#( 𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝑰 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 ; headcanon (( astrid ))

[bladedwoe]

Now, as every mother says, she has no favorites between her children. They are all loved equally. Astrid says something similar when it comes to her "family". No member is favored more than the other, what kind of leader would she be if that was the case? But... that doesn't mean Astrid doesn't feel more inclined towards certain members on certain days. Arnbjorn is one example, Gabriella is a close second, Babette and Nazir are also up there. But the Dark Brotherhood has a few family members that are... erased when the DB enters.

Astrid is not above being petty or removing members from her family. Once Astrid got in the position of leader, she kept a tight hold onto her title. There has been instances where a DB member got out of line, so she got rid of them. But that's more apparent and often gets the rest of the DB involved. But there's been more silent ways Astrid has gotten rid of past DB members. Specifically, if a DB member has been showing signs of disloyalty, talking bad about Astrid behind her back to the wrong person, talking badly about other members of the DB, or is becoming really, really sloppy with jobs, they become a liability in her eyes. Thus, she can't trust them. So she gets rid of them to keep her leadership in order and to not show any self-percieved weaknesses.

(I really like the concept of Astrid in a leadership position and how the family dynamic functions in the DB under her "rule", so I wanted to ramble a bit. I got a little inspired and I miss my girl, Astrid, so here's a small headcanon!! Hope to see you guys soon during the summer if I have more time to write! Miss you guys <3)

[shxrp-teeth-after-dark]

anonymous asked : Astrid: p.egging

Send me a k.ink and I’ll have my muse rate it. – accepting

P.egging

Receiving: fuck no, gross, not for them, eh, no opinion, kinda, hot, fuck yes, p l e a s e do this

Giving: fuck no, gross, not for them, eh, no opinion, kinda, hot, fuck yes, p l e a s e do this

I feel like for Astrid, she would prefer to be p.egging someone just with the sense of dominance it gives her and the control she would have. She likes to see her partner beg and squirm beneath her, so this would be more her preference for that reason. She wouldn’t mind being on the receiving end because y’know, it’s pleasurable, but she’s more into p.egging someone than her getting p.egged herself. She does like a.nal play to some extent.

[bladedwoe]

I feel like Astrid has a sixth sense with telling when someone has a crush on another, especially when it's in her group. She can keep a secret, but there's no guarantee she won't tease you about it.

[bladedwoe]

I was looking over the db quest line for Astrid's dialogue and I have some thoughts on her lines in the "To Kill An Empire" quest, the quest that you learn Astrid betrays you in. I have some thoughts.

I was looking over her voice lines and I realize how sketchy some of her lines look. Astrid has a pretty unique voice and mannerisms, so how she sounded here didn't really make it seem sketchy to me when I first played the game. I thought this was just her general vibe, but she has some interesting lines based on what you choose in the dialogue options. No matter what you pick, Astrid seems to really love complimenting the Listener/Dragonborn.

"Oh yes. And I've decided you will have the honor." / "Oh, I have the utmost faith in your success, believe me. So let's begin." / "Hmph. Look at you. So calm. So confident. I do believe you were born for this task. So let's begin."

I wouldn't say this is lovebombing, and Astrid has complimented the Listener/Dragonborn before, but I think is is a lot for Astrid. I kind of wonder if Astrid was using this to try to win them over, to get them all confident beforehand, and reassure them before the betrayal. She knew in advance that this was going to be their last mission together. She assumed after this, they would be killed or jailed by Commander Maro. Especially for an attempt to kill an Emperor, even if it wasn't actually him (as we learn later, it was a ploy).

This supports in my portrayal where I have Astrid really compliments the people she's either manipulating, or trying to win over in some way. I feel like Astrid can take many different approaches in manipulating someone--I think she has a knack for it--but usually, she figures that people like to hear compliments about themselves. They like someone to be interested in them, either by complimenting them, feeding their ego, or by showing intrigue by asking questions about themselves. So basically, she may use compliments as a manipulative tactic to win others over.

