wickedadaar

[wickedadaar]

AHHHHH I love them so much <3

@wickedadaar

[wickedadaar]

Ivey x Oakley

Featuring Oakley from @painfullstorms-blog

Base below

[wickedadaar]

Hidden Treasure: A Gift for His Lady

Featuring Lailani from @sleepingtodream

Co-written by sleepingtodream. Pulled from Julius and Lailani’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,109

He approaches Lailani's door, the small piece of carved stone wrapped in a cloth to prevent any scratches during transport, clutched in his palm. He debated with himself about whether or not to knock. She might not even be home. He steeled himself and knocked anyways. "Lailani? It's me, Julius." She makes her way around the bar and heads over to open the door. "Hey! You just came at the right time. I was about to open a keg." She opens the door wider to let Julius in. "Perfect timing, indeed!" He said with a chuckle, following her into the space. He lets out a low whistle as he looks around. "Nice place you got here." He looks over to the bar, "Glad to see I'm not the only one whose room comes prestocked with booze."

"I'm fairly sure it's a Lord requirement to have a bar." She says wryly as she walks back towards her bar. She finishes putting the keg on the table and getting it open, pouring them both out some ale. She glances at Julius and notices he has something in his hand. "Sooo... You got something for me?" She asks a touch hesitantly, still looking a little surprised about someone thinking to get her a gift in general. "Sure do. I got it while on a mission in Treviso. I saw it and thought you might like it." He hands her the wrapped object. A stone carved into the shape of a fish is inside.

Her eyes go wide in surprise as Julius hands over the wrapped object. Very carefully, she unwraps it to look at the gift... a carved stone fish that reminds her of her tattoos. "This is... It's amazing." She's never really gotten a gift just for her, picked out because someone thought she'd like it. She's... she's not sure how to feel. Her emotions are all knotted up, and she's overwhelmed by how she feels. He chuckled nervously, "I'm glad you like it. When I saw it, I remembered how you said it'd been a while since you saw the sea. I figured, this way, you always had a little reminder with you." He approached her, resting his hands on her arms, smiling down at her.

She looks a touch vulnerable, fragile. As if she doesn't know how to handle this. "Thank you. It's-. It's really touching." She fumbles a little, unsure how to express this kind sentiment. She's not used to it. Genuine care and kindness. When he comes over to rest his hands on her arms, she looks up at him with big eyes. Clearly a bit uncertain how to express herself at this moment. Her body language half screams to flee while the other half leans in as if Julius is a magnet drawing her in. He studied her, watching her body language. He could sense her tension. In an effort to relieve some of it, "It's no big deal. I'm just glad you like it." He picked up his jar of ale. "A toast?"

Back on familiar territory, she loosens up a little and smiles. "Okay. A toast to what?" She asks as she picks up her own jar of ale. He thought about it for a moment, "To new friends and good drinks," he said, smiling down at her with a warm gaze. She grins at that. "To new friends and good drinks." She agrees, toasting Julius by clinking their drinks together. She's a touch flushed before taking the drink, her emotions still running rampant in the background. A tangled knot of confusion and also... happiness. What a foreign emotion to her.

He saw the briefest of blushes on her cheeks as she drank, but he pretended not to notice. He could tell she was clearly uncomfortable with that. Instead, he gestured to one of the ponds, "Join me?" She glances at the pond and grins. "Sure." She's always happy to crawl into the nearest body of water. Lailani motions to Julius to follow as she takes her beer over to the pond. She sets her drink down and strips down to her underwear before getting into the surprisingly water pond. She glances at Julius and grins. "Coming?" He follows her lead and sets his drink down to strip to his underwear and join her in the water. "You said you had a pond or two. I didn't expect it to be like this. It's more... intimate than I expected," he jested, taking a large swig of his drink.

"Eh, it is a little intimate." She agrees. "I guess the Caretaker knows me better than I do." She says wryly. Maybe she likes the idea of forced intimacy. To give her the connection she'd normally allow herself. "I'm not complaining. To be in such close company with such a beautiful woman is a rare delight indeed," he said as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. She leans into Julius, shifting to trail her hand along his collarbone. "That is a rare delight indeed." She smirks. "Lucky you, to have me all to yourself. Whatever will you do?" He chuckled darkly, pulling her to him, his hands resting on her hips. He pulled her body against his as he leaned down to whisper in her ear, "What do you want me to do with you?" He leaned back after his question, arching his eyebrows at her in a challenge.

She leans into Julius, smirking. "Hmmm. Look at you all confident." She teases as she curls her arms around Julius' neck, slotting herself between his thighs in the water. "I think we should be wearing less clothing." She suggests bluntly. "Oh, I'm always confident," he said with bravado (that was a lie; he only pretended to be). "And I agree, I can help you with that, if you'd like, or you can put on a show," he teased, his thumbs digging slightly into her hips. She smirks a little, sensing his bravado. But, hey, he pulls it off well enough. If he's faking it, he's faking it well. "Perhaps I can make a show of it another time." She teases Julius, pulling him in closer to brush a kiss along his jaw. "I'd rather you lend me a hand today." She ghosts the words over his lips.

"As you wish, my lady," he whispered against her lips, his hands going to work swiftly and deftly. All those years as a lockpicker did have extracurricular advantages. He pulled her onto his lap and buried his face in her neck as the sounds of their passion echoed across the walls of her room.

[wickedadaar]

Hidden Treasure: Family Baggage

Featuring Lailani from @sleepingtodream

Co-written by sleepingtodream. Pulled directly from Julius and Lailani’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 3,395

She walks into Julius's living space with a bottle of something strong already in her hands. She seems a bit frazzled, but determined as she looks around. Lailani makes a beeline for the bar, hoping Julius is around to join her for some drinks. Maker, does she really need some drinks right now? He hears some rustling in the bar and comes out of his room, half dressed. He senses something is distressing her. "Hey, Lai. You alright?" She huffs faintly. "Not exactly." She says, surprisingly honest. But, hey, she's just had her world overturned. And being around the Lighthouse crowd really is pushing her to be more honest. She does take a moment to glance at Julius, appreciating his state of dress for a moment. But, not even that picks up her mood entirely. She lifts the bottle. "Willing to join me for some drinks? Hate to drink without company."

He chuckles. "I can't deny a pretty lady a request for drinks." He approaches, taking the bottle from her hand. "Let me pour, my treat, my lady. You get comfortable. I'll make the drinks." She smiles a touch, though it does seem slightly off. As if she's half distracted. "Thanks, good sir." She gives a playful little flourish of her hand and then sits back to wait for Julius to pour them their drinks. "Alright, what's going on, Lai? You're not yourself. Come on, stiff drinks are meant to be talked over." He hands her a drink that was very heavy with the liquor (typical Lord fashion if we're honest).

She takes the drink and drinks a good amount of it right out of the gate. Thankfully, Julius mixes a drink like a Lord, heavy on the liquor. She then sighs softly as she sets the drink down. "We've got a bunch of newcomers in the Lighthouse recently. Jerran directed one of them to my bar... remind me to charge him next time the baby Warden drops by my bar." She adds as an aside, sarcastically. She then sighs and runs a hand through her hair. "Apparently, the new guy was looking for me specifically." She takes another long pull of the drink, clearly needing it to get through this conversation.

"Some scorned lover you left without saying goodbye to?" He tried to joke to lift her spirits. He could tell whatever was going on was weighing heavily on her. She laughs lightly at that. "Maker, I wish. That would be something I can handle." Lailani says wryly, flashing a bemused smile. "Scorned lovers, I know something about." She swirls her drink absently before taking another sip of it. "Family, on the other hand..." She shakes her head. "Fuck if I know what to do with that." "Oof. Well, I know a thing or two about dealing with family. Maybe I can help? I hate seeing you like this, Lai." He approached and took her free hand in his.

She glances at their joined hands, looking a bit vulnerable and uncertain. She glances up at Julius after a moment. "I just... I don't know what to do with it all. My whole life, I didn't have anyone. I've never had anyone. I didn't even have a name for most of my life. Now I have this guy who walks into my life, and I suddenly have a little brother and a history. And freakin' a bunch of shit I didn't need or want." Lailani huffs lightly in frustration. "I know what you need. Come on, beach time." He pulled her from her seat, grabbed the open bottle from the bar, and pulled her out onto the white sand. "Family is... tough even when you grew up knowing them. I can only imagine the whiplash that must have given you."

She lets Julius pull her from her seat, smiling faintly. Beach time is indeed an excellent remedy for emotional distress. The two of them took a seat out on the white sand together. "... What is it like with your family?" She asks, curious and also uncertain. She has no experience with family, on what it means or what it is like. He chuckles lightly at her question. "Chaos, mostly. Both of my parents are Lords on Isabella's crew, so most of the older Lords are basically like my aunts and uncles. A lot of fighting amongst themselves, but they always resolve things, mostly peacefully. They put family above other petty stuff most of the time, but every once in a while, something puts a wedge between two people." He looks over at her, refilling her drink. "What sort of family is this guy?"

The picture Julius paints is one that she just can't imagine. She has no state of reference for what a family should look like. She's pretty sure she's seen a lot of examples of terrible families as a slave. Magisters don't usually have the most loving homes. "Little brother." She answers, sighing softly. "Apparently, my mother ended up managing to become a free slave after we were separated. Became a... discreet lover of a Magister in Tevinter. Her son, my little brother, is an Altus mage. There's a long and complicated explanation behind exactly how the Magister managed to announce a half-elf son as his heir that I won't bother to get into." She makes a face. "So, given I pretty much would love to burn the Imperium down and salt the ashes, I'm not exactly thrilled that he basically represents everything I hate." Valhail is basically the embodiment of everything she hates... And yet, he's genuinely ridiculously nice and annoyingly naive, and Lailani kind of hates him for it. One conversation and she both wants to wring his neck and also wants to shield him from all the terrible things that Lailani has lived through, keep that sunny positivity of his alive.

He scooches closer to her, wrapping his arm around her to comfort her. "Sounds like a lot to take in all at once. You wanna try talking through each piece first before trying to put them all together?" He suggested warmly, desperately wanting to help her through this, but also trying not to overstep her boundaries. She leans into Julius, finding it surprisingly comforting. She's not used to it. Comfort, that is. "Me and talking..." She huffs wryly, clearly skeptical of her ability to talk. But she also desperately needs something, or she's going to lose her mind. "I'm not even sure where to start unpacking all that shit."

"Then let's start easy. Tell me about this brother. What do you know about him?" Easy. That does not feel easy. "Not much." She admits. "His name is Valhail Atish'an Dravenhart. His father is Magister Dravenhart, who I know only a little about in passing. He's progressive like Dorian Pavus." She muses. "He seems sweet. A bit naive. Big puppy energy. Wants to be liked. Obnoxiously rich, and forgets that most people don't flash it around like it's nothing." She rolls her eyes a little at that. "If he wasn't so damn sincere, I think it'd be easy to hate him." "Understandable. So, regardless of him, how do you feel about magisters? I know you hate them, but talking about how much you hate them might help."

Her gaze darkens. "What isn't there to hate about Magisters? They're power hungry bastards who make their lives on the bones, blood, and lives of my people." She hisses angrily. "They prance around in their estates and in their golden, shiny districts in the city while the rest of the people slum it. If you don't have magic, you're nothing in Tevinter, and you're certainly nothing to the Magisters. And if you're Elvhen, you're even less than nothing." She scoffs. "I know there are free slaves in Tevinter, but it's bullshit. They may not be owned, but they're still controlled. Crushed under Tevinter's views on elves and their prejudices." Okay, so maybe she hates more than just magisters. The whole country of Tevinter could go down in flames, and she'd just smile and fan the ashes.

"Good. It's good to say this and hear yourself say it, be honest with yourself about your feelings, Lai." She gives Julius a startled look at that. She's not used to people... approving of her emotions. She just bottles her anger up and holds it close. Just stockpiling her rage and frustration. "I'm not used to that. Being open about my feelings. I always just... Ignored it. I've spent the last ten years ignoring everything to do with Tevinter and my life there. And now it's all exploding back into my life." She says in frustration.

He smiles gently down at her, patting her back reassuringly. "Yeah, not a lot of Lords are emotionally in tune with themselves. You go through enough shit, you start ignoring how it makes you feel. As for feeling like it's exploding again, just take it one step at a time." She huffs softly. "You seem fairly emotionally in tune." She tells him. She shifts to lean against him, sighing gently. "I guess... Normally, I'd just run away from the whole thing. But, running isn't really a choice I have these days." And she really hasn't been running these days. She's been opening up more. She has friends now in Kay and Morella, and others in the Lighthouse. Hell, she even came to Julius instead of holing up in her room. She's changing.

