#but it was all done on my phone

[theskeletoninthegarden]

I'm answering these questions for Quinntav, since they're still my blorbo on rotate and I'm currently working on (one of) their sequel stories.

1. "I'm fine" was going to be my answer here, but this is something they honestly believe, but which is outright wrong for...quite some time. Thankfully it becomes a drop in the water of their life eventually, but I digress. On the other hand, Quinn does a lot of lying by omission; like a majority of my MCs they don't like lying outright. The correct answer would be "I'm not lonely", because they horribly are, and at least that's something that they're aware of, if more so unwilling to admit then...a majority of their secrets (they'll admit they're Bhaalspawn beforehand, but that particular topic comes about from a moral standpoint; again, I digress).

2. Quinn uses "my friend" sometimes when talking to strangers, but mostly when they're dealing cards, doing readings, and otherwise performing. They'll sooner use a nickname than they will call someone a friend; they almost immediately give Shadowheart, Astarion, Gale, and, well, the entire party nicknames before going so far as to call any of them friends. They aren't difficult to trust or adore other people in so much as they've only had so many long lasting relationships up until the events of the game/their stories, so it's more like they aren't used to allowing themself to outright recognize that they have a new friend, let alone call someone that to their face.

3. The funny thing about this question is that they do a lot of faking to make it to even themself, so the line blurs a lot here. People notice that their default expression seems to be a content smile with some honest warmth in their eyes, but everyone has layers and they spend a lot of time burying a lot for everyone's sake (mostly themself, unknown to Quinn; they're more unconsciously protective of their more vulnerable half than they think). Eventually said default expression brightens, but all in much due time. Otherwise Quinn is a lot more open, at least with their positive emotions, then anyone might assume? They laugh freely, and love easily, to say the least. It's much easier to give into their urges when they're angry, though, and they've denied themself the option to give into their sadness for far too long to make it an easy thing to share.

4. Probably card readings. A lot of small things like that. Their more performance based skills drop off, understandably, after they leave the Circus. Although after they defeat the Big Bad and settle down somewhere they're encouraged to start performing musically again. (If you wanna be dark and more Dark Urge leaning then it's something gruesome but weirdly satisfying but I'll leave it out).

5. No! They're actually really bad at it, because they don't like to have Bad Thoughts or anything adjacent, so. Something really funny could help but it's less instantaneous and who can believe that they're miserable if they're laughing that hard (it's ironic on the other hand how often that line applies to their life in general, but).

6. Every Dark Urge Ever, okay. (That's a lie, they've probably recommended Something to Minthara or Astarion, because they Get It more than most people.)

7. My Sweet Darling Childe (or something along those lines), and they'd come sprinting (Quinn adores nick names and have very few of their own, sadly). Astarion would either yell their name, or, idk, Darling, or My Dear. They're probably the only person he would call out loudly to in that way, but otherwise he uses it with a lot of people, so it's not unique (he just doesn't strike me as the pet name/nick name sort, or I certainly haven't thought of one; maybe Sweetling/My Sweet???). ((If they had ended up with Wyll, on the other hand...))

8. IDK if we want to go into angst territory, but as easily as they love, saying "I love you" or being allowed to outwardly say as much is worse than calling someone a friend. Even with Astarion it's...said a precious few times. It's sad, really, but anyone who knows why understands deeply that when they do They Really Fucking Mean It and It Hurts. (It's possible that I've had them say it as a part of a joke but although that's also rare it's Different, my dudes, and I'm trying to avoid that). They'll sooner say I adore you, because I love you is Harder, ok?

9. Uhhhhh... I'm somehow more familiar with writing Tough Love with them, idk how that's happened. Not that they're averse to either, actually. It just depends, but Tough happens a lot.

