#i can NOT play the game without having yes man as a companion

[andy-wm]

Moving out, Moving in

Mission accomplished by sleight of hand?

This is just a collection of thoughts so it's probably full of holes, but it seems to me that Jimin and Jungkook always have a plan in motion.

I guess it's not surprising since they live and work in a fast paced environment in which most of their waking hours are scheduled to the max. It's not just the day to day that's planned down to the wire, their albums and tours are planned years ahead of time and coordinated with military precision.

Their lives run on plans and schedules

Random anecdote: Someone I was friendly with a couple of years ago worked on the BTS Samsung ads as a translator. She described how she was expected to be awake and ready to take calls and edit copy at literally any time of the day or night. Hybe does not sleep. There are staff all over the world, working around the clock. Time is money.

We've all heard these stories, right? So we can imagine the project/event management going on there. The place must run like a Swiss watch.

When you live like that it becomes your normal, so i have no doubt ALL the members are used to planning out their lives.

Also, when you have hardly any free time you use it carefully. If you want to do anything you have to plan and schedule it.

I'm not suggesting they project manage all these things on their own. What's the point of having an endless well of money if you can't hire people to help you make life happen the way you want it to. But I am saying they would know that if they don't plan it, it aint gonna happen.

So, back to Jikook and their plans.

Solo albums

Despite how different their solo album were in terms of musical styles and themes, their promotional materials were astonishingly similar. From colour palettes to photo styling to identical outfits they were far too similar for it to be a coincidence. In fact, if those albums had been people walking down a street they would have been couple dressing without a doubt.

Are You Sure

The travel adventures they squeezed in between deadlines and performances must have been carefully orchestrated too.

Home sweet home

And let's not forget Jungkook finding time to design, plan, and execute the building of the Itaewon house in between everything else.

They plan down to the fine details. And they also play the long game. It's how they're used to operating.

Keep that in mind as i move onto the next thought. This is the interesting bit...

Military service.

It's a reality for every able bodied man in Korea. For a group like BTS it's another thing that would have been carefully considered. Enlistment timing, yes, and every other variable they could choose: locations, divisions, roles etc.

They would have been thinking about their options for MS from the time they were eligible to enlist. Jungkook would have been acutely aware that his tattoos would prevent him from doing anything in security. But that didn't prevent him from inking up his whole arm.

So, we can assume other plans or priorities for MS existed even then.

And those plans included a major decision:

Companion enlistment.

They would have thought carefully about this, having heard all the horror stories of how it can go wrong.

Besides that, despite being dismissed as no biggie by most of the fandom it is extremely rare for idols to enlist as companions.

I did the research. There might be one other occurrence of this. Enlisting at the same time does happen (still rare) but as companions... almost never.

It meant their enlistment was even more newsworthy. They must have known it would highlight their closeness. Was that a conscious choice too?

Maybe.

Everyone, not just jikookers, knows they're inseparable now. It's proof for those who needed it that their relationship is genuine and not fan service.

If they were concerned about how their relationship was perceived i guess thats a bonus. But they coukd have just been more visible in Seoul.

So I'm still asking myself... why?

Why take the chance? Why risk the relationship? So many couples just have to deal with the MS separation, it's simply a fact of life. All the other members had to go through it alone. Jimin and Jungkook could have done it too. They spent months barely seeing each other when they were on solo schedules.

And I'm absolutely not denying they most likely wanted to be together if at all possible. But besides that, what could be gained? Its a long game, remember... so what could be their ultimate goal here?

Where will this lead?

What comes next for them?

Logically the biggest thing for any of the members one they've completed their MS, is their adult life. On a personal level it's the next step.

Nobody is naive enough to think these guys are still going to play boyfriend to the fandom. Not when Hobi our sunshine, who wouldn't even show his armpit on camera, describes the Sweet Dreams lyrics as BEST HOT SEX and then adds 'am I right?' with a smirk because he knows ARMY are all adults too (or that's the part of the fandom he's choosing to engage with).

There's going to be an expectation - or for some ARMYs a resigned acceptance - that the members will actively date, maybe settle down and have a long term partner or a family. But it's only acceptable for those who are going to date or marry a woman. It'd have to be an unknown and discreet or better yet totally secret lover if they're with any other gender.

Which brings us back to Jikook

So what might adult life look like for our lovebirds?

<<content warning: unbridled speculation>>

As a person who believes they're in a long term intimate relationship with plans for a future together, i think they'd want to share a home.

Could they share a home & future?

Imagine the absolute pandemonium that would ensue if Jimin and Jungkook suddenly paired up and set up house together. It would be wild. Possibly the most scandalous thing to ever happen to kpop. The press would roast them, carve them up, and serve the to the nation for dinner. Every conservative right wing mouthpiece would have an opinion on their morality. It would be hideous.

Unless....

Unless they didn't need to suddenly pair up because they were already living together!

Like maybe... as companion enlisted soldiers. And not just any ordinary soldiers but cream of the crop, highly commended, much adored soldiers. Soldiers who have done their nation proud together.

By enlisting together they've already bridged the possibly fatal social chasm they needed to navigate (aka rampant homophobia) if they wanted to move in together.

They ALREADY live together

They've done the hard bit.

It would be no big deal, really to continue to do so. All they'll be doing is relocating to the house in Itaewon.

And my goodness what serendipitous timing... the build was completed while they were snuggled up in their barracks so there's no awkward in between stage. They can just slide right in to their cosy new home and nobody can really say a thing.

What a cunning plan

Now before anyone yells at me of course i have no idea what their plans are. Zero. Nobody does except their trusted circle. This is entirely fabricated. But ya know what?

It's also entirely possible.

💜🏠💛

[meanbossart]

DU DROW LORE ASK COMPILATION: COMPANIONS, ASTARION'S READING HABITS, AND HIS LONG-INQUIRED OPINIONS ABOUT BODILY WASTE REVEALED.

I don't think "discussed" is the right word, more so mocked her for her blind faith and got into brief spats. It was precisely Shadowheart's water-off-a-duck's-back attitude towards his remarks that kind ingratiated her to him - DU drow spoke his mind, she took it in stride and remained firm in her beliefs without arguing or trying to push it on him. That, alongside the fact that they are surprisingly similar people is what brought them together as friends.

Even long after the events of the game he's still opposed to her hopping from Shar to Selune, also. Shadowheart's attachment to religion is simply something they agree to disagree about.

Can I answer your question with one of my own?

Am I the only idiot that killed her in their first run LOL

BUT YES, he killed Lae'zel when she tried to murder suicide the camp and I went through the whole game without her. I didn't go to the creche either!

I have since had other runs and she's actually one of my favorite characters, I just haven't had the chance to draw her yet.

ACTUALLY - scratch that. I've drawn her once-

Somewhat! But not really. He genuinely just likes jewelry, and rings are the only kind that suit his life-style (necklaces and earrings are a hazard during fighting) this is a reference to his bhaalist days when he used to be completely covered in the stuff day and night.

Hence why he finds them comforting to have on in some way or another. They change around because he gets bored of/misplaces runs out of fingers to wear the new rings that he loots constantly.

The great link in question

I don't know if it's been made clear enough, but DU drow's love for Astarion is borderline pathological, LOL. He's got a good humor about things and Astarion is definitely no stranger to having little quips and jokes made at his expense (a few references to him being Pointy And Long here and there, for sure), but the guy overwhelmingly adores him and thinks he's always the prettiest girl at the ball, even when he gets in his face and his nose looks huge.

I'll be honest, Astarion strikes me as the kind of guy that has like, 3 really weird books he really enjoys and reads them again and again very slowly over the course of years. Otherwise, not really a reader, but I digress -

DU drow was probably never a big reader himself, I would say he got started on a couple of books back in the day but likely never finished any. He's fairly intelligent, but most of his downtime was spent managing the cult and parsing through relevant documentation.

I definitely don't think he'd have the attention-span for fiction (which I picture as being said books that Astarion enjoys) but he does like to snuggle up with his beau to watch him read - every once in a while he catches a particularly scandalous line or description and they bicker about it. He makes a remark, Astarion feels obligated to explain the context, it devolves into some playful kind of argument that ends with Astarion telling him to go dig a hole and die in it while playing with his hair - The usual LOL.

Oh man I have a few more in-dept descriptions of how that went, both lore-wise and just for me as the player - but in summary, DU drow was pretty mean to everyone earlier on in the game and he did catch onto Astarion's very obvious and obnoxious seduction attempts very clearly. He doesn't like being so desperately pursued and they actually got off on the extremely wrong foot because of it, LOL.

After being unpromptedly rejected at the tiefling party he was a little more enticed by him, basically the "no" was his "go". I like to think of it like Astarion catching onto the fact that his initial strategy wasn't working and that this man in particular needed him to play hard to get - from that point on, DU drow started playing along. DU knew this was still a game, but now they were playing it on even ground so he was fine with it.

First of all - he inexplicably got butt-ass naked for the event.

All in all he liked it a whole lot and it was his re-introduction to the concept of pain being dished out as a form of love and his deep enjoyment of it.

Thank you so much, glad to hear you get some joy out of my work!

Dang it I had a pretty good write-up about his thoughts on Wyll from a long time ago, but I can't find it 😭

In summary, Wyll was a frustrating person for him to be around because of what he viewed to be a deeply ingrained naivete about the world. He shockingly didn't hate him (Wyll is kind of difficult to hate) but he never really saw him as an equal either, and definitely not as a friend. Du drow just desperately wanted him to express something that he would perceive as a genuine emotion; some kind of outburst or show of anger or frustration, but all he ever saw was someone trying to put on an act of performative heroism that he didn't buy at all.

At the same time, Wyll was far too young for him to be too mad. He might have held his father more accountable for making the guy into what he was than Wyll himself, really.

Can a man be scared of being scared? Because if so, it's that.

He also doesn't like shit a normal amount. (piss is fine depending on whose it is.)

[halcyonfawn]

the meaning behind "face the raven" theme in "wild blue yonder" and more

a continuation of this post. i need to talk about this otherwise i'll explode.

some people have also said that this theme is playing in "last christmas" and "hell bent" (thank you for pointing that out, i'm going to die) which makes it all even worse (better). therefore, this post is, more or less, destined to turn into capaldi's era brainrot. but not all of it, i promise.

you've been warned.

first of all, allow me to refresh your memory. let's look into the context of the scenes where we heard this music theme before.

"last christmas"

according to series 8 official soundtrack, this theme is a part of "every christmas is last christmas" and is heard quite clearly two times. they're both important scenes for the doctor and clara.

too late.

a moment full of regrets and nostalgia. the doctor thinking he's lost clara again, wishing he would have come back sooner. clara reminicing her life without the doctor in it.

"so no one matched up to danny, eh?" "there was one other man, but that would never have worked out." "why not?" "he was impossible."

it is (heavily) implied that "one other man" is the doctor. does the doctor himself realise that she's talking about him? open for interpretation. but what this small exchange truly does is showing a game of saying something without actually saying it.

