#the ideal romance

[daitranscripts]

The Ideal Romance Pt. 4

A Bouquet of Flowers

Related Location: Val Royeaux

Cassandra Masterpost First: It Is Impossible Previous: The Bookseller

The PC travels to the markets of Val Royeaux and speaks to an elf there.

Gardener: By the Maker, it’s the Inquisitor himself! Would you care for a bouquet of flowers, Your Worship? The roses have been exceptional this season.

1 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: You sell flowers? [2]

General: [Get flowers for Cassandra.] [3]

General: No, thanks. [4]

2 - Investigate: You sell flowers? PC: You sell flowers, I take it? Gardener: Oh, I don’t sell them as much as I grow them—all for the halls of the Winter Palace.

Gardener (Celene died): I once received an honor from Empress Celene herself. Alas, the poor dear. Gardener (Celene alive): Empress Celene does so love the pink daisies. They’re quite difficult to cultivate.

Gardener: But I don’t think they’d begrudge a few flowers for the Herald of Andraste. It can be our little secret. [back to 1]

3 - General: [Get flowers for Cassandra.] PC: I was looking for some flowers, in fact. Gardener: Indeed? For what occasion, if I may ask? PC: For… a lady friend. Gardener: Oh! No simple wildflowers for you, then. I have just the thing. I’ll send them to Skyhold, in fact—rare beauties your lady will adore!

4 - General: No, thanks. PC: Sorry, I’m a bit busy at the moment. Gardener: Of course. Au revoir, Your Worship.

5 - Scene ends.

If the PC speaks to her again:

Gardener: Lovely day, isn’t it? So bright and sunny.

Gardener: Strange how the flowers still grow even with that thing in the sky.

Gardener: You’re always a welcome sight, Inquisitor.

Next: I'd Like to Talk. Privately.

[nhura]

QUICK NO ONE'S LOOKING

(See readmore for thoughts, cope, bonus, etc.)

Anyone else up thinking about Ratio's big, strong, secure arms and how warm and all-consuming they could be in a hug or embrace. :/ Anyway

I just wanted to draw them being cute and seizing a sliver of a moment where they could have some PDA silly time without actually having any eyes on them. They're public figures and working adults with very clear boundaries between public persona and private life (to varying degrees of "in a sad way"), so while it may be in Aventurine's nature to constantly blur lines for various agendas and self-preservation (read: play "the flirt" without an aligned goal), I believe that in an actual relationship they'd be fairly private.

It's kind of fun to break your own rules, though! Ratio would be more upset about the consequences, though. He's a little bit of a hypocrite, which is devastating for someone of such discipline, but nobody's perfect.

I'm of the mentality of, "If you're tired of working on it, then just post it!", so here are some fun peripherals that I didn't feel like adding:

Some staff in the background sweeping up to evoke a blended sense of fragile privacy and liminal time.

A laptop on the aquarium/bar/counter because there's something fascinating about seeing people on their work laptops in public.

The rest of their clothes (casual friday)

[rookflower]

to me there's a kind of bonus meta horror in the bristlefrost's death 'only love' scene where like. ok discussion of misogyny in the series has shifted a bit since then but you know how a few years ago people's main gripe used to be that after completing their arcs female characters would lose their personality and fade into the background to fulfill the generic role of 'mother'? and you also know how bristlefrost's personality and focus began to shift and diminish halfway through the arc where out of nowhere she suddenly reciprocated rootspring's feelings and was rushed into a poorly written romance arc? yeah well there's something really chilling (though not in a way that is in any way tonally intentional. in fact kind of the direct opposite of what the erins were going for and i think i would feel differently about it if her relationship with rootspring was not so uncompelling and short lived until this point) about how in her final moments before her existence ceases and she is denied her afterlife the visions she sees are of romance and love and rootspring and babies. just a total loss of individuality into generic warrior cats love interest and mother. to not be feeling for yourself at the end of it all but what you bring to another character. to just kind of embody the status quo of your series and fade away.

[hana-no-seiiki]

yanderes with darlings who only dated them because they were too horny to say no

yandere: i love you so much. i would die for you even if you hated me. you’re the light of my life. the only thing in this world that seems bearable - no utterly beautiful. immaculate.

reader: cool. now let’s fuck.

[mothmans-cumrag]

Is there a word for if you're not completely ace because you like sex, but you don't like sex in romantic relationships, but you're not aro because you do love people romantically, you just don't like romance in sexual relationships???

