#charter

[blueicequeen19]

Charter Ch. 8

Warnings: drama, angst, mentions of Luke’s abuse, oral, creampies, use of cuffs, breeding kink 😈

By the time she got to my house, I was antsy. My anxiety had spiked, there was that pain in my chest that nearly choked me. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was. How restless. I’d cleaned and organized things that didn’t need it, picked up Summer’s room, and started dinner. I’d wanted to wait until she got here so we could cook together but I was too anxious to wait. By the time her and Bo made it through the door, my shrimp and grits were nearly done.

“Smells amazing.” Y/N smiled at me. I couldn’t resist pulling her into my arms to kiss her. There was no fighting this. Not anymore.

“Took you long enough.” I murmured against her lips as Bo pawed at me for attention. She laughed, taking a step back to allow me to rub on her dog.

“I had to shower and feed him and walk him. I sometimes think having a dog is about like having a child.” Y/N teases as I straighten back up and Bo finds a spot on the couch.

“At least Bo doesn’t make you paint his nails.” I counter, making her laugh again as we move to the kitchen. I turn off the burner and make our plates. Y/N sits down with two beers and my dick twitches in my sweats as she eyes me hungrily. Her eyes light up as I approach the table but she looks away when I sit the plates down and take my seat.

“Problem?”

“Are you ever not hard?” Y/N rolls her eyes at me with a smirk and I chuckle. Part of me forgot I’d changed into sweatpants. Another part was glad I did if she kept looking at me like that.

“Around you, no.” Y/N fights a smile before we dig into our food. The silence is comforting. Like we’re both just happy to be in the same room as each other. These past three weeks had been hard. Harder than I’d ever imagined they would be. The distance was bearable when she still worked there but when she hung up her key, I felt something inside me break. I couldn’t just wait for her to come around again. Not this time.

“I took your advice. And Shoupes.” I cleared my throat and her bright eyes found mine, her brows raised.

“I filed a protective order against Chelsea. If she gets within five feet of her she’ll go to jail. I’m sure by now she’s been served.” I said, feeling the weight lift off my chest. She smiled at me, pride in her eyes as she nodded her head and kept eating. I still wanted to handle things my way but I’d start with the law.

“How’s Summer? Does she ever ask about her egg donor?” Y/N asked, leaning back in her chair once she finished and crossing her arms.

“Yes and no. I’ve told her as much as I think she can understand at five. She knows Chelsea is not safe and not okay to be around. She knows to get help if she’s approached.” Y/N nods.

“And what are we doing?”

“I figure we can give the dating thing a try.”

“Do you think the Charter will survive if you stop flirting with every female that walks in?” We both laugh.

“I hope so.” She smiles, content with my answers as we finish our beers. I lead her outside so Bo can do his business and I light a joint as we approach the waters edge. I take a few long hits and pass it to her. I feel the calm wash over me and I watch as the tension leaves her body after taking a few hits and handing it back.

“It’s peaceful out here.” Y/N murmurs, wrapping her arms around herself as the chill from the water hits us. I pull her against me, tucking her under my arm after I put the joint out.

“I love it out here.” I press my lips to her forehead and her arms wrap around my waist.

“What will I be to Summer?” She asks, a tremor in her voice like this was a hard question for her.

“Another positive role model in her life.” I respond, running my hand up and down her back.

“I don’t know if I’d call myself a role model. I didn’t have the best upbringing either. At least Summer has you.” She pulls back to look at me and I’m struck with the realization that I don’t know shit about her family except that her and her mother fight a lot.

“My father was an abusive piece of shit and my mom bailed. I think if I can give Summer more than I had then I’ll be happy.”

“My mom is a Kook and my dad is a Pogue. They’d met at a party and conceived me. My mom went down one path and my father went down another. I was the pawn they used to hurt each other. All they did was talk shit about each other and try to buy my love. By the time I was old enough to know better, I realized how awful they both were and now I don’t have much of a relationship with either. My mother doesn’t miss an opportunity to let me know she’s disappointed in me for not doing more with my life.” She releases a shuddering breath and I wrap my arms tighter, kissing her shoulder.

“I think we decide who we want to be when we’re older. I think you made the right choice. You didn’t let their actions define you.” I murmur, pulling back to rest my forehead against hers. She nods, sniffling.

