#pov: gallus

[ezrazzle]

The Veilguard.

[luosaugury]

My music player just randomly shuffled to Addicted to you by Avicii and I'm filled with thoughts of the perfect woman called Neve Gallus

"I don't know just how it happened

I let down my guard

Swore I'd never fall in love again

But I fell hard"

[...]

"You came into my crazy world

Like a cool and cleansing wave

Before I, I knew what hit me, baby

You were flowing through my veins"

[dancing--lights]

Pov, you're a Dock Town citizen and you need a mystery solved, so naturally, you hire Neve Gallus. She shows up with this idiot who won't stop cracking jokes, and who seems to only be there for moral support. There's obviously something going on between them. They bicker playfully like an old married couple. They finish each other's sentences. Maybe a woman who you know used to be a templar shows up and tries desperately to be the voice of reason, but she just ends up getting dragged into the bickering as well. Their investigative methods seem chaotic at best. You wonder if you've made a huge mistake. Then, they somehow solve the case in five minutes.

[heylavellan]

Hello and happy Friday! ^^ How about ""I don't want explanations. I want…" 💋" for Neve and Bellara?

did i get carried away? yes! i had so much fun writing from bellara's pov. veilguard spoilers, read at your own discretion! @dadrunkwriting

no takesies-backsies

rating: t

words: 1282

notes: bellara follows in varric's friend fiction footsteps and writes her self insert falling in love with neve's character. wingman lucanis

Maybe Bellara went just a bit toooo far. Sometimes that happened. More than sometimes. This whole writing thing had been Neve's suggestion. Well, Neve and Rook's. It was a nice break from interrogating the Nadas Dirthalen made by Anaris the Forgotten One and trying not to think about the fact her brother was serving said Forgotten One. Also that her gods thought it would be fun to try and Blight the world.

There was a lot going on, and sometimes Bellara would rather distract herself. The serials Neve brought her were great, but she always finished them before the next chapter was ready. Then she'd read the week's assigned reading for the book club and get bored, so she'd try one of those large academic tomes Emmrich brought. Which inevitably brought her back to the Nadas Dirthalen and all those thoughts she was trying to avoid.

So she started writing about the Veilguard! It was really fun at first, but she quickly ran into a problem. She caught up to the present day. Which was good, because it meant that she could write about things as they happened. But bad. Really bad, since it meant she was stuck with the original problem. Nothing to do.

One day when Bellara was complaining to Lace, the dwarf shared what she knew about Varric's books. About how Hard in Hightown was based on some of his friends in Kirkwall. Donnen was Donnic, Belladona was Isabela, and Maysie was Merrill. Friend fiction, he'd called it.

It was then that Bellara had the perfect idea. Neve was always saying that the press was giving her a bad rep in Minrathous. So why not write a story about how awesome she was? The Neve Gallus!

Well, clearly the main character couldn't be Neve Gallus exactly. Varric didn't drop his friends straight into the works. No, he gave them new names. So how about Guinevere? It had "neve" in the name, but it wasn't immediately obvious. She could be called 'Gee' for short! Agent Gee? No, that wasn't right.

Neve was a suave detective, so Gee needed to be too. But what was she sleuthing? Maybe... for stolen elven artifacts? No, that wouldn't sell in Tevinter. Which was where Neve needed to fix her image. No, she could be the Bloodhound of Minrathous, stopping blood rituals just in time and tracking down anything lost.

And every hero needed a sidekick. Lucanis seemed like a good option, but he didn't live in Minrathous. He was the Demon of Vyrantium. But maybe she could work with that. Maybe they were instead rival detectives, who shared a sidekick unknowingly. The Shadow of Vyrantium competing with the Bloodhound of Minrathous. Yes!

But who was the sidekick. Maybe they were telling the story. Maybe it was... her? Hmmm, that could work. Lucine, the elven sidekick who could sneak across the city unnoticed. She ran a repair shop in Dock Town and sold second hand and vintage wares.

As Bellara continued to shape the story and write the first chapters, it became quite clear that Lucine was in love with Guinevere. Which was strange. Because Bellara wasn't in love with Neve, right? She knew she liked women, after all she dated Irelin for a while. But Neve?

She continued to write. Gee was developing a crush on the Shadow, who she would later reveal to be Lucine's younger sibling Dellen. They both continued to solve crime in Minrathous and Vyrantium until Lucine got targeted by a scheme. The Shadow and the Bloodhound work together to retrieve Lucine, where they admit begrudging respect for each other. And Lucine confessed her love for Guinevere. And they lived happily ever after.

That felt like a good place to end the book. Rook helped her find a publisher, and it was out in Minrathous. She thought that was the end of that. She'd put her first book out in the world!

But with Neve Gallus, things weren't so. Publishing might have been the step too far. After an excursion to Arlathan with Rook and Lucanis (who politely informed Bellara that her book was very popular among the residents of Treviso), Neve was waiting in Bellara's room, reading through a copy of her book.

To be honest, she'd been shoving down her feelings for Neve in case they weren't returned. Until the crush went away, the book was a good enough outlet. "Guinevere took Lucine's hand and kissed her knuckles, looking reverently at her sidekick," quoted Neve, placing a ribbon in the passage she was on. "I was wondering why so many people were asking me if my full name was Guinevere recently."

Bellara blushed and stammered, "I'm sorry if I put your real name out there, but I wanted the character to be like you but also not you?"

Neve smiled -- a real smile, not the ones she wore when she was patiently putting up with Bellara's rambles. "No. I just think it's sweet what you think of me," she replied, setting the book down on the table. "I hope I have enough stories to fuel your next book."

If it was possible, she flushed an even brighter red. Neve drew closer, and Bellara became immediately aware of the curve of her body, the click of her shoes. The deep cut of her shirt. She gulped. "I think so? I don't know if I'll write another. I mean, you're awesome and deserve to have another written about you, but um. Only if you want me to. I really should have asked," she said, letting her mouth speak whatever words crossed her mind. Mythal'enaste, she hadn't been this flustered since she first met Irelin!

"I'm honoured that you want to write about me. But I think the one thing that's stumped me is who Lucine is. The Shadow, Dellen. That's like Lucanis. There's Guinevere, me. You even had Inge, that was a slick way to get Ingellvar in there. But Lucine?" Neve dissected the book and placed a hand on Bellara's shoulder.

