#lottiesnotebook

[sun-marie]

Hey! For the ☕️ ask game: Dragon Age character you think is most frequently misinterpreted by the Fandom At Large? 👀

Hi! thank you for the ask <3

hm, well, in general i think the DA fandom has a flanderization problem with all the characters, regardless of popularity. However, for me, the worst case of this is Fenris. If someone on the outside looking in saw fanon Fenris (constantly angry, hateful against all mages, alcoholic, zero sense of humor) compared to canon Fenris (tumultuous emotions but with a wide range, biased against mages bc of systemic reasons in his homeland but willing to grow past them and see exceptions with hawke/bethany, dry humor but still genuinely funny, has one (1) night of heavy drinking, etc.) I'm not sure they'd recognize him as the same character not to mention the rampant whitewashing in fan-art of him. Like I said though, I think this happens to all DA characters to some extent, Fenris is just the most frequent/egregious example.

Send me a ☕️ and a topic and I’ll talk about how I feel about it lol

[griffongrey]

Happy Thedas Weekend! Ofc as a Wynne girlie myself, I HAD to send you this for her and either Solona or Jowan! "how are your injuries? let me see them."

I was writing it for Solona and Wynne, and then Alistair appeared here, too, looking contrite. So now it's set kinda late in the pre-Landsmeet Blight, when Solona is figuring out how to incorporate her new Arcane Warrior abilities into her fighting style. (CW for slight non-sexual nudity in this one.)

@lottiesnotebook @thedasweekend

Wynne examined the two of them with the sort of disapproving stare that could reduce any unruly apprentice to contrition. And apparently, in this case, a former templar trainee counted as an apprentice.

Though Wynne hadn’t spoken a word to him, yet, Alistair also hadn’t stopped stammering apologies since… well, since he had accidentally impaled Solona on his non-euphemistic sword, actually, minutes before Wynne’s glare could contribute to his guilty conscience.

“Honestly, it’s not as bad as it — hst — looks,” Solona tried to say, but she was undermined by her sharp intake of breath as Wynne lifted Solona’s elbow to get a better look at the wound on the underside of her arm. Her already-dark tunic was stained black with blood — the same blood that, through the gash in the fabric, stood out as an alarmingly vivid shade of red against her skin.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, Solona, I swear I though you would parry that—!”

“Hush,” Wynne said, cutting off Alistair’s pleas. “Solona, dear, how are your injuries? Let me see them.”

“It’s just the one injury, I promise,” Solona said.

“Sorry,” Alistair repeated.

Solona, not yet used to the bulky metal breastplate she now wore, allowed Wynne to help her unbuckle it and ease her out of her tunic. She was suddenly grateful to have found Wynne inside her tent instead of outside by the campfire. Alistair kept alternating between trying to watch closely to make sure Solona was alright, trying to avert his gaze to preserve her modesty, and trying to pretend like he wasn’t trying to do either of those things.

It was, frankly, cute.

With the stab wound now fully on display, Wynne tutted under her breath. “Honestly, what were you thinking? You could have killed her!” she chastised Alistair.

“It wasn’t his fault,” Solona insisted before Alistair could apologize again. “I asked him to train me with a sword. Like he said, I should have blocked the strike.”

“I’m s—” Alistair started to say.

“If you say you’re sorry one more time, I will give you something to be sorry about,” Solona interrupted, her tone light and humorous, but still firm. “It’s fine. I mean it. These things happen.”

Wynne hummed skeptically, but she refrained from admonishing him further when Solona shot her a sharp look.

“How many times do apprentices get singed when they’re learning how to cast a barrier spell?” Solona pointed out.

“Oh, very well,” Wynne said.

She pressed her palm gently to Solona’s injury, waiting a moment for Solona to get used to the additional pain before she began the healing spell. As the soothing glow of Faith diffused through Wynne’s hands and into the wound, knitting skin and muscle back together, Solona felt months of stress melt away from her body. It always amazed her how peaceful Wynne’s healing spells felt compared to anyone else’s.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“You’re welcome.” Wynne patted the healed skin. “Just try to stay away from the business end of Alistair’s sword, in the future.”

“That sword of his, perhaps,” Solona said, grinning.

Wynne leveled her with a long-suffering glare, though the effect was somewhat lessened by the twinkling look of mischief in her eyes.

“I see you're feeling better, if you have the energy for raunchy jokes,” Alistair groaned, his cheeks ever-so-slightly flushed. With Wynne still close, he was once again conspicuously avoiding looking at her breasts.

“Always,” Solona said with a chuckle. Using her newly-healed arm, she reached over to cup Alistair’s cheek and pull him in for a kiss.

“You are fine, right?” he whispered into her lips. “You would tell me if you weren't?”

“Yes,” she said softly, fondness suffusing her voice with warmth.

She kissed him again, and for a moment, she could pretend her answer wasn’t a lie.

[hyperions-light]

Could I suggest 6, 7, or 18 for the Putting Rook Through The Horrors ask game? I love hearing about Leth so much...

