According to Sera the first step was: Make the bed look terrible.
Standing before her bed, Inquisitor Ellana Lavellan kneads her hands full of the sheets. She swirls them until twisted and wrinkled—then shakes them into the air. The fabric briefly takes flight before before crumpling down across the mattress. Ultimately, it didn't matter what it looked like. This wasn't a challenge of art. It would be a step in the wrong direction otherwise. Art implied thought and being sick hardly required a brain.
Ellana stares down at the mess she just made and bites her lip.
Technically speaking but...
No. You're thinking too much. Next step
The next step was don't lay in the bed.
'Don't! Sera had warned and Ellana almost jumps at the memory. Sera had slammed her stein of ale on the counter when she said so. She never looked so serious (while drunk) for such a silly topic. How to pretend you're sick.
'When you're sick," she started with knitted eyes "where don't matter cause you feel like shit."
"...You mean the bed?"
"Well, duh."
Ellana tosses some of her pillows onto the chaise lounge. Then she climbs onto it herself. She could have really just threw herself-but it was too late-she was already swinging her legs over the arch and leaning her head where the feet would be. Or at least she thought so. She never bothered with the chaise lounge in all her time as Inquisitor. And besides, this was only a practice run. Everyone else was far away. Still partying away in the tavern. This was precisely the perfect time for some rehearsing and reaquainting oneself with a chaise lounge.
"Alright, let's see…" She clicks her tongue like a clock, running the checklist through her head.
Distressed signs of sleep…check. Incorrect lounging… She glances up at her toes. I think so? She stares at her toes. The next three words wade at a snail's pace.
"Uncomfortable...body language."
She hangs both her arms out in front. This should be no problem for her but oh it certainly was. Creators, what did humans not consider awkward? She had barely mastered the concept of a proper hand shake at the Winter Palace. Too much squeezing too little shaking. Ugh, it was impossible to get right.
In the end, Ellana settles for one arm over the stomach and the other under the skull. The pins and needles start almost immediately and she thinks of it as a good sign. Well this was the way to go apparently. Yes, alright, this was how she would look. This was going to work.
Tomorrow.
And that is precisely when the door to her quarters slams open and she freezes in her spot.
What? Who? She listens for the footsteps. They're quick, yet not hasty and weak enough to suggest a servant-damn it! A strong humming sound follows the patter of feet. Light and cheery. Oh. Confident. Oh no. Bold Oh no no. Theatrical. Oh no no no no no.
Dorian.
Great.
Ellana shuts her eyes and mutters a few swear words under her breath. Tomorrow was today apparently. There was no time for clean up and furthermore. if she couldn't fool 'the best friend' now, she wouldn't be able to fool anyone else.
Up the stairs he comes.
"This is a night for the ages!" he vents with gusto. Very Dorian like and very tipsy. His feet slide along the tile, a drunken twirl most likely. Maybe this could work after all. "The Bull is drunk while standing, Sera has coerced our Commander to stand an apple on his head—and word is that Josephine is spending time with Blackwall-Tell me, that you at least saw the look on Varric's face during all this before you left? He may never even leave Sky…"
He literally gasps when he see's her and she resists the tremendous urge to sneak a peek. She had to remind herself though, sarcasm detection was harder with the eyes closed, and dear Dorian, (drunk or not) had quite a tendency for dramatics. Her mouth pulls a frown she can't fight. This was going to be difficult but then again, maybe she was being the dramatic one. After all, she did use quite a lot of rash vine on her skin. Her complexion was snowy enough. Maybe that's what he was gasping at.
Dorian mutters in mushed Tevene as he scampers toward her loud and quick.
Alright, maybe she was the one overthinking after all. Time to sneak a peak. Just one eye.
And...he's right where he should be, peering over her, one hand leaning on the arch while the other is limp. He has a look that's a little investigative but the fact that he was even pondering about it was a good sign at the very least.
She gives the silence a few more beats before speaking
Actually...
Actually no.
Sera's advice was don't speak. Not yet. Sounds first. Just breathe.
So she does that. She sighs and he reacts instantly. His hand shoots out like lightning, pressing a near slap to her forehead.
"Ellana?"
Maybe this wasn't so hard.
