💌 : How would they plan a romantic evening for a significant other?
Oh boy, so this really has a lot of range and to not make this too long I'll do Anjou and Isala since they're pretty similar and honestly the ones I have most thought out because I have them outside any canon romance.
Anjou Baskar
Anjou's romantic evening centers around food and care. She goes out of her way to make time with them. A precious commodity after all.
She'd get up early to start the preparations for dinner. Start prepping the bread and desserts. Start things marinating if needed. By the time they come around, she's ready to go to the market with them. A mundane task, but they pick out things for dinner. They sample snacks and street food. They have a little trip just between them. If a trip to the market isn't the vibe, then a very lazy bit of cuddling and snacking at the house till its time to make dinner.
As they cook together, it would be the time to tell stories, flirt when the urge arises. They enjoy their company and between mixing ingredients and stolen kisses, she is probably smacking a wandering hand aiming to steal a bite of dessert early.
Her entire plan revolves around making a memory that they can think of fondly when they're apart.
Isala Lavellan
It would be a very stressful thing for her, but she'd do it with joy. She'd be stressed to make sure that everything was perfect, that something will come up. That her job will interfere.
She'd plan something simple, so to lessen the chance of things getting spoiled. Isala would try to get them away from everyone. Whether that's sneaking into the kitchen at night in Skyhold, going off a little from camp while traveling, or planning a little trip through the market or village while they're in a town.
She'd bring food, wine, and a little token for the night. A romantic evening of stolen moments, smiles, maybe a kiss or two, and just forgetting their responsibilities. For her, even as she tries to make this moment for them, it would be something she tries to make up for all the time apart.
Isala for TMI Tuesday; Does she tease Bull throughout the day, if they don't have any time for anything until later? If so, how does she tease him, and how does Bull react to it?
Okay, so this was a difficult question. Not because I didn’t know the answer but more of I couldn’t articulate a short answer like I wanted to give you. So instead you have me going into length about this because it’s Bullala, I have no chill.
So the first part of your question:
Does she tease Bull throughout the day, if they don't have any time for anything until later?
Yes. Both friendly jibs and in ways that leave a heated promise of later between them.
Isala is a rather cantankerous lover, naturally flirty, and someone who enjoys slow burn teasing. Yet for as mischievous and cantankerous as she is, she prefers to keep her flirtatious teasing from being broadcasted across Skyhold. Isala prefers to keep their roles as Boss/Employee and Lovers separate. It is more so others don’t have fuel to undermine her. It’s part of the reason no one knows about their romance till much later.
How does she tease him, and how does Bull react to it?
When she teases Bull in a way appropriate for friends and her inner circle in general, she is light hearted. Her jabs following in the same way as Varric, Dorian, or Cassandra. She teases him about his hideous pants, jabs at his lack of shirts, preferred ale, and when they spar how shabby his technique is. All things that Bull takes in stride, a smirk and chuckle lighting up his face. There are some jokes that Isala makes that has Bull raising a brow, the ones that toe the line of professionalism and hold a seed of intimacy that if you paid close enough attention it would raise questions. Jokes about dragons, his cooking skills, and rumbling snores all said with a smile that is just a bit too wide.
Her more flirtatious teasing is done in darkened corners, empty halls, dusty wine cellars and ancient libraries. Words hinting of an intimacy closer than friends, with lingering looks and warm cheeks. This is probably Bull’s favorite sort of teasing. It’s when Isala allows her stress to leave her for just a moment, when she makes him forget all of his doubts for a moment as he focuses on her beyond their scheduled interludes. He treasures these random encounters. Where he can see the woman that she traps in her quarters walking the halls of her home freely.
