#brekkie thoughts

[brekkie-e]

Ok. I am all for giving Veilgaurd the space to be it's own game and appreciate it for what it is, but every time I see a person who openly talks about only getting in to dragon age this year or some other nonsense go off about how long term fans hate the game cause they cant handle change I see red.

I mean, to be a Dragon Age fan, you have to be able to accept change. Change is at the core of the experience. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing is a different question. But if you're a long-term fan of the series, you've succeeded in the task of accepting change.

The criticisms of Veilgaurd are, in my opinion, a little unique to the franchise. For all Inquisition tweaked certain lore and it irritated a lot of people- it did so with self-awareness and intention. I am thinking about how it did the Dalish dirty in many respects. For all I do not agree with that writing direction, the game itself atleast acknowledges it is 1. New information. 2. Dependent on the clan. 3. Gives you the room to roleplay your character according to previously established lore. This is just one example, of course.

Veilgaurd is unique in the fact it ignores much of the series pre-established lore and in no way owns up to it.

I have seen a lot of hateful comments about how Origins hasn't been the framework of the series since 2009. And yeah, sure to a degree that is true. The gameplay certainly got tossed out. But in many ways, Dragon Age 2 is a direct continuation of that world and setting. DA2 and Origins and the lore they established are solid and share a vision. Play as a Mahariel and engage with Merril's clan. It's the same world. The same npc's. Inquisition does not deviate that far from that vision when you look past the companions all playing devil's advocate.

I really don't think everyone disappointed with this game or finding it lacking are "blinded by nostalgia." Most Dragon Age fans will be the first ones to tell you the franchise is a mess. But acting like the games that established it as beloved to it's fans are no longer relevant is so nasty to me. You as a newer fan would not be able to play Veilgaurd if the older fans had not made the previous titles financial successes. If they had not kept the love for the series alive, this new game would never have made it out of development.

The game is good. It's enjoyable to play. It's not without its charms. It should be given room to shine for what it is. It's a miracle we have it given the development journey it went on.

But it's also a massive smack in the face to many people who loved all three previous titles. And that's a bad thing. And I hope future titles remember the lore and tone of the series better.

These two things can both be true.

[brekkie-e]

Here are some of mine!

1. Wyll’s story seeming a little more complex. His scene at the party where Mizzora tormented him was so interesting. I’m okay with changing it so his mortal enemy is not a level 3 goblin, but I also miss the goblins at the temple playing a game of “how you’d kill the Blade” and letting Wyll join.

2. The possibility! There were so many narratives that seemed so interesting. Astarion saying Gandrel likely didn’t know he was working for Cazador because of how politically powerful he was. I was convinced there would be so much drama, politics, and intrigue involved in taking him down. Witnessing more of his vast network of goons. Or the Hags! Finding all the extra letters between Ethel and her sisters! I was looking forward to meeting more of them and seeing that turn into it’s own side quest. Or further consequences with the Shadow Druids down the line.

3. The options to physically defend yourself against Astarion during the bite night without killing him. I remember being able to elbow him in the face, and briefly being able to kick him in the nuts. I would like to play a character who is a lot more firm with him about his antics, but I don’t want to automatically kick him from the party for it.

So what's a thing that y'all miss from Early Access?

The ones that come to mind for me are

1. how often the characters would comment on stuff you actually did in the world (like, killing Gandrel, rip Astarions "Who needs morals when you have good hair?") Also specifically miss being able to talk to everyone in camp the night you think you'll transform, instead of just getting the cutscene with Lae'zel trying to kill you.

2. the way that the tadpole powers worked. I liked the whole "who do you dream of" bit, how the tadpole was so clearly trying to seduce you to use its powers, how using ur Ilithid powers had actual consequences, especially in dialogues.

3. might be controversial, but I also liked it better when Gale's Arcane Hunger needed actually powerful magical items (like the Necromancy of Thay, the Idol of Silvanus or the Iron Flask). With how ppl have been complaining about him eating ur magical items, you'd think that's still the case, but the items he does absorb in my playthrough are all basically useless, which makes the whole "I'm so sorry, I know this is a lot to ask" thing feel very........... flat

[divinebunnii]

disheveled pup just woke up and licks peanut butter off paw ~ more at noon

// tip me // // shirt shop //

[newvision]

it’s so sunnyyyyy I can do my creative writing for uni in the garden with my sunglasses on & smelling like sun screen!!!!!!!!!! I spent yesterday evening with my friends and we talked so much I got home by three in the morning!!!!!!!!!! I didn’t feel the need to drink a sip of alcohol!!!!!!!!! I love wearing tank tops again and I’m not embarrassed by my body!!!!!!! My relationship with my mum has improved drastically over the past five months!!!!!!!!! Whoever made me think my twenties would be horrible????????? we're so back baby

[brekkie-e]

I have no theories about whether or not this means the figures were added later, or how it got in that Thaig. But tossing this up for musing purposes:

Dreadwolf Take You spoilers

This is from the Bard's Tale, so Solas himself is telling this story. I don't get the impression he was surprised to see the figures on the dagger. I also don't imagine that dwarves would have added something Solas finds so deeply personal to it without intimate knowledge of the two of them.

