Eris was walking around Skyhold with Sera talking about the Wintersend holiday celebration. Sera was grinning and chatting about all the different pranks she could pull as gifts and whatnot. The Inquisitor laughed and nodded. She was still trying to think of what she should get for everyone. She had already gotten almost everyone's gift except for Josephine's. Elgar'nan, what am I going to get her? Sera noticed that Eris looked frustrated and chuckled. She took a few quick steps to get in front of the other Elf before stopping.
"Thinking about whatcha gonna get Josie?"
"Yeah… She's the only one I can't figure out what she'd want."
"Well, if I was her I'd say you in a nice bow after the festivities… or during."
The Inquisitor gave the archer an exasperated look. She shook her head as she placed her arm around Sera's shoulders and continued on their way towards the tavern.
Sera looked up from where she was drinking with Iron Bull, Dorian and Varric to see Cassandra walking in looking nervous. The Elven archer chuckled and pointed over to the Seeker. Everyone at the table turned to look at Cassandra. Iron Bull and Dorian chuckled and waved at her to come join them. Varric muttered under his as he took another drink from his glass.
Cassandra tried to force a smile as she walked over and sat down by Varric, acrossed from Sera. The Seeker tried to not look as nervous as she was. Dorian decided to be the one to ask the Seeker why she was here and looked so nervous.
"So, Cassandra, we don't usually see you around here."
"I-I needed some… advice."
"By the Maker you're asking us Seeker? Why not go ask the Inquisitor?"
"She can't Varric, it's for the Seeker yeah?"
Sera looked to Cassandra who blushed and nodded. Everyone had noticed how close the two women had gotten, how Eris seemed to tease the Seeker a lot more then she did her other friends. If Josephine noticed she said nothing in front of them. Everyone at the table looked to one another before they decided to give the poor Seeker some advice. Iron Bull and Dorian started things off.
"You could get the boss a new set of daggers. I'm sure she'd like that."
"Or a kiss. As long as Lady Montilyet doesn't catch you."
Varric chuckled at Dorian's comment when the Seeker blushed and tried to object to the idea. Sera laughed openly before taking a quick drink she knew what it was the Inquisitor would want from Cassandra. Though, it was a similar to her idea for Eris to give to Josephine.
"How about you give her yourself. In a pretty pink bow."
"She wouldn't look good in pink, how about red?"
"Nah, pink is a good colour Dorian. Sera's right. The boss would love it!"
"Enough!"
Cassandra slammed her hands on the table, glaring at the three offending companions before walking off. Varric noticed how upset the Seeker was. By Andraste she really did want advice… Damn it Varric don't get soft on your captor and torturer. The Dwarf grumbled under his breath before he excused himself and walked off after Cassandra.
As soon as Varric left the tavern he noticed Cassandra and ran to keep up with her. The Seeker turned to see Varric. She was surprised and was about to question him when he held his hand up.
"Listen Seeker, if you really want advice on what to get the Inquisitor I'll help."
"Truely? You will not just laugh and make jokes like the others?"
"You have my word."
"Alright. Thank you."
"So what were you thinking of getting her?"
"I-I don't really have any idea…"
Varric gave the Seeker a confused look. He, as well as everyone else, knew that when they had time to relax the Inquisitor could only be found in one of two places: with her girlfriend, Josephine, or with Cassandra. Varric noticed that Cassandra looked worried. She quietly chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to think of a gift for Eris. Varric placed his hand on the Seeker's back.
"Tiny's idea wasn't bad. But, neither was Sparkler's…"
"W-what? You said you wouldn't-"
"I am being serious. We all notice how you two seem so close. I'm not judging, you two go do whatever it is you like-"
"We are friends."
"Fine, call it whatever you two want. Just, I am certain that you know more about the Inquisitor then any of us… well maybe not more then Ruffles, but that's a debate for another time. Just think about what she has told you, or something."
Cassandra gave the Dwarf a questioning look. She knew that Varric was probably right, but it still left her where she had started. She still did not know what to get Eris.
It was the morning of the Wintersend festivities and Eris was smiling as she walked around Skyhold. She couldn't wait to see the party that Josephine had planned tonight. I just hope everyone likes the presents I got them. The Inquisitor decided to go check on Cassandra and see if she wanted to hang out before the party tonight. She walked over to the training dummies and looked around for the Seeker. After not finding her there she decided to check her room. Eris walked off into a door by the training dummies before heading up some stairs. She went to knock on the door and noticed that the door was slightly ajar. The Inquisitor looked in and tried not to chuckle at the sight.