"can you really see no difference in me?" "clara oswald, you will never look any different to me."

yet another way of dancing around words. there's something special and touching about this last line. it is sort of a confession of unconditional love. but the word itself - love - is never spoken out loud.

then again, twelfth might be face blind.

second chances.

now, this scene is a complete opposite of the one mentioned above. it's full of hope, anticipation, happiness. a beginning of a new arc. he is given a second chance and he takes it. the doctor asks clara to run away with him once again. and she says "yes" without hesitation, takes his hand, kisses him on the cheek.

conclusion? these two scenes are focused entirely on the doctor and clara's relationship. it is there to show their strong connection, how much they mean to one another. utter devastation at the thought of their time ending and the absolute joy of reuniting after being separated. a chance at a happy ending. which also makes the music that plays on the background their theme.

"face the raven"

"every christmas is last christmas" is now turned into "face the raven" and is asocciated with clara's death. it also makes the previous name even more heartwrenching since last christmas was literally clara and doctor's last hurrah. we can hear this piece of music appear in two scenes as well.

clara's monologue about facing the raven.

"if danny pink can do it so can i. die right. die like i mean it, face the raven. maybe this is what i wanted. maybe this is it. maybe this is why i kept running. maybe this is why i kept taking all those stupid risks, kept pushing it."

she's accepting her fate and aknowleges her recklesness all the way throught the season 9. it was meant to be. there wasn't enough space for two doctors in the tardis.

"i let you get reckless" "why? why shouldn't i be reckless? you're reckless all the bloody time! why can't i be like you?" "clara, there's nothing special about me. i'm nothing but less breakable than you. i should've taken care of you."

this scene is also about how a human life can be so very short compared to the time lord's and how easily it can end. it's fragile. and it's the doctor's curse: bearing the pain of losing his loved ones.

clara meeting her fate.

as she approaches the raven, ever so brave, the doctor watches her. he hears clara scream, then witness her collapsing onto the ground. it is extremely painful, but this is, i repeat, the doctor's curse: watching his companions leave. there's no use in running away from that pain, it haunts him every step of the way.

"hell bent"

next time, "face the raven" theme can be heard during the memory wipe sequence. there is no name given for the background music in this particular moment, but it's quite obvious it represents loss and... letting go?

the doctor is about to make clara forget their time together (does that ring a bell, anyone?).

it is worth pointing out that the music becomes the loudest at the exact moment the doctor says:

"look how far i went for fear of losing you. this has to stop. one of us has to go."

it is the culmination of their relationship. companions that push each other to extremes. together they might destroy the whole universe in order to keep each other safe. there's no other way but to separate. they've formed such a strong connection than one is ought to forget the other.

even though at first the doctor is determined to wipe clara's memories, he then admits she is right: it is unfair to take away all that wonderful time they had from her. so he gives her a choice. or, more like, an offer to play a russian roulette. it's either you or me. i'm not going to press that button. we will do this together.

to summarise: all of these moments featured a strong connection between clara and the doctor. it also tells us a story about how hard it is to lose someone you care about deeply, especially for the doctor.

how is it all connected to the doctor and donna?

memory wipe

the doctor has to make donna and clara forget about him in order to keep them safe. expect that he doesn't give donna a choice, wiping her memory almost instantly, without saying a proper goodbye to her. obviously, he didn't have enough time to think of a better way to solve the problem since donna wouldn't have lasted long. however, it is still a decision he regrets making.

from "the star beast":

"i'm so glad you're back, donna. it killed me, it killed me, it killed me."

if we take a look at clara's situation, it's a bit different. i've already mentioned it above: at first, the doctor wants to do the same thing to clara that he did to donna. make her forget. expect, this time he is confronted for doing so (even threatened, at some point).

"these have been the best years of my life and they're mine."

i think this line triggers something in the doctor. because this is when he realises that this is not the right thing to do. not exactly. he'd already done it once and he regretted it. so this time, he offers a slightly different solution. someone still has to forget, but they'll press that button together. it's a mutual choice.

now, i know it's not entirely related to the dialogue in "wild blue yonder", but i think it's worth mentioning that donna and clara's stories are somewhat similar. i'm sure it's been said before, but it's still important.

donna's story was incomplete because she wasn't given a choice. now, that she remembers, 14th doctor makes sure their time together is worth-while. a second chance just like in "last christams".

too alike

another similarity between these two stories is that clara and donna are not entirely humans. not anymore.

donna's half timelord. even though her head is still not big enough to fit all the doctor's memories, she still has a part of the doctor in her.

clara's frozen in time, that makes her practically immortal. she risks her life, she reverses the polarity of the neuroblock, she gets her own tardis, she's even reffered to as "clara who" at the end of "hell bent". she has become the doctor in a sense.

but there can only be one doctor. so where's the story heading to at this point, i wonder? but we'll come back to this question later.

"but what really happened?"

before i say anything, it is obvious that the doctor's silence before and after he says "a lot" is him reminicing all that'd happened to him during the 11th, 12th and 13th reincarnations. all of the loss and pain he went through.

but why "face the raven" theme of all things? it could be a general theme of grief/nostalgia/painful memories, nothing else implied.

but please let me be delusional for a bit longer!

just as that scene in "hell bent" brought the doctor back to the moment he made donna forget him, could it be that bringing back his best friend's memories in a whole universe that "he absolutely loves", also reminded him of another important person in his life with similar story? just like "hell bent" mirrored "the journey's end", "wild blue younder" gave us a reference to "hell bent".

this is where we get back to the question about the current story direction.

foreshadowing?

donna's story is not over. and there are a lot of possibilities how it can end.

say, there is a connection to clara's story here, i wonder if that's where the plot's heading. in one of the trailers, the doctor does say "i'm not sure if i can save you this time" to donna. and it worries me. then again, maybe they're just tricking us into thinking something bad will happen (oh the drama).

i'd say it's unlikely donna's going to die because that would be absolutely devastating after just bringing her back. at the very least, the ending wouldn't be completely "happily ever after". perhaps, sacrifices will be made in order to prevent something truly horrible from happening.

why did this face come back?

in "the girl who died" twelfth doctor finally realises why he got his face. it is a call-back to "the fires of pompei" (don't even get me started on its being the episode with 10th and donna).

the message the doctor was giving to himself turned out to be:

"i'm the doctor and i save people!"

but what is 14th trying to tell himself?

i think it's about donna and more.

he's fixing his mistake of erasing her memories and depriving her of the right to remember amazing things that'd happened to her.

it's a reminder to actually tell people how much they mean to him. as we can see, 14th's more open with his feelings and constantly shows signs of affection towards his loved ones, even breaking the "never say i love you" rule.

it's about being honest and open with people because they deserve to hear it from him and he deserves to hear it back. because "things happen and then it's too late".

again, take 12th doctor, for instance. he constantly represses his feelings. but in my humble opinion, the reason why he's changed by season 10 was clara. she pulled him out of the dark place. and even though her death almost threw him back to that state again, he is still a better man by season 10.

but there were things left unsaid. love and care were always there but it was never said out loud. kind of the same thing happened with 13th.

i strongly believe that donna is that person for 14th. they're best friends who love each other deeply. and after the doctor lost her and got a second chance to fix everything, he does, he's being affectione. he's finally open with his feelings.

conslusion: why did you make us read all fo this?

to answer the question in the title: it's all tied with how memories are important and priceless, fixing past mistakes, moving on and learning to treasure every moment with people you care about like it's your last.

it can also be a foreshadowing for something terrible, but i choose to hope for the better.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

aaaand that is the end of my doctor who rant. thank you for getting this far, if you did!

my feelings about all of this can be described with this one meme:

[ghosty-elle-thingz]

ooooh for ur epic au i love the idea of the other winners as the gods! i think scott - aphrodite works really well with his focus on the social aspect of the game, and martyn - ares fits too bc of mean gills, and him just generally being pretty aggressive! cleo - hephaestus is a good match for personality and watcher!grian - zeus absolutely fucks. pearl and scar don’t fit as neat with apollo or hera, but i do know scar would absolutely rock the disco look lmao

Honestly yeah you are pretty much spot on with what I was thinking

Grian as Zeus: Watcher, maker of the games, first winner as the technical eldest god, “thunder bringer” smites Scott to end Last life

Cleo as Hephaestus: “Trust is not given its forged….. he sacrificed his own cohorts” loyal to their day one allies until they do something to break that trust (most notably Big B killing her in last life) and fire (arson)

Martyn as Ares: literally what you said about Mean gills and Martyn in the life series in general, the ending of limlife is so Ares coded

Those were the ones I was absolutely sure of

For Aphrodite I was between Scott and Pearl

Scott because as you said, he is very social in the games and is one to love his allies wholeheartedly (man can’t go one season without sacrificing himself to a friend when he is able to) plus one head canon I’ve seen is that the watchers are unable to feed on Scott because he’s just so full of love for his allies (flower husbands, the healing GGGs, mean gills, etc) but even love can be ruthless when need to be

Pearl on the other hand is more so the opposite focusing more on how she knows the pain of being alone “but let her die of a broken heart… let him feel the pain that his mother felt and rot” the winner of double life, the one series where everyone was meant to have someone, she was scorned by everyone around, rejected by her bound, called wicked by people who could have been friends and in the end died without her one true companion, Tilly. But in the same with the following games, she is in a way “healing”. From then on she is never alone (nosey neighbors, mounders, 4Gs and the adopted strays) and makes sure her allies know that she will stand with them

Scar I did have trouble with placing him but honestly him as Hera is a fantastic idea. Like Hera in god games comes off as very carefree in a way but still a threat which is kind of how Scar plays the games (I’m mainly thinking of wild life with the bamboozlers and the rollercoaster) plus the “never once has he cheated in his wife” makes me think of Athena!Gem saying that and Scar just gets flashbacks to double life and the “secret soulmates” which becomes infinitely more funny/angsty since Grian is Zeus

Plus yes he would absolutely rock the disco look I mean just look at his limited life skin

But yeah Apollo is the one I can’t really place with a life winner

[ajastu]

thinkin about...how much i appreciate the way that talking about death and grief was handled in veilguard. I've been thinking about this topic a lot for the last several years bcs of...many reasons. So it was nice to see.

I guess maybe the best way i could put it into words is...Veilguard did not present grief/loss as purely a tragedy, but also as a part of life? the worst happens, and it might feel world-ending, but you will still need to get up the next morning and eat breakfast, you know? the unrelenting flow of time can be both a comfort and a pain, but no matter what it is in the moment, the fact remains that life Does Not Stop. And we have to deal with that somehow.

i guess one important distinction here. There is a difference between personal loss and like. A massive tragedy. I'm mainly talking about personal loss here, because the two are kind of different topics (that the game addressed differently, also, but this isnt about that right now)

Before i talk about the like, companion questlines, a very brief aside to the environmental design. Admittedly, i havent rly gone looking around the maps for the making of this post specifically, so it won't be too involved, but like. Arlathan, man. Loss and tragedy is etched over every part of it. the ruins, yes, but also...the tree people. At first glance, it is a sunny, beautiful location. And it is! It is also full of little stories of loss and desperation and everyday lives cut unexpectedly short. And you see it the moment you stop and look at it. It is easy to run through without paying much mind to it, but once you notice it you can't really unsee it. And it is still so beautiful and sunny. It's something i liked about the first Dishonored game, too, the juxtaposition of the environment with the tragedy. The sky is blue and the sun is shining when Corvo escapes Coldridge. etc.