She opens her other eye. She could see more tells and while he didn't look as careful as he sounded, he was getting there. Now she really had to sell it. Time for the next step.
"What sort of things should I say Sera?"
The city elf shrugs. "Not much. You groan, you whine... Been sick before right? The mountain yeh?" She snickers.
"I hardly tried then."
"Haha. right yeah! You were all. Whraaa and Euuurggh."
"So...I should sound like that?"
"Pfft! No! For a fever, you just talk drunk and sad. Guilty, like oh poor me. They'll fall for it. Might have to try harder with Dorian though. Looks the type who mastered this shit."
"Would you like me to leave?" Dorian offers quietly. Sera was right to think he wouldn't be convinced so easily. As gentle as he sounded his gaze was saying otherwise. Time for the next step. The mumbling dismissal.
"...only napping." She closes her eyes in a slow blink and then, slower, she raises the hand on her stomach in a graceless swating motion. "What were you saying before?-"
His hand wipes through her bangs and snatches her wrist. Unexpected. Very unexpected. So much that she almost flinched.
That was too close.
"You are warm…" he says in a studying tone. Then he hicups. Then it made sense and it took all the strenth not to laugh in his face.
Maker Creators and gods he could really scare her sometimes. All motherly and brotherly and...drunk..and then suddenly, the wrath of an elder was upon her. What are you doing? Why didn't you tell me this? That's the last time I let you do this or that or-ah, there we go. His hand was back on her forehead again. Doing the double check and much gentler than before.
"When you speak sick, you gotta really sell it, Spider." Varric said to her.
"Sell it how exactly?"
The dwarf's reply was simple. To him at least.
"Sell it like you're stupid."
Ellana pushes a rapturous smile, as if all the elfroot was flowing in her blood. "I was dreaming of dragons…" She mumbles, and if she weren't so busy looking starry eyes and faint she's notice her friend was hanging on every word in panic. "One breathed fire and…"
"Stop spitting nonsense." She could hear Varric's voice in her head or to be more precise, his laughter. You're getting him Spider. "You're ill." he says. "...You have a fever," he mumbles.
"…Fever?"
"Do not be daft! You're not that far backwards!" the anger in his scolding-big-brother voice falters "You know...I've never actually seen you with a fever…" he ponders again, this time all thoughts. He hiccups again.
"So, Bull, hypothetical question." She asked him one day in the tavern. "If I was pretending to be ill, how should I sound when I talk?"
"Delirious." He replies. Then he adds. "Delirious as fuck." Then he adds something else. "When you plan on doing this?"
"The day after Vivienne's party."
"What's the special occasion?"
"Just a promise."
Bull smirks.
"Have fun boss."
"Doorian," Final step: the delirious. Her fellow mage friend pulls a flabergasted look at her that makes her chuckle by accident. "I-I don't have a fever." she quickly swallows her breath and it's perfect because something actually hitches in her throat and now she's coughing for good this time.
Ellana continues to cough and he stares, frown fading in consideration.
And then.
"Vishante Kaffas!"
Ellana doesn't even see him. The sheets are nabbed from her bed and thrown over her. Next pillows are being tossed. She tries to push herself up, to see what's happening and take a pillow for herself when he suddenly appears, snatches it for her, pushes her back on the cushion and then stuffs the pillow under her head with a huffing 'don't you dare'.
Once she didn't look like she was sleeping in laundry-which in Dorian's case was laying under three blankets and two pillows-he looms over her with one hand under his chin.
"Probably the change in climate..." he muses to himself in a distant voice. He meets her eyes and gives her the lecture look. "Skyhold spoils you so-you forget how to dress for the weather and…. "he scoffs and raises his hands in defeat. "And you don't tell anyone of course. Just let it fester like a bad infection…" he sighs. "I suppose I will have to fetch the advisors…" he pauses, suddenly remembering tonights events and sighs again. "I will tell the advisors. Now...get some rest, alright? …Do you hear me? ...Ellana?"
"…okay."
And he saunters off. Finally. His feet pattering down the steps.
Then.
"Ellana?" he calls up. "...Do you want anything? ...Jam and a biscuit perhaps?"