He chuckles, "My mom made sure my dad didn't teach all of that 'men don't show emotions' macho crap. She made me talk through what I was feeling. As for running, yeah, not really an option for most of us anymore, but I'm here for you, Lai. Whatever you need." He slides his hand up and down her arm to comfort her. "Sounds like good parents." She murmurs. Though she guesses that she wouldn't really know. She hasn't had many examples of parents in her life. But they sound good. She looks up at Julius, something softer in her gaze, touched by his support. "Thank you, Jul."

"Anytime, Lai." He chuckled for a moment, looking down at her with a warm smile. "You're the first person here to call me that, you know? I like how it sounds when you say it." He was being genuine. There wasn't anything about her that he didn't absolutely adore. She smiles, a rare, sweet, soft one. "Well, you're the first to call me, Lai." She muses. "I like it." Most don't affectionately shorten her name. Isabela uses Lani sometimes, but that's it. She reaches up to caress Julius' face gently, tucking a strand of hair that escaped his bun back behind his ear. "If you like it, I'll happily keep using it." She leans up to press a soft kiss to his cheek. "Jul." She whispers sweetly against the skin of his cheek.

"Well, that's a shame. I think Lai suits you pretty well. I'm glad you like it." His heart stutters when she tucks his hair and kisses his cheek. He chuckles, "I really like it, please do keep using it." He reached up and cupped her cheek with his hand, tracing his thumb across her skin. "I'll never get tired of hearing you say it." She shivers slightly, the emotions of the moment is more than she's used to. But she's also not running. Leaning into the touch more even as her mind spins in panic. "Promises, promises." She teases, falling back on familiar ground. "You planning to stick around just to hear me say your name?" She jokes.

He chuckles. He should have seen this coming. "It's not a promise, it's a prediction. I don't plan on going anywhere. You're too much fun to be around.” She doesn't know why that makes her so pleased. Hearing him say that should freak her out, but right now, all she feels is relief. "Well... Good. Cause I enjoy having you around." Lailani says, pulling Julius into a kiss. He chuckles, returning the kiss eagerly, wrapping her in his arms and holding her close. In his eagerness, they tumble over into the sand.

She giggles into the kiss as they tumble over into the sand. She glances up at Julius above her and tangles a hand in Jul's hair, tugging the bun loose so his hair falls free again. "Hm... I like your hair down." Lailani teases, combing her fingers through his hair before pulling him into another searing kiss. He returns the kiss and its heat and intensity, supporting himself with one arm and wrapping the other around her waist, pulling her body against his. When he needed to come up for air, he teased her, "Then consider it a sight for you alone, Lai. No one else has seen it down in a long time." She looks inordinately pleased by that. "Hm, I am a greedy little thing." She teases. She tangles her hand in Julius's hair, surprised to find herself delighted, thinking this is just hers and hers alone. "We're wearing too many clothes again." She teases in between short, playful kisses.

"Well, then we should fix that, hmm? Only question is, do you want to do that here, or in my bed?" He teased in between her kisses. She grins. "Hm, we used the bed last time." She combs her fingers through Julius's hair and tugs him down into light kisses. "We can be adventurous this time." She purrs. "As the lady wishes," he deepens their kiss as he begins to undress her and traces his hands across her exposed body, kissing her deeply and passionately.

Much, much later, Lailani lies, half on top of Julius. She traces a hand absently on his chest, looking thoughtful. "Thank you." She says softly. "For what?" he asks, confused, tracing his hand up and down her back, enjoying their time together on the beach. "Rocking your world?" he joked with a laugh, hoping to raise her spirits a little more. She laughs lightly and swats him. "Not that." She rolls her eyes affectionately. "Thank you for listening to me." She clarifies. "I've never had someone who... I could talk to like that."

"OWW," he says dramatically, trying to make her laugh. "I'm gonna tell Zalan you've been beating me." He teased before becoming serious again. "It's no problem, really. I want you to be able to talk to me. Really, whenever you need to talk, I'll be there for you." She giggles at Julius' dramatics. "Go right ahead." She teases. "Zalan would side with me. I have the unlimited liquor supply." She jokes. She grows serious again as well. "... Strangely, you make me believe that." She says, kind of overwhelmed to know there is someone she can turn to and is willing to be there. She presses a kiss to his cheek. "Again, thank you."

He caresses her cheek as he smiles at her. "Anytime, Lai. I'm happy to do it. You deserve to have someone in your corner." He absently twirls a lock of her hair around his finger. Maker, this man makes her feel emotions she's not remotely used to. She feels a swell of something, overwhelmed and emotional. Tears prickin' at the corner of her eyes. She fights it back, though, and instead wraps her arms around Julius, embracing him. "Sap." She mutters, half affectionately. "You like it, don't deny it, Lai," he teased as he returned the hug, gently nuzzling against her hair before placing a small kiss on top of her head.

She huffs softly, puffing up cutely. "Do not." She lies horribly. Yes, alright, she likes Julius's sappiness. But, Maker, she can't let herself be that soft to admit that out loud. He laughs harder at her attempts to deny it. "You're so cute, but you are such a bad liar," he teased. "You find me endearing. I know you do. No point in trying to deny it now." She pouts. "I'm a perfectly fine liar!" Normally, she lies very well. But Julius is hard to lie to. "But, fine. I can admit you are... Not so bad." She concedes.

"Don't you worry your pretty little head. Your secret's safe with me, for now at least." He teased her more before kissing her gently. "It better be." She says mock threateningly before leaning into the gentle kiss. Her bristly faux aggressiveness melts away as she softens under the gentle touch. He rested his forehead against hers. "Oh, it better be? Well, now I'm tempted to blab. What, would you hold me against my will so I can't tell anyone?" His words ghosted across her lips as he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

She smirks at that. "Maybe I will." She retorts. She curls a hand behind his head, keeping him held close. "I am a pirate. That's what we do, right?" She jokes in a low, sultry murmur, ghosting the words over Julius' lips. He chuckled darkly, enjoying how she was handling him. "I'm so scared," he teased, grabbing her waist with his hand, pulling her closer. "Hm, then I got you right where I want you, then." She teases back, smirking. She leans in to kiss him, pulling him into her as she deepens the kiss.

He chuckled into the kiss, melting into her touch. He wrapped his arm tighter around her and wrapped his free hand in her hair, pulling lightly. "Maker, you drive me wild, Lai," he whispered as he broke away for air. She hums, looking at Julius through her lashes. "Hm, then my wiles are working." She teases. It shouldn't make her inordinately pleased to hear those words from Julius... but it does. "It would appear so, but I am your eager victim, my lady." A chuckle rumbled through his chest as he kissed her deeply and passionately. He pulled her on top of him so she straddled his waist without breaking their kiss.

Lailani lets him pull her on top, settling on his waist easily. When she pulls away from the kiss, finally needing a breath, she looks down at him, and there's something slightly vulnerable in her gaze. But also a mix of amusement and happiness. "Excellent. A willing victim." She teases. "I don't think victim is the correct term here. More like, offering?" he teased, his hands resting on her hips as he studied her. He can sense the vulnerability just beneath the surface, but doesn't want to push his luck. She grins. "I don't think you're virginal enough to be sacrificial, dear." She teases, finding humor an easy ground to return to. He laughs at the comment. "I meant more so an offering to you, specifically. You may not be a deity, but from here, you look like a goddess," he flirted, his hands wandering up and down her sides, coming to rest at her hips

She flushes a little at that. Not that she is unused to compliments, but there's a sincerity to Julius that is unusual to her. "Hm. A goddess, huh? Well, then, I should take my time and enjoy my offering, shouldn't I?" She teases, her fingers carefully tracing along the hollow of his throat, moving to explore along his collarbone and down his chest. Clearly, taking her time exploring and touching. "Well, you'd hurt my feelings if you didn't. I know I intend to treasure every moment with you." He tried to make it sound flirty and lighthearted, but deep down, he knew. He was falling for her. This cunning, charming elf would be his downfall.

"Well, I certainly wouldn't want to hurt your feelings now. Not when you make such a pretty offering." She teases back. Smiling lightly and easily. It's easier, sticking to humor and not looking deeper into her feelings. It keeps her from having to see how much she's starting to care for this human. She leans down to kiss him again, trying to ignore the alarm bells going off in her head, screaming that she's getting in too deep. "Well, it's only for your viewing, my lady," he teased after their kiss before bringing her lips to his once more, a deep groan escaping his throat as his hands explored every inch of her body, savoring every dip and divot, trying to memorize the feeling of her body against his once more.

[wickedadaar]

Hidden Treasure: Tequila Sunrise

Featuring Lailani from @sleepingtodream

Co-written with sleepingtodream. Pulled directly from Lailani and Julius’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,266

Lailani lounges comfortably, half on top of Julius, the covers loosely draped over them both as she traces her finger absently along his bare chest. "Hm... that was fun," she says in a lazy drawl. He chuckles, his voice gruff and tired. "Most fun I've had in a while. Hell of a welcome gift too," he teased as he ran his hand absentmindedly up and down her back. She huffs in amusement, "I do strive to provide excellent welcome services," she jokes playfully, flashing a teasing smile. "Well, you certainly succeeded," he joked back. He looked down at her and caressed her cheek with his thumb. "What would you say to a drink by the sea?" She hums softly, leaning into the caress. "I never turn down a drink," she answers with a small smile, "Or say no to enjoying the sea some more." She's missed the ocean something fierce.

"Drink preference?" He asked before he gave her a small kiss on the forehead, before climbing out of bed and making his way to the tiki bar to make their drinks. She shakes her head as she rolls out of bed, pulling on his dropped shirt for a degree of decency, it hangs loosely off one half of her shoulder as she pads after Julius, "Nah. I'm not picky with my liquor. Just something with some bite to it is fine with me." She likes her drinks strong. He chuckles as his eyes land on her. "And you're wearing my shirt because...?" he asked as he mixed their drinks. He poured them both from the same mixing glass. "Two margaritas, double tequila," he said, handing her one of the glasses. Liking strong drinks must be common among the Lords.

She smiles cheekily at Julius "It was the closest at hand." she says slyly "Plus, it's comfy." she accepts the extra strong margarita with a smile "Excellent." she sips it, pleased with the strength "Now, I do believe the sand calls to us." she jokes, motioning to the lovely beach. "Uhhuh, totally believable story," he said, his voice laden with sarcasm. "I'll meet you there. Just let me put on some shorts first." He went to his room, put on a pair of shorts, and joined her on the beach, drink in hand. As they watched the waves, he turned to study her. "How long has it been since you went to the beach?"

She nods and goes to the beach to settle in on the sand, sitting with a happy sigh as she sinks her toes in the sand again, drink in hand "Too long." she says honestly "I've been landbound the last few years. My ship got scuttled." she makes a face "I got to working the Arena after that, partnering up with two people that I worked well with. And I just... Didn't get back out to sea. I know it wasn't far to the ocean, but... I just didn't bother to go. I don't know why." She glances at Julius. "How about you? How long has it been?" He smiled fondly, remembering his parents and their crew. "Thankfully, only a few months. I couldn't imagine staying away for that long." He thought for a moment, "Well, just know you're always welcome here. Feel free to visit my beach whenever the fancy strikes you," he looked at her fondly, tracing the back of his hand up and down her arm.

She flashes Julius a playful smile. "You're going to have a hard time getting rid of me," she teases, leaning into his touch unconsciously. "I'll be here all the time to get my beach time in." He smiles back at her, his gaze lingering on her lips. "You make that sound like a bad thing," he said coolly as he gave her a wink and a smirk. She flashes a playful smile, though there is a vulnerability that flickers in her eyes for just a moment before quickly disappearing beneath her usual playful demeanor. "Hm, you say that now," she teases. "We'll see, I may eventually drive you crazy," she jokes.

He laughed heartily at this. "I grew up around Isabella. You'll never be unwelcome here. Really, stop by whenever. Just be sure to knock beforehand if you bring anyone with you. I'd prefer it if stranger members of the Veilguard didn't see me naked," he chuckled at his own joke. She giggles, breaking into a snort of laughter, "Alright, fair enough. I'll make sure to knock beforehand if I bring any guests." Her eyes sparkle with humor. "Though..." she leans into Julius, trailing her hand down his arm teasingly. "If I come alone, do I still have to knock?" she asks teasingly, flashing him a flirty smile. "Oh, well, in that case," he met her gaze and returned her smile. "If you want to avoid seeing me naked, yes, I would suggest it," he teased with a laugh. "I don't believe in wearing pants in the comfort of one's own home, especially now that my home has a beach just for me."

She smiles in amusement, looking him up and down thoughtfully. "I didn't see anything before to make me run away screaming," she teases. "I think I'd survive." His tone was sarcastic. "Oh, well, thank you for such a vote of confidence, Lailani." He chuckled as he rolled his eyes. "In all seriousness, would you be open to doing this again, or was this a one-time deal? If it was, totally fine with me, I get it. Just trying to see what my options are with you." He gave her a flirty smile, reached up to twirl one of her curls around his finger. She hums, leaning into Julius. "It doesn't have to be a one-time deal. I'm certainly open to doing this again," she says lightly.

