#nelris

“What made you start studying the fade?” The moment her first question burst forth though, so did her hands. Finally escaping from where she’d kept them clasped behind her, as Lokita spoke she began gesturing for emphasis, tiny flakes of snow swirling between her fingertips in her excitement..

Solas’ amusement was plain to see in his soft gaze. It wasn’t laughter aimed at Lokita though, but at the enjoyment of her enthusiasm. He answered her slowly, pausing regularly to ensure she was still paying attention, and only continuing once he was sure she was still interested in the tale.

“I grew up in a village to the north. There was little to interest a young man, especially one gifted with magic, but as I slept spirits of the fade showed me glimpses of wonders I had never imagined. I treasured my dreams. Being awake, out of the fade, became troublesome.”

‘Kita found herself nodding in agreement. She’d learnt how to summon veil fire from a spirit in the fade when she was very young and had spoken with spirits often until their clan’s keeper had told her of the dangers, and to avoid drawing the attention of demons.

“Isn’t that dangerous?” she asked gently. This wasn’t the first time Solas’ knowledge had contradicted what she’d been taught, but considering her clan’s reactions to her sister’s naturally entropic abilities, Lokita was more than willing to consider an alternative viewpoint.

Solas had survived this long, after all, without succumbing to possession.

“Did spirits try to tempt you?”

The elf before her shrugged one shoulder, before shifting his weight slightly, “no more than a brightly coloured fruit is deliberately tempting you to eat it,” he answered lightly, and Lokita blinked, head tipping slightly as she considered this new perspective while Solas continued.

“I learned how to defend myself from the more aggressive spirits and how to interact safely with the rest. I learned how to control my dreams with full consciousness. There was so much I wanted to explore…”

There was a wistful note to Solas’ voice that softened Lokita’s enthusiasm, and she wanted to drag him off then and there, back to the Hinterlands. To the ruined tower he’d expressed an interest in exploring. To Calenhad’s Foothold where battles had been fought long past. Instead, she wet her lips nervously and continued her questions. 

‘Kita was unsure how long he was going to let her ask her questions and was determined to make the most of being able to commandeer his full attention.

“Clearly, you woke up... I gather you didn’t spend your entire life dreaming,” she teased gently, eyes sparkling when he smiled in response, some shadow in his soft grey gaze lifting at her playfully posed inquiry.

“No... Eventually, I was unable to find new areas in the fade-”

“Why?” Kita asked, head tipping to the other side, this time in confusion. The Clan’s Keeper had always taught her that the fade was limitless, an endless realm shaped by demons and a mage’s will, but apparently that wasn’t the case.

In the time it took her to realise she believed Solas over the Keeper of her own clan, and blink in surprise at her own thoughts, Solas had been studying her features. Whatever he’d been looking for when she’d cut off his explanation, he apparently found because he simply took a steady, deep breath in and answered her.

“Two reasons,” Solas said slowly, his voice no longer light and casual, but slow and firm. A teacher lecturing a student, and his gaze had grown sharp and watchful too, as though judging her reactions to his words and something in Lokita’s gut made her pray she passed the silent test.

“First, the fade reflects the world around it. Unless I travelled, I would never find anything new,” Solas said and paused as Lokita frowned, but when she nodded a moment later he continued, still cautious but there was something slowly easing in his stance as she absorbed his words without discarding them.

“Second, the fade reflects and is limited by our imaginations,” Solas paused a moment, before the corner of his mouth twitched into what was almost a smile, “to find interesting area’s, one must be interesting.”

Despite the fact his flash of amusement only lasted a moment, Lokita found herself responding with a small grin of her own, “is that why you’re here? Is this why you joined the inquisition?” she asked, while her stomach did flips.

She didn’t quite know what answer she wanted him to give, but when he responded quickly, his tone light, she wasn’t entirely surprised by the flash of disappointment that shot through her.

“I joined the inquisition because we were all in terrible danger,” Solas answered, pausing a moment, grey eyes skimming across her face before he continued, “if our enemies destroy the world, I would have nowhere to lay my head while dreaming of the fade.”

“Ah…” Kita said, nodding her head once and wracking her mind for something else to say, something that would distract from the completely illogical disappointment staining her mind. She’d only known Solas a matter of weeks, she had no reason to expect…

“Inquisitor...” the elven mage said gently, snapping her clear gaze back to his in a heartbeat and letting her absorb the small twitch to the corners of his mouth before he continued, “that is why I joined, not why I stayed.”

