#i love arcane so frigging much

[hammyham-o-o]

some fanart of vi from arcane :] uncoloured version under the cut!

[firesign-18]

I saw in your bookmarks that you also like Zutara so I got curious...what other stories and characters do you like? :>>>

Haha oh my god I am actually a recent Zutara enjoyer but an enthusiastic one! (I missed ATLA the first time round and just recently watched it, but that fic ‘Salt and Scale’ is already a total masterpiece.)

Anywayyy, so other ships. It’s a lot of girlkissers haha.

I *love* Aerti and Sulemio. Both really underserviced fanfic wise too (though with a couple of masterpieces in there) so I’ve got some plans to write for them eventually (much more tgck to get through in my WIPs first though).

Of course my beloved Farcille, again in dire need of more fics. F/F is a barren wasteland half the time.

And my girls CaitVi, who in a turn up have got a delightful array of riches on AO3. Some of the modern AU stuff of them is just fantastic.

Also like most of the anime loving world I am so seated for Dandadan and MomoKarun - they’re so frigging cute.

More generally / non-ships, I love a real blend - soft, gentle things like Freiren and Spy x Family (Yor my beloved), gritty shit like Blue Eyed Samurai and Arcane, action orientated stuff like Bleach, and then things that sort of fall between all that like Witch From Mercury, MHA, One Piece, Dungeon Meshi etc. Dragon Ball Z and Pokémon were my gateway to all things anime / manga when I was a kid so they’ll always have a special place in my heart. I’ve seen Akira multiple times in the cinema too and damn that shit was made for the big screen and surround sound.

And I’m a bit of a gamer when I’ve got time so ya know FF, Zelda, Witcher, Fall Out etc etc…

I’ve probably forgotten things but yeah, that would be my attempt at a summary!

What about you???

P.s. much as I hate JKR and her bullshit I am also a quiet enjoyer of Dramione - some of the fics are top fucking tier.

[xielianlikesbugstoo]

Live watching Arcane season 2 episode 5... Based on usual patterns of other movies/series, this should be the weakest episode of season 2..... Let's seeeee (spoilers ahead)

00:53 Vi honestly reminds me of riven though in this scene. Riven from the music video for "Awaken"

01:15 Dark Fighter Vi skin :)

02:51 Huhhh???? Jinx????!!!

05:15 Cait looking like Vladimir, lol

07:37 Singed new MVP?

07:55 Yup, that's how I usually wake up in the morning too

09:22 oooh. Wth. Let's goo

10:29 dammmnn, there he is. Kinda cute, the reunion

11:06 Jinx, Vi, Isha, this is so frigging cuteeeeee

11:27 "haha, you see, Sis, I'm famous now. Somehow"

14:27 that hurt me much more emotionally than Isha physically.....

19:52 huh? Child? I don't understand

21:54 that's so beautiful though

24:08 huhhhhhh? Plot twist????! Lol

Aaaand back to the Rose chains

30:25 fuck, was that an awesome scene

32:00 oh. Vi's mom???

33:04 This is the cutest shit I've seen. Why is it Zaun and things couldn't just stay like this and only improve from thereon 😭😭😭 imagine a happy little family, with Vander, Vi's mom, Vi, Powder, Silco? Omg 😭😭

33:23 😭🥺 the sooong

Ohhh, shiiit. Poor Jinx. The fear of having lost her sister. Again.

34:22 shit is this cute

"What have you done to us" while showing altered Jinx, Vi, and Warwick. Fuck are they good at film making

36:07 Survivor Jayce xD

36:33 JAYCE VIKTOR REUNION!!! I LOVE THEM

36:50 I love how "Salo's" manners changes as soon as Viktor took over, lol

37:29 "I thought you were done with me" Lol, Jayce, please don't be so heartbroken, your bf could never forget you

37:33 "I was clouded my emotions" Viktor said with his usual monotonous voice. I feel that though, Viktor, I feel you. Lol

39:07 "Shut down!"

Sooooo. Actually this episode was frigging awesome. So many extemely amazing things. So many reunions. My bois Jayce and Viktor. Sister power. Soft Singed. More background stories. Awesome scenes with and without music. I actually liked it much more than the previous episode for example (and no, I'm not just biased because Viktor was in this episode (I think))

[potatowitch]

Sera Approval Guide

aka: how to minimise Sera disapproval when you’re a Solas-romancing, pro-mage, proud Dalish elfy elf

Credit for the info in this guide goes to the Dragon Age Wikis here, here and here.

