bakerstreet | Courtship

((I mean, you can try?))

( yes. take her dancing!!! I can also provide a starter, just hmu. )

( My kingdom for Mahariel. )

[ a Mahariel, eh? WAGGLES EYEBROWS ]

( ~~SHRIEK~~ SCREAMS yes if you will like to indulge in the sweetest of childhood romance tropes <3 )

[ ~~oh no~~ I would LOVE TO, I am fully on board with both pre-origin and warden!Tamlen AU setting if you have a preference!! ]

[As time went on and battles were hand, Tamlen found it easier to be less hostile towards their other companions, especially knowing that the clan was far away from what they've been facing. He held his own opinions at their new company. It certainly could have been worse, but even he started develop a begrudging respect for some of them.

He and Caraid often conversed about the clan's whereabouts and Tamlen meant to ask about them, but as their journey went on and more nightmares were introduced, the conversations became more about their task at hand at defeating the Archdemon and less about what could have been. Their lives were forever changed to the point where they couldn't easily talk about their next hunt like they used to or even have one of those stolen moments to look at each other longer than they should.

It was all the more reason Tamlen was grateful that they could set up camp here. Although their clan had moved on, at least being within the Brecilian Forest brought about some familiarity. It was just as soothing as the human bard's rendition of In Uthenera, which wasn't so bad if he were to admit it to her. It was something he needed to hear after everything they witnessed with Zathrian's clan and the werewolves.]

...and if it had been up to me, I would have hunted the werewolves without a second thought. [And he would have felt it was justified, just as he thought Zathrian's actions were even after they learned the truth. It was thanks to Caraid that peace was even possible - something that Tamlen hadn't even considered.

Now he turns to face her, his smile glowing by the campfire.]

You're amazing, lethallan. I'm...glad you're here to see us through this.

[He says this with hesitation, as he still blames himself for getting her involved all of this in the first place. She could still be with the clan if it weren't for him and his stupid curiosity.]

[ With a flush along her ears, Cariad brushes off the credit with a shake of her head, and nudges Tamlen's shoulder with her own, letting the touch linger. ]

I'm just... happy I'm not on my own.

[ They've already survived so much together, it's nothing short of miraculous. Those ruins, the Joining, Ostagar — not even getting into the inherent danger of being Dalish in the human world. That she could have lost him at any moment, that she could still lose him, is never very far from her thoughts. Tamlen has always been a constant, like the clan, like Keeper and Ashalle and Merrill and everyone they'd ever known, parts of Cariad's life that are as firmly woven into her soul as roots into the earth. How could she have forgotten that roots can be severed?

But there's no resentment to be had, no blame to lay at anyone's feet, no guilt to demand for being where they are, danger or not. It's how they'd always been: Tamlen running headlong and impulsive into whatever might make the most noise, and Cariad only a step behind, eyes on their surroundings, willing to look for other options. And Tamlen has always been there to pull Cariad out of her shell, keep her from getting stuck unmoving entirely. There's no other way things could have gone. Where one goes, so goes the other.

Cariad's own expression goes teasing, flicking a sidelong glance at Tamlen and grinning. ]

You know... I got the idea of trying to get them to stop fighting from you, actually. After all, if you could have a whole conversation with Alistair without getting sent to opposite sides of camp, anything's possible, right?

[The contact puts Tamlen at ease as he nudges back. Out of everyone in their clan, she has the most cause to hold a grudge against him but chooses not to. Some of the older members of the clan gave Tamlen one last look as if to ask, "How could you do this da'len?" as if he knew what was going to happen. But the guilt was enough for him to convince himself that they really meant well, and that they were right.

Alongside his friend's kindness is her natural drive to calm situations and make informed decisions better than anyone else he knows and anyone they have encountered thus far. Cariad also has the patience of a growing tree - a trait even Tamlen admits that he lacks in and it shows even more whenever he and the former templar converse. Just thinking about it makes him roll his eyes.]

He is insufferable. [They definitely didn't get along at the start, which probably gave Cariad a hard time now that he thought about it. In all fairness, seeing elves running around as servants immediately before their introduction wasn't doing Tamlen's distaste any favors. Alistair's of humor can be hit or miss. When it misses, Tamlen wants to hit him.

There had been a few quips that he found agreeable though and that allows him to forget for a second that the man isn't as annoying as he makes him out to be. Maybe. He notices Alistair playing tug-of-war with Gelert with a thick rope. With a sudden snap of said rope, the human falls flat on his ass much to the hound's joy and Tamlen's amusement. He promptly points at him and lets out a short laugh to which Alistair responds with a dismissive "oh, shut it!"

The elf clears his throat and looks back at Caraid with a resigned grin.]

...some of the times. [They definitely have come across worse. The bandits nearby that town called Lothering come to mind. He'd much rather use this downtime they have to discuss more pleasant topics though.]

There's actually something I want to talk to you about now that we have the chance to actually sit down. Care to spare me more time? [He nudges her again, teasing. Unlike him, he often sees Cariad wander around camp inquiring about their companions. Sometimes the conversations carry on longer than expected. He'd watch her, as he always has, and smiles along when she does.]

