jazzmckay

[jazzmckay]

∠( ᐛ 」∠)＿

#gorgeous #dorian pavus #dragon age

[jazzmckay]

Here's just something short with the Hawke siblings. I'll be making more!

Love to hear suggestions of scenarios to draw 🤗

#cutee #dragon age #hawke #carver hawke #merrill

[jazzmckay]

Anyways while racism in the writer's room is definitely a thing and does affect how black characters are written and portrayed, to say "well this character wasn't written well (because of racism) so THAT'S why I find them boring!" is just disingenuous and trying to shove blame elsewhere.

Wyll may have been shafted in terms of writing, but he still clearly had more effort and time put into him than Halsin. And yet out of those two characters, which one is more popular in the fandom?

Dragon Age: Inquisition may bend over backwards to make Vivienne seem like a villain at times, and her opinion on the Circles is a bit complex, but that game also has Cullen in it - who was an antagonist for two previous games, and also has even stricter views on mages and the Circles. And out of the two of them, who's the one people are more forgiving to?

Preston Garvey might have a bugged radiant quest that means he says the same thing over and over and over again, but why is it annoying when he does it and endearing when it's characters in other games? (Brynjolf's "Sorry lass, I've got important things to do" comes to mind)

While yes, we should hold writers and developers accountable for the racism they bake into their games, this does not change that fandom is a transformative space. Fandoms will regularly take characters who were underwritten, who were treated poorly by their source material, or who were overlooked, and create beautiful works of art and fiction surrounding them.

So it's quite telling when they refuse to do this with the black characters.

#fandom #racism #bg3 #fo4 #dragon age

[jazzmckay]

toby!!!! so excited you're doing this uwu naturally gotta request fenders, anddd the dialogue prompt of “You’ve thought about this, haven’t you?” stood out to me <3

Thank you so much for this prompt! I want you to know that I’ve been thinking about it all week 🤣 I was super indecisive on how I wanted to go about it because part of me wanted to go full smut but instead I went head first into introspective fluff! I hope you enjoy! 💚

Written for @dadrunkwriting

Gentle, barely there fingers run down Anders’ spine and a shiver goes through him. His body is pleasantly sated, his mind practically blank for the first time since he can remember. He’s not sure if that’s because of the thorough fucking he just received or if it’s from being in the presence of Fenris’ lyrium but either way he feels content. He knows it won’t last but he plans to enjoy it while it’s here.

For once, he embraces the moment of quiet that’s meant just for him instead of planning his next underground mission or the next page of his manifesto. They’ll keep until tomorrow.

The fingers running along his back are soft as they trace the spattering of scars they find. There was a day that Anders used to be embarrassed by the scars left behind in his skin. He used to keep them hidden from Karl. He used to attempt to hide them while sleeping with other people, always keeping them under him instead of behind him. Now? Now he doesn’t see the need to hide, especially from Fenris who bears his own marks of past oppressors.

Anders still can’t believe he’s here, naked in Fenris’ bed. By the Maker, how did they end up here?

When Anders imagined this happening, it was always a heated arguement that instead of coming to blows, came to heated kisses. Or maybe a drunken mistake they’d both pretend never happened the next morning.

Instead, it was comfort given during a trying time. It was a slow build of trust. It was leaning on each other when the others around them didn’t quite understand what it meant to find freedom and then hold onto it so tight it hurts.

In the past, Anders fell quick. His affection would come fast and it would burn hot and bright. This time it took him by surprise, growing slowly over the span of years until it was a part of him, the same as breathing or the same as Justice inside him.

“May I ask you something?”

Anders turns his head slightly so he can look over at Fenris. He’s sitting beside Anders with his one leg curled up to his chest, the other laid out in front of him. He has one land on Anders’ back, tracing over his scars, the other outstretched on his knee. The blanket covers Anders’ ass and flows over Fenris’ groin. He looks so carefree like this, so much so that Anders feels tears spring to his eyes. By the Maker, he’s getting sappy in his old age.

“Anything.”

“You have thought of this, haven’t you?”

