🜋 002 🜋

[notea]

[A] [ACTION] Healing the Sick and Injured

---

[Solas' new job is something that comes to him easily. Healing magic isn't something all mages in Thedas can do, but Solas is of course, a special case being who he is and what he's done. So, with the ability and desire to help, he's content to work at the hospital as a healer for now. It is completely coincidental that he already knew at least one person already working here. He's settled into his role comfortably, and if you're at Genessia's Hospital, you might see him around... ]
[1] Patient
[Solas is a magical healer first, but isn't beyond using herbs when needed. Luckily the hospital seems to allow this at least in his case. As he steps over to the injured party in the triage area, he stops to assess the damage, and to speak to the patient.]

I hope you weren't waiting long. How is your injury feeling? [Whomever it is, Solas plans on treating impartially, without judgement. At least, as much as he can. While he's waiting for an answer he'll even turn to pull a couple of bottles out of a cabinet nearby.]

[2] Coworker / Vistor
[Solas is taking a break, choosing to enjoy his free time outside, rather than indoors. It's here that his feet are bare, since it seems to be frowned upon in the actual hospital. Understandably, even if Solas himself much prefers to be without shoes. His eyes are closed, though his head turns slightly when he hears someone approach.]

I hope I've left you enough room at the table. [He isn't exactly looking for company, but in this case he's choosing to be polite.]

[B] [ACTION] A Chance to Dream

---

[He hasn't tried to dream like this much since arriving in Genessia, likely out of concern that it wouldn't work, or something could go wrong. But there's only so long that Solas can resist the pull of the fade, where he often feels the most comfortable. It also means that he's apt to pick places to nap that could provide entry into the Fade most easily, or interestingly. Sometimes these places are dangerous: ruins and open areas, and not often safe places that are normally meant for sleep like bedrooms. This has the troublesome side effect of leaving him vulnerable. Sort of.]
[1] Ruins Nap
[in this situation, Solas has found a particularly interesting place to travel through to the Fade. It just so happens to be those crumbling ruins near Fayren's forest. Normally, monsters and creatures that inhabit places like this in Thedas leave well enough alone. Unfortunately, one particularly large deer like monster in these ruins seems to have missed the memo.

Solas, dreaming deeply, has yet to be aware of the beast that is currently circling the alcove that he is using for his napnap. This, outwardly, looks like it's about to be a bad end for the sleeping elf—but Solas doesn't worry for more reasons than one. That doesn't mean wandering adventurers might feel as though they should step in to help protect the seemingly vulnerable person.

The worg growls lowly, loud enough for those traveling in the area to hear.]

[2] Not Vulnerable
[In another case, Solas wakes up first, before the arrival of help. There's only a moment where he's unaware, and he's on his feet, staring the creature down calmly. The creature on the other hand is much less calm, its head lowering to brandish its sharp horns in Solas' direction.]

Stop, there is no need for this. [It's not a creature of the fade, of course but Solas has no want to cause a creature harm unless he absolutely has to. In the distance he hears the crunch of leaves, and the snap of a twig. The creature turns sharply, instead brandishing its "weaponry" at whomever hides in the shadows. What happens next is quick, there's a flash of white color that overtakes Solas' eyes, and the creature immediately flashes into stone mid stride—moments before goring its new victim.

Solas is quick to turn his attention to his new company. A frown on his face.]

I trust you are unharmed?

[C] [ACTION]/[VOICE] Fungal Woods

---

[When he isn't working, Solas often finds himself working on growing herbs or spending time in the wilds of Fayren. Today is no exception, though this time he has wandered deeper into the woods than he has since arriving here. Strangely enough, past a cliff and some large trees that were at least the width of a human being from head to toe, he's wandered across something quite spectacular. It looks like a massive tree, its trunk larger than any tree he's set eyes on before, and at the base the trunk splits, the path leading beyond the split seeming to go deeper into the woods. Unfortunately, it seems blocked. In the distance the sound of bells can be heard, and the faint tittering of birds and something perhaps much more unordinary. It's a beckoning call, and one that Solas is quite intrigued by. While he certainly could handle exploring himself, he IS curious to see if anyone else has happened upon this area (unfortunately for him, they likely have not).]
[1] (voice) Questions
[Solas probably never suspected he would wind up using the network as much as he has (even though it's only been twice, including this time. But here he is.]

I've happened upon something curious in the forest, perhaps somewhat deeper than many have come across judging by the lack of evidence it's been disturbed. [The camera shifts and he displays the view before him, the tree's trunk extending well past where the camera cuts off. The interesting part of it, however, seems to be an especially intracate spider web blocking the entire entrance. Uniquely, the web glistens like jewels, and as he brings the camera closer, it proves to be just that. The webbing IS webbing, but large globs of the "fabric" has crystalized into glowing stone, possibly quite valuable. Solas, and therefore the camera, is focused elsewhere—the place beyond. So the jewel encrusted web moves out of focus very quickly]

I was wondering if anyone has seen what is beyond this... or if anyone would care to join me.

