rooksstuff

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Pages Between

Balancing precariously on a rolling ladder, stack of books clutched to her chest, Lillian reaches up to press her glasses up the bridge of her nose as she skims the titles. The green wisp flicking beside her seems to protest as soon as she leans back, but she ignores it as the ladder smacks against the bookcase behind her, and she slides a book onto the shelf over her head.

"Calm yourself, Honor." She coos to the wisp, rocking forward to lead back against the other shelf, gently patting the wisp as it hovers beside her. "I have been playing amongst these shelves, since before your manifestation. I know what I am doing." Fingers skim the spines of books on the shelf, parting them to slide the next book into place.

"Hello?" She stiffens at the sound of footsteps approaching. "Hello? Is someone here?" It's a man, and he is looking around, books in his arms. He's a very distinguished looking, a cream colored tunic tucked into his slim green trousers, a gingham patterned button down vest of a deep purple color with a tie, and a golden pocket watch tucked into a breast pocket. He has a neatly combed black hair, with a thin mustache, and tired eyes. Lillian feels her cheeks flush with heat, clutching the bookshelf as though she could press herself flat against it, and hide. He's handsome. And smart too, if he managed to find the Archives. Her companion wisp squeaks loudly, circling her, and she waves at it.

"Honor, hush!" She whispers sharply, pressing a finger to her lips.

"Oh, hello!" She startles, head whipping down to see the man looking up at her. Honor bobs around her, weaving as she tries to wave the wisp off, but she moves too much, curls falling in her face as the ladder wobbles and topples, making her squeal as she plummets to the ground. She doesn't go splat on the ground. Instead, the man tosses his books away, catching her in his arms, the both of them falling under her weight. "Are you alright?" He inquires, watching the small elf's eyes widen, before she squeaks, scrambling off of him, face ruddy and breathing labored. "That was quite a fall. What were you doing up there? I thought we had an Archivist?" His continued questions make her fidget, looking away before she snatches up his books, handing them to him with her head bowed, before running away as fast as she can.

That was the first time Lillian Ingellvar had met Emmrich Volkarin.

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Family - Emmrich Volkarin PT2

"I want to have your children."

A gaping silence, Emmrich's face slack, rampant thoughts a mess as Lillian's face turns redder by the second, ruddy face already turning ruddier.

"I-I mean- I don't- I mean I do! But, I just- it's- I want-! I-I-Isaysomethingplease!" Her voice is shrill, edging on hyperventilating as Emmrich says nothing, looking at her blankly, mouth dropped open still. "I-I-nevermind. No. Forget it!" She shoves a hand into his face, pushing him away as she grabs a pillow to cover her face.

"My dear-" He moves, gripping her pillow to tug it away, but it remains firmly lodged in place. "Darling-" He grunts as he tries to wrestle the pillow away, but she doesn't want him to see her, red faced with tears welling in her eyes. "Lily!" Her head snaps up at that, his tug sends the pillow flying as he grabs her by the chin, rings pressing into her cheek as he turns her head towards him, before he reaches up to brush away a stray curl sticking to her cheek from her tears. "You must give me time to process things. Your brilliance surpasses mine at times, so your mind may run through things faster. That is not a rejection." He presses his forehead to her own. "Now," His free hand takes hers. "was this what was occupying your thoughts today? You were rather distracted."

"Ahsufnidus" She squeaks out, burying her face in her hands, and Emmrich simply chuckles, standing to slide behind her on the lounger, fingers going to play in her hair.

"I suppose we are getting rather serious," He admits, braiding her locks alongside her head. "It would be a prudent, to discuss this." He pauses in his braiding. "Is this something you want? Not a random thought, of "I should have children", is it?"

"No, I... was observing you today, with the kids in the Diamond, and... I couldn't stop thinking about you, and... me... and kids..." She murmurs, fingers linking with his when he reaches for one of her hands. "I mean... Manfred is basically our kid... and I just couldn't help but think about... having kids, being pregnant, with you." She says softly, her eyes focusing on the wall before her. "I... how much do you know about my past?"

