When Belathen started to wake, she was pleasantly amazed to find that she was actually warm. It wasn't the sensation of slight heat on her skin either; every morning, regardless of location, she always woke just above cool. Except today. This morning she was truly WARM. Belathen was tempted to simply snuggle in deeper, letting that heat lull her back to sleep for a while, but sighed as she realized she didn't have that luxury. Josephine had made it extremely clear that Bel's presence was needed to finalize the agreements with the visiting duke's retinue.

Begrudgingly the elf peeled her eyes open and took in the surroundings. Her room. The cat who always begged entry was laying between her legs, long orange fur perfectly groomed and shimmering...

And Bel was not alone. She was turned on her side as usual, curled against Cullen's chest, one of his arms around her protectively. The other stopped just under her neck, where his hand met another. On the other side Dorian was pressed against Bel's back, his breath warm against her neck. This, she decided, was the perfect way to wake up.

Lavellan made to sit up slowly, hesitant to get up. As soon as she tried she felt Cullen's strength grasping at her waist, trying to pull her down.

"Ma'enasalin," Belathen whimpered lightly into his ear, "it's morning. Josephine will pitch a fit."

"So what?"

"Cullen, you may have some time but I have to wake up." She pushed him gently, moving his arm off and sliding out of his hold. Cullen did grumble, but as soon as she was extricated he simply moved to curl closer to Dorian.

It had been a great evening actually. Belathen smiled as she thought about how long the trio had stayed up just talking, ending with all three falling asleep in the Inquisitor's quarters. Nothing had really happened other than chatting- yet it had still been exceedingly intimate, not to mention comfortable. This... held promise.

Those thoughts kept the Inquisitor company as she headed to the wardrobe. If there was one thing Bel actually appreciated about her new life, it was the clothing. Wardrobe choices were a welcome change in her routine, though she had little sense of fashion and let others pick. Usually at least. She had learned the basics: browns were out of season but did her complexion wonders so could be worked in surreptitiously; silver lining made her look more regal without insinuating true royalty- that sort of thing. Today's ensemble she had finally picked out herself based on her favorite rule: the deep greens made her eyes stand out even more, and those were one of her best features. Not to mention it was a desirable color this season.

Belathen had just finished brushing out her hair and fastening the front of her corseting when she felt deft, strong hands at her back. She turned her head slightly to see Cullen had popped up behind her, hands grabbing the lacing to tighten for her.

"You look delightful this morning."

"I'm still mostly unclothed, ma'enasalin," Bel chided. "What do you know?"

Cullen rested his chin on her shoulder, purring into her ear. "Maybe that's what I find so enticing."

Belathen almost decided to forget about Josephine right then and there, but caught her breath and with it her resolve. "Meetings, Cullen."

The former Templar tied off the corset and shrugged. "Suit yourself." With a kiss on her neck, he pulled away.

When Bel exited from her small wash area finally fully dressed, she caught Cullen and Dorian in a kiss that made her smile. They turned in tandem, both wide-eyed. The dress itself was simple, with a front that was cut a bit low; she'd added a necklace with a medallion that Cullen recognized immediately: it was made from the coin he had given her. "Alright," he admitted, "you do look better with the clothes on."

"I find that hard to believe," Dorian commented.

- 0 - 0 - 0 -

The meeting went quickly, the duke's retinue eager to head out for home. Bel almost returned to change, but found herself whisked off for lunch by Dorian quite unexpectedly. They pulled up a table at the tavern, pulling their chairs around to the same side where they were obscured a bit in the shadows. Once they had finished their meal, the duo started with some light conversation that quickly escalated into surreptitious reaching under the table...

At least somewhat surreptitious.

"Nope. Not possible. How is THIS a thing?"

The duo turned to see a stricken Sera watching them, Cassandra and Iron Bull beside her looking on in amusement. Bel was sure she looked just as embarrassed as Dorian at the moment.

"I... ah..." The Inquisitor stammered, unable to keep going.

"I guess the cat's out of the bag now." Dorian sighed, shrugging. "Yes, Sera. This is a thing, as you put it."

The elf shook her head, glaring as she reached into her purse for coin and tossed it to the Seeker. She then turned to Lavellan and stuck out her tongue. "I hate losing coin."

If that was the biggest problem from the Circle, there would be no issue at all.