Featuring my Thallia Zeh and @ohyashas‘ Reiyaxa Kahzri (I hope this isn’t too OOC for Rei). I have no idea what Rei sees in her right now because drunk Thallia is a Certified Mess.

Day 5: drunken kiss | promise kiss

Someday, I’m gonna stop attempting to write drunk people when I have no idea how to, but today is apparently not that day.

If she were to be perfectly honest with herself, Thallia was not entirely sure how many drinks she’d had, or even why she decided to visit the cantina in the first place. Then again, after downing however many of the shittiest drinks she’d ever had, being honest with herself was quite possibly the only thing that was becoming easier.

Well, that and making a fool of herself.

Luckily, the cantina was crowded enough that there was surely no chance of causing too much of a scene, and the odds of a lowly apprentice being recognized were relatively slim, particularly when unaccompanied. It also meant she could look around without too much worry of being caught, which she took ample pleasure in doing.

Most of the other patrons seemed common enough, likely off-duty soldiers or citizens relaxing after a long day. Nobody she wouldn’t expect to see in one of the cheaper places on the shithole that was Tatooine.

One, however, caught her eye. The dark cloak draped over a slender frame hid much of her body, but the hood was thrown back, revealing pale skin, cut sharply with a deep purple tattoo. But even more captivating were the eyes, bright yellowish red and keen, darting over the crowd as though catching every tiny detail in spite of the empty glass before her.

Without warning, the gaze shifted to meet hers, narrowing slightly before a smirk crossed the Rattataki’s face and she got to her feet.

Heart pounding, Thallia watched as the woman made her way through the crowd, weaving around the raucous tables with a purposeful stride that was somehow light-footed and yet radiated power. Something akin to disappointment settled, icy cold, in her stomach as the woman disappeared from view among the throng. Or maybe that was the first dashes of sobriety sliding into her veins.

Shaking her head, she pushed herself to her feet with every intention of stumbling to the bar and ordering another couple of shots but before she could, a figure appeared at her back, and she twisted into a defensive stance.

Or, perhaps more accurately, staggered and fell back into her seat, one hand gripping something thin and square and very much wasn’t her lightsaber. She glanced down.

Oh, her datapad.

By the time she looked back up, the Rattataki had sat down across from her with two drinks and another, broader smirk. This close, she could see scars, stark against chalk-white skin, and sense the faint hint of ozone and power. A fellow Sith.

“I wasn’t sure what exactly that… concoction you’re drinking was so I ordered a few. I was going to let you pick, but I’m beginning to doubt the wisdom of letting you have any.”

At that, Thallia scowled. The voice may have been more teasing than mocking and almost obnoxiously alluring, but nobody was going to stop her from making shitty life choices, not even a Sith who was far too enticing. “I’d like t’ see you stop me.”

“Oh? What is it you want, then?” And the woman’s lips twisted as though she knew exactly the interpretation her words would have, the response that flew to her lips. As though she was just waiting for the reply.

Well, fuck it. She didn’t get where she was by being cautious.

She reached out, snagging one glass of some amber liquid and throwing it back in a single motion, before leaning forward. “You, as you damn well know.”

A quiet chuckle as the woman shifted closer. “Well, then, you might just be in luck.”

Wow I’m finishing a 30 day challenge in 10 days, ffs.

prompt by ohyashas

20. Caed Nua: did your watcher restore caed nua? how did they feel about taking over the keep, and did they fight at yenwood to defend their claim? do they think of it as home? have they cleared out the endless paths of od nua, or have plans to? do you have any further headcanons about caed nua that are specific to your watcher?

For Laura, Caed Nua is her dream home - she is eager to claim ownership of the keep, looking forward to the quiet days when she’ll be able to spend time in it. She upgrades it in every way possible and gets hirelings to protect it. She’s particularly fond of the maze, where she sometimes likes to get lost, hiding little things in its most obscure corners, things for her daughter to find if she ever stumbles upon them. She is at first unsettled out by the Steward (first time meeting a soul bound to an object/statue), but grows to like her company and appreciate her service. She clears out the endless paths, doing everything to keep her home from harm, even going to war with the former owner, gathering all available help from her allies. I headcanon that she sometimes organizes art festivals, where artisans and artists from around the area come to show off their work and learn from one another.

