See previous chapters. Scene inspired by the amazingly hilarious song "The Scotsman." Cheers!

First Prize

She wanted another but waved away the barmaid. Melusine didn't know what she would say or do if she allowed herself to get anywhere beyond tipsy. So, as much as she relished getting knockdown drunk with Iron Bull, or slide into inebriated oblivion with Dorian, Melusine held back. Her companions wrongfully assumed she was a lightweight or just didn't like the taste of spirits. Little did they know.

A familiar giggle coming from the tavern doorway had Melusine hiding her face. She didn't want to give anything away, not yet. She ignored Sera when the elf rogue entered with Iron Bull, heading over to their usual table nearest the far wall. Dorian and was already waiting, his deft fingers shuffling the cards, with a smirking Josie at his side. Melusine just had to keep it together a little while longer. A few more drinks would help for that, but, alas, she'd already had enough to make her tipsy and couldn't afford more.

"So, Mel," Varric suddenly appeared by her side, taking his place on the stool and leaning his elbows on the wooden bar, "I've heard rumors."

Melusine snorted, "For once, you weren't starting them? Perish the thought." Damn. She really wanted another drink.

"Yes, well, I don't think I could have thought up these rumors. Even my imagination has limits." From his voice, Melusine denoted a tinge of discomfort, perhaps even embarrassment, and that had her observing her dwarven friend more closely. At her academic glance, Varric shifted even more on the stool. "It's not to say that I wouldn't appreciate, I mean, there are moments when, except of course, but what I mean to say is-"

He was hedging, and there was odd body language radiating off him. Melusine put two and two together and groaned. It had barely been a week since Blackwall mislead Cullen and Cassandra into thinking she was asking about Varric. Rumors traveled faster than the Inquisition did, and no doubt Varric had finally heard. Though, by this point, Melusine wouldn't be surprised if the rumor had grown to include her obsessive desire to pop out half-dwarf babies with him as soon as possible as they rode nuggalopes into the sunset.

"Before either of us say something incredibly stupid," Melusine held up her hand to silence Varric, "do you want to hear what really happened?"

Varric's shoulders slumped, "So you know what I was about to talk about?"

"I think I have a pretty good guess. But again, do you want to know the truth, or do you prefer the stimulation to your imagination?"

"Truth."

Melusine didn't feel at all bad about spilling the beans regarding her theory on Harding and Blackwall. She surmised it had been Blackwall to spread the rumors anyway. Neither Culler nor Cassandra was the type. And of Cassandra, ever since that day, Melusine had noticed a subtle shift in the way the warrioress addressed both Varric and herself. It was almost as if Cassandra was seeing Varric for the first time, finally recognizing that though dwarf, he was entirely male. She'd also grown more…amiable to Melusine? Though, for the life of her, Melusine couldn't figure out how the two were connected.

Of course, Cullen had also shifted a bit. He was just as charming as ever but he seemed more withdrawn than before. Which wasn't saying much, considering Melusine had tried to draw the man into flirtation and it came off as a bust most often.

By the time Melusine finished explaining the situation to Varric, he had tears in his eyes from laughter and had drawn more than a little attention from the other tavern goers. Along with their companions at the far table. Melusine almost made eye contact with Sera but quickly averted her gaze to stare at Varric as he sobered from his humor.

"You think there could be something there, eh Mel?" He signaled for a drink and shook his head. "I think you have an even stronger imagination than I do. Maybe you should be the one to write stories."

"Maybe, I will. And if I do-"

The tavern door burst open and Blackwall stomped in. He stopped when he spotted first, Sera, then Melusine. His eyes narrowed as he held up a single blue ribbon for all the tavern to see.

"Who was the one to tie first prize?"

Melusine lost it then. Though Varric gaped in confusion, Melusine burst from her seat and made for the door. She heard Sera do the same, though she was scrambling for a window exit. Blackwall let out a peal of roaring laughter and quickly gave chase. Though no one except the three of them knew the details of the prank, everyone in the tavern knew that there had been yet another prank committed. All in the name of uplifting morale.