[2] (action) Moving Forward
[Wether or not someone chooses to come adventuring with him, Solas is going to move forward on his own. But not without making sure he's properly prepared. He's still standing at the tree-entrance, fiddling with a few potions at his belt, and then with the staff he's crafted himself. Not that he really needs one, but it is a familiar feeling, one that he finds comfort in strangely. As he's working and preparing, he pulls out a simple knife, and steps forward with the intent to loosen the crystalized webbing.

It's then that he hears the footsteps behind him, no matter how soft. He turns, His gaze curious.]

Ah, so you decided you wanted to come along, did you?


[[OOC: These are all OPEN TO EVERYONE! If you want to respond to a prompt but the options I gave don't work, feel free to slip in an option 3, and go with it! I am very chill, and mostly just wanna get some more CR for this nerd.]]

Comments

C2

[inquisitor_lavellan]

[ Heeeere's Alley! Astride the bog unicorn, in fact, whose footsteps are quieter than the armored elf, but not by much.

The mummy pulls to a stop when she leans back in the saddle, and Alley visibly seems to consider whether she's actually here to go along with him or not. ]

...Yeah sure, why not.

[ She goes ahead and dismounts, since there's no way Jethro's fitting through any mysterious tree entrances. There's a fond pat for the possessed body's neck after she's off, and she unclips the reins from his hackamore.

It's not like he's a regular horse who needs to be tethered. ]

You be good out here, gruesome.

[ It's impossible to miss the affection in that otherwise insulting term for the beast. ]

this fuckin horse

[notea]

[Solas just shakes his head, a bemused look on his face as he turns back to carefully slicing away at the webbing blocking the way. It's proving difficult. He's never understood the attraction to the bog unicorn, but it's apparently not unique to Alley. Just... Alley's is on a different level.]

Somehow I'm unsurprised that he is your steed even here. However, if you just happened to be near, don't feel obligated. I assure you I will be fine in my adventures, regardless.

[He thinks back to just how QUICK she was to try and bandage the wound on his hand which, if she notices looks as though it never even happened already.]

she loves her fuckin horse you egg

[inquisitor_lavellan]

I saw your video. You left your location on.

[ Still, she hesitates beside Jethro the Most Majestic Unicorn, patting his neck again as the creature tosses his head with a snort. ]

I'll leave you to it if you prefer. I can always find other trouble to get into.

[notea]

Intentionally, might I add. It would have proven to be a little forgetful of me considering I was inviting company.

[he pauses, almost like he's considering for a bit.] I wasn't suggesting you shouldn't come. But I have noticed your protective streak, guarded as you tend to be.

[inquisitor_lavellan]

Oh, I figured it was.

[ Intentional, that is. Alley's well aware that Solas is a guy who pays attention to little details like that. ]

Ah... that. I don't like accidentally hurting anyone. As for the rest, I'm kind of a guard dog, sure, it comes with the territory.

[ She reaches up with her left hand to tap the shield on her back in illustration. One doesn't go that route if they're not of a certain mindset. ]

But I'm well aware you don't need your hand held literally or figuratively.

[ It's a joke. Look! A joke! Even if the delivery is so dry that it damn near crumbles up and blows away in the breeze. ]

This just looked interesting. Is your Inquisitor not a curious person?

[notea]

Oh, he's curious. To the point of recklessness I'd say, with his poor impersonation of a mountain goat. [It's a joke made out of fondness, as he shakes his head.]

But, I've already come to the conclusion that though wildly different, you and he may share some core personality somewhere deep down. It would only make sense, considering the role you have both found yourself traveling down.

[He does however, crack a have grin at her joke. Ah, another new facet of her personality peeks through. It's altogether a much more appealing impression than the first.]

That aside, shall we? The way through is nearly clear.

[inquisitor_lavellan]

Well there's a big difference, [ Alleyana's tone remains bone dry, but she does approach as she speaks, getting a closer look at the webbing Solas has been dismantling. ] --My mountain goat impersonation is great.

[ Dry, so dry. But the joke is there, even if she sounds deadly serious somehow.

Jethro's followed her closer to the webs, and right as the Inquisitor reaches up with her artificial hand to touch a strand, the undead beast starts sniffing over the pouches on her belt. ]

Would you just-- fine.

