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solas :: dragon age inquisition

[harillen]

[ gardens ]

[In his ragged robes, Solas leaves the locker rooms and heads immediately for the gardens. He feels no need to acquaint himself with his rooms; he has no intention of spending any time there. Nor has he any intention of doing much more than acclimating to this place in the most rudimentary of ways.

A ship. Like no ship he's ever seen.

He pays only fleeting attention to the twisting paths he takes to the gardens, following the directions given to him by a passing crew member in one of those uncomfortable looking jumpsuits. His clothes might be worn and stained, but they are comfortable. Familiar. He will not change out of them, not yet.

When he reaches the gardens, he doesn't go very far inside. Instead, he sits near the entrance, removing the wraps around his feet, and sinks his toes into the grass.]

One must find familiarity where one can, I suppose. [He regards a nearby tree with a small measure of curiosity.] A shame I will likely be unable to dream here.

[undyingbeliefs]

[Admittedly, Evangeline doesn't know the entire ship as well as she'd like. The gardens for one, aren't so known to her, she simply just hasn't had a reason to go.

She attempts to venture there when there are likely to be less people, when most might be sleeping although how the days and hours work are still something she's uncertain of. But from the lack of people wandering the halls she can make a good enough guess.

Despite her efforts there is still someone present. She hears them at first, wondering if there is more than one person, but when she investigates she finds it's just the one. Well, that's mildly concerning. Rather than sneak awkwardly away (or as sneaky as someone in full-plate templar armor can manage) she decides to approach.]

I apologize, am I intruding?

[harillen]

[The sound of armor alarms him. Solas has been awake long enough to learn to fear that sound.

But he has no staff, and his clothes aren't at all traditional Thedosian robes. At a casual glance, he knows he doesn't look like a mage. Just an elf with no home.]

Not at all. [He manages to keep his expression neutral when he looks up.

Somehow.

Remarkably.

Underneath the thin veneer of calm is mounting panic. She's not just in armor, she's in templar armor.]

All that... armor can't be comfortable. [He's going for casual. It comes out strangled.]

[undyingbeliefs]

[She's aware the armor can scare people, that's kind of the point beyond simple protection. But she can at least appear to relax, smile, and seem mildly less formidable.]

Comfort is not the sole priority of any armor.

I wasn't sure if you were speaking with another. I had heard you, or someone, while I was walking.

[There's of course Cole, but she seems to be able to see him more easily now. Even when it's unwelcome. But that didn't mean Cole was the only one capable of doing that or something similar on board this ship.]

[harillen]

[Solas is too busy forcing himself to be casual to notice the smile.]

Ah, no. Just myself. I sometimes find speaking aloud helps organize my thoughts. [Liar.

There's also now panic because a templar might have heard him talk about dreaming, and he doesn't have the Inquisition to protect him from--

He blinks.] Forgive me, there is a... a strangeness about you.

[undyingbeliefs]

[An interesting turn of topic, if random.]

I beg your pardon?

[Had they not addressed the armor already Evangeline would have imagined that would be cause for any strangeness. Few others wore armor around here and she knew it made her stick out like a sore thumb. But it also served for easy identification so she never thought twice of it. He likely was referring to something else then, as curious as she was to what he could mean she also didn't want misunderstandings and this place was potentially full of misunderstandings.]

You are recently arrived here, I assume? I'm still learning my way around, myself, but I can't say that I have seen you before. I'm Evangeline de Brassard.

[harillen]

Recently, yes. I am Solas, if introductions are to be made.

[He unfolds his legs, standing from where he sits on a large boulder. Bluntly, as he leans forward:] You carry a piece of the Fade with you. [Tact? What is tact?]

yesssssssss

[fade_away]

[Cole is already in the gardens. The green is familiar. He likes it there, the way it hums with life and warmth, breathes like lungs for the Tranquility. People come here to feel better, so Cole likes to lurk here as well. It's easier to help and vanish here.

He is listening, always listening, humming with the low song that he used to think was the ship itself before he met Death. It's a comforting ancient song too big to understand but none the less present.

He doesn't see Solas, but he feels him, hears him, the familiar notes of song, the way the he moves through the harmonies. Cole pauses, listening further, because - because he wants to see his friend so badly he thinks maybe he might be hearing things, maybe this is someone else who sounds like him. His feet find the paths on their own, picking through the twisting walkways towards -

Yes, it's him. First Rhys and Evangeline, now Solas, this place might be unfamiliar and strange but all the people he loves are arriving and he couldn't be happier.]