"Not much, I suppose. I know there was a flood of magic in the Ingellvar crypts- enough to draw attention from Vorgoth. That when he went to investigated, he returned with a babe- you. And... when he learned of our paramour, he took me aside to explain to me about your relationship with Arthur, and how it ended."

"Ah..."

"I'm truly sorry." He says, and she grimaces, shaking her head.

"I don't... have a family." She says softly, her voice weak as Emmrich stiffens. "Vorgoth raised me, obviously, but there is nobody who... knows me. Is related to me... shares my blood. I feel... empty, and alone." She grabs another pillow, clutching it to her chest. "I don't want to have a kid, just because they'll share my blood, but at the same time... having someone who is... part me? It's something I want, more than anything in the world." She admits. "I don't want to feel so alone."

"Darling," He winds his arms around her, clutching her to his chest like she did with the pillow. "you will never be alone, again, for as long as I live." He promises, pressing a kiss to her temple. "I personally would love to see a child with your curls, and smile, that mischievous one that you make right before annihilating a group of foes with one cast of magic."

"As long as they get your nose." She turns in his arms, reaching up to gently trace her fingers across his nose. "And maybe your eye color." She places gentle kisses over his eyelids, thinking about how often other kids of the Necropolis teased her over her heterochromatic gaze and black sclera.

"I love your eyes! Why deny our child them?" He asks, tutting as he leans in to press a kiss over her eyelids in return.

"Because I know what it's like, to be tormented for something like my eyes." She replies, burying her head in his chest. "So, you do want them?" She glances up at him. "Kids, I mean. With... me?"

"Darling, I love you. I would love any child of ours, blood or not, and I would be honored to have them with you, if that is what you wish." He traces his hands up and down her back. "You make me happy, and I would wish that I could return one tenth of that happiness, in any way you'd wish of me." She smiles, cheeks flooding with pink as she presses her face to his chest, ear to his heart, listening to the frantic beat slow as she slowly starts to get drowsy.

"I love you, Emmrich." She murmurs, almost silently, and he hums in response, showing how tired he is as well.

"And I love you, Dearest." He winds his arms around her. "Let's get ready for bed, shall we?" He chuckles as she pinkens once more, a heavy weight lifted from her shoulders as she nods, slowly standing only for Emmrich to draw her back to him, holding her face close to his, bringing her in for a long, sweet, sensual kiss that leaves her toes curling in her boots. Things would be okay.

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Family - Emmrich Volkarin pt1

For someone who's never had children of his own, Emmrich is surprisingly good with them. The necromancer is currently being hung on by four children that seem desperate to reach his head- as a matter of fact, one is sitting in his shoulders with their hands making tight fists in his hair, while one is hanging from one arm, halfway on the shoulder, the third and forth are clinging to his legs as he tries, exaggeratedly, to take large steps. The laughter that comes from them is what draws her attention from her conversation with Teia and Viago.

"Ah, it seems the orphans have found a new climbing rig, ey Viago?" Teia asks with a laugh, the taller Crow frowns and crosses his arms over his chest, making Teia and Lillian giggle.

"So, th-they're orphans?" Lillian asks, watching Emmrich attempting to disintangle his legs and the child from his hair.

"Yes. From some Antaam that decided that they wanted their home. The parents were killed, and so they approached Noa and Neri in the Marketplace, because we've been providing shelter from those outsted by the Antaam." Teia explains. "He's very good with them."

"The Necropolis takes in all ages. I was just a babe, myself, when I was brought in." She admits. "And whilst young ones are not uncommon, some teachers have a better experience with them than others." She tilts her head, muffling a laugh as the child on Emmrich's shoulders decided to flop backwards, dangling on his back while the Professor clings to the child's leg with his free hand, trying to tug the other arm up to grab the other leg, but that spurs laughter from the child hanging from it as they bob up and down.

