Char: Dorian & Noah

Raising Vahari

Elven Princess

It was a peculiar sight, granted it was a nice change, but still peculiar none the less. The sight being, of course, Noah's disposition. Dorian crossed his arms, standing in front of the window of the library deep in thought. He had a hand pressed lightly against his lips as his brows furrowed in thought. He'd been standing in the library for most of the day just contemplating the Inquisitor.

He was not used to this Noah. This Noah smiled a lot, laughed a lot, spoke a lot, joked a lot, and even gave compliments. He was used to the elf's snarky and brooding attitude topping off his absolute and obvious hatred and distrust of all human kind. He was used to the elf insulting and putting down anyone human. He was used to the elf storming around angrily, glaring at anything unfortunate enough to cross his path.

His fighting-style had even changed. Dorian couldn't remember the last time he saw the elf swing a two-handed blade. He'd switch to sword and shield but still hung out towards the frontline.

"Dorian?" Dorian pulled away from the window. Well, speak of the devil. Noah stood there wringing his hands with a wary frown.

"Yes?" It wasn't frequently the elf would refer to him directly. Dorian had the suspicion that the elf didn't even know his name - well until now. The elf never directly said his name. He would say 'hey you, human' or refer to him as 'sparky', a variation of the nickname Varric had given him. Dorian would mostly be the one to initiate their conversations. Even then, Noah was never really attentive to him. He'd either ignore him completely or give him the evil eye which might have been as ferocious and intimidating as staring down the snout of a High Dragon - possibly even more so.

"Have you seen Vahari? I can't find her anywhere…" Dorian was silent as he observed the elf. He didn't see Noah as the nurturing type but the past few weeks since they had found Vahari, he was the epitome of maternal.

"Have you checked with Cullen? She usually shadows the general when you're away….You know, I think she might even have a little crush on him." The look that crossed Noah's face was priceless. His eyes had first widened in shock than narrowed to slits, his face was ashen but then seemed to flush in anger then it went blank. The number of emotions crossing his face would have left anyone else confused and dizzy.

"Thank you…" Noah mumbled. He nodded once before walking towards the archway that led to the Rotunda.

"Hold a moment, I shall accompany you." Dorian mumbled. Noah turned to give him a confused look but walked at a slower pace so Dorian could walk with him. Dorian was tempted to walk slower just so he could be behind the elf. Noah simply did not understand how delectable he looked in his fashionable pajamas he so regularly walked around Skyhold in. "I have to admit," Noah turned his head to regard Dorian as they entered the Rotunda. "I had no idea you even knew my name." Noah smirked but didn't respond as they walked across the battlement that led to Cullen's office.

When they entered the room, the Commander looked up at them. He seemed to tense and stood up straight from his desk. "Has something happened?" he asked urgently. Dorian raised an eyebrow. He hadn't really expected a response like that. He guessed Noah rarely spoke to even his Commander unless it was absolutely necessary.

"Have you seen Vahari?" Cullen frowned before shaking his head.

"I haven't seen her in a couple of days." Dorian frowned at that.

"Odd, considering she's usually always up under you," Dorian cursed his poor choice of words when he noticed Noah's darkening expression. Cullen either didn't notice or didn't comment on it.

"I think she enjoys watching the soldiers spar. I usually see her sitting and watching Iron Bull and his Chargers sparring." He suddenly had a worried frown. "I worry for his condition and ability to contribute to the Inquisition. Lately, he has been expressing pain and-" Cullen stopped talking when he noticed Noah had stopped listening and was now heading for the door. Cullen met Dorian's eyes and Dorian raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and followed after the elf.

Dorian looked over to the elf whose frown had deepened. "I am sure she is fine," Dorian said. Noah looked at him. "She's in no danger within these walls - and even if someone did happen to threaten her, I'm sure she will make that their last mistake." Noah was now giving Dorian his full attention with a curious expression.

"What do you mean?"

"You haven't noticed?" Dorian asked incredulously. "I suppose it isn't enough for a non-mage to feel, but the electrical pulses surrounding her is phenomenal. Her storm magic is rather strong for someone her age."

"Storm magic?" Noah frowned. "Well…she was holding a staff when we found her…I thought it was her mother's….it was on the large side…" They were silent as they made their way down the stairs. "Dorian,"

"Hm?"

"You wouldn't mind training her, would you? You are really good with storm magic and you're the only mage I trust around here." Noah was looking at him now. Dorian hadn't noticed this before, but, the elf was almost the same exact height as him. Maybe an inch or two shorter but nothing very profound. Why was he even noticing this now? Oh - right they were now at the bottom of the stairs just standing there staring at each other. But...did he just say he was the only mage he trusted? That was what he said, wasn't it? Solas was an elven mage. He surely would trust an elf before he trusted a human, right? Dorian wanted to ask him so badly but he thought against it. It wouldn't do to anger the elf if Solas was a sore subject - now that Noah had revealed something like that, of course.

"Of course." Dorian nodded. The smile that Noah gave could have replaced the sun.

"Thank you." Dorian gave a small grin back before they made their way towards the tavern. That was usually where they could find Iron Bull. Dorian was leading them now, since Noah wasn't sure where to to find him.

When they reached the tavern, they found Iron Bull surrounded by his Chargers. They were all engaged in loud conversation and throwing back drinks. "…bet ya would! That fine ass running around in those too tight pants - yum!" Dorian had an idea of who they were talking about. He chanced a glance at Noah but it either seemed he didn't know or just didn't care.

