Sighing irritably, Isabela kicked at a loose stone on the current path their 'epic' expedition was taking them down. Personally, she couldn't tell the difference between this gods cursed piece of the dark roads when compared to the one they'd supposedly just left! Scowling to herself she ignored Varric's pointed eye roll and resisted the urge to pick up another piece of the crumbling architecture and hurl it at the back of Hawke's head. The Fereldan rogue was walking ahead of her companions, chatting amiably to a smiling but vacant looking Sandal as she juggled three of his enchanted stones effortlessly. On the pirates other side Merril giggled softly and nudged Isabela with her elbow, mustering a smile the Rivaini glanced her way.
"What's up kitten?"
Smile growing softer at the pirate's nickname for her, the blood mage linked their arms and gestured to Hawke with her chin.
"She seems happier now we're down here doesn't she?"
Glancing back towards the Fereldan, Isabela couldn't help but smile, despite her irritation at being talked into this bloody foolish and claustrophobic venture, as she acknowledged the truth of her friend's statement. She hadn't wanted to realisethe truth of the Fereldan's unhappiness she supposed, personally speaking she wasn't exactly ecstatic at being stuck in Kirkwall herself, but at least she didn't have to stay once she'd located her relic…Hawke didn't have that freedom. She only really recognised the truth of her friend's situation as they were preparing for this very expedition in fact. It had always struck her how serious the rogue was, how she always had one eye on Bethany whenever they were out together and how much effort she put into providing for her family. She'd just never realised before that Quinton obviously felt trapped by it, now, looking at the dark haired, slightly klutzy (as in the fact that outside of a battle Hawke had the ability to trip over a gust of air) rogue laughing happily and enjoying a sweet roll with Bodan and Sandal, she felt herself feeling something for the bloody idiot, something akin to compassion. Sighing she forced the odd feeling from her mind, and more importantly her heart, before nodding amiably at the elf who was watching her curiously.
"I think that she's enjoying the freedom to be honest."
Frowning in mild confusion at the curiously vague reply, Merril looked back at the pirate, however she missed the slight hint of unease in her friend's eyes. Luckily Varric didn't, and chose to answer instead while Isabela wrestled with whatever it was she was feeling.
"Rivaini didn't mean the word freedom literally, Hawke is no one's slave as you know, and Bela just meant that Hawke has a lot to think about in Kirkwall. Getting the ancestral home back for her mother, keeping Bethany away from the Templars, and of course keeping Anders under control."
Merril sniggered slightly at that and nodded almost happily, as much as she held no real malice in her bones for anybody, Anders and his continual lectures on the plight of all mage kind did become a bit wearing.
"He means well but he can be a bit overbearing can't he?"
Isabela, who was half listening to her friend's conversation snorted in agreement and Varric chuckled.
"Blondie's okay…he's just unfortunately seen too much of the bad side of the Templar's, and his sense of injustice is only heightened by his little friend from the fade."
Shuddering slightly, the elf pulled a face.
"Justice scares me I have to confess…when he gets all shouty, it's like when Isabela gets all fighty because someone tried to cheat at cards."
Varric laughed heartily at that, especially when he saw the pirate's small smirk.
"She only gets angry at that because too many people cheating means she can't cheat properly!"
Shrugging slightly at the dwarf's accusation, Isabela replied primly.
"It's a legitimate concern! But I don't think this was actually what we were talking about was it?"
Rolling his eyes, Varric heaved a sigh and turned back to Merril who was still waiting with an expectant smile on her face.
"Hawke's a lot younger than she acts, she fights like a demon, steals like a street kid and wisecracks worse than Isabela when the mood takes her…but she has a lot of responsibility, and unlike other people in her situation, she steps up and takes it on."
Gesturing up ahead of them to where Hawke was now racing Sandal to the spot Bertrand had obviously picked for their first nights camp site, he smiled.
"Down here she can forget all that for a while and just be…well, be Hawke!"
Merril looked thoughtful for a long moment then grinned widely and freed her arm from Isabela's.
