It had been three months since the Herald left for the Hinterlands. Sirena had been training with the Commander and eventually even became very good with swords after the many weeks of getting bruises all over her body. As time passed for Cullen, he became more protective over the short fake blonde woman. He would watch her every time she walked by the training/sparring area where he commanded his soldiers when they needed it.

Late in the afternoon, Cullen heard a bunch of horses hooves clip clopping on the ground. He turned his head and saw the Herald on top of the horse’s back; as well as her companions on their own horses. With great relief, the Commander saw Dennet, the horse master amongst those who were arriving to Haven. ‘The recruiting has begun’ he thought as he waved an agent over to him. A man in a green outfit dutifully walked over to him.

“Commander” the agent acknowledged the man with a little salute.

“Hi, I need you to get Sirena, Josephine, Leliana and tell them to meet at the war table with the Herald and Cassandra.” Cullen instructed. The agent did another salute and ran up to the Herald and the seeker to tell them what the Commander said. Evelyn listened to him along with Cassandra before responding.

“Alright, but after the meeting I’m going to relax.” Evelyn replied while agreeing to the meeting. The agent ran off again to find the others who the Commander told him to find. After putting the horses in the makeshift stable, Evelyn and Cassandra met up with Cullen and made their way to the chantry while making small talk.

“How did you like the Hinterlands?” Cullen asked the two women as his gaze looked ahead and saw the still strange girl walking ahead of them. Both Evelyn and Cassandra noticed him looking ahead at a certain someone who seemed to have caught his interest. Cassandra shook her head discreetly in disproval.

“It was lovely there.” The Herald answered as they finally made it to the chantry.

“Hopefully it wasn’t too bad there.”

“You will find out in this meeting Commander.” Cassandra said before walking into the war room. Everyone turned their heads to look at the three who finally entered. Cullen, Evelyn, and Cassandra made their way to their spots around the table. As soon as the tall man with blonde hair stood across from Sirena, her eyes glanced up at him while he was looking at her which caused her cheeks to turn red, she really wished she could stop blushing. Quietly, Leliana and Josephine watched the two with smirks rising to their face knowing full well they became closer within the three-month span.

“I’m guessing you all want to know what happened in the Hinterlands?” Evelyn asked as she looked around the table at everyone.

“That would be nice.” The American replied with a hint of sarcasm while she lowers her gaze from Cullen to look at the woman who took her under her wing. Leliana’s smirk became a smile of amusement from how the youngest of the group said her statement. Josephine gave Sirena a slight glare and shook her head in disappointment.

“There was a war between templars and mages. Both parties were attacking innocent people.” Cassandra said in her thick accent that really did sound French to the outsider’s ears.

“We also talked to Mother Giselle.” Josephine nodded her head since she had seen the older woman in Haven herself. Sirena now kept her head down during the talk about Giselle. She tried to steer clear from the mother and sisters of the Chantry. “We also brought the horse master Dennet for the Inquisition.” Trevelyan explained to everyone which gave her a nod of approval from the Commander.

“Miss Trevelyan and Cassandra since you and your companions just came back from your travels, you all should relax and recuperate from your little adventure.” Josephine suggested to the Herald and their seeker. Evelyn looked at the tall dark haired woman who was wearing the Inquisition eye on her armor; the Nevarran woman nodded her head as a response.

“We will continue this conversation tomorrow then.” Trevelyan said out loud.

“Alright, meeting adjourned!” Josephine exclaimed before walking out of the room carrying her clip board as usual. The others in the room soon followed suit. Evelyn walked beside Cassandra while speaking loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Is there anyone up for some drinks and Wicked Grace?”

“I would, but I have to read the reports I received and reply to them.” Leliana said apologetically since she really wanted to play with the others.

“All work and no play will make one’s life very boring.” Sirena replied with a small smirk. She may not have the same dialect as the others, but hers was good enough to the point they didn’t notice the difference or so she thought. Evelyn looked over at Cullen, waiting for his reply as well as Cassandra’s.

“As much as I shouldn’t; I’ll join.” Cullen said agreeing to play the card game.

“What about you Cassandra?”

“I’ll play. I suspect Varric will be joining us as well?”

“Of course he will! Sirena, do you want to play as well?” The Herald asked her cousin hoping she knows how to play.

