#I wish I could say that I'm surprised that it's about 1000 words longer than Hope's but I'm not because of Eden's romance

[dreamsneath-blog]

Inquisitor As a Companion

—inspired by this post and following the format of Hope’s with some minor changes, artwork by @kourvo​

Name: Eden Elise Trevelyan Race / Class / Specialization: Human / Mage / Necromancy

There’s too many rumors surrounding her to know what’s truth and lies. Most are of little consequence, but there is one that concerns me. A handful of rebel mages in Redcliffe claim that she was to be sent to the Temple of Sacred Ashes, and was meant to stop the peace talks between the Templars and mages. Most of the mages that my agents spoke to appear to have been under the impression that she accepted and had died along with those who attended the Divine Conclave. They were quite surprised to learn she was alive and with the Inquisition.

I’m curious to know what changed her mind.

Leliana

Cole’s reading of Eden

“She once found a rose bush like the ones in her mother’s garden. She made it die, petals black and thorns sharp as daggers. They didn’t deserve to be so beautiful.”

“One mirror reflects, too many distort. She doesn’t know what’s real anymore, either.”

“She’s softer because of you. She cares more. She knows it and doesn’t like it, but she likes you.”

If in a romance with the Inquisitor.

Tarot Cards

What would their tarot cards look like?

Upon recruitment, Eden’s tarot card is The High Priestess, symbolizing the subconscious mind, potential, mystery, and allowing events to proceed without intervention. She’s wearing a black gown with her back against a mirror that bears some similarities to an activated eluvian. In one hand is a fruit that shares the shape of an apple, encased in ice. Wisps of smoke coil around the edges of the card.

After triggering her companion quest, her tarot changes to The Devil, symbolizing ignorance, addiction, bondage, and being hopeless. The mirror from The High Priestess appears once more, but the glass is fracturing behind her with blooms of frost. Black ribbons bind her wrists above her head and she has her face turned away, hair falling into her face.

Should she be romanced by the player, her tarot becomes The Lovers, symbolizing relationships, physical union, personal beliefs and values. She’s facing the mirror, darkened, and is looking over her shoulder with a coy smile. The apple from The High Priestess appears again, but it’s no longer frozen and a bite has been taken from it, and the ribbons from The Devil have been cut and hang loosely about her wrists.

Recruitment Mission

A Hollow Smile

Eden approaches the player in Val Royeaux after they’ve spoken with the Revered Mother and Lord Seeker Lucius, her opening dialogue varying and dependent on which options were chosen during the cutscene. Her interest in the fact that the Inquisitor claims to be capable of closing the Breach is obvious, as is her amusement at whatever she bore witness to. She will ask if the Inquisition’s interest in acquiring the aid of those with magical talents still stands strong, indulging in a brief display of winter magic before stating that, if it is, she would like to lend her magic to the cause. Any attempts at investigating into her past will lead directly to the dialogue in which the player may accept or refuse her offer, with Eden remarking that the Inquisitor need not worry, that in time they will learn much about her and that it’ll be most interesting.

Cassandra will express an unwillingness to bring her into the Inquisition’s ranks, but the decision falls, ultimately, to the Herald. Should the player refuse her, she will leave, but there will be one more chance to recruit her after they’ve met with Dorian in Redcliffe’s Chantry and return to Haven. At this point, she approaches them at the gates and will wonder at what reasons the Inquisitor may have for turning her away a second time when they clearly desire the aid of the mages in the Rebellion. After a bit of dialogue, the player will, again, have the options to accept or refuse her.

She will not be seen again should she be sent away a second time.

Where they would be in Haven / Skyhold: In Haven, she lingers outside the door of the house the Inquisitor awakens in after the first attempt at sealing the Breach in The Wrath of Heaven. At Skyhold, she’s found in the Throne Room near Madame de Fer, observing everyone from her perch.

Companion Quest

Smoke & Mirrors

After the scene Rumor Has It, the player must speak with Josephine in her office, similar to the way Of Somewhat Fallen Fortune begins. The ambassador laments that there are still so many prejudices towards those who are elf-blooded during the conversation, and regrets that she had not looked into matters beforehand to prevent the rumors. The Inquisitor may question the fact that Eden never mentioned being elf-blooded before, to which Leliana will respond that she’s under the impression that Eden herself didn’t know until she either met with Kieran, or heard the gossip. She continues to say that they should adhere to Eden’s wishes, but Josephine will argue that House Trevelyan must know of what’s being said of them to remain in their good graces, regardless of whether or not the rumors are true or false.

Two war table operations will unlock at the end of the scene, Silence the Rumors Against Eden Elise and A Letter to House Trevelyan, performed by Leliana and Josephine respectively. Completing the former will result in agents of the spymaster “sending a message” that puts an end to the stories with almost immediate results, while the latter gives the Inquisitor a letter from Bann Trevelyan’s wife and a request that it be delivered to her daughter.

Upon the completion of either operation, the player must speak to Eden in order to conclude her companion quest. As she made clear in Rumor Has It, she Greatly Approves of resolving the matter through Leliana and Greatly Disapproves of agreeing with Josephine’s course of action. Furthermore, although the game suggests that it’s possible to not hand the letter over to her, she appears to have read it regardless, something that the Inquisitor may comment on for a further loss in approval. In both scenes, she reveals the reason for why she wanted the matter taken care of, albeit with more anger if A Letter to House Trevelyan was performed—she didn’t care about the reason for the rumors and didn’t want anyone else to, either.

She then waves the Inquisitor away, saying that she’s certain there’s someone in need of saving in either her light, lilting tone or one of deep displeasure, ending the scene, but it should be noted that she may be spoken to about the situation again during “normal” conversation.

Scene(s)

A Snake in the Garden

The scene begins with Eden following the Inquisitor to their bedchamber, where the Inquisitor will draw her close at the top of the stairs and move in to kiss her only for Eden to turn her cheek.

“Is that really what I’m here for, Your Worship?”

She then untangles herself from his embrace and leads him to the bed, the scene fading to black. When it continues, the Inquisitor is laying in bed and Eden is standing beside it, dressing herself in her robes, and he will ask if she’s really leaving so soon. The remark makes Eden laugh and she’ll look at the Inquisitor over her shoulder, and ask if he’s really so eager for her to stay. There are a couple of ways to respond and, regardless, Eden will leave the Inquisitor’s chambers, but should the romance option to her question be chosen, the player will be soft-locked into her romance—any other option, and the player’s free to pursue another romance.