I know this is already long, so I'll try to keep it short, but I also wanted to point out the coy, almost veiled cattiness that Astrid shows in this quest. We already know later after the betrayal that Astrid didn't like the Night Mother and the Listener having more influence than her, she wanted a time where she had all the influence and power in the sanctuary. She stated numerous times that she thinks the idea of a Listener is ridiculous and doesn't believe the legend of the Night Mother. But when she talks about the Listener here, it's almost as if she's playing a game where she's hiding her distate, trying to gauge their reaction, and trying to charm them in a weird way. She tends either lower or lift her voice when she speaks of the Night Mother or the Listener.

"Yes. For Sithis... and the Night Mother. You are the Listener after all, hmm? So let's not waste any more time." / It took all the favors, bribes, and blackmails I could muster, but I've secured your exit out of the keep. Just follow my instructions, and the Dark Brotherhood will be back on top. All thanks to you... Listener."

[bladedwoe]

When Astrid's stressed out, she has difficulty with sleeping. Whatever plagues her enters her nightmares and even normal dreams seem to surround around her stress, so Astrid prefers to stay up. She alsl gets almost a surge of adrenaline/anxiety that keeps her more alert, jumping at the smallest of sounds. It keeps her mind awake at all times, which makes it hard to sleep, until she can figure out a solution.

During the whole Cicero/Night Mother conflict where Astrid's leadership was in the chopping block with the emergence of the Listener, Astrid spent many sleepless nights staring down at the map before her. Arnbjorn tired to convince her to go to bed, and he's the only person who could do so, but there were many moments where Astrid would be passed out in her chair with her cheek pressed against the cold stone table. This lack of sleep and constant tiredness doesn't help Astrid's paranoia at all. She will grow more reckless as a result, especially as the intense situation gets worse.

[bladedwoe]

retrograderesemblance asked : ✿ astrid & townsend :')

SEND “ ✿ ” FOR 2 HEADCANONS FOR OUR MUSES’ RELATIONSHIP. / @retrograderesemblance -- accepting

1: Even after they are divorced, Astrid will still make Townsend's preferred cup of tea or coffee out of habit. When she's finished with it, she realizes what she just made and for who.

2: When she's out and about, at least once she will think she spots Townsend in the corner of her eye to where she will literally stop in her tracks until she realizes its not him at all.

[bladedwoe]

In non-fantasy verses (like t.urn, general medieval, & r.dr2), Astrid still has Shadowmere in her care. Instead of having obvious glowing red eyes, Shadowmere has a brown hue to his eyes. In certain lights, the eyes can look red, it's right on that edge of the color palette. This might create a mythic-like tale around Shadowmere that he has glowing red eyes.

[bladedwoe]

I still need to work on Astrid's vampire verse (even if it's more connected to a specific plot/dynamic than nothing else), but I feel like Astrid would be more bloodthirsty in this verse. I think Astrid can be very cruel and callous, not caring who she has to kill if the pay is good (except y'know dark brotherhood members). In this verse, she also treats her kills as a blood source. She needs blood to survive and her job makes it pretty easy to get access to blood. I kind of figure Astrid might have more severe hunger and side effects from her vampirism. So because of need to fill her hunger, Astrid is way more violent in this verse (more than she is normally).

[bladedwoe]

In a weird way, Astrid has been a little bit of a comfort roleplay character for me (pretty much it's the association of nostalgia with s.kyrim, but also some of her traits like her confidence that I wish I could embody). I think due to my own mood drop, I was thinking a little bit about Astrid and my other rp characters, and I kind of wonder if loneliness has a role to play in who Astrid is.

This isn't used to gloss over her toxic traits and her behavior, but I do think part of what influenced her with the Dark Brotherhood and the "family" aspect of it (besides a wish for power and authority, ego, taking back power she didn't have when she was younger, a controlling type of personality, etc, etc) is from her loneliness. I don't think she felt connected to her own family or community, and obviously with her interests, there's going to be a sense of alienation because y'know.... she's a murderer. Not exactly a lawful good person. But I think part of what drove part of her nature of taking people in, wanting a family-like environment, is that it stems from childhood wounds of not feeling accepted, not feeling like you were part of a family, and wanting to make her own family and make her own acceptance.