Hey, lottie! Thanks for asking!

You can put Rook to the horrors with {this} ask game!

Numbers 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 21 have been asked or answered! The tag for the other answers is #horrors ask game !

I have answered 18 here, already, but I will do the other two!

6. Have they ever been in any unhealthy relationships? This doesn't necessarily have to be romantic.

oh boy HAVE they! You definitely have Leth's number with this one lol. I was going to make a joke that it would be easier to name which ones WEREN'T unhealthy, but they actually were relatively lucky, as a kid. It's Teia and Viago, really, lol.

Ummmmm I don't even really know how to succinctly describe whatever Leth and Viago have going on? It's definitely extremely co-dependent, they have really bad communication issues, it's ill-defined, it has very few concrete boundaries, there's the power imbalance, there's the part where Viago deliberately encouraged bad habits in Leth for his own benefit, there's the violence-instead-of-talking thing. The possessiveness, from Viago. The acceptance, the subservience, from Leth. Probably the only healthy thing about it is that they both really care about each other and will go to ridiculous lengths to ensure the other's safety. I mean, that can be bad, too, but the sentiment is nice!

With Teia it's really more Leth's problem. The theatricality is a facade, but they really do think of her as kind of like an... angel? a saint? they've elevated her in a way that definitely makes her uncomfortable (don't worry, I will Unpack That). It's to do with them meeting her through Viago, and her affect on Viago's life, and Leth's relationship to Viago... I'm sensing a pattern! Anyway, Teia is honestly pretty normal and well-adjusted about them, but they are Not normal about her.

7. How high is their physical pain tolerance? Do they ever show if they're in pain? What about their mental pain tolerance? How easy would it be to break them down?

Physically, they have a ridiculously high pain tolerance. Thanks, Viago! Thanks, Crow training! They got the living shit beat out of them as a kid, and they've been prepped for torture, so they can pretty much deal with whatever you have to throw at them! They won't show they're in pain unless they are around safe people or they're doing it for dramatic effect lol.

Mentally... well, they just shut down if something bad happens, honestly. They will either go find Viago and fight him (a classic) or hide somewhere, if he's not available or their feelings are too much for that. They won't show it, because they are good at compartmentalizing and have trained themselves out of it, but it's not that hard to break them down, especially if you're important to them.

[megthemariner]

Happy Friday and welcome to DADWC! I can't remember if I got around to prompting you last week, but your art is gorgeous! Could I suggest 'Do you know how pale you look right now?' for Taralyn/Zevran (from the Hidden Injury Prompts?)

I just joined! So my first week was the week you sent this :) And thank you for the compliment on my art, ahhh <3

I meant to save this for tomorrow….but I couldn’t wait! I wanted to share it right away

For @dadrunkwriting

———

Rating: Everyone | Pairing: Zevran/Surana | WC: ~500 | CW: none

———

They’re making camp for the night, just outside the Brecilian Forest. Taralyn keeps checking for any signs of the Dalish, pausing from setting up her tent to look up and around every so often. Which is how she catches it - Zevran, swaying a little, almost stumbling, before cleverly disguising it as simply stumbling over a tent pole. His normally tan complexion is almost as light as hers, and Taralyn feels her heart skip a few beats in alarm. Dropping her own tent supplies, she marches over to him.

“Do you know how pale you look right now?” She cringes internally. She sounds like one of the enchanters, scolding and tutting over an apprentice.

“Oh, Surana, hello,” his attempt at a smile is less than convincing. She moves closer, looking him over. “Ah, admiring my fine physique? I assure you, I am fine, as you can see.” He makes a sweeping gesture with one hand, attempting nonchalance, but Taralyn sees the slight tremor in it.

“You’re definitely not fine, Zevran. Where are you hurt? I don’t see any bleeding. Did you bandage it yourself? If one of the darkspawn got you…” she trails off, shifting in place. Why would he hide it from us anyways? From me?

“No, no, nothing of the sort. I am fine, Warden!” His use of her title makes her next words die in her mouth. Zevran’s wide grin, usually charming, falters and quickly drops as she drags him off to the side of their makeshift camp.

“What is going on?” She speaks quietly, through gritted teeth. His eyes keep flicking over her shoulder, back towards the other members of their group. Of course. They haven’t spoken much about it, but she knows weakness wasn’t really..tolerated with the Crows. Taralyn sighs, wiping a hand over her face. What do I do??

“Okay, fine, I get it.” His relief at her words is palpable, although he covers it quickly, propping one hand on his hip and leaning towards Taralyn.

“So, your tent this evening, or mine, amore?” Normally by now, she’d be blushing all the way up to her ears. Tonight, she’s just tired and filled with worry. Even still, she tries to match his flirty tone, to return to their usual banter.

“Well, unless you want an audience,” she pauses, leaning closer to him, “we should use yours.” They’re nearly touching at this point, and despite her concern, Taralyn can feel heat rising in her cheeks. She takes one finger and runs it down the length of his ear, if only to see colour rise in his cheeks as well.

