#rutherford extras

[trhor]

It should be noted the inclusion of HRH The Duke of Rothes created quite the media speculation after the Duke was notable absent for several years following the abdication of his role as heir. Many proposed, the Duke's inclusion was meant to finally put to rest the years of speculation that there was bad blood between the royal household and the former heir. The Press office has stayed silent regarding the matter which continues to be a topic of discussion.

Inspired by both @warwickroyals and @theroyalthrones

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Simchella

Close up unedited picture of their makeup <3

cc by: @daylifesims @belaloallure3 @enriques4 @arethabee @ice-creamforbreakfast

@dissiasims @dallasgirl79 @sentate @mssims @serenity-cc @giuliettasims

@crypticsim @joliebean @rustys-a @jius-sims @simcelebrity00

@rimings @simstrouble @sylviemycc @solistair @dogsill @miikocc

[justasmolweebean]

Lavellan mage x cullen romance just hits different

[sweetdaniisovan]

I've never romanced Cullen before because I always thought, "Meh average blond man, I'm not interested" and I'm romancing him for the first time now and ummm yeah I understand the brain rot

[summer-all-yearround-blog]

[applesaucesims]

Unfriendly reminder that Harrison is as much of a dick in game as he is in the story.

[ndostairlyrium]

points torchlight under her chin and laughs

Buonasera uwu

Cullen+Ankh in C2, Fenris+Barbara in E1, Alistair+Ela in F2

And give me some Salopette Club (Aisling and Barbara) in whatever pose you'd like (if you'd like of course) Bye! <3

Buonasera signorina buonaseeera 🎶

Non ti dico che ho adorato questa lista, ma ho adorato questa lista ;; aaaa grasie <3

fereldans mad at food

you can tell she's tilted lmao

fancyfen is back ;; now with the accessory of indignation

*squeaky toy sound* I modified A2 to fit the vibe I get from them :' they're two peluches in disguise, in my head

The Meme

[animezinglife]

He went from bolting at the suggestion of a relationship to only needing three separate forms of consent from a woman he's already in a relationship with.

Character development.

On the subject of misunderstandings: can we please not spread around the idea that cullen was some predator after the female circle mage warden. He's the one actively avoiding a relationship with them and saying it's wrong.

You can dislike him, but let's not misconstrue things.

[mx-pastelwriting]

DA HC - Celebrating Your Anniversary

Dragon Age x GN! Reader

Summary: How they would celebrate your anniversary.

Warnings/Tags: Established Relationship, Fluff, Anniversary, Kissing, Dates, Fancy Dinners, Camping

Characters: Solas, Varric Tethras, Cullen Rutherford, Iron Bull, Thom Ranier (Blackwall), Lucanis Dellamorte, Emmrich Volkarin, Lace Harding

- Didn't proofread much. I just slammed them into three grammar checkers, so have fun!

Solas

- Solas would remember your anniversary, but even if he didn't, you wouldn't know, as he makes every day with you feel as if it were your anniversary. Being his, finally his, he makes sure you know he has only eyes for you. Making sure you feel that he is yours, you are his.

- Yearly anniversaries, but monthly anniversaries, are not off the table. Taking the yearly dates more seriously, with monthly being a day of finding little surprises in places that are common to you. Leaving your favorite things in those spots, seeing as his face is plastered with a huge smile once you bring the gifts to his attention when finding them.

- The yearly anniversaries would be him worshiping you like a god, more than usual, of course. Almost refuses to have you lift a finger as he fills the day with surprises. Waking to the room being filled with glowing magic, spelling out your name and words of love, with the afternoon being filled with scenic views with shows of ancient elven magic. Ending the day with dinner and a slow dance, holding your body close, warming more than your cheeks, before playing a few songs that he composed on the piano, inspired heavily by his love for you.

- Never will he miss your anniversary but has a chance of forgetting it. In his mind, doing things with a bit of extra love to make it up to you out of guilt does things with extra love and care. Though with enough time or love, you could get the confession of his slip of the mind, knowing he couldn't lie when it comes to you.

- Making the days of your anniversary feel like they last forever; once Solas starts, he can't bear to stop loving your smile. Swearing the smile you wear once that date comes around is different, as much as you plead for him to let you spoil him back. Even when giving in to your pleas, he always finds a way to spoil you right back just to see that smile.

Setting down a plate of Orlesian frilly cakes in front of Solas, making him look up from his notes with pointed ears twitching. Greeted lovingly by a pair of violet eyes, seeing as Solas's eyes crease from the smile that stretched across his lips.

With a swift action, his arm wraps around your waist, pulling you in. Body pressed against his chest, thanking you with kisses that tickled your skin, making you squirm in his hold. Stopping the attack, watching him pull something from under his notes, Solas's eyes watched closely as your face lit up at his gift. Soaking in the smile that lined your lips, hoping it would last forever.

-

Varric Tethras

- Most of the time he would remember it's your anniversary, joking about it in bed, cuddled up warmly if he had remembered what day it was. Dances around the answer if he had forgotten, but eventually, you'd get it out of him that he did forget with a reminder it was only morning, and he has the whole day to make you forget he ever did.

- Celebrate your yearly and monthly anniversaries, though monthly ones are more spotty in celebration. Knowing if he remembers those when finding papers around the place that tell short stories of all the times he found himself falling in love with you all over again.

- Yearly anniversaries would be Varric trying his best to be the perfect man, with halfway through the day he gives up going back to being the man you love instead of an overly romantic guy that takes you to fancy restaurants. When all you want is to just be with him drinking and have Varric chew off your ear with stories that you’ve heard millions of times, but you’d never tell him that.

- Has missed your anniversary at least once since you've been together. A day filled with apologies and his mood being a bit down, trying his best to make it up to you. Gifting you things over the day. Little things that he says remind him of you, giving you a first read of your favorite book series of his, and rare home-cooked dinners.

- Varric is always sweet on you, even after your anniversary. The tender moments don't stop, though the moments are now filled with more jokes than before he loves you just as much as he does during your anniversary, now with more jokes filling those moments.

Watching Varric adoring every smile and face scrunch he pulled while telling you a story he's told you a hundred times, never telling him that fact, though, taking it as an opportunity to just watch him.

Soaking in his mere existence, every smile, frown, and furrow of his brow. Every move makes your mind melt as you're reminded why you feel head over heels for the man. That is until he catches you staring, breaking your longing stare with a charming kiss on the cheek.

-

Cullen Rutherford

- Very spotty when it comes to remembering it's your anniversary, but you give him grace, as most of the time he has a lot on his plate. Reminding him gently every morning on that date it's your anniversary, with a quick curse to himself, he tries to play it off just to panic for the rest of the morning trying to think and plan something for that day.

