#oc: mara tabris

[crabs-with-sticks]

Hi Crabs! How about "strange is the call of this strange man" for Mara x Zev? Happy writing!

ALRIGHT SO. I really just took this prompt and ran away with it in a completely different direction. The original quote is from a song, and its about Euridice being tempted into the underworld by Hades who is promising her safety from poverty, y'know sad n tragic n all that good stuff.

I however, in all my genius, bring to you: Zevran trying to do a crow impression.

@dadrunkwriting

A Crow by Any Other Call. 479 words.

���Do you even know what a crow sounds like?”

“Of course I do mi amor! I am one after all!” They were only slightly drunk. Well, to be more precise, Mara was only slightly drunk. Zevran was one drink away from the dictionary definition of ‘plastered’. Scratch that. Half a drink.

Mara snorted, “okay, so do it again.”

Zevran cleared his throat, stopping in the middle of the pathway that led to their rented accommodation. “Okay, here goes. Hcaw! Hcaw!”

The laughter burst out of Mara’s stomach out of nowhere, enough that she saw several globules of spit fling through the air. “That is not at all what a crow sounds like Zev.”

He wobbled over to her, with what his imbibed brain likely though was a seductive smile, though it would have been more effective if he did not keep readjusting it to a look that was somehow even more ridiculous than the last one. He leaned in close and draping his arm over her shoulder (for balance even as he tried to cover that fact up), whispering right into her ear, “should I try again my dearest most loveliest Warden?”

“I have a feeling you will try no matter what I say,” she said, attempting to talk through the waves of laughter that were rocking through her.

“Mmm quite right indeed.” He leaned back, tilting his head back to crow into the sky, at first removing his arm from around her, but quickly recalculating when he began to tip backwards. He sucked in a deep breath even as Mara was spluttering with laughter next to him. “CAw-ghhh!” His impression caught in his throat and he coughed violently through the words, still attempting the impression even as his lungs betrayed him.

Mara laughed, her belly aching, and started pulling him along with her back to their rooms. “Okay, well that was somehow worse than your first three attempts!”

Zevran just looked at her with a love struck grin, and pressed a sloppy and wet kiss to her cheek, “have I ever told you how beautiful your- your- ears are!”

“Ears? That's what you’re going with?” Mara asked, her eyebrow discovering new heights.

She wasn’t sure if his brain just didn’t process her words or he just ignored them, “your ears are the perfect shape, and the- the- angel- no. The- the-.”

“The angle?”

“Yes! The angle! Perfect! Wonderful! Absolutely and truly sublime!”

Mara grinned, scrunching up her face to the favour, a kiss on his cheek, long and lips pressed hard against his skin, releasing him with a loud ‘mwah’ sound. “Compliments aren’t going to get me to say your crow impression was good you know my love.”

“Ah well, it was worth a shot,” he said. Though since Mara turned away, neither her nor any other being was able to witness the puppy dog eyes of love that Zevran gave her as he beheld the magnificence of her ear, pale against her dark hair with a simple golden earring hanging from its lobe.

[athirstygoblin]

Two headshot commissions I got that I am 100% in love with.

Mara Tabris- @brother-genitivi

Asher Hawke- @forystr

All I need now is Valona to complete the set!

[frecklef0x]

Ever spend all afternoon on picrew with your OCs? Yeah, me either.

Anyway, here’s all my Grey Wardens!🙃

[freya-theirondragon]

Did this quiz for my OCs

Elder Scrolls version 

[laraslandlockedblues]

Lara’s Master Writing Post

My Master Writing List can be found as a page here, and writing prompts only found on Tumblr can be found by searching my tag “writing prompt.”

But I realized I’ve never shared an easily mobile/rebloggable version before so here goes. Was just going to share again because I’ve updated it but also because I’ve gotten a lot of new followers since the last time I shared this. I suppose though since it’s Fanfiction Appreciation Day, though, I may as well share!

Dragon Age Inquisition - Lightning Struck Series - Cullen Rutherford and Evelyn Trevelyan

1. Eye of the Storm - Work in Progress

Evelyn is far too naive, young, and overwhelmed by everything asked of her after the Conclave. She tries to put on a brave face, but she’s slowly falling apart. Cullen is far too weary, self-loathing, and searching for redemption in his role as the Commander of the Inquisition’s forces, but he doesn’t think he’s worth finding any. They both feel broken, but maybe they can find a way to feel whole again.

Main canon fic for my Cullen/Evelyn pairing.

2. Moments Passed - Work in Progress

What if Cullen was sent to the Ostwick Circle instead of Kirkwall after the Fifth Blight was ended? An AU exploring the relationship between he and Evelyn Trevelyan after they meet following his relocation to Ostwick.

