#Wicked Eyes and Wicked hearts

[teamdilf]

I’m a grown-ass woman who has done the Solas romance at least eight times but I still turn into a puddle of goo when he places his hand on Lavellan’s back before asking her to dance at the Winter Palace.

[cairaleighexe]

🗡️ who in the court can be trusted? 👁️

[thecrownedmage]

THE GRAND MASQUERADE

[nucuk]

Halamshiral ball extra scene 🕺💃🧝🤵🪩

--------------------

Cullen Rutherford & Dalish | Dragon Age Inquisition

[furubabasket]

I hope WEWH (who rules Orlais) has a real impact on Veilguard but also what if I made the wrong decision and 473929 morbillion elves die again or whatever, as is Dragon Age custom

[shem-fatale]

Uhh so, hey, quick question regarding this survey question. You people who want to reunite Celene and Briala. As rulers and as a couple. Have you read The Masked Empire and if yes: how ... i mean why. WHY??

[crunchbuttsteak]

This outfit was ugly in Dragon Age: Inquisition and it’s ugly here.

[echoes-sounds]

I just know Nolwyn the old woman that she is did not have the energy for flirting after dealing with orlesian nobility (sorry solas she loves your bald dome really)

[daitranscripts]

Solas Conversation: Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts

Court Intrigue

Solas Masterpost Related Quest: Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts

Solas: There are spirits hovering by the Veil to observe the thrones of powerful nations. The machinations, betrayals…. After our time in Halamshiral, I understand why. I had forgotten how I missed court intrigue…

Dialogue options:

General: Glad you liked it. [1] +Solas slightly approves

General: You’ve seen this before? [2] -Solas slightly disapproves

General: I didn’t like it. [3] -Solas slightly disapproves

1 - General: Glad you liked it. PC: I’m pleased you have a good time. Solas: Political gambits, broken promises, half-truths? It is a place full of motivation. And motivation is where great things happen.

2 - General: You’ve seen this before? PC: You miss court intrigue? When were you at court? Solas: Oh. Well, never… directly, of course. An elven apostate is rarely invited to speak with empresses and kings. But from the Fade, I have watched dynasties form and empires crumble. It is sometimes savage, sometimes noble. And always fascinating.

3 - General: I didn’t like it. PC: If I go the rest of my life without ever dealing with the Great Game again, I will die happy. Solas: Sadly, as the Inquisitor, it is unlikely you will live without further courtly machinations. Unless the rest of your life is very short, in which case I doubt you will die happy.

4 - Scene continues.

Choice dependent dialogue:

Briala lives/rules [5]

Briala discredited/executed [6]

5 - Briala lives/rules

Solas (Celene and Briala reconciled/public truce): In any event, Celene should now be a steadfast ally, and Briala as well, thanks to your efforts on her behalf. Solas (Gaspard and Briala rule): In any event, Gaspard should be a steadfast ally, and Briala will keep him in check… and look after the elves.

Dialogue options:

General: I hope it helps the elves. [7]

General: It worked out for everyone. [8]

General: We needed the elves. [9]

General (Dalish PC): I hope it helps the elves. [10]

General (Dalish PC): It worked out for everyone. [11]

General (Dalish PC): Our people had better help. [12]

7 - General: I hope it helps the elves. PC: I hope Briala uses her position to help your people. Solas: How would helping Briala help… Oh, you mean elves! [14]

8 - General: It worked out for everyone. PC: I liked it. The Inquisition gets a valuable ally, and perhaps your people will get better treatment in Orlais. Solas: How will mages get treated better? Oh, you mean elves! [14]

9 - General: We needed the elves. PC: The Inquisition needs help wherever if can find it. Your people had better come through for us. Solas: My people? Oh, you mean elves! [14]

10 - General: I hope it helps the elves. PC: I hope Briala is able to use her position to help our people. Solas: Our people? Who are—Oh, you mean elves! [14]

12 - General: It worked out for everyone. PC: I like it. The Inquisition gets a valuable ally, and perhaps our people will get better treatment in Orlais. Solas: Our people? Who are—Oh, you mean elves! [14]

13 - General: Our people had better help. PC: The Inquisition needs help wherever it can find it. Our people had better come through. Solas: Our people? Who are—Oh, you mean elves! [14]

14 - Scene continues.

Solas: I’m sorry, I was confused. I do not consider myself to have much in common with the elves.

