a few more times, a convenient move to alleviate her worry. And yet, her hands remained clammy and her mouth uncommonly dry. This was it. The first day of the rest of her life. She exhaled deeply, trying to get a grip on her fraying nerves. It seemed silly for her to be so concerned about a standard procedure courtesy of the Ministry. After all, it was not as if she were getting married. Except she was, if she was unfortunate enough.

Her mother's words came floating back to her, commanding her thoughts as she dragged herself to the Great Hall for breakfast. "Don't fret, sweetpea," Perdita Everett had said on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, straightening her daughter's uniform just before she boarded the train back to school. "We have sent in a proposal, made a few respectable requests. With a bit of luck, you'll be matched with Nathaniel Oakes. Such a fine young man, though he is a tad older than you. If not, Andrew Kennedy will do nicely. He's half-American, you know, on his father's side. Good thing that they chose to raise him in England and send him to Hogwarts. I wouldn't say no to Aiden O'Brien, either, but I would prefer for you to marry closer to home."

Her mother then went on to highlight each lad's spectacular qualities, none of which Kate had cared for back then. She had hoped that the Ministry would soon come to their senses and only implement the new decree on adults who had left school, at the very least. Surely they were the ones who were suffering for marriage. In Kate's eye, being seventeen and of age did not make young candidates such as herself functioning adults. In fact, they were nothing more than fledglings on the brink of their first flight.

The Great Hall seemed rowdier than usual, particularly among the senior students. Several heads turned in her direction as she took her place at the Ravenclaw table, no doubt wondering whom she would end up with or pairing her up with unsavory suitors in their juvenile little minds. "This place has gone to the dogs," she muttered to her friend, Layla Davies. To her surprise and dismay, Layla did not seem at all disturbed that the Ministry would be announcing engagements -- probably even their engagements -- very shortly. Kate frowned a little, a tiny crease forming between her eyes. "Do you not care that you're being coupled off like a pair of chopsticks?"

Layla chewed, swallowed, and met Kate's gaze with a steadfastness that unnerved her. "Honestly, it's not so bad. There's nothing so wrong about being fixed up, and I do believe that the Ministry is doing what's best for us. Besides, I prefer my chances with the system than being left to choose from ... you know."

Half-bloods, she meant to say half-bloods. Or Muggle-borns. An involuntary shiver crept down her spine, and Kate tightened her grip around her fork to keep it from escaping her grasp. Its prongs scraped the surface of her plate, but none of her peers seemed to care, for the arrival of an important-looking gentleman had roused their interest. The headmaster promptly rose from the High Table, instructing all seventh-year students, and those who were of age from the sixth-year, to the adjoining auditorium. Kate snuck her toast into the theater with her, choosing a seat in the back. Perhaps if she made herself as inconspicuous as possible, the system might bypass her completely, though she knew, in her heart of hearts, that the very notion was impossible.

The Ministry official stepped up to the podium and began to address his audience, his voice crisp, clear, and business-like. But of course, Kate thought bitterly, cheeks warm with indignance. She could not bring herself to imagine a brighter future with this ill-conceived prospect. What are we if not pawns in business transactions, forced together for convenience, influence, or alliance? What about free will? Does that matter only to me, and no one else in this room?

She stole a look at her classmates, many of whom, she despaired to note, seemed earnest to be married not a moment too soon. Some appeared worried. She could see it in the eyes of those who kept glancing at their girlfriends of boyfriends. Her heart ached for these star-crossed lovers. If their names were not uttered in the same breath by the Ministry's executor, then their love was doomed to die. How would they cope, witnessing their beau getting betrothed to another? Probably like a knife stabbing them in the chest. Over and over and over and over.

The man up on stage paid no heed to her wavering attention, though he appeared to be well-versed in getting it back. Raising his voice just enough to sound impressive, he confirmed that engagements, once announced, were binding. Worse still, Mr. Ministry Officer reiterated that engaged couples must be married within a hundred days, or their families will face severe penalties. His statements resulted in a wave of murmurs coasting through the crowd, like a ripple formed by the drop of a pebble into a pond. "A hundred days?" Kate whispered feverishly to Layla. "That barely brings us to August!"

