#don't murder me @ ELFs
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inquisimer · 2 months ago
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I blame @rosella-writes for this most recent bout of WIP neglect, bc they said "where is all of my Rook/Teia content" and I have seen so many (two) teiago divorce posts, so what was I supposed to do? not come up with a new OC and a messy post-canon worldstate?
anyway. this is Evanthia Ingellvar, she's going to smooch Teia post-canon while Lucanis has a bad time as First Talon and Viago fucks up most of the good things in his life trying to become king 👍
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inirat-andnothingmore · 2 months ago
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Tw: su1 idea ig
DAE go to sleep fantasizing about Armand just coming into their house and slowly killing them? As if lulling them to sleep? Yeah.
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grapetriip · 7 months ago
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anyone up for bg3 aftg au w dark urge neil
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eldergremlin · 1 year ago
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making new bg3 files for all my dnd pcs and i don't know why astarion has decided to NOT SHUT UP EVER around mariya. sir! you're on the thinnest ice!
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better hope she doesn't clock you because the girl has vampire trauma and WILL kill you.
if i can avoid the forbidden midnight snack camp scene, i have a feeling the vibes are going to be very much this:
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dontmixpaintinyourcoffee · 1 year ago
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I don't know how to explain how much these two mean to me. They are the non-biological-not-raised-together siblings of all time. They are so ride or die. One time a man threatened Riz and Fig got that guy to jump out a window. One time Fig pretended to be a doctor and Riz helped her successfully do magic surgery without ever coming out of hiding. They both decided together to never ever tell Gorgug that Fig did the sealing spell without ever saying a word to each other about it. Fig joins Riz and Sklonda on their murder investigation road trip. Riz ate dinner all the time with Fig and her elf dad. They comfortably hang out in hell with a sentient blood blob and a motorcycle that's secretly a dog. He's her legal counsel. She encourages him to hiss at people more. They trust each other with their lives. They are celestial and infernal, connected to the outer planes by their relationships to their fathers and then making that connection their own. Their parents are dating but honestly that's the least relevant detail in all of this. Do you see the vision
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fwoosheye · 2 years ago
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I mean those kinds of strats are surprisingly effective when trying to figure out the personality of new characters
'yeah i'm working on my next novel'
is actually trying to figure out her characters by wondering what daemons they would have and why
#in one of my wips i have a few orcs who have pretty central roles#so sometimes i thought about how they would act or handle various situations if they were suddenly dropped into the hobbit movies#or how they would handle having a bunch of dwarfs (and a hobbit and maybe a wizard) who clearly hate orcs end up in their world#like what if they end up on live television in the middle of kragh's evening talkshow?#or what if bifur's ax got jarred when they fell through a portal or whatever and non-orcs got them an ambulance#and they don't realize until after the surgery is done and over and it's been confirmed that it went well that the head surgeon is an orc#and they just can't accept that dr ischel is very competent at her job and that (these) orcs aren't evil murderous abominations#how would ischel and her staff handle that?#how would my blind elf guy handle an invisible hobbit? what would the reptile lady with heat vision do?#like even if it's situations that would never happen in one's story#imagining situations with established characters who you already know how they would act is really helpful for me#for some making character sheets with strengths and weaknesses and so on works the best#for me where that doesn't work this is a much better option#pity i have to rework the plot for the story kragh and ischel appear in as i am reworking how the world works and constructing a prequel#but it's for the best#sorry for the tag essay#i just had to ramble a bit cause i genuinely think this is a pretty good trick
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thesummerestsolstice · 11 months ago
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Things that Absolutely Happened while M&M were Raising E&E:
Maglor keeps an ever-growing list of all the weird things they do and tries to figure out whether they're because the twins are part human or part maia. He is frequently wrong.
"Wait, how much do half-elves need to eat?" "I, uh... hmm."
All of the Feanorian followers get really attached to the kids. They regularly argue about who gets to babysit. This is the origin of Elrond's Feanorian Murder-Elf Posse™️.
"Maedhros you cannot give them real swords!" "Why not?" "They're eight!"
The entirety of Amon Ereb freaks out every time the twins get sick. Even if it's just a cold. Yes, they've had human healers tell them it's nothing serious. No, that does not reassure them.
"Just do what I did!" *the twins stare up at him* "Actually no that's terrible advice don't do that."
M&M waking up late at night to see one of the twins, eldritch, glowing, levitating a few inches off the ground and freaking out, only for the kid to be like "dads I threw up :("
E&E shapeshift and all the Feanorians panic because "Oh Eru we lost them!!" Only for them to emerge a few hours later, very confused about why all the adults look so worried
Maedhros makes dad jokes you cannot tell me otherwise
"Well on the other hand... oh wait!"
E&E also hide in Maedhros's cloak all the time
And of course
"NO OATHS!"
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lxdymoon0357 · 27 days ago
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Hello, I saw your post about a yandere Benjamin Lemberk with an elf. It occurred to me if he could be the same yandere Benjamin Lemberk x reader with the appearance of Florentia Lombardi and a personality between Helaena and Gael Targaryen is autistic with ADHD and sensitive please
(Warnings: reader is mentioned to have a mix of ginger hair with a mix of reader's original colour and heterochromia with one green-coloured eye and one has your eye colour ||Florentia Lombardi! reader.
PLEASE forgive me for not getting things right..I'm a pretty neurotypical person and I have no idea what I'm doing. Tried to make it from whatever information I got from google. 2nd Warnings: non acceptance of mental illness, ableism, murder, mutilation, everything bad except SA and cannibalism, we don't do that. Keep in mind, I don't condone this and you're very much valid, Benji here is just an asshole, too much of a douche, sorry.. Again, sorry for any inaccuracies or anything, I got everything off of google)
© Writing belongs to me, Lxdymoon0357. Do not plagiarize, but reblogging, liking and commenting is deeply appreciated.
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Yandere!Benjamin Lemberk HCs
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◈ The moment Benjamin fell out of Claudia's circle, his eyes were left onto you. An eccentric, soft-spoken, hyperactive, restless little elf. Of-course in no way was he going to let you go. You're just the cutest thing ever!!♡
◈ He does find it a bit irritating how you hyperfixate on certain things, especially bugs and other things, can't you see he's doing things and going out of his way for you? He doesn't care if your autism or ADHD is the cause of it, stop being selfish!
◈ But depending on how much you behave regarding him, he finds you soft-spoken behavior appealing though he would have preferred you being a bit more like Claudia; bright and out-spoken.
◈ but your soft spoken and cryptic language speaking and non society conforming behavior, hyperattentive traits, stimming and all of it bothers people, so he's somewhat okay with it as long as people don't get too close, he doesn't want to kill as many people. Too much work in his eyes, but as long as it's for you, he'll do whatever you want!~
◈ He'll always be beside you if he can't keep you locked away forever, help you with societal cues and everything and kp your hyperactivities are bay, but not really, he doesn't really care if you end up annoying people away. I mean, it's only working in his favor.
◈ Always listens to you talk about your bug collection or new hyper-interest in whatever you have, the weird way of systemization and your intense routine you seem intent on following. God, you're so hot when you blabber about stupid things no one seems to care about to intensely!~
◈ But he does feel like you're going half-insane when you start speaking in cryptic language, your eyes may be pretty..but he can only sit so much before he feels like you're cursing him with your cryptic language, please.
◈ But you're not just some timid girl, your firmness and you do put him in his place, despite your soft-spoken, reclusive and sensitive, eccentric traits. You do have firmness and manners of authority in yourself. He does stop being so shitty to you and behaves better regarding your mental health.
◈ His jealousy issues are off the charts, keeps you locked up everyday..but in a way he lets you hyperfixate on all interests and burn out all hyperattentivity, impulsivity and keeps you so occupied your lack of attention on certain things and time blindness doesn't really matter.
◈ Lets you use his fingers for stimming or his clothes, he gets jealous of everything and anything.His clothes are very fancy, but sometimes too over-stimulating with heavy perfumes, rough textures and evn the way it can sometimes snatch on your own clothes with it's jewels and all..So there's that.
◈ But speaking of his clothes, you may get easily overstimulated by his clothes and sometimes even his presence, the fucker is very much in himself a asmr video of type. You may even end up maybe crying and he has to control the urge to really just burn his clothes right then and there so you would stop crying. He may be the biggest, ableist and even deny you your mental health..but the moment your mental health does affect you, he'll be dying to get it fixed. He may be an asshole, but he's only your asshole.
◈ But in a way, he also uses your mental health against you. Using anything that overstimulates you for keeping you chained down, though it doesn't work like magic..but you're more subservient when he does use anything that you get overstimulated by; heavy perfumes, weird textures, nothing to stim with, tight closed rooms, even if keeping your own hair down overstimulates you, he'll force you to not put it up in hairstyles, till you can behave atleast.
