Our Story

Getting up and walking around my room was much easier today. Although my muscles groaned, it wasn't painful. I fumbled with getting my armor on. It didn't look like it had this many straps in the game. Bending and twisting, I finally got it secured on my chest. Reaching down and grabbing the leggings, I jumped and hopped to get it around my waist. It was very snug but still allowed me to twist and bend as needed.

Taran greeted me with a smile. She didn't bow or call me Hearld so that made me happy. I told her that I was going to head to the tavern for breakfast. We would have to chat later. I left my cabin and made my way to the tavern.

It wasn't badly packed with people, but there were enough to make me want to find the nearest corner to hide in. I found the fireplace and settled myself on one of the benches next to it. My back was to the stone which was warm to the touch.

I leaned back and thought about what happened that night. 

I had entered the Fade! Like, how cool is that!?

 Desire said that Solas knew I was there. How odd that he didn't come over to investigate. She said that he was busy. I could think of a hundred different things that he could have been doing.

That place I found Desire was vaguely familiar as well. Had the Fade drawn from my memories to produce it?

 I smirked. Since Desire had agreed to train both me and Brooklyn, we would be able to proceed to the Hinterlands more quickly. This was good as I didn't want to waste any time.

Learning magic within the Fade was certainly easier then learning it in the waking world. Though it would take more focus to channel. It made sense that whatever Brooklyn learned during her training, she would share with me at night. And vice versa of course.

My thoughts were interrupted by a mug slamming on the table. “How ya doin there Trouble? Did Sunshine cast ya into the snow pits this morning?”

I startled at the sound of the mug and looked up to see a beaming Varric. “Good morning Varric. No trips into the frozen wastelands for me today. I haven't even seen Talc this morning. I figured she wouldn't appreciate being woken up two mornings in a row.” I grinned with a twinge of mischief in my eyes.

“You two really are an odd pair I must say. How long have you guys known each other?”

I thought about how I should answer. Probably best to just tell the truth, “Seven, maybe 8, years? Give or take. It took awhile, but once we were best friends nothing could stop us.” I laughed.

“Thats a long time. It's still odd to me that your best friend is a Qunari. Did you have many elf friends as well?” He questioned.

“I was not particularly close with those around me. We conversed and worked together when needed, but I was never close to any of them.” I was very careful in my wording. It wasn't an out right lie. I never said the people I was around were elves.

“Interesting. And here I find you hiding in a corner. Not much of a socialite are ya?” Varric mused.

“It takes me awhile I'll admit. All this Herald nonsense certainly doesn't help.” I laughed bitterly.

“You dont believe you are the Herald of Andraste?”

“Nope, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nickname's Trouble, remember?” I grinned.

“I'll admit I've seen some crazy stuff in the past, but your story has some of the craziest and we aren't even a week into it!”

“Oh the joys of being me. Never a dull moment.”

“Thats what I'm counting on. I got full dibs on story rights.” He flicked his finger at me.

“Agreed!” I laughed.

“Come on then. I'm sure you are hungry. Lets get some breakfast. You hang out here. It'll be my treat.”

I thanked him and leaned against the stone again. Oh thats right! I need to ask him to show me how to be a rouge. I gotta at least keep up some appearances that I'm training here. All my real training will be in the Fade.

Varric returned with two bowls of food and a plate of toast. I was excited to finally try some food from Thedas.

“Eat up, Trouble.”

I thanked him and pulled the bowl closer. I took a sniff and could smell the spices wafting in the steam.

“This looks and smells tasty.” I grinned.

“Why dont you try it before you say that.” He laughed. “Flissa does a good attempt at nug stew. But I've had better.”

“Nug?” I asked. My mouth dropped a bit and I stared at the floating chunks of meat. If he hadn't told me it was nug, I would have sworn it was chicken.

“Most common meat out there, its a bit tough and stringy. But it fills the belly either way.” Varric chuckled.

I took a spoon and tentatively brought the broth to my lips. A wide smile flashed on my face. “This is really good! I dont know what you are talking about!” I began to tear into the hearty soup. Pieces of meat and vegetables swirled around avoiding getting trapped on my spoon.

“Careful there! Don't want the Herald choking on food before she can save all our skins.”

I rolled my eyes but began slowly chewing my food. “OH! Varric! Before I forget. Will you show me how to be a rouge?” I asked, suddenly remembering what the plans for the day were.

“You want me to teach ya, hm? I dont know kid, I'm not the best one to handle that kinda responsibility.” He scratched his chin, deep in thought.

“Just teach me what you know, the rest I should be able to figure out by myself as best as I can.”

A shadow loomed next to me and someone sat down.

“Good morning Herald. You seem to have recovered well enough.” Solas' smooth voice sent shivers down my spine.

Oh goody, Solas. How long had he been standing there? 

I turned to look at him, “Oh yes. I'm feeling much better though I'm still not 100%. That extra trip in the snow didn't exactly help.” I tweaked an eyebrow at him. “I know that was you dumping a whole tree's worth of snow on me.”

“I have no recollection of doing such a thing Herald.” He smirked.

“Are you sure Chuckles? That didn't seem like an accident. You looked pretty pissed at Sunshine.”

“If that were the case Master Tethras, would it not be more prudent to seek revenge on the Qunari and not the Herald.” Solas retorted.

“Uh huh.” It was all I could say as I glowered at him. I inched further away from him and closer to the wall. I had hoped to put some distance between us, but he took the opportunity to scoot closer to me.