- Cause of his busy schedule, he prefers to celebrate yearly, but if he's reminded, a gift might end up on your desk or nightstand. Even with the yearly dates, he still has to do some work but tries to plan around it days before if he remembers days before.

- Once Cullen's done with work, he asks shyly for you to dress nicely; that is unless you have something for him once he comes out of his office. Then he stays in the whole night. But if you don't, he takes you away riding on a horse with the sunset in the background, just to arrive at the most breathtaking place. Having packed wine and cheese, wanting to share the sunset with you, telling you of how it reminded him of you and the first night he held you close.

- Having missed your anniversary from being on the battlefield commanding an army or locked away in his office, stumped with letters to write. Walking into the office to find him stressed or just passed out on the desk, ink staining his face when you wake him. Dragging him to bed, letting the commander get some sleep before spoiling him as you remind him what day it is, queuing the flood of apologies.

- The celebration of your anniversary would only last a day and a half, with Cullen being busy and all; he still tries to make up for the lost time from work. Stealing kisses from you the next day, along with leaving little letters or gifts he tucked away in your pockets early in the morning, to then get all shy when you mention them.

Walking into Cullen's office, seeing as he was noise-deep into writing a letter, someone who was not you having the note he had written to you in hand.

Spooking the commander as you sat atop the desk corner, meeting his amber eyes, watch and the rush of surprise disappear before softening at the sight of you—that is until he sees that piece of paper in your hand. Cullen's cheeks flash red as he looks off to the side, laughing nervously, having written the letter in a moment of passion. Needing a few glasses of drinks to get those words out of him without him stuttering and getting all blushy.

-

Iron Bull

- Qunari don't have anniversaries, so he would remember, as he doesn't practice or have a deep grasp on the celebration. Only having you to learn about it and to even start celebrating it. Even after that, he tries to remember wanting to see you smile.

- Would start either monthly or yearly depending on your preference, but monthlies are a good start, letting him have practice on what to do and what not to do and say. Gets the hang of the physical part of surprising, not so much on the gift-giving, bringing you parts of a dragon or even the whole thing to display somewhere, swearing to yourself if he didn't have horns, he'd be a cat.

- For the first few anniversaries, you would be planning until one day, months before the date, he asked to plan that year. Holding out hope, it wasn't a day of fighting wild beasts he thought were cool, but he surprised you with a night filled with breathtaking views only seen at night and creatures that light up in the darkness of the night. Ending the event at his favorite place to cool off, a hidden-away spring where bugs and creatures glowed around, thriving alongside your love for the bull.

- Misses your anniversary in the start, giving the hunk of a man some grace as this is new to him, coming from a culture that they don't even know who they are related to. Gently reminding the man he would be apologetic, of course, then for the rest of the day, having asked Krem what to do, he tells Bull to make it up to you. Surprising you with flowers and some gifts, with a shower of kisses and charming compliments to resolve everything.

- Learns from you how long the celebration lasts; whether for a day or a week, he goes along with you, not minding even if you want the whole year to feel like it's your anniversary. Over time, he'll read you; every morning when you wake up with a certain smile on your face, he'd know it's another day of celebration, also knowing he'd have to get up soon to make you breakfast in bed only to eat most of it once cuddled back up with you in bed.

Smiling as you watch, Bull sticks another spoonful of breakfast that he made for you that morning into his mouth, then chews happily before continuing with his stories of the time his crew killed a beast.

Hand resting atop your hand as the hunk of a bull sat in your shared bed next to you, not minding at all as he ate from the plate that was meant for you. Loving how he enjoys the days of your anniversary, but for you, it's days of adoring him as he makes the cutest person of himself without even knowing it.

-

Thom Ranier (Blackwall)

- Would remember it every year. Starting from the night before, being extra gushy and lovey-dovey, holding you close in bed as you both fall asleep. When waking on the day, he pulls out all the stops, making every anniversary a memorable one.

- Celebration only yearly; as much as the man loves you, he feels like monthly anniversaries are too childish. Also, monthly anniversaries made him feel as if the relationship wouldn't last long, needing to celebrate yearly to feel that your relationship would last for the years to come.

- Lets you sleep in, cuddling you before getting up to make breakfast, then bringing it to you in bed before setting up the horses to take you both to a place only he knew. Being in a different place every anniversary, never having seen him with it through the year, filled with entries of times you took his breath away. Always surprises you with a diary he kept for that year. Never having seen him with it through the year, filled with entries of times you took his breath away. It was a hefty book.

- Never misses your anniversary, always wanting to be by your side, always finding moments to write down in his anniversary diary. Being content in his mind, there would never be a possibility for him to miss that date.

- As long as he can pull surprises out of his pocket. Having planned the days out months in advance, making sure every day had a new surprise or special moment to be made into a memory.

Thom's warm hand cupped your cheek as he gazed into your eyes, lips inches from each other yearning to meet. Minutes before, having given you his forest memories of you—how the sun rested warmly on your skin, the way your eyes glow in the ray of the light.

Being only a small exert from the diary, having to close it at his request. Wanting you to read it later, needing this memory to be real instead of written down in a book for later.

-

Lucanis Dellamorte

- Always remembering it's your anniversary, holding them close to his heart as it's the first time he gets to share that special celebration with anyone. Refusing to fuck it up in any way and also having Spite to remind him every hour as the date nears.

- Early in the relationship, he celebrates your anniversary every month; if it weren't for not wanting to come off too much, he would celebrate every week or day. Really overworks himself wanting to show you every bit of love he has for you on those days. Even if you ask him to relax, a gift would do the same good; he'd never stop going all out for your yearly.

- Taking up a lot of contracts in advance, saving up for your yearly anniversary, taking you away on vacation to anywhere you wanted to go—even if it's just only the two of you for miles, he makes it happen. Working overtime to plan what fun things to do, where to buy your favorite things, and what gifts to get you, with Spite pitching in with a yell of what he wanted to get you.

- Heart drops into his stomach if he missed your anniversary; even with your reassurance that it was okay, it's not to him. Devastated at the thought of having missed the one special day he gets to celebrate the love he had for you in full, for the first person he'd ever been in a relationship with. Finally talking him down, telling the distressed man you would be happy even if he gave you a flower from the garden outside; all you want on that day is him; nothing else matters.

- For what he has planned, he makes sure the celebration lasts for days; even when running out of ideas on the tenth day, Spite is there, giving him more. The two are a menace when putting their heads together. Starting out romantic after the date, then turning into passion, and lastly, hunger.

