#zea laidir

[call-me-oluss]

WiP 🧚🏼‍♀️

[tehloserprince]

So happy I acquired a PS5 in December and another copy of Veilguard so I can have nicer screenshots of Rook x Harding. A crumb of serotonin in these troubling times.

Some of my Threads DA fam has been posting here on Tumblr too, soooo. Hi 🧡

[heroofshield]

one member of your ship asking the other to dance with them.

part three! You can read part one here and part two here. Also first prompt of Year of the OTP ("may I have this dance")!

@anderfels @vorchagirl @schoute

--

The party at the Dellamorte estate utilized the spacious courtyard and gardens. For once the weather was in their favor, the summer night kept balmy with a slight breeze and the stars winking overhead. The sounds of music wafted across the space as couples danced and Zea wandered away from where everyone was gathered, needing a moment to herself.

True to Emmrich's earlier promise, so many people had wanted to speak with her that she hadn't been asked to dance yet. Most had questions about what it was like with the Lords of Fortune; wanting to know stories of memorable adventures or fights in the Hall of Valor, or to propose excursions into the warehouses of the city to see what the Antaam might have left behind.

She made sure not to make any hard promises, saying that Isabela needed to be consulted before any plans could be made if the Crows truly wanted the Lords's help and that Maeve and the Shadow Dragons needed her help with rebuilding Minrathous.

"There you are darling!"

Zea turned around to see Emmrich in his Mournwatch finest approaching her. "I...just needed a moment to myself. Sometimes things still get...a bit much."

Emmrich frowned, wondering if it was too soon after everything for them to be out and about. "I can ask Lucanis if we can use a room inside the house if you need it, Zea."

"No, but thank you." Zea shook her head as she turned back towards the canal, where gondola's idly sailed past, realizing that Emmrich had used her first name instead of his usual superlatives. "Having you near helps."

"Anything for you, dearest. You know that." Emmrich closed the short distance between them and wrapped an arm around her waist before pressing a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

Zea leaned into Emmrich's embrace as he lead them towards a bench by the riverbank and felt herself relax as they sat down, not sure how long they sat together, wrapped around each other and watching the water.

"I was thinking when things are settled a bit more I could take you to my estate in the country." Emmrich said eventually, breaking the silence that had comfortingly wrapped around them.

"Oh?"

"Yes, it's not huge like this but it's big enough to warrant staff and a housekeeper. Plus I know that you'd enjoy the gardens there. Besides, I think we're overdue for some solitude."

Zea gazed up to look at Emmrich while smiling, "I'd like that."

"Wonderful." Emmrich glanced over when he heard the music change. "Ah, there it is." Letting go of Zea, he stood while turning to face her and gave a slight bow while extending his hand. "Serra, would you honor me with a dance?"

Zea felt her cheeks heat up with a mild blush, knowing that Emmrich was just being his normal self but enjoyed the formality of it all. "I'd love to." she replied, setting her hand in his and letting him lead her to towards the dance floor. As they neared, she realized why the music seemed familiar. "We danced to this in the Lighthouse."

"We did. I thought it'd be the easiest since it would be familiar." Emmrich put his other hand on Zea's waist as she put hers on his shoulder, pausing for a moment before starting to dance.

"You spoil me." Zea said as they glided around the dance floor, feeling like she was walking on air with Emmrich guiding her.

"You deserve it, my darling." Emmrich paused in-sync with everyone on the dance floor and slowly dipped Zea, letting the romance of the moment take over. "I would bring down the moons for you if you asked it of me."

[sympateawithsugar]

Huh.

[aleyothorncrow]

"TRADED VERBAL JABS WITH SOLAS" ummmm?!

[hustlemeanokay]

Zea Laidir . Arlathan Forest . Dragon Age Veilguard

[anderfels]

OKAY SO the music room is because it's smaller than the other rooms and she doesn't have much in the way of personal objects. Also she's always liked music and would enjoy listening to a bard/whomever was playing. And yeah...it takes awhile for Zea to feel comfortable walking around Minrathous, but since she first had Varric and then later on the rest of the gang she builds up her confidence. Also even if they're in a hurry, if they pass a beggar on the street she'll take the 5 seconds it takes to put some coins in (her and Emmrich are like that)

oh, she must've enjoyed the bards on the streets of treviso then! is she able to play anything herself or does she just listen?

i'm glad that she's able to at least feel more confident in minrathous. all that history... yeah :( i wouldn't have blamed her if she just wanted to stay away.

and that's very kind of her <3

[heroofshield]

@anderfels

Rook Questionnaire

inspired by @cassieuncaged's BG3 Character Development Questions but for Rook instead!

