sainthekla

[sainthekla]

Meanwhile.... | @wrdnking

          Karl knows as much about the Harrowing as the next apprentice. It happens at night. Mages survive or die. The alternative is hardly better. There is no literature on the subject save for certain gossip-worthy rumor pieces based in nothing but speculation. 

          He can assume only one thing for certain; that however the Knight-Commander and First Enchanter guarantee a mage’s silence must be severe. But the methods employed can also only be speculated about. Silences existed, of course, but wore off within the bell it was cast. Theoretically, such a spell could be weaved into a rune for permanent use, but if mages walked around with Silence runes etched into their robes, then more people would know about it.

          And Karl hoped that enough would see the resemblance to how the Quanri treated their own mages to let that stand.

          Fear, he’s come to realize in his six years within the Circle, is an effective motivator and most likely how the First Enchanter managed it. Karl tasted the sword-sharp rupture of a Smite boil blood down his throat once. He’s lived in fear of it since. Templars loomed in every hall and Karl isn’t blind nor deaf to the grief they cause. There are bad Templars as there are bad men in everything. There are bad Banns, bad Teryns, bad Kings, and bad Chantry brothers. And there are good ones, all the same. A whole could not be rotten by the few because if that were true, the handful of maleficarum in the world meant the Chantry was justified.

          Fear isn’t what Karl regards his own Harrowing with, however. He knows Anders does and that is part of why he doesn’t. He knows his only choice is to survive it and, fear be damned, prepare Anders for it. By any means.

          Whatever the test was, it couldn’t be one of power. Mages were never encouraged to strengthen themselves in such ways. They were taught to temper, control, remain level headed. The fact that Karl could manage only a handful of spells would not hinder him, he assumed; not when he excelled in the subjects mages were actually schooled in. He had nothing to fear of the Harrowing, but Anders … Anders certainly did.

          Level headed was not how Karl would describe him. Infuriating. Impulsive. Indulgent. Passionate. Stubborn. Brilliant in all the worst ways. Anders could never temper himself. Karl had spent much time in the Circle with Anders out chasing his own tail and the dusty stone Tower was always brighter when he returned, as though he dragged part of the sun in with him.

          It had been three years since he convinced Anders to stop running – a feat more difficult than convincing a Templar to open the front door. In the end, it had taken an admission of … feelings, rather than logic – which baffled Karl still to this day. But it had worked and Anders had stayed safely by his side since.

          Rebellion came in many forms, Karl lectured; there was no need to be eager for a life on the run when their betters entertained discussion. Hope was how Karl actually regarded his Harrowing, because with it came the opportunity to formally join the Fraternities. The essays he – and Anders – had labored on for years now would finally be seen, potentially even sent to Cumberland someday after the First Enchanter reviewed them. Karl knew many long years of revision lay ahead of them. Laws were not codified in a day, of course, but eventually they would sway enough minds and the Circles could see more independence.

          The right to marry. Creches within the Towers, themselves, for mages to raise their own children. Leave to visit family. No restrictions on non-magical activity within the Tower. And for the Maker’s sake, privacy. Less Chantry oversight would be a boon beyond comprehension.

          Karl would see it done. Hopefully with Anders at his side. But that could never be accomplished if the Void-damned man kept running. Which is what Karl assumes he’s attempted – and blessedly failed – when he wakes to the glaring shine of silverite hovering at the end of their bunk. 

          Resignation settles heavy in his chest alongside the bitter stab of disappointment before his eyes have even adjusted to the morning light. He sighs and stands quick enough to make himself dizzy just to check that Anders is in their top bunk. Karl frowns at the sight – he looks as he always does when sleeping. Brow creased with a small pucker between them, jaw tensed enough to grind his teeth. There was so much Anders feared.

          Karl wants nothing more than to reach out and tuck that errant strand of hair behind his ear. His fingers itch to feel the coolness of his cheek beneath his palm. It takes every bit of self discipline Karl has not to wake him with a gentle brush of their lips. Worst of all is the knowledge that Anders would welcome all of it.

          Most other apprentices are still sleeping, Karl realizes as he glances around the room. It must still be early. His cursory search ends on the Templar and his pensive expression lightens into a smile of recognition that doesn’t reach his eyes.

