#varric has to write some letters

[misculenica]

A love letter to the facial animations... And Solas's design.

I just love that first encounter with Solas, and how telling it is if you really pay attention.

We all remember how giddy he is, perhaps he even has a playful nature to some. He seems utterly delighted that you're there (of course he is - you're going to fix all his problems).

Knowing Solas, he always came across as someone who is very bad at hiding his true feelings about things (he can't help but declare everything/point out how clever he is/how wrong everyone else is) - he's an awful liar. He's quick to correct himself, but not quick enough to not let you know exactly how he feels about something.

Looking at in in more depth with hindsight of who he is and what's really going on, it's just that extra layer of ohhhh that's interesting. Praise to the creatives involved in the storyboards/animation/facial expressions, because hot damn it's beautiful to look at.

So let's go frame by frame like manaics. (yes, it's because I'm writing fanfiction and wanted more insight into his thoughts/character)

The first closeup we get of him is this;

This is not a happy man XD

I would suggest he's just unhappy with you (I believe I mentioned in another post that Solas throughout the game has a sort of grudge against you for being the cause of all this - besides himself + Coryphidkfdfsdfus), but given the situation, I don't blame him for being on piss-mode.

But just... The way he stares at Inky just hits so hard. Imagine this guy you don't know grabs your arm and gives you this stare - it'd scare me more than the demons XD

That, and the fact that when he does the thing, he looks at you

It just- whether it's my writer/artist heart or just my solavellan heart hitting me with this idk. Just nnnf how come I never noticed this.

And the first rift is sealed, and Inky stares at him all like O.o "What did you do?" And he responds "I did nothing. The credit is yours." But there's this second/half second pause of interesting aniimation from Solas that I think deserves attention/applause.

Here's his immediate response to "What did you do?";

He's staring at the mark - with such intensity - before his brain catches up to 'oh right, respond solas respond'

And as soon as he makes eye-contact with Inky, it turns to this;

The difference in these expressions hits me right in the vhenan. I really want to congratulate the animators for this, because holy crap that's a lot of information about a character and their mindstate in the space of a couple seconds - pretty much a 'blind and you'll miss it'.

And then the rest of the scene, he pretty much has the same head tilted to the side, vague smile on his face, 'I'm just going to twiddle my fingers in front of me' look happening - and it kills me.

(Also it's slaying me that Solas is leaning down as if he's speaking to a child)

All humble and appeasing, until you look away.

I particularly love this next part, where Varric tells you Solas kept you from dying in your sleep. And he just has this;

Like; "yes, what do you think about that?" turn to look at you, instead of any verbal confirmation.

They rest is pretty much similar. Though I just adore the contrast of his expressions when he's 'in the moment' and then 'in character' - it's so goddamn telling from the very beginning.

I would kill to install flycam - if anyone can give me details on how to install a flycam for Inquisition (I've tried before, but any links I get taken to have dead sites/pages)

And I just want to share a happy egg.

Part 2

I now have flycam installed and it works, however- controller isn't an option and i don't have a numpad on my keyboard XD gonna have to dig out an old keyboard!

But overall the software works and i've been able to use it! Success!

[sxrensxngwrites]

Spirit Inquisitor Headcanons

This ask comes from an anonymous user who asks: "I was wondering if I could request the inner circle reaction towards finding out that their inquisitor is a spirit like Cole, like first meeting them and how'd they get along with them or how would they treat the Quizzy after finding out, maybe the inquisitor is a 'Hope' spirit since in lore it stated Hope and Faith are very rare spirits so maybe the Inquisitor was attracted to the real world due to the hope of both templar and mages in the conclave"

I absolutely ADORED this ask and had so much fun with it. I'm even entertained by the idea of an actual oneshot or fic... And for those of you that sent in other requests, I see them! Just getting to them slowly.

WARNINGS/TAGS: Inquisitor is referred to in the 3rd person with they/them pronouns as to keep it open for everyone, Hawke has a mention and uses she/her pronouns, There's a small mention on Anders and Justice/Vengence, most of this is sweet/fluffy in my opinion

The Inquisitor wasn’t always a spirit. In the grand scheme of things, the change has been fairly new–at least compared to Cole.

They went to the Conclave to watch the discussions between the mages and the templars. Unlike many others, they were hopeful for new beginnings and opportunities that would occur as a result. However, after the Conclave exploded, they were one of the many to be caught by the wreckage.

The Fade was already very thin at the site of the explosion, due to the nature of its cause. So, it’s not unreasonable for spirits to pass through. It’s not long before a spirit of Hope finds its way through one of the many rifts, it hopeful of the same thing that the Inquisitor wanted. Having similar wants, the spirit of Hope merges with the body of the would-be Inquisitor.

When they awake, they have no recollection of who they were before—only filled with a strange sense of levity despite the awful situation they’re in. They’re a bit uncoordinated, almost like a large child that isn’t quite sure what they’re supposed to do just yet. However, after the journey to the Breach alongside Cassandra, they become more in tune with the skills of who they used to be. 

In the beginning everyone is very quick to dismiss the strange behavior of the Inquisitor, chalking it up to them being shaken up from the Breach or some sort of residual magic left within them. However, as time goes on and they don’t seem to be recovering any memories, suspicions begin to arise. However, they’re such a sweet and optimistic soul, dedicated to leading the cause, that no one can stay put-off by them.

When Cole appears, there’s an immediate connection. The two are so similar it’s almost eerie. Neither seems to know exactly what they are, but they know that they are like each other. Hope and Compassion easily find a place alongside each other, and this uncanny similarity is what begins to raise Cassandra’s red flags—that it’s not just amnesia or a strange personality trait of the Inquisitor’s.

At Skyhold, the implications become far more severe. When the Inquisitor’s family writes letters and sends for them, they simply tell Josephine that they’re not quite sure who those people are or what they want. Their mother only says that the Inquisitor has the face and name of their child, but there’s a strange absence of everything else. 

It’s Hawke who points it out to Varric. From the moment she meets the Inquisitor she can identify what’s wrong. At first she could never tell when Anders was truly Anders or when Justice and Vengeance had seeped into his mind, but by this point it’s burned enough into her mind that she can see it in the Inquisitor. Of course, it’s different here: whoever the Inquisitor was before, they’re very much dead—Hope now piloting the body. Hawke is relieved that they’re not fighting over control on the inside; that has been Anders’ demise after all. Varric doesn’t want to admit the similarities, too afraid to face the same situation again.

When it becomes clear that the Inquisitor is dead and they’re actually a spirit of hope, reactions are mixed among the Inner Circle. 

Cassandra is very off-put initially. The concept scares her a great deal, but she eventually comes to terms with it. After all, she had begun to respect the Inquisitor for their devotion to the future. That respect couldn’t disappear at the mention of a spirit. The same could be said of Blackwall. Leliana and Josephine are also puzzled, but I think they’re both more open to it than Cassandra.

Cullen is admittedly very afraid. He’s still apprehensive of anything spirit-related since that night at the Circle Tower. However, he is won over by seeing the caring nature of the Inquisitor—and their hope for him on his journey to wellness.

Vivienne reacts very similarly to how she reacts to Cole. She’s ready to pull her support of the Inquisition immediately, but there is something about the Inquisitor that’s very endearing to her. I think their devotion to help her, even after she treated them so rudely, was enough to get her to stay.

The Inquisitor being a spirit makes no difference to Sera, Dorian, or The Iron Bull. They’ve certainly seen or heard of stranger things.

The relationship the Inquisitor has with Solas is very deep and profound. He seems to understand what’s happened almost immediately, and encourages the Inquisitor to touch into their spirit-side. Of course, he educates them on their origins and the Fade. They even journey there together many times.