But Layla did not reply. The first name rang loud and clear, ricocheting off the walls like stray spells. "Leo Abbott!"

Canon Character (Male)

He had heard all kinds of things about the Great Lake. Myths. Legends. Tales so fantastic that even the most imaginative of children could not possibly have conceived them. Stories about aquatic beings that built and ruled a kingdom beneath its mysterious surface had captivated him from a young age, and into adolescence, Newt Scamander had never wavered in his obsession to discover the truth. "No one has seen a selkie in the Great Lake for many years," his mother had explained, in response to his eager questions. "It is said that they have died out."

The lad, however, thought differently. "Maybe they're just scared of wizards," he recalled his six-year-old self saying to both parents over bubble and squeak. "Maybe they've been hurt by magic before, and they're just hiding from us. Maybe we need to show them that we want to be friends. Do you think they'd like my new toy grindylow?" This belief followed Newt all the way to Hogwarts. It was the very reason why he had spent the last three weekends -- and this one -- camped out by the lake in the September chill. One day, I'll find a selkie. I'm sure of it.

A few leaves from a nearby beech tree fluttered onto the old two-man tent that Newt had set up. Against the majesty of Hogwarts castle and the lights twinkling from her towers and turrets, his accommodation for the night appeared forlorn and diminished, having survived scores upon scores of excursions into all sorts of wilderness. The humble abode was simply spacious enough to sustain small comforts for the traveling soul, including a tiny albeit malfunctioning kitchen stove and a bathroom the size of a regular wardrobe. But despite the lingering scent of pine and bacon that no spell could ever get rid off, Newt had a soft spot for his tent and regarded it as his home away from home.

He stood by the water's edge, tightening the cap on a flask and gazing out into the calm of the night. The only sounds around were that of an eagle owl swooping overhead and the mellow whistles of the wind. Conditions were perfect. All he needed was to get a proper fire going and then he could buckle down for some quiet observation. He started towards the tent, thin rivulets of cool liquid trickling down his arms. But as he turned to leave, a fleeting movement demanded his attention. Breath caught in his throat, Newt spun around, eyes fixed upon the lake's surface.

Nothing. Not even a fin.

His heart sank to the pit of his stomach as plopped on a grassy mound. Had he been wrong to think that selkies were more likely to appear under the cover and security of night rather than in broad daylight? Were they truly as extinct as everyone he knew made out to be? Sighing in a depressing blend of mild frustration and regretful disappointment, he flicked his wand at the pile of kindling before him, commanding into existence a merry blaze of flames. Feeling a mite better in the company of heat and warmth, Newt pierced a skewer through a pair of pink marshmallows, holding them over the fire. Just as they puffed and grew golden around the edges, an obnoxious splash came from the lake, followed by a louder cry for help.

The unfortunate marshmallows fell into the fire, where they melted and blackened around the metal stick. Newt sprang to his feet, fingers wrapped tightly around his wand. Something ... no, wait ... a girl was emerging from the Great Lake, dressed in nothing more than her ... nightie. At least that was what Newt thought it was called. And it was clinging to the curves of her body like a second skin. Through the flickering light of the campfire, he could very clearly make out the enticing way the wet fabric enveloped her chest and hugged her hips ... It was a most distracting image that he knew he would not soon forget.

Poor Newt blushed until he could not possibly turn any redder. If he could dig a hole in the ground deep enough the bury his embarrassment, he would. Torn between rushing to the girl's aid, like a gentleman should, and allowing her to struggle to shore on her own, he compromised by staying rooted to the spot. It wasn't until what felt an eternity of gawking at the newcomer's drenched ebony hair and dainty porcelain features like some loveless dork that he found his feet shuffling forward, free arm outstretched. "H-here, let me help y-AHHHH!"

