#VOSsnippets
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rhysackhurst.bsky.social
I got sidetracked while trying to find a good snippet for this one. Sorrel's a skeleton, I use the word 'skull' a lot 😂

A very short little blip where Lu is remembering something very fun. Smut implied but not explicit.

#WIPSnips #VOSsnippets #VeilOfStarlight
He'd only managed not to burn handprints permanently on his skull by clawing at the millstone he'd been laid back on to give Sorrel the easiest angle to work with. And that had left deep, scorched gouges in the granite that Sorrel was so very proud of himself for.  It was well-deserved.
November 1, 2026 at 11:48 PM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
One of the lowest points for Lu in the past. Some metaphorical darkness.

#QueerWritersChat #VeilOfStarlight #VOSsnippets
He thought he'd be okay by now. That three months was enough time to move on. Or at least enough time to ease the never-ending ache in his chest and nausea in his gut. But as he sat in his room he slowly realized he was far from okay. It had been a long time since he felt so hollow. So used and empty. The only person he knew who could possibly touch the depth of numbed agony within him would never come back. And he didn't want him to. He didn't want Sorrel to see what he really was. He was naïve to think he could keep Sorrel in his life. To love someone as dearly as they loved each other had never seemed attainable. It felt like something made up. Maybe this was why. Because nothing so wonderful could possibly last in a world so cruel. He thought he'd bared his all to Sorrel, but that wasn't true. There was so much he'd never told him, so much shame he kept hidden. Sorrel never truly knew him. If he had he wouldn't have stayed.
October 31, 2026 at 1:45 AM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
(I was already planning to buy a book tomorrow actually, hope that still counts)

By "underground" Lu means there's homes underground.

#Sniptober #VeilOfStarlight #VOSsnippets
**Small context, it's winter and there's rooms in the castle built around several steam boilers for people/monsters who suffer more in the cold. Lu and Sorrel are sharing a very small room this winter** "Don't Calorians hibernate too? Not just the Reptiles, I mean," Sorrel asked, also turning his back. "Eh, torpor, technically," Lu answered. "Like, a partial hibernation. We go underground and sleep a lot but we still partially get active every few days to eat. But that's due to the winters being so much colder in Calor. Atoria is similar to Calorian winters, but here and Western-Sea it's not as intense. Rosia is even better, and in Isla-Soto we don't slow down at all." "So it's genuinely just the temperature that slows you down?" "Yeah," Lu nodded, moving his bag to the floor. "The boiler rooms make it easier to be active. But we still sleep a lot." He scoffed as Sorrel turned to him again, walking to the bed. "Stella gets to use the Queen's sauna, so she never deals with this place. She rarely even leaves the Queen's apartment this time of year." "I've seen you guys at Year's Turn, and Yule, Harvest, and the Return celebrations. Are those harder on you?" Lu shook his head, pulling back the thick blankets. "The ball room and banquet hall are kept warm. And the mulled wine is a good way to warm up too."
October 25, 2026 at 3:32 AM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
No "false" so I went with "lie". I also picked something sweeter than most of the times I used it.

Context: Sorrel had a very bad asthma attack the night before and didn't have his compact - the in-universe version of an inhaler. Lu replaced it for him :)

