the-dreadful-canine

[the-dreadful-canine]

The first few times I heard "Brecillian Forest" I thought I heard "Brazillian forest"

#ahsugahsugsusgsgsu SAME #buckle up everyone we're going to brazil #i'd be down for it #we have maned wolves and guarana #brecillian forest

[the-dreadful-canine]

First of all thank you v much for the tag @fiadhaisteach @emerald-amidst-gold and @oxygenforthewicked 💕 I love seeing your works 💖

Now, my contribution!

Adamant Fortress snippet, featuring a very uhhhhh... Worried Adahlvher. Elizabeth does not walk out of the Fade with the others... 👀

I'm so used to writing in first person pov it feels weird to write in 3rd, but this scene wouldn't work out any other way. I like the challenge, tho!

The fighting still rages on inside and out Adamant's walls when the rift opens once again, casting a impenetrable cloak of silence over the metallic howl of the battle. Breaths are held despite the exertion of the bodies, and exhausted eyes fill with the once fleeing hope.

The sight, then yelled news of the Inquisitor’s return from the impossible washes like a healing spell over the fortress grounds, mending shattered morales, fueling soldiers to strike down enemies with renewed, hope-borne strength.

It's not long before the enemy falls and the battered, exhausted - alive! - Inquisitor is carried to the healer's tents amidst the chorus of relieved soldiers. We will live, the dawn won't fail to break darkness. They all rejoice — all, but one.

Anxious pale eyes scan each face in the growing crowd, anguish etching deeper into every bloodied line with every second the one he searches for refuses to make herself found.

They could have not– The clattering of a staff is the only warning anyone has before the air cracks like a whip.

Ever alert, Bull is the one to react, catching the mage just as he steps out of the flare of his stepping, the death grip around his waist the only thing keeping the man from getting to the weary Inner Circle. He can't stop words, though.

"Where's Elizabeth??" Adahlvher asks, eyes frantic behind the sweat and blood slicked hair; they swirl with something other than unchecked magic as he stares down the group, blazing dangerously brighter with each averted gaze "Where. Is. My. Sister??!"

Not tagging the peeps because I'm late for the party lmao :'D

#timezone rb #just because im very proud of my writing rn #wip wednesday

[the-dreadful-canine]

Ixchel from @dreadfutures

[the-dreadful-canine]

I was absolutely honored by some of my friends marking April 12th as Official Mellan Day. 💜

Solavellan Day had been the day before, and I hadn’t had the time to prepare anything. It stressed me, especially with the outside factors of my personal life (including the fact that I’m currently ill) at the moment, and one of my friends suggested that we make tomorrow Mellan Day instead. I thought the idea was cute, and decided: ’Yeah, I’m just gonna doodle my comfort gremlin tomorrow and all will be well. ^_^’

What I didn’t expect was for so many of my friends to reach out, send love & affection, create written works, and paint pieces of Melly Lavelly to celebrate.

I really am so lucky to have you all in my life, and feel so grateful that you enjoy the funky little weirdo that I so often bombard you with. 💜

Happy Mellan Day! 🍈  📚

#mellan day #aaaa i didn't know about the very important date :c #mellan lavellan #their hair gives me so much life #im gonna draw mellan anyway even if i missed the day just you watch

[the-dreadful-canine]

dragon age is so fucked up there's an entire faction of french murder clowns and nobody talks about it

#hshshsvshvsjshshs #idk id be too terrified to fight the clowns

[the-dreadful-canine]

WIP Wednesday

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!! And have I got a treat for you all! >:D

Thank you @fiadhaisteach for the tag! <3

Remember how I said I wanted to play around with both Devotion and Tenacity more? Well, I played and I created a new facet of Fane’s story! >:3

MOTHER AND SON BONDING~!

—

“So…how are you feeling? Anything that I should let Solas know about?”

Fane felt the questions slip from his lips unbidden, but they were still somehow hard to get out. He stood, arms crossed and back resting against the bark of a majestic oak. There was a light breeze, wafting scents of flowers that spurred nostalgia to bloom in his heart, carrying quiet songs of a land lost, and gently ruffling the tips of his hair against his cheekbones. It had been a long, long time since he’d been able to appreciate a mere gust.  