1: Where in the Thedas is your Rook from?

2: What is your character's alignment?

3: Race and subclass?

4: If your Rook was a companion, where would they be found?

5: What emotion did they usually pick?

6: What companion are you platonically close with?

7: Romantically close with?

8: Who are they suspicious of?

9: Does your Rook get along with their chosen Faction?

10: Are they proficient in playing any instruments?

11: Weapon of choice?

12: What is their orientation?

13: What are their thoughts on killing? Is it a necessary evil or do they enjoy it?

14: What hobbies does your Rook have?

15: What NPCs do they like? Which one's do they dislike?

16: Do they have a favorite creature in the Thedas?

17: Do they enjoy life as an adventurer?

18: What would your Rook be doing if they weren't recruited by Varric?

19: How do you think they'll meet their end?

20: Would they side with Solas or fight him?

21: What is your Rook's favorite ability?

22: What languages is your character fluent in?

23: What do they do after an absolute crisis?

24: Does your character believe in the afterlife?

25: What specialization best represents your Rook?

26: What animal best represents your Rook?

27: What was their life like before the events of Veilguard?

28: Is your character the de facto leader of the party? Or do they consider someone else to be the leader?

29: If you could choose a different faction for your Rook, which one would they have joined and why?

30: What's your favorite thing about your Rook?

[himbopunk]

rook / dragon age oc playlists

best piece on the board

hakim laidir (they/he) elf, rogue, lord of fortune vibes: causing trouble, feeling yourself, also kind of doomed by the narrative a bit

the case of the demon and the thief

neve/lucanis/hakim throuple ship vibes: yearning & desire, apprehension & frustration, letting yourself feel

the llomerryn contract

illario/hakim (what could have been, what never will) vibes: just generally messy. past passion, regret/resentment, possessiveness/jealousy, hint of yearning

flock together

kalais de riva (they/them) qunari, warrior, antivan crow vibes: determined despite it all, touched with grief

shades of grey

iktom thorne (he/him) qunari, warrior, grey warden vibes: grief and rage, redemption, reclaiming love and facing fate

everyone loves an underdog

zea mercar (she/her) dwarf, rogue, shadow dragon vibes: everything's fucked so burn it down and dig up the foundations, maybe fall in love along the way

one for sorrow, two for joy

nico de riva (they/she/he) elf, mage, antivan crow vibes: theatrical, morbid, weird little freak, also kinda doomed by the narrative a bit

(i'll add more of these as i make others. cuz inevitably i will lmao)

[prettyandsarcastic]

Loook at my girl. I love her so much.

Zea Laidir, Rook, Lord of Fortune

[call-me-oluss]

Cozy night

[heroofshield]

@anderfels

Zea Laidir might be short, but she makes up for it in sass. Some might say that she's *too* caviler about things, but it's just her way of coping. When Varric hears the first dry-wit reply out of her mouth he thinks of another mage with red hair and wit almost as fast as his own that he knew all those years ago. It fills him with a bittersweet warmth so when she gets in trouble with the Riviani nobility, he's determined not to let them railroad her like the Kirkwall nobles almost did with Hawke when it came to light that she let Anders live.

She sounds so amazing! I love that Varric looks out for her.

[tehloserprince]

Potato quality screenshots, but whatever.

It's a shame we can't fully play matchmaker for companions in Veilguard. I feel like there's some real opportunity for Taash x Bellara. Idk they just make more sense to me than Taash x Harding (although my Rook romanced Harding, so moot point for me).

Hear me out.

Both lost someone important to them (brother, mother).

One loves the treasure in the ruins, the other loves the history and science aspect.

One could grab hold of the other when they inevitably almost walk off a cliff because they're too distracted reading a new scroll or tablet they found.

I'm just saying.

Bonus:

"Your form is sloppy, bend your legs."

[heroofshield]

Prompt 3 of YOTP! "What are you doing with that" (DA: Veilguard, Emmrook)

takes place post-game and spoilers for Emmrich's companion quest. <3

@anderfels

--

Zea Laidir hadn't meant to find it.

She'd been looking for a clean pair of gloves, something to hide her dirt stained fingers so they weren't obvious when she shook hands at the ball they'd been invited to. They were still in the process of getting enough furniture to accommodate all of their things, so until they received another dresser most items were combined.

It was easy to tell her clothing from Emmrich's; her bright and bold colors with enchanted thread that glittered in the light made of cheap-to-moderate fabric verses his green and purples made from the best fabric there was. But things like gloves were combined since they were easier to.

Digging through the drawer, her fingers brushed against something hard. Curious, Zea pulled it out and saw the small black square box. Stomach squeezing, she stared at it for a moment as her mind spun.

