[sandbox]

[bringspeopletogether]

The letter he finally sends is maybe a little more impolitic than it ought to be, but if he doesn't send something now, he'll still be writing when his Calling arrives.



Fiona,

Ivette Cousland is looking for you. The name might ring a bell. Hero of Ferelden? Slayed the Archdemon some years ago?

Anyway. She's not having any luck, so I thought I'd try my hand at getting in touch.

Cousland's been searching for a cure for the Calling these past five years or so; she even retired as Warden-Commander of Vigil's Keep so she could pursue her research better. She knows your leaving the Wardens wasn't like mine. You didn't just walk away from Weisshaupt: you managed to un-Join somehow, with no ill effects. You're our last, best lead on the matter, so you can understand why she's rather eager to speak to you. It's very likely she doesn't have much time left, what with it being almost a decade and a half since her Joining and living through a Blight.

Frankly, I don't expect I have much time left, either.

Cullen and I are in South Reach these days. I'll always know where to find Cousland, if you'd rather speak with her directly. For all our sakes, I hope you'll be in touch.

--Alistair





Two weeks later, a raven knocks its beak against their window frame.

This is a matter best discussed in person, says the note attached to its leg. I can be to South Reach by the end of the month.

It's signed only with the letter F. Alistair spends the next few hours talking up a nervous storm, hands digging in his hair, half anxious, half furious. (This is exactly what he didn't want: for her to read this as an overture. For her to think she could have any claim to Alistair's time, Alistair's space, outside of giving him and Cousland the information they needed.)

Then he writes a letter to Cousland and sends the raven on its way.

Comments

[howtoactfereldan]

"And I just recalled that I need to talk to Bran so I should probably do that immediately," Cullen says, and goes to fetch a jerkin (and actual trousers).

It's not a retreat. It's a strategic movement.

[bringspeopletogether]

"It's a wonder he married me," Alistair says to Ivette, sotto voce, then raises his voice to call after Cullen, "Would you like toast and eggs for the road?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"When I get back," comes the reply. "Thank you."

[highnever]

"At least he's polite," Ivette says, and goes to see to the bacon herself. "Nathaniel doesn't bother."

[bringspeopletogether]

Well, Nathaniel, Alistair doesn't say, and even does a good job of keeping the sentiment off his face.

"Dangle the bacon far above his head and don't let him have it until he says 'thank you?'" he suggests. " -- Also, there's tea if you'd like any."

[highnever]

"...he's taller than you are."

Ivette... is much shorter than Alistair.

"Not like it's a frequent occurrence, anyhow." She shrugs a shoulder. "Given his father, it's not surprising."

[bringspeopletogether]

Ever the practical one, Alistair says, "That's what ladders are for."

He gives the pan of potatoes a shake. They're browning nicely, though Maker knows if they'll actually crisp up properly as well.

"And -- well, no, I suppose not. All the same."

[highnever]

She glances over her shoulder at Alistair, seems about to say something --

And then thinks better of it, giving him a small, sweet smile that doesn't quite hit her eyes, and turns back to the pan.

(There's a short list of people Ivette will allow to see her as something approaching vulnerable. Alistair isn't the entire list -- but he's at the top.)

[bringspeopletogether]

He glances over. Returns the smile, somewhat more crookedly.

After a moment, he reaches out, gives her shoulder a light squeeze, and returns to busying himself with the potatoes.

[highnever]

"Remember this?"

She pulls an amulet over her head, and holds it out.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair's eyebrows knit. With care, he reaches out, catching the back of the amulet with two fingers.

It takes a moment to remember where he's seen it before -- and then he exhales, softly. "Haven, wasn't it?" he asks.

(Haven carries a much different meaning with Cousland than it would with Cullen.)

[highnever]

Ivette nods.

"I should have gone to Highever instead of Amaranthine." Low, and unhappy. "I couldn't face it. Even after all this time. But I don't want -- if this doesn't work, or, or can only work for one of us -- will you pay Fergus a visit? Please?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Of course," he murmurs. Letting the amulet slip away from his fingers, he meets Ivette's eyes. "You have my word."

