Ilvanna cuts ahead of Cullen and goes up a flight of stairs. She fumbles with her keys and unlocks the door. From the corner of her eye, she saw Cullen's confused look. "I live here" she clarified. Cullen was now interested "The city allowed you to do that?"
"Mmmm let's just say I was grandfathered into it because of how old this house is."
Cullen face dropped. If he remembers correctly, Lavellan was always a sneak and observant type."You used your Inquisitor title didn't you?" Not even looking guilty she immediately responded "Uh, yes sir. Yes, I did." Both chuckled as they walked into the living room. Cullen looked around the small apartment.
Though the apartment was clearly small, he could tell that Lavellan went to great length to make it seem spacious and homely. The walls had been painted pastel red and white to offset the color. The walls on the edge of the living room were made of a stone brick. The delicate curtains blew gently inward to let the breeze from the open window come in. Cullen could recognize the building across the street and be able to tell that he was facing in front of the store. Plants hung tactfully from corners. He continued to glance around while following her into what seemed to be a dining nook. Ilvanna scent was all around and seemed to blend in wonderfully with the Lavender oil that was on all the main tables. He put placed his coat on the edge of a seat. "This place is very…." "Cramped and stuffy, yeah I know," Ilvanna said. Cullen looked at her and smiled " I was going to say it was very you. I like it." This made Ilvanna blush.
Cullen smiled knowing that he finally was able to make her fidget. Ilvanna turned to the kitchen and took three plates from the tableware rack. "I made quiche" Ilvanna announced as she put on an oven mitt to retrieve the pie. Cullen paused and gave her a cautious look. He hadn't forgotten that she was a Dalish elf. He was always cautious of what the feral elves into their entrees. Somehow picking up on his caution, Ilvanna "It's a regular quiche Cullen! It has ham in it, not wood burrowing beetle larvae! You don't have to eat it." Cullen felt a little guilty for being called out. "N, no my apologies" he shifted his eyes and took his seat. Ilavanna cute and placed a slice on each plate, then turned to the fridge. Cullen was impressed to see just how well adjusted she had become with only have one arm. "Would you like a beer or tea?" "A beer is fine" He replied. Ilvanna swung around with two beers. Cullen noticed that she had set three plates with quiche out, despite there being just the two of them. Either Ilvanna hadn't' noticed or simply didn't care to pay any attention to her miscalculation.
The two of them caught up for a bit, laughing and sharing advice with each other. They both began becoming more comfortable with each others presence. No longer did they sit properly in their chairs, now they were more comfortably positioned and seemed to have forgotten the time completely. "Alright, I have to ask" Cullen said as finished a swallow of his beer. "What made you choose to come here. I thought Varric had a condo for in Kirkwall? Wouldn't it have been more simpler to settle there?" Ilvanna hummed as she thought about how to respond to his question. She placed her head on the knee that was propped up. "I suppose it would have been easier. But I don't think I Was looking for 'easier'. I wanted a place I got for my own. A place where I could still do research and keep my head clear. Everywhere else just seemed to have lingering memories. And I'm tired of always remembering." Cullen noticed her stare beginning to trail off. "For what is worth, I am sorry for what had happened between you and Solas." Ilvanna's eyes jolted toward Cullen and her head lifted a little. "Oh that…" She turned her head and shifted her weight. " We both have moved on. Solas is doing his thing and I just, I dunno. We weren't never officially seeing each other anyway. We've went our own way like 4 or 5 years ago. And I'm perfectly happy being single, though Lo`ren would have it differently." Cullen could see that was Lavellan was saying was the truth, it seemed to make her grow and become more mature. He took another sip of his beer "So what about you and your girlfriend?" Cullen coughed his beer up at the question. Ilvanna quickly handed the befuddled man a towel "Maker" he stammered as she attempted to dry his shirt "W, what makes you think I have a girlfriend?" Ilvanna titled her head in confusion. "Did you not have an 'appointment ' with her last week?" It never cease to amaze Cullen just how observant Ilvanna is. Barely any word, any actions slipped past her.
