Solas Appreciation Week 2025
They were falling. Falling faster, longer further… until they weren’t. Solas felt more than saw the ground rush up towards him until it just… stopped. He knew instantly where he was, though he could scarcely believe it.
With trembling fingers, he reached out, gently laying a palm, and then a knee and then the other knee, until he was kneeling on the ground as gravity righted itself once more.
He was in the Fade. Not like he had been before. It was not even like being in the Crossroads, or at the Lighthouse.
He was in the Fade. Physically.
His body had never felt more wrong than it did in this moment. It was constricting and restraining and separating-
But that was good, wasn’t it? He could already feel the dark tendrils of whatever nightmare controlled this area of the Fade crawling towards him, trying to figure out what he was and what he might be doing here. This nightmare would try to prey on all of them, and his physical shell would be a protection against the demon’s machinations.
Rolling his shoulders and standing tall, he pushed the discomfort aside and sighed deeply, the reality dawning on him once again.
He was home. And he could help guide the Inquisitor through this trial also, though he would have to be creative with his advice, as always. He couldn’t dare to give anything away, not so late in the game.
A panicked shout broke through his inner musings and Solas turned around.
“No,” Solas replied to Hawke’s query. “This is the Fade.”
The silence that followed his statement was long and tense. Solas continued, “The Inquisitor opened a rift.” His eyes flicked to Lavellan’s, lingering for a moment on her violet gaze, before shifting away. “We came through… and survived. I never thought I would ever find myself here physically… Look! The black city, almost close enough to touch.”
His fascination won out again as Solas looked around, drinking in his surroundings. Though his physical form provided some barrier, he was still far more in sync with the environment than the others. He too could feel the nightmare that lorded over this place in a way he knew the others could not, just as it was trying to feel him. Solas masked his true identity as best he could. It would be a poor show indeed if some lesser demon revealed him to his comrades now, when everything was still so tenuous. He still needed the Inquisitor… and thankfully Lavellan needed him.
“This must be very exciting for you, Solas. But any advice you have on what exactly is going on would be… wonderful,” she said, her request for guidance almost perfectly timed to his own thoughts. Solas smiled, easily falling into the role of advisor as he always did.
“The Fade is shaped by intent and emotion. Remain focused and it will lead you where you wish to go.”
Lavellan nodded as the rest of the party gathered about, preparing to move forward.
“The Demon that controls this area is extremely powerful.” Solas considered the cool, invisible tendrils still attempting to discern his being and purpose. They investigated the rest of the party too, though Solas did not think any were aware. The coolness of the presence, the eerie silence, the despondent gloom… there were few emotions that could be reflected in such a way. After a moment he concluded. “Some variety of fear, I would guess. I suggest you remain wary of it’s manipulations and prepare for what is certain to be a… fascinating experience.”
Solas fought the quirk of his lips as his words sent the Seeker into a huff, and he watched her roll her eyes and storm after Hawke and Allistair, who were slowly picking their way through the gloom, searching for a trail to follow. Dorian shared a look with Lavellan and shrugged, following suit.
The Inquisitor shook her head, but her gentle smile betrayed her. She appreciated his counsel, he knew, and he suspected she may also be at least a tad bit intrigued to be here in the Fade. She certainly wasn’t frightened, that was for certain, and that made his chest feel rather light.
As she passed him, she hesitated, placing her hand softly upon his arm. Leaning in a little she murmured, “Fascinating, indeed.”
With a smile and a wink, she squeezed his arm gently and caught up with the rest of the group, shouldering her way to take point as she always did. Her manner was calm, curious and alert. She was focused; she would not fail. Solas proudly followed, knowing even without his guidance, she would most certainly make it through.
It would seem she did not need him as much as he might think. But that meant she wanted him by her side, and that was a comforting thought indeed.
Just a little ficlet for Day 1 of Solas Appreciation Week! Thank you for running this event @thelighthouse-server :) Can be found here on ao3!
Credit for the dividers goes to @galacticsparkles
