Casually, I lean against the railing of the second floor as Cullen approaches Eve and I while the others disperse themselves to their positions, ready just in case.
"Are you alright? You're hurt," Cullen reaches out to gently rub his gloved fingers against her scratch making me raise a brow at the two blushing stare in one another's eyes.
"Oi, lovebrids, you can make bedroom eyes at each other later, sorta got a assassin to deal with," I interrupt the two who awkwardly cough, failing to recover from the action as I turn to Eve.
"What is our move?" Cullen questions after Eve had spoken to me of Leliana proposing the idea to let Celene die so we could do crowd control on the moral panic, leave it for the others to deal with due to the plan, let Gaspard rule or do our original plan.
"We need to stop Corypheus at any cost, meaning we need to stop her," Eve decides.
"Are you sure, she is about to start her speech," Cullen frowns.
"We'll be fine, have faith in us," Weakly, Eve smiles.
"I do," Cullen whispers slowly the pair shyly smiling blushing as Eve glances at me and I nod, watching her go down the dancefloor.
"But what if she gets hurt!?" Cullen panics after realizing the danger.
"Then you can be her knight in shining armour blondie," I remark dryly as he grumbles as we both watch Eve confidently stride over to the head of the dancefloor, ready to take on Celene.
"We owe the court one more show your grace," Bravely, Eve strides over announcing herself.
"Inquisitor…" Reluctantly, Florianne turns to Eve.
"The eyes of every noble in Orlais on us your majesty, remember to smile…" Brightly, Eve smiles smugly at the fake smile and scowl of Florianne.
"This is your party. You wouldn't want the people to think you've lost control don't you?" Smiling, Eve strides up the staircase approaching the nervous Florianne.
"Who would not be delighted to speak to you inquisitor?" Florianne plays along.
"I seem to recall you saying…'all I need is to keep you out of the ballroom to strike!' when your archers failed to kill me and my friends in the garden you promised me this last dance. So easy to lose your good graces, you even name your brother for the murder of a councillor. It was an ambitious plan, Celene, Gaspard, the entire council of Harold's, all of your enemies under one roof," Loudly, Eve blurts out shocking many in the court as she raises her voice, ringing out.
"This is…very entraining but you do not have any evidence for this wild story?" Nervously, Florianne laughs.
"That will be matter for the judge to decide cousin," Politely, Celene cuts in.
"Gaspard you cannot believe this! You know I would never…" Florianne begins only to trial off when her brother staggers back, turning his back on the rejected girl as Gaspard and Briala keep their distance, and the guards stroll in.
"Rejected," Smirking, I sicker as Sera, and I share a cocky high five.
"Gaspard?" Feebly, she calls out to him making me and Sera snicker as she huddles forward, staring back fearful of the guards.
"You lost this fight ages ago your grace. You're just the last to find out," Eve turns her back. Defeated, Florianne collapses to her knees crying out as she is dragged away by the guards for judgement…
Calmly, I watch as Eve joins Celene outside with Briala and Gaspard.
"Think she's going to reveal about bondage guy?" Sera asks.
"Nah she's too weak besides from all we got, we could rule Orlais, I think she's going to do the whole romance thing with the elf and Celene," I mutter.
"Huh…yeah you're probably right, oh nibbles!" Eagerly, Sera darts off to get food. Calmly, I sip my drink and frown, deciding to use the distraction as Celene, Gaspard and Eve return to leave, heading outside.
I am greeted in the gardens by the rustle of leafs and the cool brisk wind of the eerie moon, my nose twitches at the lavender scent wandering through my nostrils as my brow furrows at the sad slumped figure, long gone. Slowly I kneel down, gently; my fingertips flinch from the sheer chill of his skin and sigh. I need answers, I grasp hold of his slit arms, wincing as I notice numerous injection marks, so the lyrium was injected into his blood stream…that's new. I suppose bathing them chained in lyrium doesn't always work or having a blade stained in lyrium doesn't work either. Still though, my brow furrows as I notice clumps of lyrium, the veins almost turning into lumps of veins humming, disgusting I recoil from the sight and sigh, standing up.
Seems I'll need info on lyrium…I could ask Varric but he may help as well…I don't know, I mean he owes me a favour since I helped him out with those birds…I don't know.
