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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

@vl-lanius.bsky.social

1.8K followers 3.7K following 320 posts

📜 Writing epic fantasy. Obsessed with ancient history. 🎲 DM and mini painter. 🏳‍🌈 Genderqueer (Any/All) | Aroace | ND Projects: 🐲 Royal Magpie series - Dragons, Queer Romance, Rome-flavored 🏛 7 Days of Fire - Historical Fiction, Fall of Carthage

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · Aug 24

📚💙 New release!
Royal Magpie's Oath, an epic fantasy/romance full of all the things you love. Like dragons.

Amazon:
a.co/d/4G3gHM0
Kobo:
tinyurl.com/sbkff4uhz

#fantasy #queerromance #dragon #queerwriters #writingcommunity

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 15h

Thank you!

V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 6d

Day 2 - Weave
A day late but in my defense I have a migraine.

#inktober2025 #inktober

A woven basket full of yard, spindles and distaffs

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 7d

If you wish to hunt the monsters, you must first compile the shaders.

#monsterhunterwilds

Stuffed horse plush staring at a loading screen of Monster Hunter Wilds, with a pink backlit keyboard and pink and white mouse next to it

Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

daleillustration @daleillustration.bsky.social · 8d

1. MUSTACHE (or Moustache) - Once again I’m taking part in Inktober this year and following the prompt list instead of doing my own thing. As you can see the walrus I’ve drawn is super excited about it.. enjoy!
.
#inktober #inktober2025 #illustration #walrus #mustache

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Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

Hache @hacheescribe.bsky.social · 8d

1. Mustache.

#Inktober2025 #Inktober #handmade

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 8d

Day 1 - Mustache

#inktober2025

Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

Jan Karlsson @jangoeswriting.bsky.social · 15d

Bit of a synonym stretch. ‘Interest’ instead of ‘absorb’.

From ‘Prophet Hearing’.

#WiPSnips

It was always the way of the gods to not take too much of an interest in the dealings of the Mortal Realm, because that only encouraged them and there were only so many days in eternity to be wasted on people wanting blessings on their favourite sports teams. Money didn’t change hands when gods made wagers, they dealt in more esoteric, more ineffable commodities. Favours, mostly, but favours of gods were usually worth having, even if that favour was owed by Klart, who the other gods refused to allow near the dice in case he got snot over them.

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Nicole "Ashrah" Hidalgo @sayaashrah.bsky.social · 15d

#WIPSnips 25. "Absorb"

A chance to show off the "new" name plus mama and daughter working together 💪🏽

#ChroniclesOfTheRealms #WriteSky #WritingPrompts #WritingCommunity

A rebel grunted when Askaly poked the gash in her stomach. Showing no remorse or hesitation, she dug her fingers in, pulling a scream out of the nensii before she passed out. Seven alive out of sixteen, by Nitara’s calculations. Soon to be six, judging by how much that one was bleeding.

Done with her analysis, Askaly stood, her tousled hair shining a bright red. Her skin absorbed the fresh blood on her hands, giving them a rosy tint that she covered with her fingerless, clawed black gloves.

“Anything useful?” Nitara asked.

“Sambre.” She pointed to one of the corpses. “That one talked about visiting the city a few weeks ago.”

“Did you find out why?”

“He didn’t know. More of an extra pair of eyes than someone involved in whatever they were planning.” She snickered. “This whole gang is just a bunch of nobodies.”

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Charlie Delta (has been a ghost this whole time! 👻) @charliedeltawrites.bsky.social · 15d

September 25th – absorb

On safety.

Av’ry and Mikiva discuss their plans for the evening.

#WIPSnips #WriteSky #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts

Fox nodded, finished the last bite of her sandwich before rising. “Enjoy the orchard.”
“Is she alright?” Mikiva asked, watching her go.
“Probably just exhausted,” Av’ry replied. “She’s hardly slept in weeks, pushing to finish with the Blood.”
“I suppose that is true. You really think we are safe to sleep here?”
“No. Not even a little bit.”
Mikiva blinked. “That’s less encouraging than I was hoping for.”
“Normally I wouldn’t be worried, but Fox is bleeding a lot of power right now. She can’t suppress it like she used to, and without all the stone around us to absorb it, it is going to be like a beacon, drawing any Sensitive in the area right to us. And if redacted is smart, he’ll have them spread all over, looking for her. We can only hope they won’t be close enough to sense her, here.”
“Why didn’t you say that to her?”
“Because she knows as well as I do. Nothing she can do about it right now; she still isn’t entirely in control. We keep watch. We hope to get lucky.”

