#not having a keep for this game means not knowing where carver is and that is upsetting to me

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

DAV: elven gods are trying to destroy the world with a really, really bad blight, there are darkspawn, venatori, antaam, and goddamn archdemons, and the south sounds pretty fucked too--

Me: is Carver okay?

DAV: the world is literally on fire right now

Me: right

Me: but is Carver Hawke okay?

[sweetbans29]

Rules - CC

Pairing: Caitlin Calrk x Reader

Summary: You have one rule and Caitlin tries to break it (based on THIS request)

Warnings: Mentions of cheating, smitten CC, slightly suggestive (if you squint), FLUFF

Word Count: 2.5k

Sweetbans Masterlist

AN: I don't know how I feel about my writing in this one.

Junior year. You're halfway through your college career and have made the decision to enter into the transfer portal. The decision was made after a really messy situation on your team that was so bad it had you moving schools.

It turned out to be for the better as you are now a Hawkeye. You were quickly picked up by Coach Bluder and the Hawkeyes once you entered the portal. It was a win-win considering they were trying to recruit you during high school but you ultimately decided to go to a school in Connecticut.

Your move was seamless. Moving into Iowa was made easy thanks to your roommate, Kate. You had met her a few times before and really admire her leadership both on and off the court. She helped you get settled in and even showed you around campus. It was really nice having someone who could help you get your footing.

It's a Tuesday morning when you first step foot into Carver for the first training day of the summer. It had been a fairly quick turnaround from talking to your old coach, moving, and jumping into training. You were honestly grateful for it, it gave you less time to think about the events of the previous season.

Kate's by your side as you walk into the locker room to get ready for practice. She introduces you to a few of the girls before you even step foot on the court. One person you haven't met but were really looking forward to meeting is the one and only Caitlin Clark. You have been watching her game since both of your freshman years and believe that you would work really well together on the court. You don't see her in the locker room but know you'll be seeing her soon. Once you're ready, you make your way out to court and start talking with some of the coaching staff.

Caitlin comes running into the locker room, throwing everything she owns into her locker as she quickly throws her practice jersey on and runs to catch up with Kate.

"Just on time, speedy," Kate teases her best friend. "Your shirt's backward too."

Caitlin curses as she quickly changes it to the right direction as she walks onto the court. The second her head pops through her shirt, she sees you.

Her first impression is that you are gorgeous. You stand there with a natural confidence as a smile peaks through during your conversation. She watches how your body language is open and welcoming, the complete opposite of what she would be in a new team.

"As you all know, we have a few people to introduce," Coach Bluder says to get the ball rolling. "Starting with our incoming freshmen - Taylor, Jada, and Hannah."

Everyone welcomes them.

"We also have a transfer," Coach says as she introduces you and where you transferred from. You give a smile and wave.

Caitlin feels like she is going to pass out - when you smile at the team, you look directly at her.

"Can't wait to get to know all of you," you say. Your voice is like music to Cait's ears.

Practice begins and it being the first summer training is filled with getting the team familiar with each other. It is mostly for the freshman, you remember your freshman year and how exciting but terrifying starting summer training was. You instantly connect with Jada and Hannah. You find them to be the sweetest human beings.

Meanwhile, Caitlin can't seem to take her eyes off you.

"I'm worried your eyes are going to fall out of your head," Kate bumps Caitlin's arm. Caitlin's head whips around.

"Hmm, what did you say?" Caitlin says reluctantly looking away from you.

"Care to be any more obvious?" Kate says with a laugh.

"I don't know what you mean," Caitlin says now looking down at her shoes.

"Bro, you are too obvious," Kate pushes Caitlin. "You can at least keep it in your pants - you just met the girl."

"Shut it," Caitlin warns and pushes Kate back. She straightens up when she sees you walking over to them.

"Hi," you say and Caitlin is ready to fall to her knees. She hopes you don't notice how they buckle a little under your gaze, Kate for sure notices though.

"Hey," Caitlin says trying her hardest to sound normal.

"I've been looking forward to meeting you ever since the transfer got finalized," you say as you extend your hand to shake hers.

Caitlin almost blacks out. The most beautiful girl she has ever laid eyes on knows who she is and was actually waiting to meet her - is this a dream? All she can do is smile like a little schoolgirl and stare at you. Kate bumps her arm signaling to her that you are standing there sort of awkwardly waiting with your hand out waiting to shake hers. Caitlin wipes her hands on her shorts and then goes to shake your hand. You don't stop smiling.

Caitlin on the other hand could facepalm at how dorky she is being right now.

The rest of practice goes pretty smoothly - aside from Cait's staring. Kate has to nudge the girl several times because her staring became a little too obvious - at least to everyone except you.

After practice, Caitlin practically begs Kate to let her come over, which she does. She also invites the rest of the team.Caitlin doesn't care because all she can think about is getting to know you more.

The team is over at your apartment and decided it would be fun to do some baking and just hang out. You learn Caitlin can make the best chocolate cookies known to man.

"Caitlin, these are the best chocolate chip cookies I have ever had," you say as your eyes roll to the back of your head and a moan escapes your lips. The girls laugh and Caitlin has to grip the counter at the sight and sound of you. If it was up to her, she would have you pushed up against the wall doing anything and everything she could to get you to make that sound again.

You finish the cookie and go for a second, then a third.

"I am going to need you here all the time to make these for me," you say to Caitlin as she is putting in the last batch.

"Oh, she wouldn't mind that at all," Kate says and Caitlin bumps her, signaling for her to shut up.

"Let me grab your number and you can call me anytime for cookies," Caitlin says passing you her phone. The two of you exchange numbers and Caitlin is already planning on how she can ask you out or at least get you one on one.

A few weeks pass and school begins. Caitlin feels like she has fallen even more in love with you. She is over at your apartment all the time. You never minded because you knew how close of friends Caitlin was to Kate. You have also grown to really enjoy her company.

The three of you are all having a movie night when relationships are brought up for the first time.

It is halfway through the movie when Caitlin lets her thoughts get the best of her.

"So why did you transfer to Iowa?" Caitlin asks. You were sort of taken by surprise but knew the question was going to come sooner or later.

"Well, long story short, it just wasn't a good fit. I didn't really fit into their system well," you say trying to be as vague as possible.

"I heard something about you dating someone on your team, is that true?" Kate asked with the purest intentions.

As much as you wish things didn't get around, you knew that would be difficult with who you were involved with, the media ate her up.

"Ya," you say ready to brave the conversation.

Caitlin had been hanging on to every word.

"I heard it didn't end super well..." Kate also added.

You nod.

"Ya, I dated one of the girls on my team. Everything was great until it wasn't, ya know? I wasn't enough for them and they sought that in someone else while we were still together. When things ended, it changed the whole dynamic. People chose sides and it wasn't mine," you say looking down.

Caitlin can't help but put her hand on your knee and give it an encouraging squeeze.

"I didn't belong there anymore and they made it known and that's when I decided to enter the transfer portal. It sucks how it all happened but I've learned a lot," you say trying to stay optimistic about it. "Never again will I date someone I am on the same team with."

Kate gauges Caitlin's reaction which is a mix of things.

"Well, never say never," Kate says with a little laugh, trying to get Caitlin's mood back to one that isn't completely crushed.

You laugh.

"I mean that I have one rule: don't date a teammate," you say. "It's for the better - keeping relationships on the team light and never too intense to the point where someone has to pick up and leave."

When you say the last part, you feel a pain rise up in your chest.

"But all that is really heavy, let's get back to the movie," you say with a smile.

The three of you finish watching the movie. You are locked back into the film but Caitlin is not. Kate can practically see the steam coming out from Caitlin's ears at how fast her brain is thinking.

Caitlin spent the rest of the movie figuring out how she can show you that you're wrong. That it can be done and that you and her would be perfect together. That she would never break your heart, couldn't even think about it because of the wonderful person you are. That even with your stupid rule, Caitlin sees you as worth it and will do everything in her power to show you.

Over the next few weeks, Caitlin makes it a point to show you that she is there. The two of you are always hanging out with one another. She makes sure that she starts with the little things, like remembering all the things you like and don't like. She caters to you in a way that believes you deserve to be cared for. She goes above and beyond to prove that she will fight for you and love you in a way that no one else can or ever will. So much so that you feel you need to bring it up.

"Hey, Cait?" You ask pulling her aside after practice one day. Pulling aside is kind of a stretch as she had already planned for the two of you to go get massages as a little reward for all of your hard work.

"What's up?" She says with a smile.

You don't really know where to start because as obvious as it has been, you may be reading too far into her actions.

"I don't really know how to say this, but you have been doing a lot for me recently and I genuinely love it - I feel like our friendship has grown exponentially and some of it may be overstepping the friendship line. You do remember that I don't date teammates...right?" When you said it, you immediately wish you would have approached it differently.

Caitlin knew this was going to come and had already thought through her answer.

"I know," she says. You nod at her simple response thinking that was all she would say but she continues. "I know, but I am going to prove to you that you're wrong."

You are about to protest but she stops you.

"I am going to show you that the guard you put up isn't needed with me because when I first saw you, I knew. I knew that I would never let you go. You might not have known but I knew. And I will use every day to show you that you don't need to be afraid because I am not like her," Caitlin says and takes your hand. "You are worth more than everything and I am willing to show you that if you let me. Please let me."

You stood there terrified. Terrified that this would all end up the same way. But there was something in her eye - something that wasn't there in the last person who held your heart.

"Caitlin, I can't," you say wanting so badly to say okay and let her show you there is so much more there is to love than what you had experienced. You want Caitlin to prove you wrong and show you that there are good people out there and that you are worthy of a timeless love. But you simply can't.

You expected Cait to be defeated and walk away. Not to say you weren't worth it but getting to know Caitlin and how wonderful of a person she is, she deserves someone who is going to love her as much as she loves them.

She nods.

"I am not going to stop showing you how much love you deserve," she starts. "How someone can love you even in your flaws and stick around to show you that you are worthy. Worthy of love and worthy of someone who makes every day better than the last. And I am willing to do that, I am going to show you that it is going to be us. That we would be great together because I know that we will be. That it would only grow our team because the connection would be stronger. Forget the team dynamic because baby, you and I would carry this team wherever we want to go. Then when we are done here - we will go where the wind takes us and do amazing things there because it would be you and me against the world."

At this point, Caitlin has your face in her hands as her thumbs swipe across your cheeks dissolving the tears that started to fall.

"Baby, your fear is real, but so am I. And I am standing right in front of you ready to show you that I can take your fear and turn it into something beautiful." Caitlin says as she places her forehead on yours, eyes closing. Your eyes close as the tears continue to fall.

You are terrified. The last time you trusted someone like you were about to trust Caitlin it ended up in flames. But there was something in you telling you to jump. Jump knowing that the girl in front of you will catch you and continue to catch you every day.

You lean in and press your salty lips to hers. The kiss is desperate. Desperate for her to do exactly what you believe she would - catch you.

She kissed you back with the same force but instead of desperation, it was full of love. Caitlin got her answer in that kiss. She understood the leap you were taking and was ready to be everything for you.