Grief will find you again on a nice summer's day. You know?

You can't untangle it from the joys of life. And that isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's just...neutral. That's just how it works.

One of the ways people deal with grief is through rituals to remember the dead. Funerals, tending of graves, etc etc. I think Emmrich's quests touch on that in a very nice way.

What i appreciate about that is, like...some people tend to have a fear and aversion to topics related to death. But these quests present it all in such a mundane manner. And you get the option to treat it as such, too. Of course, there is the option to freak out, also, but i'll admit i never checked that one out.

I think part of processing grief is accepting it. And it might mean many different things to many different people, but for me personally those funerary rituals, both big and small, become a first step. And it won't stop being painful, but life does not stop either. You have to choose to live it, eventually. But when you're afraid of taking that first step, well. The grief might just eat you alive.

Every creature's existence brings along with it the death of something else, whether intentional or not. Death is as much a part of life as breathing is, and so getting somewhat comfortable with the concept will help soften the blow whenever it comes. Because it will come.

Funny thing happened while i was playing the game for the first time. I got spoiled about Manfred dying, and when i found that out, i was like. OH NOOO not Manfred....im definitely 100% reviving him.

And then i actually got there, and...the game prepares you so beautifully for acceptance of personal loss. Of course, there is the bias of Ive Been Thinking About This Exact Thing For Years, but still. It felt more...right? to let Manfred go. It still took me a while to decide what to choose, but the fact remains that i had to really sit there and think about it, even though i thought i have already made up my mind.

And just...the whole Cyrian funeral bit. Oh my god. That was so beautifully done. Bellara's story in general was something i really appreciated, but that part was especially hard-hitting for me. Yes i cried. Life goes on.

I feel like it touches some more on the importance of processing the grief, so that you can remember those you lost with fondness and joy instead of just pain. Again, you can't untangle the two, but you can find balance, eventually. Facing that loss instead of running from it...it helps.

And this bit the game itself said in a way i do not think i need to paraphrase:

Death, loss, grief...all of that is difficult. It is also a part of life. And the thing is, life goes on!! I'm not saying that in a "get over it" way. I am saying that in a. ''Holy shit why are things happening'' way. I'm going through this paralyzing grief and life just keeps on happening. And you have to adapt to it, you know? You stop thinking about it constantly, in time. You find joy with the living. But grief will still find you on a nice sunny day...

I don't know. I'm probably not saying everything i wanted to, but it's kind of hard to keep my thoughts in order (plus, this post was a spontaneous decision n im too lazy to go thru the whole game for more examples).

But i guess the main thing i wanted to say is. I appreciate that the game gives you space to sit with it. To think about it. To come to terms with it, even, maybe. DATV did a wonderful job with handling this topic.

It is also tied into the main plot in ways that other people have talked about already. But yeah. The only thing i missed was the lack of a "let the bugs eat me" dialogue option when Emmrich asks Rook what they'd like to be done with their body after they die, but i guess we cant have it all dlkgjdfg

I'm just gonna conclude this with my all-time favorite screenshot from Disco Elysium

[merilaurecus]

Companions reactions to finding out Modern!Tav can't return to Earth and is stuck in Faerûn for good

This was on my mind for a while. It's post-game, a while after the defeat of the Netherbrain but before the reunion party. The group is still together.

Gale (Professor Dekarios ending)

Already thinking about a spell that actually can do it.

Can't help but feel a little hopeless when even Elminster said it's not possible.

But this man won't give up until he really runs out of options (ambition™️).

One of the few companions that can offer you a place to stay.

Also will offer a hug or an evening together (certified Gale girlie here, if that was me I'd probably confess to him; not that night because I'd be too overwhelmed with leaving what I knew behind, but the next night I'd be like "fuck it, I had a feelings for him before anyway, might as well").

Compassionate and understanding, though he'd try to be around to make sure you are doing well enough not to do anything stupid (yes, I mean the worst option here beginning with the letter S).

Meal cooked with love is on his to-do list (homemade hundur sauce I'm looking at you).

Even when he's down in his research he'll look out for you from time to time.

Also doing the sad eyes when he thinks about the situation. When he was told it wasn't an option he was rather terrified.

Still he prepares a worst case scenario books to teach you stuff about Faerûn. Prays he doesn't have to ever use them.

Karlach (yeet into Avernus with Wyll)

Yo this girl will be your shoulder to cry on.

But she'll probably cry with you together.

She knows how it feels more than she'd like.

But she can leave Avernus from time to time, can't imagine being stuck there forever.

After crying together she'll remain strong for you, probably won't leave your side in fear of you doing something stupid too.

Can't help much with magic but cheering you up? You've got this. Long chats to drive your mind away from the situation about any topic other than that, cuddles, that sort of things.

Also helping you gain some physical strength so you can survive here.

Hugs. Hugs. And once again - hugs.

Will look out for you most of the time if she can't be near.

Astarion (vampire spawn in Baldur's Gate)

He won't even dare to make a joke about it.

I mean it.

He may not know being stuck in other world, but being a slave with no way out of it gives him an idea of what kind of situation you're in.

Won't be the cuddliest or shit, but will keep your Earth clothes in a good shape (tailor time). Just so you have something from there to last longer.

Much like the others, he'll look out for you in the night, but will do it his sneaky way. Just enough for him to know you're alright without you noticing.

He'll say how he feels about your situation in time though. May even offer a hug. He's not Karlach but after all the events he's more open to physical contact with his friends.

Ready to teach you more stuff about Faerûn if nothing works to get you back to Earth. Especially archery. And sneaking. And stealing.

Shadowheart (Selûnite edition)

Let's be honest, all of these people were torn apart from their homes in one way or another.

Shadowheart can relate to you, though her experience is different too.

She doesn't remember much, but you do.

Approaches you with good (but weak) wine and allows you to pour your misery out.

Tells you you have a place to stay with her parents (let's go the happy endings route).

She's not a wizard, but will keep an eye out for every piece of knowledge about travelling through different worlds.

You've been to Shadowfell and Avernus after all.

Will talk you out of sacrificing your memories to Shar. She knows all to well she'd take everything from your little desperate soul.

Flowers are her language of love.

Will also animal speech Scratch and the owlbear to play with you instead of her, telling them how bad you feel.

Soon you can't get them off you, but it does put a smile on your face.

When no one is looking she'll pray to Selûne to guide you your way back home.

Much like everyone she looks out for you, ready to teach you about Faerûn as well (if she hasn't already she'll teach you how to heal yourself when you're alone).

Lae'zel (Freeing Githyanki/Orpheus sacrificed)

At first she found your tears weak.

Then she realized what it would feel like not being able to return to her people.

She felt that to the gut.

She'll show you more tricks to make your enemies fall quick (lmao I rhymed this one).

Also will keep an eye out for a knowledge that could bring you back to Earth (you know, Githyanki and their tons of knowledge).

Not much talkative but you'll see understanding in her eyes soon enough.

If you're a sword fighter she'll give you one of her sharpest ones. Githyanki language of caring is either combat or weapons you know.

(Daddy) Halsin

He also remembers being somewhere else against his wishes, though as a slave.

A single thought of not seeing sun again if he was to stay in the Underdark forever gives him creeps.

You need a hug? A cuddle? He'll be there for you in either form you choose.

You're not escaping whittling and druidic magic lessons. Just so you can get your mind off things and also heal/defend yourself should the situation call for it.

Offers you a place to stay, you're welcome anytime.

Not much of a cook but will pick the finest berries and find the biggest honey comb in the forest.

Looks out for you in some small wildshape (raven or a squirrel probably) when you sneak in the night to cry alone. Should he see situation is bad will approach you in his usual bear form.

Strongly believes there's a way - you've done much that was thought to be impossible. Especially you, someone who had almost no previous experience with weapons or magic.

He's old and wise - will keep thinking about it in hopes some solution will remind itself.

Wyll (yeet into Avernus with Karlach)

Banished from his home he understands a bit of your situation.

Haven't been to other world with no way back, it was his decision to go to Avernus with Mommy K, but he knows Karlach and it helps him understand it.

Another shoulder you can cry one, the Blade does not judge.

Still you're fresh to Faerûn and he'll hate to see you dead before your time, so he'll offer you fencing lessons (I can hear that eyeroll, Lae'zel).

Asks about the dances back in your world and gladly learns them (belgijka jumpscare).

Looking out for you when you go somewhere alone (especially at night).

In Avernus he'll look for some knowledge about travels to different worlds. It's another plane of existence after all.

Jaheira, Minsc & Boo

Minsc is happy to have his friend here forever only to understand the situation after either Jaheira or Boo explains it to him.

Jaheira feels for you more than she'd like to show, but you'll see care in her eyes.

Just like Halsin she'll research her memory for anything that may allow you to return.

Minsc apologises to you after the scolding.

Won't help much tho, he'll be just an emotional support (together with Boo, of course).

Jaheira asks all the Harpers to keep an eye out for any book or a scroll related to your problem. Also will ask any of her old friends to do the same, even if it means her repaying that favour. She can still go fast when she wants to!

[zihua-art]

A tiefling’s best friends ~ Xerxes and his actual fave Companions: Scratch and owlbear cub 💙🐕🦉💙

Commissions on HOLIDAY SALE open

Name: Xerxes

Race/class: draconic tiefling sorcerer

Gender/sex: (cis) male

Age: late 20s

Background: This tiefling is probably one of the friendliest you’ll meet - coz he really loves to make friends! He’s generally nice and morally good, wanting to help people as much as he can, buuuut occasionally willing to break a few eggs to make omelettes. He doesn’t try to go on a murderous rampage if he can help it, but when opportunity strikes, he’ll take it - then loot it all! But Xerxes won’t do stuff simply for the money or glory, he just wouldn’t say no if you offer it 😂

He adores animals very much and will take every opportunity to play with and pet his furry and feathered buds whenever he returns to camp. His companions have gotten used to hearing “Who’s a good boy~? Yes you are, Scratch! Aww, you’re so sweet, little owlbear! You brought a wonderful gift again, thank you~” every night, but it’s endearing to hear such friendly, playful words coming from his low yet gentle voice.

