8061 réponses à ce sujet

[Corker]

@ejoslin - I'm doing that now. My husband thinks I'm insane.

ToP?  With that?  Seriously?

Ooookay... I pick this one for some more airtime:


by JustAnoR  on DeviantArt

Modifié par Corker, 26 septembre 2010 - 02:48 .

[Sarah1281]

ejoslin wrote...

I think everyone should play a no-persuasion skill playthrough -- it's fun hearing people tell your warden to get bent everywhere.

Edit: Then again, I've always had a strange idea of what fun is!

Except Cammen. He'll still tell your Warden all about his problems.

As to romancing female Zevran...I would have done it once just to see the romance play through but lesbian relationships just aren't very appealing to me so I probably wouldn't have bothered to do it again. Although that would mean that even more of my Wardens would have ended up single because God knows I wasn't going to have them all go flocking to Alistair.

[TanithAeyrs]

soignee wrote...

What with all the gender switching going on at the moment, out of curiosity; would your warden still be romantically with F!Zevran?

depends on which warden, probably not my DE, HN, or elf mage, probably for my CE and DC.  Right now I'm not sure my DN is going to romance anyone.  Haven't done any male warden runthroughs yet, I suspect most of the personalities I have in mind would be interested at least.

Would being female shape and change Zevran's outlook in life more, do you think? Especially in regards to how Antiva allegedly treat women.

I agree with those that said she would have to be harder and better than the boys just to compete.  Whether Rinna's death would have driven her to suicide by Grey Warden - don't know.  It might have done just as the master intended and finished hardening her to the point where she really didn't care (or at least had everything buried so deep she couldn't tell if she did).  Alternatively she might have gone at the master with a dagger - I'm not sure a femZevran would have bought into the whole "passive suicide by Grey Warden" thing.  If she had I suspect the Warden would have a much harder time getting to know her - as a woman who was forced to compete in a male dominated field, she would be twice as wary about letting any of her true self show.

Modifié par TanithAeyrs, 26 septembre 2010 - 03:08 .

[ejoslin]

Sarah1281 wrote...

ejoslin wrote...

I think everyone should play a no-persuasion skill playthrough -- it's fun hearing people tell your warden to get bent everywhere.

Edit: Then again, I've always had a strange idea of what fun is!

Except Cammen. He'll still tell your Warden all about his problems.

As to romancing female Zevran...I would have done it once just to see the romance play through but lesbian relationships just aren't very appealing to me so I probably wouldn't have bothered to do it again. Although that would mean that even more of my Wardens would have ended up single because God knows I wasn't going to have them all go flocking to Alistair.

He wont have sex with you though  And Gheyna won't take your word for him being wonderful and stuff.  I had to get him a pelt

And Sarah, I'm with you. 

You want to know about my big concern for DA2 now?  I'm worried that the only male love interest will be like Alistair.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the Alistair romance -- it's beautiful and heartbreaking and he's all so human.  But the Zevran romance, I don't know, I like that he's not the white knight -- he's outstanding in his own way, but you know?  I'm having trouble articulating this obviously.

But if DA2 is going for a particular audience (and a different one from DA1, which is pretty apparent), I'm worried they'll do one romance for females, and it will be the one that the writers think will hook the most women, which most likely is the white knight.

[Giggles_Manically]

Thats my fear for DA2.

Alistair and Zevran have so much depth and were done so well.



I honestly am interested in how they can make a LI even close to them.

[Aroihkin]

Considering that Zevran never even got so much as a cameo or cutscene after Origins, I wouldn't be surprised, no. They obviously didn't figure he/his audience was worth the trouble.

Edit: And by 'they', I mean the guys funding it all. I know Gaider likes Zevran just fine.

Modifié par Aroihkin, 26 septembre 2010 - 03:23 .

[Giggles_Manically]

Aroihkin wrote...

Considering that Zevran never even got so much as a cameo or cutscene after Origins, I wouldn't be surprised, no. They obviously didn't figure he/his audience was worth the trouble.

Edit: And by 'they', I mean the guys funding it all. I know Gaider likes Zevran just fine.

Didnt he compare him to deceptively spicy salsa at one point?

[jenovan]

No one remarked on it, but at the slower speed we go these days, it's still a landmark -- happy page 50, guys ;D


Eee, what a lovely fem!Zev, kornichon <3  What would my Wardens do when faced with that... 

TanithAeyrs wrote...

I agree with those that said she would have to be harder and better than the boys just to compete.  (...)  If she had I suspect the Warden would have a much harder time getting to know her - as a woman who was forced to compete in a male dominated field, she would be twice as wary about letting any of her true self show.

I agree with this -- I think "Zevrana" would be harder to get to know.

m!Amell wouldn't care one way or the other, he'd totally hit that.   Romantically, I don't see much changing for him, although if f!Zevran was harder to reach, emotionally, he might or might not end up with her after the end of the Blight, the way I sort of envisioned with m!Zevran.

m!Tabris... You know, for all that he thought he was a good heterosexual boy before meeting Zevran, the first thought I had was that he would have trouble trusting f!Zevran, I don't know why.  Maybe a sense of that remoteness mentioned above.  Or maybe being faced with a forward woman would be even more flustering to him than being hit on by a man, I'm not sure.

Modifié par jenovan, 26 septembre 2010 - 03:46 .

[wildannie]

I'm still in denial that BW are going to let us down with DA2... I keep saying to myself that they'll deliver some mention of Zevran & Warden in DA2 that can give some closure, or that they will give us something in DA3... I can't help but torture myself.



If they go for only one choice (like Alister) I'll be gutted ... I really don't get him, I agree that he's well written etc but I never feel the appeal of him (I guess i'm just too old and jaded!). As a result I never enjoy playing characters that romance Ali very much in fact I've never managed to keep him 'til the landsmeet (I've got a wee EM Elan whose going to change all that though... it's good to know that there'll be someone to pick up the pieces after that one).



oooo... I think I'm rambling



@soignee I find it hard to imagine how FZev personality would play out (he's a very male character to me) I'm pretty sure she'd be best friend at the very very least though.

[Kornichon]

Aroihkin wrote...
...Oh god, Kornichon. I'm looking through your DA gallery and your comics seriously crack my sh*t up. Too funny. XD

ahaha glad you like it ^^
so many others WTF-stories grow in my head but I had so not enough time to draw them all XD
(like Broma bros plumbers, Zev' eyebrows depilation, STD's and crabs, ..... )


hehe it's very interesting to see the differents sorts of characters who romance Zev and how they react about a gender change 
(oh crap, imagination bubbles again....)
edit : oh and about DA2.... I'm really so not attracted by all what I saw, so.... surely not for me....or only maybe for Bethany's boobies :3

Modifié par Kornichon, 26 septembre 2010 - 04:04 .

[ICevoL]

 
@ tankgirly and Gilgamesh1138 – welcome! *passes the cookie tray*
 
@ tankgirly – beautiful art. You are very gifted; thanks for sharing with us!
 
@ Kornichon – jumpin’ jezebel on a whole wheat ******! Zevrana is as hot as Hades in August *sweats*
 

soignee wrote...

What with all the gender switching going on at the moment, out of curiosity; would your warden still be romantically with F!Zevran? If they were buddies, would they think twice and look at DAT ASS and the perky, pertinent way F!Zevran acted towards them, would they think "ah why not," as their sexuality is programmed that way?

Alek (m!Cousland) is bi and a complete man!ho. No question he’d hit on f!Zev as much as he did m!Zev.
 