She knew? She had to know, right? There was no way she didn't. She was a detective and had clearly picked up that she'd used last names to inspire first names. Guinevere - Gallus, Dellamorte - Dellen, Inge - Ingellvar. Leaving Lucine - Lutare. Neve had to know. And if she didn't she'd certainly have it confirmed by her facial expressions.

Before she could stammer out an apology or explain it away as just part of the book, Neve started, "Look, I don't need explanations. I need…"

Well, if the nug was out of the bag... Bellara cut her off by standing on her tiptoes to kiss Neve. It wasn't intense really, just a quick peck. Before she embarrassed herself. She already felt like she did, but... Whatever. Also, if she kissed Neve longer she'd want more. And Neve might not want that. "I'm sorry!" Bellara squeaked.

The second part of her apology was cut off by two warm hands grabbing her cheeks and a long kiss on her lips. It began to heat up, as Neve licked and nipped Bellara's lips. A small gasp left her mouth, allowing Neve to slip her tongue into Bellara's mouth.

Someone coughed at the doorway. "I'll just bring your tea later?" Lucanis asked, slowly backing out of Bellara's room. Bellara darted over, grabbing her tea from Lucanis with a smile. She missed the pointed look Lucanis shot Neve over Bellara's thank you hug.

Neve mouthed a thank you to Lucanis, and picked up the book. "I'll be back later, Bell. I'm certain we can come up with more ideas for the next book," she teased.

Elgar'nan, Neve was going to be the death of her.

[neve-rook-datv]

Fanfic : The Trouble Within - Neve Gallus’ Personal Notes

Exploring Neve and Rook's connection in this fanfic dives deeper into the emotional nuances that many fans felt were missing or underdeveloped in the game.

In each part, Neve’s reflections bring us closer to understanding what Rook means to her, from their early encounters filled with tension and restraint to the moments where Neve can no longer deny her feelings. It’s a story of slow-burn romance, quiet realizations, and the courage it takes to let someone into a life shaped by independence and solitude.

If you’re into introspective POVs, a bit of angst, and that tension-filled slow-burn, I think you’ll enjoy this. 🌹

The story so far :

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5: Coming Soon

Let me know what you think! Your thoughts, feedback, and reactions mean the world to me. 🖤

[suosopulius]

I wrote a little something! Neve POV, hinted Harding x Rook, Rook is GN and unspecified race but a clown. Just pure silliness.

Cool Lines

Neve Gallus sidestepped a puddle and smiled to herself when the sound of Lace’s giggles carried over the noise of rain and market goers.

Rook laughed too or rather giggled. Neve noted that this bout of giggling had a worrisome note to it. It was conspiratorial, barely stifled, the kind of laugh that one tried to hide to no avail. 

As Neve had not been an active part of the discussion that evidently had led to this giggliness, the detective concluded that she was, in fact, somehow the reason or the object of the aforementioned giggles. Which one, however? She planned on finding out. 

Stopping under a terrace of the Lamplighter, Neve turned to face her companions who had been following her around Dock Town a few paces behind. Lace’s hair clung to her flushed cheeks and Rook stepped into a puddle, oblivious to anything but Lace’s laugh. 

That had been happening more lately. Lace laughing, and Rook causing it. Those two got along like a house on fire. Both were stubbornly positive and valued action over contemplation. Both of them were good to have on your side in a battle and loyal to a fault. Lace liked to laugh and Rook liked to make Lace laugh. 

Neve had the suspicion that something more than friendship was growing between the two. But that was not a mystery she felt the need to investigate. Things seemed to be moving well on their own. As rather action-oriented people Rook and Lace were eventually bound to kiss about it. 

“Care to share what’s so funny?” Neve asked and couldn’t help but be a bit amused as she took in the pair. 

“It’s really stupid,” Lace replied but didn’t seem guilty. So, the two of them had probably not been laughing at the detective’s expense.

“It’s really, really stupid,” Rook continued and looked a little sheepish. Neve lifted her brow in silent question. 

“Well, I - ”,

“Well, Rook was -”,

Again, a bout of giggles erupted from the two as speaking at the same time seemed to be a fine joke. Though, Neve was not impervious to the silliness of it all and she smiled at her companions. 

Rook managed to take a calming breath and cleared their throat. 

“We were wondering if you’d say ‘you’re on thin ice’, next time you cast blizzard.”

“Or ‘stay frosty’ when you do some other spell,” Lace added.

“Or ‘keep it cool’!”

“Oh! Oh! Oh! I know!” Lace exclaimed and waved her hands in excitement. “‘Looks like you’ve been put on ice’ when you do that time slow spell.”

Rook gasped in genuine amazement and mouthed ‘Lace!’, which caused the dwarf to snicker. 

Neve sighed. Of all the silly antics to suffer through… well, this wasn’t the worst, but it would take a while to forget these gems of expression. Though, maybe she’d write down one and on Lace’s name day perform a spell and deliver the line. The one about thin ice was not too bad… no, it was bad for a battle, the venatori would laugh but as a gift, it’d do. Besides, Neve could picture how happy such a small gesture would make the dwarf. All right, she’d embarrass herself at a later date as a treat to Lace. And Rook. They probably would be a couple by then. 

Neve sighed and placed her hands on her hips. An authoritative stance, but not an intimidating one.

“No,” Neve said. “Those kinds of lines belong to serials. Not the streets of Minrathous.”

“Okay,” Rook relented in the same tone they had used when they had gotten on a roll to empty their supply of hand-related puns in Arlathan. Luckily Bellara had been present to tell them to stop while they were ahead. 

Lace sighed and cast her eyes downwards, clearly a little disappointed to end the shenanigans.

“Though, Lace,” Neve said. “Why won’t you say ‘no stone unturned’ next time you move stone?”

The dwarf’s head snapped upwards and her eyes shone brightly as her mouth split into a grin. Rook gasped again.

“That’s… perfect!” Rook uttered and looked down at Lace who was already practicing the words while taking the stance she typically took when concentrating on moving stone.

“You two are children, you know?” Neve asked, not expecting a reply as she watched her two friends enjoy a moment of levity. The drizzle had started to wane, and a bit of sunshine reflected from the puddle Rook had stepped into a moment ago.  

[ironwoman359]

A Thief's Gamble - Ch. 12

A Ghost From the Past

Prev: Ch.11 Misdirection || Next: Ch.13 Lacking in Virtue Fic Masterpost

Fic Summary: Brynjolf is certain that the only way the Thieves Guild will return to its glory days is by bringing in new, talented members. Unfortunately, Mercer doesn't agree, and it's not like Brynjolf's latest attempts at recruiting have gone well. But when he meets a stranger in the marketplace one morning, he's willing to take the risk and bring her on board....only time will tell if his gamble pays off.

