#not sure how they get letters in the lighthouse

[ramblinganthropologist]

The saddest thing to come out of Veilguard so far is apparently Trevy and Scout Harding broke up after inquisition.

Poor Trevy. Maybe she'll find someone nice to settle down with and teach mage kids at her magic school.

[mosoderbergh]

So one more Emmrich headcanon because I can't with this guy

Two things I think about Emmrich are

1) that he has a keen sense of smell. Not always ideal when you work around corpses a lot, but that just means he has a collection of tinctures, balms, perfumes, maybe even scented candles he's collected over the years. He's experimented with how to best mask certain smells, which scents go well together etc.

2) I think when him and Rook first start dating, he's still quite hung up trying to prove that he's not just some horny old man (Rook would be into that, too, but hey). He wants to prove to Rook that he cares. And he notices Rook is working themselves to the bone.

Both of these would culminate, I think, in a little surprise for Rook. I think Emmrich would prepare a bath for them - with no intention at all of getting in there with them. But he's noticed a certain scent around them. Maybe they have a favourite perfume. Maybe a favourite flower. Maybe they just really love a certain fruit or candy.

So Emmrich would leave on "urgent business" to the Necropolis one evening. A few hours later, Manfred would come to Rook's door, all excited. And Rook would let themselves be guided away, already sensing the next crisis. But then they'd get to a new door and it would be this cozy little room with a giant bath, a crackling fireplace tucked away somewhere (I love the idea of a bathhouse somewhere in the lighthouse). A bath has already been drawn, and it smells *amazing*. Rook's favourite scent, delicately interwoven with whatever other notes suit it best. Manfred presses a cup of tea into Rook's hands and looks between them and the bath expectantly. (Emmrich has had to explain how baths work to Manfred in great detail. "It would be proper to leave once you've offered them tea. No, *no*, you will not need to help them undress. I'm sure they're quite capable.")

There would, of course, be a letter from Emmrich on the tea tray.

My dear,

I couldn't help but notice how you've been over-exerting yourself lately. You are well due a break. I have taken the liberty of asking Neve to take note, should anything come up in your absence. For now, the evening is yours. If you feel up to a little outing later, it would be my honour to take you out to dinner.

Yours,

Emmrich

P.S.: I fear you may have to ask Manfred to leave the room for your bath. I've tried to make this clear to him, but he is quite fond of you and he still struggles with privacy as a concept.

There is an itinerary and the infamous menu with gilded edges attached to the letter. Rook gives it to Manfred to play with, so he has something to do while they enjoy their bath. They keep the letter, though. They read it over and over again, grinning from ear to ear. They only put it away once they accidentally get a splash of water on it. By the time the dinner happens, they are a) relaxed to their very core and b) absolutely gagging for it because that is the hottest thing anyone has ever done for them.

[sky-scribbles]

Party Banter with Rook!Blackwall

Harding: You know, for a moment back there, I thought you might actually get through to Solas.

Thom: Regret’s something we have in common. I thought… if I reached out to him, told him I understood what guilt drives you to do…

Harding: But no. ‘Do not compare your regrets with mine, Thom Rainier!’

Thom: He’s right, though. He can at least say he did his crimes trying to stop tyrants. I did mine for coin.

Harding: Uh, yeah, and then you faced up to it and decided no one else was going to get hurt for it except you. Solas is right. He’s nothing like you.

—

Lucanis: Do we have a problem, Warden Rainier?

Thom: You kill people. For gold.

Lucanis: I do. Venatori. Blood mages. The political rivals of those who hired me.

Thom: And that’s enough for you? Someone flashes a purse, and you’re ready to murder over some nobles’ spat over which of them gets the bigger fancy house?

Lucanis: Depends on the size of the purse.

—

Bellara: Um, so, about the mayor of D'Meta's Crossing? I just… do you really want someone like that? In the Wardens, I mean.

Thom: I won’t defend him. But he wouldn’t be the first Warden who let innocent people die for gold, and got another chance from the Order.

Bellara: He doesn’t deserve it. Like, really, really doesn’t deserve it.

Thom: No. Neither did I.

—

Thom: Do you ever get people trying to bribe you? To look the other way, or drop a case, or...

Neve: It's Minrathous. If I took even half the bribes I've been offered, I could buy an estate in Hightown.

Thom: It takes a special kind of strength to resist that.

—

Thom: I got a letter from Sera the other day. Don’t ask me how she got it to the Lighthouse.

Harding: ‘Friends’, I bet. And hey - she dealt with the Fade for you! So what'd she say?

Thom: Well, there was a lot of calling Solas a shite-faced arseknuckle. And then she told me not to get killed, or she’d yank my beard ‘til my head came off.

Harding: Aw.

—

Lucanis: Rainier, I do not knife civilians. Everyone I have killed has been embedded in politics. Their hands are never clean.

Thom: And you're sure you’ve never made a mistake? Never got a passer-by or a child caught in all the blades and arrows? Never gone in without knowing everything, and got someone hurt?

Lucanis: Of course not. I’m a professional.

Thom: You’re a mercenary with a cape.

—

Thom: You could’ve left Dock Town. A mage. Talented. You could’ve gone anywhere, chased a better life.

Neve: If I left, I’d be abandoning people who never got that choice. I’m good where I’m at.

Thom: I hope you know how admirable that makes you.

Neve: Not that admirable. If I got that estate in Hightown? Too far to walk to Hal’s fish stand.

Thom: (laughs) Good priorities.

—

Davrin: So, Rainier. Heard a lot of rumours about how you joined the Wardens.

Thom: (uneasy noise) You know, Warden Blackwall told me your past gets forgotten after the Joining.

Davrin: A nice ideal, but it never stands up to the gossip. But you’ve shown your worth.

Thom: Enough for me to have one of those griffons when we rescue them, d’you reckon?

Davrin: (laughs) We’ll see.

—

Thom: I knew someone like Manfred once. He was a spirit, but he sort of… grew his own body.

Emmrich: Oh! A spontaneous incarnation! Do you happen to know what kind of spirit he was?

Thom: Uh… the kind that looks like a young man, but reads minds and flits about trying to make everyone feel better about themselves?

Emmrich: Ah, Compassion! A rather more advanced emotion than Curiosity, and therefore capable of manifesting a physical body, rather than needing to adopt a vacant one.

Thom: More advanced? Right. That explains why Cole used to talk to me about living with the weight of regret, and Manfred spent ten minutes yesterday poking my face to see if my beard came off.

—

Neve: So, you know Dorian?

Thom: Does anyone who’s been in the same room as him for thirty seconds get a choice about knowing Dorian?

Neve: And didn’t always get along, I take it.

Thom: He’s… he’s not so bad. We might’ve judged each other by first impressions back when we met.

Neve: And what’s your impression now?

Blackwall: Still too fancy for his own good. But it says exactly who he is that he’s fighting against slavers and blood mages. I think I got the better deal with the darkspawn.

—

Taash: I heard the Inquisitor turned into a dragon.

Thom: No, she… didn’t. But she did get one to fight with us once.

Taash: She did? What kind? How’d she do it?

Thom: Sort of… gold? And she drank from this pool of elven magic, and… that somehow let her ask it to help us. I think.

Taash: Did she ride it into battle?

Thom: Uh… No.

Taash: Oh. I would’ve ridden it into battle.

—

Thom: Emmrich, do you know what those demons were the other day? The ones that wouldn’t leave me alone?

Emmrich: Ah. Those were manifestations of Shame. A variant of the Despair spirit.

Thom: Right. Don’t know what I expected.

Emmrich: If it’s any consolation, I find that one can tell much more about a person from the more benign spirits that gather around them. I catch glimpses of them about you often. Valour. Fortitude. Honour.

Thom: I hope to be worthy of them.

—

Thom: Lucanis, have you ever regretted any of your kills?

Lucanis: Not so far.

Thom: So this is what you’re fine with being? A man who takes nobles’ money and lives in luxury with your bloodied hands? That's the life you chose?

Lucanis: Not ‘chose’, exactly. It is what I was trained to be since my childhood.

Thom: Wait. You were – who trains a child to be an assassin?

Lucanis: You met my grandmother.

—

Davrin: You held up pretty well in the last fight, Rainier. For an old man.

Thom: Whelp like you’d better watch what he says around a senior Warden.

Davrin: Why? You’ll tell me to do the fifty press-ups that your creaky bones can’t handle?

Thom (laughs) I’ll stop letting you borrow my best chisel.

—

Bellara: Hey, um, Thom? You know that little rocking griffon you made? Could you make, I don’t know, a bigger one? Like… adult… person-sized?

Thom: (chuckles) You never have a rocking griffon growing up?

Bellara: No! They’re not a Dalish thing! Because you can’t really rock. When the aravel’s moving, I mean. So… no, it’s a dumb idea. Forget I said anything.

Thom: You want me to make it a rocking halla?

Bellara: Yes please thank you.

—

Emmrich: How far you must have travelled, with both the Inquisition and the Wardens!

Thom: I like being on the road. Keeps a man honest.

Emmrich: I rather envy your fearlessness of the wider world. It’s so recent that the end of the Circles allowed me to travel freely outside the Necropolis.

Thom: Must have been freeing. Having the whole world suddenly open to you.

Emmrich: And rather overwhelming, I must admit. When I compare myself to you – a brave Warden, combatting the Blight across all of Thedas…

Thom: Trust me: compare the two of us, and that’s the only way I’ll come out better from it.

—

Thom: We fought quite a few dragons in the Inquisition. Almost got eaten once by some pissed-off beast in the Hinterlands. Kept throwing its dragonlings at us.

Taash: Fereldan Frostbacks are crappy mothers. First sign of trouble, and it’s ‘here! Take my children!’

Thom: (laughs) The worst was the lightning-spitter off the Storm Coast. Spent twenty minutes hacking away at its scales, rest of my team unconscious on the ground.

Taash: Wait - you what? That's not how you fight dragons. You can't just stand there and hit them. That's stupid. And boring.

—

Lucanis: It’s how the Crow Houses work. Children of the House lineage are trained from our infancy.

Thom: Andraste’s fucking tits.

Lucanis: It’s necessary. If Illario and I had been coddled… Caterina pushed us hard and young, because she wanted us to survive.

Thom: I don’t… (sighs) The things people do to children.

—

Harding: I never thought to ask - how come Varric changed your nickname?

Thom: I asked him to go with something else. 'Hero'... that was a name he gave to Blackwall.

Harding: Well, he chose the right name. You know, 'cause Rooks move in straight lines. And you charge right in there, don't mess around with fancy words, just hit things til they drop. You could say you're -

Thom: Don't do it, Lace.

Harding: Straightforward.

Thom: (chuckles) You're as bad as Sera.

—

Emmrich: Master Rainier, I wanted to say – I hope you know that you’re the only person here who looks at you with any harshness.

Thom: I – (sighs) You don’t know everything about me.

Emmrich: I would never claim to. But I know that you place yourself before your allies and the defenceless without hesitation and with utter selflessness. I know you understand your Warden oath better than many of your superiors. I know that you are a good man.

Thom: … I wish I knew what it was like to be you. Seeing the good in everyone, living or dead.

Emmrich: Then I hope you’ll permit me continue to see the good in you – until you can see yourself as I do.

[theshotsheardacrossworlds]

While You're Camping

Agi sends Emmrich a letter while he's off camping with Harding, and he has a moment. Or two. NSFW.

