#Elissa rose speaks

[ladyelissarose]

About me!!

Heyyy Y’all!! 

So I’m Elissa Rose, I’m 18. You can give me nicknames if you like (as long as it’s nice and appropriate) This is a 16+ blog. Now pls, you’ve been warned, so be careful about what you’re doing. 👀 All my Stories and One-Shots have warnings that are specific. So please, be aware of what you are comfortable with.

When I post: Tuesdays and Thursdays!! Maybe Sunday if possible!

What I do and don’t allow as far as replying to requests:

It can be any fictional character you like.

I do not write fics about real people.

If I feel a request is a little to dark and heavy to write, I will politely take time let you know why I’ll decline it. (But most of the time I push through and make a pretty great fic anyways)

I do smut, angst, and fluff! Basically everything that goes with it!

If you need a beta reader, or a little help on tips about writing if you’d like to start your own, I’ll be more than glad to help you out ;)

And if you’d like to fill my inbox about random things that’s great too, (as long as it’s appropriate and not trashing others) 

Now about me lol!

Well let’s just put it simple :).

I have a crazy schedule as a second child wth.

Usually drained after a long day but I THRIVE in staying up longer to write and reply to y’all! (Cause y’all make my day end and begin sweetly)

I read y’alls fanfics as much as I write some myself😳

Don’t give up on me when I take a while pls, I got a life, but I got this life too, so I’m doing my best to balance it for y’all. Because I love y’all. 

If you have any good advice to give, pls don’t hold back. I’m always willing to learn more from y’all. 

Oh and I’m a sucker for y’all.

Here’s my 🌻Masterlist🌻!! Click here and you’ll find all my works!!

I love and appreciate all your comments, likes and reblogs! Helps a lot to be honest, and I wouldn’t of made it this far without y’all... so let’s keep pushing farther!! Thank you! Thank you! 🌻❤️

[iamthewanderingbard]

Something that’s been really fun for me lately is having characters say more by actually saying less.

[senlair]

Closed my eyes and walked away,

Without looking at you nor speaking to you,

I wish you hadn't come.

You messed up a well built recovery mechanism. Deprived my eyes of rest, and my head out of peace.

Fucked by chance, bad luck and doomed destiny.

I wish, I wish, I wish I hadn't been there in that moment.

Meeting the eyes I've known forever and looking at them for one last time , torture.

They still sparkle the same, A strong blinding spark that once was a prayer.

Takes the life out of me.

A lifetime, yet I never truly tasted life.

Emotions rose within me that I don't know how to describe.

Only guilt has the ability to do so.

This love took me from the warm embrace of my grandmother’s wing to cold slaps of guilt that usually come just after your innocence is eternally gone.

By other words just after you destroy it .

For nothing.

I didn’t have time to hug my grandmother’s blanket one last time, but my cheek has never healed from the blows of guilt.

Life called out to me, asking where fate had taken me.

If only I hadn’t opened my eyes to the world, I wouldn’t have awakened,

I wouldn’t have known sleeplessness.

I wouldn’t have cried, nor laughed for a single day, Neither awakened nor dreaming.

If only I hadn’t lived a joy that wasn’t mine to have, If only I hadn’t felt as though as if i owned the world for a day.

I wouldn’t have lost you, nor myself.

I wish on the day I chose, I had trusted my instincts and their tales.

If only. If I had closed my eyes and walked away...

- Purely inspired by law lyrics song of ELISSA-

[profoundlyfaded]

HoF as Rook - Part One - Introduction

Like many of you, I’m joining the ranks of those who are reimagining their HoF as Rook. This isn’t my actual HoF, but an alternative version of her where Alistair sacrificed himself leaving her heartbroken. In my HC, Alistair and Elissa not-so-secretly marry in Redcliffe before The Landsmeet to scupper Anora’s plans, and they become King and Queen of Ferelden as co-rulers. After refusing Morrigan’s ritual, Alistair takes the killing blow and Elissa leaves the Crown to Anora - it was put forward that Elissa be anointed as Queen Regnant but she declined, deciding to continue her service of the Wardens by rebuilding the Order in Ferelden.

She still holds the title of Queen of Ferelden but in the capacity as Queen Dowager. If she and Anora were at the same event, Anora would be introduced as The Queen of Ferelden which Elissa would be introduced as Queen Elissa of Ferelden (I’m following UK conventions for this).

She appears in this fic, which is an AU a portion of The Silent Grove, Those Who Speak and Until We Speak comics.

Following this adventure, she later assists the Inquisition as the Warden Contact, intending to sacrifice herself to join Alistair in death, Hawke pushes her back through to Adamant Fortress ensuring her survival.

She later joins the Inquisitor in their mission into the Deep Roads with Valta finding herself in the very spot that her Archdemon dwelled. She also appears at the Exalted Council expressing a passing interest on the fate of the Inquisition, supporting its disbandment over fears it could group as large and corrupt as the Templar Order did.

Following this she returns to Weisshaupt, as she often does, as she wishes to remain close to her lover. She changes her known surname to Thorne, both as a reference to roses, her status as an ongoing thorn in the former First Wardens side but also to allow herself to return to some form of anonymity.

Varric making contact with her to help with Solas doesn’t come as a surprise, but comes with excellent timing after saving a village against orders with a group of new recruits. She knows what’s at stake when she leaves with him and reestablishes her contact with old associates across previous adventures in the year travelling with Varric, and continues that after Solas’s ritual, drawing in allies old and new to fight the Gods.

And actually, in game (very early in this playthrough) I’ve just come across The Scared Queen codex entry and I’m making that a ‘fanfic’ of Elissa’s life -

[ooachilliaoo]

Goldanna

He was nervous. Really, really nervous. The stumbling over his words, shifting his feet, twiddling his fingers kind of nervous. More nervous than she had ever seen him. And given that, in the space of the last few weeks, he’d confessed to his true parentage, given her a rose to tell her she was the one bright spark in all the darkness, asked Wynne for advice on how to woo a woman in her hearing, and kissed her… that was saying something.  

Was it wrong that she found it so adorable?  

Probably.  

But that didn’t make it any less so.  

She could well understand why he was nervous. It wasn’t hard to see that family was incredibly important to him. She supposed that they were similar in that regard, despite coming at the issue from virtually opposite ends of the spectrum.

She’d had her family her entire life. Mother, father, brother. Then a sister-in-law and a nephew… And they were all gone now. She missed them terribly, every single day.

But he’d had… nothing. No mother to speak of; an absent father. Of course, she would do all that she could to help him reclaim even this tiny part: a sister he’d never known.

All she hoped was that the real Goldanna lived up to the one he’d imagined in the Fade. She’d hate for him to come out of this feeling disappointed…

It was just the two of them. She’d figured that would be best.

Though he probably wouldn’t have minded Leliana or Wynne joining them, she hadn’t wanted to overwhelm Goldanna. The woman was just about to find out that she had a half-brother she never knew she had. Elissa assumed it was a revelation that would go down better if said half-brother didn’t turn up on her doorstep trailing a number of his friends.   

Now that she saw just how nervous he was, she was even more glad. At least with only her present he could hopefully relax a little more than he might have been able to with the others. It hadn’t helped that when they had first come across the… well, not to be impolite, but ‘hovel’ really did seem like the most appropriate word. When they had first come across the hovel that his sister lived in, he’d almost turned tail and run.

“We can go in whenever you want,” she said gently as they stood outside. “Whenever you’re ready.”

Read the Rest on AO3

[daughterofhighever-blog]

Camp, Outside Denerim - 9:31 Dragon

{ Starter for @royalbstrd. Muse: “Alistair” }

 The journey back from Ostagar had been blessedly uneventful, though that may not have been as good a sign as Elissa would have liked. Fewer and fewer isolated bands of darkspawn were being found around the countryside. It served the Wardens’ cause in the eyes of the common people, who attributed this lull to their efforts. In truth, it was because they were certainly pulling back into a single massive horde in preparation for the first emergence of the Archdemon from beneath the ground.

  Her hands gripped the saddle pommel tightly, eyes squeezed shut, and her expression twisted into one of nauseous discomfort. Leaning back against Loghain’s chest, with one of his arms wrapped around her waist - the other holding the reigns - was one of the only reasons why she wasn’t completely panicking herself into losing consciousness or vomiting. The intense and irrational fear she struggled with every time she climbed into the saddle of a horse was typically more manageable, but Elissa already had reason to be incredibly anxious in anticipation of a painful, but necessary... conversation... with Alistair upon their return.  Wynne turned her head slightly to the side as she passed the two of them to head further into camp, catching Elissa’s gaze. The look on her face was pensive, but otherwise largely unreadable; though there was a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes. Loghain stopped their horse where they were - far enough from the fire in the center of camp to be somewhat obscured, but not so far that they could not still be seen. Once he had dismounted, he reached for Elissa’s waist to hoist her down from the saddle. Her legs buckled just a bit once she put her full weight on them, and she braced her hands against him, pressing her cheek to his chest.  Loghain pressed his lips to the top of her head, murmuring something to her that no one else but the two of them could hear. Rough, calloused hands reached up to cup her tearful face and tilted it up to look at him. After several more moments, and more exchanged words, he bent his head down as Elissa lifted up on her toes to lay a kiss upon her lips.

