It was still early Autumn, the day was chilly but too wet for Ilvanna's preference. Any other day bookshop she owned would have been moderately busy. But today it was quiet; the clock seemed to have ticked louder than necessary. Normally, she wouldn't have noticed it, but today it proved to insufferable. Lo`ren has been gone for about 3 weeks. He had called when they arrived in Tevinter, but she still worried. Even Dorian warned him about being an elf and how dangerous it could be. Ilvanna sighed at the thought of her brother being a hopeless romantic. The thought of Lo`ren and Dorian began to make her mind wander. How was everyone else doing? She knew they went down their respective paths, well most of them.
Her mind drifted back to Solas and the day he left her for good. She couldn't help but feel as though she deserved all the pain. Remembering all the times he was hesitant, she cursed herself. He said it wasn't her instead him, but isn't that the excuse anyone would use in a break up. His actions clearly showed the opposite from his words. She shook her head as though it would shake the Solas from her mind. She looked at a personalized from Sera and Dagna that hung on her cork bulletin board. Ilvanna could never understand Sera thankfully Dagna was able to translate a lot in the letter. A smile crossed her face thinking how happy they were. There were some of her inner circle she had no idea what had become of them. Well, she didn't have a very definite answer. Blackwall was with the ever clandestine Grey Wardens. Cole simple disappeared, Leliana had kept in touch just not about her whereabouts, Iron Bull and his Chargers went back to being mercenaries for hire, and…...whatever became of Cullen? Last she heard he had planned on training young recruits or something. He never stated where.
Ilvanna growing bored with all the reminiscing decided to make some espresso. As the pot heated she looked for her favorite tiny cup. She didn't notice a stranger figure passing by and then coming back. The door opened, the bell above the door jingled, and the smell of rain quickly filled the small bookstore as a cool breeze sent to strangely refreshing chill throughout the up the day's newspaper and without looking up Ilvanna did a mono-toned greeting.
"Welcome to my shop, let me know if there is anything you need "
"Ilvanna? Maker it really is you!" Instantly Ilavanna's head jolted up. She recognized the voice, it was "CULLEN!" The tall man was in the process of shaking his umbrella yet somehow still managed to be quite wet. Ilvanna running up and gave him a hug. Cullen's surprise appearance made the rainy day more eventful. "What brings you here? Wait how did you know where I was?" She asked. " I didn't….know where you were that is, until just now when I passed the shop."
Ilvanna rushed and grabbed a towel from behind the checkout desk and gave it to him.
"I've heard you opened up shop, but I didn't quite know where." Cullen said while drying himself off. Ilvanna stood the mind blank and happy for a brief moment until she remembered the espresso. "OH! Oh! Uh, I have coffee, or um well espresso on the stove in the back, do you want some?" Cullen looked at the clock. "Um, I actually have to be somewhere. I just saw you and figured I'd say hello..." he trailed off as he noticed Ilvanna was still beaming a smile, and obviously happy to see him. Which caught the man off guard, clearly Ilvanna was not known for smiling.
He was hesitant but ended up rephrasing his statement. "I, I suppose I have a little time."
Both sat down at the checkout desk. Ilvanna set out some cookies she had baked, a small bowl of sugar cubes and placed the espresso pot on it's coaster. "So what brings you into town? Last I heard you opened up some training facility." Ilvanna said as she dropped sugar cubes in the tiny cups and poured the espresso. " I have. It's here in town." Cullen his eye fixed on the tiny mug. "Wait, you've been here this whole time?" Ilavanna was surprised. "And to think we haven't met up before, why didn't you contact me? " Cullen shifted his eyes "Yes, well. Um, after what had happened" Ilvanna knew what he meant. He made it sound as though it was professional, however, they both couldn't deny that there had been some flirting in the past. "Ah, erm. No I understand." she said as she felt her mood began to sour. "Well, how have you been? Better I hope." she continued. "Yes much better." Cullen's answer introduced an awkward silence in the small book shop. Quickly trying to repair the moment, he subtly glanced around the store. "Where is your brother? I thought you both lived and worked together?"
Though he tried to change the mood, Cullen did noticed that he hit a nerve. Ilvanna did her best to hide up her expression. "Yeah, Lo`ren use to, but he moved to Tevinter to be with Dorian not that long ago. Now it's just me in the shop" she said before sipping from the cup. "They finally took the step?" Cullen smiled. "I'm happy for them. The apartment upstairs feels bigger though" trying not to sulk Ilvanna grabbed a cookie and began nibbling. Cullen also reached for a cookies "You and your brother are very close" he said while smiling warmly. Ilvanna felt something stir that hadn't for years now. She shifted the topic more about him "And what of your brothers and sisters? You have been in touch with them, yes?" Cullen coughed as though caught in an act. "Well, yes…."
The elf's eyes narrowed "Cullen, you can't be serious, all this time?" "No, no I have written...a...letter" Cullen was quick to defend himself, but Ilvanna could sense his hesitation "How long did that take. I may have been raised Dalish, but I family are also important to humans" She playfully threw the rest of her cookie at him. They both laughed and enjoyed the warm company of each other. It was feeling like old times again. Ilvanna felt as though the two of them could finally get over what happened a few years back and finally become good friends again.
Almost an hour had passed and the rain had lightened up. "I had better be off. I have an appointment to keep." Cullen said as he stood up up preparing himself to leave. He glanced over to see Ilvanna scribbling on a piece of paper. She then quickly stood up and handed it to him. "Here, please do keep in touch" Cullen took the paper and looked at the contact information.
"I will" he smiled. As he gathered up his umbrella he was about to give one more farewell before he was thrown off guard again. Ilvanna couldn't help herself. She was just so happy to see Cullen again and to catch up, she went in for another hug. Despite her having only one arm her hug was tight and sincere. "It was so good to see you again Cullen". Not really knowing what to do Cullen patted her back. She waved goodbye as he departed.
