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skaruresonic · 6 months ago

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If you want something to lighten the mood, how about some old!Shadaria headcanons? ^^

Welp. You asked for it. xP ---

>>Maria and Shadow live in an ancient pine forest next to a temple called Matsu Temple. "Matsu" is a common pun in Japanese poetry, meaning both "pine (tree)" and "to wait, to yearn." Words which describe the general gist of their relationship.

>>The actual structure of Matsu Temple, when looked down on from above, is shaped like a five-point maple leaf and covered with dark green lacquered tile. Neither Maria nor Shadow really know what deity was worshipped there; when they first found the altar, all it bore was a stone statue of a hedgehog (that looks suspiciously like Sonic) that held a small bowl of pinecones and dried pitch. Metal Sonic destroys the temple when he grabs Shadow and hurls him through all five tiers of the roof. Ouch. And Shadow had just finished repairing the shinbashira, too. >:c >>Maria is a seamstress and occasional dressmaker who specializes in making kimono. She used to tailor Ivo's clothes because he would outgrow them quickly. Even now she thinks his black bodysuit is tacky, but she can't deny that he'd had the coat well-tailored xP

>>Maria sporadically dates the Commander, who is not affiliated with the ARK here but is just Some Army Guy named Mike lol. Except Maria is extra so she always calls him ~Michael~ in That Tone of voice, if you know what I mean. Shadow has beef with him for no other reason than petty jealousy; he tends to criticize ~Michael~ for the same traits he has, such as stubbornness, with absolutely no self-awareness whatsoever. Needless to say, Maria finds this quite amusing xP >>Eggman-inflicted trauma is really the secret sauce that makes Old!Shadria hit so much better for me. They both abide by a general policy of "do not mention Ivo at any cost" lest The Horrors(tm) seep out. >>One difference between games canon and the Cousin AU is that Ivo adopted his father's habit of calling Shadow "mutt" or "dog" as a child and continues to do so to this day; he will not refer to Shadow by name.

>>The Robotnik household was incredibly insular. While Maria's frail health kept her from being a part of public life, it was, ironically, Ivo's genius that isolated him in a similar manner. His father did away with traditional education by arguing that Gerald was the only one sufficiently qualified to teach his son. The only people Ivo saw growing up with any regularity were Gerald, Shadow, and Maria. Since familiarity breeds contempt, such an environment fostered his bad temper (which Gerald foolishly sought to distract or pacify due to his fondness for the boy) and his constant need for attention. >>The onus of raising Ivo lay mostly on Shadow and Maria. The thornier aspects of their shared Eggman-related trauma rest on their guilt that they "failed" him in some way, even though they never should have been forced into caretaker roles to begin with.

>>Maria was more willing to get into childish arguments with Ivo due being closer in age to her cousin, while Shadow proved a stricter disciplinarian. This dynamic still continues in the present day, with Sonic being like "sheesh, why is Shadow so grumpy?" and Maria like "that's just how he is ^,^" >>Shortly after Gerald's death of pneumonia one unfortunate winter, Maria ran away from home and took Shadow with her. Her uncle was already planning on sending her off to boarding school, which already felt unfair to the young girl on the brink of graduating high school, but what pushed her over the edge was when her uncle looked Shadow dead in the eye and said "I will not have an animal raise my son." She grabbed Shadow's wrist in one hand, a valise in the other, and left.

>>To this day Maria still harbors guilt over "stealing" Shadow's freedom; she will admit that, for as angry as her uncle's remark made her, she dragged Shadow away like a pet in a carrier (not true, but that's just what she thinks from her POV). Ironically enough, Shadow feels he's stolen Maria's dreams of a family. They don't discuss these things, finding them too painful to give a voice.

>>The first few years the duo spent on their own were really rough without the Robotnik wealth to support them. That winter they squatted in an abandoned house infested with rats. In addition, Maria needs to take pills for her body to continue accepting Shadow's cure, with similar consequences as transplant rejection if she fails to take them. Ivo stole half of her pills as one last "fuck you," forcing her to dice her medication into smaller and smaller doses until she passed out.

>>Shadow battered the doors of a nearby church until a kindly pastor let them in. He helped the two find lodgings; Maria found work as a junior seamstress while Shadow went into forestry.

>>Boy likes cutting down trees, lol. He repaired the Temple mostly by himself and he's always fucking off into the woods with his ax in order to fix this thing or that. Maria affectionately calls him "the world's smallest lumberjack" <3

>>Shadow's katana is called Yuruganu Shinjitsu, "Unwavering Truth," while his wakizashi is Orihime, or "Weaver Maiden."

>>Shadow and Maria are both vegetarians. However, Shadow can be bribed with chocolate. ...Sometimes. >>They have two ginger tabby cats named Gumdrop and Butterscotch (guess who named them :P) >>Maria loves having visitors and is delighted whenever Sonic, Tails, Amy, or Cream visit. Shadow, on the other hand, gives everybody a bit of cold shoulder except Cream, whom he respects for her unfaltering manners. >>Both are in the habit of calling each other "sir" and "ma'am." Not in a Surge and Kit kind of way, but in a tongue-in-cheek way. Shadow's a little less likely to call her "ma'am," though. >>Shadow tends to be quite protective of Maria's health, sometimes to the point of being overbearing. His constant reminders to keep this appointment or refill that prescription wear on her nerves, even if she knows he's well-meaning. >>Shadow and Maria first meet Sonic after he takes refuge from a pursuing Metal Sonic inside the temple. Shadow disposes of Metal before the robot can deliver a fatal strike and carries an unconscious Sonic into the house to recover. Following the initial wave of worry and concern, Maria fangirls a little bit when she realizes their guest's identity... Only for her excitement to curdle into panic as she realizes she needs to hide The Evidence(tm) of their relationship to Eggman. Which is a bit absurd because the two already hid their family photos, but trauma isn't exactly rational, so. >>"What are we going to tell Sonic?" becomes a difficult and protracted series of discussions whispered between them. Sonic eventually notices something is up, but refrains from commenting, figuring they're working through some kind of rough patch. >>Maria frequently wonders what the ARK is like now, and misses being up there. >>When the two first started living at Matsu Temple, they made the near-fatal mistake of inviting the 17-year-old Ivo (who called Maria at 3 in the morning just to say "dad kicked the bucket and they're arguing about his estate yippee" in the most deadpan voice ever lol) to stay with them. Let's just say it ended with a huge fire almost destroying the entire grounds and Maria developing lifelong claustrophobia because Ivo had locked her in a closet at gunpoint. Truly some fatherless behavior xP >>The next time either of them heard of Ivo again was when news reports about the Perfect Chaos incident appeared on TV. Maria had been reading a magazine in a waiting room and promptly left to go wretch in the bushes outside. >>Like her cousin, Maria has a temper, but it's more of a flash in the pan than the full-on temper tantrums Eggman indulges in. She can also be prideful at times, albeit not nearly to the extent that Ivo is. Shadow, conversely, appears dour to most people. (Really, he's just quiet.) >>Nowadays Eggman taunts Maria that she married "the family dog" (although if Starline's in the picture, she's just as quick to point out his hypocrisy xP). >>Sonic is confused when he picks a photograph of Gerald and Maria off the floor. As he doesn't like secrets, he feels a little weird that Shadow would choose to hide a family photograph beneath the floorboards, but he quickly figures that they two probably kept their secret for a reason. >>Last but not least, Shadow is extremely oblivious to the notion that he may have feelings for Maria, simply because they've been living together for so long that he's normalized their situation. It takes Amy pointing out that they already act like an old married couple that he has his italicized Oh moment.

