Dragon Age Inquisition Short Stories

Hear Me Now

"I know you can hear me, vhenan."

Her hands, both flesh and mechanical, rest on the cold stone railing on her balcony. She makes no effort to seem strong here. This is her one place she doesn't have to pretend. Pretend to be okay. Pretend to be strong. Alive. Her body shakes from the cold and the misery she keeps at bay all day long. She's thin. Too thin. And her hair is down in sheets of soft, red satin, blowing in the chilly wind. You can tell she hasn't slept nor eaten well in months. She is breathing and her heart is beating. But barely so.

Her watery, defeated eyes tell you everything she's feeling: alone, weak, lost. The determined, willful smirk she once wore is gone and has been since he left. Her once lifeless eyes and smile seemed to have deteriorated into the dead expression she wears now.

"I miss you."

A small, ghost-like smile graces her chapped lips as she talks with her lover. The man who left her for a cause as old as time. The man who left her for a future for his people. The man who left her because he didn't want to hurt her.

"I know you look after me. I know you watch me in my dreams. I just wish you'd talk to me. It's so lonely these days. I miss our talks. I miss what we used to be."

Tears form in her eyes as she licks her lips, trying to push back the memories. Her resolve has fallen and she soon surrenders to the pain of remembering.

"It's our anniversary, my love. Did you remember? I hope you do. I hate to think I was just a dalliance. A notch on your bedpost."

She wipes her tear-stained cheeks. Sobs interrupt her words. Her hands clench the stone in rage and her eyes are shut tight. Her mouth is a tight line across her beautiful, pale face.

"I hate being weak like this. I mean, look at me! I'm talking to the open air hoping and praying its you! Because I need to tell you that-- That I'm alone! That maybe I can convince you that we're worth it! That I can't stop loving you! That I... miss you."

And just like that, her rage disappears. Her eyes dry. And she seems to go limp. Her heart no longer feels so heavy after her cry. She simply feels empty. So empty it aches.

"Inquisitor."

So overwhelmed in her grief and sorrow she had not heard Josie come in. The Antivan woman's sharp features and tongue were the only thing that had kept her going since her love's disappearance. Josie was the only one that even seemed to grasp the betrayal and loneliness she was feeling.

"Josie? I'm sorry. I don't remember having scheduled a meeting."

She doesn't turn around.

"The is no meeting. I just--"

"Yes?" She says, angling her head towards her close fried and confidant.

"Today was your anniversary. I knew you'd be... sad, for lack of a better word."

She smiles to herself as she looks up to the stars and moon. Josie always knew when she was feeling especially down. Always knew when she needed a friend.

"Thank you, Josie. Promise me something?"

"Of course, Inquisitor. Anything you need."

"Promise you won't leave me. Leave me in the dark."

Her advisor and best friend nods her head simply. Her eyes are heavy with unshed tears for her friend and leader. She hated Solas for what he had left behind of her once bright and easy friend. She would hit him the next time she saw him- if she ever did.

"Of course, Ellana. I'm with you all the way."