Heat prickles through your cheeks as Lucanis's lips soften against yours. Minutes ago, admiring the view of the city lights, then feeling a warm hand planted underneath your shin, you were gently guided right into Lucanis's lips.

Accepting the smooth action, kissing him back, feeling through the kiss as he smiled before moving once again. The same hand trailing up, cupping your cheek with lips rough with passion. Doing the same hands combing through his hair as you dive into his kiss, swearing you could hear Spite faintly.

-

Emmrich Volkarin

- Definitely remembers it, your anniversary, you being the dearest thing to his heart; that date means so much to him, he could never forget it. Planning months in advance, even asking Manfred his opinion from time to time on decisions, wanting every detail of the date to be to die for.

- Would be open to a monthly celebration but has a bit more taste for a yearly anniversary, being able to make everything feel more extraordinary. Worries that the monthly anniversary would dull his yearly surprises. However, if you insisted, he would agree to only having every two- to four-month anniversary, as the man can only pull so many unique date and gift ideas out of him.

- For your yearly, he would take you to see the most extraordinary places in all the world, guiding you in waking the life around the environment, watching everything light up and dance around you both. Speaking of dancing, this man would invite you to dance, head against his shoulder as you danced with the glowing creatures and magic whispering loving whispers into your ear before pulling out the dinner he packed for the picnic you were to have there.

- Rare that he would ever miss your anniversary from forgetfulness, it would be the reason cause of work. Not teaching, but if the Necropolis needed him, he would have to go with a storage promise to make it up to you when he gets back. Making it up to you with days off of teaching and other work, leaving you two just to be together.

- The planned celebration would last no more than a week; by the end of the fourth day, he would be exhausted, leaving you to have a turn to spoil him. Loving every minute of you spoiling him, being the one to now be gifted his favorite things and have surprise meals with his favorite desserts, all for him to enjoy, definitely healing his inner child.

Watching adoringly as Emmrich took a bite of the dessert you made just for him, even when he asked many times if you wanted a bite, you declined every time. Wanting him to have it all to himself, knowing he'd have the biggest smile after.

Chatting your ear off as he did so on many things, watching his lips move with a smile that gets bigger and bigger with every bite. Taking notice with one of his bites as a bit of it stuck to his lip before he could wipe it away, you took the opportunity to wipe it away with your thumb. Stunning Emmrich, watching as you lick it off your thumb. Locking eyes with him, seeing red flashes across his cheeks, before you lean over the table kissing him.

-

Lace Harding

- Lace can be a bit forgetful, but that's one of the things you love about her. So focused on one thing, not even time mattered—a magical experience when it's with you. Looking into your eyes, amazed every time. If it weren't for the mornings of eyegazing, adoring her amazement at your existence, she would have remembered it was your anniversary.

- Love to celebrate both monthly and yearly anniversaries, though the monthly celebrations would be more a day of never leaving the bedroom. Spending most of the day in each other's arms, soaking up each other's warmth before getting up to make dinner together, only to barely get anything done, not being able to let each other go. Ultimately ending the night at one of your comfort restaurants before getting home and back into bed in her arms.

- Yearly anniversaries would be a camping trip; even if it wasn't your thing, she'd smooth-talk you into it. Lace loves seeing you all sweaty and covered in dirt; she thinks it's hot, so this is more of a gift to herself than to you. Never tell you where she's taking you, even covering your eyes when you get halfway there. Only to show you the more breathtaking view before telling you that's your view for the next few days.

- Finally, when reminding her what the date was, watching as her face drops with a red flush spreading across her whole face. The first words out of her mouth would be a curse before the flood of apologies started. Even with all the reassurance in the world, the only thing that would stop her would be a kiss, feeling as all of her worries melt away. Breaking the kiss, the next words out of her mouth are her swearing she's still going to make it up to you.

- The camping trip would last for five days at most. Having only brought food for the first three days, knowing she'd be busy in your arms, then the last days she'd hunt and gather for the both of you. Telling you she never wants it to end, but when it does, she does love the view of you when hiking back home.

Limbs tangled with each other, lips close to raw, minutes ago, breaking the hungered kiss with the breathtaking view in the background.

The fire had died out hours ago, making you rely on Lace for warmth. Happily doing so with open arms, only to attack you with a shower of kisses. Almost sad you have to go back, away from the night sky, brought out Lace's eyes that adored you greatly.

Hello, I hope you enjoyed if there is any grammar mistakes or misspellings sorry about that feel free to let me know in the comments, have a great day/afternoon/night!

♥ mx-pastelwriting does not consent to their fanfiction being copied, copied & credited, translated, used in videos and/or audios, screenshotted, used in AI.

Fanfiction is protected under copyright law when plagiarism is involved. If you plagiarize my work, either a piece or whole in any language, I will take legal action. Inspiration or the same idea does NOT apply to this, only word-for-word plagiarism in any language.

Taglist: @blue124th @n0v4hertz @call-me-a-fool @hellok1ttycake @covertleathers @doombellow @teleanna

[trhor]

Snapshots of the Passage of Time

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[literaryvein-reblogs]

Writing a "Wise" Character

Wisdom

The ability of an individual to make sound decisions, to find the right—or at least good—answers to difficult and important life questions, and to give advice about the complex problems of everyday life and interpersonal relationships.

The role of knowledge and life experience and the importance of applying knowledge toward a common good through balancing one’s own, others’, and institutional interests are two perspectives that have received significant psychological study.

Aristotle believed in 2 types of wisdom:

Theoretical - involves the exploration of things we can’t change, but about which we seek truth.

Practical - explores that which we can change through making good choices (Lacewing, n.d.).

Descartes viewed wisdom as:

good judgment in everyday life and

seeking knowledge in all things one is able (Rutherford, 2017).

Confucius said, "By 3 methods we may learn wisdom:

First, by reflection, which is noblest;

Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and

third by experience, which is the bitterest."

Although a definition is difficult to come by, agreement on what wisdom is not, have been much easier.

Researchers agree that wisdom isn’t a result of aging.

They also believe that higher IQ scores don’t equal increased wisdom.

What role does age play in attaining wisdom? Can a child be wise?

Current research indicates that the “optimal age to attain wisdom is about 60 years old” (Compton & Hoffman, 2013, p. 201).

Balance Theory of Wisdom

By Robert Sternberg

He defines wisdom as “using one’s:

intelligence,

creativity,

common sense, and

knowledge” to balance 3 life domains:

They are interpersonal, intra-personal, and extra-personal interests.

People do this over the short and long-term.