She's lucky she only smiled. She was so close to rising up and replying with a resounding yes', because jam and biscuits was a new favorite meal of hers.
Dorian was clever but she was Inquisitor for a reason...and no one had to know how she almost fell for this.
She hears his footsteps again but instead of fading they rise. He's coming back and everything is different. His sigh is full and his steps are short and heavy as they appoach.
All good tells but just in case, she keeps her eyes closed and her back turned. If she was sick she wouldn't have heard any of this. If she was sick she would be fast asleep.
She feels his hand briefly pat the top of her head.
"I'll have the servants make you something tomorrow." he whispers and then he leaves.
The door closes with a soft click.
Ellana Lavellan counts to ten before she even moves.
That was too close.
In a parchment hastily written the following morning, Lelliana reports that Skyhold's Inquisitor Lavellan has fallen ill. As a result, changes in schedule would follow.
The Spymaster sways a little as she reads. Her hood was pulled back, what little sunlight in the war room layered her red hair a lovely shine. It was a beautiful day and it was showing on her face.
Josephine as well. She observed earlier out her window—how everyone embraced the soft summer heat that snuck itself into Skyhold. She noticed the Commanders soldiers had strayed their sparring matches to patches of sunlight while Lelliana's scouts relayed messages from outside the tower. Some servants begged Josephine permission to wash the dishes in the courtyard where the brightest sunlight stayed. She approved every request.
Assignments for the Inner Circle were strange if entirely undemanding. A delivery of supplies to the Hinterlands. That was it and it wasn't debated nor argued over. Varric and Cole were quick to offer their services for the task. She was thankful for them. Madame de fer's party had half of Skyhold still recovering from hangovers and even Josephine had a pinching feeling in her head.
Josephine also recalled approving other offers as well. Cassandra and Dorian, she believed. Their reqquests were odd. They suddenly appeared at her desk this morning, volunteering at the last minute. She wondered why. They gave no answer other than loyalty to the Inquisition.
Lelliana held a pleasant smile as she closed the letter. She almost shrugged. A full day of relazation. It was if she was a bard again at a camp in another time, plotting set ups for friends in her free time. There's a gleam in her eye and Josephine is quick to comment.
"Something else you would like to say?"
"Hmm? What was that Ambassador?"
Between them, Commander Cullen stands less brazen with his hands not resting on his sword. He looked to each woman as they began their eye bickering from his sides. He wasn't going to deny looking forward to some sun while doing some light work. He also wasn't going to admit that either. So he wasn't going to get involved in this discussion.
"Lelliana," Josephine inquires in a tone that stretches every sylable. "You're not going to tell me are you?"
"What's to tell?" she replies coyly.
Josie puts her hands on her hips. "You are making plans Lelliana. I can see it in your eyes."
"A spymaster can't have her own secrets, Josie?"
Cullen glances across to where the Inquisitor would be. Last time she was—she did look a little paler. She always looked pale to him. Her light hair and lighter twig like vallaslin didn't help much either. Though he had to admit, lately he had trouble spotting the lines on her face.
"I am merely curious to know if they involve anyone I should know," Josephine argues.
"Perhaps-"
"Lelliana please. Just tell me if you're setting me up for a date."
Cullen gives up and clears his throat.
"Are any of us going to comment on the Inquisitor being ill all a sudden? Right after Madam de fer's party..? You know, she left before we could give her any notice."
The women stare at him like he's a ghost.
"….Yes?" he says. "Lelliana? Jose—"
"Cullen," Lelliana interrupts. "Are you...concerned?"
The Commander scoffs and throws his arms out. This was ridiculous. "Shouldn't we all?" His jaw hangs slightly open in a 'I give up' kind of smile.
The women giggle and Cullen's cheeks flush.
"Now Commander…" Lelliana coos. He shakes his head at her.
"It's not that." he clarifies. "But I do think it strange being the only concerned party here."
"No Commander," Josephine intrudes with a slight giggle. "You are not alone. I actually visited the Inquisitor this morning. She just needs a long days rest." she taps her clipboard. "I do, however, have something I'd like to amend to Lelliana's report, if I may… It pertains to the Inquisitor herself."