Chapter Summary: Brynjolf is used to dealing with Mercer's temper, but when an old enemy of the Guild resurfaces, not even he is prepared for the explosion that follows...or for its fallout.

Content: Brynjolf POV, Thieves Guild quest spoilers, game typical violence.

Ships: Brynjolf x Dragonborn OC (slowburn)

Word Count: 3,602

Check the reblogs for a link to read on AO3!

— — —

“You forgot to get intel from the girl before she left?” 

Brynjolf closed his hands into fists, forcing his face to remain a mask of calm. 

It was difficult; he was sore and exhausted after his long day of travel. When he’d arrived back at the Guild, he’d intended to share the good news that the payout from the Markarth job was likely to be double what they’d expected and then take a well deserved nap. Before he could get out a single word though, Mercer had asked him about the Solitude job. 

Which of course, he’d completely forgotten to get an update on before sending Ariene off to Markarth.

“What do you mean you FORGOT?!” Mercer shouted, and Brynjolf rolled his eyes.

“Is there another meaning of the word ‘forgot’ that I don’t know about?” he asked lightly, and Mercer glared at him. 

“Don’t test me right now Brynjolf, I’m not in the mood for your games.” 

“I don’t know what else you want me to say,” Brynjolf said with a sigh. “We were being watched in town, and the job turned out to be just as dangerous as Ariene feared. In all the excitement, the mission to Solitude slipped my mind.”

“I seem to recall one of your main arguments for going to help her was so that we could get the intel from Gulum-Ei sooner,” Mercer snapped. 

“She had to rendezvous–”

“Rendezvous with the client in Markarth, I understand that,” Mercer interrupted. “What I don’t understand is why you failed to do the most basic part of your job and get a report from her before heading back here.”

Brynjolf didn’t answer, mostly because deep down, he knew Mercer was right. He should have thought to ask Ariene about what Gulum-Ei said before letting her ride off into the sunset, but after their near death experience and subsequent conversation, he’d been more than a little bit preoccupied.

Mercer, apparently taking Brynjolf’s silence as confirmation of his suspicions, shook his head, his face twisted with distaste. 

“This is exactly what I was talking about,” he growled. “Gallus was getting sloppy towards the end too, you know.” 

“That’s not fair,” Brynjolf protested instantly. “I told you–”

“That this won’t turn out like last time? You don’t know that,” Mercer shot back. He huffed, and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Look, regardless of our differences, I don’t want you getting a knife in the back because you got distracted.”

“She saved my life, Mercer,” Brynjolf hissed. “What, you think now she’s going to turn around and murder me?”

“More than once, I’ve been burned by someone who used to have my back,” Mercer said simply. “In this line of work, loyalty means nothing.” 

Brynjolf opened his mouth to protest more, but Mercer waved his hand dismissively. 

“I’m not saying the girl will turn traitor, Brynjolf. Just that, so far? You’re not doing a great job of proving to me that she’s not a liability.” 

“So you’re just going to ignore her record?” Brynjolf asked. “Take a look around, Mercer. The Guild is finally starting to gain some footing again, and it’s nearly all thanks to her. She’s even managed to win over Vex and Delvin. Just because she reminds you of Karliah–”

“Don’t say her name,” Mercer cut him off, his eyes flashing with anger. “This isn’t about her.”  

Brynjolf ground his teeth in irritation, biting back his urge to reply:

Yes, it clearly is. 

Instead, he took a deep breath and folded his arms, fixing Mercer with a steady look. 

“So do you not want to hear about the massive payout we got from the Markarth job, then?” 

Mercer’s expression was still glowering, but at the mention of money, he raised a curious eyebrow. 

“Payout?” 

Brynjolf’s assurance to Ariene that coin would cheer Mercer up didn’t end up ringing completely true. Mercer was still angry, and Brynjolf’s haul of septims wasn’t enough to totally soothe his temper. However, the promise of even more coin when Ariene returned was enough to spare Brynjolf any further scolding.

He retreated from the cistern, and decided that what he really needed wasn’t a nap, but a drink. He made his way into the Ragged Flagon and fell into a chair, burying his face in his hands and letting out a frustrated groan. 

Delvin looked up from his table and grimaced in sympathy. 

“Mercer’s in a mood, I take it?” he asked.

“What do you think?” Brynjolf quipped as Vekel approached with a tankard for him.

“I think that when even coin isn’t enough to calm that rotten old skeever down, then it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep clear of him for a few days,” Delvin said, and Brynjolf snorted.

He took a sip of his ale, then looked at Delvin thoughtfully. As one of the few holdovers from the time that Gallus had been Guildmaster, the old thief had been a constant in the Guild for as long as Brynjolf could remember. He knew the younger thieves in the Guild thought the same thing about him and Vex now, but that was hard for him to wrap his head around. 

Brynjolf had been only nineteen when Gallus was killed, and had only been with the Guild for a few years. Just long enough to come to idolize Gallus, Mercer, and Karliah, but not long enough to really get to know them. Delvin, meanwhile, had been one of the Guild’s top members even in those days. He was even the first person that Mercer had made a lieutenant, though he had always been firm that he didn’t want to lead anyone. A sentiment that Brynjolf hadn’t understood at the time, but now that he was a lieutenant himself, he couldn’t help but  sympathize. 

Being a thief was hard enough; it was so much more daunting when you knew that everyone else was looking to you for direction.

A thought struck him, and he found himself wanting to ask something that he’d never really considered before.

“Delvin?” he asked, and the older man looked up. “Why exactly do you think the Guild is cursed?” 

Delvin looked surprised at the question, but he leaned forward, eager to have someone listen to his theories willingly. 

“It just ain’t natural, Bryn,” he insisted. “I’ve been doing this a long time, longer than even you or Mercer. I’ve seen bad thieves, and I’ve seen bad luck. This? It’s different. It’s affectin’ every single member of the Guild, even the most experienced. Vex got made on a job, for cryin’ out loud. Vex!”

“There were over a dozen guards…” Brynjolf offered lamely, but Delvin waved his protest away. 

“Guards, yes, but guards that she should have noticed sooner than she did. The fact that she didn’t is just plain bad–” 

“Bad luck,” Brynjolf finished, and Delvin nodded. 

