The apartment was a small one, two bedrooms, one which had an ensuite bathroom, and a combination living room and kitchen. Despite that, it was clean and well taken care of. Cassandra surveyed the space, which had been hers and Galyan's for so long, and was now only hers. Without his things, the apartment seemed spartan, which suited Cassandra well enough.

Trevelyan's staccato knock broke the silence, and as usual Cassandra's best friend let themselves in. Trailing behind her was a man Cassandra assumed was the newest candidate for her roommate.

Trailing was probably the wrong word. It implied shyness, Cassandra thought, and the man who strolled into her apartment was not shy. Cassandra wracked her brain for the right word. Indolent. That was it. Possibly closer to smarmy.

"Varric Tethras," he said, holding out a large hand. Cassandra noted that she stood at least head and shoulders above him, though as Trevelyan was always quick to remind her, she towered over most people. Despite the difference in their height, his hand dwarfed hers. Thick, square fingers with neat nails, a distant part of her brain noted, dusted with fine, gingery hair.

Wait. Had he said Varric Tethras? The author?

Cassandra thought of the nearly complete collection of Swords and Shields novels sitting in her room, and blanched.

"Cassandra Pentaghast."

"Seeker! You're leaving out all the fun bits!" Trevelyan interrupted with a shit eating grin "Cassandra Filomena Calogera Allegra Portia..."

A quick glare from Cassandra cut Trevelyan off in the middle of their incorrect listing of all Cassandra's horrible middle names.

"Seeker?" Varric asked, clearly interested.

"Its a silly nickname" Cassandra said, shortly.

"She's a cop" Trevelyan spoke over Cassandra, "She's always lookin' for things. So, Seeker."

Cassandra grunted, annoyed.

"So Varric. Cassandra has a room to let, you need a place to stay while you're here..." Trevelyan gestured expansively. "Not a bad match."

"When do you move the rest of your stuff in?" Varric asked.

Bristling, Cassandra shot him a dirty look. "I already live here."

"Wow. Love what you've done with the place." Varric's gaze swept the living room while Cassandra glowered behind him, feeling oddly defensive.

A quick look from Trevelyan silenced Cassandra's next remark. Trevelyan managed to convey in a look and a few discreet gestures that Varric was the only applicant left, and that Cassandra couldn't afford her apartment alone for much longer.

"Would you like to see the other room?" Cassandra asked, barely reining in her temper. Of course the author of her favourite series had to be unpleasant.

"Lead the way, Cassandra." Varric swept a mocking half bow, and followed Cassandra down the hall.

Any evidence of its former occupant had been eradicated. The walls were white, like the rest of the apartment, and the only window was covered by plain white curtains.

"Very inviting" was Varric's only comment, and Cassandra could hear the laughter in his voice.

Trevelyan jabbed Cassandra in the ribs, giving her a significant look.

"Of course you are allowed to decorate the room as you like." Cassandra said.

"Not a bad space." Varric looked the room over again, and seemed to come to a decision. "I'll take it."

Again, Varric stuck his hand out, a small smile curling his lips when Cassandra hesitated slightly.

"Congrats" Trevelyan said as Cassandra resigned herself and shook Varric's hand.