Sepia

Skyhold, Frostback Mountains - Asami, Age 24

You're soft edges. You're just butterfly shell. You paint your lips red. Perfect.

--

You've been waiting for the Inquisitor's audience for three hours now. You're not familiar with the concept, waiting that is. You decide that you... don't like it. Before your thoughts can run away, the door across from you opens. Your body snaps to attention but deflates when your eyes land on a male dwarf half peeking from behind the door. The Inquisitor is neither male nor dwarf.

The dwarf sighs, "I can't tell if she's Tevinter or not, Sparkler. Although her clothes look just as ridiculous as yours."

"Prat! Ridiculous... says the dwarf with no beard. Now that's ridiculous!" The dwarf chuckles at this but says no more.

A smile finds its way to your face. You clear your throat, "I am in fact Tevinter, ridiculous clothes and all."

The door bursts open fully, revealing another man. A human man. A human man you know quite well. "Dorian." 

At the sound of his name he steps into the room fully. "I never thought I'd see you here, Asami. Conscience catch up with you?"

You squeeze your hands, nails digging into your palm, quenching the magic at its surface. You say nothing. 

Dorian smirks, "You never really could control your magic. You've always made for a poor mage, much less a magister."

"Felix is dead." You say snarling. 

The smirk on Dorian's face disappears. "Don't presume to tell me about Felix. You know nothing." He whispers through clenched teeth.

"He was my friend too."

"You were nothing. You are nothing."

"Careful Dorian, your claws are showing. You become more Magister Pavus' son everyday." You smirk at him but feel him pulling at his mana. By some odd grace of the Maker, the dwarf must feel it too. Or the tension. 

"Sparkler... you haven't introduced me to your friend. The dwarf's hand clamps down onto Dorian's forearm, you watch as he whispers something into Dorian's ear.

Dorian growls, "Varric, allow me to introduce you to Magister Sato. Magister Sato, Varric."

"Varric Tethras. Rogue, storyteller, and, occasionally, unwelcome tag along." Varric adds with a small bow.

Dorian snorts, "Do you say that to everyone you meet?"

Varric frowns, "It's a good line! You're no writer, Sparkler. I don't expect you to understand."

Dorian's mouth opens but whatever he is about to say is cut short, by a woman's voice. "Arguing in front of our guest, boys?"

"Inquisitor!" Varric and Dorian both yelp in surprise. At this, you straighten, standing at attention.

"Why don't you both run along to the tavern? Sort it out over a drink." On his way out of the room with Dorian, Varric mutters, "HE was arguing with that very same guest but five minutes ago." As they leave, you get your first real glimpse of the Inquisitor.

She's beautiful and an... elf. You knew this but seeing it is something else entirely. You stare at the marks on her face in wonder. You would love for the chance to just study them. Her hair is in an intricate series of twists and plaits, her eyes, violet. Which at this moment are narrowed at you and you are reminded this is not the time or place for that. You came here to join the Inquisition.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Magister Sato. I've had quite the day." She smiles at you and you feel yourself smiling back. "You know my name, my title?"

"I've advisors, Magister Sato."

"Right, of course. But please, call me Asami."

"Alright, Asami. What is it I or the Inquisition can do for you?" The Inquisitor asks as she crosses her arms behind her back. 

Your brain flails for an answer for a moment, "I... well I'd like to join. The Inquisition that is. I also offer you all the resources at my disposal. I have a... a great deal of money. To put it crudely. All of which is at Inquisition's disposal."

Her arms cross over cross over her chest, her tilts to the side as she regards you. "Alright. My advisors haven't found anything wrong with you. Yet. Until I've gotten to know you better, you'll be stationed in the mage tower. I'll have Josephine show you to it and have some quarters assigned to you. 

"Of course. Thank you! I really do want to help."

"I believe you, Asami. Although, I must advise you the mage tower is filled entirely with former circle mages and templars. All of which you which you will be working alongside of. I ask that you be sensitive to both parties, we still have much to work out with each other. Myself included." She says with a gentle look on her face. Gentle but serious.

"Yes, Inquisitor. Of course." You assure her.

As much as I'd like to get to know you better, I have much to do. I'll retrieve Josephine for you though." As the Inquisitor turns away, she pauses, "If I'm to be calling you Asami, then you must also call me by my first name. Malika."

"Sure. Of course, thank you.” The Inquisitor smiles at this and leaves.

--

Josephine has showed you to the mage tower, as you walk in no one turns to greet you or shows that they have been alerted to your presence at all really. Josephine smiles placatingly at you, "Forgive them, they are kept very busy. It's not personal."

"No offense taken. I understand, I hope I can contribute to their hard work with my own."

"I'm quite certain you will find your place here, Magister Sato."

"Thank you, Ambassador."

"Of course. Do tell me at once if you are in need of anything." You nod at ambassador as she takes her leave.

Blowing out a breath of air, you search the room unsure of who you should talk to. Of who's in charge.

Your eyes land on a man -- a boy really and a woman around his age or a few years older at the least. You stifle a giggle at the sight of the woman's choice of clothing. "I'm quite sure I've never seen a mage out of robes and in a pair of trousers at that." You chance. The boy's eyes snap up to meet yours, confused. He puts a hand on his chest, "I'm no mage, miss." 

You do giggle at this and the confusion on his face grows. "Somehow, I think she's referring to me, Bo." The woman next to him says, her back still turned to you. 

The woman sighs as she turns around, "There's a first time for everything though right? Surely a mage in trousers isn't quite as interesting as the breach in the sky." She says with her arms crossed. 

You smile at this, "Surely."

Crookedly she smiles back at you, her nose scrunching at the corners. Your chest tightens at this and you start to feel a little too hot.

The woman uncrosses her arms to shake your hand, "It's nice to meet you uh...?"

"Asami." You say reaching for her hand.

"I'm Korra. This silly goof is Bolin, affectionately called Bo." Bolin smiles at this, placing the tips of his fingers together he places his hands under his chin as if on display.

Your hands meet, and a shock courses through your body. You both pull back quickly and Korra stares at her hand. "Sorry, I've only recently started working on my elemental spells. I'm still not very good." Korra says as she hangs her head.

You shake your head, "It's alright, really. What are you specialized in?"

"I'm a healer." Korra says, rubbing the back of her neck.

"I never really had an affinity for the creation school myself." You say.

Bolin pipes up then, "That wasn't magic, Kor. It was chemistry. Fa fa-fireworks!"

Your eyes widen at this just as Korra yelps and turns to Bolin to slap the back of his head. "Bolin. Shut. Up."

Korra covers her face with her hand, "Excuse us while I try to conjure up some real fireworks for this dolt." Korra grabs Bolin's arm and marches him up the stairs. Bolin turns back to you, a smile on his face, "Soulmates. You two. Just you wait!"

"BOLIN."

"Okay! Okay... I'm going, I'm going." Bolin says as the pair disappear up the stairs. 

--

You shake your head, your heart in your throat, you walk out of the tower into the chilly Frostback nighttime air. You exhale, your breath permeating the air. You're just butterfly shell. You paint your lips... red?