[past] the cat who ate a ball of yarn? She had mittens.

Asha was excited for Cullen’s upcoming birthday, but then she loved any excuse to have a party. Cullen and Lana had been good to her, especially after waking up from the magical coma and finding her father had died while she’d been unconscious . She definitely wanted to make sure Cullen knew how much she cared about him as a father figure in her life.

So, she had started planning a surprise celebration with the help of his sister Rosalie, making sure to include all of Cullen's favorite things. Her hopes were high that he'd enjoy the party and feel the love and appreciation she had for him.

She made her way to the kitchens, having planned to meet Rosalie there to try and do some baking. They made sure to plan it on a day that Cullen was out on patrol so they knew there would be no chance that Cullen would suddenly appear in the kitchens and catch the two baking. She slipped in quietly and looked around and smiled big at Rosalie. It still felt so weird being a teenager, since she’d only been like five years old when she went into the magical coma. She grinned big when she spotted Rosalie.

ROSALIE!!!! I made sure Cullen’s left on patrol, so we should have at least a few hours without worrying about him popping into the kitchens!!! She exclaimed!

While Rosalie was quite the decent cook, baking was not her area of expertise but she had always known that she wanted to at the least once give her brother Cullen something sweet for a birthday. He was the one in charge to do always the baking, since he was amazing at it so she thought that him receiving something would be a nice change of pace.

Since she wasn’t the best at it she had decided to recruit Asha, who had seemed enthusiastic about the idea. That’s why she was ready when the young woman came to speak with her.

“Amazing!” said the blonde “Remind me which recipe we were going to try? Cookies or chocolate cake?” Both seemed reasonably easy for their skill level although Rosie had slightly more faith placed on the cookies.

Asha loved surprises, and doing surprises for other people she loved even more. She’d already made Cullen a birthday card, complete with a drawing of his dog Andie and glitter!!! She was also excited to be doing the surprise project with Rosalie. Sure Cullen wasn’t her father, but in many ways he filled that role for her ever since Loghain had died, so in a way Rosalie was like her aunt and she enjoyed spending time with her.

She chuckled at Rosalie's question, Let's go for the chocolate cake! I believe it's Cullen's favorite. Plus, who can resist a rich, chocolaty treat? Her eyes sparkled with excitement and determination. It was going to be the best surprise birthday ever!

“Yes, chocolate is the best!” she said before remembering a little incident that happened when she was a child “Do you know that when I was a kid, Cullen had once to nanny me and Branson for a night since Mia and my parents had to travel for a few days?” she chuckled as she started to put over the counter the ingredients “So my mother left us a gigantic chocolate cake to cheer us up while they were gone, but Branson convinced me to eat the whole thing with him the very first day and after that I was sick for three days and hated chocolate for a year” she concluded as she tried to find the flour.

“I barely have stories for misbehaving as a kid but I think that it was because I learned right there to listen to my mother’s advice since she told us to not eat too much cake on a single serving” she scratched her head “Where is the flour? I can’t find it”

Asha smiled warmly at the story, a hint of amusement in her eyes. Oh, I can absolutely relate to that, she began, leaning casually against the counter. Chocolate is definitely the best, but too much of a good thing can turn against you real quick. I’ve had my fair share of overindulgence too.

She chuckled softly. That sounds like quite a night. Poor Cullen! He must have had his hands full with you two. It’s funny how those little incidents stick with you, isn’t it? I remember sneaking sweets with my friends and getting caught by my mother. She didn’t leave us a cake, but she did leave some of her magical potions out once. We thought they might taste sweet like candy. Let’s just say, lesson learned—potions are definitely not for snacking.

Asha glanced around the kitchen, her brow furrowing slightly as she searched. Flour, flour… Ah, here it is! She reached into a cabinet and pulled out a bag of flour, placing it on the counter with a satisfied nod. There we go. Now, let’s get started before we get too carried away with our stories. Though I must say, it’s nice to reminisce about simpler times. Makes the present feel a little lighter, don’t you think?

@Rosalie Rutherford

“I hated chocolate for near a year after that level of excess but luckily it got better” she remembered feeling sick at the thought or smell of chocolate after and admittedly while she liked it now she tended to get tired of the flavor quite fast.

