Curious, I raise a brow when noting the chipper Eve practically skipping as she takes her seat on her throne, smugly smiling.
"Someone's chipper, I guess the flower has finally been plucked," Teasingly, I smirk at the smirking girl who flushes red, sinking into her throne.
"Wha…no!" She squeaks back sinking into her seat.
"Oh really?" I smirk raising a brow.
"Yeah, all we did was talk and cuddle on the bed, it was great just us cuddling," Eve blushes red as I blink owlishly at the content girl, happy over…talking.
"Fen you okay? You seemed tired…" Eve questions worriedly as I shrug.
"You're innocence baffles me sometimes," I mutter shaking my head, relishing the innocence of youth.
"Oh okay…oh…judgement is about to commence…" Eve notes as everyone gathers, I stand by Eve's side, leaning against the inquisitor's throne, eager to know of today's judgement.
"Yeah you're right…let's see how this goes…" I mutter as the crowd gathers, my eyes briefly lingering and then darting to the floor when seeing Solas as I cross my arms, tightening, my crossed arms and my brow furrows only then to blink as the prisoner arrives, some muscular guy wearing a navy blue ram mask with splashes of brush paints of black and white, looking smeared. My eyes blink at the huge ram horns curled on his mask. His skin is as pale as snow and the only thing standing out is his raven black beard as he arrives in shackles.
"This was a surprise. After you returned from the Bogs, we discovered this man attacking. The building. With a….goat," Josephine reveals as both Eve and I blink trying to imagine the thought, making me snicker slightly at the thought of goats being tossed into a wall.
"He threw a goat at the castle…?" Eve blinks glancing at me baffled.
"Yep…" I respond not sure what to think.
"Chief Movran the under... He feels slighted by the killing of his Avvar Tribesmen. Who repeatedly attacked you irst. What should we do with him? Where…should he go?" Josephine continues on
"I don't…know how to feel," Eve blinks still reeling in shock.
"I can respect that…" I confess impressed by his strength and the sheer comedy of the situation, holding in the urge to snicker.
"I guess…" Eve shrugs lost.
"Hey on the plus side we got some extra livestock for the kitchens and stuff besides we could recruit him for some labour work," I offer, excited at the idea of having a drink with this badass.
"I guess but you answered your clan with…a goat?" Eve questions still lost only for the male to laugh much to our confusion.
"A courtroom? Unnecessary! You killed my idiot son, and I answered, as is my custom, by smacking your holdings with goat's blood!" Lost, Eve turns to Josephine.
"Don't look at me," Josephine mutters not sure what to say as Eve turns to look up at me, leaning against the throne.
"I sorta want to join this clan, is chucking goats a sport?" I ask genuinely fascinated and interested in the sport.
"No foul! He meant to murder Tevinter, but got feisty with your inquisition. A redheaded mother guarantees a brat! Do as you've earned Inquisitor. My clan yields. My remaining boys have brains still in their heads!"
"I see…well um….this conflict was accidental so I banish your clan to Tevinter with all the weapons you can carry," Eve declares earning a raised brow, not sure how to feel but…as the guys take him away.
"Hold up one question," I interrupt as the others and the prisoner turns to me, feeling all the courts eyes on me.
"Can we keep the goats?" I ask earning a groan from Eve as the male nods and the leader leaves…ending the judgement.
Stretching, I exit the room, quickly speed walking out as I feel a few lingering gazes making me flee. Frowning, my ears perk up at the sound of huffing and turn to raise a curious brow at Robin, trying to braid their hair but struggling, making them pout.
"What are you doing buddy?" I question puzzled, kneeling down next to them.
"I want my hair braided but mama isn't here to do it and daddy can't…"Robin complains.
"Right…" I mutter not sure what to say.
"Do you know how?" Innocently, Robin enquires.
"Maybe I mean I made bow how hard can tying a braid be?" Calmly, I kneel down, gently placing my fingertips through their long locks and continue, attempting to braid their hair into a long braid only then to frown as I begin to concentrate.
"What's going on here?" Leliana's voice perks up my interest as I turn to look up at her and a smiling Josephine.
"Braiding!" Robin cheers.
"That…isn't braiding…" Josephine giggles as I scowl, tossing the hair to the floor.
"Alright fine I can't braid what of it!?" I growl at the two smiling women, holding in a snicker.
"Allow us…" I blink flinching slightly as Leliana and Josephine sit down and as Robin calls it…
"Braid train!" Robin cheers once more making me grimace at the high pitch squeal.