He leans into her as well, bumping her shoulder with his. "I was hoping you'd say that. This," he gestures to her wearing his shirt, "Is quickly becoming one of my favorite sights." He chuckled as he took a sip of his drink. She looks a bit flustered, not sure what to make of that, but... eventually she flashes a flirty smile. "Well, then, seems we'll have to make an effort to make this sight happen more often," she says teasingly, taking a drink from her own glass as well. He smirks at her flustered moments, proud of himself. "It's a date then," he chuckled, studying her intently. He was starting to think this woman might be one for the long haul.

She eyes him for a moment and then smirks "It's a date." she agrees; she finishes off her drink and then sighs after a moment "I should get going though. I do have other matters to attend to today unfortunately." she gets to her feet and after a moment sways in to brush a kiss to Julius' cheek "I'll make sure to leave your shirt here for next time." she teases and then goes back to the bedroom so she can change into her real clothes sadly. He paused as she kissed him and smiled to himself as he sipped his drink. "Just don't stay away too long, alright? I get lonely," He joked as she walked back into the bamboo structure. "Aaawe, then I best not let you get lonely," she teases as she returns dressed in her own clothes again and blows Julius a kiss. "I'll see you around very soon, babes," she winks and then heads off to go do some of the actual work she still needs to do.

[wickedadaar]

The Darlings: Wisp Repellent

Featuring Kalais Aldwir from @elfmaid

Co-written by elfmaid. Pulled directly from Beck and Kalais’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 965

She approached and knocked lightly, hoping Kalais was there. She had another small gift for them that she had procured from a fellow Watcher. They set the artifact down, opening the door. A smile immediately forms when they see Beck. "Well, hello there! Is it time for dinner already?" "Not quite, but I have something for you. Mind if I come in?" "Of course you can come in!" They step aside, holding the door open for her.

She walks in, approaching Kalais's desk as she ruffles through her pockets before pulling out a small pendant. "I found out one of the other Watchers here specializes in wisp behavior!" They close the door and approach, taking the pendant gently in their hands to look at it. "It's beautiful. What is the connection to the wisps, though?" "Well, she told me she makes charms that mellow the wisps out and keep them from swarming. I asked if she could make one that would deter their thievery, and she thinks this might help. She said you should be able to keep it in or on your desk, and the wisps should leave the things nearby alone." She pauses, studying them. "You wouldn't have to worry about them trying to take your necklace again."

"That's very kind of you, thank you!" They hug her firmly. "I've kept the necklace locked away and might still, but there are other things this will help keep safe!" They take the pendant to the desk and place it near the halla statue. "I won't be so worried about the wisps taking your gift away now." She smiled warmly down at them, touched by how much they seemed to treasure the figurine she gave them. "Good. I hope you can put it to good use, vhenan." "I'm sure it will get plenty of use." They return to her and hug her again. "Thank you, it was very thoughtful of you to do this."

She chuckles, returning their hug. "Good, I'm glad, and I'm happy to do it. Once I heard about her, I had to see if she could make something for you. I'm just glad she indulged me." "You have given me so many gifts lately. I haven't even gotten a chance to start looking for any to get you in return." She chuckled, stroking Kalais's hair. "You know I didn't give those to you because I expect something in return, right?" They close their eyes, enjoying her hands on their hair. "I know you don't expect anything, but I want to, because you should receive something too. I can't be the one receiving all the time."

"Fine, but only because you're twisting my arm about it," she teased with a smile down at them. "You make it very hard to say no to you, I hope you know that." They smile up at her, briefly sticking their tongue out. "Good, you are also very hard to say no to." "Only difference is you can't pick me up like I can you, vhenan. Just remember that." She jokingly threatened with a wink. They blush slightly at that. They do quite like the times when Beck has lifted them. "I may require a reminder."

She cocked an eyebrow before effortlessly picking them up, her hands on the back of their thighs to support their weight. "Like that?" She teased with a smirk. They grin. "Exactly like that. Makes it easier to do this." They cup her face with their hands and kiss her gently. She eagerly kisses them back with a smile, "I do love it when you do that." "That's good because it's my favorite thing to do." "It's one of my favorites too, right up there with this." She wraps their legs around her and kisses them once more. "I just can't seem to get enough of you, vhenan." 

They kiss her eagerly, one hand tangling in her hair. "Neither can I." They whisper, before kissing her gently once more. "Did you have any plans before going to dinner?" She smiled up at them, adoring how they looked in her arms. "Not that I can think of. You?" "Not a one." They smirk. "Well, maybe there's one thing I can think of." "Hmmm, I wonder if I can guess what that thing is." She kisses along their jaw, "Just let me know when I'm getting close," She teased with a whisper against their skin, carrying them towards their bed as she continued to kiss down their neck. They exhale and smile, pressing their own kisses to her cheek and temple. "I don't think you need any hints. You're already very close."

"Is that so?" She chuckled as she buried her face further in their neck and they continued kissing them, adding in the occasional nip as she sat on the edge of their bed, holding them in her lap. "Close enough to touch." They press themself against her, hands wandering over her shoulders and the expanse of her back. They have to hide their own face in her hair to suppress a quiet groan. She lay back on the bed, bringing them to lean over her as she gripped their hips. "Gods, I love seeing you from this angle," she teased with a chuckle as she pulled them down to her in another tender kiss. They deepen the kiss. "I just love seeing you. All of you."

She pulls them closer to her, gripping their hips tightly. "Is that so, vhenan?" They press kisses down along her neck to her collar. "Very much so, my love." She chuckled darkly, pulling their body closer to hers. "Why don't you show me?" Their hands follow the curves of her body as they move to her hips. They smile into a passionate kiss. “With pleasure.”

[wickedadaar]

The Darlings: A Different Kind of 'Research'

Featuring Kalais Aldwir from @elfmaid

Co-written by elfmaid. Pulled directly from Beck and Kalais’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 3,427

Some time later, Beck wakes with her arms wrapped firmly around Kalais's waist, her face resting in their hair. She smiles to herself as she nuzzles against them. They begin to stir, stretching slightly and letting out a satisfied hum. "Mornin'," they mumble, feeling her nuzzling against them. "Good morning. How did you sleep, vhenan?" she asked, leaning down and kissing their cheek sweetly. "Very well," they turn enough to look up at her, "You've stolen my word for you, vhenan."

She smirked down at them, "I wouldn't say I stole it. I just borrowed it is all. Besides, you're my heart too, my love." She whispered the last two words to them in their ear. They kiss her cheek when she leans in. "Hmm, I suppose that's alright then. Did you also sleep well, vhenan?" She hummed at their question, "I always sleep well with you in my arms, but it feels like I sleep better with each passing night." She smiled down at them warmly. "You're such a charmer." They reach up to lightly trace over her features with their fingers. "And so beautiful. I'm so glad I get to wake up like this."

She teasingly scrunched her nose up at them with a smile as they traced her features. "I'm not the only charming one here." She held their chin in her hand. "Thank you, and I am, too. I couldn't imagine a better way to wake up in the morning." "Nor can I. It's a treat every time." They prop themself up on their elbows to give her a quick kiss. "What shall we do today then? Besides continuing my reading, I don't really have anything else that needs doing." She chuckled and smiled into their kiss, "My only plans today are to spend time with you. So if you want to read all day, then I'll bring you drinks and snacks."

"What service! I thought you said you would dial it back a little yesterday?" They smile and laugh a little. "In any case, I don't think I'll be reading all day. That would be extremely boring for you, I think. And quite honestly, for me too. Taking breaks is important." She hums at the thought. "Mmm, I can think of some ways to jazz up those reading breaks," she flirted, giving them a mischievous smile. "I can already imagine how we'll be spending those breaks." They turn a little shy. 

"If I could make a request for one of the breaks, though. Could you teach me another dance?" She was slightly surprised by the request, "Of course I can. You enjoyed the dancing?" She had been told many times she was not graceful or elegant when dancing, but she did so anyway because she enjoyed it. Hearing a request from Kalais to dance again was a first. "Of course I did," they smile gently at her, "I was dancing with you, why wouldn't I have enjoyed it?" She returned the gentle smile. "I haven't had the best track record as a dance partner, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did too." "I can't imagine why. I think you're a great dancer." They move their hand up and down along her arm. "Though I suppose my opinion might not mean much. I've never danced with someone else before you. And I don't care to dance with anyone else besides you."

"Well, I would be honored, my dear, and thank you. You're too kind," she leaned into their touch, a small shudder running through them. They grin at her and her reaction. "It's the truth. Kindness or not, it's just true." All she could do was smile at them, at a loss for words. She caressed their cheek and looked at them adoringly before taking their face in her hands and kissing them gently. They return the kiss, caressing their cheek in turn. "I really should get to reading soon, though. You are welcome to stay as long as you want."

"Okay, love, you go right ahead. I'll be lounging on your chaise and reading one of my books," she said, climbing out of bed and moving to the cushioned bench. She found the blanket she had used those many nights ago to sleep under and covered herself, settling in to read the book she had left there. They watch her get settled for a moment, before getting out of bed themself. They dressed in their usual loose shirt and trousers before setting up at their desk to begin reading once again. She quietly watched Kalais settle into their natural environment and smiled to herself as she turned her attention to her poorly written, smutty literature.

They don't make it very long, maybe an hour, before they are already sneaking glances at Beck. Eventually, they mark their page and turn to her. "What have you been reading? Is that the same one you were reading yesterday?" She had been sneaking glances at them for some time, too. She chuckles at their question. "Kind of, it's part of a series. Varric's work actually. Swords and Shields, his famous romance serial." They tilt their head curiously. "I didn't know he did romances. Is it any good? I liked Hard in Hightown well enough. Or what I did get to read of it. Never finished it unfortunately."

She chuckled and blushed at their question. "Oh, he did. It's not very good, but it is very entertaining," she said with a smirk, eyeing Kalais head to toe. "I could give you a summary if you want," she suggested, arching her eyebrow suggestively. Their head tilts the other way, and their eyes narrow slightly at her antics, but they smile when they respond. "Sure, let's hear a summary." She chuckled, somewhat embarrassed. "The only problem with that is..." she paused, looking for the right words. "It's not exactly a summary that's conducive to a simple retelling. Parts... maybe be better summarized through reenactment," she suggested, rising from her seat and approaching Kalais, leaning down to meet them at their level. "Is that so?" They keep an even gaze with her. They are going to try and make this a challenge. "Is there any plot that can be summarized, or is it all stuff to be reenacted?" 

"Well, considering it is a romance novel, there are certain things that work well with retelling. For example, my love, you have hung the stars in the sky for only my eyes to see, and blinded me to all other possibilities," she said, taking their hand in hers. "Those are some very pretty words." They place their other hand on top of hers. "The character who said them must have been talking about a stunningly gorgeous Qunari, yes?" She chuckled, drawing closer to Kalais, pulling them up from their seat to her. "Or a very handsome elf, but we may never know," she teased as she leaned down to kiss them gently, her arm wrapping around their waist and pulling them closer

They are weak. It was never going to be that much of a challenge. Their arms are around her almost immediately. They pull away for a moment, keeping their forehead pressed to hers. "I'm never going to get any work done. You are too tempting as a distraction." She smirked down at them, pressing their body against hers. "I can always leave if I'm that distracting," she said with a low, sultry voice, her hand dancing over Kalais's hip. "No." They say very quickly, "You don't have to leave." They are trying very hard to stay focused. The work does still need to be done, despite the reluctance they feel about cutting this break short. "This could be like foreshadowing, though. A little taste of something that comes later." "Sounds good to me," she says as she kisses them once more. "You know where to find me," she jests before returning to the chaise in the corner of the room.

They manage to tear their gaze away from her and turn back to their desk. There were a decent number of books still to get through. But the ones they had searched through already only had small sections on the Veil tucked amongst the larger discussions of the Fade. If the rest were similar...Maybe the foreshadowing's payoff would arrive quicker. They rolled their shoulders and neck and got back to work. She watched them study the books intensely, a smile on her lips for a few minutes. Her Veil Jumper in their natural habitat. She returned her attention to the book in her lap. They manage to get through several more books in the next couple of hours before they once again need to take a break. They stand up and stretch, glancing over to see how Beck is doing.

She doesn't even need to look up from her book to know Kalais is looking at her, but she does anyway, to meet their eyes. "Yes, darling?" They fidget, wringing their hands. Then they run a hand through their hair and approach, holding the other out to her. "Would you...care to dance with me, this time?" She quickly stood, taking their hand. "Of course, my dear." She placed her hand on their lower back and took the other, cupping their palms together. "Just follow my lead," she said with a smile as she began to move them around the room to the beat of a waltz, spinning and twirling Kalais every once in a while, embracing the whimsy of the dance, laughing together when one of them misstepped.

