Friends didn’t come easy to her. In fact, she tried to keep everyone at an arm’s length as best she could. Vivienne had taken a shine to her, though. Despite her best efforts to stay stalwart, the mage had broken down a wall that had been up since her birth and since then Vivienne had been eager to get her to try new things. So, when Josephine had ordered ice cream in order to appease some Orelsian nobles that were visiting, Vivienne had been insistent that she try some. 

And it was wonderful-- never in her life had she tasted something so sweet and creamy. And this was just vanilla! According to Vivienne, there was a lovely flavor that was made with Rivani cocoa beans called chocolate. She had left to go get some from the shipment, leaving Shiva sitting on a chair, her legs not long enough to reach the floor. She tried not to let it bother her while she focused on the ice cream. 

“There you are,” a deep voice rumbled from the door to the kitchen. 

A small smile crossed her face. There was another encouragement from Vivienne, though she had been more subtle about it. When Blackwall had seemed interested, Shiva had tried to ignore it-- despite a blossoming feeling in her chest, despite the fact that he did not care she was a dwarf, despite the fact that he made her feel like no one else ever had. To be honest, she had never stood a chance once she had let her walls come down. Now, she dare not imagine life without him. Even if dying to Corypheus was a true threat, they had each other. 

Still, after discovering the existence of Thom Rainier, Blackwall had been distant. Always a gentleman, always kind and willing to speak, but unusually nervous as if he were attempting to walk barefoot over broken glass. The truth had hurt, but Shiva had done many things in her life that most would consider cold or evil. It did not make her a popular Inquisitor all the time, but Blackwall loved her anyway. 

“What brings you away from your work?” she asked, trying to sound pleasant. Her usual struggle with being truly friendly was evident though. If Blackwall minded, he didn’t show. 

He chuckled, “Is seeing you not reason enough, my lady?” 

“I suppose,” she replied, turning her head to hide the faint blush on her cheeks. 

His hand reached out to cup her cheek gently. Blackwall was far bigger than her, could have grabbed her and forced her to look at him. Carta dwarves had done so to her before. Yet, instead he let it rest until she was ready to turn back to look at him. Wet seemed to touch his eyes, shaking his head as if marveling at her. Shiva did not consider herself beautiful, yet he always complimented it. Even in the way he looked at her, he showed that he adored her. 

After a moment, his thumb moved, wiping the tip of her nose. Her thick ginger brows furrowed as she watched him, only to catch the glisten of melted ice cream on his thumb. Lifting it up to his mouth, he licked the melted dessert away, smiling at her. The pit of her stomach warmed. 

“You had ice cream on your nose,” he told her. 

“I could see that,” she replied, trying to press away a loose curl that had fallen out of her bun. She gestured to the other chair, “Care to join me?” 

“You? Always,” he said, pulling the chair out to sit by her. Once more his hand reached out to cup her cheek. 

This man was going to be the end of her, she swore it. So, she released a shaky chuckle before lifting a scoop and feeding it to him. He accepted it readily, sharing the last bit of her ice cream with her. Maybe everything would feel right once more.