Bowties Are Cool

@vishantikaffar, We were playing with the Writing Challenge Weekend prompt wheels and talked about who would botch an exorcism. Of course it would be Juan. And @woundedsoul12 and @serialsforbellara wanted me to write this, rip ans. also tagging @apothe-cary, @i-creatied-au, and @larknnightingale for obvious reasons

"YOU."

A cringe crept up his back. He spent his waking hours with spirits, taking solace against the horrors, but very few things could make the hairs stand on the back of his neck quite like a specific Antivan Accent.

"I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU!"

He steeled himself and turned to face him, hand gripped tightly around his staff in the jungle night. Elven eyes flashed at him in the darkness.

Juan jogged up to him, a wild grin on his face. "I think I get it."

"I highly doubt that. What are you doing here?"

"In Rivain? I'm here with my boyfriend, you know that. No, no I think I'm cursed. And you're cursed with me."

"That is the most correct thing you've ever said."

"Right?! Right. I figured since I'm here, I would ask one of their mages. They're very good about curses here. But it was still surprisingly hard to get someone to help me. They're all 'have you tried sleeping or drinking water' like I'm some kind of child."

"Have you?"

"Shut up. Anyway, I got some things." They reached into their bag, pulling out an egg. "Now hold still."

When Juan reached up to place the egg against the tall qunari's brow, Anselm quickly slapped his hand down. "Stop that."

"What? It might work. Fine." They looked back in their bag. "I have salt—"

"No."

"Incense—"

"No."

"Aww, come on. Try to cooperate."

"They're not going to work. And that… egg ritual is a superstition."

"How would you know?"

The Mourn Watch Necromancer could only stare back at the audacity. "Are you being serious?"

"I also have garlic."

"That's for vampires, and vampires aren't real."

"Arguable. What do you suggest then?"

"Sleep and water seemed like a good place to start. Have you considered a healer?"

"Ugh, if you're not going to take this seriously, I guess I'll figure it out myself!" Juan threw up their arms and turned around, ready to stomp their way out of the forest.

Thank you so much for the game @illarioappreciation and @lustaniasaxon 💜🫂

Day 6 Prompt

Week Prompt List

Despair/Joy

“I can’t believe it. You’re home…”

I’m sure: the second Lucanis appeared in the doorway, Illario realized his plan was doomed.

And yet. His cousin - his brother - was alive.

Slow dancing

"It's fine," Amara said.

That - wasn't what Riley was expecting. Where was the excitement? Amara was usually the first to cheer him on - on the field or the stage. "Are you sure?" Riley asked, ignoring the wide eyed looks of horror on Gemma and Zalan's faces over by the lockers.

"Of course." Standing on her tip-toes and shifting her armful of books so she could rest her hand on his shoulder, Amara kissed his cheek. "I need to go - Dr. Myrna wanted to meet about my science fair project before the weekend. I'll text you when we're done."

"Sounds good -" Riley started, but trailed off. Amara was already gone, hurrying down the hall.

Zalan leaned against the locker, shaking his head. "You know she's lying, right?"

"Yeah, I know," Riley scowled. "Why though? She's the one who suggested my band audition to play at prom!"

Gemma exchanged looks with Zalan. "Sure," she said slowly. "But I don't think she considered you guys would be the closing act."

"And that her date would be busy for the last hour of prom," Zalan added.

"She's on the planning committee. She's going to be busy too," Riley pointed out.

"With set up and tickets and stuff," Zalan said. "Before things really get going."

"You just told her you're going to be on stage for the last dance. Of our senior prom." Gemma crossed her arms. "She was planning to share that with you."

"....fuck."

"What are you going to do about it?" Zalan asked.

Riley considered, the beginning of a plan already forming. "Make sure she gets her dance."

***

Skyhold Hall was the premier venue in town. It had been years since Lighthouse High was allowed to host their prom there. Rumors abounded about illicit fireworks and spiked punch and students running wild during the heyday of the Dread Wolf and his followers. That they had been allowed to use the venue again after all these years was the result of a lot of diplomacy and hard work (and a couple family connections Amara hadn't been too proud to lean on.) The grand venue and seeing everyone in their formal best suddenly made it all feel real - how far they had come, how quickly the year was ending, how much was about to change.

Amara tried not to think about it, throwing herself into enjoying the night. Riley looked amazing. He always looked amazing, but his suit, with an artfully undone collar and lilac pocket square matching her strapless chiffon gown was catching an awful lot of eyes as they made the rounds. She tried her best to ignore the clock and stay in the moment and when the inevitable came and it was time for Riley to go set up for his gig, she smiled and kissed him for luck before finding Sabi and Veryl in the crowd.

