garrulously | canon threads

If they were willing to, perhaps, [ he murmurs. It is something he has already tried and while the Fade may not have been the best avenue for sharing such opinions, it had gone horribly.

She's yawning though and he kisses the top of her head and runs a hand through her hair. ] Sleep, vhenan.

You do not give them enough credit. I'm not different from anyone else. ( he always doesn't seem to believe that, however, but perhaps one day if she says it enough he will.

although she can't help but smile at the kiss and the hand in her hair. ) Sleep, and miss more time spent with you? I wouldn't dare -- what if I miss something?

[ He lets that comment slide. His opinions on the rest of Thedas would not change and not as they were preparing to sleep. They were ones he formed over time, further cemented through those he had spoken with.

He keeps the soothing motion up, enjoying the feel of her hair between his fingers. ] I will be here when you wake and we have ground to cover tomorrow.

( she sleeps, and it's the quiet, restful sleep of being held by someone. the rest of their journey is quiet -- or as quiet as they come -- and once back at skyhold, she resumes her regular duties. minus the notes, but she and solas make time, and that is what matters in the end.

but she does have gifts for him eventually -- rare paint imported from antiva, a small ornate cake big enough for two people to share, and a small carved wooden totem in the style of the dalish. not very well done, for she did it herself, but she thought his fondness for the animals shouldn't go unremarked upon. and so, the day of the feast, she makes her way to his rotunda early --
gifts wrapped and clutched to her chest as she enters. )

Well, Solas -- are you prepared to be surprised?

[ Those stolen moments were ones he enjoyed. It was a break for them both and a chance for him to feel far more grounded than he ever did in the waking world. Her presence was an anchor in so many ways.

The day of the feast, he keeps to the rotunda. This was his domain and those of Skyhold knew to direct guests away from it unless they wanted their dignitaries to deal with a disgruntled elf trying to work. He would ease into the mix once the drinks began flowing and it was easier to blend into the crowd. Unless someone gave him a far better reason to stay elsewhere. He hears her voice and smiles faintly as he turns to greet her. ]

I am, [ he replies and gestures for her to come closer. ] You found something suitable then?

( she fully plans on coaxing him out eventually -- her absence would be noted by everyone eventually, but she needed to catch him alone for a few moments. at least long enough to give him her gifts, since he was so adamant about keeping it a secret from each other.

placing them on his table, she nods. )

Or if not suitable, at least a surprise.

[ His own gifts are more simple in appearance. Two canvases, one smaller than the other, are wrapped in a simple fabric that reminded him of the forests and sun breaking through the treetops. He pulls them from their hiding spot behind his table and sets them down beside her offerings. The larger of the two paintings featured an elvhen temple similar to the one they had seen of Mythal's, but restored to glory. The smaller of the two featured her, painted from memory, and having a peaceful moment out in the gardens of Skyhold.

He watches her for a moment before reaching for the gifts she has for him and motioning for her to do the same. ]

On your mark.

( she grins at him, marveling at the fabric he'd found -- she'll have to have something made of that later, perhaps she'll ask him to design something, if his artistic talents lean that way. for now she's content to have this, a small moment of kindness in the midst of everything else going on. )

On one-- Three, two-- one.

( it takes her a long second to unbind the wrappings on the larger one, and he can already see the delight that's coming over her face. the temple is beautiful, and perfect, and the breath that she sucks in when she fully exposes it is impressed and awed. )

Solas, this is beautiful.

[ He waits for her count and opens his gifts eagerly. It was rare he received anything from anyone, and receiving something pleasant was even rarer.

His eyes light up when he sees the painting though it is quickly overshone when he notices the totem. Handmade, by her? That would be his guess judging by the quality and that made it far more valuable than such a simple piece should be. That it featured wolves prominently was something he chalked up to his commentary when they were out wandering Thedas. ]

I had thought you would want to see it. A painting of one of my ventures in the Fade, [ he say, smiling. ] I had not realized you added woodcarving to your list of many talents.

I almost feel greedy, keeping this one in my quarters. It's almost too beautiful not to share.

( for it was absolutely a work of art, much like his frescos. her hand hovers over it, almost touching but refraining from doing so completely. at least they would be able to appreciate it, as would everyone else who ventured upstairs. she turns to the other, but doesn't unwrap it yet -- instead focusing on his words. )

I still haven't, if you couldn't tell. For all that I nearly lost three fingers working on it, it's still -- ( she gestures at it with a small smile. ) Working with my hands isn't something I'm skilled at. Hopefully it won't count as a mark against me.

It is yours to do with as you wish, [ he reminds her. That was the point of the gift. Whether she wanted to share it or not was entirely up to her.

His fingers run over the front of the carving with care and he sets it prominently on display on his table. ] I will carry it with me always.

[ He could use the good fortune such a token would bring him for what was to come. ]

I feel hanging it behind my throne may send a message not many would be receptive to.

