Writing Log #5 - "That's what the Sanctuary Skate Club is all about. I think."

Quick update on the health front, I was very low on energy this week and the bloodwork helped find a potential cause. After losing a whole day to hunting down the (not even particularly obscure) meds I need, I should be getting better soon!

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On all my three writing days, I still managed to hit my target of 2,000 words so I'm currently 6k words into chapter 4. I anticipate that this is the one that will need a rewrite from scratch once I get to the second draft. However, it helped me pinpoint what it is that feels 'off!' It's easy to feel down from writer's block but I'm a firm believer that pushing forward and taking wrong paths is necessary in art--because it'll help inform what you do want to do.

Turns out one of my 'mistakes' is that writing only prose makes me lose the wacky quality I give my narratives when I'm focused on drawing (before this, I was a visual novel and comic person after all). I'm so hyper-aware of all the themes and foreshadowing, I kinda forget how much of a gremlin my narrator is! But that's what the first draft is for: first it's me writing the story, and then it'll be Lulu narrating it properly in-character.

While I was out yesterday, I also picked up two books from the science-fiction section. I've been purely a non-fiction reader up 'till now, so this is gonna be a learning experience for sure. (It won't be 'reading' so much as it will be 'studying,' probably.)

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tl;dr - take all excerpts in this post with more grains of salt than usual. I'll be re-using ideas and moving things around most likely, but I'm aware the state of this chapter is a bit shaky at the moment. (It's funny, this chapter doesn't need much more than what I love writing most--Lulu/Alvin banter--but when it feels like I have to sell their relationship for a narrative purpose, my brain goes on strike. (Solution: turn brain off. It's not that important, is it?))

"Do you have, like, actual fleshy and boney human bits or is it all robot parts in there?" I ask.

Remember, if not showering for two days because you're too busy being a nerd won't win your crush over, asking an uncomfortable question about their body phrased in the worst way possible definitely will.

We'll all learn a lot about love from Lulu, I'm sure. (Needless to say, Alvin doesn't mind. They truly deserve each other.)

The answer? Debatable. (By the end of the first book she'll have to ask about the robot prostate. I mean what?)

Alvin continues typing, tears forming in his eyes. "User Lulu, you don't need to go easy on me. I won't rest until you're completely satisfied with my performance."

I lean forward, grabbing his metallic wrist to stop him. "I like your vibe, buddy, but I wasn't saying that out of pity."

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

Are all of today's excerpts just the completely unsubtle domme/sub parts? Mayhaps.

I won't insist that making him more 'human' is the goal, per se, but I don't want to tell him how to feel. I don't want him to smile a customer service smile for me just because. I want him to cry if he wants to cry.

If it turns out that this mechanical process is how he wants to be, then so be it. But as of right now, until we find a way to disable the inhibitor, that's not a choice he's made.

Gentle.

Soft.

The best.

I crouch down, prompting him to sit down on the floor. Nothing good ever came from putting on wheeled shoes while standing upright.

No, I don't have stories to tell about that.

I'm a bit worried looking at him and his utter lack of safety gear as a beginner, but he assured me his body comes equipped with highly effective impact absorption.

Not that I'm one to talk with my unprotected head impatiently standing in line for the next concussion.

I'll learn from my mistakes another time.

Lulu's brain is 50% horny and 50% skating, and she gets to have both in this chapter. Exciting times for her! It's also totally part of her brilliant plan regarding the plot. She'll figure out what the plan is soon enough.

"That's what the Sanctuary Skate Club is all about."

I pause.

"I think."

[...]

"Wait," he suddenly adds like he just realized the most important thing of all. "Am I in your club?" 

"I mean, it's not much of a club if it's just me."

"Ah, brilliant!" he says with a joyful expression on his face. "I wasn't sure how to join."

Was making him—I mean, gently guiding him into trying rollerskating and having him next to me for the club's profile pic seriously not enough of a giveaway?

He's the smartest dumbass I've ever met. I'm in love.

In this house, we love himbos.

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As for the, ahem, piece of concept art...I haven't made it to that scene yet in the draft, but I'm extremely determined to make it happen. After being accused for a crime she didn't commit, Lulu deserves a W in the form of being smothered by tits and belly.

And with that, I'm signing off for my weekend--hoping to do lots of gaming and reading for relaxation and inspiration. See you next week!