#pikapeppa reflects | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

retrowhatever · 2 years

Text

All the Horizon Fanfic Stats You Never Knew You Needed

So I did some data analysis. More graphs and lots of rambling below the cut.

I love graphs. And spreadsheets. And making my hobbies unnecessarily complicated. So obviously once I discovered that there's an unofficial ao3 api, I had to learn a new programming language so I could throw some math at my Horizon hyperfixation and make some graphs about fanfics. This post is the result of that rabbit hole, I hope you enjoy it!

Before we get started, I want to make one thing explicitly clear: this post is a celebration. It's a celebration of fanfic, authors, and the fandom in general. If you have something mean to say about a ship, a writer, or a fic, this ain't the place. I made these graphs and wrote this post as a love letter to a game I'm obsessed with and the incredible people who make the fan content that is my main form of sustenance these days lol, so let's keep the discussion positive.

One last thing: I generated these graphs from data that I pulled on Aug 4, 2022. Anything published after that won't be reflected here. Alright, here we go! Let's see some graphs!

Fanfic by Length

The first thing I wondered is what the average length of fic was. I did not include any fics below 100 words, assuming they were either art or placeholders, neither of which provide any useful information regarding number of words.

I defined the categories as follows:

Ficlet - less than 2000 words

Short Story - 2K-10K words

Novella - 10K-50K words

Novel - 50K-100K works

Behemoth (pun fully intended) - 100K+ words

Obviously, there's some blurriness at the category edges, but it's pretty clear most fics tend to be relatively short. I'm genuinely surprised by how many huge, sprawling works there are though - I definitely expected there to be a single-digit number of behemoth fics. Mad props to the folks writing those monstrosities for the rest of us to enjoy!

Fanfic by # of Chapters

This graph kind of underscores the point about most fics being relatively short. There are almost twice as many single chapter fics than all other fics put together.

A thing I think is relatively unique to fanfic as a medium though, is that a fair number of those single chapter fics are novella or even novel length. You're not often going to find a book at a bookstore that's tens of thousands of words and has no chapter divisions, but that's not unusual in fanfic.

Fanfic by Author

Okay, the first thing you need to understand about this graph is the following numbers:

2.6

Those are the median and mean fics published per author in the Horizon fandom, respectively. In case you slept through your stats class, what that means is most fanfic writers have written one or two Horizon fanfics. Now go back and look at the graph.

...yeah. We as fanfic lovers owe a lot to these folks. Most of them are on tumblr, so even if you don't have an ao3 account (same, babe, same) you have no excuse not to go show them some love!

Serie11 is @valaloy

SoupAndChaos is @soupandchaos

mythicait is @mythicaitt

DragonRose35 I couldn't find a tumblr for

Kittleskittle is @kittleskittle

VidalsQueen is @sun-and-shadow-aloy

NorthernGhost is @thatsgonnabeanogho

sunspot (unavoidedcrisis) is @sunspott

januarys I couldn't find a tumblr for

foibles_fables is @foibles-fables

unstable_grad I couldn't find a tumblr for

Pikapeppa is @pikapeppa

YoGrossDude is @yogrossdude

bioluminesce is @owlswatch

wandereringray is @wandereringray

escafiils is @chloefraazers

Fanfic by Rating

Okay, now things are getting spicy! First of all, if I'd had to guess the most popular rating, it probably wouldn't have been Teen. But, given how popular the "fluff" tag is (foreshadowing for the tag graph later in this post), I guess it shouldn't be that surprising.

Secondly, I'm clearly not the only one who struggles to understand what exactly the Mature rating is for, considering it's the least-used rating by a fair margin.

Fanfic by Ship

The most popular ships, colour-coded based on orientation. From left to right: mlm, straight, wlw, poly, machines(?????), unknown

I want to reiterate here that I made this post to celebrate the awesome Horizon fandom, so if you're thinking of using this graph to argue that one ship is better/more correct than another... just don't, k? Good.

I also combined similar tags, so if someone used all three of the tags "Aloy/Erend", "Aloy/Erend (Horizon: Zero Dawn)", and "Aloy (Horizon: Zero Dawn)/Erend (Horizon: Zero Dawn)" for the same fic, that's actually going to count as three fics in the Aloy/Erend column. I'll probably end up redoing this graph eventually with a less naive counting algorithm, but for now this is what we've got.

Now that we've got methodology out of the way, let's talk about some cool things this graph shows!

First, Kotaloy shippers obviously have a lot of things to say. Unlike the other five most popular ships, Aloy/Kotallo is the only one involving a character that wasn't in the first game. And it's the second most popular ship! Y'all are rabid and I love it.

Second, of the wlw ships, the second and third most popular ships involve a character from the DLC and a character who dies immediately after you meet her, respectively. You guys are out here making meals from crumbs and I am impressed. Also, though, why don't Petra and Vanasha get more love??? I'm unsurprised that Talanah and her favourite Thrush are the #1 ship, but I (a clueless straight, to be fair) loved both Petra and Vanasha and definitely expected to see more fic involving them.

Third, I love the variety here. This graph only includes ships with at least 10 fics, and there are so many different ships represented! There were tons more that had 5-10 fics too, and it honestly made me so happy to see that there were multiple fic options for almost any pairing in the game.

Fanfic by Tag

Y'all. Look at all the fluff. People always joke about making their blorbos go through it in their fanfic, but like. There is SO MUCH FLUFF. We all really just looked at these characters and went "well, they deserve nice things for a change", huh? I also love how popular canon divergence is - anecdotally, I usually see that tag on fics that are like "well, what if that shitty thing didn't happen?"

That's not to say it's all sunshine and rainbows. The next two most popular tropes are "angst" and "hurt/comfort", and as an enthusiastic consumer of both, I'm not surprised. But again, anecdotally I see a fair number of fics tagged with one or both of those and a "fluff" tag.

Going back to the ratings graph, where we learned that the most popular fic rating is Teen & Up, it shouldn't be surprising that both "First Kiss" and "First Time" are more popular tags than any of the more explicit sex ones. Also, given that Aloy grew up an outcast, I think the popularity of those tags speaks to how fun it is for both writers and readers to delve into what that means for her when it comes to sex and relationships.

Finally, the most-used content warning tags will surprise exactly no one, I think. Canon-typical violence (because duh), PTSD (growing up a literal outcast before finding out you're a clone made by an AI so you can save the entire world from extinction will do that to ya, not to mention all the shit Aloy's friends/lovers have been through in their own lives), and canonical character death (glares at GEMINI) are all pretty obvious choices.

Conclusion

Because I have zero impulse control, I'm already working on a part two for this post, where I will address such pressing questions as "Which ship has the most verbose authors?" and "Who's the gayest Horizon character?" as well as recklessly use the powers vested in me by the math and algorithm gods to find some hidden gem fics that you might not have read yet.

In the meantime, I would love to hear some more opinions on these graphs! I've commented on some of the things I found interesting, but there's lots more to address here, so feel free to reblog this post or snag any graph you find interesting to use in a post of your own. I only ask that you tag me if you do - because I want to read what you have to say!!

