The second book of the Pentateuch is called Exodus, from the Greek word for “departure,” because its central event was understood by the Septuagint’s translators to be the departure of the Israelites from Egypt. [...] Continuing the history of Israel from the point where the Book of Genesis leaves off, Exodus recounts the Egyptian oppression of Jacob’s ever-increasing descendants and their miraculous deliverance by God through Moses, who led them across the Red Sea to Mount Sinai where they entered into a covenant with the Lord. Covenantal laws and detailed prescriptions for the tabernacle (a portable sanctuary foreshadowing the Jerusalem Temple) and its service are followed by a dramatic episode of rebellion, repentance, and divine mercy. After the broken covenant is renewed, the tabernacle is constructed, and the cloud signifying God’s glorious presence descends to cover it.
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i found this photo on pinterest but by reverse image search i'm pretty sure it's from an old german p0rn??? can't find the author tho, i'm sorry!
You can read the new chapter here and a small excerpt under the cut~
Solas is the one to roll, which is infinitely funny.
He's sitting there with a small frown, legs crossed, the top one twitching from time to time. Pav'ra can't say if it's nerves or just a general tick, but it makes her think of a dad forced to make a spliff for the kids. A bit confused and thoroughly displeased. Her and Felassan observe him carefully, thoughtfully, making his brow twitch. At some point he raises it, throws them a rather judgemental look and continues on.
Recreational use of elf root is, surprisingly, not uncommon in the convent. And Felassan? It would be a disservice to talk of his everyday habits. He goes down better unknown, mysterious and handsome, though Pav'ra could never draw a complaint at the person he actually is.
She knows him like the back of her hand. Not the one gaping with a green void of raw magical power, of course.
Doesn't she?
Fel takes care of dimming the light into a pleasant, warm candleglow, while Pav'ra prepares some snacks. They sit in a circle on the floor. Her legs are crossed, her knees touching Felassan's hip and Solas's thigh. Solas lights the joint with a gentle fire spell and inhales once, deeply. She can feel the buzz just looking at him, his lips turning into a small "o" around the bud. His eyes shift onto her, just to slip away.
The spliff slips from Solas' fingers to her lover's, a gentle touch of their hands. Felassan inhales and there it is, another "o", another not on her. Then it's her turn and she can't meet their eyes, looking down at the glowing palm on her lap and changing the shape of her fingers. She stares at the little "o" between her thumb and pointing finger and inhales.
Explicit || Convent/Church AU inspired by the Byzantine Empire || Priest x Nun || Lots of Lore & Character Study || Rivalmance || Tags Will Be Added with Progression of the Story
After awakening from his millennia long slumber, Solas arrives at the convent of the Order of Silentir, disguised as a scholar priest. Near here, in the Frostback Mountains, a rift was formed and a statuette of Mythal fell from the sky. It is believed to contain a fragment of All Mother's soul, something mythallians have been preparing for for centuries. He seeks to lock away the fragment, just like he did with the Evanuris all these years ago, to keep the false goddess and her minions away from this fragile world.
He does not foresee how much trouble the future Oracle will prove to be.
Sister Pav'ra is just like the other cloistresses, if not for her destined fate and a deep connection to the Fade. She's devoted, the High Priestess' favourite pet, assigned to assist Father Solas in his studies of the rift. But, under a faithful facade, there is something wicked kept in deep slumber, something Solas promises himself to uncover. With dirty secrets coming into the light of day, everything turns more complicated, foul and filthy than any of them could ever predict.
“So I rise for your glory and never fall. Pray for me, Mother of All. Mythal'enaste.”
You can read the first chapter, "Starved", here and a small excerpt under the cut~
all the images included in this post are from pinterest
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Her palms smooth down the robe, burgundy but with a gold rope wrapped around her waist. It’s a reminder of her devotion, of how far she has come and all the right she did to get to this place. She brushes fingers down her shawl, making sure it’s in place, weaved into long golden hair, before heading towards the gathering. Her steps are practiced in stealth, subtle. She’d learnt not to be seen nor heard, just a ghost haunting the church. In the commotion and excitement she’s not noticed, not until the High Priestess turns around to search for her. She can’t see her gaze but knows exactly when it lands upon her, for the corners of the lips of the older woman curve up in a smile. Warmth spreads down Pav’ra’s limbs as she’s gestured to come closer. She will make her proud.