◈ One time he got into this dilemma with you where he came home to you with your autism and adhd battling against each other. Apparently you were trying to 'arrange' numbers (because everything you do is universally correct), but very time you did come around, your attention never stayed and you moved on. So you removed all distractions and started to again 'arrange' numbers correctly. But again, attention never stayed so you only sat there with nothing, you wouldn't move and wer adamant.
◈ He had never thought in his life that one day, he'd have to sit down with love of his life and the bane of existence to 'arrange' numbers by their 'correct' order because you wouldn't move otherwise and literally. It took seven hours because you two kept getting distracted by your conversations to 'arrange' around a hundred numbers from 0-100. He hopes you don't get the idea of 'arranging' numbers again for 0-1000 or something because their feeligns hurt they wer left out or something.
◈ But leaving that..If anyone, other than him at-least, dares to comment on your mental health in a way you don't like like babying you or refusing to acknowledge it's something you struggle with or literally ANYTHING he does, but it's someone else. He has a whole procedure; first he'll kidnap them, torture them to get apologies so loud, you can hear it from your own room in his manor and then once he's satisfied, he'll kill the person off..but not before mutilating and really using them as a dart board or disfiguring their faces to the point of non recognition of their corpse.
◈ Yeah, it's a lot being with him with mental illness and soft spoken and eccentricness. Him as a yandere is even worse than him with Claudia, which is already borderline yandere.
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meanbossart · 11 months ago
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Okay but I would love to hear your thoughts on the other spawn
Twirling my hair shifty-eyeing to the side OKAAAYYYYY WELL IF YOU INSIST 🛀
(This is a continuation of this post where I go into some detail about my thoughts on Dalyria, Violet, and Leon ((or "Leonard" as I apparently dubbed him as by mistake))
Let me start with the one I love the most after my sweet well-meaning-child-murdering-doctor Dalyria: Pale Petras.
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First of all, just look at this fucking guy. What a goober.
I pretty explicitly go off-canon when it comes to my theories about Petras. According to him, he has been with Cazador for a hundred years - I find that very, very difficult to believe. Whether I would scrap that line entirely or just tack it as hyperbole is irrelevant - though he does seem to have a knack for the dramatics, or at least he tries to.
Petras immediately strikes me as a newcomer in the group. He's the most lively out of the spawn we chat with and seems to still retain what is a pretty strong, bold personality. He's antagonizing towards Astarion and pretty much sides with Cazador up until his life is on the line - and, most interestingly to me, his immediate reaction after being freed if you instruct them to lead the spawn into the Underdark seems to be one of fear and reluctance, unlike Dalyria who almost immediately takes the responsibility upon herself and seems warm towards Astarion and the player for what they've done.
Abusive relationships don't start abusive. If you've ever been friends with someone who's hooked up with a known serial abuser, chances are that you have had to sit through their attempts at justifying their behavior as foretold by previous partners - "oh, they just weren't a good match", "they both enabled abuse towards each other", "his ex was just crazy, man." This honeymoon period can last anywhere from a few weeks, to several years - until said friend inevitably finds themselves in the exact same cycle that said ex escaped from.
That's Petras. Petras is fresh meat. He's compliant. He's gullible. As a human in a world where you're surrounded by races that live up to several hundreds of years, he's attributed power to longevity - he loves being a spawn. He loves knowing that he will never lose his youthful looks and that his newly-acquired "curse" makes him desirable in it's own, odd way. He thinks this gig is easy - go out, get laid, get fed, rinse and repeat. Sure, sometimes there's a misunderstanding and he gets his joints broken or nails ripped out, but whatever! They grow back! To a vampire with powers of regeneration, dismemberment and scalping might as well be equivalent to ten belt-smacks to the backside just like his father used to give him as a child. Plus, it's never really his fault - If Master knew the truth, he would never set his goons on him at all!
And Oh, he adores Cazador. Not as a friend, a lover, or even a family member - but an aspiration. He sincerely believes that through hard work and resilience he can one day also have his status and fortune. And it shouldn't even be hard to stand out among this angsty little crew - what are they so bent out of shape about, anyway If they spent less time moping and more time working, maybe they wouldn't have such a tough time. Especially -
Astarion.
While it is likely incidental, I find it very ironic that Petras was put in Astarion's early-access outfit. And much less accidental than that: his mannerism and word-choice are a blatant imitation of Astarion's behavior. The flair, the flirting, the flattering and the abrasiveness; I've heard it theorized that this must be how all of the spawn act - I disagree. Petras is the only one we see exhibit that type of demeanor. I think he actively models himself after Astarion because as thick as he might be, he did catch onto the fact that his master has a particular interest in the white-haired elf.
And, of course, Petras hates Astarion for it. He sees him as someone who could have had it all, but gave up on it in favor of being bitter, angry, and naively wistful over his lost life. He has the looks, he has the charm, he had his master's favor, they go out and Petras watches men and women alike swoon over him and laugh at his shitty jokes, to then return home with a long-faced, bratty little shit-head of a toddler-man who would never even understand what the paralyzing loom of mortality is like in the first place - an ungrateful, nepotistic bastard whose had it all handed over to him by daddy, who was loved and fed and given a well-paid job fresh off his teens - but now he has to put a little work in. Now he has to do things that he might find unpleasant. And all he fucking does is whine about it.
Astarion is the personification of everything Petras ever wanted to be before being turned into a spawn, and he accidentally wears it on his sleeve day in and day out. I have no doubt that Astarion is blatantly aware of that fact and it makes his skin crawl - but Dalyria tells him that Petras is too young. Too new. Cut him some slack.
And frankly, I don't think he's evil, either. He strikes me as naive and star-striken. I don't know how long he's been with the Szarrs for, but certainly the light in his eyes would eventually fade over time and he would have had all the zest beaten out of him, same as the others. But, for now - he just doesn't know his own luck.
Admittedly, I have much less to say about Yousen and Aurelia. We don't hear as much as a word out of Yousen, but I've chosen to read the silence of and about his character as indicative that, maybe, he was able to hold onto his sanity and honor the best out of all of them. He had to do what he had to do to survive, but he did it while attempting to withhold any standards allowed to him for his own peace of mind - I like to imagine he had a lot of sincere empathy for all of the spawn, and, while they were never close, him and Astarion exchanged sincere words about their situation a few times during their stay at the palace; just enough to remind the elf that he wasn't alone, but never so much that Yousen would intrude into his space, or add strain to his already fragile state of mind.
And Aurelia... She strikes me as so young and already so beaten. I'd wager that what was once a sweet tiefling girl is now a terrified animal who does absolutely whatever she can to avoid pain and punishment - the snitch of the group, the reluctant ass-kisser, the one who desperately clings to any relief in whatever form it may come - be her master's approval or the shoulder of a sibling she has damned to the kennel more than once out of fear for her own life. Everybody has been hurt, betrayed, and irritated by her - but she's just so god damn pitiful that they can't push her away forever. While she would live, I believe she would have the hardest time adapting to freedom after Violet - just completely dependent on others and burdened by what she's had to do.
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lessi-lover · 5 months ago
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a terrible santa II l.williamson x reader
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you've signed leah up as the santa for the yearly street christmas party and she's not so fond.
a terrible santa II l.williamson x reader 1.7k
snowflakes clung to the windows like they were desperate for their first christmas, the edges of their fragile crystals barely gripping the glass, as if afraid to melt away.
"mil, go show mummy how to wrap a present properly." you teased, lifting your daughter off your lap and gently pushing her in leah's direction. amelia huffed, clutching a roll of wrapping paper under her arm, walking over to leah like it was the most serious task in the world.
"mummy never folds the corners right." she said matter of factly, with only enough gravitas a four year old could come up with. your wife however was not so impressed, sliding her mum's present behind her back in shielding for the apparent approaching elf.
"excuse me. but i'll let you know i'm an excellent gift wrapper!" the blonde defended, hand placed dramatically on her chest as if accused of murder. you stifled a laugh, leaning back against the couch, as you watched your daughter try to pull the gift from under your wife's legs.
amelia pouted dramatically, unraveling the roll of shiny red paper. "but mummy always uses too much tape! i do it better." she stated, snatching the child scissors from the table and setting herself down on the carpet.
"i'd like to agree with you on that one, lee. but an excellent wrapper wouldn’t leave a mountain of tape on every gift like you do." you quipped, raising an eyebrow as she begrudgingly handed over the gift to the clearly impatient elf.
leah narrowed her eyes at you, the corners of her lips twitching into a knowing smile. "it’s called ensuring structural integrity, my love. i don't think your gifts could survive a hurricane if they tried."
"well thank goodness there are not usually hurricanes in london, babe." you teased, sipping your tea and watching leah as she carefully measured another piece of tape.
amelia, who had been watching the two of you with wide eyes, suddenly piped up, "mummy, don't worry i'm teaching mumma how to wrap good!"
you chuckled softly, eyes meeting leah's as amelia proudly presented amanda's gift that she'd now rewrapped, which was, predictably, a little crooked but potentially better than leah's five layers of tape.
