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“My dear, you know I’m always happy to have your company, but I must ask why you’ve called us here,” Vivienne said from where she reclined in her seat. Sera eyed her from her own perch, which Ceri had made sure was on the opposite side of the table, so Josephine and Cassandra acted as a buffer.
“Well, I’m sure we’ve all noticed there’s a certain something happening between Dorian and the Iron Bull,” she began with raised eyebrows. The other women at the table shared a look and Ceri raised her hands, continuing. “We all know Iron Bull has caught on that Dorian is interested, but I don’t think Dorian knows he’s interested and that Iron Bull is being serious, you know?”
“So what are we gonna do about it?” Sera asked, tilting her head. “I mean you’ve gotta have some kinda scheme or somethin’ if you’ve got all four of us here.”
“Yes, I admit some curiosity myself. I don’t see how we’re expected to help with this,” Cassandra said, crossing her arms.
“Oh, have some imagination, Cassandra,” Josephine said with a smile. “There are plenty things we could do, I’m sure.”
“Yes! See, Josephine sees my vision!” Ceri said, slamming her hands on the table. “So, really, all we have to do is put Dorian in situations where he has to confront his feelings about Iron Bull.”
“How do you suggest we do that, my dear? It is hardly easy to force someone to confront their feelings,” Vivienne said as she brought her hand up, fingertips covering a small smile.
“Could always lock ‘em in a room. Don’t let ‘em out until they tell each other or somethin’,” Sera suggested.
“With their magic and strength?” Josephine asked, raising an eyebrow. “I suspect they’d be able to escape fairly easily.”
Ceri hummed and leaned back in her seat. She steepled her fingers, studying the vaulted ceiling of the room. Surely, the five of them could come up with a plan. Vivienne and Josephine knew people and how to play them, Sera was a master of schemes, and Cassandra…
Ceri looked back to the table, staring Cassandra down a moment. The other woman shifted in her chair, raising an eyebrow under Ceri’s gaze. Ceri leaned forward, lacing her fingers together under her chin as she set her elbows on the table. A smile crept across her face. “Cassandra.”
“Yes?”
“You know all about that romance book stuff. Maybe you have some ideas.”
“Reading— I read those for research on Varric! When I was looking for him.”
“Right, of course, but you still read them!”
“Well, I suppose I did, yes.”
“So, how did they make people confess their feelings?”
“It was usually when in peril, being forced to spend time together, or…” she pauses, looking a little sheepish. “Spending the night together.”
“Whoa, Cassie reads smut! I never would have guessed,” Sera laughed, tipping her chair back.
“I do not!”
“Regardless of Cassandra reading or not reading smut, it’s not like we can really put Iron Bull and Dorian in those situations,” Ceri sighed.
“Yes, I would rather not put our friends in mortal peril to wring a confession from Dorian…” Josephine said, tapping her cheek as she thought.
“My dears, and Sera, have you ever considered that perhaps what Dorian really needs is the confidence of a peer? Someone with whom he can discuss these feelings to perhaps spark some revelations,” Vivienne said, sitting up. “I’m certain he must spend time with some of our allies. I wouldn’t suggest anyone from the Chargers. Frankly, I can’t imagine Solas or Blackwall being very insightful in such matters or… the spirit. It is too blunt. Varric, I can perhaps see being able to get it out of him, but I would worry about his propensity for humour being our downfall.”
Ceri sighed, tipping her head back to stare at the ceiling. A look passed between Josephine and Vivienne while Ceri wasn’t looking. It was brief, but made Sera narrow her eyes at the other two women. As she opened her mouth to demand was that was about, Josephine cleared her throat. “I believe Dorian and the Commander often play chess together. Perhaps he would be a suitable candidate?”
Ceri shot up, almost tipping her chair over. Sera snorted as Ceri rightened herself, arms wheeling for a moment.
“Cullen?” she asked, eyes wide.
“Yes, they play rather often, I believe,” Josephine said. “Perhaps you could ask him to prod Dorian in the right direction?”
“That’s a great idea! Yes! You’re brilliant Josie, I’ll go ask him now!” Ceri said, springing up. “I knew calling Girl Squad together would be a good idea.”
Ceri scampered from the room, and the other women at the table glanced between each other.
“Okay, so what was that about? That looky look Vivvy and Josie gave each other?”
“Dear, I have no idea what you’re referring to,” Vivienne purred, languidly rising from her chair.