He’s strong leaning towards gay (pref for men and masc presenting/leaning people) BUT Karlach seems to have won his heart as the exception! Xerxes finds his fellow tiefling very adorable and sweet, her energetic personality very contagious, and he just loves her little fidgety dances. She always gets a smile from him when they talk and he loves seeing her eyes light up in happiness from good stuff, so he tries to keep that light shining always. He’s nice to all his companions, but he especially cares for Karlach. As of right now, even if the future’s unclear for the two of them as a pair, Xerxes would be happy with whatever times he can get to spend with his heart 💙🔥

-

Ahh BG3, the one thing my entire household of 4 loves haha 😌 With good reason! This game is a gem for even me, who doesn’t game much at all yet has gotten very deep into the characters and world - and of course, as an OC creator, the character designing hehe~

This Tav is my partner’s, so I can’t go into a ton of detail on his backstory but everything is based off what I’ve observed during playthroughs (and headcanons lol) I am kinda curious about what my other housemates have for theirs, but I’m currently at the point where I’m mostly interested in the design *coughilikeattractivecharacterscough* so I’m not entirely up to draw a Tav if it’s more meme’d (like my one mate made a literal Oompa Loompa 🤣🤣🤣) soooo this is technically fanart for my partner because Xerxes is hot (but also a sweetheart 😌) haha

It’s funny how contrasting Xerxes is with my character Areum lol (who’s not me btw, I like to see how my OCs would fare in BG3 with their personalities rather than playing as my chaotic self 🤣). I was remarking with my partner how kinda opposite they are. Xerxes being a tiefling may seem intimidating at first (and he’s tall!), but he’s a softie, loves animals, is morally good, and his expressions are usually neutral and accurate to the situation. He looks generally friendly out of combat. Meanwhile, my Areum being a (half) elf may appear as not scary for her race, but while she is morally good, she often has resting b*tch face haha. Her few times smiling or wide-eyed curiousity are so cute I’m like why can’t you look like that more often instead of seeming judgy of everything and everyone even when they’re your friends 😭😭 I blame her father for the genetics, I canNOT get that man to smile without a gigantic bribe 🥲😂

I do wanna draw our Tavs together sometime 🤔 Wonder how Areum would feel about this social tiefling hehe~ But I’m sure Xerxes will enjoy meeting her - and especially her feathery siblings ☺️

[starxdame]

Here are a bunch of thoughts and character analysis(?) on Armand :

(I don't own any of the gifs used)

(English is not my first language, I'm sorry for the mistakes you might find)

(I haven't read the books, all my information is based on the tv show.)

Warning : I will be harsh and detailed on Louis's and Claudia's actions, this doesn't mean that I hate their character, on the contrary, I love them, but they can be extremely manipulative and I will not pretend like they're a innocent pookies. No one is innocent in this story, there are no heroes, just broken souls.

1/3 PARIS

I believe that before Armand and Louis got close, Armand's power over the coven was strong.

He had been their leader for over 200 years, Santiago was subdued and so were the others.

But when Santiago asked if Armand and Louis were companions and Louis immediately said no, he made Armand, who said "yes" , look like a fool.

I believe that it was a huge deal for the coven because Armand's security and leadership cracked.

Armand was weak, therefore vulnerable.

On the emotional side of things I think it's clear to see how much Louis's "no" meant to Armand, it probably stuck to his brain and made him perpetually insecure about Louis's feelings.

In the dinner scene it happened again, Armand is distracted by his feelings and doesn't realized that his lack of control of Louis is hurting his role.

Louis doesn't care about the power game being played, he is a hurricane, he disrupts the company's balance by staying close to Claudia and by being around the coven without following any of the rules they have to endure.

When Louis attacks Santiago, a member of the coven is being attacked and the leader is essentially useless, he calms the situation but does nothing to punish Louis, there are no repercussions for him.

Armand decided to take the side of a "stranger" rather than his own people's.

The power inside of the couple shifts drastically, Armand is no longer and equal, he is under Louis, he is Arun, a weak boy that is being used, for pleasure and for interest.

Louis doesn't want to be lonely, he doesn't know how to be alone so he stays with Armand (pleasure).

Louis wants Claudia to be happy, he accompanies her to the theatre and gets in the middle of the company's business, disrupting their life style by being careless, for example, leaving the corpse of the man he killed in the park.

Louis doesn't care who he ends up hurting, he just wants Claudia to be happy and that meant getting her to be part of the coven. (interest)

Armand is wrapped around Louis's finger, he is loosing himself in this distorted romance and makes Louis his "god".

I'm aware that this is a stretch but I like to think that there is a symbology behind the umbrella in this specific scene : the umbrella being their love, Armand is the one to hold onto it, keeping it up for both of them and Louis is simply there, standing under it, being cared for. Armand opens up, he is emotionally naked, he is exposed and Louis, who emotionally is as closed as a sea shell, takes advantage of his vulnerability and becomes dominant, he simply resurfaces his past trauma and assures his power over him.

Armand gets threatened twice, by Claudia's insubordination and Santiago's boldness.

This is a reality check for him.

Louis controls him, he is loosing his power as an individual and as a leader, and the vampires around him can feel it.

Claudia broke the rules thinking there wouldn't have been repercussions but she swore to follow those rules, by disrespecting the rules she was mocking Armand, she got scared when Armand threatened her but why did she think she could just do what she wanted ? Because she was spoiled and thought, like the rest of the coven knew, that she could do what she pleased because she had the "power" over Louis and Armand cared too much for him to risk it all by upsetting Claudia.

Santiago saw this vulnerability and kept attacking Armand hoping he would break.

At the end Claudia gets what she wants, she is no longer in the play, she works in the backstage and even tho she is treated badly, she got what she wanted.

But the coven doesn't like this, why does she gets a free pass ? Because Armand loves Louis and if she is calm, Louis is pleased, and Armand wants his "master" to be happy so he excuses her.

But this is not enough for Claudia, she breaks more rules, she falls for Madeleine and decides that she doesn't want to be part of the coven anymore.

In the interview Armand says that this is the moment in which he chose to betray Louis.

When Louis asked Armand to transform Madeleine, he didn't expect "no" for an answer, he thought he could manipulate him to do this thing too but he couldn't.

And in this moment Armand chooses himself over Louis for the first time since they've met.

I think that Armand realized that Louis's feelings weren't sincere when he distanced himself after the kiss. It was a sort of "punishment".

You don't do what I ask, I distance myself.

It was a threat, the perfect threat made to an emotionally dependent man.

Armand confesses to him that he is scared that he couldn't keep his mind closed to the others, but still, Louis pushes him to go and keep an eye on the coven, just to give him the time to do what he wanted without being interrupted.

An just like that Louis, for the last time, imposes his decisions on Armand.

Louis puts Armand in an uncomfortable situation, possibly a dangerous one.

What would have happened if Armand decided to say "no" again. Would Louis have left him?

Armand couldn't risk losing both Louis and the coven. He chose who he thought would keep him, the coven, his coven on 200 years.

So no, when he was threatened, he didn't choose an instable man who distanced himself the first time he didn't show submission. He didn't choose the man who didn't show him love and who kept seeing the ghost of the lover he murdered.

Louis wanted Armand to choose him over his coven again but Louis doesn't really choose Armand, he settles for him because he has no one else.

I might continue with San Francisco and Dubai. Who knows.

[atrueneutral]

Hi! I adore how you write from Raphael's perspective, it's so good! I wanted to send you this prompt; I hope you enjoy.

Raphael monologuing and/or being his smug self only to be surprised by "his" little mouse interrupting him by grabbing the collar of his clothing and dragging the cambion in to a searing kiss before she says something like 'You talk to much' or 'I got the gist, thank you' and gracefully striding off before he can even think to react. (your choice if Tav does this when it's just her and Raphael or if she pulls this stunt in front of a group of her companions who would likely be left there stunned for a few moments as well)

Thank you! For this prompt, I had to go with Tav’s POV! —

“-and therefore the Orphic Hammer is your best option - I am your best option. Time is becoming scarce for you and your companions. The quaking of the earth is a tell-tale sign that the end draws near, and decisions must be made if you hope to claim victory over the tadpole burrowing in your brain. The illithid cannot be trusted - relying on such a self-serving and soulless abomination brings you closer to the edge of becoming a soulless abomination yourself! I would hate for that pretty face of yours to be hideously tentacled and saw toothed…”

Raphael paused to leer at what was presently a non-tentacled face. 

“Meanwhile, I am honest and can be trusted. I have proven myself to be a man, well, a devil of my word! There is–”

She knew the human she looked at wasn’t the cambion’s true form, but that didn’t stop Tav from thinking he had nice teeth, a nice tongue, and nice lips.

Overall: Raphael had a very nice mouth.

She liked the way it smiled and smirked, how it sneered whenever her companions spoke instead of her.

Yes, it was a nice mouth with nice, soft lips that… kept moving.

Which was fine; Raphael had a lovely, rich voice to accompany his nice mouth that was soothing to listen to.

He didn’t need to talk this much; Tav had made up her mind to sign the contract days ago - without Raphael’s yammering. However, at this point, she wanted him to work for it.

And work for it he did.

Raphael finished up his monologue, and he stared at Tav with a raised brow and a charming, debonair smile on that nice mouth of his.

Because she hadn’t been paying attention, Tav did not know what he was waiting for - a question or an answer. She faintly recalled his nice mouth saying ‘trust’ a number of times, so she decided to craft her response around that.

“How do I know I can really trust you?” she asked. 

Raphael’s nice mouth frowned as his brow pinched in irritation.

Karlach groaned behind her. “Oh, don’t get him going again! Let’s just get out of here, yeah? We’ll figure something else out - anything is better than this…”

Raphael ignored her companion as he tended to often do; she was their leader (for good or for ill), and she was the lynchpin for achieving his goals.

“Are you not paying attention, Little Mouse?”

She liked when his rich voice became a snake’s rattle - cautioning her to take heed with the game she was playing.

“You claim to be trustworthy and yet you flipped the tables on Yurgir,” Tav easily replied. “You tricked him with your terms. How can I not expect the same?”

His eyes narrowed, but she managed to set Raphael’s nice mouth off to the races again. 

“The wording of Yurgir’s contract was explicit and exact. The developments that occurred—“

His voice hypnotized her as Raphael kept talking, and Tav could not look away. Her thoughts strayed into territory she would be wise to stay out of. She wondered how he kissed; she wondered how his nice silver tongue would taste when it was licking hers; she wondered if his nice teeth would nibble and bite…

She wondered if his nice lips would feel nice against hers…

Mild wariness appeared on Raphael’s smug face at her sudden approach. She did not look away from the nice mouth that was still moving - still talking, and Tav grabbed the collar of his doublet to pull him in. Her eyes closed as her lips landed against his - shutting the cambion up with a kiss.

He made a gruff sound of surprise, and her companions were quick to react.

“What in the Hells, Tav!” shouted Karlach. 

“An embarrassing display,” remarked Lae’zel.

Jaheira simply sighed - in disapproval.

Out of respect for the others in the room, the kiss did not progress into the scene she daydreamed, but that did not stop Tav from gently tugging on Raphael’s lower lip before stepping away and releasing him.

Having stolen his smugness, she left the cambion rigid and quiet.

“I got the gist,” Tav said, secretly pleased at her ability to throw him off kilter. “I will need a day to think everything over but have duly taken your words into consideration. Thank you, Raphael.”

In a blink, she turned heel, striding for the door, and her baffled companions were quick to follow. 

Yes, Raphael had a very nice mouth.

Tav wondered what he thought of hers…

[PART II - Raphael’s POV]

[rainbowchaox]

Yashiki and Mashita: Why the Ship Works (Yashiki POV)

We are introduced to Yashiki at the start of Death Mark as we play as him. It’s soon so apparent that his heart bleeds out like ink. He holds empathy for everyone. Spirit or alive. Much to his detriment and it’s a character flaw that follows him through the games. Yashiki is amnesiac and doesn’t know who he is and he is terrified. Rightfully so because he might die by sunrise. He cares so much about others but it’s clear from the start he doesn’t feel the same amount of care for himself. Always sacrificing himself for others.