Anders looks away for a moment, biting back his first reaction. In the past he would have made a joke to break the tension or sent out sharp barbs to keep himself safe from being vulnerable. He doesn’t want to do that with Fenris. Letting out a long breath, his eyes meet Fenris’ once more.

“Yes,” he says honestly, daring to give Fenris a soft smile. “It’s almost embarrassing how often I’ve thought about this, about you. I would lay awake at night, aching for you.”

Anders stomach swoops at the sound of Fenris sucking in a harsh breath. Fenris’ hand on his back stills, his palm laying hot and heavy on one particular scar. A mark left behind from a knife into his back. That particular one coming after he was joined with Justice.

The moment stretches and Anders waits, for once staying just as still as Fenris.

As Fenris goes back to touching him, this time playing with the ends of Anders’ hair, he finally responds. “Don’t be embarrassed by your desires. We have earned our right to have them and embrace them.”

Anders smiles up at him, his chest warm with affection. There’s something beautiful about being with someone who understands the magnitude of moments like this.

He reaches over and wraps an arm around Fenris’ waist, forcing him to lay back. Then he flips over, hovering over Fenris. Not that long ago Fenris would have fought him, pushed him away, snarled in disgust. They’ve come so far.

“I’m in love with you. I’m not sure if you realize that,” Anders says softly, “but I want you to know.” He cups Fenris’ face, his thumb caressing his cheek.

“Why does it sound like there is a but coming?”

“You’ve suffered so much at the hands of mages. It feels wrong to bind you to me when I fight for the things I fight for.”

Fenris closes his eyes, breathing through his nose. This close, Anders can feel Fenris’ heart picking up speed.

“I knew your fight when I kissed you. My eyes are wide open. I know of your plight, mage. That did not stop me.” Fenris swallows thickly while Anders feels hope blossom inside his chest. “I would still have you, Anders. If there is a place for me at your side, that is where I want to be.”

Anders can’t stop his smile from spreading. He rests his forehead against Fenris’ for a moment before taking his lips in a fierce kiss.

There’s so much coming that Anders isn’t sure he’s prepared for. There’s a storm blooming and one way or another things have to change. Who better to change things than a man with a limited life thanks to the blight inside of him who also has a spirit of Justice inside of him?

But right now he doesn’t need to think about that. Right now he’s allowed to just be Anders.

#theeemmmm #dragon age #fic #fenders #fenris #anders

[jazzmckay]

happy dadwc friday! a prompt from the 'people who aren't used to kindness' list, perhaps for solas/varric?

"wait, that's mine. you fixed it?"

happy writing (:

oh this was so much fun! it uh, unexpectedly became smut? so. there's that.😅fluffy above the readmore tho for ppl who may want only that @dadrunkwriting 979 words cws: none

“It was right here…” Varric laid his hand on the chair, knowing full well his coat had been draped across it before he'd gone to speak with the Inquisitor. Would someone have stolen it? Seemed absurd. Maybe he had a particularly rabid fan somewhere in Skyhold. He glanced around, but the main hall was pretty empty. 

He frowned at the chair again, as if that might manifest his coat, before he went to see if Solas was still awake. Despite his love of dreaming, the elf didn't always go to bed particularly early. He probably didn't notice anything that happened out here, but whatever, it was worth a shot.

He pushed open the door and was just about to ask when he stopped, staring at the scene before him. Solas was sitting cross-legged on the ground with Varric's coat on his lap, carefully mending a tear he'd been meaning to fix. He only glanced up briefly before refocusing on his work. “That's mine,” Varric pointed out unnecessarily as he approached, Solas snorting.

“Indeed. And here I thought it belonged to our other brash dwarven archer. Or should I say author?” He met Varric's eyes with a smirk before resuming his repairs.

“Cute,” he mumbled, pulling Solas' desk chair out and taking a seat. “So why are you fixing my coat?”

“It was an eyesore.”

“That's rich coming from you, Chuckles.” Solas paused and looked at him, a brow arched. Varric shook his head. “Oh, don't look all wounded. I just mean your breeches. You never even hemmed them, but you're fussed about the little tear in my jacket?” Was he seeing things, or was Solas really blushing?

