The war council had been called, a messenger had gone and handed a little blue note to each of the advisors. Rubeus was delivered one too, a tiny blue note with a black dot inside it. It was the most insignificant piece of paper were it not for the lavish high quality of it. The paper was stained with something perfumed but told them nothing.
Leliana had arrived first and was cleaning the war table pieces that had gone dusty. Rubeus entered with Cullen both of them discussing the chess game from the day before. Rubeus had not paid attention to the match and Cullen recounted how he could have won and what mistakes he made.
"Good Morning your Grace," Cullen greeted Leliana. Rubeus nodded his head in salutations.
"Josephine is still in the other room. She wanted to make some tea for all of us," Rubeus commented.
"Did you ever figure out what this meeting was about? All I got was this vague letter. You know we have to get moving to head out to meet the magister soon. Why are we dealing with this?" Leliana seemed more on edge than usual. A stuff crick in her neck proving the past few nights were not restful.
"Honestly, I could not decipher what it means. My mind just went to a plague," Rubeus admitted.
"A threat? Fantastic… all we need…" Leliana sighed as the door opened.
"Good morning everyone!" Josephine said with a smile as she carried in a pot of tea followed by a few servants who brought plates of cookies and cups. Setting it up on the side table under a ruined painting in need of desperate repair.
As they were prepping for tea, Michela walked into the room. Instead of her dirty yellow jacket and audacious feathered hat. She was wearing simple noble clothes and had taken out her Braids. The once dirty nest of hair was now short and fluffed into a perfect afro bun. Her whole face was exposed and clean of make-up. Rubeus's eyes widened. Despite knowing Michela was a noble, seeing her dressed as such still surprised him. Leliana was struck upon first glimpsing at her.
"Excuse me who are…" Leliana was tripped up not recognizing the Pirate at first.
"Good Morning." Michela was polite. Tipping her head towards the spymaster as she pushed Cullen and Rubeus out of her way. Cullen tried to advance on the intruder to stop them, but Rubeus put his hand on the Commander's shoulder.
"I know who that is. She is safe," Rubeus said. Cullen stood down.
"You bitch," Leliana cursed.
"Okay hold up." Michela raised her hands and Leliana crossed the room to meet her face to face and slapped her. Cullen winced as the sound echoed through the war room. Josephine looked aghast while Rubeus stayed straight-faced watching the interaction.
"I thought you were dead!" Leliana nearly screamed as for the first time in a long time, she broke out in tears.
"Excuse me, And that's how you greet me? You're being the bitch here." Michela snapped back, even though she was red in the face. Didn't let the aggression phase her calm response. Leliana wanted to hug her, but Michela placed a hand in her sternum and pushed her back.
"Oh no, you don't get that after hitting me," Michela stated firmly as Leliana was forced to step back.
"Where have you been! This… wait." Leliana held her head as the sudden information overwhelmed her. "You've been Tevinter this whole time?"
"Since I was born," Michela replied calmly. Rubeus's straight face finally broke into one of bewilderment.
"Wait, what led you to believe she wasn't Tevene? She's been very honest about this the whole time." Rubeus asked. Cullen suddenly clued in as to what was happening.
"Please tell me you are joking and this isn't who I think it is," Cullen said. Josephine looked just as bewildered as Rubeus, "Maybe someone should explain." Cullen stated as Leliana and Michela stared at each other for an awkwardly long time. Before Michela sighed and broke the staring contest to address the inquisitor.
"I never lied to you," Michela said.
"Not directly. Inquisitor. You are familiar with the Hero of Ferelden yes?" Leliana asked.
"The stories and deeds yes, the person no," Rubeus replied. He looked Michela over again. "Is Leilana correct?"
"Ya, that was me." Michela crossed her arms. Looking more irritated than relieved at the news.
"So dismissive, who even are you?" Leliana accused as she paced around Michela. "You were once a great hero and my friend," Leliana said as she turned and approached the tea table to get herself something to drink. Today's discussion became even more difficult. Josephine went to join Leliana and check on her. Cullen leaned against the war table shaking his head in disbelief.
"The hero of Ferelden is a mage?" Cullen muttered. Rubeus rolled his eyes, as Michela affirmed her disgust with a gruff. She was quiet, and wouldn't look at anyone in the eye until Rubeus approached her looking calm and unfazed.
"You're not secretly a queen somewhere too right?" He asked sarcastically.
"I might be, I'm only 27." Michela snarked as she watched the ladies chat quietly. Rubeus chuckled,
"Touché."