There was a moment of silence between them where Solas smiled slightly and Kita stared, waiting for him to reveal the reason he’d stayed, before all the pieces clicked together in her mind and she felt her cheeks heat against the cold mountain breeze.

She knew she should say something. Something interesting, or witty, or maybe just a gentle thank you, and she took a steadying breath before attempting to stammer out a response.

“I… wish you luck.”

Lokita winced slightly. It was possibly the most ridiculous response she could have uttered, but Solas just inclined his head slightly and thanked her, his voice sincere and Kita let out a soft sigh of relief that she hadn’t made a huge mistake, or at least not one he was going to call her on.

“In truth, I have enjoyed experiencing more of life to find more of the fade,” Solas was saying, and Kita bit her lip, wondering just how far she could push the conversation after making an idiot of herself.

“How so?” she asked softly, and Solas eyed her for a moment, before continuing.

“You train your will to control magic and withstand possession,” he said, “your indomitable focus is an enjoyable side benefit of that training… you have chosen a path whose steps you do not dislike because it leads to a destination you enjoy... As have I,” he explained, 

“You like my side benefits?” Kita asked, a small smile creeping back over her face, even as she felt one eyebrow raise in query and wondering where she’d found this sudden confidence “My indomitable focus?”

His complimentary words had restored her spirit simply because they hadn’t seemed intended to do so, Kita realised as she smiled at Solas, and something shifted in his grey gaze, his expression shifting swiftly through expressions ranging from amused, to an intense stare as he held her gaze with his own.

“Presumably,” the taller elf said, voice smooth, “I have yet to see it dominated. I imagine  that the sight would be… fascinating.”

Kita’s breath caught in her throat at his words, and she let her eyes seek out the teasing glint that had to be hidden somewhere in his features but when she saw nothing there but the intense honest and steel like focus of his gaze she felt herself flush again, a small shy laugh escaping her.

Was he… flirting? Genuinely flirting?

Kita cleared her throat, but couldn’t quite wipe the small grin from her features as she took a single step back.

“Uh… thank you, Solas… but... I should be going,” she managed not to splutter over her words this time, but her pink cheeks were just as obvious a sign that he’d flustered her, and the coating of frost across her fingertips a dead giveaway for her swirling emotions.

“Of course, until later,” Solas said kindly, letting her escape with good grace. Kita let herself turn and walk away around the side of a building and out of sight before she sped up into a jog and made her way through the small village of Haven, back to the wooden house that she and her sister had claimed.

Bursting through the front door, snow still coating her boots, Kita leant her back against the door to close it and groaned softly, chilled fingers raising to press lightly against her flushed pink cheeks. She could hear Nel over by the fire, and feel her sister’s intense golden gaze settle on her questioningly.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.... Nothing important…” Kita corrected softly, but when she opened her crystalline eyes Nel was right in front of her, staring at her face with narrowed eyes before the blonde began grinning.

“Your face is all red,” she pointed out and Lokita immediately scowled, “I know who you were with!” Nel almost sang and Lokita sighed.

“It wasn’t like that… we were just talking…” Lokita groaned, pushing off from the door and moving to slump in a chair by the fire, snow soaked boots stretching out towards the crackling flames.

“So? What happened?” Nel asked, sinking back into her own chair and leaning forward, ready to listen to her dark haired sister’s exploits but Kita just sighed.

“I sounded like an idiot, and then when he complimented my… indomitable will, I ran away, like an even bigger idiot,” Kita repeated, sinking down into the chair further when, after a moment’s pause, Nel began laughing.

Watching the blonde laugh, Kita could feel herself beginning to pout, and after a moment she groaned again, crossing her arms and sinking into an outright sulk before declaring that she was never leaving the cabin again.

Despite that though, the intense hold of Solas’ grey eyes held her attention, painted into her mind with vivid clarity, and Kita was quietly honest with herself that she had to agree with the Elven apostate; imagining someone with the strength to dominate her, admittedly, formidable will was a mental image that was… delightfully fascinating.

Link to Kita’s Masterpost 

NINE FACTS

Birthplace ➔ “I was born in the Freemarches, although exactly where I can’t be sure.”

Hair colour ➔ “It’s naturally this shade of black. No dyes or stains used to get it this dark, I promise.”

Eye colour ➔ Kita laughed softly, “Well... As you can see they look sort of... colourless. There’s some blue tones in there, though. My sister calls them crystalline, and that’s as good a description as any.”

