The Inquisition's advisers had regathered in the garden, secluded from the rest of the ball by thick hedges and other flora. Turalyon hissed as Leliana dabbled a cloth down his back to tend to scrapes and scratches. His leather armor was no match for the ferocity of the Inquisitor's warhound. "Your Commander thought I was here to kill your Inquisitor, my lady, before I had a chance to react he was just... there!" The Dalish man hissed and flinched, followed by a whisper from the Nightingale to keep still.
Cullen sat on a nearby bench, arms folded as if he were a child being scolded by his mother. "Honestly, Josie-"
"Honestly, Commander!" Josephine growled, arms folded to her chest and foot tapping an irritated rhythm on the floor. "You are lucky you did not kill this man! And you are also lucky the servant that heard your scuffle took the coin." The Antivan woman glared at the Ferelden man. "What were you thinking!?"
"I was thinking that I saw someone go after the Inquisitor!" Cullen growled.
"No, you were thinking that someone was going after your girlfriend! Your infatuation with her could have cost us everything tonight!" Josephine snarled right back.
"Do not bring her into this!" Cullen's face was blood red as he rose from his seat. He took two long strides and was right there in front of the shorter Ambassador, who glared back up at him unwavering frustration.
"Commander!" Leliana growled. "You need to calm down this instant! Screaming at each other will get us nothing!"
With a deep exhale from his nose, the Commander turned on his heel and went to sat back down on the bench.
Ruki watched the exchange from the balcony above, shaking her head is exasperation. She thought by now she would be accustom to her advisers bickering like siblings. With each argument tensions seemed to strain more and more, like the seams of a tight shirt getting ready to rip. Ruki feared what would happen if any of her advisers up and walked away from the Inquisiton. Josephine knew how to please a noble and could say the right thing at the right time to get the Inquisition whatever it needed. Leliana ran a scary efficient spy network and, even though she doubted this, she could turn in all the dirty little secrets of the Inquisition's members and ruin them. And Cullen, setting her personal affection for him aside, he was the leading force of the soldiers. They all adored him. If he left, they would surely follow after. As Ruki watched over her bickering advisers tending to her twin, a glass of punch slid in front of her. She turned her head to see Dorian standing there holding one of his own.
"You look like you could use this," he jested. The man draped his free arm across the small of the Inquisitor's back and pulled her close to him, hip to hip. "Why don't you tell me what's on your mind, little bird."
Ruki gave a half smile as she grabbed her glass and started to drink from it. "Honestly, everything," she started. "My brother survived the Conclave, I didn't want to mention him before but I always felt like he was still out there."
"I can't wait to pick his brain, I'm sure he has plenty of stories about you as a little girl." The Tevinter mage snickered.
Ruki snorted. "Too many," she replied. "I'm just... drowning on dry land lethallin."
"Oh, I get a fancy Dalish name now," Dorian snickered. "I'm honored."
Ruki rolled her eyes and placed her head on the other mage's shoulder. "I feel like we've been here for days, Dorian." The elf gave a tired sigh. "I'm not cut out for this life."
"Don't talk such nonsense," Dorian mused. His pale brown eyes flicked to the open balcony door as he if he took notice of the band playing a slow waltz. A confident smirk danced on his lips as took the glass of punch from the Inquisitor's hand and sat it down next to his own. "I know just the thing that would cheer you up, my dear," the man took a step back and offered her a sweeping bow and extended his hand to her. "Think the Inquisitor could bring herself to dance with a vile Tevinter magister?"
Ruki felt a chuckle ripple through her as she took Dorian by the hand. "Just don't suck my soul out and we'll be alright."
The man snorted with laughter as he pulled the Inquisitor to him, placing one hand on her midback and lead her by the hand around the balcony. "Don't look at me with those sparkly lavender eyes, little bird, couldn't have my friend sulking around Orlesian nobility like a depressed adolescent."
"Wait," Ruki mused. "Did you just call me your friend? Lord Pavus I'm taken aback." The elf rested her free arm across the back of her dance partner's shoulders as he swayed her back and forth. She felt like she was a child again, having Turalyon spin her around the bonfires at night to folk songs. She had heard rumors around Skyhold about an affair between the pair of mages but, even though she found the Northern mage handsome, she'd rather have a platonic bond with him. Like a second older brother.
