"Speculation"
~*~*~ Snip ~*~*~
We were on our way back to Skyhold the next day and everyone seemed oddly quiet as we mounted our horses and slowly ambled down the road. I, for the most part, felt incredibly sore from my place atop Skittles. But I didn't comment on it. I felt good, for how bad I felt. If that even made any sense?
Cole seemed to almost glow as he looked around at the slowly passing scenery, a small smile on his usually passive face. His scarf had been pulled up unusually high, courtesy of me, instead of hanging loosely like it usually did. We both had quite a few marks from our romp in the sheets, if you know what I mean. Didn't really care for the thought of anyone making any comments and trying to embarrass me.
Since that happened a lot. Was it funny to get a reaction out of me? Perhaps I looked comical when embarrassed, I wouldn't know. I was certain once or twice they'd even tried it on Cole, only to be the ones getting embarrassed or freaked out in the end. He had that effect on people. Loved it.
"Sooooo. Four times?" Inquisitor Lavellan commented with a rather cheesy smile on her face, the blush on her cheeks made her white vallaslin stand out even more. Sera remained quiet, light bags underneath her eyes from lack of sleep as she glared ahead at the road. I looked over at the two with a rather mortified expression on my face. Mortified wouldn't even begin to explain what seeped into me at that moment, the blood slowly drained from my face.
Perhaps the marks weren't the only thing that made it obvious.
I wanted to dig a hole and die.
"You weren't exactly quiet, Screech." Varric had bags underneath his eyes as well as the click-clack of the hooves seemed to fill the silence directly after his statement. He seemed alright with it, other than the fact that he'd heard his adopted son getting it on with the stablegirl. Aka me. My face began to turn colors. So that explained why Varric and Sera refused to look at me. That was …
"Ah, what I wouldn't give to have that kind of stamina." Dorian sighed almost dreamily, "To be young again."
"Looks like we've got a record to beat, mage-boy." Iron Bull sounded enthused, pumping his fist in the air with a big grin on his face. Mage in question whipped his pretty little head over toward the hulking warrior, mouth agape as he placed a hand on his own chest.
"I think not!" He sounded appalled, a faint blush spreading across his face as he looked over at the burly Qunari.
Fuck.
"Her body sings musical notes whenever I touch her, playing her like a symphony – the strings in her heart." Cole felt the need to inform everyone, Solas seated atop his horse just beside him observing him silently. The elf, for the post part, seemed as passive as ever.
"That was decidedly less revealing than I thought it would be." Dorian mused quietly and the blonde spirit turned to look at him, blinking his blue eyes curiously. As if to say, 'He wants to know more?'
"It was-" Cole began, but was promptly cut off by simultaneous yells. They all must have realized.
"No!" A couple of people from the party spoke up, instantly silencing the spirit-turned-human. He stared at them curiously and my face just about roasted itself off of my body. If Corypheus didn't kill me, the embarrassment I was feeling at that moment surely would. They'd heard –
No. Gods no.
"If we could return to the task at hand?" Cassandra motioned in the direction we were walking, face slightly pink from second-hand embarrassment.
Sometimes I hated life. I groaned inwardly, refusing to acknowledge any more comments after that. As far as I was concerned, no one was speaking. Nothing was going on. It was a beautiful, quiet trek back to Skyhold.
The fact that Lavellan was looking at me like that was starting to give me a rather uneasy feeling in my stomach. If the way Sera kept peeking over as if to urge her on didn't help the predicament.
"If you've got something to say, say it." I crossed my arms and kept a hard look in my eye, covering up the nervousness I was feeling at that moment.
"They know about your sister." Her head lowered a little as she told me, her hart was much taller than Skittles so she was positioned much higher than I as we continued down the path. I felt my face slowly begin to lose it's color as she kept speaking, in a cautious tone. "Cullen and Leliana left before the Ball ended last night to check up on Skyhold."
"W-wait, you're telling me there is a chance someone got into the walls while we were away?"
"If the way Leliana jumped into action so swiftly is anything to go by..." Ah, so that's where she went. I was wondering where those two disappeared off to. Not to mention the fact they weren't traveling with us at the current time. "It's a possibility."
My lips thinned and I focused on the road in front of us, my hands clenching the reins a little harder than needed. They knew about my sister, but that didn't mean that they were interested in her right?
Who was I kidding, if they knew about her they probably knew about the fact that she was a mage. Unless they'd gotten that information backwards? That would explain why they thought I was the mage and didn't seem to have prior interest in her before this. Unless they did.
My head hurt.
My hands came up and I rubbed my temples. That's when Iron Bull decided to butt into the conversation, his significantly larger horse trotting up on my right.
"Look. Whatever happens, just remember you've got us. We'd gladly crush some skulls on your behalf, right Boss?" The Qunari flexed with one of his arms and gave me a reassuring grin. Lavellan seemed to nod in response, a wary smile on her face. She must have been worried, too. She was, after all, the Inquisitor. The safety of the people in Skyhold fell on her shoulders. A heavy burden. It still didn't get rid of the dread that had settled in my stomach, however. Just the prospect that my sister …
I nodded anyway, trying to offer a smile of my own but it kind of came off as a grimace instead.
"Yeah. The only thing you'll be crushing is that poor horse, Tiny." Varric snarked and I looked at Bull's horse critically. It wasn't showing any signs of strain.
"That's painful, Varric. Are you calling me fat?" The Qunari stated in a mock 'sad' tone, his shoulders slumping minutely.
"Don't be too harsh on yourself, you're just a little husky."
"A little?" Dorian decided to join in, his voice unusually peppy. "Tell that to the countless chairs and stools that were slaughtered in his name."
"I know righ'? Like this one time-" Sera started enthusiastically, only to get cut off mid-rant.
"Hey hey! I'm a big guy, I get it. No need to go throwin' it in my face like that." Iron Bull almost seemed to pout, but then added in an almost suggestive tone. "Besides, the ladies like it."
Yeah, right before he rips them in half with his manly bits. I paled at the thought. No. That was a thought process I didn't even want to poke with a stick. My face scrunched in concentration. Nope. Nope. Nope.
"Hey now, everyone gets curious at some point. It's alright." Ah, he noticed. Sometimes I hated the fact that I was so easy to read. Still needed to work on that bit.
"Best watch your mouth, lest you start farting fire." I warned, flicking my gaze toward Dorian who had gone curiously quiet.
Only two things in this universe could get someone to fart fire. An angry mage and Taco Bell. And since there is no Taco Bell here...
