Holli sat cross-legged on the floor, Cole beside her as they watched Josephine demonstrate the la volta – one of the common ballroom dances in Orlais. They were representing the Inquisition; she didn't want them to be all left feet and present poorly.
Josephine, Cassandra, and Dorian were their teachers, the only ones who knew how to dance at all. Except Vivienne, who had no desire to teach these 'left-footed heathens' anything. But she was interested in watching. Everyone who would be joining them in Halamshiral was expected to learn to dance properly.
Josephine had set aside the entire day for them all to participate in this crash course.
Holli vaguely knew how to waltz, and that was it. Ballroom dancing wasn't something they really learnt where she came from, not unless you took it up as a hobby or competitively.
Watching Dorian and Josephine twirl about, they were super graceful and made it look so easy.
When they finished, Josephine had them all find a partner – which sent her flash backing to school, where she was last picked for sports teams. But Cole looked at her questioningly and held his hand out to her. She took it, and they stood up, ready to give it a go.
She supposed it was a relatively simple dance. Probably wouldn't take Holli too long to memorise the steps.
There weren't enough girls to guys, so Varric and Bull were left looking at each other. Fenris and Hawke were fine dancing with each other, though there was a bit of a battle about who had to be the woman.
"I don't think this is going to work," Varric said.
Holli couldn't help but laugh at the height difference.
"I sure as shit won't be dancing," Bull said. "And I doubt anyone will ask."
"You never know," Dorian said. "Besides, it doesn't hurt to learn. Never know when it will come in handy."
"I don't think I'm going to be able to dance my way out of a battle against demons," he grumbled.
"Not with that attitude."
"I don't want to dance either," Sera piped up. "Not even sure why I need to be there."
"Think of all the pockets to pick," Holli pointed out.
That did spark a gleam in her eyes that Josephine immediately tried to shut down.
"No," Josephine said. "No theft. No gambling. No fighting. No swearing. We are going to behave."
Sera blew a raspberry at the rules. "It already sounded like a shit time; well done on making it worse."
"We are there to make connections, save Orlais, and stop Corypheus," Josephine said.
"We can do four things," Holli muttered.
She was kind of looking forward to it. It would be the closest she would get to her school formal. It sucked it was a work thing, and the music would probably be crap, but she had been hoping it would still be fun. Sera and Cole would be there; there was mischief to be made.
"Let's carry on with the lesson, please," Josephine said. "This is but one of the dances we must learn."
They paired up again, though Sera partnered with Varric and Blackwall with Bull.
Dorian and Josephine lead slowly, giving them time to follow along. Cole's hand around hers was warm and gentle, and as they danced, every now and then he would flash her a quick smile, just this bright thing filled with sunshine.
Holli was able to pick it up quickly and from there was able to teach Cole. He picked it up quicker that way too.
"Well done, Holli, Cole," Josephine said. "The pair of you were born to it."
Holli couldn't help the answering smile at the praise.
Once Josephine was pleased with their progress, she moved them along to the next one. This one was a little more complex and involved dancing in fours and switching partners at times. Cole and Holli shared the floor with Solas and Cassandra. It was clear Cassandra didn't want to be there either but knew how important it was that they didn't look like barbarians.
"Do you like to dance?" Cole asked as he twirled her around.
"It can be fun. Better with music."
Most of her dancing consisted of just dancing around to whatever she and her friends were listening to. No choreography, just whatever they felt like.
"Is this your first time dancing?" She asked him.
He nodded.
"How are you finding it?"
"I like it best when you're my partner."
"Gee, thank you, Cole," Cassandra uttered in a withering tone.
Holli stifled a giggle, but Cole did at least have the grace to look a little embarrassed. He must not have realised how close Cassandra was to them. Holli twirled off into Solas's arms. He wasn't doing too poorly in picking it up either.
"Do you dance much, Solas?" She asked.
"No. And I do not think I will be in Halamshiral either."
"Don't like it?"
"It is not my favourite pastime, no. But also, I'm an elf; I'm as likely to be asked to dance as The Iron Bull."
Holli's eyes widened a little bit. "Are they all racist?"
Stupid question. It truly did seem like most in high places were. And they were going to be entering a den of nobility. The highest nobility, the Empress herself, would be there. Holli was likely to meet her. Josephine had already gone over proper titles and formal greetings yesterday. Hawke had been there too, rolling his eyes every so often.
"I'm sorry people suck," she told him, not sure what else to say.
"At least here I am surrounded by those that don't," he said, giving her a faint smile as he lifted her in the little jump.