That kiss was more than a kiss. It was a promise.

AN: Crazy...but let me know what you think. And as always, thank you for your love and support 🤍

[caitified]

Can you write a story where reader is Caitlin’s little sister by a couple years and Caitlin is like really protective of her scaring of her gfs of anyone she talks to. But reader meets Kate when she starts at Iowa and Caitlin introduces them. They hit off and start secretly dating because reader doesn’t want Caitlin to mess it up for. Though Caitlin accidentally finds out and is shocked because her best friend is dating her little sister and she doesn’t know how to react because yes it is her best friend but it’s her LITTLE sister.

little sister

kate martin x reader

warnings:none

it started off like any other day at carver-hawkeye arena. caitlin had invited you to visit campus, eager to show you around her home away from home. as her little sister, just a couple of years younger, you were used to her protective streak. it had always been there, from high school basketball games to family gatherings. if someone so much as looked at you the wrong way, caitlin was quick to step in.

“you’re gonna love it here,” she said as she led you through the athletic facilities. “but, you know, stick to hanging out with me. college guys are the worst, and the girls here… they’re intense too.”

you rolled your eyes, laughing softly at her overprotective tone. “relax, cait. i’m not here to date anyone.”

caitlin grinned, wrapping an arm around your shoulders. “good. keep it that way.”

when you entered the gym, caitlin waved someone over, her face lighting up. “oh, perfect timing! you’ve gotta meet kate.”

you turned to see kate martin jogging over, her blonde hair pulled back into a loose ponytail, her smile warm and easy. the second your eyes met, something shifted. there was a spark, an instant connection that made your stomach flip in a way you hadn’t expected.

“hey, nice to meet you,” kate said, extending a hand. her grip was firm, her touch lingering just a second too long to be casual.

“you too,” you replied, trying to keep your voice steady.

caitlin launched into a conversation about practice schedules and team dynamics, completely unaware of the way kate kept glancing at you. every stolen glance, every brush of fingers as kate passed you the basketball—it all left your heart racing.

over the next few weeks, you found excuses to visit iowa city more often. you told caitlin it was because you wanted to spend time with her, but the truth was, you were coming for kate.

kate, who would text you late at night with jokes or stories about her day. kate, who would pull you aside after practices to chat, her smile making you forget the world around you. kate, who kissed you for the first time one evening after a team dinner, when the two of you had stayed behind to clean up.

“i shouldn’t,” she murmured, her breath warm against your lips as her eyes searched yours. “caitlin would kill me if she knew.”

“she doesn’t have to know,” you whispered, your voice barely audible.

kate hesitated for only a moment before leaning in, her lips soft against yours, her hand cupping your cheek as if you might disappear if she let go. that kiss changed everything.

you and kate began stealing moments whenever you could, sneaking out for coffee or sitting together in her car, talking about anything and everything. she told you about her dreams, her worries, her life before iowa, and you opened up to her in ways you hadn’t with anyone else.

“you’re amazing, you know that?” kate said one night as the two of you sat by the river, the moonlight reflecting off the water.

“you’re just saying that,” you replied, a soft smile tugging at your lips.

“no, i mean it,” kate said, turning to face you. “you’re smart, funny, kind… and you make me feel like i can be myself.”

your heart swelled at her words, and you leaned in to kiss her, the world fading away around you.

but no secret stays hidden forever.

it happened one night after a game. caitlin had invited you and kate back to her apartment for dinner, and as usual, you and kate had found a quiet moment alone. you were standing in the hallway, your hands tangled together as kate leaned down to kiss you.

“what the hell?” caitlin’s voice made you both freeze. you turned to see her standing there, her face a mix of shock and disbelief.

“caitlin—” you started, but she held up a hand.

“are you two… are you kidding me right now?”

kate stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. “caitlin, listen. i care about her. a lot. this wasn’t something we planned, but it’s real.”

caitlin’s jaw tightened, her protective instincts kicking in. “she’s my little sister, kate. my little sister. and you’re my best friend. how am i supposed to deal with this?”

“by trusting us,” kate said simply. “you know me, cait. you know i’d never hurt her.”

the tension in the room was thick, but slowly, caitlin’s shoulders relaxed. she looked between the two of you, her expression softening just a little.

“this is gonna take some getting used to,” she admitted, running a hand through her hair. “but if you make her happy…” she trailed off, sighing. “just don’t make me regret this, okay?”

you and kate exchanged a relieved glance before turning back to caitlin. “we won’t,” you promised.

caitlin shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips despite herself. “you two are lucky i love you.”

kate reached for your hand, intertwining her fingers with yours as caitlin walked away, muttering something about needing a drink.

“well, that went better than expected,” kate said, her voice light but filled with relief.

“i think she’s warming up to the idea,” you replied, squeezing her hand.

kate leaned down to kiss your forehead, her smile soft and full of love. “we’ll figure it out. together.”

maybe more of this..

[shieldofiron]

Vibe Check Part 5

Blaze It

The Frat Boy Au

Read Previous on Ao3 or tumblr.

It felt insane to search for a lighter when he was out of breath like this, digging across Billy’s desk like a madman. Steve knows Billy has a lighter. Little red one, little blue one, Steve has seen them.

He switches to the top drawer of the dresser when the door flies open.

“What the hell was that, man?”

“I’m,” Steve gasps. “Gonna have like… a panic attack or something.”

That’s what it feels like right? Like you could die.

He can’t look at Billy. Has to stay focused. Can’t slip up again.

“You have a joint hidden somewhere right? And your lighter? Billy, I-“

Billy springs forward, closing his top drawer practically on Steve’s fingers.

He lays his fingers on Steve’s shoulder, and it’s like the world slows down. He swears he can feel every ridge of Billy’s fingerprint, he can feel the sweat pop out of his own skin.

He’s been freaking out for two weeks. Looking at pictures of the two of them, at parties, around insta and stuff. Arms thrown around each other, drunkenly grinning. There’s evidence everywhere. Steve, looking at Billy with these glassy eyes. Confused, punch drunk eyes, all the time. He knows how it feels when Billy touches him, goosebumps breaking out everywhere. And Billy’s always smiling, looking into the camera. Sometimes at Steve, but with this easy look on his face. Like lightning and then thunder, Steve is… Steve is…

“C’mon, Stevie,” Billy takes his hand and Steve’s chest seizes up like he’s having a heart attack.

“Where are we going?”

“I left my shit in Eddie’s room,” Billy shrugs.

Does it not mean anything to Billy? It must not. He’s always like that. Handsy. Arms around Eddie, hand in Argyle’s hair. He’s just a touchy guy, but he’s a guy. And Steve is a guy.

Robin doesn’t know what she’s talking about except when Billy’s hand lingers at the small of Steve’s back he does feel a little lightheaded.

Munson and Carver’s room is in its typical shape. One bed neatly made, navy sheets tucked into the mattress, a picture above the bed in a frame that says “Jesus Loves Me” in girly lettering. The other side is a disaster, sheets a wreck, wastebasket overflowing with condom wrappers.

“Do you think he even sleeps here?” Billy throws himself on Carver’s bed. “No way right? Eddie’s girl will make you mental.”

Steve starts rooting around in Eddie’s desk. “Probably not.”

“Nightstand, Pretty Boy,” Billy prompts. “I wonder why they decided to room together again anyway.”

“Who knows. I think they like being pissed off at each other,” Steve scrambles for the first half used joint he sees like it’s made of gold. He lights it with one of many lighters and takes a deep shaky pull. God he needed this. He needs a grip.

“Hmm,” Billy’s voice is soft and distant, and Steve turns just to see Billy slam the drawer to Carver’s nightstand shut.

“What’d you see?” Steve steps towards Billy.

The house was built for probably half as many brothers, and they’re big rooms but for some reason Carver and Munson keep their beds almost pushed together. Maybe it’s all Carver’s weights and Eddie’s gaming setup. But whatever it is, Billy just reaches up and tugs Steve away from his trajectory, almost pulling him on top of Billy, really.

“Don’t worry about it.”

“What? Billy-“ Steve frowns around the joint

“Gimme a blowback, Stevie,” Billy’s got his hand fisted in Steve’s tank top and he’s… well…

This is the problem. Steve is weird about him. Doesn’t know when it started but clearly sometime before Robin saw them.

Steve feels weird about the whole thing. All foggy when he tries to think about it.

Billy’s just a guy hanging with his best friend. And sometimes he takes that touchy stuff too far but if only Steve wasn’t reacting this way.

Billy grabs his jaw and goosebumps, lightning, thunder. Steve blows out without thinking, his brain scrambled on leaning over Billy like this, in the dim light of the floor lamp. Billy’s fingers pinch and press into Steve’s cheeks. Like if he pressed hard enough Steve’s secret might slip out with it.

“You’ve been acting weird,” Billy says after a long moment, and Steve realizes he’s been staring, falling into Billy’s dimly lit face. Could Steve? He’s beginning to think he always would have. Always could.

“I’ve just been. Thinking about stuff.”

Billy doesn’t reply right away, takes the roach from Steve’s hand and curses softly, like it burns. He tugs a little on Steve’s shirt and Steve goes down next to him, flopping half onto Billy’s lap and scrambling to sit upright.

“Did I do something?” Billy’s squinting hard at the poster above Eddie’s bed, like he’s about to burn a hole in it. “Something to upset you?”

“No, Bils. You didn’t do anything,” Steve mutters. “Just thinking about me. Promise.”

Billy swallows, looking down into his hands. “Good. If… if you need someone to talk to you know I’m here right?”

As if Billy could understand this. This thing that sits in Steve’s stomach, poisoning them.

“Yeah. I know, Billy. You’re my best friend, I just… gotta work this out.”

Later lying in bed staring at the ceiling, listening to Eddie laughing through the wall, Steve tests the word. Tries it out, even though no one can hear it. Feels goosebumps, lightening, thunder and emptiness too. He needs to move on.

He turns and looks at the bed next to him. Billy always sleeps curled up in a tight ball. His shoulders barely rise and fall in the dark.

Steve reaches out for his phone and curls into a ball of his own. He turns the sound off and prays to God his dad can’t check his data searches.

[hungee-boy]

Feel free to ignore if you’re uncomfortable with or just don’t want to answer but how would you change isebela to not be caricature without changing the whole character? Would it be more fashion changes or physical or something else?

