🜋 001 🜋

[notea]

[VOICE] Of Elves and Magic

---

[There's no video for this particular feed, just voice. Solas doesn't particularly feel like putting his face out there, for whatever reason. His voice is distinctive enough for the maybe one or two people wout there who've heard it before.]

You'll have to excuse me if this is invasive, [he starts, hedging that the question could be considered rude] But I'm curious, just how many people here have elven heritage? I'm aware that the concept could vary drastically from world to world... I've already met at least one woman who I would consider to be an elf, despite all differences between her, myself, and the elves from my world.

I'm curious to hear about your culture, or what it means to you. What sorts connections to magic do you have? Again, I expect a wide variety of answers, our collective situation in consideration. It's fascinated me so far, learning what I've been able to through books and interactions here, but I would like to hear more... if possible.


[ACTION] Of Herbs and Books

---

[For those in fayren, they might come across the oddly barefoot Solas browsing an herbalist's collection of potions, plants and other such miscelaney and sundry items they have for sale. It's curiosities sake, overall. Solas is apt to rely on magic for healing needs. But, he's noted that outside of Fayren much of this place lacks the touch of a garden and a natural feel, so he's inclined to buy a few starter herbs and supplies.

Mostly, he's minding his business, but should someone else be in the shop, and in his way he'll clear his throat.] Would you mind handing me those two plants to your left? [they look like succulents of some type. Perhaps Aloe. There's many plants here that Solas has never seen, and they sorely lack ones he is familiar with. So this is all rather experimental for him.]


[[ooc: This is Solas' first open post! But he's actually been here a while and I really want to avoid the usual intro post tropes, so I've got these two prompts for people to play with! If you would like something with Solas but these two do not work, please feel free to find him around Fayren. He's likely to be found in bookstores, quiet places, outside, and generally just being curious about everything even though he's been here roughly slightly less than a month, ICly.]]

Comments

YOU KNOW WHAT THIS IS

[invigorates]

[ Lioriley hears his post to the network in stereo, what with her being literally in the other room and looking at her phone while he's making it. After a moment of consideration, and making sure she won't be interrupting anyone else that might have responded, she says just loud enough for him to hear: ]

I believe I am of some Elven heritage! Would you care to hear of my magical abilities as well?

i cannot believe

[notea]

[It's not loud laughter, but it's enough that Lior should be able to hear Solas chuckle from the other room before he responds.]

Is that so? Please, by all means indulge me. [that's probably the first joke he's heard from her, so he's amused. At least it's proof she's feeling better!]

Re: i cannot believe

[invigorates]

[ enjoy it, it's probably the best joke she's ever told in her six centuries of life. She chuckles in return, moving to stand in the doorway of the room he's in instead of yelling her reply. ]

Unfortunately, I fear I might only bore you with the details. Likely others have more interesting tales to tell of their abilities. [ a motion to the phone. Well, do they? ]

[notea]

[He tilts his head to the side ever so slightly, his shoulders lifting in a minute shrug. Thus far, no answers so...]

That remains to be seen. However, our previous conversation about your heritage and ability was definitely not a bore.

Voice;

[innocent_royal]

[The voice of a young lady comes through. She sounds interested in this sort of topic.]

I am...not certain how to begin talking about my culture. But, on my world, I am the second known human to posess magic. Many people of my world call mine "Destruction Magic," or simply Dark Magic.

[notea]

[He'd been referring to elves, really but he's going to do his best to bite back the bubbling rudeness outside of a roll of his eyes. At least this isn't a visual post.]

A concerning name for magic, if I can say so. Not uncommon with humans, who in my experience fear magic more than they understand it.

[innocent_royal]

[In her defense, she didn't know Solas wanted to speak only to elves. His question seemed to be in general.]

It is. However... Maybe with patience they will understand. I would not willingly hurt anyone with my magic.

Have you experienced such, Sir?

[notea]

[He tends to ramble, but the thoughts were connected somehow. She's a child, so the naivety she's expressing isn't unsurprising.]

