Not sure how many of these I’m going to do, but I would very much like the practice. Both for describing kisses and the atmosphere surrounding them.
Gulava requested by @chibi-mushroom, can be read as canon or AU.
Word count: 427 words
---
Ava was really adorable when she got all flustered. She shut her eyes as tight as she could, she kept her arms close to her body with her hands in fists, and she even scrunched up her nose as if she had smelled something funny. That last part was his favorite- Ava's scrunched up little bunny nose.
“I love you.” she told him in a shaking voice. “I really, really love you.”
“Oh Ava,” Gula teased with a little click of his tongue, “Don't you know that love is just chemicals, pheromones, and assumptions? No one's ever really loved anyone before.”
Ava gasped, her eyes snapping open and looked at him in an expression that didn't know whether to be angered or confused. Gosh, how could anyone be so adorable?
“It's so funny,” he went on, casually striding over to her, “I'm the youngest between the five of us, and yet you're the one that acts like a child.”
“I...” Ava stuttered- growing increasingly aware that Gula was closing the distance between them. “I do not!”
Gula only offered a low hum, stopping just short of his feet touching hers. One of these days, he was going to be taller than her. For now Ava was several inches above him. What an inconvenience. Ava's breathing hitched when she realized that their bodies were close enough that she could hear him softly exhale.
“But you know,” Gula mused, leaning close to Ava's flushing face, “I think that's what I like about you, pretty girl. So, if we really did fall in love with other people, I'd say I've got it bad for you too.”
That was when Gula tried to go in for the kill, but Ava squashed those plans when she suddenly jerked her head upward. Her chin whacked Gula's nose with a surprise amount of wallop. Gula immediately recoiled back, holding his nose as if he had broken it.
“Omigosh!” Ava quickly said as she went to Gula's side. “I didn't mean…!”
But Gula was laughing at her. “I'm fine, Ava.” he chuckled. “You just caught me off guard.” To prove this, he removed his hands from his nose. “See?”
Ava wasn't so sure. She looked him over before stepping back a bit. “I'm sorry...” she apologized again.
“Wanna try it over?” Gula chuckled. Ava didn't need to be told twice, this time grabbing Gula by the face before planting a soft kiss on his lips. If Gula's nose wasn't already red, it would be now. Ava, as it turned out, was a very good kisser.
Summary: A very quick (and kinda messy) thank you drabble to @chibi-mushroom for going above and beyond what I had expected when she asked if she could borrow Anora for her Dragon Age AU, Dragon Age of Hearts. Even though Anora’s only been in one chapter so far, ha! I have a short list of what I'd love to see Anora do in their AU now, but I'm going to keep them to myself (spare for one tiny detail that's hinted at in this fic) because I don't want to influence anything they have planned already. Suffice to say, my body is ready, but my heart is not. But, I think @chibi-mushroom is possibly the best person I've lent an OC to in a LONG time. Seriously.
This drabble is set a good week or so before the Fifth Blight, and Aqua and Anora are quietly studying in the library.
Rating: K+
Word Count: 854 words
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“Have you ever wondered how strong the Templars are?”
Aqua, who had only been half listening, mumbled a small, “Huh?” she turned her attention to her friend. Anora's eyes were glossed over, as if she were thinking of something else far way. If Aqua didn't know any better, she'd assume that Anora had crossed into the Fade.
“What do you mean?” Aqua wondered as she closed the spell book she was reading. She didn't quite expect Anora to give a wistful sigh in response.
“I don't know.” the pink haired girl mused. “It's just… they're so much stronger than they look, you know? Nothing can really stop them from just picking you up and...”
Aqua raised an eyebrow as she watched Anora's face flush a dark pink. A bit of amusement was laced in her voice as she asked, “And…?”
“N-never mind.” Anora stuttered. “Forget I said anything.”
She wasn't an idiot, Aqua knew something had been eating at Anora, but she chose not to question it at the moment. In truth, she had been thinking of certain things as well.
“How much of your past do you remember, Anora?”
Aqua didn't notice it at first, but Anora flinched. “You mean what I did two days ago, or…?”
“I mean of your life before the Circle.” her friend clarified. “Do you remember anything about your family, or where you lived?”
“Oh. That.” came the small answer. “Not really. You know I came to the Circle not long after you. I think I was the same age you were, too. Maybe younger. But...”
Anora gave her friend a happy grin as she started to get up on the table.
“Anora!” Aqua teasingly hissed. “Get down from there!”
She was answered with a mischievous laughter.
