"Oh, my dear," Vivienne said worriedly, frowning, "you still look ill. How much did you sleep last night?"
Dawn had come to visit Vivienne after speaking with Dorian. It was midday, and the warmest it would be all day in the mountain fortress. Vivienne invited her onto the balcony, where they sat chatting and drinking tea, munching on small, frilly Orlesian cakes.
Dawn paused. "Three hours?" she said, trying to think. Vivienne narrowed her eyes at her, scowling. Dawn sighed. "Sorry. I kept waking up and worrying about what position to sleep in. I'm not sure if it's okay or not for me to lay on my stomach. I kept waking up Cullen, too." She shook her head. "Then he stayed up fretting over me because I got sick again. He insisted on making me drink quite a lot of water before going back to sleep. I'm not sure he slept at all last night."
The former Inquisitor looked at her hound, who was lying between Vivienne and Dawn. "Angus, too. He's been so sleepy today."
The court enchanter shook her head. "My dear, this is not good. Neither you nor your child will fare well if you do this. I understand you are stressed, but you do have to keep up appearances and care for yourself. You're white as a sheet." She smiled slightly. "I've sent word to the doctor I suggested. He should be here within two weeks. Now, drink your tea. It's ginger tea."
The Inquisitor took a sip of the tea, and then peered into it curiously. "You said this was ginger?"
"Of course, my dear," Vivienne affirmed, "ginger tea is excellent for nausea. I'm going to have plenty shipped to Skyhold for you. Perhaps it will limit the number of incidents on the roof near Sera's room."
Dawn groaned. "Did everyone in Skyhold have to look over at the tavern at the worst moment? Apparently so."
"Please, my dear, it could have been worse." Vivienne chuckled to herself. "I've seen worse end up in horrid places in court. However, try not to let it happen again. It would have been far more embarrassing if you weren't with child."
The Inquisitor nodded. "Oh, yes, I remember when they brought out the strong wines during the last hour of a party, the last time I was visiting the Winter Palace." She shuddered. "I pity the poor soul that was standing next to the Comte de Launcet."
"She chose to stand next to the de Launcets, darling," Vivienne said with an eye roll, "she knew the risks. Speaking of parties, I think I should take you to Val Royeaux soon to have some maternity gowns made." The mage eyed the Inquisitor's outfit. "Your clothes won't fit you within a few months. My tailor has made clothes for pregnant women before; she can still make you look fabulous. We can't have you look shabby at the baby shower."
"The shower is six months from now." Dawn said. She shrugged. "However, I always do love seeing your tailor. I also love getting new clothes, and shopping. A trip to Val Royeaux would be nice, come to think of it. I haven't been there in months." She smiled at the thought.
Vivienne grinned. "I knew that would cheer you up. I heard from Cassandra you were rather worried. It should be a nice treat to go out." Her eyes glinted. "So it should also cheer you up to hear that I've already made an appointment to see the tailor with you two months from now, and a spa visit."
Dawn grinned. "Oh, that's grand! A visit to the tailor and the spa in Halamshiral?" Her eyes twinkled with glee. "Though I know Cullen's reaction. He's going to try to send at least six armed guards with me. I think he forgets that I'm a mage." She briefly glanced down at the remaining half of her left arm.
"Yes," Vivienne said, squinting at her friend. "perhaps something in green for you? Something to accent your eyes? You have the loveliest shade of green eyes. It would be a tremendous waste to not have them accent your outfit."
The Inquisitor reached down to stroke her mabari's head. He looked up at her and wagged his stump of a tail, panting. "How about you, Angus? A new collar for you? You'll be the most handsome mabari in Orlais."
Angus barked happily, panting. Vivienne wrinkled her nose at the dog. "That is good and well, but he could also use a bath. Now and before we go." Angus whined pathetically in response, pouting at her. Vivienne scoffed. "It is the truth, dog. How the Fereldans live in a whole country full of your kind that don't get bathed as often as you, I have no idea."
The dog whined again. Dawn patted his head. "It's okay, Angus. Everyone still loves you." she reassured. Angus barked gleefully again. He rolled onto his back and displayed his belly to them, ears flopping back on the ground. The dog sneezed and almost rocked himself back onto his side. He looked at the humans expectantly. Dawn reached down and scratched his belly, and he made pig-like grunting sounds of pleasure.
Vivienne sighed. "Your dog is just so charming."
"I know, isn't he?" Dawn grabbed one of his back feet and shook it. He made no reaction other than the happy snuffling he was already making. Vivienne couldn't help but smile in response, but the smile was short-lived. She looked at her friend seriously, frowning.
"There is something I should say." The enchanter looked her in the eyes. "You must take better care of yourself. You've heard it, I'm sure, but you must. Few could lead the Inquisition as well as you do. You are one of the few people I can unequivocally call a dear friend. After everything you did for my duke and reclaiming the Circle tomes, and while I may not have agreed with all you have done...you are needed, Dawn."
She gasped. "Oh! The usage of the first name! You are serious. I'll do better, Vivienne."
The enchanter smiled. "Of course I am, my dear. Now, finish your tea. Do not let it get cold."
Dawn sipped it and raised an eyebrow. "It's already cold, but it still tastes okay." She continued to drink it. Vivienne made a face, scrunching her nose up.
"I don't understand how you think it tastes fine, but I'm going to attribute it to your pregnancy, Darling."
