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Chroniques oubliées Fantasy by Aurore Folny

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Kai and Zev walked into the dimly lit interior of The Hungry Nug inn. The lobby floor was covered with a thick woolen rug in a geometric pattern. The room itself was neat, dimly lit by two torches, and some muted magical runes. It served to give the impression of twilight and sleepy comfort.

There were stone benches and chairs, and not all built for dwarves either. It eased Kai’s mind some, as it meant a bed that might fit a human. She didn’t relish dangling her feet over the edge or sleeping caddy-cornered to get some shut-eye.

They made their way to a front desk made of carved stone, upon which stood a flat etched disk of metal hanging from a metal bar suspending perpendicular to its stone base. A small stick with a leather-covered padded end hung from a hook on the frame. Zevran picked up the stick and applied the leather covered end to the plate of hanging metal which emitted a low reverberating ‘bong’ sound.

A tapestry worked out in red, black, and white geometric designs bulged slightly before being swept to the side to reveal a doorway Kai had no idea was there. The makeshift curtain swung back into place as a male dwarf walked through to stand before them. His elaborately plaited beard glowed like golden honey in the torchlight. “Ah! A young couple in love, I supposed you’re needing a place to bunk down? As it so happens, I have a room with human sized furniture still empty.”

He turned back to the wall to the side of the doorway through which he had just appeared. The wall held square openings carved into the rock, and each cubby-hole sported a glyph and held either an empty metal hook, or a hook with a heavy iron key. Kai noticed that some of the spaces held what looked like parchment pieces. The dwarf reached for a key and pulled one such piece of brownish paper from the space behind the hook. He sat the scrap of parchment along with the key on the counter as Kai put coins down for the room.

“My lady, the occupants in the room next to yours have a missive. Would it be an imposition if I were to ask you to deliver it? It is a couple of mages here from the tower about lyrium. I think this note might be from their friends there?” The dwarf shoved coins for the change that Kai didn’t think they were entitled to.

He winked at her with a grin before flashing a look at the coins and back to Kai. “My cousin, Georig, he lives next to Lake Calenhad and the tower. He tells me that the mages are ten feet tall and shoot lightning out of their fingers, he is such a joker. They both looked as normal as cloud-heads can to me.” The braids of the man’s beard wiggled with his laughter, “Georig loves his ale. He keeps trying get me to go topside and visit The Spoiled Princess tavern there.”

Kai looked down at the pile of coins, some copper bits and a good amount of silver, sitting on the paper beneath it. One coin was larger and bore a symbol Kai was very familiar with: three crescent moons back to back joined by a triple knot. The ‘coin’ had lettering not readable in the dim light of the lobby, but Kai knew it said 'dileas go deo’. Without flipping it over she knew a rampant griffin would adorn the other side.

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Wow!!!

Here is Jodie’s ref sheet I was talking about :D I wanted to do a bit more but also finally publish it so here it is. I hope you like it ♥

You can also see it on Artstation.

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Awesome!

very late art summary

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Love this!

“A moment in time “

I also opened an InPRNT Store, if you are interested in purchasing prints of my work !  💛

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I have had the distinct honor and pleasure of meeting this amazing lady, not once, but twice. The second time she remembered me, though she had no reason to having met hundreds of thousands of fans between them. She is even more beautiful and elegant and classy than you see from her appearances or pictures. I adore her. Meeting her will be something I never forget.

“In honor of Black History Month…

Today, we honor groundbreaking actress Nichelle Nichols. Nichelle Nichols (born Grace Dell Nichols on December 28, 1932 in Robbins, Illinois, near Chicago) made her mark as the first African-American woman to be cast in a major television series. Nichols played Lieutenant Uhura on Star Trek until the series ended in 1969. Nichols’ Star Trek character, one of the first African American female characters on American television not portrayed as a servant, was groundbreaking in U.S society at the time. Martin Luther King, Jr. personally praised her work on the show and asked her to remain when she was considering leaving the series. After her run with Star Trek, she was invited to participate in a NASA initiative to recruit women and minorities for their space program. In addition to acting, Nichols had an expansive singing career as well, releasing two albums and singing alongside of Duke Ellington and Lionel Hampton.”