"Well in that case, I'm going to go and make sure she keep's being Hawke, at least for a little while!"
With that announcement she smiled happily and started racing after the rogue and young dwarf boy, Bodan laughed as the elf shot past him, calling out that she was the fastest runner in their party and not Hawke. Glancing over her shoulder the Fereldan grinned and told her with a yell to 'bring it on' Varric shook his head in amusement, glancing up to see Isabela looking at him thoughtfully.
"Something on your mind Rivaini?"
Raising a dark eyebrow, the pirate replied smoothly.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing Varric…that little speech of yours was just for Merril wasn't it, you're not trying to get me to be more empathic and sensitive by osmosis are you?"
Letting out a sharp bark of laughter, the dwarf sighed before shaking his head.
"Okay, firstly I am admittedly impressed that you know the word 'osmosis' and used it correctly, secondly do you really think I would try and do something that crafty, to you of all people?"
His wide innocent eyes in no way fooled the pirate, smiling sweetly she leaned down and caught his chin gently in her hand.
"You don't fool me dwarf, not for one single moment…but just in case you were entertaining ideas of civilising me, let me remind you that better men and women have tried…and all have failed spectacularly."
Rather than be cowed by her words, the dwarf pursed his lips and blew her a cheeky kiss, chuckling with amusement Isabela rolled her eyes and they carried on walking.
"Well, just in case the thought had crossed your mind, forget it! Helping Hawke have a little fun however is something I'm pretty sure I can do!"
Smirking confidently she ran her hands down the front of her corset, smoothing it somewhat and readjusting 'the girls' to further display them, she took off with a confident swagger to where Hawke and the others were distributing the tents and bedrolls as they set up camp. Varric watched her go and then grinned to himself, he was a hell of a lot older than any of his friends guessed, and if there was one thing he recognised more than anything else, it was two people falling in love with each other! Whether Hawke or Isabela were actually aware that, that was what was indeed happening to them was another matter, but that was where he came in!
Over at the camp, Hawke watched the pirate saunter her way over to join them and smirked at the obvious attempt to attract her attention. Sighing dramatically she just shook her head and spoke in a faux serious tone as she lay a hand on the pirate's surprisingly muscled shoulder.
"Isabela, I know what you want, but I just don't think we can do it, I don't think I can live with that side of you."
Catching the playful tone but unsure where exactly it was headed, Isabela decided to play along and tilting her head to the side in a show of concern, widened her eyes innocently.
"But Hawke, what about all those things you said when I was saving your life?"
She ran a gentle forefinger down the still red scar on the Fereldan's temple, smirking as she felt the resultant shiver her touch elicited. Re-grouping her senses, the younger rogue cleared her throat and dropped back into character, whisper shouting a dramatic response.
"I know but we were young and foolish, under the spell of a moonlit summer's night…and that was before…"
Impressed with both the Fereldan's stamina and playful side that she was giving free reign to, the pirate sighed theatrically.
"Before what my dark haired Goddess?"
Resisting the urge to drop out of character to ask if the pirate had seriously just used an overblown line like that, Hawke bit the inside of her cheek to stay serious. Leaning forward she rested her forehead on the Rivaini's and then smirking widely, replied in a completely serious and far too loud voice.
"Before I knew that you snored like an ogre with bad sinus problems chewing on a rat with breathing difficulties!"
There was a moment's stunned silence before Varric and Merril started the guffaws of laughter rippling across the campsite, the Fereldan grinned cheekily and leapt back just in time to avoid the pirate's hand which was reaching to smack her one.
"You, you cheeky little sod! Get your arse back here Hawke so I can kick it!"
Dodging the Rivaini's attempts to grab her, Hawke weaved agilely through the members of their expedition, always staying just out of Isabela's reach as she replied.
"What?! Come on, you asked for that Bela, you aren't the only one who can tease you know!"
Lips quirking in amusement as she watched both Varric and Merril nod in agreement, the pirate just pointed a warning finger toward the unrepentant Fereldan.
