#solas;

Jay 🐼Today at 2:41 PM

Man, I apparently really wanna, eventually, actually write Felassan and Solas fighting over the Eluvians.

LeFox 🦊Today at 2:41 PM

Do it

Jay 🐼Today at 2:41 PM

oh if I do it won't be for a bit; I need to get Felassan's voice down before I write the scene in which he dies

LeFox 🦊Today at 2:42 PM

Do it someday tho

Jay 🐼Today at 2:42 PM

probably will It'd be a fun exploration of both him and Solas

LeFox 🦊Today at 2:43 PM

Absolutely And their friendship in conflict

Jay 🐼Today at 2:44 PM

Felassan, tired from avoiding sleep as much as possible to avoid Solas and leaning nonchalantly on his staff in Solas' way. Solas, angry that Felassan's turned on him but sentimental for their friendship and doesn't want to fight

LeFox 🦊Today at 2:45 PM

Solas trying to convince him this is the way it has to be. Felassan trying just as hard to convince him it doesn't have to be this way. Ultimately there's no choice but to fight, and even though Felassan knows he can't fight Fen'Harel, not with Mythal having given him her power, he still has to try.

Jay 🐼Today at 2:48 PM

Felassan has to make his stand. So that he knows he went down fighting for what he believed, because he knows he can't run forever, because Briala's a cause worth dying for. He knows he's going to die. It's one-on-one and Felassan never could have won that fight. But he has to try. And it crushes Solas because, once upon a time, he had that loyalty from Felassan. And Solas has to wonder what he did wrong to lose it. When did he start losing Felassan, when did this start falling apart? Is Felassan right? Is it too late?

LeFox 🦊Today at 2:51 PM

It's another chink in the armor that's already been damaged by his time with the Inquisition.

Jay 🐼Today at 2:52 PM

After Felassan falls Solas stays by him until he's actually dead and then a little longer to mourn before forcing himself to get back up and continue on

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:01 PM

It's just one more burden to carry, more blood on his hands. What's one more, when soon enough he'll have the whole world's blood on his hands?

Jay 🐼Today at 3:03 PM

He can do it, he has to. He's a god and gods can't afford to care so much but when did he become actually convinced of his act? Was Felassan right? Was Felassan right?

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:05 PM

I mean, he's not a god and he knows that, that's kind of the point, but "Was Felassan right" is still a weighty question to wrestle with

Jay 🐼Today at 3:07 PM

I mean yeah he knows he's not a god, but I feel the further he gets from the Inquisition the deeper he gets into his role and while he knows he's still convinced he's more powerful and intelligent than anyone else. Regardless, immediately after killing Felassan he's going to have a moment of abject horror at the fact that he could and wonder if he is becoming everything Felassan didn't want him to be

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:11 PM

Hell, everything he didn't want to be. Everything he hated in the Evanuris - just doing everything he can to get as much power as possible. Even if the ends are justified, even if it's all for the sake of restoring what was, is he actually justified.

Jay 🐼Today at 3:12 PM

Jay 🐼Today at 3:40 PM

I do like that, like, Imshael never stops smiling the first time he and Michel meet. Just different kinds of smiles(edited) but always smiles

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:40 PM

Imshael knows what he's doing.

Jay 🐼Today at 3:40 PM

those people are always unnerving and Imshael knows Okay so Felassan tells clan Virnehn about the eluvians, most like, and they summon Imshael to help find and activate them I'm assuming. So maybe he can do the same for the rebellion and they go out hunting for them and run into Imshael anyway

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:48 PM

That'd make sense

Jay 🐼Today at 3:52 PM

Another Celene complaint: "Then stay with me...and I will strike every law that limits your people's freedom and make you a lady. The Comtess of Elves" ... "I am done with those who thinkI must earn their loyalty while they offer me nothing" but she doesn't. Briala doesn't betray or leave her (does break up with her but) and Celene doesn't strike the laws. declares her an Ambassador but no one else takes the title seriously and she does keep catering to the masses

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:53 PM

Yeah. And like Celene, the elves in particular fucking do need you to earn their loyalty

Jay 🐼Today at 3:54 PM

I mean that second quote was referencing the lords not the elves but like. She promises miles and gives inches and expects everyone to be happy Imshael could have a field day with her

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:54 PM

Oh, absolutely

Jay 🐼Today at 3:54 PM

All choices and no consequences And I'll probably do something with that. Maybe him commenting on her finally committing to something

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:56 PM

That does feel like his brand of snark.