3. Miss Grey - Work in Progress

Commander Cullen came to Haven from Kirkwall to join the Inquisition, but he didn’t come alone. And no one quite knows what to make of the small Tranquil who follows him wherever he goes, never out of his sight.

4. Rehabilitation - Completed Work

Modern AU that focuses on Cullen’s lyrium withdrawal and recovery after he is sent to a rehabilitation center under the care of Dr. Evelyn Trevelyan. Follows his recovery and their blossoming relationship as he makes it through his addiction and eventually sets out to help others who wish to follow in his footsteps. Little to do with DA:I.

5. Even Doves Have Pride - Completed Work

An arranged betrothal leads to a rebellious, wild Evelyn, and her father enlists a certain former Templar-turned-bodyguard to keep her in line until the big day.

Modern Bodyguard AU with eventual smut and romance featuring lots of references to popular songs, including Prince, Led Zeppelin, and Tom Petty. Features little to do with DA or DA:I.

6. Bound to Burn - Work In Progress, Co-written with WindySuspirations.

A trip to Redcliffe to make reparations for the Mage Rebellion brings more complications that expected when rooms run short and the naive Inquisitor finds herself in close quarters with the man she can’t possibly ever have - her smirking Commander.

7. What Are the Odds - Completed Work

A chance encounter at the Hanged Man for some stress relief leaves Knight-Commander Cullen with a few questions, and an insatiable desire for the mystery woman he met.

DA2 & DA:I AU that places Evelyn in Kirkwall following the rebellion at the Gallows, where she meets and becomes involved with Cullen before he joins the Inquisition.

8. Dream a Little Dream of Me - One Shot

Evelyn’s usual wanderings of the Fade take an unusual turn when it starts to recreate the desires she has for the Commander, becoming more vivid each time she dreams. And Cullen finds himself waking from dreams that seem so real he swears he can still feel and taste her on him.

There’s no harm in indulging in fantasies, right? Unless there’s more going on than simple imagination.

9. The Deal - One Shot

Evelyn wishes she could more easily soothe all of Cullen’s issues, and help him sleep better at night. But after yet another bad night’s sleep, she gets an idea that just may work.

10. Discretion - Tumblr Prompt One Shot

A brief flare of jealousy in Evelyn makes Cullen wonder why he tries so hard to keep things private.

11. An Awkward Start - Tumblr Prompt One Shot

The Commander gets caught in an intimate moment, but it turns out better than he could have expected. Based on the Tumblr prompt, “You weren’t supposed to hear that,” requested for Cullen.

12. Just One Dance - Tumblr Prompt One Shot

Cullen asks for help from the last person he’d usually seek out, but an evening he dreads turns into confusion as it reveals things they both didn’t realize they wanted. Modern AU. Based on the Tumblr prompt, “Just pretend to be my date.”

13. The Dance of Love - Prompted One Shot

A first date on Valentine’s Day takes a turn when Cullen accidentally takes Evelyn to a dance club. Modern AU.

14. The Sun and The Moon - Marian Hawke/Fenris, Work in Progress/Very Slow to Update

Chronicles the important moments in the romance of the fem!Hawke/Fenris pairing that features in Eye of the Storm and other works in the Lightning Struck series. Inside are some spoilers for Eye of the Storm, as well as some background/headcanon Cullen moments.

Dragon Age Inquisition - Just Say Lass Series - Knight-Captain Rylen and MGIT Abigail Henderson

1. After Rain - Work in Progress

Abigail Henderson just wanted more out of life as everything began to fall apart - a chance to start over, a chance to be herself again.

When she ends up in Thedas, she finds more than she bargained for - as does the former Templar who finds himself fascinated by the woman from a place called Earth. Also features Inquisitor Evelyn Trevelyan from the Lightning Struck series.

2. Just Like Heaven - Work in Progress

Knight-Captain Rylen just wanted to do what he could to help defend the innocent people of Thedas - especially when the sky split ope and demons started falling out of the Fade.

When he somehow ends up in a place called Earth, instead, he has to come to terms with every part of his strange new reality - including the fascinating woman, Abigail, who finds him and helps save his life.

3. Wicked Game - OC/OC WIP

He’ll break your heart, Abigail. A man like that is used to having the world cater to his every whim, and you’ll never be enough. Be careful.

Companion piece to Just Like Heaven, a collection of semi-one shots from the perspective of Abigail Henderson’s soon-to-be ex-husband, John Baker. Gives insight into how they met, how their relationship began, how it fell apart, and later on will include insight into scenes from its parent fic.

4. Knight-Captain Rylen Appreciation Week 2018 - Completed Work

Collection of drabbles and one shots to celebrate Knight-Captain Rylen Appreciation Week!

5. Of All the Things to Fangirl Over… - Gift One Shot inspired by this art piece by Sloth-Race

MGiT Abigail Henderson has one of her first - very common - experiences in Thedas, and Rylen can’t quite figure out why she’s so excited about it. Set within After Rain canon.