#shadria #cousin au #cousin au stuff #long post #sorry not sorry lol

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larvasmoon · 1 year ago

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Portrait of the pale elf (5)- He, who is the dagger

Chapter summary : Selene visits Astarion in his manor, finally starting his portrait, but things quickly go downhill as the night unfolds.

Word count : 6,5 k

Trigger Warnings : Blood. Biting (of course). Dry Humping. Inappropriate use of an armour. Mentions of death.

Author's note : This chapter has taken a little bit more time and effort to write than usual. I wanted it to be as perfect as possible because it's a turning point in the relationship between Selene and Astarion. I've written this installment while listening to Sky Ferreira's haunting and gothic song "Downhill Lullaby". I think it perfectly encapsulates the mood I've been trying to set in this chapter.

Thank you so much if you follow this story. It always touches me so deeply when I realize that what I've written has actually reached someone !

As always, here's my AO3 darling

The full moon, wrapped in a coat of misty clouds, shone bright over Selene’s head. It was close to midnight, and she shivered under the hood of her mantle. Her fingers tingled with the cold, numb around the heavy wooden box in which she carried a blank canvas and her folded easel. Slung across her chest was a bundle of brown linen, full with her paintbrushes, paint paddle and charcoal sticks.

She had never ventured in this part of the higher city, a section of Baldur’s Gate where the imposing manors could as well have been called castles. Wherever her eyes landed, the scenery was eerily beautiful, full of dark charms that she naively attributed to the witching hour.

One particular mansion caught her eyes and she stopped in her tracks, thinking to herself that it would make a fine painting decor.

Its high tower seemed to climb high into the celestial sky, the silver glow of the moon pooling on the black tiles of the roof like a soft caress. The rest of the facade was made of a surprisingly dark stone, adorned with the cruel faces of many gargoyles, lurking under the roof’s shadow, or stretching out their clawed hands from the balcony railings. Their toothy grins and penetrating eyes, permanently carved into the onyx like stone, made her so uneasy that she instinctively took a few steps back. Through the sumptuous oriel windows, she could see the flickering of a lit chandelier, illuminating the mouldings of a scarlet ceiling, bleeding red into the night.

She was about to set off once again when she noticed the small metal plate next to the manor’s gates. Selene had to squint her eyes to make out the name of the house, written in Thorass : “ The gothic serenade”.

“ It’s the last mansion of the avenue”, Astarion had said with a wry smile, “ you can’t miss it”.

She chuckled when she noticed that after this one manor, the street took a turn, and a fleet of stairs led back to the wide commercial avenues in which Carmine Red was.

A bit cliché for a vampire’s manor , she mused, I didn’t take Astarion for the predictable type, he’s usually so full of surprises.

The gate was already unlocked. When she softly gave it a push, it silently opened to reveal a small garden full of enchanted red roses, in full bloom even in the cold of winter. As she walked up the winding path, the cold branches of a tall weeping willow grazed her cheek, like a lover’s hand.

The door flew open before she had even reached its steps, and the bright lights inside the house illuminated Astarion’s elegant silhouette.

“There you are. I was expecting you, darling.”

He was wearing a simple white shirt and black breeches, gracefully leaning on the threshold of his humble abode.

It felt strange to hear his voice in the wide open air, outside of the loud spaces of taverns, or the hushed and intimate boutique that was Carmine Red. There, in the obscurity, it sounded electrifying. Its deeper tones made her senses more alert, as if some repressed part of her subconscious was in fact well aware of his true nature.

“I apologise, I’m running late, I got lost in the streets” she sheepishly answered, climbing up the few steps with slightly flushed cheeks.

The vampire helped her inside, taking the heavy box from her hands like it weighed no more than a bag of feathers.

“Oh no need to apologise, dear. I should be thanking you for coming at such a late hour. I hope you’re not too exhausted.”

The inside of his home was decorated in a similar fashion to Carmine Red : the walls and ceilings were painted in a deep burgundy red, the floor was covered in red persian rugs, black lacquered furniture was scattered about the room, and here and there she spotted a few vases filled with dry everlasting flowers.

However, the artist in her couldn’t help but notice that there wasn’t a single painting on the high walls of his place.

Not even a boring still-life painting or outfashioned scenery. Nothing.

And while his tailor shop had felt comforting and warm to her, the manor was a paler and colder reflection of it. As if Astarion was barely a passing shadow in those wide spaces. Not even staying long enough for his scent to linger in the air, the way it had last time she’d visited him.

“It’s no problem, I usually don’t sleep a lot anyway” she confessed, gasping when he leaned closer to unclasp her cloak around her neck and slide it off her shoulders.

“Can I offer you something to drink ? A little something to keep you awake through the night ?” he proposed, already treading away into a corner of the living room and rummaging through a cabinet, “I must warn you though, the tea I make is absolutely awful!”

“What would you suggest ?”

Her feet carried her towards a black chest of drawers. On top of it was a set of daggers, displayed on a luxurious ivory stand. The handles were mesmerising, covered in a multitude of expensive stones : rubies, amethysts, sapphires, emeralds and diamonds. They glittered and shimmered in the candlelights, and she wondered how such a magnificent thing could have been made to kill.

So much refinement and beauty, poured into a weapon destined to extinguish life... She couldn’t tell whether it’d be cruel or sweet, to be on the receiving end of its sharpness, and have the glint of gemstones be your last vision before death’s embrace.

“Wine. Red preferably. I have quite the collection.”

Her fingers moved on their own, and she carefully dragged them along the blunt edge of the beautifully curved blades. They were soft and cool to the touch, like their owner’s skin.

In a flash, he’d crossed the room, and was standing right beside her. His slender hands grabbed her own, and strayed her away from the daggers.

“Careful darling, don’t cut yourself”, he spoke through gritting teeth, with a faltering voice she struggled to recognize.

A crack in his sophisticated mask, she thought. She’d grown used to the low purr of his voice, to the dandyish inflection of it, and to the confidence with which he always spoke. This quiet trepidation felt so strange, so out of character, that she was a little bit taken aback.

What if this warning was destined to him, just as much as it was to her ? Did he not trust himself enough to resist the sight of her blood ? A chill ran down her spine at the thought of such implications.

For a few seconds, she pondered whether this was all in fact a very bad idea, being alone in a blood thirsty vampire’s manor, so far into the night that the streets of the higher city were empty. She thought about taking back her things, and her mind raced with all sorts of pitiful excuses she could invent to run back to her apartment, like the coward she’d spent most of her life being.

And yet, she remained silent and still, looking at the beauty of his milky and delicate hands around her stained and unkept painter’s fingers.

She could never be enough of a fool to turn down the unhoped-for opportunity to paint him, no matter how undeserving she felt of it.

Her, the insignificant painter with no name to herself, tainted with things that no amount of water could ever clean. And him, the beautiful beyond reason creature, with skin of alabaster and eyes of molten fire.

“Oh but I didn’t, see ?” she reassured Astarion, turning her hand in his grasp to show the tips of her blackened fingers, permanently sullied by the use of charcoal sticks, “I shouldn’t have touched them without asking though, I’m sorry.”