But the teasing Isala loves, the one that she finds she gets the strongest reaction from him are the rarest of moments. Behind the tavern, in the woods by the pastures, among the stalls in Skyhold’s marketplace. They start with a heated glance, a firm hand pulling the him into a shadowed corner, or staying just out of reach as she starts a playful game of chase. Where hands slide across clothed hips, and lips meet. The briefest of thrills of getting caught running between them as teeth gently skim flesh. Then it’s over too soon as she slips from strong hands, eyes glittering and lips swollen. A heated gaze and soft panting filling the space between them. Bull will sometimes let out a throaty grumble as his nostrils flair. It only serves to widen Isala’s grin as her ears twitch in anticipation and she steps further out of reach. The heat of the moment lingers as a soft later chases her while she makes her escape. A heated promise that doesn’t always promise a continuation, but a moment to be wrapped in caring arms. Whether she’s reading reports, they’re watching the stars, or Bull is asking her about her clan. It’s the promise of ‘I’ll be there later’.
I cannot say enough about this artist. She was a pleasure to work with. She responded so wonderfully to ideas and suggestions and everything came out so incredibly. Honestly, this exceeded my expectations in every way. You should all go commission @orsane right now! Do it! Throw your wallets at her, she’s more than worth it!
I am so in love with Isala and Cullen in this I can’t even put it into coherent sentences. Eeeeee! The lighting, the textures, the expressions....SWOON!
@breathing2nd here is your drabble. I couldn’t find a submissions button on your blog? But this works. Oof. Please tell me if there’s anything off with your Isala baby.
Esra utterly despised fighting demons. At least darkspawn stayed put for the most part. She couldn’t help a growl as the Inquisition soldier at her back slid toward the ground. The greater terror was proving to be more of a hassle than the wretched beast was worth and only her previous encounter with such a fiend’s claws in her brain helped her ignore the nightmarish images it tried to conjure.
Green light flickered sickeningly across the ground from the open wound in the air a few yards away that had debilitated the scouting party along the Storm Coast. Ser Barris had sent her north to warn the soldiers of a potential Red Templar encampment but halfway along the beach she had found another camp under attack. A branch of the tear scorched the air past her and made the gold of her armor gleam in the fading light of the day.
Stepping over the dazed soldier, she hefted her two handed sword and resettled, piercing eyes that near matched the power of the Fade in color if not intensity watching the approach of the wounded terror and now a lesser one and a despair demon. A match made in hell.
Swinging for the one closest to death already, she ignored the pull in her shoulder but nearly leaped from her skin as the tear in the Veil gave a crackle and pulsed with energy. The wave that came out made every monster slump and stumble as the sounds of running came closer. A wicked but tired grin crossed her face sharply as she took instant advantage to cut into the greater terror until it dissolved in a very satisfying manner. By then, her backup had started on the despair demon which was furthest away from her due to its penchant for long distance fighting.
A familiar voice caught her attention and she grinned in sudden delight as she caught sight of Cole only to swear as the lesser terror recovered and lunged for her with a screech. It met her blade and flew back in rage right into Blackwall who finished tearing it to bits. Solas waved a hand to motion her away from the rift, so she hefted the injured soldier and dragged him behind a rock at the edge of the water as the crackling grew and suddenly snapped with an explosion of green shards. “It’s clear!” Blackwall was easily heard over the waves as he hurried to check on the other two soldiers.
“You remembered.” Cole’s smile dragged her own to a tired face as she nodded. He was always so surprised when she did, it hurt but at the same time it seemed to make his day which she was always happy to do.
The last of the group was descending from farther up the gully between the cliffs, the wind tugging pale locks about the elegant point of her ears. “Is everyone alive?”
“Andaran atish’an, Inquisitor. Your timing is excellent, ma serannas. I think everyone made it.” After settling the recovering soldier next to his companions, she gave a slight bow instead of the customary Templar salute.
Solas chuckled as he leaned on his staff, “Such manners still.”
The warrior removed her helmet and arched a brow at the mage, though the scars slicing across the left side of her head kept the corner of her eyebrow from rising as high as the rest of it. “Hahren, you think very little of me if you think my manners an act.” He raised a hand in apology although his small smile only widened, but it seemed to mollify her as she sheathed the massive blade over her shoulder.
Isala’s eyes widened ever so slightly at the greeting and exchange, surprising a twitch of a smile to her lips. “Aneth ara, vehnallan. Your elven is quite well practiced. Are you here with the Inquisition? Your armor is unfamiliar.”