6. Burning Up - Tumblr Prompted One Shot

Abigail meets a dashing Starkhaven stranger one night at the bar she works at, but one drunken decision turns into more when he comes back the next day. Modern Thedas AU. From the Tumblr prompt “You make adorable sounds.”

7. Stud - Tumblr Prompted One Shot

After a long day’s work at Skyhold, Abigail helps Rylen work through his stress. From the Tumblr prompt “Your skin is so soft.”

8. Never Enough - Tumblr Prompted One Shot

Rylen finds a few moments along with Abigail. From the Tumblr prompt, “Try to keep quiet…we wouldn’t want to get caught.”

9. His Lass - Tumblr Prompted One Shot

From a Tumblr prompt to see Rylen take care of things for himself when he’s away from Abigail.

10. Anniversary - Tumblr Prompted One Shot

From a Tumblr prompt for Rylen to see Abigail in a pretty dress and all dolled up for the first time.

11. Stolen Moments - Giveaway fic prize for Kawakaeguri

Each time, every time, just a smirk and the words “my lass,” and she caves. But why bother resisting if she doesn’t want to? Set within After Rain canon.

Dragon Age - And the Sky Will Burn Series - Modern Kirkwall AU Co-Written with Dismalzelenka

Part One: Your Arms Feel Like Home - Work in Progress

Two women with no connection to each other. A chance meeting and a quick goodbye. Neither of them expected everything to change.

Abigail Henderson was enduring a blind date turned cautionary Tinder tale. Solona Amell was just doing her job bounty hunting for a local bail bonds office. When Abby’s date and Solona’s target turn out to be one and the same, neither of them expects how quickly their lives will turn upside down.

When an altercation with local law enforcement is caught on video and begins to circulate the Internet, they both find themselves thrown headfirst into the lingering mage-templar conflict still gripping the Free Marches twenty years after the violent destruction of the Kirkwall Chantry. Their personal lives aren’t left unscathed either, as both women find themselves grappling with strange new acquaintances and relatively unwanted attractions to two former Templars now working as detectives with the Kirkwall City Police Department.

Tensions rise as past transgressions begin to surface, but everyone has secrets to hide.

Part Two Coming Soon!

Dragon Age Stand Alones

Beautiful Disaster - MGiT Cecilia Moore and Cullen Rutherford - Work in Progress

When she thought about how much she wanted to get away, she never realized just how far she would end up.

Just another Modern Girl in Thedas story.

Hero Worship - Mara Trevelyan and Garrett Hawke - Work in Progress

The Inquisitor can’t seem to think straight around the heroic and devilishly handsome Champion of Kirkwall. And he doesn’t make it any easier on her when he unexpectedly invites her to his room one night.

And what starts off as a fling turns into a whirlwind romance neither one of them is prepared for.

Out of the Ashes - Nemaine Tabris and Alistair WIP (on indefinite hiatus)

Nemaine Tabris’ life just seems to go from bad to worse after the traumatic interruption of her wedding causes her to be conscripted by the Grey Warden Duncan. But in the midst of the Blight, she finds herself thrown together with someone who just may help her survive and thrive.

In the Grotto - Knight-Captain Rylen and Cassandra Pentaghast - One Shot

Knight-Captain Rylen discovers what makes Seeker Pentaghast happy, and does his best to help her find some stress relief.

Inspired by this piece by SangoSweetz (NSFW Art)

The Hope of the Desert Bloom - Adoribull Giveaway fic prize for SoulRebel

Too much to hope, too much to dream that maybe - just maybe - this time it could be something more.

Mass Effect - Stress Relief Series - Fiona Shepard and Garrus Vakarian

Part One: Goose Bumps - Completed Work

Fiona Shepard woke up on a Cerberus operating table, apparently after being dead for two years. She wants nothing more than to see a familiar face, someone who will have her back as she works with her former enemies and tries to save the galaxy. Again.

And then after one trip to Omega, she’s reunited with her best friend in the galaxy.

But he looks at her differently, now - and she can’t seem to shake this new feeling. Especially not once she realizes it’s not really a new feeling.

Part Two: Ride or Die - Work in Progress (on hiatus)

It had been one hundred and eighty-four days when they finally sent for her.

Commander Fiona Shepard had spent six months relieved of duty, essentially on house arrest.

She had spent her time distracting herself, preparing herself, and resisting the urge to write to *him* for a prison break.

But now the Reapers have arrived, and all she can think about is getting back to him, and keeping the promise she made.