He trusts everyone, even those he shouldn’t. And at his core he is kind. And a bit of push over at times. He is scared of so many things, but he is most scared for others. He feels he needs to be the one to watch over his companions. Yashiki is gentle, but naive, and a bit oblivious of social cues.

We play him as a blank state of sorts but he is nowhere near a self insert protagonist. He has his own personality and his own opinions. And like Mashita he is a complicated man. And has tons of facets and layers. This is especially true when we find out who he actually is.

And you might be wondering why I am going deep into his character. The fact is this ship needs people to understand their inner thoughts and psyche. I am starting with Yashiki pov as well it’s more understandable as we can hear his thoughts as he is our main character we follow. Mashita is complicated and will get his own chapter. I’m just going through both of the two points of views throughout the two canon games and why the ship works. And why it’s practically canon in all but name.

When Yashiki meets Mashita for the first time. It’s definitely not a meet cute. It’s a meet threat. Mashita literally crawled out under a blood soaked bed in a secret basement of horror. He just was there. Of course he was suspicious. Mashita is amazing but how he was introduced didn’t look good. Especially for a man that is going through horror not really knowing who he really is. Also doesn’t help that yes Mashita face looks kinda evil. Hot yes but evil. He got the nickname Detective Bedroom eyes for a reason.

The fact is even without his memories. Yashiki, despite his social awkwardness he knows how people tick. It’s probably a good skill to have in spiritual work. Whether he realizes or not he dissects everyone's psyche and mannerisms in front of him. And this is especially true for when he meets Mashita for the first time.

Mashita is only a threat for a second before Yashiki starts to understand him. We can read his thoughts. We know that despite Mashita's rough attitude. Yashiki and him literally become friendly in one single car ride. We watch Yashiki slowly gaining understanding of Mashita as a person. I believe that car ride made Yashiki realize that Mashita is a good person. And someone he can be trusted. And eventually someone he can love. A possible life partner. Though it takes a while for him to realize this. But it’s a seed that will grow with time and attention.

And Yashiki is soon shown why he was right to trust Mashita. Mashita worked with him to deal with Hanahiko. The best partner and companion he could ask. Loyal to a fault. Sure Mashita had reason to help as he also was cursed with the Death Mark. But Yashiki even then could see it wasn’t really about getting rid of the Mark but more about helping others. Though Yashiki won’t say any of this out loud.

Yashiki, after Hanahiko was dealt with, did expect Mashita to be like Moe and Tsukasa. And leave him and go back to his normal life. And stay out of the spiritual world. Leaving him to hunt for another spirit in order to not die. The fact is though. Mashita stayed. And there’s no way you can convince me that Yashiki didn’t grow attached when he realized that fact. Especially after dealing with one spirit already. Mashita didn’t leave. Mashita. Didn’t. Leave. Mashita stayed.

Mashita for better or for worse got himself marked again in order to save Yashiki. Mashita is literally the only reason why Yashiki and the others survived Shimi-O at the entrance of the forest. Mashita came to the forest because he wanted to. Sure, we find out later he has his own reasons connected to his dead senpai but that doesn’t explain why he stayed completely.

Yashiki isn’t dumb. As much he does act dumb at times. Yashiki knows Mashita could have stayed safe back in the mansion. Yashiki knows how much of a hassle the Mark is. But Mashita willingly let himself be Marked again. In order to save Yashiki and the others. I’m sorry but how can Yashiki not be wooed by such a man? Mashita cares so much. And will do anything to protect those he cares about.

Eventually Shimi-O is dealt with and Yashiki survives for another day. But sadly Mashita decided it was time for him to leave. In my opinion the reason he left was not that he dealt with too many spirits but that he realized he would drag Yashiki down. He isn’t of use anymore. He leaves because he cares. Mashita lies though. Acts like he had enough experience with spirits.

And Yashiki knows this on some level. You can even choose to say I will miss you to Mashita. Which Mashita canonically gets a bit flustered at. Mashita promises Yashiki to give him a drink when he gets out of the Mark business eventually. Mashita literally asked him on a date when he gets the Mark on his wrist dealt with.

And so Mashita takes his leave for the rest of the main game. Even so, as much as the other characters are amazing in their own right. Mashita left his mark. There’s a reason why he is a fan favorite. Mashita and Yashiki have the best chemistry. It’s no wonder why so many who play the game leave thinking they are interested in each other. Their relationship is like no other.

Eventually Yashiki finds out the truth and deals with Mary. Curing himself of the Mark. Finally free from the ordeal. And we find out that Mashita wants Yashiki to join him for investigations now that he is working as a private eye. This shows how much Mashita respects Yashiki. Despite his rough mouth. And how Mashita wants Yashiki to be by his side.

Then the Red Riding Hood case came to be. The only reason Yashiki became involved was because Mashita strong armed him into getting involved. Yashiki at that point wanted to return to normalcy and find a way to seal Mary forever. But Mashita barged his way into the mansion. And demanded to take the case and take responsibility for telling the old hag about his private eye work.

This shows me that in the time off screen that Yashiki and Mashita grew close. Mashita feels comfortable enough to waltz right in. Yashiki be damned. For most of the case, Mashita isn’t present as he is busy with other cases. A recurring theme that will also happen in Death Mark 2.

Mashita and Yashiki are such a good team. Spirits be damned. But both have clear weaknesses when they are apart. They are Yin and Yang. Each other half. Mashita is logical while Yashiki is emotional. They are just a fantastic team. So literally they have to be apart for most of the cases because they are too overpowered.

Mashita returns after most of the companions Yashiki was investigating with. Are hospitalized. And they immediately are such a good team. Mashita always slaps Yashiki back to reality and gets him to focus on the task at hand. Which is needed after him practically having a panic attack knowing how many of his friends are in the hospital.

Mashita eventually leaves Yashiki outside. And tries to start the car because clearly Yashiki was dealing with a migraine given to him by a spirit. A female spirit that wants a piece of him. A common theme but he never reacts. And Yashiki's gentle heart is swayed to enter the hotel by Red Riding Hood.

And he almost dies. The spirit almost drags him out the window. But he is saved yet again by Mashita. And Mashita almost breaks. He grabs him and brings Yashiki up. And that’s when I personally believe Yashiki realized he loves Mashita. And this shows why they work so well together. And their different views and why both decided to fully stay in the spiritual world. Yashiki wants to be empathetic to spirits while Mashita believes humans and spirits should stay in their different worlds.

Then Death Mark 2 happens. Not only do we see that their closeness is even more apparent. They talk often on the phone. Yashiki is especially gay about Mashita in this game. Despite the whole premise being that yet another female ghost wants to marry him. Again Mashita isn’t present until the last two chapters as he would slap Yashiki back into reality and solve the whole The Departed business in a chapter. But those two chapters give us so much.

When we finally see Mashita. The best way I can explain how their dynamic has changed. It is that they are more playful with each other. They are used to each other by now. They definitely give the impression that they interact with each other alot out of work. They care alot about each other.

They are way more playful with each other. They even meowed and hissed at a rock of all things. Which Mashita only made Yashiki do to make Yashiki look dumb. Mashita literally lives to make fun of Yashiki. Another aspect is how they are practically canon besides saying it outright. Yashiki, despite having so many ghosts into him and seeing so much fan-service, never reacts. The Departed usually made characters vanish for a bit. The Departed hates Mashita though. So much.

The Departed fully thought of Mashita as serious competition. The Departed acted like a wife seeing her husband have an affair. And chased after Mashita. The Departed said “His wife should be the one by his side”. The spirit was so jealous of Mashita because even if it’s not said outright. There’s something more there.

Yashiki meanwhile felt actual grief thinking Mashita is dead. And only bringing himself the strength to continue because it would be what Mashita would have wanted. He could only bring himself to continue because of Mashita. Mashita also told it to him straight and brought himself back to reality. And never faltered believing him despite Yashiki being convinced he is a murderer.

Eventually The Departed is solved. And we are shown that Mashita canonically leaves his jacket which is very much implied to be his dead Senpai trench coat at the Kujou mansion. Like a cat showing his territory. And from the crumbs in NG we know that Mashita and Yashiki continue acting as a team. And sorta get famous for it.

All in all, Yashiki doesn’t fall first. He is akin to a frog in a pot of boiling water. And actions always mean more to him than what a person says. Him and Mashita have such good chemistry. The ship is canon in all but name. They are practically boyfriends already canonically. And each other's favorite person.

[daitranscripts]

Varric Cutscene: High Approval

Wicked Grace

Varric Masterpost

The PC approaches Varric in the main hall.

Varric: There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you. You’re just in time. We almost had to start without you.

Dialogue options:

General: Start what? PC: What exactly were you starting with me, now?

General: Yes, that would be bad. PC: What exactly were you starting with me, now?

General: What are you talking about? PC: I have no idea what you’re talking about, Varric.

Varric gestures, and he and the PC walk off.

Varric (female PC): I found her, Ruffles! Deal her in! Varric (male PC): Look who showed up, everybody! Deal him in, would you, Ruffles?

They walk up to a table full of companions.

Josephine: I do hope I recall the rules. It’s been ages since I’ve played a game of Wicked Grace.

Varric: Grab a seat. We’re ready to start.

They sit.

Varric: Grab a seat. We’re ready to start.

If Iron Bull is recruited Iron Bull: We playing cards or what?

If Guilty Pleasures is completed Cassandra: Are three drakes better than a pair of swords? I can never remember. Varric: Seeker, remember how I said, “Don’t show anyone your hand”? That rule includes announcing it to the table.

If Cole is recruited Cole: There’s a crown on his head, but a sword, too. His head didn’t want either. Varric: Don’t talk to the face cards, kid.

Cullen: You seem to have enough people. I have a thousand things to do. Dorian (if recruited): Losing money can be both relaxing and habit forming. Give it a try. Iron Bull (if Dorian isn’t recruited): Aw, man up and play, Cullen. The girls are watching. Varric: Curly, if any man in history ever needed a hobby, it’s you.

Josephine: Dealer starts. Ooh… I… believe… I’ll start at… three coppers! Do you think that’s too daring? Maybe I’ll make it one… No! Boldness! Three it is!

Iron Bull: Seriously? Who starts at three coppers? Silver, or go home.

If Blackwall is recruited Blackwall: Sounds good. I’m in. Blackwall (involved with Josephine): Don’t talk to the lady that way.

Dorian: Bolder the better, right. I’m in.

Varric: Me, too. Well? Are you in?

Dialogue options:

General: I’ll play. [1]

General: Go easy on me. [2]

General: I’ll see that bet. [3]

General: I don’t think so. [4]

1 - General: I’ll play. PC: Of course. Deal me in, Josephine. Josephine: Oh, wonderful! I’m glad you’re joining us! Varric: Ante up, Inquisitor.

2 - General: Go easy on me. PC: Just remember I’m still new to this game. Varric: Don’t worry, you’ll pick it up in no time. Cole: So shiny… Dorian: Just remember, if you run out of coin, you can still bet your clothing. Blackwall: What? You didn’t tell me that. Cassandra: Is it my turn? Is this when I place a bet?