"Is mage-boy jealous? I was just joking!"
"Jealous?" Dorian made a show of scoffing, "Hardly!"
"Don't get your breeches in a twist. Want me to … untwist them for ya?" Iron Bull growled and I urged Skittles away from the awkward conversation, shifting in the saddle uncomfortably.
"Bet that ain't the only thing you'll be doing, yeah?" Sera giggled, not at all effected by the way they were talking. To be honest, I should be used to it by now. It was how about half of the Inner Circle talked, anyway.
I stayed silent the rest of the day, listening to them bicker and laugh amongst each other. It was what people did to make themselves feel better, right? Bonding and strengthening their friendships. Cole and Solas were among the quiet ones as we either stared off silently or watched them. Just being near them and hearing them talking amiably amongst one another made me feel just a little less stressed. A little less scared of what was to come once we arrived at Skyhold.
Leliana and Cullen were very capable people and were best cut out with handling any situations. So if anything, they would make sure she or anyone else was safe. That was for sure.
But what if they got there too late? A niggling voice in the back of my head hissed and I squeezed my eyes shut. No no. No.
When we stopped for the day, it was getting close to the end of the evening. I sat on the soft grass near the fire with my sketchbook in my lap, Riley was out chasing something in the field nearby. I'd occasionally hear a bark as he hopped out of the tall grass and dove back down to disappear from sight again. It was a bit chilly, indicating that it was likely nearing Fall. I knew, however, that we would encounter snow once we started to get into the mountains.
Lavellan had traveled back from said field with an armful of wild flowers as she plopped down right next to Sera. Her rust colored waves bounced as she made contact with the soft ground, a big smile adorn her face. The loud elf simply stared at the Inquisitor with a dumbfounded expression on her face. Lavellan's previous mood had completely vanished after the two 'disappeared' for a good hour alone out in the woods.
Guess Sera wasn't joking when she said she knows how to get the 'tension gone'.
I focused down on my blank piece of paper, not knowing what to draw. Drawing always made me feel better, but nothing seemed to come to mind just then. The only thing I was able to imagine was the 'what ifs' that kept plaguing my mind that day about what we could encounter at Skyhold. Or, rather, who we won't encounter.
I heard a huff and I blinked, looking at my left to see Riley sitting next to me with his head tilted to the side. I was again struck with just how massive Mabari's were. He bowed his head, his snout nudging something on the ground next to me. My eyes squinted as I was greeted with the sight of a mangled looking nug laying in the grass.
Awww... he'd – ugh, where was it's head?
"I ah... t-thanks, boy." I spoke and he barked happily in response. Spittle sprayed me in the face and his breath smelled like death. Literally. I winced, "But it's half eaten."
He whined and lowered his head sadly.
"But I-I'm not saying I don't like it! J-Just …. errgh." He tilted his head curiously again, a small whine coming out.
"It's a present." Cole spoke, though he didn't sound too happy as he stared down at the half eaten animal next to me. Oh, right. He liked nugs, didn't he?
"Cole..."
"It's … okay. It just is. Some animals eat grass, some eat other animals. Without one there is no other. Everything is connected, intertwined." He crouched next to me and stared at the oversized dog with a passive expression on his face, "It still makes me sad, though."
Riley whined as he grabbed the nug and darted off, presumably to finish eating it.
I heard Lavellan let out a small giggle from her place beside the fire and I looked up from my blank sketchbook, seeing her placing a flower crown of some sort on top of Sera's head. I had to suppress a grin when the blonde elf let out a small sound of discontent before quickly conceding and allowing the thing to rest atop her choppy blonde hair.
There were many types of flowers braided together in reds, whites and purples from a nearby field. We were positioned into an outcropping of trees to keep ourselves relatively hidden from the road, but could still see if an enemy were to approach.
Lavellan was sitting cross legged in front of the usually loud elf, stray field flowers sitting in her lap as she started making another one. Sera simply sat casually in front of her, staring down at her lover's hands as they worked on her small project.
I couldn't hear anything they were saying, as they spoke in hushed tones from their side of the fire, but could see the faint blush that formed on Sera's face at whatever Lavellan had said to her.
Little did they know, I was sketching the scene as quickly as possible to avoid being noticed.
That night I found it harder to fall asleep, despite the fact that I was currently curled up right next to Cole. Thoughts kept buzzing through my mind, worries and fears. I didn't fault Lavellan for not telling me about it beforehand. I'd have likely just made things worse for myself during the Ball. I shivered, thinking about all of the rumors I'd likely started during my stay there. Not only that, but it would take weeks to get all of that blood off the tiles.
As quietly and carefully as possible, I slowly wriggled my way out of Cole's arms and crawled out of the tent. It surprised me that he didn't even stir, but continued anyway. Once outside, I was greeted with the sight of a small crackling campfire as Solas and Lavellan sat next to it talking in low voices.
"Hey." I took a seat in the grass not far from the two, "Hope I am not interrupting you guys."
"Not at all." Lavellan smiled politely and I nodded, focusing my gaze into the fire with a blank look on my face.
"This may be beneficial, we were just discussing possible theories as to why your sister has magical talent when people are supposedly not able to from your world. Do you have any thoughts on this?" Solas was the one to break the silence and I curled into myself even more, knees held to my chest.
"Yes." I'd had time to think about it and there were just so many possibilities that it made my head hurt. My pride kept me from approaching Solas about it, since he was probably the only one that would understand such things. That and the obvious fact that he had so much experience and knowledge of the Fade. Among other things.
"Would you care to elaborate?" He pushed and I nodded slowly, just knowing that this conversation was going to bring about another migraine.
"My theory … is that magic users are so few and far between that they are unheard of. It's possible in our world, which makes sense since Angel can wield magic, but not natural." I explained idly, hands picking at the grass beneath my palms. "It is not typically how it is used, however. I'd think the people in my world can only dream or see spirits. Nothing more." Usually.
The way I saw it, the conventional use of the half-assed mage-people in my world was that they were able to dream and communicate with spirits. Either in their dreams or the 'ghosts' that are reportedly seen around the world. It wasn't just a cultural phenomenon. There were even TV shows focused on trying to catch ghosts or spirits on camera. People just didn't accept it as a truth or an actual fact of life. It wasn't real.
"How are there no reports of abominations? Something like that cannot just float passed everyone unseen. Unacknowledged." Lavellan reasoned and I shrugged. I never claimed to have a flawless theory. That was why they were theories, after all. "Abominations are known to kill whole villages."
