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Bidding Farewell flycam pics after Illario goes to "get the ashes", but he stops and stands in that spot for a while.

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Yet Again

Word Count: 1118

The moment that Camris had stopped having his whiskey glass refilled and skipped straight to the bottle, Taash had sent Bellara to get Neve. Unfortunately that had given Camris another hour to continue drinking while they waited. Taash had done their best to slow him down, but it hadn't really done much good.

It was weird seeing him like this, like really weird, and as Neve and Bellara walked in Taash gave a sigh of relief as they motioned to Camris "Neve! I don't know what to do with him.. he won't listen."

Neve's gaze slid to the bar where Camris sat, half-hugging a bowl of fruit as he finished off the bottle of whiskey and motioned to the barkeep for another. Long black hair sliding across his back as he moved, she blinked in surprise. She'd never seen his hair down before, even when he'd been stuck in the infirmary for nearly a week after Weisshaupt he'd kept his hair pulled up.. she hadn't realised just how long it was.

Her tone light as she sat on the stool next to him "Sooo, what's going on, Rook?" only to get a head shake and shrug as he chewed a piece of melon in hopes that it would get the taste of the whiskey out of his mouth and muttered in Antivan. The only word she caught was 'idiot', she really needed to learn more of the language with how often both Rook and Lucanis spoke in it.

She slid off the stool and sidled up to Taash, "Do you know what happened, or have any idea what might have brought this on?" and Taash shrugged "No. I was heading towards the kitchen when Lucanis went out the side door, a few seconds later Rook came out into the courtyard and grabbed hold of me. Next thing I knew we were on our way to The Hilt."

They gave an exasperated glance over to Camris as they waved their hand "I thought he just wanted to play some Wicked Grace over drinks. Should have sent for you when he ordered the whiskey.. he hates whiskey." Neve sighed, the mention of Lucanis was the only clue she needed.

The foolish ass.. he'd been silently pining over Rook for a while now, and while Rook was upfront with his interest he was also not one to push. It was something she'd noticed when they spent time in Dock Town just after Rook returned from Treviso with Lucanis. Rook would flirt, but back off and move on immediately at even the slightest sign of genuine disinterest from whatever guy had caught his eye.

Once Lucanis had settled in a bit, Rook had started taking him everywhere except places that he expressed a dislike of. It began as a way to help Lucanis ease into things, but somewhere along the way something changed. She moved back over to the stool and sat down again, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder as she turned him to face her and was greeted with confused honey brown eyes "What happened with Lucanis?"

He shrugged as he looked down at the bowl of fruit and then stabbed a piece with the fork "I don't know. I.. He.. we almost kissed, but then he turned away and left.. said he needed to 'clear his head', whatever that meant..." 

Neve sighed, hand brushing long lengths of hair to the side so she could rub her hand against his back in an attempt to comfort "Do you want to talk about it?"

He both nodded and shook his head as he grabbed the new bottle of whiskey, at this point he didn't know anything anymore "What's there to talk about.. he walked away. They always walk away..." a long drink taken from the bottle before he continued "First time anyone walked away -before- anything happened though. Usually they wait til after they get what they want first."

He blinked as he stared into the bowl of fruit, Neve's hand continuing to rub his back was soothing and for some reason he couldn't shut up now "I know I'm messed up, I'll even admit that I'm broken... But there are people worse than me that can find someone that'll accept them, Neve."

Neve went to say something only to have Camris lean to look at her, large wet honey brown eyes under tear clumped lashes "Why am I so unlovable?.." and her words failed to form. Dear Maker, he looked like a kicked puppy. The only thing she could think to do was hug him, which resulted in her nearly being crushed in his arms as he hugged her back. A very clingy kicked puppy..

