I know I've been focusing on Varric and the Inquisitor mainly so far, but I promise we'll meet the others next chapter. This one directly follows chapter 1, but be prepared for skipping around.

Ever since reaching the keep, the dwarf had been tailing the inquisitor. When she took a seat in one of the sitting rooms, he sat across from her. She pretended not to notice him, focusing on the battle plans Cassandra had saddled her with. The dwarf simply rested his head on his hands and watched her. The inquisitor had noticed that he had put on a chest plate and she felt herself mildly relieved at not having all that chest hair to distract her. No need to give him any other ammunition besides the whole "saving her" bit. The inquisitor hated the thought of ever being a damsel in distress who needed to be saved. She was a mercenary (former, she amended) and perfectly capable of taking care of herself.

"I'm Varric. Varric Tethras." He said. She ignored him and flipped the page. "And you are?"

The inquisitor was getting fed up with him and fixed a harsh glare on him before answering. "It doesn't matter."

"Aw, come on, beautiful. Aren't you going to at least tell me your name? I deserve that much after saving your life." He pressed, grinning cheekily and shifting his position so he could get a better look at her.

"Yoo did not save my life—"

"Twice." He interrupted, still grinning.

"What?"

"I saved your life twice."

"You did not—" she tried to protest but he interrupted her again.

"You were almost cut to ribbons after losing your sword and I shot both demons that almost got the best of you. So, twice." He explained, crossing his arms over his chest. His grin was most certainly triumphant. The inquisitor rolled her eyes.

"I had a lot on my mind. It is not a common occurrence for me to require such assistance." She defended herself. Varric simply laughed.

"Whatever you say, princess. So how about that name?"

"I am the inquisitor and that is the only name you need to worry about."

"I know you're the inquisitor, but you've got to have a real name."

She stared at him for a moment longer before dropping her gaze back down to the map in front of her. Varric stood and walked around the table to take a seat next to her. The inquisitor gave him a surprised look as he leaned in close to get a better look at what she was doing. His breath was against her neck and she felt herself shiver in response.

"Interesting… though don't you think you should send a team to the north instead? There have been more demon sightings there than to the east."

The inquisitor snatched up her plans and slid along the bench to put some distance between them. He was… distracting. "These are not for your eyes, dwarf."

Varric leaned back and looked at her, raising an eyebrow. "And why not? I'm part of this inquisition now."

"These plans are only to be discussed in the war room." She answered. Varric sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Alright, whatever makes you feel better."

"Listen, dwarf, you have no idea—" she began, but he interrupted her.

"My name is Varric, princess, not "dwarf and I would appreciate you using it."

"Very well. Varric, you do not understand—"

"I've fought in battle before alongside some of the most seasoned fighters. I fought beside the Champion of Kirkwall. I know strategy. You're being a little ridiculous." He interrupted again. The inquisitor narrowed her eyes at him.

"Stop interrupting me." she demanded angrily. "It's getting on my nerves."

"Sorry, princess. It's a habit of mine to tease others and you are just too easy to fluster." He said with his signature smirk. "But how 'bout we try to be cordial now, alright? I see you changed your armor."

The inquisitor nodded. "After my last armor's inability to protect against demon claws, I had new armor fashioned to better service me." She said. Varric nodded, listening intently.

"Seems like a good idea."

"I se you decided to cover your…" she trailed off, waving her hand in the air.

"—luxurious chest hair?" he finished for her, grinning from ear to ear. The inquisitor simply stared blankly at him.

"That's one word for it." She deadpanned. Varric laughed and the inquisitor cracked a smile that did not go unnoticed by her dwarf companion.

"I am flattered you've taken such a great interest in the affairs of my chest region. Dwarven pride and all that." He said.

"Is that where your beard went?" she teased. Varric laughed again.

"Ooh, I like you. We'll get along just fine."

They fell back into silence and the inquisitor grew tired of pretending to study the documents Cassandra had given her. The dwarf was irksome but he was good company, she mused. After several moments of silence, she stood and stretched her aching body before speaking.

"I am going to the war room." She said. "Cassandra will want to discuss our strategy."

Varric stood and motioned for her to lead the way. "Don't mind if I join you."

The inquisitor pursed her lips but decided it wasn't worth the effort of fighting about. Though she did appreciate the company. The dwarf was a pain, yes, but he was handsome and charming as well. She couldn't help the smile on her lips as she entered the war room. Cassandra gave her a strange look but didn't comment on it.

As the meeting went on, the inquisitor found herself not paying attention. Her thoughts kept drifting to the dwarf standing behind her. Cassandra asked her a question, but she didn't answer. She sighed, noticing the grinning inquisitor.

"What has you in a such a good mood?" she asked. The inquisitor tried to steel her features.

"Nothing. Please continue." She said.

"My chest hair, distracting as it is." Varric said from behind her. She froze up and slowly turned to glare at the insufferable dwarf. "She just can't keep her mind off of it."

Cassandra cleared her throat, uncomfortable, while the inquisitor gritted her teeth.

"Varric—"

"You know how women are: they just can't keep their hands off of me." He continued, smirking deviously. The inquisitor clenched her hands into fists to keep from strangling him.

"Dwarf, I swear it, if you don't stop talking, I'll—"

"Spank me?" he interrupted, leering at the inquisitor. "I could go for a good spanking. I have been rather naughty."

The inquisitor's jaw snapped shut so fast there was an audible clack, Cassandra's eyes bugged out of her head, and absolute silence filled the war room. All eyes were on the smirking dwarf and blushing inquisitor.

"Get. Out." She hissed between clenched teeth, her eyes blazing with anger. Her face was still flushed, but it was clear to everyone listening that she was in a foul mood. Varric raised his hands in defense.

"Alright, alright, I'm going." He said, still smirking. He backed away from the seething inquisitor slowly.

"I will deal with you later." She continued.

"Oh, I will be waiting with bated breath." He said, winking at her. The inquisitor's face reddened further.

"OUT!" she shouted and the dwarf was gone with a parting laugh. She turned to the rest of the people in the war room, cleared her throat, and adjusted the collar of her shirt. "Well, where were we?"