sunchime | ☆ the vorkosigan saga psl post, volume 3

Elf? The ears, right. That'd explain it on her. Pretty common old Earth folklore, if he recalls correctly, though not so prevalent on Barrayar. And so Miles realizes, for the first time, that when she calls him a dwarf, it isn't at all a jab at his appearance -- she just doesn't think he's human. He's not actually sure which he should be more offended by.

"I'm a human," he says flatly, lips thinned, and he does feel a little bit like he's going crazy, to have to specify that to the exclusion of other things that walk and talk and think and sort of look like human that aren't human.

"A little short for the species, I know. But I assure you, I've had enough nightmares to know a dream when I see one." There's just a bit of scathing self-deprecation in there, and -- No. Stop that. Miles presses the heel of his hand to his forehead. "Right, so you remember the part where I'm totally lacking context for any of this? Half of what you just said doesn't make any sense to me. I've never heard of lyrium, I don't know what the Fade is, except maybe a bad name for a tasteless nightclub. So no, I don't know any of this."

He certainly doesn't look very human, but Lavellan supposes he would know best, and accepts the correction with a nod. Human then, and not half-anything.

Lavellan frowns and then gestures for him to follow her. "It will be easier if Solas explains. He is our expert on the Fade, after all." And while she might be a mage, even she has to admit that she will never understand the Fade as well as he. "I suppose you can question him about anything else, as well, although you may not like what he has to say."

As is Solas' way. But she appreciates it, and the knowledge she gains, by conversing with him.

Miles spreads a hand in a gesture of acceptance.

"Well, if this Solas is the expert, then by all means, because I really have no clue about any of this. I'm sure that makes me sound quite mad to you," he adds with a bit if rueful cheer, "but I'm about as much in my right mind as is possible right now, given the circumstances, so I appreciate the benefit of the doubt."

Ha pauses, though. "Should I be anticipating some unpleasant answers?" God, that does nothing for the panic. Fascinating as all this is, he'd like to be back in his bunk and sober, maybe with Elli for company...

Leading him across the ramparts and the bridge over the courtyard to lead him back into Skyhold proper, Lavellan thinks on this. "Madder than I must have sounded," she confesses. "But they made me Inquisitor anyway, so there's hope for you yet." That isn't exactly what she meant when it came to Solas, but it fit enough that she doesn't bother to correct him.

"Depending on what you ask. He doesn't believe in softening his words or his beliefs," something that had made her frustrated, true. But there is respect in her tone, and a sliver of admiration. "He has helped me before, and I trust him."

Miles tilts his head from side to side in consideration of this. Lavellan, figment though she may be, seems like a woman of solid character, and quite trustworthy. Miles feels that's a good sign, being able to trust a drug-induced figment of your own imagination. Says a hell of a lot better about him than the alternative.

"I appreciate a man who doesn't deal in bullshit," he says, flipping out one hand. Entirely hypocritical, but Miles only likes being on the giving end of bullshit wherever possible. "No sugarcoating and straight to the point, eh? I could use a bit of that right now. Maybe a little clarity will get rid of this damned headache."

Any members of the Inquisition that they pass on their way to her quarters greet her with a bow and a short Inquisitor, stepping aside for the both of them. Some she nods to in recognition, and others she doesn't spare much more than a passing glance -- there's something she has to do, after all. Past the throne, through a side door and up a staircase -- her room is large, brightly lit, and holds the air of somewhere lived in but only in short bursts of time.

"If you'll wait here, I'll go and fetch him." And attempt to explain the situation as briefly as possible.

☆ the vorkosigan saga psl post, volume 3

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