Acceptable Losses (IMO) - Disapproval when I allied with the mages instead of conscripting them - Disapproval when I exiled the Wardens (no, I didn't just do this for the Solas approval but it CERTAINLY HELPED) - Disapproval when I let Celene die so I could support Briala at the Winter Palace - Disapproval when I allied with Abelas and the Sentinels

Haven First conversation (I thought it'd be bigger) "They're too busy to look up where the real questions are". - You think it should be easy. (Slightly Approves) "Sound good to you, all touched Lady Herald?" - We'll succeed. We have to. (Slightly Approves) - Sounds good to me. (Slightly Approves) - I only care about stopping it. (Slightly Approves)

Becoming Inquisitor When you're making a speech directly after becoming Inquisitor, Sera will approve if you say: - Because it's right. - Corypheus must be stopped. - Lead them to vengeance. She will disapprove if you say "an elf will stand for us all". Love that internalised racism, Sera.

Immediately After Reaching Skyhold Make sure to speak to Sera in Haven at least once after recruiting her. You will get disapproval if you recruit her and then don't speak to her until Skyhold. Do not leave Skyhold after reaching it before speaking to her either. What'd I step in? - Don't say "Andraste? Not an elven god?" (Slightly Disapproves if you do) - Ask "Do you believe or not?" - I need doubters like you. (Slightly Approves)

First Time Leaving and Returning to Skyhold Asking "why did you really join me?", she will reply "What do you mean? To help people." - Seems like there's more to it. (Slightly Approves)

Red Jenny Stashes and The Winter Palace Make sure to bring Sera to the Winter Palace with you. If you use the Halla statues to unlock the door to Celene's bedroom where a soldier is naked and tied up, then choose to leave him there after your conversation, Sera will Slightly Approve. You will also gain access to Red Jenny's Stashes. These WILL NOT show up as a blip when you use the search function. Sera must be in the party for them to appear. There are three in the Winter Palace - one in the Guest Wing Garden (in the room near where you eavesdrop on the nobles), one in the Servant's Quarters' Garden (south western most corner, near some embrium) and in the Lower Garden (behind the vine fence opposite the three Council members). Sera Approves for each stash you open.

Red Jenny Caches - Out In The World Again, these will not show up as a blip on the search function and you must have Sera in the party for them to appear. You can, however, access these before Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts. Finding each one nets you a Slightly Approves from Sera. Their locations can be found here

After the Winter Palace "Ugh, that place. Should have just thrown in some bees and slammed the doors." - Earwigs. That'd stop a ball. (Slightly Approves) - Their mistakes made it worse. (Approves)

After Here Lies the Abyss Sera disapproves if you exile the Wardens, but you gain that approval back if you allow Blackwall to stay. "Heard what went on in that Fade thing. What you think went on. Can't even start to believe that business." - A difficult time for everyone. (Slightly Approves) - All I know is we lost people. (Slightly Approves) "They're the good thing that means a bad thing is about to happen. Like in Denerim, when the Blight ended." - What do you remember?/What was the Blight like? (Approves)

The Verchiel March (Personal Quest) - Let her kill the noble or if you have the perk Nobility Knowledge, get him to serve the inquisition (Approves) After getting back to Skyhold, you'll get one of five opening lines. Respond with the option: - You're right/Unpredictable, but worth it. (Greatly Approves) "Right, what do you mean, because I am really not used to that ... acceptance thing you're doing right there." - I want us to be friends. (Slightly Approves)

After Verchiel - Speaking With Her Again - Do not say "you pretend that's moral?" (She slightly disapproves) After you say "I expected people from you" - Well, as long as it works. (Slightly Approves) After you say "do your pranks achieve much?" and she replies "It's inspiring. Even if it sometimes goes tits up and they take a hit back. You know, like Haven?" - That's actually a fair point. (Slightly Approves)

Pranks - unlocks at +35 approval, must have completed Verchiel March and spoken to the Warden in Crestwood. Accept doing the pranks, do all of them for maximum approval. - Anything to keep us inspired. (Slightly Approves)

After What Pride Had Wrought - Sera will disapprove if you drank from the Well. I never do because I tried it once and not only did Sera yell at me but Solas did too and it made me sad so I reloaded lmao - I always disagree with her when she says everything at the Temple was lies. This nets you disapproval and triggers the following: "You're the frigging Herald of Andraste! Every time you open your mouth, you'll sound like an idiot." - It wouldn't be the first time OR That hasn't stopped you. (Approves)

Wedding in Val Royeaux If you complete the Alliances: From The Heart war table mission with Josephine and attend the wedding in Val Royeaux, make sure to bring Sera, and when you're making a speech: - Spend your new wealth on joy. - Live life to the fullest/You've a duty to yourselves/Who cares what anyone thinks?. (Approves)

In The Field Completing the following quests in the Hinterlands will net you a Slightly Approves from Sera. (Solas also approves of some of them too, so take him with as well): - A Healing Hand (Redcliffe Village) - Agrarian Apostate - Hunger Pangs - In The Elements - Shallow Breaths If you've brought Sera with you to the Western Approach when you meet Erimond for the first time, telling him to let the Grey Wardens go will net you a Slightly Approves. You will get approval for killing the nugs in the Flooded Cave in Crestwood but at what cost? Don't kill the nugs. You'll make Cole sad. If you bring Sera with you to the Temple of Mythal (I don't recommend, because she will disapprove if you ally with the Sentinels), she does Slightly Approve if you destroy Samson's armor.

