Love wasn’t quite a stranger to Velancea, but it was no good friend, either. Sure, she knew the idea of it. She loved her brother, and no matter his feelings towards her, she always would.
She loved Trahearne and Dragon’s Watch - they were her family; a bond she could never replace or recreate.
But to love someone in the sense of giving yourself up to another was absolutely foreign to her. She’d heard stories of it and seen it in action, but the feeling was something she’d never experienced before.
How does one know when they’re in love? How do they know that that’s what the feeling is?
Perhaps it’s in the way they laugh - be it full-bodies and loud, or a soft chuckle under their breath. Or in their sarcastic, annoying comments that could be better timed in certain circumstances.
Could it be in the way his low voice seems to cut through her every distracting thought and bring her back to reality; the way he knows when and how to take command in serious situations, and show her how to take a deep breath and relax in less taxing ones?
Maybe it’s in the way her stomach gets that weird, fluttery feeling when his violet eyes bore into her with so much emotion and attention that she can’t look away or form a coherent thought.
The way his hands feel on her shoulders when he works out the tension in her muscles; his lips lingering a little too closely to her ear when he speaks quietly with her…
Perhaps one knows they’re in love when they can’t keep their mind off the other person and focus on the task at hand; when all they want is to feel their touch and hear their voice in person, rather than over a buggy communicator; when they just want more even if they don’t know what more is because they’ve never known feelings like these.
These… gooey, fluttery, fucked up feelings that make her want to grab a bottle of whiskey for the night.
💝 What kinds of gifts does your OC receive from their partner? What kinds of gifts do they give in return?
- Canach is almost always slipping a little piece of taffy into her things - be it a bag or somewhere on her cot. She loves taffy, and him doing it holds a much deeper meaning for Vel, and she can’t keep the smile from her face whenever she finds one.
- Vel’s gift is more something she isn’t aware of (and sappy, but it be like that), and that’s just being there. Canach won’t let it be known, but he worries about losing her just as much as she worries about losing him. Vel being her usual self is more than enough. She also likes to pick up small little mementos from each place they visit and give them to him, cause he tends to collect things like that.
💕 Describe an ideal date for them!
- Getting away from all the noise - be it in an alleyway in a bustling city, a field out in the country, or a little inn or house. Just going somewhere where they can say and do what they want together. Anywhere under an open sky at any point in the day is definitely preferred.
💔 Has your OC had a bad breakup or nasty ex? If so does this have any affect on their current relationship?
- Nope! Canach is Vel’s first. She was always a bit clueless when it came to romance, and never gave it much mind before she started to feel for him.
💘 What do they love most about their partner? What do their partner love most about them?
- Vel loves his snark, despite it being irritating at inopportune times. But she figures that if he’s joking around, things may not be as serious as she may think, or that he’s at least trying to lighten the mood. She also loves that he is always there for her. He’s always by her side - something she came to truly see during her journey through the Domain of the Lost.
- Canach loves her head-on choices and forwardness. He loves that she often forgets to hold back or put on a filter in many situations. He loves her desire for adventure and her attention to others and how willing she is to drop everything and risk everything about her to help someone in need. It’s hard for him to pick one thing, really. The man’s head-over-heels behind that stoic face.
💖 What are some little subtle ways they show that they love each other?
- Touches here and there. A brush on their shoulder or along their back - just anything to let them know that they’re there with the other, no matter what.
💗 Describe your OC’s partner(s) from their point of view! What do they really think about them?
1, 4, 5, 14, 15, 32, 54, 59, 65 and 78 For Vel (this is a lot) 😊😁
HEY HI I AM SO SO SO SORRY I DIDN’T SEE THIS UNTIL NOW. THIS IS VERY LATE I AM SO SORRY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ASK!!!
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1. What is their favorite food?
Vel isn’t much of a foodie and is used to eating what she can come across, but her comfort food for life is definitely taffy
4. Do they like cuddling?
She never really thought she would, especially since she knew she was a messy sleeper (nobody hesitated in telling her that the next morning. They liked to tease her about all the weird positions she would be found in). However, Canach’s solution, when they share a sleeping area, is to cuddle hold her pretty tight to himself to reduce the flailing. It works, and neither will complain about it ;)
5. Do they have a secret handshake with anyone?
Not exactly, but there’s something between Vel and Canach. It’s like a subtle fist-bump whenever they accomplish something, find a solution, make a joke, etc. Just a hidden little bump against the sides of their fists and a tiny smirk on their lips
14. What is a pet peeve of theirs?
Vel really doesn’t like whistling. It’s too high pitched and annoying. She’s had to keep herself from strangling those who do it around her
15. What was the last thing they cried about?
Upset cried was after All or Nothing when Canach found her after she ran off. She was crying about the events of the battle, the uncertainty of the future of the world, and that she had stupidly left Canach waiting for her to return her feelings all because she was a little afraid.
