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dalishious · 5 months ago

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Dragon Age: Origins is still great today, and you should give it a try

I want to preface this post with an important disclaimer: I am not about gatekeeping, and I think that ultimately, you should play or skip whatever Dragon Age games you want. If even after this post you feel like Dragon Age: Origins just isn’t for you, that’s fine! That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the Dragon Age media you do want to consume, and it certainly doesn’t mean you’re any less valid a fan. But I personally adore Dragon Age: Origins to this day, and I would love to see more modern gamers give it a chance, despite it being from 2009.

It’s a great introduction to the world of Thedas

Dragon Age: Origins had the tall order of being the first in a potential franchise, yet it climbed those heights and beyond. It perfectly balances the need to explain the world setting and tell a story within that world at the same time, by organizing the plot into puzzle pieces. You, the protagonist, have to recruit different factions into your cause to save the kingdom of Ferelden, so each piece of the game has a different focus on those factions. It spoon-feeds the player information at an easy to understand and absorb pace.

Dragon Age: Origins also makes good use of codex entries for those of you who are big lore buffs and want even more information. Yet at the same time, it does not overly rely on the codex; all the most crucial parts of the lore that you need to know are included in your interactions with characters and plot.

The player gets to shape the story

The nature of those puzzle pieces also means that you have huge control over the story from start to finish, because the puzzle itself is shaped by you! The outcomes of each piece form the blueprint of the climax. The end of the game is reactive to the choices you make in the story throughout. (Mind you, a lot of those choices have been retconned in later games, but still, within the confines of Dragon Age: Origins itself, it’s still fun to see the outcomes of your decisions.)

The story itself is great

I would consider Dragon Age: Origins to have the most straightforward premise of all the Dragon Age games released thus far, with a strong identity linking the different main quests all together. You are a newly recruited Grey Warden, left to unite Ferelden against the big bad Blight after 99% of the Order within the nation is wiped out in a catastrophic battle. You may get caught up in dwarven politics, ancient curses, demonic possession, and plenty more along the way, but no matter where you find yourself, your motivation always falls back to that ultimate responsibility.

The characters are also great

Almost all the companions you’re able to collect along the way are very easy to love, or at least appreciate them for what they are.

Alistair is also a new grey warden. He is struggling with grief over the loss of his mentor, and the weight of having no control over his identity his whole life.

Morrigan is a witch who grew up isolated in the woods with no one but her abusive mother for company. Now she must learn to interact with others, and dependant on the player, perhaps even make a friend, lover… or enemy.

Leliana is a bard from Orlais, whose faith told her to assist the grey warden plight. But beneath the demure outward appearance, she has a much darker past she’s running away from.

Sten is a Qunari warrior who was taught that outside his culture, everything is backwards and nonsense, but he cannot return home until he has restored his soul by recovering his lost sword. Along the way, he may learn to appreciate or despise Ferelden.

Zevran was enslaved by the Antivan Crows as a child and made into an assassin. If the player can chip away at his nonchalant mask, they will find his past has left a lot more scars on him than he thought it safe to admit.

Wynne is a mage from the Circle who is struggling to deal with the nature of age, death, and life purpose.

Shale is a golem who was once under complete and total control by her former master, now learning what it’s like to be free, and wanting to uncover her forgotten past before losing that freedom.

Oghren is there too, unfortunately.

And the player character really feels like they are of your own creation. The choices you make, little and small, offer a lot to shape whatever kind of protagonist you want. Additionally, the benefit of starting the game with a different origin, and playing out that origin before getting recruited into the grey wardens, offers a lot of prompting to get into the roleplay!

The datedness can be easily upgraded with modding anyway

Do you find the combat clunky? There’s mods for that. Do you find the graphics too bland? There’s mods for that. Do you wish you could kiss Alistair as a man or Morrigan as a woman? There’s mods for that, too. Dragon Age: Origins is very easy to mod; most of them you just drop the files into your override folder and start playing. Otherwise, you use the DA Modder app for DAZIP files, which is also not that complicated.

A lot of people consider Skyrim to be dated without mods, too. I personally don’t think there’s anything wrong with appreciating the ability to mod a game, as a positive point.

If you want to play, make sure you use LAA though!

Large Address Aware is a must-have on PC for Dragon Age: Origins.

For GoG or EA App/Origin users: You can just run LAA like normal!

For Steam users: You need THIS first

#dragon age #dao #dragon age origins #meta

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luvnoirs · 11 months ago

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MORE PAIGEEE

senior night

paring: paige x fem!reader synopsis: paige asks you to be her girlfriend during senior night warning(s): none ! (sfw) word count: 1.2k

a/n: this was a request (i changed it just a bit) and i feel like i kinda rushed it a little cause i wanted to hurry and give y'all something so im sorry for that 😭

you only had one goal tonight: do not cry.

it was senior night at uconn tonight and since you were extremely close friends with the women's basketball team, you stood in the crowd cheering on as the seniors on the team began receiving their plaques. you knew that regardless of their decision to stay at uconn or persue their career beyond college, your friendship with the girls would never falter. you would even call them your sisters and you successfully held back tears at the sight of watching them be recognized for all their hard work and contribution to the huge legacy that uconn holds.

though as one particular blonde started walking across the gym floor along with her family members, you felt your heart tug.

you had just seen her before the game, wishing her good luck with a swift kiss on the cheek and a sweet smile. if you two weren't in front of a sold-out crowd and cameras showcasing the game on national television, you would have given her that kiss on the lips like you've been doing for the past few weeks.

at first, you two thought it was nothing. it was normal for friends to kiss each other, right? though with one too many shots at ted's one night and an entire dorm room to yourself, one thing led to another, and shortly, the two of you became casual sex partners. you both agreed not to let it ruin your friendship and that it was just for fun, but you couldn't help but start feeling something that was more than platonic for the girl.

though the complicated friendship between you and paige might've been a secret to everyone else, it didn't go unnoticed by your friend azzi. the girl was constantly nagging you about the two of you making things official, but you simply didn't have the courage to tell paige how you really felt about her.

moments later, all the seniors began to line up to say a special speech, and one by one they all went, leaving paige to be the last one to speak.

she grabbed the microphone from aubrey and spoke, "uh, i can't put into words what this program has meant to me—what you guys have meant to me..."

and as she continued speaking, you felt your smile grow. even before you and paige started seeing each other exclusively, you've always been friends and loved each other, so you know exactly what she's been through and how much she struggled behind closed doors.

you can remember being there to comfort her last season when she was out due to her injury. paige had shown up to your dorm, her usual happy expression replaced with a straight face and watery blue eyes. you two had spent that night watching tv and talking about the most random topics to take paige's mind off of missing the season as she snuggled into you on your couch.

and ever since that day, it has become your ritual. paige spent at least one night a week over at your dorm, even sleeping over until the next day some times. she even bothered to stop giving you a heads up and just used the spare key that you had given her to let herself in whenever she pleased.

you let out a quiet laugh at the memory of her walking in while your back was turned, and she thought it would be a good idea to scare you. and after that day, she swore to never sneak up on you again after ending up with a nasty bruise on the side of her face due to the force of your fast reflex.

"and one more thing—and i just know she's gonna kill me for this, but i've spent these past few days trying to figure out how to do this." paige said as the crowd grew quiet in anticipation.

your eyes squinted in confusion as you watched her. you were just as confused as everyone else.

"but tonight is special, so i thought, why not do it tonight? a huge reason why this won't be my last senior night is because of a very, very special woman who has helped me through my tough times and has, in general, made me a better person. without her, or, of course, my fellow teammates, i'm not sure i would have made it through this season so far, and i just want to thank her for being there for me."

the crowd erupted in more cheers, some even shedding a few tears, while you stood with your mouth open, wondering what the hell she was talking about.

"i don't want to make this too sappy or take up too much of your time, so with that being said, i want to ask y/n to come up here, please."

your heart sank. at first, you thought you were hearing the wrong thing, but since the team already knew where you were seated, they all turned towards you and began cheering. i stood in shock as they gestured for me to come down onto the gym floor as the rest of the crowd began clapping and whistling. i watched as a few of the teammates started jumping around with red and pink balloons and a few signs, one of 'i love you'. you wondered how they even managed to hide that.

with a hand over your mouth, you began excusing yourself as you made your way past the fans and down the stairs to the main floor. paige stood in the middle with the microphone still in her hand and a huge smile on her face. your feet felt like they were glued to the ground, and she must've noticed, so she began walking towards you instead.

"y/n, i couldn't tell you why i didn't do this sooner because, honestly, i've loved you since our freshman year here..."

and as paige continued, you felt yourself finally cry. with a huff, you tried to wipe them away before they fell but it was just too many tears escaping at once. her long legs allowed her to reach you in no time and she lifted her free hand to softly wipe the tears that you failed to catch with the pad of her thumb.

"... so, i want to ask you to officially be mine," paige handed the microphone to aaliyah who was nearby, and grabbed my face with both of her hands. "will you be my girlfriend?"

you barely had any time to blink because, as soon as you said yes, the blonde engulfed you in a hug, lifting you off the floor to even spin you around. the crowd loved it.

"paige!" you laughed, as she finally placed you back on your feet. you placed your hands on top of your head in disbelief. "you... i can't believe you did this! you could've asked me on a regular wednesday afternoon, and i would've said yes."

paige scoffed, "you know i'm extra and gotta go all out."

your response was cut short by the rest of the team bombarding you with hugs and more cheers.

"you guys were behind all this?" you asked them, and they all nodded.

"girl, everyone knew about you two. it was so obvious." ice said knowingly, and the rest of the team nodded in agreement. "and jana you owe me ten bucks."

"you guys did not make a bet on me." paige said in disbelief, and jana shrugged.

"i didn't think you would actually do it.”

and as the rest of the team went on in conversation, you grabbed your girlfriend's hand and placed a kiss on the back of her palm.

"i love you."

#paige bueckers #uconn wbb #uconn women’s basketball #paige bueckers x reader #wlw #wbb

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drdrizzey · 4 days ago

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(possibility part 1) of Putting Arcane characters, events and politics into our world's perspective! (Because why not?)

That french guy on tiktok pointed out the sociopolitical implications in arcane, linking them with actual political events or politically engaged individuals and dynamics in France and in the US, and I couldn't agree more on a lot of things he says.

I won't cite most of the french politicians he named because it's not that relevant, but I will break down a few of his points and add up on them. I find the captions pretty tricky when it comes to translation so I'm going to use my bilingual powers for that one<3

Silco :

For starters, he points out the way Silco portrays the instances where left wing revolutionaries who purposely intended to fight against capitalism (piltover) ended up reproducing said capitalism at their own scale (the shimmer empire). On that I'd like to add the fact that Silco's actions keep entertaining this whole concept of "becoming the person you're fighting against". In wanting his nation of Zaun, protecting Zaunites, he actually ends up making their lives worse in many ways, creating addicts, and insecurities. The same way piltover uses Zaun for its own cause, Silco ends up doing the same with many Zaunites.

Vander :

On the other hand, Vander is more of a portrayal of people giving up on activism to protect their personal lives, the same way that would be the case with activists stopping their actions after receiving death threats, or people that were very active in their communities when they were younger but gradually stopped when their priority switched to their family and when they got the occasion on going back on it they simply didn't, but never gave up their initial morals and values, simply the will and ambition to put them into actions. It's pretty self explanatory.