Also shout out to Solas for exposing his own emo and longing to the group like that given he was immediately ousted by Charter the second he finished his story.

Red lyrium idol with Mythal holding a Mysterious Figure was corrupted from and then is healed into the lyrium dagger Solas used to break the world and Rook uses to save it. I would love to know more about how it got corrupted, what was it doing in that thaig, were the figures original or added later, also wtf was up with the primeval thaig anyway????

You know what dear listener? These are things I also want to know

[k-slla]

[ren-from-mars]

Me when a single day alters the course of my life forever

[splendiferous-bitch]

guess i'm 26 now 🫡

[filmcel]

Hi gamers,

I send this message out to u all. My cries and pleads. LEts just say.... i have an assignment due tomorrow morning. and by due tomorrow morning i mean i have to DO IT TOMORROW MORNING. as in PRESENT to my class! sounds fun right? WRONG! mY DUMBASS got busy with work....(AKA didnt work on it during my free time when i shouldve bc i got anxious and didnt want to committ suicide over it) and I ended up waiting til the night befor to get the rest of the info i needed (rlly not that much). But essentially.... im waiting on a text from someone who can give me the remaining DEETS i need to get this shit DONE! Will I Surive? Find out soon!

[dontwanderoff]

just clicked that my bad mood is pms send help

[brekkie-e]

I have this incredibly nit picky and hubris filled complaint about the Solavellan letter codex. It's that during those press tour streams or whatever they were, Trick Weekes talked a lot about Solas and his headspace. They had some super interesting insight to share and I ate it up. But I'm pretty sure that at some point or another, they practically said the entirety of that codex letter verbatim? Like just swap out the "I" from the letter to "he" and boom. That's what they said. So finding it in game was like yes!! Finally Solas' perspective on Solavellan.... wait....

And I wasn't able to eat it up as I wished to because.... I already had. It did not spark the new content joy I wanted it to.

Which again, that's probably on me for watching press stuff knowing it's never 100% spoiler free. But idk there is a part of me that would have loved one or two codexes that said something that hadn't already been touched on in some way.

[daiseukiis]

hii how have you been?

i miss my family 🧍‍♀️

[amomohthefairy]

Scrumptious Brekkie🍳

[naenaex0xx]

the grandfest lobby really reminded me of how much I love splatoon... but playing in the splat battles reminds me why I stopped playing splatoon :')

[ryoukio]

On third thought, perhaps eating food slightly too spicy for me on an upset stomach was not the best business venture today

[majinbangus]

more of big simon, little simon, and mama

He's drinking his morning tea when there's a knock on his door. Unlike last time, it's a simple rap of three knocks. A patient sound. He's not expecting anyone, but he has a feeling who it might be.

Simon finishes sipping his drink, the warmth of the tea spreading down his chest, sending a pleasant buzz throughout his body. He tilts his head back as he drinks the last of it, letting out a sated groan. It's been awhile since he's had tea this good.

Another three knocks sound off again, this time more enthusiastic. Simon quirks a brow. More than likely, those three thumps were from his little name twin, knowing the impatience of a child.

He places his mug in the sink and walks over to open the door, unsurprised when he sees you and your boy. Not an unwelcomed sight, but certainly a curious one. Last time he saw you was the morning after the night he watched over you, staying for a quick, slightly awkward breakfast when little Simon insisted, and when big Simon took one look at you, sickly and lightheaded, and thought it best he made something for your small family lest you faint and scare your boy again.

"Simon!" The lad greets with that toothy grin of his. Mostly toothy. Your boy is missing one of his top incisors. "Good morning!"

"Morning." Simon nods back and drawls, "What do I owe the pleasure?"

The rambunctious child practically bounces in place, tugging your hand cheerfully, addressing both you and Simon. "Me and Mama want you to come with us for breakfast."

"Brekkie?" Simon squints down at the lad, tilting his head. "Why?"

"Mama says it's a thank you for when she was sick, and I wanted to spend time with you!" Little Simon says with a gleeful smile.

"Is that so?" Simon murmurs under his breath. You got yourself a sweet lad. So free and honest, unafraid to share his emotions with the world. The childlike happiness being something he hasn't seen in a long time. A kind of innocence that needs to be protected and cultivated. Something Simon never really got for himself.

Maybe he could do that for you and your boy.

"Simon?"

He blinks and focuses on the lad. "Yeah, mate?"

His name twin gives a hopeful look. "Please say you're coming! Me and mama really want you to come!"

"You and your mum, huh?" Simon huffs a little, amused. "Is that what she said?"