By Cruel Magic Taken or In Time for Tea

To trigger By Cruel Magic Taken, the player must speak to Cassandra and must’ve asked Eden about what she had done during her time in Redcliffe prior to joining the Inquisition, a conversation that becomes available only after arriving in Skyhold. The scene is reminiscent to Cassandra’s argument with Varric, with the Seeker confronting Eden with what she has learned—that, at some point in truly recent history, Eden was meant to attend the Divine Conclave and that some mages claim that she’d been given an order to assassinate Divine Justinia V, and is goaded on further by Eden, who doesn’t deny the accusations. 

“Perhaps I was, but that does little to change the fact that I did not.”

The Inquisitor is forced to step between them at this point. Eden may be asked for more details about the would-be assassination plot and she will offer answers that vary from detailed and honest to purposely vague, and they all serve to fuel Cassandra’s anger that they’ve allowed such a woman into the Inquisition. Given that this scene may only be seen should Eden have low approval, there is an option to side wholeheartedly with Cassandra and cast her out from the Inquisition. Otherwise, the Inquisitor may remark that Corypheus killed the Divine and admonish them both—Cassandra for being so quick to anger, and Eden for continuing to provoke her. They may also choose to side with Eden, a statement that is similar to the previous one, but does not result in a scolding for her.

A fourth option is also available to an Inquisitor that’s slept with Eden, and is soft-locked into a romance with her, where they again side with her, but continue to say that they trust her, no matter her history. Both women are surprised by this, with Cassandra saying that the Inquisitor shouldn’t and Eden will echo her sentiment, although a smile will play on her lips.

In Time for Tea covers much of what is said during By Cruel Magic Taken, but the tone is starkly different. Leliana replaces Cassandra in the scene and the Inquisitor finds her conversing with Eden in the rookery concerning the information she’s gathered on Eden’s past. Again, Eden doesn’t deny what she’d been tasked to do, but there’s no argument with the spymaster—she acknowledges that, in the end, Eden had nothing to do with the Divine’s death and says that she’s only curious that Eden changed her mind, given the way she speaks about the situation.

“Let’s just say that it was divine intervention.”

Unlike By Cruel Magic Taken, there is no option to ask Eden to leave the Inquisition, as this scene may only be seen should Eden have high approval and a friendship with the Inquisitor. 

Rumor Has It

Following the completion of Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, be it done before or after Here Lies the Abyss, a scene will be triggered the next time Eden is spoken to. If Kieran’s both present and was born with the soul of Urthemiel, she says that she spoke with the boy and that he said her blood is “very old;” otherwise, she will say that nobles at the Winter Palace recognized her name and commented that, for being “half rabbit,” she didn’t look like one. Regardless, rumors have begun to spread that she’s elf-blooded, and, far from distressed, Eden’s tone suggests more annoyance than anything that such a small thing has given her attention, of which is mostly negative, that she neither asked for nor desired. 

Both Leliana and Josephine have been looking into matters concerning them, which has only soured Eden’s mood further. Towards the end of the scene, she will request that the Inquisitor speak to them about it and, preferably, use the spymaster’s perspective to silence the rumors instead of following whatever romantic ideal Josephine has in her mind.

Here, her companion quest, Smoke & Mirrors, unlocks and becomes available for the player to pursue.

Apple of Her Eye

Upon returning through the eluvian at the end of The Final Piece, speaking to Eden will start a scene in which she muses that the end of the Inquisitor’s story is about to unfold, with all the pieces in place for the final confrontation with Corypheus. She’s smiling through most of the conversation, resolute in being flippant about the situation, until the Inquisitor asks if she’s worried about what could happen. It’s then that her smile falls, and there’s a moment of silence where Eden turns away from the Inquisitor to look out over the throne room. She doesn’t deny it, although neither does she admit to it.

“You will be fine. You have most of Thedas behind you. You have me.”

Note that Apple of Her Eye is exclusive to an Inquisitor that’s both in a romance with her and has high approval.  

Approval

How to get their approval: It’s not that difficult of a task to earn high approval with Eden, although it may seem that way while the Inquisition’s base is Haven. Most side quests do not offer a chance to increase her approval, with the exception of The Great Blackmail Hunt during Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts. Each scandalous secret collected grants a Slightly Approves—meaning that there’s a chance to earn anywhere from one to 30 approval with her in one fell swoop. Otherwise, approaches for earning her approval is as follows for the Main Quests:

She Slightly Approves if the mages are conscripted into the Inquisition at the end of In Hushed Whispers, but Greatly Approves if they’re offered a full alliance.

Following the confrontation with Envy at the end of Champions of the Just, she Approves if the player tells the Templars to yield and serve the Inquisition.

She Greatly Approves of allowing Grand Duchess Florianne de Chalons to assassinate Empress Celene in front of the court in Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, but exposing her to the court will grant the same increase in approval. She also Greatly Approves if Briala rules through Duke Gaspard.

Upon reaching the Well of Sorrows in What Pride Had Wrought, she Greatly Approves of the Inquisitor drinking from it.

Eden, in general, Approves of recruiting agents during Sit In Judgement. However, in the case of the Grand Duchess, she Greatly Approves of her being made the Inquisition’s court jester, should she be brought back to Skyhold alive, and will remark on her fate; should the Grand Duchess’ remains be brought to Skyhold, she Greatly Approves of them being put to use and a further Approves will be given should the player complete the war table operation, Judgment: Duchess in a Box Tour 9:41, with either Josephine or Leliana. She Greatly Approves of Thom Rainier being told to continue his lie while serving the Inquisition.

Curiously, she also Greatly Approves of completing the war table operation, Support Vivienne and comments that it’d be most amusing to see what the public’s reaction would be, should a mage be named the Divine. 

How to get their disapproval: Conversations of magic with Eden is a sure way to earn disapproval, although she will discuss it and in great detail, should the player pursue speaking of it and doesn’t mind that each branch selected—individually, in the case of investigating—will grant a Slightly Disapproves after the initial Disapproves of the chosen topic. During the conversation, a special option will become available to the player, should they speak to her of magic after completing In Hushed Whispers, allowing them to comment on the fact that her views are contradictory given that she attempts to sway the Inquisitor into allying with the mages of the Rebellion; she Greatly Disapproves of that particular option, of the Inquisitor expressing that much insight into her as a person, although she laughs about it.