Shit. That was cute.

“As Madame de Fer was happy to point out, they got… singed. It is a functional hemming for the time being.” He looked back down at Varric's jacket, so maybe Solas didn't see him having to clamp a hand over his mouth to stifle the laugh that wanted to escape.

“Pretty sure that's not how sewing works,” he pointed out when he was sure he had his voice under control, Solas huffing quietly as he made his final stitch and tied it off. He lifted the garment near his face and caught the thread in his mouth, jerking his head to snap it against his canine.

That was hot.

“There. That should keep it from worsening.” Solas offered him the coat and he took it, running his fingers across the repair before pulling it on. Solas, he noticed, was still cross-legged on the ground and staring up at him.

“Thanks, Chuckles.” Solas smiled, seeming content, but Varric wasn't done. “Really,” he said, regaining Solas' attention—and keeping it as he slid down from the chair to kneel before him. “Thanks.”

“It was no trouble—” he began to protest, then gasped as Varric reached for his crotch. This wouldn't be their first time together, but something about Solas' position, his gentle, undemanding kindness, had quickened Varric's blood, made him strangely desperate to get Solas off right here, in plain view in the middle of the rotunda. “Varric—” he managed hoarsely before his eyes slipped shut, cock beginning to swell under his hand. “This is unwise.” This was whispered, and Varric just grinned.

“Relax. Everyone’s asleep.”

“Not everyone,” Solas groused pointedly, but he also grunted softly and pushed into Varric’s hand. 

“Just let me get you off.” Solas’ eyes snapped open at that, and the stain in his cheeks and ears made his earlier blush look like nothing. “You just relax and let me say a proper thank you.”

“This is— ah, hardly necessary,” oh, Varric liked how his voice kept catching. He had been intending to pull him out, jerk him off nice and hard, but this was pretty exciting too. His long legs spread a little wider as he bit his lip. Not necessary, maybe, but clearly appreciated.

“That’s it,” he said quietly, squeezing Solas’ cock through his layers and beginning to move across his length in short pumps. “Gonna make you mess yourself.” His voice was thick now and Solas whined, thrusting hard against his hand. 

“Varric,” he gasped. “Varric, wait, I don’t—” he cut himself off with a strangled moan, trying so hard to be quiet.

“You don’t…?” He prompted, but didn’t slow down at all.

“Nothing’s clean,” he hissed. “I was going to wash my things tomorrow.” Shit. He should feel bad, but frankly, that just turned him on more.

“Guess it’s your choice then, Chuckles,” he said, voice low and intimate. “Wear the mess from the road, or wear your own come. What’s it gonna be?”

Solas snarled something in Elvhen and pushed hard into Varric’s hand again. “Close,” he said after a moment, the single word sounding like a strain. Distantly, Varric wondered why it seemed harder for him to speak Common when he was like this. But it didn’t really matter—he just liked getting Solas so worked up.

“That’s it, there you go. Come for me.” He heard Solas’ nails scraping against the stone floor as he tensed, inhaling sharply through his nose. A moment later Varric felt his cock pulse under his hand. The seep of wet heat came shortly after and, a little cruelly, he squeezed his cock again before reaching up to rub the wet spot against Solas’ head. He tried to jerk away but he was already seated. Still, Varric pulled away after a moment, just staring at the other man. He looked absolutely wrecked—panting softly, eyes wide and dark, face flushed, and he knew that under the drape of his tunic there would be a noticeable wet spot.

“I need to say ‘you’re welcome’ now,” Solas managed after a moment, his voice low, warm, and so erotic Varric shivered. “Your room?”

“Sounds good to me,” was all he said before both of them were struggling to their feet.

#n i c e #dragon age #fic #solas #varric tethras #solarric

[jazzmckay]

#cats #dogs #comic

[jazzmckay]

A quick Isabela sketch between commissions and other work cause I love her 😭😭😭

#dragon age #isabela

[jazzmckay]

i hate when i send someone a meme in another language and they're like "uhm... translate? 😒" fucker i sent you a meme where 90% of the words have an english cognate and/or you don't need to know what they're saying to find it funny. can you at least TRY

#language #french jokes

[jazzmckay]

good read for teachers.

