Dragon Age Inquisition: Nelora's Tale

Wicked Grace

Nelora was at her desk working on some paperwork Josephine had dumped on her that night. She had just finished reading her fifteenth report, when a knock sounded at her door.

"Snowflake? Are you coming to the tavern, or are you going to stay in that stuffy room like a certain Commander?" Nelora's ears went back as she heard the voice through the door, and got up with a sigh.

"Must you pick on him so?" She growled opening the door, and glaring down at the dwarf.

"Ah come on Snowflake! You know I jest." Varric said, holding up a hand as Nelora took a half-hearted swipe at his head.

"So... What do you need me down at the tavern for?"

"I managed to drag most of the group down for a game of Wicked Grace! I even got Cullen to come down. Now all we need is you." Nelora blinked and laughed.

"Alright fine, just give me a moment and I'll be down." The dwarf nodded, and headed back down the stairs. Nelora walked back over to her desk, shifting a few papers, and moving them to a more safe place, especially from Atila. Fearsome teeth that one. The mabari's teeth had already claimed ten reports, one of her favorite books, and a handmade griffin out of wood from Blackwall. No matter how much Nelora reprimanded the pup, she would still go and chew something right after. Nelora looked down at the sleeping form of the pup on the foot of her bed, and smiled, walking over.

"Atila, time to get up. We're heading to the tavern. Maybe Bull will have gotten you a bone you can chew on." She said, lightly touching the head of the dog, and giggled as Atila opened her eyes and yawned. The pup got up, and jumped off the bed, and followed Nelora out of the room.

Tavern music played softly as Nelora entered, the smell of ale and cooking food hitting her nose. Atila bolted away from her side, running towards Bull, barking her head off. Laughing, Nelora followed more slowly, dodging drunkards, and serving girls. Bull looked down at the mabari as she jumped up onto his leg, wagging her stubby tail happily. The qunari laughed, and took a small bone from the table, handing it to her. Atila barked again, before retreating under the table, gnawing on the bone loudly. Nelora took a set next to Dorian, and Cassandra.

"It's been a while since I've played this game." Josephine said, shuffling the cards. "I hope I can recall the rules."

"Just... go easy on me. I've never played this game before..." Nelora murmured, looking at the cards Josephine handed her. The game was foreign to her, and she bit her lip in worry.

"You'll catch on in no time Snowflake." Varric said, and smiled at her.

"Are three drakes better than a pair of swords? Ugh! I can never remember..." Cassandra mumbled, and the others snickered slightly.

"Remember when I told you about not showing others your cards Seeker? That also applies to announcing it to the table." He said, holding back his laugh. Cassandra blinked, then glared at the dwarf, her eyes flickering with annoyance. Nelora rolled her eyes, and laughed. Cullen shook his head.

"You seem to have enough people, I have much work to attend to." the Commander tried, pushing his seat back.

"Losing money can be both relaxing and habit forming. Give it a try." Dorian murmured, looking over at him.

"Curly if any man in history needed a hobby. It's you." Varric said, smiling at Cullen.

"Dealer starts!" Josephine called, stopping Cullen from responding, and making him stay, and tilted her head. "Hmm, two coppers? Is that too bold, maybe one copper. No, bold it is, three coppers!" She said giggling to herself. Bull snorted, and laid a silver out.

"Seriously? Who starts at three coppers? Go silver or go home!" he shouted. Nelora blinked as Varric, Josephine, Dorian, and Blackwall all laid out a silver coin. They all looked at her expectantly, and she laughed laying one out as well.

"And the poor recruit ran out into the dining hall in nothing but his knickers. And this... profound silence fell over the hall as seventy mages and thirty templars all turned to stare at once." Cullen continued in his story, leaning forward. "Then, a slow round of applause began, and spread until every soul was on their feet. A standing ovation." Nelora's ears flicked forward, her face bright as she smiled the entire time. Josephine was laughing, "Wh-what did he do?"

"Well, he saluted. Turned on his heel. And marched out like he was in full armor." Cullen said, smirking. Blackwall burst out laughing, along with Bull.

"He did not!" Cassandra giggled, leaning forward on the table. Dorian snickered, and shook his head, "Good man that one."

"That's how you know it's true. I could never put that in a book. Too unlikely." Varric said, smiling. Nelora tilted her head, "I think it's our professional storyteller's turn to tell a story." Varric nodded, "I think I can manage that."

Varric told his story, and those he spun, always seemed to involve the Champion of Kirkwall his closest friend, and usually ended with her being victorious in the fight. As the dwarf finished, Cullen started laughing. Josephine looked down smiling, before calling out "And the dealer takes everything! I win again." Cullen shook his head, smirking, "Deal again. I've figured out your tells. Lady Ambassador." Nelora blinked, and looked over at him surprised.

"Commander! Everyone knows a lady has no tells." Josephine said, smiling at him.

"Then let's see if your good fortune lasts one more hand." Cullen said, leaning back.

"Oh I have to see this." Nelora murmured, sitting back in her chair, grinning.

So the game started off just fine as they played. But Josephine finally won again, and Cullen was left sitting at the table in nothing! Varric was trying to keep in his laughter, eyes amused.

"Don't say a word, Dwarf." Cullen grumbled at him. Nelora and Josephine shook their heads.

"I.. I tried to warn you Curly." Varric managed out, his laughter starting to break through.

"Never bet against an Antivan, Commander." Josephine said, still smirking. Cassandra looked over, her face in a slight frown.

"I'm leaving. I don't want to see out Commanders walk of shame back to the barracks." She mumbled, getting up and leaving the room. The others followed suit, all except Nelora, and Bull who was asleep from all the drinks. Cullen's face was bright red as he looked over at Nelora, and she shook her head, before turning and following Varric, giving Cullen the chance to run out of the tavern. As soon as she wasn't looking, he jumped up and ran out.

"Well that was very interesting. We'll have to play again sometime." Nelora said, smiling at Varric.

"I'll have to try and convince the Commander to play for revenge." The dwarf said, laughing as the two of them turned to leave. Bull, looked up and saw no one was at the table and got up to leave, stumbling slightly as he headed to his room. Something shifted under the table, and looked around.

"Whozat! Did I win?" Sera mumbled under the table, eyes glazed slightly from all the drinks, Atila sleeping next to the elf.