Ah, yes. Stubborn and bitter, and with all the right reasons to be. Those that ruled in such a way squandered what they had with their ruthlessness. What good did it have to force one to go through this? It was pointless cruelty that would only prolong her current state without the proper attention being given to her recovery. He lets out a small sigh.
"One would argue you are of no use to anyone in your current state," he counters and offers her his hand. "There is no reason to suffer needlessly."
No matter what Elgar'nan and his most devoted might believe.
She considers it - help, here? A week ago, she was no one, just another servant, a servant to servants, no less. Yet here she was, in the home of Mythal, speaking to one of her personal attendants.
It isn't, simply, put, what she expects. But she is too naive to even wonder if she shouldn't trust him. Gingerly, her hand lifts, the shake of unsureness, he was a dull shape against her half-closed eyes, but she looks for his hand. The help that he offered.
That once she finds, she puts her hand to the back of his. Light only held by the tips of her fingers. Directing it upward. Looking for the coolness there, too, up and up until she can direct him to her face. Both her hands now, like a prayer, open palms against the back of his knuckles so she could cup his hand to her cheek. Her mouth opening in a soft breath against his skin, lips soft. She missed her Kashi so, so terribly. "Please. Before I scratch my face to scars."
He's patient as he waits for her to feel him out. Her hands on his, he follows her guidance and lets magic build in his fingertips. With his hand near her cheek, the magic flows from him to her. The cooling sensation spreads as he attempts to alleviate what he can. A full healing would leave her with far too many questions to answer when she returned to Elgar'nan, but he could numb and ease the pain.
"If you would like it attended to further, I can bring you to our healers for medicine," he offers absently. "They have a poultice that will help with the itching."
And if they were clever about it, they could hide it about her person to use later once she returned to her master's domain.
She gasps softly as he does, pulling thinly in, her chest aching as the relief washes over her in sudden absence. Resigned as she had been, she could weep for the first kind word since her world had fallen apart. It takes the heat out of it, and eyes sting with it, wet against lashes that she shuts completely.
Rather, her hand turns into his hold in a shameless press of appreciation. Her thick, dark hair falling over to hide both her face and his contact away as it slips over her shoulders. Worried to lose this scrap of kindness, the only respite she'd been offered, by anyone. "I should not." It's mournful. "But I would be glad to know your name."
If he minded it, he does not show it, instead allowing her to press into his hand as she wants. Has she had time to mourn what she has lost? She has yet to even heal from the physical wounds of it. The rest, would take even longer.
His magic continues in a slow flow. Light, but enough. The last she needs is for this to overwhelm her, to overtake what little of her senses she has left to her.
"Solas," he supplies readily. "I would be glad to know yours as well, if you wished to share it."
"Ma-" No, they had taken that too. Stolen it away because as a servant of Elgar'nan she could never be as plain as childhood nicknames. "Lakshmi."
The itch faded, at long last, little but surely. Enough that she could blink, open her eyes a bit further without it aggravating it further. Blinking quickly, straining against the light that she could finally open her eyes to look up at him. Gold and bright against her brown skin. "I am Lakshmi."
It softens, then a little - "You were there. At the trial. I saw you."
"Lakshmi," he repeats. Hopefully he's not the first to use her name since this fate has befallen her, but he knows the power inherent in hearing something so simple. She had not lost all her agency, no matter what they might tell her.
He meets her gaze and lets his magic linger until she wishes for him to stop.
"I was there when you were brought in, as well. I am sorry I could not do more." For what little that meant now.
"There was nothing you could do." It's laughed, her face falling out of his hands. Out of his so easily given kindness. "I did this by my own hands. I ought to face the consequences for that."
Her eyes lower again, but this time it is to hide the knit in her brow as something shapes. "But I do not regret it. So perhaps, it is a punishment I deserve." Branded, taken away from everything she knew, taken away from the world which cared about her - to those that would kill each other over the smallest slight.
"There are many who would thank you for your actions if they were allowed," he remarks off handedly. "You bear the consequences, but that is not all that has come of this."