Birthday ➔ “9th of Parvulis, 9:9 Dragon,” Kita answered quickly. There was a moment of pause before she frowned and shook her head “Oh, sorry... That would be... 9th of Kingsway, by the Chantry Calendar.”

Mood ➔ “My... mood? You mean right now?” the Inquisitor clarified, seeming surprised, and her eyes shifted off to the side for a moment to consider the question, sighing softly. “Tired,” she said eventually, her eyes returning to the interviewer, “There’s still a lot to manage, even now that Corypheus is no longer a threat...” a shadow passed over her features before clearing quickly.

Gender ➔ The interviewer’s response was a flat stare for a long moment, before she simply shook her head in resignation, and answered softly. “Female”.

Summer or winter ➔ A soft laugh surprised both the interviewer and the Inquisitor, “Can I be annoying and answer with Autumn instead?” she asked, a light grin across her features for the first time since the questions began, “I like the warm days and the crisp cool winds that signal the changing of the seasons.”

Morning or afternoon ➔ “Afternoon,” the Inquisitor answered quickly, “Not that I’ve had many opportunities to sleep late since the events at the Conclave. It’s something I miss most from my time with my Clan.”

EIGHT THINGS ABOUT YOUR LOVE LIFE

Are you in love ➔ While the Inquisitor had been opening up over the last few question, this particular one slammed her walls back in place, and Kita’s features turn very carefully neutral once more. “I am, yes,” she answered a moment later, but her tone said very clearly that she wasn’t pleased with the direction the interview was going in.

Do you believe in love at first sight ➔ The Inquisitor took a deep breath as she considered her answer, “Certainly, I think it’s possible... But I wonder if a ‘love at first sight’ wouldn’t burn hot and fast and flare out. Personally, I believe more in a connection at first sight. Something that you can build upon, and develop into a deep reservoir of emotion that will never run dry, whether that emotion becomes friendship or love... ” she shrugs one shoulder.

Who ended your last relationship ➔ “That is nobodies business but my own,” the Inquisitor answered sharply, her voice brooking no argument, and a single hand wave silently insisted that the interviewer move on, and to ask their next question.

Have you ever broken someone’s heart ➔ Her eyes dropped to her lap for a moment, and Kita moistened her lips before sighing, “Not intentionally.” The Interviewer paused, as though to ask further, but when Inquisitor Lavellan said nothing more, they cleared their throat and continued.

Are you afraid of commitments ➔ Finally, a glimmer of amusement returned to Kita’ features, and her lips twitched into a small smile, “If I were, do you think I’d still be here at Skyhold, in the position of Inquisitor?” “I... uh... I think the question meant in reference to your... relationships?” the Interviewer pressed hesitantly, and Kita nodded, still smiling slightly. “I think you’re right, but the answer is still no. Rather the opposite, truth be told. If I intend to be in a relationship with someone, I intend for that relationship to be one of my highest priorities.”

Have you hugged someone within the last week? ➔ Kita laughed softly, “Have I!” she exclaimed, amusement colouring her voice, “Between my sister and Dorian, I can’t go a few hours without someone hanging all over me, smothering me with copious amounts of affection,” she said, her words full of complaint, but there was a glow of happiness around her that belied her words.

Have you ever had a secret admirer ➔ “I recieved several anonymous letters after the Inquisitions visit to Halamshiral, but I believe Lady Montilyet handled those for me,” Kita explained. “Other than that, not that I’m aware of.”

Have you ever broken your own heart? ➔ “Broken my own heart?” the Inquisitor asked, surprised, before shaking her head sadly, “No,” she said before pausing, “Well, only in-so-far as loving someone who does not love you back.”

SIX CHOICES

Love or lust ➔ “Both,” she answers, lips twisting into a dangerous smirk, “and neither without the other.”

Lemonade or iced tea ➔ “Lemonade... Tea should always be served hot, preferably with a slice of lemon... and a small Orlesian frilly cake, lemon flavor...” Kita answers softly, voice softening as she seemed to get lost in a memory for a moment, before blinking and returning her attention to the Interviewer. “I’m sorry, what was the next question?”

Cats or dogs ➔ “There’s talk of a Mabari Kennels being built into the Undercroft, so if I say anything other than dogs I’m sure I’ll be told off later my Lady Montilyet,” Kita offers with a grin.

A few best friends or many regular friends ➔ “As I mentioned earlier, I prefer to connect deeply with a few individuals... but that doesn’t mean a large group of friends is a bad thing either,” Kita said softly, “I’ve met many people I consider my friends since the events at the Conclave, and I wouldn’t trade any of them”.