Dearest Emmrich,

You’re currently camping with Harding. I hope you’re enjoying yourself, love. Remember, try new things!

Because while you’ve been away, I’ve been trying new things.

In fact, I tried that lovely little toy you bought me.

I thought of you---your weight on top of me, my hands in your hair, marking my neck for all to see. It drives me positively wild, Emm.

I thought of you whispering sweet things to me, in that cooing little voice of yours. You’re always so gentle and kind…

But then, as it always does, you snap.

You plow into me. You growl that I’m yours and you’re mine. You suck on my tits and tell me how pretty and good I am for you.

And you know I eat it up, love.

I thought of you as I clenched around nothing and wanted it to be your gorgeous cock. After all, my beautiful Emmrich, only that part of you can truly fill me. That’s not to say your fingers aren’t wonderful. They most certainly are.

But your manhood is truly special, handsome.

I’m thinking of you right now.

I hope you’re thinking of me.

Love,

Agi

***

Emmrich stared at the letter in his hands, a pale pink blush painting his cheeks. While he had received (and written far more) love letters in his day, the professor did not expect my sweet darling girl to be so forward and vulgar.

He exhaled sharply, a growing tightness in his trousers becoming more noticeable by the second.

She did say she hopes I’m thinking of her.

The flaps of his tent were closed, so he did not have that to worry about.

Sound, however…

With the wave of a hand, he placed a sound dampening enchantment around him and then went to work, undoing his trousers more quickly than he would have under normal circumstances.

There she is, dearest Agnes.

He imagined her standing in his bedroom at home in Nevarra City (I’ll take you there soon, my sweet) wearing the dark purple lingerie she recently purchased.

Look at you, my good girl. Hair slightly mussed. A half-hearted attempt at lipstick. Thighs squished together when they should be squishing my head.

She whispered that she missed him, kissing along his jaw as her hands pushed his trousers down. She begged him to touch her, kiss her, make her feel loved…

To ravish her as she desires.

“Darling, I beg of you. Take your rightful place on your throne.”

In his fantasy, Emmrich discarded the rest of his clothes and lay down on his bed. In his tent, he moaned, stroking his erect member just the way I like. He imagined her blushing and shyly getting onto the bed, and with a giggle, swung a long, plush leg (I’ve written several poems about her gorgeous legs) over his head.

“Love, are you sure? I don’t want to—”

He grabbed her hips and pulled her down so that her cunt was nearly touching his mouth. “I need you, my love. Please. Let me taste you properly.”

And then he devoured her.

Her hands were on the headboard as she rode his face, nonsensical praise flowing from her.

And speaking of flowing…

Ugh.

With a loud groan, he came far too soon and spilled over his abdomen.

A frustrated growl emerged from him as he waved a hand and muttered a spell to clean himself. “Damnit, how am I meant to pleasure her if I can’t last…”

Get yourself together, man.

***

Emmrich was genuinely happy to be back at the Lighthouse the following day. Back to my comforts…and my love! She’s here! “Darling!”

Agnes Aldwir was in his library, perusing the fiction bookshelf. Wearing a delightful sleeveless white dress with sunflowers. “Emm! How are you? Did you and Harding have fun?” She turned quickly and approached him, the calf-length dress flowing beautifully…like her. She looks so beautiful. My dearest heart, I adore you. Please, sweetest lady, I beg of you…

Dropping his bags, they hit the floor as he cupped her face and kissed her soundly. “Sit on my face, Agi darling. Please.”

She barely held back a laugh between kisses, grinning against his lips. “Enjoyed my letter, did you?” Agnes teased; her generous bosom pressed against his clothed chest. “I hoped so, love.”

“More than. I thought of—” He purred, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks.

Shuffling of boots.

A friendly hiss.

“Manfred!” Emmrich cried as he released Agnes and turned quickly to greet his companion, she burst out laughing. “Oh Manfred, I’m so happy to see you too!”

He and Agi will want to hear about camping.

Later though…

Be ready, my darling girl.

Your throne eagerly awaits you.

[mollfie]

I took notes while playing and I've tried to edit them into something that makes a shred of sense.

Things I like in Veilguard:

Banter can be interrupted, and they'll continue talking. If you repeatedly interrupt, they'll start over from the beginning later on.

The banter also actually made me laugh, especially with certain companion combos. Not always but more often than not.

The companions aren't stuck in their room. You know when someone wants to talk to you or has a cutscene, but you'll also see them hanging out with other companions or just checking out places around the Lighthouse. Makes them feel like actual people with their own stuff going on outside of Rook. But I do wish you could talk to them more. I like bothering my companions. I'm fine with them repeating themselves. Just let me smooch my love interest or chat with my friends and get random flavour text. Is that so much to ask?

I like the orb and smashing enemies in the face with it. I actually prefer it most of the time to using the staff.

Can wear casual clothes instead of armour with no repercussions. Finally, some cute outfits. But not cute enough. Need more. I also miss dying outfits in different colours and dressing up my team.

It's not my fav but it's fine:

I miss being able to smooch my love interest whenever I wanted to. Let me bother everyone more. The romances are fine but I expected more in comparison to previous games.

Everyone hangs out with each other or all together (eat together, bookclub etc) but is Rook even involved? The camping trip scene was so weird. Ferelden is overrun. Where are you going? Why would these two even want to? I could maybe believe Taash being interested because they're adventurous and might be hoping to see a dragon, but even then it's so weird.

Semi related to Taash's personal storyline, I did not appreciate having words put in my Rook's mouth re: her feelings about her gender and I have seen others saying that when they play as an enby Rook it's very "third gender" rather than having any sort of nuance. This is why I'm always hesitant when companies are so proud of being inclusive, it's often so clumsy.

References:

Mage/Templar war was in the South but no one mentions really mentions much about the South. Varric?? Morrigan?? Inquisitor?? There are some letters and a few lines about what's happening but not much. Who got to be Divine, again more of a Southern issue but you think it would come up when talking to Harding or Varric. Drinking from the Well of Sorrrows. Morrigan's son. King Alistair or Grey Warden. Hawke in the Fade. Varric, my man, are we not friends? Harding, you were there even if you were just a scout! Surely you got the hot goss hanging around outside the tavern at all hours.

Surely even people in Tevinter would be talking about how the Inquisitor's old spymaster became the Divine?? Harding sort of mentions it but no one else. The Inquisitor coming along to be like "oh it's a shitshow in the South right now that's why I'm not helping you or trying to find Solas" is so stupid.

The references you do get are fine but some feel strange because they're specific enough for a fan to get them but vague enough to feel pointless because they abandoned the Keep and tracking everyone's choices. I know it's complicated because we've all played the games in a variety of ways but they started it!

I wish we had seen more of the countries. I liked the places we saw and I really enjoyed exploring them, I would have liked to see more though which is a good thing in a way? I wasn't bored by the places we got, more than they were intriguing and I wished to go further. I would have liked to see more of Minrathos outside of Dock Town, for example.

Cameos:

Re: cameos. Dorian's model looks like he got bad cosmetic surgery and veneers. What did they do to you?? However, I also hate how Alistairs looks in Inquisition so maybe I just don't like when they try to update old characters? Morrigan looks fine, but her outfit is ugly. Isabela is fine. Varric and Harding look good.

Are we unable to have cameos of characters (or references), such as Merrill, because the team are blood magic flip-floppers? She knew so much about Eluvians, blood magic, Dalish nonsense etc. She would have been a fantastic edition to the team in Inquistion and in Veilguard but apparently I can't have anything nice.

Romances:

The romances are good but once I picked my person it was weird seeing how Lucanis switched to Neve almost instantly AND how their chemistry was so much better just through banter and listening to their chats. Almost like that's what the writers intended originally and then made Rook an option later? Davrin has a sweet romance and I have heard good things about Emmerich.

Companions:

Still think I should be able to have three people tag along. Yes, it makes them just talk to each other for banter but I liked having three people.

I wish they would bicker more. Some characters are supposed to not like each other (at least for a while) but they really could have leaned into that more. Be meaner. However, saying that some fans couldn't handle Vivienne...

My main issue with all the companions is that they're really good but don't get the chance to be great. I'm assuming because of development issues. Any decent writer would want to make the most of a character. You can see what they wanted to do and what they managed is good. I feel like the writers pulled their punches too much. They could have really leaned into some ideas and expanded on some aspects so much more but didn't. They all needed an extra ten minutes to fully bake.

Taash's personal stuff is fine. It's a little awkward in places but it's nowhere near as awful as people are making it out to be. It's no worse than anyone else's personal storyline or dialogue. A lot of the criticism is over-dramatic HOWEVER I do feel like their struggles were more with their upbringing as the daughter of a strict mother (who says herself that she was never supposed to have that sort of role within the Qun) in Rivain and those two identities cause conflict, and that was really overshadowed. A lot of Taash's struggles with gender make sense when you consider how gender roles function under the Qun (how their mother would have raised them) versus how they are in Rivaini society (what she was exposed to outside of the home). That's not to say they aren't nonbinary otherwise, just that the conflict could have been woven together better.

I also didn't really like the binary choices you were presented with - why do I, a stranger, get to tell any of these people what to do with their lives? I think Rook can have an opinion but there should be a third option for the character to make their own choice, perhaps based on their approval level with you or something to at least feign free will. This felt particularly insensitive when talking to Taash.

I also think some people are forgetting or deliberately ignoring that Taash is not the only lgbt or nonbinary character in the game or the series as a whole.

But, I do also think there are awkward moments (for all the characters too) where I understand what the team was going for but it doesn't quite land right. I would have actually liked a little more focus on what it's like being a qunari in Rivain etc.

Lucanis is supposed to be a big scary mage-killing demon-possessed assassin but once you recruit him he's practically shuffling about in his fuzzy slippers making coffee at 4am. I really like him but I can't help but wish they hadn't sanded down the edges. Having the Crows fight for the little guys is certainly a choice. I would have preferred them go down more of a "these Crows in this particular family think this way" so as not to undermine everything about Zevran.

Other thoughts:

It feels like the backgrounds don't really matter, they're not referenced much anyway. I was a veil jumper so you'd think Bellara would want to chat to me about that sort of thing more but no, not really. Same with race choices. It does come up but not as much as I had hoped. I also miss the tension between races, backgrounds etc. Why am I, a Dalish elf, wandering around Minrathos unchallenged?

Where's Meredith??? We had that final shot in the animated series but that's it???

What happened to Solas' agents and the uprising? I know years have passed but you'd think there's been more turmoil considering 1. the gods are real and 2. they suck

TL;DR

I had a great time playing, and it was really fun. I actually really enjoyed the finale and the game overall. But, I am concerned that this was essentially a soft reboot and so now what? What about everything we did before? What about all those other characters we cared about?

I also think I got lucky by choosing to have my Solavellan Inquisitor and romancing Davrin, just judging my chatter online.

I think if they didn't want those choices to matter then they should have had this game hav a protagonist who has no connection to Southern Thedas at all. No Varric or Harding. Have them being a literal nobody who doesn't know anything about what's going on outside of what they've directly experienced or it's very vague. They were affected by Solas' actions. They're an elf who was an agent until they realised what he was doing. Something. I just... if you don't want to make a game where choices matter then you shouldn't be working on Dragon Age. You should make something new. This was always Bioware's whole selling point and they've just tossed all that work to one side. Who made that decision?

Imagine if we'd been forced into being a specific character, similar to Hawke in DA2, and had to actually decide whether or not to support Solas as we learned about what he was actually intending to do? Imagine.