The following options during the Main Quests will also earn disapproval:

She Greatly Disapproves of telling Connor Guerrin that he should have been killed, should he be present during In Hushed Whispers.

During the ceremony at Skyhold at the end of In Your Heart Shall Burn, she Greatly Disapproves of selecting “I’ll set an example as a mage” and Disapproves of “I’ll be a servant of faith.” Note: these are options available only to mage and faithful Inquisitors, respectively. 

She Greatly Disapproves should Empress Celene and Briala reconcile and rule together in the conclusion of Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.

She Disapproves should Morrigan drink from the Well of Sorrows in What Pride Had Wrought.

As far as passing judgement during Sit In Judgement goes, there is but one chance to earn her disapproval—she Greatly Disapproves of Ser Ruth being granted divine forgiveness by a faithful Inquisitor, later commenting that such a judgement is dreadfully boring. 

Romance

Are they romanceable? Yes. Can you have sex with them? Yes. Are they open to polyamoury? No.

Eden’s romance is somewhat reminiscent of Morrigan’s from Origins, meaning that she’s exclusive to a male Inquisitor, but that he may be of any race. Should the player flirt with her often enough, an option will become available following the completion of From The Ashes, provided that the play has left and returned to Skyhold at least once to unlock their bedroom, that allows the chance to invite her to bed. Sleeping with her will not lock the Inquisitor into a romance with her unless the romance dialogue is chosen during the scene, A Snake in the Garden. Doing so will instead soft-lock the Inquisitor into a romance with her and make viewing the scene In Time for Tea impossible, replacing it with By Cruel Magic Taken, where selecting the romance option while defending Eden against Cassandra will lock them into the romance. 

All of the above may happen regardless of her approval. However, should she have low approval by the time The Final Piece comes to a close, she will end the relationship saying that, with the Inquisitor’s story coming to an end, he’s become “too boring.”

Who are they friendly with? Similar to Hope, she’s friendly with everyone and yet she appears to truly have no friends within the Inquisition, save for the Inquisitor, should they earn high approval with her. 

Who do they dislike? Solas. Dorian will remark on their dynamic in party banter, should the three be together and in a way quite similar to how he does with Varric and Cassandra. Solas himself is appalled, and that fact alone offers Eden no small amount of joy. She throws similar comments around herself, stating “people will begin to talk” if they could hear the way he speaks to her.

Opinions on mages / Templars / how the world is going to shit?

She finds amusement in the entire Mage-Templar Rebellion and almost mourns that she let the opportunity to stir things up further slip from her fingers, but the fact of the matter is that her amusement comes from a place of hopelessness—and that she’d rather be amused by the situation than despair about it, because then it’d be boring. She doesn’t feel strongly about mages nor Templars, has little concern about the other races inhabiting Thedas and their circumstances; all she cares about is that a person is interesting, and she’s met a lot of people that fit that description since the world’s decided to try and come to an end, be it with the Inquisition or before.

Something guaranteed to make them leave the party: There isn’t a moment that is guaranteed to make her leave once she’s accepted into the Inquisition. She may, however, be asked to leave during By Cruel Magic Taken.  

Special Events

Imprisoned at Redcliffe: How is your Inquisitor holding up in Redcliffe, being slowly infected with red lyrium over the course of a year?

She’s gone mad, but not the laughing sort. Approaching her cell, she begins to speak of the red lyrium and says that, at first, she made attempts to freeze it with her magic, but that it was barely effective and, if anything, made it worse—alluding to what the Inquisitor learns in time, through dialogue with Cole. She stumbles when she steps out of her cell and Dorian catches her, making her breath catch. Here he’ll look down and swear, righting her; what isn’t shown is that she, much like August in Hope’s story, tried to rid herself of the red lyrium by cutting it out.

Connor’s suicide also creates no small amount of distress in her, and the Inquisitor’s given a chance to calm her down kindly or tell her to pull herself together; the latter will result in what appears to be an ice mine forming underneath the Inquisitor, but they are able to safely walk through it, and she will calm down, regardless.

At the Winter Palace: Does your Inquisitor enjoy the party, any special events with them at the Palace?

Eden’s absolutely delighted to be at the Winter Palace, enjoying everything that’s to be had from the food to the scandalous secrets that everyone’s all too happy to divulge. Should the player be in a romance with her, they may ask her to dance once the Orlesian Empire has been saved from Corypheus’ plot.

In the Fade: Your Inquisitor’s reaction upon entering the Fade? Nightmare’s taunt, and Inquisitor’s response? Epitaph on their grave?

The Fade is nothing that she hasn’t seen before, but physically being in the Fade? A part of her wants to play up that fact, that they’ve done what Corypheus claims to have done and what does that make them?, but she’s curiously quiet throughout that part of the story, doing little more than raising an eyebrow at the sight of the spirit parading around in Divine Justinia V’s skin. She does, however, remark on the way The Warden and Hawke bicker, apparently amused by the fact that neither want to take blame.

As for the Fearlings, they take on the shape of spells being woven in the air and they’re always, always, the spells that she uses most, but upon hearing what the Inquisitor sees, she changes her perception and forces their shape to change with her will—and it’s a much simpler task to fight spiders than counter a spell.

As for the Nightmare’s taunt… 

“One spell, Eden. With the snap of your fingers, you could put an end to it all... Ah, but that’d be boring, wouldn’t it?”

Eden: It really would.

Her tombstone reads her full name, followed by “the end.” 

Trespasser: What is your Inquisitor up to two years after Corypheus’ defeat? 

She’s been studying the arcane with Gereon Alexius, had In Hushed Whispers been pursued and he was forced to work for the Inquisition, and Dagna, should the Inquisitor acquire her, much to the surprise of those that know her. Rumors say that she studied under Morrigan as well, during her time as a liaison to the Inquisition, but neither woman will confirm nor deny them, although the stories that she’s caught the eye of whomever rules Orlais appear to many as proof that Eden’s set her sights on something higher than a simple sorceress. Her desire is clear, regardless of whether or not she’s in a romance with the Inquisitor, and if they have remained together, it’s possible to speak to her about it.