Jayce :

Then, jayce would portray the kind of people who due to their heritage are fundamentally more left sided socially speaking, but are more prone to range alongside more right wing politicians and elitists as a way to grab opportunities whenever they show up, suddenly brushing off their background, not that they are ashamed of it, but more that they need they "have to" in order to succeed and meet the expectations people might have of him, or to "open more doors" for himself, constantly leaving a bitter taste to any of his success. To a certain extent it could lead to him feeling like the lines of his own morals are constantly blurring, the same way it's shown in the scene where due to his fatigue he tells Victor that Zaunites are "dangerous". It's not only due to his mental struggles and tiredness at the moment but also due to his exposure to very closet minded people on the subject, enforcing ideologies that he maybe wouldn't have had on his own. It doesn't take much for him to switch from one way to the other, making it hard for him to make concrete decisions sometimes.

Jinx and ekko :

Jinx and ekko are the manifestations of the consequences of sociopolitical conflicts. They are a result of it. That much is also pretty self explanatory especially with jinx being a woman and ekko being black, and them both being late teenagers, even with the matter of racism not being directly a subject in Arcane, it is something that speaks to us as viewers. They both unwillingly are stuck in a position where their communities (Zaun in this case) are being minimised and dismissed in a way and they struggle to make their voices be heard (the same way this is often the case in both feminism and BLM movements.) It's a clear overpoliticalisation, and even if it's not on purpose (since arcane has a brilliant way of normalising diversity in the best ways possible), the fact that they are who they are just makes sense to a lot of people and reminds them how activism can be in real life as well. Ekko and jinx also have very different ways of manifesting their engagements in their actions. You could as well see ekko like those people making smaller communities and associations for exemple.

Caitlin :

Caitlin could be a right wing from a very elitist and more conservatism oriented household who's racist but "I'm not racist! My friend here is black." Or "x is different." And thrives off claiming wanting to help people and helping getting "insecurities and street violence" off and making the (higher classes) people (her own community) feel "safer" by simply converting their ideas into socially threatening actions and opinions towards minorities. Sugar coating hate speech or justify cop violence, basically.

Vi :

Vi would be anyone who came from more precarious households or minorities and ended up switching sides, turning up against her own people. It's kind of a more extreme Jayce case in a way. (Which makes them an even more interesting pair when we have that in mind.)

There's actually so much more to talk about, I've added a lot of my own interpretations but he also says that Mel is basically Kamala Harris (which is a bit funny, it is accurate.) those are just most of the characters he talked about but I could easily think of other things to say for pretty much any arcane character, it's part of why Arcane is so good.

Also a French moment here, can I point out how great it is that a french studio got to make a show with so much political implications and will for revolution and change while France is currently in a pretty politically complicated state at the moment? (When is it not honestly? but you get it.)

There's so much more to talk about so let me know if I should go over more characters, everything and everyone is a bit political when you really think about it.

I'm a bit tempted to go over more stuff on the subject now))

#arcane #arcane jinx #silco arcane #jayce talis #caitlin arcane #vi arcane #vander arcane #arcane politics #arcane analysis #basically arcane but how politically sided they would be in our world #pretty interesting #i swear im sane (its 3am)#jinx #silco #arcane jayce

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freetobee1216 · 3 months ago

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Hi I'm writing a Zutara fic and this is the first chapter

Warning, literally zero mention of Zuko yet, I plan for this to be the slowest of slow burns. Also I change cannon slightly, basically the events of the show take place over the course of 3 years instead of 6 month, just cuz I think it makes more sense.

Anyways, enjoy chapter one!

Chapter 1:

The wind ripped at her howling skin as she tried to manage the swelling gathering under her eyes. Far below, she could feel the crashing ocean waves of her element calling to her, screaming a familiar song that sounded like home. Pull yourself together she scolded herself, Aang was expecting her for dinner. Katara took one deep breath. Two. Three, and the emotions that moments ago were ruling her every action, telling her to run to where she belonged, ceased to exist.

Walking away from the cliff that overlooked the clouds swirling around the southern air temple, she stuffed the crumpled letter deep into her pocket. She could hear the sounds of meditation instruments coming from the gardens. Here, the newest air acolytes were coming to terms with their decision to turn their back on the life they once knew in order to follow the teachings of the Air Nation. A worth cause, a good decision, but that fact still couldn’t take away the sting of homesickness.

Raja, a girl from the southern tip of the Earth Kingdom, sat cross legged struggling to focus on her breathing. Her knee kept bouncing at an alarming rate and her eyebrows were so scrunched together that they looked like a unibrow. Katara waved to the girl and she sheepishly smiled back. Raja was sweet, only a year younger than Katara at 18, and the two had become fast friends in the month she had been here. Katara raised her eyebrows at her friend as if to say, need a break? Raja quietly looked at the rest of her group, specifically at Angi, the group leader, to see them all peacefully meditating. She silently stood up off the orange pillow and tip-toed to the path where Katara was waiting for her. The pair linked arms as they walked trying not to laugh and get Raja caught for playing hooky. When they cleared the corner and the music faded into the wind, they both broke into barks of laughter.

“You looked like your head was about to explode back there,” Katara said through her snorts.

“I honestly thought it would, I just can’t seem to get this sitting still concept.” Raja laughed back. “They’re doing that for the next hour, hopefully no one will notice I left.”

“I doubt it, wanna help me cook some dinner in the meantime?” Katara asked her friend.

“Yeah, anything other than that sounds good to me, what’s on the menu tonight?” She responded gratefully.

The pair went off to the vegetable patch to grab some ingredients then spent the next half an hour cooking together. Raja told her all about the drama with the new acolytes; who was just trying to rebel against their parents, who had already been caught hooking up, and who was out to steal her boyfriend. Katara laughed at all her friend’s stories, she had a way of imitating the others and embellishing just the right amount to make the story compelling. She was also aware of the many girls who joined the acolytes just to try and get closer to Aang, though she didn’t feel that pang of jealousy like she used to. She assumed she was just so desensitised to it at this point. Two and a half years of fending off pursuers and watching your boyfriend be absolutely oblivious to it, will do that to a girl.

“So, are you gonna pull out some master waterbending on the new ones to clear them off?” Raja joked as she chopped up carrots.

“Honestly? I don’t really care anymore, is that bad? O-or mad?” Katara contemplated while stirring the stew boiling beneath her making her face flush.

“Or wise?” Raja interjected adding in the carrots to the large cauldron.

“But, shouldn’t I feel something? You know just something more than nothingness?” Katara blurted out before she could help herself, these were thoughts that shouldn’t be voiced. Katara hid her face from her friend as she went to grab some herbs from the shelf on the other side of the kitchen.

Raja was quiet for a little bit before smoothing over with, “I think its fine, I mean it’s not like any of those girls are a threat to what you and Aang have, he loves you and would never cheat on you with some floozy.” She laughed out the last bit.

Katara swallowed and turned back to her friend with a smile and joked back, “Oh he’d never even dream of that, he knows he couldn’t take me in a fight if he did.”

The girls dragged the bulky cauldron filled with the vegetable stew out to the communal mess hall on the other side of the door. The room was already filling with hungry acolytes and Katara heard Raja curse under her breath. A stern looking Angi was stomping her way through the crowd that was gathering and making a beeline straight for Raja.

Raja sighed, “Well, I gotta go deal with her wrath, this is the third mediation I’ve skipped out of this week.”

“Wait, it was my fault, please let me talk to her,” Katara said, guilt spreading through her bones.

“Nah, it was my choice, I was looking for any excuse, don’t worry about it,” she said before skipping up to Angi. Katara could hear he start to apologize when she felt someone sneak up behind her.

The master bender was about to steal the water from her pouch and get ready to fight when she felt a pair of familiar hands cover her eyes. “Guess who?” the voice said. Aang.

Katara’s shoulders relaxed and she turned around to give her boyfriend a hug, “Hey Aang.”

“The stew smells great, thanks for cooking tonight! I know it wasn’t your night, but Sheejik wasn’t feeling great and I didn’t know who else to ask” Aang apologised.

“It’s fine, I like having something to do, should we grab a bowl and go to our normal spot?” Katara asked.

“Yeah, sounds great!” Aang said. Normally, they would eat in the mess hall with the rest of the air acolytes, but occasionally the two would sneak off to the private balcony downstairs that was build directly into the cliffside. It was beautiful, overlooking the other mountain islands in the sunset. It was a place where they could feel both of their native elements, the ocean below and the whipping winds around them. It had felt balanced, or well, it mostly did.

“The sunset is beautiful tonight,” Aang remarked. It was burning a bright orange that let into a salmon-like pink on the edges of their vision. The waves below perfectly reflected the light of the sun, and far to the east, dots are starlight where starting to breakthrough the periwinkle.

“Yeah, it is,” Katara said, being drawn to the last lights of the sun.

“Not as beautiful as you though,” Aang said softly.

Katara once might have blushed at a comment like that, but she was far too mature now. At least, that’s what she thought was keeping the heat from creeping up her neck. She did however paint a smile on her face and lean over to kiss his cheek, when she puled away Aang was bright red. “Thank you.”

“Have you, uh heard from Sokka?” Aang asked changing the topic.

Katara felt the letter in her pocked multiply in weight tenfold, “Uh yeah, you?”

“I got an awesome letter from him this afternoon, he’s been named Chief in Training! And he told me all about his plans to expand the Southern Water Tribe with the aid they’re getting from both the North and the Fire Nation. It’s really great what he’s doing down there,” Aang rambled on about things Katara already knew about.

She tried to hide her face by looking south towards her home, “Ye-yeah, I got a letter today too.”

“You don’t sound that excited,” Aang noticed.

“Well, I just, I don’t know Aang, it’s a lot of change.” Katara said, frustration beginning to build in her chest.

“But change is good Katara, it’s a natural part of life,” Aang tried to reason with her.

“I know that,” she snapped, then tried to regain control over her words when she saw his hurt face, “It’s just, it’s hard that all of this is happening without me.”

“All of it is happening because of you Katara, without what me, you and Sokka did, going to the Northern Water Tribe and getting them to care about the South again, stopping the war. Without that, this wouldn’t be happening.” Aang said.

“But it’s not fair! That’s my home, and it’s changing without me there! Am I even going to be able to recognize it when I return? What if the North takes over too much? What if I wake up one day and my culture is so different it doesn’t make sense anymore and I did nothing to stop it because I wasn’t there?” Katara yelled, her anger and confusion bubbling up to the surface.

“Katara, it’s going to be okay; you just have to trust in your tribe, they’ll find the right way,” Aang tried to reassure her, grabbing hold of her hand.

“It’s not about trust it’s-” Katara started pulling her hand away, but then she sighed. He doesn’t understand her anger, how could he? He has to put all of his hope into trust at the moment for his nation, or else there would be nothing left. He is trusting these new members from all over the world to find it’s way back to some semblance of the Air Nation and what he lost all those years ago. Looking at Aang, she sees the scared homeless kid from the iceberg, the pain that is still there hiding under the surface. She takes a deep breath and dissipates her anger, grabbing back hold of his hand; this isn’t something that is helpful for him to hear. “You’re right, it’s all going to work out, I was just being anxious. Of course, Sokka will figure it out.”