It was an impact far from either of them now. One she would do well to not forget as she went through this. His hand falls away from her and he rests his hands behind his back as he watches her.
"For all it has cost me, I do not think I should agree with you." The pain sits, so close against her skin. Fills her voice the pain relieved for the time being, the itch abated. It would return, no doubt.
"But..." She swallows, her jaw setting when she looks back up - her gaze hard, flat. The same refusal to diminish herself. Still not beautiful, but still lean, quick and hard. "He shouldn't have touched her. He shouldn't have. I always told her I never would let anyone hurt her. She is the only one I want to hear from." It breaks, pain that bubbles up and up and up. "But they say I cannot see her. For what I did."
"No, he shouldn't have," he repeats without hesitation. But it is what happened, and Lakshmi did what she believed she needed to. There's no judgment as he regards her. That had already been passed and she would live with it the rest of her years.
"I do not have many dealings where you once resided, but if I happen upon her..." He shrugs and lets his words trail off, implication clear. If he managed to hear from Kashi and could see Lakshmi again, he would share what he learned. It was the most he could offer. He lets his words linger in the air around them for a moment longer before he gestures in offering, "I was about to eat, if you would like to join me."
"I would... like that." Tentative, unsure, her fellow servants of Elgar'nan were hard men and women. They offered no kindnesses, offered no respite to someone new. Especially not to someone who cared enough to cut a man down in her temper. Always too much Lakshmi, you need to learn to curb it some or it will get you in trouble.
Too late.
She rises when calls her to follow. Readjusting the uniform to set about her properly, tugging the long tunic into place with stiff hands. Dropping her gaze once more, though this was on behalf of the fact she hadn't meant to have any respite. Best to still look like she was still in pain, still recovering. Not half wrong. The painful heat on her face had abated, but it still did not make it easy to open her eyes fully for any length of time. The pain would return in some time. "I would like that." Her hand reaches out, fingers light, looking for his to guide her.
He accepts her hand and offers his arm should she want to be escorted more formally. There were enough inner twists and turns of Mythal's temple to confuse those that invaded that it would be far easier than trying to verbally guide her. Whether Elgar'nan would be annoyed that Solas was taking such liberties was beyond his concerns. None of his other servants would dear stop Solas with his position and would assume he had business with her. He had been present at her trial.
"There are a few steps here," he warns as he leads them up into the halls. As he continues speaking, there's a touch of concern in his next question, "Have you been able to eat today?"
Whether she's been allowed or her injuries have kept her from doing so. Thankfully those would heal with time.
No doubt, Elgar'nan would. She was a prize chattel, for the moment. Time would tell if it continued to be so, if he kept her at close range after it was done. Luck was so far, he only had eyes for Mythal. No need to look elsewhere. But he regarded her more like a new piece of furniture. Spoke of he was going to train her, make her strong. No doubt make his own name greater off of her. He wouldn't want anyone meddling in his particular plans for her.
That thought alone made it easy for her to take his arm in return. Looping through tentatively but holding fast. Her fingers curling up around into the material of his sleeve to keep hold.
"Only a simple amount." Hard to want to eat, at the moment. Slowed a little, as she navigates the stairs one by one. But the simplest answer: "I would definitely like to eat."
With her arm in his, he walks tall with her at his side. Those in Mythal's service would recognize this for what it was, extending a hand to someone who needed it. Each Evanuris governed their own to their whims and those follies came with harsh prices at times. This was the least that could be offered to Lakshmi.
"There will be enough for you to have your fill," he remarks evenly. "Do you know how long your master intends to stay?" And how long she will be here, in turn.
As they walk, he gives warning when they approach anything that may cause her to trip. He nods in greeting at those they pass and no one moves to stop them.
That - the flush works up her face. The others, they'd whispered why Elgar'nan had come here. She flusters, embarrassed, fumbling for what she had been told in rather more crasser terms. The teasing they'd given her when she hadn't understood the first time. Tugging at the end of her hair and whispering awful things to help her catch up with why they were visiting today.
"I do not... until they have had enough of each other's company."
Which is blurted out, as pleasant as she can. Clearing her throat as they walk, taking her steps slowly, and carefully. That was at least easier to do.