[galpalaven]

how many ocs do i have im curious lmao

Dragon Age

Hero of Ferelden: Kira Cousland

Ancestor of Hero of Ferelden: Wan the Grey Warden

Warden-Constable: Nadia Surana

Relatives of the Warden-Constable: Mirae Mahariel (cousin) and Rasha Tabris (cousin), also her parents Rohan Surana and Maelle Mahariel, and her kids Ellana and Duncan

Champion: Marian Hawke

Relative of the Champion: Juliana Amell

Inquisitor: Kaya Lavellan

Relatives of Lavellan: Faron Lavellan and Hana Lavellan

Alternate Timeline Inquisitor: Sahara Adaar

Total: 15

Grand Total: 15 

Mass Effect:

Commander Shepard: Sun Shepard - Colonist | Sole Survivor

Lieutenant-Commander Shepard: Kira Shepard - Spacer | War Hero

Captain Shepard: Hannah Shepard - Earthborn | Ruthless - mother of Kira

Other Shepards: Hana and Li - Sun Shepard’s parents; Jae-Young Shepard - Kira’s father

Vakarian-Shepards: Hippolyta Nox - turian and first adopted child of Sun and Garrus; Song - human and second adopted child of Sun and Garrus

Non-Shepard OCs:

Mara T’Marro (nee Rogers) - Sun Shepard’s high school sweetheart; singer and only other survivor of the slave raid of Mindoir

Nymeria T’Marro - Mara’s wife and a former asari commando

Jayden T’Marro - adoptive son of Mara and Nymeria

Aaliyah T’Marro - biological daughter of Mara and Nymeria

Major General Maxima Marsallas - Sun Shepard’s godmother who adopted her in the aftermath of Mindoir

Aurelia Marsallas (nee Arcturus) - Max’s wife, and a member of the Blackwatch

Varania Marsallas - Max’s daughter, killed in a skirmish with batarian pirates on the edge of turian space barely a year before the First Contact War

Tiberius Marsallas - Max’s ex-husband who left her shortly after she was nearly dishonorably discharged after the First Contact War

Ryders: Mako Ryder - Pathfinder | Gay

Suzuku “Scott” Ryder - Not the Pathfinder | Aroace

Total: 18

Grand Total: 33

Fallout:

Lone Wanderer: Persephone Hanson

Courier: Max Hernandez

Sole Survivor: Kira Holloway - ex-FBI Agent

Ghouls:

Mae Holloway - Kira’s younger sister who survived the bombs; goes by Skye for a long time

Dr. Jack Rogers - ex-football star who became a traveling doctor after the war

Sam and Zach - not ghouls, but Jack’s twin baby brothers. Sam died of leukemia shortly after the bombs, and Zach died in a firefight with Raiders after that

Maya Garcia - Mae’s best friend and roommate at Berklee

Tony and Antoine DuPain - twin brothers who were on opposite ends of the country when the bombs fell but both managed to survive

Total: 10 

Grand Total: 43

okay im done counting because if I go into everything else I’ve ever enjoyed its gonna get higher than 43 real fast

can u tell im a writer

[crabs-with-sticks]

"saying I love you for the first time" for Zevran/Tabris?

Really leaning into Mara's aloof black cat energy here! Gotta hide in Zevran's cleavage before she can bring herself to say it lmao @dadrunkwriting

It was cold. Mara could feel that much even through the pile of blankets she was huddled under, curled up with her face tucked under them like a cat. She could feel the warm press of a body at her back, soft flesh curled up around her, so close that they might as well have been joined by a seam. She smiled and snuggled down further, sighing at the soft fluffy blanket whose edge on slightly tickled her nose when she breathed in. On her waist she could feel the gentle drawing of shapes and patterns with bare fingers. The soft pads occasionally replaced by a light scratch of longer nails. “Wha time isit?” Mara slurred out, tongue still clumsy from sleep. “Now, now Mara, you know I love you but we have to get up. They will be sending out a search party for us otherwise.” She grunted, turning over and wrapping her limbs around the other elf, pressing her face against his chest. Zevran’s limbs stiffened and Mara looked up at him, the actions happening practically simultaneously as their sleep addled minds processed what he had just said. You know I love you… Neither of them said anything, just looking at the other in shocked silence. Mara couldn’t quite make out the emotions which were at war within Zevran’s eyes. It was a distant look, as if he had been yanked out of bed and into the cold. Partially fearful, partially shocked, and partially…something else she wasn’t quite sure of. She looked away from his gaze, a blush rising on her cheeks. They had slept together, they had made love, they had fornicated, they had committed sodomy, and this was what made her blush? She reburied her face into his chest to hide the growing redness on her face. “I love you too Zev.” His voice was in her ear, soothing and gentle, even as she could hear the pounding of his heart through his ribcage and the slight quail of his voice. “I’m sorry warden, I didn’t quite hear that.” She removed her face and tilted her head up, though she couldn’t bring her gaze to meet his own. She spoke with a frown, or perhaps a pout. “I love you too Zev.” His whole body relaxed and he let out a shaking laugh. “Well! That is a relief. Mara.” Her frown deepened and she pulled him close to her into a tight embrace. Her mouth right next to his ear, looking out past him. “Were you really that in doubt?” She asked, certainly pouting now. “Hm, I am picking up that the diplomatic answer to your question is ‘no I was never in doubt’.” She laughed at that, sudden and from the stomach. “But I must confess I was a little.” She growled and peppered kisses over every bit of skin that she could reach from their current position. Not willing to give up the feeling of being enveloped in strong arms. He squealed as her lips grazed across a ticklish spot and she grinned, doubling down and clutching him tight. Through his rolling laughter he said, “well don’t worry I’m not in doubt anymore.”

