Rookanis Week

There are stories of love...

[rookanis-week]

As the week draws to a close, we will keep checking the blog a couple of times a day to catch any later submissions. If you think we have missed anything, please don't hesitate to let us know.

The next few days will focus on the ask games as well, so if you still want to send any or submit any feel free to do so. 

I speak for the entire mod team when I say thank you to every single person that has contributed to this event! It's been wonderful seeing everything.

[brightbreezeblog]

Couples who slay together stay together

Or something.

Look, I think Lucanis having this impossibly sweet and caring side is one of the most beautiful-est things about him ever. BUT. I am also a big CompetenceKink!Lucanis truther.

Man was raised to be a perfect fighting machine - it's only reasonable to assume he'd recognise, and be drawn to, a person who's similarly proficient in their own respective field of expertise. (Bonus points, from my POV, if they're a skilled but underrated Crow from another House, who know exactly what he's all about.)

I just think that's neat.

[rookanis-week]

It is never too late for Rookanisweek!! These are amazing shots!! ❤️❤️❤️

[jukkaricity]

Rookanis Week Day 6

better late than never right? RIGHT?? I really wanted to get this one done, but it was really fighting me all the way through. Will I finish the other 3 prompts that I started? Who knows.

Lucanis is stuck in a nightmare. Spite is being helpful. In his own way. Alectris has asked for none of this bullshit.

Read on AO3! or below the cut :3 Dual POV, ~2.5k words

Alectris had never dreamed a lot. At least for a mage, or so she had been told.

Her dreams were usually memories bloodied with guilt, reflections of current problems or simply drifting; watching patterns curl and unfurl over and over in the vast of nothing and everything. Generally, nothing exciting enough to mention to a friend over a morning coffee or write down in case it could turn out to be some kind of a secret premonition.

All perfectly normal and in line with all expectations. And yet, from time to time, the stars or some other nonsense would align just right and she would be taken by surprise.

Like for example, journeying through green-gray fog, led by a suspiciously violet crow. That had never happened before—at least as far as she could remember. An early sign of trouble perhaps, something that would raise all the appropriate alarm bells in a person, were they not in fact asleep and deeply unaffected by mild deviations from what waking logic would call 'normal'.

Then still, when the bird came into view, beady eyes staring at her with obvious insistence, she felt no hesitation. She had no reason to follow at its beckoning—honestly she had every reason not if the stories they taught them in the Circle were to be believed—but it was as easy as breathing.

Maybe it was simply naivety—or maybe hubris—but the spirit seemed familiar and safe somewhat, even if the aura that surrounded it felt itchy and mean against her skin.

A path unwound in front of her, both beginning and end obscured from sight, her guide soaring ahead, hurrying her up with frustrated caws. Without as much as a thought, her feet carried her faster and faster, and then she was sprinting ahead.

Whether she was too preoccupied with her chase or the dream simply decided to spring its trap on her, it was too late. An ominous dark cloud was rushing towards her, with no hope of avoiding the encounter. The bird plunged right inside, blending in seamlessly, before the dark gray fog enveloped her too, the feeling of vertigo overwhelming her senses.

Something a bit too dark and viscous for water flooded the empty cobbled street, gurgling and clinging to Lucanis' boots. Slippery stones threatened to trip him up with every step, if he didn't pay enough attention. From time to time he would crush something underneath his feet, nerve-wracking crack echoing in his ears and setting his teeth on edge, but he never looked down to check what it could be.

Some things were better left unseen, as he had discovered many times before.

Off in the distance, the only other sounds beyond the immediate burbling of the sludge, murmur of the canals blended with the voices singing a chant—too far and too quiet to make out the words. Close enough to keep his hand on a hilt of a blade and his eyes peeled for any unexpected movement.

But regardless of his efforts nothing shifted in the pale, cold moonlight spilling across walls of darkened houses with no doors. The windows remained empty, Lucanis could see his own reflection staring at him in the cracked glass.

The street refused to end. It looked the same in front of him as it did behind and every turn seemed to led only to the same passage, identical houses, identical flowers.

Not to mention the purple bird that kept circling around him, poking and prodding, swooping in and out of reach, trying to direct him somewhere. But there was nowhere left to go. Lucanis knew this street, knew Treviso, like the back of his hand and his knives. It was a shortcut from the Diamond and towards the Market.

He just had to walk a little while longer and there would be a wall-fountain, the one that Illario would always complain about being hung too low, but where they would stop by at anyway. Then it was just three more doors, one with a crooked lock and he'd take right, straight into the plaza.

It was just a few steps away.

The Treviso Market should not have been empty. That was the first thought that Alectris had when her vision cleared and the wave of nausea subsided. There was a layer of grime covering everything and not a single person in sight by any of the stands. Pale moonlight struggled to filter down through a thick cover of clouds, leaving her all but blind in the sticky, heavy darkness.

The crow sat atop a stack of crates glaring at her, tilting its head this way and that, as if judging her composition.

"He. Does not. Listen!" it squawked, wings flapping, its purple light casting long shadows on the walls. "Blood and fear. Cannot be this. Wants to be. Like before."