But that was the thing. There were tales of abominations. But they weren't called abominations on Earth. They were called something else. I was certain, however, that in other cultures there were likely other stories. But I focused on the only stories I knew of.
"Windigo spirits are known to have been human at some point but have turned into some twisted half-man half-beast." I offered, remembering some of the tales that I'd been told as a child.
Even up into adulthood, the elders would visit our Tribal College and speak to us and tell us stories. It was a way of teaching, traditionally. So it would make sense that elders would come in as guest speakers.
The people that did know how to see and interact with spirits possibly came from families that already could. A hereditary thing. The elders from my Reservation always cautioned us, regardless. But the people from those families … what if they were taught to resist becoming possessed? Unless it was just an inherent ability developed over time. An adaptation, of sorts.
There were so many possibilities I could sit there all night and think about it. My mind was running in circles, gears turning, fingers picking at my chipped nails.
"Angel spoke of encountering things in her dreams. Encountering what, I was not made privy of the details. She was too afraid to speak of it." Solas explained, his eyes lowered as he looked down at the wood on his staff. "It is my belief that a malevolent spirit has already tried to possess her but she's able to resist because of her enormous amount of willpower. That was why I said she has great potential. I have no doubt that she will be able to master her magical ability with training."
"She sought you out after she had bad dreams." I guessed, remembering all of the times she came to crawl into my bed back on Earth because of nightmares. Angel used to have nightmares quite frequently and never thought much of it, simply thinking it was a byproduct of our horrible upbringing.
"In a way. She called to me in her dreams quite often and we contacted one another that way." The mage's eyes slowly trailed up to meet mine. I frowned, "It has been far too long since I've been able to communicate with another person via dream."
Like I said. Angel is getting too friendly with the enemy, here.
"Her father may have been one of such people gifted with the ability to interact with spirits and have those dreams." I reasoned. Angel was my half-sister. Technically. She had a different father than I, "It would certainly explain why no one in our family has shown any … strange abilities like she had."
Other than Kyle, that is. Angel and Kyle had the same father.
Again, I never once thought twice about these things. Can you blame me, though? Dreams were just dreams, to me. They meant nothing, really. But I ignored the fact that in my culture, the elders always told us to be cautious in our dreams. To listen to them and gather meaning behind them. They constantly reiterated how important they were, but their words went in one ear and out the other.
Guess it didn't help that I was pretty bitter, as a child. Especially since I was a half-breed. Not brown enough; not white enough. The children in my elementary used to mock and tease me, saying I'd take their land because I was too white. I then tried to hang out with the lighter skinned kids, to which they'd sneer and call me a savage.
Hate and racism is learned. It goes to show just what their parents were teaching them. At the time I only resented them for being that way, but as I grew older I began to understand. I also began to learn how to adapt and blend in on both 'sides'.
It was not easy.
"You spoke of a … Windigo spirit. Could you elaborate?" Solas' words caused me to blink, my brain slowly refocusing on the task at hand. Ah, yes … my lovely culture. But elaborate, I shall.
"I … well. The stories told in my culture vary from other cultures and such, but the original Windigo was known to be a man that kept taking children. So the people caught him, burned him alive and his body turned to soot and ash – in which he then transformed into mosquitoes." I explained idly, the crackling of the fire calming my nerves. At least it was only Solas and Lavellan. "He is known to come in many forms, the most popular one being half-man and half-beast. He pretends to be in distress, calling out for help in the woods. People that go to this voice … never return. They disappear. Most notably hunters. Or that's what is said, anyway."
"Do you know what happens to these people?" Lavellan asked. I'd almost forgotten she was there.
"He is said to be a cannibal, so I'm assuming probably eaten." I suppressed a shiver, remembering a time that Angel spoke of a dream she had with him in it. She'd explained him as having a human body, but with a deer head and legs. Some people saw him differently, but I'd always found that image to be relatively creepy. Windigo, in general, was just plain creepy.
"It sounds remarkably familiar." Solas mused, his hands folding in his lap as he seemed to contemplate something.
"Like a Hunger demon." Lavellan nodded, looking over at the elf seriously.
"Indeed. They are driven by the compulsion to consume everything they encounter and are known, once possessing a mortal body, to feed upon the living."
This was making my head hurt.
"If it is difficult for you to speak about, you don't have to." I heard Lavellan speak softly from my side, probably having picked up on my disturbed expression.
"I'm fine." I nodded, getting a skeptical look out of the wavy haired elf.
It always stirred the shit-pot in my memories when I thought about my culture. A culture that was dying, anyway. The people in our communities cared not about it anymore and preferred to party and throw their lives away. Maybe that was just how I saw things, though. Because my childhood had been a byproduct of such things. Drinking, partying and everything in-between.
There were good people that still did ceremonies and learned the language, sure. But a vast majority just … didn't care.
Third Person
He'd frequently accessed Angel and Lyn's dreams and caught glimpses of the marvelous feats of their world as a result. Solas found it intriguing and had dared a conversation with the testy woman in front of him. The elf straightened his posture but kept his body turned away from her, trying to appear less threatening.
He'd also noticed how easily the woman would get skittish and irritable around people she found to be a threat. He was one of such people. Her cautious behavior was not exclusive just to her, however. Angel was the same way. This made Solas wonder what had happened to the girls to make them so wary of people. Lyn appeared to cover it up with her anger and irritation. Angel, the exact opposite. The teen was very social and happy, though a bit shy at times – but if one looked closely she too, held people at a distance.
"You say it may be a possibility that people with magical talents of a sort could exist in your world, but do you have any evidence of this? Is there something you may have overlooked?" Solas asked, his hands fiddling with his staff that sat across his lap. The elf kept his head slightly bowed and his eyes down on the dark wood as he ran the pad thumb along it, "For instance, being able to perform feats of mental and physical endurance. Or anything out of the ordinary?"
If the woman felt uncomfortable with answering his questions, she would simply state so. Solas was never known for holding back his questions, even if they ended up making someone uncomfortable or hurting them.
The otherworlder seemed to contemplate it for a moment, her brows furrowing as one would when they were deep in thought. It reminded her of the monks she'd heard of back on Earth, being able to perform many things through meditation and all of the like. Even going as far as secluding themselves in their little temples and taking vows of silence. Though Lyn did not know much about it, at all. Not as much as she knew about her own culture, that is.