It had also been a long time since he’d revisited this particular patch of scenery as well. How the paths of the world twist and turnt…

“You needn’t worry so much about me.” A voice akin to the tender breeze sounded just below him, the person it belonged to sitting upon dewy grass comfortably. “I am fine.”

Fane frowned a bit, plagued with anxious sensations from the past. “You’re sure?” he asked further, unable to quell his unease or let the breeze do it for him. It had been so long since he’d felt this way…

It had been so long, but not since he lost her…

A gentle sigh came up to him. “I am sure, da’len.” Fane grimaced a bit more, squeezing at his biceps. The person below must have been watching him because she let out a fond chuckle before offering words, “I experience bouts of weakness, but they pass. And without the vallaslin tethering me to the mortal coil, I am able to regain myself within the Fade. Solas did an impeccable job of dispelling any trace of magic that could continue to bind me. All I require is time to readjust. I promise.”

Fane only let out a hum, at once relieved and a tad embarrassed. Relieved because thank the sky above that he wouldn’t have to go through the agony of loss again. Embarrassed because, well, he wasn’t used to being the…doting one in this scenario. Devotion was always the one that looked after him, questioned after his state of being…

Just as she had when he was small and defenseless, lost and fragmented.

Instead of looking down to make sure that what Devotion said was the absolute truth, Fane’s eyes were trained upwards towards the ever-shifting skies of the Fade, watching blends of color coalesce that were directly taken from his past memories. He remembered this particular sky. It calmed him, made him feel a little less…nervous. The expanse above him was blue, serene, and streaked with wispy clouds he had always marveled at when young, had always yearned to touch…

It had been the color of her eyes once upon a time…

“It is a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Fane hummed, continuing to watch the clouds and the flickering of spirits that had been drawn towards the carefree nature of birds. It was a beautiful day. Well, as beautiful a ‘day’ in the Fade could be. Time was merely a construct in a realm defined by emotion and imagination.

“It is.” He felt eyelids go hooded, a sensation of serenity overriding past anxiety to where he began to…reminisce. “My memory of the sky that day hasn’t changed. It’s still blue, still calm and serene.”

“That it is.” The sound of grass crunching prickled at his ears, a body, firm and solid, shifting against crisp blades before all settled again with a fond chuckle. “Even when you could not remember, you fixated on the hues of the world, telling me how they spoke to you.”

Fane felt himself flush a bit, suddenly embarrassed. He shifted against the tree a bit, but the scrapping of bark only caused him to grow more fidgety. Is this what all children had to go through with their parents? Being told of their excitability and embarrassing habits? His perception of color shouldn’t make him feel such mortification, but when it was discussed with such…fondness it made him feel that way.

“I hardly think I actually told you what they said.” Fane said, deflecting Devotion’s interpretation quickly, but it was only responded to with another chuckle.

“Perhaps not precisely, but–” Devotion began to giggle which only made Fane’s face heat up more, knowing this was the part where teasing was about to begin. “–but you always used to say that the statues of Fen’harel should have had lavender eyes because it was the color that depicted love to you.”

If his face wasn’t blazing before, it was now.

Fane gaped, finally turning his gaze down from the sky to the orbs of pale green staring up at him. The color was singing with mirth, and Devotion’s ageless, unmarred face was harboring a playful smile. This was what it was like, wasn’t it? Wasn’t it?!

“I-I-!” Fane stuttered before growling and ripping his head away from Devotion, glaring out into the Fade’s immaculate rendition of the forest they had once lived around. “I never said that…”

“Fane. You did. You know you did. Or have you forgotten?” Devotion hummed, the sound conspiring. “I had not considered that, truth be told. Unfortunate.”

“Yeah, yeah. Completely forgot. Absolutely.” Fane rambled, not really listening since embarrassment had him in its grip. He knew what Devotion spoke of, but he would die before admitting it where it could be held forever.

Sadly for him, it already was.

“I know!” Devotion chirped, the sound of two hands clapping together making Fane startle and nearly fall. He steadied with an arm against the tree, thankfully, but he nearly met the ground again as the motherly spirit unveiled her ‘plan’, “I could find it for you!”

Fane’s eyes went wide and he slowly turned his head to Devotion, whose eyes were twinkling and whose body was rocking to and fro with unbridled joy.

Oh. No.