“How did you sleep last night Herald?” He asked.

“What can I help you with Solas?” I grumbled 

“I was only asking how you slept. A harmless question I'm sure.”

“What up, posse!” I heard a familiar voice and turned to see Talc. She gave her customary two finger salute and moved closer to us.

 Oh thank goodness she's here. 

I look pleadingly at her and cocked my head slightly toward Solas. She took the hint.

She threw her arms into the air. 

"Nobody mind me!” She called out as she raised her foot and stomped it down on the bench dramatically. Of course, everyone in the place turned to look at her. 

"Just go about your business!" She ordered loudly  as she took a giant step onto the table.

Everyone in the tavern stopped to take in the spectacle of the giant Qunari table-hopping as she made a show of clumsily tiptoeing towards me. The table shook and dishes clattered under her weight . I think she kicked one or two off on purpose.

Solas looked absolutely mortified at her complete lack of decorum. The look became worse as he realized she was about to seat herself in his lap. He quickly moved out of the way as she stomped down on our bench and squeezed in between us.

"Ooo. It's cozy over here." She hummed as she wiggled in. She threw an arm over both our shoulders and turned to Solas.

"Hey-ah." She said, giving him her best Flynn Ryder Smolder. I could feel Solas anger boiling over. I could sense his magic surging.

Solas stood quickly, flinging her arm off his shoulders as he did so. He glared at Talc. 

“Have you no manners?! I have business to discuss with the Herald. Nothing that involves you, Qunari.” He snapped.

"Are you leaving?" Talc asked innocently with a hurt expression on her face, " I thought we were about to share a beautiful moment together." She placed her hands on her cheeks and gazed up at him with a dreamy sigh.

Solas' lip curled in disgust. He gave her a fierce glare before moving to the opposite side of the table. With a humph, he flopped down next to Varric and continued shooting daggers at Talc.

Talc blew him a kiss and scooted closer to the wall. This left me little room to move, but I didn't mind. Catching her eye I whispered, “Thanks.” She just smiled and sent me a wink.

“Did you get yourself some food Sunshine?” Varric asked.

“Not yet Shortcake. Wheres the menu?”

“There is no menu, Qunari. It's the same dish they provide every morning. Had you not been gallivanting with the Herald yesterday, you might have already figured that out!” Solas hissed.

"Somebody's jealous." Talc sang under her breath.

“Are we going through this again, Solas? You are starting to piss me off. You do not want to see me angry.” I set a furious glare on him. He only blinked and sat back. His glare didn't soften at all.

I saw Talc nod furiously out the corner of my eye. "She's definitely scarier than me, don't let that cute face throw you. It's the quiet ones you gotta watch out for."

That did it for Solas. He stormed off in a huff, didn't even turn around to say goodbye. I was glad to see him walk away though.

“Look at that, Abu! It’s not every day you see a horse with two rear ends." She smirked,  smacking me on the shoulder with the back of her hand. I couldn't help but smirk at the movie reference.

“Whats the deal with you two and Solas? He's here to help, ya know.” Varric questioned.

"I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about.” Talc said as she ruffled my hair. I shoved her hand off and glared at her.

I ignored Varric's question. “Now that we have a moment, you should go get yourself some soup. We are gonna need our energy for today.” I said to Talc.

She nodded and gave me a salute. It was then I noticed the item on her wrist. It was a beautifully made beaded bracelet. Blue glass beads braided into soft leather straps wrapped around her silver wrist three times.

"Where did you get that bracelet?" I asked. She looked down. "Oh this? I forgot! I found it on my door knob this morning. I was going to thank you because I thought it was from you. You know, as a I'm-being-nice-and-letting-you-sleep-in gift. It sure beat waking up to tickle torture." She said leveling me with a hard stare.

"I wouldn't leave you that." I said crossing my arms with a playful 'humph', " tickle torture all the way."

"Oo! Maybe somebody has a secret admirer!" Varric teased.

Talc laughed, "not even! who'd be that insane?!" She said giving her horns a flick.

"Figures," I said with mock frustration, "guys were always giving you gifts back home, why not here too." It was the truth, but it seemed safe to joke about it as long as I didn't mention that was back on earth.

"You had elf admirers?" Varric asked

"Well, everyone thinks you're cute until you hit six foot five." Talc feigned sadness and shook her head. I was a little impressed with how smoothly she could lie.

As she walked away to get her food, I wondered who would've given her the bracelet. Couldn't have been anyone we'd met so far. I scratched my head.

I was deep in thought when bowl slammed on the table next to me. Varric gave a mighty belch and wiped the leftover broth from his lips. He gave a sigh of contentment and leaned back. He looked like an over stuffed pig the way he rubbed his belly all satisfied.

I couldn't fully stiffle a laugh at the sight of a contented dwarf.

Talc had returned a while ago and had polished off her stew already. She wrinkled her nose and gagged,

"ugh, really Varric? That was disgusting."

"Just showing my appreciation for the food." He gave another belch.

Talc face-palmed, "of all the cultures in all the worlds..." I heard her mutter under her breath.

I laughed at them both.

 “Well, now that we've had our fill. Shall we head out to the training grounds? I'm sure we're all  looking forward to it” I grinned,  I couldn't wait!

Talc sighed, not sharing my enthusiasm, and grumbled her agreement. All three of us left the tavern ready to begin a hard day's work.