"There are people in my culture that are said to be able to control how and when they dream. Visions and all that shit. I never … really believed any of it, if I am to be perfectly honest." It sounded like she had a hard time admitting it, the regret clear on her features. "The Medicine Men were said to be able to even communicate with spirits. Either for council or during certain ceremonies."
"How does one communicate with a spirit, from your world?"
"Either through dreaming or, if they had the aptitude for it, simply seeing and speaking to them. They are said to be everywhere; in the trees, rocks and even the lakes. I've never seen it happen, but some people have their houses blessed by an elder or medicine man to keep spirits away. Children and babies are incredibly sensitive to seeing such things and are known to interact with them, regardless of if their family is able to." Lyn's voice, for the most part, sounded almost strained at the end. It was the most he's ever heard her talk. "It goes away as they get older, usually."
"Wait wait, you're meaning to say these things pop up into your world and folklore and you never once thought that it had any truth behind it?" Lavellan sounded incredulous and Lyn's eyebrow began to twitch. "It sounds like this may even be an everyday occurrence of sorts, since your elders constantly warn and teach the youth in your community. Why else would they feel compelled to? Even a story holds a semblance of a truth."
Solas appeared to agree and Lyn only seemed to get irritated, though she did not snap at the woman for her question.
"Why should I have? I was never given a reason to believe in it. Or even God. Or is it Gods?" She replied with a frown marring her face, "My people also believed in the Creators. I don't know what to believe, anymore. Nothing even makes sense. Not that it ever did, since I've arrived here. But this is just a whole new level of crazy."
The girl lived in such a way that she constantly questioned her surroundings. Questioning the beliefs she grew up with without even prompting, which was admirable. Lyn may have been a surly and snappish woman toward him, but Solas acknowledged the fact that she was not what she presented herself to be outwardly. At least she showed some intelligence – when she was not angry, that is.
Though he knew not what her true self even was.
"You know that dalish elves believe in the Creators and didn't think once to bring up the fact that people from your world believed in the same thing?" Lavellan pressed and Lyn's eyes flashed for a second.
"Hey, now. I'm not even sure if it's the same thing, here." She snapped that time, though her voice didn't raise. "This isn't exactly something that I'd like to lay out for everyone to see, you know. But if you'd prefer, I could always just keep my mouth shut."
Lavellan seemed to visibly get upset at her words and even Solas felt a little irritation seeping through his mask. It seemed if they didn't tread carefully, the otherworlder may just clam up and refuse to speak of the matter. A rather childish reaction, he thought. But not unfounded.
"It would have certainly made things easier. But our reaction to the first time you confided in us – it makes sense why you'd be less apt to do such a thing again." The Inquisitor's shoulders slumped slightly.
Lyn's lips thinned as she stared at the two and appeared as though she were about to speak. But they heard some rustling around, causing their attention to divert toward her tent. Soon enough, the sleepy form of Cole slowly emerged with his hat missing and hair standing on end. He ambled toward the otherworlder and took a seat right behind her. They'd obviously woke him up. Which begged the question, who else was awake in their tents listening?
The otherworlder's eyes widened and a blush spread across her cheeks. She only seemed to get even more flustered when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him, his head resting on her shoulder and hiding his face.
It seemed that Cole had become more comfortable with displaying his affection toward the otherworlder. Or, perhaps, he'd always been comfortable with it and Lyn simply didn't mind anymore. One couldn't be completely sure.
His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her back against his chest as they sat in the grass across the small campfire. The rogue appeared to speak in a hushed tone, right into her ear, before Lyn's face turned beet red. She shook her head and looked up at Lavellan and Solas hesitantly, before sighing in resignation.
First Person
"Look at me, love. I want to see you." Cole murmured softly, and I felt his fingers caress my cheek gently – turning my head in his direction as he hovered above me. My eyes fluttered open and met his. "I want you to see me."
"I see you." My voice came out strained as he –
I shook my head and pushed the memory of that night away, feeling my face burn hotly. Cole's chest rumbled, likely from amusement, as his arms tightened around my waist. I sighed in resignation, trying not to let his new term of endearment get to me. He'd addressed me as such as he spoke just seconds ago, telling me it was alright to trust the two and that it wouldn't help if I closed myself off again.
Always acting as the voice of reason, that one.
He was right, though. I couldn't just refuse to tell them anything simply because of my childish whims. Couldn't help it sometimes, though. It was a horrible habit that I was trying to break.
"Whatever the case may be, if you discover anything I'll try my best to help. Solas." I addressed after I coughed awkwardly into my hand.
"I'll let you know when something comes up." Was his rather clipped answer, but he didn't say anything otherwise.
The snow was falling slowly, collecting and building up on everyone's shoulders as we began our ascent up the Frostbacks. It reminded me of Minnesota, where the winters were usually harsh and filled with the fluffy substance. I thought it was funny, because Iron Bull's horns didn't have any body heat to them. So said horns had a nice fine layer of snow resting atop them.
"Hey, Bull." I addressed, feeling a question niggling at my mind just then. The warrior 'hmmed' and turned his head toward me. "Do you ever get icicles to dangle from your horns during icy weather conditions?"
"Oh, yeah. More times than I can count. Sometimes Krem likes to play this little game. I don't like the game, but it's a game. He throws snowballs at my horns and tries to knock them off." He grumbled, then added in a quieter tone. "Bastard."
"Sounds like something Krem would do." I mumble and Bull shrugged and shook his head.
"You said at one point you didn't think the Fade even existed in your world, what do you think now?" Lavellan suddenly stated, diverting my attention from the Qunari at my left. The elf had a contemplative look on her face, eyebrows scrunched as she ambled forth.
"I don't even know, to be honest. I'm not an expert in the Fade." I drawled. Because I'd totally know the inner workings of the Fade right off the bat now that I know the Fade actually exists in my world. "Ask Solas, he knows about all this … Fade-y stuff."
Iron Bull snorted.
"I have never been to your world, so I would not know such things. Unfortunate as that may be..." The hobo-mage almost seemed saddened at the prospect that he knew nothing of the Fade from my world. "Though our last conversation left me with some new information to mull over when I have the time."
"Right."
"I find it quite curious how people brush such things aside, denying it's very existence. I'd even go as far as to say the Fade may be more existent in your world than you realize. Perhaps even more than this one." Solas continued, looking off into the distance with a rather contemplative look on his face. "Spirits, after all, do not have free reign over the physical world. It confuses them."
