The air in her lungs seeks to bite her. It rakes with frozen claws and blighted teeth. It stings.
She has no time to reflect on the familiarity of the stones beneath her feet, nor the echoes of memory that paints the scene of strife around her. A large gate, secure and stately now bent in at the irons. A tavern, wreathed in smoke where once only music and drunken revelry prevailed. She pays no mind as the place she once called home is torn apart at the grasping hands of Darkspawn. She does not let herself see it. All she can do is run.
There is humming in his ears. A subtle song, sweet like honeyed poison. It calls to him, to Devotion, but he refuses to hear it.
Around him, Skyhold is falling. He thinks to himself, bitterly, that maybe he never should have taken this job. He did not want to die on foreign soil. Amidst the Blightsong and battle din, he nearly forgets why he had come. Why he stays, still. He is reminded only in the silence of the dead by his feet, and the promise that the silence will spread. That it might reach his clan, his family, until the sound of youthful laughter dies and only the humming remains. The song screams to fill his ear, shifting to something bright with lute strings, but he shuts it out. He does not let himself listen. The only option left is to fight.
The battle is hungry and consumes all. It blinds the sight of the wary. It deafens the ears of the patient. In among the throngs of bodies and swords and death, two lovers pass as strangers to each other. They do not see. They do not hear.
A very wonderful commission from the great @wolfs-dawn and @oxygenforthewicked, with the captions written by Ed herself! Thank you so much for trusting me with this idea. It's been such a blast working on it! 🫶
This scene might appear in the fic Wolfsong, so please check it out!
This Halla knew no fear, for the land in which it lived was golden and full of light. Untarnished and perfect. A veritable paradise.
However, just as the Halla knew not of fear, it also knew little of the World outside its glade. It dreamed of the wonders and beauties that lay just beyond the treeline– all secrets waiting to be discovered. Greener fields yet to be found. After all, if the wood of its home, in all its humble smallness, could hold such treasures, what then must the World beyond be hiding?
A foolish question to ask. And a naive one. But the Halla, who had been swaddled in such perfection from birth, could not have known that beyond its meadow and trees lay a vast and uncaring wilderness. A land scarred by iron and rot and blood. Beasts that hunt in the shadow of night, and revel in the screams of their the prey between their teeth.
Got tagged by @corvuskiss to do this and as promised here's Tal XD enjoy your two for one!
Rules:
There are two steps to this madness. Color the words that most resonate with your Rook. Count where you collected most words, and then search for the corresponding Evanuris codex and add it to the post! Add a pic of your lovely Rook as well (if you want). Have fun and please spread the tag, of course! ♥️
(not tagging anyone for this cause I already did XD)
Talenna Ethera, alias Ny'ari Aldwir
le GASP! You guys would never guess who Talenna, originally created as a foil to Solas, got matched with:
"In ancient times, only Fen'Harel could walk without fear among both our gods and the Forgotten Ones, for although he is kin to the gods of the People, the Forgotten Ones knew of his cunning ways, and saw him as one of their own.
And that is how Fen'Harel tricked them."
