Alice and Finch

This serial is paused at chapter 23, and will be stubbed soon. I'll be moving it to a free newsletter, starting with the first few chapters. One day when Finch is heading home from the library, he encounters an enthusiastic yet strange looking girl. All he did was drop his books on a bench and sit, but moments later, a voice issues forth from behind the books. He leans forward and sees a small girl is hiding behind his stack! Finch. He's an outsider. He has pale skin, black hair, and spends his days at home reading text books. He is a good student, studying with his father as a tutor. Alice. She is an outsider even more so than Finch. She has bright sandy-orange coloured hair, tanned skin, red eyes, and far too many canine teeth. She is the care of a elderly cleric who barely has enough food to feed himself. She came from somewhere far away, and is managing in a new kingdom. Trips to the library, reading together, one thing leads to another and they become friends. Then one day prejudice catches up with them. A corrupt element in the guard has been waiting for any excuse to kick her out, to exile her. When misunderstanding compounds on mistake, they get their opportunity. Alice is targeted. She must escape. Finch sends her on her way and promises that he will do everything he can to make sure she can return safely...but neither of them know how long it will take. A slow burn romance series, a slice of life with stakes. It's romance in the classic sense. The main characters meet and strive to be together, and spend time apart from each other. The romantic elements opening up later in the story, after reuniting. Reconnection is the driving force of the novel and a key motivation of the protagonist throughout.Multiple leads: Many of the chapters are from the male lead's perspective, but a handful are from the female lead's. It is a focused perspective approach. Release schedule: Paused This series used to release new chapters once a week, every Thursday, at 7:15pm EST. There will be no more chapters released on Royal Road, apart from perhaps an author explanation. What to Expect: - Character Driven Story. The characters set goals, and seek to reunite and push past all barriers. This is a character-first story, but not at the expense of plot. There is a clear beginning, middle, and end. - Slow Burn. Together in the first third, separated in the second, and reunited for the final act. The narrative structure is more like Pride and Prejudice, where they meet and separate, and between? Life goes on. They strive to reunite and enjoy slice of life moments, including a school setting. - Clear Pairing. Little time is spent on love triangles, or will they / won't they. These elements are there a little, here and there, but the driving force is clear. These two are intent on reuniting, and parting whatever obstacles might be in the way of that goal. - Cozy Slice of Life, but with Goals. This is a slice of life story with legs and a satisfying conclusion. The story moves toward a final goal, but does not forget the day to day realities of life. The story is simple and down to earth. I hope you enjoy reading about the adventures of Finch and of Alice. - Exciting Moments. Though infrequent, there are a handful of more intense scenes. Escape, drama, confrontation, and reunification.  - The Integration Mythos. Lovers meet, lovers are separated by an authority which represents rigid, stuck authority. Lovers reunite and overcome the rigidity, symbolizing the rebirth and reintegration of the society. The story ends in celebration that includes all aspects of the community. This is the classic Aristotelian style Integration story. - Clear Character Drive. Reconnection is the driving force of the novel and a key motivation of the protagonist throughout. - Paced for Depth: The narrative does strive for reader engagement, but with less overt, "adrenaline rush" writing. Though, there are a few adrenaline action scenes, they are centralized around the climactic moments. What this is not: - No Game or Combat Mechanics: Though as a tabletop GM, I have an appreciation for game mechanics mixed with storytelling, this story is not in that vein. The progression in this story character growth. What do you do when you're separated by a force so much greater than you? The guard itself! In the interrim period, where Finch and Alice work on their own self development. Finch has an additional mission. He joins the guard in order to see if he can find a way to make things work for Alice's return from the inside. As the book enters its final stretch, the pair, now young adults, reunite. Feelings they didn't have before emerge, and they must overcome one final series of challenges to be together, finally. The question is, how? How will Finch, a boy becoming a man, take on the city guard, and remove the prejudice that makes them seek to keep Alice out? My Links: Support my writing!: reamstories.com/hanoayah Creative Website: www.ecyd.caTechnical Website: storiesandgrowth.com Youtube: youtube.com/@HanoayahInstagram: instagram.com/dt_hanoayah/