#happy pride to sebastian vael only

[ayesopod]

or whatever andrastian confessions look like. uhh.

[companionsofthedasreacts]

[DA2] For you, how is Sebastian's relationship with his brothers like? How do you think they would react to Hawke, both as a friend and lover?

Relationship With His Brothers

Sebastian and his brothers are actually quite close in comparison to how their parents expected both of their eldest sons to act towards their unwanted third. 

The three were definitely those three brothers that were Red Jennies in Starkhaven but instead of killing marks with little to no info, one would look into cases while the other two get ready for the signal or sometimes, they don’t even have to kill anyone. They would straight up just come in to help people with their daily lives. 

When Sebastian went through his playboy phase, his brothers saw it more as an act of rebellion directed towards their parents than an attempt to besmirch the family name. The eldest is definitely the one that tries to outsmart their parents in terms of how they have plans to send Sebastian away while the second is the one that kinda gives his all with his care and affection without being smothering in that regard. Due to this closeness, the two always find ways to spend time with Sebastian even after he was sent to the chantry.

Friend!Hawke

Had Sebastian’s elder brothers survived the assassination attempt, I’ve no doubt they would be introduced to Hawke by Sebastian. Sebastian would invite Hawke to Starkhaven, practically glowing with excitement as they’re shown everywhere Sebastian could think of before ending the first day with an invitation to dinner with his brothers.

Dinner would involve the elder brother greeting Hawke with an unnerving politeness and small smile that is clearly meant for diplomatic relations and the second eldest would likely ask after the incidents in Kirkwall and the city’s current state along with if it requires aid from Starkhaven. By and by, Sebastian would start speaking to Hawke about little things from his childhood with an uncharacteristic lack of restraint for the first time in forever.

After dinner, Hawke would be pulled aside by both brothers and for a few moments, Hawke is getting ready to square up and fight until they get an embrace from both.

“Thank you for being there for our brother when we were unable to, messere,” the eldest would say, a genuine smile breaking through the polite mask he wears, “you need only call Starkhaven to your beck and call if ever you need us.”

After that? They would keep in contact, sending Hawke notes and messages with updates on your dear friend and their beloved brother.

Lover!Hawke

Had Sebastian’s elder brothers lived, the two of you wouldn’t have found out until after the Kirkwall Mage Rebellion. While in hiding, Sebastian stuck with Hawke and together, a plan to overthrow Goram Vael was taking root. It’s during the start of the campaign that two hooded figures on horseback meets Hawke and Sebastian who were leading their army. The two would ask for a private audience and later, in the planning tent, the two would enter and remove their hoods to reveal faces that looked strikingly similar to Hawke’s husband who in turn is looking ashen as if he had seen ghosts.

That’s when he introduces you to his elder brothers who proceed to embrace Sebastian before turning to look at Hawke with an inscrutable gaze. They would remark that they had never thought of Sebastian to be the sort to settle down, either it was because of his rather hedonistic past or because of his faith to the Maker, they just never thought their brother would find someone who would capture their brother’s heart with such strength and intensity.

Going to war, Hawke would expect bloodshed and intense battles that would only be stopped by nightly reprieves but she gets surprised when her new brothers-in-law proceed to flank her and serve as protectors when her strength and energy flags. Every night, dinner would be had together as a whole family with both brothers revealing how they survived what should have been their deaths. Sebastian then offers to step down from the frontlines and send word through the troops that the rightful Prince of Starkhaven has returned to which both brothers will object. They have seen their baby brother all grown up now, pride is not the right word for it but it comes quite close. They are under no illusions on who deserves the throne of Starkhaven and it is the man fighting and leading the troops before they got there.

When the fight for the throne is over, Sebastian is announced as the new Prince - or even the First King - of Starkhaven. Both brothers then help with planning the coronation, Sebastian and Hawke’s royal wedding and the knighting of many of the most loyal soldiers in Sebastian’s army. (Both brothers being among the list of knights). 

And after all that fiasco? When things have settled down enough that everyone can breathe in relief? Both brothers can only look at Hawke and Sebastian with relief and joy, happy that their family, while broken, has managed to stay whole in the more important parts.