"There you go with the sparkly eyes again," Dorian teased. "Perhaps I should have a word with your Commander on how to woo a lady." Dorian twirled the other mage on his fingertips before pulling her back to him. He smiled at Ruki's amusement. "I've been meaning to ask you, dear Inquisitor. You're not deaf by any means. Do you hear the servants whisper about us?"
"I hear them whisper about everyone, Lord Pavus," Ruki snorted. "Perhaps in another life, I suppose."
"Indeed," Dorian chuckled. "Do they bother you? The rumors that is."
"I just wish they wouldn't disparage you. You're a good man Dorian, they don't know you like I know you." Ruki rested her head on Dorian's shoulder and could hear the faint echos of his heart drumming in his chest as she felt the other mage's chin rest on the top of her head.
"They know you even less than they know me. Perhaps this is odd of me to say, but I do indeed think of you as a good friend. Best friend even. Or dare I say like the little sister I've always wanted." The swaying had all but stopped as Dorian wrapped his arms around the Inquisitor's lithe body in a hug. Still rocking back and forth on his feet, he continued. "I have precious few friends, and I never expected do find one here. Especially someone like you."
Ruki tilted her head up to look up at Dorian. "Dorian... I..."
The magister hushed her. "Don't speak, dear," he cooed. "I detest confessions and I would rather get this over quickly."
Ruki tilted her head back down and shook it in amusement. "Don't ever change."
A warm chuckle echoed in Dorian's chest as he continued. "Allow me to say this, I will stand by your side as your brother in arms. Against Corypheus, against my countrymen, or any spurious whisper. So long as you'll have me and for as long as you'll let me."
Ruki felt her eyes grow wet as she pulled back from the mage and smiled up at him. She hummed something softly in her native tongue before translating it for Dorian. "We are one."
The faint clicking of heels caught the attention the elf's attention as she turned towards the open balcony door. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here?" a voice cooed as a woman turned the corner and appeared in the doorway. Her hair was as black as a raven's feathers and her eyes as brilliantly yellow as citrine. Her maroon dress was accented with feathers and beads. A coy smirk spread across her lips as she stepped onto the balcony.
"Get behind me," Dorian whispered as he defensively stepped in between the Inquisitor and the newcomer.
"When they said the Inquisitor had a war dog with her," the strange woman stepped up to Dorian and eyed him. "I do admit I was expecting someone a bit more intimidating."
The Tevinter man's nose wrinkled. "I'm no war dog, madam, but I do fancy myself as a viper."
"I see," the woman smiled. "I wonder though, does your bite have the same venom as your words 'Vinter?" The woman peered past Dorian's shoulder and moved him out of the way and stepped up to Ruki.
Sweet Creators the smell of ozone and mana that rolled off the woman, she must of been the Empress' Arcane Adviser that Leliana told her about. "How can I help you, madam?" Ruki's voice was flat as she bore into the woman's yellow eyes.
"How adorable are you!" she cooed. The female mage circled the Inquisitor to study her, as if she were sizing up her prey. "The leader of the new Inquisition and the fabled Herald of the Faith. Delivered to us from the grasp of the Fade by the hand of the blessed Andraste Herself." She her pacing slowed as the stranger ran her hand down the Inquisitor's face. "So young and thrusted so unceremoniously into this life. Tell me, my Lady, are you even over eighteen?"
"Twenty-two, madam," Ruki snorted. "Why does it matter to you?"
"Such a young and pretty face for such an exalted creature as yourself," the female mage smirked. "What brings you here to the Imperial Court, I wonder? Do you even know?"
Dorian stepped up to interject himself but Ruki raised her hand. "It's okay, Dorian," she sighed. Her playful fire sparked up in her as she answered the question. "We may never know, I'm afraid," she teased. "Courtly intrigues and all that."