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Hours later, the scene began to play on repeat in his dream, Camris stuck in an odd loop where he could only stand there confused as Lucanis walked away.. Hacedor, but it had stung. "I need to clear my head." the words echoed through his memory as he pulled himself out of sleep. Opening his eyes however he found himself nearly nose to nose with Lucanis, the bright purple glow of Spite emanating from his eyes "Andraste's tits, Spite!" 

Spite didn't move back though, and as Spite inhaled, all Camris could focus on was the scent of coffee and oak with a hint of blade oil. Why did the man have to smell so good... the pang in his chest radiated. Why was it always the demon coming to his room when he least expected it, to ask questions, to be read to, to simply stand in front of the aquarium and stare at the sea life.

At this point he had to wonder if it was Spite that had been influencing how Lucanis had been acting towards him until the near kiss and he frowned as Spite watched him "Read to us?" and Camris shook his head "No. You need to take Lucanis back to his room." only for Spite to frown back at him as Camris moved to stand up "No, he wants..."

The words cut off as Camris' hand pressed gently against Lucanis' back and he began guiding him to and then out the door, voice strained as he spoke "No."

Lucanis blinked as the sound of the door closing harder than intended caused Spite to retreat as he hissed in Lucanis' ear "Rain and Ash.. You. Hurt Rook." and Lucanis grimaced as he stared at the door for a moment before he turned and headed back to the pantry. Spites excited words from the pantry that day flashing through his mind 'Spiced honey and Clover.. love?' Words that pulled him away from Camris and back to reality.

"I know.." 

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Meat and Tubes

Shepard once said to Kaidan that they were described as ‘just meat and tubes’ but he never could imagine it - never wanted to.

Then they had to go and die on him a second time.

Now he sat in one of the best medical facilities still standing, watching as monitors beeped steadily. Was this worse than when Shepard was recovered over Alchera? Cerberus had the funds and facilities to revive them.

Just because Shepard managed to come back from meat and tubes once, doesn’t mean it could happen again.

But, God, does Kaidan wish it so.

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the original post was about Wylan, Jesper, and Kaz but it was begging for the teiago and crow!rook treatment 😭

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Why My OC Sucks

Saw this and decided to give it a go for my Disaster

Camris Alexander de Riva:

1. Impulsive Recklessness:

He could save himself so much trouble if he'd stop and think half the time. Instead he just wants what he wants, and thinking about it wouldn't allow him that. Someone can push the right button and the fight switch flips. Someone looks at him just the right way and the want to bite them overrides any other thought regardless of how much danger it could put him in. Someone in a position of authority over him telling him not to do something just makes him want to do it even if it puts him at risk of injury, or worse. 

A song lyric that would apply here is 'I feel something so wrong, doing the right thing, and I feel something so wrong, doing the right thing, I couldn't lie, couldn't lie, couldn't lie, everything that kills me makes me feel alive.' Counting Stars: One Republic

2. Desperation for Something/Anything/Everything:

His sister's bullying and machinations against him, combined with his time in the hands of the blood mage he'd been sold to did way more damage to him than he's willing to acknowledge or admit. Those issues paired with his Crow training and finding out just how shit his family(aside from his twin, he doesn't know how they are now) actually is, stripped him of any sense of pride he had. He's just a weapon, expendable and easily replaced. 

He wants to be more than that, but he desperately needs Viago's approval more, so he allows himself to be wielded as his Talon commands because it makes him feel useful and needed to the point he'd die for any scrap of approval it would earn him.

He's desperate to be loved, but had it drilled into him that he doesn't deserve it. Which is why he unconsciously picks people that fill a reckless want that just damages him more, and he Accepts it because at least it makes him feel something.

Song lyrics that feel fitting here 'With your hands around my throat, watch me while I choke. Pray for us. I can't breathe in, I can't breathe out, You'rе my fear and you're my doubt. I know therе's no room for hope, can't you see? I can't breathe in, I can't breathe out, you're my fear and you're my doubt.' Feel Me Now: If Not For Me

3. Violence:

Brawling is one way he vents, but that's just good bloody fun.

