#so Sola never had a chance of not being Cloudy

[a-world-in-grey]

Oh, trust me, the glaives are plenty willing to enable their new Skyborn Cloud's Shenanigans without needing to bring Sola into Little Galahd.

If I remember correctly, Noctis gets his own invites to Little Galahd? Because of Prompto? @secret-engima did you have Prompto being raised in Little Galahd in this verse or no?

Regardless of how Noctis is first invited to Little Galahd, Sola tags along as his minder, which... could actually mean she sees Little Galahd before Tredd adopts her. I'm not too sure on the timeline off the top of my head.

Regis saying anything that even insinuates Sola incapable of protecting Noctis after she joins the Kingsglaive is not going to go over well at all.

Regis isn't any more happy about Sola joining the Kingsglaive than Cor is, but fortunately Cor is able to convince Regis not to pull Sola out of the glaive like he already tried to do. Sola's still giving him the cold shoulder over a month later.

With Sola it's not necessarily a case of Mainlander expectations. I'd have to check back through SE's posts to see if Mainlander expectations differed all that much from Galahdian expectations. No, Sola snarling at Cor was such a surprise to him because she's never actually reacted like that to him before? Snarls and growls during spars was one thing, those all had an undercurrent of playful challenge. This? Cor had no doubt Sola would have tried to seriously hurt him had he followed through on his attempt to pull her from the glaives. It helped that Sola hadn't actually enlisted - she couldn't, not when she was only fifteen and unlike the Crownsguard the Kingsglaive had a strict age minimum.

Sola later enlisting did not make any of her adult relatives happy, but she had Noctis' encouragement so if anyone actually tried to keep her from enlisting Sola would tear their arm off and beat them with the soggy end.

Titus... may not have realized that Regis and Cor didn't know? They've had the Draconian's Blessings for over two thousand years, surely they have Tales of the Blessed? He thinks that them forbidding Sola to go to Tenebrae with Noctis was them being overprotective (which he and the Galahdians approve of - Sola may be the second coming of the Immortal, but she's still only fifteen), and the insinuation Sola wasn't good enough to protect her Sky unintentional. Which is all true. What Titus doesn't realize is that Regis and Cor didn't know that what would have been an mere insinuation to anyone else was the primary message that Sola heard.

Titus doesn't realize that Regis and Cor don't know that Sola thinks she failed her Sky by not being there to protect him when the Marilith attacked, and that she thinks this is a punishment for not being good enough.

By the time Titus realizes that they don't know that Sola is operating on a set of distinctly non-human instincts in addition to her half-feral Omega instincts, it'll probably have been a couple years. Likely right around when Sola's presence in the glaive is leaked to the press and Sola has her Rage.

Eh, Lucis Caelums have always been warriors first, royals second. Anyone expecting a Lucis Caelum princess to be a doll (even back when women weren't allowed to inherit the throne) would get thrown under the cart when they inevitably pissed off said Lucis Caelum. No, the mold everyone was trying to fit Sola into was that of human sensibilities. It wasn't so bad when she was a little kid, but after she tore out an assassin's throat? In such a brutal manner and then very obviously had no problem with what she did? Oh, the scrutiny and pressure from the court to behave in an acceptable manner really got traction then. Before her cat like tendencies were cute. After? Uncivilized at best and monstrous at worst.

Spending time with the glaives might bring a bit of her Sky back? Her Sky never really disappeared, she just buried it. Because while she's technically a Sky (technically would have all six Flames if Flames existed as more than just a way to measure someone's personality by that she could blend evenly into the composite Sky Flame), Sola has always been a very strong Cloud - a stronger Cloud than she is a Sky even before she buried her Sky. So even if she ever does feel comfortable enough to be more than just Cloudy, feels comfortable enough to embrace the natural charisma that is inherent to being a Sky, Sola will always register as a Cloud first and Sky as a very distant second.

The public learns about Sola being a glaive when she's seventeen, pretty much the same time as in 'canon'. The public is not as accepting in this verse though, because being refugees soldiers is one thing, but fae-like nonhumans is entirely different.

...Sola might punch a Crownsguard a year or two earlier than she originally does if she catches any of the Crownsguard harassing the glaives for 'beguiling their princess' or some such nonsense.

If Sola existed in Stand Strong verse, what would be her reaction to Galahdians in general and Glaives in particular? Would she still join the Kingsglaive or would Regis and Cor try harder to remove her from it? Would she still have a crush on Libertus?

Oooh, Stand Strong verse! Aka the fun glaives! @secret-engima feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong, it's been a while since I scrolled through this 'verse.