“Neither did you.” She lifts up to kiss me and I groan, instantly deepening the kiss by slipping my tongue into her mouth to taste more. When she pulls back breathless and shivering, I crack a grin.

“That free therapy session will cost you a blowjob.” She swats my hands away with a laugh, turning back towards the house with an added sway to her hips.

“I don’t fuck on the first date, Maybank.” She taunts, shaking her ass at me and squealing with delight when I chase after her. I haul her up my body and press her back to the wall of the enclosed porch, kissing along her neck and throat.

“You do with me.” I growl, making her groan as I grind my cock against her clothed pussy. We make out just like we did behind the bar. Our tongues tasting one another and moaning into each others mouth. When she sucks my tongue into her mouth, I nearly blow my load right then.

“You have too many fucking clothes on.” I lower her to her feet to yank her shorts and panties down her legs then I kneel, throwing her leg over my shoulder before attaching my mouth to her clit.

“Oh fuck.” She moans, both hands in my hair as I stare up at her glorious tits and pierced nipples after she quickly removed her shirt and bra. She’s so wet that even as I slurp up her juices, more is still running down my chin. Her clit throbs against my tongue and I know she’s close already. She’s always fucking ready for me.

“JJ, please.” She cries, urging me to give her more as she grinds against my face. I take her clit between my teeth, making her eyes fly open on a gasp right before shoving two fingers inside her. I resume sucking her clit and her cries pierce my ears as she cums hard.

I don’t wait before jumping to my feet, wrapping my arms around her as she sways to kiss her again. Y/N tears at my own clothes until she frees my cock and pumps me in her hand.

“God, I missed this.” She pants, moving to drop to her knees but I stop her, shoving her over the back of the couch. I was already leaking precum all over her hand. If she got me in that sinful mouth this would be over before we’d even started.

“Nope. I need to be inside that pussy.” I thrust my dick through her slit, coating my cock in her slick arousal before nudging her soaked entrance. She sucks in a breath.

“Remember when I said if you’re good I’ll fuck you bare?” I spread her cheeks, watching my dick tease her slit.

“Yes.” She breathes, arching her ass out for me. I slap it, digging my fingers in to the flesh as I tease us both.

“I’m fucking you bare tonight and every night after this. I want you dripping with me.” The thought makes me absolutely feral, pumping her full until she makes me a daddy again. Making sure every fuckhead in this town knew she was mine.

“JJ.” The sound of her begging makes me shudder as I finally work the thick head inside her. My eyes nearly roll back into my skull as I push inside until I’m balls deep and she’s trembling. Heat washes over my body and sparks race up my spine. This was better than I could’ve ever imagined.

I tighten my hands on her hips before sliding half way out and slamming back in. She yelps, her feet barely reaching the floor as I shove her down further over the couch. I don’t waste anytime before I start fucking her with vigor, hard and fast. Her moans and pleas fill the air, her nails biting in to my arms as she reaches back, her pussy choking the life from me as I pummel into her. I’m on the verge of exploding when I suddenly stop and she growls in frustration.

“Don’t growl at me.” I slap her ass before yanking her upright and throwing her over my shoulder as I take us back inside. I wanted to take her on every surface of my house again but I wanted to take my time tonight. So for now, I’m finishing with her in my bed. I kick the bedroom door shut and faintly hear Bo grumble in protest before I toss her down on the bed.

“You better put that thing back inside me.” She snaps, shoving her hair from her face with defiant eyes looking up at me as I round the bed.

“Or what?” I counter, grabbing a pair of leather cuffs from my nightstand and kneeling back on the bed. She tries to flee but I quickly pin her beneath me and cuff her hands behind her back. She knows I love when she fights with me.

“I should punish you for quitting. For leaving me.” I growl in her ear. She wiggles beneath me and I can’t stop myself from kissing and biting down the side of her neck and down her spine, my tongue tracing her tattoo. I force her legs apart and kneel between them, running my hands up and down her body.

“JJ, please. Stop teasing me.” She begs, shaking her ass at me. I bring both hands down on both cheeks, making her hiss.

“But there’s nothing like sinking into pussy that’s been teased.” I slide my hand between her legs to stroke her clit. She tries to bring her legs together as she whimpers so I spank her again.

