A/N - For the record, I don't hate Sebastian, I actually prefer him to be a jerk.
Time and stress had aged Sebastian Vael considerably since Varric had last seen him. There ere wisps of silver in Sebastian's lush brown hair, and more wrinkles around his blue eyes than Varric could recall. One thing hadn't changed however, Sebastian's infamous white-plate armor. Maker.
Sebastian smiled cordially and bowed his head in greeting. "It is an honor to meet you at long last, Herald. I am Sebastian Vael, Viscount of Starkhaven." Sebastian introduced.
"And soon Kirkwall too, by the looks of it." Varric piped, earning the undivided gaze of his former comrade.
"Varric." Sebastian greeted flatly, contempt coating his features. "How's Hawke?"
"Wouldn't know." Varic said with a meek shrug, arms fully crossed over his exposed chest.
"Course not. I forget that you and her weren't emotionally entrenched with one another." Sebastian mocked with an ill-fitting smile.
Varric chuckled hoarsely, shaking his head. "Oh you're not gonna goad me that easily Choirboy."
Zevran, who had been observing the two closely, spoke at last. "No? But he sounded so jealous..." the Antivan tutted in disappointment. "I was hoping for a duel of sorts - perhaps the opportunity is not yet past, you could still attempt to stab each other in the eye with an arrow, no?"
Sebastian inhaled through his sneer. "Zevran, wasn't it?"
"Aha you remember me serrah! I am pleased, truly, though I can't help wondering how it is you remember me. Was it my dashing looks? My cunning fighting technique? Or simply how Mistress Hawke fussed over me?" Zevran pondered with a smirk curling his lips.
Sebastian's blue orbitals fluttered closed briefly in annoyance, before turning his gaze upon the Inquisitor. "You've not spoken a word Master Lavellan, are you feeling ill from your travels?"
A hearty grin crossing his petite face, Gaudfae Lavellan answered cheekily. "Not at all, I just enjoy good banter."
"It's true." Dorian piped. "Likely one of his more socially acceptable vices by all accounts."
Sebastian's brow furrowed slightly as he regarded Dorian's words. "And may I ask, who you are?"
"Dorian Pavus of House Pavus of..." Dorian began.
"Yes of course." Sebastian interrupted with a quiver of disdain. "The Tevintar. I've heard of you."
Gaudfae tilted his head slightly, his smirk hardening into a weary grimace. "Heard he's my lover, you mean." he guessed.
Sebastian gladly reverted his gaze to the Inquisitor, and there was not a hint of reluctancy in his response. "Yes. I must admit I'm surprised you'd bring him along Master Lavellan. Then again, considering your positive stance on mage rights, I'm surprised you would seek to further aid me at all.." he mused, his striking blue eyes narrowing in silent accusation.
Gaudfae however, was not phased. The faint intertwining tattoos upon his face, remained uncrinkled as he cooly replied. "You're right to be surprised Sebastian - suspicious even. Why would I venture all this way, if not to help you punish every mage who might've so much as glanced at this notorious Anders?"
Sebastian's mouth opened, but his words laid lifelessly on his tongue as his gaze honed in on an elven woman with brown hair, approaching with Orlesian soldiers in tow. "What is the meaning of...?" Sebastian stammered aloud.
The elven woman smiled broadly, though her sparkling grey eyes were hollow. "Emperor Gaspard sends his regards. Guards, seize him!" Briala ordered.
The fury was evident on Sebastian's face. "You cannot...!"
Dorian stepped forward, lulling a glowing hand through the air. "Hush now handsome, I'm sure you'll feel much worse when you awake.." he simpered, casting a sleeping spell on the enraged viscount.
Gaudfae shifted sideways to observe his lover. "Oh 'handsome' is he?" he noted sourly.
"Don't pretend you didn't notice." Dorian retorted, putting his hands on his hips. "We all know you're more astute than that." Lavellan raised an eyebrow, as Dorian's darkened gaze gradually traveled from his beu to Zevran. "Besides, I hardly deserve to be sniped at, considering present company." Dorian defended.
Zevran laughed keenly. "As I've already stated, you needn't feel threatened by me Dorian...unless of course you're into that sort of thing, in which case I will happily 'threaten' you properly if you so wish." he responded, his devious eyes glistening.
A silent snicker fumbled from Gaudfae's mouth, before the elf regained his composure to address Briala. "My thanks for your help in this matter, Lady Briala. I daresay we are even now."
"I daresay we are." Briala agreed. "However, if we are ever in need of one another.."
"All we'd have to do is ask." Gaudfae readily finished with a wry smile.
"I wish you luck in your endeavors Gaudfae. Until we meet again..." Briala said, following in the footsteps of her soldiers.
"Shame really," Dorian mused, watching the lithe female disappear through the exit. "In another life, you and Briala would've made an unstoppable pair, bearing the most precious of children. Just think of it Artemis - The Warrior and The Spymaster He Loved: A Tale of Elven Tutelage'."
"Hm." Varric hummed.
"Varriiiic..." Gaudfae warned.
"What?" Varric chuckled harmlessly with an innocent shrug. "All I said was 'hmm'..."
Zevran cleared his throat, itching a scratch on his pointed chin. "Relieved though I am, that there was no bloodshed, I do rather feel as if I traveled all this way for nothing. Let's change that, shall we? Shall we go to The Hanged Man perhaps?"
"Read my mind Strayer." Varric said, fixing Zevran with a nickname. After taking a few steps toward the exit, the dwarf glanced over his shoulder and added. "When you two are done with your lovers quarrel, find us in Lowtown - The Hanged Man is smack in the middle, can't miss it."
"I can hardly wait." Dorian mumbled, his eyes implanted on Lavellan.
Gaudfae closed the small space between himself and Dorian, by resting his chin on Dorian's shoulder and casually coiling an arm around his lover's waist. "First it was me and Zevran, now suddenly it's me and Briala." the Inquisitor sighed. "You really don't want to accept you're the only person I need, do you?"
"Why would I? Awfully final isn't it? I'm not used to such absolution." Dorian replied honestly.
Gaudfae sank his teeth into Dorian's exposed biceps. "Well you'd better get used to it." he stated plainly, amid Dorian's soft outcry.
"That an order, Almighty Inquisitor?" Dorian jeered with a playful glare.
"Damn right it is." Lavellan smirked, leaning forward to kiss his partner.