[crabs-with-sticks]

happy dadwc!! for your baby crows au: [ 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 ] : sender is expressing anger over receiver's constant recklessness.

-inquisimer

Its time for PAIN :D I love exploring what Rinna and Talisien's relationship used to be like, and use thouse thoughst for evil hehe

@dadrunkwriting

“You should have told me!” Talisien was shouting.

“You didn’t need to know!” Came the clear and ever articulated voice of Rinna.

Zevran grimaced and hovered by the doorway, just out of sight of the other two crows. Heheard the quiet footsteps of Mara padding up the hallway, her hair still wet from her bath. She fell in behind him, pressing herself against the wall. She reached down to his hand, and intertwined their fingers, squeezing tightly. For all their ability to kill and slaughter, they were still only teenagers.

The voices in the other room rose again. “What?! I didn’t need to know that you were going to put yourself directly in the firing line?”

“You didn’t need to know because if you had we would have spent so much time arguing that we would have missed our window of opportunity.” Her voice was damnably calm, even as Tal’s broke.

“Did Mara know? You two are always whispering and plotting together. Thick as thieves.”

Mara bit her lip and Zevran squeezed her hand tighter, pulling her closer in. She pressed her forehead against his shoulder, still bloodied from battle as he was.

“Yes. Mara did know.”

“And she didn’t try to stop you?!”

“No. Because she trusts me. Look, Tal. Our job is to take risks. If we want to make it, sometimes we need to put ourselves out on the firing line.”

The quiet rang in the air and Zevran could only hear the shuffling of bodies in the other room. Talisien’s voice was quiet and muffled when he spoke again. “I just… I just don’t want to see you hurt. I couldn’t live with myself if I let you get hurt.”

Rinna’s voice was hushed. “I know, sweet thing, I know.”

[crabs-with-sticks]

ohhhh I fear your Baby Crows AU is exactly my shit 🥺👀👀 for them this friday: you can go back to sleep. it's safe.

- inquisimer

Oh boy! Do I have some angst for you! Set after the AU's version of origins. Baby crows are all grown up now with SO MUCH trauma. :D

@dadrunkwriting

Mara set down her whittling as soon as she felt him tossing. It was late and Zevran had already gone to bed, though it would seem his dreams were not kind tonight. She pressed her forehead against his, and rubbed his cheek with her hand, even as he cried out in his sleep. “Shh, shh, its okay Zev. You’re okay.” Maybe it was her words that got through his dream, because his eyes fluttered open and he gazed up at her. She smiled down at him, keeping her hand on his cheek. “You’re okay Zev. You’re safe. We both are.” He clutched at her wordlessly, pressing his head against the soft skin of her stomach. “I- I dreamed- it- it-,” he stammered out. “It’s okay Zev. You don’t need to tell me if its too hard.” “I saw her. When she died.” She stroked her fingers through his hair, feeling the sweat that had gathered at his temples. “Who Zev?” He gulped. “Rinna. Our Rinna.” Oh. She didn’t say anything. Her brain brought forth the memory of Rinna, the memory of the last time they had met before she had died. No. Before she had been killed. They had been standing on the docks sharing a serve of fried shellfish between them, the smell of spices mixing with the salt from the sea. Rinna was across from her, her long dark hair loose, even as the wind tugged at it. The gentle slope of her mouth, and the tattoo that ran down her nose line and over her chin. They had laughed, they had joked, and finally they had shared one last kiss, Mara promising to catch up once she got back to Antiva from her job in Fereldan. They hadn’t known it was going to be their last. If she had known she would have taken her time; memorised the feeling of the woman’s lips on her own, the taste of salt on her skin and spice on her tongue. It had barely been more than a peck before Mara had pulled back, laughed and told her to give the boys her love. It was the press of skin against her stomach that brought her back to the moment. Zevran looked up at her, eyes filled with tears. They weren't tears of self pity or of manipulation, she knew what those looked like on him. They were tears of radical desperation. “Will you ever be able to forgive me for what I have done Mara?” Mara bit her lip, and kissed his forehead, even as tears brimmed in her own eyes. “The only person who could grant you that is dead.” She whispered the words against his skin. She didn’t mean to be cruel. But it was the truth. Only Rinna could tell Zev if he could be forgiven, and he had killed her near 5 years ago.