Varric is still haunted by the image of Anders, so he’s hesitant to fall back into their friendship. However, after some encouragement from Hawke, he does his best to continue interacting with the Inquisitor again. It’s then that Varric realizes that he never knew who came before, but he does very much know he’s talking to in that moment—his friend, the Inquisitor.

And of course, Cole and the Inquisitor are virtually inseparable. They share such a strange coincidence, that it’s only natural they get along so well. They each understand the other and their own personal confusions, providing support for the other as they battle with the question of Who am I? 

It takes a while for everyone to get used to saying it out loud: that whoever the Inquisitor used to be was actually dead a long time ago and that they had been inhabited by a spirit for as long as they had known them. But after they say it out loud, they realize it doesn’t make too much of a difference. Just as Varric realizes, everyone else does too; Their friend isn’t the body, but the Hope inhabiting it.

[high-dragon-bait]

The thing about Hawke being champion of Kirkwall is... They have to be getting marriage proposals literally constantly. Some in person, but most in the mail, letters from families both in and out of Kirkwall asking for Hawke to marry either them or their heir. Hawke has never once given any of these families indication that they would WANT to marry into them, but that doesn’t stop them from trying

And if Hawke was involved with one of their companions, even married to them instead, these proposals wouldn’t stop. They’d be involved with/married to an elf, an apostate, an elven apostate, or a pirate, none of which nobility would consider “legitimate” matches.

So uh, here’s how I think Hawke’s potential LIs would respond to seeing one of these proposal letters

- Merrill insists on writing back to them herself, which Hawke is skeptical of, explaining that they don’t need to send back a response, the silence is a response in and of itself. But Merrill is very presistant “Oh, but ma vhenan it’s only polite. They took the time to write the letter, we should say something :)” and Hawke is finally like sure. What’s the harm. Go nuts. So she does! She spends hours dilegently replying to each one, and Hawke sends them out without looking at them cause they promised, y’know? Then... the letters start coming a bit more slowly, and then... not at all. Which Hawke doesn’t mind but they do wonder. They ask one day, and Merrill says she just thanked them for reaching out but that Hawke was not interested, and a “few other things.” She never said the nature of the “few other things.” One of the noble families fled their mansion in terror a week later.

- Anders burns the first one he finds, kind of impulsively, he finds himself being more annoyed that he’s being so blatantly ignored by these people than he would’ve expected. He’s a bit... embarrassed about it honestly. He somewhat sheepishly admits to Hawke he found a proposal letter and burnt it before Hawke could read it. Hawke is not annoyed by it like Anders is, Hawke is FURIOUS that Anders is being so disrespected by these rich bastards. FURIOUS. To the point that Anders has to be the one to calm them down. Anders is given free reign to burn any letters that come after, which is kind of a middle ground because Hawke wanted to go burn down their houses, so y’know. Compromises!

- Isabela straight up catfishes them. But Isabela knows how this “arranged marriages” business works, especially fancy noble arranged marriages, and that’s dowries. So, so many dowries. She scams at least twelve noble families out of hundreds of sovereigns. No. Hawke has no idea. They don’t find out until there’s almost a diplomatic incident between Kirkwall and some Orlesian family cause they sent a dowry of 800 sovereigns and Hawke never showed up to the wedding and they were sending threats. Only then does Isabela fess up. Hawke thinks this is hilarious but also doesn’t want to fight off Orlais clown assassins forever and asks Isabela to stop. Varric is so impressed by how well Isabela writes as Hawke he asks her to help on his book.

- Fenris... doesn’t care. Like. I’ve been sitting here thinking of some sort of funny story but there is just not a reality where Fenris cares. What? You think he feels threatened by Lord Tantervale Chantryman sending a betrothal letter to Hawke? No, if anything he uses them to practice reading because they’re wonderfully entertaining. Hawke hears muffled laughter from the library one day and finds Fenris reading a betrothal letter with a Starkhaven seal on it and they just... keep walking.

[venvellan]

i routinely think about the horrible torturous waking nightmare it would be for lavellan to find inquisitor ameridan. you've spent weeks chasing after his trail under the assumption that he's human and only just discovered that telana was elven after historians/the chantry tried to erase her existence entirely. it's only by breaking his spell over hakkon and un-freezing him out of time that you realize he's– dalish? "andaran atish'an. i am glad drakon's friendship with our people has remained strong." oh, god, no.

you can tell the world he was dalish. you can try to correct history and give him the rest he deserves, but would they even believe you? the dalish inquisitor lavellan finds the only other inquisitor in chantry history and he was also dalish? you have to try, and some will believe you, but the human lords don't care. you'll find the most resistance in "educated" circles of historians, where they'll likely be whispering that you made it all up.

you may have spent your entire career as the inquisitor questioning how you'll be remembered, and the answer lies in finding ameridan. one day you'll be lost to time, and the few who remember you will do it incorrectly. public perception of you now is that you're a tool and servant of the chantry, despite not being andrastian, despite direct opposition from the chantry, but hundreds of years from now? some of the dalish may remember who you really were, but in a future under the chantry, they'd be fighting an uphill battle trying to keep that version of you alive. your only chance is to catalog your life, your identity, as dutifully as possible. write journals and letters reminding the world of who you are. leave little pieces of you behind, in hopes that it'll make a trail through time straight to you. the real you.

that's what my lavellan does, anyway. finding ameridan awakens such dread in him that he starts recording as much of himself as possible. the weeks after have him holed up filling journals with who he is, where he's from, his beliefs, his family tree. the choices he's made and exactly why, the people he wants to fight for. he keeps up that habit in the months and years afterward, writing as much as he can fit on the page about any relevant topic. varric could write about the inquisition, and he'd do his best, but a good story — a story that sells — is about fighting the templars and the demons and defeating corypheus. being elven would take up a paragraph at most in varric's story, and it's just not enough. people could forget him regardless, no matter how hard he tries, but he'll fight it as long as he lives.

and if all else fails, mythal forbid, hopefully the name 'lavellan' sounds elven enough.

[haverdoodles]

Golden Sun

— (Hawke)

.

Hawke,

This is a letter that you’ll never read.

Maker’s breath, even just writing your name makes me feel like I’ve been stabbed. You’d think I’d be better equipped to deal with grief, considering the hundreds of tragic tales I’ve witnessed and written – and yet somehow, despite the endless knowledge I’ve gained on the subject, I still feel just as lost and helpless as anyone else.

It’s been eleven months since you’ve disappeared. Every waking thought I have is of you trapped in the Fade, lost and searching where I can’t find you

They say grief gets easier with time. I used to tell people the same thing, but I can now safely say it’s bullshit. Eleven months, and there’s still a Hawke-shaped wound in my chest. Some days it’s an unbearable, crushing weight, and Doe-Eyes has to coax me out of bed or else I’ll never leave. A part of me never wants that wound to heal, because it feels like it’d mean forgetting you. I’ll never forget you.

Hawke, you’re unlike anyone I’ve ever met. I’m sure I’ve told you this before, but I don’t think you’ll ever truly grasp just how miraculous you are. How deeply and profoundly good you are, inside and out. You have this innate sort of light that draws people in like moths to flame, but the light never burns people. It shelters and warms, and provides solace to all who need it. They’re calling you the ‘Golden Sun of Kirkwall’, now. I think it’s fitting. I just wish they had decided on a damn name at a time when you could hear it for yourself. Oh, you’d be grinning for weeks.

There are so many things I want to say to you, that I’ve always wanted to say to you, but I can never find the words. The irony. I want to describe the way the sunlight catches your hair and turns it into a halo of golden fire, and the way your smile drowns out every terrible thing in this blighted world. There’s more – something about the specific hue of your eyes, and the ripple of muscle in your arms whenever you stretch or reach or lift up your sword, but the words are fizzling out as I write. I’m so tired, Hawke. I don’t want to write about you, I want you home.

