#x: griffon feathers

[necro-hamster]

"Come on, Alistair. You know we don't have to be professionals right now — it's not like anyone's looking!"

[galedekarios]

the splendours of waterdeep

Gale: I hail from Waterdeep, the City of Splendours.

we've all heard gale introduce himself and there's a certain pride that colours his voice. but what exactly are waterdeep's splendours?

1. general noteworthy things about waterdeep

i) waterdeep is one of the cleanest cities in the realms

this is not only achieved by having many of waterdeep's buildings and facilities connected to a sewer system, but also through waterdeep's dungsweeper's guild. the members of the guild make their rounds through the city, sweeping streets, collecting trash, litter and refuse.

this service is paid for by taxes.

ii) waterdeep's water system

waterdeep boasts an extensive water system that enables the city to have free access to clean water. this free access comes in many forms: fountains, wells and bath houses. some establishment even have their own access to fresh water in form of tap water "with the turn of a knob", as volo puts it in his chapbook about the city.

iii) waterdeep, city of light

waterdeep possesses many signs and street lamps that are lit with continual flame spells:

hundreds of driftglobes also illuminate the city each night:

A driftglobe was a small glass orb that magically floated in the air and emitted light.

in addition to these magical means, so called lamplighters keep the streets lit - with the exception of the field ward and more dangerous areas of the dock ward.

iv) waterdeep and literacy

waterdeep is one of the most literate cities in the realms.

the font of knowledge is a temple to oghma, god of the domain of knowledge, in waterdeep. priests of oghma "valued, preserved, shared, sought, created, or uncovered knowledge and learning. [x]" the priests there offer free instructions and lessons in reading to everyone. the temple has a library, known as "the great library".

the city has many publishing houses and printing presses. books and chapbooks (short books containing various topics from memoirs to romances, politics, etc.) are popular, as are small and large paper advertisements that dot the streets and alleys. broadsheets are popular too in the city:

A broadsheet, also known as a short scroll, was a short, printed document which usually contained tabloid-style news or political rants. They were common in Waterdeep, where they were sold by broadcriers on the main streets.

some of these broadsheets popular in waterdeep are [x]:

The Vigilant Citizen, which was one of the most reputable broadsheets in the city.

The Blue Unicorn, which reported paranormal events such as haunted mansions or undead hiding among the nobility.

The Daily Luck, a sheet aimed at gamblers.

Horkle's Gossip Cauldron, whose style of writing was said to be profane and blunt to the point of rudeness.

The Mocking Minstrel, one of the most read broadsheets in the city, known for its caustic and sarcastic tone.

The North Wind, which focused on nobility gossip and fashion.

The Merchant's Friend

Halivar's Broadsheet

restaurants and other establishments in waterdeep often have printed menus that are placed outside, as well as handed out to those who choose to eat there.

2. the griffon cavalry

"Waterdeep doesn’t have the fabled flying ships of Halruaa, but it does deploy an aerial defense force. Brave warriors of the City Guard light out from the Peaktop Aerie atop Mount Waterdeep, riding fearsome griffons that have been bred and trained for that purpose. Each of the riders is equipped with a ring of feather falling — not merely to prevent death from mishap, but to allow them to perform stunning feats of aerial acrobatics. In both martial displays and in real battles against flying threats such as manticores, harpies, and outlaw wizards, the griffon riders actually leap off their mounts into the open air! For a breath-stealing moment, they fall like stones, closing in on their targets at incredible speed. Their opponents rarely see the griffon riders. When they are past the danger, the free-falling riders then suddenly halt in the air, drifting like feathers until their griffon companions swoop in and they regain their saddles. Working in concert with one another in this fashion, members of the Griffon Cavalry can rapidly eliminate any threat to the city — and even catch the body of the offender before it hits the rooftops below. Riders of the Griffon Cavalry are trained to stay above the rooftops, not because they fear crashing into towers and weather vanes, but because the smell of so much horseflesh in the streets below can sometimes drive their griffons into a frenzy."

[from: volo's waterdeep enchiridion]

3. the walking statues

"Over a century ago, just one of these eight behemoth statues stood visible at the northern foot of Mount Waterdeep, on a bluff called Gull Leap. Ninety feet tall, it resembled a bald human staring out to sea. Later events (discussed below) caused it to be transformed into the statue known today as the Sahuagin Humbled. When the Spellplague gripped Waterdeep in 1385 DR, six more walking statues suddenly appeared in the city, wandering to wreak havoc even as the Sahuagin Humbled remained motionless. The authorities and citizens of Waterdeep succeeded in stopping three of these new statues, breaking the Swordmaiden and the Hawk Man, and sinking the God Catcher into the street up to its waist. Then all the statues mysteriously stopped their rampage just as quickly as they had begun it. Tsarra Chaadren, the Blackstaff at the time, couldn’t command them to return to their former hiding places on the Ethereal Plane. Consequently, the city repaired itself and built up around them. Much later, in 1479 DR, the eighth statue — the Griffon — merged from the Ethereal Plane to defend Ahghairon’s Tower against intrusion. It roosted there for a time before flying to its current position near Peaktop Aerie on Mount Waterdeep. Once more, this activity seemed to be outside the Blackstaff’s control. Thankfully, all the walking statues have been dormant for well over a decade now, serving only as beautiful, cyclopean reminders of Waterdeep’s might."

[from: volo's waterdeep enchiridion]

the walking statues are:

the god catcher

the griffon

the sahuagin humbled

the great drunkard

the lady dreaming

the honorable knight

the hawk man

the sword maiden

below you'll find more lore and backstory about these walking statues of waterdeep:

[from: volo's waterdeep enchiridion]

edited to improve format and added text descriptions of the statues for easier reading:

the great drunkard

This walking statue stopped its rampage as it approached the Market, then fell backward and sat upon a building. When it settled, its arms fell limp at its sides and its head tilted forward onto its chest, giving the impression that it had fallen asleep. The statue’s huge stone battleaxe still stands nearby, its haft angled upright and its blade half buried in the cobbles. The rubble of the crushed building was long ago rebuilt into a broad stone stair (with railings and a ramp that drunkards are often rolled down) that ascends from the cobbles to the statue’s lap. That lap now holds a two-story tavern also built from the rubble, called Gralkyn’s Tankard. The unconscious pose of the statue and the tavern in its lap made the name of the Great Drunkard a natural fit.

the god catcher

This is perhaps the most famous walking statue in the city, thanks to its dramatic pose, its nearness to the Market, and the self-evident magic of its existence. The statue is of a well-muscled but impassive male human with its left leg sunk to the hip in the street, the result of a spell cast by the Blackstaff at the time of its rampage. Its left hand and right foot press against the ground as if it is trying to pull itself out. Its right arm is raised skyward, and above its open palm floats a sphere of stone. Its gaze looks up toward the sphere, and the pattern of bird droppings around its eyes gives it the appearance of weeping. All about the statue, climbing up its chest and on its knee and shoulders, is a tenement that carries the name “the God Catcher.” The tenement’s landlord is Aundra Blackcloak, an unsociable sorcerer who is rarely seen in the city except when she alights from the door carved in the floating sphere, which serves as her home. On the rare occasions when she wants to meet with city folk (typically to purchase odd substances for magical purposes), she appears unannounced on balconies or rooftops after dark. Her dealings are polite, though, and she pays fair coin. She never confides in anyone or talks about her own doings — and if anyone but she has ever seen the inside of her spherical home, they’ve said nothing publicly about it.

the griffon

The walking statue called the Griffon is shaped like the beast for which it is named. Though it stands on all four legs, its back is fully twenty feet off the ground, making it a mount fit for a storm giant. Although it has shown itself to be capable of flight, with the granite feathers of its wings spreading like a bird’s, the Griffon now merely stands in a regal pose near Peaktop Aerie atop Mount Waterdeep, looking to the southeast over the Dock Ward. Newcomers sometimes assume it to be a monument to Waterdeep’s Griffon Cavalry, but Waterdavians know better.

the sahuagin humbled

For years, the only visible walking statue of Waterdeep was known simply as “the walking statue.” It stood at the foot of Mount Waterdeep near the head of Julthoon Street. Then, after its critical role in defending the city against an invasion of sahuagin in 1370 DR, Khelben Blackstaff reshaped the statue into a sahuagin. It now bows low toward the House of Heroes on bended knee — a gesture of obeisance to the city, and an acknowledgment of the sacrifice of all who fought for the city in that war.

the lady dreaming

This fair lady caused much chaos when she was active. The statue has the appearance of a female elf, whose hair and clothing appeared to flow naturally as it walked through the city during the Spellplague. When the walking statues stopped, this one toppled onto its side, taking on the appearance of a titanic sculpture of a noble lady asleep in her garden.

the honorable knight

The Honorable Knight is a statue of a male warrior in plate armor with a shield and longsword. When the walking statues stopped, it bowed to those opposing it, straightened, sheathed its sword, and doffed its shield, setting it point down on the ground and upright by its side. It then ceased motion in this position, facing southwest toward the harbor, and looking for all the world like a castle guard standing at ease. The pose it assumed led to its naming, and it is viewed with respect by the citizens of the southerly wards.

the hawk man

This statue looks like a winged, hawk-headed being, and thus locals call it the Hawk Man. I can reveal that in fact it bears much resemblance to an aarakocra, one of the bird-people said to live in the Star Mounts in the High Forest. The statue’s wings are folded tightly against its back and have never unfurled, leaving its flight capability uncertain. It was brought low during its rampage across the city, and now it tilts decidedly toward the northeast due to a missing right foot — long ago broken up for building rubble, along with its right arm. Its left arm is extended out toward the north, palm forward as if in a gesture to say, “Stop.” The body has been hollowed out and turned into a tower shared by several wealthy tenants, which is officially known as Sparaunt Tower after its owner. The statue’s left hand extends over a courtyard to the north, wherein lies the entrance of a tunnel carved through the arm. Visitors and residents can ring a bell in the courtyard, whereupon a door guard acknowledges the ringer and lowers a rope ladder for tenants and expected guests (or a rope chair that is drawn up for guests who are infirm or laden with heavy items).

the sword maiden

This statue appears virtually identical to the Honorable Knight, except for its female form and open-faced helm. It was felled during the Spellplague after causing much chaos and slaughter. The residents of Waterdeep’s North Ward funneled much of their frustrated and dismayed reaction to its rampage into dismantling the statue, parts of which can now be found all over the North Ward, either incorporated into buildings or as bits of freestanding sculpture. The head of the Swordmaiden sits in a stand of tall trees in the center of the block of the North Ward bounded by Hassantyr’s Street, Tarsar’s Street, Whaelgond Way, and Ussilbran Street. The center of its jaw and mouth have been replaced by a door, which leads into the shop known as Thort’s Findings. Undevvur Thort is a wizened ex-adventurer who leans on a cane (which some locals insist is more than just a cane). He lives in the small shop, whose many levels, staircases, and landings fill the hollowed-out interior of the head, and which is crammed with oddments sold to Thort by adventurers and other travelers. These items bear little placards in Thort’s beautiful, flowing handwriting that identify them (or at least provide speculation as to their origin and purpose). Nobles and wealthy merchants who desire props for themed revels often rent some of Thort’s wares as decoration — and many sages, alchemists, and wizards visit him regularly in search of potentially useful items.

