#servant!aveline

[stop-breaking-my-heart-dragonage]

I said I wasn't going to get started on the topic of Aveline ruining Carver's chances with the guard but I lied okay, it's Carver Hawke defense hours.

Here's the thing; it doesn't matter if you believe Carver was or wasn't fit for the guard. That's a different debate that I'll get to. What matters is Aveline's in no position to tell the guard not to accept his application. Why does she think that's her right to judge whether or not he's fit?

Carver should've had the chance to prove himself one way or another. If it turns out he's not a good fit, then let him fail. Let him learn from it.

"Oh but failure could mean lost lives-"

Aveline doesn't get to talk shit about failure and the people. Plenty have died on her watch yet she still believes she's a good guard and Guard-Captain.

"maybe Aveline's protecting him, Carver could die while on patrol-"

Carver could die working in the Bone Pit, or serving as a templar, or when he's running around with Hawke. Carver could trip and fall down a set of stairs and die. In fact, he can die in the Deep Roads, somewhere he wouldn't have to go if the Hawke's weren't desperate.

Either Carver fails as a guard, or more likely, he succeeds and proves himself worthy of it.

But let's be real, Carver probably kept getting rejected due to being a Fereldan with a past of smuggling/mercenary work and Aveline only reaffirmed the decision, either because they asked her what she thought or she stuck her nose in unprompted.

But what irritates me is that she admits to telling them not to accept his application, and then has the balls to call Carver too proud to take up a trade or find another line of work.

Carver tells her, "And who would take on a Fereldan apprentice? Maybe in another year I could work my way up to pissboy." He has a good point here. Aside from the guard, the only other place Carver could work and use his skillset is with the Templars. Or go back to mercenary/smuggling work.

And Aveline doesn't even have a real answer for him. No suggestions, no encouragement, nothing. Just "Fine, let's crawl down some holes. Good bloody luck for your sake."

Also, if you do the Mark of the Assassin DLC in Act 1-

Aveline: You should see if any of the noblemen are looking for new men-at-arms. Carver: Are you trying to get rid of me? Aveline: It's a role with some autonomy. A good fit with your training and... tendencies. Carver: After serving King Cailan? You want me to suffer some poncy git who needs two servants to wipe his own ass? I'll find my own way, thanks. Aveline: I wish you would.

You wish he would?? Aveline, he was trying to find his way into the guard, a position he'd make a good fit for, and you helped deny him of it because YOU didn't think he would be good enough, I just-

If I haven't made it clear yet, I firmly believe that Carver would've made a great guard. He wants to help people, to be a protector. He's loyal, and despite what Aveline claims, he can follow orders and take his duty seriously. We see him do incredibly well with the Grey Wardens, after all. If he were a guard, he wouldn't have to go down into the Deep Roads with Hawke, and I think he would've been okay with that! He's so hurt and bitter when you leave him behind because that effectively tells him, "I don't need you." Carver's spent the whole first act telling you he wants to go on the expedition aka that he wants to be needed.

But if he were a guard, he would be needed elsewhere. He'd be in training as a recruit. He'd look after Leandra while you go. He wouldn't be backed into a corner with no income and only the templars left as his chance at forging his own path and providing for his family.

He doesn't get that opportunity, though.

By the way, if he becomes a warden, you can get this banter:

Aveline: I'm glad you found a place with the Wardens. Carver: Well, it's not the city guard, but it'll do. Aveline: Carver... it wasn't the place for you. Carver: No, it's all right. It is. It cost a lot, but I get it. I really was a bit of a tit those days, wasn't I? Aveline: Well...

This banter makes me want to scream.

Aveline's just... she's so insistent that she's right. She's someone who will double down rather than entertain the idea that she's wrong and it's not just with Carver and the guard, it's with everything. The "my beef with Aveline" list gets longer and longer every time I replay da2, I swear.

Say what you will about Carver, whether you think he would've been a good fit or if Aveline's right and it wasn't for him, he was denied a chance and it cost him so much in the end. He either dies, or he joins the templars where he deals with Chantry's bullshit trying to brainwash him with "mages aren't people" and "magic is a cancer in this world", or he's infected with the blight and becomes a Grey Warden, forced to serve the rest of his life fighting darkspawn, tormented by voices and nightmares.

I will never not be bitter about this.

[extravagantliar]

i dunno if you've given it thought, or even posted about it yet, but... what do you think varric would have nicknamed everyone in the veilguard (perhaps assan and manfred included, inspiration and spoons willing)? O:

hey there! Mary gave them nicknames in the first couple of drafts she gave datv! I also had nicknames ready to go as well! I never published my list for a few reasons, as I wanted to wait, but some of these wont be surprising to you.

neve was slick in the comics, and I agree with this - I also think like she calls rook trouble, he called her trouble at one point and flurries when she changes the weather

harding - mary never gave her one - a la the same vein as Aveline, as he’s spooked by her like a horse, but when she’s not looking she’s also red ( just like Aveline in da2 ).

lucarnis - his first pass nickname was scruffy. which I also liked and I think it pairs well with the other nickname I had loaded for him knowing spite was a thing early. spooky would be the nickname for spite that pairs. I ended up changing my first draft nickname of jekyll and hyde for them - but I still think varric would use those when talking about a pair or calls lucarnis ‘chef’ rather than the fandom second pass of ‘knives’

bellara - mary ended up calling her bangles, which is super cute and super fitting. when her character was dropped I picked up the old name i used for Josephine and called her scribbles for my first playthrough, she has remained scribbles but also gained purple - as sometimes bellara we need to show and not tell.

davrin - had a reused nickname which is hero and is very apt. however it also feels rather shallow, as yes he is, but I would love to have davrin spotlighted with something new. hero for sure stays, but I also think wrangler ( nickname I gave him before datv ) or feathers would have been strong at the end of act 3 considering everything davrin gives, it would be apt for him to carry that name. Assan is squawks and Varric would be unnerved by him but overall friendly

taash - mary nicknamed them smokey and it’s also apt. the one I had loaded before datv was actually sparks or teeth or something to do with the first look we got, then I put that aside and landed on marigold eventually just gold - marigolds flower under the worst conditions and carry on even with the weight. i am still very VERY fond of sparks.

emmrich - was nicknamed bones by mary, which doesn’t surprise me they’re all trek fans and well emm does have that whole plot. i also wildly oscillated from doc to bones several times as trailers dropped and eventually bones was my pick too. doc would be well used along with his title of professor and well - to be annoying - otrano after the first piece of gothic lit ( and the origin of manfred’s name! )

manfred - he never got one! Poor baby! Neve calls him fred, which I adore but I also think varric would call him jaq ( one of the servants in the castle of otrano ) or my favourite rattles.

though at one point we called emm the wizard and manfred the strawman as I had just finished son of a witch and I’m glad I scrapped those two

solas kept his nickname of chuckles from everything I wrote from 2014 to the end of October 2024 and I couldn’t write over it if I wanted to. People dislike it because it’s a reuse. It fits solas better than purple Hawke who could have had something like jester ( as a way to poke at the viscount choice ). Mae and Dorian were Mae and Sparkler. The inquisitor is a couple of things depending on who holds the title and then Bran is Bran. The elves ( Elgy and Ghilly ) were affectionately called problem one & problem two

[motherofmabari]

You know how noble houses and estates had a ton of extra bedrooms for visiting guests? I bet the Hawke estate had so many empty bedrooms. None of the staff slept in the servants' quarters, Hawke would insist that someone ought to get some use out of all those fancy rooms.

I bet Leandra would insist Hawke's friends stay the night when the weather was bad, and while Fenris or Aveline might protest, Leandra would just lay on the guilt and motherly concern until they agreed. There might be gangs and robbers out there, after all! Over time they each just claimed their own room in the Hawke estate, because it's not like anyone else was coming to visit and Leandra was much happier when the house was full of people for her to fuss over. They all still had their own homes, of course, but their rooms were always there when they needed them.

I bet when Leandra died, they took turns staying the night. After the Arishok fight, they all slept at the estate for a full two weeks until Hawke insisted they stop hovering.

Hawke went after that estate for her family, I honestly think it's only right that that include her chosen family.

[sapphim]

All variations of that scene where Hawke's companions try to rescue them from the dungeon in Mark of the Assassin (someone please help them they're trying so hard). There is, of course, a danaduchy video compilation, but! I wanted something searchable so here it is.

also, while I'm here: look at my mod boy

Anders + Aveline

Anders: How many blighted rooms does this place have? Aveline: We've passed that sconce three times already. Anders: This is ridiculous! How could you get us lost inside the castle? Aveline: Right, it's my fault. Shall I go ask one of the guards for directions?

Anders + Bethany (Act 1)

Anders: Don't panic, but I think we've been through here before. Bethany: How can you tell? Every part of this dungeon looks exactly the same! Anders: You too? I thought it was just me. Bethany: Some rescue this is! My brother is probably being tortured right now, and we're lost in the middle of the hallway! Bethany: Some rescuers we are! The duke could be torturing my sister right now, and we're lost in the blighted hallway!

Anders + Bethany (Act 2-3)

Anders: Don't panic, but I think we've been through here before. Bethany: You're the one tearing your hair out. Anders: Typical Warden disregard. Do you even care anymore? Bethany: Yes, you should talk about what caring looks like. Keep moving. Anders: Does the Kirkwall Circle teach you to be smug? In addition to obedient, I mean. Bethany: When appropriate. Come on, let's just find them.

Anders + Carver

Anders: I told you we shouldn't have turned left back there! Carver: Excuse me if I don't share my dear brother's sense of direction! Carver: Maker forgive me for not having my sister's sense of direction! Anders: Oh, for Andraste's sake! Leave Hawke out of this! Carver: Perhaps we'll find our way by considering the plight of mages in modern—shut your bloody face!