#mental health

[jazzmckay]

been thinking about which of the companions - from all games - would join solas

now, for reference: i do not think his plan will literally destroy the world. i think it will destabilize the world on a social, cultural, and political level. i also think it likely that the evanuris will be a threat, but even if they weren't, war is likely throughout thedas.

with that said...

dao:

morrigan - she wants more magic in the world, and to preserve what is already there; she is fascinated by elven/elvhen history and power

wynne, maybe? she's experienced circles and their oppression, but also she's bonded with a spirit - the latter may sway her (obv i'm ignoring some relevant canon here to even give her the option of joining)

leliana but not really this leliana, more dai era

da2:

merrill - wants to restore elven/elvhen history; respects but does not fear magic; respects but does not fear spirits/demons; is willing to go to extremes

fenris - deeply anti-slavery which i tend to see shifting over time to being more broadly anti-oppression; he'd still be a tricky one to get on solas' side, but if he was approached just so, i could see it happening

anders - his whole Thing is working against mage oppression - the idea that magic could thread through the entire world, that many, many more mages may occur as a result of this, so many that the chantry/templars can't possibly stop them all - yeah, he'd be on board with that. he's also willing to take extreme measures when he sees no other choice. plus, i mean, justice. anders knows personally that spirits =/= evil, and justice would want to join as well i think

isabela... maybe? tbh i've always struggled to get my head around her character, but she is opposed to slavery and appears to be pro mage freedom. i could also see her being wary of the massive disruption this would cause, though. would need a very particular approach and may end up leaving - although i don't think she would betray their location/plans even if she did leave

dai:

cassandra - i know, i know. just hear me out for a minute. she always does what she thinks is right, is willing to change her mind, and is repeatedly willing to move against convention. after the whole seeker reveal, she begins working to see if tranquility can be reversed. yes, she's wary - yes, she doesn't necessarily trust mages. but she listens to cole, she listens to solas, and dorian, and probably vivienne altho now i realize i've never played with them together (to be rectified....). another one that would require a very careful approach, but i could see her being swayed over time

leliana - she's openly pro-mage and values many mages more than she values herself. she also values elves, although she can sometimes have a... savior-esque attitude towards them. but if she could help to recreate a thedas that saw those two groups uplifted rather than oppressed? i think she'd be willing

dorian - he's a mage who comes from a culture of mages; yes, tevinter is bad in other ways, and he openly protests that they make for a good example, but i think he'd be willing to see it through - and frankly, he'd be so intrigued by the idea of a joined world, of magic everywhere, in everything. he also increasingly questions slavery as a practice throughout the game, and values elves; i think he'd be wary, fascinated, and ultimately willing

non-companion bonus round:

calpernia - she's staunchly anti-slavery, is a mage herself, and seems to have a perspective of intense disruption/change and manipulating the way things become afterwards. she saw the venatori as the best route forward to a tevinter without slavery - i think she'd see solas' plans as the best route forward towards a world without slaves, and magisters without a unique power and iron grip on tevene society, and she'd want to be part of that and have input

#love this big agree #you know im 100% here for anders on solas' side #twirling my hair kicking my feet at the thought of solas anders and merrill all teamed up #dragon age #da meta

[jazzmckay]

Internet yearning is gonna be so much worse in the space age. Like, that cute trans girl you're crushing on? She doesn't just live on the other site of the country, she's off on Alpha Centauri b.

#fic

[jazzmckay]

More like has ever Fael needed Dorian to carry him? The answer is yes, but none of them was in the mood to enjoy that at the moment >:3c Fyi, after Solas removes the mark, Fael is left with a bloody mess of an arm kept together by the armor brace, he is beyond exaustion after not being able to sleep properly for weeks, and he’s running over one (1) cup of coffee and half a cookie. It’s a miracle that he keeps breathing long enough for them to reach Halamshiral.