He barely manages to muffle his laugh. It had been a long time since he had seen someone become flustered from what Mythal and Elgar'nan chose to do in their time together. A small amusement to detract from his annoyance that it happened at all. They all would do better if Elgar'nan kept far from here, but that was far from an option and Lakshmi would not be here where she could get some treatment.
"That is one way to put it. You would be thankful to know you cannot hear anything, should you find yourself passing by their room." Though with how flushed she appears, he has a feeling she will stay far, far away.
"I am glad that they.... Enjoy each other as company."
It was one thing, when she was no body. To hear about how those far beyond her got up too. Kashi had loved whispering about it and the other servants had embellished gleefully. But it was another to be standing in the room, appreciated furniture that was second to how she could see them look at each other.
"It isn't my business of course." which is as firm as she can manage, but mildly pleading. She'll set alight if she squirmed any more in embarrassment.
"No, but it will be difficult to avoid mention of it in Elgar'nan's service." More so than in any other. He shakes his head slightly and continues walking. "We will not be going near."
In case she needed the assurance. That was a torment she could deal with on another day. The smell of food grew stronger as they turned a corner and Solas greeted another in passing as he led her into the dining hall. The sounds of slaves laughing and eating, boisterous as always during their free time, was loud enough to make him lean in closer to speak.
"I will find us somewhere to seat and retrieve our food."
His voice is warm against her ear, which is a strange thing to note, not the sort of thing she ever did. But purpose it was some strange need from being denied her sight.
"Thank you." She leans in that little, closer to him. More in helpfulness than anything else. She might not be able to see very well, but she could hear how many people were moving about her. Easy enough to know that she could trip over someone like this. So she tucks herself in near and close.
With her close to his side, he finds open space at a table near where the food is being served and guides her hand to the edge of it to steady herself. One hand slides carefully to her upper back, touch light, in order to aid her should she find herself faltering. It isn't until she is seated that he withdraws from her.
"Is there anything I should avoid getting?" Since that would be far easier than knowing her preferences, depending on what is being served.
She reaches out where he has led her, using her hands to navigate the rest of the way. To find the seat, be sure of it before she lets herself sit down. Letting his hands guide her, trusting in him just as she is: blind. That he could hurt her, like this, like so many of Elgar'nan's slaves had just let her trip and not even given her the time of day, didn't seem to factor in. His hands were sure, and she let herself settle a comfortable weight into them.
And with relief, once she is seated, her eyes fall shut completely. The itch and pain was numbed, it was still an effort to keep them open.
"Without meat, please. Simple is... fine."
Her hands fall into her lap, her feet flat on the floor, taking up as little space as she could, hiding within what she could. Clothing that she shifted, her long dark hair falling down around her face.
He raises a brow at that request and her change in posture. Not entirely unusual, but unexpected. Solas has spent his fair share of time around Elgar'nan's domain though he is treated far differently as an outsider. Did they not care how another was brought into the fold? It made him wonder how much Elgar'nan encouraged them to be against one another, to stand on their own instead of with each other.
"No meat," he repeats in affirmation. And he adds, for whatever amount of assurance it would provide her, "No one will disturb you."
At least, those of Mythal's would know better and Elgar'nan's never ventured far enough to be here. Her request is heeded and he returns with a modest plate for himself and a more full one for her. Various fruits, vegetables, pieces of bread and cheese adorned it--simple, but filling. He sets it in front of her and slides into the seat across from her.
She stays quiet, eyes shut, after he leaves - though that concern is there. The little flinches where her hearing is too sharp. Her face turning to each one, reading on the reaction. A hand that hovers near her blade in a readiness that landed her in this mess to start with. She will fight, of course, she will fight.
But nothing comes, not until he comes back and she visibly relaxes to the sound of his voice. Her eyelids pushed open again. Taking a slow breath to get out of her own head, a thin shaking inhale and exhale. Settling instead to look over the food. "Thank you. It does."
