#wintersend 2017

[dartheames]

This is my gift for @queensoledad on this year's Wintersend! Thank you @the-queen-of-thedas for holding this event and, of course, Solavellan expert @destinyapostasy, who was very kind to help me out with this present because I was being a blob. I really like how it turned out, and I hope @queensoledad likes it too. And everyone should check their art by the way, it's amazing :3c

[ironbullsmissingeye]

So I got this beautiful artwork from @enchantment1385 for my Wintersend gift.

Words cannot describe how I love it and how much of a good friend she has become to me over this last month.

Thank you so much, Amatus.

And thank you to @ladylike-foxes for making such incredible artwork and capturing my baby so beautifully. 

——–

I really enjoyed doing the Wintersend, thanks to @the-queen-of-thedas and @right-in-the-vhenan, I hope to do it next year too.

[graphicallyill]

Happy Wintersend @venatori-tome ! I know you like Cole so I drew you a Cole! Kind of a non-denominational, wintery-night sky backdrop. Happy Holidays! I hope it’s the best :D

@the-queen-of-thedas and @right-in-the-vhenan thank you so much for hosting this event! Happy Holidays to you too.

[scottysloth]

Merry christmas, @rowynsn 👀 I was your secret santa for the wintersend gift exchange this year!! You said Morrigan was one of your favorites and I couldn’t resist gifting you with a Morrigan in very nice lingerie all dressed up for her lover u 3 u I hope you enjoy and have an amazing holiday!  (thanks to @the-queen-of-thedas and @right-in-the-vhenan for organizing)

[estellepoubelle]

Dragon Age Secret Santa/Wintersend 2017!

It’s that time of year again! And this year, I was given the lovely @sternenstaub28 to do something for! So, I wrote you a little one-shot using your OCs, Bellanaris and Mira (who I love, by the way). I really hope you like it, and I hope you have a wonderful holiday! 

And a huge thanks to @the-queen-of-thedas  and @right-in-the-vhenan for once again setting up a wonderful Wintersend!

“Sera, I had a thought. The next time we run into a line of enemies, I’ll pick you up and throw you!”

Sera snorted. “Get off.”

“No! This could work! I loft you over the front ranks, you land behind them to flank, mayhem ensues!”

“I can’t fly, you daft tit!”

“Think of the mayhem, Sera.” He got his face right in front of hers, waggling his eyebrows; “Mayhem….”

She shoved him off, but couldn’t hide her smile; “I’d get a wedge up something fierce!”

“Look, you and Varric are the only ones small enough and he’s…pretty dense.”

Varric tried to look offended through his laughter. “Ouch!”

Sera shoved him back again; “Well do some bloody presses!”

Bull got down on his knees in front of her, giving her puppy dog eyes...well, eye.

“Please?”

“No.”

“Pretty please?”

“Sod off.”

Bull’s voice turned a little teasing now. “Come on, you don’t have to be scared…”

“Like piss I am. I’d like to keep living, you big lump.”

“Come on, think of the tactical advantage! No one is going to expect me to throw a tiny, terrifying elf at them! And then you get to stick them full of arrows! Everyone wins!”

Sera snorted again and turned back to making arrows. "Right, and when I'm stuck full of swords, I'll pull one out and stick it up your arse."

Bull groaned in disappointment, then sent a sidelong glance at Varric.

"So, Varric...do you want to give it a shot?"

The dwarf snorted from where he was tending the pot over the fire. “And risk damaging Bianca? I don’t think so. Besides, aren’t I too ‘dense?’”

"Ugh, you guys are no fun."

Varric looked up from the stew, a mischievous smile on his face.  “What about Griffon? She’s small and…elfy. Those seem to be your main requirements, Tiny.”

The Inquisitor, who had been practicing her control by keeping a ball of ice floating between her hands, didn’t even look up; “I’ll do it if Sera does it.”

She could practically hear Solas and Dorian roll their eyes from where they were sitting on either side of her as Iron Bull let out a shout of laughter. “Yes! That’s why you’re the best, Boss!”

Sera huffed and picked up her bow, moving towards Bull. “Fine, but only because I want to see Inky do it.”

The Inquisitor smiled and finally looked up, letting the ice dissipate; she did not want to miss this.  