"Should I be surprised?" Leliana asked as Josephine came to her side. "None of my friends are trustworthy." Leliana had never sounded more defeated than when the divine was killed.
"It is one of the caveats of being a bard, you know." Josephine commented, "Why let this trouble you?"
"This is different." The spymaster poured her tea and drank with a twitching eye locked out the broken window.
"Do you wish to elaborate on this or are you planning to let this eat away at you?" Josephine asked.
"It's not that simple." Leliana huffed as she tried to think. "I can't figure out if I even should be angry with her." The spymaster said with a sigh. Michela approached the table, walking up next to Leliana and pouring herself a cup of tea too. Leliana huffed and tried to walk away, but paused to look at her.
"Once, you would have trusted me to keep you safe," Leliana said softly. "I don't know why you would think I would have felt different…. even if you were lying about something," Leliana explained.
"I know, which is why I didn't want you to know. I didn't want you to follow me." Michela said and took her cup and walked over to the war table where a rather stunned Cullen stood deep in thought.
"How long have you been in contact with Michela, Commander," Leliana asked. "She has been one of your agents since near the beginning."
"Too long to have let this go unnoticed," Cullen replied biting his tongue. Staring at the Warden as she reached the table opposite him. The commander still appeared perturbed by the situation at hand. Yet there she stood nearly a picture out of his memory from the Ferelden Circle.
"Don't take it out on him, Cullen didn't know anything more about me than my pen name on a piece of paper," Michela stated in defence. Cullen looking at the little blue note, and resisting the urge to crush it with frustration.
"But why make the world think you died? What do you gain by that?" Josephine asked as she approached the table next to the Warden. Her eyes were wide in bewilderment at the fabled hero in front of her. "I am sure that closed off many connections that would have been invaluable."
"My death kept more people safe. Plausible deniability. For my actions over the years, have not been clean." Michela stated strongly.
"A chance to live peacefully," Rubeus said under his breath. Cullen attention snapped away as he looked in the Inquisitor in awe.
"Did you say something," Cullen asked wanting confirmation of what he overheard. Rubeus shook his head in denial, as the Commander began to doubt his surroundings.
"Your death separated us. With you, Orlais and Ferelden would have come together against Corypheus sooner" Leliana interrupted.
"I had no choice," Michela replied, then she did the strangest thing. A gesture of the hand, an insult in elvhan sign language. Rubeus cocking a brow staring at her hands. Was it a mistake? Or by chance did Michela understand the subtlety of her communications. The way she fluttered about, it was hard to tell.
"You disappeared all this time just to keep that oaf safe?" Leliana said exasperated.
"Oh here we go, you want to dig up that old wound?" Michela rolled her eyes.
"If you spent more effort helping the Divine Justinia instead of Alistair we wouldn't be in such a hot mess right now!" Leliana shouted.
"And you wouldn't be the next divine." Michela retorted. "Which would have been better for everyone." Michela snarled. Leliana gasped and her heart visually broke, making Michela avert her gaze.
"Or she could have died at the conclave like so many others," Rubeus bluntly stated.
"That does not change that she's lied to everyone in this room," Cullen interjected.
"Sometimes safety means you need to lie. It happens all the time," Rubeus shrugged and he sauntered over to the table with the tea and biscuits.
"I lied because I could have died. I did die once, my heart even stopped! Do you know what that's like?" Michela snapped as Cullen looked away, unable to reply. Rubeus poured himself a cup of tea filling the silence with the clattering of the flatware.
"I guess by technicality, she didn't lie then. Right, Leliana?" Rubeus asked and took a sip of his tea before stepping away from the table.
"Rubeus, have you found yourself shouldering mistakes not your own? I believe you're in this mess with me because Cullen crossed paths with my father and started this whole mess." Michela circled Leliana while she talked. Rubeus continued to drink his tea and gave a subtle nod.
"Wait, you are acting like I expressly asked for his help," Cullen protested.
"Ever wonder, what your closest advisors do with your name behind your back. Favours they ask for… debts they accumulate." Michela said and gave a side glance to Josephine. The ambassador looked like she wanted to speak up but bit her tongue in favour of being polite.
"Lady Di'Pasqua, have you tried the biscuits?" Josephine asked in an attempt to change the subject.
"I may have lied about a lot, but my lies only put myself at risk. Not you, or your titles or your wealth." Michela walked up to the war table. "So forgive my selfishness." She scoffed in Cullen's direction. Cullen making direct eye contact and never breaking it.
