Char: Zevvin & Iron Bull

All That Glitters

Zevvin Who?

He hated carriages. It may have been the most efficient way to travel to Orlais, but that didn't mean he had to like it. Quite frankly, he didn't really like anything about his current situation. Zevvin crossed his arms with a pout. He'd mistakenly thought they would be riding either by horseback or in an open carriage but he was sorely mistaken.

They were taking some fancy looking closed carriage. It looked similar to the Aravels the Dalish used. He at least could have been offered a window seat but nooooo…Solas and Dorian just had to stick him in the middle of them. They made some excuse about being surrounded by magic would help him replenish his own faster.

"What a load of horseshit," Zevvin had said. Solas and Dorian had only exchanged looks before bullying him into the carriage between them. "Kaffas, you two are- UGH!" He'd continued to complain and whine about the situation until he realized he wasn't going to get his way. He, instead, decided to sulk for the rest of the trip. He ignored both Solas's and Dorian's attempts at conversation and just stared at the two bemused inquisition soldiers across from him.

He was stuck in between bullies, Solas and Dorian, with two random inquisition soldiers sitting across from him. Aubin Bissonnette and Serena Calandri, he had learned. Serena, a rogue, was the daughter of some merchant in Antiva while Aubin, a warrior, was the son of some disgraced duke from Orlais. Well, that wasn't exactly how he had introduced himself, but Zevvin knew the name Bissonnette didn't carry any weight to it anymore. He wouldn't tell Aubin he knew that, though.

Iron Bull had chosen to walk along side the carriage, where he wished he could be - and not because it was with Iron Bull! No, of course it was because he didn't want to be cramped in between people- yeah…that's why. Zevvin could feel his face heat. He placed a hand on his cheek and huffed silently to himself.

They'd expended a couple of extra inquisition soldiers for the trip, considering Zevvin was sort of out of commission currently.

That was another thing he didn't really understand. Why was he so exhausted and why hadn't his magic returned to him yet. He'd never been this long without it. Usually after he woke up from hibernating, it would only take him a couple hours to replenish his magic. It was taking too long and he hated the empty feeling being without mana left him. He shuddered and crossed his arms. He felt so weak and vulnerable without it.

With a tired sigh, he leaned to his right and propped his head against Dorian's shoulder. The other mage spared him a glance before turning his bored gaze back windowward.

"What is the Imperium like for an elf, if you don't mind me asking?" Aubin asked. Dorian looked at the inquisition soldier, his mouth in a thin line. He had half a mind to say something scathing to the warrior but, thankfully, was interrupted by Solas speaking.

"I think it best to save questions for later. It would seem the inquisitor is done for now," Solas said. Dorian glanced back down at the redheaded elf to see that there was much truth to Solas's words. The elf had actually fallen asleep without them even noticing. He still had his arms crossed tightly across his chest but his eyes were closed gently and his breathing even and slow.

Dorian had never seen anyone fall asleep that fast. The elf was just talking.

…

..

.

"This is not funny at all," Zahariel growled heatedly. Zevvin was currently leaning against a pole, bent over forward laughing, tears of mirth pricking at the corners of his eyes. Zahariel stood in front of him, arms crossed with a deep scowl on his face….wearing a pink, frilly, evening dress.

"You…you look like Empress Celene," Zevvin laughed.

"I question your mind and why I have spawned in this ridiculous outfit." Zahariel huffed, turning away from Zevvin. He walked forward as a couch materialized into existence. He sat down gingerly and crossed his legs. "The horns grow as well. Is there something you're not telling me, Zevvin?"

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Zevvin stood up straight and wiped the corners of his eyes. "That…I needed that laugh." Zahariel was silent as he looked away. Zevvin pouted. "Oh…come now, don't be so upset. I think you're rather dashing in that outfit." Zahariel turned to look at Zevvin with a frown.

"No…That's not it." Zahariel stood up and sighed. "This is…rather concerning, Zevvin."

"That you're in a dress?" Zevvin raised an eyebrow. "I make no judgment, honestly, Hara."

"Must you butcher my name so?" Zahariel gave Zevvin an annoyed look. The redhead just shrugged.

"Why is you wearing a dress concerning? Besides the part that you're wearing a dress." Zevvin smirked. Zahariel stood walked over to Zevvin.

"Your mind concerns me." Zahariel sighed. Zevvin frowned as the environment began to melt away.

"Why would it?"

"There's something missi-"

…

..

.

Zevvin's eyes snapped open when the carriage jolted suddenly. He groggily lifted his head from the bulky mass of- Zevvin's eyes widened and he jerked backwards. He wasn't leaning against Dorian anymore. Dorian was now sitting across from him with Solas. The two both looked like they were asleep sitting up. He looked up at Iron Bull. The Qunari was looking down at him with a raised eyebrow. "You okay, boss?"

That seemed to wake both mages across from him. They both opened their eyes and peered at Zevvin with sleep hazed concerned eyes. "Yes," Zevvin grumbled lowly, turning his head away from them to hide a blush.

The carriage door opened and Dorian gave a sigh of relief. "Finally. I was starting to get stiff," Dorian said with another sigh. "And not in the good way."

Iron Bull snorted at that.

Dorian stepped out of the carriage, followed by Solas then Iron Bull. Zevvin was the last to step out and nearly tripped over himself with his legs refusing to cooperate. Iron Bull steadied the elf and the redhead patted the Qunari's arm in thanks.