This could be a reason why she and Solas got along so well. He wanted to clarify the situation but Ilvanna wasn't entirely wrong. "H, how did you know I was meeting a girl?"
Ilvanna perked an eyebrow. "It was obvious. We just met after a long time, you could have just walked past my shop and not entered but you did. We have that history from 6 years back, and you see that I am here alone and you are off to meet someone, but you don't specify because of how you're gentlemanly." Cullen was a gasped. " Actually, now that I think about it. Why did you come back to the store. You never contacted me so, I thought you'd never come back."
There was a sting her voice, but she was rather curious as to the surprise visit.
Cullen was struggling for a moment the excuse he had practiced on his way there.
"I ...I actually came because-" A book suddenly appeared in front of him. Cullen nearly jumped out of his chair. His eyes followed the two familiar hands up to see the familiar face.
" I, I brought the book that you came for Cullen" Cole said pushing the book to Cullen. "COLE! Makers breathe! Don't-Wait how long have you been here?"
Cullen nervously took the book from Cole. Cole just slowly walked over to the slice of quiche that was waiting for him "It is the book you were looking for yes?" Cullen looked down at the title 'Plan Better For Your Garden'. Cullen was about to correct him then remembered the book he was actually here for was nothing more than an excuse. "Ah, t, thank you Cole" "I should have warned you that Cole might be here. I'm sorry about that" Ilvanna chuckled. "Might?" Cullen questioned. Ilvanna sat up reading to explain herself " Well, Cole wanders through the town. Sometimes he stops by and visits." "I like helping people, and it is really nice here," Cole said as he grabbed his plate. "Oh Cole, if you aren't interested in eating the quiche just put it back in the pan. Don't give it to the alley cats, they can't eat cheese." Cullen wasn't surprised at the two's relationship at least not anymore. Cole didn't say anything just walked off.
Slowly, their conversations went back on track, and the good bottle of wine was pulled out and opened. Ilvanna being very curious about the why Cullen was looking for a book about gardening. Cullen made some shallow excuses, but Ilvanna loved gardening. Before long Ilvanna noticed that it was already 18:00. "OH NO!" She stated loudly. " I was enjoying myself and I forget about my store "Cullen stretched it seems as though I have as well " "Damn it all, what's the point of opening back up now I close in two hours." Cullen put on his coat he noticed Ilvanna heading to her freezer and pulling some kind of box out. He slowly made his way back to the door at the living room. " Hey, Cullen can you do me a quick favor" Ilvanna shouted, she sounded as though she was struggling a bit. Cullen polite as always what she needed. Ilvanna simply needed him to close the window for her, which he agreed to do. As he shut the window, he could hear the microwave opening in the kitchen. He turned around and saw Cole standing there holding something tenderly. Of course, Cole sudden appearance startled Cullen, but he soon shook it off "Cole, you know I wasn't here for a gardening book, right?" Cullen said lowly.
Cole just looked down at thing thing his hand "Yes….you wanted a book about houses. But I thought I'd help." "Help?" Cullen was confused. " I could help you come back here. Was I wrong?" Cullen stood there for a moment contemplating how spirit...thing was helping him and best his interest in mind.
Suddenly, a thought popped in Cullen's mind. Ilvanna came out of the kitchen "Alright then. I'll walk you out." she said, but Cullen brought up a different plan. "W, would care to go get dinner?" Ilvanna was caught off guard by this proposal " What?" "Not, like that. I meant that you don't have to heat up a T.V dinner. Instead we get some real food." Ilvanna stood there for a moment, and this made Cullen nervous about her response. "Sure, I'm O.K" Cullen let out a mental breathe. Just let me get my shoes, as Ilvanna turned around she saw Cole holding something small and delicate. "Cole, you can stay here and help the kitten. I only have cow's milk though. I'll pick up some kitten milk when I get home." Cole smiled "O.k"
She seemed already too prepared for this situation Cullen thought. When Ilvanna put on her shoes she grabbed her jacket, she and Cullen left for dinner.