After Lelianna had stepped out of the war room, the Inquisitor was alone in the vast space. The pieces on the table toppled over and Michela's teacup left behind, untouched. Rubeus poured himself a cup and took a sip, and immediately put it down. "It's cold." He sighed, rubbing his tired eyes. He approached the messed table and began to realign the pieces on the board. Organizing and sorting through the day's requisitions and planning his next steps. Time seemed to have escaped him, and as he stared at the map of Tevinter. He took a nervous breath at the number of ships concentrated on the eastern coast. A collection of islands protected by coral reefs from the Qunari invasion. Magister Di'Pasqua's villa sat on the southern coast, he gingerly brushed his fingers over the island with a solemn expression.
He suddenly snapped his fist and punched the table as hard as he could. His finger cracked, and so did the anchor. A painful zap of magic boiled the blood in his veins and shot up his arm. "Ah!" Rubeus cried in pain and cursed under his breath. He pinched his palm to quell the magic as everything scattered to the floor from the violent burst of energy. Rubeus broke out in a sweat and he stood in darkness now the candles had been snuffed out. With a loathsome sigh, he picked everything back up and calmly reorganized the table. Cleaning the teapot and leaving its remains on the tray near the door neatly to be taken away. A small note of an apology left on top before he headed to his room for some much-needed rest.
"Are you alright?" Josephine's voice broke the silence of the dimly lit room. The candlelight coming from the Ambassador who was silently sitting at her desk with a book.
"Oh, Yes everything is fine." Rubeus waved his hands defensively, the glow of magic still yet to fade.
"You don't have to lie to me. I saw the magic from under the door, are you alright? Did you cut yourself?" Josephine asked and whisked over to his side and check on him. "You're sweating... are you sick?"
"The anchor is acting funny. Perhaps I need to use it more often it feels... heavy." Rubeus looked at his palm with concern.
"Perhaps we could have it removed? I know Dagna was mentioning..."
"An Amputation, yes I remember the conversation. Listen, it's late, I'd like to go to bed." Rubeus was blunt and the golden lady stepped away.
"Of course, Good Night Inquisitor." Josephine bowed curtly as Rubeus returned her gesture in kind.
"Good night Josie." Rubeus quietly marched away into the ballroom. The room shrouded in darkness other than one low fireplace keeping the place from freezing. Its low fire tickling the decor with a romantic light.
The castle was quiet in the early hours of before dawn. As the stars started to disappear, the rogue snuck out of their room. Dragging along black bear pelt as it draped them like a creature stealthing in the night. Passing through the ballroom and headed to sit by the fireplace where they crossed paths with the inquisitor. Rubeus knew who it was, the distinctive jacket of yellow silk and nugskin easy to see. Michela turned and noticed him too standing at the door to his tower. Something about her was different, their eyes glaring like a cat and intimidating in the low light. Before Rubeus could focus, they turned and left the ballroom out the front door and down the steps. Rubeus relented and went to his room silently not needing another altercation to keep him awake for whatever Moonlite was left.
Morning came too soon as the sun rose over Skyhold. Master Dennet awoke to feed the animals and was surprised to find a stranger asleep in the pen with the Dalish Purebred.
"Awake with you. This is a stable, not a bed!" Dennet called, shaking slumbering rogue by the shoulder.
Once awake, the stranger's visibly body shrunk in size and a medium-sized black bear, now looked like a small cub. From within, they attempted to strike Master Dennet before the horse let out a whiney of panic. Michela stopping short of a deadly strike with a hidden blade up their sleeve. Dennet locked eyes with her eyeliner smeared from tears as she looked at him with terror.
"Hasn't anyone told you not to wake a stranger, dangerous. very dangerous." Michela sighed aggressively and stood, dusting the straw from her coat before picking up the bundle of fur.
"Where is the armoury here?" Michela asked, noticing the workbench where another man hunched overpainting a toy.
"Miss, who are you and what were you doing in the pen?" Dennet said.
"I was cold, it's warm here and I don't have to explain anything else to you. Next time. Mind yer own business." Michela flicked Dennet on the nose. He was stunned for a moment, unable to respond as she quickly dashed away, like she had done nothing wrong. Strutting with pride even with some hay still tangled in her hair. She marched the grounds headed for wherever someone could point her towards a sewing table.
Michela was directed to the laundry, where she washed her clothes and was sent off to bathe in the hot spring. Once complete she went off to the armoury with her freshly pressed yellow jacket and had the bear pelt she had stolen from the room, sewn into the lining. All before the bell for breakfast was rung, running on perhaps a handful of minutes of sleep. The rogue had bags under their eyes and an ashy complexion to match. Though powered with blush and fresh eyeliner, she could pass for fine with her deep tan and sun freckled nose.