The goal is to achieve balance among:

adaptation to current environments,

shaping of those environments, and

choosing a new environment

Baltes and Staudinger (2000, p. 124) define wisdom as “expertise in the fundamental pragmatics of life.” This is further defined as “knowledge and judgment about the essence of the human condition and the ways and means of planning, managing, and understanding a good life.”

Through their research, they developed 5 criteria for evaluating wisdom-related performance:

Factual (declarative) knowledge which asks, ‘What does one know about human nature, interpersonal relations, and social norms?’

Procedural knowledge criteria answers, ‘What strategies does one use to navigate the twists and turns of life?’

Lifespan contextualism criteria consider questions like, ‘Where does everything fit?’ ‘How are things interconnected?’ and ‘How are the various roles – education, family, etc. connected?’

The relativism of values and life priorities allows for the tolerance of differences in values between people.

Recognition of and management of uncertainty criteria acknowledges that we don’t know everything. There are limits to human processing.

Ardelt (2004, p. 257) in contrast to Baltes and Staudinger (2000), viewed wisdom as an “integration of cognitive, reflective, and affective personality characteristics.”

She argues that preserved wisdom (writings) represent theoretical (intellectual) knowledge.

This knowledge doesn’t become wisdom until or unless the person internalizes it.

For this to happen a person must experience the truth contained in the preserved wisdom. Doing this leads to the person becoming wise(r).

Meeks and Jeste (2009) reviewed the wisdom literature and identified common areas. From their review, they created the 6 sub-components of wisdom:

Prosocial attitudes/behaviors: promotion of common good, empathy, social cooperation, and altruism

Social decision making/pragmatic knowledge of life: understanding others’ emotions and motivations and using the information to make “wise” social decisions

Emotional homeostasis: self-control and impulse control; ability to manage oneself in challenging situations

Reflection/self-understanding: self-knowledge

Value relativism/tolerance: perspective-taking behavior

Acknowledgment of and dealing effectively with uncertainty or ambiguity: navigating uncertainty and acknowledging/accepting the limits of what one knows.

Their review also is interesting for its inclusion of specific brain regions believed to play a role in the 6 sub-components.

Peterson and Seligman (2004, p. 39) define wisdom as “knowledge hard fought for, and then used for good.”

They describe it as a noble virtue or trait — one that people appreciate in others.

To date, 5 strengths fall beneath the wisdom umbrella in their research:

Creativity

Curiosity

Judgment

Love of Learning

Perspective

Each of these strengths exists in every person to some degree.

They also can increase in prominence as you learn to use them more.

These strengths are part of a larger list consisting of 24.

The measurement of wisdom is challenging, but not impossible. Most research falls into one of 3 areas:

wise process

wise product, or

wise persons

It’s the combination of these 3 that yields what researchers now agree about: Wise products are generated by wise persons using wise processes.

Issues

Character strengths can be over/underused.

The goal is to achieve optimal use of each of the 24 as needed.

Following are examples of issues arising from over/under use of particular strengths (Niemiec, 2018).

Extreme creativity leads to eccentricity, but a lack of it leads to conformity. We strive for adaptive originality.

Someone who is overly curious is nosy, but a lack of curiosity leads to disinterest. Strive for a balance between exploration/seeking novelty.

Narrow-mindedness and cynicism are judgment “gone bad.” People who lack good judgment tend to skip reflecting on situations. Balanced use marries critical thinking and rationality.

Know-it-alls flaunt their love of learning. Complacent people don’t care. Strive for deepening your knowledge systematically.

Extreme use of perspective is overbearing, and a lack of it is shallowness. A wider view is optimal.

Sources: 1 2 3 ⚜ More: Notes & References ⚜ Writing Resources PDFs

[scarfacemarston]

Cullen Rutherford Fluff Alphabet

Note: I sometimes say “you” because it’s shorter than typing inquisitor constantly. This is also Gender Neutral. Please think about reblogging or at least leaving a like! This sort of thing takes time to create. Feel free to request more Cullen!

A - Affection (how do they show affection to their s/o)

Cullen is new to love. Outside of his crush on Amell/Surana, he did not have any romantic feelings towards anyone. Love was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time. It was something entirely new and engaging and something that he would put his all into. He is very physically affectionate and primarily shows his love through embraces, kisses, and cuddling. However, he also allows the Inquisitor to vent or cry as much as they need to. He will also insist on shouldering whatever burdens they are struggling with, whether that's completing extra paperwork, scaring off those who want to bother them, or leaving behind little treats to cheer them up; he can do it all.

B - Best Friend (what are they like as a best friend?)

Cullen doesn't really consider himself to have many friends until Inquisition. In fact, the last time he had friends was Kinloch Hold before it went to hell. (However, this was only with his fellow templars.) Inquisition is when he meets Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine, and the rest of the crew. It took time for him to see them more than colleagues, but they found a devoted, loyal, encouraging friend in the former templar who continued on even when he was at his worst. As time passed, he began displaying a more relaxed side to him and joined in game nights and his time with people like Dorian. 

C - Cuddling (do they like to cuddle? And how would they do it?)

Oh, he loves to cuddle.  His family was very physically affectionate, but that quit once he joined the Templars. He didn't know how touch starved he was until he brushed hands with the Inquisitor and even more so when he held them for the first time. He hadn't allowed anyone near him since the fall of Kinloch Hold. Now, he can't sleep properly without holding the Inquisitor. Even if he can't sleep, his mind and body feel at peace in a way they never could before. 

D - Domestic (do they want to settle down? How good are they at cooking and cleaning)

His childhood dream was to be a templar. He never thought of any sort of domesticity. Templars rarely settled down. He never viewed himself as settling down during Inquisition, either, until he fell in love with the Inquisitor and only then did he dare to dream. After seeing what Mia has, he couldn't help but want the same. He wants a spouse, kids (or to be a busy uncle), and, of course, as many malbari as he can manage.

Cullen is not an amazing cook, but he's functional. Can he make basics like stew? Sure. Could he grill something? Sure. It's straightforward. Porridge isn't difficult either, but he's more likely to live off of rations. During Inquisition Inquisition, Cassandra made sure he ate at least twice a day. He is very tidy, but he has been known to be a disorganized type of organized, too.

E - Ending (if they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

We've actually seen this in the game! He tries to maintain an air of professionalism and keep it with a bit of distance. He will still try to maintain his professionalism if you break his heart, but the hurt might bleed out. He tries to use logic and put some distance between the two of you.  However, it also depends on the circumstances. He can be very gentle about it and very apologetic. 