Cassandra sat in the middle of her room trying to wrap a box. She was starting to grow frustrated. The Seeker looked up when she heard someone laughing and expected to see Sera or one of their other companions here to mock her, but instead there was Eris giving her that grin. Cassandra blushed and looked down at the mess that was her gift. Eris walked over and sat down across from her. She reached out and picked up the different coloured ribbons looking them over. The Seeker had picked out three different colours it would seem. She had red, green and pink. The Inquisitor looked down at the wrapped package and tied a red ribbon around it before looking up at the blushing Seeker. She chuckled as she leaned over and placed the green ribbon around Cassandra's neck, tying it into a haphazard bow.
"So who is the present for?"
"N-no one in particular. Why?"
"You seem to be going all out for 'no one in particular.' Did you find someone you fancy Cass?"
The Seeker's blush grew as she tried to explain that it wasn't what Eris thought, exactly. Maker, why does everyone insist that Eris and I are… We are friends and nothing more. I mean, she's with Josephine… right? Eris chuckled again at the perplexed look on the Seeker's face. She leaned in closer to Cassandra leaning over the package.
"So, tell me, who is it for?"
"You. It's Wintersend and I thought… well…"
"Oh. You didn't have to… Besides I'd much rather unwrap you."
Eris used the bow she had tied around the Seeker's neck to pull Cassandra closer. The Seeker bit her bottom lip and looked away from the Inquisitor, thinking that just maybe Sera and Dorian had been right. Eris noticed Cassandra looked uncomfortable and went to move away from her when the Seeker pressed a soft kiss to her lips. The Inquisitor gave Cassandra a surprised look.
"I-I didn't think…"
"I knew that was a terrible gift, it's not like I am Jose-"
Eris leaned in and captured Cassandra's lips with her own for a few moments. When they broke the kiss the Seeker gave Eris a curious look. Eris had a light blush on her cheeks as she looked away from Cassandra.
"Y-you're gift was great… Ma serranas… I, just wasn't expecting it."
"Oh. You're welcome…"
"Yeah, uhm, I got you something as well…"
The Inquisitor reached into the pocket on her jacket and handed a small box to Cassandra. The Seeker gave Eris a confused look, wondering just what could be inside. She accepted the box and took a moment before opening it. Inside the small box was a small metal ring with a Seeker symbol on it. Cassandra picked it up looked it over. She smiled and pulled the Elf into a hug.
"Thank you Eris."
"Yeah, well since you're going to be Divine I wanted you to have a reminder of all the good you have to do."
"Haha. Afraid I'll turn out like everyone else."
"No. You're too good for that, but I-I didn't want you to forget, the Inquisition, us… me."
Cassandra noticed how vulnerable the Elf was being. She slipped the ring onto her finger before reaching out and gently caressing Eris' cheek. The Inquisitor looked up at the Seeker, knowing that their paths would soon take them in different directions but not wanting to leave her best friend's side. If things had been different, if Eris hadn't fallen in love with Josephine, she had no doubt in her mind she would have followed Cassandra anywhere.
The Seeker leaned in and pressed another kiss to the Inquisitor's lips. She had been dreading the day she would have to leave the Inquisition for the Sunburst throne, but was glad to see that she wasn't the only one. Eris leaned back and tried to keep herself from getting too emotional. She picked up the box that Cassandra had been wrapping and looked to the Seeker.
"So if my gift was a kiss, who's this for?"
"... you. I-"
"I know. Hehe. You're too adorable sometimes Cass."
Eris moved back to dodge the Seeker trying to hit her. She laughed as she opened the box to reveal a set of daggers with a small chain wrapped around them. The Inquisitor unraveled the chain and realized it was a necklace with the Inquisition's symbol on it. She smiled as she put it on before looking over the daggers. They were made by Dagna no doubt, but the intricate design and engravings were beautiful. Eris leaned over and pulled Cassandra into a quick kiss.
"Ma serranas lethallan."
"I-I wasn't sure what to get you… I asked Sera, Dorian, Iron Bull and Varric… their advice was, less then helpful. Well, some of their advice was."
"Oh? Who's idea was it to kiss me? I must thank them."
Cassandra blushed. She was going to have to thank Dorian, Iron Bull and Varric as well. The three of them were the ones who helped her after all. The Seeker's blush deepened when she thought of what Sera had said. Eris noticed and chuckled. She knew what it was Sera must have said.