"Thank you for helping me Dagna," Michela said as she stitched the buttons back onto her coat.
"Anytime! It's pretty cold up here. Clever idea to use the fur right against your skin, it's going to feel great! Wouldn't it work better if the fur was on the outside?" Dagna asked.
"You wouldn't want to hide Griffon leather would you?" Michela asked, cutting the last thread before equipping the jacket over her shoulders.
"Griffin leather?" Dagna asked shocked.
"Did I say, Griffin? Sorry I meant Dragon. Haha." Michela lied and tapped her thighs. "Alright, I should go now, bye." Michela skipped out quickly.
"Hey wait you were going to show me those…" Dagna called out, but Michela was gone. "Runes… she'll remember." Dagna sighed as Michela rushed up the stairs.
"Whew." Michela sighed and opened the door at the top near the throne.
"Fear, someone is always monitoring you. But you never know when they pry. It's never-ending paranoia." A soft voice rang in Michela's ears. When she turned to look no one was there. She paused, looking down the stairs with beady eyes as the colour washed from her skin. When she turned around silently like a ghost in front of her stood Cole.
"Hello," he said gently, waving to her. Michela felt a shiver run up her spine, which quickly faded as Cole smiled at her.
"You're… different," Michela said, she could sense he was unique. The distraction of everything around them makes it hard to focus.
The door across from them opened as Cullen left Josephine's office.
"Oh, Lady Di'Pasqua!" Cullen exclaimed, almost startled.
"And Cole. Good Morning," Cullen said.
"Good morning," Cole replied. He turned to Michela, "You will be safe. He wants help, I do too." Cole walked away and went through the door leading to the library.
"Okay, ya.. okay hi and goodbye. By the old gods… what have I gotten myself into." Michela pinched her nose.
"Have you had breakfast yet?" Cullen asked.
"I have not, are we going to talk about the fact a spirit possesses a mortal and is walking around? Or… am I just supposed to take it after being accused of blood magic and not ask questions?"
"You can ask questions, but I doubt I could answer them all. You need to talk to Rubeus about Cole," Cullen replied.
"The Inquisitor has seen some, bizarre things hasn't he," Michela asked.
"Everyone here has, I'm sorry about the Malificar comment. I shouldn't have said that" Cullen responded. "Let's get some breakfast and we can talk more."
"That says a lot coming from a Templar," Michela said calmly, Josephine looking between them with wide eyes and frustrating silence. Michela finally nodded which elicited a smile from the Ambassador.
"Follow me," Cullen said and led Michela towards the tavern instead of the Dining Hall.
"I hope you like eggs," Cullen said awkwardly, trying to relieve the silence.
"I do," Michela replied as they descended the steps. "Though I'm hoping there are other options" she added before entering a deserted tavern.
"They should, but the eggs this morning are fresh," Cullen said.
"Note taken" Michela sighed as they stepped inside the Tavern. "I expected it to be busier," Michela mentioned before a loud cheer of voices came from upstairs.
"Alright, if you miss in the next 10 cards you have to steal Cullen's fluffy coat," Ironbull said, hanging over the bannister next to Sera.
"Why do you want that? You'd look ridiculous in it… You're on!" Sera replied.
Below them was a table with a loaf of bread on it. Around the loaf was a variety of wicked grace cards except for one which was stuck firmly in the centre of the loaf of bread. The tavern crowd all watched quietly as they threw cards across the room.
"What a… lively place," Michela said and crossed her arms watching the entertainment.
"Good morning Commander. You and your friend come to watch the competition? They've been at it for almost an hour now!" Krem called. He stood to the side near the bread. Another card came flying down, hit the middle of the loaf and flopped off it.
"That's a miss!" Krem shouted.
"Andraste's breeches!" Sera yelled.
"Uh—- right," Cullen shook his head. "This is Michela Di'Pasqua, Captain of our nautical operations." Cullen introduced her.
"Di'Pasqua? I've heard that name before." Krem commented. "Name's Krem by the way."
Another card flew down missing the loaf of bread completely, getting stuck between the wood boards.
"You're not mistaken, I am familiar with you. I am glad to see you still live." Michela said with a smile. "Your story is huge gossip with my crew from Tevinter. You could say you have a fan club." Michela chuckled.
"I'm what?!" Krem stammered in surprise.
"I think Honey would have my head if you didn't give me an autograph to bring back to her," Michela said and walked over to the knight.
"I could oblige an autograph I suppose," Krem responded. "I'm very flattered!"