3 - General: I’ll see that bet. PC: I’m in, and raising another silver. Cullen: You haven’t even looked at your cards! Varric: Our illustrious leader is betting we’re bluffing. Blackwall: You are bluffing.

4 - General: I don’t think so. PC: Not this time, Varric. Varric: Oh. Well, uh… get back to… whatever it is you do, then. We’ve got a game to play. Scene ends.

5 - Scene continues.

Cullen: The poor recruit ran out into the dining hall in nothing but his knickers. And this… profound silence fell over the hall as seventy mages and thirty templars all turned to stare at once. Then a slow round of applause began. And spread until every soul was on their feet. A standing ovation.

Josephine: What did he do?

Cullen: Saluted. Turned on his heel. And marched out like he was in full armor.

Blackwall: (Laughs.)

Cassandra: He did not!

Dorian: Good man.

Iron Bull: You’re shitting us!

Varric: That’s how you know it’s true. I could never put that in a book. Too unlikely.

Dialogue options:

General: Now you tell one, Varric! [6]

General: We need more drinks! [7]

General: Deal again, Josephine. [8]

General: I’ve got a story! [9]

6 - General: Now you tell one, Varric! PC: I think it’s our professional storyteller’s turn to tell one. Varric: I think I can manage that. Did I ever tell you about the time we broke into Chateau Haine? It started, as most capers do, with a trap… The scene fades. Varric: And then Hawke looks up and says, “Looks like the duke… has fallen from grace.” Cullen: (Laughs.) Josephine: That’s how Duke Prosper died? You know, that’s almost perfect for him.

7 - General: We need more drinks! PC: I think we need another round of drinks! Cullen: I’ll get them. He stands. Cullen: Don’t start without me!

8 - General: Deal again, Josephine. PC: Deal us another hand, Josephine. Josephine: Oh, of course! Cards, sorry! Varric took the last hand. Is everyone ready to ante up?

9 - General: I’ve got a story! PC: I’ve got one for you.

Qunari PC PC: So, my kith was hired for a simple caravan escort in southern Nevarra. Twelve days of walking alongside donkeys, and men who smelled like donkeys, across flat nothingness… The scene fades. PC: Shokrakar turned to the donkey and said, “We’ll let this go if you will.” And walked away.

Dalish PC PC: The clan decided to camp near this ruined fortress. Right on the edge of the Tirashan. Dark as the bottom of a well. The Keeper swore up and down it was safe, but some of the hunters started hearing noises in the middle of the night… The scene fades. PC: They ran out of there, fast as you think, bare arses shining in the moonlight. The whole way back to their village.

Dwarf PC PC: There was this time the Carta sent me to do some collections. Just pick up the protection money and bring it back by any means necessary. What they forgot to tell me was the first business on that list was this old seamstress… The scene fades. PC: She never paid a rusty copper of protection again. And if you mentioned her name to the Dasher, his ears turned purple.

Human mage PC PC: It was the night of my Harrowing. I was standing in the middle of a room full of templars and senior enchanters. As the knight-commander read me the Chant, I got the nagging feeling something was missing… The scene fades. PC: They put me in the Ostwick Circle history book, which the first enchanter kept under lock and key, and never spoke of it again.

Human non-mage PC PC: Firstly, my aunt is known across the Free Marches for her love of Antivan opera. So, of course when a performance of “The Murder of Queen Madrigal” opened, she made us all attend… The scene fades. PC: My aunt refused to speak to me for three months.

Varric: Not bad! You don’t mind if I steal that one, do you? Dorian: Well done! Blackwall: You ought to tell stories more often. Cole: I liked the part with the rabbit. There should be more rabbits in stories. Cassandra: (Laughs.) Josephine: That was scandalous. It would ruin the Inquisition if anyone found out. Tell it again!

10 - Scene continues.

Josephine: And the dealer takes everything! I win again.

Cullen: Deal again. I’ve figured out your tells, Lady Ambassador.

Josephine: Commander! Everyone knows a lady has no tells.

Cullen: Then let’s see if your good fortune lasts one more hand.

Dialogue options:

General: Deal me in, too. PC: I want another chance to win my dignity back. Deal me in. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

General: I want to watch this. PC: I’m not losing any more coin to Josephine, but I have got to see this.

The scene fades. Cullen appears to have lost his clothes.

Cullen: Don’t say a word, dwarf.

Varric: I tried to warn you, Curly.

Josephine (romanced by PC): You won the whole pot! I knew you could do it, my love! Josephine: Never bet against an Antivan, Commander.

Cassandra: I’m leaving. I don’t want to witness our commander’s walk of shame back to the barracks.

Dorian: Well, I do!

Cole: It comes off. I didn’t know it came off…

The companions start to leave. Cullen runs out after everyone else has gone, leaving Varric and the PC.

Varric: I’m glad you decided to join us tonight. It’s too easy to mistake you for the Inquisitor.

Dialogue options:

General: This was fun. [11]

General: What does that mean? [12]

General: I am the Inquisitor. [13]

11 - General: This was fun. PC: I enjoyed this. Varric: See? That’s what I mean. [14]

12 - General: What does that mean? PC: You’re mistaking me for me? How much did you have to drink? [14]

13 - General: I am the Inquisitor. PC: But I am the Inquisitor. [14]

14 - Scene continues.

Varric: It’s easy to forget you’re not just an icon or symbol, like those statues of Andraste holding bowls of fire. At least it is for me. You up for another game when this is all over, Inquisitor?

Dialogue options:

General: Of course. [15]

General: That seems dangerous. [16]

General: I don’t think so. [17]

15 - General: Of course. PC: I wouldn’t miss it. Varric: Good! It’ll take me a while to talk Cullen into it. Maybe I’ll work the “revenge” angle. [18]

16 - General: That seems dangerous. PC: Every time I play, I increase the odds of winding up like Cullen. Varric: You’re never more alive than when you’re about to lose your pants, my friend. [18]

17 - General: I don’t think so. PC: I’m not sure I’m a card player, Varric. Sorry. Varric: Well, in that case, I’ll have to teach you to play Paragon. [18]

18 - Scene continues.

Varric and the PC leave.

If Sera is recruited Sera: Whozat? Did I win?

Scene ends.

[guiltycorp]

Just finished replaying Dragon Age II (first time i played it i was a teenager) and I have so many thoughts on Anders, as one does...

I think the centrist message of the game is strengthened many times by Anders being the only main character actively working to change the status quo of the story? When every other character opposes drastic change it feels like Anders is ‘betraying’ the core group by making those story-changing decisions on his own, and a random player’s allegiance will likely be to the mc and all of their chosen companions rather than those specific in-game groups like mages or elves. As Hawke, you can’t really directly participate one way or the other, you are simply giving your support to decisions made by the other characters, and so the first side to do something drastic is the one that feels like the more wrong one — narratively it’s of course more satisfying when it comes from the othered side (so, Qunari in Act 2, mages in Act 3).

Also, the nuance that the writers tried to include with numerous mentions of the mental toll of growing up in isolation against your will, the abuse that templars can easily cover up, swift executions — all of that is countered by blood magic and the existence of the Tevinter Imperium, and so again a random player walks away thinking ‘it’s a difficult situation but yes, perhaps there’s just no better solution for the mage problem’. Which is by design, of course, but leads to conclusions like 'ehh Anders only proved the other side right'. There's also of course the disconnect between the Chantry and the templars, the game is careful in painting the Chantry as 'blind to the abuse' rather than as the actual source of it. The Chantry came up with Magi Circles and the Templar Order is its military subdivision, but that can be easily overlooked when the local Grand Cleric was written as completely neutral despite her position of power, and so a major part of the audience reacts strongly to the destruction of a religious building as a parallel to modern real life burning of churches and mosques rather than recognizing the in-game context. Destroying the Chantry meant that Anders sought to change the system itself rather than targeting the symptoms (specific evil templars), and it is a much more powerful symbolical gesture in that way. As somebody who grew up in the faith, in one of those Circles, he is declaring that the Chantry failed him and others like him - he is not an outsider in this situation, no matter his current apostate status... And tbh I've always read Justice/Vengeance as more of an allegory than a straightforward demonic possession, pledging yourself wholly to the cause.

Also I have to mention… So Disco Elysium’s list of inspirations included the novel Germinal which is why I read it, and without spoiling too much I’ve been wondering if DA2 writers were also inspired by it. It’s a story about miners striking against their employers after being driven to it by abject poverty and hunger - everyone in the novel is aware that this strike is, unfortunately, beneficial to the company and so eventually the only available method of further protest is violence… There is an anarchist that reminded me of Anders, a man called Souvarine who has already been through a failed uprising (failed assassination of the russian tsar), who has a soft spot for a pet rabbit and who has a much better understanding of politics & socioeconomics than most other characters. Despite his educated background and delicate physical features, his personal ideology is alarmingly violent in a way that both impresses and scares the main character. He is absolutely not meant to be either ‘good’ or ‘bad’ and the author carefully avoids casting judgement on his actions despite their severity - I am pretty sure that his role in the book is representative of political revolutionary movements as a whole.

I absolutely recommend the book, especially if you liked Disco Elysium or Les Mis (or have been an Anders defender for a while lol), it is less hopeful than either one of them but in a very sympathetic way, sadly still very true to our lives. Best thing I've read in years. But yeah idk ANYWAY, DA2 has way too many mining-related environments for me not to at least consider this might not be a coincidence ahaha, in which case it’s a shame the message of the novel was interpreted through a much more ‘fun fantasy video game both sides are always wrong’ lens.

[deepspace-mens-socialarchives]

Hello I noticed you shared the ss of affinity for requirement and iirc for Sylus we jumped from lvl 1 to 5 right? Do you know if it's the same with other LI?

And I recently saw someone shared a quote from the affinity but sadly they don't specify which one and I don't remember if I already passed it. I thought we can check it at the affinity level on the LI profile so I only ss a few. If you don't mind, is it okay if you shared the affinity ss for Zayne? Only if you feel it's not a burden and if you have records of it of course. Thank you for everything 🩵

Hi

Whoever anon is I hope you get the response you wanted .

Please read the whole thing where I will try to explain the whole affinity quote thing based on my experiences..I have been meaning to talk about this

Let's talk about affinity first -

Let's start with latest man of the hour ,Sylus

Yes if u unlock sylus in main story you immediately jump from 1-4/5+ (depending whether u did the chat and then replied to his posts) immediately.

Reasons being - fighting with him ,getting cards so unlocking companion , chatting with him and interacting in posts.

I did all that as they designed a player to do and Got to 1-5

if you skip socials then it will be 1-4 jump.

For Zayne

He is the 3rd LI we meet in game ,And 2nd companion we unlock in destiny cafe after chapter 1

Mind you you can take a break after Chapter 1 with no one to rush you .

There's a [story] we get from him .

AND the BOND tutorial makes you do HIS bond as tutorials.

so with all that thing ,his affinity jump is very High overall in your first day of playing . But since everything happens After he is unlocked as companion you might be lucky to see the 💓1-> 💓2/3 and gradual progress if u don't do alotta stuff together because then the jump would be 2->6 ,8->13 due to catching up in affinity level .

but you can get 10-12+ affinity overnight if u are new player and you main him .