Bull was practically bouncing in glee; “Right, I’ll throw you, and you try to shoot as many of those trees as you can. But…hmm. We need some enemies to throw you over.”

The Qunari turned with a smile to those seated around the fire.

“Dorian? You could play a scary Vint magister.”

“I don’t need to play a ‘scary Vint,’ I am one,” Dorian snarked back as he sent a wink at the Inquisitor, who laughed.

Bull rolled his eye and turned to Solas, who only sent him a look; he moved on quickly to the Seeker. “Cassandra?”

Cassandra made her patented disgusted noise, but the Inquisitor noticed the small smile tugging on her lips; “Keep me out of this, Bull.”

Bull sent a desperate glance at the last figure near the fire.

Blackwall sighed, but got up from the tree he’d been leaning against; “Suppose that leaves me then.” Once in position at the copse of trees Bull had pointed at, the warrior brandished the stick he’d been carving.

*ahem* “Grr, argh, I’m a scary bandit and I’m going to get you!”

Sera started cackling, her laughter stuttering into a scream as Bull lifted and then launched her over Blackwall’s head.

Then, everything seemed to slow. Sera seemed to hang in the air above Blackwall, her eyes now focused on her new ‘enemies.’ Her hand drew back, once, twice, three times, sinking arrows deep into the wooden enemies with each draw of her bow.

Then, everything seemed to speed up again as the elf landed, spun, and knocked Blackwall’s legs out from under him.

And for a moment, everything was still.

Then Sera was cackling again, now rolling around on the ground next to Blackwall, who groaned and thumped her with his stick. Bull’s laughter was uproarious as he ran forward to scoop the little elf up onto his shoulder, parading her around for all of the Companions to see. Varric stumbled over, chucking, to help Blackwall up off of the ground. The Inquisitor was leaning against Dorian she was laughing so hard, and she saw Solas and Cassandra desperately trying to conceal smiles out of the corner of her eye.

A head poked out from one of the tents; “Could you at least try to keep it down out here?” Vivienne scolded, already knowing it wouldn’t do any good. She sighed and withdrew again when Bull only laughed louder.

Sera tugged on one of Bull’s horns directing him towards the Inquisitor. “Inky’s turn! Try and beat that, fancy-britches!”

Bunch of idiots, Mira thought fondly as Dorian took her hand to help her up.

Perhaps, answered a small, rarely heard voice in her own head: Bellanaris. She faltered slightly as images rushed through her head; Alistair being chased around camp by Barkspawn; Sten passed out on his back with cookie crumbs absolutely everywhere, his head pillowed on an equally unconscious Oghren; Zevran hanging by his ankle from a tree after trying to mess with Morrigan; that one time that Leliana and Wynn somehow started a singing contest amongst the companions, (Shale had won, to everyone’s surprise).

But overall, there was a sense of happiness and contentment, of family, and she smiled as Cole’s voice came from her side, his hand gentle on her shoulder; “If it makes you smile, both of you, then isn’t that all that matters?”

Mira grinned as she made her way towards her friends.

Maybe they’re idiots.

But they’re our idiots.

[star-swept]

                                                        The Sun

“People are drawn to you because you can always see the bright side and you bring such warmth into their lives. This energy is what will get you through the tough times and help you succeed. You are in a position where you can share your highest qualities and achievements with others - radiate who you are and what you stand for.”

An Inquisition-era Sene for @galadrieljones, Happy Wintersend!!! <3 <3 <3

[empresstress13]

I got my Wintersend exchange gift yesterday!!! (then proceeded to knock out for the whole night, so I’m just posting this now XD ) Many, many thanks to @guardian-pies! Opening the box to my lovely Merrill was absolutely amazing. ♥ I was instantly smiling and doing a little happy dance! 

Seriously I’m pinning that Merrill card up on my board, because I smile every time I look at it! THERE WERE SO MANY WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL GOODIES. OH MY SWEET STARS, @guardian-pies! A beautiful wolf mug, hot chocolate, candy canes, moose crunch, wonderfully scented soap, a lovely and amazing scarf, and warm, snuggly socks! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love all of the gifts! The mug is lovely (I love wolves!); the scarf and socks are both wonderful and will be worn often; I love hot chocolate; and the soap smells so wonderful! ♥

Thank you to @the-queen-of-thedas and @right-in-the-vhenan for setting up this event as well! ♥ Happy Holidays, December, and Winter to everyone! 