“I remember snow, Aqua.” Anora told her friend, raising one hand in the air. To her left, loose papers started to rise. She raised her other hand and papers on her right started rise as well. “They danced and twirled with each other. No two the same, not falling in the exact place twice.” At this point, Anora started to move her hands through the air- the papers starting to dance as if they were snowflakes dancing in the breeze. A certain glimmer of wonder hitting her eyes as she remembered what little she could of her past. Aqua watched her in a wonder all her own. When Anora was truly spirited about something, it was truly a sight to see.
“Snow flying all around!” Anora gleefully declared as she started to dance on top of the table, purposely waving her arms here and there- the papers dancing in an imaginary wind as she commanded them. “Dancing, and flying, and laughing, and…!”
Anora cut herself off when she noticed someone was standing at the doorway. Shocked, she quickly brought her arms in close to her body, causing the papers to drop to the ground like stones. In a surprised squeak she cried out, “Ephemer!”
“Ephemer?” Aqua questioned before also turning her attention to the door. Sure enough, the young Templar was there with a faint blush on his cheeks and a hand sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.
Looking everywhere but at the girls, Ephemer told them, “I've come to escort Aqua to her lesson with First Enchanter Mickey.”
“I forgot all about that.” Aqua admitted as she put her things together. Anora quickly scrambled off the table to help her. When Aqua had gotten her things together, she made her way out the door without so much a second look at Ephemer. The thought of forgetting her lesson had caused her to feel very rushed all of a sudden. If she had lingered, she might have noticed how lovingly the young Templar looked at her friend. She probably would have guessed that something deeper was there; and she would find out, eventually, just not today.
Anora was quick to start picking up the papers she had strewn all over the ground. It took her a moment or two to realize that Ephemer was watching her. She looked back over and shot him a sly smile that made the Templar's heart soar.
“Don't you have a mage to escort to the First Enchanter?” she teased.
For a split second, Ephemer jumped and looked like he had been snapped out of a blissful dream. Stammering, he tried to tell her, “I-I am court- I mean, escorting a marry- mage to the First enchanting- Enchanter...!” But he quickly gave up trying to properly finish his sentence to let out an exasperated sigh. “Maker help me...” he grumbled under his breath.
Anora laughed at his expense. “Then you need to get going.” she mused as she returned to picking up the papers. “Knight-Commander Cid might be suspicious if Aqua is traversing around the upper levels alone.”
“R-right.” Ephemer continued to stutter as he clumsily tried to make his leave. Anora once more gave a small chuckle to herself.
As she continued to clean up, she half sang, half hummed to herself, “So this is love, la da da da; so this is love...”
Summary: An unofficial part of @chibi-mushroom‘s Dragon Age AU for Kingdom Hearts. This note is found during Inquisition.
Rating: ???
Word Count: 131 words
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[Found on the Commander's desk after reaching Skyhold.]
. . .
(A note written in a shaking handwriting that faintly resembles Ephemer's. The paper is wrinkled as if it were crumbled, unfolded, then crumbled many times over.)
She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here. She's not here.
She's not here. I killed her. She's not here. The blood. The screams. She's not here. I feared. I watched. I killed. She's not here. She's not here. She's. Not. Here.
(In the bottom right corner, there is a new note written with a firm hand. It is very clearly Ephemer's handwriting.)
Summary: An unofficial part of @chibi-mushroom‘s Dragon Age AU for the Kingdom Hearts series. In this correspondence, the newly formed Inquisition’s spy force considers a request made by the supposed Hero of Ferelden’s parents.
Rating: K
Word count: 784 words
. . .
[Unlocked after meeting the Hero of Ferelden]
.
Spymaster,
We have received word from a man and a woman claiming to be the Hero of Ferelden's parents. They wish to offer their services to the Inquisition post haste, if at all possible. We have done some digging into their background, and they share the last name of the Champion of Kirkwall's paternal family: Amell. A longer report will follow, allowing your judgment.
.
Please do. -A
.
As per your requests, Spymaster, here is the longer report. Please bear in mind that this report will come in three pages- one for the man, one for the woman, and one detailing the Inquisition's discoveries on both.
.
(The first page contains a sketch of a man. The drawing clearly depicts him with blue eyes and blue hair- a similar shade to that of the Hero of Ferelden.)
Pictured here is Stefan Amell. We can confirm that he is the nephew of Lord Aristide Amell of Kirkwall. As you are aware the Amell family had -and still has- a firm presence in Kirkwall since the Fourth Blight (5:12-14 Exalted). Their luck ran out during the beginning of the Dragon Age. We'll spare you most details, as many have been documented in our reports on the Champion.