[crabs-with-sticks]

happy friday my crabby friend! how about "things you didn’t say at all" for the pairing of your choice?

Thanks for the prompt my salady friend! Decided on some angst for my baby crows AU where Tabris grew up as a crow with Taliesen, Rinna and Zev! Enjoy :D

@dadrunkwriting

“Why didn’t you talk to me about this? Why didn’t you tell me about this before you went and fucking killed her!” “You weren’t here Mara!” Taliesen growled at her. She was clenching the arms of the chair as if it was the only thing stopping her from leaping over the table at him and stabbing him in the eye. Both of them in the eye in fact. Zevran spoke next, his voice didn’t have the simmering anger that Taliesen’s did, filled instead with pleading and righteousness. “It had to be done, surely you see this?” Her knuckles were going white now. “No. I. Don’t.” She noticed Taliesen’s mouth beginning to open and cut him off before he could make a noise. “What? You don’t like that? You don’t like the fact that I don’t approve of you killing our…killing my…” she took a deep breath in, hoping it would make the words easier. Taliesen glared, “if you can’t see what was wrong then what’s the point of keeping you as a crow.” She snarled at him, feral and animalistic. “What? You’ll gut me like you did Rinna? Hmm?” “If I had to, then yes. She was a traitor to the crows.” “She was our friend Tal. Since you were 8 years old! Does that mean nothing to you?” “It was a-” “And what about you then Zev? You’re being awfully quiet.” She turned on him, boring into him with her gaze. The other elf couldn’t seem to bring himself to meet her eye, and when he spoke it was barely above a whisper. “She was a traitor. It had to be done.” “I can’t fucking believe this,” Mara said. With her voice it was a disgusted mutter, but the words were a scream in her mind. She stood up to go, shaking her head. “I hope you die long and painful deaths the both of you.” “Mara-,” it was Taliesen this time, “don’t be like this!” He was standing now, reaching out his hand to her. She looked down on it with disgust. Zevran was still in his chair, hunched over as if he wanted to curl up into himself. She shook her head and spat on Tal’s outstretched hand. “I never want to see either of your fucking faces ever again.”

[crabs-with-sticks]

Sleeping in the same bed for the first time. for baby crows au?

Thanks for the prompt! Had lots of fun with this, they're just lil baby crowlings! Just lil guys! Although I have realised I have no idea how to write children haha. If they're acting older than their years its cause of uhhhhh trauma.

@dadrunkwriting

The boys were squirming once again, and now Talisen had started snoring right in her ear. Rinna elbowed the human boy in the ribs, he grumbled in his sleep, rolled over and started snoring again. Oh well. At least he was snoring in Zev’s ear now. Thoroughly awakened Rinna sat up in the bed, blinking at the moonlight streaming in through the window. The dormitory wasn’t much to speak of- it was filled with children of all ages, with enough beds for perhaps a quarter of their number. It was on purpose, she suspected, to see how the recruits would react. If they would force others out, if they would tough it out curled up on the floor, or if like the three of them had, if they would make alliances. Zev and Talisen were a few years into their training by now both about 9, Rinna at 10, was at the end of her first year. The two boys had been the only ones to survive their first year. Rinna wasn’t going to go the same way as the rest of their class. Removing Zevran’s leg from where it rested atop her legs she swung her feet down to sit on the side of the bed. Rubbing her eyes she looked around the room. Her eyes fell on the small shivering body of a young girl.