“Exactly. And it’s like that every time. Things that shouldn’t happen, happenin’ to folks it shouldn’t happen to. Look, I know you lot think I’m crazy, but I can feel it. Something out there is doing this to us.” 

Brynjolf thought of the crypt in Pinewatch, of the way Rigel had appeared seemingly out of thin air without either of them noticing. It had certainly felt unnatural at the time. But how on earth could you be sure of something like that? 

Delvin swirled his mug of ale thoughtfully, then he smirked at Brynjolf. 

“At least, that’s what it has been like. I can’t deny that over the last few months we’ve actually been on the up and up, for what feels like the first time in ages. Maybe that girl of yours is some kinda good luck charm.” 

“She’s not my–” Brynjolf began, and Delvin chuckled, cutting him off. 

“Don’t give me that, Bryn. Maybe it ain’t official yet, but everyone knows the two of you’ll be an item soon.”

“Are you going to scold me about it like everyone else?” Brynjolf asked tiredly, but Delvin shook his head. 

“Nah. As far as I’m concerned, she’s a good match for you. Besides, she’s nearly single-handedly pulled this Guild outta the gutter. How could I complain? A word of advice, though.” 

Brynjolf leaned back in his chair and raised an eyebrow.

“Vekel I could understand, but what makes you qualified to advise me on my love life?”

“Very funny,” Delvin said flatly. “Look, all I was gonna say is this: the girl’s a free spirit. And you’ve gotta be quick to make your intentions clear with ladies like that, or you’ll find that they’ve slipped through your fingers.” 

“Do I pay you to sit around and gossip?” a familiar voice growled, and Brynjolf suppressed the urge to roll his eyes. 

Mercer walked up and grabbed a piece of bread off of the plate that Vekel was bringing Delvin, before dropping one of the ledger books in front of Brynjolf. 

“Look over this, and see if your projected take on this oh so special Markarth job will allow us to pay a portion of what Maven plans to give the jarl. She’s not too happy with the idea of paying for the entire bribe herself.”   

Mercer turned and stalked out of the cistern, and Brynjolf sighed. He reached a hand to his forehead, massaging his temples, then grabbed the ledger and stood up.

“You’re not actually going to work on that now, are you?” Delvin asked.

“Gods no,” Brynjolf said. “I’m going to bed. And if Maven and Mercer are lucky, I’ll wake up sometime before the fifth era and I can finish crunching their precious numbers for them.” 

— — — 

Brynjolf did not, in fact, sleep for hundreds of years. However, he did make himself scarce around the cistern for the next several days, opting to do his accounting work from the relative privacy of what passed for his quarters down in the Ratway tunnels that surrounded the Flagon. 

Fortunately, the gold he’d brought back did provide the Guild enough extra funds to foot half of Maven’s “donation” to Mistveil Keep, and Mercer’s mood improved considerably after the guard patrols were pulled back to their normal rotations. He didn’t apologize, Brynjolf could count on one hand the number of times the Guildmaster had done that, but at least he’d cooled down enough for Brynjolf to walk through the cistern again without being treated to withering glares and backhanded remarks. 

Still, when Ariene finally returned from Markarth, Brynjolf made sure to pull her aside before she went to report to Mercer. 

“It’s my fault, not yours, lass,” he said quietly. “But Mercer’s not pleased that he’s had to wait an extra week for the news from Solitude. Tread lightly, alright?”

Ariene’s face twisted in a grimace.

“Honestly, he could be in the best damn mood of his life and he’d be more livid than a cave troll after getting this news. No sense beating around the bush.” 

“Gulum-Ei didn’t have good intel?” Brynjolf guessed, but Ariene shook her head. 

“Worse.” 

She headed into the cistern without another word, and Brynjolf followed, unease stirring in the pit of his stomach. 

Ariene marched right up to where Mercer was bent over his desk, and the Guildmaster frowned at her as she approached. 

“About damn time you got back,” he said in lieu of a greeting. “Please tell me Gulum-Ei gave up some information on our buyer.” 

“He did,” Ariene said bluntly. “It’s Karliah.” 

Mercer’s head snapped up and the room went dead silent. 

“She’s the lieutenant you told me about, isn’t she?” Ariene said, looking at Brynjolf. “The one who murdered Gallus?”

“Aye, lass,” Brynjolf said quietly. “If she’s back…” 

His blood ran cold at the thought.

“You’re absolutely certain?” Mercer asked, his voice low and dangerous, and Ariene nodded. 

“Gulum-Ei acted as a go-between for her with Aringoth, though he swore up and down he didn’t know it was her until after he’d agreed to broker the sale.” 

Mercer swore and slammed his fist down on his desk, and Brynjolf didn’t miss the way Ariene flinched before quickly regaining her composure. 

“Damn that Dunmer to Oblivion! I hoped we’d never have to cross paths with her again, but it seems she won’t be satisfied until she’s destroyed the Guild for good. Did Gulum-Ei have any information about her current whereabouts?” 

“Nothing concrete,” Ariene said carefully. “But apparently she told him she was going ‘where the end began.’ I pressed him for details, but he insisted that’s all he knows.”

“Where the end began…” Mercer repeated, his face darkening. 

He began to pace back and forth behind his desk, muttering the phrase to himself over and over. Ariene glanced at Brynjolf, a questioning look in her eyes, but he could only shrug in confusion.

“There's only one place that could be,” Mercer said finally. “The place where Karliah killed Gallus over twenty years ago…a ruin called Snow Veil Sanctum.” 

“That’s a few hours north of Windhelm, right?” Brynjolf asked, and Mercer nodded absently, still muttering to himself. 

“I’m the only one left who knows all Karliah’s techniques, all her skills. If she manages to take me out…” He looked up sharply. “We have to go out there and stop her before she does anymore damage.” 

“We as in…?” Ariene asked hesitantly, and Mercer glared at her.

“As in you and me, obviously. We’re going to go out there together and kill her. That should put a stop to any more of her attempts to bring the Guild down.”

“Mercer,” Brynjolf cut in, unable to hold his tongue any longer. “You can’t be serious.” 

“Do I look like I’m joking?” Mercer snapped. “This needs to be done, and I won’t hear any argument otherwise.”

“Aye, and I’m not saying it doesn’t, but the two of you can’t go on your own.” 

“I think you’ll find I can do whatever I damn well please, Brynjolf.” 

