A toast to Bioware for once again making us laugh, cry and hold our breath! Let us continue this journey.
The sun had not even began to set when Tama heard the footsteps of someone approaching her quarters, putting her attention back to the paperwork in front of her she could only sit and wait to see who it was. Please not him … please not him …. anything but him… that big faced horned idiot!
"Sweetie if you frown any harder it will be impossible to get rid of those lines." Dorian's rich voice travelled across the room making Tama sigh in relief. Looking up she could only smile a little as the mage approached the desk where she was sitting.
All day she had been worrying over what was going to happen tonight. Would they all stand and take turns giving her what they thought? Would they line up and each take a punch? She could handle punches, hell she had fought enough red templars that she could handle a few good punches here and there. However Tama could still not manage emotional punches, hell Cassandra would only have to frown and her stomach would churn with nervousness.
"Enough of that my dear." Dorian clasped his hand on Tama's wrist and softly urged her to stand and leave the dreaded onslaught of Josephine's paperwork, "There is a lot of alcohol with our names on and I can hear them calling me."
Tama could only chuckle as Dorian dramatically swooned at the thought of someone touching his precious wine. Getting up she straightened her clothes out and followed Dorian out of the door and down to the tavern. Every so often she would readjust her clothing was it nervousness? probably but it was also most likely that these were new and it had been the demanding suggestions of Vivienne and Josephine that she began wearing the new clothing.
Lost in her thoughts it took her moment to realise that they were now standing inside the tavern and just as quickly the onslaught of laughing and general merriment reached her ears.
"Ahh bright eyes you finally made it." Varric grabbed her arm and lead her to an awaiting table where she was met with the smiles of her other companions. "Now sit. Drink." A fresh pint of ale was thrust into her hands before she could protest, "Ruffles let's begin." Varric announced taking his own seat at the side of Tama as Josephine began shuffling the cards for a game of Wicked Grace.
"Are you ok Tama?" Cassandra asked peeking over her own cards.
"I … I have never played this.." Tama looked up defeated but was only met with a round of laughter from her companions.
"Sit this round out Inquisitor." Josephine smiled between chuckles, "Once you get the hang of it you can join in." Tama could only nod as the first game of the evening began.
Taking a drink from her tankard Tama noticed that even though they seemed to be only half way through the first game that her drink was empty. As she was just about to stand to grab another round a large hand landed on her shoulder forcing her to sit back down, "I've got this one princess." Bull smirked before setting down another round of drinks which were quickly taken up by everyone at the table.
Nodding her thanks Tama sat a little straighter as Bull decided to take the empty seat next to her. Taking a drink to try and calm her nerves she stole a quick glance at Bull who was speaking to Blackwall about something. He seemed happy and content, maybe even a little drunk however she could see something was bothering him.
"I win!" Josephine smiled grabbing her winnings from the centre of the table.
"I don't believe this." Cullen sighed rubbing his neck before taking a long drink from his tankard.
"Ok." Varric clapped his hands together, "Time for a little break before we break in bright eyes here with her very first game." Tama could only roll her eyes as everyone began to either go the bar, relieve themselves or just to stand up from their seats for a few moments before the next game.
Turning in his seat Bull turned his attention to a very quiet Tama sitting next to him. He watched as she took another deep drink from her tankard before she looked away. Frowning he took a drink from his own before leaning a little to see her face, "Tama." he smirked a little when he saw her jump in her seat, she was nervous about something.
"Bull." Another sip of ale.
"Tama."
"Bull."
"Tama."
Tama scowled before turning to him giving him her full attention, "Bull." she spoke again staring at him, she took another drink when she noticed him smirking like a fool. She had fallen into his trap again .. damn it!
"Now now calm down." Bull chuckled as he saw her scowl and yet again take another drink, "I am going to have to catch up." He smirked once more as he noticed her tankard was once again empty. Sitting back he took up his own drink and gulped the ale down as if it was water. Tama could only stare at him, she was about to stand and get another round when once again she was forced to sit back down. "My round. Think we have to get something stronger." Bull put on his best smile before walking towards the bar.
She could only watch as he walked to the bar for another round of drinks. Clearing her throat she looked around and noticed she was alone at the table. The merriment was still continuing around her making her smile softly to herself. Gathering the cards that were scattered around her she turned her attention to the deck of this so called game of Wicked Grace. Of course Tama had heard Varric boasting about past games he had won or over hearing the odd recruit complain that they had lost their weekly earnings from a game. However it still puzzled her, there seemed to be so many rules and hands to play, sighing she rubbed her temple and placed the cards back down in front of her, just in time to see Bull return to his seat next to her.
"Now this is a drink!" he laughed grabbing his tankard and Tamas he began to pour the deep red liquid into the bottom and chuckled when he saw Tama's face.
"Please tell me that isn't what I think it is." she whispered.
"Oh it is princess." Bull placed the drink in front of her and waited for her to take hold of the drink.
"Where did you get this?" Tama asked gazing down transfixed as the light of the fire bounced of the liquid as it mixed in the bottom of her tankard.
"Your little trophy from the coast and it helps to know a certain dwarven bartender who knows how to mix one hell of a drink."
Tama unconsciously licked her lips as she brought the drink up to her lips.
"We need to toast." Bull placed his hand on top of her drink stopping her enjoying her drink, moving his seat closer to her, he turned to face her and brought his drink up which was quickly followed by her's. "To killing things … To dragon's… To being the most badass army in Thedas."
Tama could only laugh before joining in, "To dragon's and to The Iron Bull!"
"Oh hell yeah! To The. Iron. Fucking. Bull!" his voice roared as both of them took a deep drink of the liquid before coughing as the burn reached the back of their throats. Laughing Bull could not help but grin, "Nothing like a drink of Dragon's Breath to get the evening going."
"Another?" Tama chuckled already pouring yet another round for Bull.
"This is going to be a good night." Bull laughed before downing yet another drink.