Wild night out or romantic night in ➔ “It’s going to sound terribly boring when your readers see this but... romantic night in, absolutely,” Kita answered with a sheepish smile, “Ideally with hot drinks, and a fire, and books of magical theory to debate over.”

Day or night ➔ “Night,” the Inquisitor answers with a smile, “Varric doesn’t call me Satina, after the moon, for nothing you know,” she said with a soft laugh.

FIVE HAVE YOU EVERS

Have You Ever; Been caught sneaking out ➔ “Yes,” Kita answered slowly, eyes glittering with a suppressed laugh, “and my Grandmother was not pleased.”

Have You Ever; Fallen down/up the stairs ➔ “That, I can thankfully say, I have never done.”

Have You Ever; Wanted something/someone so badly it hurt? ➔ The Inquisitor paused at the question, and after a moment the Interviewer realised she wasn’t breathing, startled into absolute stillness. “Inquisitor...?” Kita blinked, and swallowed hard, having to look away from the Interviewer for a moment to gather herself. “My apologies,” she offered after another moment or two of silence, “You... caught me by surprise. I... Yes. Yes, I have.” she finally answered simply, and the glisten of tears barely held in check stopped the Interviewer from pressing for more answers.

Have You Ever; Wanted to disappear ➔ Kita was clearly still shaken from the previous question, but she let her eyes settle on the interviewer and forced a small smile onto her lips before she answered, her voice still soft and reserved. “Not recently.”

FOUR PREFERENCES

Smile or eyes ➔ “Apologies, but I’m going to be difficult again... eyes that smile.”

Shorter or taller ➔ “Taller.”

Intelligence or attraction ➔ “Intelligence is attractive,” Kita answered, before pausing and huffing a soft laugh, “I’m sorry, I keep doing that to you don’t I? Making the simple questions more difficult... I’ll try not to do it again.”

Hook-up or relationship ➔ “Relationship.”

FAMILY

Do you and your family get along ➔ “Well... both my parents are deceased, as I mentioned earlier. My grandmother and I don’t always see eye to eye, but we get on well enough. As for my sister, Nel... Simply put, I love her. I’d die for her,” Kita offered simply, her voice holding a quiet confidence.

Would you say you have a “messed up life” ➔ Kita frowned at the question. Her eyes lower for a moment to settle on the green glow of magic on her left hand before she shakes her head. “No... no I don’t think so,” she answered slowly, “None of this is what I had planned for my life, of course it isn’t but...” She paused, lips pressed together and a frown pulling her eyebrows together, “I am not the ‘Herald of Andraste’ as so many claim, it was not the Maker that saved me from the Fade, nor any Elven gods... but neither can I easily dismiss the fact that I was in the right place at the right time. Was it fate or chance? I don’t know, but... but what I do know is that I’ve done the best I can with what was given to me to work with... and I don’t consider that ‘messing up my life’, even if it’s not what I imagined for myself as a child.” Kita paused, before shrugging, “After all, how many of us have our lives tun out exactly as we imagined them as children?”

Have you ever ran away from home ➔ Surprising the Interviewer, Kita ducked her head with a soft blush and a laugh. “I sort of... ran away from home to go to the Conclave,” she explained, head lifting again and eyes sparkling with mirth. “My Clan sent my sister, but I wasn’t about to let her go off alone... so I followed.” Kita shrugged a shoulder, looking particularly sheepish, “The things we do for family, yes?”

Have you ever gotten kicked out ➔ “No,” Kita answered quickly, “No one has ever been kicked out of Clan Lavellan, not since Keeper Deshana took over, anyway.”

FRIENDS

Do you secretly hate one of your friends ➔ “Of course not,” Kita answered with a frown, “For a start, if I hated one of them they wouldn’t be my friend, but even if you ignore that fact... no.”

Do you consider all of your friends good friends ➔ “What do you mean by good friends?” Kita asked, as her head tipped to the side curiously. “Do you mean, they are have a good quality of friendship with me. Will help me when I need it, do I trust them? In which case.... yes, I do. “If you mean, however, do I consider all of them as equally close to me? Then no, of course not. Each friendship is unique and different... like snowflakes. The connections are custom built for each of my friends and our relationships are all different. That doesn’t make any of them any less valuable.”

Who is your best friend ➔ “That’s a difficult one to answer,” Kita offers with a laugh, “I did just explain how all of my friendships are unique in their own way...” “There must be someone you connect with easier than the others though?” the Interviewer pressed slightly, and Kita rolled her eyes but eventually nodded, conceding the point. “True... and in that instance I would have to say Dorian Pavus-” “The Tevinter?” The Inquisitor raised an eyebrow, her expression cooling quickly, “Yes... The Tevinter, although there is much, much, more to him than that.”