“Don’t make me tie your fucking legs open.” I shove her legs beneath her so she’s on her knees and spread wide for me. I move her ass into the air before dropping down onto my back between her legs to feast on her pussy.

“Jesus, JJ!” She tries to lift off my face, whining and whimpering when I don’t let her. I suck on her clit lazily until she’s trembling and cussing then I shove two fingers in deep and suck her swollen nub into my mouth. I wrap my free hand around my cock, stroking myself hard as she screams her release but I don’t stop.

“I can’t— please— JJ.” I thrust my tongue inside as she begs, making her squirm and try to move away. I slide my wet fingers up and probe her tight, puckered hole.

“JJ— wait— I.” I suck her clit into my mouth again and she moans, her legs shaking so hard she doesn’t even notice when I slide a finger inside her ass and slowly pump it. Her body grows taunt and a sob escapes her as reaches her peak again, wetness seeping out of her until she’s begging me to stop. I don’t give her a chance to come down before I move onto my knees and raise her ass in the air.

“Tell me you want me. That you want this.” I demand, pawing her ass with both hands. I loved having her like this. At my mercy. She couldn’t mouth off if she was too fucked to speak.

“I want this, J. You know I do.” She pants, unable to look back at me with her arms bound behind her back. I work my dick inside her and we both moan loud and long. I’ve been on the verge of cumming for awhile now so I don’t waste anymore time. She’s face down, her body surging forward with every hard thrust and her cries are muffled by the comforter. Sweat drips from my brow as I watch my cock disappear inside her wet heat, over and over again. Every time it comes back covered in her cream, I thrust harder. I’m right there but I’m not ready yet. I yank her up by the cuffs, molding her back against my front.

“One more. You can do it.” I growl, licking my fingers and bringing them to her swollen clit.

“I— can’t—!” She cries, her face twisting in anguish even as her body barrels towards release. Her climax triggers my own, her pussy sucking every drop of cum from me until we both finally collapse.

“What’s your favorite color?” She asks sleepily. We’d slept for a few hours only to wake up and go at it again. Now we’re both basking in afterglow as we start to fall back asleep.

“Green.” I murmur, stroking her hair while she rests her head on my shoulder, her naked body half on mine.

“Where’s your dad?” She asks, her voice growing more and more faint as sleep takes her.

“I don’t know.”

“Your mom?”

“Don’t know.” She hums in response, nuzzling in closer and holding me tighter. My throat tightens, making me wonder how I ever slept without her.

I see my phone light up from the nightstand again and I lazily reach for it, checking long enough to make sure it’s not any of the Pogues and sitting it back down. I don’t recognize the number so I ignore it.

Now that I’ve let her in completely a new type of possessiveness takes over. I thought it was bad when we weren’t exclusive and I saw her ex talking to her or putting his hands on her but now.. I might actually shoot someone.

I don’t have to worry about Summer because she has a heart of gold and loves everyone. She’s asked for Y/N and Bo everyday since the beach. Summer often makes me realize that my heart is on the outside of my body and that everything good about me.. is her.

It’s hard not to go to the dark place that wonders why my parents couldn’t get it together. Why they didn’t give a fuck enough to try. To just even fucking try. My dad only wanted anything to do with me when it benefited him. When he could use me to steal something or get out of a bind. But if I disagreed then I met his fists. Eventually he stopped providing and I had to steal to survive. It was a never ending cycle and everyone assumed I was just like him and no wonder my mother left.

Y/N snuggles closer, smelling every bit like me, sex, and her sweet shampoo. The thought of taking her again when she’s probably still dripping my cum is tempting.. but I resist. Tomorrow is Sunday so the Charter is closed and I plan to spend the day with my girls. And Bo. Like I could ever forget about the motherfucker.

I’m almost back to sleep when a sudden pounding on my front door has us both jerking upright. Like a goddamn swat team. I jump out of bed, yank on a pair of shorts and grab my gun.

“Who would be here this late?” Y/N hisses, yanking my shirt down over her head and pulling on my sweats.

“I don’t know. Stay here.” I demand, almost missing the glare she shoots my way. I make my way down the hallway and Y/N trails close behind me. I nearly stop dead in my tracks when I see the familiar flash of lights and someone standing on my door step. Something is wrong. My mind immediately starts to panic. Summer isn’t here.