Source: The Queen Code 

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I love learning about amazing women who contributed to history and especially women of color who are even more ignored for their contributions. Thank you Ms. Davidson Kenner, thank you.

#BlackHistoryFact  - African American Inventor Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner is known for developing the sanitary pad  

MEFeater Magazine

The Forgotten Black Woman Inventor Who Revolutionized Menstrual Pads

Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner was a self-taught inventor who created the sanitary belt and filed five patents in her lifetime.

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“Tevinter mages?” Kai flashed Zev a look while raising her eyebrow, “I would say that you are joking, madam, but I am sitting here watching two of them and how their presence affects everyone.” Kai looked at Sal, “How would mages of any stripe control dwarves? You’re magic resistant.”

“Ah therein lies the proverbial rub, along with the ‘which came first the Deep Stalker or the egg’ puzzle.” Sal barked out a short burst of sarcastic anger. “We may be immune to magic itself, but we are not resistant to being torn asunder by demons, salroka. These mages are holding our royal line hostage, as well as our beloved city. They have some sort of devices which open portals to the Fade and pull these creatures through. They have placed them in the palace, in particular with my sister and my nephew. They also have them hidden in various places around Orzammar, including Dust Town.”

Sal made a motion for more drinks for everyone and waited until the various beverages had been placed on the table in front of them before continuing on. “I was on a mission at the time for Bhelen, when these mages came to visit along with their dangerous toys. They gave a little demonstration on the magical portal they snuck into Endrin, my nephew’s room.”

It took every bit of discipline Kai had not to jump from her seat, “They didn’t use the child as a sacrifice did they?”

“Easy, salroka, I’m no slick-tongued Shaper with stories. No, they didn’t sacrifice my nephew, he was merely held at knife point, while the blood of the guard they had overpowered was used to fuel the portal. Endrin’s nanny was the ‘example’ on how it worked, the poor duster. They used the portal to call up a demon made of flame and it tore her apart.”

Kai watched as Sal knocked back yet another mug. Kai smiled in amusement, the dwarf wasn’t even tipsy yet. Kai would have been under the table by now.

“Needless to say, my nephew has a new ‘nanny’ now.” Sal motioned for a refill.

Kai snorted, “Let me guess, one of your less than welcome guests stepped in to take the position.”

“You got it in one, salroka. Maybe you skyers aren’t as dim as they say you are.” Sal tossed Kai a saucy grin and a wink.

“Their plan is devious to be sure, but how did they get close enough to the royal family to implement it?” Zev’s voice startled both Kai and Sal as he had been sitting so quietly observing that they had forgotten he was there. He chuckled at their expressions and shrugged, “I used to spy and kill in my old life. Old talents die hard, no?” He flashed his most charming smile making Sal laugh and causing Kai to grin and wrinkle her nose at him.

Sal answered him, “They came under the guise of negotiating lyrium, same as the Tower does here in Ferelden. They also brought pale dwarves with them, claiming they were our cousins from Kal-Sharok, and that they wanted to reunite with Orzammar not just have trade. Obviously that was a lie.” Sal barked out a short laugh, “Well, not entirely a lie, they have been taking bronto-sized amounts of lyrium into the Deep Roads, but to what purpose? As for the supposed dwarven contingent from Kal-Sharok, that may be true or another lie. Bhelen’s father and now he himself have been in touch with our “lost” cousins in writing only. This too could be a ruse though it if is not, then I do wonder what stake Kal-Sharok has in this.”

“You mean you don’t know?” Kai almost thought she was hearing things.

“I mean just that, salroka. It isn’t exactly safe to be in the palace, and it is Stone hard to sneak in. When I managed, I was only able to see my sister. Bhelen knows what is going on, but seeing him is impossible, they are with him always.” Sal threw back yet another tankard and asked for another round for the table. They waited until the barmaid returned with a tray, leaving drinks, and clearing the empty mugs away, before continuing.

“I am sensing that this isn’t all of it. The disturbing happenings I mean.” Kai cocked an eyebrow at the dwarva. Kai noticed the mages looking their way, “Laugh as if I just told a joke. We mustn't look too serious or our friends over there may get suspicious.”