Jay 🐼Today at 3:57 PM

She would flinch internally but wouldn't waver

LeFox 🦊Today at 3:58 PM

He probably senses it anyway, being a demon

Jay 🐼Today at 3:58 PM

oh absolutely he has fun picking up thoughts and feelings leaking from people I also like Felassan intimidating Briala with his dangerous smile. I just love dangerous smiles

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:01 PM

God but Felassan and Imshael right before Imshael finally fucks off at the end Just that smile that we know know means Fen'Harel is back

Jay 🐼Today at 4:01 PM

they also feel like they've run into each other before

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:02 PM

Given Solas's penchant for spirits and how old and powerful Imshael is said to be? Absolutely.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:03 PM

god but the implications behind "Are you even Dalish?" "Do you want the answer to that question or do you want my help?"

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:04 PM

SERIOUSLY

Jay 🐼Today at 4:04 PM

There's just so much big dick energy in this book and none of it is Celene. Or even Michel

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:05 PM

It's all Felassan and Briala

Jay 🐼Today at 4:05 PM

and Imshael Gaspard isn't even on Briala and Felassan's level god, if Felassan wasn't killed can you imagine how much more powerful Briala could be in DAI? oh "Hello Slow Arrow, it's been some time" Imshael straight up says they've met before

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:09 PM

Felassan had to die or Inquisition never would've happened because Felassan would've told Solas that giving Corypheus the orb was a STUPID FUCKING IDEA

Jay 🐼Today at 4:10 PM

Pfff you say that like Solas would have fucking listened to him Solas is a prideful bitch when he wants to be and thinks He Knows Best of everyone alive today because They Don't Know What He Knows

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:11 PM

Despite all evidence to the contrary

Jay 🐼Today at 4:12 PM

god Felassan, Briala, and Imshael existing in the same scene is just illegal levels of dick energy

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:13 PM

That Briala even registers on the same scale is impressive, considering

Jay 🐼Today at 4:13 PM

seriously Like. Solas isn't even always on Briala's level, but tbf he's trying to downplay it "The nearest eluvian?" "Few hundred yards that way" "Appreciate it. Have fun" god I want to hear about the exchanges they've had in the past Felassan just gives no fucks

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:17 PM

God Felassan's just such a fucking wasted character Like Fiona

Jay 🐼Today at 4:17 PM

Like I kinda get what they were doing but man they shot so much potential when they killed him like shit

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:18 PM

Seriously though

Jay 🐼Today at 4:19 PM

I'm probably not gonna kill him in the fic. Which means he's still around. Which means he's still helping Briala sometimes And staying the fuck away from Solas.

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:19 PM

And staying away from Solas is not easy

Jay 🐼Today at 4:20 PM

He can't go to the Inquisition at all. or any function the Inquisitor may be at. Staying away is a full time fucking job

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:23 PM

His life is in less danger once Solas joins the Inquisition and starts softening up, himself, but better safe than sorry.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:23 PM

Oh yeah, definitely. He still stays as far away as possible

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:25 PM

Might go back to help Briala once the mess in Orlais is sorted out, but he won't stay.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:26 PM

yeah, he definitely stays on the move even more possibly less somniari trances too considering Solas could find him there

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:29 PM

Sleeping becomes terrifying

Jay 🐼Today at 4:31 PM

He starts looking sleep deprived when he shows up and when he does sleep he often finds a plant or draught to consume that promises a dreamless one hoping to not be found.