Fenris and I haven’t given up on you. He has a kid now, did you know that? A sweet Qunari girl named Alba. You’d love her. The others have started to believe that you might be dead, but we know better, and we’re working to get you back. The Inquisitor has generously offered all of the resources she has at her disposal. I think she misses you too, though she’d never say it out loud.

I won’t write the three words hovering on the tip of my tongue. They’re too precious to put onto paper, but I feel them strongly just the same.

We’ll find you, Hawke. And when we do, I’ll toss this letter in the flames and never look back. Hold on, just for a little longer.

Varric

.

.

[Doe-Eyes (Te’lise) and Alba are original characters of mine.]

[dareactions]

This might be convoluted but please stay with me. Imagine: Warden is the Inquisitior. Don't ask me how, but they contact the Arishok (Sten from Origins), and he shows up at Skyhold. He still calls them Kadan. People's reactions to that. Especially Bull.

djwklae Sten calling me Kadan gave ME LIFE. my husband, love of my life. he holds my hand when i kill things w my blood magic <3 this is now canon to my warden!inquisitor, thanks

Iron Bull: There are moments in everyone's life when they see all the choices they've made laid out before them. To Bull, this is when the Arishok walks in and looks at the Inquisitor with fondness in his eyes, and the words 'kadan' leaves his lips. He isn't sure how to feel whatsoever, how the hell is he expected to feel? He just stands there with his mouth agape like a fucking idiot for ten minutes straight until he get spoken to. He needs alcohol, stat.

Cassandra: She is considering handing in her resignation, a little bit. There are only so many things she can handle and this is for sure not entirely one of them. What is she supposed to do beyond act polite? If the Inquisitor catches her glaring at them, that's her business.

Blackwall: I would love to write some really in-depth thing here but I think he literally just emotionally clocks out and calls it a day.

Dorian: Dorian is laughing his fucking ass off behind closed doors. He pats them on the shoulder and goes 'good job', because not everyone can score an Arishok- as a friend or lover for that matter. He keeps almost laughing every time he looks at Bull and he feels dreadful for it but it's so funny.

Sera: She feels a bit weird about it? Like the Qunari have always been a mixed back and apparently, the Inquisitor is like- in a relationship with one, right? That's what that means? She thinks, at least. The guy also looks intimidating enough that Sera knows better than to make any comments so she just stands there before deciding its very much not her problem.

Varric: He thought Hawke had questionable taste and now he has to write apology letters to them.

Vivienne: She doesn't even want to think about the political implications of this.Vivienne just keeps her mouth shut unless asked in which she still keeps her mouth shut. The Arishok is a frightening man and not someone she even wants to dare to comment on the relationship of if he is in the same building.

Cole: I honestly don't think the lil man cares. He is just happy they're happy!

Solas: Honestly, any thoughts he has is overshadowed by the amusement he feels when everyone freaks out a bit. Sure, it's not what he expected but- fair enough? It does make him question how the hell he is going to go forward with his other plans but he'll figure it out.

[theluckywizard]

WIP Whenever

Thank you for the tag @greypetrel

Well I just finished up my spicy art of Hawke and Rose for an upcoming chapter so I suppose that doesn't count! But here's a bit of Rose Trevelyan being nosy around the Hawke Estate while the man she's just been introduced to, Garrett Hawke is out having a street fight (LOL! Weird!) with some dwarf associate!? I love working on this scene because it's a great opportunity for easter eggs and just generally a great character reveal for both Rose and Hawke in my Kiss Me Moonstruck AU (matchmakingmoms!au).

Snippet below the cut 👇

In a closet beyond is an extra set of mail and an assortment of gambesons and maintenance tools and equipment. Awls and oil. Garrett’s finery from earlier hangs on a hook. Feeling venturesome and more than a little nosy, Rose leans in to get a whiff of this man she’s meant to like enough to marry.

Peppermint, obviously. Camphor. And buried underneath are hints of herbs she can’t quite distinguish. Elfroot probably. Rashvine and spindleweed perhaps. She startles at a sudden contact between her thighs, stumbling back from her insolent task to discover Garrett Hawke’s mabari has an equally insolent interest in her.

She shoves him back gingerly and with placating tones, unsure if a war dog would be friendly toward an interloper like herself. He’s three times the size and heft of any of her hunting hounds, and his undocked tail lashes and whips with enthusiasm when she scratches tentatively behind his ears.

“Well aren’t you persistent,” she mutters, attending to the short fur of his broad white chest. She carefully avoids the precarious string of slobber that dangles from his maw and returns to the foyer hoping the creature will settle down by the fire again. He doesn’t. Enthralled by the attention, he stays at her heels, following her over to an apparent writing desk.

It’s been recently tidied she notes, a pile of mail sits to one side with all the edges lined up, and there's a cup of distinctive looking quills, pencils and a rustic looking pen knife and a fresh supply of fine paper. In spite of the paper there’s a stack of half crumpled notes in another corner that someone did their best to organize.

Rose picks up a rumpled note written in a lively hand over the top of a torn out piece of broadsheet.

Emeric. Thursday, 8 o’clock. Follow up with Aveline. 

The wall above it is unceremoniously papered over with various letters, missives and documents and a sloppily carved slab of wood reads Wall of Fame.

Rose first reads a desperate sounding letter written in a primitive but decidedly feminine hand to Carver— his younger brother, she presumes— by an individual named Peaches. There’s a printed document with a flaming fist stamped in the corner about mage rights and the Maker. A badly drawn caricature of a man armored in absurdly pointy plate asking what she presumes to be a darkspawn for directions. And a well designed advert clipped from the news:

BARNABUS BIRD Purveyor of Fine Blades ══════════════════ Kitchen Knives ✧ Utility Knives ✧ Murder Knives ══════════════════  Slice Fereldan cheese paper thin! ✦ Cut unexpected bindings on your hands and feet! ✦ Clean the blood from your fingernails!

The address listed belongs to this very home.

LOL this last thing is one of Varric's many pranks on Hawke (they are trapped in a forever prank war). It's also an easter egg for my long fic.

Tagging @crackinglamb, @bluewren, @samseabxrn, @nirikeehan, @leggywillow, @exalted-dawn-drabbles, @ammoniteflesh, @skyeventide and YOU. Whatcha working on?

[shivunin]

Collected DAI Ficlets

Below are links to all of my Dragon Age: Inquisition ficlets on tumblr. They are organized by type/chronological order per the headings.(Longer works posted here on AO3 and cross-posted here where noted).

(If you're looking for more, here are links to my Origins and DA2 ficlets)

Please let me know if any links are broken!

Emmaera Lavellan/Cullen:

A Bond Beheld: (1,710 Words) The Commander pledges fealty to the new Inquisitor

Tipsy: (209 Words) Conversation overheard while drunk

Lavender Cakes: (236 Words) A codex entry describing a special request from the Commander; (collected with a codex entry on a marriage offer post-Inquisition and rumors circa Trespasser)

Not a Moment Sooner: (1,159 Words) Cullen wakes from a nightmare and grounds himself with the presence of his lover.

The Last Minute: (996 Words) Emma and Cullen say goodbye as the Inquisition's armies prepare to ride for the Arbor Wilds

To Build an End: (1,524 Words, Fluff) As the dust of Corypheus's destruction settles around her, Emmaera looks first for her Commander

A Letter from the Viscount: (368 Words) Varric writes to see how the Inquisitor has been, and to deliver an offer

Entanglements: (704 Words, Fluff) A quiet, simple morning in retirement

Just a Hair: (676 Words, Fluff) Emma trims Cullen’s hair

From Behind: (513 Words, Fluff) Cullen reflects on life as a father and husband

Structural Integrity: (4,300 Words, Fluff) Cullen and his daughter build a pillow fort—now all that’s left is to test it (also collected in my anthology fic here on AO3)

Letters from Adhlea: (527 Words, epistolary) While Cullen visits family in Ferelden, his daughter writes him a letter with updates.