My throat starts to close as I sit the gun down and open the door to reveal Sheriff Shoupe. I can’t think. I can’t breathe. Cops don’t show up at your doorstep in the middle of the night unless something is wrong and someone is dead. I reach for my phone but it’s not in my pocket. Y/N takes my hand but I barely feel it as my mouth becomes dry and I can’t form words.

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news and show up here in the middle of the night.” Shoupe starts, looking more stressed than usual.

“What’s wrong? What’s happened?” Y/N asks, her hand tightening in mine like she can feel my panic. Where’s Summer? Is she safe?

“There’s been an accident.” My knees buckle and I catch myself on the door frame. All I can think about is Summer. Is she okay? Were they in an accident? Is that way I kept getting calls from an unknown number? Is John B..

“Spit it out, Shoupe.” I snap, barely able to get a full breath in my lungs. I can’t breathe. Is this a panic attack? His face remains firm, not giving me lip over my usual attitude.

“There’s been a fire.”

“Oh god.” Y/N gasps, tightening her grip on me as the room starts to spin. Blood rushes to my ears and I can barely hear anything. Summer. My baby.

“Summer..” I choke on her name, my heart threatening to split open in my chest like a gaping wound.

“There were no bodies inside. No one was hurt that we know of. We tried getting ahold of you the last few hours but we know it’s late. Better to do this in person.” Shoupe clarifies, his eyes giving away his sympathy.

If there’s no fire here and there was no bodies then it had to be..

“I’m sorry, JJ, but the Charter burned down earlier this evening. No one caught it until it was too late.”

And just like that… my knees hit the floor.

#smutwarning #outer banks smut #jj maybank smut #jj maybank fic #obx2 #jj maybank imagine #rudy pankow #jj maybank fluff #jj maybank x you #jj obx #blueicequeen19 #outer banks x reader #wattpad #outer banks fanfiction #tw unprotected sex #jj maybank #charter

[malbecmusings]

Ugh. Warm salt water is calling my name.

#sailing #cat #charter #if it gets me in warm salt water #i'm in #let's GO #acwm

[mrs-trophy-wife]

#persona #yacht #boat #money #expensive #luxury #charter #yachts #boats #sailing #sail #ocean #water #view #views #wood #dock #stairs #rich

[howlpendraig]

Quick Harding, Varric and Charter icons from Dragon Age: The Missing #1

(feel free to change the colours, just like/reblog if using etc)

#Lace Harding #scout harding #Varric Tethras #Charter #daedit #comicedit #icons #save as png to maintain transparency #my edits

[applesauce-drawz]

A great way to introduce my two Yuu’s, you know I’m blasting through that event to get that shroud card 😔🤚

Here’s one of them, We live laugh love charter

And this is our loveable Game nerd Heike <3

#art #artists on tumblr #twisted wonderland #sketch #oc #rough sketch #heike #idia shroud #twst #twisted wonderland oc #sebek #epel #Jade #sebek zigvolt #epel felmier #jade leech #Heike vanguard #charter #charter yuu #yuu #wheelchair #event #twst harveston #grim #cat #snow #apples

[rherlotshadow]

Crab apple tree in blossom. Sign welcoming you to the borough of Marlborough 1204 AD.

(In 1204 King John granted a charter to Marlborough which permitted an annual eight-day fair, commencing on 14 August, the vigil of the Feast of the Assumption, in which "all might enjoy the liberties and quittances customary.")

#marlborough #charter #crab apple #wiltshire

[thatssolavellan]

Finished reading The Missing #1 and I kinda feel like I'm ending this in tears

#dragon age #dragon age comics #dragon age: the missing #solas x varric #varric tethras #scout lace harding #charter #dragon age: dreadwolf

[flamansz]

Please don't hurt her in the next games

#dragon age #art #fanart #dragon age inquisition #charter

[exhausted-archivist]

Haven Ambient Dialogue: Scout Pellane and Charter

This is a transcription of the ambient dialogue between Scout Pellane and Charter, it happens in the entryway to Haven. I was going to post this when I finished transcribing all of Haven ambient dialogue, but I saw a lot of people who hadn't seen/heard of it before and I thought I'd share.

Charter: You're Scout Pellane, yes? Sent to observe activity at Redcliffe? I'll take your report. Scout Pellane: I don't report to you, knife-ear. I'll speak with Commander Cullen. Charter: By all means. When you do, please inform him that you refused to speak to me.

