Char: Zevvin & Iron Bull

All That Glitters

Wakeup Call

"Stop!"

Zevvin jumped at the sudden shouted command. The bottle in his hand was snatched away. He looked up and was greeted with the sight of a glowering red eye with 3 white dots underneath. Dark grey lips on a slightly lighter grey face twisted into a scowl. "Huh?" was all Zevvin managed to utter. A sigh was his answer. The face moved away and Zevvin took in the rest of the person.

The man was an elf, taller than any he'd ever seen. White hair framed his dark grey face, with a large fringe settling over his left eye, similar to Zevvin's hair. Grey arms crossed over a broad chest as ruby glared into rubellite. "You are distracted, Zevvin." The man spoke in a deep timbre. Zevvin blinked and looked around. He was surrounded by bookshelves. Even the floors and the ceiling were made of books. When he looked down at himself, he was wearing dark blue robes. He never wore mages robes. This looked like the Cylion Library. Did he fall asleep? "Yes." Zevvin looked back up to the dark elf.

"Zahariel?"

"You almost blew yourself up. Pay attention to what you're doing. I'd hate to see you in an early grave," Zahariel grumbled. He turned away and scanned one of the bookshelves.

"Early? There would be nothing early about my death."

"Hn."

"You…why am I here?" Zevvin asked with a frown. "Wisper isn't even in the room anymore."

"What sort of question is that?" Zahariel asked, glancing over his shoulder. "You are here to study and review." The long-haired elf returned to the table and sat a book down in front of him. "You know as much as I do that the wisp has nothing to do with my presence…though this time around maybe it does. Now, on to more important matters: how do you make a Lyrium potion?"

"Lyrium dust and Spindleweed," Zevvin said with a frown. "What do you mean?"

"Never you mind what I mean. Elfroot poultice?"

"Elfroot and a distilling agent. Wisper is a wisdom spirit, not a wisp."

Zahariel narrowed his eyes. "I would not call him as such. How do you make a concentrator agent?"

"By distilling Foxite and Heatherum. Why wouldn't you?"

"If he isn't a Wisp, he is a Wraith. What are spirits and what are their names?"

"Spirits are inhabitants of the Fade. They also have the ability to shape the Fade. There are…too many to really name."

"Name the most commonly encountered."

"Spirit of Command, Compassion, Faith, Hope, Justice, Purpose, Valor, Wisdom, Duty, Honor, Learning…Love. I wouldn't call him a Wraith either. He's not out to kill anything. He's never attacked someone." Zahariel's eyes narrowed even more.

"How do you think you are here now? You can only visit me here in the library when you're in Uthenera."

"I…I'm not sure…He wouldn't attack me though!" Zevvin slammed his fist on the table. "Wisper is harmless."

"Druffalos are harmless until you push them too far. Then they are a force to be reckoned with. How do you make a cold resistance tonic?"

Zevvin was quiet. He bit his lip and glanced away from the dark elf. "I'm…not sure."

"Hmm…" Zahariel tapped the book in between them. "This is the Botanical Compendium. It is one of the most recent listings of common herbs found in Thedas. I want you to study this book. I want you to know each and every herb and plant and their properties. After that, I want you to read Hortus Metallicum and learn about each common metal in Thedas and their properties. From that, you will figure out how to make that tonic."

"O-Okay." Zevvin brought the book closer to him and flipped it open. He glanced up at the elf briefly who was giving him an unimpressed look. Looking back down at the book, his breath hitched as panic set in. He couldn't read the words. It was like it was in a different language. He looked up at Zahariel again and opened his mouth. "I can't-"

"You are trying to read it upside down." The elf slid the book away from Zevvin and turned it the right way. That explained the look the dark elf was giving him. "What troubles you, little one? You are distracted. Your mind is in such a jumbled disarray, even I cannot stand to look at it."

"Wisper is angry with me." Zevvin bit his lip and looked down. "I went against his wishes-"

"Against his wishes?" Zahariel sat on the table with a frown. "Zevvin, why are you taking orders from a wisp?"

"For the last time, he isn't a wisp! He is a spirit of wisdom." Zevvin frowned and looked up at the dark elf. Zahariel's eyes narrowed.

"Even if that is true," Zahariel said, "why are you taking orders from a wisdom spirit? What were these wishes you went against anyway?" Zevvin looked back down at the table.

"I spoke with The Iron Bull."

"Hn."

Zevvin looked up and frowned. "What?"

"He is the Qunari that has you so distracted lately, is he not?" Zahariel's eyes narrowed. Zevvin frowned.

