For all his accomplishments and successes, for all the praise and honor he received, Dorian knew that when it came to everything he did, he did it on his own.
After his night with Cassian, he had found it more difficult to truly trust another person, something he hadn't thought possible.
He was already highly skeptical to his fellow mages, but now he downright questioned their every motive in his head. Sometimes he did it loudly as well, but usually in more acceptable settings, such as balls and social gatherings.
It didn't make him more popular.
He couldn't really say he cared.
Still, he was surprised to find that there were indeed people who thought like him, who believed in the things he believed and that were not afraid to speak up loudly about it.
In fact, there were even a few Magisters that did so.
While Alexius was careful in his words and protests, there was especially one shrewd Magister who seemed un-phased and unafraid of the rest of the Magisterium.
A woman, so unlike the others that she almost sounded like a heroine from a fairytale.
Dorian had only heard about her in passing conversation; Maevaris Tilani. The freak Magister with the unorthodox ideas. The man-woman who had taken a dwarfen male merchant as her partner and lover, and who had successfully taken her late-father's place in the Magisterium.
The Magister who spoke against slavery, against the past and begged the Imperium to look to the future.
Dorian desperately wanted to meet her and he would get his chance at a social ball where all the families of high status was invited.
It was the same type of social gathering that Dorian had attended many a times already: families politely battling each other for status, bragging, showing off, spreading rumors and, if they were lucky, fawning for the Archon's favor if he decided to make an appearance.
Officially he was there with his mother and father, which was tiresome enough, but he did thank his lucky star that Livia had become ill and could not make it. It would save him an evening of strained smiles and sharp nails digging into his arm. Instead he could just take in the music, enjoy the fine wines and food and, more discreetly, observe the men in the grand room.
With some luck, maybe he would even find some company for the night.
He only listened with half an ear when the arriving families were loudly introduced as they entered the ballroom. After all, it was always the same guests; Lord and Lady Crocus and their two sons, Magister Varas, Lady Aurelia Lacella, Magister Danarius who, unsurprisingly, arrived without his darling elf.
Dorian couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction in knowing that the elf had yet to be found and now that he had actually met the man, he was all the more pleased. He had actually read his research now and while absolutely fascinating, the ways in which it was done was simply humane. The pain and torment the poor elf must have gone through; Dorian couldn't even begin to imagine it. As much as he was for research and knowing that one had to use unorthodox methods in order to get results, one had to draw the line somewhere.
Unless the person was willing and knowing what could happen, research on another person, be it elf, human, dwarf or Qunari was wrong. And Dorian highly doubted that Danarius' elf was aware of what would happen.
Dorian just hoped that wherever the elf was, that he was at a better place now.
Letting his eyes wander, Dorian let them land on a particular attractive man, speaking to a woman in a corner.
Raven-black hair, skin tanned like fine whiskey and oh, that smile… He was gorgeous, but Dorian had long since given up on trying something with his "fellow man", so to speak.
He had Cassian and a handful of others to thank for that.
Sighing, Dorian carefully, and elegantly, brushed an escaped strand of his shoulder-length hair back behind his ear as he continued to just let his eyes wander, letting them land more often than not on the handsome stranger, but not really lingering.
At least the music was good and the wine was flowing.
"Introducing, Magister Maevaris Tilani, daughter of the late Athanir Tilani and the Dwarven Ambassador Thorold Tethras, her… partner."
Dorian almost had to snort into his wine at the obvious discomfort in the announcer's voice, but he was soon standing in awe as Maevaris made her entrance.
She stood tall, proud, her short, golden hair styled and held up thanks to a small, tastefully decorated tiara. Her blue dress was long and blue, cut in a typical elegant Tevinter style. Holding onto her hand was a dwarf with long red hair and beard, dressed in a simple, but tasteful dwarfen outfit; a brown, long jacket, an elegant red shirt tied with a green sash and black pants.
If he was to be honest, they made for an unorthodox, yes, but very lovely and stunning couple.
Others did not seem to share his sentiment though, as several looks and quiet comments were passed around about the two of them, but if Maevaris noticed, she didn't seem to care. She walked down the stairs with her partner in hand, smiling and nodding as she passed other Magisters, not letting their looks intimidate her.
When looking, Dorian could see how his father tensed up when he saw Maevaris; Halward was a traditionalist and Maevaris represented everything that Halward did not; free thinking, free living and a different way of life.
As if sensing it, Maevaris immediately smiled and headed over to Halward, arms open. "Halward, darling! How wonderful to see you? Tell me, how is your wife?"
Halward managed to plaster up a pleasant smile as he leaned in to kiss Maevaris on the cheek, treating her as an old friend.
"It is good to see you as well, Maevaris. And the wife is fine, thank you. She is about somewhere, catching up with some old friends, but I know she will be delighted to see you again. Where is your, ah… partner?"
"Of course she will," Maevaris said with a chuckle. "And Thorold? Off to get us some wine, the darling. He is so good to me," she added with a smile before letting her eyes land on Dorian, sizing him up before grinning.
"And this must be the protégé I've heard so much about."