Smell of viscera and rot hit her as the visage of Treviso blurred all around her with the sudden understanding. The bird—no, quite obviously Spite—must have dragged her into… some kind of a dream? But what for?

She was not a Somniari by any stretch of the definition, all things considered she was probably the worst choice out of all the mages that Rooks party had gathered. Just thinking about it had made her head spin with a violent wave of nausea and a dreadful sensation of cold and intrusion. It should not be possible for her to even be in this place. Even less to be of any help to the spirit or its host.

She tried moving towards Spite's perch, explain that she could not assist, but she tripped nearly immediately on some unseen crack under her feet, as the spirit screeched and flew into the sky, disappearing beyond the roofs and out of the view.

With her guide gone and the silence filling in the dream-Market there was not much left but to move along. An orb of dim white fire sprung to life above Alectris' palm and then jumped into the nearest cracked lantern lighting it up. Weak, pale pink glow struggled against the overwhelming gloom.

The lantern garland extended far into the plaza. No way but forward, Alectris huffed to herself as the flame sparked and sizzled on its way towards its next target.

The bird had returned. Snapping and squawking as if trying to herd him into one of the identical passages sprawling before him. But it was all wrong. There was no fork in the road here. He would have known. He would have remembered if there was.

Lucanis was starting to lose patience.

He picked up the pace, marching through the flooded street, the dark brown red water—it simply had to be water—now reaching up to his calves. Turn. Then another in the same direction. He had to move, there was no time to stop.

There was something oozing out of the windows. Thick and stinking of salt water and misery. He would not stop to investigate. He had to get somewhere. Do something. What was he doing?

The bird—a crow, if he could believe his eyes—swooped in once more, blood chilling shriek echoing across the street as it blocked his way, preventing him from moving on. Lucanis brandished a sword at the creature—where did it come from? he surely didn't have it just a moment ago—but it weaved around the blade with ease.

It chirped, an unfamiliar sound, like a scoff or a mocking laugh, or both escaped it, as Lucanis failed to hit his target. It was becoming a new habit. Missing. Failing.

He didn't want to focus on that now.

With each swing his arms would feel heavier and more sluggish, the flying pest would only fly up and squawk-snicker and then come back with a vengeance as soon as he'd try moving away.

With a frustrated growl Lucanis stepped back. All around him each street looked exactly the same. Which one did he come from again?

He shook his head.

Closed his eyes.

Counted from one to ten. Cold water licked at the back of his knees sending a shiver up his spine. Counted from ten to one. The streets of Treviso, so familiar and yet so foreign to him now, gazed silently back as if daring him to choose. To pick one of them and lose the others forever.

Except in one of the streets a string of lanterns lit the path in pink-orange glow.

Normally he'd consider it a trap. Too convenient. Too welcoming and safe in the sea of unknowns and threats at every corner. Not to mention, the crow did not oppose him this time as it circled above his head in silence for once. It seemed to be judging him somehow, but Lucanis couldn't put his finger on why exactly it would hold a grudge.

The echo of his steps, suddenly ringing clearly against the dry stone, carried in the empty street.

"There you go." Alectris murmured as the last lantern blinked to life with the soft pink-purple glow of stained glass casing. As dreams went this one wasn't too bad—more work than she was used to, honestly—but nothing had appeared to stalk her through the wavering shadows, no shapeless demon had offered her a sweet deal for a way forward.

Still the market remained empty. She'd never seen it like this. People seemed to be drinking coffee, performing and haggling in Treviso at every time of day and in any weather.

She pushed the lantern away, allowing it to return to its original place, and the intricate shapes of the glasswork spun around casting warm light on the walls and stalls. Glancing around the now familiar sight of the lit lanterns surrounded her from every side.

She stretched her aching back and wiped a streak of sweat from her brow. She'd put a lot of effort into this. Why was she doing that again? She could have sworn there was some kind of a plan she had in mind just moments ago.

And did it suddenly get too hot? The market wobbled slightly at the edges of her vision, like overheated air in the middle of the summer. The gurgling of the canals grew louder, as if angry she was overstepping.

Bizarre.

She had steadied herself against the nearest table, pinching the bridge of her nose to settle her spinning head and froze when rustling of fabrics and leather filled the plaza. What had just been empty and lifeless market now bustled with merchants and artists and buyers. Have they always been here?

Snapping back to full attention, Alectris spun around. There it was. A lit-up archway leading right back into the rest of the city, the one you'd have to go under heading towards The Cantori Diamond. The one that marked the shortcut Lucanis had shown them a few weeks ago, a claustrophobic street where two people could barely walk shoulder to shoulder without brushing against the walls.

How could she not have seen it before?

A flock of birds flew out of the shadows under the passage with a single caw, looping above her head and then sitting at the top of a marble statue overlooking the street. Then a figure emerged from the same spot, shadows sticking to it like both a cloak and a chain. Light, dark blue clothes, too well kept to be casual and not armoured enough to catch anyone's attention.

Dark eyes landed square on her before she got a chance to consider her options.

"Lucanis?"

