See previous chapters. Does Blackwall remind anyone else of Sean Bean? Cheers!

Just Toddling Around

"It won't work," Melusine called out to Cassandra, or Blackwall, whichever one was more interested in hearing her reality. "This just won't work."

"Nonsense," Blackwall came up beside her and lifted her arm, "see? You have full range of movement." He let go, and her arm immediately fell back to her side. One, she hadn't tried to keep it aloft to prove her point. And two, she was serious when she said it wouldn't work.

"I'll show you full range of movement. Arse." Melusine shifted on her feet and moved her left foot forward, then her right, then her left, and on her next right, she attempted a turn. Only the turn was foolhardy, and she fell back against the armory door, pinned as it was by the massive amounts of padding and armor both Blackwall and Cassandra had layered on her. "I'm about as useful as a toddler in this getup."

Cassandra nodded, "Perhaps we have been too extensive with our suggestions."

Whatever Blackwall was about to say died under Melusine's yelp when the door behind her disappeared, and she fell to the stone floor. The excessive padding was useful for at least one thing: she didn't have the air knocked out of her from the fall. However, she still couldn't get up. Refocusing her eyes, Melusine observed the concerned and confused face of Cullen as he glanced between the laughing Blackwell and Melusine's upside-down turtle moment.

"Good morning, Cullen." Melusine did her best to appear calm and collected.

Out of all her male companions, Cullen was the most charming, and when she was around him, Melusine felt drawn to him and thought perhaps she too could be charming. Only to fail every single damn time. Usually, it was because Cullen happened upon her when she was the victim of Cassandra or Varric's training or, more recently, was pulled into some sort of misleading mischief with Sera or Iron Bull. It seemed the odds were against her ever procuring an interest from the man, and Melusine had to remind herself that that was perfectly acceptable.

Now, having lived in this world for two-and-a-half months, nearly three, it was getting harder and harder to keep the realities separate in her mind. And to remind herself that these flesh and blood companions were nothing more than well-written computer programs. A computer program's lack of romantic interest in her should not bruise her ego or make her embarrassed when he constantly found her at her worst.

"What's going on?" Cullen took pity on her and offered Melusine his hand. Before it was over, Melusine needed both of his hands to be hoisted back to her feet. Not on purpose, but also not regretting, she ended up leaning heavily against Cullen when first on her feet. He had to use his hands on her armored shoulders to steady her, his eyes full of concern and a wee bit of amusement. "That doesn't seem like it'll be advantageous in the field."

Melusine looked back to Cassandra and Blackwall and pointed to Cullen with her greave covered hand, "You see? At least Cullen sees reality."

"We thought that a few more layers of padding and armor would help prevent any repeats of the last time." Blackwall scratched his head.

Melusine snorted, "Last time I was an idiot and walked into that blade. Literally. No amount of armor can atone for idiocy."

"That is true." Melusine looked to Cullen and saw his smirk. She returned his smile.

"What about the Avvar armor?" Cullen asked, moving away from Melusine toward another door in the armory. "Some are fire-resistant, or cold-resistant, and I believe we can modify some to take more damage. But it isn't as bulky and allows for better," he glanced at the mass that was now Melusine and smiled, "range of movement."

"We can try." Cassandra joined Cullen in the adjoining room, leaving Melusine with Blackwall.

"You got me into this." She tried to toddle closer but stopped when she nearly fell again. "Get me out of it."

Laughing at the silliness of the situation, Blackwell came close and set about loosening all the various ties and buckles he and Cassandra had used to secure Melusine in this stupidity. He smelled of wood and leather and not for the first time Melusine was aware of the seductive aura that radiated from him. Blackwall was handsome, and strong, and had proven to be as great a drinking buddy as Varric. But where he differed from Varric was that Melusine was as aware of Blackwall as an unattached man as she was of Cullen. Sure Varric was somewhat unattached, considering the strangeness of his relationship with Bianca. However, Melusine was still convinced that with a little added push from friends, Varric and Cassandra would make an adorably explosive couple.

"You still up for a game of Wicked Grace later?" Blackwall broke the silence with his question.

Melusine nodded, "You or Varric will have to remind me of the rules, or at least, which rules are the easiest to break and get away with."

Blackwall's husky laugh sounded again and brought another smile to Melusine's face. They still had at least two more layers to go, and the others hadn't returned yet. Melusine silently watched Blackwall for another moment before a sudden thought exploded in her head, combined with a few snippets of memories. Why hadn't she thought of it before? On not two, but three different occasions on their last missions, Blackwall and Scout Harding had seemed to gravitate toward one another. Their conversations were always lively, friendly, and both came away laughing and brighter than before they'd spoken. And thinking of it now, to Melusine at least, there seemed like there could be potential for more.

