Seething, I glare down at the book in my shaking tight iron grip holding in the urge to roar and toss the book down at the bastard, focusing on painting, holding in the urge to rip these beautiful detailed nude paintings to shreds. Whoever this woman is must be important to Solas. I mean the raw detail and emotion. I get from this screams affection, love and almost worshipping this beautiful model.
"Can I keep it?" Sheepishly, Sera asks only to be silenced by my death glare. Scowling, I make my way down the steps.
"And the trickster finally shows herself," Solas turns to me smiling softly only to falter from my killer death glare. Angrily, I slam the sketchpad down on the desk, the slam of it echoing in the room as he shrugs, gently placing his pallet of paints down, my eyes briefly looking for a cheeky peek at the oh so important mural but it's still cloaked, no now is not the time this is important.
"Who is this?" Coldly, I glare slamming down the book before us as Solas dust himself off, calmly approaching his desk, leaning onto it. His hands planted firmly on his desk as his amethyst eyes enlarge at the book, his features drained from my killer glare.
"Where did you get this?" Sternly, Solas questions me, a sense of unease from him.
"That doesn't matter what matters is when did you do this!? Who is this!? An ex-girlfriend, a lover, are you cheating on me!?" Angrily, I demand from him.
"What of course not, what's with the sudden interest in my love life? Jealousy is quite the adorable mask on you Vhenan…" Teasingly, he smirks.
"Jealous? Please to be jealous would mean I stand a chance against this goddess. I mean look at her, Solas, you love this girl, you should tell her? Come on, I'm not mad I just need to know how is she? And how long have you felt this way for help? Was it during the first few months of us dating cause I can get you getting bored of me. I get that way with most of my ex's…" I confess, recalling my boredom with most, sometimes even Zevran at his numerous puns and happy go lucky demeanour having pissed me off at times where I would sometimes ditch him, when we had originated something, bullshitting an excuse to hang out in the Hanged Man.
"Vhenan…you clearly didn't pay close another attention." Solas sighs, gesturing to the closed book.
"Wow, I'm sorry it's not like I was distracted by the naked body of this girl. You slept with her didn't you after our one night stand!?" I accuse recalling Hawke's behaviour when Fenris let, she nearly slept with Anders if I hadn't stopped her from stepping into toxic territory.
"You have the half-truth." Sheepishly, Solas shrugs further infuriating me.
"I knew it you bastard! You fendehis lasa!" Briefly, I note Solas features turn slightly red from my words.
"Vhenan listen, I saw someone beautiful so I thought it best to record it," Feebly, he tries to excuse himself earning another growl of irritation from me, holding in the urge to deck and break the desk in halve. I feel my blood boil, my marks glow, and my urge to kill double.
"Oh don't you use those fancy ass words with me, now who is she?" Furious, I demand sick of the gaes, sic of the leis and excuses demeaning to know who she is feeling a strange wave of wrath and rage.
"Vhenan pay closer attention I implore you, look." Tiredly, Solas sighs opening the book making me frown as I glance down frowning at the figure presented, a drawing of a woman in bed, her bare back shown with numerous scars, the other shows a foot with a duvet coiled around her leg, teasingly hiding the area above as another has her face, her hair short, smiling softly sleeping, sleeping on the side, curled up, the viewer seeing the model curled up, the duvet hiding her private aspects while tending to some others, only making my brow furrows.
"So who is she!?" I question frowning as Solas sighs, turning to the first few pages, my eyes narrowing at a familiar stream, the girl has a familiar bow and arrow, hunting…wait, frowning, my eyes narrow when spotting thin markings on her noting a few close ups of markings, familiar markings…wait.
Slowly, I turn to Solas, realization in my eyes.
"Are these…?" I trial off frowning, my blues dilating at the numerous images of the model in strangely familiar poses.
"You. Yes." Sighing, Solas confirms.
"B-But…these can't be I mean she looks so…so…pure, you know like pretty, really pretty that isn't," Softly, I feel Solas wrap his hand around my own as my puzzled blues meet his stern amethysts.
"That is you Fen, that is how I see you Vhenan," He tells me gently making me go silence as I peer over the book once more my eyes expanding when realizing…
"These were way before we started shagging!" I blurt out in shock making Solas blink.