Though she waits in hesitation before hunger gets the better of her. Her hand hovering, her fingers curled in, the sleeve falls away from the small of her wrists before she carefully picks up a piece of cheese. Raising it to her mouth and - eats as quickly as she can like she expects someone to take it off her.
He eats his food far more slowly and watches her with a raised brow. Someone was neglecting the care of those newly in their service if she was this hungry. Or did she fear food would not be forthcoming for some time?
"Frightened your food will run from you?" he asks. If she continued eating like that, she might choke. "No one will take it from you."
Anyone that tried would regret it, in any case. No doubt facing retribution from her first. The fight and ferocity he saw in her that day in the streets was there, underneath it all. Elgar'nan would be pleased if he could harness that for his own purposes.
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"One would argue you are of no use to anyone in your current state," he counters and offers her his hand. "There is no reason to suffer needlessly."
No matter what Elgar'nan and his most devoted might believe.
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It isn't, simply, put, what she expects. But she is too naive to even wonder if she shouldn't trust him. Gingerly, her hand lifts, the shake of unsureness, he was a dull shape against her half-closed eyes, but she looks for his hand. The help that he offered.
That once she finds, she puts her hand to the back of his. Light only held by the tips of her fingers. Directing it upward. Looking for the coolness there, too, up and up until she can direct him to her face. Both her hands now, like a prayer, open palms against the back of his knuckles so she could cup his hand to her cheek. Her mouth opening in a soft breath against his skin, lips soft. She missed her Kashi so, so terribly. "Please. Before I scratch my face to scars."
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"If you would like it attended to further, I can bring you to our healers for medicine," he offers absently. "They have a poultice that will help with the itching."
And if they were clever about it, they could hide it about her person to use later once she returned to her master's domain.
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Rather, her hand turns into his hold in a shameless press of appreciation. Her thick, dark hair falling over to hide both her face and his contact away as it slips over her shoulders. Worried to lose this scrap of kindness, the only respite she'd been offered, by anyone. "I should not." It's mournful. "But I would be glad to know your name."
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His magic continues in a slow flow. Light, but enough. The last she needs is for this to overwhelm her, to overtake what little of her senses she has left to her.
"Solas," he supplies readily. "I would be glad to know yours as well, if you wished to share it."
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The itch faded, at long last, little but surely. Enough that she could blink, open her eyes a bit further without it aggravating it further. Blinking quickly, straining against the light that she could finally open her eyes to look up at him. Gold and bright against her brown skin. "I am Lakshmi."
It softens, then a little - "You were there. At the trial. I saw you."
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He meets her gaze and lets his magic linger until she wishes for him to stop.
"I was there when you were brought in, as well. I am sorry I could not do more." For what little that meant now.
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Her eyes lower again, but this time it is to hide the knit in her brow as something shapes. "But I do not regret it. So perhaps, it is a punishment I deserve." Branded, taken away from everything she knew, taken away from the world which cared about her - to those that would kill each other over the smallest slight.
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It was an impact far from either of them now. One she would do well to not forget as she went through this. His hand falls away from her and he rests his hands behind his back as he watches her.
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"But..." She swallows, her jaw setting when she looks back up - her gaze hard, flat. The same refusal to diminish herself. Still not beautiful, but still lean, quick and hard. "He shouldn't have touched her. He shouldn't have. I always told her I never would let anyone hurt her. She is the only one I want to hear from." It breaks, pain that bubbles up and up and up. "But they say I cannot see her. For what I did."
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"I do not have many dealings where you once resided, but if I happen upon her..." He shrugs and lets his words trail off, implication clear. If he managed to hear from Kashi and could see Lakshmi again, he would share what he learned. It was the most he could offer. He lets his words linger in the air around them for a moment longer before he gestures in offering, "I was about to eat, if you would like to join me."
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Too late.
She rises when calls her to follow. Readjusting the uniform to set about her properly, tugging the long tunic into place with stiff hands. Dropping her gaze once more, though this was on behalf of the fact she hadn't meant to have any respite. Best to still look like she was still in pain, still recovering. Not half wrong. The painful heat on her face had abated, but it still did not make it easy to open her eyes fully for any length of time. The pain would return in some time. "I would like that." Her hand reaches out, fingers light, looking for his to guide her.