"Were you any good with them?" Teia asks, and Lillian looks at her, blushing at the teasing smirk on the smaller Crow's face, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"O-On the occasion they found the Archives, I made it fun for them to learn, and easy for them to find what they needed, before guiding them back to familiar territories." She admits. "Though, I have been told that I'm... somewhat of an acquired taste."

"Well, you are rather..."

"Stuffy?" Lillian smirks, frayed and insecure, like she's heard the same comment a thousand times.

"You're getting better." Teia says, pointedly digging her elbow into Viago's side, as if to scold him for his implication of what he said. "You stammer a lot less."

"O-oh..." Her cheeks flush as she nods, fiddling with the leather of her fingerless gloves. "Thank you." She tucks a curl behind her pointed ear, feeling sheepish as she spots Emmrich standing before the four orphans now, all four of them are standing tall, a serious expression on his face, making her break into giggles once again as Emmrich tugs his clothes back into place, before he smooths down his hair again, smiling kindly at the young ones.

"He's very good with them." Teia repeats, and Lillian nods, blush worsening as he pats them all on the head, before approaching the trio that is watching with a happy smile.

"My apologies, I was momentarily distracted." He says, and she shakes her head, looking away with a focused gaze.

"We should get back to the Lighthouse." Lillian says, bidding the Crows farewell before she leads the way towards the Eluvian. He is good with kids... She thinks to herself. Does he want kids? Wait, do I want kids? Isn't this something we should talk about, if we're serious about one another? She glances at her fellow necromancer as he walks beside her, Lucanis and Bellara are conversing about dinner behind them. Just because he's good with kids, doesn't mean he wants them... but, it doesn't mean he doesn't want them... he is older, so maybe he's decided that kids are off the table? Or maybe that means he would want them more?

They're sitting at dinner, their friends conversing as they eat, but Lillian is focused on her food as she is lost in thought. Or, he's not sure if he wants kids. Maybe I should think about kids? I always thought Arthur and I would have them. He had such a sweet tooth, but he always gave them his candies and sweets whenever he saw them, even when he wanted to eat them more than anything. A smile that could power then sun- that's what she always thought whenever Arthur would see the sweets she baked him. It really didn't hurt at the time, when she pictured that smile on a pudgy face with their father's green eyes and her black curls. But, that was with Arthur. Could I see myself having kids now? After he made me love him, and betrayed me? Emmrich loves me, but he also loves the Necropolis. He would never endanger it for greed.

Shifting on her lounger, the hour is late and getting later, and she's supposed to be reading, but she's still lost in thought as Emmrich sits on a chair he's recently brought it. Manfred is practically our son already. Her eyes widen. Of course! We'd have to take Manfred into account as well. He is just learning magic, to have your mentor, and for all purposes, father and mother taken from you- oh but, we'd never abandon him. But, he may feel that way with all of the attention a new baby takes... a baby. Why does it have to be a baby? We could adopt? One of those orphans in the Diamond? They seemed to adore Emmrich, as does Mila.

"Darling," Emmrich frowns, watching her idly playing with the edge of a page. "is something wrong?" But, if we had kids, I want to at least have one of our own. Our blood. All kids deserve love, and we'd give them a family full of love, but... is that it? Family? Would I be happy if Emmrich were my only family? Someone I share a home with? Yes, but... ever since I could remember... I just wanted someone related to me. Family by blood. Someone who could own up to me. "Darling," Emmrich is kneeling before her, taking the book to set on the table, her eyes are unfocused as he takes her hands in his. "did something happen in Treviso?" I want...

"I want to have your children."

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Eluvian Harmonic Resonance: A Paper by Bellara Lutare

Starting off Bellara Week strong - lets read an academic paper she wrote about how the Eluvain's works (complete with Diagrams and References)

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He looks like he needs snakebites

pre-egg Solas with his Trespasser armor 🥚

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THE FUCK YOU MEAN NOBODY KNOWS?