  Eventually, she unstrapped a long bundle wrapped in leather from the back of the horse. It was a little bit unwieldy for one of her short stature, being nearly as long as she was tall. Two distinctively styled silverite pommels and handles, partially visible, marked it as a brace bundle of blades - one long, one short. Elissa carried it diagonally, close to her chest as she forced herself to walk towards the campfire. Alistair sat there, staring into the flames and giving no acknowledgement of her approach. Hakkon galloped ahead of her with a few eager yips, as Barkspawn rose from his place by Alistair’s side and woofed loudly in return. The two tackled one another at a halfway point, wrestling and nipping at one another in happy reunion.  She stopped perhaps a a few feet away and swallowed thickly before speaking in a voice that cracked halfway through... “Alistair?”

[iamthewanderingbard]

I couldn’t decide between these two ladies, so I figured why not both?

First off, Eleanora Viero! An elf (with horns) living in the city of New Capenna, where everyone is morally gray at best or a criminal at worst.

Eleanora was a popular lounge singer back in the day (white dress), but she steadily clawed her way up from the bottom to become a well-known and well-respected club owner and gang leader (red coat) thanks to a drug called Halo. Her plans were derailed slightly when she unexpectedly became pregnant, but she did not let that halt her ambitions.

Eleanora has quite the silver tongue and is a master of double speak. She is the epitome of shrewd business and brutality… though it was never her own hands she sullied. She had a loyal crew who would carry out her orders, no questions asked. But once Eleanora amassed enough wealth, she decided to retire, leaving everything she had to her daughter…

Elissa Viero! (Art in the second picture by my friend @obi-art!)

Elissa is the current owner and proprietor of the club her mother founded, The Rose Red, as well as the head of a small crew, and is also trying to establish a foothold for herself amongst the many gangs of New Capenna. Due to her mother’s station, Elissa had a rough upbringing, leaving her with plenty of baggage and an entire legacy to live up to. She is determined to find her way out of her mother’s shadow and to make a name for herself. But Elissa is caught in a tangled web and carries the weight of the world on her shoulders thanks to all she has inherited, and there are plenty of people around her who would be happy to see her fly… or fall.

Hey you! Yeah you! You got some OCs you love?? It's time for some OC appreciation and I wanna see your OCs!!

Reply to this with one of your favorite OCs, show me a picture if you have one, and tell me a little about them! (and maybe I'll doodle some if I have the time and energy but I make no promises >.>)

I'll start!

This is Hazel! She's my main bg3 tav, a druid/bard, plays the violin, and is in a committed relationship with Astarion <3. (Yes she is my canon x oc ship, cringe is dead!) *art by me!*

[augment-techs]

QUICK! Write the first 5 books off the top of your head you wish you could read again for the first time--and tag 5 people! In This Light, by Melanie Rae Thon: My first real introduction into experimental writing. Short stories with a kind of stream of consciousness and non-linear type styling. I fell in love with many of the characters because of their flaws, rather than their better selves. Kissing the Witch, by Emma Donoghue: A foray into WLW fiction in fairy tale form that goes in kind of loop through one retold classic into another. The Rumpelstiltskin/Hansel & Gretel one was so much like a verbal tale I could almost hear the speaker--the speaker being neurodivergent in a way that’s left up to the reader to decide. Rose and The Beast, by Francesca Lia Block: Fairy tales in modern day in Los Angeles in poetry prose that goes on with very little punctuation in showing speech. BONES in its retelling of Bluebeard is a show of the writer being a goddamn rockstar. Speak, by Laurie Halse Anderson: In any form, in any medium, this is a story that needed to be written and read and KNOWN.  Starvation Mode, by Elissa Washuta: I read the author���s personal memoir when I was much too young to really understand it, but it stuck with me, so when this came to my attention and I had to track it down like the rarity it was, I devoured it in one sitting. No pun intended. Tagging: @lordkingsmith, @skyland2703, @obstinatecondolement, @theorangerangers, @theonewhonothingknows.

[bearlytolerant]

Fandom: Dragon Age

Pairing: Bethany x Alistair (Bethistair)

Rating: T

Ch WC: 3115

AO3

Chapter 4

He was dreaming the most wonderful dream. He was old, he could tell by the amount of wrinkles on his hand. Her also. She had the same wrinkles in her skin as his as he held her, staring out over the lake. The sun was just setting and it was warm. Summer, it must have been. It was beautiful, almost as beautiful as her. Elissa smiled at him, her face clear as day and leaned into his shoulder. He kissed her forehead. They remained that way for what seemed an eternity and then—

He had to piss. Nothing was as jarring as that feeling after a nice dream. Alistair went about his business, the dream fading even though he’d clung to it desperately.

He crawled back into his bed. Squeezed his eyes shut. If he could just go back to sleep, he could be with her again. He pulled the blanket tighter. Burrowed himself in its dark and let himself be hollow. The day could start without him right?

He never slept.

Just sort of curled up into himself and let his mind lecture him instead.

Get out of bed Alistair.

No matter how many times his mind told him to get out of bed or tried to entice him with life’s beautiful delights, including the promise of spring, there seemed to be this external invisible force pressing him further into his mattress and he couldn’t get it off. That sudden urge to cry came over him again. Maker, would it ever end?

Clattering by his bed and Alistair groaned. Why hadn’t he written a decree stating that not a single soul could be in his castle excluding his son and the healer?

“I brought you some breakfast. The servants claim you haven’t been eating.”

Great. Somebody had called in the calvary. He clung even tighter to his blanket.

“Alistair. You can’t just lie in bed all day.”

He heard Anora sigh. A bit dramatic in his opinion.

He mentally prepared for her to yell at him or give him a stern talking to. She never came to the castle otherwise.

“Trust me. If I could have just lain in bed all day after Cailan passed, I would have. I understand how you must feel. But you’re not doing anyone any good by not eating. You want to waste away? Leave Bryce without either of his parents?”

The Maker knew his brain was useless for getting him out of bed so he’d thought it’d be comical to send Anora instead. He should count himself lucky.

Light blinded him as the blanket was ripped away. He should’ve clutched it tighter. Blankets these days were as precious as pearls.

“Get up. We’re going to the lake.”

He balked, shrinking away, scrambling for a cozy shadow. “But I don’t want to,” Alistair whined.

“But you’re going to. So sit up. Eat. Get your big boy pants on and meet me at the front gate in an hour. Or so help me I will drag you out of this bed myself and spoon feed you.”

He dared to glance at Anora. She was serious, of course. She shoved a glass of orange juice at him. He eyed it suspiciously as she rolled her eyes and forced it into his hands.

“Now drink,” she commanded.

He hesitated more out of defiance than anything. “I could have you thrown from court for how you’re speaking to me. Could even put your head on a pike.” Emphasis on the last word had to have sounded threatening.

Her eyes nearly rolled out of her head that time. “For Andraste’s sake Alistair, don’t be so morbid.” She shook her head and muttered something about an insufferable little brother. She handed him a piece of buttered toast next.

“Where am I supposed to put that?”

“In your mouth.”

He glared. Drank his juice and traded the empty glass for the toast. He took the world's smallest bite out of it and chewed. And chewed. And chewed. After he swallowed, Anora patted him on the cheek.

“There, wasn’t so hard, was it?”

“Why are you here?” Alistair asked.

She cleaned the dirt from her nails with a brush she seemingly pulled out of nowhere. “Fergus has been concerned so he sent for me. He knows you listen to my council.”

Alistair scoffed. “More like I let you boss me around.”

“Interesting choice of words.”

After all this time, Alistair still wanted to stick his tongue out at some point in every interaction with her. He shoved his toast in his mouth instead. He didn’t miss that coy smirk on her face either.

She rose and strutted towards the door. “I’ll be seeing you in a short while. Oh, and do wear something comfortable.”

She exited like she was leading an army. Alistair glanced down at his nightshirt. A miserable army of one. He managed to finish half his breakfast and throw on some clothes before the time allotted to him. Though, his main motivator at that point was getting to check on Bryce before he went on an excursion with Anora.

He spotted Bethany and he froze. She should be at breakfast like every other morning when he visited Bryce. And he had been avoiding her for nearly a month, successfully, ever since what he referred to as the incident. He had half a mind to turn around and walk right back out that door.

“Oh good morning,” she said. She was even smiling. Then she motioned him over. Did she not remember him losing his shit over roses? “He’s been having longer periods of wakefulness. Though, he still often calls me his mum.”

All thought of embarrassing incidents, anxieties and what have you dispersed when he heard that. “He calls you mum? Does he not realize…” Alistair didn’t want to say it.

She shook her head and adjusted Bryce’s pillow, smoothed out his blanket. “You may or may not have to remind him. I wouldn’t worry about it now. It’s still too soon to tell whether his memory is affected long term. Of the patients I’ve seen sharing his condition, many have suffered from short term memory loss. I have rarely seen otherwise.”

Rarely. The word wasn’t lost on him. Alistair didn’t think he could explain her death to Bryce again. Maker, wasn’t once enough? He shuddered at the thought and Bethany’s hand was over his.

“Really, you shouldn’t worry.” She squeezed his hand then let it go.

Shouldn’t worry.

Good advice but his heart couldn’t take it. Alistair leaned over and kissed his son’s forehead. “I love you,” he murmured. Then pulled back.

“I will return again after dinner. I’d like to read him some things.”

Bethany nodded. “I think that’s an excellent idea.” She smiled gently at him and the thought crossed him that she had a very pretty smile. Not that he should notice such a thing. Maker, what was he thinking? Hadn’t he just dreamed of his wife this morning? Now he was admiring another woman’s smile?

