And just like that, the warmth if his hand vanished. Lioriley frowned despite herself, pulling her hand back to cradle it in the opposite palm for a moment.
She willed herself to smile by the time she looked up, nodding in turn. "Of course." She said, more than happy to follow his lead.
"Only the Inquisitor and, ah. Varric? He is quite the delight."
Varric was certainly difficult to miss, Cullen thought--not necessarily in a bad way. He tried to think of what others Lioriley might have wished to meet, and planned his route accordingly as he led her from the room.
"If you have any questions--do feel free to stop me."
But he took her out from his office and to the main hall first and foremost. "Everyone gathers here. If you have any questions, this would be the place to start." He didn't want to make this awkward and completely formal, even though he probably... really, he should have. But. "You can of course come to me with anything you might need. I will do my best to make it happen. If the Inquisitor believes in you enough to recruit you by their side, I have no reservations either." Not that he would have anyway.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was one particular place she wished to see above all others - but it was likely the second she was brought to the library, Cullen would have to suffer her talking to Solas and Dorian both for far too long, as well as perusing the tomes offered. Surrounded by books had often been how he had seen her in the circle, too.
"I am sure you are a very busy man." She offered with a smile. "I would hardly wish to bother the Commander of the Inquisition with mundane questions."
"You'd never be a bother, Lioriley." He said the words without thinking, then coughed. "I mean of course--it is my duty to assist you however I can. You will find your place in the Inquistion soon enough, but my door is always open. Mundane questions or... for other things."
He'd meant for general chatting or invites to dine together, perhaps for them to sit together in silence doing their work--but how had it come off? By the Maker... "Of--of the educational, professional kind of things I mean. Of course."
Lioriley would not have taken it otherwise until Cullen elaborated, his nervousness all but radiating off him and sinking into her. She felt her cheeks flush, and suddenly she was fidgeting with her robes as they walked through the hold on their tour.
"Of course. I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Cullen." She said. Hopefully her calmness would assuage any concerns he had.
Meeting everyone was fairly uneventful. Leliana and Josephine had been busy at the time, but exchanged their pleasantries nonetheless. Vivienne certainly struck Lioriley as someone she could absolutely speak to again especially with her opinions on the circle and how mages were treated. There were some outside still - The Chargers, Cassandra, Cole - but, as expected, the library had enraptured her the moment they stepped foot inside.
And poor Cullen. The instant Solas spoke, Lioriley was equally as enraptured. And now they just would not shut up despite Lioriley insisting every so often that she would only be a moment longer.
Cullen, for what it was worth, sat as patiently as he was able. His arm rested on the hilt of his blade that he seemed to always carry with him, and he could feel Dorian's amusement radiating from the other side of the library. Every so often Cullen would cough awkwardly only to be ignored or quieted with insistence...
He wandered over to Dorian.
"The new mage looks awfully like your type, Commander."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Dorian did not deign a reply and merely tipped his head over to where she talked to Solas. "A beautiful woman, of course. Though it looks like you have some competition."
Cullen scowled at him. "There is--that is none of your concern." He regretted his movement instantly and moved back to the two elves, Dorian's mocking laughter echoing throughout the library. Another cough. "If you'd rather I leave you here--we can tour the outside tomorrow, or another time--" Or Solas can do it, he thought bitterly.
Lioriley knew it must have been terribly rude for her to interrupt their tour to speak with Solas. But another elven mage with such intricate and in depth insight into the Fade, the old ways of magic? She could not resist and, apparently, neither could he resist indulging her, given how infrequently he was able to speak at length without someone getting bored or dismissing him. Uncultured, the lot of them.
"Oh, no no!" Lioriley said insistently, grasping his forearm gently like she worried he might actually leave without her. "I am deeply sorry, Cullen. It has just been so long since I was able to speak to another mage like this, especially about such esoteric topics!" And Solas, smarmy man he was, smiled at the both of them. "Yes, my apologies as well, Commander." Then, to Lioriley. "I hope we might speak again soon." And Lioriley nodded excitedly. "Of course."
Cullen let out a breath as Lioriley grabbed his arm, and he adjusted so that he could more properly lead her as a gentleman should. The outdoors were next, and he pointed out the different areas of Skyhold that she may have found interesting--even if he knew she would spend nearly all of her time in the library. He did linger in the gardens for a moment, explaining the plans the Inquisitor had to refurbish them as well as many other parts of Skyhold.
