Three Goblin Art
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AnasAbdin
hello vonnie
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trying on a metaphor
RMH
he wasn't even looking at me and he found me
roma★
oozey mess
Product Placement
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Peter Solarz
art blog(derogatory)
Discoholic 🪩
Xuebing Du
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we're not kids anymore.
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@pariahpiranha
(Deadstock Design) Never worn, prewashed so the colors won’t bleed! -ankles ties -back pocket -colorful elastic waist band Length: 35 1/4” Inseam: 20” Waist: 11 3/4” #harempants #tribal #hippie #boho #yoga
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Harem Pants from harempants.com.
-adjustable bra straps -waist and hip accentuating straps with lots of stretch -black lacey texture #lingerie #deadstock #femmefatale
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Deadstock Victoria’s Secret Teddy.
This flashback in ATLA, Azulon becoming enraged with Ozai for disrespecting Iroh and the recently deceased Lu Ten, is usually interpreted as Azulon then ordering Ozai to kill Zuko. I disagree with this for two reasons. 1: We don’t actually hear Azulon say that, it’s only referred to by Azula (who was around seven or eight at the time and might have misunderstood what she heard) and by Ozai, years later, when he is taunting Zuko on the Day of Black Sun. Neither Azula nor Ozai are reliable narrators. 2: Azulon is, at the time of this flashback, the ruler of the Fire Nation who has just lost one of his only two grandsons and heirs. What kind of monarch loses one heir and then turns around and demands the death of another, especially when losing Zuko would hardly bother Ozai? My interpretation of this situation is Azulon ordered Ozai to give Zuko into Iroh’s care, replacing Lu Ten as Iroh’s heir, neatly removing any argument Ozai had about Iroh’s line having ended. Ozai of course would never accept this. He either lied to Ursa, claiming Azulon wished Zuko dead, or outright told his wife he’d kill Zuko before seeing him get ahead of him in the line of succession, thus manipulating Ursa to help him assassinate Azulon. I think this theory makes far more logical sense than ‘Azulon ordered the murder of his nine-year-old grandson’.
You know what dialogue shows just how GOOD the Adoribull relationship is from the main game (not counting Trespasser because literally every line they have in Trespasser is an Adoribull Is Great Party)?
It’s not Bull’s ridiculous jokes and/or flirting, nor Dorian’s gamely responses to them. It’s not the sexual innuendos or Dorian not so subtly obsessing over Bull’s muscles.
It’s these lines right here:
Iron Bull: Dorian, you’ve been to Minrathous, right?
Dorian: Of course. I’m not a plebian.
Iron Bull: You ever been to that place in the Vivazzi Plaza? With the big, cracked bell hanging off the roof?
Dorian: With the dancers, yes. You’re making me homesick.
and
Iron Bull: Must grind your gristle the “Elder One” is some crazy Vint asshole, huh?
Dorian: I’m not thrilled to discover we should take those old legends at face value.
Iron Bull: Guess he thinks the modern Imperium is a real letdown, too.
Dorian: Why wouldn’t he? Tevinter once covered all Thedas, its glory only matched by its depravity.
Dorian: It’d be like Koslun showing up and learning the Qunari didn’t conquer the world after all.
Iron Bull: Hmm, yes. Priesthood’s been trying to explain that one for centuries.
The reason these exchanges are what I see to be the best proof of why they work as a couple is because it shows that both of these men look to each other for familiarity, with both being strangers in the South bonding over being from the North.
The first set of lines involve Bull and Dorian sharing memories from a place that Dorian considers home, and one that is closer to Bull’s home than, say, Ferelden or Orlais, that he’s reminiscing over.
The second set of lines show that Dorian knows more about Qunari culture than anyone else in the Inquisition apart from Bull, and has either shown enough interest to read about it or is aware of a decent amount about the Qun, as a citizen of Tevinter, especially one from Qarinus, which was victim to many Qunari raids.