mythal
maiden-mother-crone, diplomacy, motherly instincts, supportive, extinguishing fires, deeper meanings, idealism, resilience, survival, fine leathers and fine silks, silver filigree, raven feathers, driftwood, the iris flower, overwhelming yet restrained power, the dark moon, ultramarine fire, double meanings - double desires, hope, the Hawthorne, undeterred belief in oneself, veiled yearning for power
elgar'nan
the black sun - the blood moon, Patriarch archetype, possessive protection, authoritarian, hunger for power, relentless yet sometimes passive, subjective, strategic, leader, restrained emotions, tradition, heavy leathers and heavy golds, envy and desire, retribution, a fiery temper, conditional generosity, ancient ideals, consuming fire, thorny roses, wings of gold, birds of prey, domination, manipulation and temptation, obsessive, abundance
falon'din
black waters, myrrh, dark soil, hushed sounds, white, dark side of the moon, rebellion, vanity, the fade, journeys, shadows and reflections, illusions and deep knowledge, arcane, the dark arts, immortality by looking at the abyss, owl calls through the darkness, mania, desire to be admired, the Undertaker's hands, Nightshades, easily corrupted, deep emotions, ambition and competition, onyx
dirthamen
ravens and bears, hunger for knowledge, whispers, mercury, thick fog through pine forests, North, mountains, blacks and purples, books and libraries, deep blue ink, matters and facts, initiation through knowledge, masters and disciples, order and discipline, loyalty, delve deep, power through knowledge, know-it-all, teacher, curiosity
andruil
the hunter's moon, fur, iron, anger, spilled blood, dense woods, swamps and dark lakes, the beating of hooves, autumn rains, moose racks, thick moss, the thrill of the hunt, courage, determination, sensual desires, will to possess, purpose, strength and clarity, bluntness, blind to nuance, restless, victory through blunt force, physical prowess and flexed muscles, strained bows, blood-red
sylaise
harvest moon, flowers and herbs, warm bread and home, everlasting fires, tales around the hearth, healer and protector, hiraeth, the call of the home, beauty and warmth, respite and refuge, potions and balms, intoxicating scents, flower crowns and white gowns, sensuality, fertility, a large family, deep devotion to a partner, hidden devastating power, high goals, underestimated yet beloved, glory and creation, dreams come true, pink gold and apple flowers, sun rays filtered through leaves
june
creation and invention, bronze and quartz, puzzles and labyrinths, lyrium, leather and wood, smoldering embers, anvils, geometric shapes, innovation, mastery, desire for progress, technology, high tech, logic, hard work, diligence, bolts and oil, welding sparkles, practical outfits, protective gear, sharp blades, mechanic whirring, sharp logic, discovery, technical drawings, teamwork
ghilan'nain
devotion, mystery, fearless, experimental, direction and motivation, medical knowledge, objective morals, orchids and hallas, love for animals, deeper understanding, emotional and sensitive, delicate, persuaded by loved ones, blurred lines, hyper focus, cruelty, ruthless, childish, shrewdness, flesh, blood and bones, creator, perfector, blood garnets and trembling sinews
fen'harel
the wolf moon, pride and vulnerability, wisdom and mania, sharp teeth, furs and leathers, rebels and isolationists, planet Pluto, the great change, uproot, unearth, fixations and deep knowledge, paradoxical subjectivity, hypocrisy, eyes that see it all, silent judgment, adaptability, revenge, blind purpose, grey morality, unfulfilled purpose, ether and dreams, mournful howls, thwarted purpose, thwarted heart, Loki archetype, well laid plans that fail, sharp tongue, sharp mind
BLANK TEMPLATE BENEATH THE CUT!
mythal
maiden-mother-crone, diplomacy, motherly instincts, supportive, extinguishing fires, deeper meanings, idealism, resilience, survival, fine leathers and fine silks, silver filigree, raven feathers, driftwood, the iris flower, overwhelming yet restrained power, the dark moon, ultramarine fire, double meanings - double desires, hope, the Hawthorne, undeterred belief in oneself, veiled yearning for power
elgar'nan
the black sun - the blood moon, Patriarch archetype, possessive protection, authoritarian, hunger for power, relentless yet sometimes passive, subjective, strategic, leader, restrained emotions, tradition, heavy leathers and heavy golds, envy and desire, retribution, a fiery temper, conditional generosity, ancient ideals, consuming fire, thorny roses, wings of gold, birds of prey, domination, manipulation and temptation, obsessive, abundance
falon'din
