#define meme

“The word made steps toward the internet in a 1993 issue of Wired, defining ‘meme’ as an ‘infectious idea... much as viruses leap from body to body."

Put a “Define ______” in my ask to hear how they learned that concept. || NOT ACCEPTING

“Father’s not going to let you leave the Keep looking likethat,” he tells her, as blunt with his sister as their father is with them becausebetween siblings, at least, they do not need to hold their tongues. She rewardshis unwanted comment with a kick to the shins, which is only fair, butNathaniel gets to give her an “I-told-you-so” look when Father sends her backto her room.

It’s been three weeks since their mother died and Delilahwon’t let Adria brush her hair, the dark, wavy locks turning into a veritable rat’snest that sticks out from her head at odd angles. The tangles are so bad now thatit’s going to be hell to brush out, painful in ways that make Nathaniel want tocringe when he thinks about it. He doesn’t know why she let it get to thatpoint; but Delilah is seven-years-old and grieving in the only way she knowshow, and though Nathaniel doesn’t understand he doesn’t interfere. The looks hegives her, however, become less and less condescending the more she is repeatedlydenied passage on their family excursions.

Five weeks after their mother’s death she shows up in hisbedroom, face set in grim determination. She doesn’t say anything to him,merely shoves a hair brush in front of the book he’s reading and refuses to moveuntil he relents. The tangles are just as bad as he expected them to be, thehair so badly wound that he forgoes the brush entirely to card his fingersthrough it until it’s more manageable. Despite how much it must hurt Delilahdoesn’t make a sound, hands balled into fists at her side, unmoving until he’s finished.

They fall into a routine, Delilah showing up at his doorbefore they’re slated to head out of the Keep, brush in hand and expressiondaring him to comment on it. He says nothing, just accepts the hair brush andtames her wild locks, and in the months to come he learns to weave the strandstogether in a reasonably neat braid so it stays out of her face. In return, sheputs two braids in his hair, pulling back the strands that frequently obscured his vision.

The definition of a word is always the story that creates the word for your character, so put a “Define ______” in my ask to hear how they learned that concept.

The sound of raised voices interrupts his conversation withFergus, both boys exchanging similar looks of confusion (though with a touchmore irritation on Nathaniel’s part) before they turn as one to peer over thebattlements. It’s not immediately clear what all the fuss is about. Down belowhe can make out the familiar shapes of the Cousland and Howe family soldiers juststarting their morning drills, the men and women milling about and exchanging pleasantriesthe same way he had been with Fergus. All around them, squires are setting upthe archery targets and bringing weapons and dragging the dirt level in thepractice field, and as far as Nathaniel can see nothing is amiss.

It’s not until Fergus gives a half-aggravated, half-amusedmoan of, “Oh for Andraste’s sake,” thatthe young Howe finally spots the reason for the ruckus. From out behind one ofthe great, old trees in the courtyard a familiar boy of no more than fifteen dartsout and takes off at a run, dodging between soldiers and squires alike at adead run. From somewhere behind him the shouts go up again and a group of whatthe archer can only assume are the boy’s personal guards come sprinting out ofthe woodwork after him. Nathaniel squints and leans a little further over theedge of the battlements before Fergus can grab him back, tracking the movementsof the runner with a growing frown.  

“Is that—“

“Maker, Howe, don’t stare.”

He’s not, really, but it’s difficult not to watch theprogress of one Xander Cousland as he streaks across the training field. Inamongst the glinting armour and weaponry his lack of any clothing whatsoevermakes him stick out like a sore thumb, and from their position on thebattlements Nathaniel and Fergus have inadvertently picked a front row seat tothe boy’s antics. It’s because of where they are that, when Xander turns tohead down the steps and into the nearest building, the archer inadvertently getsa better look at his bare ass than he’s ever cared to before. It’s…. well, let’sjust say it’s a lot nicer than he’d have expected from little, chubby, XanderCousland.

“Define ______” Meme

        Home had never been a place, per se. Home was, as she was taught, where her Master resided. However, that wasn’t truly right, Home was where Papa was until he wasn’t--that is when the concept of home, something always so shaky and dependent begins to shift.

        Home is a warm fire that she does not need to tend to, a fire that Bodahn shoos her off from when she attempts to. Home is where she sits with Sandal and knits him all manner of sweaters, hats, and mittens because he loves to hold her yarn and smooth his fingers over the soft fibers. Home is Hawke snoozing in the front room as she lays a blanket atop them, tutting that they’ll wake with a crick but not quite willing to wake someone who, for once, looks so peaceful.

Put A “Define ______” In My Ask To Hear How They Learned That Concept.

Put A “Define ______” In My Ask To Hear How They Learned That Concept.