“I was quite the well behaved kid unless Branson intervened, I was easy to influence” she admitted with a grin. “I am genuinely curious, what was the effect of the potion? I imagine that it was either something reversible or Morrigan fixed it” she couldn’t imagine being scolded by Morrigan, she’d be admittedly scared to death.

“Yes, whenever I think about my childhood in Honnleath I feel a smidgeon of nostalgia but as I grow older the fondness towards those memories outgrows the sadness” she had adored her parents and the blight had taken so much from them but when the grief passed the good memories flourished.

Asha nodded thoughtfully as her friend recounted her experience with chocolate, understanding the impact of excess on one's taste preferences.

Excess can do that to you, can't it? I'm glad you eventually came back to appreciating chocolate, Asha replied with a sympathetic smile. It's funny how our tastes can change over time.

She chuckled at the mention of being influenced by Branson. Ah, siblings have a knack for that, don't they? It's like they have a special power to lead us into mischief.[;/q]

Regarding the potion, Asha leaned forward, intrigued. [q]It was... quite effective, she admitted, recalling the experience. It did have a lingering effect, but nothing permanent. Morrigan had a solution for it, as always. Honestly I’m lucky all it did was make me a bit sick to my stomach and my skin to grow scales.

The mention of Honnleath brought a softer expression to Asha's face. Nostalgia has a way of wrapping us in warmth, doesn't it? Even amidst the losses, there's that enduring fondness for simpler times, she reflected, her voice touched with a hint of wistfulness. It's good to hold on to those memories, they remind us of where we come from and what shaped us.

Asha valued these conversations with her friend, moments of shared reminiscence that bridged the past with the present, offering solace and understanding.

@Rosalie Rutherford

“At the least I recovered! I have a friend who is unable to stomach pistachio after eating too many on a sitting one day, which is a pity because I do think that they are very tasty” it was an unusual snack in Ferelden but the people in the university appreciated it a lot as an ingredient for sweets and on its own.

“Good friends do have that skill too so don’t worry you will find your own tempting buddy someday, or you will be someone’s tempter you never know” she said with a smile.
“Did the scales last for long?” asked Rosalie with genuine curiosity. She wondered if medicine could undo the effects of a potion. In theory if analyzed the biological change they could but it would be admittedly very damn hard.

“Memories are also good to teach us what do we love. Maybe someday I will found a family like my parents did”. For now she was very focused on her academical future but that didn’t mean that she didn’t have other sort of aspirations too.

Asha laughed softly at Rosalie's story about the pistachios, nodding in agreement. Isn't it funny how one bad experience can ruin something for us? But you're right, pistachios are delicious. It’s a shame when that happens.

She smiled at the mention of tempting buddies. Oh, I have no doubt I’ll either find one or be one, she said with a playful glint in her eyes. Trouble seems to have a way of finding me, or maybe I just attract it. Either way, it keeps life interesting, don't you think?

At the mention of the scales, Asha couldn’t help but chuckle. Oh, the scales lasted for about a week. Morrigan found it both amusing and a bit exasperating, but she knew just the right concoction to reverse it. It was a rather humbling experience, though—I was very careful around potions after that. I suppose it was a good lesson in restraint.

She listened thoughtfully as Rosalie spoke about memories and aspirations. Asha felt a kindred spirit in her friend's words. That’s a beautiful thought, Rosalie. Our memories do shape us, don’t they? They guide us toward what we want and who we want to become. I believe you will find that family one day, just as your parents did. And when you do, you'll have all these wonderful experiences and lessons to share with them.

Asha felt a warmth in her chest, a mix of fondness and hope. Despite the challenges they’d both faced, there was something comforting in knowing they could still look forward to the future with such optimism.

But for now, she said, clapping her hands together with renewed enthusiasm, let’s focus on this cake! We’ve got a birthday to make unforgettable, and I think we're off to a fantastic start.

@Rosalie Rutherford

“The best ones I have ever tried are imported from Antiva, a friend of mine brings it to the uni. I will ask him to bring an extra package so that I can send you some next time” she said with a kind smile.