Granted, they would want a niece and/or nephew to spoil but they’ll broach that topic with Sebastian.

Eventually.

[red-wardens]

14) if they’d been in each other’s places would they have made the same or different choices? And who would they have romanced, if anyone?, 18) What is the biggest similarity between your protagonists? and 19) What is the biggest difference between your protagonists? (worldstate 2!)

Worldstate 2: Isseya Mahariel, Henley Hawke, Xiaofan Cadash

14) if they’d been in each other’s places would they have made the same or different choices? And who would they have romanced, if anyone?

Isseya’s choices-

vs. Henley’s: Would have joined the guard with Aveline [they would have been rivals for Captain position], would not have given Merrill the tool, would have dueled the Arishok instead of team-battle, would have sided with Templars to maintain order, would have romanced Varric (or at least tried to)

vs. Xiaofan’s: Would also have declared for “order not faith” (same choice), would have sided with and leashed the Templars (same choice), just a lot of the same choices. Would maybe have also romanced Blackwall but sent him to Wardens instead of full-pardoning him

Henley’s choices-

vs. Isseya’s: Would have just completely abandoned Alistair and her Warden responsibilities and nope-ed out of Ferelden, probably to Starkhaven as a refugee (Ferelden would have been doomed…)

vs. Xiaofan’s: Would have declared the inquisition for “my own power”, would have conscripted the mages to serve the Inquisition, no romance but Varric would be her only friend again (she’d probably have one-sided romantic feelings for him too)

Xiaofan’s choices-

vs. Isseya’s: Would also have recruited Templars/made Bhelen king/made Anora queen alone (same decisions); would not have saved Redcliffe, would have slaughtered elf camp and recruited werewolves, would have spared/conscripted Loghain, would have not done Dark Ritual or taken final blow against archdemon (Loghain would have died killing it), no romance 

vs. Henley’s: would have given Isabela to Arishok, would have sided with Templars, no romance

18) What is the biggest similarity between your protagonists? 

All 3 women are strong, self-confident, and capable. They take no shit, they get shit done, they play by their own rules/agenda and don’t let others interfere with that. None of them would hesitate to take down whatever’s in the way of their goals. Their vibes are all “fierce but regal”.

Though only Henley is the true “asshole” type, all 3 of them tend to come off as “intimidating, unapproachable, critical, and proud”. They tend to not get close to people easily and have close but very few friends. They prefer to see their other companions as “coworkers/underlings/fellow associates”. In social settings, they all mingle well with upper society and nobility (Isseya as Arlessa, Henley as Lady Hawke, Xiaofan as Inquisitor), and would be formidable players of The Game. They also all dress well, are frugal, and have an affinity for finery.

In love, they expect complete, unquestioned loyalty and devotion (something Zevran, Sebastian, and Blackwall are more than happy to give) but also provide it in return. They prefer to keep their lovers close, not doing well with distance or separation.

19) What is the biggest difference between your protagonists?

Isseya Mahariel is the only one not “evil” aligned (she’s Lawful Neutral) and unlike the other two prefers to uphold the laws of the land. Xioafan is Lawful Evil and also values balance and order, but her allegiance is more to Carta protocol and tradition than government issued structure. Isseya is the most community oriented, a pack animal unlike the solitary Henley and Xioafan. She makes decisions to benefit not only herself but as Commander her Grey Wardens, and as Arlessa the people of her Arling.

Unlike devoted, attentive mothers Isseya and Xioafan, Henley Hawke (Neutral Evil) doesn’t have any particular warmth or tenderness towards her child. She’s protective of Violet Vael because she’s the only heir to Starkhaven, but though she is never outright mean to her daughter, she’s a distant, unaffectionate mom at best. Sebastian adores and spoils their daughter but Vi still pines for her mom’s acknowledgement in a way Isseya and Xioafan would never allow to go unanswered. Also, unlike the other two who wear the proverbial pants in their relationships (Blackwall being rather submissive to his Lady, and Zevran who knows his wife considers them equals but prefers to follow her lead anyways), despite all Henley’s pride, Sebastian low key often gets the final say in big decisions. This is likely due to Henley not really having cared much for the outcome of topic to begin with but having to be dramatic and involved at least a little bit.