The most recent time she cried, though, was after War Eternal, when she and Canach finally got some alone time together and spent it rather innocently and happily. They talked about them and where they could go relationship-wise, and after settling by a river under the stars, the threw herself into his lap and cried, exhausted from recent events, and ecstatic that they could finally be together
32. Do they get stressed out easily?
Vel doesn’t exactly see her stress. In her line of work, she’s bound to have it, but never really realizes it. It’s others who are close to her that realize it, and take steps to try to ease the weight of the world from her shoulders
54. Do they know how to fish?
She does - to an extent. Trahearne taught her a long while back, but she always got distracted and impatient. Now, she’ll blast a fish with her scepter, or just cause a mess of splashing and fighting and wrestling around until she surfaces with one
59. What is their favorite song?
She doesn’t exactly have a favorite song in the GW2 time period, and it’s hard for me to choose what a favorite song would be in the modern world, but she would definitely like a lot of reggae/reggae rock!
65. What makes them smile?
Seeing those she cares about happy and at ease, and (sappily enough) spending time with Canach and taking time to relax after everything that has happened recently
78. If they had a nightmare, who would they run to?
There have been many nights where she has ended up in Canach’s tent, and he in hers, after either one of them have had a haunting nightmare. Now that they will likely be sharing a tent in coming travels, there wouldn’t be an issue of where to go. However, if they’re separated by a long way, they will contact each other via the communicator
had a lot of fun answering these! thank you so very much for the asks, @redwoodrroad, @aameyalli, and @disaster-bi-canach!!!
under the cut because idk how to shut up and keep things brief i’m sorry
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How did they meet?
Through him being the wanted and her being the hunter. They first met in his lair with her hammer swingin’ and his bombs blastin’. Romance, amirite?
Who developed romantic feelings first?
Canach. He was also the first to accept and admit to them. Romance was always lost on Vel until she actually started to feel. Of course, then she just ended up trying to ignore them and avoid Canach for dumb reasoning
Who is their biggest “shipper?”
I wanna say Caithe just because she tried so damn hard to help Vel understand the romantic feelings she had early on before HoT, despite how clueless Vel is. Now she sees them together and just sorta smiles to herself cause they’ve both come so far and she’s seen much of their development alone and together firsthand
When did they have their first kiss and under what circumstances?
Maguuma. The terrible, terrible jungle. Mordremoth’s voice was so jarring and difficult to drown out, that they couldn’t sleep, and Vel joined Canach while he was on watch duty one night. This lead to them talking about everything that had been happening and how worried they were about their fates and just pouring shit out to each other. Canach kissed Vel when she leaned in and whispered for the first time of many, “make me forget.”
Who confessed their feelings first?
There was never really a true confession between them. Vel started to realize that Canach was in love with her and totally freaked out and tried like hell to distance herself from him. When in the Domain of the Lost, she saw just how much Canach was always there. She watched the memories of them together and realized she loved him. When she came back to life, she’d confess, right? Ha, wrong. She continued to avoid any alone time with him until he cornered her right before All or Nothing, where she told him that once Kralkatorrik was said and done, they would talk about them and a future together - that only then would she allow herself to fully embrace her feelings and return his
What was their official first date?
Probably their first meetup after returning to Lion’s Arch after the most recent episode. Nothing extravagant happened, and they mostly just talked in a bar and walked around the city. Eventually they found a quiet place to just sit in silence which, believe it or not, was probably the best part of the night. Until Vel latched onto Canach and started crying.
How do they feel about double dates/group dates?
The two hardly really know how to have a single date tbh. Vel would be one to agree to it (only out of politeness - not because she wants to) with Canach being resistant one. They’re both still pretty lost on the mannerisms of dates, much to the amusement of those they’re with
What do they do in their down time?
Currently a lot of their down time is spent with Vel getting in high-risk situations in order to learn how to control her [new magic]. Other times they travel around and spend time doing as the locals of the area do if it’s a different culture Vel wants to learn about
What was the first meeting of parents as an official couple like?
The Pale Tree sorta knew all these feelings between them and was happy when they finally got together. While they have been back to the Grove and visited the Pale Tree after their relationship started, there was never a formal meeting or statement of “so we’re a thing now” or anything
What was their first fight over and how did they get past it?
As a couple or since knowing each other? Since knowing each other it was the fight in Southsun. Their first fight as a couple was over how Vel sleeps. She claims she’s a great sleeper, and refuses to believe Canach when he says she’s the messiest sleeper he’d ever seen. She still fights this even as she wakes up halfway sprawled on the cot and halfway off. They got past it with a pretty simple solution (see: cuddling question) :>
Which one is more easily made jealous?
They can both get a little jealous. Both of them have fans, no doubt, but this really only was an issue when Canach met Driskel for the first time (he is /very/ flirtatious towards everyone, and Vel is no exception. Well… neither is Canach), and when both he and Clodagh come around (Clodagh has a sort of history with Canach, and while there was never anything between them, Clo likes to rile Vel up and get a little too comfortable with Canach. ….and vice versa)
What is their favorite thing to get to eat?