The mage chuckled through her nose and smiled. "Clever, but such intrigues obscure much though not all." The mage tipped her head to the Inquisitor. "I am Morrigan. Some will call me adviser to Empress Celene over matters of the Arcane." Morrigan stepped past Ruki and looked over the balcony. The elf followed as the witch turned to the Inquisition's bickering advisers down below with poor Turalyon still caught in the middle. Morrigan sharply exhaled before turning to the Inquisitor. "You have been very busy this evening, child. Hunting in every dark corner of the Winter Palace." Morrigan then shifted her gaze to Dorian and flashed him a coy smile. "Do be a dear, Viper, and see if you can get the Inquisitor's advisers to act straight. Unless you feel brave enough to flash your fangs at me again."
Dorian took a steep back and his gaze flicked over to Ruki, who nodded at him. The Tevinter magister sighed and took his leave, closing the balcony doors behind him.
"Now then, since it's just us girls," the witch smoothed the folds of her dress and returned her gaze to the Inquisitor. "Tell me, are we hunting the same prey?"
"I do hope so, I could use another ally here." Ruki looked out to the gardens below as a short sigh escaped Morrigan.
"A sentiment I share given recent events," the witch stared out into the gardens as if she was trying to spot with the Inquisitor was looking at.
"Recent events?"
"Aye. Recently I found, and killed, an unwelcome guest within these very halls. An agent of Tevinter. So I offer you this Inquisitor, a peace offering of sorts: a key found on the 'Vinter's body." Morrigan slid the key along the balcony railing and smirked when the Inquisitor snatched it and tucked it into her breast. "Where it leads I cannot say. Yet if Celene is in danger, I cannot leave her side long enough to search. You, however, can."
Ruki's eyes perked up. "You left Celene alone just to come find me. Is that wise, Lady Morrigan?" If the Empress were to die just because someone wanted to speak privately with her-
"I must return to her anon, but she is safe enough for the time being." Morrigan reassured the Inquisitor. "'Twould be a great fool to strike at her in public in front of her court and the Imperial guard."
"So are you a bodyguard of sorts then?"
Morrigan chuckled wholeheartedly. "Do I seem a bodyguard to you, child?" she teased. "If anything were to happen to her, eyes would first turn to her occult adviser. Even if they knew otherwise. There are sharks in these waters, Inquisitor, and I will not fall to them. Not now, not ever."
Ruki turned to the occult adviser and rested her elbow on the balcony. Not the most ladylike of positions to rest in but at this moment, the Inquisitor cared less. "Why did you kill this agent, he may have had useful information."
"I would not have slain the man on sight had he not attacked me first," Morrigan hissed in self-defense. "Why? Undoubtedly I caught him in an illicit act." The witch shook her head. "I have no ill feelings for your Viper or his countrymen, Inquisitor. I did not know from whence he came until after battle and regret only that I could not capture him alive." Morrigan sighed through her nose. "What intentions the Imperium has here you know far better than I."
Ruki opened her mouth to protest but firmly pursed her lips together. Perhaps Morrigan was not intending to insist that Dorian was on good terms with his countrymen, with him being a pariah and all that. While digging around and eavesdropping earlier, she caught wind of whispers of the servants worrying about their own disappearing. "Briala's people are whispering about disappearances in the servant's quarters. This key may lead there."
The witch smirked. "The Ambassador has eyes and ears everywhere, does she not?" She turned towards the door and threw it open. "Do be careful, child. Proceed with caution for there are enemies abound and not all of them are aligned with Tevinter." She turned her head to the Inquisitor and smiled. "What comes next will be most exciting."
Ruki's trespassing through the Palace lead her to a vault where she found a locket. She went to ask the Empress personally about it, how coldly she said it no longer meant anything to her. The pain she hid in her eyes as she turned to leave. The Inquisitor shook her head as she exited the balcony where she met with Briala she turned to go to the Vestiblue when someone's cough caught her attention. The elf turned to see Duchess Florianne greeting her with a false smile.
"Inquisitor Lavellan?" Duchess Florianne purred. "We met briefly and I failed to introduce myself properly. I am Grand Duchess Florianne de Charlons. Welcome to my party," the Duchess curtsied to the Inquisitor as the elf returned with a curt head bow.
"Why am I not surprised that you want to speak with me?" the Inquisitor was exhausted, her mask was heavy. She just wanted tonight to be over with already.