“This is Karliah we’re talking about, for Shor’s sake!” Brynjolf exclaimed. “She killed Gallus, and she almost killed you! Vex and I should–”

“I don’t need you to remind me what she’s done,” Mercer interrupted, shooting him a withering look. “I am well aware of exactly how capable she is.” 

“So don’t rely on one new recruit for your backup,” Brynjolf insisted. 

“A recruit who’s proven herself capable in combat multiple times over.”  

A part of Brynjolf urged him to back down. He argued with Mercer often, but he could always tell when it was best to put his own concerns aside in favor of the Guildmaster’s will. It wasn’t exactly good for morale if the underlings saw the Guild’s head and second in command fighting over decisions. This would ordinarily be the type of argument where he had to swallow his pride and concede. 

And yet, this time he found that he couldn’t bring himself to do it. 

“Not three days ago you were complaining that she was a liability,” Brynjolf pressed. “Now you want her to help you hunt down Karliah?”  

“She’s a liability for you, Brynjolf,” Mercer growled. “I’ll be just fine. Which is it, exactly? That she’s a competent thief who deserves my respect, or a green recruit who has no business putting herself in danger? It seems to me the answer is whichever is more convenient for you in any given argument.” 

Brynjolf’s face burned, more from anger than embarrassment, though he could feel the eyes of everyone in the cistern on the two of them as they argued.

“You’re making a mistake,” he insisted, forcing himself to ignore the staring. “This isn’t just another job. Leave the lass behind and let me and Vex come with you.” 

“Karliah is trying to destroy the Guild! I’m not putting my best lieutenants in her path.” 

“You’re too close to this, Mercer,” Brynjolf hissed. “You’re not thinking straight. You shouldn’t–” 

“I am your GUILDMASTER!” Mercer roared. “I’ve made my decision, and you are in NO position to question me!”

The shout echoed around the cistern, and any murmuring from the other Guildmembers stopped instantly. Brynjolf and Mercer openly glared at each other, but before things could escalate further, Ariene’s voice cut through the rising tension. 

“It’s fine,” she said quietly. “I’ll go.” 

“Damn right you will,” Mercer spat without taking his eyes off Brynjolf. “Get your things ready and meet me at the stables within the hour.” 

Brynjolf felt a muscle jump in his jaw, but he didn’t speak or break their eye contact, and eventually Mercer turned and stomped out of the cistern. Brynjolf had half a mind to march right out after him, but Ariene’s hand on his arm stopped him. 

“Don’t,” she said quietly. “It’s not worth it.” 

“It’s not right,” Brynjolf said through gritted teeth, and Ariene shrugged, flashing a smile that was probably meant to be reassuring, but came off as slightly manic.

“Well, look at it this way,” she said, her voice full of false cheer. “Maybe after this, he’ll stop seeing me as a liability.”

She turned and started walking towards the Flagon, and Brynjolf winced.

Damn you, Mercer.

“You don’t have to do this, lass,” he said, falling into step beside her.

“Actually, I do,” Ariene said, ducking through the passageway and into the dingy tavern. “I think he’d kick me out of the Guild altogether if I refuse him.” 

Brynjolf shook his head immediately. 

“I wouldn’t let that happen. Mercer may be too dense to see it, but you’re one of the best we have.”

“I can’t let you use up all your good will with him on my account,” Ariene protested. “You’ve done enough for me already. Syndus!” 

The last was to the fletcher who kept shop beside the Ragged Flagon, who looked up as they approached his alcove. Ariene pulled a coin purse from the satchel at her side and held it up for him to see.

“I need fresh arrows. Two quiverfull.” 

The Bosmer quickly filled her order, and she pulled out a few coins from the purse and handed them over. She turned to Brynjolf and held out the rest of the purse to him. 

“Here. The profits from Markarth. I didn’t get a chance to report to Delvin, but tell him that Endon is happy to open whatever doors are necessary in the city. With any luck, we’ll be able to use the foothold there to start operating more in Haafingar.” 

Brynjolf took the purse, not missing the way that Ariene didn’t quite meet his eyes as she spoke. 

“Are you certain about this, lass?” he asked in a low voice. “Karliah’s too damn smart to let slip where she was going by accident…this is more than likely a trap.”

Ariene sighed, running a hand through her dark hair. 

“I know, but that’s a chance we'll have to take. Mercer is an asshole, but he’s also right. Putting more of the Guild’s leadership in harm’s way than is necessary doesn’t make tactical sense. It’s…it’s better for everyone if I’m the one to go.” 

Brynjolf moved without thinking, stepping forward and taking one of her hands in his. She startled at the touch, but she didn’t pull away. 

“You’re not expendable, lass,” he said softly. “You know that, right? I– the Guild needs you in one piece as much as it needs me or the other lieutenants.” 

Ariene’s looked from where their hands were joined up to Brynjolf’s face. Reflected torchlight danced in her eyes, so deep and blue that he felt as though he could drown in them, and he felt his pulse quicken.

“The Guild needs me?” she repeated, her voice low, and he swallowed. 

Standing inches apart, it was like all rational thought flooded from his mind in an instant. Absently, he reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and he let his hand linger beside her face. It would be so easy to cup her cheek, lean forward and…

The creak of a door and sudden footsteps cut through the silence, and the two jumped apart on instinct. Brynjolf dropped her hand, wondering briefly if he was imagining the flicker of disappointment on her face. 

Damn this sewer’s lack of privacy!

“Well. Good luck, lass,” he said lamely.

She nodded, swinging one of the quivers of arrows she’d bought over her shoulder. The movement made her knapsack shift, and he saw the empty space on her belt where her steel dagger had sat. 

On impulse, he reached for his own belt, unbuckling the sheath of the dagger on his left side. He held the weapon out to her hilt first, and her eyes widened. 

“Here. To replace the one that broke in Pinewatch,” he said.

“I– Brynjolf, I can’t accept that. It was a gift!”

“A gift from Gallus,” Brynjolf agreed. “If you’re going out to avenge him, you may as well take a piece of him with you.”

Reluctantly, Ariene took the dwarven blade and strapped it into place. The silence between them stretched into awkwardness as she fiddled with the straps and straightened the sheath. 

“I guess I should go,” she said eventually. “Don’t want to keep the Guildmaster waiting.” 

She turned to leave, but before she could walk away, Brynjolf called after her. 

“Ariene.”

She looked back at him, and his breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t explain why, but he felt he had to say something before she left, something important, but for once in his life he couldn’t find the right words.

“Just…come back to me in one piece, alright lass?” 