She tore her eyes away from their intertwined hands, and stared at him for the first time of the evening. His claret eyes were at least two shades darker than usual, even under the bright glow of the lit chandeliers. There was no light in the gaze that he kept eerily fixed on her fingers, and she wondered what kind of thoughts were going through this pretty and dangerous head of his.

She found that she didn’t mind if they were of the bloody kind, if it meant that she could capture his essence and trap it into paint.

“They’re breathtaking. Do they have a story ? I feel like they would, with such an intricate design” she gently inquired again, releasing a breath she didn’t know she was holding when he moved away and cleared his throat.

The vampire slowly sauntered back towards the cabinet, filling two goblets with a wine so red it almost looked black when it poured out of the bottle.

“It’s a souvenir from my old glorious days” he sniffed, not without a hint of bitterness, “those blades have seen just as much blood as my hands have, but I’d rather not see them tainted with yours.”

As he talked, Selene found herself dreaming of that version of him she had never seen.

Astarion in armour, fighting an army of relentless enemies.

She imagined that back then, in combat as in the voluptuous atmosphere of a boudoir, each and every one of his movements must’ve been painfully sultry.

An apex predator, moving with the grace of a feline when closing in on an unwitting prey. He’d carve into their flesh with a fervour of a lover, rhythmically and precisely, until they’d come undone. The droplets of blood, spurting all around him, would be like the many rose petals thrown on a stage by the cheering crowd, after the final of his dance macabre.

The thought of him covered in blood did something to her lower belly that she chose to ignore.

No , it’d make a fine painting, nothing more.

When he handed her her glass, she admired his form one last time, and decided it was time for her to do what she’d initially come for.

“So, how would you like for me to paint you, Astarion ?” she abruptly asked, crouching down to unpack her blank canvas.

Astarion’s scarlet eyes settled on her once again, clear and taunting like a cat’s. “Well, in the nude, of course, darling.”

Selene’s hands stilled around the last latch of the box, her mind conjuring obscene and sensual images of him posing on a bed of red silk. He’d have the body of a marble statue, sculptural yet strong. She could almost see the outlines of his muscles under his thin white shirt.

The tip of her pointy ears burnt from how much she was blushing.

She’d done a few nude paintings back when she was still a student. They’d always been done with female models, because Damian foolishly didn’t see fit for a young girl to practise in any other way. As an adolescent, she’d seen countless beautiful women au naturel, tieflings, elves, humans with all shades of hair and skin. She’d spent countless hours painting the round lines of their breasts, the curves of their closed thighs, or the hollow of their barely concealed groins.

She’d drawn a naked man for the first time, much later. Her own lover, the first and only she’d ever had. He was named Lucius, a wood elf that hadn’t stayed in the city long enough to be with her more than a few weeks. Selene had made the best out of it though, now and then sketching his naked body in the crumpled sheets of the bed he’d just made love to her into.

None of this had ever made her blush, but the thought of a very naked Astarion had.

The vampire wheezed beside her, bending down from how much he was laughing.

“I’m teasing you, love. You should’ve seen your face, it was hilarious” he crackled, wiping tears of laughter from the corner of his eyes.

Selene sighed, running her hands through her long hair, and did her best to think about anything but his unclothed body. “No, I mean- is there any particular way you’d like for me to represent you ?”

“You’re the painter, I’ll leave it up to you”, he shrugged, eagerly drinking from his glass, “In whatever room of this house, and in whatever attire, I’m all yours.”

She looked over at the daggers once again, and thought that the only right way to paint him would be with them in hand.

“Do you still have any armour ?” she absent mindedly asked, already rummaging through her supplies, “I’d like to paint you in one of them, if that’s alright with you.”

“I’m sorry but did I offend you with my joke, darling ? Because you’re certainly going for the complete opposite” he huffed, almost offended.

He pointed at his body with wide and agitated movements. “None of this will be visible, and I’m curious to see what it looks like, mind you !”

“It doesn’t have to be anything bulky, or heavy… maybe just something made out of leather ?”

“And here I thought you’d want to paint me in see-through silk, arched or bent in suggestive positions” he mocked, looking at her as though she’d just said the most asinine thing he’d ever heard.

She contemplated explaining to him in great detail the symbolism of him dressed in armour, or the way she thought that, from time to time, he used his beauty as a weapon or a protection of sorts. But, it seemed a bit insensitive to tell this to someone who had felt like they needed to shield themselves from the world in the first place.

So she settled for the more obvious reasons.

“I have something in mind” she softly said, getting up to be at eye level with him once again, “Trust me, you’ll be able to see each and every detail of your appearance.”

Her dark eyes roamed his face and body, picking it apart as if she was already at work.

“Each of your eyelashes, and beauty marks. Each of your silver curls. And each of the elegantly concealed shapes of your body.”

He looked back at her with the same intensity, his burning eyes lowering to stare at her lips each time she uttered a new word.

“But I’m not only painting what I see. A teacher of mine once said that painting a portrait is capturing the essence of one’s soul. And I don’t need you to be naked, or posing in a provocative way for that.”

A strange and pained expression flickered across his face, disappearing as quick as it had appeared.

Selene walked back to the displayed daggers, talking with her back to him. “A dark and foreboding armour on a soft and ethereal body, sharp and dangerous daggers in dainty fingers. I think it is fitting when portraying a being of contradiction like yourself. ”

She heard him follow her, each of his lithe steps on the floorboard, until he was standing right behind her.

“ A being of contradiction ? How so ?” he breathed on her neck, and she shivered.

“ Someone who is beautiful, but equally lethal.”

There was a beat of silence in the room, as she continued to admire the magnificent hilts of the daggers.

“Follow me darling, there’s something I’d like to show you” he finally said, turning away to disappear at the corner of a long and dark corridor.

Much later into the night, Selene finally set her easel into place. It was such a strange feeling to prepare herself to paint at a time she would have usually been curled up in her bed, dreaming strange dreams.

The fear she had grown accustomed to, every time she was about to draw, was nowhere to be seen. She felt unusually calm and content, eager to start painting.

Earlier, Astarion had led her into a small room, filled with tokens of his heroic past : rapiers of every size, pretty vials of poison, heavy crossbows, and mannequins dressed in various combat apparels. She had immediately decided that it was the perfect atmosphere and decor for what she had in mind. There were no chandeliers in there, just one lit candelabra and the glow of the full moon. Its rays entered the room through the open window and illuminated the red armchair in which Astarion would later sit. The small space felt gloomy and intimate, like she’d pictured it should be.

As soon as she had entered the room, she’d spotted a sumptuous armour of leather plates. It was blacker than black, strapped and buckled in different places, adorned with many silver details that glowed in the obscurity.

Astarion had unwillingly accepted to wear it, after a little bit of convincing on Selene’s part. As per her request, he had also replaced the original leather cape of the armour with a scrap piece of red silk he’d kept from a dress he had finished a while ago. He’d carefully attached it to the silver chain that was slung across the mannequin’s chest, before silently slipping away to put the armour on.

When he entered the room once again, Selene was just finishing setting her canvas on the easel. All clad in black as he was, from head to toes, the sight of him nearly took her breath away. The atmosphere in the room shifted as he drew closer, as if darkness itself was shrinking away and retreating in front of night incarnate.