Vel’s always on the hunt for saltwater taffy, but as far as meals go, neither are too terribly picky and will eat just about anything (and for the commander, that’s taken quite literally)
Who’s the cuddly one? What’s their favorite cuddling position?
Vel is probably more cuddly, but if you asked anyone who happens upon them when they’re sharing a cot, they would say Canach, only because he has a death-hold on her with his arms around her when they sleep. Many don’t realize that this was his solution to the messy-sleeper issue and not getting smacked with flailing limbs.
Are they hand holders?
Occasionally, but not as casually. They’ll hold hands as a way of support, but don’t often walk around with their hands locked unless they’re alone and it just sort of happens
How long do they wait before sleeping together for the first time? What’s the circumstances?
About 2 years since first meeting? The circumstances were the same as their first kiss and again followed by the “make me forget” statement. It was about a night or two after the kiss
Who tops?
Canach a majority of the time, but Vel has her moments :>
What’s the worst first they’ve ever gotten into?
Dying/seeing the person you love dead on the ground? Is that a first? Worst for Vel because as she walked through her memories and saw that Canach was always there and loved her and now she was dead and she only avoided him was just a shitty feeling (of course she didn’t rectify that when she was revived because she’s a loser). Worst for Canach because… it’s pretty self explanatory. She was dead and it was a gruesome scene and he really didn’t know how to feel in the time she was gone. Everything was blank. Everything was… gone. She was gone.
Who does the shopping and the cooking?
They both sorta shop together, but neither can cook. Canach could probably manage, but Vel definitely wouldn’t. They’re too used to taking what they can put together or grab on the go. They never had any preparation to go through
Which one is more organized and prone to tidiness?
Canach for sure
Who proposes?
I’m still unsure if they would really get married, but for the sake of these questions I’ll stick with the possible yes they do. Vel would try and fail - not that Canach said no, but because she could never quite get the words out before something else came up they had to tend to. Canach then asks her quietly before they fall asleep one night and damn is Vel relieved that she doesn’t have to try anymore
Do they have joined bachelor/bachelorette parties or separate?
Separate turned joined, and the two end up straying from the party together for the rest of the night at some point and nobody really knows where they go off to
Who is the best man/maid of honor? Any other groomsmen or bridesmaids?
Honestly Driskel and Clodagh would probably be the best man/maid of honor (and the order could go either way tbf). There probably wouldn’t be much prep if it was a ceremony, though, and the rest of Dragon’s Watch / remainder of Destiny’s Edge and some Vigil members would be there
Big ceremony or small?
They both try to aim for small, but it likely gets out of hand at some point
Do they have a honeymoon? If so, where?
Anywhere and everywhere! They both love to travel, and they will go wherever they possibly can until they get a call for help.
Do they have children? How many?
Nope - not unless you count the skyscale they raised together!
🍸 for Velancea of course: fav part of dating the famed cactus man?
I’m so sorry this took so long to respond to but today was busy as hell, and I knew I’d be drinking a lil somethin’ somethin’ tonight so I found it only right to respond after I’ve had a bit and told in the same way I typically describe things and tell stories. ANYWAY -
I 100% feel like this is something a nosy reporter would try to ask her in an interview when she’s absolutely trashed, as it would be the only way to get any information on the subject at all. Like they just found her in the Amnoon casino, Canach gambling in the background and her just raiding the food and drink tables. She just gets super excited and is all for an impromptu interview:
“Canach? Oh, man. Dating that man is like… wow. Y’know? Like, he - aw, man, he’s an ass. Just a big ole… sassy ass. But I love him. He’s… I’m - He’s cute! I mean, have you seen him? Have you seen his ass? Like oh boy, oh boy. You should see it without the armor. That is the best part of dating him. OH WAIT!”
She then gets close to the reporter, beckoning him forward as well as though she were preparing to tell him a secret. She tries to lower her voice, but she’s still just… yelling.
“He’s got a great fuckin’ personality. Like… he’s like a puppy dog. He just… is so precious. He tries to be all tough and prickly and sassy but… he’s a good lil baby. I love ‘im. He’s a cutie who will put a bomb under your pillow if you ever called him such, but hey, it’s the damn truth.”
🖤 Have they ever had a really bad argument where they almost broke up?
- They haven’t officially been a couple for very long, but they’re both stubborn, so arguments are inevitable. However, they definitely had one before they were a couple, and it left them both unsure as to where they really stood with each other anymore (in the heat of anger, that is). It was during All or Nothing, when Canach voiced his distrust towards Aurene. When he and Vel returned to his tent, Vel brought up his comment, and that launched them into a very heated argument, and eventually Vel just stormed off. Not much was spoken between the two freely until the battle in the Keep drew closer. Fortunately, both remained focused on the upcoming fight to really ponder and overthink their argument