Sal threw back her head and laughed, slapping a hand on the table, “No it isn’t. A group of our best dwarven engineers were taken with the first large shipment of lyrium into the Roads. They also visited the Shaperate and removed books on Cairidin, his anvil, and golems. So, if I had to guess, salroka, it has to do with recreating a golem army.”

“That would be my guess too. Though there has to be more to it than that. Amassing a golem army should take years. I don’t see the Tevinter mages spending years to make one such army, that would draw attention. Tevinter has its hands full fighting the Qunari. My understanding is that takes all of their attention. Yet lately they have been in contact with Anora and coming into Ferelden. I thought we had given them enough of a bloody nose to make them leave for good. The deal being offered must be so good that they are not going to be easily dissuaded. Now it begs the question, is it sanctioned by the Tevinter government as a whole or group of mages who wish to have more power? This might be a rogue faction of their mages.” Kai absently ran a finger around the rim of her mug, thinking. “But if it is not I think this whole thing bodes not only ill for Ferelden, but all of Thedas.” Kai shot Zev a look.

“I think we need to speak to our delectably endowed Wynne, she is a well traveled mage, and may know more about Tevinter and its government. Did she not mention she traveled there once as a young mage?” Zev cocked an eyebrow with a saucy grin.

Kai nodded and chuckled, but grew pensive once more, “This is definitely more complex than what first meets the eye.”

“When is it not, mi gra? Especially when you are involved.” Alistair’s voice teased in her ear.

“Ha, very ha!” Kai huffed into her own head. “But so true, my beloved.” She could feel his worry despite the levity. She didn’t blame him, her own belly felt as if worms were wriggling in it amongst Oghren’s special.

She was startled out of her internal dialogue by Sal motioning to Corra. The hand motion for drinks she recognized, but the other had her curious. Whatever it was, the barmaid nodded and went to the back room behind the scarred counter. She wasn’t sure what to expect when Corra returned with a tray which she placed on their table. The girl put down more drinks and a leather bag along with a round wooden board with round divots on its surface.

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Crowley’s hair in the final scene at the Ritz

I mean, have you seen his hair?! LOL It looks like all those millennia of stress and anxiety were waiting for this moment to dump on his head.

No, really. He’s gone through 6000+ years with the best hair, has followed fashion, has tried everything and rocked it every time. I think it’s safe to say that of all his exterior presentation, Crowley takes particular care in having his hair always look good, no matter what. Even when he was wasted drunk at the bar he had better hair than this. Even when he came out of the burning bookshop.

And now, at the Ritz, celebrating their newfound freedom… he just doesn’t care! No, okay, this requires a gif because really, look at him.

That looks like the hair he woke up with. It’s a mess and I love it.

To be fair, in this final, beautiful scene all of him looks a little off. He’s presenting in a way we’ve never seen before - the smile, the lightness - the closest being probably Eden. One could argue that he isn’t himself at this point– or maybe he’s more himself than ever. We’re used to see him strung up, nervous, guarded, while here is relaxing, and he’s SO tired, to the point that he looks like a deflated balloon.

It’s like the tight string holding him together has been cut loose AND THAT’S THE POINT, because he was piling up so much fear and anxiety and it’s actually a good thing that it’s gone. Look at him taking in everything rather than acting on it, like, he’s contented with letting Aziraphale do all the talking, and nothing else, no second purpose, no hiding behind the Arrangement. Just being. Relax by quiet which if you ask me has ‘introvert’ written all over it. Relief by absence of weight. Who hasn’t been there, really? I know I have.

A part of me first thought that he could have been happier at this point, should have been happier, showing it in a more flashy way as we’re used to see him, but the truth is that he is happy. He is like that BECAUSE he’s okay. 

And he’s also so exhausted that he’s basking in the feeling of not having to worry. Maybe that lack of pressure is not the showiest moment of his (especially because of the way he has trained us to see him), but it is so meaningful that now, right now, he only needs the quiet. That the real, best outcome is that he can finally, finally, rest. Not only from Hell and Heaven, but from the continuous effort of trying so hard, repeatedly enticing Aziraphale so that he won’t step back, unable to ever take him for granted. 