Origins still has the strongest writing. DA2 is still my favourite. But I do think Veilguard is a good sequel to Inquisiton. Unfortunately for Bioware, this is the fourth game in a series not the second. As a fourth game, there are some really weird choices. On it's own, it's a really good game. I'm still going to get my partner to play some of it to see what they think as an outsider who only knows about Dragon Age via my chit-chat and reblogging.

[silurisanguine]

Rook Codex Writing Prompts Teleri De Riva: 26. A letter to Rook from a family member or close friend 12. Rook’s daily schedule 10. Note found in Rook’s pocket

OOH these are great!!!! (Note there are spoilers in these responses to story beats in the game.) 26 A Letter to Rook from a family member

Teleri I am writing this on the knowledge that you will find your way out of this Fade prison and read this, rolling your eyes at my every word I’ve written down. For once i will happily join you. But perhaps writing this brings you power where ever you are, as the Fade is a strange thing that listens to the thoughts of us, or so the mages of our House tell me. You have a distinct ability to pull yourself out of any situation. It has always confounded and impressed me in equal measure, so if writing this helps you, then i freely give it. It was Lucanis that brought me the news of your predicament. I know you have become close to him and I know you worry what i might think of such an arrangement. If you’d asked me months ago, i think you’d have known my answer. He is a Dellamorte and you a De Riva. But Teia pointed out not long ago of our own uniting of Houses and how that has only strengthened the Crows as a whole. Perhaps the knowledge that our name sake birds do work better as pairs fits us too. So now, if you were to ask me,I would give you my blessing. As your Talon, as a De Riva and your brother in bond. Just don't tell him that when you see him until i am in the vicinity. I want to see his face when you do. Now, Teleri. Survive and get out, that’s an order from your Talon. Viago.

12 - Rook's daily schedule. A page from Rook’s journal, hastily torn out due to a stain of coffee that has spilt over the bottom of the paper -

Another day in this strange sanctuary that I call home. Asked the Caretaker if my room could be changed to something I want, or at least drapes put over the large aquarium walls. It gave a cryptic answer about a strong presence there and nothing’s changed yet. Will try again when I get back from Nevarra. I'm sure the Lighthouse will provide this Professor Volkarin with a room suitable for them, and bets have been placed with everyone on where it will be. I’m thinking to the left of my room, but Harding is sure one of the unreachable floating buildings will suddenly have a portal to it. Speaking of the rest of the gang, Neve is still in Minrathous. I honestly don't know how long she’ll be away and part of me wonders if she will even return, considering her last words to me ~~wer~~~ the ink fades a little from some clear liquid landing on the paper, that’s been swiftly rubbed at. Lucanis is grateful at least for my choice, but what else could I have done? Treviso is my home. But we both feel the pain of the choice. Lucanis feels things deeply I can tell and I try to help where I can, considering the stress he is under. It’s funny, all this time I'd heard in hushed whispers around the Crows of the fabled Demon of Vyrantium being this cold calculated killer and Lucanis is that when in a fight. But out of it, there is this gentle, funny and rich soul that I have become dearly fond of. If Viago finds out, he’s going to kill me. I need to tell Teia first so she can handle damage control, she has a way of getting through to him that I cant. I’d best leave that thought there before it runs away with me and I go and show some initiative again that I might (not) regret. I have work to do, but first I need a new coffee as this one has gone col~~

10 Note found in Rook's pocket. This note is placed on the table in front of her that she finds when she wakes up. There is a single crow feather on top, black and shimmery purple iridescence against the reflected light of the aquarium -

The ink is purple that no one in the Lighthouse admits to owning, and the words are scratched into the paper by a hand not used to holding a quill. But the letters of the words are carefully laid out and legible. Languid LIGHT Fade and water DANCE over your FACE NOT Your place You SLEEP as he does Fitful and RESTLESS But YOUR cage is OPEN You Choose to Leave. We will protect. Below is a geometric set of lines that match the pattern of the tattoo sleeve on Teleri's arm. They are drawn in loving detail.

[slothquisitor]

Marionette

Summary: In which questions are answered and lines are very nearly crossed. Featuring corpse-whispering and that almost kiss in the pantry. Eventual Rook/Lucanis, 3.5k.

Also on AO3.

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“No, Bel, I don’t think the queen’s secret lover is the stable boy,” Neve says. 

Bellara’s face scrunches as she shakes her head in disbelief. “But doesn’t it make the most sense?”

Neve laughs. “The queen would’ve noticed the coarseness of his hands if it was him. My money’s on the Duke.”

“But the Duke is so rude to her!” 

“All the more reason to suspect him. Watch, he’s being awful on purpose to throw her off course.”

Camina snorts as she follows them up the steps from the eluvian room into the library of the Lighthouse. It’s been a couple of months now, and there’s something of homecoming about climbing the stairs into the library. Maybe it’s that this is the longest she’s been in one place since leaving Nevarra, or maybe it’s the fact her friends are here, but it’s always a relief to come back. 

Bellara rounds on her. “Not a word, Rook. Just because you already finished this one.”

Camina holds her hands up in surrender. “I didn’t say anything!”

“There was a snort though,” Bellara accuses. 

Neve nods clearly happy to add kindling. “There was…about the Duke.”

Camina walks over to the carefully piled missives that sit waiting on the small end table. “It’s really not fair for the two of you to gang up on me.”

They’ve spent a long day tracking Venatori in Arlathan, and they’ve managed to clear out a few camps. They’re still looking for why the Venatori are in Arlathan in the first place, but she’s sure they’ll get to the bottom of it. Optimism is present in everyone right now. They’re all still riding the high of taking out a pair of blighted dragons last week. Maker but it was nice to finally feel like they managed a win. It had been nice to finally come back to Varric and tell him she’d done something right rather than simply creating bigger problems. 

She quickly cards through the missives looking for anything urgent. There’s a letter for Harding from her mother. A note to Taash from Isabela. Some updates on the hauntings in the Necropolis along with a letter from Willow, which she pockets to read later, but nothing else terribly pressing. It’s a relief. 

“I thought I heard you coming in,” Lucanis says, coming down the stairs along the side of the library. He looks the same as ever, though she notes that he’s not currently carrying a coffee mug. 

For a moment, she’s not sure he’s talking to her. Lucanis has been avoiding her since they were last in Treviso. There have been no quiet discussions in the firelight in the dining hall. He hasn’t tracked her down in any of her odd spots, an offering of tea in hand. At least he and Davrin seem to be getting along better, but she only manages a check-in with him at mealtimes where it’s impossible not to see one another. 

“We were dealing with Venatori in Arlathan,” Neve sighs. “They’ve a few less camps there now.”

“Good,” Lucanis says before turning his attention to her. “Rook, could I get your help with something?”

The request feels like a lifeline. She’s been so unsure how to reach him after what happened in Treviso. Every time they speak there’s this air of apology hanging between them as though he’s done something unforgivable. 

“Of course.” She looks at Neve and Bellara. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Thank you,” he says, gaze skittering away from her as the two other women head out into the courtyard. “I need more answers on everything that’s happened. Emmrich offered to use his methods.”

Separating him and Spite? Hadn’t Emmrich said it was impossible without killing them? “To do what, exactly?”

Lucanis pauses at the edge of the hallway that leads to Emmrich’s quarters, but he still can’t seem to look at her. “Should something go wrong…I will end it. You have my word.”

She steps closer so that avoiding looking at her is far more difficult. He looks so very tired. When was the last time he slept? “What are you talking about?”

“You’ll see.” And then he stalks into Emmrich’s room. 

Emmrich’s room is bright and welcoming and as always smells faintly of home. Emmrich is writing at his desk and Manfred is shelving books nearby. Manfred perks up as they enter, offering a wave and a friendly hiss in her direction. It would be a rather mundane sort of afternoon in the Lighthouse if it wasn’t for the corpse lying on the stone slab in front of her. 

“Ah, Rook, so glad that you could join us,” Emmrich says, standing as she enters. 

Camina walks over to the stone slab and the body. “Is that Zara Renata?” She looks pretty good for being almost a week dead. Either all the blood magic she used is somehow lingering or a necromancer has helped slow the rate of decomposition. She suspects more of the latter based on the lack of rigor mortis. And then she realizes what Lucanis means to have Emmrich do and why he had offered such a cryptic warning. 

The last time he’d been talking to Zara, Spite had taken over. But that’s not quite why Spite had taken over, she remembers clearly it being Illario’s interruption being the reason. Lucanis prizes his control, but she can’t help but think he’s holding on too tightly to the wrong strings here. 

Lucanis approaches slowly, the distance he maintains between them feels careful, intentional. She wishes she was less aware of it. “Zara spoke to Illario before she died. Emmrich can talk to the dead…and I have to know.”

He’s shut down every conversation she’s tried to have about Illario and his role in all of this. Perhaps that’s why he’s been keeping his distance…even now. 

“I will warn you, corpse-whispering is a delicate process. Not every corpse has something to say, and she may not be interested in speaking with her killers,” Emmrich explains. 

“I’d hoped if this doesn’t work…you might read her bones?” Lucanis asks, voice quiet. 

Oh. Well, with all the blood magic she was doing that seems like it’ll be a deeply unpleasant experience. She’s about to make some joke when she realizes just how much it is taking for Lucanis to even ask for their help; she doesn’t want to give him any reason to push her further away. 

“If Emmrich’s magic doesn’t work, I can try.”

He’s not looking at her, instead, he has his eyes fixed on Zara’s corpse. “Thank you.” Then Lucanis gives Emmrich a nod, and Emmrich begins casting. 

She’s seen Emmrich use his corpse whispering before, but there’s something exciting about it every time. His command of the Fade is rather like an orchestra conductor, there’s a sort of cadence to the words he says as he draws on his magic, his arms raised as though there is music only he can hear.

“Let flame rekindle your sight. Let breath and light rise again.”

There’s a rattling sound as Zara’s corpse fills with false life. 

“Tell us about Illario Dellamorte,” Emmrich says. 

For a moment, it seems that perhaps Zara’s corpse has nothing to say to them at all, but then a single word escapes her lips on a caught-out wheeze. “Amatus…He fooled us both.”

She doesn’t know much Tevene, but she knows what amatus means. She glances at Lucanis. “They were…involved?”

Lucanis glares down at Zara. “Elaborate.”

Zara’s head twists to look at him almost unnaturally so, her face pinched together in cruelty. Her movements are jerky, she seems alive, but Camina knows that it’s just the effect of Emmrich’s magic allowing her to puppet her limbs. “You took what he wanted most in this world... more than coin... pleasure…family…”

“The title of First Talon,” he says flatly. 

Seriously? What the fuck? “Illario had you imprisoned and tortured for a promotion?”

But Zara has an answer for that too. “Well, the job was to kill you, but this one doesn’t waste those with potential …”

If Zara wasn’t already dead, the way she says potential and looks at Lucanis would have earned it. This woman did not suffer enough. Perhaps she and Emmrich can arrange to have her remains put to work in the Necropolis after this. 

“And Caterina?” Lucanis’s voice sounds so small. “Did he hire you to kill her?”

Zara smirks. “No.”

She understands Lucanis’s line of questioning, but she’s more concerned with Illario and the danger he poses to Lucanis. “Illario used blood magic to control Spite. How? He's not a mage.”

“Our risen god gives many gifts.”

