#natsora

[coryfirelion]

COMMISSION FOR @natsora <3 <3 <3 Our babies Ruo and Dagna live rent free in our brains and hearts T-T *click for better resolution*

I have commissions open! :D

[ziskandra]

AO3 Wrapped - 1, 11, 15. Thank you!

How many words have I written this year? According to AO3, 67k! A little shy of last year's 78k total, but considering I basically disappeared off the face of the internet until April, I'm more than satisfied. 😅 Which work took the longest to write? Probably All's Fair, the Meresino Arranged Marriage AU I wrote for the Just Married exchange. Not only does it have a lot of outtakes that didn't make it into the final submission (hence why I'm planning a sequel), it is also straight up just the longest work I wrote this year 😆 WIPs I'm taking into next year with me: I answered here for my Dragon Age WIPs, so I'll talk a little bit about the couple of Mass Effect WIPs I'm thinking about, both featuring Rydam because I simply cannot quit Liam Kosta. 1) A Reaper War AU where the Andromeda Initiative just never happens, and Liam and Sara start dating on Earth just before the Reapers attack. I'm obsessed with stories that take place on Earth during the Reaper War, what can I say. (An aside: if anyone reading this has recs that fic the bill, please send them my way! 🙏) 2) A fic I started many moons ago for my 100 follower giveaway which I never finished 🙈. Silly franchise going on ice and destroying my motivation 😔... But it's basically just a smutty character study set after Liam and Ryder get married (and he's very excited to call her his wife lmao). [AO3 Wrap: Writer's Edition]

[heroofshield]

List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the askbox for the last 10 people who reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers ♡

Crafting/writing

talking with my friends

pretty sunsets

strawberries

chocolate

[coryfirelion]

I FORGOT TO REBLOG THIS!! Ajdodbdkshsosnduebckdndj

GO READ FML! My wife wrote it!!! And it's awesome!!!

Happy 43 months @coryfirelion​ 🧡🧡🧡😘😘😘

Chapters: 3/5 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Hellen Silverblade / Aega Ianthai Characters: Yu Ruo, Hellen Silverblade, Aega Ianthai, Dagna Silverblade, Aarin Shin Additional Tags: Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Heavy Angst, Sci-Fi Series: Part 4 of F.M.L. Summary:

Meeting Aega in the Inbetween lingers in Ruo’s mind. Ruo has seen first hand the sacrifices FML asks of their agents. She struggles to find meaning in their work when the price is so high. Hellen tells her Aega’s story to help her understand.

[phoenike]

Tagged by @calico-heart, I'm sick (again) so I'll bite even though I don't think I have that many active followers. I'll tag my usual victims @barbex @ltleflrt @natsora and whoever else wants to do this.

[tungstenb]

Was tagged by @natsora; thank you!! It's been forever since I've done a thing here.

Tagging @circesoracle @pigeontheoneandonly @berryshiara @illusivesoul, if you wanna play a game.

[celemee]

Writer Game

Tagged by @natsora and @illusivesoul — thank you, guys! I'm tagging @mclavellan, @defaultjane, @barbex and @hollyand-writes.

Do you write in order? Yes, definitely. I'm a massive pantser, so what I write determines what happens next. Not much space for skipping there.

Do you start with something in particular? Usually I begin by describing the scene, though I'm trying to deviate from my formula lately.

How fully formed does your writing come out on the first try? I make it up as I go along, so when I start writing, I don't know what the journey will look like. I usually have a pretty good idea how it all ends, though.

How many drafts do you go through? One... and a half, I guess? I write very slowly. It's pretty rare I'll leave behind a sentence I'm not happy with. If it starts to look like my progress will stall because of a that, I'll highlight the problem part and sort it out later. My editing round is pretty light; usually I'm happy with the finished story and go find the inevitable typos before I hit 'post'.

Tell me about your process? I'll sort out my environment first and let my partner know I'll be writing. Lighting candles, turning off everything noisy, settling in a good position... And then I'll write as long as it takes. Usually several hours. I might pester some friends until they sprint with me, if it seems like I'm not getting much done.

[stardustandash]

First of the Febuwhump stories has arrived!!

For @natsora, CPR featuring Cassandra/F!Inquisitor. I hope you like it!! It's been so long since I've played around in Dragon Age and this was very fun to write (and ended up way longer than intended lol).

Words: 2,012

Tags: near-drowning, hypothermia, hurt/comfort, Cassandra's gay panic

ao3 link

when is a kiss not truly a kiss?