I've been calling myself somewhere on either spectrum but I do wonder if there are other people for whom it is similar??

[artoriarts]

I think that being alone in frasco made aba a very sensory-oriented person. and that translates a lot into how she shows affection, especially given paracelsus, while he can be hugged or kissed or humped, can’t really reciprocate too terribly much and probably doesn’t feel it as vividly or in the same way as those of biological body. basically what I’m saying is aba does asmr for paracelsus as a form of intimacy

[anetherealpoetess]

the anti-haladriels circling me because they believe shipping galadriel x sauron is a sign of abject moral failure

[rawrsatthetree]

Sorry for loving Ascended Astarion so much. Hearing David Bowie tell Sarah “Fear me. Love me. Obey me in all things, and I will be your slave.” when I was five changed me as a person.

[colourstreakgryffin]

Charlie Morningstar × Wednesday Addams, please🙏

We all love the cheery colorful sunshine babe x the goth dark mean babe trope. Don’t we! But hey, this’ll be quite interesting, let’s try it out! I don’t know if you want it to be romantic but anyhow

Charlotte Morningstar- Colour Allergy

“Honey!”

Charlotte or usually nickname ‘Charlie’, your beloved cheerful smiley long-term girlfriend, coos out lovingly and happy as yourself is examining her brand newly modelled Hotel curiously from afar with your infamous dead silent endless scowl, since the vibrant colours make you feel ill. Besides that, the building’s decent. Despite how goth and blunt and dark you are, you deeply care for Charlie and seeing her happy is…

It feels weird but it feels good as well so you continue to make her happy via whatever you can do for her. Your black heels click with lifeless eyes dropping from the multitude of paintings and regal red silky curtains and mahogany red walls to locate the voice of your beloved

Properly facing her with your scowl somewhat dropping, softening in equal happiness. Your elegant yet almost ghostly movements making your pretty long black noose-tied-ending braids sway slightly

Charlie already takes your gorgeous braids in her hands briefly to move ‘em off your shoulders to study your beautiful monochrome-makeupped face enamoured before she gives you a BIG loving embrace

You’re getting use to this type of affection… but you did choose to date Charlie so you reciprocate the best you can, despite that positive feelings are icky to you. Your hands lay over her back and your head is nuzzles against her neck, breathing in her scent and close enough to bite it since biting is your version of affection

Charlie merely giggles the sharp but also comforting contact off inbetween a surprised little moan at the small shock of pleasure that shoots through her, still happily hugging you since she is the type who adores all types of affection, especially from her cute but gaunt monochromatic girlfriend! Her hands tracing up and down your back, on your pretty old-timey also somewhat ‘creepy’-styled black and white dress

“Do you like the Hotel?”

Biting and knawing without going too far is how you show your love for Charlie so you’re nomming on her neck as she lovingly asks for your opinion on her project coming to life. Liking the feeling of her long light blonde dual-banded ponytail slightly brushing against your own pitch black braids with your every little weave in to better embrace her

She’s use to this style of affection from you, so she tries to swallow down any little cute noises she may let out, mainly of surprise and delight, upon being nommed on. It’s so nice, she loves knowing you love her as much as she loves you and that you support her dream

Thankfully, her ladies’suit’s collar will hide the evidence of love you’ve left branded on her. Not that she’d be ashamed of it but she does need to be professional incase any guests come in! She doesn’t plan to hide that you’re her partner though and she loves the feeling of your bite marks on her neck

As she likes it when you mark her~

Charlie gives you a soft kiss on your forehead when slightly leaning down since she is a much taller woman than most ladies, even in this fiery torturous realm. Her smile basically painted on her pretty snowy white delicate face, making you want to mimic that smile despite how much of a brooding elegant lady of the darkness you are

Charlie has such an infectious personality, something of the many things you love this Princess for. She can even the biggest irredeemable prick smile and be loveable as a person. She pulls away softly, her black lipstick-tinted lips leaving her own tinge of love on your soft pale skin. Her slightly bigger clawed hands on your shoulders as she speaks up

Her gorgeous blood red eyes tracing over your beautiful soft face like her own and over how her lipstick has marked you like the red fang markings on her neck has marked her. It’s mutual, it’s equal and it shows that you both love each other so damn much, despite how opposing your personality is to Charlie’s

“I do”