Does everyone in the Necropolis just not question shit?

First it's the crypt baby. 'Oh yeah, it's out crypt baby. Where did he come from? Uhh, we're not really sure'.

And now it's 'Oh, this is my colleague Vorgoth. Why are they a cloud of smoke in a cape? We honestly don't know'.

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Gifts - Emmrich Volkarin

"One of my favorite flowers: A variegated Weeping Widower." Lillian recalls, standing amongst the memorial gardens as she studies the book in her hand. Good for cleansing the air and providing fresh oxygen. She hums as she chews on her bottom lip in though, before snapping the book shut. Lillian grabs a nearby trowel, kneeling to dig out some of the flowers from the dirt, transferring it into a bucket with dirt, before using shears to snip a few fresh buds off another stalk of flowers, plonking them into a pouch to pocket them, before standing, brushing dirt off of her robes and hands as she hefts the pot into her arms, smiling to herself as she leaves the memorial gardens, heading towards the Eluvian. Myrna smiles, almost knowingly, as the Librarian walks past, pausing to stretch up to plant a kiss to Vorgoth's robed head in goodbye.

The trip through the crossroads is carefree for once, a spirit of Curiosity stopping her with an offer of helping carry the flower, but Lily refuses with a shy smile, and continues on her way to the Lighthouse. Once she's outside of Emmrich's office though, nerves grow, building in her stomach as she lingers outside the door. Emmrich mentioned liking the flower, and alchemy, but would he think this was strange? That she brought him a large flower out of nowhere, after mentioning it in passing? Would he understand her intentions? Maybe she should just leave it here with the buds?

"Rook?" She startles, jumping as she turns to look at the person approaching, seeing Bellara looking at her in concern. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh," Lily feels her face flush. "I-"

"Is that for Emmrich?" The elf asks, and she feels her blush worsen as she nods.

"Could you, uh... maybe... give it to him?" Lily asks, shuffling the pot between arms as Bellara frowns, but slowly nods.

"Sure, but shouldn't you give it to him? I mean, you got it for him because you like him, didn't you?"

"Shhh!" Lillian hushes her, the blush burning her cheeks worsens even more. "I just- I thought he might enjoy a part of home!" She shuffles awkwardly, before the door opens with Emmrich standing there, making her yelp, nearly dropping her gift.

"I thought I heard voices out here. Rook, Bellara, care to come in?" She clears her throat, nodding as she shuffles into the room as she sets the flower by his desk. "Is that...?"

"I... thought you might like it." She shuffles awkwardly, pulling the pouch out of her pocket. "I-I got some buds as well, so maybe you could plant some in Harding's observatory?"

"Oh, what a lovely gift!" Emmrich chirps, smiling at her as she giggles in embarrassment.

"I'm glad you enjoy it." She rubs her arm, shuffling towards the door. "So, I just... wanted to give you this... I need to go." She explains, and Bellara is biting her lip to try to mask her smirk, swaying side to side with her arms clasped behind her back.

"Oh... perhaps you could stay? I'd love to have another set of eyes for an experiment with the Weeping Widower. I want to see how the Fade will affect different things-"

"I-I would love to, Professor-"

"Why does she get to call you Professor?"

"Oh!" Lily feels that flush return to her skin, and she drops her gaze. "I-I didn't mean to- I'm sorry!"

"Nonsense. It's preferable to be referred to as Emmrich by my colleagues, but if you are more comfortable with my title-"

"No. No! I-I misspoke! I'm sorry." She feels slightly panicked, pulling at her ponytail with nervous fingers.

"It's quite alright. Were you planning something? You seemed like you needed to leave." Emmrich asks, and she nods.

"I promised Harding that I'd teach her to bake lemon and blueberry mascarpone fritters."

"Ah! So that was you that baked those!" Emmrich chirps, making her head snap up, glasses sliding down the slope of her nose. "I thought Lucanis baked them. They were delicious!"

