#rowan your tiny little fire is bullshit

[twirlinginthefade]

Home Is Where the Heart Is 10/?

In which: Bath time and fade time

Rowan gave a heavy sigh.

The rest of the day had gone by quickly, her soulmates pressing for every detail she would tell them about Earth and her life there. But as the day turned to night, Rowan’s temporary energy waned and eventually, Cullen escorted her to the small cabin she had woken up in, and ensured she had a hot bath and food before she went to bed.

Athras thankfully left her alone in the cabin, choosing instead to take her dinner in the Singing Maiden tavern nearby. Rowan’s own dinner was of milder fare due to Adan’s concern that rich foods may cause her to get sick. Soft, plain bread, cheese and a cup of tea were supplied, although he told her that if she felt she couldn't stomach anything, Flissa had broth ready for her if she needed it.

But still, Rowan felt no inclination to eat, instead submerging herself in the warm bath and making no move to move from it.

Haven was cold, and Rowan had been walking around in only a long-sleeved tunic and leggings, her boots the only thing really keeping her warm. She was surprised she hadn't noticed how cold she was until she sank into the hot water and nearly melted.

Quietly humming, she sank further into the water until only her head was above the water. The water made her sleepy and it took effort to not fall asleep in the bath. Her bed was probably just as warm but the air between made Rowan curl deeper in the water.

A knock interrupted her woolgathering and she blinked sleepily at the door across the way, resting her chin against the rim of the tub.

“Who is it?”

“It's Cassandra Herald. May I come in?”

Rowan blinked tiredly at the door and thought for a moment.

“Enter”

The Seeker pushed open the door, carrying a stack of books in various sizes, talking all the while. “You left before we could discuss the rest of yo-oh Maker you’re naked” She dropped the books in surprise, staring at the young woman in the tub.

Her rift-green eyes were heavy-lidded and blinked slowly, looking her with mild curiosity. The soft waves of her hair fell around her face, plainly washed and in the middle stage of drying, for all she was still in the tub.

But what had Cassandra blushing was the way she was positioned.

Her head was gently resting on her forearms, cradled against the metal. It gave Cassandra a good view of the soft, pale skin along her shoulders and neck when her head tilted. She also knew if she walked a few more steps, she would be able to see into the tub, from her lithe chest down to the tip of her delicate foot.

But the Herald obviously cared nothing for her nudity, instead focusing on the books scattered on the ground, a lazy smile on her face.

“Ooo, books. What did you bring me?”

Cassandra blinked, not expecting the curious look Rowan gave her. “After the meeting was dismissed, I realized no one had given you the texts you would need for your lessons. They are mainly apprentice books, such as treatises on the Fade, beginner spells and wards, along with how to defend yourself from various demons.”

Rowan examined the pile. “What about that one? It has a...fox?”

“A fennec.” Cassandra nodded. “After you adopted the nug” “Vanyel” “...Vanyel, I thought it might be best if you received a book on the animals that live in Thedas. There is also a book on plants that I included for you if you are interested.”

A soft splash followed Rowan's movement as she sat up, leaning over the tub. “Thank you Cassandra. I’m glad you thought of me” Her thanks were followed by a large yawn and a series of blinks. The action caused Cassandra to smile for a moment before she realized how tired the Herald was.

“Herald, I think it is time I take my leave. It looks like you are very tired and I should not keep you up any longer.” She gathered the books and kept her eye line on Rowan’s desk as she put them down, ignoring the hum of agreement from Rowan and the soft splashing from behind her.

“I suppose you're right.” More splashing and a quiet curse as Cassandra arranged the books. “Good lord, I wish I had crutches” She filed that away as she turned back to Rowan, to find the Herald wrapping a towel around herself and carefully leaning against her bed frame.

“Herald!” Cassandra leaned forwards to help her, willfully ignoring the half-nakedness, only to be waved away by Rowan.

“I'm fine. Just tired” She sat down, massaging her stump. Rowan then looked up and gave Cassandra a small smile. “Go on Cassandra. I'm afraid I won't be the best company in a little while.”