#WIPSnips #VeilOfStarlight #VOSsnippets
"Is–? Holy hells, Lu, is this silver?" "Y-yeah. Neb went with me and she said it keeps the mixture more potent for longer. You won't need to change it as often, it won't sour as fast either. Something about the metal negating th–mmph?!" Sorrel threw his arms over Lu's shoulders and kissed him. Caught off-guard, it took a second for Lu to react. He realized it was the first kiss since Sorrel's severe episode the night before and he wrapped him tight, returning the kiss with a borderline desperation. Sorrel pulled back, smiling breathlessly. His expression slowly fell, Lu delicately holding his face in his hands as some deep, conflicted emotion played over his face. "I… I didn't know how bad it was for you." Lu softly told him. "Don't lie to me, how bad was last night?" Sorrel weakly smiled, "It was fine. Don't w–" "I'm going to worry and can't you stop me," Lu quietly interrupted. He softened slightly when Sorrel looked away, his hand reaching up to hold Lu's wrist. "Please, just tell me. So I know what I need to do, or when I really need to make sure you get to your father." "It… that was a bad one. And there's not anything anyone but my father can do about it typically." "What if he's not here? What do I do?" Sorrel sighed, looking down at the new compact Lu got for him. He scoffed with a crooked grin as he finally noticed it had a chain attached to it like a pocket watch and curiously trailed it through his fingers to the end. "I wanted to make sure you don't lose this one." Lu explained. "Well, it was expensive, I'm sure." Sorrel chuckled. Lu brushed his cheekbones, bringing his attention back up. "You're worth more to me than gold and silver." He paused, the sincerity of his tone fading slightly as he smiled and gently kissed him. "But you still deserve it."
October 24, 2026 at 8:34 PM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
I have a fun one for vibes with "let go" And a second one with the actual word "release"

#Sniptober #NSFW #VOSsnippets
Lu jolted in shock. Sorrel's other hand had slid lower, between his legs, already slick with spit. Something he'd missed while focusing so intently on not finishing before he was mentally ready to let go. But even that desire was quickly fading. Lu frantically grabbed a handful of the bed and the blanket with his free hand, because holy fuck he'd definitely forgotten what it felt like to have Sorrel devote all of his attention to getting him off. Sorrel chuckled again, still bobbing his head and slowing his pace as he sank completely flush with his skin and paused for a second before pulling back again. Lu whined, his fist pounding against the bed several times as he began to tremble. He started to reach for Sorrel and jerked his hand back. There was no telling how hard he'd grip the first part of Sorrel he touched and he didn't want to hurt him. Sorrel lifted the hand from his mouth and Lu took a frantic gasp for air, babbling and pleading with him immediately after. “Please, Sorrel, please. I n-need it. Need you, fuck! Please! I–! MMMPH!” Sorrel slapped his hand over his mouth again, pushing his head down against the bed rail. He quickly slid his fingers inside Lu along with a strong burst of electric magic that made him come hard enough his eyes rolled back and a flash of white filled his vision. Lu's hands landed on the back of Sorrel's skull, firmly holding him in place as he arched his body to drive as deep as he could into his throat. He brokenly moaned when Sorrel swallowed intentionally around him. With a shuddering, heavy sigh, Lu collapsed, his hands sliding to the bed as Sorrel sat up with a proud hum, laughing as he wiped drool from his chin. “Hh… hurt…?” Lu weakly questioned, fighting for air. “No, I'm just fine,” Sorrel assured him, gently squeezing his thigh. Lu nodded, sinking back into his afterglow cocoon. He managed to find one of Sorrel's hands and threaded his shaking fingers through Sorrel's.
October 18, 2026 at 9:22 PM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
Very rough, non-consensual kissing, but that's as far as this one goes. Still censored just in case though.

Also bear with me, it's close to a mating cycle for monsters/non-humans here and that's why Lu's having a difficult time actually getting away from Sol.

#Sniptober #VOSsnippets
Lu stepped back onto the path outside, holding open his tent. Sol slowly approached, pausing at the entrance. He looked down at Lu with a possessive arrogance that made Lu's pulse quicken. Unexpectedly, Sol grabbed Lu's face and jerked him into a kiss. Before Lu could shove him back, Sol gripped his flames tight, yanking hard enough to make him give a pathetic whine of reflexive need. Sol drove his tongue into Lu's mouth as his jaw dropped to breathe, kissing him aggressively with a low growl that made Lu's knees wobble. Lu clutched at Sol's shoulders to keep upright as Sol bent him back, biting his lip hard enough to draw blood. Sol pulled sharply away, tugging Lu tight to him as he roughly shook him by his flames to expose his throat. He harshly dragged his teeth down the line of Lu's throat, from his chin to his shoulder before biting his pulse and rubbing his face against Lu's neck. Someone yelled behind Lu, not that he could decipher what they said or who said it. Abruptly, Sol released him. Lu staggered back, dazed and confused as someone grabbed his shoulders to hold him steady. "Fuck. Off." Nit lividly snarled over him, yanking him close. Lu was still recovering. He blinked hard, shaking his head to clear it, to get his mind working again. A fierce outrage rolled through him as he realized what happened. He growled at Sol's smug grin, flames sparking near his narrowed eyes.
October 18, 2026 at 9:22 PM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
Sorrel's losing his patience with Sol and his...everything. Sol was very cruelly reminding Lu of things he'd rather not think about just before this

