One-shots based around my OCs from my Dragon Age RP site. Occasional references to canon characters may be made, but by and large the people in these were created by myself. Other Warden's Vigil characters may appear, and will be credited to their creators where relevant.
Nicolette woke early and quickly, shifting suddenly between sleep and wide awake. Her mind felt unusually clear for this time in the morning; propping herself up on her elbows, she looked out of the window at dawn's light slowly illuminating the clouds. She felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness, the latter tugging at her gut while the former had her quickly shifting out of bed to find the clothes that had been laid out in preparation the night before. She changed into them quickly before moving through her stretches, trying to kill some time before she headed downstairs.
Everything was ready; her pack was by the door, bedroll and tent tied firmly to the bottom, her cloak neatly folded on top of it, and her vielle case strapped as tightly and safely as could be to the back. Her daggers sat on her dressing table, newly oiled and sharpened the previous day. The habitual revulsion Nicolette experienced at the sight of them was not nearly so strong as usual this morning. She had other things to look forward to, and so quickly strapped on her belt and tucked them in their sheathes, putting them out of her mind as quickly as possible before tying on the bracers over the end of her sleeves and reaching for her cloak.
There was no indication that anybody else had stirred from their rooms as yet, and the bells in the Cathedral tolled six. It was an hour before she had to meet up with the others, and as yet she could not hear anybody else moving around in the house, so she sat on her bed and attempted to read. Focus dropped away after a few sentences, and she found herself bouncing on the bedsprings, pacing around the room, thoughts moving forward to the road that lay ahead. Time seemed to go at a crawl and she eventually decided that shifting about constantly would drive her mad, so she picked up her pack and headed downstairs.
To her surprise, Maman was already up, having apparently risen even earlier than Nicolette herself. She was busy at the stove, and Saul sat at the end of the table, heavy-eyed with sleep. He still smiled at her as she appeared, however.
"There's my second-best girl," he grinned, getting up to press a kiss to her cheek as she set her bag down. "How are you feeling?"
"Excited." Her eyes flicked in the direction of Maman, who was apparently avidly concentrating on the stove; she had not even turned around at Nicolette's entrance. "Nervous."
"You'll be just fine, cher. You'll have all your friends around you, right? They'll keep you safe." He chuckled. "And if a man is untoward, give him a good kick in the balls from me."
"Saul!" That had drawn a reaction from Maman, who turned around from the pot, brandishing a wooden spoon at her husband. "It is far too early in the morning for that sort of language!"
Nicolette's stepfather held up his hands, an entirely unapologetic smirk on his face. "Apologies, Clarice. Just trying to give some advice for her travels."
Maman turned back to the porridge with a roll of her eyes. "She already knows that one well enough, thank you very much." Saul winked at Nicolette as soon as Maman's back was turned, and she smiled in return. It was not as strong as it could be; the butterflies in her stomach were increasing with every minute that crawled by, and if she remained standing she would start pacing again, so she took her seat and waited for Maman to finish breakfast. It had been some time since they had eaten simple porridge oats; it had been a staple part of their diet on the roads, and Maman had apparently been quite relieved that part of settling into Val Royeaux was never having to eat it again. However, it was a good meal to start a long day of walking on; presumably hence why Maman was making it today. Nicolette suspected she would be grateful for it. After a year in the city, she was not as used to walking the entire day as she had been. And from this point onwards she would have to pick her meals very carefully, as it would be rare to know when the next one would come.
It was good porridge, rich with cream and flavoured with berries. Despite the butterflies, Nicolette was able to eat her fill, and when she was done Maman got up to fetch a small parcel of food to tuck in Nicolette's pack out of the pantry. She had barely eaten anything and Nicolette felt a surge of guilt. Not strong enough to call off her plans, however, and even if she tried, Maman would shoo her out the door.
The half-past bell chimed and Nicolette rose from her seat. "I am just going to say goodbye to Michel." Saul nodded, still ploughing his way through his second bowl of porridge, and Maman nodded stiffly. With a worried glance at her mother, Nicolette ascended the stairs and made her way into the main bedroom.
Michel was fast asleep in his cot, one chubby hand curled around the paw of his cloth bear. Nicolette bent over to press as light a kiss as possible to his forehead; she had hoped he would be awake, but did not want to disturb his rest. He shifted at the contact, but was not roused by it, and Nicolette whispered her goodbye before making her way downstairs again.
