dreadwolf.

i swear by my foolish pride , by love for friends i've failed and hurt , by everything i ever held sacred : i will leave the veil untroubled . it will never come down by my hand .

[veilbcund]

VEILBCUND ; an independent , highly selective portrayal of SOLAS from the DRAGON AGE series . written by leggo .

this blog is NOT spoiler free .

about - rules .

affiliated with @dreadpawn & @inquisitiion .

[veilbcund]

I'm afraid no amount of lecturing can fix this particular problem.

[louisegluckpdf]

me age 7 watching shrek and hearing the words "i've seen your flag on the marble arch love is not a victory march it's a cold and it's a broken hallelujah" for the first time

[timestcpper]

May Fen'Harel take my ( looks at list ) cracked skull, concussion, fractured bones, blood cough, gaping wound, jugular tear, tinnitus, and all other assorted injuries, double it, and give it to to the First Warden.

[veilbcund]

if I must ,

[veilbcund]

@hcusetethras sent : Given your own nature, are you really the one to judge?

Right. He should've known Varric wouldn't keep any commentary about his nature as a spirit to himself. Not for very long, at least. There's a light huff, it being the best sign that he's amused by how little time it took. And that such a revelation would lead to him mentioning it so casually.

"I would say so. I believe you were all so caught up on the pride aspect of things you forgot about wisdom."

The statement does sting, however. To know what he's turned into rather than what he wishes he remained is the more prevalent side of himself in the eyes of others. Even those he considered dear to him. He can't be surprised by it - he knows very well that he's certainly acted the part of one more than the other out of necessity - but it doesn't make the feeling any better.

[dreadpawn]

So things are still a little weird, having Solas here. Although the Lighthouse welcomes him back eagerly ( if a place can be eager ) with each rare visit, the elf himself is more akin to a shadow than a tenant, ghosting between library shelves and balconies, those distant and broody corners. Rook's not sure she's ever seen him even talk to anybody when they happen to be around, though Emmrich at the very least would probably readily welcome the opportunity. Should she feel bad for taking over his living space? Or frustrated that he's not even trying to... to... ugh, she doesn't know. She's not expecting him to try to get all buddy-buddy with anyone, but tensions might ease a little if he made an effort. He's not some faceless dagger poised above their backs anymore. He could try and act like it.

Rook's the one who puts in all the effort, it seems, and if Solas doesn't like that - well, he's welcome to hate it as much as he wants. It's just weird having to occasionally share a house with a guy who doesn't even talk to you. Hunting him down is an easy affair - after weeks spent leaping off every surface in the Lighthouse, running from place to place, she knows it like the back of her hand. Following his line of sight is even easier. She hadn't planned on the Inquisitor visiting, but she feels it's not her responsibility to apologize for whatever awkwardness that entails. The man can do what he wants.

"Pretty sure I just gave you the reason." Rook leans forward, arms folded. "You know, the question you just shot down. Stomped into the dirt. So did you just call him Inquisitor the whole time you guys were..." they trail off, tilting their head sideways. They're sure they don't need to elaborate ( and that Solas would probably prefer if they didn't, which isn't necessarily an argument in favor of subtlety, but... still ). "Or what? No dears or sweethearts? He's cute. He's got a sweetheart kind of face."

[veilbcund]

He isn't sure if she should try and act like it. Things may be different now, but he can hardly expect anyone to be eager to see him here. The dagger rests heavily in his hand, even if it is no longer poised to strike. And so he doesn't quite make his presence unknown, for fear of appearing to be an unapproachable, watching presence over them. He'll stay in clear sight long enough that they know he's there, but after that he retreats. He'll mention when he leaves to Rook, or leave a note of some sort, and that's that. Even if it is - or.... was his lighthouse; the magic has a way or humming whenever he returns, welcoming him, but.. he's aware that it's been far more lived in by others now, and will likely continue to be.

Not that he would be using it much if they weren't here.