[icycoldninja]

Headcanon of Sparda men + Sephiroth helping reader who has bird like wings on their back to groom their wings pls pls pls 🙏🙏🙏

Sure, sure! Enjoy!

Sparda boys + Sephiroth x Winged!Reader headcannons

¤ Dante ¤

-Dante has wings in his SDT, yes, but they are scaled, not feathered.

-He's never seen a person with feathered wings before; he's used to the scraggly, knobbly wings of inferior demons, so it's only natural for him to be extremely curious.

-He's like an excited 4 year old, asking tons of questions, poking, prodding, tugging, and even sniffing at your wings.

-Eventually you get him to calm down and talk him through the process of cleaning and grooming your wings.

-Dante helps you get the places you can't reach, jabbering swwy excitedly as he does. This whole experience is so new, and he's in shock.

-He'll definitely want to help you again, and probably has another slew of questions for you.

■ Vergil ■

-Like Dante, Vergil is not used to seeing humans with beautiful, feathery wings like yours, and regards them with suspicion.

-He keeps away from you and your wings, as he's sure they are important to you. His surprise was monumental when he learned you wanted him to help you groom them.

-Vergil was very nervous handling your wings. They looked so delicate and fragile, as if they would snap in half if he handled them too roughly. He did next to nothing the entire time, worried he would hurt you.

-After a while, you grew a bit frustrated with how useless he was being and told him that your wings were as strong as, if not stronger than bone, and that they were very unlikely to break under his grip.

-With this reassurance, Vergil gripped your wings more tightly and wasn't afraid to snip away protruding feathers.

-Turns out, he had a lot of fun, and would definitely help you again sometime in the future, should you need him.

□ Nero □

-Nero vaguely remembered helping V groom Griffon's feathers a while back, but all he really did was hold the bird down.

-He wasn't sure what to do with a human who had giant feathery wings, but figured you would teach him.

-Nero is a fast learner who adapted quickly to the situation, picking up the techniques and following your directions quite well.

-He made plenty of wisecracks the entire time, too, commenting on how you're Hawkman/Hawkgirl or something like that.

-You guys had a lot of fun, and at the end of the day, your wings were smooth, neat, and squeaky clean.

-Nero wants to do it again, so the next time your wings need grooming, let him know.

● V ●

-V has had plenty of experience grooming Griffon's wings, so this is nothing new.

-He was surprisingly unsurprised when he saw your wings, acting as if a winged human was completely normal.

-He knows what he's doing and cleans up your wings very well, perhaps even better than you do.

-He also went on a long ramble about the best cleaning supplies for different kinds of feathers, encouraging you to go to the pet store and look for the ones he recommends.

-You agree and the two of you head to Petco the next day, spending the entire afternoon looking at feather cleaning products.

-You guys had fun; V is very competent and you are more than willing to listen to his advice. 10/10, you would let him do it again.

♡ Sephiroth ♡

-Now, Sephy over here is very experienced in the art of wing grooming because he has a giant wing himself.

-He thinks yours are beautiful, possibly better looking than his, and his perfectionist mind wishes he had the symmetry of two wings like you did.

-He's like a hair stylist, but for wings, knowing exactly what to do, where to do it, and why.

-Though normally very quiet, Sephiroth won't shut up while grooming your wings, yammering on about different techniques, explaining what he's doing, etc. He's only ever done this to himself, so finally having someone to share the experience with is life changing.

-You guys often groom each other's wings because it's fun, like your special version of self-care night.

-He loves helping you take care of your wings, and you love helping him take care of his. It's now a monthly tradition.

[girlwithadragonheart]

Chapter 4 - Ashes to Ashes

This story contains major spoilers for Dragon Age the Veilguard. Read at your own discretion!!

Rook x Lucanis

Summary: Kalais has to choose to save her city or Lucanis's. Things don't end well.

Word Count: 4k

Warnings: Swearing, Mental-emotional breakdown, Kalais snaps a little

A/N: I love when I develop a character that ends up not taking any shit it's so healing

Chapter 3 DATV Masterlist Chapter 5

We met with Harding’s Warden contacts in the High Anderfels. Antoine and Evka were both very sweet and seemed like they wanted to help. They said they had noticed some things about the Blight that lined up with what we were seeing, everything the First Warden didn’t believe.

They told us about another Warden in the area who was pulled into another mission. Lucanis and I made our way to his last known location. There was a tent and a fire still halfway burning.

“Well, I’d say we found the camp.” Lucanis crouched down on the opposite side of the fire from me. “So did some darkspawn, looks like.”

“They left the fire burning,” Lucanis said.

“Were they ambushed?” Lucanis and I glanced at each other.

We heard a screech, both looking toward the sound. I crossed behind him, putting a hand on his shoulder. He rose from his crouched position behind me as I tried to find the source of the sound.

The creature screeched again, this time louder, and a ball of feathers was fiving at me, about the size of a mabari. I held my hands out, trying to keep the creature from attacking me. By description, it looked like a griffon, but that couldn’t be right. Griffons were extinct.

“Assan!” A deep voice yelled close by. I looked over seeing a handsome, dark skinned elf. The griffon pounced over to him as he walked up to us, sticking close to his side. “Easy boy.” The man smoothed a hand over his feathers.

“I’ll be damned… a griffon,” I said.

“Trouble is, he’s not sure what you are. Neither am I,” the man said.

“Rook,” I said. “Evka and Antoine sent us. We’re looking for Davrin.”

“You found him. Mind telling me why you smell like darkspawn?” He asked. “Griffons hunt darkspawn.”

“We don’t smell that bad. It’s the tent,” I explained.

“Blight? Where are Lancit and Remi?”

“The camp was empty when we got here,” I told him.

We heard a raged cry from somewhere distant. “Assan! To the trees!” Davrin commanded. “Try to keep up!” He told us.

After killing lots of darkspawn, and finding all of the griffons locked up in cages sealed with blood magic, we found what Davrin called the “Gloom Howler”. Some kind of Darkspawn, undead, bitch queen.

She got away and took the griffons with her before we could stop her.

The four of us made our way back through the eluvian and the Caretaker took us between islands in the Crossroads.

Neve, Harding, and Bellara came running toward us, looking panicked. “What’s happened?” I asked with a furrowed brow.

“The Viper just sent word. Minrathous is under attack by a blighted dragon,” Neve said.

“Has to be the one we saw at D’Meta’s Crossing,” I said.

“Well, one of them has to be,” Harding replied.

“What do you mean, “one of them”?” Lucanis questioned.

“Teia also got in touch. Another dragon is attacking Treviso, too,” Harding told him.

“Mierda,” Lucanis cursed.

“You got back just in time,” Harding said to me.

I took a breath, putting my hands on my hips. “Alright. What do we know?”

“Two dragons at once? Has to be the gods behind it,” she said.

“Teviso’s a merchant city. It has no defenses. And the canals run everywhere,” Lucanis told me. “If we don’t stop that dragon, people will die. Innocent people. My people. They either die right away, from the dragon. Or slowly after, from blight in the water. We need to go to Treviso.”

“And leave Minrathous to burn?” Neve questioned. “You’re a Shadow Dragon, Rook. You know the Viper, Tarquin, every damn Shadow… We’ll fight to the end. But people will get hurt. Or worse,” she said. “And if we fail? The Venatori will take advantage. They’ll make a push for the throne. And hand the gods the entire Tevinter Empire.”

“If we decide to—”

“Damn it! There’s no time!” Neve interrupted me. “It’s my city. Our city. I need to be in Minrathous.”

“And I must go to Treviso,” Lucanis said. “Go where you feel you must, Rook. We cannot wait.” 

Without another word, Neve and Lucanis both ran off. “What’s our move, Rook?” Harding asked.

I ran over what I knew for certain in my head. Minrathous had defenses, including the Archon Palace. I was certain that me and two others would not be able to make much of a difference against a dragon. But I did know that Treviso was already under occupation and its people wouldn’t survive without some extra aid. I also knew that as much as Neve said Minrathous was my city, I was its slave long before I was its savior.

I took a breath, my chest feeling tight with the weight of this decision. “We help Lucanis in Treviso. We have to trust that the Shadow Dragons can take care of things in Minrathous. That said… two of you should join Neve there. See if you can help. And we’ll head to Treviso.”

“Understood,” Davrin said.

“Let’s all try to make it through this alive, all right?”

I brought Davrin with me, leaving the other two to go to Minrathous with Neve. I had to trust that they would be alright. I couldn’t afford to be distracted right now, lest I risk my own hide. When we got to Treviso, the city was burning.

Davrin and I made our way through the city, killing Antaam as we went. With the dragon trying to kill everyone, I suppose they saw their chance to really take over. Or, even worse, they were working for the Gods. ‘Cause that’s what we needed. More enemies.

We ran through the courtyard, seeing Lucanis and Teia up ahead. Lucanis looked so relieved to see us. “Rook! You’re just in time. Where the dragon attacks, the Antaam soon follow.”

“It is strong and fast. You must get its attention, then lure it onto the ground,” Teia said, hands on her hips.

“We’ll figure out a way,” I said, mimicking her stance.

“Draw up your courage,” she said. “We will need it.”

We took up position in the field, Davrin on my right and Lucanis on my left. Ghilan’nain, the horrible beast that she now was, all tentacles and no heart, demanded the dagger from me and said that Treviso offered nothing more than a pawn for Elgar’nan. She clearly couldn’t see the beauty it held.

She sent the dragon after us to retrieve the dagger. Most of my time was spent dodging blows as I tried to keep it off the other two, allowing them to actually hit it.

Enough of my panic built up, that I was able to aim some of it back at the dragon in the form of lightning and fire, beamed directly at its heart. Before we could bring it down, Ghilan’nain called it away, saying she had need of it elsewhere.

“You fought it off!” Teia ran over to us.

Lucanis clutched at a wound on his leg as he limped over to us. “If Ghilan’nain hadn’t called it away…”

“It’s more important that it stopped attacking the city,” I told him, casting a worried glance at the blood staining him.

“Everyone with a home that still stands will agree,” Teia said.

“That thing was tough. It’ll be hard to put down for good,” I sighed.

“What happened to Treviso would’ve been worse if you hadn’t arrived when you did. I cannot imagine how much worse,” Lucanis said looking at me gratefully.

“Still have to help with that dragon in Minrathous,” Davrin said.

“Let’s go,” I said.