She smiled, though the expression didn’t quite reach her eyes. 

“Of course I will,” she said. “You still owe me a drink, remember?”

— — —

Prev: Ch.11 Misdirection || Next: Ch.13 Fic Masterpost

[definitelyallergictohalla]

Hey, you know that fic I mentioned I wanted to write? The Illario POV? Here's the first chapter. >:3c

Edit 11/27/2024: Now you can read the chapter below, too! I will likely continue to do this each chapter (per request from a friend of mine), but maybe a few days after I post on Ao3 so I receive more traffic there.

Relationships: Lucanis Dellamorte/Neve Gallus/Rook, one sided Illario Dellamorte/Neve Gallus, Illario Dellamorte/Original Female Character(s), mentioned Female Lavellan/Solas

Characters: Illario Dellamorte, Neve Gallus, Original Female Character(s), Tarquin (Dragon Age), Rook (Dragon Age), Lucanis Dellamorte

Additional Tags: redemption arc, Illario POV, Antivan Crows, Shadow Dragons, Clan Lavellan - Freeform, Pining, Jealousy, Minrathous/Treviso Choice - Treviso Saved (Dragon Age), Shadow Dragon Rook (Dragon Age)

Summary: Illario Dellamorte, traitor Crow, is tasked to help Neve Gallus with a job after the fall of Elgar'nan. He doesn't expect what comes next. (A redemption arc of sorts for Illario, post Veilguard.)

Notes: I like it when the Antivan Crows are morally grey. Also, fuck Caterina (she's not currently super relevant to the story but she haunts it... despite being alive)???

Some notes on my world state that should be seen:

Rook is a Shadow Dragon, as well as a Qunari Mage; leans blue/purple in personality

Treviso saved

Illario spared and not in jail

Harding died during the fight with Ghilin'nain

Neve was kidnapped by Elgar'nan but survived

Solas was given the chance at redemption and (warrior) Lavellan went with him

Clan Lavellan survived the battle of Wycome

Inquisition was disbanded

Tags will update on Ao3 as I go!

Chapter 1: One Job Illario Dellamorte, known traitor of the Antivan Crows, was not a coward.

That being said, as he walked the bustling streets of Dock Town with a duo of Shadow Dragons in tow, Illario had to admit that he was getting a bit sick of attempting to win his back his family’s favor.  Sure, he was thankful that he wasn’t shoved into a prison cell – or worse – after the stunt he pulled…�� Yet when getting back home to Treviso post such a dangerous fight for the fate of the world, the man had not expected to be pulled aside by Viago a few weeks later to be sent back the damned city he could have died in.

He should have expected it.  Viago had mentioned that the job about ‘helping him see what he did was wrong’.  The idea stunk of Rook, the bastard Qunari who seemed to have successfully wooed his cousin, despite the latter being an abomination.  It frustrated Illario to see Lucanis cling as the first person who helped him out of the Ossuary, but it wasn’t his place to comment, at least not anymore.

Despite this, Illario was fully intending to make best use of his new situation, turning his attention to the pair of rebels behind him.

“So,” he began, noting the direction all three were heading “What’s the job today?”

One of them - Tarquin, the man – acknowledged the question with the furrow of his eyebrows.  Even shorter than Lucanis and sporting similar hair and beard, Tarquin did not share Illario’s cousin’s good-natured yet-haunted personality.  Illario had met him at the Archon’s palace, but it didn’t take him long to discover that the Shadow Dragon was sarcastic, as well as often rude.

“I take it that you don’t remember the letter?”  Tarquin snarked.

Illario rolled his eyes, flinging the vitriol back at the other man.  “I didn’t read a letter.  Viago did, if I had to guess.”

The other Shadow Dragon – a Dalish elf named Ethena  – glanced over to Tarquin while grimacing.  “You know, I didn’t get a letter either,” she muttered at him as she scratched the back of her head, messing up her cropped copper hair even further.

“I know that, I was planning on filling you in as we went,” Tarquin replied as they made it to the edge of the docks.  “I’ve heard you’re resourceful like that.”

Illario bit back a retort about how he was plenty resourceful due to Crow training, but a look of annoyance skewed his facial features anyway.  “An agenda would be nice.  And maybe a drink while we’re at it.”

“Good thing we’re already stopping at the Cobbled Swan,” Ethena mentioned causally.  “Since we’re meeting our client there.”

Tarquin nodded as gestured in the direction of a large pub, not far from where they had stopped walking to talk.  “Drinks aren’t on the agenda, by the way.”

The trio continued onto their path and walked into the dimly lit pub.  It was neater than what Illario was expecting, but still dirtier than anything he saw in Treviso; occasionally he’d see seagulls attempt to pop in through the front door and windows, only to be beaten back with a broom by an elderly elven man.

Eventually, they wandered to the back of the main of the pub, greeted by who Illario could assume was either the owner of the establishment.  The man was dressed in the closest you could get to fine attire this section of Minrathous; nothing overly showy to be considered a target, but the man’s dark green out was tailored to his tall, slim build.  The details of a business man, however, starkly contrasted his shaved, military hairstyle and the faded scar that ran down the left side of his face.

Regardless, the man smiled warmly at Illario and the Shadow Dragons next to him.  “Ah, I assume you are the help the detective suggested to hire?”

Tarquin came forward and waved an envelope, sealed by teal-colored wax.  “Is she in storage room?” he inquired.

“Indeed, please feel free to go back there yourselves, I trust that a savior of Minrathous would have fine taste in company.”

Ah, mierda.  Of course, he was working with Neve Gallus on this job.

Illario had met her initially when Lucanis was freed from the Ossuary, then during the siege on the Archon’s palace.  Gallus has been briefly fucked up, eyes red from the blight magic Elgar’nan had used to control her mind.  Then poof, the moment the elven god died, she was back in nearly top shape, free from having to go to the Wardens for whatever help they could offer.  Of course, she still looked exhausted, nearly collapsing onto of Rook several times as he helped her move to get checked out by a healer.

And now, as she walked out of the storage closet towards her comrades and her client, her prosthetic leg clicking on the stone like it was a stiletto heel, Illario couldn’t help but to notice how different she felt from the battle three weeks ago.  A sense of swagger and confidence as she set her strides.

Sexy.

A few moments passed, and the owner of the Swan let the four of them talk amongst themselves.

“Glad to see you all here,” Gallus greeted.  Then the detective arched an eyebrow at Illario.  “Interesting choice for Viago and Rook to send you, though”.

