for sam

[samahl]

Inquisitor Cyril Lavellan had a bit of a reputation. He was kind and passionate and he played the Game with the best of them, but he also was known to be a bit of a flirt. He could often be seen flustering his military adviser and was never above charming nobles by teasing them. Enemies played up the rumors and made him sound like a hyper sexual elf who rose to power by bending over for the right people - never mind that he preferred men and most of the people who put him in power were women, or that they had done so because of his mark.

Despite his flirtatious ways, though, no one actually had reliable stories of taking him to bed. People assumed he and Dorian Pavus were lovers, but Dorian never said a word about the two sleeping together. Anyone who saw Cyril interact with The Iron Bull at the tavern might also assume the two of them were fucking, but again Bull never seemed to actually make it to Cyril's room.

Cyril was a flirt, but he was also very closed off. He considered people his friends, but he was extremely protective of his heart. He used to sleep around easily, but now with his position it felt like anyone who might be interested in him would care more about his throne. So he found himself falling uncomfortably into celibacy.

He wasn't sure how he felt about that.

Then one day he was riding his Dalish All-Bred, a beautiful black and white horse, when the horse tossed him. It was so unexpected. The animal had had no problems riding close to Rifts and demons but a silly fennec had spooked it by running too near a fire and casting a long shadow.

He felt his arm break and screamed. Solas was there, as the mage had been travelling with him, as was Bull and Dorian. They had gotten him back to the Inquisition camp. Despite traveling with two mages, neither of them were spirit healers. They set the bone as well as they could and then made plans to return to Skyhold.

The moment he returned to the castle, Cyril went to the healers tents. He was grateful he had made the mages allies, it meant they were near to heal him.

Comments

[el_tybs]

Sam snorts at that, keeping his eyes down on Cyril's arm though catching the look on the elf's face out of the edges of his vision. He knows the Inquisitor is strongly referring to him when he mentions offers and flirting, but Sam is going to stand firm on the whole 'getting to know you better' first. It's... flattering - though he isn't going to say that out loud - that the Inquisitor is even considering him, but Sam isn't known to jump into anything half-assed if he can manage it. Too many burned bridges because of him being a mage and the Circles for him to jump blindly.

"You must be desperate then. Bedding those noble brats doesn't sound all that appealing. Not to mention the political fallout and scandals that would follow."

[samahl]

"That's exactly what I mean. Josephine strongly hinted that I should behave after the first one." After a moment, Cyril gets a little more serious. "People already question how a Dalish elf rose to power. I don't need to add to it by mixing in dark rumors of me sleeping my way through the nobility."

[el_tybs]

"I don't think rumors of someone with your power sleeping with mage rebels would be any better," he says, pointedly looking at Cyril at that. "Then just don't sleep through the nobility. Or others for that matter. Not everyone likes being slept through."

[samahl]

"I think I've made my support for the mages perfectly clear. Having a lover who was one might solidify that alliance," Cyril countered easily, grinning as he did.

[el_tybs]

"If that was the case wouldn't you need to find someone who had high standing among the mages?" A pause. "I would also think just having a dalliance with one our solidify anything."

[samahl]

"It doesn't have to be 'just a dalliance' if it's a man I enjoy seeing more than once," Cyril points out. "Maybe even one I make up excuses to see."

[el_tybs]

It takes a moment for Sam to realize he's staring, at which point he looks down quickly, lips thinning, knowing that his cheeks were probably some degree of red. "Well..." Maker, now what was he supposed to say? "Perhaps if the excuses continue even after your arm is healed... he'll consider it."

[samahl]

"All right," Cyril said, with a smile. "In the meantime, will you join me for dinner at least?"

[el_tybs]

How persistent; it certainly pulls a small smile out of the healer. "I suppose I could take that as payment for the amount of checkups I'm going to be doing throughout this week."

[samahl]

"I'd like that," he says. "If you aren't comfortable eating in the courtroom I could arrange something in my private quarters. I'll even keep my hands and my mouth to myself."

[el_tybs]

That last comment gives Sam pause, raising a brow at the Inquisitor. Hands and mou- He quickly clears his throat. "It might be easier to explain me paying a visit to your quarters then eating in public."

[samahl]

"Plus we could talk openly," he pointed out. "Without worrying about whose ears might be listening in."

[el_tybs]

"Says the man who has been saying all this while we're in a tent." Possibly the thinnest walls you could get. Sam shakes his head slightly with a grin the lets out a sigh. "That would probably be best."

[samahl]

"I haven't said anything that would get me in too much trouble," Cyril points out with a grin. "I like sex with beautiful men and I like mages. People already know that about me."

[el_tybs]

"So you've only said enough to get into a little trouble?" he asks with his own grin, though at this time more focused on putting Cyril's arm back into a sling. "Think you can manage not to 'hurt' yourself again before this dinner?"

[samahl]

"I might be able to. How about tomorrow night, to make sure it's not too long and I don't do something stupid."

[el_tybs]

"When you put it like that... I suppose we'll have to make it tomorrow night." He can't imagine what 'stupid' stuff he might try to pull if it does go longer.

[samahl]

"So what would you like to eat?" Cyril asked. He looks far too happy that Sam has taken him up on the offer. "Tomorrow isn't enough time to import anything, so it'd have to be food we already have here, but the kitchen has a nice supply and I can request anything within reason."

[el_tybs]

Imported? Even if they had the time he hadn't even considered going that far for a meal. "Just some meats, cheese and bread will do fine. Or even fish if they happen to have that in stock." Meat and starches were always a good way to appease a Fereldan.

[samahl]

"That should be easy enough because it's basically what everyone in the main castle eats..." He sighs a bit. "You'll have to tell me how it compares to what they're making the mages eat normally and then I can see about closing the gap between the two."

[el_tybs]

"I didn't realize the kitchen was making the meals different for the mages here. There are certainly looks at times when we come to get food, but it didn't seem like the food was different; it's definitely better then what most got in the Circles though. I think the difference will be how they make it for you versus everyone else."

[samahl]

"I am not sure they are," Cyril admits after a moment. "It's just... if they are, it's because the nobles are used to certain standards and we can't have large amounts of food with that same quality and except our cooks to remain sane. I just want to make sure that we limit the differences as much as possible without putting too much on our kitchen staff.." He shrugs. "If I had my way, we would start making them cook their own food, perhaps. That will take care of it, but I doubt Josephine would agree."

[el_tybs]

"As much as I would like to see some nobles cook their own food, I would be inclined to agree with advisor Josephine's possible answer on that. Unfortunately we need to meet certain... standards for our noble guests otherwise we wouldn't get the funding we so require. It's a hard truth, and an annoying one at that."

Sam tests the sling a little bit, making sure Cyril's arm was properly sitting and secure. "I'm sure plenty of people complain about the food, but honestly the food is not bad. At least there are warm meals everyday."

[samahl]

"I'm glad. I didn't invite your people here to misuse them. I want this place to be a sanctuary for all of my allies."

[el_tybs]

"I meant people in general, I don't necessarily consider all the mages my people. We're a group with something in common, but we're all very different. Like I'm human and Fereldan, who happens to be a mage."