Tranquility
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Dragon age 2. Everything you recognise in this fic belongs to Bioware and all their dragony goodness. :DDD
A/N: This fic will contain F!Hawke/Isabela goodness, so if you don't like the sound of that, you probably won't like this fic xD
It seemed to Hawke that fleeing the Darkspawn was the easier part of the past few years compared to this. Now, trying to create a name for herself in Kirkwall was testing for her. So many people wanted so many things and for such little reward. She felt that she had worked so hard over the last few months, but her coin purse was still too light for Bartrand's affairs.
Every day was draining. Fighting Bandits, killing off Dragonlings, delivering items, finding items for the local herbalist and the final task she had just completed was for a former Grey Warden – Anders. The meeting with his friend had turned sour, and they were forced to kill him. In all honesty Hawke was rather upset to see a fellow mage fall once again under Templar influence. Though, she was composed throughout the whole ordeal, keeping a reasonable tone and hoping to reason with the Templars. The last thing she wanted was to create a rivalry with the Templars. It was hard enough getting around with all the Bandits and such and she didn't need Templars hot on her heels too.
Still, it was rewarding in itself at the end of each day to know that she could drag herself down to the Hanged Man, and to relax with cold ale in hand. Most nights she would sit in Varric's room, talking about what riches awaited them in The Deep Roads and other adventures. But some nights - like this one - she would sit in a corner on her own.
It sounded depressing, thinking about it. But she felt most relaxed when she was sat in that corner, the cheerful music filling the air – alongside the stench of sweat, ale and heavy perfume from the barmaids. It was the only place she could have her own space. Sharing a room with Carver was close to excruciating. Honestly, if Hawke could pick between sharing a room with the Archdemon itself or her brother she would gladly pick the Archdemon without hesitating.
Her signature smirk slid upon her lips at the thought, though the image of her trying to get some sleep whilst the Archdemon snored beside her soon left her head as a commotion had erupted in the far corner of the room and everything had fallen silent, making the scene the focal point of the room.
A woman was battling at least 5 armed men alone, moving gracefully and humiliating each one of them by smashing glasses on their heads, punching them in their faces and finally a blade to the Leader's neck.
"So tell me Lucky... Is this worth dying for?"
Breaking the silence the room had created, a small chuckle escaped Hawke's lips. The man ran away, the rest of his men practically pissing themselves in fear and following suit. Soon enough, the music started playing again and the feisty woman directed her attention towards the Refugee.
The woman's hips swayed as she made her way towards the mage, and Hawke's eyes drifted down to watch the hypnotizing movements. The brunette boldly sat opposite her, without asking to take the seat.
"You're new around here, aren't you?"
Hawke tilted her head to the side, and not wanting to be caught looking where she shouldn't she directed her gaze to the others.
"Is it really that obvious?"
She joked, her smirk never faltering. Sarcasm was one of her best traits. Being a mage had its part to play for that. Whenever she was teased when she was younger, or threatened by a Templar lover, a back handed comment always threw her opponent off guard. Out witting the opponent and making them fumble always made encounters more fun, anyway.
The brunette laughed slightly. "Well, you have that whole Ferelden look about you. I spent quite some time there back in the day."
Hawke's smirk fell. Ferelden. It had seemed like an age since she had stepped foot in that place, and yet every time she heard the word she longed for nothing more than to just go back to how things used to be. Before the Blight, before the Darkspawn and more importantly, before Bethany had died. Hawke looked away as thoughts of her sister flooded her mind. It was practically her fault she had died, she allowed her to go into battle against an ogre. An ogre for Maker's sake! How could she be so stupid? Maybe if she hadn't been so cocksure and flippant back then, Bethany would still be here.
The stranger arched an eyebrow. Maybe talking about the refugee's former home wasn't the best topic of conversation to pick. She simply smiled, and changed the subject. "I'm Isabela. Well, Captain Isabela actually."
Hawke's memories slipped away as her eyes made their way back to the newly introduced Captain Isabela. "Captain?"
Proudly, Isabela nodded and gave a fake royal wave "Yes. Well..." She put a finger to her lips "I was..."
At this, Hawke chuckled and questioned her.
"Well, I was a Captain. Until I lost my ship."
Hawke grinned widely. "So, then. I won't be addressing you by Captain, will I? I mean a Captain without a ship... or a crew is just a regular person." She retorted, shrugging a little.
Isabela put her finger out in defence, but decided not to rise to her comment. She huffed dramatically and shook her head. "Alright, smart arse. Are you going to introduce yourself? Or are you going to just sit there looking pretty and sipping at your ale?"
Hawke didn't know why she was indulging this stranger in a conversation with her. Usually if someone approached her in the Hanged Man she would tell them to swing the other way and find a ditch to die in so she could just sit alone. But with this woman, after watching that scene with her and the men, she was intrigued as to why she would want to talk to her. Hawke was not about to ask her about the commotion, as she was sure it was none of her business – like many things in the Hanged Man.
Perhaps she would even help Hawke in her attempts to clean up Kirkwall and to earn money for The Deep Roads. She seemed talented. Quick, graceful, and handy with a blade. Yes, Hawke silently decided to herself that Isabela would most probably be a great help if she would join her.
But then, she realised that she had been thinking too much again, instead of saying something. "Hawke. My name is Hawke."
The Rivaini opposite her nodded her head and smiled "A pleasure to meet you." She leaned forward, and Hawke could swear she saw a hint of seduction in her eyes but quickly dismissed the idea as she watched to see what the well endowed woman had to say. "I need a favour from you."
Hawke sighed, and leant back in her chair, leaning her head back. "You too?"
A/N: Hi :D So, this is my first fic. So, please don't be too harsh D: I fell in love with this pairing whilst I was playing through the game. Please review! :D I know it's a little slow so far, but I just wanted to get the ball rolling and get Hawke & Isabela meeting each other. so the next chapter should be more exciting- Promise :D!