He had been very patient while she sorted out the counterfeit tickets and the gate crashers from Venatori Prep (even lending his best scowl and impressive height to back her up when she chased them off) and they had spent most of the time on the dance floor, with each other and with their friends and this was such a wonderful opportunity for him, to be the last act at prom. It was alright if the night didn't end quite the way she had imagined it would.

The band took the stage. The energy from the crowd was palatable. Riley ate it up, leading his band and the crowd through their set. Amara cheered and danced with everyone else, swept up in the music.

Near the end, right after finishing a brilliant cover of 'The Last of the Real Ones," Riley suddenly looked bashful, glancing at her and quickly looking away. "Alright - last song of the night. I'm going to need some help with this one."

The crowd shifted. Veryl and Sabi exchanged secretive looks and several of their friends started moving towards the stage. "What's going on?" Amara asked.

"Nothing bad," said Gladius, suddenly appearing at her shoulder. "Though I need you to come with me." Sabi and Veryl both pushed her towards Gladius, still looking like they knew something she didn't.

The opening chords rang out as Gladius helped clear a path towards the stairs leading up to the stage. Gemma was perched on them, triumphantly picking the lock on the gate that was meant to keep people from swarming the performers and laughing as she swung it open. Amara also caught a glimpse of Zalan back stage, doing something at the sound board. He tossed microphones to Turvi and Xi as they clambered onto the stage, joining Riley on the opening lyrics with a lot of enthusiasm.

When the sun came up We were sleeping in Sunk inside our blankets Sprawled across the bed And we were dreaming

"Here we go!" Gladius said, half lifting Amara onto the stage as Riley leaned over and took her hand. Gemma was helping Elek drag Jer up too, prodding him to take Riley's place on the primary mic. Others were also coming on stage - with help or alone, joining in the song and dancing.

Riley kept singing, but pulled her into a dance hold as they stepped to the side, swaying with the music as Jer's tentative but beautiful voice took over with Gladius belting out the melody an octave lower and Elek standing behind him, grinning. Nona and Lydia had made it on stage too, giggling and slow dancing as they pushed Ulrike towards another open mic Zalan produced and Amara saw Saadrah had positioned herself to help other height challenge people up to the stage.

"What are you doing?" Amara whispered, wide eyed.

"Dancing with my girlfriend at prom," Riley said matter-of-factly, letting their friends take over the melody and spinning her before pulling her back close.

Amara could feel the wobble in her smile, and hoped she wasn't about to cry and ruin whatever was left of her makeup after a long night. She leaned her head against his chest. "You're not going to sing the last song of the night?"

Riley huffed out a laughed and kissed the top of her head. She could feel the vibration in his chest as he continued to quietly sing along with everyone else. A private performance, just for them, and a moment of unity with all their classmates.

Continuing their slow sway, Amara sang along too. She caught a glimpse of Hiro and Rook perched on the edge of the stage, conducting the crowd to sing along and of so many of their friends, hugging and swaying and adding to the sound. She also caught a glimpse of Ilene and Zalan, fighting over something back in the tech area as the stage lights flashed different colors.

There are moments when When I know it ends The world revolves around us And we're keeping it Keep it all going This delicate balance Vulnerable, all-knowing

Sing like you think no one's listening You would kill for this Just a little bit

It was magical. Perfection. Better than anything she could have imagined. Even when Ilene finally got past Zalan and managed to set off the pyrotechnics and lasers built into Skyhold's stage, lighting up the room in a beautiful but very much against their use contract way.

Well, it would probably be a good long time before Lighthouse High was allowed to use the venue again - but kissing Riley as the stage lit up around them was the perfect end to their senior prom.

(Prompt List here <3)

(Lighthouse High was created by @davrinsleftpectoral and @blackwall-my-tiny-husband. Master post here. Also a nod to two of the Thursday Bangers hosted by @woundedsoul12 - master post for those here 💕)

my son.. (frames from this video)

do you ever just-

( lucanis only version under the cut :3 )

4. "You did so good. Don’t worry, you-you did so good.”

Please and thank you.

"Have you seen this punch?! I did so good!"

"You did so good. Don't worry, you- you did so good. Now please, don't move."

Rules: Remember these can be completed at any time. Just tag me and I will share them! And as always these are just exercises to help improve your writing. But if you are happy with how you write then keep on writing!

Writing Challenge Weekend Masterpost

Dedicated to the best scout the Inquisition ever saw and one of my personal favorite Rook companions.

As always thanks @datvcompanionweeks for hosting the upcoming week.

This time want to do a random prompt challenge. I have three picker wheels below. One for word, one for genre, and one for AO3 tag. You can use all three or any combination. I find a lot of people when they get stuck really enjoy being randomly prompted. So keep this in your back pocket for those nasty blocks.