Gif credits (x) (x)

Compare the nervous despair of the first gif with the careless pose of the second one. There’s great meta here about this comparison, but just look: finally, Crowley can trust Aziraphale to stay on their own side, share some of the weight, and his relief is palpable.

So of course he can’t be bothered to look perfect, because who cares honestly? Not today, not after all that’s happened. His priorities have been laid out in front of him, and hair ain’t one of those right now. He has everything he ever, really needed.

Look at him; he’s beautiful.

Gif credit (x)

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Kai schooled her face carefully while trying to read the female dwarf standing before her. “The ‘Hero of Ferelden’ is dead, or haven’t you heard? He died killing the Archdemon.” She cocked an eyebrow.

The beautiful woman simply tilted her head back and laughed. “Nicely done. Vartag said you could be clever.”

“Oh you meant the other hero, yes she ‘died’ too. Poisoned I believe, her ‘killer’ hasn’t been brought to justice...yet.”

“But you hope to see that happen in the future, no doubt.” The dwarf was even more beautiful when she smiled. “Let me get your food and drink.”

Kai watched her walk off, and scanning the tavern before turning to Zev, “Well, she threw out Vartag’s name. I don’t think she did that on a whim.”

“Hm, no my dear Kaidana, I don’t think she did at that. I too saw our old friend Vartag’s face, he recognized you, despite your state of dress. She may be his agent, but I am an ex-Crow. Erring on the side of extreme caution has kept me alive this long. I would like to keep on in this, ‘living condition’, for a while longer, no?” He leaned in, his fingers rubbing along her thigh while his lips teased her earlobe, “Especially if you continue sharing it with me.”

She turned her face towards him, giving him a long and lingering kiss. She could feel his surprise, and his passion. She pulled her lips away, “You are a charmer, and I must say I agree with you, caution is the best policy. Especially now, we have no idea what we are facing. This is...”

“Unsettling? Yes, I agree. The strangers in the market, and in the palace. They are not Fereldans. And the tension...”

Anything else Zev may have been about to say was interrupted by the return of their “barmaid” and their food and drink. She smiled and placed it down in front of them. Kai placed coins on the table for food, drink, and a tip.

The dwarva picked up the coins, running her fingers over them, her eyes suddenly widening. One coin she held up and rubbed her fingers over, three crescents shown on the side that faced Kai and Zev. Kai watched the woman’s thumb run the surface she couldn’t see, but knew to have a griffon with wings unfurled emblazoned on it. In a flash the “coin” disappeared in an act of sleight of hand that Kai found impressive. So, their friend was a thief, probably a rogue like Kai herself.

The young woman grinned at her, “Thank you for the tip, my lady is most generous.” She gave Kai a slight bow, and backed into the shadows of the room. When she appeared again she was dressed in battle scarred leathers with a sword and daggers strapped on. She was a girl after Kai’s own heart after all.

The dwarf sat down next to them, “Please eat, or it might look strange, and we don’t want our unwanted guests getting suspicious.” She bobbed her dark head towards the front of the bar where two humans had entered. They looked like one of the groups that Kai observed loitering in the market area and the commons. She watched them sit down at a table in an area where they could watch the front and the back of Tapsters.

Kai looked at Zev who gave his usual cocky grin before picking up the black iron utensils and lifting food to those smiling lips. Kai did the same, and was pleasantly surprised that Oghren’s Special was a flavorful and delicious dish. What was not surprising was that it obviously had been cooked with ale; and from the taste of it, Oghren’s own special ale recipe that he had given to Wynne in the Deep Roads oh so long ago, and later the rest of them.

Kai took a swig of her mead before addressing the dwarf, “So, you are no barmaid, but a rogue. And a rogue who is casteless yet throws out Vartag Gavorn’s name as easily as dwarves throwback beer.” Kai gave her a grin, “And now you know I work for the Silver Griffon, and the group of shadows working on behalf of Ferelden. I have shown you my cards, now care to show me yours?”

The young woman cocked a delicate eyebrow and gave her a saucy grin while reaching into a leather pouch at her waist.

“When she says ‘show her yours’, it would be best to do that with the utmost care and caution no?” Kai looked to see Zev slide a very sharp (and she had reason to know) poisoned dagger against their new companion’s torso just under her armpit where the wound would not be seen right away giving them time to leave before anyone would notice.