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:34 PM

He's not necessarily opposed to dying. He just can't die without seeing Briala through all of this. ...God his reaction when he learns Solas got control of the eluvians again.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:35 PM

Honestly? If I did kill him it'd be him deciding to face down Solas for the eluvians Just a "I hate to die but I can't just let you do this"(edited)

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:35 PM

Knowing he'll die in the process but refusing to stand by and let it happen without even trying

Jay 🐼Today at 4:36 PM

Yeah. That feels like him. And Solas would regret losing him, but he'd already lost Felassan and he needs these so he'd kill him

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:37 PM

At that point it may genuinely break Solas a little

Jay 🐼Today at 4:37 PM

yeah which this would be a point far after the end of the fic but something I genuinely might explore in a post fic drabble I figure I'll possibly write a lot of outtakes- things that I can't find a way to put into the fic but I want to write, or things that happen after where I want the fic to end, etc I figure I'll have a whole series thing on AO3 with shit in it once I get around to posting it

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:38 PM

o uo Excellent

Jay 🐼Today at 4:39 PM

There's just a lot of things I want to write in this AU and I know not all of them will fit in the fic and I want the fic to end at WEWH and some of the things I want will take place after that Briala and Felassan things, power trio things, Solas things

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:40 PM

Oh, absolutely. o uo

Jay 🐼Today at 4:40 PM

I also feel like Solas waking up while there's an active rebellion and promises of freeing elves will color how he wakes up a little too

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:42 PM

Oh, absolutely. It's not how he'd have done things, but it's a little nostalgic.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:43 PM

He just kind of oh Might actually make an effort to know a little about Briala and Celene and the rebellion itself. Might wander Orlais a little, if he deems it safe to feel the Fade and get impressions of what's going on

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:45 PM

If nothing else, it's kind of a "Can I use this?" Ultimately the answer is no because these elves aren't attached to the Fade the way he needs, but.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:45 PM

And, ultimately, Orlais' rule will still be human He might be able to use elements. might be able to recruit from the ranks, but the rebellion itself, no

LeFox 🦊Today at 4:46 PM

Yeah. It's not the end result he needs.

Jay 🐼Today at 4:47 PM

Like. The moment they step in Felassan’s telling her this is more important and powerful than Celene’s love, more powerful than only having the Empress wrapped around her finger. With this she can do so much more. With this she can help her people so much more. But the eluvians were his project from Fen’Harel.

But he also says, and I quote “I distrust [Celene] because she has successfully ruled an empire. No one who does that cedes power. Even if they are wise. Even if it is for the best, in the long run. Even if failing to do so will ultimately destroy everything.” Who else has (helped) successfully rule an empire? Who else has refused to step down? Who claims to hate being deified but still takes up the mantle and wears it like a beacon when he feels he has to?

Who’s actually actively trying to tear this world apart?

I feel like Felassan’s old and tired. I feel like He’s old enough to realize that there is no good solution. He’s angry that the elves of Elvhenan had slaves, had other elves as slaves, he’s more than willing to help the plight of city elves because they are still the People even if still lost. Even if they’ve lost so much of their history and heritage

I feel like Felassan walks among both the city elves and the Dalish and while he never considers himself either he understands both. He understands the suffering and yearning and he wants to make it better in this life whereas Solas walks amongst them both and goes “Once upon a time we were better than this. How far have we fallen?” And then makes plans to bring back the old days.

But the old days weren’t perfect. Felassan knows this, whether he’s canonically from that time or not (and he may or may not be; he seems perplexed and surprised and not completely understanding of the crossroads despite understanding the eluvian network which implies he never went through an eluvian before which implies he never went far before because everything was eluvians in Elvhenan.) Felassan knows bringing back the Fade won’t solve things. He knows elevating elves to the superior race or whatever again won’t solve things. Felassan’s seen this world, he’s walked it longer than Solas (who isn’t even awake yet in TME.) Felassan sees the pain but also the potential of this world and he wants to fix this which will be easier than bringing back the flawed past. Felassan doesn’t want to hard reset the world. He wants to fix it. He wants to watch Briala fix it.

The grove was secluded, though still within earshot of camp should something happen, as the Commander rested on the trunk of a felled tree. Gently, when he thought he was alone, he gingerly pulled at the collar of his tunic. It was the first chance he had found to inspect the damage done in the barrage of fighting in earlier hours.