They follow her lead as best as they can, once again quickly picking up the pattern. The first spin messes them up a little, and they apologize for the stumble before managing to return to the correct steps. It's the most they have laughed in a while, and the grin on their face does not waver. "This one is different from the other one. Is this one a Nevarran dance then?" She couldn't stop smiling; she had not been this happy in a long time. Such effortless joy, she wished this moment could go on forever. "Orlesian, I think. They're all about the fancy twirls and spins. They even have a national dance similar to this one." "A national dance? The whole nation knows it?" They think for a moment. "I suppose that's actually not so different from a whole clan knowing a particular dance for a celebration. Did you spend time in Orlais as well?" She chuckles at the question, "No, thankfully, but some of the Lords have. There are even a few from Orlais or Fereldan. I never knew so many places had such different cultures until I joined the Lords, truly some of the best times I've had," she pauses, looking down at them lovingly, "Until recently, at least."

They blush, ducking their head in embarrassment. One would think they should be used to it by now, but they can't help it, every time she says things like that. "I can't think of a single time in my life where I've been this happy." They look up at her, eyes full of unabashed affection. "I could be content like this, dancing with you, listening to you talk about the things you've done. Your life sounds like it was so fun. The tales you must have to share must be so interesting and exciting!" Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the amount of love in Kalais's eyes. "Well, just say the word and I'll tell you all you could want to know," she said as she continued to spin them around Kalais's room.

They spend a moment enjoying the dance before asking, "What is the most fun thing you did with the Lords? Besides fighting in the Hall of Valor." She blew air out of the corner of her mouth, thinking, "That is actually a tough question. It's hard to pick just one." She hummed as she thought about it for a moment. "I guess it was when new ships would come into port, especially any merchants. They would always have stuff from all over. Different foods, spices, clothes, and trinkets. That's actually where I got most of my little knick-knacks. I would see a cute one and buy it just because it was cute.” "You have quite the affinity for cute things. Does any particular favorite knick-knack come to mind?" She smiled down at them, "It would seem I do, yes." She chuckled, "Hmm, I would probably say this knife was carved out of bone I got from one of the Qunari merchants. I'd never seen anything like it. Bone isn't as strong as metal, so of course, not many people use it for weapons anymore. It immediately caught my attention, so I knew I needed to add it to my collection."

They grin back up at her. It seemed a very Beck thing to have a bone knife, even just as a keepsake. "That does sound like quite the treasure! I'd love to see it and the rest of your collection sometime, if that's not too much of a bother." She beamed down at them. "I would love to show it to you!" She chuckles a little nervously, "You don't think that's weird, right? I've had several people tell me it's weird to have a bone knife or to collect knick-knacks." Her smile faltered, but for a moment, it was long enough for Kalais to see it. They frown at her hesitation. "It's not weird to collect keepsakes like that. If it were, then I have several I need to remove from my staff. And a bone knife seems hardly out of the ordinary for a Watcher." They stumble in the dance slightly, their focus having wavered while trying to answer. "What does it matter what others think? As long as you enjoy the items, nothing else should matter."

"Well, not all, uhh, dance partners, are as accepting as you are, my love. I just worry. I know a lot of people outside of Nevarra are put off by the Watch, and part of me always worries that you'll be grossed out by some of my hobbies or interests," she explained, slowing the dance so they simply swayed together, holding each other close. They consider her words, understand her concerns. "The clan I grew up with traveled around eastern Nevarra. I know a little bit more about Nevarran customs than the average person outside the country." They pause to think of their next words and how much they want to share, which isn't much. "I'm not put off by necromancy or the necrotic. My own magic...It's easier for me to use necrotic magic than other types." They stop swaying to say the most important part of all this. "I really care for you, vhenan. I want to know everything about you, and that includes things you're interested in."

She gives them a soft smile, "I really care for you too. That's why I'm scared I'll mess this up. You're the most important and precious person in my life. I'm worried every day I'll do something to scare you away," she was earnest, this was deeply held insecurity she had not previously shared with them. They return the smile, reaching up with both hands to cradle her face. "Vhenan, there is nothing you could do that would scare me away. There is nothing you could mess up in this. I like you because you are you. I am staying with you. I am choosing you, no matter what." Her smile faltered once more, showing her vulnerable side at Kalais's words, "I can't tell you how much it means to me to hear you say that. You mean the world to me. I know we haven't been together long, but I can't imagine my life without you in it, my love."

Their thumbs caress her cheeks. Their heart is full of love and adoration, and words fail them. They spend several moments just gazing at her with love. When they do speak, it is soft with affection. "Beck, you are a wonderful and caring person, and you have made me extremely happy in the time we have been together. I want that to continue. I don't deserve you, but I want to give you the devotion that you deserve." She smiled at them, her hands coming up to cover theirs. "You know, I feel that way about you, even if you don't believe it. You're the best thing to come into my life in a long time, Kalais. I would do anything for you, vhenan."

"You are the one thing I thought I would never have. It will always be hard for me to believe." They raise up to their toes, gently pulling her to them to press their foreheads together. "I want you to be able to rely on me. I want to be here for you like you were for me before. Because I love you." She smiled as they brought her forehead to theirs, "Ar lath ma, vhenan," she said with a smile, the language still feeling foreign on her lips. She pulled back just enough to look into their eyes, "I will share every broken part of me. I was just afraid it would scare you away, as it had others." Her hands slid under their jaw, cupping their face. As she looked down at them, there was only love and adoration in her eyes. "You could ask me to move the stars, and I would do my best to make it come true for you."

They close their eyes and smile, hearing her speak elven again. "You've already seen the broken pieces of me. Nothing about you could scare me away." They can barely breathe, seeing the emotion in her eyes. "I don't need the stars. You outshine them all, vhenan." They close the distance, kissing her gently. She deepens the kiss to hide the tears of joy forming in her eyes. She brings them to her, inhaling their kiss as she does so. In one swift movement, she had scooped them up in her arms, supporting their weight with her hands on the backs of their thighs. She hummed into the kiss, treasuring them and every second they shared together.

They kiss her as if doing so could take away her pain and insecurities. They could hold hers within them along with their own. Someone like her should not be held back by doubt. They place even more kisses on her cheeks, her nose, any place they can, whispering over and over how much they love her. She leaned into their kisses, treasuring their attention. She buried her face in their neck, gently peppering their neck and collar with her kisses, murmuring how much she loved and cherished them. Tears form in their own eyes. They pull themself as close as possible to her. "I love you." It's the only thing they can say while caressing her cheeks, threading their fingers through her hair, and placing so many kisses anywhere they can. Beck deserves all the love they can give. She laced her fingers in their hair as well. She held them tightly. She lifted her head to look into their eyes. "I love you too, vhenan."

They smile, giving her another gentle kiss, then bury their face in the crook of her neck, letting out a small, breathy laugh. "We're just going to keep going back and forth, saying how much we love each other, if we're not careful." She laughs too, resting her chin on their head. "I sense you have an idea of how to better spend our time?" she asked cheekily with another small laugh. They nuzzle into her. "You said something earlier about a reenactment." She smirks and chuckles, "Yes, I did. I would happily demonstrate, if you'd like." She pauses, lowering her voice to whisper in their ear, "It could be quite educational."

They press a kiss to her jaw and give their own smirk. "It's a good thing I enjoy learning." "One of your best qualities," she chuckled as she carried them to her bed. She climbed into bed and pulled them onto her lap, hand tracing their sides, looking up at them longingly "I'll never get tired of seeing you like this," she reached up to the back of their neck and pulled them into a deep, passionate kiss before proceeding to whisper sweet nothings to them throughout their activities.

[wickedadaar]

The Darlings: Revelations

Featuring Kalais Aldwir from @elfmaid

Co-written with elfmaid. Pulled directly from Beck and Kalais’s RP transcripts with minimal edits.

Word count: 3,175

[Takes place after Artefacts and Stars by elfmaid. Story linked here]

She entered her room, feeling exhausted from her trip to Arlathan with Kalais. She stretched her aching muscles. She helped Kalais bring in all of the camping equipment, setting it down gently. Kalais dropped their own bag down, placing the new artifact down next to it, and setting their staff aside. "What a trip, right? It felt nice to be back out there again." "I loved seeing you in your element, even if you did scare the daylights out of me a few times," she chuckled, approaching them and wrapping them in her arms. They wrap their arms around her, looking up at her. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I did say I can handle myself out there. But I did want to thank you for pulling me out of the way when the Sentinels activated." They would have gotten an earful if they had been injured like that because they hadn't been paying attention. "I kind of forgot about those with the artifact there."

She chuckled as she wrapped her arms around them as well. "Of course. I couldn't let you get hurt. Not on my watch. I'd never forgive myself if you got hurt." They smile, holding her tighter. "That goes both ways. If you had gotten hurt out there..." They pause, the smile fading. "I'd have felt even worse knowing I brought you out there." "But I didn't get hurt. I couldn't. I had to make sure you were safe." Her voice faltered, but for a moment, before she cleared her throat, hoping they didn't notice. They reach up to caress her cheek. "You didn't, but you could have. That's why I did what I did. We can protect each other, look out for each other." They hope their words and meaning are getting through. "We work together to keep each other safe."

She looked down at them, a profound sadness in her eyes. "You don't understand. If I can't protect you, what purpose do I have? What good am I if I can't keep you safe, vhenan?" Tears gather in their eyes at her admission. "It's not about purpose. What good would it be if you got hurt and I lost you, so soon after we found each other?" They cup her face with both hands. "I love you and want to keep you safe, too. You should be looked after and protected as well." "But that's not ... I don't ..." She pauses as her words fail her as tears gather in her eyes too, placing her hands over theirs. "I don't know how to let someone protect me, vhenan. I've always been the shield for others. I've been seen as worthy of protecting."

"I see you as worthy of protecting." They try to be stern, saying this, but their voice still shakes with emotion. "You are not just a shield. You are not disposable like that." She pulls them to her as closely as she can, as the tears begin to fall, resting her face against the hair. They hold her, closing their eyes as their own tears fall as well. "And I'm sure it's not just me who would protect you. You have friends who would, too. I'm sure Tira and Lailani would protect you, too, when the situation called for it." They pull back just enough to look at her. "Your job isn't your purpose. Your purpose is to live, take care of your plants, and collect your trinkets. That's all anyone's purpose is."

Her voice was just barely a whisper as she looked down at them. "Thank you, vhenan. You're the first person outside of Tira and Lailani to make me feel like I'm not just a shield, a tool used to protect them. Thank you." "I'd fight everyone who dared to treat you like that. You are so much more, and I love you for all that you are." "You're too sweet, vhenan. I love you more than I could ever tell you. You make my life better," she took their face in her hands and kissed them tenderly. They return the kiss, hands tangling in her hair. "Meeting you, loving you, makes everything I've gone through worth it." They pull apart briefly to whisper before kissing her again, deeper this second time.

She groans into the kiss, wrapping one hand in their hair and the other around their waist. She pauses for a moment to whisper to them, "Ar lath ma, ma vhenan. I hope you know you mean the world to me." "I know." They say with a small smile, eyes shining as they take advantage of the moment to appreciate everything about her. "I know. You mean just as much to me. More even." She smiled down at them, mesmerized by how their eyes shone in the low lights of her room. "You're the most important person in my life, I hope you know that, Kalais." They give her another gentle kiss. "I do. I know. You're one of the most important people in my life, too, Beck. And I want you to stay in it, which is why you have to let me protect you too, to keep you safe and alive as well."

She chuckles, smiling at them, "You drive a hard bargain, but alright. It'll take some time to get used to it, though. Just promise you'll be patient with me? And remind me when I need reminding?" "Of course I will, Vhenan. You've been patient with me, of course, I will return the favor." She hugs them tightly once more, nuzzling her face against their hair. "Come on, let's get settled in. I don't know about you, but I could use some relaxation right now." She led them over to the couch, settling and getting comfortable, gesturing for them to join her. They followed behind her, settling next to her. "That would be nice. You could show me some of your collection?"

"I'd love to," she reached under the couch, pulling out a wooden box. "My secret stash," she jested as she opened the lid, revealing a variety of items wrapped in cloth or paper, clearly carefully taken care of. They chuckle at her joke. They glance curiously at the items. "There are quite a few here! Which one is the bone knife?" "That would be this one," she says, taking out one of the larger items and unwrapping it carefully, handing the knife to Kalais. "One of my most prized possessions." They hold it very carefully and gently, like it's the most precious of artifacts, turning it over in their hands. "It's beautifully made. I can see why it's your favorite." They hand it back, worried they might drop or break it if they hold onto it much longer. "Do you like a lot of bone things then?"

