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persephoneggsy · 4 months

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so i did this a while back, finally remembered it, and now i'm posting it

Mass Effect x Dragon Age AU

I did one of these already, sort of, for ME: Andromeda, but this one is set in the Milky Way.

Elaborations below:

Merrill is a quarian who was exiled from the Migrant Fleet. She's looking for a way not to destroy the geth, but to bring them back under quarian control, thinking they're too valuable a resource to just get rid of. Unfortunately, this made many quarians view her as dangerous, and she was exiled for the crime of experimental geth research. Making Merrill a quarian was the first choice I did for this AU, I think it fits really well.

Aveline is an asari. I'd considered krogan or turian, or simply keeping her human, but in the end I went with asari mostly because Aveline always struck me as condescending in the same way many asari are, lol. She's a commando who later moved to the Citadel to join C-SEC.

Isabela is a turian. She's a barefaced turian, meaning she has no association to a colony. Instead of following the typical turian tradition of proudly serving in the Hierarchy's military, Isabela instead ran off to become a space pirate, specializing in smuggling. She frequents the bars around Omega and has earned herself a fearsome reputation among the mercenaries.

Bethany remains a human; she grew up on a colony world with her siblings, and had a relatively peaceful childhood, despite the Alliance constantly badgering her parents to send her and her older sister to their biotic training program.

Marian, also a human, eventually ran away from home to become a mercenary. She resented her father for forbidding her and her siblings from joining the Alliance - not because she was particularly patriotic, but she felt like her father's grudge against the Alliance prevented her and her siblings from receiving the best training possible. Her powerful biotics made her both an asset and a target, and she soon caught the eye of a certain Council Spectre...

Fenris is a drell. He was raised under the Compact, an agreement between the drell and the hanar, and his purpose was to become a bodyguard... And then his training group was attacked by batarian slavers and he was taken captive. For many years, Fenris suffered under the batarians' rule, until he finally managed to escape. Unwilling to return home, he instead roams the galaxy, taking out as many batarian slaving operations as he can.

Anders is a human who escaped from a biotic testing facility run by Cerberus. Though this left him with a grudge against Cerberus, he also hates the Alliance, whom he sees as no better and will also use biotic children as weapons. He dreams of establishing a safe haven for biotics, and is willing to go to increasingly drastic measures to see that dream become a reality.

Varric is a volus. Unlike his business-minded brother, Varric does not spend his days negotiating trade agreements or doing finance consultations. Spending his days at the Afterlife bar on Omega, he's an information broker, and a pretty damn good one at that. With his specially crafted weapon Bianca, he's not too bad in a fight, either.

Carver, much like his older sister, left home to seek out his own path, and ended up joining the Alliance against his parents' wishes. He thrived in the military, quickly climbing the ranks due to his strength and competency. He's being primed for N7 training under the wathcful eye of Spectre Sebastian Vael.

Sebastian is a human, and a Council Spectre (I'm imagining this AU as a sort of nebulous period where humanity isn't as looked down upon as they were at the start of ME1, and there are a fair number of human Spectres running around). A wild child in his youth, his parents sent him to the Alliance to straighten him out, and to their relief, it worked like a charm. He specializes in covert missions and favors sniper rifles and tech powers.

#my art #mass effect au #mass effect x dragon age au #sebhawke #yeah it's technically sebhawke bc of course sebastian and marian are going to kiss have you even met me #marian hawke #sebastian vael #i'm not tagging everyone lol #lowkey i was worried about posting this in case Weirdos(tm) saw it and grilled me about my choices but y'know #life is for living etc etc #and yeah a lot of them are obviously based on existing ME characters and backstories but I still like this

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calnexin · 4 years

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haircuts for the DA2 gang 😳✂️

#dragon age #dragon age 2 #aveline vallen #merrill #fenris #isabela #anders #varric tethras #sebastian vael #DAart #anyway back to studying #c draws

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queen-scribbles · 4 years

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Good for the Soul

Inspired by this lovely art from @levikra, this was supposed to be short but the muses had other plans. OOPS

----

The sun’s reflection shimmered on the water, broken by rippling waves and stray seabird silhouettes as they circled overhead. It was calming. Mesmerizing. Exactly what she needed and almost enough to keep her from noticing the quiet footsteps behind her.

Astrid smiled to herself, twisted a lock of windblown hair around her finger, and spoke without turning around. “You know, some might say it’s dangerous to sneak up on someone like me. Good way to find yourself dead.”