Charlie smiles pleased when you answer with your monotone yet calm voice, after those few moments of silence and her eyes locked with your dark ones, overflowing with so much love and joy and adoration for you, holding your hands in hers gladly as whilst you seem so bored and unhappy with her, you’re not. You just aren’t the best with experiencing emotions and expressing yourself but you’re trying your best for her

It doesn’t mean you won’t stop being a Addams because you are one to your core. You’re just comprising for her sake since you love this Morningstar

Charlie legit smoothly spins with you, just to redirect you towards the pretty clean wooden receptionist desk with her hands laced through tightly in yours as she is so excited and gleeful that you like her Hotel and that you’re supporting her, despite how much of a irritable sharp introvert you are. You’re doing this for her and she couldn’t love you even more for it!

Bringing both you and her to the polished flat wooden surface with rhythmic steps, so you two can begin with the duties of starting up the Hotel before any of Charlie’s staff or her single actual client together as you always do. You do everything with Charlotte and you like it that way, even if you don’t word it

Charlie meets your eyes once more when you both stop in place in sync, glowing with her hyperactive cheery energy and it’s so beautiful to you. Even if you remain stoic and express no real response, she knows you care for her and you’re fully listening to her. She likes to talk to you and likes the way you quietly listen to her

She feels heard and that sugary high is addictive!

“Really?! Awww! Thank you, sweetie! I worked so hard on this for you and for us! At this rate, everybody will be smiling and happy in Heaven!”

[daitranscripts]

The Ideal Romance Pt. 5

I'd Like to Talk. Privately.

Cassandra Masterpost First: It Is Impossible Previous: A Bouquet of Flowers

Available after the PC finds the poetry book, flowers, and candles for Cassandra.

(Pursue a romance with Cassandra)

PC: I’d like to speak with you—in private.

Cassandra: Oh? How private?

PC: There’s a grove just outside of Skyhold. Meet me there.

Cassandra: If… you’re certain…

PC: I am. Trust me.

They meet in the evening, Cassandra following a trail of candles into the trees.

PC: “On aching branch do blossoms grow, the window a hallowed breath.”

The PC approaches, book in hand.

PC: “It carries the scent of honeysuckle, sweet at the lover’s kiss.”

Cassandra shoves them, but they continue.

PC: “It brings the promise of more tomorrows, of sighs and whispered bliss.”

The PC kneels.

Cassandra: You can’t be serious.

Dialogue options:

General: This is what you wanted. PC: As I recall, your list was very specific. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

General: No room for fun? PC: We don’t need to be serious every single minute, do we? ㅤㅤ ㅤ

General: I am absolutely serious. PC: I can, and I am.

Cassandra: And that’s the poem you chose?

Dialogue options:

General: You don’t like it? PC: What’s wrong with it? ㅤㅤ ㅤ

General: You’re so picky. PC: Oh, so the list is more detailed than I thought. ㅤㅤ ㅤ

General: Can you do better? PC: You have a better one in mind?

Cassandra takes the book

Cassandra: “Carmenum di Amatus.” I thought this one was banned.

She begins to walk away, pausing to lean on a nearby tree.

Cassandra: “His lips on mine speak words not voiced, a prayer. Which travels down my spine like flames that shatter night. His eyes reflect the heaven’s stars, the Maker’s light.”

Cassandra: “My body opens, filled and blessed, my spirit there.”

The PC approaches her from behind.

PC: “Not merely housed in flesh, but brought to life.” Shall we read another?

They kiss passionately, falling to the ground, and the scene fades to black. It fades back in to them laying naked, looking at the stars.

Cassandra: They will say one of two things about me. That I stood at the Inquisitor’s side, his protector and his lover. That it was meant to be.

Cassandra (Qunari PC): Or they will say I was led astray by the wiles of a Qunari madman. Cassandra (dwarf PC): Or they will say I was led astray by the wiles of an dwarven madman. Cassandra (Dalish PC): Or they will say I was led astray by the wiles of an elven madman. Cassandra (human PC): Or they will say I was led from the path of faith by the wiles of a madman.

Dialogue options:

General: Which do you believe? [1]

General: Way to kill the mood. [2]

General: You’re still afraid. [3]

1 - General: Which do you believe? PC: I don’t care what “they” say. What do you believe?

Cassandra (Andrastian PC): I believe you are a faithful man. Cassandra (non-Andrastian PC): I believe you are a man who does not share my faith.

