Isabela was on a mission. One that could not be denied. She darted through the streets, breezily brushing by any who would stand in her way. She ducked behind the view of the guardsmen , weaved through the alleys of Lowtown, and climbed the steps to Hightown. She moved forward through the Hightown market, taking care to attract as little attention as possible. She wrapped herself in a shawl and hunched her back to make herself look older, and stepped gingerly as if she had some chronic back pain, as she neared her target.
Turning the corner, she could see the heraldic crest marking the estate of her victim. She took a moment to slide around the corner and hid behind a pillar, quickly glancing back and forth to ensure that none had spotted her. She withdrew a dagger and lightly wedged it into the window latching, working it back and forth until the window gave a small pop and cracked open. She took one last glance and silently swore to herself. A figure was approaching the estate. There was no doubt, somebody was about to ruin all of her careful planning. Isabela grinned inwardly.
"Well, not if I have anything to say about it."
Wrapping her shawl about her face and shoulders, she glided out from her hiding spot silently, made her way toward her new target. Then, with one smooth motion, Isabela snaked her left arm around her target's neck while locking her right hand over the victim's mouth. The tiny girl she had assaulted had barely registered the contact, but Isabela was already moving. Quick as a jungle cat, Isabela had returned to her hiding spot around the corner, hidden from sight, with her hostage in tow. Isabela's hapless prey had started making noises, but her strong hand covering her mark's mouth muffled most of the sound such that the ambient noise covered it up.
"Hush, Kitten! It's just me. Calm down, or you'll ruin everything."
Her captive's large green eyes widened in recognition and the sound stopped. Isabela released her grip, and Merrill breathed in deeply while turning to face her.
"Isabela! What are you -" she began, as Isabela quickly clapped a hand back over Merrill's mouth.
"Keep your voice down!" Isabela hissed fiercely.
Merrill made an affirmative gurgling noise and nodded, and Isabela slowly withdrew her hand again.
"Isabela, what are you doing here?" whispered Merrill.
"Something very important, and I need you to help me with it."
"But this is Hawke's estate! Why not just go in through the front door?"
"Because that would ruin it. Besides, doing it this way is much more fun!" Isabela flashed a grin at the elf. "I had planned on making this a lone undertaking, but I think having you along will make it much more enjoyable."
"But... what is it we're doing?"
"I'll explain everything once we're inside. Quickly, before anyone sees us." Isabela finished prying the window open, and pointed at it. She linked her fingers together and Merrill placed one shoeless foot onto Isabela's interlocked hands. Isabela lifted as Merrill stepped, and Merrill went up and through the window. As Isabela prepared to make her entrance, she heard the tinkling of breaking porcelain. Isabela giggled to herself as she climbed in through the window.
"By the Dread Wolf, I hope that wasn't valuable" Merrill squeaked as she tried to clean up what looked like a shattered pink vase of some sort. A white flower lay in a small damp spot on the carpet. A lily, perhaps?
Isabela unfurled a small scroll with a crude diagram on it. Merrill snuck over to peek. "What are we doing?" she asked.
"Our target is down this hallway. Take a left after the third door, then through the large entrance at the end of the corridor." Isabela punctuated each direction with a tap on her crude map of the estate. Merrill nodded. The pair moved quickly and quietly down the hallway. Isabela's reconnaissance had been useful, Sandal and Bodahn were not at in this part of the estate today, and Orana was practicing her lute in her own quarters. Isabela grabbed the latch on the large door and tugged it open. As the door opened, she smiled wickedly. Merrill's eyes widened.
"Isabela, are we-" she began, as Isabela once again clapped a hand over her mouth and hauled her into the room before she could be heard. Isabela glanced back down the empty hallway and quickly shut the door behind them.
"Alright, Kitten. We're here." Isabela reached into her belt pouch and retrieved a pair of small rocks. Striking them together, she lit the tinder which started a merry fire beneath the large water basin. She pulled a lever and the warming water began to pool in the large stone bath before them.