          ❝ Did he try to run again ? ❞   He asks Alistair, turning his attention back to Anders, the corners of his mouth falling just as swiftly.   ❝ I suppose if he’s finally earned a chaperone, we should be glad it’s you. ❞   Karl said, typically admirable of the Templar in question despite the dejection in his tone.

[sainthekla]

[sainthekla]

For @storybookhawke  You make this place worth staying, Kanders <3

[sainthekla]

Inktober Day 8: Subtlety

A quick doodle today! Anders being Anders and Karl being (fondly) done with him

[sainthekla]

I want a Hawke to write Kirkwall stuff with.....

[sainthekla]

&. 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐬.

( this is basically just a very self indulgent list of various fluff, angst, and suggestive themed dialogue sentence starters. )

❛ i could keep you safe. they’re all afraid of me. ❜

❛ i’m trying to fix your hair, so hold still. ❜

❛ your heart is beating so fast right now. ❜

❛ promise me you’ll still be here when i wake up. ❜

❛ you’re not as bad as everyone says you are. ❜

❛ i thought you’d like some company. ❜ 

❛ clean yourself up. you're getting blood all over the place. ❜

❛ here, give this a try and tell me what you think. ❜

❛ you can kiss me, you know. ❜

❛ come back to bed. ❜

❛ you look good like this. ❜

❛ working together again, it’s just like old times. ❜

❛ how is it you always know what i need, huh? ❜

❛ you’re lucky you got away with only a scratch. ❜ 

❛ i can’t imagine losing someone like that. i’m sorry. ❜

❛ you know you can always talk to me. ❜

❛ the only one who gets to kill you, is me. ❜

❛ so, what do i owe this pleasure? ❜

❛ ah, so you aren’t heartless after all. ❜

❛ may i have this dance? ❜ 

❛ it’s okay, you can touch me. i won't break. ❜

❛ enemies make the best lovers, you know. ❜

❛ hold still. this might sting a little. ❜

❛ we can't keep doing this. ❜ 

❛ you look like you've got something to say. ❜

❛ just relax and let me take care of you. ❜

❛ thought you’d be lighter without all that blood. ❜

❛ i had it under control. you didn’t need to do that. ❜

❛ everything looks so beautiful from up here. ❜

❛ you treat all your ladies like this? ❜

❛ well? how do i look? ❜

❛ can’t sleep? ❜

❛ do you mind if i smoke? ❜

❛ i’m scared of ending up alone. ❜

❛ i don’t think i’ve ever seen you smile. ❜

❛ how long has it been since you've slept? ❜

❛ you are losing my interest, and that’s very dangerous. ❜

❛ i’d suffer hell if you’d tell me what you’d do to me tonight. ❜

❛ you look really pretty right now. ❜

❛ i’ve never cared for anyone the way i care for you. ❜

❛ i’m not wearing any underwear. thought you’d like to know. ❜

❛ just a few more stitches and you’ll be as good as new. ❜

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜

❛ i want you to forget this ever happened. ❜

❛ i'm here for business — not pleasure. ❜

❛ if i didn't know any better, i'd say you were jealous. ❜

❛ you'd look better down on your knees. ❜

❛ fine, keep acting like you hate me. ❜

❛ kiss me again. ❜

❛ are you asking me out on a date? ❜

❛ just sit there and look pretty and let me handle this. ❜

❛ you okay? caught you staring off into space again. ❜

❛ well, i do feel better now that you're here. ❜

❛ i'm not drunk enough for this. ❜ 

❛ why is it whenever we see each other, you’re covered in blood? ❜

❛ i was wrong about you. ❜ 

❛ the first time i met you, i had no idea you'd mean this much. ❜

❛ you gonna be a good girl / boy for me? ❜

❛ i’m not afraid of you. ❜

❛ books mean more to me than people anyway. ❜

❛ i just wanted to say thank you for protecting me. ❜

❛ how about a kiss goodnight? ❜

❛ i don’t have time for distractions right now. ❜

❛ you shouldn’t be out here by yourself. ❜ 

❛ if i have to think about one more thing today, my head will explode. ❜

[sainthekla]