Sit In Judgement Avvar Tribesman (after The Fallow Mire) - Arm and banish him to Tevinter. (You get approval from everyone but Varric and Cassandra for this one - those two don't have any approval changes for this option) Alexius - He'll serve Redcliffe's mages. (Will net you disapproval with Sera, but approval from Solas, Iron Bull, Blackwall and Cole) - I want him researching magic. (Requires perk Arcane Knowledge) (Will net you disapproval from both Sera and Cassandra, but approval from Solas, Bull, Vivienne and Cole, and will open a War Table mission) - I'm executing him myself. (Will net you approval with Sera, Bull and Cole, but disapproval with Solas and Varric. Dorian will also be sad in some dialogue you can have with him afterwards) Servis (Western Approach) - Give him back to Corypheus. (Approval with Solas, Bull and Sera. Disapproval with Dorian, Blackwall, Varric and Cole.) - An informant. On probation. (Opens War Table mission) (Disapproval with Sera and Cole, approval with Solas, Bull, Blackwall and Vivienne) - I want him as a smuggler (Requires Underworld Knowledge perk) (Recruits him as an agent) (Disapproval with Cassandra, Sera and Cole, approval with Solas, Dorian, Bull and Varric) Mayor Dedrick (Crestwood) - I'll give him a clean death. (Nets approval with Bull, Sera and Cole but disapproval with Solas) - The best I can do is exile. (Disapproval from Bull, Sera and Cole but approval from Solas) - Ferelden can lock him up. (No reaction from Sera or Solas, disapproval from Cole, approval from Bull, Varric and Vivienne) Erimond (Adamant) - Give him to the Wardens (approval from Bull, Blackwall, Sera and Cole, disapproval from Solas) - Imprison him (Approval from Varric, Dorian, Vivienne, Blackwall and Sera, disapproval from Solas and Cole) - Execute him (Approval from Solas, Bull, Sera and Cole) (PICK THIS ONE) Ser Ruth (Adamant) - I won't judge a Warden (Approval from Sera and Blackwall, disapproval from Solas, Cassandra, Cole and Vivienne) - Go to the Deep Roads (Unlocks operation) (Approval from Sera, Cole and Varric, disapproval from Solas) - Public humiliation, then (Disapproval from Blackwall, Sera and Cole, approval from Solas and Vivienne) Florianne, Dead (Halamshiral) - Ha! Community service! (Gain an agent, unlock war table mission) (Disapproval from Cassandra and Cole, approval from Sera) Thom Rainier - You're free, if you atone (Higher approval from Sera) - The Wardens will decide (slightly lower approval from Sera) Mistress Poulin (Emprise du Lion) - You're free to go. (Approval from Solas, Blackwall, Varric and Cole, disapproval from Bull and Sera) - Put her to work. (Approval from everyone except Dorian and Vivienne) - Have her rebuild the town. (Approval from Varric, Sera and Vivienne, disapproval from Blackwall and Bull) Samson - Cullen will question you. (Only available if you completed Before The Dawn and chose "Maddox respected you" as a previous dialogue option) (Approval from Solas, Vivienne and Bull) - Let Kirkwall have you. (Approval from Sera and Varric)

[smutnug]

Day 10: Surprise kiss

Owen Trevelyan had always been fascinated by magic: as a boy he pored over illustrations of griffons and dragons, devouring folk tales of witches and enchantments and talking animals.

"You shouldn't let him read that nonsense," his mother said. "He'll turn into a mage."

Bann Trevelyan peered over his spectacles - the finest in dwarven craftsmanship - and blinked mildly. "I'm quite sure that's not how it works."

"How will he ever be a templar? He won't know which side he's on."

"I don't think it's supposed to be about sides, dear."

Lady Trevelyan sniffed. "I see where he gets it from."

Thankfully for his mother, Owen's sense of adventure extended to a love of swords and rough-and-tumble play. A dutiful but indifferent Andrastian, he was considered too old at ten for templar training, but utterly unsuited to clerical work.

"We'll send him out to squire. It will do him good to be around boys his own age."

Owen had been a late addition: a surprise, or an accident, depending on his mother's mood. She looked at her youngest son doubtfully. "I just don't want him to be bullied."

"Stop bullying him then, dear." The bann returned to his book.

Squiring agreed with Owen exceptionally well.