“Well a part of me loves excitement but at times I wish that we lived in calmer times” admitted the blonde as she laughed gently at Asha’s energy. Rosalie was not old but she had always lacked that sort of “trouble seeking” spirit that usually came with youth; which didn’t mean that she disliked it, she actually found it quite endearing.

“Magic is not inherently bad but something to be used with care, that’s for sure” despite of her religious upbringing, Rosalie’s opinion on magic was quite open, she thought that in the same way herbs could be poison and medicine magic could be an useful or an evil tool depending on the mage using it.

“Well if I have a daughter I hope that she’s as amazing as you” she said tapping playfully the younger woman nose before returning her attention to cake duty “That’s right! The dough is done so we only need to heat it carefully to end up with a delight and not a burnt disgrace” she said chuckling as she prepared the last touches of the dough before putting it on the oven.

Asha beamed at Rosalie's kind words, her heart swelling with affection for her friend. That’s so sweet of you, Rosalie! I’d love to try those pistachios from Antiva. And as for the excitement, I get what you mean. Sometimes a bit of peace and quiet wouldn’t be so bad, she admitted with a smile, though there was a twinkle in her eye that suggested she was still drawn to the thrill of adventure.

Rosalie’s gentle wisdom about magic resonated with Asha, who nodded in agreement. Exactly. Magic is powerful, but it’s all about how you use it. That’s something I’ve learned the hard way, too, she said, her tone more serious for a moment.

The playful tap on her nose made Asha giggle, the lightness returning to the moment. If you have a daughter, I’m sure she’ll be wonderful! And I’d be honored if she turned out a bit like me, though maybe a bit more sensible, she added with a wink.

As Rosalie focused on the cake, Asha watched her with admiration. There was something comforting in their shared effort, a sense of creating something special together. Alright, the batter is in good hands! I’m sure it’ll turn out perfect, Rosalie. Cullen’s going to love it!

Asha couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment already. Planning this surprise with Rosalie, and hearing stories of the past, had deepened her bond with her friend. It wasn’t just about the cake; it was about the love and care they were putting into it, all for someone who meant so much to both of them.

As the cake began to bake, filling the kitchen with a rich, chocolaty aroma, Asha sighed contentedly. I think we’re doing something really special here, Rosalie. This is going to be a birthday Cullen will never forget, she said softly, her eyes shining with warmth and anticipation.

@Rosalie Rutherford

“Then it’s a deal, you will get those pistachios” she said with a kind smile. She saw the twinkle and laughed, she didn’t see Asha as the settling down type but she had many years ahead of her to have adventures.

“It’s a tool which can be used for good or bad” she agreed. Despite of being Andrastian her views on magic were quite open, as a doctor she could see the advantages of magic used without poor intent.

“Sensibility is at times a tad overated, even if useful when used with measure” she said as the placed the cake in the oven so that it would heat to perfection. “Well, the cake wouldn’t have worked out without your help!”.

Rosalie sniffed, yes, the cake likely would turn out quite good and after twenty minutes of chattering she pulled it out, the rich scent of chocolate filling the kitchen. The cake was perfect, done but not overly so. “Well, let’s bring it to the birthday boy shall we?” she said offering the plate to Asha.

Asha grinned widely, accepting the plate with careful hands and a gleam of excitement in her eyes. Oh, this looks—and smells—absolutely perfect, Rosalie! she exclaimed, admiring their creation with pride. And I have to say, I think a little dash of excitement and less sensibility is exactly what makes life sparkle!

She held the cake aloft as if it were a grand treasure, her expression a blend of giddiness and fondness. Cullen had been a steady, guiding presence in her life, and she knew he’d be moved by the effort they’d put into making this for him. I think he’s going to be truly touched, don’t you? There’s nothing like chocolate to remind someone of all the sweetness in life.

Asha glanced back at Rosalie, her voice softening with warmth. Thank you for letting me be a part of this, Rosalie. It feels so special, celebrating Cullen like this, and even better that we got to do it together.

They made their way toward Cullen’s quarters, Asha holding the cake proudly as they walked. She felt a surge of excitement building up again, as though they were kids sneaking around with a delightful surprise, making the moment all the more magical. Let’s go make his day unforgettable! she said, her tone full of anticipation and joy.

@Rosalie Rutherford