Risen god? “Elgar’nan?! Illario is working with Elgar’nan?!” She looks at Emmrich and then Lucanis. Emmrich’s concern mirrors her own, but Lucanis just scowls. 

“Her spirit’s strong. Haste would be appreciated,” Emmrich warns. 

“Let her go. We’ve heard enough,” Lucanis replies. He doesn’t look away from Zara as Emmrich lets the magic dissipate and she goes still once again. Lucanis keeps his attention trained on her as though this false life Emmrich has breathed into her could somehow bring her back for good.

Lucanis can’t be surprised to learn Illario was behind all of this…not after everything in the Chantry. Still, it has to hurt. “Lucanis…I’m so sorry.”

He still hasn’t looked away from Zara’s unmoving form. “So am I.”

“What are you going to do?” Because something must be done; Illario must be stopped from whatever he’s planning.

His fingers clench and his eyebrows knit together. “Take away everything from him.” And then he turns on his heel and leaves. 

“Oh dear,” Emmrich places a hand against his cheek. “I had warned him that this could be distressing. Rook, I don’t believe he should be alone right now.”

Emmrich’s right, but she’s not sure that Lucanis wants her to be the one chasing him down.

 “Thank you for your help,” she says and then follows Lucanis. 

He’s already halfway down the stairs into the library by the time she catches up. “So are we like…not going to talk about how your cousin seduced a blood mage to convince her to kill you?”

“Rook…” His voice is full of quiet warning. 

She ignores it. “He sold you out. He’s the reason you spent a year in the Ossuary…he gave you to Zara.” Maker, how is it possible that she’s more upset about this than him? It’s so utterly unfair. He had trusted Illario, considered him family, and for what? Where had that gotten him? 

When he turns to look at her, the exhaustion is clear on his face. “I know.”

She’s stopped a stair above him, and the inversion of their heights makes her feel like she’s being mean pursuing this line of conversation that he so clearly doesn’t want. But she can’t seem to let this go. “Why would he do that to you? I thought you said you were like brothers.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know, Rook. He always wanted the title of First Talon…he was always angry that Caterina seemed to favor me, but I never wanted it. He knew that.”

“So he got you both out of his way to take what he wanted?”

His answering smile is a grim thing. “If Caterina were alive, she might finally be proud of him.”

“Maker, are you serious? Caterina beat you and called it training…your cousin killed her and arranged for your death…and you think she’d be proud? What sort of family is that?”

“A Crow one.”

“Why aren’t you more angry about this?”

He laughs; it is a joyless thing. “And what good would that do? Emotion only makes you sloppy.”

“This isn’t a contract, Lucanis. This is your life. You know that you’re allowed to be angry about this…allowed to feel some type of way about this, right?” 

He shakes his head. “What I want…how I feel? It doesn’t matter. Don’t worry, Rook. If he really is working with Elgar’nan, we’ll stop him.”

“I’m less worried about Illario and more worried about you.” She’s not sure she could be holding out her heart any more obviously and all the ways it is breaking for everything he’s been through. 

“It’s fine. I’m fine.”

It’s not and neither is he, but she’s worried that continuing to press this isn’t actually going to do them any good. She worries it’s entirely likely he’ll go back to avoiding her if she keeps going at this, and she hates the thought of that. He looks utterly miserable in this moment, and she wishes she knew how to help, but even mere feet from each other, he feels so distant. 

“I..the team, we’re all here for you, okay?” 

“Thank you, Rook.” And then he continues down the stairs and out to the courtyard. 

***

This time, wrestling back control from Spite feels harder. Often, it is as simple as waking up. Gentle almost as sunlight streaming in an open window and the slow coming to consciousness that follows. There is nothing gentle this time. He can feel Spite fighting back, feel his frustration and his anger, and that only makes Lucanis panic more. What if someone is in danger? What if he is once again holding the knife over someone he loves? Each question weighs him down and he feels as though he is wading through thick mud, but suddenly he breaks the surface and Spite’s hold shatters. 

He is standing in the pantry. There is a momentary relief to that until he realizes that he isn’t alone because Rook is here. Because of course, she is. Spite is always too interested in her, too insistent on talking with her. It’s one of the reasons he’s been avoiding her. 

“Rook?”

As always, she is far kinder than he deserves. “You were sleepwalking.”

He lowers his head. “Spite was sleepwalking.”

“He didn’t go anywhere; nothing happened.” 

Except that, yet again, she has seen him lose control to Spite. No matter what he says or the reassurances he gives, she continues to see all of the ways he is a danger to her and everyone else. 

The demon in question folds his arms and glowers in his direction. “Not honoring. Our deal.” He ignores him. 

“I didn’t want you to see that. Again,” he replies. He wishes she wasn’t constantly seeing him at his worst.

He expects her to have a quip ready to try to dispel this with her trademark humor. But for once, she is serious. “Nothing I’m seeing makes me want to look away.”

This is the other reason he’s been avoiding her. There is such a simple earnestness in her words. When she says things like this it lights up something within him that terrifies him even as he desperately wants more of it. Wanting is a dangerous business. Caterina would call it a weakness to be exploited, and he’s not sure that she’d be wrong. But then again, what part of his life hasn’t been defined by the expectations of others? Rook is here, and she’s looking at him like that. And she’s right, she’s had every opportunity to look away and still, she’s here. Somehow, against all odds, he’s forgotten about Spite…about losing control. If only for a moment. Maybe that’s enough. 

“How do you always do that?” 

There’s a slight smile gracing her lips. “Do what?”

“Break apart my perfectly gathered clouds of doom,” he replies. “You deserve better than to deal with my mess.”

And objectively, he is a mess. She had a front-row seat yesterday over Zara’s body to just how big of a mess his life currently is. She’s smart enough to know that this way lies ruin. 

But she doesn’t leave. Instead, she cocks her head and looks at him in that intense way of hers. “You’re more than what you’re going through. And you…wear it well.” Her cheeks flush a bit as she meets his gaze. 

And there it is. There’s a sense of satisfaction about confirming her interest in him, and he’s surprised by how much he wants it. He’s never been any good at this, but perhaps he can try. He’s seen scenes like this play out a thousand times in bars and cafes, and he knows what she wants…what’s expected. He doesn’t know any other way to do this, so he does his best to step forward with purpose and intention.  

He sets his hand against the cool stone as he leans over her. “This isn’t a good idea.”

She’s barely containing a smile, and his heart skips a little at her playful shrug. “Sometimes, a bad idea is better.”

The tease is easy, she makes everything so damn easy. “You like to walk a little too close to the edge.”

She sidles closer. “So do you.” She raises a finger, toying with his collar chain before lightly touching his chest, her amethyst eyes locked on his all the while. The point of contact becomes a white-hot brand and his entire attention shifts to that single connection. He’s struck by a surge of want, honest and true, and entirely overwhelming. 

But he’s still somehow acting out the script, playing the part he’d locked himself into moments ago. He’s like one of those street puppets he sees so often in Treviso, trapped in a role, the story already determined. It is as though someone else is holding his strings, directing every word and movement. The moment begins to unravel around him, blurring at the edges. 

“At least I know I’m doing it.” The words escape him in a whisper, sounding far more sure than he feels. 

It’s impossible to miss the effect of his words, the clear desire in her eyes, the way she glances down at his lips and back up again. His own desire barrels through him, hot and fierce and entirely unexpected. This happens so rarely for him and he wants nothing more than to ride the gracelessly crashing wave that flows through every thought: he wants this. What he wants has never been allowed to matter before. But the rest of his life is so thoroughly in shambles, why not this too? She’ll figure out soon enough that all he is good for is death, but in this moment maybe it doesn’t have to matter. He’s leaning in and so is she, and it would be so easy to kiss her now, especially when she is a mere breath away. 

His entire existence has been a series of decisions made for him. And despite all his wanting, he can’t have this. Not like this. Not when he is playing a role, pretending to be something he’s not. To live truly is to live fully, but nothing about this moment is true. 

“I…need to clear my head.” He pulls away. No amount of distance from her feels safe, not now he’s felt how overwhelming it is to allow himself to want her. He knows it’s a mistake to look at her, to meet her gaze, but he’s unable to resist. 

Hurt and confusion war in her expression, and he wishes there was anything he could say to banish either one. “Excuse me,” he manages, hoping she catches the apology in his words. 

And then he makes his retreat. She lets him have it. 

Lucanis is barely paying attention to where his feet take him, to the fragilely bound balcony on the side of the dining room. The stairs that lead to nowhere, the endless expanse of the Fade stretching out ahead of him. He’s no good at this, at people, at flirting. He never has been. And he’s always been fine with that, content enough with the life he has. It is only since the Ossuary, since joining this team that he’s begun to wonder about the ways things could be different even as he desperately tries to claw his way back to the man he was before. 

There had been a moment in the pantry, an exquisite jewel of a moment, where he had felt he could simply reach out and take what was being offered without complication or caution or overthinking. But even that is too big a risk for a possessed man. What was it that Rook had said yesterday? ‘This isn’t a contract’. 

But then, what else could it be?

[fadetouchedsilk]

camellia mercar is the saddest wettest cat of a da protagonist i have and i didn't even get a say in that characterization but here we are. this game is Insane for making it look like everyone else is part of a groupchat that rook wasn't invited to but i guess i'm integrating that & coming out on the other side with something that's crossing into the territory of 'world's most unfortunate being, emotionally.'

anyway here's some comedic depression wherein i crank up the isolated vibes

so like. considerably less fun than Crypt Baby Rook, we have Abandoned Battlefield Baby Rook. which is already a very promising start /s

adoptive family was probably mostly fine? except being an elf it seems that she basically never left the property? which is like alright yeah sure tevinter is just Like That i guess. the important personal takeaway here is that a lot of time would have been spent on her Own and deeply under-socialized. this made her 1. something of a people pleaser and 2. Extremely weird if you paid enough attention for like .5 seconds.

absolutely internalized being Not Very Important at home & carries this for the rest of her life lmao. no one made her follow the 'do not speak unless acknowledged' rule, she put that one on herself.

isolation is The Only Coping Mechanism. she did not have friends, she had a string of pet rats over the years (acquired without permission). several of them were trained to do tricks. she had an abundance of free time by herself to do this.

unsurprisingly she's probably also tried whatever creative solo hobby you can think of

has absolutely internalized her lot in life as being sort of assigned to this role btw

in her mind 99.9% chance that varric assigned her a nickname because he didn't actually remember her name. this cannot be disproven, doesn't actually matter if it's the case.

not actually convinced that any of her fellow shadow dragons know who she is personally? (based on my vague memory of getting the letter from viper but then also the game introducing me to him in conversation like this was the first time we'd met. wild.)

(aside from having a general interest in wanting to make a difference, she also initially found the idea of the shadow dragons appealing because it was a cohesive group working towards a common goal, which felt like a good place to try and meet people right?)

