#this morning I have been thinking about Bellara

[seaglassmelody]

Things the Dragon Age fandom is arguing about: The use of "nonbinary" in a fantasy setting. The existence of ideas that wound up on the cutting room floor. The "quality of the writing" based on weird metrics like "how much explicit slavery does the audience need to be shown"

Things I WISH the Dragon Age fandom was arguing about: Is it better to free the archive or let Bellara keep it? What is the line between being trapped by the past and the importance of knowledge? Is it better to have the elves forge a new identity with the world they've created for themselves or have more context for their culture and bring some of their lost traditions back?

[cy-cyborg]

It's been confirmed that there are 3 amputees in the main cast of Dragon Age: the veilguard - Neve (leg amputee), Bellara (arm amputee) and your inquisitor (arm amputee). So as an amputee myself, here are some things I'd like to see.

Note: these aren't predictions, just things I'd really like to be included.

The inquisitor doesn't use a prosthetic (I already talked about this in its own post but with 3 amputees, and 2 of them already being shown to use prosthetics that, lets be honest, do look like "perfect replacement" prosthetics, it would be nice to see at least one who doesn't)

We will get to customise our inquisitor in chatacter creation, so I would love, if they do use a prosthetic, for there to be some customisability to it (im not holding my breath there but still).

Neve and Bellara's prosthetics aren't perfect prosthetics, and they are actually acknowledged as being disabled while still being active members of your party.

There's some kind of party banter between Neve and Bellara about some of the downsides/problems with their prosthetics, not necessarily in a "poor them" way, but in a "ugh, don't you just hate it when you can't get the stupid thing on in the morning" kind of way.

I get a kind of jokey/adventurous vibe from Bellara, I hope they aren't affraid to let her use her prosthetic for pranks or jokes. I don't think neve would, but I can see bellara having a blast with it.

I hope the prosthetics come off during down time. No amputee wears their prosthetics 24/7, it's uncomfortable, and they get heavy and sore after using them all day.

I hope we see Neve express some frustration or see her alter her walk animation on rough terrain. It's hard to get a clear look because the trailers she's been shown in are so dark, but her foot doesn't look articulated, which is going to change how she walks, even just a little bit.

I hope the prosthetics don't break - this is a trope I'm starting to notice more and more, where someone has a perfect prosthetic that is only not a perfect replacement when it breaks, usually for plot reasons, at which point the character in question is forced out of the action until its fixed. DA has forced companions out of your party for story reasons before (e.g. solas after you free his spirit friend and he needs to cool off) so I can see this being used for plot, and I really hope it's not.

The inquisitor, Neve and Bellara compair prosthetists (the maker of the prosthetic) and maker techniques.

I really doubt they'll do this but I'd love it if random NPC's approach you if you have any of the amputees in your party to ask what happened and/or make weird comments at them ("but cy, that would be so annoying and inconvenient!" That's the point. So many people do that to irl amputees, and it's never at a convenient or even safe time, and I've never seen it happen in media. A game is arguably the best place to have it happen, in, say, a random event similar to the ones that could happen in origins)

In that same vein, I'd love to see a scene where someone approaches the inquisitor to call them an inspiration- you and the inquisitor assume it's for, you know, beating corripheus (I know I spelled it wrong lol) and saving the world, but it's revealed the chatacter has no idea who the hell the inquisitor is and just means it's inspiring that they're out in public "like that" - referring to their arm. This also happens to me all the time, and you can't tell me some snooty orlesean or tevinter noble wouldn't make those back-handed compliments, lol. You also can't convince me that any version of the inquisitor would just accept that

I hope none of the chatacters are used as inspiration porn ("don't you worry Rook! I can still pull my own weight on the team despite being an amputee, you just have to give me a chance to prove myself!")

At least one of the chatacter's stories of how they lost their limb is left untold in game (we don't always need to know how it happened if it's not relevent to the plot).

Like I said, these aren't predictions, just my hopes. I wouldn't hold my breath for any of these to be honest (bioware has not been the best in term of disability rep in the past) but A lot of them wouldn't be hard to implement and could take the representation from hardly even acknowledging their disability to something actually pretty decent disability rep-wise. It's also pretty rare to have so many characters with the same kind of disability in the cast of such a mainstream piece of media, and I really, really hope they do something with that because you can have a lot of fun with that.

[blindvogel]

