AN: Anora is someone I hate in game, I adore Shianni, had to let them out. Also impatient Solas who decided this chapter was going to go on forever.

()()()()()()()()

Boring. Exhausting. Exhilarating. This was the heart of being a rogue, the constant twists from one aspect of her existence into the next that kept Tavaiya from ever considering going away from her lifestyle. The job she had agreed to take for Leliana was not a tricky one. Not at all, just go to Denerim, check in with several of the Nightingale's existing agents without exposing them to each other. Look into a promising new contact, gather any information she herself needed with the expectation of sharing that to some degree with Leliana and then get back.

Nothing major. Nothing really complicated. An exercise more in trust and scraps of meat to lure the jackal to her side, ensnare her with enough of her own informants to showcase how useful teaming up with Leliana could be. It was the counter to the armor Vivienne had supplied her with in truth.

Only there was the tiny issues of two agents being rapidly decomposing corpses in their homes, others with their alias's, the whole mess of smuggling that was most assuredly not the usual lyrium and crow messenger bird food supply. Or rather not just that if the false sides (because everyone checked the bottoms these days and the lids for compartments) with some very potent drugs was any indication. Not mild sell to the down trodden and nobles alike sort of recreational substances either. These were very much banned by virtue of agreement by all the major nations concoctions that Tavaiya had no desire to be even in the same room with because it could do such damage. Ones she was now having to try and find a reliable bit of information on how to dispose of. Without anyone connecting it to someone relatd to the inquisition.

That was before she had the assassination attempt on King Alistair and his Queen Consort to contend with, or either of their lovers being the suspect all but guaranteed to be trying to blackmail the Queen. Really, Tavaiya thought the two were brilliant as joint rulers and for all she and Anora could not stand each other there was a mutual respect. Enough so that when it turned out Anora's latest fling was attempting to blackmail her -because it simply would not be Shianni and the tart that the courts had recently decided must be Alistair's lover didn't even like men- she didn't hesitate to ask Tavaiya for advice on if she should have him killed or otherwise handled.

"You're in town." Had been the blonde beautiful queen's comment as she sipped her tea. Insult and pretty compliment all in one and Tavaiya knew to take it as the backhanded praise it was. There was a young child growing in her, Alistair's she knew as for all they didn't get along, the Antivan's open approach to methods other than intercourse for pleasure had been information well received by Anora as a way to side step without breaking marriage vows and casting doubt upon her future offspring by her husband. Without having to trust him to always be the one in her bed. Tavaiya adored Alistair but the man cared more for his other games than learning to please a wife he barely tolerated going to sleep with. Not when he had a red haired elven love who was siring his bastard and Anora was quite content to be kind to the 'other woman' since it meant Alistair's not batting an eye at her own paramours.

Really. They were all too complicated, nobles. Titles and wealth made everything complex.

"Thank you for tea. Still want him around?" Tavaiya had asked, lounging entirely unladylike in her leathers across an opulent fainting couch with her muddied boots dangling off the edge while drinking from the delicate cup. She wasn't about to give the servants more work but she had just slipped in the window after having word sent that 'the poodle wants you'. And may Shianni ever be blessed for getting that the code name the guards and servants used for the Queen!

"Not particularly but ending his service may cause complications with his family." And with that careful remark Tavaiya knew Anora had been with a foreigner somewhat related to nobility. Tricky.

"Any problems with his performance thus far?" Yes she was being cheeky in her words. So what.

Anora's lips twitched in an effort not to laugh, she hated giving Tavaiya that satisfaction but nodded. "He is a bit..of a wanderer. Never around when you expect."

And the real issue was summed up. The Queen expected to be the only lover a male had, supposed having one king and then his half brother meant you expected devotion, only to loose it to an elf the first time your new husband met her? Yes. That had twisted Anora a little, but Tavaiya couldn't cast stones. Not anymore. Not when the memory of hoarfrost seemed permanently branded into her skin to the point she missed it even just after a few days of being away.

"I've a question..." Tavaiya used as her response, her brain working over how to handle the spurned lover without resorting to violence. It just may work out with the problem she had inherited and would not risk getting back to the Inquisition and smirching their name. Not so soon after Haven.

"Ask."

"Where from?"

"..Antiva."

Tavaiya gave Anora an entirely deadpan look, desperate not to laugh. "Took my advice?"

"He fell short." And here Anora could not repress her smile, eyes dancing as they both remembered the time Tavaiya had gotten into too much wine with Alistair and convinced Anora to join them, and Shianni, and Tavaiya explained how Antivan's kissed and making it an entire experience on their own before she explained that since she really only knew from the crows she couldn't speak for the rest. Shianni had been the one to ask if Alistair had ever indulged in curiosity with Zevran and the ensuring blush and denial had almost been funnier when he realized all three of the women in the room were simply leering at the idea.

"Noble fops believe their women should be sheltered and are more delicate than that spun sugar confection you've the strangest habit of eating with olives as of late." Tavaiya grinned. "It is only the crows that seem to think the 'fairer sex' is more akin to black widow spiders than sweet little song birds."

"Revolting."

Understandable then, why Alistair kept looking baffled that the two of them professed they disliked each other. He'd never understand you could utterly despise a person and yet get along just fine.