12. Gosh, there's so much. Astarion doing any sort of impression of the party, after he's dropped his own knee jerk performative nature. *

10. It's funny how many questions come up that I unexpectedly have to say "they don't do that" to just because they're a performer who doesn't like to intrude too much on anyone's space, which is wild. But, well, they don't do that. They have interests, don't get me wrong, but they're probably what you call a reserved extrovert.

13. A one hundred percent, entirely false smile? When they're having a break down. Like, just before. It's a very short window. They may be constantly a little sad but if they've got a bit of a grin they're probably thinking "well, at least I have (blank) going for me" or something along those lines. The moment they realize things aren't fine and they allow themself to feel that devastation the change happens.

14. Normally they blow on one, but if it's down low, they'll use their tail, or, Hells, they've licked one more than once. Quinn and pain are very old friends.

15. It's all mostly the same. It's mostly the case of what they're allowed to do (like how much clothing they can get away with taking off) as a societal norm or what whomever they're comfortable with is comfortable with. The only thing they Do Not Do around others is fall into one of their depressive episodes, and depending on the circumstance (about...two AUs, my brothel one and the Hanged Man one, but that decision is made for them in both) Scratch is allowed to be there after some serious discussion. Karlach and Astarion manage to eventually also be present, and I'd like to think that everyone of the party will, eventually, but it all takes time.

16. Themself, next question.

17. Their yes, and they're eyes. Originally, at least, their eyes are bloody red pools on a background of purple, so they sort of stand out.

18. Scratch, next question. (There are things everyone else is possibly capable of doing in some weird dark timeline, I guess, but Scratch??? The boy???)

19. That would be The Dark Urge, which is them, but in some iterations they can sort of interact and that always ends in physical confrontation. Even Gortash they don't avoid, if only so they can maul the man.

20. Raphael (maybe??????????), and the Duke. Next question.

24. Cookies and other things aren't safe around Quinn (silverware, candy, pens, etc). If you mean something bigger? Yeah, there are timelines where they killed Gortash for Karlach (who doesn't know they killed Gortash, only that they dealt with him). They've done a few things via Raphael that not everyone knows about.

21. I guess deferring to people in places of power with a default level of elevated respect, if...that makes sense. Quinntav will treat these people with the same amount they do anyone else, or even less, but with some added, general skepticism thrown in.

27. Does their cage count? They use it to sleep in so they don't accidentally murder someone while unconscious. In which case it's a pretty useful one, if miserable for them.

25. They know who Raphael's heir is if he is given the crown.

28. They tell people that they could use some beachfront property, something silly like that. What they need is a home they can love and feel like they deserve.

29. This is incredibly circumstantial, but mostly they shrug it off. It really depends. There are a few instances where Astarion doesn't understand the severity of how dangerous the Dark Urge is, but his participation varies with every AU. The ones where he's basically another person, when Astarion ignores Quinn's rules about interacting with him, they react with what could actually be called rage. They'll snarl and call him some form of an idiot but it's almost all out of a place of absolute terror over what they think they're going to have to witness once they're in control again.

30. Professional mistakes result in some minor chagrin, unless someone is hurt. It's pretty different than a personal mistake.

31. When they've hurt or killed someone as the Dark Urge, basically. I like to keep it pretty consistent that in every timeline they've met Alfira and at least have nearly killed her. And sometimes she's a kid. The Alfira incident always happens pretty early in their third life as Quinntav, and I can't really think of what they were like pre-Urge.

32. Wait, just one. They do many crimes. Many. All crime, all the time.

33. If "Hi, fuckface" had a smile, it would be their's. With Raphael they're a pretty sarcastic little shit. They're pretty stone faced around several people, like Duke Ravengard.

34. With someone like Karlach they will full-tilt fling themself at a person they love. It depends on what they know you can take, because you could be getting a flying Tiefling. They will immediately get closer to whomever it is, though. Expect a lot of tail wags.