"Your hair is so soft Fennic!" Josephine gushes as the braid train ends, as I spot a crowd watching on as we disperse. "Did that cheer you up?" Josephine smiles at Leliana. "I suppose," Leliana sighs as Josephine then kneels down to play and distract Robin, leaving Leliana and I alone as I raise a brow.
"Cheer you up? Did one of your freaky birds die?" I frown.
"No….I have been given a proposition…to be the next divine…" Shocked, my eyes widen as I feel myself choke on my spit at the thought.
"Bloody hell, they work fast," I remark surprised.
"You can say that again I mean with everything happening, I don't…" Leliana sighs sadly.
"It's up to you, I mean you've got Cassandra to do it," I shrug.
"It's to be the next Divine," Leliana frowns.
"Yeah don't care for popes and such. It's up to you, honestly, take your time and stuff," I mutter.
"There's so much responsibility...so much…So much…" Exhausted, Leliana sighs.
"If you're going to talk about this talk to Josephine or Eve…." I mutter not caring for religion.
"What do you believe in Fennic?" Leliana questions me as I sigh.
"Nothing really just we live, we die and that's it," Simply, I shrug noting Leliana's surprised expression as we stand leaning against the stone wall as Josephine then joins us once, giving Robin back to a curious Fenris.
"That's a bit…morbid," Josephine joins in smiling weakly.
"Is it?" I question the advisor.
"Don't you believe in the elven gods? Josephine questions.
"Not really no. Honestly, I think there's more out there…there's more to life than faith…" I shrug.
"…But does that give you comfort? Don't you think of death…?" Leliana frowns.
"Leliana, out of the lot I am the closest to death, I won't survive for long most likely, I mean you've seen how I fight, what the lyrium does to me and at first yes I was terrified but now…I don't care. Let death come, if I were to die, no one would care and I'm grateful for that, cause it means no hassle," Calmly, I explain my reason seeing the girls eyes soften at the realization.
"What of your brother?" Josephine asks.
"Josephine, my brother and I know we both are going to die young. While he takes comfort in believing in the maker, I don't. Besides, he will live longer, thanks to Hawke. He does not share the same effects of lyrium as I due to having a different ritual but still we've never let that affect our bond. He has a family, he has Hawke, he has a child now and Hawke is trying to get him to live beyond the years for him, he has something to lose which I pity him for and told him of his mistake for falling in love, all falling in love does it hurts you and those close to you," I further elaborate as I notice Josephine frown conflicted by my idea.
"But then…why do you fight? When you know you're going to die why?" Leliana furrows her brow.
"Because what's the points in wallowing in self-pity when you could be out there and doing something with the lost remnants of your life. I do not need pity, I simply need to enjoy what I have left," I shrug frowning at the pity.
"Don't give me pity or else I swear to whatever is out there I will punch you," Darkly, I glare at the two, raising their hands in surrender.
"But…does it not bring you comfort? Don't you have anyone you love?" Josephine questions naively making me scoff.
"No…I can't and I won't, simple as that…" I mutter.
"I'm afraid love isn't as simple as that," Josephine calls out.
"Indeed," Leliana agrees.
"We'll see about that, now if you'll excuse me I got a bar to visit…." Coolly, I raise my hand waving them goodbye and leaving, heading to the tavern...
Loudly, I hear the clash of wood making me turn curious to see Krem and Iron Bull clashing bashing one another with shields reminding me of two rams or goats fighting for dominance. Krem falls to his knees, dominated by Bull's strength as he scolds Krem.
"Did you see that? Get some water," Bull huffs fed up with Krem as I approach.
"A bit rough there weren't ya," I approach the scene, offering my hand out and aiding Krem up who bows his head grateful and goes to get some water.
"I just….I need to hit something," He growls, frustration laced in his tone.
"Then how about me?" I offer.
"Huh?" Bull blinks surprised.
"That is if you can hit me," Smugly, I smirk arms crossed.
"Is that a challenge?" Iron Bull smirks excited.
"Maybe?" My smirk widens.
"Fine by me!" Smirking, Bull charges at me, fist raised as I swiftly dodge his sluggish hit, grabbing him by his shoulder and twisting him, kicking him back, making him stagger back. Grinning, he charges once more at me, using his shield only for me to smirk as I leap up, landing on top of his shield, startling him as tauntingly I wink and as he tries to push me off, I use the extra momentum for the extra height.