Illario bowed a mock bow.  “Anything for family, ma’am.”

Gallus shook her head, clearly unimpressed.  She turned to Ethena.  “Do you have any extra paper, per chance?  I ran out.

Ethena groaned loudly in response as Gallus smiled, perhaps slightly sheepishly.

“I was in a rush this morning,” the detective insisted, and although elven woman clearly didn’t buy it, she tore out a few pages of a fancy leather-bound journal regardless.

“You owe me a new journal,” Ethena muttered, sounding pained.

“Sure thing.  I always give back what is owed.”

Over the next hour, while in the back of the storage unit surrounded by Gallus’ notes, Illario and Ethena were filled in on the job; the owner of the Cobbled Swan, last week, had found the dead, mutilated body of one of his bartenders, an elderly Dwarven man who had worked there for years.  Gallus had since picked up a few leads (the Venatori were involved, of course), but needed a team in case of any violent altercations.

“Will Illario’s former allegiance cause any trouble?” Tarquin asked when there was a pause in the detective’s words.

Gallus glanced at Illario coldly at the Antivan.  “I think he knows what’s at stake if he messes up or causes any issues.”  She turned away to carefully organize her papers into a pile.  “Besides, I trust-”

“Rook’s judgement?” Tarquin suggested.  He rolled his eyes as Gallus continued to shuffle papers around, not answering.  “Not sure that’s a wise decision for Dock Town.”

Illario couldn’t help but to laugh internally as the attention turned to Rook.  He was a hard topic for the Shadow Dragons, too, maybe because of the first attack on Dock Town that the Qunari had ignored in favor of helping Treviso.  Perhaps he could use that information to leverage things.

“When do we start?” Illario inquired.  “I could use some practice with my knives.”

“Tomorrow at sunrise,” Gallus answered, back still turned.  “I need to ask a shopkeep nearby if he has heard any noises, and he’s only around during the weekly fish market.”  She then spun around to face him.  “Hope you can keep up.”

Illario feigned hurt.  “You wound me, Gallus, and you don’t even have a knife in your hand.”  He placed a hand over his heart for exaggeration.

That got a smirk out of her.

Later, the four of them wandered out of the storage room of the Swan and into the streets of a darkening Dock Town.  Confirming their plans to go to the market tomorrow, they all split ways to their other obligations, except for Illario, who needed to find a room to rent.

The Antivan man strolled casually past the many criminals and vagabonds on the side of the street.  This was going to be an easy job, and he’d back home to Treviso in a few days.

Perfect.

[greypetrel]

Hello! <3 sperando che le emoji sul mio telefono siano uguali: 🛏️🦄⛴️?

Hello <3

Mi sembra di sì, comunque si capisce! Grazie! <3

Tis the prompt list

🛏 Is there a new trope you'd like to write this year?

This is a difficult question, I don't reason in tropes or "What should I put in this story", LOL. I insert stuff as it seems natural, but without a clear plan in mind? Mh, I'm thinking of what I'd like to put in Origins stuff and I don't know, surely there's lots of mutual pining? It would be nice to challenge myself to write a meet cute (which is something I don't like to read about and have a hard time relating to) to see if I can do something I like with it.

Added after answering the third question: jaded/guarded x sunshine.

🦄 Is there a new POV you'd like to try writing?

Definitely some Morrigan in the early stages of game! That level of mistrust/I'm curious about the elf that keeps complaining that everyone is stupid and agrees with me, but still does everything by the book and oh no, delegating. I'm turning her around and around in my head like a washing machine ahahah.

Also more Dorian in the DadWolf.

🛳 Are there any new ships you want to write for? (Platonic, romantic, or anything in between.)

More love for Neve Gallus please.

I have my... reservations with Veilguard, but I love her character so much and I'd really like to explore something with her and my main Rook, Priscilla. The game gave little content for romances but that we got was good (at least with her). Would be nice to explore them, I don't know. Cynical jaded investigator with ball of sunshine in ostrich feathers and pink silk? It's something I'd like to explore.

Also I'm writing Cole for the mini fic and I'd love to write him more, GH. (hoping I do him justice. O: )

[visceralcoma]

6, 12, 17 for ao3 wrapped!

6. Favorite title you used

Oh man, for this year, that'd be "The Orifice of Holding" because of a joke i made and decided to use it for a fic.

12. How many WIP’s do you have in your docs for next year?

TOO MANY. No I counted and it's so far 9 for DATV, and 2 for HP that I continue to write for in defiance of the author. fuckher she doesn't get to take away my fandom enjoyment for her views. 17. Your favorite character to write this year?

SO FAR? I'm enjoying the hell out of writing Neve Gallus. she's so easy for me to write. I wrote two chapters in her pov without having to reference anything. I just...got her voice immediately.

[ashenlavellan]

Never-ending Downpour - [Lucanis Dellamorte/Lucretia Mercar]

Minrathous had hardly changed and it was apparent when Lucretia had been warmly welcomed by her fellow Shadow Dragons as soon as she stepped into their hideout. Whilst intending to uncover more information about the blighted gods they will face, she's stunned when Neve Gallus begins to share the information she dug up from checking her background... Yet it's even more unnerving, considering the fact that Lucanis is privy to every single word that slips from their mouths and as a horrible, dark truth is revealed from their usually light-hearted leader...

Well, the brain-rot for this man is so goddamn real and the fact that I'm so invested with the budding relationship between him and my beloved Lucretia has me teeming with excitement! This one is more centered around Lucretia's POV, so I hope it's as enjoyable and well-received as the first!

Hope you enjoy - let me know what you think! <3

[justbr0s]

Rating: Mature

Category: M/M

Fandoms: Dragon Age (Video Games) Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game)

Relationship: Rook/Solas (Dragon Age)

Characters:

Lucanis Dellamorte

Emmrich Volkarin

Bellara Lutare

Lace Harding

Taash (Dragon Age)

Davrin (Dragon Age)

Solas (Dragon Age)

Rook (Dragon Age)

Neve Gallus

Additional Tags:

POV Third Person

POV Outsider

First Time

Enemies to Friends to Lovers

Summary:

Rook and Solas through the eyes of the companions.

Notes:

1. There are 7 chapters for each companion (rated T to M), and 1 bonus chapter for Solas and Rook (rated M-E).

2. Rook in this is a human male, and there are references to this throughout the story.

[wordsandrobots]

Not to be all final-final-v3 on everyone but I think that actually is it. Having now accounted for a sudden last-minute extra scene in the last fic, I believe that's now a section break icon for every individual point of view in Wishing on Space Hardware.