However, should the Inquisitor not be in a romance with her, there’s another rumor that she’s found herself quite taken with a boy from Redcliffe, of whom she will not name.

Eden’s Remarks

(Approaching an Ocularum for the first time) I’ll look through it if you don’t. (Finding a shard) They’re rather pretty, aren’t they? A bit macabre, but pretty. (On finding more than 50 shards) My, what a collection you’ve got. (On finding more than 100 shards) I certainly hope the reward that awaits you in that temple is worth this amount of effort. (Attempting to activate an object that requires a mage) (laughs)

Location Comments

(Exalted Plains, before Smoke & Mirrors) My mother used to tell me tales of the Plains. It always felt like more than a history lesson. I never understood why. (Fallow Mire) Ah, I imagine this is what Solas’ soul must look like.

Solas: Excuse me?

Eden: (delighted laugh) 

(Hinterlands) I’d suggest worrying less about the mages and Templars and more about the bears while you’re here. (Hinterlands, village of Redcliffe) I wonder if anyone’s missed me. (Hinterlands, upon discovering that each ocularum is made from the skull of a Tranquil) Ah – hmm... (Storm Coast)

Cole: “One by one they follow me, laughing, drowning, into the sea.” The rest of the poem is sad.

Eden: “One by one they die and it fills me with glee.”

Cole: That isn’t how it goes.

Eden: No? How disappointing. 

Eden’s Disposition

Like Hope, “normal” conversation with Eden doesn’t offer any indication as to how she feels about the Inquisitor. She has a set list of greetings and farewells that she will say, regardless of her approval, and will answer questions regarding herself at any point. 

Eden’s Greetings

(with a hint of sarcasm) Your Worship.

Can’t stay away, can you?

What is it?

Eden’s Farewells

Hmm.

Go on, then. 

Do try not to miss me too much.

[deliverydefresas]

moving step by step (together)

second and last thing i posted on wp that i haven't posted here ((i think)) feel free to ignore if you've read this on wattpad already, as i'm just posting it in case i need to refer to it later.

(not proofread. it never is)

prompt(?): domestic!simbar deciding to move in together (toanothercountry)

When her day began, she didn't imagine it'd end up the way it did. In fact, to Ámbar the day felt like an endless nightmare.

Between her washing machine breaking, one of her kitchen cloths accidentally catching on fire when she was making her breakfast, her car not starting and thus being late to her first class, forgetting an important paper at home and losing 1/5 of her grade for one of the toughest classes in her semester; Ámbar just wanted to call it a day and forget she even had to endure it.

"The professor told me he'd let me turn it the paper, as long as I added 10,000 words more; and hear this: he won't give me the 20% of the grade, but a 15%, tops." She still needed to get her laundry done, so she'd opted to come by Simón's loft (and Nico and Pedro's too) when her classes had ended. While she waited for it to be done, she'd grabbed a glass of wine while venting her boyfriend's ears off. "So now I need to find something to write about that's worth 1000 words of coherency, otherwise I'll be lucky to even have a 10%. And God knows I need it."

Simón kissed her head sympathetically, adjusting her head - previously leaning on his shoulder- a little bit closer to his neck. "You will, little gem. You're the smartest one in your class, I'm sure you'll find something and, it's penultimate semester, you can do it."

She groaned, "I wish it were as easy as that." He kissed her cheek this time, and she snuggled into him a bit more, needing his support to make her feel less stressed. "Enough of me, how was your day?"

He chuckled, "not as interesting as yours, I'm afraid. Did a little songwriting, had a video-call with a magazine, changed my sheets..." he winked at her, making her laugh.

"Aw, do you want me to give you a gold start? Maybe I should call your mom, tell her her little boy is a nice young man who makes his own bed." Simón leaned in to bite her cheek, causing her to and almost spill her wine all over the couch, and to prevent this, the red liquid ended up on her shirt. Technically, it was one of his, since today's clothes had been thrown in the washer with the rest of the laundry, but still, spilling wine on her clothes wasn't nice. "Simón!" she scoffed him, which only made him laugh at her. He told her to grab another of his old shirts, while he refilled her glass.

She stood up then, cursing him all the way to his room to grab one of the 'pajama' shirts he kept in his top drawer. Ámbar heard him call to her once she had put it on; "hey, is tacos okay with you for dinner? Or do you want me to order you something else?"

"What are the guys having?" she questioned, to prepare herself in case the others ordered less than what their stomachs wanted to eat, and later lead them to steal her food.

"Pedro's staying at Delfi's and Nico is out with his fling, so nothing." Simón answered her, entering his room with his cellphone at hand.

"Then the usual." She told him simply, her boyfriend nodded. "Hey, can I use your laptop to check my e-mail? My phone died."

Simón nodded again. "Sure. Hello? I would like to order two pastor gringas..." he left the room again, not before pointing at his desk, where his laptop was sitting on. She quickly turned it on, taking it to the living room to wait for Simón to finish the call.

Her boyfriend was one of those people who didn't put a password on the device itself, but on the archives in it (which were mostly lyrics, tracks, and unreleased songs), so it didn't take long until she had the browser opened.

Ámbar tried to ignore whatever Simón had open in his last tab, but the images displayed caught her attention.

No, it wasn't porn, nor was it anything compromising. At least not in that way.

Her boyfriend had a Real Estate website open, showing apartments in sale. However, that wasn't what surprised her – he'd talked about finding his own place before-, but that all the options listed Mexico City as their location.

He'd never mentioned moving back to Mexico. They'd planned vacations to his hometown Cancún, sure, but somehow in all their talks about the future she'd had assumed their plans took place in Buenos Aires, close to her family instead of his. She could deal with him going on tour for weeks – she didn't bear months as well as she did weeks, and for this he always flew her in- but to live in two different countries? How was their relationship supposed to work in that scenario? Would it even work out? Sure, she was almost over with her degree, but-

"Little gem," her eyes snapped from the screen to where Simón was standing, by the kitchen's door, "I ordered you an almond horchata, is that okay?" she kept staring at him. "What? Is my laptop giving you problems? Your mail?"

She sighed. "No, I actually haven't opened my mail yet." He gave her a confused look.