When it comes to work however- Between what he went through and his training, yeeeah. He's not expected to be kind when he works, but his level of violence can reach extremes that would turn his own stomach if he'd had an even remotely normal life. His only saving grace with it is that he's able to reign in it enough that only those he's contracted to take care of and any random Antaam/Venatori that cross his path need worry about him showing up on their doorstep or in their dreams.

Lyrics for this are a bit harder to choose, torn between two so here are both🤷

'When you close your eyes, what do you see? Do you hold the light or is darkness underneath? In your hands, there's a touch that can heal. But in those same hands, is the power to kill. Are you a man or a monster?

Man or a Monster: Sam Tinnesz

or

'I got a couple of vices, that only give me pain but the feelings so enticing. I've been deep in the crises, and I'm' tryin to grow but they devils got me under his mind control and this domination been calm and patient. Tryin to stay sane with my occupation, thoughts deranged, tellin me that I'm complacent and the man in the mirrors an abomination, and it'll never change.'

Lights Out: Mass of Man

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nsfw sideblogs r so funny. my friend we can't talk here it isn't safe.. we have to go to sex world together

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Ugly OC Asks: Pt2

@apothe-cary  - Is your OC ever wrong? Big ways? Small ways? About what?

He had a few missteps during his earlier contracts that bit him and resulted in him being told he was wrong, he however doesn't agree with that declaration and all he learned from them was to be more subtle or cautious.(*coughs in blood magic*)

Most things that he's wrong about in both big and small ways though are contained to his personal life. Ignoring his intuition, ignoring things to do with spirits/the fade because doing so would stop him from a goal.(Hence how he canonically ended up with Lucanis rather than avoid him due to his possession by Spite, 'Demon' be damned(He likes Spite), he wanted that man)

Random Dice Roll pick(wanted to answer more than one so I let the dice choose) - What does your OC lie about?

A few things, but picking just one, I'll go with his scars. He's never given anyone outside of Viago a truthful answer when asked about them. Instead he makes up blatantly fake reasons for why they're on him. 

The scarring on his face and neck:

Saved a Merchant Prince from the flames of death after one of their rivals set his villa on fire.

Rescued a puppy from an evil maleficar that was upset because it peed on their shoe/robe.

One of his hook-ups tried to cook for him and accidentally set his kitchen on fire, thus Camris had to rescue yet another man from flames.

The scarring all over his body:

Mauled by a truly vicious cat.

Fell down a hill covered in thorned vines and bushes.

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rush ❄️

— (zayne)

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why so flustered, doctor li? :)

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Camris' Treviso Apartment

Camris' apartment in Treviso is on the top floor of a three story building that borders the art district.

The wall the entry door is on is lined with mirrors and is equipped with a ballet barre, while every window is heavily warded, along with his door when he isn't there(and sometimes when he is).

A large open living space with high ceilings and soft lighting, there is a welcoming L shaped sofa with a table centered in front of it that sits just slightly back from the central area of the room and rests on a rug that doesn't quite cover scorch marks. To the left is a long counter that separates a small well stocked kitchen area from the rest of the room.

Everything in shades of deep blue, black, and accents in grey. The apartment is minimally decorated, with a few shelves of books, and one or two large paintings on the walls. The balcony is warded and set up for his pet crow, Tasi, with the warding on it attuned to Tasi so that the bird can go in and out at will.

The apartment has two bedrooms, though one has been turned into a work space. A desk sits just shy of the center of the room, stacks of books, files and a variety of quills and neatly organised stacks of parchment are placed off to the sides, while broken quills and several letters in varying states of completion are crumpled up in the center of the desks surface while others are ashed in a small metal bowl. The wall behind it holds a selection of weapons on it, the center spot glaringly bare.