"This is Orlais, Inquisitor. Nothing happens by accident these days," the Duchess smiled coyly. "I believe tonight you and I are concerned by the actions of a certain party." The Duchess made her way to the ballroom floor. "Come, dance with me. Spies cannot hear us on the dance floor."
Ruki's eyes instinctively darted up to the railings. She saw her advisers and companions, and even her own brother, starting to gather around to watch. Her eyes managed to find Cullen's. When her Commander nodded to her, the Inquisitor returned her attention to the Duchess and put on her best display of confidence. "Very well then. Shall we dance, your grace?"
The Duchess' eyes had lingered where the Inquisitor had gazed before she turned to the elf with a smile. "I'd be delighted," she replied.
The Inquisitor offered the Duchess a hand as she lead her down the stairs, her rendezvous with Dorian earlier had freshened Orlesian dancing in her mind as the par had stepped onto the marble flooring and began to dance together.
"Have the Dalish gained a sudden passion for politics? How much do you know about our civil war?" the Duchess smiled coyly at the Inquisitor.
The elf said a silent prayer thanking Josephine for always rambling about politics to her, or maybe she was purely bullshitting the Duchess. Ruki didn't know or care. "I can assure you that the effects of this war reach far beyond the boarders of the Orlesian empire."
The Duchess gave a faint huff. "Perhaps it does, Inquisitor. I should not be surprised to find the Empire in the center of everyone's world. It took great effort to arrange tonight's negotiations and yet one party would use such an occasion for blackest treason." Ruki gently spun the Duchess on her fingertips. Was the elf's eyes playing tricks on her or was the Duchess actually enjoying herself? "The security of the Empire is at stake," she continued. "Neither one of us wishes to see it fall."
"Do we both what that, Lady Florianne?" Ruki sneered as the Duchess returned the coy expression.
"I do hope we are of one mind on this," she replied simply.
"In times such as this it's hard to tell friend from for, is it not Your Grace?"
The Duchess's hand lightly traced the Inquisitor's chin, dancing around her question. "I know you are here as a guest of my brother. And that you have been everywhere in the palace this evening... you are a curiosity to many, Inquisitor, while being a concern to some."
"What am I to you then, my Lady?" the Inquisitor purred. "The curiosity or the concern?"
"A little of both, actually," the Duchess replied honestly. "This evening is of great importance, Inquisitor. I wonder what role you'll play... do you even know yet who is your friend and who is foe? Who here in this court can be trusted?"
What a loaded question, Florianne. Ruki smiled. "An excellent question. I might ask the same of you, Your Grace!"
The Duchess sat in silence momentarily before she began to speak again. Her voice was cold and disconnected. "In the Winter Palace everyone is alone," she hissed. "It cannot have escaped your notice that... certain parties... are engaged in dangerous machinations tonight."
"And here I thought dangerous machinations were the national sport of Orlais," Ruki jested. The crowed started to applaud the dancers as Ruki dipped Duchess Florianne in a sweeping bow.
"You have little time," the Duchess warned. "The attack will come soon. You must stop Gaspard before he strikes. In the Royal Wing Garden you will find the captain of my brother's mercenaries. He knows all of Gaspard's secrets. I am sure you of all people can persuade him to be... forthcoming."
The pair of women bowed to each other. "We'll see that the night has in store, won't we?" Ruki smiled confidently as she exited the dance floor to be swept away by her company. Cullen's hand protectively grasped her forearm as he lead her to the rest of advisers. His eyes were hard and he looked stressed, more stressed than normal. The way his face screwed into a scowl, how he said no word to the Inquisitor but has his hand soon slid from her forearm to interlace with her own. Ruki knew her lover was tired and was ready to go home. Josephine and Leliana were already talking when they turned to acknowledge the Commander and his Inquisitor approach.
Relief watched over Josephine. "Brava," she sighed as she started to smooth out her dress. "You'll be," she seemed almost breathless, as if she had been holding her breath the whole time Ruki danced with the Duchess. "You'll be the talk of the court for months. We should take you dancing more often!"