Kinda like: how would you change her if you were her character writer/designer for the new game?

isabela at her core i think is a very compelling character and is relatable to a lot of romani experiences, especially with her doing whatever she has to to survive

i would definitely keep her stealing as castillion's responsibility, him making her steal the tome of koslun under threat of death for example would be fine because if he wasnt in the picture, chances are she wouldnt have stolen it in the first place

other forms of thievery besides just like looting bodies and picking chests (as those are gameplay mechanics for all characters) shouldnt be for her enjoyment or greed, only for her survival or just not done at all

her staying a pirate is fine imo and i like the idea of her being an ethical pirate (like her freeing the slaves castillion had her transport) but we all need to look at how pirates are depicted in fantasy and how much of that is anti-roma racism and caricatures

her being so sexualized and her comments on "life back home" are where i have the biggest issues honestly

like romani women have always been targets of fetishization and sexual violence, as well as many women being sterilized without consent to prevent more romani children being brought into the world

getting some damn clothes on her would be a great start, like some pants at the very least. i would like to incorporate more romani clothing in her design tho like maybe a traditional blouse instead of her usual top

maybe a romanced isabela can have her replace her blue dikhlo with red, since wearing a dikhlo is usually reserved for married women of certain vitsas (most common with eastern european roma if im not mistaken) or giving her a red hipcloth (again specific to certain vitsas)

romani dress is usually modest and loose fitting, with women commonly wearing long skirts and blouses with jewelry and adornments to symbolize her wealth and status and im not saying isabela should be covered head to toe, shes an open person and not every romani woman should be expected to dress one way over another, its just her look is way too impractical for the sake of being sexy and again romani women are very often sexualized regardless of what they wear

isabela's attitude towards sex and being open to intimacy is not an issue on its own, what is the issue is how the writers make fucking jokes of her sexuality at every chance they get (like the std joke in anders' clinic, aveline's slut shaming, etc. etc. etc.....) and this is just my personal opinion but there are times that she comes on too strong to like hawke or carver or fenris that seems unrealistic and just like an attempt for the writers to further hone in on how horny shes supposed to make you feel

like yes have her be open and not ashamed of being intimate but put more love and respect on it. i love an isabela that is repressed in her own feelings and the only way she knows how to have meaningful connections is through sex cus thats what was expected of her. like oh my god do you know how many people relate to that, if its done right it could be a very compelling arch to her character and maybe something she learns isnt concrete the more platonic/romantic meaningful time she has with everyone in da2 and beyond

as for her comments about rivain and the people there, like the phrase "even deny a fortune teller and theyll run you out of town" to merrill, just makes rivainis out to be greedy and shameless swindlers and that projection is obviously also put on romani people since that is a VERY common stereotype

like the phrase "getting gypped" literally means to be cheated and comes from the word gypsy. theres no denying the intention the writers had when they wrote that line for isabela

and honestly i love the idea of rivain (i say the idea cus we only hear accounts of the nation, we havent seen it in person yet) i love the idea of a matriarchal society that is religious and spiritual but does not tolerate the chantry's bigotry and openly accepts society's outcast such as mages and qunari

romani culture irl is patriarchal and often anybody who is not romani is typically not trusted, but if rivain was treated as an idealistic fantasy romanistan, where our values and traditions are implemented and we make a better world for ourselves and other outcasts then it could be very compelling

thats the thing with representation, sometimes it doesnt have to reflect reality 100%, but it still requires knowledge so that you can make new ideas based on the facts and reasoning of the group youre representing

[sapphim]

All variations of that scene where Hawke's companions try to rescue them from the dungeon in Mark of the Assassin (someone please help them they're trying so hard). There is, of course, a danaduchy video compilation, but! I wanted something searchable so here it is.

also, while I'm here: look at my mod boy

Anders + Aveline

Anders: How many blighted rooms does this place have? Aveline: We've passed that sconce three times already. Anders: This is ridiculous! How could you get us lost inside the castle? Aveline: Right, it's my fault. Shall I go ask one of the guards for directions?

Anders + Bethany (Act 1)

Anders: Don't panic, but I think we've been through here before. Bethany: How can you tell? Every part of this dungeon looks exactly the same! Anders: You too? I thought it was just me. Bethany: Some rescue this is! My brother is probably being tortured right now, and we're lost in the middle of the hallway! Bethany: Some rescuers we are! The duke could be torturing my sister right now, and we're lost in the blighted hallway!

Anders + Bethany (Act 2-3)

Anders: Don't panic, but I think we've been through here before. Bethany: You're the one tearing your hair out. Anders: Typical Warden disregard. Do you even care anymore? Bethany: Yes, you should talk about what caring looks like. Keep moving. Anders: Does the Kirkwall Circle teach you to be smug? In addition to obedient, I mean. Bethany: When appropriate. Come on, let's just find them.

Anders + Carver

Anders: I told you we shouldn't have turned left back there! Carver: Excuse me if I don't share my dear brother's sense of direction! Carver: Maker forgive me for not having my sister's sense of direction! Anders: Oh, for Andraste's sake! Leave Hawke out of this! Carver: Perhaps we'll find our way by considering the plight of mages in modern—shut your bloody face!

Anders + Fenris

Anders: That's it. I'm taking the lead. Fenris: You think I'm going trust you to find Hawke? Anders: Could you stop with the, "All mages are evil," diatribe for one minute? Fenris: They may not all be evil, but one of them in particular is extremely annoying.

Anders + Isabela

Anders: All right, we should have tried your suggestion. Isabela: Which? Challenging the guards to a game of riddles and making, "Where is Hawke?" one of the questions? Anders: I meant the, "Follow one wall, and you'll navigate the maze," idea. Isabela: Well, we can try it next time. Either that, or, "Let's get a sledgehammer and break down the walls." I thought that had merit.

Anders + Merrill

Anders: What is wrong with Orlesians? Why build a prison with this many identical cells? Merrill: Maybe we should ask for directions. Anders: Of course, we'll say, "We're staging a daring prison break. Could you tell us where our friend is and then tie yourself up? Thanks!" Merrill: It's not possible to tie yourself up, is it? You'd never get the knots right.

Anders + Sebastian

Sebastian: Andraste, Lady of Sorrows, lead us from the darkness into the Maker's Light… Anders: Would you stop that? Andraste is not going to find Hawke for us! Sebastian: Have some faith, Anders. Anders: I have complete faith in your ability to make a bad situation worse!

Anders + Varric

Varric: Blondie, I hate to say this, but I'm pretty sure we've been here before. Anders: Blast it! But we went left this time! We shouldn't have come full-circle again! Varric: I wish I hadn't given that ball of twine to Daisy. Anders: You can't tell anyone about this! I mean it, Varric! Not a word!

Aveline + Bethany (Act 1)

Aveline: This can't be right. Bethany: We could sneak back to the kitchens and ask the servants where they are! If… we knew how to get there. Aveline: I'm not getting turned around again. Straight ahead. Bethany: Right. Because that's been working so well thus far.

Aveline + Bethany (Acts 2-3)

Aveline: This can't be right. Bethany: We could double back, I suppose. I expect we've got time. Aveline: Knowing your [sister/brother]? Probably. Bethany: Still, better make it look good. Wouldn't want her to feel neglected. Bethany: Still, we'd better hurry. Poor Brother might think we don't miss him.

Aveline + Carver (Act 1)

Carver: You never listen to me! Aveline: Say something worthwhile and I'll start! Carver: Right, shut up and follow orders. Left, right, that's what makes a good guardling. Aveline: Ugh. You're still such a tit.

Aveline + Carver (Acts 2-3)

Carver: The place is a maze. Another pass and then double back? Aveline: Sounds good. we'll do that. Carver: Really? Aveline: There a reason I should doubt you, [Warden/templar]?

Aveline + Fenris

Aveline: Did we turn left last time, or right? Fenris: What does it matter? Lost is lost. Aveline: I'm trying to change that, you sour…. Aveline: How does Hawke put up with this?

Aveline + Isabela

Isabela: If you'd let me handle that last guard, we'd have found Hawke by now! Aveline: Right. You'd be bent over a desk, and we'd be no closer than we are now. Isabela: Well, I'd be closer to something. Aveline: Shut up, whore.

Aveline + Merrill

Merrill: Aveline? Remember how you told me to tell you if I noticed anything peculiar? Merrill: Well, we've passed the same cracked floor tile nine times now. Aveline: We've been walking in circles and you only tell me now? Merrill: I wasn't sure. Maybe there are a lot of tiles broken in exactly the same way!

Aveline + Sebastian

Aveline: Ugh! We're back where we started! Sebastian: Blessed Andraste, guide us. Protect our friends in this dark hour. Aveline: While you're at it, ask the sky for reinforcements. And pie. Sebastian: You know, that kind of prayer has never worked for me.

Aveline + Varric

Aveline: We've been going in circles for over an hour. Varric: I'm so used to Hawke leading the way, I think my sense of direction has withered. Varric: So… wait here for [him/her] to rescue us? Aveline: When you tell this part? Leave it out.

Bethany + Fenris (Act 1)

Bethany: What am I going to tell Mother? "Sorry, I got lost and left your heir in an Orlesian's dungeon?" Bethany: She will never forgive me. My [brother/sister] will never forgive me! Carver and Father will come back from the grave just to haunt me! Fenris: What she'll say should be the least of your worries. We may die in here, and she'll never get the news. Bethany: You are not helping.

Bethany + Fenris (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: Bloody runaround twisted shite of a maze. Fenris: You've learned a few new words. Bethany: Wardens get called a few. Fenris: Undeservedly, I'm sure. Bethany: Not every book in the Circle is high literature. Fenris: Obviously.

Bethany + Isabela (Act 1)

Bethany: What are we going to do? Isabela: All right, just stay calm! What do we usually do when we're lost? Bethany: We ask my brother. Bethany: We'd ask my sister where to go. Isabela: Oh. Right. Well, we're screwed.

Bethany + Isabela (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: So, know where we're going? Isabela: Not a damned clue. Bethany: (Laughs.) Me neither! Isabela: Right. We pass the kitchen, I'm grabbing a bottle.

Bethany + Merrill (Act 1)

Bethany: Are we out of twine? Merrill: Yes. I was going to drop breadcrumbs, but we don't have any bread. Bethany: I can't believe we're this lost! Merrill: Don't worry! If we keep going, eventually we'll get somewhere! Probably an airing cupboard. I seem to wind up in those a lot.

Bethany + Merrill (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: Lost your spool of twine? Merrill: Yes. I was going to drop breadcrumbs, but we don't have any bread. Bethany: We'll find them, if they're still here to be found. Merrill: Don't worry! If we keep going, eventually we'll get somewhere! Probably an airing cupboard. I seem to wind up in those a lot.

Bethany + Sebastian

Bethany: No, the layout is wrong. We're back where we started. Bethany: [Warden] I swear, what I wouldn't give for a straightforward Deep Road and— Bethany: [Circle] It's backwards from every book on Orlais I've seen. It's just not— Sebastian: [the stupid little smirk and the head tilt and then running off full tilt without saying a word why did he do so much lmaoo] Bethany: [Sebmance active] Sister, you lucky bitch. Bethany: [else] Oh, Maker.

Bethany + Varric (Act 1)

Bethany: Aren't dwarves supposed to have some sort of "stone sense?" Varric: What good is that? Most of the chateau is stone. Knowing where the floor's at isn't going to help us. Bethany: Can't you… I don't know… always find your way around in… caves or something? Varric: Sunshine, all the caves we go to look exactly the same to me.

Bethany + Varric (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: Keep up, Varric. I'm sure we're almost there. Varric: You've certainly quickened your stride in the last few years. Bethany: [Warden] I found out there's a lot more to run from. Varric: And towards, I hope. Speaking of which, to the rescue! Bethany: [Circle] Too much to learn, or, you know, rescue. Varric: There's my Sunshine. Let's go!

