Josephine feels her heart leap to her throat when she sees the sparkling white spires of Val Royeaux steadily increase in size as the ship sails across the Waking Sea. Her mind had wondered hundreds of times, during the short journey, to what she would say to the Inquisitor when she reached the city. I will tell her the truth, Josephine thinks to herself as she rubs her ink-stained hands together. Why did I have to bring a satchel of paperwork with me? She sighs in frustration as she looks at her marred hands.
"Anxious, are we?" Leliana playfully asks as she walks towards her friend.
"My hands..." the Ambassador begins, slightly stumbling over the words. "My hands are a little stiff from working on the parchments I brought along."
"Only you would bring work with you when you are in Val Royeaux to find the person you love." The Spymaster chuckles softly as Josephine's tan skin darkens with embarrassment.
"I am here to stop the Inquisitor from making a huge mistake," she says sternly as she stares at the Orelesian bard beside her. "She should have never came here to duel Lord Otranto. It is counter-productive to the goals of the Inquisition and I do not..."
"Oh, come off it Josie!" Leliana exclaims as she leans against the railing. "You care for her and everybody knows it! Even Hawke mentioned how cute a couple you and the Inquisitor are! I think her exact words were, 'They are so sweet together, it's maddening...' she had more to say, but I do not think you wish me to say it."
"What else did she say?" Josephine asks as her curiosity gets the better of her.
"Okay, but I did warn you..." Leliana's eyes sparkle mischievously. "She said, 'They are so sweet together, it's maddening. Why doesn't the Inquisitor just throw all of Ruffles' paper work off the desk and have mad, passionate..."
"That's enough. Thank you," Josephine says quickly as her mind reels with images of her on her back and Evelyn slowly undressing her and...
"Josie? Josephine?" Leliana waves her hand in front of the Antivan's face.
The Ambassador shakes her head quickly and focuses on the red-haired bard in front of her. "I'm sorry, yes?"
"Where did you go?" Leliana asks with a sly grin. "Oh... I think I know! You were thinking about what Hawke said and how you wish..."
Josephine interrupts the bard. "I was thinking, how could Messere Hawke say such vulgar things about other people she doesn't even know."
"Sure you were... your blushing says otherwise. Anyway, you know how rogues are, Josie," Leliana says with a wink. "Always acting before thinking. They jump into the fray. Never once realising what they are going to do next until the opportunity arises." The bard shrugs as she still smirks at her friend. "And besides, you have met Hawke's best friend, Varric. He could never get along with someone who isn't witty and sarcastic. Also, do you know who her lover is?"
"I heard rumours... a Rivaini pirate. I think her name is Isabela? And you know that isn't true about rogues, Leliana. Just look at Evelyn, she is nothing like that. She always thinks tactically and is graceful and poised in everything that she does," Josephine says as she looks past the bow of the ship and smiles. "I see the docks! We are nearly there!"
"I'm sure she does," the Spymaster says as she rolls her eyes. "That is why she didn't tell you that she was going to duel your betrothed in Val Royeaux. If that isn't running headlong into the fray, I don't know what is."
The Ambassador begins tapping her foot in frustration as the docking of the ship was taking longer than anticipated. A local Comtess had arranged a fete for later on in the evening and her guests from Antiva had arrived early causing a long waiting line at the pier.
"At this rate, she could be dead," Josephine mutters aloud as she starts to pace the deck.
"Needing a lift?" Leliana's voice trails from seemingly nowhere.
The Antivan looks around trying to find her friend, but to no avail. "Where in Andraste's name are you Leliana?" She asks as she continues to look about.
"Down here," the bard replies. Josephine rushes over to the railing and peers over the edge. Standing in a small rowboat, the Spymaster stares up at the Ambassador and smiles. "Don't just stand there, Josie, let's go!"
"How did you? Where did you?" Josephine stammers as she proceeds to gaze at Leliana.
Smirking to herself, the bard lifts her hand towards the Ambassador. "Do you wish to get into the city faster? Or do you wish to remain here asking questions? Honestly, I thought you would have noticed that the small life boat that was attached to the ship earlier was now missing."
Josephine bites her lower lip as she looks down at the boat. "How am I supposed to get down?"
"Right below you are handholds," Leliana says as she points to the side of the ship. "And don't worry about the boat leaving from beside the ship... Charter hasn't cut the ropes completely. Once you are inside, however, she will cut the rope and we will make our way to the fishing pier on the other side."
The Ambassador looks around to see if anyone is watching her. When she sees that no one is around, she steels herself and swings her leg over the railing. I seriously hope that this works, she thinks to herself as she slowly makes her way down the side of the ship.
Leliana steadies the boat as she watches her friend make her way down. A smile crosses her face as she reaches out and steadies Josephine's descent into the tiny vessel. "I knew you would see reason to my methods one day." The bard chuckles softly as the Antivan stares daggers at her.
"I can't believe that this was your best idea!" Josephine exclaims as she sits down on the seat at the end of the boat. "Let's just be on our way before the city guard sees what we are doing."