garrulously | canon threads

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.

( that is nothing new. some days it's more obvious -- like now, or when they're spending time together in silence, curled up with one another as she works and he reads or paints. but solas has always had that lurking sadness in his eyes. and while elera would never claim to have been attracted to him because she hoped to ease it, she couldn't deny the draw it had.

what that says about her, well. best not think about it. )

If I'd have known that would be something to appeal to you, I'd have skipped nicking my fingers on the wolf.

And lose my token of fortune to carry with me? [ he teases. ] With what we must do, I have a great need for it.

[ And for what would come after, the mantle he would have to wear once he left the Inquisition and had his focus back in hand. Nothing would ever be so simple. ]

May it keep you safe in all things, Solas. ( a rare moment of sincerity, for elera doesn't know what she would do if he died on her -- if she watched him fall because she couldn't save him. it's not a thought worth thinking about. ) Even if it has five legs instead of four.

( but that just proved she did it by hand, with her own hands. )

[ He scoffs lightly at that, but it is in good nature. ] Or two tails, depending on your view of it.

[ And because he couldn't say it enough to her, the one who ensured he had something on a holiday he had long since stopped celebrating, ] Thank you, my heart.

You need not thank me, Solas. I love you.

( and what she does out of love never needs to be thanked. instead she leans forward to kiss him, properly, and while he tastes of sugar and frosting, she wouldn't change it for the world. )

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