She chuckled at their question as they rewrapped it and tucked it into its place in the box. "Yeah, kind of. It depends on what it is, honestly. Novelty pieces are cool, but bone isn't great for practical stuff because it's weaker than most metals, so in an actual fight, you're setting yourself up for failure." "That makes a lot of sense. Would it work as something you could wear? Not armor, obviously, but something more decorative?" "Oh, for sure!! Decorative items, jewelry, and home decor. Watchers use it for all sorts of stuff. I've even seen it shaved down and used to adorn formal wear." They file that information away, with a subtle glance at the gleaming bracelets adorning her arms. "That makes a lot of sense for Watchers. I bet those sorts of additions look fantastic as part of clothing." They look back toward the box of trinkets. "What other fun items do you have in there?"

She lights up like a kid in a candy store when Kalais asks about the trinkets she's collected. "Well, this one," she pulled out a small wooden griffon, "I traded with an older Warden for it. Gave him one of my rings for it. I just thought it was adorable. Of course, this was years ago, when everyone still thought the griffons were extinct. Now, I get to actually compare it to pictures of live griffons. How cool is that?" They smile. Her excitement is infectious, and they love seeing her light up like this. "One of your rings is quite the trade! But for something this cute, it's understandable. Whoever carved this did a wonderful job!" They gently run a finger over the wooden griffon's head, as if giving it a little pet.

She smiles down at Kalais, treasuring how adorable that was. "And this one," she pulls out a small, perfectly round stone, "I got from one of the other traders. Apparently, in parts of Thedas, these are used to play games. It's called a marble. Apparently, not made of actual marble, I asked." "If it's not made of marble, why is it called that?" They tilt their head in confusion. "I feel like I have seen these before, though, for sale at markets, but I never knew what they were, much less that they would be used for a game." "That's what I said! He didn't have an answer for me. Didn't even try to make one up either! Can you believe that?" "Maybe there isn't a good answer. That's just what someone called it, and it stuck? I suppose 'marble' does sound nicer than 'little glass orb'."

She chuckled, "Certainly rolls off the tongue easier, that's for sure." An idea occurs to them, looking at the marble. "Maybe we could find more of these and figure out the rules for the games and how to learn to play? It would be fun, I think." "I like the way you think! That sounds like a lot of fun. Our own little treasure hunt." She leans down and kisses their forehead with a smile. They grin, excited that Beck agreed. They don't know anything about this object or game, but they are looking forward to the prospect of finding and picking out these little spheres with her. They lean against her, looking into the box again. "I'm impressed by the variety of trinkets you have. They're all very cool!"

She smiled down at them. "Thanks, I'm glad you like them. Some people think it's a waste of money or they're pointless, but if something brings you joy, it's worth keeping around." She reached in, pulling out one more small object. "Give me your hand," she told them. "I'll have to tell you about the ones I have on my staff sometime. People asked why I have them tied on, didn't they get annoying rattling together like they do sometimes? But they're nice reminders of places I've been or things I've done, or even just something I thought looked nice." They hold out their hand to her, glancing at the small object. "I would love to hear about them, vhenan." She places the small wrapped object in their hand, it was a halla figure carved out of stone typically found in Arlathan. "For you, I want you to have it."

They looked down at the figurine with wide eyes, then looked at her with surprise. "For...me?" They try to hand it back. Much as they might want to accept it... "No, I-I couldn't. It's a beautiful piece, you should keep it." She pushed it back towards them. "I insist. I want you to have it. I've wanted to give it to you since we started seeing each other, but I wasn't sure you would accept it, so please. I want you to have it." They gently cradle it in their hands. There are a lot of feelings welling up in them right now, and they can hardly take their eyes off of the little halla. "I-....Thank you. You really don't know how much this means to me."

"I'm glad you like it. Funny enough, I had no idea what it was when I bought it. I just thought it was cute. Then I started meeting more and more elves, and they told me about the halla. I thought you might like to have it. Maybe a little piece of home." She gently closed the box and slid it back under the couch before wrapping her arm around their shoulders. A little piece of home. Not exactly. It had been a long time since they felt like they had a home. Even as welcome as they were among the Veil Jumpers and the Aldwir clan, it never quite felt right to call the forest home. Here with Beck, though, they think, leaning into her. Maybe she could be....They stop themself from that thought. "I really can't thank you enough, vhenan. The halla...they are important to all elves, but to me..." Tears start to form in their eyes again. "They are proud creatures. You can't force them to do anything they don't want to. I chose this vallaslin because of them." They motion toward their face, voice becoming somber with a hint of bitterness. "They were a reminder that no one else's opinion of what or who I should be mattered. Only I could decide who I wanted to become."

She wrapped her arm tighter around them as she smiled down at them. "And you shouldn't let others define you, my love. I know that's rich coming from me, but you're the one who's helping me learn that the expectations of others and the role they place me in don't matter. What matters is those I love and what they think of me. You, for example. Your opinion is the only one I truly care about." "I haven't always been great at it myself. Hypocrite that I am." They say with a cynical laugh. "Even now, I still find myself trying to meet expectations, hoping Strife or someone might mention being proud of something I've accomplished. And there are younger recruits who look up to me. What must they think of me?" They turn in towards her, resting their head on her shoulder. "But you. You are wonderful, and you tell me you love m,e and everything feels better. If the most amazing person in the world says these things about me, then maybe I don't have to worry so much. Maybe I'm doing alright then."

She reaches down and caresses their cheek. "You're not a hypocrite. I know exactly what you mean. You think so highly of me. If the person I love most thinks so much of me, why should I care what others think? Still, sometimes I doubt myself, despite what you tell me, just because that's what I've been conditioned to think for so long." They look up at her with a teary smile. "We'll have to work on it together, then. Remind each other when either one of us begins to doubt ourselves." "My thoughts exactly, vhenan." She ran her hand through their hair, using her free hand to wipe the tears gathering in the corners of their eyes.

They close their eyes briefly, enjoying the feeling of her hand in their hair. "Ar lath ma, vhenan." They say quietly, cupping her cheek with their hand. "I love you too, darling," she leaned down and kissed them gently, resting her forehead against theirs. They kiss her tenderly again. They want to stay like this forever. "I still don't know how I got so lucky. You're too good for me, truly." "And I feel the same way about you, but here we are. You in my arms and my arms around you. I guess we both lucked out, hmm?" "Here we are." They repeat with a smile. "We really did." They nuzzle into her, extremely content and comfortable, nestled alongside her.

She settles back against the couch, sliding down some to get more comfortable. "Come here, vhenan," she gestures for Kalais to climb up and cuddle with her. They happily do so, positioning themself so they can wrap their arms around her and place their head on her chest, listening to her heartbeat. "Is this okay? Is it comfortable for you?" She raises one hand to rest behind her head, and the other wraps securely around Kalais. "Perfect," they whisper. They relax in her hold and find themself struggling to keep their eyes open.

Before she knows it, she falls asleep with Kalais in her arms, awaking some time later. She looks down at them with a smile and kisses the top of their head. They cuddle in closer to her, still dozing. The halla statue is still held tightly in their hand, which now sits in their lap. She rubs her hand up and down their arm, treasuring this time with them. It was moments like this that really solidified how much she loved them. They slowly wake, feeling her hand on their arm. They sigh deeply. "Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep on you." "No need to apologize, vhenan. I love holding you like this. Besides, I fell asleep too," she chuckled, kissing their forehead.

They laugh lightly, "Arlathan tired us both out, it seems." They say, untangling themself from her enough to stretch. "It would seem so," she chuckles, stretching too. "It was a lovely outing, but I seriously needed that nap." "It was a very nice nap," they kiss her on the cheek. "It is nice to be back here, too." "I couldn't agree more. It's good to be home." She gestures to the new artefact they recovered. "What's your plan for the new artefact?"

They look over to it. "I'm not certain yet. I need to fiddle around with it yet. It might be a good candidate for that device, if it's possible to reconfigure it." "Well, I look forward to seeing what you can do with it. It should definitely be interesting. I have faith in you, my love." "Thank you, vhenan. No matter what, it will be fun to see how it was put together." They stand and stretch again. "I should let you unpack. And I need to take the artifact to my room as well as bring the camping gear back. But I can meet you somewhere later?" They head towards where all their stuff had been set.

"Sounds good, vhenan. I'll swing by your room later. Maybe we can get dinner together?" "I would like that. Thank you again for the halla statue. I'll take good care of it." "You're very welcome. I'm just glad you like it. I was hopeful, but I wasn't totally sure, so I'm glad." She gives them a gentle smile before standing and hugging them, kissing the top of their head lovingly. "I'll see you later, vhenan." "It's even more special coming from you." They return the embrace. "See you later, love." They gather up their bag, tucking the halla statue inside it for now, and the camping gear. They then grab the artifact and their staff, giving one more smile and a little wave to Beck before exiting.

[wickedadaar]

Nauseatingly in Love: Temptation

Featuring Grey from @apothe-cary

Co-written by apothe-cary. Pulled directly from Lanti and Grey’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,931

[Takes place after their trip to Treviso with Ulrich]

He led her back to his room, setting the trinket he got from the market on his shelf, “Home sweet home.” She kicked off her shoes and plopped down on his couch, stretching across it. "Home sweet home," she agreed. He sat himself next to her, pulling her into a kiss. She returns his kiss, leaning into him, cupping his cheeks with her hands. Grey pulled Lanti into his lap, deepening the kiss, his arms around her waist. She chuckled as he moved her with ease. She slid her hands up and knotted in his hair, pulling slightly.

He shivered, it going down his spine as she pulled at his hair, letting out a hum against their lips. Grey’s fingertips were playing with the waistband of her pants. She chuckled at his hum, her kisses becoming hungrier and needier. If she wasn't sure before, the trip to Treviso showed her that he was who she wanted to be with the rest of her days. This fueled the fire within her as she arched her body against his. He matched the pace of the hungry kiss, his grip on her hips tightening, “I need you, Lanti. Everything about you. I am begging you.” He whispered against her lips, pushing her down onto the couch, switching their positions. She wrapped her legs around the back of his thighs, pulling his hips against hers. "Then take me," she whispered back against his lips before pulling him into another hungry, passionate kiss.

*****

Later, Grey was awake and gently caressing her hair, kissing the top of her head. She hummed at his touch, mumbling, "I love you." He smiled, “I love you too, Lanti.” Grey pulled her towards him, repeatedly kissing her forehead, her cheek, her nose, and her lips. She hugs him tightly as she giggles at the flurry of kisses. "What was that for?" “Just felt I don’t show you enough how much you mean to me.” He chuckled, “I need you, always. And I need you to know that.” "Mi amor," she paused, at a loss for words, her witty rebuttal dying on her tongue. "I need you too. You mean the world to me." He cupped her face with both his hands, “as do you for me.”

"What's your plan, after all of this? After the gods are killed? Go back to the Lords?" Grey was quiet, but he knew the answer: “No. I’ll go where you go. That’s what I want. I don’t want to be away from you for a single moment.” She was quiet for a moment. "Even if it means moving to Treviso? Crows can't exactly leave the order, after all." “I follow you. No questions asked, Lanti.” He took her hand, kissing it. She gets choked up, tears threatened to fall down her cheeks as she wiped them from the corners of her eyes. "I don't know what to say, mi amor. I'm touched." He wiped her tears, kissing her forehead, “All you have to say is yes.” "I would love that, vhenan." She chuckled, "You know, for a minute, it almost sounded like you were proposing." Grey flushed red, “I mean..after all this is done, and we are more settled, I- mean that’s the plan.” She smiled and pulled him into a gentle kiss. "I can't wait."

"You're everything I could have asked for, Grey. Truly, I am lucky to have you in my life." He gave in to the gentle kiss, rubbing her back. “I feel the same way. I truly am lucky to have you, Lanti. I'd follow you anywhere. You jump, I'm flying. You fall? I’m diving in after you. I can’t lose you.” She blushes at his sweet words. "I didn't expect to find the love of my life when I signed up to fight elven gods, but here we are." She chuckled as she reached up and caressed his cheek. He smiled, “Funny the way the world works.” Grey touched her hand, nuzzling himself in her palm. She leaned up to kiss him again. "Well, I'm certainly not complaining." Grey smiled into the kiss, rubbing her back, “Neither am I.”

"So any plans for the day, mi amor?" “Can’t we stay in bed for one day?” He huffed. "You know, that actually sounds amazing." She snuggles closer to him, resting her head on his chest. “There is one thing I have to do.” He kissed the top of her head. "Mmm? And what's that, my love?" He carefully cradled her, picking her up off the bed, throwing his shirt on top of her to the kitchen. “Feed you, of course. And have you wear my things.” She giggled as he did so, "Have I told you that you spoil me?” “Trust me, I do it on purpose. So what are you craving?” He hummed. 

