“You are becoming better at dreamwalking.”
She glanced up, and spotted Solas, and in the same instant realized she was in a dream. No blood or dead bodies this time, which was a mercy.
“I'm sorry,” she said. “I didn't mean to eavesdrop.”
“There is nothing to apologize for. You entered the larger Fade, and I realized you were here.”
“Thank you,” she said. “I might not have noticed otherwise.”
“Your mind is calmer than it once was,” he said. “You would have realized at some point.”
Arethin sighed, and sat upon a couch that materialized for her. “How have things been going here?”
“Fairly quiet.” their surroundings...blushed for a moment, everything going ruby red and smelling of roses, before it returned to normal.
Arethin chuckled in spite of herself. “You and Bull are keeping busy, I presume.”
“It has only been a night.”
“Very busy, then.”
“And what of you?”
“Did you ask any of the others?”
“Apparently you orchestrated a new Empress, and managed to coerce that Empress into returning the lands of the Dales to your people. Impressive. I wished to hear from you.”
“Well...Giuseppina did do that,” she said, and trees sprung up around her. What she imagined the Dales must have been like. “But I'm worried.”
“Why?”
An image of Giuseppina appeared, smiling, and Arethin's memory of her speech played in the air.
Solas nodded. “Ah. You fear a fanatic.”
Arethin nodded.
“A wise fear—however, she is on our side for now. I would simply keep an eye on her, and devote more time to more immediate problems.”
“Yes, alright,” Arethin said. “Elthina is taken care of, after all, and she returned the Dales to us...”
Solas smiled. “A victory worth treasuring, I am certain.”
“You don't disapprove?”
“No. Never that.”
Arethin smiled at him, then sighed. “But the Viddasala and Corypheus are both still problems.”
Solas inclined his head. “They will continue to pose problems until they are dealt with.”
“I wasn't exactly expecting them to stop on their own,” Arethin said, her voice dry. Her shoulder slumped. “Mythal's mercy, it seems I solve one problem, and I come up with ten more...”
“That is the way of things, I've found.”
“I need to talk to Cassandra when I wake up,” the surroundings blushed again, this time a much deeper red.
Solas smiled. “I see. Well, I shall not keep Cassandra waiting.”
“Oh, go continue on with Bull,” Arethin waved at him.
He chuckled, and vanished. Soon the Fade swept her away, and she found herself awakening in her bed. She shook her head to clear it of dreams, and went in search of Cassandra. She located her in her usual spot above the forge, staring down hard at a report she was trying to write.
“Cassandra?”
Cassandra looked up, and immediately straightened. “Lavellan,” she said.
Arethin sighed. “There's no need for that,” she said. “Come on. We need to talk.” they went upstairs to Arethin's chambers.
Cassandra stood, uncertain and fidgeting. Arethin sat down on the bed. For a long moment they stood in silence.
“I really, really was not expecting that kiss.” Arethin said at last.
“I am—I am sorry,” Cassandra said. “I didn't mean--”
“No, no, don't--” Arethin fumbled with her words. “I don't—I didn't mind--”
“It was presumptuous, and forward, and I--”
“It's fine, I—I really--”
“I'd understand if you--”
“I mean I--”
They both took a deep breath and looked at each other.
“Well,” Cassandra sighed. “We are in, perhaps, not the most comfortable of situations.”
Arethin was startled into a smile. “No. I suppose not.” they were quiet again. “Why did you do it?” she asked.
“What?”
“Why did you kiss me?”
“You—because you are--” Cassandra went very, very red. “You are—admirable,” she said. “And—strong. And wise—and I have—wanted to,” her last words were almost a whisper.
Arethin stared at her.
Cassandra looked away. “I am sorry,” she said again. “This was not a good idea. We need not speak of it--”
“No,” Arethin said. “No—I just—I didn't know you felt that way about me.”
“It is foolish, I know,” Cassandra said.
Arethin winced. “I see.”
“How could you want me?” Cassandra burst out. “After everything—I know you would never--”
“I never said that,” Arethin said. “I thought you meant—I thought you meant it foolish to—to feel that way about...”
Cassandra blinked at her. “Why?”
“I'm a mage,” she said. “An elf. I didn't know you even liked other women--”
“No, no,” Cassandra shook her head. She sighed and scowled in frustration. “It is—I am not—it is only—I know you would never feel the same way,” she said finally.
“I--” Arethin went red. “I mean—I just...I haven't had the time,” her voice was almost pleading. “I never thought about it, not like that...”
To her horror, tears began to prick at the corners of her eyes, and she had no idea why. She wiped at her eyes, and Cassandra looked horrorstricken.
“I liked the kiss,” Arethin admitted, and she sniffed.
“I—I am sorry,” Cassandra said. “What did I say--?”
“I don't know,” Arethin said miserably.
Cassandra hesitated for a minute, then sat down beside her on the bed. “I am sorry,” she repeated.
“Stop saying sorry,” Arethin snapped.
“Tell me—tell me what I said, what I did--?”
“I haven't had anyone for years,” Arethin said. “I was busy--”
“But...you had a son...?”
“I don't know his father,” she said with a shrug. “It was at an Arlathvhen, years and years ago. I was only twenty.”
“And before--?”
“Lots of people, but no one serious,” she said. “And after Elladen was born, I was busy.”
“I didn't mean—to cause all this--”
Arethin shook her head. “And then, with the Breach, I hadn't thought...” she wiped her face again. “But I...I liked the kiss...” she murmured.
“We—we need not speak of it anymore, if you do not wish it,” Cassandra said.
“No!” Arethin exclaimed. “No, I—I just—I'm not used to this.” she pressed her hand against her forehead. “I'm sorry,” she said. “I'm useless at this.”
“No, I—I shouldn't have--” Cassandra sighed. “Before you, I had never...well, I had never considered much of...anyone,” Cassandra admitted.
“No?” Arethin looked at her. “But you're so...”
“What?”
“You're beautiful, and you're strong—anyone would love to--”
Cassandra blushed and shook her head. “Being a Seeker is all-consuming,” she said. “And who would I have been with? Leliana?” she snorted. “Leliana has her own love.”
“Truly?” Arethin was surprised.
“Yes, a dwarven woman that she met during the Blight,” Cassandra explained.
Arethin blinked. “She never mentioned.”
They sat in silence for another minute or two.
“What do you wish to do now?” Cassandra asked.
Arethin pulled Cassandra close, and pressed her lips to the other woman's. Cassandra let out a breath of surprise, then kissed back eagerly.
The broke apart at last.
“That's what,” Arethin said.
Cassandra smiled and rested her forehead against Arethin's. “That...was...nice,” she said.
Arethin laughed, a little nervously. “It was?” she wrapped her arms around Cassandra. “Then—why don't we see...what else we can do?”
A long time later, they lay in Arethin's bed together.
“I definitely didn't expect all that,” Arethin said, resting her head against Cassandra's chest.
“Nor did I,” Cassandra admitted with a slight chuckle.
“I think it's a lot better than the other surprises we've run into though.”
“Most definitely.”