Forgive me.

He rushed away from Bethany before he thought something else he shouldn’t possibly think.

—

He really didn’t want to be at the lake. Too many bad memories. Too much guilt. Too few enjoyments. And it was cold. Not quite Ferelden winter cold but the wind had a bite and nipped at the tips of his ears. He ticked the reasons off one by one, keeping his worries at bay with complaints until Anora interrupted his thoughts, shoving a fishing rod into his hands. He’d rather try aiming for fish with a bow and arrow. Fishing with a rod was a slow, agonizing way to catch fish, one in which he was left to marinate in his morose musings.

“Already has a worm. Do you prefer to fish off shore or…”

Neither. He didn’t like fishing at all. It was by far one of the most boring and wretched past times he’d ever encountered.

“Shore it is,” she decided for him.

“I don’t like fishing,” he said. But plodded after her anyway.

“Oh, I know. But I do. I find it quite relaxing.”

“Then why not go by yourself? Bringing me along with you seems the opposite of relaxing.”

“I should confess then, I did not bring you along for my benefit.” She cast her line.

“I already mentioned I don’t like fishing. Did you have a lapse in hearing?”

“My hearing is excellent. The benefit is you getting out of bed, getting some sun and fresh air while putting your duties for the day off for a few more hours. Perhaps it would be a good time for you to take your mind off things.”

Her motives were good, he could admit but they were absolute bollocks. The sky was overcast and looked like it would burst into tears at any moment. How was he supposed to get any sun? And if the fresh air was going to smell like fish, especially dead fish, he didn’t want it.

Alistair sighed and attempted to cast his own line. He got it tangled up in the reeds along the shore. Then he cursed and threw the rod on the ground. “Blast! I think I’d do better wrangling fish out of the water with my bare hands.”

Anora sniggered. “What a sight that would be.”

“I’m going to take a walk.”

“No, no!” She grabbed his cloak sleeve. “Stay. If it helps you can talk and I’ll try my very best to listen.”

He eyed her suspiciously. “I—no. I’m good. No need for a talk.”

Not that he didn’t want to talk. Talking would probably do him good. But he couldn’t think of anyone to talk to. Fergus maybe. Though Alistair didn’t feel like he could be honest without diminishing his grief. Ferguson had been through far worse and he didn’t seem to struggle to get himself together. It intimidated him.

“Fine. Have it your way.” She picked up his rod then and fixed his line, casting it for him. She placed it back in his hands. “I’m really sorry for your loss Alistair. However, being so sullen doesn’t suit you or your kingdom. I’m not saying you can’t grieve, just maybe try keeping it contained, hm?”

Alistair closed his eyes. “And how do you propose I just contain my sullenness?”

“Try fishing for starters.”

He wanted to mock her in a tiny man child voice but he refrained. Thankfully he had Morrigan as a traveling companion long enough to train him in the art of biting his tongue. As well as shoving his foot straight into his mouth but that was another story for another day.

He fished silently alongside her wishing desperately to be back with Bryce. The fresh air didn’t feel any different than the drafty castle. The sun was nice at least, when it decided to make an appearance. But the sky was looking more sullen by the minute and the wind was picking up.

“Isn’t this a terrible time to fish?” he asked.

“Any time is a good time to fish,” Anora said.

“I don’t think that’s true. I remember there were certain times fish were more likely to bite.”

“We’re not here for dinner,” Anora snapped.

“So we’re just dipping worms in water for what? Fun? Sounds like torture.” He reeled his line in and studied the sad soggy worm on the hook. “Aw see? Now the poor little worm is a goner. I’ll have to make it a little worm grave.” He removed the worm and set his pole in the crook of some driftwood.

“Stop being ridiculous.”

“I won’t stop until you let me go back to my bed.”

“You know, I was quite fond of Lady Cousland. She was much better at fishing than you.”

“She was much better than me at a lot of things.”

“She was at that.” Anora got a bite on her line. She tugged her rod and reeled it in. No trouble at all.

Alistair sat on the driftwood with his chin in his hands. “I don’t mean to be so morose. I just miss her. I miss her terribly.”

Anora unhooked the fish–a cute little perch–and tossed it back into the water. She set her own pole aside and sat next to Alistair.

“I miss her terribly too,” Anora said.

“You do?”

“Yes. Is that really so surprising? I’d miss you too, even though you’re quite the lummox.”

“Aww,” Alistair placed a hand over his heart, “such warm fuzzy feelings, right here.”

“Must you always act like this?”

“Only with you. One day you’ll come to appreciate it. I–I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye and I’m glad you and Elissa became close after–well after everything. You could have found a clever way to toss us from the throne but you didn’t.”

“Not yet anyway. I could still.”

Alistair allowed himself the tiniest of smiles. Then he cupped his hands around his mouth. “Treason!”

Anora clamped her hand over his. “You are such a child!”

A sort of chuckle snort escaped from Alistair as Anora placed her hands back in her lap. He noticed she could smile too. “I’d still like to take a walk. You could come with me, if you wanted. I promise I won’t run away or do anything stupid.”

She nodded. “I’d like to keep fishing. But do be back in time for dinner. I can’t keep you out forever.”

Alistair nodded and stood. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

Anora was taken aback. “An honest thank you? With no snide remark? I–well you’re welcome then I suppose. Now shoo, enjoy the fresh air.”

Alistair went without further ado. Surprisingly, it did him some good. But when he entered the castle later that day to attend to his duties, his heart seemed heavy again.

–

Bethany wasn’t exactly sure if she should be in the room when Alistair came back. He had been dodging her since the garden. But she was tired and the fire was cozy. She also enjoyed seeing this side of the King and had missed him–no missed him interacting with Bryce. He was a kind and tentative father. Much like how her own had been. She pretended to read a book she had no interest in to provide an illusion of privacy.

“…and the young boy bravely reached out to touch the dragon’s snout. His friends gasped, waiting and watching for him to be scorched by fire. But the dragon closed its eyes and huffed, melting under the touch of the boy.” Alistair let out a big yawn. “I think that’s all I can manage tonight. We’ll have to pick up where we left off tomorrow.”

Bethany stole a glance in their direction. Alistair was returning the book to the nightstand. Bryce was fast asleep.

He stretched and she admired his form. Strong arms, wide shoulders, and a slightly rounded belly that she briefly dreamed of laying on. Then her eyes flicked lower and saw he also had quite a lovely bottom, not that she was focusing too much on it. Just appreciative. She told herself to look away and stop thinking such things. He turned and definitely caught her staring. She tore her eyes away and buried her nose in the book. Cheeks flushed.

She pretended not to hear his footsteps coming towards her. The book was really really interesting then. She nearly bore a hole through the book with her immense interest.

He sat across from her.

“I haven’t properly thanked you for all you have been doing to help my son. So, I uh—“ He ran a tired hand through his shoulder length hair, wisps of reddish brown bangs with hints of gray, flopping to each side of his face. “Thank you,” he said.

“You’re welcome. Though I must say, it’s a pretty easy thing to do.”

“I don’t think most people would share your opinion.”

She laughed a little. “It’s a good thing I’m not most people then, isn’t it?”

He gave a half hearted chuckle coupled with a nod.

Then they both stared into the fire. Bethany wanted to say something more. Have an actual conversation but she wasn’t even sure where to start. Her brain kept wanting to think about the way her fingers would feel running through his hair. Through his beard and–

“Can I ask you something?”

Praise the maker. “Yes, of course.”

“Do you ever dream of him?”

She tilted her head, searching her mind for the him he was referring to. She blinked as everything came up blank.

“Your brother, I mean. Of Garret.”

“Oh!” Her eyes lit up and then that sad sort of feeling pooled in her stomach. She sighed. “Of course I do. They are always happy. And he is always safe. When I wake up, I remember that it’s all a lie and it hurts.”

“Does it ever stop hurting?”

“Yes, in a way.”

“Hm.” He tugged at his beard.

“Have you been dreaming of your wife?”

“Yes,” he said. His hands came to rest in his lap and he fiddled with the hem of his nightshirt.

“Would you tell me about her?”

Alistair glanced up then. Eyes wide like she was asking him to jump off a cliff.

“I–I don’t really know where to start.”

“How about your dream? Do you remember it?”

“Yes.”

“Well I’d love to hear about it if you’re willing to tell me.”

And he did. He told her all about how they had grown old together. How it made him feel. How it had affected his entire day. How it tore him up inside.

“I just–when the person you share everything with, including your deepest secrets and darkest hurts–when they die, who do you turn to? Normally, they’d be your person. But she isn’t here and it’s so incredibly unfair. Which is ridiculous to think, I know. Life isn’t fair and all that.”

Bethany reached out without thinking, covering his large hand with her smaller one and squeezed. “It’s really not. It’s understandable you feel that way. I’m so sorry Alistair. You’re right. It is incredibly unfair. It’s unfair that the world took what you loved most and still moved on, leaving you to pick up pieces of yourself in the throes of responsibility. It must be difficult.”

“It–it is.” He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, retracting his hand. Then he bolted upright out of his chair. “I’ve taken up too much of your evening, Bethany. Have a good night,” he spit the words out in a hurry as he fled.

“You too, I guess,” she muttered, then doused the fire with a cone of frost.