We know very little about the time Rook is stuck in Fade prison. Only that it is weeks and that the team crafts the fake dagger in the meantime. We never really learn what everyone feels or how they find Rook in the end. I think it is called the Lighthouse for a reason. So. Part two. Emmrich.

~~~

Its shape the absence of you (Part 2 of 3)

The memory has burned itself into his mind, plays on repeat every time he closes his eyes. Kamari, right in front of him, just a couple of steps away. Falling forward, reaching for the dagger in Ghilan’nain’s chest, he’d called to her to pull it out. And then she is gone. Just like that. Swept into the greater Fade with not even a trace for him to find. 

Other details are hazy. Davrin bodily dragging him away, down to the beach. The heat of the fire as Elgar'nan’s rage consumed the island. The silence of the Lighthouse.

When Emmrich opens his eyes the morning after there is a heavy weight sitting on his chest. Its shape the absence of her. 

She pins him down, like a butterfly in a box or a flower pressed between pages. 

This weight, it is seeing her face as it twists in anger and pain. Pain he caused her because he is a coward. It is the shake in her voice as she tries to stop him from breaking something beyond repair. Because he is a coward. It is the knowledge that the last memory he has of her will be this because he let his fear win. 

He’d been so afraid of the possibility that she would leave him in some nebulous made-up future, so afraid of causing her pain with his own death should she stay, against all odds. So scared of the what-ifs and the maybes. Of his own feelings. 

And nothing of this matters if he’s lost her. Just like this. Before he could repair what he had broken, before he had the chance to say how truly sorry he is. How much he needs her. How much it scares him if she should not feel the same way. 

Except- she does. Did. He simply had been too scared and too stubborn to believe it until it was almost too late. Is too late now. 

Emmrich is no stranger to loss and grief, to regrets. He has learned to carry them and not break, but he can feel the cracks. The rituals, the habits that he has picked up and created for himself after he joined the Mourn Watch have supported him through the darkest days. They do so now too even if it is a struggle. A clean shave, the proper dress, every piece of jewelry is a piece of stability, of armor against the pain. 

He has days where this works, where he can be a functioning member of the team. Go over news from Minrathous, work on theories and ideas how to stop Elgar’nan without the dagger - how to make one. 

It’s an idea that first sparks hope - trying to find Kamari in the vastness of the Fade by his usual means had yielded nothing, not even the smallest trace of her. But with the dagger they might be able to do something. 

He latches onto that idea, to that work like a lifeline. He spends days working out the details, the composition and crafting methods, and manages to procure the materials. He works on it feverishly, painstakingly. Yet when it is finished it is nothing but a bauble, a mere trinket, and not his salvation. 

Emmrich also has bad days. They all do. Kamari was not the only one that did not make it off the island. They lost Harding, Bellara. Both Taash and Neve take it hard, and he tries to be there for them with an open ear - he is a Watcher, it is part of his duty after all. 

But it is hard on the bad days, when he wakes up with the memory of her on his mind and that weight on his chest, when nothing he does can ease it. 

Then all he can do is sit in her room, one of her journals in his lap. She’d shown them to him once, her thoughts and feelings committed to paper, interspersed with pressed flowers she’d found on her travels with Varric. Emmrich knows there are also her thoughts on him in there - but he is still too much of a coward to read them. The page is marked with a Shroud’s Kiss. 

He also has not informed Myrna or Vorgoth. He knows he must, eventually, as is his duty. But it would be so final to put it to paper, like dousing the last flame of hope he keeps alive in his heart. 

It had been bad enough trying to explain it to Manfred when he had turned to him and simply asked, “Kamari?” 

“She is gone, Manfred. We’ve lost her to the greater Fade and I’m afraid it will not be as easy to bring her back.”

“Alive!”

“Oh I hope so, my boy.”

Then he had sent him out on an errand so Manfred would not see him cry.

It is a bad day when he finally opens the journal to the page with the pressed white flower - her favorite non-color as she had teased him after his little pedantic outburst during their date. White like fresh snow. The moon. Kamari, in an Old Nevarran dialect. The only thing she had ever received from her parents. He’d felt foolish then but she had just waved it away with a laugh, with such grace. 

Now his fingers tremble as he lifts the flower so he can read the words below.

I’m glad Manfred is back. It will make many things so much easier for Emmrich. He doesn’t really want to admit it, perhaps not even to himself, but he’s felt lonely without him. Without his family, his son. He waved it off when I suggested as much but it’s so clear to see. 

With Manfred back it’s going to be easier to convince Emmrich that he is braver than he gives himself credit for. That his fears are not everything, will not consume him. With time, he’ll see what I see. A wonderful, kind, loving man that has faced so many things thrown at him and not wavered in who he is. 

The strength of that conviction, that we must believe in kindness - it’s what gives me hope that we will get through this. It’s what I love about him.

The first tear falls onto the back of his hand and he quickly closes the journal, not wanting to smudge her words and lose this last thing he has of her. The reason he cannot give up hope. 

He cries himself to sleep on her couch that night, the journal pressed tightly to his chest. 

When Emmrich wakes in the early hours of the morning with a pounding headache and his heart heavy, it is to the sight of the Caretaker hovering in front of him. 

“A new path has opened, dweller. The Lighthouse will show the way as it has always done. A beacon to the lost.”

Then they disappear before he can ask any further questions. 

Emmrich stumbles to his feet and out of the room, out into the Library where there is a door that has not been there before. It leads to a spiraling corridor ushering him up and up and up, until he arrives at what must be the very top of the Lighthouse. Gemstone windows encircle the entire room, shimmering in every visible color and some that can only be felt. And in the middle of the room a light, warm and bright and a doorway beyond. 

His senses reach out to it, through it. It is as if he has become a lighthouse, his searching gaze traversing the Fade farther and faster. Somewhere, she is out there somewhere, he can feel it. 

He doesn’t know how long he stands there. Eventually there are Neve, Lucanis, Taash at his back. Asking questions, bickering. Still he searches, unwavering, until- 

“There, a light!”

“We’ve got something?!”

Emmrich reaches into, through the doorway. His fingers wrap around a wrist, his other hand finds the upper arm. Then Taash and Lucanis are beside him, reaching and pulling until there is no more resistance. Until she stumbles out of the Fade and into their arms. Whole. Alive.

Then Kamari pulls away, stumbles back with her hands raised, her breathing shallow, her eyes pressed shut. “Please. A moment.” 

Neve is faster. “What’s wrong?”

It takes Kamari a moment to answer. He can see her deliberately drawing breath, using a technique every initiate learns to deal with panic and pain to calm herself. His heart twists. 

“Too many sensations at once. Too bright, too loud, too much. I can feel… everything.” 

Then she opens her eyes and her gaze finds his, and for a moment he forgets how to breathe. What he sees there, a moonrise.

[thewardenisonthecase]

Early Morning

Lucanis Dellamorte x Grey Warden!Rook

Part two of Rest Easy

Read on AO3

Summary: The one in which everyone knows.

A/N: Small bonus chapter.

Bellara had woken up quite early, even if she had gone to sleep late, staying awake most of the night reading her serials. 

The downside of that was that her mind was quite foggy in the morning, and considering she had a full day ahead of her, she needed to clear her head. 

And what better way, she thought, than a nice cup of coffee. 

Slowly, she made her way to the kitchen. Lucanis never slept, which meant he would probably have some spare coffee to give her. Or maybe even brew a new one for her, as he often did. 

However, when Bellara entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see Lucanis wasn’t there. She called out his name but received no reply. 

Had by some miracle Lucanis slept through the night? Or worse, had Spite escaped with him? What if he was lost somewhere? 

Thoughts like these began to infiltrate Bellara’s mind when she heard snoring coming from the pantry. Instinctively, she decided to go check in there. Although it probably meant that Lucanis was asleep, she just wanted to make sure her friend was doing alright (and to reassure her anxious mind). 

She quietly opened a bit of the door, enough to take a peak, and as soon as she did, she had to stop herself from gasping. 

Lucanis was asleep…and on top of him was Rook. They were holding each other quite strongly, like one would grab a pillow when dreaming, not wanting to let go. 

Bellara couldn’t help but think this was just like her romance novels. For some time, she had noticed how Lucanis and Rook had been spending more and more time together. The stolen glances, the sighs. One night, when Rook was more intoxicated than usual, she had even confessed to Bellara about having a crush on him, but thinking it wouldn’t lead anywhere. She felt the same as she did when she read those romance novels in which the couple took too long to get together, internally screaming ‘just kiss him’ whenever she saw the two of them around the Lighthouse making eyes at each other. 

Now, Bellara felt like she was reading the conclusion to the story, when  the protagonists finally admitted their love and spent the night together. 

‘Wait, no, don’t think about that about your friends, Bellara.’ She thought. ‘I should go before one of them wakes up.’ 

She carefully took a step back, closing the door with the utmost caution. She sighed in relief, until she heard a voice behind her. 

“Don’t think about what?” Harding had asked. 

“Oh, Lace! I-I didn’t see you there.” Bellara said nervously, realizing she had spoken out loud.  “What are you doing here, it’s so early.” 

Harding raised a brow. “This is the time I usually wake up to drink coffee.” She pointed towards the door. “Is Lucanis inside, I need-”

“No!” Bellara shouted, barring the door. “I mean, uh, he can’t do coffee right now.” 

At that moment, Neve walked into the kitchen, having heard what Bellara said. 

“Why? Is he sick?” She crossed her arms. “And why are you standing like that over the door?” 

Bellara began to sweat in panic. “No, he’s just…he well, uhm, he asked me, to-to not let anyone in. He didn’t want to be bothered this early.” 

“Truly?” Neve said, a brow raised in disbelief. “I remember Lucanis usually being very awake at this hour.” 

“Well, he-he told me he wanted to sleep in today.” 

Harding’s eyes widened. “This truly is the weirdest time to be alive.” 

Neve gave Bellara a sympathetic look. “Look, Bel, you’re a great friend, so I say this with no malice. You’re a terrible liar.” 

Bellara sighed. 

“Why are we hanging out in the kitchen?” Taash said, as they too entered. 

“We, uh,-” 

“Bellara, dear, is everything alright there? You seem quite distressed.” Emmrich asked her, having followed behind Taash. 

“Professor! Everything’s good, I just-”

“Has anyone seen Rook?” Finally, Davrin walked in and Bellara lost it. 

“THEY’RE IN THE PANTRY!” Bellara shouted. “Lucanis and Rook are sleeping in the pantry!” 

Silence befell the kitchen as everyone stared at Bellara. 

“What?!” Davrin asked in disbelief.

“Oh my…” Emmrich covered his mouth with his hand. 

“So that’s why you were acting weird.” Neve said

“When you say sleeping…”  Taash began “do you mean-”

“Like Rook on top of Lucanis. The two holding each other like teddy bears.” Bellara said hurriedly. 

“They were definitely doing it.” 

“Taash!” Harding reprimanded. “Not everything is sex.”

“But it sounds like it!” They defended themselves. “I mean-”

Before they could continue, the door to the pantry swung open, and an angry Rook looked at all of them.

“Can you all keep it quiet?! Some of us are trying to sleep.” 

The door to the pantry closed with a bang, and the sound of a key being turned was heard as all hell broke loose in the kitchen. 

Rook sighed, turning to Lucanis, who had a tired smile on his lips. “I think they all know about us now.” 

“It was bound to happen.” 

She flicked her wrist, casting a silencing spell on the door, to cut off the noise of the banging and shouting from the other side. She walked towards him, sitting on the bed. “You do know that means they’ll talk, right?” 

He shrugged. “Let them. As long as I have you with me, I do not mind.” 