The Emprise du Lion is always cold. Cassandra has been through a handful of times in the past, and those few times only because it lies on one of the main routes from Orlais to Ferelden. There is not much of anything here, aside from some stunning mountain vistas. Of course, the cold did lend itself to nights in the tent spent huddled for warmth, just her and the Inquisitor. Not that Cassandra thought of it like that. It was simply nice to be able to cuddle with a warm body and try very hard not to think about all the books where the heroine got lost in the snow with her handsome love interest and they needed to keep each other warm. The Inquisitor is the Inquisitor. She is fearsome and strong and above all else, untouchable.

Cassandra shakes her head to clear it and follows after said Inquisitor. Among the snow Lavellan’s armour shines bright as her smile as she laughs at something Dorian has said. She watches them, jealous of the easy camaraderie between the two. And with her eyes forward she can ignore the glances from Varric. He has been exceptionally annoying of late, making crude innuendos about the sleeping arrangements whenever Lavellan is just out of earshot or raising his eyebrows suggestively whenever Cassandra’s eyes linger too long. She has tried pointing out that she is not about to let the Inquisitor share a tent with a man she is not in a relationship with, and that she must keep an eye on Lavellan as one of her guards. Yet as always Varric never listens. Ugh.

Today the cold in their boots is for getting rid of the rift over the lake. Lavellan had been trying to put it off during the colder months, but now that spring is on its way they needed to get rid of it before they end up fighting demons in rowboats. Maker knows that Lavellan would try.

The rift is visible from the edge of the lake as a distant green glow. Sahrnia sits behind them, its people still present despite the red lyrium and red Templars and all the evil conjured in the valley. At least with the rift gone there will be no more demons wandering close to town. Lavellan is in agreement as she strides across the frozen lake with a sense of purpose that has Varric struggling to keep pace.

“Inquisitor, slow down. We should face them together,” Cassandra calls.

It is not the first time she has made such a request of Lavellan, and with her luck it will not be the last. The words fall on deaf ears as Lavellan only moves faster, unsheathing her greatsword as she closes in on the demons wandering below the rift. Cassandra sighs, and chases after her.

The battle is quick and messy. While Cassandra and Lavellan lay waste to the demons with their swords Dorian picks them off at a distance while Varric times careful shots. It is a dance they have perfected on the battlefield. And while Cassandra never did get used to the ballgowns and flowing movements of a nobleman’s soiree, here she thrives. She slashes at a shade and uses her shield to bash it towards Lavellan. The Inquisitor does not hesitate, barely finishing parrying a blow from a terror demon before spinning to hack the shade in two with her massive blade. The rest of the fight continues much the same way and only minutes later Lavellan has her hand raised to the rift to close it. The air hums with a low rumble as the rift pulses once, twice, then slams closed. As it does Lavellan deflates, shaking out her arm and trying to regain steady legs. Cassandra hovers close at her side but doesn’t touch her. Just close, so that the Inquisitor knows she is there if she needs someone to hold on to.

“Well, what say you we head back to Sahrnia and see what kind of food they can scrounge up for their saviour. The rest of the weird shit in this valley can wait until tomorrow,” says Varric lightly as he hefts his absurd crossbow onto his back.

Cassandra glares at him. He is not the leader of this party, and if it were not the Inquisitor, it would be Cassandra who made the calls.

“Sounds great,” says Lavellan in a tired voice.

“It is far too cold out here, and I would like to be back by a fire sooner rather than later,” agrees Dorian.

“At least we don’t have too far to go,” says Varric as he takes up the lead.

Walking while staring at the dwarf’s broad back is aggravating, but Cassandra will not let herself move too far from the Inquisitor. Just in case. This is why, as they reach the bank nearest the town, Cassandra is the only one to hear the ice cracking.

She pauses first as the low, snapping sound meets her ears. Her eyes scan for potential enemies sneaking up on their flank before she realizes that the Inquisitor is no longer moving behind her. That the sound came from below.

Cassandra turns slowly to see Lavellan frozen on the ice. A crack spiderwebs below Lavellan’s boot and Cassandra is suddenly aware of how much weight the armour and sword that grace the Inquisitor must weigh.

“Stay very still,” says Cassandra in a calm, commanding tone. “You will be fine.”