"As it just so happens.." Tavaiya sipped her tea and then sat up properly, getting Anora's sharp eyes on her at that. Tavaiya only sat up properly when she was being serious, otherwise it was fun to annoy the Queen by being a 'ruffian'. "I've a situation perhaps he can assist with."

Anora titled her head slightly, aware they were most likely being eavesdropped on and Tavaiya frowned. The widening of the Queen's eyes was slight, but enough for the Jackal to know she caught on that this was very serious and if Anora had any hesitation over keeping her current lover she needed to say so. Now.

"Do tell?"

Tavaiya's grin was feral and dark and dangerous. For all she preferred to be a playful rogue there was more than enough blood on Tavaiya's hands and Thedas was a nasty place plenty of times. Tavaiya kept from utterly losing herself to the abyss..but only so much at times. "Later."

She needed the Queen genuinely shocked when the information surfaced. Now came the long and tricky part..

Planting evidence and framing. Tavaiya left before long, swiped a few things for good measure and dropped in to the Alienage where she was staying. Her head found a pillow in the old dilapidated house Tabris still owned with his father passed away, a pity too he'd been a good man, determined that as the new Bann with a nice manor to stay in that his childhood home would be the last to be upgraded. Already the Alienage was more run down than utterly decrepit with the elves being paid to do the work on their own. Pride at work.

Tavaiya could understand that. It was their home, they would wish to have the most control over what happened in it. Still, she shared the space with a number of rodents and so kept to the hammock to lessen how much she may get crawled on. It was the last place most would look for her, as Tavaiya never lit candles or used firelight when in. Elven eyes were sharper, more sensitive and didn't need as much light anyways. Exhausted with what was coming, she forced her body into slumber from long practice, mentally sending Solas an apology that once again she was no where near to being able to dream in the Fade..

Of course, she should have realized-or perhaps remembered- that he was a very stubborn male.

()()()()()()()()()

There was the briefest flickering of green, the curl of hoarfrost against her skin. A sensation as if she had been pulled up from under water, with hands curled around her arms for a moment holding her steady...and then once more she slipped back too lightly for dreaming. The sound of frustrated elvhen words followed her under.

()()()()()()()()()

"Down there!"

Too close came the sounds as she pelted through the basement at full sprint, glad for the time spent memorizing it's layout the past few days. Tavaiya shivered as her body was wracked with chills, a warning that had nothing to do with magic. These were instincts hard won as a rogue still alive in her thirties. Casting her eyes about swiftly she grimaced. No choice for it. Taking a deep breath she ducked into the sewer down the trench for dumping out the bed pans in the old manor, and prayed to any deity that actually would hear her. It was foul, disgusting and more mud than water but it moved with her and under something as large as Denerim, here in the old mostly out of order tunnels, she could hide. The splashing and thudding muffled by the rumbling of the streets above. She bought herself time doing this knowing the guards would hesitate before following, but they would follow.

It was the problem with causing huge international upsets, the getting back out without letting someone stumble across it too soon. You had to stay and usually do this mad dash away to ensure the right people showed up and saw what you'd been up to. Especially when framing someone as dealing in contraband, they needed to have yelled and made a ruckus so someone had to be in the room to make them do so.

Perhaps most would never venture into the sewers, so out of favor as they were when Denerim had grown over the years from town to city. But Tavaiya remembered a journey down here, with Tabris, the two of them teens before the Blight and hiding from some shem's that took offense to Tabris being out with a blade. They'd fought only to get away, careful not to land blows but drunk and angry former adventurers took offense enough and the sewers had been a better risk than making it all the way across town to the alienage. Especially so close to curfew. Tabris was more warrior than rogue, not really fit for stealth so Tavaiya hadn't wished to try and teach him to roof jump.

Right about now she wished her friend was with her. Even out of shape as he'd gotten as a father and leader to the alienage he would have done a lot of good for her morale. Still, after that time they'd almost gotten lost in the reeking place they'd made way down to memorize the old tunnels and the cracks just big enough to hide a small framed elf. It was when she first came up with the old cloak as camouflage trick and why it was always in her pack now.

That trickle went up her spine again between her shoulder's and Tavaiya fought back a gasp as someone grabbed her by the arm. They'd been in waiting and she hadn't seen them, must have been down here for hours and not related to her recent job. Quickly she dropped her shoulder, twisting to send the person's body towards her as she leaned back and with a spin, slammed them into the ground below her. Blood joined the muck and mire as her blade reflexively went to slit their throat and Tavaiya looked down, elven pupils blown wide to see in the dark as best she could.

Small frame. Human. Mixed heritage, brown and brown obscured by the muck. Filthy now if they weren't before but the clothing wasn't too bad. Probably new to begging and..she hissed out. Well. Male. Would work, wearing a hood as she was no one would have been certain Tavaiya was female, thanks to the slightness of build her race had. Wrenching a knife through the sleeve of the once decent long sleeved tunic on the man she freed a sharp lock pick from her supplies. It wasn't perfect, but it would do. A few quick jabs to his wrists, rubbing the muck and filth into them, a few more along his other arm. If they even examined the body it would seem more like someone addicted to that vile substance that started to destroy your mind from the start.