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"There are a few steps here," he warns as he leads them up into the halls. As he continues speaking, there's a touch of concern in his next question, "Have you been able to eat today?"
Whether she's been allowed or her injuries have kept her from doing so. Thankfully those would heal with time.
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That thought alone made it easy for her to take his arm in return. Looping through tentatively but holding fast. Her fingers curling up around into the material of his sleeve to keep hold.
"Only a simple amount." Hard to want to eat, at the moment. Slowed a little, as she navigates the stairs one by one. But the simplest answer: "I would definitely like to eat."
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"There will be enough for you to have your fill," he remarks evenly. "Do you know how long your master intends to stay?" And how long she will be here, in turn.
As they walk, he gives warning when they approach anything that may cause her to trip. He nods in greeting at those they pass and no one moves to stop them.
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"I do not... until they have had enough of each other's company."
Which is blurted out, as pleasant as she can. Clearing her throat as they walk, taking her steps slowly, and carefully. That was at least easier to do.
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He barely manages to muffle his laugh. It had been a long time since he had seen someone become flustered from what Mythal and Elgar'nan chose to do in their time together. A small amusement to detract from his annoyance that it happened at all. They all would do better if Elgar'nan kept far from here, but that was far from an option and Lakshmi would not be here where she could get some treatment.
"That is one way to put it. You would be thankful to know you cannot hear anything, should you find yourself passing by their room." Though with how flushed she appears, he has a feeling she will stay far, far away.
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It was one thing, when she was no body. To hear about how those far beyond her got up too. Kashi had loved whispering about it and the other servants had embellished gleefully. But it was another to be standing in the room, appreciated furniture that was second to how she could see them look at each other.
"It isn't my business of course." which is as firm as she can manage, but mildly pleading. She'll set alight if she squirmed any more in embarrassment.
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In case she needed the assurance. That was a torment she could deal with on another day. The smell of food grew stronger as they turned a corner and Solas greeted another in passing as he led her into the dining hall. The sounds of slaves laughing and eating, boisterous as always during their free time, was loud enough to make him lean in closer to speak.
"I will find us somewhere to seat and retrieve our food."
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"Thank you." She leans in that little, closer to him. More in helpfulness than anything else. She might not be able to see very well, but she could hear how many people were moving about her. Easy enough to know that she could trip over someone like this. So she tucks herself in near and close.
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"Is there anything I should avoid getting?" Since that would be far easier than knowing her preferences, depending on what is being served.
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And with relief, once she is seated, her eyes fall shut completely. The itch and pain was numbed, it was still an effort to keep them open.
"Without meat, please. Simple is... fine."
Her hands fall into her lap, her feet flat on the floor, taking up as little space as she could, hiding within what she could. Clothing that she shifted, her long dark hair falling down around her face.
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"No meat," he repeats in affirmation. And he adds, for whatever amount of assurance it would provide her, "No one will disturb you."
At least, those of Mythal's would know better and Elgar'nan's never ventured far enough to be here. Her request is heeded and he returns with a modest plate for himself and a more full one for her. Various fruits, vegetables, pieces of bread and cheese adorned it--simple, but filling. He sets it in front of her and slides into the seat across from her.
"I hope this satisfies."
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But nothing comes, not until he comes back and she visibly relaxes to the sound of his voice. Her eyelids pushed open again. Taking a slow breath to get out of her own head, a thin shaking inhale and exhale. Settling instead to look over the food. "Thank you. It does."
Though she waits in hesitation before hunger gets the better of her. Her hand hovering, her fingers curled in, the sleeve falls away from the small of her wrists before she carefully picks up a piece of cheese. Raising it to her mouth and - eats as quickly as she can like she expects someone to take it off her.
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"Frightened your food will run from you?" he asks. If she continued eating like that, she might choke. "No one will take it from you."
Anyone that tried would regret it, in any case. No doubt facing retribution from her first. The fight and ferocity he saw in her that day in the streets was there, underneath it all. Elgar'nan would be pleased if he could harness that for his own purposes.
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