“No, but I’ll be happy to watch.” With a smile, Evelyn nodded her head. “I’ll let Varric know our plans. When will we be meeting up?” The twenty-three year old asked so she could tell her favorite sarcastic dwarf when and where to go.

“We will be meeting up at the tavern late in the evening.” Trevelyan said looking at everyone to see if they understood the plans. All but one person nodded their heads while Sirena gave a thumb’s up as she grinned at Evelyn. “Alright, I’ll see you all later then.” Trevelyan then quickened her pace to walk towards the cabin which she called home. She quickly looked back and noticed Cullen and her cousin walking together. A smirk tilted up at the corner of her lips while she opened the door to the cabin. When she stepped inside, her eyes immediately saw a tub with steam coming from it which means it was just filled. Evelyn knew at that point that Josephine had set it up for her since she was a noble herself and knew she would need to bathe after getting back from the Hinterlands. She slipped off her armor and under clothes then immediately stepped into the hot steaming water to relax and clean herself.

Outside in the winter air, Sirena continued to walk beside Cullen while enjoying the comfortable silence. She felt like she knew him a little bit better than she did in the previous months due to all the time she spent training under him. The man in armor looked down at the short woman who was human with a small smile on his face. From all the sparring they did together as well as the nights they drank in the tavern, he had been feeling a strong pull towards her. He felt elated due to the fact she would be in the tavern tonight to watch them play Wicked Grace. When he noticed her glancing at the small bonfire, he knew she was going to go talk to Varric.

“I need to tell Varric the plans for tonight. I will see you later!” Sirena said before she made her way towards the dwarf. Cullen nodded his head and continued to make his way towards the Inquisition forces.

The young one sat next to the dwarf with an easy smile on her face. As soon as Varric noticed her, a grin spread across his face.

“Well if it isn’t Blondie!” He exclaimed happily as he got a good look at her. “You look thinner from last time I saw you. And a little beat up.” The witty dwarf commented on her appearance, looking at the fading bruises.

“I do?” Sirena looked down at herself not seeing the new-found skinniness. Her shoulders shrugged after she tried seeing what he saw. “I don’t see the changes, but the bruises…” She said raising her hand to touch a bruise on her arm. “They are from all the sparring I did.” The American woman informed him, only telling half of the truth since noble families in Thedas were taught how to fight early. Where she was from everyone went to school unless they dropped out of high school or graduated from there and or college. She never learned any combat skills, at least not until she was trained by Cullen.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed.”

“No one has said anything…” Varric chuckled softly and shook his head wondering why no one has told her. Though, the others did just get back like he did.

“Well that’s okay. Anyway Blondie, you looked like you came over here to tell me something.” He said while sitting in his usual spot.

“Ah yes, Evelyn is conducting a game of Wicked Grace in the tavern. Apparently there will be drinks as well.” Sirena informed him so he was up to date on the plans. “Cullen and Cassandra are going to play as well.” She explained to him as she watched for any kind of facial expression. Varric raised a brow at her as a smirk crossed his features.

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“Are you going to play?” The modern woman shook her head knowing full well he was going to ask that question.

“Nah, Shortie, I’m just going to watch actually.” She said in her casual dialect.

“Smart girl.” Varric said while laughing softly knowing full well the girl was indeed intelligent. “When is this gathering?” He asked her while noticing the sky was turning dark and he also noticed Cullen and Cassandra making their way towards the tavern. Looking up at the sky herself, she smiled sheepishly.

“Now is when we’re supposed to gather and malinger in the tavern.”

“Shit!” The dwarf exclaimed as he rose up from the bench to start walking quickly. Soon, she followed after him with her slower strides. Luckily for her, the dwarf was close to her height so, she didn’t need to keep up with him as much as she had to with the others.

Grateful that she played the Dragon Age: Inquisition game, Sirena knew where she was at and where she was going, not to mention she roamed around the place enough to get familiarized. The tavern was the second biggest structure compared to the Chantry in Haven; that she knew of anyway. She also knew that close by was Solas, the grumpy elf’s cabin was near which she wanted to steer clear from him. He seemed to always have a stick up his ass in the game. Sirena had been spacing out while following Varric when out of the blue something smacked her in the face. After refocusing herself, she saw what hit her and heard Varric apologizing, she was smacked in the face by the tavern’s door. She then started to laugh non-stop while continuing to head over towards the table where Evelyn, Cullen, and Cassandra were sitting at while giving her weird looks like she had lost her sanity. Varric noticed the looks she was getting from them and spoke up to explain what happened.