Word

Genre

Ao3 Tag

✧ Lucanisweek2026 ✧

[Day 2 - Knives & Daggers]

♔ : Finding the other wearing their clothes please ^^

It meant nothing - or so Leliana kept telling herself. Ninthia was practical, after all. She had taken out the first mercenary to come upon them bathing wearing nothing but what the Maker gave her without a hint of embarrassment or upset. That she happened to grab Leliana's shirt to throw over herself as she continued her hunt was meaningless. Leliana crouched in the underbrush near Morrigan, letting her arrows fly with the witch's magic as they provided support to their friend who continued her deadly dance, all daggers and grace and the shifting swirl of the too large chemise sliding down her skin in a way that was far more distracting than sharing a bath had been mere moments ago.

Meaningless, clearly - except perhaps as a reminder from the Maker to keep her mind on her task - on serving him - on turning away from the distractions of the flesh, however pretty.

After, as they searched the bodies and Ninthia retrieved her own clothing, she passed the shirt back with a smile. "Is it some kind of penance?" she asked. "Wearing something a step above a burlap sack in texture?"

"I found avoiding material indulgences to be an important part of my faith journey," Leliana said, pulling the shirt over her head.

Ninthia looked thoughtful. "Fancy perfume doesn't count though?"

Picking up her robe, Leliana avoided sniffing her shirt to see how strong the scent was - or what other scents it might have picked up. "I never said my journey was complete."

That got a laugh out of Ninthia, bright as bells. "It smells nice," she said, grinning. "You should keep that indulgence - I'm sure the Maker will understand."

"If you two are quite finished," Morrigan grumbled, having finished dressing. "Tis not safe to linger."

Ninthia glanced upward before meeting Leliana's eye conspiratorially. "Just getting started, but I'm sure we can continue this conversation later."

She turned to follow Morrigan back towards the trail and their companions and Leliana trailed after, telling herself again that it meant nothing.

For the injury ask

Thank you for the ask. Angst prompts here

13. "I would believe that you're fine, but you have a goddamn knife sticking out of your leg, so."

The last of the antaam fell as Davrin placed his shield on his back.

"Think that's the last of them. Antaam in the wetlands well always amaze me." He said sheathing his sword as he turned to Zea, eyes narrowed. "You good?"

"Yea." Placing her axe on her back, slightly out of breath. "I'm good, fine."

"I would believe that you're fine, but you have a goddamn knife sticking out of your leg, so."

Zea looked down and sticking out of her left thigh was a dagger, embedded fairly deep.

"Huh, I…Didn't even…" Her voiced trailed, eyes rolled to the back of her head as she collapsed to the floor.

Thank you sorry this is late. Finally got a little motivation to write. Angst prompts here

A fire ball bounced off Zea's shield just in time to block the incoming attack as her sword sank into the flesh of the venatori.

"Oh fuck." Fennec screamed.

Zea looked over, the color drained from her face as residue from the fireball struck Fenn in the face. The tiny rouge had dropped her weapon covering her face with both hands. Unaware of the venatori charging behind her.

Zea hurled her shield at the vents head. It bounced off his head, falling as his dead body slid across the ground.

"Shit. Shit, shit, shit, c’mere.” Zea shouted as she sprinted towards Fenn. "Let me see, please." Moving Fenn's hands to check her face. Gently cupping jaw as he examined the damage. Both beautiful eyes were open and working. Her left eye brow was singed and her cheeks were extremely red and starting to blister. Fenn's neck was the worst. "I'm so sorry, terror, I thought you were behind me."

I went with the beginnings of War of Banner.

It was a busy day - Lydia didn't even have the time to sit and eat a proper meal since the morning. She arrived today to one of the remote parts of Necropolis and was immediately put to work.

Something was happening in the Necropolis and they didn't yet know what it was. First, there were rumours. Some undead workers disappearing. Some bridges getting broken, some dig sites damaged, some graves destroyed.

But then Watchers started getting attacked. Hostile, rogue undead, armed with weapon stolen from various crypts. A demon influencing them? Or some undead noble was trying to start a rebellion?

"A healer, quick!" the doors to the makeshift infirmary opened and two undead brought another wounded fighter.

They run out of beds a few hours earlier, so Lydia ordered them to put him on the table. In the morning they ate breakfast there, but now every free surface was worth its weight in gold.

"Damn," Lydia whispered seeing the state of her patient. Their face was… she couldn't even say who they were. She put the feeling of dread aside - she was the most senior healer here and she needed to keep her head straight. "You’ll be fine.”

She was met with silence. No movement, no breath, no nothing.

“You’ll be fine. Hey! Wake up! Please. Please wake up…”

She didn't know them, she had no reason to be this emotional. But today she already bade farewell to three other Watchers and tended to the wounds of over a dozen of others.