(no subject)

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen is fine in the field. He can set up a tent, build a fire, find water safe to drink, make something edible. But he hasn't traveled enough to get the knack of what's wise to bring.

These days it makes little difference, given his status: he helps to set up camp, but there are runners and adjutants to find and fetch things. And there are few enough of them, this time -- not the massed force of the Inquisition, but a patrol's worth of soldiers and scouts and accompanying support -- that in the evenings, Cullen finds himself... restless.

It's akin to the reason he doesn't frequent the Herald's Rest, but there's no office to hide in, and no paperwork to justify staying in the tent.

At least tomorrow he and Alistair will peel off to where Honnleath used to be, to spend the night and rejoin the rest again late the following day.

(This may also contribute to his fidgeting.)

Comments

[bringspeopletogether]

"It's one of the great mysteries of life," says Alistair, loftily. "We may never truly know. Her person denied all responsibility when questioned."

Another beat.

"Personally, I suspect a second mabari who'd obtained a contraption that simulates thumbs."

[howtoactfereldan]

"That does seem like the simplest and most probable option."

[bringspeopletogether]

All cheer and innocence: "I thought so, too."

He beams.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen only looks slightly pained.

"Is that the end of the story?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"For now, I believe so. She had plenty of adventures until her Calling -- "

(Despite himself, his smile goes a little crooked.)

" -- but I'll save them for another night."

[howtoactfereldan]

"How did she polish her armor before she became an officer?" Cullen asks suspiciously.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Propped it against the wall, put a rag in her mouth, and went to work," Alistair answers, promptly.

[howtoactfereldan]

"How did she have a command position without undergoing advanced weapons training?" Cullen demands.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Who's to say she didn't? Just because her weapons of choice were teeth and claws -- "

[howtoactfereldan]

"Ranged weapons require thumbs," Cullen insists.

[bringspeopletogether]

"Not if they've been modified so a mabari can use them!"

[howtoactfereldan]

"If that were true, mabari would be the most feared archers in Thedas."

[bringspeopletogether]

"They were one-of-a-kind, custom made, and a very closely-guarded Warden secret," protests Alistair. "They knew what sort of havoc they'd unleash if every mabari in Thedas had a crossbow."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen huffs.

"Fine."

(One corner of his mouth is twitching.)

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair, by contrast, is grinning outright.

"I'm glad my ridiculous story met with your satisfaction, Commander," he says, and pulls their hands close so he can kiss Cullen's fingertips.

[howtoactfereldan]

"It was certainly better than Ser Bovine."

He runs his thumb along Alistair's lower lip, smile going crooked.

[bringspeopletogether]

"In fairness," murmurs Alistair, as his eyes drift closed, "anything would be better than Ser Bovine. That's rather the point."

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen says, low and warm:

"I'll remember that next time you claim to want steak."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair snorts out a tiny laugh.

"I don't know. Ser Bovine might be more palatable after he's been turned into steaks."

Pun wholeheartedly intended.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Ugh," says Cullen, and shoves Alistair's shoulder.

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair topples onto his back, cackling the whole while.

There's so much smugness radiating from his side of the bedroll. So much.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen, meanwhile, goes back to his previous position of curling up in protest, pillow over his head.

"Why," he moans.

[bringspeopletogether]

"You suggested I come along," says Alistair, back to the innocence and light of before. "On your head be it."

[howtoactfereldan]

"I thought you were merciful."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I consider it merciful that I've limited my awful puns to no more than two a day. Especially after all that time around Bull."

He's just saying!