"oh, really?" sliding your body off the couch and scooching over to where your wife and daughter were sat next to the fire. "well, i think we might be out of trouble then."
as amelia’s tiny hands clutched the gift, her eyelids slowly began to fall, the soft light of the christmas tree casting a warm glow on her face. she shuffled closer to leah, nestling her head into her mum’s chest, a soft sigh escaping her lips as her body relaxed against the blonde.
"mummy, i’m tired." amelia murmured, her voice thick with sleep as she clutched onto leah's pyjamas. leah smiled softly , gently lifting her little girl up and cradling her in her arms, brushing away her stray hairs.
you watched the two of them for a moment, your heart swelling as leah held your daughter close. you shifted on the rug, pulling the blanket over your legs as you took in the scene, watching as leah swiped her fingers gently over the tiny blonde's face.
"this is nice, isn’t it?" you murmured, your voice low, so as not to disturb the moment. leah nodded, her eyes warm as she looked down at your daughter, stroking her hair softly. "yeah," she whispered back, "it’s going to be a really good christmas."
the fire crackled beside you, its warmth filling the room as the snow outside continued to fall, soft and steady. you shuffled over to leah, resting your head on leah's shoulder as you now brought your own hand up to lock with amelia's tiny hands.
"by the way," you started casually, grin taking over your face as you guiltily looked the other way. "i signed you up as santa." leah looked at you, her brow furrowing in confusion. "what?" she asked, trying to maintain quiet for amelia's sake but barely managing to hide her horror.
"yeah, i thought you’d make a great santa. big beard, little red boots, and you’re always so good with the kids. figured it was about time we gave it a try," you teased, trying to suppress your grin as she narrowed her eyes at you.
"we give it a try? babe, i'm sorry but i don't see us getting into the fat suit together."
"oh, come on. i’m sure you’d look adorable with a long white beard. suits your face shape!" you teased, leaning further into her body with a hopeful look in your eyes. "yeah, because nothing says 'merry christmas' like pretending to be an old man who breaks into people's houses and eats their cookies."
"babe, please! it’ll be fun. we can even take some cute family photos while we’re at it. mil will love it!" leah shook her head. "no, no. i’m good at being the one to do all the other christmas magic. but i am not putting on a santa suit."
"baby, i love you but no." leah's voice was firm, but the way she looked away from your pouting face told you that she was close to breaking. "i am not putting on a santa suit. that's your job love, not mine."
"well the street party is next saturday night. so you better improve your wrapping skills. you're going to be a very very sexy santa." you smiled, picking amelia up and walking with her in your arms over towards her bedroom.
"you're lucky i love you!"
~
the christmas party was in full swing with kids on the jumping castle the street had hired, parents drinking away their yearly stress and a few elderly couples that you swore only came out of their houses for the free food.
you had to hold in your laugh when you caught sight of leah in the corner, standing with an oversized red jacket draped over her shoulders, a fake beard barely clinging to her chin, and the unmistakable presence of someone who had been roped into a very unflattering santa suit.
you tried to suppress your laughter as you walked toward her, holding a plate of gingerbread cookies. "well, well, well, look who finally decided to embrace her inner santa."
leah gave you a look that was somewhere between amused and mildly exhausted, the fake beard itching her skin as she pulled it down when the kids had walked away. "you’re a dead woman," she muttered under her breath, as you pulled down the beard to snap back into her chin.
"you look great, babe." you said, unable to keep the grin off your face. "i told you, you’d be perfect as santa." she shot you a look. "yeah, thanks for that," she said, adjusting the outrageously sized buckle. "i have to admit though, the kids do love it."
you watched as amelia who was absolutely delighted to have santa visit the christmas party, played along with the other kids who lived down the road, a lot of them roping a few of the older ones into playing on the jumping castle.
but it wasn't long before the tiny blonde ran over to where you and leah were standing, her big coat down to her ankles as the cold nipped at the exposed skin of her cheeks. "mummy, you're santa!" she exclaimed, tugging at the long red pants.
leah leaned down, scooping amelia up into her arms and holding her close. "well, i am santa tonight, sweetie," she said, despite the ridiculousness of the outfit she managed to sound serious. "and i’ve got a big sack full of presents just for you ready for christmas day."
you had warned leah against telling amelia about presents, knowing that the four-year-old was prone to way too much excitement and a complete lack of subtlety. but leah, of course, had brushed off your concerns with her usual charm.
well, you were now witnessing the consequences of that decision. amelia, perched on leah's (santa's) lap in her oversized suit, was barely containing herself. her hands were wiggling with excitement as she whispered loudly to her mummy, "mummy, are you really santa? are you sure? cause i saw that big bag you brought in, and it looks like you’ve got my presents in there!"
you could see leah trying her hardest to keep a straight face, her eyes darting nervously toward the other kids that had gathered around. "shhh, bubba," leah whispered, her voice high and strained. "we have to keep it a secret, remember? santa’s magic only works if we surprise everyone!"
"but i want to tell them!" amelia protested, her voice suddenly too loud for the crowded room. "i know what’s in the sack!"
you quickly swooped in, trying to stop your over excited daughter before it got any more out of hand. "mil," you said gently, crouching down next to her, "it’s a secret, remember? you can’t spoil the surprise. think about how excited everyone’s going to be when they open their presents!"
amelia looked between you and leah, still buzzing with energy. "but mummy said it was for me!" she squealed. leah groaned softly, but you could see a hint of amusement in her eyes. "okay, fine, but you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone else, alright? otherwise santa won’t come next year."
amelia’s eyes went wide with horror. "i promise!" she whispered urgently, crossing her little fingers in front of her chest. leah locked her pinky with the girl quickly before she had shot off her lap and charged towards the other kids.
you shot leah a pointed look. "hey, how was i supposed to know she’d have such a big mouth?" the blonde tried to defend herself, arms coming up in innocence as the obnoxiously long sleeves towered over the sight of her hands.
with a soft shake of your head, you stood up and turned away, leaving leah to continue her little 'acting job' that she so graciously signed up for. "yeah, well, let’s hope you can keep a few secrets tonight," you teased, heading towards the snack table.
"don’t worry, love. you’ll be on my lap sooner or later and i’ll be sure to make you teach me how to keep some things a secret!"
~
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iamnmbr3 · 1 year ago
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I find it incredibly creepy how Dumbledore views Riddle as being this sort of inherently seductive 'femme fatale' type. In book 6 he implies that Tom used his looks to endear himself to his teachers when he started school and hide his supposedly inherently evil and corrupt nature.
Like. Albus. DUDE. Tom was ELEVEN. Why would you assume that teachers would be swayed by or even paying attention to the attractiveness of an eleven year old?! WTAF?
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And then he portrays the Hepzibah Smith memory as another example of Tom using his seductive charms for evil. But although he does bring her flowers he doesn't do anything else to encourage her and in fact seems uncomfortable and determined to keep the conversation focused on work.
She is actually the one who is being creepy here given the power differential between them. I mean, yes, Tom is putting up with her because it suits his designs for the moment and could and would kill her in a second if provoked. But even though we know that she certainly doesn't. As far as she knows she's creeping on this young store clerk without wealth or connections whose job depends on keeping her happy.
And certainly while she enjoys his looks and his attention she also seems quite happy with the persona he puts on where he addresses her in a highly respectful manner, not as an equal. She's certainly not complaining about how he calls her Miss Hepzibah or asking him to drop the honorific. She likes that. She likes that he addresses her not much differently than how her House Elf does. She likes his whole "I am only a poor assistant, madam, who must do as he is told" thing. And as far as she knows he is just that, with no particular special power or talent other than his good looks which she evidently appreciates. This is not him leading on and taking advantage of an innocent sweet old lady.
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And yes he brings her flowers, presumably to keep her happy, but other than that he tries to keep the conversation professional and steer the discussion towards the purpose of his visit. He doesn't say anything overtly flirtatious or even try to prolong their discussion by asking to see some of her other things.
She brings that up on her own. Nor is there any indication that he is the one that decided to move their relationship in this direction. It seems more like she saw a young and good looking man, apparently far below her in terms of station and magical power, and made her move. He probably isn't the first.
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The way she casually touches him is just so creepy to me. And though he tolerates it, he did nothing to encourage or solicit it. Riddle is someone who is in general quite averse to touch. We only see him voluntarily touch one person in 7 books and that's when he touches Harry, just for a second in book 4, just to show that he can. I don't think he enjoys this kind of attention. He was probably glad to kill her for more than just the purpose of getting the cup and the locket.
And yet none of her creepiness is acknowledged. Instead, Dumbledore draws our attention to how Riddle cruelly seduced and murdered a nice old lady whose affections he sought and then betrayed:
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doberbutts · 8 months ago
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I'm pulling this out because this shit is funny as hell hold on
Merry and Pippin (2 in 1) actual hijinks and shenanigans of mutual stumbling over each other's first times. Bonus points if they are hours apart. Pippin finds Merry rolling in the hay in the morning, decides he wants in on this and doesn't want to be outdone, finds himself a willing partner, and Merry interrupts them by accident. Comedy gold.