[allisondraste]

Ambivalence: Chapter 2

Fandom: Dragon Age

Pairing: Nathaniel Howe x Female Cousland

Story Summary: It has been just over a year since Nathaniel Howe and Elissa Cousland were reunited, childhood friendship forged into a love that endured a decade apart.  However, every love is tested at some point. Presented with circumstances that could either make or break their relationship, Nate and Liss are no different.

Previous Chapter

[AO3 Link]

Chapter 2: Uncertainty

Chapter Summary:   Nate and Liss spend some much needed time with Delilah.

Just Outside Vigil’s Keep, Cloudreach 9:33 Dragon

“Come on,” Liss said with a laugh, speeding up her pace and tugging at his hand, “Put some spring in your step, Nate.”

“Why the hurry?” Nathaniel asked, slowing to a stop and watching as their intertwined fingers halted her march forward.  She spun around to face him, locks of golden hair flowing behind her and settling on her shoulders as she studied him in amusement. An endearing notch formed between her brows and he couldn’t prevent the chuckle that escaped him, nor the undoubtedly dopey grin that lingered on his lips afterward.  “We have all afternoon.”

Liss scowled more deeply at his comment, bringing her free hand to her hip. “It would be rude to keep your sister waiting, especially with a fussy little one about, trying to waddle into the river.”

“I am certain that Aidan is on his best behavior.”

“Aren’t you eager to visit with them?” She took a few steps closer. “It’s been weeks since we’ve all been free of duties at the same time.”

Nathaniel brought her hand up to his lips, brushing a kiss across her knuckles.  “It has also been weeks since you and I had more than just our nights alone.”

“Are you suggesting we abandon Delilah and cavort about on our own?”

“I am suggesting that we take our time in reaching our destination,” he said softly, pulling her nearly flush against him.  

Liss laughed and blinked up at him, smirking and biting her bottom lip in that feigned innocence she so enjoyed putting on. “Oh?”

In lieu of a response, he dipped down and captured her lips, tentatively as if it was the first time they’d kissed.  In her typical fashion, she returned the gesture with full-bodied confidence, cinching her arms tightly around his waist as she did so.  It was an exchange that was truly theirs, a habit, a ritual that offered him security he’d never really known before. When they pulled apart, she smiled at him widely, eyes sparkling with affection, and he truly did not know what he’d done to earn such a boon from the Maker.

With that, they continued on at a more leisurely pace toward their established meeting place with Delilah, arm-in-arm and enjoying casual conversation about nothing and everything all at once.  Nathaniel had always appreciated Liss’ ability to have conversation.  She was knowledgeable and passionate about so many things, there were times he had to do little more than listen and nod along as she prattled on about the latest book she’d been reading, or the symbology of the family crests for each and every noble house in Ferelden, or the mating practices of common nugs.  Being around her was so easy. It always had been.

They were headed toward the bank of an unnamed tributary of the Hafter River, an area not too far from Vigil’s Keep, beautiful and well hidden by foliage. When he and his siblings had been children, the spot served as their own special secret, a refuge from the prison their home had slowly become after their mother died.  It never mattered the weather, when they stole away to their little stream, they were able to pretend that they were normal children skipping their lessons and hiding away from tutors and maids.  Now, Delilah used it as a refuge from her responsibilities to the Arling, a place to relax, visit with loved ones, and have picnics.  

As they approached the wooded bank, Nathaniel spotted his sister straining in an attempt to drape a blanket across the ground with only one arm while clinging to his squirming nephew in the other.  Liss had apparently seen this too, as she nudged him with her elbow, released his arm and took off running toward Delilah and Aidan.

“Looks like you could use a hand or two,” Liss said cheerfully as she approached.

Delilah looked up to greet her, letting the blanket fall to the ground as she straightened up and adjusted her grip on her son. “You’ve no idea,” she said with an exasperated laugh.  She looked at Aidan and asked, “Want to go play with Auntie Liss for a bit?”

Aidan, who was just over a year old, glanced with drooling skepticism between his mother and Liss who wiggled outstretched fingers at him excitedly.  After a moment of furrowing his little eyebrows and an encouraging nod from Delilah, the boy giggled and reached out with chubby arms toward Liss.  She scooped him up without hesitation, tossing him up into the air and catching him before propping him on her hip and walking over toward the water’s edge.

Nathaniel had approached more slowly, watching with no small degree of warmth as the interaction took place.  It was a domesticity he never realized he desired until it played out right before his eyes.  When he reached his sister, she had just begun to pick up the blanket and resume her attempt to spread it out.

“Here,” he said when he reached her, “Let me help.”

Delilah smirked, extended one end of the fabric to him, and teased, “Whatever would I do without my big brother here to help me complete the simplest of tasks?”

“Just because you can do something alone,” Nathaniel replied matter-of-factly as they stepped away from one another, each holding onto ends of the blanket to stretch it out, then lower it into a neat square on the ground, “Does not mean that you must.”

Delilah rose up, hands on her hips, admiring their handiwork before turning her gaze to Nathaniel, an eyebrow raised. “You sound like Lady Elissa.”

He snorted out a laugh, eyes drawn to the woman and little boy presently splashing about in the water with bare feet. “She must be rubbing off on me.”

When he forced his eyes back to his sister, she was grinning widely, clearly having caught his admiration. “I can’t imagine how that happened.”

Delilah lowered herself down into a leisurely sitting position on the blanketed area, then looked up and patted the empty space beside her.  “Come on, Nate. Sit.”

He did as she bade and sat down next to his sister, extending his legs out in front of him as he leaned back on the palms of his hands, taking a quick glance at the branches above his head before turning back to examine his sister who grinned mischievously.

Nathaniel scowled. “Why are you smiling like you’ve lured me into a trap?”

“How do you know I haven’t?” She raised her eyebrows.

“I suppose it’s too late for concern anyhow,” he said with a shrug, attention drawn out toward the water’s edge, to Liss once again.

Unlike the last time he’d looked at her, she was crouched down in the shallows of the water, Aidan hovering over her, watching intently as she focused on whatever it was she was doing.  It was difficult to tell from a distance.  Delilah shoved his shoulder playfully, muttering something about him not being any fun, but he barely noticed.

Liss stood up, and stepped back out of the water, the bottom quarter of her skirts soaked thoroughly and dripping.  She sat down on the bank, hands clasped together tightly as she motioned for Aidan to come sit with her. He toddled gleefully over toward her, crawling up under her arms to sit in her lap, waiting expectantly to see what surprise she held in her grasp.  She opened her hands slowly, still keeping them partially cupped, as he peered in and squealed in delight.

Liss giggled and asked, “Can you say ‘ frog’?”

The boy looked between her and the creature thoughtfully, then said, “FOG!”

“That’s right,”she exclaimed, pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “Good job, pup.”

Nathaniel froze, a confusing mottle of emotions surging up into his chest, burning behind his eyes.  Pup .  He’d heard that particular endearment hundreds of times during his summers in Highever.   It had been Bryce Cousland’s chosen diminutive for his own children, as well as for any child whose name he could not remember.  He wondered if Liss had used it intentionally, a way to honor her father’s memory. Perhaps she had not even realized.

They’d never discussed it, what pet names she would call a child.  In their situation... it had never seemed warranted to discuss children at all.  It was not as if they were able to have a family of their own, if that were something she wanted.  A pang of guilt speared through him. Andraste’s Blood, he had not even thought to ask her if that was something she wanted. There was a tug at his ear that made him snap around, frowning at the interruption.

“What,” he asked his sister as she blinked back at him with those fierce blue eyes.

“Maker, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you that enraptured,” Delilah teased, chuckling and watching Liss help Aidan hold the frog she’d caught, “She’s so good with him, isn’t she?”

Nathaniel nodded, steeling himself with a shaky breath before speaking. “She truly is.”

Silence fell between them, comfortable yet heavy with his turbulent emotions, insecurities and doubts like a dark cloud looming over an otherwise ideal afternoon.  However, if his sister noticed, she said nothing of it and kept her attention focused on her son and the woman who was currently doting upon him.  After some time had passed, she looked over to him thoughtfully, raising her brows as she tapped her index finger to her chin.

He snorted out a laugh. “What? Is there something on my face?”

Delilah let out a sigh and straightened her posture as if preparing to deliver a speech.  “I know you’re tired of hearing it but—”

“Delilah, I know where this is going and—”

“Is there some reason you have not asked that lovely woman to marry you yet,” she continued her lecture anyway, “The way that you look at her… I know it is not for lack of interest.”

He let his head hang, ashamed at her honest, biting words.  In truth, it was something he’d desired for sometime now, asking Liss for her hand.  He simply wanted to go about it in the most appropriate way, at the most appropriate time, but it was more complicated than that.  Still, wasn’t that part of his mission today? To tell Delilah what he intended?

“Actually—” he began, interrupted by the excited gasp that escaped his sister—”That’s something I had hoped to speak with you about today.  I wasn’t sure we’d have the chance, but it seems Aidan has provided the perfect distraction.”

“Nate,” Delilah said softly, hushed voice wavering.  Tears glistened in her eyes when he finally looked up at her, “Are you serious?”

He inhaled sharply and let out the breath with force before answering. “I think so.  There are still so many things to consider, but… yes.  This is what I want.  She is what I want, whatever that looks like.”

“That’s so… wonderful,” she blurted, a touch too loud for Nathaniel’s comfort and he widened his eyes at her, “Sorry, I’m just happy for you.  It’s more than about time.”

“If I am to be completely honest, I have been having doubts— nothing about her, just uncertainties about the life we live now, whether or not marriage is even appropriate.”