(she does not manage to progress past Work Acquaintances Status with anyone. unfortunately. she justifies this with the idea that 'they probably already know enough people/maybe i wouldn't like hanging out with them anyway/maybe they didn't know if i drank or not and didn't want to make things weird, etc etc)

not invited to group hangouts at the lighthouse--this is an assumption borne of the fact that she's, yknow, pretty preoccupied with making sure we all don't watch the world explode & Die & also the whole 'alone = familiar' thing. it's an Incorrect assumption, she Does want to go to the group hangouts but legitimately has no idea how friendship dynamics operate outside of literal rats.

will say this is 100% fine with her, she's just happy everyone is getting along

(it's not fine. this sentiment is delivered with the energy of someone who is keeping a list of potential 13th reasons)

finds out about book club night after the fact. is trying so very hard to be chill about it, knows that she's stepped out of her typical role as a background character but that doesn't automatically mean that the rest of the status quo will shift along with that. (she is privately not chill about it & is in fact very sad)

you know those people who are very good at asking others about themselves & since they're always around you just Assume that it must be mutual, only to sit there and realize you don't even know what their favourite colour is or like literally anything else about them? yeah.

she wants to ask if anyone knows what her name is for real but is also afraid of the answer lol

you might be asking yourself, why does she allow this to keep happening? why not Say Something? & to that i say, look, we've all been in a situation where we try to make friends with an established group & how awkward that can be even if you're a more secure person. this is like that except she's in real time watching people become better friends with each other (since it's Not an established group) & none of them are choosing her :')

(we love residual childhood wounds) so, so willing to just roll with being the afterthought or more of a Concept of a person who happens to be useful instead of drawing attention to the problem & making things worse (worse how? she doesn't know, it's just the nebulous concept of Worse)

certain that the only two beings she know for sure actually like spending time with her would be Manfred and Assan. assan is food motivated though so that's toeing the line a bit. but manfred definitely likes being around her! that's a win. that's her only win.

she's a genuinely nice person she's just incredibly convinced she's going to go through life Alone & acts accordingly. it's not anyone's fault, that's just how it is.

this becomes painfully funny when she's dealing with solas or solas-as-varric

solas does not have to work hard to convince her that she's the odd man out or spin things to make it look like she's disliked so that he can manipulate her more easily. no no. there's at least a part of every fade conversation where she reveals some sort of crushingly lonely habit she's developed & is weirdly kind of relieved that at least He's taking some time to ask how she's holding up (never mind that this is a verbal hostage situation)

she kills his vibe so hard without trying lmfao.

'god i wish the inquisitor was here,' he thinks for the Nth time that week. 'isenril would have thrown a chair at me by now if i tried this with her. i miss that dynamic. she would just yell at me. i know how to work with that. this just feels. Bad.' it's like kicking a puppy except the puppy has been conditioned to accept it & has settled into resignation.

it's worse when he has to pretend to be varric. small mercy there is that she hasn't spent nearly as much time around him as the inquisitor but god. solas is Not a comforting person.

he's So uncomfortable whenever she sounds like she's going to start crying & has never pivoted to a different subject in a conversation so fast in his life. ('there there. you're uh. you're doing Great i'm sure everyone is noticing.')

like. he's still going to try and switch places with her in the fade at some point but he's not even certain she would argue about it afterwards.

he does not love the fact that she doesn't have Friends at the lighthouse because this means he's the default. he's done a lot of fake-napping mid-conversation with varric. give this man a daytime emmy. (he's cornered himself, no one else can see him so he can't even orchestrate a relationship with someone else to pawn her off on. he's in hell.)

also elgar'nan didn't even say anything specific to tempt her when they faced off lmao. everyone Else got a personalized taunt but not her (do you ever take it personally when even the god who wants you dead can't even bother to find out some basic wants of yours or are you normal)

the way no one checks in on her after minrathous. lol. lmao.

she's not going to hold it over neve for being upset. that would be insane & also she knows she's not being blamed for real, it's just a bad situation.

but also she does feel maybe like everyone Else might be blaming her? maybe just a bit?

guys you know i live there too right. guys. you know i made the decision because i thought that treviso would have the weaker defences & we would have had a better chance right. you know i'm not any more powerful than anyone else & had no way of knowing i would also be destroying My own home, right? Right???

yeah this is one of those moments where she removes herself from the situation and just breaks in private. she doesn't dislike neve at all (she wishes she was cool like that tbh, people seem to like neve much more in general. even the wisps seem to prefer neve over her) but one can only take so much concern for someone who is in the Exact Situation You're In without so much as a word directed your way.

also she feels irrational guilt for the choice so it doesn't help with the whole Feeling Punished thing

(again not like she Knew what would happen!! it seemed the more logical choice based on what she knew)

the catch 22 with withdrawing is that people tend to assume that you don't want them to intrude on your privacy, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy if you already suffer from Terminal Lonely Disease. no one has seen rook since we got back really = she must be fine & not want help so we'll leave her to it = 'oh god they must Really not care about me all that much'

unfortunate situation where like. yeah she probably could have made things more obvious when it comes to connection efforts but also that shouldn't be one-sided effort either you know?

she's also fully expecting this to transfer over to any surviving faction members & if they don't end up hating her for it, it doesn't compute.

the relationship with lucanis is just. a comedy of errors & poorly communicated intentions tbh.

she likes him a lot but because he's the way he is there's no reason to think this is anywhere close to mutual

he remembered what she likes to drink but she also knows that he's the one typically making the grocery lists so like. yeah no shit he remembered she isn't special.

she's not a Confident flirt but the one thing she has going for her is that it's fairly obvious so she's pretty sure he's noticed he's just not into her. which is fine! no expectations so no disappointment!

maybe some disappointment

honestly she feels like she's made more of a connection with spite than anyone else at this point. spite likes her, spite Wants to talk about her. spite would be actively interested in seeing any of the rats she's trained at the lighthouse & would do so without making her feel silly for it.

(she's trained two. the have recall & can jump through a small hoop & she's working on object retrieval. these are new rats she grabbed as coping mechanisms at some point because it felt more reactive than talking to the fish in the tank.)

this only goes so far because of the body sharing thing (she thinks it might be crossing some sort of boundary) but the point is that the Literal Demon is somehow the only being who seems to actively enjoy her presence & make this fact known

unsurprisingly the Almost Kiss makes spite insane. 'lucanis why are you upsetting my best friend rook. are you stupid i think you might be stupid. she's not going to come here anymore do you understand that. she's crying. look at what you did.'

guess who starts aggressively avoiding group mealtimes (on purpose this time not like 'oh sorry everyone already ate, there's leftovers though') & the pantry in general. at some point she just starts her own mini pantry in her room to avoid crossing paths.

you thought she spent time on her own before? you haven't seen the 'i got my hopes up & it went nowhere which i Should have expected so i'm not even mad about it really but i am humiliated & feel very stupid for actually wanting something & don't want to talk about it' version of Isolation yet. it's real bad lmao.

like she's still going out & doing her job and also helping the rest of the team is at least something else to focus on (but gosh it sure would be nice if literally anyone asked if she was doing okay)

spite would like to do that but he's Not Allowed and couldn't be more unhappy lmfao.

(note: this will not even be remotely addressed until after 'inner demons.')

the 'i made you a dessert' lock in scene doesn't translate at alllll. he thinks he's being So Smooth & So Obvious (it's not another gifted knife without context). in his mind this was a success. as far as she's concerned this was literally just about dessert.

slowburn is great. he's treating every conversation like actual relationship progression & she's like. well we're friends again i think i'll just be happy with that much.

low self worth & self doubt keep her stagnant

fade prison break out is. something else. it's been an unpleasant hour for her & a month for everyone else. harding is dead bellara got Grabbed by the blight & solas is Loose. everyone is having a great time. super fantastic.

girl is legitimately surprised there was That much of an effort to find her since she's lost the dagger & solas isn't in her head anymore (not that she's complaining)

atp her only goal is to try & un-fuck everyone's lives as much as she can before something inevitably takes her out (she is not the hof she is not the inquisitor she assumes she Will be dying at some point soon thanks)

fucking news to her that she's apparently been in a relationship for at least the duration of her time in the fade. that talk ends up much the same way as we see it play out but not before a Lot of incredibly distressed clarifications.

this isn't lucanis getting dragged he feels So goddamn bad holy shit. spite feels vindicated finally, he was Correct & his human counterpart really should have just listened to him instead of whatever the fuck he was trying to do.

anyway the lesson here is that you waste a whole lot of time getting wrapped up in your own issues when you Could have been going on actual dates instead (this is a call out for both of them they're both annoying about it)

by the end of things she still doesn't. really feel 100% part of the group lmfao but it's maybe not as terrible?

i also just think as a professor emmrich has had More than enough students break down in his office to recognize her particular flavour of instability. he's probably going to end up putting in some extra effort. perhaps he will even learn about some of her hobbies & even coax her into doing them outside of her room or on one of the private balconies

bellara also likes her i think she just has horse blinder style hyperfixations & forgets regular socialization. time blindness will hit her like a truck. it's fine.

camellia Needs to be explicitly told that she's getting a good grade in friendship, something that's both totally normal to want & possible to achieve

she still doesn't like to tell people about the trained rats though because when she inevitably explains Why she knows how to train rats she realizes as she says it that her childhood was actually probably pretty sad sounding.

actually every time she starts to talk about how she grew up she kind of stops herself halfway through like Huh. actually maybe that wasn't as fun as i remember it being you're looking at me with concern.

anyway she knows how to cross stitch & does watercolours. those are her main things. please show some interest in them she's dying to talk about them but will not take the floor on her own.

please stop calling her rook also she's losing her mind & it's been so long at this point she doesn't know how to address it :')

[viagostalons]

11. and/or 15. for the rook and their partner asks? :^)

Hello! Thank you for the ask

From the Rook/partner questions game

11. Who says I love you first? What is the other's reaction? Who thinks it first?

Despite wanting to answer this in a Viago/Rook context (I might actually still do that) I will start with Rookanis. Rook wanted to tell Lucanis he loved him before Teartstone Island but Lucanis shut him down. So, I think Rook thought the 'i love you' first, however, Lucanis is the one who said it first. Rook's reaction was probably, shock, if I'm honest. He'd just been released from the Fade prison, everything was a hot mess. He was exhausted nad mentally ravaged. That being said, he loves Lucanis so much, he was so relieved to be able to hear Lucanis say it and be able to return the sentiment. If we go the Viago/Rook route, I can say with absolute certainty that the first person who said I love you was Rook because Viago is in denial for the first like 85% of their relationship. Viago, however, thinks it first, he's just too afraid to act on it. So, when Rook says it, he panics, and freaks out. They might even break up (again) and it takes him a while to really reconcile his feelings and how Rook feels about him. But when they come back together, truly inevitable, he returns the feelings with his sincerest apology.

15. What was the partner's reaction to Rook being imprisoned in the Fade? How did they cope? How did they react upon seeing Rook again?

Lucanis: When Rook is imprisoned in the Fade, I think he immediately jumps into work trying to get Rook out. He teams up with Spite to traverse the Fade, looking, searching, hunting. Rook broke him out of the Ossuary prison, Rook also saved him from his mind prison - can't he just do this ONE thing in return? Pull Rook from the Fade prison? As time goes on, and they do not find him, I think Lucanis has to accept that Rook is dead. He cannot hold onto false hope because it will kill him. He starts working on gearing up for the final fight, getting the Crows in order, making sure they can face Elgar'nan and end it, in Rook's name and honor. He keeps himself as busy as possible. When he finally sees Rook again, it's the most relieving and agonizing pain. Rook is here. Rook is alive. His Rook! The love of his life, his soul. I think when Rook was yanked out of the Fade, he immediately wraps him up in his arms without question (I know we don't see this in game but I believe it happens) and Spite's wings do the same. They both hold Rook as tightly as they can and sob. Really sob. Rook is alive. Rook is safe. Viago: When Rook is imprisoned, it is up to the party to advise him. They all probably draw straws on who is going with Lucanis because Lucanis is having trouble speaking on the matter. Emmrich is the one to go, he can explain it better in technical terms, so when Viago is advised of what happened to Rook he is filled with regret, guilt, pain, and sorrow. Rook -- his Rook. The one he sent away from Treviso and Antiva to keep alive because he feared the Talons would kill him for his transgressions. The Rook he helped train and mod. The Rook he fully believes in, no matter how much he acts as though he doesn't. He's destroyed on a deep emotional level but he doesn't show it. Viago is very stoic and quiet but Teia knows he's in pain. He asks what he can do and they ask the Crows to start preparations for the final battle. Viago throws himself into his work, constantly in his little alchemy lab, probably researching the Fade, to see if he can do anything. He writes Rook letters because he's best at written word. Letter after letter. And when Rook finally returns, even though at this point Viago has also probably given up hope, he's given word and he practically sprints to the Lighthouse. He barrels through and his first instinct is to yell, to lecture, to tell Rook he's an idiot but all he can do is yank Rook into a hug and hold him as tightly as he can, and finally tell him, that he loves him. He loves Rook and he refuses to let Rook ever leave him again.

