Nervously, the blonde stands in the hanged man, his brow furrowed as his fingertips nervously tap against the pint glass in his hands as he waits. Rapidly, his leg moves up and down like a nug as his browns look around the sullen room, his eyes darting to the staffs leaning against the wall. Surprised, his browns dilate when seeing a young boy, a child at that in the hanged man, alarm his muscles tense at the sight of the unguarded child, happily with a quill in hand drawing. Cullen then spots some customers either enjoying his drink, sharing tall tales or having the poker face of a lifetime as he notes a few narrowed glares sent his way.
"You look like you're about to break…" Surprised, the blonde perks up at the low chuckle as he turns his eyes softening in relief at the sight of the lone elf, approaching him, taking a seat across from him. Shyly, Cullen raises his hand, but the barmaid easily ignores the templar making him pout.
"Norah, can we get a pint over here?" Calmly, Fennic takes control, taking a seat opposite Cullen, raising her hand.
"On it Fox." Norah calls out startling Cullen gawking at the elf remaining unfazed by the sudden shifting change of service.
"How weren't you ignored!?" Impressed, Cullen questions Fennic leaning in, almost in awe of her.
"Cullen while you were praying at the chantry, I was slumming it down here for years besides people tend to remember a elf with lyrium marks." Bluntly, I state the fact to him.
"What happened to you?" Surprised, Cullen's eyes widen pointing towards her scar across her eyebrow.
"Nothing really." Distantly, Fennic remarks pain in her tone, oblivious to her electric blue brightening up briefly similar to that of a shy flame flickering, surprising Cullen when hearing her curt voice making him flinch back.
"I suppose so it feels strange doesn't it? Years ago, we were simply living our lives me a templar knight and you slumming it in here." Sadly, Cullen smiles leaning into the palm of his gloved hand.
"Yep, to think you'd marry the one person you were told to despite the most, mages…" Lowly, Fennic chuckles lowly at the thought shaking her head.
"It's strange but I don't regret it. Tell me how are you Fen? We haven't spoken in years, Varric lost touch with you. Where have you been Fennic? Everyone's concerned about you! You went dark for years!" Sternly, Cullen furrows his brow.
"I had business I had to tend to." Curtly, Fennic replies taking a sip as Norah arrives placing the pint down.
"Business doesn't mean you don't talk to people." Frowning, Cullen disputes.
"With my business it's best if I did. Now why did you bring me here Cullen?" Tiredly, Fennic grumbles.
"I…I was wondering if you heard anything from Solas?" Desperate, Cullen confesses making Fen flinch, briefly glancing behind her confusing Cullen, who attempt to peer over only to snap back to her focus as she slams her pint down on the table.
"Why would I?" Defensively, Fennic furrows her brow scowling.
"You two were close." Shyly, Cullen whispers.
"Yes close, note the past tense." Snippily, Fennic remarks.
"Haven't you been searching for him?" Confused, Cullen argues.
"No. He has his life and I have mine now." Icily, Fennic growls, hiding the pain in her tone.
"Fen if you're hurting…" Softly, Cullen whispers reaching out to her.
"I'm not hurting now why did you bring me here?" Irritated, she flinches back, recoiling her hand back crossing her arms.
"I'm…there's going to be a council meeting soon concerning the future of the inquisition." Cullen begins.
"I know that. Do I have to go?" Annoyed, Fen groans.
"You do as part of the inquisition we all have to be there." Professionally, he reminds Fen.
"Fine…so what you came to nag at me?" Frustrated, Fennic questions him.
"No! I…It's about Eve…" Crestfallen, Cullen bows his head as Fennic's sharp gaze softens at the thought of her, a part of her feeling guilty for leaving Eve but she had to, she had to eventually, she had slave mines and so much to do…
"Is the mark glowing again?" Worried, Fen leans in, her tone steady filled with concern.
"It's getting worse I had hoped you would be in contact with Solas and…" Cullen confesses.
"Cullen I…I haven't spoken or seen Solas." Furrowing her brow, Fen states the fact.
"You haven't searched for him?" Surprised, Cullen blinks taken aback.
"Maker no if I did, knowing him he would find out and that would make it seem like I'm desperate for him. I don't need him, I'm fine as I am." Firmly, Fen boats leaning back in her seat smirking smugly.
"Are you?" Cullen questions taking her aback.
"Yes, now what do you want?" Fen crosses her arms scowling at Cullen making him flinch back fearfully.
"Eve 's arm is getting worse sometimes she wakes up screaming in pain, she can't control the anchor." Cullen tells her.
