Ripples in the Pond

5

After he and Solas reacquainted with one another they parted ways for the night. After many hours had passed, Silvhen remained wide awake and tense as a bowstring. It was the early hours of dusk and there was a strange eerie silence. There were no hushed whispers, no foul warning, no murmurs, nothing. It was ... lonely.

He closed his eyes and focused on himself. He discovered peace, harmony and tranquility within himself like a calm sea. A soft sizzle interrupted his meditation and his eyes snapped open and lo and behold the candle before him had been lit. Shadows creep at the edges of the dancing light. Silvhen watches the flame lick and kiss the crisp air of the cabin.

"On dhea, Lethal'len" . At the familiar voice, he holds his breath. A hand clasps on his shoulder and he wills himself to make no move or sound. Another hand tenderly caresses his mask. It drags the back of it's hand vertically where his cheek was before settling it's hand on Silvhen's jaw. In response, Silvhen turns his head and faces the entity, his eyes glued on the dark wooden floors.

He hears it chuckle darkly and coos at him trying to get him to look at it. "Britha fra em! <Look at me>!" It demands its claws sinking into the skin of his face and shoulder. He refuses, trying to keep his head tilted down until the hand on his jaw jerked him to look up. He glares at the smiling creature noting that its twisted grin seemed wider, sharper, more unnatural. He gulps quietly as his eyes meet crimson.

"Miss me?" It whispers playfully, it's hand on his shoulder moving up and gently settling on the nape. His hairs stand on edge as it rubs soothing circles in his neck. Silvhen stares into the entity's eyes and answers with a "Din." Before turning away from the entity and staring back at the candle who's light had dimmed significantly.

"Aw, I see how it is. Well, Lethal'len <lethal'lenn. nt. blood kin, very close and dear friend>," It ruffles his hair, playing with his bangs, looping its sharp digits in his short curls while squeezing his throat with his other hand. As a result of the pressure, his hands fly up and claw at his throat. Desperately trying to pry the entity from his maw."Ar'an eolasalir. Ar dya vegara."

He feels the hand in his hair drift down to his left ear. He shudders at the gentle massage on the cut-up cartilage before playing with his tassel earring like a cat with string. "But, for now Sule tael tasalal ."

After the entity vanishes a thin hand appears and tugs on his sleeve. His head snaps up and his eyes go wide at the sight of Mio. She gives him a warm smile "Good Mornin', Ven." He nods and greets her back as she sets a tray down between them. He sees the tray filled with food and drink. He pulls the tray onto his lap with one hand while with the other he motions for her to sit.

"Oh no! I couldn't-"

'Please. I insist.'

Her ears droop close to her head. "O..okay, if you are c..c..certain."

'I am.'

Mio takes her seat and Silvhen hands her a load of bread. She looks up at him, wide eyed.
"This is for me?"

Silvhen nodded as he nudged his mask to the side. He sees her knaw on the bread desperately and he chuckles before quietly saying grace. They enjoy breakfast together and Mio shares many details of her life with him. She worked as a runner and messenger, she was a city elf, but her father was Dalish and...

'You want to be a Baker?' []

"Yes.... It's always been a dream of mine....... But-" Tears gathered at her eyes as her lips trembled ".... s...since Ma-mmae ......" She sniffled and turned away from him, rubbing her face with her sleeves. Silvhen scooted the tray to the side and crawled over to her and picked her up and held her in his arms, rocking them back and forth and rubbing soothing circles in her arms. She hid in his neck and curled up to fit against him. Even after she had calmed she made no move to leave.