"The little boy whispers and beckons, standing in the treeline. Your brother was afraid to follow, because your grandparents warned him." Cole felt the need to add his input. I wondered how it was that rogues were able to just … appear like that without my (or anyone) noticing. Cole was rather good at it, though. "The little spirit boy."
I shivered, remembering the stories Kyle had told me about when he was smaller. Oftentimes he'd see a form in the trees, in the bushes. Beckoning him, waving for him to follow. Spirits and ghosts were a widely accepted part of the Ojibwe/Chippewa culture. I wasn't sure about other Native American tribes, but there were likely some similarities.
"She wakes up screaming, a sheen of sweat coating her body. The faceless white shadow; haunting, following, reaching out but can't touch. She can feel it, hear it, but she can't see it. Approaching, encroaching, driving her mad. Mad? Maddening, madness?" His hat hid his expression as he gazed forth. "He still wants her, feeding off of her fear."
"Are you talking about Angel?" I wondered aloud and a few of the others seemed to have started to listen in as well. The subject piqued everyone's interest, it seemed. They all knew what we might encounter when we get back to Skyhold. I was hoping for the best, that nothing happened. But I kind of knew... I knew.
"Yes. He tried to take her. Has tried, since she was little. But he can't get her, she won't let him." Cole stated confidently, "Even though it would be easier now that she's here."
"Oh my God." My little sister has been resisting demons from her mind for as long as I can remember, if that is anything to go by.
"I see I was correct in my assumptions that she has had previous contact with a malevolent spirit." Solas' hand rested underneath his chin, though he did not look over and make eye contact with anyone.
"Is she at risk for possession? Why has no one been informed of this prior?" Cassandra's clipped tone butted in, obviously worried about the welfare of the people within Skyhold's walls. I didn't blame her, but I only hoped she didn't try to shove her sword up my sister's ass.
"No, she has resisted it for this long." Solas reassured, "No one knew."
"Even the most strongest of willed break at some point." Was Cassandra's dark reply, causing my stomach to knot up. Cole stared at the Seeker, as if knowing something we did not. I urged him to continue, despite not wanting to know.
"Senseless, clouding, gripping fear. Discord of the mind. Sometimes she thinks she will break, but she can't. She is like Lyn. She won't." He stuck up for my sister, and a few of the others still seemed a bit uncomfortable with the prospect. I idly wondered if perhaps I would have to take my sister and run, to avoid her either becoming Tranquil or getting killed. "For us. For them."
Apparently being a bit hardheaded and stubborn also runs in the family. Go figure.
"How can you be so human one moment then just … not?" Sera's snarky voice interrupted our conversation.
"I am me. I am … different."
"There's nothing wrong with that, Cole." My hand came up to rest on his elbow, an almost instinctive form of physical comfort. He turned to me, a soft look in his eyes.
"I know."
I pelted the back of Sera's head with a snowball I'd created and casually looked around, trying to look inconspicuous. It didn't work.
"Wha' was that for!?" She yelled angrily, turning around and grabbing a handful of snow with a crazed look on her face. "You'll regret that, ya tit!"
Well, that's what she gets for being an ass to Cole earlier.
I took a convenient step behind Iron Bull, seeing the snowball pelt him in his shoulder. He turned his gaze over toward Sera, "Watch where you're throwing those things!"
"Quit hiding and fight me like a woman!" I heard her growl and I peeked out and threw another snowball, popping back into place behind Bull.
"What am I, your shield?"
"You're a meat shield, remember?" Was my bland reply, getting a snort out of Dorian at his side. A snowball flew between his massive horns and he turned toward the loud elf.
"Oh, that's it." He spoke ominously. And that's how a small snowball fight started. Balls of the white substance went flying back and forth as some of the other members of the party began to join in on the fun. The only ones that didn't were; Solas, Dorian, Vivienne and Cole. Cole, because he had no idea who to side with and kept staring at everyone with wide eyes. Dorian because he preferred watching us for his own entertainment, no doubt (and didn't want to get his footsies cold). Solas and Vivienne, because they were party poopers.
Even Riley tried to contribute, jumping up into the air and catching any stray snowballs that seemed to miss their targets. He'd bounded over and tripped Sera for me, sending the elf sprawled onto the ground for a few moments.
It was mostly a free-for-all kind of thing and only lasted maybe a few minutes before everyone was staring at one another cautiously. Waiting for someone else to throw another one of the blasted things.
"Are we going to set up camp?" Cassandra asked casually as the group started to walk away. I sat in the snow quietly, watching their backs as they left to set up camp. I'd somehow ended up on the snow and simply sat there for a few moments to gather myself, breath coming out in steady pants.
"It's getting late anyway." The Inquisitor agreed with a nod of her head, her face oddly happy. While I was in the middle of brushing snow off of my armor and body, I felt something soft as it was draped around my shoulders. Blinking, I looked up and saw Cole crouching right next to me at my right. I hadn't even heard him approach.
Sneaky rogues...
The object he'd draped on my shoulders had been his scarf and I fingered the soft material with a small smile on my face.
"Well, that was fun." I offered and stood up, "Never thought so many would join in, to be honest."
"They were heavy, burdens of battles hanging down on them. Crushing, suffocating. You helped them feel better, untangled the hurt and loosened the knots." Cole's hands were much warmer than my own, since he hadn't joined our little snowball fight. I say this because he'd grabbed mine and held them between us. I hadn't noticed until then, but his hands were much larger than mine. "You are cold."
"Tends to happen when you're scooping up snow and throwing it at your friends." I commented offhandedly, giving him a grin. His cheeks and nose were red from the cold and he tilted his head as he listened to me. "I'm glad they feel happier, at least for a little while. It's rare to find happiness in such trying times as this."
I referred to the fact that Corypheus loomed over us all and the potential that the world may end would set anyone on edge. Not only that but …
"Yes. Happier, brighter a much lighter feeling. Laughter less strained and forced. Happy is good." He leaned down and his nose was pressed against mine. I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped my lips, "You're happier, too. Not just because of today."
"Yeah..." These passed few days I'd been fretting because of what happened back in Val Royeaux. More specifically, over the fact that I knew the chances of me dying during our fight with Corypheus was higher than the others. For one, I was less experienced in battle. And most importantly … the evil bastard wanted to get his claws on my sister. My sister.
Calpernia worked directly underneath him, didn't she? She may have been the one giving the orders, but ultimately it was Corypheus that was behind everything. The thought terrified me, but it was times like this that made things a little bit easier.