Elowen Lavellan/Cullen

Hold Me Down: (1,206 Words) In the aftermath of Here Lies the Abyss, Cullen happens upon the Inquisitor in a vulnerable state.

Summer Tea: (897 Words) The Inquisitor takes a moment away from a party to rest on the balcony; Cullen joins her

A Sudden Squall: (1,613 Words) An abrupt storm forces Cullen and the Inquisitor into close quarters

A Storm’s Aftermath: (786 Words) Elowen tries to be normal after nearly kissing the Commander (she…doesn’t quite manage it, but neither does he)

At Your Side: (678 Words) As Elowen returns to her room in Skyhold, Leliana notices a new mannerism

Disarming: (773 Words) The Commander and Inquisitor spend a morning training

Falsehoods: (851 Words, Hurt/comfort) Elowen takes a wound in battle; Cullen visits her room at the inn to make sure she's alright

Call Your Mother: (515 Words) A letter from and to Elowen’s mother regarding her choice of beau

A Resolution: (1,086 Words) Elowen reflects on the consequences of having fallen in love with a human

Daybreak: (615 Words) After the events of Your Fate for Mine, Cullen wakes in bed with Elowen and finds himself with a small predicament.

Salshira Lavellan/Cullen

Slander: (547 Words) Codex entry detailing several complaints about the Inquisitor

The Fire at the Center: (556 Words) Cullen tries to focus on his prayers, with some difficulty

Wait: (621 Words, Fluff) Salshira passes through Cullen’s office on the way to other tasks

Fires of Battle: (846 Words) Salshira closes the last distance before the Temple of Mythal and meets the Commander on the battlefield

A Hand Outstretched: (1,510 Words, T) Salshira struggles with the lack of news from Wycome; Cullen finds her when she needs him most.

News from Wycome: (740 Words, Emotional hurt/comfort) Cullen rushes to deliver a crucial bit of news

Don’t Look Down: (448 Words, Hurt/comfort) Salshira regains consciousness after a nasty fall

After the Dark: (841 Words, Hurt/comfort) Salshira returns from the Deep Roads; she is not doing well

A Story Chosen: (2,245 Words) Cullen and Salshira's daughter asks about adventuring and heroism while they wait for Salshira to come home from the market

Adahlena Lavellan/Cullen (aka the arranged marriage au):

Pip: (2,611 Words) Adahlena Lavellan and Cullen meet for the first time in the Elvhen lands at Halamshiral

The Morning Mist: (820 Words) Cullen and Adahlena take breakfast together in the gardens

Miscellaneous Mini-Fics:

Profane (Salshira)

Winnow (Salshira)

Cliff (Emma)

Truth (Elowen), Profane (Emma), and Initiative (Salshira)

Sweet Pea (Elowen)

Witch Hazel (750 Words) Emmaera discusses her daughter's magic with Vivienne

[rosella-writes]

happy friday roooo💜 perhaps some Bryn x Josie, Brushing a stray strand of hair out of their eyes?