Who knows everything about you ➔ Kita grinned, “My sister, of course... and not another soul alive.”

Link to Kita’s Masterpost

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Tagged by @faerieavalon Thank you hun ^_^

2. Far Away - Nickelback Because Nickelback have some of the best love songs.

“This time, this place, misused, mistakes, Too long, too late, who was I to make you wait? Just one chance, just one breath, Just in case there's just one left

'Cause you know, you know, you know... That I love you, I have loved you all along, and I miss you, been far away for far too long, I keep dreaming you'll be with me and you'll never go, Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore.”

3. I Have Questions - Camila Cabello Because everything from the Title to the Lyrics, to the melodies just FITS them.

"I have questions for you Number one, tell me who you think you are You got some nerve trying to tear my faith apart (I have questions for you)

Number two, why would you try and play me for a fool? I should have never ever ever trusted you (I have questions) Number three, why weren't you, who you swore that you would be? I have questions, I got questions haunting me

I have questions for you I have questions for you (I have questions) I have questions for you

My name was safest in your mouth, And why'd you have to go and spit it out, Your voice, it was the most familiar sound, But it sounds so dangerous to me now"

4. You’ll Be On My Mind - Waykp Feat. Emmi Because it’s something a bit more lighthearted for the pair of them.

“We got one summer, so let’s make it count, You make me feel like everything's all right. Let's dance our problems away in the night, Love being right next to you.

You’ll be on my mind, I'll be dreaming 'bout this 'til the end of time, We are young, we are free, down for the ride, Might be over tomorrow, but we got this day forever."

5. Love How It Hurts - Scouting For Girls Just Because. I totally didn’t write out the full lyrics and figure out which verses Kita and Solas would sing. Nope. Not me... *shifty eyes*

“I've been waiting, all my life, For someone like you to come mess with my mind, Someone crazy, someone who, Someone who'll love me the way I loved you.

I keep searching, and what's worse, Now that you're gone all that's left is the hurt, and three little words, it's all that I've got, Three little words, like it or not.”

and that’s that folks! Here, have a bonus song from the new Frozen 2 soundtrack. While Kita Lavellan is my inquisitor, it’s my headcanon that she and my best friend’s  Lavellan are sisters. (There may or may not be a roleplay). Regardless, it seems we accidentally made Elsa and Ana when we made our Inquisitor’s, so when the new soundtrack got released we both went a bit Frozen mad. @faerelden Bonus: Show yourself - Elsa/Idina Menzel Because it makes me think of Kita searching the fade for Solas.

“Every inch of me is trembling, but not from the cold, Something is familiar, like a dream I can reach but not quite hold. I can sense you there, like a friend I've always known, I'm arriving, and it feels like I am home.”

[My first piece of commissioned artwork from the amazing @jeannedarcprice​ ]

1. Her favourite thing to do when she has free time?

Before the Inquisition, her favourite thing to do was spend time with her sister, Nel.Together they would explore the wilderness, wherever the Clan had settled for the time being and she has fond memories of running through the Emerald Graves, daring each other to enter the haunted house. After the Inquisition was founded, she had very little free time. What she did have she enjoyed spending in heated debates with Dorian about the differences between Tevinter styles of magic and Dalish. She enjoyed discussing the Fade with Solas, and sharing some of the places she had dreamt of. If she needed some peace and quiet, away from the prying eyes of everyone, Kita would take herself up to sit with Leliana. No one bothered her there, most assuming the Spymaster was imparting important information, but most of the time the pair of them were discussing the pros and cons of nug breeding.

2. How did she get her name?

There’s nothing particularly special about her name, it was simply one that her father liked the sound of. She doesn’t actually like or use her full name (Lokita Istimaethorial Lavellan) and goes as simply Kita.

Her sister is in a similar situation, choosing to go by Nel instead of Nelris, but both of them are outed at the Winter Palace, when Josephine gives the announcer their full names, oblivious to the sisters dislike. It made for... and awkward stumble as they walked across the ballroom.

3. How would she react if there was an impromptu bout of mud wrestling at Skyhold?

Laugh, probably. Kita learnt to be serious as the Keeper’s 1st, but she’s a free spirit at heart. She’d then proceed to throw her sister in first (before the younger girl dragged her in as recompense!)

4. Would she rather travel or stay at home?