Disclaimer: I do not own Dragon age 2 this belongs to bioware. This is only a fan fiction
Chapter 1: Corsets are killers
Zola Hawke walked through the streets of Kirkwall. She'd just been to see the Viscount about more Qunari issues and his son running off again towards the Wounded Coast. Dressed in robes of a mage she felt a little exposed and walking past Templars was heart pounding. Walking in Hightown seemed weird at first, seeing all the nobles and sisters of the Chantry with no fights or drunken fools on street corners, it seemed a little too clean. She brushed back her burnt brown hair behind her ear and sorted out her staff behind her back.
"I wonder how everyone is doing." Zola thought as she sighed, she browsed some of the market stands for different robes and staffs. Most of the Hightown markets usually had good stuff but sometimes Lowtown was better.
"Avaline is out with Donnic again, Isabella has gone looking for clues to that Relic" Zola thought as she picked up a staff and felt the power surge through it.
"Merrill is working on her mirror, Anders is helping Mages get out of Kirkwall and Varric is in Ferelden on business" Zola wandered away from the market as the sun shone, she was too busy thinking of where everyone was, she couldn't think of wanting to do anything else.
"And Fenris…" Zola's face blushed slight as she thought of Fenris, his slightly tanned skin and deep green eyes made her melt. His lyrium markings shone like gems and his armour highlighted his muscles round his arms. Zola flushed more as she felt a knot in her stomach and suddenly realised what she was thinking about.
"No…no…no I mustn't I'm a mage and he hates mages" Zola shook her head roughly making her hair ragged and untied from its hair tie. Zola sighed and ran off towards the docks. Varric should've returning from Ferelden today and Zola wanted to be the first one to greet him back. She'd missed Varric and his stories it had been a fair few days since she saw him and wondered what he had been up to.
Zola arrived at the docks about mid morning; the salty sea was in the air as the birds flew over head. Boats swayed back and forth in the harbour. Workers shouts orders and cargo was being shifted into the warehouses. Zola watched as everyone went about their business, the sound of the waves rolling against the walls of the warehouses. Zola's pale skin seemed white in the sunlight. In the distance she saw a boat with someone waving, the person seemed small but Zola recognised the crossbow strapped to his back. Zola smiled and waved.
"Hey Varric" Zola shouted as the boat slowly approached. Varric smile beamed across the way greeting Zola. When the boat drew next to Zola, Varric hopped off as Zola gave him a hug.
"Hey Hawke, Bianca will get jealous and we can't have that" Varric charmed with his usual smile as Zola laughed.
"No we can't have that" Zola walked with him making sure her pace was slow.
"How was Ferelden?" Zola asked as she cocked her head.
"Nothing exciting, though the country is still in bad shape after the Blight" Varric scratched his head as they quickly walked past the Qunari base.
"I told you to go later when trade was up" Zola told him but Varric waved her off.
"It was, just the houses are still bad, though I didn't say it wasn't entertaining" Varric chuckled to himself as Zola raised an eyebrow.
"What did you do?" Zola smirked as Varric pretended to look shocked.
"My lady you wound me" Varric smiled.
"Avaline would wound you, I'd just freeze you" Zola joked making them both laugh as they entered Lowtown.
"I met a dwarf, he was a Grey Warden, but he knew the Hero of Ferelden and told her tale well" Varric smiled as he remembered the telling.
"Oh…a rival storyteller then?" Zola asked.
"Nah…this fool was drunk while telling it and I doubt he could ever tell another story like it" Varric shrugged off as they approached the Hanged man.
"How has everything been?" Varric asked as he leaned against the wall while Zola stopped and sighed.
"Slow…everything just seemed to have stopped and it's been peaceful" Zola looked round Lowtown as her brown hair fell in front of her golden eyes.
"And how has everyone else been?" Varric smirked knowing he wasn't going to get the answer he wanted.
"Hmm…Their fine, Avaline and Donnic are doing well…Mother is fine…" Zola was trying to think of what to say but Varric beat her to it.
