fay_e: Text: I am not afraid to keep on living (not afraid to live)
Wednesday, January 1st, 2025 07:54 pm
This is the Dec edition of prompts from #TimeTravelAuthors on bsky, where my answers are about my crossover fic, a question of time (AO3 link). The numbers are the days in Dec.



Dec 1: Story introduction

"a question of time" is the result when I decided my fave time traveller, Akemi Homura from Puella Magi Madoka Magica, should meet my other fave time traveller, Dave Strider from Homestuck.

Dec 3 to 7 responses )


Dec 9: Celebrations

While I have written a few birthday celebrations in my main fic "a question of time", I like Christmas so much I wrote a Christmas side story set in the same verse, Orange Crush in a Japanese Xmas set (AO3 link).

Here's a snippet from the side story that refers to Christmas and time manipulation.

“Merry Christmas!” she chirruped, reintroducing English and an overdose of the Christmas spirit to the scene, then planted a big wet kiss on his cheek.

He suppressed his first instinct to squeak and made sure he found his voice before saying in English, “Pretty sure those under the mistletoe are supposed to get kisses, not give kisses.”

“I didn’t know that! They don’t seem to know that, too!”

Despite seeing Dave getting kissed, Sakura let Jade plant a kiss on her cheek, too. Sakura came away with a black kiss mark and a drumstick that she’d sneaked out of the KFC bucket that was tucked in Jade’s arm.

He switched back to Japanese to remind Sakura, “I said I’d give you some, can’t you wait?”

Sakura took a huge bite of her drumstick and wiped at the crumbs and the lipstick mark on her cheek. “Chicken is best when it’s hot. And you should fix your face too.”

He was about to do just that when Homura brought on the black, grey and white Christmas of her time stop. He turned to her with a smirk. “That eager to clean – are you trying to one up Sakura in her chicken heist?”

The monochrome didn’t extend to Homura, which was why he could see the red in her cheeks as she tried to pry the bucket of chicken free without bringing Jade into her time stop. “Having an object to shield with would be – easier than trying to dissuade Harley-san.”

Dec 11 to 29 )
fay_e: Text: It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart (speak right to my heart)
Monday, December 23rd, 2024 10:31 am
I still want to do the fic commentary for a question of time (AO3 link), but it's such a major undertaking.

Instead, I've been doing bite-sized prompts from #TimeTravelAuthors on bsky, so I decided to collate the answers in this post.

This is the November edition, I'll back up the December edition another day. The numbers are the days in November.



Nov 1: Story introduction

"a question of time" is a crossover fanfic featuring my two fave time travellers: Akemi Homura from Puella Magi Madoka Magica and Dave Strider from Homestuck.

Homura thought she had lost her time travel powers thanks to her best friend's wish. Dave's arrival makes Homura rethink her assumptions.

Nov 3 to 13 responses )

Nov 15: Anyone running out of time?

SPOILERS )

Nov 17: Time Travel Direction

Dave Strider uses modified turntables to time travel, so he can both travel forward and backwards in time, and even pause in "time stop".

Here's a snippet of Dave describing the process:
Dave wasn't the kind to go bibbidi-bobbidi-boo. But it was his turn to infuse enough of his power to add his own glow, the light coincidentally taking the shapes of familiar gears. That was how he knew he could send his records spinning.

Instead of time catching on his timetables during a rewind, fast forwarding felt more like a slide, like a skateboard going down a ramp until enough of a time differential had built and speed started to come into things. As long as the board felt like it was under their feet, it should be fine.


Nov 19 to 27 responses )

Nov 29 was the same promo as the top.

Prompts fully updated! Hope you enjoyed reading!
fay_e: Text: how she rocks in keds and tube socks (rocks keds and tube socks)
Monday, June 10th, 2024 06:41 pm
One last thing before we dive into the fic - I hate writing summaries.

But I think I did a good job with this summary:

(Homestuck-Madoka Magica crossover) On an Earth that seems reset to pre-SBURB normalcy, Dave Strider transfers to Mitakihara. There he finds the magical girl system, more universe breaking powers, and an Akemi Homura all too eager to fix her time abilities with his...


It gets the key elements in - a supposedly pre-SBURB Earth that has a Mitakihara and a Homura, so that Dave can meet her. But how did they get there? You'll have to read the fic.

Which you can do too, with commentary! In this part, I'll be swapping the fic commentary to be in blockquotes, with the main fic as the actual text.

If you prefer to read the version of "a question of time" without commentary, it is here on AO3.

Here's the commentary laden version )

Next chapter to be commented on!