“I accidentally hit her face with the door… Apparently she laughs the pain off.” He laughs softly while scratching the back of his neck nervously before sitting a tiny bit of distance away from Cullen.

The Herald patted the spot next to her for Sirena. She knew full well what the reason was of why her cousin wasn’t playing, to save her face, that was what she assumed anyway. Evelyn was going to let her observe the game of deception known as Wicked Grace which was a card game based on the states of negatives or positives that were also known as virtues and vices. Some even cheat during the game which was to be expected.

Sirena sat down beside Evelyn with a smile playing at her lips. She looked around the table and noticed Cassandra sitting at the head of the table. The new girl gave the short dark haired woman a wave. Cassandra, with a confused look on her face slowly waved back which made the oddly goofy one grin. Varric could be heard chuckling from the exchange which earned him a glare from the seeker. Sirena’s eyes then shifted over to Cullen who was sitting across from the Herald and to her surprise, she caught him staring at her. Her gaze dropped immediately in bashfulness before her eyes slowly shifted over to where the dwarf was sitting who was now wiggling his brows at her with a smirk on his face. She knew at the point that she got caught exchanging looks with the Commander. Hearing the shuffling of cards, Sirena turned her attention to Evelyn’s hands and watched silently.

“I’m going to get some ale, Curly, you’re coming with me to help.” Varric hopped off the seat and started walking off towards the bar. Cassandra looked at Cullen with a raised brow which the Commander caught. He shrugged his shoulders then stood up to follow the witty short man. Once Cullen left, both, Evelyn and Cassandra looked over at the girl which in that instant caused her eyes to go wide.

“What did I do? Why are yall staring at me like that?” Sirena asked while accidentally letting a bit of her personal dialect out. From her time in Haven, she learned the people in Thedas seem to always talk formally and that was something she may never master.

“What is “yall”?” Cassandra asked in her thick accent. “Never mind, that isn’t important; however, what is important is the look you and Cullen shared.” The dark haired woman said bluntly. Sirena looked down at her hands as her face turned a bit red as she remained silent. That was the time Evelyn decided to get involved in the conversation.

“Is there anything you would like to tell us?” She asked with a playful smirk. The Laurelet girl only shook her head no before speaking verbally.

“No…? And if you’re implying what I think it is that you’re trying to hint at then sorry to disappoint but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have those sorts of feelings for me.” Evelyn and Cassandra both looked at each other catching the fact she didn’t say anything about not having feelings for him.

“Perhaps that may be a good thing. It would be a un-needed distraction. But… Maybe, Lady Laurelet wishes there was something?” The Neverran woman asked while looking at Sirena. The young woman’s eyes widened even more in surprise.

“I…Uh… I… Um… Maybe? Wait! No! We hardly know each other!” Laurelet said with embarrassment from being put on the spotlight. ‘He can’t even know the real me anyway since I’m not from here; so if we were to have a relationship it would be based on lies.’ She thought to herself sadly. ‘Plus he’s not even meant to be with me. He’s meant to be with Evelyn.’ As she thought to herself, Evelyn dealt with the cards for the card game.

Over towards the bar, Varric waited for the ale he ordered. He didn’t tell Cullen to come with him just to help carry drinks to the table, but to also question him with his witty humor. The dwarf knew the Commander sometimes hated his sarcasm and the way he could talk himself out of situations. He heard the heavy footsteps walk up beside him and realized his friend finally caught up.

“So, you and Sirena eh?” The dwarf said jumping right into what he wanted to know. Cullen looked down at him trying to keep his composure.

“What about Sirena and I?”

“Is there something between the two of you?” Varric asked low enough for only Cullen’s ears to hear.

“If you are asking if we are a couple, then sorry to disappoint you but we are not.” He answered keeping his face neutral since in his heart he knows he wants to be with her.

“Why are you two not together? I see the way you look at each other.” The dwarf said knowing he wasn’t the only one who noticed. They were pretty much showing their feelings whether they knew it or not, though Sirena showed it more than Cullen since she seemed to be more open about her feelings which can be dangerous in the world they were living in.