His boot struck against a sneaky little branch. A twinge of pain crept up his leg, but that was absolutely nothing compared to propelling headlong into the lake. Newt thought he might have dragged the girl down with him, but perhaps she had escaped his supreme clumsiness. A stream of pin-sized bubbles rose before his eyes as he plunged into the lake's inky depths, reminding him of how very mortal he was. Was this payback for ogling a beautiful girl? I'm too young to die! Water burned painfully through his nose, and in his panic, he could not begin to tell one limb from another -- were they even all his?

Light. I should follow the light. Holding his breath, he pawed through the surface and spent the next thirty seconds flailing his way towards the bank. Eyes not quite seeing and lungs processing clean air greedy gulp by greedy gulp, Newt bumped against something soft and yet so firm. He stiffened -- or he would have if he wasn't trembling from cold.

Honking hippogriffs! Okay, keep calm. Breathe. Don't panic. Just ... pretend like you didn't know what that was.

Doubly sure that the night could not get any worse, Newt stumbled gratefully onto dry land, robes soaked and sloshing about his wrists and ankles, latching onto his flesh like they were flobberworms and he was a batch of fresh lettuce. "So, um, sorry about that," he said apologetically, searching eyes finally meeting the girl's for a brief moment before he pried the sky-blue gaze away from her delicate face and directed it at the uninspiring ground.

Good choice. There's nothing appealing whatsoever about dying grass. "Do you, uh, need any help drying off?" Water-streaked cheeks burned the moment the words escaped his lips. It dawned upon him just how that innocent question could be misconstrued. In about twenty different ways. "I-I mean it's perfectly fine if you'd rather do it yourself, of course," he added hastily, holding out both hands as if to disassociate himself from any potentially impure intentions she might think he had. "I should just, um ... " Shut up? Shoot myself in the foot? "... return to my marshmallows."

Canon Character (Female)

Rose Weasley carried the weight of the world upon her shoulders. For starters, she was quite up to her ears with eight N.E.W.T. classes -- which was twice as many subjects attempted by the average student. And if schoolwork was not keeping her busy enough, it seemed a good idea to heap on the extracurricular activities. Being captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team was no walk in the park. They practiced hard in all sorts of weather twice a week, often more. Rose wished that she could relinquish the post to someone else but her father was so proud when she received that badge two summers ago. In fact, Ron Weasley's face lit up with a glee that was not quite there when she received her prefect's badge two years prior. Talk about getting his priorities all wrong.

To say that her family piled all their hopes and expectations on her was an understatement. Rose bore the burden as best she could to uphold the family honor. In her mother's eyes, failure was not an option, and it was not enough just to succeed -- Rose had to excel. Lately, Hermione Weasley (nee Granger) had been the talk of the wizarding community, emerging as the clear favorite to take over as Minister of Magic when Kingsley Shacklebolt retires. It was both an honor and a headache, for the Weasleys now had to be extremely careful of their public image.

"You know, Rosie," Hermione had once said to her. "This is a huge deal for all of us. Women have to work twice as hard to be thought of as half as good as men. A female Minister for Magic is as rare as they come. We will finally have a chance to work for the changes that we sorely want to see."

Most of the time, Rose was inclined to agree with her mother. Intelligent and sensible, Hermione was her role model. But of late, Rose found her mother ... stifling. On and on she went about grades, about keeping up with appearances, and about a promising career in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement once she graduated from Hogwarts. True, there was once when Rose wanted to grow up to be just like her mother. But now, the thought of spending her days in an office in the Ministry, pouring over volumes and volumes of legal journals, ignited a little twinge in her chest. Still, Rose did not dwell on it, brushing it off as an unfortunate side effect of being a seventh-year student. Just the usual case of the nerves.