Dialogue options:

Angry: You should consider it. [15] -Solas disapproves

Sad: That’s tragic. [16] -Solas slightly disapproves

Pleased: I agree. [17] +Solas slightly approves

Stoic: Who, then? [18] +Solas slightly approves

15 - General: You should consider it. PC: You are an elf, and a powerful mage as well. Have you ever considered trying to help your people? Solas: How? By attacking Orlesian nobles? Should I skulk around the Dales mourning my lost heritage?

16 - General: That’s tragic. PC: Your people gave lost so much of their history and culture. To not even think of yourself that way…. Solas: I think of myself as “me.” That’s all I’ve ever needed.

17 - General: I agree. PC: Nor should you. You’re not defined by the shape of your ears. They’re not your people. Solas: No, they are not.

18 - General: Who, then? PC: Who do you have much in common with? Who are your people? Solas: A good question.

19 - Scene continues.

Solas: I joined the Inquisition to save the world. Regardless of who “my people” are, this was the best way to help them. As for the elves of Orlais, I believe Briala is doing quite well on their behalf. She is an admirable woman.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: I admire you. [20] +Solas slightly approves

General: I agree. [21]

General: You really think so? [22] +Solas slightly approves

General: She’s shortsighted. [23] -Solas slightly disapproves

20 - Flirt: I admire you. PC: You’re an admirable man. Not many people know who they are the way you do. Solas: Thank you. Both for saying that and… for seeing that. Few in this world can see me… instead of just seeing a pair of pointed ears. Scene ends.

21 - General: I agree. PC: She’s done good work. Hopefully, with out help, she can help them even more. Solas: Yes. However much I identify—or fail to identify—with her people, Briala’s efforts have been remarkable.

22 - General: You really think so? PC: So you don’t have anything in common with elves, but you admire her for fighting for them? Solas: I admire many people whose interests I do not share.

23 - General: She’s shortsighted. PC: Briala only cares about elves. Solas: True. It is not her vision I admire.

24 - Scene continues.

Solas: She organized resistance against a powerful enemy, using only her wits and the resources at hand. That demands respect, especially in a world where most would look at her… and only see a pair of pointed ears.

Scene ends.

-

6 - Briala discredited/executed

Solas (Celene rules alone): In any event, Celene should now be a steadfast ally, especially after helping her neutralize Briala. Solas (Gaspard rules alone): In any event, Gaspard should be a steadfast ally, especially after delivering him both Celene and Briala.

Dialogue options:

General: I’m sorry about Briala. [25]

General: Is Briala’s fate a problem? [26]

General: I’m not sorry about Briala. [27]

25 - General: I’m sorry about Briala. PC: I hope you know that I didn’t turn over Briala lightly. If I’d had another option… Solas: What? Why would I disapprove of… oh, because we’re both elves? [28]

26 - General: Is Briala’s fate a problem? PC: Am I sensing concern over how we dealt with Briala? Solas: No? Why would I disapprove of… oh, because we’re both elves? [28]

27 - General: I’m not sorry about Briala. PC: Briala brought it on herself, Solas. I did what had to be done. Solas: All right? Why would I disapprove of… oh, because we’re both elves? [28]

28 - Scene continues.

I’m sorry, I was confused. I do not consider myself to have much in common with the elves.

Dialogue options:

Angry: You should consider it. [29] -Solas disapproves

Sad: That’s tragic. [30] -Solas slightly disapproves

Pleased: I agree. [31] +Solas slightly approves

Stoic: Who, then? [32] +Solas slightly approves

29 - General: You should consider it. PC: You are an elf, and a powerful mage as well. Have you ever considered trying to help your people? Solas: How? By attacking Orlesian nobles? Should I skulk around the Dales mourning my lost heritage? [33]

30 - General: That’s tragic. PC: Your people gave lost so much of their history and culture. To not even think of yourself that way…. Solas: I think of myself as “me.” That’s all I’ve ever needed. [33]

31 - General: I agree. PC: Nor should you. You’re not defined by the shape of your ears. They’re not your people. Solas: No, they are not. [33]

32 - General: Who, then? PC: Who do you have much in common with? Who are your people? Solas: A good question. [33]

33 - Scene continues.

Solas: I joined the Inquisition to save the world. Regardless of who “my people” are, this was the best way to help them.