Now this might just be me as an immigrant reading into this, but Dorian and Bull’s dialogues remind me of myself, as a person of colour and immigrant, talking to other POC and immigrants, especially those with a culture very close to my own, if not outright the same. We bond over things like temperature, food, homeland, and talk to each other about similar cultures, or even the same ones.
This isn’t even mentioning the fact that they’re remarkably similar for coming from warring countries, which Bull brings up twice:
Iron Bull: Think I know what your problem is, Dorian.
Dorian: I have only the one?
Iron Bull: You see a man who’s burned out, who left his people and entire life behind… and for what?
Dorian: You’re not suggesting we’re similar.
Iron Bull: How’s that mirror treating you? Pretty picture, isn’t it?
Dorian: I may vomit.
Iron Bull: Wait, wait, I’ll flex a little for you. Make it easier.
and
Iron Bull: You doing all right, Dorian? I know family stuff can be rough.
Dorian: What would you know about it? True Qunari don’t have families.
(If Iron Bull is Tal-Vashoth)
Iron Bull: Finding out you don’t fit in with the people who raised you?
Iron Bull: Having to walk away from everything you grew up with, knowing you’ve disappointed the ones who loved you?
Iron Bull: I might know a bit. Takes a tough man to do it, too. So good on you, you big old fop.
Dorian: Yay. Good on me.
Dorian and Bull UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER in ways that few other Dragon Age characters do, both from a cultural / background perspective, and in terms of their personalities and character.
Add that to the fact that they’re very much sexually compatible as well as remarkably sweet even before Trespasser:
Iron Bull: Dorian’s a sweet guy. He’s gentle, and he cares under all that bluster. I’m hoping we’re good for each other.
Iron Bull: Plus, I’ve never done it with a mage before. One time, he got so excited he set the curtains on fire! (Laughs.)
and
Cassandra: So, Bull, about Dorian…
Iron Bull: Yes, it’s true.
Dorian: By all means let us discuss this together.
Cassandra: If… you’re both pleased…
Dorian: I’m happy, he’s happy, everyone’s happy.
Iron Bull: Awww, you’re happy.
Dorian: (Sighs.)
Cassandra: (Laughs.)
and
Dorian: I’ve decided to stay with the Inquisition. For now.
Inquisitor: Would that have anything to do with Iron Bull?
Dorian: It might. You know how it is.
And you have a relationship that is a genuinely good one, built on chemistry (both in terms of sexuality and personality) and understanding (both intellectually and emotionally).
They’re both intelligent, driven, damaged, strong men of the North who remind each other of home, who are used to lies and masks but show genuine softness to each other, and know and understand each other better and more than any other character in Inquisition.
Which is why Adoribull is such a good Dragon Age relationship.
I feel like this is a lot to ask but do u have any tips for writing Cullen?
*rubs hands together* ohohoho DO i??? (the answer is yes. i do.) i’ve actually saved a lot of this in a draft to post but here is the opportunity to finish it!
full disclosure: i’m not entirely sure where this runs from canon to personal headcanon. i spend a lot of time in cullen’s headspace with my own fic, and i’m well aware that my interpretations of him are not always shared by others.
Rule #1. Cullen is not an Alistair clone. More can be found in my post here. But the main sentiment? Yes, they are both awkward around potential love interests, and yes, they both grew up in the Chantry system. But that’s about where the similarities end.
Which leads me to clarify: Cullen is not actually awkward. Hear me out—we all know Cullen can be reduced to a stuttering mess when he’s around a potential love interest, but outside of that? NEVER. He may not be one for eloquence, but romance aside, he has zero trouble stating exactly what he means, and especially so when he’s angry.
He’s not one for wordplay or eloquence. He says what he means and means what he says, and in the very rare event that he is sarcastic, it’s so dry it could easily be missed, so when writing a Cullen joke, it should be so subtle that without context, one could miss the joke entirely.