They were led through the front door by a lanky elven servant dressed in gold silks. They stopped briefly in the grand hall, looking more like a small foyer, before they were then led upstairs to the rooms. "I wasn't expecting you both to bring a plus one," Bertrand said, crossing his arms.

"Last minute changes," Dorian explained. "We didn't think we'd be bringing a plus one either."

"I apologize but I only have three rooms available." Bertrand looked at Iron Bull with barely disguised disgust. Iron Bull simply raised an eyebrow. "There is an inn nearby, however, if you'd like to stay there instead." Bertrand's gaze slowly trailed from Iron Bull to Solas then Zevvin. His gaze settled back on Dorian with a raised eyebrow. "Forgive me but which one of you is actually the inquisitor?" He looked between Solas and Zevvin. "I had heard he was an elf but that was the only description of appearance I was given."

Zevvin raised a finger. "That would be me," Zevvin said. "We'll make use of the rooms you have here, do not worry."

"I see," Bertrand said. He looked Zevvin over slowly, nodding slightly to himself as if in approval of some unspoken standard. "The rooms are down this hall." Bertrand made a flourishing gesture down the hall before walking in that direction. "I do hope it is to your liking. I shall see you all in the morn. Breakfast will be prepared." with that, Bertrand took his leave. Iron Bull crossed his arms.

"What an asshole," Iron Bull mumbled.

"Orlais is the capitol of assholadom," Zevvin said, snorting. Dorian and Iron Bull snickered while Solas just sighed.

"I do hope you're on your best behavior at the party, Inquisitor," Solas said. Zevvin looked at him with a frown.

"I won't do anything untoward, if that's what you're worried abo- well nothing too untoward."

"I see a little bit more of Dorian in you everyday." Solas shook his head. He sounded dismayed. He looked at Dorian who raised his eyebrow.

"Don't worry, mamae, I won't do anything mischievous." Zevvin grinned. Solas rolled his eyes.

"So how are we rooming?" Iron Bull asked.

"Dorian and I-" "You and Zevvin-" Dorian and Zevvin looked at each other with a frown. Solas sighed and shook his head. Iron Bull just shook his head.

"I think you and Iron Bull should share the room," Dorian said with a grin.

"Dorian," Zevvin warned, his eyes narrowing but his cheeks tinting pink. Dorian rolled his eyes.

"Fine, fine."

"Then it's settled," Solas said. "We shall see each other in the morning."

…

..

.

Dorian settled under the covers. He turned on his side, resting a hand under his pillow to stare at the inquisitor. Zevvin was laying on his back staring blankly at the ceiling. "Hey," Dorian mumbled. Zevvin slowly turned to look at him. "Are you okay? You've seemed out of it ever since we stepped in the carriage."

"Just…exhausted…but now I can't fall asleep," Zevvin said, bringing his gaze back up to the ceiling. Dorian was quiet while he studied the side of the elf's face in the moonlight.

"Do you remember that song you used to sing to me when I was young? When I couldn't fall asleep?" Dorian asked suddenly. Zevvin turned to look at him with a confused furrow in his brow.

"Hmmm…Weibt du, wieviel Sternlein stehen, an dem blauen Himmelszelt," Zevvin spoke softly.

"Weibt du, wieviel Wolken ziehen,"Dorian spoke just as softly as Zevvin. Zevvin turned to look at Dorian with a grin. His grin suddenly turned solemn.

"What's wrong?" Dorian asked. Zevvin turned away from Dorian, his heart suddenly in a vice-like grip.

"I'm not sure…"

…

..

.

"You're here again within the same day," Zahariel said. Zevvin looked up with a frown. He looked around at the stone fortress they were standing in the courtyard of. It looked familiar but he couldn't quite put a name to it. The fortress looked like it had seen better days, though. The large, grey, pillars were falling apart, chunks of stone missing from the steps, and the ground was scorched black.

"Where are we?" Zevvin asked. Zahariel was sitting up high on one of the stone pillar arches.

"You don't know." It wasn't a question. Zahariel frowned. "Zevvin, what's your name." Zevvin raised an eyebrow.

"Zevvin is my name. You just said it."

A few moments of silence passed before Zahariel spoke up again. "How do you make a concentration agent?"

"By distilling Foxite and Heatherum."

"Name 3 rare herbs and where they're commonly found."

"Crystal Grace, Dragonthorne, and Amrita Vein. Crystal Grace can be found in Fereldan, most commonly the Hinterland region but can also be found in the forest region of the Dales in Orlais. Dragonthorne and Amrita Vein can be found in the western desert region of Orlais."

"What's the capital of Fereldan?"

"Denerim."

"Orlais?"

"Val Royeaux."

"What's your full name."

Zevvin paused. He cocked his head to the side slightly. Then shrugged. The world around him slowly began to melt away.

"Where were you born?"

"The Tevinter Imperium."

Zahariel frowned. "When?"

Zevvin opened his mouth. Then closed it. He wasn't even sure. "I don't remember."

"Who are your parents?"

"I…don't know…"

"Where is your family?"

"…"

"Who am I?" Zahariel narrowed his eyes at Zevvin's continued silence. "You don't remember anything." Again, it wasn't a question. "Why is that?"

"I don't…I'm not sure."

"Zevvin, we are in Anderfels at the Weisshaupt Fortress." Zahariel shook his head slowly as he started to fade away with the melting environment.

Zahariel's voice echoed in the darkness, "Why is that you can remember everything but things about yourself?"