—-------------------------------------

Minrathous was covered in Blight by the time we reached it. The streets were crawling with darkspawn and buildings were on fire. Even as I knew I made the right choice, it hurt to see this place like this. I had more bad memories here than good ones, but the good ones outweighed the negative. This was where I met Varric, after all.

We found Neve and Tarquin huddled around Ashur who was on a table, looking miserable and wounded.

“We’re here. What’s the situation?” I asked.

“Where were you?” Neve demanded.

“Treviso. The dragon—”

“This is your city! I thought—”

“My city?!” I almost laughed in her face. “You mean the city I was enslaved to? You mean the city that showed me and other people like me no kindness? The city that’s been corrupted since the beginning of Thedas?”

“And because we were busy fighting the bigger evil, the Venatori took large parts of the city!” She yelled. “We lost people. And Ashur…”

“I’m fine,” he grunted. “She’s right.”

“You are not fine,” Tarquin said, standing. “He took a claw to the gut. A claw from a blighted dragon. Think about that,” he said to me.

“The blight’s in his blood. But that means…” All my fire was gone, and I was just exhausted.

“A slow death,” Neve finished. 

“You’ve brought nothing but trouble since you came back,” Tarquin growled.

My brows furrowed, pained and hurt. Dorian led me to them and all I did was fuck everything up. Lucanis stepped closer, almost protectively.

“It’s not Rook’s fault,” Ashur said. “I chose to engage it.”

“Because it was going for a safe house! Because half of us were already dead!” Tarquin shouted.

“Do you honestly think one more fucking person would’ve changed the outcome?” I questioned.

Tarquin spun on me. “No, but maybe you would be dying instead of him.”

I physically recoiled from the hatred in his eyes, my gut twisting with nausea. I bumped into Lucanis, and he steadied me with a hand on my waist.

“Just go. There’s nothing you can do here,” Neve said, looking over at Ashur.

—-------------------------------

I stumbled through the eluvian in the lighthouse, clutching my chest. My stomach churned, and I thought I might throw up.

“Rook!” I heard Bellara behind me, but I didn’t stop, heading straight through the hall and up the stairs. I couldn’t do this, I couldn’t lead, I wasn’t cut out for it.

I let my feet guide me and before I knew it, I was in the infirmary. Varric looked alarmed as I collapsed to my knees beside his bed, tears rolling down my cheeks. “I fucked up,” I whimpered. “I fucked up, Varric.”

“Hey, hey, hey, kid, take a breath.” He shifted, and I felt his warm hand on my shoulder, gripping me just tight enough to bring me back to reality. “What happened?”

“Minrathous---” I started, getting cut off by a sob. “Minrathous is burning. They took it- The gods took it, and Neve…” My body shook, wracked with sobs as I tried to breathe. “She’s so mad. I don’t think she’s coming back, Varric.” I looked up at him with bleary eyes.

He moved, sliding to the edge of the bed until I was between his legs, and he pulled me into his chest. “Easy, kid.” He had one arm tight around my shoulders, his other hand smoothing my hair. “You can’t save everyone. That’s the life.”

“Neve trusted me. She trusted me and Minrathous is burning now,” I whimpered, squeezing my eyes shut and trying to suck up the warmth he was giving me. It was so hard to breathe.

“You made a decision based on what limited knowledge you had,” Varric said. “No one can ask any more of you than that. Neve will come back around. Give her time.”

“We don’t have time, Varric,” I said desperately.

“So keep moving forward. That’s what you do, Rook. That’s what you’ve always done,” he said. “She’ll either come around or she won’t. But you can’t afford to spend what little time you have regretting your choices. Let me ask you something: Do you regret the choice you made? Or just Neve?”

I felt silent in contemplation. “I made the right choice,” I said carefully. “Treviso has no defenses, and it’s under occupation by the Antaam. I couldn’t have changed the outcome in Minrathous.” I had to believe that, if nothing else.

Varric squeezed my shoulder, and I pulled back, looking up at him. He smiled with that softness in his eyes that was just reserved for me. He put his thumb and forefinger under my chin so I looked at him. “Then you did the right thing,” he said simply. Carefully, he used his thumbs to wipe my face of tears. “Cheer up, kid. The night may be long, but it isn’t all dark.”

I heard what he said and what he didn’t. Minrathous was doomed to fall some day. We had been fighting a losing battle regardless, much as I hated to leave behind the people there. Half of them were under Venatori control, and the other half were too helpless to fight against it.

“Chin up, Rook. I think the others need you,” he told me.

I nodded, sniffling and wiping the remainder of my tears from my chin and jaw. “I need to talk to Solas.”

“If Chuckles pisses you off too much, hit him for me,” he said as he slid back up to the wall.

I couldn’t help but laugh a bit, shaking my head as I left.

---------------------------------------

“When last we spoke, you were hunting for followers of Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain in hopes of finding “specifics”. Has your search been successful?” Solas asked.

“You could say that. It looks like both the Venatori and the Antaam are working for Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain,” I told him.

“Unsurprising. The Venatori want magical secrets, and the Antaam want to destroy anyone opposing their brutal expansion. Both will readily bow to anyone who promises them power.”

“It’s more than a promise this time. The Antaam and the Venatori both have dragons doing their bidding.”

“Dragons?” He said surprised. “That is worse than I had feared.”

“Yeah. We drove off the one the Antaam brought to Treviso—barely,” I crossed my arms.

“Have you determined how the dragons are being directed? If it is blood magic, it may be possible to disrupt their control.”

“The dragons are blighted. We think that’s what let the gods control them.”

“The blight. Of course.”

“The blight seems to be the gods’ favored tool right now. We ran into Venatori who could control darkspawn,” I said.

“Elgar’nan would not bestow such power unless the darkspawn were to serve as the main force of his army. And I suspect Ghilan’nain will see the darkspawn as new subjects for her… modifications.”

“We’ve already run into a few darkspawn nobody has seen before. That’s in addition to the blighted dragons.”

“That is the fate Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain plan for this world, then. Corruption and blighted slavery,” Solas said, hands clasped behind his back.

“Right… Everyone should be free and uncorrupted when your demons and raw magic kill them,” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Do you truly believe my goal was to destroy this world?” He asked.

“I believe you’re ‘goal’, like you said, was to transfer the gods to a better prison—the one you’re stuck in now. And you were willing to tear down the Veil and destroy with world while you did so,” I spat.

“The Veil is a wound I cut into the Fade in a moment of desperation while aking their prison. It should not exist. I had a host of spirits ready to help when the Veil fell. They would have minimized the loss of life.”

“Do you have any idea what you sound like? You could’ve actually saved the world from the blight, but instead you chose to kill thousands of people with your vanity project!” I shouted.

“It is not vanity! I broke this world. I am the only one who can fix it!”

His shouting didn’t faze me with the huge ravine and the Fade between us. “Spoken like a god,” I said with all the contempt I felt.

“I am not a god! I am as I have always been: a man, all too aware of his failings… But equally aware that if he did not act, accepting the judgment it would bring, all would be lost. They called me the Dread Wolf. What will they call you, when this is over?” He wondered.

“I don’t care what they call me. If they’re calling me anything, it means they’re still alive. That’s all that matters.”

“Acceptance. You are willing to face the consequences your actions may one day bring, because the world needs you. I believe I can work with that.” He smiled, though it felt anything but sincere. “If the gods are using dragons, you will wish to find someone trained to fight them. Have you unlocked the lighthouse eluvian?”

“Yes. We found the Crossroads. It’s still confusing, though.”

“I cannot help you from in here. You may need to find an expert in the magic of the Fade. And if the Darkspawn are to be Elgar’nan’s army, you will need Grey Wardens to fight them.”

“I’ve got a few of them. Their leaders don’t trust me right now, though.”

“I have faith in you, Rook,” Solas said. “You seem to have a knack for gaining the cooperation of your adversaries.”

---------------------------------------

I woke up in a cold sweat---as I often did these days---to someone thumping against my door. I moved over to it quickly, brows furrowing. When I opened it, I had to catch Lucanis. He was struggling to stand, but when he spoke, it was Spite coming through his teeth.

“The idiot is still bleeding. Help him.”

“Walk with me,” I supported him with his arm over my shoulders, and I led him to my chaise lounge. When he sat, the purple glow from Lucanis’s eyes was gone, and he slumped, unconscious. “Fenedhis.”

I could see the blood seeping through the bandage on his leg, staining his loungewear dark red.

“Gods dammit, Lucanis,” I grumbled. I looked up at his unconscious form, regretting what I was about to do before I could even do it. I reached for the buttons on his pants, undoing them and pulling them down to his knees, keeping my eyes on the bandaged wound.

My fingers fumbled with the knot before finally getting it undone, unraveling it, lifting his boot onto my knee to pull the bandage from under his leg. When I got to the wound, I looked at it with furrowed brows. It looked like there was a piece of jagged rock stuck in there, which would explain why it didn’t clot properly.

I sighed, hovering my hand over the wound and pulling the piece of shrapnel with my magic. Lucanis winced. “Sorry. I’m sorry,” I whispered, putting just a bit more power until it flew up and smacked my palm. I set it with the bandages next to him. “Nasty little thing.”

Carefully, I held my hand over the wound again, pushing warmth into it and watching it seal closed beneath my magic. When it was healed, I stood, moving to my wardrobe for a fresh cloth to clean the blood up on his leg.

Before I came back around, I heard a startled grunt from Lucanis. His chest seized, staring at the wall of the aquarium across from him. I internally panicked, realizing he spent a year in the bottom of the ocean tortured.

I moved around the chaise with the cloth, putting myself into his direct line of sight. He looked up at me with wide brown eyes. “Rook?”

Slowly, he loosed a breath, looking around. “Hey, it’s alright. We’re in my room. Spite brought you here because of your wound.” I knelt down in front of him again, starting to mop up his blood.

“Of course he did,” he grumbled, looking down at his lap. He cleared his throat. “Isn’t it customary to ask before removing a man’s clothes?”

I rolled my eyes, hitting him with the cloth. “Well, I’m glad you’re feeling better. Well enough to clean yourself.” I stood, throwing the cloth at him.

He caught my wrist as I turned away. “Vuelve mi pequeña polilla, I meant nothing by it.”

My cheeks warmed as he crooned in his native language, and I was pulled back to my knees in front of him, resuming to clean his wound. “You had quite a nasty cut. This was keeping it from closing.” I picked up the piece of jagged rock. 

“Mierda,” he cursed, taking it to inspect it. “I wondered.”

“You would be lost without me,” I teased, wiping my hands on the cloth.

“You have no idea,” he muttered.

“I hope the next time we’re like this it’s not because you’re bleeding out,” I grinned, standing and collecting the dirty bandages to dispose of them. I saw Lucanis’s cheeks flush, and I smiled to myself as I left the room to avoid embarrassing him further. I was sure the last thing he wanted was for me to see him indecent and turned on.

