(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

[howtoactfereldan]

"Hurray." Dry.

[bringspeopletogether]

"I agree." Cheerful. "It is cause for celebration."

He polishes off his jerky and leans back on his hands.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen makes a face at him, and starts spearing the fish onto a nearby flat rock, where he then slices them open the rest of the way.

"Ware the bones," he says, poking it. "But that looks done to me."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Wonderful." He beams, and immediately sets upon one of the fish.

The only reason he doesn't scarf the whole thing down in one go is the aforementioned bones. Plus: Cullen put some work into preparing their meal. Savoring it a little, in a show of appreciation, would be a kindness.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen does not feel himself to be under any such compulsion. He methodically debones his fish, section by section.

"Exploring, early to bed, and then depart just after sunrise?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"Sounds like a fine day," says Alistair. Cheerful: "And a fine night, for that matter."

He polishes off another section of fish.

[howtoactfereldan]

Cullen huffs. (He's grinning.) "Only after one thing, as usual."

[bringspeopletogether]

"Ah, yes, that hard rock-moving labor you were talking about earlier." Serene. "How could I forget."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You're the one who suggested going swimming."

[bringspeopletogether]

Laughing: "I seem to remember taking that suggestion back when you brought up snow melt."

[howtoactfereldan]

"And you rejected my genius plan to make the lake an acceptable temperature. your point?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"My point," says Alistair, leaning closer, "is I think we could show a bit more creativity in how we spend our evening, hm?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"No animals, embarrassment, pain, discomfort, or excessive puns."

Beat.

"Beyond that, I'm open to suggestions."

[bringspeopletogether]

In a perfect deadpan, Alistair says:

"There go my plans for a wyvern-wrestling competition, then."

[howtoactfereldan]

"You still could. I'd watch."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair snorts out another laugh.

"So you know, I draw the line at wrestling anything in my smalls." Beat. "I'd be all right doing it without a shirt, though."

[howtoactfereldan]

"That's impractical for wrestling wyverns," he points out. "They spit."

[bringspeopletogether]

Alistair gives this his full consideration.

"Yes," thoughtful, "I suppose being covered in venomous wyvern drool would diminish the sexiness somewhat."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Not to mention wyverns aren't exactly a turn-on."

[bringspeopletogether]

He dissolves into fresh laughter.

"What," he manages, "you wouldn't be impressed by me strangling one with my bare hands and posing with a foot on its head like something out of Varric's novels?"

[howtoactfereldan]

"Are you confusing me with Bull?" Cullen arches an eyebrow. "Because if you are, we have problems."

[bringspeopletogether]

"I would never," he says, mock-affronted. "You don't have any horns."

[howtoactfereldan]

"Then why assume the sight of a large deadly lizard is something I'd like?"

[bringspeopletogether]

"More the sight of me with my shirt off doing something manly, but -- point taken."

Still laughing.

[howtoactfereldan]

"Your first mistake," Cullen says, trying for stern, "was thinking taking your shirt off wasn't enough on its own."