black waters, myrrh, dark soil, hushed sounds, white, dark side of the moon, rebellion, vanity, the fade, journeys, shadows and reflections, illusions and deep knowledge, arcane, the dark arts, immortality by looking at the abyss, owl calls through the darkness, mania, desire to be admired, the Undertaker's hands, Nightshades, easily corrupted, deep emotions, ambition and competition, onyx
dirthamen
ravens and bears, hunger for knowledge, whispers, mercury, thick fog through pine forests, North, mountains, blacks and purples, books and libraries, deep blue ink, matters and facts, initiation through knowledge, masters and disciples, order and discipline, loyalty, delve deep, power through knowledge, know-it-all, teacher, curiosity
andruil
the hunter's moon, fur, iron, anger, spilled blood, dense woods, swamps and dark lakes, the beating of hooves, autumn rains, moose racks, thick moss, the thrill of the hunt, courage, determination, sensual desires, will to possess, purpose, strength and clarity, bluntness, blind to nuance, restless, victory through blunt force, physical prowess and flexed muscles, strained bows, blood-red
sylaise
harvest moon, flowers and herbs, warm bread and home, everlasting fires, tales around the hearth, healer and protector, hiraeth, the call of the home, beauty and warmth, respite and refuge, potions and balms, intoxicating scents, flower crowns and white gowns, sensuality, fertility, a large family, deep devotion to a partner, hidden devastating power, high goals, underestimated yet beloved, glory and creation, dreams come true, pink gold and apple flowers, sun rays filtered through leaves
june
creation and invention, bronze and quartz, puzzles and labyrinths, lyrium, leather and wood, smoldering embers, anvils, geometric shapes, innovation, mastery, desire for progress, technology, high tech, logic, hard work, diligence, bolts and oil, welding sparkles, practical outfits, protective gear, sharp blades, mechanic whirring, sharp logic, discovery, technical drawings, teamwork
ghilan'nain
devotion, mystery, fearless, experimental, direction and motivation, medical knowledge, objective morals, orchids and hallas, love for animals, deeper understanding, emotional and sensitive, delicate, persuaded by loved ones, blurred lines, hyper focus, cruelty, ruthless, childish, shrewdness, flesh, blood and bones, creator, perfector, blood garnets and trembling sinews
fen'harel
the wolf moon, pride and vulnerability, wisdom and mania, sharp teeth, furs and leathers, rebels and isolationists, planet Pluto, the great change, uproot, unearth, fixations and deep knowledge, paradoxical subjectivity, hypocrisy, eyes that see it all, silent judgment, adaptability, revenge, blind purpose, grey morality, unfulfilled purpose, ether and dreams, mournful howls, thwarted purpose, thwarted heart, Loki archetype, well laid plans that fail, sharp tongue, sharp mind
Pairing: @dreadfutures' Ixchel x @exalted-dawn's Talenna x Virelan, with a special appearance from Virelan's baby boy, Tulin
Rating: Gen
Words: 883
Tags: bathing together, daisy chain of hair braiding, kidfic, are they sisters or are they in love or is it a secret third thing?
It's bath day.
They begin with a long soak — then the three of them take their leisurely time re-moisturizing with their favourite oils and scraping their skin clean with strigils. In the background, Virelan can hear little Tulin running and screeching, safe at play outside the bath hall.
She only wonders what he's up to in passing. It's safe here.
Talenna insists on washing Virelan's locs. Ixchel and Talenna wash their hair in the bath along with their skin, then sit on the marble edge to comb out their long, straight tresses. Ixchel's fringe is already almost dry when they sit Virelan by the bench, wash basin in hand, and encourage her to lay back and let them take care of it.
Their fingers are magic.
Virelan's eyes loll shut as she listens to the two women talk, lulled by the vigourous attention of their strong fingers. Three hands — two of which are Talenna's — bury in the base of her locs and scrub her scalp clean. The warm water, the scent of the gentle soap, and her friends' care almost have her falling asleep.
"Up," Ixchel says, snapping her awake, "all clean."
They rinse and squeeze the water out of her short locs and help her sit — then, before she can blearily thank them, Tal starts retwisting her hair with a thick moisturizer that smells of citrus.
"Ma'lath," she giggles.
"You're overdue," Talenna hums, all warmth and no bite.
Ixchel makes herself at home — she sits in front of Virelan, then scoots back bit by bit until Virelan spreads her legs to let her tuck between them. With a chuckle, Virelan smooths her one hand down Ixchel's bare back.
"I can braid with one hand now," she says. "Would you like me —"
"Yes please!" is all Ixchel says.
Virelan can feel her contented, full body wiggle as she begins to part her hair.