"Must you use such a repulsive words?" He sighs.
"Don't change the subject!" I bark at him.
"Must you point out the issue with everything I say?" He huffs.
"You do it you gramma freak!" I point out as he rolls his eyes feigning innocence to whenever I tried to say any elvish he'd correct me smirking like the smart ass he is.
"Yes you drew me when I was sleeping SLEEPING! WAAAY before we began courting." I argue, disturbed.
Vhenan please if you just calm down…" Solas tells me.
"Calm down!? Hell no! I'm out!" Horrified, I snatch the book from his desk. No this is creepy; this is Denarius levels of creep.
"Vhenan…" Solas pleads.
"No, don't follow and you are not getting your playboy back anytime soon!"
"No Solas tonight?" Cullen raises a brow as I furrow my brow at the mention of him as Josephine deals us in for some good old fashion wicked grace. I'm sat down by Cullen and Blackwall, having managed to convince the others to let him join and considering Thom wants to be known as Blackwall, I let it be, not wishing to remember another name as Cullen raises his pint, taking a sip.
"Solas is currently busy as of right now, realizing the error of his ways." Annoyed, I tell them.
"That's a relief." Blackwall sighs.
"How come?" Josephine raises a brow.
"Talked with Solas the other day... That man knows all there is to know about everything." Blackwall tells us.
"Or what he thinks he knows." Snidely, I remark.
"Ooh trouble in paradise…" Eagerly, Dorian leans in, smirking.
"Trouble for him." I respond annoyance evident in my tone.
"Look don't play Diamondback with Solas. You've been warned. Taught him the game. He turned around and beat me at it. Lost everything. Had to walk back to my quarters with only a bucket for my bits, Blackwall reveals to me.
"I'm surprised he didn't try to draw you naked." I remark dryly under my breathe earning a giggle from Sera.
"Huh?" The others blurt out puzzled.
"Never mind…" I mutter under my breath.
"Ooh…" Sera teases eagerly grinning.
"Sera…" I begin warningly as she bows hr head.
"Fine. You're no fun." Pouting, she huffs, placing her cheek in the palm of her hand.
"Ooh someone's in the dog house!" Dorian teases giggling.
"What did Chuckles do?" Varric questions curious, quirking his head to the side.
"None of your concern." Sternly, I growl.
"Aww come on it was pretty funny!" Sera argues.
"It really wasn't." I deny.
"I found her ruffles deal her in." Varric calls out stopping our conversation as my ears perk up at the sound of footsteps making us turn to Varric and Eve. Cullen raises his pint in greeting to her making Eve smile goofily, blushing shyly turning away as she sits down next to Cullen and myself with Blackwall to my other side.
"I do hope I recall the rules. It's been ages since I've played a game of wicked grace." Innocently, Josephine admits making my eyes narrow.
"Suure…that's what they all say, I've got my eye on you ruffles." I warn her.
"Is that a threat Fennic?" Teasingly, Josephine arches a brow.
"Perhaps…if there's anything I've learned, never underestimate an Antivan." I state remembering Zevran's tricks all too well.
"Grab a seat we're ready to start." Varric smirks.
"We playing cards or what?" Impatiently, Bull huffs.
"Chill Bull this is about patience." I remind him.
"Are three drakes better than a pair of swords? I can never remember." Confused, Cassandra questions.
"Oh Cassandra, sweet innocent Cassandra you're going to be destroyed." Lowly, I chuckle under my breath.
"Seeker remember how I said don't show anyone your hand? That rule includes announcing it to the table." Snickering, Varric chuckles.
"There's a crown on his head but a sword too. His head didn't want either." Quietly, Cole comments.
"Don't talk to the face cards kid." Laughing, Varric smiles.
"You seem to have enough people. I have a thousand things to do." Cassandra dismisses.
"Losing money can both be relaxing and habit forming. Give it a try." Dorian encourages.
"That's not what you said when you bought me a pint." Cheekily, I smirk.
"That was because you sucked me dry." Bitterly, Dorian grumbles.
"For the last time that's bull's job and no bedroom talk at the table, none of you, that includes fluffy awkward shit from you lot, especially you two." I point to the blushing and embarrassed blondie and Eve.