Each piece of leather seemed to have been stitched and riveted directly around his body, enveloping his limbs so perfectly it left close to nothing to the imagination. His hair looked even lighter, against all that black, seemingly made of rays of moonlight, or other godly materials. The long piece of scarlet silk, delicately draped over his shoulder, cascaded down the length of his back and legs, until it pooled at his feet like a puddle of blood.

Astarion took a few lithe steps towards the chair and sat in front of her, as she arranged her supplies on a little table he’d placed near her canvas. He looked glorious in every possible way, and Selene had trouble concentrating on her tasks.

The vampire kept his eyes trained on each of her movements, a strange intensity in his gaze that she didn’t know how to interpret.

Once she was done, her feet carried her to him, hesitantly looking at his posture.

“May I touch you ? I’d like to adjust everything before we start.”

His red eyes widened a little bit at her question, before he regained his composure and crossed his legs.

“Oh please do, darling” he purred, a dangerous smile playing on his lips, as if he were begging for something different, in a very different context.

Selene’s hands reached for the vampire, touching him in ways she never would’ve never dared to otherwise.

She brushed a silver curl away from his forehead, with a softness that almost would have looked tender to any onlooker. The tips of her fingers came to rest under his chin, gently tilting his head to the side. Delicately holding his forearms and angling them on the armrest, she then took his hands in her own and placed them on his lap. One of them was made to hold the dagger he’d brought from downstairs, the blade tentatively resting against his thigh.

Finally, Selene kneeled at his feet, fixing the silk until she was satisfied with the way it rested on the floor.

While she was busy arranging his cape, she felt his own fingers reaching out for her hair, softly pushing her heavy curly hair away from her neck and letting them fall down her back. They lingered for a few seconds on her nape, lusciously feeling her bones and the start of her spine.

“You should tie them up, so they’re out of the way” his silky voice said from above her, and she heard the rushed and loud beating of her own heart in her ears.

When she got up, red as a peony, he had a particularly vampish smile playing on his lips.

“Are you comfortable ? Do you feel like you could stay like this for a while ?”

“It shouldn’t be an issue, darling” he stared up at her through his lashes, a dangerous flame dancing in his eyes, “I am well versed in the art of maintaining a variety of positions , all night long if need be. ”

Astarion’s blatant flirting wasn’t lost on Selene, it had never been, but she did not really know how to respond to it. She usually settled for pathetic smiles and flushed cheeks, like an inexperienced maiden.

She had quickly gathered that part of being a good painter was spending a lot of time observing people, and dissecting them, so that part of their temperament would transpire on their features. And yet, on most occasions, talking to the vampire felt to her like fumbling in the dark, unsure of where to go or of what to say. No matter how hard she tried, Selene couldn’t tell where his mask of flamboyance began, and where it ended. She just knew it existed, and maybe it was already enough in itself.

Sometimes his pretty words sounded like the practised lines of a skillful actor on the stage of the city’s luxurious theatre, at others they rang true in ways she had not expected. Those rare moments were like ripples at the surface of water, and she longed to dive in the murky waters of his mind to see what kind of secrets rested at the bottom of it.

“We shall begin then” she uttered, more to herself than to Astarion, and she came back to stand behind her canvas.

Selene grabbed one of her brushes, inelegantly sticking it into the messy bun she’d curled her hair into. Faintly, she heard Astarion sigh, in what mistakenly sounded like impatience.

With a deft hand, she started tracing stark and dark lines. In the silence of the room echoed the familiar melody of the charcoal stick grazing the canvas, with each quick flick of her wrist. Every time she looked back at him, his ruby eyes hadn’t left her, unwavering.

When he talked once again, his voice sounded somehow mellower. “Come to think of it, I have never asked you your full name.”

Her movements halted, her hand suspended above the piercing eyes she’d just finished sketching.

“It’s just Selene” she answered, failing to completely conceal the emotion in her voice, “I’m an orphan”.

The tip of her finger lightly rubbed the canvas, blurring a shadow under his eyebrow. She was as delicate with the drawing as she was with him, as if it was Astarion himself that she was touching with the staining edge of her stick.

“Why did you never commission one of our city’s greater painters to draw your portrait ? Before I offered to draw your portrait I mean -” she asked in turn, clearly eager to talk about something else.

“I don’t particularly relish being in the company of artists, you are an exception” he snickered, and the way he tapped his foot while he talked, made her think of the way cats tap their tail when they are bothered by something.

His backhanded compliment still somehow found its way to her heart, and she smiled while focusing on the lines of his sophisticated curls.

Selene’s only gateway into the very private and elitist circle of baldurian artists had only been Damian, and she’d lived in his shadow for years. He had given her little to no opportunity to converse with the famous painters she sometimes saw at parties or gatherings. She’d guessed it was because he was too afraid that she’d talk too much and reveal things that should be kept secret.

If her master was anything like the rest of them, she could only agree with Astarion though.

“You’ll probably think that I am a terrible bore, but I don’t mingle that much with fellow painters, so I can’t really agree or disagree” she explained, ticking when she realised her rendition of his perfect jaw was, in fact, far from being perfect.

“Is it because of Fallheel ? Does he forbid you to talk to others like he forbid you to talk to me ? ” he harshly inquired, and the tone of his voice made her lift her eyes from her sketch once again.

Yes of course, she thought, but she found herself instinctively shaking her head when she answered. “I’m not sure what you’re implying.”

A low sarcastic chuckle. “Oh on the contrary, you know exactly what I’m implying, darling”, the vampire grew agitated on his chair, forgetting to stay still and playing with the blade of the dagger that was in his lap, “the man is pathetic, so unsure of himself, that he’s scared you’d run off or choose a new master if you socialised more.”

“Can you stay just like that ? Playing with the dagger” she excitedly asked, “ yes, yes, that’s even better than before !”

He rolled his eyes but obliged her nonetheless, the ghost of a smile on his delicious lips.

Hours went on like this, with a few words exchanged between them, and Selene feverishly drawing to finish her sketch before the sun was up in the city's sky.

And surely enough, it did rise, slowly at first, barely illuminating the stratosphere and filling it with indigo blue clouds.

It reminded her of a story they used to tell to children at the orphanage, the tragic tale of the sun and the moon. She remembered how Amalia, the elderly headmistress, told them about that ballad that she had written in her youth, when she was still a bard. She’d called it “the greatest and saddest love. It began with her tremulous voice whispering : “ the moon and the sun are lovers, but to love from afar is to love bitterly”. At the end of every night, the moon quickly would sadly retreat to the horizon, still there when the first rays shone at the other side of the world, as if to cast one last desperate look behind her. At the beginning of every day, the sun would hurry at the doors of the sky, to steal one look at the beauty of the lady of the night. For a few glorious seconds, the two planets would be face to face, like forbidden lovers destined to always distantly cross paths and condemned to long for things they could never have.

It reminded her of him , as she drew the last detailed bit of the decor behind his silhouette.

Outside, she could hear carriages passing through the avenue and the hooves of the horses stomping on the pavement. A few voices echoed in the streets, as baldurians either began a long day, or came home after an even longer night.

“The sun is almost up, darling, you should probably go home,” Astarion wearily said, hauling himself to his feet, “before someone sees you scandalously coming out of my house at the cracks of dawn.”

He elegantly stood up and strode to close the window. Gripping the thick curtains, he lingered there for a little more, eyes lost in the sky with the most hearwenching expression she’d ever seen him make. The blue light that highlighted the contour of his profile gave her a glimpse of what he’d look like in the sun, and something in her chest did a strange summersault.