“Lethallin, let me introduce you to sister Pav’ra” the High Priestess announces, turning the man’s attention towards her. The other cloistresses step to the side to let her through, some with jealousy painted over their faces, while the more friendly ones giggle or send her encouraging smiles. Thank Mythal, she still has some friends in the convent. “Sister Pav’ra is one of the most knowledgeable on the Fade in our Order. She will show you around our archives and attend to the rift with you. Lethallan, brother Solas will offer guidance in your studies. I trust you will provide him with proper hospitality.”
Pav’ra lowers her gaze as she offers a little bow to the priest before looking upon him. She can’t help the curiosity in her eyes as they stray to assess the new arrival. He is tall indeed, with grey irises guarded but filled with life. They scan her back, expression relaxed and calm, as she does her best to stand tall without seeming cocky. It is no good to be too confident.
“Andaran atish’an, Father. May the grace of our Lady fill your days with light” she speaks quietly, for the loud in these tall halls is suffocating. Every sound bounces around in the church and the buzz surrounding them is enough to disturb the spirits. “It’s an honour to have you with us.”
“The pleasure is all mine” he responds with casualness not fully proper for the occasion. Tipping his head to the side, he rests fingers against his chin as if in deep thought, eyes never leaving her face. The contact is far too long, leaving the High Priestess clearing her throat.
In that, he knows, is hidden her consent to guide her to the big, square bed on the other side of the hut. [[redacted]] gently lays her down on her back, her eyes half-lidded, half-empty, lazily following his movements. There's no more smirks tugging at his lips as he straddles her, for they're entering Act II of their play. His long, nimble fingers work to unbutton the robe with reverance reserved not for gods but something more. The fragile impurity of her mortal flesh.
--- small snippet from chap 2 of "The Sins We Share", coming soon >:) if you didn't read chap 1, this is your sign to do so!
Kalopsia ~
The delusion of things being more beautiful than they are.
Read the new chapter here and a small excerpt under the cut~
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Solas can't stop watching Pav'ra.
Without the cloistress' robe and away from the gloomy convent, she looks like a grumpy ray of sunshine in the night. Against the light of the fire they are sitting by, her hair is truly golden, with the scarlet shawl braided into it, and her freckles seem even more pronounced, sprinkled across her face. And the face, yes, looks like a blank canvas, grey eyes wide and fixed on the flames, brows gently knit and lips turned into a tight line. There's a small scrunch to the nose as her chin rests on her fists, elbows propped against her knees.
He can sense the fear rippling at the Fade around her, trying to reach beyond the Veil for help. For a second he thinks it might be something else, something dark and oily, but when he tries to touch it, it slips, slithering away.
"Do you live in celibacy, Father?"
The question throws him off guard, though he wasn't really guarded in the first place.
"Huh?" he stutters intelligently, his gaze snapping away from her, sticking to the men setting up their tents in the distance instead.
When he looks at Pav'ra again, her blank eyes are fixed straight on him.
Solas clears his throat and adjusts the clerical collar around his neck.
"Ah, um- Celibacy?" Yes, quite an eloquent way to answer. "Why the question, Sister?"
She looks over her shoulder at the humans before turning back to face him. With a slight frown, she stands up and rests her fists on her hips, looking down at him. He can't help but let his eyes follow, sliding over the suddenly confident posture, the slight bend of her hip.
"When we first met, you were quite obvious in your intent." The way she says it lacks the usual bite. It's no snarl, no bark, but a curious whisper, her expression slightly more animated. "It left me wondering about the principles you live by. A young, handsome scholar, sent to a convent full of nuns. It must've left you quite pent up."
A subtle change of posture follows her every word, a spark of fire gracing her eyes, gracing him with a delightful view of the sway of her hips as she circles the pit. Under the starry night, away from the Order, she looks wicked, a nymph, a dryad, as she shakes off the shemlen-made shoes she must've untied while still sitting down. It's as if it was planned.
"I-" he manages to choke out, watching her nimble fingers undo the bindings of her hair, letting golden strands swing free from their material shackles. She lets them fall down to her waist, her bag left somewhere on the grass as quick, careful steps bring her closer and closer to him.
Any more words Solas had die in the back of his throat.
Chapter 13: When God Sends a Giant Worm, Next Time Be Grateful for the Gardening Help
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
I think I might’ve written longer endnotes than the actual chapter here. (I wrote several papers on related topics in college and I can’t shut up sometimes. Also why can I never make a normal chapter title). Sorryyyyy