"Let me guess Sera said to wait for me naked?"
"Wrapped in a bow I believe is what she suggested."
"Oh? What colour?"
"Bull and Sera said Pink, Dorian said red."
"Hehe. Sounds like them. I would have preferred green, just so you know."
Eris laughed as the Seeker's face went scarlet. She looked away from the Elf and got up, telling the Inquisitor they should head to the main hall for the party. Eris nodded and followed Cassandra out of her room. She chuckled to herself as she noticed that the Seeker hadn't taken the bow off yet. I can't wait to hear everyone's comments.
Josephine stood by Sera, Iron Bull and Dorian. She knew at most of the festivities they threw the Inquisitor was usually with them if Cassandra was absent, which was the case at the moment. The three of them told her that they hadn't seen her all day. She sighed and looked around, wondering where her girlfriend could be when she noticed Eris coming in with Cassandra. Josephine smiled as she walked over to them and placed a quick kiss to the Inquisitor's lips.
"You are late."
"Sorry, Cass and I gave each other our presents and I had to find somewhere to put the daggers so the party guests wouldn't get nervous."
"Oh? I am glad I did not get you daggers then."
The three women had walked back over to where Dorian, Iron Bull and Sera were sitting and chatting. Eris grinned at them as she sat down. Sera couldn't wait to hear about what it was the Seeker had gotten the Inquisitor. Cassandra sat down next to Eris, her face still slightly coloured. She hoped that nobody noticed. Josephine was about to go talk to some of the visiting nobles when her girlfriend pulled her into her lap. Eris pressed a quick kiss to her cheek before looking at her friends.
"So how has everyone's Wintersend been so far?"
"I bet your's has been fun, boss."
"Yeah, what did big scary Seeker get the Inquisitor?"
"What colour bow did she wear?"
Eris laughed when Josephine gave her a questioning look and Cassandra blushed again. The Seeker buried her face in her hands. She knew she should have just stayed in her room. The Inquisitor took a red ribbon from a package laying on the table and wrapped it around Josephine much as she had Cassandra earlier. The ambassador sighed before leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to Eris' lips and getting up to go mingle with the guests. She turned to Eris for a moment.
"Do come talk to some of the nobles, for me?"
"Alright, I will in a moment."
Josephine nodded before walking off. Eris turned back to her friends with a small smirk. They all waited with slight anticipation. Dorian noticed that Cassandra was wearing a bow similar to the one Eris had just tied around Josephine and chuckled, knowing the Inquisitor had to be the one who had done it. Iron Bull and Sera continued asking Eris questions until she answered.
"Was the bow pink? I thought that'd be prettiest, I mean on her."
"Yeah, so tell us!"
"I actually prefer green. Pink isn't something I could see myself liking. But I like red as well… As for the gift she got me a set of daggers."
"Ah, practical as always Seeker."
"Boring! Cassandra, why didn't you-"
Sera didn't finish her sentence when she noticed that Cassandra had a green bow tied around her neck. She also noticed that everyone at the table was trying their best not to laugh as the Seeker seemed to have a permanent blush on her cheeks. Eris chuckled when she realized that Sera finally caught on to her meaning. The Inquisitor went to get up and go find Josephine when Cassandra grabbed her hand.
"Don't you dare think about leaving me here after that."
"Fine, let's dance then."
"What? No I-"
Eris didn't bother to listen to the Seeker's objections. She pulled Cassandra from her seat and led her out to the center of the room. The Inquisitor led the Seeker into a dance. She noticed how the room went quiet for a moment before they started to whisper amongst themselves. Cassandra shot the Elf a silent glare. Eris chuckled as she leaned in to whisper to the Seeker.
"I got you away from their teasing, right?"
"Only to ensure more. Why do you enjoy this so much?"
"The teasing? Because you're too adorable not to tease."
"I am not."
The Inquisitor chuckled at the annoyed and affronted look Cassandra gave her. The two continued to glide around the room, seemingly lost in their own world. The Seeker kept glancing at the others, wondering what they could be thinking. Eris was smiling and knew she was never going to hear the end of it from Josephine once the festivities were over. I dare say seeing this look of contentment mixed with worry on Cassandra's face is worth a scalding from Josephine… and possible bodily harm from Leliana. The Inquisitor had asked Josephine once she had begun courting her if there had been any rumors about their love life. To her surprise there were quite a few as to who Eris was paired with and Cassandra had been among the long list of names, not that the Seeker was aware of that fact.
