A/N: Just letting everyone know, I'll probably update this story on a weekly schedule, sticking mostly to Mondays. If I get too excited though, I might end up updating earlier. But that can only be considered a good thing for you guys, right? ;)
What do you think of the new cover? Took a bit of time since the stupid image manager wasn't working. Had to find a picture editor online. The one I used for that one is called BeFunky Photo Editor; there is tons of variety and it's really easy to use. And, it's free! :)
One last thing – I've created an account on AO3 and posted this story and Repeat there as well. So if you prefer AO3 to , then feel free to head over there. AO3 will have the same scheduled post time as here.
Post times are subject to change however due to real world events going on in my life. Naturally.
WARNING: THERE BE SPOILERS
Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon Age.
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Title: A Sky Full of Compassion
Rating: T
Pairing: Solas/F!Lavellan
Summary: "When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you." – Khalil Gibran
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"Words are singularly the most powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate, and to humble." – Yehuda Berg
X=X=MEMORY 1: DESPAIR=X=X
Mahanon of clan Avarilion was a proud Dalish warrior.
Brash, arrogant, ignorant as they come. Elgar'nan's marking was inscribed into his face, an entire surface covered with swooping lines (swooping is bad, bad things happened when there was swooping involved). Headstrong, rushing into battle – the fight sings in his veins, twisting, churning, shield raising, anger overpowering reason.
Flashing amber eyes whenever disagreed with, a curled lip turning into an unpleasant sneer.
He didn't like her, not one bit.
She had changed, changed too much. Their clans had known each other well, he had crushed on her for a long time. She had been sweet, too sweet. But she became different, too different. Then she had left. And he was left heart broken.
He pined, unable to let her go, wishing, dreaming. Convincing her to possibly return.
She didn't expect to see him. She didn't expect him to become the Herald.
She angered him with her sudden shift, her strange new, though old, devotion to a god not their own (he believed she would follow Ghilan'nain, how sweet and shy she was). But no, changed loyalty, change of personality, assertive, confident, a dangerous beauty that he could not attain.
And so very, very proud.
Head held high in defiance, despite yelling and arguments. Sky blue eyes flashing, yet so very, very sad. Always glancing sadly at the nobody, the blasphemous liar, the one who thought he knew everything. The lone wolf, the mage of unknown origin.
How he hated him.
How he hated what he stood for, how he hated how he caught her eye, how he spoke to her so easily, how she was so willing to speak to him and only him. How Mahanon hated him.
So he pushed him away. He didn't take the apostate with him when he brought her, didn't take her when he brought him.
He convinced her with his hate that the Dalish weren't worth saving.
Desperate, heart shattering, her love of her people dissipating.
Despair started to set in. And compassion slowly vanished.
Name: Mahanon Avarilion
Race: Elf
Class: Warrior (Sword and shield)
Personality: Easily angered; brash; extremely arrogant; especially proud of his heritage; dislikes anyone who challenges his beliefs; very superstitious
Characteristics: Elgar'nan's marking (full face design); short dark brown hair; broken nose; freckles; amber eyes that flash when he's angered
Character Description: "Proud, too proud. Greatly dislikes the humans with their height, their faces, their thirst for the blood of his people. His pride greatly effects his relationships.
"Prefers being alone. There are too many humans, too many flat-ears. He misses his home, his clan, his true family. With her there, it tears him in two. She is a reminder, but a welcome sight at the same time. It confuses him.
"He finds comfort in the memories and the letters. Too proud to be grateful to the Diplomat, but he grudgingly thanks her all the same.
"Magic makes him wary, wary and suspicious. It is undefined, a mystery, a danger. That's what the Keeper said. 'Even though we wield it, it is still extremely dangerous. Find comfort in your normality.' He holds that reminder close to his heart.
"Argues often when disagreed with. Some of it is pride, some of it is inferiority. Prefers to be right – it reassures him that he is still valued. Even so, he greatly dislikes the title. He views it as a curse.
"Wonders often what would have happened if he didn't survive. It hurts him mentally, makes the song he sings broken and hollow. He thinks she would have made a better leader."
Companions: Ellana (Crush; later turns to great dislike); Cassandra (Mutual dislike); Solas (Mutual dislike); Varric (Neutral); Sera (Mutual dislike); Vivienne (Mutual dislike); Iron Bull (Grudging respect); Blackwall (Mutual respect); Cole (One-sided dislike); Dorian (Neutral)
Advisors: Cullen (Mutual dislike); Leliana (Grudging respect); Josephine (Grudging respect)