"Curly if any man in history ever needed a hobby, it's you." Fondly, Varric teases.
"Dealer starts. Ooh….I believe…I'll start at…three coppers! Do you think that's too daring?" Uncertain, Josephine begins as my eyes narrow at the clatter of ringing metal hearing the wooden table.
"Ooh someone's eager." Sarcastically, I remark.
"Maybe I'll make it one…no! Boldness it is! Three it is!" Josephine decides as Bull glances at me giving me the are you shitting me look as I sadly nod, disappointed.
"Seriously!? Who starts at three coppers? Silver, or go home." Grumpily, Bull growls.
"Sounds good, I'm in." Blackwall agrees, pushing his coin forward.
"Bolder the better right I'm in." Dorian smirks eager.
"Me too, well you in?" Varric asks Eve who glances at me uncertain as I shake my head, not going in, I do not trust her.
"I'll try," Uneasily, she grabs the nearest coin as I sigh.
"Eve that's silver." I intervene.
"O-Oh!" Embarrassed, she looks down as I quickly change it for her as the game begins.
"Don't worry you'll pick it up in no time, if not Fox can help." Varric smirks.
"Could you stop volunteering me for shit?" I grumble making Varric chuckle.
"So shiny," Cole whispers in awe at the coin.
"Don't eat it Cole." Tiredly, I sigh noting the Cole getting closer to his mouth as embarrassed he lowers the coin and the true game begins…
"The poor recruit ran out into the dining hall in nothing but his knickers!" Laughing, Cullen finishes his story.
"Thong or boxers?" Teasingly, I question Cullen.
"Why does it matter? Chuckling, Cullen questions.
"These are pressing details." Dorian agrees with me, the air of us sharing a sly smirk.
"You're both taken." Playfully, Varric reminds us.
"Doesn't mean we can't have some fun." I argue, Dorian and I sharing a fist bump.
"Eve…this is for you!" Smirking, I toss a few silver on the table challenging Cullen.
"What is…?" Lost, she quirks her head to the side.
"You shall see…" Smirking, I promise her.
"That was scandalous. It would ruin the inquisition if anyone found out. Tell it again!" Eagerly, Josephine insists after having heard Eve's delicious tale.
"I liked the part with the rabbits. There should be more rabbits in stories." Fondly, Cole smiles innocently making me chuckle shaking my head as Cassandra laughs at the tale.
"I think it's our professional storyteller's turn to…" Slyly, Eve remarks turning to Varric.
"I think I can manage. Did I ever tell you about the time we broke into Chateau Haine?" Varric offers making me groan.
"No." Sternly, I warn him only making me laugh even more.
"Come on it's funny." Playfully, he insists.
"For you maybe you didn't have to deal with a jealous brother and annoying mage bickering," Snidely, I remark grimacing at the memory of that hellish maze being stuck between two idiotic boys hung up over Hawke, one extremist mage not getting the picture that it would never happen while the other had to deal with him and another girl thirsty for Hawke. I will never understand the appeal of Hawke never have never will.
"I'll have you know I was there I just didn't have to deal with them unlike you. Now then it started as most capers do with a trap…and then Hawke looks up and says looks like the Duke…has fallen from grace." Fondly, Varric smiles after finishing the tale, with me taking a sip of my beer after giving a few snippets of information alongside his tale.
"Urgh…I had to drink heavily that night…" Grumbling, I shake my head at the memory.
"Oh come on it was a good line." Cheekily, Varric tells me.
"It was terrible!" Gawking, I chuckle lowly.
"Wait that's how duke Prosper died? You know, that's almost perfect for him." Impressed, Josephine smiles.
"That guy was an ass, there were about several eleven staff members I had coming up to me and asking if I was who they thought I was." Bluntly, I recall the pompous prick.
"Who did they think you were?" Curious, Cullen questions.
"Who do you think? Honestly, it was fortunate we weren't vints to the gala party thing…" Tiredly, I sigh craning my neck to the side, hearing a brief crack at the memory of them calling me the silver solider, the silver wraith, the one that escaped Tevinter. Urgh, I didn't think my departure would leave such an impact upon the elven slaves but it seemed to have done something for me to be called a legend, a fable, a role model. It's scary how much whispers can transform and destroy the truth tearing it into feeble limp lies, having survived the crossfire of no man's land that is Thedas ears and lips.