“I’ve finished the sketching part” she softly declared, letting her charcoal stick fall into its metallic box, and wiping her hands, “ Do you wish to see it now, or when it’ll be painted ?”

This seemed to pick his interest and in one swift motion, he drew the curtains and engulfed them in the dark once again.

“I’ve never been one for suspense. Show me, love” he growled, eyes wide and sparkly in the dim lights.

Selene stepped aside, suddenly shy and doubtful. At times, when drawing him, she’d felt as though he was so painfully beautiful that any attempt at recreating his features would be fruitless at best, and ridiculous at worst.

Astarion’s eyes roamed the canvas, slowly, silently, his lips trembling as if he were trying to articulate words. He exhaled once, one shallow breath that fanned across her hair. She felt his body shake right beside her, the leather of his armour crackling with each of his imperceptible movements.

After a few agonising seconds, he smiled wide and bright, and Selene’s kness almost buckled from how relieved she was.

“Do you like it ?” she timidly asked, her dirty fingers fidgeting with the cloth she was still holding.

The vampire turned to stare at her, “If I like it ?” he chortled, drawing near and taking her face in his hands, “I adore it, you absurdly talented woman.”

Her flushed cheeks burnt against the cold of his palm, and when she looked into his scarlet eyes, she realised they were wet with tears.

“Everything about this is exquisite. I understand why Fallheel wants to keep you all to himself” he breathed, his lips almost brushing against her own when he talked.

“I’m gla-” Selene started, but suddenly she felt something roll under the sole of her shoe, sending her flying backward.

A piece of charcoal, most likely.

The world titled and turned, as she pathetically failed to find anything to cling to.

In an instant, one of Astarion’s powerful arms closed around her waist, pressing her flush against the hard plane of his chest. The cold clasps of his armour deliciously digging into the skin of her breasts, naked under her flowy shirt.

She had stupidly decided not to wear a bodice the night prior, as it would constrict and dig into her ribcage when she spent hours hunched over a painting.

They tumbled to the ground, a muffled groan coming out of her mouth when her back gently hit the carpeted floor.

Astarion had fallen on top of her, kneeling between her legs and holding himself up on one arm. His other hand firmly held her hip, his thumb resting on the naked skin of her lower belly, right above the laces of her breeches.

“Ah well, look how good your charcoal drawing is, darling,” he said with a low chuckle, “you’ve managed to bring me down to my knees.”

She giggled beneath the vampire, so filled with the joy of having done something for him, that she forgot to be embarrassed about the way their bodies were pressed together.

He gingerly caressed her cheek, the pad of his fingers following the lines of her dimples. “You should laugh more, it suits you, you know.”

She watched his gaze trail from her face to her neck, leaving goosebumps on her skin in its wake. His expression slowly morphed into another. The muscles of his jaw growing tight, his irises draining from all their light, and turning into a deep burgundy red, so dark it looked almost black.

An alarm rang somewhere in the back of her mind, like it had so many times since she’d entered his manor the night before. Like some old and primal instinct, plaguing her with the certainty that she was stalked by a deadly creature, flooding her mind with the gripping urge to flee before being stuck under the attack of its teeth and claws.

But once again, she turned a deaf ear to it, too enthralled by the way his pale eyelashes moved with each of his slow blinks, or the sensation of his fingers tracing her collarbones with feather light caresses.

The will to live might have been strong in most living things, but she was sure it was nothing that the softness of his touch could not silence. If Death had had the face of Astarion, odious crowds of wretched and suffering mortal souls would’ve crawled at his feet, ashen and emaciated by the pain of living. Their bony and crooked fingers gripping and tugging at him, as they sang their woes.

Take us, embrace us, for nothing in this life is more glorious than you, who is the end of all.

She talked before she was aware of the words forming on her tongue. “Are you hungry, Astarion ?”

He looked up at her, pupils blown, like two dark orbs in which heard the call of the void.

“Don’t tempt a beast, darling, for it might truly bare its teeth” he snarled, his fangs looking much sharper than usual under the shadow of his lip.

“Show me then“ she breathed, raising her hand to lay it flat on his plated chest, where his heart should’ve been beating, “The beast inside.”

“You don’t know what you’re saying”, he shook his head, pressing his eyes closed, as if he were battling something inside his mind, “It’s all ugly, and it’s ill favoured.”

“Nothing about you could ever be hideous, Astarion” she uttered, truly meaning each and every word, “Not to me.”

She’d always thought so, even when she’d gotten a glimpse of the more sinister parts of him.

Selene’s fingers reached for his forehead, intimately wiping off the sheen of sweat on his skin, and Astarion all but melted into her arms. Yielding to her gentleness.

He pressed his nose against the curve of her neck, breathing along her nape, brushing his soft lips against her skin, until his face was buried in the dark curls of her hair.

“You smell so …” he whispered in her ears, taking another lungful of her scent, “sumptuous.”

His hips fell between her open legs, fitting perfectly, as though he were some missing piece in the puzzle of her body she didn’t even know she’d lost.

His tongue licked a hot and wet stripe on her pulse, and something like a moan of pain wormed its way out of his chest. “I can almost taste your blood like this, as it rushes and pools under your flushed skin.”

She didn’t know it was possible, but her heart started to beat even faster, something taking flight in her chest and rising to higher spheres.

“Please” she pleaded, her words barely a breath, without really knowing what it was she was begging for exactly.

Astarion lifted his face away from her nape once again, resting his forehead on hers, and staring deep into her eyes. She could see the thin ring of his burning irises around all that darkness.

“Since the day I’ve seen you in that pitiful tavern, I’ve dreamt of it. I’ve had visions of you, and visions of me having you the way I please.”

His hand tightened around the hollow of her waist as he talked, bringing her impossibly closer, even though they were already tightly embracing each other.

“But it’s nothing tender, you see. I’m no longer capable of such things. They are full of blood and death, the kind of kisses I give” he breathed against her lips, almost taking her mouth then and there, and she drunkenly inhaled the air that came out of his lungs.

“I’ve always loved a kiss with teeth”, her hand stroked his silver hair, admiring the softness of his curl, “ So kiss me, Astarion.”

His eyes widened, irises ablaze with scorching flames, and he placed a river of small kisses from the corner of her mouth to her nape.

She laid there, staring at the red ceiling of the room. Desire and fear coiled in her belly, as she waited for a sting that she knew was coming.

And all at once, it was there.

A sharp pain that tore a sob out of her. Her back arched off the floor, and Astarion’s hips buckled into her when he swallowed her blood for the first time. It tingled where his teeth were, each wave of pain turning into a pulsating sensation that had wetness pooling between her legs.

Her neck had always been a weak spot of hers, a part of her body where her nerves seemed to acutely pick up on each friction and stroke. She knew she would have come just from a few of his kisses and love bites but … this was different. The addictive blend of pain and pleasure that he was inflicting on her, had her toes curling and her vision blurring with ecstasy.

The vampire growled, deep and vicious, his pointy ear twitching against her cheek with each gulp of blood. His soft hair tickled her chin, like silk upon her skin, and it deliciously contrasted with the brutality of his teeth in her flesh.

Distantly, she heard his hand violently slam on the floor next to her head, nails scraping the surface and clawing at the wood, instead of tearing her skin apart. He pressed further into her, suddenly crushing her hips with lascivious thrusts that had her chasing a release she didn’t even know was already building deep in her core.