Ruki felt her face relax as a breathless chuckle escaped her. "It's a nice change, Josie. I'd be happy to dance more often, just not with Corypheus...or anyone else here." The elf's eyes glanced over at the tired Commander. Cullen had his back pressed against the railing and he looked as if he were trying to avoid falling asleep standing up. Perhaps Dorian would be up for another dance later, she mused.
"I promise he's not invited to your next ball," Josephine seemed almost giddy, which was either because everything was going to plan or she stressed herself into a fix of insanity. Ruki honestly couldn't tell but it could go either way.
"Were you dancing with the Grand Duchess?" Leliana smirked and went to continue the gossip but Cullen interjected himself. He Commander's head snapped up from his lulled back position and he blinked furiously.
"But more importantly," he gave Leliana a sideways glance. "What happened in the servant's quarters? I heard there was... more fighting."
"Regardless," Josephine responded. "I hope it's good news. The peace talks are starting to crumble."
Some much information swirled around in the Inquisitor's brain it was hard to sort everything out. "The Duchess," the elf started, shifting through her thoughts. "She tried to convince me earlier that Gaspard is the traitor but I don't think I buy it. Something's not quite right."
"Florianne and her brother are thick as thieves," Leliana smiled. "But she would give him up in an instant to save herself."
"Then," Cullen's eyes lowered to the floor. He adjusted his stance to no longer be leaning and closed the circle by joining the other three women. "The attack on the empress will happen tonight. We should-"
"Warning Celene is pointless," Josephine interjected. "She needs these peace talks to succeed and fleeing would admit defeat."
Leliana's voice was cold and filled with Dorian's sense of morbid humor. "Maybe we should let her die."
Ruki's face twisted. "No! I cannot let someone die in good conscious!"
The Spymaster folded her arms and eyed the Inquisitor, arching her brow. "So what do you propose we do then, Inquisitor? Corpyheus wants chaos and regardless of if Celene is alive or not-he will get what he wants." Leliana's arms tightened against her chest as she continued. "To foil his plan, the empire needs to remain strong. This evening someone must emerge victorious. That's all I'm saying."
"And it doesn't have to be Celene, per se," Cullen pondered for a moment before he looked back at his Inquisitor. "She's not entirely wrong."
Ruki's face tensed at Cullen's suggestion which caused him to shift uncomfortably. Josephine shared the Inquisitor's hard expression. "Do you even realize what you're suggestion, Leliana?!"
"Sometimes the best path is not the easiest one," Leliana's face remained neutral as she turned to the Ambassador.
Ruki felt the anxiety of it all return. If she were to fail... "So. You're asking me to decide what's best for Orlais?"
"More than that, I'm afraid," the Commander sighed as his stance softened. "Whoever controls the Imperial throne will affect all of Thedas."
"And you cannot stop Corypheus without a decision," Leliana's gaze shifted back to the Inquisitor. "You must support someone or all is lost."
"Then we should support Celene," Josephine sounded almost frantic. "She is the rightful ruler, and who are we to say otherwise?"
"Because she led Orlais to this point," Cullen protested. "I say Gaspard given his sister is wrong about him."
"And I would suggest Briala. She could bring a true peace not only to the Empire but it's elves as well." Leliana made her argument before Josephine continued speaking again.
The small Antivan woman gave the elf an almost pleading glance. "This is, however, your decision. Not ours."
"I want to say Celene," Ruki started. "But I can't decide yet, I need more information."
"You must!" Leliana growled. "Even inaction is a decision, Inquisitor."
Ruki felt so small. The voices of her advisers pounded in her head like wardrums, the anxious elf spun on her heel and faced away from the three humans and bit her lip to stop it from quivering. This was all such bullshit. She had never asked for this, she had wanted so desperately to take a break from clan life she leaped at the chance to attend the Conclave meeting. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she mused how much simpler life would be right now if she had stayed home or if Corphyeus hadn't decided to blow a hole in the sky. She felt rough and familiar fingertips brush against her shoulder as a callused palm rubbed small circles into her shoulder blade. She released her tension in her shoulders and slowly turned to look at her Commander, who offered her a small smile.