Xiaofan Cadash’s age and rise through the Carta has left her with a kind of affinity for bloodshed. Though Isseya will kill when necessary, she tends to avoid it if she can (she’d rather put a prisoner to hard labor or recruit them; she hates to be wasteful). And though Henley will murder occasionally if she’s been pissed off and/or terribly inconvenienced, more often than not she will just let someone go if a companion, usually Varric or Sebastian, subtly suggests it (and when she does kill she takes no pleasure in the act besides prideful satisfaction that they ‘had it coming’). But Xiaofan is another breed of killer. After sentencing someone to death, either in the Carta or as Inquisitor, she serenely relishes the feel of a beheading against her blade. Passing judgement from a seat of power has become something of a hobby and she will not hesitate to execute someone simply to prove a point. She loves a trial almost as much as she loves carrying out the death sentences herself. 

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thank you so so much for the ask and for your patience!! <3

Dragon Age Protagonists Asks

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Worldstate 1

[sabineelectricheart]

Desperately Hopeless [Pt. 1]

Summary: The rumour that doomed her.

Rating: M - Not suitable for children or teens below the age of 16 with non-explicit suggestive adult themes, references to some violence, or coarse language.

Explicit depiction of violence and domestic abuse. Reader discretion is highly advised.

Words: 1483

Notes: I think I’d get less hate if this was an apology to the sort of thing that happened in Germany on the 1930′s. Oh, well, if I wanted to be popular, I wouldn’t be writing fanfiction.

Pain. Pain and heartbreak are all Marian has known the past few months.

She feels like a fallen woman. It has become absolutely impossible for her to remember how many times she has been hit, pushed and called names, or for whatever bullshit reason it was provided to her.

The Marchen girl had always known fortitude, and she knew how to maintain her pride and posture under duress, but she has been so thoroughly drained that she could only lay down and take beating after beating in silence, without any hope of rescue. Her body and mind became used to the harshness by now.

Is it not curious how her life was so promising not too long ago and now it is in ruins? Shattered and broken with no way of saving it?

Marian had a future, a happy future, ahead of her. She had a match, the prospects of keeping her freedom and serving her city, and then, as if it was all build in unstable sand, it came crashing down in the first storm. All it took was one misconception, one wrong move by an insane man to ruin her life completely.

Just a piece of misplaced gossip, just some Elven maid that rolled her tongue when she should not have, and it was enough to destroy everything that she hoped to have achieved in her life.

It all turned upside down so quickly that the Viscount’s daughter barely had a chance to defend herself publicly before it blew up, and that was merely about the judgement of the masses. She held in greater esteem the opinion of a single man, and he has not allowed her to utter a word before taking drastic action.

Sebastian has always had a flare for the dramatic, he always acted too much with his heart and sense of right and wrong than with his intellect and reason. His mind was quickly set on her summary condemnation and nothing she could have said would change that.

In any regard, it does seem like a tall order to have her fiancé listen to her with a cool mind in such a situation. Nobody, not even the most reasonable of men, would have cared about what Marian had to say about the whole situation. The entire city had turned against her, the nobility throughout the Free Marches chanted her demise with a distasteful sense of hypocrisy. She has been labelled as a whore, cheater, witch and much more she cannot hope to remember at this point.

Well, it is not as if it mattered anymore. Her mind became numb to the insults and hits thrown her way.

Sebastian Vael, her fiancé, the man with a past, the firm believer in the boundless forgiveness of the Maker, the one person who should have trusted her, even if only circumstantially, did not deign himself to.

Perhaps he wanted to be free of her. It is not as if he had proposed to her because he wanted to. He had been given a choice: marriage or Chantry, and he picked the former. The oldest daughter of Viscount Leandra, the ugly duckling with unrefined manners and an inconvenient streak of independent thinking, came with the most advantages.