Scout Pellane: I spoke with Commander Cullen. I, ah, apologize for what I said earlier. Charter: It is nothing. Now, Scout Pellane, what can you tell me of Redcliffe? Scout Pellane: The mages have been quiet since their attack on the Conclave. Charter: Their attack? Do you have information confirming that the mages were responsible? Scout Pellane: Well, I had assumed... Charter: Don't. Our job is to acquire actionable information. Assumptions can lead you to overlook something vital. Scout Pellane: How could that great Breach not have been caused by the mages? Charter:  It is reasonable to believe that magic was involved, but we cannot assume it was the rebels. How many powerful mages died at the Conclave, Scout Pellane? How would those deaths benefit the rebels? Scout Pellane: I... I'm not sure. Charter: Good. Now you're thinking. That's a start. Scout Pellane: What's your name, anyway? Charter: You may call me Charter, Scout Pellane. Now lower your voice. Your report is not for the world at large.

Scout Pellane: We got scattered reports of Tevinter sightings in the Hinterlands. Charter: Mages? Scout Pellane: And their servants, yes. Charter: Hmmm. Scout Pellane: You think they might be connected to the attack on the Conclave? Charter: Assumptions, Scout Pellane. But… no circle mage has ever caused anything like the Breach. Scout Pellane: Fair point.

Scout Pellane: What kind of name is “Charter,” anyways? It doesn’t sound elven. Charter: I said you could call me that, Scout Pellane. I never said it was my name. Scout Pellane: You’re a bit terrifying at times, Charter. Charter: Why? Because you’re realizing that every elf you casually call “knife-ear” might have a life you know nothing about? Scout Pellane: I was hoping you’d forgotten about that. Charter: In this line of work we can afford to forget nothing.

Charter: So we have Tevinter activity in the Hinterlands, and the templars are compromised. Scout Pellane: You think the templars are responsible for the attack on the Conclave? Charter: I think they are a piece of it. As are the Tevinter in the Hinterlands.

Charter: Your report on the Seeker Fortress was excellent. It gave us information we dearly needed. Scout Pellane: Thank you. I just… I don’t know. It used to be easy: Blame the mages, or blame the templars. Charter: That simplistic thinking is fine for soldiers. You and I are more than that, Scout Pellane. Scout Pellane: That attack on the Conclave wasn’t the end. There’s someone out there, or something. It’s not going to stop, is it? Charter: I would be very much surprised if it did. Scout Pellane: Then I suppose I should get back out there.

Charter: And you’ve heard nothing of this “Elder One” before, in any of your investigations? Scout Pellane: Nothing, I’m sorry. Charter: No. It’s taken all of us by surprise. We must… I don’t know. (If sided with templars) Charter: He compromised the templars, and is likely responsible for the disappearance of the rebel mages. (If sided with the mages) Charter: He compromised the rebel mages, and is likely responsible for the disappearance of the templars. Scout Pellane: And we know nothing about him. Charter: We will, soon enough.

Scout Pellane: Charter, if you’re free later, would you like to have a drink at the tavern? Charter: Are you courting a knife-ear, Scout Pellane? Scout Pellane: No! No, I… I don’t know. I used to drink with the soldiers. But I can’t talk with them anymore, not really. Charter: You’ve seen enough pieces to have some idea of the size of the game we’re playing. Scout Pellane: Yes, and… I’m sorry. I just… You understand. This Elder One… there’s no one I can talk to… Charter: I’ll be in the tavern this evening. Perhaps you could buy me a drink. Make sure you take a bath first.

(Farewells)

Scout Pellane: Good day. Charter: Greetings.

#dragon age #transcribing dragon age inquisition #dai #transcript #scout pellane #charter #haven ambient dialogue #writing resources #writing resource: transcript #writing resource: dialogue #long post

[wepepe-draws]

Sorry for the english. My inquisitor Lania Lavellan, pre DA4.