There it was. The tiny fountain and the three doors in a row and the turn to the right. Directly at the Crow's Arch and into the Market Square. Just as he remembered it. A pair of masked Crow statues overlooked the passage, their elaborate armour chiselled in marble with loving attention.

The late evening crowd moved lazily around him, flowing back and forth in and out of the shadows of the passage. Nobody paid him much attention as he weaved between the passersby joining the flow and rhythm of the city.

There was a list in his hand, and an empty basket waiting to be filled in with produce.

A murder of crows rose into the sky with cacophonous cries right as he passed under the archway, entering the Market. The beating heart of Treviso. The merchants, the performers, the atmosphere nowhere else could ever come close to imitating. Not the floating markets of upper Minrathous, not gilded streets of Orlais.

Only Treviso could feel this way, stalls no matter how mundane or small washed in the warm pink-orange glow of the lanterns. Long lantern lines strung at the walls and in between the awnings set the space in the warm golden glow.

In the corner of his eye Lucanis noticed a shimmer of light, something not quite right, like a mirage above a desert, but the moment he looked the Market looked entirely normal. Except for a massive nug sitting in the chair by the spice stall arguing with Bellara over the price of elfroot.

His feet carried him forward without a second thought.

Alectris jolted up, her fingertips still warm from the lanterns that surrounded her just a moment ago, her heart pounding in her chest. The book she was holding slipped out of her fingers and hit the floor with a thud that must have shaken the entire Lighthouse.

What in the..?

Right. She was sleeping. There was a dream. Treviso and Spite. And...

Fuck.

Lucanis. Some kind of dream, that Spite dragged her into? But why? She'd not done anything.

Was he alright? Should she go check in on him? What would she even say "Hey, I was meddling and gallivanting thought the middle of a dream you had, just wanted to know if you're okay with that."

He would not take it well. And for a good reason, it was quite enough he'd got a demon stuck in his head, he did not need any mages ruffling his feathers on top of that.

No. She needed to play it cool.

She’s never going to talk about it. He'd assume it was just a weird dream. If she's lucky he'd forget before he woke up. She would have to believe that or she was about to have probably the third most embarrassing conversation in her life.

Reaching for the book, a pressed crow feather slid out from between the pages. Crows and their uninspired if consistent aesthetics.

And talking of crows…

Spite was not going to let Lucanis forget. And they were bound to visit Necropolis with Emmrich first thing after breakfast.

"Kaffas."

[rookanis-week]

There is no late to Rookanis week! ❤️

Thank you for this!!

[mushroommoth216]

Oh! I love stumbling across other Rook Ingellvars who romance Lucanis!! 🥰💕 From the rookanis week ask game, how about questions 12 and 17 for Delora? 💚

Thank you for the ask!! 😊

12. What would Lucanis get for Rook at the Treviso market?

Face paint is the only thing I can think of that Lucanis would get for Delora at that point, that or some sort of cleaner for her hammer. Something that she’d appreciate and use a lot.

17. What does Rook think about Spite? How does it change over time?

At first Delora is skeptical of Spite. She didn’t know what to make of him and didn’t trust him, but the more Spite would take over and try to talk with her, the more curious she got and wanted to know what it was he wanted. After Inner Demons and actually being around him, and seeing Lucanis be willing to work with him, she starts to come around to him. It’s a bit of a slow process to work towards trusting Spite, but she trusts that Lucanis knows what he’s doing with him and is more than willing to help him work with Spite.

During those few weeks before going to Tearstone Island is when she would’ve been keeping Spite company while Lucanis slept. Spite would ask questions and Delora would answer the best she could, and sometimes she would just tell him a story about something she’d done and he’d be quiet for once and listen to her talk. Idk I just like the idea of Rook keeping Spite company like that, I think it’s very sweet :)

At some point she may grow to love Spite almost as much as she loves Lucanis, but there would have to be several conversations with both before she’d get to that point. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t crossed her mind, she’s more focused on how Lucanis would feel than anything else. This is all like yearsssss down the road, but still she’s thought of it once or twice.

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[serialsforbellara]

Rookanis week asks!

5. Does Rook enjoy Antivan Cuisine? Any recipes they share with Lucanis?

18. If Rook had to face off a personal demon, what would it be?

25. How does Rook fare with Caterina? What does she think of Illario's fate?

Thanks for the asks!

5. Does Rook enjoy Antivan Cuisine? Any recipes they share with Lucanis? 

Gemma loves Antivan cuisine, but she grew up on mass produced Antivan cuisine in fledgling cafeterias and then the Diamon Casino employee dining room. It isn’t until Lucanis that she realizes how good Antivan cuisine can really be. 

She has no recipes to share with Lucanis, but she does inspire him to find one. This is the one small not-entirely-a-lie she tells Lucanis: that she doesn’t have a favorite dish. Viago spills her secret while she’s trapped in the Fade prison: it’s chicken mole. For a week or more, Davrin, Taash, Emmrich, Bellara, and Illario are subjected to Lucanis testing different recipes for mole sauce. Viago is there but refuses to eat it because it can so easily be poisoned. (And maybe poisons it.)

