#ephemereon

[awaari]

Hello! I love your hp!au art, it's just so beautiful ! I was wondering, what would Gala's patronus be?

Thank you! I think Gala’s patonus would be a buck deer while Dorian’s would be a peacock 

[reluctantwrites]

Diplomacy

My half of the art trade with @ephemereon <3 I hope you like it, dear!

Pavelyan. Xalynir Trevelyan x Dorian Pavus (approx 1200 words)

Dorian jolted slightly as the door to his quarters slammed open, the wood rebounding off the wall, nearly swinging back to clobber his amatus right in the face. Turning, he raised a brow as Xalynir stalked into the room, an apology already leaping from his lips, the entire sentiment rather at odds with the expression on his usually cheerful face.

“If I had to guess,” Dorian began carefully, snapping his book closed – one of Genitivi’s slower  works – and setting it down on the desk, “I’d say something has you rather upset.”

Xalynir's arms were folded tightly across his chest, his gaze bright with what Dorian could only assume was anger. After all, he had never truly seen such an expression on his amatus’ face before. 

“Dorian, do you think I’m naïve?”

The question was rather sudden. Dorian blinked a few times, attempting to process the demand. It seemed his silence spoke before he had a chance to, because Xalynir groaned, reaching up to scrub his hands over his face. “You do, don’t you? Why? I don’t get it! I’m not naïve. It was just… just a misunderstanding. That’s all.”

Well, they were getting somewhere. Not quite directly, but that was fine. Some matters took a delicate touch. Dorian supposed that was about all he could hope for, with Xal in such an unsettled state. “Why don’t you sit down and tell me what’s going on, yes? I am beginning to sense I missed something rather interesting tonight.”

The Inquisitor rolled his eyes, but sat as he was asked, the bed squeaking beneath his muscular frame. Turning in his chair, Dorian folded his hands over his knee and nodded to Xalynir; a silent gesture for the man to continue.

“So… well, there was this meeting, right? With a nobleman. Josephine and Leliana arranged it a few weeks ago.”

Dorian arched a brow as Xalynir hesitated. “Go on...”

“It was about opening a new supply line. Corn, for the soldiers’ rations. He owns a whole lot of fields just a few days ride from here.” Xal’s jaw tightened, as though he was actively reliving whatever had placed him in such a foul mood. “It’s stupid. They got it all wrong! It wasn’t… it wasn’t what they said. I know it wasn’t.”

Interesting. Dorian thrummed his fingers absently against his knee. “They being Josephine and Leliana, I presume?”

Xalynir nodded stiffly. “We were just talking, you know? About farming. Which okay, I don’t know a whole lot about, but I was told to be nice and get us a good deal. So I was. And I did.” He huffed, hunching forward, arms seeming to cross even tighter in his frustration. “Then, afterwards, Leliana and Josephine just started giggling. You know how they do. Like they know something you don’t.” Dorian simply nodded, his expression sympathetic. Xal continued. “So I asked them what was so funny. I figured maybe they’d overheard some gossip or saw a soldier do something embarrassing or whatever…”

At that point, Xal cut off, mouth snapping shut, his lips forming a firm, stubborn line. As per usual, Dorian stepped up to the task of coaxing the truth out of his amatus. “I take it their source of amusement was something... a touch closer to home?”

“Shucking!”

Dorian blinked, surprised by the intensity with which Xalynir all but shouted the word. “I… apologies, amatus. Shucking?”

“Yes! That was it. That was what they found oh-so-funny. Shuck. Shucking. We were talking about it. Me and that nobleman. Because… because…” Unfolding his arms, Xal made a frustrated gesture that Dorian presumed was meant to symbolise said process. Dorian had to admit it was… well, a somewhat suggestive pantomime. “Because corn, Dorian! You get it, right?”

It took every ounce of Dorian’s willpower to maintain his composure. “I daresay I do, yes. Forgive me, might you… repeat that gesture?”