"I apologize for how I reacted," Cullen said, sincerely. Rubeus side-eyed the commander but stayed out of it. Curious about how Cullen was going to dig himself out of the templars mindset this time.
"Oh, you can go take that half-ass apology, and get the fuck out of my face. Fact, being a mage didn't stop you from flirting with me over chess. But once you found out your beloved hero of Ferelden was." Michela's face was animated with melodramatic pizazz the bards would kill to possess. As she reenacted his disgust without a sound. Cullen sputtered in frustration.
"I did not… I was taken off guard. You hid that fact entirely!"
"Not a gift of the maker, but a servant of chaos. The dreaded Tevinter magister of nightmare tales cursed with blighted blood destined to die in a pool of darkspawn blood. How could you possibly be interested." Michela said proudly. Cullen grabbed his head and pulled at his hair as he growled.
"That's not how I feel." He exasperated.
"Excellent work, commander," Rubeus said, sarcastically. Josephine opened her mouth to try and stop everyone from arguing but quickly shut it when Rubeus glared at her.
"I think that's enough," Rubeus announced. He put down the teacup and approached Michela, "I know it's still early, but would you like to join me for a drink?"
"Sure, as long as I don't have to share with those two…" Michela looked at Josephine. "She's okay."
"Well Josie, want to have a drink with us?" Rubeus asked.
"N—no, I should be getting to work," Josephine declined. She seemed afraid of Michela. Leliana was silent, still crunching thoughts in her head as Michela refused to look at her again.
"What do you got on you?" Michela asked as she kept her back to the others. "Something strong I hope."
"Come with me." Rubeus said leading Michela out of the room, "I'll let you pick something from the cellar."
"Sure, let's go talk alone again." Michela rolled her eyes but followed easily. She walked differently in a dress, slower as well.
"I should keep an eye on them…" Cullen said about to move.
"Stop, let the Inquisitor handle it," Josephine stated. Cullen backed down.
"Michela doesn't trust us, she is exactly how we failed our people," Leliana said once the heroes left the room. "She was a beacon of hope in a world gone dark.
"She was the one who delivered me to the temple of sacred ashes and we loved each other once. How could she be right here in front of me and I couldn't see her." Leliana threw a teacup across the room and shattered it in the brick.
"What did she mean, by debts," Leliana asked looking at Josephine. Josephine looked alarmed.
"The Inquisition still owe some favours in Orlais. Despite the overwhelming support of the royal court," Josephine admitted. Leliana gasped at her.
"How much?" the Divine asked as Cullen approached.
"A... a lot. That and they expect us to flip the bill for the nobles who lose their villa's to the demons." Josephine swallowed.
"You're joking," Cullen said and rushed up to the ambassador.
"This is absurd. Of course, they would try to suck us dry like that, it's like they are aiming to dismantle us." Leliana warned as Cullen pinched his nose.
"Perhaps they should." Cullen sighed.
Michela followed Rubeus into the cellar of skyhold, they even passed by a treasure room which sparkled in the rogue's eyes. Though closely she followed the inquisitor and felt rather exposed. No fool walked around unarmed, and Michela had a hidden blade here or there. Rubeus, however, was not a fight she wished to happen. He was fast and tougher than dwarven nails. Though, in the dim light of the sconces, he pulled out a brilliant gold monocle from his pocket and rested it on his eye. Taking his time to scan the labels of various bottles aligned on the shelf.
Michela was too enraptured by him to realize the collection of booze before her. When her attention snapped to the shelves she rushed inside to look around.
"Oh, no way… there are Grey Warden liquors here! Oh… oh no." Her complexion flushed green, but the smile on her face was giddy. "Ew. I would rather lick a dead Sten in the face than drink that. They never clean their bottles." She gagged. Rubeus laughed,
"Never tried it. Don't think I ever will now." He said and walked around the room. One of the bottles caught his eye and he took it down. The label read 'Abyssal Peach'. Rubeus sighed.
"I've not even tried a quarter of the things in here. To be fair," he admitted. Rubeus examined the bottle before putting it back on the wall. He seemed a lot more at ease with Michela than he had been previously.
"Find anything of interest?" Rubeus asked.
"I honestly don't feel like a drink right now, but if you wanted my recommendation I would drink the Orlesian white if you were sad and the abyssal peach there if you wanted to get fucked up," Michela replied and sat down on the edge of the table.
"I really shouldn't be drinking right now, I still have work to do today," Rubeus replied with a sigh and ruffled his hair.
