"You know if you keep frowning like that you'll get even more wrinkles," I warn Solas, taking a seat on the hard stone wall, briefly glancing up at the neon green tear in the sky.
"I can't believe her, recruiting that warden," Solas scowls.
"He seems okay to me," I reason.
"The grey wardens are irresponsible and a reckless group, they are unorganised and are fools," Solas scowls.
"Solas, Blackwall may be a grey warden but not all grey wardens are irresponsible. I'm sure there are some that are responsible," I reason. "Oh yes, well where are they?" Solas scowls. "Just get to know him besides you too might get along," I reason. "How would I get along with that barbarian?" Solas argues.
"You're both close to age," I reason.
"Excuse me?" Solas frowns puzzled.
"Well he looks about his mid-forties and you well…"
Silently, Solas glares as I laugh nervously feeling as though I'm burying myself deeper and deeper into my grave.
"Just give him a chance I'm sure you'll get along," I reason.
"I'll try there's something that peeked my interest however during our last conversation," Solas brings up making me raise a brow in confusion and intrigue.
"What would that be?" I ask.
"You spoke as though you've been in the fade," Solas says.
"Oh… I have," I answer.
"Pardon!?" Solas blinks, his eyes wide in shock, intrigue and almost envy.
"Yeah, it was a while back, some dreamer kid needed help so we helped the kid, had to go into his dream which as you know is in the fade, to save him from some demons," I answer scowling at the memory of a particular elven girl. I can handle it, no you can't! Urgh…
"Tell me what was it like to be physically in the fade?" He enquires.
"Frightening, draining mentally and interesting," I say bluntly recalling my brother's fearful gaze he tried so hard to mask, he was okay the whole time so was I. Silently, I look down at my silver gleaming gauntlet, frowning at the bitter, harsh, scary memories.
"You puzzle me," Solas sighs.
"Hm? Explain," I state.
"You are wary of mages yet you seem intrigued by the fade and such," Solas argues as I grumble, used to this argument.
"Oh at the start, I hated mages, before they could even talk I would have slit their throat, however things changed. I learned and became intrigued by the magic of the fade, the possibilities that magic could create and such however my wariness of mages was still there. I like the idea of the fade but someone wielding it, that is what I hate, how can you trust all mages? I cannot. Mages abuse magic, magic can be beautiful but it can be tainted and then spoiled by those mages who spread the plague of the corrupted magic and spoil things," I answer honestly making Solas frown.
"You didn't even let them speak? You don't even give them a chance!? You-" Solas scowls.
"You wouldn't understand," I look away.
"If you would tell me perhaps I could," he argues gently.
"No," I refuse making Solas frown but then divert his attention back to the scar in the sky.
"I've journeyed deep into the fade and ancient ruins and battlefields, to see spirits rein act scenes of lost civilisation. I've watched as hosts of spirits clashed to re-enact the bloodied past in ancient wars long forgotten," Solas explains.
"You're serious? Wait that means you're a dreamer! "My eyes widen as I recall the keeper explaining the difference between mages and dreamers.
"I am," Solas confirms. "Tell me did you see any battles? Or glimpse of the elven culture?" I enquire curious making Solas raise a brow. "I have but I thought you disliked Elven culture," Solas frowns.
"I don't dislike it, I just believe the Dalish have a few things wrong I mean these gods, gods are not born they are created, there is always a beginning and tales passed on are exaggerated, to see the fade and see what is true and what isn't, sounds envious," I confess oblivious to the shocked expression across Solas features but he quickly masks it.
"You continue to surprise me," he smirks as I frown.
"So what do you mean by ruins? Ruins of ancient times?" I enquire curious as Solas smiles slightly, almost approving of my question.
"Any building strong enough to withstand the rigors of time has history, everyone battlefield is steeped with death. Both attract spirit, they press against the veil weakening the barrier between our world. When I dream of such places, I can find memories no other living being has seen, "Solas explains making my eyes widen in awe of his ability.
"Impressive, reminds me of this spirit I met once," I whisper.
"You met a spirit?" Solas raises a brow. "Yeah not sure what of, the spirit sure was wise," I whisper.
"A spirit of wisdom perhaps? They are often approaching those who seek out forgotten knowledge," Solas smiles. "Huh, that would explain how the spirit helped me out when I got lost," I reason. "I am surprised you didn't ty to slit their throat," Solas remarks. "Nah couldn't the blade would have gone through it," I joke back as we both smirk at one another.
"Wait a minute how do you do it? Sleep in ruins filled with monsters?" I frown at the idea.
"I do set wards and if you leave food out for the giant spiders they are usually content to live let live," Solas explains.
"What do you feed them then giant flies?" I joke lightly causing Solas to smirk.
"You can find all sorts of things when travelling," Solas smiles.
"I have to admit I impressed many mages never go that far due to lack of skill or fear of becoming abominations," I reason being honest with the elf, bringing a smug smile to his lips.
"Do my ear deceive me or did you just complement me?" Solas smirks.
"Yeah, yeah, don't let it get to your head, your egos big enough as it is," I smirk.
"Lady Fennic!" The scout bows making both Solas and I raises a brow at the scout.
"Yes?" I frown uncertain of the panting scout, stressed.
"It's the Herald she called for you, she seemed stressed," the scout reports as I sigh at the elven scout and nod.