"Then what's it? You've been staring at the screen for at least two minutes."

"When were you planning on telling me you're moving to Mexico?"

His mouth shut, his eyes showed surprise and an underlying regret. "Uh... soon?"

"So it's true, then? You're moving there?" Ámbar didn't want her voice to sound as hurt as it did, but she couldn't conceal it, either. After all, this was her boyfriend, the guy she was in love with, and who she'd loved for years now... to imagine him living so far away from her, it hurt her deeply.

To find out like this, instead of from his own mouth, was like salt to the wound. Her already shitty day was turning for the worse.

Simón sighed, his demeanor showing he was ashamed of it. "It's an option." He pursed his lips slightly, walking over to the couch, taking the device off her lap to turn her body towards him. "I was planning on talking to you about this sooner than later, I promise."

"When? When you had already bought it? Or when I had to say goodbye at the airport?" she couldn't help but dab at him, her temper was talking for her right then, "and what do you mean with 'it's an option'? You're looking for a place already, surely it's more than simple 'option'."

Simón let out a sigh, a sign he wasn't sure how to explain it to her, "I- have you noticed how most of our label meetings have been taking place in México?" She nodded, it was hard not to. The boys and him didn't really leave the city unless they absolutely had to, which could be summed up in three reasons: touring, vacations, and meetings. She'd always frown a little when those meetings took place, because she couldn't really understand why they had to leave when their label had offices in BsAs, but never really dared to ask Simón, afraid she'd come out as clingy for not wanting him to leave her for a couple days.

"I just assumed all the 'important' people chose to meet there instead of flying down here."

He scratched his nape. "It's a little bigger than that. Their HQ has always been up there, and their offices here have worked on a smaller scale for years; however, they've wanted all their more... 'recognizable' artists to be closer for a while now."

"So, they're making you move there?"

"Yes and no. They've been nagging us since the beginning to move to Mexico City, but it's only now we've – well, I've- considered it as an option."

"Why? Don't Pedro and Nico want, too?"

Simón grimaced. "They've already been considering it for a couple of years." Oh. Now that she thought about it, Delfina had hinted multiple times over the months 'the possibility' of working in another country. She'd always assumed she meant taking international jobs for a short period while Pedro was out on tour too, but now she guessed she'd meant for her to imagine that possibility, too.

It seemed like she'd assumed lots of things, and it stung to know she'd been in the dark far longer than everyone else. Even Delfi – who'd been dating Pedro a considerably less time than she'd been with Simón- knew of this before her.

Which made her ask him once again. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because you're still in uni, little gem, and I didn't want to move somewhere else while you were here; I still don't. I had a plan, honestly; I was going to wait until you neared graduation to slowly get you used to the idea, and, well, I also wanted to wait in case we didn't work out." She pursed her lips as she was still mad, but knew he had a point. He always did.

"You could've talked to me sooner, though. We could've planned this way sooner, make it easier for both." Ámbar sighed out, trying to get her anger out with it.

"I know, I get it now, and I'm very sorry." He apologized sincerely, grabbing one of her hands to kiss it. "This in no way is me telling you I'm moving tomorrow and leaving you here, little gem, I'd never do that. Hell, I don't even think I could. It's just..."

"An option." She finished for him, sighing again. "I guess I- I don't know, maybe I could start looking at internships in CDMX? When- when would this take place anyway? And I have to talk to my mo-" her eyes widened, "God, my mom! What do I tell her if we go? She'll be all alone here!" Her voice sounded panicky even to her.

"Hey, it's okay, there's no hurry. We've already postponed this for years with the boys, another year or so won't change anything, in fact, we'll need all we can get to get papers and stuff in check. And your mom can always come with us if you're worried about her, no biggie." He told her, as if the three of them moving countries wasn't a big deal, or, y'know, extremely expensive.

"Do you seriously want my mom living with us, Simón?" she snapped at him, and immediately felt bad to do so. He was just trying to help her and then here she was, bitching on his offers. "Sorry, sorry. I'm just... overwhelmed, sorry." He shrugged it off.

"I was actually thinking of you two getting your own apartment but since you're oh so kindly offering to live together..." Her eyes widened once more, shocked. She hadn't realized she'd implied that. "... I guess we can either buy or rent one for ourselves and rent another for your mom."

"That's not what- I mean it's not necessary. An apartment for my mom and I would be okay if she even agrees to move."

Her boyfriend started pouting. "Are you saying you don't want to move in with me?"

"No, no, that's not what I mean-" she stopped talking once she saw a teasing grin on his face. "You're messing with me."

He shook his head, silently laughing as he reached out to sit her on his lap, hugging her waist tightly. "I'm not. I'm actually happy you asked me to move with you, so I don't have to when the time comes."

"I didn't ask you." She felt the need to point it out. "You just assumed I did."

"Because you assumed we'd live together. It's okay; if it were up to me I'd be living with you in a heartbeat, I've thought about it for a while."

She gulped. "You have?"

"Yeah, but since I'm living with two dudes and you're living with your mom... it just isn't viable." That got her thinking.

"Why haven't you gotten your own apartment yet? Any of you?"

Simón shrugged, leaning into their coffee table to grab their glasses. "Rent is cheaper when you divide into three, and all of us have been saving up to get our own pads for when we moved to CDMX."

"It was never a matter of 'if', was it? It was always a 'when' you moved." She already knew the answer, of course, so she didn't wait for him to answer. "What took you so long to do so? I'm sure you could've done so years ago, and now you're waiting for Delfi and I, I guess, but before? What held you back?"

He pondered it for a minute, didn't speak immediately. "Something always came up. At first, we didn't have enough money saved, then Nico's mom had an accident, Pedro wanting to stay until his little sister finished high school... then you. My guess is the universe was waiting for us to meet to let me leave the city." She couldn't help but laugh at this.

"You're such a corny guy."

"Only for you, little gem, only for you." Ámbar took a sip of her wine before snuggling closer to his chest, earning her a kiss on her hair. "So, are we doing this?"

She pushed the anxiety of the unknown to the back of her mind, she knew that if she overthought about it she'd find reasons not to. Instead, she took a deep breath, intoxicating herself with the smell of soap and lotion that lingered on her boyfriend all the time.

"Yeah," she sighed, "but we're doing this together."