There was a chuckle, the soft rasp of boots against sand-grit stone. “Perhaps I have faith in your judgment.”

She snorted and looked down at her feet, the soles just skimming the water’s surface. “In recent years, that’s also proven a good way to find yourself dead.”

“Astrid.” There was no missing the note of friendly reproof in Sebastian’s voice as he sat next to her. There was a beat of silence before he shifted to, “What d’you mean by ‘someone like me’?”

“Oh, you know.” She finally turned and smiled at him. She tried to make it reach her eyes. “One of the more well-known sorts. A mage. The kind of person who might be extra jumpy about being approached unannounced.”

“Ah.” There was a smile tugging his lips and concern in his eyes. “For what it’s worth, I wasn’t tryin’ t’ sneak-”

“I know,” Astrid cut him off, lightly bumping her shoulder to his. Several seconds of comfortable silence stretched between them before she asked, “So, are you today’s short straw?”

Hm?” Sebastian cocked his head and ran a hand over his hair as the coastal breeze tried to ruffle it. (A deep down secret part of Astrid wanted it to succeed)

“You know, the unlucky soul who gets to make sure I’m not drowning in misery.” She kept her gaze on a swooping gull as she spoke, felt her heart give a similar lurch when Sebastian shifted closer, pressing their shoulders together.

“There were no straws,” he said with a half-smile that made her breath catch, carefully shifting so his boots were braced against the rock. “I volunteered. I know you like it out here, an’ it is quite beautiful, in the right spots. And peaceful, even, when nothin’s tryin’ t’ kill ya.”

She couldn’t help the giggle, or the more genuine smile that followed. “Oh, is that it? Too dangerous for me to be alone?” she teased.

Sebastian shrugged. “As you said, you are well-known, especially since Viscount Dumar’s started keeping council with you. Also one of the few voices of reason remaining in the city. Surely you can see how that might put you in added danger.”

“True,” she allowed, pulling her legs in so she could dry her feet and tug back on socks and boots. “I also can handle myself.”

“Well I know it,” he replied, lips still curved in that half-smile, and rested a hand on her arm. “And I didn’t mean to imply you shouldn’t be out here.”

“I was planning to head back soon anyway,” she assured him, patting his hand. “You did no such implying.” She nodded toward the dark band of clouds off to the east. “That’s more responsible than you for my choice.”

“In that case...” Sebastian pushed to his feet and offered her his hand. “Care for company on th’ walk home?”

Astrid accepted the help up, let her hand linger in his. Since it’s you offering... “That would be lovely. If you have the time? I don’t want to impose.”

He shook his head. “Helpin’ you is never an imposition.”

She stared at her boots, biting her lip around a smile. “Sebastian.”

“I mean it. I promised t’ help you if you needed me, an’ I have no duties this morning, anyway.”

She arched a skeptical brow at him. “None?”

“None pressin’ or that couldn’t be traded, then,” he amended. “B’sides, I’d say offerin’ my support or at least company to a friend who may still be grievin’ is a more worthy use of my morning that foldin’ linens or parin’ down candles.”

Her smile spread. “Ah. In that case, it’s most welcome. Your company, I mean.” A more insistent breeze whisked around them, tousling their clothes and her hair and she reached up to push it back as she added a teasing quirk to her smile. “Even if I’d be fine on my own.”

Sebastian took the gentle ribbing in stride as he fell in step next to her for the walk back. “I’m sure your would be. I’ve seen how well you handle yourself. But y’ never know what you’ll run into out here, an’ two are better than one, isn’t that th’ saying?”

Astrid gave him a pointed look that lingered on his lack of armor, bow, or quiver. In fact, the only part of his usual ensemble he had on was the hooded jacket; trousers, boots, belts were all plain and unassuming. No trace of white and gold. “I take it you’re confident in your fist-fighting skills, then?”

He chuckled and clasped his hands behind his back. “I can handle a fair few, aye. But with the weather turnin’ I don’t think that’s as much of a risk. Most would-be threats are like a not seeking shelter “ There was a muffled crack of lightning and he half turned to glance behind them. “As we should probably do.”

“Wha-” Astrid turned to look as well and her eyes widened at the rapidly darkening sky. Damn unpredictable weather... She rested a hand just above his elbow to tug him into a quickened pace with her. “There’s a cave that should be cleared out a little ways up the coast. Unless you think we can make it all the way to the city?”

