A Different Perspective

One

I walked past the large stone walls then frowned as I saw many soldiers here.

"Welcome to Skyhold." I jumped and turned, frowning at the boy standing there.

"You are odd." He said and tilted his head slightly, but I glared.

"That's mean-"

"Cole, enough." A woman said as she came over, but I frowned when I realized she was a Qunari.

"I'm Herah. You are?" She asked and I glanced at the boy.

"Adaline." I said and she nodded.

"Head into the main hall, we're holding a feast for the refugees coming in." I nodded then turned, going up the multiple flights of steps towards the main hall. As I walked in, I saw many people gorging themselves on food, but I ignored it. I grabbed an apple then went towards the large hearth, staring into the fire as I bit the fruit.

"Not a fan of the feast, Firefly?" I turned then looked down at the dwarf. He was tall for a dwarf, reaching my chest. Then again, I was short for a human woman. He was maybe 4'8", and I stood at 5'3".

"No, crowds and propriety aren't my thing." I smirked and he nodded, looking at the fire.

"Not mine either-"

"Are we going to bond over our hatred of crowds now? Or can I eat my apple in peace?" I asked and he looked at me then smirked.

"The name is Varric Tethras." He introduced himself and I sighed.

"Adaline Tre-" I stopped before I spoke my last name then smiled.

"Adaline." I smirked and he nodded, leaning against the stone of the hearth.

"Welcome to the Inquisition, Adaline." He said then looked back at the fire.

"Aren't you an author?" I asked and he looked at me then smirked.

"You've read my books?" He asked, but I scoffed.

"To pass the time, sure. Not really a big fan." I said and tossed the half eaten apple into the fire.

"Excuse me, I need to find a place to sleep." I said and went to leave.

"Hey, Firefly!" I looked over my shoulder at Varric then he sighed.

"Come on, I want you to meet someone." He said and I went back towards him. As we went through a set of doors, I saw an ornate office then he led me through the next door and down a long hallway, parts of the wall knocked in. As we got to the large doors at the end, I heard arguing, but Varric knocked and it went silent.

"What?!" A male voice yelled then the door opened and I eyed the man who stood there.

"Varric, what-"

"A new friend. Mind if we come in, Curly?" Varric asked and shoved past the man, but I licked my lips and slowly followed him in to see the Inquisitor and three other women.

"Varric, what is this?" One asked and Varric snorted.

"She didn't mention her name, but her hair gives her away. Giantess, meet Adaline Trevelia, daughter of-"

"High Builder Trevelia of the Orlesian Empire!" The dark skinned woman breathed, her eyes wide.

"How did you-"

"I know my builders, Firefly." Varric cut me off, but I glared and looked at the Inquisitor.

"Why are you here?" She asked and I sighed, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Personal reasons-"

"Yet, you're here in my fortress instead of safe in your father's estate." She said and I scoffed.

"Personal. Reasons." I said and the woman with an accent spoke again.

"Can you arrange a meeting with your father?! It'd greatly boost our resources to have-"

"Forget it! I don't even know why Varric brought me in here!" I snapped then turned, storming out. As I walked, I huffed and went through the main hall, going down the steps.

"Adaline, wait!" I heard and turned, glaring up at the Inquisitor.

"We only wanted assistance with rebuilding Skyhold! We didn't mean to upset you-"

"Well, you did! Maker, why am I even here?!" I laughed and turned, leaving Skyhold and going to the bridge. As I stopped on it, I took a deep breath then looked at the mountains far below.

"Firefly, I didn't mean to upset you-"

"Mission failed." I said as Varric came to stand next to me.

"Ruffles wants to know about getting your old man here to help rebuild." He said and I softly laughed to myself, shaking my head.

"That'll be impossible." I said and Varric looked at me.

"Is he on a contract hold or-"

"You can't contract a dead man, Varric." I said and his eyebrows went up.

"He-he went to the Conclave, but he never made it home." I said and Varric sighed.

"I'm sorry, Firefly, we didn't know-"

"We've tried to keep it contained in the family. His business with building was the only source of income we had. I left when people began to see the truth. My mother wanted me to take over his business of building for the empire, but I- those nobles disgust me!" I said and shook my head.

"So... Build for Giantess." He said and I looked at him.

"The Inquisition isn't the nobles, we're trying to fix the world, make it right. We could use a skilled builder, one who can organize the reconstruction of this place." He said and I looked at the fortress then, as I stared, the plans began building in my head.

"At least... think of it, please?" I looked at Varric then smirked.

"I'll think about it, Fuzzy." I said and poked his chest, making him smirk as my nail caught his chest hair.

"I like you, Firefly." He said and turned, leading the way back into Skyhold. As we passed the stone walls, I saw Herah with those three women and that man waiting, but they refrained from running over as Varric put his hand out to them, turning to me.

"You say no to the job, you can still stay here, Firefly. We won't kick out a refugee." He said and I nodded, smiling at him.

"Thank you, Fuzzy." I said and went around him, walking up the steps of the fortress.