❈❈❈

Lucanis pinched the bridge of his nose, looking up at the dancing reflections of water on the ceiling. It was bad enough that he had awoken half naked in a place of his nightmares. But then a complete one-eighty occurred, and he had the woman of his dreams kneeling in front of him with those mismatched eyes and warm smile.

Spite had brought him here, of course he had. And Kalais had just taken care of him like it didn’t take a second thought. And the things she said, mierda, he wished she would stop trailing him like a moth to a flame. It was dangerous, and it wouldn’t end well for either of them. Spite was Lucanis’s only future. To hope for anything else was futile.

Of course that didn’t stop all blood from running southward when she hinted at something more. Something unattainable, something beyond his imagination. Something impossible, and yet all too good for him anyway.

“She. Wants. You!” Spite growled in his ear. “We want. To taste her!” 

“Enough, Spite,” Lucanis said, standing and buttoning his pants. He didn’t look at the demon. He wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

“We. Want. Rook! Why?” he questioned.

Lucanis sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know why you want Rook. Possibly because she’s the only one who’s kind to you, though I can’t figure out why,” he muttered.

“No! You want her,” he said. “Her touch. Soft. Her hair silk. Her breath warm! Her lips. What do they taste like?”

“Enough!” He snapped. “She is not ours to have.”

❈❈❈

We all met around the fire in the dining hall. I filled everyone in on what Solas had said.

“So this elven god thinks we need a dragon hunter and a Fade expert?” Lucanis asked.

“He’s right about the dragon hunter, at least,” Harding said. “The Shadow Dragons did all the could. The dragon was just too much.” I frowned, staring into the fire. “The moment the dust settled? The Venatori rushed in. Guess they knew it was coming.”

My chest suddenly felt tight again.

“Neve’s staying for now. She said she’ll be back soon, but… At least you took care of yours,” Harding said to me.

“We hurt it, but didn’t kill it. The dragon flew off before we could put it down,” I said.

“Treviso could have used a dragon hunter. That much is true,” Lucanis said.

“Don’t remind me. Fewer people injured, and we wouldn’t have to worry about it coming back.” My brow furrowed, and I crossed my arms over my stomach.

“We shouldn’t forget about Minrathous, either. We need to do what we can to help. Though there’s no telling how long Neve will be helping the Shadow Dragons…” Lucanis added.

“Hey, let’s not get stuck in our regrets, all right?” Varric came hobbling over.

“Hang on a minute,” Davrin interrupted. “Not only have you retained the services of a demon assassin, you’re also taking advice from the elven god who attempted to tear down the Veil.”

“Spite is my problem,” Lucanis said defensively.

“That’s what they always say,” Davrin retorted. “Rook, Lucanis is one thing, but do you really trust this Solas?” He asked.

“Trust is such a strong word, you know?”

“So you don’t trust him.”

“Ehhh.”

“All right then.”

Harding said she would ask around about Dragon Hunters, and Bellara said she would get a message through to a Fade expert immediately.

“See, Rook? Nothing to worry about,” Varric said.

“All right. We all know what to do. Let’s get going,” I said to dismiss them.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Let me know if you want to be added to the tag list

Have a good day/night!

Tagged: @colombia-chan @bleummie

[thatapostateboy]

just for one day

Pairing: Eva 'Rook' Mercar x Davrin, background mention of Solas x F!Lavellan

Word Count: 2957

Synopsis: Rook steals some time away with Davrin

Warnings: Brief description of battle and suggestive sexual comments, written pre-release so may be OOC, does contain some spoilers but they are very mild and only stuff from the first mentions/trailers so read at your own peril

Crossposted: Here on AO3

“Why are we hiking up a mountain fully armed and armoured, but without any backup?” Davrin asked.

Rook glanced around at him from where she was leading the way, “Well that would ruin the whole point of it being a surprise, now wouldn’t it? Besides, we’re not fully without backup.”

She nodded upwards to where Assan was soaring overhead, having followed the pair of them as they headed through the eluvian out of the Lighthouse, and into what looked like remote Orlesian wilderness.

“You must be expecting trouble, else you wouldn’t have insisted on the armour,” he pointed out.

“The whole world’s in trouble,” she reminded him, “I just figured we could do with blowing off a little steam.”

“If you wanted somewhere more public to blow off some steam, I am sure there are places in the Lighthouse we could-”

“Not like that!” she snorted, pausing in her steps to look at him, “Though, keep that thought in mind, I’m interested where it’s going, and I appreciate you going along with what you thought was an exhibitionist kink. My actual plan was for us to go on a monster hunt.”

“Really?”

“You’re a monster hunter who’s had to fight some stuff well beyond your pay grade recently, and I thought we could go back to basics. You get to show me all your fancy moves, Assan will get some practice in, I get to swoon over how hot you look, and we get to fight something that isn’t world-ending together.”

He chuckled softly then met her eyes. The last mission, well, every mission since they had met, had meant losing more than winning. And even when they won, it had come at a cost. He knew how hard she took every loss, even if she hid it behind sharp wit and unending sarcasm, there was no doubting the toll it took on her. He suspected that this was as much a distraction for her as it was intended for him.

“Okay then, monster hunting it is,” he smiled, receiving one in return, the true unmeasured smile that she reserved specifically for him… and Assan, though he’d never point that out, “What are we hunting?”

“A wyvern.”

“Have you ever faced a wyvern before?” he asked as he continued to follow her up the mountain path.

“No, but how hard can it be to kill one?” she shrugged, throwing a smirk back at him, “Orlesians do it for fun.”

~*~*~

As it would turn out, it was much harder to kill a wyvern than she had originally planned. The beast had been twice the size of what she had been in one of Davrin’s books, which had led to this idea, and its venom had stung like an absolute bitch when she dodged one of its attacks too slowly. The next blow, however, had been blocked expertly by Davrin’s shield, effortlessly holding off the creature’s maw and he’d had to shout at her to stop staring and stab the damn thing.

She’d shot him a grin and a wink and slid under his legs to slice at the wyvern’s throat. It had thrashed and roared in pain, knocking both Warden and Shadow Dragon flying with its flailing body. It began to charge towards Eva, but all it took was a decisive whistle from Davrin and a bolt of feathers and sharp claws came tearing down from the sky, finishing the beast with a deadly strike.

Assan looked up and chirped at Davrin, wide eyes seeking praise for the kill.

“Good boy,” he said, giving him a well-earned scratch behind the ears.

The griffon preened then began to tuck into the tough flesh of the wyvern after Davrin gave him an approving nod.

The Warden wiped the beads of sweat away from his forehead as he looked for his companion, spotting her propped against a rock, not far from where the wyvern had tossed her, staring away from the scene of the battle, into the valley below.

“Eva,” he called to her, “Are you alright?”

She leapt to her feet, spinning to look at him with a wide grin across her face, her hair a complete mess, face and armour splattered with blood. She all but threw herself into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders and pressing a hard kiss to his mouth.

He hummed in surprise, but kissed her back nonetheless, enjoying the warmth of her form against his. She was still a little breathless, the tremble of adrenaline coursing through her body. He felt her starting to tug on the buckles of his armour, loosening it just enough to slip her hands inside, desperate to feel the heat of his skin.

He knew this dance far too well. He had roughly thirty seconds before she used those quick roguish fingers to get him down to his breeches.

“How quickly do you think we can get back to the Lighthouse?” he asked, words barely out of his mouth as she kissed him hungrily again, and again.

She paused, looking up at him, “What happened to indulging my exhibition streak?”

“I have no qualms about getting you naked in a field,” he admitted, before he reached a hand up to rub some grime away from her face, “But we are both covered in blood, and guts, and gods knows what else… So perhaps we park this, and reconvene in the bathhouse?”

She met his eyes, a little scrunch to her nose as she conceded that he was being sensible, “Counteroffer… we go wash off in the lake and you can still have me naked in a field.”

“What lake?”

“The one about five minutes that one down the path,” she hooked a thumb over her shoulder.

He cocked a brow at her, “Is that what you were looking at after the fight?”

“Perhaps.”

He let out a breathy laugh, shaking his head to himself, “Counteroffer accepted.”

She grabbed hold of his hand and yanked him towards the path, giving him just enough time to shout at Assan to stay put and enjoy the wyvern carcass.

~*~*~

He had to admit, the lake had been an excellent idea.

The lake itself sat in a beautiful clearing, surrounded by trees on one side, part of the mountainside on the other, giving them complete privacy and serene surroundings… until Rook had gone barelling past him, clothes abandoned in her wake, leaping into the water before loudly yelling that it was Maker fucking blasting bastard cold.

He had chuckled as he watched her splash around, before stripping off himself, her eyes immediately on him as he bared himself to her, wading calmly into the lake to join her.

She latched herself onto him instantly, seeking his natural warmth, and steadier form as he quickly realised that she was not a confident swimmer. Not that he minded of course, it meant being able to hold her against him, feel every inch of her as she clung to him, giddy and breathless as they lazily kissed, the adrenaline from the fight melting away as they enjoyed the peace to simply be together.

It had, of course, still ended with the pair of them twisted together beneath the boughs of a willow tree, laying atop his discarded cloak so that she didn’t get grass in her hair.

“I could get used to this,” she said softly as she rested her against his chest, idly tracing old scars on his skin.

“You once told me you’d rather eat halla shit than willingly camp outside. I think this evening might be a one off,” he pointed out with a chuckle.

“Hey, that was months ago,” she protested with a laugh of her own, “I feel like I’ve grown as a person since then. Besides, my partner is a Dalish monster hunting Grey Warden. I think some camping may come with the territory. I’m not saying that I’m going to be getting vallaslin or reaching for the Joining cup again time soon, but if we live through this, if we actually save the world and get our lives back… I think I could get used to more days like this.”

He glanced down at her, taking in the look in her eyes.

It wasn’t often that she was emotionally vulnerable with him, even less that she spoke of the future. She focused on the present, on the dangers directly in front of them. She wasn’t one to hope for anything past surviving day to day. Even when they had begun their love affair, it had started as something borne from mutual attraction and seeking some company. It was meant to be one night, and then back to being colleagues in the morning. And yet, it had kept happening. They would seek each other out for physical comfort, a distraction, and soon it had become more than that; spending hours talking about their pasts, getting to know the different sides of elven culture from each other, laughing and joking about the most ridiculous things, tucking her in as she fell asleep in the chair in front of his fire.

He would be lying if he said he hadn’t begun to think of a future, what it would look like if they truly made it through this. He would still be a Grey Warden, there would always be monsters to fight, but there wouldn’t always be a reason for Eva to be at his side… not unless she chose to be.

She had a life of her own outside of the Veilguard. She was a Shadow Dragon, she had fought for years against corruption in Tevinter, giving everything she had in the fight for freedom for every slave. And beyond that, she had a home that she some day wished to return to.