"Together," he repeated, giving her hand another kiss. "I like the sound of that."

[punkscowardschampions]

Ava & Buster

Ava: Are you lot en-route? Buster: 'Course Buster: But we've had one foot out the door for like half an hour, honestly Ava: Good, 'cos I have presents Buster: Yeah? Buster: Pot of gold or what, like Ava: Hardly appropriate for a two-year-old Ava: None for you, soz 💔 Buster: I'd argue it's very appropriate Buster: All the shit he needs haemorrhages cash Ava: You were warned Ava: Extensively Buster: And I ain't sorry I didn't listen Buster: They can all try and sue me Ava: Enter an arena where they aren't the experts? Ava: Doesn't sound like mum and dad Buster: No such arena exists, clearly Buster: Know it all, have done it all Ava: Your degree must be a waste of time then Buster: You'd have to ask 'em what they reckon Buster: But I'd wait til they've got a few more drinks down 'em first, get closer to the truth Ava: Ugh, shut up Ava: You know they're proud of you Buster: Yeah yeah, blah blah Buster: But are you proud of me? Real MVP and everything Ava: When you get your cap and gown Ava: Funny wig, even better Ava: I still only got stuff for the kids and Ri though Ava: I'll chase a 🌈 down ASAP Buster: You're alright Buster: Already got a girlfriend, don't you? Buster: No need to get gayer just to wind me up, Nance has got that covered Ava: Ha, don't even chat to me about annoying Buster: I won't Ava: 😏 Ava: No, you're meant to ask, idiot Ava: You're so lucky you only have a son Buster: Tell me then Buster: I want a girl next Ava: Well she's not coming back, not that I'm surprised Buster: What bullshit excuse did she go with this time? She's got too much work on, girlfriend drama or she just hates fam functions SO MUCH Ava: It was column A presented but 1000% came across as column C Ava: She can be so Buster: I know Buster: Did she try and buy you off with an NYC trip that ain't gonna happen just like the last one didn't? Ava: Twin telepathy is real, yeah? Ava: 🙄 Buster: Fuck that and her Buster: I told you before, when you actually wanna go I'll take you Buster: Then you only have to see her a bearable amount Ava: I know Ava: It'd be interesting to see how long she could hold a conversation with me but yeah Ava: won't happen so Buster: Longer than she can with me or dad, probably slightly less time than she can with mum, depending what mood they are both in Buster: That'd be my bet Buster: Chin up, the good twin is finally on his fucking way Ava: Sounds about right Ava: Good time to tell you to call her yourself later or do you want a drink before you process that? Buster: Bad time to be forced to remember that I told Rio right at the start I wouldn't drink when she couldn't Ava: Honestly, I thought this kid was PLANNED Ava: She couldn't Christmas or New Year either Buster: She was planned, just not by me Ava: 'Course, you would've factored in drinking Ava: Must be their gay agenda Buster: There's loads of shit I'd have factored in Ava: That's your upbringing talking Buster: Shut up Ava: It is though Ava: Personally, I agree its better than the more the merrier approach too Buster: You'll personally be waiting a load more years before you make me play uncle then, yeah? Buster: Good Ava: Ugh Ava: Don't be making me 🤢 just because green is the colour today Buster: Gotta Buster: Who the fuck is there to be jealous of when we're us? Ava: You couldn't go the more traditional routes, no? 🍾🥂 Ava: Seeing as I'm NOT pregnant or being a very supportive partner to someone who is Buster: Come on, who am I? Buster: And you can leave me out of your rites of passage, I've cleaned up enough sick in the name of being a supportive partner Buster: Grace'll hold your hair back for you Ava: There's no need to be old AND boring 😏 Buster: Fuck off Buster: Counting down the days til I can drink you under the table Ava: Dad lets me Buster: There's nothing dad won't let you do Buster: Got him well wrapped around your finger, like Ava: It's not my fault I'm the most lovable Ava: Do better 😋 Buster: That's the one title you can keep Buster: Got all the love I need, cheers Ava: 🤢🥰 Ava: N'awh Buster: Lyla didn't wanna come and hang with the extended fam then? Ava: Wouldn't do that to someone I liked, would I? Buster: Depends how much you like her Ava: Nah Ava: That's all a bit heavy Buster: Well yeah Buster: It would be a trial by fire Ava: Then pissed on Ava: then set on fire again Ava: I like having time away when I come here, you know Ava: Not attached at the hip Buster: I know Ava: I'll send her a hilarious postcard or something Buster: You sounded like Nance there Buster: No need to miss her at all Ava: Fuck off Buster: You're right she'd never write it Buster: Half her holiday would be over before she got the words down Ava: 😂 Ava: Rude Buster: It's fuck all I wouldn't say to her face if she ever bothered to show it Ava: Can no one in this family be nice Ava: Honestly Buster: Come on Buster: I'm nice to you Buster: You ain't even bought me a present Ava: I know, I'm very lovable Ava: Have you got me one? Buster: Yeah but you ain't having it now Ava: Yeah right Ava: I know who gets last word in your house Ava: and Rio is nice to everyone Buster: She's nicest to me and she always does what I say Buster: So you might wanna think again Ava: That's entirely too much information, thank you Ava: you owe me double as compensation Buster: You ain't having two bottles Buster: Keep the first one down and then we'll talk Ava: Challenge accepted Buster: Good Buster: Don't really wanna have to disown you before the day's out Ava: Least there's enough of 'em to fall back on should you get the urge Ava: I'll survive Buster: Keep that quiet around mum, it's still them and us with her Ava: Sounds familiar 🙄 Buster: You're bound to hear it yet again by the time she's had a few Ava: Not if I have anything to do with it Buster: Sounds like you've got a plan Ava: As planned as a party should ever be Buster: Yeah Ava: 💃🎉 Ava: Hurry up Buster: Traffic's worse than London at its finest right now Buster: Everyone on the road's either already wasted or angry they ain't Ava: Stay safe Buster: 'Course Buster: Speaking of, where you staying tonight? Ava: Tipsy childcare is better than no childcare Ava: No need to beg Buster: Shut up, I'll drive you is all I'm saying Ava: Cheers 💙 Buster: I'll cash the IOU when you're sober, like Ava: Better cash it before I cash my 2nd present then Buster: Forget it for now, it's a holiday Ava: That's what I've been saying Buster: You ain't gotta tell me, even if today I can't play as hard as I work Buster: Still not a fucking amateur Ava: Still a McKenna Buster: First and best Ava: Hardly Buster: If we're going by mum's them and us viewpoint, there's hardly any competition Buster: Just you and me, kid Ava: Well I'm just saying, Granddad is gonna be fuming Buster: Everything you learned about wrapping dad round your little finger you got from watching me with him Buster: I ain't worried Ava: Pfft Ava: My baby blues are bluer and my pout is poutier Ava: I'm the new model, boy Buster: 'Cause you need 'em to fall back on Buster: I'm just that good Buster: you're the youngest model that's all Buster: Due a spectacular fuck up about now Ava: You wish Ava: On all counts Buster: Nah, I'm rooting for you Buster: 'Course I am Ava: Mhmm Ava: Dead convincing 😏 Buster: I always am Buster: Wig or no wig Ava: So soppy, you Ava: Have title of my best big brother Buster: That's a copout but whatever Ava: And fussy Ava: Alright best sibling but that isn't much more of an achievement really Buster: Don't worry about it Buster: I know how great I am Ava: Yeah yeah, blah blah Buster: Get me the least shit sounding soft drink and I'll believe you Ava: If there's anything being tragically underage has taught me Ava: 👍 Buster: Cheers Buster: See you in 5 Ava: Bring your cute kid Buster: I taught him how to say “Sláinte” earlier so you'll be able to rate my achievements for yourself Buster: He ain't just a pretty face Ava: 🥺🥰 Ava: What a face though Buster: I can't take all the credit Buster: He takes after his mother Buster: Tell her how good she looks when we get in, yeah? I'm living a nightmare Ava: 'Course Ava: I've got a girlfriend, remember Ava: I know the drill, just amp up period level love 1000% for a pregnant bitch Buster: My wife ain't a insecure teenager Buster: But I appreciate the sentiment Buster: Just don't call her a bitch ever again Ava: I say it with love Ava: from one to another Ava: but got it, I'll remind her she's old Buster: Don't Buster: It'll be your funeral Ava: 😂 I only like winding you u Ava: p Ava: Don't need anyone crying on me Buster: Good Buster: I don't need to be breaking up any girl fights Buster: Especially when I've taught you both everything I know Ava: Even if me hitting a girl is more acceptable than you, I think everyone draws the line at a pregnant one Buster: Fine, I don't wanna pick you up off the floor once she's knocked you out and do a concussion test after someone pours a pint over you to bring you round Buster: I was trying to soften the blow of how it'll play out since I'd be powerless to stop the actual Ava: And I thought you were in the festive spirit Ava: 🙄 Ava: I'll take back this virgin cocktail, like 😏 Buster: Not without any spirits in me Buster: You'll have to take what you can get Ava: Few folk songs and you'll be well into it Buster: Voice of an angel, obviously Buster: Could've been a choir boy if not for everything else Ava: You took living vicariously a wee bit hard with the name already Buster: You'd have preferred me to name him after a silent film star, yeah? Ava: That was pure wishful thinking 🙊🤐🤫 Buster: Fucked over as my boy's been by not being named Rudolph Valentino or Roscoe Arbuckle, I reckon he'll be alright Buster: Cheers though Ava: I think Fatty murdered someone Ava: so as far as aspirations go, you're in the right direction Buster: I always am Buster: Never a misstep made, no matter what mum and dad say Ava: Alright 👼 its St Paddy's not confessional Ava: and the priest would be rare pissed off if you waltzed in and said you'd never done anything wrong 😂 Buster: He'd be a fine one to talk Ava: The drama of it all Buster: Again, I don't need to be told Buster: There's a kid here asking for you, except shouting's more the word Ava: He gets it 👏 Ava: 💃 Buster: Come out before he legs it in

