Solas stared at his hand, it was a mediocre hand by his standards one that had to be used quickly and discarded. His mind was working out the possibilities on everyone's faces, attempting to determine the strength of their hands. He knew a few to watch out for; the tag team of Josephine and Leliana, Cullen had the occasional good hand, and of course, the young woman Solas had been placing most of his observations on, Miss Taraa Lavellan.

She sat by him and Dorian, whispering to the latter and laughing. A student of history, and her interest in Ancient Arlathan. Exploring it in her coursework? That is not only a difficult field to research but overall one that is rife with truths most Dalish would reject. Yet here she was, a young Dalish woman…venturing into the unknown that is Arlathan.

Taraa noticed his gaze to which she smiled and shrugged.

"I hope you're having fun, Hahren," She said to him while taking a sip from her margarita.

Solas found himself smiling and nodded. "I am, do not worry da'len"

"I'm glad to hear that, these guys are amazing once you get to know them"

"I'll raise you, Josie! I've figured your tells!" Cullen exclaimed, he tossed his coins to the pile. Solas furrowed his brows and glanced at Josie, who behind her hand, he knew was smirking. Perhaps his hand was best folded at least for this round.

"I'll fold" Solas murmured as he laid his cards onto the wooden table, along with him; Dorian Taraa and Cassandra followed suit.

Dorian laughed heartily as he folded, he nudged Taraa, "Girl, we need to see this!"

Cassandra pulled out her phone and held it up toward Cullen, "I will document the moment of Cullen's disgrace"

"Some partner you are, Cassandra…" Cullen rolled his eyes.

"Aww c'mon Curly, we do this because we care"

"Oh shut up dwarf…"

While the group burst to life watching Cullen and Josie and making jokes at Cullen's expense, Taraa gently tugged his arm.

"Excuse me, Hahren…"

Solas turned to her, his eyes fixated on hers and held it there. "Yes, da'len?" He took another sip of his cognac. He noticed Taraa shifting in her seat for a brief moment until she totally shifted her position to face him.

" I really appreciate you helping me with my investigation…so I was wondering, when we could get started?"

Solas allowed a tiny smile to form at the corner of his lips. So eager, so passionate, those blue eyes lighting up at the mere mention of the research. Solas definitely approved of her inquisitive nature. He reached into his pockets and pulled out his phone to check his calendar. "Allow me to check for you…"

He swiped through his scheduling for the week looking for a time the two of them would most likely be free. "I get off work in the evenings, when do your lectures end?"

"Late afternoon" she murmured. "After lectures I am usually in my clubs or societies. The only days I am free in the evening is Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays."

"Why don't we meet every Monday and Wednesday, is that acceptable to you?"

Her face lit up once more, and it brought an indescribable warmness in Solas' chest.

"That would be perfect! Thank you so much!" She then reached for her phone and noted the dates in her calendar. She paused. Staring at her phone screen for a brief moment.

"Is something on your mind?" Solas asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Well, I was thinking, if anything comes up…I might need to contact you. Also, it seems like you're part of our gang now so I thought maybe you'd like to join our Whatsapp group"

There was a flicker of surprise upon Solas' face. But that was all it was, just a flicker. He returned to his stoic expression, internally contemplating this. He had a decent enough phone to support Whatsapp but he did not find much use of it as he did not have that many friends who used it let alone be invited to a group message. He looked a the group that were laughing and joking around with one another, they were a lively bunch, having them on Whatsapp would make his phone blow up, a total reversal of his once quiet life where he could come to a town and leave without being noticed. Everything was changing, and so quickly.

Should he allow it?

"Well, I do not have Whatsapp so I might need help installing it…"

"No problem, I can help with that and I'll add everyone's numbers for you"

He passed his phone to her and she immediately started working on it. She downloaded the app quickly and began adding each of the group's numbers. Once she was done she handed him his phone and smiled.

"Here all done!" She held her hand out and chuckled. "Welcome to 'The Inquisition'"

"Excuse me?"

"'The Inquisition' is the name of our Whatsapp Group" Dorian pulled out his phone. "Look now you're on there!"

Solas held up his phone and entered the whatsapp group where a blue bubble read out, 'Solas has join the group'.

"Would you look at that, looks like we are gonna annoy Chuckles for all eternity" Varric teased. "Oh wait you still don't have a profile picture…"

"Ah that's something easy to rectify! Josie, Cullen, drop your cards, we're taking a selfie!" Dorian exclaimed.

"Why now? I just got a good hand!" Cullen protested. Leliana chuckled when Cullen said that and pat his back.

"It's ok Cullen, I think Josie would've still won that round"

"This is unfair!"

Cassandra let out a disgusted grunt. "Deal with it, Cullen"

"Would the lot of you hurry up and get into the shot!" Dorian groaned.

What are we doing?" Solas asked, the look of confusion clear in his face. Taraa giggled seeing his reaction, for the first time, the Hahren looked lost and uncertain.