I don't view Frodo as someone interested in sex (boos and hisses from the Sam/Frodo crowd) however Sam I think would similarly be Frodo opening the door to their shared living space after the quest and Sam's, err, "helping" Rosie in the kitchen. Sam stutters an apology, Rosie starts trying to explain, and meanwhile Frodo's just like "really? where we eat???"
Blink and you'll miss it moment between Legolas and Gimli OR the most intense, drawn out, intimate yet tasteful scene with a bonus at the end where Gimli goes "wait wym we're elf-married now". Probably in Rohan, after the drinking contest.
I'm choosing to believe that the scene between Arwen and Aragorn in Rivendell before he left, where she's wearing a mostly translucent shift and he is in a state of far more undress than we've seen him prior and ever seen him again, is a post-sex scene. So just put it there.
There is not a single person who will ever be able to convince me that Boromir did not get mad pussy in Gondor. The same goes for Faramir, who was loved by all except their father.
Gandalf, also, is not a sexual being to me. But with PJ's insistence on highlighting Gandalf's relationship to both Galadriel and Celeborn, I would believe him to be a third in whatever dynamic suits them.. Maybe he and Galadriel have telepathic elf magic ring sex and Celeborn is just like "yeah sure that's fine w/e". This is movie-canon only, of course.
Bilbo also- reclusive, kept to himself, constantly wandering the wilds alone or with Gandalf? Either he and Gandalf are regularly FWB adventure buddies or they're just plain uninterested in the whole deal.
I'm of two minds with Smeagol. On one hand there is great comedy gold with the little fucked up loincloth man and on the other hand there is so much tragedy to his character that I can't decide if it would be funnier to have him still have sexual desires or if it would be sadder to take him at his word when he states that he lost all desire and interest and pleasure in everything except the Ring. Perhaps he attempted to have sex with another Stoor early on in his possession of the Ring, before he was chased away. Maybe someone he had been trying to court, before the murder of Deagol and the subsequent chained events of consequences.
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alirhian · 1 year ago
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Ascended Astarion is true unlike Spawn Astarion who pretends to be good for Tav
If i see that opinion again i will explode🫠
It's funny because Astarion will only approves if you persuade him not to perform the ritual.
A lot of people don't understand the concept of grey morality and it shows. Many people justify him but this type of AA fan thinks worse of him than he really is. He needs the ritual not because he's a power-hungry villain, but because he needs safety for himself and his lover. Depending on Tav/Durge's actions, he either stays with the feeling of fear (AA is still afraid deep inside, the game files confirm this) or he fights against it and becomes truly free of Cazador and fear (spawn ending). The dialogue with Durge about not being afraid is wonderful and shows difference between SA and AA.
Astarion: This little adventure of ours has taught me that we can't let our lives be ruled by fear. Or else we never really live. Astarion: I'm not afraid. Not of you, not of your darkness, and not of our future.
The point of the spawn ending is that Tav/Durge saw him as more than just an outward image of a power-hungry killer incapable of becoming a better person. But if you can't see beyond that image, he will think that he has no choice but to continue living in the world that Cazador has built for him. If you think that AA is his best ending because he is evil then you have failed to understand his whole personality.
I feel safe with you. Seen.
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Despite of his love of killing (he is a vampire after all), he repeatedly showed compassion and guilt for luring people. Before the ritual, he literally convinced himself that he should kill spawn for power. Astarion rationalises this to protect his psyche, because he’s clearly not the type of guy who can sacrifice thousands of people to the devil and not feel anything about it.
Durge/Tav: This isn’t you, Astarion. Not really. Astarion: It should be.
I really like that the player technically makes the insight check and that there’s an advantage when they're romancing Astarion. Tav/Durge could see through the image Astarion was trying to create. They saw an elf whose fear prevented him from seeing all the possibilities.
Astarion: When I look at my future, anything and everything feels possible now.
Just as Astarion saw Durge not just as serial killer, but as someone who could defeat Urge and become a better person.
Durge: I am myself at last. You don't need to fear anything from me ever again. Astarion: I knew you had that sweat heart all along. I was alarmed by you sometimes, scandalised even, but somehow by your side, I still only ever saw you.
AA fans also often ignore the fact that the game has good and bad endings in the companion stories. And it's not about morality. All companion quests are literally about how the desired and obvious path leads to a bad ending. And Astarion is no exception. In a good ending, he gets the chance to heal and finally acceptes himself and his vampire nature, in a bad ending, he gives up and regresses as a person.
Spawn Astarion knows what he wants and says it. SA is ready for a relationship and sex. Ascended Astarion can’t answer the question of what he wants, so he acts as a vampire lord should. AA is literally back to the state of the first act and has started manipulating Tav/Durge through sex again (even repeating the same phrases). This is why he doesn’t really want sex (he approves if you choose the no sex option and he definitely dissociated during the sex scene) unlike Spawn Astarion who initiated it.
Spawn Astarion is the same Astarion who enjoys “murder and terror” and you can see that clearly in his “hero” ending (more like “antihero”). And this is the ending without romance, he chose it himself. And the whole idea of him pretending to be good for Tav is actually meaningless without romance.
Ascended Astarion is the same Astarion, but stuck in a black and white world of fear and domination.
SA scene ends with hope music (instrumental version of I want to live) AA scene ends with chains.
And there’s so much more. Larian specifically showed the difference between good and bad endings in the dialogues, scenes after ritual, recent updates and even the interview so people would definitely understand, but they didn't🙃 Some AA fans (especially on youtube and larian forum) are on a new level of delusion.
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bloodlust-1 · 1 year ago
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You’re too sweet for me ₊ ⊹ part 2
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Halsin x fem Tav (dark urge) — Explicit 18+
Summary: Tav takes a dip in the river to calm those pesty dark thoughts, hoping it'd help settle these murderous urges. But things turn interesting when Halsin finds her, offering to keep her company in the water. If only he knew just how pure he was in her eyes, a shame it'd be to destroy such an image.
TW: SMUT!
Note: Enjoy sinners.
-> Part 1 <-
AO3
Lovely photo by @moonslittlestar
He leaned in, pressing tender kisses along Tav’s neck, feeling the litter of goosebumps under his lips. His tongue traced delicate patterns along the sensitive veins of her skin, sending waves of pleasure through her body. Tav closed her eyes and surrendered to the tingly sensation of his lips.
Halsin nipped at Tav’s skin, his teeth enticingly grazing her nape. With each touch, he left behind a trail of gentle marks that faded darker into hickeys on her collarbones.
The warmth of his saliva felt like firey lava on her skin. Tav's breath hitched in response to every touch, bite, and suck.
Her chest rose and fell rapidly, arching into his touch. Her teeth caught her lower lip, releasing soft sighs that mingled in the air. In a husky breath, Halsin groaned into her skin.
He was enjoying himself in her body. Like a follower worshipping their god.
The heat built heavily into the air, and then, a small gasp. Halsin had found Tav's nipple between the grit of his teeth. Nibbling on the bud with a rough gentleness.
It hurt too good, and she was not surprised that Halsin was delivering so well.
“You’re better than I thought.” She complimented breathily.
With a pop noise, Halsin released her nipple, “I was afraid to hurt you…" He bites down at the plush of her breast roughly, leaving behind a purple bruise, "I could have tried to be gentle, but I don't think you're interested in such softness."
Okay, now she was intrigued by his words. Tav pulled him in for another tender yet passionate kiss. It was full of teeth and tongue with the occasional lip tug.
Halsin responded quickly, lowering her body closer to his as their kiss deepened. Her fingers traced patterns on his scalp and shoulders, eliciting soft groans with a hint of pain from him.
"Take me out of this water before I change my mind." Tav roughly bit down on his earlobe, whispering dominantly into his ear.
Halsin held Tav close in his arms, pushing past the river's waves. Tav’s heart raced as she felt the strength of his embrace, her breath quickening with anticipation. He occasionally bit down at her neck, sucking until it bruised under his tongue.
When they reached the shore, Halsin laid Tav down on the soft sand, their bodies glistening with droplets of water. Their lips met again, roughly ravaging each other while Halsin's hands kneaded Tav's breasts between his fingers.
Tav’s nails traced red lines into Halsin’s back, and a mixture of pleasure and pain danced off his tongue. It wasn't anything he couldn't take.
Their kisses were passionate and intense, until her palms met Halsin's chest, and pushed him with a gentle but firm tug away from the kiss.
He hovered over her with fast breaths, confused.
Tav spoke threw each ragged breath, "Lay back."
Halsin obeys her wishes, laying his back against the soft sand. With the softest touch, Tav climbed up his body, slowly, teasingly. She burned kisses into his chest, neck, and cheekbones while positioning herself perfectly to sit upon his face.