And now, here she was, looking at him with an almost pleading expression, seeing if he wanted the same thing; a future that they could decide on together.

He leaned down and kissed her, gently at first before he deepened it, pulling her flush against him.

“Evanura,” he whispered against her mouth, “Ar lath ma.”

~*~*~

The next morning

“Solas, can I ask you something?”

She was drawn into their shared pocket of the Fade, the one he existed in physically that she could see into in her mind’s eye to allow them to communicate.

He stepped before her, and she watched a small, familiar smirk cross his face, as it often did when she said something that entertained him, “You rarely ask permission before bombarding me with questions.”

She rolled her eyes, “Don’t be a smart ass, I just need your help translating something.”

“Very well,” he nodded, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, “I will assist where I am able.”

“It was a phrase I heard, I mean- came across when… reading.”

“Go on.”

“I believe it to be elven, but I have never heard it before, not even in the long tirades where you are chiding me for something.”

He chuckled a little at that, “It may be colloquial to the more modern Dalish elves, but I am sure I can trace it back to its root.”

“It was… ar lath ma.”

And for the first time in more years than he could fathom, the Dread Wolf was struck silent.

He remembers the first time he’d said it to her, unable to control himself as he finally gave in to her for the first time. Not in the Fade, but in physical flesh, the taste of her mouth still lingering on his lips, the warmth of her skin still palpable even as he pulled away, murmuring the words as he did, a confession that he hoped she had never heard.

She had been kind, had not chased after him, had given him the time to say it again when he was ready.

Until that night at the Winter Palace, when he had danced with her under the stars, and she had invited him back to her chambers. He had tried to stay away, but she proved to be his weakness. She had said it herself then, declared so boldly that he wondered if the lingering servants and spies in the hall had heard her. She had kissed him, whispering the words sweetly against his skin as they both gave in to temptation 

It was always in elven, their pet names, the soft ‘ma’lath’ and ‘vhenan’ they would call each other, the declarations of love… until that night in Crestwood. She had said it to him then, a hitch in her breath as she held back tears, telling him that she loved him.

Don’t do this, not now… I love you.

And when he had seen her again, the day she discovered the truth, and she had questioned it any of it had been real. If only she could have known that it was the only real thing he knew anymore.

He snapped back to himself when he realised that Rook was still in front of him, looking at him concerned.

“Da’len…” he said quietly, “You know what it means.”

“This isn’t the time for one of your ‘Eva doesn’t listen to me’ lectures. I have never heard those words before.”

“Evanura,” he sighed her name, “Listen to your instincts. You know what your Warden feels.”

“How did you know that’s where I heard it? Besides, he’s not my-“ she began to protest in her usual fashion until the realisation hit her, “Wait! That’s… it means…?”

“Yes.”

“Holy shit! But that’s…” a look of dawning horror crossed her face, “Oh I’ve fucked up.”

He frowned, “What did you do?”

“He may have said that… and I may have walked away from him.”

His eyebrows shot up in surprise, “You didn’t ask what it meant?”

“I was embarrassed. I’m starting to learn the language from you, and from him, and Bellara, but I didn’t know that one so I just, kinda… laughed it off.”

“Go find him.”

“But-”

“It is a rare thing, to find someone who holds your heart. He knows you well enough to know you are not cruel… Go to him.”

~*~*~

Across the Lighthouse, sat with a frown on her face, Harding levelled a look at Davrin.

“So what exactly did you say?”

“Well, we were both covered in wyvern blood, and-”

“Yeah, I don’t need to hear the details of how you guys had sex in the woods.”

“How did you know?”

“Neither of you are subtle, and I helped Rook scout the place out,” she admitted, “Get to the part where you confessed your undying love and she ignored you.”

“It was… after,” he said, “We were laying together under this willow tree, watching the sun set over the lake, it was beautiful, and peaceful, it was the most perfect moment. So I kissed her, and then I looked into her eyes and said ar lath ma. And she stared at me for a second before she just smiled, got up and declared that she was going swimming. She jumped right into the lake. It’s not even that she didn’t say it back, or if she told me it was too soon, but she just ignored that I said it.”

Harding raised an eyebrow at him, “You’re an idiot.”

“Wait- why?”

“Just think about it. For a minute. Think about why she might have ignored you saying ar lath ma.”

She watched him intently before he let out a gasp and put his face in his hands, “I’m an idiot.”

“Yeah, you are.”

~*~*~

She burst out of the doorway at the base of one of the towers, heading quickly across the courtyard towards Davrin’s quarters when she saw a familiar figure leaving from the other building, striding purposefully towards her.

“Eva!” he called to her, “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. There’s something I need to tell you.”

She reached for him as they met, grasping at his hands like she was scared he was going to disappear in front of her, “I know. I need to talk to you too.”

“Eva, I love-”

“Davrin, ar lath-”

“You.”

“Ma.”

They looked at each other with giddy smiles, still clutching to each other’s hands.

“Wait… you know what that means?” he asked.

“I didn’t, until about three minutes ago,” she admitted.

“How did you… Oh gods, you asked Solas, didn’t you?”

She chewed her lip, “Maybe.”

“Well, the Dread Wolf knows far too much about my love life as it is already. What’s one more thing?”

She giggled, reaching up to cup his cheek, “Do you mean it? What you said, did you really mean it?”

“Of course. I love you, Eva, ma lath, ma vhenan, and whatever the future brings, I want to be at your side.”

“I love you too. You make me want something after this, a life together, something to fight for.”

“Can you two just suck face already?” Taash called from one of the nearby balconies where they turned to realise that all of the other members of the Veilguard had gathered outside of their prospective rooms to see this confession come to fruition.

“Well, I’d hate to disappoint our audience,” Rook grinned, leaning up and kissing him.

He wrapped his arms tight around her, dipping her back a little like he had seen described in those terrible romance novels Varric wrote, earning shouts and applause from their friends.

Whatever happened, whatever tragedies they would face tomorrow or the day after, they were both willing to fight for something more, a life beyond, and even if it would never come to pass, they had today, this moment, and nothing, no ancient elven god or even his Calling, would take that from them.

[skellseerwriting]

Death and Rebirth Part 2

Hades x Phoenix!GN!Reader

Suspicion

Part 1

Word Count: 2,184

Warnings: Descriptions of fire, descriptions of peril, mention of burns, non-descriptive mention of heights, gender neutral pronouns used here and there for reader, Hades feels guilt about the feather you gave him

Summary: Uliana tries to do something with the phoenix feather. Hades gets to talk to you and ask you about how you obtained it. You’re very willing to share, and Hades finds himself growing to like you more and more…

“Pass me that griffon claw.” Uliana dictated, authority in her voice.

“Here you go.” Morgie said, passing her the item.

“James.” Uli snapped her fingers. “Feather. Now.”

“Of course.” He responded, bringing it gently to her while cradling it in his palm.

Without a second to spare, Uli plucked the fluffy piece and flicked it into a bubbling pot. The once-blue color of its contents quickly turned a fiery color.

“Now,” Uliana stated, stirring the potion with the claw. “Behold as I create something few people have ever made in your lifetime.”

“What is it?” Hades asked, wondering what his feather was being used for. Uliana had insisted he let her have it. At first he was adverse, because you giving it to him made it special, but he knew there was no fighting her on it. She would have gotten it one way or another. Maybe he could ask you for another one?

Who was he kidding, asking you for a phoenix feather? Of course not.

Uli let out a laugh.

“It’s a-“ she didn’t get to finish her sentence, as the boiling brew exploded.

Flames shot out of cauldron and grasped at the walls of the alchemy room (which so happened to be Merlin’s office). Scarlet fire engulfed nearby desks as golden tips licked at the bookshelves. It roared with hunger and a desire to destroy.

Before it had a chance to consume them, Hades jumped in front of the pot to take the blow. He was immune to his own flames and really fire resistant, but ouch this one really packed a punch.

As the extreme heat pummeled his front, he could only hope his friends got away.

Focus, he thought as he started to sweat; or would have if the water didn’t instantaneously evaporate. The room must have been completely engulfed by now, as the snapping and crackling screamed in his ears.

Calling upon his own magic, he snapped his finger to spark a flame to his hair. Bringing his arms forward against the intense force, Hades tried to will the flames -now merging with his- to retreat back into the cauldron.

Slowly, slowly it receded, sucking back into the dark piece of iron until the room was left with a cold air.

The scent of smoke was pungent, and everything became silent. The walls and many desks were now charred and blackened, but the damage wasn’t as bad as he had feared.

Looking backwards for his friends, Hades saw them right through the doors. They started tending to what appeared to be some really bad burns with the help of Uliana’s wet tentacles.

Letting out a sigh of relief with what could have been a disaster, he let himself think for a moment.

What was that?

Trying to forget about what happened earlier that day, Hades wandered the academy hallways. He had his hands in his pockets, half-looking for something interesting to grab his attention and half-not-caring. He’d seen this furniture before. The decorum on them. That wallpaper.

But he couldn’t stop forgetting about what happened with that potion. How could one tiny feather be that powerful? With some magic, him and his friends were all patched up, so at least their very own bodies wouldn’t be evidence against them to the incident. And surely Merlin knew some magic to fix the place up. Everything was fine.

Turning a corner and shaking his head, something new caught his eye in a flash. You were standing there, facing the wall. Instantly, he wanted to go and talk to you; to listen to your coy statements and be endeared by your aura.

Trying not to feel guilt about the feather he thought you had given him, he glanced back around the corner to make sure none of his friends were nearby, he turned back.

You were gone.

Rushing over to where you had stood, he came to realize you had been standing right in front of a window. It was open, and he placed his hands on the sill. Sticking his head out, he looked down at the stone squares of the academy’s grounds. You hadn’t fallen, had you?

Craning his neck painfully, Hades managed to look up above him.

And you were there.

Staring at him with owlish eyes.

Your hands let go of the tiled edge as you were moving out of view, eyes on him until you were out of sight.

How did you get up there? There was nothing but bare wall between the window and the roof. It wasn’t impossible, but the amount of time it had taken you to do that was astonishing. Maybe you were just used to it?

It wasn’t even a question to him; that he would get up there to see you. And he did, after a hot minute of struggling to keep his grip without falling. I sure hope nobody can see me from here, he begged silently.

Finally hauling himself up, he was instantly looking for you. Luckily, you were easy to find as you sat nearby, facing away from where he was.

Hades dusted himself off as he made his way over to you. As he greeted you and took a seat on the diagonal surface, he was a little disappointed at your lack of surprise to see him.

“Did you follow me up here, Hades?” You asked, still staring at the view in front of you. There was something in the cheerful way you said it that made him think you already knew that.

He made a cough. “Well, not really.” Play it cool. “Just wanted to see why you were on the roof.” He added, hoping his voice still came off as stoic and uninterested. “You could’ve fallen.”