“Do not tell me you intend to second guess a proposal to someone you’ve been in love with since you were ten years old over protocol. ”  She wagged a finger at him. “Don’t you dare get my hopes up like this.”

“I just—”

“What did the Warden-Commander say?”

“I haven’t told her yet.”

“If protocol is something that concerns you, why haven’t you approached your commanding officer?”  Delilah was relentless, clearly invested in a wedding neither of them knew would even happen.

Nathaniel let out a frustrated sigh, laughing bitterly as he thought about Lucia with her gentle practicality.  “Because she will tell me to do it.”

“So what is stopping you, Nate?” She softened at that, searching his face as if the answer to her question might appear on his forehead if she stared long enough.  “You have clearly thought about this enough to approach me about it.”

“I’ve also written to Fergus,” he confessed. “I sent a raven to Highever just this morning.  I was actually excited about it.”

“I know this might be hard for you to believe, but—” Delilah placed a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him gently— “It is normal to have doubts.”

He met her gaze and rolled his eyes as he fought a smile. “I suppose you are right.”

“So you’re going  to do it?”

“I am… going to do it.” Saying the words out loud was more freeing than he’d expected.  To see the joy on his sister’s face, even more so.

“Good,” she said with a nod, “If it helps, you could imagine Father’s spirit in the Fade, fuming over the prospect that despite his many, many efforts, you will be marrying Elissa.”

“It helps if I don’t imagine Father at all,” he stated flatly.

“Fair enough,” Delilah chuckled. “That is exactly what I’m going to do, though.”

They sat conversing for a short while longer, mostly to allow his nerves the time to settle before Liss decided to rejoin them.  Then, an idea struck him.

“Delilah?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think you might be able to see how Liss might feel about—” he motioned vaguely— “All of this?  Discreetly, of course.”

She smirked. “I’ve never seen you so worked up about anything since you found out you had to leave for Starkhaven.  It is quite endearing.”

“I am pleased you find my distress endearing,” he said pointedly, “Will you do it, or not?”

“I will.”

“Then I shall go retrieve her,” he said, rising to his feet, “I’ll insist that you two deserve some time alone together.”

“We do,” Delilah admitted with a shrug, “That’s not even a deception.”

Nathaniel made his way slowly towards Liss, who had just lifted up Aidan after helping him to release their frog.  He used her distraction to his advantage and rushed forward, sweeping the boy from her arm in one swift motion.  She let out a startled gasp that turned into an offended grumble as her eyes fell on him.  

“Thief,” she accused with a pout.

“This boy’s mother requires your attention,” he replied, shifting the boy in question to hold propped up on his hip with one arm.

Liss raised an eyebrow in curiosity. “Privately?

“Not in particular.” Nathaniel shrugged.  “But I figured it would be easier to gossip about me if I am not present.”

Her eyes lit up with mischief and she laughed. “I like the way you think.”

“Anything for you, my lady,” he said, stepping forward, taking her chin in his hand, and tilting it up just enough for him to press a reverent kiss to her lips, heavy with the secret he would someday share.

When he pulled away, she sighed and blinked back at him with misty eyes.  She must have felt it, too. “That was—”

“I know,” he said breathlessly, grinning and kissing her forehead this time, “Now go spend time with my sister.  She misses you.”

“Okay, okay fine,” she hissed back at him playfully then looked at Aidan, “Hey, tell Uncle Nate what you want to do.”

Aidan grinned and turned to point a little finger at something over Nathaniel’s shoulder.  “Quack!”

Liss giggled and Nathaniel turned around to see a small group of ducks congregated at the edge of the water, several feet further down the stream.  He glanced back at Liss, then to Aidan. “Shall we go see the ducks, then?”

“Quack, quack,” Aidan replied enthusiastically, body trembling with excitement.

“You heard the man,” said Liss as she knelt down to pick up her shoes, “I wouldn’t keep him waiting if I were you.”

As he watched Liss flash him one last grin before turning to head toward Delilah, and his uncertainty vanished, clouds of doubt dissipating in her wake.  It was all he needed.

[theliberaltony]

via Politics – FiveThirtyEight

In 2018, Democrats took back the House thanks to a blue wave that ran right through America’s suburbs. Now the question is, can they hold onto that majority?

The answer is probably yes, as Democrats are clear favorites, according to the final version of FiveThirtyEight’s House forecast, which gives them a 97 in 100 chance of winning control of the House.1

Overall, the House contest appears to have significantly less drama than either the race for the presidency or the Senate, both of which are far more competitive. Democrats currently control 233 seats to the GOP’s 201 seats,2 with retiring Libertarian Rep. Justin Amash the lone third-party member in the chamber. So to win back the House, Republicans need a net gain of 17 seats to achieve a majority of 218, which is one reason why their odds of taking back the chamber are so low (3 in 100). That’s a lot of House seats in a presidential cycle, as a party has only gained that many twice in the past 10 presidential elections.

But perhaps the even bigger reason why Democrats are favored to keep control of the House — as well as maybe win the White House and even the Senate — is that the electoral environment looks quite good for their party. If we look at the polling average from our congressional generic ballot tracker, which includes all polls that ask respondents whether they plan to vote for the Democrat or Republican in their local congressional race, Democrats lead by 7.3 percentage points. That margin speaks to a strong national environment for Democrats and isn’t that far off from the 8.7-point edge Democrats had heading into the 2018 midterm elections. And as the chart below shows, this lead hasn’t fluctuated much over the past year.

What this has meant practically is that the overall electoral environment has boosted the chances of House Democrats, but most notably it’s given a leg up to those who captured Republican seats in 2018 and are now seeking reelection. Of the 41 Democrats who flipped seats in 2018 — not counting one who resigned and another who switched parties — 30 have at least a 3 in 4 shot of holding onto their seat. This despite the fact that President Trump carried 20 of those 41 seats when he won in 2016. These conditions, along with strong Democratic fundraising and mediocre Republican candidate recruitment in many key races, have left a pretty short list of Democratic incumbents who are in serious danger of defeat, as the table below shows.

Most House Democrats in competitive races have good odds

Democratic House incumbents who are seeking reelection and have less than a 95 percent chance of winning, according to the final numbers from the Deluxe version of FiveThirtyEight’s forecast

District Incumbent Flipped GOP seat in 2018 Chance of winning Rating MN-07 Collin Peterson 19% Likely R OK-05 Kendra Horn ✓ 51 Toss-up NM-02 Xochitl Torres Small ✓ 55 Toss-up UT-04 Ben McAdams ✓ 56 Toss-up CA-21 TJ Cox ✓ 58 Toss-up NY-11 Max Rose ✓ 58 Toss-up SC-01 Joe Cunningham ✓ 64 Lean D CA-48 Harley Rouda ✓ 68 Lean D NV-04 Steven Horsford 72 Lean D NY-22 Anthony Brindisi ✓ 73 Lean D CA-39 Gil Cisneros ✓ 74 Lean D GA-06 Lucy McBath ✓ 74 Lean D TX-07 Lizzie Pannill Fletcher ✓ 75 Lean D NJ-07 Tom Malinowki ✓ 76 Likely D OR-04 Peter DeFazio 78 Likely D VA-07 Abigail Spanberger ✓ 79 Likely D FL-27 Donna Shalala ✓ 81 Likely D FL-26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell ✓ 82 Likely D NV-03 Susie Lee 83 Likely D NH-01 Chris Pappas 84 Likely D TX-32 Colin Allred ✓ 84 Likely D WI-03 Ron Kind 84 Likely D IA-03 Cindy Axne ✓ 84 Likely D IL-06 Sean Casten ✓ 87 Likely D VA-02 Elaine Luria ✓ 87 Likely D IL-14 Lauren Underwood ✓ 87 Likely D IA-01 Abby Finkenauer ✓ 87 Likely D AZ-01 Tom O’Halleran 88 Likely D PA-17 Conor Lamb ✓ 89 Likely D CA-10 Josh Harder ✓ 92 Likely D PA-08 Matt Cartwright 92 Likely D MI-11 Haley Stevens ✓ 93 Likely D NJ-03 Andy Kim ✓ 93 Likely D MN-02 Angie Craig ✓ 93 Likely D CA-45 Katie Porter ✓ 94 Likely D NC-01 G.K. Butterfield 94 Likely D MI-08 Elissa Slotkin ✓ 94 Likely D NY-19 Antonio Delgado ✓ 94 Likely D

In other words, these seemingly more competitive seats are, for the most part, not necessarily that close, which limits the GOP’s path back to a majority. Nevertheless, a handful of Democratic incumbents are in jeopardy of losing. In fact, the most vulnerable incumbent from either party is Democratic Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota, who has about a 1 in 5 chance of winning reelection in a seat that Trump won by 31 points four years ago, according to Daily Kos Elections. Beyond Peterson, five other Democrats fall into the “toss-up” range in our forecast: Reps. Kendra Horn of Oklahoma, TJ Cox of California, Max Rose of New York, Xochitl Torres Small of New Mexico and Ben McAdams of Utah. Of that quintet, Cox is the outlier because he’s the only one running in a seat that is pretty Democratic-leaning at the presidential level — Trump lost it by 16 points in 2016 — whereas the others all hold seats Trump won by at least 7 points. But Cox’s seat is probably one of the better candidate recruitment situations for the GOP, as ex-Rep. David Valadao, who Cox defeated by less than 1 point in 2018, is back for a rematch.