18. If Rook had to face a personal demon what would it be?

Ooh, this one is hard! I think Gemma would be facing a Pride demon. Because of her confidence, I think the Pride demon would play on Gemma’s insistence on being able to handle everyone on her own. (She’s terrible about asking for help but at least will accept it if offered). She also has a fear of abandonment that the demon could tap into as well.

This would not be fun for Gemma AT ALL. 

25. How does Rook fare with Caterina? What does she think of Illario's fate?

Ilario first: Gemma saves him. I am 3 chapters away from this in my long fic, so I’m not spoiling how and why. 😊

Caterina: Caterina always hated Gemma because she strengthened House de Riva with her intel prowess. Gemma realizes she needs find an accord with Caterina to have a future with Lucanis (and that it must be worthwhile do so despite what Caterina did to her grandsons because Teia loves her), but she can’t do it like everyone else does. Everyone else accepted that Illario could hold Caterina prisoner; Gemma doesn’t agree. There is a big conversation where Gemma asks Caterina for the real story (which I have rewritten three times) and after that, they accept each other. Mostly. 

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[kogarashi-art]

For the Rookanis Week Ask List

For Saadrah and Lucanis - let's talk about the future! (please)

28. Does Rook make any plans about the future during the events of the game or do they take a day at a time? Do they involve Lucanis in them?

29. What do they end up doing after the fall of the gods? Do they bask in fame or slink into relative obscurity?

Okay, time to start answering some of these asks, now that I have breathing room (for a little bit, at least, while dinner is in the oven). Thanks for the ask, @serialsforbellara!

For the Rookanis Weeks Asks, as linked. :)

#28: Does Rook make any plans about the future during the events of the game or do they take a day at a time? Do they involve Lucanis in them?

During the events of the game, Saadrah's idea of "the future" is "we're trying to survive to next week," so I'd have to say she doesn't make much in the way of plans. Maybe simple things like "when this is all over, I'm making a trip to see my family," or "I'm totally taking the world's longest nap once the gods are dead," but nothing longer than that. Lucanis is, of course, allowed to chime in. He's probably joining her for that nap anyway, whether he knows it or not (she insists; the man needs sleep).

Long-term plans can start to form once it stops looking like the world is going to implode within twenty-four hours.

#29: What do they end up doing after the fall of the gods? Do they bask in fame or slink into relative obscurity?

I would say Saadrah isn't one to bask in fame, except she enjoys rubbing Tarqin's nose in her accomplishments at least a little bit. Or, at least, she did before this whole Evanuris mess. After? She'd probably be a bit more humble (or at least too tired for more than a "See, Quin? Not a total disaster.") and not really brag about it too much. She's only going to give token protest if someone wants to offer her discounts or freebies for being one of the Godslayers, but she's not going to milk it much. Probably because a lot of people who would offer are also people who need to get back on their feet, and Saadrah does have a strong honorable streak.

Immediately after the fall of the gods, Saadrah stays in Minrathous to try to help clean up (messes, blight, straggling Venatori) and earn back goodwill with the Shadow Dragons. She still considers herself one, after all, even if the faction is probably still angry about her absence during the dragon attack. She's ready to work herself to the bone, and it's Neve's pushing that finally convinces her that she needs a break, dialing back the atonement at least a little, and that she should go to Treviso to be with her Crow. From there, it's the aforementioned trip to see her family and the really long nap, a proposal and a Big Antivan Wedding (not her idea), and then continued freelancing for the Shadow Dragons with the help of the eluvians so she can commute from Villa Dellamorte. Which is good, because her apartment ended up dumped into the sea with most of the district she lived in during the dragon attack.

Thanks for the questions! Those were good ones. :)

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[necromanticsoul]

Rookanis Week Ask List! :D

#8: What are Rook's hobbies? Do they share them with Lucanis?

#12: What would Lucanis get for Rook at the Treviso market?

@kogarashi-art Thank you for the ask 💚

For Francis de Riva and Lucanis

8. Rook enjoys reading, particularly lyrical poetry and mystery novels. They also enjoy painting miniature figurines and collecting teapots as well. Lucanis will join them in for reading, and the two of them will often spend evenings in the garden or in front of a fire depending on the weather, reading poetry or a novel aloud to one another.

12. Rook likes to collect different teapots and tea cups, and there is now an entire curio cabinet in Dellamorte Villa dedicated to their collection. Lucanis will scour the Treviso market looking for unusual or unique pottery for Rook. They also have a particular taste for candied fruits, so that is another treat he will look for.

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[mirufiyu]

Day 1: Coffee

Bitter and sweet, like a kiss goodbye ☕️

[rookanis-week]

Thank you for contributing to this event. It's wonderful!