It's strange, to feel something like an intruder in the only home he'd properly made for himself, but it is the truth. Although it is kind for Rook to make an effort to make it appear otherwise. If she approaches the matter first, he wouldn't reject it - even if it can be insufferable at times. Like right now. It's clear, in the way his face reflects his discomfort at further questioning. If he could change one thing, perhaps it would be Rook's presence with him and the Inquisitor then. At least it wouldn't leave him to explain things such as this. Although it is somewhat amusing, to see how dramatic they can be.

His gaze remains fixed on the courtyard, as he carefully navigates the best reply to their question. He supposes if there was anyone to reveal anything worse to, it would have to be Rook. She already knew so much. There's an exhale, as if admitting defeat to himself.

"If you must know, no. Sweetheart is not one I found myself using. If you had such a vested interest, I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it - I already used it in our discussion in front of you."

[hcusetethras]

BEHOLD ME.

[veilbcund]

I'm all too aware I've lost the privilege to look at your breasts, Varric.

[hcusetethras]

boy look at me.

[veilbcund]

I am not looking. I am Avoiding your Gaze ,

[veilbcund]

if i don't look it can't hurt me ,

[veilbcund]

( making a neck slicing motion behind rook )

[veilbcund]

NAUGHTY / NICE LIST.

Solas, you must have been EXTRA nice this year. Santa has a smiley face next to your name on the Nice List!

Presented with no comment.

[veilbcund]

@inquisitiion asked ; “ Do not put me in a situation. I’m at my limit and I am very tired. ”

He supposes he should have knocked, then. He was thinking to ask about a few more.. personal matters between them that hadn't been addressed during the veil encounter. Everyone around the lighthouse had been saying he instead of she, and he'd followed suite, since he'd.. known him less over the past few years. He simply wanted to receive any confirmation if that was correct, and there was the obvious subject of... Varric.

But perhaps it can wait. He hadn't fully entered yet, only opened the door by a margin. Caspian looks beyond tired, currently, and he's really in no position to try and put their mind at ease; it is his fault, isn't it? The destruction of the south. He doubts the Inquisitor wants to properly see him now, when he thinks about it. He's been dealing with the consequences of his actions all day. Longer than today, if he thinks of it further. He shouldn't, but it'd be wrong to cast the thought from his mind and absolve himself, so he does.

"Right. I'll leave you to your current situation, then."

And he goes to close the door fully and retreat once more.

[senseandaccountability]

Will never be normal about this theme of how war and subjugation destroys you, crushes your spirit and not only dehumanizes others in your eyes but yourself in your own eyes.

[ryanlewisandclark]

i cannot hate myself into a version of me i will love.

[ryanlewisandclark]

i cannot punish myself in any way that will unmake the past.

[antarees-8]

castling in chess, interchanging the positions of the king and a rook that puts your king in a more protected place at the side of the board

[veilbcund]

@dreadpawn sent in ; do you have pet names for each other ? from the bg3 banter starters.

Perhaps he should learn to become more subtle in his starings. He'd been... avoidant, since the events of the veil transpired. Not from Rook - he knows how fruitless of an effort that would prove to be - but from.. others. One person in particular. One who was currently wandering about the lighthouses courtyard, looking somewhat lost between the variety of doors offered to him. It wasn't all that different from the time spent together in Skyhold; he can't recall the amount of times he'd wandered into his section of the castle, only to look around and head right back out. It was one of his rare visits back, and he hadn't expected it to overlap with the Inquisitors. He's.. somewhat ashamed to admit, how quickly he'd retreated to his study after that, and how the closest he'd gotten to seeing them was the balcony it offered.

He just wasn't sure what to say, now that things were over. Yes, he'd stopped the ritual, swore to do right by the world - but how does he go about doing right by him? That was a far more personal affair. After everything that had transpired.. no small amount of simply leaving him, twice, with such bare explanations, withholding the truth for the majority of their relationship, varric.. he isn't sure what can be said casually between them.