"Very well, this battle is yours, but the war isn't over Hawke!"
Leaning forward with a twinkle in her eye, the younger rogue reached out and pinched the pirate's cheek lightly.
"You're so cute when you admit defeat Bela!"
Golden eyes narrowing playfully, the pirate also leaned forwards until they were literally a hairs breadth from touching lips, noting with a certain amount of satisfaction that Hawke swallowed nervously, Isabela spoke just loud enough for the Fereldan to hear.
"Bring it on…Quinton!"
Trying not to flinch at her name being said out loud (luckily, no one else had heard) Hawke shook her head faintly before Sandal tugged on her hand to get her attention. Breaking off from their somewhat charged banter, she allowed the dwarf boy to pull her towards the campfire and show her another 'enchantment' in the meantime, Isabela found a bedroll being thrust into her arms by Merril.
"I brought your bedroll over Isabela, you're in the tent next to the wall with Hawke, Varric's agreed to share with me so I can hear more of his stories, and I love stories!"
Laughing happily, the pirate shook her head fondly as she slung her free arm round the elf's shoulders.
"I know you do kitten, now what do you say we try and get hold of a decent bottle of brandy from that stash Bertrand doesn't think I know about, maybe it will help the food to just taste bad, instead of bloody awful!"
Pulling a face at the memory of Bertrand's effort last night, Merril shuddered and quickened her pace.
"I think I'll offer to do tonight's meal!"
Isabela smirked to herself happily at the situation, Merril was now cooking and that woman could make anything taste edible! She was sharing a tent with Hawke which gave her the perfect setting for payback, and Bertrand was lousy at hiding his booze. Sneakily plucking two large flagons from the pack's 'secret' pocket she tucked them under her bedroll and smirked.
"I love it when a plan comes together!"
Several hours later the camp was filled with laughter and music, by some unspoken agreement, the members had split into two factions with Bertrand and the majority of his followers on one side, Hawke and hers on the other. Bertrand's side of the camp was singing boisterously and comparing war stories, Hawke's was listening with rapt attention as Varric finished off his latest somewhat embellished tale of the Fereldan refugee's story. As he finished the tale, Merril clapped enthusiastically, as did Bodan and Sandal. Isabela shook her head in amusement while Hawke just rubbed the back of her neck in confusion.
"Um, Varric…I'm pretty sure that no one is going to swallow that story!"
Throwing his hands up in silent dismay, the dwarf appealed to Merril.
"Daisy, help me out here, tell Hawke that, that was a good story, people are going to love it!"
The elf nodded happily, sighing dreamily she settled back on the floor cross legged as she looked to Hawke earnestly.
"It was wonderful, it had dragons, it had danger, it had a trapped princess…I loved it!"
Isabela laughed and leant into Merril, hugging the blood mage to her affectionately she pressed a kiss to her temple.
"Don't ever change Merril, you're wonderful the way you are!"
Missing the point of the comment, the elf swore solemnly she wouldn't, which of course caused the slightly inebriated pirate to giggle even more. Distracting the confused Merril from Isabela's amusement, Hawke cleared her throat and tried again.
"Firstly, we haven't ever met a trapped princess, and if we did she would more than likely prefer someone brooding and manly like Fenris to rescue her than a lanky refugee with odd friends!"
Countering her objections the dwarf smile widely as he accepted a swig from the brandy flask that was going around before passing it onto Hawke.
"Well, Fenris isn't in this story is he? And you have no idea who might or might not be a princess do you?"
Unable to refute that, Hawke frowned in thought and taking a far too healthy swig from the flask (she really liked brandy, especially Antivan brandy) moved on to her second objection.
"As for the dragon, can I just say that if we ever were to fight a dragon, I don't think my shouting at it would be considered a good tactical move, you can't kill a dragon with shouts!"
Varric rolled his eyes before stretching.
"It's called artistic licence Hawke, it makes a better story than, Hawke jumped on the ogres back, killed it by stabbing it in the eyes then managed to rip her pants trying to jump off it's back before it fell on her!"