When they eventually made their way back to the stairway by his office, Cullen hesitated for a moment. "Well, that's really all there is to show..."
He should ask her to have dinner with him.
The words caught in his throat as he tried to say them, ending in a cough and something that sounded like, "Sup - cough - with me?"
Lioriley was delighted by all of it, making commentary where she could on the structure of Skyhold and the vastness of the courtyard and surrounding lands. She would have to visit the gardens to see their progress- and speak with that odd young man again. What was his name? Cole? What a pleasure he was.
Still holding onto his arm, Lioriley glanced up, confused and smiling awkwardly as she chuckled. "Pardon? I did not quite catch that."
"By Andraste's..." His words were quiet, muttered under his breath. He coughed again, this time forcing himself to sound vastly more confident than he felt. "Would you like to dine together this evening?"
Perhaps that had been too formal.
"We could--at the tavern, or in my chambers, or... outside. Perhaps." He took a breath and closed his eyes, then smiled at her. "I wish to catch up as much as we are able. I have missed you dearly, and am glad to see you well. I also want to answer any lingering questions you may have about the Inquisition." He paused, then added, "Informally, if we may."
Lioriley smiled up at him, patiently waiting for him to collect himself.
It was funny how, despite the amount of time that had passed since they last met, that Cullen was still the slightly awkward, easily flustered man she had known in the circle. Not that she was much better- blushing as he offered his suggestions.
She squeezed his arm. "I would love to join you for dinner, Cullen." She said cheerfully. "I think your chambers would offer us the most peaceful place to dine, yes? Would you - should I make something?"
The sigh of relief was followed immediately by a pang of... what should he say? "If you wish to, you may. But I was planning on having something sent up from the tavern. Surely you have traveled far to get here and wish to rest?"
Would it be awkward to provide wine? He should offer it, at least... right? What else...
"Is... there anything in particular you would like? They are skilled at making--" he didn't quite know. "Stew?"
"Oh! That is fine. I should really get used to the food offered here if I am to stay." She said, unbothered. "Stew is fine. I am not picky and I am hardly going to start requesting Antivan dishes or what have you while I am sure we are working with limited resources."
A shrug. "I will try to find something suitable to wear for the evening." She loosend her grip on his arm. Finally.
The flash of a frown appeared on his face before he smiled, wondering what she might have brought with her to wear. "Nothing too fancy will be required--though Josephine may have some ideas for you. Or Vivienne." But now what would he wear?
"Well, if you want to come 'round at... let us say, seven? I will have everything prepared for us."
She was not an indulgent woman, but she may or may not have had some fancy dresses from her travels. Lioriley had attended many a fancy ball while hobknobing with nobles in hopes of learning more about the culture of the places she visited.
"That sounds perfect. I will see you then." A beat. She then quickly leaned up to kiss his cheek, scurrying off before either of them could lose their minds about it.
She instead lost her mind in her room with Josephine, who excitedly offered her a few golden bangles and a fancy necklace to go with the two toned dress she already had on, speaking excitedly about how nice it was for the Commander to treat her.
She also said something about a book she read once about a similar situation where old friends met. Lioriley promptly excused herself before she got to the meat (literally) of that tale and hurried off to meet Cullen- about ten minutes early. Oops.
Cullen absolutely did far too much for what he claimed was supposed to be a simple affair.
There were bowls of stew, various types of breads and cheeses, and a bottle of the finest wine he was able to beg the tavernkeeper for in exchange for a little extra coin for their next shipment of supplies. His outfit was a simple red and gold suit jacket that he was sure would be outshone by whatever it was Lioriley chose to wear--he did not expect her to come casually, as he had insisted.
So when he heard that knock on the door, he tried to gulp down the panic at her punctuality--she was early because of course she was. Opening the door, he felt the heat fly to his face as he stared down at her and couldn't help but wonder how she traveled with something so elegant.
"You look lovely," he blurted out. How charming. "You can--ah, take a seat. Either side of the table is fine."
Now he regretted not lighting a candle for the table. But perhaps that would have been too forward?