[bladedwoe]

NAME,   Astrid

NICKNAME,   I think Astrid's name is short enough you can't really make a nickname out of it tbh. She sometimes calls herself "Den mother" so maybe that?

GENDER, Female

ORIENTATION,   Pansexual / Polyamorous

PREFERRED  PET  NAMES,   No preferences

RELATIONSHIP  STATUS,   Married (by default)

FAVORITE  CANON  SHIP( S ),  I'm just going to go with Arnbjorn for this since I base a lot of her romantic leanings and types off of their relatio ship.

FAVORITE  NON-CANON  SHIP( S ),  I haven't really had an oc ship with Astrid. I have one that is approaching ship territory, but nothing official or set in stone yet.

OPINION  ON  TRUE  LOVE,  Astrid believes in it to an extent, but she doesn't really believe in the idea of soul mates (specifically one soul mate, she thinks there can be multiple and different types that range in the platonic and familial category). She thinks true, geninue love does exist despite her deprived outlook on life.

OPINION  ON  LOVE  AT  FIRST  SIGHT,   Astrid doesn't believe in this. She trusts her gut feeling and her intuition, so she might feel a strong attraction (or pull) to someone, but she doesn't necessarily believe in the idea of love at first sight. She thinks it's childish. Attraction exists and is the start, but she needs to know her person deeply.

HOW  ‘ROMANTIC’  ARE  THEY,  Astrid is kind of subtle with her romance. I think she uses words of affirmation and physical touch with her partner, but there's definitely a difference when she's out and about and when she's alone. She has to keep a somewhat professional demeanor about her as a leader, so she might brush her fingers along her partner's shoulders, or tease them a little. But she more of expressed her love in private. I think late at night, when Astrid can wind down for the day, she'll express to her partner how much she appreciates them, praises them, and will put her heart on full display. Another case of this would be if they're really hurt or near death, she will literally crumble and her cheeky and coy (or business-like and demanding, whatever she feels like will suit the situation) demeanor will crack. So usually, it's subtle, but she keeps a vibe of "I'll always be there for you" around her partner where she'll put their wellbeing beyond herself.

IDEAL  PHYSICAL  TRAITS,   Muscular, grey or white hair, facial hair, rugged appearance, older than her, taller than her, well groomed (hygienic). Physical traits aren't that important to Astrid, honestly, she's more drawn into personality but she find a lot of different appearances attractive. Her attraction to women varies and she has no preferences.

IDEAL  PERSONALITY  TRAITS,  Loyalty, submissive, violent/murderous (not to her, but in general), bold, adventurous, intelligent, charming (in however way she views it), confident, creative. (She finds shy individuals cute, but she'll grow bored of it if it persists).

UNATTRACTIVE  PHYSICAL  TRAITS,   Short, lean/skinny, unhygienic, meek looking.

UNATTRACTIVE  PERSONALITY  TRAITS,  Boring, too stuck on themselves, inflexible, controlling (of her), weak, indecisive, addict, always hot tempered, insecure, passive.

IDEAL  DATE,  Murder date? Astrid isn't actually that materialistic. She doesn't have a high standard with a date. She prefers a more low-key, one-on-one date that allows her to get to know her partner and have some fun. That can be chatting over dinner. Still wants to have a murder date though.

DO  THEY  HAVE  A  TYPE,  Sort of? Dilfs? But honestly, she is open to most people tbh.

AVERAGE  RELATIONSHIP  LENGTH,  Astrid has had quick flings and some average length relationships. Astrid usually doesn't operate with monogamy. She's polyamorous, but she will have multiple long-term partners since she doesn't enter a romantic relationship unless she's committed to that person. Any long-term relationship is usually with Dark Brotherhood or Thieves Guild members, anyone within their criminal circle. Outside of that, it's flings. I would say... a year or more, sometimes less.

PREFERRED  NON-SEXUAL  INTIMACY,   Cuddling, having her partner bathe her or give her massages. She is willing to massage her partner. But she just enjoys sitting in their presence and talking mostly. She's occupied with work, planning, and taking care of the Dark Brotherhood a lot, so she prefers the small moments where she can breathe and chill with her partner.