Rook smirked. “Charmer.” She gave him a small and quick peck on his cheek before saying. “Now lay down again. I have a week’s worth of sleep to make up.”

He chuckled, resuming the position they were in. “As you wish.”

[himluv]

Dark, Complex, and Intriguing

Would anyone like some more Lucanis right before the holiday?

The cot creaked as Lucanis settled onto it with a sigh. He loosened his collar, unpinning his crow-head lapel chains, and leaned back to rest against the wall. He could not remember the last time he'd felt so relaxed. 

Despite everything, he was alive and free. Treviso might be occupied by the Antaam, but it had not lost its spirit nor its charm. The markets were as vibrant as he remembered, though there were differences. He just couldn't tell if the city had changed, or if the difference lie with him. 

Perhaps a little of both.

But Café Pietra had not changed. The atmosphere was impeccable, both intimate and lively, a bastion for coffee enthusiasts like himself. And the Andoral's Breath was just as good as he remembered. 

He could have wept at the aroma alone. For a moment there, he almost had. It all hit him at once, in those split seconds before that first sip. He was alive. Treviso was still there. And he was about to drink his favorite coffee, one that mere days ago he had believed he would never taste again. 

If he'd been alone, in private, he would have let the relieved tears fall. But Rook was there, quietly sipping her own cup of Andoral's Breath. Lucanis had been flattered that she took his suggestion, and even more pleased that she'd seemed to appreciate the brew almost as much as he did. 

And then their conversation had spiraled into strange territory, about first kisses. He stood by his statement, first kisses were like honey and lavender cream. Things were always sweetest when they were new and so full of potential. 

But Rook's answer was a good one. Each kiss is different. She'd sounded so sure, and so sure that he understood her meaning. That he shared that experience. 

Nothing could be further from the truth. He barely knew anything about first kisses, and he only knew of kisses goodbye from the novels he'd read. Romance just wasn't a part of his life. Mainly because his life had never really been his. 

So he'd changed the subject. And when asked about her coffee, she’d described it as dark, complex, and intriguing. Which could describe Andoral's Breath…

His eyes snapped open with realization. “Mierda, I'm an idiot.” Rook hadn't been talking about coffee at all. All that talk about kisses and then she says that?

Was Rook… flirting with him?

No, Spite said. Not possible. Why would Rook. Want. You?

A perfectly legitimate question to which Lucanis had no answer. But, he knew just who to ask. 

The next morning, Lucanis went to visit Bellara. When he entered her quarters, Neve was there, the two of them chatting about some new scandal in the Tevinter papers. 

“Oh, hey, Lucanis,” Bellara said.

He panicked. Talking to Bellara about this was stressful enough. He couldn't have this conversation in front of Neve, too. 

“I'm interrupting,” he said. “I'll come back later.”

The women shared a look he could not interpret, but seemed to come to an understanding.

“I was just leaving,” Neve said, which was obviously a lie. “I'll talk to you later, Bel?”

Bellara smiled. “Sounds good, Neve!”

Lucanis listened to the detective go, and waited for the door to close to look at Bellara.

She frowned. “Is everything okay? You're acting strange. Is Spite acting up again?”

Not me. Not this time.

“No,” Lucanis said. “Spite is fine, for the moment.”

“Oh, well, good!” 

Lucanis stood in the center of the room and tried to think of what to say. But everywhere he looked his reflection stared back from too many mirrors and he couldn’t think.

Glinting and golden. Trinkets for the tinkerer, Spite mused. 

“Sooooo, what did you want to talk about?” Bellara perched on her workbench, swinging her feet like he and Illario used to do on the rooftops as boys. The familiar motion helped him settle.

“You and Rook are friends, right?”

She nodded. “Oh, sure. I mean, we've been Veil Jumpers together for a couple of years now. Although we didn't see each other much after she left to help Varric.”

“But, you are close? You… understand her?”

“Uh, yeah. I guess.” She laughed. “Lucanis, what is this about?”

He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “We went to meet Illario at Cafe Pietra last night—”

“—oh, yeah! She said she had a great time.”

“She…” he blinked at Bellara. “She did?”

Rook talked. About you? Spite bounced between Lucanis and Bellara, curious and agitated. Why?

She nodded, her earring jangling with the motion. “Mm-hm! She said the coffee was super good.”

“Of course it was,” he said. He crossed his arms over his chest. “What else did she say?”

“Um, nothing really. Just that she liked it and it seemed like you had a good time. She said it seemed good for you to go.”

“I did,” he said. “And it was.”

“That's great!” Bellara smiled at him. Then her brow furrowed. “Is that what you wanted to talk about?”

“Yes,” he said. “and, no.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Mierda, I feel so stupid.”

Stupid, Spite sang. Stupid stupid stupid!

“You're not stupid, Lucanis,” Bellara said. “What's going on?”

So, he explained it. His whole conversation with Rook, nearly beat for beat. 

“I've thought about this too much,” he said, shaking his head. “I can't believe I thought she was flirting with me.”

Bellara laughed. “Oh, she was definitely flirting with you.”

WHAT?

“What?”

“Yeah,” she said. “Which for her is pretty smooth. I wonder if she was inspired by the coffee or…?” She stopped when she noticed his dumbstruck expression. 

“Oh, is it unwanted? I can tell her to stop—”

He put a hand up to interrupt her. “No! No, thank you, Bellara. I can handle it.”

“Okay,” she said. She chewed on her lip, and a little crease in her brow gave him pause. 

“What is it?”

“Just, if you're going to turn her down, maybe…” she winced. “Do it gently?”

He raised a brow at her. 

“I don't want to get into it, but her last relationship ended pretty badly, so, you know…” Bellara blushed, as if she knew she shouldn't have said anything.

Her last relationship… how many had Rook had? How far behind was he? Not that it mattered, because he was not going to pursue this. He didn't do romance.

Still, he gave Bellara a soft smile. “I'll take that into consideration,” he said. “Thank you, Bellara.”

“Anytime,” she said. 

He headed for the door, but paused as Bellara called after him. 

“And, Lucanis?”

“Hmm?”

“Maybe try to get some sleep?”

He nodded. “Maybe,” he said, then stepped back out into the courtyard. 

Back in his room, Lucanis lay on his cot and tried not to think. Bellara was right. The lack of sleep had left him frayed, which made him more likely to overthink and analyze every interaction. 

Rook had flirted with him, and he'd been utterly clueless in the moment. Were there other times she'd said something he'd misunderstood? How oblivious was he?

But the biggest question he kept repeating was, so what?

Rook flirted with him. So what? She seemed kind and like she genuinely cared about his well-being. So what? She rescued him from the Ossuary. So what? She wasn't afraid of Spite. So what? 

Did any of that actually matter? Lucanis wasn't even sure he wanted her affections. He had so much else to think about— Treviso, Caterina’s funeral, his vengeance against Zara, and, of course, Spite. And, he couldn't forget this contract. He had gods in need of killing.

It was too much. There wasn't room in his head to discern if he even liked Rook, let alone what to do if he did. And he was so, so tired.

Luckily, a year in the Ossuary had made Lucanis good at shutting down his thoughts and feelings. He just needed to breathe and be still. Spite, however, was less skilled.

The demon prowled the pantry, muttering just loud enough he was sure Lucanis wouldn't be able to ignore him. 

Rook. Likes. You? He spat. Why? Rook is smart. Nice. Fun. Spite glared at Lucanis. Not like youuuu.

There was a pause as Spite waited for Lucanis to reply, but he said nothing. He didn't even look at the demon. He was trying to sleep.

Yesssssss. Sleep! Then I find Rook! Spite's grin always looked threatening, but this one was a little too unhinged. Ask what she sees in YOU.

Lucanis ignored the way his chest tightened at the thought of Spite controlling his body while he and Rook were alone. He could not let that happen.

“She's not here,” he said. “She left with Harding early this morning.”

Spite growled in frustration. We. Want. OUT!

This argument again. Until he found some way to separate them, he didn't think Spite could get anymore “out”. This was as good as the demon would get.

No. No no no. We. Made. A. DEAL.

With a sigh, Lucanis sat up and rested his head against the wall. “We'll go to Treviso later,” he said. “I need more spices anyway.”

Spite growled, but it was a low sound, one of resignation. Fine.

Lucanis smiled. A lifetime with Illario had prepared him well for dealing with this demon. When they threw fits for not getting what they wanted, you gave them something else they wanted. Something smaller, easier to manage. 

Spite liked the markets almost as much as Lucanis did. It was a simple thing to offer a visit, something that would be pleasant for them both.

With the demon settled, a fresh wave of exhaustion washed over Lucanis, and he fell asleep there, propped against the wall. 

In the dining hall, the door opened, the groan of its hinges pulling Lucanis from his sleep. He checked the candles, but they still burned high and bright. He hadn't slept long.

Footsteps drew closer, the muffled slap of bare feet on the stone floor. So, Rook was back. 

He ignored the pleasant churn in his stomach. She wasn't coming to see him, she was probably just hungry. 

But then his door opened and she peered inside. “Hey Lucanis,” she said. “ Got a minute?” Her face was bright from exertion, or perhaps too much sun reflected off water. Of course she and Harding would spend the morning outdoors. They were both too pale for so much unfiltered daylight. It made the freckles scattered across the bridge of Rook’s nose look like sprinkles of cinnamon on latte foam. 

His stomach did another traitorous flip. 

“Of course,” he said. 

She smiled, ducked out of the room, then reappeared with a silver and purple tea set. “Um,” she said. “I, uh, got this. For you.”

He stared for a moment, eyes wide and mouth agape. “For me?” 

She smiled. “Yeah. I know it's meant for tea, but I figured you could use it for coffee.” She shrugged. “You know, so you can keep it close?”

He took it from her and set it on the side table nearest his cot. First the wyvern-tooth dagger, and now this? If he'd had any doubts about her interest, they were gone now.

“Thank you, Rook,” he said. “That's very thoughtful.” Lucanis was genuinely touched by the gesture. It was a lovely set, one he recalled seeing in the market the night before. Had she gone back for it today?

“I'm glad you like it,” she said, her smile widening. This close, in the candlelight, Lucanis noticed the violet tinge to her blue-grey eyes. The color reminded him of the innermost petals of the crystal grace in Villa Dellamorte's gardens. Delicate and pale, and so soft to the touch.

“Well,” she said, breaking the silence. “I'll, uh, see you at dinner?”

Lucanis cleared his throat and looked back at the tea set. “Of course. I'll see you then.”

He didn't look at her as she left the room. He didn't want her to see the confusion he felt reflected in his eyes.

Trouble, Spite said. 

And for once, he and Lucanis agreed. Because, as rare as it was for him, Lucanis couldn't deny the way his stomach flipped when he thought of her. Or how flustered he felt when they stood too close. How the air warmed when she walked in the room and how easy she made it to smile. 

He groaned and rubbed his face with both hands. Maker help him, he was falling for Rook.

[sorrelchestnut]

Birds on a Wire, Lucanis/f!Rook, 2/?

Part One.

The next morning she is awake before him, as has become usual the last few months.  Lucanis sleeps well these days, now that he no longer fears what his body will do once unattended.  Her troubles with the dreaming world have no such simple solutions.  Lucanis makes a mental note to confer with Emmrich the next time they meet, and goes looking for his wayward lover.

He finds her in the courtyard, debriefing with the Caretaker.  "-need tending," she's saying.  "They all think they're real now and start wilting if they don't get watered.  And Bellara will be back from Arlathan in a couple days, can you make sure she eats and sleeps at regular intervals?  She's pretty good about it if you remind her."

"Of course, Dweller.  I will see to it."

"Thanks, mate.  I know things have been quiet but if you have any problems in the Crossroads send a message through the Treviso eluvian.  We'll be back in a flash to see it handled."

"Of course, Dweller.  Safe travels."

"We'll certainly do our best.  Hullo, pet," she says, turning with a smile as he approaches on her right.  "You all packed?"