She was a pale gangly thing- probably about 7 years old, all elbows and knees. Her hair was black, though it was more of an ashy black than the midnight tones poets would wax on for hours. She looked more like a half drowned cat than a elven girl. And yet. For all her scraggly appearance, she was good. Very good. She had only joined the class a few days ago, but the girl was fast, smart, and very stubborn. Rinna only realised the girl was awake when a pair of spiteful grey eyes met her own. Despite her shivering, the child wasn’t crying- hadn’t cried or wailed or wept as far as Rinna had seen. So instead of rolling back into bed, pressing against the boy’s skin for warmth in the chilly Antivan night, she padded over to the child. She crouched down in front of the girl, the tattered fabric of her nightgown brushing against her toes. “I’m Rinna. Well, Rinnala, but nobody calls me that.” The girl glared at her, like a feral cat weighing the benefits of swiping at a tom getting too close. “And?” Rinna almost laughed. The girl has quite the mouth on her for a seven year old. It was almost impressive. But then again, who knew what the girl had been through. She didn’t look remotely Antivan after all. “What’s your name then?” Spelling out the question. “Mara. Mara Tabris.” “And how did you get here then Mara?” The girl opened her mouth to answer and then snapped it shut again. After a moment of pondering she squinted over Rinna, “why do you care?” Rinna swivelled around so that she was sitting next to the girl- to Mara. For all her bluster, the girl’s skin was cold enough to match her pale skin. “Is niceties not a good enough reason?” “No?” She said it like a question- though more as if she was confused how Rinna wasn’t keeping up with her. It stirred something in Rinna’s chest, though she wasn’t sure what. For some reason she wanted to wrap her arms around the shivering girl and pull her close. She shrugged, “fair enough I suppose.” They drifted into silence, but Rinna did not return to their bed and the pile of warm bodies on it. Mara broke the silence, voice toneless and sullen as every word other word she had yet spoken. “You can go you know?” “Oh I don’t know, maybe I’m enjoying your lovely company.” “I’m not lovely.” “Yeah I had gathered that…” she sighed, and decided to go all in. She would sort it out with the boys in the morning. “Look why don’t you come with me? You can share with Zev, Talisen and I?” Still the girl looked hesitant. Damn, she had good instincts for a 7 year old, even if her caution was unfounded this time around. Rinna continued, “you haven’t been here long, but I can already tell that you’re good. You’re smart, you’re quick, and you’re very good at letting people underestimate you. I won’t bind you to it, but we could use you on our side. How does that sound?” The girl shrugged, “fine,” though Rinna was sure she was more nervous about it than she let on. But Rinna stood and pulled Mara up with her, half leading, half dragging her over to the bed. She climbed in, settling amongst the boys’ tangle of limbs and patted the space next to her. Mara climbed in and Rinna wrapped her arms around the shivering elven child, staying there until they both fell asleep. When she woke, Mara wasn’t shivering anymore.

[crabs-with-sticks]

For tabris & zevran from the oc couple asks Who likes forehead kisses? Who likes hand kisses? Who likes neck kisses?

100% Zevran is all for hand kisses. The man reads you bad Antivan sex poetry, and hand kisses are such a good trope of like chivalric romances. He would probably start off doing it to be silly, realising he actually loves it, then continue doing it more while trying to pretend its just him being silly (and failing).

Mara on the other hand is all for the neck smooches. She has such massive black cat energy, that she would just love a good snuggle with her head tucked under Zev's chin which gives Optimal Neck Access™

[crabs-with-sticks]

Happy DADWC Day! How does "not knowing how to handle being accepted by someone for the first time" from the Angsty Found Family Prompts sound for Morrigan & Tabris?

Had a lot of fun with this one! Thanks for the prompt! Mara is Going Through It and, much to Morrigan's surprise, spiders is the least of her concerns. @dadrunkwriting

Morrigan & Mara Tabris

Pastries and Giant Spiders 648 words

“I must warn you warden, some find my particular strain of magic to be…unsettling.”

Mara shrugged and took a massive bite of the stale pastry. “Its magic, as far as I know its all weird stuff. Somebody just waggles their fingers and boom, suddenly fire.”

Morrigan’s brow furrowed, eyes drawn to Mara’s nose where a glob of icing had attached itself. “You truly know that little of magic? Hmm, perhaps it would be for the best for me to demonstrate. I would not want you to get surprised by it in combat.”

Mara waved her off. “Sure, sure go ahead.”

Morrigan’s entire body contorted, and Mara could hear the soft popping of ligaments and cracks of bones refitting themselves to a hard exoskeleton. The spider- or rather Morrigan- scuttled around for a few moments before shifting back, flesh and bone refitting it to a form once again human.

Morrigan smiled, a wolf showing her teeth. “You can perhaps now see why I this is something I would want to discuss beforehand. I have found that many think it unsettling to say the least and frightening to say the most.”

Mara’s tongue worked its way over and between her teeth as she tried to get at a bit of pastry that had gotten stuck there, jaw moving to the side. “Well, I’m glad you did let me know beforehand. Would have been awkward if I stabbed you thinking that darkspawn had somehow tamed giant spiders.”

“You are taking this quite well,” Morrigan said with a raised eyebrow and disbelieving tone.

Mara looked up at her from her pastry, half gone now but having shed powdered sugar all over her legs. “Why? Do you want me to be upset?”

“It is not that. Rather-,”

“I mean, I can run around and scream for a bit, but I’d rather just eat this pastry if I’m being honest. Even if it is stale…and hopefully not a little mouldy.”

Morrigan straightened, her head tilted and blinking quickly. She looked rather like some kind of ungainly bird, not quite chick but not quite fledged. “It is just… when I was a child I would sneak away and would find children from the village playing at the edge of the forest. And I would go up to play, and thinking it the most normal thing in the world, would transform. Only to find them running off screaming and calling me a monster.”