Aang smiled at her and leans in for a kiss, she closes her eyes and reaches within herself to try and feel how she used it, something small in her chest tried to wiggle its way out, but it feels as if it has been locked away. Their lips touch and she’s just going through the motions. It’s fine, she tells herself, this is just what happens when you’ve been a couple for a while.

The door behind them bursts open and a young boy no more than age 13 named Ren blushes profusely, “I am so sorry Master Aang to bother you and your girlfriend, but there is a reporter from Ba Sing Sei here and he wanted to get an interview about the progress of the Air Nation,” he blurts out in one single breath.

“Uh yeah, Katara do you mind?” He asks, still concerned about their earlier discussion.

“Of course, send them in.” Katara says giving Ren a maternal smile, not wanting to make the boy any more akward than he already looked.

“Of course!” he squeaks out and turns down the hall. They can hear him say something to the other side of the door then pronouncing, “Right this way sir.”

A well-dressed man in his mid-20s appears at the threshold. He is wearing a traditional Earth Nation robe and sports the most fashionable facial hair in Ba Sing Sie, a well-groomed moustache and goatee. He gives a low bow in the way of greeting towards Aang, “Avatar Aang, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Manu Sho and I have been writing for some time about the tireless efforts you have been making towards restoring the Air Nation with the Air Acolytes. It would be an honour if I could receive an interview with you.”

“Of course, come join us, Katara and I were just finishing our dinner, would you like a bowl as well?” Aang offered.

“That would be lovely,” he said and looked expectantly at Katara. “Oh, you must be Katara, Avatar Aang’s faithful girlfriend.”

Katara squirmed in her seat a bit but said, “Yeah, that’s me.”

“And you are from the Watertribe?” he asked gesturing to her outfit.

“Yeah, from the South, that’s where I first found Aang.” Katara said, feeling as though she was being looked at through a microscope.

“It must have been so nice for you to get to travel with the Avatar and learn waterbending from him!” He said joyfully.

“Oh, actually, I was Aang’s teacher.” Katara said, and edge entering into her voice. This wasn’t the first time she had to clarify this.

“I thought the Avatar was taught by Master Pakku in the North?” Manu said in confusion.

“Well yeah for about a month or two, but I was the one teaching him for almost 3 years,” Katara said haughtily.

“Yeah, Katara is a master waterbender!” Aang added in helpfully.

“Oh, I’m sorry I was misinformed,” the reporter said looking more like the uncomfortable one now. Good, Katara thought to herself. “Um, may I have some of the stew please?”

“Oh right, of course, uh Katara, would you mind grabbing Manu a serving?” Aang asked trying to smooth over the rough interaction.

“Sure,” Katara said through her teeth and crossed arms. She stomped back upstairs to the mess hall and grabbed Manu a serving, muttering to herself the whole time about blatant sexism and forgotten female narratives. When she returned, Aang and Manu were laughing together, talking about cabbages.

“Here you go,” Katara said shoving the bowl into Manu’s hands, then sat down next to Aang. Manu looked a bit unsure at Katara, but she was refusing to move. She had been helping with the efforts to rebuild the Air Nation just as much as Aang was. Katara stared the journalist down in a dare, he didn’t take the bait. Instead, he continued to ask about the progress from the last two years after the war ended. Both Aang and Katara answered his questions about the acolytes, the program they were following, the diet and efforts to restore traditional Air Nation vegetables in the gardens, the newest recruits, everything. It was going pretty well and Katara had calmed herself down now that Manu was actively listening to her. But then it happened; he brought up the idea of kids. This was something she and Aang had been avoiding speaking about ever since they got into a huge argument last month about it.

“The air acolytes are great, but when are you planning on hopefully producing the new generation of airbenders?” Manu asked bluntly looking between the two of them.

“I’m sorry what?” Katara asked her mood going south immediately.

“The new generation of airbenders, when will you be producing them?” he asked as if she were slow.

“Yeah, I heard your question, what I don’t understand is why you are asking it,” Katara snapped at him.

“Well, Ms. Katara, it’s an important question, the world is out of balance, we will be needing more airbenders,” he said.

“Well, Katara and I aren’t sure on the timeline,” Aang answered trying to be diplomatic.

“Aang, I do not want to discuss this publicly,” Katara hissed at him.

“You are a few months away from being 20 are you not? And the Avatar has just turned 18, that is a perfectly respectable age to start having children, especially because you will probably need to have a lot in order to get the new generatio-” Manu began.

“Okay that it, we are done here!” Katara interrupted grabbing his quill and scroll out of his hands that he was taking notes with and packing them into his bag, “You can go now.”

“But, I, uh, miss I am not finished,” Manu sputtered.

“Master.” Katara said.

“I’m sorry what?” He asked.

“It’s Master Katara, and you are dismissed,” She ground out, pulling the water from her pouch and getting into a defensive stance.

“Uh yes of course, Master Katara, Avatar Aang,” he said quickly bowing to them both and running off.

Katara slammed the door to the balcony shut and let out a grunt of frustration. She then walked over to the balcony to put her head down onto the railing. Aang watched her quietly from the bench. “Katara, we need to talk about this.”

“What’s there to talk about?” she huffed moodily, still staring out at the horizon. The sun was almost completely set by now, just a small sliver of it that was reaching out towards her.

“I had a feeling people were going to start asking us this, that’s why I’ve been really wanting to talk about it with you, but you keep avoiding this,” he said gently, standing up to walk towards her and putting hand on the small of her back. “I could make you a necklace first if that’s what you’ve been waiting for, well I have been car-”

“No!” Katara said, protectively placing a hand onto her mother’s necklace and backing away, “No, I don’t want a new necklace.”

“Well, what do you want? We need to talk,” Aang repeated.

“But I’ve already told you how I feel about this. Yes, I want kids someday, sure, but on my terms. I��ve been acting like a mother since mine died, and I want my freedom Aang. I never got the chance to be young and, I’m just not ready,” Katara spoke feeling as if they had been here before. The moon began to shine above them as the sky went dark.

“But, when will you be ready?” Aang pleaded.

“I don’t know, I’m just confused right now and I can’t give you an answer. I… I don’t know if I’ll ever have an answer for you…” Katara trailed off.

“Katara, being a dad, it’s not only something that I really want, but it’s also a duty I have to fulfil. It’s my destiny to bring balance to the world, our destiny,” he said reaching to hold her hands in his.

“Well, I didn’t know that falling in love with the Avatar meant I would have to sacrifice so much!” Katara yelled in frustration dropping her hands out of his grasp.

“Sacrifice?” Aang asked, his voice cracking in hurt.

“Yes! This is a sacrifice! I don’t want to be a breeding farm for airbenders! Or give up my culture to serve another! Or lose myself in your projects!” Katara shouted, her anger getting the better of her. She was saying things that she had hid deep inside her soul, things she never wanted to tell him because she couldn’t bear the pain it would cause.

“I’m not asking you to do any of those things!” Aang yelled back at her.

“Yes, you are, that’s exactly what you ask of me every day, how do you not see that? Where am I in any of this? People don’t even remember what I have done, what I have given up already to bring peace to the world. Where is my peace?!” She couldn’t stop the hot, angry tears from spilling down her face at this point. Everything she had been holding in was spilling out of her in thunderous waves of hurt. Every breath was strained with emotion.

“I thought I was your peace, like how you’re mine.” Aang whispered, tears filling his eyes as well.

“I thought you were too, but…” Katara said and turned away from those eyes, so filled with hurt and betray. Her guilt was eating her alive. She sobbed inwards, crossing her arms over her chest as if she could hold herself together.

“I’m not anymore. Am I?” he asked, emotion welling in his throat.

Katara’s sobs turned silent now, but the tears wouldn’t stop. She couldn’t see out her eyes. Why was this so hard? What had happened? This place, once lovely, now was her prison. She cried, “I don’t know why you stopped, why I stopped.”

“Do you think I could be it again?” he croaked out.

“I don’t know,” she whispered back, staring at the dark waves below.

They stood there, her back still turned to him, silently crying for an interterminal amount of time. At one point, Aang reached out towards her, taking one step, but then stopped. His reach hung in the air for a full breath, but then he turned and walked away. Out of the balcony, out of the building, and took off towards the skies on his glider. She was left to drown in a bed of her own making.

That night, Katara packed a bag.

#atla fanfic #atla #kataang breakup #katara #justice for katara #katara deserved better #katara defense squad #katara's anger #katara's rage #southern water tribe #southern air temple #aang #zutara fanfiction #taylor swift inspired #atla oc

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beardedmrbean · 1 month ago

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Daniel Penny was acquitted Monday of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-oldhomeless man with a history of mental illness whose final moments on a New York City subway train were captured on bystander video that set off weeks of protests and captured national attention.

The decision, on the fifth day of deliberations, came after the jury deadlocked Friday on the more serious charge of manslaughter, leading the judge to dismiss it. Penny faced up to four years in prison.

The anonymous jury, made up of seven women and five men, were told before they began deliberating that they had to come to a unanimous decision on the top charge of manslaughter in the second degree before moving on to consider criminally negligent homicide. But Judge Maxwell Wiley changed that order Friday after jurors twice sent a note saying they could not reach an agreement.

The judge had also instructed jurors to decide whether Penny’s actions caused Neely’s death and, if so, whether he had acted recklessly and in an unjustified manner.

Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator, had been shouting and acting erratically when he boarded a subway train in Manhattan on May 1, 2023. He ranted about being hungry and thirsty and said that he wanted to return to jail and didn’t care if he lived or died, witnesses testified. Penny, 26, a former Marine and Long Island native, placed Neely in a chokehold that prosecutors said lasted almost six minutes.

A New York City medical examiner ruled that Neely died from compression to his neck as a result of the chokehold.

Penny’s attorneys told jurors that he stepped in because he believed Neely might attack other passengers and he intended only to restrain him until police arrived, which Penny also told police. They also argued that Neely was not killed by the chokehold and that it was impossible to measure how much pressure Penny had applied.

A forensic pathologist hired by the defense testified that Neely died from a combination of his schizophrenia, synthetic marijuana, sickle cell trait and the struggle from being in Penny’s restraint. But the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Neely, Dr. Cynthia Harris, told jurors it was her medical opinion “that there are no alternative reasonable explanations” for his death and that those proposed by the defense were “so improbable — that it stands shoulder to shoulder with impossibility.”

During cross-examination, one of Penny’s attorneys, Steven Raiser sought to cast doubt on Harris’ testimony about how she and her colleagues had come to a unanimous decision as to Neely’s cause of death. Raiser suggested that they had failed to consider all the facts before making that determination.

He revisited that claim in his closing argument last week.

“I submit to you there was a rush to judgment, based on something other than medical science,” he told jurors.

The case divided people in New York — and beyond — in some cases along political and racial lines. Neely was Black. Penny is white. Some people viewed Penny as callous and his actions as criminal, while others said he was selfless in his attempt to protect fellow passengers.

