Companions and Advisors

Cassandra is so harsh at first that Cyril thinks, for a moment, that he's finally met a human who is what the rumors say. But then he realizes her hard shell protects a heart that wants only what is best for this world and finds himself becoming more and more open to her friendship. He knows she finds his lack of faith frustrating but can't help but find the way she believes so strongly to be endearing. It's like the way so many of his clan believe so strongly in the gods. He's never understood it, but he can see why it's important to them and can admire their dedication to it. Though he and Cassandra don't ever fully agree on the Chantry and whether or not he was chosen by the Maker, they come to respect and value each other's opinions.

Leliana is easier to understand. Being torn apart by grief is something that Cyril relates to. He helps her find a better path when it's easier to lash out. He also finds her methods to be the most agreeable out of all of his advisors, at least when she isn't suggesting they kill someone. More than anything, though, she is the only one who ever convinces him that the Chantry can actually do some good. As Divine Victoria, she proves that to be true.

Varric he gets almost instantly. He's never met someone who is as good as lying as he is and who does it for the same reasons that he does. He feels like there has to be some way that elven and dwarven blood have mixed and they are actually long lost cousins of some sort. He regales Varric with tales of the stunts he and his brother pulled during their youth and listens to Varric's stories with real enjoyment. The games of Wicked Grace they play are important to Cyril and he never misses a chance to go when his duties allow. He'll miss Varric once he chooses to return to Kirkwall.

Solas is someone he's grateful to have met. It was easier to understand half of the things he saw and experienced because of Solas's presence in the Inquisition. He hopes to one day see him again, though that may not end as expected.

Cullen, at first, is distractingly attractive. Cyril flirts shamelessly until Cullen respectfully declines. After that, Cyril can finally take in what a good Commander Cullen is. His experiences have instilled a real dedication to his men. His desire to be someone better than who he is rings true to Cyril that he can't help but support his choice to end his use of lyrium. The lyrium addiction fades, slowly, and the Inquisition has a fine Commander. More importantly, Cyril has a loyal friend.

Josephine is impossible to dislike. Cyril thinks even the most distrustful of his clan would eventually come to like her. There's something about her that he wants to protect, while also knowing that she can always, and will always, hold her own. When the assassins come for her, he handles it the way she asks because he trusts her judgement. He comes to her when he has questions about human nobility and learns a lot from her. He credits her and Vivienne for largely influencing his work as a diplomat, though both of them would likely insist that he take some of the credit for his own natural talent.

Vivienne commands respect and Cyril is all to happy to provide it. How can you not, when speaking with someone who accomplished so much after starting out with so little? He values her opinion, and is careful never to be too forceful with his own when it comes to the Circle. He sees her when she is her most vulnerable, next to the death bed of her lover, and the fact that she allowed that shows such a great strength and level of trust that Cyril worries he can never fully match. When she suggests tailors he enjoys the idea of being pampered. When she gives him an enchanted ring, he wears it with pride.

Sera is someone who enjoys his humor and so Cyril likes her. He likes her more because her views keep him grounded and remind him to not forget those who are so easily overlooked. He enjoys having someone around who makes him feel like he's back home with his clan, though given how she feels about the Dalish he never tells her that. Really it's the fact that she can convince him to do silly things and that he can look out for her and give her a place, a real place, to call home that reminds him of his siblings. The cookies get better with time though the roof still smells like damp birds.

Blackwall made one terrible, terrible mistake a long time ago and has been trying to make up for it ever since. He doesn't see himself as a good man, but Cyril has seen him teach farmers to protect their lands and build toy griffins for children out of his bare hands. He sees a man who willingly throws himself into battle to protect his comrades and who faced his deepest shame to protect the life of one of the men he once used. He'll do well as a Warden, if he survives the Joining, and having that tie to the Order won't be bad for the Inquisition either.

Cole is so strange and yet Cyril never once fears him. This is a spirit who came into the world to aid a dying boy. What is there to fear in that? The world needs more compassion in it, but the longer Cyril knows Cole the more he finds himself caring far more about what Cole needs. What Cole wants. He worries and checks in constantly to see how Cole is doing. When they sit to have dinner together after he encourages Cole to be more human, Cole thanks him for that concern, for caring, and laughs about experiencing new emotions. Cyril wants to be there for Cole, to help him experience new and exciting things all while never forgetting the old. He tracks down Cole's friends, even though he was asked not to. He hopes that one day Cole will be ready to see them again.

Dorian is another distractingly handsome human. It's far too easy to flirt with him and at first it seems almost like every moment the speak they're only dancing towards the inevitable crashing of bodies and pleasure. Cyril feels excited at the idea of having a Tevinter mage, mostly because of how scandalous it would all seem. But then they're in Redcliffe and Dorian's father is there and Cyril realizes that Dorian needs a friend far more than he needs a night in his bed. "I think you're very brave" he says and Dorian smiles and they can drink, and flirt, and laugh, and encourage each other to be better men without ever seeing one another naked. Cyril doesn't let himself dwell too much on what could have been. Perhaps he needed Dorian's friendship more too.

The Iron Bull is the first Qunari that Cyril has seen up close and all he can think about during that first conversation in the rain is how much he wants that massive form above him, pinning him down, taking him. He wonders about how Qunari bodies are shaped and what it would feel like to have Bull inside of him. He manages to have a conversation about spy reports and Leliana's red hair but it's possible he accepted Bull's offer so easily because his desire to climb him, to prove that he could take him, was clouding his judgement. The more they talk, the more that desire grows. Qunari don't say 'I love you.' He thinks there's no risk of things meaning too much. He gets easily distracted by Bull's body and the way that his chest is always exposed, but not enough that anyone--who wasn't trained by the Ben-Hassrath--notices. The way that Bull deflects every bit of innuendo that Cyril can think to toss at him just makes it worse, makes it a challenge. He wants him, wants to be claimed by him, wants something that isn't about being the Herald or the Inquisitor. Then he meets the Chargers and saves the Chargers. After that, it's impossible not to see Bull as a man who knows what it means to be chewed up by war and yet who can still find as many misfits and outcasts as he can to form a sort of family. Cyril doesn't know his blood family and finding another patchwork group of men and women who somehow managing to survive together and be a part of that, even around the edges, means so much. Bull means so much, but not too much. Then he's there, on Cyril's bed, pinning Cyril to the wall, and all Cyril can think is "Finally." Qunari don't say 'I love you' but killing a dragon and taking it's tooth? That's a much easier thing for Cyril to do.