"The duke is happy with his progress," said Bann Trevelyan over his morning letters. "Very popular with the other boys, evidently."

Lady Trevelyan choked genteelly on her tea. "Not too popular, I hope."

Her husband peered over his spectacles. "You're a hard woman to please, dear."

Owen returned home to Ostwick in his eighteenth year. Described variously as strapping, honourable to a fault, affable, and a host of other complimentary things, he had distinguished himself in tourneys and skirmishes alike. He was, everyone agreed, a credit to his house.

Lady Trevelyan looked her son up and down. Tall and broad with a mop of straw-coloured hair and a radiant grin, he was already gaining a reputation as the handsomest youth in Ostwick.

She pursed her lips.

They held a ball to celebrate his homecoming. Owen danced every dance, no more than once or twice with the same partner. People seemed drawn to him.

"I wish you wouldn't lead those poor girls on, Owen."

He looked down at his mother with a mock-wounded expression. "What makes you think I'm leading them on, mother dear?"

"Oh, Owen."

He laughed and kissed her on the cheek, and she couldn't help but smile.

Owen Trevelyan loved magic. He walked the streets of Haven with a grin, his cheeks ruddied by the cold. Mages, real mages, everywhere he looked! Some were half-starved, some surly, many too nervous to look anyone in the eye, but to him they may as well have been exotic butterflies.

"Is it true a dragon used to live here?" he asked the tavern keeper.

"That's what they say, ser," she said with a shrug.

"How wonderful!" he said, and tipped her richly enough that she forgave him for being a bit strange, and wondered if he were single.

He was. Lady Trevelyan had farewelled him with a kiss, a thick woollen scarf, and a murmured, perhaps you'll meet a nice man over there.

For you, mother, I'll try, he'd answered, and swept her into a bone-crushing hug.

He hadn't spent the past five years idle. He'd served in his father's guard, with such distinction that any suggestions of nepotism were quickly abandoned. He'd helped strengthen trade agreements with Markham and Ansburg, and turned down half a dozen marriage contracts with such charm that nobody felt any offense (but more than one young lady was left a touch disappointed). He bested some of the best fighters in the Free Marches at tourney. And, of course, he read.

None of this entirely prepared him for what was to come.

Owen Trevelyan loved magic - that didn't mean he wanted a mysterious, sometimes bad-humoured magical mark embedded in his hand. He loved the idea of dragons, but there was nothing exciting about having one attack his home. The novelty of demons wore off at his first encounter.

He loved magic; and while it didn't cross into fetish, it wouldn't be true to say he'd never thought of having a mage lover. There was a certain exotic, star-crossed romance to it after all.

Dorian, though…Dorian was something else altogether.

Smooth, flashy, witty…beautiful. Every visible inch seemed perfectly sculpted. His voice was richer than mead, his skin almost seemed to glow with warmth. For all Owen's romanticism, he didn't believe in love at first sight. But his first sight of Dorian…well, it took a man a while to recover from something like that.

Every ounce of charm Owen could throw at him was returned with double the force. He slashed, he parried, but it seemed Dorian didn't even know he was part of a duel. The mage shielded himself in sarcasm and cast wit like fireballs, all without so much as a sheen of sweat forming on his perfect brow.

A lesser man might have given up. Not Owen Trevelyan. He believed in magic.

"New books?" Dorian exclaimed. "Just when I thought my brain was about to wither and die."

"Our budget has allowed for some arcane study," Owen said, nearly dropping an armful of priceless tomes.

"Stop right there," Dorian ordered, "and let me help you. Why?"

"The advisors thought it might help me to have more knowledge of magical…things. I was hoping you might help me choose some good starting material?"

His eyes lit up like a glutton at a feast. "If you promise to take better care of them. I absolutely forbid you to carry more than three at a time."

"As you wish," Owen said with a winning smile.

"Dorian." Owen slid into a seat at the Herald's Rest. "I've been meaning to ask you - just how closely related are we?"

The mage took a sip of his drink, wrinkling his nose in elegant disgust. "I'd hardly say closely. Barely at all, and even then only by marriage."

"Oh. Good."

"Good?" Dorian swivelled in his chair. "I suppose you're right. The shame of being linked to a Tevinter mage, and all that."

"Dorian." Owen drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "I've travelled, you know. I've fought in battles. I've made love. I know you think I'm some over-excited puppy, but I want you to take me seriously."

"Where did this come from? I do take you seriously, dear boy."

"Dorian," he said a third time. "I'd like you to take me seriously. Because I take you seriously." Rising from his chair, he gave Dorian a backslap that soaked his mustaches in sour wine. "Good talking to you."

When the Inquisitor had gone, Sera stuck her head over the railing.

"Oi!" she called. "You, Dorian, are a frigging idiot."