Even as he opened his mouth to reply, a fat raindrop hit her cheek and the wind tugged at their clothes and hair again, forceful enough it loosened her ponytail.

Sebastian shook his head. “How far to this cave?”

“Half a mile? Maybe a little more.” She pushed her hair out of her face, tendrils curling around her fingers as she tucked them back.

“I think we’ll be lucky t’ make that, rate th’ storm’s comin’,” he said. More rain pattered down around them to underscore the words.

Astrid was a bit more optimistic about their chances, but no point tempting fate--especially when she’d barely dressed warm enough for fair weather. If she got drenched, there were better than decent odds she’d catch cold this time of year. “Oh, if we hurry we can make it,” she said, reaching for his hand as they both quickened their pace again. Another strong gust of wind and they were all but running. Sebastian’s hand was warm in hers, and it took effort to focus on the path and remembering where precisely the cave was rather than that.

Fortunately, their goal wasn’t hard to find, and the weather mostly held until they were inside. The wind gusted every few seconds, and there was a healthy pattering of large raindrops mixed in, but there threatening storm still hadn’t unleashed its full fury when they reached the cave entrance.

They hurried into the shelter it offered with barely a moment’s hesitation, finally releasing each other’s hand as they leaned against the walls to catch their breath. Astrid summoned a spell to illuminate at least part of the cave, check they were alone. It was, as she’d hoped, still empty. It was too shallow a space to make a good home for larger animals or a hideaway for criminals, and too bare to be attractive to smaller critters.

Just as she finished her examination, the rain turned from warning drizzle to full-on deluge. She and Sebastian flinched further back into the cave as water hit the ground with sufficient force and volume to generate spray.

“Well, that was good timing on our part,” Astrid said with a sigh, staring at the curtain of rain. “I wasn’t expecting the storm to roll in so fast, sorry you’re stuck here now.”

Sebastian shrugged and ran one hand through his hair--which, she noticed with a small bit of internal glee, the wind had succeeded in thoroughly ruffling. It returned to a disheveled state the second he let his hand drop. “It’s not your fault, the weather’s never been predictable out here.” He flashed a smile, the glow from her spell sharply highlighting the planes of his face. “An’ I can think of far worse ways t’ spend a few hours than in your company.”

Her face warmed, making the goosebumps on her arms all the more noticeable by contrast. “As can I,” she mumbled, tucking back hair the wind had pulled loose from her ponytail. A smile pulled at her lips. “In fact, if I have to be stuck in a cave with someone, you are my first choice.”

His smile widened. “Thank you. High praise, indeed.”

“I mean...” Astrid rubbed her arm. “It says more that you’re good with sitting still than anything else.” Liar, her thoughts mocked. “If I have to spend a couple hours in close quarters to someone, best it not be someone who’ll go stir-crazy and drive me up the wall.” She hesitated a beat. “And I just enjoy your company in general.”

Sebastian chuckled. “And I yours. As that storm looks intent on staying around for a while, any ideas for passin’ the time?”

The way he was looking at her--gentle, genuine smile, with his hair all tousled like that--was giving her several ideas she’d rather die than share. “Umm...” She bit her lip in thought, rubbing both arms now as a cool breeze swirled through the shallow cave. Her shirt was just damp enough from the rain spray to make a shiver prickle up her spine. “Talking or sitting in comfortable silence are the only options coming to mind.”

“Both good options,” Sebastian agreed, his hands rising to the clasps for his jacket. Astrid forced herself to stare at the pouring rain outside rather than his long, strong fingers. “Anything in particular you’d like t’ talk about? Or avoid talkin’ about?”

She smiled wryly toward the downpour. It’s like he read my mind. “How I’m doing. Since Mother...” The words trailed off and Astrid bit her lip. “Seems like that all anyone wants to know about me anymore-” She broke off with a flinch when she realized he was standing next to her, in the process of draping his jacket around her shoulders.

“You looked cold,” he said with a shrug when she shot him a questioning look.

She couldn’t really deny it. “Thank you,” she murmured, fingers curling around the leather. After only a moment’s hesitation, she slipped her arms through the sleeves--which were, of course, too long--and wrapped it around her. It smelled of candle wax and pine rosin and cleaning oils and ever so faintly she caught a whiff of his pomade from the collar. It was like having him hug her, and between that thought and the general kindness of the gesture, it was a long moment before Astrid trusted her voice. “Won’t you need it?”

Another shrug as he crossed his arms(she stared even harder toward the rainy outdoors to avoid ogling his forearms). “I’ll manage, never fear.”