"Oh?" Cullen says. His hands rest easier on the hilt of his blade. Josephine reaches for her clip board and Lelliana fetches a blank paper and pen. However brief, the war room become familiar again and the Commander takes a slight comfort in that.
Ellana waits in silence with her eyes closed before officially waking up. She yawns quietly.
The first thing out of place is a basket of biscuits beside her on the floor. There's a note from Sera stuck on the side of one she picks up. She reads the scribbles as she takes a bite. Fresh and good.
She couldn't believe this was working so well.
Told Staff. -Sera
She wonders if Dorian tried to decode it. He was probably talking to Sera right now about it. 'Sera, I don't know why I'm asking' he would say 'but what was that message you sent to our inquisitor?' 'Tch' she would say back 'I unno. When you figure out why you're askin, maybe I'll give a proper answer.
Ellana then pictures soft steam floating from her mage friend's ears. He would calmly respond with a huffing 'Why do I even bother.' Then he would Ashante Karvas. Or was it Kishante Jaffas? No… Vishante Kaffas was it. That was it. Ellana snickers as a few crumbs fall from her lips.
Knock Knock
Startled, she stuffs the biscuit down and hauls herself for the bed with the sheets. The cotton slips out from her fingers and she falls on the floor between. She growls and tugs the sheets again. The chaise lounge squeaks toward her. Damned Dorian. He came back and tucked her in. Shit, she really did convince him.
"Inquisitor?" The door opens and the timid voice comes in more clear. Ellana plummets what she can quickly carry with her to the bed. "Oh you couldn't have heard me anyway.."
Ellana's shoulders collapse. Only Josephine.
Josephine came with fresh towels, a proper breakfast tray and one of Lelliana's raven messengers. She was too much. Ellana reminds herself to move very slow. She sits up and holds the cup of hot milk placed in her hands. She's pretends she can't feel the burning sting through the cup. She fizzes some ice in her palms before drinking. It was still burning hot.
"Apologizes for barging in so early." Ellana gives Josie a shy smile. "Now I know how much your sleep is important but I think it would be in best interest if we discussed this now. A fever is not going to go away and since the best cure is isolation, I figured that…"
If this meant what she thought—-this was going to be the best sick day she ever had.
"So you're going to play hooky?" Blackwall doesn't hold in his laughter. He has the decency to keep his voice low. Night time in the stables had plenty of nosy ears about. "I'm not surprised by this with all the time you spend with Sera lately… You have a plan I hope?"
"I have about...half a plan."
"Alright. So you came to not just tell me but to seek advice on completing the other half..right?" he smiles.
She smiles back. "I need a scapegoat… and a way to keep anyone from sneaking into my quarters while I'm gone. Obviously magic can't be involved. You know who would know right away."
"Heh. I'd suggest bribing the servants then. You can have Sera pass the word. Any of them would kill to play sick Inquisitor for a day. Even Sera would…"
Blackwall stops and they both look at each other. He chuckles as he watches Ellana grin.
"This was a very good talk, Blackwall."
"That I would write a temporary rule asking you not to be disturbed unless called upon." Josephine gestures to the raven's cage beside the bed.
Ellana suppresses her jaw from slacking. She would be buying Blackwall rounds for the rest of his life. He had to have influenced this sort of idea. She still thought about using a bit of magic but this…this was so much better. More believable. Cassandra and Dorian wouldn't speak to her for weeks instead of months.
"That…." Now she just has to get to Sera. It was going so well. "Thank you Josephine." She smiles down into her now empty cup "I can count on you..to make it happen."
Josephine smiles back. "It is the least I can do. Have a good rest Inquisitor."
She takes the empty cup from Ellana's hands, tilts her head at how chilly it was and then shakes her head to dismiss further thoughts. She explains how the raen will act and then bows before exiting down the stairs.
Once the door clicks, Ellana sets the tray aside. She closes her eyes and clears her head. Her mind drifts as she mutters an incantation and she feels herself shrink into the sheets.
Sera wasn't really waiting for a certain elfy lookin' spider with white fur to pop in through the open window but when it does, she cannot deny feeling a little giddy. She watches Elfy wiggle her way toward the pillows. She goes to shut the windows. When she turns around, Elfy is grinning at her.