KaiLynn (m!Surana) would be a sad little mage, since he’s 100% gay and would have no one to play with if Zev was female. He’d still blush furiously at f!Zev’s flirting, though they’d stay friends only.
 
Madeline (f!Cousland) would remain buddies, and would likely have warmed up sooner to a flirtatious f!Zev than she did to m!Zev.
 
Brienne (f!Tabris) I’m not sure about. She caught Zev on the rebound from an Alistair break-up, but I’m not sure whether she’d “switch hit” or not. Have to think on that one.
 
Castielle (f!Surana) is currently friends only with Zev (though that may change later *EG*), but she wouldn’t object to some private time with f!Zev. She’s the “smex as a weapon” type, so if she thought she could get something she wanted out of it, she’d definitely tap that.
 
I agree with what Tanith said about f!Zev’s personality. Since it’s already been said better than I can manage on 4 hours of sleep, I’ll leave it at that. *G*

[Nilfalasiel]

Depending how much more emotionally walled off Zevrana would be, my Warden might have a problem with romancing her (as opposed to just sleeping with her). Not because of her gender though, that's not an issue in and of itself.

[soignee]

TanithAeyrs wrote...

soignee wrote...

What with all the gender switching going on at the moment, out of curiosity; would your warden still be romantically with F!Zevran?

depends on which warden, probably not my DE, HN, or elf mage, probably for my CE and DC.  Right now I'm not sure my DN is going to romance anyone.  Haven't done any male warden runthroughs yet, I suspect most of the personalities I have in mind would be interested at least.

Would being female shape and change Zevran's outlook in life more, do you think? Especially in regards to how Antiva allegedly treat women.

I agree with those that said she would have to be harder and better than the boys just to compete.  Whether Rinna's death would have driven her to suicide by Grey Warden - don't know.  It might have done just as the master intended and finished hardening her to the point where she really didn't care (or at least had everything buried so deep she couldn't tell if she did).  Alternatively she might have gone at the master with a dagger - I'm not sure a femZevran would have bought into the whole "passive suicide by Grey Warden" thing.  If she had I suspect the Warden would have a much harder time getting to know her - as a woman who was forced to compete in a male dominated field, she would be twice as wary about letting any of her true self show.

you... just described Missa.

Uhm.

A female Zevran would be Missa.

LOLOLOL. ohgodwhatdidido

[Sarah1281]

Hm...how would a Missa/Missa relationship work? Even more screwed up? Is that even possible? Should we all try to find cover?

Modifié par Sarah1281, 26 septembre 2010 - 07:51 .

[Nilfalasiel]

Sarah1281 wrote...

Hm...how would a Missa/Missa relationship work? Even more screwed up? Is that even possible? Should we all try to find cover?

I think the universe might implode.

[ejoslin]

Hmmm, I'm debating putting a goodbye kiss in that no one would ever see. With the Zevran public kiss, there are two circumstances he'll give it -- one is a goodbye, the other is when he chooses to stay. However, for the goodbye one, I could put it in with him saying at the end, "Fare you well, my Love, and good luck" (well, right now I just have him saying, "Fare you well, my love") which is incredibly heartbreaking. There was originally a speak line in there, they just have it set to an empty line.

Hmmmm, I don't think I will do this. My heart is breaking from just playing around with it!

Modifié par ejoslin, 26 septembre 2010 - 09:42 .

[payroo]

I'm glad the dress-up game amuses!
(I am planning an update eventually...)

I scribbled a boobified Zevran and Alistair a while ago on kmeme...
(Link is rather NSFW)
http://fanart-filled...l.com/5294.html

ICevoL wrote...

 

soignee wrote...

What with all the gender switching going on at the moment, out of curiosity; would your warden still be romantically with F!Zevran? If they were buddies, would they think twice and look at DAT ASS and the perky, pertinent way F!Zevran acted towards them, would they think "ah why not," as their sexuality is programmed that way?

KaiLynn (m!Surana) would be a sad little mage, since he’s 100% gay and would have no one to play with if Zev was female. He’d still blush furiously at f!Zev’s flirting, though they’d stay friends only.
 

that's my m!Surana too! haha... (seeing as he had a pathetic crush on Jowan back in the Tower)

I haven't quite worked out my eventually Morrimancing m!Aeducan's personality yet (as he's still in Ostagar) but I think he'd find Zevrana an interesting nut to crack... come to think of it, Zevrana's personality would almost be a Morrigan who actually knows how to deal with people (albeit in a sort of twisted way). Hm.

[ejoslin]

 Breakup kiss here.  I am not sure I have the heart to make five more of these, and then put them in and test them.  I only made his face slightly sad -- he is so guarded, and his voice there says so much more.

[ICevoL]

payroo wrote...
I scribbled a boobified Zevran and Alistair a while ago on kmeme...
(Link is rather NSFW)
http://fanart-filled...l.com/5294.html

*giggles hysterically*  OMG the look on both their faces is just priceless...

payroo wrote...

ICevoL wrote...

 

soignee wrote...

What with all the gender switching going on at the moment, out of curiosity; would your warden still be romantically with F!Zevran? If they were buddies, would they think twice and look at DAT ASS and the perky, pertinent way F!Zevran acted towards them, would they think "ah why not," as their sexuality is programmed that way?

KaiLynn (m!Surana) would be a sad little mage, since he’s 100% gay and would have no one to play with if Zev was female. He’d still blush furiously at f!Zev’s flirting, though they’d stay friends only.
 

that's my m!Surana too! haha... (seeing as he had a pathetic crush on Jowan back in the Tower)

*grins* Kai avoided falling for Jowan, but he had his own romantic issues in the tower.  Killer crush on his mentor, and a "friends with benefits" relationship with a fellow (straight) apprentice.  His idea of how love and relationships work is pretty jacked up by the time Zevran comes around...

ejoslin wrote...

 Breakup kiss here.  I am not sure I have the heart to make five more of these, and then put them in and test them.  I only made his face slightly sad -- he is so guarded, and his voice there says so much more.

This makes me wibble, but great work.  It packs the intended emotional punch

[TanithAeyrs]

ejoslin wrote...

 Breakup kiss here.  I am not sure I have the heart to make five more of these, and then put them in and test them.  I only made his face slightly sad -- he is so guarded, and his voice there says so much more.

First time you've put a kiss up that I haven't loved.  It's great, but so sad.  Not sure I could bring myself to ever trigger it.  Runs off to Zev romance mod thread - need smexy Zev pics for therapy.

@soignee - knew there was something familiar about Zevrana.  Not sure if she and Missa could even manage a relationship with one another.

@everyone: entries for this week's prompt are officially closed.  Will have results up tonight.

[Sarah1281]

*grins* Kai avoided falling for Jowan, but he had his own romantic issues in the tower. Killer crush on his mentor, and a "friends with benefits" relationship with a fellow (straight) apprentice. His idea of how love and relationships work is pretty jacked up by the time Zevran comes around...

Wait...so was the apprentice a girl or was this a straight guy who couldn't think to strike up a friends-with-benefits relationship with someone of a gender he was actually attracted to?

[Remmirath]

soignee wrote...

What with all the gender switching going on at the moment, out of curiosity; would your warden still be romantically with F!Zevran? If they were buddies, would they think twice and look at DAT ASS and the perky, pertinent way F!Zevran acted towards them, would they think "ah why not," as their sexuality is programmed that way?