Also, if there's any stats or questions about Horizon fanfic that you're particularly curious about, let me know. I'm limited by the information available on ao3, but I will do my best to find you answers and include them in the next post.

Lastly, one final reminder that we're here to celebrate the awesomeness of Horizon fanfic, the fanfic authors, and the fandom in general. I will humbly accept all constructive criticism about my (somewhat questionable) statistical methods and data interpretation, but ask that you keep comments about ships, tags, authors, etc positive and productive. Remember these are real people creating free content for the rest of us, and don't yuck someone else's yum.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you found this half as interesting as I did!

400 notes · View notes

charlatron · 2 years

Text

Thank you so much for the tag @noire-pandora ❤️

A smutty snippet from the next chapter of As Luck Would Have It

Olivia smirked discreetly to herself when she heard the distinct creak of leather boots. How long had he been there without her knowing? Probably snuck in with the staff who brought her bath water, she surmised.

She sank lower into the tub, sighing provocatively as the hot water soothed her aching muscles.

Only when the water grew tepid did she finally vacate the tub, stepping elegantly out of the water and making a show of patting herself dry.

She walked over to the vanity, staring at her reflection as she ran a brush through her damp locks. Her pulse quickened when the dip in the bed over her shoulder disappeared, and she stared at a spot in the mirror where she thought he might be.

Her breath left her in a rush when she felt his hands on her hips, gripping tightly as he moulded their bodies together. She could feel him hard against the small of her back and his warm breath on her neck.

Impulsive, she elbowed him in the ribs and tried to escape but he gripped her arm and pulled her hair, exposing her neck to his lips and teeth.

When she attempted a further escape he snaked an arm beneath her elbows to restrain her and chest heaved with excitement as she heard him unbuckle his belt.

Enjoying the struggle, she stomped on his toe with her heel and broke free, though immediately found herself hauled over his shoulder and thrown onto the bed.

She rolled onto her front and tried to crawl away but a hand wrapped around her ankle and dragged her to the edge of the bed before strong arms flipped her onto her back and a heavyweight pinned her down.

A breathless laugh escaped her as she halfheartedly struggled beneath him, and when she heard him drawth breath to speak she quickly pressed a finger to his lips and slowly shook her head.

Cullen crushed his lips to hers as soon as she lowered her hand, eliciting a soft surprised moan which morphed into one far more carnal when he slowly hilted himself with a fluid roll of his pelvis.

He groaned against her neck as she writhed beneath him, and she decided right there that it was one of the most erotic sounds she’d ever heard.

Tagging @kemvee @jacklyn-flynn @kittimau @ashalle-art @hobo-apostate @fiannans @pookydraws @kourvo @schoute @scharoux @pikapeppa @kittynomsdeplume @knuttydraws @starsandskies @raflesia65 @jentrevellan @perhapsrampancy @zuendwinkel @lavellanvibes @jellysharkbat @briarfox13 @a-shakespearean-in-paris @alyssalenko and anyone else looking for an excuse to share something they're proud of ❤️

#wip wednesday #cullen rutherford #olivia trevelyan #cullevelyan #consensual noncon #just a smidge #enchanted ring of invisibility #lemons

52 notes · View notes

crackinglamb · 2 years

Text

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @a11sha11fade, thank you lovely. 😘

Man, it's been a while. Let's tag @lilbittymonster, @ir0n-angel, @demarogue, @pikapeppa, @autodiscothings, @bogunicorn, @rosebud1773 and @wabart. No pressure!

Writing has been slow and remarkably unsteady of late, but I do have new words to share. I'm still working on OR&R, and recently finished a chapter that finally sets Lark and Co. on their merry way to the Western Approach. Things have gotten Complicated(tm) between her and Solas. Have a peek.

---

The sky seemed larger out in the desert. Cold and infinite and uncaring of the petty squabbles of mortals. It was a merciless torment during the sunlit hours of endless dunes and scrub grass and the fading memory of even crickets. Once the sun set, the temperature dropped like a stone off a high cliff. The stars glittered with the kind of keenness that could make one bleed and no fire in the world was enough to drive them back.

Lark left her lonely tent – a mark of both her position and the fact that she was the only woman in the group – and looked into the darkness of the night sky, wondering once again what it was like for the first dwarva to see it. What had they thought of stars? Were they a comfort, since the array of constellations was so similar to a cave ceiling flecked with quartz and lyrium? Or were they just another mystery, another sign that the surface was an alien world from the one below. She lit her pipe and tried not to think about it any further.

Her eyes adjusted rapidly to the dark and she saw Solas sitting out on the dunes, his head tipped back as he too stargazed. Drawing the blanket of her bedroll around her shoulders, she set off to join him.

“Hello,” he said softly when she was within earshot.

She settled next to him in the sand and offered her pipe. He took it in his long fingers, so pale in the starlight as to have no color at all. The glow of the ember in the bowl lit his face for a moment, but it was too quick for her to know what he was thinking from his expression.

“Couldn't sleep?”

“The Fade is tumultuous here. My wanderings have been...unproductive.”

“I'm sorry.”

“It is not your doing, falon.”

“Still...”

He handed her back her pipe and didn't look at her, instead staring at the sky. “They have changed.”

“The stars?”

He nodded. “Once I knew all their names, and could guide myself by their positions. Now I am lost beneath them.”

“They are different for me too. Markham is so much further north. From here we can't even see Satina. It's strange.”

He finally looked away from the stars to her face. For a long time neither spoke. “New paths are hard to forge,” he said at last. “For all of us.”

“Indeed.” The pipe was spent and she tucked it away after emptying it of the last bits and ashes. “But that's not always a terrible thing.”

“No, perhaps not.”

“You should get some sleep, Pride.”

“As should you.”

Neither made a move to get up, and in fact, he lifted his arm so that she might lean closer to him and share his warmth. Seated together on the uneven and shifting sands, they were not so disparate in height. It did not take much for him to lean over and place a kiss against her temple, nor much for her to tip back her head at the feel of it to look into his eyes. They reflected the starlight like mirrors, and his lips curved in a small smile. The next move they made towards each other left their breath mingled before it was swallowed entirely between them.

She didn't know how long they sat there, exchanging the simple kiss. One turned to two, turned to many. They grew heated but never pressuring. Their lips were red and bitten before they drew away. And dawn was creeping upon them before they went back to their tents to get what little rest they could.

#tagged #wip wednesday #lark cadash #solas #of ruins and restoration

7 notes · View notes

perlen-gold · 7 months

Text

What element writer are you?

Thank you so much for tagging me @bluewren 😍🥰 I haven't played anything in a long time!

I must say, I wouldn't have expected a result so ... precise. I'd wonder if any of my readers (of which there are only a very, very few in this world) would agree.