The wall across from the desk has a long work table that spans the length of it, rows of books filled with formulas and recipes lining the shelves on the wall space above it, along with several books on anatomy. A carefully arranged alchemy set-up sits in the center space of the table, while the table space farthest from the door holds an array of meticulously labeled supplies and vials. The room is warded at all times, attuned to allow only Camris in.

In the bedroom a large bed is the focus of the room. Lightly weighted blankets covering it match the colours elsewhere in the apartment. The lighting is dim, with the windows showing a view of Treviso when the curtains aren't pulled closed. The fireplace that provides the main light source for the room is centered on the wall across from the bed and is flanked by two armoires. On the center of the fireplace mantle is a strangely bare spot that held something, but is now conspicuously empty.

Between the bedroom and office is a wet room, the tiling in it matching the rest of the colours the apartment is done in. A -very- large tub sits along one wall, with a ceiling mounted showerhead by the other wall. On the wall farthest way from both the tub and shower, is a cabinet filled with towels, soaps, lotions, a variety of herbs, and serums.

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Ugly OC Asks: Pt 1

@zennihilation - What's the fatal flaw in your OC's relationship(s)? What could destroy those relationships?

The Flaw: Camris. Camris is the fatal flaw due to being his own worst enemy when it comes to the partners he ends up choosing. Desperately wants to be loved, consistently picks people that could likely never actually fulfil that need.

Destruction: Insecurity. He lets what's happened to him both in life and in prior relationships influence him too much. To the point it's made him insecure and that insecurity causes him to run either hot or cold when things progress past just hooking up.

@shadowknight19kay - What's the longest grudge your OC has ever held? Against whom and why?

Length: 16 years and counting.

Whom: His older sister.

Why: His feelings towards her were originally just fear based due to how she treated him(and his twin), the fear however morphed into a hate filled grudge when he was eight and she sold them to a slaver(she actually paid the slaver to take them), which led to him being sold to a blood mage, which led to him ending up with the Crows.

@larknnightingale - Who hates your OC? Why?

There's a few, including some that he probably doesn't even know about. But the most impactful hate from another is from his sister, Angelica. She was 15yrs old when Camris & Dariel were born and while she wasn't happy at first, she just viewed them as mild irritations. Though her father showed blatant favourtism towards them simply because the twins were amab, she liked her mother better so she was only slightly jealous of them.

Then Camris manifested his magic at 4 and his mother's focus shifted from Angelica to him. Angelica's magic had manifested just before she turned ten and she was sent to the Circle to train. Lissette however kept Camris out of the Circle, opting instead to train him herself, with a personal tutor to supplement. And the jealous irritation became hate.

@antivan-sprig - What's an unsavory detail about your OC or opinion they have (to a modern Tumblr audience)?

He doesn't view blood magic as intrinsically evil, he feels that it's the wielder of it that makes the difference. And he has/will use blood magic occasionally, both on himself and others depending on the situation.

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When Reality Bites

Word Count: 2240

Cloudreach 9:46 Dragon

Tuning out the layers of noise around him, Camris mentally reviewed the contract as he made his way through the market. He'd been sent to Minrathous, but not alone. He couldn't figure out why he was being paired with another on the contract that Viago had told him could impact his status..

The target made sense, the message being sent made sense.. the other Crow coming with him didn't. Then there was the odd familiarity he got from the name of the target. He'd spent the entire time on their way here trying and failing to root it out of his memory. The fact that there was only a first name listed and the contract said the target would willingly come to him was also perplexing.

He frowned as his gaze slid over to the smaller Crow, clothing styled to look like a servant, their face showing blatant displeasure at being here. It was both an irritating and amusing sight. His hands smoothed over his own clothes, expensive Tevinter style mage robes that he wanted to strip off and burn. Neither of them wanted to be here.

"I could have taken care of this from Salle.." muttered under his breath as he paid for his purchase, the other Crow narrowed an eye as they looked up at him, ears twitching "What?" only to receive a headshake and a blunt "Nothing." from him as he turned to hand the bag to them. Play the part repeating in his head, think before you act or Viago will tear you a new one, again..

