This was embarrassing. Standing in a cafeteria, no matter how 'modern' and 'corporate' they tried to make it look, was making Skylar feel like she was back in high school. No one wants to be reminded of high school. No one. Especially someone who ended up being seen as the local victim to throw a pity party around.

Skylar took a silent, calming breath, trying to remember that Leliana thought this was important enough to threaten her prized possession over. Her mission—that she was volunteered for—was to make herself noticeable around the templars. She was to eavesdrop on their conversations if she could, but Leliana primarily wanted to observe their reactions. Apparently she was convinced there was a "small minority" of templars who absolutely despised Skylar and resented their recruitment into the Inquisition. Seemed like an inconsequential problem to her but, that's probably why she was the Herald and not the Spymaster.

Maybe the reasoning was legitimate, but it didn't make the situation any less awkward. Everyone already seemed to have their designated places to sit, their little groups already filled to capacity. Totally not at all like high school.

She tried to seem casual and calm as she aimlessly wandered through the tables. But she was rapidly coming to the end of the room and she still hadn't found any success. Which was of course doing wonders for that lovely little bit of social anxiety that was creeping up again.

You're the damned Herald, for fucks sake.

Herald of awkwardness, apparently.

Oh, get over it. No one is gonna refuse you a seat.

That logic was immediately debunked by the obvious glares she was getting from a table of previous circle mages.

Funny. They didn't seem so bitchy when they were begging for the Inquisition to swoop in and save them.

And to think, I almost joined them.

Dodged a fucking bullet there.

More like a massive explosion.

Too soon!

She tried to move on as casually as she could. But she was utterly convinced there was something awkward in her movements that people would be making fun of for years to come. She was about to give up and dart for the exit when she spotted Cullen sitting at a small table in the corner…with Barris.

Well shit.

Neither of them seemed to be paying attention to what was happening in the rest of the room for the moment. Much to her relief. She was ready to take that as a divine sign that this whole thing was a total disaster, but Cullen happened to notice her. He gave her a friendly smile but turned back to their conversation.

Well, now she was stuck. If she ran away after that, Cullen would definitely know something was up. And Maker damn that man straight to the void if he wouldn't hound after that like a mabari. Skylar wasn't all too keen on the idea of having to spill the beans about suspicious templars to him anyway. He'd probably get all offended and it would just turn into another shouting match. He seemed like he was in a good mood for once, too. If anyone was going to spoil that, Skylar was going to make sure it was Leliana. Not that she was being petty or anything.

She summoned whatever courage she had stored away and waltzed over to their table. Cullen wouldn't really be that mean to her, right? She tried hard to seem unbothered, praying that she pulled it off effectively. "Room for one more?"

Barris was shocked to see the Herald standing at their table, sheepishly holding her lunch tray. He was about to stammer out something that was close to 'yes, of course', but he got distracted—momentarily, but enough to give him pause. He wasn't certain if she had intended to dress up for someone but she definitely was making an impression on him. Her shirt was tight, it left no curve to the imagination despite the long sleeves that hooked over her thumbs. Given that she'd worn something similar the previous two times that he'd seen her, he was wholly convinced that this was the entirety of her wardrobe. Or that she was just doing this to torment him.

Most men would have been staring if she were wearing full armor, but to put herself on display like that…Maker, was she insane? Did she really expect him to have a proper conversation like that? Theirinfall was different, at least there was a battle to focus on. But here in the chantry's cafeteria he had nothing to distract him. Thankfully Cullen—who definitely noticed where Barris's eyes went—answered before the pause got awkward.

"Of course, Herald. You needn't ask." He nodded politely as he pulled the third chair out for her.

They were situated in the far corner of the large room in an effort to prevent being interrupted half a dozen times or blatantly eavesdropped on. It wasn't as if they usually discussed matters of security and secrecy here but still, the constant behavior wears on a person.

The Herald was a welcome distraction, Barris decided. Even despite—or perhaps, because of—the shirt. She damn near took his breath away in Val Royeaux. She'd done nothing but continue to surprise and impress him since that moment…And after hearing her speak at Theirinfall, there was no doubt in his mind that she was the true Herald of Andraste. He'd serve her for as long as she would allow.

"Thanks." She breathed a relieved sigh as she took her seat.

Cullen chuckled as he took another bite of his monstrous cheeseburger. "If you want to slum it with the grunts, I'm certainly not going to stop you."

Skylar scoffed; her annoyance evident on her face. "Trust me, I'm in the best possible company right here."