"We're taking a selfie for your profile picture, pass your phone to Cassandra she could get a better shot from her position"

Solas still like a confused child handed his phone to Cassandra who went to camera and everyone began positioning themselves.

"Alright, everyone's in the shot" Cassandra then held it out. "Oh wait, Taraa could you pull Solas closer he's a bit out"

Taraa gently pulled him nearer to her who surprised him even further. Although he would admit that it was a pleasant surprise and the breathe in the scent of her perfume was a pleasing side benefit.

"Alright, smile!" Then the shot was taken. When the phone was handed back to Solas it had already been made his profile picture. In the front is Cassandra smiling, by her was Varric who had a peace sign out, Cullen who gave a warm smile, Leliana and Josephine held each other as they posed for the shot, and then it was Dorian and Taraa smiling together with Dorians arms around her shoulders and finally Taraa and Solas with Taraa holding onto his arm as Solas smiled genuinely.

"That's a really good shot" Josephine said as she and Leliana looked at his new profile picture. "Could you send it to the group, Solas?"

Solas was still staring at the photo, his first ever profile picture and his first ever selfie. The man before would not have done anything of the sort, but now, here, he found himself more open, changing. It would take him awhile to admit this but her thoroughly enjoyed this experience.

"Solas?"

He snapped back to reality. "Ah, yes, I shall…he stared at his screen and found a camera icon which he assumed was meant for uploading photos. He soon found his way around it and uploaded the photo. "Did you all get it"

Then simultaneously, everyone's phone jingled and they all went to check. He received many nods of approval and everyone gushed at how good the photo turned out to be. The game of wicked grace ended abruptly as the group partook in deep discussions about their lives and soon the hours flew by.

"Is that the time?" Varric said, his voice a pitch higher in surprise. "Shall we call it a night, gang?"

"I think that would be best" Josephine agreed. "We all have an early day tomorrow"

"That was fun, I've laughed so much…perhaps its because you're here, Solas" Cassandra suggested.

"You flatter me, detective but I believe it is due to such amazing company" Solas replied, smiling.

"Did you have a good time, Chuckles?"

"Yes I did" Solas admitted, he reached out to finish his glass of cognac when he realized someone was resting on his shoulder, he turned and saw Taraa asleep on his shoulder.

"Ah there she goes again…our little starlight…" Dorian murmured. "She's always sleepy from working too hard."

"Taraa studies while working part time. Her course is extremely demanding…its amazing she's had any rest at all"

Solas felt sympathy for Taraa, he noticed how flustered she was about her research…it must've been stressful for her to balance her course and her work. Now seeing her asleep on his shoulder, his conviction to help her in her coursework grew.

"Shall I wake her?" Solas asked.

"No, don't worry about it, leave it to me" Dorian reassured. He looked over his shoulder and gestured to the young man, Krem to come over. Dorian gently lifted Taraa onto his back and stood up, Krem now beside him. "We'll take Taraa home, I'll see you misfits another time!"

"I'll walk with him and make sure she's home safe" Krem told the others. After saying their farewells, they left the pub.

"Will she be alright?" Solas asked, his worry seeping into his tone.

"Don't worry Krem and Dorian are Taraa's closest friends, they'll take care of her" Cullen assured him. "Shall we all get going?"

The group unanimously agreed and they all soon finished their drinks and left the pub. Varric and Solas walked back to their apartments together, engaging in small talk as they remembered the events that occurred through the night.

When they finally reached their apartment doors, Varric turned to Solas.

"I…hope you had a good time, Chuckles"

Solas smiled and nodded. "I sincerely did, Varric. The group made me feel very welcomed"

Varric laughed. "Well, you're now part of the group and we do this regularly so I hope you'd come meet with us"

"I would love to"

"That's great. Good night, Chuckles!" Varric wished as he walked into his apartment and closed the door. Solas then did the same as he entered his. He was exhausted after the night, he was not used to large company and this much of activity. He slumped into bed after peeling the long coat off his back. He curled up to sleep, but then he heard his phone vibrating. He reached out to see what was going on. Turned out it was "The Inquisition" group sending messages to one another.

Dorian: I've put Taraa to bed when we reached her place.

Krem: She woke up cos Dorian was loud af

Dorian: That was not my fault

Krem: Keep telling youself that -.-

Leliana: Glad she's back home. Did you guys lock the doors?

Dorian: Yes my dear J

Cass: That's good.

Solas decided to message back and thank them.

Solas: Thank you for helping her. That was very kind

Dorian: hahahaha lol xD I'd do anything for Taraa. That's what BFFs are for.

Solas: That is still admirable.

Cullen: You guys are still awake?

Dorian: Not for long, heading to bed now xD Good night y'all!

Solas: Good night.

Solas locked his phone and set it aside. He then snuggled into his pillow and allowed himself to drift to sleep. His phone lit up from a few messages and on its wallpaper was the beautiful selfie taken that night.