35. Again, petty theft. But they haven't stolen from anyone who was exactly lacking.

36. No, Quinn has a lot of stuff sometimes, but anything that really matters they keep on their person. But they don't have anything *

37. They don't have anything they haven't told Astarion. One of the reasons why they never end up with certain people is because said people are those they wouldn't ever have the heart to confess certain things to, for different reasons. Astarion is so morally skewed their own fear, however irrational, of being jilted because of things they've done, however unintentional, is pretty lacking. On the other hand if he does anything they personally see as "pretty fucked" they'll call him out on it (the Gur racism being an example).

38. Reading. It's harder for them to focus on quieter tasks when certain people, or too many in general, are around. Mostly strangers. So people are pretty surprised that when they're alone, if they aren't humming or singing while doing busywork, they're actually pretty quiet.

41. Zara, their Circus Mother, signs as one of her forms of communication, and they learned from her; they have her growl of disapproval, and sometimes certain common gestures of hers leak into their day to day conversations. They have Lully's tight but dramatic penmanship and between Zethino and, again, Zara, they can find perfect calm in sitting around in relative quiet. They didn't grow up or develop, per se, around other Tieflings, but I'd like to think that they pick up some tail language from Karlach eventually. And they spend a bulk remainder of their existence with Astarion, and the other long lived members of the party, so the same can be said there.

39. They'd like to be invited, even if they don't want to be there and/or don't want end up going (they likely will, since you asked).

46. They're having the best time when they're listening (they're the friend listening to a friend rant about quantum physics even if half of what they're hearing makes zero sense). But if you ask them a question about anything they'll do their damndest to explain in their own way (their discussions on hemotergy aren't what I would call by the book). Otherwise they'll go off about plenty of things that either get their goat or make them endlessly happy.

43. Again, they didn't grow up around Tiefs so they've no cultural background to go off with them at all, let alone signs that could be communicated through the tail. That said since they were raised in the Circus, among people typically alienated for being different, they're very good at apologizing for faux pas and wanting to learn how to make up for them.

47. Plenty of people pre-Orin-incident, really. Gortash, for example.

48. Karlach and Wyll, without a thought.

49. Yeah, but they're a freak like that. Especially if it gets a laugh out of someone else.

50. Quinn and I are pretty 1 to 1 on a great number of things. They're more extreme in not trusting anyone in positions of significant power, but trust is a weird word to use in that regard, anyway.

52. Sometimes one, sometimes the other. Their thought process is pretty, um, emotionally driven, but they're more calculating then people give them credit for. I like to think that the Dark Urge is damned clever in many regards, even if they come off as some sort of meat head sometimes, and that translates pretty well into Quinn as a Tav.

53. I mean, no one. There are some people that they're willing to follow to the ends of the earth in regards to their opinion-- Wyll is one of them, but have you met the man? But, still using Wyll as an example, they don't agree with what his father has done in response to Wyll's choices in the least bit. It's probably the only point of contention in their relationship, outside of Quinn's view of themself as something that sadly exists.

54. Like I said, Quinn is actually pretty calculating. In a battle they'll likely know when it's better to flee, and when they can fight. Freezing happens most often during unexpected comments that hit on their more vulnerable aspects of themselves, but it has to be pretty unexpected or that won't last long.

Fawning is constant, they're almost always flirting with someone.

55. They work in the Circus, but caging the more animal like and/or monstrous members of the troupe makes them uncomfortable (fortunately Shadow-Whiskers can just nudge the thing open or, idk, teleport out whenever), but that's done as part of the act, anyway. Any circus that uses whips and etc for the same reason, they don't like. There are other troupes that pretend to rile up their creatures using devices like that, and until Quinn recognizes that they'll be considering some grand acts of...petty theft. It will always be unpleasant to them, though. As much as it's probably a good thing to avoid Displacer Beasts in the wild, they don't like them being used to frighten an audience for the purposes of entertainment.

They don't like using members of the troupe to weird out guests. If one of them happens to be Some Elf with three arms, his thing might be to juggle swords, but it's not going to be "look at this guy with an extra arm! what a weirdo!"