[silurisanguine]

For the rookanis asks, 2, 17, 18, and 29 💜

Thanks for these asks!! I think ill answer these for three of my Rooks Left to right - my main Teleri De Riva (me as an elf), my Mournwatch Chione as she has some unique perspectives and my newest Rook - Kara..( very much based on me, especially appearance to a point 😅)

2 -Is Rook a picky eater or can they eat anything? Teleri: She's Dalish so she grew up eating what ever they could gather or trade for. That's not to say she enjoyed a lot of what she ate, so when she became a Crow and was introduced to Antivan food, she happily developed a refined palette. She now likes good food and hates fish and shellfish as her clan spent a lot of time near rivers and that was often a main source of protein then. She's also not a fan of lemon. She is able to cook, but only things she likes to eat so she really enjoys Lucanis's cooking! Chione: She has a special diet that needs a lot of protein and other special elements only found in animal sources due to her constant connection with the Fade, draining her energy. The Watchers found this out after finding her as a toddler munching on the crypt beetles since they mostly had a vegetarian diet. After that Vorgoth made sure she got enough of what she needed without resorting to ...that. But...she isn't so much picky as polite to not say no to something, until the person giving her the food finds out she doesn't actually like it. Lucanis soon learns this, observing how she goes very quiet eating things she doesn't enjoy and eventually gets her to admit it. From then on he spends a lot of time finding out what kind of things she enjoys to eat and drink and works in what she needs as well. Kara: Oh yeah, she's picky. She knows what she likes and what she doesn't and wont eat something she doesn't like just to be polite. Mainly because she has intolerances (some thanks to her interesting origin and some thanks to Viago experimenting....) She apologies to Lucanis over a lot of things she cant or wont eat, but he appreciates her honesty and enjoys making things she will like.

17 - What does Rook think about Spite? How does it change over time?

Teleri: She loves him. There was a connection she made early on, where Spite listened to her, because of her respect for his being and that respect grew into something greater. That respect helped her build the bridge between he and Lucanis. Chione: She saw and heard Spite from the first moment she met him, but due to prior unpleasant experiences around her appearance and being a necromancer, she kept it to herself, listening quietly and learning about him. That grew into a deep, profound respect for his ability to survive the hell he and Lucanis went through and built her desire to help him and Lucanis find a mutual unity. Out of that grew a deep love for the spirit. Kara: She was in awe at first - the wings, the power. It was all incredibly impressive and beautiful to see. There was something else too...a kinship she didn't fully understand that grew into affection. She didn't understand it, but she will.

18 - If Rook had to face of a personal demon what would it be?

Teleri: Doubt. She secretly doubts herself often, her abilities, her leadership, her worth. Chione: Abandonment . She was often lonely as a child, growing up in the Necropolis with only spirits for company with not many friends until 10 years prior to veilguard's events when some mages who'd fled the end of the circles came to the Necropolis for sanctuary and befriended her, but she had type of family experience in the form of Vorgoth and Lady Myrna. The veilguard became herother family and she fears losing that connection once everything is done. Kara: Obsession. She finds out something about her origins as she had amnesia when Viago found her.. something that changes everything about who she thinks she is. 29 -What do they end up doing after the fall of the gods? Do they bask in fame or slink into relative obscurity? Teleri: She works with the Inquisitor to help direct recovery efforts around Thedas, alongside the faction leaders. She is a face known in the North thanks to her efforts so she uses that to do what she can. Meanwhile she marries, joins House Dellamorte and settles down with Lucanis and Spite and in many respects becomes his equal in authority, always close to his ear, though officially known as the right hand to the First Talon. Chione: She gets special permission to leave her guardian duties in the Necropolis to officially become special envoy to the First Talon of the Crows, due to her ability to communicate and see Spite, and unofficially to marry Lucanis and Spite and live with him in Treviso indefinitely. Kara: She isnt sure what she'll do once this is all done..if she survives it. But she dreams of returning to her life as a Crow..maybe with a certain demon possessed Dellamorte.

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[thegeminisage]

I’m at rehearsal but I’m sending you asks: 6, 15, and also 25 because I’m curious!

YAYYYY thank you these are such good ones <3

6. Is Rook a romantic?

YES! because she reads a lot...she had to pass the time at sea somehow, growing up, and since her parents were enslaved that's a big deal. her father taught her and her mother how because he knew how when he was enslaved, hence his work being in keeping books, but her mother was born into slavery and wasn't allowed to learn until she was freed. being able to read is not something rook's ever taken for granted, so she really likes books. made realizing her new friend varric was the famous author varric really fun lol.

rook didn't care about romance as a kid because ew icky shove boys into the ocean but after the one two punch of puberty + HRT when she wanted sex All The Time and figured out some books had sex in them (?!?!) she got hooked on romances. she had absolutely no adult supervision in tevinter so she was doing the equivalent of looking at uncensored porn on the family computer when you are too young to be doing that really. and then, wait a second...some of those romances were actually really sweet for reasons besides the porn. it turned her into a big softie, secretly. and i think it gives her gender euphoria to be treated like a romance heroine even though she knows it's ridiculous. lucanis offering her a hand to help her out of a gondola or giving her his coat or anything like that = instant one hit KO. it's so embarrassing she can NEVER let anyone find out.