He turns his gaze to you, and instantly, all thoughts of breakfast fade out of his mind, a smirk spreading across his lips. You look as if you haven't heard a word he and your boy exchanged. Probably his fault from the looks of things. He didn't bother changing out of his sleep clothes when he got up- a rare, indulgent, lazy day for him- and opened the door as is. Shirtless. Shameless. In nothing but a worn pair of fading plaid sweatpants.

You're staring. At his chest, at his abdomen. Over his arms and down his tattoo. Eyes brazen as they rove over all of his perfections and imperfections. His muscles... his scars... his happy trail.

You carefully avoid looking down any further.

Cute.

"Ahem." Simon casually leans against the doorframe and crosses his arms. Perhaps flexing a smidge. There's no one here that would call him out on it, though. He cocks his head when you continue to stare. He clears his throat more clearly. "Ahem."

No response except for your mouth dropping slightly open when he flexed his arms. Hah. He swears you'll start drooling soon. When was the last time you saw a shirtless man? Was it when you were still with your ex? The man must have been something unremarkable if this is your reaction to seeing Simon scruffy and shirtless.

What would your reaction be if you saw more of him? In a different setting, if it were just you and him? What would you do? What would you say? What then?

Dangerous territory to be thinking about. He should probably stop. He doesn't want to.

"Mama!"

Little Simon notices the staring.

That gets you out of your daze. And big Simon out of his.

"Huh? What?" You blink and finally tear your gaze away, squeezing the smaller hand in yours. Unfortunate. He quite liked your ogling. "What is it, Simon?"

It's a hilarious sight. You, the mother, looking like a child who's hand got caught in the cookie jar (the cookie jar being big Simon), and your son looking like the reprimanding parent placing his hands on his hips.

"You were staring!" Fucking, hell. It even sounds like your son is scolding you. "You told me it was rude to stare!"

You sputter, "I- I wasn't!"

"You were," Simon cuts in, ruthless and smirking when you look back at him, an embarrassed tension puckering your lips. If he wasn't so chuffed, maybe he would take mercy on you. But he is, so he won't. Simon rolls his shoulders, stretching his muscles- maybe flexing a little more- watching your eyes dart from his face to his body and back to his face again before he turns to your boy. "Wasn't she, mate?"

"Yeah," Little Simon agrees, oblivious to your turmoil. "Now you have to say sorry, Mama!"

Big Simon, on the other hand, is a cruel bastard for taking pleasure from your floundering.

"But I didn't mean-"

"Try again. You heard your lad." Simon pushes off the doorframe and purposefully stands to his full height, making himself bigger as he leans toward you. "You wanna make a good example, yeah?"

It's adorable the way you struggle to maintain eye contact, biting your lip. "Y... yeah..."

Simon raises an expectant brow, and you gulp. "Uh. I... I'm sorry."

"What for?" Simon asks just to make things difficult for you and you squint at him. He smirks. Fine. He'll allow you some breathing space and back up.

You give an audible sigh of relief when he leans against the doorframe again. "I'm sorry for... for staring at you."

It's fun watching you squirm, eyes gleaming widely and silently pleading for mercy. Should take a picture so it would last longer. He holds in a chuckle. What an interesting thought.

But he's made you suffer enough. Simon looks at your boy. "What do you say, lad? Think that was an adequate apology?"

The boy puts a finger on his chin. "What does 'adequate' mean?"

"Means it's good enough, or acceptable."

"Then yes! Mama made an adequate apology." The lad proudly shows off his newly acquired vocabulary.

Simon huffs with amusement before turning back to you. "Suppose I can forgive you then."

You stare, as if you can't quite believe the interaction he had with your son, and Simon's almost tempted to make a comment ("we just went over this, love"), but then you bow your head and laugh lightly under your breath, mumbling, "Wow."

He cracks a little smirk.

"So will you go with us, Simon?" The kid asks when it's clear the adults aren't going to say anything else. He adds on a sweet, "Please?"

How could he say no to that?

"Alright." Simon stands up straight, preparing to walk back into his flat. "I'll come grab some brekkie with you."

"You will?" Your boy flashes an eager grin. "You'll come with us?"

Simon pats the lad's head, nodding. "Yeah, kid, just lemme change first."

"Alright!"

"I'll meet you on the first floor." He moves to close his door, but then pauses, eyes finding yours with a teasing glint. "Or you could wait in here-"

"We'll meet you on the first floor!" You blurt out, avoiding his gaze, and grab your boy's hand, quickly tugging him along. "See you, Simon!"

"See you, Simon!" The lad echoes and waves a hand, unconcerned by your rushing. You disappear with your child soon after, and Simon chuckles, shutting the door.

He looks towards the kitchen, debating. He can do the dishes when he gets back. They can wait. You and your boy are probably hungry. He won't keep you guys waiting, and even though Simon already ate breakfast, he doesn't mind going out. But he doesn't need to tell you that. Simon still has room to eat, and he won't mind spending a bit more time with you and little Simon.

-

Big Simon totally wears a compression shirt to make your brain short circuit. Meanwhile, little Simon is wondering why Mama is tripping every two seconds.