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Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

Isaac X Isaac @isaacxisaac.bsky.social · 15d

Today's #WIPSnips from a conversation between Alexander and his tutor, Mr Calver.

Religious swears are considered super vulgar in the period (more than the anatomical, which are our worst). The more idiomatic form is "Why the Devil" but even Alexander's softer form is shocking in some company.

“You seemed to be deeply absorbed. What were you talking about?”
“Gossip is a vice, Mr. Aldridge.”
“This is conversation, not gossip,” Alexander said, exasperated. “Is a little curiosity such a harm?”
“Yes, at times.”
“And is this such a time? Why in Heaven are you being so evasive?”
“You really ought not to speak in such a vulgar way, Mr. Aldridge. It is not becoming in society.”
“Just tell me; else you make yourself seem to be engaged in some sort of conspiracy.”

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Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

🎃 Samhain Vimes 👻 @reaper-man.bsky.social · 15d

Scruffy pretends to be drunk in order to blend in during a covert meeting. He's faking it quite well, isn't he?
🥴🍺

From an action-comedy novel about a girl, a robot, and the heist crew they call family.

#WIPSnips #AmWriting
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky
💙📖

The moment they were out of earshot, Scruffy leaned on the bar counter and spoke solemnly. “Now, before you shcold me, Fifi, let me ekshplain.”

Fia crossed her arms. “Go on...”

“I met Florenti’sh contact,” he slurred. He tried to slap the drunkenness out of his face, but only managed to rearrange it slightly. “Our spy’s the pretty redhead over there, her name’s Max.”

He took another sip of ale out of habit, promptly mitigating the effect of the cheek slaps. “But she brought her colleague, who ishn't one of Florenti’s agents. Couldn't shake her, apparently. And she also kept ordering rounds. One after the other. The woman can drink, let me tell you. And then, right, I thought, well, if I don’t drink, they’ll think I’m shushpicious, and maybe they’ll leave. So I maintained my… hic… cover, and adapted. I abshorbed the situation.”

He’d absorbed a whole lot more than just that. Fia was about to say something about it, when Max walked over to join them.

“Your drunk act was fantastic,” she said to Scruffy cheerfully, looking sober as a judge all of a sudden. “Seriously. That was clever, getting Caitlin to loosen up first. Smart play there, old chap.”

“Yesshhh,” said Scruffy sagely, eyes straining to focus. “It wuz all… hic… an act! A rooshe, if you will.”

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 14d

Making this vague enough to prevent spoilers.
From Royal Magpie's Lament

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writingcommunity #writingprompts #queerwriters #transwriters

“Um, this time they almost had a taste. Different tastes. Salty. Bitter. Sour.”
“You’re eating them.”
“I’m what?”
“You’re eating them,” he repeats. “Absorbing them and gaining energy.”
“Oh.” She doesn’t like that idea at all. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I’m not sure. You’re the magical one; all I can do is form theories based on what information I have.”

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 22d

Thank you so much!!

Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

Tilly Bramley @tillybramley.bsky.social · 27d

You need money desperately….so you go to a demon to sell the only thing you have…your body
📘: Resolute by Tilly Bramley
book 1 of San Hades Chronicles
Available on KU
🔥Demon/human
😈Daddy dom

#monsterromance #kindleunlimitedromance #paranormalromance #smuttok #smut #romancebookscenes #BookTok

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · 28d

Life's been busy! I can't believe it's been almost 3 weeks since RMO, my debut novel, was released into the wild. Slowly selling and distributing my latest batch!

#indiepub #selfpub #fantasy #booksky #queerwriters

Stack of books on a shelf, with one facing the camera. Cover is a six winged feathered dragon mosaic set on a painting of the sea.

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · Aug 24

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · Aug 21

📚💙 Royal Magpie's Oath releases TOMORROW!
Available on Amazon and Kobo.

Immerse yourself into a new world inspired by Imperial Rome, full of magic, dragons, meddling deities, vibrant characters, and rich worldbuilding.