"Blackwall," she waited for him to hum his attention as he continued his work, "what do you think of dwarves?"

Blackwall's eyes snapped to hers, "In what way?"

Ah. There WAS something, and she'd hit on it. Melusine shrugged.

"I mean, have you ever considered the idea of a dwarf and human getting together?" Melusine feigned innocence in her question but kept a close eye on Blackwall's physical response.

Blackwall drew back, "Don't tell me you're thinking of going after Varric?"

"What?"

Both Melusine and Blackwall turned to see Cassandra and Cullen standing in the doorway of the adjoining room. Both warriors looked surprised, and it seemed they each had their own "secret" emotion they were quick to hide away in the millisecond it took to comprehend Blackwall's words.

"You, and Varric?" Cullen cleared his throat and asked, returning to stand by her side, now holding a series of items that no doubt were part of this Avvar armor.

Melusine shook her head, "No. That's not what I meant."

"Oh, so you don't like dwarves, then?" Blackwall was just making it worse. On purpose, she could see it in the mirth of his eyes as he finished helping her shed the armor and padding.

"That's also not what I meant. I like dwarves just fine." How had this gone from her curiosity about the potential between Blackwall and Harding to being about her and Varric?

"But not enough to consider a dwarf as a potential-"

Melusine placed her hand over Blackwall's gabbing mouth and looked to Cullen and Cassandra, "I believe you have some armor you'd like me to try on?"

Cassandra stared between Blackwall and Melusine for another silent moment before she handed her items to Melusine. Cullen followed suit. Melusine was especially careful to observe Cassandra. It seemed the warrioress was lost in thought. And thanks to Blackwall, misleading thoughts. Melusine sighed and eyed the armor in her hands.

"Um, how does this work?"

"You, uh," Melusine was fascinated to see a blush creep up Cullen's neck and tint his cheeks pink, "you have to wear nothing underneath. It is meant to be flush against your, uh, well, your flesh."

"Oh." Melusine heard Blackwall snicker behind her and only barely resisted the urge to smack him upside the head. "So, I'll call if I get stuck and need assistance then."

"What?" Cullen looked akin to frightened, and this time, Blackwall let the room echo with his laugh.

"I'm joking, Cullen. And even if I did get stuck, Cassandra would help me." Melusine lightly punched Cassandra in her arm. "Right, Seeker?"

Cassandra startled, "What?" Looking between them, Cassandra shook her head. "I apologize. I was not listening."

"Don't worry about it." Melusine gave the woman a sympathetic smile before she hurried into the adjoining room.

It wasn't quite a leotard or Spanx, but it was quite form-fitting, and it left very little to the imagination. Melusine had trouble imagining this armor being much for armor, but then she had to remind herself that the laws of physics of her reality did not readily apply in this one. With a sigh, she came out of the room and rejoined the others. The armor was of medium weight, but it wasn't too challenging to move around.

She thought she saw Cullen's eyes widen when he saw her in the armor, but it was Blackwall's chuckle that drew Melusine's attention. She knew she wasn't as well-endowed as Vivienne, nor as tall and leggy as Cassandra, but Melusine had healthy proportions. Still, it was a bit disconcerting wearing something so revealing and yet still be clothed from neck to toe, only to hear a chuckle.

"You, uh, got full range of motion now, lass?" Blackwall winked, audaciously trailing his eyes up and down Melusine's form.

Cassandra groaned, "Oh, please." She circled Melusine and pushed at her body. "Show me some of your attack moves." Melusine went through a few of the stances Cassandra had taught her, and a few imitations of what holding a bow and shooting an arrow would be. "This seems to be working well. How does it make you feel?"

Melusine made eye contact with Cullen as she dropped into a crouch and slowly stood again, well aware that the muscles of her legs pushed against the armor. Another blush colored his cheeks and he looked away. Melusine stood straight, hopped a few times, then smiled.

"Seems to work just fine."

"Good," Cassandra's smile turned threatening, "then let's go practice."

Melusine groaned but followed her torturer out the door. Blackwall moved along with them, frequently offering his own pointers to Melusine but more often finding amusement in her floundering efforts. Cullen remained behind. Melusine glanced over her shoulder and could've sworn his eyes had been on her ass. But the moment was so quick she may have been mistaken. Melusine gave him a smile and a wave and he returned them both, though again with an ever so slight hint of color on his cheeks.