As he went to move on to another shop, he heard someone call out "Gideon?" and he froze at both the name and the voice. Then a hand touched his shoulder and that familiarity he'd felt earlier flared again as he turned "I'm sorry, but I think you've mistaken me for someone else." and as it all clicked, he watched the colour drain from the other mans face, pale watery blue eyes going wide. "By Lusacan... Ca.. Camris? Or Dariel?"

Camris shifted and plastered a confused look on his face as he looked at his uncle... well, half-uncle, on his mothers side. Maaran was a simpering wastrel of a man, and his target. As the other Crow scuffed his foot against the ground, Camris ignored it "I'm Camris, have we met before? Who is Dariel?"

A quick flash of relief passed across Maaran's face as he brought his other hand up and clamped both hands to the sides of Camris' arms "I'm Maaran, I'm your uncle.  Do you not remember me, Camris?" and then squeezed "By the gods, your parents are going to be so happy! You look so much like your father." only for Camris to blanch as he brushed Maaran's hands away "I don't like to be touched.. And I think you're mistaken, my family died when I was a child."

Maaran's hands simply moved to grasp hold of Camris' hand "Whoever told you that lied or didn't know. Come with me and I'll show you. Your parents will be out of session later tonight, I'll take you to them."

Session.. both. Camris pulled his hand free as he shook his head "Again, I don't like to be touched. And you think I'm going to go off with some random person that I don't know? For all I know this is some sort of ruse where you take us somewhere isolated and then rob us."

Maaran dropped his hands to his sides as he stammered "Wait.. wait. I, there's a cafe right over there. We can talk over coffee, then you can decide. Please.." Camris' head tilted as he watched the barely concealed panic on his uncle's face and then he gave a nod "I can spare a few minutes for coffee, but only a few minutes. I have somewhere I need to be soon."

Camris couldn't help but frown at the other Crow as they all walked to the cafe and received a glare in reply as they sat down to order. Maaran rambling on about how hard his parents had searched for him and Dariel, how they had never given up. He'd almost choked on the shit excuse for coffee he'd taken a drink of when Maaran had said Angelica was inconsolably heartbroken at the loss of her brothers, his uncle was a terrible liar.

Then Maaran had brought up how his father was now a Magister alongside his mother, that Gideon had been so sure that they'd eventually find Camris and Dariel that he'd set things so that Camris would inherit the seat if he were found. The longer his uncle spoke the more irritation etched it's way into the other Crow's face.

He set the coffee aside and pinned Maaran with an incredulous smirk "You expect me to believe that my parents are Magisters? That I'm an.." he snapped his fingers a few times as though he were trying to think "what is the term used here?.."

and his uncle nodded excitedly "Altus, yes! You're one of only a few in the family who manifested magic so early, and you showed such promise." then his tone shifted, almost passing for sad "They had high hopes for you, and then you and Dariel went missing... When the family had to leave Vyrantium they made sure that your room here was just like it had been. If.. if you'll come with me I'll show you." 

Camris narrowed an eye as he leaned forward "Okay, but if you try anything, it will not end well for you." and motioned to the other Crow as his uncle nodded "Yes, yes. I would never, nephew. Come, the estate isn't far."

Just shy of an hour later they were sitting in the smaller parlor having coffee that was only slightly better than the crap from the cafe as Maaran droned on, untouched cup in front of him. Camris looked at him over the edge of his cup as he took a drink, then tilted his head "Thank you for the tour. Your coffee will become bitter if it sits much longer, Uncle." barely managing to not gag at the affectionate term that left his mouth. 

The word however caused Maaran's face to light up as he picked up the cup, a long drink taken as he settled back in his chair, small smile of accomplishment playing on his lips as he rambled a bit. It only took a few minutes of smiling and coffee sipping before the mans head started to droop, and in another minute he was unconscious.

