The rest of the evening went without a hitch. Jacquelyn managed to sort some kind of peace between the feuding powers, even if she wasn't pleased that Celene remained the empress. She managed to work something out so Celene and Gaspard would at least talk to each other civilly, even if they didn't like each other much.

She then went out to the balcony to get some fresh air, taking in a deep breath and releasing it in a slow sigh as she looked out at the starry sky. It had been a long night.

"The Orlesian nobility make drunken toasts to your victory," Jacquelyn turned as Morrigan stepped forth from where she had been lurking, "and yet you are not present to hear them. Do you tire so quickly of their congratulations, Inquisitor? 'Tis most fickle, after all your efforts on their behalf."

Jaquelyn smiled softly, turning and leaning on the railing.

"I just needed a moment," she admitted. "Tonight held more excitement than even I was expecting."

"I trust there is going to be much more excitement," Morrigan said. "By imperial decree, I have been named liaison to the Inquisition. Celene wishes to offer you any and all aid - including mine and that of Celene's second court mage. Congratulations."

Jacquelyn regarded Morrigan closely, too tired to try to work out any more games. It appeared that Morrigan was being genuine, that she actually wanted to help, though it didn't escape Jacquelyn that the mage didn't name the second advisor.

"I appreciate the help," Jacquelyn eventually said, forcing a friendly smile to her face. "Welcome to the Inquisition."

"A most gracious response," Morrigan responded, bowing her head ever so slightly. "I shall meet you at Skyhold."

With that, the mage turned and walked off. Her stride was that of a proud, strong woman, and Jacquelyn knew that she wasn't someone to be trifled with. Someone to keep an eye on.

And she knew that she would have to keep an eye on whoever this second advisor was, simply by the way Morrigan wasn't naming them. It seemed that the mage believed Jacquelyn might not trust whoever this person was, might not accept them into the Inquisition. And probably without reason. Whatever else Morrigan might be, she certainly wasn't stupid.

A sigh escaped Jacquelyn as she turned once more away from the ball, looking out over Orlais. She leaned heavily on the rails, her eyes closing as she simply enjoyed the feel of the breeze in her hair. It had been a long night.

"There you are! Everyone's looking for you."

Cullen. His voice was relieved, gentle. And Jacquelyn just wanted to lean into him, to let him sweep her away from the rest of the world. But she knew he couldn't. Not just yet, anyway.

"Things have calmed down for the moment," he leaned on the railing next to her, looking at her tenderly. "Are you all right?"

Jacquelyn tried to smile at him, but she knew he could see through it. She knew he could see how tired she was.

"I will be," she assured him. "Tonight has simply been rather a long one."

"For all of us," Cullen agreed. "I'm glad it's over."

"As am I."

Jacquelyn looked down at her hands, fiddling with her gloves as silence wrapped around them. She felt a warm, gentle hand on her shoulder and half looked around at Cullen.

"I know it's foolish, but I was worried for you tonight," Jaquelyn wasn't entirely certain how to reply, so she just placed her hand over his. "I might never have another chance like this, so I must ask."

Cullen stepped back, smiling that kind, gentle smile of his. So open. So inviting. He extended a hand to her, bowing slightly, and Jacquelyn raised her eyebrows in mild surprise.

"May I have this dance, my lady?"

A genuine smile drifted onto Jacquelyn's face as she regarded Cullen. Her commander. She reached out and took his hand in hers, stepping away from the railing and letting him pull her closer.

"Of course," she said. "I thought you didn't dance?"

"For you, I'll try."

Siara sat exhausted, waiting for the evening to be over. She was still a bit damp, but her face was mostly healed and her shoulder had little more than a bruise on it now. Anders had done a good job, and nothing was going to scar. Not that it would have bothered Siara if it did. She had plenty of scars, what was a few more?

What she really wanted was to go to bed. She hadn't had a good night's sleep in so long, and now it was really starting to catch up with her. She just wanted to sleep. Wanted everything to be over with. Didn't want to have to deal with Jacquelyn's shit anymore. Didn't want to deal with the Inquisition at that moment.

And she didn't really want to deal with the Anders drama that she knew was incoming. She was fortunate that it didn't seem like Jacquleyn recognised him in the gardens when fighting with Florianne. Thank the Maker for small mercies.

"I have news," Anders announced as he walked up to her, taking the empty seat beside her. Siara lazily rolled her head around, still leaning it back against the wall. Her hair was now a loose mess around her shoulders, and she knew that she must have been quite the sight. Not that she gave a damn.

"What is it now?" she asked, warily.

"Celene has decided that Morrigan and I will be liaisons between Orlais and the Inquisition."

"Shit."

"What's so bad about that?" Anders sounded almost indignant about Siara's reaction.

The elf sighed heavily, pushing away from the wall and forcing herself to stand up.

"You know what. You blew up a chantry and started a freaking war. And now you're being sent to help the Inquisition, of whose army Cullen is the commander of. Plus Jacquelyn isn't the biggest fan of mages, by my understanding," she sighed, heading in the direction of the balcony she knew Jacquelyn was hiding on. Anders followed not too far behind, not saying anything. He knew she was right. And he knew she wasn't looking forward to telling them who the mystery second advisor was, exactly. If Morrigan hadn't told them already.

Siara's footsteps faltered, then stopped at the sight before her. Anders looked from her to the Inquisitor and Cullen, the pair dancing out on the balcony.

"Are you all right?" he asked, not quite able to place the expression on Siara's face. She shrugged.

"Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, then turned away and headed back towards her seat. Anders raised his eyebrows, motioning to the balcony.

"Weren't you going to tell them about me?" he asked. Siara stopped walking, half turning back and looking past Anders to where Cullen and Jacquelyn still danced, smiling contentedly at each other. They looked like they didn't have a care in the world. It was possibly the most at ease she had seen Cullen. She didn't want to take that from him. Not just now.

She shrugged.

"Let them have tonight," she said. "I'll give them the bad news tomorrow."