"I won't let anything happen to you."
"I'm more worried about my sister." I answered honestly, "All my life, I've tried my best to protect her. Be there for her. But here I am powerless. I can't do anything."
"You can try."
"Yes, I can always try."
I turned around and we slowly walked back toward the rest of them so that we could set up our tent for the night. The chilled night air blew passed my face and I sighed, feeling Cole's hand over mine made me feel a little more at ease.
The fire was already up and going, the horses tied off to some trees with their tack laying along a branch. I separated from my awkward rogue and made my way over toward our things, gathering the tent and essentials before heading back to set things up. It was a routine, by now. Everyone shared a tent with someone, seeing as how we couldn't very well carry one for each person. That would just be inefficient.
By the time I was done setting everything up, the only person out by the fire was Varric and Cole as they stared off into the flickering flames. Guess Varric was blessed with having first watch, this time. Bastard.
"Heeeey there, Varric." I waved lazily as I sat down in the snow, not at all minding the fact that my ass was already wet. When I curled up later I would likely just peel off these pants and put on a new pair anyway.
"Oh, hi Screech. Feelin' better?"
"I'm fine." I shrugged, feeling my shoulder crack. I then proceeded with stretching my arms to get the kinks out. "Taking it chunk by chunk, lest I overwhelm myself with worrying. Possibly over nothing, even."
"It's not nothing. It's your sister, it's okay to be worried."
"I know."
It was silent for some time as I mulled over the day's events. Cole was, as usual, quiet. Riley had walked up and plopped down right next to me at some point and I was idly playing with the soft fur behind his ears. The Mabari groaned, leaning into the pets and I smiled.
"Ah, pretty soon there will be little half-spirits running around." Varric decided to speak up, a cheesy grin on his face. I felt my smile falter as I peered up at him through my messy hair.
"Probably not." I shook my head, squinting at him and trying not to think about it. No. Nope. Don't do it. At least there was just us, otherwise I would have felt apprehensive about the subject. No one else needed to know.
"Why not? I mean, after all this shit is done and over with -"
"No." My brown gaze hardened, giving him a look that said 'drop the subject'.
It wouldn't happen, because I couldn't have children. The dwarf seemed to have gotten the message as he silenced himself, holding his hands up in surrender. Though it seemed life was not going to go that easy on me just yet.
"She can't because she is … damaged, broken? No, that's wrong – she's." Came Cole's innocent statement before he paused abruptly and turned to stare at me with a hurt expression.
The pain that laced through me must have been like a slap to him. Shit. He obviously hadn't realized how insensitive he'd sounded and I couldn't help the ache that had wormed it's way into my chest just then. Even though I knew he didn't mean it in a malicious way.
I was defective, faulty, incomplete.
"I … I suppose you could call it that." I murmured, averting my eyes from the two.
"N-no! It came out wrong, again!" The blonde rogue fretted, his hands coming up in front of his body.
"It's okay, Cole." I tried to reassure with a shake of my head, "You didn't mean anything by it. I get it."
"Shit, sorry Screech." Varric actually sounded like he regretted bringing up the subject, but that wasn't what I focused on. It was the 'sorry' that seemed to set me off just then. Always with the sorry. Sorry this. Sorry that.
"You're sorry?" I snapped, suddenly feeling a bit cornered. I hadn't wanted anyone to know about it for this very reason. I only hoped no one else found out, "Why? Because you feel obligated to pity me? It's none of your business whether my body can or cannot produce offspring!"
I swept my arm through the air angrily and turned to stomp away through the snow and into my tent to be alone. I didn't want to deal with that. It was something that I'd had to deal with quite a bit growing up. 'Oh, Lyn, you went through this. Oh, Lyn this happened to you?' Unfortunate me! I especially hated it with their pitying stares and empty 'sorry's.
I heard high pitched whining from the flap in the tent and I winced, looking up to see Riley's snout popping through. Just his snout. My body, which was shaking, slowly began to calm and I sighed.
"Ohh... fine. Come in here." He barked happily and wiggled his way through before tracking some snow in and curling up on my right, his body taking up one of the bedrolls. Dogs back on Earth even had that sense, when their companions were sad and needed cheering up. Riley was no different, though much more intelligent.
Then came Cole, who crawled through and sat in front of me with a despondent expression on his face. He slowly took off his hat and set it aside and I felt my stomach roll. I'd overreacted and look what I've done. Idiot.
It seemed I was hopeless when it came to overreacting and snapping at people that didn't deserve it. Ever regret something so much that you feel embarrassed even thinking about it? Yeah.
"Snapping at Varric like that had been wrong. And I-I …" His voice lowered to the faintest of whispers, his hand coming up to rest on my stomach. "You aren't faulty. I didn't mean it like that."
"I know. I'm sorry." My hand came up and rested on my face, "I doubt I'd make a good mother, anyway."
"Cold, greedy, uncaring – she only saw you and saw a way out. Just because she didn't know, doesn't mean you wouldn't." Yes, mother only saw the money. My shoulders slumped and he continued, "You aren't any of those things, Lyn. You took care of your siblings when she couldn't. Wouldn't."
"Doesn't matter. It's probably better this way." For the both of us. I shook my head and offered a wary smile, "I should probably apologize for being such a bitch to Varric. You're right, I shouldn't have snapped at him."
"You are the Ma'iingan, the wolf. When a wolf feels cornered, he snaps. But he is also protective, loyal and keeps his pack safe." Cole spoke, referring to my clan. I never completely understood the clan systems. But at the mention of the one I belonged to, I couldn't help but feel a bit sad. It was a dying culture anyway. I looked away, suppressing a grimace. "You don't like it … the culture. Your people."
"Not particularly. I'd have preferred to keep it under wraps, to be honest." My hand rested on Riley's head and I began to pet him slowly, "But I don't dislike my people. I just … I don't know anymore."
"Don't abandon the pack. You need them as much as theyneed you." He urged and I, for whatever reason, felt my body begin to shake again.
"I'd never." The friends I've made. How could I ever even think of abandoning them? I couldn't.
"I know." Cole began to rock slightly, "You just needed to hear it."
When I exited the tent, I saw Varric sitting by the fire quietly as he used a cloth of some sort to clean Bianca. If I had a tail, it would likely be between my legs. Wonderful.
Cautiously, I approached the dwarf and crouched a ways away with a frown etched onto my features. Apologizing was not my strong suit, I'll tell you that. There was a certain amount of … pride that I had and coming up with the right words to genuinely apologize to someone always seemed too hard to force out of my mouth.