↪     𝑲𝑰𝑺𝑺  ﹠ ᵀᴱᴸᴸ .    (  a  collection  of  50+ kiss prompts .   feel  free  to  specify  the  initiating  muse .  potentially  nsfw  content  within .   will  be  updated .)

finally kissing the person you’ve been pining for .

a kiss shared during a game  ( truth or dare ,  spin the bottle ,  etc ) .

kissing your lover to show you forgive them .

neck kisses that turn into love bites .

wiping away your lover’s tears as you kiss them .

a kiss to prove you don’t have feelings for them .

a last kiss before one goes away .

biting your lover’s lip amidst a kiss .

an emotional kiss bringing one party to tears .

a kiss while being reunited after a long time .

kissing your lover in a moment of sheer joy .

a kiss while slow dancing .

sharing a spontaneous kiss with a stranger .

an abrupt ,  heated kiss during the middle of a fight .

kissing them to shut them up .

a kiss to wake your lover up in the morning .

sharing a kiss in a heavy downpour of rain .

kissing your partner to seal a marriage .

a possessive kiss that is meant to stake a claim .

a kiss to resolve suppressed romantic/sexual tension .

a kiss attempting to convince the other party to stay .

kissing the top of their head as you hold them .

a risky kiss between forbidden lovers .

stolen kisses while hiding away from a crowd .

a kiss that leaves lipstick stains .

a kiss shared on a rooftop while the sun sets .

a flirtatious kiss on the back of the hand .

sneaking off to a public bathroom to make out .

a kiss on the forehead as the other sleeps .

an  ( accidental / mutually )  drunken kiss .

caging your lover against a wall with your arms to kiss them .

a kiss after joining your lover in the shower .

a kiss after receiving good news .

a tentative ,  exploratory kiss between friends .

a kiss shared between enemies during combat .

kissing your lover after believing you’d lost them .

a kiss after a devastating event ,  meant to comfort .

a possessive kiss in front of a jealous third party .

kissing your lover under the night sky while stargazing .

a kiss between two people in a fake relationship .

a kiss that seals a promise .

kissing your lover lazily first thing in the morning .

holding your lover by the jaw to kiss them .

kissing the tears from their cheeks .

a kiss to your lover’s stomach as you travel down their body .

an abrupt kiss that you melt into after a moment of hesitation .

sleepy ,  domestic morning kisses in the kitchen while making breakfast .

a rushed kiss before one party leaves for work .

a kiss shared while holding your dying lover .

[sainthekla]

“How can you not be angry?”

“I am angry,” the werewolf said. “But unlike you, I don’t have the luxury of showing it without being called a monster. Without someone taking it as a sign of proof that I need to be put down like a rabid dog, that I’m just like what the stories tell you.” 

“But everyone gets angry…that’s human.”

“Up until the point when you’re not human.”

[sainthekla]

          ━━━ THE SUDDEN PROXIMITY ISN'T LOST ON HIM. His chest flutters as Anders' heat brushes against his skin, the faint scent of his soap wafting into the brisk winter air. Yet the moment he thinks to reciprocate, he can feel Templar eyes itching the back of his neck. Real or imaginary, they stop him from wrapping his arm around the younger mage ━━ much to his displeasure.

          It was a difficult place to be stuck between. Self preservation and the twinge of yearning that made him consider whimsical things, like the way Anders' eyes became distant as he scurried into his imagination. Karl stared into those eyes, captured by the flecks of gold and dark amber. That much he could do, at least, without punishment.

          A moment too long passes and Karl remembers himself and the question Anders had asked. He blinks and tears his eyes away, rubs his thumb against one of the many carvings in the library table ; a small, wistful smile tugging his lips.

           ❝ It was nice. Mother always made a big show of having our cooks join us for supper and the servants for dinner ... Roast boar and candied yams most years, ❞ he pauses for a moment, a memory playing briefly, triggering a quiet chuckle,  ❝ They had to stop serving it intact after the year Juelina, my youngest sister, burst into tears seeing the poor thing splayed out like that. She was ... five ? Maybe six, ❞ he shook his head,  ❝ Even I have to admit the eyes on that thing were ... creepy. ❞

@sainthekla | memes

❝ it’s times like this i really miss home. ❞

❝ Yeah? ❞ Gentle intonation, Anders scooting even closer as the chill of yet another snowy, winter evening within drafty tower caressed his face. It was far warmer, huddled close at the library table where he could let his body lean into the older teen's side as others bustled about them; just out of the sight of the Templars for now.