"I…guess…but-"

"He is also the reason why I've been slowly growing horns." The dark elf pointed at the top of his head and sure enough, there were the beginnings of horns poking through his white hair. "Be careful with such desires. You are more susceptible than any other to demon possession."

Zevvin snorted. "How can I be possessed by a desire demon when I'm already possessed by a wisdom demon." Zevvin jumped when Zahariel slammed his hand on the table.

"Do not!" He growled. "I am not a demon and I would like for you to stop saying that even in jest!" Zevvin warily gazed into Zahariel's glowing red eyes.

"I apologize…" Zevvin looked away. Zahariel sighed.

"I should reset him."

Zevvin snapped his gaze up to Zahariel with a frown. "What?"

"I should reset him. It would seem he has…melded with some of my own desires. It has confused his psyche."

"Your desires? What do you mean?"

Zahariel stood up and stared at Zevvin unblinkingly. He turned away and walked towards the bookshelf. Picking out one of the books, he opened it and glanced over his shoulder. "It is time for you to leave. You have been here too long."

"But what did you mean?" Zevvin stood up as the world around him started to melt away.

"Nothing. Wake up."

…

..

.

"…wakes…"

Zevvin groggily opened his eyes to the sight of his ceiling. A familiar shape peered over him. He stared at the blurry figure until he focused his vision. "Hm…Solas? What…are you doing up here?" Zevvin mumbled. He sat up slowly and the elven mage took a step away from his bed. Zevvin looked at the mage who was frowning at him.

"One of the kitchen staff brought up food for you. They found you at your desk," Solas said, looking over at his desk. Zevvin followed his gaze. The desk was all clean. He didn't remember cleaning up the liquid. "They said you were passed out at your desk surrounded by broken bottles and spilled potions." Solas looked back at him. "You were out cold. Some of the stuff that was broken on your desk…" Solas narrowed his eyes. "What were they? Some of the staff that came to clean up found themselves in a similar unconscious state as you. Except, you've awaken and they have not. It has been 5 days."

"5 days?" Zevvin squinted at Solas.

"Correct."

"They were sleeping tonics." Zevvin threw his feet over the side of the bed and rubbed his head. That explained why he woke up so groggily. "I was careless. I…mistakenly broke them. I went to clean them up but I guess the fumes got to me before I could manage that."

"Why would you have so many sitting out like that?" Solas crossed his arms. "That was your first mistake." As old as the redheaded elf acted, Solas couldn't see him as more than a rambunctious youth at times.

"I was in the process of making them." Zevvin glanced up at Solas through his lashes. "It was stupid. I understand."

Solas let out a heavy sigh and uncrossed his arms. "As long as you don't let something like this happen again. Those seemed to be rather potent tonics…why were you making them anyway? If you were having trouble with sleeping, tea would have been a better option."

"I…" Zevvin bit his lip. "You are right…" Zevvin stood up but as soon as he managed to stand, his legs buckled under him and he fell forward. Solas caught him before he could hit the ground.

"Careful. You've just woken up…and your magic is completely depleted. It would seem you used it to sustain yourself as you slept. Impressive, if I might say so."

Zevvin looked up, his eyes slightly widened. "Did I?" So I really was in Uthenera…Those tonics were a lot more potent than I thought…I do not think that will spell well for the staff.

~He is going to be useless for a while longer than you think.~

Both Solas and Zevvin looked over to the desk. Wisper was sitting on his hind legs, staring out the balcony.

"Why do you say that?" Solas asked as he helped the smaller elf back on the bed.

~It will take some time for him to replenish the magic he's used up.~

Wisper looked at them, an unreadable glint in his marble black eyes.

"Wisper…I-"

~We will talk later.~

"That would mean you need to take it easy for the next few days," Solas said, bringing his attention back to Zevvin. Zevvin looked up at him and sighed.

"If I have been asleep for 5 days, that means that party for the Lièvremonts is soon," Zevvin said. "If I want to make it there in time, I will have to leave tomorrow."

"Hm…" Solas crossed his arms and furrowed his brow. "I don't think it wise to go it alone."

"He won't be alone. I will be there," Dorian said. Zevvin looked past Solas to see the human Tevinter mage standing on the stairs leaning over the railing. How hadn't he noticed the mage before, he wasn't so sure. "Glad to see you up and about. I almost thought you were dead."

"I've tangled with demons; you really think I'd let a tonic do me in?" Zevvin quipped. Dorian smirked.