( although she's tempted for that alone. but his words warm her heart, and her hand goes to rest over his fro a moment after he places the figure. )

You will have to tell me what your spirit friends think of it next time you visit a ruin. ( her fingers curl in over his then, squeezing warmly before she drops her hand. there's one more, the smaller one, and she takes her time unwrapping it even as she has some clue of what she'll discover. ) Solas, this is--

( intimate. but still beautiful, still astonishingly beautiful. )

Thank you, my love.

That you wish for your own to have a restoration? Instead of wallowing in the pittance given and expected to be grateful?

[ Dry and biting, they both know the situation among many in Thedas is poor, including those of the elves. That was a situation entirely separate from the one at hand, he knew, and he focuses instead on the joy that is plain on her face at the sight of the second painting. ]

It was hard to capture your beauty from memory.

I have done what I could in order to make my priorities clear. Perhaps it would be a wise reminder after all.

( something to look into at least. she would gladly use her power in ways she can to protect those the shemlen don't care about, and finds herself with some success. it is the least she can do. )

You flatter me. Would you like a chance to do it from life, Solas?

I would, if you were willing, [ he answers without hesitation. ]

Another night when you are free? Your ambassador would come to track you if I kept you from the festivities for as long as it would take.

[ But he was more than pleased to have a chance to paint her properly. She deserved something to remember this part of her life. ]

You will always find me a willing subject for whatever it is you wish. ( be it sharing what he knows or sketching and painting. how could she not? ) We can arrange that. It would be a pleasure to excuse myself from work early enough to give us plenty of time.

( smiling at him again, elera reaches for his arm -- his hand, if he'll let her take it. )

I hope you won't keep yourself away from them as well, Solas.

[ He nods, satisfied with that. ] You are always welcome in my rotunda as one of my more pleasant guests.

[ Unlike the odd noble or visitor from abroad that wandered in from the main hall and was very confused at the elf without servant livery. At the grip on his hand, he glances down at the hold then back up to meet her gaze. ]

I intended to join later. Were you going now? [ And did he owe her dances that had been missed out on at the Winter Palace? ]

And not my quarters? I don't keep it clean just for my own benefit, Solas.

( she wishes he would join her there more often, in truth. not for any untoward or to push his boundaries, but for the simple pleasure of having his company in private. after all, his rotunda had several floors to it. )

Soon, once you've finished the perishable part of your gift. I'd like to return with you.

( solas will no doubt mention that it would endanger her status, her position, if they knew she was involved with an apostate elf. but she is one by their terms, and she'd rather enjoy her time with him when she can catch it. )

Edited 2017-11-20 05:15 (UTC)

And your quarters, [ he agrees. ] I did not realize you were growing lonely without me there to argue the pedantic.

[ But he could make an appearance more often. At the mention of the perishable portion, he realizes he has yet to unveil the cake. The sight causes a smile to return and he gestures for her to take a seat so that they might enjoy it. ]

Will your reputation survive involvement with one such as myself? [ She nailed that on the head. He preferred to keep a low profile himself and at least this gathering was small enough he felt he could risk it, for a moment of enjoyment between them. ]

( it's enough to make her laugh, shaking her head at him fondly. ) Bored and lonely. No one else refuses to give me quarter when I wish to argue with them. ( it's always 'ah, you're right inquisitor', and while she loves that affirmation, it's more worthwhile when she knows she truly has earned it.

she seats herself, nabbing one of the forks she brought with it and waits for him to take the first bite. it is his gift, after all, and she would hate to rob him of the joy of it. )

If they wish to make a fuss about having found love with an elven apostate, I would ask them to take a longer look at their Inquisitor and Herald. You have helped us since Haven, Solas. That alone should gain you favor in their eyes.

[ She would not have to wait long. If there was one weakness he had, it was his sweet tooth that he enjoyed indulging in the rare time he could. Fork in hand, he takes a generous piece onto his form and eats it, making a small sound of contentment as he does. ]

I do not want their favor, Inquisitor. The Inquisition needed an expert in the Fade and there is no other that could fill the role. [ His own arrogance shining through, but it was true. ]

( that was what she wanted to hear. lavellan eagerly helps herself to a smaller bite of it, grinning as the flavor hits her -- perfect. she'd picked well, at least for the both of them. )

It isn't a matter of what you want, but what will protect you if they decide to turn on us. I swore to protect you then -- that still holds true. And besides, this isn't in front of the ex-Empress. This is in front of other elves, and a companion or two who will be beyond confused.

( no one will mind. )

[ As much as he enjoys the cake, he takes a slower pace in eating it. He would much prefer to savor it. ]

I am aware of the implications here, Inquisitor. If you would have me at your side in the main hall, I will join you for a time.

[ A small promise that allowed him room to leave if needed. Too much attention drawn to himself would make his own plans difficult to achieve later. ]

( that, too, is unsurprising. it seems a very solas-like thing to do. she accepts the terms of the agreement however, and nods. )

I'd have you by my side for as long as you'd like, Solas.

( for she suspects she won't ever tire of him there. )

[ How long would he have this with her? He should tell her the truth, give her fair warning of just who she was offering her heart to, but that grew harder the longer this went on.

So instead, he takes another bite of cake and regards her with a lingering sadness that always seems to lurk behind his fondness for her. ]

I could ask for no greater gift.

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