Aside from the strength of their incumbents, Democrats have also benefited from the sheer number of Republican retirements this year. Not to mention, some GOP primary challenges that resulted in some incumbents losing renomination. Although the incumbency advantage is not nearly as strong as it once was, open seats tend to be harder for the incumbent party to retain, and the disproportionate number of Republican exits from the House has left some vulnerable turf for them to defend. As the table below shows, this means Republicans are defending almost all of the 17 open seats where neither party is a safe bet.

Republicans are defending more competitive open seats

Democratic chances of victory in open House seats where the incumbent party has less than a 95 percent chance of winning, according to the final numbers from the Deluxe version of FiveThirtyEight’s forecast

District Incumbent Party Dem. chances Rating NC-02 R 100% Safe D NC-06 R 100 Safe D IA-02 D 88 Likely D TX-23 R 74 Lean D NY-02 R 57 Toss-up IN-05 R 50 Toss-up VA-05 R 49 Toss-up TX-24 R 48 Toss-up MI-03 L 44 Toss-up GA-07 R 43 Toss-up CO-03 R 39 Lean R TX-22 R 32 Lean R NC-11 R 27 Lean R MT-AL R 23 Likely R FL-15 R 19 Likely R KS-02 R 9 Likely R CA-50 R 5 Likely R

While Democrats are only outright favorites in three GOP-held seats, that trio account for half of the six seats that Hillary Clinton carried in 2016 that Republicans still control (GOP incumbents are running in the other three). Two are near-certain Democratic pickups thanks to North Carolina’s court-ordered redistricting, which made those seats much more Democratic-leaning and precipitated the retirements of two Republican incumbents. And Republican Rep. Will Hurd’s retirement in Texas’s 23rd Congressional District, which Trump lost by 3 points in 2016, has given Democratic nominee Gina Ortiz Jones a clear edge there. Additionally, Democrats are roughly even bets to win a number of other open Republican-held districts, including suburban seats like Indiana’s 5th Congressional District around Indianapolis and New York’s 2nd Congressional District on Long Island, both left open by retirements. They also have a shot at winning GOP-controlled seats where the incumbent lost renomination, such as Virginia’s 5th Congressional District and Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District. What’s more, only one Democratic-held open seat — Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District — is at all in play, and the Democrats have nearly a 9 in 10 chance of keeping it.

Lastly, Democrats are also in an enviable position because they stand to defeat some Republican incumbents in competitive contests, too. Whereas only 13 Democratic incumbents seeking reelection have less than a 3 in 4 chance of winning reelection, slightly more Republicans — 14 — are in the same position. Still, the one silver lining for Republicans is that none of their incumbents is a clear underdog, as the table below shows. So most of these races might be a bit of a reach for Democrats hoping to pad their margins.

House Republicans whose seats aren’t “safe”

Republican House incumbents who are seeking reelection and have less than a 95 percent chance of winning, according to the final numbers from the Deluxe version of FiveThirtyEight’s forecast

District Incumbent Chance of winning Rating CA-25 Mike Garcia 45% Toss-up NJ-02 Jeff Van Drew 50 Toss-up PA-10 Scott Perry 52 Toss-up AZ-06 David Schweikert 57 Toss-up OH-01 Steve Chabot 58 Toss-up MN-01 Jim Hagedorn 60 Lean R NE-02 Don Bacon 60 Lean R IL-13 Rodney Davis 63 Lean R NY-24 John Katko 64 Lean R NC-08 Richard Hudson 66 Lean R AR-02 French Hill 66 Lean R MO-02 Ann Wagner 69 Lean R TX-21 Chip Roy 71 Lean R MI-06 Fred Upton 71 Lean R AK-AL Don Young 79 Likely R WA-03 Jaime Herrera Beutler 82 Likely R PA-01 Brian Fitzpatrick 84 Likely R KY-06 Andy Barr 85 Likely R NY-01 Lee Zeldin 86 Likely R TX-25 Roger Williams 89 Likely R NC-09 Dan Bishop 90 Likely R MI-07 Tim Walberg 90 Likely R FL-16 Vern Buchanan 90 Likely R TX-03 Van Tayor 90 Likely R OH-10 Mike Turner 91 Likely R TX-10 Michael McCaul 92 Likely R TX-06 Ron Wright 92 Likely R FL-18 Brian Mast 93 Likely R VA-01 Rob Wittman 93 Likely R CA-42 Ken Calvert 93 Likely R TX-31 John Carter 94 Likely R OH-12 Troy Balderson 94 Likely R MN-08 Pete Stauber 95 Likely R

GOP Rep. Mike Garcia, who won a special election earlier this year to fill a vacancy in California’s 25th Congressional District, heads into the election as the most at-risk Republican incumbent. But along with Garcia are four others in toss-up contests: Reps. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, David Schweikert of Arizona and Don Bacon of Nebraska. Van Drew won as a Democrat in 2018 but switched parties after voting against impeaching Trump, probably thinking he’d have an easier time as a Republican in a district that backed Trump by about 5 points in 2016, but the race is super close and he’s been outraised by Democrat Amy Kennedy — yes, part of that Kennedy family. Bacon, meanwhile, is defending a seat that could also matter a great deal in the presidential race because Nebraska apportions one electoral vote to each of its congressional districts, and its 2nd Congressional District is somewhat more likely to vote for Biden than Trump.

Bottom line: Democrats have benefited from an overall Democratic-leaning national environment, in addition to a number of strong Democratic incumbents, a sizable number of competitive Republican-held open seats and some vulnerable GOP officeholders. There’s no fuzziness here in what our forecast says: Democrats are in a very strong position to maintain control of the House. We’ll see how it plays out once the votes are counted, but a Democratic hold would be one of the more unsurprising outcomes in this election.

[ladyelissarose]

‘I Left’

I left everything

To look for me

I spent many years

Counting and drying your tears

While I drowned in mine 

For I was never worth your time

It’s never late

To start again

So everything l leave

So I can finally be free

It’s not selfish

It’s self-respect

I love you with all my heart

But I love me more to part

I’d rather be alone and sane

Then with company that breed pain

[beyond-the-mirror]

Music of the Night (V x Reader)

Hello everyone! Another chapter done and ready. Now that I got some few chapters done, I’ll go back to writing Nocturnal Encounters as well, so stay tuned.

Special thanks to @minteyeddemon and @thedyingmoon for being awesome writers. If you want to be tagged too, you are free to ask me anytime.

…………

Chapter 5: Revelation

“Bravi! Bravi! Bravissimi!”

A standing ovation was right before you. Tears started forming in your eyes as you curtsied gratefully to the audience. You had just finished performing Elissa’s aria ‘Think of Me’, and judging by the reaction of all the spectators, your performance was an utter success.

The velvet curtains closed in front of you, allowing you to retire back towards the green room where all your colleagues congratulated you warmly for the amazing job you did on the stage.

As an intermission was announced at the end of the act, the Vicomte stood from his seat at one of the boxes and excused himself from his companions. As Raoul walked out and into the hallway, he contemplated what he had just witnessed happening on stage. The way you moved across the stage in smooth and airy strides, the divine emotion conveyed in your voice as you sang the aria, the authenticity and sheer bliss in your smile and your eyes…

Such a wonderful woman you were, skilled, hardworking… When he first laid eyes on you, he felt a unique and tender sensation flowing inside of him. You had bewitched him, and enthralled him to no extend.

As a smile formed on Raoul’s face, he quickly made his way through the hallway.

…………

“What a wonderful night! I am proud to announce that this production has been an outstanding success!” Firmin entered the crowded green room. The opera had just finished and the all the performers and staff members were now reunited there. “Thank you everyone, for we know that tonight’s show couldn’t have been made possible without each and every single one of you. And now, it’s time for a celebration!”

Every time after a successful premiere, one of Fortuna’s most prestigious venues would close off for the day to host a party for all the staff members of the Opera House. Now everybody was looking forward to a nice hangout with food and drinks after all the effort they put in the production finally paid off.

You were currently sitting at your vanity inside your very own private dressing room, given to you since you were now the new lead soprano and actress for ‘Hannibal’. The heavy makeup had finally been removed and your hairdo was already undone, your locks of hair cascading freely down your back. All the accessories and jewelry had now been discarded and carefully put away, your usual earrings now back on your ears, and a lovely white silk robe now over the red and gold costume dress you had been wearing for the musical.

You sat there thoughtfully as you held the portrait of your father in your hands. You had taken it with you and placed it on the vanity of the dressing room for good luck, so that you could feel his spirit right at your side supporting you.

Placing the picture up to your chest, you gently smiled. “Thank you papa.” And with a soft kiss on the image of your father, you placed the picture once again on the vanity before moving a scented candle next to it, carefully lighting it up.

A knock on the door distracted you from your train of thoughts. Moving to open it, you were greeted by Nico as well as…

“Kyrie?! Nero?!” you squealed as the red haired woman ran towards you and pulled you into a warm tight hug. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here in Fortuna?!”

“Wanted to surprise you.” Nero gently hugged you as soon as Kyrie pulled off and let you breathe again. “Although to be honest, we were the ones surprised when we suddenly saw you as the main character.”

“Indeed. Why didn’t you tell us before?” Kyrie questioned you with curiosity and confusion in her eyes. “You were absolutely divine on stage! And your voice was so beautiful, you completely owned that aria!”

Kyrie’s words made a blush appear on your cheeks, that is until Nero asked a question you definitely didn’t want to answer.

