Dorian (dorianpavus-fadewalk)

[taranfadewalk]

As spells went, this one didn't seem so bad. Being teleported away seemed much nicer than being set on fire. Though considering his luck, he'd been teleported here just to be set on fire the good old-fashioned way.

"All right," Taran said, slowly standing. "Positive thoughts. This isn't going to end horribly or anything."

He checked his weapon and slipped the journal into his pouch after only a cursory glance through it. He planned to take a much closer look soon, but his number one priority was getting out of the jail. Assuming he could.

Was this Redcliffe? It seemed weirdly...open and expansive for Redcliffe.

Taran gave the door a little push, relieved when it opened right away. His footsteps sounded loud to his ears, echoing as he made his way out of the cell. He looked around him curiously, moving out toward a huge, gorgeous grand hall. It was absolutely massive in scope, statues lining the wall, ceilings arching high overhead, soft light streaming through stained glass.

He turned slowly, almost forgetting Alexius and the spell in his amazement. Maker, it was beautiful. "Wow," he murmured, not caring that he sounded like the backcountry (lordling) yokel he was. "Just...wow."

And then the door at the far end of the hall pushed open and Taran was whirling around, sword unsheathed and shield raised in a single fluid motion. He tensed, ready for whatever came through...then lowered his sword in frank astonishment at who...or what, considering...he saw.

"You," Tara sputtered. "I know you."

Comments

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

"Sera, hmm? One of your hangers-on with the Inquisition, I take it? And others? Do they throw wine-bottles and shout rude things too? What fun!"

The flames fluttered out in a small shower of sparks as Dorian raised his hand to stroke Taran's cheek. Just the faintest residue of warmth remained on his fingerpads, trailing down to the line of his jaw. He let out a soft sigh and his eyes closed. "I have to say that if we ever meet whoever brought us here, I don't care if it's an archdemon or the Archon, I'm throwing that person - or whatever - a party."

[taranfadewalk]

Taran lightly bit at the pads of Dorian's fingers, too happy to pay much mind to the gentle grumbling. "You'll like her," he promised. "As for the party...so long as Corypheus isn't to blame."

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

"No, even him, whoever he is." Dorian tweaked Taran's nose at the nibbling, and leaned away. With eyes watching he had lost some of the easy, nearly drunk sensation of being near his Voice, his want now knotted around the sour stone of what the young Herald's people would think.

(OOC: Just wanted to make sure, Corypheus isn't a name Dorian would know until after the fall of Haven, right? The Venatori are all just "elder one blah blah" until then?)

[taranfadewalk]

Taran just laughed, completely unselfconsciously happy. "You probably don't want to know who he is unless there's no choice," he said, straightening as well. "Should we start searching?"


(OOC: Yes!)

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

"Searching for others, yes. Also, the wine cellar wouldn't go amiss." Dorian let his hand slide down Taran's shoulder to his hand. He squeezed it and with a rather admirable display of restraint and fortitude let it go so that if there was a fight to be had, the lad would be able to actually use his sword.

"Where do you think our bottle-thrower is lurking? And should we just avoid her altogether for now?"

[taranfadewalk]

"She's long gone, if I know Sera. Come on, let's try this way," he added, tipping his head.

He not-so-subtly switched sides with Dorian, then took his hand, threading their fingers together--leaving his sword arm and Dorian's staff arm free.

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

The slide of their fingers laced together makes Dorian flush subtly. It is a simple intimacy and preposterous that he should feel embarrassed by it. He gives Taran's hand a squeeze, ever the rebel, and follows where he leads.

"Tell me, Taran, when you're gallivanting around with your companions having adventures and saving the day, who is in charge of making sure you don't go charging off of cliffs and falling down ravines?"

[taranfadewalk]

Taran glanced at him, a sheepish look on his face.

"Well, Cassandra tries," he admitted. Though thankfully Cassandra never tried to stop him from charging into battle. The two of them were becoming a well-oiled machine there. "When you join the Inquisition, you can take over for her."

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

When he joined the Inquisition. Dorian's hand clasped Taran's tighter again, had to master the impulse to tug him to a stop and begin kissing him again. "Yes, well, you'll find I'm rather ill-suited to both sleeping rough and ravines." His thumb brushed over the knuckles beneath them. "But I have a vested interest in keeping you out of further dire peril, it seems."

[taranfadewalk]

"You're really going to start cursing me every night," Taran said wryly. "Maybe you and Vivienne can join together. But I'll keep you warm at night."

The hopeful look he cast was half bedroom eyes and half adorable.

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

"And I do so hate to be cold." Dorian answering smile was more than warm, there was also wonder in it. That this perfect man, this brilliant bright soul could be his.

[taranfadewalk]

"You're going to hate this place, then," Taran said with a little frown as they stood on the steps overlooking the courtyard. Even without the mountains in the background, Skyhold was still not a warm and comfortable place.

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

Dorian shrugged his bare shoulder elegantly. "I'm not sure I could hate the place that brought you back to me, amatus, but that doesn't mean I won't grumble in the mornings if my feet are cold." There it was again, his constant confessions just spilling forth. He was going to be lucky to go a single full day in Taran's presence without becoming bonded.

[taranfadewalk]

Taran frowned.

"Back?" he asked.

[dorianpavus_fadewalk]

"Mmhmm." Dorian drew Taran with him down the steps and toward the curtain wall, grey eyes shining in the strange light as he looked up at the portcullis. "Didn't I say? The day the Conclave exploded you disappeared from my dreams and I thought you were dead." His nonchalance was utter bullshit, but he clung to it quite hard.

[taranfadewalk]

"...oh."

He had no idea what to make of that. It was all still so new, so confusing, and Dorian's light tone was most confusing of all.