fire fall upon us and lighting shall strike the earth [closed]

[qunari]

WHO: The Iron Bull and Adelaide LeBlanc
WHAT: Shovel talk over wine. Like you do.
WHEN: Beginning of Harvestmere...ish.
WHERE: The Vault, Skyhold
NOTES: Booze, sexual content (conversation only). Warnings added as needed.

He'd recieved a missive from Adelaide not too long ago, with mention of an issue that needed to be addressed. The tone was formal but brief, not one of those long-winded notes one could usually expect from Orlesians, and the promise of refreshments.

So she was hiding something, and offering a bribe as incentive. Welp. This should be fun.

He responded in a similarly brief but friendly manner, accepting the offer to meet and talk, and a location was decided on. That evening, he makes his way down to the vault beneath Skyhold. Bull brings a gift when he comes, figuring it'd be good manners if nothing else. Nothing fancy, a bottle of wine since he's yet to meet an Orlesian that didn't like the stuff.

He's still uncertain what all this is really about, though he's got a couple of theories running at the moment. No reason to spook just yet. He makes his way down to the vault, past cobwebs and flickering torch sconces, and peers about for sign of the mage.

Comments

[fleurdesel]

Two chairs (one as large as she could find in a concession to his size and comfort) a small end table with wine, brandy, and coffee brewing. A tray of small pastries and curls of dried meats on crackers. Relatively simple finger food but- she is to be a hostess.

Adelaide herself stands when he enters, gesturing to his chair. "Iron Bull, please. Sit."

The entirety of this is somewhat obligatory and token, but it is something she feels she must do on Dorian's behalf. It is what one does for friends and Dorian, somehow, has managed to become that for her.

[qunari]

"Ma'am."

Because she's earned that, because she's a good woman, a proud woman, and she deserves respect. It's not the same tone he'd use with Vivienne, who desires a certain measure of fear tempering that respect.

It's more curious than anything, and he sinks into the carefully selected chair with that gray eye resting on her all the while, brow raised expectantly.

"Quite the spread. Didn't miss my birthday again, did I?"

[fleurdesel]

"I've been told that when making a threat, token or otherwise, it is only good form to have wine along with said threat- and as wine cannot be had on an empty stomach..." She lifts a shoulder, pouring them both a glass. It is, after all, a terribly token gesture. There's precious little she could do should things fall afoul between Dorian and The Iron Bull- but Dorian is her friend and for that? She makes the attempt.

"This is regarding your relationship with Dorian. The- I think it is called a 'shovel talk?'" She's never had to do this before, has no frame of reference for it.

[qunari]

Bull suddenly straightens, looking more baffled than ever.

"You're shitting me."

It's hard to imagine Adelaide taking part in anything of the kind. She seems just a little too refined for that sort of thing. Don't Orlesians generally dance around this kind of thing? Fanned glances and whispers behind masks and poisoned goblets.

[fleurdesel]

"Hardly." She raises her brows. "You make him happy, as much as he is willing to admit. I would rather you continued to do so. Amicable breaks are normal enough and warrant no recourse. But hurt him in away he does not ask for-"

And this, well, is the token bit. She cannot use magic to do harm, she is not skilled enough in any manner of physical means to cause Bull pain, but this is what must be said none the less. "Shame him, cause him grief- use him? And there shall be a reckoning. There are few things in this world that would have me break my contract with Compassion."

Dorian was one of her first friends in the Inquisition. One she means to protect as fiercely as she does any of her students. That this would be worth breaking that contract goes unsaid.

[qunari]

That expression of surprise softens as his lips curl at the corners. Alright. He gets it. Adelaide's a good woman who looks out for her friends, and Dorian's earned himself loyalty from more than just one person in Skyhold. It's good to know the company he keeps is so eager to stand in his defense, even against someone like Bull.

Not that Adelaide strikes him as easily intimidated, but it's admirable all the same.

"Wouldn't dream of it." And that tone of voice speaks volumes, soft and sure. She needs to know he's sincere. It's not just lip-service to get out from under her watchful eye. He'd sooner cut out his other eye than see Dorian truly hurt.

[fleurdesel]

"..." She looks him in the eye for a long moment, unwavering. Searching for that sincerity and finding it well enough for the chill in her posture and expression to thaw. The Bull means it. And that will be more than enough for her. "...Good."

A beat.

"Likewise if he manages to do the same to you? There will be pointed words." Bull isn't hers in the way Dorian is- but the offer is made all the same. Watching a friend make a ruin of a good thing tends to be vexing- and whatever it is they share? Is a good thing.

[qunari]

"Aw. That's sweet." The corner of Bull's eyes crinkles in amusement. "I wouldn't worry, though. We're talking things out. Kind of new territory for both of us, and I know he's got some reservations."

Tevinter's messed up for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the whole toxic set of expectations put on people like Dorian from the time they're children, warping their ideas of what they could ever hope to expect out of a relationship.

Then again, the Qun was complicated all on its own. So they were both sort of feeling things out here. Definitely some amusement to be had in discussing all that with a Circle Mage, and wasn't that place a mess in its own right when it came to trying to find a little human comfort and contact?