A smile twitched at the corner of Barris's mouth. His thoughts threatened to run wild with that until he happened to notice that there were in fact a few other tables with empty spots…some of them were mages, he'd even recognized a few of them from Kinloch Hold. They sneered in Skylar's direction as they carried on a conversation that was probably definitely disrespecting her in some manner. Barris had a mind to lay into them but it certainly wouldn't do for the Herald to have to witness that kind of a display.

Cullen's expression grew concerned. "The mages aren't giving you trouble, are they?"

"No, no…I mean, they're pretty pissed obviously. Not that they really have a leg to stand on—considering they weren't the one that had to make a fucking decision regarding the entirety of Thedas or anything—but it's whatever, really. Just all those snide whispers and stupid shit like that. But that's fine. It's not like I lost anything there. Most of them resented me to begin with." She shrugged as she picked at her fries.

Barris nearly laughed when he heard such vulgar words come out of her. During stressful situations, it was second nature to most people. But knowing now that it's just another part of her personality was surprising to say the least, but oddly comforting. She was the Herald of their prophetess, yet still just a normal person too. "If not the mages, then what troubles you?"

As she turned her pale green eyes to him, he said a silent prayer that he hadn't somehow overstepped some boundary. Which was pretty stupid, honestly. He'd spoken to her a handful of times before, of course. But that was, well, necessary. This time felt more casual. Friendly, even. Like he was being too personal with someone so…important.

Skylar flashed him a bright, genuine smile which set him at ease. "It's sweet of you to ask, but it's alright. Nothing I can't handle myself."

Maker, she could ask you to tear down the bloody mountain and you'd jump right to it. Get ahold of yourself, man! "If you're certain, Lady Herald."

"Yeah, totally fine." She started nibbling at her fries again. "Let's just enjoy lunch, yeah?"

Before she had fully gotten her last word out, an older templar man came all but marching up to the table. "Barris. We need to talk."

"Or not…" Skylar sighed heavily, seeming trying to hide behind her long hair now.

Barris was appalled by the man's rudeness on a number of levels, but he did his best to curb his reaction. "Ser Alrik, is it? Are you quite certain this can't wait?"

"Absolutely not!" The man made an unsavory scowling look towards Skylar. And he seemed content to ignore Cullen altogether. "It is imperative to the Templar Order and its future."

Skylar slumped against her seat. She really hoped Leliana was watching because she had a sinking feeling this was going to go south somehow. This had better be worth it.

At least you saved the Xbox.

If I get punched for this, I'm demanding a new game.

Barris's eyes narrowed at the man as he carefully set his lunch back down on his tray. Cullen shot him an apologetic look. Barris was certain that Cullen hadn't seen the way that the templar sneered at Skylar or he'd have been outraged as well. Skylar clearly noticed it, however.

Her posture deflated, Barris could practically see her getting more uncomfortable by the second. She began to shuffle out of her seat. "I should go."

"No." Barris said quickly, his hand darting out and resting on her forearm. It hadn't escaped his notice that she didn't flinch under his touch. He was actually fully expecting her to and having to apologize profusely for it later. Cullen certainly elicited that reaction…but he didn't? He had thought she just simply didn't like being touched, but now? He forced himself to file that line of thought away for right now. He only vaguely registered that his thoughts were bordering on obsession and he did not get obsessed. "Stay, my lady, please. Whatever the Knight-Lieutenant has on his mind can be said in front of you, I'm sure."

A flush creeped up on her pale features but she seemed to school it back down as quickly as she could manage. Before she sat back down, she pulled her chair closer to Barris, giving herself just a bit more distance from the enraged templar.

"This is not an appropriate discussion for…her…to be a part of."

Cullen shot Barris an annoyed look as he dropped his lunch. He turned in his seat to face Ser Alrik. From the expression on his face, Barris could tell that his friend finally caught up to the conversation. He seemed like he was only a short distance away from hitting the man himself. Barris leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "I'll remind you that you were the one to pick the venue, Ser. And if you think your words aren't fit for the Herald of Andraste to hear, then I suggest you re-think them."

Skylar's pulse quickened. Her instincts told her to run as far as she could from the situation. But Barris clearly thought this was a fight worth standing for and she wouldn't abandon him now. Mostly considering that he might have been one of her very few friends that she had left. That's what she was telling herself anyway. It definitely had nothing to do with her secretly enjoying this chivalrous knight thing that he was doing.

Is he always like this?

It's not just for me, right? Oh, Maker, what if it is?!

Shut up you! I am not doing this.

