Over the next few weeks they hike through the mountains until they reach Skyhold. Brielle never imagined such a place could be possible, it is as if it had been left there just for them to discover. She can't figure out how Solas knew exactly where to find it, he was always cryptic when speaking of the memories he was able to delve into and the spirits he communicated with. Though that really didn't matter, what did matter is that they now have someplace safe and a new beginning. Brie has been making more of an effort to spend time with the soldiers and her companions since they reached Skyhold, they had all nearly died in the attack on Haven and she sees it as a wakeup call. Everything can end at any moment; she wants to live to the fullest while she can so in the spirit of living it up she invites all her companions and advisors to have drinks at the Herald's rest.
Brie is feeling somewhat festive so she decides to forgo her usual tunic and leggings and chooses to wear a simple but pretty silk dress in a deep emerald shade that complements her pale skin and dark features. Instead of pulling her hair back into the braid she usually wears she opts to leave it down, she applies some liner to bring out her eyes and glosses her lips with a cinnamon honey balm Leliana had made for her. She looks herself over in the mirror as she puts on the silk slippers that best matched her dress; she wants to feel extra pretty tonight and there is no denying it was because Cullen would be there. Satisfied with what she sees she heads over to meet with her friends.
When she arrives almost everyone is already sitting at a large table together having drinks and engaged in conversation. As she approaches the table she is greeted by her friend's baffled expressions when they see her; they look shocked, wide eyed and mouths gaping as if they don't recognize her. Brielle rolls her eyes but smiles to herself; she must have done a good job indeed.
"Wow, kid. You clean up real nice!" Varric quips with a grin as he pulls out a chair for her between himself and Cullen. She smiles down to him and he gives her a wink, he must have noticed the effect Cullen has on her and figured her out all too easily.
"Oh geez... it's not as if you guys didn't know I was a girl." She laughs and takes her seat. Looking over at Cullen she sees that he was still staring at her, though his expression is darker than that of the others, almost predatory.
Before she can get another word out Iron Bull sets a large tankard of cider in front of her, knowing she prefers it to ale. "Yeah Boss, we know you're a girl, we just didn't know you were such a hot one!" He laughs heartily and pats her on the back probably a little more roughly than he had intended. "You've been holding out on us!"
Brie blushes profusely and hides her face in her mug as she quickly drinks nearly half of the sweet cider it contained; she is going to need a few drinks if she is going to survive their teasing tonight, especially since it appears she has interrupted a game of 'Never Have I Ever'. Fantastic.
Of course, she joins in, each of them sharing scandalous stories that arose from the sneaky sips to the occasional emptying of entire tankards of ale in response to whatever devious or risqué act the current turn's subject brings up. It doesn't take long for her to feel somewhat left out, as she hasn't had nearly as many experiences as the rest of her team has; which, consequently, leaves her more sober than the lot of them as well. She does enjoy getting a chance to learn more about each of her companions in this relaxed atmosphere, without her pestering with questions, in fact she learns much more this way. In the first round alone she learns that Solas is much more sensual than she has assumed and had apparently taken many lovers during his travels whereas Varric has been involved with the same woman for years whom he hasn't seen in nearly a decade. Sera has a penchant for peaches while Iron Bull likes just about everything and everyone. Leliana admits to having used her spies on occasion to vet out potential partners while Josephine has once taken negotiations into the bedroom.
She is disappointed that Cullen doesn't reveal much, though the conversation seemed to have been focused on sexuality and she probably doesn't want to hear much about him and other women. Being as inexperienced as she is, she can't contribute much to the conversation either and is glad that the fact seemed to go unnoticed until Dorian unintentionally calls her out.
"Never have I ever... taken a lover." Brielle blushes slightly as everyone except her takes a drink and all eyes land on her.
"Wha…" Sera began, "You mean… you never? Like… ever?" Her friend's disbelieving expression would be hilarious if she wasn't so embarrassed.
"No." Brielle admits shyly, barely catching Cullen's attempt to hide a smile out of the corner of her eye. She huffs and nudges into him with her shoulder. "Shut up Cullen."
"Damn Boss!" Bull grins wide and wiggles his eyebrows at her, "And I thought you couldn't get any hotter tonight." She can't help but smile to herself when his comment earns him a stern look from Cullen, who apparently is in protective mode.
Varric catches her eyes and she recognizes the look he has, he is up to something. It is his turn and he leans back and grins at her. "Never have I ever… kissed a man."
Brielle groans as everyone watches, waiting for her to take a drink. Instead, she flushes completely and glares at Varric across the table but he only smiles at her in return, the rest of the table seemingly shocked into silence.
"Well… this is just a travesty!" Dorian exclaims, clearly quite intoxicated. "If no one kisses this girl before this round is over I'll be forced to oblige her."
Sera scoffs at him and leans over the table saucily towards Brielle, "If anyone's kissin 'er Ima do it!"
At that Cullen wraps his arm around her shoulders and pulls her close as if to shield her from the offers of kisses. "Hey hey… that's enough; I'm not having any of you turn our dear Inquisitor into a pervert like the rest of you." He chuckles and stands, extending his hand to Brielle. "Have you had your fill of this nonsense?"
"I believe I have." She smiles and takes his hand, letting him guide her towards the door as the rest of her companions giggle and whisper to each other over the table.
Outside the night air has grown considerably colder than when she had left and when she shivers Cullen chivalrously drapes his cloak over her bare shoulders as he walks her back to her room. They walk in silence; he seems to be thinking about something far off while all she can think of was his arm around her, stroking up over her arm and shoulder and holding her close to him to keep her warm. Being close to him is always exhilarating for her lately, but this feels different; he'd been acting territorial, guarding her from others advances. The implications of such behavior aren't lost on her and she revels in the fluttering in her stomach at the thought of him claiming her, even in such a small way.
As they reach her door she moves to face him and begins to remove his cloak when she feels his arm slip around her waist. She looks up at him shyly, not knowing what he is doing, and when their eyes meet she nearly melts in his arms. His gaze burns into her, his eyes like golden embers drinking her in hungrily. He pulls her against him and reaches up to cup her cheek, never breaking eye contact with her. Cullen drags the pad of his thumb softly across her lips and hesitates a brief moment before leaning down and brushing his lips across hers. Brielle's eyes close as he makes contact and she lets out a soft moan. Encouraged by her reaction he presses his lips against hers fully and lets out a groan of his own when she presses herself against him further and parts her lips slightly in assent to his kiss.
Cullen doesn't need any more of an invitation, he gently tilts her head back and kisses her more deeply, letting his tongue slide past her lips and flick out at hers. Brielle can't believe what is happening. Cullen is kissing her, tasting her, exploring her mouth tentatively and it is better than she's ever imagined it could be. Her body molds against his as she stands on her toes to better reach him, pressing her lips urgently into his and letting her tongue slide against his in a sensual dance. She feels like her head is spinning and she never wants this to end. When they pull back from one another they are both breathless, their lips red and swollen from their passionate embrace. His eyes still seem to burn as he strokes her cheek and presses one last soft kiss to her lips.
"I couldn't let it be anyone else." He says softly, his voice husky and low as he takes a step back and releases her from his grasp.
She can hardly think she is so overwhelmed at the moment, instantly missing his touch when he pulls away; all she can manage is a breathless, "Thank you."
He smiles warmly to her before turning and heading out towards his room, glancing back as he leaves to see her still standing in her doorway, fingertips lightly tracing over her lips where his had just been.