15. What's Rook's bed time routine? What about morning routine? Does it change when they get together with Lucanis?

she's sort of perpetually exhausted even BEFORE getting the dread wolf variant of chronic insomnia (fighting an unwinnable fight against the evils of slavery will do that), so as an adult her bedtime routine has always been just "collapse, become unconscious." unless she's expecting to fall into bed with somebody she doesn't always clean up brush her teeth or even change clothes. garbage girl <3

in the morning she's quick to get on her feet, clean up, eat, etc. UNLESS, critically, there is someone bed with her, in which case she will become a human octopus and convince said bedpartner there needs to be another round. or two. or ten. this actually does not change after she gets with lucanis. like yes their sex life gets going in fits and starts but once they work it out she's like "hey we should go again" and he's like "mi vida we have to be there in an hour" and she's like "that's enough time to go again twice" and spite is like "that's enough time to go again three times" (spite figured out how to eliminate refractory time like a month ago) and lucanis is trying so hard not to fall for it because he would LOVE to go again maybe just like one more time? but they have to BE THERE. in an HOUR. rook and spite are not above ganging up on him. they usually go again. one time in consideration of the fact that he's demi.

25. How does Rook fare with Caterina? What do they think about Illario's fate?

YUM i love this one! rook's parents were like really really good parents who loved her even when she was trans, a mage - times when some parents would stop loving their kids. they'd never hit her, they were all each other had and loved each other so much. so when she realizes caterina and lucanis and illario were in a similar sitch, but that caterina refused to show her grandsons love, drove a wedge between them, abused them...she's like (privately) i hate to agree with illario but caterina is better off dead. then caterina is NOT dead and she has to vibrate with silent fury every single time the subject comes up. lucanis has rationalized the "training" (both the physical abuse and the lack of affection), but it outraged illario, and it outrages her too.

for her part caterina blames rook for lucanis having suddenly grown a spine (in my worldstate he refuses to become first talon) and she deeply considers whether ordering a hit out on rook would make it better or worse (probably worse if rook survives the first attempt, which she would, so caterina refrains, but just barely).

yet the only thing worse than physically abusing lucanis when he's like eight is betraying him and leaving him to a fate worse than death at zara renata's hands. she's like what the FUCK is wrong with the dellamortes? (she's shouting this at spite one night while lucanis is asleep) how can he POSSIBLY forgive them and still love them they should all be dead!! (spite nodding sympathetically). she would probably electrocute both of them to death on lucanis's behalf if he didn't love them so much.

that said, deep down, she really admires his capacity for forgiveness and unconditional love. in my worldstate he frees illario and forgives him completely, and him showing grace to both illario and caterina, who do NOT deserve it, kind of helps her do the same to solas on varric's behalf, even though she hates solas almost as much as she hates lucanis's family and would like to throw him into the sun.

rook and illario are so much alike that eventually they become pretty good frenemies but she and caterina despise each other bitterly until the day caterina dies.

(rookanis ask meme)

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[booksncatsworld]

Rookanis Week Asks

[Ask list - by @rookanis-week]

I thought it was appropriate I answer these when Rookanis week starts (also I wasn't able to yesterday lol).

Thank you to @draconicdivinity, @larknnightingale, @i-creatied-au, @apothe-cary, & @teamtakagi for submitting questions!

6: Is Rook a romantic?

In terms of romance itself, she does approach it with a set of expectations gleaned from books she read from her adopted mom's collection. Thus, she does love the idea of someone sweeping her off her feet, but also appreciates simple gestures that show that person cares.

Rowena is prone to writing secret love letters, and will give her partner many words of affirmation with a eloquent flair, if that better explains it lmao.

8: What are Rook's hobbies? Do they share them with Lucanis?

Rowena enjoys quiet hobbies like reading, but is also interested in more macabre ones such as collecting bones. She does try to share them with Lucanis, and while the collection of bones is a little impressive, it's also pretty weird. However, I do have this headcanon that, since they both journal, they'll occasionally leave little notes in each other's notebooks if they're left unattended.

Occasionally she will help him with cooking sometimes, but only the small things like chopping vegetables.

11: If Rook got a chance to get Lucanis a second gift during game events what would it be?

This would be more so later in the game when they're established, but I think to share her culture with him in a more digestible way, Rowena would gift him grave gold (whether that be rings or bracelets or whatever).

12: What would Lucanis get for Rook at the Treviso market?

There are a few possibilities; tea, chocolates, incense, or new stationary. Either way she would be surprised he even thought to get her something.

14: Is Rook a morning bird or a night owl? (Or perpetually exhausted pigeon?)

A little bit of everything lmao. Rowena doesn't get a lot of sleep due to staying up studying or worrying, but when she does sleep she wakes up pretty early and likes to get stuff done then. Then of course that culminates in never feeling fully refreshed, aka perpetually exhausted.

15: What's Rook's bed time routine? What about morning routine? Does it change when they get together with Lucanis?

Before Lucanis she would just work/read/study, whatever, until she passed out, but then she gained someone who she could spend quiet time with while everyone else was asleep, and when they move in together post-game it becomes more of a typical bed time routine.

As for the morning, she'll wake up early, get around, eat breakfast (with Lucanis and whoever is up at that time), and sometimes she'll do exercise with Davrin and Taash as well.