"I thought I'd find you here," Shocked, I turn to the voice of Solas and frown.
"They didn't even bury him, they just left him here…" I sigh; head down in shame at my friend only to feel Solas' comforting hand on my shoulder, making me look up, my blues gazing into his sorrowful eyes.
"Come on…lets go inside," He whispers as I nod and follow him inside, raising a brow to find a solemn Eve out on the balcony, briefly, I look up to frown at the horde of men and women, blocking Cullen from seeing her…
"Yeah…I should go check on her, don't want another broody guy around…" I mutter and leave him. Stoically, I approach the baloney, hearing the fresh nip of the ice cold air as I lean over the balcony smiling softly at the frowning Eve.
"You okay buddy?" I ask trying to break the sorrowful atmosphere, taking a seat by her side as she releases a tired sigh.
"I…all this politic scandal, brought back memories…" Eve sighs tiredly.
"Memories?" I question.
"Yeah, my mum would host the most beautiful of balls, even people for the Tevinter imperium would appear, of course reluctantly when learning of my mother's preference of no slaves about but still…she was known as the bell of the ball, heh people wonder how a farmer like my dad courted such a beauty…" Sadly, Eve smiles a sorrow to her tone.
"How?" I ask.
"Heh, he wasn't even meant to be there, it was mum's first party, she was going haywire going bonkers over anything to make it perfect only then for mid dance for some oaf with manoeuvre all over him, to roll in and accidently flip all of the alcohol onto her dress…" Eve giggles at the memory while I raise a brow.
"That's…that's a first impression," I remark not sure what to say.
"Heh, yeah, granddad was furious demanding to have him hung but mum…just started laughing, people thought she went bonkers as my dad joined in and hired him as the palace server for her…then they sorta just clicked…" Sheepishly, Eve siels shrugging carelessly.
"Sounds like something from a book," I mutter.
"I know right the noble and the nobody…heh, I always loved those books, mum would read them to me for hours on end until…" Sadly, Eve trails off.
"Until…?" I encourage noting her sorrowful tone.
"Until I was discovered then she…she sorta broke, when I got sent away I could still visit but mum would act distant, knowing I would just be going away again while dad relished in the few days I had with him mum couldn't even look at me without pain nor guilt…I got my magic from her after all…" Eve smile forcefully, a sorrow in her voice.
"I see…have you tried talking to her?" I suggest recalling Hakes fondness for her family.
"I…no…" Eve trials off pained making me frown.
"Then I guess you should," I shrug.
"You guess? What about you and your family…?" Eve question as I feel a sudden spark of anger and bitterness at the thought of that abomination, that traitor….that backstabber.
"I…I don't really know all I really had was Fenris," I lie turning away eyes narrowed, she is not my sister, she is not, I do not have an abomination, I do not have a single ounce of poison in my veins.
"What of your mother? Father? Any other siblings?" Eve continues not seeing my discomfort or rising rage.
"Don't know. Don't care…" Sharply, I cut her off, my tone ice cold as she flinches back noting my sharp glare.
"Fennic I didn't mean…oh by the way seems we got some help from Celene's advisor on magic…" Eve smirks.
"Another apostate great…" Sarcastically, I remark.
"Hey you're sleeping with one!" Eve points out.
"Am not," I confirm.
"Oh yeah then what's with those lingering looks he's been giving you?" Smugly, Eve smirks.
"Well first off, all we did was kiss, haven't done the devils tango yet maybe later on…who knows…" I shrug.
"But still she gives thanks," Eve smiles.
"For what?" I frown.
"For looking out for her child she finds it difficult to do so, due to the view of the nobility. Doesn't want her son to be grouped in with her. You know she may be useful she has knowledge of ancient elven and other forbidden magic, I would love to learn from her," Eve explains to me.
"Are you mad? Haven't you seen what blood magic is capable of!?" I snap panicked at the thought of another Crow.
"Fen what happened to your friend may have not been blood magic it may have…" Eve begins only to flinch from my snort and arm raised, blocking her from seeing my expression.
"Don't…just…urgh…Great a blood mage just what I needed," I grumble too tired to deal with the lot of them.
"It's not like that she seems…" Eve begins.