Anders + Fenris

Anders: That's it. I'm taking the lead. Fenris: You think I'm going trust you to find Hawke? Anders: Could you stop with the, "All mages are evil," diatribe for one minute? Fenris: They may not all be evil, but one of them in particular is extremely annoying.

Anders + Isabela

Anders: All right, we should have tried your suggestion. Isabela: Which? Challenging the guards to a game of riddles and making, "Where is Hawke?" one of the questions? Anders: I meant the, "Follow one wall, and you'll navigate the maze," idea. Isabela: Well, we can try it next time. Either that, or, "Let's get a sledgehammer and break down the walls." I thought that had merit.

Anders + Merrill

Anders: What is wrong with Orlesians? Why build a prison with this many identical cells? Merrill: Maybe we should ask for directions. Anders: Of course, we'll say, "We're staging a daring prison break. Could you tell us where our friend is and then tie yourself up? Thanks!" Merrill: It's not possible to tie yourself up, is it? You'd never get the knots right.

Anders + Sebastian

Sebastian: Andraste, Lady of Sorrows, lead us from the darkness into the Maker's Light… Anders: Would you stop that? Andraste is not going to find Hawke for us! Sebastian: Have some faith, Anders. Anders: I have complete faith in your ability to make a bad situation worse!

Anders + Varric

Varric: Blondie, I hate to say this, but I'm pretty sure we've been here before. Anders: Blast it! But we went left this time! We shouldn't have come full-circle again! Varric: I wish I hadn't given that ball of twine to Daisy. Anders: You can't tell anyone about this! I mean it, Varric! Not a word!

Aveline + Bethany (Act 1)

Aveline: This can't be right. Bethany: We could sneak back to the kitchens and ask the servants where they are! If… we knew how to get there. Aveline: I'm not getting turned around again. Straight ahead. Bethany: Right. Because that's been working so well thus far.

Aveline + Bethany (Acts 2-3)

Aveline: This can't be right. Bethany: We could double back, I suppose. I expect we've got time. Aveline: Knowing your [sister/brother]? Probably. Bethany: Still, better make it look good. Wouldn't want her to feel neglected. Bethany: Still, we'd better hurry. Poor Brother might think we don't miss him.

Aveline + Carver (Act 1)

Carver: You never listen to me! Aveline: Say something worthwhile and I'll start! Carver: Right, shut up and follow orders. Left, right, that's what makes a good guardling. Aveline: Ugh. You're still such a tit.

Aveline + Carver (Acts 2-3)

Carver: The place is a maze. Another pass and then double back? Aveline: Sounds good. we'll do that. Carver: Really? Aveline: There a reason I should doubt you, [Warden/templar]?

Aveline + Fenris

Aveline: Did we turn left last time, or right? Fenris: What does it matter? Lost is lost. Aveline: I'm trying to change that, you sour…. Aveline: How does Hawke put up with this?

Aveline + Isabela

Isabela: If you'd let me handle that last guard, we'd have found Hawke by now! Aveline: Right. You'd be bent over a desk, and we'd be no closer than we are now. Isabela: Well, I'd be closer to something. Aveline: Shut up, whore.

Aveline + Merrill

Merrill: Aveline? Remember how you told me to tell you if I noticed anything peculiar? Merrill: Well, we've passed the same cracked floor tile nine times now. Aveline: We've been walking in circles and you only tell me now? Merrill: I wasn't sure. Maybe there are a lot of tiles broken in exactly the same way!

Aveline + Sebastian

Aveline: Ugh! We're back where we started! Sebastian: Blessed Andraste, guide us. Protect our friends in this dark hour. Aveline: While you're at it, ask the sky for reinforcements. And pie. Sebastian: You know, that kind of prayer has never worked for me.

Aveline + Varric

Aveline: We've been going in circles for over an hour. Varric: I'm so used to Hawke leading the way, I think my sense of direction has withered. Varric: So… wait here for [him/her] to rescue us? Aveline: When you tell this part? Leave it out.

Bethany + Fenris (Act 1)

Bethany: What am I going to tell Mother? "Sorry, I got lost and left your heir in an Orlesian's dungeon?" Bethany: She will never forgive me. My [brother/sister] will never forgive me! Carver and Father will come back from the grave just to haunt me! Fenris: What she'll say should be the least of your worries. We may die in here, and she'll never get the news. Bethany: You are not helping.

Bethany + Fenris (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: Bloody runaround twisted shite of a maze. Fenris: You've learned a few new words. Bethany: Wardens get called a few. Fenris: Undeservedly, I'm sure. Bethany: Not every book in the Circle is high literature. Fenris: Obviously.

Bethany + Isabela (Act 1)

Bethany: What are we going to do? Isabela: All right, just stay calm! What do we usually do when we're lost? Bethany: We ask my brother. Bethany: We'd ask my sister where to go. Isabela: Oh. Right. Well, we're screwed.

Bethany + Isabela (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: So, know where we're going? Isabela: Not a damned clue. Bethany: (Laughs.) Me neither! Isabela: Right. We pass the kitchen, I'm grabbing a bottle.

Bethany + Merrill (Act 1)

Bethany: Are we out of twine? Merrill: Yes. I was going to drop breadcrumbs, but we don't have any bread. Bethany: I can't believe we're this lost! Merrill: Don't worry! If we keep going, eventually we'll get somewhere! Probably an airing cupboard. I seem to wind up in those a lot.

Bethany + Merrill (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: Lost your spool of twine? Merrill: Yes. I was going to drop breadcrumbs, but we don't have any bread. Bethany: We'll find them, if they're still here to be found. Merrill: Don't worry! If we keep going, eventually we'll get somewhere! Probably an airing cupboard. I seem to wind up in those a lot.

Bethany + Sebastian

Bethany: No, the layout is wrong. We're back where we started. Bethany: [Warden] I swear, what I wouldn't give for a straightforward Deep Road and— Bethany: [Circle] It's backwards from every book on Orlais I've seen. It's just not— Sebastian: [the stupid little smirk and the head tilt and then running off full tilt without saying a word why did he do so much lmaoo] Bethany: [Sebmance active] Sister, you lucky bitch. Bethany: [else] Oh, Maker.

Bethany + Varric (Act 1)

Bethany: Aren't dwarves supposed to have some sort of "stone sense?" Varric: What good is that? Most of the chateau is stone. Knowing where the floor's at isn't going to help us. Bethany: Can't you… I don't know… always find your way around in… caves or something? Varric: Sunshine, all the caves we go to look exactly the same to me.

Bethany + Varric (Acts 2-3)

Bethany: Keep up, Varric. I'm sure we're almost there. Varric: You've certainly quickened your stride in the last few years. Bethany: [Warden] I found out there's a lot more to run from. Varric: And towards, I hope. Speaking of which, to the rescue! Bethany: [Circle] Too much to learn, or, you know, rescue. Varric: There's my Sunshine. Let's go!

Carver + Fenris (Act 1)

Carver: Shitting… piss-eared Orlesians and their… blighted dungeons! Fenris: "Piss-eared?" Did you get that from Meeran? Carver: We're lost and all you can do is criticize me? Fenris: It passes the time.

Carver + Fenris (Acts 2-3)

Carver: Orlesians. Can't build a hallway without turning it into a maze. Fenris: Keep going. I'm sure your training will kick in any moment. Carver: Still don't like me? I've tried to change. Fenris: You have. Now you're dangerous. Let's move.

Carver + Isabela (Act 1)

Carver: You just leave this to me. I can handle everything. Isabela: How could I possibly interfere? Carver, the magnificent hero to the rescue! Carver: Do you have to do that? Really? Isabela: No, this is strictly optional.

Carver + Isabela (Acts 2-3)

Carver: You just leave this to me. I can handle everything. Isabela: I'm starting to think you could. Carver: What was that? A compliment? I'm a little frightened. Isabela: I know! Let's get these people rescued before it happens again.

Carver + Merrill (Act 1)

Carver: I don't understand it! This should be the right way. Merrill: If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse. Carver: Don't worry. It's got to be… left. Is it left? I mean, of course it's left. Merrill: Also, I'm pretty sure spiders won't attack us! Not even the little ones.

Carver + Merrill (Acts 2-3, no Merrillmance)

Carver: Okay, we're lost together. Both of us, not that we're "together" together. Merrill: If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse. Carver: Right, well, back to rescuing… wait. You're doing that on purpose! Merrill: (Giggles.)

Carver + Merrill (Acts 2-3, Merrillmance active)

Carver: A shame we didn't have time like this back in Kirkwall. Back then. Merrill: If we have to be lost somewhere, at least it's a nice hallway! Very well built, not at all likely to collapse. Carver: Right, well, let's get to it. My [sister/brother] will be missing you. Merrill: I'm glad you think so.

Carver + Sebastian

Carver: And we are back to front yet again. Sebastian: Blessed Andraste, guide us. Protect our friends in this dark hour. Carver: Right. Prayer. Useful, useful. Or we could do something. Sebastian: Guide us by the wisdom of your light… in silence.

Carver + Varric (Act 1)

Carver: Go ahead. I know you're thinking it, dwarf. Varric: What? What did I do now? Carver: "Your brother wouldn't have gotten lost. He'd have rescued everyone by now." Carver: "Your sister wouldn't have gotten lost! She'd have us all back at the tavern by now!" Varric: Actually, I was thinking, "All these hallways look alike." But sure, knock yourself out, Junior.

Carver + Varric (Acts 2-3)

Carver: So, we're lost. Varric: Just like old times. Carver: Maker, I hope not. I was an ass. Varric: (Laughs.) Fair comment, Junior. All right, let's get this done.

Fenris + Isabela

Fenris: So… we're lost? Isabela: Definitely. Fenris: Now what do we do? Isabela: I could try to guess the color of your underclothes again.

Fenris + Merrill

Fenris: I don't want to hear another word out of you. Merrill: But I was just— Fenris: Not. One. Word. Merrill: Is it all right if I hum? Or maybe whistle?