17: What does Rook think of Spite? How does it change over time?

As a Watcher, he both fascinates and worries her. The worry mostly stems from how he treats Lucanis in the beginning, but as the game progresses and she learns more about why he acts the way he does, she understands him a great deal and becomes very friendly with him.

20: What is Rook's default fear response? (Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn?)

Definitely fawn. It comes from dealing with Pedro, especially in the later years of their friendship, and so therefore she tries to be agreeable with everyone so she doesn't have any conflicts.

However, an argument could be made for flight as well for her, tbh. Honestly it might depend on the situation lol, cuz in an actual fight she would try to run, but in regular conflicts with people fawn makes sense.

22: Does Rook introduce Lucanis to their non-Veilguard family/friends?

Of course. Although she wouldn't verbally admit it, her adopted mom's approval does matter, so she'd want her to meet Lucanis. Also she'd just like for Lucanis to meet the person who raised her during her formative years.

Though...she's definitely not introducing him to Pedro, cuz I fear daggers would be used lol

27: What does Rook think about Antiva? What does Lucanis think about their country/culture of origin?

While it's certainly different from Nevarra/the Necropolis, Rowena finds Antiva quite opulent yet fascinating in its culture, and is very willing to learn all she can about it.

As for Lucanis, I don't think he's the biggest fan of the Necropolis, or some of the practices of Nevarrans in general, yet for Rowena would be willing to move past his uneasiness. (Though I do like the headcanons regarding how some romantic practices in Nevarra actually seem like death threats to Crows lol.)

30: How do they spend major holidays? Who keeps the calendar up to date?

I imagine for the really big holidays there's a focus on family, so they're spent with both the Dellamortes , then the remaining members of the Veilguard are gathered at the manor for a boisterous affair.

And tbh Rowena would be the one more likely to make sure the calendar's updated with all the important dates, as she likes to keep things very organized. Lucanis would do it, but with First Talon duties he may occasionally forget, so she just does it for him.

[rookanis-week]

I'm so glad you played!

[sketchytea]

"The demon... pulled all of that from the Fade?" "I'm as surprised as you."

day 5 of @rookanis-week - family / spite

still chugging...

[rookanis-week]

We're still happy to see this beautiful contribution to Rookanis week!! ❤️

[adhd-riddled-crow]

Hey!! 🥰

Let me ask you and Vel something.

23. How does Rook feel about the Antivan Crows?

24. What are Rook's thoughts on Lucanis future as the First Talon?

25. How does Rook fare with Caterina? What do they think about Illario's fate?

Oooo okay! Let's go!

(Also I just saw that you asked me another ask in like November and I totally missed it, so I will rectify that post haste)

23. Oh, Vel and the Crows. Now that is a tale.

As the brother to a Talon, he can find them all quite stuck up and always on their high-horse. Except Teia, she's the kindest Talon he knows.

But the fledglings and his fellow assassins, who aren't the heads of a house, he feels the most at home when training them and fighting alongside them. Cause unlike his training, he trains them with the utmost faith. And when they need a break, he let's them have one. Viago would say he's weakening their resolve, but who listens to Viago anyway.

He's happy to be an honorary Talon in Viago's place. Although it doesn't happen often.

24. Velasco believes that Lucanis is capable of taking over as First Talon. However, he is worried that the pressure of being the First Talon will be an unnecessary burden upon his shoulders that comes with a time-consuming workload.

He just doesn't want to see Lucanis unintentionally drift away from his family. Or to be corrupted by the pressure such a title could bear.

But he will support whatever decisions he decides to make, no questions.

25. Velasco hates Caterina. She was awful. Not only towards Lucanis and Illario, but also to him and Viago. Sometimes, he wonders what they would have been like if she were a nice parental figure. Or just a parental figure to begin with.

He was still sad when he heard she was dead. Only, he was sad because she meant a lot to Lucanis. Not because she was anything of note to him. But when she was revealed to have been alive and not dead, he begrudgingly helped her for, again, the sake of Lucanis. Anything for Lucanis.

He will also begrudgingly allow her to be a part of his children's lives, as he knows that they deserve to have as big a family as possible and that it will make Lucanis happy.

Now Illario. Well, his fate is perhaps the opposite of what he may have thought near the middle of their relationship. He forgives Illario for the shit he pulled. But not for himself. No. That would come much later in their lives. But he knew if he didn't even partially forgive him, his fate would be no better than Illario’s own previous actions.

He will become an uncle to his, Lucanis', and Alecto's three kids and love them unconditionally with the heart he does have. It was just buried and trampled all his life.

[rookanis-week]

Thank you for contributing to this event. It's wonderful!

[vixenofcadmea]

Number two on number 12 for the Rookanis week asks

thanks for the ask!!! #2. Is Rook a picky eater or can they eat anything? Being a de Riva, Artemisia prefers the term "refined palette" (much like Viago). But in all actuality, she can eat anything; she lived off scraps during her years as an orphan so she will do what she has to in order to survive. However, once in the comforts of home, she's definitely picky! #12. What would Lucanis get for Rook at the Treviso market? In my main fic, I have Lucanis buying Artemisia de Riva a crescent moon brooch made from amethyst at the market, as it reminded him of her eyes :) Outside of that, I think he would've already picked up on her sweet tooth and buy her the finest chocolate available.

