She awoke the following morning feeling far better than the previous day, physically and mentally. But a pit remained in her stomach as the memory of the conversation between the Commander and the Apostate the night before.

She needed to get Solas first. Before Cullen returned to her room.

Lavellan found him easily- in his room, as usual, standing in front of his wall with a paintbrush in hand. She leaned against the doorway to watch him for a moment. His talent was stunning, and calming.

"Hello, Inquisitor." He greeted, without turning around.

"'Morning, Solas." She replied, unsurprised he knew it was her. "I'd like to talk about the Fade. That... dream."

"You know precisely what it was, Lavellan." Solas' voice was flat, and Lavellan suddenly felt like a puppy being punished.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes in response. "I am fully aware about visiting The Fade in dreams, yes, and I have studied it, also yes. But it felt real- and I've never faced possession... not like that."

"You were not yet possessed."

"Yet is the keyword, Solas." She replied.

"You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. Many cannot even be lured away from the demon that chooses them." Solas turned to her, arms crossed but eyes unexpectedly warm.

"I heard you and Cullen talking last night." She blurted out, then clapped a hand over her mouth. In no way had she meant to say that aloud.

"Ah, the Templar and his want for control?" Solas asked smoothly. Lavellan felt her face burning.

"I am tired of everyone here wanting me to be less Dalish, less of a mage, less elfy." She groaned in frustration, walking over to Solas' desk to perch on it. He looked mildly uncomfortable for a moment before averting his stormy gaze.

"It appears so. I am of the mind that you deserve better than a human Templar, if I may be so blunt."

"I..."

She and Solas weren't best friends or lovers, but they continued to grow close as time passed. He did not consider himself elvhen, not technically, but she felt more in common with him than anyone else.

"You shouldn't reduce yourself to that." He finally said, after a strange silence fell over them.

"To what?"

"Pretending to be who you are not."

"Is it truly reducing myself? When I'm trying to do what's right?"

Solas sighed. "You are trying to fit what the humans and non-mages and nobles want of you. I am not always fond of the Dalish and their misrepresentations of history, but that is irrelevant. You are the Inquisitor. You are Dalish, a Mage, a woman. You do yourself and your people a disservice if you pretend to be what you are not."

"Okay..." Lavellan crossed her arms, voice guarded. He wasn't wrong, but it still made her feel on edge.

"That is enough of that, though. My apologies." He finished. Lavellan watched him closely for a moment, as he stared upwards. "You know, Inquisitor, you have changed my world. Not just mine, but many others' as well. You deserve nothing less than incredible." A small smile played across his lips, and Lavellan returned it, although slightly confused.

"Thank you. I just... maybe I can change their mind. Show them differently..." She mused. Solas stared at her intensely and Lavellan suddenly felt nervous.

But he leaned in and for some reason their lips met.

Then he pulled away with a start. "I should not have done that." He murmured quickly. Lavellan's green eyes were wide, shocked.

"Solas, I-"

"Vhenan." He said softly, eyes clouded.

She sat on her bed after trekking back to her quarters, sunlight streaming in her room with the chilly mountain breeze wafting in.

A scout slithered in nearly silently- she barely heard him. "Message for you, ser." He said. Lavellan tilted her head. "War room, ASAP, please." He reported, saluting. Lavellan nodded and waited until the scout left to get herself dressed and get back to business.

Feelings aside, she was the Inquisitor first. She was Lavellan second.