"I- you liked them?"

"Oh, yeah, they were soooo good!" Bellara chirps. "Lucanis made this sweet icing dip for them, and it balanced the tartness from the blueberries and the sourness of the lemon."

"I meant to make some, but Lucanis asked for my advice on some new poisons he was trying to brew, and then Myrna sent word for my presence." She explains.

"You do alchemy as well?" Emmrich asks.

"I was a late bloomer for my magic, so I was training to be a rogue. Less people involved... I'm... not a social person." She murmurs, shuffling towards the door again. "I-I have to go now. Enjoy the flowers!" She turns, walking face first into the closed door, before stumbling back, rubbing her face as she blushes, opening the door to rush out, criticizing herself internally, embarrassment growing as she retreats, hoping to forget this day's events that embarrassed her entirely.

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some davrook for valentine’s day 💃 ✧ bluesky ✧ regular commissions ✧ vgen ✧ tip jar ✧

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Mourning Gold

romancing emmrich this playthrough and his mourning jewelry is so gorgeous i had to draw it!!

piece will be available as a print on my website, link in bio :-3

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Chachkies - Emmrich Volkarin

There is low light glowing from her aquarium as she fiddles with her hook, unlooping then relooping the large thread around the hook, tucking and tugging as music flows from the record player in the corner of her room, slow and beautiful- a gift from one Nevarran Noble that had agreed with her actions that got her sent away from the Grand Necropolis. Myrna kept the music player in pristine condition, until Lillian could collect it herself. Normally, Lily refused all gifts of every kind, but she had seen the record player in a shop along the streets, and knew she'd never be able to afford one herself, so she hopped on the gift immediately so she could have some kind of noise for days like this, when nothing was happening, and they had no idea what to do next, and she could just relax.

Relaxing today includes music, her crochet, and some herbal tea with mint and honey to sooth her sore throat. Years of not talking alot is catching up with her, all the time spent with her books and crocheting in the library, rather than socializing at a gallery or dancing at a Gala. She preferred to be alone, at least then the only person who could hurt her, was herself.

Tugging her final loop closed, she hums, pleased, as she tosses the stuffed skull in her arms, giving it a squeeze. Brown eyes streaked with green stare blankly back at her, reminding her so much of her favorite necromancer (next to Vargoth) that she stands, taking her tea to steal a sip before placing the cup on the platter as she picks up the skull once more, walking from the room with a shy smile. If she could sneak into his chambers, not tell him it was her that made it, that would be ideal. She has done it in the past, a griffin for Davrin, a wyvern for Lucanis- they might know, but the have no way of knowing for sure.

The door clicks open to reveal Emmrich standing before his desk, magic dying on his fingertips as he looks up as she tucks the small skull behind her back.

"Rook," He smiles, setting the skull in his hand down. "did you require my assistance for something?" She shakes her head, feeling a blush staining her cheeks. "Do you... have something?" He inquires, tipping back on the desk to try to see around her, and she feels her cheeks burning even more as she slowly brings out the stuffed skull. "Ah! So, you were our mystery gifter!" He pushes off his desk, crossing to her as he slowly reaches for the skull, and she pushes it into his hands. "I suppose this means it's my turn, yes?" He examines the chachkie with a critical eye, ringed fingers trailing over the plush fabric as a smile appears on his face. "You're quite handy with a crochet hook, aren't you?"

"I... it's just something to do." She answers, fingers raking through curls, nervous and desperate to yank the stuffed skull away and run.

"You say that, but this is remarkably well made." He sets the small plushy on his desk beside his ever leaning tower of books, and a different warmth, not embarrassment, fills her chest as she smiles at him. "Thank you."

"You're... welcome." She shuffles towards the door, when he calls out to her.

"Lillian," Her eyes meet his as he smiles warmly. "if you should ever wish to talk, about home, or something else, I should very much like that."