"Alright, look. I didn't mean to set you off like that. It's just..." Varric paused in his work, sighing as he peered over at me with a look in his eye I couldn't distinguish.
"Varric, I … apologize for snapping on you." It must have looked like I ate a lemon, or something. Because a flash of amusement went across his face for the briefest of seconds. "I realize you did not mean it like I'd thought you did."
"How did you think I meant it? I was being pretty straightforward." The dwarf tilted his head questioningly before averting his gaze back down to his prized crossbow. His big blocky hands ran over the curves as if by muscle memory, making sure she was cleaned and in tip-top condition.
"I've had to deal with pitying looks all my life. I thought you were just apologizing because you felt you needed to." I decided to elaborate for the first time instead of just leaving people to guess why it was I got angry. He deserved that, at least. "That doesn't excuse my behavior. Again, I'm sorry and I understand if you're still mad at me … I ughh … kinda deserve it."
The dwarf turned to look at me for awhile, as if weighing my words. He must have seen my honest expression, or maybe it was the fact that I wasn't glaring or scowling. I felt horrible, to put it simply. The frown on my face wasn't one out of anger, but out of remorse. Snapping at Varric had been a bad thing to do and I should have known that he wasn't like most of the people I'd encountered in my life. He actually cared.
"I'd ask just what happened to you to earn that, but I'm guessing that's too personal."
"Not something I would like to openly discuss, actually. What's happened in the past doesn't matter." I shook my head, playing with some of the cold snow beneath my fingers as I remained crouched near the fire. "What does matter, however, is how I deal with things now. Who I am now."
I heard him make a 'hmmm' noise as he went back to his work and when I looked back up he had a faint smile on his face.
"So that would explain why the Kid has slowly been becoming less and less broody when he's alone. He thinks no one notices, but I do." He grabbed a bottle of something and began to put some of it in the gears, his eyes squinting ever so slightly as if making sure not to drop any on the wood. "You do, too."
"Of course, I wouldn't just leave him to brood on his own all the time." I stated matter-of-factly, feeling one of those itching questions burning at the back of my mind again. "You always call him 'Kid', even though he's probably as old as I am. Not counting the fact that he's actually a being from the Fade that could be thousands of years our senior?" I rose a brow curiously, getting a chuckle out of the dwarf though he didn't take his attention off of Bianca.
"He may be a young man, but he'll always be 'the Kid' to me."
"Ah, I see." I was unfamiliar with endearments awarded by fathers, but it kind of made sense. I heard parents saying something similar, actually. 'You'll always be my little girl' or 'You'll always be my baby'. Huh, interesting.
"Look, he might not even be able to anyway. For all we know he's … in a similar state." Trying out tact, are we? I sighed and rubbed my shoulder awkwardly.
"Well … his body, for all intents and purposes, functions like a normal human's. I don't see why it wouldn't be a possibility." I coughed, feeling my face flush. At that point he'd stopped his work and stared at me with an equally awkward look on his face.
"Right." He spoke, obviously feeling the same way about the direction the conversation went as well. I decided it was probably time to direct it elsewhere.
"Thank you for being there. For him, I mean. He needs people like you in his life."
"The same could go for you, Screech." Varric sighed, readjusting himself and his massive crossbow from his spot in the snow. The illumination from the fire cast warm shadows over the scene, even though it was freezing balls out. "Some of the others may not agree with your relationship, but you're good for him. And vice versa."
"Oh, is this an approval from Daddy Tethras?"
He chuckled good-heartedly, "I suppose you could call it that, you have my blessings and yadda-yadda. Whatever it is I'm supposed to say." He paused for a second, as if thinking. "Just don't make it weird."
Oh, I'd make it weird. It's what I do.
"Now I have to get an approval from Mother Solas. Damn, that isn't happening." I grumbled and the dwarf groaned. "It's okay, mother back on Earth was a bitch too. I'm used to it."
"And now you've gone and made it weird. Again." I laughed, pulling my hand up to cover my mouth in the process. Varric seemed baffled for a second before he let out his own chuckle as he shook his head. "You don't have to act so growly all the time, I'm sure the others will understand."
"Habit now, I'm afraid." I shrugged, smile still on my face. "Perhaps in time."
I considered it. Maybe. It might take awhile, though. I got this far, didn't I? Years ago I would have scoffed at the idea of even conversing with people or associating with them in any way. It used to be bad.
Though I also considered calling Solas 'mom' and Varric 'dad' just to embarrass them both. That would make for some interesting reactions.
Our last day out and we were nearing Skyhold. It wasn't in view yet, but I was walking along the path. Some of our party members opted for staying on their horses, but I felt the need to stretch my legs again. A small book was poised in front of my face and I kept getting incredulous looks from Cassandra. I furrowed my brow as I reread a certain section within the book.
"Her breasts strained against her corset and she let out a low whine, 'Could you help me out of this, Ser?'" I recited, looking at the author of the book and tilting my head. "Really, Varric? She just met the man, what kind of woman allows a man to undress her so suddenly?"
The dwarf in question turned to look in my direction with a slight tinge of pink to his face, obviously having not expected such a thing to come from me. I ambled along the road lazily, the small book parted between my fingers as I split my attention on walking and reading.
"Where did you get that?" Was Varric's question and I shrugged, and Cassandra was now looking at me in horror. Was I not supposed to read this out in the open and discuss it?
"I found it." I lied, turning my gaze back to the book as if I continued reading.
"You're shit at lying, Screech."
"Yeah, I never claimed to be any good at it." I shrugged distractedly and continued reading the paragraph, my mouth slowly opening – eyes widening as I skimmed over a rather erotic section. He was pretty … descriptive about –
"See something you like?" Varric teased and I snapped my mouth shut and scowled, turning my burning brown gaze in his direction.
"What is it with men and breasts? They are a nuisance." I stated a fact, there. Breasts, when they got too large, really did pose a problem. More often than not, if I accidentally held my bow wrong I'd accidentally end up hurting the sensitive fleshballs on my chest. Damn breasts.
"You did not just ask that question." Iron Bull butted into the conversation, his head tilted ever so slightly as he stared down at us both.
"Figures, poor Screechie can't even appreciate a good rack." Sera threw in a jibe of her own and I felt my face getting warm on it's own accord. I hadn't even realized some of the others were even listening. Yet again.
"I don't know, why don't you ask the Kid?" Oh, two could play this game little dwarf.