Possibly the one who had been in the room of the young noble now being interrogated before the King and Queen for smuggling a substance banned from Antiva to the Kocari Wilds. Guards tended to be happy to have a scapegoat and Anora would have already known this was Tavaiya's work, if shocked by how she was getting her troublesome lover handled.

Yes. The now dead human, she'd find out his name and if he had any family later, would do fine as her drug addict who had been rifling in the room. To cover her planting the substance of course. She'd planned to use another beggar but..placing a scrap of the same cloth that had been around the bundle found in the nobles room into the dead man's pocket, Tavaiya pulled herself into a nook. Little more than a crack and drew her ratty old cloak liberally caked in the stomach churning substances to cover her hiding place with just her eyes barely seeing out as footsteps approached. It was a good thing she'd replaced the one she and Tam had shredded back in Haven. Almost as good of a thing as that she'd worn boots to help hide that she was an elf if seen.

It was really a pity the entire lot would probably need burning, unless Shianni knew someone. She probably did, Tabris may be Bann but Shianni was the one who ran the Alienage. Tavaiya hated this part. The waiting. There was always a lot of waiting when one was up to no good and her mind just wandered.

Slowing her breathing and wishing she didn't have to smell or pretty much taste anything in the sewer, Tavaiya waited. Cold slime trickled down her scalp under the hood she wore into the back of her tunic and she felt her lips curl in a disgusted sneer. Being a rogue was often times anything but glamorous.

As the guards hauled the dead man away, laughing at how 'these beggars..can you believe this used to be that ..' and "Got his comeuppance didn't he?' at least left her with a name. Interesting. They knew of him, it combined with a few snatches of words echoing back at her about a gambling problem and no family gave Tavaiya a starting point. Of course she'd ensure he really didn't have any dependents. If he did she'd make sure they got some sort of regular stipend until they were older or in the case of elders, passed away, to ease her guilt at her instant reaction. Sometimes they had a bastard or two around but a few discrete talks would let her know.

Now, finally, to get top side. And find a river because if she dared to walk into a house like this the smell would never leave.

()()()()()()()

Spinning around staff in hand, Vivienne's spell flared brilliant blue as ice encrusted the area in a fantastic display as she pushed her limits just that much further than ever before. "You know darling.." the words fell effortlessly as her ice froze the air into tiny snowflakes around them, the last of her mana spent but at least the onslaught was finally over. "You owe me new boots, inquisitor."

"I..of course, Madame de Fer." Tam agreed wearily as he leaned on his own staff. Thankfully with the lot of them there, magic had handled the mess easily. "Who wants to skip camp to just trudge back to out of the Fallowmire?"

"...there were ruins in this area somewhere you said, Da'len?" Solas reminded him and Tam winced at the sheer cutting tone.

"We've no potions, no healing items..and all of us are almost out of mana, Solas. We recovered a good deal of books you insisted on the lot of us helping to carry even though not a one is of any use to a true scholar, isn't that enough for now?" Vivienne's snarky reply was just as cutting.

"Solas, we really couldn't take another encounter.." Tam started to apologize. He half expected the surly older male to stalk off and look on his own to be honest.

"Look lets all just get back, patched up since even you don't have any mana left.." Bull finally interjected. "Frankly there's too many traps for us to get very far around here. Those ruins you thought you saw must be very far off the map that Harding updated for us."

"Perhaps bring Varric?" Vivienne suggested, already leading the way out and Tam winced. Yeah. Those boots and maybe all of their attire was beyond hope. The only reason Vivienne hadn't gutted them all was because she had been muttering under her breath about finally getting the elfin boy-children into halfway decent attire so they ceased looking homeless and of course the female had the sense to listen to her advice.

It was going to be a long trek back.

"What good would the dwarf do, Viv?" Bull managed to choke out a laugh. "Sink in the swamp? Moan over the warping the moisture will do to his lady weapon?"

"Do not call me Viv!"

"You do not intend to return?" Solas was walking next to him which Tam was grateful for. Being the youngest, Tam was the least used to these skirmishes still and leaning on his staff like a walking stick.

"I promised the Avaar to help..and there's a few places I'd like to look still..only found that medallion. Ugh. Yes, I need to return hahren but do you fault us for our action? For retreating?"

After a lengthy pause Solas sighed. "I cannot, though I would prefer to have investigated what you said you saw on your swift foray through here.."

"It was years ago." Tam rubbed at his eyes. "But I was sure there was this big bunch of stones deep in the swamp with swirled patterns and the Keeper did not wish us to linger. Said it was a bad omen to be so near a place that was once deaths'."

"Falon'Din?"

"Probably." Tam agreed. "I really was young and forgot about it until we ended up passing near when by the Hinterlands..lost. You know, from that map I read wrong."

The reminder brought a hint of a chuckle to Solas's demeanor. "I see. So there is only your childhood memory to go on, but it did make an impression.."

"I'm certain of it being Elvhen, Hahren. I hadn't come into my magic yet but there was something I don't know, heavy?..about the place."

"Do you think when fed and rested you can give me a vague idea of where from the map?"

"You aren't really coming back alone are you?"

"I am considering it. I have dreamed in places more dangerous before after all.."

"Right the whole food for giant spiders part."

"Indeed." And finally the shoulder's shifted and Tam saw Solas relax again even as he rubbed at his eyes.

"Couldn't sleep well in this swamp either huh?"