Carver + Fenris (Act 1)

Carver: Shitting… piss-eared Orlesians and their… blighted dungeons! Fenris: "Piss-eared?" Did you get that from Meeran? Carver: We're lost and all you can do is criticize me? Fenris: It passes the time.

Carver + Fenris (Acts 2-3)

Carver: Orlesians. Can't build a hallway without turning it into a maze. Fenris: Keep going. I'm sure your training will kick in any moment. Carver: Still don't like me? I've tried to change. Fenris: You have. Now you're dangerous. Let's move.

Carver + Isabela (Act 1)

Carver: You just leave this to me. I can handle everything. Isabela: How could I possibly interfere? Carver, the magnificent hero to the rescue! Carver: Do you have to do that? Really? Isabela: No, this is strictly optional.

Carver + Isabela (Acts 2-3)

Carver: You just leave this to me. I can handle everything. Isabela: I'm starting to think you could. Carver: What was that? A compliment? I'm a little frightened. Isabela: I know! Let's get these people rescued before it happens again.

Carver + Merrill (Act 1)

Carver: I don't understand it! This should be the right way. Merrill: If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse. Carver: Don't worry. It's got to be… left. Is it left? I mean, of course it's left. Merrill: Also, I'm pretty sure spiders won't attack us! Not even the little ones.

Carver + Merrill (Acts 2-3, no Merrillmance)

Carver: Okay, we're lost together. Both of us, not that we're "together" together. Merrill: If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse. Carver: Right, well, back to rescuing… wait. You're doing that on purpose! Merrill: (Giggles.)

Carver + Merrill (Acts 2-3, Merrillmance active)

Carver: A shame we didn't have time like this back in Kirkwall. Back then. Merrill: If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse. Carver: Right, well, let's get to it. My [sister/brother] will be missing you. Merrill: I'm glad you think so.

Carver + Sebastian

Carver: And we are back to front yet again. Sebastian: Blessed Andraste, guide us. Protect our friends in this dark hour. Carver: Right. Prayer. Useful, useful. Or we could do something. Sebastian: Guide us by the wisdom of your light… in silence.

Carver + Varric (Act 1)

Carver: Go ahead. I know you're thinking it, dwarf. Varric: What? What did I do now? Carver: "Your brother wouldn't have gotten lost. He'd have rescued everyone by now." Carver: "Your sister wouldn't have gotten lost! She'd have us all back at the tavern by now!" Varric: Actually, I was thinking, "All these hallways look alike." But sure, knock yourself out, Junior.

Carver + Varric (Acts 2-3)

Carver: So, we're lost. Varric: Just like old times. Carver: Maker, I hope not. I was an ass. Varric: (Laughs.) Fair comment, Junior. All right, let's get this done.

Fenris + Isabela

Fenris: So… we're lost? Isabela: Definitely. Fenris: Now what do we do? Isabela: I could try to guess the color of your underclothes again.

Fenris + Merrill

Fenris: I don't want to hear another word out of you. Merrill: But I was just— Fenris: Not. One. Word. Merrill: Is it all right if I hum? Or maybe whistle?

Fenris + Sebastian

Fenris: Maybe you should start praying that we'll find them. Sebastian: I have been for the last half an hour. I could do so out loud, if you'd prefer. Sebastian: Blessed Andraste, Bride of the Maker, deliver us from this warren of evil. Fenris: In that case, maybe you should stop.

Fenris + Varric

Fenris: And… here we are again. For the fourth time. Varric: Fifth, I think. Fenris: What do we do now? Varric: Play Diamondback and wait for Hawke to find us?

Isabela + Merrill

Merrill: Isabela? Um… I think we've been here before. We've passed that same cracked tile six times now. Isabela: Andraste's granny-panties! I knew things were going too smoothly! Merrill: Does Andraste really wear granny-panties? How do you know all these things? Isabela: (Sighs.) Come on, Kitten. Let's see if we can find the entrance and start again.

Isabela + Sebastian

Isabela: Eenie, meenie, miney, moe… Sebastian: I'm not sure that's the best way to find them. Isabela: We already tried "pray for Andraste to guide us" and "wander like drunken vagrants." We're running out of options. Isabela: Unless you want to find a chicken for an augury, we're going with counting games.

Isabela + Varric

Isabela: I give up! We've been through every inch of this place twice, and there's no sign of them! Varric: Or we've been through the same twenty feet of this place about a dozen times. It's hard to tell, Rivaini. Isabela: We should have gone treasure-hunting in Wildervale instead. Varric: You're still upset that you couldn't swipe a drink from the party, aren't you?

Merrill + Sebastian

Merrill: I… think we've been through here before. Sebastian: Now that you mention it, we have seen that chipped cornice a few times, haven't we? Merrill: All right, don't panic! Every other time I've gotten very lost, Hawke has found me. Sebastian: Merrill? I don't think he can rescue us until we rescue him first. Sebastian: Uh, Merrill? I don't think she can rescue us before we rescue her.

Merrill + Varric

Varric: Daisy? You don't happen to have that ball of twine, do you? Merrill: I knew I forgot something when we left Kirkwall! Varric: Don't beat yourself up over it. We'll just… wait here until I think of something. Merrill: I'm sure that won't take very long. You're always thinking of things!

Sebastian + Varric

Sebastian: When you tell people about this part of our adventure, what are you going to say? Varric: That depends entirely on the audience, Choir Boy. Sebastian: You change the story to suit the listener? Varric: Of course. All the bullshit in the world won't convince Hawke we rescued him if he finds us first. Varric: No bullshit—however well-told—will persuade Hawke that we rescued her if she finds us first. That's common sense.

[anneapocalypse]

1, 2, 4, 8, 19 for the dav meme!

Veilguard Hype Ask Meme!

What was the first Dragon Age game you played?

Origins! I've been here since the beginning. Alongside Fallout 3, it was one of the first RPG video games that absolutely ate my brain. I have fond memories of sitting on my futon playing DAO for like 16 hours straight, forgetting to eat and destroying my back.

2. Which Dragon Age game is your favorite so far?

This is always such a hard question for me to answer, because the three games are all so different, and I have deeply fond memories of all three of them, and I can also look at all three pretty frankly and see their flaws even as I still enjoy them. I think if I have to name a favorite though, it's still Dragon Age 2. Something about its structure and scale, the creative and unusual use of place and time, and its themes, really appeals to me. I've also come to really like the personality lock-in feature even though it does place some limitations on role-playing, and I love the friendship-rivalry system. I love it so much. I think it makes for much more interesting character relationships than simply "Does this character approve or disapprove of my actions?" Are there things about the other games that I prefer, of course. I want to be able to play as an elf or a dwarf or a qunari, for one. But even after all this time, DA2 still hits me a certain way. I love the other two games as well. There's just something about Kirkwall.

4. What does your worldstate look like going into DAV?

So I have like five or six world states and I don't consider any one of them more canon than the others, but I will be going into Veilguard for the first time with Rogues Gallery, which is exactly what it sounds like (and which means the one thing I know about my Rook is they'll be a rogue), featuring Jolene Cousland, Mallory Hawke, and Calla Cadash.

Basic rundown:

The Circle was saved, Connor and Isolde both lived, Zathrian broke the curse, and Harrowmont is King of Orzammar.

Jo romanced Alistair and convinced him to do the Dark Ritual.

They stayed Grey Wardens and rode off into the sunset together.

Anora is Queen of Ferelden.

Nathaniel is alive.

The Architect was spared.

Vigil's Keep and Amaranthine were protected.

Jo went off alone to find a cure for the Calling, and Alistair was left in the Fade.

Carver is dead, Bethany is alive and a Grey Warden.

Mal romanced Isabela. (In my headcanon, they later become a polycule with Merrill but of course that's not in the game.)

She rivaled everyone except the rogues and Merrill.

Bartrand is dead. Varric kept a piece of the idol.

Aveline did not marry Donnic.

Feynriel went to the Dalish, and then to Tevinter.

Clan Sabrae was killed.

Merrill did not destroy the Eluvian.

Mal refused to take any kind of a stand until the very end of Act III where she heaved a big sigh and sided with the mages.

She disapproved of Anders' actions but spared his life.

Mal is still alive and kicking.

Calla romanced Josephine.

She conscripted the rebel mages and the Grey Wardens.

Alistair was left in the Fade.

I left off with her right before Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, so I am not sure of her decisions from her onward! But I do plan to finish this playthrough before Veilguard comes out. :)

8. What faction are you most excited to learn more about?

I'm pretty hype about all of them, but I'd say the Lords of Fortune and the Veil Jumpers the most since we know the least about them!

19. Are you planning to replay any of the previous games, watch Dragon Age: Absolution, or read any of the books/comics/short stories, or are there other games you want to play in the meantime?

I do plan to finish my current playthrough of Inquisition (Calla's playthrough) which is still incomplete. Beyond that, maybe I'll re-read some of my favorite Tevinter Nights stories. I spent about three years (2020-2023) playing the whole series on repeat like 5-6 times and reading and watching all the side content I could get my hands on, so... I'm probably good on that front. ;)

Final Fantasy XIV is getting a new expansion, Dawntrail, in just a couple weeks, so that should occupy a good chunk of my summer, and I expect I'll be ready to play some more Dragon Age in the fall in preparation for Veilguard! (Would love to get an actual release date, though.)

[adrift-in-thyme]

Day 26: Forced to Choose (Wild & Time)

Ao3 link

Cw for blood and injury, implied/referenced torture

Quick disclaimer: this has some Tears of the Kingdom stuff in it, BUT for the most part it's spoiler free. I haven't watched any gameplay videos except for the Nintendo one, or read any reviews, or seen the artbook leak. So, this whole plot is just me having fun with angsty ideas. If any of it is actually in Tears of the Kingdom I'll be amazed. Still, if you want to go into it completely spoiler free, avoid reading this until you've played the game.

——————-

Time is dying.

Wild can see it in the deathly paleness of his skin, the tremor that runs through him with every labored breath, the blood spreading along the middle of his tunic like the sky during a blood moon. He’s slumped forward, eye trained dully on the ground, the grip of the Yiga assassin on his shoulder the only thing keeping him upright. But when Wild chokes out his name, he raises his head to look in his direction.

“You’ve gotta hold on,” Wild manages through the tears and the pain and the terrible crashing guilt because this is his fault, all his fault. “Please, old man.”

The Yiga drag him back even as he fights to reach his brother, his friend, the man he’s come to think of almost as a father. He inhales sharply as the ropes tear into his wrist (his fleshy, soft, human wrist, not the one that can no longer be torn by such things as weak as rope. Not the one attached to an arm whose powers he hasn’t even begun to fully understand yet has still landed them here.)

“What-whatever they want,” Time says, voice quiet and hoarse, strained by blood loss and pain, “don’t gi-give it to them, cub.”

Laughter erupts from behind him, deafening and maniacal, and it sets Wild’s blood to boiling. He glares at the assassin standing behind Time, wishing for all the world he could tear every one of these cursed sadists apart. It hardly has the effect he wants it to, though, what with the tears streaming down his cheeks and the blood and grime smudged over his body and his arms pinned behind him.

