FMA Big Bang entry- "Celestial Ciphers- Second Cipher: Tome of the Stars"

[sonjajade]

Title: Celestial Ciphers- Second Cipher: Tome of the Stars (link takes you to AO3)
Author: sonjajade
Artist: seta_suzume
Word Count: +/- 66,500
Rating: M
Content Notes: Underage sex, violence, incest (not really but sorta), rape/non-con, politics, minor character death, failed pregnancies, assassination attempt
Summary:   The second cipher opens on a palace in disarray. A prisoner prince is missing. An Emperor lies upon his deathbed. A Dragon is thousands of miles away and in limbo. One thing is for certain- the Xingese Heir Apparent is about to ascend the throne, and all eyes are on him. Within weeks of taking over the country, things begin to turn from bad to worse. Dissension among his people angers and frustrates him, his allies seem to turn their backs on his requests for help. Before he knows it, the young Emperor is faced with a country at civil war- and his enemy brother leads the charge against the forces of the Peony Palace. The God of Gods seems to be dead as flames consume his temple.  Can emperor Ling raise his country from the scattered pieces? Join an expanded cast of characters as politics and warfare threaten to bury every Xingese citizen under the rubble of their great nation.
Link to Art: Art is appropriately placed within the story text.  However, individual links to the astounding artwork can be found HERE (one nsfw-ish illustration of Mei Chang topless.)
Author's Notes: Huge thanks to my beta- bay115.  There were days I didn't think I could finish this and I did, partially thanks to your kind encouragement and patience as I jabbered on skype about different plot angles.  Thank you so much! *hugs*
seta_suzume, I couldn't have asked for lovelier art.  Thank you so much for all the beautiful drawings and how perfectly you captured the scenes I wrote.  It's hard for me to pick a favorite one because they're all wonderful!
missyquill I know we didn't get to give this the true Sammy/Jen treatment as we did with the first installment, but I'm kinda glad it worked out that way.  For about three months I felt like I couldn't do this without you, but then I found out I could.  Your influence is still felt throughout I think and I'm so glad you were still able to help me out with the technicalities of Chinese culture!

Comments

[seta-suzume.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Sonja!

I'm really happy with the art you made and, once again, I have to say I had a great time working with you (and getting to read the story early! XD;)

[sonjajade.livejournal.com]

I had a great time working with you!!

[seta-suzume.livejournal.com]

:D

Oh, I was thinking about your children's book writing and I thought maybe one of these sorts of books would be helpful? Maybe there's a copy you can skim at a library or something to see if it has any worthwhile information (I know around here I sometimes see past years of those writer's market books really cheap at the used book store).

[sonjajade.livejournal.com]

that's a great idea! the local lgbtq group said they didn't know of any particular publishers, but gave me a resource list of businesses and people who support gay rights and said maybe one of the magazines listed could give me some advice. I had no idea getting published was so hard :/

[bay115.livejournal.com]

Yay for posting the fic! :D And no problem! *hugs*

[sonjajade.livejournal.com]

*hugs* When are you posting yours??

[bay115.livejournal.com]

I'm waiting for my artist to finish one art first as she told me she has been working on another one. This evening she send in an email saying she should have it done by tomorrow if all goes to plan, so likely I'll post it before this weekend.