Chapter Eleven; Come to the Cabernet
Morrigan gave me the time to a get cleaned up. She offered to put the children to sleep so I could go meet my "Date", though she laughed at me the whole time.
For my part, I wasn't sure what to think, much less do. It had been so long, and I could alway be reading too much into it. My rational mind did still work, just so long as I wasn't next to some hot blooded male.
Regardless, I did brush my hair and put it up in a loose bun. I changed out of my dress I had worn all day, into my cargos and my black turtleneck. It was still the most comfortable thing I owned other than pajamas.
Somehow, no matter what this evening turned out like I didn't think my pink plaid fuzzy bottoms and skimpy pink tank would be appropriate.
I grabbed my phone, and turned it on, flipping through the pictures to make sure I could find everything that might be… less than friend friendly. I debated deleting them, but in the end, just moved them to a private folder. I couldn't get them back now if I deleted them, so I couldn't do that.
I checked to see what music I had, or any other interesting things I could show him. This would be.. Interesting. I pocketed that, and checked one more time that I didn't look so.. momafied. It'll do, I shrugged.
I kissed Yume and Jace goodnight, and Morrigan shooed me out the door, chuckling the whole way.
The moon was out and very bright, lighting my way through the garden and then lighting the main hall further than the braziers alone. I pushed open the door to the Rotunda, only to find it empty.
Suddenly I realised how stupid this was. I had no idea as to where Solas's quarters actually were, and I went to the first place I always found him. Of course he wouldn't actually sleep on the small couch in plain view of everyone.
Brilliant Grace! Way to show your hair color. I sighed. Debating whether to go back to the tower and wait for him there. But something glinting on the table caught my eye. Curious I went over to it, noticing a faint buzz as I got closer.
It looked like a piece of a stone carving. But it glowed, and had faint blue lines through the whole work. It buzzed loudly, like a phone vibrating. I reached out and touched it, wondering if it was vibrating.
But it was still, though it shocked me a bit. I jumped back, slightly startled. My eyes drifted to the sketches of it and piles of notes. Everything was in a language I couldn't make heads or tails of. Still, I bent over them, pulling a few to me and squinting as if that would help. It didn't, but I did notice some numbering in the corner.
I pulled more papers, and looked. They were all numbered, and some had sketches and diagrams. I glanced around and found a comfy chair in the corner. I lugged it over, and settled in, pulling stacks to me and straightening them as I went.
Maybe if they were in order I could see what they are supposed to be. I figured it wouldn't take me too long, just a quick glance and I would head back.
Some of the numbered pages were duplicates, so I set them into different stacks. It didn't take long to realize I had no clue what piles went where. So I started scanning them.
Almost every one had a picture on it, that helped some. But many looked like Solas had just grabbed a random paper and wrote on it however he grabbed it. Some were obviously upside down on the other side, others were written on every space, ending up looking like some modern art piece.
I set those aside. The stacked the rest. By the time I was done, a while had passed, and my back was sore from bending over.
I stood and stretched, feeling my back pop in protest, but it felt infinity better.
"Good! Now you can sweep up the floors, and I have brushes that need washing." I heard a chuckle from above me. I looked up, and there was Solas, holding a wine bottle and two glasses and smirking.
I laughed, "You ass! How long were you standing there just letting me do your work for you?" He shrugged, still grinning, "Oh.. since you came in looking for me." He smirked again, and I'll be damned if it was my imagination this time, "You should have looked up."
I smiled, and blushed. I know I blushed, and it was very unlike me. Bullshit Grace. You wouldn't know "Composed" if it came up and smacked your ass! I snorted at the image, and Solas cocked his head at me. "Something funny Lady Grace?" He teased.
"I waved my hand at him, "Just get down here would you? I think you owe me a drink and looking up at you like this hurts my neck." He flashed me that smile again, and turned to come down the stairs and join me.
I flopped down on the couch, and pulled out my phone. It was more habit than anything that the first thing I did was check my texts. I shook my head at myself, Wonder when I will get used to that.
He handed me a glass, I wasn't even sure when he moved in front of me. But it hardly mattered. I lifted my glass for him to pour into. "Solas! Glasses this time? How romantic!" I giggled. Then caught myself. Oh God Grace! Why don't you just come out and say "Take me now!"
Solas just chuckled, and poured us both the ruby red wine. He set the bottle down on a side table, every movement so careful and controlled. For a moment, it irritated me. Why was it that I was a mess, and he was so very unfazed?
He came back, and scooted me over so he could sit, "So Grace," He took a sip, "Show me the wonders of your world then." He all but commanded. He was different somehow. More free? Less refined, or was it more so?
Either way I was excited to show him my phone, so I leaned against him, taking a sip of my own, and unlocked my phone.
I showed him how to scroll first, how to flip through the screens, and explained what they did. Not that that was what intrigued him, I knew. But I didn't know how to explain that yet, and he didn't ask.
Eventually I just handed the thing over to him, letting him figure it out on his own. I did point out the folder not to go to, and there was that damn smirk again, but nothing more. I leaned against his shoulder, finishing off my glass and watching him fumble around.