"The essentials, at least," he confirms, hefting his duffel.  "What about you, is that all you're taking with you?"

Rook shoulders her own much smaller rucksack and grins at him.  "Not much to take, you know me.  Couple spare daggers and a change of clothes and I'm all set."

Clothes that are just as stained and tattered as the set she's currently wearing, unfortunately.  The past months have not been kind to anyone's belongings but…  Lucanis pictures his grandmother's face and winces. "We could both use a refresh of our wardrobe," he says diplomatically.  "We'll have to visit my old tailor, if he's still in business."

She only shrugs.  Someone told Lucanis once that Rivainis like to wear their wealth; clearly no one saw fit to inform Rook.  "Your coin, dove.  You ready to go?"

"At your lead, signora."

If someone told him six months ago that he would grow accustomed to traveling halfway across the continent in the blink of an eye, Lucanis would have laughed in their face.  But he thought the same thing when he first took a life, and with enough repetition that grew to hold all the intrigue of yesterday's lunch.  Today he steps through the eluvian at Rook's heels and into the cool, damp air of an Antivan winter, and thinks only with irritation that it looks as if it's going to rain.

Rook's clearly thinking the same.  "Oh, look at that sky.  Might have a storm on our hands."

Ugh.  "You're not wrong," he's forced to agree, eyeing the sky with disfavor.  "If we don't hurry we're going to get caught in it."

"Oh, you think?"

He turns the skeptical look on her.  She's practically bouncing on her heels, giddy as a child.  "You cannot be serious."

"Do you know how long it's been since I've even seen a storm?  In Minrathous it's a light drizzle four hours a day like clockwork, and the Crossroads are mildly sunny night and fuckin' day."

Yes, and Lucanis loves it.  He'd go back right now if he could.  "Have you ever tried to run rooftops in a downpour?"

"I've boarded ships in a hurricane, love, still think they're cracker."  She laughs at the expression on his face.  "Can't help it, I just love loud weather."

"Thunderbolts and lighting!" Spite agrees.

It's Spite's nature to be argumentative, and if he can suck up to Rook in doing so then all the better.  But Lucanis thought better of her.  "You are a very strange person.  There is nothing enjoyable about wet clothing."

She laughs again and slings an arm around his shoulders.  "Aww, poor grumpy Lucanis.  C'mon, Spite, let's go before his highness gets his feet wet."

There is a fledgling waiting for them at the canal docks, though Lucanis did not take the time to send his grandmother a reply.  She must have set the boy to wait as soon as she sent the letter, as if to remind Lucanis that it is beneath the First Talon to procure his own gondola.  He tucks his sigh behind his teeth.

"Your name?"

"Marco, monsignor."

Lucanis doesn't recognize him, but then, he doesn't know most of the fledglings in Treviso these days.  Caterina kept herself busy during the occupation, pulling in all manner of disaffected youths with dreams of being freedom fighters.  He wonders wearily how many of them will survive the brutal reality of a Crow's apprenticeship without the numbing salve of patriotic fervor to fuel their ambitions.  There will be a great many failures over the next few years, is his estimate, and as always, those few who succeed will be forced to cut their matriculation from the throats of their less fortunate brethren.  And Lucanis will have to be the one to order it done.

(didn't want this. never wanted THIS)

"Good to meet you.  Are you to take us to the villa?"

"Yes, monsignor."  His gaze roams unsubtly around the empty dock.  "And will, ah, your luggage be traveling separately?"

"Most people just call me Rook, lad."

Under other circumstances Lucanis might enjoy the fledgling's wide-eyed look of panic.  "Signora- Monsignora, I did not mean-"

"Ignore her, Marco," Lucanis instructs with a sigh.  "We're ready to depart when you are."

Rook gives the white-faced boy a clap on the shoulder and jumps into the waiting gondola, sure-footed as a cat.  Lucanis follows her more circumspectly, dropping his duffel at her feet.  "Play nice with the children, cara."

"I'm always nice."

"I know of several who would disagree."

"Yeah, but how many of them are still alive to say so?"

"Ah, the 'leave no witnesses' approach.  Very Antivan."

"Learned from the best."

Lucanis soon falls silent as the gondola progresses through the canals, his capacity for banter exhausted by the presence of their witness, but Rook nobly takes up the banner of conversation with some convoluted story of a failed treasure hunt involving three pirate ships and a dragon.  Lucanis listens and makes noises at all the right intervals, but his attention is fixed on their surroundings as they pass.

(enemy territory)

It's not like this for normal people, Lucanis thinks.  Neve is justifiably cautious taking a stroll around Docktown's meaner streets, but she watches the crowds, looking for a common thug or paid mercenary to try their luck.  Harding keeps an eye on her purse and Taash shoulders through crowds like a ship cuts the water, but neither of them move through the world as if death could come at any minute.  Even Rook, who handles her blade with a particular familiar flourish that Lucanis has very carefully not questioned how she might have been taught, doesn't share his reflexive, ceaseless paranoia any time they go somewhere he hasn't personally vetted.  He wouldn't wish that fear on his worst enemy - but neither would he want her denied of any tool that might keep her safe.

(WE will keep her safe!)

That's what Lucanis's mother thought, and his father, and all his aunts and uncles.  Thirty years ago, House Dellamorte numbered in the dozens: five children, four spouses, eight grandchildren, countless body servants and retainers.  Of those, only Lucanis remains.  And he dares to imagine Rook beside him in this pit of vipers?

(blood and brine.  storm and steel!)

True.  Rook has survived worse things than any the Antivan Crows can offer, that's to be sure.  Even now, her laugh comes easy, her haphazard tale flowing like good wine - but her gaze is watchful, flitting from the rooftops behind Lucanis to the streets ahead and back again.  And underneath the fold of her tattered traveling cloak, her hand rests casually near the hilt of her sword.  Perhaps it will be enough.

Part Three

[seigephoenix]

Happy Friday, love. Here's my prompt for you this week! "An accidental brush of lips followed by a pause and going back in for another, on purpose." For Senna and Davrin!

This was a good one! I wrote out the scenario we talked about earlier, with Senna being a good baker. She gets caught red handed. For @dadrunkwriting

Content Warning: wholesome, maybe minor spoilers so going under a cut for those who have not played Length: ~600 words

Senna was concentrating on the bowl in front of her as she mixed the batter together.  It was close to the wee hours of the morning or even later than that, but she couldn’t sleep.  Sleep was hard these days and she’d been overcome with the craving to taste her mother’s famous cakes.  It was a simple recipe but the simple syrup soaked into the cake itself, giving it a sweet and moist taste.  She’d double checked to see if Lucanis was there, but he was gone.  She’d sent up a small thank you for that.  After going on and on about what an awful cook she was, there was no way in hell she was getting caught actually baking.  She just loved Bellara and Lucanis’ cooking.

Senna didn’t even hear the door opening as she poured the batter into the baking tin.  She set the bowl aside after putting the tin in the oven.  Senna turned around to grab the sugar and slammed right into a sturdy chest.  Panic shot through her as she thought she’d been caught by Lucanis or Taash.  It was the scent that eased her panic.  “Davrin?  What are you still doing up?” Senna asked as she took a careful step back trying to figure out how much he’d seen.

“I’m wondering the same thing, and why is the person who admitted to burning boiling water in the kitchen.  I feared for the safety of the Lighthouse until I saw you knew what you were doing.”  Davrin caged her in the corner and she huffed at him.  She ignored the tug of heat in her belly as he leaned in.  “Why did you lie?”  Senna turned her face away defiantly, letting her cheeks puff out just a bit as she tried to think of a good cover.

“I said I was an awful cook, but I never said anything about being a bad baker.”  Senna turned her head thinking she heard the door open.  Her lips brushed against Davrin’s; she hadn’t realized he was that close.  Senna jerked back the apology already forming on her lips, but the words were drowned out when his lips covered hers.  Her breath hitched in her throat from the searing heat.  Her lips parted beneath his and she found herself drowning in him.  Her fingers curled in the front of his shirt as she let herself sink into the kiss.

They heard a throat clearing behind them and jumped apart.  Senna glanced around Davrin and groaned as she saw Lucanis standing there with his arms crossed.  Taash was next to him with their fists resting on their hips.  “Would you like to explain what that smell is coming from the oven Rook?”

Senna grumbled about getting caught when Davrin straightened.  She stepped around him and grabbed the sugar sitting next to Lucanis on the shelf.  “I said I was a bad cook.  I never said anything about being a bad baker.”

“Well, I guess we’ll have to decide for ourselves now,” Davrin said as he joined the other two.

“Wait!  I always thought those cakes and tarts sitting on the kitchen table were made by Lucanis and Bellara.  They were yours, weren’t they?” Taash demanded as they pointed towards Senna.  She huffed in answer and turned to finish making the simple syrup.

“Ah, I always assumed Bellara made those.  Now it makes a lot more sense.” Lucanis chimed in and the other three settled in at the table patiently waiting.  Senna groaned as she just knew this was going to open a floodgate of requests.

“Hey, we saw the light on.  What’s that smell?  It smells so good!” Bellara poked her head in along with Emmrich and Harding.  Neve brought up the rear and soon the whole group settled in at the table.  Lucanis brewed coffee for those that wanted it and Senna admitted defeat.

[solitaireships]

Friendly Banter - Part 1

Hi, and welcome to the first little series of fics I'm doing on here! I was disappointed by the lack of banter/companion comments on what character you end up romancing, so I decided to take matters into my own hands and write my own banter. There'll be five parts of this, with each one having banter between Minala and a different companion

This first one's going to be with Davrin! It's a little non-traditional for my selfship fics since it's not only not including my f/o in the fic and it's actually pre-relationship, but I think it's cute

Rating: Gen

Genre: Fluff

Words: 654 words

Divider by saradika

“Alright,” Minala says, sighing as she stands up from her seat in the library. “We should have everything good to go for heading back to Hossberg tomorrow. Thanks again for helping out, Davrin.”

“It’s no problem. It might not be my usual station, but I know enough about the Wardens' work there to lend a hand,” he says.

While the two of them were making plans for their next venture out, he’s been whittling away at a bit of wood, slowly shaping it into another monster for his collection. His craftsmanship has always impressed Minala— she can’t imagine working on something as unforgiving as wood for hours. At least if she spells something wrong in one of the stories she writes, she can always just start again on a new page or cross it out. There’s no fixing mistakes with woodcarving, not without starting over from scratch.

“Well, either way, I appreciate it,” Minala says. “It’s a little late to head over now, but I’m thinking we can head out there with Bellara tomorrow morning.”

“Sounds good. Maybe when you fill her in on the plan, you can let her know about some other things too,” Davrin says.

Minala blinks, looking over to where he sits, still carving away on what looks to be a carving of a deepstalker. “Sorry, I could tell her about what?”

Davrin shrugs. “The world possibly ending seems like a good motivator to tell someone you’re interested in them.”

“I still don’t know what you’re talking about,” Minala says. 

It’s a blatant lie, and probably one Davrin recognizes as such. It’s not as if the two of them just talk in a professional capacity— Minala’s surprised at how easy it’s been to make friends with the rest of the Veilguard, and she and Davrin seem to get along particularly well. Well enough that he clearly doesn’t buy her attempt to say there’s nothing between her and Bellara, with him raising a doubtful eyebrow as he keeps working on his whittling. 

For a moment the two of them are in relative silence, the only sound being his blade carving through the wood. Then Minala sighs, fiddling with one of her braids with one hand. 

“Okay, yes, I like Bellara. A lot more than I expected to. I was hoping to keep it quiet until I figured something out, but… well, here we are.”

“Here we are.”