Sola doesn't really meet the Galahdians in Little Galahd until after she's been adopted by Tredd, so the glaives would be the first Galahdians she meets. And honestly, Sola feel an even stronger sense of kinship with these fae-like glaives. All her life she hasn't fit. She's an Omega when most LCs are Alphas, she's an Omega Sword when Swords are never Omegas - Hearts and perhaps the occasional Shield, but never Swords - and she's got distinctly nonhuman instincts even with the instincts that come from secondary genders.

Amongst the glaives who don't care to conform to Insomnia's definition of human, Sola, for the first time in her life, actually feels at home.

Yes, she still joins the Kingsglaive. She's less demanding in this verse - the Kingsglaive is Captain Drautos' territory, and one doesn't lightly invade an Alpha's territory even if that Alpha is sworn to her father. Instead, Sola sets up an actual appointment (Cor is neatly distracted by Abyssus and Ignis and maybe some surreptitious aid from Amissa) to meet with Drautos and formally request to train with the Kingsglaive, as she's finished her apprenticeship under Marshal Leonis and seeks to expand her capabilities to better protect her King.

Titus is well aware of the Rage Sola went into not even a week prior. All the glaives know, the princess was in no way subtle for all that she kept her Rage contained away from anyone who might get caught in the crossfire. Unlike his glaives, however, Titus knows the reason for Sola's Rage. Knows the King forbade Sola from accompanying her brother to Tenebrae on the basis of it being too dangerous. And Titus has to wonder how well Regis actually knows his daughter, because even in the bare handful of times he's been close enough to the Princess to observe her Titus knew how poorly Sola would take that decision. A Cloudy Dragon of an Omega, and Regis denied her from protecting her Territory?

A Rage was inevitable.

And now the Cloud (who might have been a Sky, before attempts to make her conform into an ill-fitting mold made her retreat so far into her Cloud that any hint of Sky was thoroughly overwhelmed) is sitting on her own bristling territorial instincts, bowing her head to his authority as the Alpha of the Kingsglaive, despite technically outranking him as Crown Princess.

This isn't just revenge towards the King and the Marshal for separating her from her younger brother and Sky. Sola is desperate.

Of course she is, Titus realizes. By barring Sola on the basis of it being too dangerous, the King has implied that Sola isn't good enough to protect her Sky. Despite having completed her apprenticeship under Cor the Immortal. So Sola has gone looking for training from one of the only people capable of match the Marshal in a fight. Titus.

If he turns her away, it's likely Sola will do something exceedingly reckless to prove herself capable of standing as Noctis' Sword.

Well, at least she'll fit right in with the rest of his reckless idiots.

Cor and Regis do try to pull Sola from the Kingsglaive. Not necessarily because of the Kingsglaive's fae reputation. No, it's because they think Titus loathes Regis, and that makes them wary of Sola being in close proximity to the man. Of course, Sola puts her foot down and actually snarls at Cor when she's pulled from bootcamp and sent up to Titus' office to find Cor demanding she leave the glaive. And not the playful snarls she's always given him before during their spars or play fights. No, this is a full on this-is-your-last-warning-before-I-tear-your-throat-out snarl, complete with bared teeth and hands curling into claws.

Titus rumbles low in his throat, a wordless admonishment to keep things civil, please, and Sola forces herself to settle with only a low grumble. Cor's too well trained to rear back in surprise, but his magic betrays him where his body doesn't, and Sola can feel the shock and instinctive wariness hearing that kind of snarl from an Omega elicits. They are able to work things out civilly so that Sola can continue training with the glaives, and Cor is able to warn Regis when he comes home with Noctis so Regis doesn't try the same thing.

Of course, Sola training with the glaives means she stops conforming so stringently to all those human sensibilities, so there's absolutely rampant gossip that Sola's been turned fae by her association with the glaives. Then those that remember Sola ripping out an assassin's throat with her teeth chip in, and the gossip mutates to Sola always having been fae and it's merely a matter of the glaives reclaiming one of their own.

Before joining the glaives, Sola would not have been happy about the rumors. Now, after training with the glaives in being sneaky and pants-shittingly terrifying, Sola is all too willing to use her new skills in psychological warfare to her and her King's benefit.

Sola absolutely still gets a massive crush on Libertus, Nyx still calls her Pipsqueak and gets his kneecaps taken in revenge, and Tredd still ends up adopting her around her 19th birthday. Dunno if Sola ends up bonding with a Retinue, but if she does they're all Galahdians and the public sees it as further proof of Sola being as fae as the rest of the glaives.