"Hey you're supposed to watch, it's my turn," Ironbull said and flicked another card, this one slicing the end off the loaf but not sticking. "Ah-ha! That has to count." Iron bull cheered.
"Doesn't count, chief! It has to stick in the bread," Krem shouted.
"The Iron Bull! Stop this nonsense. You're going to hurt someone, probably yourself!" Cullen shouted. Michela collected her autograph and looked up at the two above them.
"Spoilsport!" Sera shouted and threw another card, again hitting the centre of the bread and sliding off.
"Lay off Commander, it's a harmless card," Ironbull said and flicked the next one. The mighty snap of his finger sending it zooming across the room towards Michela. Who dodged it as it stuck between the eyes of the bog fisher trophy mount on the wall.
"Horrible technique," Michela said and plucked the card from the creature and flicked it gracefully. It took a wide arch upwards before the gravity of the card stuck it firmly in the bread.
"Well, if you do it from there! Try it up here," Sera called.
"Excuse me, Iron bull you said?" Michela asked, looking at the Qunari. "Wow, I thought you were going to be more… hm." Michela shrugged and turned to Cullen. "So, eggs you said?" She asked and walked back over to him.
"Yes, this way." Cullen led Michela to the back of the tavern where it was quieter and pulled out a chair for her. He then went to the counter to order some breakfast.
"Did she just insult me?" Iron bull asked Sera. "I feel like I was just insulted." He mused looking at the busty blonde pirate curiously.
"Nah, I can see it. It's just because you aren't holding a giant axe ready to chop her head off," Sera shrugged and went downstairs to gather the cards.
"Hey, just because I don't go around swinging axes doesn't mean I lost my magic," Ironbull said and got up from the railing and headed back downstairs.
Breakfast came to the table. A hardy plate of eggs and smoked meat with a generous slice of bread. Some fresh strawberry jam in a small pot added to the centre of the table.
Michela started to dig in, as Iron bull and Sera went to collect their cards scattered about. The two of them eavesdropping on their conversation.
"The trail for Fritigern will be early noon. Does this work for you?" Cullen asked and put some jam on his slice of bread.
"So soon? I was hoping he would be left to sweat in the dungeon for a few days first." Michela sighed as she took a bite of her eggs.
"We would but the Inquisitor has matters he needs to tend to. This needs to be dealt with sooner than later," Cullen expressed. "Are you able to tell me more about the captive? It will help matters."
"To be honest, I can't talk about Fritigern in detail without. Tripping around verbal obstacles." Michela tried to explain. "I've known him for a long time, though mostly through reputation," Michela explained.
"How long has he been working with you?" Cullen asked. He started on his eggs.
"I got captured by… hmph. Around seven years ago I was locked up in Tevinter. I escaped because of him, then I hired him into my service before explaining what I was planning to do and he never questioned me. Abandoned all loyalty whatever he was involved with and left with me. So I have been suspicious ever since.`` Michela said as she buttered her bread.
"So as much as I owe him my freedom, I worry it was some scheme to get into my bed, or worse." Michela sighed.
"Your first worry is he wants to sleep with you?!" Cullen nearly choked on his food. "Not that he wants to kill you or usurp you?"
"Well yeah, he's been chasing my tail until two years ago. He just gave up finally. You wouldn't believe how many times I've had to turn him down, and now I kinda miss it. He found rare and gorgeous flowers." Michela sighed. "Whatever our history was, he broke into my room and wanted to take something. It was Varric who ruined his plan. Think about it, he convinced Rubeus to break into my room with him. Why? To expose my lies to the inquisition. Jokes on him, I don't have any. The only reason Rubeus and I got off on the wrong foot was that a bunch of Templar's marched..." Michela was ranting but stopped herself remembering who led those soldiers. "Well, we know how that went."
"I'm surprised Rubeus let him get away with something like that. There must have been a very good reason for it," Cullen wondered and chose to ignore her accusations.
"But you nearly killed my knight's guard," Cullen stated. "Didn't even give me a chance to explain anything."
"I have no intention to kill your men, I used a sleeping agent on them that's mostly harmless…." Michela swallowed nervously. "But, I should apologize for capturing you. Then hog-tying you. I shouldn't have rushed to conclusions and thrown you around so aggressively. I'm sorry I… overreacted." Michela said putting her fork down and bowing her head to Cullen respectfully.
"Did she say hogtie?" Sera whispered too loudly.
"It's ok," Cullen replied nervously. His face went red at the whisper. " All in the past." Cullen sighed as Iron Bull's laughing began to get loudly. Michela's apology being the trigger.