"...yes. okay." She nods. "Thank you." She leaves the office, hurrying back towards her room, warmth growing with her chest as she collapses onto her lounger, fingers picking through colored yarn, already thinking about what to make next.

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I made Lillian with a few dress up games. Check her out in all her glory!

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Status: Updated

(I'm still not pleased with her skintone, but I can't get it to be anymore rosy than that. Her skin should be a more reddish brown color.)

Name: Lillian (Lily) Ingellvar

Class: Mage (sometimes she's a rogue)

Faction: Mourn Watch (sometimes I write her as a Warden)

Love Interest: Emmrich (sometimes Lucanis)

Background: After her mysterious appearance outside Ingellvar tomb in the Necropolis, Vargoth raised her as his own - more often than not, you saw a tot Lily upon his cloak, following him like a duckling. As she grew older, Lillian was rather shy. In her youth, Lillian became fascinated with elvhen culture, and her origins, so she got her tattoos to mimic Dalish Vallaslin, though after meeting some Dalish, they shunned her and called her a flat ear, making her more self conscious. That is when she turned to studies more, taking solace in her studies, and spending much of her time in the libraries and archives of the Necropolis. As such, she became proficient with most areas of magic, though due to a mishap as a child, she is not without her scars. Other students of the Grand Necropolis have taken to calling her The Librarian. Anything that you need in the library or the archives, Lillian is usually the one to go to.

Lily had one brief, great love that ended in disaster, though she doesn't talk much about it, it makes her hesitant to fall in love once again.

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I’m actually so in love with this man, bless.

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Name: Lillian (Lily) Ingellvar

Class: Mage (sometimes she's a rogue)

Faction: Mourn Watch (sometimes I write her as a Warden)

Love Interest: Emmrich (sometimes Lucanis)

Interests: Crocheting, Baking, Gardening, tbd

Background: After her mysterious appearance outside Ingellvar tomb in the Necropolis, Vargoth raised her as his own - more often than not, you saw a tot Lily upon his cloak, following him like a duckling. As she grew older, Lillian was rather shy. In her youth, Lillian became fascinated with elvhen culture, and her origins, so she got her tattoos to mimic Dalish Vallaslin, though after meeting some Dalish, they shunned her and called her a flat ear, making her more self conscious. That is when she turned to studies more, taking solace in her studies, and spending much of her time in the libraries and archives of the Necropolis. As such, she became proficient with most areas of magic, though due to a mishap as a child, she is not without her scars. Other students of the Grand Necropolis have taken to calling her The Librarian. Anything that you need in the library or the archives, Lillian is usually the one to go to.

Lily had one brief, great love that ended in disaster, though she doesn't talk much about it, it makes her hesitant to fall in love once again.

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Collected dailies 🐦‍⬛⚔️🐦‍⬛🗡️✨💜

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Random thoughts about Dragon Age The Veilguard Act 3 location [SPOILERS]

Kinda interesting to me how the final fight in Minrathous lead us to Thalsian's Forum, named after the first dreamer of Tevinter, first priest of Dumat, first blood mage & king of Neromanian (also named after the first human tribe), Thalsian. That city [Neromanian] in Tevinter is where House Danarius lived before Fenris killed them all [In DA2 + the comics]. It's especially ironic when you remember the first Archon and founder of the Tevinter Imperium was called Darinius the Ferryman, and well, House Danarius is a malapropism away from that haha

I drew a bunch of artworks before the game was released where Fenris attacks Solas or is present in what used to be "Dragon Age Dreadwolf", so it kinda goes full circle in my mind, now XD

Here's an old animatic from april 2023, using the audio from a Cameo where Gideon Emery (Fenris's english VA) said "Oh, mighty Dreadwolf... Fuck you." 😂

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I fear this is all tumblr will allow without me getting yelled at uncensored (contains Solas butt) -> https://bsky.app/profile/obsidianbone.bsky.social/post/3lkgs7cckec2n