“Where did you learn to sing like that?”

“Umm…” you trailed off, unsure of what to tell them. “I-It’s a very long story actually. Let’s just say a… ‘special’ person for me has been giving me a few lessons.”

“Well, whoever this person is hun-” Nico wrapped an arm around your shoulder “-they definitely taught you well judging by that blessed performance of yours. By the way, you going to the party later?”

“Thank you Nico but I’m still not sure. I’m feeling a little tired, that’s all.”

“In that case you should rest, but if you change your mind you can call us anytime and we’ll take you there.” You continued chatting, catching up with every detail that’s happened in your lives. Kyrie has been doing excellently since ‘Wicked!’ turned out to be a huge success in Broadway, and you promised you would save enough money to go see her perform live. You also mentioned the quite eventful times when famous soprano Carlotta Giudicelli used to work at the Opera House, dealing with her meltdowns were a serious handful for everyone and especially for Madame Trish.

After some time, your friends decided to leave so they could get ready for the party, hugging you goodbye and wishing for you to rest enough so that you could join them later. You were about to change out of your costume when another knock sounded on your door.

“Talk about receiving so many visitors in my dressing room.” You thought as you quickly put on your robe and made your way to open the door. Outside was no other than the Vicomte himself, holding a bouquet of luscious red roses.

“Vicomte de Chagny! What do I owe the honor of your visit?”

“There’s no need to keep the formalities dear, you may call me Raoul if you like.” He offered you a warm and charming smile. “May I come in?”

“Oh sure, please do.” You stepped aside to let him enter.

“I came her to congratulate you personally for the outstanding performance tonight, a gifted voice like yours deserves all the praise this world have to offer.” Raoul handed you the bouquet, which you hesitantly accepted since it was a present you didn’t expect at all from the Vicomte.

“I would also like to request, if it’s not too bold for me to ask, if you wanted to assist to our party as my date for the night.”

Your eyes widened in surprise at his request. “Oh… please excuse me Vi- I mean, Raoul, but I’m afraid I… I do not have a proper dress for the occasion.” You weren’t sure to accept Raoul’s invitation, he was the Opera’s patron after all.

“Oh that’s no problem at all, I’m sure we can find an appropriate dress for you in no time. There are a few local designers I know personally who can gladly lend you a gown. ” Now you didn’t know what to say, your eyes glanced around the room, still unsure wether to go with the Vicomte or not.

You took a seat at the vanity. “I’m deeply sorry Raoul, but to be honest I’m feeling a little exhausted after everything that has transpired.” Pausing for a few seconds, the next words came out your mouth without you realizing. “Besides, i don’t think he would agree…”

Raoul raised an eyebrow in confusion “He wouldn’t agree? Your father or… a boyfriend perhaps?”

You mentally scolded yourself. “Oh! Um no… my voice teacher actually. He is a very strict professor and I’m not sure he would like me going.” It was technically true, the phantom took discipline very seriously just like Trish with every rehearsal. He expected you to be always on time and focus on your lessons, no late partying and such shenanigans since he considered them mere earthly matters that would only get in the way of your career.

Still, Raoul kept insisting, always keeping a charming smile and kind eyes. “Please (Y/N), everyone is waiting for our main star to join us to celebrate the premiere’s success. Maybe your professor wants you to relax and have some fun as a reward for all your efforts this season, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

He had a point. Besides, you could still leave the party at a reasonable hour too and still arrive at your lessons on time.

You nodded your answer. “Alright then, I gladly accept your invitation Raoul. I’m just gonna need some time to change and I’ll see you later.”

He flashed a bright grin before taking your hand in his, kissing the knuckles gently. “I shall leave you then, I’m going to wrap up some business affairs with Firmin and Andre and then I’ll come back to you.” He walked to the door, pausing right before stepping out. “See you later, dear (Y/N).”

As door closed, you turned to your father’s portrait. “I’m not sure papa. I mean, he seems to be a nice man, but…” You let out a sigh. Although at first glance it seemed like Raoul was trying to make an advance on you, there was the possibility that maybe you were simply misunderstanding his actions and that he was just being nice to you. Besides, you didn’t consider too appropriate having a close relationship with the very own patron of the Opera, with you choosing to rather keep things as professional as possible.

“Oh papa… what should I do?”

Suddenly, a chill ran down your spine, feeling as if you were no longer alone in the dressing room.

“Such an insolent boy!” the Phantom’s voice resonated through the entire room, a startled gasp leaving your lungs at the anger in his tone. “How dare this young suitor bask in your glory? Requesting you to ditch your singing lessons for a simple night out.”

“No Phantom, do not speak ill of him.” You searched around the room for the source of his voice, but couldn’t find him. “He’s only being nice. My friends want me to go too, everyone has the right to celebrate after a job well done.”

“I hope you haven’t forgotten what I always tell you about earthly matters.” His voice was now calm but chilling, but you didn’t falter. After all, your family has raised you to always stand up and assert yourself in any situation, and if if your decision was to go and celebrate with your friends then the Phantom has no right to decide over you.

“I haven’t Phantom. ‘Detach yourself from all earthly connections, for they only drive you further from the heavenly music’, those are the words you gave me. I did promise you to never forget them, for you have become my guide, my mentor and my guardian after all this time.”

The Phantom hummed thoughtful before speaking once again.

“Flattering, my child. I am glad to have proven myself worthy of your trust, a precious treasure I shall keep with me always.” He now spoke in a very soft tone, the deepness of his voice almost enrapturing you. “And to show my gratitude for the trust you have confided me these last years, I shall now reveal myself to you, see why in shadow I hide.”

Reveal himself? Were you about to truly meet the Phantom? He kept his identity a total secret ever since he appeared to you that day inside the darkness of the storeroom, and now he was about to reveal his real identity to you!

So many questions filled your mind. Who is he really? Was he an actual ghost? What was his real name?

“Phantom, where are you now?”

“My lovely nightingale, look at your face in the mirror behind you. I am there inside.”

You turned back. Hanging on the wall in front of you was a full body mirror that was normally used during fitting tests for the costumes and when putting on big and complex gowns for the play. You slowly approached it while staring at your own reflection, wondering what the Phantom meant with him being ‘inside the mirror’.

You were now standing right in front of it, the only reflection on its surface being yours. It was then that strange a silhouette appeared right next to your own reflection, it was barely visible and you tried your best to identify what it was.

As the image became clearer, you almost fell to the ground in fear. The faint image of a tall man had appeared next to your own reflection, he appeared to be wearing an all-black outfit consisting in a tailored suit, a long cape on his back and an elegant wide brim hat that obscured the upper half of his face.

There was no doubt about it. It was him.

“Phantom… Is that really you?”

“Yes, my child. I am your angel of music, the one watching over you all this time.” A clicking sound rang in your ears, and right before you, the mirror began sliding to the side, revealing what appeared to be an old set of stairs that descended deeply into the dark.

And right at the entrance, was the Phantom itself. The exquisite black suit fitted perfectly over his lithe body, the collar sporting a twin pair of intricate silver brooches at the lapels of his shirt joined together by two silver chains and each piece decorated with tiny green jewels. Right over the knot of his black silk tie, another similar brooch was pinned, this one bigger and crowned with a beautiful emerald. Under the brim of his hat, you noticed a white mask covering the left side of his face, making you wonder about a possible reason for the man to obscure his face.

“My angel of music, hide no longer from me.” Soft plump lips parted as the words left his mouth, his voice deep, full of mirth and power.

He raised a hand dressed in a black glove, offering it to you.

“Come to me, my angel of music.”

Something inside you started pulling you towards him, this man that towered over you and held such power and magnificence in his presence. It was like your mind somehow disconnected itself from reality, and unconsciously, you were already taking steps towards the Phantom.

“Come to me, my angel of music.”

He repeated. Your eyes darkened and half-lidded, your lips slightly parted as steady puffs of air left your lungs. His elegant and mighty figure towered over you, tall and proud, an oddly familiar cane held firmly on his other hand. Why was it so familiar? Why?

“Come to me, my angel of music.”

Entering the passage inside the mirror, you stood right before him. And with a sway of his cape, the Phantom closed the mirror back to its former place right behind you.

…………

“What a performance I say! I even dare to assure we have made the greatest discovery of the year with Miss (Y/N)!” Andre exclaimed loudly as they all made their way towards the main foyer of the theatre, now that the business side had been sorted, the only thing left to do was to celebrate.

“I completely agree, I can see a bright and successful career ahead of her.” Raoul added to the new owners’ compliments about you. “Now if you excuse me, gentlemen, I shall fetch Miss (Y/N) from her dressing room. I assume she must be ready by now to go to the party.”

“Very well then Vicomte, we’ll see you both there.” Andre bowed before leaving alongside Firmin.

Once outside your dressing room Raoul politely knocked at the door, but to his surprise, no answer came. He knocked again, twice, still not answer.

“(Y/N)? Is everything alright there?” No answer.

Fearing something might have happened to you, he quickly opened the door… only to find the dressing room completely empty.

“(Y/N)?” His eyes searched everywhere, but couldn’t find you. Looking down, a single rose from the bouquet he had gifted you earlier had fallen to the floor and now laid forgotten in the middle of the room.