Zemariel Tabris I'm not really sure about. He would certainly still like Zevran, and they would at least be good friends, but I'm not sure about anything else. He might give the romance a try anyway, but I expect not (or if he did, it probably wouldn't work out very well).

Bryony Cousland would be much more romantically interested in Zevran than she is currently. She would probably end up liking a female Zevran better than Leliana.

Narvinyel Surana would be even less likely to have a romance with a female Zevran than with Zevran as he is, but she would probably be more inclined to be friendly sooner.

Would being female shape and change Zevran's outlook in life more, do you think? Especially in regards to how Antiva allegedly treat women.

It doesn't seem to me that it would change very much. He already wasn't exactly well-treated, and I suppose the Crows don't really care terribly much if their recruits are male or female.

[ICevoL]

Sarah1281 wrote...

*grins* Kai avoided falling for Jowan, but he had his own romantic issues in the tower. Killer crush on his mentor, and a "friends with benefits" relationship with a fellow (straight) apprentice. His idea of how love and relationships work is pretty jacked up by the time Zevran comes around...

Wait...so was the apprentice a girl or was this a straight guy who couldn't think to strike up a friends-with-benefits relationship with someone of a gender he was actually attracted to?

No, it was a guy.  Blaine had a girlfriend who "wouldn't put out", and KaiLynn had a crush on his male mentor, so they hooked up to get relief.

I got to this from the way Wynne talks about the child she had with another mage (such relationships are "not encouraged") in banter with Alistair.  This made me think that the Circle would have a strict abstinence agenda --  particularly with the female apprentices -- and maybe an unspoken policy about same gender relations being preferred.  "We don't want you to do it AT ALL.  But you're a bunch of hormonal teenagers locked up together, so things will happen.  If they do, play with a member of your own team so we don't risk babies"

Just the way I saw it in my head *shrug*

[Tigress M]

ejoslin wrote...
But if DA2 is going for a particular audience (and a different one from DA1, which is pretty apparent), I'm worried they'll do one romance for females, and it will be the one that the writers think will hook the most women, which most likely is the white knight.

You may be right, but I don't think so.  Having played ME and ME2 where you are regulated to one PC, either male or female, you are given a few options for a LI in both games.  So, I'm hoping that will hold true in DA2 because, frankly, I enjoy exploring all the possible romances at least once, just to see how they play out -- make replays much more enjoyable.  

[TanithAeyrs]

[quote]TanithAeyrs wrote...


Here's the new prompt:

***Banner by Minaleth***



Prompt: Even as a friend Zevran says he will go to the gates of the Black City with you.  But Zevran has his limits; what would Zevran  be reluctant to do, or even flat out refuse to do for the Warden?  Can be serious, funny, or whatever you want.

Time: 1 hour
 
Formats: All formats of response are encouraged -- drawing, story, image manip, poem, comic, etc.

Deadline: Sunday September 26, 11:00 PM GMT (4:00 PM MST U.S.).  Winner announced Monday September 27th.
 
Prize: Zevran story of your choice. Give me a prompt and/or a character and I'll go with it.  Haven't had much practice at kmeme stuff, but would be willing to give it a go, characters of any orientation okay. 
[/quote]



Corker's entry
[quote]

Fly Away

"What I want is to begin again."

Vashti Mahariel tilted her head, her dark face still but hope sparking in her eyes.  "To begin again? A new life, free of these Antivan Crows?"

Zevran nodded.  "I... owe you much," he said slowly, looking at her hands as if they were two snakes he was considering capturing, and wondering how to go about it without being bitten. 

She was not unaware of his interest; but then, he was vocally interested in virtually everyone in the group save Oghren and the dog.  And while he was undeniably handsome, he had seemed a flat ears at heart to Vashti - too content to live among humans and do their bidding.  She had tried, as best she could, to show what it meant to live as a free elf, with the hope that he might understand, might choose a better life for himself.

So, with only a second of hesitation, she took both his hands in her own.  He looked up, surprised, and she caught and held his gaze.  "You wish to live free?"

The intensity, the heat in her voice confused him.  "Yes, I... I..."  Realization dawned and he said slowly, "You are speaking of... something else, no?"

"No.  I am speaking of the only free life for the elvhenan."

"So I thought."  He looked away, and Vashti realized with sinking heart that the new beginning he wanted had not been an elven one.   But he did not draw away, and instead asked simply, "Is that where you will return, when this is over?"

She dropped her head in sorrow.  "I cannot.  I wish that I could, but... I cannot.  I must remain with the Grey Wardens."  She would not bring the taint back to her people.

"Then," and now Zevran did draw his hands back, gently, "I am sorry to disappoint you, my dear Warden, but... as I told you, I have tried the Dalish life.  It... did not suit me."

Vashti's chin came up, and her eyes were dark with anger and dismay.  "Fly to a new gilded cage, then, crow," she spat, "and feast on whatever scraps and leavings the shemlen see fit to toss to you.  It is by far easier than the life of the hunting hawk, I suppose."

He bridled at that.  "There are more possibilities in life than slavery or wandering poverty.  Hawks nest also in the cities."

"And they are the weaker for it," Vashti shot back.  She raised a hand and turned away, not wishing to speak any longer.  "Do as you will," she said bitterly.  No healer could make the blind see.  It was not her fault that he did not wish to leave the humans.  Not her fault.

"I had thought perhaps to remain in your company."  From any of the others, the words would have been heavy with reproach.  Zevran said them idly, as if they were but a passing thought, but they stopped Vashti short regardless.

She did not turn back around.  "You deserve better than that," she said after a moment.  "But do as you will." [/quote]

@Corker - really illustrates the difficultly of romancing Zevran with a Dalish elf, the cultural conflict is extreme.  Well done.


ICevol's entry
[quote]
All or Nothing

As her companions filed out of the Arl’s dining room, Castielle stayed behind for a few moments to gather herself. She felt the thrill of triumph pass through her. Everything had gone exactly according to her plans – Alistair would be the next king of Ferelden, and she had convinced him to stay in their relationship. She hadn’t expected him to try and set her aside, but it hadn’t been difficult to persuade him otherwise.
 
She was so close to the security she’d always craved – at the side of a man powerful enough to protect her should the Chantry or the Circle try to drag her back to their phallic prison after all this Blight nonsense was dealt with. The victory thrummed through her veins, pulsing excitement into her core. She needed a release, and she had no patience to wait for Alistair to finish schmoozing with the nobles – per Eamon’s instructions -- before they all departed for Redcliffe the next morning. Even if her lover were available to her, Castielle didn’t believe him capable of satisfying the urge within her. Alistair was a tender lover to be sure, but he had far too sweet a temperament for her preference. Half the time she feared contracting diabetes from the sugary behavior he exhibited.
 
No, Alistair wouldn’t do for this hunger. She needed someone wild and uninhibited, and she knew just the one to fit the bill.
 
A predatory smile tilted up her lips as she tossed her long ponytail over her shoulder and went in search of Zevran. She found him easily; he was in the guest room he’d been allocated at the Arl’s estate and, luckily for her purposes, the elf was alone. She knocked to announce her presence and stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her and leaning against it. Her eyes devoured the other elf’s lithe body as her skin tingled with anticipation. She’d caught Zevran looking at her with a hungry expression more than once. Given the stories he’d told her, she had no doubt he would be an excellent lover and more than willing to accede to her request for sensual relief. “Hello, Zevran.”
 
The elf closed up the satchel he’d been packing and turned to her with a sly grin and a raised brow. “Greetings, my dear Warden. You risk loose talk amongst our companions by closing us in here alone. Whatever will they assume we are doing in here?”
 