"It's on?"
At the beginning of their friendship, it was Sera who was the prank leader. She would pull the ideas and then Elfy along, acting like the bigger sister to her despite their similar ages. When she let Elfy take charge for the first time, things were weird but brilliant. Replacing Dorian's bookshelf with copies of Swords and Shields, begging Blackwall to carve a wooden head of a High Dragon to trick Bull on his wasted nights. She knew she had found a kindred spirit. So she would let her lead today. Let her do her weird magic too. Just for today though. For the plan.
She tried to forget about the real reason behind this whole elaborate plan of hers. Well, theirs, even if Elfy thought of it, she helped fill most of it in. She and Varric and Blackwall and Bull and anyone who wasn't Dorian Cassandra or an advisor.
Whatever. The point was the fun and she, as in Sera, was getting the most of it. If Elfy thought fun was spending time with creepy and the dwarf looking for dumb bunny rabbits then she could go right ahead. She, as in Sera-was getting the better deal: Getting to be Inquisitor. Well, getting to be a sick Inquisitor who no one was allowed to see was more accurate. Still pretty damn good thoug.
"Yes, " Inquisitor Ellana, also known to her as Elfy-squeaks at her. Her hands are shaking as she lays them on Sera's shoulders. She whispers. Sera had never seen her friend so alive and happy in days, weeks even. She doesn't mention it.
"They all bought it!" Ellana boasts. "even Dorian!"
"Shit... you..." Sera is grinning. She rubs her hands together with glee. She notices Ellana falter in her excitment.
"Hey what's-"
"Well…this next part. This is going to be difficult."
Sera knew the plan backwards and forwards. She remembered this part. She just chose to bury it deep.
"Yeah yeah quitt wastin air-I'm ready!" The city elf throws her hand out and the dalish inquisitor shakes it. "Ain't every day I get to play sick n spoiled Inquisitor… So what's next?"
"Well…if you remember" Ellana says in a nervous sing song voice. She keeps her other hand on Sera's shoulder. This could go bad very quick knowing Sera's temper. "I …poof you into a spider—really quickly—and lead us back to my room."
The first thing Sera does is pick her hand off. Slowly, her eye grow wide and she frowns.
Ellana panics.
"Sera Sera Sera" she hushes. "It will only last five minutes-I swear! Think of all the sweets and snacks and scandalous letters from all the suitors you can read!" That seems to calm her a bit but her mouth is still a sinking to her chin. "Of course you can't reply to any of them." she adds.
Sera slowly crosses her arms and Ellana actually feels sick for a moment. They came so far..
"I get to reply to one." Sera says. Firm. Very firm. The incredibly deep deep frown helped make it so. "No deal otherwise."
"Sera..."
"No deal then."
"Fine!" Sera's grin is back and she snatches her hand the moment Ellana reaches out. They shake in amendment to their agreement. A small price to pay. When the shake is over Sera smacks Ellana's hand away and takes a step back. Her confidence begins to wobble.
"Alright...Elfy...frickin you...weird shite...". she says under her breath. She plops on the floor in a scrunch, arms drawing around her legs. She shuts her eyes and shivers. "Let's get this over with."
There's no time wasted casting the spell.
The Iron Bull sits where he always does in the tavern. The chargers are sprawled about, most of them sleeping with their heads cradled in their arms. Krem is awake. There's a serving girl watching Bull from the counter. Krem smirks at her and Bull does the same. The Qunari's mind is however elsewhere and Krem notices this.
Neither of them sense the spiders scurrying past their feet.
"Whatcha thinking about, Chief?"
Bull turns his eye to Krem.
"The boss."
"A rare topic." Krem mutters sarcastically under his breath.
Bull's smirk grows. "Not in your head Krem."
"Do I want to know?" the lieutenant lad spits back with a rivaling smirk, it covers up the heat in his cheeks. Bull just snorts a laugh at him, blowing Krem's hair back.
Blackwall sits just shy of Skyhold's steps. It's a lovely, sunny day and he chooses to peacefully eat an apple in the shade. He has a great view of the camps. In the distance he can feel the horses staring at him in envy and he chuckles. The creatures didn't care how many apples they had near them. They wanted every apple period.