Same goes for Xavier .

You can unlock him BEFORE zayne in fact u can stop story midway where u didn't meet zayne and interact with Xavier .

Although he doesn't have the bond tutorial buff .

He is the face for the rest of tutorials ,name it Touching in destiny cafe ,Trial stages ,very first card u ever level up or equip Protocore to .

And you what comes with it? Affinity level up!!

Add choosing him in beginner standard banner.

Yeah..

you can get 10-12+ affinity overnight as a new player if u are new player and you main him .

For Rafayel

He is locked in Chapter 2.. a lot of new players makes the mistake of not finishing chapter 2 but pulling for him .resulting the delay of his affinity level up

When we unlock him in story we use our very first Burst with him .and then there are two Text back to back that helps his affinity.

But for rest you have to be clever and him focused .Because with all the tutorials ,Zayne & Xavier's status has higher advantage of boost without you even trying ..

Just like how everyone has advantage in terms of affinity level against Sylus but you can still see Some fans hitting affinity 70 with him .

About quotes-

When you unlock sylus

his first quote is always

💓1->5/1->4

"You are the one who walked in "

In fact he goes on and on

But in my second alt I didn't respond to the chat .

So I had💓 1->4 jump

Then I got new and interesting quotes due to Cycle being different (4->5 & 6->8 for example)

Then you might think "oh it's the unique cycles that gives the unique quotes"

True BUT

They are just early access & not locked in that particular affinity change.

LIs has chances of saying one single Quotes in a row .

Zayne once went "you are like a dessert" "you are like a dessert " "you are like a dessert " "you are like a dessert" from 22->23->25->26->27->28->29->31 affinity IN A ROW . I think he thinks of mc as dessert idk guys what do you think?

Likewise sylus sometimes he goes on tangent on one singular quote

But it doesn't guarantee he will say same thing for you..he didn't do for me

But one thing stays consistent is the affinity where moment post / chat / phone call unlocks .

for those affinities you will get quotes that stays consistent for most part .

that's why I try include the screenshot of them because chances are they are same for you .

unless you are odd one out-

But 100% consistency?? Are they though??

🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃🙃

another example ,same quote but entirely different stage of affinities .

So yeah it's hard to tell "exact" affinity you will get your quotes .

when the new companion unlocks

The very first affinity quote from every LI will and should be same for everyone

then as you progress ,When everything is new about them ,that's where it's same quotes for affinities for every player .

For zayne

his first quote for me was always

💓1->2

"it's a wonderful thing to see you again"

then these following quotes will come through (this is based on last encounter SS)

💓 2->3

" it's a wonderful thing to see you again"

💓4->5

" it's a wonderful thing to see you again"

💓5->6

" it's a wonderful thing to see you again"

💓 6->7

" for a long time ,my gaze has always been yours "[text unlock:waiting room]

💓 7->8

" we have been meeting each other a lot as of late"[moment post :rabbit]

💓 8->9

" it's a wonderful thing to see you again"

💓 9->10

" I am more than just your doctor"[gift for room]

💓 10->11

" I am more than just your doctor"

💓10->11

" contact me even if for no particular reason"

💓 11->12

" contact me even if it's for no particular reason"

💓 11->12

" you are the best medicine I have"

💓11->14

" contact me even if it's for no particular reason"

💓19->20

"your destination is where I want to go "

💓20->21

"you are like a dessert "

For Rafayel

First quote was

💓 1->4

"let's look at the sea together next time "

then these following quotes will come through (this is based on last encounters SS)

💓5->6

"let me see if there are new requests"

💓5->6

"we meet again ,miss bodyguard"

💓6->7

"we meet again miss body guard"

💓5->7

"let's look at the sea together next time"

💓7->8

"let's look at the sea together next time"

💓8->9

"let's look at the sea together next time"

💓 8->9

""we meet again ,miss bodyguard"

💓 9->10

"you seem to always appear with the sun"

💓 9->11

"you always bring refreshing inspiration"

💓10->11

"you always bring refreshing inspiration"

💓11->12

"you always bring refreshing inspiration"

💓11->12

"you seem to always appear with the sun"

💓 11->13

"you seem to always appear with the sun"

💓13->14

"everyday is worth commemorating"

💓 13->14, 16->17, 17->19

"you seem to always appear with the sun"

💓14->15

"you always bring refreshing inspiration"

💓15->17

"everyday is worth commemorating"

💓19->21

"you are my only choice "

💓21->22

"all my weekends are for you to use"

For Xavier

First quote last time was

💓1->3

" lets meet at a safer place next time "

then these following quotes will come through (this is based on last encounters SS)

💓3->4

" lets meet at a safer place next time "

💓4->5

"companionship sounds like a good idea"

💓5->7

"companionship sounds like a good idea"

💓9->10

"I should leave my oven to you"

💓11->12

"I won't be a player short in two-player game anymore "

💓11->12

" now I have someone I can share food with"

💓12->13

"I won't be a player short in two-player game anymore "

💓13->14

" now I have someone I can share food with"

💓14->15

" now I have someone I can share food with"

💓16->17

"I won't be a player short in two-player game anymore "

💓16->17

" now I have someone I can share food with"

💓 17->19

" now I have someone I can share food with"

💓18->19

"I won't be a player short in two-player game anymore "

💓18->19

" now I have someone I can share food with"

💓19->20--20->21--21->23->

"every promise to see each other will be kept "

A lot repeating and eventually new stuffs comes as you get into new double digits ig . But the line up-

that isn't 100% same for everyone.

Personally I pick the one I get the most times for all 3 options combined ,but I could be wrong too ,there is a chance.

But in the end you will get the quotes sooner or later [it's only a matter of time].

So now we know even though there's serial of when the news quote arrives ,there also isn't.

So what we need is a list of all existing quotes possible,because some players can get stuck with getting one repeatedly ,correct .

There's an awesome player who has been archiving the Affinity quotes for all the LI Boyz @its-de

Check their threads out here's a link of sylus .you can click around and see them as there are also zayne ,rafayel & Xavier's threads.

❄️🖤🐚⭐💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

[esquie]

The only people I see liking they game keep repeating they like without saying what they like exactly. But everything I hear about it sounds like dogshit to be honest. How was this 100 bucks?

ok so from what ive heard from people who do like it they like it forr...

the game is visually beautiful its a feast even if its kind of empty (theres lore reason for there being like no animals.. even if it makes it feel dead)

the lore. they are huge fans of pillars and the lore of eora and avowed is fucking FULL of it. to the point u may be a bit lost if u don't know poe lore already. its absolutely chock full of delicious lore

the combat is fun if you play with magic (its literally the harry potter game magic system with wands and that was pretty damn popular) or with guns which are apparently which satisfying. i did enjoy the bow gameplay and the magic gameplay. i didn't try gun

if you like the companions that would be a massive pro. but companions are very personal for everyone. there are a lot of kai fans that i've seen and he's the only one you can romance so i can imagine some people love the game for kai and stuff

the game does have transmog. and yknow what. that is a fucking pro in any situation cuz many many many rpgs still lack a fucking transmog system and i don't understand why. so thank you obsidian for that

uhhhh i can't think of anything else.. rn........ uhhhhhh but yes i agree this game feels like a 30-50 pricetag... i'd lean lower but i can see 50 still being worth it for some people. higher than that? is insulting to me. personally i recommend everyone pirate it first... treat it like a demo if you want.... gauge for yourself...... but man....... wait for a sale ..... yeahhhhh

[broodwoof]

triple checks it's the right blog this time...

so I'm having a p shitty week and I'm gonna cope by talking abt my meta for solas, mostly in terms of his personality and behavior. I have a LOT of meta abt his past and nature and future but that's... another post, lmao

some of his key and/or most interesting characteristics:

kind

selfish

reserved

arrogant

empathetic

detached

now, let's dig into these

kind: he clearly and consistently wants people to be happy or to alleviate their suffering. he's glad the inquisition helps refugees, he's glad (dialogue, not approval iirc) when you take the time to find the apostate supply caches in the hinterlands, he makes a point of connecting with every single companion, even ones who regularly degrade him. and in trespasser, he goes to extreme lengths to keep southern thedas from falling to the qun, because he wants the people - those he knows and those he doesn't - to be happy and at relative peace.

this is one of the most remarkable things he does imo, bc if he'd just let the situation develop, he'd have an absolutely clear path to achieving his goals. yes, he'd need to get the anchor another way, but that's hardly impossible. what matters is that by stopping the war, he gives the inquisition/inquisitor clearance to pursue him without distraction, while also arguably giving the qunari the ability to focus on strengthening the veil, bc i cant imagine the viddasala and her people were the only ones of all qunari to have/know of that goal

selfish: if romancing lavellan, he understands one aspect of his selfishness, because it's a relationship he should have shut down HARD. but his feelings are real... and he selfishly gives in to them, even knowing he'll break their heart. he does try to pull away, he does eventually break up with lavellan, but by then the damage is done. even the offer to remove their vallaslin is selfish in its way - he's trying to give them a piece of the truth, but instead delivers a cruelty and leaves them whether they accept or deny his offer.

but he's selfish in another important way, too: he's convinced of his own perspective. he thinks bc he literally knows more (which, yeah, tbf he does), that his pov holds more weight. he's willing to change the world bc of his guilt about it ofc, but also bc he's - selfishly, self-centered - convinced that he's RIGHT to do so. he's not traditionally selfish - in many ways he's selfless, overwhelmingly willing to sacrifice all his own chances at happiness and peace in order to restore the world - but his selfishness (which ties in with his arrogance) is shown in his self-conviction.

he makes excuses, but honestly? he could have told the inquisitor who and what he was. he could have done that! he could ask for help reconnecting the fade with the waking world. dreadwolf could be about the inquisition gathering together myriad experts and looking for ways to do it that aren't destructive. but he's so assured that his path is the right one, the only one.

and it's... a complicated selfishness, too, because part of it is that he feels like he deserves to be punished. he thinks he needs to walk this path alone not bc the inquisitor is incapable, but because 1) He Knows What's Right, and 2) He Deserves To Suffer (to alleviate his guilt about his "sins" - which is selfish in a complicated and roundabout way)

reserved: the superficial aspect of this is obvious: he's lying about his identity. but he's also reserved as part of his core character - according to him, he used to be reckless, quick to fight. I think his reserve is something he grew into, a willingness to play the long game, an understanding that information given can never be taken away. it leads to other things - a hesitance to trust, for example - but it's just a part of him now. I think even if he found someone to be 100% open with, he'd STILL be reserved by nature

arrogant: my man is an arrogant ass, no denying it. ofc he knows so much more about history than those around him, but he's also so willing to fight about it, to condescend, to trivialize. when he realizes he has a genuinely receptive audience his tone changes, so I think a lot of this stems from defensiveness and a deep familiarity with needing to justify his every expressed opinion, but... he's still an ass. his conversation with a dalish inquisitor at haven? yikes.

he's also regularly convinced that his interpretations are the correct ones. like wrt my recent post about the mages after Faded For Her, I have to assume that he thinks the inquisitor sparing them demonstrates disdain for the inherent value of spirits and their sentience, even if the real reason is a lot more complicated. he jumps to conclusions and states them like facts and it takes a lot for him to begin to deconstruct them

empathetic: this ties in with his kindness ofc, but its worth a unique mention. he is incredibly empathetic. he cares about what happens to people, to spirits, even to your enemies in a way - he talks with bull about how he doesn't like to relish his victories in combat because the people he kills could have been something else, someone else. he cares about wolves (I WONDER WHY... but also like, him being fen'harel doesn't mean he HAS to care about wolves, but he does, bc he cares about animals, too), he cares about the farmers being attacked by wolves, he cares about the refugees, he's understanding towards speaker anais and the cult that grew up around the rifts... he not only cares, he understands where people are coming from, regardless of who they are or how they behave

detached: this one lessens somewhat over the course of the game, but he's deeply, fundamentally detached to the world he woke up in and the people who inhabit it. its a little ironic when u look at his kindness and empathy, but it doesn't negate his detachment. i tend to think of him as seeing everything through a fog, feeling like he's not really there at least as much as he feels like everyone else is not really there.

not joking or exaggerating, he must have such terrible trouble with disassociation/derealization. ive seen people bring up excellent points wrt this that i dont feel a need to rehash, but suffice to say: while he still cares, everything he experiences is at a remove. this stems from shock, trauma, guilt, fear, and profound culture shock.