“And apparently I’m not doing too well at keeping it quiet.”

“I only know because a griffon told me,” Davrin says.

“Assan can’t talk.” At least Minala’s pretty sure he can’t.

“He can’t,” he confirms. “But I did overhear you talking to him about Bellara.”

“Ah.”

“And with how often the three of us go out together, it’s hard not to notice the eyes you two keep giving each other,” Davrin says.

“We’re not giving each other eyes,” Minala insists. Or at least she’s pretty sure that Bellara’s not giving her any looks like that— maybe she’s been focused a little too much on her and just didn’t notice. The thought that it’s obvious enough for Davrin to have noticed her looking is embarrassing, though.

“Right. Well, like I said. If the world might end, I’d at least take a chance with someone I’m interested in,” Davrin says, leaning back in his seat. 

He has a point and Minala knows it. They’re doing everything they can to stop the gods and keep their Veil from falling, but there’s always a chance things could go wrong. She doesn’t know how much longer she or anyone else will have left before the end. She should ask Bellara if the two of them might be something more than friends before it’s too late. 

But still she’ll need to work herself up to that. 

“I’ll talk to her. Not right now, but soon,” Minala says. “And thanks.”

“No problem. Just try not to give yourself something to regret.”

[nightingaletrash]

for the oc codex prompts - 5 for alessia please!!

5. letters between two of your OC’s companions about them

Two letters packaged together. One has a coffee stain from a mug, and seems to have been written earlier than the second

Neve,

Okay I'm writing this now because I am so excited, but I can't actually say anything yet but if I say nothing anywhere I WILL explode!

Ali and Lucanis are having a baby!!!!! Ali told me this morning and I've only just stopped bouncing - okay that's a lie, I'm still bouncing in between sentences but I'm just so EXCITED!!

Can you believe this? I remember when I first met them, Ali was wandering into a Fade bubble and Lucanis- well, I told you all about the Ossuary. Back then, all I could think about were the gods and the Blight and the end of the world. I still remember the moment it ended. Suddenly it was just over and I couldn't imagine where our lives were going to go. I was so scared that we would all just drift back to our lives and that would be the end of it. I didn't want everything to be over.

But I never imagined that it wouldn't be over, just different, and now with a little baby Dellamorte-de Riva on the way!!!! Oh I'm so impatient, I want to meet them now!

Anyways, I'll stop now before I actually end up sending this before I'm supposed to. I'm waiting for Ali to give me the all clear before I talk to anyone about it, which means I'm locking myself in the workshop until then.

Love Bellara

p.s. don't worry I packed provisions

--

Neve,

I've been given the all clear so I'm sending this now! AHHHHH!

Love Bellara

A letter smelling faintly of gingerwort. A few spots of oil dot the bottom of the page, as if the writer had been eating while writing.

Bel,

Lucanis told me the same day Rook told you, so you probably would have been fine to send the first letter, but good on you for staying quiet for so long. And for not telling Fred either. You know Emmrich would have come back from a lecture and wondered why his favourite student was running around shouting 'baby' over and over again. Apparently it's been nonstop since they were told, and he wants to go and pick out some bones for it in the Necropolis. Emmrich's going to have to give him the Talk before he does anything upsetting.

I'm not sure I believe it any more than you do. Part of me still thinks I'm still in the Upper City, all wrapped up in Blight and that Elgar'nan is just letting me believe we'd won. I know it's nonsense. He'd never humour a world where he wasn't front and centre, but I can't help it. The idea that we survived and are now living happy lives where some of us go off and get married and have children? Insanity.

Let's just hope those two lock up all the knives and make sure that Uncle Viago doesn't leave any loose bottles lying about. Not that I think he's the sort to be sloppy, but babies love getting into things they shouldn't. It's like they have a death wish or something. And the Lighthouse won't make it any easier. How do you babyproof a place like this? We can't stick up guardrails all over the place - the parents are Crows, it'll just climb over them.

Glad I'm not the one who has to figure all of this out.

Love Neve

p.s. we should all go out for a drink to celebrate when we get the time. Rook will survive with something non-alcoholic.

[awardenandacrow]

FANFIC SNIPPET 18

- I wrote this the other day and hurt my own feelings because although I have not finished the game ✨I know things✨ and it hurts. No major spoilers in the actual snippet. If you know, you’ll get it. -

[after the Ossuary, after the discussion at the table when Spite hurts Lucanis, after she’s checked on him and made sure he’s all right… it’s time for Naimeryn to get some sleep]

——————————————————————————

“Okay, good night,” Naimeryn nodded, not really sure how to end the conversation. How would Varric have done it? Bellara was so easy to talk to, but Lucanis… it was like he was still a million miles away. But then, what an awfully long and eventful day it had been. She awkwardly backed up a few steps, then hesitated as she turned to leave, resting her hand on the doorframe. “And… I really *am* glad you’re okay.”

Lucanis’s expression gave away nothing, but he nodded in what she hoped was appreciation. She smiled, felt stupid, and hurried out of the pantry.

She thought about how the Lighthouse had opened the path to what was now Bellara’s room after her arrival. Perhaps they could get him a new accommodation soon, too. Anything had to be better than the pantry.

Neve and Harding were standing in the middle of the courtyard when she exited the kitchen. Harding’s arms were crossed over her chest, and she seemed to be glaring in Naimeryn’s direction.

“Oh no,” she frowned. “What did I do now?”

“You went back to talk to him again?” Neve asked.

“He got punched in the face by a demon! I wanted to make sure he was alright.” Naimeryn caught both of their disapproving expressions. “What? Do you think I’m being too pushy?”

“You’re team leader,” Neve said with a smirk, but Harding didn’t look impressed. “It *is* your job to make sure we’re all… alright.”

Naimeryn frowned. Something was off, and it made her uncomfortable. She decided she just wanted to go check in with Varric, then head to bed.

“Well, I’ve checked in with Bellara, and you guys seem…” she struggled for the right word, then decided on “*busy.* So. I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Sure,” Neve nodded.

“Sleep well,” Harding allowed. She still seemed… mad?

Naimeryn decided not to pester anyone else on her team and just made her way back to the library, then up the stairs and into the infirmary. Varric was right where she’d left him, just stirring from a nap.

“You’re gonna screw up your sleep schedule,” she teased.

“Who the hell can tell the time in the Fade anyway?” He asked with a laugh that turned into a cough. Naimeryn’s stomach twisted itself into knots as she waited for the fit to pass.

“Do you want some water?” She asked, heading to the basin without waiting for an answer.

“You’ve got more important things to do than fuss over me, Rook.”

“Not right now, I don’t. Checking in on you is the last thing on my to do list before bed.”

“Oh I’m a chore now, am I?”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it,” Naimeryn laughed, setting the cup down on the table next to his cot. She sat on the next cot over.

“Our new recruit settling in all right?” He asked. She sighed.

“I think so. It’s awful, what they did to him, Varric. A Crow, someone he probably trusted, sold him out to the Venatori. He spent the last year in their secret underwater prison — a place called the Ossuary. They forced a demon into him — Spite. They made a non-mage into an abomination. I didn’t even think that was possible.”

“That’s… quite a story,” Varric commented. Naimeryn smirked at him.

“Already penning your next bestseller?”

“You know what they say about old habits, kid. Normally my advice about befriending abominations would be *don’t,* but in this case…” Varric sighed and shook his head. “Just watch your back, Rook.”

“Don’t you *have* a friend who’s an abomination?” Naimeryn frowned.

“Don’t remind me,” Varric rolled his eyes. “Blondie is *why* that’s usually my advice.”

He started coughing again. When he was finished, Naimeryn tapped the glass.

“Drink the water,” she told him firmly, standing. “I’m gonna go get some rest… I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Night, Rook.”

Naimeryn shut the infirmary door quietly. She’d bring him some paper and a quill tomorrow. His dominant hand was injured, of course, but maybe he’d still like to try to write with his other one? She didn’t know if maybe that would be too frustrating. Maybe she shouldn’t.

She shouldered her door open and thought about just collapsing on the couch to sleep, but she knew she could smell herself. So, instead, she went to the wardrobe and gathered towels, soaps, and her washbasin. She cast a spell to fill it with water, and another to set it boiling. She’d never been great at flashy magic — maybe she’d just started learning too late, or had to suppress it for too long — but at least she had a good handle on the helpful kinds that got her through the tougher days.

Naimeryn stripped quickly, thankful there was no chill in the Lighthouse as there had been in Weisshaupt. She was muscular, for an elf, and a mage at that, but her frame was still small, and she’d always been cold far more often than she was warm. Bathing in the High Anderfels had been less than pleasurable, especially in the deep of winter, and she’d always been one to rush through it as fast as possible. Here, in the Fade, she was always comfortable. The water stayed hot longer, so she could really enjoy washing away the day. She washed her hair and her face first, sitting on her feet with her legs bent under her and leaning over the basin. She hadn’t realized how badly her head hurt after being in the presence of all that Blood Magic. Massaging the soap and oils into her scalp was almost meditative, and she felt her shoulders relax slowly. She used the cloth to clean her body fairly quickly; once her muscles relaxed, she grew rapidly weary.

As she packed her bathing items away in the wardrobe and started rifling through for something comfortable to sleep in, a flash of purple caught her eye. She reached for it. Her mind inadvertently drifted, down the hallway, through the library, and across the courtyard. Glowing purple wings and eyes, eyes that faded to a brown so deep it was as though she were staring back into the depths of the earth. Slinky, soft fabric beneath her fingertips, much nicer than anything she had packed when leaving Weisshaupt a little over a year ago. Yet, she knew *exactly* what it was.

Naimeryn tugged the satin night wrap out of the wardrobe and stared at it. A few years back, she’d seen it in a shop and thought it was beautiful. Amaya, of all people, had encouraged her to get it.

“You never get yourself anything,” she’d said, nudging Naimeryn with her elbow. “You’ve probably got all your extra stipend tucked away. And you’ve got to wear *something* to bed.”

Naimeryn had caved to her encouragement, but never worn it. It was beautiful, but thin. Certainly not warm enough for Anderfels nights, no matter how many extra blankets she hoarded from storage.

She *knew* she had not packed this to go on a mission to observe a Darkspawn threat in a rural area. She also knew that when she had unpacked her bag into this very wardrobe, it had not been in her belongings. Was this… a reflection of it? Something the Fade had created from her memory? But why? She’d all but forgotten its existence.

Naimeryn slipped into the gown, wrapping it around herself and tying it shut with the accompanying sash. Feeling foolish, she closed her eyes and wrapped her own arms tightly around herself. Strong arms and purple wings. What would they feel like?

Naimeryn’s face and ears caught fire, and she quickly opened her eyes and covered her face with her hands. What a foolish thing to think about!

Sleep, she decided firmly. Such foolish fantasies would be banished by morning.

*Dear reader, the fantasies most certainly were NOT banished by morning.*

Chronologically next snippet:

[iamnotyourgodsherald]

Chapter 2 of Meeting the In Laws!

Contains: NSFW themes. Loving and fluff themes. 18+ only.

Thursday morning came. We packed our bags and donned our crow armor, leaving my crow mask in my bag. I made sure I had my poison vials on my hips and my arrows all accounted for while Lucanis counted his knives. Making sure he had exactly eight of them on him, which he then put on his person.

As we were heading to the Eluvian, we started saying goodbyes to everyone in the Lighthouse. Taash stopped me as Bellara pulled Lucanis to the side, talking to him.

“Trix, hold on.” Taash urged.

“Yeah, Taash?”

