for insurgoaltus

[killedwithlove]

Cole had said he would go to Val Royeaux when they next went there.

It happened sooner than anticipated. Cadash returned from her expedition in Valammar and, as Cole had predicted, Varric was heart broken, the betrayal a step beyond what he could take, even from his beloved, elusive Bianca.

Cadash promptly announced they were going as a group to Val Royeaux. Not just her and Varric, but anyone and everyone who wanted to come and sort out business. Uniforms needed making for this ridiculous ball, Varric needed a cheer up which meant new bow components, Solas was complaining about a lack of the pigments he wanted, and in the end Cadash had just yelled a lot and bundled up everyone who might want to go or be needed.

They made a long, straggling caravan trail of horses, nugalopes, dracolisks and foot soldiers. Cole, still unable to ride on his own, had hopped up onto Dorian's horse for most of the trip, wandering away and back as he was called to help.

But as they drew closer, he went quiet, cuddling into Dorian's back and watching the great, White Spire with an apprehensive gaze. He wanted to make new, better memories to wipe away the fear of his last trip to this place, but that didn't make facing it now any easier.

Comments

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian smirked with pleasure, before he winked over his shoulder at Cole. Oh well done, sweet boy. They had him exactly where they wanted him.

And now he got to dress two people. Could today honestly be any better?

[killedwithlove]

Cole gave a small smile and snuggled in against Dorian's back, arms wrapping firmly around him.

"And you can buy me a new hat." He made no promise to wear it instead of his hat, but he'd be happy to have another hat.

[insurgoaltus]

"The most dashing hat I can find. It will even have a feather in it." For who didn't like hats with feathers? No one.

[killedwithlove]

"Why with a feather? I don't need to attract a female."

A couple of guards who were probably defected Templars watched them go by. Cole shrank down against Dorian further.

[insurgoaltus]

"... may I ask why a feather would be something in which you would try to attract a female with?" Dorian asked dryly, even as he squeezed Cole's hand reassuringly as they rode by.

[killedwithlove]

"That's why the birds grow the pretty ones," he whispered, face hidden against Dorian's shoulder and neck. He relaxed a bit more when they were past the guards.

[insurgoaltus]

"I see ... well no worries, you have enough plummage for me without you needing anymore." He murmured with comforting words, as they headed down the main road of Val Royeaux. He did think to call out, "Oh Inquisitor? I trust we are not staying at a hovel where the fleas have fleas?"

[killedwithlove]

"Josephine arranged it!"

"Soft sheets, plush pillows, she doesn't know nice things, she should know nice things, and I'm sure the others will enjoy it," Cole murmured softly.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian plucked up an eyebrow at that statement, before he muttered to Cole, "You took that right from Josephine's mind, didn't you?"

[killedwithlove]

He hummed, which was probably agreement. "You'll like it."

[insurgoaltus]

"I shall have you, a bath, and all the clothes I can get my greedy little hands on. Yes, I believe I will." Dorian smirked ever so slightly.

[killedwithlove]

"And you'll wash my hair. I like that. You're gentle." He reached down to his stroke the horse's flank. "Soon. You can have a rub down in the stable."

[insurgoaltus]

"Oh, you are quite welcome ... and ... ah, what?" He twisted around, before he let out a snort, "Yes of course you are talking to the horse. Well, he's earned it, I suppose."

[killedwithlove]

"Yes, I'm talking to the horse. He doesn't mind the two of us, because we don't weight a lot, but he's walked a long way."

Ahead of them, Cadash was guiding Flopsy, her Nuggalope, into the stable to loud, startled cries.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian shot an amused look over to Varric, before he clasped Cole's arm. "Well, let's make his load a little lighter, eh? Ready to get down?"

[killedwithlove]

Cole nodded, twisting to slide off the horse and land on his feet. He moved to help Varric, not saying anything, just offering a hand to help him down from the height before drifting back to Dorian.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian was leading the horse into the stable, trying not to laugh as the poor stablehands tried to figure out where they were going to put a gigantic nuggalope.

"I am not sure your nuggalope is going to fit, Inquisitor." He drawled, as he held out a hand for Cole. "Shall we three leave you to to wrangle the mounts?"

[killedwithlove]

"She'll fit," Cadash yelled from somewhere in front of Flopsy.

"She won't," Cole commented. "But she won't mind that if she can push over a stall wall. If we stay, they'll make us try and help and we can't."

[the_effect_she_has]

"Just pay them for the wall, Inquisitor." Dorian said cheerfully, as he handed the reins of his horse, and then Varric's, to a tongue-tied stable hand. "There you go, my lad. Here, gold coin to put our mounts in when she's done fussing."

He turned to the other two, "Gentleman, shall we make ourselves presentable?"

[killedwithlove]

"Yes, but not together," Varric warned.

"No, not together." Cole slid his hand into Dorian's. "I don't want to take a bath with you like I do with Dorian."

"And I'm going," Varric promised.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian beamed at Cole, before turning a mock glower on Varric. "You had better. I don't want to find you hiding in the tavern later. Cole will find you, you know."

He tugged on Cole's hand, "Come along, beautiful man. Time to get you cleansed."

[killedwithlove]

"Anywhere," Cole promised. Which wasn't meant to sound menacing or threatening, but could be taken that way.

"I'm not beautiful," Cole protested, but he trotted along behind Dorian.

[insurgoaltus]

Dorian shot an amused look over his shoulder, as he went to claim the keys to their rooms. "Says you. You are beautiful to me, so, just deal with it."

He pocketed Cole's key, and took his, letting them know they would need to use the bathing facilities as soon as they dropped off their things upstairs.

[killedwithlove]

Cole gave a small, pleased smile to Dorian. The place they were staying was grand, with private bathing areas as well as large, communal hot springs.

The door was open and waiting, their luggage being moved in. Well, Dorian's luggage. Cole didn't own anything to put in luggage.

[insurgoaltus]

And true to the service - the bath in the room was run, hot water beginning to steam. Oils were brought in, as was different soaps and rather large, fluffy white towels as well. Dorian tipped them well - gambling had gone well this week - and gestured to Cole.

"Right, off with those flithy things."