Responding to language and music was proof enough for Solas that the harpy was indeed intelligent. He has been keeping a schedule of checking up on the harpy throughout the day, and it has become accustomed to said schedule, even finding her by the entrance of the cage ready to greet him upon his arrival.
Behaviors he has observed that were exclusive to her type were proof that she was intelligent and had a personality. He has seen her play games, it may not sound like much but few animals can put their attention and focus onto one thing for so long. She has become more responsive to her visitors. She flaps her wings for Varric, circles around for The Iron Bull, and plays with Cole. Dorian was graced with a beautiful display of her large wings. Solas, however, has come to cherish her songs.
Usually she would sing softly while he draws diagrams of her, where she would hold one position for about an hour or so and he would sketch her details. She become curious as to why after the third time and cautiously flipped through his sketches with intrigue in her eyes.
It was almost lunchtime, time for him to go bring the harpy a meal. He decided that today he would try to figure out what other types of food she can eat. Meat was a given having seen her large canine teeth, be she also nibbled on fruits that had been thrown at her the first few weeks of her stay. As per usual she was standing by the entrance marching in place. A habit, he noticed, she does when she becomes impatient.
"Good afternoon, falon. Have you been waiting long?" He greeted with an amused chuckle. She perked up hearing his voice and the elven language and stepped back as he entered. She leaned up pressing her forehead to his, her usual greeting; she often does it to Cole as well and once to Dorian.
Solas nodded and guided her to the tree for shade. She had set up a blanket for their lunch already.
"Today, I would like to try and see what foods you can and can not eat. If it doesn't abide to you're tastes just dispose of it into this bucket, understood?" He asked the harpy as if it were a child.
She stared with red eyes trying to concentrate and trying harder to understand. She grabbed the bucket and brought it closer to her. He nodded and pulled out several types of trays from a basket. She looked eager sniffing the air and leaning towards the meats, but when he pulled out a small plate of leftover fancy cakes, she perked. Ears up and she whistled softly eyeing them.
"You may choose which you would want first, falon."
She looked at her options and whined softly to herself, before choosing a plate of meat, beef to be precise. She finished quickly then stopped looking for her next option.
He had noticed her eyes lingered on the frilly cakes, but she diverted and chose another, fruits this time, apples and strawberries. Next was fish. Then vegetables, but she spit out the broccoli. Then grains. She ate the bread and a few nuts, but was not fond of beans. Finally, she looked at the sweets platter. Cake and other candied delights. She carefully used a claw to poke at the frosting and lick it off. She chirped excitedly and popped a tiny cake in her mouth. Solas couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him, it was an endearing site to behold. She nibbled happily on candied fruits and seemed to especially enjoy the chocolate.
All seemed to be going well until she groaned and rolled onto her back rubbing her now pooched belly.
Perhaps he have shouldn't given her so much to try. He leaned over placing a hand on her bare stomach, to which she flinched with a bit of fear in her eyes. He felt guilty for a moment before he began to release his healing magic. She stared at the glow emitting from his hand and whistling softly in awe.
Soon the groan of an aching stomach subsided to a softly relaxed whistle.
She can respond to magic at least, that is a good sign. Solas had yet another test to put her through, although he hadn't had much time to do so as of late.
After their lunch Solas had left the harpy to rest and digest all her meals, and he returned to his rotunda finding the Inquisitor looking over his notes. His somewhat happy mood turned sour upon seeing the human warrior.
"Inquisitor, may I help you with something?"
"Just checking up on that harpy? Any clue as to why the Venatori were gonna use it or are you to busy getting all chummy with the beast?" the man spat sarcastically, his chest puffed up and nose held high.
Solas took a deep breath to calm his nerves, "My apologies, Inquisitor, I have simply been running a few tests to calculate the harpy's intelligence, but Dorian and I have been collecting information from texts we could get our hands on. Many old tales tell of Harpies that can create powerful gusts of wind. Perhaps the Venatori were going to-"
"What," The Inquisitor interrupted much to Solas's annoyance, "Use a giant bird fan to blow us away? That's the best you've got, Solas? Guess I expected more from that thing. Oh well, carry on, just make sure to shut it up during my meetings with the guests." he ordered and walked off with a bored expression, not giving the elf any more of his attention. Solas remained still for a moment before falling into his chair with half frustrated half relieved sigh.
"Don't mind him, Solas. He's just a warrior, not clever enough to understand that wonderful creature's capabilities." Dorian, peaked from over the railing.
"You were eavesdropping."
"Hard not to when he has such a loud voice, that brute."
Solas nodded in agreement before taking out his journal where he took notes of the harpy, "I tried testing her dietary choices today, would you like to see?"
"Yes, please, I shall be there in just a moment!"
Solas dropped the journal onto his desk letting it fall open. He flipped through the almost filled journal. Not even two and a half months have passed and he's already learned a lot. Then he saw it, a page in the back all torn and marked up. He flipped to it and saw a crude marking of ink made up of chicken scratch. Solas's eyes widen, 'had the harpy done that?' It looked like some kind of symbol or hieroglyph. 'What could it mean?' He thought to himself, but ultimately had to close the journal as Dorian came down.