I had to crane my neck to look up at her, towering over me like a huge wyvern. Her long white braid hung down in front of her like broken chains, and those intense eyes staring down at me with a small amount of concern behind them. She was massive and glorious, and constantly scared the shit out of me. She could break me, and I’d honestly let her.

“Think you can handle going to meet the family? I mean, who's gonna be there if you pass out again? You know they make supplements for that?”

“You think you’re funny, huh?”

“I know I’m funny. Seriously though, are you going to be okay? These Crows… Sounds like shady shit. I mean, with everything still going on…”

“It’s important to Lucanis and I. Though, I understand your concern. Crows recently don't have the best track record.”

“Yeah well. Try to take it easy while you're there, if you can. Don’t overexert yourself. Emmerich won't be there to revive your ass.”

“Come on, I’ve been embarrassed enough! It’s bad enough you and Davrin make fun of me constantly for it, now Emmerich is playing Mother Hen because of you two.”

Emmerich piped up, rushing over and handing me a satchel of strong smelling plants. Manfred standing close by and peeking out from behind Emmerich.

Noooooooo…

“Take these herbs, Demitrix! Whenever you and Lucanis are about to have intercourse, chew on them thirty minutes before you start!”

I put my hood up and snatched the herbs from Emmerich.

“Thank you, Emmerich…”

“What do the herbs do? Keep him hard?” Taash inquired.

Kill me. Please, Creators. Fucking kill me.

He turned to Taash. “No! Hes young enough where that shouldn't be a problem. Although if that does happen, i have a remedy for that as well. No, These will help him combat the fainting if it remains an issue. There's a special chemical inside the plant that helps with-“”

“Alright, I’m leaving.” I quickly said, turning towards the Eluvian. “I didn’t realize you guys were just gonna talk about this right before we left.”

“Wait! I’m not done bullying you yet! I came up with new jokes! I have a list!” Taash laughed.

“You've been bullying me all week!” I yelled back.

“Remember! Thirty minutes before!” Emmerich giggled.

Manfeed only hissed at me.

“Yeah, what Manfred said.”

“Goodness! Manfred, I didn't even see you there!” Emmerich gasped.

Hissssss

Davrin stepped in, laughing.

“Enough, enough. Demitrix, are you sure about all of this? A place full of assassins. The very thought makes me uneasy. Not that I don’t trust your skills or Lucanis’s. I just… Don’t trust their intentions.” Davrin spoke with concern.

“I appreciate the concern, Dav. I know how the Antivan Crows work but I can’t say I don’t have any reserves about the whole thing. I have a really bad feeling about it. Like… something is lying in wait.” I explain.

“So Why go at all?” Davrin asks, tilting his head. “If you think it'll go sideways, why not bring all of us? I don’t think you should go by yourselves.”

“If it’s important to him, then it’s important to me. I want to go, but I am keeping myself open to the dangers of being around a bunch of high ranking Crows. Trust Lucanis and I to handle it.” I spoke with conviction.

I held my hands up, showing off the rune signatures painted on my nails.

“Besides, I have some precautions in place as well as antidotes. Trust me, I didn’t get this far being an Antivan Crow by chasing tail and partying. I am from Viago de Rivas cell. We are a paranoid bunch, to be sure. You’d be too if you knew the effects that some poisons do… Even after you’ve been given an antidote.”

“What is that?” Davrin said, taking my hand and looking at my nails. “Are these runes painted on you?”

“It's a special kind of paint that has a very tiny pinch of refined lyrium in it. A rune symbol is painted on my nails to dip into drinks and liquids. If the paint feels anything corrosive or poisonous, then the paint will peel off into the drink and melt into the liquid. Coloring it black.”

“That's… Really handy to have”

“That’s why it's an Antivan Crow special. Only for Viago’s faction.” I say, showcasing a smirk. “I am not going into this meeting unless I know I can defend myself.”

Davrin smiled at me and crossed his arms.

“I knew that pretty boy face was hiding some cleverness.” Davrin joked with a chuckle.

I laughed along with him.

“This pretty face has always been clever.”

“How do we contact you? In case we need you guys? I know this is important but we need to be able to contact you in case… things happen. It always does.”

Bellara bounced over, Lucanis rejoining my side.

“With this!” She yelled, holding out a pair of crystal necklaces.

“What is this?” I asked.

She then put it around my neck and then around Davrin.

“These are sending crystals! I found them just sitting around in Minrathous on a bench near a bar! Crazy right? Anyway, if you speak directly into the necklace, the other recipient will hear it and be able to respond to you! As If you guys are standing like… how you are now!”

Davrin looked at me and then lifted the necklace to his mouth.

“In peace, Vigilance.”

Davrins voice came through the crystal, clear.

“Damn! Leave it to Bellara to find a solution to everything.” I said proudly.

Bellara giggled. “I figured after… well, it shouldn't be a problem now! If we need to talk, we can do so easily now!”

I turned towards the Lucanis, tucking the necklace into my leathers.

“Are you ready to go, amore?”

“Very ready. Let us hurry.”

We said our last goodbyes to everyone before going through the mirror leading out into the Crossroads. We got to the Treviso mirror and as the Eluvian closed behind us, the smell of clove and sea salt air hit my face. The soft scents of incense floated from the nearby chantry and I thought longingly of my balcony back home, and with a groan, I started carrying off our bags to the street.

The streets were quiet with a few locals wandering around, the gulls squawking as they flew overhead.

“Wait here, I will find us a carriage.” I spoke up, putting my stuff down. “Can you watch our stuff until I come back?”

He nodded.

“Be safe, amore. I will wait for you.”

I smiled and went off to find a carriage driver while Lucanis stayed to guard our luggage. He's not a social bird and I could probably get us a cheap ride if I “flaunted” my job title. He's not the one for flaunting, more intimidation.

Time rolled by as I went searching and asking around for where a carriage service was and as I finished up talking with a local, something flew by me, and then something was falling softly to the ground. A single black raven feather that shone brilliantly with an irresistible shimmer.

I quickly sprang into action and looked towards the roofs quickly, diving into the shadows of the alleyways. Quickly, I pulled my bow out and notched an arrow, aiming towards the rooftops where the bird flew from. A shadow was seen looking down at me, cape fluttering in the wind. A shiny crow mask adorning their face along with poofy curls peeking out of their hood. They watched me before they turned and disappeared from view.

I see. They are making sure that Lucanis’s and I are on our way. If they meant harm, they would have shot an arrow or threw a dagger. Quiet and subtle. This was loud and a message. “We are watching.”

After taking a minute to look around and nothing happening, I relaxed, taking a breath of relief. I walked over to the feather and picked it up, inspecting it. The feather was marvelously well kept and had no signs of wear or weathering. This was a pet raven, One that was spoiled.

It’s really pretty.. I should give it to Luca! It fits with his look! I always love giving him little trinkets like these.

After tracking down the carriage the local directed me to, I rode it back to Lucanis and helped him with our stuff.

“Luca, I caught a glimpse of an Antivan Crow when I was getting the carriage earlier. They are making damn sure that we know they are watching us.” I spoke in a hushed tone.

“They were making sure we were on our way. Illario is being impatient.”

“This is normal then?”

“For Illario, Of course.” He chuckled.

Lucanis looked focused. This probably felt like he was on a job so he was acting accordingly. Short conversations, his eyes darting around in a cautious manner.

“I have a present for you!”

“For me?” Lucanis said, surprised.

“Yeah! Here.”

I placed the feather in his hand and watched his face, but he seemed confused.

“What is this? Why are you giving me a feather?” He asked, perplexed.

“Oh. I figured you would like it. I thought it was pretty and it fits you… so I just… Nevermind, It was stupid, I’ll take it back and-“

“Don't take it back, I love it.”

“Don't take it back? You seemed so-“

“I LOVE it. I was only confused about why a feather and why this one. Now that I know, It is mine. I want to keep it.”

I smiled and watched as he fiddled with it on his clothes. As we got into the carriage together, I saw he tucked it right behind the vials that are strapped to his chest. I smiled to myself and blushed at him displaying it on himself.

As we started on our carriage ride there, I leaned my head on Lucanis’s shoulder as we rode off. Looking up at him and smiling, I grab a hold of his hand, intertwined my fingers with his and relaxed into him. He must have been tense, for his shoulders lowered and his body relaxed as I squeezed his hand.

“Nervous, mi amore? They’re your family.”

“A family of Crows.”

“Fair, but aren't you more familiar with them? I mean, at least with Illario. They love you-“

“I am not worried for me.”

“You're… worried about me? Please, I can handle a few Crows, darling.”

“I worry about what they have planned for us. For you.”

He cupped my face in his hands, kissing my forehead.

“I don’t want them to scare you away from me.”

“Lucanis…” I purred, holding his hand that was cupping my face. “I love you. They can’t scare me away from you. It’s you and I now. Plus our little family.”

He searched my eyes for a moment, his eyes shaky and searching for something in me. Maybe doubt? Any sign of apprehension? Either way, he must have not found it. He began to calm and leaned his forehead against mine, taking a deep breath, his eyes closed. He squeezed my hand tighter and then pulled me in for a deep kiss, holding the back of my head gently.

I melted so easily to his lips locking onto mine, and closed my eyes. Just letting the world melt away and all of its problems to just Lucanis and I. I enjoyed his romantic heart, even if I was still not used to it. His romance made my chest warm and almost made me feel so… shy. So vulnerable. I was used to more primal urges. This kind of care and love… It was foreign to me.

“I love you, Luca…” I longingly sigh.

“I love you too, Trix…” He said a similar tone.

I kept my face pressed against his, holding us like that for a while before Lucanis kissed my forehead and relaxed, looking out the window. His eyes seemed to focus elsewhere. I could only guess his family was on his mind. More worry. My love’s mind was vast and hard to pin down and it was hard at times to see what exactly was on his mind. I decided to do the same as him and looked out my window, watching as we passed through the Antivan countryside.

Autumn was in full swing in Antiva. Comforting colors of reds and oranges were dotted amongst the rolling hills of the grasslands, blotches of yellowing grass that surrounded the fields of the farms that passed by made only miss the fresh green of spring. Farmers were out with their scythes, getting crops and loading them into carts for the yearly harvest before settling down for winter.

The sea in the distance glittered with the afternoon sun, making it look like a portal to the Maker had opened in the water. It was so tempting to swim in that holy looking water, but given recent events, decided against it.

I wondered to myself whether or not the family gathering would allow me to sneak away to peek at nature. I also haven't swam in a while, and it was still early enough to do so without it being too cold. I lamented that I haven't had the chance to go swimming, being busy with the Veilguard and you know… The whole world ending business. Maybe Where we go will have a nice lake, or a small pool? One could only hope. After a bit, I just fell asleep, dreaming of being away from everything.

A couple of hours passed before the driver spoke up, spooking me out of sleep.

“We are nearing the lake house now, sers!”

“Good.” Lucanis said curtly.

I looked at Lucanis, half awake still and groggy. My hair, draping in front of my face.

“Lake house…?”

“Good evening, Sleeping Beauty.” He laughed.

“Fuck off.” I chuckled back, punching his shoulder. “We’re going to a lake house?”

“Yes, Lago de Novo.”

Oh fuck.

“Isn’t that where…?”

“‘The Great Betrayal’ happened? Yes.”

Great. They are sending a message. Hurt Lucanis and you'll be killed the same way the traitor Talon was. Lago de Novo was where a Talon betrayed and killed most of the other Talons of the Antivan Crows. Dealing a severe blow to the order. While we managed to pick ourselves back up from the incident, people are still weary of talking about it. Especially in front of Viago and Teia. Now, I am about to go there to meet them.

“Boy, your folks really know how to make a man feel welcome…” I jested.

“You know The Crows are dramatic. Illario especially.”