The eyes of a hunter stare down at its prey. This hunk of an elf was no match for Tav's uncanny attitude and desires. Although, this was new for him, exciting.
With watering lips, Halsin peered up at Tav. From his pov, her wet hair hung over her face, her chest dripping with water off her breasts, and then - the pheromones of the juiciest fruit nature could offer.
He wetted his lips and waited for her command.
Tav rolled her eyes light-heartedly, "Must I give you permission for everything? Do you not know how to eat when people put food in front of your face?"
"Of course I do. I don't need an introduction for such a treat. I'll enjoy this more than you." Promise lingered in his words.
And it brought a smile to her face.
His tongue teased the outside of her folds, tasting the sweet tinge on his tongue. Tav pushed her hips closer to his mouth, practically smothering him between her thighs.
Nails dug into her hips as Halsin held onto them, forcing her even closer than before. This caused her clit to be smothered perfectly against his mouth. And his tongue didn't take long to find it.
Halsin's tongue flickers and circles eagerly on her clit, rewarding him with the sweetest moans. It'd been the nicest thing he's heard Tav speak this entire night.
Her hips rocked against his face and his cheeks had flushed a deep red shade. The blood boiled in his face and his eyes squinted tightly when the sharpness of Tav's nails dug into his scalp.
Her moans were rapid and sloppy, constantly gasping between Halsin's licks. She loved the way his face looked buried between the plush of her thighs. It fit him quite nicely.
Tav's hips swayed and Halsin's hands directed her riding his face, pulling and pushing the rock of her hips.
Tav tangled her fingers between the braids of his hair and went stiff, "F-Fuck.." Her words trembled and Halsin knew she was coming close, "Don't..Nghh - M-Move.."
Halsin fluttered his eyelashes up at her and nodded his head 'yes' continuously. His groans between her folds vibrated against her clit, making Tav throw her head back with whimpers.
Tav wanted so badly to stain his face with something more than just those tattoos.
A yelp ripped out of her lungs and she trembled and twitched under Halsin's hold, coming undone into his mouth. She could feel the warmth of his tongue dancing on her core, licking up the cum.
Tav hunched over, her palms firmly on the ground between his head, horasly catching her breath.
"You taste absolutely lovely." Halsin pops his mouth off her core, licking the corners of his mouth. His chin was covered with his spit, juices, and white slick.
Something clicked in Halsin. If he continued to let her bully him into pleasure, she'd never look at him as an equal. Only someone who can take instruction very well, not that he minded.
The time was now.
In her moment of vulnerability, Halsin grabbed Tav by her hips, lifted her back onto the sand with a soft, thud. She gasped, quickly clutching onto his shoulders before Halsin wrapped his large hand around her neck.
He squeezes lightly, pulling her up to meet his lips, but he doesn't kiss her. instead, he spoke with a deadly tone she'd never heard before, "I'm going to fuck you until every living creature knows my name."
Tav's eyes went wide and she opened her mouth, only a whimper coming out.
"Shh..There now, my heart...The only thing I want to hear is my name cry out your lips." He squeezed her throat, forcing her chin up before crashing a searing kiss on her lips.
"Now - be a good girl for me."
Tav's eyes darted down, eyeing the hardened length between his legs. And gods, was it absolutely huge. Her mouth watered at the thought of even fitting that deep in her.
"Impress me, druid." Her eyes challenged Halsin with a cheeky smirk.
Oh she was so close, if only that pretty mouth didn’t sour it.
Halsin put his hands on her knees, spreading her legs slowly apart and watching the folds of her core expose to the cool air.
Hooded eyes bore down on Tav like a peace offering. Her body folded in every way perfectly, with curves as smooth as a petal. Halsin leaned over and pressed kisses into her stomach, looking up at her as he did.
“You’re beautiful.” He mummered between kisses, suddenly planting a kiss on her core.
“M-mmmh…” She squirmed slightly, arching her back up in an attempt to follow his fleeting kisses.
Halsin's knees dug into the sand while his hand dipped into Tav's core, collecting the excess juices she provided, leaving his fingers coated in slick.
He then used that to coat his cock with his already pre-cummed tip. Slowly pumping his fist a couple times to wet his shaft.
Tav looked down at him with glistening eyes. Just how far could she fit him before it started to hurt?
The veins on his hardened length bulged out and begged to be buried deep in Tav. The invisible string pulled them closer and closer until his tip eagerly rested perfectly on her entrance.
Tav locked eye with him, not a single stammer in her words.
"Fuck me."
A sly smile crossed both their features.
His hips slowly fed inch by inch into her wet core. She took him well, except for the stretching pain more than halfway down his length. Tav dug her fingers into the sand with gritted teeth.
"Look at you." His fingers tickled her legs in small strokes, "Taking me in so well."
"Ahh...You're so big." Tav squirmed and adjusted her hips closely into his, causing a deep chuckle to rattle Halsin's lips.
"Hah - I know, love." He hunched over her body and positioned himself comfortably between her legs.
A kiss was placed softly on her lips and it eased her of the slight discomfort, "You're doing good, relax and it'll feel much better." He whispered between gentle kisses.
She let out a breathy exhale and tried to relax her lower body, opening her legs wider which earned her praise.
"Very good girl."
Tav's eyes darted at him to such praise and her face turned a dark shade of red.
"Hmm...Is that what you wanted to hear after being so bratty?"
Tav averted her eyes and went silent, wrapping her legs around his waist and pulling him closer, deeper into her.
Halsin smiled softly, knowing already what the answer was. He began to jerk his hips in and out, skillfully, passionately, and possessively.
Their foreheads connected, breathing heavily amongst each other's lips. Tav's walls clenched and twitched around his girth, letting herself go in a plethora of moans and whimpers.
The bed of stars with Halsin hovering right above, it was the perfect POV. Not to mention the tingly sensation that tickled between her legs up her back.
Tav hungrily searched for his lips between the constant thrusts, causing her to bob like the river waves onto the shore.
Their teeth clashed in a fight for dominance, both moans mingling heavily between sloppy kisses. He reached to cup her ass, kneading and groping the plush while fucking harder and deeper.
His harsh thrusts buried himself deep in Tav's warm walls. The sounds of whimpers and smacking skin mixed with nature's atmosphere.
Tav dug her nails into his back, causing his blood to clot under her nails.
“Nnghh - fuck.” Halsin keened in both pain and pleasure - broken, raw moans leaving his mouth uncontrollably.
Tav smiled in satisfaction, the little evil thoughts in her head giggled at his every wince and whimper.
This smile didn't last too long, because Halsin suddenly shoved two fingers into her mouth, bullying his way inside her throat until she gagged and moaned around them.
His fingers rested in the sweet spot of her throat, making Tav's eyes gloss up so prettily.
Drool slicked down the side of her cheeks as her mouth hung open with hazy torn eyes. The tears streamed down her wet cheeks, and it was Halsin's direst imagination coming true.
And yet, even with gagged fingers in Tav's mouth, split apart on his cock, she still was shameless enough to be mouthy. Words muffled around his thick fingers and challenging eyes. “I want it more.”
His tone is teasing, but there's an undercurrent of seriousness that sounded so sweet in his voice, "You want it deeper, don't you? You want me to fill your cunt."
With strong arms, Halsin scooped Tav body on his lap, as he laid back and let go of her body completely. She sat perfectly on his length, twitching and trembling, gravity pulled her deeper until she was balls deep.
Tav mewled for a moment, her hands planted firmly on his broad chest. But Halsin jerked up into her just once, playfully edging her on, "Go on - show me just how much you want it."
Taking initiative, Tav dug her feet into the sand, arching her back. Her hands fell flat on his chest, knowing this would take a lot of her energy.
She leaned into her arms and began to bounce up and down on Halsin, groaning against the sweet bliss of him slipping in and out of her.
Their skin smacked against each other, and Halsin watched in complete awe as Tav's body crashed against his, her breaths and every plush of her body bouncing to her plunges.
Tav practically moaned out her lungs, fucking his cock until her knees burned and her body crumbled. But Halsin quickly grabbed a handful of her hips, using his strength to help her continue bouncing.
Their stomachs knotted into a ball of pleasure, sending tingles up their spine that dared to send them over the edge. Tav stared down at Halsin, noticing the flicker of yellow magic in his eyes with ever twitch she felt deep in her womb.
Slamming down, up, and down, Tav fucked him at a merciless pace. Loving every bit of attention he gave to her, pleasuring him.
Tav moaned out his name, knowing it would be music to Halsin's ears.
Purposely, Tav clenched her walls around him, pulling him over the edge with a yelp from their climax as both their juices spilled into each other. While Tav still bounced, the sound of juices swashed and sloppily dripped down Halsin's hips.
"Fuck - Tav..!" He breathlessly clutched tightly on her hips, forcing her into place.
She melted down onto his chest and met the swell of his lips, tongue exploring his moist mouth. She devoured his lips and lavishly kissed him with such passion.
Tav knew Halsin would forever be at her mercy, always remembering this moment when he lays lonely at night.