[just-dread-wolfing]

Giving into Fear

This has literally been something I’ve been working on for a few months now and after a kind word, I was finally able to finish it.  Thank you for your support @curiosity-loves-the-kitten !

She’s grown tired of fighting the demon and the offer certainly seems tempting.

“Remember: Take deep breaths and stay strong.”

Solas’ voice rang through her mind.  While it was sound advice when dealing with demons, it was easier said than done.  Nira tried to sever its grasp on her mind but it was all she could do was drown at his voice.  Nothing she did seemed to help.  Its voice rang loudly in her mind like a mighty bell.

Do you really believe that you have the strength to get rid of me, foolish girl?

Nira closed her eyes tight and covered her ears.  She pressed herself up against the closest wall she could find, but in her despair, the Fade had become a lot less stable.  The Fear demon had done this to her.  It had caused her to lose her grip on her own mind.  She had truly tried.  With Solas’ help, she had grown stronger and more confident in her abilities.  None of it had helped.  The demon had grown far stronger than she had ever hoped he would become.

There is not much time left.  You are weak. 

“Go away...”  Nira’sal’s voice was dry and weak from fighting it.  Nothing she did seemed to make it leave her.  

Your Inquisition shall fall just as your clan did.  How could you possibly save them?

The words it repeated scraped along her mind, her mind rattling with the possibilities and what ifs the demon presented her with.  Lifting her head, the demon had taken the form of her brother.  Its usual tactic, but it seemed effective.  Soren meant the world to her and it killed her inside to think that he was now gone.  There was no way she could continue to fight this demon, especially not in this form.  While she had tried with all her might, it persisted.  All she had managed to do, even with Solas’ help, was push it back.  After what happened in the Fade, after what she had seen with her own eyes, the demon knew it had her.  It was only a matter of time before she would give up. 

Corypheus was only getting closer and soon she would face him.  It was quite possible that she would have to face him alone, just as she did at Haven.  Soren kneeled in front of her, a wicked grin spreading across his face.  His face contorted as it got closer to her, but she could still see her big brother.  Her greatest failure.

Do you really think that your friends will stand beside you?  How could they possibly have faith in you, when you do not even have faith in yourself?  Without my help, you will face Corypheus and you will fall. 

Nira’sal knew what they really thought.  Even after she had been chosen as the Inquisitor, Cassandra continued to search for Hawke.  She was no one's first choice.  She was just who had fallen into their lap at the right time and place.  Even when Hawke was left in the Fade, she had seen the messages that Leliana had sent to the Hero of Ferelden.  She had seen the looks that Cullen and Josephine would share.  While they would try to play it off, Nira had never led anyone.  She had never had to make these kinds of decisions.  She had been the First that no one wanted and now she was the Inquisitor that no one wanted.  Even to the last moment, they had hoped that she would be replaced.  And who could blame them?

While the others put up with her, no one took her seriously.  And why would they?  She had never given them a reason to do so.

You are useless to them.  They no longer want you around.  You have nothing to offer them.  What could they possibly want from you?

Iron Bull and Blackwall brought their strength in battle.  Nira could always count on them to take a hit.  While Sera wasn’t always the most loyal of the bunch, she was always able to turn the battle on its head.  Cole had found a new purpose now that he had embraced his spirit side.  Dorian was smart and quick as a whip when it came to politics and battle.  Vivienne was fierce and strong and while Varric wasn’t the strongest rogue she had ever seen, he was able to weave stories and had the ability to make you believe just about anything.

Solas...was kind and inhumanly strong.  Nira had grown as a healer, but even Solas was better than her in that department.  She was good for nothing and...

You are weak, but I can change that.

Tears streamed down her face as she concentrated on the face in front of her.  She knew it was just a demon pretending to be her brother, but just having him in front of her, she finally felt herself losing her foothold in this fight. 

I can make you strong.  All you have to do is accept the gift that I offer and then you will have nothing to fear.

The words it spoke were comforting coming from her brother.  He had always been a source of strength for her when she had no one else.  She had become so tired of fighting and nothing she did made any sort of difference.  She had played some hand in uniting Ferelden and Orlais against Corypheus, but the Inquisition could have done that without her with the help of the Champion.  After Redcliffe, Haven had been destroyed.  Helping the Grey Wardens, she had left the Champion of Kirkwall in the Fade.  Each step forward, she had hurt someone.  And now?  She knew that Corypheus was going to win.  Nothing she could do would change that. 

Maybe with this demon’s help.  They would have some sort of a chance.

Nira’sal looked up at the demon.  She was tired.  This demon had been after her since the very start.  She had tried to fight it.  Solas had tried to keep her strong, but this was who she really was.  The elf that gave into her fear.

