Prompt: On a scale of one to ten, how illegal do you think doing this is?
"On a scale of one to ten, how illegal do you think doing this is?" Merrill asks with a hint of excitement in her voice.
Isabela grins. "Relax, Kitten. We're just… visiting someone's house."
"We are breaking into someone's house."
Isabela waves her hand. "Don't worry about every little detail. It'll be fine."
Their plan is easy. Isabela's plan because obviously it was her idea to break into the house of people she calls "pompous assholes". Merrill had to ask her to clarify since that's the way the pirate calls at least half of Kirkwall's population.
"Remember when Hawke was looking for runaway mages? One of them has rich parents, de Launcets. We went to their house looking for the wayward son," Isabela explained. "And now we're going back there."
"But why?" the elf asked, confused.
She only said, "I need to show you something." Merrill created a long list of things that nobles could be hiding in their house.
It's surprisingly easy to get inside the mansion; then again Isabela is a skilled rogue. If she wants something, she gets it. When the lock clicks, and the door opens, Isabela steps aside to let Merrill in.
The elf looks back at Hawke's trusty mabari, Dog, waiting for them patiently, hidden between rosebushes Lady de Launcet grows in her garden. Dog is supposed to warn them if anyone's coming but so far everything goes smoothly. Merrill expects a heavy resistance, something exciting to happen, similar to a scene from one of Varric's novels. Perhaps they'll get surrounded by countless enemies and Isabela will swing on the chandelier, throwing daggers at their opponents while Merrill looks at her in awe. Then they'll run away, and live as wanted criminals.
Merrill shakes her head. Maybe Hawke's right, and she shouldn't believe in everything Varric writes. But it all seems so exciting, while her own life gets rather boring when Hawke's not around.
So it's a bit disappointing that they can just get inside without anyone noticing. On the other hand, she doesn't want to get caught. It would be impossible to blame it on someone else because it's not like there are many Rivaini pirates or Dalish mages living in Kirkwall. Aveline would surely find out about it. And when Aveline gets angry she is really scary. It's all fun and games until the captain of the guard has a sword in her hand.
The pirate's voice interrupts Merrill's thoughts. "This way, Kitten. Everyone's asleep but we have to be quiet just in case."
Merrill nods and follows Isabela through the long hallway, then up the stairs. She tiptoes with caution, still expecting something to happen, but so far it seems that breaking into someone's house isn't as exciting as Varric usually describes it in his writings.
The house is big, bigger than Hawke's or any other house Merrill has ever seen. In comparison her tiny place in the Alienage seems even smaller. Amazingly, Isabela doesn't have any problems finding the right room when she finally stops in front of one of many doors. She opens them with a mischievous smile, the kind of smile that means trouble for some but also adventure for others.
The room is dark but in the moonlight seeping through the wide windows Merrill can see a big oval mirror on the wall, a desk and a chair. It's hard to tell what's the purpose of this room. Perhaps Lady de Launcet sits here and writes long letters, then admires her reflection in the mirror. From what Merrill knows, nobles in Kirkwall don't have many things to do. It must be boring, spending days buying dresses or attending parties wearing fancy clothes and ridiculous hats. Thankfully, now that Hawke's family is rich again thanks to the Deep Roads expedition, Hawke didn't change at all.
Nearly forgetting why they're here, Merrill looks back at Isabela. The pirate picks up a wooden box from the desk.
"Come here," she gestures at the elf.
The place is so quiet her voice seems loud like a thunder. For a second Merrill wants to remind her they should be whispering or else someone will catch them here. Isabela, however, doesn't seem to care, and talks in a normal voice as if nothing else mattered but the thing in the wooden box she so wants Merrill to see.
"When Hawke was talking to de Launcets, I got bored and, well, went to see if they have anything interesting in their mansion," Isabela explains, not ashamed in the slightest. "I found nothing but this. And I thought it's perfect for you."
Inside the box there's a necklace with emeralds that sparkle nearly as much as the pirate's eyes. Merrill hesitates, unsure what to do.
"For me?" she asks, blushing.
"I thought I should get you something nice, something… special."
Isabela bites her lower lip, for a second she looks away as if embarrassed. It's new, seeing her like this, even for a moment. Merrill is used to the pirate being bold, loud and brave. She gets a glimpse of the other Isabela, the one hiding behind a carefully constructed façade, and her lips curl into a warm smile.
Merrill hesitates, even though there are words she wants to say. It's all so easy in her mind but when she tries to speak, her courage is gone, replaced by an anxious feeling coiling in her gut.
She takes a deep breath. She's not good with words but this time she has to be or else the moment is gone and she'll never tell Isabela just how much it all means to her.
"You don't have to give me anything. It's been so nice, spending time with you. I don't need anything special form you, any special gifts. I just need… you."
Seeing the expression on Isabela's face, something like surprise but not quite, Merrill blinks, the blush on her face going a shade deeper. The pirate stares at her silently for a long minute that feels like eternity. Then she smiles, and the Isabela Merrill knows is back.
"I'll get you a better one!" she says with so much confidence Merrill instantly believes her no matter how silly this is. "I mean, this necklace is pretty but I just wanted to show it to you. I'm not going to steal it. Unless…"
She glances at Merrill, one eyebrow raised. The elf quickly shakes her head.
"Right," Isabela nods and reluctantly closes the box.
Suddenly they hear barking followed by screams of someone who has just discovered an enormous mabari hiding between roses.
"Our little trip's over," Isabela says, placing the box back on the desk. "Let's go!"
And they escape through the window, just like in one of Varric's novels, holding hands and laughing.