She put his shirt on, loving how comfortable it was and how it smelled like him. She watched him from the bed, enjoying the view. "Hmmm, how about some of your famous sweet rolls?" Grey set her down on his chair, putting on some pants but keeping his top bare, “Suppose I haven’t made those in a while.” He put on his apron. "It has been a minute. You want some help, or am I banished while you cook for me?" She teased lightly, leaning against the back of the chair. “If you genuinely want to learn, I wouldn’t mind teaching you step-by-step,” he chuckled while he pulled out the ingredients to make the buns. "Sure, I'd love to try. See if I can't redeem my cooking abilities." She chuckled as she joined him in the kitchen.

He fixed the ingredients into a bowl, going behind her, guiding her, “Mix these with me.” He put her hand over the spoon, leaning down to kiss her neck. She hummed at his kiss, inhaling sharply. "Easy enough." She followed his instructions, mixing the ingredients for him. He stayed on her neck, kissing down it, “Good, now add the milk love. Careful not to spill.” She shuddered and gasped, following his instructions to the best of her ability despite his actions. Grey grinned, his hand exploring under her shirt, “Perfect. Just mix once more, and I’ll do the rest.” He nipped her neck, trailing back up to her ear and biting it. She leaned into him, doing as he said. She whimpered when he bit her ear. 

Grey chuckled, squeezing her hips a bit before letting go, “Good job. Looks like you can cook after all,” he teased. "Only because you're a good teacher." She teased back, "It was a little difficult to concentrate, but I got it done." “What can I say, hard to keep my hands off when you look that good in my shirt.” He took the bowl from her, working the dough for the buns. "Careful, I might decide to keep it," she teased as she watched him work the dough, enjoying the sight before her. “I wouldn’t complain. Means I get to buy more for you to steal.” He was efficient with his bun making, coating them in cinnamon and rolling them into their famous bun shape before putting them into the oven.

"Then consider this one stolen, especially if it means I get to see you like this more often." She smirked as she sauntered up to him once the buns were in the oven. “Topless? Or needy?” He raised a brow, his hands finding her hips. "Who said it couldn't be both?" she teased, resting her hands on his chest as she looked up at him. He leaned down, kissing her sweetly, “I can’t get enough of you, and the kitchen is not the place to do it. But I’d hate to burn your buns.” She chuckled, "Fair enough. I guess I'll admire you from afar," she taunted as she turned to return to her seat from earlier. Grey finished making the frosting for the buns and pulled them out of the oven, coating them. She watched him adoringly. "They turn out, alright? I didn't mess up the dough, did I?"

He chuckled, holding one up for her to take a bite. She took a bite as he held it out, humming in delight. "Okay, I did not mess it up. I'm impressed with myself," she chuckled. “Told you. You just needed an extra hand.” He chuckled, taking a bite himself. "Well, I guess you were right. I'm not a lost cause in the kitchen, after all," she teased with a laugh. “You can confidently give one of these to Ulrich.” Grey chuckled. "You mean my biggest critic?" she laughed. "Good to know. Thanks for showing me how to make them. I appreciate it, mi amor." “Cooking is a labor of love. I just had to show you to love the process.” He grinned. She jokingly rolled her eyes at him. "Okay, dear, whatever you say. I don't love the process yet, I just love you and wanted to try my luck with it."

He kissed her cheek, “You did wonderfully. Now eat some more.” "Yes, sir. So demanding", she sassed as she grabbed another roll and ate it. He smacked her bottom, “Bratty tones.” "You love it," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him. “Place that tongue back in your mouth before I take it.” He raised a brow. She raised her brows and smirked in response. "Is that a promise or a threat, mi amor?" “Take it as you’d like. Just know it’ll happen.” He took a bite of his own bun. Lanti chuckled as she took another bite. "Oooo, quaking in my boots," she teased with another smirk.

“You’re asking for it, love.” He raised a brow. She chuckled, biting her lower lip. "I know," she said with a cheeky tone and a wink. Grey sighed, getting up and throwing Lanti over his shoulder, “Lanti, it’s like you never learn your lesson.” She squealed in surprise at his actions, laughing as her picked her up. "For all you know, this was part of my master plan," she teased from over his shoulder. “I seem to keep forgetting you like being handled like this.” He chuckled, dropping her down into the bed, crawling over top of her. "What can I say, I like it when you toss me around a little." She smirked up at him, tracing her fingers across her jaw, biting her lower lip in anticipation.

His thumb tugged at Lanti’s lip, “Don’t bite those, that’s my job.” She chuckled darkly as she pulled him into a passionate kiss, one hand tangling in his hair, the other resting on his shoulder. He let out a small groan in surprise, kissing her back, his hands tracing over her thigh, pulling it to his waist. She whimpered into their kiss, deepening it, pulling him even closer to her as she wrapped her free hand around his neck, arching against him. “Tell me to stop now, Lanti.” He whispered against her kiss, his other hand touching down her arched back.

Pulling back just enough to look into his eyes, she whispered against his lips, "Why would I want to do something like that? You're not the only one who can't get enough of our time together." She pulled lightly on his hair, her free hand tracing light circles on the back of his neck. He let out a groan, “Then allow me to continue showing you how much I love this.” Grey's lips pressed back onto hers, passionately drinking her in.

[might come back and add smut to this, but I don’t know. TBD, trying to get through more RP transcripts at the moment because the backlog is crashing my google docs]

[wickedadaar]

Nauseatingly in Love: Ulrich Tags Along

Featuring Grey from @apothe-cary and Ulrich from @hedgiestail

Co-written by apothe-cary and hedgiestail. Pulled directly from Lanti, Grey, and Ulrich’s RP transcripts with minimal edits.

Word count: 1,392

Art below courtesy of hedgiestail. I had to use it here, it fit too perfectly not to.

Lanti, Grey, and Ulrich arrive. She is excited to be back in her favorite part of Treviso. She couldn't remember the number of nights she had spent in the market just browsing the wares and chatting with merchants. Ulrich immediately runs to the closest spice vendor. Grey followed behind them, making sure they were alright, though the markets were impressive. Reminding him of his own marketplace in Rivain with his adoptive family. “It’s so lively, one place to the other, I can see why you adore it.”

She falls back to hold hands with Grey, lacing their fingers together. "Not even the Antaam or a dragon can stop the Treviso Market." Her voice was full of joy and admiration. "Come, I want to show you one of my favorite stalls." She led him over to a stall run by a Qunari woman with a wide display of knick-knacks and trinkets on the table before them that appeared to be from Rivain. Grey's eyes widened, looking over the trinkets, then looked at Lanti like a kid in a candy shop. “A woman after my own heart.” She smiled brightly up at him, "Always. I figured that if I'm getting a little homesick, you might be too."

Grey picked up a small dragon trinket, smiling, “I suppose I am a little homesick. Thank you. It’s like finding my little home in yours.” Ulrich went from vendor to vendor buying a lot of different stuff. Some for cooking, some for goldsmithing, tea, coffee, and a few new romance books. "Good, I'm glad I could bring you a small piece of home." She smiled and led him to several other stalls, buying some wine, some coffee, and an assortment of spices. Grey paid for the small dragon trinket, you’d think he’d be done with dragons at this point. Grey kept an eye on both of them, sure not to lose them. His protectiveness showed a bit despite the nice scene.

Ulrich comes to Lanti and Grey with a handful of bags. "So nice to be here again! I almost want to run away from Lighthouse and be back with the other crows." She chuckled, seeing how excited Ulrich was. "It's been good to be back. I don't think I could leave the Lighthouse, though. Not anymore, at least." She looked up at Grey with a loving gaze. Ulrich shrugs. "Place gives me creeps. Make the back of my eyes hurt", he puts his purchases on the ground, scratching his feathers under the beak. "Too much magic, and Fade, and elven shit."

Grey smiled down at Lanti, “Making me feel special. And I don’t mind the lighthouse. Not anymore. I found myself another home with you two around.” "You are special, and I've found a home with both of you as well. My love and my best friend," She gestured to Grey first and then to Ulrich. Ulrich chirps. "And the company of you two is the only reason for me to stick around", he says voice full of warmth. "And book club with Alecto, probably."

"Book club? When did that become a thing?" "Alecto came by my room while you two were terribly busy", Ulrich says teasingly. "And somehow now it's a thing." Grey smiled, “Should we head back?” Grey kissed the top of Lanti’s head, “Oh yes, I forgot to mention that.” She chuckles and blushes, "I guess we have been fairly busy the last few days. That's interesting, well, I hope you have fun, Ulrich. I'm not much of a reader." She turns to Grey, "Yeah, I think we got everything we came for."

"No café Pietra?", Ulrich gasps. "You're right! I almost forgot. Yes, we're still going to Cafe Pietra," she assures him. "Hooray! Good coffee," Ulrich chirped. Grey smiled, “I could use that cup of coffee again.”

Ulrich came in with all his stuff, rushing to the table. Happy and excited until he noticed Bruno and Lida. "Ugh... not looking there", he puts his beak into the menu. She looks over in the direction Ulrich did before shifting her attention to her fellow Crow. "You know that guy?" "That would be Bruno", Ulrich whispered. "Just ignore him and talk lower. Bastard blind and has a hella good hearing."

"Bruno?" She looked at Grey, confused. "Besides being blind, what's his deal? You seem to be avoiding him." "Actually we are friends, I just prefer to be in his presence in carefully measured doses", Ulrich sighs. "He's not that bad of a guy." "Ahh, gotcha. Say no more. I understand fully," she assured him, dropping the subject. Grey furrowed his brow, “Is that the one you were telling me about?” He took Lanti’s hand. "Yeah, the very same. Now you can avoid him freely", Ulrich nods, waving for the waiter to come to them.

Lanti tilted her head curiously at Grey, but decided not to push it. They could talk about it later. Grey let out a small grin to Lanti, “Let’s just get our things. And leave.” "I don't think he noticed, so we can drink our coffee in peace?" Ulrich suggests hopefully. "You got it. I've missed the coffee from here," she sips her drink and hums as she does, sighing in contentment. Grey shrugged, fiddling with the trinket he bought, “As long as it stays that way. I’d hate to display why I’m a lord.”

"You wouldn't have to. This place is owned and operated by the Crows. There'd be a flock of them on us in no time if something popped off. There are a lot of things I don't enjoy about the Crows, but they do protect their own." "Yes, you wouldn't believe how many spies are watching us right now", Ulrich chuckles, dictating their order to the waiter. Grey shrugged, “Really, that many? I wouldn’t have known, I know my fists and treasure hunting, everything else I deal with as I go.” "And I love you for that, mi amor. Honestly, unless you are a Crow, you'd never spot most of them. We know they're there because we got trained in the same tactics," she told him.

Grey chuckled, “I guess I got lucky with the woman I love. I protect her as much as she protects me.” He rubbed her hand. She chuckled too, "Damn right, and don't you forget it!" Ulrich laughs. "With the way you lovebirds coo, not only Grey, but everyone around you won't forget." She couldn't help but laugh heartily at Ulrich's comment. He was right. They were nauseatingly in love with one another. Grey flushed a bit, “Can’t help it.” "I think it's sweet," she said as she gently nudged Grey with her arm. “It is easy to get carried away when I’m so in love, I suppose.” He rubbed the back of his neck, the way he does when he’s embarrassed. "I, too, think it's sweet! You are just like the heroes from my books. Very entertaining!" Ulrich chirps when the waiter arrives with his Cappuccino and Alfajores.

She couldn't help but giggle as she too blushed. "Thanks, Ulrich." She pauses for a moment, looking at Grey, then back to Ulrich. "I'm the hero, right? And Grey's the damsel?" She laughed at her joke. "But of course! Could you imagine Grey in those white flowy dresses? Would be so cute!", Ulrich drinks his coffee with a huge smile. “Now hold on, only Lanti would look good in those, white isn’t my color.” He crossed his arms. “I prefer green or even a lavender color.” "I think you could pull off the white. I'm not so sure about the green, but I do agree lavender would look great on you," she teased with a smirk. Ulrich nods actively to Lanti's words. "Lavender will do...I know one great tailor not far from here…"

“Oh, shut it, you two.” He grinned, “As appealing as that sounds.” He sighed sarcastically, “I do believe we should go back to the lighthouse.” She sighed dramatically, "I guess, fun ruiner," she teased him with a smile as she squeezed his hand with hers. “You’ll regret your words when we get back.” Grey raised a brow. "I'm so scared," she taunted sarcastically as the three of them started to head back to the lighthouse. Ulrich made a gagging noise. "Yeah, let's get back." Grey chuckled, leading them back.

[wickedadaar]

Fireflower: Sunset

Featuring Ashariel from @fret-not

Co-written with fret-not. Pulled directly from Vena and Ashariel’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,429

As Vena and Ashariel approached, she marveled at the Market. It was unlike any she had been to before. It was so big and there were so many people! She was almost overwhelmed. Ashariel let out an impressed whistle as she looked around the marketplace, a smile spreading across her face as she saw that Vena's expression matched her own. "Come on, we have a lute to find," she said, taking Vena's hand and tugging her towards a stall she thought might have something for them. Vena followed Ashariel eagerly, letting her guide Vena around wherever she wanted. The feeling of her grip on Vena's hand made Vena blush. She wasn't used to being led, but she was enjoying it.