And size comparison between Sol and Sorrel because this scene was one of the reasons I did a height chart😂

#FridayFling #VeilOfStarlight #VOSsnippets
"If you don't leave, I will make you," Sorrel quietly growled. He gave a low, furious chuckle, stepping in front of Lu when Sol tried to get closer. "Take another step," he stared up at him, barely reaching Sol's chest. "Give me a fucking reason. Do it." Sol eyed him carefully. He glanced once at Lu, instantly seeing he'd all but checked-out, barely-present as traumatic memories swirled through his mind. "What're you gonna do about it, t'ito talle mas?" Sol half-whispered as he bent lower and… took another step closer. "Tch, 'lap dog'? That's the best you got?" Sorrel scoffed. A thick band of crackling red magic wrapped tight around Sol's throat. For a split-second Sol's eyes went wide in surprise. The magic connected to Sorrel's free hand with a short line and he jerked it hard to instantly bring the much larger man to one knee as he was pulled off-balance. "You're the one with a leash." Sorrel smugly smiled, now at eye-level with him. His face twisted in fury, magic sparked around Sol's throat as the band began to tighten. Lu put his hand on Sorrel's shoulder again. "Don't," he quietly told him. "Get out," Sorrel let the magic dissipate, watching Sol closely. "If you step foot in here again, I'll make you regret it." Sol chuckled, raising his hands in surrender near his shoulders as he stood. Screenshot of Sorrel and Sol standing side by side in a height chart. Sorrel is on the left, standing at 4'0" or 147.3 cm Sol is on the right, standing at 6'5" or 195.6 cm
October 17, 2026 at 6:44 AM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
I have something more sinister than spooky.

#WritingPrompt #VeilOfStarlight #VOSsnippets
Barefoot, Lu followed Stella through the living room. His stomach dropped when she passed the door that led to the rooms dedicated to entertaining downstairs. He stopped, watching with growing horror as she continued to the next flight of stairs. Before she noticed, he caught up, heart pounding. He was praying she would lead him to the larger, separate rooms on the first floor across from their front door, for more discreet entrances and exits from court members. Terror twisted in his gut when she turned left toward the next set of stairs. She was going to the room in the basement. The one that locked from the outside. "N-no," he stood at the top of the stairs, on the verge of vomiting. She stopped mid-step without looking back at him. "What was that?"  "Ple-please," he whispered, hand to his stomach as tears began to stream again. "Not… not that. Not there." Stella looked back over her shoulder, expression flat and cold.  "St–mom. Please." "Oh, I'm 'mom' now?" Her brow rose in mock surprise. She climbed back up the steps and took his arm. "Remember this next time you want to avoid seeing someone."
October 15, 2026 at 2:17 AM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
This is part of Sid's backstory and I doubt it will make it into the main series, though I'd like to put it online somewhere at least. It was too damn fun to write to not have *somewhere* to share it.