Simply bringing his name up around those that know him seem to paint him as a charitable man. The loss of his child (more information provided on the second page) inspired him to care more about the other children in the area. Quite a few of these children are now a part of the Inquisition. Many of them are able to remember Stefan at various points in their lives; offering them coin, food, and even clothing on rare occasions.
.
(The second page contains a sketch of a woman. She has been given brown colored hair tied into a braided bun and green eyes.)
Pictured is Meran Amell. Through our research, we have come to the conclusion that her family ties are a lot more humble than Stefan's. Due to her more simple heritage, we know less about Meran than we know about Stefan.
As far as we are able to tell, Meran only had one child. We can also confirm that they were taken by the Chantry early in the child's life. It will take longer to confirm which Circle the child was taken to- we should not automatically assume that it was Kinloch Hold based on location, as the Chantry does space out new mages if there in an influx at the time.
Meran became a bit more reclusive after the loss of their child. It is rumored that she removed all signs of them, spare for one stuffed animal that currently sits on their bedside table. Unlike Stefan, Meran does not frequently engage with the local children. When asking the same Inquisition members that knew Stefan about Meran, very few seemed to know she existed at all.
.
(The third page contains only writing.)
We can confirm that the Amells had made their homestead in Lothering. At the town's destruction during the Fifth Blight (9:30-31 Dragon), they were one of the many to navigate to Kirkwall. Unlike the Champion, they were denied entrance. The Amells took up an impromptu encampment in Kirkwall's Gallows for a full week before coming into contact with an Orlesian merchant named Brain. Said merchant, making his way out of Kirkwall at the time, offered to take the couple with him to Orlais. They accepted the offer.
(A note has been added in the margins.)
We should look more into this 'Brain' fellow, Spymaster. Some of our initial reports also list him as 'Blaine,' 'Brian,' and two odd references to a possible pseudonym called 'The Virus.' He also has a history with a late adversary of the Commander's. It might be wise to keep an eye on him.
(The note ends there.)
The Amells hold shop for Brain when he is away on travel. They reside in a small apartment not far from there. It was during our discussions with the Val Royeaux Templars that the couple heard of the Inquisition. They were further inspired by learning that Commander Ephemer is leading our troops. They claim to have heard of him by the late Templar Campbell. It seems dubious at best, Spymaster, but all other evidence about them seems to hold up. Should we allow them to become part of the Inquisition? Perhaps we could use them as farmhands or cooks?
.
Yes. Arrange an invitation to the Amells on behalf of the Inquisition. Even if they are lying, they may still prove to be useful. -A
Summary: An unoffical part of @chibi-mushroom‘s Dragon Age AU for the Kingdom Hearts series. In this entry, found during Dragon Age 2, Axel Tethras writes a letter to one of his avid readers.
Rating: K
Word count: 717 words
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[Found at the writing desk in Hawke Estate at the start of Act 2]
. . .
Ser Tethras,
I didn't want to mention it, but I've noticed that in our past few letters you've been addressing them as 'Sunshine.' While I do not directly oppose the idea, I am curious. Why that particular name? Why not simply ask for my real name?
I'm sorry that this letter is not more about your books. But this has been an issue that has been sitting on my mind for awhile now. I'm very curious and I am eagerly waiting for your answer.
-S.H.
-
Sunshine,
Oh, no well thought out analysis of racial divide between the denizens of fictional Kirkwall? Not even a mention of the suave younger brother in The Dasher's Men and his possible romantic partner should there ever be a second novel? (Which, as you know, will never happen if it doesn't earn my publishers a good bit of coin.) For shame, my friend. For shame.
However, I am not a man without poetic explanations on certain matters. So allow me to put it this way, by answering your question with another question.
Do you know why the sun sets red? Depending on how poetic you are, there are a lot of answers to that. But all those scholarly types will tell you that it's because light is made up of a whole bunch of colors. Red, as luck would have it, is the color that travels that furthest. And you know what else travels rather far? Your letters to me, penned entirely with red ink.
Yes, I've noticed Sunshine. I happened to notice it after the letter where we discussed our favorite colors. Coincidentally, around the same time, purple ink became the shortest, most costly fad in Kirkwall. A whole crate of the stuff got dumped off at my office and now I return fan letters solely in that color. Funny timing, right? The fact that purple is your favorite color must make this mistake one of your favorites, I'm sure.
Now, I bet you're sitting there and thinking 'What does this has to do with my question?' And you'd be right to assume that it has very little to do with it. Perhaps you could use your skill of reading between the lines to truly see what I mean. Let's start with that bit about light, shall we?
