Story Time
"I thought you might like to hear a story," Dorian said, waving what Athras knew was the book of fairy tales she'd picked out in Val Royeaux.
"Yes!" she said excitedly. She called out to Cole, knowing he'd want to hear the story as well, before following Dorian to a grassy area near the Tavern.
Cole looked up from the dish of milk he was giving to a litter of kittens behind the tavern and came over, sitting down automatically when he saw Dorian holding the book.
Athras sat down near Cole, nestling into the crook of his arm while Dorian got comfortable on his own grassy patch.
Cassandra stood nearby, taking a break from her training to listen.
"Well, now," Dorian said. "I trust we are all comfy? Good. What should I read today?"
Athras contemplated, trying to decide between her favorites.
"I like the one about the rabbit," Cole said softly.
"Yes! Me, too." Athras said, smiling broadly.
"Really?" Dorian seemed taken aback. "You've heard that one so many times, though."
"I know," Athras said, "but it's so cute! Please?" she asked, her voice pleading.
"Alright, alright," Dorian said with a hearty chuckle, already turning the pages of the book to find the right story. "Ah yes, here we are."
As Dorian read the story, using silly voices for the rabbit and his friends, Athras leaned on Cole, knees drawn to her, her shoulder under his arm as she leaned on his chest.
"This is my favorite place to be," she thought, and she saw Cole's light change, happiness flaring up. He put his arm around her, hugging her tightly as they listened to the story.
When Dorian finished his tale, Athras thanked him, before running off with Cole to see the kittens.
Cassandra walked over to Dorian, and they watched, from a distance, Athras and Cole playing with the kittens while the fat mother cat watched nearby.
"You shouldn't coddle her so," Cassandra said. "She is the Inquisitor, not just some child."
"You're right," Dorian said, his tone cold. "She's not just SOME child. She's far more special than that. However, she IS a child, and she deserves to have nice days now and then. Look at how happy she is. Would you deny her this, simply because there are hard days ahead?"
That gave her pause. Cassandra was silent a moment before she replied. "No," she said finally. "I'd encourage it. BECAUSE there are hard days ahead."
"Exactly," Dorian said. "Let her have some fun now and then."
Athras had laid on the ground, and a few of the kittens were crawling around her.
"You dote on her as though she is yours," Cassandra noted.
That gave HIM pause, and he watched her play with the kittens a moment, before smiling broadly.
"Well she certainly isn't anyone else's," Dorian replied confidently. "Except perhaps Cole's," he said as an afterthought, watching Athras grin as Cole placed a kitten on her belly.
"Ugh. She shouldn't spend so much time with that... thing," Cassandra said.
"He makes her happy," Dorian replied, as if that settled the matter.
Because of course it did.