AN: Another DAI fic. I seriously need to calm down. I was a bit sick these past days and was playing a bit of DAI when this idea popped into my head. It has been nagging me since then and I finally got the time to put it down on paper. In short, Josephine helps the Inquisitor get better, much to the latter's begging not to. There is a bit of fluff, a bit of back story, and lotsa coughs and sneezes.

This will probably be a two-parter, maybe three-parter but not likely. At any rate, hope you enjoy this.


Katrina tumbled out of her bed as the room spun. Her legs felt wobbly and suddenly gave in, body falling to the cold, stone floor. She wanted to stay there forever. Or at least until the room would stop spinning. Why was it spinning? Was it supposed to be doing that?

After a while on her knees, she stood, her legs feeling slightly stronger, her head no longer spinning as much. Feeling slightly better, she changed into her casual outfit and fixed her brown, shoulder-length hair. Taking a quick peek at her mirror, she saw an alarming sight. Her eyes were red and puffy, her nose was slightly red, as were her cheeks. Suddenly, she sneezed once, twice, thrice.

That was not good. She had planned to head out to Emprise du Lion today. Having a cold and traveling through a mountain to get there wasn't the best of combinations. Even worse, if Josephine saw her like this, she would begin to worry herself over her; she could be so persistent sometimes.

"What do I do now?" The Inquisitor asked out loud. Looking around her drawers, she found a small box containing colorful powders, makeup usually worn by Orlesians. She was not used to the stuff, but she had no other choice. She began to apply the powdery makeup below her eyes using a color that kind of matched the shade of her skin. She did the same to her nose and cheeks, and when she was satisfied, put her belongings away and made her way to the War Room.


"Ah, love. You finally awaken." Josephine greeted as Katrina Trevelyan walked in. "I was hoping we could discuss-" Josephine stops abruptly.

"Yes? What is it?" Katrina inquired, a small cough escaping her.

"Why are you wearing makeup?" The Antiva asked, her accent made deeper by her curiosity.

"What? I'm not wear-"

"I've dealt with enough Orlesian nobles to recognize their frivolous powders and paints." Josephine interrupted. "Why are you wearing makeup?"

Shit. If I tell her, she will fawn over me like a child.

Katrina decided to go the flirty way. "Can't a girl look nice for her lovely lady?"

The Inquisition's ambassador raised an eyebrow, looking intently at her lover. Katrina swore she would break right then and there and tell her everything if Josephine kept looking at her like that. She resisted the increasing urge to cough, forcefully swallowing it all down. She would not let Josephine know she was ill; she would stay strong.

"Very well." Josephine said at last. "You do look quite nice with it. Your skin takes on a different shade. It is a lovely color."

The Inquisitor let out a breath she was holding slowly and quietly. She passed the test. There was nothing to worry about other than the extremely huge urge to sneeze and cough. I can handle it.

"Thank you. Now, there was something you wanted to discuss?"

"It will be better if we discuss it with the others at the war table. Let us be on our way; Leliana and Cullen are already there."


"You aren't really suggesting that!"

"And why not? Although Celene has kept the peace, a new leader could do better."

"And who would take her place? No, it is better if-"

Cullen stopped his arguing with Leliana as the Inquisitor and Ambassador entered the room.

"What's all this about now?" Katrina asked, her throat hurting as she elevated her voice.

"I made a suggestion regarding what we should do at Winter Palace." The spymaster answered. "Cullen here did not agree."

"And with reason." The commander argued. "While I dislike Orlesian politics- this Game -I don't agree that we should kill Empress Celene."

Katrina's eyes widened. "You want us to kill Celene?!"

"I didn't suggest killing her. Merely setting aside a plan should we fail. One where there is still someone at the head of the Orlesian empire."

"That is insane!" Josephine began. "We must do everything possible to save the Empress. She is the only one who can stop Corypheus and the civil war."

Katrina placed her hands on the war table, leaning heavily. A headache was brewing, and she felt like hurling last night's dinner. Her advisor's arguments seemed distant as the room began feeling increasingly hot. Too hot. The room began to slowly spin, making her even more sick. She could no longer resist the urge to cough, she needed to.

A raspy cough exited her suddenly dry mouth. A drop of sweat began rolling from her forehead to her nose, down to her neck. I should've worn something lighter, she thought. Her legs were once again weak, her eyes watery, her nose stuffy. Shit. I am not going to make it out of this one.

"If we let Celene die, the whole- Trevelyan, are you alright?"

Cullen's voice coaxed her out of her dizzy state somewhat and looked up to her advisors. "I'm fine. You were saying?"

Josephine moved to her side, reaching for her lover's forehead. She gasped. "Maker! You're burning up!"

Katrina grinned weakly. "Why wouldn't I? You're so close to me."

That earned a light smack on the shoulder. "We will argue about this later." She said to the others. "For now, I will take her to her chambers."

"What? Why? I'm fine." The Inquisitor argued.

"You have a fever. You will not be leaving this hold's wall until I see that you are perfectly fine and fit."

"Cullen! Leliana! Do something! Convince her I'm fine!" Katrina begged.

"I'm sorry, but I agree with Lady Montilyet. You cannot go anywhere in your state. I suggest you rest, Herald."

Katrina looked desperately at Leliana, seeking help. All she got, however, was a small laughter. "I am sure Josie will take good care of you, Inquisitor. We will discuss this at another time."

Josephine began dragging- quite literally -Katrina out of the room.

"Traitors!" Trevelyan yelled as she passed the door's threshold. "Both of you!"

"That's quite enough from you." Josephine said. "Didn't your parents teach you manners?"

Katrina made a disgusted and annoyed sound. "Like they cared."

At this, Josephine stopped dragging the coughing Inquisitor. "Well, I care. So now, we're going to your chambers so you can rest and get better." Before Katrina could reply, Josephine called out to one of the servants. "Please, if you could bring some hot soup up to Lady Trevelyan's chamber. And call up a healer."

"At once, my lady." The servant replied. She made a hasty retreat to the kitchens.

"Now, let us get you in bed."