It took most of the day before Josephine was satisfied. Or maybe had just given up. She dismissed them all, a few relieved grumbles from the crowd as they shuffled out. Holli was going to make her way to the infirmary to speak with Mr Loewe. She was quite confident a few more bouts of healing and they would be done. His muscles weren't in the best condition, but time and exercise would help that.
Cole and Sera were going to come with her; they were going to get Krem and whatever Charger of his choosing and take another stab at opening a rift.
"Holli, a moment?" Solas called.
Holli turned back, waving Cole and Sera off and letting them know she'd catch up with them later.
"What's up?" She asked, looking up at him questioningly.
"Josephine and I have something for you," he said, gesturing for her to follow.
That was strange. She knew Solas got along fine with most people, but he clearly kept them at a distance, she, Cole, and Varric being the few exceptions. And even then, he was a bit of a closed book with them as well. He and Josephine working on something together seemed odd.
She followed Solas back over to Josephine, who smiled wide when the pair joined her.
"Come, Holli," she said, looping her arm with Holli's and leading her out through the other door in the room. Solas followed a step behind them.
Holli had a vague idea of this area of the castle, but she certainly didn't frequent it. And she didn't know what these rooms were used for. Josephine led her to a door, pushing it open and revealing a room full of fabrics, mannequins, sewing supplies, and people fluttering about.
A tailor's?
"Here," Josephine said, taking her past a row of fabrics and to a mannequin sitting in the light of the nearby window. "This is for you, for the Winter Palace."
As soon as Holli saw the dress, she turned wide eyes to Solas.
He offered a soft smile, tinged with a note of apology. "I know it isn't exact, but I hope it will suffice."
"He's been sitting with the seamstress for days trying to get it just right," Josephine told her, which had the man frowning. "I thought she was going to kick him out yesterday."
Holli covered the few feet between her and Solas quickly, wrapping her arms around him in a crushing hug.
"I love it," she whispered.
It may not have been exactly like the dress she had been wearing in the Fade – the dress she had bought for her formal – but it was so close, and beautiful regardless. And the fact he'd put any effort at all into trying to get it right meant the world to her.
"It's not our usual style, but it has its charm," a woman – Holli assumed the seamstress – eyed the silvery gown critically. "Not sure I like how your shoulders will be bared."
"Please don't change it," Holli said, shifting closer to the dress. "Where I come from, this is a pretty common style."
"Maybe we can add more volume to the skirt, a hoop skirt underneath since you'll be in Orlais—"
"No, this is perfect."
The skirt had enough volume; a few layers underneath, it would flow nicely around her. Holli reached out and touched it, running her fingers over the beads on the bodice.
"Thank you so much for making this," she said softly. "It's perfect. I can't wait to wear it."
"Good," the seamstress said. "You can put it on now so I can make sure it fits properly."
Holli nodded, obeying the woman's instructions. There were no mirrors in the room for her to see, but with the sound of the beads as she walked and the feel of the fabric, she felt pretty. The seamstress fluttered about her, writing things down on a piece of parchment.
"How does it look?" Holli asked Josephine and Solas.
"It's beautiful. Once your hair and makeup are done, a few simple pieces of jewellery, you'll be a vision," Josephine said.
The seamstress told her to get out of the dress; she had a few alterations to make.
When Holli was dressed, she left the tailors with Solas, making their way back to the main hall.
"Thank you for doing that, Solas," she said. "Thanks aren't even enough."
"It was nothing," he replied.
"Not to me."
"Because there is a sweetness to you, Holli. Underneath the sarcasm and occasional bout of apathy. Never change."
"You're pretty sweet too, you know," she said.
Given everything he had done for her since arriving here and now this with the dress, it was so unnecessary and served no other purpose than to make her happy.
He let out a chuckle then, genuine mirth in the sound. "I think I can honestly say you are the only person who has ever said so."
"Doubt I'm the only one to think so, though," she shrugged a shoulder. "Thank you for being my friend."
She wasn't usually such a sap out loud, but she really wanted him to know she truly appreciated everything he'd done for her since she landed here.
"I value your friendship also," he told her.
"Holli, just the person I wanted to see," Varric said, calling across the main hall.
She and Solas joined him in front of the fireplace. He had a few chairs there now, likely because Hawke and Fenris were regular visitors. Solas and Holli took a seat, Varric settling back into his.
"What's up?" She asked.
"I think it's time we talk about the birds and the bees," he began.
Holli's brow furrowed, and she looked to Solas, who looked about ready to facepalm.