And there were soo many days to come.
She expects to see him more often, sauntering over after the sun goes down.
Tav traced small circles into his chest, feeling his heavy beating heart under her own, "I think we need another bath, huh? What do you say?"
There were hearts practically in his eyes. "Y-Yes...Just...I need a moment to catch my breath and I will carry you there, my heart."
A smile spread across her face, a look of trouble in her eyes, "That's what I like to hear."
Any thoughts? Comment 👇🏼 I love to engage!
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the-rebel-archivist · 6 months ago
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Finally finished Veilguard a few days ago and took some time to process and put my thoughts in order. In brief: 8/10 game as a whole, a really fantastic gaming experience, but 5 or even 4/10 as a dragon age game since it does no meaningful exploration of any nuance or moral complexity and seems to have forgotten what made Thedas distinct. My thoughts, critical and positive, coming from a place of love for the series with little to no spoilers:
Thedas has always been special to me because it was a nuanced world. Different groups had different opinions based on their pasts. City elves and the dalish had divergent histories. Injustice against magic was common, but you could understand the justification for it even when you didn’t agree. Now, the worldbuilding is flattened. A mageocracy is fine, it’s only bad apples. Slavery is never addressed. City and dalish elves are basically the same but one lives in the forest. There’s no conflict about what’s best from each individuals’ perception, all groups are monoliths.
“Elves won’t follow the gods just because they’re elves,” yes they would, in past lore. Perhaps not all but some would - these are their Creators. The game refuses to deal with religious belief in any meaningful way, to the point that I don't know if its impact is fully understood. Dalish religion is as much about cultural preservation as religion and it would be CRUSHING to lose that connection to the past when it had been all you could cling to for thousands of years.
And no, seeking out relics of Arlathan would not make up for the foundation of your society shattering and what that would mean to the dalish. Bellara being guilty that her gods are evil is not the takeaway I expected when I thought the dalish would explore that everything they believed was a lie. I'd also like to briefly comment on how an elf can comment that they weren’t raised dalish but adopted their tattoos. Their closed practice tattoos. Closed even to city elves unless they fully joined a clan. Removing cultural boundaries didn’t make the material less 'problematic', it just created a new blind spot.
“They’d never sanitize the Crows” I said before release. Assassins who walked the line between murderer and hero depending on perspective. But in this game they give you absolute truth: they’re freedom fighters. Responsible government who, the mob is benevolent and that is never subverted. They see themselves as the 'good guys' and so they are.
“They wouldn’t put powerful mages in charge of the shadow dragons” I said. “Surely they will explore the nuance of Neve having the privilege of magic in a mageocracy even when she comes from a lower class beyond ‘everyone is welcome in the shadow dragons’.” “Surely if Maevaris is connected her intersectionality as a magister and altus and trans woman will come up - not what Tevinter expects, helping with change, but still privileged and upper class. Surely low class non mages and slaves would be leading the Shadow Dragons, not the powerful being benevolent.”
But no. All factions in the game are black and white, good and evil, no moral complexity. The bad people want power and collect bad people who want power and only bad people do bad things. The antagonists I liked most were the ones with a motivation beyond simply power and they were few.
And that’s setting aside the fact that all of the mystery and fantasy was removed from the setting by the end. The things that mattered before, the religious conflicts, the approaches to history? All false or meaningless now that we know absolute truth. Everything that set Dragon Age apart from generic fantasy was flattened. All of the lore for the world that I had spent hours, days, years in and creating fanfic for became simple groups of good and bad, subjectivity replaced by objective truth. It’s not a world I want to unravel and explore anymore.
That hurts more than the slap in the face that was every cameo and past reference. If they wanted a soft reboot, why include them at all? Every time I saw or heard about a past character or event I felt hurt and angry and it actively harmed my experience of the game. When the choices are pared down to only do something "meaningful" with them and then that meaningful thing is a codex that had been so disdained in dev comments? I do feel pretty let down. Especially when that codex isn’t even personalized.
They never use Rook or the inquisitor’s first name in text once. Vocal I get, but no codex? The Inquisitor, a person depersonalized into a symbol, signing off “Yrs. The Inquisitor” when we input their name in CC was a twist of the knife I didn’t expect. It’s like every time I lower my expectations to grant grace they need to be lowered yet again.
Similarly, the romances in the “most romantic game yet” are paper thin throughout the game depending on your choice, with few chances to truly connect on an emotional level and have deep conversations in some routes. It’s not all about kissing but having the chance to say how you feel, or try to.
But that’s part of a larger problem, that this is a “found family” but Rook is the outsider in it. Rook isn’t asked how they’re handling things or about who they are or what they want except by Solas. The team needs them to fix problems but has little interest in giving back. The companions are lovely, but I can’t help wishing they were friends with me and not just each other. Or wanted to romance me and not just each other, as they begin to flirt before I can and have more banter comments than the player romance. At least if no one got me I know Davrin got me.
These last comments are the reason it’s 8/10 as a game rather than 10/10 for me - the lore I care about but others won’t. The lack of connection is a genuine issue, along with how unbalanced it is depending on romance. I just feel sad at the lost potential to reflect and gain support from companions.
On a positive note, this is the most fun Dragon Age game I’ve ever played. The gameplay is top notch and combat is so fluid and fun. I felt excited to fight rather than dreading the next battle. Really getting into the roleplay of a slippery rogue
The environments are so gorgeous. Lighting, animation, level design, sound design, all spectacular. I’m bad with maps and yet I never got lost and always managed to find my way around. Secret passages to treasure were just the right length to be satisfying. The puzzles were exactly the right amount of investment for the reward. I never felt frustrated by them but also not disappointed by the simple ones, there was a good balance. I had a lot of fun uncovering them. So many areas looked like a perfect representation of thedosian places I had never been to and wanted to visit.
Every time I was in the necropolis it felt like coming home. Maybe it’s because the lore was the most similar to past lore, maybe it’s just because it was cool, but I loved being there. I loved the wisps most of all. And I loved Emmrich’s journey and sympathetic exploration of death. The Hossberg Wetlands were also a standout area. Absolutely horrible (complimentary). Evka and Antoine my beloveds and the environment storytelling was fantastic. Like a hideous combination of the Fallow Mire and Chateau d’Onterre and I was so there for it. Davrin’s story broke my last flight loving heart.
The set pieces and narrative flow in the major battles and main story missions is really wonderful. I also did enjoy the faction reactivity, even if there were few chances to explore the intersectionality of being a particular lineage with a particular faction. I’ll make our House proud Viago!
It’s such a fun game that when I play I can almost forget all of the things that I dislike until a codex or cameo punches me in the face. It has such great gameplay that I can finally discuss DA with my partner who refused to play the other games in the series. But what a monkey’s paw. I know from their previous work that they can foster nuance. From the art book that their instincts were there from the beginning. But somewhere after multiple reboots they made a world with contradiction and complexity removed, more reactive to fan discourse than to telling a complex narrative.
It kills me because if the nuance and subjectivity and moral complexity had been there, I would have considered this the best Dragon Age game ever made. It will always be the most fun. But it is legitimately more fun for people who don’t know lore than people who do, and that is soul-crushing. It's the most beautiful Thedas has ever been, and the least like Thedas it has ever felt.
I’ve played it once. I already started a replay. I enjoy the game a lot when I am playing it, overall. But I miss Thedas, and I miss that the “world worth saving” that I cared for is a slate wiped clean and this new world is a more simplistic place.
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roguishcat · 2 months ago
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The Best Laid Plans
Summary: Even the best laid plans may go wrong. Admittedly, Astarion's plan hadn't been that great to begin with. Part 2 of 'Part of His Plan'.
Pairing: Astarion x unnamed female Tav
Word count: 4k
Tags: Romance, Astarion is bad at feelings, Unnamed female Tav, Angst, Tooth-rotting fluff, Romance and feels
A/N: This story has a wonderful beta!! Thank you so much @preciouslittlebhaalbae! 💖💖💖 You are an absolute gem and the loveliest person ever for doing this! 🫂Thank you for your patience and kind suggestions! (because I'm a silly person who can't spot even obvious mistakes and @preciouslittlebhaalbae has the patience of a saint). You might remember me posting snippets from this back in January, so this is my second finished WIP for @thekindredcollective BG3 Spring Cleaning!
Hope you enjoy the story and please let me know what you think! 💖💖 Comments, likes and reposts are always loved! 💖💖
Tav had a shadow and its name was Astarion.
She didn’t notice immediately. She was far too concerned with saving Thaniel, breaking the curse, helping every single one of their companions on their personal quests, and combating the mindless creatures wanting to murder them from the moment they stepped out of the dome protecting the Last Light Inn.
At first, Tav thought that she was just imagining it. Because every time she looked up, she seemed to glimpse silver curls, feel feather-light touches of cool fingers on her neck, all but taste rosemary, bergamot and brandy on her tongue. This lasted only a moment, yet a moment was all he ever needed to leave a lasting impression on her.