I don't get to see much light in my office. Apparently these stuffy dwarves that cling to the (lack of) glitter from Orzammar despise the sunlight. Makes them shrivel up like prunes, or something. It's very boring. So boring, in fact, that I've started to bring my mail with me just for something to do. Occasionally, I'd find a letter or two from fans of my books; people who just want to say a few words of thanks, or give a very unwelcome opinion. And, of course, there's you; who only wanted to clarify some context and wished to know more.
Reading your letters feel like a good dose of sunshine after a long day in an underground cavern. All authors love to blab about their work- it's encoded in their blood. But it takes a real feat to get a writer the blab about themselves as well. I don't know how you did it, and I hope you burned that one letter I sent to you about that embarrassing scar. Not even my drinking buddies know that story and I'd like to keep it that way.
I've written far more than I intended to with this letter. Moreover, you have a talent for reading between the lines. Perhaps I need not say much else? I eagerly await our next correspondence, Sunshine. Never doubt that for a day in your life.
Truly yours, Axel L. Tethras
-
(An official looking note has been attached to the envelope. It contains the stamp of the Thedas Department of Personal Mailing and Business Correspondences.)
To Whom It May Concern,
In light of recent events regarding the Fifth Blight, your letter to Lothering can not be sent to its intended address. Should we receive word that its intended receiver is available, we will redirect your letter to their new address or next of kin. Thank you for your understanding.
Summary: I love unconventional story telling. It's one of the reasons why I love the Dragon Age series so much with its codex entries; it's also why Carrie is one of my favorite books. With @chibi-mushroom concluding the Broken Circle quest in their Dragon Age AU for Kingdom Hearts, I had a severe compulsion to make a pre-DA2 codex for Anora and Ephemer. I'd do more for other characters if they ask me, if they wanted to. Again, I love this kind of story telling. :D
Rating: K+
Word count: 1,598 words
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Letters to First-Enchanter Mickey
(found in various places during Act 1)
. . .
I wanted to thank you for this opportunity, First-Enchanter Mickey. The world outside is a lot larger than I ever could have imagined. The Free Marches are beautiful, but I believe I am Ferelden through and through. I enjoyed the sights on the way over more than I did actually being placed here.
At first, there was a bit of a scuffle on where I belonged. The teachers and doctors at the rehabilitation retreat refused to believe that I was to remain by Ephemer's side. Had it not been for the letter you had Knight-Commander Cid sign, my adventure would have been over before it began.
Ephemer still refuses to see me than anything other than another demon. But he doesn't want me to leave either. As we were being accustomed to here, I think he's starting to realize that he is no longer dreaming. Or, more accurately, being forced to relive a nightmare by a demon. He hasn't asked me, but I've heard him ask the staff, “Is she really there? Is that pink-haired mage truly alive? Am I being haunted by her spirit?”
To curb some of my worry, I've started singing to him when there's a lull in activity. It's at those times when I could leave and let him rest, but I don't want to. Apparently, I can't hit any high notes; when I try Ephemer quite visibly flinches. But then he smiles. A reminder that he's still living, maybe? Who's ever heard of a demon that could sing? And if they could, why would they purposely be bad at it?
I'd make a terrible desire demon.
-
He choked me.
He didn't mean to, honest. It was all my fault. I reminded him of the Circle. I don't know how, I just know that I did in some way.
Ephemer has taught me to never, ever doubt the strength of the Templars, First-Enchanter. The first time I learned this, it was during one of our first secret meetings. He simply picked me up as if I were a feather and… Well, you can imagine the rest, ser. But as he held my throat in such a tight grip at that moment, and I couldn't breathe, I feared I was going to die right then and there. I had to use my magic to get out of his grip. I almost wasn't able to do it. Ephemer came to his senses not long after.
His eyes… I've never seen a man's eyes go from pure hatred to regret so quickly. He apologized, a lot, but I couldn't answer. I hope he knows. I don't blame him.
But if you will, First-Enchanter, I would like if you sent some more elfroot. There is a short supply here in the Free Marches since the Blight started.
-
The knight-commander from Kirkwall came to visit us today. Sephiroth, I believe his name was. Apparently, he had heard about Ephemer's blight and wanted to see him for himself. The two talked for a long time. They discussed many matters; mostly those in regards to Templar duties and a possible (very immediate) position for Ephemer among the Kirkwall Templars.
I was present during the entire talk, but was ignored. Or, at the very least, the knight-commander ignored me. Ephemer made quite a bit of emphasis on my role in his recovery. He over glamourized it a bit, but I wasn't unwelcome to the gesture. You should have heard him, First-Enchanter; “I've been blessed by Andraste herself. This mage in an invaluable caretaker, and I shall have no one else.” I hope I didn't blush too much- honey can occasionally drip off Ephemer's tongue when he truly wants it to.