Owen found Dorian leaning against the wall of the Gull and Lantern, staring at his finely tailored boots.

"I suppose you think I should forgive him?"

He joined him, tilting his face towards the sun. "I think it's up to you. Say the word and we'll leave now, and I'll never talk of it again if you don't want me to."

"But…?"

"But if you want to talk, even to say goodbye, I'll wait here."

Dorian looked at him for a long moment, then clasped his arm. "I won't be long."

"As long as you want."

"Thank you," he said softly, and straightened his spine. Then he opened the tavern door, and closed it quietly behind him.

The kiss came as a surprise to nobody but Dorian.

"You have to fight for what's in your heart," he said, and Owen couldn't help but take those two steps and kiss him.

The setting was perfect: Dorian's little corner of the library, filtered afternoon light streaming through the windows. Softer than Owen had dreamed of, gentler (although harder kisses were to come, later; rough, savage, stolen-in-the-midst-of-wrestling kisses) and sweeter by far than his imagination could conjure. He captured Dorian's small sound of surprise with his mouth, then Dorian caught his bottom lip carefully between his teeth, and only one word crystallised in the back of his mind as they melted together, two halves finally whole.

Magic.

[taztaas]

taakitz 90?

Thank you so much for the prompt Seren!

I honestly can’t believe myself tho, I made an entire AU out of this.

Skyrim AU. The city is a combination of Whiterun, Windhelm and Solitude. But you don’t need to know anything about Skyrim to understand this. Sexual situations are implied, but not described in detail. If you wanna skip those, skip the two paragraphs starting with “sometimes”.

#90 “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Guarding the city was a decent enough job. Mostly Kravitz dealt with pickpockets and drunken brawls. The city was a large one, largest in all the Holds and the docks brought a good amount of traffic, goods and traders. There were many guards stationed in the city, but usually the mere presence of The Raven Palace, the seat of power, was intimidating enough to keep people in line.

Kravitz spent his days patrolling around the city. Sometimes he was put on gate guarding duty which was incredibly dull, despite the steady stream of travellers passing through. People watching wasn’t really an enjoyable pastime for Kravitz. Maybe it was prideful, but he preferred being the one looked at. But as a guard, he was just a part of a faceless mass.

Most of the time, if he was feeling particularly lazy and the day was quiet, he hung around the Hammer and Tongs which was the pride of the Craftsman Corridor. Magnus and Julia Burnsides were good, hardworking people who always found time for a friendly chat. Julia was the blacksmith and Magnus worked with wood. A bit unconventional, but both were masters of their craft, if not the absolute best.

Before his current employment, Kraviz had attended the Bards College. So, some nights when he was free, he played at The Lantern. Ren, the owner of the tavern, welcomed him readily, said that music improved the mood and made the patrons purchase more mead. And if they drank enough mead, they needed to stay the night in the rooms upstairs and that meant more coin. Kravitz played mostly for the fun of it, for his love of music but the occasional request and coin were welcome. As was the attention, he liked it when people admired him or his music.

The tavern was occupied by the same familiar faces every night, but there were always new people too, staying the night while passing through or stopping by to make trade. Kravitz ignored the people most of the time, preferring to concentrate on his music, being unattainable.

But one night, there was this elf.

A high-elf entered the tavern, pulling off his hood as he did and Kravitz’s eyes migrated to the him immediately, as if by magic. He almost missed a note, recovering quickly but the elf had noticed, if the grin on his face was any indication. He was really handsome, even for an elf. Long golden hair tumbled down his back and his eyes, similarly gold in color glowed slightly, betraying his arcane blood. He was a mage.

The elf had a couple of drinks at the bar, all the while staring at Kravitz which made it difficult to concentrate. Being wanted was an exhilarating feeling.

Kravitz was pleased when the elf sauntered over to him after finishing his wine, and asked, barely above a whisper, what would it take to get a private performance. The question made Kravitz smile his nicest, most handsome smile, and a flush bloomed on the other’s cheeks in response.

“What will you give me in return?” Kravitz had whispered back, leaning in, lips brushing against a pointed ear and the grinning elf had lead him up to his room with a promise of showing him.

They kept stumbling upon each other after that, irregularly and unplanned. Always at night, mostly in the tavern but sometimes Kravitz was cornered during a nightly patrol, in the shadows of some building.

Sometimes the elf fell on the bed, all soft and pliant and pulling Kravitz down on him. He let Kravitz undo him slowly, arching and sighing against the bard’s mouth.

Sometimes he was upon Kravitz with a wild, feral grin on his beautiful face that made Kravitz’s gut twist in anticipation. He would pull Kravitz’s hair loose and push his fingers through it, nails slightly scratching against his scalp in a way that made Kravitz groan and the elf purr in delight, eyes half-lidded and sparkling with want.

