Chapter 30
Upon returning to Skyhold, Josephine cornered Riona and Cullen, demanding to know why they thought that was the time to be leaving Skyhold what with the ball at the Winter Palace coming up. They had so much planning to do beforehand.
"Josephine, you are quite capable of taking care of all those details." Cullen offered, the mabari puppy sitting next to his feet.
"What is that?" Josephine asked finally noticing the dog.
"A mabari. We found it on the way back, he was hurt. Cullen treated him and he decided to follow us." Riona told the ambassador.
"A mabari… hmm… you know they would make wonderful assets to our troops. Perhaps we can contact a breeder to see about acquiring more?" Josephine suggested.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, I will leave you to it. I must go check on my troops. Josephine. My love." Cullen said with a bow to the ambassador and a kiss to Riona.
Riona smiled as she watched him walk away. "The Commander, seems very relaxed." Josephine said.
"Yes, very." Riona replied, a secret smile on her lips.
"I guess that means I should send away your newest suitor." Josephine teased.
Riona groaned, "Can we just send out an announcement that I'm taken so these men will quit showing up."
"I suppose I could do that, has there been a date set?" Josephine asked, pen in hand.
"A date? For what?" Riona asked confused.
"For the wedding of course… I assumed Cullen had asked you, that this trip was for that." Josephine said.
"Not so much a proposal, but a promise. We can't think of a wedding what with the war going on, but after we win… maybe." Riona smiled, her eyes holding a faraway look.
"Well in the mean time, we must prepare for the Winter Palace. Dorian has kindly offered his assistance in teaching you to dance." Josephine told her.
"I'll go find him now then. Good day Josephine." Riona said, bowing her head to the ambassador as she made her escape.
She quickly found Dorian in his favorite spot in the library. "Dorian, are you ready to help me learn to dance?"
"Why of course, my dear… but first I want details. You and your dear Commander all alone for days." Dorian teased.
"We had an honor guard with us, Dorian." Riona pointed out.
"Yes, and I'm sure you two shared a tent with them." Dorian said, arching an eyebrow at her.
Riona flushed to the tips of her ears, "That's what I thought, now please tell me everything."
Riona led Dorian out of the library and to her chambers where they could talk in privacy and he could teach her without an audience to embarrass herself in front of. Several hours later, Dorian had heard everything. And Riona hadn't learned a thing.
"This is hopeless!" She cried as she flopped back onto her bed.
"For someone as graceful as you are, you are a terrible dancer." Dorian added.
"Not helping Dorian." Riona muttered. "Why can't I do this?"
"Perhaps you need a different partner, maybe I should call for Cullen?" Dorian suggested.
"He doesn't dance either." Riona pointed out.
"Pity." Dorian said, "Well I happen to know that Bull is a wonderful dancer. Should I call him?"
"Bull dances?" Riona asked, the picture in her mind just did not go with Bull.
"Yes… though his dancing probably isn't appropriate for the Winter Palace. I don't know my dear. I don't know what else to try." Dorian admitted.
"Perhaps I could be of assistance." Leliana suggested as she came up the stairs into Riona's chambers.
"By all means." Dorian said, sitting on the bed.
Leliana pulled Riona to her feet, placing Riona's hand on her hip, the other holding her hand. "Now, with me. One two three. One two three. One two three." Leliana recited as she moved around the room with Riona.
"Now why couldn't you do that with me?" Dorian complained as Riona finally seemed to be getting it.
"Because you were supposed to lead Dorian." Leliana teased.
"Oh dear. That would make sense." Dorian admitted.
It wasn't long after that, that Riona was mastering several different dances. She was as ready for the ball as she could be at least where the dancing was concerned. What she was supposed to wear was an entirely different matter. Josephine wanted her to wear a ridiculous fluffy ballgown that she kept tripping on.
"Josephine, I think it would be best, send a message of unity so to speak, if we all wore a dress uniform." Cullen offered.
"I agree with Cullen, Josie. The game can change so quickly, a standard uniform, would be best." Leliana agreed.
"But, the inquisitor should stand out." Josephine argued.
"No, I agree with Cullen and Leliana, I should match my council and companions." Riona was quick to agree.
"Very well, I shall have a dress uniform designed." Josephine agreed.
"They should be functional Josephine. We don't know what the situation may be, Riona will need to be able to do her duties." Cullen pointed out.
"Yes of course, Commander. I shall have options on your desk before the day is out." Josephine said with a bow as she left the room.
"Thank you Cullen." Riona breathed. Cullen just smirked, his scarred lip turning up at the corner.
Later that day, Josephine had the designs on Cullen's desk for his approval. After consulting with his love, they decided on a simple military design. They would be leaving for the Winter Palace in a week's time.