Cassandra watched as Rowan grabbed the nightgown sitting on her nightstand and slipped it over her towel, letting the towel drop when she stood again, draping it on the top of her bedpost.

Cassandra gave a small salute before walking over to the door as Rowan settled, disturbing Vanyel, who was sleeping on the foot of her bed, a small red ribbon tied in a bow around its neck. “Good night Lady Herald”

Rowan gave a quiet mumble. “Night Cassandra”

Between hearing the door open and close, Rowan fell, landing softly in the hammock inside of her stone and vine gazebo.

“Ah, you're back” Rowan turned her head, finding Pragma quietly sitting on one of the benches, flipping through a book. Or rather, something that looked like a book, but each of its pages had an animal walking around, made of paper.

“Were you waiting long?” Rowan swung her legs over, finding the weave of the hammock more solid than she was expecting. Pragma shook their horned head, closing the book and putting it on the bench beside them.

“I like this place that you made. It is peaceful, and surprisingly well guarded for you being a new mage.” Pragma smiled down at her, still slightly stooped due to the Rowan-sized gazebo. Then they blinked as they looked down at her chest. “That’s new”

Rowan stared at them and looked down. Across her chest was a chest plate, styled the same as Cassandra’s was. But in the middle of her chest was a lock, with a keyhole in the shape of a fourteen pieced heart. Looking at the rest of herself, there were small patches of scale mail covering each of her marks, save for the one on the outside of her right thigh, where a red and bronze fire burned. She looked around, trying to see if any others were uncovered, but only Cullen’s mark remained, burning painlessly against her skin.

“Huh. That is new.” She tapped the plate with a fingernail, bells tinkling with every tap.

“The Fade echoes your feeling in the real world. Perhaps that is why?”

Rowan thought back to the day earlier and nodded. “Definitely why” Then she remembered the price for her lesson the other night. “Hey Pragma? Can you bend down for a sec? I need to see something.”

Pragma cocked their head and leaned down as asked, only for Rowan to grasp their face and press a gentle kiss to their lips.

“There, price paid,” She said, grinning as she pulled back. Pragma stared blankly back, then a tiny smile appeared on their face.

“Most mages wheedle their way through deals, wager and haggle. It is refreshing to see one who pays their dues without hesitation.”

“I won't hesitate if I can deal with the price. If I don't like the price, I don't make the deal” Rowan pulled aside the vine curtain, stepping gently on the grass spread around the gazebo. Tiny white morning glories littered the ground, opening and closing with the wind.

“Seems fair.” Pragma followed her out and plucked a rose from the trellis, it’s color dripping onto their hand. The spirit tucked the flower behind Rowan’s ear, smearing electric pink against her cheek. “Pink looks good on you. Brings out the life in your cheeks”

“Thanks.” Rowan tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and frowned at the sky. “I have a request, and I want to know the price”

“Ask, and I will tell”

“Courtship procedures. For as many cultures as you know”

Pragma cocked their head in surprise. “For your Missing I presume?”

“Ye- wait. Missing?”

Pragma touched the scale mail on her shoulder and the connecting gorget around her neck. “They are not yet yours, a piece missing from your heart. Once they accept your gift, they will be a part of your soul, only parted in death.”

“Oddly poetic, but yeah. I need to know how to court them, in their way.” She looked down and rubbed at her shoulder. “I want them to be happy, but I want to see if I can make them happy”

Pragma considered the offer. “A fair desire. I grant it”

“And the price?” Rowan raised a brow, perching on the now carved redwood log serving as a bench.

“Same as before. A kiss, on your next visit. But, I will not be here next time.”

“Then who receives the kiss?”

“My sibling, Eros. They would like to meet you, but I thought a warning is in order. They can be...overwhelming. To say the least. Do you agree?”

“I do”

And with those words, Pragma pressed a kiss to Rowan’s lips, flooding her mind with the nuance, process and order of courtship in Thedas.

Then she woke up with a pounding headache, a roiling stomach and a want to punch Orlesian traditionalists in the face for their courtship bullshit.