Fenris + Sebastian

Fenris: Maybe you should start praying that we'll find them. Sebastian: I have been for the last half an hour. I could do so out loud, if you'd prefer. Sebastian: Blessed Andraste, Bride of the Maker, deliver us from this warren of evil. Fenris: In that case, maybe you should stop.

Fenris + Varric

Fenris: And… here we are again. For the fourth time. Varric: Fifth, I think. Fenris: What do we do now? Varric: Play Diamondback and wait for Hawke to find us?

Isabela + Merrill

Merrill: Isabela? Um… I think we've been here before. We've passed that same cracked tile six times now. Isabela: Andraste's granny-panties! I knew things were going too smoothly! Merrill: Does Andraste really wear granny-panties? How do you know all these things? Isabela: (Sighs.) Come on, Kitten. Let's see if we can find the entrance and start again.

Isabela + Sebastian

Isabela: Eenie, meenie, miney, moe… Sebastian: I'm not sure that's the best way to find them. Isabela: We already tried "pray for Andraste to guide us" and "wander like drunken vagrants." We're running out of options. Isabela: Unless you want to find a chicken for an augury, we're going with counting games.

Isabela + Varric

Isabela: I give up! We've been through every inch of this place twice, and there's no sign of them! Varric: Or we've been through the same twenty feet of this place about a dozen times. It's hard to tell, Rivaini. Isabela: We should have gone treasure-hunting in Wildervale instead. Varric: You're still upset that you couldn't swipe a drink from the party, aren't you?

Merrill + Sebastian

Merrill: I… think we've been through here before. Sebastian: Now that you mention it, we have seen that chipped cornice a few times, haven't we? Merrill: All right, don't panic! Every other time I've gotten very lost, Hawke has found me. Sebastian: Merrill? I don't think he can rescue us until we rescue him first. Sebastian: Uh, Merrill? I don't think she can rescue us before we rescue her.

Merrill + Varric

Varric: Daisy? You don't happen to have that ball of twine, do you? Merrill: I knew I forgot something when we left Kirkwall! Varric: Don't beat yourself up over it. We'll just… wait here until I think of something. Merrill: I'm sure that won't take very long. You're always thinking of things!

Sebastian + Varric

Sebastian: When you tell people about this part of our adventure, what are you going to say? Varric: That depends entirely on the audience, Choir Boy. Sebastian: You change the story to suit the listener? Varric: Of course. All the bullshit in the world won't convince Hawke we rescued him if he finds us first. Varric: No bullshit—however well-told—will persuade Hawke that we rescued her if she finds us first. That's common sense.

[lover-also-fighter-also]

THE PRINCE SWAP

CHAPTER 1 PART 3: THE UNEXPECTED GUEST

Banner credits: @cadybear420

Links to previous chapters:

Chapter 1 part 1

Chapter 1 part 2

Tags: @cadybear420 @somerandomjewelleryonthefloor @choicesmc @choicesficwriterscreations

Summary: a rewrite of The Princess Swap, but featuring our OG: HSS MC's, Jeremy Rin (my MC) and Alan Parke (Cady's MC).

Additional Notes: DM me if you want to be tagged for regular updates

Jeremy stares at the huge palace in front of him, awestruck by its beauty. Magnificent gardens surrounded the palace, adding to its grandeur. Gardeners rushed about, tending to the flowers and the plants, and bowed to Jeremy as he passed them.

'Wow, it loos even bigger than it does from the campus.' said Jeremy, as he and Aveline walked towards the grand staircase, leading towards the huge ornate doors of the palace. 'Just wait till you see the interior.' said Aveline, as they reach the doors. A pair of guards bow to Jeremy as they open the doors for him.

'This weekend is going to be a breeze, I could get used to this treatment.' thought Jeremy, smiling to himself. But as they enter the palace, the whole place was bustling with activity, with servants rushing from place to place, adjusting the decorations and nobles squabbling with each other. Jeremy caught a few snippets of conversations as he and Aveline passed by.

'What was Ismar thinking?'

'Has anyone seen my dusting feather?'

'Put six, no eight mince pies in the oven!'

'Uhh…Aveline, you have any idea what's going on here?' asked Jeremy, turning to her.

'I have no idea. Everything was fine just this morning…', said Aveline, looking equally confused. She flags down a maid holding two different flower bouquets. 'You! What's everyone in a tizzy about?'

'The Ismari princess has just arrived!' said the maid.

'Today?' said Aveline, shocked.

Noticing Jeremy beside Aveline, the maid sweeps into a curtesy, scattering flower petals on the ground. 'Your highness, should we set out Monterrian roses, or the Ismari wildflowers for our guest?'

Jeremy was taken aback for a moment, but quickly got his confident face up. 'Set the Ismari wildflowers, it will make our guests feel at home.' said Jeremy, in a perfect imitation of Alan. The maid nodded, and scurried away.

'You handled it very well.' whispered Aveline, looking impressed. 'How did you do that?'

'Just one of my many talents.' said Jeremy, running his hand through his hair. 'But this is crazy, we should get out the way.'

'Let's get back to Alan's…sorry your chambers before anyone else comes.' whispered Aveline, and grabs his hand to take him upstairs, but their path was blocked by a noble.

'Your highness!' she said, before curtseying. 'We need your help. There's no way the palace can be ready in time for our guests. How can we avoid a diplomatic incident?' she looked really panicked. Jeremy gives a firm grip on her shoulder and speaks. 'Hey, calm down. We can't be blamed for their early arrival, so they have to deal with the best we can do.'

The Lady slightly relaxed before smiling. 'Thank you, your highness. We will just have to show them how accommodating Monterre can be.'

'Wow, at this rate, you can take over for Alan.' whispered Aveline, 'but don't tell him I said that.' she added quickly. Jeremy imitated zipping his lips. They start towards the foyer but were soon overwhelmed with a tow of servants and nobles.

'Prince Alan, what color scheme do you suggest for the third-floor room?'

'Do you suggest a dinner of shellfish or roast beef for our Ismari guests?'

'Ladies and Gentlemen, please!' shouted Aveline, trying to control the crowd. 'Let the prince review the itinerary before making a decision.'

'But-'

'Everyone, calm down!' shouted Jeremy, before catching himself, as everyone stared at him. 'Look, I know this is an unpredicted incident. But panicking is not going to make things easy. Give me some air and I will get back to all of you.' Before anyone could say anything, Jeremy runs off to the nearest opening in the hallway, and without thinking twice, rushes into it, and saw that it led to a balcony.

He took deep breaths, trying to control his heartrate, when a voice calls out to him. 'Excuse me sir, are you feeling okay?'

Jeremy looked across the balcony to find that the place was occupied by someone else, and he was spellbound by whom he saw.

She was a beautiful woman, with long blonde hair that reached her waist, and deep brown eyes, that Jeremy felt he could get lost in them. It was her voice broke him out of his trance.

'Pardon me, but it looked like you needed some help.' she said.

'Oh no! Don't mind me. I am perfectly fine.' said Jeremy, straightening himself. 'I was just passing by, and was wondering what a woman, as beautiful as you is doing all by herself here.' he said cheekily, giving her a small wink. She blushed faintly, her milky white cheeks growing a faint pink.

'Oh nothing! I was just going to head back! You see, I'm…scared of new places.' she said, embarrassed. 'But I had to come, you see. I was sent here by my father, to see the prince.'

'So, this is the princess from Ismar.' Jeremy thought privately. 'She still doesn't know I am the "prince", so let me play along for a while.'

'Oh? And what do you make of the prince?' he asked innocently, trying to make her feel at ease. 'I don't know…' she said, frowning. 'But I have heard some things about him. Not that I trust royal gossip or anything…'.

'Hey, it's okay. I am not going to judge you, Ms.-' he said, raising his hands.

'Emma.' she said, curtseying to him. Jeremy curtseyed back, before looking at her sincerely, and said 'You can tell me anything.' she looks at him, pondering whether to trust him or not.

'Well…' her voice drops in a whisper, but they were interrupted by voices coming from the other side. Jeremy noticed a tight grip on his arm, and saw that Emma was holding onto him nervously. Jeremy looked down and saw that the balcony was not too high off the ground.

'Hey.' he whispered. 'What do you say we take this conversation elsewhere. Away from the crowds?' she doesn't say anything, but slowly nods. 'Excellent.' he says and swings his legs across the balcony railing and slipped down, holding onto the vines. Emma looked at him from above. 'It's okay. Just hang on to the vines. I will catch you.' he called from below. She hesitatingly leans across the railing but does not climb down.

'Do you trust me, princess?' said Jeremy, giving her his most honest look.

Emma nodded, and swung her legs across the railing, her dress restricting free movement. She awkwardly slipped down, hanging onto the vines for dear life, and nearly lost her footing, but Jeremy caught her in his arms.

'Hi there.' he said, smiling at her.

They were not aware of how close they were, till she stepped back politely. 'Thank you for catching me.' she said.

'Right.' said Jeremy, pulling himself together. 'I think we should get going before anyone catches us here.' he said quickly, avoiding the awkward silence between them.

They quietly sneak through a set of doors into the lower floor of the palace. 'So, where are we going?' asked Emma.

'Somewhere where they cannot find us.' said Jeremy in an air of bravado, but honestly, he did not know where they were going. He was in the middle of somewhere in a place he didn't know, and on top of that he dragged a princess into an impromptu adventure with him.

They turned into a corner and thankfully, Jeremy caught the smell of freshly baked bread coming from the doors near them and Emma looked like she recognizes the place as well.

'The kitchens?' she asked confused. 'Are you sure -' she suddenly went quiet, and grabbed Jeremy's arm

'What -' said Jeremy as she pulled him into a closet. 'Shh' she whispered. Jeremy heard the voices of a couple of servants outside the closet and nodded.