That would be a feat that none before you would have been able to achieve, as much as you wish it to be so. [a pause, before he considers how to answer her question.]

I have experienced much.

Voice

[trickking]

I'm afraid that while I cannot count myself as elven, I have found at least one other here who has claimed to be a member of this species.

There seems to be a visual similarity between her race and my own.

Would you like directions to her?

[notea]

What sort of similarity, if I could ask?


[there's a pause however, heavy with thought.] I wouldn't mind the information, but it might be more polite for her to volunteer that information personally.

[trickking]

In the ears, mostly.

[The most telling part of any elf, of course. Having only seen her, he wasn't sure what the build of the rest of her species was like, he was hesitant to make any uneducated generalizations.]

Coloration, however, is quite different, among other things.

Very well. I'll be sure to inform her that someone was asking, should I see her again.

[notea]

[news flash lotor: they've already met. it's going great!!!]

I see. The young woman I mentioned earlier is also quite different from what would be considered an elf where I am from, however she does identify with the name, and there do seem to be similarities.

But I'll agree, simply having long ears does not make someone an elf, familiar feature or not.

Action

[thornmage]

[And Elias... just does, plucking up the two potted plants easily and handing them over as he idly browses supplies adjacent to them.]

Of course.

[Stated with a glance to the side at the smaller male. An elf? Well, he certainly wouldn't be the first one Elias had seen here, at the very least.]

[notea]

[He hadn't particularly been paying attention to the person next to him, but he would be a fool to not notice Elias'... Eliasness at this point. He takes the plants to add to his growing collection, his gaze settling on the being in front of him with an air of curiosity.]

Thank you. [he says, finally. It would be rude to just start asking questions, so for now Solas restrains himself.] Did you come for something in particular?

[thornmage]

[And that gaze would be met, those eyes more akin to candle lights than anything physical.

The lack of unwelcome commentary and questions, considering the species of whom he was sure he was looking at, was a nice change of pace. He'd not gone out of his way to speak with any other Neighbors that might have stumbled in here.]

No. I'm just browsing.

[He plucked gently at a potion, knocking it a bit with one gloved knuckle]

I prefer to make my own.

Are you new to this world?

[notea]

Interesting, what sort do you make? [he avoids the question about his arrival for a moment, before following his question up with an answer of his own.]

I've been here a little under a month. Long enough to get my bearings, even if I find the idea of being stuck here less than ideal. The sentiment, I've found, is not a unique one among those of us who are in the same situation.

I am, however, sorely unfamiliar with most of the herbs and plant life here. Hense my efforts to begin to grow something of my own.

[voice]

[inquisitor_lavellan]

[ This was not the voice Alley expected to hear on the network while doing her usual skim of current going-ons. At all. Ever. Somewhere in one of the rooms at the Commons, a particular warrior had frozen stock-still in the middle of oiling a bit of tack.

So, this particular reply came a while after all the others. ]

...Andaran atish'an, Solas.

[ That voice sounded a little bit like someone had gargled with ground glass, but the tone was smooth and neutral. She hadn't outmaneuvered Duchess Florianne by having a lack of control over herself, after all. ]

[notea]

[There's no answer at first, not because he recognizes the voice, nor because the language is familiar—but because whoever it is, knows his name. It could be assumed then, that he should recognize the voice... and yet...]

Andaran atish'an. It seems however, you may be more familiar with me than I am with you.

[He is however, paying closer attention to this conversation. As he speaks, he stands up to close the door to the room he's in, the lock clicking into place quietly. It's mostly to avoid disturbing is guest, but also, to hedge his concerns about how this conversation will go.]

[inquisitor_lavellan]

[ Alley's been on Genessia at different points long enough to somewhat expect this. Yes, Dorian, Cole, and the Iron Bull had all been from her version of Thedas, but two different Hawkes had not.

It's sort of a relief, really. ]

...