"Did you have something to add?" Michela asked and looked to Sera and Bull who were doing a horrible job at spying on them subtly.
"Cullen! I knew you were fun." Iron bull cheered.
"It's not what you think, Bull!" Cullen became flustered as he defended himself. Sera started to snicker. Krem looked over to try and see what was so funny but all he saw was Cullen looking embarrassed.
"Ah hahaha! Is that what you think?" Michela asked as she looked over her shoulder with a dark look in her eyes. "Oh! Ya, we fucked when we first on the battlefield. Right?"
"We should finish and get out of here," Cullen voiced.
"No please, Iron Bull. Are you insinuating I sleep around?" Michela asked. Cullen facepalmed.
"Well, from over here. It sounds like you're my kind of lady. Hot-headed. Good with her hands." Iron bull said confidently. Michela was up out of her chair before he finished his sentence. Storming over towards the former Ben hassrath agent.
"I'm fully aware of how hot-headed I am. Question is, can you handle the heat?" Michela said as a puff of fire spit from her lips. Cullen could sense the swell of magic from her was just a fraction of what she possessed. The air inside the tavern warmed around them as the fire started to crack and spit flaming wood across the floor. His eyes widened and he put down his fork, rushing over to Michela's flank.
"Whoa did you see that! So it's true that you can spit dragon breath? I want to see that myself." Iron bull said upon closer inspection of her lips. Iron bull saw a flaming core of magic at the back of her mouth. Its light was blinding despite how small it was, and as he blinked it burned into his eyes no matter where he looked.
"Stop! None of this magic-mage-y, fiery stuff in the tavern!" Sera announced. "It's supposed to be a place to get shit faced and happy. That's hard to do if a mage is flying around like flies on shit, innit?" Sera pointed out. Michela looked at the elf, blowing a puff of smoke out of her nose like a joint. Ending the spell.
"Sera!" Cullen bellowed. Iron bull clamped his hand over Sera's face, silencing her with his mitt of a hand with a smile on his face.
"Don't mind her, she's squeamish around magic. We've been to the fade." Iron bull chuckled.
"Hmph… You're lucky it's not the first time I have been compared to a pile of shit." Michela relaxed and spoke with a sneer. Turning on her heels, she slapped them both with her dreads. Abandoned her barely touched breakfast and headed for the door without another word.
"Ignore Sera! She does not speak for the inquisition!" Cullen scrambled to stop Michela.
"We look forward to travelling aboard your ship, duchess." Iron bull waved. Ignoring Sera biting his hand like a kitten.
"Sera! Go see Josephine, NOW!" Cullen commanded. Sera broke herself out of Iron Bull's grip and made a face before they left.
"Tch…" Michela huffed, with full intention to leave Skyhold that very moment. The scurry of the commander following behind her slowed her pace toward the stable.
"Michela, wait!" Cullen called after her.
"It was a mistake to come here, I should have stayed with my ship and left the rest of these matters to the inquisitor. I do not know how to get along with your allies and will just cause more turmoil." Michela said as she stopped at the foot of the stairs to the sky holds ballroom. Cullen catching up to her frazzled.
"I'm too magey, I'm too hostile and I'm too noble. Your ambassador treated me like some princess presenting me dresses. Lelianna is suspicious of my motives because we all know she's who she is and you're following me to make sure I don't light the place on fire." Michela sighed as she leaned against the wall trying to hide from all the eyes. "How would you feel in my boots?"
"You caught me, I was asked to keep an eye on you. To make sure you got settled in." Cullen admitted. "But I asked you to breakfast as a genuine gesture to get to know you, not as an order."
"Hmm meeting your associates made it feel otherwise," Michela replied
"You can also tell Josephine to not be as fussy with you. She's used to dealing with Orlesian politics. Dignitaries from Fereldan also say she comes on too strong," Cullen laughed.
"Too strong? You're all tiptoeing around me like I'm some manic lunatic." Michela said.
"You'd know if I were tiptoeing. I promise you that." Cullen replied.
"I'm just a person. I like to eat in quiet places. I like to be alone in my room." Michela said and noticed Fritigern being escorted out of the dungeon. "And I like my privacy," Michela said with narrowed eyes towards them.
"The trial will be starting shortly. You should join them," Cullen said, watching Fritigern get dragged up the steps.
"Fine, I'll watch the trial, but I'm seriously considering backing out and taking my ship to get lost again. You can deal with Magister Di Pasqua on your own." Michela
"It is your choice, but leaving would be a big mistake. So please think about things before you act," Cullen warned and led a pouting Michela to the main hall.