"Hm. The fade was..less satisfactory as of late."

()()()()()()()()()()()

After they return to Skyhold it seems there is another slew of random events that pull Tam's attention every which way. It isn't until he's finally eating, bathed earlier and back in his comfortable attire as Inquisitor that he closes his eyes a moment. Only to find Leliana is standing there.

"Tam, a word, if you will?"

"...is swearing approrpirate?" He asks, exhausted enough to mess up his words and Leliana sighs.

"I just wanted to inform you before gossip did, Tavaiya is not back yet."

"Oh. Any news?"

"No."

He doesn't think anything of it but Tam is still quite naïve.

Another few days and when Varric finally mentioned it again Tam is now worried. "Really? No word?" Varric scowls. "That's not entirely unsual but asking for no contact?"

"Maybe she's somewhere tricky?" Tam asks as they wander the library. Dorian is nearby and Tam is peeking out at the mage,enjoying the way his form is lit by the light.

"Naw. Rogues say no contact, that means don't contact anyone in the area. It means something nasty is going down.."

"Nasty?"

Varric scowls, a hand going to pat Bianca. "I told some of my own sources not to contact me when the worst of Kirkwall was going on and Hawke left."

"Oh..." Tam sighed. "Maybe she just forgot?"

"Someone like Secrets? Naw, glowbug. It's been a shit storm wherever she went I guarantee you that. All we can do now is hope she comes back and alive."

Somewhere in the slew of open balconies a book was dropped, but it was such a common sound that no one reacted. Well, except that a certain too handsome for anyone's good Tevinter Altus began lecturing loudly to the air about treating the books well.

()()()()()()()()()()()

A glass of wine, red and half sour but made palatable warmed with spices and a hefty dollop of honey was in Tavaiya's hands, cupped in a rough and hideous clay cup as she leaned into Shianni's side. Shianni of course was not drinking, instead smoothing her hand over her growing belly and chuckling.

"I still can't believe it took so much hot water to get the smell off you when clean enough you could go bathe in the palace. You're lucky Alistair's servants like you so much! That was four tub fulls!"

"I made it up to them." Tavaiya chuckled, sipping at the drink again. No one made it the same but Shianni's was always like her. Red as blood, so spiced you almost had your eyes water followed by sweetness. The first time Shianni had heard about the mulled wine that Tavaiya adored she'd done her best, limited supplies available and all and with spices so very expensive. Truly, Alistair helped spoil her friend rotten these days but Shianni's recipe remained unchanged. Perfectly so.

"Oh? I know the twins said something about dresses.."

"I've some for Orleisan events I'll never wear again, I offered them to them if they want to have them fixed or cut off the fabric to make new. Blood doesn't always come out but the fabric is still gorgeous."

"Only you would trade Antivan silks and brocades for hot baths."

"Practicality is our hallmark."

"Don't ever lose it." Shianni chuckled, tea in her hands, well more honey with a splash of tea. She'd taken to craving honey and Alistair's needing to deal with his lawful wife and his beloved pregnant at the same time was a special kind of torture that left him spoiling Shianni in any way she'd permit. Being a very practical sort, it wasn't much. Soft clothing, a better bed and chair, and all the honey she could get through though? Especially because it helped soothe her mornings, was a pleasure.

"I thought you said that about your heart?"

"I said never give your heart away. It seems though it can get a mind of it's own and just wander off!" Shianni paused for a moment and Tavaiya didn't look over, knowing she'd have that slightly haunted look. Once, when younger, Shianni had teased to never loose being practical, never give ones heart unless they were married. That had been a Shianni who was so excited to be wed some day, jealous when Tabris and Soris were engaged. The events of that day, and Tavaiya would never cease hating that she hadn't been there for it but she was new into her advanced crow tutoring and they never warned you when they would poison or abduct you..

Still. What if.

What if she'd been there? The odds honestly, were that in place of Tabris or beside him, Tavaiya would have been conscripted will she nill she, by the Gray Warden-Commander Duncan. That she would have died at Ostagar. That she would have not saved Shianni what happened.

It still haunted her.

That road was a dark one. Sometimes it kept her up, the lives she'd taken -like the man in the sewer who it turned out was a nasty sort with not a soul to mourn him. He'd been a soldier who was kicked out for stealing from his fellow's coin purses and gambled every coin he'd gotten.- Like so many others. Only a few rules were entirely set in stone. She would not ever kill a child, she spared the innocents. For some reason ruining nobles never bothered her but she could blame Orlais for corrupting what little concern she had for a lot of them. Few were like Elan and Alistair, most were twisted and selfish.

In a way she was relieved Shianni was kept in the background never to be exposed to that lot of foul grubby minded fools. In others? Shianni would have been ten times the Queen Anora was, and she was even further along in her pregnancy. Alistair's word to Shianni had been once he had a lawful heir he would never touch Anora again. Shianni, bless her, trusted him and had not held his going to the Queen until she was pregnant against him. Alistair had even proven that getting an heir as a Warden had not been as difficult as others thought. Perhaps there was a reason, perhaps it was just that he was young.

But Shianni was excited about the child within her, one of love and Tavaiya was pleased to see her so.

"So do I want to ask though how you knew someone who managed to get that stench out of my gear?" She teased Shianni and sipped her wine again.

"Um..."