"Right…Whatever, look I'm sure prince charming would want a dance," I mutter nodding recalling the child from prior
"He seems a bit busy with the others…" Eve turns away pained.
"You're kidding right; he looks like a puppy drowning in the sea or water of many horny nobles…" I snicker.
"Heh, I…I don't know I don't want to ask I mean…" Eve blushes flustered making me roll my eyes.
"I hope I'm not interrupting…" Startled, Eve turns to the warm voice of Cullen.
"Ah so the puppy can swim," Lightly, I tease as he gives me a playful smile then turns back to Eve.
"There you are everyone's been looking for you. Things have calmed down for the moment are you alright?" Cullen asks Eve as I take a step back, leaning against the wall, watching them from afar, not sure what to do as the pair lean over the balcony chatting.
"I'm just worn out it's been a while since I last came to a ball," Eve responds, bowing her head exhausted.
"For all of us, I'm glad it's over…I know it was foolish but I was worried about you tonight," Gently, Cullen places his hand on her arm, making her sweetly smile and place her hand on top of his.
"I may not have another chance like this but I must ask, may I have this dance," Elegantly, Cullen bows, offering his gloved hand out as Eve turns conflicted, briefly, her green hues meet mine as I give her a nod making her smile slightly as she slides her hand over his, smiling brightly and excitedly.
"Of course, I thought you didn't dance," Happily, she smiles as slowly, Eve follows Cullen into the ballroom.
"I wouldn't but I try," Brightly, Cullen smiles and the two leave, leaving me alone in the crispy chilly air of the moonlight as I enjoy the bright full moons company, closing my eyes in deep thought.
Those wounds on Crow they looked fresh, don't tell me that was recent then again most people can't stand a week infused with lyrium without going mad or falling to their symptoms. I need to stop focusing on it, I need to focus on the positives right be like Eve, positives, positives, positives like um…rainbows and um…damn it I can't think of anything positive!
"Someone's brooding," Brightly, the smug voice of Dorian greets me as my ears perks up at the sound of his footsteps approaching, making me turn to glance at him smirking down at me, leaning over the baloney, joining my side in observing and admiring the beautiful scenery of the horizon.
"No really just staring out in the icy cold for no reason…" Dryly, I remark earning a small chuckle from the smirking Dorian, a calm air surrounding us, no tension, no anger, nothing just music.
"Then perhaps this will cheer you up," Smirking, I turn my eyes widening as I hear the pop of the cork of a bottle making me turn to see him, goblets in hand passing me both golden goblets, pouring the liquid inside and I return one of the filled goblets to him, curious, I lean down, my nose twitching as my eyes widen identifying the wine in a quick second from its distinct scent.
"Legacy White Shear!? Where did you get this from!?" I gasp, staring down at the bottle, he teasingly swirls before me, smirking smugly as he gently passes it in my hands. I can't believe it legacy white shear it's said to be peculiar and rare, a single run of this spirit took colour and what has been optimistically called flavour from lyrium in the cask's bilge hoop. A sipping whisky if you value your innards.
"I have my ways…" Confidently, Dorian smirks as I take a sip, smirking at the acidic nature while Dorian coughs releasing back, no doubt a light weight while I calmly enjoy the burning sensation down my throat.
"Don't tell me you flirted with one of the elven servants and I'm guessing you got lucky…" I gather, noting the faint scent of well…and noting the glistening skin as well as his tousled hair.
"H-how did?" He raises a brow surprised and impressed.
"Your hair," I point smirking as his eyes dilate in horror.
"My hair!?" Urgently, Dorian reaches out to fix his hair making me roll my eyes at the panicking mess, taking a sip of the wine, smirking enjoying the burning taste.
"Don't fret, relax you've had your win for the night," I assure him, grateful for the wine, already feeling the giddy buzz taking over my once sore form, now feeling the adrenaline and burning sensation I so adore.
"And so have you," He tells me.
"If you call losing someone close a win sure," I mutter.
"You know what I mean we saved Celene," He reasons.
"I didn't really have an view on all this," I confess.
"Seriously? Aren't you happy for Briala and Celene seems like fairy tale besides an elf in power that's pretty good," He gushes excitedly as I feel a brief twitch of my brow at his clear ignorance.