The elf never told Kravitz his name. The first time he had asked, it was Justin and Kravitz knew it was fake right away. The second time it was Greg, and after hearing the third fake name Kravitz just stopped asking.

And then one day, there was going to be a hanging.

But Kravitz didn’t find out about it until he stopped by at the herbology shoppe at the marketplace. The owner, a dwarf named Merle Highchurch, was a cleric of Pan but it was widely known that he was more efficient with plants than healing. The truth serum he brewed was famously efficient.

Captain Davenport and Highchurch ceased their conversation as Kravitz stepped in, but he had always thought that there was something going on between the two so he didn’t feel alarmed.

Until he heard about the hanging.

“What?”

“You don’t know? You’d think that they’d tell you these things when you work for the palace.” Merle said, shaking his head while puttering around his shop.

“Today, around noon.” provided Davenport, “They say they caught a Red Robe.”

The Red Robes were legendary thieves and arcanists, always after the most precious of magical items. It was known that one such item, called simply The Light was in The Raven Queen’s possession. No one had ever thought that there would be a thief bold enough to try and steal it but according the legends, The Red Robes were nothing if not audacious.

“He’s not the real deal, I bet.” Merle said dismissively. Davenport stroked his impressive moustache, a thoughtful look on his face.

“But a high-elf mage? Might as well be. I heard he acted pompous enough.”

“High-elf?” Questioned Kravitz, feeling his blood turn cold in his veins.

“Yeah. Tall, blond hair, kinda pretty, supposedly. Like every frigging elf in existence.” Merle scoffed, “Caught him in the kitchens, no idea what he was doing there. But really Kravitz, shouldn’t you know these things?”

Kravitz was out of the door before the dwarf could even finish his sentence.

He ran towards the castle, towards the execution platform. There was already quite a crowd of morbidly curious onlookers gathered in front of the platform, so Kravitz couldn’t really get close. But as far as he stood, what he could see chilled his blood even further.

A familiar-looking elf standing with their hands and feet bound. Grinning proudly as they rocked on their heels, as casual as ever, as if they weren’t moments away from death. A red robe was draped over their shoulders.

“What the fuck is this?” Kravitz breathed, fists clenching on his sides.

“That, handsome, is a decoy.”

Kravitz turned around, and there in front of him, smiling smugly, was the elf he had learned to miss, and in the same instance, the sound of a large explosion came from the direction of the palace. The people around them started screaming and running around in panic. Kravitz glanced over his shoulder and saw that the elf on the stage had disappeared in the commotion.

Kravitz turned back to the mage, who pulled his hood up, and in front of Kravitz’s very eyes the dark color of his cloak bled into a bright red. A Red Robe. Just like the elf on the platform.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you?” the elf laughed, “Darling, I knew you were a part of the Queen’s retinue long before I saw you wear your feathered mantle. Which is a reallook by the way, I love it.” He purred and set his hands on Kravitz’s chest, pushed them up, running his fingers on the fabric of Kravitz’s cloak, eventually ending up with his arms around Kravitz’s shoulders.

“At least tell me your name?” Kravitz said, maybe a little desperate but not feeling any shame for it as he reached out to hold the other around the waist.

“It’s Taako.”

“Will I ever see you again?”

“We’ll see about that, won’t we, handsome?” Taako said with a grin, not unlike the one he wore the night they first met and then Taako was leaning in, pressing their lips together, splaying his hands over Kravitz’s back.

They kissed, long, languid and lingering with the sound of more explosions and people screaming about fire in the background, and then Taako was gone.

Kravitz took off towards the palace, brandishing his weapon, because he had a job to do.

He didn’t see Taako for a long time, but he kept hearing rumours about The Red Robes. And he had begun to notice some details. Like how Julia always wore a red ribbon in her hair while Magnus had a red scarf around his neck. How Merle Highchurch was never seen without a red sash around his waist, how Captain Davenport’s ship had a red flag on the mast every time he docked. Like even the Royal Chronicler Lucretia, had a red quill behind her ear when Kravitz saw her around the palace. The Red Robes had many friends, it seemed.

Eventually, he did meet Taako again.

Kravitz was patrolling around the Stone Quarter late at night, when he heard a familiar voice pipe up behind him.

“Oh officer! I require some assistance.”

“Let me guess, someone stole your sweetroll?” Kravitz said, turning around, a smile spreading on his face. Taako smiled back, coming easily when Kravitz pulled him into his arms. Taako hummed, pleased.  ”Something like that.”

Kravitz looked at Taako, drinking in the sight of him. He looked different, more tired, older. His hair was darker than before, almost black and cut off at his jaw clumsily, as if chopped by a knife. They leaned in simultaneously, their foreheads touching.

