Author Q&A
Here are some brief tidbits about this story: one of the first, most special things about this story is I wrote it chronologically. I almost never do that. I sometimes intend to, but then I re-realize that it's sometimes way more logical to start somewhere in the middle and write the start and end after that. The introduction and conclusion of a story are no joke; they're usually some of the hardest pieces to write, so most times, writing them first - in any significant level of detail, at least - just seems unnatural to me. You've gotta know what your own story is before you can properly set it up for someone who's never read it before.
Q: Hi there, nice to meet you! Where are you from?
A: Hiya friend! :3 The United States, but currently I'm living in Japan. :D
Q: Do you consider yourself a full-fledged writer?
A: Absolutely. I'm actually writing a medieval fantasy/romance novel. If you like my style of writing, keep an eye out on my future stories, profile updates, or the website listed on my profile to catch word of it when it's finished. :D
Q: What's your favorite Yu-Gi-Oh pairing?
A: Atem x Anzu x Yugi. Bring 'em all together.
To give a bit more detail and clarification, I do like stories like this one where it's both of them on a team to vie for Anzu's affections, but I also adore those where the two Yugis are pitted against each other to appeal to Anzu.
As for my view of who the canon pairs together, even just those pairings who are placed together through subtle hinting... While watching the series, I originally thought Yugi had a crush on Anzu and Atem felt for Anzu as a bit of an extension of that. But as I've watched more, and especially when the gang goes to Memory World in the fifth arc, I've come upon one main conclusion: Yugi and Atem may have a crush on Anzu, but Atem and Yugi are absolutely in love with each other.
Early on around episodes 52-54 - just after the Millennium Puzzle is shattered and put together again - Yugi asks Atem who he is, and what he knows about himself. Atem says he knows nothing, other than that he is from Ancient Egypt and his soul is locked in the Millennium Puzzle. Yugi apologizes for the effect the conversation seems to have on the pharaoh, and when the pharaoh tries to tell him it's okay, Yugi, filled with guilt, implores him to stop talking about it. The two of them stare at each other intensely, before Atem smiles at Yugi. He tells him he wants to be with him forever. He comforts Yugi by saying he doesn't care if he gets his memories back. Yugi, surprised, then stammers that he feels the exact same way about him, and with tear-filled eyes, says he'd be more than willing to give Atem all of his memories. Atem places his hands over Yugi's and they gaze at each other for a long time.
This is in the canon!
And when Yugi asks Anzu to go on a date with Atem in episode 53 - and he dresses himself up for it to suit the pharaoh's personality more - Anzu talks to Atem at the coffee shop, and Atem almost immediately brings up Yugi, his thoughts heavy with concern at how he's trying to fit in too much by putting on things he said weren't his style, which was completely unrelated to the conversation they were having (I just love when Atem tries to convince Yugi to come to the dark [Egyptian] side and wear all the bracelets, bangles, and accessories possible~). Then, after he buys some cards at a card shop, he oozes that his aibou will be so happy to see the good card he got. Even while Atem's supposed to be enjoying himself by wandering leisurely in the modern world, he just can't stop thinking about Yugi.
And then just look at Atem's extremely emotional reaction when Yugi sacrifices his own soul to be locked in the Seal of Orichalchos in place of the pharaoh's. Through the series, Yugi and Atem are usually quite affected with their friends are in danger. But when it's his aibou's soul, Atem's usual, unwavering countenance is absolutely destroyed as he utterly shakes and trembles with heartbreak and curses himself while quickly becoming an emotional wreck. To see it, go to YouTube and, after the dotcom, put watch?v=VI-JEKfGMJg
These two aren't just two halves of the same whole, even though that's already saying a lot. They're completely head over heels in love with each other.
It's like Xena and Gabrielle all over again, and it's beautiful.
Q: What was the hardest/longest scene to write?
A: The Urge, The Reaction, or The Guilt in terms of difficulty or lack of flow. It felt like I was writing those scenes forever, but I really thought the content was story-heavy and I wanted to give them the attention they were due. I consider The Guilt my worst chapter of this fic; after writing all the way up through The Panic in one day, I had a little bit of a hard time at the start of the next day getting back into it. Though, since I already had The Confrontation kind of planned out in my mind, that one wasn't too bad, even though it was the first chapter in day two of my seemingly never-ending writing journey of those three days.
The longest chapter to write...well, that would be the one that's 5,576 words compared to the others that average between 1,000-2,000. :3
Q: What was the fastest scene to write?
A: Funnily enough, the really long dance chapters, where Anzu goes into detail teaching Yugi how to do the Viennese Waltz.
Q: What was the most fun scene to write?
A: The Restaurant! I had so much fun with that one. :D
Q: Where did you learn the Viennese Waltz?
A: In one of two dancing electives I took during university. Funnily enough, my degree was in Computer Science.
Q: What's one important thing you've learned while writing over the years?
A: Something about this fic is that it's the simplest - yet in some ways the most developed - piece I've ever written. For example, over my years of writing, I've learned - especially after reading so many other stories wherein characters are brought hopelessly out of character - when using overly formal language is appropriate, and when it just doesn't fit the story or the characters, even though it can make a story sound more flowery and high-brow. I'll give an example.
What if I were to write Yugi in the two following ways?
"Anzu, I love you. In all my years, I have never laid eyes upon a beautiful woman such as yourself before, and I do not think I ever will get the chance to again. No one has ever enticed me as you do."
Versus:
"Anzu, I love you. Over the years, I've met a lot of girls, but...to be honest, I've barely paid attention to them. My eyes have always been drawn to...well, you. You're just...so special to me."
Now let's try to do the same with Atem:
"Anzu, I can't believe you're here. I'm so relieved to see you; I thought the worst had happened to you."
Versus:
"Anzu, you're here. I'm so relieved to see you. I'm glad nothing bad happened to you."
Tell me: which one sounds more like their respective character?
As you can see, it's more appropriate to be long-winded for the Egyptian pharaoh than it is for the modern, timid game-player, who sounds out of character if he speaks with so much fluff. But of course, there are emotionally-charged times when it makes sense for them to switch! :) Nevertheless, I frequently find fics where the two are regularly switched, and it completely breaks my immersion in the story.
So, this illustrates my meaning in saying that you have to match the voice with the person, not just write in a way others may consider decorative and fancy all the time!
Feel free to ask me any other questions in reviews or in a private message, and don't forget to check out my other stories on my profile! :D