The rogue only grinned harder and held up the hand not occupied in supplication. She continued to reach into the bag and gently pulled out a delicate, but heavy ring, issuing a husky laugh, "Relax, salroka. I'm not in a hurry to die."

She handed it to Kai. It was obviously meant for a woman. Kai recognized the Aeducan royal seal, a geometric bearded dwarf. Only Aeducans wore it. As this woman was without caste or clan, and she was still breathing: she would have procured it in only one way...it was given to her. Kai grinned, running a finger over the design before handing it back.

The young woman palmed it, and the ring disappeared into the dark interior of the leather pouch once more. She chuckled again as Zev withdrew his dagger and resumed eating. Her green eyes turned to Kai once more, while she offered her arm in a warrior’s grasp, “Salveiga Brosca, sister to Queen Rica Aeducan.”

Kai grasped the proffered arm gripping the leather vambrace, “Kaidana Cousland, and as you mentioned before, ‘Hero of Ferelden’. Though I really hate that term, Alistair Theirin was the true hero, not I.”

“Ah, mi’gra, we may have to argue that when you come to me in the dream Fade next.” Alistair’s voice sounded in her ear.

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water world

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Warm Winter & Snow on Leaves by HatCat Photography

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Kai stood rearranging the baskets of apples, filling in the gaps made as the bushels and baked goods sold. What was not surprising was the rate at which the various alcoholic wares disappeared. Branan still kept the supplies for the palace and Tapsters (carefully hidden beneath a tarp) until he received word that he would be allowed to deliver it inside the city. Under the guise of “protecting the kegs for Tapsters, Branan “hired” Sten and the band of mercenaries. It was a pretense that actually held a modicum of truth.

The delay, according to Branan, was unusual; dwarves loved their drink. Ever since Bhelen had taken the throne, human merchants were allowed, and even encouraged to visit inside of Orzammar. The strange wait resulted in a general edginess that infected Branan and his group.

The delay, perhaps, was not the only thing causing disquiet amongst them: the dwarves themselves exuded unease, both merchants and citizens alike. The tension was even worse here than at the Horn.

It reminded her of a hunting trip her family made when some of the nobles were visiting. They traveled with falcons and the Huntsman’s dogs for flushing birds into the sky. The fields were full of calls of their quarry, quail. When the shadow of the falcon would pass over the billowing wheat the silence descended as if a heavy blanket had been cast over the grain.

The tension would be released in a burst of terrified flight when the dogs would flush them out. This felt the same; and from the normally stalwart and stoic dwarves, it was most unnerving. They reminded her of the stone they claimed to come from and return to, steady. For them to act as quail waiting for the falcon’s punch, it must be very bad indeed.

Such thoughts made Kai tense and edgy along with the vibes from the dwarves. As a result she wasn’t sleeping well, if at all. Not that the proximity to the Deep Roads was in any way the cause of her distress...oh no. She had such lovely memories from this place after all.

The dwarven politics, more tangled and hard to traverse, than a pit of poisonous snakes. Then the pressing crush of darkspawn, their stench, their corruption around every corner coupled with the macabre sing song poem repeated, over and over again. The source, a horrific discovery of just what the darkspawn did to victims drug underground, in particular the female victims. Just thinking of that female dwarf still gave Kai chills. Then the constant horrific nightmares from the taint in her blood; and the song of the archdemon so alluring and compelling that rose to a deafening and terrifying crescendo when they came upon it directing the darkspawn armies in the trenches below. Ah yes, good times! Kai gave a mental snort.

“Well at least you don’t have to worry about an archdemon this time, or a broodmother, or...” Alistair’s cheeky voice sounded in her ear.

“Oh, yes and I managed to forget about that part, thank you so much for reminding me, smart guy.” Kai rolled her eyes at him.

Sorry, mi’ gra.” She could hear his rueful grin.

“I really, really, really hate the Deep Roads. And dwarven politics gives me hives. Why do I feel as though I will be dealing with both again?.”

“Because there is no rest for the wicked?” She heard the laughter in his voice and she couldn’t help but join him. Alistair always made things better, even when things looked bleakest, then as now. He was her light in the dark.