IDK, the Circus is a place of refuge for their family. When entertaining the worst they should have to worry about is accidentally forgetting a line. Being different is a part of the attraction, but it should never be used to invoke horror or disgust or fear. An appreciation, admiration, and a basic education that many unique, and wonderful people exist in the world, yes.

56. Quinn may romance Astarion, but they don't play favorites. If they know that someone is willing to lend an ear or, better yet, an hour or so of physical affection, when they're particularly uncertain or afraid, they'll go to anyone in the party or in the Circus. Some people they know are more comfortable with giving certain types of affirmation, etc, of course. If they want to cuddle, for example, I imagine it would take years for Shadowheart or Lae'zel to be open to it (I crave the image of either, though; just Quinn wrapped around either like a particularly large ferret). But it's easy to imagine any of the guys being open to some degree of physical touch pretty early (except for Az, but they get there).

Astarion's really good at making comments that cut to the quick. Things they Need to hear, and want to hear in their heart of hearts, which other people might sugar coat. They wouldn't necessarily be looking for it, though. Not intentionally.

58. All. They've tried so much, but like myself they usually fall back to the same hobbies/skills pretty often.

WEIRDLY SPECIFIC BUT HELPFUL CHARACTER BUILDING QUESTIONS

What’s the lie your character says most often?

How loosely or strictly do they use the word ‘friend’?

How often do they show their genuine emotions to others versus just the audience knowing?

What’s a hobby they used to have that they miss?

Can they cry on command? If so, what do they think about to make it happen?

What’s their favorite [insert anything] that they’ve never recommended to anyone before?

What would you (mun) yell in the middle of a crowd to find them? What would their best friend and/or romantic partner yell?

How loose is their use of the phrase ‘I love you’?

Do they give tough love or gentle love most often? Which do they prefer to receive?

What fact do they excitedly tell everyone about at every opportunity?

If someone was impersonating them, what would friends / family ask or do to tell the difference?

What’s something that makes them laugh every single time? Be specific!

When do they fake a smile? How often?

How do they put out a candle?

What’s the most obvious difference between their behavior at home, at work, at school, with friends, and when they’re alone?

What kinds of people do they have arguments with in their head?

What do they notice first in the mirror versus what most people first notice looking at them?

Who do they love truly, 100% unconditionally (if anyone)?

What would they do if stuck in a room with the person they’ve been avoiding?

Who do they like as a person but hate their work? Vice versa, whose work do they like but don’t like the person?

What common etiquette do they disagree with? Do they still follow it?

What simple activity that most people do / can do scares your character?

What do they feel guilty for that the other person(s) doesn’t / don’t even remember?

Did they take a cookie from the cookie jar? What kind of cookie was it?

What subject / topic do they know a lot about that’s completely useless to the direct plot?

How would they respond to being fired by a good boss?

What’s the worst gift they ever received? How did they respond?

What do they tell people they want? What do they actually want?

How do they respond when someone doesn’t believe them?

When they make a mistake and feel bad, does the guilt differ when it’s personal versus when it’s professional?

When do they feel the most guilt? How do they respond to it?

If they committed one petty crime / misdemeanor, what would it be? Why?

How do they greet someone they dislike / hate?

How do they greet someone they like / love?

What is the smallest, morally questionable choice they’ve made?

Who do they keep in their life for professional gain? Is it for malicious intent?

What’s a secret they haven’t told serious romantic partners and don’t plan to tell?

What hobby are they good at in private, but bad at in front of others? Why?

Would they rather be invited to an event to feel included or be excluded from an event if they were not genuinely wanted there?

How do they respond to a loose handshake? What goes through their head?

What phrases, pronunciations, or mannerisms did they pick up from someone / somewhere else?

If invited to a TED Talk, what topic would they present on? What would the title of their presentation be?