"Isabela, this is Hawke's bath room!" Merrill squeaked.
"Exactly. I've been saying I needed a bath for ages, and the facilities at the Hanged Man are atrocious. I'd rather have a barrel of cold rainwater and a brush." Isabela walked over and began undoing the ties and clasps of Merrill's chain mail.
"Isabela! What are you doing?" blurted Merrill.
"Well, you can't take a bath in your clothing, kitten." Isabela smiled as she removed the remainder of Merrill's clothes and started on her own.
"I... I just came to water the plants!" wailed Merrill.
"We can do that afterwards. Come on." Through years of practice, Isabela had learned to shed her clothing very quickly. She left them in a small pile, and turned to examine the elf girl. She smiled warmly as she looked over Merrill's lithe, petite body. She dipped a toe into the water, then picked up the wicker basket Hawke had kept her bathing things in.
"But... but..." Merrill shivered a bit and couldn't stop staring at Isabela. Isabela grinned wickedly and took a step toward the shaking elf. Merrill took a step backward, into the water.
"In you go. I need you to wash my back." Isabela gave Merrill a gentle push, and into the bath they went.
"Elgar'nan, this is... amazing!" marveled Merrill. The bath was large enough to hold several people. The stone tub had been constructed from volcanic rock, designed to keep the heat of the water in as long as possible. Small wisps of steam had begun rising from the water, and the gentle heat felt wonderful on Merrill's smooth skin. She could feel all of the tension in her body being slowly leeched from her form by the comforting warmth.
Silently, Isabela brought out the bath salts and added them to the warm water. She retrieved a scrubbing brush and a cake of perfumed soap from the basket, and began to scrub. As the minutes passed, Isabela could feel tension drain out of her body. She gently massaged Merrill's back and applied soap and suds, gently washing the elf. Isabela tapped Merrill on the shoulder, then turned indicating she was ready for her treatment as well.
"Why did we do this, Isabela? Why are we sneaking into Hawke's bath, when we could easily just have asked? I'm sure she'd have let us use it." asked Merrill, as she began building a lather on her hands.
"Because, Kitten... things are often not appreciated if they are simply given. To truly appreciate them, you must take them."
"I'm not sure I understand."
"Don't worry your pretty little head about it. It's just more fun this way."
Merrill gave a small giggle. "Pretty? Me? I feel like a knobby stick next to you, Isabela. Especially naked."
"Shush, Merrill. You're so sweet I could eat you for dessert. You're beautiful, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Especially you." Isabela splashed a bit of water at Merrill, who giggled. Merrill finished scrubbing Isabela's back, and sank to her chin in the water.
" Have you been snacking without me again?" came an amused third voice. Isabela nervously glanced around the room, until she settled her eyes on Hawke, looking at the two of them in her bath.
"Hawke! What are you doing home?" stammered Isabela.
"I decided to take an afternoon bath, and I heard voices." Hawke smiled smugly. "So... is this a snacking session?"
"Of course not! You know I'd never..."
Hawke raised an eyebrow. Isabela pursed her lips.
"Well, maybe not NEVER, but... I wouldn't..."
Hawke crossed her arms beneath her breasts.
Isabela sighed. Then, gently, she said "No, Hawke. I'm saving my appetite."
"Isabela hasn't eaten a thing! We were never even near the kitchen!" chimed in Merrill helpfully.
Hawke nodded, and discarded her robe. "All right then. Scoot over and hand me the basket," she said as she stepped into the bath. As Hawke began scrubbing, Merrill burst into a fit of giggles.
"Is there something amusing about how I wash, Merrill?" inquired Hawke.
"No no, I get it! Isabela, I get it!" Merrill giggled.
"Kitten, what are you talking about?" asked Isabela.
"That story you told me a few days ago. I finally understand it!" said Merrill, happily.