Once the song ended Eris and Cassandra stopped. The Inquisitor had been tempted to dip the Seeker and steal a kiss in front of the party, but knew there would be too many offended parties for that to be played off as a joke. Eris instead simply bowed her head to Cassandra and placed a soft kiss on her hand before grinning at her and walking off to find Josephine. Cassandra blushed and turned to find some relatively quiet place to wait until the party was over, but it was too late. A few of the noble women that were here began to question what it was that was between Eris and her. Just wait until everyone leaves Eris. Cassandra tried to explain that they were just friends to no avail.
Eris walked over to where Josephine was talking with Leliana and a few noblemen. She walked up to the little group and slipped her arm around the ambassador's waist. Josephine glanced over at her as she continued talking with the nobles. One of the men noticed that Eris was holding onto Josephine and decided to sate his curiosity.
"That was quite the dance Inquisitor. It seems you have the privilege of being the dance partner to many of the lovely ladies around here… and some in the court. They still gossip about you and Madame Florianne back in Val Royeaux."
"I assure you all the rumors are true."
"Eris! She means-"
"Oh? And here we thought you were courting Lady Pentagast. So the rumor of you being with Madame Florianne?"
"She wished. But no, I am not courting Cassandra either, Josie here is the only woman for me."
The noblemen looked shocked by the revelation. It seemed the thought of Josephine being a perspective paramore did not even cross these men's minds. Eris chuckled at how confused they were. Josephine sighed and excused herself and Eris. She shared a quick look with Leliana before the ambassador pulled Eris out of earshot of the nobles. Eris noticed the irritated look on Josephine's face and knew she was in trouble.
"How can you just-"
"What? Have fun? This is our party right?"
"Yes but-"
"Josie calm down. Abelas. But didn't you tell them that we were-"
"They had not asked until you came over, after dancing with Cassandra."
"Oh…"
"Do try to keep your teasing to a less public level, at least when the nobles are visiting."
Eris nodded her head to her girlfriend. She knew Josephine was right; she always was when it came to matters like these. The Elf leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to the ambassador's lips. Josephine smiled at her girlfriend. She really didn't mind having to abate the nobles wagging tongues as longs as she got to spend the night after doing so in the Elf's arms.
The party was ending and everyone who was still sober had either gone to bed or were watching those who were not make fools of themselves. Eris sat with her companions at a table with Josephine on her lap. She chuckled at Iron Bull's joke before kissing her girlfriend's neck. Josephine smiled as their companions laughed and enjoyed the night. It was Cole who decided to ask why the Inquisitor always held Josephine instead of them sitting separately. The group tried to keep themselves from laughing and all looked to Eris for an answer. She grinned.
"It's easier to sneak off with her if I can simply whisper in her ear without attracting attention to us."
"But doesn't her sitting on your lap cause more attention?"
"Don't worry kid, she's just making excuses. She simply likes having ruffles close."
"Can't blame me for wanting a beautiful lady close by can you?"
Varric chuckled and agreed before thanking the Inquisitor for his gift. He patted Cole on the shoulder and offered to walk with him back to the tavern. Iron Bull and Dorian decided to head back to their rooms as well. Sera watched Josephine and Eris flirt for a few moments before she realized the look of longing on Cassandra's face. She nudged the Seeker before whispering to her.
"Jealous? I thought you didn't like my gift idea."
"Your idea was ridiculous, and I am not jealous. Why would I be?"
"Maybe because you want to be where Josie is, yeah?"
"No. Eris and I simply friends."
"Shame that. 'Cause I'm sure she wants to be more."
Cassandra blushed as she abruptly stood and excused herself. Sera laughed as she met the Inquisitor's questioning look. Eris got up and turned to her girlfriend. After giving her a quick kiss she told her she was going to check on Cassandra. Josephine watched the Elf walk off. She smiled as she sat down and noticed that Sera was watching her.
"What is it Sera?"
"It doesn't bother you?"
"What doesn't bother me?"
"That those two are… well, y'know and you and the Inquisitor are together."
"No, Eris and I have already discussed her feelings for Cassandra. If you will excuse me."
Sera watched Josephine get up and walk off towards the Inquisitor's quarters. The Elven archer sighed before she decided to go spy on Eris and Cassandra.