Saul had finished his food, and was holding her mother in the middle of the kitchen. Nicolette stayed out of sight in the hallway for a moment, heart twisting at the sight. From where she stood she could just about hear the sound of quiet sobs, and Saul looked solemn as he firmly hugged his wife. After a few minutes, Maman pulled away from him with a kiss, and Nicolette chose that moment to enter the kitchen. Her mother turned towards her with the first smile she had seen her wear that morning; it was shaky and her eyes were wet, but Nicolette was glad to see it nonetheless.
"Look at you, my beautiful girl." Maman's voice was admirably steady. "When did you become a woman, hm? You must have done it when my back was turned."
"I only look like a woman." Nicolette tried for a joke. "Inside I am still a ten-year-old girl."
"Then I pity your travelling companions." Maman managed to join in the joke before she moved away from Saul, who bent to pick up Nicolette's pack, to wrap her daughter in tight embrace. "Do you have everything? Books, tent, bedroll, bandages?"
"Yes, Maman."
"Daggers, whetstone, oil?"
"Yes, Maman."
"Quill, ink, money for emergencies?"
"Leave her alone, Clarice," Saul said, chuckling again. "She's got everything she needs – right, cher?"
Nicolette nodded. "I have checked everything. All I am missing are my friends." The bells chiming again made her look up. "Who will be missing me before too long. I should be on my way."
Maman's hold tightened for a moment, before pressing kiss to Nicolette's cheek. "Stay safe, Nico. For me?"
"I will. I will write every month." Nicolette hugged her mother before reluctantly releasing her, going over to give Saul his goodbyes as well. "Look after her for me."
"I always do." The usual good-natured smile was replaced with an appropriately serious expression as he hugged her again, before helping her on with her pack. It was heavy, and would rub at her shoulders for a while, but it would not be too long before she adjusted to the weight. Hopefully her feet would not take too long to remember the right rhythm for the road, either.
Unsure if there was anything else she could say, Nicolette took a breath and walked out of the front door. Saul and Maman followed her, both waving, and she waved in return; they stayed by the door until she had turned the corner and was out of sight.
Val Royeaux was just waking up at this time. There were some people scurrying to and fro in the streets, but for the most part it was quiet, save the strains of music coming out of the Grand Cathedral. Nicolette briefly experienced a strong pang of regret at leaving. She did love this city, beautiful and vibrant as it was. But to be out of the walls for the first time in a year, out on the road, breathing in air that did not smell of other people…her step quickened as she thought of it. It was deeply strange to be leaving without Maman, but there was also anticipation. She was a grown woman now, as her mother had observed, and a professional minstrel in her own right. Performing at parties unaccompanied had been a novelty, but this was what she wanted. To travel, to see things, to collect stories and songs.
The others were already at the gates when she arrived; Julian spotted her first, raising a hand. A broad smile spread across Nicolette's face as she headed towards them and the other three turned, Eloise breaking off her conversation with Martin to bound over to Nicolette and seize her in an exuberant hug. "Nicolette, at last!" The men followed suit with a little more decorum, Martin and Eward pressing chaste kisses to her cheek while beaming in excitement. Julian curled his fingers around hers and kissed her directly on the lips, earning a shy smile from Nicolette and a hoot from Martin. When he let go of her hand, Nicolette stepped back and bounced on her toes; the butterflies had settled and now she was simply excited.
Eward restored order after a few moments of excited chattered about their plans and where they were heading, pulling a map out of his satchel and tracing the road with his finger. "Only ten miles of walking today, to get us used to it," he said. "We will stop at this village – Allivain – and see if we can't trade music for beds. If not, there's a steam we can camp nearby not far from the outskirts." While more contained than the others, the blonde man's eyes sparked with anticipation as he tucked the map away. "Let's go!"
Together, the small gaggle of musicians walked through the gates of Val Royeaux, the autumn sun rising before them. If excitement and adventure had a scent, it was in the air today; Nicolette was almost drunk on it, giddy with the prospect of stretching her legs properly, and whatever lay before them. They had no real plans, no real direction; only moving between villages, trading music and stories for coin, and travelling as far as they could go. Nicolette fell into step beside Julian, wearing a broad smile.