He is competitive, and outside a romantic situation, he will stop at very little to win, whether it’s in chess or in a war council decision. He is unforgiving (possibly as much to himself as to people who’ve wronged him or what he stands for). He is decisive. Unless you’re writing him in a romantic situation, I wouldn’t envision him ever answering “I don’t know” to a question or a problem posed, but rather be either strongly affirmative or resistant to an idea.
In following up to his competitiveness, Cullen would die on a sinking ship. In a humorous sense, he continues to play Josephine in Wicked Grace until he’s left with literally nothing (when you’d presume he could’ve quit any other time before his losses became so…great). But in a less funny sense, he literally sticks around Kirkwall until the very end. He’s not one to easily admit he was wrong, and that’s one of his flaws. It takes a lot (many would argue too much) for him to see the error in his ways, and even when he does, he spends more time berating himself for his actions (or inactions) than he does trying to make things right.
Which leads into another point: Cullen has a tendency to live in the past. So much of what he does for the Inquisition is as a counteraction to what he’s done in Kirkwall, or even Ferelden. He canonically says that he can’t give less to the Inquisition than he gave to the templars, which is admirable in a sense, but also goes to show just how much his past runs deeply into everything he does. I’m a firm believer that it takes an outside influence (be it the Inquisitor, a romanced character, or friends) to get Cullen to start living for now and for the future instead of for the past.
But enough dark takes! A romanced Cullen is softspoken, kind, gentle, honest, and even doting (if you’ll pardon the headcanon). A complete turnaround from Cullen among enemies. He’s just so soft in general. You can just tell he’s never felt a love like this before (or dare I say never felt love at all?) because he’s just so in awe of everything when it comes to his LI. I think he’d be protective. Maybe overprotective, even. I think he has the potential to make foolish decisions in the name of someone he loves, although I understand that’s more of a personal headcanon of mine. I think he loves deeply and would wear his heart on his sleeve for the right person.
He also has friends. I generally believe this is unique to DAI-and-onward Cullen, but he has friends who he cares about and who care about him. This includes, even platonically, the Inquisitor, but also Cassandra and Varric, who were there before and perhaps at his worst and still support him. And he can make more friends. I think for much of his life he’s been too devoted to the Chantry and the Order but Inquisition affords him the opportunity to make friends, and I greatly value Cullen fics where he not only has a positive romance but also has positive friendships.
My last bit of advice for writing Cullen is simply to write him dynamically. With complexity. He is nether wholly evil nor a saint, and I’m steadfastly wary of anyone who portrays him on either side of that spectrum. He’s a deeply flawed character who wants to atone for his past and has the potential to be a better person, a good person. Whether you believe Bioware did this for him is up to you, but as fic writers and creators, this is something we can do for him ourselves, if we want to and if we approach it right.
I am so happy to have received this question because I embrace any opportunity to talk about the complexities of Alistair as a character. He is a magnificent example of resilience and positive outcomes for people who have had invalidating and traumatic childhoods, something a lot of people can relate to. I’ve not been subtle about my disdain for the way much of the Fandom ™ has swept all of these positively wonderful and interesting aspects under the rug and characterize him as immature, unintelligent, and obsessed with cheese due to a couple lines of dialogue where he uses his deflective humor to avoid the actual gravity of some of the things he talks about. Countless times I have had people tell me that they had been completely uninterested in Alistair because of such oversimplifications.
I made a post not too long ago [link] that compared how Alistair and Cullen handle trauma differently, but I did not delve that deeply into how Alistair’s has shaped who he is as a whole - only how he coped. This will be a long post, so… bear with me!
Keep reading
Alistair is not a ‘himbo’: discussion of the continuous mischaracterization of Alistair with disregard to his trauma.
Throughout the fandom, Alistair is seen as a ‘cheese-loving himbo,’ and his personality is narrowed down to these two factors. People often see him as stupid, to put it simply, and others see him as ‘annoying’ and ‘whiny’. However, Alistair is quite possibly one of the most in-depth and fleshed out character that BioWare has developed. He is not actually stupid, and he should not be labeled as ‘whiny’ or ‘annoying’ either. Under the cut is an in-depth perspective of Alistair, his trauma, and his personality.