Yeah, that’ll make you think he was worried, but not too worried. You still didn’t look at him, however.

Now, for the second main reason he wanted to see you again:

“Did you give me a phoenix feather?”

You finally turned you face to him, intrigue written all over you.

“So what if I did?”

So it was you.

“It’s just,” he began, voice dry. “I was told they’re extremely rare. Why would you give me one.”

Your eyes trailed off; thinking.

“Because I found you interesting.”

Really? Hades couldn’t believe it. How would this effect the both of you? Would you become friends, potentially?

“Okay,” he began again. “But since they’re so rare, shouldn’t it be in a museum or something? Why me?”

Your gaze went back to him again, and he was enjoying the attention.

“Because I have so many.” Your eyes twinkled.

“Really? How many?” He was tempted to ask you for another one. But no, then he’d have to admit he lost it or something. You’d probably be disappointed in him. No way you’d give him another.

“Too many to count.” You sighed, leaning back to lay on the roof. After a moment of hesitation, he did the same. It was quite uncomfortable.

“Then why not put them someplace important?” He asked, still facing you. Letting a huff out, you turned to him and propped yourself up on your elbow.

“Because that’d be a death wish.”

Wait. You didn’t mean-

“People would try and kidnap me and raid my house and dorm. I’d be tortured for information on how I got them. I’m not stupid; I know how rare they are. That’s why I only give them away sparingly.”

“But how did you get them?” Hades questioned, wondering if that might be too personal a question; one you might not answer. But, you just smiled, rolling onto your back.

“From a phoenix.”

“A live one? Not a dead one?”

You gave him a bemused look.

“You can’t get them from a dead one. You can’t even take them directly.”

Upon hearing your words, Hades recalled Uliana saying something like that. Something about not being able to get one unless a phoenix lets you pluck it. He voiced the question to you.

“Correct!” You told him with a little smile and your pointer finger up. “A phoenix has to consent to someone to take a feather. Otherwise, the feather will dissipate. Poof. Gone. Nothing.” You mimed that last part.

“But Uli said they went extinct.”

An unreadable expression crossed your face; one he thought might be sorrow.

“They did.” You said slowly. “I think this one was the last. They’d been reviving all those years; growing old only to be born again. They were lonely.”

“What happened to them?” Hades said quietly.

“It’s complicated.” You whispered, eyes shining too much. “But sometimes I hope they weren’t the only one. That others made it and were in hiding like them. I keep trying to convince myself that,” you clutch your arms to your chest. “But I’m just not sure.”

“Hey.” Hades reached out to you. “I’m sure you’re right. If one could make it, than there’s definitely more out there. We just gotta make sure they’re protected when they’re found.”

As a tear suddenly made its way down your cheek, Hades wiped it away, and you smiled.

“Thank you.”

“No problem.”

You sat up suddenly.

“Want to hear the story?”

“Story?”

“Yeah!” You nodded, turning more giddy. “‘The tale of the Phoenix’” as I like to call it.”

And then you proceeded to tell him a tale.

“Once upon a time there was a phoenix, who was in a flame of phoenixes. They were some of the last of their kind as humans continued to hunt them down for their feathers.”

“But I thought they couldn’t take the feathers.” Hades interrupted.

“Yes, but if they manage to capture one, it’s possible to force them to.”

“Okay.”

“Anyways,” you continued. “This phoenix was like all the other ones. They looked the same, acted the same, and did everything the other phoenixes did. But something happened.” Your voice took on a low, ominous tone. “As a pack of hunters attempted to shoot the birds, one got hit, and plummeted to the earth. The rest saw it happen and flew away, but the hunters never found the corpse. That’s when the phoenix realized they were different. Their body pieced itself back together; whole and complete.”

“But I thought that only worked if they die of old age.” Hades interrupted again. He hoped you didn’t mind his questions too much. You just seemed amused, luckily.

“Yes, that’s what made this phoenix different. They couldn’t die to injury; unlike the rest. When they made their way back to the flame, the others were frightful. As they saw their dead friend living, they turned into a frenzy. In their fear, they tore off the phoenixes wings and sent them plummeting to earth once again; this time as an outcast.”

“What happened?”

“A kind soul found them, and so they allowed that man to keep and preserve the wings that once belonged to them.”

You both were silent after that. Hades mulled what you said around in his head. So this was the phoenix you knew, but you weren’t the kind soul, that was years ago, before they had gone extinct. You must have cared for this flightless bird, who would have been left permanently grounded after the injury.

“When did you find the phoenix?” He asked.

“A complicated question.” You told him. What was that supposed to mean?

“How is it complicated?”

You smirked.

“It’s complicated.”

Of course, you just loved saying that.

“Do you come up here often?” He hoped you might at least answer one of his questions.

“Yes.” You replied. “Every day; to see the view.”

Hades looked outwards, and he understood what you meant. The forest and lakes were completely visible from here. They were beautiful.

And dare he say it- you were beautiful.

Not inherently because of your appearance, but by your nature. The way you behaved, and the way you would keep him on his toes. He never knew what to expect from you, and his interest in you never dwindled, only grew. He liked it. He liked it a lot.

Of course, there’s a down side to everything. And this, he would soon come to realize, would come with very bad things indeed. Things he would have never seen coming.

“Are you sure?”

Morgie nodded.

“Yes, he was on the roof with another student. Before they left, I saw Hades be handed an orange feather.”

Uliana’s face turned into a grimace.

“He lied to me.”

She turned to try and find some poor unfortunate soul to scream at.

“He lied to me!”

“Want to exact some revenge?” Maleficent asked coolly, filing her nails. Her and Hades were best friends, but even she knew he wasn’t going to get out of this unscathed. She didn’t want to test Uliana’s patience.

“No.” Uli breathed out, nostrils flaring. “Not yet. First, we learn more about this mysterious person; use Hades to get to them.”

“And then?” Hook asked, curious where she was going with this.

“And then,” she smiled coyly, plots churning in her brain. “We discover just where these phoenix feathers are coming from, and take them.”

Taglist:

@lesbpotmurdocklokistan

@mushroomdemon9

[milk-crafting]

For Aldis and Ulbrig: ♢: Forehead or cheek kisses

Combining this with @cassynite's ask!

Words: 536 Pairing: Knight Commander Aldis x Ulbrig Olesk CW: None!

“You’re dozing off little witch,” Ulbrig hums, rough fingers slipping through Aldis’s hair with a charming delicacy that the casual observer would find out of place coming from a man of his size and strength.

“Mm?” Aldis responds drowsily, blinking up at him.  

They’re on the thick, plush rug on the floor of their home in Gundrun, a fire crackling in the hearth, the smell of the stew Ulbrig had made permeating the air along with the smell of the bread that Aldis had tried to bake.  The slightly older human grins down at her, smile warm and inviting, almost like he wants Aldis to fall asleep again.  She shifts, pushing a pillow out from beneath her shoulder, raising her head up off of Ulbrig’s lap.

“You fell asleep,” he repeats, releasing his light hold on her hair.  He lowers his hand, caressing her cheek then coming to rest on her chin, tilting her head up so that their eyes meet.  “You were talking.”

“Oh Desna, no,” Aldis breathes out quickly, sitting bolt upright.  “You’re kidding, what did I say?”

“You were complaining, mostly,” the bear of a man laughs (or would he be a griffon of a man, Aldis wonders).  “You’re cold.  I wanted to get you a blanket, but I couldn’t stand the thought of waking you.  Until now, I mean,” he adds almost apologetically–almost.

“Oh? Had a change of heart then?”

“I can’t let you get too much beauty sleep darling, you’re bewitching enough without it.”

Aldis smiles, leans in and tilts her head up, presses her lips to Ulbrig’s lightly, briefly.  A soft laugh rises in his chest as he pulls her into his arms, moving her so that her smaller body rests neatly on his lap.  He leans in as well, kissing her forehead–the closest part of her face to him.  Aldis breathes a soft ‘mm’ before leaning in again and resting her head on his chest.  The steady thump of his heart beneath his chest (soft and warm and firm all at once) comforts her, draws her in closer to his warmth, his comfort.

Ulbrig squeezes her lightly in his arms.  It’s such a small action, but it’s one that Aldis has grown to love.  Not quite a hug, mostly just a tension in his body when he holds her like this, but not so dissimilar either.  Aldis relaxes, her own body losing any tension she’d been inadvertently holding, as Ulbrig lifts her into his arms and stands, carrying her to their bed.  He tucks a feather into her hair (and where had he gotten that, she wonders, she’s usually on top of keeping feathers out of the house for him), and rests a hand on her shoulder for a moment.

“Rest.  You could stand to be less of a pesky little oglin about it though,” he murmurs slyly, pulling their blanket up over her–which she proceeds to greedily tuck around her, cocooning herself in the burgundy wool.

“But I enjoy being a pesky little oglin about everything,” she pouts back playfully.

“Well complain less then,” he laughs back.  “I’m going to clean up, I’ll join you soon,” he promises.  

Aldis is asleep again before he can fulfill that promise.

[mailb0xbunii]

Hi!! About the qsmp x mlp, here's some suggestions from my own :D

Jaiden - either a hippogriff or a griffin

Bad - umbrum (not like king sombra himself, but other umbrums)

Fit - siren (its the voice ngl)

OMG UMBRUMS I FORGOT ABOUT THEM !!! yes yes qbad is Definitely an umbrum !

i was stuck between hippogriff and griffon (or even harpy) for qjaiden , but i think i'm gonna settle on hippogriff since their coats/feathers are brighter and more colorful ! matches her parrot motif better imo ^_^

[cross-edition-dnd]

Today's DnD Creature, The Chimera

Editions appeared in: Chainmail, ODnD, DnD B/X, ADnD, ADnD 2e, DnD 3.5e, DnD 4e, & DnD 5e

Consistent Elements:

The Chimera is a winged amalgamation that infuses a lion, a goat, and a dragon into a single body with three heads.

Notable Differences:

From birds of a feather to bitter enemies. Originally, the Chimera in Chainmail was clumped in with other hybrid monsters, such as griffons, hippogriffs, and wyverns with few details. In DnD 5e, these creatures, along with dragons, manticores, and perytons, are considered rivals to each other.

Limited Draconic Speech. The chimera gains the limited ability to speak the language of red dragons in ADnD, though how limited this speech is remains unclear. In ADnD 2e, it is elaborated that chimeras are more likely to converse with more powerful creatures than itself, a trend that continues in DnD 3.5e where it speaks draconic rather than just the language of red dragons, though it may be likely to be more familiar with the speech of whichever dragon head it has than with others. In DnD 4e, it seems to know both common and draconic. In DnD 5e, the chimera is reduced to knowing draconic but being unable to speak it.