And how selfish does it make him, that he lets her implication -- that if it only works for one of them, Alistair will be the one to take it -- go without remark? After Ivette has spent so long looking for a cure? Bitter shame floods him; he swallows it back.

But he can't make himself say anything like no, you ought to take it while he stands in the house he shares with his husband.

[highnever]

(Which is the point Ivette is trying to make without saying anything: it's clear to her that Alistair has built himself a future. Ivette has time stolen away from duty and obligation with a man who's more a bad habit than a partner. What good would a cure do her?)

"Sometimes I forget that you're the only one who knows what it was like, just after -- after." Half a shrug as she begins to take the bacon out of the pan, piece by piece. "Thank you."

[bringspeopletogether]

"You're welcome." No louder.

When the last piece of bacon has been retrieved, Alistair steps close enough to wrap an arm around her in a sideways hug.

[highnever]

"Don't mind me," she says swiftly, even as she leans into him. "I've just -- been traveling too long. That's all."

[bringspeopletogether]

"For that," says Alistair, "and that reason alone, I propose you get the majority of the bacon this morning."

A low, mournful grunt comes from behind them.

Without turning, he adds, "We'll get more for you later, Gru."

A slightly less mournful grumble follows.

[highnever]

"...I'll take my usual share, thanks." Half a smile. "Wouldn't want to get on his bad side."

[bringspeopletogether]

"True," says Alistair, thoughtful. He rubs Ivette's arm, briefly, before loosening the embrace. "If you did, you might have to endure him making a terribly sad face at you for the rest of your stay. Breaks your heart, it truly does."

Gru woofs agreement.

Before anything more can be said vis-a-vis the state of Gru's bad side, however, the door creaks open, admitting a slightly sleep-touseled Fiona into the house. Immediately, Alistair tenses.

[highnever]

And immediately, Ivette is on again, like the last five minutes never happened. "Enchanter! Good morning. We were just discussing the proper allotment of bacon among us. How many pieces would you like?"

A quick squeeze of Alistair's waist, and she slips away, turning all her attention to Fiona.

[bringspeopletogether]

Guilt twinges under Alistair's ribs again, but briefer this time. He bends his head to finish fussing over the potatoes.

"Oh -- " Fiona, it seems, did not expect to the full force of Ivette's hospitality so soon upon waking, but in half an instant, she's drawn herself a little straighter and put on a smile as well. "Good morning. Just -- two, I suppose?"

She makes an effort to smooth her hair.

"Is there anything I can help with?"

[highnever]

"I think we've just about got it handled -- though I hope it won't be too much of an imposition to ask you to get your own tea?"

She glances at the door to the bedroom.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Enchanter." Because Cullen's just come out of it, freshly shaved and impeccably put together. "Good day. Ivette. I'm just off to speak with my brother."

He quickly takes in Alistair's posture, Ivette's breeziness, Fiona's ruffled demeanor. Cullen is possessed of an experienced tactical eye.

Which is why he goes to Alistair and murmurs, "Don't wait on me. I'll be back soon. If I can't scavenge something from Mia, I'll make my own when I'm back." And kisses Alistair's cheek. "Soon," he repeats.

[bringspeopletogether]

It's remarkable how Alistair's demeanor shifts with Cullen nearby; how quickly the set of his shoulders relaxes, the tight blankness of his expression smoothing away into a faint smile.

...It also doesn't hurt that Cullen, as usual, cleans up very nicely.

He nods. Catches one of Cullen's hands long enough to give it a squeeze. "All right," he says, no louder. "I love you."

(Fiona, rather than watch this display, has moved on to the kettle to fix herself a cup of tea.)

[howtoactfereldan]

Then she'll miss Cullen quickly lifting Alistair's hand to his lips, in lieu of words.

The sky is leaden, and there's a distant rumble of thunder as Cullen slips out the door.