“Yeah well they don't scare me. You know that. Just. Makes me nervous.”

Lucanis shuffled in his seat uneasily for a second, before looking at me with big soft eyes.

“Demitrix… You… You know I am not good at this. For you… I want to try. You DO know if you need to talk to me or tell me something… I will always listen. Right?”

“Of course…? Where did that come from?” I looked at him, confused.

“You…tend to keep things hidden. I just… I want you to trust me. I don't want you to keep it inside. Right now, this level of trust is crucial. You understand?” He said delicately.

“Same goes to you, love.”

“Trix-“

The carriage driver stopped abruptly and hopped down.

“We are here, sers!”

Lucanis gave me a “we will talk about this later” look and I felt my face flush with embarrassment as he got out.

Wow, Demitrix. Way to piss off Luca. Just fucking talk to him!

My fear got the better of me, however, and I got out cracking jokes just as before.

Lucanis and I then grabbed our things and headed over to the black gondola waiting for us by the docks.

“Oh I can't wait! I'll go swimming! Or I could go for a walk? You could cone too! Anything you feel comfortable with! Either way, I am going swimming, autumn be damned.”

Lucanis just seemed to watch me talk as he loaded our things in the boat, a small smile on his face.

“You have always looked adorable when you are excited.” He cooed, walking over and kissing my cheek. “I’ll do whatever you want to do after dinner and introductions. Crows are patient but not for other Crows.”

I nodded at him, keeping a lid on my excitement for now. Lucanis gave a soft chuckle at me and nodded at the gondola driver to start moving across the lake. While Lucanis sat, perfectly poised and noble-like, I dipped my hand into the water, feeling the cold refreshing water against my hand.

“You know this lake is full of carnivorous fish, right?” Lucanis piped up.

“What?!” I yelled, yanking my hand out. “Really?!”

“No.” He smirked before covering his mouth. “Just wanted to see your reaction.”

“You're an ass! No sex for you, tonight.”

“Demitrix!” He barked.

“What?! You tricked me!” I yelled back.

“We are not alone!”

He motioned to the gondola driver.

“And? I'm sure the gondola driver has had lots of sex! Probably have a lot of kids! From having sex!”

“DEMITRIX.” He yelled, exasperated

“What?! Tell him, Have you had lots of sex?” I ask the Driver.

Lucanis just put his head in his hands,

sighing loudly. The driver just stayed quiet and kept his head bowed but I saw his body start to shake as if he was holding back laughter. I gave a smug grin to Lucanis before sitting back.

As we got closer to the shore, we saw a familiar woman in a long black silk dress seemingly waiting by the shore. She had a slit in her dress showing off her long smooth leg and her hair down and poofed out, her long curls swaying in the breeze. As soon as we came up on shore, she rushed over and greeted Lucanis.

“Lucanis! My dear! Glad to see you are still doing well!” She chirped, kissing both his cheeks. “You know, you could always visit, let us know how you are.”

I recognized her as Andarateia Cantori, the Seventh Talon who was as beautiful as she was deadly. She used both her beauty and her assassin skills equally well and quickly gained respect and fear in equal measure within the Crows.

She turned and looked at me, smiling opening her arms out wide to me and pulling me into a hug. I happily greeted her back, keeping my guard up at the same time

“Demitrix! It's been a long time! I can't wait to get to know you more over this weekend. See what Lucanis sees in you and what you see in Mr Grumpy over there. I also hope you've been treating him well.”

“I hope so! Otherwise, Lucanis has some explaining to do.” I laughed, grabbing a hold of Lucanis’s hand. “I cant wait to meet everyone and get closer to the family. This is obviously very important to Lucanis, and what can I say? I am a sucker for those big sad brown eyes.”

“I do not have big sad brown eyes.” Lucanis growled.

“The cutest pair~” I purred.

Teia smiled, giggling a bit.

“You two are so cute! I cannot wait for you to meet everyone else, Demitrix. Lucanis had mentioned that you loved swimming! I am sure you are very excited to be here. We could go swimming together if you wished.”

“Are you kidding? I’d love that! I was over the moon when Lucanis surprised me with it! I have loved the water since I was small!”

Teia smiled a bit brighter. More genuinely than before.

“I am glad you are so excited.” She snickered.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Lucanis looked away towards the lake surrounding us. The wind blowing at his hair and armor, making him look like a moody, elegant painting. I must have been staring at him for s minute and not paying attention to Teia because she stepped in front of me, looking at Lucanis and then looking back at me with a mischievous smirk on her ruby red lips.

“You are getting distracted, dear~” She teased.

“Ah! Sorry, hes just… very distracting.~” I sighed longingly, smiling as I watched him. “Verrrry distracting.”

“Hey! Come back to me! You can look at Lucanis later! Come! Let's meet the family!” She chirped quickly, hugging my arm and pulling me in. “Viago! Illario! Lucanis and Demitrix are here!”

Lucanis walked slowly behind us as we approached the building, almost looking like a large dark-furred wolf, watching over me. I looked back at Lucanis, whose intense eyes wandered the villa, looming close to me. We walked inside where I marveled at the look of the place, almost feeling like I was in an Antivan storybook. We were standing in a large open foyer decorated with black marble with dark cherry colored wood accents. Green satin curtains decorated the windows and clung to the floor like a dress. Dark green carpets, Antivan rugs and runners laid across the floors. Leading to a grand set of wooden doors with the Antivan Crows logo on it. A balcony hung over the grand twin doors with silky green banners hanging from the railing. The floors were the same color of dark cherry as well. The hardwood was not even creaking as we stepped in, The only thing heard was Teia’s heels clicking on the floor as she walked forward, yelling for everyone.

“She's very loud and quite flamboyant. I like her. It'll be nice not being the only elf in a house full of humans as well.” I whispered towards Lucanis.

“I knew you’d like her.” Lucanis said with a smile.

She came back over to me and grabbed my hands, holding them up, her heartwood colored eyes staring back into mine.

“Let me be the first to welcome you, Demitrix. You must know, I didn’t think anyone would ever come to us on Lucanis’s arm.”

“What is that supposed to-” Lucanis started to say.

“I am so overjoyed that it is you. His savior and now his lover. Almost like a storybook!”

I smiled at her kind words, but the back of my head itched. I knew this felt way too friendly compared to what Lucanis told me back at the Lighthouse, but I kept smiling, holding her hands back. Part of me was almost upset at the fact that I couldn’t trust her honeyed words.

Deep down, we are all Crows. A suspicious lot, but that's just how we survive.

“Oh!” I chirped. “Before I forget, Lucanis will need coffee soon. He hasn't had it for a minute.”

“Did I hear that my Cousin is home?”

I looked up at the balcony to see Illario with a glass of red wine in his hand. His hair slicked back and a black, opened and pressed button up shirt with a green sash across his waist and black dress pants.

“Hello Illario.” Lucanis said plainly, his eyes looking Illario up and down. “Do you still not know how to button up a shirt?”

“Ha! Youre funny.” Illario said, leaning on the balcony. “ Does your lover?”

He gestures at my Crow outfit, my chest and the top part of my stomach exposed. Playing up my confidence. I spin in place on my heel and toss my scarf.

“It’s my signature! I’m a lure. A siren~.”

“He can actually pull off the look.” Lucanis smirked.

“Ouch! Such sass! I hope you don’t let him talk to you like that, Demitrix.” Illario laughed, finishing off his wine. “I’ll be down in a minute. Viago should be there momentarily.”

Illario disappeared down an upper hallway and almost as if on cue, We see the large twin doors opening and out walks Viago in a nice suit with black gloves. His icy cold eyes narrowed as he walked in. A beautiful looking Death Adder snuggly wrapped around his arm.

Lucanis put his hand gently on my back, rubbing it as Viago approached us. Teia went over to him, planting a big kiss on his cheek and taking his arm that was free of the cane and snake.

“Hello, love! You remember Demitrix, right?”

She leaned in and whispered something in his ear and let go of him, gesturing towards me. Viago stepped forward, his gaze sharp and locked onto me. As he stepped over to me, I stepped forward as well, Lucanis grabbing my hand.

“Demitrix.” Viago sighed, a bit of annoyance floated with my name. “Good to see you again. I look forward to getting to know you.”

I gulped but shook the dread away by squeezing Lucanis’s hand and letting go of it. Smiling, I held out my hand.

“Good to see you, sir! You and Teia look amazing this evening. You both and… Arainai.” I said nervously.

“Lucanis must have told you about him. Yes. The snake that nearly killed me in this manor. The only thing that ever came close to killing me.” He spoke with a lowered tone, his eyes narrowing. “As for Teia. She always looks amazing. However, Be respectful. She is still your Talon. Do not ogle at her.”

I sweated a bit and put my hand back down, letting out a forced chuckle.

“Don't worry, I have my own lover to ogle at.”

“Yes.” His eyes shot over to Lucanis. “You seem enraptured by him. I do hope that you aren't getting distracted from your contract.”

“We arent, Viago.” Lucanis spat sharply.

“Just something to keep in mind. We shall see how you both fare in the coming days. So far, Demitrix hasn't had a good track record.”

Lucanis went to say something but I raised my hand slightly looking at him. He closed his lips, and glared at Viago instead, letting me speak.

“I…promise I will not disappoint.”

Viago turned and rejoined Teias side, staring at me with a mixed look. Almost hopeful? Teia gripped onto Viagos arm and smiled apologetically at me.

“I hope not.” Viago growled under his breath.

Illario popped into the doorway, rushing over to hug me.

“Hello, little bird! So you are the one, huh? The one that managed to claim that icy heart of his?”

“Icy? Not at all! He's a sweetheart!” I joked, trying to be as charming as I could be. “The kindest man I have ever met! The most handsome one too! I am the luckiest man in Thedas!”

“Demitrix…” Lucanis hushed in an almost bashful tone.

“Oh! This is a new face and voice for you, Lucanis! Demitrix, you must be a miracle worker! Look! He's blushing!” He laughed.

“Illario. Quit it.”

“Ugh! You are no fun, Cousin! Demitrix, what do you even see in him? You seem like you'd be my type. Mind switching to me for an evening?~”

I blushed brightly, and nervously chuckled. Lucanis got between us, his arm wrapping around me and pulling me into his body.

“He is mine.”

Illario shot a smug look towards Lucanis, before peeking down at me.

“As you wish, Cousin.”

Previous Chapter

[invinciblerodent]

btw since I'm Verbenaposting, nice as your LI's smile is at the end as it is, and how I like how it kind of echoes the way they gaze up at the Inquisitor and their advisors after the final fight of that game (which, really nice, here they're beside you and in no way below, driving home the way Rook in the story is part of the group while the Inquisitor is always above in some way), I kinda wanna rewrite it for myself the same way I did then, and hc that the immediate aftermath of the final fight is far less dignified.

Like you can't give me sweet, passionate men like Davrin and Dorian, and just have them SMILE at their beloved after they return from what, to everyone reasonable, looks like absolute mortal peril.

It's not just a nice, fond smile, but a fucking bone-squeezing, leg-swinging, drunk on victory kind of hug that's still dripping all sorts of grime and blood, but nobody really cares because (to live with Davrin's turn of phrase) bleeding thorns, you're here, we won, you're alive, you're here, you're mine, I love you.

... So I think that following the endgame, Ver holds it together just until they manage to descend from the Thing (the one that I keep wanting to call the brainstem even though it's not), and Davrin was left down there to help defend the people so he's there to catch her as she basically leaps into his arms and crumples- just like he's always been there to catch her, to lend his strength, and wherever you are, that's where I am, god bless

in my mind, the bottom of that thing being just. a big heap. a cuddlepile.

Ver first crumples into Davrin's arms from like a foot up that thing still. then Taash and Bellara, who came up with her, silently embrace the both of them (Bel on shaky fawn-legs and looking like she's unsure of whether she's about to burst out laughing or into tears; Taash with their head dropped and stock still save for the tremble in their hands- processing still but about five minutes from a "WHOOOO!!!! YEAAAAAHHHH!!!!!"), all three (now four) covered in Elgar'nan's weirdly sticky, tarlike blood that smells like death and clings like a shadow (but it no longer sings with Blight, so Davrin honestly doesn't give half a shit).

