Thicker Than - Public Demo Update

Happy full moon everyone! I’ve had a really good month and got a ton of writing done (almost 50k!) which you can read right now for free here:

Thicker Than - Updated Demo

I really hope you like it.

Side note: I also announced a book deal for a not-interactive novel I wrote back in 2022 this month. Of Monsters and Mainframes is going to be published with Bindary in 2025!

I'm ridiculously excited. I'm also going to be a bit busy next month editing that, so the vampires are going to have to take a bit of a back seat. I hope that's okay.

In regards to Thicker Than, I have finished Chapters Eight, Nine, and have started Chapter Ten. Chapter Ten and Eleven are both much branchier chapters, so may take a little longer to write than Chapters Eight and Nine did.

There’s a few fairly major plot points/twists in this update, and I’m a wee bit terrified to hear your reaction to those.

In Chapter Ten, the romance scenes are mostly unfinished with the exception of Marcel’s (totally finished) and Tracy’s (half finished).

As always, thanks for your passion and enthusiasm (and fanart! It's been so motivating to see so much love for these characters!).

Double thank you to the people who've supported me over on Kofi. I couldn't do this without you. I couldn't do this without you. 💙

-----------------------------------------------

Thicker Than as of the 23d of April 2024

Chapter Eight and Nine are complete

I’ve begun work on Chapter Ten

Additional Words: 48,897 (excluding commands)

Current Word Count: 294,010 (excluding commands)

Full Moon Messages for the Rising Signs:

Aries: Balance is key. This Libra Full Moon illuminates the need for partnership in your business endeavors. Seek out collaborations that bring equilibrium to your financial goals.

Taurus: Harmony in spending and saving is highlighted. The Full Moon encourages you to review your budgets and find a middle ground that fosters both security and growth.

Gemini: Communication opens financial doors. Use this time to network and negotiate. Your words have the power to create prosperous opportunities.

Cancer: Emotional intelligence is your asset. Trust your intuition in financial matters, and let your care for others guide your business decisions.

Leo: Creativity leads to abundance. Shine in your unique talents and watch as they translate into financial success under this Full Moon’s glow.

Virgo: Efficiency is wealth. Streamline your processes and organize your finances. The Full Moon’s light shows the path to a more productive and profitable routine.

Libra: Self-worth brings financial worth. This Full Moon in your sign calls for a reassessment of your value. Charge what you deserve, and balance will follow.

Scorpio: Transformation is profitable. Embrace change in your business model, and the Full Moon will reveal new ways to increase your financial power.

Scorpio: Transformation is profitable. Embrace change in your business model, and the Full Moon will reveal new ways to increase your financial power.

Sagittarius: Expand your horizons. Educational investments or long-distance connections made now can lead to significant financial growth.

Capricorn: Structure meets opportunity. This Full Moon asks you to solidify your goals and put in the work. Your efforts will be met with monetary rewards.

Aquarius: Innovation attracts wealth. Think outside the box in your business strategies, and the Full Moon will support your financial breakthroughs.

Pisces: Compassion is lucrative. Align your business with your ideals, and the Full Moon will help your finances flow as you aid others.

a vampire lord hits you up in the middle of the night. what do you do?

A) he's clearly just after my blood. BLOCK. B) you had me at vampire lord. accept. C) accept but prepare a wooden stake. just in case.

thicker than if /// @barbwritesstuff

Darkstar... are you eating? Are you sleeping? Are you ok?

Tears fall in waves as Darkstar curls up alone in her nest. She does not eat or sleep.

NEXT | PREVIOUS

Hi, Sun, Moon, and Lunar, it's so nice to finally meet you.

My first question is for Sun and Moon. How are you boys doing since the 'incident'? Like how are you feeling Moon, is your head feeling better? I wishbI can give you a kiss on the head to help you feel better, but I know you'll won't like it, so I'll just give you a Hersey chocolate kiss instead.

(Gives Moon a chocolate kiss)

As for Sun, how are you doing? Are you feeling ok?

(Gives Sun a chocolate kiss too)

Finally, Lunar. Are you a little troublemaker? Do you like to pull pranks on people?

(Also gives chocolate kisses to Lunar)

Have a great day you three.

Go on, boys...if you feel ready.

...Sun?