Dialogue options:

Flirt: I admire you. [34] +Solas slightly approves

General: I still want to help them. [35]

General: She was short sighted. [36] +Solas slightly approves

General: She didn’t impress me. [37] -Solas slightly disapproves

34 - Flirt: I admire you. PC: You’re an admirable man. Not many people know who they are the way you do. Solas: Thank you. Both for saying that and… for seeing that. Few in this world can see me…

35 - General: I still want to help them. PC: Even if we couldn’t help Briala, I hope we can make life better for Orlesian elves. Solas: Stop Corypheus. That will do for a start. It speaks well of you to feel for the oppressed. Help them for that. Know them for what they are.

36 - General: She was short sighted. PC: Briala had a perfect plan, if you wanted everyone to kill each other. I’m trying to avoid that. She could have focused on actual threats. Solas: Easy to say. Harder to remember when few people can see you.

37 - General: She didn’t impress me. PC: If she were more admirable, she wouldn’t have failed. Solas: The world at large will judge her on success or failure alone. We who knew her, even briefly, have the luxury of looking deeper. To judge her strengths and flaws…

38 - Scene continues.

Solas: …instead of just seeing a pair of pointed ears.

Scene ends.

[anneapocalypse]

It makes perfect sense that Celene is wearing a blue gown to the peace talks rather than the purple and gold of House Valmont that's described in The Masked Empire. Celene is throwing this ball in hopes of cementing her claim to the throne and ending the civil war. To wear her family colors when she meets Gaspard at the negotiating table would be to position them as equals, embroiled in some petty house squabble. Instead, Celene wears the colors of Orlais. She wears blue to position herself as the face of the Empire itself and Gaspard as the petty traitor.

Likewise, Briala may have worn blue when she worked for Celene and served the empire, but now she presents herself as an ambassador for the elves, saying, "If humans are going to treat us as if we are not citizens, we may as well have the trappings of a foreign power." It would make no sense for her to wear blue now, as that would align her both with Orlais and with Celene, and she now wishes to set herself apart. Green evokes the Dales (somewhere Briala has spent a lot of time lately), and by extension the interests of elves everywhere.

[cairaleighexe]

a dalish elf and an antivan walk into an assassination attempt on the empress

[dragon-age-official]

So let me get this straight...

In Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts, they want me to believe that the guests will notice when I’m gone for less than 2 minutes, BUT won’t notice when I’m climbing the lattice in the gardens a mere 10ft from party-goers? Doing that in a crowded area won’t make my approval go down? It’s socially acceptable to climb up the side of the building like some kind of monkey? ??

[elfcollector]

the magical advisor to empress celene.

[theredhoodedcryptid]

Casually puts on Dragon Age: Inquisition so I can play a relaxing game.

Loads the last the save.

It’s Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts.

Sighs and brews coffee, readying for a not so relaxing play through.

[thechildofbhaalhasawoken]

The peacetalks of the Orlesian Civil war and the ball at Winter Palace finally finished, the Inquisition’s main figures retreated to the mansion near Val Royaux they had rented to use as a base for the operation.

Commander Cullen was seen escorting the Inquisitor, who had been absolutely radiant and the talk of the whole event, to her carriage. The dashing Tevinter mage of Pavus’s bloodline (whose fashion choices would soon come to influence some of the younger Orlesian nobles) joined the Inquisitor in her carriage. The others of the Inquisition mounted their horses and carriages in neat and efficient order. As they rode off, the Commander was seen riding his impressive white horse close to the carriage, personally ensuring the Inquisitor’s safety.

The rumours were already spreading - the Commander and the Inquisitor had been seen dancing, but outside, alone on a balcony! Had he mentioned something about being taken? He was not married, that much they knew. The rumours would not stop dozens of Orlesian nobles from writing to the Commander, whose silent charisma, tall and muscular build and reputation of having been at many crucial moments in recent history of Thedas had enchanted nearly everyone. Including, it seemed, the Inquisitor herself.

[ Continue under the cut for Dorian being a friend, Cullen being a gentleman, and general pining and cuteness ]

Arriving at their rented mansion, Dorian gently nudged the Inquisitor. She had drifted to sleep in the carriage during the short ride - that’s how exhausted and emotionally drained she was after the whole ordeal at the Winter Palace. Sleepily she apologised to Dorian as the carriage stopped to the courtyard. Before either of them could do anything more, the door of the carriage already opened. It was Commander Cullen again, extending his gloved hand to her much in the same way he had escorted her into the carriage.

”Inquisitor,” he prompted simply, and without hesitation she took his hand and let him help her out.