21. dragons: how many of the dragons did your watcher seek out? did they utilize diplomacy with any of them, or fight them? did they go searching for dragons to hunt, or did they only confront them to solve the various problems they caused? were there any other foes your watcher felt particularly accomplished about defeating?

I think I stumbled upon and defeated almost all dragons in the game - with the exception of Llengrath’s dragons. But I never did encounter her, not sure what I should have done/where I should have gone to find her. When it comes to the Sky Dragon, the first time I played I spared her, and the second time I killed her rather accidentally, I think I picked the wrong dialogue option and ended up in a fight with her. Laura is conflicted about this choice because she fears dragons and their destructive nature and thinks having a nest of dragons so close to Twin Elms would be bad in the future.

22. NPCs & side quests: are there any NPCs or side quests that stood out to your watcher? any that particularly affected them – for good or bad?

The most important quest is Sacrificial Bloodlines, with Vela as the most important and significant NPC (outside of companions) for Laura. At that time, she was in a bad place - she could feel her mind slipping away, damaged by the memories that did not belong, and the memories she gained, of all the death and suffering she has witnessed, barely returning from the battle of Yenwood, hardly sleeping for about half a year - and she felt empty and hollow. She needed hope to cling onto, a future to look forward to. On the night after she killed Simoc, she thinks about the empty home she’ll return to, and knows in her heart that all her friends will move on and leave her behind. She was afraid of her growing feelings for Aloth and feeling powerless to actually do anything about them. And she thinks about the phrase she heard after the battle - that Caed Nua would be inherited by her children. But she could not have any children, not naturally, and once the Legacy is abolished, people will cling onto their children and none will look twice at the Moon Godlike, feared and misunderstood by the common folk. So Laura takes Vela from her crib, promising to herself she’ll raise the girl right, make her the future lady of Caed Nua, and strengthen relations between Dyrwood and Eir Glanfath - at least, so she told herself, and others. She doesn’t mean to kill Lliras, but would do anything to protect her dream and her hope.

I’m really curious what’s going to happen to Vela in Deadfire and if she’ll interact with us at all.

23. Pets: tell us about your watcher’s furry (scaly/winged/spacey) friends! what’s their (and your!) favorite pet in-game? are there any you’d like to see that aren’t in-game?

Laura is fond of pets, but not as much as Eder is, and carries them around to give them a better home, having quite a zoo back at Caed Nua. Her favorites are the space pig, the undead cat she finds and the baby lagufaeth. She’s also fond of the normal pets, used to having cats sleeping on her bed and stuff.

24. r&r: what does your watcher do in their downtime? do they come back to caed nua often, or prefer to relax elsewhere?

Laura often paints in her free time - I headcanon that all the companion portraits in-game are made by her, usually at night, when she wakes up from her nightmares. She also paints what she imagines she would look like if she were normal. She also reads a great deal (high lore, high intelligence), and prefers the quiet company of nature. She loves the Dyrwood forests as they are vastly different from the hot and dry Old Vailia. She also sings and restores old items, engaged in DIY projects in a way, making jewelry or accessories from bits and pieces.

25. talents and hobbies: tell us about your watcher’s skills! are there any hobbies they pick up in the dyrwood? any they have to give up?

prompt by ohyashas

PICK UP THE PACE SHEESH THERE’S ONLY 5 MORE DAYS (!!!!)

17. Animancy: what are your watcher’s view on animancy? how do they feel about the sanitarium? do they change their mind at all over the course of the game?

Since she comes from Old Vailia, Laura’s opinion about animancy is that it is progress for kith civilizations. It was a common subject to discuss back home, with the exception of inhuman and/or failed experiments, which were not divulged to the general public. Seeing animancy up close shakes Laura, who sees both its potential and its dangers. She disagrees with some methods, even considers the one examined Aloth’s aura to be ridiculous in her assumptions, yet convinces herself that animancy is ultimately important for Eora, helping more than it harms. Still, one of the main reasons she supports it is because she believes in the truth and transparency and has a strong distaste for the Gods and the Leaden Key.

18. The Leaden Key: what are your watcher’s view on the leaden key? do they change their mind at all over the course of the game?