“It would be inappropriate.” Cullen said stubbornly. Varric let out a scoff and shook his head at his friend.

“With that mindset, Curly, you could miss out on something great; or rather someone. Plus with the world going to shit, it’s not a bad thing to find some happiness.” He said before he noticed the human bartender placing the drinks down on the bar top. While helping Varric get the drinks, Cullen looked over at the table where the women were sitting at the table. He noticed Sirena looking down while her face was red; the other two women were looking at each other; one with amusement and the other with disproval. He passed two drinks to Varric and carried the last three in his own hands.

Both Varric and Cullen made their way to the table. As soon as they were close enough; they noticed Evelyn had already given them their hands for the card game. Varric gave the two drinks that were in his hands to the Herald and Cassandra. The women nodded their heads in thanks while smiling, though; Cassandra was surprised he was being nice instead of cracking jokes like he usually did. The dwarven rogue went over to his spot and sat down watching Cullen, purposely making him give a drink to his “lady friend”. The Commander looked at the sarcastic dwarf and rolled his eyes at him before placing a mug of ale in front of the girl.

The American woman looked up when she heard something was set down in front of her. She saw a big mug which she assumed to be ale. Her eyes looked up even more to see Cullen and she gave him a soft little smile.

“Thank you.” That seemed to be their thing. One does something for the other and they say thank you. That was how they even first started whatever it was they had. It seemed he had the same train of thought since he let out a little laugh.

“You’re welcome” he responded with a smile before he also went around the table and sat down in his spot while also passing a mug of ale to Varric. Everyone who was playing Wicked Grace picked up their cards and started playing. Sirena watched and observed what Evelyn was doing while taking a sip of the alcohol beverage. She made a face of disgust when the liquid touched her tongue.

“It looks like someone doesn’t like the taste of ale.” Varric commented with a laugh. “I’ll agree this stuff tastes like shit but its alcohol so I’m not complaining.”

“I’m sure she is a wine person then.” Cassandra put in knowing those that don’t like ale or beer usually ends up liking wine more. Sirena just remained quiet, not agreeing nor disagreeing to what the Neverran said. She continued to watch everyone play their card game while remaining quiet. It was like people playing poker in their homes or at the casinos. The same rules seem to apply in their game as well.

“I am curious… What drinks do you like Blondie?” Varric asked trying to get her to talk to see if what Cassandra said was true or not.

“What Cassandra said; I like wine. Though, I don’t like the red kind.” She finally admitted to everyone at the table.

“I know there is more to it than what you are saying.” Cullen looked over at Varric with a slight glare. The dwarf shrugged his shoulders at the Commander with a grin on his face.

“Um… I like sex on the beach…” The whole table stopped what they were doing and stared at the American with their jaws dropped. Varric was the only one laughing his butt off from her words and the others reactions. Cullen stared at her with shock in his eyes from her boldness. After realizing why Cullen, Evelyn, and Cassandra were looking at her with dumbfounded expressions on their faces, her own turned to one that just looked like she had rage quit on life. “Not that kind…” She corrected their thoughts knowing what they were thinking. “Fucking perverts.” Evelyn gave her a disapproving look while Varric continued to laugh.

“So it is literally a drink?” Cullen asked Sirena while a bit flustered. She nodded her head in response as she bit her lower lip. His eyes looked down at her lips feeling the urge to finally kiss her like he’s been wanting to. Shaking his head slightly, he regained his focus. “What is that drink made of?” It was her turn to be the one who got the look of surprise this time.

“It’s made from orange and cranberry juice with vodka and peach schnapps.” She told him answering his question. Varric finally stopped laughing and looked at her in confusion. He knew what vodka was, but peach schnapps? All the others gave her the same look the dwarf was giving her. “I’m going to guess you all haven’t heard of vodka or peach schnapps?”

“Everyone knows about vodka and whiskey, but this other one you’re talking about… I never heard of it.” Varric said while going through his memory of alcoholic beverages. With realization, Sirena knew she could no longer talk about the alcohol she really liked otherwise they might find out the truth that she wasn’t from Thedas and accuse her of being a witch, if they do that sort of thing. She already thinks Evelyn and Cullen suspect something odd about her, but they don’t really know. Who knows what they would do if they found out? Would they burn her at the stake? Chop her head off? Drown her? Hang her? She shuddered at the thought.