may i have this dance bc it'd be so cute
may i have this dance // meme cache
A state dinner. The very first as His Grace of Kirkwall, right after the coronation.
His very first in general. Bran had been accommodating, refreshing table manners and how to interact with members of the upper class, yet that was troublesome — he was trying to contort himself to be something else for the very people who elected him without a second thought. He hates it and knows later he’ll do something that will offend one of those very people without thought — maddening, considering that they KNEW he was not apart of their elaborate rites.
Maybe it was time for a shakeup.
It’s more crowded than he expected, most of the diplomats are more interested in Tethras the Companion rather than Viscount Tethras. Yet, he smiles and powers through it, answering questions about the Inquisitor and how they seem to be.
Shoulders visibly relax when the bands pick up, there are some things that he remembers Bran drilling him on, and as most senior member in the room, he needs not to worry about anyone throwing themselves at him and vying for his attention in the form of dance. It’s a small blessing as he removes the Crown of Thorns from his head, handing it to one of the many stewards that Bran has surrounded him with ( Bran claims it’s to help, but he knows it’s to keep him from offending en masse ).
“Varric?” The hand on his shoulder draws him out of his thoughts and forces him to turn to her. She’s a vision in mint and silver, perhaps one of the loveliest to even be at the gala tonight. Merrill had been one of the few in his corner while he was away, making sure Bran was able to do what he needed to do, making sure all people in Lowtown had enough to eat. So when it came time to pick his advisory panel, her name shocked many — however not the stewards of his household.
“You’ve been quiet, is everything alright?”
How transparent was he? Apparently very. “I’m alright, Dasiy ---- it’s just not our usual scene.”
She curls around his hand, she doesn’t tower over him but she curls around him a smile still plastered to her features, colour is high in her cheeks and the smell of dandelion wine sticks to her, she’s had a few and he can’t blame her, a new life has been breathed into Kirkwall and she, herself, was in collusion --- ripping the gate from the Lowtown alienage with her magic bared.
“Dance with me. You didn’t do it at the coronation, and you danced with all the eligible noble women in the room.” His hand curls into hers, he’s always been sweet on her --- never in a way to be misunderstood, for the fondness he holds is almost patronly, fatherly at best. Her own head tilts. A smile still bared as hair cascades with her silver adornments. She’s like the night sky and starlight. “Please, Varric, may I have this dance?” And she is one he could never deny anything, oh that sweet daisy --- and how he is wrapped around her little finger. He leans into it, allows himself to break protocol as if he won’t be doing just that for the rest of his career. Fingers lace and his hand finds the middle of her back.
“Just don’t step on my toes like last time.”
She laughs, a melodic thing --- almost lost to the swing of there motion as they join the other couples on the floor. She is onyx and starlight again, something irreplaceable in his eyes. “I’d do better to stand on your feet and let you lead.” They’re lost to the band as she does just that, standing on his toes as they find a moment again for them, their found family.