But it feels right. To me, at the very least. (Well, except for the part "you're the person everyone has a crush on" 😆)

Smoke writer

'And he took the cigarette from his lips, placing it between his own. He took just one drag, long and slow, and then, he breathed it out in the other's face.' You smile in front of your enemies, and puff in their faces the smoke. You like to see them cry, like to see them suffer. You write pain in the most elegant way, making it a candy that slowly melts on the reader's tongue. You may have limits, but you push yourself always past them. Love the challenge your comfort zone can’t give you. You are the mysterious person everyone has a crush on, the one that smiles in front of the storm and kneels in front of weak ones. And your writing reflects it. It charms everyone and, even if the exit door is there, your reader will never take it. You're the one who can take a trope, one so used that it's a clique, and create something completely new. Your work is breathtaking, emotions described so well they feel real, and characterization that makes your stories pop out between all the others.

This was fun, so I'm tagging @cleverblackcat @midnottart @aodhfin-o-conaill @aidanthecryptid @daggerbean @lunehowls @roguelioness @noire-pandora @rakshadow @raflesia65 @barbex @glowing-blue-feathermage @x-letsbreaksomerules-x @pikapeppa ...and anyone else who would like to play 💜

#`tag game #writing #writers

1 note · View note

pikapeppa · 5 years

Text

10 Happy Things 😊

Tagged by @bite-the-stars @obvidalous and @dafan7711 @essequamvideri20!

Rules: list 10 things that make you happy! Simple! 😊

Comments on fics!

Fan art of fics! I’M LOOKING AT YOU @schoute and @essequamvideri20, you guys make my life so briiiiight!

Cuddling on the couch with the fiance watching TV or playing games

Meeko (my cat) curling up on my lap or inside my sweater or under my legs when I’m doing yoga. I LOVE HER.

A hot cup of tea

The sleepy smell of pillows

Fridays at 4:30pm. THIS MEANS IT’S TIME TO GO HOME AND IT’S THE WEEKEND and OFTEN THAT IT’S TIME FOR ART/FIC TRADES WITH @schoute.

Bright sunny days

Leaves. I really miss them. They’re SO FUCKING LATE to come out this year, ugh. Worst spring ever.

Ordering delivery for dinner HAHAH. I’m so lazy.

Tagging forward to @moonlight-rebel @mariantarielle @chillyrose @oops-gingermoment @emileoutofit @lylypuceonarchive @middle-of-a-wonshua-sandwich @the-rogue-mockingjay @ediejay and anyone else who might like to play!

#tag meme #personal #pikapeppa reflects

18 notes · View notes

johaerys-writes · 2 years

Text

First Line Meme

I was tagged for this by @musetta3! Thank you 💖 I absolutely love memes like this!

Rules: List the first lines of the last ten (10) stories you published. Look to see any patterns you notice yourself, and see if anyone else notices any. Then tag some friends.

So let's see what we have:

1. A World With You (DA, Dorian Pavus/Trevelyan): Tristan always hated the cold.

2. High-Flying Birds (TSOA, Achilles/Patroclus): Achilles, the sun casting its last rays around his head like a halo, resplendent and aureate.

3. Where Blood Roses Bloom (CV, Trephacard, Hector/Lenore): Blood. There is blood everywhere: on his hands, on the sheets, on the floor, on the gilded bedposts.

4. Blood Roses in the Snow (CV, Hector/Lenore): "Move, worm."

5. Fall Into Your Tide (TSOA, Achilles/Patroclus): The water cast shimmering reflections on the smooth surface of the statue.

6. Kiss Me Hard Before You Go (CV, Trephacard): The place is a mess.

7. Violet, Yarrow, Foxglove (TSOA, Achilles/Patroclus): The bright midday sun was hot when it fell upon my brow.

8. The Ways You Said 'I Love You' (TSOA, Achilles/Patroclus): The music from the lyres and cymbals drifted through the camp, mingling with the crackling of flames from the many bonfires that had been lit.

9. Words Are Futile Devices (DA, Dorian Pavus/Trevelyan): A full, silver moon hung over the Frostback’s snowy peaks. Skyhold, for once, was quiet.

10. The Spaces In Between (TSOA, Achilles/Patroclus): When Achilles lifted his arms, they looked like wings.

I don't know if I can detect any patterns, but there is an embarrassing number of fics of mine that start with descriptions. I don't know if they're as fetching as dialogue or media res openings, but it's where my mind goes most of the time. I feel like most of these first lines reflect the vibes of each work, so I'm pretty happy about that. More than anything though, I love the openings of my Patrochilles works where Patroclus is unashamedly thirsting over Achilles. Now THAT is a pattern 😂

Tagging forth to @in-arlathan, @elveny, @noire-pandora @pinkfadespirit @pikapeppa @midnightprelude @aymayzing @inquisitoracorn @glimmerofgold and anyone else who would like to share their work! As always, no pressure <3

#first line meme #dragon age #dorian pavus #pavelyan #the song of achilles #patrochilles #castlevania #trephacard #lenector

71 notes · View notes

stormhaven13 · 3 years

Text

Alright. We have arrived. I am beginning the Survivor. Let’s talk about why Ikrie is my favorite character in the game other than Aloy. And to do that we're actually going to do a little story time of the first time I played Horizon. This is going to get long, so bear with me. I finally figured out how to do a read more, so the rest of this is under the cut.

So, when I first played her quests, I didn't fall in love with Ikrie. I liked her quite a bit, but it was just kind of casual, oh this character seems pretty cool. But I then went on and played more of the main quest of the Frozen Wilds, and Ikrie went into the back of my head. She'll come back, don't worry.

After I wrapped up playing this game, I do what I often do after a really good game or story, and I took some time to reflect on exactly why I loved this game so much. I've talked quite a bit about how much I adore this game's plot and world building, but I still think the number one reason for me is Aloy. I just love her character, I love her arc, I love the relationships she builds over the game, I love her design, pretty much everything about her is amazing to me. I also realized something super interesting, for me. I headcanoned Aloy as ace.

Now, I know this isn't that uncommon a thing, but I myself am ace, but I actually almost never think of characters as ace. I don't really know why, I just never have, which is especially strange, as being ace is the part of my identity I've understood the longest. Aloy is the first character in a very long time that I thought of as ace, just on my own. This intrigued me, and I went looking for fanwork, just to see what other people's takes on Aloy were, to see if there was more about this character that would resonate for me. And that's where I found the thing. The thing that opened my mind to how incredible Ikrie is.

I'll link it at the end of this, but I found a fanfic called Put Your Spear Beside Mine, and the characterization just blew me away. It looks at how alone Aloy feels, with no one to share all of the crazy things she learns over this game, and the dynamic between Aloy and Ikrie is just incredible. It explores how they are both basically outsiders with their clans, that they do not really believe in the laws and beliefs of their tribes. You may notice that this mold fits almost all of my favorite characters in Horizon, and yeah, I'm aware, but Ikrie ticks a lot of the same boxes as Aloy does for me.

While Aloy is not portrayed as ace in this fic, it opened up a whole new thing that I had loved about her, but hadn't been able to really vocalize, and now Ikrie was now balled up in all that. She has so many similarities to Aloy, with just a few key differences that just. Really hit home for me. She has a very close friend that just cannot understand her, and ends up leaving her. Rather than being alone from the beginning, she had a place where she was supposed to belong, but never quite did, but tried so hard to do it anyway. I know I say Aloy is autistic a lot, but those things just hit me very hard in a way that Aloy's permanent isolation never quite can.