F - Fiancé (how do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Again, Cullen didn't have any ideas of romantic commitment until they met the Inquisitor. We know he's incredibly devoted to the templars and the Inquisition, so he has no issue with commitment. However, once he fell in love, he fell in love hard. I don't think it took that long for him to start fantasizing about marriage, even if he was so sure it would never happen. Cullen would wait for the right moment, but it doesn't necessarily need to be planned, just that it feels right like we see in the game. 

G - Gentle (how gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

We've seen that Cullen can be incredibly tender and gentle. He especially appreciates having the ability and the safety to do so, emotionally and physically. He isn't ashamed of showing his gentle side - he cares for you more than anyone or anything else - but that doesn't mean he won't glare someone like Jim down if he tries to interrupt. The more comfortable he gets with you, the more likely you will see him become even more gentle. He is far more soft-spoken and sometimes even delicate in the way he touches you. 

H: Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?)

His hugs are bone-crushing but one of the safest feelings in the world. Some of his hugs can be quite gentle and tender like he's afraid he'll hurt you, but usually, they are more solid, as if he wants to cement you there.

I: I love you (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Cullen feels it quickly, but that doesn't mean he'll say it. When he falls, he falls hard. He doesn't mean to, it's only happened once before and went horribly wrong. He'll try to deny it to himself, also going through self-doubt, thinking he isn't good or deserving enough to have that happiness, but he will sometimes pine for the Inquisitor. Once the Inquisitor is in a relationship with him, he is anxious about when to reveal his feelings, but he will do so in a quiet moment, like cuddling together in bed. However, he'd much prefer his partner be the one to say it first. 

J: Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they're jealous?)

As alluded to before, he has a lot of self-doubt and self-loathing as he questions whether he deserves love after everything he has done. Early in the relationship, it would hurt, but he would tell himself that you are making the right decision…but that doesn't mean he'll give up entirely. As he becomes more secure in the relationship, he is more likely to get jealous despite that security because he knows what the two of you have built. He is more likely to step in verbally or give some light PDA.

K: Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you?)

He kisses many ways, but they tend to be either tender or passionate. There's not quite an in-between. Expect a lot of stolen kisses, especially if the two of you have or are busy. He loves kissing on the hand, wrist, neck, and behind the ear, anywhere he can.

L: Little Ones (How are they with kids?)

Cullen feels very awkward around children. He's never disliked them, and he was a good brother to his siblings. Some of the younger templars looked up to him during training. However, after becoming a templar, he sort of "lost" his ability to relate to children. He's kind but stiff around them. Sometimes, he could briefly imagine having a child or two of his own, but that was always a fleeting thought. It wasn't until meeting the Inquisitor and reconnecting with Mia that he truly wondered about having a child. He wants it, whether through birth or adoption, but he would never force the Inquisitor into anything. 

M: Mornings (How are mornings spent with them?)

Cullen gets up early. He usually has his armour polished and on, training completed, and reports from the night before reviewed by 7:00 am. He often forgets to eat breakfast or munches on rations or jerky. Cassandra, Leliana, Josephine, and now the Inquisitor all make sure he eats breakfast.

You're a "bad" influence in that he wants to sleep in or stay in bed and cuddle longer. His new time to complete his routine is a whopping…..8:00 am. Since leaving the Inquisition together, he sleeps a bit later but still prefers to wake up early. 

N: Night (How are nights spent with them?)

That man does not sleep. He just doesn't. It's like it's a foreign concept to him. However, it is not all workaholic tendencies. Sometimes, it's to avoid the nightmares he's had for well over a decade. Other times, the lyrium keeps him awake. Even when you pursue a romance with him, he struggles to stay in bed only because he can't shut his mind off, but a nice massage, cuddles, and or sex tends to quiet those thoughts. Otherwise, he's content watching over the Inquisitor.

O: Open (When would they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or wait a while to reveal things slowly?)

Cullen is extremely private about himself. He reveals things incredibly slowly, but sometimes, his most personal moments come out at the most inopportune times when he doesn't have a choice but to reveal them, as seen with his lyrium addiction or his nightmares. These moments are incredibly frustrating to him, and he detests them when they happen. That's why, despite his discomfort, he is telling himself that he must be far more open and communicative so he has power over what to share, what not to share, and when to do so.

P: Patience (How easily angered are they?)

Believe it or not, Cullen can be irritable and angry. Most of it is the lrium, but he holds everything inside of him until eventually, it comes out whether he wants it to not. Usually, it's a whole series of events that cause him to eventually snap, but it is possible for something triggering to cause him to explode or shut down.

However, he is incredibly patient in most situations, but he is not perfect. He will not tolerate many things, as seen with some of the more annoying chantry members in DAI. 

Q: Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail in passing, or do they kind of forget? )

Cullen sometimes struggles with his memory due in part to the lyrium but more so because he has so much on his mind. However, he will make you a priority above all else. Unfortunately, he punishes himself if he forgets or gets something wrong. Overall, he commits everything he can to memory, and as his lyrium cravings subside, he is more clearly able to remember things. He wants to know everything you're willing to share, whether it's your birthday, favorite color, favorite food, best battle tactics, or favorite ways to turn you on.

R: Remember (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?)

It's a difficult memory for him, but the relief he felt when the Inquisitor revealed they still cared for him despite his lyrium addiction and his trauma. It's not the most romantic memory, but it is a meaningful one. More positively, he loves how he surprised you with that first kiss on the battlements… until Jim interrupted. The morning after he and the Inquisitor slept together was also dear to him. 

S: Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

We know and have seen how protective Cullen is. He is ready to give up his life at a moment's notice if needed, especially if it's for the Inquisitor. He was willing to leave the Inquisition because he felt he was a liability to it and the inquisitor. He is incredibly selfless and self-sacrificing. He's also not afraid to voice his opinion in defense of his partner. As for him, he doesn't really expect anything in return. However, he already thinks you protect him by looking out for his well-being, whether it's the lyrium, his anxiety, eating, sleeping, etc. He also greatly appreciates it if you speak up in defense of him for whatever reason, but he never expects it.

T: Try (How much effort would they put into dates, anniversaries, and gifts?)

After much worrying, he would fret about it and might turn to someone like Josephine for help or even Varric, Dorian, or Leliana. However, he is capable of giving gifts on his own, planning outings, as seen with the lake and giving his lucky coin to the Inquisitor. He definitely tries, but he's always worried he'll fuck it up somehow.

U: Ugly (What would be a bad habit of theirs?)

