#yes ser

[elvensemi]

You get through the week somehow intact. If Mr. Solas notices you immediately putting all the information you wrung out of his old chauffeur to use, he doesn't comment on it. You wouldn't say you're getting into the swing of things, because you're definitely not, but you spend a slightly smaller percentage of the day in absolute panic.

[Keep reading...]

Back by popular demand! For those of you not familiar with my (old) (very old) work, Yes, Ser is a modern AU featuring a lot of your favorite pals from DAI/KS. Emma, chronically overworked with half a dozen part time jobs, gets unexpectedly transferred into a position as the personal secretary of Mr. Solas, Vice President of INQCO. 

It features all the classics: boss/secretary shenanigans, coffee shops, ex-girlfriends, nosy psychiatrists, capitalism, and a heavy-handed metaphor for climate change and over-dependence on oil! Because when you give me a prompt that consists entirely of “solas/emma boss/secretary smut” I say “I heard ‘a commentary on capitalism and the plague of modern poverty’!” 

Art above and in chapters 1-4 by @amaryllislavellan, art in chapter 5+ by @rinniethemouse

[elvensemi]

While we're on the subject of coffee, I've seen most modern day AU fanfics involving Solas have him drink something that's barely caffeinated and probably more like a hot milkshake than a coffee drink (which I happen to agree with). What would your Keeping Secrets OC's coffee preferences be? (I'm betting Emma's would be black with three shots of espresso LOL)

That’s the case in my modern AU too, lol, he drinks decaf--which, contrary to popular belief, does have some caffeine in it. 

This is such a great question though! You’re right about Emma, she basically just drinks straight espresso with milk (this is also what I drink when I’m making it myself). But she drinks it out of a thermos. In Yes, Ser, she works part time in a coffee shop so she actually tries a huge variety of different drinks, and often experiments on new ones when things are a bit slow. Her strength versus caffeine comes in very handy, since she can try a half-dozen different drinks without making herself sick. 

Modern AU Belassan also works part-time in that same coffee store, so I imagine he’s built up quite a resistance to coffee as well. I think he probably secretly prefers their tea options, though. He’s probably always encouraging the owners to offer more. 

Modern AU Thea strikes me as a simple white mocha kind of girl. Sweet but not too fancy. Celia doesn’t partake of caffeine--she says it makes her loopy even in small amounts. Banal’ras is the kind of guy to order a ridiculously fancy drink, one that he’s discovered and tastes delicious, so now he refuses to drink anything else. Probably like a triple salted caramel latte with almond milk and ristretto... Which is embarrassing, because that sounds really good and I kind of want to try it. 

[elvensemi]

Hey, no pressure, I totally get that real life is stressful, I was just wondering if there were still plans to continue 'Yes, Ser!'? I noticed it wasn't in your list of WIPs, and I didn't see anything in the FAQ or AO3 author notes. Thank you <3.

Short answer: yes there are plans 

Long answer: right now I just don’t have time, and plus the funding sort of dried up. I still owe another chapter or two on it that I intend to write when I’m done constantly playing catch up with KS, and after that, it might continue to update sporadically, maybe, but without the funding it’s down from a “must do” to a “will do maybe if I can.” 

I think when I get back into the swing of things a little bit better, I might advertise for more funding for it, but for right now I’m content to let it languish since even with funding I probably wouldn’t have time for it. 

[elvensemi]

I'm sorry, but whenever I reread Yes See I'm reminded of the movie The Devil Wears Prada, what with the overbearing emotionally stoic boss and and the stubborn assistant determined to keep her job. Which leads to me imagining Emma shouting "Gird your lions!" to the rest of the department when Solas is on his way up (and also going to Paris/Orlais with him for a business week, swoon).

Fun fact: that’s 100% intentional and I’m glad it’s coming across. I actually wrote a Solas version of the Miranda Priestly “oh I see you think this has nothing to do with you” speech after watching the movie for like the 8th time (along with a few dozen others) in preparation for writing Yes, Ser. Basically if it’s a secretary or assistant themed dramedy or rom-com, I watched it and am doing my damndest to channel it into Yes, Ser. So if it reads like that, I’m succeeding. |D 

[lypreila]

Solas is not impressed.

Another quick n ugly Solas doodle inspired by @elvensemi ‘s Yes Ser.

I see it in my head when Emma gives Solas Adaran A’Tea’Shan’s coffee.  I imagine this Solas has a look that just screams ‘Solas is not impressed’. 

Go check out this fic, it’s awesome, and bonus! It has art, which is also awesome!

Ugh.  That neck is just horrible. 

[elvensemi]

The art from Yes, Ser Chapter 4, by the fabulous @amaryllislavellan is available on RedBubble for sale as prints, stickers, and more! Please support our fantastic artist and all her hard work providing professional artwork for this story! Click the image or click here for a detailed full view and see just how fantastic this would look on your wall, your phone, your tablet, or even as a notebook! 

[elvensemi]

“--Surprised to hear an elf  of all things was going to be handling it,” you hear as you enter. “I’ll admit, I thought they were handing us off to the help as well, at first,” Mr. Arceneaux says. “But no, it’s just an oddity of the company.” “INQCO’s staff is currently over sixty percent elven,” Mr. Solas replies as you begin setting the coffee down in front of each fellow. You’ll need to find a comfortable place to stand to take the minutes, somewhere out of the way--if you’re lucky, they’ll forget you’re there. “Mr. Trevelyan is very adamant about promoting based on skill, not race.” “Tell me, though, Solas, can we really trust a bunch of rabbits to this? ARC has already been fined by the Orlesian government once this quarter. These new standards are ridiculous, but the Empress and her Senate seem extremely serious about enforcing them. It's imperative we meet the new safety and emissions standards.”

Yes Ser Ch 3

It tastes like exposition. x’D

[elvensemi]

Hey :) how's the new yes, sir update behaving? ^^ love you!

I’m afraid asking me won’t do much good, we’re waiting on the art. ^_^ Our resident artist is having some Real Life Stuff. Right now I’ll tentatively say that it should be up next Wednesday? But it just all depends on when her life calms down enough to let her finish the artwork.