They held their breaths for a few moments, until they were sure that nobody was outside. Jeremy slowly opened the closet door and stepped out; Emma followed him closely.

'That was quick.' he said. 'How did you know that they were coming?'

'Umm…' said Emma, blushing 'I don't know…it's just that I am used to avoiding people. Not that it's a useful skill…'

'Well, it certainly helped us today.' said Jeremy, giving her a sincere smile.

They continue running, till they were in a place which almost looked like a Zen Garden, right outside the doors. A small stream flowed peacefully below a bridge, which lead to a gazebo. 'Wow.' he thought but didn't let his surprise be noticed.

'It's a really beautiful place.' said Emma, taking in her surroundings. 'You really seem to know your way through the palace. Have you been here long?'

'You can say that.' said Jeremy, 'highly relieved that the wandering led to somewhere beautiful, otherwise he would have lost face in front of a princess.

'It must be nice, staying in a palace with such beautiful sceneries. My home is more like a castle.'

'Yeah, now I really appreciate the finery of the place, the company also helps.' he said pointedly looking at Emma. she gives an amused laugh. 'I'm glad I'm able to help.' she said, smiling widely.

They walk a few feet, towards a gazebo and Jeremy leaned on the railing.

'Soo. How do you feel now? A new place must be highly exhausting.' he said, trying to add his own experience with moving to Monterre and now the palace.

'A bit better actually. I'm really dreading meeting the prince.' she trails off, looking nervous.

'Oh why? Is the prince very horrible on Royal Gossip?' he asked, now curious. 'Well…' said Emma. 'I have met him only once as a kid and he was…a complete diva.'

'What?' said Jeremy, trying not to laugh.

'The prince. He has a bit of a dramatic streak.' she said, looking serious. 'Oh, what makes you say that?' he asked, making a mental note to tell Alan about this later.

'I heard he refused to wear the royal robes to a ball and threw a huge tantrum over it.' said Emma

'And that's a bad thing?' asked Jeremy. 'Maybe he wasn't comfortable with them. You know, gossips tend to exaggerate even the simplest things.'

'That's also true…' said Emma, looking thoughtful. 'Maybe I'm overthinking but he might be a little too intense, and…I don't have good experience with such people.' Jeremy looked at her sympathetically.

'Maybe he might have changed, who knows?' said Jeremy 'literally.' he thought at the back of his mind. 'I am sure if you asked him to tone it down, he would.' he continued. 'Besides, he would be a criminal if he said no to a princess the likes of you.' she laughed. It was a pleasant laugh, almost like a melody. Like an idiot, Jeremy found himself smiling at her. 'Don't worry about the prince.' he said 'I'm sure it's just gossip. You can't know a person without spending time with them.' she smiled easier.

'You know what, you're right. I won't know anything until I meet him myself.' she looked slightly more confident. 'Thank you for hearing me out. It's nice to talk to someone like this.'

'Anytime.' said Jeremy.

'Oh! Forgive my terrible manners, I haven't got your name, sir.' she said. Before Jeremy could reply, the bushes rustled, and a nobleman stepped out.

'Princess Emma, there you are!' he said. 'King Edmond is waiting for your audience.' he looks at Jeremy standing beside her and said 'Oh! I see you have already had the chance to meet Prince Alan over here.'

'What?' said Emma, shocked, looking at Jeremy. 'You're the prince?!'

[vigilskeep]

Hiya, do u have a carrd or anything with info on your ocs? I love reading about ocs n all that crap but the tumblr search function is like actually evil. Keir seems super interesting but it’s like killing me trying to find posts to recap his lore 😭

i don’t i’m afraid!! it’s just his enormous mess of a tag as the lore built up... i might make something sometime??? i hadnt thought abt it tbh. in the meantime feel free to ask me any and all questions even if it’s something i’ve probably already said, i love going over this stuff and will do so forever if even slightly prompted. on that note, if it helps, here is a briefly condensed version:

keir is a red personality (aggressive/direct) non-mage hawke. i did his full playthrough as a warrior, i sometimes talk about switching him to rogue, but the only really important thing is that he’s a reaver and will bite you for real

he’s a man of few words, extremely blunt and threatening to the point of being absurdly over-the-top with pretty much all strangers, and much softer but still bluntly earnest with the small group of people he considers his own. he considers himself first and foremost a protector and would do anything to keep those people safe. his father malcolm was a strict man who raised him to do this and he accepted that wholeheartedly. consider him a guard dog. killed his first templar in defence of the family aged 15

he adores and idolises magic and fiercely supports mage freedom, though ultimately he would absolutely sacrifice a wider “cause” if doing so would keep his mages safe. fortunately or unfortunately, he can’t do that because the two are inextricable

he’s a proud fereldan and cares very little for kirkwall (hates kirkwall. hates kirkwall. someone please get him out of here) and its nobility, which tends to show in his appearance and behaviour. long braided hair, the streak across his nose is kaddis, and takes his mabari, silla, absolutely everywhere

he’s elf-blooded via his father, who was the bastard son of a fereldan elven servant girl and an orlesian chevalier who was with the occupation

his playthrough has circle mage bethany. he adores her and he would do anything for her but her acceptance of her fate and disillusionment with his overprotectiveness meant they had an increasingly strained relationship. it was because she was trapped that he couldn’t leave the city. once he was champion, meredith essentially had a knife to his sister’s throat whenever she wanted his compliance, not to mention the looming threat to anders and merrill, making those three years the worst and most terrifying in his life

he romances anders! friendmance and they escape kirkwall together in the end. not always easy but he really loves him, justice half included. there’s a lot of lore here ummm if i mention the “and they were housemates” timeline, that’s my silly mutual pining alternate version of events where anders moves into the amell estate for safekeeping before he and keir actually get together. if i mention aura hawke, that’s the potential daughter i occasionally hc for them

he had previous relationships with morrigan (in lothering as young 20-somethings) and merrill (during act 1). you cannot keep him away from those romanceable mages

he’s still close friends with merrill. isabela is his best friend. he has a complicated, semi-antagonistic friendship with varric, who was really closer with anders but now after the fact doesn’t want to remember that. he deeply respects and is friends with fenris. he did rivalry with sebastian, but in an agree-to-disagree way where they considered each other friends nonetheless until All That happened. he had a more genuine rivalry with aveline though still coloured by their trauma bonding

i THINK those are the main beats of his lore but he’s my most discussed and developed dragon age character so i’m sure i’ve missed some of the assorted junkyard of thoughts

[solasfenheral]

Replaying da2 just has me so damn fond of Kirkwall and so appreciative of how alive it feels. The way the cast has individualised responses to things like the women catcalling them on the docks, the guards acknowledging Aveline as one of their own, Gamlen’s sheepish response if you approach him in the brothel, the change in address to Hawke from getting sneers in Hightown over their foreign heritage vs being called serah/messare.

The way the city is constantly murmuring around you! Andraste’s ashes grifters! Political machinations around the threat Amaranthine poses to trade! Stupid errands servants are being sent on around Hightown! God, the dumb loveable gossip in the Hanged Man! The roiling tension around the Qunari and then the Mages & Templars! Nobles throwing tantrums about the Viscount not seeing them yet. The entire world going on between the Blooming Rose staff; bitching out some coworkers they dislike and their children chatting to the bartenders AND laughing at some of the outrageous asks of their patrons.

It all feels so alive and it’s wonderful

[littleglowingwolf]

Hawke blazes like a sun: blinding and warm. Fenris, all scars and silence, is a moth.

She is his light, he her steady shadow.

E-Rated

Canon-based FenHawke || Read on AO3 || Read from the beginning

Excerpt:

Fenris - I’ve located your sister. There is, as Hadriana reported, an elf named Varania working as a servant in House Ahriman in Qarinus. She seems in good health based on my contact’s information. If you would like to write to her, I can make sure she receives it. I hope this good news will bolster your spirits. Aveline

[annoyed-galaxy]

Fictober 2024 ~ 4

"no, we're not doing that"

DA2 Fanfiction In which the Kirkwall gang gets hired on a mission that involves disguising themselves as women. This causes some discomfort for Seth as a trans man, but it's worth it to see and dance with his love, Anders in a dress. Can also be found on Ao3

“Why is alway thieving jobs…” Seth sighed as the human man finished his explanation.

“It’s not stealing…It’s getting something that was stolen back!” the human defended himself. 

“Still requires stealing from someone,” Varric pointed out. 

“It should be easy. Lady Monteforte is having a ladies night tonight, a ball with her and every noblewoman in town,” the man explained. “It was her husband who stole this jewel from me and presented it to her. I don’t know where she has it, but I know it’s in her house. You could sneak into it and get the jewel back.”

“I don’t think any of us could successfully sneak into a house while there’s a woman only party going on,” Fenris argued, raising an eyebrow. 

The man put his chin in his hand. “Hm, I agree. There’s not like a back door you could enter since this is one of the close knit houses in Hightown.” The man’s eyes lit up. “You could disguise yourselves!” 

“No, uh uh, we’re not doing that,” Seth immediately denied shaking his hands and head. “I’m out.” 

“Oh pleeeeease, Champion! That jewel means so much to me! It was a family heirloom and I’ll pay handsomely for it.” 

Seth looked at him with a deadpan face. “I don’t need money anymore.” 

“Well…I…” The man panicked. “What about a weapon or a uh…armor piece?” Seth motioned to his armor and staff. “Okay well…shit.” The man fell to his knees, clasping his hands together. “Please messere, I need this!” 

Seth backed up, looking slightly uncomfortable at the situation. Varric raised an eyebrow. “Thought you wouldn’t mind sneaking into a fun party.” 

Seth frowned. “If the only way is through the front door and disguising oneself as a woman, not particularly.” 

Anders put a hand on Seth’s shoulder, comfort in his eyes. Seth kind of leaned back into the man and seemed less tense. There was some sort of understanding between the two that made Varric wonder if there was something else going on about this mission. 