[nightingaletrash]

for the oc codex prompts - 5 for alessia please!!

5. letters between two of your OC’s companions about them

Two letters packaged together. One has a coffee stain from a mug, and seems to have been written earlier than the second

Neve,

Okay I'm writing this now because I am so excited, but I can't actually say anything yet but if I say nothing anywhere I WILL explode!

Ali and Lucanis are having a baby!!!!! Ali told me this morning and I've only just stopped bouncing - okay that's a lie, I'm still bouncing in between sentences but I'm just so EXCITED!!

Can you believe this? I remember when I first met them, Ali was wandering into a Fade bubble and Lucanis- well, I told you all about the Ossuary. Back then, all I could think about were the gods and the Blight and the end of the world. I still remember the moment it ended. Suddenly it was just over and I couldn't imagine where our lives were going to go. I was so scared that we would all just drift back to our lives and that would be the end of it. I didn't want everything to be over.

But I never imagined that it wouldn't be over, just different, and now with a little baby Dellamorte-de Riva on the way!!!! Oh I'm so impatient, I want to meet them now!

Anyways, I'll stop now before I actually end up sending this before I'm supposed to. I'm waiting for Ali to give me the all clear before I talk to anyone about it, which means I'm locking myself in the workshop until then.

Love Bellara

p.s. don't worry I packed provisions

--

Neve,

I've been given the all clear so I'm sending this now! AHHHHH!

Love Bellara

A letter smelling faintly of gingerwort. A few spots of oil dot the bottom of the page, as if the writer had been eating while writing.

Bel,

Lucanis told me the same day Rook told you, so you probably would have been fine to send the first letter, but good on you for staying quiet for so long. And for not telling Fred either. You know Emmrich would have come back from a lecture and wondered why his favourite student was running around shouting 'baby' over and over again. Apparently it's been nonstop since they were told, and he wants to go and pick out some bones for it in the Necropolis. Emmrich's going to have to give him the Talk before he does anything upsetting.

I'm not sure I believe it any more than you do. Part of me still thinks I'm still in the Upper City, all wrapped up in Blight and that Elgar'nan is just letting me believe we'd won. I know it's nonsense. He'd never humour a world where he wasn't front and centre, but I can't help it. The idea that we survived and are now living happy lives where some of us go off and get married and have children? Insanity.

Let's just hope those two lock up all the knives and make sure that Uncle Viago doesn't leave any loose bottles lying about. Not that I think he's the sort to be sloppy, but babies love getting into things they shouldn't. It's like they have a death wish or something. And the Lighthouse won't make it any easier. How do you babyproof a place like this? We can't stick up guardrails all over the place - the parents are Crows, it'll just climb over them.

Glad I'm not the one who has to figure all of this out.

Love Neve

p.s. we should all go out for a drink to celebrate when we get the time. Rook will survive with something non-alcoholic.

[theoldgaylion]

QUEST ACQUIRED: Family Reunion

Summary: Just when Lucanis and Antimo figured their relationship out, Antimo received a letter from Vorgoth about his daughter, Nara, saying she would've visited the Grand Necropolis soon. Both Lucanis and Antimo got anxious upon that news, but for different reasons: Lucanis because he would've met his partner’s daughter, while Antimo because it'd been a year since he last saw her.

Could they face that challenge, too?

---

ANTIMO.

YOUR HEIRESS IS ON HER WAY. BE PREPARED. WE AWAIT AS DEAD SING IN DELIGHT.

- VORGOTH

***

Despite the horrors the team had been through lately, Antimo could deem himself lucky to have finally helped Lucanis out with his precarious relationship with Spite, and to have been rewarded with the surprising, yet more than welcome development that that outcome unfolded.

He was aware that the general world state wasn't idilliac for romantic pursues, but since the first time he’d interacted with Lucanis he felt… something, a warm, shocking spark in his chest that he forgot he was capable of experiencing at all after years of intentional self isolation behind the walls of the Grand Necropolis.

And now that they figured out how to make their new situation work, especially with Spite being more accomodating in Antimo's regards, the latter could let himself enjoy what they'd reached without worrying about making the Crow uncomfortable with his open display of interest.

He learned that Lucanis had his own personal ways to show affection, more with acts than words, and that notion made him feel a little dizzy because he wasn't used to being swooned by another person. And the shift in their relationship was clear, palpable either in and out battle: Lucanis was always at his side, more than ever, stopping any enemy that threatened to get to him like he was his personal guard, Spite’s light flaring up wilder as they fought; meanwhile at the Lighthouse, any time it was his turn in the kitchen, the Crow made sure that Antimo received an extra portion or a treat after every meal, he threw subtle, fond smiles in his direction, leaned even closer whenever they talked, left an additional cup of coffee for Antimo to drink when reading. All those attentions made him feel spoiled and he didn't know how to deal with the fuzzy emotions Lucanis lightened up within him. It'd been years since someone treated him that way, like he was worthy of love, and he wanted to, and tried, respond in kind as best as he could.

It was another day at the Lighthouse and the Mourn Watcher was sorting the latest missives sitting at the briefing room table, when the door opened and Lucanis showed up with a cup in his hand.

Antimo lifted his head at that sound and immediately smiled at him, his heart made a little leap in his chest as soon as the Crown smiled back, sheepishly.

“Hi. I thought you’d like some coffee.” he said as he walked closer to where Antimo sat and placed the cup on the table.

The Mourn Watcher followed his movements and when he was at arm reach, he took his hand and gave it a quick squeeze, making Lucanis’ smile widening on his face. He was so beautiful when he let his guard down like that, and he felt both blessed and honored to witness that side of him.

“You're so precious.” he murmured, his voice soft as he looked at him, and the Crow shifted on his feet, a light blush coloring his cheeks.

“What are you doing?” he asked Antimo after clearing his throat to recompose himself a bit, now his gaze curiously roamed over the missives the Mourn Watcher was still holding in one hand.

“Oh, right. Yes. Ehm- just seeing what’s happening outside the Lighthouse, you know.” he shrugged his shoulders before reaching for the cup and drinking some coffee.

Lucanis’ brow twisted in a pensive frown. “I see.” he just commented. Then, something caught his eye and he picked an envelope from the pile on the table. “Antimo, this is from the Grand Necropolis.” he pointed out as he waved it in the air for emphasy, then handed it to him.

Antimo perked up at that information and gently took the missive, before hastily opening it, a sudden wave of anxiety washed over him as he frantically read it through.

“It's from Vorgoth. It's about Nara, they say she’s coming to visit soon.” he punctuated every sentence with gradually growing excitement, his hands trembling as he clutched at the piece of paper.

Keep reading on ao3

[fenharel-babe]

The Unsent Letter

Solas x Lavellan.

Before the ritual happens, a letter is written but never sent. After the ritual, there is a drawer in Raven's room in the Lighthouse that is locked. Not just by a key, but magically locked. She knows she shouldn't be too nosy...but she can't help it. She decides to investigate.

.

There is DATV spoilers! This takes place after Inquisition and Trespasser, before DATV, and during DATV. Hope you enjoy some angsty Solas. This isn't canon for my Rook's story nor is it canon for my Inquisitors story. The Solavellan is, just not this fic lol.

And this is a lot longer than I thought it would be....whoops....

I wanted to tag @emmg and @thessaralka. Take some solavellan angst💙💙. Not much proofreading so whoops if something is wrong...

---------

Everyone had heard the rumors of the relationship between the Dread Wolf and the Inquisitor. Well, ex-Inquisitor, but still the Inquisitor. It was a discussed topic when the Inquisition was still running but it was just as discussed, maybe even more, among the Dread Wolf's own agents! They couldn't truly help it, they may be sneaky assassins, deadly warriors, and meant to gather information...they were also regular people and there was no rule stating they couldn't be curious about Fen'Harel and his lover.

One agent was particularly nosy, and her name was Ellana. She had a right to be nosy, mind you, given that she was the secret spy at Skyhold that spent the most time around the Inquisitor under Fen'Harel's orders himself! He trusted her to keep his secrets and gather information about the Inquisitor and protect her if she needed it. She was always the first to offer herself to travel with the Inquisitor if she needed to travel somewhere, and she was lucky no one questioned it. However, it got a little more difficult to watch over her once she moved to Kirkwall, right into the estate Master Tethras had given her. Each time Ellana went back to report to Fen'Harel, she had little information each time, and he always looked upset, but never said anything about it. He always thanked her and sent her on her way.

And then one day, years after the Inquisition was disbanded, Fen'Harel called Ellana into his office at one of his hideouts with no warning. She was supposed to come back a few days later, but he called her earlier, which he had never done before, but she didn't question it. Ellana left Kirkwall that day and got back to his hideout in the evening, and she immediately knew something was off. Other agents appeared nervous, a few excited though, and it rubbed off on her. She headed to his office and once she was standing in front of his desk, she saw Fen'Harel looking at her...but not him. He was slouched, his eyes tired, a bit red and puffy. This wasn't her boss, but it was.

She gave her report like normal, not letting herself focus too hard on things she shouldn't, and where he usually would've dismissed her, he pulled out an envelope and handed it to her. "Please, deliver this to the Herald as soon as possible. Make sure she opens it," he orders, his voice rough and tight.

She took the letter and bowed and began to leave, but he stopped her before she could even leave the room. "Wait," he sighed, "give it back. She does not need to be distracted with this." He got the letter back and hid it in one of his drawers. He thanked Ellana and dismissed her like usual, and she left with a polite bow like always.

However, when she turned to shut the door behind her, she swore she saw a tear fall to the desk.

.

.

Raven had only spent a few nights in her room, well, Solas's meditation room in the Lighthouse when one night she found something unusual. She was getting changed out of armor and into her regular loungewear when she noticed a drawer. She tried to open it, but no matter how hard she pulled on it, it didn't open. She searched all around the drawer itself, but didn't actually see any type of key hole, so how could it be locked? She left it alone that night, too tired to fight with the thing.

For the first few weeks after the failed ritual, she was too busy to do anything about it. To be honest, she felt a little guilty about the whole interrupted ritual and how the Evanuris were now roaming the world and ruining it, so she didn't want to pry into Solas's business. That was before he started to be a little annoying and snarky. She decided a little prying wasn't so bad.

She was a mage and could possibly break the spell on the drawer, but she feared that possibly Solas had prepared a trap in case someone tried to open the drawer. "Always one step ahead," she thought to herself at one point.