“Y-You don’t have to…” He began to interject, to deter, but Devotion was set on her path. Oh, this was bad. Not good. Very not good.

“And the subject himself should be present, of course!”

Very, very not good.

Fane gaped, turning on his heel and holding out his hands in an expression of calm. Sadly, Devotion was already rising with a newfound burst of energy, eyes alight with devoted purpose and visage bright like the sun above.

“D-Devotion, wait. We can see that memory if you want, but I’d rather–!” Fane tried to reason with the excitable spirit, but she only smiled at him and gave his head a fond pat.

“Come along, ma’da’isenatha!” Devotion chirped happily before gracefully, almost as if she were floating, stepping around him. “He is not far, and I am sure he would adore this memory of your youth!”

Before Fane could protest any more, or reach out, or call out, Devotion had already skipped into the darkness of the forest, a hum of happiness all that was left on the wind. He stared into the depths, mouth agape with his eyebrow beginning to twitch.

“M-Mother, wait…” Fane stuttered with growing panic before letting out a loud groan of defeat, head hanging. “Damn it all. He’s never going to let me breathe after she shows him that…”

This was going to be fun. This was indeed how it was when you were the child of a spirit…

…Wasn’t it?

—

Devotion had been right; Solas enjoyed the memory, even if his dragon was a puddle of goo by the end~ >:3

This is just a drabble, of course, but I had an epiphany regarding Devotion. So, I was like, ‘What the hell! Let’s go for it!’ >:D Obviously there’s a lot more world-building I have to do for this to make sense completely, but just know that Devotion and Fane’s ‘mother’ is one and the same. 

Tagging lovelies!: @oxygenforthewicked @for-the-ninth @the-dreadful-canine @in-arlathan @noire-pandora @little-lightning-lavellan @rosella-writes @dungeons-and-dragon-age @blueheaded and anyone else that’d like to share! (also, if you tagged me beforehand, do let me know! Tumblr has been having a tendency to blind me! XD) 

#im cackling #not fane's fade version of baby pics #i have only known devotion for a snippet but i am in love #poor fane ahshhavahsvshsbs #wip wednesday #oc: fane lavellan #dragon age #spirits #male lavellan

[the-dreadful-canine]

WIP Wednesday

Tagged by @a11sha11fade and @emerald-amidst-gold - thanks so much for the tags! This week I have some art of Kenna Tabris and a snippet from Dir’vhen’an (which I’m going to update in the next day or so, come hell or high water).

Snippet and tags under the cut (CW for slight violence)

Keep reading

#ahhhhh your art! 💖 #you're so brave for dealing with not only one but TWO braids #and they look awesome! #loving your linework!! #and ohoho the banter in the end haha #nathaniel my beloved #obligatory solas disapproves tag #i really enjoy your writing #just a snippet and im hooked #wip wednesday #awesome art #awesome writing #oc: kenna tabris #oc: saeris lavellan #oc: aila mahariel #nathaniel howe #solas #warden tabris #warden mahariel

[the-dreadful-canine]

First of all thank you v much for the tag @fiadhaisteach @emerald-amidst-gold and @oxygenforthewicked 💕 I love seeing your works 💖

Now, my contribution!

Adamant Fortress snippet, featuring a very uhhhhh... Worried Adahlvher. Elizabeth does not walk out of the Fade with the others... 👀

I'm so used to writing in first person pov it feels weird to write in 3rd, but this scene wouldn't work out any other way. I like the challenge, tho!

The fighting still rages on inside and out Adamant's walls when the rift opens once again, casting a impenetrable cloak of silence over the metallic howl of the battle. Breaths are held despite the exertion of the bodies, and exhausted eyes fill with the once fleeing hope.

The sight, then yelled news of the Inquisitor’s return from the impossible washes like a healing spell over the fortress grounds, mending shattered morales, fueling soldiers to strike down enemies with renewed, hope-borne strength.

It's not long before the enemy falls and the battered, exhausted - alive! - Inquisitor is carried to the healer's tents amidst the chorus of relieved soldiers. We will live, the dawn won't fail to break darkness. They all rejoice — all, but one.

Anxious pale eyes scan each face in the growing crowd, anguish etching deeper into every bloodied line with every second the one he searches for refuses to make herself found.