Something appears out of the corner of his eye and when he looks down, he see's what he thought. Two spiders, wiggling in a little line, up the stairs. Rarely did Blackwall see insects walk in cooperation. Then one of the bugs stops to face him. Blackwall inches away despite still keeping a wary eye on them.
It was...how distinct their furry bodies appeared. One white and the other, a yellowy kind. Almost straw yellow.
Blackwall finds himself staring in confusion.
Suddenly, the spider jumps back and so does he. The white spider bumps into the yellow one and they scurry up the stairs in a blundering spin.
Blackwall shrugs and eats his apple. He mumbles something and in the far distance one of the horses can be heard.
Dorian returns to his quarters and prepares for the day. He feels ready and he can't quite explain why. His legs move quick down the stairs as if spiders were at his ankles. There's no need to rush yet here he is, in the halls of Skyhold, on his way outside before he knows it.
He spots the Commander exiting the War Room. Outside his office. All in all-a rare sight. He makes sure to call over hello.
"Ah," Cullen looks startled as he should. "Pavus" he says quickly. He stops walking when Dorian bows his head to him. "Morning." he says at last.
"Good morning Commander."
"You've…seen the reports I wager?" Dorian bats his hand at Cullen, a prideful gleam in his smile.
"No need for that." he says casually. "Remember, I got the inside scoop last night."
"Ah…oh" Cullen replies. "I see" The things the Tevinter would say. Even when he didn't mean them. Even when he was sincere, as he was doing now. They always came off as sensual. Cullen feels a smile tug on him. It would probably never change. Even after Mother Giselle's departure.
"I take it you read Josephine's update then, Pavus?"
The Tevinter does something Cullen wasn't expecting. He expresses confusion.
"Update?" Then he laughs through a short breath. "What is she better already?" then his humor fades and Cullen see's something like a cruel joke pass through his eyes. "Commander what is it?" he demands.
"N-Nothing serious! I assure." He can't help but chuckle. "Our Inquisitor is still unwell so Josephine quarantined her. If you wish to speak or meet you may send a crow through Lelliana"
"Did you say quarantine?" the face he makes was akin to how Cullen responded when he first heard it. "This is overly cautious of our Ambassador. And our Inquisitor agreed to this?"
Cullen sighs for a good five seconds.
"I'm sure she was too delirious to finish a sentence but yes, somehow this is now a thing," Dorian smiles a little at that. Adding a quick 'for the best then' but Cullen goes on. "Perhaps if you were there with us in the war room, you could have convinced them otherwise. Maker knows I tried, but I guess whatever I said didn't have enough…flair. I'm sure you can imagine that."
"No imagination required Commander."
"Aha!" Cullen smirks. "A jest." His eyes narrow in kinship as he would eye his many siblings prior to a match of chess. "I will pay that back…perhaps in chess later this afternoon? Should you find yourself free in the courtyards after a hard days work?"
Dorian smirks back. The challenge was on. "Only after my exhausting responsibilities are over and done with. Duty first Commander."
They trade each other big-headed nods and pass on. Neither of them see the two spiders scurrying towards the Inquisitor's quarters.
"Varric, I'm still not sure I understand…" Dorian hesitates. "Are you sure about this?"
Varric leans out of his front seat up in the carriage and looks down at Dorian. He looks him in the eyes.
"Yes, Sparkler," he says. "You really don't want to ride in this thing anyway. We barely fit as it is with all the supplies in the back." The Tevinter is busy looking at the dwarfs hands. The reigns were gripped tight. Beside Varric, sits Cole. Dorian studies him too. The boy was looking more distracted than usual. He wasn't fidgeting. At all.
"You are sure you want to do this. Just the two of you?" Cassandra was on the same page. She could also sense something was up. She doesn't blink while meeting Varric's eyes. She's standing beside Dorian with crossed arms. A gesture that was a thousand times more initimidating, coming from her.
But Varric knows Cassandra so he only sighs.
"Look for the third and final time, I do not want more company." He throws out the first suggestion he can think of to his bothersome human friends. "Take the day off like everyone else! Go to the tavern. Spend some time with the chargers."
From the looks he gets-he pretends he didn't make that suggestion.