THANK YOUUUU I appreciate you💚 for @dadrunkwriting

Pairing: Adaar/Josephine Rating: G

~~~

Josephine has accounted for each moment of this day, and every piece of paper that crosses her desk. If the notes themselves are not physically sorted, they are in her mind — she scans an eye over them and commits the schedule once again to memory. The Rechauds, the Monfords, dinner with a young Guerrin mistress, a letter to write to the Revered Mother of Du Glace — 

“Hey,” soothes a sweet voice. 

Josephine looks up with a gasp — she hadn’t realised she’d been muttering beneath her breath. “Oh! Inquisitor, pardon me.”

Bryn Adaar ducks through her doorway, then shuts the door firmly behind them. Their spiralling horns nearly clip the chandelier — they put up a hand to protect the hanging fixture as they pass, out of habit. Their vivid blue eyes curve into happy half moons above their smiling cheeks at the sight of her. 

“What’s there to pardon you for?” they ask. Their accent lilts, not quite Rivaini, not quite Marcher, and is sweet as a warbling bird’s. “I just came to check on you.”

“Me?” Josephine demurs. She sorts through her notes as an excuse to lower her gaze. “I fare quite well, your Grace. No need to worry.”

Bryn laughs gently. They draw near to Josephine’s desk on nearly-silent footsteps — the grace and soundlessness of their movement reminds her of the tales Iron Bull told her of the Fog Warriors. Josephine shakes that thought away, for the person beside her is much gentler than anyone with ‘warrior’ in their name.

“I didn’t come to worry over you,” Bryn assures her. “I came to check on you, and to see if you would like to take a step away from your desk? Just for a moment.”

Josephine recalls her schedule, and how every moment is accounted for. She raises her eyes to Bryn’s — so high up, she realises with a swooping feeling in her stomach — and tries to think of how to explain. “The Rechauds —”

“Are enthralled by Vivienne’s stories and gossip,” Bryn murmured. “Their son is a loyalist mage. Vivienne would have the rest of their day if you let her.”

“You planned this.”

“With Varric’s help.”

Josephine can’t help the little laugh that burbles up at that. “I find it difficult to believe that Master Tethras —”

“He knows the importance of taking a break, Lady Ambassador,” Bryn said, leaning closer. Josephine forgot what she was going to say when Bryn reached out — they smoothed a piece of frazzled hair back from Josephine’s forehead, a gesture that seemed terribly delicate for so large and long-fingered a hand. Bryn looked her over again, then met her eyes and smiled with all the warmth of a sunflower turning its face towards the sky. “Come. Half an hour?”

Josephine soothed her pounding heart with a deep intake of breath. She nodded. “Lead the way, your Grace.”

“Bryn,” Bryn corrected. Her fingers lingered for a moment on Josephine’s sleeve before falling away. “To the gardens? The roses are about to bloom.”

With a smile and a sigh, Josephine put down her notes — now out of order — on her desk and followed Bryn from the room.

[makethosenarratorsfight]

UNRELIABLE NARRATORS; SIDE A

Varric Tethras Propaganda:

KING OF LYING. (<- not true) this guy narrates the wentire second dragon age game (which is half lies and half exaggeration) and this, chronologically, is after he released a book about it (9/10 lies 1/10 exaggeration). Its confirmed what some of the lies are in the very next game. This guy has allowed anyone and everyone to do whatever the fuck they want with the plot of the second game and it doesnt even break canon. Also hes a crime boss. Dont worry about it.

The entire game is him retelling the story to Cassandra (world equivalent of the pope's muscle lady) who has captured him to interrogate him about the events of the game. He will frequently embelish the story but everything that happened was so out there that the lady can't always tell when he is lying and it will frequently flash back to their interrogation scene where she tells him there is no way that happened, and then he will restart the telling of that scene with slightly fewer exaggerations.

He embellishes the story to make himself look good yes but more importantly to make his friend Hawke look good. Everybody needs a friend like Varric to make their life story sound so epic.

Johnny Truant Propaganda:

He literally tells us he’s a liar / storyteller in the first couple of chapters. He edits other people’s manuscripts without giving a hint as to what exactly he’s edited, so you have to figure it out yourself and then second guess whether you’re right or wrong. He claims to just be an idiot junkie and then you find out in his mother’s letters to him that he’s fluent in Latin, won academic scholarships, and writes poetry. In the end he writes a happy ending for himself and then tells us it was bullshit and then tells us another, slightly less happy (but still surprisingly good) ending and you have to just. Sort of decide on your own whether that one was legit or not.

[imagine-silk]

hullo! May I please request varric dating a reader who acts a lot like a detective? (Basically they really like to solve mysteries and help people and be a bit eccentric)

A strange detective covers a lot of ground, so I went with a noir Sherlock Holmes. I don't know, the thought of a melodramatic noir detective in Dragon Age is so out of place it humors me greatly.

Art by Benjamin Carre

You first met in the Hinterlands when Berand asked the herald to find his lover. They found you over her body reading the letter and you quickly explained you found her like this and needed to find her lover. When they told you where he was you got really sad claiming the hunt and satisfaction of finding him was gone.

You joined them to deliver the news a little displeased but immediately perked up when the party off-handily mentioned this was the second person you were hired to find. Excited you asked who they were and joined the inquisition.

Through all of this Varric wanted to laugh. He knew he shouldn't think this was funny in the middle of a war but you were so strange and Trevelyan thought so as well.

Working for the inquisition satisfied your inquisitive nature. Whenever there was a person or object to find you were on the case and you solved them quite quickly.

Because of the ongoing war with templars and mages you were always busy. So much so you never really talked to the inner-circle or anyone really that much not until after Haven is attacked. During the journey to Skyhold it was Varric who checked on you. He had never seen you distraught about anything unrelated to your work. While everyone is getting settled he notices no one really checks on you so he takes it upon himself to do so.

He learns quite a bit during your talks. Proper checking for cause of death, deducting suspects, talking to the victim's family. You also have more personal talks explaining how much you enjoy your job, your extreme highs and lows, your close relationship with death, your need to figure things out and how all of these things make it difficult to be palatable to others.

You also learn about him. He doesn’t really say much about himself that's not cryptic but for you he doesn't need to. Not saying you fully understand, you probably never will, but you get a general idea. As much as you want to press for detail or find a paper-trail you know he wouldn't like that and a stepping stone in your relationship is you learning to be content with that. (And no, he won't tell you the story of Bianca.)

At some point he writes a book that is based off of you. It becomes very popular even to people outside of his fans because it is one of the only book of his where the main character survives and has regular wins, a lot of losses but consistent wins. It wasn't hard to write, he mostly just rewords what you tell him and embellishes it.

A lot of people saw the change of the MC over time. MC started as a strange excitable person obsessed with solving intricate crimes who was petty and difficult to deal with but later turns out to be a person isolated because of their eccentric nature and constantly working because it allows their mind to run as fast as it can without waiting for others.

Readers also noticed when there was a growing romantic tension, like they were suddenly reading this character in the most flattering light. But they had no love interest. It's not very clear if Varric was envisioning his lack of romance or yours. (Cassandra picks up on it and is ate it up)

The only real reason he allowed it to be published was because his beta-readers loved it to pieces and he knows you won't read it due to your lack of time and lack of interest in it. You hate when writers get something wrong but specifically in Varric's case you already knew what happens. And your right, your not going to find anything new other than things he embellished.

By then people have kind of sniffed out the growing interest you both have. An interest you both don't seem to want to act on. Varric's self-loathing is infamous, he would never give himself a happy ending and you know this. You also have reservations due to your very dangerous job and insane working habits. You both are quite content to keep what you both know unsaid.

It gets to a point the inner-circle start to intervene. They don't succeed but they try. Trevelyan gives you less work so you have more free time but having less work pisses you off big time. Cassandra tries to get you to read his books but you keep telling her no and Varric is irked by her attempts. Cole tries to fix your hurts but for both of you it's too little too late. Josephine and Leliana get you to social events but Varric is a socialite and entertains crowds and you are known as a very impressive detective and a main character in a book, you both occupied the whole night. Depending if your fem or masc, Sera or Dorian will ask if you need any advice for the bedroom to which annoyed you. Vivienne got peeved enough to invite you to a spa day and brought Varric along with her, apparently he was under the same impression, so out of spite you both enjoyed your time using her paid day off to do nothing. Even Blackwall and Solas try to ask if either of you are interested in someone, though they're a lot more teasing.

