I like you very much. Just as you are.

He shut his eyes tight and let out a defeated breath, “No...”

Then why did her words strike such a chord within him? Why did they sound so enticing?

“I... I don't know.”

Silence. Crashing waves. Distant wheeling gulls.

“You are a good man, Ser Cullen.”

“Am I,” he hummed his sarcasm rather than say something untoward. Drummed his fingers on the wooden planks holding his body above the water's reach.

“You would not fall to madness or cruelty as easily as did Meredith Stannard, if you were given a command. You have already demonstrated this to be true.”

More silence.

The words simmered under his skin. Should he let them boil over and spill out into the world? They could not be taken back. “If I do this thing—if I agree to help the Divine resolve this conflict—you must promise me one thing.”

“And that is?”

Cullen turned to face her; he wanted her to see the clarity in his eyes as he said this. “That you will not force me to begin using it again.”

There it was. The ultimatum.

“But you'll die without lyrium!”

“Everyone dies, Lady Pentaghast.”

⚶ ⚶ ⚶

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WELL, I got the highest grade for my thesis and presentation, and a very nice review from my advisor that may or may not have made made me cry. Thank you guys for your patience and support, I feel like y'all played a major role in me staying motivated and not dropping out during that last year. Gotta figure out what to do next after 15 years of just studying... A terrifying thought but oh well

Now that I'm FREE and have some time for myself, I have a few practice shots planned, that's the first one! Wanted to work with perspective and depth, and let me tell you, those legs were a nightmare to draw. Also the apple was hanging from a thick branch originally but I wanted to spice it up so now there are LEAVES and MOVEMENT

Also I've found a toggle in tumblr settings that had been compressing my videos, so now everything's gonna be in full HD like it's SUPPOSED to be

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Cullen caught the moment Ellana entered the hall as a ripple of excitement passed through the room. Though he couldn't yet see her, he did see the others entering with her: Bull was, as always, towering over the crowd, but he also caught sight of Cassandra ducking to the side, then Blackwall also attempting to slip out of view. At least, as out of view as one could be given the circumstances of having just helped save the world.

When Ellana stepped into view, his breath caught short. They had seen very little of each other in the hours since she had returned; Josephine immediately pulled her away to clean up. Apparently cleaning up also included dressing up.

For the first time since the Winter Palace, her dark hair was tamed. Instead of the usual plain tunic and leggings that she wore around Skyhold, tonight she was wrapped in blue silk. It seemed she even allowed for her lips to be painted, a striking red visible even from a distance. Cullen wanted nothing more than to kiss them.

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A missive delivered by one of Marquise Briala's agents, who appeared without warning through the Skyhold eluvian. Both pages are encoded via a cipher the Marquise and Sister Nightingale agreed upon following the so-called peace talks at Halamshiral.

Inquisitor Lavellan,

Forgive the haste with which I have sent this letter, but I think you'll find the matter urgent enough to warrant an unexpected visitor.

One of the minor nobles in the Dales—Lady Chelle Morveau—has hired mercenaries to harrass a clan who recently moved onto her land. More than one scout has been murdered, and hunting parties have been attacked. Intercepted correspondence has proven the lady's involvement.

Unfortunately, my people are spread thin. Thus, I've come to you for aid. I can provide you with a pair of agents: a navigator familiar with the area and a fighter skilled in setting traps on such missions. You may supplement the team however you wish, though I would recommend discretion. The entire Orlesian aristocracy knows what you look like. For both our sakes, it's best your involvement be kept quiet for the time being. My advice would be to have your arcane advisor lead your section of the party while you remain in Skyhold. He is familiar with the eluvians but would not raise as many eyebrows if anyone managed to escape and alert their employer.

I've enclosed everything we know about the mercenaries in a separate document. Any questions can be directed to the agents I've provided. Directions to where they are stationed are included in the document; they will wait until the end of the month for the arrival of your people.

'Ma serannas,

Briala, Marquise of the Dales

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