"I meant between you and Fenris" Varric pointed to her as Zola blushed a deep red turning away.
"I…I…I don't know what you mean" Zola was loosing her words but Varric smirked.
"Come on Hawke…you've been smitten for that broody elf from the moment you had your golden eyes on him" Varric chucked as Zola blushed deeper. He was right, the moment she saw Fenris her heart stopped but her lust was shattered when he told of his disgust of mages and she was a mage.
"Varric it could never work…I'm a mage" Zola closed her eyes and looked to the ground. Varric sighed.
"Then let him see past you flinging lighting and ice bolts at raiders and let him see the real you" Varric saw the pain in her eyes but she shook her head and coughed to clear her throat.
"Speaking of my mother, I better get going…she's having a party and I have to be there" Zola sorted out her robes and started to walk off.
"What kind of party?" Varric asked before she went.
"Trying to find me a husband…you know if Bethany wasn't killed by that Ogre it would be for her, or if Carver hadn't died in the deep roads mother would be finding him a wife or he's be with the Templars." Zola looked over her shoulder and smiled.
"Truthfully Hawke I don't see you as the settling down type" Varric mused.
"Neither do I but Mother is insistent that she wants Grandchildren…and I'm the only one left" Zola shrugged and walked off leaving Varric to enter the Hanged man and face the wrath of a drunk Isabella on his own.
_)_)_
"Oh…your hair never does what I want it to do" Zola's mother pulled her hair making Zola twinge with pain.
"Mother…ow…I look fine" Zola protested as her mother flung her hands up in defeat.
"At least put the corset on Zola" Her mother passed her the scary looking wrapping as Zola cringed.
"I wouldn't be able to breath…plus I can already feel the pain" Zola rubbed her chest and ribs.
"Well you're not going out in just your underwear" Her mother turned her round and started strapping her in.
"Ow…I'd be more comfortable" Zola cursed under her breath as her mother laced up the corset making her already large breast seem plumper. Zola closed her eyes as she felt her chest being wrapped tightly within the bondage, once her mother had done she quickly walked over to her closet and looked through her dresses. Zola stood up and looked at herself in the mirror, she looked like someone who hadn't been fed for months and her breasts were nearly popping out of the corset.
"Mother if I die tonight, I blame you" Zola sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Her mother sighed still looking through the dresses and shaking her head at which colours didn't match.
"You won't die Zola, stop acting like a child" Her mother told her sternly as she pulled out a white dress. It was a full length dress with blue ribbons wrapping round the arms and a blue ribbon trimming round the hem and neck of the dress. A jade green sash wrapped round the waist and hung at the side.
"Where did you get this?" Her mother asked as she admired the dress, Zola looked over and slightly blushed.
"I…I made it a while ago" Zola walked over as she wrapped a delicate necklace round her neck.
"It's beautiful Zola…you should stop fighting and turn your hand to making dresses" Her mother beamed but Zola only sighed.
"I'd be bored mother" Zola whined as her mother looked sternly at her.
"Just put this on and come downstairs, people might be coming soon." Her mother handed her the dress and stormed out of her bedroom while she started yelling orders to the servants. Zola sighed as she looked at the dress, the fabric felt soft in her hands and the light from the fire danced across the ribbons. Zola stood and slowly put on the dress, it fit her well and the sash held it in place. The white fabric hung loosely over the blue ribbon and gave her room so that her arms had a little freedom from the trapping. Zola sighed as she looked at herself, she didn't look like the Zola she knew she looked like someone different and it felt strange.
"I'd better go down and make sure Sandel isn't swinging on the chandelier again" Zola told herself as she walked out of her room.
_)_)_
Music played quietly as the scent of Elfroot and sweet smelling flowers filled the room. Zola looked round as everybody talked and wore fake smiles. Her mother was by the door greeting people as she stood alone next to the bellowing fire. Her eyes scanned the faces over everyone, most were single men of the noble families that mother had mentioned to her over the days while others were people who she'd met during her time fighting off raiders and blood mages. One person stood out in the crowd mainly because of his Templar armour, a man with wispy red hair and faint beard greeted people and was making his way towards Zola.