"We ask so much of you," he began. "I apologize. As an adviser I can offer advice but I cannot sway your heart. Regardless of what you choose, I know you'll choose what is best for everyone." Commander Cullen reached up and brushed a thumb against her cheek. and caught a tear that had spilled out.
Josephine and Leliana glanced at each other before the Antivan woman sighed. "I'd like to offer my sincerest apologies as well, Inquisitor."
"As do I," the Spymaster piped up. "We shouldn't have you throw your morality away. We trust you to make the best decision."
Ruki felt confidence flare up inside of her as she beamed up at her Commander. "I won't let you down."
"You could never," he teased. "I recommend trying to avoid the outdoors. It appears some rain clouds are threatening us as well."
The elf chuckled as she took her leave. "I'll keep that in mind."
It has seemed like hours since the Commander had seen the Inquisitor. His hazel eyes kept glancing in the grandfather clock in each time a hand ticked.
"You know, time won't go by any fast the more you look at it," Turalyon rolled his eyes as he leaned against the wall with Cullen. "My sister is as crafty as they come, I'm sure she's just having fun with her friends in some corner of the Palace."
Cullen sighed heavily through his nose, shaking his head. "It's almost midnight, if you only knew how important it was for her to-"
"Commander! Commander!" a female voice called to him in a thick Orlesian accent. The elven servant nearly tripped but the swift Turalyon was there to catch her before she busted her lip on a marble table. She panted as she looked up at the elven man who caught her and rapidly rattled off something to him in Elven.
The Commander blinked, not understand a word being exchanged between the pair of elves. Maybe he should ask Ruki to teach him Elven someday...
"Commander!" Turalyon hissed. "She tells me the Inquisitor sent her here and on her way to the ballroom she saw demons and fighting. It's not good."
Cullen was already starting to head in the direction the servant girl came from. He caught Duke Gaspard and his sister across the ballroom watching someone and as the Commander returned his attention to in front of him he nearly steamrolled over his Inquisitor and her friends. Relief washed over him and escaped with a happy, breathless sigh. "Thank the Maker you're okay!" His Inquisitor was unkempt and covered in dirt and demon ichor but she was for the most part unharmed. "The... the Empress' speech could begin at any moment. What are we going to do?"
"We're fine too, thanks for asking Commander," the Tevinter mage hissed.
Ruki shook her head and chuckled. "Wait here," she started as a devilish smile appeared on her lips. "I'm going to have a word with the Grand Duchess."
Cullen blinked in surprise. "There's no time for this, Inquisitor." What was she getting at? What was her plan? Before he could protest further the Inquisitor had already started her way down the stairs and towards the Duchess.
"Trust her," Cassandra nodded her head towards the pair of women below. "She had been practicing her speech since the last demon fell."
The Commander and his Inquisitor's friends made their way to the railing to listen better, Sera of course sitting on it dangling her feet over the edge.
Ruki prowled that marble dance floor with such ferocity Cullen felt his knees buckle. She had him and most of the court enthralled with the confidence that radiated off of her. "I believe we owe the court one more show, You Grace."
The Duchess almost seemed surprised to see the Inquisitor before her as the woman strolled up the stairs.
"Smile, Florianne. Everyone is watching us," the elf teased as she circled the Duchess. "I'll give you one chance. End this peacefully. There is no more need for bloodshed."
A nervous laugh escaped the Duchess as she attempted to put some distance in between herself and the elven Inquisitor. "I, I have no idea what you are talking about!"
"Oh really?" the elf sneered. "Had you already forgotten that you tried to kill my friends and I in the garden moments ago? I almost feel insulted."
Gasps rumbled through out the ballroom as Cullen whispered to Sera before snagging something off her belt.
"You had arranged for your brother to be here tonight so that all eyes would be on him. So you could carry out your plan in the shadows. So when the council emissary stumbled into the wrong room and found your assassins, you could easily just pin the blame on your brother." The elf's hands were clasped behind her back as she continued her rant. "The Empress, your brother, all of your guests here at the palace. All a tempting target for Corypheus."
"Inquisitor, you jest!" the Duchess rebutted. "This is all very entertaining but you cannot imagine anyone believes your wild stories?" The nervousness coming off her was indeed palpable.