“Oh? Care to elaborate?” Kravitz whispered against Taako’s lips.

“Hmmm, well. I met this dashing bard at the tavern…”

“And?”

“And… he stole my heart.”

“A heinous crime.” Kravitz conceded with a grin and Taako laughed, a bit too loud for someone in hiding from the authorities. “For sure!”

“What’s the punishment for heart stealing look like?” Kravitz asked, tightening his hold on Taako, fearing that he might run off again. But Taako pressed closer willingly, eyes bright.

“You tell me, handsome. You’re the representative of the law here.”

Kravitz hummed, mock thoughtful, and leaned in to catch Taako’s lips with his own.

“Why don’t I show you?”

[thedasreacting-blog]

So how about DA:I companions and advisors react to a blood mage Inquisitor? (maybe romanced reactions too?) thank you

Thank you for the request, dear anon! I’m sorry this took a bit longer; I wanted to consider each reaction carefully before answering. I hope I did them all justice. Enjoy! ^-^

~Hakkon

Cassandra: When the only survivor of the explosion at the Conclave turns out to be a mage– and a blood mage, at that– it takes a great effort for Cassandra not to antagonize them. She is cautious, to say the least; until the Inquisitor manages to gain her trust, they are on thin ice. A Seeker’s job is to protect, and should they become a danger to innocent people, she will do what must be done– Herald or no Herald.

Cassandra, if romanced: Her lover turns Cassandra’s world upside down in more ways than one. The Inquisitor is everything the Chantry warns about, and yet here they are: helping people, saving lives, mending a broken world by making use of– yes, blood magic. So what if they’re a blood mage? Cassandra is not unreasonable. She can change her opinion based on new information. What she cannot do is stop worrying for her lover’s safety as her heart skips a beat whenever blood is spilled in battle.

Solas: Blood magic is magic like any other, and a most effective tool when properly used. He has said it before, and he will say it time and again when everyone else seems to condemn the Inquisitor for their choices. Solas is curious to find out how they have learned the skill, and always happy to lend his expertise. It is good to have someone who is not indoctrinated by the Chantry around.

Solas, if romanced: He is proud of his vhenan for standing up to a world that would see them slip up and fail. He knows they are more than capable of taking care of themselves, and he does not insult them by offering perfunctory warnings about the dangers of demonic possession. The only grievance Solas nurses is about the difficulties a blood mage faces when attempting to enter the Fade. But even so, he helps the Inquisitor tune their magic to make it easier for the two of them to meet in the realm of dreams.

Vivienne: “A fool,” she calls them. “Irresponsible, weak, and ignorant.” She has no reason to hide her disapproval. Why would she? The situation is crystal clear for Vivienne, and she is not interested in hearing the Inquisitor’s excuses. She has heard it all before. More than anything, Vivienne finds it pitiful. The Inquisitor has the chance to set a positive example as a mage, but they are throwing it all away by resorting to blood magic. Alas. She can only hope that they will find it in themselves to keep it hidden, and not flaunt it in everyone’s face as if it is something to be proud of.

Sera: Wait, this is a joke, right? A bad joke. Inky can’t be a blood mage. That’s just frigging daft! They’re the Herald of Andraste and Andraste hates blood mages. It doesn’t make sense, but they’re here anyway and they help the little people and they stop the baddies, so Sera will make sense of it: Inky is not blood magic; Inky uses blood magic. It’s different, yeah? Just need to keep that demon shite at bay. Can’t stop Cory-friggy if you’re possessed.

Sera, if romanced: Sera isn’t picky with her lovers. She’ll take whoever is right and feels right, and few things are actual deal breakers. Demons and blood magic and Fade rubbish are among them. So here’s the dilemma: Inky feels right, but Inky is a blood mage. And they’re so frigging– normal. Shouldn’t they be scary, with an army of demons following them around, all “Muahahaha!” and “Obey me or perish!”? If some blood mages can be good people– better than all the noble shits she’s met, even– then Andraste may as ruddy well suck it up. Sera loves Inky. They’ve never given her reason not to.

Blackwall: Maker’s balls, now how’s that for a turn of events? “You are who you choose to follow,” says Blackwall as he follows a blood mage. Can’t sink much lower now, can he? He’s well aware he’s in no position to throw stones at the Inquisitor, not after all he’s done. Too many people die in wars that aren’t theirs to fight, and Blackwall knows this better than anyone else. He’ll be there to make sure the Inquisitor won’t hurt the innocent and the helpless; he can promise them as much.

Blackwall, if romanced: Blackwall’s lover is an honorable person, a capable fighter, and a leader worthy of following. It so happens that they’re also a blood mage. Any weapon, when wielded responsibly, can help and protect, and Blackwall is relived that the Inquisitor uses it as such. When they’re fighting demons, he throws himself in battle harder than anyone else, and the demons meet his sword before they get a chance to take notice of the Inquisitor, always a few feet behind his protective shield.