*sigh* And Lu-

WWYD if a vampire lord refused to stop forwarding you flirty(?) Tumblr posts? @barbwritesstuff

[Image Description: a digital drawing. In the middle of the image is a recreation of a phone screen depicting a series of texts to someone named "BW". The first two texts are screenshots of these posts. Then the point-of-view texter responds "Stop texting me." The person who sent the images texted "Haha. Lol. No ❤️" The point-of-view texter is in the process of texting back "I am going to stake you." An arrow behind the phone points towards the phone in the hands of a man on the right side of the image. On the right side of the image is an Asian man in a teal waterproof jacket and blue denim jeans. He has stubbly facial hair, sharp cheekbones, and tattoos at the edges of his neckline and wrists. He has a silver necklace and rings on. His dark hair is pulled into a bun. He's blushing and scowling down at his phone as he texts and walks. Behind him is a street at night faintly lit by neon signs. A full moon is very slightly visible. On the left side of the image is a tall older man in red glasses, a blue button-up, business slacks, and blue sneakers. He has pale skin, gray eyes, and short, dark receding hair. He's smiling down at his phone calmly. He's using a stylus to scroll Tumblr on his phone, which has a rainbow case. He's leaning against the side of a subway, the night sky racing past a nearby window. The full moon is visible.]

This took a stupid long time to work on, but it kept me motivated when my brain was broken from finals and when my heart was broken by the latest Thicker Than updates 💔

I may or may not have been saving various posts on the basis "Francis would absolutely send this to Nathan" for the past while. No comment.

Screenshots of the two posts that made it into the image below the cut :]

[Image Description: a tumblr post by user @/herssian posted March 7, 2024 which reads "i don’t know who’s been spreading ,rumors about me flirting with the villain but i need you to stop right now . no such thing took place. What you saw under the bridge was an exchange of insults made in a Polite manner befitting of our civilized society. it is not my fault you all act like animals. what of the tongue kiss ." Note that in the fanart, the word "villain" was erased and the word "hunter" sloppily written in.] Link Here

[Image Description: a tumblr post by user @/greelin posted November 4, 2023 which reads "i think having a sharp object held to my throat can be very very romantic. intimate. sexy, even. this is because i am normal."] Link Here

Energy Update: Full Moon in Cancer, 12/26-12/27

We are headed into an emotional Cancer full moon later this evening that is going to touch on the stressors of our retrograde Jupiter in Taurus which is about to station direct on 12/31 and Saturn in Pisces. We are also in the final third of our Mercury retrograde cycle (Mercury stations direct on 1/1). There's a strong push/pull element today.

Something is changing. I think that most of us know it and feel it as we wrap things up and prepare for the year ahead. A lot of toxic systems (governments, businesses, families, and relationships) are being exposed as Pluto eeks out these last few degrees of Capricorn. We all have to face the consequences of when and how we've played into these systems. How we've benefited from dysfunction. But also how we've been injured by it. It's not an easy or fun process. Now the Cancer full moon brings all of the emotionality of it to the surface. This is ultimately a good thing because things need to break free to be purged. But it may not feel very pleasant in the moment.

That's where the push of Jupiter and the pull of Saturn comes into play here. Some of us have paid the piper and are ready to move forward while others of us are still dragging our feet and in a deep state of resistance to the needed changes. It's worth noting that those who benefit the most from the dysfunction are the least likely to want to leave it behind. You can't change where you are in this cycle but you do have the capability to change how you approach it.

All of that said, the Cancer full moon holds the powerful energy of watery release which can be harnessed to help yourself along on the inevitability of this journey. This can show up (or be called in) in many different ways.

Water rules tears, the ultimate release valve of our emotional bodies. This Cancer Moon is a great time to cry it out until you have let all of this shit go once and for all.

Water can be harnessed through showering or bathing as a cleansing ritual. Today (and tomorrow) are great days to wash wash wash yourself and your space. A change often starts from within and cleaning yourself of what has held you back is a great place to start.

Water supports emotional releases of all kinds. If you're not the cry-it-out type - you can write it out in as much detail as possible and then burn it as a symbolic gesture to yourself of letting it go. The energy of the full moon in Cancer supports cord cuttings, banishments, and clearing magic of all kinds if that is what you need to start over. Emotions will run high so it might not be a great day to talk things out. Instead, focus on yourself and what you can do to release the situation. Beware of emotional manipulation and toxic family dynamics which are both found in the immature Cancer type. You cannot control how other people act, but you can control how much you play into their petty machinations.