To force her attention away from the possibilities (or lack thereof) of the future, Rose focused upon the chart in her hands. If her brain had decided to play tricks on her, it was in poor taste. Indeed, she could not believe what she was seeing and had to blink twice to be doubly sure: The Slytherin team had booked the pitch for practice every darn day from 5 PM to 6 PM. That cannot be right. I specifically requested 5 PM to 7 PM on Tuesdays and Fridays. What are we supposed to do -- share? Jaw set in grim determination, Rose spun on her heel and stormed from the confines of the castle, long auburn locks dancing in her wake. Locating the culprit would be easy enough. Everybody knows that Scorpius Malfoy plays a game of 'Look at Me, Look at Me' by the lake every afternoon after classes. What a narcissist.

From the first day of school, his father had warned her not to keep her distance from Scorpius, though her mother had cautioned him not to pit the children against each other. Their parents were not exactly friends, so naturally, Rose inherited some of the old prejudice. and yet, at eleven years old, she had been quite willing to observe his behavior and how he treated the people around him. As days and years rolled past, Rose realized just how right her father was about the Malfoy heir. His only hope was that he would one day grew out of his self-absorbed ways, but she would be downright foolish to put her money on that.

Perhaps Scorpius had a bit of talent -- the slightest, most minuscule bit -- but Rose had always thought that his attitude was deplorable. She could not see past his faults. In her eyes, he was forever flirting with pretty girls -- or using them , rather -- to win favors and endlessly tormenting those that he deemed beneath his station. He kept a tight clique as well, one filled with the worst excuses for human beings. Together, they made fun of the socially awkward and iced out kids just for the sake of making themselves feel more important. Rose had always wondered how they managed to stay upright. Surely their large, overly inflated heads weighed them down much of the time.

She found the boy in question lounging in his usual spot, all the while hating the fact that she knew where to find him. Rose cut across the sloping lawn and crisp autumn air to march up to Scorpius. Heads turned as drying blades of grass crunched beneath her feet. It was as if the student population could smell a showdown coming and were eager to buy tickets. The Rose Weasley and Scorpius Malfoy Match, that's what this is. Drama-loving heathens, Rose thought, slender fingers curled around the incriminating bit of parchment.

With fire in her eyes, she closed the gap between her and the adversary and shoved the chart right under his nose. Nobody would care if a few crackers were sacrificed in the row. "Change it. Reschedule your practice on Tuesdays and Fridays. Gryffindor has had those slots for years, and we're not about to give them up to Slytherin."

[Sagitta]

Face Claims
These are some of the face claims that I use for inspiration, for an idea of how I'd like my partners' characters to look and what my own characters may look like.

The Men

Chris Pine

Liam Hemsworth

Sam Claflin

Chris Evans

Brandon Routh

Grant Gustin

Yuu Shirota

Luo Yunxi

Ren Meguro

The Women

Julia Adamenko

Elle Fanning

Victoria Justice

Danielle Panabaker

Katie McGrath

Erika Mori

Bai Lu

Natalie Alyn Lind

Honkai Star Rail - Men

Gepard

Jing Yuan

Caelus

Dan Heng

Dr Ratio

Genshin Impact - Men

Neuvillette

Alhaitham

Tartaglia

Zhongli

[Sagitta]

Giving this a prod. Trying a new approach.

[Sagitta]

Careful bump.

[Sagitta]

Bump. Updated cravings.
Available for a one or two moderate-paced games.

[Sagitta]

Bump! Completely overhauled my request thread. It now has its own sections for things!

Looking for a couple of slow- to moderate-paced stories.

[Sagitta]

Bump!
Just a slow writer looking for other slow writers to write slowly with.

[Sagitta]

Bump!
Ahem. This is your resident slow writer speaking. I'm hoping to meet other slow writers to write slowly with.

[Sagitta]

Bump! Added an oddly specific plot (tagged with "craving" in the plot section).
Looking for slow writers to play with.

[Sagitta]

Bumping. Available for 1-2 stories, ranging 300-400 words.
Still a slow writer. No changes there.

[Sagitta]

Added the following plots:

Bride Wanted
The Celebrity Friend
Thank You, Next!
Her Crush and His Roommate