Can you guess who the Inquisitor is meeting with? 😌

#dragon age #drawing #art #dragon age 4 #da4 #dragon age dreadwolf #inquisitor lavellan #lania lavellan #wepepedraws #charter #comic #dragon age comic #fan comic #dragon age fan art

[scottielobster]

#digital art #art #line art #mandala #sabriel #lirael #abhorsen #old kingdom #mogget #orannis #ninth bright shiner #charter #thrice spelled wards #fanart #fantasy

[blueicequeen19]

Charter has me fucked up 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 I haven’t been this obsessed with a series since Touron

#smutwarning #jj maybank fanfiction #blueicequeen19 #Charter #Touron

[wack-ashimself]

I don't care if it's the internet, Xbox live, cell service, or any other thing even semi-related. If it's down for a minute, you owe me a fucking refund. If it's down for an hour, you owe me a fucking refund. If it's down for a day, you owe me a fucking refund. I don't pay for 24-Hour service, not get it, and then still pay for 24-Hour service. Greedy Assholes.

#charter #spectrum #had to change their name due to bad rep #internet #cable #cell

[mrs-trophy-wife]

#yacht #boat #ocean #view #views #charter #boats #yachts #sail #sailing #sea #lake #water #travel #traveling #luxury #luxury lifestyle

[dreadfutures]

happy fridayyyyy💜💜💜 a dadwc prompt for young!Ixchel: her reaction to Fairbanks' death

Thank you mer ;-;

For @dadrunkwriting

Pairing: Charter & Ixchel Lavellen

Warnings: Allusion to Ixchel's death at the end

-:-:-

"—that's all I know at the moment, lumina."

Dorian's voice crested and fell as it came out of the crystal Ixchel held in her hand; he had not ceased pacing since he called her to tell her the news.

She squeezed the crystal to prepare it for her response. "I hope this doesn't bring you too much scrutiny, Dorian," she said softly. "I'm sure it won't take them long to tie Fairbanks to the Inquisition."

"They might not," he mused.

Ixchel leaned her forehead against her window and sighed. "They might not, but we should," she said. "His wife deserves to have a body to bury."

Dorian was quiet a moment, and then the crystal glowed dimly, and he said, "That's very kind of you, Ixchel."

She knew by now how her kindness could inconvenience people, but somehow, when Dorian said it, she did not feel so much a burden. She felt precious for it.

She sighed.

"Thank you, Dor."

"Couldn't you just send the Nightingale's little protege?" Dorian asked, only a tiny bit petulant. "'Oh no, someone has conveniently made this very inconvenient body disappear!'"

"You want me to send another elf to Tevinter?" Ixchel asked flatly.

Dorian's side of the crystal remained painfully silent.

"I love you, lethallin, but I don't want to risk my friend being caught and sold like chattel," she said. "I will ask her what we can organize among our other friends without starting an Exalted March against the northern blood mages. Maybe we can arrange for a pick-up point somewhere. Or maybe Charter can tell Leliana to go get her dead spy herself."

She loosened her fist enough to stop the crystal from transmitting her groan of frustration, and she rubbed at her eyes with the back of her hand.

"Please?" Dorian asked after a moment.

Ixchel snorted. "Anything for you, my lord."

"Ooh! The titles come out, I see. Well then, I will attempt to handle my end of things while you put on your Inquisitor hat, my lady." He paused. "I will call again when I have a safe moment to."

"I hope it's soon," she said.

Dorian sighed. "Me too, lumina."

Ixchel tucked the crystal back into her shirt and headed down from her quarters. She tried not to pay attention to how many of the tower's rooms were empty, but it was inescapable thing as she counted down the floors to where Charter now resided. Cassandra's rooms—cleared out entirely. Josephine and Leliana's were much the same. Varric's still had some of his belongings, so that he might have an excuse to visit (but he hadn't, thus far). Vivienne had never truly moved in to her own, and neither had Thom. Dorian's was exactly the same as he'd left it, but somehow that hurt more.

Solas and Bull had never resided in the tower, but she still thought of them as she descended the stairs. Bull's room in the old guardhouse had never been personal, just like he had never been personal. Bas.

And of course, Solas—

"Ah, my lady," Charter said, interrupting Ixchel's bitter descent. The spy seemed to be returning to her room from the main hall, and she seemed concerned to find Ixchel coming toward her. "Were you looking for me?"

"Yes," Ixchel said grimly.

Charter unlocked her door quickly, but Ixchel knew better than to follow. First, the elf had to deactivate several traps and tricks, and once it was safe, she popped her ginger head back out to summon Ixchel inside.