Little did he know that Castielle intended for said speculation to be fact, without the inconvenient gossip accompanying it, of course. “Everyone is too busy to notice that we’re unaccounted for, at least for a little while.”  Castielle threw an extra sway into her hips as she approached Zevran where he stood next to the bed. She saw his eyes widen and fly to her face, clearly trying to assess her intent. When she was close enough to touch, she stopped walking and traced the lines of the tattoos on his face with the tips of her nails. “I wanted to spend some time alone with you. The next few days promise to be hectic, and I could use your… expertise, with a problem I’m having.”
 
“Hmmm…” Zevran replied, resting one hand on her hip, neither pulling her closer nor pushing her away. “I will assist if at all possible. What is this problem you mentioned?”
 
“I am in need… desperate need, in fact.” Castielle brought her lips up to Zevran’s, catching his eyes and breathing heavily, her tone of voice dropping to one that left no question what she meant. “I’ve seen the way you look at me, and I think we both owe it to ourselves to explore what’s between us.”
 
Zevran brought his hand to her other hip so he had both of them bracketed. He still made no move toward or away from her, and his response blew hot breath against her lips. “I do believe Alistair would object to sharing you, lovely Castielle… or did I misunderstand your conversation earlier? Are you free to be offering yourself to me in this way?”
 
Castielle leaned forward, tracing the shell of Zevran’s ear with her tongue before whispering to him, “He doesn’t have to know. This will just be between the two of us… our little secret, as it were.” She skimmed her mouth along his jaw until her lips hovered over his once more. “I know you want me, Zevran. Just take me and we’ll both get what we want.”
 
Zevran’s eyelids dropped for a moment and she felt his chest expand with a deep breath. He met her eyes again and expelled the breath on a sigh as he extended his arms, the hands on her hips setting her out of his personal space. “You are quite tempting, as you well know. However, I must decline.”
 
Castielle felt her jaw drop in shock and snapped her mouth closed. One cannot seduce when looking like a codfish. “Is there nothing I can do to change your mind?”
 
Zevran retrieved his satchel and slung it over his shoulder. “I will only take you if you no longer belong to another. I find myself feeling rather selfish where you’re concerned. If I cannot have all of you, then there can be no more between us than the friendship we already share.” Zevran caressed the side of Castielle’s neck before he strode past her toward the door. She spun around to watch him, scarcely believing he actually intended to leave her untouched. “If you decide that I am the one you want, bella, I will be waiting for you eagerly.”
 
The door closed behind him with a definitive sound, and a part of Castielle wondered if choosing Alistair had been the right decision after all.
 
--End--
 
(Note: Castielle Surana is the character from my current DAO play-through, and while she has not yet gotten to the Landsmeet, I could see this exact scenario happening with her at that point in the game. It’s what immediately flew to mind when I read the prompt *G*) [/quote]

@ICevol- you captured Zevran perfectly.  Love is a rather selfish emotion, isn't it?


maredeux's entry

[quote]
Dark Blood

It had been a long, hard day. Zevran had trained some recruits in sword fighting. Tenuvien was with another group in the Deep Roads to make them familiar with the Darkspawn. Now they finally found some peace, as they sat in the evening sun on the roof terrace of Vigils Keep. The assassin rubbed Tenuvien's shoulders and neck. "You seem so pensive, amore. What crosses your pretty mind?"

The city elf rogue turned to her lover and looked him searchingly in the eye: "You would never join, am I right? Not that I would ask you. I would be too afraid that you would not survive the joining, but ... "

The Elf chuckled. "You know, there are ..."

"Yes, I know," she interrupted, "liquids that you would never touch. But I know you. This is one of your famous jocular excuses. There is more behind, isn't it? Otherwise... You are not the type who would fear a bit of tainted blood."

Zevran looked at his wife very seriously and thoughtfully. "There is something I've never told you, that I have never told anyone, it is one of the secrets of the crows, a secret of their power ..."

***

The young assassin was just twenty when one of the masters, who had been kind to him, asked him for an interview. He admitted that he would like to see him as his successor. But he had to do something to gain an ability that characterizes the masters of the crows, it made them special. It gave them unprecedented power, the master said. Magic was involved.

Zevran had been blindfolded, the place was secret. A windowless room, where hundreds of candles were burning. On an altar in the center - which was stained with a lot of old blood from fromer rituals - lay a young man. He was alive, his chest was moving quietly to and fro, his eyes were closed, as if he were sleeping peacefully.

"It is important that they are still alive." An unfamiliar elf in a long robe said, "I am Master Dendayar. And a mage. Come over here. I must prepare you." It was difficult to determine the age of this elf. A hood covered his hair, its shadow fell deeply in his face. His voice was deep and sonorous.

Zevran went to the assigned place. The master rubbed Zevrans left forearm with a liquid from a blue-tinted vial. It prickled on the skin, a feeling between tickling and burning. The magician took a knife, cut into a vein in that arm and collected some of Zevran's blood in a bowl.

With the bowl, he went to the young man on the altar, cut into a vein on his neck and also let fall some of his blood into the bowl. He put the jar on a stone table, opened another vial with a purple liquid and let fall a few drops into the mixture. Then he concentrated, muttered something and fired short bursts from his hands. They transformed the dark red liquid in the bowl into a black substance. This he brought to the young assassin. "Drink this!"

Zevran hesitated: "Blood? I shall drink blood?"

"It is not simple blood," the master said. "It is a magical mixture. And you have to drink it while it is warm, otherwise it was all in vain." He put the bowl in Zevran's hands. His gaze allowed no opposition.

The elf took the cup to his lips, closed his eyes and drank. The substance tasted disgusting. It burned in the throat and stomach. It was hard for him to quell the nausea.

"Well," said Dendayar. "Do you feel something?"

"No," replied Zevran honestly. "I'm just sick."

The Master laughed: "The best answer that anyone has ever given me." Zevran was again blindfolded. He was led blindly around the room. Finally, someone gave him a dagger in his hand: "Find him," he heard the sonorous voice of the master: "Find him and kill him."

In the darkness of his covered eyes, Zevran saw a diffuse red ring and went towards it. As he approached, mysterious runes were visible inside the ring. He was attracted to them, the ring was his goal, he stabbed in the middle. A short, silent sigh was heard. The master took off the blindfold. Zevran's dagger stuck in the heart of the young man on the altar.

"Congratulations, that was good," the mage said with satisfaction. "Not everyone hits his aim the first time as accurately, you have talent. This is now your gift. You have to concentrate, then you can mark your targets magically and meet them more effectively."

"The boy was not just asleep, right?" the assassin asked.

"Of course not, the magic sleep was part of the ritual. And now - take advantage of your gift. From time to time it makes sense to repeat the blood ritual, you will feel if this is necessary. But make sure that the substance is pure. Let it never be contaminated by corrupted blood."

***

Tenuvien closed her eyes and leaned against the shoulders of her lover. It was another dark secret of his past. "So, the skills you have taught me, were not the real assassin skills?"

"They were, except for the magic-blood part. And you should never do that, it could kill you with your..." His voice sounded afraid, he stroke her tired face.

She nodded understanding. "And you really have to repeat it?"

Zevran shrugged. "I would not want to repeat it. Not anymore. Maybe I will lose a part of my abilities soon."