She hoped he wasn’t just saying that. If he caught cold because he’d given her his jacket she’d never forgive herself. “If you’re sure...”

Sebastian smiled and bumped her shoulder. “I’m sure.”

They lapsed into comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching the rain fall. Another faint shiver rippled up Astrid’s spine despite the jacket’s warmth and she hugged her arms even closer around herself.

“It’s almost pretty,” she commented, nodding toward the view outside the cave. “A little bleak, but there’s still something beautiful about it...”

An inscrutable look flickered in Sebastian’s eyes as one side of his mouth tugged into a brief half-smile. “You really are a marvel, Astrid,” he murmured. He took a seat on the lone boulder in the cave and leaned forward, bracing his arms against his thighs as he studied her and the rainy panorama with equal curiosity. “Seein’ the beauty in even days like this, not wantin’ people t’ worry about you...”

“Oh, they can worry about me all they want,” Astrid clarified with a wry laugh, sitting next to him. “I just wish they’d ask me about other things. I’m handling it, best I can. And having people ask about it constantly feels like poking a wound and wondering why it won’t heal.”

He nodded. “I see th’ sense in that.” Another beat of silence, their shoulders pressed together by the narrow seating. “Have y’heard from Carver recently?”

She shot him a grateful smile, her stomach fluttering. “Not recently, no. Maybe a month? Gamlen was going to handle writing him about ... about Mother.” Her nose wrinkled. “Perhaps I should have done it, but-”

“Not everything is your responsibility,” Sebastian interjected gently. “True, your uncle may be... less tactful than you would, but it’s fair t’ let other people take at least part of the burden from your shoulders. Even something that seems as simple as that.”

“Mm.” Astrid nudged his knee with her own but didn’t really reply. After a moment, she sighed. “This kind of weather makes me think of him...”

“Carver?”

She nodded. “Rainy days like this back in Lothering, and even before, sometimes, we’d hole up in the barn and I’d help him practice sword moves. Mother and Father would never let him actually ask anyone for lessons, so he’d watch the militia and templars train and then I’d stand in as an opponent armed with a broomstick so he could practice.” A wistful smile tugged her lips at the memory. “One time her got so caught up in it, he cracked my knuckles--I think by accident--and I hit back so hard my broomstick broke. Against his broomstick, not him,” she hastily added. “Mother was not amused. Father was.”

“Why didn’t they want him seekin’ lessons?” Sebastian asked.

“They were worried,” Astrid murmured, dragging the toe of her boot through the dirt as the heated conversation played in her head. “Worried it would draw attention, too much scrutiny on the family, especially if he asked the templars.” ‘The lone blade in a house of mages...’ “As we’ve recently had painfully reinforced”--a sad smile--”they are not all good men, and the reaction to a family full of apostates would hardly have been pleasant. So he made do. And considering what he had to work with, he did a rather fantastic job. I was--am--very proud of him.”

Sebastian smiled. “Sounds like you were close.”

She snorted a soft, wry.laugh. “As we could be.” Her ponytail drooped against her shoulder, and she shook her hands free of the sleeves to tug it entirely loose. “Carver... Carver can be prickly at the best of times, and a downright tit at his worst. I love him dearly, but it’s true.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Most would say it’s a good thing to recognize the flaws of those you love. Keeps you from puttin’ them on a pedestal.”

“Oh,we shared a room at Gamlen’s far too long for that to ever be a risk where he’s concerned,” Astrid laughed, fingers deftly twining her hair into a braid. “I almost pity the Wardens.”

“You miss him,” Sebastian said, gaze intent on her face. It wasn’t a question.

“Very much,” she said softly, keeping her own gaze fixed on the rain outside as she tied off the braid. If she met his eyes, she wasn’t sure she could hold back the suddenly-prickling tears. “But at least Carver there’s a chance I’ll see him again. The rest...” The words trailed off with a sigh.

“I know.”

The two quiet words made her face burn hot. “Maker, Sebastian, I’m sorry.” She rested a hand on his arm, wishing the ground would swallow her whole. “I didn’t... I forgot for a minute...”

“Astrid, it’s alright.” He covered her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze as he swallowed reassuringly. “I know you didn’t intend offense, and none is taken.”

“Still...” She gnawed self-consciously on her lower lip.

“You’re much too hard on yourself sometimes,” Sebastian said softly, his smile taking on a compassionate edge.