Chaotic Behavior. Not much is explained about the chimera’s behavioral patterns until ADnD 2e, where it can maintain a somewhat omnivorous diet due to its herbivore goat and carnivore lion and dragon heads. Though it’s made clear that the carnivores would only be satisfied with flesh. The lion and dragon heads also clash with one desiring to be in a pride and the other remaining in solitude in a cave respectively. No details of the chaotic nature is mentioned again until DnD 5e, where most of the chaos spawns from how each head is equally hostile, making it more of a threat to other creatures rather than be in conflict with itself.

Dark and no longer mysterious origins. The origins of how the chimera came to be remained unanswered for most editions, with ADnD 2e even stating it may be best to leave such things unanswered which implies a very dark truth. In DnD 5e however, the first chimeras were created by Demogorgon who took several creatures he was unimpressed with and infused them into the hybrid monsters we know, though how they don't know abyssal or aren't considered demons as a result is beyond me.

Moments of Ambushing. In ADnD 2e, DnD 3.5e, and DnD 5e, the chimera is noted to surprise its prey with swooping attacks from above. They mention its dragon head could use its breath attack as an alternative to biting. In ADnD 2e and DnD 3.5e, chimeras strike in concert if more than one chimera participates in the hunt. In DnD 5e, the chimera sprays the ground in flames as it swoops down before landing to attack.

Unfortunately for you… you are MANELESS. In most editions, the chimera was described or at least visually depicted with a mane for its lion head. Only in DnD 3.5e did the chimera lose its mane and was specifically described to be maneless. Not an important detail, just thought it was kinda funny.

Variant Dragon Heads. Throughout most editions, the chimera’s dragon head breathes fire. In DnD 3.5e, the game master is presented with a few options to swap the dragon head with any they wish, changing its breath weapon to the dragon head most appropriate with it, such as blue for lightning, green for poison, black for acid, and white for cold. In DnD 4e, the chimera has the standard stats for a fire-breathing red dragon one, but there is a note saying other variants exists. No details of these variants are mentioned in DnD 5e.

Unusual Mounts. In DnD 3.5e, there are unusual notes for the carrying capacity of a chimera, not dissimilar to notes given to mounts. In DnD 4e, it is explicitly stated that chimeras can be trained as guards or mounts. No details are given in other editions.

Expanded Territories. In ADnD 2e, chimeras were said to have territories of up to 20 square miles(which would be about ~5 miles wide). In DnD 5e, it was rephrased to have territories of up to 10 miles wide(which is about ~78 square miles).

Origins: In Greek Mythology, the Chimera was a unique creature that terrorized the countryside by eating cattle and spreading flames from its goat head. Bellerophon was able to slay it by riding Pegasus into the sky and pelting with arrows, which seems to imply it never had wings originally? [Wikipedia Article]

[askstellarandfriends]

If these are next-gen characters, who is who's parents? (like who is Stellar's parents, who is Kunzite's parents, etc etc)

I'mma answer this one in text this time, this is a next gen AU. Not all of the characters are next gens. Stellar is just an OC (Who's parents will be revealed in time but if I say who now it will be very spoilery) Then some of the next gens ended up in this universe from another universe because they were either adopted or I just wanted to create them.

I can show a list of the current next gens though, fair warning, the list is long: Pixel Note: Button Mash x Sweetie Belle Apple Slice: Caramel Chance-A-Lot x Applejack Appleseed: Caramel Chance-A-Lot x Applejack Sharp Gleam: Diamond Tiara x Snips Gem Shine: Discord x Rarity (another universe transfer) Sunrise Illusion: Discord x Celestia Muffin: Doctor Whooves x Derpy Hooves Time Bubble: Doctor Whooves x Derpy Hooves Rose Seed: Feather Weight x Babs Seed Blue Ribbon: Flam x Cherry Jubilee Constellation Sparkle: Flash Sentry x Twilight Sparkle Apple Cider: Flim x Apple Fritter Apple Crisp: Big Macintosh x Fluttershy Crass: Grogar x Everest(OC) Star Tricks: Luna x Trixie Lulamoon (another universe transfer) Dream Walker: Sombra x Luna Mint Swirl: Lyra x Bonbon Pop Rocks: Lyra x Bonbon Shooting Star: Mordecai x Twilight Sparkle (another universe transfer) Midnight Aurora: Nightmare Moon x Everlight Everlasting (another universe transfer) Record Label: Octavia Melody x Vinyl Scratch Play Wright: Pink Tom x Trailblazer (another universe transfer, parents are from the @projectfimily universe) Honeycrisp Apple: Pip Squeak x Apple Bloom Surprise Pop: Pokey Pierce x Pinkie Pie Quick Dash: Rumble x Scootaloo Luminia: Sassy Saddles x Thorax (another universe transfer) Gem Gleam: Snails X Silver Spoon Cumulus: Sky Stinger x Vapor Trail Spectra: Soarin x Rainbow Dash Thunder Cloud: Soarin x Rainbow Dash Molto Vivace: Songbird Serenade x Rainbow Dash (another universe transfer) Crystal Fire: Spike x Rarity Kunzite: Spike x Rarity Opal: Spike x Rarity Bright Idea: Sunburst x Starlight Glimmer Sunset Sparkle: Sunburst x Starlight Glimmer Luster Dawn (Yes, I know she's from the show but I wanted to incorporate her in the next gens): Sunburst x Starlight Glimmer Dawn Delight: Sunset Shimmer x Trixie Lulamoon Royal Blue: Blue Blood x Twilight Sparkle (another universe transfer) Spring Breeze: Vapor Trail x Tree Hugger Evermore: Zecora x Gizmo Lightning Strike: Master x Marble Pie (He is not sure where/when he came from anymore)

Non next gens: Spell Caster - Currently a statue Alicorn Poupée - Living Doll Stellar Cables - Alicorn Flicker - Changeling Mimic - Reformed Changeling Chambers - Currently a ghost Draconequus Everest - Draconequus Berry Blue - Earth Pony Film Reel - Earth Pony Flora Fauna - Earth Pony Harvest - Dead Earth Pony (Can appear as a ghost) Herbal Remedy - Earth Pony Light Heart - Earth Pony Melody Fever (DJ Fever Beats) - Earth Pony Music Rush - Earth Pony Paint Point - Earth Pony Phantom Ink - Possessed Earth Pony Quill Pen - Assumed Earth Pony Rapid Gear - Earth Pony Sun Dial - Currently a ghost Earth Pony Swift Apple - Earth Pony Wave Breaker - Earth Pony Bursting Flame - Pegasus/Color Drinker (Subset of Vamponies) Cross Stitch - Unicorn Fast Catch - Pegasus Fire Forge - Earth Pony Kiwi Tart - Unicorn Sweet Note - Earth Pony Twirling Ribbon - Earth Pony Gray Claw - Griffon Crescent - Hippogriff Fallon - Hippogriff Amphy - Fenec Fox Earth Pony Hybrid Draco - ??? Pony Hybrid Forest Jewel - Deer Unicorn Hybrid Mizu - Ray Pony Hybrid Night Shade - Deer Changeling Hybrid Willow - Deer Pegasus Hybrid King Variant - Dead Kirin King (Can appear as a ghost) Spring Leaf - Kirin Charlie and Dave - Two headed lamb Granite - Diamond Dog Maple Tree - Dikdik Oak Tree - Dikdik Droplet - Pegasus Dusk Light - Pegasus/Color Drinker (Subset of Vamponies) Gale Force - Currently a ghost Pegasus Vampony Happy Sales - Pegasus Popcorn - Pegasus Shady Deal - Pegasus Starlight Flight - Pegasus/Color Drinker (Subset of Vamponies) Sweet Smile - Pegasus Sweet Treat - Pegasus Violet - Pegasus (another universe transfer) Tango - Siren (Looks younger than actually is) Autumn Leaf - Unicorn Chai Tea - Unicorn Cuddle Bug - Unicorn Ink Blot - Unicorn Lily Pad - Unicorn Peppercorn - Unicorn Professor Spark - Unicorn Red Shine - Unicorn Silver Star - Unicorn Song Note - Unicorn Stardew Valley - Unicorn Symphony - Currently a ghost Unicorn Winter Breeze - Unicorn Moon Mist - Vampony If you want to ask any of the characters a random question, just be sure to put who you want to ask. Hope this helps!

~ GPG Mod

[heartfledged]

@inkedstone continued: x

Aiden lays there on his back, his gaze lingering on the tree above him. He seems like an odd duck- erratic even, frozen sold while he dangled helplessly, expeciating this BIRD THING to drop him. He’s afraid of birds, that much is clear, and it’s a moment before he rolls over and pushes himself up, still sitting on the ground. 

“Okay, not a Griffon. Cool.” Not cool, his slow heartbeat is going so fast he’s worried he’s about to have some kind of anxiety attack. “What the fuck...”

It only takes a moment though before he’s tugging at the rope, shifting to pull a knife from one of the many pouches strapped to him to do so. 

“I’m alive. So I really can’t complain.” He’s complaining anyway, mumbling to himself until he finally gets his foot free. “It listened to you like a caravan animal. What is that?”

He very rudely means Nimbus. 

Avyra could see the fear in his eyes and expression, but she wasn't sure she could judge that. People were used to volucre where she came from, but here... she hadn't seen one, besides that creature he called a griffon. The one that tried to attack him. Right. She filed that away to ask about later.

Nimbus didn't seem to mind the hostility aimed at her, simply preening her chest, as if trying to get invisible grime from the stranger from her feathers. She moved to her wings, pulling each feather out individually to straighten it.

"She's a volucre. Her name is Nimbus," Avyra explained. "She's friendly, see? She's a pet. You can ride on her." Well, she could; she didn't think this man could. "They're common where I come from. Do you not have them?"

[necro-hamster]

all of don's friends try to call him donnie and every time he's like DON'T FUCKING CALL ME THAT I HATE YOU GUYS. and they never stop

[cadantine]

thinkin about ranarr fursona again. chimney swift x sugar glider griffon. beak just barely peeks out of the feathers until the mouth opens nightjar fashion. bird toes are not passerine. not sure about skin flaps yet, makes the silhouette confusing. probably should be more compact and bullet shaped but it gets the feel

[honeydew-mel0n]

Plz oh great author. I would just like... some dadV content. Just like. V and a child reader. Plz.

This probably isnt what you expected but, here's V being an adopted dad for a 5 year old reader in the ruins of Redgrave. It's not good, but its work. Ig

V x Child! Reader

Dad!V in the rubble of Redgrave.

You hide under the remnants of your bed. The ripped mattress and splintered frame providing little shelter from the horrors that lie beyond your eyelids. You weren't asleep, but still subscribed to the belief that the monsters couldn't get you if they thought you were asleep.

The sound of footsteps approaching lit a flame of hope in your heart, only for it to crash down the moment you heard the monsters come again.