"What story might this be?" wondered Hawke.
"The one about the rash!" laughed Merrill. Isabela's eyes widened first in surprise, then recognition. Then she, too, began to laugh.
"Kitten, you are too adorable. It really took you three days to understand that?" chuckled Isabela.
"Do I even want to know what you two are talking about?" wondered Hawke aloud, as she continued to scrub herself with the brush.
"Oh do tell her, Isabela! It's a delightful story, Hawke, you'll see!" nodded Merrill.
Hawke set down the brush and motioned for Isabela to begin.
Isabela shook away her giggles and cleared her throat.
"One day, not long ago, a young woman went to meet Anders at his clinic. She was very embarrassed about her condition, and was extremely shy. Anders promised to keep her confidence," she began. Merrill continued to giggle.
"The young woman told him 'Ser Healer, I am gravely concerned for this rash that appears on my inner thighs. I haven't been able to discern a cause for it! Can you please provide me a salve, or a balm to heal me? I am afraid that it might cause permanent injury!' Anders carefully examined the young girl, looking at the rash with the practiced eye of a trained physician. After he tried a few different ointments on it, he came to a realization."
Merrill submerged herself to her nose, and small bubbles of laughter continued to escape her lips.
"Anders put a hand gently on the woman's shoulder and said 'Young lady, I have divined the source of your malady. Do not fear, for it is not dangerous.'"
Hawke nodded, concentrating on Isabela's story. Isabela watched Hawke's bright eyes carefully for her reaction.
"Anders chuckled a bit and said 'The rash should not be your concern. Simply tell your lover that her earrings are not made of real gold.'"
Hawke began coughing uncontrollably and went scarlet to her ears, as Isabela broke into a fit of giggling.
"Wow, Hawke understood it immediately! Wasn't it a delightful story, Hawke?" wondered Merrill, looking at the still-flushed Hawke.
After fighting back the coughing fit, Hawke took a deep breath, stared directly at Isabela's wickedly grinning face and said, without a hint of emotion, "Delightful."
"Hawke, I think you should get out of the bath soon. It looks like the heat is getting to you." advised Merrill.
"All right, I think I'm finished with today's bath." Isabela stood up, water dripping from her bronzed body. She reached for a towel from the small stack that Hawke had brought in with her and began toweling her hair dry.
"Yes, thank you so much for letting us come here, Hawke" nodded Merrill as she rose to dry herself as well.
"Be prepared for tomorrow. We are visiting the Wounded Coast, and the band of blood mages we are after is very dangerous," cautioned Hawke.
"Yes, Hawke. Mythal watch over us, I shall be ready." promised Merrill, as she finished dressing.
"You know I'm always ready for a tumble, Hawke." winked Isabela as she pulled on one glorious boot.
Hawke motioned Isabela over to the bath, as Merrill opened the door to leave. Once the door shut, Isabela conspiratorially padded over to the lady in the bath and leaned down.
"Isabela... did you really have to tell her the earring story?" sighed Hawke.
"She was looking at me with those great big kittenish eyes!" apologized Isabela.
Hawke sighed again, pouting.
"You are the cutest thing." Isabela leaned down and kissed Hawke lightly on the cheek. Giving her bootstrap a final tug, she leaned in and murmured into Hawke's ear "And thank you for the real earrings."
-fin
Author's Note: I am sending out a request for pre-readers! The next story is being quite developed in my mind, and I want it to be good. Anyone who is willing to help provide feedback for pacing, flow, character and grammar sanity checks would be greatly appreciated. "Earrings" as a story has undergone several massive changes, including the last third of it being completely rewritten (and a totally different title). I wasn't happy with it before, but wanted to make Isabela "win" this one, since Hawke was the victor (in my mind) in "Cupcakes". I think the finished story is much better than the previous incarnation, which will hopefully be struck from the minds of everyone who read it. Until next time, cheers.