He does have a temper and when hurt, he can lash out. We've seen this when he threw his lyrium kit against the wall, nearly hitting the Inquisitor. However, he works very hard to keep control of it. His anxiety and self-doubt can also be a problem, but again, he tries to hide these feelings as best as he can.

As for an actual habit, his pacing and constant movement can be anxiety-inducing to some. His office has a pacing track on it. 

V: Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

He knows he's handsome. He sees the way people look at him and treat him. He's not stupid. We know he styles his hair, but I think PART of that is due to some insecurity about his curls. Other than that, he focuses on the upkeep of his armor, but that is habit and perfectionism. Besides his hair, he doesn't spend much time on his appearance.

W: Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

He would convince himself that he would. He never expected you to return his feelings, but he knows he would be crushed if you ever left him. He would respect your decision but doubt that he'd ever feel whole again as he'd be unlikely to trust himself with another partner.

X: Xtra (A random headcanon for them)

Cullen secretly has a sweet tooth, but he doesn't want anyone to know that. Still, he wouldn't mind being given sticky buns or a pastry. (He's lying. He will devour them.)

Z: Zzz (What is a sleep habit of theirs?)

We know he mumbles, tosses and turns, and has nightmares and insomnia. The poor guy has it all. However, he also sweats and overheats easily. This all improves as the lyrium addiction subsides. However, one thing that does not change is that he overheats easily…………………………….but still wants to cuddle. Once he has his arms around the Inquisitor, good luck getting up.

[tiny-librarian]

Breaking news! Story by Richard Brooks in The Observer today reveals how Emma Rutherford discovered a new portrait of Mary I as Princess in the current exhibition.

Do read the story today if you can but extras for history nerds out there include the additional evidence that a photograph from the 1930s shows that the Compton Verney portrait was once in the same collection as a portrait of her mother, Katherine of Aragon (now Private Collection) and another portrait of Mary herself as princess when betrothed to Emperor Charles V (now National Portrait Gallery) - note also the identical frames. 

Source/Readmore

[citizenscreen]

Margaret Rutherford and Alastair Sim, stars of Frank Launder’s THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF YOUR LIFE (1950), at a special screening of the movie in the Carlton Cinema with loads of children, many of whom were 'extras' in the film.

[greypetrel]

Like a bear to water.

Some impromptu, epistolaty and angsty follow-up to this!

Thank you again @shivunin, that fic was such a joy, I reread it every now and then. It was just so cute I had to write something. With extra angst because why not.

[ Lavellan & Tabris, Lavellan x Cullen Rutherford, Lavellan & Hawke | 3760 words ]

Dear Arianwen,

I hope you won’t mind if I’m writing. I would gladly visit, but unfortunately new conditions has arisen, which prevents me to move much from Skyhold. Ironic, isn’t it? There was a time when I was there so little it didn’t really feel like having left the clan at all, and I wished nothing more than to be able to stop, for a little more. Now that I can’t go…

I’m digressing. Of course, if you and Z would like to visit, you’re both more than welcome, and it’ll make me so happy. Please, do come if you have time! (just please tell Z to not appear in Josephine’s office unannounced again, she really got scared last time)

Pudding is doing wonderfully.

He took to the life in the fortress well, and is happy as can be. I’m sorry I didn’t send you updates sooner, but as above, my time had been limited, and I’m sure you’ll understand that what free time I had went all to our little friend. I managed to wean it with success, and he grew quickly. I don’t really have precise terms of paragon, but I think we’re almost at standard. His gait is now sure and solid, and he can follow me everywhere, trotting along, without me needing to pick him up every now and then. I do still pick him up (until I can, I will, he’s just too adorable not to, and he loves the contact). Little Brother took a liking to him, you should really see them playing together! It’s good exercise, and makes me calmer over him not having siblings to play with and be a bear with. They scared the new stable boy already, I suggested to stop bringing Pudding to the paddock, but Dennet says it’s fine. Little Brother tires himself out a little more, he’s happier and more compliant. Everybody wins!

Cullen says Pudding is getting fat, but I’m sure he’s just overreacting. Plus, the whole point of bears in summer is, in fact, getting fat, isn’t it? I won’t have poor Pudding suffer during his winter hibernation because he fusses. Even if I know he does it out of care, he attached to the little one too, and Pudding did too. He licked his face the first time he saw him. Cullen was very grumpy about it, but again, it was such a cute thing! Plus, I think he actually likes the effect of having a bear hopping behind him when he reviews the troops. With the fur on his mantle, they really look like they’re kin, and I think it helped making Pudding feel more at home, in the first days.

I had to stop letting him eat my hair, it was the cutest thing ever, but he puked a hairball like a cat. He’s a clever cub, and understood. I think. He still tries to munch on my braids, some times.

Know that he’s very happy and growing up fine, he’s eating plenty and well, and yesterday he finally left most of the salmon I gave him to the side. Like a bear should. I’m so proud of him!

We’ll need to change my bed soon, he’s keeping his talons sharp over the columns and I don’t think they’ll outlive him being too big to enter the door to my room. But he’s happy, and he needs his talons sharp, so. It’s just a bed, and I don’t really need a canopy, I can keep the room warm with magic.

But I digress, once again.

There is one more thing I wanted to tell you: I’m not writing this to worry you, I swear, but. I mentioned that something happened. It’s nothing bad, I swear, nothing you should worry about. But as you may have noticed, I do worry and tend to reason on the worst case scenario. I can’t forget I’m the Inquisitor, and even if my military days are sparser, there’s still a risk. I am sure you’ll of all people will understand.

So: if anything happened to me, can I ask you if you would like to take care of Chocolate Pudding, please? And all the other horses, really. Little Brother goes with Cullen, if he wants, but the rest are too many for Master Dennet alone. I would also recommend you to give Master Dennet a position, if your stablemaster should need help. Dennet is grumpy and stubborn, but he really loves horses, and everything I know about them comes from him. I think you’ll like him. The rest of the horses are for you and your Wardens. Or find a reliable person that will take care of them properly. I trust you on this more than anyone else, after seeing you with Princess and Honey and the mabaris. As for Pudding: he’s growing more independent by the day, but in case he won’t be or you will think not the case to introduce him back to his siblings, I’d suggest you consider the clan of Thane Svarah Sun-Hair, Stone-Bear Hold. They’re honourable people I have the greatest respect for, and they know who I am. Their Hold Beast is the gentlest bear, Storvacker, they have experience. Go visit them, bear them my greetings, and see for yourself if you’d trust them with Pudding. You’re the best judge on that, I know.

Even if the choice of me is allegedly not-

I hope it doesn’t sound too ominous. Again, I’m just playing on the long, eventual term. Do not worry. I’m perfectly fine, and now I’ll stop writing about me, really.