[ Don't mind her, she's just fishing out a sugar cube with that same fake hand; it's the only one that can make such a fine movement as to grasp a sugar cube without fumbling. She feeds the cube to the bog mummy even as her attention goes back to the webbing. ]

You figure the web look's superficial, or legitimate? Most big spiders I've met would have already jumped you by now, and I don't see any dead creepy crawlies here. Other than the one I rode in on.

[ Jethro seems immune to the insult, happily chewing on the sugar cube and raining sugar powder all over the ground. No lips or tongue after all, it seems it's really the thought that counts. ]

B1

[againstthestream]

[ The malice of the creature is evident enough to his eyes, and Sanzo knows there's someone in those ruins... because... well, they're noisy, somehow. Must be snoring, that's what it is. What kind of idiot comes out here in the woods and naps like this, anyway?

Were that the situation was less of a pain in the ass, he might have paused to clean out his ear just in case he was hearing snores. Instead, Sanzo creeps closer to the ruins and the circling beast, snub-nosed revolver leveled with unnatural precision at the creature's heart. ]

Oi. Loser.

[ That's at both the person Sanzo can't quite see from here, and at the beast, to draw its attention. ]

[notea]

[Solas' voice comes from the shadows, as does the sound of shifting cloth as he stands up.]

There are better ways to wake someone from their sleep, you know. [He seems more amused at the way he was awoken, than the creature now staring the both of them down. Solas also seems surprised at Sanzo's weapon—even though by now he's at least seen a gun or two.]

[againstthestream]

'Tch!

[ The gun never wavers from its target, Sanzo's hand as steady as a surgeon's. There's no dipping, no swaying, despite it being held out from him. ]

You can always go back to sleep if you want.

[ The beast moves a step, and Sanzo's finger squeezes, just enough to get the chamber to start moving, not enough to fire. His next words are clearly for the creature. ]

Do it if you wanna die, or stop wasting my time.

[notea]

I could, in fact. [Instead however, the beast finds itself not only staring down the barrel of a gun with a bullet in its chamber, but at the mercy of a very powerful mage.]

If we proceed carefully, there will be no need to harm the creature.

[againstthestream]

[ Sanzo's gaze is locked with the animal's, that same air about him as when he'd been a child and talked down a raging, massive bear attacking his master's temple. Somehow, it's almost like the beast can understand him. ]

We won't hurt you if you leave. But if you stay or get closer, all bets are off.

[ The huge creature seems to consider it for a moment, before turning and walking back off into the foliage. Sanzo lets off the pressure on the trigger of his gun, but keeps it in his hand as it drops. Just in case the thing comes back, he won't have to draw. Those droopy, purple eyes fix on Solas, next. ]

I'm not sticking around if you decide to go back to sleep.

[notea]

[I n t e r e s t i n g. Empathy of some sort? Normally humans don't exactly communicate with animals in such a way that the animal understands, let alone complies. Very impressive.]

Unfortunately the opportunity has passed for now. However my thanks to you for your apparent rescue. [it's a genuine thanks. But he's already wary of the obviously prickly personality he's seeing.]

a mix of b1 + b2

[invigorates]

[ Try as she might to ease into the calmness that most of Genessia so graciously provides; Lioriley's soul often yearns for more beyond tireless hours in the library, or long shifts at the hospital. And it's for this reason alone she often finds herself out in the wilds, lingering near ruins that have more than once gotten her into trouble.

She's careful now — or tries to be — and hasn't gotten into much the past few visits. Actually paying attention to her surroundings helps, instead of spacing out like she is often so inclined to in places like this. And it's during one of these random visits that she finds Solas not far from her position along the tree line; fast asleep and unaware of the world. Watching him is almost... peaceful, enough to lull her into a false sense of security just in time to be blindsided by the beast stalking nearby.

Her ears twitch, her eyes snapping to the side at the appearance of the worg lingering too close to the sleeping elf for comfort. She steps forward — her usually nimble feet faltering in her panic as a twig breaks underfoot. A sharp gasp follows and she can't tell if she's pleased she could garner the beast's attention, or terrified that it came to this. Either way, she has little time to react, and all she can really do is raise her hands and hope she doesn't end up dead.

Which... she doesn't. And funny enough the now solidified creature is not only cased in stone, but a thin layer of ice that seems to have come from the Lunari's hand. She flinches slightly at the sight of it, then nods. ]

Yes. I — [ She frowns, unconsciously kicking the broken stick away from her. ] I apologize once again for such an... unfortunate meeting.

[notea]

I'm beginning to think this how we're always going to run into each other.

[Solas picks up his few items, then walks around the now stone-and-ice creature, paying particularly close attention to the ice part.] Had I been aware it was you, perhaps I wouldn't have felt the need to step in. It looks like you would have been able to handle it yourself, just fine.

I trust you're unharmed? [Despite having been seemingly sound asleep before, Solas seems more or less as alert as he always is.]