[ And actually, when he speaks up it brings out an audible exhale on the Inquisitor's end as she realizes just how much she prefers it this way. A Solas who doesn't know her.

A Solas she never trusted, never let under her formidable mental armor where so few have been allowed.

Good. ]

...

[ She damn near goes ahead and hangs up, now that she knows what she needs to. One thing stops her, and after another long silence, that rough voice speaks up again: ]

It happens. Welcome to Genessia. Are you going to be a problem?

[ Does she have to work toward neutralizing him here, too? Surely not, there's nothing to be gained here towards restoring the past on Thedas... probably? If there is, he'll find it. And if he does... ]

[notea]

[Again, there's a pause, as he shakes his head soundly to himself. A cagey response, but one that lets on just enough to have his own guard build around himself. There's a frown on his lips when he responds, the expression coloring the tone of his words slightly.

The welcome is tossed aside neatly and forgotten, as it is followed with something that's almost a threat. A warning?]

An interesting way to greet someone, I would think.

[he doesn't answer her question.]

[Video on her part]

[wonderland_vogue]

[He may have problems putting his face on screen, but Lydia certainly does not. She's raising a brow slowly at that question, why would someone consider that rude? She hasn't the foggiest, normally elves of her world are quick to point out their heritage. Most.]

Mm. I suppose I should chime in, then. Though I'm afraid I don't know much of my particular subset of elves given my family wandered instead of staying in the elven cities. There really isn't much to say about it other than most of the high elves of my world would consider themselves above the other races and above basically everything due to their insistence on studying the arcane and other questions of our world and the planes themselves.

Of course that's not my dealing, never been terribly keen on that life when I did learn of it. [For reasons she's not terribly interested in speaking on.]

Though high elves, most elves, really, generally end up being mages or sorcerers of some types. We're naturally adept and predisposed to it, though which school of it we pick and are good at varies more based on the... personality and interests of the being in question than bloodlines. Such as myself and my brother focused on the school of illusions.

[notea]

[It's been a long, long time since Elves have been able to stand proudly in Thedas, at least in Solas' opinion. Not to mention they are looked down upon by a great many... he's just hedging his words carefully. He's trying to remain low key while he's here, ok?

But, what Lydia chooses to share is interesting. There are some parallels to things he was once familiar with in the ancient past. Pride, of course, isn't something he is unfamiliar with.]

I'm not surprised to hear that there's a strong connection between elves and magic. [Before the veil, before elven kind was cut off from the Fade magic was much more connected to every living thing. Now, of course it's treated as a danger, and elves themselves have changed much from what they used to be.]

What sorts of illusions do you practice, if I may ask?

[astralera]

[ Era is examining some of the plants in the shop after having dropped off some plants she was requested to gather for the owner. When she is interrupted by the request Era stands up from where she was stooped over investigating some sort of miniature lavender bush, looking to her left.

She's nodding before she even really thinks about it, or has a chance to judge how high above her the plants in question are.

...They turn out to be just beyond her reach, though Era keeps trying regardless. Eventually she calls her Carbuncle inside that she might stand on top of it to gain the necessary height. Surprisingly enough it works, and Era is quick to tuck a plant into the crook of each elbow before carefully step down from her summon to hand them over. ]

[notea]

[He's almost more curious about the carbucle, despite his initial raise of a brow at Era's own appearance. Luckily, in his time here he's discovered there are plenty of new experiences so he's going to keep his initial judgements at bay, folding them neatly in the back of his mind.]

Thank you. Had I realized I would not have made you go through such trouble. [he says this as he takes the plants gingerly from her, his expression carefully measured and even.]

[astralera]

It was no trouble. I am accustomed to such things and do not mind it.

[ It's clear from her tone and expression that she's being entirely sincere - helping is just what she does, and she's happy to do it no matter how trivial or convoluted a task it may be.

For all that it's an aetherial construct, Emmy does seem mildly disgruntled over having been used as a stepping stool. Its tails flick irritably though its expression remains unchanged. ]