#fantasy #queerromance #dragons

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · Jul 28

I didn't need to search for this one, I knew I had it.
From 7 Days of Fire

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writingcommunity #writingprompts #queerwriters #transwriters

They removed the Samnite’s body with reverence, for he had died well. Slaves ushered Canius from the arena, and he started down the cavernous tunnel. Already, they were raking the Samnite’s blood into the sand, covering it for the next pair of combatants. The funerary games would continue until the feasting the following night. Most of the time, Canius wouldn’t give a single thought to the dead they honored with their bloodletting, but he had known the deceased his entire life.
His master—former master—found him in a patch of nettles as a newborn, discarded with the rest of the trash. It was a story the old man loved to tell the other patricians in his dining hall. What would Canius do now that he was dead? His new master, the son of the old, already disapproved of Canius’ gladiatorial dreams. Canius needed to remain quiet and avoid drawing attention to himself during the funerary feasts and sacrifices. The man already didn’t like him.

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Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

HMH Murray @nillcord.bsky.social · Jul 27

#WIPSnips #WritingCommunity #WritingPrompts wotd "apologize"

Our Heroine is trying to figure out the polite way to apologize for ruining the Ottrava family's life. And planet.

It's difficult.

I had yet to explain to the Ottravas how I’d doomed their entire world. I wasn’t sure how to bring that up. “As I said…” Perhaps trying to sound like so much like Davad had been a mistake, but I was committed to the Terran accent now. “I want to offer an apology. My good friend Wade Skybourne made me aware that your daughter had been mistaken for me, so I...” I gave my best Davad-version of a smile. “Uh, I stopped by to apologize in person. I am so sorry for the misunderstanding!” “Hrm.” Ma eyed me. “Did you know my Jason’s a Guild Elder?”

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Reposted by V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again.

M. Walsh - Author @m-walshwrites.com · Jul 27

#amwriting #WIPsnips #WritingCommunity #WriteSky

“Excuse me … Lily, was it?”
She cringed at the unfamiliar voice and failed to contain the moan it inspired. “What now?”
Deemer-Lewis took her response with good humor. “Yes,” he said with a chuckle. “You do seem to be getting it from all sides tonight. I beg your pardon, but I only wish to apologize on behalf of my comrades.”
She almost misheard him. After everything she’d been through tonight, she thought he asked her to apologize. Fortunately, his words sank in before she could scream, leaving her befuddled.
“You what?”

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Jan Karlsson @jangoeswriting.bsky.social · Jul 27

Anti-mage prejudice. They have a point, though …

From “Threads of Fate”.

#WiPSnips

“Can’t have his type in here.” A very large, immoveable hand pressed against Ilbnot’s chest and, no matter how much he tried, Ilbnot could not move around it. “He’ll have to stay outside.”

“What? Why? Oh.” As he threw up his hands in exasperation, several people screamed, one man fainted and a whole host of people appeared from nowhere carrying buckets of sand and wearing large, metal, ill-fitting hats. One threw the sand over Ilbnot and didn’t bother to apologise. “I see. Look, I assure you I have no intention of casting any magic. We simply need somewhere to … talk.”

“Oh, they all say that, then it’s ’You know, it’d be far easier to cast a very tiny spell to do such-and-such’ and then we’ve got people transformed into Belisha beacons, raccoons discussing politics and strange pillars of salt wanting to know the way to armadillos.” The enormous hand, presumably attached to an equally enormous person, hiding behind the door, pushed Ilbnot, not-too-gently, backward. “We don’t even know what a Belisha beacon is. So, no, thank you. Politeness be damned. You’re staying outside.”

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V.L. Lanius 🏺 is writing, again. @vl-lanius.bsky.social · Jul 27

I have plenty of "sorry" but only one "apologize."
From Royal Magpie's Lament

#WIPSnips #amwriting #writingcommunity #writingprompts #queerwriters #transwriters

Davros pours the tea—first Imai’s, then his. He lowers his head. “Otogi Imai, honored guard. I must apologize. I don’t hate you. I was…afraid of you.” Davros’ hands tremble. He clenches them into fists. “I feared your reaction to my true nature and assumed something untrue.”
“True nature?”
“Yes. I—” His voice catches. Davros glances over at Takuro, who makes a ‘get on with it’ gesture. “I’m the sipu. The one from the myths.”
He said it. Surely now, Imai will hate him. Silence stretches for several long breaths before the guardsman says, “And?”
Davros’ head jerks. “What do you mean, ‘and’? You don’t care that I’m something out of a horror story?”
“No.” Imai sips his tea. “It does not fit. You are too anxious.”
Takuro’s laugh splits the air. Davros glares at him. It only makes the fox laugh harder. “[Herald]. You must stop assuming the worst of your new companions.”

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