[batboyblog]

Yes there are no perfect candidate. But this is triage when in comes to electing anybody against the republicans. The best candidate is the one that can beat the republican regardless of their race, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Yes this country has a deep history of excluding women and minorities from the levers of power but the expanding creep of right wing authoritarianism is the top threat and has to be stopped first. Especially bc it will cause more harm to women and minorities.

This is pretty much always the case made people on the left, but embedded in it is the assumption that “the best candidate” is straight, white and male. 

so lets look at one test case: 

Kansas 3rd Congressional District, a R+4 district, in a red state. In 2018 Sharice Davids. Davids is a Native American, and a lesbian. NOW Bernie Sanders, AOC, Justice Democrats, Our Revolution,  Cenk Uygur, Cornel West, etc endorsed a straight white man named Brent Welder, a figure so impressive he doesn’t have a wikipedia article and is now best known for yelling at a teenage girl  

The case that Welder’s supports made, including AOC and Bernie in person during rallies, was that only he was electable in this red district in a red state. Now what they said they meant was that Welder’s progressive Bernieite ideas were going to speak to the people or something. But implied in there was that Davids race and/or her sexuality would be unpalatable to voters that a white straight man would be able to win where she would not. 

Davids went on to beat Welder in the primary, and beat the incumbent Republican by 10 points. 

Democrats flipped 40ish seats red to blue in 2018

Josh Harder

TJ Cox

Katie Hill

Katie Porter

Harley Rouda

Jason Crow

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

Lucy McBath

Sean Casten

Lauren Underwood

Abby Finkenauer

Cindy Axne

Sharice Davids

Jared Golden

Elissa Slotkin

Angie Craig

Dean Phillips

Andy Kim

Tom Malinowski

Max Rose

Antonio Delgado

Anthony Brindisi

Kendra Horn

Conor Lamb

Lizzie Pannill Fletcher

Colin Allred

Ben McAdams

Elaine Luria

Abigail Spanberger

Jennifer Wexton

Ann Kirkpatrick

Gil Cisneros

Mike Levin

Donna Shalala

Haley Stevens

Mikie Sherrill

Xochitl Torres Small

Mary Gay Scanlon

Chrissy Houlahan

Susan Wild

Joe Cunningham

Kim Schrier

bold are people of color and italics are LGBT people, 25 of them are women. 2018 wasn’t as good for us in the Senate, where we picked up just 2 seats (and lost more) but the two seats we did pick up? Arizona and Nevada? two women Senators, Jacky Rosen of NV is the first President of a Jewish congregation to serve in congress (we’ve never had a Rabbi in Congress) and Kyrsten Sinema of AZ is the first openly bisexual member of both the House and Senate. Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, and Kansas replaced Republican governors with women Democrats, Colorado elected the first openly gay man to statewide office in the US. 

One last thing, and I think about this a lot. I once listened to a speech by Madeleine Kunin, she’s the first (and only) woman governor of Vermont. She said having male allies in office was good, necessary, she liked her male co-workers, but it was important to elect women to office “because they (men) never know the feeling when you hear footsteps behind you at night while you’re fishing for your keys in the parking garage” And thats the truth, you can understand the fears and worries of women, minorities, LGBT people, but if you’re not one of them you’ll never feel those fears and they won’t spring to your mind first and right away, so a table full of well meaning, progressive, woke straight white men will never be able to fully address the needs of women, non-white people, and LGBT people, they can never be truly progressive without everyone at the table. 

[dramaticveron]

Chapter 3 ~ The One The Devil Sent

The candle shone in my face. It felt crazy to be up on the stage, to be singing, and nonetheless singing the song Think Of Me. But even as I stood there, in the dress of Elissa and the scarf in my hand, the fact didn't leave me: I was ruining the story. 

It was amazing being here, yet now I was out of the ballet for now and into Christine's role. And Christine was just as bitchy as Carlotta, who may I repeat ISN'T REAL IN THIS WORLD.

I soon came to the end of the song, and I vocalized to it, before my voice rose and the song ended. Quickly I scurried off the stage and girls, including Meg, attacked me practically with hugs, words becoming a jumble as Madame Giry came over and banged her cane. "He is proud of you Miss Bournival, yet also quite upset. We will speak of it soon. And you," Her eyes snapped to the poor ballerinas. " You were absolutely horrendous. Go to the studio and practice, NOW"

Him? Was she speaking of the opera ghost? Proud, I don't understand. My voice was nothing compared to what Christine could do. However, upset, I understand. He wished for Christine to sing this, not me. What else was there to speak of?

"Victoire. Go rest, we will speak in the morning. It has been quite the day and night." Madame Giry said to me, turning around, her dark hair curled up into a tight bun.

"Goodnight, Madame Giry" My voice came out soft and weak. She was so intimidating, it was scary.

I watched as she left, before I started to walk towards the room, the Prima Donna room. My body seemed to know just where to go, where to take a turn and which turn to take. 

I was quiet as I entered the room. Unlike Carlotta's original pink crazy room, it was covered in shades of coffee browns and dark reds. It was much more tame than the pink monstrosity. I look around and saw the mirror. This was Christine's mirror, and behind it, the passage to his lair. 

Why was I here? Oh goodness, this all was a dream. But I was ruining the story. Christine was supposed to be here, and Erik was to be exposing herself to her tonight, through that mirror. A knock came at the door and Madame Giry came in. She carried some flower bouquets. "Victoire, how are you feeling?"

"I feel good, Madame Giry" I quickly replied, a fear in my voice. 

"The managers are proud, you brought them more money." She replied, rolling her eyes just the tiniest bit

"That all they care for isn't it, Madame Giry. Money this and that. Pull a con if they must" I jested a bit, smiling a small smile.

Madame Giry smiles and nods, before having to leave to teach the ballet rats. The room was covered in silence. No Raoul, for I wasn't Christine, and no Erik, for I wasn't Christine. I go to the closet and look for something to change into. My clothes, as I was assuming they were mine, were all placed in there. All the brightened colors of the rainbow. I pulled out a nightgown and pulled it on, and pulled on a silky robe. I sat on the bed and started to pull out the many dozen pins in my hair.

ERIK'S POV------

I stare at the red-haired girl from the other side of the mirror. She was not Christine. But her voice was nice. I watch as her fingers pulled pin after pin out of her hair. Madame Giry called her Victoire. 

Her voice was good, not nearly as good as Christine's. Christine was precise and nearly perfect, while this Victoire girl was raw and emotional. I watch as she softly sang.

"Angel of music...guide an guardian...

grant to me your glory..."

Only Christine knew of the Angel of Music. Perhaps when this girl was still around Christine, she spoke of me?

I was curious. Yes, I wanted my Christine, yet I was as curious as one of those ballet rats about this one girl. 

"I am your Angel of Music...." I sang out to her

Victoire's POV-----

The deep voice filled the room as my eyes looked up and shifted to the mirror, watching it open as I stood up and headed over to it. Erik stood there, his mask glowing a soft white, and his hand reached out. It was like a hypnosis attempt. And wow, it was working.

I took his hand and slowly, we made our way down to his lair.

[ooachilliaoo]

IABN - Leliana

Initially, he’d been pleased when Ren had whispered in his ear that the Left Hand of the Divine had arrived, and had requested a private meeting.

It had been years since he’d seen Leliana – though they had occasionally written – and truthfully, he was pleased to see his old friend. Not to mention more than a little curious as to what she’d been up to as the Divine’s Left Hand. It seemed a job well-suited to the Bard she’d been before he knew her, but not quite to the Chantry Sister she’d become.

The change in her was apparent the moment he stepped into the antechamber where she’d been waiting.

The Leliana he knew would have immediately launched herself at him for a fierce hug, protocol be damned. The Leliana in the chamber merely sketched him a mocking bow and offered him a slightly sarcastic ‘your majesty’.

“So formal, Leliana,” he teased, determining that he, at least, would treat her as a friend and act as if he saw no change in either of them. “I remember when you used to yell at me for burning the stew.”

She smiled at that, but not as openly or as gleefully as she might once have done. “Yes. Fortunately, you have an entire kitchen staff to do your cooking for you these days, no?”

“And I thank the Maker for that every day,” he replied, hand on heart as he sketched her a small bow. Then, before the moment could get much more awkward as he pulled her into a fierce hug. “Come here. It’s good to see you.”

She squeezed him back, but only gently. “It’s good to see you too.”

“So, what can I do for you?”

He gestured to the chairs by the fire where some thoughtful servant had left them a bottle of wine, and smiled as she accepted a glass before replying.

“I’m afraid I’ve come on a mission of dire importance.”

“I assumed as much. Why does no-one ever come to see me for the pleasure of my company? It’s always ‘I need something’ or ‘can you help?’”

He was pleased to see that that at least made her laugh.

“Well, you are terribly important these days, my friend.”

“Much to my chagrin.”

“It suits you.” Her eyes darted up to his brow. “The crown suits you. Elissa was right, it seems.”

“She usually is.”

His tone was idle, though his guard immediately rose at the mention of Elissa. It was hard, so hard sometimes, to pretend that there was nothing more between them than the relationship that the Commander of the Grey would have with her King. Hard too, to pretend that he hadn’t seen her since his last official visit to the Vigil. Which would have been what? Five years? More? When in actuality he’d been making love to her in the library three floors below them not two months ago.

He suspected that it would be even harder to maintain the pretence in front of Leliana. Not just because she was a Bard, but because she had also known them both so well.

“Speaking of Elissa.” He didn’t miss the intense, searching look she gave him. “I need to find her.”

Read the rest on AO3

Read the full series here