"Handsome-" oh, now she was the one only muttering half her thoughts aloud without thinking. She cleared her throat. "You look very handsome. You always do, of course."
They were both disasters. Lioriley decided to just laugh it off as best she could, moving in to sit on one side of the table, dress tucked under her thighs. As she settled she looked at the spread before her, eyes wide. "Cullen... you did not have to go through so much trouble." Was that wine?
If his cheeks had the ability to burn even hotter than they already had, they were most definitely doing that. Cullen coughed and muttered a thank you while he turned away, his attention on the table as if he could hide his blush if he just didn't look at her.
"Is it... too much?" It was too much. But... "You are worth the effort, Lioriley."
There. He said something without stumbling over his words.
He sat down across from her, pouring her a glass of wine as he made an intense effort to keep his trembling hand steady.
"No!" She said hurriedly. "No, it is lovely. Thank you." She didn't think she was worth the effort, but she was hardly in the mindset to argue that much, her cheeks flushed and her eyes shifting from the array of food, to Cullen, to the sparse decorations on the stone walls. She bit her lip while she watched the wine pour.
Would telling him she was a hilariously cheap date make him cease his pouring and insist they not partake? It looked like a fine vintage, and it would be rude not to have a glass, at least. She took the glass by the stem, fingertips grazing his knuckles before she pulled back. "A toast. To old friends finally meeting again."
He raised his own glass and gently clinked it against hers. If anything, he hoped the wine would loosen him up enough to have a normal conversation with her. Especially after her fingers touched his and he had to prevent himself from yanking his hand away.
"I still cannot quite believe we have not crossed paths until now. I thought the worst had happened, especially after... well, things at the Circle did not end pleasantly. As you know." He shouldn't tell her about the nightmares, probably.
She pulled her hand back and took a sip, savoring the taste on her tongue and trying her best to place it. Orlesian? Mm. Maybe. Oh, he was talking.
"Well, I had traveled quite extensively since we last saw one another, and I tended to keep far from Ferelden for obvious reasons." Not wanting to be captured and tried as an apostate (re: turned tranquil). "I feared the same of you, truly. Were you-" a beat. Should she ask. "Were you there when the Hero of Ferelden came?"
It made sense. Cullen felt the guilt deep in his chest knowing he would have been one of the ones to chase her down, had he known she was still alive--and not for the right reasons when he'd been freshly saved from those events.
"I was." He swirled his wine and stared into the depths as if it would give him answers. There were memories there that he still had not finished processing. "Many were not so... lucky." If you could call it that. He'd seen horrors beyond anything he'd ever experienced while awake.
She watched him as he spoke, her gaze dimming to something softer; more sympathetic. The way he hesitated to say 'lucky' like he did not think himself as much making her frown and take a larger swig of her wine than she should have.
"We do not have to speak on it further if you do not wish to, Cullen." She offered solemnly. "I am sure it is a... difficult time to parse through. The memories unpleasant." She had only seen the beginning, and that was unpleasant enough.
Cullen gripped his wine glass a bit tighter than he needed to before he relaxed his hand, fearing he may shatter it were he not more careful. "It pains me to know that the actions of the Templars I believed in were a great cause of pain for the mages to have gone through so much. Those of us who made it out--mage and Templar alike--were worse for wear." That was all he was willing to say on the subject for now.
"But I wish to hear of any stories you may have had. Outside of Ferelden I am sure the world is vastly different."
She smiled despite the thought that briefly darkened her mind, not entirely surprised by the change in subject. Too heavy a topic and too soon a reunion, assuredly.
"Oh, it is. All the books in the world could not have prepared me fully for life outside the tower, especially as an elf." And elven apostate so a double whammy of bias and danger. "But it is... beautiful. I went to Antiva - dangerous and warm and so unlike Ferelden. The sea though- it called to me. It always has, I suppose. But I loved it there sans the, ah, political games oft played."
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2024-06-23 07:59 pm (UTC)She willed herself to smile by the time she looked up, nodding in turn. "Of course." She said, more than happy to follow his lead.
"Only the Inquisitor and, ah. Varric? He is quite the delight."
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Date: 2024-06-23 08:26 pm (UTC)"If you have any questions--do feel free to stop me."