She looked him into the eyes. "You don't need that ritual. You will still remain the best comrade-in-arms, friend and lover I've ever had." [/quote]

@maradeux - I like the two levels of things Zevran wouldn't do (the joining and repeating the blood ritual).  Nice use of lore from the game as well as providing another window into Zev's darker past.


Sialater's entry
[quote]
This is an AU to The Rescue.  I promise this scene occurred QUITE differently in my fic.


Sitting in a well-stuffed, high-backed chair, Moira stared bemusedly into the fire in the room the wardens at  Weisshaupt lent her.  She sighed in tired contentment.  Her friends were safe, the man she loved was safe, both of them, and her stomach was comfortably full from the first decent dinner she’d had in a while and she was cosily warm in the heavy white woolen dressing gown Fiona had loaned her.    But despite her physical discomfort, her emotional turmoil continued.

Both of her men might be safe, but she wasn’t safe from them.  While trapped in the false Fade, she and Alistair had discussed their future. He had no intention of letting her step aside in favor of whatever queen he was forced to marry to procure an heir.  He had never said a word regarding Zevran, but she knew the elf’s feelings for her and knew that her heart was torn between them both.  Could she let the assassin leave, as he told her would?  Alistair would never share her, and she feared forcing the issue would cost her both of them.

The elf in question interrupted her thoughts by slipping in around the heavy door and closing it softly behind him.  He probably could not tell she was in the room at all given that the chair was so large and she had drawn her bare feet up under her.  She knew it was him and not Alistair due to the lack of taint she sensed, that and the fact that Alistair was never that quiet.  She heard him come to a stop in front of the fire.  “I hear you have two new recruits for your  Wardens?”  Of course, just because he couldn’t see her, didn’t mean he wouldn’t know she was there.

Moira stood and crossed to stand behind the taller elf, “Aye, they both live.”

“And now what will you do?”  He held out his hands to the fire as if to warm them, his posture indicating absolutely no tension whatsoever. The corded muscles in his forearms and biceps, however, belied his seeming relaxation.  

“I will return to Denerim with Alistair,” Moira told him.  “And you, I hope.” 

He finally turned to look at her, his fine-featured face shadowed by the flickering firelight.  “And why would you want me?  Does someone need killing in Denerim?”

“You are my friend!  Why wouldn’t I want you to come with me?”  Moira cursed the shadows that made him unreadable. 

His full lips tightened into a line, “Just a friend, am I?  I told you once, mi amora, I could not watch you with him any longer.”

Moira felt her stomach turn over and her throat suddenly swell up, “I know.  I’d just hoped . . . after everything we’d been through together, that you would change your mind.”

He stepped closer to her, the sweat and leather and oil and steel he wore like a fine cologne filled her senses and made her briefly light headed with need of him.  His voice dropped into the lower registers that always  promised things he was happy to fulfill, “Do you really think I could be near you now and never touch you again?”

“But –“

He shook his head, once, “No, mi amora.  I will travel back with you as far as Antiva.  After that I take my leave of you. I cannot stay and watch him kiss those satin lips of yours and know I cannot do the same.”

“Zev, please! Let me –“

Again, he shook his head, “No.  I find myself wanting to do anything I can for you in the hopes that I would earn your love away from him.  But that would lead me away from what you have encouraged me to become when I was free of the Crows.   I would even kill for you again.”

She remembered the few assignments she’d asked him to undertake shortly after Alistair had taken the throne.  It had all been in the name of procuring their safety, but for the first time, it occurred to her he’d not taken them
for the gold, but only because she’d asked.  “I won’t ask that of you, Zev.”

A gentle brush of his fingers along her jaw, “If it were a question of keeping him safe, you would.”  Without warning, he crushed her against him, his lips finding hers with bruising force.  He pushed his way in past her teeth and she clung to him, her arms snaking around his shoulders to entwine in his hair.  She belatedly realized his braids were gone as she knotted her fingers at the nape of his neck, trying to stay upright as he eroded the strength in her knees with his tongue on hers.  One of his hands cupped the back of her head, while the other held her tightly against him.  He broke the kiss first.

Wordlessly, he stepped back and looked at her as if memorizing her.  She tried to close the distance between them again, but he spun on his heel and left, the door shutting quietly behind him.

Moira spent the night curled up in the chair, her heart in pieces at her feet.  Zevran never returned and Alistair spent the night talking to the woman who claimed to be his mother instead of spending his first night of freedom with Moira.  When Shale came to find her in the morning, the former golem reported that the elf was nowhere to be found.   

~*~

The leather-clad elf stood framed in the doorway of the sally port watching rain pelt the forest just outside the keep.  His unbraided hair hung damply in his face.  She used to braid it for him.  He heard a light step behind him and without turning asked, “They’ve gone?” 

A woman’s voice answered, “Of course.  Are you sure this is what you want?  She was broken hearted.”  Ah, Fiona, the woman who claimed to be the lout’s mother.  He ignore the wrench his own heart gave to hear about Moira's pain.  It was better this way.  One clean rip.  Why didn't it hurt less?

“If he felt differently about me, then it might have ended another way.”

“Where will you go?” the woman asked.

“The Crows still have a contract out for them.  That is the last thing I can do for her.”

~*~*~*~


That hurt to write.  I'm glad I didn't go that route. [/quote]

@Sialater: I'm so glad things didn't go this way in your fic.  It's true to character for Zev, but, what a tear-jerker.


Halae Dral's entry
[quote]

The Deep Roads were dank, dark, oppressive, and crawling with Darkspawn - so not much had changed since the last time the two elves had ventured in them. 
Why exactly Zemariel had wished to return to the Deep Roads so long after they had already defeated the Archdemon,  Zevran could not say. It was probably nothing the Warden deemed especially dangerous, or else he would like as not have brought Alistair and Wynne along with him. Zevran was just as glad that he had not.

They had passed through Caridin's Cross and were nearing the Dead Trenches. Zemariel had been curiously silent on the journey. He had made several, albeit somewhat feeble, attempts at humour to begin with, but he seemed to be in low spirits and had ceased talking altogether when they entered Caridin's Cross. Zevran had decided to wait until he knew what was going on before making any attempts at brightening the other elf's spirits. He had spent the last few miles trying to figure out why the Warden was bringing him back down here in the first place. It had been no vacation spot before, surely, and while they found it much easier to slaughter the Darkspawn they encountered this time around, it was not a place that Zevran had any desire to remain in longer than was necessary.

Zemariel came to a sudden halt. They had entered the Dead Trenches, and Zevran brought his thoughts back to the present. He recognised the place they now stood - the group of them had once stood here and watched the Archdemon swooping over the horde. Darkspawn were still milling about in the trenches, as always, but they did not seem ready to muster for battle this time. Zevran could bear the silence no longer. 
"It would appear this is where you have been headed," he said. "Tell me - why did you wish to return here?"
Zemariel was staring over the edge, his face pensive. He gave no immediate reply, and only sighed. Zevran waited with as much patience as he could muster. Finally, the Warden spoke.
"Do you know about the Calling?" he asked.
Zevran shook his head. "No," he answered. "At least, not terribly much. I admit that I have overheard you and Alistair speak of it a time or two, while we were in camp, but neither of you said nothing that was very informative."
Zemariel shifted uneasily, and still didn't look at him.
Zevran felt slightly nervous. "You have told me about the nightmares you get, and the sensing Darkspawn. Is this related?"
Zemariel nodded. "Yes. It has to do with the Taint. In thirty years - if I'm lucky - I'll start having those nightmares again, but worse. That's how I'll know it's time. The Taint... catches up with you after that long. It kills you."
Unable to think of something to say, Zevran reached out and took Zemariel's hand. Zemariel smiled at him, but looked away again and closed his eyes.
"I never thought I'd make it through the Blight," he admitted. "I hadn't really thought of what would happen after that. Most Wardens come down here for the Calling, Alistair told me. Plenty of Darkspawn around, so you kill as many as you can before they take you out."
"I am not sure what to say about such a grim fate. But why are you telling me all of this now?" Zevran had a sudden dread. "You are not having these dreams already, are you? It would be much too early for that, would it not?"
"No, no!" Zemariel assured him, giving him a crooked grin. "Nothing like that. I just... well, I thought you should know."
Zevran did not believe that was all of it. "Why here? Surely we could have spoken of this in more comfort elsewhere, if that was all you wished to say."
"True."
Zemariel took a long breath. "I didn't want to be overheard, and I thought you might understand what I'm going to ask you better next if we were here. I guess I wanted to see it again for myself, to, but mainly... mainly that."