“Is there nothing I can offer you to take on this quest for me?” the man pleaded once more. 

“Come on Hawke,” Varric pressed. “It could be some fun. Cause some chaos, steal a jewel, a fun heist!” 

Seth looked at the dwarf. “No.” 

Anders rubbed Seth’s arms. “It would only be a night of some silly fun,” Anders added. “Besides, I would join you.” 

Seth looked up at Anders in surprise. “I don’t want to and you know why.” 

Anders nodded. “I know, but don’t you want to have some fun? I’d be in a dress,” Anders smirked. 

Seth sighed. “Fiiiiiiine,” Seth relinquished. “We’ll get your stupid jewel, but you better pay out the ass for this.” 

The man practically jumped to his feet. “Thank you!” 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Seth had to admit, this was probably going to be more fun than he thought. He almost burst out in tears of laughter when he saw Fenris and Varric in their disguises. Fenris looked horribly uncomfortable, wearing the most floofiest dress Seth had ever seen. He also wore a horrible blonde wig, decorated with beautiful flowers and gold kohl around his eyes. He would have looked beautiful if it weren’t for his grouching face. 

“On second thought, I am regretting this,” Fenris growled. 

Aveline and Merrill had joined the party, helping the boys get dressed up. Aveline decided to join on the festivities and as guard captain, getting in would be easy for her. Merrill was posing as her servant. 

Varric also wore a poofy dress, but other than that, he hadn’t done much to make himself look womanly. When Aveline asked if that was sufficient, he shrugged. “Have you seen dwarven women?” 

When Anders came out of the dressing room, Seth fell in love all over again. He wore a slim white dress that flared out near the bottom. The shoulders were cut out, revealing skin underneath, but white feathers sprouted around the holes. Anders had let his hair down completely, letting some of it fall in front of his face. He wore his red band of cloth that Seth had given him around his neck and had on brown and silver kohl on his eyes. He also replaced his gold earring with a silver one this time, to match the rest of the outfit. 

Seth’s jaw practically hit the floor and his heart beat faster and faster. “You…uh…Maker…” He was at a lost for words and Anders just smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind his ear. 

“Wow Anders you look so lovely!” Merrill complimented, smiling so wide. 

Even Aveline was shocked. “I am impressed. You definitely pass more than anyone else here. Even me and Merrill I think,” she joked. 

“I like to be dramatic,” Anders replied. 

“Ain’t that the truth,” Varric snorted. 

Everyone then turned to Seth, who was still in his house clothes. “Well,” Aveline urged. 

Seth sighed. “Do I have to?” 

Anders approached him and Seth immediately felt his heart flip at the beautiful man. “I’ll be there with you,” he said, holding Seth’s hands. 

Maker damn it all, if Seth got to see Anders like this all night he would do it. 

Seth went into his room and shut the door.

It took about an hour, but afterwards the door to Seth’s room opened and he walked out. Everyone gasped as Seth walked in with the red dress his mother used to wear. It was from her young days and she had once told him she would have given it to either him or Bethany when they got older, but Bethany passed and Seth had transitioned. 

He kind of wished she was here to see at least one of her children wear the beautiful dress. 

He had shaved his growing stubble, his face now smooth and clean. Luckily the tea he took every night would allow it to grow back fast with no issue, so he hadn’t minded, but it still felt weird for his face to be so clean after all these years. He had put his hair in a braid and laid it across one shoulder, the shoulder not revealed by the dress. He had put on some black eyeliner and other makeup that highlighted the feminine features of his face. 

The Hawke that walked out of that room was a completely different Hawke. 

Everyone gasped, except for Anders who smiled softly. 

“Holy crap!” Varric was stunned. 

“How did you manage that?” Aveline asked. 

Seth shrugged. “Maybe it’s because I was already born a woman,” he admitted. Anders had known for a long time as Seth came clean about it their first night together. Luckily, Anders hadn’t cared what his body was like and was not thrown off by anything. 

It wasn’t something that ever came up in conversations so Seth didn’t feel the need to ever bring it up, but of course some hijinks like this would cause it to be brought up. 

“I think you look stunning as usual,” Anders said, approaching Seth and taking his hand in his own. The two of them looked like beautiful brides and the others couldn’t help but notice how well they complimented each other. 

Aveline chuckled. “Well I think I know who’s going to be doing the stealing,” she said, looking pointedly at Fenris and Varric. The two of them looked at each other then back at Aveline. 

“Huh?” 

“Merrill and I blend in naturally, but those two,” she pointed at Seth and Anders, “are so perfectly gorgeous together, they may steal the show.” 

Seth fidgeted under the gaze of everyone. He hated looking like this. Anders noticed and forced him to look at him. His worries melted as he looked at the beauty that was his partner. He could stand looking like a woman again if it meant he got to see his partner like this for an entire night. Maybe that’s what Anders’s plan was. 

“Well, let’s get going then,” Varric clapped his hands together. The moon was already rising and the party would be starting soon.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Surprisingly, getting through the front door had been easy. Aveline had been recgonized and as the guard-captain, she was able to convince the doorsmen that her companions were old friends, nobles from other places in the Free Marches. As long as no one asked specifics, everything would be fine. Aveline had worn a lovely mix of armor and a dress. She wore a decorative chestplate on top of the beige gown she had worn at her wedding. She wasn’t much of a dress woman and she hated pure white. It had worked quite well. 

Merrill had worn a very simple and plain dress, attempting to not stand out since she was simply posing as Aveline’s servant. However, there were gasps and whispers once the men showed up. They seemed convincing enough, at least Seth and Anders most of all. Varric was still a dwarf, but simple enough that people didn’t give him a second glance. Fenris was still brooding despite everyone trying to get him to act right. He kept scratching his wig. 

“Kaafas,” he cursed. 

“Where did that idiot even say where the jewel was?” Seth murmured, looking around. Lady Monteforte was easy to spot as she was so bejeweled and decorated that it was almost hard to look at her with how shiny she was. 

“I think he mentioned it might be in the lady’s room,” Varric answered. 

“She could be wearing it,” Fenris growled, shielding his eyes from the horribly blinged woman. 

“Maker I hope not,” Anders frowned. “We’d never get it off her that way.” 

“We could always ask,” Varric shrugged. Everyone looked at him, eyebrows raised in disbelief. “Okay maybe not.” 

“That guy did give you a description of what it looked like at least, right?” Aveline asked. 

“Yeah, I went back to him before we came here to make sure we were looking for the right thing,” Varric said. “From the description, Lady Monteforte is definitely not wearing it. It’s too big. Like this size.” Varric made a shape with hands. 

“Maker’s breath, no wonder it was stolen,” Anders said in amazement. 

“Look, let’s just split up and see if we can find where it is. Merrill, Varric, maybe you two could sneak around and get upstairs and search the rooms up there,” Seth ordered. 

“We’d need a distraction to make things easier,” Varric said. 

Anders linked his arm with Seth’s. “Allow us, then.” 

Without another word, Anders pulled Seth into the middle of the ballroom where other ladies had been dancing with each other. Seth’s face reddened in embarrassment as Anders twirled him about and then brought him close. “I can’t dance, Anders!” Seth whisper-shouted. 

“Just follow my moves, love,” Anders winked. 

The red and white dresses of Seth and Anders overtook the dance floor as both men elegantly flowed across it. The ladies around gasped and stared in amazement, even Lady Monteforte took a notice to them, watching with intent as these two strange noble ladies apparently stole the crowd’s breath away. 

Seth had no clue how he was following Anders’s moves so well, but they just fell in line naturally. And Seth couldn’t help but just continue looking at Anders, his heart leaping in his chest. His smile was so beautiful and pure, the way his hair whipped across his face as they spun on the floor. The way his makeup caused his amber eyes to pop more. 

Seth was in love. So in love. Maker this was worth it. He hadn’t even noticed Varric and Fenris and Merrill make their way upstairs because he was so distracted with Anders. In fact, the whole world just melted away and all he could see or feel was Anders.

He would die for this man. 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

Varric and the elves scoured every room on the upstairs floor until they finally got to the master bedroom. They probably should have started there considering all things, but what they found was not what they expected. 

“Well shit,” Varric breathed when he opened the door. In the middle of the room was the body of Lady Monteforte’s husband. He lay in a pool of blood and right in the middle of his chest was the jewel, glowing and humming slightly. 

“Blood magic,” Fenris growled. 

“Isn’t it always,” Varric sighed. They entered the room and poked around a bit before even daring to touch the body. 

Merrill had found a journal and called out when she did, reading some of the more recent entries. “’My husband retrieved the jewel and offered it to me. Such a lovely slave. He has done well and now his blood and body will prove useful for the ritual tonight. The coven will gather and under the guise of a ball, we will have all we need to take over Kirkwall.’” Merrill looked up with concern in her eyes. 

Varric and Fenris just looked at each other, annoyance on their faces. “We can’t ever have a normal job can we?” Varric droned. 

Fenris shook his head. “Well at least I get to do something fun at this miserable party.” 

“Kill blood mages?” Varric asked. 

Fenris nodded. “Kill blood mages.” 

Merrill let out a squeak as Fenris pushed past her and grabbed the jewel from the man’s body. Then Fenris shoved it in her arms. “You hold this. Varric and I are going to deal with the witches. Get this out of the house.” 

Merrill fumbled with the bloody jewel before nodding nervously and looking fro a window to climb out of. 

“So, you think Anders’s invisibility spell actually worked?” Varric asked. “Because I haven’t felt Bianca this entire time.” 

Fenris reached back and grasped around the air where his sword would have been. Sure enough, the blade was still there and as he unsheathed it, it shimmered into view, breaking the spell. “Guess he made them light too so we didn’t move weirdly,” Fenris shrugged. 