"Has it harmed you?" Seriously, Fen demands.
"No but…we don't know what to do I'm scared she'll…I don't want to lose her." Pained, Cullen whispers tears glistening in his glassy browns.
"I know Cullen you're obsessed with her almost." Bluntly, Fen deadpan.
"I just…I don't want her to be in pain. She can barely hold things the other day she could barely hold anything with each breach she closes she loses a piece of herself almost… I don't know what to do but I…I love her." Hurt, Cullen confides in Fen.
"I know you do Cullen." Fen assures him.
"Then what can I do to help her!?" Frustrated, Cullen demands from her.
"Be there for her that's all you can…" Sighing, Fen places her hand on his shoulder as he shakes his bowed head looking up at her.
"I…I'm thinking of marrying her." Cullen answers making Fen's blues widen.
"Wait what?" Startled, Fen reels her hand back stunned.
"You heard me." Confidently, Cullen confirms.
"You? Marrying? A Mage?" Stunned, Fen blinks taken aback trying to process it all.
"Yes." Cullen nods his head.
"Wow. Love does change people." Freaked out, Fen reels her head back stunned by it all.
"If she is to die, I want her to die as my wife." Self-assuredly, Cullen tells her.
"…And you're telling me this why?" Sceptical, Fen furrows her brow.
"I…I was hoping for your blessing…" Shyly, Cullen smiles at Fen.
"Wait blessing?" Perplexed, Fen furrows her brow at the thought, recalling Sebastian speaking of a blessing once, never really getting what they were.
"Eve doesn't really have a family and since she views you like a mother or a aprentla figure I ahd thought of asking for your blessing…" Sheepishly, Cullen elaborates to Fennic.
"Um…you asked Cassandra and the others?" Uncertain, Fennic arches a brow.
"Not yet it's a surprise. What do you think?" Cullen enquires.
"Well it's certainly something." Fennic affirms taking another hefty gulp of her pint.
"Are you okay with it?" Worried, Cullen furrows her brow.
"Hm I'm fine with it marry who you want I just don't understand why you need my blessing for it." Honestly, Fennic exclaims.
"Where have you been Fen?" Sighing, Cullen asks her.
"I…it's a long story." Uncomfortable, Fennic glances to the side.
"You need to tell Eve she's been worried sick please…" Pleadingly, Cullen requests.
"I…at the exalt council I promise to answer all your questions." Sighing, Fennic bows her head.
"You promise?" Cullen arches a brow.
"I do." Fen promises.
"I should go. Thank you for everything." Grateful, Cullen smiles politely and turns to leave.
"What was that about mum?" Curious, the voice calls out as smiling, Fen turns behind her to the lean young boy, staff strapped to his back, a quill in hand as he approaches Fen, beaming brightly, his dimples beaming.
"Nothing sweetheart, Norah bring over the pig oat mash, would you?" Softly, Fen's features soften as she gentle picks up the little boy, placing him on her lap.
"On it." Norah calls out.
"What are you drawing sweetie?" Curious, Fen peers down at her little boy, his coal raven locks tied into a ponytail, his pale olive features gleaming from the lights above wearing a pale green tunic, his feet barefoot as he shyly hands over the parchment.
"There's me, you, uncle Fenris, uncle Varric, Aunt Isabella and auntie Hawke! I even drew the hat auntie gave me and Wolfy!" Brightly, he beams at Fen unaware of his mother's disturbed features at the rather beautiful refined drawing for such a young child with a hat with a huge fluffy feather, alongside drawing of a her and her mates seeing her son with a coal black beast in the background watching on.
"Sweetheart what did I tell you about the wolf?" Sternly, she questions him.
"Stab with a rock!" Giggling, he beams brightly making her smile softly.
"With the brandy spiked cider?" Norah intervenes calling out.
"For me yeah…" Smirking, Fen nods her head.
"Can I have some mum?" Hopeful, He whines making Fen chuckle lowly shaking her head staring lovingly down at him.
"When you're older sweetheart…" Sweetly, she leans in, placing her lips on his temple.
"But Conroy said it's nice…" Whining, he leans back childishly.
"Yes, and like I said when you're older okay." Firmly, she sets the rules.
"Okaaay…" Pouting, he gives in making Fennic chuckle, draping her arm over his, the two hug one another as the bowl is placed down. Hungrily, the young boy dives down for the bowl as he sits on her lap, unaware of his mother's narrowed blues glaring sharply at the paper, almost wishing to set it aflame as she crumbles up the drawing tossing it aside and simply carries on caring for her young child…
*Sooo...what do you think?*