He could escape if he wanted. With his new limb, he could drop right through the floor and resurface wherever he so chose. He won’t though, not now, not when leaving that way means abandoning Time. That’s not an option Wild will ever entertain.

And the Yiga know it.

“Your friend isn’t doing too well, is he?” One of the assassins sneers now, leaning over Wild’s shoulder, his breath hot and clammy in his ear. “Looks to me like he’s bleeding out.”

“Oh dear,” another joins in, jeering tone grating upon Wild’s ears. He holds a demon carver in his hand, the same one responsible for the wounds marring Time’s body. “What a horrible situation! Whatever can the chosen hero of the goddess do?”

“If only there was a way to save his life,” the first Yiga murmurs. He reaches over Wild’s shoulder to dangle a potion in his face, tone changing from mocking to threatening. “You know what we want, hero. Give it to us and he lives. Refuse and we’ll make you watch as he dies a slow, agonizing death.”

“Champion,” Time says, stern despite the pain in his voice, “do-don’t.”

Wild squeezes his eyes shut, trying to block out the sight of Time battered and broken and covered in blood, trying to stop the sound of the cackles and jeers surrounding them. He knows exactly what they want, he’s heard their demands repeated for the last few hours, whispered and murmured and screamed inches from his face. And he’s refused them for just as long, every single one landing in a new strike upon Time’s body.

But he couldn’t give in, he just couldn’t. What they want from him, what they’re asking him to do, could doom Hyrule.

His arm, this wonderful new appendage gifted by the gods when Ganon’s dark magic devoured his natural one, is one half of the key to the Silent Realm where Ganondorf is now locked away. The other half is the Master Sword, lying hidden deep within the Korok Forest where the Yiga cannot go. But the assassins, loyal as ever, want nothing more than to set Ganondorf free. And they will stop at nothing to accomplish their goal. Even if it means forcing their sworn enemy to unlock the Silent Realm for them.

Last time Ganondorf revived he’d nearly wiped out Hyrule and the remnants of people working to rebuild it. This time, Wild doesn’t doubt he’ll finish the job.

“Cub.”

Wild pries open eyes clouded with tears and raises his head to meet Time’s gaze. The man seems to have grown even paler in the last few minutes alone. But his face is set in a look of determined resignation.

“You can’t.”

And he knows he’s right, he does. But to just let Time die, to sit and watch as he’s deprived of his future, to see the light leave his eye and know he’ll never lead the group again, never tell cryptic stories around the fire, never laugh or smile or feel. To know Malon will lose her beloved “fairy boy” long before his time…

Wait.

Wild’s spiraling thoughts come to a screeching halt, eyes widening as it hits him like a stone talus to the face. Fairy boy. Time is a fairy boy. He grew up in the Lost Woods, has even admitted to knowing them like the back of his hand.

He raises his eyes to Time once more, a plan formulating in his head.

It can be too much sometimes. I can’t take the grief of my entire kingdom, only to lose just one friend.

But maybe, just maybe he doesn’t have to.

“So, what’s your answer, hero?” The Yiga hisses. “Will he live or die?”

Time gives him a small smile, and Wild knows with terrible certainty that he has made peace with the fate he believes he will meet.

Wild swallows, and steels himself. It takes every inch of his strength to keep his gaze on Time as he speaks the words, trying desperately to communicate what he cannot say.

“I’ll do it. I’ll open the Silent Realm.”

The laughter swells around him once more, full of victory and mad glee. But all Wild can focus on is the way Time is looking at him.

“The Look of Disappointment” is what Twilight has dubbed it, and Wild sees now why it sends shivers down his spine. Though in this situation, he guesses it’s warranted. For all Time knows he has just doomed his Hyrule to utter destruction. He only hopes he can communicate his true intentions soon.

******

In true Yiga style, the assassins refuse to give Time the potion until Wild has done the deed. So, when they drag their captives to the entrance of the Lost Woods, the old man is limping. He is white as a sheet, now, and swaying dangerously on his feet. More than once he collapses, only to be kicked and prodded back into a standing position. Wild can’t help but wince every time it happens.

“Well?” The assassin says once they’ve reached the spot where the first torches gleam. “Lead on, hero. And–” He presses his demon carver to Time’s neck, “–don’t you dare try to lead us astray. Do it and he dies.”

“That’s just the thing though,” Wild replies, as steadily as he can under the circumstances. “I can’t lead you without a torch. I don’t know these woods well enough.”

In an instant, another Yiga is up in his face, blade pressed against his chin.

“You want us to untie you, don’t you, little hero? Don’t think for a second that we’re gonna fall for that trick.”

Wild stares him down for a long moment, then inclines his head towards Time. “Then he has to lead. He can do it by memory.”

Time meets his eyes, a frown creasing his brow.

“It’s a good thing too,” Wild continues, keeping his gaze stubbornly trained on Time. “It’s too easy to get lost in here.”

Understanding dawns like the sun breaking through the clouds, and Time draws himself up a little straighter, some of that horrible disappointment gone. Wild is glad to be free of its oppressive weight.

“Fine.” The Yiga growls, shoving Time forward with such force he nearly faceplants. “You do it. And be quick.”

Their progress is certainly not quick. Time is hardly standing at this point. He stumbles forward, every step a struggle, every breath one that Wild fears will be his last. It’s not enough just for his plan to work, Time has to survive until it’s through. And with the wounds he’s sustained so far, he can’t help but wonder if he will.

He manages to stay alert enough, however. Wild may not have the same sense of direction as him, but he’s been in these woods enough to have a feeling of the right ways and the wrong. And Time takes them on a path that’s all wrong.

The Korok’s giggles grow closer with each step, and the Yiga grow more visibly nervous. Then, when the mist has become so thick Wild can hardly make out the ground beneath his feet, they begin to disappear.

Playful, tinkling laughter fills his ears as the forest children swoop in, working their magic. The Yiga’s screams of terror are drowned out so fast, it’s as though they were never in the forest in the first place. Where the Koroks whisk them away to, Wild hasn’t a single clue. He doesn’t care, though, especially not when the last assassin is dragged away right as he lunges forward to seek revenge for his companions’ deaths.

“They’re gone,” he says after a moment or two has passed and no other red-costumed maniacs leap from the fog. Relief bubbles up in him, so exhilarating and overwhelming, he nearly chokes on it. “It actually worked.”

“You did well, cub.”

He looks up and Time is smiling down at him, looking proud and alive (if only barely), and Wild feels tears of an entirely different sort spring to his eyes. But then, the moment ends as abruptly as it came. Time collapses, spreading crimson upon the green grass. He’s unconscious before he even hits the ground.

[deathsweetblossoms]

ACOTAR 6 Theory

Here's my crack theory in it's barest form. This is meant to be fun, since now we know magic beans exist, so nothing matters anymore. But here is what my mind has been churning around since my CC reread and preview on SJMs website.:

(Spoilers for CC2, ACOSF, and the Prologue and First Chapter of HOFAS)

The girls in Koschei's lake are mystics and he's using them to glean information about the trove via going into people's minds or outright spying inside spaces that should otherwise be warded. Hence, "shadows can be blinded". I think he needs some combination of the Trove and Truth Teller to break his confines (for what? Here's where I'm not sure. At present, I do think he is Asteri, which is another word for Daglan and Death God, and he was entrapped by one of the OG fae rebellion who threw the Asteri out. Yes, this means his "siblings" the Bone Carver & Weaver would also be diminished Asteri not at their full powers)

Rigelus drops hints about having a masterful plan that he completely orchestrated via manipulating every event to work into what the Asteri need. This includes "tugging" people to do what he wanted (Hunt & Bryce joining the rebellion to activate their gifts etc) without them even realizing what was happening. He was aware of everyone's actions, because of the mystics. So nobody willingly betrayed Bryce/Hunt/Ruhn & co. It happened because he simply had access to that information and he played them like chess pieces on a game he was always going to win.

My theory banks entirely on Koschei playing the same game, which I believe was hinted to us via the "I've been preparing for you for a long time" line in ACOSF. Bearing that in mind, if he does truly want Truth Teller and the trove, who else is conveniently looking for information about the trove? Merrill. Who conveniently got information about the trove from TWO PEOPLE who were asked NOT to share said information? Merrill. Seems like the type of strings some overarching Big Bad would pull to get the chess pieces to align in such a way to bring the trove to himself without him doing any of the work. **

Also conveniently, what does the IC have at their disposal to also be able to glean information about a shadowed foe? A Seer. Granted, Elain has already said that most of Koschei is all "mist and shadow", but perhaps there will be a way to break through that mist and shadow (maybe using truth teller, which she was able to wield and possibly winnow with........But that's a theory for another time). Perhaps she will need to start shielding her unwarded mind of "tangled vines" to keep him out. Perhaps she can use tangled vines to get through his mist and shadow.

There's other pieces to this theory that I'm not discussing because they involve spoilers for CC3. But I wanted all of this in one place so I can come back to it later and adjust/erase/refine as needed once I have the actual book in my hands tomorrow <3

** The Merrill-is-Compromised Theory has already been discussed by several other beautiful people in this fandom, and if you can tag them in the comments, I'll add to this post. TY!!!

[empressthebee]

This is just my opinion. TINY SPOILER AHEAD.

I honestly could care less about the story carrying over from Origins and II. I know, probably hot take. For me, this isn't like Mass Effect, where we're experiencing one protagonists journey via Shepard. Every game in that series (not counting Andromeda) was about Shepard. We we're Shepard.

In Veilguard we're Rook. But we're also the Inquisitor. It's weird. Like an out of body experience. Rook won't know the Inquisitors trials. But we will, doubly if they've romanced Solas. In that way, my attention will be split between investing in Rook and my lingering nostalgia for the Inquistor.

I literally could barely make it through II, the dungeons we're so repetitive. I despised Carver and fuck Anders. Origins, while fun, didn't really carrier over much in II or Inquisition to have a big enough impact on me or really the story. I mean, Morrigan did, but the protagonist didn't.

Fans headcannon so much anyway they've created lore. After this game, they'll do much the same. I mean, AO3 is going to be lit.

Now, I can understand why fans are upset. But I honestly think the reason why Bioware didn't include all the choices is because they don't have the budget.

Seriously, let's try to keep things in perspective. Sure, we're all (mostly) excited. But this game is make or break game. It's a game that was so close to not happening, it still doesn't seem real that it actually is. I wouldn't be surprised if the budget was limited as such content on choices was extremely condensed.

Honestly, from what I have seen in the playthrough spoilers, graphically looks pretty good. You can say it looks dated or cartoonist, but again, that budget was tight. Bioware isn't a triple A studio.

I really think it's going to be a good game. Perfect? No, but I definitely feel it will be a return to form for Bioware. But as fans, we need to be extremely realistic.

[practically-an-x-man]

3, 43, 51, 62 for that ask game

Thank you so much!!

Ask Game for Fic Writers

3. on a scale of 1-10 how much do you enjoy incorporating romance into the average story?