Esra seemed to take a second to review what she had said and then awkwardly rubbed the back of her head with a sheepish laugh, “I fell back on habit I suppose, Inquisitor. For a while I lived near a Dalish camp in the Brecilian forest. It only seemed right to learn since I was in their lands. My name is Esra, I am with your Inquisition. I was allowed to keep my armor from my time in Ferelden’s army, but if you wish me to assume the Inquisition’s armor I can do so.”
“No, I was just curious.” The mage shook her head as Blackwall and Solas began to tend to the injured and Cole flitted into the distance to scout ahead. “Your armor looks like it’s been damaged before?”
Clearing her throat, Esra took a breath and nodded, “Yes. Dagna repaired it. I never thought it would be usable again. Ah, I’m sure you already know of the Red Templars and bandits, but I’ve run into some bands of darkspawn as well out here. In the event you were unaware.”
Sharp eyes recognized the sudden discomfort but passed by it for now, “Thank you for the information. Are you returning to Skyhold then?”
Esra nodded, glancing each direction down the beach. “Also a dragon. If there is something else you would rather I do I can do that. Otherwise I have no further work out here and need new orders if you’re arriving to take care of the Red Templars.”
“If it isn’t too much to ask, perhaps we could talk whenever we’re at Skyhold together? I’d like to know more about the clan you lived with.” The question was hesitant and below the ability of others nearby to hear, but her expression was collected and watchful as her eyes scanned the cliffs around them.
The veteran nearly rocked back on her heels, but she shook all but the shock on her face off quickly. “I could... manage that. It’s an interesting clan with a lot of history to say the very least, I’m sure Keeper Lanaya would be happy if I shared them with you.”
Another small smile crossed the elven woman’s face as she held out a hand to shake Esra’s firmly. “Dareth shiral, Esra. You can call me Isala.”
A smirk crossed her face as she returned the friendly grip, “Dareth shiral. I’ll see you at Skyhold.”
Oh boy, these are fun questions for Isala. Thank you for asking!
👀 Does your OC believe they are attractive? Do they use that to their advantage?
Isala doesn't really believe she is attractive. She does believe some people find her attractive if they express interest but it will always be a little surprising to her (even if she doesn't express that).
Depending on the context, she will absolutely use it to her advantage. It becomes more of a question if that advantage is worth it, because she typically finds it isn't.
😍 What does your OC find irresistible in others?
The irony for Isala is what makes you irresistible will also make her incredibly skittish. She finds intelligence and competency to be incredibly attractive, but with that attraction come a lot of wariness. Those two traits in the past have led her into situations she'd like to avoid, so she is incredibly difficult to warm up to
Intelligence. Isala is profoundly attracted to intelligence and is part of what draws her to many of the Inquisition members. Especially Josephine and what first drew her into Solas. Though he wasn't always the most kind when displaying it, there was that initial draw. It is also what got her to gradually warm up to Bull, though it is also part of why she was wary of him for a lot longer than anyone else haha. So intelligence is something that is irresistible to her but it isn't a trait that will blind her to other things. It can be a double edge sword.
Additionally, competency. A competent leader, a competent scout, a competent goat herder. Competency is hot to her not only because it means she can leave one thing to that person and not have to worry about cleaning up. She has been through a lot, and being able to rely on someone and give that trust is something she values highly.
(She also loves callouses because it shows a life lived, among other things.)
💐 What is their courting style? How would they woo someone?
She never proactively wooed someone. Her first engagement to Inan, he wooed her. So she doesn't have any particular style. However, when she is trying to show she cares, she does so through mundane acts of care. Things that are easy enough to pass off as something platonic due to the way she was raised, such acts are just how you show interest in any relationship; platonic or otherwise.
So she does things that range from making food, hunting, gifting them something she knows they use regularly, doing a small chore like mending a small hole in their laundry. She will also make time to do something they like with them, play a game, read together, or spar.
She wooed Iron Bull by getting a bigger bed for her quarters so he could comfortably spend the night. She got a bigger tub so they could both sit in it together after sex or returning from a trip.
The entire time she swore up and down it wasn't anything meaningful (she didn't think it was at the time), but a practical investment. She wasn't expecting their arrangement to end any time soon and she wasn't going to neglect his comfort just because he was.