“Tell me again why I love you?”

“My minor obsession with my hair? My devilishly handsome looks? My love of fine cheeses? Take your pick.” Kai gave him a mental snort and a smile.

Her inner dialogue was interrupted by Zev who tickled his fingers in her hair at the nape of her neck as he leaned in on the pretense of kissing her while he put his lips to her ear.

“Jarren informs me that the delectably endowed Wynne wishes to meet you down the hill out of sight from the market. She will be there ‘picking herbs for potions’ as her reason for being there.”

Kai smiled and rubbed his cheek leaning in, “I take it Wynne and Anders have found lodging inside the city then?”

“Si, and as soon as we are allowed in we may break away from Branan and avail ourselves of it.” His fingers kneaded the base of her skull making it hard to concentrate. Perhaps pretending to be lovers snatching a moment was a bad idea. His lips tickled her jawbone, “And Tam and Jarren have secured curious positions for the scath and Sten as soldiers to the palace to ‘keep the peace’ they were told. One of Bhelen’s men came looking for them specifically when he heard there were mercenaries in the market. Apparently there is a sort of behind the scenes martial law situation. Not where surfacers visiting Orzammar will notice, of course.”

“No wonder the dwarves are tense. Just what by Andraste’s flaming knickers are we getting ourselves into, I wonder. Well at least they will be in a prime position to spy at the palace.”

Kai almost gasped when Zev’s teeth gently nibbled her earlobe. “Ah, mi cielo, you and Trouble do have a very close relationship don’t you?” He pulled back his amber eyes twinkling with mirth.

Kai wrinkled her nose at him, “Yes, as proven by the Antivan assassin standing before me.” Zev gave her a throaty chuckle. “Well, at least you can’t say being with me is boring.” Kai shrugged at him.

Zev threw back his head and let out a full laugh this time, “Si, I cannot accuse you of that. Fortuna is a fickle mistress, she took so much away from me, and then she led me to you, my beautiful Kaidana.” His fingers stroked down her neck, “And for that I hold no complaints, despite Trouble knowing where you are at all times, no?” He did kiss her this time, before continuing, “Say hello to our delightfully bosomed Wynne for me, and tell her I long for a pillow as soft and firm as...” Kai put a finger to his lips stopping his comment before he could finish. He grinned and kissed its tip.

She shook her head, grinning, grabbed a book, a hunk of bread, an apple, and cheese before telling Branan she was taking a lunch break. He nodded and Kai made her way discreetly around the market stopping at booths, gazing at wares, and talking to merchants while wending her way to the outer edge of the market where the land dropped off into a sloping hill. Kai paused at the edge, taking a deep breath, stretching, giving the impression she was taking in the view and relaxing.

Kai caught sight of Wynne’s brightly colored mage robe as the enchanter wandered under the tall pines, using a small crescent shaped blade to cut herbs before placing the bunches in the specialized reed basket carried by two leather straps worn crossed ways over her torso.

Wynne’s gray head looked up and Kai waved as one would, casually to a barely met acquaintance, which is what they were supposed to be. Wynne bobbed her head, and Kai went to sit on a large rock with a flat top that jutted out over the hill offering a stunning view of the valley below.

Kai had discovered the rock back during the Blight when they first visited Orzammar. They had been waylaid by bounty hunters hired by Loghain to kill her, Alistair, and anyone with them, after Zevran’s attempt failed. The rock had served as a place to stay from view while they cleaned off the blood.

Today she used it as a clandestine meeting place. Kai took out the book opening it up on her lap and while eating her lunch, waiting as Wynne made her way around the rock eventually, gathering herbs from its base before leaning against it as if she needed a break.

Kai stuck her finger between the pages of the book, while crunching her apple and looking into the valley below. Wynne looked in the same direction as if taking in the view. Kai whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “Zev told me you have lodging for us, once we get inside that is.”

“Indeed. And I will say this young lady, that on the surface things appear to be normal. Normal, that is, if you aren’t looking for trouble. Whoever is behind this is very clever. There are strange folk around the inner market square. They dress like Fereldans and speak in Fereldan, but with a slight accent, an accent I can’t place.” Wynne’s brows furrowed, “One such stranger took to hovering around Garin, who sells lyrium and other minerals while Anders and I were there.”