"Bull," Dorian greeted, earning everyone's attention who sat around the giant Qunari.

"Have you seen Vahari?" Noah asked. Iron Bull snorted.

"I haven't been in damn pain for the last few days. Thankfully I haven't seen the little girl." Noah's expression darkened.

"Do you know where she'd be?" Noah asked through gritted teeth.

"Try Varric. He's my saving grace." Iron Bull grunted. Noah turned on his heels and walked away. Dorian's earlier suspicions were confirmed when he heard wolf whistles afterwards. Dorian rolled his eyes as he started after the elf.

"Where would Varric be?" Noah asked as Dorian walked up next to him. The elf had stopped at the base of the stairs leading to the main hall.

"He's usually sitting right next to the entrance to the Rotunda." Dorian answered. He suddenly frowned. "Didn't you see him on your way to see me?" Dorian was pressed to make a vain joke but knew if he did, the elf would not appreciate his humor and would end up hating him all over again.

"I was not really paying any mind…" Noah admitted lowly. "Let's go see now," with that Noah began to walk up the stairs. Dorian raised an eyebrow. The elf included him in the search verbally now.

They made their way up the stairs and into the main hall. Sure enough, Varric was there. Vahari was also there sporting a royal blue robe that Noah had bought for her. She was sitting on the table as she listened intently to Varric. He had a book in his hand. "…and the elven princess lived happily ever after." He closed the book as Vahari began to clap. Varied looked up to regard Dorian and Noah. "Oh, you're back. Welcome back, Teddy. See Princess, I told you he would be back before you knew it." Vahari's gaze had snapped up to Noah and Dorian. She smiled widely and jumped off the table into Noah's arms.

Noah grunted as he caught the flying elven projectile but smiled nonetheless. He smiled at Varric. "Thanks for keeping an eye on her." He said before walking away with the little girl tucking her head under his chin.

"She's a wild one, that girl…" Varric said when he was sure Noah was out of earshot. "You know she's the reason Tiny's been in pain?" Dorian smirked.

"I find it highly amusing, but yes….I knew. She has a strength in here that I've not seen in anyone her age."

"You think that could be a problem?" Varric looked up at Dorian. Dorian crossed his arms and looked down.

"He has entrusted her training to me….I don't think that will end very well…for me anyway." Varric raised an eyebrow.

"Why is that? Think you'll do something that makes Teddy lop your head off?"

"No…I think I'll do something that makes the girl explode my innards." Dorian chuckled.

"You're more scared of Princess than you are of Teddy?" Varric stared up at Dorian incredulously.

"There's something about her that I do not trust." both Varric and Dorian turned their attention to Solas who had come out of the Rotunda at hearing their voices.

"What do you mean?" Varric asked with a frown. Solas hesitated before he shook his head.

"I am not sure how to say this… She is changing the Inquisitor and I do not think it is entirely for the good." with that, he walked back into the Rotunda. Varric and Dorian exchanged looks.

"Think his suspicions have some ground?" Varric asked with a frown. Dorian shrugged.

"I do agree that Noah has made some…dramatic changes since we found Vahari; however, I haven't seen anything that was all too threatening…"

"Maybe Chuckles is just being paranoid?"

"Or cautious," Dorian frowned. "Solas is not the first one I've heard such claims from. I overheard Leliana and Josephine speaking of the matter too…" Dorian sighed. "I guess this is one of those wait and see situations." The two were silent for a while before Dorian broke the silence with a short chuckle. "I better prepare myself for a shocking few lessons."

"Hm?" Varric raised an eyebrow. "So those little spasm attacks you've been having were because of Vahari?"

"I do not think she is very fond of me. I don't really know why…it can't be because I'm human - Cullen is human and she seems smitten with him."

"Could it have something to do with your mustache?" Dorian glared at Varric before bringing his hand to his lip.

"There is not anything wrong with my mustache!" Dorian huffed before walking out of the main hall to return to his place in the library. He heard Varric's teasing snickering as he went.


Noah pressed the door open to his quarters. He closed the door behind him and made his way up the stairs. "So, you have been with Varric all this time?" a nod was his answer. He smiled slightly. Varric was okay…He liked Varric. The dwarf was witty, intelligent, and thoughtful. "Dorian says you use storm magic. Do you?" another nod. He sat her down on the bed and kneeled in front of her. She silently stared at him before reaching up and pulling at the bun in his head. He allowed her to pull the tie loose and run her hands through his long dark hair. "Would you like for Dorian to help you with your magic?"

Her hand motion stopped. She stared at Noah with an uncertain look. "Its okay. He's nice. He uses the same type of magic as you." She nodded again after awhile. "Elven Princess, huh?" He grinned. She smiled at him and nodded. She pulled her hands out of his hair before crawling up the bed. Noah stood up and sighed. He watched her climb under the covers and settle in before almost instantly falling asleep.

She couldn't talk - or just chose not to. It was hard trying to figure out how she was feeling or if she wanted something because she wouldn't vocalize it. She just knew she didn't like being around a lot of people. She was almost identical to Noah in that aspect.

He sighed again before settling in the bed next to her again. He wanted to spend as much as he could with her considering the Inquisition was going to be taking him far from the hold yet again for undetermined amount of time.