Either way, he isn't about to share all of his internal reflections with Rook. Especially not on this subject matter. They'd already been involved in enough of his sordid affairs as it is, including this one.

"No. I would ask how you found your way here, but then I remember how you made a task of uncovering every stone this place had to offer. Did you seek me for a reason?"

[chaiisms]

BALDURS GATE 3 PARTY BANTER PROMPTS LIST.

all of the following prompts are taken from party banter between the companions in larian studios' baldurs gate 3 (2023). there should be no spoilers! also, a disproportionate amount of these are from astarion and karlach. i'm not sorry.

I am enjoying our walks together, aren't you, [ name ]?

You'll be as depraved as the rest of us in no time.

Friend of yours?

Were you always so sneaky?

If there's hope for me there's hope for anyone.

How are we not there yet? My feet are killing me.

This is what I get for trying to strike up conversation.

We're not going to have trouble, are we?

If we continue this way, we may get too close for comfort.

Don't get too comfortable. We shouldn't overstay our welcome in such a place.

Do you have pet names for each other yet?

[ name ]! Was that a joke?

You know what - that is not the easiest of questions for me to answer.

Given your own nature, are you really the one to judge?

You can read?!

I'm surprised - I expected you to turn your back once you got what you wanted.

I wouldn't know a flirtation if you whacked me alongside the head with it.

Why stay somewhere safe and comfortable when we could be in mortal peril?

Can't say I love what they've done with the place.

I'm learning to enjoy the taste of chaos. Count me in.

At least you didn't tell me to 'be myself'.

You have so much to learn. Repeat after me: honey muffin, sweetie pie, sugarplum.

Nice to be in a crowd of normal people for once.

So [ name ], how is your sad, hopeless pining going?

You seemed a million miles away just then.

I fear I've been rather hasty to judge you, [ name ].

Ready to enter the belly of the beast?

Step one of starting a conversation: think before you speak.

I hear your relationship has taken on a new aspect recently…

All right, just keep it down. We're conspicuous enough without your hyena call.

Not one for roughing it, I see.

Why not have a little fun?

You're right, of course. Forgive me.

My money's on you, [ name ].

The echoes - listen! They're coming from three directions!

Want me to carry you?

Feeling at home?

Treat them right, or you'll have me to answer to.

Oh, darling, would you?

No doubt they found me too intimidating.

A girl could get used to this.

Now I don't know what to believe.

Well - yes, it was a joke.

I know that, too. It just wasn't funny.

And here I thought I rubbed you the wrong way.

Man, it's good to be home. First round on who?

Oh, I wouldn't actually leave. After all, where would you be without me?

You've quite the knack for finding the bright side of things, haven't you?

Well what would impress you, then?

Let's just stop this conversation right here, shall we?

Must've been an awful day for the people who lived here

You've clearly thought this through a great deal. I'm impressed and appalled in equal measure.

Sure, but think of the stories you'll be able to tell.

I never was scared of the shadows.

I know you're not really as heartless as all that.

I judged you wrongly. I'm sorry.

Are you charging for this sage advice, or is sticking your nose into my business just a hobby?

Pragmatism, thy name is [ name ].

That's ironic, coming from you.

We're either very clever or very lucky.

You do not need luck to survive, [ name ]. Not when you have me.

That will make getting word to my mother rather tricky.

Stop gawking at the decor. This place is dangerous.

I can't tell if you're joking.

So, what's it like caring for someone other than yourself, [ name ]?

You think I'm beautiful?

I feel it too. Here if you need a pick-me-up.

Yet another thing we have in common. We're two peas in a pod.

Is it so unbelievable that they would simply like me?

Use your words.

You gonna catch me if I eat a brick?

[ name ], I've heard you talking in your sleep.

Let's never speak of this again.

You can take a day off once in a while, [ name ]

Hey! Something bit me.

Cheer up. It might be all downhill from here.

I love a nice secret hideaway, don't you?

Think the bar is open?