Halward chuckled and nodded, gesturing for Dorian to step closer. "Indeed it is," he murmured, the pride evident in his voice.
"This is my son, Dorian. He's making quite the name for himself in the Circle of Minrathous."
"So I have heard. Grand, unorthodox ideas, or so I've been told," Maevaris said as she held out her hand for Dorian, who grasped it to kiss it.
"A Pavus always reaches for what is beyond the expectations," he murmured as he flashed Maevaris a smile.
Maevaris laughed and smiled back. "Ah, you sound like your father already. Charming."
Halward merely cleared his throat, letting out a small chuckle at the same time; a telltale indication that he was somewhat embarrassed. "It would only be natural, he is my son," he murmured, giving Dorian a small, proud smile.
"I have tried my best to raise him right."
"I am sure you have," Maevaris said, winking at Halward before her eyes landed on someone else, stealing her attention. "Ah, do excuse me, gentlemen," she smiled as she waved towards her next victim. "But I do see someone I have been trying to meet for weeks now! I am almost certain they are avoiding me!" The grin on her face told Dorian that she was fully aware of that fact and that she was loving it.
"Halward. Always a pleasure seeing you. Dorian…" She smiled and winked again at him. "I do hope we can chat more later. Do save me a dance?"
"Of course, Magister Tilani," Dorian said, bowing his head some as Maevaris wandered off with a departing wave.
"Well… That was something," he mused while Halward let out a small sigh.
"A brilliant Magister, but… Unorthodox. It makes it hard to support her."
"Perhaps it is needed," Dorian said while nipping at his wine slowly. "Some flare and courage."
"Changes takes time, Dorian," Halward said while grasping Dorian's shoulder, giving it a squeeze, then a pat. "One cannot rush blindly into this kind of battle. You know how much Tevinter values traditions and it's past, be it for better or for worse."
"Perhaps," Dorian hummed, understanding and even somewhat agreeing to Halward's words.
Still, there was a gap there, one that possibly could not be filled because they were simply too different in the way they were thinking.
Halward looked at his son though, pride in his eyes as he nodded. "I like this, Dorian. This is good?"
"The wine? It's decent, but nothing to write home about. I think Magister Amladaris is holding back on us."
Halward laughed as he patted Dorian on the back. "Not the wine, boy, but this. Us. Being able to talk as men, as mages of equal footing. We may not always agree on a philosophical level, but we do on an ethical one, I feel."
"Ah," Dorian hummed, but he could still feel that warmth spread inside him.
That feeling he always got when he had done something his father was proud of. It was like the finest of wine and Dorian always wanted more.
"I find myself agreeing, father. And yes, it… It is nice."
Halward smiled and nodded before his attention was taken by Magister Amladaris; a rather heavy man who's robes seemed a number too tight for him. Dorian could all but see the seams bursting from holding the man's impressive girth in place.
At the rate he was going, his son Irian would take his spot sooner rather than later.
"Ah, it seems like the host of the grand ball would like a word. Come, join me, Dorian."
"As nice as it is, talking on equal footing, I can picture more fun things to do than talk to Magister Amladaris. Like getting my teeth pulled by the loving hands of a blacksmith, perhaps," Dorian said, not keeping the boredom out of his voice.
"Now, now, Dorian, I know that Magister Amladaris is a… Older gentleman, but he is wise and has many experiences. And he does have a son your age."
"Irian is almost ten years my senior, father. I would not call that "close to my age"."
"In mental capacity and intellect you are," Halward mused while Dorian let out a snort.
"That could be taken both as an insult and a compliment, you know."
"Only for Irian, Dorian," Halward replied before heading over to greet the Magister, leaving Dorian to his own devices. Just the way he preferred it at gatherings such as these.
He therefor took the opportunity to head over to the food-table, hoping there were still a canapé or tiny cake available there before the main dishes were served.
The rest of the party was rather uneventful until the Archon had arrived at the party.
Dorian wasn't quite sure what happened, except that the music and dancing was cut short when the Archon decided to killed a Magister for some sort of offence.
The immediate rumor was, naturally, blood magic, but other whispers said that the man had simply been a pain in the Archon's ass for some time.
Dorian wasn't surprised; he'd found out a long time ago that most Magisters were a pain in the ass.
And not in the fun way.
Still, the party had been pleasant enough. Good food and wine, some handsome men to look at right under his father's nose, he had successfully avoided dancing and he had finally gotten the chance to meet Magister Tilani, even if he hadn't gotten a chance to actually talk much to her.
Which was why an invitation from her came as such a big surprise.
While Dorian had been invited to many a Magister's party or gathering, it was always as part of the Pavus household.
This, however, was addressed directly to him.
"Dear Master Dorian,
It was an absolute delight to finally see you at the latest social gathering, though I am saddened that we did not get to talk more than a brief introduction and I seek to rectify this.
I hereby invite you to attend a small gathering I have this weekend and I hope that you can find the time to attend.
I promise you, you will not regret it.
With Kind Regards,
Maevaris Tilani"
Well…
How could he decline such a lovely invitation?
Answer was, he couldn't.