The case also spurred debates about safety within the city’s subway system and failures in addressing homelessness and mental illness, both of which Neely had struggled with.Jumaane Williams, a Black Democrat who is New York City’s public advocate, was among those who questioned why police let Penny go after questioning him at a precinct hours after Neely’s killing. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also a Democrat, said Neely had been “murdered.” Prominent Republicans like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz praised Penny and promoted a fundraiser for his legal fund, which has raised more than $3 million. His defense team includes Thomas Kenniff, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for Manhattan District Attorney in 2021. Vickie Paladino, a Republican city councilwoman from Queens, attended last week's closing arguments in support of Penny.

Prosecutors did not dispute that Neely’s actions on the train scared many of the passengers or that he was on synthetic cannabinoids, which were found in his system. In her opening statement, Dafna Yoran, an assistant prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, said that Neely had “demanded to be seen” and that despite his not having touched anyone and not having displayed a weapon or threatened to use one, many people in the subway car were frightened of what he might do.

She has said Penny’s “initial intent was even laudable,” but that he was reckless when he continued to choke Neely even after he posed no threat, including after the train doors had opened at the next station and passengers could exit. For some of that time, she said and video showed, two other men helped restrain Neely. One of those men testified that he believed Penny had held the chokehold for too long. At times, she said, he even ignored the pleas of bystanders to let Neely go. In her closing argument, Yoran said that “no one had to die” and that Penny was not justified in his use of physical deadly force.

“You obviously cannot kill someone because they are crazy and ranting and looking menacing,” Yoran told jurors in her closing argument. “No matter what it is that they are saying.”

She also said that Penny “could have easily restrained” Neely “without choking him to death.”

In his closing argument, Raiser prompted jurors to imagine that they were on the train the day Neely boarded “filled with rage and not afraid of any consequences.”

“With you sitting much as you are now in this tightly confined space, looking up at Mr. Neely,” he said. “You have very little room to move and nowhere to run.”

“Danny,” as the defense attorneys referred to Penny throughout the trial, “put his life on the line” and stepped up in the absence of police, Raiser said.

But Yoran challenged the portrayal of Penny as a self-sacrificing and benevolent subway rider. In her opening statement she said that Penny failed to acknowledge Neely’s humanity. She continued that thread in her closing argument, playing video of Penny twice referring to Neely as a “crackhead” in an interview with police and telling jurorsthat he never asked about Neely’s condition.

“There is something else that is glaringly missing from his statement. Any regret. Any remorse. Any self reflection,” she said. She added: “He never expresses any sorrow about the man’s death.”

During deliberations, jurors asked to rewatch bystander videos of Penny restraining Neely, responding officers’ body camera videos and video of Penny’s subsequent interview with two police detectives at a precinct. They also asked to rehear the medical examiner’s testimony about issuing a death certificate before Neely’s full toxicology reports were completed. They also asked for the judge to read back the definitions of recklessness and criminal negligence and to have the definitions in writing.

Penny chose not to testify. During the trial, which began Nov. 1, jurors heard from more than 40 witnesses — subway passengers who witnessed Penny restrain Neely, police officers who responded to the scene, a Marine Corps instructor who taught Penny various chokeholds, the two pathologists, a psychiatric expert and six character witnesses, who included two Marines, Penny’s mother and one of his sisters.

On Wednesday, Neely’s father, Andre Zachery, sued Penny accusing him of negligent contact, assault and battery that caused Neely’s death. The civil suit was filed in New York state’s Supreme Court, a trial-level court in New York state.

#nunyas news

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hangmanbradshaw · 5 months ago

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Rare personal post, under the cut (trigger warning re: death and grief and complicated family dynamics and a lot of sentimentality haha)

Today would’ve been my dad’s 60th bday. It’s only two years fresh so I never know what feelings to expect, but I was looking through old pics because of my cousin and smiling, and that’s good? He struggled with addition, and caused more scars than I’ll ever be able to talk about no matter how much therapy and EMDR I do, but as complicated as our family was, I love and miss him. There were so many good rays of moments in it, especially when I was younger. My teenage years were hell. The end wasn’t good. It’s all true. I never thought I’d be in my 20s being next of kin- making decisions about life support and planning funerals and burials and giving eulogies and writing obituaries and taking care of my grandparents, but I think I’ve found my peace with it. It hurts, but it’s bearable.

I keep thinking about the eulogy I wrote and gave, what I believe in my heart about loss after losing my best friend, my dad, other friends. They really stick with us? In so many ways we don’t always see. It’s not about moving on, truly it’s about just finding space for the rest of life too. Widening your heart to it. I watch Star Wars and I think of Andrew. I talk to his mom and we laugh. I get excited for football or hiking or going on an adventure and that’s my dad. All these pictures of him younger, healthier, playing football and bringing us to games, teaching my brother and me how to play, taking us white water rafting and horseback riding and hiking and camping over and over. Pictures of him doing it himself when he was younger. And it’s just like. I’m his daughter. He lives on in my life because I see those things in my life, and for that, I’m so grateful. I look at my life and that lyric is so true- There wouldn’t be this if there hadn’t been you.

My writing journey started about a year after he passed as art therapy. I realized I loved it. I met all of you, wrote IWTBY, wrote my novel now. I took myself to the Super Bowl and watched the team he taught me to love win. I took myself to a movie premiere, to Europe, to all these things he never got to do. To national parks he did visit. To parks he took us to. My brother and I are going to Austin this fall and staying out on a ranch like we did as kids. I live in a peaceful little apartment with a job that helps people and wonderful friends and all that pain and hurt led to it. Anyways, just a long, ridiculously sentimental rant to say I’m grateful for this little community. For my little life. It’s simple, and it’s mine, and I am forever thankful for it. For all of you and the love you show me, whether it be for my stories which truly have changed my life, or in general. I wrote that one shot last night, and immediately was blown away by the love y’all give it and me. If my little stories have made you smile, or feel something, it’s all I can hope for. I hope everyone who sees this finds their own peace, no matter how impossible it seems, truly. Keep your head up, keep finding the beauty and joy in the little things. In the sun shining and laughter with a friend and movies that make you inspired. With love, Steph 💙

#sorry I know it might be cringey to be so sappy and pour all this out #but I think it’s important to be genuine and real #and tell people how you feel whether it’s good or ugly or complicated #and just be real #anyways! love you all #and I’m always here to chat if anyone needs an ear #personal

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vulpes-z3rda · 2 years ago

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Having The Archons Favor

a/n: Hello gaymers. Please take my peace offering of archon writings! As always I’ve tried to keep the reader as GN as possible :)

Being in the favor of Barbatos/Venti is a blessing as well as a curse. You’re revered by the people of Mondstadt like you’re a chosen one, the attention of it drives you insane sometimes. However, having the wind on your side at all times? You can’t completely complain. He sings you to sleep, holds your prayers to him above all else and blows away enemies if they so much as look at you. You pretend like you don’t see the wind vortex sucking up the hilichurls you ignored.

Having the love of the anemo archon means you get to experience seeing him in all his glory. He may have stepped down from leading but he’s more than willing to show off to you with his strength. 100% would use his whole “I can know songs that will be written in the future” thing to try and woo you it works. He protects you and worships the ground you protect in his place as the hero of Mondstadt. Also makes a song for you to carry on your legend after you move on from Teyvat.

Having the all giving love of Morax/Zhongli means having the people of his nation love you like you’re a national darling. You’ll find that suspiciously you’ll gain a golden shield that you know you can’t make yourself. He denies everything when you ask him though. The offerings you leave at his statues only further you in his graces.

Any deal you have to strike will always go your way, after all he’s the god of contracts for a reason. Whenever you have a pit stop in Liyue Harbour, you notice he always has enough money to pay for your meal and some drinks. Poor Tartaglia’s bank account. All in all, being held in high regards by the God of Contracts means an easy sailing journey for you in which you never have to worry about being exposed or being scammed.

Being in Beezebub’s/Ei’s favour would mean having your image burnt into Inazuman history for eternity. She makes sure Yae has a book about you in the publishing house because she feels like everyone should know about what you did for her nation. You went up against her and all of her ideals after all, to do that she wants your bravery to be on show.

You’re invited to Tenshukaku all the time for tea, she trusts you to sit in on every decision regarding Inazuma and you’re always invited to her Plane of Euthymia. She’s forever there to bless you with her damage boosting abilities to make your battles easier and she makes sure the remaining yokai know to leave you alone.

In all of Buer’s/Nahida’s wisdom, she graced you with favouritism like no other. The scholars don’t get it because they believe they contribute more to Sumeru but they don’t speak up cause they trust their archon’s judgement. You’re welcome to view all the archives she can readily access and she even takes you to Irminsul to get more in depth information whenever you require it.

She often times would speak to you through the Akasha terminal to comfort you or help influence any nightmares you may have been having during the nights. Her metaphors tend to become more based around you too which makes you giggle and others confused. She trusts you with everything and only really steps into fights when she truly thinks you’re struggling which isn’t often.

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin venti #venti x reader #genshin zhongli #zhongli x reader #genshin ei #ei x reader #genshin nahida #genshin x reader

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yoonavii · 1 year ago

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𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀

Gladiator Prince! Eustass Kid x Reader

Story description: Y/n, a skilled ice warrior from the frigid kingdom of Nosta, and Prince Eustass, a ruthless gladiator prince hailing from the enemy nation, the Modora Empire. Their two nations have a long history of conflict and animosity. However, when a dire situation calls for a political marriage to secure peace, Y/n and Eustass find themselves bound together in a union neither desires. As they navigate the treacherous path of diplomacy, they must confront their own prejudices and the weight of their peoples’ expectations. Through adversity and danger, the icy walls between them slowly begin to melt, and they discover unexpected connections and feelings, transforming their initial enmity into a deep and passionate love of the ages.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐎

In the heart of the kingdom of Nosta, the eldest members of each Nostian family engaged in a solemn tradition. With determined hands, they delicately unearthed buried vessels of fermented food from the snowy ground. The vases, each a repository of sustenance, had been carefully preserved, offering a lifeline to the families through the harsh winter months. This year’s harvest had been a challenging ordeal for the Nostians, as relentless snowstorms had battered the region without reprieve. The inclement weather had taken its toll on the land, making it nearly impossible to cultivate and gather food. As a result, the Nostian families found themselves grappling with the specter of scarcity, a challenge that tested their resilience and unity.

Amid the adversity, a glimmer of hope emerged from an unexpected source. The royal family and the council, recognizing the dire circumstances faced by their people, made a compassionate decision. They distributed a portion of their own supply of food to each family in the kingdom. This gesture of generosity transcended mere politics or duty – it was a lifeline extended from those in positions of power to those who struggled to secure their next meal. The significance of this act rippled through the kingdom. Families that had been grappling with hunger and uncertainty now found relief, their burdens temporarily lightened by the provisions provided by their leaders. The gesture carried a profound sense of solidarity, a reminder that even in the face of hardship, the Nostians stood together as a community.

as the snowy ground gave up its hidden treasures, you paced the length of the council room. The air within was thick with the wisdom of the elders – warriors, archers, and herbalists who held the weight of generations on their shoulders. Each one bore the scars of a kingdom’s struggles etched into their very beings. Restlessness gripped you as you grappled with the enormity of the situation. Your people’s history and suffering clashed with your own desires, creating a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The thought of uniting with someone from the empire that had caused so much harm was almost unbearable.