Hm... obviously a lot of my fics involve romance in some way or another, just because I think there are so many ways it can take shape and I love exploring those different dynamics. So for fanfics... maybe an 8 out of 10 - romance is by no means a requirement for a good fic, but I just think it's fun, especially when you can look at the ships and say "Hey, Eris and Rick love each other, and Jasper and Kyle love each other, but they love each other in completely different ways"

But in terms of all my stories, both fanfic and original, it's more like 3-4 out of 10. I still like writing romance, but my original writing is a lot more sci-fi, horror, or modern fantasy, only a few of which have a major romantic plotline.

It's really only fanfic where romance is so ubiquitous in my writing, my original stories have some very different vibes.

43. how did writing change you?

Oooh man...

So on a more serious note, writing has kept me alive. I've pushed through some of my darkest moments with the knowledge that if I don't get this story finished, nobody will ever be able to read it because it otherwise exists only in my head. It's why I keep so many active WIPs even when I can never update them on schedule - as long as I have a story waiting for its ending, I have at least one reason to keep going.

On a less serious note, it's changed how I look at the world. When my mind wanders, I find myself mentally describing what's around me, or coming up with snippets of description or dialogue (either for my stories or just standalone bits). I also have gotten a lot better at categorizing my thoughts and emotions, since I find it easier to put words to those feelings.

51. share the synopsis of a story you work on that you haven’t published yet

Hm... I can't really call this a WIP since I haven't even written out a full outline yet, but I picked an idea at random from my ideas list and here's my attempt at a synopsis:

Christina "Chris" Carver can see the future. It comes in pieces, illogical flashes that overtake their entire body at the most inopportune of moments. When they experience such an episode in the middle of a crowded subway station - mere moments before a devastating bombing that costs dozens of lives - their life is upturned in a complex legal struggle that they can't seem to fight their way out of. How do you prove the existence of foresight? They're going to need a really good lawyer.

(it's been a while since I looked at this OC and I think they're due for a bit of a revamp, but the plot is one of my more dynamic ideas)

62. what’s the weirdest reason you’ve ever shipped something?

Oooh man... I'm not sure. Most of my OCs and those ships come from these sort of "what if?" opposites - what if Mister Morals Rick Flag was met with someone with an incredibly flexible moral code? What if Peter Maximoff was forced to slow down and pay attention? What if Alex Summers, a man who mocked physical mutations, was given a partner who develops extreme physical mutations herself? What if Wojchek, a sailor with a lot of superstitions, ended up in a relationship with one of his own old sailor's tales? And so on and so forth. I don't know that any of those are weird, it's usually just an element of the character that I want to draw out and focus on.

And all of my canon-character ships are fairly run-of-the-mill, I think? At least, I can't think of any that are super out-there or have a particularly weird reason behind them.

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

Do you know who I respect? Everyone who has an Inquisitor Carver AU. Y'all are neat because like... you get it. You see the potential, you see the tragedy of it, you get so creative with everything, and I am here for it.

Because Carver has such Main Character energy but is constantly overshadowed by everyone in DA2...but then he ends up going through an entire hero's journey as a warden or templar in the background while we as Hawke is just stumble our way into becoming champion. Then he shows up at the end as a warden or is a templar who turns on Meredith to fight with you, like.... baby brother went through some shit and we still don't give him the acknowledgement he deserves.

Carver just wants to be wanted, to be needed. He wants to protect people, to keep everyone he loves safe. He wants to prove his worth and make something of himself, to find fulfillment in his life after spending so much time stagnant. He wants to matter so much, to make a name for himself, and DA2 blocks him at nearly every corner.

Carver doesn't have his own people. We don't know if he has friends or anyone he actually hangs out with outside of Hawke's group. Most of them don't like him or take him seriously. He has a crush on Merrill but he's awkward and she's oblivious so that goes no where.

Even before DA2, Carver's the only Hawke sibling without magic and that was isolating for him. He never felt like he could go out and thrive because it would bring unwanted attention to his family of apostates.

So him becoming the Inquisitor seems like the perfect opportunity for him, right? He gets to make his mark! He gets to be in charge and make important, life changing decisions! He gets his own inner circle of friends!

Except Inquisition is possibly the worst game for him to be the main character of and THAT is the tragic beauty of it.

Because the Inquisitor is the most important person in Thedas but no one outside of the inner circle actually gives a shit about who they are. The Inquisitor as a person isn't important. Hell, the Inquisitor isn't even a person to some. They are a symbol first and foremost. They are the Herald of Andraste and no one cares if they want the title or not, or if they're even the right person for the job! They have the mark, they were touched by Andraste! They fell outta the fade! They don't get a choice, it's forced on them by everyone.

And Carver as the Inquisitor? First of all: "Hey, wait a minute, this isn't the Hawke we ordered! ....Eh, close enough, I guess."

Second, Carver suddenly having a magical glowing mark on his hand that can close fade rifts after spending his entire life as the only Hawke sibling without any magic? Give him some space, he needs to breathe, what do you MEAN HE FELL OUT OF THE FADE--

Third, Carver gets to lead the Inquisition, make important decisions, and have an inner circle.....yet it's absolutely a case of "I'm surrounded by so many people yet I've never felt so alone" because again... Carver's finally important and needed, but so few people actually care about him as a person, how he's actually dealing with all of this. They care more about what they can get out of him.

Fourth, Here Lies the Abyss...... reuniting with Hawke and potentially losing them in the fade...... excuse me while I go SCREAM.

Lastly, Carver is a two-handed warrior who takes great pride in those skills as a warrior.......... y'all remember what happens to the Inquisitor at the end of Trespasser??? In the end, the mark will slowly kill Carver until he loses a hand. Not only will he need to recover physically from that, but emotionally and mentally. He puts so much of his self-worth in those skills that losing a hand and not being able to fight the way he used to would be devastating.

There's just SO MUCH, okay?? Listen:

--Varric has so much dirt on Carver from their days in Kirkwall and he never misses an opportunity to tell an embarrassing story but if you think Varric isn't extra protective?? or that he doesn't go out of his way to check on how Carver's actually doing?? You're wrong and you should feel bad, Varric is here for him.

--Carver and Cullen meeting in the war room for the first time like:

Carver: Oh good, the blasted Knight-Captain from Kirkwall. Cullen: Oh good, Hawke's little brother. Carver&Cullen: WONDERFUL.

but also:

Josephine: How should we handle this situation? Cullen: Punch it. Carver: Agreed. Punch it. Cullen: With swords. Carver&Cullen: PUNCH IT WITH SWORDS!

--Carver canonically had a small crush on Leliana from when they were both in Lothering, now she's one of his advisors... small world.

--A warden Carver meeting Blackwall and immediately being like "...if you're a warden, then why can't I sense the taint in you, hmmm?" whereas a templar Carver would shrug and say, "I don't know anything about the wardens so I believe you, welcome to the Inquisition."

--It doesn't matter who Carver romances, all four choices are hilarious in some way.

Cassandra threatened to kill him and is so Andrastian that she's a potential candidate for Divine but she's also killed a dragon and that's pretty hot; The Iron Bull shows up in Carver's room like "I've noticed the flirting, you want to ride the bull" but Carver keeps insisting he's a top; Josephine is so pretty and shiny and kind but boy it's like trying to ask Merrill out all over again, he's awkward and she's oblivious; Dorian's a mage from Tevinter and Carver can already hear Gamlen's voice in his head saying, "A mage? You're just like your mother."

--Carver: I knew an elven slave from Tevinter. He was a friend of my siblings. Dorian: Oh? Carver: He used to fist magisters to death. Dorian: ... Carver: It was pretty neat.

And all of that is just scratching the surface.

There's so much fun and tragedy to be had with Carver as Inquisitor. I love and hate it, and I want more. Y'all keep making it, I'm rooting for you.

[the-arts-of-being]

the ask game! for any oc

💛- how many languages does your oc speak? what language(s) are they learning, if any?

🍰 - what is/are your oc's favorite sweets)/ dessert(s)?

🤔- what are some of your oc's quirks/ mannerisms?

Long post ahead ::3 Answered for Pollux mostly with some other characters sprinkled in for one.

No art this time, sorry. Might reblog with some later !

💛- Pollux is the only character where this answer is interesting, ignoring Cy who is a self insert and speaks/is learning everything that I speak or am learning.

Pollux's family from his father's side are immigrants from another region of Flatland, hence the odd last name "Schwarz" that sticks out from between "Campbell", "Carver", "Smith" etc. Schwarz just sounded cool, there is no actual reference nor reason there. I do not think that they speak German or anything - German and English don't precisely exist in Flatland.

But different languages do exist, though mostly have been assimilated or only differentiated by their sound, and Pollux knows some of his family's mother tongue, though Hunter is much more fluent and Madelyn learned a bit of it to impress him. Pollux possibly quite regrets not learning more of it. Might know some bits of old dead tongues and ways of writing because he loves history! On that topic, he probably talks very awkwardly, more so than originally depicted, because he really loves those ancient styles and they mess with how he talks.

He also learns [post-TAoB] English and many Planiturth languages, also learns or helps create Exwhylian/Ypwherenian/Zetwhatian and other dimension's languages, and Thought Beyond Words for communication with those languages he doesn't know. He especially likes to learn old languages even now, even if that means older than time - would be funny to see the lil guy suddenly speak in the eldritch whispers of Voidspeak.

---

🍰- Pollux loooves anything he can bake. Well, except most normal types of cake. He prefers stuff like tres leches, cheesecake or flan over regular cake. He loves those! He also loves making them. While he'll gladly eat a slice of birthday cake or one or two cookies, I think he really prefers things with some moisture to them. Crunchy or dry things sadden him. He's a chocolate chip cookie enjoyer too. But I don't think he's fond of adding fruit to desserts unless its blueberries.

Bill isn't my oc but I gotta note that this guy considers pieces of drywall, entire handfuls of specifically powdered sugar, and gasoline as "desserts".

Madelyn loves anything with strawberries [sadly Pollux can't stand them] and possibly the same cake preferences as her son. Hunter thinks sugar will rot your beak.

Lastly, Marianne actually really enjoys just fruit of any sort with unhealthy amounts of chamoy. Yeah she's the kind of girl that eats flaming hot takis like her life depends on it.

---

🤔- Haven't thought of this much, considering they're. Literally just. Shapes. I figure that Pollux isn't great at talking- he tends to try to talk too fast or say many things at the same time or accidentally misuse words because he's attached to old language styles. So that's one thing. Also, when he's alone or nervous he likes to repeat words that sound nice to him, or the letter x (remember he loves how it sounds?) or just clicking. Even now that he can speak with words, sometimes he mumbles things to himself in Flatland's language, that nobody knows anymore except for him, so chirping and stuff.

He also tends to keep his hands clasped together because having them hanging around feels weird, or when he's using his cane, he'll have one hand holding the arm that's holding the cane. Also avoids eye-contact. (Oh and I don't know where to put this, but he's ambidextrous. Why not? Guy's pretty much a demigod)

[wreywrites]

Tiger Shark

Part 4: The Anchor

Chapter 24

“That sounds fake.” I stare at the mandatory broadcast.