[iorvaia]

Before I leave to catch my flight home for the holidays, I need to deliver this - finally finished! - gift for the lovely @estellepoubelle ^^ Hope you like it :) I tried a new way of coloring (if I had more time I’d probably keep working on in for ages) and as always I feel like I could do better on getting ocs on point, but none of that is important, because what I really wanted to say: I first drew Aurora with Elanor, back in the days, but I wasn’t quite happy with it (thought I’d still include it though) so I drew her and cullen together :3 Wishing you a wonderful christmas and happy new year! Xx @the-queen-of-thedas

[mothdogs]

Many thanks to my as-yet anonymous Wintersend match for these amazing Grey Warden socks 🙌🏻😊 Now I can take the power of darkspawn-slaying with me in everyday life! 💕

[lypreila]

Dragon Age Wintersend2017!!!  

I worked on this all night, trying to keep myself sane for the upcoming holiday!  Thanks for hosting @right-in-the-vhenan and @the-queen-of-thedas yall wonderful ❤💜 @patheticnugbaby ‘s Solmera Adaar having a meeting with a certain former Archmage in her dreams, much to her confusion.  

I tried to do her justice, and I hope you enjoy! 

Solmera understood the fade far to well, and understood more than most how dangerous it could be.  Fortunately for her and many others, she also knew that dreams could help, comfort, and soothe as well.  She would never have expected this, though, this meeting of the minds, this amusing and fantastical situation, brought on no doubt by her stress over Corypheus, over the Wardens, over Blackwall.  

“Thom” She muttered, brushing a lock of hair aside.  She must remember - it was Thom now.  

“Who is Thom now?”  

Directing her attention back to the spirit beside her, Solmera suppressed an irritated huff, brushing a lock of hair behind an ear.  

“You know, my parents always told me never to talk to spirits.  But I suppose I can make an exception for you.”  

The spirit, an older woman, hair stone grey, clutching a staff in one hand, laughed.  

“And here I thought I could get away with being anonymous for once in my life.  But no, I suppose not.  It’s a pleasure to meet you, Solmera.  Or should I call you Inquisitor?”  

“Solmera will do fine, thank you.  And you are Wynne, one time Archmage and leader of the college of Aequitarians.  You voted to keep the circles together?”  

Wynne looked amused, glancing out at the shifting and swirling of the fade beyond.  

“That’s the first thing you ask?  Not, ‘why is there a spirit talking to me’ or ‘hey what comes after you die?’”  

“No!  No, I mean…”  Solmera stuttered, suddenly abandoned by the calm assurance she was usually capable of commanding.  She’d read volumes of books since the move to Skyhold - most Orlesian libraries were eager to help out the Inquisition, and Vivienne had been going to lengths to gather up what tomes of lore had been scattered when the circles fell.  More recent accounts from the last decade spoke of Wynne, her contribution to the defeat of the Archdemon, her rise through the ranks to become a First Enchanter.  Vivienne spoke of her as well, of her eloquence in front of the College, her passionate defense of the circles.  She spoke of other things, though, that had caught Solmera’s attention.  Of her unique ways of casting, her proficiency with a staff, the way she redirected leftover spell energies into strengthening her barrier, and more techniques that she could hardly imagine. Yes.  She had more questions, though none of them ran in the direction Wynne seemed to be expecting.  

“Why a staff?”  Was what came out of her mouth, instead, and she suppressed a groan, closing her eyes briefly as  a gentle tinkle of laughter rang out.  

“Because a staff is familiar to me.  It’s what I trained with - it’s what most Circle mages train with.  The Chantry likes to keep us readily identifiable.”

“But…. there are other things that are so much easier….”  

“Yes, “ The spirit acknowledged with a smile, “But a staff is what works for -me-.  Just as I prefer a staff and robes, someone else might prefer a bladed half-staff and breeches.”  

A vision flickered in the distance briefly, a young woman, with dark hair and a smudge of blood on her nose, wielding such a staff with fury.  Then it blew away, an eddy of green energy shifting through and destroying the image.  

“You’re very eager for knowledge.  It’s good to see.  I always did love teaching.”  A sad smile touched the spirits lips, before she turned back to the Qunari, reaching out a hand to gently touch her shoulder.  “That’s what probably what drew you here tonight.  So desperate for answers, so ready to know everything.”   