"It would be moot point, I already know how fond of them he is." I stated plainly, seeing his smile falter as he snapped his head in the spirit's direction. Cole was walking ahead of us a ways and was being curiously quiet and I allowed my gaze to trace his figure thoughtfully. "And I'm more of an ass woman."
Oh, yes. Look at those posterior dimensions. When the blonde rogue in question spoke up I immediately averted my eyes, afraid of being caught. Again.
Stop staring at his ass, Lyn!
"Soft." One word popped out of Cole's mouth, "Soft like pillows, yet not. I like them because-"
"Whoa!" Varric interrupted, his hands held up in the universal 'surrender' sign.
"Pervert." I blurted, feeling my face flush. Even though I was the one walking out in the open reading a smutty romance novel. Hypocritical, I tell ya.
"I'm … a pervert?" Cole sounded so confused as he stared at me with widened blue eyes, hands picking at the sleeves of his leather jacket. I snapped the book shut and put it in my cargo pocket, remembering how I'd acquired the piece of literature.
(A Week Prior)
"I always see you reading that book." I commented offhandedly as I attempted to mutilate the training dummy in the training grounds, the rocks shifting underneath my feet as I repositioned my weight.
"I-I am not always reading it." Cassandra sounded aghast and she snapped the book shut so quickly I almost expected it to fall apart. The book was pretty worn out looking, as well. So it wouldn't have surprised me.
"It's alright to enjoy a good book, Cassandra." I rose a brow, "I like reading, myself. I was just … curious."
"Not just any book. Swords and Shields."
My eyes widened and I looked down at her worn out copy. Well, that must be the smutty book that she read in the game. I'd read a few smutty fanfictions in my days on Earth, but never enough to gain an official interest in them. Mostly because I avoided romantic stories like they were the plague.
"I-I see. I apologize if I am bothering you it's just-" I turned and threw a few throwing knives, only one of them actually hitting the dummy. Even then, it hit the damn thing with the hilt and went skittering into the dirt. I frowned, "I've been itching to read a good book and …"
"Y-You? Read this?" The Seeker spoke as if the thought itself was absurd, though I couldn't help but detect a little … hopefulness?
I was almost inclined to agree, about it being absurd, but – I had no clue what kinds of books were considered good in this world. The only books that are talked about are, of course, Varric's. Since he is here in Skyhold, he is sometimes a topic for discussion whenever I hear about books.
I pulled out a few more knives and got into a stance, "I'm thinking about it."
"It's terrible … and magnificent."
"Well. If it can make you feel those two things at the same time, it's either really bad or really good." I nodded thoughtfully, sending my first knife through the air and completely missing. And judging by how worn out that copy was, she definitely didn't think it was bad. "Guessing it's the latter."
"This … this is the latest copy. But if you'd like, I could lend you the first few volumes." She offered almost reluctantly and I threw my next one but ended up fumbling, it landed in the dirt about halfway there.
"Shit." I grumbled underneath my breath, "I mean, yes. I-I ah. I'd like that."
And that's how I ended up with two volumes of Swords and Shields in my pack.
"Well I'll be damned, Screech has opened up to romance novels. What's next?" Varric shifted Bianca around on his back as he offered a grin in my direction.
Romance? I'm really only interested in the smutty parts of the book, to be honest. I sighed and scratched my head, hearing a few people make choking noises. I was turning into somewhat of a closet pervert. My eyes slowly opened, seeing Varric look at me smugly. Iron Bull was trying to contain his laughter and Cassandra looked absolutely scandalized.
Oh.
"I said that out loud, didn't I?"
"...Yeah."
Okay, so I'm not a closet pervert anymore. Everyone already knows.
"It's okay. I like them, too." Cole tilted his head, suddenly appearing at my side. My face pinkened, "You read the scene on page 40, at lot. Would you like to-"
I squawked and my hand covered his mouth so quickly he stumbled back a few steps. Cassandra looked like she knew exactly which scene he was talking about (It was her book, after all. It was dogeared, sue me.). The others casually continued walking. The Seeker made a disgusted noise and stomped forth, face redder than ever. More laughter from the damn Qunari and grossed out noises from Sera faded into the background as their crunching footsteps ascended the snowy mountain.
"Not. In public." I gritted out, cheeks now matching the color of Cassandra's face. When I removed my hand he looked utterly confused.
"But everyone thinks about it. It's normal." He sounded oddly chipper as he explained to me, "Some like slow, soft and gentle. Others fast, rough – clawing at the sheets."
Oh my God.
"Varying, fluctuating differences. People have preferences and … I don't know what yours are. I'd like to know."
Not even I knew, but it felt like everything suddenly got warmer. Must have been the bipolar weather. Yeah. There's something wrong with me. I shifted uncomfortably and tried to ignore the way he turned to look at me just then, like he'd heard something he liked. Errgh.
I sighed as we began walking, though now a safe distance behind the other members of the party. My hand came up and I rubbed the bridge of my nose, wondering just how in the hell I'd gotten myself in this situation.
"T-That's … something w-we'd have to find out together." I forced out, though I was unable to keep the squeakiness or stuttering out of my voice.
My sister always said that the 'experimentation' part of a relationship was always fun. Or a deal breaker. Let us just hope that it is the former.
"Experiment?"
"Right. Let's just move on, shall we?" I forced out, voice sounding high pitched and nervous. My feet moved fast as I skittered forward toward the rest of them, seeing Skyhold coming into view just over the hill. I could have sworn I saw a man standing at the top, before he turned and ran toward the fortress.
For some reason my stomach felt like it had curdled milk in it. Like I'd eaten something unsavory.
When we finally started to cross the stone bridge, the sounds from our boots and the hooves from the horses were the only thing to fill the air. Why, you say? Because at the end, near the metal gates, stood Leliana with a grim look on her face.
Well, maybe she always looked grim. She seemed a guarded woman. A much different woman than the one I knew from Origins, that was for sure. But she did not look happy at all.
"Inquisitor." The Spymaster greeted, her red hair peeking out from underneath her soft blue hood. She stood, posture straight and waited to be acknowledged.
"Leliana, what news do you have for us today?" Lavellan's voice drifted across the still air and I saw Cole freeze up in my peripheral, his head whipping over to look at me with a panicked look on his face.
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news. It seems Eren and Angel have gone missing." Was her even reply and it took awhile for the word to register, "Taken, rather."
"Taken?"
It was like my worst nightmare come true.