[ Suspension of disbelief is not necessarily something that comes easily to Cullen. It has, unfortunately, been a necessity as of late, given the enormous hole that had rent the sky in two and the demons that had come pouring through. Monsters and magic and ancient, impossible things tended to do wonders for one's concept of the world, and considering all of the terrors that have dropped into Thedas since the Breach was opened, what's one more absurdity?
A man who calls himself "Arthur" counts as one such absurdity, and with his appearance in the cells below Skyhold, Cullen finds he's reminded briefly of the Inquisitor's own emergence in the wake of the disaster at the Conclave. Sudden and strange and inexplicable, and much like the Inquisitor, he had to suffer interrogation at the hands of Cassandra and Leliana. Not a fate he would wish on many, but in the presence of the Inquisitor, it wasn't brutal — more baffling than anything, with a slew of unfamiliar names and places. They don't trust him, even after it becomes clear he's just as puzzled as they are, but leaving him in a guarded room seems to be the Inquisitor's preference while they try to sort things out for themselves.
At the very least, a consultation with Solas revealed that the man did not, in fact, appear to be any sort of demon or otherwise that may have come pouring out of a Rift, but rather, some unfortunate soul as displaced as so many things in these trying times — though perhaps he's farther displaced than many (by a few dimensions or so). Solas seems absolutely fascinated rather than wary, and though Cullen isn't certain that bodes well, it doesn't have them up in arms.
Fortunately, it proved quickly that if Arthur intended them any harm, he wasn't in any rush to see it done. They give him (largely) free reign of Skyhold, and though there's still many a suspicious look thrown his way, he hasn't proved to be disruptive (much to Cullen's relief, because of the multitude of concerns he's currently juggling, he'd prefer Arthur not be one of them).
One such concern comes in the form of Sera, bleeding and swearing like she's managed to forget every other word in the common tongue that isn't some kind of profanity, and while some might take that to be a decent sign, the Inquisitor looks grim. It takes a good deal for that level of immovable concern to displace the Inquisitor's usual blithe quips, and apparently, seeing Sera in such pain is more than enough for it.
An attempted discussion over strategy in the courtyard quickly becomes a scramble for help, with voices calling over each other in search of the surgeon, of a healer, anyone who would see to Sera's wounds. Unfortunately, it was becoming abundantly clear that whatever hands may have been in Skyhold were not available.
Cullen catches the Inquisitor's eye, and there's a brief, fierce moment when Cullen thinks he might see something genuinely like fear in their leader's face.
... The Inquisitor is only a man, but he's a man Cullen doesn't care to see so shaken.
As Cullen abandons his maps and strategy near the small grouping of scouts, he starts to walk past the Inquisitor — only to be halted by a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Fix this."
Cullen pauses, if only for a moment, before offering a curt nod of acknowledgement — and a promise, all the same.
He's in the middle of receiving a quick report of who and what they have at their disposal currently and where the nearest healer can be found, when a flash of a face that's quickly becoming familiar appears in his peripheral vision. He looks away from one of his men, turning just as Arthur demands his book.
Ah, yes, the spellbook. ]
It's locked somewhere safe, I assure you.
[ Out of your reach, being the unspoken implication there. ]
the latest loser it is me
A man who calls himself "Arthur" counts as one such absurdity, and with his appearance in the cells below Skyhold, Cullen finds he's reminded briefly of the Inquisitor's own emergence in the wake of the disaster at the Conclave. Sudden and strange and inexplicable, and much like the Inquisitor, he had to suffer interrogation at the hands of Cassandra and Leliana. Not a fate he would wish on many, but in the presence of the Inquisitor, it wasn't brutal — more baffling than anything, with a slew of unfamiliar names and places. They don't trust him, even after it becomes clear he's just as puzzled as they are, but leaving him in a guarded room seems to be the Inquisitor's preference while they try to sort things out for themselves.
At the very least, a consultation with Solas revealed that the man did not, in fact, appear to be any sort of demon or otherwise that may have come pouring out of a Rift, but rather, some unfortunate soul as displaced as so many things in these trying times — though perhaps he's farther displaced than many (by a few dimensions or so). Solas seems absolutely fascinated rather than wary, and though Cullen isn't certain that bodes well, it doesn't have them up in arms.
Fortunately, it proved quickly that if Arthur intended them any harm, he wasn't in any rush to see it done. They give him (largely) free reign of Skyhold, and though there's still many a suspicious look thrown his way, he hasn't proved to be disruptive (much to Cullen's relief, because of the multitude of concerns he's currently juggling, he'd prefer Arthur not be one of them).
One such concern comes in the form of Sera, bleeding and swearing like she's managed to forget every other word in the common tongue that isn't some kind of profanity, and while some might take that to be a decent sign, the Inquisitor looks grim. It takes a good deal for that level of immovable concern to displace the Inquisitor's usual blithe quips, and apparently, seeing Sera in such pain is more than enough for it.
An attempted discussion over strategy in the courtyard quickly becomes a scramble for help, with voices calling over each other in search of the surgeon, of a healer, anyone who would see to Sera's wounds. Unfortunately, it was becoming abundantly clear that whatever hands may have been in Skyhold were not available.
Cullen catches the Inquisitor's eye, and there's a brief, fierce moment when Cullen thinks he might see something genuinely like fear in their leader's face.
... The Inquisitor is only a man, but he's a man Cullen doesn't care to see so shaken.
As Cullen abandons his maps and strategy near the small grouping of scouts, he starts to walk past the Inquisitor — only to be halted by a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Fix this."
Cullen pauses, if only for a moment, before offering a curt nod of acknowledgement — and a promise, all the same.
He's in the middle of receiving a quick report of who and what they have at their disposal currently and where the nearest healer can be found, when a flash of a face that's quickly becoming familiar appears in his peripheral vision. He looks away from one of his men, turning just as Arthur demands his book.
Ah, yes, the spellbook. ]
It's locked somewhere safe, I assure you.
[ Out of your reach, being the unspoken implication there. ]