#one day I'll stop writing missives in the tags

[dobismuted]

I love how I always forget that Lee Winter was the fanfic writer, RedCharcoal. I keep coming back to The Staircase. A fanfic that starts with a very triggering event and eventually turns into a story of redemption and healing. I tend to read bits and pieces of it, then end up reading to the end, and I'm always surprised that she's also Lee Winter.

It's rather fitting since she's my most listened to author on Audible. Breaking Character, Hotel Queens & Requiem for Immortals are my comfort listens, especially Breaking Character. Many an audiobook I've listened to solely for Angela Dawe.

[idolsgf]

wip wednesday whenever

I was tagged by @greypetrel, thanks so much dear. please ignore that it's now Thursday <33

I'm going to share note one, but two - two! - writing things I'm working on. The first will be a short extension from the story I had shared a bit of last week. Wouldn't be a Mo story if I didn't make it epistolary! The second: I participated in this tag game awhile ago, and I had expanded on it but never shared anything else after that. Since I'm having Bohean feelings lately, it's only fitting to share something with him in it c:

I don't know who wants to be tagged these days, so if you want to share take this as me tagging you, or drop a 🥕 and I'll tag you in the future :3

Everything, as always, will be under cut.

One.

This letter will probably be completely gutted and rewritten at some point in the future but still wanted to share. Just a simple correspondence between Mori'na and Leliana. They're relationship is a bit rocky, which I was trying to get across. But, again, this will probably be reworked because I'm not too happy with it.

Leliana,

I am sending this ahead of Harding's report ─ I must ask a favor of you, something I know you are all to gracious to give. I must ask for you discretion, as I'm sure you're capable.

I will not be returning to Skyhold with the rest of the party and will be staying behind for a few more days. I know there are urgent matters to attend to in the Arbor Wilds, I have received the missives. However, there are some...other matters I must turn my attention to for the time being. It won't be long.

I need you to send two birch saplings to camp in the Frostback Basin. I'm sure with your crows' eyes and infinite knowledge you will learn what they are for. Please, don't press it this time. I do not need another endless interrogation. I don't want pitiful and questioning stares upon my return. Just ─ do as I ask. Please.

-- Mori'na

A hastily written note is written in the bottom corner, a late addition evidenced by the different slightly different shade of black ink only the most discerning of eyes would notice.

( Solas will be accompanying me, do not let the rumors and hallway whispers get out of hand this time. )

Two.

After the events of Trespasser, Mori'na finally returning home to the clan. An idea that's been spinning in my head for awhile, although I go back and forth between her actually being exiled from the clan or leaving of her own volition. This would fit in the former. Mori'na and Bohean's dynamic has been stretched thin and fraught with tension for awhile now. Something had to make it break.

"Can you stop speaking as First and speak as my brother for one minute?"

Frustration tinged Mori'na's now raised voice. Ever since her brother had been granted his position, a change had set in. Bohean had always been the more serious of the two, but they had their own coded banter that only siblings could share. Now? Now it was as if speaking to a stranger ─ a connection severed to satiate her brother's ever growing sense of responsibility.

“It is my duty as the First to protect this clan from the hunting wolf,” he spat at equal level as his eyes darkened as he finally looked towards her, his brow furrowed. “How could I possibly see you as my sister when you’ve gone and lain with it?”

A resounding crack pierced the air, a red mark now forming on the taller elf's cheek. Mori'na's hand ─ also tinged red ─ the culprit. Tears pricked the edges of her eyes, the threat to spill all too familiar. Bohean's hand shot up, cradling the welt that was quickly forming. There was no shock in his eyes, the motion was out of instinct. He knew the damage those words would inflict, the venom he had laced them with. He didn't care, he was ready to face the consequences.

"Bohean, please" ─ her voice now pleading, barely a whisper, wishing only to speak to her brother again. It has been years since she's been able to see her kin ─ her mother's smiling face, the crease in Bohean's forehead that had grown more apparent in the years. So many years apart and she's already being pushed out.

She lowered her hand, choosing to rest it over her chest as she could no longer meet this stranger's eyes.

"Keeper has allowed you to convene with mother and will call for counsel, but afterwards you are to leave." Bohean grabbed his staff; one hand knuckled white as it wrapped around the birch wood, the other clenched at his side.

A pause at the aravel's entrance.

"Don't return," he said, stoic as he had grown to be. He left without looking back.

The strength she had summoned to face her brother soon dissipated ─ her knees buckled from under her and a wretched sob was finally allowed escaped.

Mori'na was now alone, left only to her haunted thoughts.