Blushing a bright red and tried desperately to ignore Merril's muted giggling and Isabela's unabashed howl of amusement as they remembered that little scene from this mornings scuffle. Scowling in the dwarf's direction the Fereldan drained what was left in the flask despite knowing she'd have a wicked hangover in the morning, before muttering under her breath.
"It's hardly my fault that Ogre's have like, really pointed sharp horns is it? And in my defence I thought he was going to fall the other way!"
Isabela shuffled up next to the younger woman and pulling her into a one armed embrace tried to be sympathetic.
"Hawke, these things happen to the best of us, we've all ripped clothes in a battle and it's nothing to be ashamed of…"
Raising one eyebrow, Hawke simply waited, she knew Isabela far too well to hope that the pirate would leave it at that. Sure enough those golden eyes sparkled with mirth as she added.
"Wearing pink small clothes however…"
Varric laughed so hard at the memory of the victorious rogue suddenly realising her pants were on display that he fell sideways into an equally as amused Merril. Rolling her eyes and standing unsteadily, the Fereldan's lips quirked in reluctant amusement.
"Hmph, well if you've all have finished insulting me, I'm going to go and relieve myself before I wet my very pink smallclothes! Which was Bethany's fault by the way…her and her stupid red bandana…"
She was still muttering under her breath about her sister's bandana as she used the wall to help her toward the small latrine area they'd set up just outside of camp. By the time she made her way back, this time without the help of the wall (just) only Isabela was left sitting next to the campfire, raising an eyebrow in question the Fereldan thumped down next to the pirate happily.
"Okay Bela, fess up, what'd you do the others?"
Smiling at the very drunk Fereldan, Isabela shook her head and held her hands up to display her innocence.
"Hey, I didn't do anything, maybe it was talking about your smallclothes that made everyone flee to their beds in terror."
Snorting amusement at that, Hawke deftly swiped the remains of the second flask of brandy from Isabella and took a good hit from it, Isabela smirked crookedly as she took it back.
"Don't you think you've had enough of that? What would your mother say if she could see you like this young Quinton?"
Groaning at the use of her name, and possibly the mention of her mother, Hawke let her head rest on the pirates shoulder as she growled.
"You have to stop calling me that!"
Grinning widely, Isabela replied in a sing song voice.
"No I don't, I won the knowledge fair and square and knowledge is no good if you don't use it, one of the only useful things my mother ever said to me."
The last was muttered under her breath, Hawke wisely chose to pretend she hadn't heard it, she also thought of how to lighten the mood and get Isabela to stop calling her by that cursed bloody name! Sitting upright she turned to face the older woman who immediately recognised the mischievous glint in crystal blue eyes.
"How do you feel about a challenge Bela, you up for it?"
Narrowing her eyes in thought the pirate quickly assessed her 'competition' admittedly Hawke had a sharp mind and a wicked sense of humour, but she was currently swaying side to side despite being sat still. Grinning confidently, the Rivaini sighed dramatically and gestured with her hand as she spoke.
"I doubt there's much you can challenge me to do that would phase me Hawke, so give it your best shot, what did you have in mind?"
Clapping her hands together, the younger woman rubbed them eagerly as she remembered the drinking game she and Carver used to indulge in before the blight hit and things went to hell.
"Okay, there's this game Carver taught me from one of his friends that they used when drunk to decide who was the most sober, I decree that I am far less drunk than you…and you decree, um…not that!"
Trying not to laugh at the heavily furrowed brow of her fellow rogue as she tried to think, Isabela nodded patiently.
"You're right, I do decree…not that."
Pointing a wavering finger, Hawke grinned.
"Exactly, Soooo if I can do the game without throwing up or falling over then you have to stop using my name and call me Hawke like everyone else, deal?"