There was a silent pause and the two women started laughing. Because, like Tavaiya, Shianni got herself into the strangest situations.

"That bad?"

"That bad."

"I'll wait." She said and placed her head back on Shianni's shoulder. Maybe the woman was a touch younger than her, but comfort was needed. Tavaiya had been forcing herself into a soldier's sleep, feeling deep but honestly so light one never fell into dreams. Able to sleep anywhere but not exactly restful. It had been a very long three weeks. Finally though, the informant chain was fixed, the spies and double and even a triple agent, handled and their contacts adjusted and if routed more through Tavaiya it was an alliance she could stomach keeping with the Nightingale in the future. She'd gotten rid of three assassination attempts, removed Anora's lover permanently back to Antiva disgraced and with no chance of clearing his name -he was going to be a useful tool for Damian once she filled him in on it, a desperate noble with shame that he hadn't earned but had been between Anora's legs? He would know things he didn't even realize he knew- gotten rid of the blackmail suspicion on Shianni by working with the right nobles to prove that no of course Shianni had no reason to blackmail anyone she was perfectly fine running the alienage and was going to be a mother to the King's bastard which was no secret, that Alistair doted on her was even less of one. The woman who had been suspected of being the Kings' lover in the court had been thrilled to have the rumors cleared up and there was a very nice old book in her belongings now that looked Elvhen. She thought Tam and Solas may enjoy it.

It had been a very long three weeks and Tavaiya needed true sleep desperately but she hadn't seen Shianni in ages.

"Who is he?" Shianni spoke softly.

"Mmm?"

"You've met someone." The red head spoke with a knowing smile. "You haven't toned down the banter with the men here in the alienage, but you don't even seem interested in kissing any much less seeing if any are good with their hands or mouths. So either you've taken vows in the chantry or met someone."

The memory of hoarfrost upon her skin, full lips whispering against the shell of her ear..and the way honeywine was mellowing into something richer played through Tavaiya.

"I knew it!" Shianni laughed. "You should see your face, you got this look..and your ears went pink. They still do that."

"Doesn't leave this room." Tavaiya specified as a condition and Shianni just beamed at her. It was the same promise that she'd dragged out of Tavaiya when insisting she had to talk..and then learning that her friend had fallen in love with the King of Fereldan and had it returned? That had been a shock.

"I promise, Vai." Shianni said and she was the only one ever allowed to use that nickname. Shianni's eyes danced seeing the moment Tavaiya gave in, where her shoulder's slumped and her gaze went into that hideous cup, one that Shianni kept for sentimental reasons, as if she was picturing something. The pregnant elf had never seen her friend so affected, and it was fascinating to witness. There hadn't been much to give it away, but the simple lack of action on Tavaiya's part regarding even glancing at the men around, alienage or not, had been the first clue. Usually she was looking, wondering whom would let her go without being too serious. A bit of fun, and then away again. That was Tavaiya, elusive and wild and never caught.

Except it seemed she had been, and didn't even know it herself.

When Tavaiya finally spoke it was low, a secret she seemed to be discovering for the first time and yet it sounded as if she'd said this to someone before. Shianni dearly hoped Tavaiya had a good female friend to open up to in that Inquisition, with Elan gone there was a sorrow and heaviness there for all the light jokes that Shianni could see.

"I suppose, it first began with his voice." Tavaiya closed her eyes then and took in a breath, Shianni transfixed at the way her friend was so utterly lost in the memories she was pulling up. No, her rogue friend had no idea of just how deeply she'd already fallen. "He has this way of speaking, mellow and controlled. Rich and a true pleasure to listen to, yet when he's excited about something it changes and he goes from knowing elder, scholarly, to vibrant youth and all but rushing about to prove why he decided on such a choice only to remember he can't show what sources he's used. It's achingly endearing."

"All that about just his voice."

Tavaiya opened her eyes and gave a smile. "What do you want to know?"

"Everything! But since we don't have that much time.." Shianni gestured to the hearth. "Get another ladle of wine and start telling me the details. What's he look like, don't think I missed you avoiding a name, Vai! Have you kissed yet? Have you done anything yet? Is he in the Inquisition? Oh of course he must be.."

Obediently, Tavaiya got another glass of wine from where it simmered in the pot over the hearth. "All right but I'm staying on your floor tonight."

"You can share the bed with me. Alistair replaced it with a huge one so he'd fit the big lug, and he won't come tonight."

"You're certain?"

"If he does than he can take the floor!"

"Very well then, Mistress to the Archdemon Slayer..I'll call him ..." She sought in her mind for an appropriate name to give Solas, never wishing to have it get back to him or have Shianni say it to the wrong person, Tavaiya did have enemies after all. Any good rogue did. Hahren seemed too impersonal, and she wasn't about to use half the disdainful names that she heard floating around from other members of the inquisition.

"You'd laugh.." She says instead, as she thinks of the words that come to mind. Honeywine and hoarfrost. Drumbeats and crackling of power, the loam of forest after a rain. Addiction.

"I promise I won't."Shianni swears and watches as Tavaiya chews on her lip. Capitulates.