“Okay.”  

The demon held out his hand.  She looked at her brother’s hand.  She wanted to be strong and brave just like he was.  Soren wasn’t afraid of anything and Nira had always been jealous of that.  Even he tried to toughen her up, but nothing ever worked.  She was weak.

Take my hand and your fears will leave you.  Let me help you.

She nodded her head and reached her hand out.

A snarl echoed from behind her that brought her back to her senses.  

Suddenly, she felt herself being thrown to the side like a ragdoll.  “You will not take her.”  The voice spoke, a low growl emitting under his voice.  More pain shot through Nira’s body as she regained control over her body and senses.  With all the strength she could muster, she pushed herself up onto her hands and opened her eyes taking deep breaths with every small movement.  Though the demon only had her for a few moments, it had completely zapped her of almost all of her strength.

You dare take my prey from me, Dread Wolf?  She has chosen to accept her fear.  Certainly, you would not deny her this.

“Shut up!  You will stand down.”  A menacing growl rumbled through the Fade, forcing Nira to look up at what was happening in front of her.  A large black wolf lunged himself towards the demon and once again she could feel her mind go blank.  

May the Dread Wolf never catch your scent da’len.  The last thing he keeper ever said to her rang through her mind.  Had he found her because she had fallen prey to her fears?  Surely, that was it.  She would be punished for what she had done.  Her keeper had warned her and now...it was over.

Within moments, the demon had fallen.  She had watched the Dread Wolf tear this Fear demon to shreds and now, the wolf made its way towards her.  With each step, the wolf turned into something different, someone familiar.  By the time he reached her, it was Solas that stood before her.  

Solas knelt down a sad expression crossing his features as he looked down at her.  Nira found herself unable to make eye contact with him.  "Are you hurt?  Let me look at you.”  He grabbed her chin to look her over, but she immediately ripped it out of his hand and dropped it to the ground. 

“Who are you?”  Her mind was groggy and cloudy, but she knew what she just saw.  Solas was...

Nira’sal jolted into an upright position, her face covered in sweat and unable to catch her breath.  She closed her eyes for a moment before she was finally able to take in her surroundings.  She was still in Skyhold.  Everything was fine.  It was all just a dream...wasn’t it?

“Are you alright?”  Solas sat up from his sleep silently, placing a gentle hand on hers.  The voice startled her but calmed her at the same time.  

It was a dream.  It was a dream.  It was a dream.  She repeated that in mind over and over again.  She was unable to answer him.  The vision of that thing slowly changing into her Solas had been engrained in her mind.

“Nira’sal,”  Solas spoke calmly, placing a hand on her chin and forcing her to look over.  “Are you alright?”  His eyes grew more concerned with each silent moment that passed.  

She curled her knees into her chest, trying to keep the tears from falling down her cheeks.  “I-I’m okay...I think...The demon-”

“I do not think Fear will be haunting your dreams further.  As I traveled the Fade, I felt his existence fizzle out completely.  You have nothing left to fear.”  Solas smiled softly, rubbing his thumb across her hand.  She could tell how hard he was trying to comfort her, but his words seemed twisted and not quite right.  She knew what she saw, but surely that wasn’t really him.  Solas was kind and gentle and nothing like the tales she heard throughout her village.  Were she even to suggest it, Solas would probably laugh in her face.

There was no way.

“Solas, I saw...”

“Shhhhh...It was all but a dream.”  Solas continued to smile, laying back down in the bed, pulling her with him.  “Rest now.  I will watch over you as you sleep.”  Nira cozied up into the crook of his arm, resting her head on his chest.  She closed his eyes, allowing his warmth to soothe her.  She took a deep breath.  There was nothing to be afraid of.  Solas was here.  As if on cue, Solas held her tighter, placing a small kiss on the top of her head.  “Ar lath ma, vhenan.”

It was a dream.  It was a dream.

Solas could feel her drift back off to sleep.  He took a deep breath.  There was a possibility that he could play off the encounter as a dream, but he had to tread carefully.  

Even were she to figure out the truth, it mattered not.  Their face of with Corypheus was drawing near and soon they would have to part.  His main goal before his departure was to rid her of the Fear demon that plagued her and now she would be free of it.  She would live the rest of her life free of the demon and once word got around that the Dread Wolf was protecting this girl, no other demon would dare come close to her.  With one more deep breath, he closed his eyes, simply enjoying the short time he had left with Nira’sal.

“Everything will be alright, da’len.”

Translations:

Ar lath ma, vhenan - I love you, my heart

da’len - young one

More of my writing can be found here!

Fen’harel enansal