Brushing all of that nonsense aside—because she definitely wasn't ready to let herself twist whatever kind of friendship they had based on nothing but her own whimsical and foolish fantasies; She was still eternally grateful to have a friend like him who was willing to stand up for her.

The man deserves a medal or a reward or something.

Oh yeah, we'll give him a reward alright.

The thought took her completely by surprise. How long had it been since she had even wanted to think about that? She was just yelling at Varric about the subject not too long ago…When the void did that change? She focused hard to throw all of those girlish and naïve ideas out of her head forcefully. There was no way that she was going to let herself fall down that particular mental rabbit hole. And especially not now of all the damned times to do it…

Ser Alrik looked as if he were actually about to combust into flames. Skylar could practically feel the anger radiating off of him. "Andraste would never have sent an elf! And certainly not a filthy mage, to boot!"

That last part is likely what drew the attention of the mages' table. It didn't take long for the rest of the cafeteria to be turned to the spectacle. The looks on their faces ranged from offense to annoyance. Either way, it didn't seem that the templar had many friends among their audience.

Barris was on his feet before he even realized what he was doing. "She is the will of our Lady made manifest! To deny her is to deny Andraste herself!"

Oh I definitely get used to being worshipped.

Shut up, you! I am not fucking swooning!

"She's a mage, for fucks sake! Magic is supposed to serve us, not the other way around."

Barris glared intensely, his fists clenched but he kept them on the table. "If petty prejudice bars you from serving the Herald then you've shirked your duties as a templar as well."

The Knight-Lieutenant looked absolutely stunned. Cullen was seemingly beaming with both pride and excitement, he knew exactly what was coming and he was so ready for it.

"Ser Alrik," Barris made sure to speak louder than normal. The man had clearly wanted an audience, and Barris was all to happy to give him one now. "I relieve you of your rank, effective immediately."

"What! You can't do this! You're just a bloody knight!"

Barris scoffed as he took his seat again. "Tell it to someone who cares."

Andraste's great flaming ass!

Stop it…

All of the rewards! Everything! All of it!

Would you. Shut. The fuck. Up!

I think I'm in love…

I think I'm gonna get punched, you bimbo.

The next few seconds ticked by slowly for Barris. It was becoming increasingly clear that this idiot wasn't going to wander off quietly with what remained of his dignity. Barris now wished that he would have had the foresight to swap seats with the Herald, she was in a vulnerable position as it was. If she were in his seat, she would have had her back to the wall and been properly protected from any retaliation. It made him on edge, watching vigilantly for the first sign of trouble.

Ser Alrik turned to Cullen once the initial stun had seemingly faded. "Knight-Commander! You have to do something! You saw Kinloch! Even Kirkwall! How can you support this?!"

Cullen set a hard gaze as he corrected him. "It's Commander, now. And the fact that I follow the Herald willingly should tell you something. Especially considering my experience that you've so disgracefully summarized."

Skylar suddenly found herself fighting against the urge to cry. To say that she wasn't expecting this kind of support from Cullen was an understatement. She was just counting herself lucky that he was being nice to her today, she never thought he'd actually defend her if it came down to it. All they ever did was argue. But void take her, she wasn't going to let herself look weak or overly emotional or any of that shit in front of them. Maker knows the last thing she needed was them thinking that she was some kind of fragile doll.

"This is insane! You can't just kick me out!"

Cullen adopted a cocky expression as he motioned to a pair of soldiers standing guard at the cafeteria door. "I have no room for racists or bigots in my army." He nodded to the soldiers as they approached. "I don't want to see this man in Haven again. Get him out of here."

"What?! I won't be treated like this! There are others like me! You'll be hearing from all of us, we won't stand for this!"

Barris kept a judging gaze on him. "Be sure to take your friends with you, then. I hear the Reds are always recruiting."

There was no ignoring the collective reaction that got from their unwitting peanut gallery. Skylar herself was rather impressed by the utter brutality of that statement. She had actually forgotten until that exact moment that he was, in fact, from a noble family. Most 'grunts', as Cullen called them, didn't typically have the vocabulary or the wit to eviscerate a foe with only a few words.

So he has a sharp tongue too…wonder what else he can do with it—

DO YOU FUCKING MIND?!

The public reaction certainly did nothing to improve the now former knight's mood. When Alrik turned his angry stare to Skylar, Barris felt his stomach drop. Like an unexpected dip on a roller coaster, but, Maker, so much worse. He even noticed Cullen tense up. He shot a quick look at his friend, just to make sure they were both on the same page—making sure they were both ready to react accordingly.

"You bitch! You've ruined everything!"