Dorian waited for her to get out, an amused smirk on his face. Cullen had been acting so brusque and tough before the ball, stomping around and huffing about not getting into any Orlesian tomfoolery. And here he was, suddenly, in his formal attire, looking like a prince and acting like a true gentleman around her. Dorian couldn’t wait to tease the living daylights out of the good Commander, but now he gave his friend this moment. He saw how weary she was, and he knew how she adored the Commander, but he was pretty sure they had only been, well, courting, and not sharing a bed yet. So let him court and be adorable, Dorian thought, as he got out of the carriage and watched Cullen tuck her hand under his arm and walk her up the stairs to the main entrance.

”They’re disgustingly cute, aren’t they,” Leliana said to Dorian as she stood beside him to watch the two of them enter the mansion.

”I was just thinking the same thing,” Dorian admitted.

”Oh stop it, you two. I think they make a very handsome couple,” Josephine said happily as she joined them. ”Have you noticed how the Commander’s voice changes when he speaks with her?”

A disgusted noice from Cassandra’s direction served as a reply to Josephine.

Inside the mansion, Cullen waved the Orlesian servants away and kept the Inquisitor by his side. ”You look like the only thing you need is sleep. May I walk you to your room?”

”Yes, please, Cullen,” she sighed, thankful that she had his safe bulky form to lean against as they slowly ascended the marble staircase. ”But why is it up on the third floor?” she whined.

Cullen paused on the next landing, looked over his shoulder, and then bent his knees to slip one arm behind her legs and one around her back, and hauled her into his arms in one swift move.

The staircase echoed with a surprised shriek and giggle, and Cullen hushed the Inquisitor as he continued up the stairs now carrying her. He made it look so effortless too, thought the Inquisitor, who wriggled her arm around his neck.

”I understand this isn’t the first time you’re carrying me,” she said, still giggling. A red fluster was rising from her bosom to her neck.

Cullen tried not to look, but kept his eyes on the stairs. ”No, but I find it easier now that you’re conscious and I’m not wading knee deep in snow.”

”I don’t think I ever thanked you for it so…” the Inquisitor said softly. Cullen felt her eyes on him and her fingers brush the hair on the back of his skull. Now he was getting flustered too. ”So thank you. Still, let’s try and not repeat those conditions again.”

”I would appreciate it,” Cullen replied all matter-of-fact, but he did glance at her with a lopsided smirk. ”But you don’t mind me carrying you again, do you?”

”Oh I could get used to this!” she laughed.

”That one is my door,” she pointed out, and Cullen carefully set her down on her feet in front of it. When he straightened up, his breath hitched at how close they were, their faces but inches from each other. She was already getting on her tippytoes to reach up and kiss him, but Cullen took a small step back, grabbed her hand and brought it to his face, bowing for her with his other hand behind his back.

”Forgive me. I feel the walls have ears and eyes here, and I don’t trust the Orlesians as far as I can throw them,” he mumbled darkly, his lips brushing the back of her hand.

”Oh,” was the only disappointed sound the tired Inquisitor managed.

”I can’t wait to talk with you in Skyhold. Good night, Inquisitor,” he said, and kissed her knuckles. ”I hope you get some rest.”

”Good night, Commander,” she replied faintly, as Cullen straightened with an apologetic smile.

The Inquisitor opened the door to her room, glanced at him one more time, and then closed the door, vanishing out of sight.

Cullen was left alone in the corridor - or so he thought.

”What are you doing!?” he was startled by a hissing sound from the staircase. Dorian reached the top floor and look at him with a bewildered expression. ”I thought you would be naked by now! What is wrong with you, man!?” he whispered at the Commander angrily.

Cullen rolled his eyes. ”Please mind your own business, Dorian.”

”My best friend’s business in my business! And now she’s in there alone, without your divine pectorals to delight her!” Dorian continued whispering, sounding like a mad hissing cat.

”Andraste give me strength…” Cullen muttered and quickly escaped to his own room further along the corridor.

Dorian stood alone in the corridor now, shaking his head. It’s one thing being gentlemanly but another to deliberately not put out, he thought and headed for his own room. It’s like they’re choosing to pine for each other? Madness!

[pivlywhip]

“Don’t let them see they get to you. They’re not worth it.”

-

The Winter Palace was a particularly exhausting night for Amira, for who Orlesian politics doesn’t come naturally. Luckily Varric was able to help her find a moment to breath.

This takes place during the pining potion of their relationship because they’re a pair of emotionally constipated idiots who think they’re not allowed to move on from their first heartbreaks. They get it together eventually, but it’s definitely a slow burn situation.