Varric reached back and just like Fenris’s sword, Bianca shimmered into view as he pulled the crossbow out. “Let’s crash a party!” 

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

How long had he been dancing? How long had he lost himself in those eyes? How long was Anders genuinely smiling? When did more people join the dance floor? How much time had passed? Had the others found what they were looking for? 

Seth was lost. He couldn’t think of anything except Anders. He didn’t care about the dress anymore. He didn’t care how he looked anymore. He just never wanted Anders to let him go. He could have been enthralled by a desire demon, but wouldn’t have cared if it was Anders. 

Then there was screaming and shouting that crashed into his fantasy. Anders’s smile quickly faded and the mage pulled Seth close to him. His head rested against one of Anders’s shoulder and both of them were breathing hard, dancing for who knows how long. 

Then Seth felt the air start to cool and he noticed Anders was forming a ball of ice in one of his hands. Seth turned to look over his shoulder and saw Varric and Fenris fighting a group of women. He was so confused until the women began cutting themselves and using their blood to summon demons.

Oh great. Of course this was some sort of blood mage party. He was thankful, at least, for Anders’s spell he had cast on all their weapons before entering the house. He pulled away from Anders, heartbroken to do so, but took his staff out, the bladed staff shimmering into view and immediately launched a spark of lightning into the crowd of blood mages. 

Aveline had pulled out her sword and shield, immediately jumping on the defensive against some women who turned on her. Some women were screeching and running out of the house. 

Lady Monteforte looked pissed as her plans had been ruined. She let out a blood curdling screech as she unsheathed a blade and sliced a large gash across her chest, blood pooling out on the ground. From the blood she summoned demons. Seth turned to face her, looking at the blood on the ground. 

He quickly glanced behind him, making sure everyone else was occupied with their battles. Anders noticed what he was doing and stepped in between him and their friends, continuing to offer support to them. Seth smirked as he looked back at the lady. 

Use her own weapon against her.

Seth’s eyes began to glow red as he reached out toward her blood. The blood snaked back up her body, piercing into her skin and she screamed in pain as Seth turned her blood against her. The blood wrapped around her throat, squeezing and squeezing until all the blood seeped back into her body and then a moment later, she burst into gibblets. Seth shook his hand and his eyes returned to normal.

They cleaned up the rest of the demons and blood mages with ease, ending the party early and ending a cult. Just another day for Seth and his friends. 

“So. Did you guys find the jewel?” Seth asked, wiping some blood from his face. 

Varric nodded. “Gave it to Daisy and she ran with it, getting it off the premise.” 

“I’m assuming our dear lady was using it for some sort of ritual,” Seth guessed. 

“Is it a surprise?” Fenris snorted. 

“Maybe we should tell our friend that his jewel was used for such nefarious purposes,” Aveline suggested. 

“Either way, let’s get out of here.” Varric wiped his hands and began walking out. Aveline and Fenris followed. 

Anders pulled Seth back for a moment. “I’m sorry we convinced you to dress like this. I hoped that maybe distracting you would make it more tolerable.” 

Seth smiled. “It definitely worked. And I’m not surprised we managed to save the day again from blood mages,” Seth laughed. 

“That’s just what we do,” Anders replied. Then he pulled Seth into a kiss. Seth had been wanting nothing more all night and leaned into it. When they pulled apart, Anders whispered into Seth’s ear. “Now let’s get home so I can tear that dress off you.” 

Seth’s face went red and his eyes widened and his heart flipped again. The smile on Anders’s face left much to the imagination and Seth had the sudden urge to race back home. 

But business was business first. Then, he could take Anders up on his offer. 

[49-ibr]

A Stolen Wish

Welcome to 49, my upcoming series of fantasy novellas! This is a snippet of writing, set in this world, but not a part of the actual story. In fact, this is a What If! This is not canon, but it is close.

What if the princess and the knight were together, but nobody knew?

No context or knowledge of 49 is necessary!

TAGLIST: @greygarnet

WELCOME

MASTERPOST

Aveline’s parents would have said Adonis had stolen her. 

He, a follower like no other – a worshipper of the Dark, trained in Awinian combat, and dripping with knowledge and power – would have certainly had the means to, had that been his wish. He could have plucked her from her bed, wrapped her in shadows, and disappeared with the princess in the palm of his hand. He could do that, and he could almost certainly get away with it. 

He, unlike most, had been granted the opportunity on a silver platter, as if she were a goblet of wine, presented to a gluttonous king. He was with her when nobody else was. 

At her pond. In her room. While she wandered the palace’s long, empty halls. 

He had been given every opportunity to take her. And she would have had not a chance to escape. No one else knew her every thought and wish and plan so thoroughly. 

Aveline’s parents would have said Adonis had stolen her, had they had even an inkling of the truth: had they had any idea of what happened when their eyes drifted away. 

Had they had that inkling – had it even been implied – they would, Aveline knew, misunderstand. 

And so, they must never know. 

“Shall we visit your pond, your highness?”

The words plucked Aveline right from her thoughts – like a tug on a puppet’s string – and she flinched. She looked up, and her eyes met Adonis’s: so dark and sparkling that, for a few moments, there was nothing she wished to see more.  

She did not know what she would have done, had they been alone. 

Aveline tore her gaze from Adonis, and looked around.  

Servants surrounded them, scrambling to gather the morsels that remained of her solitary feast, and awaiting their princess’s next instruction. Guards were stationed at every corner of the dining room: all masked, except the one who stood just beside her chair, playing with shadows like paint and clay. 

She watched them, careful, before she looked back to Adonis, whose eyes – it seemed – had not left her even once. He smiled – hardly more than the subtlest of quirks, though it set her heart aflame – and Aveline almost smiled back. 

Instead, she stood, brushing her hands over her dress, and nodded. 

“Yes,” she said. “You may lead the way.” 

Adonis’s eyes twinkled, before he turned and did just that. 

They did not speak as he led her from the dining room, through glassy hallways, between silver doors and delicate paintings, and around crowds of servants, knights, and the occasional noble. A path they each could follow with even their eyes screwed shut. Aveline could almost see the outlines of their footprints, indented in plush carpet and etched in white floorboards. 

Adonis led her to the edges of the palace, and, finally, into the open room that held the royal family’s shining chariots. They were each in pale shades of white, silver, and azure: encrusted with jewels and shimmering with patterns of feathers and mist.  

Adonis chose their usual: a darker silver, with diamonds speckled all across it. He mounted it first, and then outstretched his hand, allowing Aveline to board, too. 

His skin was cool, and yet made hers flush red. Once she was in the chariot, she pulled her hand from his, and carefully looked away, lest she did something she would regret whilst in the presence of a dozen servants: all watching, watching, watching. 

In the back of her mind, she wondered what they knew. 

The chariot began to roll, almost entirely of its own whim, picking up speed until it reached the end of the runway, before taking flight the moment it hit the open air. The gusts of wind, as they travelled, were almost deafening, or perhaps that was her heartbeat. 

They were almost one and the same. 

Trees rushed past them, their limbs outstretched like they wished to capture and caress their darling princess. Mist shrouded the roots and earth below, though Aveline hardly spared them a glance. Instead, she looked forward: at the path ahead, around Adonis’s dark-and-light form, and most certainly not at him. 

Not yet. 

The thick ring of trees grew closer and closer and closer, as did the opening: almost invisible to those who did not look just right. 

They passed through, and the chariot settled in place as Adonis whispered the command. He released the reins, and the pair looked over the glittering, cloud-carried pond: inhabited by gentle swans and sparkling diamonds. Neither were real. Neither had eyes to watch. 

Aveline and Adonis were alone. 

Aveline took a deep, silent breath, watching as Adonis brushed past her and took a seat. His legs hung off the edge of the chariot, dangling over the mist that wished to swallow him whole. Or, at least, that was what the wind whispered. 

He did not look back over his shoulder as he pulled off his gloves, tossing them behind him. Streaks of black began to dance around his fingers and wrists: spirals, bracelets, rings. 

And Aveline could not look away. 

Adonis did not move, except to continue to wiggle his fingers, playing with his magic.  

Aveline decided she knew exactly what it was that flickered through his mind at that very moment; she knew the cadence of his thoughts, the movements of his fingers and limbs, almost as much as she knew her own. Sometimes, he was the easier of the two to understand. 

He did not say anything, and instead began to whistle. A pretty, melodious tune. 

As if hypnotised, Aveline crossed the small space between them, and sat down right beside him. Her legs and her skirt dangled over the mist. 

He whistled, and she listened.  

Darkness swirled around his fingertips, and wind began to swirl around hers, too. 

Their hands crept closer and closer with every change in tune, before, finally, the wind and the shadows began to mingle. The speckled stars became comets, became what Adonis had taught her to wish upon, though she had yet to escape her palace in the dead of night to test it. 

Adonis reached out, took her hand into his own, and raised it slowly to his lips. He kissed the knuckle, and then gave her a smile. 

“What did you wish for?” 

Aveline did not let go of his hand, but did not look at it, either. Instead, she peered into the fabric of her dress, and smoothed over the crinkles in her lap, like that was far safer to look at. “How do you know I wished for something?” 

Adonis chuckled, joyous and thick, like fresh, oozing honey. He squeezed her hand, interlocking their fingers and sending swirls of darkness to wrap around them, almost binding them together.  

Loose. Escapable.  

But she wished not to flee. Not from him. 

Adonis did not respond, though she supposed that, in itself, was an answer. She knew his thoughts just as well as he did. Most of the time. 

“What did you wish for?” Aveline finally asked, eyes flicking over their intertwined hands. 

“What I always do.” 

Aveline had no need to ask what that was. Instead, she shifted along the edge of the chariot, so their arms and legs were pressed together. The metal of his armour was cool, sending shivers through her flesh, especially as he squeezed her hand once more. 