Funny enough Iron Bull is the only one content on letting things play out. He knows something would need to happen for the spark to turn into a flame.

The beginning of your official romance is not very romantic I'm afraid. You leave on a particularly interesting case and don't come back. And he panics. Fully thinks your dead but doesn't give up on trying to find you. He asks news from the scouts, checks taverns and towns when he goes out, even asks Cole if he knows where you are. Cole says, "Panicked, prancing like a headless chicken, they're probably scared as I am. Or maybe their fine. Or maybe their dead. Just another regret. My answer won't soothe your hurt no matter the what I say." He knows the kid is right. If he said you were perfectly safe he would doubt it and if he said you were unsafe or dead he would never forgive himself.

When you come back bloodied and bruised it's almost like you never left. No one reacts and you don't want them to. Because of this Varric doesn't know you’re back. He spots you sitting on the battlements and runs. You turn to see a flushed sweating dwarf staring at someone he's not sure is a ghost, like if he blinks you’ll wisp away. The conversation starts like all the others and for a long time you sit casually talking. A long pause is broken by Varric, "You scared me." to which you replied a quiet I know, and silence takes over once more. You put your hand on his and he pulls you into a hug. When you pull away you look at each other and with no words see everything unsaid. Neither of you knows who started the kiss but it's long and chaste, sweet and tenderly slow.

After that you're just an item, no real talk necessary. It takes a while for others to figure it out, y'all don't act mush different. All of your kisses are stolen, flirting is no more than usual. Varric takes things slow which is fine by you.

When your gone you send letters back and forth. It's a bit difficult because you're on the move constantly. Your letters mostly consist of current events but as the time apart grows it will detail how you miss one another, sometimes it's spicy.

In your extreme highs he listens intensely. Your excited nature making him feel like everything is right in the world. In your extreme lows he learns how to help you. Lack of work? He tries to get you to focus on doing something, like a puzzle or finding a specific item. Saw something horrible? He'll ask you to talk about it. Just down? He tells you it's okay and either does a little spa day and spends the day pampering and goofing off or he takes you to the tavern to have fun, which usually end in some 'fun'.

Varric is also a bridge to having a better social life. You don't stop being strange but he brings out your sweetness and humor allowing others to enjoy it as well. You are also the muse of his latest book and high society folk are nosy so in places like Val Royeaux you will be swarmed. But in taverns and the like it's just an good time.

[dryad-of-the-dogwood]

Fanfic Masterlist

I write under the pseudonym Disenchantress on AO3, and I'll always accept prompts for any of my main fandoms as long as the prompt doesn't include a personal squick (mainly SA/dubcon - I don't mind references to past SA handled properly, but I will not write actual SA for my own mental health).

List is only for fandoms I actually still engage with, but there are a few others on AO3 if you're curious.

Dragon Age

A Thread of Fate Rating: M Pairing: Alistair x non-Warden f!Cousland Chapters: 34 (ongoing) POV: First-person, alternating between Alistair and Cousland TW/CW: C-PTSD symptoms, panic attacks, dissociation, night terrors, survivor's guilt, assassination, canon-typical violence, sexual content (not exactly smut, I watered it down... okay it's still smut) Summary: Post-Blight quasi-AU, wherein Alistair was made king by a Warden who died killing the Archdemon and an arranged marriage is proposed between him and Nalissa Cousland, who only survived the fall of Castle Cousland by turning all of her grief into rage. After being captured and tortured in Fort Drakon under Howe's aim of legitimizing his claim to Highever, she trusts no one, especially strange noblemen bearing contracts of marriage. Alistair badly wants to unravel the secrets that are still haunting her, but some of them aren't done trying to kill her yet...

Until the End Rating: M Pairing: Alistair x f!Cousland Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Alistair focused TW/CW: Heavy angst, the Calling, canon-typical violence, major character deaths Summary: Nalissa Cousland searched for years for a cure to the Calling, but every effort left her only with empty hands and diminished hope. Twenty-two years after she became a Warden, she awakens in the palace in Denerim with the song in her ears. After everything they've been through together, Alistair will not let her go into the Deep Roads alone.

Once My Knight Rating: T Pairing: Ser Gilmore x f!Cousland Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Gilmore and Cousland focused TW/CW: Angst, major character death Summary: Backstory on Nalissa Cousland's origin, her first love with one of the knights she grew up beside, and the multiple ways it broke her heart.

Through Fog and Misted Glass Rating: T Pairing: Tamlen x f!Mahariel Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Tamlen focused TW/CW: Non-specific references to noncon/rape, major character death Summary: For Tamlen's entire life, he loved Lurai Mahariel. He swore to protect her from anyone that would dare to hurt her, but the corruption of the darkspawn taint twists his final act into him being the one trying to kill her.

From the Outside Rating: T Pairing: Alistair x f!Surana Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: First-person, alternating between Alistair and Surana TW/CW: Heavy angst, suicidal thoughts Summary: Naeva Surana chose to support Alistair at the landsmeet ten years ago, and for ten years she's regretted it. Alistair, being the one to have burst in and told her that meant they couldn't be together, has only regretted it more. When the Calling begins to affect the entire order, they finally realize there are things that can't be left unsaid, even if it's just in a couple of letters.

Dear Fenris Rating: M Pairing: Fenris x f!Hawke Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Fenris focused TW/CW: Heavy angst, major character death Summary: After the events of Here Lies the Abyss, Fenris receives a raven from the Inquisition. The letter is not from Miranda Hawke, but from Varric, and Fenris might have preferred a blade in the heart instead.

To Mend What's Broken Rating: T Pairings: Fenris x f!Hawke, Anders x f!Hawke Chapters: 2 (complete) POV: First-person, alternating between Anders and Fenris TW/CW: Canon-typical Anders and Fenris biases, angst Summary: A short analysis of what went through Fenris's and Anders's heads when Miranda Hawke seeks comfort with Anders after Fenris breaks her heart, and then once more when Anders does the same during The Last Straw.

Edge of Infinity Rating: M Pairings: Anders x f!Hawke, Fenris x f!Hawke Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Hawke focused TW/CW: Heavy angst, major character death Summary: Hawke thought she knew Anders until the moment he destroyed Kirkwall's chantry and everyone inside. And the more she listens to his confession, the more she realizes she knew only him, not the consciousness he's become together with Justice. This last betrayal might be the one that breaks her, because she knows she can't let him go to do the same again.

Starfield

The Grav Jump Tango Rating: M Pairing: Sam Coe x f!Spacefarer Chapters: 10 (ongoing) POV: Third-person, Sam focused Summary: The newest member of Constellation, Cassandra Warrick, seems to only ever drop her serious, mission-focused facade when it comes to charming enemies into submission or would-be-friends into staying a safe distance away. Sam tries to both understand her and whether the flirtatious way she tries to throw him off means anything deeper.

The Legend of Dragoon

The Price of Valor Rating: T Pairing: Rose x Zieg Feld (past) Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Rose focused Summary: Ten years after the battle at Kadessa, Rose revisits Gloriano in an effort to convince herself that everything was worth it. There she encounters memories she spent a decade trying to forget and realizes the full weight of fighting alone for eternity.

Rose's Song Rating: T Pairing: Rose x Zieg Feld (past) Chapters: 1 (complete) POV: Third-person, Rose and Dart focused Summary: Upon reaching Vellweb, Rose separates herself from the group to visit the towers of the seven Dragoons. Surrounded by the ruins of a life that's no longer hers, a song drifts into her memory and off her lips.

[daitranscripts]

Varric Cutscene: Here Lies the Abyss

Letters

Varric Masterpost Related Quest: Here Lies the Abyss

The PC approaches Varric in the Main Hall. He’s looking into the fireplace.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Hawke left in Fade [1]

Alistair left in Fade [2]

Loghain left in Fade [3]

Stroud left in Fade [4]

1 - Hawke left in Fade

Varric: Did I ever tell you about the time Hawke was on a Merchant Guild hit list? Hawke’s uncle got into an investment scheme with a couple Merchant Caste businessmen. They took a lot of people’s coin in order to arrange the important of wandering hills from the Anderfels. A delicacy, I’m told.

Varric turns and approaches the PC.

Varric: Their weird, foreign foodstuffs arrived… alive. And one of them, true to its name, wandered off in the middle of the night.

Dialogue options:

Special (high approval): [Hug him.] [5] + Varric slightly approves

General: If it helps, tell the story. [6] + Varric approves

General: I’m sorry, Varric. [7]

General: [They] said goodbye to you. [8] + Varric slightly approves

5 - Special: [Hug him.] The PC hugs him. Varric: Shit… [9]

6 - General: If it helps, tell the story. PC: Keep going. I’d like to hear the rest of the story. [9]

7 - General: I’m sorry, Varric. PC:  I know Hawke was your friend. This can’t be easy for you. Varric (in party at Adamant): I should have stopped [them]. She’d already paid enough/He’d given up enough. Varric (not in party): It’s just… one time, just once, Hawke shouldn’t have been the one making the sacrifice. Just once… [9]

