SolavellanHellChallenge2020

Day 1: Anchor

She awoke with a start, balling her hand into a tight fist as she clutched it to her chest. Her nerves burned as the mark on her hand produced a loud crackle of static, illuminating the room with a green glow as it sparked and flickered. Arana cursed quietly under her breath.

Pulling herself from bed, she stepped outside for some fresh air, stopping only once she reached the stairs leading down to the rest of the grand fortress. The elf flexed her fingers as she glanced down at her palm, the cool mountain air filling her lungs as she breathed deeply. Leaning against the wall, she quietly studied the Anchor. She had looked it over so many times and yet it still fascinated her. In many ways, it resembled the rifts or the how the breach had looked. It seemed to go on forever, despite being permanently affixed to her palm.

A small sigh left her throat. The pain had finally subsided a bit, giving way to the dull tingling sensation the mark usually left on her nerves.

"Vhenan?" A voice pulled her from her thoughts. Blue eyes lifted from her hand only to be met with the familiar silvery grey hues of Solas.

"Is the mark bothering you?" He inquired with concern in his gaze.

"A bit.. Or it was." Arana admitted. "Not so much anymore." She gave a quick glance down at her hand before returning to look up at the much taller elf.

"May I?" Solas held out his hand.

With a small nod, the mage allowed the other to see her hand, placing it in his. Solas grasped it gently between both hands and looked at the mark for a long moment, brushing his thumb over the edge of the Anchor. A hint of pink touched Arana's cheeks as he closed his hand over hers. A faint glow came from his palm and eased the sensations the mark made on her hand.

"How does it feel now?" He lifted his gaze to her face as he released her hand. She flexed her fingers a bit and looked it over, a smile easing onto her features.

"Much better, actually.. Thank you."

Solas returned her smile and reached out, brushing a bit of her long white hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear.

"If it bothers you again, you needn't hesitate to come to me."

"I wouldn't want to be a bother, Solas. And a little discomfort won't kill me." She chuckled.

Without warning, Solas leaned in until his face was barely an inch from her own.

"You may bother me as you please, Vhenan.."