The dinner hour came and went. The crowd at the Hanged Man followed its own cycles, sure as the tide, swelling as locals sought a hot meal and subsiding to a lull before the night owls came out of the woodwork.

It was comforting to Hawke, knowing what to expect from her favorite haunt, particularly when other elements in her life seemed so insistent on veering off path.

Another constant was the circle of regulars playing cards. Varric sat to Hawke's left, frowning over his hand. "Getting late, Hawke. Doesn't your mother expect you for dinner?"

Hawke reordered her cards, snorting softly. Her friend would take note of any deviation to her routine. "I'm avoiding my mother, Varric. I'll take a cold supper over another of her attempts to play match maker."

"Oh ho, what is it this time? Proper attire? Playing nice with the Launcet boy? Regular Chantry attendance and why faking religious zeal will win you a husband?"

"Dancing, Varric. And how my appalling lack of grace in the ballroom will fail to win me a husband."

"Well now, that's a surprise. You move around the battlefield well enough. Of course, you're usually dancing behind Aveline or Fenris when your spells run out. But still, you have mastered the graceful retreat."

"It doesn't translate. And according to my mother, potential husbands are only interested in women who know their way around a dance floor."

Isabela laughed, discarding part of her hand. "Nonsense. There is only one sort of dancing men care about, and it isn't the type that's accompanied by music." The pirate smiled, glancing sidelong at the elf girl sitting at her side. "Though I had a lute player once, in Antiva. Liked to play for me while I sucked his cock."

Merrill blinked owlishly, looking up from her cards. "Oh, but…wouldn't that get awkward? I mean, you know…trying to play an instrument while…you…"

"Mmm, but it was worth it. Musicians, you know" Isabela snaked her arm around Merrill, tickling her shoulder and probably sneaking a peek at her cards. "Dexterous fingers."

Varric laughed, laying out his hand. "Well, you should get Broody here to give you lessons, Hawke…"

Hawke stiffened, glancing from Varric to her companion sitting on the other side of the table. Fenris, mid sip, coughed and quickly set down his glass, almost sloshing wine on his gauntlet and the red scarf tied tightly around his wrist.

"…after all, he is our resident dance master. Flitting about his big empty house, choreographing routines."

Hawke relaxed, forcing a smile. Varric wasn't making an oblique reference to the awkward state of her and Fenris'…well, whatever it was. Just engaging in his normal banter. Or not. The dwarf was too clever by half sometimes. Hopefully her initial reaction to his suggestion would be overlooked. "Oh, I wouldn't want to impose. Besides, when mother gets on about bringing in a dance master, I don't think my reclusive elf friend with the big sword is quite what she has in mind."

Isabela laughed, laying out her cards. "Big sword. That's absolutely a necessity for a good dance. But I don't need to tell you and Fenris that, hm?"

Merrill followed suit, carefully placing her cards in their pairs. "Oh, yes. I mean, I imagine…you are talking about something dirty, right? I mean, you usually are and…oh, I think I lost this hand."

"Right on both counts, Kitten. But seriously, Hawke, you should introduce Fenris as your dance instructor. Give you all sorts of excuses to spend time alone together."

Fenris stood abruptly, letting his cards scatter. "I'm done here."

Varric leaned back in his chair. "Leaving so soon, Elf?"

He didn't reply, slipping past the table and heading towards the door.

Hawke sighed, watching him leave. Putting her cards down in a neat pile and sliding her chair back, she stood to go as well. This was the last thing she needed. "Well, now you've made him grumpy."

Isabela leaned over the table to gather her winnings. "Grumpier. He's been in a mood lately. And where do you think you're going?"

"Home. I can't avoid Mother forever." Hawke tossed some coins on the table, grimacing. "Besides, my escort back to Hightown just stormed out the door. I'll see everyone tomorrow."