“Ah, yes, ‘Garin the Giggler’, as Alistair called him. One too many hits with the lyrium, even for a dwarf.” Kai chuckled.

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LOVE THIS!

A strange longing. She sleeps haphazardly, the blankets bunched together in her arms, her legs practically uncovered. He sits on the chair very near her, his own blanket wrapped around him, and looks at her hand which hangs off the edge of the bed. He supposes this is the curse of a long attachment, these weird wants and previously unknown desires. Zevran wants to hold her hand. His feet curl around the edge of the seat, his hands fidget at the ends of the blanket. Very carefully, he raises one hand against hers.

Her fingers are not quite as long as his. Her hand is rough, calloused, and this he already knew. He could see it from way she wields her spear in combat, to how she gave no thought to the way she carried kindling. They were tools, meant to be used. A tool must be given proper care, of course, so she wraps her wounds, but the scars still linger. A slice, by the crease of her thumb, all the way down to her wrist. An errant slash of blade from a darkspawn which had seen fit to cause them worry, but for her, only fury.

His own hands are warm, always so. Even the coldest reaches of Ferelden cannot truly temper it. Hers, not quite so. Free from the bed, the blanket, they are quite cool. He turns his hand, so they are palm against palm. A thrill, a rise in the beat of his heart, to have what he has so dearly craved. He laces their fingers together. He has seen these hands kill, cut, take what is owed. He has known the kindness of her touch, both in bed and on the battlefield. He will never forget the first touches of her.

The spear. Followed by the hand, reached out to him. Pulling him onto a different path, a future he never saw for himself.

“If you wanted to hold my hand, you only had to ask,” Noya says, spoken in a voice filled with sleep, hoarse with the clutches of it still. Her eyes are barely open, but the smile is plain at the edge of her lips.

“And if you said no?” Zevran asks, raising her hand to his lips, pressing the kiss against her knuckles.

“You really believe I’d say no?” Her eyes are closed again, unable to stay open, but her brows still furrow together in mock outrage. He chuckles under his breath. No, he doesn’t believe she would say no. He has been truly and thoroughly spoiled under her care. “Come back to bed,” she says, as she pulls him in. Dragging him from the chair to the bed, so quickly and intensely that he has no choice but to almost topple onto her.

He lets his weight settle softly against her, and he watches as the moonlight plays against her cheeks. He puts a hand against the other, rubs a thumb against her cheekbone. She lets herself lean into his touch. She is sinking back into slumber, quickly and deeply. “Noya,” he murmurs, “mi amor.” He kisses her lips slowly, allowing himself to treasure the feeling. Better still, when she kisses back, curls her body against his.

He moves carefully, onto the bed beside her. Stretching out, finding room under the blankets for himself. When he is settled, he feels her fingers brush against the back of his hand. She taps against his wrist, his palm, and winds their hands together. Head against head, hand in hand, and Zevran closes his eyes. Cicadas sing outside the window, and distantly, the voices of those who wander the city late at night. Closer still, the even sound of her breathing, the steady beat of her heart. He does not let go of her hand.

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LOL I was trying to but I seem to be joining this trend due to the flu.

me @ everyone who is writing right now

[erynnar]

As it turned out, Kai’s timing couldn’t have been better, Branan and his family had been harvesting apples to take to the outdoor marketplace of Orzammar, along with beverages and baked goods made by the family from an earlier harvest.

Kai and Zevran helped finish the gathering of the sunny orbs from amongst the whispering leaves. The sky was bright with white clouds, the orchard sported bee hives to help the trees bear fruit so the air hummed lightly, along with a soft, wafting breeze. The green grass alternated with large swaths of golden sunlight interspersed with pools of cool verdant shadows underneath the trees. All in all it was a pleasant way to wile away a few hours in the day. Kai could almost forget she was trying to save the world ... again ... still.

It reminded her of the orchards of Highever and she found herself washed in a wave of homesickness so deep she thought her heart might burst with the longing for it. She made a mental picture, figuring she was going to be underground for who knows how long. Add to that there was the possibility of going to the Deep Roads as well. Maker! How she hated the Deep Roads.

