Writing Log #4 - "There's no way I can fit inside you. Unless...?"

Wrapping up the week with a pretty cool milestone - I finished the first draft for chapter 3! The first book is set to have six chapters, so that's roughly the halfway point. (Assuming the remaining chapters don't absolutely explode in word count. Which, y'know, could happen.)

A quick look at what we've got so far (because it'll be fun to see how the chapter titles and word count change throughout the second draft and final editing):

• Chapter 1: Urban Legends and Modern Folklore - 4,900 words

• Chapter 2: The Seventh Iteration of Sanctuary 17223 - 10,050 words

• Chapter 3: Roses are #A82323, Violets are #8F44B8 - 11,000 words

And next week I'll be starting number four, "This Chapter is Sponsored by the Sanctuary Skate Club."

*

In the third chapter, we learn more about Lulu's YouTube shenanigans (may or may not have to rename those to something very obvious like MeTube).

Done cleaning the floor, Alvin places all his focus on the conversation. "Is making videos your hobby?"

"Rollerskating is," I clarify, reminding myself that I shouldn't be slacking on my posture the way I am right now. I sit up straight, back pain be damned, and prop my leg up on the stool next to me, giving my knee the break it still needs. "Making videos is just a way to express myself. And part of what pays the bills, I guess."

I pull up a short clip I set aside to upload on a few platforms and turn the screen towards Alvin. Curious, he leans in closer to watch.

Even without the reflection in his glasses, I'd know exactly what parts of the clip he's reacting to. A compilation of failed attempts to grind on the rails next to a small set of stairs has him going through a cycle of anticipation, concern, and relief in that order.

Try. Fall. Laugh it off and try again.

"I filmed that at the skatepark right outside the Lonicera Medical Centre," I tell him. "A while ago. Before Goldenrod destroyed it. Now there's no more parks in the entire city."

As Alvin takes his eyes off the video, I turn the screen so I can look at it. With fond memories that feel painfully far away despite being so recent.

"User Lulu," he says, "I don't understand the significance of self-expression, but I see how happy you are on that recording. If Goldenrod took that from you, that is all the more reason to support you in any way I can."

Unfortunately, a sudden boost in views on Lulu's channel is neither a shout-out from a larger creator, nor a mysterious favour from the algorithm that Alvin is a little jealous of. It turns out that Lulu's fairly harmless revenge against Goldenrod Pharmaceuticals got her framed for a different crime she has nothing to do with.

*

I down my glass of water, desperately wishing it was beer. "When I said I'll fight for our freedom, I didn't mean it like I'm a wanted criminal."

Talking a big game is easy because when you do, and you're good at it, things will just kind of work out most of the time.

But now and again, the universe (or a giant corporation) throws a curveball your way that requires a new strategy to deal with.

Alvin refills my glass—with water, sadly—and tries to remove my debuff, so to say. "Ah, sure it'll be grand, User Lulu. I'll stop at nothing to prove your innocence."

If we prove I'm innocent, people will learn the truth and change their minds, and justice will be served.

That's a very logical assumption.

Unfortunately, and it really pains me to have to say this, "Humans don't run on facts and logic."

We all love to see the hero succeed and defeat the villains, but this story openly suggests they may be picking fights they can't possibly win and acknowledges that there's only so much people can hope to achieve against extremely powerful companies. The conflicts are nuanced, and less about good vs evil, and more about how to make it through and do what's best for your own life.

*

As for something lighter - last week's doodle made it into the draft! This chapter explicitly states that Lulu has a crush on Alvin because I don't believe in artificially dragging out the romance when the delay serves no purpose. (Also, I'll make no attempts to beat the allegations that Lulu is very horny. Ain't no way she'll meet a guy who ticks all the boxes and be normal about him.)

"Understood. Let's go so, User Lulu."

Alvin turns off the screen on the wall and leaves his comfy corner behind the bar. Standing in front of me, he stops and winks at me.

"Or rather, let's roll."

He sticks his tongue out again, fully aware of how cheeky he's being.

Now I know what people mean when they say they wanna 'put a ring on that finger.'

Mark my words, I'm gonna put wheels on those feet.

They're rolling...what exactly?

In the previous chapter, Lulu saves Alvin from 'being stuck inside a simulation.' Turns out that 'simulation' is Alvin's specialty and Lulu wants to see what that's like--they don't have many options in investigating their current situation, might as well make the most of what they do have.

I look back over my shoulder, towards the spot where it all began. "I'm not gonna be climbing into a weird box like the one you were stuck in?"

"Goodness, no," Alvin assures me. "They had to put me inside a version 1.9—the only version 2.0 is me. My cherished user will never receive any less than the highest quality, most up-to-date service."

One question answered, five more questions popping up in my head.

"There's no way I can fit inside you," I say.

A Lulu classic. Ninety-nine percent of the time, my brain doesn't react in time to stop me from saying The Dumb Thing.

"Unless...?"

Alvin tilts his head, and I'm not entirely convinced it's not just gonna fall off at some point. I think his expectant stare means he's waiting for me to finish that sentence.

Naturally, I don't.

"Forget I said anything."

Looks like these simulations won't require climbing into a pod or some other kind of funky machine. It won't stop Lulu from assuming and being excessively normal around the RILF (Robot I'd Like to Fuck).

So Lulu hops into a simulated environment and things get...interesting.

I've attached concept art for the simulation (as well as the old version of that scene from when it first popped into my head). Now are they kissing because that's what Lulu's brain projected into the scenario, or is it an oddly accurate prediction?

Only one way to find out--always look forward, always keep going.

The first piece of concept art still means a lot to me (it feels a bit nostalgic, even), but the new version does a much better job of conveying the nature of their relationship. One of the most important things to me is to give the spotlight to underrepresented people and relationship dynamics without making a big deal about it in the story. I want people to feel like they can be attractive, loved, and comfortably who they want to be regardless of their gender, body type, you name it. No questioning of Lulu's leadership or Alvin's masculinity, no fat jokes or weight loss arcs, no bait and switch into a glorified 'superior norm.' This is who they are, this is who anyone can be.

Go get him, Lulu.

See ya next week with chapter 4 rambling!