8 - General: [They] said goodbye to you. PC: [Their] last words were: “Say goodbye to Varric for me.” Varric (male Hawke): That son of a bitch. He would do that. Varric (female Hawke): I wish I’d said something… It doesn’t matter. [9]

9 - Scene continues.

Varric: The Guild… traced the shipment to Hawke’s uncle, but as usual, he was so far in debt he couldn’t see daylight. So they went after Hawke instead. They sent guys from the local Carta to Hawke’s estate one night. Five big dusters, armed to the teeth.

Diplomatic Hawke: They kick in the door, and Hawke’s just standing there, fully armed, with me and the guard-captain on either side. Humorous Hawke: They kick in the door, and Hawke yells, “You’re just in time!” and drags them over to a game of Wicked Grace. Aggressive Hawke: They’re about to kick down the door, when Hawke just opens it and invites them all inside.

Varric: Leandra—Hawke’s mother—made them tea and, for the next two hours, tried to get them to make small talk. They wandered out of the house in a daze. No idea what had just happened. Never came back. Hawke just… had that effect on people. I always wanted to tell that one. Thanks. I guess I’ve got some letters to write.

Varric: (Hawke romanced Anders/no romance, no sibling survived): There’s a few people who should know. Varric: (Hawke no romance, Carver alive): Carver should be told. Varric: (Hawke no romance, Bethany alive): Bethany should know what happened. Hawke (Hawke romanced Sebastian): I have to tell Sebastian, or he’ll throw a fit. Hawke (Hawke romanced Isabella): Isabela should know. Hawke (Hawke romanced Fenris): I should be the one to tell Fenris. Hawke (Hawke romanced Merrill): I should tell Merrill the news.

Varric: Excuse me.

Scene ends.

2 - Alistair left in Fade

Varric: So, the line of King Calenhad the Great has finally ended. I didn’t know Alistair well, but he was a friend of a friend.

Varric: One of the Wardens who ended the Fifth Blight. A big hero to a lot of people. He wasn’t the first good man to fall to Corypheus. He won’t be the last. This story’s no good for heroes. [10]

3 - Loghain left in Fade

Varric: I guess the Hero of River Dane’s story finally came to an end. Loghain was the Fereldan ideal, you know? The common boy who freed his kingdom and became a teyrn.

Varric: He helped to end the Fifth Blight. The rest aside, that made him a hero. He wasn’t the first good man to fall to Corypheus. He won’t be the last. This story’s no good for heroes. [10]

4 - Stroud left in Fade

Varric: I knew Stroud, you know. Not well.

Varric (Carver saved): He saved Hawke’s little brother from the Blight. Varric (Bethany saved): He saved Hawke’s little brother from the Blight. Varric (sibling died in deep roads/never went to deep roads): He led the Wardens near Kirkwall.

Varric: Not many people knew who he was, but the man was a hero when it mattered. He wasn’t the first good man to fall to Corypheus. He won’t be the last. This story’s no good for heroes. [10]

10 - Scene continues.

Dialogue options:

General: At least Hawke survived. [11] + Varric slightly approves

General: We heroes might make it. [12] + Varric slightly approves

General: He will be the last. [13] + Varric slightly approves

11 - General: At least Hawke survived. PC: You must be glad that Hawke made it back in one piece. Varric: Yeah. Closest thing I’ve ever seen to a miracle, there.

12 - General: We heroes might make it. PC: Some of us heroes will make it. We’re just too amazing to die. Varric: Well, if we’re both still standing at the end of all this, I’ll buy the drinks.

13 - General: He will be the last. PC: We’re taking down Corypheus before he takes any more lives. Varric: You know, sometimes when you say shit like that, I almost start to believe it.

14 - Scene continues.

Varric: (Sighs.) Hawke asked me to tell everyone back in Kirkwall where [they’re] going.

Varric: (Hawke romanced Anders/no romance, no sibling survived): There’s a bunch of people who probably need to know what’s going on. Varric: (Hawke no romance, Carver alive): I’ll have to let Carver know. I’m sure he’ll take it well. Varric: (Hawke no romance, Bethany alive): I should let Bethany know what’s going on. Hawke (Hawke romanced Sebastian): I suppose I have to let Choir Boy know. Hawke (Hawke romanced Isabella): Maker’s breath, Isabela’s going to be furious.   Hawke (Hawke romanced Fenris): Fenris needs to know. Maker, I’m glad I won’t be doing this in person. Hawke (Hawke romanced Merrill): I’ll have to let Merrill know.

Varric: I’d better write some letters. Excuse me.

Scene ends.

[loquaciousquark]

Fenris/Hawke

4, 12, or 27 please ❤️

4. how did they start living together? do they move? how do they choose the place?

Post reunion in Act 3, they start spending some nights together at mostly Hawke's place, but some Fenris's. They still occasionally sleep apart, though that becomes less common over the months, and the first real snappy winter that comes through has then scootching out of Fenris's place into the mansion PDQ. Hawke's willing to tolerate a lot to sleep next to Fenris, but that drafty mess pushes the line pretty darn hard.

After Kirkwall, they eventually settle in a small cottage in a town called Wilhaven, near Wildervale (north of Kirkwall). Leda is born there and they often have members of the gang come by and visit. Carver especially comes and stays about a week a year, depending on what the Wardens need.

However, they keep the Kirkwall mansion and visit the city several times a year, both to keep an eye on things and to visit Aveline & Donnic, Varric, and occasionally Isabela as she comes through. Hawke loves Kirkwall desperately, horrible as it is, and still sees the city as hers to protect as long as she's alive to do it. Plus, Aveline and Donnic have like four kids and the kids enjoy hanging out with each other.

After the other two children are born, and once they're a little older, sometimes Fenris will stay home with the kids while Hawke goes to Kirkwall, but that's only when she's really needed and Varric is desperate. Otherwise, they put down roots at the cottage--at least, as much as either of them can.

12. favorite non-sexual activity?

Answered here!

27. what do they do when they’re away from each other?

Oof. When Fenris is away from Hawke, he usually has the kids, so that takes up most of his time. Prior to that, though, or if he doesn't have them, I think he gets pretty single-mindedly focused on his goal. Whether he's going after slaver groups or whatever, I think he would immediately turn his focus to the mission, the whole mission, and nothing but the mission. I think he would really do everything he can to keep himself from thinking about Hawke/the family, both because he misses them desperately and it hurts to think about them, but because they also are distractions, and the sooner he finishes what he's doing the sooner he can get home. Once he starts that homeward journey, though, there ain't nothin' that's gonna stop him on his way.

When Hawke is away from Fenris, she gets herself killed. Or almost killed, semantics. In absence of breaches, though, she (like Fenris) tries to stay focused on what she's doing, but is not nearly as good at him at coming home straight after. Even after Kirkwall she's very bad about staying out of other people's business, and especially when Varric asks her to come by the city I can see her getting caught up in another two-three-four things while she's there until Fenris sits her down and tells her very seriously that she either needs to start saying no to people or he's going to start bringing the kids and coming with her.

Really, though, she just misses him. She writes him lots of letters and spends a lot of free time thinking about him, which makes her try not to think too much about him in the first place, which circles her right back around to thinking about him & the kids. She always comes home with buckets of gifts and tchotchkes and notes from everyone else saying hi, and Leda really enjoys her stories of faraway places and people for years. The first time Hawke goes on a trip with a young Leda by herself, Fenris frets the whole time. They do take more trips together as a family once the kids are a little older, however, and the other kids at the Chantry school always think Leda is making up stories about some of the things she sees until she pulls out for show and tell various jeweled daggers, crowns, porcelain dolls, fistfuls of gold silk, etc. There's at least one parent-teacher conference where the sister politely asks Hawke & Fenris to tell their child to quit bringing deadly weaponry to class.

[emptyshellofanillusionwizard]

7, 9 and 19 for Baqir and Dorian <3

Aaaa this is my first time doing an ask game so I will do my best! Thank you for asking!! :0

7. Your otp has to spend some time apart for whatever reason. How would they bridge that time? How would they react upon seeing each other again? Would anything change?

So they probably spent a lot of time apart during the Inquisition because Baqir had to go out on missions and sometimes Dorian wouldn't come along (especially when it was too rainy or cold!)

During these times there wasn't much opportunity for them to communicate because of the constant travel. Baqir would collect and press herbs and flowers that he found along during missions to give to Dorian. He'd also just like throw himself into fighting and work in order to distract himself. Dorian would immerse himself in his research and go drinking with Sera and Bull to pass the time. They both are very avoidant lol.

Post Inquisition, they have the sending stones to keep in touch but I think they would also write very romantic (and mildly suggestive) letters to each other. I think when reuniting, Baqir would just be really relieved and Dorian would be worried that Baqir's feelings had changed (that whole port in a storm speech) but ultimately they'd just click together without feeling too much of a change.

...They also fuck nasty.

9. What annoys each member of your otp about the other? Do they tell them? Do they compromise/work it out? 

