Astha



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    All things considered, Rook doesn’t think anyone should be looking to her for wisdom or guidance. She’s never made herself out to be a paragon of sound morality or ethical values, and she is caving under the pressure of the world, piece by fractured piece.

    So, she takes the Dread Wolf’s hand when he offers it, and she lets him show her the beauty of the Elven Empire.

    or

    Wild magic sends Rook back to ancient Arlathan for a night. And she is a trainwreck, so she spends that night with Solas, of course.

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    12 Dec 2024

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    It’s too much—the burden of keeping everyone in his party alive, let alone happy. It’s too much—the pressure to stay cool and calm in his leadership position despite the fact that he’s as overwhelmed as the rest of them. The truth is, he’s winging this whole thing.

    Rook needs a distraction, something stupid and needlessly convoluted to occupy his time when he’s not trying desperately to save the world.

    Rook sets about teaching Manfred a secret handshake.

    Language:
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    22 Nov 2024

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    At this time of night, there are only a few especially committed customers gracing the main, lower floor of the Warm Red Pavilion. He has little worry to give to his identity being revealed. A few girls tend to the customers on the floor, smiling sweetly as they listen to their stories and sit only a little closer than propriety would typically allow. On a small stage, across the room, a young woman plays the pipa with precise, careful fingers with her delicately painted eyes downcast towards the instrument and her lips parted in concentration.

    He has never seen her here before, and for a moment Shen Jiu’s fingers twitch, itching for a brush he doesn’t have—the image she paints so picturesque he finds himself longing to immortalize it. Surely, though, if he did, she would only laugh a soft, sweet laugh, and tell him how he flatters her, all while pushing the painting back into his arms.

    Or

    Shen Jiu meets a young man at the Warm Red Pavilion, and maybe, just maybe, it changes the course of his life.

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    19 Nov 2024

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    “What was the one thing this master said not to do?” he asks, voice absolutely scathing.

    “Inhale the pollen,” Shen Yuan answers at once.

    Shen Qingqiu stops his pacing and whirls around to glare at Shen Yuan. “And what did Disciple Shen do?”

    Shen Yuan grimaces. His voice comes out a bit more of a mumble this time, embarrassed. “Inhale the pollen…”

    Or

    Qing Jing Head Disciple, Shen Yuan, goes on a mission with his shizun, Shen Qingqiu. Not all goes as planned, however, when Shen Yuan finds himself struck with a good dose of slightly-speech compelling truth pollen.

    Written for Jiuyuan Week 2024.

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    18 Nov 2024

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    Shen Jiu can’t help the way his worry shows itself as anger as he spits, through gritted teeth, “Yuan-shidi said the Bloodstone Caps were harmless.”

    “Haha, well…” Shen Yuan’s head begins to list again, so Shen Jiu cups his face to keep it upright. His palm must feel cool to the touch, because the other man nuzzles into it with a sigh; Shen Yuan's breath is damp against the exposed sliver of Shen Jiu’s wrist, and his lips brush against skin when he speaks. “I-It appears that I have been poisoned, so that theory might need some work.”

    Language:
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    10 Nov 2024