How are things in Amaranthine? Did you manage to convince that Bann you told me about to listen to reason and lower the taxes over his mill? Just saying, if you need help on the matter, you only need asking. I’ll have some Friends in the area to help you perorate the cause, no banner attached. I do hope the Arlessa life is not bearing too heavily upon your shoulders. I regret not telling you in person -but I think it’d be better by writing, uh?-, but you looked that much happier when showing me the animals around. Take care of yourself and get some rest, really. The Banns will survive for five minutes without you.

Hope Z is well and safe as well, send him my greetings and wishes of good luck on his adventures. If this letter will not find you because you joined him in one, be assured that I am very happy you finally got the chance to be happy and leave the circus. Have the best life has to offer you, the both of you. Creators know you deserve it, more than anyone.

With affection and a hug I know you won’t really like, but that I’d love to give you anyway,

Aisling. Lady Lavellan the Inquisitor yada yada yada

p.s.: I don’t expect you to write such a long letter, but I’d love to read anything you’d like to tell me. No pressure at all, tho.

---

Instinct was a marvellous thing.

Because for how much Aisling had surely coddled Chocolate Pudding, now grown to reach her mid-thigh, he still took incredibly quickly to fishing. Gone were the first clumsy attempts, when she brought him to the same creek, where it ran down some rapids and calmed down amidst a meadowy clearing, offering the perfect habitat for trouts. Now, sitting close to Cullen on a nearby log, as he tended to the fire and got some fishes ready for their own lunch, she could observe the not-so-much-a-cub, observing the water very intently, ears pointed forward to catch a glimpse of silvery scales and fins swimming upriver. It was bittersweet knowing she wasn’t needed anymore, not to catch the cub when he slipped and fell into the water -he growled so indignantly then, pawing at the water as if it was its fault-, console him when he missed a fish, or cheered the valliant deed up when he caught. It brought a consolation, tho, knowing that he could now catch his own food.

Well. Two times out of five, at least, he was still young.

She wished Arianwen was there to see him, she’d be so proud of him and of how much he had grown strong. Maybe she would know what to do for the rest, too.

She really hoped she would have welcomed her invite.

Cullen too had taken to Pudding incredibly well, and likewise. The Commander never complained that Aisling had insisted on keeping the cub in their room (with diapers she realized were much needed into a disastrous travel back home. She hadn’t minded, but cleaning the saddle had been long and tedious work). He never cared that the cub kept his talons sharp on the bed posts, nor that he slept on Aisling’s pillow (she slept hugging Cullen anyway). He had scoffed and reminded the bear that in spite of the fur on his cloak he was not, indeed, a bear himself, and that licking other people’s faces was not polite at all. And just held her when she had burst crying, totally against her better will, when she had told him Pudding’s mama hadn’t wanted him.

The topic had been left there for that first day, never once touched directly, always in the periphery of her vision whenever Chocolate Pudding was involved.

Was she doing enough? Was she doing it well? Did he know she loved him so much? Did he miss his siblings? Was a horse company enough for him? Was she feeding him enough? What would Arianwen say or think or suggest? Would she had let her keep the cub for real, had she known…?

Honestly, she had forced not to write, fearing her negative judgement. But as August pressed and Halamshiral loomed and Dorian didn’t write back anything substantial from Minrathous, she had to.

Quietly, at first, not saying it out loud.

The freezing water of the creek helped soothing the pain in the Anchor, Pudding had fun fishing his own lunch, they were just half an hour of riding away, the horses enjoyed grazing in the meadow, the air smelled balsamic, the sun wasn’t so hot, so high up the mountains.

It was easy, to pretend it was fine, and the topic hadn’t returned just to leave nothing unsaid… Before. Just in case. She always was one to act on the long run, so why should this be different. There was another letter she wanted to write, but…

“That’s great, Chocolate Pudding! Oh, how good you are, look at that!! Great job!” Aisling chirped, when the bear emerged with a big trout kept steadily in his mouth. The scales shone in peaches and yellows under the sun, all spotted in white, and the bear puffed out his chest, before instinctively trotting to the right and out of the water in a halo of splashes.

Cullen chuckled to the side, skewering the second fish - the ones already cleaned and prepared, ready to be cooked they brought for their own consumption. As cuddly and used to be cuddled Pudding was, he was growing grumpy whenever food was involved. After a loud growl in her direction, Aisling had understood that when he was eating, there were no caresses to be distributed.

Still, the bear flopped at the side of their log, flopping on his belly to have his paws free to maneuver the fish. One on the head, the other on the tail, the bear started eating, happily. Wanting his privacy but still sticking close.

“He grew up so quick, hadn’t he?” Aisling noted, with a little nostalgy.

“It’s such a relief to see him moving so confidently, now.” Cullen agreed. “He was lucky to find people who love him.”

“Mh.” She closed to his side, turning to hug his waist, affectionately. The topic never returned, but she knew him well enough to be certain he wasn’t talking only of the bear, now. And she loved him for not going out of vagueness. Her hand was itching like crazy, in the way that she now knew predated pain.

She spent the last moments before that squeezing him tight, pressing her forehead to his breastplate. Bless him, he was a little bothered by having her under his arm, but kept working without protesting, shifting the pair of them now forward, now to the side, to fix their lunch against the fire. Now properly seasoned.

The fish was roasting, Cullen’s arm came to circle her shoulders and squeezed, Chocolate Pudding was munching loudly at his trout, and the Anchor started to burn. After the itch it came the burn. And then…

“I’ll be back in a minute.”

Aisling sighed, reluctantly raising up and walking to the creek herself. She apologized to Pudding for walking too close to him, but that and her steps being a little too quickly, she knew, were telltales enough to let Cullen know the pain was worse than she would have let own. She hated and loved this, but right now…

A deep sigh left her lips.

Freezing water, plus an help of an healing spell - Cole’s presence was distant, up in the Keep, but whenever she looked for him to heal, he was always there. The best solution she had to calm the pain a little, have the Anchor flare up for less time, less intensely than usual. Days were easier, the problem was at night. Right now, tho, she had to crouch for but a handful of minutes, before the pain grew duller.

It was good: the bad episodes lasted for hours. Five minutes was good.

She hated her room up in that tower. An aravel would have been perfect to move beside a creek or a river.

Chocolate Pudding, still half wet, walked closer to her. He leaned his big head to the side, walking with what she liked to interpret as a question in his big, expressive, so loved eyes.

“I’m all better, Pudding. See?” She showed him her left palm for inspection, but it was still glowing and launching sparks of energy, in sickly green. The bear sniffed and snorted it, shaking his head.