It was so loud, crashing, screaming... were they fighting? If it was battle it ended quickly. And whatever entered your room won. You let out a soft whimper, curling into yourself. The foot steps approach the mess you called a bed. The sound of the mattress being pulled slightly made you burst into tears.

"Well, what do we have here?"

You open your tear filled eyes to see an adult, his black hair and dark clothes. "Mommy left me again- Are the monsters gone!?" His face was almost devoid of emotion. "Yes." "Are you sure?" At first. A smile smile splits his face as he offers you a tattoted hand. "Positive, little one."

_

We've seen before that he could care less about children at first glance, but the mentioning your mother leaving you caused him to instantly attach to you.

Alone, afraid, but this time, no way to protect yourself.

Deep down something inside of him told him that he needs to protect you. To take the job that your obviously useless mother could not handle.

You latch onto him quickly as well, your new protector. You think he's so cool, with his weird clothes, tattoos, and the funny things he says.

The second night he had you, you fell asleep pressed up against him as read a loud.

_

"When we see not thro the eye. Which was born in a night to perish in a night. When the soul slept in beams of light..."

He stops, green eyes boring down at your sleeping form. Your little hand wrapped over the edge of the corset under his coat. A small smile splits his face. Dispite all you had gone through, you still held peace. You would smile up at him after minutes of tucking your head into his side to hide your eyes from the gore that went on in front of you.

Your resilience is unyielding, and he cant help but admire that. It can make him forget that you are just a child. But now, layed out against his heart, he can see your vulnerability more then ever. You were so talkative, so kind, so soft, so... so... human. So very human. Just as he is now.

_

After some time with him, you'll be able to recite whole poems. And god he's never been more proud.

Technically, he's homeless, so finding somewhere safe for you to sleep is his first priority.

You never sleep alone. Never. Either he or one of his familiars is with you.

Scratch that, you are never alone.

He wasnt surprised by Shadow's fondness of you, but was by Griffon's.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah pip squeak, just don't pull on my feathers anymore."

V is easily annoyed, especially by people who talk too much. Unless it's you.

He can sit and listen to you chatter on in excessive detail about the random things you know.

Maybe that's why you and Griffon can get along. It's a constant back and forth of random facts and jokes that go right over your head.

You just like that he talks to you, he likes that he can make any joke and you won't get upset or offended.

V however, hates that he does this.

Seeing as how V tries his best to shield you from the world. You've already suffered so much.

He takes on the task of "dad" rather quickly.

_

You close your eyes tight as he pours the water from his cupped hands over your hair. V hums softly as he scrubs the filth from your skin. It was rather uncomfortable, taking a bath in a fountain, but it wasn't as uncomfortable as caked on dirt and splatters of demon blood. "We're almost done, I promise."

As soon as he found you to be clean enough he takes off his long leather jacket, dispite it just getting dry, he pulls you out and wraps it around you. He lays out your now dry and somewhat clean clothes and let's you try to dress yourself. Shadow letting you lean on her as you tug your clothes back on.

The warmth from fire used to cook the demon meat is enough to make you feel sleepy, if the exhausting day wasnt enough. You leaned against V's side, curling into him. His arm coming around you, assuring you that you're safe.

_

He accepts that he's pretty much your father very quickly.

But it hurts him. He knows what he has to do, and when that happens, what will happen to you? Who could he possibly trust to care for you?

He takes you everywhere, and doesn't let anything touch you.

It's truly Infuriating to him that he doesn't have the strength to carry you. Of course you ride on shadow, but when they handle demons you are left to mercy of the world.

The two of you being attached at the hip leads to a lot of confusion.

Mostly from Nero

"Why the hell do you have a kid???"

When he finally gets to settle down in Nico's van, you get to lay down for a nap.

And he leaves again, he leaves you to sleep. It was safe and he knew you would be fine there, and you definitely needed to sleep.

Nico, surprisingly, didnt mind you.

The entire time he was so nervous. It's been weeks, and this is the first time you haven't been with him.

When V eventually returns, he finds you chatting Nero's ear off. He didn't seem to mind though, he sat quietly with a smile as you talked.

It hit him then.

You could be safe without him.

_

He watched you fiddle with the metal fingers on Nero's devil breaker as you spoke. The young man making the fingers move, to your delight. Your eyes glowed and you looked up at Nero, he nods to what you're saying with a wide smile.

All of the worries in V's head melt away, but are soon replaced with a feeling of melancholy. You would be fine, you would be safe. Without him. He steps in, your head snaps to him, joy spreading on your features as soon at you realize. You run up to him, hugging his leg tightly.

It wasnt long until he has to leave again, and he knew it was the last time he would see you. And somehow, you knew something was wrong. Your small hands rest on his cheeks, sadness written on your entire being. He pulls you close, whispering to you softly. "I will see you again my little one. I will see you again."

Tiny arms hold tight around his neck, warm, wet tears slip down and fall onto his skin. "Are you sure?" "Positive, little one." You hold on tight to him, even after he lets go. Theres a soft whisper, bairly audible. "I love you, daddy." Then, you let go.

Getting to wave him off while holding onto Nico's leg.

_

He knew he wouldnt see you again, either he dies, or becomes one again. The likelihood of seeing you again with both of those options is little to none.

But he feels peace, you'd be safe. You are safe.

He gets weaker and weaker.

He's been close to it before, but this must be what dieing feels like.

Before reuniting with his other half, he still tries to make sure that you will be okay.

His crumbling body is leaning on Nero, hobbling to the end of his life.

"The child... If you survive, take care of them."

[mogwaei]

Chapter 147: Mists    

Rating: explicit/graphic

Pairings: Solas/OFC, M!Lavellan/Dorian Pavus, F!Lavellan/secret companion

Fic summary: Agent of Fen’Harel defects to search for an alternative solution. Time travel with consequences. Lore exploration and expansion. Friends, rivals, lovers, and endless explanations. Throw it at the wall and see what sticks!

Chapter summary: Rescue them.

word count: ~11k | from start 794k

~~

Still and as blank as cold fog, Sezuda held Yin’s gaze steadily. “A noble request. Answer me this and answer truthfully, leader.”

Yin spread his hands, letting the Anchor shine, “’Pon my heart,” Dhrui resisted the urge to kick his shins when he traced a glowing ‘X’ across his breast.

Sezuda lifted a hand and gestured to the rest of them. “How many seas and mountains and men would you conquer to see your people safe, Yin of Clan Lavellan? What sacrifices would you make?”

If she had been in Yin’s position, she would without a doubt have given serious consideration to the questions as he seemed to be doing. But she didn’t think Sezuda was looking for a right or wrong answer right now. The fog had risen to their knees and no one in her immediate view appeared to have noticed.

“It’s a trap,” Dhrui uttered and to her relief, Maordrid heard. The elf instantly threw magic down at the ground, covering them each in a crackling barrier. Simultaneously, there was shouting and seemingly from nowhere, a cloud of white crashed down from either sides of the forest like waves. The Fog Warriors melted into the gloom silent as wraiths.

To their right, a shrill whistle pierced the air.

“Cassandra!” Yin shouted. A trill answered. “We’re coming!”

Dhrui instantly lost the others. She dropped to the ground as low as she dared, clutching her chest where the stone hung. “Asmodei? Please. Anything.”

No answer.

~~

“You are…different,” he said, “from elves we know.”

There were shapes and colours in the giant smoke cloud forming above their circle. Ravens. Bears. A large wolf. The rice wine was good. One of them was admiring the array of seeds she still had laying out from one of her pouches.

“How can you tell?” she hummed.

“Secret,” a bald woman laughed quietly between coughs and sips.

“Magic?” Maordrid guessed, lute in lap, she leaned over to add an apple seed to the collection.

Quell snatched the gourd away from his friend who only giggled and pulled out her own. “Your shape. You took that of a griffon. We saw.”

She raised a brow, plucking idly on her lute.

“Our legend in Seheron goes that they come from there.”

“I would not know,” she answered.

The warriors laughed heartily and it wasn’t unpleasant. The smoke turned into griffons, but it wasn’t her doing. She watched entranced, her fingers no longer trying to play any real tune. One of them said something while the feathered boy listened again.

“M’alo says she watched you fight the reds. That it reminded her of a story she heard as a girl,” he said slowly as M’alo, the intense bald woman, continued talking with her eyes on Maordrid. “Long ago, the Sei’an Miere monks roamed all the seas, blue and emerald.” Maordrid sobered a little at the name and stopped plucking altogether. The boy’s eyes were shining, but that could have been the substances they were imbibing. “Our people pass down few stories of them, from when they came to our shores—when Seheron still sparkled with her great temples and old magics. We remember their battles. Challenging creatures we could never dream of, for they were born of nightmares themselves.” M’alo clapped her hands, pointing enthusiastically at Maordrid while grinning widely at her brothers. The boy kept his eyes only on her.

“Yes,” Maordrid said, looking at M’alo who stilled beneath her gaze, “I know some of their ways.”

M’alo held up a finger after Quell had translated and leaned forward, taking that same finger to draw a shape in the dirt—a triangle, point down.

Then she bisected it with two wavy lines.

Very slowly, Maordrid leaned back, forcing tension from her body.

~~

👀👀👀

Chapter 1 on Ao3

Latest Chapter

[midnightprelude]

Second list of fic recs from @a-paragon-of-their-kind​ and this one’s my Varric Tethras version! I haven’t read ALL of the Varric fics yet, but here are several I’ve enjoyed so far!

A Rose By Any Other Name Pairing: Varric Tethras x Male Hawke Rating: T Summary: Varric hires a cute dwarven serving girl at The Hanged Man for reasons and it comes back to bite him in the arse. - I loved the progression of Varric slowly, slowly, slowly realizing his feelings for Hawke. 

Fairytale of Kirkwall Pairing: Varric Tethras x Isabela Rating: E Summary:  Isabela and Varric discuss writing, and things heat up between them. - Isabela being taken CARE of is such a wonderful change of pace, the banter is great, and the smut is HOT! 

Just a Crush Pairing: Female Adaar x Varric Tethras Rating: T Summary: Yasmena Adaar has a crush on Varric Tethras. It isn't helped by his constant flirting, but it's definitely going to pass. - I loved Yasmena’s voice and Varric’s teasing banter!

like twine unraveled Pairing: Merrill x Varric Tethras Rating: M Summary: Varric did a lot of things for Merrill. Things that cost him nothing, like giving her a ball of twine so she didn’t get lost. Things that cost him a fortune, like paying Lowtown thugs to leave her alone at night – and bribing Hightown gardeners to let her pick flowers. Things that made his editor mad, like putting Merrill’s Hard in Hightown review on the front cover. Things that even cost him readers, like writing a griffon called Feathers into his novel – just because she’d love it. He did it all without her asking. - I love, love, love the slow realization of Varric’s feelings for Merrill and vice versa. Both of these two are so lovely and well written.