The more she learns about them, the more she distastes them - especially those who join unknowing and unquestioning their choice. However, she understands Aloth’s case, sympathizing and understanding the reasons he joined them in the first place. She’s uncomfortable with his plan to dismantle them because whilst she publicly acknowledges the importance of this task, she wants Aloth to stay in Caed Nua with her, or join him on this quest.

19. Thaos, Iovara & the past: tell us about your watcher’s past life! how did your watcher feel about thaos and iovara in their past life? how do they feel in the present as they uncover these memories? do the memories change their mind at all about thaos and the leaden key?

Laura’s past life’s name was Morwen ix Ensios and she was Iovara’s older sister, a woodelf who grew up in Creitum. Upon meeting Thaos for the first time, she was drawn in by him, convincing her younger sister to join the Inquisition and spread the word of the true Gods as missionaries. I like to think Morwen experienced the divinity of the Gods and has her belief very strongly cemented, reason why she can’t truly accept it without an answer from Thaos even after her sister’s torture. Morwen was in love with Thaos in the same way Lady Webb had fallen for him, a one-sided attraction that manifested through blind trust. She fell out with her sister when Iovara learned the truth, and Morwen didn’t want to even listen to her side, ratting her sister out to Thaos immediately.

As Morwen trained as a paladin for the Inquisition, wielding a large flail that she smashed people’s heads in. I also headcannon that after Iovara’s death/imprisonment, Morwen slowly started to fear the question and the answer and committed suicide after the guilt was too much to bear.

IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOOOOWNN with only 8 more days till Deadfire

prompt by ohyashas 

15. decisions, pt. 3 – act III & IV: what does your watcher think of twin elms? which of the gods do they turn to at teir evron, and how do they feel about receiving divine support? how do they feel about the final confrontation with thaos? what do they ultimately decide to do with thaos, iovara, and the souls at sun in shadow?

Laura has been looking forward to visiting Twin Elms since planning to move to the Dyrwood. She finds Eir Glanfath fascinating and tries very hard to be on their good side, however she disagrees with some of their practices and ways. Laura has done all God’s requests, deciding it was the only way to make them all speak and explain their plans. The only one she agrees with and plans to support is Hylea, the Goddess of song and sky. She is mad at the fact that she needs one of them to help her reach Thaos but understands they cannot interfere directly - actually, she is grateful for it.

Receiving the answer to her question brings solace to the past life, but troubles the present. Laura thus decides to destroy Thaos’ soul - knowing he can return in any other way. Even though he will not suffer for what he has done, she knows it’s the only way he will never have a chance to hurt anyone again. She does the same for Iovara, encouraging her to seek her freedom and defy the God’s prison on her own terms. It pains her to do so, remembering her own brother who she never got to say goodbye to.

She respects her oath to Hylea by returning the souls to their intended bodies. The Watcher knows it will bring great joy to some but terrible sadness to others, but she hopes she can at least help Aufra, to whom she promised that her baby would be alright.

16. endings: tell us about your watcher’s epilogue! did any of the ending slides surprise you? conflict with your own headcanons? what does your watcher do after the confrontation with thaos? what was most important to them – ending waidwen’s legacy, stopping thaos, getting answers, or something else?

Tbh I did check the wiki for the companion endings and on my second playthrough adjusted my decisions so I could get the endings I wanted. Still, I didn’t manage to convince Kana Rua so he’s just an eccentric for me, but I’ll just roll with it and see how it influences Deadfire. The Devil of Caroc’s slide was also heartbreaking; Laura genuinely hopes that mercy and forgiveness could help her, but when she receives the Devil’s remains, her heart breaks.

After the game’s events, Laura returns to Caed Nua with baby Vela, looking forward to a peaceful life and lots of sleep. She is eager to be roadwarden and get involved in the political scene of the Dyrwood. The 5 years in-between games are spent traveling, painting, organizing balls and spending time with her little family. Laura loves her daughter and wants her to inherit Caed Nua when the time comes, hoping that a member of Eir Glanfath in such a position would help the relation between the two countries.