And do I ship Aloy/Ikrie? I mean, yeah, I do, but that's honestly secondary to everything else, shipping Aloy with anyone was never my main concern honestly. I just love both their characters, I love how they are so close in characterization except for these key things that really do change them quite drastically.

Aloy will always be my favorite here, she's the protagonist, we see so much more of her, my headcanons for her are just so close to my heart, I probably dyed my hair red because of her she's just great okay? But Ikrie is caught up in all of that too, partially due to the ideas in that fanfic, but mostly because of the character that's already there.

Here's the fic in question, I highly recommend giving it a read, it just shows so much of what I love of these characters. And yes, this is why I think the Frozen Wilds should take place post game, this is the entire reason. Only warning to give with this is there is some smut in a few different parts, so if that's not your thing you should be aware of that. But this fic just showcases so much of what I love about these two characters, and you should absolutely give it a read. Also, @pikapeppa, who is the author, you're incredible and thank you for writing this.

But yeah, this has been why Ikrie is so important to me! I'm sure I'll say more as I play through the quest, but if you got this far, thanks for sticking with me!

#storm replays hzd #horizon zero dawn #ikrie #aloy #pikapeppa #sorry for the ping #just wanted to thank you as I'm fairly certain this my favorite fic of all time #just because of how much it got me to realize about aloy and ikrie #who I just love to death #hzd spoilers #I actually went up to my computer to type this and everything #it's basically an essay I wanted to do it right :p

23 notes · View notes

sinsbymanka · 3 years

Text

Fic Writer Meme

I got tagged by the always amazing @kunstpause! <3

Name

Fandoms

Most popular multichapter

Actual worst part of writing

How you choose your titles

Do you outline

Ideas I probably won’t get around to, but wouldn’t it be nice?

Callouts @ Me

Best writing traits

Spicy Tangential Opinion

Name: Jordie is what everyone calls me and my username on Tumblr and AO3 is Lostinfantasies38, so I’m easy to track down

Fandoms: Over the years there have been many fandoms I’ve held dear, but my recent work is in Dragon Age and Dear Evan Hansen. I have temporarily left DA for some fresh air in DEH and have been doing very well there.

Most Popular Oneshot: I actually have a tie for this one and surprisingly, they are from separate fandoms.

Permanent Ink from DA: Origins, featuring Alistair and my male Warden OC Zane Cousland is quite spicy and tender. If you like pining bi-Alistair and schmexy love interests, this one is for you.

For You I Could Be was my very first DEH fic and it’s taken the fandom by storm, which still shocks the pants off me. It’s a deviation from canon and focuses on Evan and Connor realizing they have feelings for each other. Read the tags though since triggering content is mentioned.

Most Popular Multichapter: I’m sure you’re all tired of hearing about Sun Touched and Find Me Well Within Your Grace, but they are tied yet again. Sun Touched is my Dwarven Warden novelization of DA: Origins with Sirra Brosca and Alistair. Find Me Well is a head-canon fueled prequel of DA featuring young Cullistair at the abbey.

I won’t bore you all with the details, but I am very proud of both fics. I hope to come back and finish them once I’m the right head-space to devote the time to them that they deserve.

Actual Worst Part of Writing: The plot and staying on target. I tend to get side tracked by character development at times and that can derail an entire story if I’m not careful. I’m also incredibly careful to not lose a character’s voice while trying to flesh out a whole new side of them in my work. It’s a delicate balance. I want to do them justice, so while playing with them in AUs is fun, I still want them to sound like “them” and not caricatures.

How You Choose Your Titles: Through blood, sweat, and typically numerous tears and hair pulling sessions. I like my titles to reflect the story, but not sound too fucking cheesy, and sometimes that feels like an impossible task. I try to avoid using song lyrics personally, but I have done it once or twice in a pinch, I won’t lie.

Do you outline: FUCK NO. I have tried and I can’t stick to them. I’m also the type that once I write it out, even in an outline, I lose interest in that particular piece. I need the scenes to be fresh and literally banging on the door of my brain so they flow properly. Everything is fixed/cleaned up in editing, but if the emotion is missing in the initial draft it takes a monumental effort later to keep it from ringing hollow. Sometimes the drafts can’t be saved, period, after outlining and I’ve scraped entire stories/chapters because of it.

Ideas I probably won’t get around to, but wouldn’t it be nice: I have an entire folder of shelved DA stories in the wings that I’m not sure will ever see the light of day now. I’m hesitant to say “never,” but truthfully the more time passes the more likely that word becomes.

They include: (1) a modern carta/cop AU ft. Sirra/Alistair, (2) part 2 and 3 planned continuations of Find Me Well following Alistair and Cullen through DAI, (3) Varric/Charise Trevelyan DAI story full of intrigue and the House of Repose, (4) world weary veteran Grey Warden Alistair/Rylie Trevelyan DAI, chock full of dashing heroics and a swooning damsel in distress, (5) Cullen/Eryka Cadash DAI with lots of tension/angst due to the Carta & Commander angle causing friction [interpret that how you will, lol!] (6) a modern color soulmate AU with a unique twist ft. Cullen/Alistair (7) a Siren!AU ft. Sirra/Alistair and a cutthroat island of traitorous bitches (8) and finishing my incomplete DA stories. As a bonus, (9) there is a football AU for DEH that I started during NaNo, but it may end up in the scrap pile, too. I’m still picking at it, but meh, we’ll see.

Callouts at Me: Guilt.

Honestly, I know we do this for free and we have no obligation to write/complete these stories, but we all do it because we love it. Yet with each incomplete story, coupled with my rather abrupt departure from the DA fandom, my guilt has grown exponentially.

However, I can’t allow it to hold me back and continue to eat away at my soul. It keeps me from being productive and having a hope and a prayer of finishing what I started. If this means that I play in a new fandom for a while, then so be it. I wish I had more familiar faces to follow me there, but I understand it’s not for everyone and I would never make demands. Though, that doesn’t mean I don’t miss my usual readers and the comments I looked forward to, but I have relocated and I have to accept that. Just know that I still love you all and miss the fuck out of you.

Best Writing Traits: Emotionally evocative prose and creating realistically flawed characters are what I’m best at. My characters are not perfect, because who the fuck can relate to perfection? Who would want to? They are flawed, broken, dealing with a shit ton of trauma as best as they can, and generally bumbling through life. Yes, they may have a LI, but they are not “cured” by love. They are supported by an equally flawed person as they continue to stumble through life, though with fewer face plants than before because they have someone to (hopefully) catch them whenever they aren’t overwhelmed with their own crises. And making all the pain and growth as lyrical as possible is my favorite part.

Sometimes I nail dialogue, too, but more often than not that’s simply luck after hours of talking to myself and laughing/crying so hard I had to include it in a fic.