In the meantime, you can check out the previous Part 3. Or go all the way to the start at Part 1? Or check out the tags below!
fay_e: Text: I'm the morning rain (morning rain)
Saturday, May 4th, 2024 12:29 pm
It's been 13 years and an epic fic since I watched Puella Magi Madoka Magica, so it's time to revisit the series. Specifically how the years since and writing this fic has shifted my view of the series.

At that particular point in my life, I had grown tired enough of most media that I needed spoilers for the entire series before I would even start. I couldn't take the emotional toil of having a comfort series turn out not to be so comforting at all. I thought I would be pretty safe with PMMM. It was only 12 episodes and I already knew the major plot twists (including episode 3).

I also had a gateway character in Akemi Homura, and she made it to the end of the series, so I would be fine. Since I don't talk about it often enough - gateway characters for me are my entry point into any media. I need to have stakes in a particular character before I dive in. Homura was everything that spoilers promised and more.

Spoilers about PMMM  )

But then we come to the problem of Dirk Strider. And of Bro Strider. Check that out in Part 3 below.

Part 1 || Part 3
fay_e: Text: though our instincts say that we should turn and run (instincts turn and run)
Saturday, April 13th, 2024 02:44 pm
Homestuck's 413 is today and it's almost 13 years to the day that I started watching Puella Magi Madoka Magica. So I thought it was finally time to do the director commentaries on my fic (link goes to AO3) a question of time featuring the crossover pairing of Akemi Homura/Dave Strider. Yes I write their names that way because the way their names are presented in their individual series trumps consistency.

Which is somehow related to the theme of this first part that will not quote the fic yet, despite being a director's commentary! But I think a bit of backstory is needed.

Specifically that my advice is not to get into a series through a fic featuring a crack crossover pairing.

Come down a rabbit hole with me )

Continued in Part 2 and more!!!

Or check out the fic commentary tag.
fay_e: Text: I am not afraid to keep on living (not afraid to live)
Sunday, March 10th, 2024 04:22 pm
Starting off with a meme!

list the first line of your last 10 (posted) fics and see if there's a pattern


1. a question of time (Homestuck/Puella Magi Madoka Magica crossover)

Monday morning, and Dave Strider was already checking off several tropes.


2. Orange Crush in a Japanese Xmas set (Side story for the above crossover)

Dave should have realized that like everything that he’d experienced since he’d come to Mitakihara, Christmas in Japan only shared the same name as Christmas in the States.


3. all bets are off (when you're an honest liar (Zootopia, Nick stayed in the mafia!AU)

The bar, with mega fauna in high energy and rough housing each other, reminded Judy of the ZPD bull pen on Monday morning.


4. If I Knew You Were Coming, I'd Have Baked A Cake (Zootopia, Part 2 of the above Mafia!AU)

Everyone in the mob knew Koslov liked parties.


5. Mercy (Zootopia, Part 3 of the above Mafia!AU)

Nick had just barely rolled himself into his pull out bed like a lump of limp linen when his phone started buzzing.


6. the map that leads to you (such a heavenly view) (Zootopia/Star Trek crossover)

They had an unwritten rule in Comms - never get attached to Away teams.


7. true colours (burn those jet pack blues) (Sequel to the above crossover)

Judy Hopps had made many sacrifices when she enlisted for Starfleet.


8. Exorcist Blues (Wilde Spirit remix) (Zootopia AR where Judy Hopps is an exorcist)

"Is it evil spirits this time Mom?"


9. Wilde Spirit (The Karmic Shuffle) (Sequel to the Exorcist!AR)

Nick's repeated visits to Cliffside didn't make him like the place any better.


10. i carry your heart (i carry it in // my heart) (Part 3 of the Exorcist!AR)

Judy had grown up on her family farm.


Pattern: Holy BALD STATEMENT Batman! All my fics seem to start with a sharp statement that I either lean into in the next sentence, or completely contradict. But it makes me roll laughing with how short my sentences are.
fay_e: Text: Travelling I only stop at exits (only stop at exits)
Sunday, February 2nd, 2014 06:57 pm
There are some fics that hit you in the gut, and just continue after that. [personal profile] idella's fic, Sea Legs does just exactly that, and it's a plausible and awesome continuation from canon.

It seemed that the fic was knocking around my head for longer than I expected, because I found this in my 750 words archives. So I'd thought I'd edit and post it for my own enjoyment.

Title: Lay Your Weary Head to Rest
Summary: The strain of countless timelines catches up with Homura.