Assan is circling their legs like they're slalom poles, overjoyed that his other favorite person is back again. There's all the couples embracing (with most of Neve's weight probably being supported by Lucanis tbqh, poor woman must be so terminally exhausted), but honestly, few people really care whose hand they're shaking or whose arms are circling around their waist, because they fucking won and survived, and there's the fucking Sun, and the overwhelming joy ripples out from the epicenter of it all until the soldiers and citizens in Minrathous are all crying and laughing and embracing one another.

(Dorian is off to the side fussing over his amatus for climbing down a fucking Blight-wall with essentially one hand because for some reason he didn't think that he shouldn't wear his everyday, carved wood prosthetic hand this morning instead of one that moves in any way, and honestly, what is he to do with this man, Maker he's going to be the death of him, they'll have to find another Archon, and then he'll be sorry.)

[cacturne]

the lovers and the moon for the ask game!

ohh! Since no specific rook has been specified i will take this opportunity to do it for both rook and stork!

The Lovers: Who is your Rook's most significant relationship within the Veilguard? How do they help Rook feel seen and understood?

Rook’s is definitely Taash! Obviously they’re lovers but even outside of that with the both of them being Rivaini Lords of Fortune they already understand the basics of each other, leading to plenty of things to talk about and not having to put in a ton of effort to understand one another. Rook often feels pretty misunderstood by the others as they’re a pretty simple person who doesn’t think too hard about why they do anything, while they tend to probe them for answers and opinions they do not have Taash just accepts it which is a breath of fresh air. Plus, they don’t really treat them as the leader which they very much appreciate.

Stork’s is both Emmrich and Bellara! As an avid researcher she feels right at home between the two, chatting away and swapping theories for hours on end (and with Bellara into the early hours of the morning!) Of course Emmrich is also a comforting presence as a fellow Mourn Watcher. While Stork has gotten used to the strange reactions from people across Thedas while traveling with Varric as she dud not hide her occupation, that little bit of understanding from him does help. They’re all very supportive of each other!

The Moon: How does Rook's past impact their values? Does their past come with any biases or blind spots they have to account for?

Rook being Rivaini is completely chill with magic and spirits! They also tend to forget that they’re an elf so in places less tolerating it comes as an annoying surprise when people are dismissive of them due to it. Their pirate past has given them pretty skewed morals which more often than not earns them a lecture when they start looting things during the adventure, and generally they just assume everyone is as chill with illegal activities as they are considering the only people they’ve hung out with for years have been their fellow Lords. They also have a bias against the Chantry and Andrastianism, and especially don’t respect any Templars.

Stork, as many Nevarrans do, tends to forget people are squeamish or uncomfortable with necromancy (or the open use of magic in general). Now she deals a lot more with spirits than with undead, but even that can cause a stir if utilized in public. She also tends to assume people are comfortable with the dead and the methods of preserving them in and of itself which is not always the case! Stork’s tolerating of ethical blood magic, as she sees it as just another field of magic to study, and has a more empathetic view of abominations! Being raised by Mourn Watchers has also made her rather blind to how the traditional family works, and she’s completely hopeless at relating to most other people outside of just her fields of study because of just how unique the circumstances of her upbringing were!

[scrungliesblorboemporium]

OK. I'll probably delete this later but ...

the hate for veilgaurd. I guess I'm realizing i surround myself so dutifully with respectful and understanding people that seeing the hate is just like... huh?

(spoilers for datv below :))

there isn't a coincidence or silly explanation as to why a majority of the hate is focused on Taash (Nonbinary, autism coded) and Bellara (adhd coded). I just forget sometimes that the dragon age fandom is mostly men who want to play "hero" in their own intolerant way and not people who are playing the silly dating sim.

like don't get me wrong, my intro to dragon age was inquisition, and when I realized "oh shit, there's more to this than kiss that hot bull guy" (i actually didn't even end up romancing him, blackwall stole my heart) I bought da:o and da2. da:o didn't work but I dove into da2 and was obsessed, and then even more obsessed with inquisition. It was 9 years old at that point, so all the hate and discussion was stale and dying, but I was still happy!! and now it's just.. wait I thought we were all having fun? I thought we didn't care if a character was queer or nuerodivergent?

and don't get me wrong, I have criticism for veilgaurd!! It is way too marvel-y and doesn't provide a lot of context for some things (think specifically abt how the antaam are tempted by the gods other than just "oh hey we want power, they have power, cool"). some voice lines are too blunt, I hate how hand holdy things can get, and I think Varrics little interludes (while the art is brilliant and i love Varric) are irritating. I think the "we need to work on ourselves" after Weisshaupt is unrealistic for every character other than Lucanis, and Davrin should've been angrier about it! I don't like how binary the decision for Taash is, after all that time of "don't tell me who to be, I'm not one or the other."

But in the end... just because something is simple, and easy to follow, and features inclusive characters and options doesn't mean that it's bad. I saw a video titled something like "how you deal with annoying companions in veilgaurd vs. baldurs gate 3" and I just skimmed through it, but all the bg3 clips were companions being killed, or the astarion clip where you can give him to the monster hunter. How can someone feel anything good when all they think about is how bad something is?

I felt super connected with Hardings quest, the decision between being angry at everything that's ever been done to you or being kind because you want to be kind (an oversimplification that's ignoring the ancestral trauma of the titans, I know). How can you live life without seeing both sides, without seeing the good and the bad?

anyways it's late and I have work in the morning. look for the good in everything, please you deserve it.

[fatherfigurines2]

I've been trying to avoid even thinking about Dragon Age so the time goes by more quickly but I can't believe tomorrow morning is new Dragon Age! I technically have tomorrow and Friday off to play but of course will be pulled into work a few times, I'm sure.

Pending any crisis of faith while I'm in CC, my first Rook will be:

masc NB Dwarf Warrior, Grey Warden background, as burly and fuzzy as I can manage in CC, mostly Heroic/Diplomatic/equivalent choices but with a sense of humor

Romancing Emmrich and mostly hanging out with Emmrich and Harding but definitely taking any companion that suits the quest or location more than those two. My main fascination right now is The Stone/Titans and everything The Descent brought up so I am dying to understand what's going on with Harding and how that plays into the history of the Titans with the ancient Elves. I would be willing to part with a limb for a chance to see Valka, Harding, Dagna, and Sandal hanging out and having like a magical girl group.

For the first playthrough's Inquisitor, my personal canon is for a male Dwarf Inquisitor Rogue, romanced Iron Bull, disbanded the Inquisition, and wanted to redeem Solas. I'm not personally drawn to the Solavellan angst but - come on - it's just hands down THE angstiest angst of the possible plot points in Inquisition/Trespasser so it's hard not to want to immediately see how that plays out in Veilguard.

However, I am an absolute nut job and saved up to pre-order an Xbox copy in addition to the PC copy I'll be playing tomorrow so I think I'm going personal canon on my first Inquisitor and then I'll just start playing a new playthrough on Xbox while I'm hopefully wrapping up the first one on PC.

Second Rook will be femme, female Elf Mage Shadow Dragon, no body specifics now besides long hair, mostly a jokester Humorous/Charming/equivalent choices but secretly a total heroine

Romancing Davrin and mostly traveling with Davrin and Bellara (oops all Elves) but same where if a mission fits the background of a companion, they are on the squad for that mission or location

This will be a Lavellan that romanced Solas, kept the Inquisition, and wants to redeem Solas

[himluv]

DA Review Series: Vows & Vengeance

<<< Previous Review: The Missing

Here we are. The final review. The last little crumb of DA content I had to consume in my year-long journey to read, watch, play, and listen to all things Dragon Age before Veilguard's release.

For awhile there I didn't think I'd be able to to get it all done, but here we are with two weeks to spare. I don't know how I'm going to survive these next two weeks with no Dragon Age media, but I'm thinking of it as a sort of cleanse. A break to prepare mind, body, and spirit for what comes next...

Veilguard.

Title: Vows & Vengeance Writer(s): Will Melton and Jeremy Novik Publication Year: 2024 In-World Year: 9:45+ Dragon Verdict: I had a lot of fun with this series, despite its at times cringe-worthy writing and the occasional lore discrepancy. Is it a wellspring of lore and info? Not so much. But as an introduction to Veilguard's companions and key characters I think it's quite successful. But, successful doesn't equal necessary so you do you, boo.

Vows & Vengeance follows thief Nadia Carcosa as she tries to save her lover Elio from the Fade. He's stuck there thanks to a certain Dread Wolf and the artifact he surreptitiously hired her to steal — the Eye of Kethisca.

After Solas's ritual goes wrong (this dude is a broken record!) Nadia meets Drayden Kiel, a scholar and historian with a particular interest in the Fade. Their hunt for the Dread Wolf and Elio takes them through much of Northern Thedas, and each episode introduces one of the seven companions in Veilguard.

I found all of the companions incredibly endearing and wonderful. Harding is so sweet and kind, but also a bamf. Davrin is strong and noble, but also extremely charming. Taash is an absolute badass and I can't wait to see more of her dynamic in the group. And of course, Neve is a stunner and not just for her fashion sense.

Bellara's episode was an absolute delight — as a longtime fan of the Dalish, hearing one of the People stand up and speak out against their colonizers was very powerful.

Obviously I LOVED the Lucanis episode, even if Antivan nobility having British accents was buckwild. What we heard from Lucanis told us so much about his character and I can't WAIT to get to know him better, if you know what I mean ;) .

Emmrich and Manfred were such a joy to meet. Their dynamic is so sweet and the kindness just radiates from Emmrich. I can't wait to play rock paper scissors with my little bone buddy.

It was almost unfair, honestly, because the companions were so loveable and Nadia... Wasn't. I really struggled with her, for a lot of the same reasons I struggled with Katara in ATLA. But Nadia doesn't have the excuse of being a child.

Nadia came across as very impatient, oftentimes mean, and incredibly short-sighted. She oscillates between being a know-it-all and being utterly uninterested in understanding what's happening around her. I wasn't really rooting for her, sadly. She was just the vehicle this podcast used to introduce us to these other characters.

I must add here that I absolutely loved Drayden and would be more than happy to meet them in Veilguard or other Dragon Age media in the future. But I am glad Nadia's "retired".

I also feel really bad for Elio. I don't feel like Nadia really processed the fact that he died and that it was her fault (and also Solas's). Or at least, we didn't get to hear her process that. And so her eulogy/vow at the end rang a bit hollow for me. Her emotion and her grasp at closure didn't feel earned.

But! I do want to say that shoving all these characters into eight 45-minute episodes had to have been an INCREDIBLE challenge. And, when compared to other Dragon Age tie-in media, this one is definitely not bad. I know I'm glad I listened, and that my Thursday morning drive has been the highlight of my week for the last eight weeks.

But now it's over. Just like this review series is over. The only thing left to do is sit back and countdown the days until we finally return to Thedas!

TWO WEEKS LEFT, Y'ALL!!!!!!!