[kit-williams]

If you want prompts to work on you got any ideas for being stalked by an astartes? I got into the rogue trader game andy god the astartes companion is doing something to me.

Idk I just enjoy the idea that on planet or in a ship you can only hide from something stronger and smarter then you for so long.

So you and @bispecsual both were inspired by the Rogue Trader game so I will be tying together both of the asks. Though theirs was more about "holding a lot more power than the usual darling but still having this man be rabidly devoted to her." and "oh he’s a freak… jokes on you I’m into that 😏"

However neither of you gave me a chapter so I asked my husband what chapter to write it for his pick: Drumroll

ALPHA LEGION

Also Serax's voice is based kinda off of the way Warrior Tier does in his alpha legion video

As for Rowena Beaumont... her appearance is whatever the reader wants to be however given a rogue trader prompt I could not resist giving them an over the top name!

tw: SEX THERES SEX also yandere behavior... implied stalking and manipulation... obsessive

Serax had quite a good deal going on. He enjoyed the Rogue Trader he was attached too Lord Captain Rowena Beaumont... Lady Rowena in proper company... Beau to those whom she lures to her bed... and his teasing calling her -ena. Ah yes wouldn't it be nice to have his 'ena call him Serax at night instead of Sven. He was playing the roll of a Vlka Fenryka and perhaps he was playing it too well... for the Mistress of the ship had gotten under Serax's skin.

She was horribly over the top. She was loud. She was a brat... such a brat and he could tell she loved it when he, as Sven, scolded her. Of course, he couldn't do much to her and much less given his cover... but why would he want to drive her away? But it was so easy to play the roll of the brutish Vlka Fenryka as she had told him when he had tried to 'scare' her away from getting too close... she was a gremlin and had announced "Jokes on you I like that!"

Everything was perfect... The blare of the horn as he could tell the gelar field flickered and one of his hearts sank. But that was probably from being thrown by the sudden demonette, that he quickly crushed, before he rushed down the halls to find Rowena. He felt a second hand embarrassment as he howled like the wolf that he was pretending to be.

"SVEN GET YOUR HAIRY ASS OVER HERE!" He hears her shriek before firing her weapon a few more times as she has to make her way to the bridge to get her ship under control. "IF I GET ONE MORE CALL FROM YOU LOT I WILL MURDER SOMEONE!" Again she screams, he sees her only half dressed but no armor on at all as she swings her saber.

"What are you daft puppy?" He snarls out like the protective wolf he was being as he picks her up before backhanding a warped individual. "Is my pup alright?"

"No! Someone tried to kill me in my sleep! I did not get my full rest! And now my ship is falling apart!" She lets out a scream as she grabs a gun and just shoots into one corrupted individual a few too many times. "Puppy lets get you to the bridge."

Rowena clings to her smelly Sven... it wasn't bath day yet. But she watched him be the killing machine that he was always so skilled in what he does... though she found he, like a lost dog, followed the hand that fed him. Which in that case was hers and Rowena did not mind one bit of having a space marine to her beck and call. Besides it was also a bit of a flaunt to also get her world rocked by Sven nearly every night.

"Look out!" Sven shouted as he turned his back to the corrupted crew shooting at them. Rowena watched Sven's pauldron turn teal for a moment... seeing a green hydra in the place of a wolf before it returned to normal before he fired back.

"Oh Sven." Rowena cooed, "You keep me so safe what would I do without you?"

"Hmm probably be dead. Full of a lot more holes... maybe," He lowers his voice an octave, "be less stretched out... less ruined for mortal men perhaps." He laughed as he looked down at the Rogue Trader biting her bottom lip and looking at him with bedroom eyes. Serax grunted looking away, "Not now puppy." He growls softly.

"Later?" She coos rubbing his chestplate.

"If you're a good girl." He feels her lean back, giggle, and kick her feet in joy. She was such a funny little creature.

------

Rowena drums her fingers as she finally got her ship back in order but something was bothering her. The sigil that was on his pauldron... it itched a memory in the back of her mind. Grandpapa told her to fear the hydra though... there was a hydra in their heraldry... a bloodline that could be traced back to when the Emperor was walking around. She always figured it was to mean fear of betrayals but what did the hydra mean.

She hummed as she dismissed herself from the bridge and returned to her room and went into the forbidden library. Oh yes she was suppose to hand these books over to the Inquisition for being heretical and some in xenos origin. Some were heirlooms and she grabs the ones she remembers that had a hydra in them.

Hermetic Tablets of Black Conspiracies, Yesteryear of yearning, Demented Book of Lost Poems, Restoration Of The Frontline, Avoiding The Fires, Dog Of The Forsaken, Omnibus of Enigma, Mistress Alayne's Text of Runes, Invader Of The Void, Neighbors Of The Forest, Armies Of The Curse, Thieves Of Time, Understanding New Technology, Scrolls of Whitchcraft. She frowned not understanding what all of these have in common but Rowena hardly has the time. Besides she is the Rogue Trader and he is on her ship!

She hums as she heads to his room.

----

Serax looks to Rowena feeling his stomach drop as she says just looking at one of his trinkets. "Hiding anything?" He forces out a laugh, "Lady Rowena I'm but a simple wolf. I hardly need to hide anything from you."

"So why did your pauldron turn teal? And don't you fuckin gaslight me! I am the fuckin' queen of Gaslighting, Gatekeeping, and Girlbossing!"

He sighed and watched Rowena jump as the door locked behind her and her microbead and other tech cutting her off from the rest of the ship. She turned around and was grabbed and pressed to the door as red lenses glowed in the dark of the room as he tilted his head his voice sounding different. "Lady Rowena." He purrs and he watches her eyes widen... not expecting that reaction?

"Wha-wha-wha-" Is all she can manage. Before he puts his thumb on her tongue.

"Hush puppy," He rumbles in that deep and to Rowena very seductive timber, "you're not suppose to know about this. Normally... puppies who find out get put down. But... you are my puppy. And normally I would want an adversary to figure out what I am verses your accidental discovery." He watches her tongue move against his thumb tasting the bitter tang of sweat and some iron from what he was tinkering on, his chest rumbles. "Always a naughty puppy. Aren't you? Yes you're Serax's naughty girl." He knew where that rumble went... watching her latch onto his thumb and suck as her thighs closed tightly. Yes Mistress Rowena was always in control... prim... proper... always playing chess with foes around her... political machinations and she was very much like a puppy playing with rabid wolves.

Emperor bless her that Serax found himself in her service to help keep this little puppy alive and in charge. "You know puppy... how much I've been helping you? I deserve to be rewarded... " He groans just looking at his Rowena. He had stalked her before as he originally just needed to be ferried from one place to another and her family was deeply tied to the legion. But she was hardly what he expected from a rogue trader... young and eyes full of stars.

"What do you want..." She moans softly just whimpering as Serax moved his fingers against her groin fingering her through her clothes.

"I want you to scream my name. My name is Serax by the way... get on the bed. And yes 'ena... I'm going to continue to ruin you for mortals." He lets her go and watches her scramble to get onto his bed just looking at him with an eager vibration as she starts to strip and he walks to the machine that will remove his armor. He looks to his puppy and see how eager she is given how her legs are spread wide and two fingers are deep in her sex. "Yes play with yourself." He hums just lazily stroking his cock as he looks at her with the same devotion he would look at her as Sven. "Such a silly puppy... you practically walked right to me. Face down ass up puppy. Good girl. You just needed a firm hand to help guide you. And my legion is all about being the faceless guiding hand working in the shadows... oh yes puppy you're going to keep rejecting those marriage agreements because you have me." He says as he crawls up behind Rowena.

She whimpers into the pillow, dripping wet, as Sven no Serax's voice is pure seduction. She yelps as he slaps, gently for him, her ass causing her to moan into the pillow. He pushes into her inviting cunt as he starts a slow pace. Oh yes he's wanted and imagined fucking the Rogue Trader here in his simple quarters verses her pompous room. His hand grips her hair pulling back as he notices her burying her face into his pillow, "Bad puppy I said I wanted you to scream my name."

"SERAX!" Rowena yelps out as he thrusts into her hard. His girthy cock tickling her clit as his balls clap against her flesh. "Oh God oh Throne oh God!" She pants out in prayer.

"No Emperor here only me. Oh yes tell the Sister of Battle what I said... we both know whom you're going to pick, puppy. Tell me who is puppy going to pick?"

"You... " She moans as he lightly spanks her, "You Serax!" She can feel sweat start to form as fucking a space marine is a full contact sport almost. While Serax was just casually fucking she felt like her whole body was being thrown through the paces.

"Good girl." He groaned as he picked up his pace as he holds her hips tighter being as gentle as he can but really... she can afford to get her hips fixed from an Astartes fucking her. He grunt louder as she screams his name again feeling her walls form a vice grip around his cock. He lets out a low strained groan as he tries not to cum bucking his hips and fucking her through her orgasm. He pants out 'puppy' over and over. Yes he really does just sees her as a cute little dog for him to dote upon and train.

He flips her over grabbing her under her knees and spreading her legs watching her as she gets glassy eyed watching the way his cock vanishes into her sex and causes her to bulge slightly. Its the way she looks at him so helplessly and just putting so much trust into his hands that's what gets Serax off groaning and cumming deep in her. Bottoming out and rocking his hips as his toes curl and he groans softly.

He pulls out and leans in kissing her hard as she whimpers so helplessly... oh yes he made sure that she was the perfect little puppy... making sure she got her write of passage... making sure she would be open to him... he moans into the kiss pulling her to his lap. But of course he won't tell his little puppy just how perfectly he made her for him... she might try to get rid of him. Of course, she was going to get Sven outside of this room but whenever she wanted to experience a far more honest version of himself... all she had to do was come to the Hydra lair.