The panic on Lavellan’s face says that she very much doubts the veracity of that statement, but the trust in her eyes nearly undoes all the calm resolve Cassandra’s trying to cling to. She nods, muscles tense and frozen. They are only mere feet from the shore, Cassandra could reach and grab her and lunge the rest of the ten feet or so to solid ground. But that might send both of them through the ice. No, she needs to be more cautious about this, and it doesn’t help that Lavellan is staring her down with those big, trusting, beautiful eyes.

“Very slowly slide your foot forward. Don’t take steps, just shift your weight across the ice. Slowly.”

Lavellan follows her orders. Cassandra can hardly breathe as she shifts her weight slowly across the ice. Though she cannot reach the Inquisitor she holds her hand out like she might spontaneously gain magic and pull her to safety. Lavellan’s hand reaches back for her, the distance between them so close and yet altogether too far.

A low twanging sound echoes from the ice. There is a pause like a deep breath, before Lavellan disappears under the broken ice.

“Lavellan!”

Three voices chorus in their fear. Cassandra goes to surge forward, to dive in after Lavellan if she must, to get her out of the water but finds Varric’s strong hands holding her back. Instead it is Dorian who sprints towards the hole through which the Inquisitor disappeared.

“Let me go,” Cassandra all but growls at Varric as she struggles against him.

“No way, Seeker. Your muscles plus your armour would mean you’d go straight to the bottom too.”

Straight to the bottom too. Lavellan, straight to the bottom of the lake. Maker, she doesn’t even know if the Inquisitor can swim. Something bitter and fearful claws its way up Cassandra’s throat but she cannot act on it. She must be strong. Instead she digs in her pouch for potions. The town is not far, but too far for whatever healing Lavellan might need. She stands at the ready, watching as Dorian kneels carefully at the edge of the ice and plunges a hand into the water. He searches around for a moment before his face lights up with determination and he begins trying to pull something.

“Some help would be nice,” he shouts back at them, voice strained with more than just effort.

“Help him, Varric,” says Cassandra.

For once there isn’t some kind of sarcastic remark as Varric carefully eases himself onto the ice and dunks his arms in the water too. Together he and Dorian manage to heave a boneless, fully armoured Lavellan out of the water. She lies limp on the ice as Dorian and Varric drag her to shore. As soon as she’s in reach Cassandra rips her out of their hands and kneels beside her.

The Inquisitor’s lips are blue. Her eyes closed and the lids are darkened to purple. Yet the most concerning thing is that Cassandra cannot tell if she is breathing. She unsheathes her dagger and holds it under Lavellan’s nose. Seconds pass but no air mists the blade. They did not have much time. Cassandra uses her dagger to slice the leather straps of Lavellan’s armour and tosses it aside. Without it she seems so small, but Cassandra cannot stop to think on it. Instead she tries to remember every bit of her training for such a scenario as she folds her hands together over Lavellan’s breastbone and presses down in what she hopes is the correct rhythm.

“What are you doing?” asks Dorian. He sounds on the edge of hysterical but if this is going to work Cassandra cannot stop.

Instead she murmurs to Lavellan. “Breathe, Lavellan. By the Maker you are not meant to die here. Please, breathe.”

Lavellan, ever ignoring Cassandra’s suggestions, only moves in small jolts as Cassandra presses down on her. After what she hopes is the correct amount of presses Cassandra leans down to breathe for her. Lavellan’s lips are icy cold against her own and Cassandra tries to ignore every thought in her brain that isn’t about trying to save her life. The world shrinks down to her, Lavellan, and the count of compressions and breaths. Varric and Dorian could be yelling blasphemy or dancing naked in the snow for all she knows. All that matters is trying to bring back Lavellan.

The cycle continues. For how long Cassandra cannot say. She cannot stop, she cannot let Lavellan die. The hope that Lavellan will breathe again fades with every compression, yet she will not stop. Then, at last, there is a tiny gasp before the body under her hands is suddenly alive and convulsing with coughs. Cassandra quickly rolls her onto her side and pats her back in a hopefully soothing manner. As she does the world comes back into sharp focus. Her hands are icy cold, and her knees are stiff against the snow. Both Varric and Dorian have swooped down upon Lavellan, potion bottles in hand and cloaks ready to wrap around her. Cassandra practically snatches the cloak from Dorians grip to gently tuck it around Lavellan. She isn’t shivering, and Cassandra knows this is not a good sign. She presses Lavellan as close to herself as she can and tries to haul them both upright. It doesn’t work. Lavellan can’t get her feet under herself no matter the effort she puts in.