Blinking a few times, his confusion evident, some of Xalynir’s irritation faded as he repeated the motion once, paused, then did it again for good measure. Dorian watched keenly, nodding as though in said thrusting motion he was uncovering the truths of the universe.

“Ah, yes. I see the resemblance now.” Do not laugh, Dorian. He is upset. Be… what is it? Supportive. Yes. Be that. “I take it Leliana and Josephine failed to see the practicality of the conversation, then?”

“Exactly!” Xalynir’s expression lit up, ignited by the belief that Dorian was on his side. “Thank you. See, we were just talking about farming. He said I should come to the farm some time to practice shucking with him. I said that sounded like a good time, because it does, and he smiled, and then…”

Slowly, like a cart losing momentum as it reached a hill, Xalynir’s sentence tapered off until all that was left was a lingering, uncertain silence hanging like a fog between them. His expression, which had once been marked by a stiff brow and tight jaw, slackened as realisation washed over him, his own words suddenly seeming to fall into place.

“Amatus…” Dorian began gently. “I think, perhaps—”

—“IT WAS INTENTIONAL.” Xalynir surged to his feet, such was the intensity of his outburst. Hands balled into fists, breathing hard, he met Dorian’s gaze and held it. “I’M NOT NAIVE. IT WAS A DIPLOMATIC MOVE, DORIAN.”

“Of course.”

“I was getting us a good deal. Being a good negotiator. I’m not naïve!” Xalynir was pacing now, restless and red-faced for an entirely new reason. “I got it. I got the innuendo. I was doing it on purpose. Yes. One-hundred percent. Playing the Game and all that.”

Something about Dorian’s face must have given him away. The second Xal glanced over his blush deepened and he bristled like a cat before a pool of water. “Stop it - I did!”

“Alright, alright, very well.” Dorian stood, reaching out, placing his hands on Xalynir’s sturdy shoulders, halting his anxious pacing. “I believe you, amatus. You have convinced me.” He smiled as Xal met his gaze then glanced away, the Inquisitor’s cheeks positively aflame with embarrassment. Couldn’t have that. “Quite the tactic, you know. I imagine the Inquisition is far better off for your shrewd negotiation strategy.”

“Yeah…” Xal wasn’t quite game enough to drag his gaze from the floor. “I mean, we got a good deal. For the corn.”

“A battle well-won, then. Negotiation is a valuable process.” Dorian moved slowly as he spoke, gently guiding Xalynir back towards the edge of the bed, coaxing his amatus to sit. “As is… ah, what was the term again?”

“… Shucking,” Xal mumbled despondently, and Dorian just let out a soft chuckle, wrapping an arm around his amatus and drawing him into a warm embrace.

“Come now. Never mind all that. Leliana and Josephine will let it go soon enough. I know they can be quite the duo when they reach consensus.” Comfortingly, he rubbed Xalynir’s arm. “All is well now, yes?”

There was a distinct, lengthy pause; one Dorian had, admittedly, not been anticipating. Xal’s posture stiffened and Dorian pulled back slightly, frowning at his amatus.

“Xalynir?”

“I, uh…” The Inquisitor suddenly seemed terribly interested in the hem of his own shirt, head bowed, hiding his face, fingers worrying the fabric. “I might have agreed to, ah, visit next week. You know. To help him with the… um…”

Xalynir, perhaps unwisely, gave a repeat performance of his previous gesture. Dorian’s brows slowly rose in realisation as that tell-tale blush crept its way back up his amatus’ neck.

“Well... seems I had best practice that manoeuvre.”

Confused, Xalynir turned those disarmingly blue eyes on Dorian. “What? Why?”

Dorian’s gaze was knife-sharp and he flashed a matching smile. “Oh, because I am most certainly going with you.”