I think what annoys Dorian about Baqir is how secretive he is about himself and his past. Baqir's done a lot of shit as a spy in Tevinter (my hc for clan Lavellan is that they take in a lot of former city elves and half-elves and they like infiltrate Orlesian and Tevinter spheres of nobility and fuck shit up and free elven slaves and servants and initiate uprisings) and Baqir takes a very long time to share with Dorian about these things until absolutely necessary.

Baqir's survival used to hinge on his ability to keep things close to his chest but that isn't at all like a functional way to maintain a healthy relationship.

Ultimately Dorian confronts Baqir about it and they fight but things resolve afterwards with the agreement to be more open about their lives.

Baqir is irritated at first by Dorian's initial dismissiveness of elves in Tevinter but he doesn't really bring it up. Eventually with the discussion of Baqir's secretiveness and when things come up about his history Dorian feels guilty and takes time to educate himself.

19. Is the approval of family and friends important to your otp? If so, how would they try to win over a skeptical in-law? Would they cut people off if they didn't approve of the relationship?

Baqir doesn't care about the approval of his advisors or his clan, but he really cares about what his daughter, Rahat, thinks of Dorian. He goes out of his way to introduce Dorian to his daughter and try to set up time for them to spend time as a group and become acquainted. The good news is Rahat and Dorian get a long swimmingly (both being mages and total nerds) and sometimes Baqir ends up almost third-wheeling lol. His friends (Varric, Bull, Cassandra, Cole) approve but Baqir sort of just took that as given.

Dorian I think tries to convince himself that he doesn't care what his family thinks about their relationship but deep down he still has that internalized homophobia that he tries to work through. His parents don't approve of their relationship at all and even though he and his father reconciled, he limited their communication. Later on when he returns to Tevinter, he flaunts their relationship very proudly (partially with the intent to upset his mother).

Dorian also was super scared that Rahat wouldn't like him (because he remembers being a teenager and cranky as hell) and is incredibly happy when she accepts him and involves him in her hijinks.

[memory345]

Part 1 of My “Husband” Varric

This was supposed to be the entire thing but I kinda got sidetracked writing the party member's banter. But not to worry, this will only be two parts and part two will be posted and linked shortly.

Summary: Somehow, the information that the inquisitor is, in fact, very single gets leaked and proposals and suitors start pouring in to try and win the heart of the Herald of Andraste. The information was leaked by none other than Varric, albeit accidentally, so as punishment and a way to try and fix the problem, you say that Varric is your husband. But as your charade continues, feelings develope...?

Fem!Inqisitor x Varric

Word Count: 1,297

"Ok, who was it? I'm not mad, I just wanna know." You ask your inner circle, trying to keep your tone as gentle and calm as possible as you all stand gathered around in Josephine’s office.

"What? You think one of us did it?" Blackwall laughs, in almost disbelief.

"Not intentionally, no. But we believe that one of you may have off-handedly mentioned it and it may have taken on a life of it's own." Josephine answers. She was the first to feel the effects of the rumor, as hundreds upon hundreds of proposals for the inquisitor were mailed in.

Sera raised her hand. "S'cuse me, Lady Shiny Pants, but why aren't Creepy and Mister-more-elvhen-than-thou here? Shouldn't they be interrogated along with us?"

"Cole and Solas have been ruled out." You answer.

"If they have been ruled out, then why am I here?" Cassandra scowls.

"Yeah, boss. I mean even if somebody did manage to let it slip, harm could people knowing you're avaible do?" Iron Bull chimed in.

"What harm?" Josephine said, incredulously. "Well, to start with, there's them." She walks over to the office door and pulls it open to reveal the hall full suitors dressed to the nines, and holding everything from bouquets to chests full of jewels and finely made dresses crowding around the door yelling 'Inquisitor!' as soon as they spotted her. 

“Ah. Right.” The qunari gave her a sheepish grin.

She gave Bull a tight smile as she quickly shut the door.

“They’re the reason the entire castle’s been sent into chaos. Did you know one of those pompous little shits came into my office asking me ‘Where’s the inquisitor?’ and then called me ‘incompetent oaf’ when I told him that I didn’t know. Wanted to throttle the bastard by skinny little neck.” Cullen said, his hand curling with the memory of the incident. 

"As soon as the information was let out, some of our alliances have requested for the inquisitor's hand in marriage or they'll pull their support. The inquisition has made a name for itself and has become quite the power house. The Inquisitor is our leader and as such, she too, holds a lot of power. It wouldn't take the brightest person to realize that securing a marriage with her would be a great move." The ambassador said as she returned to the inquisitor’s side. 

"But that isn't the worst of it." You grab a wooden crate half your size full of letters from behind Josephine's desk and drop it in front of them. "These were all sent by my mother. Any eligible person on the continent you can think of is probably here." You gestured towards the box. “And these are from yesterday alone.” 

“Well, shit.” Varric says as he scans the content of the letters.

“And I thought my family wanted me to get married.” Dorian laughs, as he grabs a handful of letters and starts skimming over them.

“It can’t be that bad. Everyone in Thedas is vying for your hand.” Vivievienne states, reviewing the possible candidates Dorian handed her. “I say enjoy it, and use it to your full advantage.”

“This one looks quite promising. Look, says here that he’s about your age, a merchant, likes sunsets and going to cafe’s. ” Iron Bull says, flipping around a letter to show the brief summary of the man and as well as the tiny picture of him that came in it. 

“Pish posh.” Dorian waves him off. “This one says he’s a Duke from Nevarra with a very sizeable fortune and as well as beautiful summer mansion. Also says he likes to cook and has a sizable library. The only problem being is that he looks like he was alive to witness when Andraste became the maker’s bride.”

“I like this one. He’s got a cool scar and hair that looks like he just got struck by lighting.” Sera laughs, showing you the picture. 

“It also says he spent three years in prison for smuggling illegal goods.” You respond.

“Eh, minor details.” She shrugs.

“This is pointless.” Cassandra huffs, crossing her arms. “We need to do is-”

“Look! This one says he’s a Pentaghast!” Blackwall shouts pulling another letter from the box. 

Cassandra was at his side in the blink of an eye. “Who is it?!”

“Would everybody please-”

Your interrupted by Lelliana as she strides into the room, a triumphant smile on her face. “I’ve found the leak!”

“Who?” You all ask simultaneously.

“Varric.”

“What? Me?” The dwarf asks, outraged. 

“Why am I not surprised?” Cassandra glares at him. “First you keep Hawke from us and now you sabotage the Inquisition with your loose tongue.”

“He didn’t do it intentionally, Cassandra. At least, I believe he didn’t.” The spymaster pulls out a letter from her pocket. “We believe you may have said it in a letter to your cousin, Vidar. At least, that's who we think it is. Your penmanship is quite hard to make out in this one."

He takes the letter from her hands as realization dawns on him. "Oh, yeah! I remember this. I wrote it when I was dru…" He trails off, before giving the inquisitor a sheepish smile.

"How did the subject of the inquisitor's relationship status end up in your letter?" Dorian asks, raising   his perfectly trimmed brows.

"Well, I was near blakout drunk and my cousin wouldn’t shut up about just how amazing his new business was going and I was going through bit of a bout of homesickness so I couldn’t help but brag a bit too. I only said, ‘You’d think that with how powerful and beautiful she is, the Herald of Andraste would have someone but I guess saving the world does keep a person busy’.”

“I don’t know if I want to thank you for the compliment or knock upside the head for being the cause of all of this.” 

“I didn’t think the little shit would go around spreading it about.” He threw his arms up.

“It’s okay, my lady. We can fix this.” Leliana reasures you. “My spies can track down the source of the rumour and take care of it.”

“So…?” Dorian makes a slicing motion across his neck. 

“No! There are easier ways to deal with this.” Josephine looked aghast at Dorian. 

“Well, I’m open to any other suggestions.” The spymaster looked expectantly at the ambassador. 

“I could get engaged.” You say, as everyone turns in to you in a stunned silence. “Now, now… Don’t look at me that way. It’ll be fake. I’ll get engaged with someone which will make it impossible for them to try and use me as power grab or leverage for an alliance. Leliana and Josephine can use the spies to spread the news of the engagement, we parade together as couple for a few months and when this whole Corypheus thing is finally over, we “mysteriously” break it off for reasons unknown. It’s perfect.” 

“That… might actually work. The question lies in who will be the your bethrothed.”

“Oh, of that I’m sure you will find no shortage.” Leliana laughed looking at the party, making some of them bashfully turn away.  

“I think this should be fixed by the same person who started it, don’t you, Varric?” You say staring at Varric.

"You know, Varric would be the perfect candidate. He's practically the prince of the merchant's guild, well-connected and was an ally of the Champion of Kirkwall. A union between the two of you wouldn't pose further questions."

"Why, Ambassador, I'm flattered…" He smiles, a hand on his chest.

"Alright then, it's settled. Come on, hubby." You stretch your arm out to the dwarf. " Let's go tell my horde of suitors that I am, unfortunately, taken."

"Lead the way." He says, taking your arm.