There was only one thing that could fit in a box that size and why Emmrich would hide it from her. But still wanting to confirm what it actually was, she tried to open it but her fingers wouldn't cooperate.

Clenching her right hand in a fist to stop the shaking, she set the box on the top of the dresser and closed her eyes- taking a deep breath to steady herself.

"You've gotten treasure out of worse places than this. And you had to disarm traps beforehand." she told herself, slowly letting a breath out while opening her eyes. "Easy peasy. It's just a box."

"What are you doing with that?"

Emmrich's voice cut through the silence like a knife and Zea startled, turning as she slightly jumped. "Emmrich, I-You're back early." Zea stammered, feeling her face heat up with embarrassment at being caught and that she, a Lord of Fortune, hadn't heard him enter their quarters. "Don't you have a class right now?"

"I let them out early. All they could talk about was the ball so it was pointless to try and get anything done. Besides, I thought to use the extra time to freshen up before getting dressed." Emmrich replied, fully moving into the room but not breaking eye contact with Zea. "Do you make it a habit to go through my things?"

"I was looking for some gloves. Worked in the garden today so I didn't want to embarrass you with my dirt stained hands." Zea lifted a hand to show him the grime covered fingers despite the good scrubbing she'd given them.

Emmrich softened slightly at the reply, "My dear, you could never embarrass me." He took the free hand in his and raised it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to it. As he lowered it, he continued, "I take it that you know what's in there."

"I...have a guess. I couldn't bring myself to open it." Zea managed to get out, her heart in her throat. Swallowing in an effort to calm herself, she continued, "When did you get it?"

"When we took Manfred to see the Lich Lords and you convinced me to bring him back. I knew then that I didn't want to spend another day without you."

"Even though I convinced you to give up becoming a Lich?" Zea asked, knowing that he had resented the choice for awhile and they'd even gotten into a fight about it.

"Darling, it's because you convinced me to that I knew I wanted to get it. Only someone who loves life as much as you do could make me change my mind." Emmrich grabbed the box with his free hand and guided Zea out to the common area while continuing, "When Myna and Vorgoth were discussing locating that spirit in Hossburg with you, I used the distraction to go back to my old quarters and retrieve it."

He opened the box to reveal the gold band set with rubies and emeralds. "This was my mothers, passed down from her father and his mother and so on. I know that she would be thrilled for you to have it." He said in a soft tone, before taking a knee in front of Zea.

Zea's mind was screaming at what was happening, she knew that eventually it would; they'd discussed the possibility of maybe, eventually one day but she'd always assumed that it would be with the rest of their group in attendance. They'd go to the Dellamorte Estate where Lucanis would cook for them and regale them with a tale of a past contract, drinking too much wine with Neve. Bellara would be asking all sorts of questions for her serial while Davrin would be yelling at Assan to not get to close to the water.

They'd try to make Taash laugh at some joke, while feeling the all too empty space that Harding's absence was creating. Then, with the lights from the riverbank and gondola's as they sailed past- Emmrich would take her to the garden and ask the question underneath a trellis covered in flowers. There'd be more wine and shouted congratulations, Neve telling her that she knew the best dressmaker in Docktown who could make her a new dress for a reasonable price. Taash would say that Isabela wanted to be invited to the party but only if it was at the Lords's enclave.

Then they'd spend the night in one of the suites in the manor, making love until they were exhausted.

"-do me the honor?" Emmrich's voice brought Zea back to the present and she looked down at the man who saw her flaws and loved her for them. Someone who literally tore the Veil apart to get her back.

Blinking back the tears that were suddenly forming, Zea nodded. "Yes." she whispered, smiling as Emmrich took the ring out of the box and slid it onto her finger.

Emmrich knew that this wasn't how it was supposed to go, he'd wanted the rest of their rag-tag group to be present, but even so it was still perfect. "I love you." he said before capturing her lips in a passionate kiss.

"Me as well." Zea replied when they broke apart. "Now I guess we have to go to that ball, give everyone something to talk about."

Emmrich laughed, "Then we'd best start getting ready."

[sympateawithsugar]

Rook: "I think I've finally snapped."

[aleyothorncrow]

I'm still overthinking that very first moment I walked out of the tavern, and the first clickable thing was a beggar, to whom I gave a coin. And I mean partly, that was because I just default to playing a goodie-two-shoes, but like now I'm wondering what does this mean for Zea? She's a Lord of Fortune, she's in it to make the bucks, not to give them away. And I think there's also a little bit of a "pull up your own bootstraps" ethos in her, where she's independent and self-made...

But she still gave a coin to that beggar.