"Birds and bees or 'the birds and the bee's", she air quoted, just to make sure she was clear.
"The latter," he replied, steepling his fingers.
"You're going to educate me on reproduction?" She asked, amused and a little embarrassed. "I think I'm probably more up to speed on the happenings than you are."
"If you want to be so clinical about it," he muttered.
"If we're not being clinical, what's left?" Her eyes widened along with her grin. "Are you going to teach me how to pleasure a man?"
"Gods, no," Solas said, both men looking disgusted with the idea.
"Then what are we doing here?"
"I just wanted to make sure you knew where babies came from and how they got there," Varric said.
"Yes, we had sex ed in school. And you know, I'm a person... who has eyes and ears. Actually, I suppose I don't know what would be used for contraception here. I was just planning to ask a woman once it became an issue. But how do you prevent pregnancy? Aside from abstinence."
"There is a special tea that can be brewed and taken regularly," Solas told her. "Most women are familiar with it, if you're more comfortable talking to... anyone else."
"Hey, I think I'm handling this with superb grace and dignity," Varric interjected.
"You would be the only one to think so," Solas told him.
"Why are you bringing this up now?" She asked Varric.
"You're of an age now where things happen, curiosities are alighted."
Holli laughed. "I was of an age before I got here. And I've had a boyfriend before. Granted, he did dump me because I wasn't ready for sex..." She trailed off, that old sting coming back. "Maybe I should have just done it. Gotta get it over with at some point, right?"
She'd said it quietly, more to herself than anything. It was a tired old argument with herself. If she'd just been less of a prude or less inhibited, she might have been able to keep him. Instead he'd gone for the class slag.
"No!" Both men were quite vehement about that, startling her out of her thoughts.
"Never force yourself," Varric told her.
"And never let anyone manipulate or guilt you into it."
Holli rolled her eyes. "Of course you'd say that; it's, like, the proper thing to say. You have to say it. But realistically –
"Realistically, not before you're ready," Varric pressed. "It definitely shouldn't be something you do to get it over with."
"Yeah, but—"
"No buts," Varric said.
Holli didn't believe him. Of course, in a perfect world she would when she was ready, and the person for her would be content to wait, blah blah blah. But that wasn't how real life worked.
"If I had done it though, maybe he wouldn't have dumped me."
"Why would you want to keep someone like that?" Solas asked softly.
"... I really liked him," she muttered with a shrug.
And it stung; he didn't like her enough. They were stomping all over the sore spot now.
"I know it's stupid," she added, still in that low tone, tinged with a bit of shame.
"It's not stupid," Solas said softly. "We've all done things for love that we regret."
Holli and Varric exchanged a look. Solas had never sounded so... unguarded.
"He's right," Varric agreed. "Take it from a couple of experienced old men. You don't want to end up like us."
"But you're both so cooool, though," she joked, trying to lighten the mood a little.
"We are. Well, I am. But it comes with a cost, little bird," Varric said. "Now, run along. Be safe. Be good."
Really? He was just dismissing her? He dragged her into this uncomfortable conversation in the first place, and now he was done?
"Are you sure? This could probably get more awkward if we tried hard enough."
Varric chuckled and waved her off. "Don't challenge me, little girl. I will absolutely call your bluff."
Holli was tempted to push it, but she was already cringing inside. Discussing sex with these two was not something she was keen on. She'd never even discussed it with her own mother. School, friends, and media were where she got all her info. She supposed it was nice Varric cared enough to... educate her. Solas and Varric had taken on an almost caregiving role when it came to her and Cole.
She did wonder about Solas's comment. Just the tone of his voice and the look on his face, it had stirred her sympathy and compassion. He always seemed so solitary; it hadn't occurred to her he might have loved someone before.
"Fine," Holli said, getting up from her seat. "Got better things to do than hang around here anyway. Laters."
She gave a wave as she headed off. She still needed to get to the infirmary. She'd have to give up on the rift practice today.
"Was this conversation necessary?" Solas asked Varric once Holli was gone.
"I wanted to be sure. Cole likes her, the stable boy likes her, and one of them is going to act at some point. I thought we should get in front of it."
In hindsight, discussing reproduction with someone who reads anatomy books and wants to be a doctor was probably a bit silly; of course she'd know the hows of it. And she was usually quite mature and handled most situations well, to the point even he could forget how young and inexperienced she was. But then she would say something like that, and the illusion would be shattered.
She was just a girl, and like most girls, she had considered doing something stupid for a boy.
"So, tell me about this great regret of yours," Varric said to Solas.
"I'd rather not."