Yes, she is a mage, and yes, she kept unsavoury company, but Sebastian was the third son of a philoprogenitive family. There was little chance of the crown ever landing on his head, and even if it came to, there had numerous cousins to be appointed instead. The commercial and military advantages were too numerous to overlook.

Faced with the humiliation, the suspicion and the effort to keep a situation he did not care to be in, Sebastian refused to listen to his fiancée. He broke off the engagement with her, alerting his parents that he would rather be imprisoned at the Chantry until the Maker came to step on this earth than go through with this marriage.

Marian begged the man to listen to her. She pleaded with him but he scoffed at her and paid no mind.

Over the season he spent in Kirkwall, over the time they spent together, she had come to care deeply for her intended, and she had hoped that he would feel the same, but it was to no avail. Hurtful words flew out of his mouth, like daggers being shot against her spirit. She cried in front of him, begged him not to consider the terrible accusations being levelled against her, but it was to no avail.

The noble daughter remembers how Sebastian had just looked her up and down with a sneer on his face. He pushed her away, back hitting the shelf in the Chantry audience chamber, where he had been staying for the duration of his visit, in the interests of propriety, making her wince in pain as he walked away. Eyes welling up with more tears as pain bloomed inside of her.

Malcolm had been disappointed, Leandra had been slighted, but Carver had been absolutely enraged. He blamed his sister, of course, as he is prone to do, as he perceives that this whole affair had humiliated the family and, by extension, hurt his social prospects.

Her family had braced itself for having their eldest daughter be left an old maid, but Marian knew better. She knew who would be coming, and come he did, in what certainly felt as a salvation to them. It had all been planned, after all: Bran, Lord Cavin had ruined her life all because of his little obsession with her.

He had wanted she ever since she was young, as he had always been close to her family, ever since he came to Kirkwall from less-than-stellar origins in Ansburg and higher education in Antiva. Since he climbed to the position of seneschal, he had always told her in that slithering manner of his, whenever they happened to meet, how she would be his when she grew up, even when she had not had debuted yet, making her loathe at every corner she would see him in.

It got worse as the Amell daughter grew up and matured into a beautiful and talented woman, as he evolved from some garden variety of a creep to a downright disturbing rapist. He would often make sexual comments about her that she would ignore. Not that ignoring ever did anything of help for her, as it only served to make him madder and not make him stop. She would have murdered him, as she did other men, but she feared repercussion to her mother and her often fraught position at the helm of the city.

In that regard, her engagement had been a source of security as well: Bran knew he had little chance to become her husband, as he was not of noble birth and she cared very little for him. The presence of the son of a Prince as Marian’s intended made this possibility even more remote, but, alas, he insisted. The seneschal would accost her unexpectedly, especially when she was accompanied by her fiancé and pulls her away to ‘talk’ to her.

On the beginning, it passed off as city affairs, but soon this explanation grew thinner and thinner. All those instances made Sebastian suspicious and angry, and it set the stage for the scandal to come.

That day, that fateful day, had Marian in a state of reflection after a particularly nasty quandary between the already unsteady couple. Sebastian’s anger burst out the night before because Lord Cavin had touched her face while making one of his disgustingly lewd suggestions. She had not moved away quickly enough for Lord Vael’s liking, which caused the aforementioned discussion of theirs.

The prince’s son had also decided to keep his distance during the day, in hopes to calm his own rage. She seized the opportunity to get some work done and swift through the jobs on the advertising board and lending a hand to the city guard in various affairs.

As night fell and the mage returns to the Keep, tired and battered, Bran waits for her with a trap. He cornered her and forced himself onto her at just the perfect time that someone could bear witness of it. She had still been a strong woman then and managed to push him away before he went any further than a kiss, but the deed was done.

A maid had seen her lady frazzled and, supposedly, in the woes of passion with the Lord Seneschal, and it did not take much to have her spread the story amongst the help, the merchants and, eventually, the nobles. She would tell anyone that asked that their hair was a mess and their clothes were halfway off, in such a dramatic moment of forbidden love that it would not be out of place in the theatre.

With that, her fate was sealed.

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Desperately Hopeless Masterlist

Dragon Age II Masterlist