[invigorates]

I do not intend to make a habit of it, for whatever that is worth.

[ She shakes her head, laughing almost nervously in response. ] I may have fared well enough, but I am still glad you were there to aid me regardless. I am not much for battle.

[ At least her reflexes seem to be quick. The Lunari looks down at herself briefly. Save for the slight shake of her fingers, she doesn't seem injured. ]

I am. Are you? I saw you sleeping just before the beast arrived.

[notea]

Yes, just fine thank you. I was dreaming, as luck would have it. I have grown accustomed to the creatures of Thedas leaving me more or less alone if I am not bothering them.

[it's a little different here, apparently. He reaches out to take one of her hands in his own, just to check, or to warm them considering ice. But the creature behind them is probably already beginning to melt a little due to the heat. It's a good thing it's solid stone.]

But I assure you, I was in no real danger. If my outward appearance worried you into action, I owe you an apology.

[invigorates]

Have you made your connection, then? [ She tilts her head curiously, briefly recalling one of the first conversations they had about the Fade and dreaming. They didn't get into much detail then; but she could guess from what little she knew that his venture into the Fade must not have been entirely in vain today - assuming that's all he was doing while he was asleep.

All the while the Lunari seems to only barely notice he's taken her hand to inspect. The cold lingers for a few seconds longer, and even in those moments she doesn't seem all that affected by the chill. ]

No need for apologies, my friend. Had I known the circumstance perhaps I would have approached more cautiously. I will be more wary in the future. [ Her fingers squeeze around Solas' reassuringly as she glances once more to the stone worg. ] Perhaps we can find a less dangerous place for you to continue your dreaming, hm?

[notea]

Ah, actually. It's places like these that the veil between this world and the fade is the weakest, much like in Thedas, I've found.

[the more fraught with danger and monster ridden the better??? Or something. It's not a clear correlation, but it explains why he's here.]

But yes, as luck would have it, the fade reaches here. I have to admit I am surprised, as I wasn't entirely certain it would.

A1

[youfool]

[Ted, had been feeling very defiant that day. Heat wave schmeat weave, he was gonna challenge every knight he saw and learn their fencing secrets, hundred degree weather or no. Why he'd chosen this day to try and eke out what last bits of swordsmanship skill remained was a question better not asked, and it's not as though his throbbing headache would've let him.

It's a miracle anyone took him up on such an offer of overexertion. Guess honor still springs eternal in Fayren, if only to make up for intelligence's absence. After going too far in with his slices and hues, he'd fainted, prompting the generous souls to cart him to the nearest healer's house and apply what fans and ice water they could get.

Hopefully Solas is an ice mage.]

[notea]

[Defiant and, in some opinions, stupid. The heat that's currently oppressing most of the cities isn't anything to ignore and yet here Ted is, passed out with several attendants trying to get his temperature down. Not even just Solas alone.

Solas, instead of rushing in with more ice works on something on the table, a mash of salve or something perhaps, that he walks over to apply on either side of Ted's neck. It's cooling to the touch, and unlike ice, does not need to be removed and reapplied constantly.

Given time, it should work, but Solas will stick by and make sure that all goes according to prediction for now.]

[youfool]

[Ted's guilt for occupying the attention of no doubt very busy people is balanced with the comfort of all the TLC going his way. He's not yet lucid enough to feel the shame of undress, but good things come to those he wait.

Blearily he took in his surroundings, eyes subconsciously zeroing in on people's necks. Who among them had the telltale sign of reality?

Solas, if he's wearing his necklace like an obedient abductee ought to. Failing that, the ears might be a clue. Races other than human are something of a rarity.]

Ah...thank you. May I have the name of my mender? I'm, ah, Ted.

[notea]

Solas.

[He is indeed wearing the necklace, its length making it fall just short of the other necklace around his neck—the one decorated with an aged wolf's jawbone.]

It's good that you're awake. How are you feeling? From the rumors I've heard you surpassed your limit in this heat. It would be wise to be more aware of that from now on.

[youfool]

Haha, fitting name; must be more so when one sees your head and the sun allied.

[If he had manners to avoid bald jokes lucid, he certainly doesn't have them now.]

I'll manage. Haven't died yet in the world; I mean to make a record. Hope the knights won't think me too green for it; are limits particular? Can they be raised? Shouldn't like to be dispatched by heat alone.

[notea]

[The jokes just get Solas to mutter something in elvhan under his breath as he turns to get another cold compress for Ted's head.]

Solas is an Elven name, it holds a different meaning than the one you are applying. [He plops the compress on Ted's forehead, peering down at the blond with eyes focused on paying attention to symptoms, rather than silly words.]

It has already happened, your dispatch by heat. You would do well to worry about rest for now.