Turning to the council, you sought answers to the questions that consumed you. Your voice was a mix of determination and desperation as you posed the question that had haunted you, “Why must I go through with this marriage? How can we align ourselves with those who have brought us so much pain?” One council member, their face etched with the lines of wisdom, stepped forward to address your concerns. Their voice carried the weight of years as they explained the rationale behind the decision, “Princess, you ask a question that weighs heavily upon us all. Our land faces a dire predicament. The relentless snowstorms have stripped us of our harvest, and the specter of famine looms over us.”

With a steadying gaze, they continued, “The Modora Empire possesses the resources we lack – food that can sustain our people through the trying times ahead. We have negotiated a peace treaty, one that hinges on trade rather than conflict. In exchange for our medicinal herbs and remedies, they will provide us with the sustenance we so desperately need.” Their words resonated in the air, carrying both the wisdom of experience and the urgency of the present. The council member’s voice softened with understanding as they added, “This is not a decision taken lightly. We are bound by the duty to preserve our people and ensure their survival. The alliances we forge today lay the groundwork for a more secure tomorrow.”

As their gaze met yours, you felt the weight of their wisdom and the empathy behind their words. The complexities of leadership were clearer than ever – a delicate balance between personal convictions and the welfare of an entire kingdom. The path you tread was one that would test your strength, challenge your perceptions, and demand sacrifices that transcended individual desires.

——

In the dimly lit chambers of your quarters, you couldn't conceal your discontent. As maids attended to you, their delicate hands guiding you through the evening rituals, you grumbled softly under your breath. Tomorrow morning marked the beginning of your journey to a new life with the enemy prince, a path you had never envisioned for yourself. Amidst your private lament, one of the maids decided to break the tension. With a warm smile, she attempted to lighten your mood. "You know, Your Highness," she ventured, her voice gentle and reassuring, "that crown you received during your coming of age ceremony suits you beautifully. You'll look absolutely regal as you wear it."

Her words were infused with sincerity, an attempt to offer some solace to a princess burdened with the weight of duty and sacrifice. The crown, a symbol of your status and responsibility, held a unique kind of elegance that complemented your grace and strength. Your grumbling softened, if only slightly, as you regarded the maid's kind gesture. In this moment of uncertainty and apprehension, a glimmer of warmth and camaraderie emerged. The challenges of the road ahead remained daunting, but the bond between you and your maids offered a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there were those who would stand by your side. You offered a gracious nod to the maid, appreciating the effort to lift your spirits during this challenging time. As the conversation continued, you couldn't help but think practically about the upcoming journey. Turning to the maid, you inquired, "Will all of my belongings be taken with me on this trip?"

The maid's expression turned thoughtful, and she replied with a tone of caution, "I'm afraid not, Your Highness. For safety reasons, it's best to travel light for now. However, once you've arrived safely at the Modora Empire, arrangements will be made to have more of your belongings sent to you." The consideration for your safety was evident in the maid's response. You understood the necessity of traveling with only the essentials for the time being. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainties, and the decision to keep your possessions to a minimum was a prudent one. You knew that, in due time, your familiar belongings would follow you to the new land that awaited. One of the other maids, as she helped in preparing you for the journey, made a suggestion. “Your Highness,” she began tentatively, “perhaps you could consider taking either your axes or your bow and arrows with you for the travels.”

As the maid made her suggestion, she glanced at the collection of weapons in your room. There, hanging on a wall adorned with trophies from your archery competitions, were your finely crafted axes and your prized bow and arrows. You surveyed the weapons with a sense of nostalgia. Each had its own history, its own story of battles won and challenges overcome. The axes, with their polished blades and ornate handles, were symbols of your strength and determination. The bow, a work of art in itself, had accompanied you on countless hunting trips and had never failed you in times of need. The suggestion to choose one weapon over the other gnawed at you. They were both extensions of your identity, and you couldn’t bear to part with either. After a moment of consideration, you made your decision with unwavering resolve. “I will take both,” you declared firmly, your eyes locking with the maid’s. “Even if I have to be discreet about it.” The prospect of sneaking these cherished companions along on your journey added an element of intrigue and determination to the preparations. It was a secret pact between you and your weapons, a silent promise that no matter what challenges awaited in the Modora Empire, you would be ready to face them with the strength and skills that had defined you as the ice princess of Nosta.

—————-

In the grand corridors of the Modora Empire’s palace, Prince Eustass’s steps reverberated with frustration. His mood was as turbulent as the storm clouds that often shrouded his kingdom. He had stormed out of the council chamber, leaving behind the imposing presence of the council members and their unsettling decree. Grumbling beneath his breath, Eustass navigated the labyrinthine halls of the palace. The news that the council had arranged a political marriage for him, set to commence as early as tomorrow, gnawed at his very core. He had barely returned from his military campaign, bloodied and wearied from the battlefield, only to be thrust into a situation he vehemently opposed.

His steps echoed through the marble corridors as he brooded, his mind filled with thoughts of the impending political union and the implications it held for his future. The weight of responsibility and expectation bore down upon him, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of resentment. As he continued to traverse the palace’s opulent halls, Eustass couldn’t shake the feeling that his life was spiraling into a direction he had not chosen for himself. The clash between duty and personal desires waged on within him, leaving him to grumble and seethe as he contemplated the uncertain path that lay ahead.

Amidst the labyrinthine halls of the palace, Prince Eustass’s sharp eyes caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. He called out to her, his voice carrying a hint of urgency, “Roxane!” But the glare that met his gaze made it clear that Roxane was in no mood for pleasantries. The General’s daughter remained a picture of resentment, her eyes hard and unyielding. The words exchanged in the council room still hung heavily in the air between them, a stark reminder of the tension that had escalated during the meeting. Eustass hurried to close the distance between them, his voice laced with a desperation to make amends. “Roxane, I promise you, I’ll find a way to override this political marriage,” he implored, his voice earnest and determined. However, Roxane’s response was anything but receptive. She maintained a cold demeanor, addressing him only with the formal title of “Your Highness.” Her words cut through the tension like a sharp blade as she declared, “I don’t care about the political marriage, or even you.”

Eustass was bewildered by her response, unable to comprehend the sudden change in her attitude. In a desperate attempt to understand, he reached out to grasp her hand, his voice softening with concern. “Roxane, what do you mean?” he asked, his gaze searching for answers. But Roxane didn’t linger. She pulled her hand away abruptly, her features frozen in a mask of resolve. Her words came out with a finality that left no room for negotiation. “We need to separate, Your Highness. Permanently. We can’t be together anymore.” With those words, she turned away and walked briskly down the corridor, leaving Eustass standing there, bewildered and hurt. The cold exterior she displayed masked the complex emotions within, and the decision she had just made had left both of them reeling, their connection severed in a heartbeat.

As Eustass stood there, his thoughts in disarray after Roxane's unexpected declaration, his loyal right-hand man, Killer, hurriedly caught up with him. Concern etched across his features, Killer asked, "Are you okay, Eustass?" But Eustass, consumed by a whirlwind of emotions, couldn't find the words to respond. Instead, he brushed off the question with a curt wave of his hand and a voice thick with frustration. "I need some time alone," he muttered, his gaze distant. "I'm going to my room, and I don't want anyone to bother me."

Killer could sense the turmoil within his prince, and he nodded in understanding, albeit with a hint of worry in his eyes. He watched as Eustass retreated down the corridor, his thoughts heavy with the weight of Roxane's cold rejection. The sudden turn of events had left Eustass reeling, and now he sought solitude to grapple with the emotional storm that raged within him.

—————-

As you entered your room, your gaze immediately searched for your journal. Among the few belongings you could take with you, this was one you couldn't bear to leave behind. While you would be living in the empire, you could at least document your experiences and thoughts in its pages. The journal, small and unassuming, held the potential to be a source of solace in the unfamiliar territory that awaited you. It was a private space where you could record your journey, your emotions, and the challenges you would face. Its pages were a repository for your innermost thoughts and a connection to the world you were leaving behind. With a sense of determination, you retrieved the journal and carefully concealed it within your chest binding wrap. It was a precious keepsake, a silent companion that would bear witness to the chapters of your life as you embarked on this unexpected journey, a small act of defiance against the constraints of fate. You offered Trafalgar Law a warm smile and gestured for him to sit, a silent invitation to a more casual conversation. He obliged, taking a seat at the end of your bed.

As he settled in, you let out a sigh, your expression turning slightly pensive. "Trafalgar," you began, your voice devoid of the formalities that usually accompanied royal conversations. "I must admit, I'm feeling a bit nervous about this journey to the Modora Empire. It's not just the political marriage, but the prospect of learning an entirely new way of life." You paused, your thoughts swirling with uncertainty. "I'll be expected to adapt to new traditions, new etiquette, and take on a role as not only the empire's new princess but as the future empress. It's a lot to take in, and I'm not sure what to expect."

As you shared your concerns with your trusted bodyguard, you couldn't help but feel a sense of vulnerability. It was rare for you to express your fears openly, but in this moment, Trafalgar's presence offered a comforting reassurance that you weren't facing this daunting journey alone.

Trafalgar Law listened attentively to your concerns, his reassuring presence a source of comfort. When you expressed your apprehensions about the journey ahead, he spoke with unwavering support. "Princess, you have my word that I'll be by your side every step of the way," he assured you, his voice filled with sincerity. "I will protect you, and if things take a turn for the worse, I'll do everything in my power to ensure your safety."

His words were a balm to your anxieties, but what he revealed next left you in a state of shock. "And there's something else," he continued, his tone grave. "I have an acquaintance, someone I knew from the Modora Empire." Your eyes widened in astonishment. You were well aware that communication with anyone from the empire, especially given the ongoing tensions, could be considered treasonous. The fact that Trafalgar had such a connection left you both surprised and curious.He went on to explain, "My acquaintance has already been sending scrolls of information about the empire via message birds. It's meant to give us a head start on what to expect, to help us navigate the complexities of the empire."

The revelation was both intriguing and unsettling. You couldn't help but wonder about the nature of this acquaintance and the valuable insights they might provide. Yet, it was a risky venture, and the stakes were high. As you processed this unexpected turn of events, you couldn't help but feel a mixture of anticipation and caution, knowing that this connection might be crucial in the days to come.

©𝐘𝐎𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐈— Any sign/evidence of plagiarism made from outside this name will be dealt with by whatever means necessary. Legal action may occur if non fanfiction works are plagiarized.

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ceiling-karasu · 15 days ago

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@sahbeetle3 @rei-does-stuff @sah-headcanons @weaselfactoryex

As promised, I have finished the story (complete with pictures within) based on these two squirrels, and the roasting of chestnuts for December.

Sunchal Darami and Bocho Darami

The infant would be joining the village in the spring.

After a hard pregnancy, it was unlikely that the mother squirrel would be able to leave the national hospital for an extended time as she recovered, perhaps for years. Already, rumors of the pup having been born with a much darker fever coat had been circulating, proof that his mother had struggled and persevered for as long as she was able. It was even speculated by the doctors that the brown color of the infant squirrel’s fur would last some time into adulthood.

With the father serving with the hedgehogs in the Flower Hill self-defense force, it was unlikely that he would be able to assist with both at the same time, even if the hedgehogs assigned him to guard the hospital.