The surge of affection is sudden — it feels like roaring, all-consuming flame, one that makes her want to throw both arms around the woman in front of her and squeeze her tight. She gives in, where once she may have held back, even suppressed her affection, out of fear.
Ixchel's happy yelp soothes any worry she may have had.
Virelan crushes Ixchel to her, just for a moment, and nuzzles her nose into the curve of her neck and shoulder. She plants a kiss there, right on the tip of a pale, swirling scar, and hums happily to herself as she sits back once again within reach of Talenna's hands.
"Happy?" Talenna asks, placing a smacking kiss on top of Virelan's head as she resumes oiling and twisting her locs.
"With you two?" Virelan sighs. "Always."
The lowering sunlight slants through the upper windows of the bath house, painting the limewashed walls in shades of peach and blush. As the three women murmur to one another and groom each other's hair, their voices echo and multiply into a low, chattering hum. It's almost enough to believe that they aren't alone here — instead, it feels as if elves of Arlathan's past are here alongside them, following the same rituals, feeling the same sense of companionship.
To the east, Virelan spies Tulin's little toddling body run through the columns that divide the bath proper from the courtyard beyond.
"Da'len!" Talenna calls, her voice a bright beacon of welcome. "What do you have?"
"Flowas!"
His little brown fist thrusts up, his fat fingers wrapped around a clutch of bright orange.
"Flowers!" Ixchel laughs, holding out open hands. "Come here!"
The boy, barely four, comes at a full tilt directly into Ixchel's arms. Virelan can feel the thud of his little body straight through Ixchel's sturdy form. She throws her arms around them both — her shortened arm matches Ixchel's on their left side, except for the burn that winds up to Ixchel's shoulder.
"What a good find, da'len," Virelan chuckles. She lets go with her right hand only, which bears the end of Ixchel's braided hair. "What kind of flowers?"
Tulin plants a sloppy kiss on Ixchel's cheek, then holds up his bounty again for all to see. "Lilies! And a — and a marigold, for Chel."
"So sweet!" Ixchel croons.
"Mamae!" Tulin shouts. "Please! In Chel's hair?"
"Show me the stem."
Tulin grunts as he adjusts in Ixchel's lap. She helps him pick apart the mess of flower stems and grass in his hand, until he triumphantly holds up the marigold's blossom with stem intact.
"Long enough, da'len. Here, help me please?"
Talenna's pleased hum vibrates through Virelan's side as she leans over Virelan's body. Her hands are hard at work twisting her hair, parting and twisting and picking and smoothing, and it's her grip that keeps Virelan from leaning forward to take Tulin's outstretched hand. But Ixchel holds him up, strong enough to heft the boy with one arm, and together Virelan and her boy braid the long marigold stem into Ixchel's hair. Tulin finishes off the blossom with a pat just behind Ixchel's softly pointed right ear.
"Bootiful," he mumbles, patting and patting again. "Bootiful."
"Like you, Tulin," Talenna laughs, leaning down to kiss him directly on the head, just as she did to his mother.
"And you!" he crows. He offers a lily. "For you! Bootiful!"
[ID: Digital drawing of an elven woman in a semi-realistic painted style. Her skin is light brown, her hair is medium brown and straight, and her eyes are golden and looking off to the side. Her mouth is open as if she were speaking and she holds a tankard in an arm that is leaning against a surface off screen. Under her eyes is a variant of Mythal's vallaslin, around her neck and hanging down to her chest is a green scarf, and is also wearing a white sleeveless top, gold and grey fingerless gloves that extend to her shoulder, and a leather armband. The background is brown and she is lit in warm toned lighting. End ID.]
Dalish elf with a single, asymmetrical dangly gold earring? Choosing to incorrectly read this as a sign from the universe that someone at BioWare has seen the dozens of Talenna comms I’ve been flooding the internet with and this is a shout out to me personally 😌😂 (Anyway, if they finally put a long-haired side bang option in the CC, I’m smooching Bellara as Tal. It is foreseen.)
inspired by @boycomics ‘s famous ‘The Boys on the Train’.