Solmera turned away briefly, but when she turned back her eyes blazed with some unnamable emotion.  

“Is that so bad?”  

“Not in and of itself.  Knowledge is the same as any weapon, able to kill or protect, defend or attack.  But…. I think…. I can hear your questions.  So many.  So let us start at the beginning.”  

The Inquisitor beamed, and light armor instantly appeared around her, replacing the flowing blue dress she hadn’t been aware of until that moment.  

Wynne chuckled.  

“That’s a girl.”  

_________________________________________

The next morning Thom thought he was the only one awake, but when he rolled over, arm automatically seeking the warmth of Solmera’s body, he found only a cold bedroll.   He rose carefully, taking a moment to strap on his armor before stepping into the chill morning air.  They were in the northwest of Orlais, near the fortress where the Circle of Magi had at last been dissolved.  It took him a little while, but eventually he found her in a clearing some distance away, moving through forms unfamiliar to him.  They seemed unfamiliar to her as well, as she was more careful than she usually was when she practiced, steps careful, very conscious of the position of her arms.   

Unwilling to intervene and risk the chance of startling her, Thom Ranier settled himself upon a stump, content to watch the beautiful woman in front of him.  Eventually she seemed to settle into the routine, and as he watched something else seemed to emerge, a combination of the old and new forms, flowing steps and short strikes, and he could feel the air around her spark with energy.  Finally she stopped, settling on the ground, turning her face up to the steadily strengthening warmth of the sun.  He approached her then, trailing one hand along her shoulders before settling besides her, bracing her back with his own.   Concern over the the shadows beneath her eyes gnawed at him, but he kept silent for the moment, only a slight heaviness to his voice giving it away.  

“Come back to the tent.”  

“Mmmm.”   It was just a murmur, but he could feel her nodding against him.   He rose up, drawing her with him, and began the walk back to the camp, one arm sliding around her waist.  

“Didn’t sleep well My Lady?”  

A husky chuckle was her only response for a moment, before she finally glanced at him, a smile teasing her lips.  

“On the contrary.  My dreams were…. Informative.  But not very restful.”   

“Well then,” Thom said, not bothering to hide his confusion, “We’ll have to delay starting out today.  Allow you some more time to rest.”  

Arm in arm they walked back, and Solmera tumbled into their blankets with a happy satisfaction that would last for weeks.   This time, she dreamt only of happy things, of her siblings and parents, of Thom and herself, of all the things that comforted her.  

[ivelostmyspectacles]

So my Wintersend (run by @the-queen-of-thedas and @right-in-the-vhenan) present arrived the other day! The box and note was adorable BUT look at the awesome adorable freaking apron?? I love to bake and my SS found out that and got me that! I was gonna take a picture actually. wearing it. but I’m in pyjamas and am/have been sick and yeah BUT I LOVE IT

They’ve also promised me FenHawke drabbles (which no pressure SS this is more than enough??? ahhh) and I still don’t know who they are yet but thank you so much I love and respect you 💕💕💕

(also the fact you were thinking about the Ignis aprons amuses me greatly because I’ve looked at them too lol thank you for the thought tho!! and for letting me talk about him even though you don’t know ffxv haha)

[ladynorbert]

Wintersend 2017 - The Courtship of Queen Anora

This is for @cherith! I am your Secret Santa and I owe you a thousand apologies - it’s a wee bit late. My followers know that this has been an incredibly difficult holiday season for me, with family members in and out of the hospital and me averaging about five hours of sleep per night, but I didn’t forget you and your love for Teagan/Anora.

This really reads more like the first chapter of a longer work than a stand-alone story, and it’s quite possible that I will actually turn it into a longer story at some point because I ended up enjoying it more than I expected. I hope you love it! Happy Wintersend!

The Queen, it was understood, would have to marry.

Anora was a widow, of course. That was well understood. It was also understood that her marriage to Cailan had been childless. With his death, there remained only one known heir to the Theirin line of kings... and now Alistair, too, was gone. He had consented to a betrothal with Anora, but his love for the Hero of Ferelden would not be denied, and he had thrown himself at the Archdemon as it languished on the roof of Fort Drakon. Just like four other Grey Wardens before him, the last Prince of Ferelden had sacrificed himself for the continued survival of all of Thedas.