Throwing this out into the world! Tag list below (authors only this time, sorry my lovely artist friends) but feel no obligation to do so! Also sorry if you already got tagged!

@kittimau @jennserr @jellysharkbat @fandomn00blr @bigfan-fanfic @blarfkey@darlingrutherford @herald-divine-hell @cassandra-pentughasst @c-e-c-r-o-p-i-a @river-of-asgard @giraffesanddietpepsi @pikapeppa @simper-fi

#fic tag meme #dragon age #dear evan hansen #long post #cullistair #sirrastair #treebros #evan x connor #alistair x brosca #zanistair #alistair x cousland #alistair x inquisitor #varric x charise #culladash #deh

28 notes · View notes

pikapeppa · 5 years

Text

11 Questions Meme

I was tagged for this AGES ago by @lyrium-lovesong - thanks love! ❤️

Rules: answer the questions of the person who tagged you, come up with 11 new ones, and tag 11 new people.

I’m gonna be lazy and reuse @lyrium-lovesong‘s questions because I quite like them. Tagging back to @lyrium-lovesong, and forward to @schoute @essequamvideri20 @chillyrose @mistressdreadwolf @emileoutofit @littlesnowarrow @faerieavalon @aban-asaara @charlatron @alyssalenko @obvidalous and I think that’s more than 11 LOL

1. What did you want to be when you were a kid? Did that pan out?

I wanted to be an artist! Specifically a comic artist. Garfield, Calvin & Hobbes, Zits and For Better Or For Worse were my favourites. I used to draw little comics of stuff I wanted to happen (vacations I was looking forward to, boys I had crushes on LOL). I did that until I was in high school, actually. And no, that didn’t pan out. Now the only people whose eyes are assaulted by my shitty sketches are @schoute and @essequamvideri20 HAHAHAH.

2. What’s one regular self-care ritual you do for yourself that you treasure?

Errr... I guess yoga. I have an app on my phone and I try to do little routines (15-30 minutes) 5 days a week, because I’m an old lady with lower back pain and horrendous posture. The stretches actually really help.

3. If you could have one wish to grant purely for altruistic purposes (without worrying about any of those shitty “be careful what you wish for” gotcha scenarios that genies love to spring on you), what would you choose?

AHHH THIS IS A COLE QUESTION. Like “if you were Cole, what one thing would you do”. FUUUCK. Um. Okay, there’s a quote early in Inquisition when you’re talking to Cole and he describes what he does as finding the “pearl of pain” that people get knotted inside, and that he "shakes it loose. No pearl, no pain.” I feel like most people have that pearl that sits inside of them and catches other tangles of pain with it, and if I could, I wish I could find that pearl for some of my closest friends/family members and shake it loose so they could heal.

4. Favorite pizza topping combo?

Pesto chicken and goat cheese. Yum.

5. You have $500 to spend on yourself, but there’s a catch–it has to be on something totally frivolous. What do you buy?

A leather jacket. I’ve got a faux-leather one that I love but it’s falling apart (literally crumbling apart) and I’m very heartbroken about it.

6. What was the make and model of your first car, if you drive? How old were you when you got it?

n/a - I drive, but I’ve never owned a car.

7. You’re buying (or building!) your dream house, and money is no object. Describe your new home.

Oh shit oh shit. HAHA I feel like the fiance has clearer ideas about this than I do so my ideas are heavily influenced by his. Modern style; ideally a large condo rather than a house, actually. Big kitchen with an island in the center so people can sit with me while I cook, or so I can write in there while something is in the oven. Airy, bright, black and white and chrome furniture (for the fiance) with colourful and cozy blankets and cushions for me.

8. What’s your favorite smell?

The smell of our bed? It smells like scented body lotion and nice clean sleepy bodies. IS THAT TMI???

Otherwise, lilacs.

9. Describe your earliest memory.

This is by no means the earliest, but one of my MOST MEMORABLE early childhood memories was being present in the hospital room when my younger sister was being born. I was 6. My mom was screaming. I don’t know why the fuck my parents wanted me and my older brother to be there HAHAHAHAHAH. I’m by no means traumatized or anything but DO I EVER REMEMBER THAT.

10. You just found out you have a year left to live. What’s on your bucket list?

Finishing my Fenquisition fic. Writing at least as much of Where The Winds Of Fortune Take Me that Piperford and FenRynne get together. Eloping in Iceland with my fiance.

11. Share a photo you have saved on your computer or phone that you love. What is it about this image that brings you joy?

Okay, this is a sappy one. It’s this super-quick Fenris/Rynne Hawke sketch that @schoute drew for me at the beginning of February this year.

At the time she sent me this sketch, I was in Florida in the ICU with my grandmother who had just had a stroke a couple weeks before and was actively dying of complications from the stroke. I spent two nights in the ICU with my grandmother because none of us wanted her to be alone, and I spent a lot of that time writing the last chapter of Tantrum and a Know-It-All Grin on my phone and blabbing to Scouty about anything that was NOT my grandmother because DISTRACTIONS ARE BAE lol. And then out of the blue she sent me this FenRynne sketch and she was just like “HERE TO CHEER YOU UP” and BOY HOWDY DID I ALMOST LOSE MY SHIT. This was the first FenRynne art anyone made for me and it was the best thing to cheer me the fuck up and also give me all the feels. Basically this sketch is both ADORABLE as hell and also basically the definition of friendship? Soooo there you go, have some feelings!

ANYWAYYYYYY LOOKING FORWARD TO EVERYONE ELSE’S ANSWERS HEY ❤️

#personal #tag meme #tumblr game #pikapeppa reflects #ask me anything

20 notes · View notes

johaerys-writes · 3 years

Text

WIP Wednesday

Aaaah I can’t believe it’s Wednesday already!! I want to thank my beloved friendos for reminding me, as being stuck in quarantine for the past few weeks means that I’ve started losing track of time. BLEH. But!! I’m here with art and writing offerings (le gasp) so thank you @serial-chillr, @in-arlathan, @zuendwinkel and @pinkfadespirit for tagging me today, and @pikapeppa for earlier this week! or was it last week someone send halp ;w;

The following excerpt is from the next chapter of my ongoing DAI longfic A World With You, where things are looking quite grim for the boys, but you wouldn’t know it from this scene, lol. So without further ado and with no context whatsoever:

“It worked then?” Dorian stared at Trevelyan, not quite able to bring himself to believe the words. “We escaped the demon?”

In the waxing moon’s silver glow, he looked like a creature wrought in starlight, his pale skin almost translucent. A strand of silken hair drifted before his eyes, and he slowly pushed it behind his ear as a small, enigmatic smile widened his lips. “We did.”

“We escaped. Fasta vass, we-” Dorian held him close as he let his relief flood him. “For a moment there, I didn’t think we’d make it,” he admitted quietly.

“Dorian Pavus, giving up hope? That’s so unlike you.” Trevelyan huffed a soft laugh, returning the embrace tightly. “We’re safe at last.”

Dorian took in a deep breath, letting the quiet of the moment sink in. “Can we wake up now?” he asked softly, though he suddenly wished they could stay there, just a little while longer.