She was thrown from her musing when she felt Zev’s amber gaze watching her. “A sovereign for your thoughts, mi amada?”

“Isn’t that supposed to be a copper for my thoughts?” Kai grinned at him.

“I have always found that your thoughts are worth so much more than that, mi cielo.” Zev stroked her cheek with nimble fingers. “Or you could think of it as the rise in the cost of living due to Anora’s rule, no?” Kai couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Just thinking of home, and how nice a day this is, how much I wish that we could just enjoy it.” Kai gave him a rueful smile, “Days like this I wish I was just a woman, and this was just an ordinary day. Of course, knowing me, I would just get bored if I had a ‘normal’ life.”

“Si, in Antiva we have a saying, be careful what you wish for...or is it may you live in interesting times? I always get those mixed up.” Zev winked at her and grinned, making her laugh and completely breaking her melancholy mood.

“Well I certainly have no idea how you would manage a ‘normal’ life considering your close association with trouble in all of its forms.” Alistair’s voice teased in her ear.

“Ha, very ha, cheeky fellow.” Kai gave him a mental nose wrinkle.

“Just promise me that you will be very careful in Orzammar, my love.”

“Aren’t I always?” Kai grinned.

“You don’t really want me to answer that, do you?” Ali quiered.

Kai laughed, giving Alistair a mental kiss, and giving Zev a real one before turning back to the task at hand. Kai moved on to another tree, one gnarled old thing, that sported burn marks at its base.

It was the queen of the orchard, with a thick and pitted trunk. Scarred, singed, she reigned supreme, the flower dotted grass a velvet viridian robe spread over her feet, her crown sparkling with amber gems in rustling leaves. Kai figured that like an old matriarch, the tree had survived the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, and stood proudly reaching for the sun.

Kai smiled and started to place the wooden ladder against the tree when she was startled by light streak of motion that ran up the ladder and onto thick lower branch. Argus’s booming bark sounded behind her as her mabari was very interested in what had raced past Kai’s hand on the ladder.

“Argus, stad!” Kai used the ancient Alamarri language to have the big mabari stop his vocalizations as it was frightening what turned out to be a small orange marmalade kitten of the tabby persuasion. It was a little bit of a thing, with that fuzzy quality all kittens have and the blue eyes of that most infants of any species seemed to possess to a certain age. If she had to guess, Kai estimated the kitten to be about five weeks old. Its ginger colored back was arched into a tight bow while hissing at the dog below.

“What did you do?” Kai admonished the mabari, who tilted his head and whined. “I don’t care if he ran, you shouldn’t have chased him.”

Argus gave her an indignant ‘woof’. “I know you were playing, but he didn’t know that. You should be ashamed of yourself, big old war hound, poor little kitten.”

Argus hung his head, ears drooping. “Mind you, you’d best watch out for those claws, they’re needle sharp.” Kai had reason to know as this last statement came as she grabbed the kitten from the branch and it sank ten little points into the skin of her hand.

She tilted the kitten up to look at it eye to eye, “Good thing for you I have calluses from using daggers!” She turned the kitten back around and bent down holding it eye height to Argus.

“Now you two, let me introduce you, as friends should always be introduced don’t you think? And you two are going to be friends now aren’t you?” Kai’s tone made that a statement rather than a question. Argus and the kitten stretched to touch noses, giving each other suspicious sniffs. The kitten reached out a gentle paw to touch Argus’s face and the big mabari licked the kitten almost sweeping it from Kai’s hands in one swipe of big pink tongue. The kitten didn’t seem put out by it, if anything it closed its eyes and purred.

[erynnar]

In many ‘Spaghetti Western’ films, a broad sub-genre of American Western films that emerged during the 1960s in the midst of Sergio Leone’s film-making success, many of the vuglar roles Native Americans were hired to act in forced them into offensive portrayals with little attention paid to authenticity, with emphasis only placed on painting them as “simple savages.” As a result, many American filmmakers paid little attention to actually translating the indigenous languages for what they were saying on screen. As a result, many actors were able to say what they really felt.  

Reel Injun, Documentary (2009)