“I admit, I also feel as if I missed something,” Cassandra said. She pushed her chair back from the table as she stood.
“I suppose we’ll simply have to wait and see,” Josephine said, failing to hide a mischievous grin.
Ceri rushed across the battlements to Cullen’s office, dusting off her clothes and smoothing out her hair. She paused for a moment outside his door to take a deep breath. After a moment, she knocked and politely announced herself.
“Come in, Inquisitor,” Cullen said from inside after a moment. Ceri pushed the door open, peering inside. Thankfully, Cullen was the only one in his office. For once no scouts or messengers delivering news. She stepped fully inside, pushing the door shut behind her.
“Commander, I have a favour to ask,” she began, striding across the room to his desk.
“A favour?” He raised an eyebrow as she approached and immediately glanced back down at his paperwork. “What kind of favour?”
“I hear you and Dorian play chess together.”
“We do.”
“Would you, just a thought, be willing to...prod him about his romantic life? Perhaps any feelings for a certain Iron Bull?” Ceri asks, leaning on his desk. Cullen makes a face and Ceri is certain that had he been drinking something, he would have choked.
“Pardon?” he spluttered, going red in the face.
“I just want Dorian to be happy! And I can tell he likes Iron Bull and just hasn’t admitted it to himself yet! You don’t have to be obvious. Maybe just say you’ve seen him and Iron Bull together a lot? That there have been some whispers among the troops or something?”
“Inquisitor…”
“Please?” Ceri begged, giving him the biggest, most pathetic eyes she could muster. Cullen paused at her expression, then sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.
“Fine. Just this once,” he relented. Ceri squealed and jumped up.
“Thank you! When do you two play chess next? So I can come ask you about it after.”
“Tomorrow afternoon.”
“Excellent! I’ll be there. Thanks Cullen!” Ceri said, giving a quick wave as she darted out the door.
Ceri, Cassandra, Josephine, Sera, and Vivienne leaned on the battlements over the courtyard as they watched Cullen and Dorian play chess. The pair seemed to have been at ease the entire time, which made Ceri antsy.
“My dear, stop shifting. If you aren’t still, they’ll see you,” Vivienne scolded.
“Sorry, sorry. I just, I don’t know. I guess I expected something more interesting to happen,” Ceri muttered. Sera let out a loud sigh, holding onto the low wall as she leaned back on her heels.
“This is so boring though,” she whined. “How much longer is this gonna go?”
“Oh! Look! They’re shaking hands!” Josephine exclaimed, pointing down at the gazebo the men had been sitting in.
“Really?” Ceri said as she and Sera perked up. “Oh! Yes, Dorian’s leaving! I’m going to go talk to Cullen. I’ll tell you guys what he says when I come back!”
Ceri darted away, heading down the stairs into the courtyard as Dorian entered the main hall. The other women stayed on the battlements as she hurried towards Cullen, who stood as she approached.
“So,” Dorian said, joining the women after a moment. “Do you think our plan will work?”
Cullen and Ceri were chatting away in the courtyard. Cullen gestured to the table with the chess set, and Ceri nodded. The pair took their seats, still caught up in conversation.
“Well, darling, I certainly think we’ll see progress,” Vivienne said, pushing herself up. “Though I think a confession will still be a long time coming.”
“I swear those two are so oblivious. Our meetings are just them making heart eyes at each other,” Josephine sighed. The others all nodded, looking rather exasperated with the pair in the courtyard.
“I admit, Dorian, I hadn’t expected you and Iron Bull to already be together. Especially if the Inquisitor didn’t know about it,” Cassandra said after a moment, eyes still on Cullen and Ceri as they set the chessboard.
“Well, I was going to tell her. Then Josephine and Vivienne told me about her schemes and I saw the opportunity to play match maker myself,” Dorian said, waving Cassandra off.
“It’s probably for the best. General Uptight and Ceri have been dancin’ ‘round it way too long, if you ask me,” Sera said as she pushed off the wall. “Anyways, I’m gonna take this chance to go wedge something under the leg of his bookshelf. See ya!”
“Yes, it is probably wise to leave the two dears in peace,” Vivienne sighed. “Tea, Dorian?”
“I would love some.”
“You’re welcome to join us, dears,” Vivienne added to Cassandra and Josephine. The four wandered off, chatting amongst themselves as they left Ceri and Cullen to play their game in peace.