driftfleet | SS Pathstone Mingle

[ Solas, different from the rest of the crew, is the type of man to actively seek our spirits and their wisdom; he tries to find them, to discover them and speak to them, mostly in his dreams or walks amongst the Fade. Separated from that world by this one, with space the only thing guiding them, he's left to discover whatever sees fit to embark upon their ship - and, in this case, it's a kind of spirit, though not one he recognises at all.

It doesn't take him long to make his way down to the hangar, hovering at the door and frowning before he turns to look at Mikleo himself, arms crossing behind his back almost absently. ]

Welcome to the Pathstone.

[He'd felt malevolence before - here, actually, not that long ago - but as soon as Solas walks through the door it's like a thick blanket dropping over his head, clouding the air and almost suffocating him. It reminds him of entering the domain of an advanced hellion, or a dragon, even- the amount of it is startling. Terrifying. It takes him a long moment to actually face the one who addressed him, and he's genuinely shocked when he finds a man and not a monster.]

I... who are you?

[Ordinarily he wouldn't be that rude, but- god, why is there so much of it? How is he not a hellion? This is the most he's ever felt here.]

[ He can admit the fact that he's a little disconcerted by the reaction he's given - it's not the first time he's looked upon with suspicion or fear, of course, being an apostate and a mage all together in one elven bundle, but this is something entirely different. The man before him is shocked and almost on edge and Solas adjusts his weight, stepping from one foot to the other before he breathes out a soft sigh - things he must become accustomed to once more, it seems. ]

I am Solas. Are you well?

[ Because he certainly doesn't look well. ]

[Not especially, and he figures that much is obvious, but somehow Mikleo forces himself to straighten up, though he keeps one hand pressed to his chest, as if it could alleviate the pressure. Every instinct in his being practically screaming to get back to Sorey where it's safe, but wouldn't it be pointless to come all this way for nothing?]

I'm- alright. It's just that you're-

[Terrifying? Terrifying.]

...You have... a very strong spiritual presence. It's a little overwhelming.

[Solas- Cole had mentioned him, hadn't he? The one who knows about the spirits and the Fade.]

[ Solas' own senses are prickling around the edges, his latent connection to the Fade and his long-lived familiarity with spirits guiding him forward. Something is amiss, he is certain of it, but there is no real way for him to express what the issue is. He feels a little at a loss, no tome or history coming to mind that might explain the phenomenon. No, this is certainly a new experience and he is sure it comes from the spirit being far, far different to those he had encountered before.

Tilting his head, he tries not to smile. ]

Is that so? I apologise for it, then, if it gives you discomfort.

[ He wonders what his presence is doing - because Cole had never reacted so violently, and neither had the friends he had made so long ago in Thedas. Perhaps this spirit is more perceptive or more in-tune than others - though Cole had always been particularly gifted... ]

It's fine.

[At least, he thinks it should be, for now. But he definitely needs to go to Sorey as soon as he leaves this place. If nothing else he'll need a good solid spiritual cleaning in a protected domain for a while- too much of this will get him sick for sure.

He can't leave yet, though. He needs to know more.]

Solas, you said? Cole mentioned you. My name is Mikleo.

[ It's fine, he says, but Solas doesn't think that is the case. He is adept at lying and evading the truth himself, when the time calls for it, and he can see that this as much a lie as anything else - but he allows it, for now, letting it slide and simply nodding his head in agreement. There's no point in fighting a battle that he cannot win, not until he has learned more. ]

A friend of Cole's is certainly a friend of mine.

[ And, now, his smile softens and he nods his head, as welcoming as ever. ]

Welcome to the Pathstone, Mikleo.

[The calm kindness of his tone and demeanor clashes strangely with the level of malevolence the man carries with him; his words should come out as a roar, instead. He feels like Eizen, like the battlefield. Is this like Nightingale? A good person, more or less, but corrupted unknowingly? There's still so much about the nature of malevolence that he doesn't understand, and likely won't without a much older seraph around to explain it.

Right now all he can really do is endure.]

Thank you. I'm here by Elize's invitation. Do you know where I can find her?