"In my thoughts only, Shianni..if I'm a Jackal, if Elan was a Mabari..he is a Wolf." Because the way Solas walked reminded her of them, the way he held himself apart and dignified. Every bit the sterotypical lone wolf. Powerful, misunderstood, beautiful. When her eyes meet Shianni's she sees the moment her friend picks up on that this is something deeply personal, private. From her old friend Tavaiya does not hide that this new depth of interest scares her.

"He's a mage. A very powerful mage, he's brilliant. So much so it comes across as rude and arrogance but it's like he simply cannot fathom anyone who hasn't devoted themselves to the same level of studies." She does not tell about the Fade, and his abilities because it could be traced back and she wants the Inquisition, wants Solas, protected. Shianni may accidentally say something and she will not risk a moment of comfort with wine softening her reservations to endanger anyone. "An elf.." She continues with a grin at Shianni who just rolls her eyes because Tavaiya has never really explicitly been interested in only elves but they do tend to be the only ones that catch her eye for more than a single glance. "Compared to most though he has muscles, lean and long ones."

"Adding to that wolf idea..." Shianni encourages her and Tavaiya laughs.

"Have seen him shirtless, walked in on the men on a trip for the inquisition and.." Shianni snickers seeing Tavaiya lick her lips and wiggle her eyebrows.

"Kissed him yet?"

"His wrist."

"Tavaiya!"

"It's..different." She frowns, furrows her brow and leans back as if just coming to a realization. "Somehow kissing him is not like if I kissed any of the others, Shianni. I just know it. It's..it makes it all real. Declaration of sorts, a line in the sand. I don't know why but my instincts scream this. I think he senses it too because he's teased me back but won't initiate a kiss either."

"Maybe if he's older he wants to be sure you aren't turned off by an old man?"

"Maybe." But Shianni sees the tilt to Tavaiya's head, the flint in her eyes as she recalls something and for all that her friend is right there it is the relaxation of her guard that proves how much Tavaiya trusts Shianni.

"Okay so you haven't kissed him. You want to though? Or is this just another the chase is the thrilling part?" Shianni almost laughs as Tavaiya shakes her head and starts to refute it. Pales. Shianni remembers that moment, the moment her head spun and the floor dropped. When she realized she wanted more than just a night of passion with Alistair but hadn't yet been truly in love.

"It's okay Tavaiya."

"Shianni.." And the rogue who trained with the crows who tutored her, who just helped disgrace a Queen's lover to get him out of the country and unable to refute anything without them passing it off as a cuckolded lover, who killed three assassins in the last two weeks and who knew what else Shianni was kept in the dark on..looked at her with eyes better suited to a young girl at that moment not a woman well into her thirties.

"It'll be fine. It'll work out." Shianni smiles and pats Tavaiya's hand.

"I have no idea how to do this..whatever..this is."

"No one does, Vai. We all just fumble along and somehow things happen or they don't. Don't you dare let fear hold you back, not now."

How can Tavaiya argue with the mistress to a king counseling her to just see where it leads?

"Thank you."

"Pfft. Drink more. Since I don't get any details You get to listen to this book Alistair's found lately and has been trying things out with me..well what we can do with the belly..it's the stupidest things. And the pictures! He can't even point at them without turning red!"

The book is not Antivan, the images are badly drawn, but they help pass the night with tea and wine and laughter until the women fall asleep curled up together in the too large bed. Safe as they can be, Tavaiya finally lets her guard down enough to fall asleep properly with the last thought that some day, she is getting Cassandra and Shianni together and the giggling will go for days.

()()()()()()()()()()()

Fingers calloused from wielding a staff as a weapon in battle, not just as a tool, tracing down her side through the shift she's wearing as Tavaiya's pulled to Solas's lap from where he was sitting. Notes forgotten when she moved to entice him, after another one of her nightmarish memories. Soft trails of gentle healing magic that burned cold fire into her skin and pulled sounds from her, shamelessly. Her own hands gripping at his biceps tightly in lieu of the chair, he'd taken to working with his shirt off so she could slip into the familiar sweater if she was chilled. Her nails leaving marks upon Solas's bared skin. Lips pressed against her shoulder where the fabric had slipped away, mouthing a litany in ancient Elvhen that was without doubt praising and damning her both as was his want. The words she'd learned meant little trickster by feel only, no idea what it sounded like as the magic in his speech coursed into her blood. A moan pulled from her as his fingers went from light to gripping her hip tightly, dragging short nails along her skin even as he healed the miniscule marks.

"Bésame.." The Antivan is torn out of her mouth in reaction, a frantic gasp.

There is a flickering to her awareness and she lets it slip away, the memory that is not really hers. Solas is there.

"You finally return to the Fade." His voice is tight, strained a bit from the imagery he walked in on. Well despite his effort to sound calm it was a surprise to finally sense Tavaiya dreaming. He'd pulled her into deep enough sleep to try and meet with her once or twice but she'd slipped back away as if trained to only stay at a certain level of it. Likely, she had. He had meant to get answers, interrogate her.

"It's been a very long few weeks." Tavaiya responds to him with a smile, amused at the scene he walked in on before it faded. Indeed she looks around, then hums a little, thoughtful. "Pity. That seemed like a pleasant one."

Despite himself Solas feels the laughter escape. Indeed it had.

"What is, Besame?"