Disclaimer: this is not going to be a ‘callout’ post to the fandom in any way. It is simply a character analysis on Alistair and his coping mechanisms for his trauma and how it is often misperceived. Warning for length.
Keep reading
“Meta” Masterpost
All right, it’s mostly fangirling. There’s a reason why most of my meta is filed under the tags “i.e. me rambling” or “trulycertain talks bollocks”. But in case anyone’s interested, here’s a list. Mostly things on here are just me putting in my two pence, rather than me being the OP, so not all of it will be that interesting/useful.
Kirkwall and the DA2 crew
The rebuilding of Kirkwall - Essentially: “I wish I’d seen Cullen and Aveline hanging out together and generally being stubborn Fereldans post-DA2. Would’ve been fun.”
Anders and Cullen: more in common than they’d think - A bit about how their arcs mirror and counterpoint each other, particularly in DA2.
Templars and the Chantry system in general
Why I love the Magi Origin - Why? Mainly the fact that it’s full of foreshadowing for the entire series. Reblog rambling.
People ask, “Pro-mage or pro-templar?” I say, “It’s a little more complicated than that for me.” - A conversation with thethousandnaturalshocks about how the Chantry system harms both mages and templars. With a little Cullen, Alistair, Samson and Amell/Surana thrown in.
Circle mages and compromised immune systems - Some thoughts on becausedragonage and meridok’s meta.
Cullen
“love not-at-first-sight Cullen is more romantic anyway” - friend-of-red-jenny said that. I respond with some stuff about his friendship and romance arcs that boils down to, “Yes, I agree completely.”
Why I love prickly!Cullen - Another response to friend-of-red-jenny. Rambling on vulnerability, northernness and good voice acting.
Some reasons I like starting his romance late in the game - Reblogging friend-of-red-jenny again. What it says on the tin, plus some stuff about how the romance arc’s written.
Cullen’s makeover in Inquisition as character development - Why I reckon he tamed his hair himself. Taking control over his life through his appearance, etc.
Why Cullen/mage!Inquisitor can be a healthy, positive thing, and what it says about mages and templars in general - Why the ‘ship offers hope for the fate of mages and templars. There’s also some stuff in there about how Cullen’s arc mirrors and counterpoints Anders’. A reblog of siawrites’ post.
Why all Cullen’s Trespasser epilogues make sense - a reblog of tarysande’s post. Why he needs purpose and faith.
Alistair
Why I like Warden Alistair - A reblog from merilsell with some thoughts about this. The basic answer: I have to do some frowning at canon to make it work, but I think there are positive messages and good storytelling in the Warden ending too. Also me saying that he is quite a BAMF, and I do wish canon would acknowledge this more.
The reason he isn’t fond of Morrigan - A reblog of some meta/headcanon stuff by siawrites about his upbringing. I don’t add much, but the point about Morrigan might be of interest.
Alistair, dumb? Nah. - Pretty much “Reasons Why Alistair Is Actually Quite Bright, Thank You Very Much” Volume 23.
Here Lies the Abyss, the Nightmare and insecurity - Or: crikey, the man’s grown up a lot. A response to rederiswrites.
Anora
Why I find Anora fascinating - Just that, really.
The Inquisitor
Some daft headcanon stuff about Cullen and Cassandra attempting to carry Adaar to get medical attention after Haven. A reblog of lavellanthedragonslayer’s post. I just really love Adaar, essentially. I should write more Adaar.
Unpopular opinion: I like the Halamshiral outfit - The benefits of unity, political game-playing and women in uniform. Response to friend-of-red-jenny.
Leliana
Leliana sees herself in Josephine - Why she’s so protective of her.
Why I love DA:O Leliana - She’s my second favourite character in Origins. Here’s why.