Next to me, Finnick nods. “But it’s not. They wouldn’t lie about something like that.” And then he taps, Not natural causes though.

The next morning, the Victors from Four board the train to the Capitol. We spend the night in the Victor Center, and the next afternoon, the fifty-six living victors dress in black and walk down Victor’s Way behind the casket drawn by four black horses. And then we sit, on live TV, through Megary Fallon’s funeral.

President Snow speaks first, then Megary’s mentor Raela, then Carver from Seven, and finally Augustus. He looks terrible. He talks about her indomitable spirit and how Megary wouldn’t want us to waste our lives mourning, but to live instead for her, to the fullest.

And then we all go back to the Victor Center, where we sit around the atrium in silence. I suspect more people than Finnick and I don’t believe the story about Megary’s death. And this is confirmed when Gloss sits down next to me.

“Is this what happens when it plays out?” I ask quietly.

He nods. “It didn’t matter what they threatened her with. It never has. I guess this was the easiest solution.”

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

Megary’s death rattles all of Panem. She was popular. Even in the districts, and not just her home in Nine, people wear black. Things are quiet everywhere. When we get home, Finnick sits at the kitchen table for hours without moving. I go to the pier.

The Seventy-Second Hunger Games, only a month after Megary’s death, are almost subdued. I remember other Victors dying before, but they’ve always been old and their deaths almost expected. Megary was my age.

Beck is chosen to be a mentor, which gives me the mistaken impression that I will at least be able to spend some time with Finnick while we are in the Capitol.

“It’ll be… fun,” I say when he tells me. We are swimming by the Traps, enjoying a hot summer afternoon.

“Mmmm.”

“What? Would you rather be a mentor?”

He shrugs. “If they don’t have me mentoring, it just means they’re keeping my schedule full of other things. So yes, I think I’d rather be a mentor. I’m glad they’re letting you off another year though.”

I shrug. “Beck told me the other day they asked him how I was. He said unreliable at best.”

Finnick nods. “It’s true. And it’s keeping you off the list.”

It is. It’s also still making my life miserable, but it’s keeping me off the list. Small victories.

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

Augustus and I watch the girl from One win. We are quiet this year. Neither of us talks about Megary, except on the first day we see each other, when I give him a hug and tell him how sorry I am, and he says that it’s his fault. We adopt Johanna into our tiny group. Even she is quiet. I think Megary’s death got to her. Johanna might not have anyone else the Capitol can threaten, but they can still kill her. The Victory Banquet is full of Capitol socialites milling around awkwardly, their arms looking empty without a laughing Megary on them. And then the Games are over, and we go home for another year.

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

Coral graduates from the teacher training program, but has to move down the coast for her assigned position. After we say our goodbyes, I lock myself in one of the spare bedrooms and break down. I cry until I have no more tears, and in the silence that follows I fade into memories of the arena, playing on a loop, over and over and over and over.

I come back to the door hanging from broken hinges, Jade sitting in the hallway with her head on her arms, Finnick next to me talking about a ray he saw swimming.

When I look up at him, he looks broken. “Six hours, Annie. Six hours.”

“It’s too much,” I whisper, my voice hoarse and breaking. “They keep taking people away. You know they sent her to the farthest school they could on purpose.”

From the hallway comes a choked sob.

I look at Finnick, desperate for some sort of reassurance, but knowing that I won’t get any. “Who’s next?”

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

“Ooh, my party shirt!” Finnick opens the box, pulling a new sweater out. He has never not been invited to the party in the Capitol at the end of the Victory Tour, and every year, they send him an outfit to wear. He holds the sweater up to his chest. “How’s it look?”

“Like a lot more shirt than they usually have you wearing.”

“Well it is winter, and it gets chilly in the Capitol.” He pulls a smaller box out of the first box. “And this is for you. Happy, uh, birthday.”

I take the box, raising an eyebrow. “Finnick, my birthday was two months ago. We took the boat out and went lobster diving. Mags gave me a new hat. Beck made us supper. You were there for all the festivities.”

“Yes, I was, your dad bought a cake and it was delicious. I just don’t have any other thing to wish you ‘happy’ about.”

I open the box. There’s a folded piece of paper that says Hope this helps, B. Underneath is something that I assume is a radio, but small enough to fit in a pocket. There are four unlabeled buttons, but the back side of the piece of paper says back 20 sec-play-stop-forward 20 sec. Under the radio, in an even smaller box, are about a dozen holochips—flat, inch-square digital storage devices—labeled in numerical order.

“Who’s B?” I re-examine the note, hoping for a clue that I missed the first time around.

“A friend,” Finnick says. “I told him about how you have trouble with things being too quiet, and he had an idea. Been working on it quite a while. Make sure you start with One.”

“Obviously.” I put the chip labeled “1” in the little slot, but before I can push play, Finnick interrupts.

“Not now, wait until you need it!”

“Alright, I was just excited for my new toy.”

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

Despite Augustus and Johanna’s best efforts, it is during the Seventy-Third Hunger Games that I finally draw attention to myself. We are watching the eighth day, with a dozen tributes left, when one of them beheads another.

I wake up in my room in the Victor Center, curled up with my hands over my ears, surrounded by doctors.

“Make them stop,” I beg. “Please, just make them stop!”

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

I do not attend the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games. I get a phone call a week before the reaping saying my presence is requested for the reaping and nothing else. When I tell Finnick this, he just nods and says, “I know.”

Jade moves in with me while Finnick is mentoring our poor twelve-year-old tributes. “Finnick told me to tell you that you can use the radio now.” She drags her suitcase into the second spare bedroom. “Apparently he doesn’t trust me to talk you to sleep.”

I almost laugh. “You’re not as good at it as he is.”

“I’m going to take that as a compliment. Clearly, my stories are more exciting than his.”

“They are,” I smile. “And I was there for most of them.”

After Jade gets unpacked neither of us know quite what to do, so we decide to watch every minute of Hunger Games coverage. We watch the reaping replay over and over, interspersed with highlights from past Games. A girl from Twelve volunteers. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. Johanna goes on a two-minute slaughtering rampage. The boy from Eleven looks like Zalea. I remember she had a brother and wonder if it’s him. When they show his mother and grandmother, I know it is. Megary buries an axe in one of the Careers, leaving only three other tributes between her and victory. The boy from Two smiles when they draw his name. Gloss whips a knife through the air and kills his target from thirty yards. The girl from Three sobs as she walks to the stage. I hurl a spear into Farroe. And then I black out.

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

“…better at this. Umm, remember when we used to have breath-holding contests? You were always so good. The day I almost drowned, when you saved me? I was practicing holding my breath and it went too far. I’m so glad you were there. I’ve always been so glad you were my friend, and I need you to come back so you can keep being my friend.”

“I’ll try,” I rasp.

“Oh good,” Jade lets out a sigh. “I was starting to think I couldn’t get you to come back. And that would have been embarrassing.” She gets up and gets a blanket, then wraps it around me. “I’m going to make some coffee. Want anything?”

I shake my head. “Did I miss the Parade?”

“No, we’ve got another half hour or so. They’ve been showing the full reel of last year to get everyone properly hyped up.” She disappears into the kitchen, then returns with a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies. “I know you said you didn’t want anything, but I’m very good at ignoring you.”

We spend the next half hour debating what aquatic costume Marius and Dalia will put the kids from Four in this year.

“Dalia’s much more reasonable. If she was in charge, we’d have costumes we could at least walk in. But instead Marius gets the final say, and I was a mermaid who had to be carried everywhere.”

“You looked good though,” Jade says. “Not like the year they were dressed as actual fish.”

“I felt so bad for them.”

“How long before he brings the nets back?”

“Never, I hope, but I guess we’ll see. I think if he was going to, he would have done it with Mako and me.”

“True. It’s kind of crossing a line with twelve-year-olds. And you two would have looked good.”

“Thank you?”

“Yeah, it was a compliment.”

It turns out the tributes from Four are dressed like coral growths. They look ridiculous. It almost makes me thankful that I was a mermaid. But I don’t focus on them for long because the tributes from Twelve are literally on fire.

“That’s just not fair,” Jade says. “Now I’m not going to remember anyone else.”

“I’ll bet that was the point. No one’s going to forget her now, not after she volunteered like that.”

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

When I go to bed, I set the little radio on my nightstand, insert Chip 1, and hit play.

Hey honey, Finnick’s voice says, I want you to know that I’m going back on that deal. I will absolutely call you honey all the time in these recordings because I think it’s hilarious how much you hate it and you can’t do anything about it. And now I’m going to tell you about the time I lost an epic battle to a clownfish.

And he does. I fall asleep halfway through, and when I wake up the next morning, the recording is silent. More curious than anything, I push play. The story of the clownfish continues, but it’s definitely ahead of where I fell asleep. I push the “Back 20 sec” button seven or eight times before I hit the last part I remember hearing. I wonder how it knew to pause. Now I really want to find out who B is.

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

That afternoon, they play the highlight reel of my Games.

Jade watches, a sad smile on her face. “I’d almost forgotten what Mako’s laugh sounded like.”