Camris set his cup down as the smaller Crow pulled several lengths of rope from one of the bags they'd acquired at the market and the two of them got to work tying Maaran to the chair. Glaring eyes glancing at Camris as the other Crow snarked "So, not just a vint, but a damn Magister in waiting."

"Shut the fuck up." snapped out as he tightened the ropes so much that his uncle was likely to lose circulation in his hands if he was bound for too long "That's why you were sent with me I take it? To babysit the fucking 'vint'? Make sure I do the job, kill me if I don't?" then took a length of cloth and gagged Maaran with it.

Orange sparks flickered around him as he looked at the other Crow "Go kill the guards and then free everyone else while I do my job." then back to his uncle "Stay away from the lower level, it's warded in a way that only someone blood related can get past and I don't want to have to drag what's left of you back to Salle and explain to Viago why you're in pieces."

"Free everyone else?" the disbelief in their tone had Camris nearly gritting his teeth "Did I fucking stutter? Yes, -Free-. My parents don't employ people, they -buy- them. Kill the damn guards and free the others. I'll be done with him in about twenty minutes, then I'll go take care of the lower level."

Once the other Crow had left, Camris moved back over to his uncle and turned the chair so that it was facing him, a deep breath taken as he closed his eyes and ran his finger tips across Maaran's forehead and his own head dropped forward as he got to work.

Thirty minutes later he was standing outside the warded door that led to the lower level where his mothers work space was. Something felt off about it, he recognized the ward she'd used.. but there was something that was causing his stomach to knot up and he didn't understand it.

Blade moving across his palm leaving a line of blood in its wake he shifted as he raised his hand up and pressed it against the door, focus narrowing as he undid the layers of magic and then recoiled as a wave of pain and sour came as the ward cleared.

Opening the door and stepping into the stairwell that led down, Camris pulled the door shut behind him before he started down the steps, the feeling getting progressively worse the closer that he got to the second door. Blood coated palm lifted to press and repeat the unraveling of magic, the moment the ward came down his stomach lurched.

The veil here was too thin, the air even more sour. The whispers almost overwhelming. He didn't remember ever feeling anything like this as a kid, what in the void was his mother doing down here to cause this feeling... how could she stand it? He covered his mouth and nose as he pushed the door open and blinked for a moment as his eyes adjusted to the dim light, noting the wall sconces he moved his free hand and brought their flames up only to instantly regret doing so.

It took everything in him to remain standing, the steps taking him in farther slowing as he took in the horrors of the room. By the time he reached the cage at the back wall he couldn't stand anymore. The familial pride his parents had instilled into him as a child had been worn down over the years by his Crow training, but the last shred of it that he'd held onto through it all turned to ash as his knees met the ground and a sob broke free at the whimpering sounds of fading life in front of him.

He didn't have enough healing tonic or blood in himself to fix what his mother had done.. all he could do was end their misery as quicky and painlessly as possible. Once he'd finished, he stepped back out into the stairwell before he turned, eyes closing as he flooded the room with flame before shutting and warding the door behind him.

Once he was in the upper hall he reapplied the ward exactly as it had been before and then headed to the room that had been readied for him. His hand brushing the hair from his face, he opened the armoire then pressed the secret panel and reached into the space that was revealed, a pang of relief forming in his chest the moment his fingers met with the silken ballet slippers. 

He tucked them into his robes and as he left he set everything else in the room on fire, then shut the door. The smaller Crow meeting him a few steps down the hall frowned up at him "Everyone has been either freed or taken care of. We good to go or is there anything else you need to do?"

Camris didn't answer as he grabbed one of the dead guards and dragged his body over and into his sisters room, hand moving to use the mans blood to etch a ward onto his back interrupted by the smaller Crow grabbing his shoulder and pulling "Blood magic?! What the fuck are you doing?" only for Camris to jerk free and finish the ward "He's fucking dead, what does it matter? I'm leaving my sister a surprise." then positioned the man so that he was leaning against the end of the bed.