I snickered when he turned it a couple of time, activating the camera again. I reached over and showed him how to change the view, pointing out the two cameras as I went.
Then, like an old person with their first phone he asked, "So, how do I make it stay?" I laughed, probably harder than I should have.
I reached over and tapped the phone, getting a wonderful picture of a open mouthed droopy eyed Solas, mid blink, and myself with my head on his shoulder, smirking at him. He blinked a couple of times, and then huffed loudly, "That's horrible! Do it again."
I laughed so hard I almost fell of the couch. He shook his head, grinning, and refilled our glasses. I finally calmed enough to retake the picture, though I was still giggling. He waited until he saw me reach the phone, and then he smiled.
He actually grinned that smirk he had been giving me. I snorted, almost spilling my wine. He however held the picture out in front of him, preening like a peacock. "I like that!" He said, feeling his face in an effort to mimic the look. I did spill my wine that time.
"We call that, making love to the camera!" I giggled at him. He looked shocked for a moment before he chuckled and draining his glass.
He shot a glance my way while I was drinking my own wine, "Something on your mind, Grace?" He asked, and I could have sworn he had dropped his voice.
I inhaled, and choked on my wine. Coughing for a while as my eyes watered. I could hear him laughing at me, and I felt him rub my back soothingly until I could breathe again.
"I'll take that as a maybe then?" That was definitely a smug voice. I looked up, yup, the bastard was being smug! I smirked; Well two can play that game. I straightened up, reaching unnecessarily over his body to grab the bottle off the floor next to his feet and top myself off. Catching him stiffen just a tinsy bit.
Oh! You thought I'd blush and hide, huh Solas? Ha! You're in trouble now. Not that I had any confidence in my abilities per say, but I had very little shame at the moment. I blame it on the three glasses of wine coursing through my system.
"Not on my mind really, it's just a common subject where I come from." I said casually, and leaned back on the sofa with my now filled glass. I might have been arching my chest just a bit. He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. He reached for a pillow behind him and threw it at me, hitting me softly in the face.
"Your back bothering you Lethallan?" He smirked. I chuckled, and took the pillow and placed it behind my head, "Not at all! Why? Does my posture bother you?" I giggled into my glass.
"Well, I would not want you to injure yourself on my account." He smirked. I gasped, "Your account?!" I chuckled, "No, your height does not bother me too much. I don't have to stoop down to talk to you. Just barely though." I snorted.
He snorted into his wine, spilling some onto his tunic. I laughed and he glared playfully at me. He reached over and flicked my forehead, "It is hardly my fault that you are not dainty." He snarked back. I acted hurt and pouted at him, but he shook his head, "Won't work on me lethallan!" She instead I reached over and grabbed his wine, gulping it down and handing back the glass.
He looked at the glass mildly offended, "And here was I thinking if I got drunk enough…. "He trailed off shooting me that damn smirk. I kicked his shin, laughed harder. "How romantic of you Solas!" I teased.
He shook his head, and grabbed the bottle, noticing how light it was before taking a swig. "Hardly think romance is needed." He laughed. I waved my hand dismissively, "I wasn't planning on you catching my phone you know." He nodded, glancing back down at his where it lay on the sofa between us.
"So, what else does it do?" He asked. I grabbed it, and scooted back over to lean against him with my feet up on the other side. I unlocked it, and showed him the gallery. Now clean of course. He asked me what everything was, and even smiled at the baby pictures I still had on it.
We did get to one of Victor, and I felt him tense. "Cole had told me what happened. I can't fault you now." He said quietly, leaning his cheek on my head. I nodded slightly; it didn't hurt so much now that I was drunk.
That was nice, I wouldn't have wanted to become a sobbing wreck just then. I showed him all the rest of the pictures, and laughed with him about the silliness of some of them.
Eventually we reached the end, and he held out his hand to see it. "This is fascinating, but why did you carry it with you?" I shrugged, "In my world, we use that to communicate across distances, like instant letters, but with your voice. Everyone had one. It also held pictures, music, videos, calendars, really a bit of everything."I got up to get my glass from the floor, and settled back in.
"If anything, I was lucky to have it even though it doesn't work as a phone anymore." I told him, glancing up at him upside down to see his face. I giggled at the angle; it made his ears look bigger.
But he was looking down at me wide eyed, "Music? Truly?" he asked, I nodded and grabbed it from him, swiping to another screen and opening the MP3 player. I didn't have a lot of songs, most of what I had used before I had connected to the internet. So of course that wouldn't work here. Instead I had a small selection of my favorites, only 30 or so.
I started with the least modern, and played it for him. It was that Ballad of Tam-Lin and Janet, a folk version I had found once, and I hummed along with it. I had closed my eyes, so I didn't see when Solas started to get up to make notes. So I was surprised when my "Pillow" moved and dropped me unceremoniously on the couch. But I giggled because everything was funny, and fuzzy now that I think about it.
I glanced over at him, he was making notes on yet another piece of paper. I snorted, "I can write down the lyrics later if you want." I told him, he turned around sharply, "Yes, that would be excellent!" But I heard "Eggcelent" and I barked a laugh.