COMMITMENT  LEVEL,   It takes a lot out of Astrid to get into a romantic relationship. She has to air out all her secrets and be vulnerable about her fears, thus showing more of her true side out there. She doesn't get into a romantic relationship with someone (unless plotted) until she feels like she can trust them with all her secrets. With being polyamorous, when she enters an official relationship, she's 100% loyal. Astrid has had flings, but when she got with Arnbjorn (for example), she doesn't operate that way and will only date someone else if all parties agree and she trusts them fully.

OPINION  OF  PUBLIC  AFFECTION,   Surprisingly, Astrid doesn't really like PDA. She will subtly run her fingers along her partner's shoulder or hair, but she keeps all affection behind closed doors. She will only engage in PDA if it's to distract someone for whatever reason.

PAST  RELATIONSHIPS,   She had a fling with Delvin Mallory in the Thieves Guild. I headcanon this was mostly a FWB scenario that ended when Delvin wanted to leave the DB and when Astrid was starting to explore polygamy. Delvin wasn't really into that as a whole, so they both split apart for the best of both parties. Astrid also got occupied with DB duties and rising to the leadership position.

tagged by :  Stole from my other blog

tagging : steal it if you want

[bladedwoe]

In a modern au, Astrid isn't necessarily picky about her music. She likes anything on the radio and allows the other person to make song choices for her, but she will play "R.hiannon," or any F.leetwood M.ac song, while swaying with a glass of wine in her hand at least once a week.

[bladedwoe]

I kinda wondered to myself on the fate of Astrid's mother. She's basically scrubbed from Astrid's history after she joins the Dark Brotherhood after running away from home after she murdered her shitty uncle. I've left that alone because I think in Astrid's mind, that's her mother's place: in the unknown, out of sight and out of mind.

Astrid murders for a living. She has killed ex-lovers, current lovers, mother's, father's, grandparents. You name a relationship and she has probably set up a contract with a client for it. So, wouldn't it make sense for Astrid to seek revenge if she hates her mother so much? Her father is already dead. So why not shut out her past with killing her mother? Well, it doesn't work that way for Astrid.

She has mixed personal vendetta with work before, but Astrid doesn't have the interest or strength to kill her mother. I shift between her mother dying naturally (with no Astrid involvement) at some point after she left home, or that she's still alive. But I don't think Astrid could kill her mother in all honestly.

After murdering her uncle who s.a'd her in the past, I think Astrid wants to cut off contact with her family in general. That also extends to killing any of them. She doesn't want to go back to that life at any cost, which slightly influences her paranoia in her main verse with the Listener because it kind of reminds her of being back in this spot of her past (but that's for another post). But I think if she faced her mother again, she would overthink the smaller details. How similar they look, how they both sound too alike for comfort, and thus, how they could act similar. So are they really that different? Facing her mother, even to kill her, would bring these thoughts to light and Astrid doesn't want to be seen as the same as her mother (despite carrying some of her traits).

There's also the thought that she doesn't deserve to die this way. Astrid sees murdering her as a mercy, and if we follow Dark Brotherhood belief, she would end up in the Void with Sithis. Astrid knows when she dies, she'll go into the Void as well, so she doesn't want to run into her mother in the afterlife. Also, she gets a weirder thrill out of not murdering her and having her go through torment. She sees that her killing her would be a mercy and she doesn't think her mother deserves any mercy or kindness for how she treated her.

What's done is done and Astrid wants to move away from the past.

[bladedwoe]

✿ if it's too soon for you to guess it can wait!

SEND “ ✿ ” FOR 2 HEADCANONS FOR OUR MUSES’ RELATIONSHIP.

1. I think Astrid actually feels a lot of sympathy for Adelaide just from her past alone. Like a weird motherly instinct in her, but of course it's more concealed and not acted upon as much as she would for those in the Dark Brotherhood. She can see a piece of herself in Adelaide, if her past situation was really extreme and how things could have been if her mother was more like Adelaide's father. So, while Astrid had more life experience than Adelaide did with her own controlling mother, Astrid actually has a big heart for those that deal with shitty, especially controlling parents from her past alone.