"You cheeky little-" Just as he is about to curse I land, swiftly grabbing him by his horns and using the momentum to flip him over, tossing him into the dirt, granting me my victory as well as a few curious people, watching the fight.
"Seems we got an audience," I mutter.
"What's going on here? Oh bloody hell why am I not surprised you're involved," Cullen frowns at me.
"Hey not my fault," I raise my hands up.
"It's not her fault, a bit of stress relief for me though I would prefer the bedroom," Cheekily, Bull groans getting up from the dirt as briefly, I raise a brow when seeing a blushing Dorian watching Bull…oh boy.
"Hah, yeah not happening," I laugh at the sheer thought as I offer my hand out to Bull who graciously accepts it as Cullen deals with the crowd.
"Don't cause any mess, we can't pay for everything!" Cullen frowns.
"But we didn't destroy anything," I bring up smugly as Cullen grumbles and we head into the tavern, getting into the booth.
"So why were you stressed?" I question puzzled after drinking my ale as Iron bull grumbles, head down.
"I got a report back from the Qun they want to work with us," Bull confesses.
"You serious? The Qun? Hmm….this sounds dodgy, they love being independent," I frown recalling their lifestyle.
"I know right? That's why I got suspicious but there my people, I should be happy but…" Bull trails off worry evident in his tone and body language.
"You're worried it's going to turn to shit," I summarise.
"Yeah…" Sighing, Bull sigh and bows his head, taking a huge gulp out of his drink.
"Look, this may be a shred of hope for both the Qun and everyone else, if this alliance works out hats to say the Qun and Tevinter could stop the approaching the war…" I propose, trying to be the optimistic one.
"So you know of it?" Bull raises a brow surprised.
"Who doesn't? I don't blame the Qun but still…" I exclaim.
"I don't know….this could turn to shit fast," Bull worries.
"It could but sometimes the greatest risks are needed," I advise him.
"Yeah you're right I just don't want my chargers to get in harm's way, the Qun don't take lightly to outsiders…" Bull grumbles.
"Yeah, don't worry Bull I'll make sure they won't get hurt," I promise recalling the Qunari in Kirkwall's disdain for Hawke and the others, until Fenris and I had used our Qun tongue to make Hawke look good before the Arishock.
"Promise…" Bull frowns at me.
"Promise…" I assure him nodding as we both click our mugs, confirming the vow.
"Huh…where's Sera?" I questions surprised not to hear her loud boisterous voice.
"Eh, in her room, something about the inquisitor meeting some noble prick called Harmond and the bosses call wasn't what Sera wanted, then mentioned something about bees," Bull frowns.
"Of course," I sigh and stand up, frowning, my eyes narrow as briefly through the musing melodies of the bard I hear something soft, something tender, something vulnerable…crying? Puzzled, I blink at the strange sound and decide to peek my curiosity, approaching the sound of crying to find…Cole? Blinking, I stare puzzled at the whimpering mess and approach him. Gradually, he kneels down next to the sobbing shaking mess.
"Cole…" Tenderly, I call out to the shaken boy looking up at me, his beady pair meeting my own.
"What's wrong?" I question the boy in a soft tone in the corner, looking petrified.
"I…I need to be binded!" Cole cries out making my eyes widen at the declaration.
"What!?" I gawk horrified.
"I need to be binded!" He cries.
"No you don't Cole!" I snap at him horrified at the thought.
"But if I don't I won't be safe! If I'm not…someone else could…will…like the warden mages and then…I'm not me anymore….more around then I want…blocking…bleeding…making me a monster…I could hurt you, I don't want to hurt…I don't…" Feebly, Cole whimpers startling me, when he clings to me awkwardly, I flinch, not used what to do as I slowly pat his back.
"Cole listen to me, we will find a solution…" I reassure the troubled boy.
"I want to everyone to be safe, I want you safe," Cole whimpers shaking.
"Cole…" I call out gently, feeling bad for the terrified guy.
"I don't want to hurt you, you've been hurt enough, bleeding, cutting, chains, please…please stop, it hurts, it hurts, the chains no, no, no not this again, stop…it hurts it hurts!" He cries as pained I grimace at the familiar memories, feeling my rage slowly rise.
"Cole," I call out stern frowning snapping him out of his words an ignoring the grimace on my features.
"There…there may be someone who can help…" I whisper feeling a pinch of pain and discomfort at the only man who could help us in this issue…
Solas.