And that left Geumsaegi, the leader of Squirrel Village, to care for his little brother. Which was a problem.

Unlike the other squirrels in the village, Sunchal Darami and Bocho Darami already understood that there was no way Geumsaegi could care for an infant while also continuing to care for the wellbeing of the village. The golden squirrel was a fantastic leader, one who understood what needed to be done, and could make rational and tough decisions, but he was also a dutiful friend to everyone. One who would work himself to death trying to keep everything running and everyone happy, if he was not forced to step down.

It had started out as small arguments, but was slowly building up. Geumsaegi was half a year older than Sunchal and Bocho, but he had been a great friend and comrade regardless, encouraging them with a benevolent smile they could never get enough of. Alongside Juldarami, the group had done almost everything together, with the younger two even joining the older when he went off for his conscription. Their group had been a great team, one that had been highly praised by the hedgehogs in charge of overseeing their training. Not that they, as squirrels, would ever have to fight. No, that was the job of the militant hedgehogs and the great Uncle Gom. The bear alone was a tremendous force to be reckoned with, his might so far beyond compare, that the Weasel Unit would never try to attack their village while he was alive.

It was almost boring for sentries and guards with such great protection, but Geumsaegi had insisted, just in case. A few enemy scouts could still sneak in and try to cause mischief, after all. An honorable job.

But, since their given occupation was one set of designated sentries and guards, only one of them could help their friend out in his hour of need. Their desire for protecting the village was triumphed by the need to assist with the coming of the pup.

“I have known Geumsaegi for longer than you have! I will stay with him and help him raise his brother! I have siblings, after all.” Sunchal waved his hands in exasperation. In the distance, other squirrels had seen the argument forming, and had wisely decided to complete their own tasks to avoid the altercation between the two friends, standing only feet away from their rifles.

Bocho rolled his eyes. “Only by a few days. And you had OLDER siblings. They took care of YOU! You don’t know anything. I actually watched mothers take care of children while you were off playing.”

Sunchal flushed under his fur. “I won’t allow our beloved comrade to suffer from overwork, or give up the job he loves! I will serve as his right hand and help take care of his brother! …Unless you want to take shifts?” An attempt to diffuse the situation.

“You forget about all the small details that we would have to handle. Squirrel pups need stability in who takes care of them, so us taking shifts would only severely upset the child. The fact that you forgot this means I am far better suited to assist Geumsaegi than you could ever be,” Bocho barked.

No, one of them would have to be off their shift for an extended period, spending more time with their beloved leader.

But the quarrels had gotten louder, more disorderly, as the season shifted into fall, winter approaching. It was only a matter of time before they grew physical, especially since the rest of the village did not appear to see the problem that would affect them all in the coming years…

But Geumsaegi had had enough of the fighting, alerted by the other villagers, holding his head as his tail twitched in annoyance when he approached, just as Sunchal had grabbed the collar of Bocho’s shirt.

“Enough, both of you! You know we do not condone fighting in this village, especially not when you are supposed to be doing your tasks! Such actions are worthy of the weasels. What if Uncle Gom heard you fighting and rushed over to see this? He would be so disappointed in you.”

The two squirrels paused in shame, then turned again to argue.

Geumsaegi cut them off, softly, “I cannot give you differential treatment simply because we are good comrades. I will have to punish you like I would anyone else. You will be assigned to the early night shift until further notice.”

……………………………………………..

They had been on the night shift for so long, that the other villagers had simply begun calling them Yagansunchal Darami and Yaganbocho Darami. The first night shifts were necessary, but it was not favored. The first night shift lasted from just after most everyone else had gone to bed, but ended before anyone other than the next shift had risen. It was seen as a punishment in isolation, often used to force quarreling squirrels to make up with one another out of sheer proximity, if not force some introspection in loneliness. But this was no petty dispute. For the two former friends, it was a deadly serious dilemma.

As expected, the fear of their beloved Uncle Gom would keep most of the mice and weasels away, while the diligent hedgehogs would pick up any stragglers that tried to maneuver around him. They were lucky to have them as allies.

It did lead to many boring nights as it grew colder. It had been a relatively warm winter, especially for near the end of December. It was made cold by the animosity the two held, having missed out on the winter solstice celebration a few days before, where the entire village had roasted some of the stored chestnuts together. Other than quiet insults, they had refused to speak for some time.

Something shifted in the storehouse as they passed by, the sound lingering to their ears, as if the building itself was settling. Or, someone was trying to move through it quietly, yet failing. Yaganbocho moved in through the door to for a brief check.

“What, too cold for you?” Yagansunchal sneered, his own breath forming in the air as he chased the other in, “the next shift is only a few hours away, can’t you endure without having to go inside? Or are you planning to skip your shift to go and roast some chestnuts for a snack?”

“Shut up, I heard something, and now I have to go check to see what fell over. Might as well stack it back up so our comrades don’t have to do it in the morning. Besides, something else might fall over if we don’t fix it now,” Yaganbocho retorted.

A sandbag, prepared in case of flooding, had slipped off the top of the pile and landed on the floor. “Well, go ahead then! Pick it back up!” Yagansunchal gestured, wondering how a sandbag could have slipped so far away from the rest of the pile. He wrinkled his nose at the empty sacks nearby, yet to be filled by the surrounding sand, sure to leave a hard-to-clean mess on the floor.

Yaganbocho struggled for a moment alone, unable to lift the heavy bag by himself. “I wish you would help, but I guess you are incapable of assisting with something like this,” His tail repeatedly brushed up against the other’s legs.

“Ugh! Hurry up!” Yagansunchal moved to lift the sandbag into place, the two needing to stretch out to place it on top, pausing to look at the unfamiliar gun on top, adorned with a Weasel Unit decal.

Another shifting behind them, and they were too defenseless to warn the village about the group of mice emerging from behind the other shelves.

Guns discarded, the squirrels had been shoved into the emptied sacks and dragged away into the night. They knew better than to make any noise. What would happen if an unarmed villager thought they were fighting and ran out to simply yell at them? Someone else might get hurt. And surely, either Uncle Gom or the hedgehogs would stop the mice before they were carried too far away from the village?

But later, slightly battered, huddled on the ground, surrounded by clubs and the muzzles of guns, they wondered if they should have called for help after all.

“We don’t have to hurt you too much,” The head mouse began in his threatening speech. “We know that the hedgehogs have an observation post near the lake, and it contains some documents that we would like to get our hands on. If you just show us the way there in the woods, we can get the documents and leave you behind relatively unharmed, maybe even for their next patrol…”

Yagansunchal could only blink back tears, hoping the mice would not notice them, nor the tremor in his voice, “Why would we know where the hedgehogs have any posts? They patrol around the entirety of Flower Hill, including our village, why would we know where they go?” Yaganbocho moved to huddle against him for support, shivering, then gave a low growl and moved away. The sense of comfort leaving frightened both of them, yet neither willing to throw away their pride.

“If the hedgehogs have an outpost near the squirrel village, I would think you should know about it, given that it is in your territory, and you should be able to lead us to it. Unless your leader keeps you in the dark?”

“Why would it matter to us if they had an outpost?” Yagansunchal’s genuine confusion appeared to alarm the mice at first, until they began to snicker in amusement.

“Isn’t that odd? We, of the Weasel Unit, know that your hedgehog neighbors have important outposts around Squirrel Village, as well as other villages. Do you not find it suspicious that your neighbors have a military outpost close to your homes in order to watch you? Would you not like to know what they are plotting against you?”

Yaganbocho blinked in confusion, “But the hedgehogs are our allies and close friends. They have always watched over and protected us while we went about our lives. Why would they plot against us?”

In the beams of the flashlights, some of the mice began to look at the squirrels with what appeared to be pity, “You have a highly militaristic neighbor, who patrols in your territory, possibly spying on you, and you are not even concerned that they may try to take over and make you their servants?”

“Shut up! Flower Hill is not like you! Our friends would never betray us like that, so don’t try to convince us of treachery! Besides, it would be a huge security risk for us to know about any staches or outposts, someone could get snatched and forced…to…” Yaganbocho blanched in realization, gesturing around him, “THIS!”

The group of mice shifted their guns, glancing at each other, “Are you really naïve enough to-”

The peals of the Village alarm bells echoed through the forest, squirrels glancing at each other as they realized that the next shift must have investigated their absence when they had not reported in on time, sounding the alarm when they found the scene of the attack. Weak searchlights lit up the sky, turning towards the area around the forest.

The mice began to shout in alarm. The leading mouse gestured for the two squirrels to move in front of them, expression unreadable. Hostages in case they were caught.

It was not long until they reached the lake blocking their path, ice glistening despite the heavy cloud cover. “They won’t expect us to cross here. Keep them in front! They should be able to lead us around weak spots in the ice, and then they can lead us through the uncharted area on the other side,” the leader of the group snarled.

“We need to go around! It is not nearly cold enough to fully-” Yaganbocho’s protests were cut off with a hard smack, forcing him to crash into the ground, as his companion jumped out of the way in accidental surprise. They glared at each other for a moment, before they were both dragged upwards and forwards.

Their luck ran out towards the very center of the lake, thin ice finally giving way under the squirrels leading point, plunging them under the surface of the freezing water.

They had both known they would fall through at some point, already fully prepared to hold their breath and brace for the shock of the freezing cold, resisting the urge to gasp. As if it was natural, they shed the gloves and outer coats that would simply become waterlogged and drag them down into the depths, where the ducks might find their bodies in the spring. They had all learned this from a young age, before the hedgehogs had begun putting signs up around thin ice, as well as during conscription, allowing themselves to calmly float back up to the surface. The only regret was that none of the mice appeared to have fallen into the hole with them.

“Shit! Leave them behind, we don’t have time to deal with hypothermia! We need to go.” The mice sprinted back the way they came, an easier path presenting itself without having to deal with the further splintering ice.

But they needed to save themselves, and quickly. Yagansanchal dragged himself out first, briefly standing in a panic to try and get his bearings, before lowering himself to his knees to better distribute his weight. An echoing distress squeak behind him, and he turned to see Yaganbocho struggling to climb out of the hole, almost sliding back. “Why are you not out yet? They didn’t hit you that hard!”

“Th-the bullets!” The bottom dropped out from Yagansanchal’s stomach. He had not heard the mice shooting at him, but it they had, and the other squirrel had been hit…he leaned over, half dragging the other squirrel out of the hole to have a look.

In Yaganbocho’s hands, preventing him from crawling out himself, were the bullets from his rifle, and small pouch of extra gunpowder. They would need something to help start a fire, or at least create a loud enough sound for a rescue, after all.

They crawled flat along the ice in the opposite direction of the mice, fleeing into the distance. There was a mountain where they were headed, as well as a forest. Surely, they would be able to find a small cave, and some dry enough wood to start a fire and fend off the upcoming hypothermia. Their lives depended on it.

…………………………………………

Even through the cold, in the dark, it had been easy enough to recognize the Flower Hill symbol on the rocks, sticks placed in a way that would not draw attention to outsiders, but was a simple military code for the observer that there was something in the area. A small cave, entrance hidden. Possibly supplies.

Yagansunchal and Yaganbocho dropped the few dry sticks they had in shock.