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[kogarashi-art]

For Saadrah: 17!

Thanks for the ask, @genjyoandgojyoandhakkai! 💕 Good choice.

From the Rookanis Week Ask List here.

#17: What does Rook think about Spite? How does it change over time?

So. Bit of backstory. Saadrah is the second child of Tal-Vashoth parents. Her father is a former saarebas, and her older brother is a mage (he's also the source of her most notable scars, unfortunately). So she's grown up with positive exposure to mages. She's also grown up with warnings about demons and possession, including unfortunate but necessary real talk about what to do if either her father or her brother succumb to demonic possession and become an abomination. This has actually helped her among the Shadow Dragons, on the occasion when a desperate Venatori or fleeing mage has given into demons and becomes a monster.

So her initial reaction to Spite is apprehension. She's been warned about demons, after all. And it obviously doesn't matter much that Lucanis isn't a mage because he's still a master assassin without the added demon wings, and if Spite went on a rampage she's sure many people would be hurt before she could deal with the problem.

On the other hand, one of her core traits is kindness, and Lucanis obviously needs it. And, as Spite makes himself known and finds ways to express himself, she realizes Spite probably needs it too. Lucanis clearly hasn't become a monstrous abomination yet, and maybe it's possible, through kindness, to keep that from happening. So she starts off with the kindness toward Lucanis and wariness toward Spite, but it ends up shifting to kindness toward both, an effort to understand them both and maybe, if they're amenable, to help them understand each other.

By the end of the game, she has a very strong attachment to both of them, and while her relationship with Spite isn't romantic, it's certainly very affectionate. By the time she and Lucanis are married, she will defend the both of them with her last breath.

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!

[jenn2d2]

For the Rookanis Week Ask List,

How about #15 and #30 please!

#15: What's Rook's bed time routine? What about morning routine? Does it change when they get together with Lucanis?

Carina had a very minimal routine for many years. Check her surroundings, make sure things are securely stored, clean her weapons, get ready for bed (wash face, brush teeth, etc.) Her morning routine was really similar; check surroundings, apply any poisons/etc. to her weapons, take any ongoing antidotes/preventatives, get ready for the day (bathe, dress, etc. when applicable.) She would sleep in whatever, as long as it was comfortable enough.

After she and Lucanis move in together, that changes a lot. For one, they trust each other to do things like perimeter checks and storing weapons, so that's faster. They really like to unwind from the day by reading in bed and talking, and only one work topic is allowed. They like a lot of the same books and serials, so it really is a treasured part of their day. Lucanis also gets her some double extra comfy actual bed clothes and she discovers she really likes that (and so does he, so extra bonus 😈)

#30: How do they spend major holidays? Who keeps the calendar up to date?

For major holidays, there are always some family or House obligations, so they do those, but often find a way to spend some of it quietly together. Often going out in disguise to festivals, or attending on the fringes to enjoy the merriment but not the chaos. The latter are a lot more like dates, and the two get to relax in each other's company without a lot of other obligations.

They divvy up the calendar. Carina will often plan the official House celebrations with his input (and Caterina and Illario's) and Lucanis really enjoys planning their far less official outings. But, if the other one is busy, or really wants to, they'll step in and plan.

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━━━━━⊱ ⸸ ⊰━━━━━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆

Tagging some of Carina's Crow siblings ~ @serensama, @blackwall-my-tiny-husband, @kabsey, @jukkaricity 🐦‍⬛

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our tags!

[grad-writes]

For the Rookanis week asks! 3. What's Rook's favourite drink? 19. If Rook had to strike a deal with a demon to survive what would they promise?

20. What is Rook's default fear response? (Fight, flight, freeze or fawn?)

Thanks for the asks Vixen!!

3. What's Rook's favourite drink?

Like any proper Antivan, Rook will claim it is coffee - but privately she prefers tea during the day (with milk and sugar like Emmrich) and when needing comfort, a steaming mug of cioccolata calda. For formal events, she prefers white wine - but for more casual drinks, she'll settle for a bottle of rum or two fingers of whisky!

19. If Rook had to strike a deal with a demon to survive what would they promise?

Oooh tricky.... Rook would likely strike a deal similar to a contract. She'll ask the demon to let her go in return for something else: as a Crow she isn't too fussed about taking out a named target. But if it is something more sinister, she might promise one thing and do another.

If it is to save a loved one, she would likely sacrifice herself.

If it is Spite, then she'd promise ONE HUNDRED KISSIES if he would just let her up to go to the bathroom please.

20. What is Rook's default fear response? (Fight, flight, freeze or fawn?)

This one is definitely freeze first, and then fight! Rook is scrappy and quick thinker, so it might take her a moment to assess the situation, but she'll always fight back biting.

[rookanis-week]

Thanks for playing with our asks!