Cassandra (PC denied being chosen): I believe you are the Herald of Andraste, even if you do not. Cassandra (PC claims being chosen): I believe you are part of the Maker’s plan.

Cassandra: Beyond that, I believe only that you are capable of anything, and it frightens me. [4]

2 - General: Way to kill the mood. PC: Is this is your idea of pillow talk? Cassandra: If you wanted sweetness and light, you picked the wrong woman. PC: (Chuckles.) Point taken. Cassandra: I’ve feared you since the moment I laid eyes upon you. I have never known anything like it. [4]

3 - General: You’re still afraid. PC: You’re still not sure about me. Cassandra: I’ve feared you since the moment I laid eyes upon you. I have never known anything like it. [4]

4 - Scene continues.

Cassandra: I’ve been with only one other man in my life. A mage, with whom I adventured when I was still very young. He died at the Conclave. I will not let Corypheus win. I will not let him take you from me.

Dialogue options:

General: You may have no choice. [5]

General: I love you. [6]

General: I believe it. [7]

End Romance: No, stop… (This will end the romance with Cassandra) [8]

5 - General: You may have no choice. PC: You can’t control what will happen, Cassandra. Cassandra: Perhaps, but that will not prevent me from trying. They kiss again as Cassandra climbs on top of the PC. [9]

6 - General: I love you. PC: I love you. Cassandra: Here, tonight… I believe you. They kiss again as Cassandra climbs on top of the PC. [9]

7 - General: I believe it. PC: The way you say that, I believe it. Cassandra: Good. They kiss again as Cassandra climbs on top of the PC. [9]

8 - End Romance: No, stop… PC: Cassandra, we can’t… Cassandra: No, don’t say it. I knew you would break my heart. I knew it, and I wanted this anyway. Let us pretend a while longer. Let tomorrow be tomorrow. [9]

9 - Scene ends.

[bunnymajo]

Move over WcDonalds, there's a new hot bootleg date spot in town.

[can-a-tuna-fish]

He is not listening. (Bonus)

[ratanslily]

my gallery and my head is full of these two wives of mine btw. if you even care.

[bookshelf-in-progress]

Having story thoughts about the fourth wall:

It defines the difference between allegory and applicability. An allegorical story leans on our world to find its full meaning. Ideas, characters, settings, all symbolize something else that's in our world, thus obliterating the fourth wall and bringing the two worlds together. This can be useful for a message-forward story, but it has the side effect of making the world and characters seem less real, because it's not a place with its own independent existence--it relies on our world.

In an applicable story, the fourth wall is firmly in place. The character is a character. The setting is its own setting. They have an independent existence within their own little world. We can draw parallels to our world, but even without that meaning, the characters and setting still feel like they exist in a real, independent world.

An applicable story often has more impact and a stronger message, because the message comes out of the story and character, rather than being pulled from our world and pasted on top of the story.

As an example--I was thinking about this because I saw Ratatouille recently. In Remy's situation, there are a lot of parallels that can be drawn between his world and ours--an oppressed subculture, a life of poverty--but instead of trying to map that onto a specific real-world situation, they're still just rats, living in this weird version of Paris where sometimes the worldbuilding elements are just weird. The actual message of the movie is about art, which comes from character, not from the way the world is built. Compare this to something like Elemental, which started out as a way to explore real-world racism and the immigrant experience. Because the message is built into the world, commentators get distracted by the ways it doesn't map onto our world, and have a harder time connecting to the characters.

The fourth wall is also important to romance. The reason so much of the romance genre feels so fake and unreal is because it's so often concerned with the effect the story has on the reader--reaching through the fourth wall to give the reader things the reader finds romantic or arousing, regardless of anything that's specific to the characters or world of the book.

In a well-done romance, the fourth wall is firmly in place. The characters are not avatars for the reader and their romantic ideal, but people with their own independent existence and relationship. They live in a well-built world that has shaped both of their personalities and affects their relationships. The development of their romance is specific to these two people, and would exist independent of any audience reading about it. The story has more impact on the reader, because it's coming from outside our world and gives the reader unique characters to love, instead of just pulling the reader's desires out of our world and pasting them on top of the story.

[countess-of-edessa]

romance books used to be all about marrying 6'1 millionaire cowboys and now they're all about marrying 6'5 billionaire cowboys. because of inflation

[isbergillustration]

Hey guys let's guard this veil or something