Ashariel intertwined their fingers, then led them to a different stall when she realized that the previous shop didn't have any musical instruments at all; "Ah, here!" She said that when she finally found a stand with flutes and stringed instruments. "Do any of these call to you?" There was a lute with a Dalish design carved into it. "This one," Vena gestured. After she convinced the merchant to let her hold it, she plucked a chord and smiled widely. "Yeah, this one is perfect." "It's beautiful!" Ashariel said gently, reaching out to pluck one of the strings for herself. "I don't know how you make it seem so easy, Vena," she laughed and looked at the design carved into the smooth wood. "What's the design?" "Dalish carving to ward off evil spirits and protect you from the dangers of the world. An old Dalish story my mother used to tell me. You know, we even have a blessing that means "May the Dread Wolf never catch your trail." Sorn'goth n'aetheras la'luth," Vena explained.

"Ah, that will be useful for our upcoming fight," Ashariel says with a tense sigh. She should not have brought that up; she tries to brush it aside, "A-anyway, do you want to get this one?" "Yeah, this one's perfect," Vena smiled at Ashariel as she paid the merchant and slung the lute's strap across her back as she began to play a little, humming along. Ashariel smiled as she watched Vena play; she truly made it seem so effortless; it made her look more ethereal than she knew. "Come along, my bard, let's get something to eat," she said, tapping Vena's arm gently. She slid the lute to her back. "Food sounds amazing. Where should we go? There might be some stalls nearby that have food."

Ashariel hummed quietly and looked to Vena, "I think you should pick. I've been dragging you around to these stalls." Vena spotted an Antivan food stall. "That one!" She pulled Ashariel behind her as she made her way over to it. "Okay, okay!" Ashariel laughed as she followed Vena eagerly through the market. Vena ordered two of the Antivan stall's specialties. Vena could never remember the name, but it was baked dough topped with layers of tomato sauce, cheese, and meat, cut into slices. She eagerly accepted their food from the merchant as she paid them. She handed Ashariel her's and motioned for her to follow Vena. Ashariel accepted the food and followed Vena with an eyebrow raised, "Where are you taking us, Vena?" She asked playfully, cradling her food in one hand as she tucked a few of her braids behind her ear.

"You'll see," Vena teased over her shoulder as they approached a balcony that overlooked the canals. "I knew there would be a place like this nearby." She was proud of herself for finding the small, somewhat secluded locale. "Holy hells," Ashariel said with a grin. She placed her food down on the railing that lined the balcony and looked down at the canals as the sun began to set. It cast a warm glow over the whole city that she couldn't help but smile at. She looked back over her shoulder at Vena. "You know your way around, huh?" "Not really, but grow up around enough water features, you know where to look for viewing spots," Vena teased as she swung the lute back to her front and began to play.

Ashariel sighed happily and jumped onto the stone railing beside her food. Ashariel took the first bite and grinned, "This is delicious! Have you had this before?" She asked, listening to Vena play as she took another bite and watched the sunset. "Never had it myself, but other Jumpers who've been to Treviso rave about it, so I figured we'd give it a try. What do you think?" "It's great," Ashariel nodded, looking over her shoulder at Vena. "Wanna come sit? The view's great." She smiled and looked Vena up and down, "Though the view's not bad from here either."

Vena continues to strum a song on the lute. "I don't know, my view from here is pretty beautiful," she said with a wink as she approached Ashariel. Maker, she could dish it, but it was hard to take it. Ashariel shook her head with an embarrassed flush creeping across her face. "Shut up, come sit down," she laughed, waving her over and taking another bite of her food. Vena slung the lute back to her back. "Hmmm, I'd rather stand if you don't mind," she said as she approached Ashariel and wrapped her arms around her waist. "I prefer my feet on the ground," she teased, looking up at her. "You're so forward," Ashariel said, leaning into Vena's arms. She twisted so her back was to the sparkling canals below them. "I like it," She admitted, placing her hands gently on Vena's shoulders.

"Well, in that case," Vena chuckled, pulling them down from the railing and into her arms. "If I can continue to be forward, I think you're very beautiful,” she said with a wide smile, caressing Ashariel's cheek. Ashariel laughed and tilted her head into Vena's touch. Ashariel hummed softly at her words, "Mhm, you know, I think I like this," she said, looking down slightly to meet Vena's eyes. "I also think that you are adorable and you somehow still manage to be graceful and beautiful too," Ashariel placed a finger under her chin. "Not fair, you have to leave some talent for the rest of us," she added softly. Vena chuckled. "Well, I'm glad you like it. You deserve only the best," she said, bringing her other hand to rest on Ashariel's waist. "You don't need talent when you have this much beauty," she flirted with a wink as she looked up at her.

"Andraste's tits, you are really good at this," Ashariel giggled, wrapping her hands together behind the slightly shorter girl's neck. She bit her lip nervously. "You still gonna teach me to play the lute?" She asked with a soft smile. "Maybe you could even teach me some of those Dalish songs," she continued, her eyes searching Vena's for some flicker of rejection. "Well, of course I will. I promised I would. But, you'll have to pay me for it," Vena teased with a smirk. She leaned into Ashariel, pulling herself closer. Ashariel leaned in closer, too. "How will I ever repay you?" Her gaze dropped to Vena's lips for a moment before she spoke again with a playful hum. "You take coin?" Ashariel's gaze flickered back down to her lips, "Maybe gold?" She joked further, praying she wasn't pushing Vena away before they had even gotten to really know each other.

"Hmm, I was thinking more time? You, me, and a quiet evening somewhere so we can get to know each other more? Or maybe a kiss? Or two?" Vena teased, her eyes darting from Ashariel's eyes down to her lips and back up again. "Hm," Ashariel hummed in mock thought, "I think I can make that work." Ashariel sighed teasingly and pretended to be in deeper thought, "If I move some things around, I could free up some time." She smiled, then looked down at Vena. "I'd like that a lot." She bit her bottom lip gently, distracted by the thought of kissing the girl in front of her.

"Wonderful. I can't wait. In fact, consider this a sneak peek," she whispered as she leaned in and gently kissed Ashariel. Ashariel leaned into the kiss, her hands wandering from behind Vena's neck to cup her cheeks gently. She pulled back slightly with a smile. "If this is a sneak peek, I can't wait for the real thing," she said softly. "You and me both, gorgeous," she flirted before she kissed Ashariel again, "Thanks.”

[wickedadaar]

Beck as a Tarot Card

[wickedadaar]

Jin as a Tarot Card

[wickedadaar]

Fireflower: The Music Room

Featuring Ashariel from @fret-not

Co-written with fret-not. Pulled directly from Vena and Ashariel’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,800

Vena wonders in, scanning the room, when her eyes land on a lute, and her eyes lit up. She hadn't played since leaving Arlathan. The lute she normally used was a loaner from another Veil Jumper, so she had to leave it behind. She approached and picked up the lute, strumming a simple chord. Following the sound of a lute, Ashariel had wandered towards the Music Room and stuck her head in to see Vena. "You're really good at that," she said after a moment of listening; she finally stepped all the way into the space.

Vena’s ears perk up when she hears another voice. Once her eyes fell on the other elf, she chuckled. "Thanks, I used to play for the Veil Jumpers all of the time. My ma taught me when I was younger. Taught me all of these old Dalish songs, too." She continued to play almost effortlessly, clearly she had been playing for as long as she said. Ashariel hadn't made note of the vallaslin on Vena's face before her comment about Dalish music; she had no connection to the Dalish, she had to assume her parents had been Dalish, but there was no way to tell. "Could you," her voice trailed off, slightly embarrassed, "Could you play one of them for me? One of the old Dalish ones? I've never heard them," she admitted.

Vena lit up at the request. These songs were her favorites to play. It had been too long since she visited her parents, and playing these songs was how she felt close to them. She positioned her hands carefully on the lute and began to play Mir Da'len Somniar as she sang along. The words and notes flowed freely from her, long rehearsed and memorized years ago. Vena's voice was beautiful; it almost made Ashariel wish that she knew how to play an instrument so she could accompany her. She made playing look effortless, like a dance that needed no partner. For a moment, there was nothing but the room they were in and the words floating through the air, embracing Ashariel in the music. When it ended, Ashariel felt breathless. "Who taught you how to play?" She asked in awe, suddenly realizing that she may want to introduce herself to the, honestly gorgeous, elf in front of her. "Sorry, I'm Ashariel. I shouldn't have invaded your practice space, but I couldn't help it when I heard you playing earlier."

"My ma taught me. Her ma before her, so on and so forth. Music has always been in my family." She set the instrument gently back onto its stand and approached the other elf, hand extended. "I'm Venalin Nuvenis, but everyone calls me Vena. It's nice to meet you. And this isn't really my practice space. I was just wandering around and found it. It reminds me I need to get my own lute again. I don't think everyone else would appreciate me bogarting this one." She laughed at her own joke. Ashariel took Vena's hand, shaking it firmly as she briefly sized Vena up now that she was standing. Ashariel had been right; she was pretty. "Maybe we can go on an adventure to find you one," she said with a smile. "What else have you found around here?" She asked, pulling her hand back from Vena's and tucking it behind her back. "I used to paint back home, but I don't think I've wandered quite enough to find a studio if this place has one," Ashariel admitted, eyeing the lute that Vena had put down. Would it be crazy to ask her?

Vena chuckled, "That sounds right up my alley, actually. I'd love to. As for a painting studio, I haven't seen one, but you could always ask the Caretaker to make one. They're usually pretty accommodating." She suggested with a wry smile, watching Ashariel with her big, green eyes. Ashariel perked up slightly at Vena's willingness to hunt for a lute with her. "Who's the Caretaker?" Ashariel asked with an apologetic smile, "I just got here, I figured this would be a bit better than Minrathous right now."

"Oh!! They're the spirit that takes care of this place. Caretaker? You there?" Vena asked the otherwise empty room, and the Caretaker materialized not long after. "If you need any changes to your room or anything like that, they can help with it." "Oh," Ashariel took a step back when the Caretaker manifested; she took a moment to thank them before saying that she had just been curious about them. The Caretaker vanished, leaving the two of them alone in the room again; "I shouldn't ask for the studio, there's enough shit going on that I probably won't have time anyway," She said, subconsciously adjusting one of the pieces of armor on her wrist. "What brought you here in the first place? The room or the Lighthouse, I'm not picky," Ashariel added, wanting to hear Vena's voice again.

"Well, I was on a supply run in Minrathous when the dragon attacked. After that, I knew I wanted to join up, and my boss was more than happy to get rid of me. I may have a habit of accidentally exploding ancient elvhen artefacts," Vena admitted sheepishly with a nervous smile. Ashariel grinned, "You've made a habit out of it?" She let out a laugh and sat down on one of the chairs set up in the room, hoping that it would encourage Vena to do something similar (maybe even play the lute again). "What do you do for hobbies if you're regularly blowing up artifacts?"

"Not intentionally," Vena clarified with a hint of sarcasm as she took a seat next to where the lute rested. "I'm a Veil Jumper. Our speciality is ancient elvhen magic and artefacts." Her tone shifts to be more sarcastic. "Apparently, if you blow one of two, it's fine, but 13 is where they draw the line." She dramatically rolled her eyes for comedic effect. Vena's dramatics pulled more laughter from Ashariel; "That's so arbitrary! Why not 12 or 14?" She asked, leaning back in the chair and pulling her feet up to sit beneath her as she adjusted her posture. "I'm sure it's something kind of easy to do, right? It's super easy to blow up the artefacts?" She prodded with fake intensity.

She shared in Ashariel's laughter. "What about you? What brought you to the Lighthouse?" She studied the other elf for a moment, trying to figure out which faction she might belong to, but couldn't come up with a sufficient answer for herself. Ashariel’s smile faded slightly; "Ah, I'm a Shadow Dragon. Seeing the city I love and grew up in, torn to shreds, wasn't exactly on my bucket list." She straightened up slightly, "But they don't really need me there, they've got plenty of help, and I'm going to go back when I can. Hey, maybe we've bumped into each other before then if you were in Minrathous for supplies," she said, trying to shift the subject away from the heavy cloud of Minrathous' destruction that loomed over them.