They lapsed into silence for a few minutes – hands held, shadows and breezes dancing around them: caresses like no other. The darkness curled up her arm, like light kisses through her sleeve, brushing over her neck and inciting a fire in her belly, before it cradled her cheek. She leant into the touch, before pressing her cheek against his silver shoulder. 

Neither said anything just yet, even as Adonis’s darkness kissed her face, and his thumb rubbed gentle circles over the littlest of scars on her hand. 

Aveline exhaled, soft, and her eyes fluttered closed. 

In the back of her mind, she listened for the approach of others, for the approach of any nobles or knights, spying on the private moment, wishing to spill this precious secret to those who could – and would – punish Adonis so severely. 

They could do no worse to Aveline: nothing except take away what nestled in the deepest caverns and cracks in her heart. 

But they were alone. They always were. They had learned to be careful. 

“Have you made the decision?” Adonis finally broke through the silence.  

Aveline sucked in a sharp breath, lifting her head from his shoulder and looking at him with widened eyes. He did not respond to the action, except to retrieve his darkness with the flick of his empty fingers. He waited, looking to her with little more than gentle, pained patience. 

Her heart ached. 

She swallowed, and then her eyes turned downwards. 

“You know I have.” 

“I know you have not.” 

Aveline pursed her lips. “It is not my decision.” 

She spared a glance in his direction, and found Adonis’s face had softened into something more pained: something that lacked his usual teases, though still held his usual adoration. Neither were ever there in the presence of more than her alone.  

He squeezed her hand. “Yes, it is.” 

Aveline sighed, her gaze flicking up to the sky. 

The sun beamed down on them so gently, and yet its light brought nothing but despair. She almost could not look away, even as it made her eyes sting. Finally, her eyelids slid shut. 

“You know what I wish for, beloved,” she whispered. “And you know we cannot have it. I have my duties. As do you.” 

“My oaths to your parents mean nothing.” 

Aveline jolted, eyes opening and snapping to look at Adonis. His speckled irises held nothing but a firm, unwavering certainly. She stared, almost open-mouthed. He stared back, before his gaze flicked downwards, to their joined hands. He raised hers to his lips, and kissed. 

“The only oaths I have ever meant are those I have made to you: those I have made in the presence of others, and those I have made in the presence of nobody else. I am yours, and yours alone.” 

Aveline’s heart stuttered, her eyes stinging.  

She looked away. “You should not say such things. You may be overheard.” 

“Not here.” 

“I know, but-” 

“My love for you remains hidden out of obligation, not out of choice.” There was a beat, and Adonis squeezed her hand. She turned, and he met her gaze. “One day, we shall not have to hide anymore.” 

Aveline’s lips quivered, her gaze lowering once more. “I don’t know. I have only known my duties, nothing more, nothing less.” Her voice grew louder, firmer, though something in her throat still trembled, and something in her chest shook with the violence of one about to burst aflame. “My kingdom needs me, Adonis. Is that not what I have always been taught?” 

Adonis watched her for a few moments. He did not say anything, and – for once – it was almost a challenge to read the thoughts behind his eyes. 

Pain. Desperation. 

Those were obvious. 

But the details of the thoughts that tumbled and spun – the ideas, the plans, the requests that lay on the tip of his tongue – were just out of Aveline’s reach. 

“Your kingdom does not need you,” Adonis finally said. “There are dozens of royals and nobles who could take your place. There are no shortages of monarchs-to-be. But I need you.” 

He turned, his free hand reaching out and cupping her cheek. 

Aveline’s tongue darted to wet her lips. Her heart raced like the fluttering wings of a hummingbird. 

Adonis paused, waiting, and Aveline nodded: so small a gesture she was almost sure he would never notice. But he did, and he kissed her. 

His lips were soft, cool, and tasted like moonlight upon skin. Gentle. He did not push for anything that Aveline was not ready for. Her free hand landed on his shoulder, cool and smooth, and her other squeezed his like he would flee if she did not hold on tight enough. 

Adonis did not flee. And when he pulled away from the kiss, he rested his forehead against hers. 

“I can take us somewhere safe, somewhere free,” he whispered. “Palora. Dakk. Anywhere. Just promise me you’ll think about it?” 

Aveline swallowed, her closed eyes prickling. “I promise.” 

Aveline wished for Adonis to lift her into his arms, hold her close, and steal her away. She wished she could honour the promise she had made so many times. 

She was just not so sure she could. 

[sky-fire-forever]

Happy Friday Dennis!! 🎉💚

I was thinking something for Handers tonight! How about:

“I swear you kissed me last night.” “I don’t even remember what the fuck happened last night.”

Thank you for the prompt!

My Hawke in this is Scorpius, who uses they/them.

Scorpius wakes up with the worst hangover they've had in their life. Their brain is pounding in their skull and they're pretty sure they're going to explode at any minute. 

“Oh, fuck,” they mutter as they sit up.

It's like the world around them is too fucking loud. They can hear the dog sitting at the edge of the bed, scratching herself and jingling her collar. They can feel the sheets against their skin and the sun they can see filtering in through the window is blinding. 

What even happened last night? Scorpius can remember inviting all their friends over, but after that, it's all a blur. 

They know they started drinking some of the bottles Fenris brought from his mansion cellar. They vaguely remember laughing with everyone, but the moment drinks started being consumed, everything started to get hazy. 

They rub their face with their hand, trying to force the hangover out. 

A voice from their right makes a noise. “Fuck.”

Scorpius looks over to see Anders sitting up from a pile of blankets on the floor. “Ow,” he murmurs, clutching his head.

“You too, huh?” Scorpius asks. 

“I didn't think I could get drunk anymore,” Anders says and he sounds so tired.

Scorpius laughs and immediately regrets it. “Fuck. How much did we drink last night?”

“Too much,” Fenris says from beside Anders, not even bothering to sit up. 

“You're the one who brought the booze,” Scorpius says. “What the hell was in those bottles?”

Fenris grunts enough of a fuck if I know sound that Scorpius gets the picture. 

“I half expected you to say blood magic.” Isabela stumbles into the room. “If the drinks were from Tevinter.”

Fenris groans as he sits up, shoulder to shoulder with Anders. “Blood magic would be better than this,” he mutters. 

Varric snorts from where he's laying on the other side of Scorpius’ bed. “I wouldn't go that far.”

“I would.” Scorpius forces themself to their feet, wobbling slightly. Their stomach isn't happy with how much alcohol they consumed last night. “Fuck, what even happened last night?”

“Drinking,” Isabela says. “Lots of drinking.”

“I gathered that much, thanks.”

Anders struggles to get to his feet, leaving Fenris behind him. “Uhg, I feel disgusting.”

As Scorpius looks at him, a memory pops into their mind. Chapped lips on their own, a hand in their hair, a body pressed against them. 

They shake the memory off. “Come on, I'm sure Orana will make us something to eat.”

“I think if I eat, it'll end up on your fancy floor,” Varric warns. 

“Water, then.” 

Isabela snickers. “Alright, mother hen. As you say.”

Scorpius manages to get everyone into the dining room, picking up Merrill and Aveline on the way through the living room. Everyone is at different levels of exhausted and hungover.

Every time Scorpius looks at Anders, the memory of his lips on theirs floods their mind again. They can't shake it completely off no matter what they try. 

Orana serves them a delicious breakfast that somehow goes down without any trouble, which Scorpius is incredibly grateful for. 

“This is delicious, Orana,” they tell her. “I could kiss you.”

They don't miss the way Anders’ face turns pink and he averts his gaze. 

Orana blushes. “Thank you, master.” She curtsies.

Scorpius still can't get used to her calling them that. She's a servant now, not a slave, but she sometimes acts like she doesn't know there's a difference. She still hangs around the house on her days off and the first time she dropped a plate, she'd gotten on her knees and begged for forgiveness. It's unnerving. 

She seems to be healing, though. One day at a time, becoming more comfortable in her new home. Scorpius is grateful towards her for all she does, both around the mansion and while trying to become their friend.

It's quiet as everyone eats, with everyone focused on their meals. Even the noise of utensils on plates is loud in Scorpius’ skull. 

“It's time for me to get back to work,” Aveline announces once she's finished. “Thank you for the meal. And last night was fun, I think. Let's never do it again.”

A round of laughter sounds out around the table. 

Varric stands up. “I think that's my cue too. Can't have Bianca missing me too much.” He waves goodbye as he steps out.

Everyone else follows out, one by one, until it's just Scorpius and Anders clearing out the dishes. 

“Anders, can we talk?” Scorpius requests after the dishes are set to the side to be cleaned. 

“Hm? Of course.” Anders looks at them expectantly. 

“Er, alone?” Scorpius glances at Orana before gesturing for Anders to follow them back to their room. 

Once they're alone, Scorpius rubs the back of their neck nervously. “So, uh. I swear you kissed me last night.”

The memory is so clear despite the haziness that surrounds it. The feeling of Anders against them, the way his hands tangled in their hair… 

It's all far too vivid to just be a dream. 

Anders’ face turns red and he looks away. “I don't even remember what the fuck happened last night,” he admits as he runs a hand through his loose hair. “It's all a blur after the bottles came out.”

Scorpius can tell by how Anders won't look directly at them that his words aren't entirely true. “Hey, it's nothing to feel bad about. We were drunk, it happens.”

Anders laughs awkwardly. “Of course. It doesn't mean a thing.”

Scorpius’ heart sinks. They'd almost wanted it to mean something, but if Anders thinks it didn't…

“Yeah, obviously.” Scorpius throws an arm around Anders’ shoulders. “What's a little kissing between friends?”

Anders sags in relief. “Exactly.”

“Good,” Scorpius says even as their heart pounds in their chest. 

“Good.” Anders extracts himself from Scorpius’ touch. “Now, I really should get back to the clinic.”

“Oh, right. Yeah.” Scorpius steps back. “Last night was fun, though! From what I remember.” Which mostly includes the kiss.