"How come?" Lost, Eve queries.
"Elves weren't allowed on the upper levels apparently; Hawke was furious at it and was tempted not to go." I explain to Eve, recalling their dislike towards us, me having expected it, Hawke not so much she even threatened the guards and Fenris did too, only because she was there and would be staying by Hawke's side, unnerving Fenris and putting him on the defensive.
"What changed their mind?" Cassandra questions me.
"I told them I could handle it and I did." Bluntly, I shrug.
"And by handling you mean freeing the slaves and telling them to loot his room." Sneakily, Varric slips in.
"Hey not my fault he gave me a key." Smugly, I smirk leaning back in my seat, earning a raised brow by both Bull and Dorian catching my drift.
"He gave you a key!?" Surprised, Blackwall exclaims.
"Yep seems I had caught his eye despite being a knife ear…" Slyly, I smirk earning a low chuckle from Bull and Dorian.
"Wait you punched a wall and broke your hand." Frowning, Cullen brings up.
"I wasn't meant to fight for the next month or so, but it was worth it so long as I escaped the feuding pair it was worth it. Besides that, wasn't…I didn't mean I didn't do it either way." Honestly, I shrug out stretching my arms out to shrug.
"You are…how did you even fight?" Baffled, Cassandra queries.
"Used my left hand I'm ambidextrous. They trained me to be for when I fought against Qunari." Calmly, I reveal surprising them.
"Huh you learn something new every day…" Impressed, Bull smirks.
"I just remember you tripping that poor elven girl into some dung…" Laughing, Varric points out.
"She was screaming for it." Innocently, I play dumb.
"Just because she frolicked around it means nothing…" Snickering, Varric counters.
"Frolicked don't suppose she was under a pale moonlight was she?" Teasingly, Dorian chuckles.
"Afraid not Dorian...but I will say this she was hungry for Hawke." Smirking, I deny as I furrow my brow at the thought of the annoying redhead, not getting the message Hawke was taken, not even with how blunt my brother was with his jealousy.
"You can say that again, it was hilarious!" Cackling, Varric laughs while I groan rolling my eyes.
"For you maybe! Now then perhaps we can go back to the game," Huffing, I grumble at the memory of my brother bombarding me with his ranting about the girl, his eyes never leaving Hawke's form until I had to pay him from her, holding him back from tearing the redhead spy into pieces.
"Deal again. I figured out your tells Lady Ambassador." Playfully, Cullen declares me pledging war almost making me chuckle at the foolish commander.
"Commander everyone knows a lady has no tells." Smirking, Josephine leans in challenging Cullen.
"Not that anyone would know of," Slyly, I remark under my breath smirking at the one sided battle about to commence while Eve raises a brow baffled by it all, lost to her.
"Then let's see if your good fortune lasts one more hand." Confidently, Cullen smirks as Josephine deals, Eve deciding to back out when seeing me shake my head, signalling for her not to interfere as she bows out as we watch the bloodbath unfurl…
"Don't say a word…" Scowling, Cullen glances at me and Varric, both of us drinking our drinks to hold back our snickers from the odd sense of nostalgia at the sight of the nude commander. Blushing, Eve gawks her features ruby red, her eyes flat against her eyes covering up the sight.
"I know you're peeking," Slyly, I remark taking another gulp of my drink smirking smugly as Eve releases a small whine of defeat. Shyly, she opens a window for her eyes to peer through the window of her fingertips to admire Cullen's canvas…
"I tried to warn you curly," Snickering, Varric lets out.
"And this is why Cullen you don't deal with Antivans and here I thought your match with Isabella had taught you better." Smoothly, I remind him making him groan at the memory, head down in shame.
"Fennic is right commander. Never bet against an Antiavian commander, so do tell me about this Isabela case?" Curious, Josephine glances at me as I chuckle.
"So Curly here wanted to get Fen charged." Smirking, Varric begins.
"Charged for what?" Eve raises a brow.
"Nothing much…" Casually, I lean back inspecting my nails.
"Would you call property damage much? Or defiling the chantry nothing?" Snidely, Cullen remarks.