"Look do something! I'm more than capable with work like this and the kid isn't some helpless puppy. Plus, I'm a businessman, remember that Seeker?"
Cassandra doesn't move. Dorian blinks and scratches his chin
"You must really enjoy the Hinterlands, Varric"
"Or at least hate the warm weather."
Varric laughs at them without any signs of humor.
"Whose to say it won't be sunny there as well? You know what? Why don't we find out…" he turns to Cole and nudges his shoulder. "How about a forecast kid? Can you read Scout Harding? She just got back from there this morning."
"Yes..."
"Well don't keep us waiting. How does she feel?"
"It's... refreshing. Rare. Comfy and Snug. She feels safe. Warm. A gentle fire."
"See?" Varric remarks. "Sounds like good weather to me."
"I squeezed him. Did I let go too quickly? Did I hold too tight? Was the thudding heartbeat mine or his? Fuzzy. Cozy. Cuddly. When will I get the next chance? I need to read more about buckles.."
Cassandra crosses her arms, unimpressed with Varric's ways but she smiles when Cole looks at her. He asks if he did well. Dorian answers for her with a nod and smile. It grows wicked as he turns to Varric. Then the mage trots off to Skyhold's nearest door.
"Well then. I'm off. I have letters to write to your Bianca." he says teasingly as he waves behind.
"Sparkler."
Cassandra laughs. Briefly. "How very nice." She says, then turns on her heel and leaves towards the courtyards.
Varric looks at Cole.
"Why are you making that face at me?" Cole says. "They said I did good. I did what you asked…" A silence falls between them. Varric reaches an arm and pats the boy's back. "When is she coming?" Cole whispers his question.
"I don't know kid. We may have to do this without her."
Cole sighs. "But she promised me." he dips his head. "She said she would make a day for me" he whispers. "Today is that day. You told me so. She did too... Sera sent the notes."
"I know kid. It's just that sometimes promises..."
Something leaps into the back of the carriage, sending jitters down their backs. Varric hears Cole gasp. He turns first and see's the white tail end of a furry thing burrowing under the blankets in the back. Once the dwarf see's a familiar and faint green glow underneath, he whips the reigns with a firm whack.
They're out of Skyhold in a blur. The carriage wheels in a flurry, down the mountain path at ramming speed.
Cole's eyes widen as they rock over the bumpy trail. Varric doesn't remember it being this rough. Then again they haven't been to The Hinterlands in months. He tugs tight on the reigns, muttering choice words he hopes the kid doesn't hear.
The horses trample the gravel, grinding pebbles to dust. Cole's voice carries thorough the sweeping soot as it hits them face on.
"Climbing. Chasing. Running. Riding. A promise, a gamble and now a promise kept. I made it. I made it. We made it!" Varric grins at him when the dust clears. How he didn't cough between each word was a damned talent.
"Look's like I need to be more optimistic, Spider." Varric shouts behind him. When the carriage rolls onto smoother terrain and he gains control of the horses, he looks over his shoulder. As if on cue, Ellana pops her furry fennec head out from the blankets. She yips.
Cole turns his head. He stares at the the creature sitting in the back, watching its long ears twitch.
"It's…her…" he says. Ellana sneaks back under the blankets and Cole watches the lump glow and grow as it approaches him. The blanket unfurls and a familiar face pokes out. She glances at Varric, then back at the boy.
"Are we ready to catch some bunny rabbits?"
Cole grabs onto Ellana and she hugs him back. "It was you! You learned that to help find the bunny rabbits?" Cole feels his arm slip and he pulls back to see a flashing light and then her beneath him, transformed again. She nods her fennec head and Cole laughs and pulling her small body up to his chest in an even tighter hug.
"Thank you!" he says. Ellana's whiskers flitter in excitement. Cole gave the best hugs. "…Varric!" his voice rumbles through her. "She's a fox!"
"I see that kid," Varric rubs his eyes from the glow. Another talent the kid had, he figures. Not being blinded by blinding lights. He shakes his head at Ellana. "You know Spider, I still can't believe we pulled this off."
"No Varric." Cole corrects, holding her out to the dwarf's face. "She is a fox. Look."
"Kid I can't see the road!"