Dorian smirks without humor at that quaint euphemism for the memories the Bull saw.
"That's one way of describing it."
The Bull doesn't know all of it, of course, because Dorian didn't see fit to elaborate, but he knows far more about that part of Dorian's life than anyone else, save Dorian's parents. It's still strange, and it's still awkward, and Dorian still feels the cold clench of shame when he thinks too long on it – but to the Bull's credit, he hasn't brought it up again, hasn't spread around rumors to embarrass Dorian.
"After my argument with Alexius, we fell out of contact for a while – until Alexius tracked me down to recruit me for the Venatori. He needed my assistance to refine our research. I, on the other hand politely declined, only to be contacted by Felix, who had concerns about his father's newest acquaintances. Fell in with the wrong crowd, you see. His friends were becoming poor influences on him, were dragging them out to the ass-end of Ferelden.
"I went to Redcliffe, and Felix fed me information. We tried to piece together the Venatori's plans, tried to discern to whom they reported and what it was Alexius sought to gain by allying with them. It was only after Alexius was killed that we realized things were moving far more quickly than either of us had imagined. Felix stayed behind, determined to buy me some time while I ran to warn the Inquisition."
Dorian has already told this story to the Inquisitor, of course – it was difficult then, and for as much as he maintains an almost conversational tone, it's just as difficult now.
"Once we reached Skyhold, I tried to send word to him through a mutual contact in Redcliffe and was informed that he and our fellow countrymen had seemingly disappeared. I can't imagine he would have willingly left with the Venatori, nor can I imagine what use the Venatori might have had for a man already living on borrowed time, whose most influential connection was someone they had already murdered."
Dorian trails off, slowly exhaling through his lips to ease the ugly knot in his chest.
no subject
"That's one way of describing it."
The Bull doesn't know all of it, of course, because Dorian didn't see fit to elaborate, but he knows far more about that part of Dorian's life than anyone else, save Dorian's parents. It's still strange, and it's still awkward, and Dorian still feels the cold clench of shame when he thinks too long on it – but to the Bull's credit, he hasn't brought it up again, hasn't spread around rumors to embarrass Dorian.
"After my argument with Alexius, we fell out of contact for a while – until Alexius tracked me down to recruit me for the Venatori. He needed my assistance to refine our research. I, on the other hand politely declined, only to be contacted by Felix, who had concerns about his father's newest acquaintances. Fell in with the wrong crowd, you see. His friends were becoming poor influences on him, were dragging them out to the ass-end of Ferelden.
"I went to Redcliffe, and Felix fed me information. We tried to piece together the Venatori's plans, tried to discern to whom they reported and what it was Alexius sought to gain by allying with them. It was only after Alexius was killed that we realized things were moving far more quickly than either of us had imagined. Felix stayed behind, determined to buy me some time while I ran to warn the Inquisition."
Dorian has already told this story to the Inquisitor, of course – it was difficult then, and for as much as he maintains an almost conversational tone, it's just as difficult now.
"Once we reached Skyhold, I tried to send word to him through a mutual contact in Redcliffe and was informed that he and our fellow countrymen had seemingly disappeared. I can't imagine he would have willingly left with the Venatori, nor can I imagine what use the Venatori might have had for a man already living on borrowed time, whose most influential connection was someone they had already murdered."
Dorian trails off, slowly exhaling through his lips to ease the ugly knot in his chest.
"I can only hope he had a quick death."