“In a moment.” He took a step back and turned to gaze at the lake in the distance. There were tall willow trees growing at its banks, the low hanging branches stirring every time the wind blew. Its still, calm waters were dark and glassy, a myriad of stars reflecting on its surface. “It’s beautiful, the way it catches the light, isn’t it?”

Dorian could only stare at it, entranced. There was an odd calmness to the sight, a beauty, that drew him in and captivated him. “It is," he whispered.

What’s going on here?? Who knows! Certainly not I, but they’re not in trouble at all, no sir

AND I’ve also been working on a little portrait! It’s still very much a WIP but guess who it is, come on, take a guess:

I bet no one can guess who it is because no, I’m not at all predictable

Tagging back those that tagged me for next week or whenever you feel like it! And forward to (with no pressure at all!): @solas-disapproves, @tevivinter, @tessa1972, @midnightprelude, @jeannedarcprice (HAPPY BELATED BDAY BTW!!), @elveny, @dafan7711, @noire-pandora, @schoute, @schattengerissen, @dalish-rogue, @kittimau, @kemvee, @lavellanvibes and anyone else who’d like to share! I ALWAYS love seeing your WIPs 💜

#dorian pavus #dorian pavus x trevelyan #dorian pavus x inquisitor #pavelyan #dorian pavus/trevelyan #dorian pavus/inquisitor #dorian x tristan trevelyan #a world with you #johaerys writes #johaerys draws

43 notes · View notes

lethendralis-paints · 4 years

Text

“Love Yourself” Challenge

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5 favourite works you created in the past year (fics, art, edits, etc. ) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

I was tagged for this by @pikapeppa and @pebster (thank you, my dear friends!)

1. My first ever Fenris fan art.

This was my first upload here (from February 2019) and also the piece that signified my return to consistent drawing after a long hiatus. I made it in a darker moment of my life, when I was very sad and lost (I am more sad, but not so lost now, if that makes any sense. At least I understand why I was so depressed for the last few years). Thanks to finally finding my muse I started drawing every day and slowly transformed my stress-relief hobby into my main occupation, without which I wouldn’t be alive now.

2. Pirate AU Fenris (from @pikapeppa and @schoute ‘s masterpiece, Where The Winds Of Fortune Take Me, a DA meet PotC fanfiction)

It’s right about here, where I finally started to figure out proper painting techniques, colour theory and so on. I’m still very proud of how this came out looking!

3. Alistair as the Mandalorian, a DA/Mandalorian crossover (commission).

I slaved over the details here for hours! It’s a very solid piece and a step away from my usual fantasy theme!

4. Siren boy (commission)

Usually you should leave experimenting for you personal works, but somehow a lot of the times I felt like doing a step forward in terms of skill was with interesting ideas ppl gave me in commissioned works. I loved painting this underwater scene!

5. Fenris portrait in Rembrandt paintings style

Have to say I completely zoned out while painting this. Picked a colour palette that’s new to me, skipped lineart and sat down for 6-8 hours (with a break to have dinner) until it was finished. I’m really proud of the result and feel like I leveled up in the process. Also, ahem, I’m having a bit of a Pygmalion moment with this painting *cough*

All in all, drawing every day for more than a year made me take my art education seriously, address my technical weak points, helped me find some inner peace and gave a much needed boost to my almost non-existent self-esteem.

Tagging forward to @kourvo @schoute @serpentsshipmate @elbenherzart @nug-juggler @greyhands and anyone else wishing to play! I would love to see your favourite works and heap praise on you too!

#my art #tumblr meme #love yourself challenge #fan art #original characters #fenris #lots of fenris

157 notes · View notes

modernagesomniari · 4 years

Text

“When I Waked, I Cried to Dream Again”

Solavellan, 2149 words

R (sexual imagery, brief use of strong language)

An unexpected guest at an Evanuris salon catches the Dread Wolf off-guard.

Title from William Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’, Caliban.

@pikapeppa you did say you were intrigued *hides*

**************************

Solas wondered how many people here wanted him dead.

Probably fewer than he’d like - the upper echelons of society still thought him a joke, an idle amusement that was fun as long as it was happening to someone else. It was an old annoyance and he brushed it aside - when he returned Tarasyl’an and saw the hope and determination reflected in the faces of those who now lived there, he knew that what he did mattered. What these flitting butterflies thought of him did not.

That said, the fact that the black and gold of his clothes marked him more of a scandal than a threat here? Well, he would be lying to himself if he said it didn’t satisfy him. A wry smile to one lady, a low-lidded sideways glance to a young ward and he could admit the warmth of their appreciative gazes on his back made him preen, just a little.

He took a crystalline goblet from the tray of one of the slaves around him, made sure to smile and voice his thanks. As was frequent at such places, the woman pretended to take no notice. It wasn’t worth her hide to show any kind of interest in him.

He took up his place leaning back against the cold stone of the wall, the moonlight pooling on the marble at his feet from outside the window beside him. Beautiful and pure, he always found it melancholy to see it struggling to find its way into this glittering hall, where jewels sparkled with no light to set them, stars twinkled in the festooned darkness of the ceiling and everywhere was the glow of the wisps, bobbing gently around the perimeter. What possible chance did the mundane moonlight have against such a throng? Why could his people not see its beauty as it was meant?

The sweet wine burst ice cold against his tongue and he let his eyelids flutter closed at the pleasure of the sensation. It wasn’t often he allowed himself these luxuries any more, not if those he served couldn’t have them as well.

As he drank, a starlight owl swooped low to clip the top of his thick hair as it passed. He did not flinch from it, but conceded to glare at it as it glided around the top of the room, passing others in various colours and constellations. Falon’Din had not yet deigned to show himself into this particular room and Solas was not about to weep over it. The man was a boorish, unsubtle, cruel master to his slaves and he didn’t treat anyone else much better. That he sent his owls out to boast of his power and bully any guest he disapproved of said much about his pettiness. Solas could not abide pettiness.

“Well, look who decided to grace this hall with his presence?”

He inclined his head slightly at the arrival of his visitor, not feeling the need to speak particularly. He couldn’t quite bring to mind the man’s name. He knew he was a scholar of some kind, a powerful one, but couldn’t place his face. In this light he could barely tell the colour of his eyes. Strange, because from the distaste pooling like a bad smell in his mouth clearly he didn’t like him very much. “Too proud to speak to me, eh Wolf? Such a fucking self-righteous prick you are.”

Well, rare enough that anyone would be so open with him, rarer still that they’d shed their shallow mask this quickly.

“Ever eloquent, good sir. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“You could just tell me to fuck off in plain words, Mongrel. Your tone says as much.”

Cruel hands tugged at the twisted hair hanging to Solas’ waist and he jerked his head away, letting his lip curl. Fade but he hated a bully and this man was flouting protocol in a way that set warning bells off in every fingertip of Solas’ hands. Why was no one pointing and whispering yet? They generally enjoyed that. However, regardless the strange apathy of the crowd, Solas was not about to make a spectacle of himself.