"That would be the matter for a judge, cousin," the Empress interjected.
The Duchess turned to Gaspard and tried to plead her case and even her own brother backed away, holding his hands up at her. The Duchess growled and pulled her dagger from her dress. "You knife-eared bitch," she snarled as she went for Ruki.
The Inquisitor went to hold up her arms in defense until the Duchess cried out and her dagger clanged to the floor. One of Sera's throwing knives stuck out of her elbow as the noblewoman sank to her knees. The elf looked up at the railing at here gathering of companions.
Cullen smiled down at her and nodded to her. For once he was thankful for his stubborn anxiety.
"Nice shot, Cully," Sera applauded.
The Inquisitor had returned her attention the injured Duchess. Palace guards started to circle her and pick her up off the ground. "You lost this fight ages ago, Your Grace. You were just the last one to find out." The Duchess was carried away by palace guards in tears, whether it was from Cullen's knife throw or the fact she had been outplayed, Ruki visibly released the tension in her body with an audible sigh.
Cullen couldn't help it but to smile. She had done it, she saved the Empress. He beamed down at her with pride swelling in his chest as the court started to applaud the Inquisitor's actions. Even Cassandra, Dorian and Sera were cheering. The mage whistled sharply as the elf screamed "I knew you could do it, Inky!". Cullen even brought himself to start applauding as well. He caught a glimpse of Josephine, Leliana, and Vivienne applauding as well. An elbow found itself in Cullen's ribs as he turned.
Dorian simply winked at him. "That's your girl, Commander!"
Cullen smiled. That was his girl, his Inquisitor. His wonderful, amazing, talented, beautiful young woman.
Ruki stepped out onto the balcony with a heavy sigh. The night was finally over. She had won, she saved the day. Yet she still felt like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. As if all eyes were on her. The clouds had thickened overhead but the elf would almost appreciate the rain, it would wash off some of the ichor and sweat from running around the palace all night.
"The Orleasian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory, and yet you are not present to hear them?" Morrigan's voice came from behind the elf as she the witch strolled up from behind her and leaned against the railing. "Did you tire so quickly of their congratulations?" The arcane adviser shook her head and clicked her tongue. "'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf."
"It's not that, I just wanted some air is all." The elf hung her head as she gazed out across the empty garden.
"I had no wish to interrupt your breathing," Morrigan hissed. "Only to bring you news. By Imperial decree I have been named liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid, including my own. So congratulations."
The Inquisitor offered a tired smile. "I apologize, Lady Morrigan. Welcome to the Inquisition."
"There is no need to apologize, child," the witch waved a hand. "You are facing a foe you scarcely understand, with all of Thedas hanging in the balance. I will be here to offer you what help I can. I will meet you at Skyhold."
Ruki watched Morrigan leave as she sighed. Her brow scrunched up when she heard three pairs of footsteps approach form behind her. As soon as she knew if Dorian hung from her left hip while Sera draped herself across the Inquisitor's right shoulder. Cassandra hung back, leaning against the balcony on the other side of Dorian.
"She probably wants to be left alone," Cassandra sighed.
"Nonsense," Dorian rolled his eyes. "What are you doing out here by yourself? You should be celebrating! The day is saved! You have literally saved the day! You have all of Orlais eating out of your hand right now!"
"Yeah!" Sera interjected. "You need to be inside with us getting stupid. Really really stupid!"
Ruki chuckled. "I'm not in the mood, I just want to be alone right now."
"Like I had stated previously before you two dragged me out here," Cassandra growled. "Leave the Inquisitor be and let her have her space."
Sera huffed, folding her arms. "Oh alright," the elf stood straight and took her leave with the Seeker.
Dorian hung back momentarily. "Do take care, dear," he cooed before affectionatly rubbing the Inquisitor's back and took his leave.
The Inquisitor took note of Dorian excusing himself as he went past someone but thought nothing of it until yet another set of foot steps approached her. She was on the verge of turning around and screaming to be left alone before a familiar voice called out to her.
"There you are! Everyone's been looking for you," Cullen leaned against the railing and offered a faint smile to his Inquisitor.