[ Cariad can't help it— the whole exchange makes her laugh out loud, not even pretending to hide it, while poor Alistair brushes himself off and grumbles about hounds making him look foolish.

For a moment, they could almost have been back with the clan, relaxing after evening meal and watching rambunctious children play with the hunting dogs by the fire. She'd never say it where either of the men could hear, but sometimes they remind her of clanmates even more strongly when they're taking swipes at one another, butting heads just for the sake of doing it. And even when it's serious, she knows Tamlen is just looking out for the two of them, lone elves surrounded on all sides by humans or their downtrodden city kin, nearly as foreign as the shemlen themselves.

But their shemlen companions aren't so bad, really. A little confusing sometimes, but in a way that makes Cariad curious to learn about the shape of the human world, to understand how it works and why. Even if it sort of seems like the answers are usually "it doesn't" and "we don't know."

Now her attention returns to Tamlen at his words, and her smile goes from playful to gentle. ]

Of course, lethallin. I always have time for you.

[Sometimes the chitchats with Alistair are at Tamlen's expense. He'll forever deny the few times he's been outwitted by the human even under the toughest of interrogations. That is, unless it makes Cariad smile. If it makes Cariad laugh, it's worth it at his expense. With Ferelden's grim situation gradually made brighter with efforts led by her, it's the very least Tamlen can do for someone whom he considers his best friend and more.]

And I you. [Their lives have changed but his feelings haven't. After everything they've been through the feelings have only but intensified. Cariad's words barely has him holding it together from blushing himself.]

So...we haven't really got around to talking about us. I know we sort of brought it up back at those ruins but with what's going on... [and with one crisis after another, the most they've done is letting their gaze and little touches linger when time allows it. With the Blight at hand and the taint that they share, time has never been more precious.]

You know how I feel about you, lethallan. [As brave of a warrior as Tamlen is, getting these words out is a lot harder than he initially imagined. For everyone word he musters he could have given her a ten wolf pelts by now.]

If you do - if you still feel the same, I...would like the opportunity to show you how much. [He nearly follows up with something akin to a disclaimer to downplay whatever rejection he might face, but he doesn't. He's not one to run away even with matters that involve just words.]

[ Us, Tamlen says, and immediately Cariad straightens up a little like she's snapping to attention. Oh, Creators. Such an offer only means one thing, and just hearing him say the word is enough for her heart to start doing flips in her chest.

They've always been some kind of us, as far back as Cariad can remember, but it had become different some time before the ruins. Something had shifted, slipped into a new place before she had even noticed anything was moving, and by the time she realized Tamlen seemed to be smiling at her when she wasn't looking, she couldn't possibly remember when she had started sneaking glances back. But with the Blight pressing at their backs and a whole unfamiliar world ahead of them, she had sort of accepted that they would need to focus on being Wardens before they could be together.

For once, Cariad's nearly endless patience fails her, and the whole sentence is barely out of Tamlen's mouth when she's already running roughshod, pink climbing up her cheeks. ]

Yes, of course I— My feelings have not changed at all. I care about you, so much. You're still... you've always been the most important person to me.

[ That almost doesn't even sound enough, does it? Something about it almost feels inevitable, not in a way that smothers but in a way that comforts, like the changing of seasons. Spring coming inexorably, unfailingly after winter. The whole world may be falling apart around them, but finding her way without a map isn't nearly as daunting with Tamlen beside her, ready with a sharp blade and a sharper wit.

She rests her fingertips against the back of Tamlen's hand, just needing that bit of connection. ]

I accept... if you would allow me to return the offer?

Edited 2018-11-28 06:09 (UTC)

[That blushing isn't lost on Tamlen. There's satisfaction in knowing that she can get like this around him. Teasing her about it would be putting his foot in his mouth though because his cheeks are a bit tinted too, which he finds embarrassing but that is further proof for him that the feelings are real.

At her words, he eyes go wide as if to ask if this is actually happening. Given how tight knit they are not only to each other but to members of the clan also, to hear Cariad say that he's the most important to her speaks volumes. He doesn't feel like he's earned it given his recent track record and almost confesses that out loud, but the slightest touch he feels on his hand quickly buries his doubts.

To say that he's elated is an understatement. It takes Tamlen a few good seconds to say something after smiling from ear to ear.]

What I just heard was already more than enough. [The future is always uncertain no matter how hard they search for ways to seek out their past, but at least the two of them can be sure about each other now as they deal with whatever may come their way.

He lifts his fingers to weave them across hers into a gentle grip and takes that chance to lean closer to her, a lot closer than he's ever dared. By now, with their mutual warmth, his cheeks are undoubtedly colored enough to match Cariad's crimson vallaslin.]

But if you insist, I won't refuse.