CW: murder mentioned, dead body

#WritingPrompt #VeilOfStarlight #VOSsnippets
Sid smoked a strongly spiced cigarette wrapped in Percival's coat in the armchair. He'd stolen the cigarette from an inner pocket of the coat as well as the Major-General's pants. If he was going to be arrested and executed, he deserved to wear pants in his opinion. He certainly wasn't wearing whatever remained of the dress on the floor. He blew a few smoke rings before glancing at the dress, staring for a moment before checking yet again that Percival was still dead. He really was fond of maroon. The heavy wooden latch from outside the door shifted and he rested his head against the back of the chair, taking what he expected to be the last drag of any cigarette for the remainder of his drastically shortened life. Stella stood back from the door as it gradually opened. He stole another drag of smoke as he curiously watched, waiting for her to appear. Eventually, Stella poked her head around the door, her eyes landing on the bed first. She paused, brow raised before she found Sid. He silently waved once, expression flat as he sighed smoke. "Well… You certainly had an interesting night," she stated, stepping into the room and pulling the door closed behind her. Sid scrutinized her. She wasn't horrified. She wasn't shocked. She didn't even seem concerned. He watched as she calmly approached the bed and laid a hand on Percival's chest. She looked back at him with a quiet sigh. "You'll have to leave the coat." She smirked playfully, "Dashing as it is on you." He scoffed, looking away with a shake of his head. "Why didn't you just kill him yourself?" He asked, surprised at how rough his voice sounded. "Now, dear Sid, when did I ever even suggest I wanted him dead?" She said with mock innocence, laying a hand on her chest defensively. "I hope I never gave you that impression, did I?" She tutted with a small shake of her head. "A decorated war hero?"
October 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
The scene where Lu explains the meaning of his family's names to Sorrel and they talk about the future 🥰

#VOSsnippets #VeilOfStarlight
"'Velum'. Does that mean something in Calorian?" Sorrel asked as he adjusted on his back. He pillowed his skull on Lu's arm, sliding in tighter against his side as Lu wrapped his arm around his shoulders. They were laying naked together in the mill, looking up through the larger holes in the roof to the sky above. Counting shooting stars and searching for constellations. Lu sighed, getting more comfortable. "Loosely, it means 'Veil'. Like… a separation that you can see through." "So… 'Morning Star Veil'? Is that the right translation?" Sorrel glanced at him, hoping he remembered Lu’s formal name. "Yeah," Lu nodded, smiling at him. "Basically." "What's the proper translation then?" "It's… really dramatic." Lu grimaced. "So it's fitting then?" Lu roughly shifted his arm, knocking Sorrel's head forward. Sorrel laughed, rolling to his side to see him clearly. "C'mon, tell me?" Lu huffed, turning his face to hide his embarrassed grin. "'Radiant Morning Star through the Veil of Night'." "Whoa, that's a mouthful." Sorrel raised his brow. Lu rolled his eyes. "The rest of them are just as dramatic. Sid's is 'Silver Twilight brings the Veil of Stars' or something." "What about Nit and Neb?" Sorrel asked curiously. "Uh… Nit is 'Midnight Stellar Veil' and Neb is… 'Veil Hides The Moonlight Star'." "I like your guys' names." Lu chewed his lip for a moment, looking back up at the sky. "I… I think I wanna do the same for my kids. Someday," he quietly confessed. "Well," Sorrel wrapped his arm around Lu's waist, sighing as he rested his face on Lu's shoulder again. "Since they'll be Calorian and you have to carry 'em, I think you should get to name 'em whatever you want. Let's not name 'em after flowers though." Lu slowly held Sorrel closer, his heart pounding. "Y-you-? You want kids with me?" "Of course I do," Sorrel easily replied. "I love you, why wouldn't I want kids with you someday? We don't have to, of course. I just wanna be with you, but kids do sound… I dunno. I like the sound of having kids with you… But if you don't mind being the one to carry 'em since non-Calorians can't, then I don't see wh–" Sorrel gasped, suddenly underneath Lu. Lu's expression was intense, but excited. "You're serious?" Lu asked, arms braced by Sorrel's face. "I-? Yeah? I wouldn't lie to you, but especially not about that." Lu beamed, elated sparks flying as he kissed him. "You'll be a great dad, you know," Sorrel told him, smiling sweetly as he cupped Lu's face. "So will you," Lu replied, kissing him again.
October 15, 2026 at 12:16 AM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
John and Briar!! I'm working on eventually getting them a story!

Briar is a shapeshifter, but she is always solid black with only her eyes and mouth/teeth showing as white.

