Chapter One

The Champion of Kirkwall was cordially invited to the Anniversary of Liberty ball at the De Launcet estate. It was to be a lavish, extremely Orlesian affair. Just the type of thing her Fereldan peasant upbringing had absolutely not prepared her for. She sighed and rolled her eyes to the ceiling "Oh nug shit."

"Well my friends, I need help." Hawke began as she sat at the card table next to Varric for their regular game at the Hanged Man. She had decided to bring the problem to her companions. It wasn't killing things or saving people, but maybe they could help.

"What's the job, Sweetling?" Asked Isabela, never taking her eyes off of Varric's nibble fingers as he handed out cards for the game.

Hawke shifted in her seat and ran a hand nervously though her hair. "It's not a job. I need to learn what to do at a formal dinner…an Orlesian dinner." She said a little sheepishly.

Merrill flashed a bright smile and shrugged fluidly. Hawke hadn't imagined the Dalish mage would be much help with that.

Isabela looked thoughtful before speaking. "I have no clue. Somehow I never get put in any of the fancy dinner guest lists, I could show you a few Orlesian tricks, but I wouldn't suggest trying them at the dinner table."Isabela said with a wink. Hawke chuckled at the thought.

Varric was shaking his head when Hawke's eyes scanned him. "Sorry Hawke, no help here either. Too bad the Choirboy is in Starkhaven for a while yet. He could probably coach you. Heck, he could have probably gone as your date. That would have been something! Showing up with an actual prince! Try and top that, snobs!" Varric said with glee, clearly putting the scenario away to make some story up about it later.

A choking cough made them turn their eyes to Fenris, who had been keeping absolutely quiet throughout. He picked up his wineglass and coughed in it a little bit. He shook his head and didn't say a word. Hawke looked at the blush on his cheeks and wondered 'Was that a little jealousy sneaking out? Of me taking Sebastian as a date? Well, well, well.'

Fenris merely looked at his toes, apparently fascinated by them. Hawke examined the elf for more clues; meanwhile Varric had brought up another candidate.

"-But she's Orlesian right? I mean, not that she acts like it, but you never know how people were raised." Varric was saying when Hawke brought her thoughts back to the subject at hand.

"Aveline?" Hawke asked. "Naw. Her father was a chevalier, but she was born and raised in Ferelden. She's as much of a country bumpkin as me." Hawke said with a shrug.

She thought of her companions, having discarded all but one. "And before you suggest it, Anders was raised in the Circle. I very much doubt they had fancy Orlesian dinners there, so I won't even bother trying to find him for this." Hawke said. Anders had been disappearing quite a bit lately and she had almost given up on looking for him. His connection to Justice was clearly not going how he had imagined it would. 'But honestly, what did he think would happen there?' she mused before dismissing the whole train of thought

Having exhausted their choices, the card game began. At the same time, Isabela decided to regale them with a very dirty story which sounded uncomfortably autobiographical. She soon had everyone (except the ever oblivious Merrill) squirming in their seats. Isabela easily won that round.

That night, as she walked home to Hightown, a familiar shadow caught up to her and walked next to her for a few minutes before speaking. "I could help you. I attended many such events with Danarius. Once I escaped, I lived for a year in Orlais and did some bodyguard work." Fenris muttered in his deep voice.

Hawke did a double take. Her face must have shown her incredulity because he felt compelled to continue. "I'll understand if you'd rather not have anything to do with me, but I would like to do this as some small repayment for your friendship."

'Friendship? Huh, if that what he wanted to call it.' Hawke was both desperate and curious so she accepted. Her mixed emotions regarding their relationship after their single night of passion had yet to settle, despite all the time that had passed.

They bid each other good night and agreed on when and where to meet for her lessons.