"Not really. I don't know much about Briala, just because she's an elf means jack squat to me, I don't trust her, I don't any one of these guys to rule," I state the fact clearly surprising him.
"Sounds complicated," He sighs.
"Politics is," I confirm.
"Way too complicated for my taste…" I add grumpily, taking another sip.
"Oh but a wine that could kill you is better," Teasingly, Dorian retorts.
Hey at least I know I'm going to die and not have to expertly wait for the right moment to be killed. At least I'm not being hunted down for years or being tricked, I'm in control and that is far better than being in the hands of some stranger," Intensely, I argue.
"True, true…" Dorian hums in approval.
"Seems it's your turn to get lucky tonight," Boldly he smirks making me frown at his wink as he takes my glass, making me scowl and turn, my blues widening see a familiar elf approach, oh boy…
"What are you…? Oh." I catch on glaring at his bubbly grin, wanting to wipe it off his smug face as a familiar bloodlust appears, wanting to deck him in the face.
"Good luck," Flirtatiously, he teases as I snarl at the ass.
No. Dorian don't you dare! Internally, I scream but it's too late he's gone like the wind making em gorna, head don elnaing on the balcony ready for this guy, ignoring the faint blush on my features.
"I'm not surprised to find you out here…thoughts?" Solas approaches, joining my side as I release a tired sigh, head down shaking my head smirking compactly.
"What is this hook up balcony?" I joke lightly earning a small smirk from him.
"You saw them?" Solas questions.
"Honey, I made that happen," Smugly, I smirk.
"Honey? That's new," He teases.
"Don't get used to it, you're definitely not honey, eggy would work, baldy too…" I quirk my head to the side smirking playful as Solas shakes his head, raising a brow playful.
"What are you thinking?" He questions concern laced in his tone.
"Honestly, nothing just…so much shit all fighting at once. On the plus side, seems like you got another mage to nerd out with," I joke lightly.
"A new mage?" Solas quirks a brow.
"Yep sort of like you, a know it all with elven heritage," I remark smirking at Solas' frown.
"I'm teasing well sorta anyway, what about you did you enjoy yourself?" I ask.
"I found it rather fascinating," He smirks.
"Course you would, any cheeky elf catch your eye," Cheekily, I tease only to frown at Solas' scowl.
"I have one right now…" Solas sips his drink bitterly.
"Oh come now, who is she? He?" I lean in eager.
"We're not all like you, tell me how are you?" Solas demands making me frown.
"Sad. I just…purpose? All he spouted about I was insulted I mean, we are so much more than just a simple purpose…he shouldn't have died but… he was in pain" I look down scowling, my hands shaking as gently, I feel Solas wrap his arm around me, bringing me into a soft side hug, briefly making me flinch but sigh, leaning into the touch.
"Take a deep breathe," He advises and I follow feeling my blood simmer down and my rage dimmer as I lean into the crook of his neck as he rests, rubbing gentle patterns into my back and lightly placing his lips upon my temple, a chaste kiss, an strange kiss to me as we lay in one another's arms content…that is until hearing the music perk up, making me raise a brow smirking coyly at my thought as I escape from Solas' hold, confusing him until he sees my smug smirk and hand offered to him, making him raise a brow.
"Shouldn't the roles be reversed?" Solas smirks curious.
"Aw where's the fun in that? So…what about it? Wanna dance?" I ask.
"And why would I do that?" He crosses his arms playfully.
"Oh I don't know maybe as a middle finger for the burning of Hamshiral?" Grinning, I beam at the thought, noting Solas raise a brow, feigning conflict.
"It would be my honour," Eagerly, he places his hand in mine, taking the reigns as he begins to guides me to the dance floor.
"Sweetie, it would be mine….hmm," I trail off contemplating.
"What?" He stops in his tracks.
"Sounds much better, sweetie," Playfully, I smirk as Solas releases a small smile, lovingly looking at me, gently taking my face in his hands briefly making me flinch but patiently he waits for me to lean in as he gently places his lips on top of mine, causing a strange sensation of soft sparks, nothing compared to the adrenaline I would feel from my prior flings, this one was different, more softer, more tender, more…intimate and…I loved it…grinning, I drag Solas inside as we begin dancing, before the nobles, giving them one hell of a middle finger….
*What do you think of Solas and Fennic? Would love to know!*