Astrid locked eyes with him and tried to shrug it off. “It’s part of my charm?” she murmured uncertainly. That was convincing...

“Then it’s part you could do better without,” he countered, his thumb rubbing over her knuckles. “You give so much grace to others, Hawke, extend some to yourself as well.”

“Easier said than done,” she said, quiet, rueful.

“Try,” he said, earnest, caring.

Her breath stuttered in her lungs as they held each other’s gaze, near-unblinking. The warmth of his hand on hers and his arm under it was... intoxicating felt too strong. Overwhelming? And with his hair all loose and tousled like that...

He has vows, Astrid. The thought was cold rainwater down her smile. Ironic, considering when she tore her gaze away toward the cave mouth, the actual rain was starting to taper off. “Oh, look, it’s dying down.” She withdrew her hand and hastily pushed to her feet. (Of course, the fact she was wearing his jacket was not helping at all.)

Sebastian was nice enough to both not press the previous line of conversation and let fade the heat of whatever that... moment had been. “Aye, we should be able t’ head back soon.”

“Oh, here.” Astrid slipped off his jacket(with no small amount of reluctance) and handed it back. “I’ll be alright now. Thank you for the loan.”

He shot her a look silently asking if she was sure even as he took the jacket and pulled it back on. When she didn’t contradict herself, he started fastening the clasps. “Glad it helped.”

“It definitely did that,” she laughed. “Thank you, as well, for the company. It would have been quite boring to be stuck in here alone.”

Sebastian grinned. “Happy t’ be of service.”

It took longer than they’d expected, but after a bit the rain had indeed died to a faint, spotty drizzle. Looking at the overcast sky, this was likely the best they would get, and there was no telling the odds of another downpour. They decided to chance heading back to the city proper and hope the weather held.

“Even if we can’t make it all the way to my house or the chantry, there are, at least, more interesting places to take refuge than a cave,” Astrid said.

“More comfortable, too,” Sebastian added with a chuckle, and she laughed as well.

While the drizzle didn’t abate, neither had it worsened by the time they reached the chantry steps and parted ways.

“Thank you,” Astrid said, briefly resting a hand on Sebastian’s bicep. “I know I already said it, but I’m very grateful to have you in my life--as, as a friend, and I deeply appreciate the help you offer. In all its forms.”

He caught her hand as it started to slide away, gave it a single squeeze before letting go. “It’s my pleasure, Astrid.”

She knew the words were as sincere as his smile, and it made something warm flutter in her chest. She gave a shy nod. “I’ll see you... when I see you, I suppose. Not sure we’ll be ‘adventuring’ with the weather like this; I’ve nothing pressing.”

Sebastian nodded. “Alright. I’ll look forward to next time, then. Goodbye, Astrid.”

“G’bye, Sebastian.”

The rain started to pick back up as Astrid made her way back toward her estate, but she was near to glowing with the same peaceful warmth she’d felt earlier, watching the sun’s reflection scatter across the water. She barely noticed it.

Today had definitely helped her mood, unexpected turns and all. She brushed off Bodahn’s concerned fussing when she entered the house soaked to the bone and apologized for the drip trails as she headed for her room. Mother’s door didn’t spark quite the same looming ache it usually did, and Astrid smiled at the difference from even earlier that day.

I wonder what helped.... she thought with an airy, knowing chuckle, pulling in a deep breath that almost caught the remembered scent of his jacket as she slipped into her room to dry off.

#queens fic #sebastian vael #astrid hawke #otp: to the stars and sea #this is in PRIMO mutual pining territory btw #between all that remains and the end of act 2 #when things are racing towards the breaking point both for kirkwall and their feelings #(cuz it's the aftermath of fighting the arishok where they finally cave and talk about their feeling :D)#so there's lingering touches and significant glances and warmth curling in the belly but neither will ACT ON IT #and it makes me want to S C R E A M

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magicrobins · 5 years

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Kept one friend only to lose another...

#hawke #anders #sebastian vael #dragon age #mhawke #da oc #oc #c: derek hawke #s: dragon age #ref: derek hawke #da

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gremlinquisitor · 5 years

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last line meme

tagged by @cullenlovesmen and @ocean-in-my-rebel-soul iirc :D

tagging @sulevinblade bc apparently there’s hockey, @bexterrr @joufancyhuh and anyone else who wants consider themselves tagged!

More Recreate His Worldly Glory since that’s all I’ve been working on

“Oh, dear, I’m-- I’m so sorry, it’s not actually funny…” She wipes carefully at a tear under one eye.