Some people are looking for a fight but they are going to act like the victim if you respond by fighting back.

You don't need to play nice to appease Mom or Grandma. You don't need to stand in the stream of your Other's dysfunction. That's their shit.

If it's not yours, let it the fuck go.

Me checking for Helluva Boss updates at 3 in the Godamn morning because that's an option apparently

Martin Li AKA. Mister Negative the youngest crime lord

In Chinatown Martin is the owner of the F.E.A.S.T he is a very famous person and a lot of people know him as a rich philanthropist but that’s the only thing most people know. In the world of crime he is also known as Mister Negative, one of the powerful crime lords with his minion The inner demon. His power just likes his name. Negative power has the ability to switch people personally from good to bad or bad to good and he also can control people who get corrupted by the negative power too. It’s not all bad because on the Martin Li side he has a light power that can heal people even with cancer. All of this power is from the mystery antiques he found long ago when he was a child it’s more than just giving him a power.. it’s giving him a second personality it’s later on call himself Mister Negative

Demon’s story over 12k words and three parts now. Just… FYI. :3

GUYS THIS IS NOT A DRILL HELLUVA BOSS' TWT ACC POSTED

FUCKING FINALLY

January 25 Astro Vibe Check

Brace yourself for a cosmic tug-of-war! Leo's moon ignites creative passions, demanding attention, while Aquarius' sun urges intellectual detachment. Can you express your unique spark while embracing diverse perspectives? Meanwhile, a Taurus Jupiter fuels indulgences, tempting lavish escapes, while Leo's moon demands bold expression. Can you celebrate your victories without losing sight of responsible boundaries? Find the sweet spot between fiery desires and grounded needs, where creativity dances with collaboration and self-expression meets a dose of mindful joy.

Moon enters Leo (Full Moon): This is a time to step into the spotlight and share your unique talents with the world. Embrace your inner artist and let your creativity flow. This is a great time to focus on your relationships and express your affection.

Tips for this Transit:

Set intentions

Express yourself

Stand up for yourself

Celebrate your accomplishments

Spend time with loved ones

Moon in Leo opposite Sun in Aquarius: The Moon in Leo, radiating passion, creativity, and self-expression, finds itself face-to-face with the Sun in Aquarius, representing intellect, innovation, and humanitarianism. This transit encourages us to find the sweet spot between expressing our unique selves and contributing to a greater good. It's about honoring our individuality while recognizing our role within the community. The emotional intensity of Leo contrasts with Aquarius' intellectual coolness. This transit encourages us to express our emotions authentically while maintaining a detached, objective perspective.

Tips for this Transit:

Seek balance

Embrace open-mindedness

Express yourself creatively

Practice self-reflection

Moon in Leo square Jupiter Taurus: This astrological transit combines the flamboyant, passionate energy of Leo with the grounded, sensual vibes of Taurus, creating a potent mix of desires, indulgences, and potential drama. The Moon in Leo craves pleasure and self-expression, while Jupiter in Taurus amplifies our desire for material comfort and abundance. This transit can lead to an urge to indulge in luxuries, but there's also a need to balance self-care with responsible behavior.

Tips for this Transit:

Channel this Leo energy into creative pursuit

Practice mindful indulgence

Seek a balance between self-expression and collaboration

Remember that moderation is key

Foster your inner voice with self-reflection

꩜ After some deep homework trying to find where we belong for another art trip, we have chosen a simple cabin in the woods.

꩜ We are still awaiting the location of a larger trip next year or at the end of the year to surface. As for now it’s too hazy to determine where. We have many options but none clear to us yet.

꩜ We hope desperately to build a new art studio! We have planning permission in but still no response…. It’s taking forever but there’s still time to hope.

꩜ It’s the full moon angels so be soft tonight, be still and reflect on the last moon cycle and all you have achieved .:. Love and Light - Wild Rose xoxo

don't mind me hopping on the ig profile bandwagon today... byan's an ig junkie, how could i resist??ㅤ©

Moon update:

I hope you have your dog and wolf playlists ready because it's full moon today!!!

I get to sing "The Slightly Chipped Full Moon" from Black Butler for a major grade in one of my music classes this semester.

Life is good.