The elf snorted. "Well everyone's found me already. I'm just waiting on Leliana and Josephine to come pester me."
The Commander chuckled. "Sorry you won't be getting your way, they're preoccupied interrogating your brother. Other than that things have calmed down for the moment." The Commander turned to his Inquisitor and his playful smile fell when he noticed how zoned out the elf was. "Are you alright?"
Ruki smiled a tired smile. "I am. I'm just tired, tonight as been very long."
"It was for all of us. I'm just glad it's over now." Cullen inched his way closer to the Inquisitor.
Ruki shifted when his hand ran across her arm and shoulder and rested on her back, his finger lightly tracing a small hole in her dress she received in her fight with the demons in the garden. "I know it's foolish but I was worried for you tonight."
Ruki placed her hand on Cullen's bicep and gently squeezed it. "I know you were, vhenan."
Cullen had trailed off, his attention on the faint music coming from the ballroom. It was a slow waltz and Ruki took notice of the devilish smile that appeared on the Commander's face. He lifted his hand from her back and started to step away from her. "I may never have another chance like this so I must ask." The elf followed the Commander as he nervously bowed to her, peering back up to her and offering her his hand. He looked so sweet when he was nervous, the elf must have known he had practiced this a dozen times in his head. "May I have this dance, my lady?"
Ruki smiled, lacing her fingers with Cullen's. "Of course, but I thought Templars couldn't dance."
Cullen chuckled, pulling his Inquisitor to him and planting a soft kiss on her forehead. "For you, I'll try."
Ruki could easily admit that Dorian was a stronger dance partner, but feeling the scratch of Cullen's stubble and his soft counting to himself as he paced his steps slowly made up for it tenfold. The elf rested her head on Cullen's chest and was startled how it drummed so anxiously in his chest. "You're doing fine," she cooed as she felt a ginger kiss on her forehead.
"I hope so," he whispered to her as he pulled her closer and rocked her back and forth. A rumble of thunder echoed in the distance and the pair stopped and glanced at each other. The Commander's devilish smirk returned as he started to lead the Inquisitor in a slow waltz again. "I've waited all night for this, a little rain won't stop me." As if on cue rain started to steadily fall from the sky.
The elf knew her make-up was running down her cheeks as she glanced up at her soaked Commander. In hopes he didn't seem miserable.
The blond man smiled, his hair matted down and starting to unravel itself into its thick curls. He gingerly twirled the elf on his fingertips before he caught her in a bow and dipped her down low. His whiskey eyes shimmered "I am... so proud of you," the Commander leaned down and kissed his Inquisitor.
His kiss tasted of sweat and rain but she reveled in it as the kiss deepened and as Cullen's rough hands pulled her back up and rested on her hips.
"We, we did it," the elf chuckled through the kisses. Cullen pulled away from her and she giggled at his arched eyebrow. The rain soaking them, the whole ordeal of having to sneak around the Empress' home all night or she'd die. It all was just so damn funny to the Inquisitor. "We actually did it, Cullen, I didn't think we could!"
The Commander chuckled as he pressed his forehead against the Inquisitor's. "I knew you could. I never doubted you for a moment." He kissed his Inquisitor again. He murmured something against her hips but Ruki couldn't quite tell what he said as she returned this kissed.
Her heart fluttered at what she thought he said. She could have sworn to the Creators that he just told her that he loved her. Ruki loved her Commander dearly, at least, she realized she did in that moment. Ruki pulled away from Cullen's assault of kisses to breathless look at him. "Cullen I l-"
The Commander shook his head and interrupted her with a kiss. Maybe he knew? Or maybe Ruki just misunderstood him. The elf didn't care, she knew how she felt and perhaps next given chance she would tell him.
"Are you two dense!?" A familiar thick Antivan accent chastised them.
Cullen and Ruki pulled apart, the elf didn't even notice Josephine approach as she hung from the doorway out of the rain.
"It is pouring rain and you two are drenched! Get inside!"
Cullen chuckled and took his Inquisitor's hand and started to lead her off of the balcony.
"You owe me another dance, Cullen! I'll hold you to that!" the Inquisitor teased.
"I'll keep that in mind."