“Laugh it up Rivaini, it just means more work for you,” Varric grumbles as he steps to the wall at the front of the mezzanine. Low though it may be, he can only just see over it, with no opportunity to aim Bianca anywhere useful.

“You’re gonna fix this when you take over, right?” He asks as he turns and drags a chair over, muttering curses as he climbs up on it, resting the crossbow on the railing.

Sebastian gives him a nod, unable to keep from smiling a little. “First order of business.”

#my fic #my writing #sebastian vael #recreate his worldly glory #not tagging my boy varric in this because that's just wrong #seb: how about side by side with a friend #varric: aye I can do that; Hawke get over here #seb: :c

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ollifree · 2 years

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OC INFO MEME

B A S I C S :

Full Name: Cassidy Amell

Gender: Cis female

Sexuality: Straight

Pronouns: She/her

O T H E R :

Family: Sebastian Vael (Husband), Carwyn Vael (Son), Brigid Vael (Daughter)

Birthplace: Amell Estate, Kirkwall

Job(s): Spirit Healer at Starkhaven’s Chantry, Princess Consort of Starkhaven

Phobias: Irrelevance, losing her political and social power

Guilty Pleasures: None

Hobbies: Embroidery, linguistics

M O R A L S:

Moral alignment: Lawful bitch evil

Sins: lust / greed / envy / gluttony / pride / wrath / sloth

Virtues: charity / chastity / diligence / humility / justice / kindness / patience

T H I S - O R - T H A T :

introvert / extrovert

organized / disorganized

close-minded / open-minded

calm / anxious / restless

disagreeable / agreeable / in-between

patient / impatient

outspoken / reserved

leader / follower / flexible

empathetic / unempathetic

optimistic / pessimistic / realistic

traditional / modern / in-between

hard-working / lazy

R E L A T I O N S H I P S :

OTP: Sebastian/Cassidy

Acceptable ships: No it’s bad enough she’s been inflicted on Sebastian don’t do this to someone else.

OT3: No it’s bad enough she’s been inflicted on Sebastian don’t

BROTP: Rhodri technically counts here but only because I haven’t named any of Cassidy’s actual friends.

NOTP: Everyone god please keep them safe.

#oc things #cassidy amell #c'mon cassidy at least fuck with gender a little

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theoriginalladya · 3 years

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CASEY for the fandom meme, because I was thinking about her.

from this list

Oh MAN! LOL Okay, okay, let me see if I can do this ... (sticking to Dragon Age for this since you mentioned Casey specifically!)

C: A ship you have never liked and probably never will (be nice)

Morrigan/Alistair.

A: Your current OTP(s)/OT3(s)/OTX(s)

You want Casey’s world???

Serafina MacKinnon (OC)/Alistair Theirin

Fergus Cousland/Alfstanna Eremon

Aedan Cousland/Leonie Caron

FemHawke/Nathaniel Howe

FemInquisitor/Cullen Rutherford

Sebastian Vael/Cassandra Pentaghast

Those are all of the ones I can remember off the top of my head at 2 am! lol If I remember any others, I’ll let you know.

S: Show us an example of your personal headcanon (prompts optional but encouraged)

headcanon: Serafina MacKinnon, squire to the Cousland, goes to Orlais when Fergus goes on his Grand Tour (where he meets Oriana). While there, she is trained as a bard in the Orlesian fashion which is whaty Teyrn Bryce Cousland was hoping for. When she reaches the end of her training, she has a series of tests she must pass to the satisfaction of her bardmaster, Felice. In order to pass the very last test, she must betray her allegience to the Cousland family.

Finding her way past the locked doors to Fergus’ rooms was a simple enough task. Locating his correspondence was even easier, seeing as she sometimes assisted him with it. No, the difficulty didn’t come with any of that, nor did it come with the two of Felice’s henchmen who remained in the shadows outside the room, watching and waiting for her to finish. If it came down to it, Serafina was pretty certain she could take them out easily enough.

Booted footsteps came to a halt outside the door, and the slight squeak of metal against wood echoed inside the room as the knob turned.

No, Serafina thought as she straightened to attention, her eyes meeting those of one of her oldest and best friends as well as her liege lord, the test is my loyalty. And I am doomed to failure. She sighed heavily. Felice knows she has won.

“Serafina.”

The door closed behind Fergus with a soft click and Serafina found her voice. “My lord.”

