"Ser." A new voice pulled Cullen back to reality. It had been a few hours since he finally kissed Eostre; the taste of her still lingered in his mouth.
"Yes?" Relaxing in his chair, he extended his hand towards the scout who passed Cullen the report. Cullen glanced over it, trying his best to absorb the information but his mind was racing with thoughts of lust.
The scout couldn't help but notice Cullen's furrowed brow, recognising that he was somewhat struggling to read the report. Like everyone else at Skyhold, he had heard about the Commander's midday activity with the Inquisitor.
"We've had reports of a storm closing in from the West," the scout explained, "by all accounts, it's going to be fierce. We have commenced preparations where we can, but you may wish to come and inspect."
Cullen rose to his feet instantly, fully welcoming the idea of work. He walked out onto the top of the gatehouse, looking out into the distance. The encroaching storm wasn't far from the watchtowers, and it would only be a few hours before it made it to Skyhold itself.
"Send word to the soldiers in the barrack camps, have all of them relocate to Skyhold. We will try and find room for them all. Some can set up in the armoury, other in the tavern and-."
The sound of laughter caught Cullen off guard. He spun around, ready to berate the scout only to see that the laughter came from Vivienne and Eostre. They were standing on Viv's balcony, which sat above the entrance to the great hall.
He watched as Eostre's head moved in his direction, her smile sending a noticeable shiver down his spine. "Maker, that smile will be the end of me." Cullen thought to himself, as Eostre's face became flushed with colour. She waved a little at him, and he gently waved back. Vivienne also waved, but Cullen couldn't take his eyes off Eostre.
Vivienne was somewhat irritated by the commander not returning her friendly gesture, but her lips curled into a coy grin at the sight of Eostre's red cheeks. Gently, she took Eostre by the arm, and together, they retreated inside, out of sight of prying eyes.
Cullen closed his eyes and shook his head, regaining his senses and returning to the task at hand. "I will ask about using the Great Hall. We can also use the vaults." The scout saluted and ran off to begin his duties, especially as he had a new morsel of gossip.
In the upper gallery of the Great Hall, Vivienne and Eostre had once again taken their seats. Eostre poured herself another cup of tea; a little milk and one lump of sugar. "One lump of sugar Lady Trevelyan? I can't say I'm surprised. From what I've heard, you get enough sugar from the Commander," Vivienne burst into a giggle at Eostre's reaction.
"Why Madame de Fer, I do not have the faintest idea what you are hinting at." They erupted into joyous laughter which filled the throne room, distracting Josephine as she tried to work.
Letting out a sigh of frustration, Josephine rose from her desk and set out to reprimand the culprits. She followed the sound of the laughter to discover it was Vivienne and Eostre. Her presence brought smiles to their faces.
"Lady Montilyet, how darling to see you. Please, won't you join Lady Trevelyan and me in partaking of a cup of tea?" Vivienne extended a hand and a warm smile to the confused Josephine. She raised an eyebrow, something that caught Eostre's interest who immediately burst into a giggle.
"Yes, please join us Lady Montilyet. Madame De Fer and I are just discussing the finer points of nobility. It would appear that I am severely behind on my etiquette regarding the Royal court. It has of course been several years since I was last invited to a ball."
"That," Vivienne again sipped her tea, "and the delicious gossip regarding our dear Commander Rutherford." A giggle erupted from both Josephine and Vivienne as Eostre's face went red. Taking a seat, Josephine took a cup and Vivienne poured her some tea.
"So, Lady Trevelyan," the words poured like honey out of Josephine's mouth, delighted that she could finally address Eostre by her proper title without being chastised for it, "we hear you and the Commander had a rather wonderful meeting this afternoon on the battlements."
Eostre squirmed, looking away from two faces, beaming with delight at her reaction. She could no longer hide her feelings of affection towards Cullen, not that she wanted to.
"The Commander and I did have a meeting earlier yes," her smile radiating tenderness and she turned back to face her two friends, who were on the edge of their respective seats.
"We discussed important matters … of the heart." Josephine let out her signature squeal of excitement, prompting a hearty laugh to erupt from the Lady of Iron.
Josephine took a sip before speaking, "I thought I saw you glancing at one another in the various war-room meetings. I thought I could feel tension but Leli-." Vivienne shot Josephine a disapproving look, reminding Josephine that this was a conversation of etiquette.
"But Sister Leliana and Seeker Pentaghast tried to convince me I was wrong. I must admit, I did enjoy the feeling of arrogance when I was proven to be correct." She raised her cup, "a toast! To Our Lady Trevelyan and Commander Rutherford!"
Vivienne and Eostre raised their cups also before the three ladies erupted into laughter, only to fall silent at the sound of someone clearing their throat.
They turned to see Cullen, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, his face reddened by over-hearing their conversation. "I apologise to interrupt but there is a storm approaching. I have already sent word to the soldiers in the barrack camps. We have do have some room to house them, however, I wanted to ask Inquisitor."
Josephine raised her eyebrows at Cullen using Eostre's title to address her whilst Vivienne simply sipped her tea, understanding that Cullen wanted to keep up the pretence that there was nothing between them.
But internally, she smiled, observing the little displays of affection between them. As an avid player of the Game, Vivienne was well versed in the reading of body language.
"If we could use the Great Hall."
"Of course, Commander. The vaults should also be put to use, it may be considerably quieter for those who are fearful of storms."
"Like yourself Lady Trevelyan?" inquired Josephine. "Oh no, I quite like storms, they can be quite cosy," replied Eostre sweetly.
Cullen cleared his throat again in discomfort. "I will get to it right away Inquisitor." He bowed before turning to leave but not before locking eyes with Eostre, a sly smile across his lips as her face began to blush. He left the ladies to their conversation, a large smile across his face as he heard them teasing Eostre.