Zevran waited for the other elf to continue. He wanted to give Zemariel time to ask whatever it was he felt he needed to ask, but he did not like standing here for so long. It felt exposed, and he could hear all manner of cave noises and some stranger sounds. He trusted that Zemariel would have said something if there were Darkspawn near, but he had not forgotten the spiders and other creatures that lurked about in the tunnels.

"I don't want to - I can't - do that. The coming down here and fighting Darkspawn until I die." Zemariel finally turned to look at him, his expression half wry and half pleading. "Nobody really knows what what happens to all those Grey Wardens who come down here to die. What if they're becoming Darkspawn, somehow? I don't think anybody ever finds the bodies. Even if that's not true, I still... well, I'd like..."
"That is certainly a grisly prospect, but it is a long way off yet." Zevran squeezed his hand in reassurance.
"I know this might be an odd thing to ask of you, but when the time comes... I'd like you to kill me. Or poison me, or something. I don't know. I just want to know that I die me. I keep remembering Ruck. Maybe I'm wrong about what might happen, but if not - I don't think I could make myself come down here for that. I think I'd run away instead, and that would be just as bad."
Zevran didn't respond. There was a time, certainly, when he would have had no problem following through on such a request. There was some irony in that, he reflected.
"Zev?"
Zemariel was still looking at him with those pleading eyes. Zevran made himself laugh. It sounded perhaps a bit forced. "Certainly, my dear Warden! If we both live that long - which is not likely! - I will do as you ask, when it becomes necessary."
Zemariel relaxed. "Thank you," he said. Zevran smiled and put an arm around his shoulders, but he hoped fervently that it would never come to that. Perhaps that Avernus fellow would get somewhere with his research before then.
Despite what he had said, he was not sure he would be able to make himself carry out Zemariel's request any longer if it came down to it. [/quote]

@Halae Dral - wow, talk about a difficult thing to ask Zevran to do.  That he takes Zevran all the way to the Dead Trenches to ask him demonstrates how serious your Warden is, and that he thinks Zevran might balk at his request.



jenovan's entry
[quote]
This is not to be considered part of my Warden's canon, by the by.  A bit of AU, perhaps.)

Breaking


"Let me make this as straightforward and simple as possible. Tell us what you know."

Zevran glared at the Grey Warden venomously, keeping his gaze on the current target of his anger and trying to ignore what was happening on the periphery of his vision. Bound in this chair as he was, it was difficult to turn away entirely from the sight of his lover's torture, and even if he closed his eyes, or focused entirely on the grim man in front of him, he could still hear what was happening...

The trio of Wardens from the Anderfels had come upon Devin and Zevran in Minrathous, and had asked for an interview. Devin had suspected trouble, but not to this level -- once in the privacy of an empty warehouse, one of the Wardens had drained Devin of his magic, while another locked Zevran in a paralysis spell. They had been separated then, Zevran bound securely and Devin taken away.

The assassin had heard the raised voice of the lead Warden, demanding to know how Devin had survived the death of the Archdemon Urthemiel. He could not hear Devin's replies, but the repeated demands told him that his companion had refused to answer.

The Anderfels Wardens eventually realized that they could not simply intimidate Ferelden's former Commander of the Grey into giving up his secrets, and so they resorted to torture. Not the rack or the whip, the sorts of things Zevran was intimately familiar with, but with magic. Two of the Wardens seemed to be mages, and the third, Zevran guessed, was a Templar: an ideal team for subduing another mage. He wasn't entirely sure what they had done to Devin while out of his sight, but the normally steadfast young Warden had cried out loudly enough for Zevran to hear him several times, and by that, the elf knew that the pain must have been either unexpected, or very intense indeed. Given the situation, he had to suspect the latter.

Still, Devin had not given them what they wanted, so now they were trying to get their answers from Zevran, instead. Interesting that they do not try to torture me. Perhaps they realize that a Crow endures such things as a matter of course. Or perhaps what they are doing to him is punishment in addition to interrogation...

"We have no wish to kill a fellow Warden, especially one who has been of such service to Thedas, but your silence only condemns him to further pain," the Anderfels Warden said coolly, interrupting Zevran's thoughts. "Is it worth it? Or perhaps you enjoy the sound of his screaming? I could only imagine the sorts of things an Antivan Crow might find pleasurable."

Truly angered by the implication, the elf spat in the Warden's face, even as he continued to try to work his hands free behind his back. If he could just get one hand loose, everything else would fall into place...

The Warden simply smiled unpleasantly as he wiped his face, then turned to his compatriots. "Increase the drain," he said simply. The other mage nodded, and for a moment, while he prepared to recast his spells, Devin was free of whatever they had been doing to him. Zevran's eyes were drawn to him, against his will, and he felt a sharp pang as he watched the Fereldan mage struggle just to prop himself up on his elbows.

"Do you have anything to tell us?" the Templar-Warden asked, glaring down at Devin with his arms crossed.

"Go **** a sheep, you bloody imcompetent--" The rest of Devin's insult was reduced to a hoarse cry of pain as the mage's spell went into effect, and Devin collapsed back onto the floor, writhing. When the Templar joined in, draining the Fereldan mage's mana, Devin went rigid, and Zevran could see the muscles of his jaw working as he struggled not to scream.

His lover had once described the sensation of having mana drained as "having your veins pulled out through your skin". And that pain, on top of whatever other weakening spell the Anderfels mage-Warden had cast...

How can this be worth it? He owes Morrigan nothing...

Devin had spent most of the year of the Blight courting the witch, believing that she was essential to their cause, but never truly caring for her. He had been suspicious of her motives from the start, but when she had revealed her true purpose, he had been stunned and furious. Still, he had no desire to die for Ferelden, and no intention of letting Alistair do the same, and he'd taken part in Morrigan's strange ritual to save their lives.

The witch had disappeared after the battle with the Archdemon, but Devin's anger -- half directed at himself for being so thoroughly tricked -- had lingered. Why was he holding out now? What loyalty could he possibly feel for her to endure this?

Devin's voice rose in a howl of pain, and Zevran snapped out of his thoughts to look at him; the Templar actually had his hands on the young mage's shoulders, and Zevran thought for a moment that he could see the energy being pulled away. Feeling sick, he looked up at the lead Warden, who wore a faint smile as he met the elf's eyes.

"Will you speak? Or will this continue until our assistants arrive? A little blood magic will end this quickly."