She gripped the straps on his shoulders, stars dancing in the corners of her vision.

“Ah-Astarion, I’m-” she whined, as he started licking and sucking at her wound with open-mouthed kisses.

His cold hand travelled up her torso, like water sipping through the fabric of her cotton shirt, until it reached her breasts. It stopped at first, trembling as if he were realising that she wasn’t wearing any corset under her button down, before he kneaded and pinched her hard nipples with a renewed vigour.

Each time his hips picked up speed, her clothed slit tantalizingly glided along the buckle of his belt, sending bolts of electricity at the base of her spine. Astarion was making love to her with and through his armour, each of his movements under the constricting leather of his attire sending her down a spiral of suffocating pleasure.

Thighs twitching uncontrollably, something recoiling in her belly with the promise of a shattering return, Selene let out a string of chocked moans.

He groaned once, his hips slowing at the same time as her body convulsed and exploded around him. His thighs flexed under her own, and the thought of his coming in his leather pants had her spasming for a little bit longer under him.

Astarion slowly unlatched from her neck, mouth and cheeks smeared with gore. His hands cupped her face, coaxing her eyes open with caresses and kisses on her flushed cheeks.

“Are you still with me, darling ?” he sweetly asked, a tinge of worry in his voice.

Selene didn’t know whether she’d come or died, or both. She uttered an intelligible answer, nodding through the afterglow of her orgasm. She felt weak and dazed, convinced that she’d float out of her body if Astarion wasn’t holding her onto the ground.

“You, my sweet, are the most divine thing I have tasted”, he murmured, lapping at a drop of blood that dripped across her neck when she’d turned her head, “you’ve given me so much tonight that I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I could say the same thing” she whispered, wiping a bit of the blood that was dripping from his lips.

He sighed before bringing her hands to his lips, languorously licking the red smears that she had collected on her thumb. His eyes looked like rubies once again, shimmering in the dark, maybe even brighter than before.

“Come on, let’s clean you up.”

The last thing she felt before the world went black, was the strong set of Astarion’s arms closing under back and legs, and lifting her off the ground. Her head fell on his shoulder, the sweet and vibrant scent of him lulling her to sleep.

In the swirling darkness of her closed eyes, she dreamt that she was splattering buckets of crimson paint on the walls of a blank and empty room. Hands and brushes drenched with it, singing and dancing in the red, she felt happy.

Free .

#astarion bg3 #astarion smut #astarion x female oc #astarion fanfiction #baldur's gate 3 smut #astarion fanfic #astarion fic #Spotify

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alpineroofingconstruction · 5 months ago

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Alpine Roofing Construction

Alpine Roofing Construction, a Dallas TX-based roofing company, has proudly served customers in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area with commercial and residential roofing since 1999. We specialize in installing, repairing, and maintaining all types of commercial roofing systems, including flat and low-sloped roofs, steeply sloped roofs, and options like single-ply, metal roofing, stone-coated steel, and TPO roofing.

We also replace residential roofs using high-quality materials like standing seam, slate, tile, and copper. For top-quality roofing services, tailored for our region’s harsh climate, and exceptional customer service, contact Alpine Roofing Construction today.

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lifewtr · 1 year ago

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i’m supposed to be working on Surrender but i’m not cuz i’m moving, so here’s a new word-prompted drabble series instead (:

two - mistake

The gate slides open with a metallic clang and closes just the same, though Katara pays it no mind once she steps through.

Her minute ire ebbs instantly, quickly forgotten to a mix of both empathy and glee as she finds herself surrounded by a rolling sea of vivid, overgrown green and winding walkways. The blooming wisteria sways in the high breeze, its branches waving from off to her right, the base surrounded by tall grass and twisting weeds. Clusters of color are strewn across the scape; a haywire menagerie of flora that Katara knows is going to take so much more than a gasp of a glance to understand.

Far across the beautiful, melancholy chaos of the lawn are steps leading to the grand porch of the shiro-style mansion, all sloping obsidian roof tiles gleaming in the midday sun and large, dark windows reflecting the clear summer sky. Red pillars, Katara notes of the enormous house as she starts her way forward; cherry stone that has been delicately carved with some tale or another, she realizes when she is finally near enough.

A set of arching double doors await her, and just as she wonders if she should be looking for a second bell it swings inward on its steel hinges with a heavy thunk and a slow creak.

“Welcome to the Sozinamoto Manor, Miss Kyason,” an older woman with olive skin and wrinkles around her smiling, hazel eyes greets her with a short bow. She introduces herself as Madam Rasha, Head of House, and invites her in with an eager wave of her hands. “I apologize for the children, leaving them to the very simple task of answering the door was my mistake,” she says with a wry tone of exasperation. “I do hope you’ll forgive us for that, Miss.”

Katara laughs quietly at the quip, a respectful stride behind as she is led through the beautiful atrium of a foyer and into a lush sitting room. “I’ll admit, I wasn’t expecting the initial welcome, adorable as it was.” For the most part, anyway..

“No need to sugar coat it, dear,” Madam Rasha turns to wink at her, hazel eyes caught in a knowing gleam. “But nevermind that now. Please, right this way. We’re extremely glad to finally have you at the Manor. Lord Sozinamoto has been looking forward to meeting you for quite some time!”

The sitting room turns out to lead into a dining room; the dining room into a den. Somewhere between the glimpse of a kitchen and several different parlors Katara finds herself following Madam Rasha down a long hall of brilliant stained-glass windows, tall as she can imagine...

#zutara #zuko x katara #zutara fanfiction #atla fanfic #avatar: the last airbender #fic: drabble series #it’s untitled still i genuinely will have to name it whenever the name reveals itself #introducing madam rasha - an oc i pulled out of thin air #i love her already #i see her future… just a bit heh #anyway go read surrender #leave me comments it fuels my disfunctional brain #<3

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sraddhasen12 · 2 years ago

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Invest in Waterproof Coatings to Keep Your Home Water Resistant

You have worked put so much effort into making your dream house and all that it involved, so think of how you would feel if it was ruined from water damage with no chance at lasting any length of time? That would truly feel as if you were living in a nightmare! To stop this trauma from occurring, making sure to waterproof your home through various coatings should take priority to all else. This way, you can stop any moisture from getting into the place where you rest.

Preserving dryness and preventing water from entering your residence is an important element of construction. Because if the water infiltrates cracks and seeps into your personal living space, it could create prospective ruin in regards to structure disturbance and affect the visible design of the house you envisioned. The waterproofing facing outfits the outer walls of your domicile with a clear liquid repellent that obstructs H2O from getting beyond regulation into your edifice. These durable coverings rely on hydrophobic

In this piece we'll discuss why waterproof coatings are essential and some choices that can be made. Options for waterproofing cover a wide range of surfaces like concrete, wood, stones or metal elements - like terraces, walls, as well as tiles. While coatings fluctuate from chemical to bitumen based choices, it is possible to find a solution tailored precisely to the required surface in question.

What is the importance of waterproofing coatings for the home?

Now that you have gained knowledge about waterproof coating, it is time to look further into the significance of using this type of coating for your house.

Enhances your home's structural integrity

The structure of your home is made up of different parts, such as the foundation, basement, walls and roof. These components bear the brunt of any extreme climate or ground moisture due to seepage. This can weaken the structural framework and result in cracks. Applying a waterproof outer layer will prevent such damage arising from pressure or dampness leakage.

