Tullius van Markham

He frowned and stared at the ground, trying to focus on not stepping on the other’s feet.  Cole had the right idea.  You had to listen with your heart and feet while dancing, though at least Talon didn’t have to also worry about not getting into other people’s heads.  It seemed however, that his feet didn’t have ears at all, and he kept narrowly missing the other’s feet.  Dancing with his daggers in the middle of battle was one thing, dancing with another person though…  That was a completely different story.

“She’s really not letting me get out of this isn’t she?  Can’t she at least just…  Not make me dance with people? I can talk…  Or hide in a corner with Cole…  Or…  Something else, right?”

The ball and peace negotiations at the Winter Palace were coming up, and the assassin was not in the least bit happy about being dragged along for the ride.  Well he didn’t mind the whole “stop the Empress from being killed” bit, that would at least be exciting and make for a good story, but the idea of spending the entire night on his best behavior surrounded by nobles made him nauseous.  That’s without adding in the whole dancing nonsense.

“No hiding in corners or under tables whatsoever. As a figure head you’re expected to make atleast one dance. A lot depends on it, so you will have to do atleast,-...decent” no this was not going to be easy he knew that. But even if it took the whole day, their inquisitor would learn how to dance and behave at the winter palace. 

When the other templars were finally out of sight, her shoulders sagged in visible relief. “With luck, we won’t run in to any others. I’m a terrible liar, I’ll mix up my stories.” It had never been something she was gifted with - that never bothered her either. The truth had worked well enough for her… Of course, she wasn’t normally traipsing around with what others would deem an apostate, even if he did belong to a Circle.

“Really? I would pay to see you fight in that. Shooting arrows at every little bug that crawls out of the underground.” little was an understatement. Whatever they fed those wild spiders they were huge. With his normal dislike for animals these were just straight out creepy.

“I’ll meet you at the gate okay?” His hand passed her shoulder, turning her around to lead her out of his chambers. A quick walk to note people of his absence was all he needed.

With full saddlebags and attire much more suited for an adventure - most notably pants, but also a simple shirt, far less gallant than what she would normally wear around Skyhold - she leads the horse to the gates to meet Tullius and the two set off.

His sigh was a heavy one, the offer was tempting. Fresh air away from the nagging of nobles above him. Even if the walls were thick you could still hear everything that happened in the main hall of skyhold. Nature tended to be way more quiet. The feathed dabbled in inkt waved in the air as he thought about it, his hand spotted from the overextended use of the writing utensil. 

“Fine…have it your way” you could almost hear his bone crack, from standing up. Exercise was a thing he easily forgot about. But for Denise he would make the trip. Not admitting it ofcourse. 

Assuming she had planned this and fully prepared the only thing he needed to take along was his staff. Adorned with a skull and a gloomy aura around it. 

Brows shot up at his answer - she had expected it, counted on it, but to finally get it was relieving still. After all, Denise hadn’t planned out what she might do to change his mind if he had declined.

“Good,” she answered, fighting away a smirk and instead wearing her best ‘of course it’s my way’ face that.. well, wasn’t really that successful. She still grinned through it. “The horses should be ready soon, and I think everything else is taken care of.” She drags a finger over her lip as she thinks back on what would be needed - food, satchels for the herbs, bedrolls… It wasn’t that they’d be gone long, just a few days at most if things went well.

She had learned after the first mishap not to go out entirely alone anymore - nature had a way of overpowering the lone wanderer, and another series of gashes on her back were undesirable - so when Elan brought a list of herbs she needed restocked, Denise promptly began thinking of who ought to tag along. Most others had important business to tend to, and so did Tullius surely, but that didn’t stop her from asking… And pulling off quite a magnificent pout at his initial refusal.

Such  simple tasks always pleased her, but surely it would be made more enjoyable if he’d agree to tag along - they rarely had reason to leave Skyhold together, after all. It tended to be one or the other, and even when it was both they went separate ways. Not that Denise minded so much, but it could be nice to get out for a while. Even if it was just to pick herbs for the alchemist.

“Fine...have it your way” you could almost hear his bone crack, from standing up. Exercise was a thing he easily forgot about. But for Denise he would make the trip. Not admitting it ofcourse. 

Vesper had overheard their footsteps before they had rounded the corner - there was something about the clank of Templar armor that became unmistakable after hearing it so often. There’s a sharp inhale as she grabs hold of the mage’s arm firmly. “Say nothing.” If anything had been learned early on, it’s that this particular mage had a tendency to be quite snarky - a trait that would get the both of them in trouble if he is caught.

Tullius pulled back his arm, giving an annoyed glance at the touch. For that he wanted to scold her, he wasn’t to fond of a templar touch. It stinged like lyrium and the over use of their dispelling. But even if he didn’t approve he obeyd the command. Staying on the spot as she left. Running away would be very suspicious.