2. With the last headcanon in mind, Astrid may care more about Adelaide or be more soft to her than she normally would. Of course, Astrid has a reputation to uphold and this is just a business arrangement, but she might be less callous and cutthroat if she needs to be because of her sympathy for Adelaide. She will still prioritize the Dark Brotherhood first before anything else and her main goal is payment here, but Astrid can be pretty careless in these type of dynamics. With Adelaide, she might be a tad softer when it comes to that. So, even if it isn't a lot, I would say it's better for Astrid to have a little bit of softness and sympathy for your muse than the opposite.

[bladedwoe]

Likeable person & difficult person test

[bladedwoe]

MUSE’S LIFE EXPERIENCE

Killed Someone Under Orders | Had Someone Killed On Their Orders | Killed Someone In Self Defense | Spared Someone’s Life | Invented Something | Been Hungover | Kissed Someone | Slow-Danced | Been In A Long-Term Relationship | Had Sex | Had Sex And Regretted It | Had A One-Night Stand | Had A Threesome | Experimented With Their Sexuality | Had A Kid | Adopted A Kid | Wanted To Have A Family With Someone | Done Something On Impulse They Regretted | Gone Traveling | Had A Bounty Put On Them | Eaten An Insect | Been Groped By A Stranger | Been Groped By Someone They Know | Been Dumped | Dumped Someone | Smoked | Gotten High | Flirted With Someone To Get Free Drinks | Put Someone In A Headlock | Won A Bet | Lost A Bet | Forgiven Someone Who Wronged Them | Indulged In Petty Revenge | Hallucinated | Has A Noticeable Physical Defect | Gotten A Noticeable Scar | Been Permanently Disfigured Through Injury (I mean... her body was entirely burnt at the end of the db questline so) | Kneed Someone In The Groin | Had An Unattainable Crush | Laughed Themselves To The Point Of Tears | Been Kidnapped | Been Brainwashed/Hypnotised | Had A Recurring Nightmare | Been Bullied | Bullied Someone | Experienced Survivor’s Guilt | Been Tied/Chained Up | Given Someone A Massage | Received A Massage | Been Backed Up Against A Wall | Shot Someone | Stabbed Someone | Saved Someone’s Life | Cheated On Someone | Been Cheated On | Been In An Open Relationship | Had A Friendship With Benefits | Been In A Queerplatonic Relationship | Had A Stalker | Been Betrayed | Been A Traitor | Been Possessed | Been In A Bar Fight | Been Thrown Out Of A Bar | Been Arrested | Broken Out Of Jail | Been To A Funeral | Been To A Brothel | Had Surgery | Broken Someone’s Trust | Broken Someone’s Heart | Had Their Heart Broken | Broken/Damaged Something Out Of Anger | Broken/Damaged Something Out Of Spite | Gotten A Piercing | Gotten A Tattoo | Used A Fake Name | Been Beaten Up | Been Tortured/Tortured Others | Been Abused | Been Blackmailed | Gotten Away With A Crime | Framed Someone Else For A Crime They Committed | Shared A Bed Platonically | Been In Love | Suffered From Sleep Paralysis | Been Forced To Flee Their Home | Learned A New Language (in her other verses outside of her main, I headcanon she knows some French) | Joined A Rebellion | Fought On The Losing Side Of A War | Fought On The Winning Side Of A War | Become A Godparent | Become An Aunt/Uncle

[bladedwoe]

Small headcanon, but "canon" to my portrayal of Astrid. In the mission "With Friends Like These" where Astrid instructs the Dragonborn to kill one, two, or three of the hostages, the "right" kill is actually Astrid. I imagine with her job she has a hit on her, and idk maybe someone actually did the Black Sacrament on Astrid for whatever reason, so she is the person that actually has the hit on them. When you decide to kill Astrid, she says "Well done," which gives this theory a bit more credit. I know there are a lot of theories on this, but since I'm writing Astrid I'm just going with this theory because it's really interesting.