Homura gets some rest )
fay_e: Text: how she rocks in keds and tube socks (rocks keds and tube socks)
Friday, October 11th, 2013 04:25 pm
[livejournal.com profile] tenebris and I got to talking about what we considered "wardrobe essentials". I thought it was a pretty misleading term, because what I absolutely had to have in my wardrobe is as follows:

Clothes - A little black dress. A fancy top and good pants. A brighter dress for outings/parties. One pair of jeans and 1 nice T-shirt. Collared blouse. Knee length coat. Formal coat. Button up sweater. Socks are optional.

Shoes - One pair each of flats, sneakers, low heels in black, higher heels in another colour, boots (any length)

Which I think is quite different from the ladies.

So I thought it would be fun to do it for the other characters too!

Take a peep into the wardrobe )

I might do Homestuck next, this is fun!
fay_e: Text: though our instincts say that we should turn and run (instincts turn and run)
Friday, August 30th, 2013 10:12 am
I might not like the Tale of Genji but I really like the idea of love via poetry, and the author of the novel is skilled in both poetry and prose. So I admire the story for the story but I hate the character? It is a bit like Wuthering Heights (I hate Heathcliff.)

Anyway, I came up with a Heian version of ByaHomu. The original version was Cinderella like, which after a bit of research I'm not sure it will fly. So this is the revamped version which loses some of the original I feel. I also have no idea what the convention is for the English version of Heian poetry, so I just wrote with the same subject matter but with none of the syllabic conventions.

The slow blossoming of a relationship )

Omg this is such schmoop but AT LEAST I FINISHED IT. YAY FOR FINISHING THINGS.
fay_e: Text: silence falls between us, as the shadows steal the light (as the shadows steal the light)
Thursday, July 25th, 2013 11:43 pm
So I finally saw the Madoka Magica movies.

GUYS. GUYS. That was so visually lush I feel like all this eye candy is going to give me diabetes. Everything was so intricately animated! The transformation scenes were a hundred times more awesome! And the fights were amazing...

The script has been retooled for the better, so much so that Madoka almost reads like a whole new character. Where we had to rely a lot on her actions in the anime, here she actually voices her thoughts, sides with Homura a whole lot and is generally more forceful. A good example is actually this really spoilery scene, which I'll hide under a cut.

Spoilers, MadoHomu thoughts and some description of an also spoilery scene )

Another note - I want to get the new Connect opening with Homura in the glasses.

Given the tone of this movie, I am now side-eyeing the third movie trailer very hard. Surely the creators know better than to undo their own themes? Then again, see: Macross Frontier. I'm just hoping that my personal pet theory is what is happening in that trailer. Hint: My personal theory has to do with Homura's witch.
fay_e: Text: silence falls between us, as the shadows steal the light (as the shadows steal the light)
Thursday, May 9th, 2013 11:43 pm
I can't believe I still haven't posted these when I finished them 3 months ago! Here they are for posterity's sake...

Title: drowning in you
Day/Theme: 26. we'll share it all: the love, the sin, the punishment.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Sayaka
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko fights a witch and wonders about things. Spoilers for episodes 8 and 9.

It’s lonely being by yourself, isn’t it? )

Title: the power to keep me breathing
Day/Theme: 28. the silhouette of a lost child, the sound of bells, the flicker of fire
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko has reached her lowest point. Spoilers for The Different Story and Kyouko's backstory.

wear your rue with a difference )

Title: the ribbons in her hair
Day/Theme: 29. I named a flower to prove I was alive
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Madoka, mentions of other girls
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Madoka has trouble remembering sometimes. Spoilers for the entire series. Future fic.

how red those ribbons are )

Title: she ain’t heavy
Day/Theme: 30. we'll get there if I have to carry you.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko would rather not carry Mami. Spoilers for The Different Story and Kyouko and Mami’s backstory.

in a town where blood ties are only blood )

Title: everything old is new again
Day/Theme: 31. It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Kyouko, Mami. From Oriko Magica, Oriko, Kurika, Yuma
Rating: PG13 for Kyouko’s potty mouth.
Content Notes: Homura has to figure out the answer to life, the universe, everything. Future-fic, spoilers for the entire series, Oriko Magica, and The Different Story.