“Ok, I’ll keep it here a while, still. Thank you.” Sheepishly, Aisling dunked her left back in the water.

The bear didn’t mind much. He sat and nuzzled her shoulder with his head, then resting it on her lap. It made squatting difficult, but she soldiered on. Helaine surely gave her worse trainings, and none of them made her able to caress the cutest, best bear in Thedas (to her).

“Thank you.” She whispered, just to him. “Tell Arianwen I hadn’t been such a disaster, with you. And that I’m so, so sorry. Would you?”

Chocolate Pudding snorted.

Aisling liked to read it as an affirmative.

A couple of minutes more later, half wet but feeling way better -if tired- she returned to the log, met with a nice smell of well roasted fish. She took the skewer Cullen passed her, and started to eat.

“What did you want to tell me?” She asked, after a moment, remembering their little outing was, indeed, his idea.

He snapped his back straight as if she had poked him, all of a sudden, and she saw his cheeks turning redder. Pretty sure it wasn’t just the sun, it was all confirmed when he started to fumble, a hand raising to rub the nape of his neck.

“Well, I wanted- Ah. Uhm.” He cleared his throat, and Aisling couldn’t avoid smiling, heart sweeling at the display. Calling him cute wouldn’t have helped, nor kissing him silly as she wanted to do. So she waited, letting him collect words as he collected chess pieces to set the board. Weirdly enough, he checked on his pocket, pressing it with his fingers to check there was something inside. “I mean- It’s nothing, really. Do not worry about it.”

“Are you sure it’s nothing? It seems like there is something… It wasn’t that bad, I promise, I can listen.” She insisted.

“No. No, it’s nothing, really. Ah- You brought writing tools, you don’t want to spend your pause working I hope?”

“Mh. If you change your mind…” She insisted, just because. “But yes, I wanted to write Hawke.”

“… What experiment are you planning, this time?” He turned, fumbles all disappeared save the faint blush still on his ears -but that could have been the sun- with a distinct flash of concern.

“Can’t I write her to ask her how she is?” She laughed.

“You will. But then you’ll talk about magic. You’re bored, without Dorian, and in the blink of an eye, we’ll need to organize scraping glittery slime away from the walls.”

“It happened only once!”

“It was one time too many.”

At the very least, she could still laugh at something, even if in the end she had no crazy experiment to suggest to Maria, today. She wished she had, and she hoped she wouldn’t have minded, for once.

---

Dear M and F,

I’m sorry it’s been a while I haven’t written to you. Nothing happened and I’m perfectly fine!

I’ve just been quite busy, a new situation has arisen, and the time it left me was all dedicated to a new very special entry in the Inquisition.

I have a baby!

He was tiny and scrawny when he arrived, but the cutest thing you’ll ever see. I know it would be unadvisable, but I wish you could come and meet him. If I'll be able to move closer to you I'll let you know, alas when I got him there was no time to stop by, I'm really sorry.

It would be so nice if you two could make it, I would really love to see you both again. Maybe meet F and get a proper introduction when he’s not so out of his mind thinking you, M, are lost. But I understand if it would be impossible. Do not worry at all.

Anyway, baby’s name is Chocolate Pudding and I love him very much.

I got him in VK, I just couldn’t let him go. People here thinks I’m quite crazy, but the effect of holding judgement and court with the little one on my lap… I was told I look extra threatening, and both Josephine and Leliana settled their mind over it.

As if a bear cub so cute and floppy could instill fear, can you imagine?

-

Cullen is telling me I should have noted from the start that Chocolate Pudding is, in fact, a bear.

Oh well, now you know. He was a runt, the first days were very difficult, but he’s faring so much better now. I weaned him and he’s gaining the weight he missed when I first saw him, poor thing. Now he’s lively as a teen bear should, learnt to fish pretty well, and likes to play and hop around, after me or Cullen. I think the fur on his mantle was instantly labelled as “fellow bear”. They’re so cute together, my heart feels like it’s bursting.

Would be nice if it could-

Anyway. Just writing to ask you a little favour.

As I mentioned: a new situation occurred, and it’s nothing serious, nothing you should worry about, really. But you know me, I’m a worrywart and I’d like to act on the long run.

I’ll be called in Halamshiral soon and… I don’t know how it will end, I’ll be sincere. In the eventuality, and please feel absolutely free to tell me no, no obligations whatsoever and no grudge if you will say no.

Can I ask you if you could bring my notes and grimoire north, to my clan? I think D will get a hold on them first, to copy. But: he’ll need help, and… And if it’s not asking too much, if you and F could stay a while up there, just to check no one picks on the clan, you would lift a huge weight off my shoulders. I’m told that the situation is stable, but we weren’t able to eradicate the Venatori fully. Even D has not that much reach in Tv, from this south, and I fear they’ll retaliate on the clan. Again. Tell the Keeper you’re my friends. If he asks: he calls me Shrimp because… You saw me in the Western Approach, you know why. He’ll welcome you, surely, and support your every need. And if I know them, feed you plenty and often and if everything goes well, let you both relax plenty. I think you’ll both like them, and they’ll like you.

Please, feel free to open the grimoire and copy all you need, use those notes for good. I am just insisting that the real book will stay with the clan.

I hope it doesn’t sound too ominous, but I don’t know what’ll happen… And I don’t know who else to ask this that I trust. Again, you don’t have to say yes. But I thought that F would love the chance to get rid of some extremists from up north, worst case scenario.

And well, that’s it.

Tell me something nice, how are things in the farm, which recipe you two learnt to cook in these last weeks and your favourites, and how’s the garden faring. Tell me everything and anything that’s going on or that you’re thinking about, please. I miss you a lot and I really wish you were here, a letter would do.

No new experiments to suggest you, alas! Have you been working on something fun? D is up in Tv, and the Keep is horribly dull. Tell me something! Which doesn’t involve semi-liquids and sticky things, apparently they are still scraping glitter away between the stones of the outer wall.

How come it is a problem is beyond me, but I’m being told it is.

With all my love, some friendly bear pawings and Cullen’s greetings,

A.

*there’s a doodle near the signature, drawn very very badly with a hand that looks even wobblier than the usual, of what could with a little creativity be interpreted as an elf -straight hair, triangular ears and a scribble on the forehead- a man -taller, whirls on the round head and an X where the mouth should be. Both smiling over a shape like a potato sack, with round ears and long straight lines where the claws should be. Helpful arrows inform the reader that it’s Aisling –“me”-, Cullen and Chocolate Pudding.*