At some point, Astarion seemed to decide to stop bothering to pretend that he wasn’t following Tav around, his ruby eyes all but boring holes into her back as he watched her closely.
Now, this wasn’t the first time that Astarion acted somewhat uncanny. Perhaps two hundred years of being forced to do someone’s bidding did that to an elf. Either way, Tav didn’t want to offend Astarion. So she chose not to comment on how odd his behaviour was.  
However, the longer they travelled, the more Astarion seemed to insert himself into every situation, making sure that he was at her side at all times. She would round a corner and bump into his leather-clad back. Walk down the stairs and he was already waiting for her, tapping his foot in an impatient manner as he scowled at whoever was walking behind her at the time.
Finally, when she almost tripped over him, Tav decided to ask Astarion about it.
"Astarion, is there something you want?"
"Me? Why would you ask such a thing, my sweet?" Astarion said with a crooked smile, and Tav noticed how tensely he held himself. A coil waiting to spring upward at a smallest tap.
"Well.. Lately, I've noticed that you’ve started to… hover."
Apparently, this was the wrong thing to say. His expression shuttered and he took a step back.
“And I take it that you’d rather I didn’t, is that it?”
“No, that’s not what I meant, I -”
"If you do not wish for my company, you can just come out and say so! Send me back to camp to wallow in misery as Gale attempts to engage me in decidedly unengaging conversation," Astarion all but hissed at her.
Astarion regretted snapping at her almost immediately. He knew that it was uncalled for. Tav was nothing but kind and accommodating. But he couldn’t help the bitterness he felt when seeing her treat everyone else with the same thoughtfulness, the same caring. Was her protecting him nothing but an obligation? Was Tav offering her neck to him time and time again something that she would have done for any soul that needed sustenance? To him, it seemed that lately she led without making sure that he followed. Was whatever they shared coming to its logical conclusion sooner than he anticipated?
"I didn't say that I don't want you around," Tav frowned and took a careful step towards him, trying to mitigate the conflict before they started arguing in earnest. "I just want to make sure that everything is alright."
"As is your duty, my fair leader. To check up on any and all lost causes that seek your company, hm?"
Tav wasn’t sure exactly what he meant. His words felt cruel, though, and she felt herself flush.
"Sometimes I don't understand what you want from me, Astarion.”
He winced at how hurt she sounded. Another, better adjusted person, would be quick to apologise. Blame it all on being tired and frazzled, suggest with a rueful smile that the shadows were getting to him. Yet, Astarion only watched as Tav walked past the rest of the party. Shadowheart and Karlach, who had been standing nearby, choose not to comment on the exchange.
He'd rather have one of them punch him than have them silently disapprove. At least then he’d pretend he was angry at his companions rather than himself. Anger was familiar territory. Fear was nothing new. Whatever he felt now was a different, unfamiliar brand of torture.
An hour later Astarion found himself nervously pacing up and down his tent. Or at least doing something as close to pacing as he could in such cramped quarters. His thoughts a flurry of worries and poorly supressed insecurities, Astarion had no idea how to fix this mess. He wasn’t even sure why he was so worried about it in the first place.
By now he knew Tav well enough to be certain that she would not banish him. She would not do that to any of them without just cause. And no matter how unreasonable and hurtful he had been, she would not leave him to die.
So why did he want to fix this so badly? Surely not because he was worried that whatever this was, whatever tentative trust he’d managed to establish between them, would be over come morning once she had some time to think? Because even someone as forgiving as Tav had her limits. She was kind and warm, accepting and generous; but she was no fool.
Astarion stopped abruptly and put his arms around himself.
He had to fix this. Somehow.
Turning to his trunk, he lifted the lid and rummaged around, digging up the bottle that he was saving for a special occasion. Grovelling for his lover to forgive him seemed like special occasion enough.
Then Astarion spent an age making sure that he looked his best. After all, presentation was half the victory!
Thus primped and primed - and carrying a peace offering - Astarion stalked through the night, making sure to avoid his campmates. He really did not feel like getting some unsolicited advice from anyone for the time being.
Standing in front of the tent, he suddenly felt nervous. A strange, sick feeling in his stomach, he found he was unsure if he wanted to know what Tav would say to him.
Taking a breath he didn’t need, Astarion plastered his best smile on his face and moved the tent flap aside.
"Dearest, how about we both choose to be adults about this and make up, hm?"
"Sure," Tav said without looking up from whatever she was doing, effectively dismissing him. Clearly, it was 'thanks for the half-baked apology', but 'no thanks' to spending an evening together. Choosing to soldier on against all odds, Astarion pretended that he could not read her body language and sat down beside her on the bedroll.
"Now... Can I tempt you with some wine? Or perhaps with some other… delights?" Astarion drawled seductively, fingers dancing down the wine bottle’s curved side.
He was a vision and he knew it. Hair coiffed just so, shirt slightly loose and showing off more alabaster skin than usual. It was a very tempting sight, if only Tav were in the mood to be tempted.
She didn’t even look up.
"I'm a little busy right now."
Astarion fought back a scowl. He was finding that maintaining a charming façade was quite a challenge when Tav was so decidedly against playing along. Yet, he was not about to give up. Oh, he would not be ignored so easily! He didn’t spend an age getting ready, thinking of what he was going to say, and bringing the bottle of wine that Shadowheart squirreled away, just to be turned down. He would not spend the night alone in his own tent!
Astarion chuckled breathily. "Aren't you always? Which is why you should really let your hair down once in a while,” he dropped his voice an octave, inching towards her. “Live a little, whilst there is still living to be done."
There was a pause, and he would hold his breath if he still needed to draw it.
"Fine," Tav sighed, her shoulders sagging. "Wine, please."
"And whilst you are enjoying a goblet or two, I will fix that tear in your shirt I noticed earlier."
"You don't have to."
"But I want to. Allow yourself to be the one taken care of, for once. Or are you truly that upset with me that you would rather have to walk about with that tear?"
"I'm not upset with you. I'm angry with myself."
Now that was a development that he could not have foreseen. Angry with herself? Whatever had she done?
"Care to share why?"
"Not really."
It seemed that Tav definitely was not in the mood to make this easy for him. Luckily, he knew just how to engage her in conversation.
"And here I thought that we would play that question game you are so fond of! Go on, dearest. Question for question, as is our way."
Ah, finally a little smile for his efforts.
"I suppose.”
Tav took a sip from her goblet, eyes widening when she realised that the wine was actually pleasant. Honestly, did she really think that he wouldn’t bring something half-palatable?
"That's the enthusiastic answer I was hoping for! Now come on, off with your shirt."
Tav put her wine down and pulled the fabric of her shirt up, his eyes following the ascent as soft skin was revealed inch by tantalising inch. He ignored the unbidden, surprising urge to put his lips onto her neck, not to feed but to taste.
Tav handed him the shirt and as their fingers brushed, Astarion was glad that she wasn’t in any hurry to get away from him, allowing him to hold her hand in his.
“So um… same as last time? A question for a question?”
She moved her hand, leaving his digits to cool once her warmth was gone.
“Yes,” he cleared his throat, “that seems reasonable.”
Tav stood up to get the sewing kit and a spare shirt. This gave him ample opportunity to admire her now that her back was turned. One wouldn’t want to be accused of staring! She slid the shirt on quickly, scars disappearing under the simple cloth, making him once again wonder what the story behind those was.
Tav was usually so forthcoming, answering questions without much hesitation or worry. He could understand why someone would be hesitant to talk about scars, but by the gods was he curious to find out the story behind hers!
Seeing that he probably was still in the proverbial doghouse, Astarion decided to start small.
“What is your favourite thing to eat?”
Tav looked at him over her shoulder as she adjusted her clothes.
“I’m surprised you want to know something so boring.”
“My sweet, when it comes to you, nothing could be boring,” he purred, putting his goblet to his lips and looking at her over the rim in a way that had made hundreds swoon.
Tav smiled and sat down on her bedroll, but otherwise did not seem to be affected by his act of seduction. How annoying.
“Well, whilst Gale’s efforts to make something edible out of whatever we manage to come across is close to miraculous, I do miss Baldurian Mash.”
Seeing the look on his face, Tav giggled, “Too common for your tastes?”
“On the contrary!” Astarion laughed. “I am quite sure that I too enjoyed something like this back when… well. Back when I could enjoy the taste of food.”
Tav’s face softened as he muttered the last part. Astarion shifted uncomfortably and took a gulp of his wine. Damn her and that look! Who even looked at people like that! Only Tav did, in his experience.
“As we are on the subject of food, why did you choose me to snack on? Surely others looked just as appealing?” Tav teased.
The truth was at the time he had already known enough about Tav to put his faith in her, to trust her to at least listen to his explanations. He had been almost certain that the others would strike him down for even attempting to come near their necks. Lae’zel would have probably skinned him alive, given the chance. Even now she occasionally questioned whether he was useful enough to keep around.
