"Really?"

"It's our own secret language. Get on our level." She nudges his shoulder with her own.

"Or you could just use words like a normal person."

"I think what we did put across things better than words." She pauses. "Though, if you want words; tell me about Ferelden?"

"You want to hear about Ferelden."

"Well, I've never been there. And I kinda just wanna hear you talk."

Carver seems to harden at that. "Why?"

"Because you're interesting. Also I like your accent."

"Bit different to yours, right?" Carver smiles, and its a little lopsided. "What do you want to know about Ferelden."

While Anders and Aveline have their conversation over the top of Tabs, she starts to tense.

"I have no idea, really. Did you like it? I kinda just wanna know more about you. Your home seems like the best starting point."

"Which one? We lived in Denerim, Redcliffe, Lothering?"

"Denerim!"

Carver half smiles. 

"Well, we were in one of those cramped shacks near the market. Dad took a job selling something, I don't remember. I think me and Beth were 6 or 7? But there was this stray cat-" Carver starts on a long story about the adventures of two young twins and a cat.

"I'm sorry, would you like me to move?" Tabs spits, as Anders leans across her to talk to Aveline.

"Oh," Anders says, chided. And then-

"If you wouldn't mind?"

Tabs could basically feel her heart shatter.

She stands up, and crosses the room, sitting next to Anya.

Garrett slides across a plate full of cheese to Tabs.

"This is the part where he talks nonsense and we just eat cheese and nod."

"I can't eat cheese. I'm...sick to it."

"Bread and fruit? I have no idea what elves eat - sorry, Merrill. I'm pretty sure Fenris lives on wine."

"Considering Fenris, that's a fair assumption," Merrill giggles. "But generally? Elves don't eat meat, but the cheese thing seems to be a Tabs unique thing? Halla cheese has always been a favourite of mine."

"It's just never sat with me," Tabs says, with a rueful smile. She does not want to test her lactose intolerability in a world without lacteese.

"I doubt we have halla cheese anyway. Unless Marethari started an illicit cheese smuggling business. Varric?"

"The second she does, you know she will be my biggest partner."

"Anders, you know I can't get you Templar patrols!" This is clearly an old argument.