Frowning, Fergus moved further inside. “I was informed someone was breaking into my rooms,” he explained. “Have you seen anyone? Do you know anything of this?”

Serafina swallowed past a tightness in her throat. “That … all depends,” she replied with a hint of hesitation.

Fergus seemed startled by her response for a moment. “Upon?”

Taking a deep breath, Serafina took the step to close the distance between them while lifting the blade in her hand; Felice’s ‘gift’. “Upon whether or not you judge a book by its cover,” she said.

Fergus’ reaction was instinctive. Serafina had known it would be. How many times had they sparred against one another over the years? And yet, though his muscles bunched and tightened and he moved into a defensive position, Fergus kept his eyes solely upon hers and did not attack.

“I know your fondness for books and the stories held within,” he stated carefully. “Why not regale me with the one you have in mind? I am listening.”

With those three words, Serafina’s entire body sagged with relief. The knife dropped from numb fingers to the carpet as she fell to her knees and covered her face.

E: Have you added anything cracky/hilarious to your fandom, if so, what

Oh, you are EVIL!!!!!! The answer is yes, I have, but it is a HUGE part of the plot in this world, I cannot share it until I start posting stories! :) (I know you know what it is, so I don’t feel too bad about not sharing! lol)

Aside from that ... maybe the ‘cat fight’ when (bard) Serafina and Leliana meet during the Blight? :D

Y: What are your secondhand fandoms (fandoms you aren’t in personally but are tangentially familiar with because your friends/people on your dash are in them)

Oh god ... Avatar, Old Guard (is that the name? the movie everyone’s been going on about during the pandemic), The Witcher, Criminal Minds, Lucifer ... I know there must be others, but it’s so late I can’t think straight anymore ...

#fandom asks #ladya replies #I know you adore Casey #and I will never be able to thank you nearly enough for that my friend!#thank you for this!!!!!!#guileandgall

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bunabi · 4 years

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/listen/ my half rivaini mage!trevelyan doesn't fuck with Sebastian. While the Trevs are like fuck he's a mage, they still respect and love their son. B/c of this they all have beef with the Vaels and my mage specifically w/Sebastian. Why? Because I know his ass used slurs at my Trev. Just so I can have a moment in my head where he hears about Starkhaven going for Kirkwall and just goes: ahaha Don't worry Varric, fuck that dude.

I dont understand. Does he call her slurs because she’s Rivaini or because she’s a mage?? Either way I don’t personally see Sebastian doing either of those things.

#replies #I dont doubt he's rude but idk using slurs seems beyond his characterization #Anonymous

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hunnybadgerv · 4 years

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Favorite characters: C, S, B, N, G

Favorite Characters A-Z

C: Corso Riggs from Star Wars: The Old Republic. To be honest the first time I played a smuggler I didn’t take her much past level 15, so I only a tiny taste of his romance. And he was just so sweet, that I never thought I’d fall for it. But my gosh, he’s so damned adorable.

S: Sebastian Vael from Dragon Age II. I know he’s one of those polarizing characters, but I’ve always enjoyed Sebastian--rivalmanced and romanced. He can be an interesting addition to the group.

B: Troy Bradshaw from Saints Row. Just like the PC in the game, I, too, was shocked when I played SR2 and found out that Troy was an undercover cop. Honestly, I started playing SR2 first. I heard that bombshell and I immediately shut down the game and went out and bought the first game. So, I “knew” but I still was taken aback by it. I really liked the character and he felt like a mentor for my character more than some of the others. It was really a striking surprise.

N: Nathaniel Howe from Dragon Age: Awakenings. The first time I played a Cousland character all the way through DA and then landed in Amaranthine I was hit with the feels meeting the son of the family that murdered hers. OMG! All the feels. I was entirely invested in that character, coming to know him and see how he was different from his family. The story was striking.

G: Garrus from the Mass Effect series. I adore Garrus. He’s always tight with Shepard. No Shepard without Vakarian is always a thing even if there is no romance between them. I just enjoy his characterization throughout the series. His arc and growth. I just ... all the Garrus content is worth attention.

#Favorite Characters A-Z #theoriginalladya

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persephoneggsy · 1 year

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A little scene I wrote related to my Goddess!Hawke x Champion!Sebastian au. May or may not add more to it, I mostly just wanted to get this scene down before it left my head.

The domain of death was, as expected, a gloomy place. On a floating platform made of crumbling marble, suspended in the dark, endless void of space, the goddess of death sat on her throne of black feathers, mulling over recent events.