One night she got Neve, Emmrich, and Bellara to join her in the room, asking all of them to inspect the drawer. She may not have sensed anything, but it didn't mean they wouldn't. Raven herself wasn't too educated on her magic, so she needed some talented people to look at it.

.

"So...do any of you sense anything? Any trap or something that can harm any of us?" Raven asked. She stood beside the wardrobe, fidgeting with her hands while the three magic-talented people investigated.

Emmrich and Neve looked stumped, but Bellara gasped with excitement after a few minutes. "I think I recognize this spell! It was one I had to undo to neutralize an artifact!"

Raven's eyes widened. "Neutralize? So is this like a bomb?"

Bellara gasped and shook her head. "No! It's just an intricate spell meant to hide something in a sense."

Neve huffed a laugh. "Wow, Solas using magic to hide something? Never would've seen that coming."

Raven sighs. "Could you possibly open it? I want to know what's in there."

Emmrich tilted his head. "Should we really go poking into Solas's stuff?"

Raven crossed her arms. "Hey, think about it like this: we're in a place we don't know much about, said place used to house our ally who is somewhat of an enemy, and this ally-slash-enemy is known for lying and hiding pretty big world ending things." She smiled. "Soo...you can see why I want to look, yes?"

Emmrich didn't have much to oppose then.

Bellara moved forward and focused her magic onto it, using her usual veil-jumper abilities to mess with the drawer. It took her a few minutes to undo the spell, it apparently being more intricate than she thought. They all heard a little unlocking noise echo in the room, and Bellara sighed with a hint of exhaustion. "Whew, that was pretty difficult. I guess he really wanted to hide whatever's in the drawer."

Neve placed her hand on Bellara's shoulder, looking at her with some concern. "Are you all right?"

Bellara smiles and nods. "Oh, yes, I'm fine. Just need some water and to sit down." She looked at Raven with unease. "Be careful with whatever's in the drawer, okay?" She then let Neve lead her to the dining hall to get some water, leaving only Emmrich with her.

"I promise to be cautious. Now, let's see what's in here, shall we?" She opened the drawer and saw...an envelope. She picked it up and hummed. "Is that really it?" She searches further back in the drawer with her hand, but feels nothing. "I guess this is it. Strange to hide a letter though."

Emmrich hummed in thought. "Could it be a personal letter? Or something from the past?"

She didn't hear him as she carefully opened the envelope, her curiosity getting the best of her. She pulled out the small letter, and gasped quietly when she read the first word. "Vhenan."

"What?" He asked, the word clearly not in his vocabulary.

She frowned and folded the letter with a sigh. "'Vhenan' means heart in elven. It's like a pet name for a lover, so this is really personal." She put it back in the envelope, a little disappointed at not getting to read some interesting news or secrets about him. "I may be nosy, but I don't want to intrude on his love life." She scrunched up her nose. "Besides, there may be some...filthy words in there that I do not want to see." Plus, if she had written a letter to a lover, she wouldn't want anyone to read it.

She put the envelope back into the drawer and then sighed again. "How about we forget this and just go join dinner? I believe Lucanis is cooking tonight."

She and Emmrich left and headed to the dining hall for dinner. Raven forgot the letter for that night. Until she met with Solas again in the Fade prison, and they had an interesting conversation.

.

Solas stood on his cliff, his arms behind his back and posture straight as always. His voice was a bit softer when he spoke this time. "It took me centuries to build such a bond during my rebellion. And when I served the Inquisition, I tried to avoid entanglements.

At those words, Bloom Lavellan, the Inquisitor she met only a few days ago, appeared in her mind. A woman she knew long before any of this, a woman who loves Solas.

Raven smirked at him. "Except for Inquisitor Lavellan."

He sounded defeated when he spoke next. "I said that I resolved to do so, not that I succeeded." His face showed confliction, his usual emotionless expression replaced with something kin to guilt. "She is a good woman. Growing close to her was...selfish of me."

She asked the first question that instantly came to her mind. "Do you regret it?"

He smiled slightly. "I live with countless regrets." His voice becomes lighter. "Some of them I have grown to cherish more than my victories."

Her curiosity starts to rise. "So you still love her?"

His smile faded and whatever mask he wore slipped back into place. "Our relationship is not up for discussion. Let us focus on the true problems at hand. Such as the Evanuris. How comes your progress?" He asked a question, trying to drive her away from his and the Inquisitor's love life.

She decided to push him just once. "I found a locked drawer in the wardrobe."

His eyes widened for a moment before he calmed himself. "That does not matter right now. And I would prefer you kept out of my personal things."

She bit her lip. "Well...I sorta opened it already." She didn't hold back her giggle when he sighed, like a grandpa getting ready to say, "these kids nowadays". She waved her hands in dismissal. "Don't worry, I didn't read the note inside. Well, I only read the first word, but nothing else!"

"Please leave the letter alone. And let's focus on serious matters."

She sighed annoyed, but listened to him. She put her mind into serious mode, doing her best to not tease him at all. She didn't expect him to go a little soft when talking about Inquisitor Lavellan. She had a feeling that his feelings weren't a lie. Hopefully, anyways.

.

Raven stood in front of the wardrobe, pulling out her armor and staff. She was going to see the Inquisitor for the second time, and she needed to look decent. Before she shut the wardrobe doors, the drawer caught her eyes again. She thought of the letter, how it was addressed to "vhenan", and how Solas said he still cared for the Inquisitor. Her mind connected the dots, realizing the letter was meant for her, but never sent. She opened the drawer quickly and grabbed the envelop, putting it in her pocket gently to not bend or rip it somehow.

She joined Lucanis, Harding, Davrin and Assan in the eluvian hall. Assan greeted her with a chirp, to which she chirped back. She then looked at everyone with the same determination expression she always had before they left. "You ready?" The gang gave their approval and they set off for the Cobbled Swan in Minrathous, ready to meet the Inquisitor the second time.

Raven went in alone, letting the others keep guard at the front, and saw the Inquisitor sitting at a table already. She sat in front of her and smiled awkwardly. The tension between them was still there, and Raven had so many things to say to her, but neither had the time to hash out their feelings. They had to focus on what mattered.

"Tell me what Solas did at Elgar'nan's ritual."

Raven smirked. "Sounds like you already know."

Bloom didn't have the same smile. "I need to hear it from you."

Raven let out a breath and got into the story. "Elgar'nan raised his Archdemon, sent me and my crew into a Fade trap of some sort, Solas and Elgar'nan fought in my head like cats, and somehow Solas helped us escape said trap. We got to save a lot of people," her voice got quieter, "which feels very great."

Bloom did smile that time and tilted her head. "How many names of his do you know? God of lies, Dread Wolf, Fen'Harel. They're titles he earned from enemies, followers, and fractured history." She looked down at the candle between them and her eyes looked distant. "He and I shared another name. 'Vhenan'."

"Your heart. He meant that much?"

She nodded. "Yes, he did. You've spoken to him in your dreams. You've felt the power of that mind. His love could burn against me like a bonfire." Her voice turned softer, less sharp. "He seemed so kind, and wise, and sad, and looked at me as if I somehow mattered more than anything around us." She huffed. "And believe me, there was a lot going on at that time. Too much."

Raven frowns. "It must've been really tough when you learned the truth. That he's Fen'Harel, the enemy in everything the Dalish teach, and is on to destroy the world."

Bloom chuckled. "I stopped believing in what the Dalish taught me when I was young early in my teenage years, so it didn't hurt to learn he was an ancient being." She looked back at the candle. "What really hurt was learning he was going to destroy the world I love so much. The world we saved." Her eyebrows furrowed. "He went on to do his plans after breaking my heart, and left me just enough clues to find him."

Raven looked at her with confusion. "Wait, you think he wanted you to stop him?"

"His name is Solas. It means "pride." Perhaps he couldn't change his mind himself, and hoped that someone else could help him." Her confident expression slowly changed as doubt settled in. "Or...maybe I'm the prideful one. Believing he has such a broken heart so I don't have to face my folly. That I still love someone who made such grave mistakes."

Raven huffs. "You sound like you're almost ready to join him in the Fade prison."

Bloom giggled and shook her head. "Absolutely not. We have to save the world first, and keep it safe." She paused and looked out the window. "After that? I...don't know."

They sat in silence for a few moments, Raven mainly letting Bloom stew in her thoughts. But she broke it with a dismissive wave. "Well, hey, this is all hypothetical right now. We've gotta fix the world before you can ever think of leaving, yeah?"

She looked back at her and smile softly. "Yes, we do." For the first time since they met, Bloom smirked and leaned in closer. "Enough about me, tell me about you and Lucanis."

Raven's eyes widened and there was a subtle pink blush on her cheeks. "W-What? How do you-"

"Morrigan has eyes everywhere, Raven."

She grumbled. "Of course she does." The two talk for a little while longer, mainly filled with Bloom grilling Raven for information about Lucanis and her. But when they realize they've spent too long away from their duties, they stand to leave. "Goodbye, Inquisitor. See you soon," she said softly. She was going to let Bloom leave first, but then she remembered the letter.

"Oh, wait!" Raven called. Somehow she forgot about the letter! She couldn't let her leave without it! She rushed to the back of the Cobbled Swan, where Raven assumed an eluvian must be, or Morrigan was, and stopped Bloom from leaving. "Wait! There's something I have to give you." She reached into her pocket and pulls out the envelope. "I found this in the Lighthouse. I believe it belongs to you--or is supposed to. It's from Solas."

Bloom hesitantly took the envelope and nodded. "Thank you, Raven. I'll see you soon." Her voice was a little tight and she seemed eager to leave, and she did quickly.

.

Morrigan and Bloom stepped out of the eluvian in Skyhold. "I must leave you once again, friend. Will you be well?" Morrigan asked.

Bloom looked over at her and smiled. "Yes, I'll be fine." She sighed and shrugged when Morrigan looked at her with doubt. "I may not be fine, but I will live. I promise." She squeezes her shoulder gently. "Say hi to Kieran for me, if you will."

She chuckled and her face seemed to light up at the mention of her son. "I will, friend." She then stepped back through the eluvian and headed to...only the Maker knew where.

Bloom looked down at the envelope in her hand and her heart beat sounded louder all of a sudden. She hadn't heard from Solas in so long, even in her dreams. He stopped showing up as a wolf about three years ago? She worried he died, but now this catastrophe put that worry to rest. "I know he's alive, trapped, and...wrote me a letter?" She went back to her old quarters in Skyhold, the one that she feared each time she slept in.

She feared she would break down at some point, lose her composure if she focused too hard on the memories in that room. The memories of her and Solas.

She opened the door, climbed up the stairs, and flopped onto the edge of the bed. Her feet and back instantly felt relief at the release of pressure. "Boy, reminds me of the good old days. During the Inquisition, I would rarely get to lounge like this." She shook her head and leaned up. "No. Don't go back there. The Inquisition is gone, yet you remain. Don't focus on that time. Look towards the future." She looked down at the envelope in her hand and sighed. "This is more like looking towards...something."

She undid the envelope and pulled out the letter. She read it quickly, and then again, and again, and again.

"Vhenan, I do not know if you will see these words. My ritual is ready and will soon be set in motion. Perhaps when you read this the world will be as it once was, and you will see why all I did was necessary. I cannot ask your forgiveness, but I hope you come to understand.

That night in Crestwood, when I shared the truth about your vallaslin... you do not know how close I came to breaking. I could have shared the truth, or even put my plans aside and simply stayed with you as Solas... as I wanted.