Solas
Trickster gods and sexuality - Me chipping in on thethousandnaturalshocks’s post. Why Fen’harel fits with a lot of the traditional “trickster god” mythos.
Dragon Age lore/Thedas in general
How “great mages” can become “gods” - Some theory stuff on the Evanuris and unfathomable power. Response to rederiswrites.
Tru is a history nerd, again - Basically: Orlesians are Normans (ugh, Normans) and Kirkwall might be Weimar? OP by droil.
The nature of the Veil, spirits and mages - Lore speculation/rambling on the Veil.
Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and Canadian stereotypes - A response to fanfoolishness and calamity-writes. In which I basically say: Ferelden is a certain kind of Britain, written by Canadians - and that’s awesome. (There’s also a fair bit about Cullen and Kaidan in here.)
Mass Effect
Shepard’s real superpower - Why I really, really love the loyalty and upgrade mechanics in ME2 and think they’re character development.
The Quest for Kaidan, part one and part two - Thoughts on his character and romance.
Thedosian Slurs
Disclaimer: All of this is completely canonical knowledge. Nothing headcanoned and all can be found in the games or extended media. Also I do not support the use of slurs, this is simply a lore/educational post for the Dragon Age series.
While often taking from our own present day (and past) curses, Thedas also has it’s fair share of unique slurs. Everyone from Humans to Mages to Qunari have derogatory terms for everyone else. Some are spoken in a race’s first language, while others are simple King’s Tongue and just as common throughout the world.
Slurs for…
Humans
Dathrasi: a pig like animal This slur can actually be used for anyone of any race, but is most often associated with human nobles. Qunari using it to compare the nobles to wallowing, dirty animals who simply indulge and indulge until them become too fat on their greed.
Dog Lord This term refers to Fereldans, who are known for their excessive love of mabari. Created by Orlesians, it compares and essentially equates Fereldans to dogs and dog-like behaviors (rolling in dirt, licking their genitals, etc.). It is sometimes used by Fereldans as a true title or compliment than the intended insult.
Half-Elf/Half-Blood This term is never used for full humans, but rather is a derogatory term for Elf-Bloodied beings. Humans who have one elf parent will often be called out as being a Half-Elf or Half-Blood, as couplings with elves is considered taboo and disgraceful (see: Rabbit slur). The slur acknowledging only half their blood is good and/or that the person is tainted. This term is used in excess for elf-bloodied humans who choose to stay with their elven families in Alienages.
Quick/Shemlen: meaning “Quick Child” This is most often used by elves as it is an elven word and is usually shortened to shem. It’s original purpose was simply to identify humans, but continues to see use as an insult now. It is believed to have been chosen due to humans having much shorter life spans than elves and thus seen as dying far too young.
Elves
Flat ears/Seth’lin: meaning “Thin Blood” A term actually used by elves for elves, Dalish elves will sometimes refer to City elves as flat ear or seth’lin. The Dalish believing that city elves have lost their “elfiness” and practically become humans themselves. Both slurs insinuating the loss of elven blood, characteristic, and culture in the city elves.
Halla-Rider This slur is predominantly used by humans for Dalish elves, although many humans see it more as a comment or even a compliment than a derogatory term. The term of course referencing the chosen mount of elves, though it also oversimplifies and insults the relationship between the halla and the Dalish.
Knife-ear/Slant-eared Blanket term for all elves, used by humans. This is the most common slur used for elves, obviously coming from the shape of an elf’s ears.
Rabbit Rabbit is considered a more generous slur by the humans who use it, often claiming it is due to the shape of their ears. However, it has also been known to be used by (Orlesian) Andrastians who believe coupling with an elf is no better than sleeping with animal, due to their “bestial” intelligence and nature. Also it may speak to elves having a “plucky” nature.
Rattus An Ancient Tevinter term used to refer to elves, though the direct translation and origin is unknown.
