#oftemplar

should he have kept his mouth shut ? most likely .  it would have been easier that way to prove that they were exactly alike .  perhaps he could have gone onto how they were the same ,   but what use would that do ?  nothing more than prove that they were identical in every respect except for their experiences . 

        “  can’t say that i’m impressed .  assuming you’re commander now means that you took the seeker’s offer ,  didn’t you ? ” 

that was the only assumption that he had .  that cullen actually joined the inquisition .  it was quiet poetic actually ,  but most likely far sooner than he had .  different circumstances  and no doubt far less bloody as well .  

         “ you got to be commander and since i don’t smell lyrium on you ?   well,   I suppose ...  you stopped where i did not . ”

“might i steal a moment of your time? i ah… arranged a nice night out.”  /  @oftemplar​​ write them a date night or else

     WITH YOUNGLING distracted, entertained by a stable hand who was likely busy teaching the very girl how to safely approach a horse, Serene found herself with some time to spare. Venturing into Skyhold’s gardens for a moment of silence, to enjoy the growing life that decorated the area, with nothing but a book as her own source of entertainment. It was rare to have a moment of peace these days &&. she was ready to thoroughly enjoy each moment she was able to snatch.

      ❝  Commander ━ Cullen.   ❞   USUALLY THE woman had been alerted of his presence, but it appeared luck had allowed him to sneak up on her. Hands resided to rest upon the pages of her book, eyes watching him with great curiousity. It was unusual to witness the commander of the Inquisition in such a state, his usual proud &&. rather confident persona was different to the sheepish puppy state. Both adorable, nonetheless.

     ❝   Inquisition related or personal   ?  ❞  TINY TEASING jest, lips curling into a playful smile. Heart already knew the answer well before mind could, which only made her heart dance in a wonderful rhyme. A night with him would be even more enjoyed than feeble books &&. little flowers. She moved to stand, book laying abandoned on the bench, before studying him with smile never fading. Fingers etched to his, slowly linking &&. curling around his own before holding his hand within her own smaller one.

            “ he stole my templars .  he gave them false promises and for what ? some half baked plan to save them ?  we both know what’s done is done .  you stand with him when he’s the very thing that you hate the most .  face it ,  he fed the the same lies the chantry has  - at least i was leading them to glory and their graves .  ”

maybe samson was too harsh or perhaps not harsh enough .  he wasn’t sure and at this point ? he didn’t even want to know how far he could push things if he so chose to do so .

              “ these templars were never his to begin with .  they were just blinded by promises an’ hope .  with the red’s gone ,  ”  samson said sharply .  “ the elder one will make swift work of him and you . ”

“Where should I leave a mark? Here? Or here?”  /  @oftemplar​.

     REMAIN CALM, allow no sign of excitement to spill forward, make him work for it. For such a prize was one well earned. Though, he may have already earned this given her state. Hair a tasselled mess, doe-eyed expression watching him eagerly as his hand barely skimmed over exposed flesh. Tempting her, testing her, teasing her. Allowing nothing but vague ideas of what he could do to her in such a fragile &&. bare state. But how they brought a shy, girlish giggle to her throat, low &&. near silent, just loud enough for him to hear. 

     ❝  Everywhere.  ❞  SLENDER HANDS took his own, tugging him closer so she could press their bodies together. Hands placing his to her hips, an area she knew he was fascinated by, as lips moved to capture a loving kiss. Even during moments such as these, she found that tokens of affection was needed for them both &&. who was she to pass up the opportunity to place praise in words &&. kisses to her dearest  ?  ❝  Leave your mark everywhere. In places all will see, to tell them that I belong to you body and soul, and in places only we will see.  ❞

the winter palace was a drain for the commander, but if he was going to do anything before the night finally comes to a close, it was offer to dance with his lady. and so, with a quiet ahem, he slowly offers a hand to serene with a small smile. "care to have this dance with me, lady serene?"  /  @oftemplar​.

     HALAMSHIRAL. WICKED games &&. even more wicked people all gathered into one place, an ideal hunting ground for all. While Serene had rarely ever taken part in such events, though could always recall endless hours of practising with her mother for when she would, she believed that she was doing rather well. Covering for the Inquisitor as they disappeared in their search to find the assassin, Serene found herself walking around in circles. How boring it was.

     WITH ARMS crossed, a rather tired &&. disinterested gleam in her gaze as eyes merely glanced over people. Idiots roamed, dressed in finery perhaps, but idiots none the less. Some she knew, some she did not, oh. A few that she knew too well, might be best to avoid them for the evening.

     ❝  Oh  ?  So, the commander dances  ?  I wonder if Holly taught you how to do so.  ❞  HIS VOICE cut her train of thought, a new glimmer within her gaze as it focused upon him. Lips tugged into a loving smile, her own hand taking his all while she moved closer to him. How could she ever say no to a dance with him  ?  The answer is never. It allowed them to be close, to forget their surroundings for a moment, a reminder of how lucky Serene was to be the woman to have captured his heart.

hell ,  he even had the opportunity become a commander ,  but that was before things changed .  before he realized what was happening to himself and everyone else .  he opted to save himself ,  to live another day with his mind  -- no doubt some could call him selfish or worse due to leaving the rest of the Red’s, but it was to survive .  

though ,  there was doubt that it would even be believed .  a templar equaled a life of service .  he should know ,  his father was one ,  his grandfather , and so on .  it was simply what was done .  to leave the order .  to no longer be part of it ?   it was a death sentence  or maybe even worse depending on perspective .

        “ when a templar takes his vows , ” he says ,  “it’s a life sentence. i may not be part of the order ,  i may not be part of anything , but your judgement is... necessary .  the need to reflect and judge what is and what is not is there .  divided we fall  .  yet caution is necessary . ”

caution is what would keep people safe .  what would smooth things over .  restraints were what would help people accept . a watchful eye was required ;  harsh judgement for every action taken or not taken .  alex could accept that far better than most .

         “ i’m not samson , but i know... what it’s like to be in a divided house .  to know how a single series of actions can spell disaster .  the enemy is not mages or tevinter .  the enemy right now anyone who follows corypheus . ” 

though , that was making matters quite simple .  maybe too simple .

          “ not a lone red templar who just wants to survive long enough to ensure no one ever has to become one ever again .   be it by force... or willingly . ”