Solas!

Re: yesssssssss

[harillen]

[The cry surprises Solas.

He stiffens before turning, both brows raised.] Cole? [The tension melts out of him a moment later.

Having met the Inquisitor - an Inquisitor - he understands that this likely isn't his Cole. But a Cole is better than no Cole, and the face is still familiar even if the history is not.

Smiling, he rises from where he sits, sliding off the boulder.]

It is good to see you, Cole. Any familiar face is always welcome.

[fade_away]

[Different points in the timeline Cole is used to now. Different universes, well... that will take some getting used to still.

Still.

It is his friend, and Cole is so happy.]

It is good to see you too. [He's still learning how to talk like a person. The right things to say, which results in a lot of parroting. When he is from they just arrived in Skyhold, after all. But Solas was never unkind, always gently guiding, always patient in the event of mistakes. For him, anyway.] You weren't here, but now you are.

[harillen]

Now I am.

[Solas pads closer, his toes kicking up dirt as he approaches. He's never had any use for shoes.]

You have no medallion. [Tact, what tact? He gestures toward Cole's shoulder, and when he speaks, his words are gentle and a little sad.] Have you taken Varric's advice, then?

[fade_away]

[Cole is unsure about how necessary shoes are. His laces are problematic. They cannot be reasoned with. Thankfully Cullen and Dorian help him with them.

He tilts his head to the side, curious.]

Medallion?

Walls around me not to hold me in to keep other things out, keep me safe, but the shape is wrong? It hurts and I cry out why won't it work - What are you doing to the kid?

... Solas, I don't remember that.

[harillen]

[He looks taken aback for a moment and then immediately puts up walls around his thoughts. It's not hard for him to draw the right conclusion: not just a different world but a different time.]

Then let us not dwell on it. There's no point in dwelling on things that have not happened, and you are safe here.

[He has no way of knowing how untrue that is, but he means it. He also means that he will do what is necessary to keep Cole safe.]

How long have you been here, Cole?

[troops]

[Sebastian tends to visit the gardens often, and Cullen is aware that some of the others view them as a place of respite. He enjoys them for what they are- the greenery is reassuring, reminds him a little of home, but it's not really a place that he can spend a lot of time in. Still, if he wants to go looking for anyone from Thedas, his best bets tend to be either the gardens or the bar.

It's the former that he steps into today, taking a deep breath of the fresh air before starting to wander a little, finding a path through that he hadn't yet taken. He hasn't gone for particularly long before he catches sight of Solas out of the corner of his eye and makes his way toward him. Ordinarily, Cullen might not have much to say to the elven apostate, but when there are so few of those from Thedas on this ship, any familiar face he sees is a welcome one.]

Solas.

[He says the man's name gently as he steps onto the grass, leaving wet footprints under his boots.]

I didn't know you had arrived.

[harillen]

So I have. [Solas rises from where he sits, his toes digging into the grass.] And so, it seems, has everyone else. [One brow lifts.] Should I expect to find Bull and Blackwall as well? Will Sera run by my room shouting "elven glory" while cackling?

[His words could be cruel, but he tries to temper them with a small smile.

Cullen always makes him slightly uncomfortable, but he does appreciate what the man has tried to do with his life. It is admirable.]

[troops]

No, but Dorian might make some witty remark about your clothing.

[It's lightly spoken, and Cullen folds his arms, leaning his shoulder against a nearby tree. He didn't typically interact much with Solas in Haven, and he isn't sure if it's because their paths just never happened to cross or if the elf had actively avoided him. He wouldn't exactly take offense either way- the sudden appearance of the apostate offering assistance with the Breach had been suspect, and Cullen is somewhat used to mages either confronting him or ducking around him due to his history with the Templars.]

It's just you, Cole, Dorian, and myself- from the Inquisition that is. [There's a pause, and Cullen sighs. Having others around from his past had complicated matters recently. Solas doesn't seem the type to care or be caught up in the fights and anger that had happened between the group of them thusfar, which is something of a relief. At least someone rational might help smooth things over a bit.]

There are others here too from Thedas. I doubt you would know them, but I've met several of them in Kirkwall and Cole knows the others from the White Spire.

[harillen]

Witty? Unlikely. Belligerent, assuredly.