“I find it curious that you’ve sought me out, I’ll admit.”

The man laughed, harsh and drunk in his ear, letting his weight fall over Solas’ shoulders, hand catching at the back of his neck.

“Because I know you’ll let me put hands all over you and call it strength that you don’t strike me for it. Save we both know it’s cowardice. I’d spread your teeth over the damn marble.”

This, Solas knew, was highly unlikely given his own recent development of his talents. It was only the fact that he himself knew this and whoever this jumped-up Lord was didn’t that kept him from proving it. He clenched his jaw instead and knocked back the rest of the wine, setting the glass delicately down on the windowsill as he heard a low whistle and appreciative cuss from beside him.

Idly wondering what manner of attraction his acquaintance had just spotted Solas turned, nimbly stepping away from the man at the same time now he was apparently distracted.

But oh, what he had been distracted by.

She was small and wearing a black, figure-hugging gown that pooled at her feet like water. The fashion this season was for whites, but her bare shoulders glowed in the Fade-light above the deep, heavy material like the sun out of a sky heavy with storm. Bright green eyes the colour of spring leaves after rain were large in her face and looking directly at him.

He looked back. Let the moment hang, content to wait for her next move and trying to pretend his heart wasn’t hammering in his chest. The man was speaking to him, he was vaguely aware of that, but given that it sounded like he was listening through water he couldn’t bring himself to care. As he watched, the curve of her mouth twitched upwards and she began to glide towards him, utterly silent as the hem of her gown let only the tiniest glimpses of her bare feet peek from under it as she walked.

When she was in front of him, all he could smell was grass and sunshine. He couldn’t even bring himself to sneer at how silly that sounded.

“Well, I’m glad he’s gone.”

Her voice was deeper than he thought it would be and she was suddenly closer, a small strong hand slipping into his own like it belonged there, that twitch of a smile on her face again. “Come, dance with me.”

So he did.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

She was glorious, this Ellana. Lithe and strong under his hands as they danced, she made his belly curl in culture-learned scandal as she pressed her body up against his in front of the whole hall, threw her head back and laughed as he spun her, her hair glittering in the lights so it mesmerised him despite himself. When they were certain they had shocked the entire gathered assembly he took her hand again, glasses of cold sweet wine in the hands that weren’t tight together. He led her outside the open windows to where the light grew colder and more solemn, watched in helpless wonder as her voice trailed off, face open and smiling as she took in the beauty of the moon. Just as he had.

He watched that moonlight play off the contours of her cheeks, her nose, her lips. Led her to the balustrade around the balcony and sat beside her, letting their fingers fall idle and tangled between them. They spoke of the party and the people there, although he forgot completely to ask where she was from or who she had come with. Then they were speaking of magical theory, of spirits and wisps and their mutual frustration with narrow-minded academia. She was fearsome in her knowledge, her ideas embryonic but unfettered by the usual restraints of scholastic tradition. He adored her. Immediately and without reservation. This should frighten him, terrify him. Solas and romance had not been friends for a very, very long time. And yet it didn’t scare him, couldn’t in the face of her presence.

He looked up to see her smiling at him gently, a hint of mischief in the corner of her mouth as she raised her glass, once again full, to chink against his own. The sound seemed to echo, merging into her smooth giggle.

“You are staring into space, my Wolf. I think perhaps you are a little drunk.”

He let himself smile back, unreserved and bafflingly happy.

“Perhaps, but it is you who has sweet wine upon your lips.”

He raised his hand to her mouth, the droplet of wine at the corner still shockingly cold against his skin. She was looking at him differently now, quiet and waiting. Not like some prey, helpless and passive, but as a wolf of her own, content to hold on to herself until he unleashed her. And, Fade help him, but he had suddenly never wanted anything so badly in his life.

When he kissed her, the taste of the sweet wine mingled with the taste of her mouth. He wanted so much and so quickly. In his mind they were alone in his bed in Tarasyl’an, taking hours and days over giving and taking pleasure from each other until they were laughing and spent. Or they were here, grasping at each other, ripping and pushing fabric aside to take each other on the marble in front of the faceless throng. He took her to the woods and laid her down on the moss, tender and worshipful, or let her push his bare back into the rough bark of the trees to take him like she’d owned him his whole life. His mouth was on her lips, her breasts, the skin on the inside of her wrists, her cunt, the arch of her foot and he was drowning in her. Surely, he must be drowning. Some low, dull ache of alarm was echoing uselessly in his stomach at how little he cared about this sudden obsession - somehow it all made sense.

When she laughed against his lips it went straight to his cock by way of his heart. He was lost, somehow. Utterly lost.

“Solas.”

When had he told her his name? Had he told her his name? He didn’t want to think, so he kissed her again.

“Solas.”

He grew desperate now, the sounds of the palace and his people deafening in his ears like they’d take her from him. His fingers gripped at her waist, was he hurting her? He must be hurting her!

“Solas!”

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

His eyes flew open from being clenched shut and, for a moment, he was profoundly confused. Her face was in front of him but she wasn’t laughing. And it wasn’t night, he could see sunlight dappling through the trees of the forest they’d camped in.

His stomach dropped and he knew he’d made a sound by the distress he saw flashing across her face before he buried his own in his hands. Fool. What an utter fool he was. He could still feel the wine on his tongue, only of course now it had the ashen, shadowy taste of a mouth kept closed through sleep. He felt cool fingers touching his own and gripped his forehead to stop her from taking his hands away from his face. He could not look at her now, not now. He couldn’t hide the grief from his expression. Fool, to forget how convincing dreams could be.

He should have known this wasn’t going to stop her. The hands left his fingers only to slide down his arms and around his shoulders, her body pressed so close he could let his face fall into her chest. Her arms were small and strong, he could smell the leather of the belt around her robe, the slight tang of sweat from silk worn for a day too long, sweet freshness of her hair. The Fade was never good at mimicking smell, it was only ever like a shadow. He could hear the mumblings of their companions somewhere else, but in the dark, warm place within her arms and his own grief-stricken hands he couldn’t bring himself to care.

“It’s all right, Solas. Whatever it is, it’s all right.”

It wasn’t. It wasn’t. Her hand came to smooth along the back of his scalp, dragging one last breath of grief from him before he relaxed into her embrace, content that he could contain himself for just a little longer. It wasn’t all right, but just for now he selfishly, selfishly decided to pretend it was enough. She hummed low in a smile when he snuck his arms around her waist and he hated himself for it.

#dragon age #dragon age inquisition #solas #solavellan #solavellan hell #somni #mywriting #really quite nervous about this one folks #but I would love to hear what you think

50 notes · View notes

plumrabbit · 4 years

Text

OC Characterization

Tagged by @scharoux thank you and sorry I’m so slow! This was super fun! Tagging @briarfox13 @bearly-tolerable @ellstersmash @badwolf626 @midnightprelude @schoute @pikapeppa @mayahabee @dalish-rogue @dalish-gloves @celiacelie @lethendralis-paints @noire-pandora @thevikingwoman and anybody else that wants to do this. Tell me about your babies!