I regret the pain I caused you.

What I feel for you will never change."

She stared at the letter for...awhile. For the past few years, her mind and life had been occupied by so many other things. She had her twins, her Cameron, her family in Kirkwall, the people in Kirkwall she had to help, she had Varric! So many people to keep her busy, to keep her sane. She didn't have time to think of Solas, not truly, only about his plans and how to stop him. She didn't have time to think of the man she loved, only time to think about the man he was becoming.

But now she did as she feared, she broke down.

It started out as silent cries, only to slowly turn into sobs. She dropped the letter and buried her face in her hands, and let it all out. All the emotion she buried away years ago to focus on her life, it came back to the surface, and she sobbed.

Among those sobs did she make an oath in her heart to find him. She would help set him free, find him, and confront him. They both had a lot to say, and no paper could do them justice...

.

.

OKAY SO!!! The ending isn't as good as I wanted it to be but I hope y'all enjoyed :))))). I would LOOOOVE any feedback PLEASE! I'm desperate.

[mohntilyet]

7 for your rook, please!

Thank you for taking the time to write to me. It is kind of you to give me comfort, when you must be grieving far more than I. I hope you are well.

I don’t understand why she lied to me. Did she lie to you? She knew every terrible thing about me, but Tyche did not trust me enough to tell me about her own life. I thought I may love her, but now I realise I do not know anything about her at all. She spent the entire time planning how best to leave us. Did she I don’t I thought there might be a life to be shared, and that she wanted it too. I’m not sure anymore.

Now she is dead lost, and I cannot get answers. I selfishly turn to you, someone else who loves her, for them. I know you can’t speak for her, but I only hope for some clarity.

If we find her, I need to forgive her. Please help me do so.

Lucanis Dellamorte

A reply in a neat hand…

Master Dellamorte,

Tyche did not lie to me, though she lied to a great many others, including our parents. She only told me of the Evanuris to warn me to stay away, and to ask that I keep the rest of our family safe. I agreed. Now I wonder if I had stepped in, she would still be here.

My sister believed in finality, in purpose. She was convinced nothing could ever turn her life away from Rivain. By her letters, I know you were changing what she believed would be her future. Through those same letters, I also know this was a fight that she did not think she would survive. 

You do not need to forgive Tyche, but I ask that you try to understand a woman so burdened by her duty that she fought believing she would die, and hoping you would forget her. I have enclosed letters that she sent me, in the hope her words will help you more than mine ever could.

Liwei Laidir

—Letters exchanged after Tearstone Island, found neatly folded in the Lighthouse pantry.

[lookformebymoonlight]

it's incredible how much more immersed a de riva feels in the story and faction than a mercar, having played a shadow dragon first and a crow second.

my shadow dragon somehow doesn't know neve or ashur or tarquin. no one in the base seems to recognize her or speak to her. neve introduces her to areas of dock town as if she, who as someone freeing slaves, should surely be familiar with. the dialogue options further along in the game add comradery but that's it.

contrast that to my de riva, who receives a letter from viago affectionately addressed "idiot" as soon as i get to the lighthouse. who teia remarks on viago being glad to have home even if he won't show it. who gets to geek out about meeting the demon of vyrantium. who heir says "it's good to see back in treviso" and that viago also misses. that gets special dialogue from viago during the illario combat. whose relationship with lucanis immediately feels like one of understanding.

my shadow dragon still felt like a tourist in minrathous. my crow feels like they're at home in Treviso and that they have a family there. and i love it so much.

[elvhenmage]

12-16 + 26 for Elowen ~

12. Does Rook have any family? Do they keep in touch?

elowen is part of clan lavellan! they weren't born dalish though, they've only been with clan lavellan since dai, so about ten years. the only family they had before that was their parents, and i don't have much info on them yet but i know they're on good terms so elowen definitely keeps in touch with them <3 (she is Bad At It though because she just. forgets to write. so they have to send her multiple letters sometimes before she remembers to write back)

13. Did Rook bring any trinkets/sentimental items to The Lighthouse?

varric's hand mirror and the ancient elven scroll for sure. a little wooden sculpture that looks like the vhenadahl from the wycome alienage. i want them to have something from nailah/clan lavellan as well but i gotta think more about it 💭

14. What does Rook see when they look in the mirror?

LOTS of freckles. wild curls. smile lines. someone who is finally happy with who they are, even though they're still working on being happy where they are.

for the varric's hand mirror scene, i locked in their nonbinary status with it <3 i really liked the additional dialogue it offered throughout the game

15. What’s the first thing people notice when Rook enters a room?

elowen is LOUD. he'll bust through a door without thinking and he'll talk too loud without realizing it, especially when he's pissed off. you'll know when elowen shows up because you'll probably hear him ahead of time

16. Got any tattoos? What’s the story behind them?

so they have their vallaslin, of course. they got theirs later than most since they didn't join clan lavellan until they were 18/19 and to me atm these are sort of a cross between andruil and the general veil jumper aesthetic. i thought about giving them dai vallaslin to go with clan lavellan but i didn't really like many of them + i like the way these kind of parallel elowen's um.... like, how they're neither fully a city or a dalish elf. not sure how to phrase it exactly. i like to imagine the veil jumpers have been around a little longer than they have been in-game so elowen has time to be with them and that's what influences their vallaslin choice

i'm not sure what the story is behind the chest/torso tattoo, maybe she just thought it was cool, but the tramp stamp is probably from losing a bet to elio LOL i don't think he has much of a backstory in-game so i'm taking him and making him elowen's best (and potentially Only) friend in the veil jumpers. they're troublemakers <3

26. Rook is in charge of the grocery list. What’s on it?

chocolate, of course 🤭 and everything necessary for cioccolata calda so they can give lucanis puppy eyes until he makes it for them (which he is happy to do because they're besties<3) but if it's their turn to cook, they're getting stuff for emerald soup and/or elfroot and potato dumplings!

fifty questions for rook

[superiorn3rd]

A short bit of my first Fanfic in a while

Wrote this cause I got some inspiration to start writing again. Also thank you @skrevel for saying you’d read this lol that was my final push. I’ll probably keep updating this on AO3. It’s called “Contracts” and my user on there is Fandom_Gremlin. I will try and post updates here too but idk how that will work

Contracts Lucanis x Female Rook

This aludes to abuse suffered while becoming a crow. Nothing too intense but be wary if you are sensitive to that <3

The lighthouse was quiet, though no day cycle could be seen from this place in the fade, it seemed as if the team had finally all ended up asleep at one time. That is the team excluding Rook. With tensions high and the Wardens still looking for the gods in Arlathan, Rook couldn’t seem to sleep. It didn’t help that the stress was causing nearly nightly nightmares. Whether they be about Weishaupt, Elger’nan, or her training days as a crow, it seemed none of Rook’s demons wanted her to sleep. So that is why she quietly opened the door to her chambers, hoping the large door wouldn’t wake Emmrich or Varric, and found herself walking through the library and out across the open courtyard to the raised porch on the side of the dining hall. Here, near the newly blossoming tree, Rook really felt like she could think. The cold breeze she felt, either imagined or truly realized by the lighthouse’s connection to their wants and feelings, always calmed her nerves. She could feel it brush softly against her cheeks and the tips of her ears. Sometimes just that was enough to lull her into a state where she could convince her body to give way to sleep. Other times she could swear she could smell the Cafes of Treviso and the ache for home, for almost simpler times, would make her want to yell into the endless fade. But tonight was different.

Beyond the door into the kitchen Rook could hear the faintest humming. She shifted away from the edge of the porch, silently putting her back to the door. She knew it was Lucanis on the other side, the only other person that would be awake right now, but she didn’t want to disturb him. Since becoming First Talon he has been flooded with letters and questions. Most of which he still passed on to Caterina but with the ones he couldn’t pass on the stress had been steadily stacking up. Rook didn’t know how to help and also didn’t feel it was her place anymore now that he was First Talon. Plus she was pretty sure she was developing feelings for the man and that possibility on its own scared her. She would never see the light of day if Viago found out. Or any other crow for that matter. Viago and Teia might fool around but it was different when it was two talons who could kill anyone that questioned how they spent their free time. Rook was just a member of house de Riva. Not a Talon and before all of this end of world crap she wasn’t even in the top ten most famous of Treviso. So the least amount of time spent alone with Lucanis the better. When would she have time anyways to pursue a romantic “entanglement” as Solas would put it.

“Rook?”

Rook was instantly taken out of her thoughts by the sounds of her name. She debated silently slipping away before he came to check the door.

“Rook I can see your shadow at the door and Spite told me it was you.”

Damn Spite. Rook stood, opening the door.

“Hey Lucanis, I was just enjoying the weird twilight fade air, what are you doing”

Lucanis was sitting at the table, as always a cup of coffee sat at his side, and he had paper set in front of him.

“Trying to organize a few contracts for another house, Teia asked me to go over them” he said rubbing his temples.

“Interesting, anything good?”

“No, mostly contracts on Antam officials, some of which we can’t even put into place because it’s just too easy to get citizens caught in the cross fire”

Rook walked down the wooden stairs and looked at the nearly empty pot of coffee.

“Do you want me to brew some more?”

“Hm?” Lucanis looked up, he seemed exhausted. “Oh, it is fine, I’ll make some more. I need a break any how”

He stood and motioned for her to sit. When she did she watched him work. Making sure to perfectly measure out the blend as he went.

“Don’t like my coffee?” Rook said smiling.

“The only person here who makes worse coffee than you is Neve, and that really isn’t much of a high bar”

Rook chuckled, “I make what I need to stay up”

“Speaking of which why are you up Rook? At least I have a demon I am keeping at bay”

“Just some demons of my own, weishaupt and seeing elger’nan hit me hard” Rook shrugged getting up from her seat to find herself a cup.

“Nothing I can’t handle”

Lucanis hummed a response as the coffee finished. He poured into her cup then his resting his back against the fire place.

“You know we haven’t had the chance to talk shop” he said sipping his roast.

“I am not sure you’d find any of my contracts interesting, Mr. Demon of Vyrantium” Rook wiggled her fingers exaggerating the spookiness of the title. Lucanis groaned and laughed a little.

“You asked me before, if I resented Caterina.” He looked into the fire. “I didn’t want to press you then, traveling with Emmrich, but I have been meaning to ask about Viago.”

Rook’s eyebrows knit together.

“What do you mean?”

“No one else here knows what it means to grow up a crow. I understand what we go through, but I also know Viago. How did he treat you during your training.” He looked at her now watching her face and Rook took a long drink of her coffee. She brought a finger to a scar on her cheek.

“Viago was no worse than any other Talon. He pushed me, hard, to keep me alive. But I wasn’t always of house de Riva.” Rook sat at the table. “I once worked for the eighth Talon. They were the one that brought me into the ranks as a child. They were the one that changed me most. After that Viago’s shouting, his disappointed jabs, and his harsh demeanor seemed akin to a warm beach day in Rivain.”

Lucanis thought for a minute and nodded, taking another sip of his coffee. Rook wanted to know what he was thinking. His face was impassive and it took everything in Rook not to push further. Lucanis took the cup from Rook’s hands and set it down on the table.

“You should probably get back to sleep, I have kept you long enough. Spite will get jealous if you stay around too long” he flashed a smile at her and put an arm out to walk her to the door. “If you ever need anything Rook, I am here, the Crows will always have your back.”