They could have not– The clattering of a staff is the only warning anyone has before the air cracks like a whip.

Ever alert, Bull is the one to react, catching the mage just as he steps out of the flare of his stepping, the death grip around his waist the only thing keeping the man from getting to the weary Inner Circle. He can't stop words, though.

"Where's Elizabeth??" Adahlvher asks, eyes frantic behind the sweat and blood slicked hair; they swirl with something other than unchecked magic as he stares down the group, blazing dangerously brighter with each averted gaze "Where. Is. My. Sister??!"

Not tagging the peeps because I'm late for the party lmao :'D

#wip wednesday #this scene came to me in a (day)dream #yeah adah and beth adopted each other #because why not? #oc: adahlvher lavellan #oc: elizabeth montes #the iron bull #oc: ornay adaar #idk why i am writing only angst and tragedy chapters lately #brain pls give me the fluffy thoughts??? #mgit #fic: stormbringer

[the-dreadful-canine]

WIP Wednesday

*takes a deep breath, 'cause the next steps aren't as forgiving*

I can always procrastinate with the eternal WIP, laundry folding. 😂

tagging @serial-chillr, @queenaeducan, @mogwaei, @crackinglamb, @solverne-02, @faerieavalon, @salexectria, @modernagesomniari, @redinkofshame, @thevikingwoman, @emerald-amidst-gold, @the-dreadful-canine, @hallahart 📝 🎨 ☕ 🍧

#omg??? your art is looking so good??? #!!!!! #the golden leaves! the wolf!! solas!!! #they all look so perfect and like the tarot (but somehow even better!) #awesome art friend #wip wednesday #im awe

[the-dreadful-canine]

Every now and again I think of this Sarah tweet and just stare into the middle distance.

#*in palpatine's voice* #the attempt on my life has left me scarred and deformed #i didn't even have breakfast yet #and still #the call out #:')

[the-dreadful-canine]

#boiled #rare or blue #lactose free #neat campari #creamy hot chocolate

[the-dreadful-canine]

Made another fake cover! Spent way too long fussing with this one but oh well

#ohhhh this is so neat

[the-dreadful-canine]

For those who don't know, I've been homeless for half a year now and living in a motel with my father and other sibling (who we recently had to take in) and I've been supporting us through commissions.

Sadly, commissions haven't been coming in lately so im making a new post to advertise for it.

My art examples are down below, if you need more just pm me and I'll gladly give you them. My prices will also be below this, if you instead prefer to donate, i have a link on the blog. If you don't use paypal, pm me and ill send the cashapp or venmo. Sharing also helps greatly.

〰PRICES〰

Headshot : 10$ (+10$ if shaded)

Bust (chest up) : 15$ (+10$ if shaded)

Half body : 20$ ( +10$ if shaded)

Full body : 30$ (+10$ if shaded)

Couples commission : 45$ (+10 if shaded)

Sketch page : 50$ (will be automatically colored)

Reference sheet : 60$ (+10$ if shaded)

#boost the signal

[the-dreadful-canine]

𝐎𝐂 𝐄𝐌𝐎𝐉𝐈 𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐒!

feel free to tweak questions + all emojis r listed in text form bc i can't see some of them aAAaaAA! sorry if any of these questions are too similar i tried to avoid that but .. there's a lot lol! categorized by emoji type.

i wanted to make one because i could not find one on tumblr already that had a ton of questions. this was created by combining ones under the #oc ask game tag + my own contributions. hi charmymemes nation i'm back.

people

👁️ EYE - what colour are their eyes? do people notice their eyes? is there anything special about them (shows emotion easily, literally magical...)?

🤥 LYING - are they good liars? do they have tells to show they're lying?

👻 GHOST - do they believe in ghosts? what are their "ghostly experiences", if any?

💥 COLLISON - what emotions do they have trouble dealing with?

😭 CRYING - what makes them cry? do they cry easily?

👊 PUNCH - are they quick to violence?

💢 ANGER - what are some habits they have that will take some getting used to?

👪 FAMILY - what is their family like? what is your ocs relationship to them? does your oc have any siblings?

😨 FEARFUL - when scared, do they go into "flight" or "fight"?

💤 SLEEPING - do they fall asleep easily? what helps them sleep?

food & drinks

🥞 PANCAKE - what is their comfort breakfast?