So Cassandra simply shifts so she can put her arm under Lavellan’s knees and pull her up into her arms and against her chest. Her knees protest, but she can ignore them. The Inquisitor is her highest priority, and right now she needs to get her somewhere warm, and preferably with a healer.

“Dorian, run ahead and find us a place to stay in Sahrnia and get a fire going,” orders Cassandra.

To his credit, Dorian obeys without any witty remarks. He takes off towards the buildings as fast as he can though the snow.

Unfortunately, Cassandra cannot think of anything to get Varric to stop his worried hovering at her side as she strides towards Sahrnia. She does her best to ignore him, instead focusing on Lavellan. Her cheeks are pink with cold, even as her lips remain more purple. She’s far too cold. Cassandra tries holding her tighter, closer, and is rewarded by a cold nose against her neck. Feeling the Inquisitor’s skin against her own brings an odd heat to Cassandra’s cheeks. Yet she cannot let herself think on it. For now, she must take care of Lavellan.

(I intend to post this one to ao3 @natsora, if you want to give me your ao3 handle i will gift this to you there!)

[crackinglamb]

Last Line Tag Game

Tagged by @theluckywizard, thank you!

Rules: in a new post, show the last line you wrote (or drew) and tag as many people as there are words (or as many as you like).

“A year come winter.”

Tagging @lilbittymonster, @ir0n-angel, @espressocomfort and @natsora. No pressure!

[berryshiara]

WIP Wednesday

I do not have the opportunity to write on the computer at work anymore. So now I do it in long hand.

I present to you my late submission for my wip Wednesday in long hand.

Interview with an Ardart-yakshi

@natsora

@myfuckedupchildhood

Tagging @amys2885 @atarial @ any one who wants to share <3 @ me if you do! I would like to see what you are all up to!

[n0rmandysr1]

20 Questions For Fic Writers

Tagged by @natsora cheers!

Tagging @swaps55 @mallaidhsomo @gardensystemtv no pressure!

1. how many works do you have on ao3?

24

2. what’s your total ao3 word count?

903,419

3. what fandoms do you write for?

Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Baldur's Gate, Critical Role

4. what are your top five fics by kudos?

wipe me clean with dirty hands (Baldur's Gate)

Encroachment (Mass Effect)

Fianchetto (Mass Effect)

Vendetta (Mass Effect)

Offside (Critical Role)

5. do you respond to comments?

Always, but it sometimes takes me a while

6. what’s the fic you wrote with the angstiest ending?

don't you know (i dream of you): Perfect Machine is probably angstier but I haven't quite finished the last chapter, so of my finished fics, this one is it, given the character death and it all being about grief post Baldur's Gate 3.

7. what’s the fic you wrote with the happiest ending?

Honestly my fics with happy endings aren't finished yet and they're more...bittersweet with explorations of trauma than straight up happy lmaoo.

8. do you get hate on fics?

I've gotten some weird comments before but honestly not really a lot of hate. Juust a few that crack me up like the person who thought i hate men because Emilia saves Kaidan in Encroachment...which canonically happens.......

9. do you write smut? if so, what kind?

BG3 has made me write much more smut than I used to. Used to be an occasionally thing but more often now. All wlw pretty much.

10. do you write crossovers? what’s the craziest one you’ve written?

Not really, no.

11. have you ever had a fic stolen?

Not that I know of!

12. have you ever had a fic translated?

Yep. One of my DA fics got translated into russian

13. have you ever co-written a fic before?

Yes, I co-write with a couple of buddies.

14. what’s your all-time favorite ship?

Hard question. Used to be Ash/femshep easily, but now probably a tie between Tav/Karlach and Ash/Shep

15. what’s a WIP you want to finish, but doubt you ever will?

Hmm, I think I have intention and capability to ifnish the majority of my WIPs. The only onee that might fit ismy post war ME fic, mostly cause I'm not entirely sure what I really want to do with it outside of some ideas I want to explore.

16. what are your writing strengths?

Characters and combat

17. what are your writing weaknesses?

Description sometimes of like, surroundings and that stuff. I find character stuff more interesting so can sometimes be a bit too bare bones with that.

18. thoughts on writing dialogue in another language for a fic?

Nah. II do one off words sometimes but if a character is speaking in another lanmguage I'll usually write it in english with mention that they;re talking in another language.

19. first fandom you wrote for?

Eragon llmao. That was my mediocre book series I loved as a teenager what can I say.

