Yeah, I’m subjecting you all to my blathering twice in one day. Again. But a blog I just started following posted her WIPpet wednesday excerpt, and I went to have a look at other people’s… it’s just way too much fun! Parties all over the place today- works in progress AND it’s Jae at Lit and Scribbles’ blogiversary. Aww!
So here’s how it goes: you post a short bit from a current work in progress that somehow relates to the day’s date. So today being the 13th, you get an itty bitty sample of chapter 13… which hasn’t been hit by final revisions yet, but this part probably won’t change much.
Background: This chapter is told by Aren, who is… well, to know him is to be confused by him. He and Rowan just escaped from a hairy situation that might have helped her trust him a little more, but the fact that he’s manipulating people’s minds is probably still too much for her, the poor lamb. 😉
(not the beginning or end of the scene, not even the beginning of that first paragraph… because of all the reasons. Just trust me.)
**
I didn’t like hiding, especially in a spot that would have been so difficult to escape from, but it hadn’t been all bad. It was cramped and uncomfortable, and being there left us too vulnerable, but that hadn’t kept me from enjoying having her body pressed against mine for a few minutes.
“Did you really give those people memories that weren’t real?” she whispered after the groom left to collect our things, pulling me out of thoughts that I shouldn’t have been having.
“In a way.”
“And you made that other guy kill his brother?” She looked like she was afraid to hear my answer, but I wasn’t going to lie to her about it.
“Yes.”
“What were you just doing to that man who just left?”
“What I had to. Nothing that will hurt him, so don’t worry about it.”
She stepped away from me and rubbed the horse’s nose. “It seems wrong, though.”
“I didn’t see you jumping in to distract him,” I whispered back as the groom returned with food and clean bedrolls. “You’re benefiting from this at least as much as I am. If you don’t like it, find your own cure.” She held my gaze for a moment, then looked away and turned to saddle her horse. I knew I wasn’t being nice; she was probably confused about everything that was happening, but I was exhausted and in no mood to feel like a villain for trying to help her.
She was silent as we rode away from the inn, through the still-quiet village and past a faded sign that advised us to “Come again soon!” Not bloody likely, I thought. I’d be lucky to survive the next week if I couldn’t stop being distracted or falling into deep sleep. Keeping us safe was turning out to more challenging than I’d anticipated.
Rowan seemed to be turning things over in her mind for the next while, which was fine with me. It was well into the morning before she spoke again. She didn’t turn toward me, but watched out of the corner of her eye. “Have you done that to me at all?”
I’d wondered how long it would take her to ask. “No. Not once.”
“How can I be sure of that? You could be making me think that I was making my own decisions but really you’ve been doing it for me, and making me not notice that what I was doing was strange, or-”
Even though I was feeling frustrated and nearly too tired to think, it was hard not to laugh at her. “Rowan?”
“What?”
“You’re not worth that much trouble.”
**
So there you go, my lovely readers. Out of context, short, probably confusing, but that’s a bit of chapter 13 for you. If you would like to see what others have posted today, the links are here, all conveniently conglomerated for your convenient consumption*. Thank you to K.L. Schwengel for hosting the whole shebang. Enjoy!
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*No, I have not been watching “V for Vendetta.” But now I want to.
disregard the prologue 
March 13th, 2013 at 12:11 pm
I love the dynamic between Aren and Rowan. I can’t wait to read more about them! 🙂
March 13th, 2013 at 7:07 pm
Glad you enjoyed! I had a lot of fun writing them. They gave me a lot to work with. 🙂
March 13th, 2013 at 12:17 pm
Yeah, the tension between the two is good! Obviously I don’t have the piece before, but was just a little confused as it seems they’re really cramped if she’s pressed up against him and then can walk away and pet a horse. But I realize the previous words may explain the space that they’re in. If so, disregard my concern. If not, maybe think about explaining a little the space they’re in.
Nice work posting a teaser. Now I’m eager to know what they just escaped from and what’s happening next. 🙂
March 13th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
He was referring to the situation the just got away from- definitely clearer in context. 🙂
And thanks for reading! ^_^
March 13th, 2013 at 1:33 pm
I like this even out of context! It made me want to read what had happened leading up to this scene. Neat ending too with Aren’s ‘You’re not worth that much trouble’ comment.
Welcome to the WIPpeteers. 🙂
March 13th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Thanks! It’s such a fun idea, and I loved reading other people’s story bits.
The scene leading up to this one is fun, but it was in the wrong chapter. Thanks a lot, March! 🙂
March 13th, 2013 at 3:58 pm
Oh, now I want to read the rest. Curse the date! Nothing makes sense. *Cries
March 13th, 2013 at 4:03 pm
I’m sorry. 😦
March 13th, 2013 at 4:12 pm
It’s not your fault; don’t worry. I’m over-exaggerating. Your writing is really good, by the way.
March 13th, 2013 at 5:19 pm
I figured you were- I’d hate to make anyone cry (unless it’s at part of one of my stories where that’s supposed to happen, of course). And thanks! I appreciate the encouragement.
March 13th, 2013 at 6:27 pm
You’re totally welcome. It’s nice talking to other writers.
March 13th, 2013 at 4:08 pm
What a great character you’ve got! From this passage, it seems he is omeone who has the power to manipulate people and genuinely believes he’s doing the right thing.
March 13th, 2013 at 4:09 pm
He does, and you can probably guess how well that’ll work out in the long run. 😉
Thanks for commenting!
March 13th, 2013 at 5:32 pm
The great thing about the WIPpet is you eventually find a date that will let you share! I really enjoyed this piece. I like Aren’s voice – he has some attitude, obviously a very interesting ability and sounds like he might walk the line between doing the right thing and his own self interest. Looking forward to reading more.
And like Kate said – Welcome!
March 13th, 2013 at 5:46 pm
Thanks for the welcome! Yeah, Aren’s not really used to doing what most people would consider the “right” thing, so it gets complicated. Glad that came through!
March 13th, 2013 at 7:01 pm
ew, a narrator who can give false memories and make people kill each other? Creepy! (and very well written!)
March 13th, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Well, he only narrates parts, but yes, this is all true…among other things. Glad you liked it (I think?). 🙂
March 13th, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Welcome, fellow WIPpeteer! Always fun to have more play the game and share their WIPs. This one is certainly intriguing. Although that last line . . . I think if I was Rowan I might have slapped him!
March 13th, 2013 at 8:08 pm
Wouldn’t be the first or last time she felt that way (and there are times he deserves it more).
Thanks for the welcome! This is so fun. 🙂