Astarion poured her more wine, thinking about the best way to answer her question.
“Perhaps you simply looked delicious enough for a predator such as myself to want to take a bite,” Astarion flirted without looking away, attempting to ascertain her mood.
Tav’s lips quirked into a smile and she took a sip of her wine.
“Or perhaps you had already established your reputation as a do-gooder, unable to turn away anyone imploring you to help them. Pick whichever reason you like, dearest,” Astarion shrugged.
Tav gave him a look that made Astarion both nervous and excited. Not exactly a combination a seasoned professional such as he could afford to feel. Maintaining his cool was crucial, he reminded himself. He could not afford to lose focus. Eyes on the prize and all that. The prize being Cazador's head on a silver platter, of course. Not the love of the woman in front of him. Or something equally ridiculous.
“What are you thinking of doing once our adventure is over? Assuming we don’t all die in some horrible manner.”
“I'm not sure," Tav started, "I might stay in Baldur’s Gate for a while. Assuming my house is still intact.”
“You’re from Baldur’s Gate?”
“Yes. Is it so hard to believe?”
“Hah! And I here I was, thinking that you were a country girl through and through. Meeting each sunrise and sundown in some picturesque little village where all the neighbours call each other by their names.”
Tav huffed and moved to punch his biceps without putting much force behind it.
“Oh, don’t get angry.” Astarion caught her fist and put his lips to her knuckles, fangs moving across skin without breaking it. “It’s a compliment, if anything.”
“I will choose to take it as one.” Tav gave a little laugh and pulled back, making Astarion release her hand.
Perhaps he worded it in a way that did not necessarily sound like praise, but he just could not believe that someone as kind and warm as Tav could be a Baldurian. In spite of being thoroughly and repeatedly defiled by him, she still carried that air of sweetness about her. And whilst this irritated him initially, it was… nice. Pleasant to be around someone who did something for others without any ulterior motive. Just out of the goodness of her heart. It was quite frankly a miracle that she hadn’t been killed yet.
Thinking about her mortality had him taking a furtive glance at her side, where the worst of her scars were.
 “About your scars, and you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, how did you get them?”
Tav’s fingers clutched her goblet a little tighter before she caught herself and made a show of wanting to put it down by the bedroll without tipping it over on the uneven surface.
“No, it’s fine. It’s not much of a story. Just a silly girl falling in love with the wrong person only to find out he was using me for his own gain. So, you are right, in a way. Perhaps I wasn’t quite made to live in the city.”
It wasn’t much, but the way her shoulders hunched, her pained expression, her looking at anything but him felt… wrong. To Astarion, Tav was annoyingly righteous, stupidly brave, incredibly stubborn, frustratingly selfless. She was all that and so much more. She deserved better from the world and seeing her look so small made him want to hurt something.
“About earlier…” Tav began tentatively.
“My words were uncalled for. I apologise. I didn’t-”
He wanted to say that he didn’t mean any of it. He wanted to tell her that he just found himself hating that she gave her precious attention to anyone else when he wanted it for himself. He wanted to tell her many things. Naturally, he didn’t say any of them.
“I know. Which is why I was angry at myself. We are all under so much pressure, it’s a wonder that we aren’t constantly at each other’s throats.”
“I was disappointed with myself for thinking that you were like him,” Tav picked her goblet up and took a sip. “Because at that moment, I looked at your face and I saw a spectre that haunted my waking days. And it was wrong of me to assume that you were like that. So, I’m sorry too.”
Astarion felt like someone sucker punched him. Hells, he’d rather she did punch him. Pain he could take. He was used to pain over the years. But this- this raw honesty, the way she looked at him when she said that, the faith she was placing in him-
Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
“Astarion? Are you okay?”
He was not. Because this was wrong. His nice, simple plan had backfired so spectacularly and in a way he could never have imagined.
Shit.
She was waiting for an answer.
“Yes, of course, dearest! Why wouldn’t I be? We made up! I am well, you are well. All is well,” Astarion put both of their goblets of wine away and then moved towards Tav with an intense look in his ruby eyes.
“Just perfect.” Astarion whispered the last part and pressed his lips to hers to stop Tav from asking any more questions.
Astarion lowered Tav onto the bedroll, one hand behind her head, the other on her hip. Slowly, taking his time to savour the softness of her skin, he trailed his fingers up. The fabric of her shirt bunched as his hand traced the contours of her body and settled just below her breast.
“Are you sure?” He felt warm breath against his lips as they broke apart.
Instead of replying, Astarion put his mouth on Tav’s neck, fangs grazing sensitive flesh, her heartbeat strong in his ears. Her blood called to him, but he didn’t dare bite.
He would tell her everything. And he would tell her soon. Because the thought of him being in any way like that vile man who dared to use her and scar her, to put that dejected look on her face, was something that Astarion could not bear.
His movements grew more frantic as he removed the last of the barriers between their bodies, wanting, needing to do enough that she would stay.
Because whilst he didn’t want to examine his feelings for Tav too much, not daring to hope for anything, he was terrified of what the consequences of his deception would be. 
When Tav opened her eyes the next morning, Astarion was still in her tent, his deft fingers moving with precision and making quick work of the tear in her shirt.
“Good morning,” she murmured, pushing her messy hair out of her face. Gods, she must truly look a sight.
“Good morning, my sweet,” Astarion replied without looking up, seemingly too focused on his task to pay her much attention.
Tav didn’t expect Astarion to still be here in the morning. Not that she wanted him gone. On the contrary, his staying the night was nice. The thought that he wanted to stay made her blush.
Except Tav had a small problem now. She had to get dressed and Astarion was still here. She could hobble about with her bedsheet wrapped around her body, but she would probably just end up falling forward like a graceless lump. And that was less than ideal when one was in the company of the most attractive, stunning elf.
Astarion seemed to be busy enough not to pay her any attention. And Tav hoped that she didn’t look as horrible with her hair sticking up oddly and pillow lines on her face. She quickly brushed it back and tried to tame it by running her fingers through it.
And then she saw a ghost of smirk on those mocking lips. Oh, he knew what she was doing. And he was laughing at her! That ass. That gorgeous, beautiful bastard! She would show him!
Thus, filled with a strong resolve – that is to show Astarion that he could not have her flustered and stuttering over just a smirk - Tav turned around and rose, stretching her muscles in a feline manner that had ruby eyes following her every move. Astarion’s pupils dilated and his nostrils flared, one fang worrying his lower lip.
“How are you feeling this morning?” He gave his work a quick glance before cutting the thread.
“Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and ready to infiltrate Moonrise Towers, actually.” Tav quickly (but not too quickly!) dressed and went at her hair with a comb.
“Hm, seeing as how little sleep you got last night, I’d thought you would be postponing that little outing of ours.” Astarion delighted in a little squeak she gave as she dropped her comb.
“Well, I’m fine. But if you are too tired to come with us today, perhaps I can ask someone else to accompany me.”
“Someone else? Perish the thought lest you wish to perish!” Astarion rose in one graceful movement, taking a step and then another towards her. “Who can possibly watch your back better than yours truly?”
“No one can,” Tav conceded easily. She felt cool fingers on her waist as Astarion handed her the mended shirt.
“Thank you.”
“Darling, the only thanks I need is you not leaving me behind today,” he gave a breezy, lilting laugh, wondering if acting nonchalant would be enough to convince himself that her answer did not matter to him.
Please, don’t ever leave me behind.
“I wouldn’t.”
Because I’d rather take a chance on you than wonder what could have been had I been braver.
“Wise. Having Gale try his hand at picking locks could only end in disaster.”
I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if you got hurt.
“Oh, can you imagine! No, we need your magic touch and sneaky ways to make sure we are undetected,” she teased him and his eyes were momentarily drawn to the dimples on her cheeks. He wanted to kiss them, then make his way down the column of her neck, and then lower still until she couldn’t tell him to stop.
They were still holding the shirt, fabric bunching as fingers moved closer. Astarion let go of cloth, hesitant fingertips brushing against warm knuckles as Tav looked at him in a way that he had thought he caught her look at others.
And yet…
Perhaps it was simply a trick of the light. Or his mind playing games with him. Just wishful thinking on his part. But Astarion could not help but think that there was something more between them. Something precious and beautiful that bloomed to life among all the carnage and horror that was his life.
“Tav?” He swallowed nervously.
“Yes?”
“I-”
“Breakfast is ready!”
Saved by Gale, out of all people.
And yet…
Astarion felt a wave of disappointment as he watched Tav quickly put on her shirt, the magic of the moment broken, and they were thrust harshly back into their reality.
And yet…
When Tav took his hand and led him out of the tent, her thumb tracing circles on his cool skin, Astarion wondered if this could be real. If they could be real. Tav put her faith in him, chose to trust a predator with her life. He had thought her a fool. Now, as he looked at how radiant she looked even in these listless, lifeless lands, he wondered if he could summon a fraction of her courage and put his faith in her.
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