What do they commonly misinterpret because of their own upbringing / environment / biases? How do they respond when realizing the misunderstanding?

What language would be easiest for them to learn? Why?

What’s something unimportant / frivolous that they hate passionately?

Are they a listener or a talker? If they’re a listener, what makes them talk? If they’re a talker, what makes them listen?

Who have they forgotten about that remembers them very well?

Who would they say ‘yes’ to if invited to do something they abhorred / strongly didn’t want to do?

Would they eat something they find gross to be polite?

What belief / moral / personality trait do they stand by that you (mun) personally don’t agree with?

What’s a phrase they say a lot?

Do they act on their immediate emotions, or do they wait for the facts before acting?

Who would / do they believe without question?

What’s their instinct in a fight / flight / freeze / fawn situation?

What’s something they’re expected to enjoy based on their hobbies / profession that they actually dislike / hate?

If they’re scared, who do they want comfort from? Does this answer change depending on the type of fear?

What’s a simple daily activity / motion that they mess up often?

How many hobbies have they attempted to have over their lifetime? Is there a common theme?

[wuntrum]

ripley :)

[rileyclaw]

turn on the lights, this cannot last forever

watching and dreaming promo

[salamispots]

drew some creatures at the amnh :0

[wishchip106]

LET HIM GET UP LET HIM GET UP

[screechingfromthevoid]

You know what I love about the kiss? How fucking joyful it was. It was so light and so happy and so freeing.

The confession was so heavy and came at the last possible moment. Dorian was in his lower register, careful and eloquent. Orym had folded in on himself, shy and quiet. They have the weight of the world in their shoulders and they just needed a moment alone together. To say I love you. To let the other know. It all hinged on the moment before there was no going back.

But this. The kiss. It was after laughter and wedding planning and appreciating little things like lavender honey. Everyone was smiling. Everyone was feeling good. For whatever reason it didn't feel hopeless then. In that moment futures existed. Tomorrows existed. And Orym had one. Orym had a future and a tomorrow in Dorian.

Orym was so moved by all the happiness in the air that he confidently took Dorian by the hand to bring him out to the hall, told, then asked, him he was going to kiss him. All of Orym's fears melt away for ten whole seconds. Dorian stuttered and fumbled his words and kissed him back.

It was so cute. It was so joyous.

You know what it reminds me of? The stolen century. After Lup and Barry fall in love over years and years and they play this beautiful duet together. They lock eyes and smile at each other and steal away, running up the valley, away from it all. That moment of holding each other and just keep on not letting go.

The unrelenting giddiness of it all. The excitement. The glee. The promise of future. Wanting a future. Especially if it's together.

[martyryo]

drew him too

guys I fear that life is getting weird and I'm not matching that weird

[susartwork]

[PROLOGUE - Part 19] Next Previous Start

Author note: We're back! And I put TOO much effort into this page... (reblogs are appreciated lol)

[foe-of-fate]

[icantalk710]

Looong day of catching up on emails and work to set myself up to be (mostly) on vacation as of xmas 😩☕😵‍💫

[reineydraws]

i have this fic series i'm still working on where mihawk sort of becomes rayleigh's kid and spends ages 11-17ish on the oro jackson.

shanks and buggy imprint on him (bugs considers him a sort of older brother figure/sparring inspiration and shanks has a crush that eventually turns into full-blown love) and this is how i imagine they're like on the day mihawk sets off on his own haha.

[marzipanandminutiae]

so help me god if I tanked the chance for a well-paid job with full medical benefits, sick leave, paid vacation time, etc. because I hardly ever do machine seam-finishing

I'm going to be. really really really upset

[north-noire]

oh no, you killed her! what have you done? inspired by this (they're one of my favorite artists EVER i love their works so much)

[ahahnopenope]

behold, the rizzard wonder !

[upperranktwo]

♡Happy Birthday Shinazugawa Genya♡

7th January

[serenhob]

I could be sleeping but this is what I choose to do instead