"Of course she is, if you'll excuse me I must deal with this," I wave Solas off and walk over to the place, I have an idea she will be in…
Calmly, I walk the pathway towards the dark depths of the woods. Teasingly, the tree branches tickle against my arms as I pass, my feet shivering at the icy pillow of white below. My nose twitches at the faint scent of dust, candle wax and a rather fancy perfume from the overuse of it. My ears perk up at the frantic ants of breathe and hard sound of crunching snow. Level headed, I enter the snow to find a fuming Evelyn, pacing back and forth, digging deeper into the grave of snow she created. I can practically see the fire in her furious steps melting the snow, leaning the faint splash, my ears pick up from her feet and the sloshy snow below.
"So…Blackwall?" I guess as the girl jerks her head to me, I blink at the imaginary snap neck from the turn of her neck.
"AHHH!"
Angrily, Evelyn punches a nearby tree only to jump back cradling her now ruby red hand, whimpering like a child as I sigh and gently cradle the hand, using the snow to cool down the ruby red hands, matching her ruby red face as fiery as flames.
"I don't know what to do!" She wails making me raise a brow in surprise when she does falls, plants herself into the snow as it slowly devours her.
"Blackwall isn't a monster, Evelyn, he's…like a bear," I shrug at my own advice as Eve groans on the ground.
"What are you doing?" I quirk my head brow furrowed confused when she begins moving her arms.
"Snow angel," she answers.
"Snow angel?" I blink puzzled by the term as Evelyn blinks surprised by my confusion.
Evelyn pov:
Shocked, I stare at the calm yet confused elf before me.
"Come on you know a snow angel, you would make them whenever it snowed," I tell her.
"You make odd shapes in the snow; won't you get a cold from it?" Fennic argues.
"Did you even have a childhood?" I question.
"I don't know but nor did you being stuck in that tower," Fennic brings up as I blink at her words.
What does she mean she doesn't know? Everyone has a childhood, should I press her on it…? Probably later, right now I have more important things to deal with.
"So you never made a snow angel?" I frown surprised at her simple shrug.
"You didn't either I presume," Fennic reports.
"I wasn't always in the tower you know," I scoff at her lack of knowledge and she raises a brow.
"So you weren't born in the tower?" Fennic raises a brow as I simply nod, feeling a sense of trust form between us, seems to me whenever I'm down, Fen picks up on it, it's like I can talk to her about it, she may not know much about the topic but still she won't judge, hopefully…
"I was born in the Free Marches. I don't remember much but I recall the numerous lessons and tutoring from mother, and being dragged to her galas, they were so dull, I couldn't speak and voice out my view instead had to play with kids my age, they hardly knew anything about politics, all they cared about was ponies, dresses and dolls," I confess, scowling at the memory of the judgmental gazes I was sent and mothers sour look when I once challenged a duke for his closed mindedness.
"You were a smart kid," Fen state as I simply nod. "Everyone thought I'd be joining the chantry, I believe in Andraste, I was taught how to be a chanty women being the best of the best until…"
"-The magic," Fennic interrupts me as I sadly gulp down my nerves and nod glumly.
"Father looked horrified, ashamed and sad that I could handle, father would always spoil me with gifts as a way to apologise for his constant business trips," I confess feeling as though a weight is being lifted. Lightly, I feel a familiar damp substance cascade down my face.
"You were lonely," Fennic deadpans making me giggle at the bluntness of her point.
"Yep, the maids would try to cheer me up but its only because they were paid to, just like my other noble friends we were friends due to connections that was all," I smile recalling their fake smiles, their cold hugs and their empty words of friendships but I recall the gossiping maids, talking behind my back, me being the weird child, for reading so much and thinking I know it all…
"But I think what broke me the most was my mother. She looked defeated, ashamed and most of all guilty, it was as though it was her fault which it partly was, magic came from her side of the family after all," I smile bitterly feeling more damp tears cascade down my face but I don't receive a punch to the head from Fen, scolding me for my cry-baby ways instead I turn to her, my eyes widening in puzzlement, wonder and silent as I stare at the quiet elf looking out at the distance her eyes stone cold, her face neutral she looks so lost, so confused, so envious…
"I really don't understand you," she deadpans making me frown and raise a brow at her.
"What do you mean?" I ask quietly.
"Mothers love, is it nice?" Fennic questions making my eyes widen at such a simple but sad question. "Yeah, it's love, it makes you feel special, important as though you…it's hard to explain," I sigh struggling as I frown at the sad question. "Does Fen not get along with her mother?" I question confused innocently asking...
"It's not that, just never really knew her," Fen shrug making my eyes widen at how causal she is being, here I am crying my eyes out and yet here Fen is never even having the chance of having a loving mother or any kind of loving support. Frowning, I shuffle closer to the oblivious white haired elf looking out at the scenery. Slowly, I reach out as she remains glued to the scenery until…
Gently, I reach out for the absent minded white haired girl enjoying the scenery as I delicately place my warm fingertips on her back. Startled, I feel her back turn rigid as though it was preparing to get hurt. Softly, I lean down giving her a simple hug as she suddenly turns stiff as stone; awkwardly she stands there as I smile, while she looks lost, confused and disgusted.
"Um…what are you doing?" Fennic frowns at me in a confused and disgusted tone causing a small sad smile to reach my lips.
"Just thought you needed a hug," I hum lightly as I place my temple on her back chuckling at her frown.
"I see, um could you get off it's weird," she frowns.
"It's funny, you tell me to stop being a cry-baby yet you need to be one," I conclude.
"I need to be a cry-baby?" Fen turns to me both confused and annoyed as I giggle.
"Yep I'm going to help you with your emotions!" I declare proudly smiling.
"You're mental," she states but I merely smile, refusing to falter as I grin and stand up.
"Let's go the others are worried," Fen stands up and I follow smiling, we head back…