Cole: “Blood that burns and boils and bites. It’s an old song they know, but they can’t sing it. It’s real, more real than they’ll ever be, and they want in. They don’t want to hurt you. They want to be like you. If you bind me, they’ll stop. The other mages will stop too. We’ll both be safe. Please, please– don’t let them use me.”

The Iron Bull: Demons crap and Fade crap and blood magic crap were to be expected when he joined the Inquisition, but Bull always assumed they would fight all that shit. Turns out, the blood mage is not only on their side, but also leading them. As uncomfortable as he is with this arrangement, he can tell the Inquisitor’s intentions are sincere. “You should’ve been a ‘Vint, boss,” he says and he laughs, but his good eye scans their face for signs betraying hidden motives all the same.

The Iron Bull, if romanced: His kadan is the toughest, wisest, most beautiful person Bull’s ever met. The fact that they choose to practice blood magic doesn’t change this reality one bit. Through them he learns how to allow himself to love and trust the things he was trained to be apprehensive of his whole life. The Inquisitor is what the Qun hates and fears the most, but at the end of the day Bull loves them enough to make up for it.

Dorian: He’s seen enough blood magic for a lifetime, and recognizes the Inquisitor as a blood mage before they even have the chance to practice their skill in front of him. Blood magic is not inherently dangerous or evil, no. Few things are. But the temptation to push for more is always there, and Dorian worries, but jokes about it nonetheless, as he always does.

Dorian, if romanced: “Please be careful. Please don’t do anything stupid,” he thinks. “Ah, isn’t it wonderful? Just like home,” he says. Dorian’s amatus is a blood mage, and the notion alone makes his own blood run cold. He loves them, he trusts them, and he knows that they wouldn’t turn against him. Not all blood mages will try to break his mind– Dorian knows this. There’s a long way from knowing to truly, genuinely believing, and each day spent with the Inquisitor is one step closer.

Leliana: Sister Nightingale is one of the first to hear the rumor that the Inquisitor might be a blood mage, but doesn’t jump to conclusions before checking the information with the Inquisitor themselves. “Nowadays a mage sneezes and someone will cry blood magic.” It’s a risk they’re taking, yes, but she’s unfazed because she trusts they’re capable enough to hold their own. If the Hero of Ferelden is a blood mage too, she’s even more adamant in supporting the Inquisitor.

Cullen: Out of all people who could have found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time, it had to be a blood mage that would survive the explosion at the Conclave. It had to be a blood mage that would end up leading their efforts to stop Corypheus. For a long time, Cullen is suspicious and uncomfortable around the Inquisitor. Years upon years of templar training aren’t so easily forgotten. Torture at the hands of blood mages even less so. Despite all this, he’s willing to give them a chance. Just the one. 

Cullen, if romanced: Relationships between mages and templars are strictly forbidden by the Circle. “You must act quickly, without hesitation. Your judgment cannot be clouded.” But he’s no longer a templar, the Circle is no more, and the Inquisitor might be a blood mage, but they’re not a monster, not like the Chantry teaches. They’re putting themselves at risk, more so than being a mage already entails, and he shudders to think about everything that could go wrong. Andraste preserve him, he can’t lose them this way. He will not lose them. 

Josephine: Josephine is not particularly well-versed in matters pertaining to the arcane, but two things she knows for sure: 1. blood magic is dangerous, and 2. blood magic is scandalous. While the Inquisitor may be able to deal with the former on their own, the latter falls on her. There is no way the nobles houses of southern Thedas would ever publicly support a Chantry-shunned organization led by a blood mage. Josephine does admire and respect the Inquisitor, but at the same time she wishes they would be a little bit more discreet with the blood magic. “It is such a terrible mess to clean up.”

Josephine, if romanced: The Inquisitor and the ambassador being involved romantically is already seen as outrageous by many. The Inquisitor being a blood mage and involved romantically with the ambassador is truly the stuff of legend– and not the good kind, Josephine fears. In spite of all this, she’s willing to go to great lengths to protect them from the public’s unforgiving eye as well as she possibly can. She doesn’t doubt her lover’s ability to defend themselves, yet each time the Inquisitor is away, she watches Skyhold’s main gate from behind small windows, with restless steps and her heart in her throat. They have to come back. They always do.

Varric: Well, shit. Blood mages really are like lost socks– they turn up where you least expect them. He’s not surprised, of course, not after meeting Merrill and possibly a mage Hawke. It’s almost funny; ‘Home is where blood mages are’ should be the title of his next book. He doesn’t try to change their mind or convince them to stop. There would be no point in doing that. Still, he does keep a close eye on the Inquisitor lest it all ends in tragedy.