Probably. Missed a couple of days but then again THERE ARE ONLY 9 MORE DAYS TILL DEADFIRE. prompt by ohyashas

Time for some decisions:

3. Decisions, pt. 1 – act I & II: what drives your watcher to the Dyrwood? what do they think of the promise of land, and how do they feel about Gilded Vale when they arrive? how do they feel about learning they’re a watcher? how about their first run in with the leaden key? what are their opinions on Lady Webb and Dunryd Row?

Laura has been involved in a complicated relationship in Old Vailia - her lover was meant to marry but Laura had been stubborn in fighting for his affections and her right to marry, since in Old Vailia and the Republics, the Godlike are considered ‘less’ because of their inability to have children. That mixed with the resentment she received from the other artists of Old Vailia, who were jealous of her talent and position, lead to her workshop’s destruction. With her work ransacked, Laura felt like she no longer belonged. She heard talk of promised lands in the Dyrwood in a tavern near the port and decides last minute to join in, finding the courage to board a ship only to get out of Old Vailia. She was also intrigued by the location because it was near both the Republics, where more of her people live, and near Eir Glanfath, where there are more ciphers.

Since she’s a cipher who doesn’t quite understand her abilities from the very start, the watcher abilities don’t scare her more than usual. She’s always been able to see thing differently, sometimes hear other people’s thoughts, and seeing the souls of the deceased startles her at first but she finds courage through her curiosity.

Gilded Vale’s state breaks her heart, and she tries to help the few people in the village the best she can - by killing Raedric and bringing solace of its inhabitants. She is especially fond of Aufra (whose sister she just witnessed dying) - a mother who fears for her child’s soul. That is one of the first reasons Laura is keen on understanding what started the Legacy and how it can be stopped. It’s also the reason she chooses Hylea’s solution: so even if Aufra’s child is hollowborn, it will regain its soul. 

Naturally, she began despising the Leaden Key and their actions, thinking whatever they support cannot be allowed. She admires lady Webb and her strong will and mind, taking over her mantle after the game’s ending. She reinstates Dunryd Row at Caed Nua, offering the same services to the people of Defiance Bay who wanted something or someone found.

14. Decisions, pt. 2 – the ducal palace: who did your watcher decide to turn to for support at the animancy hearings? why? who did they side with during the hearings? what are their opinions on the hearings, and have they changed over the course of the game up to this point? how does your watcher react to the riots in defiance bay?

She asked for support from the Crucible Knights, siding with the Animancers during the hearings. She doesn’t consider them blameless, but thinks it is better than doing what Thaos desires most. She is in support of knowledge and wisdom, and believes that Animancers can achieve many great things if they mediated their research methods and adjust their ethos.

With 19 days to go till Deadfire - prompt by ohyashas

Questions 9 and 10 are quite the blocktext <3

She wants to say yes, wants to say that everything’s fine and he shouldn’t worry, that he needs to rest so he can take over the watch in a few hours. But she doesn’t say any of that, and even if she did she knows he wouldn’t believe it, anyway. So instead, she reaches over and takes one of his hands and holds onto it like a lifeline, remaining silent for the moment and not yet looking at him.

“That bad, huh?” There’s a levity to Edér’s voice, but concern, too, and when Neria doesn’t answer he leans over to give her a little nudge with his shoulder.

But she isn’t sure how to explain, how to tell him that it’s this sword, this one little thing that’s leaving her helpless and out of control and sends her right back to the army in Rauatai, where everything she did was wrong and brash and she could count on one hand the number of people that saw her as something other than a failure. Neria doesn’t know how to sum all of that up, so she settles for a deep breath and a quick prayer that her voice doesn’t shake, and admits in a small voice, “I miss my hammer.”

Chapter 5, heavy is the heart that wanders by @ohyashas for the POE MiniBang!

4. If you could change anything in Dance with the Devil, what would it be?

At some point, before it had morphed into the third version of the monster it became, I had originally planned on the ending basically incorporating Grey making Theron promise to “never do this again” (ironically, that had been in mind long before the Umbara story drop) and him reluctantly making the promise. My original idea on this was an explanation on why Theron was left in the dark regarding the holocron plan during Chapter 7 of KOTET — but uh, apparently I forgot to get either of my characters on board so they decided to be excessively angsty and melodramatic instead.

5. Did you make an outline for Dance with the Devil? Did you stick to it?