"Could you really blame me, a lot of Qunari enjoyed tossing me into random buildings. Not my fault I was tossed around…and defiling the chantry thing is what we all did after that prick of a sister screwed us over." Grumbling, I lean back in my seat crossing my arms over the other.
"You nearly set me on fire!" Cullen hisses panicked.
"Nearly." Cleverly, I point out as he grumbles.
"I'm leaving I don't want to witness our commanders walk of shame back to his barracks," Cassandra stands as the others soon follow leaving me and Eve alone with Cullen, frowning at us.
"Please it's not like I haven't seen down there before there's not much to gawk at either," I remark recalling Isabella having gotten him naked as he bows his head at the sad memory as Eve shyly turns her face away.
"You may not but I think I know someone who would gladly like to…" Cunningly, I remark snickering.
"Fennic!" Hissing, Eve scowls at me.
"What I'm talking about Dorian!" I point out.
"Hey!" Dorian frowns at me.
"And Bull if you guys are into that sort of thing!" Surreptitiously, I point out.
"…Well I am if he is are you Kadan." Honestly, Bull considers making me snicker at the horrified Cullen, a red hue to his cheeks looking like he wants to die.
"Wh-Fasta Vass!" Huffing, Dorian curses at me.
"Am I wrong though…?" Ingeniously, I remark.
"Well…urgh no!" Dorian gives in making me smirk at my victory.
"It comes off. I didn't know it came off. Fennic does yours too?" Curious, Cole questions me making me grimace internally screaming at the innocent blonde.
"Cole sweetie why don't you go back to thinking of the bunny stories?" Gently, I offer.
"Oh…okay!" Brightly, he smiles.
"Whoza did I win?" Slurring, Sera questions me as I flinch feeling her hand on my foot. I sigh watching as the others leave and Cullen darts away for some sort of cover for his naked canvas while Eve goes off to talk to Varric.
"You sure did Sera you sure did." Gently, I assure my friend ruffling her blonde locks as she groans.
"Can I go…see Widdle tell her my win?!" Slurring, Sera declares raising her finger in the air celebrating her supposed win.
"Sure buddy up we go now…" I offer standing up, kneeling down to help steady the drunken mess.
"Yay!" Loudly, she cheers as I help her returning her to Dagna…
"Widdles I'm home…" Loudly, Sera slurs staggering in as I hold her back, steadying the groaning mess head down slurring mumbling under her breath as we make our way down the ice cold stone steps of the icy cavern, noting the numerous cells locked up, noting Alexis slumped in his cell, grumbling, zoning out. My eyes narrow at the sight of him. Hunched over, he seems to be touching, poking, caressing the glyph in his hands, surprised to find him not using it to open the cellblock.
"Huh? Oh Sera you look…nice?" Unsure, Dagna questions her approaching, her brow furrowed when noting her slurring and moving from side to side.
"Yeah, she's a tad bit drunk hope you don't mind." Unsure, I shrug as I help pass her over to the dwarf.
"No, no it's fine. Hey don't suppose you could?" Hopeful, she smiles at me giddiness etched into her tone making me groan, already catching on.
"For the fifth time Dagna no. I will not allow you to look at my markings." Sternly, I shut down her plea.
"Come on they look really interesting to think someone like you could undergo such a procedure it makes you wonder what sort of mutations you undergo with the magic to your body?" Pleadingly, she begs making my brow twitch.
"It really doesn't. Somethings are best left unknown besides can'; t dwarfs handle it." Tiredly, I point out.
"I mean sure but that's due to years of mining it, a resistance is adapted from it and well…elves aren't often near lyrium enough to cause such a wild evolution like yours." Dagna answers.
"I assure you I was not the first." Bitterly, I remark grumbling grimacing at the memory of a certain slave mine.
"Sure, but you were the first to survive." Positively, Dagna praises making me grimace.
"Fair point just like looking after your girlfriend to be a fair point." Calmly, I remind her making her grimace.
"You do have a point there sorry I was rambling, again wasn't I?" Apologetic, she smiles at me making me sigh.
"Yes. Yes, you were. I should get going." I inform her.
"Oh okay! Be sure to drop by anytime!" Perkily, she smiles taking the slumped Sera leaning on her unfazed by the heavy weight as she waves her hand out, fanatically waving me off.