[borgesbourgignon]

Three months shy of my fourth anniversary with my employer, my department has been terminated. A good friend of mine and I are now unemployed.

Okay, so I should've known something was coming when I saw, at 10 AM on a Friday, a meeting scheduled for that afternoon featuring my boss, HR, and the company's head honcho. The subject line was just my last name comma first name. Hmmmmm

My friend had one too, at noon. Everyone in the group chat speculated and waited with bated breath. It wasn't until 1:30 that she came back asking if I can pretend to be surprised. I conceded, not wanting to risk her getting in trouble. Then she said she'd feel bad not warning me, and she dropped the bad news.

Even if she hadn't told me, someone else from the department messaged me during the lunch break wishing me well. So I had plenty of time to take in the situation before my final meeting, including time to download a bunch of files for content I wrote during my tenure. Naturally, I did not use any of that time to write the assignment that was due that Friday.

By the time of the meeting, a wave of acceptance has washed over me. They said the decision was made to position the company for greater success and to benefit our customers, which I didn't bother challenging. I talked straight turkey, asking about the three-month severance package (my friend, who's been there longer than me, got six).

They also said I had two weeks to apply for a new position. Continued employment wasn't guaranteed, but they would put my application right at the top. I looked and couldn't find any openings that matched my skills. No matter. I'd already been looking for better-paying work for a few months. Getting fired has freed me to devote my days to the task.

Then again ... should I start job-hunting right away? The severance package is giving me plenty of dough, and I have a lot saved up. I could hypothetically use the next three months to focus on my writing without financially hurting my partner, my cats, and myself. On the other hand, my current writing project is a fanfic - which I plan to continue working on, but spending what would normally be my work hours on something that could make a profit may be better.

I gotta say, I'm definitely less furious than the last time I lost a job. Maybe it's because my boss interfaced with me face-to-face (via video call, but whatever), which showed more nerve than my last boss calling us on a rare work-from-home day. Maybe it's because I've already been through this before, and I know that I can recover from this. It's not because the situation is better, because this really fucking sucks.

More likely, it's because I'd already moved on mentally. Like I said, I've been looking for work. That's because after receiving (and losing) a huge opportunity for a similar job with a serious pay increase, I realized that my employer was severely underpaying me. Complaining about it snagged me the biggest raise of my life, but I was still making just $17 - not much when inflation is through the roof and three cats plus a romantic partner need me to bring home the bacon.