[So, uh. The best way to enjoy a meal with Emily outside of work is either to go to the diner or to...Help her cook. And the diner's nice and all! Great food, good people, but not the sort of place you want to go in a small town when you're actually trying in earnest to focus on one person. Overstimulation for a constantly caffeine-fuelled brain and all that.

So, here York is, fresh suit on (he'd almost picked the cherry blossom suit, but...That's a bit much, right? Passion red's the better option), clean-shaven, and best of all, he's got a shopping bag full of ingredients for a full steak dinner, red wine included. It's only fair that he supply the food, since she's supplying the...Y'know, shelter from the rain. At least he has his trusty poncho on so that he doesn't get soaked through for knocking.]

Emily? Are you in? [Knock knock knock knock knock. Worst comes to worst, he'll do what he does to everyone else and peek in through the window to make sure she's alright.] You don't think she forgot that we were coming over, do you, Zach? I hope not. Eating this much steak alone won't be easy.

[One wouldn't exactly call Emily a loner but she equally wasn't much of an entertainer. Other people rarely stopped by her house and she generally kept to herself outside of work, lunches or the occasionally drink here and there. So the one time she actually does have expected company sticks in her mind like a sore thumb.

Y'know, like the one she's probably burned a half dozen times through the years of trying to perfect her cooking skills. That sort of sore thumb.

There's a call of "Coming!" muffled by the front door and distance before Emily herself appears. No peeping today unfortunately. Emily herself is in that flowered blue dress of hers that seems to be the only thing she's capable of wearing on casual days. Little thoughts about how she really ought to vary things up cropped up now and then but the last thing she wanted to do was tread into the territory of 'too flashy' like she had done when she first came to Greenvale.

At first she notes the weather in all her usual casual friendliness as she holds the door open.]

Looks like it's really coming down out there. Come on in.

[And then once she notes the supplies, she seems impressed.]

You always know just what to bring with you. You really are an observant guy after all.

[There's amusement to her ever so high praise. He had dug into her nerves in the beginning -- and still did really, let's be honest here -- so she could find plenty of humor in actually paying him a compliment now.]

[Ah-- He jerks back just a little and pulls his hand away from his temple like he wasn't about to do some weird bullshit (even with the warning call, he's surprised. Hey, gotta overreact to something). Ah well, lost opportunities and all that. He can't complain about the scenario he's in right now, after all; even if it's all she seems to wear, there's no denying that Emily picked well with that dress. ...Especially for a place like Greenvale.

Thankfully, York lacks the sort of shame required to feel overdressed, so the most that he does is smile faintly and pull his poncho off with his free hand.] It's my job to be observant, Emily. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't...But thank you, all the same. [He's trying here. He really is, because he knows even with that casual tone that she means it, and that means a lot to him in turn.]

I figured that I could be your sous chef for tonight, since the forecast was for rain. You don't mind, do you? I don't want to step on any toes by taking over your kitchen, naturally. [Finger: brandished. At Emily or just for emphasis, we don't really know.] I even brought doubles just in case...Something happens.

[That's all he's saying on the matter for now! Time to squeeze in past Emily without slapping her with the bag so she can't get angry and chase him out. He's hungry, still mostly dry, and looking forward to spending time with her. Nothing wrong with wanting to get inside under those conditions!]

[A sous chef, eh. Emily tries to place where she's heard the term before. She's a sucker for cooking shows as much as she is melodramatic daytime television.

She lets him past without fuss. She didn't miss the snippet on doubles and cocks a brow up at it.]

Something happens, hm?

[It's a question she already knows the answer to. And she waves her hand as she follows him toward the kitchen. It's ... somewhat clean? The burn marks are still there of course but she's done the dishes and everything else. If it didn't look like someone had tried to flambé the main piece of equipment in the area, it would almost look like your average kitchen.

She waves her hand then in a dismissive fashion.]

Try to have a little more faith in me. I really am improving, you know. I may just surprise you one day, York.

[And not just because she apparently doesn't know the word for 'egg' either.]

[ whatever. ]

[ there is still a very good chance she may try to punch you if you sneak up on her, make sudden moves, etc; but yes please old school! ]

[ 25+, let him woo you. Or throw him off and woo him.]

Courtship

Vegeta / Dragonball Super / ota

rey | star wars | open

Wyatt Halliwell | Charmed

Tamlen | Dragon Age | elves

no subject

no subject

no subject

Going with Warden AU. Hope this is okay!

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

how dare real life punch me when we're just trying to get these two gumbies together x(

You and me both! :'| Also sorry for not catching the typos. Not sure what happened there!

Esther Moreau | OC | M/F

Emily Wyatt | Deadly Premonition

i apologise wholeheartedly.

/whistling intensifies

/cue inappropriate loop of whistling during a very serious scene

Pretty sure you just posted a summary for the game right there.

mermista | she-ra

jules thomas | sweet/vicious

Mary Crawley | Downton Abbey | M/F

Nightcrawler * Marvel 616 * OTA

Jyn Erso | Rogue One | OTA

five ( dark matter ) ota

Nico Acosta | OC | M/F

Evie Montgomery | OC | F/M