Wood Elves/Savages Another Self-Elven Slur, for Dalish elves used by City elves. Used because many City elves believe Dalish to be wild, cruel, and barbaric. It often accompanies stories of cannibalism and predation on fellow elves, mostly built off the idea that City elves that go in search of Dalish lives are never heard from again.
Dwarves
Cloudgazer/Sun-Touched Slur used by Deep Roads dwarves to describe Surfacer Dwarves. The idea that seeing or gazing upon the sun and sky takes away your Stone-sense, the Dwarves connection to their ancestors.
Deep Lord This term is often used by lower caste Dwarves (Below Noble and down to Casteless). The label is used for Noble Dwarves, specifically Deshyrs of the Dwarven Assembly. The reasoning behind this unknown, other than the literal meaning.
Duster A derogatory term for the Casteless, used by Dwarves of higher castes. The exact origin of the term is unknown, but it most likely has to do with the Casteless living in the dust and dirt of the Deep Roads.
Noble-Hunter Used to describe women of a lower Dwarven caste (often Casteless), who are looking to raise their caste by bearing a son to a man of higher caste. The term comes from the fact that the women often try for noble, but will settle for someone of a lower (but still higher than them) caste.
Short Mouth Sometimes used by Qunari to refer to Dwarves, who are much shorter than them and any other race. It is a rather straightforward slur.
Stone-Blind Another slur applied to Surface Dwarves, this one deriving from the belief that Surfacers are and/or have lost all their Stone-sense. Much like Cloudgazer and Sun-Touched, though this one is a bit more straightforward than both of those. Insinuates that Surface Dwarves are not real Dwarves.
Qunari
Beasts/Giants Obvious slurs for a Qunari and used by almost all races. They are used to dehumanize the Qunari as mere creatures built on instinct and savagery.
Ox-men This slur is built more on Qunari appearance than attitude. Bringing attention to a Qunari’s horns, muscular stature, and back-breaking strength. In Tevinter, this is often accompanied with a Yoke being used in manual labor or as a symbolic slave collar.
Mages
Abomination While this has come to be a technical term for a mage possessed, this is often used as a slur towards any mage. This term is only used by mages when a mage has been completed corrupted by a demon and has lost their humanity, rather than being used casually for any mage dealing with a spirit. This term is used to dehumanize mages.
Hedge Mage This is another slur that is used as an identifier, the Chantry choosing to use this term as a blanket for unsanctioned mages (i.e. Avvar shamans and Chasind/Riviani witches). It is often used in conjunction with “arcane derangement” to describe the unsanctioned magics.
Incaensor: meaning a dangerous substance A Tevinter term used for slaves who show magical ability and potential, though the word is also used to describe raw lyrium and natron salts. The idea of the slur is to dehumanize the slaves into just another tool, useful is controlled and used correctly.
Robes A relatively straightforward slur, playing off the stereotype that all mages wear robes. It also belittles mages down to the clothing they wear, taking away their personal identity.
Spellbind Little is known about the specifics of this slur, however, it may come from the idea that dangerous mages can bind others to their will or come from the Mortalitasi title Spellbinder. Spellbinders being a specialized magic among the Mortalitasi, binding spirits to objects like books and seen as extremely dangerous.
Misc
Basra The less neutral version of bas, this actually used an insult for those who are not Qunari. Most likely meaning purposeless nothing.
Nug Humper A commonly used insult by dwarves, implying someone has slept with a nug.
You know, I had a headcanon kicking around for a while about slaves in Tevinter with magical ability. The powerful in Tevinter are mages, as we know, but that does not mean that all mages in Tevinter are powerful. I theorized that being a mage does not in and of itself convey status, privilege or protection – and I had an associated theory that the blood of a mage works better for blood magic rituals than the blood of a non-mage.
And here this theory seems to be borne out, or at least have some evidence, because in Tevinter…
Incaensor: meaning a dangerous substance A Tevinter term used for slaves who show magical ability and potential, though the word is also used to describe raw lyrium and natron salts.