"Did you want to ask me anything?" Michela questioned.
"Oh, right. How long did it take for you to get all those Braids out of your hair?" Rubeus asked.
"Really?" She replied, surprised at the answer. "I thought you would have asked something… different." Rubeus shrugged in response.
"I like your Braids, not that you don't look lovely now. It just doesn't seem comfortable."
"Ya, I can put them back in. I made them myself. A few of them have charms on them. So I would like to be wearing them again soon." She said. "I've lost enchantments in the past by putting them on weapons that get lost or stolen."
"I get why you'd let the world think you're dead. I wish I thought of it myself," he admitted.
"Wasn't my idea." She stated and got up.
Rubeus turned to leave the cellar. He headed to the door and held it open for Michela who followed him out.
"Where did Solas sleep when he was here?" Michela asked as they walked together up the stairs. "Do you know a place where something very emotional happened with him? Something a spirit would be attracted to regarding him?"
"A spirit?" Rubeus questioned, "I know he spoke with them all the time, but he never mentioned any within Skyhold."
"Spirits like to spy on people during intimate moments, dramatic moments and horrific moments. a gentle spirit can be so much more helpful if I can find one who's met him." Michela said as Rubeus fell into a silent thoughtful state for a moment. He suddenly looked nervous and then nodded his head.
"I think I know somewhere." He said finally as he readjusted his monocle, "follow me." Rubeus led Michela back through the main hall. Past the throne and to his chambers.
"Don't read too much into this," Rubeus sighed.
"Wasn't gonna, until you mentioned it. Why did you bring Solas into your bedroom?' Michela waggled her brows with a grin. Rubeus turned to look at her and she laughed at his expression "I'm just pulling your tail."
Rubeus opened the door and continued up the stairs. His room was very clean. His desk in the far corner, organized with a rolled schematic sitting in the middle. The plans for the ship's renovation. His dresser held an elvhan crafted, wooden comb and a small mirror, some simple makeup as well. A half-empty bottle of whiskey sat on the dresser as well. The other oddly placed item was an open book left on the chaise by the stairs.
Michela took in the room with a sweeping glance, even glancing at the book quickly. All while nonchalantly following him to the doors outside.
"The balcony. If anyone wanted a place to watch intimate or dramatic moments that would be the place to spy on." Rubeus explained.
"What a view." Michela walked up to the edge and took in the mountains. "Wow, feels like I'm flying with the birds." Rubeus joined her. Michela's calmer air made him smile. Michela rested her elbows on the stone wall, silently enjoying the cold air on her face.
"Can I ask you a question?" Michela asked, the smile gone from her face. True, she looked pretty in the dress, but it didn't suit her. Plus she looked uncomfortable in it, picking at the bones of the corset which lifted her bosoms.
"Why did you stay to fight? You could disappear with the power of the anchor and never be found again." Michela said as she stared at the bottle of whiskey behind him for a moment. Without any hesitation or need to think, Rubeus answered.
"There are people here I care about. The Anchor was needed to close the breach and I am the one who has it," Rubeus opened and closed his left hand a few times, the green scar still stretched across his palm. With a weary look in his eye, he stared off at the mountains.
"It's that easy huh." She wondered.
"Halam' shivanas…" He replied softly. Rubeus shook his head bringing himself back into the moment.
"You mentioned trying to contact any spirits that lingered around here. How do you plan to do that?" he asked.
"The only way to contact a spirit in a harmless setting is to approach it in a dream. So." Michela stood up straight once again. Looking straight down to the ground below and how high they were.
"I have to sleep here if that's alright," Michela said gently. "I do not wish to intrude in your privacy. Is there somewhere else you can sleep?" She asked. Rubeus looked at her confused for a moment before replying.
"I'm sure Dorian won't mind the intrusion." Rubeus went to his desk to tidy up his papers.
"Before that though, we should work on fitting your ship with the parts," Rubeus shook the rolled blueprint at Michela playfully.
"Uh—- you might also want to change," He added.
"Agreed. We have to discuss our deadline to sail to the meeting with Emilio. May I make a suggestion." She asked.
"Of course, it's your ship."
"Don't go," Michela affirmed. Rubeus sighed,
"I'll think about it. The answers are not that simple." He led Michela out of his room, quietly.
"I understand, I will return later with my things. Thank you." Michela said as they separated at the door. Rubeus returns upstairs to his bedroom alone to collect his things for the night. Schematics still in hand.