Pursing her lips in thought, Isabela leaned back on one elbow, smirking internally as Hawkes intent gaze immediately flitted down to the Rivaini's long tanned legs. After letting Hawke struggle internally for a moment she cleared her throat, almost losing her composure and laughing as she took in the startled guilty look in the Fereldan's blue eyes.
"Well, you would definitely benefit from that admittedly…but I fail to see what I might get if I win, because I already call you by your given name now."
Furrowing her brow deeply again as she tried to marshal her thoughts, Hawke eventually gave up and shrugging pulled on her earlobe as she asked.
"Well, what do you want then?"
Realising belatedly from the wicked grin on the pirates face that she had literally given Isabela carte blanche with that question, she hastily re-phrased it.
"Nothing rude, you know as in…um, like physical stuff, cos if I were gonna do that I'd wanna do that cos…um, I wanted to, ya know?"
Smile softening slightly, the pirate found herself replying in a perfectly caring and worryingly sincere voice.
"Hawke, I would never trap you into doing rude physical things, I promise."
After a moments quiet, Hawke gave her such an open, shy smile that the pirate felt a fluttering in her chest that was so strange it was almost unknown…almost. Clearing her throat she quickly looked away and shook it off, mustering her usual lascivious tone as she continued.
"Questions of the rude variety however are totally allowed, so if I win then I get to ask you one rude question…deal?"
Hawke tugged on her earlobe thoughtfully as she regarded the pirate's outstretched hand for a moment, then, heaving a deep breath she clasped it firmly and shook.
"Deal! Now wait here cos I need to get a sword!"
Before Isabela could ask why in the name of Andraste's G-string they needed a sword, Hawke had left for the pile of arms between the two camps. Coming back moments later with a sword and a grin, she gestured for Isabela to follow her and walked to a space a little outside of their circle. Placing the sword tip down into the broken remnants of the deep roads, the Fereldan took a deep breath and explained.
"Okay…so here's what we do, we put the point of the sword on the floor, then we rest our forehead on the pommel and without letting the sword drop or using hands we run round it ten times then head towards the camp fire without falling over or losing your guts."
Smirking confidently, Hawke crossed her arms, momentarily forgetting the sword was only held up by the hand she had just removed. Isabela just managed to catch hold of it before it fell to the floor and caused the guards on watch to come running their way to investigate the noise. The pirate was no stranger to this game, had aced it many times in fact, even on the rolling decks of her much missed ship, so she merely smirked back confidently and twirled the sword round in her hand.
"You want me to go first Quinton?"
Trying not to scowl at the name, Hawke smiled through gritted teeth and gestured to the pirate.
"Be my guest, just don't expect me to clean up your vomit."
Smiling back sweetly, the pirate tipped the swaying Fereldan a wink before placing the sword on the floor and her forehead on the sword, taking a deep breath she began the rapid circles, listening as Hawke called them out. On the count of ten she narrowed her eyes and headed toward the campfire. It wasn't perfect, she wobbled a little, even stumbled…but, she made it to the campfire and fell down outside their tent with a smug smile. Hawke tugged on her earlobe again and glancing between the sword and the smug Rivaini woman cursed under her breath. Not one to be beaten easily however, she placed the sword on the ground, took a deep breath and placing her forehead on the pommel began her circles.
She finished them and felt fine, maybe a little dizzy but no more than she had beforehand, taking a deep breath she took the first step…and promptly fell flat on her face with a groan. She wasn't sure what hurt more, her lip that had somehow managed to meet the ground before the rest of her and was bleeding, or her pride, which was having salt rubbed in its wound courtesy of the pirate's laughter. Before she could dwell on it too long however she smelt the familiar spicy scent of the Rivaini's perfume and found herself being lifted easily from the broken up pathway. When her vision cleared Isabela was grinning at her fondly, shaking her head slightly the pirate gently wiped her thumb across the split in the Fereldan's bottom lip to clean it of blood.
"What in the name of Andraste am I going to do with you Quinton?"
Ignoring the use of her name for now, the younger rogue shrugged a shoulder and grinned, then abruptly winced as she re-opened the cut on her lip.
