Maidens of the Fall, Arc 3, Pariah, Chapter 3
Added 2026-02-07 00:01:03 +0000 UTCComments
Thank you so much! I really wanted to capture the moment in this chapter, the feeling of being alone with somebody in a rough place, the moment of bonding that can come from that. I'm really happy I managed to make it so real. You're right about Octavia's attitude toward her prosthetics; she relies on them as the strongest parts of herself. And yeah! I'm trying to explore something very specific here about the idea of a 'magical girl', and what that can mean. I've only just begun that process, so it's fascinating to see readers responding like this already, thank you. As for surprises in the fog ... we'll see what's lurking on the road to the hospital, I suppose!
Hazel Young
2026-02-08 16:09:37 +0000 UTCGosh what a beautiful moment. Alone in a shitty house, two shitty people try their best to survive shitty reality. Ghe way you describe it really brings it to life for me, in a way no other author ever has. Interesting that the prosthetics, the stop-gap replacements for so-assumed superior flesh are what feel the most sturdy to her now, but I suppose flesh has been betraying her a lot recently. They're not magical girls because they're paragons of some vague ideal of femininity, for being tied up in frilly costumes that don't benefit themselves, only their audience. They're magical because they're imperfect people. They live and love and lose and they refuse to be anyone but themselves. I really hope there isn't going to be another nasty surprise, but this fog-choked Oxford feels like anything could be hiding, just out of sight.
Flora P-Stylianides
2026-02-08 00:12:16 +0000 UTCActually there's no zoogs mentioned in the very first chapter! But that's the only one. As for their omnipresence, well, you're never more than a certain distance from a zoog, wherever you are. They're a fact of life! Can't get rid of them all, even if you'd want. As for if I'm doing it intentionally, well ... kinda! I do feel like they're sneaking their way in whenever I'm not looking. I've been determined to make sure they're an essential part of the story, not merely cute little mascots. And so far they're doing wonderfully.
Hazel Young
2026-02-07 20:00:21 +0000 UTCHmm, I thinks Zoogs have been in, or have at least been mentioned in, every single chapter so far. I wonder how long this will keep happening. Are you doing it intentionally? Purposefully placing a Zoog in every chapter for the readers to find? Or are they simply sneaking their way into between the pages like the nefarious little devils they are, eagerly awaiting a tasty finger to stray too close to their hiding spot?
Kennyevilmonkey
2026-02-07 19:25:46 +0000 UTCThank you very much! Very glad you enjoyed the chapter! Octavia with a little less frantic urgency is indeed a good thing, perhaps she can start to think clearly. But ... something is off about her memories of Willow, indeed. Uh oh.
Hazel Young
2026-02-07 16:06:01 +0000 UTCThank you so much! I'm really glad you enjoyed this chapter; it's a bit of a fulcrum moment for Grimgrave, right? She is in fact capable of deep compassion. Really glad she's so fun to read, too!
Hazel Young
2026-02-07 16:05:04 +0000 UTCIt's always Maidens time!
Hazel Young
2026-02-07 16:04:03 +0000 UTCGreat chapter! Finally starting to pull the panic claws a little out of her brain to let a few thoughts in but the weirdly-vague certainty of all the Willow memories does not bode well
jthrr
2026-02-07 12:06:34 +0000 UTCGosh this was so so good! I’m ride or die for Grimgrave now I think. She’s funny and weird and actually and amazing friend. Tftc!! ❤️
SammieB3436
2026-02-07 06:38:10 +0000 UTCTime for more Maidens!
mgbm
2026-02-07 00:34:08 +0000 UTC