Eli Lavellan

DEFENSIVENESS

arms crossed on chest / crossing legs / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / karate chops / stiffening of shoulders / tense posture / curling of lip / baring of teeth

REFLECTIVE

hand-to-face gestures / head tilted / stroking chin / peering over glasses / taking glasses off; cleaning / putting earpiece of glasses in mouth / pipe smoker gestures / putting hand to bridge of nose / pursed lips / knitted brow

SUSPICION

arms crossed / sideways glance / touching or rubbing nose / rubbing eyes / hands resting on weapon / brows raising / lips pressing into a thin line / strict, unwavering eye contact / wrinkling of nose / narrowed eyes

CONFIDENCE

hands behind back / hands on lapels of coat / steepled hands / baring teeth in a grin / rolling shoulders / tipping head back but maintaining eye contact / chest puffed up / shoulders back / arms folded just above navel / wide eyes / standing akimbo

INSECURITY & ANXIETY

chewing pen or pencil / rubbing thumb over opposite thumb / biting fingernails / biting lips / hands in pockets / elbow bent / closed gestures / clearing throat / “whew” sound / picking or pinching flesh / fidgeting in chair / hand covering mouth whilst speaking / poor eye contact / tugging pants whilst seated / jingling money in pockets / tugging at ear / perspiring hands / playing with hair / swaying / playing with pointer; marker; cane / smacking lips / sighing / rocking on balls of feet / flexing or cracking fingers sporadically / pacing

ANGER & FRUSTRATION

short breaths / “tsk” sounds / tightly-clenched hands / fist-like gestures / pointing index finger / rubbing hand through hair / rubbing back of neck / snarling / revealing teeth / grimacing / sharp-eye glowers / notable tension in brow / shoulders back, head up; defensive posturing / clenching of jaw / grinding teeth / nostrils flaring / heavy exhales / swearing

#my oc #lavellan #oc characterization #dragon age inquisition #eli lavellan

56 notes · View notes

kittimau · 4 years

Text

From the scrap pile...

Tagged by @elveny @charlatron thanks babes 😘

Though I have been writing unrelated work most recently I do have a few DA scraps laying around. Some of y’all may recognize the scene but I rewrote it on a whim months ago with the intention of pure plotless rarepair porn. And then it just kinda died in my folder.

“Enter.”

Leliana stepped inside carrying a large bundle wrapped in parchment, followed into the room by a servant carrying another. Despite its bulk and weight, she maneuvered with graceful ease and set it down on the bed. The servant followed, placed his package beside hers, then bowed and took his leave.

“I come bearing gifts,” she said with a mischievous smile.

She’d been teasing him relentlessly all week, so the look made him wary. Brow arched, he stalked toward the bed. She unwrapped the parchment and unfolded the corners, revealing the full set of armor within. Beneath the armor lay two leather doublets and a new pair of boots. The second package contained three pairs of brown leather breeches, five simple cream-colored linen tunics, even new cotton smallclothes. Not what he’d expected.

“This is… an expensive gift, Leliana.”

“You are the Commander of our forces. You would do well to look the part, no?”

Cullen traced delicate lines across the armor with cautious fingertips, as though each polished, shining piece were made of glass. The helm was molded into the shape of a gaping lion’s maw, with a long, thick stripe of fur cascading from the crown.

“A lion’s helm? It seems rather… Orlesian.”

“With that golden mane of yours, I simply could not help myself.” She laughed. “I took liberties with the design. But the fur and leather are entirely Fereldan in style, no?”

She pushed him behind the thin divider in the corner and handed him everything but the helm. It took him longer than usual to adjust to the unfamiliar armor. He had the vambraces on, but struggled reaching behind himself to find the straps for the cuirass.

“Do you need help, Commander?”

“Um… yes. I can’t seem to get this last piece.”

He stepped out and walked to the room’s small mirror. She stood close behind him, her strong but gentle hands deftly fluttering across his back and chest to finish off the remaining clasps and buckles.

Cullen was not a particularly vain man, prone more to practicality than aesthetics aside from the careful taming of his curls (a painstaking process he often wished he could forgo entirely). Yet the armor suited his tall, broad figure and he couldn’t help but preen. Leliana was correct in her assessment. Without the helm, it looked very Fereldan. Unique in its juxtaposition of hard and soft, elegant and imposing.

He’d never worn armor so fine. Even Templar armor, which was crafted individually for each knight, ensuring its fitting, was never of this high quality. Not only did it fit perfectly, but also it was comfortable. Much lighter than what he’d become accustomed to, but still a suitable weight for his warrior class.

“It’s enchanted with fade-touched silverite. The Divine demands only the best for the leader of her army.”

“Yes. Well. I… thank you.”

“I must say, you look rather commanding in it. People will flock to our banner if only to see you. And to you, many eligible ladies, no doubt.”

His cheeks grew warm as he glared at her reflection behind him in the mirror. The look he found caught him off guard. Instead of the typically cheeky grin he expected, Leliana’s bottom lip was drawn between her teeth. Her eyes took on a hungry glint as she observed her handiwork. Pace quickening, Cullen’s gaze returned to his own reflection before she could realize she’d been observed.

“I am here to recruit, train, and lead an army. Not to court ladies.”

“Who said anything about courting?” She laughed. A musical, lilting thing rife with mischief and mirth. “You Fereldans are so prudish.”

Against his better judgement, he took the bait.

“I am no prude, woman.”

He whirled on her, faster than she expected judging by the expression on her face, and glowered down into her icy blue eyes. Mere inches apart, the scant air between them grew thick, crackling with tension. Smirking, his eyes raked slowly over her tense form. While the woman could masquerade with perfect, lithe grace as well as the most practiced nobles in the Orlesian court, she was all tightly corded muscle. Pure strength rippled beneath every supple curve, dressed not in armor today, but a lavender tunic and grey breeches.

As the initial shock waned, her pupils dilated and lids fell heavy. The change was subtle, guarded behind a thin veil of calm. Her skill as a bard made her a master of deception, but he knew that look. Cullen also knew Leliana had several well-hidden daggers hidden on her person. The beautiful, deadly Nightingale could kill him in an instant if she wanted, of that there was no doubt. But that was not what she wanted. That was not what he saw in her eyes right now.

“You didn’t come to my room just to deliver this armor, did you? I think you had another plan in mind.”

She licked her lips. “Perhaps.”

Prowling forward another step, he growled, “Tell me.” Giving her away again, her breath audibly hitched in her throat as a hint of pink bloomed beneath her freckles. “One word.”

“Yes.”

Passin’ on to @lostinfantasies38 @cartadwarfwithaheartofgold @schoute @pikapeppa @jacklyn-flynn @kemvee @johaeryslavellan @serial-chillr @queen-kass-the-writer @midnightprelude @eranehn @serial-chillr @kunstpause @faerieavalon @kita-lavellan

#scrap pile #tag game #my writing #rarepair #cullen x leliana #kittifics #cullen rutherford #leliana #dragon age inquisition #dragon age fanfiction

31 notes · View notes