"Ow…um, I don't know? Although now I've admitted defeat a hand into bed wouldn't be refused?"
Laughing softly and leaving one of the rogues arms slung over her shoulders, Isabela helped her to the tent and into her bedroll before she unlaced her boots and crawled happily into her own. There was a few moments blessed silence before Hawke sighed and turned in the direction of the pirate.
"Come on then…hit me with it Bela, I'm nothing if not honest, I owe you a question so ask away."
Smiling into the shadows of their tent, the Rivaini woman linked her hands together behind her head and pondered which of the many questions she wanted to ask. Hawke had been magnanimous in her defeat and the pirate put it down to that to explain why she chose one of the tamer questions to ask, definitely not the odd feeling she kept getting when around Hawke, definitely not!
"Hmm, well…of the many mysteries surrounding you and 'rude things' Hawke, I suppose what I'd like to know most, at least right now, is whether that kiss I gave you was your first one?"
There was a long period of silence which Isabela expected to end with Hawke's refusal to answer, or with heavy snoring to announce the younger woman had fallen asleep. She was therefore surprised when she got her answer, a quiet and reluctant answer but an honest one.
"Yes…I mean, proper kiss anyway."
The muttered reply both surprised and didn't surprise the pirate, despite having only been granted the one question she found a follow up question falling out without her being able to stop it.
"Why? I mean you're good looking, smart and with that wicked sense of humour you could have gotten scores of women into your bed, let alone to kiss you!"
Hawke laughed softly and then running her tongue along her split lip in thought for a moment decided to reply, even though technically she'd already met her part of their bargain.
"I just never had time, I mean…it took us ages before we could settle anywhere because Beth was still getting used to her powers to begin with, and despite dad helping her she used to make the occasional slip. After dad died it was mostly about keeping her out of sight of Templar's and keeping Carver out of fights…little shit was a real hothead and never could turn down a dare, or a challenge."
Her words were affectionate as she remembered her brother, after a moment she sighed again, finding that she actually didn't mind talking about this, despite the fact she was pretty sure it would seem stupid to someone like Isabela.
"So, when I wasn't bribing guards to drop charges against Carver, I was tidying up after him, following Bethany, or making sure we had enough to eat and a roof over our head. Mother worked hard too but she sort of…well, things weren't the same after dad died, and once we were in Kirkwall with that festering boil of an uncle…well, you know the rest I guess."
Isabela was silent, taken off guard by Hawkes honesty and the lack of bitterness in her voice, she would hate to think how she would feel at having her freedom restricted by a bunch of responsibility she never asked for. Worried at the Rivaini's silence Hawke tried to lighten the mood, concerned she was depressing the very woman she was growing to…admire? Hawke wasn't sure that was the right word, but it would do for now.
"I guess that's all very boring to you huh? Um…sorry if my kissing wasn't good?"
The joking comment, with its very faint trace of well-disguised concern, prompted the pirate to reply, to her own surprise the reply was as honest as Hawke's admission had been. So honest Isabela didn't even recognise the tone in her own voice but decided to just go with it, after all they were drunk, and that was the excuse she would use if this conversation ever became an 'issue'.
"Hawke, you're not a bad kisser, in fact you're a very good kisser, those village girls don't know what they were missing."
She couldn't see Hawke's grin, but guessed that was what the rogue had done when she heard the follow up curse and watched the shadowy form wipe at her lip. Grinning internally at how cute (wait, not cute, silly) Hawke could be, the pirate rolled her eyes, and being careful to avoid the split lower lip, leaned over to place a kiss on the surprised Fereldan's mouth before rolling back again.
"Now shut up and get to sleep…you're going to have a raging hangover in the morning Quinton!"
Chuckling slightly at the last dig, Hawke found herself sleepily admitting.
"Ya know, it doesn't sound so bad when you say it…"
Seconds later Hawke was out cold and the pirate was covering over her own momentary emotional blip, by plotting the noisiest way possible to wake the Fereldan in the morning!