John is just a normal human lol

Briar is Chaotic Neutral to Johns Lawful Good

#SnippetShare #VeilOfStarlight #VOSSnippets
Lu wobbled when he took another step, but pressed on, listing sideways with his next unsteady step. The only thing that stopped him from falling was John grabbing his free arm to catch him. Gods damn it all… "Are you hurt?" John asked, holding tight to his arm as he looked him over. Thankfully injuries on Lu would be quickly obvious, especially in the dark. "N-no," he shook his head, still breathing hard. "Just m-my fuckin' chest," he lividly snapped. "Ah, well, that's fine then," John snickered as he slipped his arm around Lu's back to hold him steady. Lu weakly chuckled as John guided him further up the path toward the Quarter-Master's wagon. John sat him on a barrel and gave his shoulders a reassuring squeeze. "Oh-! Good gods, Briar!" John quietly snapped, half-laughing at his casually-naked wife when she appeared. He jerked off his shirt and shoved it at her. She scoffed. "You know this won't fit m–" "You can make yourself smaller! Cover yourself!" He interrupted in a harsh whisper, holding it over her chest. "You do realize I–?" "I am aware you are a shadow. I do not care!" Briar snorted, indulging her husband and holding the far too small garment over her torso that was already modestly hidden by her rolling black form. "He's fine, by the way," she added, disappointed. "I figured. The man lost an arm once." John scoffed. "What happened?" Briar asked Lu. Lu heaved a sigh, absently rubbing his chest before he dropped his hand to his lap. "I left him. He… did not take it well." He chuckled dryly, fading into another sigh. "About fuckin' time." John said with a firm nod of approval as Briar tipped her head back with a sigh of relief. "What?" "You know how many times I've had to convince Briar not to go kill him?" John somberly asked. "Too many," Briar bitterly interjected. "Yeah, 'cause I'd've helped and where would that get us?" John very quietly shot back. "A world without him," she replied with a smirk in her voice.
October 13, 2026 at 6:53 PM
rhysackhurst.bsky.social
A quick scene where Stella makes a short, but very unwelcome appearance.

CW: Body shaming, transphobia

Lu's convinced his sister Nebula to switch clothes with him at a ball so he can secretly dance with Sorrel. (They look very similar, it's a good plan.)

#VeilOfStarlight #VOSSnippets
"Are you tw–? Are you wearing one of Lu's dresses?" Sid asked with a grin, doing a double-take after he opened Neb's bedroom door. He was stunned at the sight of Lu helping her lace the back of a black and silver corset that complimented the black and dark blue of the mostly sheer dress. "Not like she would fit in anything else," Stella snidely remarked as she leaned around Sid to see for herself. "Flat-chested and boxy as she is…" Neb quietly looked away, resting a hand just under her ribs. Lu bit his bottom lip to contain his furious comeback, pausing for a second without looking at Stella before he continued gently tightening the lacing. "It suits you, actually. Maybe you should stop trying to fix what you can't change and jus–" "Don't you have somewhere to be?" Sid snapped, glaring at her. "You were mad they're running late and you're still here?" Stella scowled at him, her perfectly made-up face twisting to something ugly. With an irritated huff, she left. Sid took a step inside and shut the door behind him, locking it. "Okay, that looks fucking incredible on you, but what the hells is going on?" He asked with warm excitement. "Uh, Lu convinced me to try something different." "Have you seen yourself yet?" Neb softly shook her head, looking down. "I wanted it to be a surprise," Lu told Sid with a smirk. "Stella was definitely jealous," Sid told her. Neb scoffed. "Doubtful. You know… considering." She commented bitterly as she looked down, her toes anxiously curled in her socks, peeking out beneath the hem of the dress… Down the front of her flat torso. Lu intentionally interrupted her self-conscious gaze by stepping in front of her to adjust the bow at the top of the low neckline above her sternum. Sid took her hand, getting her attention with a quick smile before Lu guided her backward to sit at her desk chair.
October 13, 2026 at 3:55 AM