“I don’t mind spiders so much personally. As a kid I once captured three spiders in a jar to keep as pet and named them after my cousins. Shiani did eat the other two but they were all chill to me when they were alive.”

“It is just-”

Mara took the last bite of the pastry and stood up, not even bothering to dust off the sugar granules from her hand as she placed it solemnly on Morrigan’s shoulder. Even as she did, her posture grave, her voice was a shaking laugh. “Look, Morrigan. This doesn’t even rank in the top ten craziest things that have happened to me in the last month. And if I’m being honest, next to the fact that I now need to go on fucking quest to save the fucking world, its small potato. I honestly couldn’t give a rats ass if you can turn into a giant spider. Like, its a bit spooky, not gonna lie. But that is kinda just your whole thing. So just take it as a win that you’re doing a good job at being a bit creepy and we’ll just move on with our journey yeah?”

“Right, yes of course warden.”

“Oh maker don’t remind me. Just Mara. Please,” and she wandered off, leaving the witch behind her confused and with the outline of a hand in white sugar on her shoulder. “Fuck that pastry was good,” exclaimed the warden, to nobody in particular.

[crabs-with-sticks]

Got tagged by @themaybug to make my dragon age OCs with this picrew :D

So here ya go! In order we have:

Cor Brosca (dual wielding beserker, loves fairy tales, pink and Leliana)

Mara Tabris (duelist rogue, black cat energy, loves Zevran, hates being pasty af in sunny Antiva)

Ghilara Lavellan (tempest archer, solasmance, wishes the universe would stop traumatising her)

Kytharia Mercar (mage, shadow dragon, ex-slave/blood magic battery, party girl and adoptive family disappointment)

tagging (only if you want to of course): @telanadasvhenan @nokdurbs @saladruiner @meg-does-art @skinwalkingxana and YOU if you want to I love seeing folks' ocs :D

[crabs-with-sticks]

Thinking about my Baby Crows AU where Tabris is childhood friends with Zev, Rinna and Taliesen in the crows.

And I'm thinking that in this AU she still is involved with stopping the fifth blight, just not as a warden. My thoughts are: she is hired by Loghain as a crow assassain, except she finds out about the slavers in the alienage and betrays him, and goes to help Alistair. From there things continue similar to the game.

And I don't know if this is a pro or a con, but the crows sending Mara, Mara defects. Well shit. So the crows send Zevran to finish her off. Zevran defects. Well shit. So the crow sends the final member of this traumatised polycule, Taliesen to finish them off. And I think Taliesen very probably dies like in origins. But also, how funny would it be if Taliesen ALSO defected.

Like after they've sent Taliesen, I can just imagine the crow in charge of this whole operation going 'ah shit, well send the next polycule member I guess', cue the messenger doing that line from Isengard in the lotr movies "but my lord, there is no such member"

The crows are just throwing spaghetti at the wall, except the spaghetti is the members of this one wretched little polycule and the wall is fereldan's succession crisis.

[crabs-with-sticks]

Hi, happy Friday! For DADWC, how about:

"falling back into old patterns" for Tabris and Morrigan

Having lots of fun with Mara and Morrigan today :D @dadrunkwriting

363 words

There was a soft knock at the door, of the Denerim estate and before Mara even had time to call in the mysterious caller, the door was opening. Mara turned to see Morrigan stepping inside on light feet, closing the door behind her. She looked over her shoulder sharply, expecting to see Zevran. Come to start the fight all over again, or more likely pretend it never happened. All over a stupid earring, all while her father was missing, while her people were dying because of those damnable vints.

“Hey Mog,” Mara said with a tired smile, trying to hide her red eyes, “whatcha need?”

Morrigan bit her lip, her eyes restless. “It is not so much that. I- just- that is to say that-” it should have been a warning sign to Mara that the witch did not make some kind of jibe about the nickname she had begrudgingly accepted from Mara with all the dignity of a cat trying to pretend it hadn’t just tripped.

“Eamon then? Did he want something else? If so you can tell him to take it up with Alistair who is actually the highest ranked of us.”

“’Tis not that thankfully. Rather. I suppose…I just wanted to check on how you were managing. Given what we found out about today about your family, and your disagreement with the Crow, it would be perfectly natural for you to be struggling.”

“Oh well thanks for checking in,” Mara said, turning away to look back at some meaningless set of papers laid out on the desk. “But really, I’m fine”

“It is just that we,” Mara heard the grimace in her voice, audible enough without needing to see it, “that is to say that I was worried I suppose.”

Of all the damned times for the witch to develop her empathy. “Really Morrigan, I’m fine. I’ve just got some details for our plan for the landsmeet I need to sort out. You just go and do whatever it is you do for fun. Talk to bats or something.”

There was the sound of soft shoes scuffling against the stone and the strangling start of a word from Morrigan’s mouth, before the footsteps turned to leave, closing the door behind them once more.