🎂 BIRTHDAY CAKE - when is their birthday? do they like celebrating it?

🍩 DONUT - favourite sweet treat?

🍟 FRIES - do they order food often? or they prefer to cook their own food?

☕️ HOT BEVERAGE - do they prefer hot or cold drinks? what is their favourite drink?

🍓 STRAWBERRY - do they eat their fruit & veg? what is their favourite fruit or vegetable?

🍰 CAKE SLICE - favourite cake flavour? are they specific about types of cakes?

🍧 SHAVED ICE - do they still have any objects from their childhood? what significance does it have to them? what would their reaction be if they lost it?

plants & nature

💐 BOUQUET - create a bouqet for them! what do those flowers mean? are any of the flowers their particular favourite?

🌙 MOON - what is your oc's greatest wish? how far are they willing to go for it?

🌋 VOLCANO - how bad is their temper? is it a slow boil, or a instant explosion?

🌺 HIBISCUS - do they have any allergies?

🍁 MAPLE LEAF - what is their favourite season? why?

🍃 FALLING LEAF - do they enjoy being in nature? what is their favourite outdoor activity?

☀️ SUN - are they a morning person? what is the first thing they do in the morning?

🕷️ SPIDER - what is their biggest fear? do they have any irrational / mundane fears?

🌹 ROSE - do they like valentines day? have they been confessed to before? have they confessed to anyone before?

🙈 SEE-NO-EVIL - whats a side of your oc that they don't want to show other people?

🙊 SPEAK-NO-EVIL - what is something your oc will refuse to stay quiet about?

🙉 HEAR-NO-EVIL - what is the worse thing your oc could hear from someone?

🌱 SEEDLING - what is their most vivid memory from childhood?

🍀 CLOVER - do they believe in luck? are they lucky?

🌏 EARTH - will they give up the world for someone they love? is this decision easy for them?

🌌 MILKY WAY - what was the inspiration behind your oc? what was the first thing you decided about them?

activity

⚾ BASEBALL - can they play sports? what is their best position if they play a team sport? what's their strong suit (speed, power etc.)?

🏊 SWIMMING - can they swim? or are they afraid of water? how well do they swim? how do they feel about swimming in the ocean?

objects

📣 MEGAPHONE - how loud are they? what do they speak like? got a voice claim?

📖 OPEN BOOK - do they like reading? what's their favourite genre?

🪤 MOUSE TRAP - what will always lure them into certain danger? a loved one in danger? a promise of something they are always searching for?

📸 CAMERA - do they enjoy having their picture taken? what's their go-to pose? do they like taking photos? what do they take photos of?

🎭 MASKS - do they act differently around certain people? what's different between the way they act around friends, family, strangers, etc.?

✂️ SCISSORS - what is the "last straw" for them to cut someone out of their life? how easily do they let go of people?

💡 LIGHTBULB - is your oc a planner? do they write down every small detail or just wing it?

💎 DIAMOND - how rich are they? can they live the lifestyle they want to?

🎁 PRESENT - what types of presents would they be most happy to receive? are they good at gift giving?

🍼 BABY BOTTLE - what are their thoughts on children?

🔪 KNIFE - how do they react to injury / misfortune befalling their loved ones (significant other, family, friends)? do they put themselves at blame?

👑 CROWN - what does your oc want to be remembered as? why?

���️ PENCIL - is there a particular quote / lyric that you associate with them?

🎵 MUSIC NOTE - what is their playlist like? their favourite artists? do you associate a particular song with them?

🎤 MICROPHONE - are they good at singing? what is their go-to karaoke song?

🎷 SAXOPHONE - do they play any instruments? are they any good at it?

📚 BOOKS - how were they at school? what is their best subject? what is their worst subject? do they have a favourite subject?

👖 JEANS - what is their go-to outfit?

🎨 PALETTE - can they draw? what do they like to draw?

🎡 FERRIS WHEEL - are they someone who wants to kiss at the top of the ferris wheel?

⏳ HOURGLASS - are they usually late or on-time?

🔫 PISTOL - do they trust people easily? how easily will they turn their back to someone? have they been backstabbed before? will they betray someone if given an ultimatum?

🎀 RIBBON - how would they fit into other worlds / aus? what aus would you like to try out? what fictional world would they fit / not fit into?