Camris motioned with his hand as he left the room "One last thing and we can go." and then headed back to the parlor where his uncle still sat, tied to the chair. Camris took the Porenni family birthright amulet out of Maaran's robe pocket and then patted him on the cheek to wake him. As watery blue eyes opened and fixed on his face, completely blank, Camris smiled, his voice gentle "Uncle, I need you to give Angelica a message.."

The smaller Crow interrupting him "Isn't he supposed to be dead?" Camris glanced back for a moment, "Considering what I did to him, he pretty much is." not bothering to explain anything to the other mage as honey brown eyes fixed back onto Maaran's face "Uncle, I need you to tell Angelica that she can't escape what's coming for her. Do you understand?" 

When his uncle only nodded, Camris shook his head "I need you to -Tell- me if you understand." he needed more than just the vacant eyes of tranquility, he needed to hear his voice, and as his uncle nodded again, the flat emotionless words "I understand." came and Camris stood up.

"We can leave now."

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In my world-state, Lucanis seems to be exclusively de Riva-sexual, which is amazing to me. Can you imagine if he ever sees them in a lab together? Like Teia comes over to Viago’s townhouse and finds Lucanis in the back garden flushed and sweating.

Teia: Lucanis? Are you all right?

Lucanis: (swallows heavily) I was in the lab…

Teia: Mierda! Did you touch anything? Inhale anything?

Lucanis: No. No, I was just… watching Rook and Viago work.

Teia: Okaaaay…

Lucanis: (put his head in his hands) They were so competent. It was so hot.

Teia: Ah. (sits down next to him and pats his back) Were there formulas?

Lucanis: There were formulas!

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Beloved 💞

does anybody even remember this game

fenris with longer hair for those who do

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done in clip studio paint ex | tap for a better quality !!!

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I noticed something about one of the conversations Rook has with Solas in the Fade and I need to yap about it.

Not considering the first time (because it was the first time), Rook is always on their "camp" clothes when they're in the Prison, because in order to get there they need to be in their calmest, most relaxed state, and while in there they're usually collected, the most you can do is be a little sassy, but Rook is always aware and in control of their emotions.

Except here:

Which is right after Treviso or Minrathous gets blighted. It's right after the first decision Rook makes as a leader that has big consequences outside their own reach, and it's the first time Rook really loses their temper around Solas. It's the first time they can actually yell at him.

In my opinion, it's also the first time the Prison itself shifts to accept Rook. Because Rook is still in the battle, their mind is still set in what just happened (for me, it's the same reason as to why Spite always shows up in Lucanis' default armor, because mentally he never takes it off). Rook is shaken, they're angry and upset about the decision they made, and in their eyes Solas is condescending about it. He doesn't care that one of the cities is lost, why would he? All that matters to him is "fixing" what he did centuries ago.

Except this is also one of the most important moments of their journey so far. If Solas misshandles Rook now, he loses the leverage he had against them in the first place. He needs them to be angry, and he needs them to see a way out of this anger as well. This is where my absolute favorite conversation in the entire game takes place. "They called me the Dread Wolf. What will they call you, when its over?". Right now Rook is Solas, and Rook is exactly what the Prison will accept in his place.

He could've taken them right there, but he would've joined the fight with little to no information or advantage against the Evanuris. So he keeps to himself, he works with what he has, and he waits.

And idk I think it's one of the best scenes in the game actually.

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A still life of the forest ground by Aris Knikker (Dutch, 1887--1962)

[randomness-in-motion]

Haven't yapped about Veilguard in ages but the way Rook takes a shot at Ghilan'nain is absolutely insane??????

Can you imagine having such a strong rush of adrenaline from killing TWO dragons and being at risk of it being for absolutely nothing because their GODDESS of a mother is bringing them back to life that you pick up and turn a ballista with your bare hands.

And it strikes true.