"Maybe? I usually went into the city for herbs and medical supplies, which we don't really have access to in Arlathan, especially the herbs. We go through a lot of burn cream, myself included," Vena said with a chuckle, gesturing to her tattooed on eyebrows. "Oh no!" Ashariel clasped a hand gently around her mouth as she recognized that her eyebrows were in fact tattooed on; "Is that from the exploded artefacts?" She couldn't hide the slight smile behind her hand; it was sympathetic but still had a sense of humor if she could help it. "Yep, artefact number... 7 I believe? It was somewhere in that neighborhood. Same reason I keep my hair short, less flammable that way." Voice was deadpan with a hint of humor underlying her words

Ashariel let out a laugh at Vena's deadpan elaborations. "Well, it looks great, and it suits you," she said with a smile. "What about your other tattoos? Not just your eyebrows, I hope?" Vena laughed heartily at the question. "No, I've got several other tattoos. Most centered in Dalish traditions or mythology. What about you?" "Oh, absolutely," Ashariel nodded and tugged up her left sleeve to show the twisting snake tattoo that covered her upper arm; "I got this a while after I joined the Shadow Dragons," she said with pride. "I have more, but this one is the biggest." She looked at Vena's vallaslin, "Can I ask? Who are your vallaslin for?" Vena was slightly surprised by the question. Not often had someone asked her that. "It's for Mythal, a symbol of her protection." She absently traced the marks on her cheek, deep in thought. "Not so sure about her protection these days, but I guess that's just how things are these days."

Ashariel tilted her head slightly at Vena's words, "I think they're beautiful." She touched her own face with a light smile, "I never got any, my adoptive parents didn't exactly encourage it." She came to the sudden realization that maybe it would be rude to ask about someone's vallaslin, "Sorry if that was rude, I didn't think about it before I asked." "Not at all!! Honestly, I'd rather people ask than just make assumptions. Too many humans have treated me poorly because of those ill-informed biases." She gave her a soft smile. "You don't need a vallaslin. You're already gorgeous," she flirted awkwardly.

A warmth spread across her cheeks at Vena's comment. "Thank you," she said after a moment with an embarrassed smile. "I think yours enhances your beauty," she flirted back, equally as awkward. How was she supposed to be smooth and suave in front of her? Vena was beautiful, she meant it, and she was also talented, which was even more intimidating. "Uhm," She cleared her throat awkwardly, "Would you ever be willing to teach me? To play the lute, I mean."

Vena was surprised by the question. "I'd be happy to try! I've never actually taught someone, so there would be a bit of a learning curve for both of us, but if you're willing to bear with me, I'd be happy to teach you what I know." She smiled brightly at her, her hand twitching nervously, strumming invisible strings. Ashariel nodded, "Shake on it?" Ashariel held out her hand and raised an eyebrow playfully, "Whenever we have the time, we can meet here or in one of our rooms." She shrugged slightly, "After we find you your own lute, of course." Vena reached out and shook Ashariel's hand, "It's a date. As for the lute, I hear there's an excellent market in Treviso we could try. See if they have any instruments for sale there."

[wickedadaar]

I Draw Your Rooks Volume 2

Jin (Jinora) Connor - @wickedadaar

[wickedadaar]

The Wives: The Warden Talk

Featuring Elysia from @bubblecat-co

Co-written with bubblecat-co. Pulled directly from Jin and Elysia’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 2,167

Jin knocks gently before entering, "Elysia? Are you here, love?" "Ah yes! Hello dearest!" She said, carefully placing a new bone on her bone shelf, adding it to the collection. Elysia slightly turned it so that it would be just perfect. Once it was in a place she liked, she walked over to Jin and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek in greeting. "Your presence always seems to brighten my room." Jin gives Elysia her signature half smile as she reaches up to caress her cheek. "And yours always brightens my day. Adding a new one to the collection?" She gestures to the shelf of bones.

Elysia turns to look over at the collection, one that was once simple and has now grown quite rapidly. "Yes, I can never have too many." She said, "The newest one is a deepstalker's jawbone!" Her hand instinctively gently grabbed Jin's. Jin arched a brow in curiosity. "A deepstalker? Impressive. I'll have to bring you some of the weird ones I find out in the field. I'll have Lin make sure they're properly cleaned first, though.” Elysia smiled brightly, turning back to her love, her wife. "You are always too kind." She said, "I can not wait to see this collection grow more, it's very exciting!"

Jin caressed Elysia's cheek with the back of her hand when she turned back to her. "It's easy to be kind to someone as amazing as you, darling. I'd do my best to give you the moon itself if you asked." She looked at her lovingly. Elysia felt her cheeks warm at the comment as a giggle escaped her. "You say such sweet words, dearest. I have never felt as lucky to have someone as I do with you." "I know what you mean. You're the best thing to happen to me in a long time, my dear. I had given up on finding love again, but you proved me wrong. I have been grateful for that every day since."

"Love always shows up in unexpected places at unexpected times. It's the beauty of it,” Elysia whispered with a smile on her face, always feeling calm with Jin around. Jin chuckled, taking Elysia's hand and placing a gentle kiss on her palm. "That it does. Even when the world is ending, love endures." "How did I ever get someone so sweet but also so incredibly badass in every way?" She said with a slight giggle. Jin chuckled, taking Elysia's hand and resting it on her shoulder as she wrapped an arm around her waist. "Same way that I got someone who is so amazing, kind, and beautiful. The Maker smiled on us that day we met, my love, and I am so very grateful."

Another giggle escaped Elysia, something that never seemed to stop happening when Jin was around, especially when she spoke so sweetly. "The Maker sure did, blessed us with each other. So that we may not have to walk our path alone but with someone he made for the other." "Exactly," Jin said with a smile as she gently gripped Elysia's chin between her thumb and finger. "I'll never get tired of that giggle. It's one of the sweetest sounds I've ever heard."

"There are many sounds from you that you find sweet." She purred, leaning into Jin's touch. Jin chuckled darkly, kissing Elysia gently as she tightened her arm around her. "Oh yes, there truly are. For example," she dropped her face to Elysia's neck and placed a line of kisses across her skin. Elysia felt a shiver go down her spine from the touch of Jin's lips, a small squeal escaping her in surprise. Jin chuckled, licking a line up Elysia's neck to her ear before whispering, "I wonder what other noise I can get you to make, my sweet."

"Why don't you find out?" Elysia whispered, a smile on her lips as she planted a soft kiss on Jin's neck. "I'd love to," Jin whispered in her ear, picking her up in one swift motion, carrying her over to the bed. She set her down gently and climbed on top of her. She kissed a line down her neck once more, lightly nipping at the skin on her collar. The smile never left Elysia’s face, a slight blush dusting her cheeks. Jin was a beautiful woman, and she was hers.

Jin lifted her head to look at Elysia. "Maker, you are so beautiful, even more so when your cheeks are flushed like that." She leaned down and kissed Elysia tenderly, showing her how precious she was to Jin. Elysia’s arms wrapped around Jin's neck. "You know how to make a girl blush,” she said before returning the kiss, smiling into it as she did. Jin ran her hand through Elysia's hair. She rested her forehead against Elysia's. "That's easy to do when the girl is as lovely as you are."

"Well, this girl feels extra special with someone as breathtaking as you." "Well, then allow me to make you feel even more special, darling." Jin kissed her hungrily, her hands trailing down Elysia's body, tracing every line and curve until they were both lost in ecstasy.

*****

Elysia lies in her bed, her arms wrapped around Jin tightly. It was perfect. This was her life, and it will be more perfect once they take care of the Evanuris. Jin looked at Elysia, a sad smile on her face. She remembered the discussion she had with Lin a few days before. She had encouraged him to talk to Zalan; now it was her turn to talk to Elysia, and she was dreading it.

Elysia looked at Jin, her own expression faltering once she noticed Jin. "Is something wrong, dearest?" She asked. Jin sighs deeply as she reaches up to caress Elysia's cheek. "As much as I hate to sadden the mood, there's something we need to talk about, my love." She sat up on the bed, a serious expression on her face now, before she looked down at her hands and away from Elysia. "How much do you know about Grey Wardens?"

Elysia sat up, pulling her legs a little closer to herself. "You fight Darkspawn, I'm aware Wardens typically die young.... where is this going?" "We carry the blight within us, Elysia. That's why we die young. If we're lucky, we get thirty years. Not many of us are ever that lucky. Some die to darkspawn, some fall for false callings like there was at Adamant Fortress years ago." She inhales deeply, steeling herself for her next words. "I'm doomed to die young in some terrible fashion one way or another. When the Calling comes for us, most choose to go into the Deep Roads, but women... she shudders, it's the worst possible option for female Wardens."

Elysia’s eyebrows knitted together as she tilted her head for a moment. She looked at Jin, watching closely at her face and her expression. Death wasn't new for her, far from it, but losing Jin to an unknown fate one whete she may not have a possibility of Mourning properly or having a body to bury to eventually lay next to her for eternity after. "Why?" She simply asked, looking up, she didn't know what she was asking or who, if she was asking fate or the blight or the maker.

"Trust me, it's better if you don't know. Most female Wardens chose to take their own lives over the alternative. I didn't know that happened until a few years ago when I started reading up on Amaranthine. Elysia... I'm going to break your heart," she looked up at her with tears in her eyes. "You deserve so much better than the life I can give you." Elysia reached her hand out and gently cupped Jin's cheek. "Any life with you will be the best life to me," she said, a sad smile on her face. "I will choose any life if I had you with me, even if... if our time was destined to be short. I do not care because I had you."

She reached up and held Elysia's face with both hands, staring deeply into her eyes as tears rolled down Jin's cheeks. "I will never deserve you. If I am destined for a short life, I will take every day you will give me, my love." "That is all I ask of you, Jin," Elysia said gently, tears forming in her own eyes as she watched Jin cry. "It's all I've ever asked." Jin tried her best to wipe away Elysia's tears. "Shh, my love. I'm with you until my last day, whenever that may be." She kissed her gently, almost desperately, a reminder that Elysia was here, that Jin was here, and they had each other.

"Don't be stupid," Elysia muttered, a small, sad chuckle escaping her. "Don't do something stupid to speed up the process, or Maker help me." Jin chuckled. "Or you'll resurrect me just to yell at me?" "Yes, I may try,” Elysia said with a small, sad smile. "Maybe I'll even hit you, possibly embarrass you in front of all the other wardens." "You wound me, my love. My pride," Jin said with a small smile. "I promise you, I will do everything I can to come back to you every day."

"I will hold you to that, I will hold you so highly to that." She placed her forehead against Jin's. She rubbed her nose against Elysia's lightly, treasuring this moment. Elysia always had the ability to make Jin forget about the horrors of the world, even for a little while. "Just stay with me and let the future be unknown and not thought of while we are together." She closed her eyes, enjoying the closeness with Jin, enjoying her having the warden there with her. "As you wish, my lady," she said with a smirk as she cupped Elysia's face with her hands, kissing her tenderly.

Elysia let herself enjoy the kiss and the way her heart lifted from it. No one will take this away; she would fight for this even if she were a healer. Jin pulled away slightly, just enough to look into Elysia's eyes as she traced one of her thumbs across her lips. "Maker, you're beautiful. I don't know what I did right to meet you." "Probably nothing,” Elysia said with a smirk. "I believe we would have met anyway. Though I am a hopeless romantic, as they say." "A hopeless romantic would end up with one of the cynical bastards in Thedas," Jin chuckled. "I guess that's part of why we work so well together."

"That and you are quite attractive," Elysia said with a laugh, "I believe I may put up with anything just to see you in action." Jin chuckled at Elysia's words. "As are you, my lady. Back home, you would have fetched at least a dozen goats," she teased with a laugh. "That's a Fereldan fortune, so you know." "My my, maybe I should've moved there when I was young instead of staying in Nevarra," Elysia joked with a smirk on her face. "Hmm, I doubt you have enjoyed it. It's quite brown. You would love the mabaris, though."

"Mabaris do have their charm, just like another Ferelden I know." Jin fakes a gasp. "Who has charmed my Elysia in such a way? I'll surely have to deal with them." "Oh, you'll surely struggle. She is quite dashing and strong." Elysia’s smile only widened as her fingers trailed down Jin’s arm. "People fear her, or so I hear." "Oh, is that so? She must be quite the sight to have enchanted you to such a degree. You have such refined tastes, after all,” Jin mumbled against Elysia's skin as she kissed her cheek and across her jaw

"You surely would know," Elysia said, giggling slightly. "She is truly a sight, one of the most mesmerizing ones I have ever seen." "Mmm, I don't know. Not much can be more captivating than you," Jin chuckled as she kissed down the side of Elysia's neck. "You sweet talker,” Elysia whispered, grabbed Jin, and practically pushed her back down on the bed, moving on top of her. "You surely know how to woo a girl." She gently and passionately kissed Jin. "Well, I would hope so. Can't let all that noble training growing up go to waste when I have such a lovely target for all of my charms," Jin chuckled, pulling Elysia down to her, returning her kiss, as Jin's arms wrapped across her back and waist.

One hand gently began to get tangled in Jin's hair, the same hair that matched Elysia's color. "Noble training is good for some things," she whispered with a smirk. "It's good for quite a few things. Would you like me to demonstrate?" Jin whispered against Elysia's lips, a half smirk on her own. "You know I would,” Elysia whispered back as she kissed her again.

[wickedadaar]

Jin Photo Album 2.0

1.0 here