20. favorite fic you’ve ever written?

I have a big soft spot for Encroachment. it was the first big fic I finished, it was born out of me wanting to see the ash/shep milscifii fic I wanted in the world. I've gotten some very loyal readers over the last six years I appreciate immensely.

[coryfirelion]

Aarin, the butcher. AKA Dark Aarin. They are the gangster in the Hitman-Gangster AU I'm doin with @natsora :3 This a gift for her too <3

Here is Dark Hellen, AKA the Hitman :D

[wickedwitchofthewilds]

WIP Meme

I was tagged by @natsora and I am tagging @thevikingwoman @roguelioness and @pigeontheoneandonly (no obligations)

Here's a little something from my BG3 longfic:

A dark patch of soil and grass caught his attention. Green grass was splattered with reddish-brown flecks. Rhea’s blood?

Astarion knelt by the patch and leaned down, utterly enticed. Why did her blood smell like that? Before he could stop himself, he pressed his nose into the dirt. Soil clung to his skin. Smearing across his lips and coating his chin. Would she taste as sweet as she smelled? He wanted to find out. He could be quiet. Stealthy. All he needed was a little bite. A taste. The blood could make him stronger. Sharper.

[heroofshield]

WIP Wednesday/Whenever

tagged by @scknight05 @socially-awkward-skeleton and @vorchagirl

Tagging: @gavotteangel @natsora @anderfels and anyone else who wants to do it!

Most recent addition to my Vega/Ryder long fic:

“You mentioned rock climbing when we were talking a few days ago and asked Kara if she knew of any good climbing places. She said that this was a pretty good spot and I figured you might like it.” 

“You figured right.” Anna leaned towards James and gave him a slight kiss, hearing gravel crunch as someone else started walking towards them. “But what about gear? I didn’t see any when we got into the shuttle.” 

“He had me bring it.” Kara said, appearing next to them with a smile and unslung the rope from her shoulders. “I know it’s not your own gear, but I checked it out beforehand and it all looks sturdy. You can check it out as well if you want.” Sticking out a hand she continued, “It’s nice to finally meet you, well actually see you since the first time we met was outside that club in London.”

Anna shook Kara’s hand but didn’t return the smile, instead casting a pointed look at James while saying, “No offense but I didn’t know you were coming, what climbing experience have you had?” 

“Oh plenty; grew up in the Pacific Northwest and climbed most of the spots. Smith Rock, Mazama, and Vantage were some of my favorites. What about you?”

Anna recognized the ones that Kara mentioned as the most popular, and challenging, spots to sport and trad climb in Washington State. “I’ve been to Smith Rock and most of the places in Texas; E Rock and Comstock were my favorites. Plus a bunch of places out West.” 

James watched the exchange with a mixture of confusion at the names thrown out and knew that they were places but at the same time didn’t know how difficult they were. But the answers seemed to satisfy both Anna and Kara because they broke into grins, Anna relaxing her body a bit. Glad that whatever it was seemed to have been settled, pressing a hand against the small of Anna’s back he said, “Let's get the gear.”

[coryfirelion]

Thank you so much for this gift!!! I LOVE IT AND EVERYONE SHOULD BE READING IT!!!

For @coryfirelion​ 😘🧡😘🧡😘🧡

Chapters: 4/5 Fandom: Original Work Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: Aarin Shin, Yu Ruo, Rakam, Hellen Silverblade Additional Tags: Mystery, Inter-plane travel, Confusion, Ace main character, Non-binary character Series: Part 2 of F.M.L. Summary:

Signing up for training doesn’t open the doors of knowledge for Ruo, instead she goes deeper down the rabbit hole, finding more questions and unlocking even more mysteries. One mistake lead to her diving into the Inbetween before she’s ready.

[ooachilliaoo]

WiP Ask Game

RULES: make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! Then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

Ok I have like 17 WIP’s at the moment so to save us all I’ve whittled them down to a top 6. 3 from the IABN universe and 3 from DAO.

Tagged by the lovely @wardenamatus so this is all their fault! Thanks for the tag m’dear!

WIP’s:

IABN – Rescue

IABN – In the end I want to be standing at the beginning

IABN – Wedding Presents

DAO – Spa Day

DAO – Campfire

DAO – The battle of Denerim.

Tagging @faith-less-one,  @poweredbycoffeeandwine, @hawkeykirsah  @alyssalenko @natsora @laurelsofhighever – and anyone else who wants to with no obligation of course.