Some of these won't actually end up being used, since the POVs only occur at the start of chapters, but I like to be thorough. There are still two POVs not covered here: the omnipresent narrator who shows up occasionally to address the reader directly (which is *technically* another character POV, because the narrator has a definite voice, but that'll remain my little secret); and one you'll find out about in the very last fic in the series, which has an icon prepared already, but isn't a singular point of view, exactly.

So yes. Hah! Done.

Now I just need to finish writing that last fic.

Key to the characters represented below this cut:

Eugene | Kudelia | Elion | Almiria | Azee

Shino | Atra | Julieta | Asher | Eco

Yamagi | Akatsuki | Toka | Embi | Argi

Chad | Yukinojo | Gallus | Lin | Liarina

Dante | Merribit | Gaelio | Reuben | Volco

Derma | Dexter | Iverson | Isurugi | Ilyana

Zack | Takaki | Ordsley | Carta | McMurdro

Dane | Sri | Mackenzie | the pluma | Cricthlow

Ride | Sakura | Ahmed | Gargin | The Chief

Hirume | Cucubita | Iznario | Nobliss | Greyling

Pel | Victor | Deira | Dominic | Ms Phiri

[teganstable]

Rwby Cupids Booth pt 6

Tauradonna (Blakes pov)

Tauradonna (Adam's pov)

(I think if u listen to the lyrics of both songs it really captures how each of them saw themselves in their relationship.)

Knightfall (Cinders pov)

Knightfall (Jaunes pov)

(The guilt would actually bring them both to their knees is how this feels to me)

Achilles heel (Pyrrhas pov)

Achilles heel (cinders pov)

(this ship to me feels like it wouldn't last a month)

Daddy issues (Weiss is pov)

Daddy issues (Mercurys pov)

(another ship that gives me aesthetic toxic vibes.)

Willow × Jacques

Willow × Jacques

(I mean... the songs say it all)

[uchidachi]

Dragon Age Exchange Letter 2024

Hello Black Emporium Rare Pair Exchange Writer/Artist!

Thank you for making this gift for me! I know I will love whatever you come up with, but for those who like a little more guidance I have left many prompts in the signup and some general likes & dislikes here.

I'm open to treats of Fic and/or Art and multi-recip treats!

General Likes:  I really like UST and mutual pining, also the corny stuff like “fake married” or “bed sharing” or “arranged marriage” tropes. I LOVE Soulmate AUs more than anything else, I’m an absolute sucker for those. I also like the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers trope. I also really like cats, so if you give a character a cat, I will be happy

General dislikes: I love angst, but not really hurt/comfort. I love canon deviation and certain AUs, but I really don’t get into any AUs that change the setting for Dragon Age

DNW: any kind of abuse, bathroom kinks, bestiality, crossovers, humiliation, incest, modern AUs, mundane AUs, noncon/dubcon, omegaverse, pregnancy, PWP, second-person POV, underage, whump.

Specific Character/Pairing notes: I tag all my ships on this blog with “character a x character b�� in alphabetical order, so if you want to look up what I’ve reblogged/posted on Krem/Harding for instance, look for the tag “harding x krem” and Adaar/Vivienne would be under both “inquisitor x vivienne” and “adaar x vivienne”. OT3s are under the tag “ot3″. A lot of the pairings this year are truly the rarest of rare, so for some of them I may not have any content yet!

For the many Vivienne ships I requested; I do headcanon her and Bastien having an open relationship when they are together, so feel free to use that headcanon if you want!

Now for the spoiler part of the letter. Please let this photo of my cat protect you if you wish to not read Veilguard prompts. Otherwise please scroll past the cat & click read more for more prompts.

Male Adaar/Solas or Female Cadash/Solas - I put this under the spoiler group because I am in love with the idea that maybe Inquisitors who were shot down by Solas during Inquisition get a second chance at romance in Veilguard. Just imagine the possibilities…

Vivienne/Emmrich Volkarin - Well, she does canonically like silver foxes ;)

Davrin & Merrill (Dragon Age) - LET! MERRILL! PET! THE! BABY! GRIFFON! Ok apart from Assan, I really would love to see Merrill able to make friends with another Dalish elf, and as a Grey Warden Davrin is likely less anti-blood-magic than average. Or at least I’m going to headcanon that he is, until proven otherwise. 

Fenris/Neve Gallus - All the joy of pairing Fenris with a mage, with less drama because she’s 100% with him on hunting down maleficars & helping Tevinter slaves. Also I have one word for you: Casefic.

For general Veilguard stuff: I'm planning to play as a lady Rook that is a Dwarven rogue archer named Rhea. If there's a background for Rook that doesn't involve being part of the Carta I'll be over the moon. That's not at all required to include, but I thought I might as well include it

[yokaismp]

Last time on YSMP - Astrophel's PoV

Hmm... So that's what it does.

Just like Altair's stream, Astrophel's starts with him losing his soul. From this PoV, we can see what those little squeezes Altair gave the soul did to Astrophel. I can see how that is unpleasant...

Astrophel indeed experiences a couple of effects on his way to find Vel, and upon finding his brother, he can confirm those aren't entirely illusory. Vel is not too pleased with Astrophel giving away his soul, of course! And Astro's plan to keep all this secret, especially from River, instantly fails too. Because one of the animals was in fact the leader of Gallus Nesting in disguise.

There is a confrontation with several entities in Gallus Nesting, but Astrophel escapes out to his secret lab. And nobody knows where that is.... Nobody except for Vel.

Astrophel's brother tracks him down and confronts him, more gently this time, but nevertheless. It turns out Astrophel doesn't think losing his soul s a big deal, not for now... And also turns out one of Alex' comments hit a bit close to home. During their talk, Altair gives the soul another couple of squeezes, and Astrophel gets to feel the issue with "being at his mercy" Vel just warned him about.

Astrophel returns to Gallus Nesting and finds River. The talk with Vel brought up uncomfortable memories of Astro's murder attempt on her, and he wants to know how she could forgive him. They don't reach any satisfying conclusions there, but agree to go on a date to unwind soon. Oooooooo~~

One last confrontation happens with Alex, in which he says Astro isn't the only one with a prior life, and he is not alone.... And Astrophel tells him to mind his own business. Basically. So we're ending on a tense note here it seems, with many things unresolved.

Watch the VoD here!