Zevran's eyes widened before he could check the reaction. Blood magic -- they were going to invade Devin's mind to get the answers they wanted, and Maker knew what else they could do to him at that point. The young Warden had an incredible will, but after being tormented for hours already...?

"Stop," the assassin said finally, shuddering. "I will tell you what I know."

Across the room, the faint glow of spellcasting ceased, and Devin fell silent. The steady rise and fall of his chest reassured Zevran that he still lived, but in what condition, he did not know.

"A wise choice," the lead Warden said smoothly. "He will thank you for it, later."

That, I doubt, Zevran thought, feeling the weight of betrayal settle in the pit of his stomach. [/quote]

@jenovan - implied rather than asked and Zevran faced with betraying his trust rather than let the Anderfels Wardens use blood mages to get their answers.  A true test of what Zevran would and would not do for the Warden.


Sarah1281's entry

[quote]

Zevran Arainai knew that he was in trouble when he saw Ahria Tabris – his very own Grey Warden and the current Hero of Ferelden to boot – nod determinedly and begin to approach him. She had been watching him indecisively for the past twenty minutes and as Ahria was usually quite a bit bolder than that, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be an easy conversation.
 
Sure enough, Ahria began hesitantly. “Zevran…you know how I said that I loved you just as you were and would never ever want to change you in any way ever?”
 
“I do remember something along those lines,” Zevran confirmed. “Although I think that you through in a few more ‘evers.’ Why?”
 
Now Ahria looked as though she’d rather be facing down the Archdemon again than continue with what she was planning on saying. “It’s just that I might have spoken a bit prematurely…”
 
Zevran’s heart sank. He had actually been careful to keep the possibility that this might happen in his mind from the moment she had first kissed him but things had just been going so well – or at least he had thought that they had – and so he had finally started to believe that…but no. He really should have known better. “I see,” he said slowly, his tone deceptively light. “I can’t say that I didn’t expect this and I want you to know that I wish you nothing but the best-”
 
Ahria put her hand on his arm. “I think you may have gotten the wrong idea here. I’m not trying to break up with you.”
 
Zevran blinked. “You’re not?” That was very good news indeed – although it might take some time before he got past this break-up scare – but now he was just confused.
 
Ahria shook her head firmly. “No, of course not! I do love you, I just…Shianni and Soris are being absolutely insufferable about something and they’ve gotten others to join in and it’s driving me crazy.”
 
“And this has something to do with me and the fact that you told me that you never wanted me to change?” Zevran surmised.
 
Looking rather sheepish, Ahria nodded. “It’s just…your hair.”
 
Zevran automatically brought his fingers up to run through his hair. “My…hair?”
 
Ahria pointedly stared at a spot two feet above his head as she explained, “Some time ago, Soris decided to tell everyone that you had a feminine hairstyle and since you wear your hair long and many of the men in the Alienage don’t do that, they quickly decided to start teasing me about it.”
 
Zevran raised an eyebrow. “Soris, really? He’s hardly one to judge other’s romantic interests given that he is involved with a human. And while that may not matter so much to me, it is something of a scandal among the elven communities I’ve come across.”
 
“I think all the heat he’s been taking over that is why he won’t let this go to be honest,” Ahria confided. “Now, normally this wouldn’t be so bad but it’s been going on and on and on. Quite frankly, I’m thoroughly sick of it.”
 
“So what do you want me to do about it?” Zevran asked, not quite understanding what she was asking.
 
“If you could maybe change your hairstyle…?” Ahria suggested.
 
Zevran stared at her, unable to believe what she was asking. “You want me to change my hairstyle. Because people are teasing you and it’s annoying.”
 
“Just a little!” Ahria hastened to clarify. “Maybe you could put it up in a ponytail or something.”
 
“Yes, because I’m sure that that would do wonders to convince them that I don’t have a feminine hairstyle,” Zevran deadpanned. “I really can’t believe you’re even asking me this.”
 
“I would change my hairstyle for you!” Ahria declared dramatically.
 
“That’s good to know,” Zevran told him, chuckling. “Except why in the world would I ask you to change your hairstyle for me?”
 
“Would you have thought I might have a reason to ask you to change yours until two minutes ago?” Ahria countered.
 
“No,” Zevran said quite truthfully. “And I know that I said that I would do anything for you, my love, but it would appear that I spoke prematurely as well.”
 
“Oh, why not?” Ahria demanded. “They’re not going to let this drop anytime soon, you know.”
 
“I like my hairstyle,” Zevran informed her. “I think that it looks dignified and it’s a good look for me. I also think that by this point you really should be past letting some persistent teasing affect your behavior. Besides, it’s not like I’ve been hearing any of these comments.”
 
“Well, that’s because you’re a former assassin and they’d be too terrified to do so,” Ahria explained.
 
“And you’re the only person to ever end a Blight and live,” Zevran pointed out.
 
Ahria shook her head. “That’s different. I grew up with these people. They could never be scared of me.”
 
“I suppose that will have to bring you comfort as you valiantly ignore their cruel remarks then,” Zevran said breezily.
 
Ahria crossed her arms and pouted. “Alistair would have done it.”
 
“He should do it,” Zevran opined. “That current style of his…” he shuddered. “Reminds me too much of Taliesin…” [/quote]


@Sarah- LOL, I love the thought of Ahria asking Zev to change his hairstyle because she was being teased.  A funny take on this prompt.  Love it.


Hilde's entry
[quote]
Nug Itch.


Keiran stared at the small vial in the palm of her hand. She had swiftly been struck dumb of all clear thought pertaining to her original plans for the evening…she was certain they had something to do with Zevran...but…what in all of Thedas was Nug Itch?  Oghren’s voice once again surfaced bringing her thoughts back to the present.

“Do I have to spell it out for ya!!!” Oghren’s voice had become heated with a mixture of embarrassment and impatience.

“What exactly is Nug Itch Oghren?” Keiran forced herself to speak as slowly and clearly as possible. “How did you…never mind” her mind still reeling, shaking her head as if trying to lose the thoughts now present she waited in tense fear of his impending response.

“Bloody nug humper! Look Warden, it’s a rash that can only be fixed by this ointment but it needs to be spread all over it. I cannot see or reach to all areas it may have spread…look…just… give me a hand would ya...” he growled.

“I…” Keiran suddenly felt very faint, looking back at the vial in her hand, “But can’t I just heal you…from right here?”

“No, it needs to be applied to the whole rash... I can’t trust any of the others especially the pike twirler or the elf. Look…I will be in my tent…” Oghren stalked off in the direction of his tent actually expecting her to follow.

She was transfixed on the little, outwardly harmless item cradled in her hand when Zevran’s hand snuck around her waist, his lips moving slowly down her neck.

“Hmm. What have we here my dear warden?” Zevran’s hand reached around, prying her slight fingers open to discover the possible treasure inside. As she turned to face him he saw her already pale skin had further deteriorated to an almost sickly translucent glow, her eyes growing wide in anxiety. “Tsk tsk…has our dear Oghren upset you?”

With shaking hands Keiran relayed the recent appeal from Oghren as plainly as she could. As her story continued on she was unable to bring her eyes up to meet Zevran’s. A full and vigorous laugh from deep in his chest forced her now livid blue eyes upon him.

“It is not funny…” Keiran said trying not to shrink into the ground of which she stood.

“Oh. It is very funny my dear warden. What exactly is Nug Itch?” Zevran continued to laugh as he pulled her closer for a kiss.

With a burst of inspiration and possible reprieve she broke away from his lips and meekly offered the vial to Zevran. “I can’t…will you…will you help me?”