"Quiet a party your mother is having" The Templar smiled as Zola bowed and smiled back.
"Knight-Commander Cullen it is good to see you again, are you fully healed" Zola tried to be pleasant since she was talking with a Templar and she was a deadly mage to him. Cullen chuckled as he rolled his shoulder under his armour.
"I'm just here to make sure no magic is involved, but to answer your question yes I am" Cullen smiled as did Zola.
"Did Meredith order you to be here or did my mother do that" Zola wondered. Cullen laughed but regained his composer quickly.
"Sharp as ever Hawke, Yes Meredith did send me here…knowing you are a mage outside the Circle you do pose a danger" Cullen smiled as Zola smirked.
"Little old me…a danger…I don't know whether to feel honoured or offended" Zola shrugged as Cullen chuckled.
"Considering you took out several raiders and many demons last week I would say that you being called dangerous would be an honour" Cullen noted as Zola rolled her eyes.
"I did those things for the City Guard, yet I still get the blame" Zola hung her head in defeat to the Templar.
"Even so…you do look lovely this evening" Cullen bowed to Zola and made his way back into the crowd. Zola watched him go and melt away as the fire warmed her face and hands.
"Why would someone like him be a Templar" Zola thought but shrugged her shoulders and made her way towards the darkest corner of the room. She didn't want to be there and thought it would be nice just to watch the party. Plus the corset was giving her a hard time breathing; she was surprised that she held a conversation without fainting. She sat down and sipped at her tea while the people passed in front of her. The time felt like hours when only minutes went by as Zola watched the nobles talk and dance. Her mother told her to mingle and gets to know the people but when the gentlemen introduced themselves she had enough. She danced with a few of them but while they were more interested in looking at what she had on display she just wanted to get out of the room.
Zola bowed to her dance partner and went to sit down, her breathing was raspy but controlled and her vision was becoming hazy. She found the chair and took a while to rest until she felt someone sit next to her; she slowly opened her eyes to see Varric smiling at her.
"So…you don't look like you're having fun" Varric tapped her on her shoulder.
"Blame that on this damn corset I have to wear." Zola smiled weakly as Varric grew a little concerned.
"Then take it off" Varric said looking at Hawke's breathing.
"I can't…mother will notice…anyway how did you get in mother is like an eagle, watching everyone who comes in" Zola looked at him with her faded eyes as Varric's face grew concerned but she smiled.
"I charmed my way past" He shrugged as Zola chuckled.
"Anyone else come?" Zola hoped that some of her friends would come then she might be able to sneak out.
"They might come later…I think Isabella is looking for a dress for Merrill" Varric scratched his chin as he looked among the crowd. Zola lent back in her chair and scanned the room.
"You know I'd rather be out there…fighting" Zola smiled as she tried to laugh.
"Whys that?" Varric asked.
"I'm worried about this killer that's in Kirkwall…the one that leaves Lilies" Zola sighed and rubbed her head, only a few weeks ago they talked to Gasguard DuPuis about the murders to turn up with nothing.
"Don't worry Hawke…your in no danger" Varric waved her off but Zola's eyes darkened as she looked at her mother.
"I'm not worried about me I'm worried about my mother…she fits the type" Zola watched on as Varric looked at her.
"You've put too much thought into this Hawke" Varric lightly punched her arm only to receive a slight smile rather than the bright smile he would usually get.
"I mean it…all mother does it sit round the house, go to Chantry and visit my uncle…I'm worried" Zola rubbed her sides feeling the metal strips against her skin.
"Lyeandra will be fine Hawke I'm sure of it" Varric assured her as she smiled.
"I guess your right…I'm putting to much thought into this…I better go mingle or else mother will shout" Zola slowly stood up and started to move away slowly.