[ There has always been more to Solas than meets the eye and he feels as if the spirit before him can see it, seeing through the great, iron walls that he's put up between himself and the outside world, as if the veil he has drawn around him has fallen apart without any hesitation. He watches, his eyes dark and flashing almost dangerously before he softens and shakes his head, all sign of bad temperament falling away into good humour. Stepping back, Solas motions towards the door, not standing in Mikleo's way even for a moment.

He will have to speak to Cole, he thinks. ]

She will likely be in her rooms. Would you like me to guide you?

[Can he get rid of you this way?

...that's rude. And irresponsible- he ought to try and gather information, for Sorey's sake if nothing else.

It's just... this man hides it incredibly well, but there's something about his eyes that Mikleo feels uneasy about.]

Only if you wish. I don't want to trouble you needlessly.

It is no trouble at all. Shall we?

[ Solas nods towards the doorway before he moves and walks forward himself.

Personally, he is distractingly curious about this spirit, what he feels, senses, what his world is like and what powers he might have, but he is careful with it. The boy hadn't reacted well and pushing, especially so soon, might end is something closer to disaster - which would do none of them good. For now he would have to take careful, measured steps into getting the information he desired... Or ask Cole about the matter.

Finally, he speaks again. ]

Have you been aboard the fleet long?

[Mikleo follows behind him, keeping to a polite distance. As powerful as the man's malevolence is, he doesn't seem to have a domain, so as long as he doesn't get too close, it's... tolerable.]

Not at all. I arrived just over a month ago, so I'm still adjusting.

[ Walking careful, Solas is ever aware of the steps of the younger man behind him, careful and almost uncertain - but he makes no comment of it. He walks and acts as though there is nothing amiss, as if nothing untoward had happened between the two of them. He is no fool, of course, but all the same... ]

Ah, a little longer than myself for this time around. Are you enjoying it at all?

[It would be impossible to completely hide the truth of his answer; his discomfort was far too obvious at the start for that, now. At least conversation is helping, bit by bit, to distract him.]

It... has its ups and downs. The station has been interesting, though. I like the library.

Ah, a place I haven't yet had the chance to visit.

[ His arms are crossed behind his back and he's careful with his words, turning his head to look at Mikleo. ]

It was not here when I first arrived and I've yet to settle in long enough to try. It is large?

I think so, yes. I've nothing to compare it to- it was my first time ever visiting one.

[Much as he'd have loved to visit libraries all over the world, there'd never really been time for it.]

Most of the material there is- ...digital, but there are real books as well.

[He stumbles a little, still getting used to the technology, even with the augment's assistance. What a waste of a library, to put all that information on screens.]

You have never visited a library before? That is a shame - there were some grand ones in Thedas, spanning what felt like entire worlds. The knowledge they held was magnificent, certainly, if not sometimes a little incorrect.

[ Solas had little time for libraries himself, these days, but when he was with the Inquisition he had managed enough; being able to request books had been quite the boon indeed. ]

At least there are some gifts that our captors might allow us. I much prefer having the tome in my hands.

There are libraries in my world as well, I'm certain, but I had no way to access them.

[Libraries are human constructs, for the most part. And most humans would have issues with floating books, as evidenced by his own library visits here.]

Still, I'd like to visit all of them someday.

I am certain you will get the chance, should you return.

[ He hums, almost absently, as if his mind is far away. ]

I had the option when I was evicted from the fleet.

Evicted...

[He'd said something like that already, in retrospect- "this time". It's the first he's heard of such a thing from one who'd experienced it.]

You were sent away from this place before?

Yes, once before. It doesn't seem to be too uncommon a thing, but this is my first time back since the first.

[ He shakes his head, looking at the murals as they walk. ]

Many of my fellows were still here.

"Sent away", not "escaped"... so it was our captors who did it, then. Did you remember this place while you were free?

I did not. All my memories returned once I awoke here once more, but as I wandered Thedas I was unaware of my time here, as if it had simply been erased.

That's... unfortunate. There seems to be no end to their meddling with us.

[He's not sure if that's worse or on par with sticking the augment in their heads. Ugh...]

At least there is good company to be found.

[ Which is another nudge to see how he reacts, to see how he takes it considering the moment before. ]

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