They had found the hedgehog outpost.

No one was occupying it at the moment, but there were signs that something large had been moved out recently, and suggested that whoever had been manning it was likely to come back. Firewood already sat in small pits, with a small pan on top of another stack of wood, meant for cooking. A crate and a barrel sat in the corner.

Quickly, shivering violently, the two squirrels stripped off their wet clothes, changing into what they managed to find in the barrel, laying their own clothes on rocks to let them dry. Tarps were removed and wrapped around themselves to help generate warmth and keep the heat in.

The crate held chestnuts and a lighter.

Normally, it would be dangerous to light multiple fires in such a small cave, even if the entrance was open. There was always the risk of suffocation from too much smoke if they fell asleep. But they were not planning on resting. It would be dangerous to do so when entering hypothermia, as well as when they had no idea if the enemies would return for them. The axe next a stack of firewood should help at least one of them escape, if they could figure out their location in the dark. Normally, one would cover the head to keep the warmth in, but perhaps it would be easier to stay awake if the head was uncovered? Their ears had fur, after all.

They would not be able to soak the chestnuts before throwing them on the pan over the fire. As one usually did. That would take too much time. Their numb fingers would not be able to score the tops, either, but that would just make them a bit harder to peel with their strong teeth. Either way, getting some warm food into their stomachs was sure to help them through the rest of the night. Chestnuts would not take long to roast on a hot fire.

Sitting away from the flames to avoid catching the tarps ablaze, the two former friends moved closer to each other, hands and tails nearly brushing. Silence.

“This whole argument is stupid. We are so stupid.” Yagansunchal broke the silence.

“Ah…? Yeah…”

“What the hell are we fighting over? We never even thought to ask Geumsaegi if he had a plan for taking care of his little brother. We should have just asked him directly, since he probably made one the moment he heard.” Neither of them had asked, wanting Geumsaegi to think they were proactive in offering their help.

The hands finally connected, squeezing tightly after not feeling each other in so long.

“I-”

“I’m sorry,”

The apology was given at the same time, and accepted immediately, the two friends snuggling closer.

“Do you know what’s funny?” Yaganbocho began, “I have definitely seen another squirrel sneaking in through Geumsaegi’s back window at night, several times. I thought it was him at first, and he was out trying to get some work done, but Geumsaegi himself opened the window a few times. I wonder who it is?”

“It’s Juldarami! I got close enough to see since I was curious,” Yagansunchal chirped.

The two began to giggle. In hindsight, Juldarami had been as close to Geumsaegi as they had been, and the two had been spending more and more time together.

“What do you think about the hedgehog that also sneaks in through the window? Do you think he is only bringing him reports from Commander Goseumdochi about enemy troop movements and plots?” Yagansunchal asked.

Yaganbocho leaned in conspiratorially, “Oh, of course not. It’s Scout Goseumdochi, He and Geumsaegi were not discussing enemy movements, I can tell you that.”

“What? You peaked?” the other whisper screamed, grinning.

“No, I saw a hedgehog enter the village and thought I should greet them and report if need be. I saw him go behind the meeting hall, but when I went to follow, I heard noises, so I peeked around and saw them. they were not attending to business, I can tell you that.”

“All three of them, huh? And here I thought Juldarami was getting closer to Mulori,” Yagansunchal mused. “At least. I did until now, since I have seen her drop the hedgehog off at the village.”

Yaganbocho giggled, “She is such a good comrade, helping them get together. Possibly covering for Goseumdochi if he is sneaking off. I am sure he would love assisting in taking care of the pup as well!”

The chestnuts began to brown, a sweet and nutty smell filling the cave, bringing extra warmth, promising deliciousness.

…………………………………………………

“Hello! Is there anyone in here?”

A voice cut through the darkness outside of the cave in the early morning. A rich, strong, voice of a being who had promised to always protect the squirrels, and come find them if they were lost, fulfilling his oath.

“Uncle Gom!” the two squirrels rose from the log, shuffling to meet their savior.

“Sunchal? Bocho? Comrades! Are you alright?” Their beloved Geumsaegi, moving forward to further wrap them in warmed blankets, checking for injuries. A scouting party of hedgehogs stood behind him, one moving to collect a data disk hidden under the earth in the cave. A hedgehog at the edge of the clearing waved to a duck, who flew to report to the other ducks circling the lake.

Neither squirrel could respond, simply plunging into the embrace of the village leader, finally releasing the tears from the ordeal the night before.

………………………………………………

It was indeed Juldarami who had been chosen to help raise little Bamsaegi, staring up at the crowd that often surrounded him with big, brown, inquisitive eyes.

“Are you still sure that you do not wish to be moved back to the day shift?” Geumsaegi asked.

“Haha, we may have grown a little too accustomed to the schedule…” Yagansunchal muttered.

It was true enough. Their sleep schedules had been reversed after spending so long on the night shift. It would be difficult to move back.

“I think we know how to maneuver in the village at night best of anyone by now, especially since we have memorized who usually does what in the middle of the night. I think switching out squirrels for the shift may actually be dangerous since a new pair would miss something that we would not. We are the best for the job!” Yaganbocho explained, raising an eyebrow as he hinted at knowing about the nighttime visits.

Geumsaegi’s ear twitched in surprise at the mention of the two knowing what everyone did at night, sharing a sly glance with Juldarami, who grinned and shrugged.

It was not as if they would not see any of their other friends. It was easy enough to wake up for a short time in the middle of the day to assist in the harvest or a festival.

But they had had a close call with the mice. Clearly, they were planning something, probing at the security of Flower Hill for weaknesses. Who knew when they would try and attack next? Days, weeks, even years down the line? It did not matter. The moment the enemies finally made their move, they would be ready to properly report the danger, for the good of everyone in the village.

Geumsaegi appeared quite pleased, smiling at their determination. That was all the encouragement they needed.

They would always be together in the village, one mind, all the time.

#squirrel and hedgehog #sah #SaH #I used a charcoal blend this time #it's supposed to be natural #I'll get this up on Ao3 later I’m reaching character limit and had to remove some stuff #featuring pictures I took of chestnuts in the store

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thewardenisonthecase · 1 month ago

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Moments in Between - Chapter 5

Lucanis Dellamorte x Grey Warden!Rook (Dawn Thorne)

Chapter 4

Read on AO3

Summary: The aftermath of the dragon attack and a certain demon cause a little bit of mayhem.

A/N: I struggled a bit with this chapter as I had to focus on some real life stuff (applying for a masters and had to do a bunch of self tape auditions). At least, I have a clearer vision of where I want to go with this story, I just need to adjust how to tackle it.

What a mess.

Rook’s first real taste of leadership had ended in disaster. Minrathous had been destroyed in the attack, and the Venatori had used the chaos to make a pass at the throne.

She brought the whiskey bottle to her lips once again.

The reality of what they were facing was starting to dawn upon her.

People would die. Sacrifices were to be made. And sometimes, no matter what you chose, the outcome would still be shit.

Varric had tried to ease her mind, but it didn’t help her guilt. Could she have done more? She should have had. There must have been some way to save both cities. If she’d been faster with the ice dragon, maybe they could have reached Minrathous in time.

Rook wiped her tears. She didn’t have the right to cry, it was not her city that was burned to the ground. If Neve never wanted to step foot in the Lighthouse again, she wouldn’t blame her.

The whiskey tasted bitter in her mouth yet she couldn’t stop drinking. The worst part was that the blissful ignorance of being drunk never arrived.

In moments like this she cursed her high tolerance for alcohol.

“Drinking yourself to death will not solve your problems, kid.” Varric said, entering her room. “Trust me, I tried.”

She sighed “I didn’t realize it would be this hard.” She looked at him. “Being the one who makes the decisions.”

He walked to her and sighed. “I’m sorry you’re having to take all of this on. I’m the one who should have been leading the team…”

“Don’t apologize. It’s not your fault you got injured.”

“Stil…” Varric put a hand on her shoulder. “But I know you can do this. You were my second in command for a reason. You’re a responsible woman, resourceful. If anyone can deal with this, its you.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, instead of spending your day here until you enter an alcohol induced coma, you need to plan your next steps. If I were you, I’d talk to Solas, see if there’s anything you can take from him.”

Rook nodded. “I think I’ll do that…after I take a bath.”

Varric chuckled. “I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Lucanis hadn’t seen much of Rook. After the dragon attack, she had been busy recruiting new members for their team, planning for what was next.

The dragon…he didn’t think she would choose Treviso. It was a merchant city that few seemed to care about. It did not haven defenses, and with the occupation going, they’d have even less protection.

Treviso did not have much to offer in the fight against the elven gods.

Minrathous was a capital to one of the most powerful nations in Thedas, they could provide an army if things escalated, the Shadow Dragons even had connections to the magisterium.

And yet, Rook had showed up and helped them fight off the dragon. He shuddered to think how many lives would have been lost - in the attack, and afterwards.

Lucanis had tried thinking of how he could say thank you. They hadn’t spoken much since, not with Lucanis staying away from the group. Since the dragon, Spite had grown more restless, demanding to be let out.

He couldn’t give voice to the demon, but he also could not control it. He feared what Spite could do to the others, especially now, and so, Lucanis had retreated into his mind even more.

He stood by the fire, deep in thoughts, not even noticing that others had arrived in the dining hall until they began talking. He hadn’t heard much of what was being said until the new guy, Davrin interneved.

“Hang on a minute. Not only have you retained the services of a demon assassin, you’re also taking advice from the elven god who attempted to tear down the veil.”

He turned to the group “Spite is my problem.” He told the warden.

“That’s what they always say.” Davrin crossed his arms, turning to Rook. “Thorne, what mess have you gotten yourself into? Lucanis is one thing, but do you really trust this Solas?”

Lucanis frowned at the name. Did she know him from before? The two were wardens after all.

“I would not call it trust.”

“So you don’t trust him?”

“No.” She replied, bluntly.

“Alright then.”

The conversation continued, as they planned on who to contact. Bellara happened to know a professor from Nevarra who could help and Harding would speak with her contacts to find a dragon hunter.

The others began exiting the room, Rook being the last of them to stay. They exchanged a look, and it seemed as if she was about to say something before turning to the door and leaving.

Lucanis sighed. As if things weren’t bad enough, now there was a monster hunter on the team. He looked at Spite, who had grown more restless since the dragon attack, demanding to go out.

He’d need more coffee to keep the demon at bay.

Rook remembered the first time she met Davrin, five years ago when she was sent to the Anderfels.

The two of them had been grouped alongside Evka and Antoine to go on a mission. Investigate the appearance of darkspawn in a village and make sure they wouldn’t cause any more trouble.

The whole situation had turned out to be much more complex than they had expected, and by the end of it, Rook had three new friends. At the time, the only friends she had.

She was excited when she realized Davrin would join their team. They hadn’t seen each other in long, and the two had been close confidants in the Anderfels. Besides, she knew how capable of a warrior he was.

Rook did not expect, however, that he and Lucanis would be at each other's throats all of the time.

It did not matter where they were, at some point, the same conversation would happen: Davrin would bring up the fact that Lucanis was an abomination. Lucanis would bring up the warden's mysterious secrets. They’d talk in circles and get nowhere.

Maker, the headaches she was getting because of the two.