[Solas bears a surprising amount of respect for Cullen. A templar seeking to overcome his addictions, to distance himself from his order? Of course Solas would approve of the choice to exercise one's free will.

Especially as it aligns with his own opinions.]

The White Spire? Templars or mages, then? Need I be concerned for my own safety? [The question is asked lightly, but there is weight to his words. He'd really rather not deal with overzealous templars trying to smite him.]

[troops]

[Cullen has to bite back a smile at the mention of Dorian, and looks away for a moment, as if that would hide his expression for the moment. Solas has a point there- not only has Dorian exploded a monster over Cullen's mantle, which Cullen is convinced was not an accident, but their most recent fight (fight? if it could be called that) had been about Dorian's witty, belligerent comments on the same subject.

Still, the tone of the mage's question makes things a bit more serious and Cullen nods, returning his gaze to the elf with a thoughtful pause.]

Mage and templar. And I doubt it- Cole assured me that they were good people. I've spoken with Ser Evangeline, and I doubt she'd be interested in pursuing apostates here, of all places.

[Which... the fact that he's on speaking terms with Cole is a large enough change as it is, but adaptation is necessary in a place like this, and the spirit had proven himself invaluable.]

[harillen]

[Solas's expression doesn't even flicker, but his posture changes ever so slightly. His shoulders go back as he clasps his hands and begins pacing, his toes digging into the dirt as he walks. There's not enough life under his feet. The ship thrums, yes, but it doesn't truly live, and the sensation is disquieting. Everything is disquieting.]

That is good to know, thank you. [There's a compliment in those words. A tacit approval of Cullen in spite of their myriad differences.]

And here is a massive ship that soars through the empty spaces between stars. Tell me, does it have a purpose? Do we have a purpose? Can we be returned home?

[sparkler]

[Dorian spends a reasonable amount of time in the gardens, when he's not in the library or the bar. It's pleasant to pretend for a few moments that he's not stuck on this ship, that he can walk around and breathe real air and look up at the sky.

It doesn't last, but it's nice for a moment or two.

He's on his way out when he spots a familiar figure by the entrance. His eyebrows rise in brief astonishment, but he shouldn't be too surprised, now should be? It seems that nearly anything can happen here.]

Yours is a face I didn't expect to see here, Solas.

[harillen]

Dorian.

[He pauses a moment, considering that he and Dorian might not have the same relationship in Dorian's world they do in his own.

Then he decides he doesn't care.]

There is no Veil here. No Fade. Your magic. Does it still function the same as it does in Thedas? [No wasting time with this one.]

[sparkler]

[Yesssss he finally gets to talk about magic with someone who actually gives a shit.

Sure, it's Solas, not necessarily the most delightful conversation partner, but still. Dorian's day is already made.]

My theory is that the Fade is still here, somewhere. We can dream, and my magic still works, but it's been weakened. It's as if we're connected to the Fade, but much more distantly, if that makes sense.

Unfortunately, there's no way to prove this theory, given that it's impossible to make any sort of contact with the Fade here. It's entirely possible that something else could be powering my magic.

[harillen]

Curious. Perhaps we can discover the nature of magic here, or at least our connection to the Fade.

[Solas lifts his hand, frowning at it. Magic sparks and sputters there, a gutted flame, and does nothing.]

While I can do basic spells, rift magic seems beyond me. [He's annoyed about this. Clearly.] To be even more hobbled...

[sparkler]

Your magic is a bit closer to the Fade than most, I'd say. If we're... blocked somehow, or if something else is powering us, it would make sense that you would be most affected.

[Dorian will just be pleased that it's not him. Though it does raise a number of interesting questions.]

My necromancy is intact, but weaker, or at least the spells I've tried. There aren't many dead to reanimate here.

[harillen]

Yes, I imagine necromancy is hard to practice when dead slaves don't fill the ground.

[The words come quickly, a snap defense that Dorian doesn't deserve. As soon as he's spoken, he flinches and sighs, lifting a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose.]

That was uncalled for, forgive me. If it is agreeable to you, perhaps we could investigate this tenuous connection to the Fade. [He reaches for the magic again, attempting to cast pull of the abyss, but the power slides through his fingers. Nothing changes. Nothing happens. Not even anything bad.] This is infuriating. [Now he knows how human mages feel.

But he's smart enough not to say that, at least. He's dug his own grave well enough already.]