"Sure, oh and Dagna." Smirking, I turn to her.
"Yeah?" Dagna raises a brow.
"If you hurt Sera or if I see a single tear from Sera I'll let you see my marks very closely and not in the way you can examine them do I make myself clear." Darkly, I warn her making her squeak back grimacing as she smiles meekly.
"Y-Yes mam…" Fearful, Dagna nods her head as I leave her with the drunken mess slumped over her, drooling beginning to salivate and slide down her mouth.
"Good night!" I call out leaving the disturbed women with her drunk partner as I decide to head to bed, only then to frown as I make my way inside lingering in the doorway when I find an empty bed before me making me groan, reeling my head back to look up skywards. I groan at the aching pain flowing through my emotions. Urgh, tiredly, I sigh as I bow my head frowning as I flop myself on my bed, groaning. Annoyed, I comb my fingertips through my snow-white roots, mumbling until my blues glance to the side at the sight of a familiar sketchbook on my bed. Frowning, I reach over my hand grasping the cause of all this chaos, deciding to explore the scratchy pages of the book, my blues dilating when finding after fluttering page after page a certain page catching my eye. Quickly, I jolt out of my bed, rushing out of my room and heading to a familiar egghead's quarters…
Scowling, I storm into Solas' room or try to surprised, I raise a brow to find a frantic Eve and Leliana speaking of Morrigan. They have this handled, I reason to myself, probably something about that portal Eluvian she mentioned. I had told her of my worries concerning it, remembering a familiar mirror Merill had, that mirror caused nothing but trouble. My brow furrows to find the slumbering elf on his sofa couch thing. Calmly, I approach him, arms crossed as I raise the book, lightly whacking it on his face, taking him aback as his lilac blues jolt open looking into my neon blue surprised.
"Who are these kids? I swear if you've done something…" Lowly, I growl at him, slamming the book down on his chest as I sharply turn to his desk, leaning against it crossing my arms demanding answers. Sleepily, Solas groans, pinching the bridge of his nose registering his surroundings as he slowly turns leaning over on his sofa, to gaze into a familiar book, his eyes widening at the detailed drawings, one showing a sketch of a child's face.
"They are…" Tiredly, Solas begins.
"What are these names around this boy? I mean Tidwulf that kid is screaming to be picked on and Faolan? What are these names?" Sternly, I demand from him scowling.
"They are well…" Solas begins.
"Well what? I've already seen my naked body I don't think there's much you can hide from me now! I swear…" Glowering, I begin.
"This is our…child. An idea…" Sheepishly, he reveals making my eyes dilate.
"An idea? You don't have an idea for someone's kid Solas especially when one of the partners may not be able too…" Pained, I hint at him, grimacing at the brief stinging sore pain in my chest as I cross my arms glancing to the side.
"We don't know that yet…" Gently, Solas stands joining my side with the book on the desk as I feel his hand softly on top of my own.
"And even if I did whose to say what happened to that woman during that slave mine doesn't happen to us, what if our kid gets lyrium poisoning…!?" Annoyed, I point out the truth of the situation sliding my hand away from his.
"And what if they don't…it's innocent enough." Honestly, he confesses to me making me grimace.
"Sure…still what if they were a girl?" Torn, I lean back smiling playfully as I lean back to look at him.
"Well…" Smirking, his fingertips brush against the pages until stopping on a little girl.
"You thought of that too? Lowella? Rudi? Wait are those…" Curious, I point to the girl's eyes, the same as the boys.
"I like to think they got your hair colour…" Shyly, he smiles making my eyes widen.
"White hair? I doubt they would maybe they'd get my original haircolouring…" Humming, I lean back curious at the thought.
"Red?" Solas raises a brow.
"No way, from what I gathered from my eyebrows I have black hair." Smirking, I point out.
"Are you okay with this?" Concerned, Solas questions making me chuckle lowly, shaking my head.
"Honestly no. But…I think it's endearing to a degree. So long as you don't draw them naked." Cheekily, I point out snickering as Solas shakes his head.
"You have my word." He promises.
"Good now then come on. You want to sleep on a proper bed?" I offer as he nods as the two of us head to bed, deciding to catch up on some zz's and prepare for the hell that will be the hangover to come…