"Bésame.." She repeats, a sly grin to her face. "{It means Kiss me, but I do not think I wish to let you know.}"

Solas quirks a brow but smiles in response, impatient here in the Fade where everything seems more real to him. When he had just watched another form of himself beneath the woman before him, both in his cabin with an unhuried air as if they knew it was late enough to not be disturbed. The familiarity in the words that had been passing between them. And just perhaps, he now had a peculiar lament for the loss of that chair back in Haven.."In common."

"Kiss me."

He's startled, it taking a moment for the simple delivery of the phrase, the wry smile to sync in his thoughts. Traitorous thing, the muscle of his heart that seems to shiver an inelegant beat. "I see." Solas frowns then, wanting to ask many questions but uncertain how to go about it. He's seen parts of these memories she holds, that she can not truly recall upon waking. Enough to know that the alternate future had been a horrid experience and he is hesitant to ask her to go through any of it again. Especially when he has been informed she does re-experience the memories.

"There wasn't much time." Tavaiya says, her eyes glancing off to the side. Giving him an easy way to start. "From what I can tell. Nothing like the certainty of the world about to burn to cause a lot of horrible events. Most those memories are ...unpleasant. I spent a great deal of time out of Haven." She survived where and when she shouldn't, her senses always scraped raw and feeling like a wound but still, a warning no one else could seem to have.

"It is understandable then.." Solas agrees,moving to her side though he doesn't touch her, waiting to see if she would permit it as she had back overlooking Skyhold. "To dwell on more pleasant memories."

Tavaiya looks up at him, her lips in a smile. "If rather awkward to have a witness for. At least, considering you are also involved in them."

"Oh? Are you so blasé about being observed then?" Solas pulls his arms behind his back to keep from pulling her close. Though he has no compunctions over expressing his curiosity at learning more of the strange enigma before him. She grins at him, that sly teasing smile that always reminds him of that night. Good evening, Healer.. It is a title he never has placed upon his shoulder's and one he has become enamored of, he realizes. From her lips came not mage, not apostate. Just healer. She's seen his magics since, the paltry tricks he still has at his call, and yet. Some part of Solas knows that first impressions remain, as he first saw her wild and feral, dangerous. Something he has never forgotten.

"When I had crow training one of the lessons is in kissing." Tavaiya grimaces and rolls her eyes. "It also involves a great lot of rogues and all calling out instructions or heckling. Teach you to be aware of what is said around you and not get lost in the action. More, it was to teach us to kiss those we do not want."

"I see. It is a meaningless act then, to the crows?"

"Hardly. Between friends?" She flickered her fingers, unaware that Solas had spied on her, seen the intimacy with one of the said crows as they seemed almost lover like but entirely not at the same time. "Often they share a kiss but it is more because they show affection in ways that are a little skewed. Most crows and those who work with them enough to be considered 'feathered' kiss but only after a long while of proving interest to those they do wish to pursue. There are always those who go entirely for hedonistic pleasures and mean nothing more but.."

"And where do you fall?" Solas asked, curious.

Tavaiya glanced up at him and tilted her head. "I have never asked to be kissed before."

"Besame, was it?" He queried to deflect the seriousness of what she was implying. For he would not make the first such move, not when the age gap was so vast between them and glimpses of her memories here in the Fade kept showing that he had in that other timeline, one so fraught with danger as to consume his every moment thought her worth forgoing everything. Something had been there in the woman before him that made it worth losing hours to be with her. That he'd muttered "/Wars would have been fought over one such as you in Arlathan. But you are mine, only mine./" Solas wanted answers.

"More inflection. Bésame."

"I believe it sounds far more, enticing, coming from you." Solas held out his hand then, curious as to what else he had witnessed. Had heard. Not that he would translate those Elvhen words his memory self had been whispering against her flesh. The very nature of them had been passionate but relieved tones. Chastising her for almost not returning. Frantically. How often had Solas then, thought her lost forever?

"You're frowning." Tavaiya pointed out even as she laced her fingers into his, not just holding his hand lightly. When she pulled, he allowed his form to be moved closer to her so her free hand could fuss with the finer attire he was clad in.

"Leliana has not had word from you. Everyone is concerned." Himself included, and he looked into her gaze, seeing remorse for her silence. "Even I could not find you in the Fade until now."

"I thought you almost did."

"Once or twice." He conceded with a smile. "You noticed. Interesting, generally those who are not mages do not.."

"When you learn to sleep lightly going deep enough to dream tends to be noticeable."

"The thought had not occurred to me that perhaps you were doing so intentionally. Were you so in danger?" Solas found his lips against her fingertips as he'd brought her hand to him to cease her fussing with the fabric. It was distracting, her running touch over the elegant if simple brocade.

"It has been a long three weeks...what about yours?"

"Mud, rain, swamps, undead..and the general trivialities that come from getting Skyhold in better condition." He confessed, pulling a laugh from her.

"Undead? Truly? Tell me you had Dorian.."

"Hardly. The Knight enchanter and the qunari. At least the later is quite adept at chess, enough so we need not the presence of an actual board to play." Solas felt immensely smug when Tavaiya's breath caught and her eyes widened. Interesting, she found his intelligence a factor in his appeal to her? That, well, he had known her to be curious but not that her appreciation was so visceral. Speaking of..the faintest touch of healing magic trailed over her where their fingers joined and with another of those moans she'd made in the memory, Tavaiya rested her forehead against his shoulder.