But he took her out from his office and to the main hall first and foremost. "Everyone gathers here. If you have any questions, this would be the place to start." He didn't want to make this awkward and completely formal, even though he probably... really, he should have. But. "You can of course come to me with anything you might need. I will do my best to make it happen. If the Inquisitor believes in you enough to recruit you by their side, I have no reservations either." Not that he would have anyway.
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Date: 2024-06-23 08:33 pm (UTC)"I am sure you are a very busy man." She offered with a smile. "I would hardly wish to bother the Commander of the Inquisition with mundane questions."
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Date: 2024-06-23 11:59 pm (UTC)He'd meant for general chatting or invites to dine together, perhaps for them to sit together in silence doing their work--but how had it come off? By the Maker... "Of--of the educational, professional kind of things I mean. Of course."
Skipping ahead lmao
Date: 2024-06-24 12:48 am (UTC)"Of course. I will keep that in mind. Thank you, Cullen." She said. Hopefully her calmness would assuage any concerns he had.
Meeting everyone was fairly uneventful. Leliana and Josephine had been busy at the time, but exchanged their pleasantries nonetheless. Vivienne certainly struck Lioriley as someone she could absolutely speak to again especially with her opinions on the circle and how mages were treated. There were some outside still - The Chargers, Cassandra, Cole - but, as expected, the library had enraptured her the moment they stepped foot inside.
And poor Cullen. The instant Solas spoke, Lioriley was equally as enraptured. And now they just would not shut up despite Lioriley insisting every so often that she would only be a moment longer.
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Date: 2024-06-24 01:26 am (UTC)He wandered over to Dorian.
"The new mage looks awfully like your type, Commander."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
Dorian did not deign a reply and merely tipped his head over to where she talked to Solas. "A beautiful woman, of course. Though it looks like you have some competition."
Cullen scowled at him. "There is--that is none of your concern." He regretted his movement instantly and moved back to the two elves, Dorian's mocking laughter echoing throughout the library. Another cough. "If you'd rather I leave you here--we can tour the outside tomorrow, or another time--" Or Solas can do it, he thought bitterly.
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Date: 2024-06-24 01:34 am (UTC)"Oh, no no!" Lioriley said insistently, grasping his forearm gently like she worried he might actually leave without her. "I am deeply sorry, Cullen. It has just been so long since I was able to speak to another mage like this, especially about such esoteric topics!" And Solas, smarmy man he was, smiled at the both of them. "Yes, my apologies as well, Commander." Then, to Lioriley. "I hope we might speak again soon." And Lioriley nodded excitedly. "Of course."
She squeezed Cullen's arm. "Lead the way."
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Date: 2024-06-25 12:52 am (UTC)When they eventually made their way back to the stairway by his office, Cullen hesitated for a moment. "Well, that's really all there is to show..."
He should ask her to have dinner with him.
The words caught in his throat as he tried to say them, ending in a cough and something that sounded like, "Sup - cough - with me?"
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Date: 2024-06-25 01:06 am (UTC)Still holding onto his arm, Lioriley glanced up, confused and smiling awkwardly as she chuckled. "Pardon? I did not quite catch that."
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Date: 2024-06-25 03:19 am (UTC)Perhaps that had been too formal.
"We could--at the tavern, or in my chambers, or... outside. Perhaps." He took a breath and closed his eyes, then smiled at her. "I wish to catch up as much as we are able. I have missed you dearly, and am glad to see you well. I also want to answer any lingering questions you may have about the Inquisition." He paused, then added, "Informally, if we may."
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Date: 2024-06-25 03:29 am (UTC)It was funny how, despite the amount of time that had passed since they last met, that Cullen was still the slightly awkward, easily flustered man she had known in the circle. Not that she was much better- blushing as he offered his suggestions.
She squeezed his arm. "I would love to join you for dinner, Cullen." She said cheerfully. "I think your chambers would offer us the most peaceful place to dine, yes? Would you - should I make something?"
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Date: 2024-06-25 03:33 am (UTC)Would it be awkward to provide wine? He should offer it, at least... right? What else...
"Is... there anything in particular you would like? They are skilled at making--" he didn't quite know. "Stew?"
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Date: 2024-06-25 03:37 am (UTC)A shrug. "I will try to find something suitable to wear for the evening." She loosend her grip on his arm. Finally.
