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teary eyed josie things

Josephine paces outside Ezio's door, the sound of her steps echoing in her ears. She only stops when the mage comes out, nodding and speaking in low tones of his injuries. Not dire, not anymore, but bandaging and much rest is what the mage prescribes. It makes the weight almost lift from Josephine's shoulders.

But not entirely. When the mage passes, it's the ambassador who steps in, quietly creeping to his bed. Bare to the waist and stitched and bandaged nicely, he doesn't look nearly as bad as before. Then again she hadn't seen him except for quick glances, her heart hammering in her chest, before the shouts brought others to bring him inside. Now in the agent quarters he lies, lucky enough to have the room to himself while others worked to Sister Nightingale's ends.

She isn't sure if he slumbers or not but she still doesn't speak. She doesn't think she can. She had wept outside until her throat is raw and her eyes burn from want of tears that no longer can fall. One hand falls to his, fingers gently interlacing with his before she pulls up a chair to sit beside his bed.

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[She laughs softly, her hand coming to rest on his.] Leliana... [Josephine shakes her head.] She means well but she remembers me when I was so young. She really needs to stop.

In comparison, I'm still something of a stranger in this place. Eventually I'll change her mind.

[His smile grows teasing and he takes her hand.]

"So young". Josephine, you cannot expect me to believe that was so long ago.

[She clucks her tongue but she gives their interlaced fingers a squeeze.]

I'm too old to be running about, as my mother likes to remind me. It feels like my youth was quite some time ago. [True, she might not have been his age, but she didn't feel like a doe eyed maiden.]

Well, I think I know what we need to do when I'm well enough to walk around with out fear of further injury. It's a little risky, but I have a feeling you'll enjoy the payoff. I hope so, anyways.

[It would also require a little bit of preparation, but Ezio was a patient man in all things and this was hardly the exception.]

[She doesn't look the least bit surprised - or pleased - at the idea of him doing something risky.] What are you planning, caro.

[He waggles the finger of his free hand at her, wearing a confident smile across his features.]

It's not really that risky, but you'll have to wait until I'm ready before I hint as to what they may be. It'll be worth it though, I'm sure about that.

[The answer doesn't placate her, but something like amusement dances across her features.]

You have a lot of resting ahead of you if you wish to take me on some... adventures.

Va bene... I will make sure until I'm completely healed before doing anything particularly exerting.

[Walking and cuddling not included. He will not be pried away from her for too long if he has any sort of control of the situation.]

I've always been used to taking risks, any time. You've gone and made it a difficult practice for me, Josie.

[Her smile turns soft, guarded.] I... I didn't mean to intrude and presume, Ezio.

[He shakes his head quickly.]

And I don't mean to dissuade you from such a thing. It's better that I act with a bit more caution.

[She wasn't the only one that cared for him, but survivors guilt made it difficult to recognize that sometimes.]

Now... Since I'm confined to the bed, how soon before you can join me?

[She gives him a look though she does laugh, eventually sitting on the edge beside him. She's careful not to touch him, too afraid of hurting his tender injuries, but she leans over and brushes his hair from his face.] Better?

Much.

[And so he rests for long enough that his injuries allow him movement. Not enough to return to duty, but enough to continue to bother Josephine until he's healed enough to surprise her. Leading her by the hand late one evening, he brings her into her office where the fire is going and a woman sits in the corner, lute resting on her lap.]

I heard from a few that a certain diplomat enjoys dancing?

[She's wary of his surprise. No, she's not expecting terrible things to happen but she does have a mountain of work to get through after dinner and Ezio... well, Ezio has a certain way of distracting her.]

Did you now? [She has a feeling she knows who. Her runners are such gossips but this revelation doesn't detract from the smile that blooms across her face.] All this for me? [She's clearly shocked and clearly touched.]

I've definitely given a poor information if something like this comes as a surprise.

[Ezio can't help but tease her, and yet perhaps he's been rather lax in romantic gestures like this. Truth be told, he's more out of practice than anything else. It'll be a nice change of pace.]

So, will you join me for a dance? Something fast or slower?

[He offers her his hand.]

[She laughs softly at his tease and slides her hand in his, her other hand sliding to his shoulder.]

Something... fast, I think. To stir the blood. [As her grandmother would say, though it's not as if Ezio has any trouble getting Josephine going.

She gives him a fond smirk before she nods to the lute player, and waits for Ezio's lead.]

[On cue, the lute player begins to play, a slow build at first to let them move into the rhythm. Ezio has not danced in some time, but one hardly forgets how to be light on their feet in his line of work and he easily settles into the rhythm as he moves alongside Josephine.

And by request, the musician starts to play much faster and Ezio follows suit, giving Josephine a quick twirl and flourish.]

[As the tempo rises, so does Josephine's lips, a bright smile alighting her face. She's just as graceful as he, as nimble as one would expect someone so in tune with court to be. It's so easy to forget that they are only dancing in one of Skyhold's rooms. With the way she moves, each step perfectly taken, her head turning this way and that, her smile and winks in time with the music, she would have felt right at home in Antivan's finest.

Her poise only falters slightly as he twirls her around, a girlish giggle escaping her. When she rights herself once more she slides in close, a touch closer than is proper, before dancing out of his grasp. She plays the coquet as she moves, glancing at him over her shoulder, and she briefly mourns her breeches, missing the way a long flowing skirt would flourish in her hands. No matter, she does her turn dramatically again and waves her hand out, to be caught by her partner.]

[She's rather graceful, hardly a surprise but he didn't know how well she would take to a faster song. He can't help but also wear a large, bright grin across his face as he matches her movements, only varying slightly with hers in that his lessons came from a different teacher.

Perhaps next time they'll have proper attire for such an occasion in the future. For now, he's quite content as they are while his hand catches hold of hers and she is pulled close again. For a moment, his eyes meet hers before he steps away, keeping a hold on her hand as they stretch apart from each other.]

[He meets her every motion in kind and it's refreshing. More than refreshing. She hadn't had a good dance partner in ages. She catches his steady gaze and she turns away with a smile, looking at their outstretched arms before whirling back, spinning into his embrace.

Her hand rests on his chest now that she returned to him, her nose brushing his chin, her legs sidling close to his. Then she's sliding her hand over his shoulder until it can find purchase, her other hand swinging out to meet his.

She lets him move them, lead them, in their dance, and she finds herself humming along with the tune.]

[He smiles a wide grin as she presses in close against him, his arm sliding around her waist to keep her there for the moment up until the movement starts again and he guides them both along the floor. Swaying to the music and starting to join in with the humming as well.

It was a mere afterthought, but he would need to be generous with his tip to the bard.]

[He's her match in simple way and she finds herself smiling as she hears the hum, tipping her head back to give him a smile.]

Caro, [Her voice cuts softly through the music, their faces so close she doesn't have to do more than whisper.] why did I not know you were such a skilled dancer?

[A quiet laugh rumbles in his chest at the question. Twirling her away and bringing her back close before he gives her a proper answer.]

The opportunity had not come up. So I made one for the two of us. And you'll be happy to know this is just one of the surprises I have for you tonight.

[She blinks owlishly up at him.] Surprises? Many?

Ovviamente. But later.

[For now, they could enjoy the dance. Eventually, the bard finished her upbeat tune and began to opt for a slower one to let them catch their breath.]

[The song slows and so do their movements. Josephine relinquishes her hold on his shoulder for a brief moment, only to push hair from her eyes.] Did no one tell you I do not do well with surprises? [A half lie at best, but she can't resist the tease.]

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