…slaves with magical ability are literally known as ingredients.
Brand new size 8 Chacos, they’ve just been sitting under my bed without a box. My mom bought them for herself as an 8, but they were too small for her (she has wide feet). Good for a narrow 8 or 7.5 Would be interested in trading for new chacos in a size 9!
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Pink and Sienna Chacos NEW.
Brand new size 8 Chacos, they’ve just been sitting under my bed without a box. My mom bought them for herself as an 8, but they were too small for her (she has wide feet). Good for a narrow 8 or 7.5
Check out this listing I just added to my Poshmark closet: Pink and Sienna Chacos NEW.
Have you ever licked a lamppost in winter?
*sips hard liquor from a “World’s Best Fandom” coffee mug*
Yes, you got it right, this is happening. Get comfortable there, in today’s episode we’re going to bust one of the most popular myths among cullenmancers of all time:
“Cullen can’t be a virgin in DAI because he’s hot, confident and 30”.
First of all, I’d like to point out that I’m very reluctant to the notorious image of DAI Cullen as a “chantry boy”, which basically means the face of DAI Cullen slapped on the DAO Alistair character. As ironic as it may seem the main accomplishment of forcing this image was a creation of strong belief within the fandom that the virgin!cullen headcanon is something utterly AU-ish, existing only in the minds of those who’re into virginity kink. I’m going to give you another perspective on this popular viewpoint.
Keep reading
krantt
for #trilogyappreciationweek, with thanks to @wlwkiranerys and @rannochs for being my sound board.
The one where Wrex doesn’t adopt Tali (except he kinda does) also here on ao3
~~
Everyone on the Normandy was young to Wrex. The thing about being a Krogan was that it gave you a different perspective on age. Excluding the Asari, all species burnt out bright and quick to him. But even Liara was just a kid to him, not even 200 yet.
From what he knew about Quarians however Tali was young to them too. He’d met a few Quarians on pilgrimages before; their version of the Rite of Passage from what he gathered. Except with less Thrasher maws.
Well there was one on the planet they’d gotten a distress beacon from. That probably counted.
But unlike the Rite of Passage you did it alone; not a krantt to rely on like Krogans had. Seemed lonely.
So Wrex may have decided somewhere after that mission to keep an eye on the young Quarian. She wasn’t so bad. Understood all his grumbling about the Council and the bullshit they put his species through.
Though at least his species hadn’t released an intelligent robot race onto the galaxy that now worshipped some old machine.
Still Tali was okay.
She just had to remain alive to be okay.
Wrex sighed as he watched her clean her shotgun. He rubbed a hand over his jaw, scratching lightly with his gloves.
“Where’d you learn how to fire that anyway?” He asked.
Tali jumped at his voice, the light in her helmet that indicated she was talking lit up when she yelped.
“Wrex! Don’t sneak up on me!” Tali scolded but then her shoulders fell like she expected a scolding of her own.
Wrex merely stared.
“I…” Tali began, her nervousness coming through her tone even without facial expressions to go off on. “My father taught me. He’s an Admiral.” There was a touch of reverence and regret in her voice. “As his daughter I was expected to learn. Our ship could have been boarded by Geth at any moment.”
Wrex hummed, loudly enough it echoed in the quiet cargo bay. Thankfully it was late enough most of the crew was asleep.
“Makes sense.” He inclined his head a little in acknowledgement. “Guess the Quarians would have reason to know all that."
"We may not be the Krogan but we’ve seen our fair share of battles. You’ve seen me fight, I can handle myself.” Tali practically bristled from where she sat, angry and petulant. Wrex wondered idly how many times she’d been forced to prove herself to others that it was this touchy a subject.
“Didn’t say you couldn’t. Could use a few tricks though.”
Tali paused, caught off guard. “Oh? Like what?” If she was trying to aim for casual she failed. The curiosity shone through and her leg bounced like she could hardly contain herself.
