Chapter 8
Solas fled the gallery for the crisp autumn air. He found a stone alcove nestled in one of the nearby gardens. It was a familiar spot to him, a cracked stone bench dating back, as a plaque placed next to it acknowledged, to the original building five hundred or so years ago. Solas slumped down, resting his back against the wall with a disappointed sigh.
Since he began teaching at the University of Orlais a decade ago, he would often come here, sometimes lingering to drink coffee in the rain when he needed to clear his head. It was a morose, adolescent habit, but nonetheless comforting. He closed his eyes, allowing the cool wind whip over his heated skin. He couldn't help but cringe replaying the last twenty minutes. He had bungled it with Dr. Lavellan yet again. Terribly.
The buzz of a cell phone in his breast pocket woke him from his self-loathing.
xxx-xxx-1987, 8:00 p.m-unknown caller
That was painful to watch xoxo Viv & Lei
Solas rolled his eyes. The two women had an off-and-on-again romance that he suspected had more to do with power than love (especially as Vivienne was reputed to be the mistress of one of the highest-ranking Orlesian officials). He had never understood their dynamic, but apparently the two were in cahoots that evening.
-3454 8:32 p.m.
Your support is overwhelming. -S
xxx-xxx-1987, 8:35 p.m-unknown caller
You need to find a better way to apologize tomorrow.
-3454 8:36 p.m.
Do you have any suggestions?-S
xxx-xxx-1987, 8:39 p.m-unknown caller
Vivienne says you should offer EL access to your collection.
Solas groaned to himself. Ever since Vivienne had learned of his off-site warehouse of Dalish artifacts and contemporary works that he had inherited from Mythal she had been hounding him to gift it to the University museum for her own curatorial use. It wasn't that Solas disagreed with her that the works should be in a museum, but he didn't know how ethical he would find a predominately human-focused institution receiving so many priceless Elvhen artifacts. Not that him owning them was any better.
-3454 8:36 p.m.
She would.-S
xxx-xxx-1987, 8:39 p.m-unknown caller
Consider it, darling. You're backed into a rather unfortunate corner. -V
xxx-xxx-1987, 8:39 p.m-unknown caller
Oh, and Solas…
-3454 8:36 p.m.
Let me guess, these messages will be wiped remotely?-S
xxx-xxx-1987, 8:39 p.m-unknown caller
Always. xx.
Solas chuckled. As much as Leliana was getting on his nerves right now, he appreciated her sense of humor. He knew that even if her methods we sometimes suspect, she was doing her best to watch out for him.
Solas stood, a bit wobbly from a pounding headache. He needed to review the materials that Dagna had prepared for him tomorrow-and quickly.