“As much as I love an audience, I’d prefer having you all to myself, tonight.” He takes her hand, pressing a brief kiss to it before - slightly unsteadily -bowing and sauntering away.

Taralyn stands, alone, at the edge of camp. She clutches one hand to her chest, the other on her reddening face, trying to appear less flustered than she is. It’s going to take all of her willpower to resist him later, she knows, but she’s determined to find out how he’s hurt. I never thought my circle training would be useful in this way…

———

[wrathbites]

Ooh Me and the Devil for the WIP ask game?

From here :)

"Me and the Devil" is the working title for the oneshot I'm working on for Lucanis' time in the Ossuary post-fusion with Spite. It's not an easy ride for either of them (and hasn't been for Lucanis up until that point).

Current content is subject to change, but here's a snippet:

The thing inside him stretches, further and further and further still until something inside must surely break, bend, buckle. It hooks him up by the gut, arching his spine and flexing his fingers, his toes, pulling his head so far back he can't swallow or scream or breathe - Stop, he says, gasps, wheezes. He won't beg, not now and not ever, not for this thing or Zara or any other. He won't, but it will kill him if it continues - And he so desperately wants to live. It swivels like the flip-flop swoop of nerves in the stomach, an awareness creeping out like darkness slinks in in those scant moments before a faint. Lucanis blinks one-two-three and everything is tinged purple - the cell and his skin and his fingers curling over the edge of his cot (too long, all joints, nails gone curved and sharp). The violet eyes gleaming at him from the shadows underneath, two and four and six fixed in a stare. He freezes. W h y? it asks from within, a dozen voices plucked from his memories and layered in echoes upon his ears, a darker rasp tucked in the depths. Why? W h y. S t o p? Y o u. D o. N o t.

[elsewhereuniversity]

I'd like to know how I'd do at Elsewhere University. I'm a medieval history student, who specialises in medieval fairy lore. I also know a lot of fairy tales and have an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Fairy Tale Rules, most of those being Stay Away From The Fair Folk. I have blue/purple hair and spend most of my time singing, telling stories, knitting or spinning thread. Would I survive?

Your immediate future: a distressing amount of translucent teeth, seconds you should be counting more closely, a diploma in your name but possibly not in your hands

[hyperions-light]

Hi, thank you for the ask! Could I get 4 or 16 for the Rook storytime prompts?

Hey, thanks for asking <3 !

The Rook Story Time prompts are [here] !

I have answered 1, 4, 33, 16, and I have requests for 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 15, 17, 18, 23, 35

“Falling in love? Well, of course, people routinely fall in love with me, as I am charming beyond compare, but my first time, well— I think it was in the summer.”

It is winter in Treviso. Two Fledgling Crows huddle under a blanket, as they keep watch on a target’s home from an exterior balcony. They pass a steaming cup of coffee between them.

“There was this gorgeous woman; red hair, eyes like emeralds, the prettiest voice this side of the continent. I heard her singing from the street, and I was so enraptured I walked right into the tavern— even though the proprietor had banned me. Unfairly.”

There is a woman with soft brown eyes; long, dark hair. She coaxes Lethanavir into letting her cut theirs, so that the unruly curls fall evenly, for once. She leaves red lipstick stains on their neck, and sits with them as they get their first tattoo, their hand in hers.

“And she saw me across the room, and it was like the heavens had opened; like the world vanished around us, and she followed me out into the night, even though her set wasn’t finished.”

In the Drowned District, Lethanavir scales a tower, followed by the woman; they sit at the top of it, breath fogging the air before them, and look at the stars; tracing constellations in the heavens.

“That whole summer, and into the fall was like a dream; we made love to one another every spare moment. She was an expert— I, a novice, but she had such worlds to show me. Wrapped in one another, time meant nothing to us.”

Winter turns to spring, calling the merchant princes out onto the streets, and the House’s contracts are plentiful, once more. Lethanavir exchanges fumbling touches with the woman, stealing moments between jobs.

“She begged me to leave the Crows for her— to run away to Rivain to make love and music on the glorious, sun-drenched sands. But, of course, I had to refuse her. I loved her, but not as much as Treviso.”

In the summer, the woman tells them she no longer wants them. It is painful, but they can subsume it beneath the greater pain of endless training. When she is killed on a contract, they ache, for months, in a way they’ve never known— but they survive, as they always must.

“It’s a wonderful thing, something like that— but it doesn’t last.”

[griffongrey]

For the OC opinion game: I love Solona so much! I love her combination of kindness and ruthless practicality, and her willingness to put the greater good above whatever she might want. Also the blood magic and secret collaboration with the Architect is cool and sexy <3

AKSHJDFKLAGJFKLADHF YES I'M GLAD YOU LOVE THAT ABOUT HER TOO <3

She'd be side-eyeing you hard for that last sentence, but tbh i think the fact that she'd react that way about her own actions just makes her cooler and sexier lmao