Ixchel immediately went to her usual perch on the heavily-locked chest Charter kept at the foot of her bed, and Charter leaned against her closed door, both for a quick exit and to keep an ear out for eavesdroppers beyond the portal. With a nod from Charter, Ixchel began her story.

She explained what Dorian had relayed, as minimal as it was. As she spoke she toyed with the cords of her necklaces, shifting them around with her one hand until they were tidy and the knots lined up at the back of her neck.

Anxiety mounted within her as she saw Charter's brow crease in the faintest of frowns. Something about this stank, and Ixchel felt that she was becoming too accustomed to the scent of betrayal for it to be healthy.

She wasn't the Inquisitor anymore. She was not supposed to have anything to betray anymore.

But she also was not supposed to be sending people into danger any longer, either.

Charter proposed several plans of action as soon as Ixchel opened the floor to her input, and Ixchel did her best to focus on them. But in the back of her mind, she could not help the risk calculation for each and every option.

When they had settled on something, Charter made no indication that Ixchel should leave. Instead, she went to her desk and began to work on a letter to Leliana, and Ixchel realized with a pang that at some point, her spy had become accustomed to Ixchel's presence in her room. Besides a 'my lady' here and there, the formalities and awkwardness of their early acquaintance were gone.

They were not far apart in age, and now status barely separated them, either.

They were friends.

Ixchel had said as much to Dorian, but perhaps she had never realized that Charter might feel the same about her.

"Wait," Ixchel said suddenly.

She jumped to her feet and joined Charter at her desk, as the woman leaned back in her chair, curiosity the only emotion evident on her face.

Ixchel ducked her head and pulled one of the necklaces off. It got stuck in her hair, but Charter knew better than to try and untangle it for her, and it took only a moment or two before Ixchel had managed to extricate herself.

"Please wear this," Ixchel said, every muscle in her body tensed for rejection. "It was a gift from Zevran Arainai. The former Crow. It's a—"

"A superb lifeward amulet," Charter finished.

Ixchel's jaw snapped shut, tight. She nodded.

Charter covered Ixcehl's hand in her own, not looking at the amulet. "This is a princely gift," Charter said. "I'm humbled by the offer. But the Qun, and Fen'Harel, and the Venatori, and many others still view you as a threat to be elminated, my—"

"If you don't take it, and something happens to you, I assure you I will break it long before the Qun has a chance," Ixchel blurted.

Charter's gaze softened.

"If it will make me more effective in your continued service, then… Thank you, Ixchel," she said, and she took the amulet.

Ixchel did not take another breath until Charter had secured the cord around her neck and tucked the artifact beneath her blouse. Then, Ixchel nearly wilted, and she nodded gratefully at Charter.

-:-:-

When the Inquisitor died, Charter could not help but feel partly responsible. The weight of it hung around her neck like a millstone. Every moment that she lived, the amulet was a reminder that the Inquisitor did not.

Charter knew it was foolish. If Ixchel had wanted this so badly, nothing would have stopped her from taking the necklace off. It would not have leaped out of her drawer, or wherever she would have stuffed it, and absorbed the poison that the former Inquisitor had imbibed.

But it was not really the lifeward amulet's presence on her neck that caused the guilt. It was the words that had accompanied it. The black threat indicated something far more pernicious than an assassination plot, and Charter had not heeded it.

She had been too busy trying to make herself useful. To be effective. To be a tool.

Ixchel Lavellan had given her this amulet as a friend, and Charter had never allowed herself to imagine that could be true.

Ixchel Lavellan had died alone, but she had been dying for some time, Charter thought. And Charter had done nothing to change that.

The Inquisition's last Spymaster brought the news to the feet of Fen'Harel, and if others might have chided her for having a death wish…they would have been right.

But the lifeward amulet broke, instead, when she startled Fen'Harel, and in the end—he allowed her to walk free, her message delivered.

As Charter retraced her steps through the eluvians, and the alleys, and the forest interludes, and made her way back to allied territory, she found herself clutching at her chest not in pain, but for stability.

She was still alive. She had failed the Inquisitor once, but she would not disappoint her again.

#da drunk writing circle #cage of the ribs #ixchel lavellan #charter #young!ixchel

[nocternalrandomness]

New England Revolution Charter arriving at PDX

#Boeing #767 #Charter #jet #airliner #NFL #New England #Patriots #Football #passenger plane #plane spotting