“It was for me too,” Anders says and Scorpius gets the feeling they're both talking about the same thing. 

[honeycollectswhump]

Character info - Holding Up The Sky

Aveline King (she/her) -- ever since a car accident in her childhood left her without the ability to feel pain, aveline's life has been a constant downwards spiral, even if she's been able to hide that somewhat well. when she befriends someone, she bonds very closely with them, to atlas' great advantage. there is nothing in the world she'd shy away from to protect her friends (especially atlas), even at the cost of her own body and mind.

Atlas / Mutt (he/him, also it/its specifically as dehumanisation) -- an ex-pet. he's been trying to rebuild his life as a Real Human™, though he struggles with loneliness, substance abuse and lackluster help from his safehouse. aveline is the first person that makes atlas feel safe and they quickly grow inseperable but their bliss is not longlived. his old master is not done with him and this time, he indends to break atlas so thoroughly that there will be nothing left of the person he tried to be.

Aiden Doyle (he/him) -- a powerful politician with a sadistic streak. he originally bought atlas as a servant (and entertainment) but got fed up with his awful attempt at being anything other than an obedient pet. atlas wellbeing and his close friendship with aveline especially are a thorn in his side and he vows to erase any trace of it. unsurprisingly, aiden finds out that he is quite fond of torture and uses it as a way to redirect his anger, so that it doesn't affect his precious politics.

[breadedsinner]

can i just say how Exhausting it is to try to find da blogs to follow when you're a fenris and seb stan who does not like anders. the entire fandom acts like they're being so noble and good by telling us we can like our Horrible Monstrous Blorbos as long as we respect that andycakes is the ultimate special baby boy who has won the suffering olympics for three decades in a row and i'm just here like. bitch your fave blew up a fucking church and approves of selling a man back into slavery. get a bloody grip

I want to stress that I don't hate Anders. As a character, I find him compelling. DA2 would not be the same story without him, he helps moves things along; I might even argue he and Isabela move the plot along the most.

I think he is interesting *because* he in on this downfall, because he is flawed; his goal becomes so encompassing that it creates tunnel vision. Because the situation is so desperate, he HAD to take this path.

It's just me personally, as a love interest, I don't find him desirable.

And then something about him inspired this weird attitude, equating the welfare of fictional mages to actual marginalized people, and because Anders arguably suffered the most, he's the most Valid and therefore we should just either forgive the way he acts around others, or dismiss it as bad writing, which in my opinion completely defangs him.

There is something to be said about this thing media does where a person who wants to liberate an oppressed people Goes Too Far (I understand Falcon and the Winter Soldier did that), but then the imagery of blowing up a place of worship (just to make stand against, again, fictional mages), is upsetting to actual people. Even the argument I've seen of "it was just Hightown" is very callous. Presumably it was not just nobles, but anyone working under them. You see servants walking around in the game.

So that's where me personally preferring Sebastian makes this difficult. Had the fandom taken a more nuanced approach, even if they firmly believed it was "right", it was not without heavy consequence, and Sebastian's pain is real, instead of just brushing it off, making jokes (again, none of the characters have ever commented when a cast remember lost someone, and when they did it was inappropriate anyway), this whole thing might have been easier to swallow. I can't relate to fighting for mage freedom, but I can relate to my own trauma being minimized.

And you can imagine how annoyed I get when people put a microscope to Seb's banter with Fenris about alerting the templars (where I think it was very clear he was very reluctant and confided in Fenris about it), whereas Anders being fine with turning in Fenris to his previous owner is just "bad writing" or that no one should have approved anyway so let's brush it off. It's almost like some of his fans wanted a scapegoat. To say nothing of the fact that Aveline canonically turns mages in, which tells me fans don't actually care about mages, but THEIR mages.

So yeah, I like Anders fine, but some of his fans have made it hard to navigate this fandom for a long time. I am certain he has plentythat are perfectly agreeable, but that was my takeaway. I am trying to lay off, it's been so long, and I am content to just play with my dolls with 5 other people at this point.

[sapphim]

Early, cut lines from Mark of the Assassin. Incl. throwback to when Varric had been intended to do fake, exaggerated intros for everything.

Varric: In there. Aveline: Oh no! Varric, what are we going to do? Varric: I'll tell you what I'm going to do. Varric: I'm going to save the Champion. Aveline: I'm a distraction! I'm a distraction! Guard: What the—? Guard: (Grunts.) Varric: Time to meet your Maker.

Cassandra: "Time to meet your Maker?" Varric: Well he's not my Maker, is he? Cassandra: Were you even there? Varric: Oh, so this is how it's going to be? You have such an obsessive need for facts, Seeker. Cassandra: I remember hearing of the incident at Chateau Haine. Cassandra: That the Champion was involved, however... that I did not hear. Varric: And now I suppose you want to hear what happened. Cassandra: It very nearly led to war with the Empire. It still may. Varric: Right. Then we'll need to back up a bit. It all started with Tallis, after all... Varric: Well for that, I'd need to finish my tale. Cassandra: Oh, did I interrupt you? Pardon me, ser dwarf. Varric: Sarcasm. I like it. Cassandra: (Sighs.) Continue your story, then. Cassandra: Not yet. I have other questions about the Champion first. Varric: I am but your humble servant. Cassandra: Let me guess: you haven't seen this woman in all the years since? Varric: That's an excellent guess, Seeker. Cassandra: So it was the Champion who killed the Duke de Montfort. Varric: Not by choice, or weren't you listening? Cassandra: Being manipulated evidently didn't keep the Champion from killing the Qunari agent as well. Varric: Who was making a deal to undermine his own country. Or weren't you listening? Varric: Oh. So you were listening.

[isabellebissonrouthier]

Heads Up Seven Up

Tagged by @imbrisvastatio!

Tagging: @drawnecromancy @lyssentome @aether-wasteland-s @traveler-of-realms @lady-grace-pens @andromedaexists @late-to-the-fandom

This is from @49-ibr! Specifically, it's the beginning of what I plan on posting on Sunday - a short piece of writing that needs no context, and is a prequel to the series!

***

"Every princess is in need of a protector, Aveline.”

“I know, mother.”

“You are to be our kingdom’s next ruler, once your father and I have fallen. You must be watched; you must be guarded; you must remain out of harm’s way.”

The servant’s hands that combed her hair were slow, gentle: removing the knots without inciting even a flinch. The words that came from her mother’s lips were almost as soft, but the kindness was equally ingenuine, like a warm drink laced with ice.

Aveline almost shivered.

[danceswithdarkspawn]

So, for the ask! Three fics I don't think you'd write without enabling... 😈

1) A next generation fic following Ariel and Leliana's children

2) A hanahaki fic ending in Major Character Death

3)A coffee shop AU for the characters of Broken Bird

Oh lord this took so long I apologize. Ask game here.

First, I want to thank you for the third option, because it provided my partner and me with some good entertainment while we tried to figure out who would be what and what everyone looked like. I might actually do this one eventually, even if it's just a short piece.

Also loved the hanahaki one, I could see myself doing that, and I definitely see myself needing to research the trope and flowers and…needless to say it's a little more than my brain can handle at the moment, but I love it.

So that leaves us with the next-gen fic, and I have finally landed on something. I actually really like how this turned out so I'm likely to revisit it at some point to make it a full Thing™

555 words of young adult Aveline being Done™ and then her bestie shows up.

Aveline watched her brother Cassius bound up the stairs to the upper level of the ballroom, violin in one hand and bowstring in the other. She rolled the stem of her glass between her fingers  as he took their mothers in one-armed embraces; Leliana first with much enthusiasm, and then Ariel with more restraint. Aveline chewed the inside of her lip as she read the words 'you did good' and 'I'm so proud of you' on their lips, and she sank as far into the wall as her gown allowed her. Which wasn't very far; it was insufferably uncomfortable to begin with. And her mask was uncomfortably hot on her face, and if she turned a certain way something poked into her temple or tugged at her hair and she hated masks.

She let out a long sigh and looked away from them, searching the gathering of stuffy masquerade-goers. The night had barely begun and she was already done. Half of the fucking attendance tried to speak with her, but she didn't care much for the empty small talk of Orlesian nobility. Mostly they were curious about her brother, or how her mothers were doing, or how this, that, and the other was. Only a few thought to ask about her, and that was only after a heavy dose of fawning over Cassius' playing. It wore on her nerves.

She drifted along the floor, back straight and chin up—just as her mother taught her—craning her neck to see past the horde of people watching the ballroom floor below. One of the onlookers broke away from the line of observers. A young man, tall, dark-skinned and raven-haired, briefly met Aveline's eyes as he turned from the crowd, but he stopped, did a doubletake, and paused amidst the floor. Then a smile broke across his face, and Aveline couldn't help the small smile that upturned her lips. She motioned with a nod. He lifted a hand in answer before disappearing into one of the many side halls.

Aveline followed after him, albeit at a much more leisurely pace. She dropped her glass on a tray as a servant walked past her and discarded her mask in one of the many oversized vases decorating the place. She worked the front of her gown until it opened up a little, just enough so she could breathe without being indecent. The crowds dwindled to nothing the further she traversed the estate. Finally, she came upon a grand window, flung open with its curtains gently flowing in the breeze, and she knew she found what she was looking for. She bunched her skirts in her hands as she carefully picked her way out the window, out onto a balcony overlooking the estate's back garden. The summer air almost immediately overwhelmed her; hot and sticky and heavy and she huffed out a breath, smoothing her skirts back into place.

"Well, well—" Aveline turned at the honey-rich voice, finding that man emerging from the shadows. He, too, had discarded his mask, allowing the moonlight to run unimpeded over his soft features. His cocksure grin grew wider with each jaunty step he took. "Lady Tabris, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

Aveline sneered at him, taking off her snow-white gloves and throwing them at his chest. "Oh, spare me, Lord Montilyet."