ID: a picture split in half with half of Carver Hawke's face on the left and half of Bethany Hawke's face on the right. Overlaid on the bottom portion of the picture is the words "The Hawke twins know what it's like to experience loss and to have that loss minimized by people who don't understand. Take your time processing your grief, and know that how you do or do not react to it is valid. This is your experience. Treat yourself as kindly as you would anyone else going through the same."

ID: A picture of Fenris from Dragon Age 2 overlaid with the words "Fenris knows what's it's like to be overwhelmed by past or current experiences, especially when other people do not take the time to empathize. Remember to breathe, and that there is no race to processing what you are going through, no finish line. You are safe and you are loved, just as you are."

Motivational Zevran

ID: a picture of Zevran Arainai from Dragon Age: Origins, overlaid with the words "Zevran would understand what it feels like to put on a brave face when you are struggling, putting up walls even when you wish for someone to notice. Remember to take the time to be as kind to yourself as you would be to a loved one going through the same thing."

If you're scared or exhausted today, know that Zevran would be -and is- right there beside you. If you don't mind touch, he would lift your hands up in his own and hold them against his chest with a smile. "Do you know just how brave you are?" He would ask. "Each and every day you keep going can be the hardest thing you've ever done, and it makes me... so proud. You inspire me, and always have. Perhaps together, we can help bring joy to each other's lives. That's all I've ever hoped to do."

“There will be times that you feel powerless in the coming days,” Zevran would say to you if he were here right now, and in every way that matters, he is. “When you feel small and alone and in need of comfort. And to this I say, it is not such a bad thing to not be strong all of the time, is it?”

“I know, I know,” he would add with a laugh, “I know what you are thinking only too well, my dear. ‘But Zevran, you insightful masterpiece,’ you say to me in a voice like liquid silk, ‘it is more than permissible for other people to want or require aid, but not I! People depend on me! I am strong, and impervious to such worldly concerns as fear or neurodivergences! Look at me go, saving the world! I go!’”

And here, he would pause with raised eyebrows. “And how do you plan on saving said world if you burn yourself out before you are even partway through, I wonder? No one can be strong forever. How about we try a thought experiment, if you will... Infulge me in this last thing, hmm? If I was in your place, would you agree that I should deny myself comfort? Or would you kneel before me as I do you now, and say, ‘Oh, dear one. It is safe to cry here. To be small, here. I will take your burdens until you are ready to take them back. Right here and right now, you are all that matters.’”

motivational alistair

alistair would have one of his crooked smiles waiting for you this morning, one hand curled around his bent knee. "you don't even have to say anything if you don't want to. i can see it all over your face. and, you know," he said, gesturing with his chin at how you twisted and flicked your hands. "people don't say this as much as they should, really, but. it's okay to fail. to give up. sometimes, bashing your head over and over against the same brick wall isn't going to tear down a wall. it's okay to admit that you're tired, or that your disability needs you to rest, or your brain is getting all squiggly, or all that other bunk we have to deal with."

he'd send another quick smile your way, and tilt to bump his shoulder gently against yours. "nobody can be strong all the time. eventually, your body and your brain will remind you that you're human, same as the rest of us. and i wouldn't blame you one bit if you let yourself rest before that happens. more than that," he'd add. "i'd be proud. i am proud. taking care of yourself can be more frightening than facing down any monster, and it takes a strong heart. so. thank you for doing your best at it. and maybe if you do, i'll get a little better at doing it myself," he'd laugh quietly. "it's one of the many things about you that i hope to... well... do myself."

motivational varric

Varric would have one leg tucked behind his knee where he sat. He swung the other foot in time with the restless tapping of his pen, again and again and again, until he finally looked up at you with a tired smile. “Things can certainly get loud, can’t they? Crowds, family. Stress.” He sighed. “I certainly can’t stretch out my hand and solve all of your problems the way I’d like to, but I can help mold the aftermath.”

He pushed himself to his feet and clasped your hands, one over the other. “You are safe with me. I will protect you as best I can, the way I always have. You won’t be judged here, or left behind. Your place at my table is always waiting for you, no matter what think you’ve done or not done, because…”

He shuddered out a sigh and gripped your hands with a crooked smile. “You’re my person. And I’m yours. That’s the way it was always meant to be, if anything ever was. You and me, against the world. Now. How about one more step, hmm?”

motivational merrill

Merrill would tip her smile back and forth with the bobbing of her head as she eyed you. “It’s alright to be angry, you know,” she would tell you. “It isn’t you failing anybody, even you. I know you’re scared sometimes, and hold it in until it’s a big wriggly mess in your chest, but then…” she stopped and sighed.

“But then it’s hard to be happy sometimes, do you know? If you try to numb being angry, you numb being happy, too. Everything just gets muddled. So get mad! Yell into your pillow or draw a picture or crunch down really hard on your lunch! Anything you feel safe doing, particularly if you feel safer knowing I’m there!” She would beam. “I know I feel safer with you, so. Maybe we can be that support for each other? Only if you want to!” She’d hasten to add. “Sometimes it can get even scarier that way, so… maybe I’ll close my eyes!”

please remember the whatever stresses you face today are temporary. everything will be okay, and so will you