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[openhands]

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voice

[serves]

In a manner of speaking. I'd like to introduce you to someone. [And here it comes:] She's interested in meeting my friends.

voice

[openhands]

Oh? [She is completely misinterpreting this if the surprise in her voice is any indication.] Then I would certainly have the time now.

voice

[serves]

Come to the Huntress, then. I'll properly introduce you.

voice

[openhands]

I'll be there shortly.

[And be confused because NOT WHAT SHE WAS EXPECTING.]

ACTION

[serves]

[Cullen is totally oblivious. He's there waiting for Cassandra when she arrives, and with him is... a little girl, hand held in his. It's habit now.]

Cassandra. This is Elize. Elize, Cassandra. A friend from home.

[Don't fuck it up like Dorian.]

[princessia]

[ Oh boy, she's so anxious and excited about meeting more of Cullen's friends! Elize puts on a shy smile when Cassandra arrives, swaying her free arm nervously and squeezing Cullen's hand tightly with her other. ]

...Hello, Cassandra. It's nice to meet you.

[openhands]

[Cassandra looks from Elize to Cullen, sending Cullen a very befuddled look. She knows what she expected, but yet. This is not. But???]

[She looks down at Elize, although shoots one more glance up at Cullen because Culleeeeeeen.]

It's very nice to meet you as well.

[Already she feels like she's dying out here, but it's fine. You can do this, Cassandra. You face darkspawn and archdemons and dragons and bears. You can handle a little girl.]

[serves]

[He in trouuuuuble. But whatever, worth it. Cullen smiles and gives Elize's hand a comforting squeeze back.]

Elize is hoping to host a tea part sometime soon. I'm sure you'll be in attendance, won't you?

[princessia]

[ She's feeling more shyer than when she met Dorian. Looking down at the floor, then back up at Cassandra. Must keep eye contact when talking to people... and she tries not to let her smile falter! ]

I... really hope you'll be able to come!

[openhands]

[She starts blurting it out, her gaze squaring in on Cullen.]

You would invite me to-- [And then she remembers present company. She fixes her gaze back down on Elize and softens it to more of a gentle surprise.] To a tea party?

I'm...honored, but I've never been to a tea party.

[serves]

[Nice save, Cassandra. He knew he could count on you.]

All the more reason for you to come. Right, Elize?

[princessia]

Yes. And it's okay. It's going to be my first time hosting a tea party.

[ ...well, one with real tea in the cups. A learning experience for the both of them! She might try practicing pouring the tea beforehand. ]

[openhands]

I, um. [Wow, there is legitimately no way out of this, is there? Not that Cassandra is necessarily morally opposed to tea parties, of course. But that's a long time to be around a child this small without accidentally hurting her feelings.] I suppose, I could attend.

Depending on when it is, of course.

[She did that right, right?]

[...What has she gotten herself into?]

[serves]

[Oh, he's biting back a smile.]

I'll be sure to fit it around your schedule, Cassandra.

[princessia]

Thank you, Cassandra!

[ Smiling even wider and immediately taking her words as an invitation acceptance. She was getting worried that she didn't like her or something...!! ]

It's going to be a lot of fun.

[openhands]

[Cullen, you smile about this and you're dead meat.]

I'm sure it will be. [Cassandra's voice raises a little towards the end of her sentence, in a slightly questioning manner. Honestly, she doesn't know. She's quick to cover it up though.] Thank you for inviting me. It was very thoughtful of you.

[serves]

[He wishes Leliana and Josephine could see this. It's sweet, really.]

I'm sure Elize would love to hear some of your adventures with [nnnnnot Jove] the Inquisitor.

[princessia]

[ Elize seems much happier now, nodding eagerly. ]

Yes, I would love that. You must have had some really exciting adventures!

[openhands]

I suppose I could tell you a few of them, if that's of interest to you.

[You know, highly sanitized versions of them with a lot of the violence cut out because this is a sweet summer child who doesn't need to hear about that. But she is not talking about Orlais, okay. That was twenty years ago and people need to let it go.]

Although I'm sure there are plenty who could tell them better.

[serves]

[Surely you learned a thing or two from Varric, Cassandra. Cullen gives Elize's shoulder a little squeeze--see, not scary at all.]

Elize can be the judge of that.

[princessia]

[ Not scary at all. But that's because Cullen is here with her. ]

I'd like to hear your story in your words. Cullen told me that you're a warrior. One of the very best!

[ A confident nod as she recalls his exact words.

Surely, the story would sound even better from someone who experienced the adventures firsthand. ]

[openhands]

[She does glance at Cullen with an eyebrow raised. One of the very best, huh?]

Cullen has a tendency to exaggerate.

[And Cassandra has a tendency to downplay. So, you know, find the average and you'll get to the truth.]

[serves]

I think Elize can decide whether that's true or not. [Does he look amused? No, no. Not at all.]

[princessia]

I'm sure you're amazing and very strong!

[ And she also believes a lot of what Cullen tells her. This is also what leads her into getting easily tricked by him when they play games together. Oops. ]

But, um... if you don't want to tell any stories... then that's okay too.

[ Is it really okay? She looks down, bashfully brushing her foot across the floor. ]

[openhands]

[Cassandra has a feeling that even if it were egregiously not okay with Elize, she would be far too shy and polite to say otherwise. Especially with that soft little scuff of her foot.]

It's perfectly alright. I would just caution you to not have high expectations.

I would hate to disappoint you.

[And she genuinely means that despite knowing Elize for all of what? Five minutes? Look. She doesn't want to make little girls cry. Dorian, sure, but not little girls.]