"Glad to see your humor has made a dashing comeback. You have been awfully dull lately."

"Would you be enough?" Solas asked.

"The invitation did say plus one," Dorian said, shrugging. "I guess if you're up for seeing human ass kissing, you could be my plus one." Dorian came around the stairs and sat down on the couch, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "We could use some muscle too…maybe let Iron Bull be your plus one, inquisitor? Maker knows he has enough muscle to go around for everyone."

Solas chuckled while Zevvin's face flushed. He glanced quickly over to Wisper but the fennec didn't seem to be paying attention to them. He even moved. He was now sitting outside on the balcony. He looked back at Dorian, staring at him through his lashes. "Is…Is it really that obvious?"

"As plain as the nose on your face, my dear inquisitor." Dorian chuckled.

"I shall take my leave to make preparations for our leave. Let me know if you feel a change in your condition before then, Zevvin. Good day," Solas said, nodding his head and walking away. Dorian leaned his head back and watched the elven mage descend the stairs and leave.

"I find it…odd how you allow him to treat you as if you are a child," Dorian said, returning his gaze to the redheaded elf. Zevvin laid back on the bed with a sigh.

"Dorian," Zevvin mumbled. "You know why that is."

"I know the reason, I just don't understand it, is all. It is…strange…" Dorian smirked. "Could I-"

"If you dare use that tone of voice with me, I'll have you across my knee." Zevvin sat up slightly and glared at Dorian. Dorian's smirk grew.

"Is that a threat or a promise, Inquisitor? I can work with either."

"Ugh." Zevvin grunted and let his head fall back. "You are still an impossible, impudent child. Have you not grown up?"

"Hmmmm…I'd like to think I have." Dorian stood up and walked over to the bed. He sat down next to the elf and laid down next to him. Zevvin turned his head and looked at Dorian with a raised eyebrow. "What really happened?" Both of Zevvin's eyebrows raised at that.

"What do you mean?"

"You said that you burst the bottles on your desk by accident. I was up here briefly when the staff took to cleaning it. They didn't just fall over and break. They all burst at the same time, that's why the entire desk was covered in it."

Zevvin kept silent and looked away. Dorian propped himself up on his elbow and frowned. "Zevvin?"

"I may…have accidently burst them."

Dorian raised an eyebrow. "I find that extremely hard to believe but…if you say so."

Zevvin looked up when Dorian sighed. The mage pushed himself up and stared at him. Zevvin pushed himself up slightly. "What's with the look?" Zevvin asked, cocking his head to the side slightly.

"You were in that deep hibernating sleep again." Dorian spoke in a quiet mumble. "Though this time…you actually looked dead. It was rather…frightening."

Zevvin frowned at the lost look on Dorian's face. "I apologize. I hadn't meant for any of this to happen."

The lost look on Dorian's face melted into a grin. "Hm. Yes, yes of course. Enough of this somberness. I shall…take example from the other elf and get ready for our leave. Maker knows the ride there will be more enjoyable than the actual party."

Zevvin cracked a small smile as he bid the other Tevinter mage farewell.

~Twice.~

Zevvin looked up when he heard the fennec's voice. Wisper walked over to the bed and hopped on it.

~You took the blame twice.~

Zevvin looked away with a frown. "It was my fault anyway."

~No. I was to blame. I am…sorry I let my emotions rule me. It was not appropriate nor beneficial.~

Zevvin looked at the fennec with a frown. "Do you…have any objections of me bringing along Iron Bull?"

~The altus was correct in you needing more muscle. I may not like him but his presence with you in the field would bring me peace of mind. I just…request that you do not take me with you. I do not trust myself to not…have a similar outburst as the one from earlier.~

Wisper walked closer to Zevvin and laid his head on the mage's chest. Zevvin placed a hand on his head and Wisper's eyes slowly closed.

~I lied to you earlier. I do find you interesting. I thought that if you thought I didn't because of your recent actions, you would stop them. I've seemed to only make matters worse and I apologize for that.~

One of Wisper's eyes opened. Zevvin scratched behind the fennec's ear and smiled. "You are forgiven." Zevvin said. Zevvin maneuvered himself to lay straight on the bed with his head on the pillows. He placed Wisper on his chest and closed his eyes.

~Zevvin?~

"Yes?"

~…Nothing. Nevermind.~

Zevvin opened his eyes and looked at Wisper with a frown. It was the first time he had ever heard the fennec hesitate on saying something. Wisper had his eyes closed so Zevvin let the matter go…for now.