He refused to tell the knight-commander what exactly happened at the Circle, though. Not that he or I needed the reminder. The knight-commander was quite insistent on knowing and asking- but I'm fairly sure the bare minimum anyone needed to know would be common knowledge by now. I think the knight-commander knows that I also came from the Ferelden Circle and wanted one of us to admit something more damning.
The only 'damning' thing I'll admit to during my time at the Circle was the one day I hid Ephemer's scarf from him. It made a fabulous belt. I'm sure he would concur.
-
“Hey Anora.”
It's our code phrase. Ephemer makes an incredible point to say it in front of the knight-commander whenever I'm in the vicinity. I wonder if he's caught on to it yet. Knight-Commander Sephiroth is one of the more stoic types; it is very difficult to tell just what he's thinking or how much he knows. However, that makes our secret phrase all the more meaningful. At first glance, you would only see it as a greeting. But there are layers to this phrase.
When you peel back the first, you'll find respect. Respect that no other Templar would give a mage, even if one happened to save their life. Peel back another layer and there's fear. Fear of loss, fear that reality is still a nightmare. But it's that last layer, the core layer, where everything is revealed. That layer, First-Enchanter, is love.
Love can not solve everything, but it's a beautiful stepping stone.
-
Knight-Commander Sephiroth decided to make an example out of me recently.
I had arrived early to pick Ephemer up from Templar training and, as per usual, he uttered our code phrase without a second thought. Ephemer -who had been sparing with another Templar- neatly gained the upper hand on his opponent despite the interruption. He impressed the other Templars. He impressed me. But he did not impress the knight-commander.
No, the look of cold, calculated hatred on the knight-commander's face said that somehow, in some way, I had caused a fatal error. I was out of the way, so far as training was concerned, but Knight-Commander Sephiroth called me forward and forced me into the training area. He proceeded to go into a very long, very winded speech about how he had lost his family to an abomination- a mage that also happened to be close to him.
Without any warning, he told one of the Templar recruits to attack me. Then another, and then another. I'd find that you'd be proud of me, First-Enchanter, I didn't harm a single one of them. I used a lot of my magic to redirect or disorient them. At some point, one Templar almost swiped me with his blade- I only happened to cast barrier at the right time before sending the weapon flying through the air. It was at that point Knight-Commander Sephiroth called off the attack.
Ephemer was mortified, but the message had been sent. I wait out of earshot for Ephemer after his trainings now. When we meet again, he apologizes profusely as he were the cause of the knight-commander's bitterness. I hate feeling how silently worried Ephemer is as much as I hate tasting the lyrium on his breath. Something is going to give, First-Enchanter, but I have yet to know if it is solely between us, or with Kirkwall itself.
-
I met a trader from Val Royeaux today. He was very… charming. He even had a little pet with him, with a little hat that looked just like his. He, the merchant, said his name was Brain. What an odd sort of name, really, but he had been so nice that I didn't question it. The thing is, Brain had shown me more kindness in ten minutes than I have received in the past few weeks.
It was no small wonder that I was in a state of shock.
I wonder if he would have treated me differently if he knew I was a mage. I had the oddest feeling that he already knew. Do certain people have a knack for scoping out such things? I will admit to being a bit curious about this merchant; there is something about him that seems so… familiar. I feel as if I'm remembering a person of similar personality from somewhere in my past. Perhaps I'll talk to him again soon.
-
Ephemer and I are no longer together.
I think it has something to do with the knight-commander. He told Ephemer something. Something that got under his skin. He still isn't… right. He takes lyrium to fight lyrium. Sometimes he wakes up from a nightmare and comes into my room just to make sure that I'm there. To make sure that I'm real. The lyrium on his breath becomes stronger by the day. Maybe I'm imagining it, but it reminds me of the Circle; just days before the maleficar rose and sent our little Circle into a disoriented spiral.
Of course, to rub salt in the wound, the knight-commander is not helping in this matter in the slightest. I know Knight-Commander Sephiroth says things about me behind my back. Ephemer will not tell me what exactly; however, I've come to suspect that it has something to do with my frequent talks with Brain. I've told Ephemer nearly everything I disclose with Brain. Everything. But I believe Knight-Commander Sephiroth is making him see it differently. I do not wish ill on the knight-commander, First-Enchanter, but you won't see me weeping if he mysteriously falls down a large flight of steps and breaks a leg.
I also want to make it perfectly clear, First-Enchanter; I did not ask to be removed from Kirkwall. Kirkwall removed me.