It’s terrifying )
fay_e: Text: Travelling I only stop at exits (only stop at exits)
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 06:52 am
Title: Little White Tail (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, AU: Other (Fairytale) & Sharing a bed)
Summary/Preview: Those who see the Little White Tail will be granted a wish
Content notes: Dark, as all good fairytales should be

There were once three girls who lived near a lake )
fay_e: Text: It's amazing how you can speak right to my heart (speak right to my heart)
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 06:39 am
Title: The Baby Steps Guide to Recovering Your Memory (Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Amnesia & Accidental baby acquisition)
Summary/Preview: A girl who can't remember her name and a baby who gives her one go for a walk
Content notes: Fluffy

Ow )
fay_e: Text: if I told you a secret will you hold it and keep it alive (secret)
Wednesday, May 1st, 2013 06:38 am
Title: The Road to Hell (Is Paved with Good Intentions)(Puella Magi Madoka Magica, AU: Apocalypse & Road Trip)
Summary/Preview: Magic girl vs Zombies, round 1
Content notes: Dark, preview of a longer series that I dearly wish to write

“There’s nowhere to go but everywhere…” — Jack Kerouac


Sayaka's gone missing )
fay_e: Text: though our instincts say that we should turn and run (instincts turn and run)
Saturday, January 26th, 2013 07:45 pm
The conclusion is that when you have an active schedule and are likely to get drunk, don't leave writing to the last minute.

Title: never seen you shine so bright
Day/Theme: 21. you never seemed more lovely than you do tonight.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Madoka, levels of Homura/Madoka are in line with the series
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Homura has seen many transformations. Spoilers for episodes 10 – 12.

you were amazing )

Title: beyond the reach of proof
Day/Theme: 22. shake loose your garnet jewels
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, mentions of Mami and Sayaka
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Two times Kyouko let down her hair. Spoilers for episode 9 and The Different Story.

crosses and ribbons )

Title: nobody said it was easy
Day/Theme: 24: That was embarrassing, so I’m not saying it again.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyouko, Madoka
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko accidentally makes a friend. Spoilers for The Different Story.

All she did was offer some food )

Title: the rise and fall
Day/Theme: 25. emotions like too-pale flowers
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Kyuubey
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyuubey thinks about the nature of magic girls. Spoilers for episode 9 and alien ways of thinking.

hope and despair )
fay_e: Text: I am not afraid to keep on living (not afraid to live)
Thursday, January 17th, 2013 03:55 am
Title: a friend given by nature
Day/Theme: 16. open up all the windows.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Tatsuya
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Tatsuya talks to Homura. Spoilers for the end of the series, future fic.

Tatsuya is a little older now )
fay_e: Text: I'm dreaming away, wishing that heroes they truly exist (wishing heroes exist)
Wednesday, January 16th, 2013 05:58 am
Title: shake it out
Day/Theme: 15. To break the shackles.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Madoka
Rating: PG
Content Notes: With help, Homura shakes off her fears. Spoilers for episode 10.

What frightens you? )
fay_e: Text: I am not afraid to keep on living (not afraid to live)
Monday, January 14th, 2013 01:46 am
As I was writing this, I could sense I was getting tired. I'm not sure whether it's because of writerly burn out, or just that the theme wasn't speaking to me.

School starts tomorrow, and I've got a bunch of themes that I have no ideas for. We'll see whether I manage to get to them.

Title: neither rhyme nor reason can say how much
Day/Theme: 13. Never again will I lose anyone I love.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Kyouko, Mami
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Kyouko, Mami and Homura have different reasons for making their team work. Set post series, spoilers for the entire series.

Homura causes her team to worry )
fay_e: Text: though our instincts say that we should turn and run (instincts turn and run)
Friday, January 11th, 2013 01:58 am
Title: I’ll carry your load
Day/Theme: 10. To be powerless is not a sin.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Madoka, mentions of Sayaka. Levels of Homura/Madoka are on par with the series
Rating: PG
Content Notes: Just because you’re on the sidelines doesn’t mean you’re not a fighter. Spoilers up to episode 10.

It’s the heart that counts )
fay_e: Text: I am not afraid to keep on living (not afraid to live)
Sunday, January 6th, 2013 09:51 pm
This was inspired by the many future fics floating around. I love the Homura, Kyouko and Mami dynamic, and wanted to write more of them interacting. I'm not sure whether I managed it. One day I will write all three of them fighting wraiths/demons or something.

Title: as long as you remember her
Day/Theme: 06. You cannot save people, you can only love them.
Series: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Characters/pairings: Homura, Kyouko, Mami, some minor OCs. Levels of Kyouko/Sayaka, Kyouko/Mami and Homura/Madoka are on par with the series.
Rating: PG13 for violence and Kyouko’s potty mouth
Content Notes: Mami, Kyouko and Homura think about people they loved. Spoilers for the entire series and mentions of character death

Always, somewhere, someone is fighting for you )