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Date: 2024-06-25 03:43 am (UTC)"Well, if you want to come 'round at... let us say, seven? I will have everything prepared for us."
And an outfit. He hoped.
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Date: 2024-06-25 03:55 am (UTC)"That sounds perfect. I will see you then." A beat. She then quickly leaned up to kiss his cheek, scurrying off before either of them could lose their minds about it.
She instead lost her mind in her room with Josephine, who excitedly offered her a few golden bangles and a fancy necklace to go with the two toned dress she already had on, speaking excitedly about how nice it was for the Commander to treat her.
She also said something about a book she read once about a similar situation where old friends met. Lioriley promptly excused herself before she got to the meat (literally) of that tale and hurried off to meet Cullen- about ten minutes early. Oops.
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Date: 2024-06-26 03:16 am (UTC)There were bowls of stew, various types of breads and cheeses, and a bottle of the finest wine he was able to beg the tavernkeeper for in exchange for a little extra coin for their next shipment of supplies. His outfit was a simple red and gold suit jacket that he was sure would be outshone by whatever it was Lioriley chose to wear--he did not expect her to come casually, as he had insisted.
So when he heard that knock on the door, he tried to gulp down the panic at her punctuality--she was early because of course she was. Opening the door, he felt the heat fly to his face as he stared down at her and couldn't help but wonder how she traveled with something so elegant.
"You look lovely," he blurted out. How charming. "You can--ah, take a seat. Either side of the table is fine."
Now he regretted not lighting a candle for the table. But perhaps that would have been too forward?
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Date: 2024-06-26 03:32 am (UTC)They were both disasters. Lioriley decided to just laugh it off as best she could, moving in to sit on one side of the table, dress tucked under her thighs. As she settled she looked at the spread before her, eyes wide. "Cullen... you did not have to go through so much trouble." Was that wine?
Oh no.
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Date: 2024-06-26 03:47 am (UTC)"Is it... too much?" It was too much. But... "You are worth the effort, Lioriley."
There. He said something without stumbling over his words.
He sat down across from her, pouring her a glass of wine as he made an intense effort to keep his trembling hand steady.
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Date: 2024-06-26 03:54 am (UTC)Would telling him she was a hilariously cheap date make him cease his pouring and insist they not partake? It looked like a fine vintage, and it would be rude not to have a glass, at least. She took the glass by the stem, fingertips grazing his knuckles before she pulled back. "A toast. To old friends finally meeting again."
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Date: 2024-06-26 04:10 am (UTC)"I still cannot quite believe we have not crossed paths until now. I thought the worst had happened, especially after... well, things at the Circle did not end pleasantly. As you know." He shouldn't tell her about the nightmares, probably.
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Date: 2024-06-26 04:26 am (UTC)"Well, I had traveled quite extensively since we last saw one another, and I tended to keep far from Ferelden for obvious reasons." Not wanting to be captured and tried as an apostate (re: turned tranquil). "I feared the same of you, truly. Were you-" a beat. Should she ask. "Were you there when the Hero of Ferelden came?"
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Date: 2024-06-26 04:30 am (UTC)"I was." He swirled his wine and stared into the depths as if it would give him answers. There were memories there that he still had not finished processing. "Many were not so... lucky." If you could call it that. He'd seen horrors beyond anything he'd ever experienced while awake.
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Date: 2024-06-26 07:22 am (UTC)"We do not have to speak on it further if you do not wish to, Cullen." She offered solemnly. "I am sure it is a... difficult time to parse through. The memories unpleasant." She had only seen the beginning, and that was unpleasant enough.
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Date: 2024-06-27 04:01 am (UTC)"But I wish to hear of any stories you may have had. Outside of Ferelden I am sure the world is vastly different."
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Date: 2024-06-27 04:11 am (UTC)She smiled despite the thought that briefly darkened her mind, not entirely surprised by the change in subject. Too heavy a topic and too soon a reunion, assuredly.
"Oh, it is. All the books in the world could not have prepared me fully for life outside the tower, especially as an elf." And elven apostate so a double whammy of bias and danger. "But it is... beautiful. I went to Antiva - dangerous and warm and so unlike Ferelden. The sea though- it called to me. It always has, I suppose. But I loved it there sans the, ah, political games oft played."
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