❝ What was it like? At home? ❞ He can almost imagine the winter months for a noble born like Karl: a grand fireplace that warmed the entire room, servants that offered up freshly made delicacies that only the rich-folk could indulge in, comfortable fur-lined winter clothes and boots in fashionable styles, down feather mattresses and heavy, snug blankets that didn't itch… more and more fantasies could be conjured up by the youth's mind if he let himself go on.

[sainthekla]

          ━━━ KARL HAS READ THE SAME PARAGRAPH FOUR TIMES. Somehow, he can keep better track of that fact than he can the words that tumble past his eyes, seeming to flash across his vision like lightning, never lingering enough to be comprehended. He blames the whispers that hiss in his ears like the static of the Fade ; grating and ever-present. Unnerving. Haunting.

          He knows what the others mutter about. Another girl was taken to her Harrowing and no one had seen her yet. Karl attempted his usual bout of internal justifications ; the Harrowed Mages were in different quarters, with different instructors, on different class schedules. Of course no one had seen her yet.

          But still the words on the page before him wobbled in his view like some archaic Tevene script instead of the very normal and legible King's tongue.

          He nearly jumps at the sound of Anders' voice, closer, louder than the buzzing whispers. Karl masks the surprise by setting his book aside and pushing himself to sit up as Anders makes clear his intent to test the bunkbed's integrity.

          ❝ It makes sense, ❞ he attempts to console, ❝ Though I wonder if the Enchanters know something we don't ... ❞ he rubs a hand on the back of his neck and keeps his voice low, joining those whispers that haunt him so. ❝ Three Harrowings in a week is a bit strange, isn't it ? ❞

@sainthekla | a starter that is shippy if you squint

❝ I found out earlier that one of the girls I'm friends with disappeared last night. ❞ Worry mars the teen's face, the mask of lackadaisical visage removed in private as he peers at the older apprentice from his place on the floor. ❝ That's the third this week, that I've heard of at least. ❞

This is something Anders visibly has concerns about, a hand reaching for the ladder of the bunkbed Karl was assigned to. Gangly body begins to climb, with the obvious intention of making his way into the other's bunk as he continues to speak.

❝ Everyone's saying she must've got taken for her Harrowing, with how old she was getting. ❞ Something lingers though, in how amber eyes look at the brunet. He's hesitating, while continuing to cling to ladder. ❝ She was… about your age, I think. ❞

' Does the idea scare you as much as it scares me? '

[sainthekla]

Dreams/Loss/Longing

Process and thoughts under the cut

OOOHHHHH BOY, alright, this is the first one I haven’t preprepared much. So the next few days are probably gonna be rough on me! I might come back to all of these pieces after this week is up, since I’m mostly doing all the work in the actual day. Anyways, @andersweek2025

As you can see, I did consider the cannibalism short story, but decided to drop it because I couldn’t come up with a clear concept. Also! ANOTHER POSSIBLE ACCURSED ONES IDEA? Insanity. Clearly I have a perfectly normal obsession. Clearly I focused hard on loss and longing rather than dreams, but you could say that he’s having a nightmare about Karl’s death, or that Karl, having been made tranquil, was cut off from dreams.

But gods I’m getting tired, not really the fault of Anders week though, it’s just… me, really. Haha. Mental health is rough. Anders why don’t you cure me already?

[sainthekla]

          ━━━ KARL CAN'T HELP HOW HIS TORSO LEANS AWAY FROM THE GLEAMING NEEDLE. It certainly wasn't that he didn't trust Anders or his healing magic ━━ in truth, why he opposed wasn't exactly logical.

          ❝ It would be strange, wouldn't it ? ❞ He asks, a wary hand loosely wrapped around Anders' wrist to keep the other boy at bay. He glances at Anders' own piercing and amends his statement. ❝ On me, I mean. It works for you ... ❞ Oh, Maker help him.

@sainthekla | memes

❝ please don’t make me do this. ❞  

❝ Come on, please? It only hurts for a second and I just think it'd FANCY you, Karl! ❞ Sewing needle in hand, Anders further pesters his cringing bunkmate with a pleading whine.