"Hawke you don't look too good…" Varric was worried as Zola turned and smiled at him.
"I swear it's this damned corset…sweet Maker how do nobles put up with this" Zola breathed a shaky breath before she smiled at Varric.
"I'll be fine, don't worry" Varric didn't look any less concerned.
"You look lovely tonight Hawke…I'm sure you're making one elf very broody right now" Varric slightly smiled as Zola blushed a deep red and looked round the room making sure that the elf Varric was talking about was no where near.
"Varric…I told you…he hates me" Zola wiped her eyes and melted into the crowed leaving Varric alone.
"If only you knew Hawke" Varric looked round and saw by the fire place a familiar shade of white hair. He smiled to himself when he saw his expression towards Hawke.
"I'm glad it's just you and me Bianca."
_)_)_
The party ended with Zola's mother sighing in disappointment. Zola rolled her eyes and was glad that the party was over, she could finally relax. She'd met up with Isabella and Merrill and talked mainly about the Relic and the Mirror. Though the conversation was interrupted by the arrival of the city guard and dragged off Isabella for somehow being too loud and drunk, even though this was the first time the Zola had seen her sober. Zola only knew that her mother was the one to blame and asked Varric to take Merrill home before Cullen found out. No one else turned up leaving Zola to endure the mindless talk of the gentlemen.
"Why couldn't you at least been a little more interesting?" Zola's mother whined as she put out the candles.
"Before what they were talking about wasn't interesting" Zola bit back as she locked the doors and closed the curtains.
"They all seemed to like you" her mother sighed as she watched Zola.
"Only because I had these on show" Zola turned round and pointed to her chest.
"They were listening to you as well Zola…your acting like a child" Zola mother started to walk to her room but Zola had had it, even though her father taught her to keep her emotions in check, she was really getting mad.
"You never think of how I feel mother…all I've done is try and protect this family but you pin all the blame on me…I have to save Kirkwall and you want me to think about getting married and having grandchildren so that the Amell line doesn't die with me" Zola spoke firmly glaring at her mother while her mother looked at her shocked.
"I only want what's best for you" Her mother spoke calmly but Zola was mad and felt rage pumping through her veins.
"You mean you wanted what's best for you…do you ever think about what I want…who I love…but you'll never except him because he's an elf and not of nobility…well don't worry because I know he hates me because I'm a MAGE!" Zola stormed off into her room and slammed her door. Tears stung at her eyes as she pressed her head against the hard wooden panel. Her breathing was little and few, the corset felt as though it was getting tighter each time she spoke or breathed but she managed to get through the party without fainting. Crackles and snaps of the fire sparked as the room filled with warmth, Zola turned to face her bed but stopped. Her face flushed and her heart raced, the knot in her stomach returned with vengeance as she saw him.
Fenris was stood leaning against the bed posts looking into the fire, his lyrium markings and tanned skin shone in the fire light. His sliver white hair slightly covering his forest green eyes and his armour shone and made the light dance along his muscles. He turned to face Zola as she backed up against the door, his eyes widened when he saw her. Zola's face burnt up more as she blushed deeper and looked away from his gaze.
"Hawke…you look…different" Fenris spoke without emotion but his voice made Zola's legs shake.
"I guess I do…not everyday I get to dress up" Zola smiled and tried to get her golden eyes to focus on him. But when she turned she found him close to her, almost close enough for her to reach up and kiss his lips, but the surprised of him being so close made her freeze as she felt his shallow breath against her face.
"You don't look well Hawke" Fenris felt her forehead with his hand as Zola's body cried out for her to breath, Zola took a shallow, shaky breath as she felt his lyrium markings pulse against his skin.
"I'm fine…I just need to…get this corset…" Zola vision went blurry as she fell towards the floor but suddenly felt his arms round her.
"Hawke…Hawke wake up…" Fenris's voice was distant as everything was fading slowly, she still felt his marking pulse against her skin and his arms wrapped round her. In her mind she prayed this wasn't a dream.