A germ-free environment

The proliferating of bacteria and germs on ruinous and damp ceramic tiles can pose significant health risks for household inhabitants, as infections and illnesses may result from this. But, applying waterproof coverings have the capacity to significantly attenuate the blossoming of mildew and microorganisms.

Maintains the life of your paint-

Applying a protective layer to painted walls will provide protection from inside and out, preventing any damage. This type of safeguard is notable in bathroom and kitchen areas that get more dampness, because it lessens the chance of water imprinting into the walls thereby decreasing impairment as time passes by. Not only that, but these walls are easier to wash clean and created safe hurdles that discourage microbials from developing.

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We can uncover the top-notch waterproofing options for your residence. This can include a clear waterproof membrane for tiles, an acrylic water repellent sealer, a chemical emulsion protector, or even a protective finish designed for plywood; provided by us at Asian Paints - every answer you need is here!

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At Paint Sutra, we offer best water proofing Services regardless of how seriously the exterior or interior of your home is damaged--our goal is not just to aesthetically enhance, but also maintain the solidity and stability of your home with our selection of waterproofing services. Our consultants will search out water seepages and any possible issues as well as determine a resolving treatment too.

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tapcoroofing · 6 days ago

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AQUAIZOL World class stone coated metal roof tiles from TAPCO. Strong and beautiful roof for your dream home.

For all business inquiries, Please reach out to us +91 9388773717 Visit - www.tapcotiles.com . . . . .

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magnumroofclads · 27 days ago

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Stone Coated Roofing Tiles: The Perfect Blend of Durability and Elegance by Magnum Roof Clads

When it comes to roofing solutions, homeowners and builders alike seek a product that combines strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. Magnum Roof Clads, a leading name in roofing innovation, delivers precisely that with their premium Stone Coated Roofing Tiles. These tiles are a testament to the company's commitment to quality, offering a roofing solution that not only protects your home but also enhances its visual appeal.

What Are Stone Coated Roofing Tiles?

Stone coated roofing tiles are high-performance roofing materials crafted from a steel core and coated with stone granules. This unique combination ensures the tiles provide unmatched strength while mimicking the beauty of traditional roofing materials like clay or wood. Magnum Roof Clads has mastered the art of creating tiles that offer the perfect balance of style and substance.

Features That Set Magnum Roof Clads Apart

Magnum Roof Clads’ stone coated roofing tiles stand out in the market due to their innovative design and advanced manufacturing techniques. Here are the key features that make them a preferred choice for roofing:

Exceptional Durability: Constructed with a high-quality steel core, these tiles can withstand harsh weather conditions, including heavy rains, high winds, and extreme temperatures. The stone coating adds an additional layer of protection against UV rays, corrosion, and wear.

Aesthetic Appeal: Available in a variety of colors, textures, and styles, Magnum Roof Clads’ tiles complement any architectural design, from modern to traditional. The stone finish provides a timeless look that enhances the overall curb appeal of your property.

Lightweight Yet Strong: Despite their robust construction, these tiles are surprisingly lightweight. This makes them easier to install and reduces the load on your building’s structure, making them an ideal choice for both new constructions and renovations.

Energy Efficiency: The reflective properties of the stone coating help in deflecting heat, keeping your home cooler during hot months. This energy-efficient feature can reduce your cooling costs significantly.

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Whether you’re constructing a new home, renovating an old property, or seeking a roofing solution for a commercial building, Magnum Roof Clads’ stone coated roofing tiles are versatile enough to meet diverse needs. Their wide range of styles ensures you can find a product that aligns with your specific requirements and tastes.

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theecoden · 2 months ago

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Weather-Resistant Roofing Tiles: Durable Solutions for All Climates

Shield your home from the harshest weather conditions with Weather-Resistant Roofing Tiles. These durable tiles are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall, and strong winds, ensuring long-lasting protection for your property.

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411-claims-help · 20 days ago

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How to Find Reliable Roof Contractors Near Me in Florida: 7 Useful Tips and Tricks

Homeowners in Florida need to choose roof contractors near me carefully to ensure their property is well-protected from Florida’s challenging weather conditions, including hurricanes and storms. A strong, durable roof serves as the first line of defense against these natural forces, safeguarding your home from potential irreversible damage.

By selecting reputable roof contractors near me, you can ensure your roofing system is built or repaired with high-quality materials and expert craftsmanship, offering lasting protection against severe weather. Properly installed and maintained roofs not only withstand harsh conditions but also add value and curb appeal to your property. Choosing experienced professionals near you is essential for ensuring the safety and longevity of your home.

File Your Claim

Qualified contractors ensure the roof can withstand harsh weather conditions, including storm-induced winds, flooding, and heavy rainfall. They do careful planning and choose the right materials to ensure the building’s safety and durability. Conversely, working with an unqualified contractor is horrible, leading to harmful consequences. They may escalate the risk of shoddy work, improper installation, long-term damage, fines, and legal issues.

Hence, when it comes to choosing a roofing contractor, you should make sure the person is right for the role before moving forward with any roofing job. This article will discuss tips and tricks for a reliable roofing contractor in Florida.

Understand Your Roofing Needs

Roof Inspection and Assessment

Find out whether it’s time to repair or replace the roof with a qualified professional who can inspect the roofing mechanism thoroughly. The visual inspection of the roofing structure including shingles, gutters, and fixtures, can help you understand the extent of the damage. Furthermore, negligence in detecting the leakage in the attic and other areas can prevent the risk of water seeping inside the building.

Understanding the roofing condition will help you narrow down local contractors. If it requires routine maintenance, you should search for roofing contractors who specialize in repairs. On the contrary, if it needs a metal or steel roof installation, you should hire a contractor specializing in roofing replacement. This way, you can find expert roof contractors near me who have long years of experience in fixing damaged roofs.

Types of Roofs in Florida

Knowing popular roofing materials is essential to hire a specialized contractor. Hence, check out the following most-sought after roof materials in Florida:

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are classic roofing materials that are typically made of tar, fiberglass, and asphalt granules. They are affordable and easy-to-install materials. A qualified roofing contractor increases the lifespan of the roof replacement using the right techniques.

Metal Roofs

Metal roofing is a broad term because it consists of various materials, including copper, corrugated, aluminum, standing seam, and stone-coated steel. This kind of roofing ensures a higher ROI, energy efficiency, and durability after installation. Choosing the right contractor can help you get the best results.

Tile Roofs

Fireproofing and longevity stand out tile roofs from the competition. For those looking for environmentally friendly materials, tile roofing is the best material. So, call an expert contractor to ensure maximized roof protection.

Licensed roofing contractors ensure Florida building code compliance to enhance safety and increase property value. Working with them prevents the risk of legal troubles as they have several resources for code research and interpretation to follow legal guidelines.

Do Thorough Research and Ask for Recommendations

Online Research

Finding the right roofing contractor is important. You can start searching for them on online platforms like Google, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, and Agni. Look for solid ratings, as they indicate that the contractor has deeply satisfied his customers. Also, read their testimonials and reviews to learn about the company’s reputation in the local area.

Word-of-Mouth Referrals

Ask friends, family members, neighbors, and others to get recommendations on specialized contractors. This way, you can find a trusted contractor who offers guarantees and insurance with services. Moreover, you can know their professionalism, workmanship, and pricing to compare them with others.