The moment Alrik moved to hit her, both Cullen and Barris sprang into action. With an unspoken coordination that could only be attributed to practiced brothers in arms, Barris pulled Skylar towards him while Cullen gave the now ex-templar a swift but powerful punch to the gut. Cullen shoved Alrik back into the soldiers' grasp, snapping his head to order them to take him away.

Skylar's chair made a horrendous noise as it scrapped across the rough tile floor. She was very clearly not expecting to be pulled like that and lost her balance near instantly. She found herself balancing on Barris's lap, with his arm securing her around her waist. She bit back a gasp as she felt that long forgotten feeling of excitement flood in the very pit of her stomach. She was absolutely positive that there was going to be no way to hide her blushing now. She was feeling her body heat up in all the wrong—or right places; it was so damned hard to decide. Too many damned variables. And from such a small thing, too. Maker's fucking Breath, he was just trying to make sure that she didn't get her face knocked in and here she was ready to jump the man.

What in the actual void is wrong with me?!

What, you want a list?

Cullen smirked as he watched the soldiers haul the disgraced templar away. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that." He suddenly noticed that everyone else in the room was still staring and rolled his eyes at them. "Oh, go tweet about it."

Barris scrambled to help Skylar sit upright in her own chair as fast as he could. "Forgive me, Herald. I didn't intend to handle you so harshly."

The moment he said it, he knew Cullen was never ever going to let that go. Skylar's cheeks flushed brighter—if that were even possible at this point, he could have just as easily have been crazy by this point. Cullen turned back around towards them slowly. His eyebrow cocked as he snickered quietly at his friend.

Skylar straightened up and smoothed her hair back into place. "Oh, no, no. Don't be sorry. That was, um, perfectly fine."

Yeah and that was perfectly smooth…

Cullen cleared his throat, seemingly unconcerned with hiding his smirk. "I'm going to discuss this with Cassandra. We'll have a plan of action at the meeting in the morning, Herald."

"I'm sure that's not necessary…"

"Nonsense." Cullen entire demeanor grew serious. "We won't tolerate this attitude. It will be dealt with."

Skylar gave him a small, but clearly grateful smile. "Thanks."

Cullen nodded to both of them, flashing a mischievous look to Barris as he left the two of them alone. Barris sighed heavily as he turned back to Skylar. "I'm sorry you had to see that, my lady."

She shrugged. But in her head, her thoughts were continuing to spiral into incoherent girlish madness. There seemed to be no stopping it now. "Honestly, that was the main point of being here today. Leliana was hearing that some of the templars were pissed at me or about me or whatever. But I kinda figured if I had done something wrong, one of you would have told me."

"What? No, of course not! Maker's Breath, you saved the bloody order. We'd all be Red if it weren't for you." He shook his head involuntarily to get the thought away. He felt a shudder creep down his spine at the memory of it all.

"Well, um, that's good then." She looked down again as she huffed a laugh. She started fidgeting with the silver ring she wore on her index finger. "It's been a long time since people like that have been able to actually bother me, you know, for more than a few minutes…but uh, I really appreciate what you did…that was, um, kind of a big deal."

You literally sound like you're 15.

Can I just die now? That would be great, thanks.

Barris grew a wide, prideful grin. "Of course, my lady, and I'll do it again should the need arise." Maker, was she nervous? The probability somehow began boosting his confidence through the roof. He didn't quite understand it fully but he wasn't about to question it now. The last thing he needed was to give her the impression that he was a bumbling idiot; he was a Templar, for Maker's sake, he didn't need to be giving any more weight to that stereotype.

She laughed a little—which definitely did not sound nervous at all. "Look, the point is, you know, um…thanks, but, like a lot."

As smooth as a mountainside, killer.

Oh, just fuck off already…

"You're most welcome, Herald." He straightened his posture, trying to look as presentable as possible before he lost his nerve to ask. "Can I expect your company again tomorrow?"

She looked genuinely shocked but she recovered quickly, not that the blush that seemed to be appearing on her chest as well didn't give away the fact that she was flustered or anything. "Is that, uh…you'd like that?"

"I would," He smirked, "very much so."

Her expression lit up for a moment. She looked away nervously, tucking her hair behind her ear. "You know, I think I'd like that too."

"It's settled, then."

"I guess so." She flashed him a flirty smile before she left. "I'll see you later, Barris."

He watched her until she was out of his line of sight. He ended up sitting here for several moments longer, unable to get the Herald out of his mind. Maker, but she was going to make his religion very complicated if she kept that up.