It was terrible. She did not wish to intervene as they were two grown men, but one of them was her closest friend and the other…

Well. That was the worst part. Rook believed she was starting to have…feelings for Lucanis, and at the moment, that was the last thing she needed. They had recruited the fade expert, Emmrich, but they still needed the dragon hunter. She had to focus.

But it was hard to do so when he would look at her with those sad, brown eyes of his and make her chocolate. Or when he seemed to be opening up, even if just a bit, when she was around. They hadn’t spoken much since Treviso, and she did not know why, but it was as if Lucanis was even more closed off than before.

She did not understand it, but she didn’t find the courage to ask.

Rook would find an answer soon enough, after their hunter, Taash, joined the team.

She followed the shouting to the room where the eluvian was kept. Taash stood in front of it, stopping Lucanis and Harding from getting through.

“What’s going on here?” Rook asked.

“It’s the demon!” Harding exclaimed. “It’s taken over Lucanis and now he’s trying to leave.”

When Rook looked at him, she saw that his eyes were no longer the same, becoming bright purple, and when he spoke, a different voice than the one she knew said “Smells like…jam and brimstone.”

Was that what Spite sounded like?

“Rook, do something.” Lace pleaded.

She looked at the man in front of her. This was not the first time she had spoken to a demon, but each one required a different approach. She thought of his nature - Spite. Perhaps if she catered to it, he might be more agreeable to letting Lucanis go.

She had an idea. If he wanted to go through the eluvian, what could be more spiteful than not giving it to him?

A part of her wondered if it was a good idea to aggravate the demon, but between her, Harding and Taash, she believed they could do it. She only feared Lucanis getting hurt.

With a firm voice, she spoke “Spite, I’m not letting you take Lucanis through there.”

“I could. If you’d move!”

“So you can take him to where? A cliff, or worse?”

Rook crossed her arms. “Give it up. It’s not happening.”

She saw him gnarl, before Lucanis shook his head, blinking.

“How did…Rook? Taash?” He asked confused, looking around before exhaling. “Ah…”

“You…tried to walk through the eluvian in your sleep.” Lace explained.

“Spite wanted out.”

Lucanis sighed. “I need coffee.”

“Lucanis…are you sure you’re all right?”

“This…could be better.” He said, looking embarrassed. “I must have fallen asleep. It won’t happen again.”

“What do you mean?” Harding asked but Rook knew why. He had told her long ago.

Lucanis explained to the others “It’s hard for Spite to take control when I’m awake, so…I try to stay awake.”

“You can’t just stay awake forever. I think that would kill you.”

“I’ll be more careful next time.”

“But you shouldn’t have to live like this.” Rook put her hands on her hips. “Lace is right, not sleeping for so long will be bad for you.”

He raised a brow. “That is rich, coming from you.” He shook his head. “Just…I can handle it.”

“I know you can but maybe Spite could be reasoned with, so you wouldn’t find yourself in these situations.”

“He’s ‘Spite’, not ‘Learning’. He doesn’t listen to anyone.”

“He seemed to listen to Rook just a moment ago.” Taash spoke up.

“He didn’t-” Lucanis sighed. “Don’t worry about it. It won’t happen again.” He said and marched out of the room.

The three of them looked at each other.

“Do you really think he could be reasoned with?” Lace asked.

“Maybe? I mean, he’s still a demon but if he really wanted to hurt Lucanis, he could have done so already.” Rook told her. “I remember him saying they had a deal, but he never said what it was. I wonder…”

Making deals with demons was tricky and there was too much involving Spite that she did not know about. Rook sighed as she shook her head.

“I’ll think about this later. Lace, you said Morrigan wanted to speak to me?”

“She. Talked to me. Listened.” Spite said as Lucanis walked. “You. Never. Do.”

He tried to keep a calm facade as he began brewing some coffee. Spite, however, made it very difficult to keep focus.

“You’re not. Living. I want. Out!” The demon screamed. “I want. To talk.”

Lucanis bit his tongue, to avoid answering him. Give the demon some leeway and look at what happened. Maker knows what he would have done if the others hadn’t stopped him.

He felt ashamed that they had seen him like that. That… Rook had seen him like that.

It was then he realized. Lucanis put a hand on his forehead, sighing. In his haste to leave, he had forgotten to thank them.

No matter. He shook his head. He wouldn’t let it happen again.

#lucanis dellamorte #lucanis x rook #lucanis dellamorte x rook #grey warden rook #dragon age the veilguard #datv #dragon age veilguard #dragon age fic #dragon age the veilguard fanfic #dawn thorne #lucanis x thorne #lucanis x female human thorne #rookanis

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raxistaicho · 2 months ago

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It really bothers me when people claim Edelgard was taking advantage of Dimitri at the end of Azure Moon and used his attempt to reach out to her as a chance to try and kill him. And it makes me realize most people don't keep their minds open to other perspectives past their favorite house.

First, did anyone else notice WHERE Edelgard chose to throw that dagger? She chose his left shoulder. In a spot where the armor is thinner/weaker but not deadly. If she really wanted to kill him, she could have thrown it at his head which is completely exposed. Or, better yet, accept his hand and then stab him in the heart, neck, or stomach several times. Edelgard isn't an idiot. She would know where the killing blows would need to land.

Second, in Silver Snow and Verdant Wind, Edelgard makes it VERY clear that, once she loses, there is no way this war ends unless she dies.

This is literally what she says to Byleth when about to die.

Edelgard: It looks as though… my path… will end here. My teacher… claim your victory. Strike me down. You must! Even now… across this land, people are killing each other. If you do not act now, this conflict…will go on forever. Your path… lies across my grave. It is time for you to find the courage to walk it. If I must fall… let it be by your hand.

If she stays alive, those loyal to her will continue to fight. Those opposed to her would rise up against any leader that offers her clemency. The people of Faerghus are very set in their ways (even if Dimitri is more open to change than the rest of the Kingdom). If he let Edelgard live, it would have sparked another civil war within the Kingdom, while encouraging those who believed in Edelgard's cause to keep fighting. The war would never end.

On top of that, Edelgard already spent so much time locked up in dungeons and being treated as a prisoner when she was a child. If she accepted Dimitri's offer of peace, her future would see her locked up in cold, dark dungeons with the rats, potentially facing torture for the rest of her shortened life. Even if Dimitri doesn't want that, the people will demand it of him. The CHURCH would demand it of him. And he's made it very clear in other routes and supports that the Kingdom opposing the Church is bad for him and the people of Faerghus because of how entwined the Church's influence is in the kingdom.

Edelgard went into this war knowing exactly what was at stake and what her fates would be regardless of outcome. She knew what accepting Dimitri's hand would mean. So she chose to make the hard choice that he refuses to make; she ends the war she started by forcing him to kill her.

I love Dimitri, but I have to say it. He's probably the most coddled of the three lords. Yes, he's been through a lot and struggles with his mental health, but when it comes to making the hard choices as a ruler, he sucks at it. And Edelgard, and to a major extent Felix, are the only ones willing to call him out on it. Everyone else just stands by as he makes decisions that are, frankly, completely irresponsible of a man who has an entire nation he's supposed to govern and protect.

Yeah, people saying Edelgard was trying to kill him are a special kind of desperate. You had it perfectly: she was trying to convey to him that it had to end that way.

#fire emblem three houses #edelgard discourse #edelgard positive

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mariacallous · 3 months ago

Text

Donald Trump’s answer to a question about child-care costs last month was eye-opening — not because of what it said about his agenda if he were to return to the Oval Office but what it said about his ability to do the job.

Asked at an economic forum in New York what specific legislation he would back to make child care more affordable, Trump rambled incomprehensibly for nearly two minutes without answering the question.

“Well, I would do that, and we’re sitting down,” Trump said. “You know, I was somebody — we had, Senator Marco Rubio, and my daughter Ivanka, was so impactful on that issue. It’s a very important issue. But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that I’m talking about — that, because look, child care is child care, couldn’t — you know, there’s something — you have to have it in this country. You have to have it. But when you talk about those numbers, compared to the kind of numbers that I’m talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that they’re not used to.”

The rest of his answer provided no clarification about a connection between import tariffs — if that is what Trump was referencing — and child-care costs. The lack of context, or even complete sentences, made his comments as clear as mud.

But what was crystal clear was the decline in the former president’s ability to hold a train of thought, speak coherently, or demonstrate a command of the English language, to say nothing of policy.

President Biden, after struggling with his answers during a June debate with Trump, ended his bid for a second term in July. That decision came after Democrats publicly voiced concern about Biden’s cognitive fitness and the press pursued the controversy breathlessly for weeks. Editorial boards, including the Globe’s, had even urged Biden to step aside.

Yet neither the media nor Republicans have shown that kind of urgency as Trump has repeatedly shown himself to be, to put it kindly, unwell. That is not only unfair and irresponsible, it is dangerous for the future of our country.

The next president will enter the Oval Office at a time of immense challenges: an economy on the upswing but still hamstrung by persistent inflation; the ongoing domestic threat of home-grown radicalized terrorism; a surge in racist, antisemitic, and Islamophobic hate crimes and bias incidents across the nation; expanding conflict in the Middle East and Ukraine; and the ongoing global threat of political and election interference by China, Iran, and Russia, just to highlight a few.

The next president must be sharp and nimble in confronting those perils. Trump’s decision to halt an Oaks, Pa., town hall last week after two attendees needed medical attention and then convert the event to an impromptu dance party, dancing awkwardly to the tunes of the Village People and Barbra Streisand for over a half hour instead of answering voters’ questions, does not a paint a picture of a man up for the task of being commander-in-chief.

Trump and his campaign seem to be aware of his addled appearance. He canceled several interviews in recent days. At a rally last month in Johnstown, Pa., Trump tried to pass off his meandering verbal style as an intentional strategy called “the weave.”

“Friends of mine that are like English professors, they say: ‘It’s the most brilliant thing they’ve ever seen,’ ” Trump said. News flash: That’s a lie too.

I’m not a doctor, but in a report for STAT, several cognitive experts who have studied Trump’s speaking patterns over the course of several years say his disjointed way of jumping from one subject to another — called tangentiality — and his increasing reliance on superlatives and absolute terms are consistent with several causes of cognitive decline.

Though cautioning that they could not diagnose Trump without examining him, experts said his speech patterns match those of people experiencing the effects of things like mood changes, aging, and dementia.

“There’s reasonable evidence suggestive of forms of dementia,” clinical psychologist Ben Michaelis told STAT. “The reduction in complexity of sentences and vocabulary does lead you to a certain picture of cognitive diminishment.”

Yet Trump’s party has not urged him to step aside for the good of the country, as Biden’s did. And much of the press is doing the American people a disservice by treating Trump’s obvious cognitive slippage as just “Trump being Trump.”

Yes, the press has a lot to wrestle with when it comes to Trump, including his embrace of authoritarian strongmen, his refusal to vow to accept the election results, his criminal conviction and civil judgments for fraud and sexual abuse, and his racism and disparagement of women, LGBTQ people, and immigrants.

But his diminishing cognitive ability can’t be ignored. He may not be able to get a grip, but it’s long past time the news media and Republicans stop participating in the gaslighting. We can see reality with our own eyes.

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