Check Local Roofing Associations

Florida roofing-specific associations like Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) foster a high standard of business ethics. Also, it spreads awareness of doing business with certified and licensed roofing professionals, ensuring high-grade standard roof installation and materials. FRSA has direct contacts with government bodies to bring a transformative change to the overall roofing industry. Therefore, the membership of FRSA denotes legitimacy and compliance with industry-specific standards.

Verify Licensing, Insurance, and Certifications

Florida Licensing Requirements

Understand the following Florida licensing requirements for roofing contractors to make an informed decision:

Liability Insurance Coverage: Liability insurance coverage provides financial protection against claims resulting from unintentional injury or damage caused to someone’s property.

Roofing Contractor License: This certifies that the contractor is legitimate and specialized in doing business in Florida. They offer valid warranties and insurance for roofing services.

Workers’ Compensation: It protects the interests of employees and their business activities after a workplace injury or illness.

Check out the following procedure to learn how to check if a contractor is licensed through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR):

Visit the website www.myfloridalicense.com

Call the number 850-487-1395

Download the Department of Business and Professional Regulation mobile app.

Importance of Insurance

Ensuring the contractor has liability coverage and workers’ compensation is highly recommended for homeowners looking for professional roofing services. The insurance benefits provide financial coverage to homeowners if an accident occurs at the site, causing damage to the building, injuries to a third party, or injuries to the company’s contractors.

Certifications and Training

Take a look at the following certifications and training that indicate advanced training and expertise:

Select ShingleMaster: It has been designed for top-notch professional roofers which makes them gain access to marketing and advertising support.

GAF Master Elite: Choosing GAF Master Elite contractors means getting the GAF’s warranty which provides coverage against defects or damage for 30 years.

Certain Teed: Hiring a Certain Teed roofing contractor ensures their expertise in shingles installation and adherence to high-quality standards.

Choosing certified contractors guarantees high-quality roof jobs with legitimate warranty and insurance coverage. They use their research-based knowledge and innovative techniques to fix complex roofing issues, ensuring peace of mind.

Request Documentation

It is important to ask for proof of licenses and contracts before initiating the work on the roofing project. Their evidence helps you understand their liability coverage, professionalism, and risk management skills. Their proofs help you instill trust in their services.

Get Multiple Quotes and Compare Offers

Why Comparing Quotes Is Crucial?

Obtain quotes from at least three roofing contractors. This will help you know the market price of their services and get the best deal. Also, determine their scope of work to prefer essential repairs to aesthetic needs to get everything done at cost-effective prices. Additionally, you should ask for a detailed estimate, including materials, labor, project timeline, and warranty to ensure the replacement or repair meets your expectations. This way, you can identify those areas where you can save money.

Beware of Lowball Offers

Avoid taking the risk of compromising quality for prices. Cheaper services may attract you at first sight. However, there remains the risk of subpar materials and hidden fees. Hence, do your research to ensure the safety of the roof even when a bigger storm hits. Look for cost-effective metal roof contractors near me who are highly reputed to provide quality and innovative techniques.

Discuss Payment Plans

Also, discuss payment plans with them to initiate the project on the foundation of trust and transparency. Remember, a well-defined payment schedule (on achieving milestones) makes contractors accountable for accomplishing the project within a specific timeframe and delivering quality work. You can pay them small deposits as upfront fees along with milestone payments. Also, avoid paying substantial upfront fees before any project gets done as this may cause you to become the victim of unscrupulous contractors.

Check Reviews and Past Work

Online Reviews and Testimonials

To get a glimpse of the roofing contractors’ workmanship, client satisfaction, and ethics, check the online reviews from previous clients. Positive feedback typically reflects high-end workmanship with warranty and insurance coverage. Repeated negative comments regarding delays and poor workmanship put a red flag sign on their customer services. Read positive and negative reviews to get responsible and responsive services that prioritize customer satisfaction.

Request to See Previous Projects

To feel more confident before working with someone, ask about their portfolio. This will give you more information about what kind of roofing materials they use and which services they provide customers. Their result-oriented work helps instill confidence and trust in their roofing jobs.

Look for Before-and-After Photos

Look for their visual images or videos to confirm the project contractor you are hiring is capable of meeting your expectations.

Confirm Warranty and Post-Installation Support

Material and Workmanship Warranties

Knowing about different warranties enables you to make educated decisions regarding the roof’s safety and building’s integrity:

Manufacturer Warranty: Backed by a lifetime warranty, manufacturers strictly cover the cost of manufacturing defects in roofing materials. Simply put, if shingles and other products are found to be defective after installation, the manufacturer is liable to replace them at no cost. However, it does not cover labor charges for removing and installing materials.

Workmanship Warranty: Distinct from manufacturer guarantee, workmanship guarantee covers the quality of work offered by a roofing contractor. It covers any defects or flaws in the quality of roofing services and may require essential repairs.

As a customer, it is good to choose roofing contractors offering both warranties. This ensures comprehensive and life-long legally enforceable protection benefits to cover potential future issues in materials and roofing works.

Post-Installation Services

Confirm whether or not the potential roofing contractor provides frequent post-installation services. These visits should include follow-up inspections and minor touch-ups of the roof’s structure, ensuring the roofing mechanism can bear the burden of materials and storm debris or ice. This gives you peace of mind, making certain that your building is well-protected against future threats. Their regular maintenance is essential for long-term protection, durability, and cosmetic appearance.

What to Ask About Warranties

To ensure you get a comprehensive warranty, ask the following five questions:

Do you offer manufacturer and workmanship warranties?

What does the warranty cover?

What is the time period of warranty?

How do you handle claims?

What is your claim settlement ratio?

Finalizing the Contract and Understanding Legal Obligations

Review the Contract Carefully

Understanding the terms and conditions of the contract carefully before signing can save you from disputes or misunderstandings during the project or post-installation. The review process involves seeking clarification of ambiguous terms, ensuring you fully understand their liabilities, roles, and rights. Avoid trusting verbal agreements to prevent legal troubles in the future.

Legal Protection

Having a detailed contract aids you in reviewing their costs and hidden charges, workmanship, and contract termination or modification. Understand Florida Lien’s law codified in Chapter 713. It safeguards the rights of contractors and laborers for the services, materials, or labor they provide during a construction project. They can file a construction lien against your property if not paid fully.

Right to Cancel

Homeowners are allowed to cancel a home improvement contract within three days under Florida’s law. Also, if the contractor is found unlicensed, the contract’s time period is changed into a cooling-off period. For this, you should send a cancellation notice by registered mail or certified mail.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

For a homeowner, it is important to ensure that the roofing contractor complies with industry standards, ensuring peace of mind. Saving money by choosing ordinary steel roof contractors near me may result in serious problems later. It can significantly impact your building’s value and its ability to withstand tough weather conditions in the future. Thus, follow the 7 useful tips and tricks to ensure your roofing project complies with Florida law.

Your proactive approach to researching licenses needed for roofing installation projects helps you get a suitable contractor who fits your expectations. Likewise, reviewing the contract can prevent the risk of unforeseen disputes or misunderstandings with contractors.

If the hurricane damages your property, do not panic. You can file an insurance claim to restore the damage. But, your first action should be to consult with a professional public adjuster at 411 Claims Help. The small investment in hiring their services may result in a fair and timely claim settlement procedure.

Verify the license, compare offers, and ensure a solid warranty before hiring a specialized roofing contractor.

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