"You're going to get me woken up.."

"I wasn't aware you were sharing a bed."

Tavaiya swallowed at the dark tone that had crept into Solas's voice. Heady and protective more than possessive. The emphasis on bed also implied a cell, or a situation where maybe she was being held against her will. For just a moment the drumbeats blossomed into a truly impressive song, that of a fanfare that would have put anything in Orlais for the Empress to shame. This was war drums and strings, other instruments she couldn't place before it faded back away. Solas was a mage who could be dangerous.

In response, Tavaiya nuzzled against his neck, feeling his breath catch and the increase of the hoarfrost curling around them. "With an old friend of mine, Shianni. She's pregnant. Tabris's cousin. I think I have finally gotten everything sorted out that I can. The only real consolation is that Nightingale is going to owe me and she sent me on this thinking it was going to be more a connection gathering trip to try and entice me to her side instead."

"Are you up for bargaining of your loyalties? I had not thought you the sort."

"Hardly. Vivienne's trying, Leliana is as well. I have history with both of them but right now I'm helping Tam and the Inquisition.."

"And after?"

Tavaiya glanced up out the corner of her eye, catching sight of Solas with a distant look, his eyes gazing far into the Fade. Ever so slightly his fingers had tightened on hers.

"A rogue is never promised a tomorrow, Solas."

His hands dropped hers and were cupping her face then, her own flying to his wrists in surprise but not alarm. Somehow she just couldn't be alarmed by him.

"Do not be careless, Tavaiya. Swear that you will not be."

To Elan she had often joked she would never be safe, but there was a genuine concern in his eyes. The Fade flickered around them. Neither looked away as the echo of memory was pulled to the surface just enough to hear.

"Try to return." Came Solas's voice, a weary plea but also a faint gentleness to his tone.

"If I breathe, I shall." Tavaiya answered without hesitation.

The memory completely slipped away and Solas blinked at her. "I can see from your expression that was not..on purpose. Has it been happening?"

"Often." She agreed. "The worst was in Haven, when attacked. The memory of hiding in the templar hide out, the..oh! Cole! Cole was with me I didn't recognize him..but he was there, helped me survive for days. I knew how and where to strike them from that memory, how they moved with the Red Lyrium.."

The hands holding her cheeks shifted slightly, his thumbs sweeping gently, slowly, over her skin. "Then you must know what Cole is? Beyond the rumors.."

"He told me. I think I am half aware when awake but I trust him."

"Despite his being a spirit?"

"Aren't we all once we ignore the bodies?"

Solas stepped away, laughing but it was a light hearted if disbelieving sound. "In all the years..yes..that is..sometimes you amaze me, little trickster. You are unlike anyone else and I feel.."

"You feel?" Tavaiya teased him, enjoying this more playful side.

Solas paused, words about to come out. Perhaps a dismissal, perhaps a line that was heartfelt. Neither seemed right, not when the rogue looking at him opened up her memories to him. Not when he remembered the words being said fervently, content knowing the recipient could not understand them. Instead he smiled. "I feel more myself around you than I have since I was a much younger man."

"Some things improve with age." She replied with a grin and Solas shook his head not fighting his smile. If only she knew..

"You were going to tell me what you have been up to, besides that the Nightingale made a mistake?"

"Well..there was handling the double agent, the triple agent, another double agent..the assassination attempts which are up to three of them now..catching out someone planning on using the Inquisition supplies to smuggle an exceptionally dangerous drug which did come in handy for planting false evidence and getting rid of the Queen's lover trying to Blackmail her. He's Antivan so once I alert my crow friends about him he'll become one of their tools.."

One by one the rogue started counting on her fingers, almost distractedly, unfocused. Further deeds piling up. Every comment she was making though stirred his blood with the dual memory that this was a dangerous woman. One whom from what he had witnessed in these memories, went to him before those who courted her information. Who dared to ask questions most mages would not even consider. The plain conversation about kissing only meaning something to the crows, and those 'feathered' when they waited for it with her teasing his wrist. That in her memory she was all but keening under his touch begged to be kissed. Bésame. That damned phrase was going to haunt him now.

"..oh." She blinked and grinned over at him. That teasing feral smirk that did things to Solas's blood that reminded him of his younger years. If he'd met her then it would have been devastating to all of Elvhenan he had no doubt. "I also without giving a name or describing your appearance was forced to gossip with Shianni about whom has my attention." The implication that she'd not been looking for other distractions was not lost on Solas.

"And how would you describe me, if not by name or appearance?" Solas teased her, intrigued. Perhaps that he was a mage and his abilities, or his love of learning? His fascination with all things that remained of the Elvhen heritage? Of course, he really should have known by then that Tavaiya was going to surprise him. Her intricacies drawing him ever closer, more willing to see if there was yet a way to experience the memories she had of him for himself. Or make new ones.

"I started, with your voice."

Of course that was when she apparently woke up, leaving Solas to open his eyes back in Skyhold with a grimace. He'd been entirely side tracked. Again. Glancing upwards he sighed and stood to go inform Leliana that he'd at least contacted Tavaiya and she was alive. Morning interrogations were always so..droll. Solas did intend to spin the information in such a way that he would not have his little trickster away for so long again on Leliana's behalf.

His?

Where had that come from?