#dragon age #dorian pavus #lavellan

[jazzmckay]

The two most popular reads of the synth plight in Fallout 4 are that of the race allegory and the Red Scare/McCarthyist allegory. In the former example, synths get racialized in a similar way to Black Americans in the late 19th and early 20th century, but just barely. The Underground Railroad is quite literally remade, synths are subjected to slavery at the hands of their human creators and punished harshly for escape attempts. Others have likened synths to fears of immigrants or asylum-seekers from nonwhite majority populations. Synths in these imaginings of Fallout 4 are painted as needing to be saved at the same time as they are vilified and dehumanized – sometimes by the same character over the course of the story. This duality could be a great opportunity for a dive into how white saviorism tends to play out, but in reality it ends up being a messy, deeply uncritical exploration of the impact of race and racism in society. The factions doing the racialization and/or saviorism’s motives are never questioned, and there is a very clear depiction of “good vs. evil” being the end-all-be-all of anti-racism work (again, with no critical thought as to how the “good” side is made almost completely of non-racialized people making decisions on behalf of a marginalized group). Worse yet, it’s contrived. The android-racism analogy has been a thorn in the side of the science fiction genre ever since Isaac Asimov wrote the 3 Laws of Robotics. There’s very few iterations on the idea that have come from popular (white, Eurocentric) media that aren’t riddled with the same aftertaste of white guilt and fundamental misunderstandings of how racism plays out in day-to-day life.

The less common, slightly more agreeable interpretation is that of the Red Scare – which, given Fallout’s inspirations and the setting’s original critique of reliving America’s “good old days”, makes perfect sense. In this example, synths take the role of the Soviet spy: watching over everything Americans are doing and reporting back to a secret base that is plotting to overthrow the world as we know it. Psychological screenings as well as inhumane tortures are utilized to pick synth “spies” out from the good, red-blooded residents of the Commonwealth. A neighborhood is founded entirely around the protection of the “old ways of life”, complete with a white picket fence comically decorated with automatic machine gun turrets. While this is a more charitable analogy that’s grounded in a slightly-deeper-than-surface-level exploration of American history, the Red Scare interpretation is victim to the same pitfalls that plague the racism interpretation. Midway through the game, the player discovers that there actually is a secret base of evil villains hiding underneath our feet, plotting to annihilate our beautiful Commonwealth lives. People do get taken and replaced by synths, they are in our governments, there is an actual reason for synths to be feared. Sure, some synths are perfectly fine people with no wish to be made tools of the Institute’s tyranny, but that is greatly overshadowed by the fact that the Institute’s stated goal is to use synths to gain control over the Commonwealth. There is no real critique of McCarthyism, there is no ideology to be challenged, because the Communists are here and killing your loved ones in their sleep.

#fallout #fo4

[jazzmckay]

Made a chart for sorting fantheories

#fandom #love hanging out in the compelling but not what the author intended quadrant

[jazzmckay]

As someone who grew up with "I'm not going to praise you for doing what's expected of you; that's not being good, that's doing the bare minimum" I want to encourage you to celebrate every little thing you can. Everything that takes energy and effort should be appreciated and you're allowed to be happy about trying.

#mental health

[jazzmckay]

I recently had surgery, and at the time I came home, I had both my cat and one of my grandma's cats staying with me.

- Within hours of surgery, I wake up from a nap to my cat gently sniffing at my incisions with great alarm.

- I was not allowed to shower the first day after surgery, and the cats, seeing that The Large Cat is not observing its cleaning ritual, decided I must be gravely disabled and compensated by licking all the exposed skin on my arms, face, and legs.

- I currently have to sleep with a pillow over my abdomen because my cat insists on climbing on top of me and covering my incisions with her body while I sleep (which is very sweet but not exactly comfortable without the pillow). She also lays across me facing my bedroom door, presumably on guard for attackers who may try to harm me while I'm sleeping and injured.

That's love. 🐈‍⬛🐈❤️

#cats #theyre so good ;w; #back when my mom was getting treatment for cancer our cat stayed with her a lot even tho she'd never been particularly affectionate before

[jazzmckay]

#sdfgm the results suprised me wow #151 for me rn which is a lot more than usual #polls