So the throne remained Anora's. She presided over Alistair's memorial with integrity, and a bit of pomp; she was good at pomp, always had been even as a girl, something Teagan found amusing in her. She spoke with unusual warmth of her late brother-in-law, noting that his feckless nature and boyish sense of humor did nothing to diminish his true raw courage, nor his patriotism. 

The Hero of Ferelden remained in Denerim only long enough to witness the proceedings and bid farewell to the rest of her companions. Having cut down Anora's father following their duel at the Landsmeet, having reluctantly encouraged the betrothal between Alistair and Anora, and having absolutely no desire to remain anywhere near the site of his death, she had leaped at the chance to lead the funeral cortege. She would escort Alistair's body to Weisshaupt, to the Grey Warden stronghold where his four predecessors lay in honored repose; a similar vault was already being constructed to house the martyr of the Fifth Blight. Where she would go from there, Teagan could only guess. By rights she was Warden-Commander of Ferelden, and she was a creature of duty, so he thought it likely that she would quietly return and take up the mantle.

Whatever her future held, Teagan wished her well. But he had other matters to attend. The Queen must marry; she must give Ferelden an heir, begin a new line of monarchs to replace the lost Theirins. Anora, like the Hero of Ferelden, was a creature of duty, and she would do what was required of her to keep herself enthroned.

It was selecting a husband that was going to be the hard part.

Despite his once having urged their nephew to put aside Anora and accept the overtures of the Empress of Orlais, Eamon shifted carefully into the advisory position left empty by Loghain's death. Teagan wasn't quite sure what to make of that, in truth, but he knew Anora was cagey enough not to simply take Eamon's word for everything. She didn't entirely trust the Arl, and Teagan couldn't altogether blame her. He watched the discussion between Queen and Chancellor with quiet amusement.

"We must find you a husband," Eamon said. "Any formal period of mourning has long since passed; no one would think it improper."

"Ferelden has its Queen," she replied. "I will not hide in the wings and whisper to another King as I did with Cailan. I was Ferelden's true ruler throughout his reign, even he would have admitted that."

"I'm not arguing the point, Anora. But you need a consort."

She snorted delicately. "I want a pretty one," she said, and her voice was only a little sour as she added, "But not so pretty that Empress Celene thinks she might want to steal him."

Eamon had the good grace to look a little uncomfortable. "Of course."

"I want someone who will be at least close to my intellectual equal," she continued, as though ticking off a checklist she'd been compiling for some time. Perhaps she was. "Siring my heir is all well and good, but I desire a companion. A proper one. Someone I like and respect and can enjoy in my leisure hours, such as they are."

"I assume that this eliminates at least a portion of the list of candidates I've drafted." Eamon's own tone was a little dry.

"Doubtless. Show me the list." It was the most undemanding demand Teagan had ever heard, and he concealed a smile as Eamon surrendered the parchment. Anora's sky blue eyes flitted over the names one by one; he could almost see her mentally crossing them off.

"No," she said. "No and no and no. None of these will do. You forget, Eamon, I know these people. I watched them alternately grovel before and snarl behind my husband, and my father-in-law before that."

"What of the new Teyrn Cousland, then?" Eamon protested. "You cannot tar him with that brush; the Couslands have ever been loyal to Ferelden's monarch."

"True. And if things were different, I would consider it," she replied. "But he suffers the same circumstance as poor Alistair did - the only remaining member of a once mighty lineage. Highever needs him where he is, and frankly, so do I."

"You're making this difficult."

"And with good reason."

"You do realize that you've essentially narrowed the list down to nothing? If you cannot bring yourself to ally with one of your own vassals, Anora, we'll have to look into a foreign match, and you know the people will not be exactly favorable."

Anora toyed with a corner of the document, curling it between her thumb and forefinger. "You've been very quiet, Teagan," she noted.

"What would Your Majesty have me say?" he inquired, his tone gentle. "I'm only here as an impartial witness, after all."

"Are you?" she mused absently.

Eamon glanced from one to the other, and Teagan realized with a jolt that he could all but see the wheels turning in his brother's head. "What about Teagan, then, Anora?" he asked.

She blinked. "Are you quite serious, Eamon?"