"That is what it looks like!" I pointed, laughing really hard now that I saw it. He cocked his head, "What?" I just laughed harder and pointed, trying to make myself speak, "Your.. pfft.. You head! Hahaha! It's an egg!" I rolled over onto my stomach, burying my head in the cushion as I laughed.
I felt him pinch my arm, and I shrieked in laughter, rolling over and smacking his hand away. He was just amused, shaking his head at me and chuckling. "Now," He scooted me back so he could sit, "What are videos?" I was still giggling, but I unlocked my phone again, taking a couple trys though, and showed him that folder.
"They are, the paintings from before?" He asked, I shook my head and clicked on one. It was Yume and Victor opening Christmas gifts, and I sighed happily as I watched it. Solas was transfixed. After the first one, he went on to another. And then another, all of them family movies. I was beginning to feel sleepy, and the sound was so soothing I was dropping off.
Until I heard the very first notes of a piano opening for the song "Mein Herr." I shot up and made to grab it. "Wait! Damn I knew I forgot something!" I reached for it, but Solas held it away smirking as the music started to play, "Why?" He asked still watching the screen where he held it above him. "Oh.." He chuckled, and I winced. This would be the part where I got onstage.
I reached harder for it, but he held my waist down keeping me from getting it. "You were a bard lethallan?" He snickered. "I was a Barde, but not in this one, give me that!" I said, most assuredly slurring and wriggling around to get it. Still the song played and I heard the scrape of a chair.
"Ugh! Solas!" He just laughed, "You did promise Grace. A song and dance on a table if I am not mistaken." I huffed, how the hell was he not slurring? Or even remembering that?! I sat back down and pouted. I heard my voice start and cringed. I seriously hated my voice, but Victor had wanted the whole thing on film. We were just friends then, and I was in a few theater plays. And there was a whole damn folder of it.
"Just this one then." I told him sternly. He nodded, smirking, but acknowledging at least, and settled us back to watch it. I drained my glass. He shifted around a few times as the short four minute video ran. By the time it was half over and I was doing the meat of the stretches on the chair I pinched his side when he shifted again. "You're going to knock me off Solas." I chuckled. He huffed, but remained still.
Four minutes can drag on when you're embarrassed I found out. But as much as I wanted it to be over, some part of me was curious as to what he would think. The movie stopped, and I didn't wait. "So, what did you think?" I asked him, a little excited for his opinion. Okay more than a little.
He just gaped a bit at the now blank screen, "Incredible." He breathed, and looked at me. I was a bit taken aback. "Really?" He seemed to shake himself and bit and nodded. "This device is unlike anything I could have ever imagined!" He gushed.
Right.. the phone… got the hint.. I imagine I deflated a little, but I got up to jot down the lyrics to the song. If he liked it so much, maybe I could teach the bard here. But I heard the 'click' of the select function of the phone. I turned around and he was smiling mischievously. Bastard was queuing up another video!
"Solas! I said just one!" I chuckled at him. He laughed, "Yes, and I showed you I heard you. I never agreed." He smirked. I lunged for him, reaching out my arm, but he ducked under me and all but danced away holding it up.
I chased him, and this sparked a game of tag I guess. We knocked over the papers on his desk, and the plush chair. Finally I managed to grab him, but I slipped, taking him down with me.
He laughed and rolled off me to get up again, but I grabbed his shoulders, Scrambling up to reach for the phone. Both of us laughing like idiots. I brushed one of his ears by accident and he snorted. Like. A. Pig. There was a half second of his mortified face before he looked at me scared.
"Oh! Are you ticklish Solas?" I teased. He let go of the phone, and tried desperately to get up. But no way in hell was I going to let this go. I wrestled him down, and brushed his ear again. This time, he almost squeaked. "Don't!" He giggled. Giggled! He was snorting and giggling!
I reached for my phone shaking the camera on and clicking to video one handed. Like a pro. Well a drunk pro with a squirming full grown man trying to get away from me. I aimed it at him, and keep tickling him, trying not to let my own snickers get too loud. Just wait till Dorian see this! I chuckled evilly.
A clearing of a throat made us both stop, giggles almost vanishing. I looked up to the doorway, Speak of the devil!
Dorian stood looking down at us highly amused. He crossed his arms, trying to look stern but not really succeeding. "No no! Please, don't stop on my account. I am sure all of Skyhold wants to hear this one." He gestured around us. I laughed, oh god my sides hurt.
I let Solas up and collapsed on the floor laughing. Solas was speechless, just staring at Dorian mortified. "Let me guess," Dorian arched an eyebrow, "Not what it looks like?" He snickered. I couldn't breathe.
"I.. I.. "Breath in, "I got it on camera!" I rushed out, laughing even harder. "You what?" Solas turned to me so sharply I thought his head would snap off. He looked at the offending device in my hand and made to grab for it. I tossed it to Dorian. Oh! Yeah, smart drunken Grace, throw your damn phone! "Shit, catch it!" I called. Dorian caught it easily, and looked down.
"What is it?" He asked, turning it around a bit, "A… mirror?" He asked. Solas burst out laughing and neither of us could tell Dorian why. Or would actually.
Life is a cabaret old chum… more like Cabernet actually.