📎 PAPERCLIP - a random fact.

📦 PACKAGE - what are some "most likely to..." that can apply to them?

🖍️ CRAYON - what advice would you give to them?

⚙️ GEAR - what are your ocs thoughts on science & art? which do they give more importance to? how much value do they place on each?

🔧 WRENCH - are they good at fixing relationships? or do they tend to avoid doing so?

❇️ SPARKLE - what is their most prized possession? what do they value?

📏 RULER - is your oc well educated? where did they get their learning from?

transport

🚆 TRAIN - what is their answer to the trolley problem?

🚲 BICYCLE - can they ride a bike? what do they remember from learning to ride a bicycle?

weather

🌩️ LIGHTNING - are they scared of lightning?

💧 DROPLET - random angst headcanon

❄️ SNOWFLAKE - do people consider them cold? if so, what made them this way?

🌪️ TORNADO - what is the biggest change you've ever made to them? how have they changed from their original version?

🌈 RAINBOW - what advice would they give to their younger self?

🔥 FIRE - do they have any self destructive tendencies? what habits do they have that hinder them from becoming their best self?

☁️ CLOUD - a soft headcanon

🌟 GLOWING STAR - what do they think about when they look at the night sky? is there someone they want to star gaze with?

🌠 SHOOTING STAR - if they could make any wish with no repercussions, what wish would they make?

☄️ COMET - what do people assume about them? are they right?

hearts

💓 BEATING HEART - what gets their heart racing?

💘 HEART W/ ARROW - what traits do they look for in a relationship? do they believe in love at first sight?

💗 GROWING HEART - if they have a crush, is it noticable? what changes when they're in love?

❤️ RED HEART - their love language(s)?

💙 BLUE HEART - do they miss their s/o easily? how do they act when their s/o isn't around?

💚 GREEN HEART - what things make your oc feel comforted? hugs, kisses, food?

💖 SPARKLING HEART - are they a subtle or a showy lover?

💌 LOVE LETTER - do they like love letters? what kind of messages do they leave for their partner?

💔 BROKEN HEART - what could their partner do that would absolutely break their heart?

#for the disaster quartet #elizabeth #adah lavellan #ornay adaar #ferian lavellan

[the-dreadful-canine]

Chapter 170

Enasal finds Varric and, as usual, he makes her feel better about the whole stupid mess that is the ball.

Varric shares a few fun rumors - some of which he made himself - and makes sure Enasal gets some food in her.

If you want some ambiance, click on the links in the text!

.

Victorian Ball at the Rose Palace

After some helpful directions from a young servant, Enasal was able to find the lower gardens. But this time she ignored the plants and the flowers, not even noticing the smell of the flowers. Instead, she scanned for a crowd, knowing her oldest friend would no doubt be spinning stories to anyone who would listen.

And there he was, leaning against a wall with a glass of wine, completely at ease as he spoke to the crowd around him, who were all leaning towards him in rapt attention. As his eyes drifted over the crowd they landed on Enasal and a smile spread over his face. He held up his hand and addressed the crowd, “If you’ll excuse me, I want to check on the dear Inquisitor.” He winked, “I’ll be back in a few minutes, I promise.”

A few whines and regretful goodbyes were said, and Varric performed a deep bow before turning to Enasal - and she swore his smile was one and relief, “Having fun, Seastorm?”

The nickname was a comfort, and she was glad that he was ignoring Josephine’s orders when she wasn’t around. “It’s actually been a little fun - but I’m glad to see you.”

He flashed a grin, “I do always enjoy canapés while surrounded by people who want to kill me.”

She fanned herself and whispered, “Canapés?”

“These little bits of toasted bread that have cheese and caviar - fancy fish eggs - on them.” He chuckled, “You’d like them.”

Enasal looked back at the crowd, who were all watching them, waiting expectantly for Varric's return, “Doesn’t look like anyone would like to kill you.” She said, “It looks like your fan club found you again.”

“What can I say?” He said with a shrug, “I’m pretty irresistible.” A server walked past and Varric waved him over, picking two hors d'oeuvres off the platter and thanking the man. He handed one to Enasal, “Try it - looks like you got a little bit of both; I present to you burrata cheese topped with caviar.”