"It's not an unflattering match. Teagan is several years my junior, after all, and he always was the better-looking of the two of us." Eamon chuckled. "He has a tenuous claim by marriage, being Queen Rowan's brother, and whatever misgivings you've ever had about my fidelity, you've never had them for him."

"True. He would look the part of Prince-Consort," she allowed, "and I find no fault in him as a potential companion."

"Now wait a moment," Teagan objected. "Do I get a say in this?"

"Not really." Anora smiled, however. "Do you dislike the idea?"

"It's not that, my Queen. It's just not... not how I ever intended to get married," he concluded lamely.

"There are worse things," Eamon said.

"Well, yes." He sighed. Then he chuckled a bit. "If I agree to go along with this, I reserve the right to court my future wife. It's only fair."

Anora looked amused. "This should be interesting," she said. "You have never courted anyone in all the years I've known you. And I have never been courted." It was true enough; Maric and Loghain had betrothed Cailan to Anora from the cradle, and her betrothal to Alistair had barely lasted long enough to deserve the name. "We will both have some things to learn."

"I'll do some reading on the subject," he promised with a chuckle. More seriously, he inquired, "Must we rush the proceedings, Eamon?"

"The sooner Ferelden has its heir, the easier everyone will breathe," his brother replied. "But there will need to be time for preparations, especially as Denerim is still recovering from the Archdemon's onslaught. I think if we plan for the wedding to take place in three months' time, it should satisfy everyone's concerns."

"It will be a challenge, then," said Anora. "Can Teagan earn my affections in just twelve weeks? I must stop thinking of him as my uncle by marriage, after all, and a woman may require time to change her mind."

Teagan looked at her in perplexity, which was quickly broken by understanding. Anora was joking. She had been so serious for so long, he'd honestly forgotten that she was very quietly witty. Evidently the situation was not so uncomfortable for her that she was unable to find humor in it. That warmed Teagan.

"I've never been one to shy away from a challenge, my Queen," he said aloud. "This will be quite the undertaking. I will endeavor to surpass your expectations."

"I have none, Teagan." Her eyes were glinting. "Whether that makes your task easier or more difficult remains to be seen."

"Indeed it does, Anora."

[the-queen-of-thedas]

Dragon Age Wintersend 2017

So once again it’s that time of year to start preparing for its send off. I know it’s only August. Yes yes, I understand it’s too early they say, but not to start planning. No, you never have enough time from planning.

It’s the second annual Dragon Age Wintersend!!

What’s going to happen: Once you have signed up and completed the mandatory survey, on November 5th we will begin matching you to a suitable pair. You can have fun with it and massage your pair via anon asking for their interests to personalize your gift to them. For more information see the FAQ Page.

Deadline to enter is November 4th 11:59 EST 

Rules:

If you sign up, please participate.

Put your all into the gift, do some research and send them anons. People love anons.

Must be willings to share your address.

Can be anything from something homemade, store-bought, art, fics, music, etc… So long as you think that the other person would be okay with it. go for it!

If you are gifting art, music or a fic, all work must be original.

Once given your match, you can’t change or switch.

Have your anon ask open so that your SS can ask you about what you’d like. - We can’t stress this enough. Anon is how we contact you for your match, and how your match can contact you.

Have fun with it, tis’ the seasons? (It’s fall right now) of sharing your mild obsession with everyone and seeing what their obsession is.

Sign up here

Hosted by @right-in-the-vhenan and @the-queen-of-thedas (Please feel free to contact if there are any comments, questions or concerns)

[meleyys]

I finally got home so I could open my Wintersend gift! Secret Santa whoever you are, I love it all! Especially the nug mug, it’s so adorable. Almost cried opening these! Also, I’m sorry if this posts like 6 times, the Tumblr app did its whole stupid ‘whoopsie internet adfsjahaj’ thing and I am gonna throw my phone.

[kirkwallgirl-inactive]

Sera and Dagna’s Adventure - Wintersend Exchange 2017

The exchange has now gone public (off anon I mean xD) so I can finally publish this! This was my gift for @homsantoft. ^u^<3 This was such a joy to work on, holy moly!

[venatohru]

Stung with Love in an Orlesian Rose Garden

Since it’s all off anon now...this was my 2017 Wintersend Exchange gift for @sgurrdearg! Josie and Isabela just being cute and happy and in love

Check out the collection here :)