Zevran’s laugh did not disappear upon her request, but lifting in hands in an apologetic yet defensive stance backed slowly away from Keiran. “There are many things I would do for you…or to you” he smirked, “but this is not such a thing.”

“Zevran…” Keiran let his name slowly leave her lips hoping he would hear her unmistakable plea.

“What I can help you with is the well deserved bath you will need after your task, No? For I truly hope you would not enter the tent we share after such a…” Zevran failed to speak the last words but Keiran felt them, and suddenly, with the image flashing in her mind, wanted nothing more than a very long bath.

Yes...I will find us some soap.” Zevran declared turning towards their tent in an effort to escape. “Quite a bit of soap.” He muttered under his breath.

Keiran was left standing once again alone. She nor the small vial in her hand had not as of yet disappeared. This was still all too real.

“Sten?…” she whispered to herself, walking as quickly as possible in the opposite direction of Oghren’s tent. 
[/quote]

@Hilde - so funny.  Poor Keiran and poor Zev.  I'm sure even the bath won't be any fun. 


@everyone: some truly fantastic entries this week.  I've been thinking about these all week and it still took me two hours to decide tonight - I probably would have done just as well to put names on the wall and throw darts, they are all so awesome in their own ways.

Anyway, the winner is: Jenovan.  I'll PM you to see what you want me to write for your prize.


Also Corkers fabulous non-entry:
[quote]
Not an entry.  Potentially not funny bit it's what came to mind.


InSufficient Cause
(Or, The Difference +100 Love Makes)

The Warden was intoxicated.

Not intoxicating, which was normal, but drunk.  And angry.  She had killed many old companions, and one old friend, to secure Prince Bhelen's throne, but now the prince was insisting that they go into the Deep Roads to find the Paragon Branka.  The Paragon had been missing for two years and was presumed dead; it sounded to Zevran like the prince wanted rid of their meddling, now that he'd had their help. 

It apparently sounded that way to Lorelai, as well.  She'd stormed out of the Diamond Quarter, kicked open the door to the wretched hole that passed for a tavern in Orzammar, and started tossing back imported meads.  That was not so bad, in and of itself.  The problems started when she staggered out of the tavern.

Alistair went ahead, politely clearing a path to keep people out of her way.  Zevran and the great slobbering mabari were tasked with keeping her on the path, preferrably without her realizing she was being herded.  She cursed and shouted insults at the few dwarves still up and about in the Commons, so Alistair bent their path towards to two great doors leading to the Hall of Heroes.

It was a good choice.  Aside from some guards and a few beggars, it was empty this time of... well, whatever passed for night in Orzammar.  Lorelai wove her way down one side of the hall, stopping briefly to tell each Paragon to sod off, get mauled by deepstalkers, or do obscene things to a bronto.  But she fell silent when contemplating the newest statue to Paragon Branka.

He was surprised when she poked him in the arm.  "Do it."

He raised an eyebrow at her.  "What, with the dog watching?"

"No, I mean..." Her eyes narrowed as she tried to put a memory into words.  "You told Shale... that you'd... throw your sh!t at a statue."

"Did I?  Ah, yes, 'if given sufficient cause,' I believe I said."

"Well?  I want you to do it!  That good enough for you?" she demanded belligerently.

"What, to defile the representation of Orzammar's only (allegedly) living Paragon while negotiating its throne?  Mmm, sorry to disappoint, my dear, but that will cost more than your desire to see it."

"What?  I ask one damn thing of you, and..."

"For such a job, I would charge no less than... six thousand andris. Up front."

"You're gonna charge me?"

He stepped closer and slowly ran a finger up along her neck and then down her jaw.  "I'll let you work it off in trade, mm?"

Her jaw jutted out and she squinted again.  "You're tryin' to distract me."

"Mm," he agreed, before bending down to kiss her, hard enough to make an impression through the alcoholic fog.  "Is it working?" he asked, lips by her ear.

She turned to gesture rudely at Branka's statue.  "You get off easy this time," she warned it.  "But I'll be back."

Zevran turned her back towards the Commons and they swayed off together; Alistair finished apologizing to the guards for their little scene.  The dog watched his mistress go, then snuffled the statue.  Panting happily, he lifted his leg to mark it for her.  [/quote]

and Herr Uhl's non-entry (slightly off prompt but still worth putting up)
[quote]
Not really related to the prompt. But I was bored and decided to write crappy fanfic when I saw that it was an request that it was about, and to be fair, he was kind of reluctant.
Disclaimer: This i crappily made fanfic, do not be alarmed by people being out of character and poorly worded bits, like this disclaimer for instance

*silence*
*there is sound*
"But he tried to kill us, I say kill him!" said a burly voice.
"No." replied a whiny male voice.
"But it is wearing a skirt!"
"Well, so am I."
"But he is an elf!"
*vision blurs into light, a pale face appears in vision*
"Oh, he's awake, now shut up Oghren!" said the face.
Zevran couldn't see anything past the owner of the pale face, a mage and grey warden he had been trying to kill.
"Who sent you and why?" it demanded.
"Oh, you haven't finished me, good!", Zevran put the loose strands of hair back out of his face "You want information, yes? I would be all to happy to provide."
"Then answer the sodding question already!" the burly voice shouted. 
"I told you to shut up!" the the pale mage replied.
There was a grumble as the burly voice stopped.
"Now, who sent you and why?" the face demanded.
"I am a part of the crows, and was hired specifically by a rather taciturn fellow in the capitol named Loghain." Zevran smirked slightly "I am an assassin, and the reason that I contacted you should be obvious"
"Did you learn any of his plans?"
"No, I was only told to eliminate the Grey Warden."
"Curses"
"Now, if you're done I'd like to make a proposal"
"What?"
"First, an introduction is in order. My name is Zevran Aranai," he made a flourish with his hand "Zev to my friends."
"Good for you, now what did you want to propose." The pale mage interrupted.
"Tsk tsk tsk, temper temper. I'd like to propose joining you, I have an array of..."
"No." The mage interrupted yet again. "I have trust issues with people that try to kill me."
Zevran nodded. "Fair is fair, then  what will you do with me?"
"I just want you to bugger off" said the mage.
"Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but why not kill me, or have me perform some task, I am skilled in my area of expertise.."
"So I've gathered." sneered the mage.
"...thank you for the vote of confidence. So why just let me go?"
The mage leaned in closer and whispered "You see that red-head over there?" He jerked his thumb past his back.
Zevran leaned over to see better. "You mean the one with that is picking scraps of food out of his mustache?"
The mage looked over his shoulder. "Stop that Oghren, you still have darkspawn blood in it!" There was some grumbling from the dwarf once again. Then he looked the elf square in the eyes "You do realize that I could still change my mind about letting you go, right?"
"Yes yes, the one with that is picking flowers, what about her?"
"Well, she has this thing for mercy, and I'm trying to cut me a slice of that."
"Oh." Zevran looked at her and then back at the mage, then over at her again "Good luck with that."
"Don't push your luck, I just need you to run off." He made shooing motions with his hand "Alright?"
Zevran stood himself up "Well then, a pleasure to meet you my warden" He waved and ran off.
He heard the burly voice, "Why did you let him go?" then the mage's voice reply "I told you to shut up Oghren, and to stop eating that!" as he ran off.
Zevran thought about going back to the crows, but doing so would not be nice without taking the head he was there for. He decided to head for Denerim, where he could lay low with the elves in the city until he could come up with something better. [/quote]