Enasal examined the cracker. She had had fish eggs before - she liked the way they tasted and had always been excited when she found them when she cleaned fish. But all of those had been orange or yellow - and these were black. She squinted at them, “What type of fish eggs are these?”

“They’re aged.” He said, “Try it.”

It was good. The cheese was creamy and the eggs salty and delicate. She almost laughed when they popped in her mouth. She nodded, happily humming as she chewed.

Varric laughed, “Here, take mine, too.”

She was more than happy to comply - realizing she was incredibly hungry.

Varric glanced back at the nobles, “Sorry, stole your court face.”

Enasal nodded, slipping it back on, “You know quite a lot about these sorts of affairs.”

He nodded, “My brother used to throw galas like this in Kirkwall. I always tried to avoid them.” He chuckled, “I’m not much of a dancer these days, so I’ve been spinning a few tales for fun… they’re actually gaining some traction.” He seemed very satisfied by that.

She tilted her head, “What sorts of tales?”

He grinned, “You might be my child as a result of an affair with an elven mage. The newly shared family name has helped.” He winked at her, “People are very scandalized but very interested - I’ve yet to deny or confirm.”

Her laugh was fully genuine, “You’re horrible.”

“I’ll admit, I’ve been correcting a lot of less tasteful rumors.” His brow furrowed a bit, “I don’t think anyone believes them, they’re just trying to be nasty.”

Enasal nodded, letting the hurt show for an instant before she corrected it, “Thank you, Varric.”

He nodded, “You know I’m always looking out for you.”

“You always have.” She glanced around and put on a smile, “Any interesting rumors?”

He chuckled, “Well, I’ve heard quite the tale about a certain Marquis sending you a love letter - married and everything.”

“Sad, isn’t it?”

He nodded, “Other than that, not too much. There’s an edge to the air, though, you’ve noticed?”

“I have.”

"People are nervous about something." He said with a shake of his head, "Might just be the war, but I'm keeping my ear to the ground." He lightly clapped her on the shoulder, “Although I have heard another rumor floating around - you'll like this one.”

She fiddled with her fan, “And what would that be?”

“Apparently you look a bit like a certain elven mage.” He said, “I’m starting to get a little suspicious that I might have not been the only affair going on.”

Enasal burst out laughing, “‘A certain elven mage? You can’t be talking about Master Solas?”

“When he stole that first dance, seems people thought he looked at you like a proud father.”

"And we look alike, then?" She asked.

Varric threw back his head and laughed, "Apparently? I think it's the hair."

Enasal lightly fluffed at her curly locks, "Most certainly. The height as well, I'm sure."

"You both are just so tall for elves." He snickered, reaching up a bit to pat her on top of her head, "So tall."

"I'm glad I found you, Varric." Enasal sighed happily, "You always make everything better."

"Always." He chuckled and leaned in and whispered, "If anyone asks, your mother’s name was Serafina and we met at one of Bartrand’s galas.”

“But of course - oh!” She pulled the scrap out of her glove, “This was sent to me under a wineglass.” She leaned in, whispering loudly, “Apparently sent by another admirer.”

“Oh, do share.” She handed it to her and he looked over it, suddenly throwing his head back and laughing. He motioned her towards him and he leaned in close to her ear, “So act like this is funny. To Phillppe from Gaspard, ‘Move in on the western wing of the palace when I send you three shots of brandy. Not taking any chances.’”

Enasal let out a giggle and fanned herself, “I’m perfectly happy with my tarasyl’nin - I have no need for another man.”

“Desperation,” Varric said, wrinkling his nose. He glanced behind him at the nobles, “Send someone if you need me.”

“I will.” She wished she could hug him, “Thank you.”

With a final wink and a chuckle, he went back to his fans, looking over his shoulder a final time, “You should report back to Nightingale if you haven’t - give you an excuse to wave at Curly while you’re in the area.”

.

Read the full fic from the beginning at my A03 here!

If you’re willing and able, feel free to my ko-fi here to help me keep the lights on!

[the-dreadful-canine]

i hear a good lyric and start mentally holding up blorbos like im in the home depot paint aisle comparing swatches

[the-dreadful-canine]

I’ve always wanted to draw Cullen and his siblings so here they are!!!

I wish we got to meet them in-game