I haven’t. I hear it all the time, echoing through my wayward mind, always followed by the sound of a steel beheading.

~~~                               ~~~                               ~~~

When the boy from Twelve professes his love for the girl, I scream at the TV. “Why? Why would you do that? Don’t you know what happens?”

And then they are in the arena, and against all odds, those two from Twelve stay alive. Through tracker jackers, alliances, explosions, they are alive. And then Claudius Templesmith announces that they have changed the rules and will crown two victors if they are from the same district.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jade looking at me, waiting to see how I will react. But I do not react. I don’t trust the Capitol. There can only be one victor. Why would they be willing to change their precious rules now when just two years ago they killed one of their most beloved victors just because she wouldn’t play by the rules?

And I am right. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark are the last two alive, and the Capitol reneges.

“Oh no. I can’t watch another Ten,” Jade hides her face behind her fingers as the pair talk so quietly the cameras don’t pick it up.

But I see what they are doing. “No, Jade, look, they’re going to…”

I don’t finish the sentence. We stare at the screen, watching them each raise a handful of berries to their mouths. Now the Capitol will have no victors.

But there is no cannon. Instead, the slightly-panicked voice of Claudius Templesmith announces the victors of the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games.

****

****

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Tag List:

@avoxrising @snow-dragon-rider @anakins-ride-or-die

[sapphim]

just from the wiki banter page, varric referring to the other characters by his preferred nickname for them

Anders (Blondie - 14 hits)

Varric: Of course I am. We come to the surface with the skills our ancestors had, Blondie.

Varric: You could have just stopped me, Blondie.

Varric: Blondie, I don't mean to sound critical, but have you considered a new line of work?

Varric: Oh, cheer up, Blondie. You're making me cry just looking at you.

Varric: You feeling all right, Blondie? You're always in the mood for templar jokes.

Varric: If you could see it from this angle, Blondie, it'd be at least a close second on your priority list.

Varric: Come on, Blondie. You're strong enough to overcome this.

Varric: Hang in there, Blondie! We're going to get you out of this!

Varric: As it happens, I haven't said a word about you and Blondie. I'd look at that, uh, uncle of yours for this particular rumor.

Varric: Because I like trouble, and you think Hawke is cute. That wasn't a serious question, was it, Blondie?

Varric: This isn't so bad, Blondie. You could be losing more coin to the elf in a game of Wicked Grace.

Varric: Well, I'd probably say something like... "Then around the corner, we caught the sight of an entirely new type of darkspawn." You had to ask, Blondie.

Varric: Seriously, Blondie? No one ever invites you anywhere?

Varric: Blondie, I hate to say this, but I'm pretty sure we've been here before.

Varric: Hold on, Sunshine, I'm coming!

Aveline (N/A)

Bethany (Sunshine - 10 hits)

Varric: Sunshine, I'm a dwarf. In case you missed that detail.

Varric: Sunshine, nobility is just an expensive lifestyle. I've already got one of those.

Varric: So... Milady Sunshine, what's your first act as a noblewoman going to be?

Varric: Insist that they're blatantly copying you, and demand royalties. A good noble always has a complaint ready, Sunshine.

Varric: Sunshine! What's wrong? Not feeling well?

Varric: Good to be out and about, Sunshine?

Varric: You're not looking so sunny, Sunshine.

Varric: What's the matter, Sunshine? Thought you'd be enjoying the whole "fancy Orlesian estate" thing more.

Varric: There's my Sunshine. Let's go!

Carver (Junior - 7 hits)

Varric: Hang on, Junior, help's on the way!

Varric: You know, Junior, it's eerie how much of a resemblance there is between you two.

Varric: You know, Junior, you're looking at this all wrong.

Varric: What's the matter Junior? Three assassination attempts! You're the centre of attention! I thought you'd be happier.

Varric: You've been away too long, Junior.

Varric: It's not that hard, Junior. He's my brother.

Varric: (laughs) Fair comment, Junior. All right, let's get this done.

Fenris (elf, I swear to god, it's elf - 12 hits)

Varric: The tame elf is down!

Varric: Oh-ho! The broody elf tells a joke!

Varric: So where's your beard, elf?

Varric: So, elf. That thing you do with your hand...

Varric: You really ought to take that offer, elf. It would keep the Coterie off your back pretty much permanently.

Varric: You know you still owe me five sovereigns, elf.

Varric: Every little bit helps, elf.

Varric: I haven't told anyone about you and that, uh, angsty Tevinter elf. Try looking closer to home for that intelligence leak.

Varric: This isn't so bad, Blondie. You could be losing more coin to the elf in a game of Wicked Grace.

Varric: You, elf, are one lucky son-of-a-bitch.

Varric: So, elf, what's this I've been hearing about you and the Rivaini?

Varric: Dwarves don't do prisons, elf. This is a trash heap. They threw something away here and hoped it wouldn't come back.

Isabela (Rivaini - 13 hits)

Varric: Don't die on me, Rivaini, you still owe me a pint!

Varric: I shit you not, Rivaini, it was this big.

Varric: Rivaini, stop looking at my chest. My eyes are up here.

Varric: You know, Rivaini, you promised me you'd tell me how your ship wrecked.

Varric: You have got to tell me what was in that box, Rivaini.

Varric: I like the way you think, Rivaini, but one doesn't just ask to be made a Paragon.

Varric: Keep dreaming, Rivaini.

Varric: No fun in calling her Rivaini if she's not here to be annoyed by it.

Varric: I'm not spreading any tales about you and the Rivaini. Although she asks me every other week to start some.

Varric: So, elf, what's this I've been hearing about you and the Rivaini?

Varric: That's true. Rivaini.

Varric: Our little Hawke is growing up, Rivaini.

Varric: Or we've been through the same twenty feet of this place about a dozen times. It's hard to tell, Rivaini.

Merrill (Daisy - 23 hits)

Varric: Blast it! Daisy got herself knocked out!

Varric: So, Hawke and Daisy.

Varric: That's because you spend too much time frolicking in the woods, Daisy. Dwarves don't frolic.

Varric: Bring it next time, Daisy. Just in case.

Varric: Daisy, for my sake, please quit cutting through the alleys in Lowtown alone at night.

Varric: So, I hear you've been visiting the viscount's garden, Daisy.

Varric: I'll tell her you said so, Daisy.

Varric: (Snorts) I have family like a rat has fleas, Daisy.

Varric: Don't worry Daisy, the chantry keeps a lot of water on hand.

Varric: Keep it, Daisy.

Varric: There's a story behind everything, Daisy.

Varric: That was the idea, Daisy.

Varric: No offense Daisy, but I could live without telling anyone that we murdered you on some mountain side, it's little hard to made that one sound good.

Varric: I fought my own brother, Daisy. Nobody said this was going to be happy story.

Varric: Which story, Daisy?

Varric: You have to stick with us if you want to find out how it turns out, Daisy.

Varric: I haven't breathed a word to anyone about you and Daisy. Maybe you better have a talk with uh, uncle greasy?

Varric: Daisy, haven't you heard? Swooping is bad.

Varric: Daisy, everyone is fair game for my stories.

Varric: Daisy, I could never make that stuff up. Nobody would believe it.

Varric: I wish I hadn't given that ball of twine to Daisy.

Varric: We're not that kind of merchant, Daisy.

Varric: Right now? I don't think we have time, Daisy.

Sebastian (Choir Boy - 6 hits)

Varric: So, Choir Boy, this usurper of yours is... twenty feet tall?

Varric: Tell us about Starkhaven, Choir Boy. I'm sure we're all burning with curiosity about your far-away land.

Varric: You know, Choir Boy, I wouldn't normally say this, but—the shiny white armor? It works for you.

Varric: Choir boy! What are you doing?

Varric: Choir Boy, suddenly your life makes much more sense to me.

Varric: That depends entirely on the audience, Choir Boy.

Tallis (Shivs - 1 hit)

Varric: All right, Shivs, I'll admit it: I'm surprised the Qunari employ thieves. They never struck me as the subtle type.

Tallis: That's because you've only met the antaam. Armies aren't usually celebrated for their sneakiness. Also, "Shivs?"

Varric: Yes, "Shivs." So, how does stealing valuables from a pompous Orlesian noble fit in with your Qun?

Related nickname banter #1

Aveline: Blondie, Sunshine, Daisy, Rivaini... What am I?

Varric: Beg your pardon?

Aveline: You don't call anyone by name except for me. Where's my nickname?

Varric: That's not true. There's Hawke. And Bianca.

Aveline: "Hawke" is a family name and Bianca is a crossbow. Don't change the subject.

Varric: Haven't thought of a good one yet. What do you think of "Red?"

Aveline: Too common.

Varric: Well, when you think of one, let me know.

Related nickname banter #2

Isabela: You've a nickname for everyone.

Varric: That's true. Rivaini.

Isabela: But everyone just calls you Varric. That's hardly fair.

Varric: Well, it's my story.

Isabela: What?

Varric: Nothing.

Related nickname banter #3

Hawke: Varric.

Varric: You called?

Hawke: I notice you don't have a nickname for me.

Varric: I call you Hawke. You've probably heard it once or twice.

Hawke: But that's my name. It's not like Daisy or Blondie.

Varric: All right, Waffles. You really want a nickname, I can hook you up.

Hawke: Waffles? That's... unexpected.

Varric: Sure, Chuckles. You want a nickname, I'll be happy to fix you up.

Hawke: Chuckles? That works.

Varric: If you really want a nickname, I can oblige. I'm thinking about going with Killer.

Hawke: How creative.

[lords-of-fortune]

15, 18, 22 and A for any and/or all of the ocs 👀 from the question meme

Rubs my little hands together. Here goes. For my own reference: 15- How do they speak? Is what they say usually thought of on the spot, or do they rehearse it in their mind first? 18- What embarrasses them? 22- How does jealousy manifest itself in them (they become possessive, they become aloof, etc)? A- Why are you excited about this character?

Rodaine: 15- He's definitely one of those people who thinks deeply before he speaks. He's the kind of guy who can almost always give about 50 justifications for any given decision he makes. He probably sometimes comes off as a little pretentious, using fancy words, but he doesn't really do it because he wants to show off how smart he is, he's just trying to be as precise as he can be when describing his feelings on a matter. In terms of how his voice sounds, I think it's pretty mid-range (not super low, not super high,) and he speaks very clearly, rarely mumbling or stumbling over words. He's generally a quiet person so when he does actually speak, you know he's thought it through. 18- He's super weird about romance-y stuff bc of that sweet, sweet circle mage repression, so you can absolutely get him to blush by bringing up things like his teenage crush on King Maric, that time that Leliana assumed he was into her and yelled at him about it, and, conditionally, the fact that he was a virgin when he left the Circle (this is conditional because he was fine telling Alistair this information since he suspected that Alistair was in the same boat, so it was easier to be honest about it) 22- I would definitely lean towards aloofness for him, maybe even leaning towards outright sulking. He will deny that he's sulking but he absolutely is. He doesn't have that many friends so if his few friends are paying a lot of attention to someone or something else and kinda ignoring him, he'll definitely be hurt about it, but he's not gonna be forthright about that, especially if he knows it's irrational for him to be jealous about it. A- I just really like the way he ended up evolving the more I played and the more I thought about who he was as a character and how the events and his own choices in the game affected him. He's a lot more serious as a character than I usually like to make (even if i still love to make fun of him, lol) so it was fun to explore that as well. aaaand that was super long so I'm not going to do all my characters but I Will do Tierce because he's on my mind.

Tierce: 15- He's definitely a lot more impulsive than Rodaine, but that doesn't mean he's worse at articulating himself. He keeps his speech simple and direct. He maybe doesn't think super deeply about what he's saying and how he's wording it, but it's rarely confusing or incomprehensible. He's very much Not Quiet, he's loud and boisterous and what comes out of his mouth is what he fuckin' said, you heard him. He's a bit more prone to grumbling under his breath or grunting responses so voice-wise he's less clear than Rodaine, and I imagine his voice is also kinda mid-range but a little bit deeper than Rodaine's? 18- He's generally pretty shameless, but he does hate secondhand embarrassment stuff. That banter in Mark of the Assassin where Carver tells Merrill she could "Tame a wyvern's wild heart" (clearly talking about himself and his obvious crush on her) he wanted to freeze Carver's mouth shut because Maker, Carver, that was physically painful to hear with my own two human fucking ears. Most of the time, though, he skips the shame and just gets kinda pissed if someone makes a jab at something he's insecure about. 22- He is closer to the possessive end of the possessive/aloof scale, lol. He definitely is likely to lash out a bit at the person he is hoping for attention from, because, hey, negative attention is better than nothing! And he'd be likely to threaten someone who was taking up more of his friends'/partners' time than he likes. He doesn't mean to be toxic but also let's just say he is generally a big fan of the fact that everyone in Kirkwall seems to suffer from Hawke derangement because he is very rarely ignored in favor of more interesting people. He's basically the most interesting man in Kirkwall and he loves that for himself asdfasdjkf A- I was really hyped to try a red Hawke because I was too afraid in the past to try it, lmao but it has been so much fun, I love this ornery bastard <3