[thereluctantinquisitor]

You know, everytime I read about Hanin being a protective dad for his ducklings, I can't help but think about my warden Aralc being the mom of her warden squad :')

*high five* accidental parents are my jam

[sunshinemage]

chaitea09 replied to your post “dear blog have your 531818616th makeover love, me”

The banner is wonderful!

ephemereon replied to your post “dear blog have your 531818616th makeover love, me”

aaaah trop beau !!!

thank youuuu <3

[lightbenderlin]

For the Inquisitor ask :) 1, 11, 29, 35 and 47 for Arrahon please ?

(I wish I was one of those people who can make gifs of their inquisitors for reactions. One day I’ll learn)

1: How do they feel about the Anchor?

At first, confusion (What is this green light, this pain that races through veins like fire on dry wood?) and a little of the curiosity that comes with encountering new magic. But quickly, it became a burden he never asked for but is resigned to carrying. It has the weight of Haven in it. It’s light, a beacon for all the eyes of all the people looking to the Inquisition for answers and action. 

He hates it and welcomes its ability to allow him to act all in one heartbeat.

11: What did your Inquisitor think, when laying eyes upon the throne for the first time?

In the marvelous space of Skyhold’s great hall, it was the only cleared space when his advisers first brought him in. Amid the rubble, the Inquisition’s throne was a bastion, a beacon, its sharp edges backlit through stained glass. It was dangerous and powerful and awe-inspiring. It was everything the Inquisition needed it to be, and Arrahon wondered with a great sinking in his chest, if he would be what the Inquisition needed, and if he would ever be comfortable seated at the focus of the whole room.

29: Which person would they lose the most coin to during a couple of rounds of “Wicked Grace?”

Easily Josephine, and not only because she is the absolute empress of Wicked Grace. After a successful journey to the Winter Palace, Arrahon was certain he had mastered the Game face enough to reasonably take on Josephine and the others again. While he’d improved enough to beat Cullen and Cassandra and a few others, he had the sneaking suspicion Varric and the Iron Bull lost a few of those hands on purpose. But Josephine is merciless at Wicked Grace, and Arrahon had absolutely not improved as much as he thought he had. Of course, it takes five hands for him to concede this.

35: Does your Inquisitor enjoy travelling? How much does your Inquisitor stick to their map?

Arrahon loves travel. Staying too long in Skyhold put a nervous itch in his legs, and left him moving constantly about the fortress, inspecting the gardens, or talking to his advisers, or practising his combat (especially after he’d specialized and had a whole new set of skills to acquire).

As far as maps go, Arrahon loves the beauty and detail of them, but the Dalish don’t use them. He wonders often if his party is tired of his constant divergence from roads and paths and simply too polite to complain, or if they consider that the benefits his wandering the countryside has brought outweigh the sore feet at the end of the day.

47: Does your Inquisitor write letters as well as Josephine? Which color is their ink? Handwrite their signature.

Perhaps not as well as Josephine, but he does write letters. Often, they’re sent to the Clan Lavellan encampment (once it’s been located and saved). If Dorian isn’t with them, and it looks to be a long time away from Skyhold, he’ll write a letter to his love.

He writes notes, too: a thank you to the quartermaster and the trainers of their makeshift soldiers, a note of support to the corps of singers, a note parceled around a few coins telling his bet for the archery contest.

And he always signs them:

[lemezitout]

♫ for Fenris please ?

Oh yes Feni ! <3

Tribe Society - Kings

[kurogoesinthedas]

ephemereon replied to your post “I reached another follower milestone??? like?? more than 4k??? this is...”

*cheering masses* :DD congraaaaaats !!!!!

sunshinemage replied to your post “I reached another follower milestone??? like?? more than 4k??? this is...”

CONGRATS YOU DESERVE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE FOLLOWERS <3<3<3

ASHDAIJDIOSAIOJADOJDSADJAOSDO

[thereluctantinquisitor]

@ephemereon replied to your post: how tall are the dawn ducks?

Tiny Darren :’D

u_u a small bean

... until his late growth spurt >.>