Her legs were thrown over one arm of the throne, her back resting against the other, looking for all the world like a carefree woman lounging in the privacy of her own home, and not the oh-so-feared deity she was. At the base of her throne, a large skeletal dog sat dozing, the warm fire blazing within its ribcage the only source of light aside from the moon hanging above in the foreboding night sky.

In her hands was an arrow, clearly made by a child’s clumsy fingers.

She turned the arrow over and over, taking in every small detail, every mistake. She wondered if he’d been frustrated as he made it, or if he kept going with that same look of dogged determination in his deep cerulean eyes.

Her musing was cut short, however, as she felt a presence enter her realm. Her hound jumped to his feet, growling in the direction of the intruder. Hawke did not even bother to lift her head from the arrow.

“Lady Hawke.” A female voice, light and beautiful but weighed down with the clear reprimand in its tone. “You have gone too far.”

“Lovely to see you too, Andraste,” replied Hawke, still not looking up. Her hound continued to growl, fire beginning to spill from his mouth.

Andraste, goddess of light and life, frowned at Hawke’s dismissive attitude. She walked forward, uncaring of the hellhound’s agitation.

“You altered the threads of fate,” she accused. “Lamont Vael was fated to die.”

“That’s up to me, isn’t it?”

“His fate was written eons ago,” she insisted, ignoring her. “By sparing him, you have irreparably changed the fate of his entire family.”

“Oh yes, I know.” Hawke finally moved to sit on her throne properly, and gingerly set the arrow down on one of the arms. Her attention fully on the light goddess, she stared her down with dark eyes. “Lamont Vael was to waste away, a painful and humiliating end for a would-be king. His brother Tyrus, blinded by grief, would fall in battle not months later. Their mother, unable to bear losing her eldest sons, would then take her own life with a glass of poisoned wine. Their father, already possessing a weak heart weakened ever further by his grief, succumbed easily to the machinations of a scheming rival, who had him assassinated in his sleep and passed off as a heart attack. In a matter of months, nearly the entire Vael line would be wiped out… Leaving Sebastian Vael the only true heir to the throne.”

“You understand, then?” Andraste sounded wary. “You’ve deprived the boy of his destiny.”

“I rather think I saved his family,” Hawke shot back.

“He was going to be a king!” yelled Andraste, frustrated. “Instead, now you’ve bound him to a miserable existence as your servant!”

“As my champion,” Hawke clarified. “And he chose to swear himself to me.”

“It was that or death,” came the bitter reply.

“And an afterlife at the side of a goddess he supposedly revered. I wonder, Andraste, why do you suddenly care about Sebastian Vael now?” Hawke rose from her throne, descending the steps one after the other. “He prayed to you, he must’ve. He begged for his brother’s life, and you did not answer. Why? To preserve his so-called destiny? To make him the sole survivor of a tragedy?’

“To be a great king,” Andraste stared her down, unflinching in the face of death. Hawke did like that about her, in spite of everything. “He would’ve led Starkhaven into an era of prosperity and light! He would’ve united the Free Marches under a single banner for the first time in ages untold!”

Hawke raised a brow. “And converted all those under his rule to your worship?”

Andraste narrowed her eyes. “Do not accuse me of something so crass, Shepherdess.”

“No, you’re right. No point in speaking about hypotheticals now. The facts are this: Sebastian Vael chose this path. He chose me. I am the one who answered his prayers. I have done more for him in a day than you have his entire life.”

Andraste bristled, her eyes flaring with anger. The hellhound let out a sharp bark in warning. Hawke laid her hand atop her companion’s skull, calming him. Her own expression stoic, she faced the goddess of life and spoke once more.

“He will serve my needs, but beyond that, his fate is his own. Find some other poor mortal to turn into your witless lackey.”

She waved her hand, and just as Andraste opened her mouth for another furious rebuttal, she was ejected from Hawke’s domain. The realm was once again silent, and her hellhound sniffed once before returning to his dozing position. Hawke spared the beast a small smile before she turned back to her throne, and the arrow lying on its arm. The fletching made of hawk feathers… Perhaps there was something to be said for fate, after all.

Sebastian had carried a bow with him both times he came to her chapel. His preferred weapon, to be sure. She would have to see about getting him properly equipped, though -- her champion deserved the finest she could provide.

#my work #sebhawke #goddess and champion au #Andraste’s not a bad god she’s just mad Hawke stole her man lol

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