❝ Once the post's in I'll heal it up, then you won't have to worry about anything else. ❞

[sainthekla]

I have so many drafts and shit on Anders but I can't stop thinking about Karl lives AU

[sainthekla]

if it makes you feel any better, Anders probably wrote the filthiest details of what he wants Karl to do with him once they reunite. and the templars intercepting their letters had to read all That.

[sainthekla]

best worst mistake

[sainthekla]

WHICH GOD CHOOSES YOU?

Sidan, the God of Slow Caresses

They come to you with silk-smooth hands and breathy whispers in your ear. Not seen - no. Just felt, their body against yours in the darkness, their arms circling your body, their lips tracing down your collarbone. "Oh, the power you will hold." Their voice is low and husky. "We can drive men to madness, make women run in the streets tearing their clothes, tempt a monk from his cloister, change the heart of a king." You feel their fingers creeping up your neck, brushing ever-so-slowly across your skin. One presses gently against your lips, shushing you. "Rule with me. Give in to your senses. Become the silent longing in the dead of night." Their lips press against yours, burning like fire but so, so sweet. You can feel their touch lingering even after they draw away. "My sweet," they whisper. "My precious." Every part of your body is inflamed by their wanton hands, their soft passions, and you close your eyes even as you feel your form wisping to smoke, becoming not of flesh but of sensation. You are one with them. And they love you completely.

Tagged by: @aposthates /kiss Tagging: @freedomscall @rcgueprince @nobodyexpectsthe

[sainthekla]

          ━━━ KARL DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF THE YOUNGER MAGE. Eccentric and witty in groups, yet awkward and bumbling in private conversation ... which was the act ? Or was there something Karl wasn't privy to that altered the boy's speech thus ? He couldn't decide on anything about Anders.

          ❝ They do, ❞ he insisted confidently, arms crossing his chest. ❝ Do you want me to retrieve the letters to prove it ? Is distrustful another trait you imagine all nobles to possess ? ❞

          Karl has not been at the Tower long ━━ a handful of months, perhaps. He hadn't been counting. He measured time in the frequency of his family's letters, by the lectures received from out of touch Enchanters who thought he should care more about his magic than he did ━━ ( by the infrequent and contentious conversations held with a singular blond mage who infuriated as much as he begged pity )

          But whether it be that Anders paid more attention than he did, or that he simply hadn't been here long enough to tell, Karl chafes at the generalization.

          ❝ Your idea of nobles rather fits yourself more than me, doesn't it ? ❞ Karl asks. ❝ Acting out, escaping. You beg far more attention than I. ❞

          A pause as he glances between Anders' face and the book in his lap ━━ impulsively, he reaches to steal the tome as he continues. ❝ How many arguments with the Templars have you gotten into this week ? And I bet you're already planning another escape attempt, even though your bruises are barely healed from the last. What you imagine of nobles, I think, is just a projection of your jealousy. ❞

❝ Maybe pompous was the WRONG word. ❞ A turn of a page, in attempt to ignore the pointed look he was now receiving. Awkward, uncomfortable--- in how he's seemingly put his foot in his mouth. Anders quite likes to act like he doesn't care in how flippant and mirthful he seems when around groups of other apprentices, but in truth... he's rather still sensitive to the notion of rejection. He proceeds to ramble on in explanation of himself, tone of voice taking on a nervous inflection:

❝ Or… perhaps I'm just generalizing? It's easy to assume, though, isn't it? Noble borns. Once they're here they lose every claim to what they would've had, which is a lot more than some of us ever had in the first place. Then, some of them still can't accept it and try to… You know. Act out. Try to boss the other apprentices around. Talk back to the Templars. Make escape attempts. The Enchanters don't like it, I guess, so they tell you to just let it all go. ❞

Then--- A beat, a further tug on the blond's conscience as Anders finally looks up from his book to peer back at the other boy. Curious. Cautious.

❝ Do your parents REALLY write? ❞ Jealousy creeps, despite himself and the way he had given up on thoughts of home years ago. He can tell Karl is put off by what he said, who couldn't, but this in and of itself was a rarity from all that he had heard from the older apprentices.