Wrex huffed in amusement and then pulled out his own shotgun.
"Lemme show you.“ He said and aimed at Garrus’ locker. The shot fired and he reloaded with ease, firing off another shot a second later.
Tali was up in an instant, "How did you reload so fast?” She asked in one breath, the words blending together.
Wrex chuckled, “Old trick I learned. Here, watch the wrist, keep an eye on my right finger."
"I’m not sure Garrus would like us using his locker for practice.” Tali said even as she inched closer to do what he’d asked.
“Oh no an upset Turian. I’m real broken up about that.” Wrex’s voice was as dry as ever and Tali snorted in amusement. “Now come on, I don’t got all night.”
Tali stepped closer still and watched carefully as Wrex did the trick over again.
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Love how Sten's all "you are my comrade and I respect you. When my people inevitably invade your land I will not look for you on the battlefield" and when you ask him to please elaborate on that invasion thing he's like, don't worry about it.
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about this line from Sebastian. What does this MEAN
Skeptical Thoughts on Season 1’s Final Chapter: PERSPECTIVE MATTERS:
Throughout the narrative of Lore Olympus an important theme (among others) is that perspectives play a HUGE part in character interactions and the overall narrative.
For instance early EARLY on in the chapters when Persephone discusses her attraction to Hades to Artemis this exchange occurs:
While this is a small example and one of many, the point stands clear here.
PERSPECTIVE MATTERS.
Now the last chapter threw me for an absolute LOOP. We see Persephone in her fully destructive, “Bringer of Death” glory and it’s fitting but also... suspicious.
Why? Well let’s look at who’s telling this tale and who’s listening:
Oh yes my friends we have the hateocracy themselves of Thanatos, Thetis, and the toxic nymph herself Minthe. Now while Asspollo isn’t himself pictured here, we already know he is involved.
The point is that perception matters in LO especially when it comes to characters how the view themselves, and how they view others. And sure Helios gave the account of what he saw, but who’s to say that the people telling the tale aren’t exaggerating?
But as with every lie, there’s always some grain of truth in it. In Chapter 114 we see Persephone (in a flashback) encountering Hades and asks if it’s possible to reverse death.
So while this is being told by people who abjectly do not like Persephone , what they’re saying is probably an exaggerated truth.
I mean look at the final panel of the ‘flashback’ (story?) Persephone looks terrifying, but also exaggerated:
We’ve seen how when someone who doesn’t view someone in a particularly positive light talks of someone, a ghoulish/comedic exaggeration is shown.
Like above with Artemis and her view of Hades, the point being that while the first part of the flashback (with Persephone and Demeter) maybe true, the destruction that follows after is fishy to say the least.
There’s something about the story Thetis, Minthe, and Thanatos are spinning that doesn’t add up.
**Also extra edit:
Where are her wrath vines?? We’ve seen in past Chapters of LO whenever Persephone gets especially angry and pissed off she sprouts red barbed vines:
But in her supposed greatest act of wrath, she is somehow missing them?:
Now I know we see her sporting red flowers, but this is Persephone! Flowers and nature are her overall themes!
But the red spiked vines of her anger and frustration are something that only a few people have probably ever seen. I don’t think it was at all an author mistake but more so an important exclusion.
I imagine an unromanced Liara still checking in on Shepard and their LI’s descendants decades and centuries on.
It becomes the family story, handed down like an heirloom: “Oh and don’t worry if a blue asari turns up calling herself your auntie Liara, ok? She knew your great-great-great-grandparents- they saved some people, I think? I don’t remember, you’ll have to ask her I guess, ha ha! - Anyway, she pops in every decade or two to check on us. She’s nice enough, just wants to talk really. Nod and smile and be politely interested in her stories. And don’t be too freaked out if she seems to already know way too much about you.”
They’re less talkative about the krogan who sometimes comes along to check his battlemaster’s clan is still strong. There’s… really no preparing anyone for that.