Even aside from all that, I've just lost my interest in my work. I started pushing my actual start time on my assignments later and later, sonetimes only putting down the first of the required 1000 words with less than an hour before punch-out. Even my favorite clients had come to bore me. I need something new, something more stimulating. I need an actual creative job, not more of this marketing bullshit.

And I'm sure I'll find something good soon enough. Something that matches my skill set and pays the bills plus goodies and isn't for an unusually evil corporation and gets my brain to storming. I just gotta keep looking and applying and looking and applying and looking and applying ...

But first things first. The last time I lost my job, I spent ten bucks on arcade tokens to blast dinosaurs for stress relief, then hunkered down at a bookstore and read a volume of Injustice: Gods Among Us from start to finish. Come Monday morning, I just might make that a tradition.

[impracticaldemon]

Oh! Oh! I'm not sure what ships you write, but if possibly could you write nalu (or fluffy endlu hehe) for ♡ thank youuuu

Hi, great choice! ♡: Accidentally falling asleep together And Nalu it is…   💕  I hope you enjoy this!

I have once again failed to keep my word count to under 300.  910 is close right?  You can read it below or on FF.net HERE

A Star At His Side

Lucy loved attending fairs and festivals and Natsu loved hangingout with Lucy.  Lucy would insist on seeing every homemade crafts booth(even though they all looked the same to Natsu), and she would somehow manageto find the one stall that was selling second-hand books (even though Levyusually found it first and bought up the best things).  She wouldinevitably fall in love with something big, cute and fluffy at one of the gamebooths, and Natsu would offer to try to win it for her.  For quite a whilehe thought he only did it because it broke up the monotony of looking at yetanother bead and silver bracelet or sweet little change purse. Eventually, he was forced to admit that he just liked to see Lucy smile. 

This year it was a cat:  a three-foot-high, plush Siamesewith all the right markings and blue bow decorated with yellow stars..  Assoon as he saw it, Natsu knew that this was IT–at least for this particularfestival.

“Oh wow, look at that!  That’s perfect!  I mean look at how well they captured the detail!”

Natsu looked at the creature dubiously.  Happy, who wastagging along as usual, sniffed disdainfully.

“Looks too friendly for a Siamese,” Natsu said critically.

“I like it when they look friendly,” Lucy retorted.  “Whowants a stuffed animal that glares at them all the time?”

“You don’t need a fake cat when you have me around,” Happyargued.

To nobody’s surprise (including the man running the game), theSiamese cat was duly acquired and Natsu waited for the next stage of the of theday to begin.  Lucy always seemed to feel badly about the way that boothowners always scrambled to give Natsu what he wanted quickly so that he would move away from them as soon as possible. When it came to getting their food, though, Lucy always put her scrupleson hold.  It was just one more thing that made Natsu realize that Lucy wasthe perfect person to have in his life.

Usually, once they’d eaten and walked around for a bit longer,Lucy was ready to call it a day.  Today was a little different, however,because there were going to be fireworks.  Natsu loved the festivals withfireworks, even though he always claimed that he could make them more exciting. Nobody disagreed… or allowed Natsu to run the fireworks display.

They let Happy find them a good spot, and sat on a low riseoverlooking the area.  This was something else that Natsu had discovered: as much as Lucy enjoyed being with people, at the end of a busy day sheenjoyed being away from them.  He was proud of the fact that as long as hewasn’t too loud, she didn’t mind spending her “no people” time with him. They didn’t talk about it, and others might not have believed it, butNatsu was good at being quiet when that’s what Lucy needed.

“Your cat is weird,” Happy said, as they settled into their spot.

Lucy tightened her hold on the giant plush animal.

“My cat is perfect,” she retorted.  “Or are you justenvious because I have a white cat and you don’t?”

Happy looked at her reproachfully.  Wendy’s white ExceedCharle had declined Happy’s proposed treat of an afternoon of fishing followedby an evening of eating fish (and watching fireworks).  Lucy was tookind-hearted to resist the look, as usual.

“Sorry, Happy.  I shouldn’t have said that.  But Iwish you wouldn’t say my stuff is weird.  Besides, right now I’m justhappy I have something warm to hold onto–I always forget how the evenings getcool so quickly when it’s early fall.”

Natsu shifted closer to Lucy.  When she turned to look athim, he grinned.

“I’m warm.  Just sit closer to me.”  He flashed Happya sharp look, and saw the inevitable “he liiiiiikes her” die away unsaid.

Eventually all three of them–plus Lucy’s soft, three-foot highstuffed cat–were cuddled up together on the grass.  As the fireworksroared and shimmered and showered overheard, Natsu heard Lucy say:

“It’s great that we don’t have to worry about a blanket”–shepaused to yawn hugely behind her hand–”because with you here the grass staysdry and warm.”

By the time the fireworks were over, Lucy was half-asleep. As Natsu had expected, she insisted on staying where they werefor just a little longer.  He certainly had noobjections and he knew that Lucy loved to lie there and look up at the stars.

This festival was different, though.  Maybe it wasthe big soft toy–it was nicer than usual, Natsu admitted, although he didn’tsay that to Happy–or maybe it was just that Lucy was more comfortable aroundhim now.  Whatever the reason, by about the time that Lucy would usually sighand get to her feet, she was fast asleep, curled up against Natsu’s warmth.

Natsu settled himself more comfortably, his eyes now fixed onthe bright star he shared a large part of his life with, instead of on the coldlights in the sky.  He would have to wakeher up at some point, of course.  But nottoo soon…

Surprisingly, Happy was the last of them to fall asleep.  Of course, that meant he was able to get inthe last word:

“They liiiiike each other!”

 Thank you for the ask @endragoneel ! 😀  

I’d also like to tag a few other Nalu & fanfic fans among my Fairy Tail friends who have been terrific:  @nalufever (with thanks for constant encouragement 🤗)  @strawberrysweetlove35 @sanguine-fairy @unashamed-shipper @miss-zei @naluloverforever @nalu-natic @smile-lifegoeson

If I’ve missed anyone who would like to or be willing to be tagged on my Fairy Tail fanfics (usually 1000 words+) or really like a particular ship (like Nalu, Gajevy, Mirafreed��whatever–I’ll try to write almost anything), please let me know–I’d be very happy to tag you. 🌹🌹🌹

@animoozies (you’re on here just because and good luck with exams)